U.S. patent number 3,921,516 [Application Number 05/457,748] was granted by the patent office on 1975-11-25 for multiple station label printing machine.
This patent grant is currently assigned to NCR Corporation. Invention is credited to Richard M. Froman, Roger D. Toft.
United States Patent |
3,921,516 |
Toft , et al. |
November 25, 1975 |
Multiple station label printing machine
Abstract
Label printing mechanism for use with and controlled by a ticket
issuing system requiring labels with various data, such as store
name, commodity name and grade, price per pound, selling price,
data code, and operator code. Type printing elements and coded data
bars are disposed on the periphery of a single printing cylinder or
drum, there being an auxiliary cylinder in the nature of
typewheels, journaled on an axis spaced from the axis of the drum
and which, together with a pressure roller and print hammers,
comprise printing stations for the labels. The typewheels are set
or indexed by means of a key insertable in a slot in the printing
cylinder, the key being programmed at intervals therealong
corresponding to the typewheel locations. The single cylinder or
drum is of modular construction to permit flexibility in adapting
to a variety of printing applications.
Inventors: |
Toft; Roger D. (Dayton, OH),
Froman; Richard M. (Dayton, OH) |
Assignee: |
NCR Corporation (Dayton,
OH)
|
Family
ID: |
23817946 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/457,748 |
Filed: |
April 4, 1974 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
101/91; 101/66;
101/93.12; 101/99; 101/110 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B41J
29/40 (20130101); B41J 1/48 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B41J
29/40 (20060101); B41J 1/00 (20060101); B41J
1/48 (20060101); B41J 003/46 () |
Field of
Search: |
;101/91,92,68,69,76,79,84-86,93.07,93.08,93.09,93.11,93.12,93.15,93.20,93.21 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
AP.C. Application of Mercier, Ser. No. 314407, published May 25,
1943..
|
Primary Examiner: Burr; Edgar S.
Assistant Examiner: Coven; Edward M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Cavender; J. T. Hawk, Jr.; Wilbert
Muckenthaler; George J.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A printing machine including a supply of record material,
means for driving said record material in a path toward a printing
station,
printing apparatus comprising a first drum rotatably mounted on an
axis along the path of said record material,
said first drum having fixed and removable recording elements on
the periphery thereof in spaced relationship, a second drum
rotatably mounted on an axis substantially parallel to and spaced
from the first mentioned axis, said second drum being substantially
enclosed by said first drum and having settable recording elements
on the periphery thereof in spaced relationship and including
advancement means for advancing said record material to permit
printing on different areas thereof aperture means in said first
drum adjacent said second drum, a
plurality of print hammer means operable into contact with said
record material and against certain of said recording elements,
roller means spaced from said print hammers and movable to a
non-operating position during the time of printing by said print
hammer means to be selectively engageable with said record material
to press said record material against certain other of said
recording elements to effect printing on said record material, and
means insertable into said second drum and engageable with said
settable recording elements for setting thereof and insertable into
said aperture means to be engageable with said settable recording
elements and with said advancement means for looking thereof.
2. In a label printer having a record material supply, means for
driving the record material in a path toward a printing station,
means for severing the record material into predetermined lengths
so as to form individual labels, and means for driving said labels
past said printing station, the improvement comprising a
first printing cylinder rotatably mounted on an axis along the path
of said record material, said cylinder having fixed and removable
type characters on the periphery thereof in spaced relationship,
a
second printing cylinder rotatably mounted on an axis parallel to
and spaced from the first-mentioned axis, said second cylinder
having individually settable type wheels with characters on the
periphery thereof in spaced relationship and including advancement
means for advancing said labels to permit printing on different
areas thereof, aperture means in said first cylinder adjacent said
second cylinder, a
plurality of print hammer means operable into contact with said
record material and against certain of said type characters for
printing of said labels,
roller means adjacent said print hammers at said print station and
movable to a non-operating position during the time of printing by
said print hammer means and engageable with and pressable against
certain other of said type characters for printing of said labels,
and
key means insertable into said second cylinder and engageable with
said type wheels for setting thereof and insertable into said
aperture means to be engageable with said type wheels and with said
advancement means for locking thereof.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the field of label or ticket printing machines, there is usually
provided a supply reel or spool on which is wound a continuous
strip of tape or sheet material and which tape is caused to be
unwound from the reel and driven in controlled manner past a
printing station for imprinting on the tape the desired information
relating to the purpose for which the label or ticket is to be
used. Such information may be in the nature of data for athletic
events with place, date, seat and row numbers or letters, admission
price, etc., it may be in the nature of postal information with
place, date, charges, etc., or it may be in the nature of data on
commodity labels with store name, commodity name and grade, price
per pound, selling price, etc. Depending upon the structure of the
machine, either before or after the printing of such information,
the tape is severed or cut at precise lengths and the labels or
tickets are ejected from the machine ready for use. Of course, the
latter severing operation normally is not used in the case of
tickets for athletic events, theaters, or the like wherein the tape
is perforated or weakened at precise points for easy tear-off by
the distributor of the tickets.
Over a number of years, label or ticket printing machines have been
improved by inventors to obtain new results through the use of
structure which includes patentable subject matter. The prior art
covering certain structure in this area of such printing machines
is represented by Braun U.S. Pat. No. Re. 24, 547 which discloses a
tag marking machine devised to print and to perforate information
on small tags, such machine having a counter mechanism to control
from one keyboard the setting of the printing and perforating
operation, a positive tag feeding mechanism effective to feed a
single tag or a web or strip of material, a tag cut-off mechanism
controlled by the counter mechanism, and a printing mechanism which
simultaneously prints and perforates the same information upon
successively fed tags. Davis et al. U.S. Pat. No. 1,685,352
discloses a machine for providing classification slips with a large
cylinder carrying a small drum on the periphery thereof to produce
different groups of type on the slips, and a plurality of numbering
wheels rotatably mounted in the cylinder. Breitling et al. U.S.
Pat. No. 2,210,021 discloses printing means with a drum having
several sets of type wheels arranged circumferentially around ring
gears for printing of date, commodity, clerk, amount, transaction,
and special symbol. Jacobson U.S. Pat. No. 2,694,361 shows a rotary
selective label printing machine with a printing roller unit having
a gang of rollers circumferentially disposed to print various types
of information. A label printing device with a wheel having grooves
in the periphery thereof for reception of stamping blocks is
disclosed in Draper U.S. Pat. No. 2,695,557. A ticket printer in
connection with a scale and means for controlling feeding of a
strip of tickets for precise lengths thereof is shown in Allen U.S.
Pat. No. 2,824,736. Thut et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,933,038 discloses
code recording apparatus with a cylindrical member having metal
block recording elements settable to different positions along the
circumference of the cylinder. Pearson U.S. Pat. No. 3,002,448
discloses a ticket issuing machine with a printing drum having a
printing plate fixed to its periphery and a row of settable disks
mounted on the drum and extending radially in a manner so that type
characters on the disks are at the periphery of the drum. Lundquist
et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,062,133 shows a postal meter wherein a
rotary printing drum carries an indicia die and an auxiliary
printing drum carries a circle die, rate die, and a removable die
plate. A variable length label printer having type face on the
printing roller and a cut-off knife mounted on a holder within the
roller is shown in Sohn U.S. Pat. No. 3,099,212. Bell U.S. Pat. No.
3,119,326 discloses a scale and printer unit with such printer unit
providing for intermittent advancing, printing, and cutting of
successive labels from a strip. Preprinted labels may include store
name and like headings with further printing of net weight, price
per pound, total price, date, store code, and commodity name and
grade, and the printing station has the type set up in a horizontal
plane. May et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,356,021 discloses a selective
printer and system for processing tickets having magnetic
information thereon and wherein the ticket handling mechanism is
connected to a computer. A main drive roll receives a ticket from
selector rolls, depending upon orientation of each ticket, and
sends it to a printing station comprising two groups of print
wheels and a reversible incrementing clutch drive, with the print
wheels having each numeral in both normal and reversed position. A
friction drive member, keyed to a common shaft, drives each wheel
until a magnetically driven ratchet stops the wheel, and actuation
of several print start magnets, energized from the computer through
emitter and sensor means, release impact plates to strike the
characters. A selective rotary epicyclic label printer which
includes a rotary unit on which are mounted one or more printing
devices for printing on a different line of the label is disclosed
in Kruger U.S. Pat. No. 3,363,550, and wherein an epicyclic gear
train controls the printing device to roll along a path
substantially tangential to the label and to print with a rolling
action. Cyclic feeding of the labels is timed with the printing
action and there is provision for varying the radial position of
the bed on which the labels are supported. Huber U.S. Pat. No.
3,453,952 discloses a selective rotary printing machine wherein a
cylinder has bores in one of its end surfaces engageable with a pin
attached to a connecting member secured to the shaft. The cylinder
carries a plurality of circumferentially spaced adjustable type
mechanisms and a type field with type characters on the periphery
thereof. The position of the bores in the end surface correspond
with the respective positions of the type mechanisms. Smith U.S.
Pat. No. 3,662,681 shows and describes a ticket printing and
issuing machine with roller inker means wherein a plurality of
typewheel modules have a set of printing type elements along
one-half of its periphery and a set of indicator type elements
along the other half of its periphery. And, Levesque U.S. Pat. No.
3,768,402 et al. discloses a ticket printer having means for
controllably advancing a web of material across a printing station
which comprises a primary drum with a plurality of printing indicia
circumferentially spaced on at least a portion of the periphery and
a second drum mounted on an axis radially outward of the primary
drum and having a plurality of printing indicia circumferentially
spaced around at least a portion thereof. Levesque also discloses
indexing means to provide for rotating the secondary drum relative
to the primary drum to position selected indicia on the secondary
drum adjacent selected indicia on the periphery of the primary
drum. Primary indexing means rotates the printing drum to place any
selected indicia on the drum into the printing position, and print
hammer means is provided for urging the web of material into
momentary printing contact against selected indicia on either
drum.
Prior art in indexing or setting printing apparatus is disclosed in
Ohmer U.S. Pat. No. 768,619 wherein a conductors key is inserted in
a slot in the printing member so as to have characters on the key
impressed on a paper strip. Putnam U.S. Pat. No. 1,208,832 shows a
printing machine having a rotary printing member and an implement
in the form of an engaging tool for insertion into notches in the
type disk for adjusting thereof. Mitchell et al. U.S. Pat. No.
1,659,213 discloses a tapered key for use with a combination
printing and registering apparatus wherein the key is mounted in a
tapered keyway in the print element spindle for locking the numeral
wheels as well as the printing die. And, Reiner U.S. Pat. No.
3,157,116 shows drum series type wheel setting means wherein each
of the printing and setting wheels is provided with an inwardly
projecting key formed in its bearing bore and engaging with
corresponding keyways in the bearing bushing to provide a rigid
connection between the setting wheels and the printing type
wheels.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to printing mechanism and more
particularly to label printing mechanism designed for use with and
controlled by a ticket issuing system requiring labels containing
certain and various data, such as store name, commodity name and
grade, price per pound, selling price, data code, and operator
code. A plurality of various type printing elements including alpha
and numeric characters and bar codes are disposed on the periphery
of the printing cylinder or drum and which, together with
associated printing apparatus, comprise the specific and functional
printing stations. The printing stations are readily adaptable for
different length and width tickets or labels, and which labels are
derived initially from a supply roll of tape or like continuous
material, the tape being driven through a cut-off station, and the
labels being guided in a path past the print drum for the printing
operation. The tape is first controllably driven through the
cut-off station wherein a photocell detects or senses holes or
notches in the tape to effect a shear knife operation at the
precise point in travel of the tape. A single label drive roll then
engages with the label and propels it into proper registration at
the print station in readiness for impact by the print hammer.
The print drum mechanism includes an auxiliary printing station in
the form of type wheels which are supported on a separate axis
radially disposed from the axis of the drum and which type wheels
are also adjustable or settable by means of a set-up key which is
inserted in a slot in the drum and engageable with the type wheels.
The auxiliary station wheels carry type characters on the periphery
thereof, whereas the main print drum has type characters and bar
characters secured thereto in addition to removable insert keys on
the periphery. The set-up key has a series of notches or
indentations therealong at intervals corresponding to the type
wheel locations of the print drum. A spring-loaded detent is
located in the print drum end plate permitting location
determination of the key with respect to the several wheels, and as
the key is withdrawn from the drum, the key is rotatable at each
specific interval to position a respective type wheel. A selection
code is provided by a dial on the end plate and a color code may be
placed on the key to correspond to the type wheel being set.
The print hammers are magnetically held and timing pulses are
received from an electromagnet adjacent the teeth on the main drum
to activate selected hammers. A cam is used to restore the hammers
to their non-printing position. After the printing operation, a
label ejector is activated to remove the printed label from the
print station and to deposit such label in a container.
In view of the above discussion, the principal object of the
present invention is to provide an improved label printing
mechanism.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a
printing cylinder or drum having type elements on the periphery
thereof and including an auxiliary set of type wheels radially
disposed from the axis of the print drum.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a plurality
of type elements wherein certain of the elements are adjustable or
settable in relation to other elements.
A further object of the present invention is to provide indexing or
setting means having identifying means corresponding to the type
elements being indexed or set.
Additional advantages and features of the present invention will
become apparent and fully understood from a reading of the
following description taken together with the annexed drawings, in
which:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a label printer, generally
diagrammatic in nature, and including the structure of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of certain structure shown in FIG.
1;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the printing apparatus taken along
the plane 4--4 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a view taken along the plane 5--5 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6, on the sheet with FIG. 1, is a view of a chart showing the
various settings for typewheels from the set-up or index key;
FIG. 7 is a face view of the arrangement of the printed label;
FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the serrated plate which is
positioned adjacent the typewheels;
FIG. 9 is a side view of the typewheel setting key;
FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the plane 10--10 of FIG. 9;
and
FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the typewheel assembly.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the label printing machine includes
a reel 12 journaled on a shaft 13 and carrying a supply of label
material in the form of tape 14 or the like, which material is
caused to be unwound from the reel 12 in controlled manner by means
of a supply roll drive motor 16. The tape 14 is driven in a path
over a first fixed idler 18 journaled on a pin 19, around a movable
idler 20, and over a second fixed idler 22, carried on a pin 23,
the movable idler 20 being journaled on a pin 24 carried on a
tension arm 26 which is pivotally connected to a pin 28 on a frame
member 30 adjacent the reel 12, the pin 24 being movable in an
arcuate slot 31 in frame member 30 for relative movement of the arm
26. The tension arm 26 is held in biased manner by means of a
torsion spring 32 on the pin 28 to maintain proper tension on the
tape 14, which tape is driven intermittently by the motor 16
through a drive roll 34 connected by a drive belt 36 to the motor.
Cooperating with the drive roll 34 is a tape drive roll 35 for
moving the tape 14 in a precise path toward the printing station.
The tape 14 is directed over the second fixed idler 22 along such
path between guide plates 38 and 40, forming a chute for the tape
and positioned to retain such tape 14 in a horizontal plane in the
area of travel prior to the printing station. The tape reel 12 may
be a standard 8 inch or larger diameter reel, and the tape 14 may
be of stock material up to 3 inches in width depending upon the
amount of printed material desired thereon.
A shear knife assembly and the controls therefor are supported in
an arrangement above and to the rearward side of the pair of guide
plates 38 and 40, the shear knife assembly comprising a knife 42, a
knife drive bar 44, a knife restore spring 46, a shear bar 48, and
a drive bar restore spring 50. A solenoid 52 is connected to the
drive bar 44 by means of an arm 54 and a pin 56, the solenoid 52
being actuated by connection to a light source in the form of a
photocell 58 which detects apertures or slots (not shown) in the
tape 14 to actuate the knife 42 and thereby shear the tape at
predetermined locations to provide for tape portions of correct
length as labels 59. The shear knife 42, the shear bar 48, and the
photocell 58 are adjustable to several positions so as to provide
for different lengths of labels 59, if so desired.
A second pair of guide plates 60 and 62, in the form of a chute for
the labels 59, are disposed just beyond the shear knife to receive
the labels 59 in successive manner and to direct such labels in
singular fashion past the printing station. A single label drive
roll 66 (see FIGS. 3 and 4), positioned beyond the shear knife 42,
is used to advance each label 59 in such singular and successive
fashion, the drive roll 66 being connected through a clutch 68 (see
FIG. 2) with a main drive motor 70, the clutch being operated and
rotated at a lower speed of 120 rpm by means of reduction members
in the drive line from the standard 1725 rpm to such 120 rpm.
Printing a portion of the matter on the labels 59 is accomplished
by print hammers 80 which are actuated from a timing pulse
electromagnet 82 which is positioned adjacent a toothed wheel or
disk 83 (FIG. 5) carried on the print drum or cylinder shaft and
rotating therewith. A holding magnet 84 maintains the print hammers
80 in a cocked position until the hammers are fired by conventional
means such as a magnetic actuating assembly, there being a hammer
restore cam line 86 connected to the main motor 70 through a hammer
restore cam drive 87, (FIG. 2) and cam line follower springs 88
having preset forces, such forces being exerted by the hammers 80
on release thereof, and being determined and established through
the use of cam controlled hammer lever arms 90, FIG. 1.
A label ejector in the form of a roller 100 is connected to the
main drive motor 70 through a drive member 101, the ejector roller
100 being spring loaded and actuated by a solenoid 102 through an
arm 104 to move the ejector roller 100 against the label 59 and
thereby cause the label to be driven from the chute area, formed by
guide plates 60, 62, after completion of printing.
Printing of the labels 59 is accomplished by means of a print drum
station 110 and a print cylinder station 112 (see specifically
FIGS. 3, 4, and 5), the axis of the cylinder station 112 being
parallel to and spaced from that of the drum station 110. The drum
station 110 is driven from the main drive motor 70 through a shaft
113 and is approximately four inches in diameter and carries on the
periphery thereof numeric data 115, bar code data 116, and locating
slots for commodity inserts 117, 118, 119, the numeric data 115
being in the form of type characters engraved on the surface of the
drum 110 and the bar code data 116 also being engraved thereon. The
numeric data or type characters 115 occupy approximately one-fourth
of the periphery of the drum 110, the characters 115 being spaced
in twelve columns and reading from 0-9 in rows so as to be struck
by the hammers 80 in predetermined sequence to print the net
weight, the price per pound, and the total price or value of a
commodity. The bar code data 116 occupies approximately one-fourth
of the periphery of the drum 110 and is spaced in columns and rows
so as to print the desired code upon impact by the hammers 80 at
the precise times. The commodity inserts 117, 118, 119 are located
in slots on the periphery of the drum 110 and are removable to
permit different formats to be printed. One of the inserts 117
contains the store name and address, another insert 118 contains
the words lbs net weight, value, and price per lb, and a third
insert 119 contains the commodity and/or ingredients thereof. As
the print drum is rotated, additional printing on the label 59 is
accomplished by rolling pressure of the label drive roller 66 on
the several inserts 117, 118, 119 after inking of the inserts by a
spring-loaded inking roll 114, (FIG. 4) carried on a shaft 99 and
engageable with the various data characters. Each of the inserts
117, 118, 119 includes, at the ends thereof, serrations 89 (FIG. 3)
for advancing the labels 59 upon engagement therewith and as the
drum 110 is rotated counterclockwise into position for printing on
the labels by the inserts 117, 118 and 119.
The print cylinder station 112 comprises a plurality of typewheels,
such as wheel 111, FIG. 4, having a common axis spaced from and
parallel with the axis of the print drum 110, the typewheel 111
being positioned in relation to the periphery of the print drum 110
so as to place the periphery of the typewheel characters in an
extended manner slightly beyond the periphery of the drum 110. The
print drum 110 has a portion of the periphery removed therefrom, in
the form of a window 108, to permit placement of the typewheels in
such manner, the printing on the label 59 being performed by the
rolling pressure of the label drive roller 66 over the typewheel
characters exposed in the window 108. Such typewheel characters
include symbols for an operator code, grade of commodity, and the
date, which information changes sufficiently often to necessitate
setting and resetting of the typewheels.
As seen in FIGS. 5, 9, and 10, a special key 120 with a handle 121
is positionable into hollow cylinder or bushing portions 122 (FIG.
4) on which the typewheel 111 and adjacent wheels are supported in
integral manner, the wheels being independently rotatable of each
other so as to enable changing of the various factors or symbols.
The bushing portions 122 include a slot 124 on the interior
diameter along its length for mating with a rib 126 on the key 120,
the rib 126 and slot 124 cooperating to rotate the typewheels when
inserted into the bushing portions 122. Additionally, the key 120
contains indentations 128 spaced along its lower side and
substantially around the periphery thereof, such indentations
corresponding to typewheel locations axially along the print
cylinder 172, so that at each wheel location, and as the insert key
120 is being withdrawn from the bushing portions 122, rotation of
the key 120 engages a particular typewheel, such as wheel 111, for
rotational setting thereof to the desired position. A series of
detents 130, FIG. 4, carried on a pivot 132 and biased by springs
133 connected to a pin 134, are engageable in the slots of each
typewheel and between the teeth thereof to retain the typewheels in
the desired aligned position. Further, the print drum 110 includes
an aperture 131 for storage of the insert key 120 after setting of
the typewheels. Such aperture 131 is located adjacent the typewheel
assembly whereupon storage of the key 120 positions the rib 126 in
the groove between adjacent teeth of each typewheel to maintain all
wheels in aligned manner and in the position as "keyed" by the
operator.
As seen in FIG. 6, on the sheet with FIG. 1, a chart 140 shows the
format of the various symbols used on the typewheels, such as the
wheel 111, for the operator code, as designated by one of the
letters shown in row 142 of the chart 140, grade of the commodity,
as in row 144, and the date, as shown in rows 146, 148, and 150,
and as set forth and corresponding to positions of the typewheels
as set by the special key 120. Since there are twelve teeth on each
typewheel, such as previously mentioned wheel 111 (FIG. 5) and a
plurality of adjacent wheels 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, and 156, each
wheel can be set to any one of the twelve positions indicated to be
accessible in the window 108 on the side of the print drum 110 to
provide the desired printing. It should be here noted that the
label 59 is carried through and emerges from the printing station
with the printing on the bottom side in a manner so that the name
of the store is printed last, as seen in the face view of the label
59, FIG. 7. For example, the typewheel 111 on the right side in
FIG. 5 carries number characters for a code, such as number of
pieces or the like, as illustrated at the bottom of the chart 140.
Suffice it to say that the numbers 1-12 could indicate other codes
as required or in the manner desired.
The next typewheel, shown as 151 in FIGS. 5 and 11, and being of
wider dimension, carries the month, and the next two wheels, 152
and 153, carry the numbers for the days of the month. The next
typewheel 154 has the letters U S, typewheel 155 carries the grade
of the commodity as shown in row 144 of chart 140, and typewheel
156 carries the twelve letters signifying an operator code as in
row 142 of chart 140, and selectable by each specific operator.
Inking of the type characters on the typewheels 111 and 151-156, of
the data on the commodity inserts 117, 118, and 119, and of the
code bars 116 is enabled by means of the inking roller 114 carried
on the shaft 99, the roller 114 having an elongated journal portion
for lost-motion movement as the roller is rotated upon engagement
with the periphery of the print drum 110 and the print cylinder
112. This construction, of course, enables limited movement of the
roller 114 so as to apply an even cover of ink on the several
characters and symbols which elements may vary in height around the
periphery of the drum 110.
In FIG. 7 is indicated on the label 59, in line 8 as reference 161
thereof, the printing 2 JAN 25 US CHO E meaning the number of
pieces or like data 2, the latest date JAN 25 for marketing of the
item, US Choice as the grade, and the operator's code E. The first
three lines, indicating store name and address thereof and
designated 162, although printed lastly of the several data on the
label 59, are printed from the commodity insert 117 as the print
drum 110 is rotated past the label drive roll 66, and the letters
in the next two lines, designated as 164, are printed from the
commodity insert 118 as the print drum 110 is rotated past the
drive roll 66. Printing of the weight, price, and value in numerals
and designated 166 is performed by impact of the hammers 80 against
the type characters 115 on the periphery of the print drum 110, as
is printing of the bar code upon impact of the hammers 80 against
the bar characters 116. Printing of the commodity and/or
ingredients as Fresh Ground Chuck and designated 168 is
accomplished by passage of the commodity insert 119 under the drive
roll 66.
Referring back to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the print drum 110 includes
camming surfaces 170 and 172, such camming surfaces being
positioned on end plates 180, 182 of the drum 110 to be engageable
by a shaft 174 which carries the pressure roller 66, all for the
purpose of preventing contact of the roller 66 with the code bars
116 and with the type characters 115 on the periphery of the drum.
The camming surfaces 170, which are adjacent the bars 116 (FIG. 4),
and the camming surfaces 172, which are adjacent the type
characters 115, and upon rotation of the print drum 110, engage the
shaft 174 and raise such shaft and roller 66 so as not to press
against the freshly-inked bars 116 or characters 115, as printing
from these elements is accomplished by means of the print hammers
80. Again, the drive roll 66 includes provision for limited
movement, in an up and down direction, on the shaft 174 by means of
a lost-motion connection therebetween to accommodate the different
heights of the several type elements.
In the assembly of the print drum 110 along with that of the print
cylinder 112 and the various typewheels 111, 151-156, the drum 110
is comprised of the two members 180 and 182 forming the end plates
and each having a disk-shaped portion for the periphery of the drum
and for containing the various type characters 115, the code bars
116, and the removable inserts 117, 118 and 119. The two halves,
portion 183 and portion 185 are joined together and secured by
means of long screws 188 after assembly of the typewheel line.
Referring now to FIG. 11, which shows the line of typewheels, the
end portions 180 and 182 have hubs 184 and 186, respectively,
thereon, the hub 184 including a recess 188 and a bore 189 for a
spring-loaded detent 191 (FIG. 5) engageable with the various
notches 128 in key 120, and the hub 186 of end portion 182 having a
recess 190. Adjacent end wall 180 is a circular-shaped member 192,
see also FIG. 8, having ears 194 and 196 thereon with a stud 198
secured to ear 194 and a stud 200 secured to ear 196, the ends of
the studs 198 and 200 being contactable with the inner surface of
end plate 180, as seen in FIG. 5. The member 192 has a hub 202 for
mating with recess 188 in hub 184 for support of the member in the
line of typewheels. Next in line is the typewheel 111 with the
twelve teeth and type characters thereon, the wheel having a recess
204 in one side thereof for mating with a hub 206 on the member 192
and on the opposite side from the hub 202. Typewheel 151 has a
recess 208 therein for mating with a hub 210 on wheel 111, and
except for the width of succeeding wheels 152-156, each is
identical to wheel 111 in having a recess and a hub cooperating
with a hub and a recess in adjacent wheels. A second
circular-shaped member 212 is on the left hand side of the
typewheel line with ears 214 and 216 and studs 218 and 220 serving
the same function as those of the member 192 on the right hand
side, i.e. the ends of the studs 218, 220 being contactable with
the inner surface of end plate 182, as seen in FIG. 5. Typewheel
156 also includes a recess 221 in one side for the hub of the
preceding typewheel 155, and a hub 222 for mating with a recess 224
in the member 212, such member having a hub 228 cooperating with
recess 190 in hub 186 of end plate 182. The several typewheels 111,
151-156 are thus supported in a manner wherein each wheel has a
recess and a hub for fitting and mating with an adjacent wheel, the
fit being such that the wheels are adequately supported in the
line-up, but are free to rotate during the setting or indexing
thereof. Additionally, the members 192 and 212 each have a pair of
notches 230 and 232 (FIG. 8) cut therein for reception of the rib
126 of key 120 when the key is inserted into aperture 131 of the
print drum 110 for storage of the key 120 after setting of the
typewheels 111, 151-156. The notches 230 and 232 also correspond in
shape with the groove between the teeth of the typewheels and are
located 180 degrees apart so that in any indexed position of the
typewheels 111, 151-156, the set-up key 120, when in the storage
position (see FIG. 4), will maintain all the wheels 111, 151-156
and the circular members 192, 212 in precise position.
The members 192 and 212 also include serrated portions on opposite
sides thereof, the serrated portion 240 on the right side of the
member 192 shown in FIG. 8 being of lesser circumferential length
(approximately one-quarter inch) than the serrated portion 242 on
the left side of the member 192, this being also true for member
212 although reversed in position for the left hand side. In the
position shown in FIG. 4, the member 212 is set in a manner that
the serrated portion 240 is exposed to be engageable with the label
59 as the print drum 110 is rotated, such engagement serving to
advance the label 59 a predetermined distance for printing the bar
code data 116. If such data 116 is desired to be printed at the
bottom of the label 59, the serrated portion 240 will grip the
label 59 and advance it approximately the one-quarter inch for
proper positioning for printing by the hammers 80. If such data 116
is not desired to be printed, the index key 120 is removed from its
storage aperture 131 adjacent the typewheel assembly in print drum
110 and the members 192 and 212 are rotated 180.degree. so as to
expose the serrated portion 242 for engagement with the label 59
and thereby drive or advance the label approximately one-half inch
to position it for further printing. It should be noted that the
face view of the label 59, FIG. 7, is not drawn to scale but is
representative of the format to be printed thereon by the hammers
80 and the pressure roller 66. While so setting the members 192 and
212, the detents 130 are sufficiently biased by springs 133 to
maintain the typewheels 111, 151-156 in position as the members
192, 212 are rotated with the studs 198, 200 sliding along the
inside surface of end wall 180 and with the studs 218, 220 sliding
along the inside surface of end wall 182. Upon setting of the
members 192 and 212 to the new position, the index key 120 is
inserted into the storage aperture 131 to lock the various elements
(the members 192, 212 and the typewheels 111, 151-156) in
alignment.
In the operation of the label printing machine, the typewheels 111,
151-156 are set up or indexed by inserting the special key 120 into
the cylindrical space formed by the bushing portions 122, the
circular members 192, 212 and by the tongue and groove
construction, more specifically the hub and recess configuration of
the typewheels 111, 151-156 for supporting the wheels in the
aligned manner, the key 120 is then withdrawn in increments to the
respective wheels and rotated along with each typewheel to the
desired position. With the index key 120 fully inserted along the
typewheels 111, 151-156, the key 120 is rotated in a
counterclockwise direction to cooperate with the bias of the
detents 130, such rotation bringing the bushing portion 122 and the
typewheel 156 to the desired type character position so as to be
exposed in window 108 of the drum 110. In the fully inserted
position of the key 120, the indentation 128 nearest the handle 121
is engaged by the detent 191 in the hub 184 of end wall 180 and rib
126 of the key 120 cooperates with notch 124 to rotate the
typewheel 156. Withdrawing the index key 120 to the position of the
next typewheel 155, and with an indication of the detent 191 being
removed from the rightmost notch 128 and slipping into the next
notch to the left, the key is now in position to index typewheel
155 by engagement of the rib 126 with notch 124 of the bushing
portion 122. The key 120 thus positions the various typewheels 111,
151-156 as it is rotated at each respective wheel and withdrawn in
incremental and successive manner until all wheels are set or
indexed. It should be noted that there are seven indentations 128
in the key 120 corresponding to the positions of the seven
typewheels 111, 151-156 so that at any time the number of
indentations exposed on the key 120 can be used to determine at
which wheel the rib 126 is engaged. Additionally, if only one or
two typewheels require resetting, the number of notches 128 can be
observed and the operator then knows which wheel or wheels to
reset. Further to this, a color code can be placed on the index key
120 with different colors (say in striped manner) assigned to the
typewheels.
The label supply drive motor 16 is activated by means of a micro
switch (not shown) in the circuitry, such switch being controlled
by the hammer lever control arm 90 and connected to the supply roll
drive roller 34, or by means of a photocell (not shown) used in
conjunction with the timing disk 83. The drive motor 16 advances
the label paper or tape 14 until the photocell assembly 58 senses a
hole or notch in the paper or tape 14, and which causes the drive
motor to be de-energized, this manner of sensing being utilized in
the case of preprinted label stock which includes such holes or
notches along the edges thereof. If standard label stock is used,
the length of each label can be determined and controlled by means
of the cam operated micro switch (not shown) attached to one end of
the supply roll drive 34, as mentioned above, and one revolution of
the drive roller 34 will then determine the label length. At such
time of de-energization of the supply roll drive motor 16, the
leading edge of the label paper 14 will be under the single label
drive roller 66 and the label paper shear knife solenoid 52 is
activated to shear the paper 14 at the proper length to provide the
label 59, which label may be one and one half or two inches in
length as presently used in the industry. If the shear assembly is
set or adjusted for two inch length labels, the shear assembly
including the shear knife 42 and shear bar 48 may be advanced
leftward or the photocell assembly 58 may be moved to the right to
obtain labels of lesser length.
After shearing of the label paper 14 to provide, say a two inch
label 59, the spring clutch 68 is engaged to be driven by the main
drive motor 70 and the print drum 110 is rotated whereupon the ink
roller 114 applies ink to the characters 115, the code bars 116,
and the inserts 117, 118, and 119 on the periphery of the print
drum 110 and including the type characters on the typewheels 111,
151-156 making up the print cylinder or typewheel assembly 112. In
addition to the data contained on the typewheels, and as described
above, the print cylinder 112 also includes the members 192, 212 at
each end of the typewheel assembly and provided with the serrated
teeth 240, 242 to advance the label 59. The arcuate length of these
serrations on the members 192, 212 will be set by the operator for
the printing application wherein, in the case of the bar code data
116 being printed on the label 59 the members 192, 212 are set so
as to advance the label approximately one-fourth inch such as is
shown in FIG. 4 by the lesser number of serrations shown on the
right hand side of the printing cylinder 112 to be engageable with
the label 59. If such bar code data 116 is not to be printed, the
serrated members 192, 212 will be rotated 180.degree. to position
the greater number of serrations on the right-hand side of the
printing cylinder 112 to be engageable with the label 59 to further
advance the label so as to start printing further from the leading
edge of the label. If such bar code data 116 is to be printed, it
will occupy the bottom or leading edge of the label 59 (FIG. 7)
wherein the label will be properly positioned at the print cylinder
110 as it is advanced under the single label drive roller 66 with
the serrations 240 driving the label from right to left. During
movement of the label 59, the data contained on the print cylinder
typewheels 111, 151-156 will be printed on the label by reason of
passing of the typewheels under the single label drive roller 66 to
print the operator code, the grade of the commodity, and the date,
as seen in FIG. 7 and designated as 161. At the proper time in the
cycle, movement of the label 59 is stopped in its travel by reason
of the serrations 240 or 242 having advanced the label to a
position where the leading edge of the label 59 is adjacent the
print hammers 80.
As the print drum 110 continues to rotate, the bar code data 116
passes under the print hammers 80 and timing pulses received from
the electromagnet 82 are used to fire the appropriate print hammers
80 against the code bars 116 on the print drum 110. In line with
printing of the bar code 116, the inner and outer end plates 180,
182 of the print drum 110 contain the raised camming surfaces 170,
172 to insure that the single label drive roller 66 will not
contact the freshly inked engraved bars 116 as they approach the
print station and to thereby permit proper printing of the bar code
116 by the print hammers 80. After the bar code data 116 has been
printed, rotation of the hammer restore cam 86 positions the print
hammers 80 in non-printing condition against the hammer hold magnet
assembly 84.
As the print drum 110 continues to further rotate, the commodity or
ingredient insert 119 is inked by the ink roller 114 and then
passes under the single label drive roller 66 to print the
commodity information, as shown on the label 59 in FIG. 7 and
designated as 168. As with the members 192, 212 of the print
cylinder 112, each of the inserts 117, 118, and 119 also contains
the serrations 89 to advance the label 59 and to determine the
height of the printing area. Printing is accomplished when the
insert passes under the label drive roller 66 while the serrations
89 on the appropriate insert advance the label 59.
The information containing the words weight, value, and price, as
seen in FIG. 7 and designated as 164, is next printed on the label
after inking of the insert 118 by the ink roller 66. In the case of
preprinted labels, where such words may already be on the label,
the insert 118 will be used, by reason of the serrations 89
thereon, to advance the label 59 without printing and position the
label under the print hammers 80. The numeric data, as shown in
FIG. 7 and desiganted as 166, relating to the weight, value, and
price, which data is in the form of type characters 115 engraved on
the periphery of the print drum 110, is then selected and printed
by the print hammers 80 following proper inking by the roller 114,
and the hammers 80 are again restored to a ready condition against
the hammer hold magnet 84.
The final printing operation is that of printing the store name and
address, as shown in FIG. 7 and designated as 162, wherein the
insert 117 carries the information thereon and after inking by the
roller 114, the rotation of the print drum 110 moves the insert 117
under the single label drive roller 66 to imprint the data on the
label 59. Upon completion of this printing, the print drum 110 will
stop rotating. The label ejector solenoid 102 is then activated for
driving the label ejector roller 100 against the label 59 and
rotation of the roller 100 by the main drive motor 70 causes the
label 59 to be driven from the chute area formed by the trailing
edge of guides 60 and 62. At this point in time, the label supply
drive roller motor 16 is again activated to initiate a new printing
cycle.
It is thus seen that herein shown and described is a multiple
station label printing machine which is simple and compact, which
is readily adjustable to be adapted for various label formats, and
which includes modular construction to provide for ease of servide.
The printing machine provides for a line of printing effected by
the print hammers and a line of printing effected by the roller,
the print hammers being positioned in spaced relationship from the
roller to enable selective engagement of the hammers and of the
roller with the record material for printing thereon. In this
respect, the roller is moved to a non-operating position during the
time of printing of certain of the type elements by the print
hammers. The apparatus enables the accomplishment of the objects
and advantages mentioned above, and while only one embodiment of
the invention has been disclosed herein, certain variations thereon
may occur to those skilled in the art. It is contemplated that all
such variations, not departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention hereof, are to be construed in accordance with the
following claims.
* * * * *