Abstract: A ribbon dater which has, improved structure: (a) to quickly reverse the direction of movement of the ribbon so that the same can be re-run thru the printer; (b) to quickly reverse the direction of movement of the ribbon and at the same time provide for a different half of the ribbon to effect the printing; (c) to initiate the printing operation; and (d) to increase printing efficiency but that the type, the ribbon and the part to be printed are all held fixed and printing effected by a movable striker.

Abstract: Dating wheel with a tracer symbol unit which can be manually inserted on or removed from the wheel. To change the tracer symbol, the operator simply uses thumb and forefinger to grasp the unit and extract same and then replace with an identical unit having a different symbol. This can be done without slowing or stopping the cases or other medium being printed. There is no machine down-time.