Machine and method for its operation

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10065760-B2
Application number	US-201314438549-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 7, 2013
Priority date	Nov 7, 2012
Publication date	Sep 4, 2018
Grant date	Sep 4, 2018

Abstract

A labelling machine comprises a supply spool support for supporting a supply spool comprising label stock comprising a web and a plurality of labels attached to the web and which are separable from the web; a take-up spool support adapted to take up a portion of web; a first motive means configured to propel the web along a web path from the supply spool support towards the take up spool support, the first motive means comprising a first motor including a first stator and a first rotor; a labelling peel beak located along the web path and configured to peel the labels from label web as the label stock passes the labelling peel beak; and a printer for printing on the labels. The printer includes a ribbon supply spool support for supporting a ribbon supply spool comprising printer ribbon for the printer; a ribbon take-up spool support adapted to take up a portion of the printer ribbon; and a second motive means configured to propel the printer ribbon from the supply spool support towards the take up spool support, the second motive means comprising a second motor including a second stator and a second rotor. The labelling machine further comprises a base plate. The following components are mounted to the base plate such that the majority of each component is located on one side of a first surface of the base plate: supply spool support, take-up spool support, first stator, labelling peel beak, ribbon supply spool support, ribbon take-up spool support and second stator.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A labelling machine comprising:
a supply spool support for supporting a supply spool comprising label stock;
a take-up spool support adapted to take up a portion of web, a web path being defined between the supply spool and the take-up spool;
a rotation monitor configured to monitor the rotation of one of the spool supports, the rotation monitor being configured to output a rotation signal indicative of the rotation of the one of the spool supports;
a torque application member configured to apply a torque to the one of the spool supports;
a controller configured to determine a measure indicative of a width of the label stock based on the rotation signal and the torque applied to the one of the spool supports; and,
wherein the width of the label stock is a dimension that is perpendicular to the web path.

2. A labelling machine according to claim 1 , wherein the torque application member is configured to apply the torque directly to the one of the spool supports, wherein the torque application member comprises a motor mechanically linked to the one of the spool supports, the motor being configured to rotate the spool support, and thereby apply the torque to the spool support.

3. A labelling machine according to claim 2 , wherein the motor is a DC motor and wherein the controller is configured to monitor the current supplied to the motor to thereby determine the torque applied to the spool support.

4. A labelling machine according to claim 1 , wherein the torque application member is configured to apply the torque indirectly to the one of the spool supports.

5. A labelling machine according to claim 4 , wherein the torque application member comprises a movable member which defines a portion of the web path and which is configured to contact the label stock and apply a force thereto, the force applied to the label stock being transmitted to the one of the spool supports via the label stock and thereby applying a torque to the one of the spool supports.

6. A labelling machine according to claim 5 , wherein the labelling machine comprises a biasing member configured to bias the movable member towards a home position.

7. A labelling machine according to claim 1 ,
wherein the controller is configured to determine an angular acceleration of the one of the spool supports based on the rotation signal, and wherein the controller is configured to determine the measure indicative of a width of the label stock on based on the angular acceleration of the one of the spool supports and the torque applied to the one of the spool supports.

8. A labelling machine according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to determine the measure indicative of a width of the label stock based on a moment of inertia of the one of the spool supports and any supported spool.

9. A labelling machine according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to determine the measure indicative of a width of the label stock based on the outer diameter of the spool supported by the one of the spool supports.

10. A labelling machine according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to determine the measure indicative of a width of the label stock based on the average density of the spool supported by the one of the spool supports.

11. A labelling machine according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to determine a desired label stock tension based on the measure indicative of a width of the label stock.

12. A method of operating a labelling machine, the labelling machine comprising:
a supply spool support for supporting a supply spool comprising label stock;
a take-up spool support adapted to take up a portion of web; a web path being defined between the supply spool and the take-up spool;
a rotation monitor;
a torque application member; and
a controller; wherein the method comprises: the rotation monitor monitoring the rotation of one of the spool supports, and outputting a rotation signal indicative of the rotation of the one of the spool supports;
the torque application member applying a torque to the one of the spool supports;
the controller determining a measure indicative of a width of the label stock based on the rotation signal and the torque applied to the one of the spool supports; and,
wherein the width of the label stock is a dimension that is perpendicular to the web path.

13. A method according to claim 12 , the labelling machine further comprising a brake assembly; and
wherein the torque application member comprises a movable member which defines a portion of the web path; and
wherein the method further comprises:
the brake assembly applying a braking force to the one of the spool supports which substantially prevents rotation of the one of the spool supports;
the movable member contacting the label stock and applying a force thereto, the force applied to the label stock being transmitted to the one of the spool supports via the label stock and thereby applying a torque to the one of the spool supports; and
the brake assembly being released such that it allows rotation of the one of the spool supports resulting from the torque applied to the one of the spool supports.

14. A method according to claim 13 , wherein the labelling machine comprises a biasing member, and wherein the method further comprises the biasing member biasing the movable member towards a home position.

15. A labelling machine comprising:
a supply spool support for supporting a supply spool comprising label stock comprising a web and a plurality of spaced labels attached to the web and which are separable from the web;
a take-up spool support adapted to take up a portion of web;
a motor configured to propel the web along a web path from the supply spool support to the take-up spool support;
a controller;
and a sensor having a transmitter portion and a receiver portion, the transmitter portion and receiver portion being configured to receive a portion of the label stock therebetween, and to produce a sensor signal which is a function of a property of a portion of label stock at a plurality of positions spaced from one another in a direction non-parallel to the web path.

16. A labelling machine according to claim 15 , wherein:
the controller is configured to control the motor based upon a change in the sensor signal in order to position a target portion of the label stock at a desired location along the web path; and/or
the controller is configured to detect a feature of the label stock based upon a change in the sensor signal; and/or
the motor is configured to rotate the take-up spool support.

17. A labelling machine according to claim 15 , wherein:
the transmitter portion is configured to produce beam of electromagnetic radiation which has a power density or intensity which is substantially the same at the plurality of positions, and wherein the electromagnetic radiation source comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged in a substantially linear formation.

18. A labelling machine according to claim 15 ,
wherein the controller is configured to control the motor and/or detect the feature of the label stock based upon a first order or second order differential of the sensor signal.

19. A labelling machine according to claim 15 ,
wherein the controller is configured to control the motor and/or detect a feature of the label stock based on whether at least one of the sensor signal, a first order derivative of the sensor signal and a second order derivative of the sensor signal, have a

Assignees

• Videojet Technologies Inc

Inventors

• Mcnestry Martin
• Pfeffer Gary
• Hart Philip
• Butcher James
• Buckby Steven

Classifications

• B65C2009/0087

  Details of handling backing sheets · CPC title

• B65C2009/0096

  Rotation of the backing sheet about its longitudinal axis by passing the backing sheet over a roller · CPC title

• B65C9/42 Primary

  Label feed control · CPC title

• B65C9/1865 Primary

  the labels adhering on a backing strip · CPC title

• B65C9/1892

  Spools or cassettes for strips (in general B65H75/00) · CPC title