Robotic labeling system and method of labeling packages

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11518567-B2
Application number	US-202016937947-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 24, 2020
Priority date	Jul 24, 2020
Publication date	Dec 6, 2022
Grant date	Dec 6, 2022

Abstract

A robotic labeling system includes a package locating system for locating a package at a labeling station and a package identification system having a scanning device configured to scan an identification tag on the package to identify the package. The package identification system has a package measurement module configured to determine at least one dimension of the package and a package orientation module configured to determine an orientation of the package in the labeling station. The robotic labeling system includes a label application system including a label printer printing a label for the package based on an identity of the package determined by the scanning device and a label applicator operated to apply the label based on a measurement input from the package measurement module and based on an orientation input from the package orientation module.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A robotic labeling system comprising:
a package locating system for locating a package at a labeling station;
a package identification system having a scanning device configured to scan an identification tag on the package to identify the package, the package identification system having a package measurement module configured to determine at least one dimension of the package, the package identification system having a package orientation module configured to determine an orientation of the package in the labeling station from a plurality of possible orientations based on the scan and generating an orientation input based on the determined orientation; and
a label application system including a label printer and a label applicator, the label printer printing at least one label for the package based on an identity of the package determined by the scanning device, the label applicator operated to apply the at least one label to the package based on a measurement input from the package measurement module and based on the orientation input from the package orientation module, the label application system including a label verification scanning device configured to scan the at least one label applied to the package to verify proper application of the at least one label prior to moving the package out of the labeling station.

2. The robotic labeling system of claim 1 , wherein the label verification scanning device is provided at an end of the label applicator to scan the at least one label immediately after being applied to the package.

3. The robotic labeling system of claim 1 , wherein the package orientation module uses the scan of the identification tag by the scanning device to determine the orientation of the package.

4. The robotic labeling system of claim 1 , wherein the package orientation module determines which side of the package contains the identification tag, the label applicator being operated to apply the at least one label to a different side of the package than the side having the identification tag.

5. The robotic labeling system of claim 1 , wherein the package measurement module uses the scan of the identification tag by the scanning device to determine the at least one dimension of the package.

6. The robotic labeling system of claim 1 , wherein the package measurement module determines a height, a width, and a length of the package, the label application system using the height, the width and the length dimensions to control the label applicator and apply the at least one label.

7. The robotic labeling system of claim 1 , wherein the package identification system includes a sensor to measure the package, the package measurement module receiving inputs from the sensor to determine the at least one dimension of the package.

8. The robotic labeling system of claim 1 , wherein the package locating system includes an indexing device to position the package at a datum, the package measurement module determining the at least one dimension with reference to the datum.

9. The robotic labeling system of claim 1 , wherein the scanning device includes a plurality of cameras configured to scan multiple sides of the package.

10. The robotic labeling system of claim 1 , wherein the package locating system includes a conveyor moving the package.

11. The robotic labeling system of claim 1 , wherein the label applicator includes a multi-axis robot having an arm movable in three-dimensional space and an end effector coupled to the arm configured to transport the label from the label printer to the package.

12. The robotic labeling system of claim 11 , wherein the label verification scanning device is coupled to the arm and configured to scan the at least one label applied to the package to verify proper application of the at least one label.

13. The robotic labeling system of claim 1 , wherein the package locating system moves the package out of the labeling station after the label is scanned, the package being moved to different locations when the label verification scanning device determines if the label passes or fails the scan by the label verification scanning device.

14. A robotic labeling system comprising:
a package locating system for locating a package at a labeling station;
a package identification system having a scanning device configured to scan an identification tag on the package to identify the package to determine an orientation of the package in the labeling station from a plurality of possible orientations; and
a label application system including a label printer and a label applicator, the label printer printing at least one label for the package based on an identity of the package determined by the scanning device, the label applicator operated to apply the at least one label to the package based on the orientation of the package determined by the scanning device, the label application system having a label verification scanning device configured to scan the at least one label applied to the package to verify proper application of the at least one label prior to moving the package out of the labeling station.

15. The robotic labeling system of claim 14 , wherein the label applicator includes a multi-axis robot having an arm movable in three-dimensional space and an end effector coupled to the arm configured to transport the at least one label from the label printer to the package, the label verification scanning device being coupled to the arm and movable with the arm to scan the at least one label.

16. The robotic labeling system of claim 14 , wherein the package identification system includes a package orientation module configured to determine an orientation of the package in the labeling station, the label applicator being controlled based on the orientation of the package in the labeling station.

17. The robotic labeling system of claim 14 , wherein the package identification system includes a package measurement module configured to determine at least one dimension of the package, the label applicator being controlled based on a measurement input from the package measurement module.

18. A method of labeling a package comprising:
locating the package in a labeling station;
scanning an identification tag on the package using a scanning device to identify the package and identify an orientation of the package in the labeling system from a plurality of possible orientations;
printing a label for the package at a label printer, the printed label being based on an identity of the package determined by the scanning device;
applying the label using a label applicator based on the orientation of the package in the labeling station; and
scanning the label applied to the package using a label verification scanning device to verify proper application of the label prior to moving the package out of the labeling station.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising rejecting the package if the label verification scanning device determines the applied label is defective.

20. The method of claim 18 , further comprising determining an orientation of the package based on the scanning of the identification tag by the scanning device, said applying the label using the label applicator comprises controlling operation of the label application based on the orientation of the package.

21. The method of claim 18 , further comprising determining a height, a length and a width of the package, said applying the label using the label applicator comprises controlling operatio

Assignees

• TE Connectivity Services Gmbh
• Te Connectivity Solutions Gmbh

Inventors

• Solanki Swapnilsinh
• Wen Du
• Nguyen Hung
• Lu Roberto Francisco-Yi
• Darr Tim
• Deng Xinping
• Eshleman Kevin

Classifications

• B41J3/4075

  Tape printers; Label printers · CPC title

• B65C2009/408

  reading information before printing and applying a label · CPC title

• B65C9/26 Primary

  Devices for applying labels · CPC title

• B65B57/00

  Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices (registering wrapping or container-forming material fed from rolls B65B41/18) · CPC title

• B65C9/44 Primary

  by special means responsive to marks on labels or articles (feed control in wrapping B65B) · CPC title