Apparatus for applying a printing or cutting force to a laminated tape

An apparatus for applying a printing or cutting force to an elongated strip of tape comprising:

• a base;
• means associated with said base including a generally flat printing or cutting surface for defining a printing or cutting station;
• a pair of generally parallel side walls extending upwardly from said base, each of said side walls including a tape receiving opening in alignment with said printing or cutting station to define the path of travel of said elongated strip through said apparatus;
• a printing or cutting member positionable in printing or cutting alignment with said printing or cutting station between said side walls;
• and
• force exerting means for exerting a printing or cutting force on said printing or cutting member including a force exerting member disposed between said side walls and having a curved force exerting surface with its center of curvature lying on an axis generally parallel to the path of travel of said elongated strip through said apparatus and perpendicular to said side walls and support and guide means for supporting and guiding said curved force exerting surface in movement between a first postion and a second position with at least a portion of said movement being generally rolling and force exerting movement with respect to said printing station.