Computer controlled turret type labeling machine

A computer controlled labeling apparatus for applying labels to objects, comprising:

• at least one means for applying labels;
• means for transporting objects along an arbitrary predetermined path, said means for transporting objects being in spaced relation to said at least one means for applying labels, said means for transporting being responsive to control signals;
• means for sensing status of said means for transporting including status respective of speed, direction, and position and generating first sensed status signals;
• means for orienting said objects, said means for orienting being responsive to time varying control signals commanding angular position, angular velocity, and rotational direction simultaneously at a specified time;
• means for sensing status of said means for orienting objects including status respective of speed, direction, and position and generating second sensed status signals;
• means for processing said first and second sensed status signals and generating said control signals so that said means for transporting and said means for orienting objects are driven to predetermined locations and at predetermined orientations and speeds as a function of time to effect labeling of said objects.

In a computer controlled labeling apparatus comprising a computer, means for transporting objects, means for orienting objects, and means for applying labels to objects;

• a method of applying labels to objects comprising the steps of:
• mathematically characterizing attributes of said means for transporting objects, said means for orienting objects, said means for applying labels, said object, and said label;
• transporting said object along a predetermined path in spaced relation to said means for applying labels;
• sensing the velocity and position of said means for transporting;
• sensing the velocity and orientation of said means for orienting;
• computing control values including control values specifying position, rotational direction, and rotational speed for matching the angular orientation and angular velocity of said means for orienting to predetermined values at each of a plurality of positions along said predetermined transport path based on said mathematical characterization, said sensed velocity and orientation of said means for orientating and said sensed velocity and position of said means for transporting;
• generating control signals including control signals commanding position, rotational direction, and rotational speed in response to said computed control values;
• applying said control signals to said means for transporting, said means for orientating, and said means for applying label so that said label is applied to said object at the correct location on the object and the velocity of said object at the label application location at the matched to the velocity of means for applying label.

In a computer controlled labeling apparatus comprising a computer, a motor driven rotatable turret for transporting an object to be labeled, at least one motor driven chuck for orienting said object, at least one motor driven rotatable labeling means, and turret motor sensor, chuck motor sensor, and labeling means sensor for determining an angular orientation and velocity of each said motor;

• a method of applying at least one label to said object with an adhesive comprising the steps of:
• applying a first label to said object, including the steps of:
• reading said chuck sensor, turret sensor, and first label means sensor to determine a velocity and orientation value for each of said motors;
• predicting, based on said sensor velocity and orientation values prior to said chuck arriving at the first label application point, the relative angular orientations and angular velocities of said turret, chuck, and first labeling means at the time the object will arrive at the first label application point;
• generating and applying velocity and orientation correction signals to each said chuck motor and first labeling means motor, prior to the time and location said object arrives at the first point of label application, to achieve a predetermined first angular orientation and first angular velocity of said object for wrapping a first label on said object without slipping or stretching said first label when said object reaches the first label application point;
• and
• maintaining the predetermined first wrapping angular velocity for a fixed number of revolutions of said object, or equivalently, for a fixed first period of time so that the first label is wrapped about said object in a controlled manner.

A computer controlled labeling apparatus for applying labels to objects, said labeling apparatus comprising:

• a computer;
• memory means for pre-storing predetermined values of chuck angular orientation and chuck angular velocity for corresponding values of turret orientations coupled to said computer;
• a motor driven rotatable turret for transporting an object to be labeled;
• a motor driven chuck for holding and orienting said object;
• at least one motor driven rotatable vacuum drum labeling means;
• a turret motor velocity and angular position sensor coupled to said computer;
• a chuck motor velocity and angular position sensor coupled to said computer;
• a labeling motor velocity and angular position sensor coupled to said computer;
• means for reading said chuck sensor, turret sensor, and labeling means sensor to determine a velocity and orientation value for each of said motors;
• means for predicting, based on said sensor velocity and orientation values prior to said chuck arriving at the first label application point, the relative angular orientations and angular velocities of said turret, chuck, and first labeling means at the time the object will arrive at the first label application point;
• means for generating and applying velocity and orientation correction signals to each said chuck motor and first labeling means motor, prior to the time and location said object arrives at the first point of label application, to achieve a predetermined first angular orientation and first angular velocity of said object for wrapping a first label on said object without slipping or stretching said first label when said object reaches the first label application point;
• and
• means for maintaining the predetermined wrapping angular velocity for a fixed number of revolutions of said object, or equivalently, for a fixed first period of time so that the first label is wrapped about said object in a controlled manner.