Abstract: A printer, suitable for use in a hand held printer, having a dual direction drive mechanism for driving ink ribbon in a forward feed direction and a reverse feed direction. The drive mechanism is mounted in a printer body, and includes a stationary gear drive assembly engageable with a pivotal drive gear assembly having a forward feed position and a reverse feed direction.

Abstract: A label media for use in a label media printer forms dynamically sized label markers. The label media includes a continuous tube affixed to a length of a carrier web. Indicia is printed on the tube which is then cut to a desired length that accommodates the indicia printed thereon to dynamically form the wire marker.

Abstract: A printer cartridge suitable for use in a cartridge-based printer houses and dispenses a roll of label media. The cartridge 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 and defines a beginning of a media path. In one embodiment, the yoke is adjustable to accommodate different label media widths.

Abstract: A cutter mechanism for use in a printer. The cutter mechanism includes a base and a cutter blade slidably fixed relative to the base. The cutter blade is movable along a cutting path in a first direction between a retracted position and a forward position through a cutting position. A breaker bar is fixed relative to the cutter blade, and is spaced from the cutter blade when the cutter blade is in the retracted position to define a web path between the breaker bar and the base. A first biasing member urges the blade in a second direction away from the breaker bar to completely disengage the blade from the breaker bar. The second direction is not parallel to the first direction.

Abstract: A cartridge identification system for identifying a characteristic of a cartridge inserted in a printer. The cartridge identification system comprises an identification circuit which is triggered by an electrical connection between a printed circuit board coupled to the cartridge and a plurality of spring contacts in a cartridge receptacle in the printer. An electrical logic signal is read by an internal processing unit, which determines a characteristic of the cartridge based on the logic signal.

Abstract: A printer mechanism having a receptacle for receiving a printer cartridge therein. A print head is disposed in the receptacle, and a platen roller is rotatable about a roller axis. The platen roller is movable between a printing position in close proximity to the print head for urging labeling media and ink ribbon toward the print head and a nonprinting position in which the roller platen is spaced a distance from said print head to allow the labeling media and ink ribbon to be slipped therebetween. A platen roller gear is coaxial with said platen roller, and is engaged with a drive gear when the platen roller is in the printing position and disengaged from the platen roller gear when the platen roller is in the nonprinting position. A lever is linked to the platen roller, and is movable between a lock position and an unlock position.

Abstract: A cartridge identification system for identifying a characteristic of a cartridge inserted in a printer. The cartridge identification system comprises an identification circuit which is triggered by an electrical connection between a printed circuit board coupled to the cartridge and a plurality of spring contacts in a cartridge receptacle in the printer. An electrical logic signal is read by an internal processing unit, which determines a characteristic of the cartridge based on the logic signal.

Abstract: A printer mechanism having a receptacle for receiving a printer cartridge therein. A print head is disposed in the receptacle, and a platen roller is rotatable about a roller axis. The platen roller is movable between a printing position in close proximity to the print head for urging labeling media and ink ribbon toward the print head and a nonprinting position in which the roller platen is spaced a distance from said print head to allow the labeling media and ink ribbon to be slipped therebetween. A platen roller gear is coaxial with said platen roller, and is engaged with a drive gear when the platen roller is in the printing position and disengaged from the platen roller gear when the platen roller is in the nonprinting position. A lever is linked to the platen roller, and is movable between a lock position and an unlock position.

Abstract: A cutter mechanism for use in a printer. The cutter mechanism includes a base and a cutter blade slidably fixed relative to the base. The cutter blade is movable along a cutting path in a first direction between a retracted position and a forward position through a cutting position. A breaker bar is fixed relative to the cutter blade, and is spaced from the cutter blade when the cutter blade is in the retracted position to define a web path between the breaker bar and the base. A first biasing member urges the blade in a second direction away from the breaker bar to completely disengage the blade from the breaker bar. The second direction is not parallel to the first direction.