Label machine
AssigneeNatmar, Inc.
InventorBobby J. Clay
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A label machine for forming individual labels from an endless tape strip. The machine includes a novel label removal device which uses compressed air to insure removal of each label to a collection station after it is cut from the endless strip, thereby preventing hang-up of labels at the machine's cutter assembly. The machine also includes a novel tape feed mechanism that provides accurate label length control, thereby preventing waste of tape. These mechanisms are preferably used in combination with a printer head, the novel tape feed and label removal mechanisms cooperating to prevent printing errors between leading and trailing labels cut from the endless tape strip.
Claims17
A machine for forming tape sections of a predetermined length from an endless tape strip, said machine comprising
- a tape feed mechanism adapted to contact said endless strip, said tape feed mechanism extending said endless strip a predetermined length in response to operation thereof,
- a cutter assembly for cutting a tape section of said predetermined length from said endless strip after extension thereof,
- an ejector nozzle positioned in operational relation with said cutter assembly, said ejector nozzle being connectable with an air source, air discharged from said ejector nozzle being operable to blow each tape section away from said cutter assembly to a collection station after said tape section has been cut from said endless strip, and
- pneumatic motor means connected with said machine, said pneumatic motor means being operable during a work stroke to power at least one component of said machine, the exhaust air of said pneumatic motor means providing the air source for said ejector nozzle.
A machine for forming tape sections of a predetermined length from an endless tape strip, said machine comprising
- a tape feed mechanism adapted to contact said endless strip, said tape feed mechanism extending said endless strip in response to operation thereof,
- a brake device movable into and out of braking relation with said tape feed mechanism,
- connector structure connecting said brake device and said tape feed mechanism for causing said brake device to move into braking relation with said tape feed mechanism when said mechanism has extended said endless tape strip a predetermined length, said tape section length being established and controlled to said predetermined length by stopping operation of said tape feed mechanism through use of said brake device, thereby insuring generally accurate tape section length time after time,
- a cutter assembly operable to cut said tape section of predetermined length from said endless tape strip,
- an ejector nozzle positioned in operational relation with said cutter assembly, said ejector nozzle being connectable with an air source, air discharged from said ejector nozzle being operable to blow each tape section away from said cutter assembly to a collection station after said tape section has been cut from said endless strip, and
- pneumatic motor means connected with said machine, said pneumatic motor means being operable during a work stroke to power at least one component of said machine, the exhaust air of said pneumatic motor means providing the air source for said ejector nozzle.
A machine for forming tape sections of a predetermined length from an endless tape strip, said machine comprising
- a tape feed mechanism adapted to contact said endless strip, said feed mechanism extending said endless strip a predetermined length in response to operation thereof,
- a cutter assembly for cutting a tape section of said predetermined length from said endless strip after extension thereof,
- a collection station positioned adjacent said cutter assembly, said collection station being structured to accumulate multiple tape sections cut from said endless tape strip by said cutter assembly,
- an ejector nozzle also positioned adjacent said cutter assembly, said ejector nozzle being connectable with an air source, said ejector nozzle being oriented relative to said cutter assembly so that air discharged from said ejector nozzle will convey separate tape sections into said collection station by blowing each tape section away from said cutter assembly directly into said collection station after said tape section has been cut from said endless strip, and
- pneumatic motor means connected with said machine, said pneumatic motor means being operable during a work stroke to power at least one component of said machine, the exhaust air of said pneumatic motor means providing said air source for said ejector nozzle.
A machine as set forth in claim 26, said machine further comprising
- a platen on which said tape section of predetermined length is positioned prior to being cut from said endless strip,
- and
- a printer head with said machine for printing that tape section on said platen, the air discharged from said ejector nozzle blowing said tape section off said platen after said newly cut tape section has been printed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.