Abstract: A label wrapper assembly for wrapping a label on an elongated object. The assembly includes a support frame having a first wall spaced from a second wall. A wrapper frame is interposed between the first and second walls, and has a first end and a second end. The wrapper frame includes an opening for receiving the elongated object extending through the wrapper frame between the first and second ends, wherein the wrapper frame revolves around the elongated object to wrap a label thereon. In one embodiment, the first end is rotatably mounted to only one of the first and second walls, and the second end is adjacent to the other of the first and second walls. In another embodiment, a clamp mechanism is mounted to each of the walls, wherein each of the clamp mechanisms clamp onto the elongated object extending through the wrapper frame to hold the elongated object as the wrapper frame revolves around the elongated object.

Abstract: A printer cartridge suitable for use in a cartridge-based printer houses and dispenses a roll of label media, and 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. Ratchet teeth fixed relative to at least one of the housing and yoke engage structure of the other of the housing and the yoke to prevent the yoke from pivoting away from the label media drive roller.

Abstract: A label wrapper block assembly for mounting in a rotatably mounted wrapper frame in a label wrapper assembly includes a base having opposing ends joined by a top surface and a bottom surface. A channel extends between the ends in the top surface for receiving an object being wrapped by the label wrapper assembly. At least one biasing member is extendible into the channel for urging the label against the object received in the channel. In one embodiment, the at least one biasing member is a flexible material stretched across the base top surface.

Abstract: A spool suitable for winding material thereon includes an axially extending body having a proximal end and a distal end joined by an outer surface. A cam is rotatably mounted adjacent to the body for rotatable movement between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the cam secures the material to the spool and a portion of the cam extends radially outwardly from the body to define a first effective diameter of the spool. In the open position, the cam is spaced from the body to release the material secured to the spool and the portion of the cam retracts toward the body to define a second effective diameter of the spool which is less than the first effective diameter.

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 printer cartridge suitable for use in a cartridge-based printer houses and dispenses a roll of label media, and 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. Ratchet teeth fixed relative to at least one of the housing and yoke engage structure of the other of the housing and the yoke to prevent the yoke from pivoting away from the label media drive roller.

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: A label wrapper block assembly for mounting in a rotatably mounted wrapper frame in a label wrapper assembly includes a base having opposing ends joined by a top surface and a bottom surface. A channel extends between the ends in the top surface for receiving an object being wrapped by the label wrapper assembly. At least one biasing member is extendible into the channel for urging the label against the object received in the channel. In one embodiment, the at least one biasing member is a flexible material stretched across the base top surface.

Abstract: A label wrapper assembly for wrapping a label on an elongated object. The assembly includes a support frame having a first wall spaced from a second wall. A wrapper frame is interposed between the first and second walls, and has a first end and a second end. The wrapper frame includes an opening for receiving the elongated object extending through the wrapper frame between the first and second ends, wherein the wrapper frame revolves around the elongated object to wrap a label thereon. In one embodiment, the first end is rotatably mounted to only one of the first and second walls, and the second end is adjacent to the other of the first and second walls. In another embodiment, a clamp mechanism is mounted to each of the walls, wherein each of the clamp mechanisms clamp onto the elongated object extending through the wrapper frame to hold the elongated object as the wrapper frame revolves around the elongated object.

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 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: A bidirectional hand held label printer with a novel labeling media and ink ribbon drive mechanism. A delay is introduced in the labeling media and ink ribbon drive mechanism to pretension the ribbon prior to feeding labeling media and ribbon past the print head. When the drive motor reverses direction, the drive roller stalls momentarily while the take up ribbon drive spindle tensions the ribbon in the desired direction.

Abstract: A cutting mechanism for a hand held printer includes a lever pivotally mounted to a base and coupled to a slidably mounted blade. Pivotal movement of the lever translates the blade along a cutting axis to cut labeling media. The lever is automatically returned to the noncutting position by a spring, and the blade is biased toward the cutting bar by a spring incorporated in the blade mounting mechanism. The blade has a chevron shape to provide a clean cut in a short cutting stroke.

Abstract: A bidirectional hand held label printer with a novel labeling media and ink ribbon drive mechanism. A delay is introduced in the labeling media and ink ribbon drive mechanism to pretension the ribbon prior to feeding labeling media and ribbon past the print head. When the drive motor reverses direction, the drive roller stalls momentarily while the take up ribbon drive spindle tensions the ribbon in the desired direction.