NZ503434A - Label dispenser having a mouth for engaging a portion of the object to be labelled - Google Patents

Abstract

A label dispenser (3) and method of applying a label to an object for use with labels (2) having a mouth (7) to engage about an object to be labeled. The label dispenser includes a labeling station (12) defining an aperture (14), whereby in use, the mouth (7) is aligned with aperture (14) and the object to be labeled is inserted through the mouth (7) and the aperture (14). A sensor (16) senses when a new label is to be advanced onto the labeling station (12). The label dispenser includes a feed drum (5) including one or more raised guides (6) to engage with labels (2) and advances labels (2) to the labeling station (12) in co-operation with drive means (8).

Description

Patents Form No. 5 Our Ref: CC502890 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 Complete After Provisional No. 503434 Filed: 16 March 2000 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION LABEL DISPENSER We, WALKER DATAVISION LIMITED, a New Zealand company of 11-15 Railway Street, Newmarket, Auckland, New Zealand, hereby declare the invention, for which We pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: CC.VO:PT0539881 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF NZ. 1 4 MAR 2001 RE'j 1 j03Q1 n-ft v; rpfr ] Q{ ""r-! pi1-"4 PhT. . , 00 .',E.GlS030i Q'72 P6l 2 LABEL DISPENSER Field Of The Invention The present invention relates to a label dispenser. More particularly but not exclusively it relates to a dispenser for labels having a mouth for engaging a portion of the object to be labelled.

Background To The Invention Labels and tags are frequently applied to objects for many reasons including for the purposes of advertisement, and pricing goods for sale. One of the most commonly used techniques for labelling is the application of adhesive labels to objects. This can be carried out in a number of ways including by hand, the use of an adhesive label gun, or with a labelling machine.

There are disadvantages with adhesive labels as often they are difficult to remove, may leave a residue upon the item labelled, or in temperature extremes become dislodged and even reattach where unwanted.

This is of particular importance in relation to foodstuffs, especially fresh produce where it may be desirable to use labelling which does not affect the produce. Fruit and vegetables may be packaged in a number of ways including bundling, banding or bagging a quantity of the items together. However a tag or label for use with individual items of, for example fruit or vegetables, has been developed which does not require the use of banding nor adhesive. intellectual property office of nz. 1 4 MAR 2001 RECEIVED 3 These labels are generally prepared of a reasonably stiff card, or paper, which may be synthetic in nature. The labels have a medial mouth and a number of inwardly protruding "tabs" spaced around the periphery. These labels can be applied to individual items which have an elongate body portion by pushing the item through the central recess, the tabs bending back sufficiently to allow the body portion to pass through, but being sufficiently resilient to engage and hold the label in place about the item.

To date these labels or tags have been applied individually, by hand, to the items. This is slow and therefore potentially expensive, and increases risk of damage and/or contamination through handling.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a label dispenser which overcomes or at least ameliorates some of the abovementioned disadvantages or to at least provide the public with a useful alternative.

Other objects of the invention may become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only.

Summary Of The Invention In one aspect of the invention there is provided a label dispenser for dispensing labels having a mouth adapted to engage about at least a portion of an object to be labelled, the label dispenser including a source of labels, a labelling station including a dispensing support defining at least partially an aperture therethrough for receiving a portion of the object to be labelled, the dispensing support located and oriented to substantially align said aperture with the mouth of a label when the intellectual property OFFICE OF NZ. 1 4 MAR 2001 RECEIVED 4 label is located at the labelling station and support the label when so located and a sensing means adapted to sense removal or absence of the label and or the object from the labelling station and provide an output to indicate the removal or absence of the label and or object, wherein the label dispenser is adapted to actuate a drive means to advance a label from the source of labels to the labelling station dependent on said output.

Preferably the sensor may be a photoelectric sensor.

Preferably the sensor may be located proximate a plane of the dispensing support generally above or below the plane, the sensor monitoring in a field substantially parallel to the plane of the dispensing support.

Preferably the sensor may be a trailing edge sensor adapted to detect the removal of the portion of the object to be labelled from the aperture of the dispensing support.

Preferably the drive means may be adapted to advance a single label at a time to the labelling station upon actuation.

Preferably the label may be part of a strip of labels, wherein the drive means is adapted to move the strip of labels by a predetermined extent in order to advance a label to the labelling station.

Preferably the label dispenser may further include a severing means adapted to severe a label once located at the labelling station, from the strip of labels. intellectual property i office of n.z. I 1 4 MAR 2001 I Received I Preferably the severing means may be actuated once the advancement of a label to the labelling station is complete.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a label dispenser for dispensing labels having a mouth adapted to engage about a portion of an object to be labelled, the label dispenser including a source of labels, a labelling station, and a drive means adapted to advance a label to the labelling station; wherein the source of labels includes a feed drum, the feed drum including one or more raised guides on the outer surface thereof, the one or more guides adapted in use to engage with one or more labels passing around the outer surface of the feed drum.

Preferably the one or more guides may be adapted to engage with a mouth of a label passing around the outer surface of the feed drum.

Preferably the one or more guides may be generally complementary with the geometry of the one or more mouths of a label passing around the outer curved surface of the feed drum.

Preferably the labelling station may include a dispensing support defining at least partially an aperture therethrough for receiving a portion of the object to be labelled, the dispensing support located and oriented to substantially align said aperture with the mouth of a label when the label is located at the labelling station and support the label when so located and a sensing means adapted to sense removal or absence of the label and or the object from the labelling station and provide an output to indicate the removal or absence of the label and or object, wherein the label dispenser is adapted to actuate a drive means to INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 1 4 MAR 2001 RECEIVED 6 advance a label from the source of labels to the labelling station dependent on said output.

Preferably the sensor may be a photoelectric sensor.

Preferably the sensor may be located proximate a plane of the dispensing support generally above or below the plane, the sensor monitoring in a field substantially parallel to the plane of the dispensing support.

Preferably the sensor may be a trailing edge sensor adapted to detect the removal of the portion of the object to be labelled from the aperture of the dispensing support.

Preferably the drive means may be adapted to advance a single label at a time to the labelling station upon actuation.

Preferably the label may be part of a strip of labels, wherein the drive means is adapted to move the strip of labels by a predetermined extent in order to advance a label to the labelling station.

Preferably the label dispenser may further include a severing means adapted to severe a label once located at the labelling station, from the strip of labels.

Preferably the severing means may be actuated once the advancement of a label to the labelling station is complete.

In a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method for applying, to an object to be labelled, a label having a mouth adapted to engage about a portion of the object, the method including the following INTELLECTUAL property OFFICE OF N.Z. 1 4 MAR 2001 ni-oriiirn 7 steps, which may be performed in turn once, or repeated in turn any number of times: feeding a label to a dispensing support, the mouth of the label substantially aligning with an aperture through the dispensing support, inserting of a portion of the object to be labelled through generally both the mouth of the label and the aperture of the dispensing support such that the mouth of the label engages with the portion of the object, removing the object from the aperture of the dispensing support, the label remaining engaged with the object and sensing the absence or removal of the object from the aperture of the dispensing support, and actuating a drive means to advance a further label to the dispensing support.

Preferably, the method may further include providing a strip of labels and severing a label from said strip while it is located at the dispensing support.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a label dispenser substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method for applying labels to an object substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Other aspects of the invention may become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF NZ. 1 4 MAR 2001 RECEIVED 8 Brief Description Of The Drawings The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the drawings in which: FIGURE 1: is a side view of a label dispenser of the invention in one preferred form, for use in labelling individual broccoli heads; FIGURE 2: is a plan view of the label dispenser of Figure 1; FIGURE 3: is an end view of the label dispenser of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention With reference to Figures 1 to 3 there is provided a label dispenser for dispensing labels or tags for application to individual heads of broccoli.

The figures illustrate labels in application to broccoli but it will be understood by one skilled in the art that such labels, and the dispenser, may have application in relation to a range of items not limited to foodstuffs.

A roll 1 of stamped labels comprising individual labels 2 joined end to end is located in the dispenser, generally 3, on the source drum 4. A strip of labels from the source drum 4 is fed to the feed drum 5. Formed on the surface of the feed drum 5 are equally spaced raised projections, or guides 6 which correspond generally with the shape and position of the centre of the mouths 7 of each individual label 2 as spaced around the feed drum 5. These guides hold the labels 2 in place intellectual property office of nz. f 4 MAR 2001 DECEIVED 9 on the feed drum 5 and limit both forward/back and lateral displacement of the labels 2 with respect to the feed drum 5.

The feed drum 5 is driven by a motor 8, via a drive belt 9. In the Figures it is shown that the guides 6 are positioned at 72° intervals about the feed drum 5, thereby allowing for the positioning of a section of five labels 2 from the source drum 4, about the feed drum 5. It would be clear to one skilled in the art that this number can vary depending upon the size of the feed drum 5 and the labels 2, and can be scaled up or down, in response to requirement.

The label feed stream 10 leaves the feed drum 5 and delivers the leading label 11 to the label station, generally 12. In this particular embodiment the label feed stream 10 and label station 12 are positioned at the top of the label dispenser 3. It will be clear to one skilled in the art that the placement of feed drum 5 and source drum 4 can be altered within the body of the label dispenser 3, thereby allowing for the exit of the label feed stream 10 and the positioning of the label station 1 2 at any number of locations with respect to the body of the label dispenser 3. Furthermore the body itself of the label dispenser 3 may be of a number of different shapes and sizes in order to accommodate differing dimensions and layouts of the principal components contained therein.

The label station 12 includes a dispensing support in the form of a plate 13 having a central aperture 14 formed within it. In the figures this is shown as a circular aperture, however it will be appreciated it may be an aperture of other geometry suitable for the purpose any may be partially defined by the dispensing support, with the rest of the aperture either open or defined by another part of the label station 12. When the leading label 11 is fed to the dispensing plate 13 the aperture 14 aligns with the centre of the mouth 7 of the leading label 11. intellectual property OFFICE OF n.z. 1 4 MAR 2001 DECEIVED The label cutter assembly 1 5 is located proximal the exit of the label feed stream 10 from the body of the label dispenser 3, such that when the leading label 11 is delivered to the dispensing plate 13, the cutter assembly 1 5 is correctly positioned to cut the leading label 11 from the label feed stream 10. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the leading label is cut from the label feed stream in this way. This is likely to be the most effective means of separating the leading label 11 given that these labels are typically a tough and/or synthetic card. In other systems however, it may be that the labels are less tough and therefore the region between individual labels 2 could be perforated or otherwise weakened before feeding onto the source drum 4. Then after the leading label 11 is delivered to the dispensing plate 13, it could be torn away from the remaining labels of the feed stream 10.

The label station 12 further includes a sensing device, most preferably as shown in the Figures a photo-sensor 16. This sensor 16 senses movement in an area parallel to, but below the plane of the dispensing plate 13. It is a trailing edge sensor which is used to activate the motor 8 and drive the feed drum 5 when a new label must be delivered to the dispensing plate 13.

An example of the operation process of the label dispenser in dispensing labels for application to individual heads of broccoli is as follows: ■ The leading label 11 is fed to the dispensing plate 13 of the label station 12.

■ The label cutting assembly 15 is activated, and the leading label 11 cut from the label feed stream 10. This is the "rest" position.

■ The operator takes a single broccoli head 17, inserts the stalk 18 down through the centre of the mouth 7 of the leading label 11, the j intellectual property i i office of n.z. f 4 MAR 2001 DECEIVED 11 stalk 18 also passing down through the central aperture 14 of the dispensing plate 13, and into the region monitored by the photosensor 16.

■ The leading label 11 engages with, and is retained around, the stalk 18 of the broccoli head 17 by virtue of the resilience of the inwardly projecting tabs 19, spaced about the periphery of the mouth 7, the dimensions of a region of the stalk 18 being generally comparable to that of the mouth 7.

■ The operator removes the broccoli head 17 from the central aperture 14 of the dispensing plate 13; the leading label 11 also being removed with the broccoli head 17, as it embraces the stalk 18.

■ The trailing edge photo-sensor 16 senses the removal of the stalk 18.

■ The photo-sensor 16 provides an output to actuate the motor 8, which in turn drives the feed drum 5. The feed drum 5 is driven through 72°, at which point a trigger sensor 20 stops the motor 8. The guides 6 of the feed drum 5 hold the labels 2 in place by remaining engaged within the central mouth 7 of each of the labels 2 on the feed drum 5.

■ The 72° rotation of the feed drum 5 causes the label feed stream 10 to move forward by substantially the breadth of a single label 2; the new leading label 11 being delivered to the dispensing plate 13 of the label station 12, as in the first step.

■ Repetition of the above steps.

These steps are controlled by the action of the operator in inserting and removing the broccoli head from the central aperture 14 of the dispensing plate 13. The rest position is defined as that wherein the leading label 11 is located on the dispensing plate 13, and the cutter assembly 15 has separated this label from the label feed stream 10. The • ■Tr"1' rctual property office of nz. f 4 MAR 2001 n n e z i v e d 12 dispenser remains in this rest position, awaiting the actions of the operator in inserting the next broccoli head.

In the above description the photo-sensor 16 is preferably a trailing edge sensor which detects the removal of the broccoli stalk from its monitoring field. It will be appreciated that other suitable sensors (such as a leading edge sensor sensing the arrival of the broccoli, mechanical or pneumatic sensors) could be employed with slight modification, without departing from the scope of the invention. Sensors may also be located and oriented in different positions to monitor different regions if need be. For example, a sensor may be located below the plan of the dispensing plate 13, but oriented such that it detects presence/absence of the object or movement in a field substantially perpendicular to the plane of the dispensing plate 13. In this case it would be able to detect the presence/absence/movement of a leading label 11 for example by virtue of a notch or small hole formed within the dispensing plate 14, which would be covered by the lead label 11 when in the rest position.

Furthermore the guides 6 of the feed drum 5 were described as equally spaced raised projections from the drum. These guides could be simple raised bosses, or a raised design which precisely complements the shape of the mouth 7 of the labels 2, including the inwardly projecting tabs 19. The guides could also take the form of raised ridges for example which complement the periphery of the label rather than the mouth of the label, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to elements or integers having known equivalents, then such equivalents are included as if they were individually set forth.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF NZ. 1 4 MAR 2001 RECEIVED 13 Although the invention has been described by way of example and with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and/or improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I OrFICE OF n.z. 1 4 MAR 2001 14

Claims (20)

CLAIMS:

1. A label dispenser for dispensing labels having a mouth adapted to engage about at least a portion of an object to be labelled, the label dispenser including: - a source of labels; - a labelling station including a dispensing support defining at least partially an aperture therethrough for receiving a portion of the object to be labelled, the dispensing support located and oriented to substantially align said aperture with the mouth of a label when the label is located at the labelling station and support the label when so located; and - a sensing means adapted to sense removal or absence of the label and or the object from the labelling station and provide an output to indicate the removal or absence of the label and or object; wherein the label dispenser is adapted to actuate a drive means to advance a label from the source of labels to the labelling station dependent on said output.

2. A label dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor is a photoelectric sensor.

3. A label dispenser as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the sensor is located proximate a plane of the dispensing support generally above or below the plane, the sensor monitoring in a field substantially parallel to the plane of the dispensing support. .tellectual property office of n.z. f 4 MAR 2001 RECEIVED 15

4. A label dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sensor is a trailing edge sensor adapted to detect the removal of the portion of the object to be labelled from the aperture of the dispensing support.

5. A label dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive means is adapted to advance a single label at a time to the labelling station upon actuation.

6. A label dispenser for dispensing labels having a mouth adapted to engage about a portion of an object to be labelled, the label dispenser including a source of labels, a labelling station, and a drive means adapted to advance a label to the labelling station; wherein the source of labels includes a feed drum, the feed drum including one or more raised guides on the outer surface thereof, the one or more guides adapted in use to engage with one or more labels passing around the outer surface of the feed drum.

7. A label dispenser as claimed in claim 6, wherein the one or more guides are adapted to engage with a mouth of a label passing around the outer surface of the feed drum.

8. A label dispenser as claimed in either claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the one or more guides are generally complementary with the geometry of the one or more mouths of a label passing around the outer curved surface of the feed drum. — — j "^tellectual property office of n.z. I 1 4 MAR 2001 RECEIVED 16

9. A label dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the labelling station includes a dispensing support defining at least partially an aperture therethrough for receiving a portion of the object to be labelled, the dispensing support located and oriented to substantially align said aperture with the mouth of a label when the label is located at the labelling station and support the label when so located and a sensing means adapted to sense removal or absence of the label and or the object from the labelling station and provide an output to indicate the removal or absence of the label and or object, wherein the label dispenser is adapted to actuate a drive means to advance a label from the source of labels to the labelling station dependent on said output.

10. A label dispenser as claimed in claim 9, wherein the sensing means is a photoelectric sensor.

11. A label dispenser as claimed in either claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the sensing means is located proximate a plane of the dispensing support generally above or below the plane, the sensing means monitoring in a field substantially parallel to the plane of the dispensing support.

12. A label dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the sensing means is a trailing edge sensor adapted to detect the removal of the portion of the object to be labelled from the aperture of the dispensing support.

13. A label dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 12, wherein the drive means is adapted to advance a single label at a time to the labelling station upon actuation. j INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I OFFICE OF N.Z. 1 4 MAR 2001 RECEIVES 17

14. A label dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the label is part of a strip of labels, wherein the drive means is adapted to move the strip of labels by a predetermined extent in order to advance a label to the labelling station.

15. A label dispenser as claimed in claim 14, wherein the label dispenser further includes a severing means adapted to sever a label once located at the labelling station, from the strip of labels.

16. A label dispenser as claimed in claim 15, wherein the severing means is actuated once the advancement of a label to the labelling station is complete.

17. A method for applying, to an object to be labelled, a label having a mouth adapted to engage about a portion of the object, the method including the following steps, which may be performed in turn once, or repeated in turn any number of times: - feeding a label to a dispensing support, the mouth of the label substantially aligning with an aperture through the dispensing support; - inserting of a portion of the object to be labelled through generally both the mouth of the label and the aperture of the dispensing support such that the mouth of the label engages with the portion of the object; - removing the object from the aperture of the dispensing support, the label remaining engaged with the object; and - sensing the absence or removal of the object from the aperture of the dispensing support, and actuating a drive means to advance a further label to the dispensing support. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. 1 4 MAR 2001 received 18

18. A method of applying a label as claimed in claim 17, further including the step of providing a strip of labels and severing a label from said strip while it is located at the dispensing support.

19. A label dispenser substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20. A method for applying labels to an object substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings. 'NTLLECTUAL property OFFICE of n.z. 1 4 MAR 2001 I R E G 2 3 ¥ E D