Label tape printing system using thermal head and transfer ink ribbon

A label tape printing system for applying ink from an ink ribbon to a surface of a label tape both of which are drawn past a print station in said printing system, comprising:

• ink transfer head at said print station for selectively transferring ink from said ink ribbon to said label tape surface;
• a motor capable of being driven in a first direction;
• and a second direction
• tape feed means for transporting said label tape past said print station and out an exit of said printing system;
• ribbon winding means for transporting said ink ribbon past said print station and for wind up on a take-up reel in said printing system;
• said tape feeding and ribbon winding means coupled together so that said ink ribbon and said babel tape are moved in unison via said motor at substantially the same speed past said print station;
• and
• means to permit unobstructed movement of said tape feeding and ribbon winding means comprising coupling means for engaging and disengaging said motor respectively to and from said tape feeding and ribbon winding means so that when said motor is operated in said first direction, said motor is engaged with said tape feeding and ribbon winding means to simultaneously drive said label tape and said ink ribbon past said print station for permitting printing on said label tape surface, and when said motor rotates in said second direction, said motor is disengaged from said tape feeding and ribbon winding means permitting said unobstructed movement of said tape feeding and ribbon winding means permitting unobstructed removal of said label tape from said exit with concurrent wind up of said ink ribbon on said take-up reel.