US3256813A

US3256813A - Strip material winding machine

Info

Publication number: US3256813A
Application number: US361117A
Authority: US
Inventors: James H Casey
Original assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: 3M Co
Priority date: 1964-04-20
Filing date: 1964-04-20
Publication date: 1966-06-21
Anticipated expiration: 1983-06-21

Description

June 21, 1966 J. H. cAsEY STRIP MATERIAL WINDING MACHINE INVENTOR. J4/w55# 6955 BY 3,256,813 STRIP MATERIAL WINDING MACHENE James H. Casey, Roseville, Minn., assignor to Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minn., a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 20, 1964, Ser. No. 361,117 Claims. (Cl. 101-292) This invention relates to an apparatus for convolutely winding elongate strip material on a core after said material has been processed in some manner and in one aspect relates to a novel device for printing on a continuous strip of tape and rewinding the printed tape.

The basic machine which forms a part of this invention provides for the continuous feeding of a tape from a supply roll and imprinting thereon. The machine is particularly adapted for manual operation, however the same may be provided with any suitable powered driving means to make said printing machine more automatic. In either instance the device provides means for rapidly imprinting a tape, which may be a liner having a series of labels adhesively secured thereto, but when printing a large number of said labels with the same information it is generally desirable to rewind the imprinted tape after imprinting the same such that said tape may be readily inserted in a label dispensing and applying machine. It has therefore become desirable to pro vide a tape winding mechanism on the printing machines. The problem encountered in trying to adapt previously known rewinding techniques to the presently known printing devices is excessive tension is applied to the Itape by said devices where in fact only a small amount of tension should ever be applied to the strip during rewinding. This is due to the fact that if a constant tension and/or too much tension is applied to the tape, the tape will be drawn off the supply roll due to tension applied during rewinding rather than solely from the feeding mechanism of the device. This causes the labels to be moved out of register with the printing unit of the printing device, resulting of course in inaccurate printing. In printing devices of this general type there is no provision easily provided for braking the tape in both directions and therefore means for restricting movement of the tape toward the supply roll under retracting movement of the drive means is the only movement limiting device provided for said tape. It was therefore necessary to accomplish the rewinding without at the same time applying tension on the tape.

The present invention has the advantage of providing a simple workable tape winding mechanism.

The present invention further has the advantage of providing a very economical label tape winding structure which does not substantially increase the cost of a printing machine of which it is made a part and which may be used during the operation of the machine'or not without requiring any readjustment or manipulation of any elements on the basic machine.

The present invention has the additional-advantage of providing a winding mechanism which cannot cause sufcient tension in the tape to interfere with the normal feeding and imprinting of the tape. Y ,n The novel winding technique of the present invention is accomplished by a core means upon which the strip may be wound, support means loosely supporting said core means affording vertical movement of the axis of said core and rotational movement of said core means about the axis thereof, and striking means for imparting a series of impacts to the outer periphery of said core means while on said support means to lift the axis of the core and rotate said core means in one direction.

These and other novel features of the present invention will become more apparent uopn reading the more United States Patent O 3,256,813 Patented June 2l, 1966 ICC detailed specification which follows and by reference to the accompanying drawings of which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a device illustrating the present invention with the parts thereof in an op erating position;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view illustrating details of the device of FIGURE 1 with the parts in an initial retracted position;

FIGURE 3 is a detail perspective view of an element forming part of the present invention.

The printing device illustrated in the drawing is portable and comprises a base 6 of generally rectangular shape to which is secured adjacent the rear end thereof and to one side an upright member 8, generally U-shaped in transverse section, which consists of a pair of spaced vertical walls 10 with a bottom connecting wall 11. The upright member is secured to the base 6 by suitable fastening means 12 passing through the bottom connecting wall.

The upright member is adapted to supporta roll of tape generally indicated at 13. This roll of tape comprises a liner or strip of treated paper 14 on which a series of labels 15 having a pressure-sensitive surface are successively secured along one face thereof. The labels are generally positioned on the liner in slightly spaced relation to provide a space 16 between each label so that the ngers of the printing machine, to be hereinafter described, may engage the rear edges 17 of the labels to advance the tape from the roll to and through a processing location at which said labels are imprinted. The labels may have other forms but are primarily adapted after imprinting to be removed from the liner and applied to any container or packaged product as desired.

Stationarily supported on the base 6 is a guide member generally indicated at 24 for guiding the tape from the supply roll to the imprinting area. The guide member is channel-shaped, having a bottom 2S and two spaced sides or upstanding flanges 26. The bottom 25 of the guide member 24'termin'ates at the front thereof in a widened rectangular-shaped at plate portion 28 which forms a printing area.

Two spaced ears 31 and 32 are formed on the upper portions of each side 26 of the guide member 24 in transversely aligned relationship and each pair of spaced ears 31 and 32 support a rod, 33 and 34 respectively, upon which are pivotally mounted the links of a reciprocating unit generally indicated 36. The reciprocating unit 36 includes an upper frame member 37 having a pair of side members 38 joined by a front connecting wall 39. The side members 38 are widened adjacent the front or right-hand end of the machine as viewed in FIGURE l as at 41 and are reduced to narrower portions rearwardly thereof. The upper frame member 37 is pivotally supported on two pairs of spaced links 42 and 43. The links 42 and 43 are joined to the frame 37 and the guide member 24 lto form parallelograrn linkages affording longitudinal reciprocatory movement for the upper frame 36 with respect to said guide member 24 and oscillation of any part thereof.

The rear links 42 are pivotally supported on the rear rod 33 through suitable openings formed in enlargements at the lower end of the links 42. The rod 33 is supported in the ears 31 of the guide member 24. The upper ends of the links 42 support a transverse rod 44 extending through openings in said links and through openings in the rear ends of the sides 38 of the frame 37. The front links 43 are similar in size and shape to the rear links 42 and they in turn are secured at the lower ends tothe rod 34, which is supported in the ears 32 of the guide member 24, and at their upper ends to frame 37 Sleeves 48 and 49 are positioned coaxially on the rods 33 and- 44v between thelinks 42. A sleeve 51 is also secured on the lower front rod 34, while the upper rod 46 supports a pair of sleeves 53 spaced therebetween to accommodate the front end of an arm 56 which has a transverse opening at the forward end thereof whereby it is pivotally secured to the rod 46. The rods 33, 34, 44 and 46 Vare held in place with respect to the frame 37 and guide member 24 by suitable retaining means such as the cotter pins illustrated in FIGURE 1.

The arm 56 is formed in two sections, 57 and 58, the

front section 57 being pivotally secured to the rod 46 in the manner above-described. The rear section 58 of the arm extends for a portion of its length on the same longitudinal axis as the front portion and then curves downwardly at its rear portion as illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2. The two larm sections 57 and 58 have internally threaded bores to accommodate a threaded connecting l member 59 having a central knurled knob 61 formed integral with the threaded end portions thereof, one of which supports a locking nut 62. The connecting member 59 provides ,the length adjustment of the arm 56 to adjust the pressure applied by the printing unit during operation.

Rotatably supported at the front end f the upright member 8 is a shaft 64. The shaft 64 has one radially extending arm 66 secured thereto `for rotation about the axis of said shaft and having the free end thereof pivotally connected as by the pin 67 with the rear section 58 of the arm 56. A second radial arm 68 secured to the end of the shaft 64 opposite the arm 66 has a handle member 71 secured at its outer end thus forming driving means in the form of a crank by which to reciprocate the frame forwardly and downwardly to the printing position, as shown in FIGURE 1 by the broken and solid lines, upon rotation of the shaft 64.' Continued rotation of the shaft 64 will pivot the frame 37 upwardly and rearwardly to its raised or nonprinting position as shown in FIGURE 2 where the inking of the printing unit occurs. This reciprocating movement of the reciprocating unit 36 occurs with each complete rotation of the shaft 66 by the radial crank arm 68 and handle 71.

The printing unit or stamp is mounted at the forward end of the upper frame 37. In the illustrated embodiment the printing unit or stamp comprises two printing members. The printing member 72 is of the type used in the hand stamps and is of conventional construction comprising a frame 76 having side members which support, between the upper edges thereof, several rotatable spools 77, each having a knurled disk `78 for rotating the same. A bottom cross-member 79 extends between the' side members of the frame 7-6 at'the lower portions thereof. Conventional continuous type bands 81 extend around the spools 77 and the bottom crossmem ber 79 and the same are adapted to be rotated manually through the disks 78 to position desired ones of the type in a printing position belowthe bottom cross-member 75. A removable pin 82 extends through aligned openings in the sides 38 of the reciprocable upper frame .37 and in the frame 76 of the printing member to detachably lock the printing member to said frame 37.

The second printing member 73, comprises a generally U-shaped frame 84 which is adjustably supported relative to the upper frame 37. The bottom cross-member of the frame 84 is formed withy downwardly extending and inwardly directed flanges which form an inverted channel to slidably receive a strip of type 86 so that when the printing member 72 makes a printing impresstion on a label the type 86 may also print on the same label. The type 86 may contain type bearing the name of a store or a particular type of product and is not generally changedl as often as the pricing information applied by the printing member 72. The upstanding sides of the frame 84 are formed with aligned openings through which extend a pin 87. The pin4 87 also extends through slotted openings 88 formed in the sides 38 of the upper frame 37 and through openings formed in a vertically adjustable U-shaped bracket 89. The bracket 89 extends around the lower forward face of the upper frame 37. The bracket 89 is formed with an ear 91 projecting forwardly from the upper edge of the front portion thereof. The front connecting wall 39 of the frame 37 is also provided with an ear 92 which is formed with a threaded opening extending vertically therethrough in aligned relation with an opening formed in the ear 91. An adjusting screw 93 is threadably received in the ear 92 and is joined to the ear 91 on the bracket 89 by a collar 94 and lock nut 9S such that vertical movement imparted to the adjusting screw 93 by rotation thereof due to rotation of the knurled top on the screw 93 by the operator imparts vertical movement to the bracket 89 and to the frame 84 of the printing member 73. The screw 93 thus provides means for adjusting the position of the type 86 to give the impression desired. The printing member 73 is held in adjusted position by the fasteners 96 extending through the bracket 89 and front connecting wall 39. The top of the screw 93 during operation of the machine acts as a striking means to impart an impact to a cylindrical core upon each cycle of the machine to afford rewinding to be hereinafter described.

The inking unit, generally indicated at 97, is removably supported in the guide member 24 forwardly of the front rod 34. A felt inking pad 98 for the inking unit 97 is supported in a housing 99 which in turn is secured to a holder having the opposite ends thereof formed to frictionally engage the transversely spaced sides 26 of the guide member 24.

The reciprocating frame 37 carries means for advancing the tape 14 from the roll 13 through the guide member 24 comprising a pair of transversely aligned fingers 101, only one of which is shown, which are supported at their rear ends on a cross rod 102, which in turn is secured to the rear links 42. As best seen in FIGURE 2, the ngers 10.1 comprise a lower section 103 and an upper section 104 adjustably positioned thereon. The lower section 103 has upwardly extending spaced ears 10S which engage the cross rod 102. The upper section 104 is provided with slots which are in .alignment with spaced threaded openings in the lower portion 103. Threaded fastening members 108 are secured in the threaded openings 107 and secure the upper sections 104 of the fingers to the lower sections. The upper sections 104 are adjustable relative to the lower sections 103 for lengthening or shortening the fingers 101. Each linger is biased downwardly by means of a coil spring 109 on the rod 102. One end of the spring 109 engages a cross bar 111 supported on the links4 42 and the other end engages the fingers as indicated at 112. The forward en-d of each of the ngers, which would be the forward ends of the upper sections 104, has a downwardly extending lip 114 which provides a sharp front edge. A spacer sleeve 115 is supported on the cross rod between the lingers 101.

A pressure member generally indicated at 121 is supported in the guide member 24 to rest on the tape as it travels through the tape guide member. The pressure member 121 is xedly secured near the rear end thereof t-o a cross pin 123, which in turn is secured to the sides 26 of the guide member 24. The rear of the pressure member 121 extends upwardly and terminates in a finger engaging portion 124.

A coil spring 126 is supported on the rod 123 with one end of the spring engaging the sides of the guide member 24v and the other end engaging the pressure member 121 fingers 101 but is wider in transverse dimension at the forward end thereof.

The roll of tape 13 is supported from the upright 8 by means of a stem 124 and pivoted L-shaped bar 125. The Atape is fed forwardly from the roll into the guide member 24 under a roller 126 secured between the sides of the guide member and under the pressure member 121 to be engaged by the ingers1101 as the crank is rotated to move the frame 37 and the fingers 101 thereon.

After the labels have been imprinted by the printing member 72 and the printing member 73 the tape is pushed from vthe guide member olf the front of the base 6 where it is directed beneath a fixed guide member 127. The guide member 127 serves to maintain the tape in a planar relation at the printing area when the rewinding attachment is utilized.

When a substantial number of labels bearing the same indicia yare to be printed it is desirable that the tape be rewound rat-her than be allowed to fall to the supporting surface and possibly become wrinkled or damaged in some other manner. Additionally, rewinding of the Atape makes the same ready for use in other machines, e.g., the label applicator. Therefore, a second upright 128 is mounted on the base 6 adjacent the forward edge thereof. The second upright 128 provides a mounting means for a rewinding attachment including a core support member 130 and a core retaining member 131. The upright 128 has a ange portion formed with an opening to receive a fastener 132 suitable'for xedly mounting the core support member 130 to the upright.

The support member 130 is illustrated as formed from material circular in cross-section and is formed at one end thereof with a fastener receiving end portion 133 and extends from said end portion to a position whereby said member may position a core 135 forwardly of the initial position of the reciprocating frame 37, but in the path of said frame, and above the forward end of the base 6 with the axis of said core extending normal to the direction of movement of the tape and of said frame. The core supporting portion of the support member 130 is formed at the opposite end of the member from said fastener receiving portion 133 and is formed by placing a U-shaped bend in said round material and joining the straight aligned lengths of said member by a cross-plate 136 formed with rolled edges adapted to receive .the straight sections and beadjustable along said sections. The transverse portion 137 of the member 130 and a transverse rounded edge portion 138 formed on the plate 136 contact the interior of .the core 135 at two points spaced about the inner circumference of said core a distance less than one-half said inner circumference to provide a rockable support therefor.

The core retaining member K131 is illustrated as a U-shaped member formed of material circular in crosssection and the bight portion 139 thereof is received within the rounded edge 138 of the plate 136 to pivotally connect said retaining member 131 to the core supporting member. The retaining member 131 limits the axial displacement of said core and permits .an empty core to be readily positioned on the support 130 and both the-V core and tape to be easily removed after the winding. When a core having lan inside diameter of 3 inches, which is a very common core size for industrial tapes, the core support member is preferably axed to dispose the transverse portion 137 and rounded edge portion 138 in a vertically spaced relation as illustrated in FIG'URE 1 providing a rockable support for said core with said members spaced about two and three-fourths (2%) inches apart and with t-he transverse portion about one and Ithree-eights (1%) inches above the rounded edge portion. The support member 13) positions the core 13S in the path -of movement of the reciprocating upper frame 37 such that upon each cycle of the machine to imprint a label the top of the screw 93 will strike the core at a position circumferentially spaced from and below the rounded edge portion of said support member and below the axis of the core, as illustrated in FIGURE 1. The impact on the core causesthe axis of the core to move vertically, by rocking said core about the rounded edge portion 138. The rocking of the core lifts it off the transverse portion 137 such that when said core returns to its position onto its transverse sup porting surfaces it has rotated about its axis in the direction of the arrow shown in FIGURE 1. The normal operation of .the printing machine occurs at a vcyclic rate of between 50 and 250 cycles per minute and at any speed the screw 93 imparts a series of impacts to the outer periphery of the core, or tape convolutely wound thereon, such that the core is rotated in only one direction. j

The legs of the core retaining member 131 also serve to guide the tape as the same is wrapped upon the core during the vertical and rotating movement thereof to provide an even roll of label tape upon completion of the Winding.

This rewinding technique for the label tape has proved very satisfactory on a machine of the type illustrated. The winding of the core can be accomplished without applying any significant tension on the tape during the winding which could cause misalignment of the labels with the printing unit and the use of the guide member 127 additionally aids in preventing any direct force upon the tape in the path dened by the guide member 24 tending to withdraw the same from the supply roll.

Having thus defined one embodiment of my invention. it is to be understood that certain changes and modifications may be made therein, such as variations in the support means for the core, but all such changes and modifications are considered to come within the scope of the present invention as dened by the appended claims.

What is claimed is: l

1. An apparatus for winding strip material comprising in combination:

cylindrical core means upon which elongate strip material may be convolutely wound, said core means having an axis,

support means for loosely supporting said core means affording vertical movement of the axis of said core and rotational movement of said core means' about the axis thereof,

retaining means for limiting axial displacement of said I core means supported by said support means, and

striking means for imparting a series of impacts to the outer peripheral surface of said core means to afford vertical movement of the axis of said core means and rotation of said core means in one direction for the winding of a said strip material thereon.

' 2. An apparatus for winding strip material comprising in combination:

support means for rockably supporting said core means for vertical swinging movement of the axis of said core means and for rotation of said core means about its axis,

retaining means for limiting axial displacement of said core means supported by said support means during swinging movement thereof, and

striking means for imparting a series of impacts tothe outer peripheral surface of said core means to afford swinging movement of the axis of said core means and rotation of said core means for winding of a said strip material on the outer periphery surface of said core means.

3. An apparatus for winding strip material comprising in combination:

cylindrical core means'upon which elongate strip material may be convolutely wound; A

aesasis support means for contacting the interior of said core means over less than one-half the inner circumference to provide a rockable support therefor with the axis of said core being horizontally positioned; core retaining means for limiting axial displacement of said core means and for guiding a strip material being wound on said core means; and striking means for imparting a series of impacts to said core means to effect rotation of said core means and winding of a said strip material thereon. 4. An apparatus for winding strip material comprising in combination:

cylindrical core means upon which elongate strip material may be convolutely wound; support means for contacting the.interior of said core means in at least two points spaced circumferentially a distance less than one-half the inner circumference of said core means to provide a rockable support therefor with the axis of said core being horizontally positioned; core retaining means for limiting axial displacement of said core means and for guiding a strip material being wound on said core means, said retaining means being movable to a position affording mounting and removal of said core means on said support means; striking means movable in an oscillating path and disposed for imparting a series of impacts to the outer surface of said core means and a wound strip material at a point spaced from said support means to effect rotation of said core means about said support means and winding of a said strip material on said core. Y 5. An attachment for use with a tape feeding and processing mechanism including a base, means on said base for supporting ay supply roll of tape, guide means on said base along which said tape is advanced, an oscillating unit supported for oscillating movement with respect to said base, and means for advancing said tape along said guide means and past said oscillating unit and for reciprocating said unit, said attachment comprising a core supporting framehaving a fastener receiving end portion adapting the same for attachment to a said base and having a loosely retentive core supporting portion disposed at the other end thereof and constructed to rockably support a cylindrical core by engagement with the interior of said core over less than one-half its inner circumference and to position a said core with the axis thereof generally perpendicular to the plane of movement of a said oscillating unit with said core disposed such that the outer periphery thereof will be struck by a said oscillating unit upon movement thereof whereby rotational movement will be imparted to a said core, and a U-shaped core retaining member pivotally supported at the bight thereof onto said core supporting portion to afford easy mounting and removal of a core with respect to said supporting frame.

6. An attachment for use with a tape feeding and processing mechanism including a base, means on said base for supporting a supply roll of tape, guide means on said base along which said tape is advanced, a reciprocating unit supported for reciprocating movement with respect to said base, and means for advancing said tape along said guide means and past said reciprocating unit and for reciprocating said unit, said attachment comprismg a cylindrical core, l

a core supporting frame having a fastener receiving end portion ladapting the same for attachment to said base and having loosely retentive core supporting means disposed at the other end thereof for rockably supporting said cylindrical core by contacting the interior of said core over less than one-half .its inner circumference to position a said core with the axis thereof generally perpendicular to the path of move- Si ment of a said reciprocating unit and a tape to be wound thereon with said core disposed such that the outer periphery thereof will be struck at a position circumferentially spaced from said supporting means by a said reciprocating unit upon movement thereof whereby said core will be rocked and rotated about Y said supporting means, and core retaining means for limiting axial displacement of a said core on said supporting means and for guiding a said tape to be convolutely wound on a said core upon rotation thereof.

In combination: l

a printing machine for imprinting labels which are semeans for rewinding the strip and labels comprising retentive core support means fixed to said base for contacting the interior of a cylindrical core over less than one-half the inner circumference thereof, and for positioning the same in a position to be struck a-t a point circumferentially spaced from said support means by said reciprocating unit upon reciprocation thereof by said drive means to afford rotational movement of a said core and winding the strip.

In combination:

a printing machine for imprinting labels which are secured successively to a continuous backing strip comprising an elongate base, a guide member secured on said base and through which said labels are advanced, a reciprocating unit supported on said base for fore-and-aft reciprocating movement, a printing unit supported at the forward end of said reciprocating unit, drive means connected to said reciprocating unit and adapted to reciprocate the same, and feed means secured to said reciprocating unit for advancing the strip through said guide member to a forward printing area upon reciprocation of said reciprocating unit;

guide means supported forwardly of saidv base around the lower surface of which the imprinted tape is directed; and

support means for rockably supporting a cylindrical core for rewinding the strip and imprinted labels, said support means being positioned above the printing area on the forward end of the base for contacting the interior of a said cylindrical core over less than one-half the inner circumference thereof and being positioned forwardly of the reciprocating unit vto position a core in the path of said unit such that a core mounted on said support means is struck by said unit at a point circumferentially spaced from and below said support means upon reciprocation thereof `by said drive means to .afford rotational movement of a said core and winding the strip and labels.

In combination:

a printing machine for imprinting labels which are secured in spaced relation to a continuous backing strip, comprising an elongate base, a guide member secured on said base and through which said labels are advanced, a reciprocating unit supported on said base for fore-and-aft reciprocating movement, a printing unit supported at the forward end of said reciprocating unit, drive means connected to said reciprocating unit and adapted to reciprocate the same, and means secured to said reciprocating unit 9 and adapted to advance the strip through said guide member to a printing position when said reciprocating unit is moved forwardly with relation to said base; and

said support means and for guiding the strip as it is wound on a said core.

l unit Iand adapted to advance the said labels when said reciprocating unit is moved forwardly to aiford printing of said labels in the forwardmost position of said unit;

support means for a cylindrical core upon which the support means for loosely supporting a cylindrical core imprinted strip may be rewound by engagement with having a relatively large inside diameter in a posithe inner circumference of a said core in at least tion above said base in the path of said reciprocating two points spaced circumferentially of each other a unit as the same is moved forwardly for rotation distance less than one-half said inner circumference `0f said core about an axis transverse to the direction to provide rockable support therefor in the path 0f 10 of reciprocating movement of said reciprocating unit, movement of said reciprocating member such that said support means comprising a main frame memupon reciprocation thereof a said core will be struck bel' Secured t0 Said baSe and including 1 COT@ Supportthereby at a point circumferentially spaced from ing POfiOn having ffanSVefSelY tending members said support means, and retaining means for restrictspaced horizontally and vertically and adapted t0 C011- ing the axial displacement ofasaid core supported on tact fh@ inIerOr Of a Said COre at tWO pOSitiOnS spaced circumferentially a distance less than onehalf the inner circumference of a said core, retaining means for limiting axial displacement of a said core on said supporting portion, and

a guide member positioned forwardly and transversely of said base beneath which the imprinted labels will be directed and then guided toward said support means to be rewound on a said core upon said unit striking a said core upon each cycle of said machine.

10. In combination:

a printing machine for imprinting labels, which labels are secured on a liner and supplied in roll form, said machine comprising a base of generally rectangular shape, means mounted on said base for supporting a supply roll of said labels, a guide member secured on said base and through which said labels are advanced from said supply roll, a reciprocating unit supported on said base, said reciprocating unit comprising an upper frame member and a plurality of links, said links being connected to said upper frame means for supporting the same with the lower ends of said links pivotally connected to said base, a printing member supported atV the forward end of said upper frame member, drive means connected to said reciprocating unit and adapted when rotated to reciprocate said unit, means secured to said reciprocating References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1954 Anker et a1 101-292 8/1963 Huppert '101-292

Claims

7. IN COMBINATION: A PRINTING MACHINE FOR IMPRINTING LABELS WHICH ARE SECURED SUCCESSIVELY TO A CONTINUOUS BACKING STRIP COMPRISING AN ELONGATE BASE, A GUIDE MEMBER SECURED ON SAID BASE AND THROUGH WHICH SAID LABELS ARE ADVANCED, A RECIPROCATING UNIT SUPPORTED ON SAID BASE FOR FORE-AND-AFT RECIPROCATING MOVEMENT, A PRINTING UNIT SUPPORTED AT THE FORWARD END OF SAID RECIPROCATING UNIT, DRIVE MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID RECIPROCATING UNIT AND ADAPTED TO RECIPROCATE THE SAME, AND FEED MEANS SECURED TO SAID RECIPROCATING UNIT FOR ADVANCING THE STRIP THROUGH SAID GUIDE MEMBER TO A PRINTING POSITION UPON RECIPROCATION OF SAID RECIPROCATING UNIT; AND