CN1057076A - Automated labeling apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A kind of at the automated labeling apparatus of locating and discharge identification label before the cutting in the pre-position on sheet stack.This equipment comprises a plurality of sign carriage assemblies that move respectively on the brace summer that are installed in thereon.At least one label printing filling platform is fixed on this equipment, provides unprinted identification label so that lead to the sign carriage assembly.A central processing unit is controlled brace summer and is indicated the mobile of carriage assembly and the function of label printing filling platform, adjusts to mode of operation efficiently so that will indicate the operation of carriage assembly.

Description

This invention relates to automatic marking equipment for placing identification marks on a stack of sheets, and more particularly, the invention relates to a computer-controlled machine having a plurality of marking carriages mounted on support beams capable of interacting with each other Cooperatively placing and applying identification marks at predetermined locations on the top layer of the sheet stack prior to cutting.

Various devices and methods are known in the art for cutting and marking a plurality of predetermined blanks of a stack of sheets. Initially, sheet stacks were laboriously cut by hand. A patterned template is pressed against the stack of sheets to obtain the consistency of the cut blank. This drawing template defines the perimeter that needs to be cropped during the manual cropping process. In addition, such drawn templates can be extensively affixed with identification marks that remain on the cut blanks when they are sent to the sewing room for assembly into a product. This identification mark includes such data as dimensions, positioning lines, assembly sequence, etc., which are essential parameters for the correct and efficient completion of the product.

With the development of automatic cutting devices, such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,495,492 entitled "Sheet Processing Apparatus", the cutting operation has been greatly simplified. However, the requirement to place identification marks on trimmed pieces remains. In the case of automatic cutting devices, once the layers of sheet material are laid out on the long industrial spreading table, the stack is moved to the table of the automatic cutting device. The device is programmed to cut a set of cut blanks from the sheet placed below the device.

To identify the cut blanks from the stack, the patterned set is laid out on top of the stack prior to cutting. As with the manual cutting procedure mentioned above, the general drawing may include the perimeter outlines of the individual template pieces, and identification marks for each individual piece disposed within the perimeter outlines.

Once positioned, both the drawn design and the stack of sheets are cut simultaneously, resulting in a stack of cut blanks stamped with the drawn drawing of the same shape with identification marks for that blank. These stacks of cut blanks are then routed through the manufacturing or assembly site to produce the product.

There are a number of inherent drawbacks and drawbacks to using sketches. For example, an obvious major disadvantage is the high cost of excess drawing paper. In the garment industry alone, a large amount of paper is used for drawing boards that cut a huge number of bad materials every day. Since the automatic cutting device does not need to follow the drawn perimeter line, a large amount of paper occupying the perimeter is wasteful. In fact, what is necessary to draw the template is only the tiny fraction of the area occupied by the identification mark. In addition to the costs associated with the consumption of paper, other related costs include drawing equipment, labor costs, storage of large rolls of drawing paper, ink and waste paper disposal, etc.

Another disadvantage of using drawing patterns is that there is a serious concern about missing identification marks for stacks of cut blanks prior to fabrication and/or assembly. Since the drawing pattern is simply spread over the sheet stack, it is difficult to keep the cutout pattern and its corresponding cutout blank together. This is especially true for smaller pieces that are prone to being misplaced or misplaced.

An apparatus developed to address these disadvantages is shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,028,167 entitled "Label Applicator for Automatically Controlled Shear". This equipment has an automatic cutting tool and a label applicator mounted on the support beam of the cutting table above the sheet stack. When an individual blank is cut by the cutting tool, the label applicator applies a label containing the identification to the cut piece.

While this device attempts to solve some of the above-mentioned problems, it does not address all of them, and in some respects creates other problems. For example, when the stack of sheets is cut with automatic cutting equipment, a vacuum is typically used to hold the stack of sheets downward so that it cannot move. This vacuum takes the form of a perforated table through which the vacuum is drawn. To enhance this pull-down vacuum, a cover film is placed over the sheet stack prior to cutting. This combination serves to attract the stack of sheets and hold them in place for the cutting operation.

After cutting, the label applicator mounted next to the cutting tool moves into position to apply the label. However, since the cover film covers the stack, the label applicator actually applies the labels to the cover film covering the stack of cut blanks. Consequently, one still faces the risk of losing or mistaking the identifying markings, especially for smaller cut blanks.

As discussed above, the stack of sheets is laid out on a long spreading table and inspected prior to the cutting operation. Most production equipment uses multiples of these long spreading tables to provide a continuous stack of unrolled sheets to an automatic cutting machine. Since the unwinding operation is much faster than the cutting operation, there is typically a substantial amount of delay while the unrolled sheet waits to be conveyed to the cutting operation. With the integrated cutting-labeling apparatus described above, the amount of time required for the cutting operation increases dramatically compared to conventional automatic cutting operations. This is because the label applicator marks the cut blanks one by one after they have been cut, in the order of the cutting tools. Therefore, while marking or clipping is in progress in one operation, the other must be stopped. Also, if either the marking tool or the cropping tool fails, the entire cropping/marking operation will be halted until the fault is corrected. This is a serious consideration, especially in the garment industry, for example, where time and throughput are key considerations for pricing and profitability.

Therefore, it is highly desirable to have an automatic labeling device that can be applied directly at a predetermined location on a stack of sheets when placed on a spreading table prior to and independently of the automatic cutting operation Identification label.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an automatic labeling apparatus which can apply identification labels to stacks of sheets independently of the cutting operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic labeling device which reliably applies identification labels directly on the top layer of the sheet stack before cutting.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automatic labeling apparatus which employs a plurality of labeling carriages working in conjunction to efficiently apply identification labels at predetermined locations on a stack of sheets prior to cutting.

These and other very promising and unusual effects can be achieved by the automatic marking equipment of the present invention, which has a plurality of cooperating marking carriages on support beams, stacked at predetermined positions along the sheet Place and apply identification tags.

Some objects and advantages of this invention are in part set forth herein, and in part are obvious from these statements, or can be learned by practice of the invention, which can be realized by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims . The present invention includes certain novel components, structures, means, combinations, steps and improvements shown and described below.

According to the present invention, there is provided an automatic labeling apparatus for placing and applying identification labels at predetermined positions along a stack of sheets prior to cutting. The device includes a plurality of marking carriage assemblies which are installed on the supporting beam and move respectively on it. At least one label printing loading station is mounted on the apparatus to provide preprinted identification labels adjacent to the identification carriage assembly. A central processing computer controls the movement of the support beam and the marking carriage assembly, and the operation of the marking printing loading station, so as to schedule the operation of the marking carriage assembly for efficient work.

The equipment is suitable for moving the support beam with the marking carriage assembly on the table with stacked layers according to X, Y, Z Cartesian coordinate system, and the marking carriage assembly is suitable for moving in the transverse direction along the support beam and move vertically.

In one embodiment of the invention, a rotatable drum capable of removably holding six preprinted labels simultaneously is used with each marking carriage assembly to speed up its production cycle. This is accomplished by greatly reducing the number of times the marking carriage assembly must be returned to the marking print loading station during marking operations.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein by reference and constitute a part of this invention, illustrate some preferred embodiments of the apparatus of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automatic labeling device with a transfer table according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side view showing the driving device taken along line 2-2 of the automatic marking equipment shown in Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3 is an end view of the automatic marking device shown in Fig. 1 taken along line 3-3, showing the marking carriage assembly, the printing and loading station and the central processing unit.

Figure 3a is a partial cross-sectional front view of another version of the control and alignment device.

Fig. 4 is a front view of a drawing template for sheet lamination showing a label provided on a cut blank.

Fig. 5 is a front view taken along line 5-5 of the marking carriage assembly in one embodiment of the present invention shown in Fig. 3 .

Figure 6 is a side view of the marker carriage assembly shown in Figure 5 taken along line 6-6.

Figure 7 is a side view of the pressure limit switch of Figure 3 taken along line 7-7 showing the carriage assembly.

Figure 8 is a front view of the limit switch shown in Figure 7 taken along line 8-8.

Figure 9 is a partial side view of the print-load station with feed and take-up rollers for adhesive-backed labels on the print-load station, taken along line 9-9 of Figure 3.

Fig. 10 is a front view taken along line 10-10 of Fig. 2 showing the belt drive for supporting the beam wheel.

Fig. 11 is a partial front view of the belt drive device for the carriage assembly in the embodiment of the present invention taken along line 11-11 in Fig. 2 .

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 in Fig. 10 showing the structure to which the positive drive belt is attached.

Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of an automatic marking apparatus, generally indicated at 30, positioned in place on an elongated table 32 on which an unfolded stack 34 of sheets rests. Apparatus 30 includes a rectangular hollow support beam 36 on which are mounted a plurality of longitudinally movable marker carriage assemblies 38 .

The support beam 36 is maintained above the wide table top 32 by side supports 40 placed at both ends of the support beam 36 . Also provided at both ends of the support beam 36 are print loading stations 42 located at positions accessible by corresponding marker carriage assemblies 38 .

The support beam 36 can move in the X coordinate direction through the friction wheel 44 provided on the side frame 40 . The friction wheels 44 move along the outer surface of the widening platform 32 and are arranged in pairs aligned side by side. These friction wheels 44 are preferably made with high-friction wheel surfaces to prevent slipping. A particularly suitable wheel is a 90 durometer polyurethane friction wheel commercially available from Meridian Laboratories of Middleton, Wisconsin.

The movement of the friction wheel 44 in the X coordinate direction is driven by the belt drive 46 shown in FIG. 2 . A DC servo motor 48 mounted on the side frame 40 drives a torque translation tube 50 by means of a timing belt 52 . The torque translation tube 50 passes through the rectangular hollow support beam 36 and converts the torque of the DC servo motor 48 into the uniform driving force of the two pairs of friction wheels 44 .

A drive belt 54 interconnects each pair of friction wheels 44 to corresponding ends of the torque translation tube 50 , enabling both pairs of friction wheels 44 to be driven smoothly along the spread deck 32 . Tension on drive belt 54 is maintained by tension pulleys 56 and 58 . Timing belt 52 and drive belt 54 may be positive drive belts with timing pulleys and friction pulleys if more precision and reduced slippage are required. In this embodiment, the timing belt 52 and drive belt 54 are made of polyurethane, however, various other belt materials could be substituted, including rubber, plastic and metal.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the extended platform 32 is provided with a shoulder track 60 along its longitudinal outer edge (as shown in FIGS. 1-3 ). A pair of grooved track wheels 62 corresponding to the shoulder track 60 are provided on the side frame 40 , and when the automatic marking device 30 is driven along the wide spread table 32 , the shoulder track wheels 62 play a guiding and aligning role.

When the shoulder track 60 is not provided on the broad deck (best seen in Figure 3A), the grooved track wheels 62 can be replaced by spring loaded rollers 66 on both sides of the deck. The roller 66 is in contact with the vertical edge 70 of the table 68 perpendicular to its table width. Spring-loaded rollers 66 are used to compensate for irregularities in the width of the spread table 68 and keep the automatic marking device 30 in alignment as the rollers are driven along the spread table 68 by the friction wheels 44 .

Due to the unevenness of the flatness of the wide deck on which the hollow support beam 36 travels, preferably only one side bracket 40 is rigidly mounted to the support beam. It is particularly beneficial to provide a pivot 72 at the intersection of the side brackets where the DC servo motor 48 is mounted. This pivot 72 allows the support beam 36 to compensate for surface irregularities on the deck 32 while still maintaining all of the friction wheels 44 in contact with the deck. This pivot 72 effectively converts the four point support system created by the friction wheels 44 into a three point floating support system.

In embodiments employing pivotally mounted support beam structures, maintaining proper tension on drive belt 54 and timing belt 52 is an important factor. One facility that addresses this issue is to mount the DC servo motor drive pulley 74 directly below the torque translation tube 50 on the same geometric axis. With this arrangement the tension on the belt is maintained despite the pivoting movement of the support beam.

The automatic marking device 30 is adapted for controlled movement along the length of the spread deck 32 . In this embodiment, the linear positioning of the device along the extended table 32 is accomplished by an optical encoder 76 mounted on the side bracket 40 adjacent the track 60 on a spring-loaded mounting plate 78 . A polyurethane friction wheel 80 is mounted on the shaft of the encoder 76 . As the device moves along the spread table 32 , contact between the spread table and the encoder 76 causes the linear motion of the device to be translated into rotary motion of the encoder 76 . The device uses encoder feedback information for closed-loop servo control and position feedback.

The automated labeling apparatus of the present invention includes at least one print loading station 42 for printing and delivering data labels 84 to a plurality of labeling carriage assemblies 38 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a print loading station 42 is secured to each end of the support beam 36 . The print loading station supports a label feeder, a label printer and means for delivering printed labels to a labeling carriage assembly 38 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 , a roll 86 of material comprising blank labels with adhesive on rollers 90 is supported on a mounting plate 82 . A take-up roller 92 is disposed above the roller 90 to collect a roll 98 of material after the printed label has been removed.

The blank label roll 86 passes through a thermal printer 94 mounted in the same vertical plane as the roller 90 . Thermal printers are well known in the art and are available from a variety of commercial sources, including Seiko Instruments USA Inc. of Torrance, California. Although a thermal printer is used in this embodiment of the invention, any acceptable printer could be used, including electrostatic, inkjet or other types of printers. The thermal printer 94 is capable of alphanumeric and bar code printing. As the roll of blank labels passes through the printer 94, predetermined data is printed on the labels in the desired format.

A sharp-edged peeling bar 96 is provided on the outside of the printer 94 to remove the printed adhesive-attached label 84 from the carrier roll 98 as the label sheet passes the edge of the peeling bar 96 . Then, the carrier roll 98 is wound on the take-up roller 92 .

The motor 100 is connected with the take-up roller 92 through a clutch mechanism, so as to ensure uniform tension on the label roll during the forward process. Furthermore, several fixed tensioning wheels 102 are provided to guide the label roll along a loop from the roller 90 to the take-up roller 92 .

The type and characteristics of the label material used are determined by the specific application. For example, in the garment industry, where the material to which the label is applied is typically of the textile type, the label should be firmly bonded, and the label should also be easily removable without damaging the material or leaving some adhesive residue. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, blank labels made of thermal paper No. Ricoh-130 LAM provided by Ever Ready Label, Belleville, N.J. are used. Such labels have been found to have good adhesion and are easily and completely removable without adhesive residue.

A plurality of marker carriage assemblies 38 are mounted on hollow support beam 36 for controlled longitudinal movement thereon. In this embodiment, two marker carriage assemblies 38 are mounted on opposite vertical surfaces of the support beam 36 . The two marker carriage assemblies 38 of this embodiment are mounted on a support frame that is longitudinally movably supported on an annular track 104 vertically installed along the front and back of the support beam 36 . It is also planned to mount more marking carriage assemblies on the support beams to increase marking speed and capacity. For example, the carriage may have various structural arrangements, including the use of three carriage assemblies, each responsible for the area of the stack to be covered, or the use of four or more carriage assemblies to cooperatively mark the intended location of the stack. part.

The lower end of the marker carriage assembly 38 is secured in the U-shaped longitudinal slot 106 formed in the lower vertical face of the support beam 36 using a pair of opposing cams and rollers. This provides a firm and stable connection to the marker carriage assembly and prevents rotation about the circular track 104 .

支承，可从Thomson Industries，Inc. of Port Washington N.Y.买到。The marking carriage assembly 104 can move freely along the Y coordinate direction and can move independently of each other. A particularly suitable support assembly is the Round Way

Support, available from Thomson Industries, Inc. of Port Washington NY.

Referring to FIGS. 10-12 , each marking carriage assembly 38 is driven in the Y coordinate direction by a DC servo motor 108 connected to a polyurethane Gilmer or positive drive belt 110 . A drive pulley assembly 112 is mounted at one end of the hollow support beam 36 and a tensioning pulley 114 is mounted at the opposite end in the same longitudinal plane. The driving belt 110 is forced to be tensioned between the driving pulley assembly 112 and the tensioning pulley 114 such that half the length of the belt 110 is outside the hollow support beam 36 . The other half of the length is located within the support beam 36 . A separate DC servo motor drive belt 116 interconnects the shaft of the DC servo motor 108 and drives the pulley assembly 112 .

In a particularly advantageous embodiment. The positive drive belt 110 is formed by connecting two ends 118 and 120 of a piece of drive belt material, as shown in FIG. 12 . The belt material forms a loop and butts the ends 118, 120 together as shown. A small connector 122 of the same positive drive belt material is used to help connect the two ends. By the interlocking of the teeth of the connector 122 of belt material with the teeth of the abutting ends 118, 120 of belt material, the ends 118, 120 are set in a precisely in-line position. Outer and inner plates 124 and 126 are respectively set at the connection ends and bolted together to form a firm connection. The index carriage assembly 38 is bolted through the outer plate 124, abutting the belt ends 118, 120 and the inner plate 126, forming a strong and rigid connection between the index carriage assembly 38 and the positive drive belt 110.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 5-8, each marker carriage assembly 38 includes three main components. The first component is a rotatable drum 128 for holding a plurality of printed labels 84 . This rotatable drum 128 is cylindrical in shape and rotates transversely about its central axis.

Drum 128 has a plurality of flats 130 along its perimeter which are tangent to the perimeter of the drum's surface for receiving printed face-down labels 84 . The labels 84 are clamped in place on the flat surfaces 130 by spring loaded pins 132 disposed along the periphery of the drum 128 and positioned to connect the outside edges of the printed labels 84 . In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-8, there are two pins 132 per plane on the surface of the drum 128 . A stepper motor 134 provides controlled rotational motion of the drum 128 via a drive belt 136 .

Due to the variety of shapes of the various cut blanks 138 to be labeled, it is sometimes necessary to apply the printed labels 84 from an oblique orientation (see FIG. 4). To facilitate label placement from any desired oblique orientation, an angle control mechanism is provided as the second major component of the label carriage assembly. The drum 128 is mounted on the index carriage assembly on a vertical spring loaded shaft 140 which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drum. A stepper motor 142 drives a pulley 144 through a drive belt 146 . A pulley 144 is fixed to the upper end of the vertical spring-loaded shaft 140 for rotation about a horizontal plane. Activation of advance motor 142 controls the degree of angular rotation of drum 128 prior to dispensing printed labels 84 .

支承件149平行于丝杠148设置，用于对准和在Z座标方向支持滑架。步进马达152的开动提供了将鼓轮128降至片材表面和使它回到一升高的位置所要求的垂直运动。The third major component that identifies the carriage assembly is the height control mechanism that controls the drum 128 in the direction of the Z coordinate. As long as the labeling carriage 38 is not actually dispensing the label 84, a gap is maintained between the drum 128 and the surface of the stack of sheets 34, so that the device 30 can be positioned in the X and Y coordinate directions across the entire surface of the extended table 32. Move without touching the sheet 34 spread out on the table. When the marking carriage assembly 38 enters the upper position where the marking check 84 is applied, the drum 128 moves down to contact the top layer of the sheet 34 . Vertical movement of the marker slide assembly is accomplished by means of a vertically mounted guide rod 148 directly connected to a stepper motor 152 by a helical connection 150 . Two additional Round Ways

A support 149 is provided parallel to the lead screw 148 for alignment and support of the carriage in the Z coordinate direction. Activation of the stepper motor 152 provides the vertical motion required to lower the drum 128 to the sheet surface and return it to a raised position.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the index carriage assembly 38 also includes a contact sensing mechanism for sensing and adjusting the vertical movement of the drum. The contact sensing mechanism includes a wire dust cage pressurized contact foot 154 (best seen in Figures 7-8) which when brought into contact with the top layer of sheet material 34 (shown in phantom in Figure 7) , triggering a micro switch 156 . Feedback signals from this touch-sensing mechanism allow the automatic marking equipment to automatically accommodate changes in the height of the stack of sheets 34 without requiring manual settings and adjustments. The action of the pressurized feet also ensures that the sheet is not disturbed during the labeling process. Additionally, using the vertical spring-loaded shaft 140 as a shock absorber to absorb impact forces, the marker carriage assembly 38 is protected from impact or damage caused by the impact of the drum 128 on the stack of sheets 34 .

A central processor 158 controls all functions of the coordinated labeling device 30, including, inter alia, movement in the directions of X, Y, and Z coordinates, printing labels with predetermined data, applying preprinted labels to the drum 128, and automatically Check the system itself.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, a standard IBM minicomputer is programmed with the coordinates of predetermined marked locations within the perimeter or outline of the trimmed blank 138 to be subsequently cut from the sheet stack 34 (see FIG. 4 ). The central processor 158 is also provided with appropriate identification marks ready to be printed on each label. These data are encoded and determine the marking sequence for the most efficient production of a given stack of sheets.

Controlled by known digital control techniques for multi-axis machines, the central processor 158 preprograms the printing, loading, registering, dispensing and label reloading performed by the labeling device 30 in sequence. Since numerical control techniques and position programming are known to those skilled in the art, an exhaustive description of this technique will not be provided.

The operation of the automatic labeling device 30 proposed by the present invention is generally performed in the following order. First, at least one layer of sheet material 34 is laid on the wide table 32 for switch inspection. In most cases, a number of spread decks are used simultaneously to continuously provide material to the operation of the cutting tool (not shown).

The automatic marking equipment is brought to the wide table 32, preferably on a transfer table 160. Then move into the upper position of the stack to be marked. AC power is obtained from the power slot 162 via a sliding plug 164 . When the device moves, the sliding plug moves along the power slot 162 in the X coordinate direction.

Pressing, the dynamic marking device 30 is indexed at a predetermined location on the stack of sheets 34 . This calibration provides a reference point from which the central processor 158 controls the movement and operation of the marking device. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a light emitting diode (LED) pointer 166 is mounted on the marker carriage assembly (see Figure 7). This pointer assists the equipment and operator in accurately positioning the automatic marking equipment for calibration.

At this stage, diagnostic checks can be performed to ensure that all components are operating properly. Once normal operation is determined, the operator begins the labeling process. The indexing carriage assemblies 38 are moved to their respective loading positions 42, placing the drum 128 in position in front of the peeling bar 96 of the print loading station, as shown in FIG. The bottom edge of the peeling rod 96 is located above the flat surface 130 on the drum 128 . By selecting a data file within the central processing unit 158 containing labeling data, the printer is directed to print the labels in the order in which they were dispensed.

When the printed label 84 passes the edge of the peeling bar 96 . The printed labels are separated from their carrier roll 98 . Printed labels 84 are placed adhesive side up on flat surface 130 on cylindrical drum 128 . When the tag 84 is moved to the flat surface 130, the spring loaded pin 132 is electromagnetically raised to receive the tag between the two pins. When the label is in its proper position, the pins 132 retract to their original positions. The label 84 is held in place on the flat surface 130 of the drum 128 by the force exerted by the head of the pin 132 .

The drum 128 then passes to the next plane 130 to accept another label. This process is repeated for each flat on the drum. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an optical sensor 168 is provided to verify that all planes 130 have been properly filled.

Once the drum 128 has been loaded with printed labels 84, the index carriage assembly 38 is moved out of the print loaded position 42 and the label placement process begins. A data file containing numerical placement data and angular placement data for the tags in the X and Y coordinate directions is selected and the central processing unit 158 directs the marking device to the first placement location. When the proper position over the desired marking site is reached, the proper angle is set and the drum 128 is positioned so that the label to be placed lies horizontally above the surface of the sheet 34 .

A second optical sensor 170 may optionally be positioned out of position adjacent drum 128 (see FIG. 6 ) to ensure that the label is properly in place on plane 130 prior to application.

With the label carriage assembly 38 in place, the drum 128 is lowered into contact with the laminated surface of the sheet 34 and then raised to a raised position above the label 84 being applied. The adhesive force of the label 84 overcomes the downward compressive force of the pin 132, and the label 84 remains securely in place on top of the stack of sheets.

A third optical sensor 172 may also be placed adjacent to the drum 128 (see FIG. 6) for use as a position feedback sensor. When this sensor is utilized, the drum 128 is positioned in front of the sensor and checked to ensure that the label is not still affixed to the plane 130 .

This process continues until all of the printed labels held on the drum 128 are placed in their predetermined positions on the laminated topsheet. While the second index slide assembly is refilling its drum 128, one index slide assembly dispenses the label, thus enabling efficient handling and rapid production of the stack. In this way, tag loading and dispensing occur simultaneously. This ensures that the device 30 always has a loaded carriage ready to dispense labels.

In the event of a failure, the central processing unit 158 will cease labeling operations and return the failed labeling carriage assembly to the operator station for repair. For example, if a juniper is jammed by the drum 128, the carriage will return to allow the operator to remove the offending label. The device is then reset and the missing application label data is added back into the system for reprinting and reapplication.

Once the entire stack of sheets has been marked, the sliding plug 164 of the automatic marking machine is disengaged from the power slot 162, and the machine travels to the transfer table 160 to move to an adjacent widening table before continuing. the above procedure.

For the scope not indicated above, those skilled in the art should understand that any one of the various specific embodiments described and exemplified here can be further changed so as to be consistent with the features expressed in another specific embodiment. Cooperate.

The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific embodiments shown and described herein, but various changes may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the principles of the invention and without impairing its main advantages. A modification that is not limited to the embodiment.

Claims (20)

1, a kind of being used at the automated labeling apparatus that on the precalculated position that is placed on the sheet stack top flat on the table top, directly discharges identification label.It comprises:

The removable brace summer device that can be arranged on the described table top and can on described sheet stack, move;

Several are installed on the described brace summer device, are used for vertically moving thereon respectively and indication device that can described relatively sheet stack vertical adjusting;

At least one can allow described sign balladeur train near the sign printing equipment that is used for printing recognition data on label; With

Motion and the operation of described label printing device and the control device of printing of controlling and coordinating described brace summer device and indication device.

2, automated labeling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that, described indication device comprises a rotating drum, have many loading positions on it, each described loading position is used for receiving releasedly a pre-label of printing from described label printing filling device, and discharges described label by a predefined procedure rotationally.

3, automated labeling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, the back side of described label scribbles adhesive.

4, automated labeling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, it it also comprise and be installed in the control device that described brace summer is aimed at along described table top.

5, require 1 described automated labeling apparatus as profit extremely, it is characterized in that, described label printing filling device comprises a thermo printer of printing identification marking on described label.

6, automated labeling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described label printing device comprises an electrostatic printer.

7, a kind of automated labeling apparatus of spreading dispensing identification label on the top flat precalculated position of the sheet stack on the table top one spreading out of being used for, it comprises:

One can be arranged on described spreading on the table top and can be on described sheet stack mobile removable brace summer;

Several are installed on the described brace summer movably, and being used for vertically moving thereon respectively also can be with respect to the sign balladeur train of described sheet stack vertical adjusting;

Be fixed on each described sign balladeur train the label applicator that is used for clamping and on described sheet stack, discharges pre-Print Label;

At least one can allow described label applicator device close, be used on label printing recognition data the label printing platform and

Control and coordinate described brace summer, indicate balladeur train, the control device of the motion of label applicator device and described label printing platform.

8, automated labeling apparatus as claimed in claim 7, it is characterized in that, described label applicator device comprises a rotating drum, and this drum has many loading positions that are provided with around its periphery, is used for receiving releasedly from described label printing platform the label of pre-printing.

9, automated labeling apparatus as claimed in claim 7, it is characterized in that, described label printing platform comprises: a volume scribbles the label of binding agent, a printing equipment, an apparatus for peeling off and the roller that furls that carries volume of collecting described label that is used for after printing, taking off described label from described label roll.

10, automated labeling apparatus as claimed in claim 9 is characterized in that: described printing equipment is a thermo printer.

11, a kind of being used for along being placed on the precalculated position of spreading on the top flat of the sheet stack on the table top the directly automated labeling apparatus of dispensing identification label, it comprises:

Be provided with the brace summer of side supports at its two ends, described side supports has along spreading the table top wheel that mobile described brace summer is used on sheet stack;

The drive unit that is connected with described wheel;

Several be installed in movably be used on the described brace summer respectively along described brace summer vertically move with respectively with respect to the vertical sign balladeur train that moves of sheet stack;

Be installed in rotation on the drum applicator device on the described sign balladeur train, described drum applicator device comprises many label filling platforms of clamping label releasedly that are used for;

At least one is installed in leads to described drum applicator device and comprises label roll on the described equipment, printer and take off the device of described label from this label roll;

Be used for control and coordinate described drive unit, indicate balladeur train, drum applicator device and stamp pad make described drum applicator device cooperate the central processing control device that loads and discharge described label simultaneously on described sheet stack.

12, automated labeling apparatus as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that, it also comprises the conveyer from a table top to the described automated labeling apparatus of another table top supporting and moving.

13, automated labeling apparatus as claimed in claim 12 is characterized in that, it also comprises the sensor device of the vertical height of regulating described drum applicator.

14, automated labeling apparatus as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that, it also comprises the optical sensor arrangement of the filling situation of the described drum applicator of sensing.

15, automated labeling apparatus as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that, it also comprises the optical encoder that the straight line locator data is offered central processing control device.

16, automated labeling apparatus as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that, in the described side support one is fixed on the described brace summer with pivot.

17, automated labeling apparatus as claimed in claim 13 is characterized in that, described sensor device comprises a pressurization erosion pin that makes up with microswitch, with the vertical height of sensing and the described drum applicator of adjusting.

18, a kind ofly spreading on the precalculated position of top flat of the sheet stack on the table top the directly method of dispensing identification label along being placed on one, it comprises the following steps:

Support several to be suitable on sheet stack, distinguishing vertically and the sign balladeur train of vertical motion;

On label, print identification marking;

The label of printing is consigned to several mark balladeur trains;

Vertical, vertical and horizontal that control indicates balladeur train move, so that directly discharge identification label on the top layer precalculated position of sheet stack.

19, the identification label method that applies as claimed in claim 18 is characterized in that, it also comprises the step that detects the placement of calibration position this label for confirmation on the described sign balladeur train.

20, method as claimed in claim 19 is characterized in that, it also comprises automatic detection and regulates the step that indicates the vertical height of balladeur train on described sheet stack.

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