Abstract: A cutting assembly for a printer that includes a cutting frame that has opposing side walls is provided. The cutting assembly further includes a blade housing slidably mounted in the cutting frame for slidable movement along the side walls and a blade fixed in the blade housing that includes a cutting edge. The cutting assembly further includes a plurality of ejector posts that extends from the blade housing in a direction of blade housing slidable movement and past the cutting edge to engage media being cut by the cuffing edge.

Abstract: A media cartridge is disclosed for insertion into a cartridge receptacle of a printer. The media cartridge includes a cartridge, housing having one or more shifting ribs on the cartridge housing. At a position of initial insertion of the media cartridge into the cartridge receptacle, the shifting ribs are configured to center a length of media and an ink ribbon of the media cartridge between a print head and a platen roller in the cartridge receptacle. As the insertion of the media cartridge into the cartridge receptacle continues, the shifting ribs shift the length of media and the ink ribbon toward one of the print head and the platen roller.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed that has a frame and a chute assembly received within the frame in which the chute assembly is pivotable relative to the frame. The chute assembly includes a lower chute part and an upper chute part. The lower chute part is pivotable about a first axis in which the first axis is fixed relative to the frame. The upper chute part is pivotally coupled to the lower chute part and is pivotable about a second axis that is fixed relative to the lower chute part. The lower chute part and the upper chute part are coupled to one another such that, when the upper chute part pivots about the second axis relative to the lower chute part, the lower chute part automatically pivots about the first axis.

Abstract: A wrapper assembly is disclosed that can be used, for example, to wrap a label around a wire. In the wrapper assembly, a pair of supports are spaced apart from one another and a plurality of rollers are disposed there between. The wrapper assembly further includes at least one yoke. Both the pair of supports and the yoke have positioning slots formed therein that support the rollers. By moving the yoke or yokes relative to the supports, the positioning slots in the yoke or yokes shifts relative to the positioning slots in the supports and thereby adjusting the positions of rollers relative to one another.

Abstract: Self-expiring labels and badges are made by a method of: (A) contacting a first component of a dye system with a second component of the dye system, the first component carried on a facial surface of a transfer ribbon and the second component carried on a facial surface of a media, the second component beneath and in contact with a timing layer, and (B) heating the contacted first component of the dye system and timing layer with a thermal print head such that (i) the first component of the dye system transfers to the timing layer, and (ii) the first component of the dye system begins to migrate through the timing layer to the second component of the dye system which, upon contact of the first and second components of the dye system, an image is formed.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printable multilayer label tape for identifying fluid lines, the tape comprising: (A) A clear topcoat layer; (B) A clear first primer layer in contact with the topcoat layer; (C) A clear face sheet layer in contact with the first primer layer; (D) A clear second primer layer in contact with the face sheet layer; (E) A color layer in contact with the second primer layer; and (F) An adhesive layer in contact with the color layer.

Abstract: A multilayer time indicator comprises: A. A topsheet, B. An activating layer, C. A timing layer, D. A dye layer, and E. A substrate. In one embodiment the topsheet and activating layer comprise a first or activation section of the indicator while the timing layer, dye layer and substrate comprise a second or base section of the indicator. In one embodiment the activating layer of the first section and the timing layer of the second section are each protected with a release sheet. In one embodiment, the first and second sections of the indicator comprise a kit which can be converted into an active time indicator by removal of the release sheets and joining of the activating layer to the timing layer. In one embodiment the first and second section are joined to one another by a common release sheet or liner which maintains the indicator in an inactive state until the release sheet is removed and the activating layer is joined to the timing layer.

Abstract: A media cartridge is disclosed for insertion into a cartridge receptacle of a printer. The media cartridge includes a cartridge housing having one or more shifting ribs on the cartridge housing. At a position of initial insertion of the media cartridge into the cartridge receptacle, the shifting ribs are configured to center a length of media and an ink ribbon of the media cartridge between a print head and a platen roller in the cartridge receptacle. As the insertion of the media cartridge into the cartridge receptacle continues, the shifting ribs shift the length of media and the ink ribbon toward one of the print head and the platen roller.

Abstract: Thick, compressible, multilayer labels with the appearance and feel of hard plastic identification shields comprise: A. A printable film having first and second opposing facial surfaces; B. A first adhesive having first and second opposing facial surfaces, the first facial surface of the adhesive in intimate contact with the second facial surface of the film; and C. Foam having first and second opposing facial surfaces, the first facial surface of the foam in intimate contact with the second facial surface of the first adhesive. In certain embodiments of the invention, the labels include one or more of a printable coating on the first facial surface of the film, a second adhesive in intimate contact with the second facial surface of the foam, and a release liner in contact with the second adhesive.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly is disclosed. The cartridge assembly includes a core, a cartridge housing defining a cavity that receives the core, a shaft extending from the cartridge housing into the cavity and at least part way into the core, and a torsion spring. The torsion spring is helically wound to define a coiled outer surface that is received in the core and also includes at least one end that engages the shaft. When the core is rotated in a first direction about the shaft, a circumference of the coiled outer surface of the torsion spring increases thereby restricting a rotation of the core in the first direction. When the core is rotated in a second direction opposite the first direction, the coiled outer surface provides a controlled amount of drag to resist a rotation of the core in the second direction.

Abstract: Thick, compressible, multilayer labels with the appearance and feel of hard plastic identification shields comprise: A. A printable film having first and second opposing facial surfaces; B. A first adhesive having first and second opposing facial surfaces, the first facial surface of the adhesive in intimate contact with the second facial surface of the film; and C. Foam having first and second opposing facial surfaces, the first facial surface of the foam in intimate contact with the second facial surface of the first adhesive. In certain embodiments of the invention, the labels include one or more of a printable coating on the first facial surface of the film, a second adhesive in intimate contact with the second facial surface of the foam, and a release liner in contact with the second adhesive.

Abstract: A single piece tag includes a substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface. A first reactant is applied to the first surface. A first portion of the first reactant is covered by a first release liner. A second reactant is applied to the first release liner which separates the second reactant from the first reactant. A second release liner adjacent the first release liner covers a second portion of the first reactant. The tag is activated by removing the second release liner from the tag to expose the second portion of the adhesive, and the substrate is folded onto itself to contact the second reactant on the first release liner with the first reactant.

Abstract: A badge holder for holding a badge includes a front piece and a back piece opposite the front piece. The back piece is coupled to the front piece to provide a holding slot for the badge. A first ejector has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is rotatably coupled to at least one of the front piece and the back piece. The first ejector is configured to rotate such that the distal end forces at least a portion of the badge out of the holding slot.

Abstract: A printer comprises a body, a display pivotally coupled to the body, and a cover pivotally coupled to the body. The display and the cover can be positioned relative to each other such that the cover overlaps the display when the display is not in use.

Abstract: An adjustable print media path system and method are disclosed. In one form, the print media path system incorporates a frame and a guide member that is moveably coupled to the frame between a cartridge position and an external media position. Inserting print media into the receptacle moves the guide member between the external media position and the cartridge position, thereby adjusting the print media path.