Label printer with a peel bar, a separator bar and anti-buckle means

US6231253A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• ZIH Corp. · BM

Inventors

• David L. Henderson · Austin, US
• Ronald Liedtke · Addison, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 30, 1998
• Grant date: May 15, 2001
• Expiry date: Oct 30, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65H2701/194
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A novel passive peel system for a printer is provided for peeling labels off of a backing. Labels secured to a backing is defined as media. The printer has a printhead for printing indicia on the labels and a platen roller. A first embodiment of the passive peel system includes a peel tear bar proximate to the platen roller for bending the backing therearound and a separator bar proximate to the peel tear bar for separating the backing from the labels after the labels have been printed on by the printhead. The media passes over the peel tear bar, the backing passes between the peel tear bar and the separator bar, and the labels pass over the separator bar. The labels can be peeled with low tension or with zero tension on the backing. A second embodiment of the passive peel system includes a peel tear bar and an anti-buckle bar mounted proximate to the peel tear bar for preventing buckling of the media as the media passes over the peel tear bar. The media passes between the peel tear bar and said anti-buckle bar. The labels can be peeled with low tension on the backing. The third embodiment of the passive peel system is the same as the first embodiment with the addition of the anti-…