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(11) | EP 0 134 018 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Target applicator |
| (57) @ A target applicator for applying adhesive coated targets (12) mounted on a backing
strip (18) to a surface (14) of an article of merchandise (16) and comprising a frame
(22) on which a coil (20) of the target backing strip (18) is mounted, a trigger (38)
which moves a gear rack to turn a drive gear and a drive spindle which operates through
a one way clutch mechanism to turn a sprocket (26) to advance the strip (18) to a
reversing element (46) where the targets (12) become peeled off and positioned in
front of a pressure element (58) which presses the target against the surface (14)
and allows it to be pulled off from the backing tape while advancing the tape. A novel
arrangement incorporating a single clutch to perform two clutching functions and a
novel print mechanism actuation arrangement are also disclosed. |
[0001] This application contains subject matter related to subject matter disclosed in United States application entitled Target Applicator in the name of Natan Spektor, filed on even date herewith.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to applicator devices and in particular it concerns a novel target applicator for affixing targets to articles of merchandise for protecting same against theft.
Description of the Prior Art
[0003] Electronic article surveillance systems have come into general use by stores and libraries for the protection of merchandise and books from theft. Examples of such systems are shown in United States patents No. 3,500,373 and No. 4,326,198. As shown in those patents, each article or book to be protected has affixed thereto a "target" having special electrical characteristics which produce a predetermined disturbance in an electromagnetic field generated at an exit from the store or library. When an article or book with such target is taken through the exit, the resulting field disturbance is detected by a receiver and the receiver in turn actuates an alarm.
[0004] Some article surveillance systems use targets which comprise a thin elongated strip of metal, such as permalloy, having a high magnetic permeability and a low saturation level. Other systems use targets which comprise a resonant electrical circuit which may be formed as a printed circuit. Such targets may be affixed to the articles or books by means of an adhesive; and, in order to apply a large number of targets to a large number of articles, it has been proposed to mount the adhesive coated targets on a release surface of a continuous backing strip and then to dispense the targets from the strip using an applicator mechanism similar to the conventional label applicator guns used in supermarkets. Examples of conventional label applicator guns are shown in United States Patents No. 3,814,651 and No. 4,094,724.
[0005] It has been found that certain problems are encountered in connection with the dispensing of electronic targets from a backing strip by means of a label applicator gun. These problems result from the fact that the targets often vary as to length, thickness and stiffness and they may not be in precise registry with the applicator gun sprocket holes on the backing strip.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a novel target applicator which comprises a support frame for holding a coiled backing strip having a release surface on which targets are held by an adhesive. A drive mechanism is provided on the support frame for advancing the backing strip; and a trigger is also mounted on the frame for actuating the drive mechanism. A reversing element and guide elements are arranged on the frame so that as the backing strip is advanced in the forward direction the guide elements guide the backing strip around the reversing element to cause its direction to change aDruptly while the targets carried on the strip proceed forwardly without change in direction and become peeled off from the strip. A pressure element is provided on the frame to engage the peeled off portion of a target and press it against the surface of an article of merchandise. There is also provided a clutch mechanism arranged on the frame to permit the backing strip to be pulled forwardly, independently of the drive mechanism, by a target whose peeled off portion is adhered to the surface of the merchandise as the pressure element is moved along the surface. This construction permits the backing strip to be advanced by any desired amount by operating the trigger until a target becomes partially peeled off from its backing strip. The target may then be pressed against the surface of the article or book to which the target is to be applied; and then by pulling the pressure element along the surface, the target may be pulled free of the backing strip and pressed onto the surface in one operation without further actuation of the trigger. It is not necessary that the individual targets have any particular special relation to each other or to any registration holes or indicia on the backing strip; and, in fact, the target strips do not even have to have the same length. According to another aspect of the invention the backing strip drive mechanism comprises a sprocket which engages holes in the side of the backing strip and the guide elements are arranged to guide the strip over one portion of the sprocket as the strip advances from a supply spool to the reversing element and to guide the strip over another portion of the sprocket as the strip returns from the reversing element. This arrangement serves to maintain the backing strip in proper lateral position so that it will not separate from the driving mechanism and so that the targets will be positioned correctly relative to the pressure element.
[0007] According to a still further aspect of the invention there is provided a first one way clutch mechanism between the drive mechanism and the trigger to allow the trigger to advance the backing strip by any desired amount and there is also provided a second one way clutch mechanism between the drive mechanism and the frame to prevent reverse movement of the backing strip when the trigger is released.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Preferred embodiments of the invention have been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and are shown in the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a side elevation view, partially cut away, of a target applicator according to one embodiment the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view showing a portion of the target applicator of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a side elevation view, also partially cut away, showing the opposite side of the applicator of Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is a rear elevational view of the target applicator of Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 is an enlarged section view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 1;
Fig. 6 is a section view taken along side 6-6 of Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is a section view taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 5;
Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a backing strip drive mechanism and clutch used in the embodiment of Fig. 1;
Fig. 9 is a view taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 8;
Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a target dispensed by the applicator of Fig. 1;
Fig. 11 is a side elevational view of a target applicator according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11 but showing a different step in the operation of the target applicator;
Fig. 13 is a top view of the target applicator of Fig. 11;
Fig. 14 is a section view taken along line 14-14 of Fig. 11; and
Fig. 15 is a section view taken along line 15-15 of Fig. 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0009] As shown in Fig. 1, a target applicator 10 according to the present invention dispenses a target 12 onto a surface 14 of an article of merchandise 16. The target 12 is coated with an adhesive which secures it to the surface 14. The adhesive also holds the target 12 to a continuous elongated backing strip 18 which is arranged in a coil 20 mounted on the applicator. As can best be seen in Figs. 8 and 9, a plurality of targets 12 are mounted in succesion along the backing strip 18. As shown, the targets 12 are arranged end to end along the backing strip 18. The targets are coated on the side facing the backing strip with an adhesive, and the side of the strip on which the targets are mounted is provided with a release coating which allows the targets, with the adhesive, to be easily pulled away. As can be seen in Figs. 9 and 10 the targets each comprise an active portion 100 sandwiched between upper and lower cover portions 102 and 104. The lower cover portion 104 is coated with adhesive on both sides to hold the cover portions and active portion together and to hold the target assembly to the backing strip 18. In the embodiment shown, the active portion 100 is a thin elongated strip of a material, such as permalloy, having a high magnetic permeability and a low magnetic saturation characteristic. Such target strips are used in electromagnetic type article surveillance systems such as described, for example, in United States Patent No. 4,326,198. There may also be provided a continuous deactivation element which extends along the active portion 100 or a plurality of spaced apart deactivation elements distributed along the length of the active portion. Such deactivation element or elements, when properly magnetized, are used to prevent the active portion 100 from operating as a target. Thus when a protected article is validly purchased a sales clerk with a special magnetizing device can magnetize the deactivation element or elements and then the article carrying the target can be taken past the detection system without actuating the alarm.
[0010] The active portion 100 of the target may alternatively be formed of a small resonant circuit made of a wire loop and a capacitor or it may be formed as a printed circuit; in which cases the target is used in radio frequency type article surveillance systems such as described, for example, in United States Patent No. 3,500,373. In either case, the active portion 100 of the target makes it stiffer than the backing strip 18; and when the backing strip is bent abruptly at the reversing element 46, the target assembly will peel away from the release surface of the backing strip. The adhesive will remain on the surface of the lower cover portion of the target so that the target can be pressed onto and adhered to the surface 14 of an article of merchandise.
[0011] The target applicator 10 comprises a frame 22 on which a spool 24 is mounted. The spool 24 carrys the backing target strip:coil 20. A drive mechanism is provided on the frame 22 to engage the backing strip 18 and advance it in a forward direction from the coil 20. The drive mechanism comprises a sprocket 26 having teeth 28 which engage holes 30 along one edge of the backing strip 18. As can been seen in Fig. 3, a drive gear 32 is mounted on the frame 22 in axial alignment with the sprocket 26. A drive rack 34 is held in engagement with the gear 32 by means of a drive rack roll 36. When the drive rack 34 moves forwardly, i.e., in the direction of the arrow A in Fig. 3, it causes the drive gear 32 to turn in a clockwise direction as shown by the arrow B in Fig. 3. This in turn causes the drive sprocket to turn in the same direction (i.e. counterclockwise as shown by the arrow C in Fig. 1). The frame 22 is formed with a handle 38; and a trigger 40 is attached to the bottom of the handle by means of a pivot 42. As shown in Fig. 3, the upper end of the trigger 40 is attached by means of a further pivot 43 to the end of the drive rack 34. A trigger return spring 44 is attached to the handle 38 and presses the trigger 40 outward toward a retracted position as shown in Fig. 3. When the trigger and handle are squeezed, the trigger is moved inwardly in the direction of the arrow D as shown in Fig. 3 to cause the rack 34 move forwardly and turn the gear 32 and the sprocket 26 as above described.
[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, a reversing element 46 and a guide plate 48 are also mounted on the frame 22. The guide plate 48 curves over the upper side of the sprocket 26 and at each end it is curled around and held to screws 50 and 52 which project out from the side of the frame. As can be seen in Fig. 1, the backing strip 18 on which the targets 12 are carried, passes from the coil 20 under the screw 52 and is guided by the guide plate 48 onto the upper portion of the drive sprocket 26 so that the sprocket teeth 28 enter the holes 30 in the strip to drive it forwardly. The guide plate 48 is formed with a slot 49 (Fig. 8) through which the sprocket teeth 28 can project as the sprocket 26 rotates. The slotted guide plate 48 provides positive engagement of the sprocket teeth 28 with the holes 30 in the target backing strip 18. This is especially advantageous where, for example, the holes 30 have become covered over with a film of the pressure sensitive adhesive from the targets. It will also be appreciated that the guide arrangement permits positive advancement of the backing strip 18 with the targets 12 without danger of jamming when targets of various thickness and stiffness are being dispensed.
[0013] The strip 18, upon leaving the drive sprocket, passes under the screw 50. From there the strip passes over and around the reversing element 46 which causes the strip to abruptly change direction. The targets 12, however, which are relatively stiff, do not bend around the reversing element 46 with the strip 18 but instead they move in a straight line and peel away from the release surface of the strip as shown in Fig. 1.
[0014] The backing strip 18, after leaving the reversing element 46, passes over a further guide element 54 and onto the lower portion of the drive sprocket 26. Here again the sprocket teeth 28 enter the holes 30 in the strip to assist in driving the strip forwardly. The strip 18 then passes over a final guide element 56 and exits out through the back of the applicator 10.
[0015] A pressure element 58 is mounted on the frame 22 just above the reversing element 46 to engage a peeled off portion of the target 12. The pressure element 58 is used to press the target 12 against the surface 14 of the merchandise 16. As can be seen in Fig. 1, a portion 48a of the forward end of the guide plate 48 is not curled, around the screw 50 but instead extends toward the reversing element 46 to guide the targets 12 so that they do not accidentally pass behind the pressure element 58.
[0016] A clutch mechanism, described hereinafter, is also mounted on the frame 22 to permit the backing strip 18 to be pulled forwardly, independently of the drive mechanism, by the target 12 when the pressure element 58 is moved along the surface 14 and the target is becoming adhered to the surface as shown in Fig. 2.
[0017] As can be seen in Figs. 3 and 4, the frame 22 comprises essentially a flat metal plate formed with a central body portion 60. The pressure element 58, which is in the form of a roller, is mounted on an upwardly and forwardly projecting extension 62 of the body portion. The handle 38 extends downwardly from the rear of the body portion 60 and an spool support 64 extends upwardly from the rear of the body portion 60. A spool spindle 66 is affixed to project outwardly from the support 64 and serves as an axle for the spool 24. A plate 68 is also mounted on the spool spindle so that the spool 24 and coil 20 are sandwiched between the plate and the spool support 64. A screw 70 is threaded into the outer end of the spindle 66 to hold the plate 68 on the spindle 66.
[0018] The drive mechanism is best seen in Figs. 5-8. As shown in Fig. 5, a sleeve 74 projects through the body portion 60 of the frame 22 and is secured in place by means of screws 75 which pass through a flange 76 on one end of the sleeve 74. A drive spindle 78 extends through one end of the sleeve 74 and is connected to turn with the drive gear 32. The opposite end of the drive spindle 78 is formed with an enlargement 80 beyond the opposite end of the sleeve 74. The drive sprocket 26 is tubular and it fits over both the sleeve 74 and the enlargement 80 of the drive spindle 78. As can be seen, the inner surface of the sprocket 26 has different portions thereof aligned, respectively, with the sleeve 74 and with the enlargement 80 of the drive spindle 78. A roller type sprocket drive clutch 82 is mounted between the enlargement 80 of the drive spindle 78 and the inner surface of the drive sprocket 26. This drive clutch is of well known construction and it allows free relative movement in one direction between the two members it interconnects but it prevents relative movement between those members in the opposite direction. A suitable roller clutch is the Torrington one way roller clutch type RC-061008, available from the Torrington Company of Torrington, Connecticut.
[0019] The drive clutch 82 as shown in Fig. 6, is arranged such that when the drive spindle 78 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the clutch engages and prevents relative movement between the enlargement 80 of the spindle 78 and the drive sprocket 26 so that the sprocket 26 will also turn in a counterclockwise direction and advance the backing strip 18 forwardly. However, when the drive spindle 78 turns in a clockwise direction, as when the trigger 40 is released and the drive rack 34 moves rearwardly, the drive clutch 82 disengages and permits the spindle 78 to turn clockwise without turning the drive sprocket 26. In addition, the drive sprocket 26 may continue to turn in the counterclockwise direction, as when the backing strip 18 is being pulled forwardly, while the spindle 78 remains stationary or turns in a clockwise direction. This arrangement permits the target 12 to be advanced by an amount sufficient to peel off the backing strip 18 from a portion of the target so that that portion of the target can be pressed against and adhered to the surface 14 of the article 11. Then, by continuing to press against the surface 14, and drawing the applicator along the surface, the target will be pulled off while' advancing the strip 18 independently of trigger movement.
[0020] There is also provided a reverse prevention clutch 84 between the sleeve 74 and the drive sprocket 26. The reverse prevention clutch 84 is of the same construction as the drive clutch 82; and it is arranged, as shown in Fig. 7, to permit the drive sprocket 26 to rotate freely in the counterclockwise direction but it prevents reverse movement of the drive sprocket 26 relative to the non rotating sleeve 74.
[0021] It will be appreciated that the above described arrangement of the clutches 82 and 84 serve as a ratchet to permit the trigger 40, which operates through the drive rack 34 and the drive gear 32, to turn the drive spindle 78, to cause the drive sprocket 26 to turn in a direction, i.e. counterclockwise, causing the target strip 18 to feed forwardly; but when the trigger 40 returns to its original position and causes reverse rotation..Df the drive gear 32, the sprocket 26 does not experience-any reverse rotation. Thus it is possible, by moving the trigger back and forth, to advance the target strip 18 by any desired amount. It will be appreciated that this arrangement makes it possible to control the feed of the targets 12 so that they do not have to be precisely positioned on the backing strip 18 nor do they need to be precisely registered with the sprocket holes 30 along the strip 18.
[0022] A stripping blade 86 is mounted by means of a screw 88 on the frame 22 and presses up against the sprocket 26 just beyond the location where the backing strip 18 leaves the lower portion of the sprocket. The stripping blade serves to prevent the strip from adhering to and being carried around the sprocket by any adhesive which may become deposited on the sprocket surface.
[0023] The operation of the applicator will now be described. As shown in Fig. 1, the applicator 10 is. positioned so that the pressure element 58 faces the surface 14 of the article 16 on which a target 12 is to be applied. The trigger 40 is then squeezed to operate the drive mechanism so that the backing strip 18 is advanced from the coil 20. When a target 12 reaches the reversing element 46, its relative stiffness prevents it from bending around the reversing element and the target peels away from the strip and proceeds forwardly up to and in front of the pressure element 58. At this point the applicator 10 is pressed against the surface 14 so that the pressure element 58 presses the peeled off portion of the target 12 against the surface 14. The adhesive on the target causes it to stick to the surface 14. The applicator 10 is then drawn downwardly with the pressure element 58 continuing to press the target 12 against the surface 14 and the target becomes pulled out from the applicator and onto the surface 14 while advancing the backing strip 18. This advancement of the backing strip is automatic and independent of any trigger movement and is accomodated by the clutch 82.
[0024] It will be noted that the target 12 is dispensed not by the action of the trigger 40 but rather it is dispensed by becoming pulled out from the applicator gun. This arrangement makes it possible to dispense target elements of any desired length. Also, since the trigger is actuated only for the purpose of advancing the target 12 until it is brought into dispensing position in front of the pressure roll 58, it is not necessary to have any particular registration between the holes 30 in the backing strip 18 and the targets 12.
[0025] It will be noted that when the trigger 40 turns the sprocket 26, the target strip 18 is pulled by the sprocket 26 both before and after the strip reaches the reversing element 46. This distributes and minimizes stress on the strip and reduces the likelihood of tearing at the sprocket holes 30. Moreover, because the strip 18 is advanced in great part by the pulling of the target 12 out from the applicator gun, the tension on the strip is transferred through the sprocket 26 to the empty backing strip beyond the reversing element to ensure positive drive of the empty strip beyond the reversing element.
[0026] The overall construction of the embodiment of Figs. ll-15 is like that of the above described embodiment except for the provision of a modified clutch arrangement and the provision of a label print mechanism. To the extent that the other parts of the embodiment of Figs. 11-15 are the same as their counterparts in the preceeding embodiment, like reference numbers are used.
[0027] As can be seen in Figs. 11 and 13, the frame 22 is elongated in the region between the coil 20 and the sprocket 26 and a print mechanism 90 is mounted on the frame between the coil and the sprocket. The print mechanism is not new per se and it may comprise any commercially available print mechanism used with label dispensers.
[0028] A print plate 92 is supported alongside the frame 22 just below the print mechanism by means of posts 94 and 96. The target strip 18 with targets 12 mounted thereon passes from the coil 20 over the print plate 92 and under the print mechanism 90 toward the sprocket 26.
[0029] The print mechanism 90 is pivotally mounted on a post 98 on the frame 22; and a spring 108, which extends between a post 109 on the frame and a post 110 on the print mechanism, causes the print mechanism to press down on the target 12 which is lying over the print plate 92.
[0030] As snown in Fig. 12, an arcuate slot 112 is formed in the frame 22 just above the trigger 40. A triangular cam 114 and a cylindrical ink roller 116 project out through the slot 112 from an extension 40a of the trigger 40. When the trigger is pressed forward, as shown in Fig. 12, the cam 114 engages the lower portion of the print mechanism 90 and causes it to pivot about the post 98 and lift up off the target 12 on the print plate 92. The gear rack is configured so that no teeth engage the drive gear 32 during this initial movement of the trigger 40. Accordingly the sprocket 26 will not cause any movement of the target strip 18 until the cam 114 has lifted the print mechanism 90 up off the target 12 on the print plate 92. At the same time, the ink roller 116 rolls along the underside of the print mechanism and applies ink to the print elements on the bottom of the mechanism. When the trigger 40 is released the cam and ink roller are moved back in the slot 112 away from the print mechanism 90; and the spring 108 causes the print mechanism to hit down against the target 12 on the printing plate 92 and mark the target. However, as long as the trigger 40 is held in its forward position, targets of any length may be dispensed while the print mechanism is held up off the target strip 18. Only when the trigger 40 is released does the print mechanism 90 return and hit down on another target. It will be appreciated that this arrangement permits accurate and automatic indexing of printing on targets of different lengths.
[0031] Because of the novel clutching arrangement, the sprocket 26 remains stationary when the trigger 40 is released and the target 12 does not move on the printing plate 92 so that when the print mechanism 90 hits down on the target a clear imprint is made with no blurring.
[0032] Turning now to Fig. 14 it will be seen that the sprocket 26 is provided with a single one way clutch 118 having rollers 120 which extend part way onto the fixed sleeve 74 and part way onto the enlargement 80 of the drive spindle 78.
[0033] When the drive gear 32 is turned by movement of the trigger 40 in the forward direction, as shown in Fig. 12, the clutch rollers 120 lock between the housing of the clutch 118 and the drive spindle enlargement 80 so that the sprocket 26 is turned with the drive gear 32. During this movement the portion of the rollers 120 which extend over the fixed sleeve 74 slide around the sleeve. Thereafter, when the trigger 40 is released and rotates the drive gear 32 in the reverse direction, the clutch rollers 120 are released from the drive spindle enlargement 80, allowing it to rotate in the reverse direction without driving the sprocket 26. Should the sprocket 26 begin to move is the reverse direction, the portion of the clutch rollers 120 which extend between the housing of the clutch 118 and the fixed sleeve 74 become engaged between these two elements so that the sprocket 26 cannot be reversely rotated.
[0034] It will be noted that in the embodiment of Figs. 11-15, the single one way clutch 118 serves to produce clutching between the drive spindle enlargement 80 and the sprocket 26 as well as between the sprocket 26 and the fixed sleeve 74. In utilizing a single clutch mechanism for these two clutching functions, the outer diameters of the enlarged portion 80 of the drive spindle and of the fixed sleeve 74 should be closely matched. Also, it is preferred to arrange the enlarged portion 80 of the spindle and the fixed sleeve 74 so that three fourths of the length of the clutch rollers 120 extend over the surface of the enlarged portion 80 and one fourth of the length of the clutch rollers extend over the outer surface of the fixed sleeve 74. A suitable roller clutch for this purpose is the Torrington RC-040708 roller clutch available from the Torrington Company of Torrington, Connecticut.
[0035] It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the novel target applicator of this invention is simple in construction and it accomodates targets which may be irregularly positioned on the backing strip. Moreover, the novel applicator of this invention is relatively free of problems of jamming and misapplication of targets due to slippage or loss of engagement of the backing strip 18 with the drive mechanism.
1. A target applicator (10) for adhesively applying electronic article surveillance
system targets (12) to articles of merchandise (16), said targets being held by an
adhesive to a release surface on a continuous backing strip (18) coiled on a spool
(24), said target applicator comprising,
a support frame (22) for carrying said spool (24) with said backing (18) strip and targets (12),
a drive mechanism (32, 34, 36, 80, 82, 84, 118, 26) mounted on said support frame (22) for engaging said backing strip (18) and advancing same in a forward direction,
a trigger moveably (40, 42, 43, 44) mounted on said frame for actuating said drive mechanism,
a reversing element (46) and guide elements (48, 50, 52, 56) arranged on said frame (22) so that, as said backing strip (18) is advanced in a forward direction, said guide elements guide (48, 50, 52) said strip around said reversing element (46) to cause its direction to change abruptly while targets (12) carried on said strip proceed forwardly without change in direction and become peeled off said strip (18), *
a pressure element (58) mounted on said frame (22) to engage a peeled off portion of a target (12) and press it against a surface (14) of an article of merchandise (16),
and a clutch mechanism (74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 118, 120) on said frame for permitting said backing strip to be pulled forwardly, independently of said drive mechanism (32, 34, 36, 80, 82, 84, 118, 26), by a target whose peeled off portion is adhered to said surface (14) when said pressure element (58) is moved therealong.
2. A target applicator according to Claim 1 wherein said clutch mechanism (74, 76,
78, 80, 82, 84, 118, 120) comprises a one way clutch (82) between said trigger (40)
and said drive mechanism (32, 34, 36, 80, 26, 118).
3. A target applicator according to Claim 1 wherein said drive mechanism (32, 34,
36, 80, 26, 118) includes a sprocket (26) mounted on said frame (22) and having teeth
(28) which engage holes (30) formed along said backing strip (18).
4. A target applicator according to Claim 3 wherein said clutch mechanism (74, 76,
78, 80, 82, 84, 118, 120) comprises a one way clutch (82, 118) between said trigger
(40) and said sprocket (26).
5. A target applicator according to Claim 1 wherein said drive mechanism (32, 34,
36, 80, 82, 84, 118, 26) includes guide elements (48, 50, 52, 56) arranged on said
frame (22) to guide the strip (18) over one portion of the sprocket (26) as the strip
(18) advances from the spool (24) to the reversing element (46) and to guide the strip
over (18) another portion of the sprocket (26) as the strip (18) advances beyond the
reversing element (46).
6. A target applicator according to claim 3 wherein the drive mechanism (32, 34, 36,
80, 83, 84, 118, 26) comprises a drive spindle (78)rotatably mounted on said frame
(22), a drive gear (32) on said drive spindle, a gear rack (34) extending between
said trigger (40) and said drive gear (32) and a one way clutch (82, 118) between
said drive spindle (78) and said sprocket (26).
7. A target applicator according to Claim 3 wherein said drive mechanism (32, 34,
36, 80, 82, 84, 118, 26) includes a second one way clutch mechanism (84) between said
frame (22) and said sprocket (26) for preventing reverse rotation of said sprocket
(26) upon return movement of said trigger (40).
8. A target applicator according to Claim 3 wherein a tubular fixed sleeve (74) extends
through and is fixed to said frame (22), a drive spindle (78) extends through said
fixed sleeve (74) and is rotatable therein, said sprocket (26) having a tubular portion
extending over said drive spindle (78) and said fixed sleeve (74) with different regions
of the inner surface of said tubular portion aligned with corresponding surfaces of
said drive spindle (78) and said fixed sleeve (74), respectively, a first clutch mechanism
(82) positioned between the aligned surfaces of said spindle (78) and said sprocket
(26) and a second clutch mechanism (84) positioned between the aligned surfaces of
said fixed sleeve (74) and said drive spindle (78), said clutch mechanisms (82, 84)
being arranged to permit said sprocket (26) to rotate in a direction relative to said
drive spindle (78) and said fixed sleeve (76) and corresponding to advancing movement
of said backing strip (18) but to inhibit relative movement between said sprocket
(26) and said drive spindle (78) and said fixed sleeve (76) in the reverse direction.
9. A target applicator according to Claim 8 wherein said drive mechanism (32, 34,
36, 80, 82, 84, 118, 26) includes guide elements (48, 50, 52, 56) arranged on said
frame (22) to guide the strip (18) over one portion of the sprocket (26) as the strip
advances from the spool (24) to the reversing element (46) and to guide the strip
(18) over another portion of the sprocket (26) as the strip (18) advances beyond said
reversing element (46).
10. A target applicator according to Claim 9 wherein said drive mechanism (32, 34,
36, 80, 82, 84, 118, 26) includes a drive gear (32) on said drive spindle (78) and
a gear rack (34) meshed with said drive gear (32) and mounted to be moved by movement
of said trigger (40) to turn said drive gear (32) and said spindle (78).
11. A target applicator according to Claim 8 wherein said clutch mechanisms (82, 84)
are roller clutches.
12. A target applicator for adhesively applying electronic article surveillance system
targets (12) to articles of merchandise (16), said targets (12) being held by an adhesive
to a release surface (16) on a continuous backing strip coiled on a spool (24), said
target applicator comprising,
a support frame (22) for carrying said spool (24) with said backing strip (18) and targets (12),
a drive mechanism (32, 34, 36, 118, 26) mounted on said support frame (22) for engaging said backing strip (18) and advancing same in a forward direction,
said drive mechanism (32, 34, 36, 118, 26) including a sprocket (26) mounted on said frame (22) and having teeth (28) which engage holes (30) formed along said backing strip (18),
a trigger (40) moveably mounted on said frame (22) for actuating said drive mechanism (32, 34, 36, 118, 26),
a reversing element (46) and guide elements (48, 50, 52, 56) arranged on said frame (22) so that, as said backing strip (18) is advanced in a forward direction, said guide elements (48, 50, 52, 56) guide said strip (18) around said reversing element (46) to cause its direction to change abruptly while targets (12) carried on said strip proceed forwardly without change in direction and become peeled off said strip (18),
a pressure element (58) mounted on said frame (22) to engage a peeled off portion of a target (12) and press it against a surface (14) of an article of metchandise (16),
and a clutch mechanism (118) on said frame for permitting said backing strip to be pulled forwardly, independently of said drive mechanism (32, 34, 36, 118, 26), by a target (12) whose peeled off portion is adhered to said surface (14) when said pressure element (58) is moved therealong,
said clutch mechanism (118) comprising a fixed cylindrical part (74) fixed to said frame (22) and a rotatable cylindrical part (78) arranged to be rotated by movement of said trigger (40), said fixed cylindrical part (74) and said rotatable cylindrical part (78) having the same outer diameter and being coaxially mounted adjacent each other, said sprocket (26) having an axial opening extending over said cylindrical parts (74, 78), a one way roller clutch (118) having a housing fixed in the axial opening of said sprocket and roller elements (120) which each extend partially over said fixed cylindrical part (74) and said rotatable cylindrical part (78).
13. A target applicator according to Claim 12 wherein said roller elements (120) extend
for about one fourth of their length over said fixed cylindrical part (74) and for
about three fourths ot their length over said rotatable cylindrical part (78).
14. A target applicator according to Claim 12 wherein said fixed cylindrical part
(74) is a tubular sleeve and wherein said rotatable cylindrical part (78) has a spindle
which extends through said sleeve.
15. A target applicator for adhesively applying electronic article surveillance system
targets (12) to articles of merchandise (16), said targets (12) being held by an adhesive
to a release surface on a continuous backing strip (18) coiled on a spool (20), said
target applicator comprising,
a support frame (22) for carrying said spool (20) with said backing strip (18) and targets (12),
a drive mechanism (32, 34, 36, 80, 82, 84, 118,_26) mounted on said support frame (22) for engaging said backing strip (18) and advancing same in a forward direction,
a trigger (40) moveably mounted on said frame (22) for actuating said drive mechanism (32, 33),
a reversing element (46) and guide elements (48, 50, 52, 56) arranged on said frame (22) so that, as said backing strip (18) is advanced in a forward direction, said guide elements (48, 50, 52, 56) guide said strip (18) around said reversing element (46) to cause its direction to change abruptly while targets (12) carried on said strip (18) proceed forwardly without change in direction and become peeled off said strip (18),
a pressure element (58) mounted on said frame (22) to engage a peeled off portion of a target (12) and press it against a surface (14) of an article of merchandise (16),
a clutch mechanism (82, 84, 118) on said frame (22) for permitting said backing strip (18) to be pulled forwardly, independently of said drive mechanism, by a target (12) whose peeled off portion is adhered to said surface (14) when said pressure element (58) is moved therealong,
a print mechanism (90) mounted on said frame (22) for up and down movement and resiliently biased to press down on target elements (12) carried on a backing strip (18) along said frame, and
a cam element (114) mounted on said trigger (40) to move therewith along a path which engages said print mechanism (90) to lift same up off said target elements (12) when the trigger (40) is moved. -
16. A target applicator according to claim 15 wherein an ink applicator (116) is arranged
to move with said cam element (114) to apply ink to said print mechanism (90) when
the trigger (40) is actuated.