Abstract: A combined weighing scale and label printer for weighing a packaged commodity (15) includes a scale (10), a keyboard (60), a display (70), a controller (40) and a label printer (30). Memory means (170) within the controller contains a commodity name and other relevant product information. The operator may interrogate the memory means by a keyboard entry at any time to obtain a human-readable verification of the commodity name prior to printing a label (80). Since the commodity name may be longer than the individual elements which comprise the display means, the commodity may be displayed in a rotating or running fashion from right to left.

Abstract: A label printer for printing both human readable and machine readable indicia on the end label in a strip of perforated label stock includes a drum printer providing printing at a print station and label advancing rollers for advancing the label stock from a supply through the print station. Human readable indicia are printed on the end label during this advancement. Label tensioning rollers are provided on the opposite side of the print station from the label advancing rollers and engage the end label after a portion of the label has been transported past the print station. When the label tensioning rollers have engaged the end label, the machine readable indicia are printed on the label, as well as any additional human readable indica. The label tensioning rollers provide for tensioning of the label during printing of the machine readable indicia so as to enhance the resolution of the printed indicia.

Abstract: A commodity key for use in connection with radiation sensitive encoding devices provides a unique pattern of radiation identifying the type and/or unit price of a commodity in a computing scale. The key has an elongated body (10) with a code area (20) formed of a frangible plastic material opaque to the radiation used in the encoding device. The code area has a first plurality of insets or blind holes (21) in one side thereof, and a complementary second plurality of insets or blind holes (25) in the opposite side. The sets of insets are individually adjacent and aligned to define potential radiation transmissive openings through the code area, and the insets in one set are somewhat larger than the insets in the other set. The material (27) dividing adjacent insets thus is readily frangible in response to pressure exerted thereon through the smaller of the adjacent insets to form effective radiation transmissive openings, thereby facilitating on-site encoding of a key.

Abstract: Apparatus for carrying a label having a pressure sensitive adhesive on one side from a first station where the label is printed and partially removed from a strip of backing material to a second, remote station where the label is to be applied to a package includes a belt conveyor extending between the first and second stations. The conveyor moves into direct engaging contact with the label after the label is partially removed from the backing material such that the label is then completely stripped from the backing material and firmly engaged by the conveyor. The conveyor is then driven to move the label to the second station.