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(11) | EP 0 041 183 B1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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| (54) |
Hand-held labeler Handetikettiergerät Etiqueteuse à main |
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| Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). |
[0001] The invention relates to a hand-held apparatus for applying pressure sensitive labels releasably secured to a web of supporting material and including a housing having a handle, means for mounting a label roll on the housing, a delaminator mounted by the housing, an applicator for applying delaminated labels, a driver for advancing the web, means defining a feed path from the label roll to the delaminator where labels are successively peeled from the web, to the driver, and to a place of exit from the housing, means for moving the driver to advance the web including a manually engageable actuator disposed at the handle, and a leaf spring cantilivered to the housing, the web being adapted to pass into contact with the leaf spring.
[0002] In the case of a prior art apparatus of this type (US patent 4 1 16 747) excessive telescoping of the label roll proved problemsome, unless providing two disks, and for preventing mushrooming a leaf spring spaced from the disks was used.
[0003] The invention is based on the object of developing the prior art apparatus in such a manner that excessive telescoping and mushrooming are avoided in a particularly simple manner.
[0004] This problem is solved by the apparatus according to the invention, which is substantially characterized by a pair of spaced fingers cantilevered to the leaf spring for straddling the label roll to obviate excessive telescoping of the label roll.
[0005] It should be mentioned here that it is already known in connection with a labeler, without a leaf spring, of a different species (US patent 4 148 678) to associate a U-shaped wire-like flexible retainer with the frame of the housing, the two arms of said retainer straddling the label roll to prevent the roll from unwinding. In this case, the frame members must have integrally formed pairs of projections which define grooves therebetween to receive the arms in their operating position.
[0006] In the case of another hand-held labeler of a different species (US patent 4 440 123) a pair of spring arms are secured to the frame of the housing, each of said spring arms carrying a button for supporting the label roll. To the furthermost ends of said arms a pair of studs are secured, which contact one another. The sum of the lengths of said studs is approximately equivalent to the width of the label roll. In this manner, the studs help control the mushrooming of the label roll, when the outer wrap of the label roll contacts the studs.
[0007] It proved most advantageous in connection with the hand-held labeler according to the invention when the fingers cantilevered to the leaf spring are flexible and resilient. According to an embodiment that is particularly advantageous in terms of structure, the leaf spring and the fingers are of one-piece construction, most conveniently of a one-piece molded plastics construction.
[0008] For ease of manufacture of the leaf spring- fingers unit, the fingers are advantageously offset along the length of the leaf spring to facilitate molding.
[0009] Further important details, advantages and features of the invention may be seen from the following description and the accompanying drawings which are referred to explicitly in respect to all details not described in the text, wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a hand-held labeler having a print head cover portion shown in its open position and illustrating a labeler in accordance with the invention;
FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the labeler shown in FIGURE 1, but showing a label-carrying web threaded through the apparatus, the web being arranged jn a roll mounted by the labeler;
FIGURE 3 is a rear elevational view of the labeler and label roll shown in FIGURE 2; and
FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of a leaf spring and a pair of spring fingers for staddling the label roll also shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3.
Detailed Description of the Preferred
Embodiments
[0010] The hand-held labeler 9 illustrated in FIGURE 1 incorporates a housing 10 which includes two mating side sections 12 and 14 which are preferably molded of a plastics material. The housing 10 also includes a handle portion 16 having an actuator 17. The specific construction of the housing 10 and the components enclosed therein are described in above-mentioned U.S. patent 4,116,747 incorporated herein by reference. The labeler 9 is adapted to receive a supply of pressure sensitive labels L which are carried by a web W and wound into a roll R inserted between the opposing freely rotatable mounting members or hub members 19. A molded plastic leaf spring 21 guides the web W and labels L which it carries into the labeler 9, and the web W is directed upwardly across the inner surface of a flat platen 23 where the labels L are successively printed. Each pressure sensitive label L is printed on the platen 23 by movement of the print head 25 in response to retraction of the actuator 17, and the web W is advanced by a predetermined increment when the actuator 17 is released. The printed label L is peeled from the carrier web 10 at a delaminator 31 where the carrier web reverses and is directed downwardly and rearwardly through the labeler 9 and around a ratchet type indexing drive wheel 32 enclosed within the housing 10. As each printed label L is fed past the delaminator 31, the label is positioned to be applied to an article by a label applicator 35.
[0011] In a manner as illustrated in above-mentioned patent 4,116,747, the print head 25 is enclosed or covered by a molded plastic cover section 37 which is pivotally connected to the mating housing sections 12 and 14 by a cross shaft 38. The closure or cover section 37 is retained within its closed position by a latch mechanism which is released by pulling rearwardly on a set of outwardly projecting latch actuator knobs or pins 39, as explained in above-mentioned patent No. 4,116,747.
[0012] A replaceable ink applying roller 40 includes a porous ink retaining body or tube which is mounted on a pair of opposing hub members having corresponding outwardly projecting end journals 42. The ink roller 40 is supported and carried by a frame or holder 45 which is preferably molded of a plastics material and has a set of trunnions 47 projecting outwardly into aligned holes within the cover section 37 to form a pivot axis for the holder 45. The ink applying roller 40 and holder 45 are biased or urged toward a position where the ink roller 40 engages the printing characters on printing bands 27 and rolls across the characters in response to forward movement of the printing head 25. The biasing force is produced by a pair of spring members or elements 52 (FIGURES 1, 2) which are also molded of a plastics material such as nylon.
[0013] The leaf spring 21 has a mounting portion 60 cantilevered in opposed pockets 61. The mounting portion 60 is joined to a relatively wide portion 62 which is joined to a narrower portion 63. The deflection of the wide portion 62 is less than the deflection of the narrower portion 63. A pair of fingers 64 and 65 are connected to a marginal end portion 66 of the spring 21. The marginal end portion 66 is opposite the mounting portion 60. The spring 21 and the fingers 64 are preferably of one-piece molded plastics construction for ease of manufacture and to provide the desired functions with a minimum of parts. The fingers 64 and 65 are shown to be generally parallel to each other and to be disposed in straddling relationship with respect to the label roll R as best shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. As best shown in FIGURE 3, the fingers 64 and 65 are spaced more widely apart than the mounting members 19 which mount the label roll R. Also the finger 64 overlaps the mounting members 19 whereas the mounting member 65 does not quite overlap. The fingers 64 and 65 prevent excessive telescoping of the label roll R. Excessive telescoping is especially problemsome when the diameter of the roll R is large. As the diameter of the label roll R decreases with repeated label cycles, there is less tendency of the roll R to telescope when the label roll R is full. As shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, the spring 21 also keeps the label roll from mushrooming. Mushrooming occurs when the roll R unwinds excessively, thereby causing the outer passes of the roll R to become loose. As mushrooming occurs one of the passes of the roll R will contact the underside of the leaf spring 21 which will offer frictional resistance.
[0014] As shown in the drawings, the fingers 64 and 65 are relatively thin and are flexible and resilient so that if the labeler 10 is dropped or otherwise abused, there is not the tendency of the spring fingers 64 and 65 or the flexible resilient spring 21 to break or become bent out of shape. The fingers 64 and 65 are shown cantilevered to the spring 21 at end portion 66. The fingers 64 and 65 are shown to be offset lengthwise of the spring 21 to facilitate molding and this is a feature of the invention.
1. A hand-held apparatus for applying pressure sensitive labels (L) releasably secured
to a web (W) of supporting material and including a housing (10) having a handle (16),
means for mounting a label roll (R) on the housing, a delaminator (31) mounted by
the housing (10), an applicator (35) for applying delaminated labels (L), a driver
(32) for advancing the web (W), means defining a feed path from the label roll (R)
to the delaminator (31) where labels (L) are successively peeled from the web (W),
to the driver (32), and to a place of exit from the housing (10), means for moving
the driver (32) to advance the web (W) including a manually engageable actuator (17)
disposed at the handle (16), and a leaf spring (21) cantilevered to the housing, the
web (W) being adapted to pass into contact with the leaf spring (21), characterized
by a pair of spaced fingers (64, 65) cantilevered to the leaf spring (21) for straddling
the label roll (R) to obviate excessive telescoping of the label roll.
2. A hand-held apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the fingers (64, 65) are flexible
and resilient.
3. A hand-held apparatus as defined in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the leaf
spring (21) and the fingers (64, 65) are of one-piece construction.
4. A hand-held apparatus as defined in either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the leaf spring
(21) and the fingers (64, 65) are of one-piece molded plastics construction.
5. A hand-held apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1 through 4, wherein the
fingers (64, 65) are offset along the length of the leaf spring to facilitate molding.
6. A hand-held apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1 through 5, wherein there
are two and only two fingers (64, 65).
7. A hand-held apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1 through 6, wherein the
fingers (64, 65) are connected to a free end portion of the leaf spring (21).
8. A hand-held apparatus as defined in any one of claims 1 through 6, wherein the
fingers (64, 65) are connected to the leaf spring (21) in spaced relation to the place
where the leaf spring is cantilevered to the housing.
1. Handetikettiergerät zum Anbringen druckempfindlicher Etiketten (L), die an einem
Band (W) aus einem Stützmaterial lösbar befestigt sind, bestehend aus einem Gehäuse
(10) mit einem Handgriff (16), einer Einrichtung zum Lagern einer Etikettenrolle (R)
auf dem Gehäuse, einer in dem Gehäuse (10) gelagerten Ablöseeinrichtung (31), einer
Anbringeinrichtung (35) zum Anbringen abgelöster Etiketten (L), einer Antriebseinrichtung
(32), zum Vorwärtsbewegen des Bandes (W), einer Einrichtung, die eine Zuführbahn von
der Etikettenrolle (R) zu der Ablöseeinrichtung (31), wo die Etiketten (L) nacheinander
vom Band (W) abgelöst werden, zur Antriebseinrichtung (32) und zu einem Ort des Austritts
aus dem Gehäuse (10) begrenzt, einer Einrichtung zum Bewegen der Antriebseinrichtung
(32) zum Vorwärtsbewegen des Bandes (W), die ein am Handgriff (16) angeordnetes, mit
der Hand erfaßbares Betätigungsteil (17) aufweist, und einer Endseitig an dem Gehäuse
befestigten Blattfeder (21), wobei das Band (W) mit der Blattfeder (21) in Berührung
bringbar ist, gekennzeichnet durch zwei im Abstand angeordnete Finger (64, 65), die
endseitig an der Blattfeder (21) befestigt sind und die Etikettenrolle (R) übergreifen,
um ein übermäßiges Teleskopieren der Etikettenrolle zu verhindern.
2. Handetikettiergerät nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Finger (64,
65) flexibel und elastisch sind.
3. Handetikettiergerät nach einem der Ansprüche 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die Blattfeder (21) und die Finger (64, 65) einstückig ausgebildet sind.
4. Handetikettiergerät nach einem der Ansprüche 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß die Blattfeder und die Finger (64, 65) ein einstückiges Gußteil aus Kunststoff
sind.
5. Handetikettiergerät nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
die Finger (64, 65) in Längsrichtung der Blattfeder gegeneinander versetzt sind, um
den Gießvorgang zu erleichtern.
6. Handetikettiergerät nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
lediglich zwei Finger (64, 65) vorhanden sind.
7. Handetikettiergerät nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
die Finger (64, 65) mit einem freien Endbereich der Blattfeder (21) verbunden sind.
8. Handetikettiergerät nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
die Finger (64, 65) an einer Stelle der Blattfeder (21) befestigt sind, die im Abstand
vom Ort der freitragenden Befestigung der Blattfeder am Gehäuse angeordnet ist.
1. Appareil portatif pour mettre en place des étiquettes sensibles à une pression
(L) et fixées de façon séparable sur une bande (W) de matière portante et comportant
un carter (10) pourvu d'une poignée (16), des moyens pour monter un rouleau d'étiquettes
(R) sur le carter, un organe de détachement (31) supporté par le carter (10), un applicateur
(35) pour mettre en place des étiquettes détachées (L), un entraîneur (32) pour faire
avancer la bande (W), des moyens définissant un trajet d'avance depuis le rouleau
d'étiquettes (R) jusqu'à l'organe de détachement (31) où des étiquettes (L) sont successivement
détachées de la bande (W), jusqu'à l'entraîneur (32), et jusqu'à un endroit de sortie
du carter (10), des moyens pour faire déplacer l'entraîneur (32) pour avancer la bande
(W) comprenant un organe d'actionnement (17) pouvant être sollicité manuellement et
disposé sur la poignée (16), et une lame élastique (21) montée en porte-à-faux sur
le carter, la bande (W) étant adaptée pour passer au contact de la lame élastique
(21), caractérisé par une paire de doigts espacés (64, 65) montés en porte-à faux
sur la lame élastique (21) pour chevaucher le rouleau d'étiquettes (R) afin d'empêcher
un mouvement télescopique excessif du rouleau d'étiquettes.
2. Appareil portatif comme défini dans la revendication 1, où les doigts (64, 65)
sont flexibles et élastiques.
3. Appareil portatif comme défini dans l'une des revendications 1 ou 2, où la lame
élastique (21) et les doigts (64, 65) sont réalisés d'une seule pièce.
4. Appareil portatif comme défini dans la revendication 1 ou 2, où la lame élastique
(21) et les doigts (64, 65) sont réalisé d'une seule pièce en matière plastique moulée.
5. Appareil portatif comme défini dans l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4,
où les doigts (64, 65) sont décalés suivant la longueur de la lame élastique pour
faciliter le moulage.
6. Appareil portatif comme défini dans l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5,
où il est prévu deux et seulement deux doigts (64, 65).
7. Appareil portatif comme défini dans l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6,
où les doigts (64, 65) sont reliés à une partie extrêmite libre de la lame élastique
(21).
8. Appareil portatif comme défini dans l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6,
où les doigts (64, 65) sont reliés à la lame élastique (21) en relation espacée de
l'endroit où la lame élastique est montée en porte-à-faux sur le carter.