Label applicator

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016185478-A1
Application number	US-201514978246-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 22, 2015
Priority date	Dec 24, 2014
Publication date	Jun 30, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A label applicator, system, and method for applying labels to curved sides of objects, such as cell culture dishes, is provided. In an aspect, the label applicator includes a body having a first side and a second side, the second side comprising a curved surface; a base; at least one first resilient member having a defined length between a first end and a second end; and at least one second resilient member engaging the body and the base, wherein the second end of the at least one first resilient member is configured to removably attach to a label and, when the label is in contact with the second end and an object, to apply a pressure to the label that increases as the at least one first resilient member and at least one second resilient member are compressed. The system may also include a label verifier and/or label verification system.

First claim

1 . A label applicator comprising:
a body having a first side and a second side, the second side comprising a curved surface; a base positioned proximate to the first side of the body; at least one first resilient member having a defined length between a first end and a second end; and at least one second resilient member engaging the body and the base, wherein the second end of the at least one first resilient member is configured to removably attach to a label and, when the label is in contact with the second end and an object, to apply a pressure to the label that increases as the at least one first resilient member and at least one second resilient member are compressed.

2 . The label applicator of claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one pathway extending from the first side of the body to the curved surface on the second side of the body, wherein the at least one first resilient member extends through the at least one pathway, the first end of the at least one first resilient member engages with the base, and the second end of the at least one first resilient member extends beyond the curved surface.

3 . The label applicator of claim 2 , wherein the at least one pathway comprises two channels defined by the body, the two channels positioned on opposite sides of a midpoint of the curved surface.

4 . The label applicator of claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive member on the second end of the at least one first resilient member.

5 . The label applicator of claim 4 , wherein the adhesive member is selected from the group consisting of a suction cup, an adhesive surface, a magnet, and a vacuum tube.

6 . The label applicator of claim 1 , further comprising a resilient surface attached to the curved surface.

7 . The label applicator of claim 6 , wherein the resilient surface is selected from the group consisting of a foam pad, a spring-loaded surface, and a bladder.

8 . The label applicator of claim 1 , wherein the at least one first resilient member is selected from the group consisting of a spring and a pneumatic device.

9 . The label applicator of claim 1 , wherein the at least one second resilient member is selected from the group consisting of a spring, a compressive polymer, a pneumatic device, foam, and a bladder.

10 . A label applicator system comprising:
a label applicator comprising:
a body having a first side and a second side and defining two channels extending through the body from the first side to a curved surface on the second side, the two channels positioned on opposing sides of a midpoint of the curved surface;
a base positioned proximate to the first side of the body;
a first pair of resilient members extending through the two channels and having a first end engaging with the base and a second end at a position beyond the curved surface;
a second pair of resilient members engaging with the body and the base, and
wherein the second ends of the first pair of resilient members are configured to removably attach to a label.

11 . The label applicator system of claim 10 , further comprising adhesive members attached to the second ends of the first pair of resilient members, the adhesive members selected from the group consisting of suction cups, adhesive surfaces, magnets, and vacuum tubes.

12 . The label applicator system of claim 1 Q, further comprising a resilient surface attached to the curved surface, the resilient surface selected from the group consisting of a foam pad, a spring-loaded surface, and a bladder.

13 . The label applicator system of claim 10 , further comprising a movable arm configured to move the base of the label applicator.

14 . The label applicator system of claim 13 , further comprising a step motor operably connected to the movable arm and configured to move the movable arm in at least one plane.

15 . The label applicator system of claim 14 , further comprising a pressure sensor configured to monitor an application force of the label applicator by the step motor and halt movement of the label applicator when a predetermined limit is exceeded.

16 . The label applicator system of claim 10 , further comprising a scanner configured to capture information on the label after the label has been applied to a surface of an object.

17 . (canceled)

18 . A method of applying a label to a curved surface of an object, the method comprising:
providing a label applicator comprising:
a body having a first side and a second side;
a base positioned proximate to the first side of the body;
at least one first resilient member having a defined length between a first end and a second end; and
at least one second resilient member engaging the body and the base,
wherein the second end of the at least one first resilient member is configured to removably attach to a label and, when the label is in contact with the second end and an object, to apply a pressure to the label that increases as the at least one first resilient member and at least one second resilient member are compressed;
attaching the label to the second end of the at least one first resilient member; moving the label applicator towards an object having a curved surface; adhering the label to the curved surface using an increasing application force based at least on the first resilient member and the second resilient member; and detaching the label from the second end of the at least one first resilient member.

19 . The method of applying a label to a curved surface of claim 18 , further comprising
scanning the label using a scanner; and confirming that the object has been labeled.

20 . The method of applying a label to a curved surface of claim 18 , further comprising
monitoring the increasing application force; and responsive to monitoring the increasing application force, halting movement of the label applicator towards the object when the increasing application force exceeds a predetermined limit.

21 . The method of applying a label to a curved surface of claim 18 , wherein the increasing application force is further based on:
a suction cup attached to the second end of the at least one first resilient member, and a resilient surface attached to the second side.

Assignees

• Bio Merieux Inc

Inventors

• Zeljic Dejan
• Killala-Ringwood James
• Pingel Daniel Joseph
• Luebbert Daniel Oliver

Classifications

• B65C9/26 Primary

  Devices for applying labels · CPC title

• B65C9/36 Primary

  Wipers; Pressers · CPC title

• B65C9/0006

  Removing backing sheets · CPC title

• B65C3/00

  Labelling other than flat surfaces (of fabrics B65C5/00) · CPC title

• B65C2210/0008

  Optical scanners · CPC title