Abstract: A printer for printing on a web of record members such as labels, tags, etc. includes an interpreter and a memory for storing an application program. The interpreter is enabled or disabled by the receipt of a command. When enabled, the interpreter processes an application program to extract data from a received data stream and to construct one or more data packets in a predetermined printer control language to be sent to a parser. When the interpreter is disabled, the received data is sent to the parser bypassing the interpreter. The printer of the present invention is thus operable to print received data with or without an application program.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fabric label, a method of making a label, a method of marking a garment, and a tool for inserting a marker. The label preferably has a closed or essentially closed pocket, into which a marker, such as an electronic article surveillance (EAS) or radio frequency identification device (RFID) marker is inserted after the pocket has been formed. In one embodiment the marker is inserted through a slit in the pocket and in other embodiment the marker is inserted into a closed pocket by a hollow needle which has penetrated through a wall of the pocket.

Abstract: A portable printer includes a number of input devices mounted in the printer housing including a barcode scanner, keypad, communication interface in a receive mode and an RFID read/write module in a read mode. The portable printer also includes a number of output devices including a printing system, the communication interface in a transmit mode and the RFID read/write module in a write mode for writing to an external RFID chip. A processor selects received data from one or more of the input devices, manipulates the data and/or combines it with other data for an output device wherein the data selected for one output device may be different then the data selected for another output device.

Abstract: A system and method of producing labels at remote locations worldwide in communication with a server and central database via the internet is shown and described. The present invention accommodates vastly different printing methods including thermal printing, lithographic printing, etc. For lithographic printing or other printing methods using plates, a ratioing algorithm is used to determine the optimum number of plates and label layout on each plate to minimize production costs.

Abstract: A hand-held portable printer includes a number of input devices mounted in or on a printer housing including a barcode scanner, keypad, communication interface in a receive mode and an RFID read/writer in a read mode. The hand-held portable printer also includes a number of output devices including a printing system, the communication interface in a transmit mode and the RFID read/writer in a write mode for writing to an external RFID chip. A processor selects received data from one or more of the input devices manipulates the data and/or combines it with other data for an output device wherein the data selected for one output device may be different then the data selected for another output device. The hand-held portable printer may utilize both an internal antenna and external antenna. Applying different energy levels to the antennas may determine whether the hand-held portable printer reads from and/or writes to a single RFID chip or a plurality of RFID chips.

Abstract: A system and method of producing labels at remote locations worldwide in communication with a server and central database via the internet is shown and described. The system and method also allows the ordering of labels at remote locations worldwide in communication with the server and central database via the internet. Automatic typesetting for label production is provided wherein various types of production, image data files are generated in accordance with different requirements from various customers and wherein the generated production files can be used directly by the production machines for which they were generated, different types of production files being automatically generated for different types of production machines or printing methods. The system and method of the present invention accommodates vastly different printing methods including thermal printing, lithographic printing, etc.

Abstract: There is disclosed a web of record assemblies, wherein each record assembly includes a single-ply tag and a single-ply adhesive-backed label. The pressure sensitive adhesive on the label is releasably adhered to a release liner which underlies the label. The tag is detachable from the label is releasably from the liner. The label is preferably connected to the matrix which surrounds the label.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for sublimating at least one sublimation dye on at least one side of a web. The sublimation station includes a plurality of sensors which senses a web temperature and controls a plurality of heating elements, such as infrared lamps to control the web temperature so that it is maintained within a desired sublimation temperature range.

Abstract: There is disclosed a composite label web that can be used in different labelers having different feed wheels. The different feed wheels have different arrangements or patterns of feed teeth. The composite label web is comprised of a carrier web and labels releasably adhered by pressure sensitive adhesive to the carrier web. There is a separate feed aperture pattern in the carrier web for each pattern of feed teeth. The number of feed apertures is kept to a minimum, and more particularly the number of feed apertures is less than the total number of feed teeth.

Abstract: There is disclosed a composite label web that can be used in different labelers having different feed wheels. The different feed wheels have different arrangements or patterns of feed teeth. The composite label web is comprised of a carrier web and labels releasably adhered by pressure sensitive adhesive to the carrier web. There is a separate feed aperture pattern in the carrier web for each pattern of feed teeth. The number of feed apertures is kept to a minimum, and more particularly the number of feed apertures is less than the total number of feed teeth.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for sublimating at least one sublimation dye on at least one side of a web. The sublimation station includes a plurality of sensors which senses a web temperature and controls a plurality of heating elements, such as infrared lamps to control the web temperature so that it is maintained within a desired sublimation temperature range.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for making a looped label and accumulating labels in a stack. An intermediate portion of the label is inserted into the nip of a pair of rotating rolls which fold or loop the label into two side-by-side or face-to-face label portions. The looped label is transported between the nip of a pair of pressing rolls which press or iron the label at the fold line while the label is stationary between the rolls to maintain the label in the folded condition. From there the label is passed into a stacker in which successively looped labels are stacked.

Abstract: There is disclosed an ink jet printer for printing on both sides of a label web. The printer has selectively movable guides which enable the label web to be easily threaded through the printer and which enable the label web to be brought into an operating position for printing and advancing the label web. The printer has individually and selectively removably mounted ink jet print modules to facilitate changing of ink colors, replacing or servicing a malfunctioning print module, and so forth. The ink jet print heads of the modules can be individually selectively moved between printing and stored positions. The unwinding of the label web from the supply roll is facilitated by an unwind mechanism to prevent stretching of the label web. The system for delivering ink and recovering waste ink includes needles for penetrating a cartridge. A guard shields the needles when the module(s) are out of the printer.

Abstract: There is disclosed an ink jet printer for printing on both sides of a label web. The printer has selectively movable guides which enable the label web to be easily threaded through the printer and which enable the label web to be brought into an operating position for printing and advancing the label web. The printer has individually and selectively removably mounted ink jet print modules to facilitate changing of ink colors, replacing or servicing a malfunctioning print module, and so forth. The ink jet print heads of the modules can be individually selectively moved between printing and stored positions.

Abstract: There is disclosed a stacker used in conjunction with a cutter, wherein the stacker has a roller assembly which is pivotally mounted to facilitate in servicing and for clearing jams. The stacker is positioned close to a cutter assembly to enable short labels to be received and advanced by the stacker.

Abstract: There is disclosed thermal printer capable of printing on both sides of a web in a single pass wherein there is a straight-through path for the web for ease of threading of a printable web and for simplicity and economy of manufacture, maintenance and use. Print head assemblies can be quickly and easily located at the printing position and yet they can be moved to open or ineffective positions for threading, for cleaning the print head and for maintenance.

Abstract: A security label is attached to a fabric material for producing a signal when passed through a magnetic sensing field to produce a signal as an anti theft device for retail stores. The security label including a security device, such as a metallic strip, is attached to garments, apparel, soft goods (towels, etc.) and footwear (sneakers, etc.). The methods for attaching the security labels to the fabric materials include allowing convenient removal of the security device after the sales transaction and include permanent attachment. The security labels are attached to woven, coated, and synthetic fabrics by conventional sewing, heat sealing and/or ultrasonic sealing.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting a continuously fed web into sheets and for vertically stacking such sheets. The apparatus receives the web between a pair of cutting knives, one of which is periodically rotatable by a motor periodically connected thereto by a pulse fed electrical clutch, and the resulting sheets are conveyed to a vertical stacker by a plurality of laterally spaced conveyor belts driven by the motor. The stacker has a pair of sheet receiving uprights adjustable toward and away from each other and which are mounted on an adjustable stop for engaging the leading edges of the sheets. The stop and the uprights are adjustable in angle with respect to the vertical. A roller below the stack has either crown portions beneath the belt or non-circular portions between pairs of belts to urge the sheets into the stack. Stripping fingers are between pairs of belts for removing the sheets from the belts. To prevent throwing of the sheets, a hold-down roller engages the web adjacent to where it is cut.