Abstract: A label applicator for separating labels from a continuous carrier strip and applying the labels to an object positioned at the applicator includes a baseplate, a supply reel, a rewind reel, a motor and a rotary encoder. The supply reel is operably mounted to the baseplate and configured for supporting the carrier strip having labels thereon. The rewind reel is also operably mounted to the baseplate and rewinds the carrier strip after label disbursement. The motor is operably connected to the rewind reel and configured for moving or advancing the carrier strip through the applicator, while the rotary encoder controls a linear speed of the carrier strip through the applicator.

Abstract: A label dispensing system includes a feed assembly, a separation assembly, an application assembly, and a control assembly. The feed assembly provides a label initially attached to a substrate. The separation assembly is located in a downstream location relative to the feed assembly, and includes an angled surface over which the substrate passes configured to at least partially separate the label from the substrate. The application assembly is articulable between a plurality of positions, including a first position at which the application assembly engages the label after the label is at least partially separated from the substrate and a second position at which the label is affixed to a target. The control assembly causes vibration of at least a portion of the application assembly proximate to the first position proximate to a time when the application assembly contacts the label.

Abstract: A label dispensing system includes a feed assembly, a separation assembly, an application assembly, and a control assembly. The feed assembly provides a label initially attached to a substrate. The separation assembly is located in a downstream location relative to the feed assembly, and includes an angled surface over which the substrate passes configured to at least partially separate the label from the substrate. The application assembly is articulable between a plurality of positions, including a first position at which the application assembly engages the label after the label is at least partially separated from the substrate and a second position at which the label is affixed to a target. The control assembly causes vibration of at least a portion of the application assembly proximate to the first position proximate to a time when the application assembly contacts the label.

Abstract: A tamp pad includes a housing that defines an air flow chamber having an inflow opening and an outflow opening. The tamp pad further includes an impact plate having one or more openings therethrough that are in fluid communication with the air flow chamber and an air flow generator fluidly coupled to the air flow chamber for generating an air flow in a first direction. The tamp pad has a valve system for directing the air flow generated by the air flow generator to draw air into the one or more openings to hold a label thereon and to blow air out of the one or more openings to eject the label from the impact plate.

Abstract: A tamp pad includes a housing that defines an air flow chamber having an inflow opening and an outflow opening. The tamp pad further includes an impact plate having one or more openings therethrough that are in fluid communication with the air flow chamber and an air flow generator fluidly coupled to the air flow chamber for generating an air flow in a first direction. The tamp pad has a valve system for directing the air flow generated by the air flow generator to draw air into the one or more openings to hold a label thereon and to blow air out of the one or more openings to eject the label from the impact plate.

Abstract: A label applicator for separating labels from a continuous carrier strip and applying the labels to an object positioned at the applicator includes a baseplate, a supply reel, a rewind reel, a motor and a rotary encoder. The supply reel is operably mounted to the baseplate and configured for supporting the carrier strip having labels thereon. The rewind reel is also operably mounted to the baseplate and rewinds the carrier strip after label disbursement. The motor is operably connected to the rewind reel and configured for moving or advancing the carrier strip through the applicator, while the rotary encoder controls a linear speed of the carrier strip through the applicator.

Abstract: A label printer applicator system programs labels having integrated circuits therein and applies the labels to a package. The applicator includes a tamp assembly having a tamp pad movement assembly and a tamp pad coupled thereto. An RF assembly, including an RF antenna, an RFID engine and antenna cable, is coupled to the tamp assembly. The tamp pad moves from a receiving position, where it receives a non-programmed label, to an extended position, where it applies the label to a package. The RFID engine provides RFID information to the RF antenna, which sends RFID information signals to the label to program the label. After the RFID label is applied to the package, the RF assembly sends test signals to the RFID label to determine whether the label has been properly programmed.

Abstract: A tamp pad for a label applicator permits use of a single, reconfigurable pad for use with labels of different sizes. Such a pad is used in a label applicator of the type for separating labels from a continuous carrier strip and carrying the labels to and applying the labels to an object positioned at the applicator. The tamp pad includes a first surface configured to receive a label and secure the label thereto by a vacuum. The first surface has a plurality of vacuum openings arranged in at least two series of openings. Each of the openings in a series is aligned with one another and the openings of each series are spaced from the openings of each other series. A second surface has a vacuum channel and at least two depending sub-channels formed therein. The vacuum and sub-channels are configured for receipt of a blocking element to prevent communication of the vacuum through a selected one of the series of openings.

Abstract: A label applicator of the type for separating labels from a continuous carrier strip and applying the labels to an object positioned at the applicator, which applicator includes a supply roll and a rewind roll configured to move the strip through the applicator, a tamp pad for applying the labels to the object, and an unwind sensor. The unwind sensor includes a supply disk positioned coaxially on the supply roll. The supply disk has a plurality of equally spaced openings therein. A sensor is configured for sensing the passing of the supply disk openings. A counter counts the openings passing the sensor. The applicator includes means for determining a level of labels remaining on the supply roll.

Abstract: A label applicator of the type for separating labels from a continuous carrier strip and applying the labels to an object positioned at the applicator, includes a tamp pad for receiving the label at a first position and contacting the label to the object to apply the label to the object when the tamp pad is at a second position. The tamp pad operably connected to a tamp pad cylinder having a compressed gas inlet for extending the cylinder and a compressed gas inlet for retracting the cylinder. A pressure transducer is in communication with the compressed gas inlet for extending the cylinder and measures pressure in the cylinder. A controller controls movement of the cylinder between a retracted position for receiving the label and an extended position for applying the label to the object. The controller receives input signals from the pressure transducer for returning the tamp pad from the extended position to the retracted position.

Abstract: A label applicator is of the type for separating labels from a continuous carrier strip and applying the labels to an object positioned at the applicator. The applicator includes a frame, a supply roll operably mounted to the frame for supplying the carrier strip having the labels thereon and a separator for removing the labels from the carrier strip. The applicator includes a rewind roll operably mounted to the frame for rewinding the carrier strip after the labels have been removed therefrom. The supply and rewind rolls are configured to move the carrier strip through the applicator. A rewind assembly has a motor, a pivoting arm and a sensing assembly cooperating with the pivoting arm. The sensing assembly is adapted to sense the presence or absence of a sensed element mounted on the pivoting arm as the arm moves from a first home position to a position other than the home position.

Abstract: A label applicator of the type for separating labels from a continuous carrier strip and applying the labels to an object positioned at the applicator, which applicator includes a supply roll and a rewind roll configured to move the strip through the applicator, a tamp pad for applying the labels to the object, and an unwind sensor. The unwind sensor includes a supply disk positioned coaxially on the supply roll. The supply disk has a plurality of equally spaced openings therein. A sensor is configured for sensing the passing of the supply disk openings. A counter counts the openings passing the sensor. The applicator includes means for determining a level of labels remaining on the supply roll.

Abstract: A label applicator is of the type for separating labels from a continuous carrier strip and applying the labels to an object positioned at the applicator. The applicator includes a frame, a supply roll operably mounted to the frame for supplying the carrier strip having the labels thereon and a separator for removing the labels from the carrier strip. The applicator includes a rewind roll operably mounted to the frame for rewinding the carrier strip after the labels have been removed therefrom. The supply and rewind rolls are configured to move the carrier strip through the applicator. A rewind assembly has a motor, a pivoting arm and a sensing assembly cooperating with the pivoting arm. The sensing assembly is adapted to sense the presence or absence of a sensed element mounted on the pivoting arm as the arm moves from a first home position to a position other than the home position.

Abstract: A label applicator of the type for separating labels from a continuous carrier strip and applying the labels to an object positioned at the applicator, includes a tamp pad for receiving the label at a first position and contacting the label to the object to apply the label to the object when the tamp pad is at a second position. The tamp pad operably connected to a tamp pad cylinder having a compressed gas inlet for extending the cylinder and a compressed gas inlet for retracting the cylinder. A pressure transducer is in communication with the compressed gas inlet for extending the cylinder and measures pressure in the cylinder. A controller controls movement of the cylinder between a retracted position for receiving the label and an extended position for applying the label to the object. The controller receives input signals from the pressure transducer for returning the tamp pad from the extended position to the retracted position.

Abstract: A tamp pad for a label applicator permits use of a single, reconfigurable pad for use with labels of different sizes. Such a pad is used in a label applicator of the type for separating labels from a continuous carrier strip and carrying the labels to and applying the labels to an object positioned at the applicator. The tamp pad includes a first surface configured to receive a label and secure the label thereto by a vacuum. The first surface has a plurality of vacuum openings arranged in at least two series of openings. Each of the openings in a series is aligned with one another and the openings of each series are spaced from the openings of each other series. A second surface has a vacuum channel and at least two depending sub-channels formed therein. The vacuum and sub-channels are configured for receipt of a blocking element to prevent communication of the vacuum through a selected one of the series of openings.