Abstract: A thermal printer print head support device allows the position of the thermal print head printing element to be shifted to the front or the rear relative to the platen axis. Thereby the printing pressure is varied and the print quality is optimized by matching the printing pressure to the different properties, such as thickness and hardness, of the printing media (tags, labels. etc.).

Abstract: A mechanism for preventing slack in a printer carbon ribbon includes a reverse rotation mechanism for applying a rotational force to the carbon ribbon feed shaft in the reverse direction from that for feeding the carbon ribbon irrespective of the direction in which a label strip or other printable medium is being fed. The reverse rotation mechanism comprises a first reverse rotation sub-mechanism for applying a rotational force to the carbon ribbon feed shaft in the reverse direction from that for feeding the carbon ribbon when the printable medium is being fed in the forward direction and a second reverse rotation sub-mechanism for applying a rotational force to the carbon ribbon feed shaft in the reverse direction from that for feeding the carbon ribbon when the printable medium is being retracted in the reverse direction. The mechanism is particularly applicable where a drive motor is used both to move the printable medium and to take up the printer carbon ribbon.

Abstract: In order to control the movement of a label web to be imprinted past the printing head of a thermal printer, or the like, the label web carries optically detectable marks at predetermined intervals therealong. The label web is comprised of label pieces adhesively secured to an underlying supporting web. An optical sensor for detecting the marks on the label web is disposed on a label holding member which is hinged to a supporting base, so that the label web is fed past the supporting base and is pressed thereagainst by the label holding member. Holes located on the supporting base at opposite sides of the label web help remove any adhesive material that is emitted from the sides of the label web. The support base has guiding lands for guiding the movement of the label web. The operation of the printer and of the label feed device is controlled by the optically sensed marks on the web.

Abstract: An automatic label winding and charging device is part of a system used for printing and applying labels that are temporarily adhered in series to a web of backing paper. The system includes a bar code printer which feeds a printed label web to a cassette and the latter is then insertable into a label applicator so that the printed labels can be dispensed and applied to commodities. The automatic label winding and charging device includes cassette mounting means for mounting the cassette in the printer to receive a printed label web produced by the latter. The printed label web is guided in the printer by guide means disposed adjacent to the cassette mounting means. The cassette is equipped with winding means for winding the printed label web being fed from the printer. Means are included to prevent peeling of printed labels from the printed label web during loading of the cassette.