Abstract: A lockout safety hasp is provided including a rotational shackle coupled to a top of a body having a U-shaped securing beam extending from the bottom thereof. A slidable cover is received on the body and is moveable between a closed position in which the rotatable shackle is locked in place and an open position in which the shackle is free to rotate. The securing beam is generally U-shaped and provides an opening sized and dimensioned to receive one or more padlocks, the padlocks preventing the cover from moving out of the closed position until all of the padlocks are removed. The components of the lockout safety hasp can be constructed of a plastic or a plastic polymer, and snap fit together to provide an inexpensive and easy to manufacture device.

Abstract: A heat resistant label stock comprised of an unsupported cast face sheet layer, an adhesive layer and a release liner characterized by a face sheet, an adhesive layer and a release liner. The label stock is generally tamper-evident in that removal destroys or damages the label. In certain embodiments the label stock is electrostatic dissipative.

Abstract: An identification marker or tag for wires and other elongated objects is described. In one embodiment, the marker has a generally elongated shape, e.g., an elongated oval, and comprises a surface for bearing indicia and two holes, one hole located near each end of the marker. Each hole is connected to an edge of the marker by a slot or cut that is adapted for ease of clipping the marker onto a wire. The marker is dimensioned in length and width to display text in the font size desired to maximize legibility.

Abstract: A printer, suitable for use in a hand held printer, having a dual direction drive mechanism for driving ink ribbon in a forward feed direction and a reverse feed direction. The drive mechanism is mounted in a printer body, and includes a stationary gear drive assembly engageable with a pivotal drive gear assembly having a forward feed position and a reverse feed direction.

Abstract: Sheet materials, labels fabricated from the sheet materials, and methods of fabricating the sheet material and forming the labels are provided. The sheet material for the label is composed of a heat-resistant base layer sandwiched between a heat-decomposable ink-receptive layer and a heat-decomposable pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) layer, with the surface of the ink-receptive layer and the exposed surface of the adhesive layer preferably covered with a release film. A heat-resistant marking such as an inked pattern can be applied to the surface of the ink-receptive layer, for example, using a carbon black thermal transfer ribbon. Upon heating the sheet material attached to an object at a temperature of about 300° C. or greater, a burned pattern is obtained that is composed of the inorganic base sheet and the marking fused as a single body and bonded to the object. The burned-on label can be used, for example, as an identification label and a decorative design, among other applications.

Abstract: An unwind spool assembly for dispensing material wound into a roll includes a rotatable shaft and a mounting block rotatably mounted on the shaft for rotation about the shaft in a wind direction and an unwind direction, wherein in the unwind direction the material unwinds from the roll, and in the wind direction the material winds onto the roll. A biasing member interposed between the shaft and the mounting block rotatably biases the mounting block toward the wind direction. In another embodiment, a slip clutch is fixed to the shaft for maintaining a drag on the shaft as the shaft rotates in the unwind direction to maintain tension in the material unwinding from the roll. In yet another embodiment, the unwind spool assembly includes a spool core for holding the roll of material. The spool core is rotatable about an axis, and at least one flange extending radially from the core is rotatable about the axis independently of the core.

Abstract: A label media for use in a label media printer forms dynamically sized label markers. The label media includes a continuous tube affixed to a length of a carrier web. Indicia is printed on the tube which is then cut to a desired length that accommodates the indicia printed thereon to dynamically form the wire marker.

Abstract: A method for continuously producing a plurality of printed and activated time dependent labels. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a web having a plurality of inked substrates thereon. Each substrate has a migrating ink pattern printed on a surface of the substrate. A transfer printer is provided that has a first ribbon means for applying a timing layer through which the migrating ink bleeds after a predetermined period of time. A second ribbon means is provided for printing variable data. The web of inked substrates is continuously fed through the printer, each inked substrate passing sequentially under the first ribbon means and then the second ribbon means. The first ribbon means is activated to apply the timing layer to a portion of the printed surface of each inked substrate thereunder to produce a coated substrate.

Abstract: A printer cartridge suitable for use in a cartridge-based printer houses and dispenses a roll of label media. The cartridge includes a housing having a top wall and a bottom wall. A yoke pivotally mounted between the top and bottom walls for pivotable movement about a pivot axis includes a label media supply shaft for holding a roll of label media. The label media supply shaft has a longitudinal axis spaced from, and parallel, to the pivot axis. A label media drive roller is rotatably mounted between the top and bottom walls, and a biasing means biases the yoke toward the label media drive roller to maintain the roll of label media in contact with the label media drive roller and defines a beginning of a media path. In one embodiment, the yoke is adjustable to accommodate different label media widths.

Abstract: A label applicator that prints and applies a label onto an elongated object, such as a wire. The label applicator includes a base assembly having an upper surface. A printer is fixed to the base assembly for printing indicia on a label to form a printed label. A label wrapper is fixed to the base assembly adjacent to the printer for receiving the printed label and an object. In operation, the printer feeds the printed label into the label wrapper to form slack in the label to remove tension from the label prior to the label wrapper wrapping the label onto the object.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a ribbon wiper that is disposed within a ribbon cartridge. The ribbon cartridge can contain a ribbon and be employed by a thermal printer. The ribbon wiper is capable of removing debris and other contaminants from a printhead surface of the ribbon. The printhead surface of the ribbon is that surface that faces the printhead, and opposes the ink surface of the ribbon, during printing. Debris disposed on the printhead surface of the ribbon can hinder or obstruct thermal contact between one or more thermal elements on the thermal printhead. In such cases, the thermal element can lack the ability to properly produce a dot on a media as instructed by the thermal printer. Further, debris disposed on the printhead surface of the ribbon can accumulate on the printhead proximate thermal elements and prevent generation of multiple or consecutive dots.

Abstract: A heat resistant label stock comprised of an unsupported cast face sheet layer, an adhesive layer and a release liner characterized by a face sheet, an adhesive layer and a release liner. The label stock is generally tamper-evident in that removal destroys or damages the label. In certain embodiments the label stock is electrostatic dissipative.

Abstract: A circuit breaker lock-out assembly which is engageable with a circuit breaker includes a body having a top and a bottom joined by walls. The walls define a passageway extending from the body top to the body bottom. A button having one end extending into the body passageway through the body top is movable between a lock position and an unlock position. A pair of leaf springs are fixed to the button, and extend through the passageway. A nose extends from the body bottom, ant is engageable with the leaf springs. A pin extends from each of the leaf springs. Each pin is engageable with a hole formed in the circuit breaker walls adjacent the switch tongue, wherein slidable movement of the button toward at least one of the lock position and unlock position engages the leaf spring with the nose to move each pin relative to the hole.

Abstract: A tab-clip identification badge for attachment to the clothing of a person. The badge includes a badge substrate having a front surface and a back surface. A tab is provided having an inner surface and an outer surface and an upper portion and a lower portion hingedly attached to the upper portion. The inner surface of the upper portion of the tab is fixedly mounted to the back surface of the badge substrate. When the badge is not in use, the lower portion of the tab covers a portion of the back surface of the badge substrate. When the badge is ready for use the lower portion of the tab can be lifted from the back surface of the badge. An adhesive coating is on the inner surface of the lower portion of the tab. When the badge is not in use the adhesive coating on the lower portion of the tab functions to adhesively and removably mount the lower portion of the tab to the portion of the back surface.

Abstract: A method of accessing stored printing parameters from a memory associated with a specific supply and simultaneously processing a group of thermal elements. The thermal element group generally comprises consecutive thermal elements. The processor concurrently considers the thermal element group and the dot history of thermal element group. The method of simultaneously processing the thermal element group comprises packing the thermal element group into a dot history pattern and forming a multiple thermal element organizational table. Thereafter, the multiple thermal element organizational table is used by the processor to determine and regulate energy delivered to each thermal element in the thermal element group. Furthermore, by simultaneously processing the thermal element group, processor efficiency can be elevated. Thus, the method permits a printer to increase printing speed and reduces the workload of the processor associated with the printer.

Abstract: A method of determining the position of a label media and printing to the label media based on the label media position is disclosed. The method includes using an encoder to track the position of the label media. As the label media advances during printing, an encoder shaft rotates with an encoder traction roller upon which the label media rides. As the encoder shaft rotates, optical reflections that occur within the encoder are interrupted, each interruption corresponding to a desired media travel distance. When the optical reflection is interrupted, the encoder sends a signal to the controller, which then sends a control signal to fire the printhead, and consequently the label media is thermally printed. The system is useful in thermal printer systems to provide more accurate position information of the label media, and consequently, more accurate printing.

Abstract: A tamper evident seal for use as an indicator of tampering of, for example, a food or beverage container, is disclosed. The seal includes a tamper resistant layer having physically destructive characteristics that provide a visual indication when the tamper resistant layer is disturbed. An anchoring layer having a topcoat is covered by the tamper resistant layer, the topcoat having a color that is visually distinct from the tamper resistant layer. Upon a breaking of the tamper resistant layer, the colored topcoat of the anchoring layer is visible through the tamper resistant layer to indicate tampering of the seal. The seal is useful to indicate whether a closure of a container, such as a beverage bottle, has been opened or partially opened.

Abstract: A label printer registration assembly for use in a label printer is disclosed. The registration assembly includes: a registration device securable to a base portion frame of the label printer, and a print head assembly mountable to a cover portion frame of the label printer. The print head assembly further includes: a variably loadable print head for printing to a variety of label media types and sizes; and a registration face attached to the print head. The registration face is engageable with the registration device to maintain registration between the print head and the registration device. The print head is variably loadable to a media-specific load. The print head can also be unloaded while the print head and registration roller are engaged so as to achieve and maintain an unloaded registration. The invention also includes a method for printing a dot line to a label media.

Abstract: A label printer-cutter includes a frame and a print head assembly connected to the frame. The print head assembly includes a print head for printing to a label media. The label printer-cutter includes a cutting assembly connected to the frame, and the cutting assembly is for catting the label media. The printer-cutter also includes a controller in operative association with the print head assembly and cutting assembly. The controller can be programmed to control the print head assembly and the cutting assembly such that printing to and cutting of the label media does not occur simultaneously in the label printer-cutter. Printing by the print head is controlled to correspond to cutting assembly rollers being positioned in a non-cutting position. Advantageously, printing to and cutting of a label media in a single label printer-cutter unit is accomplished in an efficient and cost-effective manner.