EP0879176B1 - Linerless label applying system - Google Patents

Linerless label applying system Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0879176B1
EP0879176B1 EP96913360A EP96913360A EP0879176B1 EP 0879176 B1 EP0879176 B1 EP 0879176B1 EP 96913360 A EP96913360 A EP 96913360A EP 96913360 A EP96913360 A EP 96913360A EP 0879176 B1 EP0879176 B1 EP 0879176B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
label
label material
vacuum
path
paddle
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP96913360A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0879176A4 (no
EP0879176A1 (en
Inventor
Richard Chodacki
Jose Pioquinto
Gary Vandersyde
David Haas
K. George Rabindran
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Bell & Howell Documail Systems Co
Original Assignee
Bell & Howell Documail Systems Co
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bell & Howell Documail Systems Co filed Critical Bell & Howell Documail Systems Co
Publication of EP0879176A4 publication Critical patent/EP0879176A4/xx
Publication of EP0879176A1 publication Critical patent/EP0879176A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0879176B1 publication Critical patent/EP0879176B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • B65C9/08—Label feeding
    • B65C9/18—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls
    • B65C9/1803—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls the labels being cut from a strip
    • B65C9/1815—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls the labels being cut from a strip and transferred by suction means
    • B65C9/1826—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls the labels being cut from a strip and transferred by suction means the suction means being a movable vacuum arm or pad
    • 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
    • B65C9/02—Devices for moving articles, e.g. containers, past labelling station
    • 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
    • B65C9/08—Label feeding
    • B65C9/18—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls
    • 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
    • B65C9/26—Devices for applying labels
    • B65C9/36—Wipers; Pressers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to document handling systems, and more particularly to a linerless label applying system for applying a source of continuous length label material to documents, such as mail pieces, as the documents are conveyed on edge along a predetermined path.
  • the volume of mail handled daily by large businesses, institutions and government entities, such as the postal service, credit card companies, utilities, mail order houses and other advertisers has steadily increased due in part to both an increase in population and a greater volume of business correspondence.
  • the envelopes containing the material to be mailed are addressed and then sorted into common destination groups for mailing.
  • mail received by such entities is commonly sorted into groups based on identifiable subject matter on the received material.
  • a third category of such envelopes is the returned mail category, the creation of which is primarily due to the addressee having moved from a particular address, or a smeared or non-readable bar code, resulting in the envelope being undeliverable.
  • the present invention is directed to a system for solving the latter type of problem, namely, the correction of the address and/or destination code on an envelope by application of a secondary label to the envelope, with a correct forwarding address or destination code either pre-printed on the label or applied to the label after it is affixed to the envelope to cover an invalid or non-readable address or bar code.
  • the label material inhibits the passage of light, whereby a bar code or address material beneath the label cannot be read by a bar code reader or an optical character reader.
  • a linerless label applying system for applying a source of continuous length linerless label material to documents being conveyed in a non-overlapping sequential on-edge fashion along a first predetermined path through the system, the label material having an adhesive surface and an opposite non-adhesive surface adapted to have indicia printed thereon, the system comprising:
  • the system could include control means operative to actuate said cutting means and cut a transverse leading reference edge on said label material.
  • said label feeder could further include a pair of freely rotatable rollers extending through said axial opening in use of the system in a parallel spaced relation to a rotational axis of the roll, said roll being supported by said rollers so as to enable free rotation of said roll as the linerless label material is drawn therefrom.
  • said label feeder could be operative to effect progressive movement of said linerless label material longitudinally from said roll through a looped path, said label feeder further including sensors operative to sense said looped path and advance said looped path and advance the label material if the label material length through said looped path shortens so as to deviate from said looped path.
  • Said paddle member could be operative to apply a suction attachment to the label material to releasably retain the label material as the label material is severed by said cutting means.
  • said paddle member could comprise an elongated paddle pivotally supported adjacent one end for pivotal movement between a first position spaced from said first path and a second position closely adjacent said first path, said paddle having a hollow interior and a label engaging surface having at least one vacuum orifice communicating with said hollow interior, said paddle further having a valve orifice communicating with said hollow interior and adapted for connection to a source of vacuum so as to create a vacuum orifice and said valve orifice being operative to apply vacuum to said vacuum orifice when said paddle is in first position and isolate said vacuum orifice from said vacuum source when said paddle is in said second position.
  • Said cutter station could include a guide plate having a guide surface disposed in a generally vertical plane, said guide surface lying in said second path so that said label material slides over said guide surface as said label material approaches said cutting means.
  • said guide surface could have at least one vacuum orifice connected to a source of vacuum, and including a control valve associated with said source of vacuum and operative to apply a vacuum to the or each vacuum orifice to secure said label material to said guide surface as said cutting means severs the label material and said control valve being operative to disconnect said vacuum source from the or each orifice during advancement of said label material along said second path after each severing of the label material to create a label.
  • Said cutter station could include a stripper bar supported in substantially parallel spaced relation to said cutting means so as to define an opening therebetween through which said label material passes, said stripper bar being moveable with said cutting means and operative to return each newly formed transverse leading edge of the continuos length label material to a position preparatory to advancing the label material longitudinally and severing the next successive label from the label material.
  • Said cutting means could include a cutting edge inclined to the plane of the label material disposed in said cutter station so as to progressively sever the label material transversely thereof in creating a label.
  • Said paddle member could be moveable between a position spaced from a document disposed in said label applying station and a position closely adjacent thereto, said cutting means being coordinated with said paddle member so as to complete severing of said label material after from movement of said paddle member to initiate pressing the label being severed against a document traversing the label apply station.
  • the cutting means could include a fixed blade and a moveable blade, including an actuating drive operatively associated with the moveable blade so as to effect reciprocating movement of the moveable blade to sever a label from the label material in timed relation to longitudinal movement of the label material to said cutter station.
  • the cutting means could include a fixed blade and a moveable blade, said moveable blade being disposed in a predetermined orientation relative to the fixed blade and operative to sever the label material transversely as the label material passes between the fixed blade and the moveable blade.
  • a linerless label applying system constructed in accordance with the present invention is indicated generally at 10.
  • the linerless label applying system 10 is operative to apply linerless labels to documents, such as mailing envelopes and the like, as the documents are conveyed on edge in a generally vertical orientation along a predetermined horizontally extending path established by a conveyor belt system, indicated generally at 12 in FIG. 2.
  • the label applying system 10 finds particular application in conjunction with mail handling systems requiring a facility for applying a corrective address label or a bar code or the like to an envelope having an incorrect or defective address or bar code thereon which requires correction.
  • the linerless label system 10 may be used as a stand-alone label applying system operative to create linerless labels of varying size and apply them to mailing envelopes and like documents manually fed into the system, or may be utilized with conventional mail sorting machines to create and apply labels to mailing envelopes conveyed on edge from an upstream processing station in which the improper or defective address or bar code is detected and from which the document is passed through the conveyor belt system 12 for applying a linerless label thereto.
  • the linerless label applying system 10 includes a source or supply of continuous length linerless label material, such as in the form of a roll 14 of linerless label web material 16.
  • the linerless label material 16 has an adhesive surface on one side, such as the inwardly facing surface of the wound web, and a non-adhesive outwardly facing surface on the opposite side adapted to have indicia printed thereon, such as an address or a bar code.
  • the address or bar code may be printed on the non-adhesive side of a linerless label by a conventional printer (not shown) either prior to applying a label to a mailing document or after applying the label thereto.
  • the label applying system 10 includes a label feeder means, indicated generally at 20, which is cooperative with the label material web 16 for effecting unwinding from the roll 14 and feeding the label material web longitudinally along a looped path to a cutter station, indicated generally at 22.
  • the cutter station 22 is operative to sever the label material web generally transversely of its longitudinal axis to create labels of selectively variable height.
  • a label applying means in the form of a paddle member 24 is supported adjacent the cutter station 22 and is operative to engage the non-adhesive surface of a cut label and hold the label by vacuum while moving it into engagement with a mailing document being conveyed along the conveyor belt system 12 in juxtaposed relation to the paddle member.
  • the paddle member 24 is operative to initially lightly press the leading edge of a label against a document juxtaposed to the label applying paddle member and progressively adhere the remainder of the label against the document as the document and the label advance downstream from the paddle member.
  • the various components are supported on or suspended from a generally planar base or top plate 28.
  • the base plate 28 is preferably supported at a convenient operator height. When used with other mail document handling apparatus, the base plate 28 is positioned so that the conveyor belt system 12 is aligned with an upstream conveyor belt system operative to convey mailing documents and the like in sequential order to the linerless label applying system 10.
  • the base plate 28 supports the roll 14 of linerless label web material 16 through an upstanding support arm 30 which is fixed at its lower end to the plate 28.
  • the support arm 30 supports a pair of parallel spaced horizontal support rollers 32a and 32b which extend through an axial opening 14a of the roll 14 so as to support the roll and enable free rotation of the roll during unwinding of the linerless label web material 16. Enlarged diameter discs on the outer ends of the rollers 32a,b prevent inadvertent release of the roll 14 from the support rollers.
  • the label web material 16 is guided from the roll 14 through a feed nip defined between a driven feed roller 34 and a spring loaded pinch roller 36.
  • the feed roller 34 is connected through a suitable gear drive to an electric motor 38 which, when energized, is operative to advance the label web material 16 from the roll 14.
  • the label web material 16 is fed from the feed roller 34 downwardly through a suitable opening in the base plate 28 to form a loop 16a (FIG. 3) as the label web material is passed to a web material guide and advance assembly, indicated generally at 40
  • the web length between the roll 14 and web guide and advance assembly 40 is controlled by a set of photosensors, indicated schematically at 41a and 41b in FIG.
  • a fan 42 and air deflector plate 44 may be mounted beneath the base plate 28 to blow air onto the upwardly facing surface of the label material web loop 16a to assist in maintaining the loop path.
  • a sensing system is provided to detect depletion of label web material 16 from roll 14, and to provide a signal to a main conveyor drive control to halt the introduction of new documents into the label applying station after a short delay, for purposes to be explained.
  • a pair of beam or photosensor elements indicated schematically at 46a and 46b, or other suitable sensors are supported on opposite sides of the web material 16 where it passes through the base plate 28 so that the web material normally breaks the beam extending between the sensor elements as it advances longitudinally to the cutter station 22.
  • the document conveyor system 12 is permitted to continue to advance a small number of additional documents, such as approximately 5-10, after receiving a web depletion signal from sensors 46a,b before the conveyor system actually stops.
  • the label web material guide and advance assembly 40 includes a generally vertically disposed guide plate or manifold 48 having a generally vertical planar surface 48a bounded by a pair of laterally spaced parallel edge guides 50a and 50b.
  • the edge guides 50a,b are spaced apart a distance generally equal to the lateral width of the label web material 16 and define an open channel to receive the lateral marginal edges of the web material so as to guide it along the planar surface 48a as the web material is advanced to the cutter station 22.
  • a pair of laterally spaced side plates 52 and 54 are secured to the laterally opposite edges of the guide plate 48 so as to lie in parallel planes and extend rearwardly from the guide plate.
  • the side plate 52 has its lower edge mounted on and slidable along a guide rod 56 which is suitably supported below the base plate 28 in parallel relation thereto.
  • the side plate 54 has a cam follower or roller 58 mounted on its outer surface which is received within a rectilinear groove or channel formed in a guide plate 60 secured in normal relation to the underside of the base plate 28 so that the guide channel is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the guide rod 56.
  • the side plates 52 and 54 cooperate with the guide plate or manifold 48 to form a horizontally slidable carriage which may be moved along the guide rod 56 to a rearward position facilitating initial or replacement threading or guiding of the label web material between the edge guides 50a and 50b and along the planar surface 48a of the guide plate 48.
  • a web advance or feed roll 64 is supported on a transverse drive shaft 66 so that feed roll 64 is positioned within a recess formed generally centrally in guide plate 48.
  • the opposite ends of drive shaft 66 are journaled in the side plates 52 and 54 so that the outer peripheral surface of feed roll 64 extends slightly forwardly from the planar guide plate surface 48a and engages the non-adhesive surface of the label web material as it passes upwardly along the guide plate.
  • the drive shaft 66 extends through the side plate 52 and has a timing belt pulley 68 fixed thereon which is connected through a timing belt 70 to a drive pulley 72 mounted on the output shaft of a stepping motor 74 supported on the inner surface of side plate 52.
  • a ribbed pinch roller 76 is supported below the base plate 28 to cooperate with the feed roll 64 when in its forward position to advance the label web material in response to energizing the stepping motor 74.
  • the stepping motor 74 enables selective incremental advance of the label web material 16 to create labels of varying height, such as 15.8 mm (5/8 inch) height labels for bar coding and 31.7 mm (11 ⁇ 4 inch) height labels for address labels.
  • the guide plate or manifold surface 48a includes a plurality of vacuum orifices 48b which are connected to a source of vacuum through a control valve (not shown). A relatively low vacuum is applied to the orifices 48b so as to lightly retain the label web material in sliding contact with the guide plate surface 48a during cutting by the cutter blade 82 to create labels and subsequent feeding of additional web material 16 to cutter station 22.
  • the label web material 16 is advanced by the web guide and advance assembly 40 to a predetermined vertical position relative to the cutter station 22 which is operative to sever the label web material transversely of its longitudinal axis and create labels of any desired height.
  • the cutter station 22 comprises a cutter blade assembly, indicated generally at 80, which includes a cutter blade 82 having a forward cutting edge 82a.
  • the cutter blade 82 is secured to and carried by a precision ball slide 84 mounted on a horizontal plate 86a of a generally U-shaped support frame 86 secured to the underside of the base plate 28.
  • the cutting blade 82 is adapted for horizontal rectilinear movement in a path normal to the guide plate surface 48a and lying in a vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis of the label web material 16.
  • the toggle link actuating mechanism 90 is mounted belcw the base plate 28 and includes a pneumatic actuating cylinder 92 having a piston 92a which, in response to pneumatic pressure being applied to the actuating cylinder 92, acts through a coil compression spring 94 to move a slide block 96 in the axial direction of the piston 92a.
  • the slide block 96 is biased in a direction toward the operating cylinder 92 by a coil compression spring 98 which is partially received within a blind bore in a support block 100 fixed to the underside of the base plate 28.
  • the end of the coil compression spring 98 disposed within the support block 100 seats against a ball 102 which enables pivotal movement of the spring.
  • the opposite end of compression spring 98 is received within a shallow recess or blind bore in the opposing end of the slide block 96 and biases the slide block toward the adjacent end of the operating cylinder 92 and against the compression spring 94.
  • the opposite end of the operating cylinder 92 is pivotally interconnected through a ball 106 to a support block 104 fixed to the underside of base plate 28.
  • a pair of substantially identical actuating links 110 and 112 are pivotally connected to the slide block 96 at 110a and 112a, respectively.
  • the opposite end of actuating link 110 is pivotally connected at 110b to a block 114 fixed to the underside of base plate 28.
  • the opposite end of pivot link 112 is pivotally connected at 112b to the ball slide 84.
  • the cutter blade 82 is supported so that its cutting edge 82a is spaced a predetermined distance above the upper surface of the base plate 28 as determined by the spacing desired between the lower edge of a mailing envelope being conveyed by the conveyor belts 126 and 128 and the lower edge of a label applied to the envelope.
  • the cutter blade is also configured so that when it is in its rearward non-cutting position, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the cutting edge 32a is spaced slightly rearwardly from the plane of the planar surface 48a on the guide plate 48 and from the label web material 16 being fed upwardly along the guide surface by feed roll 64.
  • the cutting edge 82a cooperates with a stationary shearing blade 120 to sever the material web 16 transverse to its longitudinal axis.
  • the shearing blade 120 is generally rectangular and is supported on the upper surface of the base plate 28 through a spacer 121 and bolts 120a so that a forward lower edge of the shearing blade cooperates with the cutting edge 82a to effect shearing of the label web material.
  • the cutting edge 82a is formed on the cutter blade 82 to be sightly inclined to the plane of the material web, as considered in FIG. 2, so that the cutting edge effects a progressive cutting of the web material beginning with the right-hand edge as viewed in FIG. 2 and terminating with the left-hand edge as the cutter blade is fully extended in a cutting stroke.
  • a stripper bar 122 is interconnected to the cutter blade 82 so as to lie in generally parallel spaced relation forwardly from the cutting edge 82a to enable the label web material to pass between the cutting edge 82a and the stripper bar.
  • the stripper bar 122 has a rearward edge surface 122a which is spaced closely adjacent the cutting edge 82a and extends slightly into the path of the label web material 16 when the cutter blade is in its retracted position.
  • the stripper bar moves with the cutter blade and slides under the stationary shearing blade 120.
  • the stripper bar 122 follows its return path and pushes the newly formed leading edge of the web material back into the original label path, thereby enabling advancement of the web material for creating the next successive label.
  • the stripper bar 122 in preferably generally U-shaped and secured to the cutter blade 8 by pins 124 (FIG. 2).
  • the stripper blade may be made of a suitable plastic material, such as DELRIN, and has an elongated pocket 122b formed in its upper surface to receive a wicking material which holds a lubricant, such as a lubricating oil.
  • a lubricant such as a lubricating oil.
  • the conveyor belt system 12 includes a pair of endless conveyor belt 126 and 128 each of which is reeved about a plurality of idler rollers, such as indicated at 130.
  • the belts 126 and 128 define a run or reach of juxtaposed conveyor belts 126a and 128a and an entering nip 132 to receive mailing envelopes and the like from an upstream conveyor or other conveying means (not shown) and convey them in a downstream direction, or from left-to-right as considered in FIG. 2.
  • a drive roller is provided for each of the conveyor belts 126 and 128 so as to drive them at the same longitudinal speed.
  • a backup conveyor belt 134 is supported on a pair of idler rollers 136 so as to establish a reach of the conveyor belt 134 rearwardly of and engaging the conveyor belt reach 126a as it traverses a path past the cutter assembly 22.
  • the idler rollers 130 and 136 are supported on the upper surface of the base plate 28 so that the corresponding conveyor belts 126, 128 and 134 are spaced above the base plate sufficiently to expose the lower surface areas of mailing documents being conveyed by the belt reaches 126a,b for applying labels to the exposed areas.
  • the paddle member 24 is operative in conjunction with severing of each successive label from the label web material i6 by the cutter assembly 22 so that the paddle member holds each label as it is being severed and moves the label to a position adhering it to a document being conveyed by the conveyor belt reaches 126a and 128a.
  • the paddle member 24 comprises an elongated hollow paddle member having a generally rectangular transverse cross-section defined by a planar forward label contact surface 140 which terminates in an outer curved end surface 140a a rearwardly planar wall surface 142, and upper and lower planar wall surfaces 144a and 144b, respectively.
  • Paddle member 24 has a hollow internal vacuum chamber 146 adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum through an oblong port 148 formed in the top wall 144a.
  • the paddle member 24 is fixed on the lower end of a vertical pivot shaft 150 which forms the output shaft of a fluid pressure controlled actuator 152.
  • the actuator 152 is mounted on a base plate 28 so that the paddle member 24 is spaced above the height of the cutting edge 82a for pivotal movement in a plane parallel to the base plate 28.
  • the actuator 152 is of the type commercially available from MAC, Inc. under its model number 912B-PM-611BA.
  • the actuator 152 includes a four-way pneumatic control valve which enables time rotational oscillation of the pivot shaft 150 and thereby pivotal movement of paddle member 24 about the longitudinal axis of shaft 150.
  • the actuator 152 is operative to pivot the paddle member between a position wherein the forward surface 140 is spaced slightly behind the plane of planar surface 48a of the web material guide plate, and a forward position wherein the curved outer end 140a of the paddle member contacts the lower exposed areas of mailing envelopes or the like being conveyed by the conveyor belt reaches 126 a and 128a.
  • the vacuum port 148 in the upper wall 144a of the paddle member 24 is adapted for registration with a vacuum orifice 156 formed in a bottom horizontal wall 158a of a vacuum block 158.
  • the vacuum block 158 is supported in overlying relation to the paddle member 24 so that the upper wall 144a of the paddle member is in sliding contact with the opposed lower wall 158a of the vacuum block.
  • the vacuum orifice 156 is configured so as to register with the vacuum port 148 in the paddle member 24 when the paddle member is in its rearward position behind the label web material 16 advanced by the label feed roller 34, and continues to remain in communication with port 148 until the paddle member reaches substantially its forward position, as shown in phantom in FIG.
  • the vacuum port 148 no longer underlies the vacuum orifice 156.
  • the paddle member is pivoted in a counter clockwise or forward direction about the pivot rod 154, as considered in FIG. 8, by actuation of the pneumatic actuator 152 so that the leaving edge of the label engages and is adhered to a document being conveyed in juxtaposed relation to the paddle member.
  • the vacuum port 148 is no longer in registration with the vacuum orifice 156 so that vacuum chamber 146 is no longer subjected to vacuum.
  • the mailing envelope to which the label is being applied advances, it draws the label along the surface 140 of the paddle member to expose the leftmost orifice 140b in the paddle member to atmosphere. This allows the label to release from the paddle member and allows the curved paddle end 140a to progressively lightly adhere the remaining length of the label to the passing envelope.
  • the paddle member 24 is then returned to its initial position by actuation of the actuator 152 preparatory to severing and applying the next successful label.
  • the paddle member 24 is preferably positioned approximately one inch from the conveyor path traversed by mailing envelopes when the paddle member is in its reward position.
  • the present invention includes several sensor systems to initiate and control the operation of the linerless label applicator 10.
  • straddling conveyor belt reaches 126a and 128a of the incoming document path are a plurality of sensor elements, indicated schematically at A, B, C, and D, each of which emits a signal to the electronic system operating label applicator 10 when an advancing document passes between the respective sensor elements.
  • sensor element A is initially actuated by the leading edge of an advancing document.
  • Sensor A is one of a plurality of sensor elements disposed linerally along the document path of the overall document handling system (not shown) of which the label applicator 10 forms a part.
  • These sensor elements A provide a tracking function to maintain control over the location of each document as it is advanced through the entire document handling system.
  • Sensor element B is an activate sensor which also emits an electronic signal when the leading edge of an advancing document is detected. As illustrated in the timeline diagram of FIG. 10, the signal produced by sensor element B initially performs two functions simultaneously. First, the stepping motor 74 operating stepping feed roll 64 is energized to advance web 16 twenty five steps upward (each step equals 0.58 mm (.023 inches) in the preferred embodiment) between stationary shearing blade 120 and moveable cutter blade 82 to place the top of web 16 adjacent paddle element 24. For this purpose, the stepping motor 74 operates for approximately 12 milliseconds, which places the forward end of web 16 at the proper distance above cutter blades 82, 120 to form a label of the appropriate height.
  • the timing of the operation of stepping motor 74 can be varied to adjust the height of the label to any predetermined amount.
  • the control system inhibits operation of paddle member 24 for approximately 28 milliseconds from the start of the sequence for the purpose of preventing the paddle from striking the web 16 after the web has been advanced twenty five steps and is located in the path of the paddle.
  • the air valve (not shown) operating movable cutter blade 82 is activated for approximately 25 milliseconds to cut the upstanding web material above the cutter blades 82, 120 from the remaining portion of the web to form the label.
  • Sensor elements C and D are similar in function to each other. However, sensor C is configured to emit an electronic signal when the leading edge of an advancing document is detected, and sensor element D is configured to emit an electronic signal when the trailing edge of an advancing document is detected.
  • the operator selects which sensor C or D will be operative, since in certain document handling processes, the label must be placed dimensionally from the leading edge, and in other processes, the label is placed dimensionally from the trailing edge of the document.
  • a short delay in actuation of the paddle element 24 is programmed into the system to compensate for the distance between the sensor C or D and the label applying station, taking into account the speed of the advancing document. Then, as schematically shown in FIG. 10, the previous paddle inhibit function is then terminated. Next, the valve associated with the pneumatic actuator 152 for powering paddle element 24 is activated for approximately 25 milliseconds, causing paddle 24 to pivot outwardly whereby the label cut from web 16 is held by vacuum force to the paddle with the adhesive side of the web facing the document conveyor path. The label is then adhered to the advancing document as previously described.
  • sensor C or D initiates a signal which inhibits activation of the control for the web advance sequence for 21 milliseconds after detection of the advancing document by sensor C or D for the purpose of insuring that the remaining web material doesn't advance upward into the cutter station.while the paddle 24 is moving back and forth.
  • the web feed and cutter activation control sequence under the influence of sensor element B causes the movable cutter blade 82 to return to its original or stand-by position under spring force after 25 milliseconds of operation.
  • a delay signal is applied to the web advance motor 74 to delay further web movement until the movable cutter blade 82 clears the path along which the next length of web will advance. In this manner, the movable cutter blade will not interfere with the web material advance.
  • the control system for the label applicator 10 under the influence of sensor B, following each cutting operation, drives stepping roller 64 three steps backward in a period of 12 milliseconds after the movable cutter blade 82 begins its movement back to its original position. During this 12 millisecond period, the movable cutter blade 82 moves out of the way of the web path indicated at "y", and cannot interfere with subsequent web advancement. As the stepping roller 64 moves the web down, the tip of the uncut web breaks free from the inclined underside of movable cutter blade 82, and is drawn leftward (as viewed in FIG. 11) by vacuum force towards and against manifold 48. Once free from any adhesive grip with movable cutter blade 82, the web is now free to advance upward towards the cutter station and paddle without interference.
  • stepping roller 64 rapidly advances web 16 upward five steps to place the newly formed top or leading edge of the remaining label material 16 at a plane "z" vertically adjacent the approximate mid-height of fixed cheering blade 120, which is below the lower wall 144b of paddle member 24.
  • paddle member 24 hen returned to its original position by action of the paddle actuator 152.
  • the paddle member 24 and moveable cutter blade 82 are now in their starting positions, and the label web material 16 has been advanced above the cutting plane and into position ready for the next label advance and application cycle. This sequence is repeated to apply each successive label.
  • a vacuum sensor is illustrated schematically at 180 connected to a vacuum line 182 to-the panel member 24 through the vacuum block 158.
  • Sensor 180 detects whether a label 16b cut from the label web material 16 is in proper position against the paddle forward surface 140 immediately following each label cutting operation, and also detects whether the label feed system is jammed or otherwise dysfunctional.
  • the vacuum line or conduit 182 supplying vacuum to hollow chamber 146 of paddle 24 includes an orifice 184 to which the vacuum sensor 180 is operatively connected.
  • the vacuum sensor 180 detects the vacuum level in conduit 182 and is programmed to emit a warning signal if the vacuum source falls below a pre-established threshold amount.
  • the vacuum source is supplied at approximately 381 mm (15 inches) Hg.
  • Sensor 180 is programmed to emit a signal when the vacuum in conduit 182 falls to approximately 127 mm (5 inches) Hg.
  • the surface of the label prevents leakage of vacuum from hollow vacuum chamber 146 through ports 140b, and the vacuum in the chamber 146 and conduit 182 is maintained at 381 mm (15 inches) Hg. If label 16b is not present on the forward face of paddle 24, vacuum pressure leaks from unobstructed ports 140b, and the vacuum source immediately drops to 127 mm (5 inches) Hg, causing sensor 180 to emit a signal which is conveyed to the document feed control system to halt the advance of documents towards the document labeling station. Upon correction of the error by an operator, the label application system 10 resumes its normal functions.
EP96913360A 1995-07-27 1996-05-06 Linerless label applying system Expired - Lifetime EP0879176B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US50806995A 1995-07-27 1995-07-27
US508069 1995-07-27
PCT/US1996/006356 WO1997005021A1 (en) 1995-07-27 1996-05-06 Linerless label applying system

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0879176A4 EP0879176A4 (no) 1998-11-25
EP0879176A1 EP0879176A1 (en) 1998-11-25
EP0879176B1 true EP0879176B1 (en) 2004-04-07

Family

ID=24021249

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96913360A Expired - Lifetime EP0879176B1 (en) 1995-07-27 1996-05-06 Linerless label applying system

Country Status (15)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0879176B1 (no)
JP (1) JP2001515434A (no)
KR (1) KR19990035931A (no)
CN (1) CN1198141A (no)
AR (1) AR003061A1 (no)
AU (1) AU718204B2 (no)
BR (1) BR9610026A (no)
CA (1) CA2227374A1 (no)
DE (1) DE69632151T2 (no)
IL (1) IL118915A0 (no)
MX (1) MX9800738A (no)
NO (1) NO980327L (no)
NZ (1) NZ307110A (no)
WO (1) WO1997005021A1 (no)
ZA (1) ZA963653B (no)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19712524A1 (de) * 1997-03-25 1998-10-01 Avery Dennison Corp Appliziervorrichtung sowie Applizierverfahren für Linerless-Etiketten
JP2007080217A (ja) * 2005-09-16 2007-03-29 Toshiba Corp 紙葉類処理装置
CN102186728B (zh) * 2008-10-17 2013-11-20 西德乐公开有限公司 贴敷自粘合标签的贴标机的缓冲器设备
ITTO20110008U1 (it) * 2011-02-11 2012-08-12 Sidel Spa Con Socio Unico Gruppo lama statico
CN110436005B (zh) * 2019-07-30 2021-03-19 贵州云峰药业有限公司 一种圆瓶贴标设备

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2493737A (en) * 1946-07-02 1950-01-10 Burns Bruce Device for applying adhesive tape
US2555325A (en) * 1949-09-06 1951-06-05 Cheshire Mailing Machines Inc Machine for applying address labels to mailing pieces
US3472724A (en) * 1965-12-10 1969-10-14 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Apparatus for severing tape
US3751324A (en) * 1970-12-16 1973-08-07 Xerox Corp High speed labeling system
US4421587A (en) * 1982-07-19 1983-12-20 Bell & Howell Company Label feeder for fan folded documents
FR2581029B1 (fr) * 1985-04-24 1987-05-29 Smh Alcatel Distributeur d'etiquettes et machine a affranchir equipee de ce distributeur
US4701239A (en) * 1985-10-15 1987-10-20 Paper Converting Machine Company Applicator for applying two or more tapes to a moving web
US5294282A (en) * 1991-04-17 1994-03-15 Herd Manufacturing, Inc. Tape handling apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IL118915A0 (en) 1996-10-31
KR19990035931A (ko) 1999-05-25
MX9800738A (es) 1998-11-29
CN1198141A (zh) 1998-11-04
JP2001515434A (ja) 2001-09-18
AR003061A1 (es) 1998-05-27
NZ307110A (en) 1999-06-29
BR9610026A (pt) 1999-12-21
ZA963653B (en) 1996-11-20
NO980327D0 (no) 1998-01-26
CA2227374A1 (en) 1997-02-13
DE69632151T2 (de) 2004-09-02
AU718204B2 (en) 2000-04-06
NO980327L (no) 1998-03-26
AU5638396A (en) 1997-02-26
DE69632151D1 (de) 2004-05-13
EP0879176A4 (no) 1998-11-25
WO1997005021A1 (en) 1997-02-13
EP0879176A1 (en) 1998-11-25

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