US3408929A - Merchandising marker - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 5, 1968 Filed Aug. 5, 1965 J. H. DRILLICK MERCHAND I S ING MARKER 5 Sheets-Sheet l BY m c @am /M-n f 50M/MJ A TTORNEY Nov. 5, 19:68 ,1. H. DRILLICK MERCHANDISING MARKER 5 Sheets-Shee 2 Filed Aug. 5. 1965 INVENTOR J, H. RILLICK BY Mclean n70/h4 ATTORNEY Nov. 5, 1968l 1. H. DRILLICK 3,408,929

MERCHANDI S ING MARKER Filed Aug. 5, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. j, H DRlLLICK ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,408,929 MERCHANDISING MARKER Jacob H. Drillick, Hackensack, NJ., assignor to Ohr- Tronics, Montvale, NJ., a corporation of New York Filed Aug. 3, 1965, Ser. No. 476,796 4 Claims. (Cl. 101-69) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This device for marking price tags is designed to print identical prices upon each section of a composite tag and may remove a portion of each section of the tag if it previously displayed an old price which is to be changed. The small and lightweight construction makes it possible to re-mark price tags without their being removed from the merchandise to which they are attached and without removing the merchandise from display racks. Print wheels may be adjusted to the desired position for printing the selected price.

The present invention relates to a device for marking price tags attached to merchandise. More particularly, it relates to a device that is designed to print the identical price designations upon each section of a composite price tag. Further, the invention contemplates a device which makes it possible to change the displayed price which has already been printed on the composite price tag.

In the merchandising business, price tags are often made in composite form comprising three sections. Provision is also made so that each section may be separated from the other. Price tags are designed in this form so that one section may be retained with the merchandise for the consumer while the other two sections may be routed to the billing and accounting departments after the sale is made.

In the ordinary course of the mercantile business, the price of the merchandise article is printed on a price tag and attached to the merchandise. Occasions may arise when it is necessary to modify the price already displayed on the merchandise price tag. This modification may take place either for the purpose of decreasing the original price, as for sale merchandise, or for raising the price of the article, due to increased costs in manufacturing. It is thus seen essential that all three parts of the composite tag ,must display the same price designation before and after the price modication has been made thereon since, otherwise, errors will occur in the accounting procedures resulting from the sales.

In the past, machines have been constructed which print prices on merchandise price tags, but they have displayed many decided disadvantages. It has been found that such machines, due to their complicated structure, are not adapted to be easily operated by the ordinary sales employee. Further, because of their cumbersome design, these machines are far from being portable in nature.

This invention relates to a novel merchandising marker which is adapted to mark composite price tags and comprises a means for selectively producing a plurality of series of numbered type in a line to impress a plurality of identical prices on each separate portion of the composite price tag, a means for pressing the composite tag against the plurality of numbered type, means operable for ap-l plying ink to the impressions made by the numbered type on the tag, and means operable simultaneously with said pressing and ink supplying means for removing a portion of said tag displaying the old price designation.

This novel device, since it is s mall and lightweight in construction, makes it possible for the price tags to be marked or re-marked without their being removed from the merchandise to which they are attached. Further, the merchandising goods need not even be removed from the sales racks when it is desired to mark their individual tags, since this novel marker is portable and thus can be easily transported to the racks.

This merchandising marker also enables a composite tag to be printed with the same identical price impressed on each portion thereof. The particular type adjustment included within this novel arrangement, that changes the type for the printing of one portion of the composite tag, changes the type of the marker in the same manner with respect to all the other sections of the composite tag so that each tag portion contains the identical price designation as the others.

This novel device still further makes it possible to remove with ease and speed the price designation printed upon the price tag while simultaneously printing upon the tag a new price indicia.

Other advantages will become apparent from the consideration of the following description, taken in connection with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. l is a view in elevation and partly in section of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view showing the invention and, in addition, the position of the composite tag before it is inserted into the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side View in section, taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view in section of a fragmentary portion of the invention, also taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a transverse view in section taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a transverse view in section taken on line 6 6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a view in elevation and partial section taken on line 7 7 of FIG. 5

FIG. 8 is a transverse view in section taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a view in elevation and partial section disclosing a sec-ond embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a transverse view in elevation and partial section taken on line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a view in elevation and partial section of a fragmentary portion of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a view in elevation of the side of the invention showing the device mounted in xed relation to a tudinal tracks 3 and 3' disposed above the housing 2. A

shield 4 is placed over the tracks 3 and 3' and is attached thereto. A plastic rectangular bucket 5 depends from the housing 2.

Situated immediately above the housing 2, a rectangular printing plate 6 is disposed. An elongated slot 7 is arranged between the printing plate 6 and the track 3.

Attached to the rear end of the tracks 3 and 3 there extends a handle 8 and a lever 9. The handle 8 is securely attached to the tracks 3 and 3 at its rearward end, while the lever 9 is rotatably attached to the handle 8 at its rearward end by means of a pin 10. A spring 11 is mounted on the handle 8 and lever 9. Because of the spring 11, the handle 8 and the lever 9 are normally positioned in a generally V-shaped arrangement. Depending downwardly from the free end of lever 9 is an arcuate rack 12 having teeth 13 which communicates with a gear assembly which will be hereinafter explained.

A -In.FIG. 2 there is illustrated a conventional composite price tag generally indicated by 14, comprising three sections indicated by 15, 16 and-17. At one end of each section 15, 16 and 17, there is imprinted a price designation.

The device 1 also contains a plurality of printing stations 18, 19 and 20, all aligned longitudinally of the device. Each printing7 station comprises five printing wheels 21, three of which are spaced to print the prices in terms of hundreds, tens and units of dollars. The remaining two are spaced to print aprice in terms of tensand units of cents. It is to be understood that the number of printing wheels 21 selected is for the purpose of illustration only, and that the device may include a greater or less number of wheels than those shown in the drawings.

The tag 14 is adapted to fit into slot 7 and over the printing stations 18, 19 and 20 so that the price may be imprinted upon the tag 14.

As illustrated in FIGS. l and 2, the shield 4 is made of transparent plastic to permit the viewing of printing stations 18, 19 and 20, during the setting of the printing wheels 21, and also to view the tag during the printing operation. The rectangular bucket is also made of transparent plastic and serves as a container to catch the clippings removed from the ends of the price tags.

The printing wheels 21 `are operably connected with a knurled knob 22 which is adapted to rotate each printing wheel 21 individually into selected positions.

Referring to FIGS. 3-8, the merchandising marker includes a printing shaft 23 which is slidably and rotatably mounted in the end members 24 of the housing 2. t

On the end of the printing shaft 23, exterior to the housing, is mounted the knurled knob 22 that is aixed to the shaft by set screw or other means. The knob permits the printing shaft to be rotated in the end members 24 and also to be shifted in a direction axially of the printing shaft 23. The opposite end of the printing shaft 23 is provided with annular indentations 25 that cooperate with a spring detent 26 aflixed on the outer side of member 24 to releasably retain the printing shaft in any one of the positions determined by the spacing of the indentations.

The printing shaft 23 supports a plurality of hollow cylindrical splined sleeves 27 separated by narrow hollow shaft 23 is axially moved within printing wheelsll sc that splined discs 28. Both the sleeves 27 and the discs 28 have interior and horizontal spline grooves. The sleeves 27 are free to rotate relative about the shaft 23 on which they are supported while the discs 28 are affixed to the printing shaft 23. The sleeves 27 and discs 28 are held together, side by side, by split rings 29 disposed in annular grooves near each end of the shaft 23, thus forming a flange against which the ends of the sleeves 27 abut. The i splines of sleeves 27 and discs 28 are peripherally spaced and extend parallel with the axis of the shaft 23.

The printing wheels 21 are formed as annular rings having interior and horizontal spline grooves which are adapted to lit over the spline grooves on the sleeves 27 and discs 28 (see FIG. 8). The exterior periphery of the printing wheels 21 is provided with eleven equally spaced at surfaces upon which numbered type 30 from one to ten are engraved.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3-8, the type 30 is positive in character so that when the tag 14 is pressed upon the type, the image of the typewill be embossed through the tag. Thesplined sleeves 27 and discs 28 are positioned in axial alignment with each other and, accordingly, it is evident that both the sleeves and discs are adapted to be slidable within the type wheels 21.

The spline grooves on the sleeves 27 and discs 28 are also engaged by an edge of the keying plate 31 extending longitudinally beneath the printing shaft 23. The plate 31 is secured to both ends of members 24 within the housing 2. The keying plate 31 is provided with a cut-out portion 32 in the region of the printing wheels 21 to provide clearance thereof. This keying plate 31 prevents the rotation of the sleeves 27 about the shaft 23, but not the rotation of printing wheels 21. It is thus seen that if the printing the discs 28 are directly beneath a set of the printing wheels 21, the rotation of printing shaft 23 will.rotate only the corresponding set of printing wheels 21 in each printing station. The discs 28 on the printing shaft 23 may be moved axially from the hundreds printing'wheel to the tenths printing wheel, and each in turn may be adjusted to the desired annular position for displaying the desired price to be impressed on the tag. I

The printing plate 6 is mounted on the top of the housing and is maintained in this position by overlapping end members 33. .The printing plate6 is provided with a longitudinally extending groove 34 (see FIG. 5), and contains a series of apertures 35 through which the upper surface of the annular printing wheels 21 extend or protrude. One longitudinal edge of the printing plate 6 is substantially flush with the side of the housing 2, while the opposite edge 36 is terminated short of the opposite side of the housing 2 to define a space 37. (See FIG. 5.)

Mounted upon the overlapping end members 33 of the housing are a pair of tracks 3 and 3' positioned to face inwardly. Positioned between the tracks is a U-shaped member 38. A longitudinally extending linear saw-toothed track geared rack 39 is attached to said U-shaped member at its base. A roller shaft 40 extends horizontally but perpendicular to the axis of the track geared rack 39 between and through the arm of the U-shaped member 38. The roller shaft 40 is journaled in bearings 41 arranged on the U-shaped member 38, and carries a pair of rollers 42 which are mounted on the shaft 40 outside of the arms of the U-shaped member 38. -v

The rollers 42 ride within the tracks 3 and 3 and, accordingly, make it possible to move U-shaped member 38 and the track geared rack 39 in a direction along the axis of the track shaft. f

Between the arms of the U-shaped member 38 and also supported by the roller shaft 40 and a shaft sleeve 43, is an ink roller 44. The ink roller 44 is so constructed to ride in the groove 34 of the plate 6 for pressing the price tags onto the type 30 to cause the tag 14 to be embossed when the tag 14 is inserted into the slot 7. A band may also be positioned around the outer periphery of the ink roller. Both the roller and the band are composed of a material that firmly presses the price tag into the type, but yet has enough resilience to permit the embossing of the price tag. The band itself may be made of cloth or fibrous material to absorb and retain a supply of ink for inking the tops of the embossed numbers on the tag to make the numbers visible.

As shown in FIG. 5, a shearing knife wheel or cutter 45 is disposed on one side of the ink roller 44 and integral with a shaft sleeve 43. Since the diameter of the knife wheel 45 is slightly larger than the diameter of the ink roller 44, both the knife wheel and ink roller are positioned on shaft 40 so that the knife wheel 45 extends over, but in shearing engagement with the edge 36 of the printing plate 6.

The ink roller 44 should not normally touch the printing wheels 21 but should be positioned immediately above them. This is to insure that only the numbers embossed by the type 30 on the print wheels 21 are inked by the ink roller 44. It has been found that a tolerance of .001 should be present between the ink roller 44 and the print wheels 21 in order for the production of sharp and clear images to be printed on the tag 14.

The end of the track geared rack 39, opposite the U-shaped member 38, meshes with a gear `46 formed integral, side by side, with a smaller gear 47. The gears 46 and 47 are rotatably mounted on a horizontal and stationary gear shaft 48 positioned perpendicular to the axis of the printing shaft 23. The gear shaft 48 is fastened to the rearward end of each track 3 and 3. Grooves are formed in the shaft 48 that cooperate with the spring split rings 50 to form flanges on the gear shaft 48 in order to tix the position of the gears 46 and 47 on the shaft.

The smaller gear 47 meshes with the vertical arcuate rack 12 and, accordingly, enables the arcuate rack 12 to move vertically between the tracks 3 and 3. The spring 11 is secured in place at its lower end on the handle 8 by pin and is looped up and around until it contacts the underside of the lever 9 and is locked in place by a lever groove `51. The spring urges the lever to rotate in a clockwise direction about the pin 10, but yet permits the lever 9 to be manually actuated in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin 10. The handle 8 and lever 9 are each provided with hand grips adapted to t the hand of the operator.

As illustrated in the drawings, there are three printing stations 18, 19 and 20, each comprising 'live separate and individual printing7 wheels. Two of the individual printing wheels are spaced a distance apart from the remaining three. The printing shaft 23, as already mentioned, contains a series of three spline discs 28. The spline discs 28 are so spaced apart by spline sleeves 27 that only one spline disc 28 is able to cooperate with one printing wheel 21 in each printing station. Accordingly, it can be seen that if the printing shaft 23 is rotated in this position, all three printing wheels 21 in each printing station 18, 19 and 20 will be rotated in the same identical manner. Such an arrangement enables the composite price tag comprised of three individual sections to be printed simultaneously and with the identical price. It is be to understood that this invention is not confined to the printing of a composite tag having only three sections, `but that it contemplates the use of printing stations of a number greater or less than three.

Before the printing of the price tag 14 can take place, it is necessary for the operator to select the proper number designation to indicate the desired price which is to be printed on the merchandise. This is accomplished by axially moving the printing shaft 23 until the spline `discs 28 are directly within one printing wheel 21 of each printing station. The knob 22 is then rotated, which correspondingly turns the printing wheels 21 until the desired numbers on the printing wheels 21 protrude through the apertures in each printing station.

This same procedure is repeated with respect to every' printing wheel 21 within each printing station until the proper price is indicated by viewing the printing plate 6 through the transparent shield 4.

The apparatus is now in proper condition to emboss a price designation upon the price tag 14. The tag 14 is then inserted in the slot 7 of the merchandising marker until it is flush over the printing stations 18, 19 and 20. Downward pressure is then exerted upon the lever 9. This vertical force, transferred through the arcuate rack 12, causes the rotation of gears 46 and 47 which, in turn, cause the shaft 39 and inked roller 44 attached thereto, to be drawn rearwardly toward the handle 8 from its normal resting place at the forward ends of printing plate 6, as shown in FIG. 3. As this geared rack 39 moves, the roller 44 engages the top side of the tag 14 and presses it downwardly around the type 30 on the printing wheels 21, which protrude through the apertures of the printing plate 6. This causes the outline of the type to be embossed on the tag. As the embossing takes place, the ink roller 44 coats the top of the embossed outlines of the type, to complete the printing process. Once the roller 44 completely traverses the length of the printing plate 6, as shown in FIG. 4, the tag 14 is removed from the slot 7 with the price clearly marked on the tag. The downward pressure exerted on the lever 9 is then released and the roller is caused to roll toward the forward end of the merchandising marker. Once the roller 44 is resting at the forward end, the marker is then in position to receive another price tag for printing.

When it is desired to re-mark the price tag and, at the same time, remove the old price appearing on the portion 51 of the tag (see FIG. 13), the above operation of selecting the desired price is repeated.

The price tag 14 is then inserted into the slot 7 and over the printing plate 6 of the merchandising marker until the portion of the tag displaying the previously printed price extends over the edge 36 of the printing plate 6. As the geared rack 39 is drawn rearwardly toward the handle 8 and a new price is printed thereon, the cutting or knife wheel 45 will simultaneously shear off that portion 53 of the tag 14 that overhangs the edge 36 of the printing plate 6. The sheared end portion of the tag then drops by gravity for collection intoj the rectangular bucket 5.

FIGS. 9-11 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is very similar in construction to the device illustrated in FIGS. 1 8, except that it is so constructed that it operates to print the price designation on the underside of the price tag instead of on the top.

In the second embodiment, a printing shaft 23 is supported by the end members 24 for rotational and longitudinal movement within the housing 2. The printing shaft 23 supports a plurality of splined sleeves 27 and splined discs 28 with the discs 28 arranged between the adjacent ends of the splined sleeves 27. The splined sleeves 27 are rotatably mounted with respect to the shaft 23 and are prevented from longitudinal movement by split rings 26 engaging in annular grooves in the shaft 10. The sleeves 27 and discs 28 support a plurality of printing wheels 21 having internal spline grooves which engage the exterior spline grooves of said sleeves 27 and discs 28. The sleeves 27 are prevented from rotating about the shaft 23 by the key plate 31 which is mounted below the shaft 23 on the end member 24, and which has one edge engaging within the grooves of the splines of the sleeves 27. The printing wheels 21 are also arranged in three general groups for printing the three separate portions of the composite tag 14, in similar fashion as previously mentioned in regard to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-8.

The exterior of the Aprinting wheels is divided into eleven type surfaces, spaced evenly around the periphery. On ten of thetype surfacesthere are affixed numbered type designations, while the eleventh surface is left blank. As distinguished from the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 1 through 8, inclusive, the designations of this embodiment type are negative to the numbers type therein used. The dollars and cents digits are also arranged on the printing plate in the reverse order from that shown in the prior embodiment.

The shaft 23 is both rotatably and longitudinally movable by the knob 22 for selectively rotating the annular printing wheels.

Above the printing wheels 21, there is arranged a printing plate 6 having a longitudinal groove 34 therein and a series of apertures therethrough, spaced along the groove at intervals. The printing wheels 21 protrude through the apertures of the printing plate 6.

The printing plate 6, in this embodiment, differs from that disclosed for the first embodiment in that it includes a second longitudinal groove 54 extending parallel to the first groove 34, the purpose of which will hereinafter be explained.

The printing plate 6 has its outer edge substantially flush with the side of the housing 2, while its inner edge 36 is spaced inwardly from the opposite side of the housing 2 to .form the space 37, as shown in FIG. l0.

Mounted on top of the housing 2 are a pair of longitudinally extending tracks 3 and 3', spaced apart and arranged so that the tracks 3 and 3 face each other. Between the tracks there extends a U-shaped member 38 which is integral with a longitudinally extending track geared rack 39. The U-shaped member supports a roller shaft 40. Rotatably attached to the outer ends of a roller shaft 40 are rollers 42, adapted to revolve in the tracks 3 and 3. Between the arms of the U-shaped member 38, the shaft 40 supports a pressure roller 55 and a cutter or knife wheel 45. The roller 55 is adapted to roll over the 7 top of the plate 6, above the groove 34 While, at the same time, the knife wheel 45 is adapted to cooperate with the edge 36 of the plate 6 to provide a rolling-shearing action for cutting off the end of the tag that extends over the'edge 36 of the printing plate 6 when the tag is inserted within the slot 7.

Also arranged between the arms of the U-shaped member` 38 and embracing theshaft40 is a lever 56 (see FIGS. -11). One end of the lever S6 is freely pivoted on the shaft 40, while the other end has a pin 57 affixed thereto, whichV supportsv an inking roller 58. The width of the roller 58 is` less vthan the traverse width of the groove 34 and, accordingly, the roller is adapted to roll along in the bottom of the groove 34 and inky the type'30 on the printing wheels 21 that protrudeV through the apertures of the printing plate 6. v

The Alever 56 alsoincludes, a cam-like projection 60 which extends dovvrlwardlyy from the'.l pin 57. Inthe absence of a taglbeing in position over the-printing plate for printing, the 'lever 56slides in.the groove 54 and permits the roller 58 t0 roll directly in the groove 34. When a tag is` positioned over. the printing plate 6, the cam 60 rides on top of the tag, thereby lifting the roller 58 above* the `groove 34. It is thus seen that the ink roller 58 is supported above and out of contact with the tag during the traverse of the printing roller 58 along the printing plate 6.

The geared rack 39 may be actuated as by arcuate rack 12, through the action of intermediate gears 46 and 47 in the same manner as described in relation to FIGS. 1-8.

In this embodiment, the merchandising marker is operated in the following manner.

The proper price designations are iirst selected by the operator in the same manner as already described.

The printing wheels 21, protrudingthrough the apertures of the printing plate 6, are then coated with ink. This is accomplished by drawing the track geared rack 39 and the ink roller 58 attached thereto, from their normal resting position at the forward end of the printing plate 6, as shown in FIG. 9, toward the rearward end of the printing plate 6. As the ink roller is pulled, the cam projection 60 rides in groove 54 in the printing plate 6, and thus the ink roller S8 contacts the type 30 on printing wheels 21, protruding through the apertures of the printing plate.

When the ink roller 58 is returned to its normal position at the forward end of the printing plate 6, the tag 14 is then inserted into the slot 7. The side of the tag upon which the price is to be printed is positioned `face downward. The geared rack 39 is again drawn toward the handle 8. The roller 55 presses the tag against the type and the ink, previously applied thereon, is transferred to the tag. At the end of the printing traverse, the tag is removed and the ink roller 58 falls into the groove 34. During the return traverse, the ink roller deposits a new coating of ink on the type in readiness to print a new price tag 14. During the printing traverse, that portion S3 of the tag 14 that is caused to overhangthe edge 36 of the plate 6 is sheared off by the knife wheel 45, operating in cooperation with the edge 36, as hereinbefore described.

FIG. 12, illustrating a third embodiment, discloses a tag re-marker mounted on a table top 61. The operating structure of this modification is very similar to that of the two preceding embodiments.

As illustrated, the housing 2 is mounted upon the top of the table 61. This table also supports the tracks 3 and 3' which are covered by the transparent shield 4. The rectangular bucket 5 is supported beneath the table top. The table top, between the lower cover and the frame 18, is apertured to permit the severed portion 53 of the tag 14 to fall through the housing 2 into the bucket 5.

In the place of the handle, lever and arcuate rack, as are used in the two previous embodiments, this modi- 8,. cation of 4the merchandising marker utilizes av motor 62 to move the roller shaft. This shaft may be moved by a solenoid which may be energized through a switch positioned to close when the tag to be printed is inserted into the slot 7 and positioned above the printing plate 6.

Various changes may be made in the details of the invention as described herein, without sacrificing any of the Aadvantages thereof, or departing from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: i

1. A device for making price designations on a cornposite tag having detachable portions, comprising: (a) a'rec'tangular housing; v(b) a pair oftra'cks disposed above said housing and facing inwardly; (c) a spring handle mounted integrally with said track; (d) an Velongated roller' shaft adaptedA to move longitudinally along and between said tracks; (e) an ink rollei mounted'on said roller shaft at its forward end; (f) an arcuate rack attached to said handle and adapted to move said shaft along said tracks; (g) a printing plate locatedv between said housing and said tracks, said plate having apertures therethrough; (h) ame'ans for placing a price tag above said printing plate; (i) ayprinting shaft disposed within said housing extending parallel between said roller shaft; (j) a plurality of spline sleeves mounted on said printing shaft; (k) a plurality of spline discs mounted between said spline sleeves and operably connected to said printing shaft; (l) a plurality of numbered print wheels adapted to slide over said spline sleeves and discs and protrude through said apertures; andy (ni) a means for rotating said printing shaft.

S2.'The device according to claim 1, wherein `said ink roller'carries a means for shearing off a portion of the tag. j

3. A device for making price designations on a composite tag having detachable portions, comprising: (a) a rectangular housing; (b) a pair of tracks disposed above said housing and facing inwardly; (c) a spring handle mounted integrally with said tracks; (d) an elongated roller shaft adapted to move longitudinally along and between said tracks by the action of said spring handle; (e) 'a printing plate located between said housing and Saiditrack's, said' plate having apertures therethrough; (f) a means for placing a price tag above said printing plate; (g) ka printing shaft disposed within said housing extending parallel between said roller shaft; (h) a plurality of spline sleeves mounted on said printing shaft; (i) a plurality of spline discs mounted between said spline sleeves and voperably connected to said printing shaft; (j) a plurality of numbered vprint wheels adapted to slide over said spline sleeves and discs 'and' protrude through said apertures; `(k) a means for rotating said printing shaft; (l) an ink roller positioned between said tracks and integral with said roller shaft, adapted to coat the numbered printing wheels protruding through said apertures; and (rn) means operable with said ink roller to press a composite tag against said printing wheels and, at the same time, to raise said inking roller from contact with said tag. l

4. The device according to claim 3, including a means associated with said pressing means for shearing ott a portion of the tag.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,156,224 10/1915 Harwood v -83-614 X 2,624,408 1/1953 Stein 83--485 2,935,939 5/1960 Doherty et al. lOl-269 3,024,724 3/1962 Angus lOl-110 3,087,422 4/ 1963 Harding 101-269 3,279,369 10/1966 Wight 101-269 1,305,778 6/ 1919 Cushing et al 1101-269 2,109,389 2/1938 Henry IOL- 297 ROBERT'EQPU'LFREY, Primary Examiner.

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