Abstract: A label printer and applicator system which determines the height and position of moving objects on a conveyor while printing labels and positioning the labels for application on the moving objects. The printer/applicator includes a controllable label buffer, applicator actuator and label ejector to receive and apply the printed label, or eject the label when it has been determined that the application to the object cannot be made. Further embodiments include multiple applicators deployed along the conveyor to permit higher conveyor velocities and avoidance of unlabeled objects due to height/proximity relationships with adjacent packages.

Abstract: A label printer and applicator system which determines the height and position of moving objects on a conveyor while printing labels and positioning the labels for application on the moving objects. The printer/applicator includes a controllable label buffer, applicator actuator and label ejector to receive and apply the printed label, or eject the label when it has been determined that the application to the object cannot be made. Further embodiments include multiple applicators deployed along the conveyor to permit higher conveyor velocities and avoidance of unlabeled objects due to height/proximity relationships with adjacent packages.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting labels disposed on a moving web and stripping and retaining the stripped labels apart from the web, and removing the unstripped labels with the web. The invention includes moving the unstripped labels on the web over an edge substantially parallel to the trailing edge of the label, and subsequently moving and/or rotating the trailing edge with respect to the edge at a rate relatively faster than the web to effect a reliable separation of the label from the web.

Abstract: A label printer and applicator system which determines the height and position of moving objects on a conveyor while printing labels and positioning the labels for application on the moving objects. The printer/applicator includes a controllable label buffer, applicator actuator and label ejector to receive and apply the printed label, or eject the label when it has been determined that the application to the object cannot be made. Further embodiments include multiple applicators deployed along the conveyor to permit higher conveyor velocities and avoidance of unlabeled objects due to height/proximity relationships with adjacent packages.

Abstract: A dimensional detector useful for determining the height of a package as it moves along a conveyor, comprising a light source and corresponding light sensors oppositely disposed across the conveyor, wherein the light is interrupted by the package before being received by the light sensors. Rapid determination of the package height is provided by grouping the light sensors into groups of contiguously disposed light sensors and a group of light sensors interspersed between the contiguously disposed light sensor groups. Included within the group having interspersed light sensors is also a group of contiguously disposed light sensors which are located at the lowest end of the dimension to be measured. According to the invention, the group of light detectors comprising the interspersed light detectors and the lowest dimensional disposed contiguous detectors is first read to determine if the package height is within the lowest dimensional disposed contiguous detector.

Abstract: A method of (and apparatus for) applying and adhering an adhesive-backed label to the surface of a material (e.g., the butt end of a board) in the presence of a contaminant (e.g., sap) that neutralizes the adhesive forces of the adhesive. The method includes the serial steps of applying a surface preparation layer or substance (e.g., a hot-melt adhesive) to the material, the layer (or substance) being compatible with the material to be labeled and the adhesive of the label and being further capable of displacing the contaminant in such a way as to restore the adhesive force between the label adhesive and the material to be labeled; and, immediately thereafter, applying the adhesive surface of an adhesive backed label to the surface thus prepared, that is, onto the surface preparation layer.

Abstract: An applicator system and method for automatically applying and securing an adhesive backed (or gummed) label onto a corner surface of a typically three-dimensional, right-angle polygonal object such that the body of the label is applied and adhered to one surface (usually one major surface) of the object and one flap (or usually two) continuous with the body of the label is applied and adhered to a side of the object adjacent the one surface. The applicator system includes an applicator head to receive the adhesive backed label, mechanically secured to an applicator arm which serves to move the applicator head relative to the object.

Abstract: A system (and method) for providing a label for deposit on a product from a composite that includes the label, as one of a plurality of labels, on a backing. A transporter moves the composite translationally and accurately in a direction, e.g., the X-direction herein. The system ascertains the exact X-direction location of a particular label on the composite to permit the transporting to be achieved accurately translationally. A two-dimensional cutter serves to cut the label from the composite while leaving the backing intact, the cutter being operable to effect cutting of the label in two dimensions, e.g., across or orthogonal to the direction of movement of the backing and parallel to the direction of movement of the backing. There is provided a mechanism to control cutting from the composite to permit variation in the length of the label in the parallel direction, thereby controlling the length of the label in the parallel direction, despite fixed dimensions of the cutter roller.

Abstract: A system to apply a bar-code label or the like upon a product or to apply a protective laminate strip or the like upon a bar-code label or the like which is already in place upon a product. The label or the protective laminate strip first is removed from a moving carrier and applied to an applicator head which, in turn, applies the label on the product or the protective laminate strip very precisely onto the label. The relative positions of the applicator head and the label, for example, are predetermined. It remains to establish the moving forward edge of the bar-code label or the protective laminate strip to be stripped from the moving carrier so that the either can be accurately placed on the applicator head, a particularly vexing problem in view of the fact that transmissivity, usually, or reflectivity of all the films involved, typically, have closely related optical characteristics.

Abstract: Cutter apparatus to cut accurately a composite label without cutting the backing of the composite and a system that includes the cutter apparatus. The cutter apparatus includes a transporter mechanism positioned to receive the composite, which typically includes the backing, many labels on the backing and laminate covering the surfaces of the labels, the transporter mechanism being precisely operable to move the composite translationally in a direction (i.e., the X-direction herein). A detector ascertains the precise location of individual labels on the composite and is interconnected to provide control signals to the transporter mechanism to enable that mechanism to move the composite precisely along the X-direction.