US20040194891A9 - Labeling apparatus - Google Patents
Labeling apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20040194891A9 US20040194891A9 US09/963,118 US96311801A US2004194891A9 US 20040194891 A9 US20040194891 A9 US 20040194891A9 US 96311801 A US96311801 A US 96311801A US 2004194891 A9 US2004194891 A9 US 2004194891A9
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- label
- applicator
- memory device
- drive mechanism
- labeling apparatus
- 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.)
- Granted
Links
Images
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
- B65C9/26—Devices for applying labels
- B65C9/36—Wipers; Pressers
-
- 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
- B65C9/1865—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls the labels adhering on a backing strip
- B65C9/1876—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls the labels adhering on a backing strip and being transferred by suction means
-
- 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
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T156/00—Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
- Y10T156/17—Surface bonding means and/or assemblymeans with work feeding or handling means
- Y10T156/1702—For plural parts or plural areas of single part
- Y10T156/1744—Means bringing discrete articles into assembled relationship
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T156/00—Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
- Y10T156/17—Surface bonding means and/or assemblymeans with work feeding or handling means
- Y10T156/1702—For plural parts or plural areas of single part
- Y10T156/1744—Means bringing discrete articles into assembled relationship
- Y10T156/1768—Means simultaneously conveying plural articles from a single source and serially presenting them to an assembly station
Definitions
- the present application is directed to a labeling apparatus.
- a labeling apparatus in which a detachable label cassette supplies labels to a label applicator in the form of multiple bellows mounted at spaced apart positions on a rotatable head, the labels being sequentially taken up by respective bellows and applied to fruit and/or vegetables by rotation of the head.
- the supply of labels from the cassette and movement of the applicator are controlled by respective drives which are engaged or not engaged by use of mechanical clutch mechanisms.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,351 there is disclosed a labeling apparatus utilizing a detachable label cassette and a label applicator utilizing multiple bellows.
- a single stepper motor is utilized in conjunction with two gear trains to drive both the label cassette to supply the labels and to simultaneously rotate the head.
- a labeling apparatus including a label supply and a label applicator.
- the label supply is operable to supply preselected labels to the label applicator at a label transfer position and the applicator is operable to apply the preselected labels to fruit and vegetables at a label applying position, the label supply being driven by a label drive mechanism and the label applicator being driven by an applicator drive mechanism.
- the drive mechanisms include respective stepper motor drives
- the labeling apparatus further includes respective sensors which sense movement of the applicator and the labels respectively, the respective sensors being operatively connected to the label drive mechanism and the applicator drive mechanism respectively, the apparatus being operable to undergo an initiation sequence in which the label drive mechanism drives the label supply in a reverse direction until no preselected label is detected by the label sensor and then in a forward direction until a leading edge of a preselected label is positioned at a predetermined distance from the label transfer position, and the applicator drive mechanism drives the label applicator until the applicator is positioned a predetermined distance from the label transfer position, the predetermined distance of the label applicator and the preselected label from the label transfer position being dependent upon the preselected label.
- the present disclosure utilizes independent stepper motor powered drive gear trains to rotate the head and to supply labels from the cassette.
- the use of two stepper motor drives rather than the single stepper motor drive of the prior art facilitates the use of considerably smaller stepper motors in the present disclosure.
- the use of the smaller stepper motors not only avoids the requirement of changing at least one drive gear when different sized labels are used, but, also, facilitates a reduction of the overall width of the machine of the present disclosure.
- labelers according to the present disclosure can be arranged side-by-side to apply labels to two parallel lanes separated by only 2.6 inches (66 mm) center-to-center.
- the apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,351 requires a minimum lane separation of 4 inches center-to-center. The present disclosure, therefore, achieves more than a 35% reduction in minimum lane separation.
- the apparatus also includes a memory device, the memory device being connected to the respective drive mechanisms and being operable to send drive signals to the drive mechanisms.
- the memory device stores a series of parameters relating to different labels and the apparatus may also comprise a user operable input linked to the memory device whereby a user can input data or select one or more of the labels or parameters stored in the memory device.
- the memory device may comprise an electrically erasable read-only memory (EEPROM).
- FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a labeling apparatus according to the present disclosure.
- FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the drive mechanism, and control therefor, for use with the labeling apparatus of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 1 of the drawings there is shown one form of improved labeling apparatus according to the disclosure.
- the label cassette 11 comprises a hub 14 upon which is mounted a reel of label strip 16 .
- the label strip 16 comprises a label carrier upon which are removably mounted a multiplicity of labels at substantially equal spacing therealong.
- the labels are removably attached to the carrier strip by way of a pressure sensitive adhesive.
- the cassette 11 also includes an integral label drive mechanism 17 which acts to pull the label strip 16 from the reel and advance it towards the label transfer position.
- the cassette 11 still further includes a separator plate 18 which is adapted to separate labels from the label carrier at the label transfer position whereby the label can be transferred to the label applicator 13 .
- the cassette is adapted to be removably attached to the machine. It is envisaged that labels will be provided disposed within the cassette whereby changing labels, or replenishing the supply, will involve removing one cassette and replacing with another.
- the drive mechanism 17 for the label strip 16 comprises a haul-off roller 19 which is adapted to engage the label strip 16 and pull the strip 16 off the reel. Once pulled off the reel, the driving of the haul-off roller 19 advances the label strip 16 towards the separator plate 18 .
- the haul-off roller 19 is driven by a stepper motor which can be directly connected to the roller or can be linked via intermediate gearing or any other suitable connection.
- the label applicator 13 comprises a body 21 which is adapted to be driven rotatably by an applicator drive mechanism 22 .
- the body 21 carries a multiplicity of applicator heads 23 in the form of expandable bellows which are equally spaced around the periphery of the body 21 .
- the configuration of the rotatable body 21 and the bellows 23 are as described in published European Patent Application No. 83308035.1 and, therefore, these features will not be described further herein.
- the rotatable body 21 is adapted to allow connection of each bellows to either a vacuum (to contract the bellows) or a low pressure air supply (to expand the bellows). This adaptation is also described in the above-mentioned European Patent Application and, therefore, these features will also not be described further herein.
- the applicator drive mechanism 22 also comprises a stepper motor which is connected directly to the body 21 and is operable to cause rotation thereof to successively bring each bellows 23 respectively to a label receiving position to receive a label and a label applying position at which a label received by the bellows is applied to a fruit or vegetable.
- the label receiving position of the bellows 23 is that position of the bellows where a label positioned at the label transfer point can be taken up by the bellows 23 .
- the labeling apparatus 10 also includes a control arrangement 24 to which the label drive mechanism 17 and applicator drive mechanism 22 are connected.
- the control arrangement 24 comprises a label sensor 26 to sense the leading edge of the label as it reaches the separator plate 18 and a sensor 27 to sense the position of a bellows 23 on the body 21 relative to a label receiving position, both of these sensors 26 , 27 being connected via a control device 28 to the label and applicator drive mechanisms 17 and 22 .
- a fruit or vegetable sensor 29 is also provided which detects fruit or vegetables to be labeled and this sensor is also linked to the control device 28 .
- the control device comprises a micro processor which incorporates an electrically alterable memory in any suitable form, for example electrically erasable read-only memory (EEPROM).
- EEPROM electrically erasable read-only memory
- the labeling apparatus 10 is mounted above a conveyor 31 upon which is disposed fruit and vegetables 12 to be labeled as shown schematically in FIG. 1.
- the labeling apparatus 10 is first used, or one type of label is replaced with a different type by removing the cassette and replacing it with another cassette or replenishing the reel of labels in the removed cassette and replacing it, the apparatus undergoes the following initiation sequence.
- the label drive mechanism 17 is driven in a reverse direction to remove any label from the field of view of the label sensor 26 .
- the applicator drive mechanism 22 is driven in reverse until a bellows 23 is detected by the sensor 27 and its position can then be accurately determined.
- the label drive mechanism 17 then advances the label strip 16 towards the separator plate 18 by pulling the label strip 16 from the reel. As soon as a leading edge of the label is detected by the label sensor 26 a signal is sent to the control device 28 to halt the label drive mechanism 17 . This results in the label being stopped at a predetermined position short of the label transfer position, a position which will hereafter be referred to as a label holding position. This predetermined position is dependent upon the size of the label to be applied.
- the applicator drive mechanism 22 also rotates the body 21 until one of the bellows 23 is in a position, also just short of the label transfer position, a point which will hereinafter be referred to as the bellows holding position. The position of the bellows 23 is detected by the applicator sensor 27 and, therefore, the bellows 23 can be accurately placed in the bellows holding position under the action of the applicator drive mechanism 22 .
- the fruit or vegetables passing under the apparatus 10 on a conveyor 31 are detected by a fruit or vegetable sensor 29 and a labeling sequence is then initiated.
- a signal is sent to the label and applicator drive mechanisms 17 and 22 by the control device 28 .
- the control device 28 causes the label drive mechanism 17 to be operated to advance the label strip 16 from the label holding position to the label transfer position.
- the control device 24 causes the applicator drive mechanism 22 to rotate the body 21 such that the bellows 23 in the bellows holding position is advanced through the bellows receiving position.
- the bellows is connected to a source of a vacuum whereby the label at the label transfer position can be taken up on the end of the bellows 23 and retained there by the vacuum.
- control device 24 continues the operation of the label and applicator drive mechanisms 17 and 22 until the label sensor 26 detects the leading edge of the next label on the label strip 16 and hence when the next label is in the label holding position, and until the applicator sensor 27 detects the next bellows 23 in the bellows holding position.
- bellows 23 With a multiplicity of bellows 23 on the body 21 , it will be appreciated that as successive bellows 23 are brought to the bellows receiving position to receive a label, other bellows, which have already received labels earlier, will have moved through to a label applying position.
- the bellows 23 At the label applying position, as described in the above-mentioned European Patent Application, the bellows 23 is connected to a source of low pressure air and, therefore, the bellows 23 expands to bring the end of the bellows 23 into contact with a fruit or vegetable thereby transferring the label to a surface of the fruit or vegetable.
- the use of a stepper motor drive obviates the requirement for a mechanical clutch. This means that no change in the drive mechanism is necessary to ensure different size labels can be accommodated.
- the stepper motor can be driven to advance the label the correct distance to ensure its accurate placement at the label holding position.
- the label sensor detects the leading edge of the label and halts the stepper motor when the label reaches the correct label holding position. Still further the use of an applicator sensor allows accurate positioning of the bellows in the bellows holding position.
- control device 28 which controls operation of the drive mechanisms 17 , 22 , into which can be stored parameters relating to different label sizes.
- These parameters should include data which is required to ensure that for different label sizes the positioning of the label at the label transfer position, can be accurately determined for each label size.
- control device 28 can also be arranged for the control device 28 to include a user selector (not shown) by which a user of the labeling apparatus can select a particular label size from those stored and by doing this the stored parameters relating to that label size are automatically utilized by the labeling apparatus to allow accurate initiation and labeling for the type of label selected.
- stepper motor drives for the label and applicator drive mechanisms 17 and 22 enables accurate complex movement of the drive mechanism to be utilized to ensure accurate positioning of the bellows and label.
- stepper motor drives allows the applicator and label strip to be driven in either direction. This is clearly not possible with known arrangements in which a clutch mechanism is utilized.
Abstract
Description
- 1. Technical Field
- The present application is directed to a labeling apparatus.
- 2. Related Art
- In European Patent Application No. 83308035.1 there is disclosed a labeling apparatus in which a detachable label cassette supplies labels to a label applicator in the form of multiple bellows mounted at spaced apart positions on a rotatable head, the labels being sequentially taken up by respective bellows and applied to fruit and/or vegetables by rotation of the head. The supply of labels from the cassette and movement of the applicator are controlled by respective drives which are engaged or not engaged by use of mechanical clutch mechanisms.
- In U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,351 there is disclosed a labeling apparatus utilizing a detachable label cassette and a label applicator utilizing multiple bellows. A single stepper motor is utilized in conjunction with two gear trains to drive both the label cassette to supply the labels and to simultaneously rotate the head.
- A problem arises with these known label apparatus insofar as it is necessary, if a different size of label is to be used to either modify the clutch mechanism or to change at least one drive gear from part of one of the gear trains to ensure accurate application of the different size of label. This is obviously time consuming and interrupts operation of the apparatus.
- A further problem arises with the known apparatus of European Patent Application No. 83308035 in that when a cassette of labels is attached to the machine, the machine must be manually set such that the first label is in the correct position for labeling to commence. Consequently when large numbers of applicators are used, and when there is the need for frequent label changes, this necessity for manual set-up becomes laborious and time consuming. Further manual set-up increases the time for which the operation of the machine is interrupted.
- It is accordingly an object of the present disclosure to overcome or at least minimize the above-mentioned problems.
- Thus, and in accordance with the present disclosure there is provided a labeling apparatus including a label supply and a label applicator. The label supply is operable to supply preselected labels to the label applicator at a label transfer position and the applicator is operable to apply the preselected labels to fruit and vegetables at a label applying position, the label supply being driven by a label drive mechanism and the label applicator being driven by an applicator drive mechanism. The drive mechanisms include respective stepper motor drives, the labeling apparatus further includes respective sensors which sense movement of the applicator and the labels respectively, the respective sensors being operatively connected to the label drive mechanism and the applicator drive mechanism respectively, the apparatus being operable to undergo an initiation sequence in which the label drive mechanism drives the label supply in a reverse direction until no preselected label is detected by the label sensor and then in a forward direction until a leading edge of a preselected label is positioned at a predetermined distance from the label transfer position, and the applicator drive mechanism drives the label applicator until the applicator is positioned a predetermined distance from the label transfer position, the predetermined distance of the label applicator and the preselected label from the label transfer position being dependent upon the preselected label.
- With this arrangement it is possible for a label applicator to be provided which can be manufactured in a small size and differently sized labels can be accommodated without requiring any mechanical modification to the apparatus.
- The present disclosure utilizes independent stepper motor powered drive gear trains to rotate the head and to supply labels from the cassette. The use of two stepper motor drives rather than the single stepper motor drive of the prior art facilitates the use of considerably smaller stepper motors in the present disclosure. The use of the smaller stepper motors not only avoids the requirement of changing at least one drive gear when different sized labels are used, but, also, facilitates a reduction of the overall width of the machine of the present disclosure. For example, labelers according to the present disclosure can be arranged side-by-side to apply labels to two parallel lanes separated by only 2.6 inches (66 mm) center-to-center. For example, the apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,351 requires a minimum lane separation of 4 inches center-to-center. The present disclosure, therefore, achieves more than a 35% reduction in minimum lane separation.
- Preferably the apparatus also includes a memory device, the memory device being connected to the respective drive mechanisms and being operable to send drive signals to the drive mechanisms. Preferably the memory device stores a series of parameters relating to different labels and the apparatus may also comprise a user operable input linked to the memory device whereby a user can input data or select one or more of the labels or parameters stored in the memory device. The memory device may comprise an electrically erasable read-only memory (EEPROM).
- The disclosure will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
- FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a labeling apparatus according to the present disclosure; and
- FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the drive mechanism, and control therefor, for use with the labeling apparatus of FIG. 1.
- Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings there is shown one form of improved labeling apparatus according to the disclosure.
- The
labeling apparatus 10 comprises adetachable label cassette 11 which presents labels (not shown) to be attached to fruit and/orvegetables 12 at a label transfer position, and alabel applicator 13 which receives the label at the label transfer position and subsequently applies it to the fruit and/or vegetables. - The
label cassette 11 comprises ahub 14 upon which is mounted a reel oflabel strip 16. Thelabel strip 16 comprises a label carrier upon which are removably mounted a multiplicity of labels at substantially equal spacing therealong. The labels are removably attached to the carrier strip by way of a pressure sensitive adhesive. Thecassette 11 also includes an integrallabel drive mechanism 17 which acts to pull thelabel strip 16 from the reel and advance it towards the label transfer position. Thecassette 11 still further includes aseparator plate 18 which is adapted to separate labels from the label carrier at the label transfer position whereby the label can be transferred to thelabel applicator 13. The cassette is adapted to be removably attached to the machine. It is envisaged that labels will be provided disposed within the cassette whereby changing labels, or replenishing the supply, will involve removing one cassette and replacing with another. - The
drive mechanism 17 for thelabel strip 16 comprises a haul-offroller 19 which is adapted to engage thelabel strip 16 and pull thestrip 16 off the reel. Once pulled off the reel, the driving of the haul-offroller 19 advances thelabel strip 16 towards theseparator plate 18. The haul-offroller 19 is driven by a stepper motor which can be directly connected to the roller or can be linked via intermediate gearing or any other suitable connection. - The
label applicator 13 comprises abody 21 which is adapted to be driven rotatably by anapplicator drive mechanism 22. Thebody 21 carries a multiplicity ofapplicator heads 23 in the form of expandable bellows which are equally spaced around the periphery of thebody 21. The configuration of therotatable body 21 and thebellows 23 are as described in published European Patent Application No. 83308035.1 and, therefore, these features will not be described further herein. Therotatable body 21 is adapted to allow connection of each bellows to either a vacuum (to contract the bellows) or a low pressure air supply (to expand the bellows). This adaptation is also described in the above-mentioned European Patent Application and, therefore, these features will also not be described further herein. - The
applicator drive mechanism 22 also comprises a stepper motor which is connected directly to thebody 21 and is operable to cause rotation thereof to successively bring eachbellows 23 respectively to a label receiving position to receive a label and a label applying position at which a label received by the bellows is applied to a fruit or vegetable. The label receiving position of thebellows 23 is that position of the bellows where a label positioned at the label transfer point can be taken up by thebellows 23. - The
labeling apparatus 10 also includes acontrol arrangement 24 to which thelabel drive mechanism 17 andapplicator drive mechanism 22 are connected. Thecontrol arrangement 24 comprises alabel sensor 26 to sense the leading edge of the label as it reaches theseparator plate 18 and asensor 27 to sense the position of abellows 23 on thebody 21 relative to a label receiving position, both of thesesensors control device 28 to the label andapplicator drive mechanisms vegetable sensor 29 is also provided which detects fruit or vegetables to be labeled and this sensor is also linked to thecontrol device 28. The control device comprises a micro processor which incorporates an electrically alterable memory in any suitable form, for example electrically erasable read-only memory (EEPROM). - In use, the
labeling apparatus 10 is mounted above aconveyor 31 upon which is disposed fruit andvegetables 12 to be labeled as shown schematically in FIG. 1. When thelabeling apparatus 10 is first used, or one type of label is replaced with a different type by removing the cassette and replacing it with another cassette or replenishing the reel of labels in the removed cassette and replacing it, the apparatus undergoes the following initiation sequence. - Firstly, the
label drive mechanism 17 is driven in a reverse direction to remove any label from the field of view of thelabel sensor 26. Simultaneously theapplicator drive mechanism 22 is driven in reverse until abellows 23 is detected by thesensor 27 and its position can then be accurately determined. - The
label drive mechanism 17 then advances thelabel strip 16 towards theseparator plate 18 by pulling thelabel strip 16 from the reel. As soon as a leading edge of the label is detected by the label sensor 26 a signal is sent to thecontrol device 28 to halt thelabel drive mechanism 17. This results in the label being stopped at a predetermined position short of the label transfer position, a position which will hereafter be referred to as a label holding position. This predetermined position is dependent upon the size of the label to be applied. Theapplicator drive mechanism 22 also rotates thebody 21 until one of thebellows 23 is in a position, also just short of the label transfer position, a point which will hereinafter be referred to as the bellows holding position. The position of thebellows 23 is detected by theapplicator sensor 27 and, therefore, thebellows 23 can be accurately placed in the bellows holding position under the action of theapplicator drive mechanism 22. - Once the labeling apparatus has carried out this initiation sequence, it is ready for labeling of fruit or vegetables to begin.
- It will be appreciated that this initiation sequence is carried out automatically without the need for manual intervention by an operator. This is true despite the fact that the label holding position is dependent on the label used. The use of stepper motor drives and the sensor to detect the label position and bellows position means that automatic initiation can take place whatever the label size.
- The fruit or vegetables passing under the
apparatus 10 on aconveyor 31 are detected by a fruit orvegetable sensor 29 and a labeling sequence is then initiated. As the fruit orvegetable 12 to be labeled is detected by the fruit orvegetable sensor 29, a signal is sent to the label andapplicator drive mechanisms control device 28. Thecontrol device 28 causes thelabel drive mechanism 17 to be operated to advance thelabel strip 16 from the label holding position to the label transfer position. Thecontrol device 24 causes theapplicator drive mechanism 22 to rotate thebody 21 such that thebellows 23 in the bellows holding position is advanced through the bellows receiving position. As described in the above-mentioned European Application, at the bellows receiving position, the bellows is connected to a source of a vacuum whereby the label at the label transfer position can be taken up on the end of thebellows 23 and retained there by the vacuum. Once the label has been taken up by thebellows 23, as described abovecontrol device 24 continues the operation of the label andapplicator drive mechanisms label sensor 26 detects the leading edge of the next label on thelabel strip 16 and hence when the next label is in the label holding position, and until theapplicator sensor 27 detects the next bellows 23 in the bellows holding position. With a multiplicity ofbellows 23 on thebody 21, it will be appreciated that assuccessive bellows 23 are brought to the bellows receiving position to receive a label, other bellows, which have already received labels earlier, will have moved through to a label applying position. At the label applying position, as described in the above-mentioned European Patent Application, thebellows 23 is connected to a source of low pressure air and, therefore, thebellows 23 expands to bring the end of thebellows 23 into contact with a fruit or vegetable thereby transferring the label to a surface of the fruit or vegetable. - It will be appreciated that in order for the labeling apparatus to operate successfully, the control of the
drive mechanisms bellows 23 is very important. Known labeling apparatus which operate in this manner, for example as disclosed in the above-mentioned European patent Application, utilize a mechanical clutch arrangement to control operation of thedrive mechanisms - In the present disclosure, the use of a stepper motor drive obviates the requirement for a mechanical clutch. This means that no change in the drive mechanism is necessary to ensure different size labels can be accommodated. The stepper motor can be driven to advance the label the correct distance to ensure its accurate placement at the label holding position. The label sensor detects the leading edge of the label and halts the stepper motor when the label reaches the correct label holding position. Still further the use of an applicator sensor allows accurate positioning of the bellows in the bellows holding position.
- Further, by incorporating a
memory 32 within thecontrol device 28 which controls operation of thedrive mechanisms control device 28 to include a user selector (not shown) by which a user of the labeling apparatus can select a particular label size from those stored and by doing this the stored parameters relating to that label size are automatically utilized by the labeling apparatus to allow accurate initiation and labeling for the type of label selected. - Still further the use of stepper motor drives for the label and
applicator drive mechanisms - It is of course to be understood that the disclosure is not intended to be restricted to the above embodiments which are by way of example only.
Claims (9)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB9906871.0A GB9906871D0 (en) | 1999-03-25 | 1999-03-25 | Improved labelling apparatus |
PCT/GB2000/001012 WO2000058157A1 (en) | 1999-03-25 | 2000-03-24 | Labelling apparatus |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/GB2000/001012 Continuation WO2000058157A1 (en) | 1999-03-25 | 2000-03-24 | Labelling apparatus |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20030056902A1 US20030056902A1 (en) | 2003-03-27 |
US20040194891A9 true US20040194891A9 (en) | 2004-10-07 |
US7021353B2 US7021353B2 (en) | 2006-04-04 |
Family
ID=10850324
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/963,118 Expired - Lifetime US7021353B2 (en) | 1999-03-25 | 2001-09-24 | Labeling apparatus |
Country Status (11)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US7021353B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1163155B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2002540021A (en) |
AT (1) | ATE247035T1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU768284B2 (en) |
DE (1) | DE60004499T2 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2204535T3 (en) |
GB (1) | GB9906871D0 (en) |
NZ (1) | NZ514397A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2000058157A1 (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA200107775B (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20050211371A1 (en) * | 2004-03-03 | 2005-09-29 | Richard Hirst | Method and apparatus for applying variable coded labels to items of produce |
Families Citing this family (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB9906871D0 (en) * | 1999-03-25 | 1999-05-19 | Sinclair Int Ltd | Improved labelling apparatus |
US6729375B2 (en) | 2001-06-19 | 2004-05-04 | Joe & Samia Management Inc. | Labelling apparatus and method |
US20030056869A1 (en) * | 2001-09-27 | 2003-03-27 | Fmc Technologies, Inc. | Label inventory control system |
FR2843096B1 (en) * | 2002-08-05 | 2005-03-18 | Euro Label 06 | OBJECT LABELING MACHINE COMPRISING A LABEL HOLDER SEPARATING FROM A BAND |
ITMI20021903A1 (en) * | 2002-09-06 | 2004-03-07 | Termostabile Packaging S R L | MACHINE FOR THE APPLICATION OF SELF-ADHESIVE LABELS ON PRODUCTS IN GENERAL |
US8066044B2 (en) * | 2008-04-17 | 2011-11-29 | Hurst International, Llc | Method and apparatus for high speed produce labeling |
US8110064B2 (en) | 2008-08-12 | 2012-02-07 | John Bean Technologies Corporation | Labeling apparatus with housing having fluid pump and related methods |
US8114240B2 (en) * | 2008-08-12 | 2012-02-14 | John Bean Technologies Corporation | Labeling apparatus with sidewall shaft and related methods |
US8122930B2 (en) * | 2008-08-12 | 2012-02-28 | John Bean Technologies Corporation | Labeling apparatus having porting arrangement and related methods |
US8157946B2 (en) * | 2008-08-12 | 2012-04-17 | John Bean Technologies Corporation | Labeling apparatus with pay-out and take-up stepper motors and related methods |
US10000308B1 (en) | 2014-12-05 | 2018-06-19 | North Zion Management, LLC | Automated labeling method and apparatus |
AU2017238652B2 (en) | 2016-03-24 | 2022-04-21 | Sumier SLEIMAN | Labeller and method of using the same |
US10597186B2 (en) | 2018-06-21 | 2020-03-24 | John Bean Technologies Corporation | Produce label printer and applicator |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4369082A (en) * | 1980-07-08 | 1983-01-18 | The Meyercord Co. | Method and apparatus for applying decals to articles |
US5431274A (en) * | 1993-06-02 | 1995-07-11 | Hms Label Specialties, Inc. | Rotary electronic profile placer |
US5472552A (en) * | 1993-10-05 | 1995-12-05 | Exact Packaging, Inc. | High speed labeling machine |
US5645669A (en) * | 1993-11-04 | 1997-07-08 | Label-Aire, Inc. | Method for labeling transverse sides of an article |
US5741381A (en) * | 1993-01-07 | 1998-04-21 | R. W. Packaging, Inc. | Labelling system and method |
US5862968A (en) * | 1995-10-31 | 1999-01-26 | Moore Business Forms, Inc. | Separator for linerless labels |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3944455A (en) * | 1973-09-27 | 1976-03-16 | Compac Corporation | Labelling system and cassette label applicator usable therewith |
JPS571044A (en) * | 1980-06-04 | 1982-01-06 | Kobe Dock Kogyo Kk | Automatic pasting device for label |
ZA839663B (en) * | 1982-12-31 | 1984-08-29 | Sinclair Int Ltd | Labelling apparatus |
DE3509987A1 (en) * | 1985-03-20 | 1986-10-02 | Krones Ag Hermann Kronseder Maschinenfabrik, 8402 Neutraubling | Labelling apparatus for vessels or the like |
US5829351A (en) * | 1997-05-23 | 1998-11-03 | Fmc Corporation | Labeler having stepper motor driving plural elements |
US6230780B1 (en) * | 1998-04-30 | 2001-05-15 | Automated Systems Technology, L.L.C. | Label applicator mechanism and hand-held labeller |
US6179030B1 (en) * | 1998-07-28 | 2001-01-30 | Automated Systems Technology, L.L.C. | Apparatus and method for configuring, locating, and applying information to a label, and printing and applying labels to articles |
GB9906871D0 (en) * | 1999-03-25 | 1999-05-19 | Sinclair Int Ltd | Improved labelling apparatus |
US6428639B1 (en) * | 1999-07-19 | 2002-08-06 | Krones, Inc. | Computer controlled position slaved servo labeling system |
-
1999
- 1999-03-25 GB GBGB9906871.0A patent/GB9906871D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2000
- 2000-03-24 WO PCT/GB2000/001012 patent/WO2000058157A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2000-03-24 AT AT00911076T patent/ATE247035T1/en active
- 2000-03-24 ES ES00911076T patent/ES2204535T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-03-24 AU AU33072/00A patent/AU768284B2/en not_active Expired
- 2000-03-24 JP JP2000607875A patent/JP2002540021A/en active Pending
- 2000-03-24 NZ NZ514397A patent/NZ514397A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2000-03-24 DE DE60004499T patent/DE60004499T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-03-24 EP EP00911076A patent/EP1163155B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2001
- 2001-09-20 ZA ZA200107775A patent/ZA200107775B/en unknown
- 2001-09-24 US US09/963,118 patent/US7021353B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4369082A (en) * | 1980-07-08 | 1983-01-18 | The Meyercord Co. | Method and apparatus for applying decals to articles |
US5741381A (en) * | 1993-01-07 | 1998-04-21 | R. W. Packaging, Inc. | Labelling system and method |
US5431274A (en) * | 1993-06-02 | 1995-07-11 | Hms Label Specialties, Inc. | Rotary electronic profile placer |
US5472552A (en) * | 1993-10-05 | 1995-12-05 | Exact Packaging, Inc. | High speed labeling machine |
US5645669A (en) * | 1993-11-04 | 1997-07-08 | Label-Aire, Inc. | Method for labeling transverse sides of an article |
US5862968A (en) * | 1995-10-31 | 1999-01-26 | Moore Business Forms, Inc. | Separator for linerless labels |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20050211371A1 (en) * | 2004-03-03 | 2005-09-29 | Richard Hirst | Method and apparatus for applying variable coded labels to items of produce |
US7168472B2 (en) * | 2004-03-03 | 2007-01-30 | Sinclair Systems International, Llc | Method and apparatus for applying variable coded labels to items of produce |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ZA200107775B (en) | 2002-12-20 |
US20030056902A1 (en) | 2003-03-27 |
US7021353B2 (en) | 2006-04-04 |
DE60004499D1 (en) | 2003-09-18 |
NZ514397A (en) | 2004-01-30 |
ES2204535T3 (en) | 2004-05-01 |
ATE247035T1 (en) | 2003-08-15 |
GB9906871D0 (en) | 1999-05-19 |
AU3307200A (en) | 2000-10-16 |
AU768284B2 (en) | 2003-12-04 |
EP1163155B1 (en) | 2003-08-13 |
DE60004499T2 (en) | 2004-06-17 |
WO2000058157A1 (en) | 2000-10-05 |
JP2002540021A (en) | 2002-11-26 |
EP1163155A1 (en) | 2001-12-19 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US7021353B2 (en) | Labeling apparatus | |
US4844771A (en) | Printer-tamp label applicator | |
JP2556797B2 (en) | Labeling device | |
US6729375B2 (en) | Labelling apparatus and method | |
US4089725A (en) | Apparatus and method for transmitting elements to articles | |
EP0517062B1 (en) | Tire labeling apparatus | |
US20100288440A1 (en) | Label printer and applicator | |
CA2323480A1 (en) | High speed produce label applicator | |
US5084127A (en) | Automatic label attaching apparatus for magnetic disk | |
US4189337A (en) | Real time labeler system | |
AU2002344866A1 (en) | Labelling apparatus and method | |
US20020096264A1 (en) | Label applying unit for a labeling machine and suitable for applying labels of different lengths | |
US6527888B2 (en) | Surveillance tag applicator | |
US6947066B2 (en) | Thermal activating device of thermal activation sheet and printer using the thermal activating device | |
USRE30419E (en) | Apparatus and method for transmitting elements to articles | |
KR20070064221A (en) | Bad label removal apparatus for labelling machine | |
JP2009096490A (en) | Label affixing device | |
US4191607A (en) | Label applicator | |
EP1862391B1 (en) | Device and method for applying pressure-sensitive adhesive linerless labels to articles | |
JPS6215411B2 (en) | ||
JPH0332074B2 (en) | ||
CN218858913U (en) | Automatic real-time mark device that pastes of pipe | |
KR19990070826A (en) | Label winding device |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SINCLAIR INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, UNITED KINGDOM Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CONSTANTINE, ALAN;KNIGHTS, TIM;HAWKES, RICHARD;REEL/FRAME:014156/0001 Effective date: 20030210 |
|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY Free format text: PAT HOLDER NO LONGER CLAIMS SMALL ENTITY STATUS, ENTITY STATUS SET TO UNDISCOUNTED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: STOL); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
MAFP | Maintenance fee payment |
Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 12TH YEAR, LARGE ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M1553) Year of fee payment: 12 |