Abstract: An electronic labeling machine is disclosed which includes a printing mechanism with a carriage adapted for horizontal travel across assemblies of identification devices to be imprinted. A web sensor is attached to the carriage for concurrent travel therewith. In traversing horizontally across the assembly, the web sensor provides a signal to a microprocessor which indicates the presence or absence of the assembly under the current position of the sensor. The microprocessor also receives a timing signal from the printing mechanism indicative of the position of the carriage. Based on the timing signal and the signal from the web sensor, the microprocessor measures a current width of the assembly. The assembly is especially adapted for use with the invention, and includes notched portions having a width different than the nominal assembly width, each notched portion being in a fixed relative position with respect to one of the identification devices.

Abstract: A versatile hand held thermal printer has a hinged bottom cover which can be opened to provide easier access and loading of a roll of labels into the thermal printer. In a first mode of operation, printed labels emerge through the front of the label printer one by one, peeled from their backing sheet and ready for being applied directly to an article. In a second mode, the labels emerge attached to a strip of backing sheet to provide a plurality of printed labels on a strip. The hinged bottom cover of the labeler has cutters both at the front and at the rear thereof to enable a length of the strip of labels issuing at the front or a length of the backing sheet at the rear to be easily cut off. In a further embodiment, the thermal printer is positioned on a stand and the stand further supports a control unit into which information that is to be printed on the labels is inputted. The stand further includes an upright reel supporter on which a roll or web of thermal tag strips can be located.

Abstract: The labeler in accordance with the present invention has an approximately L-shaped housing to which a reversed L-shaped handle is attached and is provided with a keyboard and an input signal display on the vertical part of the housing. The housing incorporates an electrical system for receiving and processing input signals from the keyboard, a label tape roll retainer, an electrical printer for printing necessary information on labels and a mechanism for moving a carrier strip of a label tape. The electric energy for the electrical circuits is supplied to respective electrical circuits from an internal power supply provided inside the handle or an external power supply connected to the handle by a cord.

Abstract: A hand held thermal printer has a hingedly mounted bottom cover which can be opened to provide comfortable access into the printer and therefore substantially simplified loading of a roll of labels into the printer. The platen roller of the printer which normally abuts the print head of the printer is supported on a pivotable platen arm. The platen arm, like the bottom cover can be pivoted to an open position to provided direct access to the print head. The print head is held in place by a retainer plate which is held by screws and the screws can be simply loosened to permit the print head to be easily replaced. In the open position of the platen arm a wide and straight label passage is created through which the leading end of the backing sheet on which the labels are located could be easily threaded into the printer.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hand-held device for optionally printing and dispensing a web of tags or pressure sensitive labels, or printing on pressure sensitive labels and applying the printed labels to merchandise. Also disclosed are composite webs of pressure sensitive labels and method of using such webs.

Abstract: An improved automatic tape cutter/sticker is composed of an outer housing, inner housing, side cover, plate spring, circular ring tube, printing equipment, rotating cutting equipment, compressing rod and tape. The device further includes a circular ring tube, in which two opposite plates of the four pieces of circular arc tube plates are smaller and shorter than the other plates for encasing tapes with smaller widths. Moreover printing equipment is installed on the left lower side of the inner housing, which is composed of character mold rolling cylinder, ink rolling cylinder, character mold rolling cylinder shaft and ink rolling cylinder shaft. The character mold rolling cylinder linked with character mold rolling cylinder shaft is driven by the tape, so that the ink rolling cylinder located around the ink rolling shaft is driven so that the ink adheres to the convex lines of the character mold rolling cylinder for printing it in the back side of the output tape.

Abstract: A hand labeling device is described with the aid of which self-adhering labels in the course of an operating cycle can be imprinted, dispensed and attached to articles. In a device housing a printing mechanism (34) is arranged for producing an imprint on a self-adhering label disposed in a printing position. A transport means (22) brings the self-adhering labels consecutively into the printing position and into the position for application to the articles. The printing types of the printing mechanism (34) are inked with the aid of an inking device before each printing operation, said device including an inking roll (46) which is adapted to roll on the print types and which is rotatably mounted in an inking roll holder (48) which during the rolling of the inking roll on the print types is guided in a guideway (54) in the housing by means of guide pins (52, 53) extending parallel to the inking roll.

Abstract: A label printer for printing data on a label attached on a long ground paper by means of a thermal head opposed to a platen. The label printer includes a ground paper feeder constituted of a drive roller and a pinch roller for sandwiching the ground paper therebetween. The drive roller stretches the ground paper with slip generated between the drive roller and the ground paper to peel off the printed label from the ground paper by means of a peeling plate and to issue the same. The surface of the drive roller is provided with a wear resistance to prevent wear of the drive roller and thereby to prevent change in the outer circumference of the drive roller. Accordingly, the ground paper may be stretched by the paper feeder under always fixed conditions, and the label may be reliably peeled off by the peeling plate.

Abstract: The label printer of the present invention comprises a label cassette containing an elongate label sheet and removably loadable in the printer unloadably, a memory for storing print parameters of label formats relative to print contents, and a parameter selection means for detecting the states of a plurality of selective elements incorporated in the label cassette correspondingly to the individual print parameters and selecting a print parameter conforming to the result of such detection. In this structure, mere loading of the label cassette in the printer prescribes the label format relative to the print content that corresponds to the loaded label cassette, thereby facilitating the operation to prescribe the desired label format.

Abstract: A printer, which is especially adapted for printing a bar code on label paper has a housing having a front panel with some operation buttons and a winding drawer having a protruding label table. The printer prints a bar code and alphanumeric numerals on a label which is fed to the label table for then being applied to goods. The printer also can be connected to an external computer or the like for obtaining the information to be printed on the label. The printer also has an internal processor and a memory for maintaining certain necessary information. The winding drawer has a winding roller and a deflection roller on a pivotable operation lever. The deflection roller deflects ground paper of the label paper over a dispenser edge in a first position of the operation lever, so that a label formerly on the ground paper is delivered straight ahead while the ground paper is deflected downwards to the winding roller operation.

Abstract: A desk-top and/or hand held thermal printer comprises a main unit having a guide path therein for a moving continuous label strip which includes a backing sheet and discrete labels detachably attached to the backing sheet. The printer has a flat bottom surface for resting on a flat surface; a retaining means for supporting a roll of backing sheet and labels and guiding the labels through a thermal printing device where a bar code or the like is thermally printed on the thermosensitive labels; a label peeling means for peeling the labels from the backing sheet; a label affixing means for affixing the peeled-off labels on objects; a data input means for example a keyboard or a computer input terminal; a data display means; and a controller for controlling the entire printer.

Abstract: A portable thermal label printer is provided with a data input, data memory for storing label information data, a program memory, and an input/output port for data communication with external devices.

Abstract: The electronic postage meter includes a microcomputer controlled thermal head opposite a scavenging roller and suitable means of cleaning the scavenging roller. A cassette containing a thermal transfer tape coated on one side with a thermal sensitive ink is received within a cartridge slot in the postage meter. The thermal tape is threaded within the cartridge to journal from a feed reel beyond a guide roller, between a thermal head and scavenging roller, to a transfer roller and be received by a take-up reel, the scavenging roller and thermal head being constituent of the postage meter. The mailing machine includes a back-up roller bias peripherally opposite the transfer roller. An image is traced on the thermal tape by the thermal head in response to a microcomputer constituent to the postage meter.

Abstract: A hand-held labeler, particularly a labeler employing a thermographic print head, utilizes improved control circuitry for accurately sensing the position of the web and controlling the operation of the print head in order accurately to control the position of the imprints on the web. When a motor is used to advance the web, the control system is operative to control the operation and speed of the web advancing motor.

Abstract: A portable label printer comprising a label printer unit and an electrically and mechanically detachable data terminal unit is disclosed. When mated, the data terminal unit and the label printer unit are angularly adjustable with respect to each other. The printer unit has an interface for communication with external devices.

Abstract: A thermal printer is provided wherein data inputted from a data reader, such as a pen scanner, is compared with previously stored data. In the event that a match occurs, the printer prints predetermined information such as a sorting code on a thermal print medium. The thermal printer has a data input, data memory, program memory and an I/O port for communication with external devices. A controller controls the various components and directs the printer to print when the match occurs. Should a match not occur, the non-matching data is stored in data memory. The print medium such as a label or the like, may then be affixed to the same article or merchandise from which the data reader initially read the data.

Abstract: A hand-held labeler, particularly a labeler employing a thermographic print head, utilizes improved control circuitry for accurately sensing the position of the web and controlling the operation of the print head in order accurately to control the position of the imprints on the web. When a motor is used to advance the web, the control system is operative to control the operation and speed of the web advancing motor.

Abstract: A labeling device is described with the aid of which self-adhering labels (6) can be imprinted, dispensed and attached to articles. The device includes a printing mechanism (16) having printing types (27) and a means for inking the printing types which includes a pivot member (21) rotatably mounted about a pivot pin (22) and an inking roll (26) which is connected to said member (21) and which prior to each printing operation by pivoting of the pivot member (21) is rolled along the printing types (27) for transferring ink. The inking roll (26) is mounted in an inking roll holder (25) which is adapted to be fitted onto the pivot member (21) in a direction extending radially with respect to the pivot axis (22) of the pivot member (21). At the contact face between the inking roll holder (25) and the pivot member (21) detent means (35, 36) are disposed which secure the inking roll holder (25) in the fitted position on the pivot member (21).

Abstract: A thermal label printer is provided with a label feeding mechanism which is adapted to operate either in a first mode in which the printer supplies peeled labels or in a second mode in which the printed labels are delivered while still adhered to their backing sheet. The labels are delivered out of the printer on a conveyor belt which extends to a label peeling member in the printer. The conveyor belt is tiltable in a manner which is effective to create a larger clearance between the conveyor belt and the peeling member to facilitate loading of the backing sheet prior to beginning printing operations.

Abstract: This invention relates to a unit type thermal label printer capable of receiving and transmitting data. The unit type thermal label printer is comprised of detachable components consisting of a label printer unit, a data terminal unit, an applicator unit, and a handle unit. These units can be partially or completely connected and disconnected as desired thereby enabling the device to be configured according to the particular needs of the user and the situation.

Abstract: A portable thermal label printer employing an optical reader such as a pen or touch scanner for data input is disclosed. The operator needs only to hold the scanner, while the remaining components are held around the operator's waist or the like. The operator can therefore use both hands to handle articles of freight, and enables freight to be handled and labels to be printed easily and efficiently. Further, the arrangement of the thermal label roll with respect to the thermal print head enables the overall unit to be made light and compact.

Abstract: A manually-operated labeler has a casing provided with a tape holder for holding a roll-shaped label tape consisting of a carrier strip and a number of labels which are consecutively stuck onto the carrier strip and with a handle, a drive mechanism provided with a lever which is manually operated and an operating part extending inside the casing operated by the lever, a feed drum which is manually operated and an operating part extending inside the casing operated by the lever, a feed drum which is intermittently driven by the drive mechanism and thus feeds a specified length of the carrier strip of the label tape, a bottom cover pivoted to the casing to form a bottom of the casing and which adapted to turn back said carrier strip, and a carrier strip feed-out mechanism for feeding out the carrier strip from the casing in cooperation with said feed drum, and a notched slit provided in a side wall of the casing to separate the side wall along a line extending from the tape holder to the bottom side, such that

Abstract: A hand-held labeler, particularly a labeler employing a thermographic print head, utilizes improved control circuitry for accurately sensing the position of the web and controlling the operation of the print head in order accurately to control the position of the imprints on the web. When a motor is used to advance the web, the control system is operative to control the operation and speed of the web advancing motor.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hand-held labeler having a print head with electrically selectable printing elements for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels. The labeler has a housing with a handle and structure for mounting a roll of pressure sensitive labels releasably carried on a carrier web. The labeler has a movable section which mounts a keyboard and a control circuit on a circuit board. The control circuit controls the printing elements. Labels are printed by the printing elements as the carrier web is advanced, and labels are delaminated at a delaminator and dispensed into label applying relation to an applicator. The print head is mounted on a support and is continuously spring-urged toward the platen. Movement of the print head toward the platen is limited to prevent damage. The support and the print head can be moved away from the platen from the outside of the labeler to facilitate threading of the web.

Abstract: A novel and easy-to-use labeler, also called a price gun, label gun, pricer or labeler, that can be used to fasten labels containing information on prices, commodity names, dates etc., to food articles and clothes, by workers at supermarkets, department stores, for example. The labeler includes a cassette case which stores labels, a label printer for printing labels, and a labeler body to which the cassette case is mounted, to intermittently feed the labels.

Abstract: In a label printer of the invention, a guide member to guide an ink ribbon is positioned in reverse direction of separating direction of the ink ribbon with respect to the line connecting a platen to a point on the outside of a separating plane, and thereby the ink ribbon is separated in bent state from the ground paper and therefore the separation between the ground paper and the ink ribbon is performed well. In this constitution, vibration of the ground paper is prevented and the noise is not produced, and deformation of the ground paper is prevented and the feed amount is held uniform. Further the ground paper only is bent by the separating plate, and the label is separated securely.

Abstract: A hand held labeler having an optical reader attached thereto whereby an encoded article may be scanned to provide information to the labeler. The information may be used to set the print head of the labeler.

Abstract: A thermal printing cassette includes a body with a path for a strip of labels through it. A thermal printing head in the body operates against a platen to print the labels fed therepast. A feed roller moves the label strip past the platen. The labels are separated from the backing strip of the label strip at the platen to move through the cassette outlet. Data to be printed on the labels is applied at a data input and is displayed at a data display. A detector detects the labels to activate the printer to print. A unified control controls operation of all the foregoing elements. In one embodiment, the cassette is mounted to a desk type printer both electrically and mechanically. The printer includes a supply of the label strip and may include a printed label take-up, plus a power supply. In another embodiment, the printer is a portable unit to which the cassette is mounted both electrically and mechanically and which also has the label supply and a portable electric power supply.

Abstract: There is disclosed printing apparatus composed essentially of molded plastics material which has relatively few parts, is easy to manufacture and maintain, and is lightweight and portable. The apparatus is illustrated as being of the table top type which can print both standard type tags and labels, string tags and pin tickets. The apparatus has a print head operable in conjunction with an impression control device, a feed finger assembly with a registration adjustment, a simple drive arrangement operated by a cam with a single cam path, and a reel positionable at different attitudes, and the construction of the apparatus is readily adaptable to both manually operated and motorized versions.

Abstract: A hand labeling device for imprinting and dispensing self-adhesive labels comprises a housing (110) in which is disposed a printing mechanism (10) movable between a raised inoperative position and a lowered printing position. The printing mechanism comprises a plurality of axially adjacent setting wheels (16) with which type carriers (20) carrying printing types (22) are in a drive connection. A setting shaft (42) extending in the direction of the axis of the setting wheels (16) and connected to the printing mechanism (10) projects outwardly at a housing wall (110a); it is displaceable at a side face of the printing mechanism (10) between an inserted and an extended position and with the aid of said shaft the setting wheels (16) can be adjusted relatively to each other in such a manner that desired printing types (22) on the type carriers (20) move into a printing zone at the printing mechanism (10).

Abstract: There is disclosed a hand-held labeler with a thermographic print head for printing on labels releasably secured to a carrier web, a delaminator for delaminating printed labels, an applicator for applying printed labels, a web feeding mechanism including an electric motor for advancing the carrier web, a detachable handle containing a source of electrical energy, and circuitry including a plurality of printed circuit boards electrically connecting the electrical energy source, the keyboard and the print head.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hand-held labeler with a thermographic print head for printing on labels releasably secured to a carrier web, a delaminator for delaminating printed labels, an applicator for applying printed labels, a web feeding mechanism including an electric motor for advancing the carrier web, a detachable handle containing a source of electrical energy, and circuitry including a plurality of printed circuit boards electrically connecting the electrical energy source, the keyboard and the print head.There is also disclosed a process of making a feed wheel for the labeler which includes molding a hub having external axial grooves, molding feed rings having external tooth and internal projections which are cooperable with the grooves in the hub in only one rotational position, and sliding the rings onto the hub.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hand-held labeler having a print head with electrically selectable printing elements for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels. The labeler has a housing with a handle and structure for mounting a roll of pressure sensitive labels releasably carried on a carrier web. The labeler has a movable section which mounts a keyboard and a control circuit on a circuit board. The control circuit controls the printing elements. Labels are printed by the printing elements as the carrier web is advanced, and labels are delaminated at a delaminator and dispensed into label applying relation to an applicator. The print head is mounted on a support and is continuously spring-urged toward the platen. Movement of the print head toward the platen is limited to prevent damage. The support and the print head can be moved away from the platen from the outside of the labeler to facilitate threading of the web.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hand-held labeler with a thermographic print head for printing on labels releasably secured to a carrier web, a delaminator for delaminating printed labels, an applicator for applying printed labels, a web feeding mechanism including an electric motor for advancing the carrier web, a detachable handle containing a source of electrical energy, and circuitry including a plurality of printed circuit boards electrically connecting the electrical energy source, the keyboard and the print head.

Abstract: A hand-held labeler, particularly a labeler employing a thermographic print head, utilizes improved control circuitry for accurately sensing the position of the web and controlling the operation of the print head in order accurately to control the position of the imprints on the web. When a motor is used to advance the web, the control system is operative to control the operation and speed of the web advancing motor.

Abstract: A printing mechanism is described comprising a housing (12, 14) in which a plurality of type carriers (20) are disposed which are in a drive connection with coaxially disposed setting wheels (16) each having a center bore. In a space formed by the center bores of the setting wheels a setting shaft (42) is axially displaceable and rotatable. By axial displacement the setting shaft can be brought into a drive connection with each of the setting wheels. On the setting shaft an actuating knob (48) is disposed with the aid of which said shaft can be displaced and turned. In the housing a display indicator means (26, 27, 29) is disposed displaceably parallel to the setting shaft; said means is connected to the setting shaft in such a manner that the latter turns relatively thereto but can be displaced axially only jointly therewith. The display indicator means makes it possible to recognize the type carrier which can be adjusted in the respective axial position of the setting shaft.

Abstract: The invention features a high speed thermal printing mechanism having a dichotomized printing sequence. The thermal printing mechanism is particularly useful for printing postal values and indicia upon postage tape in a variable and fixed format, respectively. The variable information can be imprinted by a thermal head under the influence of a microprocessor. The fixed information can be imprinted by an etched thermal print screen.

Abstract: The invention concerns a label printing and applying apparatus. The printing apparatus includes a mount for detachably mounting a label holder to the printer. After being printed a web of labels is wound onto a roll in the holder while the label holder is attached to the printer. The label holder may then be separated from the printer and is attached to an applier at which time the holder may deliver labels to the applier for being applied. When a roll of labels has been wound upon the label holder, a cutting knife on the printing apparatus cuts the label web, thereafter permitting separation of the label holder from the label printer. Printing of the labels is done in a rotary platen on the label printer. A drive transmission connects the rotary platen with the label winding roll for rotating the roll when the label holder is on the label printer. Instructions to the printer for printing particular indicia are inputted.

Abstract: A web positioning system, particularly usable for use in a hand-held labeler employing a thermographic print head, utilizes a circular indexing member having a plurality of position defining indices for providing indications representative of the position of the web. The circular, and relative rotation between the circular member and the shaft is prevented by a plurality of key slots or the like disposed on said circular member and engaging a key, and slot or the like on the shaft. The angular spacing between the key slots is unequal and is substantially greater than the spacing between the position-defining indices; but the position of the position defining indices relative to the shaft may be adjusted by a distance less than the distance between the position defining indices by bringing a different one of the key slots into engagement with the shaft.

Abstract: A postage meter which includes a thermal print head for printing indicia, postal value, and the like is disclosed. In accordance with the invention, thermal elements in the thermal print head are electronically pulsed in appropriate serially timed patters to provide a complete thermally transferred image on a strip moving past the thermal head. A reversible stepper motor and cam arrangement are utilized to provide a drive mechanism and a means for relieving pressure on the strip at the end of each print cycle.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hand-held labeler with a thermographic print head for printing on labels releasably secured to a carrier web, a delaminator for delaminating printed labels, an applicator for applying printed labels, a web feeding mechanism including an electric motor for advancing the carrier web, a detachable handle containing a source of electrical energy, and circuitry including a plurality of printed circuit boards electrically connecting the electrical energy source, the keyboard and the print head.

Abstract: This device provides a printer wherein a narrow strip of sheet paper is passed between a platen roller and a print head, characterized in that one end of each of the platen roller and print head are supported in a cantilevered manner and owing to this arrangement, the gap between the printing roller and print head is open at the other end to enable the insertion of sheet paper into the gap from that end.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hand-held labeler having a print head with electrically selectable printing elements for printing and applying pressure sensitive labels. The labeler has a housing with a handle and structure for mounting a roll of pressure sensitive labels releasably carried on a carrier web. The labeler has a movable section which mounts a keyboard and a control circuit on a circuit board. The control circuit controls the printing elements. Labels are printed by the printing elements as the carrier web is advanced, and labels are delaminated at a delaminator and dispensed into label applying relation to an applicator.

Abstract: An automatic label winding and charging device is provided for use with a portable label applying system in which labels temporarily adhered in series to a web of backing paper are printed with bar codes or the like by the action of a printer. The label web having printed labels is fed to a take-up cassette that is removably mounted in the printer, being removable therefrom for insertion in a dispenser for applying the printed labels to commodities. The automatic label winding and charging device comprises a cassette guide member for guiding the cassette when the latter is to be mounted in the printer. Pressure releasing means is provided for releasing the label web so that it may be freely advanced. In order to ensure the smooth guidance of the label web, an arcuate guide groove is provided for guiding the printed label web therethrough to the cassette. A cutter is provided to sever this printed label web at a suitable position thereof.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hand-held labeler with a thermographic print head for printing on labels releasably secured to a carrier web, a delaminator for delaminating printed labels, an applicator for applying printed labels, a web feeding mechanism including an electric motor for advancing the carrier web, a detachable handle containing a source of electrical energy, and circuitry including a plurality of printed circuit boards electrically connecting the electrical energy source, the keyboard and the print head.

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: There is disclosed a composite label web and method of making and method of applying labels. The composite label web comprises a longitudinally extending carrier web and label material releasably adhered by pressure sensitive adhesive to the carrier web. There are cuts extending across the label material at longitudinally spaced intervals to provide adjacent labels having complementary leading and trailing edges defining a forwardly projecting portion and a rearwardly projecting portion. In dispensing the label from the carrier web, the forwardly projecting portion is gradually delaminated. It is preferred that only a part of the rearwardly projecting portion of the leading label which has been dispensed to a label applying position remain adhered to the carrier web and that only a part of the forwardly projecting portion of the next successive label be delaminated from the carrier web.

Abstract: The labeler in accordance with the present invention is constructed so that a plurality of labels which are consecutively stuck onto a carrier strip are separated in sequence from the carrier strip by turning back the carrier strip at the carrier strip turnback part and intermittently feeding said carrier strip along with the rotational movement of the feed drum. Two feed rollers which depress the carrier strip onto the feed drum are provided. A circular guide member which forms a clearance for feeding the carrier strip between said guide member and the outer periphery of the feed drum is provided between said two fed rollers, and a pivotable frame is provided between the feed rollers for which said guide member is not provided, and a stripper is provided on the inside of the pivotable frame to separate the carrier strip fed by the feed drum from said feed drum.

Abstract: There is disclosed a manually operable, hand-held labeler with a resettable counter which prevents operation of the labeler beyond a predetermined number of cycles, and there is disclosed a method of labeling using a hand-held labeler which involves preventing operation of the labeler beyond a predetermined number of cycles.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hand-held labeler with a thermographic print head for printing on labels releasably secured to a carrier web, a delaminator for delaminating printed labels, an applicator for applying printed labels, a web feeding mechanism including an electric motor for advancing the carrier web, a detachable handle containing a source of electrical energy, and circuitry including a plurality of printed circuit boards electrically connecting the electrical energy source, the keyboard and the print head.