Label printer applicator system
OwnerVan Loi Leinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved print and apply device that receives a single data stream containing label printing/encoding data and positioning data. The single data stream may comprise data relating to the skew angle of the package. The print and apply device transmits label data to a printer/encoder portion of the system and positioning data to motors that move the system. Once the printer portion and the applicator portion have indicated they are ready, a signal is sent to apply the label. Supplemental motors can adjust the package in the X, Y, and/or Z directions until the skew angle is determined to be within an acceptable approach to zero. The label can be applied anywhere in the X, Y, and/or Z directions on a package.
Claims20
A printer system, comprising:
- a print and apply device configured to print or encode a label and apply the label to a package, wherein the device has a printer/encoder portion and an applicator portion;
- a first motor to move the print and apply device in an X-direction;
- a second motor to move the print and apply device in a Y-direction;
- a third motor to move the print and apply device in a Z-direction;
- a first supplemental motor to rotate the print and apply device along the X-axis;
- a second supplemental motor to rotate the print and apply device along the Y-axis;
- a third supplemental motor to rotate the print and apply device along the Z-axis;
- a camera for determining if said package is within field of view;
- a sensor for detecting skew angle of said package;
- a controller coupled to the print and apply device and having a single interface configured to receive a single data stream comprising label data and positioning data from a single data stream;
- and
- a command parser configured to receive the single data stream and parse label data to the printer/encoder portion and positioning data to the applicator portion.
A printer system, comprising:
- a print and apply device configured to print or encode a label and apply the label to a package, wherein the device has a printer/encoder portion and an applicator portion;
- a first motor to move the package in an X-direction;
- a second motor to move the package in a Y-direction;
- a third motor to move the package in a Z-direction;
- a first supplemental motor to rotate the package along the X-axis;
- a second supplemental motor to rotate the package along the Y-axis;
- a third supplemental motor to rotate the package along the Z-axis;
- a camera for determining if said package is within field of view;
- a sensor for detecting skew angle of said package;
- a controller coupled to the print and apply device and having a single interface configured to receive a single data stream comprising label data and positioning data from a single data stream;
- and
- a command parser configured to receive the single data stream and parse label data to the printer/encoder portion and positioning data to the applicator portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.