Label reinforcing device, and related systems and methods

A force applicator for reinforcing a label against a package, comprising:

• a pneumatic chamber;
• an inlet in fluid communication with the pneumatic chamber, wherein the inlet is connectable to a pressurized fluid supply;
• and
• at least one outlet in fluid communication with the pneumatic chamber, the at least one outlet facing an outlet direction, the at least one outlet extending along a distribution direction, wherein the at least one outlet is arranged to distribute pressurized gas along the distribution direction and is configured to expel the pressurized gas at sufficient force to press unadhered portions of a label against an underlying package to which part of the label is adhered,
• wherein the force applicator is in electrical communication with an image sensor, a processor, and computer memory, wherein the image sensor is configured to obtain images of the package at a location upstream from the force applicator, and the processor is configured to execute computer readable instructions stored in computer memory to thereby perform image recognition for identifying one or more misapplied labels that are partially adhered to the package, the processor is also configured to execute the computer readable instructions for calculating a time duration at which the package will intersect the outlet direction, and the processor is further configured to execute to the computer readable instructions for actuating the force applicator to expel the pressurized gas from the at least one outlet while the package intersects the outlet direction.

A method of applying labels to packages, comprising:

• conveying packages upon a support surface in a conveyance direction;
• applying labels to the packages with a label applicator as the packages are conveyed adjacent the label applicator;
• after the applying step, conveying the packages upon the support surface to a reinforcement zone adjacent a force applicator, the force applicator comprising:
• a housing defining an interior pneumatic chamber;
• an inlet in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid supply and with the interior pneumatic chamber;
• and
• at least one outlet in fluid communication with the interior pneumatic chamber, wherein the at least one outlet faces an outlet direction;
• expelling pressurized gas from the at least one outlet at sufficient force in the reinforcement zone to press unadhered portions of a label against an underlying package to which part of the label is adhered;
• obtaining images of the packages at a location between the label applicator and the force applicator via an image sensor, wherein the image sensor is in electrical communication with a processor in electronic communication with computer memory,
• executing, by the processor, computer readable instructions stored in the computer memory, wherein the executing step comprises:
• performing image recognition that identifies misapplied labels that are partially adhered to the associated packages;
• calculating a time duration at which an associated package will traverse the reinforcement zone;
• and
• actuating the force applicator to expel the pressurized gas from the at least one outlet while the associated package is in the reinforcement zone.