Variable length cutting systems and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12466202-B2
Application number	US-202218548617-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 3, 2022
Priority date	Mar 5, 2021
Publication date	Nov 11, 2025
Grant date	Nov 11, 2025

Abstract

In some embodiments, a modular system for a printer may include a support bracket configured to be coupled to a printer, a cutting unit laterally mounted to the support bracket, and a tamp system laterally mounted to the support bracket. The cutting unit may be configured to receive a label web from the printer.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A modular system for attachment to a printer having a printer processor, the system comprising:
a support bracket comprising a cutter mount region, a tamp mount region, and a bracket mount region configured to secure the support bracket to a printer; a cutting unit laterally mounted to the support bracket and supported by the cutter mount region, the cutting unit comprising a cutter processor configured to control a cutting operation based on an airstream signal from the printer processor; and a tamp system laterally mounted to the support bracket and supported by the tamp mount region, wherein the cutting unit is configured to receive a label web from the printer and to cut the label web.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the cutting unit is configured to cut the label web based on control signals exchanged with the printer and at least one adjustable time delay.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the cutting unit further comprises a motor and a first lateral wall, the motor being mounted to the first lateral wall.

4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the cutting unit further comprises a second lateral wall, a first support, and a second support,
wherein the first support and the second support each extend between and are mounted to the first lateral wall and the second lateral wall, the motor being mounted to the first lateral wall between the first support and the second support.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the cutting unit further comprises a first web guide and a second web guide.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the cutting unit comprises a moveable cutter assembly.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the support bracket defines a cavity configured to receive a first wheel, a belt, and a second wheel of the cutter unit.

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the cutting unit comprises a first wheel and a second wheel that are vertically aligned.

9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the cutting unit comprises at least one sensor positioned for initialization of the cutting unit.

10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the cutting unit comprises at least one sensor that is moveable to avoid blade wear from direct contact between a blade and an anvil of the cutting unit.

11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to prevent a tamp operation from occurring until after at least one of a cut operation and a feed bump operation have been completed.

12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to perform a feed bump operation after the system has performed a cut operation.

13 . A method of forming a modular system for attachment to a printer having a printer processor, the method comprising:
forming a support bracket comprising a cutter mount region, a tamp mount region, and a bracket mount region configured to secure the support bracket to a printer; laterally mounting a cutting unit to the support bracket and supporting the cutting unit by the cutter mount region, the cutting unit comprising a cutter processor configured to control a cutting operation based on an airstream signal from the printer processor; and laterally mounting a tamp system to the support bracket and supporting the tamp system by the tamp mount region, wherein the cutting unit is configured to receive a label web from the printer and to cut the label web.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the cutting unit is configured to cut the label web based on control signals exchanged with the printer and at least one adjustable time delay.

15 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising mounting a motor to a first lateral wall of the cutting unit.

16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
forming the cutting unit by assembling a second lateral wall, a first support, and a second support such that the first support and the second support each extend between and are mounted to the first lateral wall and the second lateral wall, and the motor is mounted to the first lateral wall between the first support and the second support.

17 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the cutting unit further comprises a first web guide and a second web guide.

18 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the cutting unit comprises a moveable cutter assembly.

19 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the support bracket defines a cavity configured to receive a first wheel, a belt, and a second wheel of the cutter unit.

20 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the cutting unit comprises a first wheel and a second wheel that are vertically aligned.

21 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the cutting unit comprises at least one sensor positioned for initialization of the cutting unit.

22 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the cutting unit comprises at least one sensor that is moveable to avoid blade wear from direct contact between a blade and an anvil of the cutting unit.

Assignees

• Avery Dennison Retail Information Services Llc

Inventors

• Brown Timothy L
• Watson Jan M
• Mistyurik John D
• Herwald Marc A
• Romo Jr Jesus

Classifications

• B41J11/663

  Controlling cutting, cutting resulting in special shapes of the cutting line, e.g. controlling cutting positions, e.g. for cutting in the immediate vicinity of a printed image · CPC title

• B26D1/185

  for thin material, e.g. for sheets, strips or the like · CPC title

• B41J11/703 Primary

  Cutting of tape · CPC title

• B41J11/706

  using a cutting tool mounted on a reciprocating carrier · CPC title

• B26D1/205

  for thin material, e.g. for sheets, strips or the like · CPC title