Abstract: A printing device for a continuous strip of tags prints a plurality of lines on each of the tags. The device allows free selection and easy changing of line spacing. The device for a continuous strip of tags has a feed mechanism for feeding the strip of tags, a printing mechanism for printing a plurality of lines on each tag of the continuous strip of tags and a data memory circuit for storing input printing data. The printing data input to the data memory circuit is required to consist of character data corresponding to contents of the plurality of lines, followed by line spacing data for each line, followed by data indicating the number of tags.

Abstract: A tag size differentiating system for tag printing machines. The system determines the length of tags in a continuous tag web consisting of a series of identical tags having one of a predetermined set of possible lengths. The system includes means for monitoring the distance the continuous tag web is advanced and sensing means for detecting indicia separating the individual tags. The system comprises a CPU and a memory for storing the possible tag lengths. The CPU determines the distance the tag web is advanced form the time and indicia is detected until the next indicia is detected and compares this distance to the possible tag length. Onthe basis of the comparison, the CPU determines the length of the individual tags in the tag web. The system does not begin the length determining process until the indicia at the trailing end of the initial tag is detected to prevent erroneous length measurements.

Abstract: A label positioning method and a label feeder for use with a continuous label printer are disclosed. The printer includes a stationary printing head for printing in position the leading label of any of several kinds of continuous label webs. Each label web has a longitudinal series of labels of a given label length. For each label length, a corresponding value is stored in a memory. Each label has a detection mark, such as a cut, for indicating the position of the label. While a central processor energizes rollers to feed the web by steps, a detector signals adjacent detection marks, so that the central processor determines label length. The value corresponding to the label length of a label web to be printed is selected from the memory by the central processor. When the detector, which is upstream from the printer, detects a cut indicating the position of the leading label, the central processor feeds the label web to be printed a distance corresponding to the selected value.

Abstract: A continuous tag printing apparatus is disclosed wherein a strip of tags is not wasted, and cut tags are easily aligned. The continuous tag printing apparatus has a feed mechanism for feeding the strip, a printing mechanism for printing desired information on the strip, and a mark applying mechanism for applying a mark on a side surface of a portion of the strip, which portion corresponds to a partition tag which indicates a change in printing contents.