CA2138514A1 - Movable label printer-applicator assembly - Google Patents
Movable label printer-applicator assemblyInfo
- Publication number
- CA2138514A1 CA2138514A1 CA002138514A CA2138514A CA2138514A1 CA 2138514 A1 CA2138514 A1 CA 2138514A1 CA 002138514 A CA002138514 A CA 002138514A CA 2138514 A CA2138514 A CA 2138514A CA 2138514 A1 CA2138514 A1 CA 2138514A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- package
- label
- printer
- applicator assembly
- controller
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
- B65C1/00—Labelling flat essentially-rigid surfaces
- B65C1/02—Affixing labels to one flat surface of articles, e.g. of packages, of flat bands
- B65C1/021—Affixing labels to one flat surface of articles, e.g. of packages, of flat bands the label being applied by movement of the labelling head towards the article
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
- B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
- B65C9/40—Controls; Safety devices
- B65C9/42—Label feed control
- B65C9/44—Label feed control by special means responsive to marks on labels or articles
Landscapes
- Labeling Devices (AREA)
Abstract
2138514 9323292 PCTABScor01 An improved package labeling apparatus of the type in which labeling information for a package (73) which is moving to a labeling station (51) is transmitted to the labeling station to control the application of the required label (191). The improvement comprises a carriage mounted printer-applicator assembly which responds to the labeling transmission, prints the label, moves to intercept the moving package and applies the label.
Description
, L", ~ ,"i~ rt~:~ N Ij ~' . , MO~J~L~3 I~B~ ~R~TE~R-A~?P~T~R :A8~3~BT~Y
: 3aCR:G~0~ 0~ T~ INYEN~rION ¦
Fie~ld o~ the ~ ~ti~ ¦
I
T~e pres~ in.~rerl~icn ~la~es to a mc~rabl~ la~el p~ins~ir-ap~llca~or. Mo~ par~icula~ly, it ~el~te~ ts a 1a~Q1 prin~er-a~plicator whlch is u6ecl lrl c~njunction witr. a ~ac.l~ge c~r~yor 3y9tem to print and ~p~ labels co ~oac.~aes. Mc~t p~rticularly, the pre~ent application ~inds u~e in the application ol b~r cod~d ~hi~ping lab~is h~ving cne ~ace O ccated w~h a p~e~sure ~gnsit~re adhesiv~
cripSao~ c~ th~3 Prior Art L~beL ap~ atcrs for a~plying label~ ~o conl~eycr horn~
p~ckages wnil e tn~y a~e in a~notiGn are known irl th~3 shipping indus~ ~c:wn appllca~or 3yE;tQmg re~o~re a ~rin~ed ;-b~l rom i~ ~acki.~ag~ ~trip arld r~ain i~ again~t ~:~, a~?licat~r g~ic u;~ he artlcle ~ be labeled reache~ an appr~F~i~t2 :~ posi~~o~} on ~he~c~n~eyor. ~t ~hat ~ t, a blaa~ of g~s, suc:~
a~ a~`~, i5 u~ed t~ ~ra~f~r th~ label f~rn the ~rid tc the surr~-~ o' the article.
..
~ ~raria~ion ~n the known system~ is dis~la~3d in IJ. S .
Pata~t 4~25S1 2~. Thi3 pa~nr discl~se~ a label applica~or 1~ wh~ ch a labe 1 ..~cei~r i~ mounted ror move~ ~ a ~uppo:rti2~g ~;trlct~re. A pr~nt~d la~el receive~d f~m a label :: di~perL~e~ i~ r~ea~ably reta~-~ed o~ the label rec~i~rer. This 2~ rccel~er n~ove~ ~om a re~racta~ po~siti~a ~:3 ar ~te~ded p~it~ on i~ lo~e proxlm~ ty to the article t~ }3e l~ele~d . A
blas~ of air ~ s~d t~ tran~, er tne la~l to ~he pack~ge.
~he labcl recei~e~!r~urn~ ~;o ~he ~e~riacced or ~ctne posit~oh i~
whsr~ i. r~cei~re~ ~he next label ~ro~n t:1a ~ abel :L- sper~ir~
: 3aCR:G~0~ 0~ T~ INYEN~rION ¦
Fie~ld o~ the ~ ~ti~ ¦
I
T~e pres~ in.~rerl~icn ~la~es to a mc~rabl~ la~el p~ins~ir-ap~llca~or. Mo~ par~icula~ly, it ~el~te~ ts a 1a~Q1 prin~er-a~plicator whlch is u6ecl lrl c~njunction witr. a ~ac.l~ge c~r~yor 3y9tem to print and ~p~ labels co ~oac.~aes. Mc~t p~rticularly, the pre~ent application ~inds u~e in the application ol b~r cod~d ~hi~ping lab~is h~ving cne ~ace O ccated w~h a p~e~sure ~gnsit~re adhesiv~
cripSao~ c~ th~3 Prior Art L~beL ap~ atcrs for a~plying label~ ~o conl~eycr horn~
p~ckages wnil e tn~y a~e in a~notiGn are known irl th~3 shipping indus~ ~c:wn appllca~or 3yE;tQmg re~o~re a ~rin~ed ;-b~l rom i~ ~acki.~ag~ ~trip arld r~ain i~ again~t ~:~, a~?licat~r g~ic u;~ he artlcle ~ be labeled reache~ an appr~F~i~t2 :~ posi~~o~} on ~he~c~n~eyor. ~t ~hat ~ t, a blaa~ of g~s, suc:~
a~ a~`~, i5 u~ed t~ ~ra~f~r th~ label f~rn the ~rid tc the surr~-~ o' the article.
..
~ ~raria~ion ~n the known system~ is dis~la~3d in IJ. S .
Pata~t 4~25S1 2~. Thi3 pa~nr discl~se~ a label applica~or 1~ wh~ ch a labe 1 ..~cei~r i~ mounted ror move~ ~ a ~uppo:rti2~g ~;trlct~re. A pr~nt~d la~el receive~d f~m a label :: di~perL~e~ i~ r~ea~ably reta~-~ed o~ the label rec~i~rer. This 2~ rccel~er n~ove~ ~om a re~racta~ po~siti~a ~:3 ar ~te~ded p~it~ on i~ lo~e proxlm~ ty to the article t~ }3e l~ele~d . A
blas~ of air ~ s~d t~ tran~, er tne la~l to ~he pack~ge.
~he labcl recei~e~!r~urn~ ~;o ~he ~e~riacced or ~ctne posit~oh i~
whsr~ i. r~cei~re~ ~he next label ~ro~n t:1a ~ abel :L- sper~ir~
3 ~ r.ea~ a~d th~3 ~equence iæ repea~cd .
ch~r l~bell~g ~ysten~ i3 descrihed i~ U . S . ~eIl~
ch~r l~bell~g ~ysten~ i3 descrihed i~ U . S . ~eIl~
4, 6l5,757. T~ pat~t disclc~e t~o labelers moun~ed over a conv~yor ~or applyi~g ~wo lai:3els ~-o a~ ar~icle at ~he sa~
~ime. Sen~ors d~it~ the artlcle wid~h and boch labale~ ar~ -~ov@d f~l~ch~r toward cJ~ 3~wa~r :ex~m e~ch othe~ the~ l~teral, ::ro~ ~sr~ yor dir~ o poslltio~ Q l~be.~. ap~ icaeora A ~ D~D S~IEET
t~ . ~ J~ O ~ ; I '.J',-i +'~3 ~ 39~ ;S . 1~ 7 ~1-3~
-lA-alar~ the a~ de6 o~ the a~icle . Orce po~i'io~ed lat~:eally, the firg~ labeler utilizeg a ~rer~.cal, gravity bia6ed appllca~or head ~hich recei~res the label from a transer ;l~zzle and dr::~ps vexticllly to apply the 'l~bel to the a~ticle ~y contact. ~h~ app'' ica~¢r is ~he~ r~i~cd ~o the home label ~ceil~in~ po~ition ~o aw~it ~ e r.ext l~bel. The seco~:Ld labeler ~ltîllz~s a ~ivotally rr.c:u~Lt~d appiicator a~m which i~
gra~rity bia~ed ~o a los~exmo~t posi~ on and applie~ the la'~
to t~e articlè by cor~tact~
While the system~ de3cribed abotte are dcpendable ~n~
~a~isfac~cry fo~ m~ny lab~llna oFt~ra~ions ~.ey have several pr~blems. Fir~t, ~pac~ages have to ~te tu~ed and aiigned on the~ conveyox ln c~cer to pas~ ~r.der ~he ~lxed pa~h. Seco~d, th~ rrLovable r~cei~rer had t~ tra~el f~om tka e:~ended position " .~
t~
1~,; ~, : ~ -i:
, ~ , t ~::
' ~ A~ANDED SHET
W093/23~92 ~ PCT/U~93/045 to the retracted or home position in order to pick up another label for every package on the conveyor. Finally, these requirements effectively limit the speed with which packages can be conveyed past the labeling station.
SUMM~RY OF T~E INVENTION
The present invention provides an apparatus for labeling moving packages in which a carriage mounted, integrated printer-applicator head prints and applies the package label.
In the preferred application, labeling information is input for a package which is then placed on conveyor system ~ for transpoxt. Sensors check the package geometry or ~onfiguration and its location on the conveyor. An edge sensor signals when the package has reached a predetermined position on the conveyor.
~ The package locatlon and configuration data along with the `~; labeling information are transmitted to a controller which receives and correlates the data. The controller produces a label control signal which is tran~itted to the labeling ZO station. Vertical and latera~ drive motors position the ;~ carriage mounted, integrated printer-applicator assembly in response to the label co~trol signal. The printer-applicator (P-A~ assembly both prints and applies the required label to the package. ~
The controller stores the P-A assembly position so that the P-A assembly moves directly to the next desired position asjthe sequence described abov~ lS repeated. T~ avoid impacts with packages that have shifted or turned as they traveled along the conveyor, sensors are provided to slgnal the P-A
ass mbly to ~ranslate vertically.
It is an object of this invention to provide a system tha~
will quickly and accurately label moving packages.
an o~ject of this invention to provide a label applicator which does not require that it return to a fixed ~ home po~ition between labels.
3~23292 ~ PCT/US93/04556 It is an object of this inven~ion to provide a label applicator that moves vertically and laterally in a fixed plane normal to the diretion of package movement.
.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a package labeling system incorporating the present invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the labeling station ; assembly.
Figure 3 is a front elevation of the labeling station ~- 10 assembly.
Figure 4 is a side elevation of the labeling station - assemkly.
- Figure 5 is a perspective of the printer-applicator assembly.
~ ~ Figuxe 6;~ is an~ elevation of the printer-applicator assembly in the di~ection 6-6 on Figure 5.
Figure 7 ~is an elevation o~ the printer applicator assembly in~the direction 7-7 on Figure 5.
Figure~-8~is~a pe~rspective view of a portiorl of the package 20 ~ ~labeling sys~m;~which ~illustrates ~abel applicatlon on a package.~
Figure 9 is a fl~ow~ diagram for~package ~sensing and labeling in ac~cordance with the preferred embodiment.
DE,SCRIPTION OF~TEE PREF~RRED~BMBODIM~NTS ;~
Referring to Figure~l, there is shown a label appllcator system 1 ,~hat h~s belen!mounted over alconveyor systçm 2. At the beginning of the conveyor system 2 there is an operator's s;tation 4 having a key pad 5 which i9~ used to~;input shipping inormation fa~ a ~iven package. The package (not shown) i5 then placed on the conveyor btelt 3 for tran~port through the label applica~or system 1.
At the first st~tion, 10 in Figure 1, a sensor array ho~ in phantom, is located in the housing 14 which is supported by framework 12 and straddles the conveyor belt 3.
, ~ pri~nar~ co~xoller 13 i~ located w~ th~ n the ~ame housi-.g 1~ .
Th~ a~:nso~ a-ray 11 loc~t~ ~he l.ea~ing and traili~ edge~
~, each p~ckage ~nd t~n~ts this data _o the controll~r 13.
', The 6pecific ~o2~iguration of the ~nsor a~r~y 1~ 19 not impor~nt t::> th~ pres~t ~ nventlon and ,~hero are a n~rr,ber of 1 O commer~lal~ ailakle~ d~vic~s Lor ~chis ~urpc~,e, ~we~.rer, i_ i~ nece~ary to have some n~,eans o~ initial Fa~age ,, , i~e~t~ fica~ on.
~t the ~c~d sta~i.on 20, a ~ a~eral lc~cation s~n or 21 checlci3 the lateral loc~tion o~ the pack~ge on ~he con~-eyor 3 anu ~rans~nit~ a sign~l to the primary ccntroll~r 13. L~cat2d t the thlrd ~tation 3~ is a packaae profil~ sensor 31. This en~or 31 i3 ~om~ri6~d o~ light cur~.al:l emit~er 32 ~nd 1 ight ,~ su-~in recei~ver 3~ e em~ tte~ 32 ar~d resc2~er 33 a-~
;nounted orL oppc)~ing ~ides o~ e conveyor belt 3 in ali~men~
with ei~c~ othe~. ~s the pac}ca~e p~es between ~h~ emitta~-: 32 and ~ recei~rer- ~3, it is profilec~ and the data ~r nsmitted r5 ~:n~ primary ~cQnt~ol'e~ 13 . In the p~ ~er~ed ombad~ment, rhe l~ gr~t cur~airl ~mi~ter 32 ~nd ~eceiYer 33 are Pa~t ~0~ 5 .
XPS6u018X and XPS:;301 8R ~rom S<~ a~tific Technol~gies, I~c ., ` 25 ~ t~o:t~pQ~3te ~ead~uarter6, 31069 Genst~~ Road, Xay~ardr CA
g4544~
A~ ~h~ ~c?ur~h s~ati~n ~ 40, he: s~nso~ 41 de~e~ the leading edse o~`the app~oaching package. Thi~ esta:3lishes t~e:
ac}~:~ge' s arri~ral at a pred~3~ermined p~ alang the conveyor 30 :: 3~ The pri~na~ ontxoller ~3 r~ceire~ d ~or~lare~ the 7acka~e locatios~ :and ::on~iguratio n da,a, a~d tra. s~nits a p~ter con~crol si~al to:th~ labeli~g s~arion a~emDly 51~
~: Sism~ ar~ cran.~mltt~d through ~i~.al a~d tran~ 3icn ca~lea! (n~ Yho~r~ whic:h.are 'n~u-e~ in c~l~. ~trou~h 6 that nlIl,s be~w~n the hou.~.ing 1~ ~nd the labe~ling st.-.. ion a~.~e~nk.ly 51, I,,isFhting ~uppor~ nd ligkts 8 E.~addle th~ c~n~eyo~
: ~el~ 3 ~t rPgular intex~als and ~3uppo~ th~ ca~le t~ou~h 6.
Fig~re~ 2,: 3 and 4 .~h~.w more de~tailed ~rlew of the!
lab~lirag 3~ation a~ mbly 51. ~ef~re de~crl~in~ th~ ope~aticn 4~ ~ th~ labeling ~a~i~.n sa, it will }~e beneicial t~ descri}~e th~ camponents which com~r~6~ ~he pr~exred a~.~errbly.
~,:
~ ~ A~.EN~O SHEE~
:!
93/23292 ~ 1j3~ P~T/US93/04556 .` .
Tne assembly 51 is comprised of an open framework 63 which straddles the conveyor belt 3. The framework 63 is comprised of four vertical frame members 133, 134, 135 and 136 which . define the four corners of the framework support assembly 63.
The vertical frame members 133-136 are flxed in posi.tion on the sides of the conveyor 3 at 137. The longitudinal frame members 139 and 140 are respectively affixed to the vertical frame members 133 and 34 at upper and lower positions. A
~;~ second pair of longitudinal frame members 141 and 142 are affixed to the second pair of vertical frame me?~bers 136 and ¦~` 137 in like fashion. Straddling the conveyor belt 3 are the cross membe~rs 144 and 145. The cross member 144 connects the - top vertical frame members 133 and 135. The cross member 145 ~ connects the tops of ~he vertical frame members 134 and 136.
'!1` ;~ 15 An intermediate cross member 143 also connects the vertlcal frame members :133 and 135 at an intermediate position which above the maximum expected package height.
As can be seen~from the: above~, the framework 63 is essentially a box frame which straddles the conveyor 3. While 2~0 ~ the spe;ci~ic construction is not important, it must be remembered that the frame 63 has to withstand rapid movement of the P-~A as~embly: and:must be sturdy enough to permit : positive location~of the P-A assembly over the con~eyor 3.
The linear actuators~ 146 and 147 are affixed to the ~} ~, :
respective lo~gitudinal frame members 139 and l~O, and 141 and 142, on~either side of the conveyor a~d in front of the respective vertlcal~frame member 133 and 13~. The linear actuator 172 is horizontally attached, via a pair of mounts ~: 173, to the vertical linear actuators 146 and 147. In the pré~erred embo?~imen~', the linear actuators 14~, 147`and'1t2 are Part NO. 1251001 from Macron Dynamics, Inc. t 405 Caredean Drive, Horsham, PA.
The carriage assembly 170, rides on the horizon~al linear actuator 172 and i9 moved acro~s the conveyor 3 by the lateral direction drive motor 178. Mount~d on the lateral drive motor 178 is a rotary encodex or position sensor 179 which : csn~inually transmits the position of the carriage assembly 170 ~o it can ~e tracked by the secsndary controller 160. In f~
''~
W093~2329~ ~ ~ ~ P~T/~S931~5 ~, ~
, . i the preferred embodiment, the lateral drive motor 178 and the .; rotary encoder 179 are Part No. R34JENC-R2-NS-VS-oo from Pacific Scientific, Motor and Control Division, 4301 Kishwaukee Street, P.O. Box 106, Rockford, IL 61105-0106.
~l~ 5 The horizontal l~near actuator 172 and the carriage assembly ~70 are raised and lowered on the vertical linear actuators 146 and 147 by the vertical drive motor 150 which is attached to the support assembly 63 by a motor $upport bracket 148. The dri~e pulley 151 on the vertical drive motor is coupled to the shaft pulley 156 by bel~ 158. This combi.nation drives a transverse shaft 154 which engayes the upper ends of vertical linear actuators 146 and 147. -Rotary - :encoder or position sensor 157 tracks the turning of the ~:~ transverse shaft 154 for: the secondary con~roller 160 which ~: 15 controls`the vertical dri~e motor 150. An electric brake 153 is attached:to the opposing end of the transver e shaft as a safety feature~. In the~ preferred embod1ment, the ~ertical ;drive motor lSO and rotary encoder 157 are Pacific Scientific, :Motor and~Control Dlvision, Part No. R65HENA-R2-NS-~S~00. The 20~ vertical dri~e;; brake 153;is Part No. 1-055-541-006BF from Rexnord, Stearns:~Division, 120 N. ~Broadway, Milwaukee, WI
53202.
The~printer-applicator support bracket 174 is affixed to -the::~carr~iage asse ~ 1y and ~supports~ the:printer-applicator 25~ assembly 200. The~printer~controller~202, Figure:4,~ is aIso attached ::to the carriage :assembly 170. ~ Mounted on the printer-applicator support bracket 174:above~the P-A assembly 2:00 are a label supply reel 18~4,~which~supplies labels on a tape 190, and a take up spool 18~. An~external air supply line 164,~extends ~rom pneumatlciline~ filter 163 to the head assembly 200.:~:: An external air :supply is attached~ at connection 162.~
The following de~cription will refer to Figures 5, 6 and 7 which are enlaryed views of the P A assembly 2Q0. Contained inside the P-A housing 205 is a print head 204, which receives th~ labels on the tape 190, prints them and delivers printed label~ 191 to the label dispen~er 207. In the preferred ~; embodiment, the printier 2~4 and the printer con~roller 202 are ~, , , . , , ~ - .- , ~ 1 3 8 5 ~ ~
' S Paxt Nc:' ~ . 45245-US~S ~rcrn Sato America~ Inc ., 27~1 Marir~e Way, Moun~aln View, CA 94043. Attached to ~e P-~ hou~ing aO5 ab~ve~ ~he ~ ~p~e~ ao7 iY ~ ~u~pc~rr ~ra~ket ~0 .
;eFendi~g ~om th~ ~upp~rt bra~ket 210 i~ a ~atch pla~
upport 215 to wh~ch a ca~ch ylate ~16 ls pivo~a~ly mcunted.
An air cylind~r 2~1, wi~h ~ cle~is 212 attach~d to i~s lower t end, is p~vot~lly at~ached to t~e catch plat~ ~16 wlt~ ~in 213. ~t its up~er e~d, the ~ir cylinder ~ pi~rotal'y at~ached ~o tne su~po~t bracket ~0. An ai~ su.~pl~ e 22~
supplie~ the air nozzie 221 which depcr.d~ from the aupport lS bracke~ 210 ~ve~ the label c~isper.ser ao7. ~o~k-dow2l ~en~or J~ 222 ~d photo ~ye 2a~ ara als~ moun~ed ~ w ~he supp~rt brac~e t 2 ~ O .
rticulated ca~l~ carrierY 188 and 1~9, ~ee Figure~ 3 and 4, route cc.bles and air lir.es (not 3~10Wn~ ~etwe~n the ~ontrolle~ 160 ~r.d the P-A a~seTnb~ y 2û0, The printer control ~ a~ gex~e~ated from the ~ac~cage c~nfigura~ia~ ~ and l~Gation data i~ t_ar~.~mitt~d to the seconda_y~ n~roll~r 160 at the l~ell~ station 50. This ecoxidary cont~:oilex 1 60- c~ntr~ls ~ertical dri~r~ mo~or 150 ~nd l~eral dr~ moeox 178 to reposition ~h~ carriage aE362tl1bly :.~y ~ 170. I~:~hE! prefe~r~d embodi;nent, 'ch~pri~ter-applicat~ he~ad ao e~i~ly 20û ~: ~lo~ated 1.25 to 3 . g c~n~imet~r~ ne-half to : o~e and one-h~l,. inches~ ~bo~J~ he pack~ge ~urface ~he 3~ ook-dowr~ se~qor 2~ c~nfi~;l~ the P-A assem~ly po~ o~. The 3q p~ima~y :cont~olle~ 1 commar.ds, -h-ough the print~r co~trolle~
2C~, the print~hè~d 20~ to D'~ a shipp~ng la~el ba~3~3d on ~h~
shl~?ing data. ~ Wit~ th~? pre~erred as~ ly, th~ printing can bc dGn2 on the mo~re, ~ince a home ba,~,e lccation i~ no~ n~e,d~d, d ~hei l~bel~ ~ar-!~ be applied aln~ t ,~,lmult~,E3Qu~ly ~uppn 3 5 ~acX~ge arri~al . Th~ label~ ~g .di~p~nse~ ~07 peels th~ ~abel f~ it~ ka~ ng 1sa, and a, blas~ ~rom a1r nozzle 221 blc~
~he }~1 onto tk.ei p2L~kage. The packa~ ~h~n prQce~ds u~der ~am rol~e~ a~crnb'y 18C which ~ rex th~ eil to e~ure h~ ,eat~d on th~ ckage.
c ,~t~iX"e s2,nsor~ 180 ~re mcun~,~,d on t~.e 3,uppor~ bracke~3 18~
to ccn~ixrn 'c,ha~ ~he, ar~ ring pac~ge has no~ ti~ped or shift~d in'c~ a p~ltl~ll th,~t ~rill c,~usc lt to ~ ka the P,-A as~e,~ly AMENl)EL~
,1 W093 ~ 8 5 ~ ~ PCT/US93/~5 ~
., - .
., 200. If a package has shiftedl the strike sensors signal'the secondary controller to raise the P-A assembly 200 to avoid possible damage to the assembly andjor the package.
If for any reason a label l91 cannot be applied to a package, such as strike sensors 180 indicating that ~he package has exceeded the height limitation, the controller 13 activates the air cylinder 211 to swing the catch plate ~16 into position under the label dispenser 207. The label 191 is then blown onto the catch plate 216. I~ the catch pIate 0 '216 is full, photo eye~ 224 signals the controller that operator assistance is required.
Because the P-~ assèmbly 200 can both print and apply a shipping label, it is not necessary to have the P-A assembly , 200 return to a retracted or home position befor'e printing and 15~ ~ ~ applying~a label~to the next package,on the conveyor 3. The P-A~àssembly~;2~00;proceeds~directly from~its last'position to the~ next ~de~slred~pos~ition~ased on~the location~ and -"~ conf~iguratio~ data;;coll~ected ~for ~the~next package on thé
'` ;~ conveyor.~ In~ the~preferred ;embodiment, the~ P-A assembly ,,~ 20 ~ prlnts~'thè label as~it travels to the, nex~ desired position.
!~ '~ The;~P-A~asse~bly~200~,utilizes labéls~l91~as~described ln ~ 1~ U~.S.~Pat~ènt No. 4~,724,166. The label 91~can be peeled away '.7 '~ fr~m~ t~e:~clear ~dhesive~layer that aff~ixes~it to the packag v `~ wi~thout damsge~to~ar obstruction of any informstion whlch may .~, ~ 2'5~ be~unde~r the-label. ;~This, makes the~label posltion on the pa~ckage~;inconseq~ential to other info~mation~ on the~package surface.~ Once the~package has reached its ~destination, the ,. label 191 can be removed, leaving only its~ clear adhesive ' layer behind. ';~
'3~0 ~R~ferring to~Figure~ 8, there i5 shown a portion of the ' con~eyor~;system;~ and~the~labellng ~tation~ass~embly~51~. Three packages ~are~shown~on the conveyor belt 3.~ These packages represent some~of ~the types ~of packages ~that have been~
~r~S~ succe~s~ully labeled with the pre~ent invention. The firs~
35 ~'~ package~71 is an unevenly profiled soft pack envelope which ~s~, '' ~simula~es a sweater. It is shown on the conveyor belt 3 at `~a posi~ion past ~he labeili~g station as3embly 51 with a bar code printed label~l91 successfully applied. A second package ~, ~
~, , ~
~ ' ~ t .' "'~'' i, ' ~.'' ' ~",1 72, shqwn at ~he labelirlg statio~ 51 under ~he P-~ assembly 'il 200 i~ a ~.~i.an~ular pri~m with th~ !abel 1~1 ~pplied. ~ t~:Lird '~ ~ackage 73 ~ s shown between iigh~ curt~ emitter 3a and r~c~iver 33. The third package 17~ is an o~rer ~tu:~fe~ ~oft pack en~relop~. In the cu~rent ~n~J30dimç3n'c, maximum pac~age size is lin ited ~ 6 cent~ me~srs ~ nch~3! high and ~he ~1 cen~imeter~ (24 ir~,ch) con~eyo~ ~idtk. ~Icweveir, othAr ; co~figurations are po~3ible. Due ~o the pre~e~t package ~dentirica~ion and t. a~ ng sy~t~m, the la~el applicator a~se~ibly ~3 sen~itive ~o package geometry and loca~iGn. 'rhu~, ec~ch pac}~age ~'~ tr~ated indiv~dllally wi~hvut the n2ed ~or ~he P-A ~ssen~.ol~ ûO ~ r~turn: to ~ome ~ixed home ba~e. These fe~tu~-s com~i~e ~o pro~id~ ;ot~ ,ea~ea 3F~ed and increased ~l-xibility.
>, _n the pr~3f~red em~cd~ent, th~ c~nveyor ~stem ~ i~ made .~.J'~ : 2 0 up of a series oi~ 1 ndl ~idually controllabie belt ~egment -which ~E~er~e at 3peeds that i~.crease along the conv2ycr ~rom appro~ na-~ely 7C to '20 me~ers per sec~n~ ~24~ t~ ~0 fae~ ~r m~ nute) at th~ ~-~ as~embly 200 . The p_ imary controllPr 13 regul~;es the ~l~w ~f ~,ackase6 ~h~oush ~ he sy~;~em 1 ba~ed ~r.
'3',~ 25 ~ ~ ~he ~irne rec~uire-d for i~pu~ting o~ labe ing l~Lform~ n a6 weil as ~ ts GolTlpiete~e~sJ he ~n31a~io~ ~and prini tim~
res~uir~d~ by the P-A ~s~embly, and ~ the position ~ ~ther pac:kag~ prececlina ~h~ curren~ pa~kage on thB c~nveycr.
:~ : Fi~re ~ show~ a in~orrn~tion f low diag:~am for the 3-3 ~ pre~ex~ed e~nbodiment of ~he dl~ lo6ad labe~ ing ap~raltus '~ 6y~t~3~.... B~ w~y ~f e:~rolanation, ~he diagxam shows the oper~ions pe~L rm~d i,~ re~p~c~ tc~ ~he pac~age ~low alo~g the eonYeyor path. ~t ~ be un~e:~stood by ~hos~ ~killad in =h~
ar~ that ~some ope:~a~ orlsl~nay accur ~simulca~eous~l y and -hat ths ,~ : 3 5 ~ec~e~ce o~ evcnt3 ls not limi, ed ~o tnis examp' e . ~ox 5how~ t~ ent:ry o~ labelinç; dzL~ d a sec~s~Lry operatlon, de~igna. ~d bc:x 571~ 6how~ the package ~eing plac~d o~ ~hc o~Yeyo~. }3axc~ 10, 2~, 30 ~d 40 ~how th~ varic:u~; packag~
a~ uxation a~dp~tion det~::t~ng o~xation~ that oc~ur a~
o ~ta~ , 20, 30 and ~0 re~pec~ ely a:~ ~reviou~;ly dl0cu~d. The po3iticn ~nd ~on:ciguæ~ion ~ata is ~ran6mi~ted ~ 'che~ p~imary controller 13, ~iahQWrL in box 70. Th¢ seco~da~
,~, , ~ENDED SHEEr ,~C~V. ~ f:El'A .~flL'E.~fCff~ ?~ 4~ '5 .-~f~f8 ''~9~ +~9 89 ~ 6-~ t~l I
~ 13~SI~
1 - 1 o -f 5 con~roller 1f60 and t~e prinff 2r c~ffntroller 20~ axe al fo 3hf_ffwn in box 70 w~ffff~h the priff~ary cortrcf' ler f~-~d f~ e;eerred to collecf~Sf ~rely. The control_erf rec~f~ive3 the packfage lGcatiofn arld ccfnfifsllration data, c3frr~ia~es i~ and dfatermi~fes the ref~ired t~anrffl ation ~'o~ the P-.~ as~fef.~ly 200 t-~f f~ nterC9pffff ffff he' 4'~ 10 package. As the packa~e ~;froceed~3 t~ }~e ;a~eling ~ lorl 50, a strl~fe se2~s~r sh~wn in:box 50.1 check3 ~h3.t the Ffack2~gf~f fdoe.~Sff not exceed maximu~n hei~3~ d/or pfO6i~. 'o~ requixf~ments. Ir :~ ~herfs ~fC~ff a f~f~blem, the ffs~Lso_ res~ r csf ln fa 3ignfa~ t;ne !,~ ccffrlff~ol~ cr box 70 whic'h mo~es .,re F-A assembly tc a ~naximum , ~ 15 hei~ gh~, 3tops ~he ccnveyor -~ i o i d ~ colii~i~n ~nd ac~i ~rates the lase: cc~tch pia~e ta remove ~;~e un-~ ed l~kei. If ~he pacKage doei~ ~ot ex~eP~ max mum heig~t, the cont~lle~ isi~nal~
~ ~ the P-A asiseT~ly ~00, as srown in box ~2.2, ~o labe~ th~
~ac}ca~e a~ ~rc~eedi, dow~ t~e conv~yor .
20 ~ ~ Aa wili ~be apprecla~t~d ~y tho~e ~kil~ed ~r~ the a-t, ~he re~;~nt l~bel ~irintex-app~icator~apparatu~ all~ws fQr rai~it~r : pxc~_es~ir.g cf packag2i6 than ~ose label ap~;icatora prevLou&ly ,J
1 ~ :
f~ ~
~,j . ' : .
f; :~
i ~ ~
~ AMENDED SHEET
~ime. Sen~ors d~it~ the artlcle wid~h and boch labale~ ar~ -~ov@d f~l~ch~r toward cJ~ 3~wa~r :ex~m e~ch othe~ the~ l~teral, ::ro~ ~sr~ yor dir~ o poslltio~ Q l~be.~. ap~ icaeora A ~ D~D S~IEET
t~ . ~ J~ O ~ ; I '.J',-i +'~3 ~ 39~ ;S . 1~ 7 ~1-3~
-lA-alar~ the a~ de6 o~ the a~icle . Orce po~i'io~ed lat~:eally, the firg~ labeler utilizeg a ~rer~.cal, gravity bia6ed appllca~or head ~hich recei~res the label from a transer ;l~zzle and dr::~ps vexticllly to apply the 'l~bel to the a~ticle ~y contact. ~h~ app'' ica~¢r is ~he~ r~i~cd ~o the home label ~ceil~in~ po~ition ~o aw~it ~ e r.ext l~bel. The seco~:Ld labeler ~ltîllz~s a ~ivotally rr.c:u~Lt~d appiicator a~m which i~
gra~rity bia~ed ~o a los~exmo~t posi~ on and applie~ the la'~
to t~e articlè by cor~tact~
While the system~ de3cribed abotte are dcpendable ~n~
~a~isfac~cry fo~ m~ny lab~llna oFt~ra~ions ~.ey have several pr~blems. Fir~t, ~pac~ages have to ~te tu~ed and aiigned on the~ conveyox ln c~cer to pas~ ~r.der ~he ~lxed pa~h. Seco~d, th~ rrLovable r~cei~rer had t~ tra~el f~om tka e:~ended position " .~
t~
1~,; ~, : ~ -i:
, ~ , t ~::
' ~ A~ANDED SHET
W093/23~92 ~ PCT/U~93/045 to the retracted or home position in order to pick up another label for every package on the conveyor. Finally, these requirements effectively limit the speed with which packages can be conveyed past the labeling station.
SUMM~RY OF T~E INVENTION
The present invention provides an apparatus for labeling moving packages in which a carriage mounted, integrated printer-applicator head prints and applies the package label.
In the preferred application, labeling information is input for a package which is then placed on conveyor system ~ for transpoxt. Sensors check the package geometry or ~onfiguration and its location on the conveyor. An edge sensor signals when the package has reached a predetermined position on the conveyor.
~ The package locatlon and configuration data along with the `~; labeling information are transmitted to a controller which receives and correlates the data. The controller produces a label control signal which is tran~itted to the labeling ZO station. Vertical and latera~ drive motors position the ;~ carriage mounted, integrated printer-applicator assembly in response to the label co~trol signal. The printer-applicator (P-A~ assembly both prints and applies the required label to the package. ~
The controller stores the P-A assembly position so that the P-A assembly moves directly to the next desired position asjthe sequence described abov~ lS repeated. T~ avoid impacts with packages that have shifted or turned as they traveled along the conveyor, sensors are provided to slgnal the P-A
ass mbly to ~ranslate vertically.
It is an object of this invention to provide a system tha~
will quickly and accurately label moving packages.
an o~ject of this invention to provide a label applicator which does not require that it return to a fixed ~ home po~ition between labels.
3~23292 ~ PCT/US93/04556 It is an object of this inven~ion to provide a label applicator that moves vertically and laterally in a fixed plane normal to the diretion of package movement.
.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a package labeling system incorporating the present invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the labeling station ; assembly.
Figure 3 is a front elevation of the labeling station ~- 10 assembly.
Figure 4 is a side elevation of the labeling station - assemkly.
- Figure 5 is a perspective of the printer-applicator assembly.
~ ~ Figuxe 6;~ is an~ elevation of the printer-applicator assembly in the di~ection 6-6 on Figure 5.
Figure 7 ~is an elevation o~ the printer applicator assembly in~the direction 7-7 on Figure 5.
Figure~-8~is~a pe~rspective view of a portiorl of the package 20 ~ ~labeling sys~m;~which ~illustrates ~abel applicatlon on a package.~
Figure 9 is a fl~ow~ diagram for~package ~sensing and labeling in ac~cordance with the preferred embodiment.
DE,SCRIPTION OF~TEE PREF~RRED~BMBODIM~NTS ;~
Referring to Figure~l, there is shown a label appllcator system 1 ,~hat h~s belen!mounted over alconveyor systçm 2. At the beginning of the conveyor system 2 there is an operator's s;tation 4 having a key pad 5 which i9~ used to~;input shipping inormation fa~ a ~iven package. The package (not shown) i5 then placed on the conveyor btelt 3 for tran~port through the label applica~or system 1.
At the first st~tion, 10 in Figure 1, a sensor array ho~ in phantom, is located in the housing 14 which is supported by framework 12 and straddles the conveyor belt 3.
, ~ pri~nar~ co~xoller 13 i~ located w~ th~ n the ~ame housi-.g 1~ .
Th~ a~:nso~ a-ray 11 loc~t~ ~he l.ea~ing and traili~ edge~
~, each p~ckage ~nd t~n~ts this data _o the controll~r 13.
', The 6pecific ~o2~iguration of the ~nsor a~r~y 1~ 19 not impor~nt t::> th~ pres~t ~ nventlon and ,~hero are a n~rr,ber of 1 O commer~lal~ ailakle~ d~vic~s Lor ~chis ~urpc~,e, ~we~.rer, i_ i~ nece~ary to have some n~,eans o~ initial Fa~age ,, , i~e~t~ fica~ on.
~t the ~c~d sta~i.on 20, a ~ a~eral lc~cation s~n or 21 checlci3 the lateral loc~tion o~ the pack~ge on ~he con~-eyor 3 anu ~rans~nit~ a sign~l to the primary ccntroll~r 13. L~cat2d t the thlrd ~tation 3~ is a packaae profil~ sensor 31. This en~or 31 i3 ~om~ri6~d o~ light cur~.al:l emit~er 32 ~nd 1 ight ,~ su-~in recei~ver 3~ e em~ tte~ 32 ar~d resc2~er 33 a-~
;nounted orL oppc)~ing ~ides o~ e conveyor belt 3 in ali~men~
with ei~c~ othe~. ~s the pac}ca~e p~es between ~h~ emitta~-: 32 and ~ recei~rer- ~3, it is profilec~ and the data ~r nsmitted r5 ~:n~ primary ~cQnt~ol'e~ 13 . In the p~ ~er~ed ombad~ment, rhe l~ gr~t cur~airl ~mi~ter 32 ~nd ~eceiYer 33 are Pa~t ~0~ 5 .
XPS6u018X and XPS:;301 8R ~rom S<~ a~tific Technol~gies, I~c ., ` 25 ~ t~o:t~pQ~3te ~ead~uarter6, 31069 Genst~~ Road, Xay~ardr CA
g4544~
A~ ~h~ ~c?ur~h s~ati~n ~ 40, he: s~nso~ 41 de~e~ the leading edse o~`the app~oaching package. Thi~ esta:3lishes t~e:
ac}~:~ge' s arri~ral at a pred~3~ermined p~ alang the conveyor 30 :: 3~ The pri~na~ ontxoller ~3 r~ceire~ d ~or~lare~ the 7acka~e locatios~ :and ::on~iguratio n da,a, a~d tra. s~nits a p~ter con~crol si~al to:th~ labeli~g s~arion a~emDly 51~
~: Sism~ ar~ cran.~mltt~d through ~i~.al a~d tran~ 3icn ca~lea! (n~ Yho~r~ whic:h.are 'n~u-e~ in c~l~. ~trou~h 6 that nlIl,s be~w~n the hou.~.ing 1~ ~nd the labe~ling st.-.. ion a~.~e~nk.ly 51, I,,isFhting ~uppor~ nd ligkts 8 E.~addle th~ c~n~eyo~
: ~el~ 3 ~t rPgular intex~als and ~3uppo~ th~ ca~le t~ou~h 6.
Fig~re~ 2,: 3 and 4 .~h~.w more de~tailed ~rlew of the!
lab~lirag 3~ation a~ mbly 51. ~ef~re de~crl~in~ th~ ope~aticn 4~ ~ th~ labeling ~a~i~.n sa, it will }~e beneicial t~ descri}~e th~ camponents which com~r~6~ ~he pr~exred a~.~errbly.
~,:
~ ~ A~.EN~O SHEE~
:!
93/23292 ~ 1j3~ P~T/US93/04556 .` .
Tne assembly 51 is comprised of an open framework 63 which straddles the conveyor belt 3. The framework 63 is comprised of four vertical frame members 133, 134, 135 and 136 which . define the four corners of the framework support assembly 63.
The vertical frame members 133-136 are flxed in posi.tion on the sides of the conveyor 3 at 137. The longitudinal frame members 139 and 140 are respectively affixed to the vertical frame members 133 and 34 at upper and lower positions. A
~;~ second pair of longitudinal frame members 141 and 142 are affixed to the second pair of vertical frame me?~bers 136 and ¦~` 137 in like fashion. Straddling the conveyor belt 3 are the cross membe~rs 144 and 145. The cross member 144 connects the - top vertical frame members 133 and 135. The cross member 145 ~ connects the tops of ~he vertical frame members 134 and 136.
'!1` ;~ 15 An intermediate cross member 143 also connects the vertlcal frame members :133 and 135 at an intermediate position which above the maximum expected package height.
As can be seen~from the: above~, the framework 63 is essentially a box frame which straddles the conveyor 3. While 2~0 ~ the spe;ci~ic construction is not important, it must be remembered that the frame 63 has to withstand rapid movement of the P-~A as~embly: and:must be sturdy enough to permit : positive location~of the P-A assembly over the con~eyor 3.
The linear actuators~ 146 and 147 are affixed to the ~} ~, :
respective lo~gitudinal frame members 139 and l~O, and 141 and 142, on~either side of the conveyor a~d in front of the respective vertlcal~frame member 133 and 13~. The linear actuator 172 is horizontally attached, via a pair of mounts ~: 173, to the vertical linear actuators 146 and 147. In the pré~erred embo?~imen~', the linear actuators 14~, 147`and'1t2 are Part NO. 1251001 from Macron Dynamics, Inc. t 405 Caredean Drive, Horsham, PA.
The carriage assembly 170, rides on the horizon~al linear actuator 172 and i9 moved acro~s the conveyor 3 by the lateral direction drive motor 178. Mount~d on the lateral drive motor 178 is a rotary encodex or position sensor 179 which : csn~inually transmits the position of the carriage assembly 170 ~o it can ~e tracked by the secsndary controller 160. In f~
''~
W093~2329~ ~ ~ ~ P~T/~S931~5 ~, ~
, . i the preferred embodiment, the lateral drive motor 178 and the .; rotary encoder 179 are Part No. R34JENC-R2-NS-VS-oo from Pacific Scientific, Motor and Control Division, 4301 Kishwaukee Street, P.O. Box 106, Rockford, IL 61105-0106.
~l~ 5 The horizontal l~near actuator 172 and the carriage assembly ~70 are raised and lowered on the vertical linear actuators 146 and 147 by the vertical drive motor 150 which is attached to the support assembly 63 by a motor $upport bracket 148. The dri~e pulley 151 on the vertical drive motor is coupled to the shaft pulley 156 by bel~ 158. This combi.nation drives a transverse shaft 154 which engayes the upper ends of vertical linear actuators 146 and 147. -Rotary - :encoder or position sensor 157 tracks the turning of the ~:~ transverse shaft 154 for: the secondary con~roller 160 which ~: 15 controls`the vertical dri~e motor 150. An electric brake 153 is attached:to the opposing end of the transver e shaft as a safety feature~. In the~ preferred embod1ment, the ~ertical ;drive motor lSO and rotary encoder 157 are Pacific Scientific, :Motor and~Control Dlvision, Part No. R65HENA-R2-NS-~S~00. The 20~ vertical dri~e;; brake 153;is Part No. 1-055-541-006BF from Rexnord, Stearns:~Division, 120 N. ~Broadway, Milwaukee, WI
53202.
The~printer-applicator support bracket 174 is affixed to -the::~carr~iage asse ~ 1y and ~supports~ the:printer-applicator 25~ assembly 200. The~printer~controller~202, Figure:4,~ is aIso attached ::to the carriage :assembly 170. ~ Mounted on the printer-applicator support bracket 174:above~the P-A assembly 2:00 are a label supply reel 18~4,~which~supplies labels on a tape 190, and a take up spool 18~. An~external air supply line 164,~extends ~rom pneumatlciline~ filter 163 to the head assembly 200.:~:: An external air :supply is attached~ at connection 162.~
The following de~cription will refer to Figures 5, 6 and 7 which are enlaryed views of the P A assembly 2Q0. Contained inside the P-A housing 205 is a print head 204, which receives th~ labels on the tape 190, prints them and delivers printed label~ 191 to the label dispen~er 207. In the preferred ~; embodiment, the printier 2~4 and the printer con~roller 202 are ~, , , . , , ~ - .- , ~ 1 3 8 5 ~ ~
' S Paxt Nc:' ~ . 45245-US~S ~rcrn Sato America~ Inc ., 27~1 Marir~e Way, Moun~aln View, CA 94043. Attached to ~e P-~ hou~ing aO5 ab~ve~ ~he ~ ~p~e~ ao7 iY ~ ~u~pc~rr ~ra~ket ~0 .
;eFendi~g ~om th~ ~upp~rt bra~ket 210 i~ a ~atch pla~
upport 215 to wh~ch a ca~ch ylate ~16 ls pivo~a~ly mcunted.
An air cylind~r 2~1, wi~h ~ cle~is 212 attach~d to i~s lower t end, is p~vot~lly at~ached to t~e catch plat~ ~16 wlt~ ~in 213. ~t its up~er e~d, the ~ir cylinder ~ pi~rotal'y at~ached ~o tne su~po~t bracket ~0. An ai~ su.~pl~ e 22~
supplie~ the air nozzie 221 which depcr.d~ from the aupport lS bracke~ 210 ~ve~ the label c~isper.ser ao7. ~o~k-dow2l ~en~or J~ 222 ~d photo ~ye 2a~ ara als~ moun~ed ~ w ~he supp~rt brac~e t 2 ~ O .
rticulated ca~l~ carrierY 188 and 1~9, ~ee Figure~ 3 and 4, route cc.bles and air lir.es (not 3~10Wn~ ~etwe~n the ~ontrolle~ 160 ~r.d the P-A a~seTnb~ y 2û0, The printer control ~ a~ gex~e~ated from the ~ac~cage c~nfigura~ia~ ~ and l~Gation data i~ t_ar~.~mitt~d to the seconda_y~ n~roll~r 160 at the l~ell~ station 50. This ecoxidary cont~:oilex 1 60- c~ntr~ls ~ertical dri~r~ mo~or 150 ~nd l~eral dr~ moeox 178 to reposition ~h~ carriage aE362tl1bly :.~y ~ 170. I~:~hE! prefe~r~d embodi;nent, 'ch~pri~ter-applicat~ he~ad ao e~i~ly 20û ~: ~lo~ated 1.25 to 3 . g c~n~imet~r~ ne-half to : o~e and one-h~l,. inches~ ~bo~J~ he pack~ge ~urface ~he 3~ ook-dowr~ se~qor 2~ c~nfi~;l~ the P-A assem~ly po~ o~. The 3q p~ima~y :cont~olle~ 1 commar.ds, -h-ough the print~r co~trolle~
2C~, the print~hè~d 20~ to D'~ a shipp~ng la~el ba~3~3d on ~h~
shl~?ing data. ~ Wit~ th~? pre~erred as~ ly, th~ printing can bc dGn2 on the mo~re, ~ince a home ba,~,e lccation i~ no~ n~e,d~d, d ~hei l~bel~ ~ar-!~ be applied aln~ t ,~,lmult~,E3Qu~ly ~uppn 3 5 ~acX~ge arri~al . Th~ label~ ~g .di~p~nse~ ~07 peels th~ ~abel f~ it~ ka~ ng 1sa, and a, blas~ ~rom a1r nozzle 221 blc~
~he }~1 onto tk.ei p2L~kage. The packa~ ~h~n prQce~ds u~der ~am rol~e~ a~crnb'y 18C which ~ rex th~ eil to e~ure h~ ,eat~d on th~ ckage.
c ,~t~iX"e s2,nsor~ 180 ~re mcun~,~,d on t~.e 3,uppor~ bracke~3 18~
to ccn~ixrn 'c,ha~ ~he, ar~ ring pac~ge has no~ ti~ped or shift~d in'c~ a p~ltl~ll th,~t ~rill c,~usc lt to ~ ka the P,-A as~e,~ly AMENl)EL~
,1 W093 ~ 8 5 ~ ~ PCT/US93/~5 ~
., - .
., 200. If a package has shiftedl the strike sensors signal'the secondary controller to raise the P-A assembly 200 to avoid possible damage to the assembly andjor the package.
If for any reason a label l91 cannot be applied to a package, such as strike sensors 180 indicating that ~he package has exceeded the height limitation, the controller 13 activates the air cylinder 211 to swing the catch plate ~16 into position under the label dispenser 207. The label 191 is then blown onto the catch plate 216. I~ the catch pIate 0 '216 is full, photo eye~ 224 signals the controller that operator assistance is required.
Because the P-~ assèmbly 200 can both print and apply a shipping label, it is not necessary to have the P-A assembly , 200 return to a retracted or home position befor'e printing and 15~ ~ ~ applying~a label~to the next package,on the conveyor 3. The P-A~àssembly~;2~00;proceeds~directly from~its last'position to the~ next ~de~slred~pos~ition~ased on~the location~ and -"~ conf~iguratio~ data;;coll~ected ~for ~the~next package on thé
'` ;~ conveyor.~ In~ the~preferred ;embodiment, the~ P-A assembly ,,~ 20 ~ prlnts~'thè label as~it travels to the, nex~ desired position.
!~ '~ The;~P-A~asse~bly~200~,utilizes labéls~l91~as~described ln ~ 1~ U~.S.~Pat~ènt No. 4~,724,166. The label 91~can be peeled away '.7 '~ fr~m~ t~e:~clear ~dhesive~layer that aff~ixes~it to the packag v `~ wi~thout damsge~to~ar obstruction of any informstion whlch may .~, ~ 2'5~ be~unde~r the-label. ;~This, makes the~label posltion on the pa~ckage~;inconseq~ential to other info~mation~ on the~package surface.~ Once the~package has reached its ~destination, the ,. label 191 can be removed, leaving only its~ clear adhesive ' layer behind. ';~
'3~0 ~R~ferring to~Figure~ 8, there i5 shown a portion of the ' con~eyor~;system;~ and~the~labellng ~tation~ass~embly~51~. Three packages ~are~shown~on the conveyor belt 3.~ These packages represent some~of ~the types ~of packages ~that have been~
~r~S~ succe~s~ully labeled with the pre~ent invention. The firs~
35 ~'~ package~71 is an unevenly profiled soft pack envelope which ~s~, '' ~simula~es a sweater. It is shown on the conveyor belt 3 at `~a posi~ion past ~he labeili~g station as3embly 51 with a bar code printed label~l91 successfully applied. A second package ~, ~
~, , ~
~ ' ~ t .' "'~'' i, ' ~.'' ' ~",1 72, shqwn at ~he labelirlg statio~ 51 under ~he P-~ assembly 'il 200 i~ a ~.~i.an~ular pri~m with th~ !abel 1~1 ~pplied. ~ t~:Lird '~ ~ackage 73 ~ s shown between iigh~ curt~ emitter 3a and r~c~iver 33. The third package 17~ is an o~rer ~tu:~fe~ ~oft pack en~relop~. In the cu~rent ~n~J30dimç3n'c, maximum pac~age size is lin ited ~ 6 cent~ me~srs ~ nch~3! high and ~he ~1 cen~imeter~ (24 ir~,ch) con~eyo~ ~idtk. ~Icweveir, othAr ; co~figurations are po~3ible. Due ~o the pre~e~t package ~dentirica~ion and t. a~ ng sy~t~m, the la~el applicator a~se~ibly ~3 sen~itive ~o package geometry and loca~iGn. 'rhu~, ec~ch pac}~age ~'~ tr~ated indiv~dllally wi~hvut the n2ed ~or ~he P-A ~ssen~.ol~ ûO ~ r~turn: to ~ome ~ixed home ba~e. These fe~tu~-s com~i~e ~o pro~id~ ;ot~ ,ea~ea 3F~ed and increased ~l-xibility.
>, _n the pr~3f~red em~cd~ent, th~ c~nveyor ~stem ~ i~ made .~.J'~ : 2 0 up of a series oi~ 1 ndl ~idually controllabie belt ~egment -which ~E~er~e at 3peeds that i~.crease along the conv2ycr ~rom appro~ na-~ely 7C to '20 me~ers per sec~n~ ~24~ t~ ~0 fae~ ~r m~ nute) at th~ ~-~ as~embly 200 . The p_ imary controllPr 13 regul~;es the ~l~w ~f ~,ackase6 ~h~oush ~ he sy~;~em 1 ba~ed ~r.
'3',~ 25 ~ ~ ~he ~irne rec~uire-d for i~pu~ting o~ labe ing l~Lform~ n a6 weil as ~ ts GolTlpiete~e~sJ he ~n31a~io~ ~and prini tim~
res~uir~d~ by the P-A ~s~embly, and ~ the position ~ ~ther pac:kag~ prececlina ~h~ curren~ pa~kage on thB c~nveycr.
:~ : Fi~re ~ show~ a in~orrn~tion f low diag:~am for the 3-3 ~ pre~ex~ed e~nbodiment of ~he dl~ lo6ad labe~ ing ap~raltus '~ 6y~t~3~.... B~ w~y ~f e:~rolanation, ~he diagxam shows the oper~ions pe~L rm~d i,~ re~p~c~ tc~ ~he pac~age ~low alo~g the eonYeyor path. ~t ~ be un~e:~stood by ~hos~ ~killad in =h~
ar~ that ~some ope:~a~ orlsl~nay accur ~simulca~eous~l y and -hat ths ,~ : 3 5 ~ec~e~ce o~ evcnt3 ls not limi, ed ~o tnis examp' e . ~ox 5how~ t~ ent:ry o~ labelinç; dzL~ d a sec~s~Lry operatlon, de~igna. ~d bc:x 571~ 6how~ the package ~eing plac~d o~ ~hc o~Yeyo~. }3axc~ 10, 2~, 30 ~d 40 ~how th~ varic:u~; packag~
a~ uxation a~dp~tion det~::t~ng o~xation~ that oc~ur a~
o ~ta~ , 20, 30 and ~0 re~pec~ ely a:~ ~reviou~;ly dl0cu~d. The po3iticn ~nd ~on:ciguæ~ion ~ata is ~ran6mi~ted ~ 'che~ p~imary controller 13, ~iahQWrL in box 70. Th¢ seco~da~
,~, , ~ENDED SHEEr ,~C~V. ~ f:El'A .~flL'E.~fCff~ ?~ 4~ '5 .-~f~f8 ''~9~ +~9 89 ~ 6-~ t~l I
~ 13~SI~
1 - 1 o -f 5 con~roller 1f60 and t~e prinff 2r c~ffntroller 20~ axe al fo 3hf_ffwn in box 70 w~ffff~h the priff~ary cortrcf' ler f~-~d f~ e;eerred to collecf~Sf ~rely. The control_erf rec~f~ive3 the packfage lGcatiofn arld ccfnfifsllration data, c3frr~ia~es i~ and dfatermi~fes the ref~ired t~anrffl ation ~'o~ the P-.~ as~fef.~ly 200 t-~f f~ nterC9pffff ffff he' 4'~ 10 package. As the packa~e ~;froceed~3 t~ }~e ;a~eling ~ lorl 50, a strl~fe se2~s~r sh~wn in:box 50.1 check3 ~h3.t the Ffack2~gf~f fdoe.~Sff not exceed maximu~n hei~3~ d/or pfO6i~. 'o~ requixf~ments. Ir :~ ~herfs ~fC~ff a f~f~blem, the ffs~Lso_ res~ r csf ln fa 3ignfa~ t;ne !,~ ccffrlff~ol~ cr box 70 whic'h mo~es .,re F-A assembly tc a ~naximum , ~ 15 hei~ gh~, 3tops ~he ccnveyor -~ i o i d ~ colii~i~n ~nd ac~i ~rates the lase: cc~tch pia~e ta remove ~;~e un-~ ed l~kei. If ~he pacKage doei~ ~ot ex~eP~ max mum heig~t, the cont~lle~ isi~nal~
~ ~ the P-A asiseT~ly ~00, as srown in box ~2.2, ~o labe~ th~
~ac}ca~e a~ ~rc~eedi, dow~ t~e conv~yor .
20 ~ ~ Aa wili ~be apprecla~t~d ~y tho~e ~kil~ed ~r~ the a-t, ~he re~;~nt l~bel ~irintex-app~icator~apparatu~ all~ws fQr rai~it~r : pxc~_es~ir.g cf packag2i6 than ~ose label ap~;icatora prevLou&ly ,J
1 ~ :
f~ ~
~,j . ' : .
f; :~
i ~ ~
~ AMENDED SHEET
Claims (12)
1. A package labeling system 91) for applying labels to a plurality of packages of the type in which labeling information is input into a controller (13) for each successive package which is transported on a conveyor (3) to a labeling station (50), sensor means (31, 41) determine the package configuration of each successive package, including a height profile and a leading edge location, and each package's position on the conveyor (3), and transmit that information to the controller (13, 160), means within the controller (13, 160) coordinates the labeling and package information and outputs a label information signal, which directs the labeler (51) to apply the required label to each successive package, wherein the improvement comprises:
a carriage (170) mounted printer-applicator assembly (200), including a label printer (204) and a non-contact label applying means (221), which responds to the label information signal for a first package, prints the label, moves vertically, laterally or both to intercept the first package based on the label information signal for the first package and applies the label in a predetermined position on the first package, then responds to the label information signal for a second package, prints the second label, moves vertically, laterally or both from the label applying position for said first package directly to a position to intercept the second package, and applies the label in a predetermined position on the second package.
a carriage (170) mounted printer-applicator assembly (200), including a label printer (204) and a non-contact label applying means (221), which responds to the label information signal for a first package, prints the label, moves vertically, laterally or both to intercept the first package based on the label information signal for the first package and applies the label in a predetermined position on the first package, then responds to the label information signal for a second package, prints the second label, moves vertically, laterally or both from the label applying position for said first package directly to a position to intercept the second package, and applies the label in a predetermined position on the second package.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the carriage mounted printer-applicator assembly (200) moves both vertically and laterally in a fixed pl ?e normal to the conveyor (3) path.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein linear actuators (146, 147, 172) move the carriage (170) mounted printer-applicator assembly (200) into position to intercept the packages.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the carriage (170) mounted printer-applicator assembly (200) prints the package label as it moves into position to intercept the packages.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein a label supply reel (184), mounted on the carriage assembly (170), supplies blank labels to the printer-applicator assembly (200) and a take-up spool (185), mounted on the carriage assembly (170), collects the spent backing ribbon.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein a rotary encoded drive motor (150, 157) powers the vertically mounted linear actuators (146, 147) and a rotary encoded drive motor (178, 179) powers the horizontally mounted linear actuator (172);
the encoded motors provide tracking data to the controller (160, 13) which receives and correlates the data, and outputs control signals to accurately position the printer-applicator assembly (200) as it moves from a first label applying position directly to a next label applying position.
the encoded motors provide tracking data to the controller (160, 13) which receives and correlates the data, and outputs control signals to accurately position the printer-applicator assembly (200) as it moves from a first label applying position directly to a next label applying position.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the printer-applicator assembly (200) moves to intercept successive packages without returning to a home position.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein strike sensors (180) are mounted in front of the printer-applicator assembly (200) to detect if a package position will strike it and upon detection of such a package to transmit a signal to the controller (160, 13) which raises the printer-applicator assembly (200) and stops the conveyor (3).
9. The system of claim 1, wherein a catch plate (216) on the printer-applicator assembly (200) is actuated by the controller (13) to intercept any label which cannot be properly applied to the package.
10. A method for operating a package labeling system (1) which includes :
(a) providing a package conveyor system 93) with a means for inputting data (5), a plurality of package geometry and location sensors (31, 41), a controller (13, 160), and labels;
(b) inputting labeling data for a series of packages on the conveyor (3);
(c) transmitting the labeling data to the controller (13);
(d) sensing the package geometry and position on the conveyor (3) for each successive package;
(e) transmitting the package geometry and position data to the controller (13) for each successive package;
(f) correlating the package geometry and position data with the labeling data;
(g) transmitting a label information signal to the printer-applicator (200) for each successive package; and (h) printing and applying a label in accordance with the label information signal;
wherein the improvement comprises:
(i) providing a movable, carriage (170) mounted, integrated label printer-applicator assembly (200) along the conveyor path, a vertical drive means (150) with an associated rotary encoder (157) and a horizontal drive means (178) with an associated rotary encoder (179) for movement of the printer-applicator assembly (200) (j) tracking the printer-applicator assembly (200) position with the rotary encoders (157, 179);
(k) transmitting position data to the controller (13, 160) for a first package and correlating position data in the controller (13, 160);
(l) controlling the vertical and horizontal position of the printer-applicator assembly (200) based on the position data for the first package;
(m) moving the printer-applicator assembly (200) vertically, laterally or both to intercept the first package (n) printing and applying a label at a predetermined position to the first package in accordance with the label information signal;
(o) transmitting position data to the controller (13, 160) for a second package and correlating position data in the controller (13, 160);
(p) controlling the vertical and horizontal position of the printer-applicator assembly (200) based on the position data for the second package;
(q) moving the printer-applicator assembly (200) vertically, laterally or both to intercept the second package directly from the label applying position of the first package without returning to a home position; and (r) printing and applying a label at a predetermined position to the second package in accordance with the second label information signal.
(a) providing a package conveyor system 93) with a means for inputting data (5), a plurality of package geometry and location sensors (31, 41), a controller (13, 160), and labels;
(b) inputting labeling data for a series of packages on the conveyor (3);
(c) transmitting the labeling data to the controller (13);
(d) sensing the package geometry and position on the conveyor (3) for each successive package;
(e) transmitting the package geometry and position data to the controller (13) for each successive package;
(f) correlating the package geometry and position data with the labeling data;
(g) transmitting a label information signal to the printer-applicator (200) for each successive package; and (h) printing and applying a label in accordance with the label information signal;
wherein the improvement comprises:
(i) providing a movable, carriage (170) mounted, integrated label printer-applicator assembly (200) along the conveyor path, a vertical drive means (150) with an associated rotary encoder (157) and a horizontal drive means (178) with an associated rotary encoder (179) for movement of the printer-applicator assembly (200) (j) tracking the printer-applicator assembly (200) position with the rotary encoders (157, 179);
(k) transmitting position data to the controller (13, 160) for a first package and correlating position data in the controller (13, 160);
(l) controlling the vertical and horizontal position of the printer-applicator assembly (200) based on the position data for the first package;
(m) moving the printer-applicator assembly (200) vertically, laterally or both to intercept the first package (n) printing and applying a label at a predetermined position to the first package in accordance with the label information signal;
(o) transmitting position data to the controller (13, 160) for a second package and correlating position data in the controller (13, 160);
(p) controlling the vertical and horizontal position of the printer-applicator assembly (200) based on the position data for the second package;
(q) moving the printer-applicator assembly (200) vertically, laterally or both to intercept the second package directly from the label applying position of the first package without returning to a home position; and (r) printing and applying a label at a predetermined position to the second package in accordance with the second label information signal.
11. The method according to claim 12 wherein the steps of moving the printer-applicator assembly (200) and printing the label are done concurrently.
12. The method according to claim 12 further comprising:
providing a catch plate (216) associated with the printer-applicator assembly (200); and actuating the catch plate (216) to intercept any label which cannot be properly applied to the package.
providing a catch plate (216) associated with the printer-applicator assembly (200); and actuating the catch plate (216) to intercept any label which cannot be properly applied to the package.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US88246892A | 1992-05-13 | 1992-05-13 | |
| US882,468 | 1992-05-13 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2138514A1 true CA2138514A1 (en) | 1993-11-25 |
Family
ID=25380640
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002138514A Abandoned CA2138514A1 (en) | 1992-05-13 | 1993-05-13 | Movable label printer-applicator assembly |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0639137B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH07507983A (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE156442T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU670091B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2138514A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69312932T2 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1993023292A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (16)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2719283B1 (en) * | 1994-04-27 | 1996-07-19 | Nessim Elharrar | Automatic labeling system for products, such as fruits and vegetables. |
| US5954913A (en) * | 1994-04-29 | 1999-09-21 | Accu-Sort Systems, Inc. | Label applicator |
| US5705021A (en) * | 1994-04-29 | 1998-01-06 | Accu-Sort Systems, Inc. | Label applicator |
| US5550745A (en) * | 1994-06-30 | 1996-08-27 | Accu-Sort Systems, Inc. | Moveable label printer-applicator/conveyor loader assembly |
| EP0689997B1 (en) * | 1994-06-30 | 1998-10-14 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Method for labelling and/or stamping articles transported by a conveyor |
| FR2725955B1 (en) * | 1994-10-25 | 1997-01-03 | Euro Label 06 | AUTOMATIC PRODUCT LABELING SYSTEM |
| DE19750204A1 (en) * | 1997-11-13 | 1999-05-27 | Etifix Etikettiersysteme Gmbh | Labeling plant for objects of different sizes |
| DE19826182A1 (en) * | 1998-06-14 | 1999-12-16 | Cab Produkttechnik Ges Fuer Co | Arrangement for labeling circuit boards |
| DE19832548A1 (en) * | 1998-07-21 | 2000-01-27 | Ludwig Meixner | Designating different type wares or goods using at least one sensor which pref. identifies geometric characteristic of ware. |
| US7341199B2 (en) | 2003-11-12 | 2008-03-11 | Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. | Material handling system with dynamic source tagging |
| WO2005047115A1 (en) * | 2003-11-12 | 2005-05-26 | Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. | Material handling system with dynamic source tagging |
| DE102006019441B4 (en) | 2006-04-24 | 2013-06-20 | Khs Gmbh | Method and device for printing on containers |
| DE102008038144A1 (en) * | 2008-08-18 | 2010-02-25 | Krones Ag | labeling |
| US9352872B2 (en) | 2012-10-04 | 2016-05-31 | Bell And Howell, Llc | Method and system to print and apply labels to products |
| US9809343B2 (en) | 2012-10-04 | 2017-11-07 | Fluence Automation Llc | Devices, systems, and methods for automatically printing and applying labels to products |
| CN113955267B (en) * | 2021-10-29 | 2023-04-18 | 湖南贝恩叮当猫婴童用品有限公司 | Subsides mark device is used in panty-shape diapers production of environmental protection |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE446226B (en) * | 1980-02-26 | 1986-08-18 | Teraoka Seikosho Kk | MEASUREMENT TO MEAN WEIGHT, CALCULATE PRICE AND PERFORM PACKAGING |
| US4615757A (en) * | 1985-07-03 | 1986-10-07 | Hobart Corporation | Method and apparatus for package labeling |
| DE8803034U1 (en) * | 1988-03-07 | 1988-05-05 | Klinger, Max H., 4901 Hiddenhausen | Labeling device |
| AU621514B2 (en) * | 1990-06-06 | 1992-03-12 | Apparel Technology Systems, Inc. | Automated labeling apparatus |
| US5483624A (en) * | 1992-03-27 | 1996-01-09 | Monarch Marking Systems, Inc. | Programmable hand held labeler |
-
1993
- 1993-05-13 JP JP6501858A patent/JPH07507983A/en active Pending
- 1993-05-13 AU AU42484/93A patent/AU670091B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1993-05-13 AT AT93911303T patent/ATE156442T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1993-05-13 DE DE69312932T patent/DE69312932T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1993-05-13 EP EP93911303A patent/EP0639137B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-05-13 CA CA002138514A patent/CA2138514A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1993-05-13 WO PCT/US1993/004556 patent/WO1993023292A1/en active IP Right Grant
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| ATE156442T1 (en) | 1997-08-15 |
| AU4248493A (en) | 1993-12-13 |
| JPH07507983A (en) | 1995-09-07 |
| EP0639137A1 (en) | 1995-02-22 |
| DE69312932D1 (en) | 1997-09-11 |
| AU670091B2 (en) | 1996-07-04 |
| DE69312932T2 (en) | 1997-12-11 |
| WO1993023292A1 (en) | 1993-11-25 |
| EP0639137B1 (en) | 1997-08-06 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |