High speed continuous conveyor printer/applicator
AssigneeImtec, Inc.
InventorWilliam J. Murphy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims10
A label printer applicator, comprising:
- means for transporting a first printable media in a direction;
- a printer adapted to print on said first media while on said means for transporting;
- an applicator for applying said first printed media on a selected surface of an object;
- and
- a buffer for receiving said first printed media, having a movable storage element distinct from said applicator means and providing said first printed media to said applicator means.
A method of printing and applying a label, comprising the steps of:
- printing a first label;
- transferring said first label into a buffer for storage therein and having a first cycle period;
- transferring said first label from said buffer to a controllable applicator and having a second cycle period distinct from said first cycle period;
- and
- applying said first label on a surface of an object.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.