Baggage tag with print head cleaning pouch
First Claim
1. A set of interconnected baggage tags adapted for cleaning a print head of a baggage tag printer through which said tags are passed for printing passenger identification and destination indicia thereon, said set comprising:
- a plurality of baggage tags secured to one another in end-to-end relation to form an elongated strip of baggage tags adapted for sequential advancing through a printer,each of said plurality of baggage tags including a translucent portion adjacent one end for detection by the printer to signal the end of that respective baggage tag,a quantity of print head cleaning fluid,a burstable packet containing said quantity of cleaning fluid, andfastening means connecting said burstable packet to one of said baggage tags, said fastening means providing an opaque connection between said burstable packet and a baggage tag for passage through a printer without signalling the end of the baggage tag to which a packet is connected, said packet being burstable upon passage through the printer, thereby wetting said print head with cleaning fluid.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for cleaning the print head of a baggage tag printer used for printing passenger identification and destination indicia thereon. The print head cleaner comprises a plurality of baggage tags secured to one another in end-to-end relation forming an elongated strip of baggage tags. The cleaner is secured to the last of the tags for automatic advancement into the printer upon completion of the printing of the final tag. The cleaner includes a quantity of print head cleaning fluid enclosed in a pouch which bursts upon passage through the printer. A paper tail may be fastened to the pouch for frictional engagement with the print head facilitating the cleaning thereof.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A set of interconnected baggage tags adapted for cleaning a print head of a baggage tag printer through which said tags are passed for printing passenger identification and destination indicia thereon, said set comprising:
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a plurality of baggage tags secured to one another in end-to-end relation to form an elongated strip of baggage tags adapted for sequential advancing through a printer, each of said plurality of baggage tags including a translucent portion adjacent one end for detection by the printer to signal the end of that respective baggage tag, a quantity of print head cleaning fluid, a burstable packet containing said quantity of cleaning fluid, and fastening means connecting said burstable packet to one of said baggage tags, said fastening means providing an opaque connection between said burstable packet and a baggage tag for passage through a printer without signalling the end of the baggage tag to which a packet is connected, said packet being burstable upon passage through the printer, thereby wetting said print head with cleaning fluid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. In combination,
a baggage tag printer having, means for advancing baggage tags therethrough and, a print head for printing passenger identification and destination information on the baggage tags, a plurality of baggage tags secured to one another in end-to-end relation to form an elongated strip of baggage tags adapted for sequential advancing through said printer, each of said plurality of baggage tags including a translucent portion adjacent one end for detection by the printer to signal the end of that respective baggage tag, a quantity of print head cleaning fluid, a burstable packet containing said quantity of cleaning fluid, and fastening means connecting said burstable packet to one of said baggage tags, said fastening means providing an opaque connection between said burstable packet and a baggage tag for passage through a printer without signalling the end of the baggage tag to which said packet is connected, said packet being burstable upon passage through said printer, thereby wetting said print head with cleaning fluid.
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9. A print head cleaner for cleaning the print head of a baggage tag printer through which said tags are passed for printing indicia of the identification and destination of a passenger thereon, the print head cleaner adapted for use at the end of such a plurality of baggage tags connected in end-to-end relation, the cleaner comprising:
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a quantity of cleaning fluid; means for releasably containing said cleaning fluid; and means for securing said cleaning fluid containing means to the end of one of a plurality of baggage tags such that upon completion of printing on said tags, said cleaning fluid containing means is advanced into a printer and into contact with a printer print head, said containing means being burstable upon passage through the printer thereby wetting said print head with cleaning fluid. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of cleaning the print head of a baggage tag printer comprising the steps of:
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providing a baggage tag on which passenger identification and destination information is to be printed; providing a printer for printing identification information on said tag while advancing said tag through said printer; providing a print head cleaner having, a quantity of cleaning fluid; means for releasably containing said cleaning fluid, said means being burstable upon passage through said printer; and means for securing said containing means to the end of said baggage tag such that upon completion of printing on said tag, said containing means is advanced into contact with said print head; inserting said baggage tag into said printer; printing said passenger and destination identification information on said tag; advancing said tag through said machine causing said cleaning fluid container means to burst upon passage through said printer, wetting said print head with said cleaning fluid for cleaning it. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification