Flexing label applicator

A label applying system, comprising:

• a conveyance path for moving an item in a conveyance direction;
• a label printer with a label output;
• an air mover;
• a label applicator comprising an elongated label applying arm pivotably moveable between a label load position spaced away from the item and in which a free end of the arm is located proximate the label output and a label apply position in which the free end of the arm, with a given label thereon, is moved into contact with the item;
• wherein the elongated label applying arm is configured to be sufficiently flexible such that at least the free end of the elongated label applying arm bends, as the free end moves into contact with the given item, for pressing the given label against the item;
• wherein the elongated label applying arm is configured as a sheet or a plate;
• wherein the free end of the elongated label applying arm includes a label carrying side and an opposite side, and a plurality of openings that extend through the free end from the label carrying side to the opposite side;
• wherein, when the elongated label applying arm is in the label load position, operation of the air mover creates a pressure condition at the free end to hold a label on the free end;
• wherein, when the elongated label applying arm moves away from the label load position toward the label apply position, the free end moves away from the air mover and the pressure condition at the free end caused by operation of the air mover is removed.

A label applying system, comprising:

• a label print unit with an associated label output;
• a servomotor;
• a shaft connected to the servomotor for being rotated by the servomotor;
• an elongated label applying arm connected to the shaft for pivotable movement between a label load position and a label apply position, wherein the elongated label applying arm includes a label carrying free end portion that is positioned to receive labels from the label output when the elongated label applying arm is in the label load position, wherein the elongated label applying arm is configured to be sufficiently flexible such that the elongated label applying arm bends, as the elongated label applying arm moves into contact with an item, for pressing a label against the item;
• and
• a control system configured to operate the servomotor to rotate the elongated label applying arm in a controlled manner such that, as the elongated label applying arm is rotated toward the label apply position, when the control system detects, based upon servomotor feedback, application of a force to the elongated label applying arm, the control system operates the servomotor to dwell a position of the elongated label applying arm for a set time, and thereafter operates the servomotor to rotate the elongated label applying arm back to the label load position.

A label applying system, comprising:

• a label print unit with an associated label output;
• a motor;
• a shaft connected to the motor for being rotated by the motor;
• an air mover;
• an elongated label applying arm connected to the shaft for pivotable movement between a label load position and a label apply position, wherein the elongated label applying arm includes a label carrying free end portion that is positioned to receive labels from the label output when the elongated label applying arm is in the label load position, wherein the elongated label applying arm is flexible;
• wherein the label carrying portion includes a label carrying side and an opposite side, and at least one opening that extends through the label carrying portion from the label carrying side to the opposite side;
• wherein, when the elongated label applying arm is in the label load position, operation of the air mover holds a label on the label carrying portion;
• wherein, when the elongated label applying arm moves away from the label load position toward the label apply position, the label carrying portion moves away from the air mover.