Hand-Held Labeling Apparatus Having Accessory Storage

• US 20080277065A1
• Filed: 05/08/2007
• Published: 11/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cosco Industries, Inc. (Middleby Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cosco Industries, Inc. (Middleby Corporation)
• Inventors: Rushing, Alan, Moody, Brett, Hines, David M.
• Application Number:
  US11/745,897
• Publication Number:
  US 20080277065A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/384
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 11/002 modified for the application of labels to articles
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 2210/0089 housings

Abstract

A hand-held manually operated labeling apparatus has at least one accessory storage chamber designed to improve a user'"'"'s ability to use the apparatus. A variety of configurations and locations for the storage chamber are preferred. Preferred accessories are additional ink cartridges and printed information sheets.

Claims

1. A hand-held labeling apparatus, comprising:

a) a body defining a path for a label to proceed through the body;

b) a dispensing mechanism along the path for dispensing the label from the body;

c) a hand-operated label advancing mechanism for moving the label along the path to the dispensing mechanism; and

d) a chamber of the apparatus, not on the path, that is adapted for storage of an accessory for the apparatus.

2. The hand-held labeling apparatus of claim 1, in which the apparatus further comprises a printing mechanism.

3. The hand-held labeling apparatus of claim 2, in which the printing mechanism further comprises a replaceable ink cartridge.

4. The hand-held labeling apparatus of claim 3, in which the chamber provides for the apparatus to carry at least one additional ink cartridge to serve as a replacement for the replaceable ink cartridge.

5. The hand-held labeling apparatus of claim 1, in which the chamber provides for the apparatus to carry a printed sheet of information related to the apparatus.

6. The hand-held labeling apparatus of claim 1, in which the chamber provides for the apparatus to carry a message slug.

7. The hand-held labeling apparatus of claim 1, in which the apparatus further comprises a handle defining a cavity which serves as the chamber.

8. The hand-held labeling apparatus of claim 1, in which the chamber comprises a pair of opposing grooves defining a region between themselves that is configured to removably hold the accessory.

9. The hand-held labeling apparatus of claim 1, in which the chamber is a separate piece that is combinable with the apparatus.

10. The hand-held labeling apparatus of claim 1, in which the chamber is mountable to the apparatus.

11. The hand-held labeling apparatus of claim 1, in which the chamber is integral to the apparatus.

12. The hand-held labeling apparatus of claim 1, in which the apparatus further comprises a cover for the chamber.

13. The hand-held labeling apparatus of claim 1, in which the label advances along the path from a roll of web-backed label stock.

14. The hand-held labeling apparatus of claim 1, in which the label advancing mechanism further comprises a user-operated actuator for moving the label along the path and dispensing the label.

15. The hand-held labeling apparatus of claim 1, in which the apparatus further comprises a movable portion defining at least partially within itself a cavity which serves as the chamber, the cavity being at least partially accessible by moving the movable portion.

17. The hand-held labeling apparatus of claim 15, in which the apparatus further comprises a means for printing the label.

18. The hand-held labeling apparatus of claim 17, in which the means for printing the label further comprises a replaceable ink cartridge.

19. The hand-held labeling apparatus of claim 15, in which the means for storing the accessory comprises a pair of opposing grooves defining a region between themselves that is configured to removably hold the accessory.

20. The hand-held labeling apparatus of claim 15, in which the means for storing the accessory defines a cavity in which the accessory may be stored.

16. A hand-held labeling apparatus, comprising:

a) a body defining a path for a label to proceed through the body;

b) a means for dispensing the label from the body;

c) a hand-operated means for moving the label along the path to the means for dispensing; and

d) means for storing an accessory for the apparatus off the path.