U.S. patent application number 09/963118 was filed with the patent office on 2003-03-27 for labeling apparatus.
Invention is credited to Constantine, Alan, Hawkes, Richard, Knights, Tim.
Application Number | 20030056902 09/963118 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 10850324 |
Filed Date | 2003-03-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030056902 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Constantine, Alan ; et
al. |
March 27, 2003 |
Labeling apparatus
Abstract
A labeling apparatus is provided. The labeling apparatus
includes a detachable label cassette which presents labels to be
attached to fruit and/or vegetables and a label applicator which
receives the label and applies it to the fruit and/or vegetables.
Label strip is pulled off the label cassette by a label drive
mechanism and the movement of the applicator is driven by an
applicator drive mechanism both of which include stepper motor
drives. A control arrangement controls both the label drive
mechanism and the applicator drive mechanism and the control
arrangement includes a memory device which stores parameters
relating to different labels. The use of stepper motors in the
drives and the use of a memory in the control arrangement makes it
possible to provide for automatic set up on initiation or label
change.
Inventors: |
Constantine, Alan; (Norwich,
GB) ; Knights, Tim; (Norwich, GB) ; Hawkes,
Richard; (Norwich, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SALTER & MICHAELSON
THE HERITAGE BUILDING
321 SOUTH MAIN STREET
PROVIDENCE
RI
029037128
|
Family ID: |
10850324 |
Appl. No.: |
09/963118 |
Filed: |
September 24, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
156/350 ;
156/556; 156/566 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65C 9/1876 20130101;
B65C 9/44 20130101; Y10T 156/1768 20150115; Y10T 156/1744 20150115;
B65C 9/36 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
156/350 ;
156/566; 156/556 |
International
Class: |
B32B 031/00 |
Claims
1. A labeling apparatus, comprising: a label supply and a label
applicator, said label supply being operable to supply preselected
labels to said label applicator at a label transfer position and
said applicator being operable to apply said preselected labels to
fruit and vegetables at a label applying position, said label
supply being driven by a label drive mechanism and said label
applicator being driven by an applicator drive mechanism, each of
said drive mechanisms comprising a stepper motor drive, said
labeling apparatus further comprising a first sensor which senses
movement of the applicator and a second sensor for sensing movement
of the labels, each of said sensors being operatively connected to
said label drive mechanism and said applicator drive mechanism,
said apparatus being operable to undergo an initiation sequence in
which said label drive mechanism drives said label supply in a
reverse direction until no preselected label is detected by said
label sensor and then in a forward direction until a leading edge
of a preselected label is positioned at a predetermined distance
from said label transfer position, and said applicator drive
mechanism drives said label applicator until said applicator is
positioned a predetermined distance from said label transfer
position, said predetermined distance of said label applicator and
said preselected label from said label transfer position being
dependent upon said preselected label.
2. The labeling apparaus of claim 1, further including a memory
device, said memory device being connected to said respective drive
mechanisms and being operable to send drive signals to the drive
mechanisms.
3. The labeling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the memory device
stores a series of parameters relating to different labels.
4. The labeling apparatus of claim 3, wherein the apparatus further
includes a user operable input linked to said memory device whereby
a user can input data or select one or more of said labels or
parameters stored in the memory device.
5. The labeling apparatus of claim 2, wherein the memory device
comprises an electrically erasable read-only memory (EEPROM).
6. The labeling apparatus of claim 2, wherein the memory device
stores a series of parameters relating to different labels.
7. The labeling apparatus of claim 3, wherein the memory device
comprises an electrically erasable read-only memory (EEPROM).
8. The labeling apparatus of claim 4, wherein the memory device
comprises an electrically erasable read-only memory (EEPROM).
9. The labeling apparatus of claim 6, wherein the memory device
comprises an electrically erasable read-only memory (EEPROM).
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present application is directed to a labeling
apparatus.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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.
[0007] 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.
[0008] It is accordingly an object of the present disclosure to
overcome or at least minimize the above-mentioned problems.
SUMMARY
[0009] 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.
[0010] 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.
[0011] 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.
[0012] 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).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The disclosure will now be described further by way of
example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a labeling
apparatus according to the present disclosure; and
[0015] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the drive
mechanism, and control therefor, for use with the labeling
apparatus of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings there is shown one
form of improved labeling apparatus according to the
disclosure.
[0017] The labeling apparatus 10 comprises a detachable label
cassette 11 which presents labels (not shown) to be attached to
fruit and/or vegetables 12 at a label transfer position, and a
label applicator 13 which receives the label at the label transfer
position and subsequently applies it to the fruit and/or
vegetables.
[0018] 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.
[0019] 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.
[0020] 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.
[0021] 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.
[0022] 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).
[0023] In use, 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. When 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.
[0024] Firstly, 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. Simultaneously 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.
[0025] 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.
[0026] Once the labeling apparatus has carried out this initiation
sequence, it is ready for labeling of fruit or vegetables to
begin.
[0027] 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.
[0028] 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. As the fruit or vegetable 12
to be labeled is detected by the fruit or vegetable sensor 29, 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. 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 the bellows 23 and retained there by the
vacuum. Once the label has been taken up by the bellows 23, as
described above 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. 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. 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.
[0029] It will be appreciated that in order for the labeling
apparatus to operate successfully, the control of the drive
mechanisms 17, 22 and positioning of the label strip 16 (and hence
labels) and the 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 the drive
mechanisms 17, 22. If a differently sized label or differently
spaced labels are used, the clutch arrangement will need to be
modified or replaced in order to be able to ensure that the
apparatus operates to apply the new size of label accurately.
Further a change in the type of labels used will necessitate a
manual re-setting of the apparatus.
[0030] 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.
[0031] Further, by incorporating a memory 32 within the control
device 28 which controls operation of the drive mechanisms 17, 22,
into which can be stored parameters relating to different label
sizes, the automatic initiation of the apparatus is further
facilitated. 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. It 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.
[0032] Still further the use of 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. In particular, the use of
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.
[0033] 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.
* * * * *