Intermec, Inc.

Interface Mechanisms, Inc.

Clifford T Jue

In a label printer, nonspooling and self-strip paths of label stock movement are accommodated by a single mechanism that includes a drive capstan 46 and associated pinch roller 48, a shaft 40, a pair of mechanically intercoupled discs 68 and 52 respectively secured to the shaft and the drive capstan for causing them to rotate in opposite directions, a label stripping pin 44, a drive roller 38 rotatable about the shaft, a clutch 78 locking the drive roller to the shaft whenever the shaft is rotated in a given direction and permitting the drive roller to freely rotate about the shaft whenever the shaft is rotated in an opposite direction, and a thermal print head 28 including a thermal print element 30 yieldably engaging the drive roller. In the nonspooling path, the free end of the label stock is passed between the thermal print head and the drive roller and the drive capstan is rotated in a given direction by a drive motor 54 so that the label stock exits the label printer without label separation. In the self-strip path, a free end of the label stock is further passed around the label stripping pin, over the drive roller, and between the drive capstan and associated pinch roller, and the drive capstan is caused to rotate by the drive motor in a direction opposite to that used for the nonspooling path so that each label is partially separated as the label stock passes over the label stripping pin.

Label printer having selectable label stock paths

A label cutter particularly adapted for use with impact printers includes a stationary blade 34 and a movable blade 33, each of which has an elongated cutting edge 34A, 33A formed thereon. A first end of the movable blade is pivotally secured (70, 72, 74, 76) to a corresponding first end of the stationary blade so that the cutting edges face each other. A tension spring 84 and an arm 82 yieldably rotate the movable blade to a rest position away from the stationary blade, and also yieldably deflect a second end of the movable blade so that the cutting edge of the movable blade is pressed into contact with the cutting edge of the stationary blade as the movable blade is rotated from its rest position towards the stationary blade. An electrical solenoid 86 has a plunger 90 pinned to the movable blade, whereby the application of an electrical signal to the solenoid causes the movable blade to be moved at a relatively high speed towards the stationary blade. The cutting edges of the movable and stationary blades are defined by the lines of intersection of first and second substantially planar surfaces 100, 102 and 104, 106 thereon, with the first surfaces extending transversely to a plane 76 of rotation of the cutting edge of the movable blade and with the second surfaces being angularly disposed in respective opposite directions from that plane by substantially equal acute angles .alpha..sub.1, .alpha..sub.2. In order to maintain contact between the cutting edges of the blades as the movable blade is rotated at relatively high speeds, the mass of the second end of the movable blade is greater than that of the first end thereof.

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Edmonds, WA, United States of America

Clifford T Jue