Bar code printing system

A system for printing bars on a web in response to coded data signals representing bar code messages, said system comprising:

• a. rotatable print drum means having at least one row of raised printing elements disposed about its periphery in an arcuate column, each of said printing elements is located at a unique angular position on the periphery of said print drum means, each said angular position defined by a unique address, each said column having at least two matching bar printing elements spaced apart about the periphery of said print drum means;
• b. a single ink roller contacting said print drum means as it rotates for inking said raised printing elements;
• c. impactor means associated with said print drum means for printing bars on the web, one row of bars printed during one revolution of said drum means, a print gate located between said impactor means and said print drum means;
• d. means for advancing a web into said print gate;
• e. controller means for selectively actuating said impactor means, said web pressed against selected one of said printing elements when said impactor means is actuated;
• and
• f. processor means for receiving coded data signals representing a request for printing one of the matched bars on the web and for generating command signals that are applied to said control means for actuating said impactor means, said processor means converting successive ones of said coded data signals defining one of said matching bar printing elements into command signals defining alternate addresses at which said matching bar printing elements are located, said web pressed against alternate ones of said matching bar printing elements for successive coded data signals requesting the printing of one of the matched pair of bar printing elements, each of said successive coded data signals defines the same address location of one of said matching bar print elements, said web pressed against bar printing elements that have been inked at least twice.

A system for simultaneously printing at least two documents blanks, said system comprising:

• a. a motor;
• b. cylindrical print drum means rotated by said motor, said print drum means having at least two sets of raised printing elements disposed in rows and arcuate columns about the periphery thereof, at least one of said columns having at least a pair of matching bar printing elements;
• c. a single ink roll in contact with said print drum means;
• d. ballistic hammer means for each said set of printing elements, a first print station located between one of said set of print elements and one of said ballistic hammer means, a second print station located between the other of said set of printing elements and the other of said ballistic hammer means, said first print station receiving one of said document blanks, said second print station receiving the other of said document blanks;
• e. feed means operatively connected to said motor for independently advancing each said document blank into and through its respective print station, said print drum means and said ballistic hammer means cooperating to print said document blanks as they pass through their respective print stations;
• e. processor means for receiving coded data signals defining a unique address location for one of said matching bar printing elements, said processor means converting successive coded data signals defining the same unique address location of alternate ones of said matching bar printing elements for printing alternate one of said matching bar printing elements on successive complete rotations of said print drum means;
• and
• g. cutter means operatively connected to said motor for severing said printed document blanks.