Apparatus for producing labels

Abstract

An apparatus having a friction-feed and surface-driven roller mechanism for producing laminated labels from a strip of base-tape material and a strip of transparent overlay-tape material. The apparatus is readily mountable to and adapted for use with many different types of typewriters and printers without permanent modification thereto. One embodiment is adapted for use with a typewriter or printer having a rolling platen. Another embodiment is adapted for use with a printer having a fixed platen and sheet-feeding tractor mechanism. Yet another embodiment is adapted for use with a typewriter having a movable, rolling platen. In all embodiments, there is provided a roller mechanism having a frictionally surface-driven feed roller engaging either the typewriter platen or a separate drive roll for pulling the overlay-tape and base-tape material into and through the roller mechanism and pressing the adhesive surface of the overlay-tape material into contact with the base-tape material. In all embodiments, deformable drag discs are fixed on opposite sides of the base-tape material spool and locating and tensioning screws are attached to the base-tape material spool mounting assembly for both adjustably, laterally positioning the rotatably mounted base-tape material spool and adjustably contacting the deformable drag discs to apply tension against the base-tape material spool independent of the overlay-tape material spool in accordance with the required feeding and tracking controls of the base-tape material to the roller mechanism. The drag disks may be either insertable or integrally formed with said base-tape material spool.