Applicator pad assembly

Abstract

A label applicator pad assembly (100, 100 ') includes an applicator pad (110, 110'), a support structure (120, 450), a joint (150, 400) disposed between the support structure and the applicator pad, and a mechanism operable between the applicator pad and the support structure and movable in a direction opposite the joint, the mechanism configured to provide a home position for the applicator pad.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application generally relates to an applicator assembly for receiving a label to be applied to a surface, and in particular to an applicator pad assembly. In particular aspects, the present application relates to a label applicator pad that can apply labels to various types of surfaces. The assemblies of the present application can be used in general industrial applications, and in particular for printing and application system applications. Background Art

[0002] In many production sites, such as those involving the handling of goods on pallets, pallet tags are often used to convey information about the pallet's identity and destination.

[0003] In some cases, labels can be printed and applied automatically. This typically occurs in production plants where large quantities of goods are produced, and in automated warehouses where pallets are received, stored, and shipped out. Especially in the latter case, pallets can vary in shape and size depending on what they contain.

[0004] One challenge facing automatic label applicators is how to reliably apply labels on uneven surfaces. Typically, a label pad holds the label in place during the application process. To ensure that it can accommodate uneven surfaces, the label application pad needs to be adjustable in one or more directions, such as:

[0005] -Move towards or away from a target.

[0006] -Lean forward or backward.

[0007] -Twist clockwise or counterclockwise.

[0008] The first type of adjustment is usually achieved through movement of the label applicator itself, either linear or rotational. The second and third types of adjustment are usually achieved using a spring-loaded design on the label applicator pad.

[0009] Another challenge with label applicator pad design occurs when the adjustable label applicator pad is in a stable home position and is not pressed against the application target. The home position is critical to reliably feeding labels into the label applicator pad.

[0010] Several existing solutions involve the concept of stabilizing the original position, such as:

[0011] -Surfaces are pressed against each other, sometimes with mechanical guidance, such as a pin passed through a hole, to press against a single surface.

[0012] -Use the stiffness of the spring to establish a natural home position.

[0013] Furthermore, when designing a label applicator for linear motion, if for sustainability reasons, compressed air is not used, or for weight and simplicity reasons, no fans on the moving parts are used, an adaptable joint is required, for example with the following features:

[0014] -When not under compression, the position is stable in all directions.

[0015] -Conforms to uneven surfaces when compressed.

[0016] - Low flow resistance and no leakage when conveying air.

[0017] -Easy and cheap to produce.

[0018] -Light weight. Summary of the invention

[0019] It is an object of the present application to provide an effective applicator pad assembly that addresses the aforementioned disadvantages and provides an applicator pad assembly that allows for reliable application of labels on uneven surfaces.

[0020] According to a first aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, a label applicator pad assembly is provided, comprising: an applicator pad, a support structure, a joint arranged between the support structure and the applicator pad, and a mechanism that can be operated between the applicator pad and the support structure and can move in a direction opposite to the joint, and the mechanism is configured to provide an original position of the applicator pad.

[0021] It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the above-mentioned aspects, the appended claims and / or the examples disclosed above and below may be appropriately combined with each other.

[0022] Additional features and advantages are disclosed in the following description, claims and drawings, and some features and advantages will be obvious to those skilled in the art or recognized by practicing the disclosure described herein. This article also discloses a control unit, a computer-readable medium and a computer program product related to the above technical advantages. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] With reference to the accompanying drawings, aspects of the present application cited as examples will be described in more detail below. With reference to the accompanying drawings, elements with the same reference numerals represent the same elements throughout.

[0024] Figure 1 An exemplary applicator pad described in the present application is shown in side view;

[0025] Figure 2 Shown in side view Figure 1 a portion of an exemplary applicator pad in;

[0026] Figure 3 An exemplary outer arm and a Figure 1 of applicator pads;

[0027] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary joint for an applicator pad;

[0028] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A schematic cross-sectional view of the connector shown connected to the applicator pad; and

[0029] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the joint and applicator pad assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The term "industrial printer" as used in this article, also known as "industrial-grade printer," can refer to types of printers that are specifically designed for heavy-duty printing tasks in industrial environments. These types of printers are used to manage high-volume printing and are typically fast, precise, and able to print on a variety of materials such as paper, cardboard, labels, plastics, and metals. Industrial printers as referred to in this article are typically used in industries such as manufacturing, logistics, packaging, and retail that require efficient and reliable printing solutions. They are often more rugged than standard office printers because they need to withstand harsher conditions and longer operating times.

[0031] Industrial printers may also include additional features, such as advanced connectivity options, rugged housings, automatic label applicators, or integrated systems for data management and control. These features can increase their productivity, efficiency, and integration with other industrial processes.

[0032] The term "label" as used herein may include information carrier media that may be made of a variety of materials, depending on the specific requirements and application. Some common materials used for printer labels may include (but are not limited to): paper, synthetic materials, card stock, clear transparencies, thermal labels, and specialty materials.

[0033] As used herein, the term "arm" may refer to a generally rectangular structure, which in certain designs may include connecting portions.

[0034] In the following disclosure, reference will be made to a "print and apply" application, i.e., a printer (particularly a label printer, particularly an industrial label printer) prints on a label carried on a backing paper and dispenses it to a label applicator, which applies the label to a product. However, the label applicator may also communicate with a dispenser to dispense pre-printed labels.

[0035] The present invention provides a solution for label applicators in general and automatic label applicators in particular to reliably apply labels, especially on uneven surfaces.

[0036] In an exemplary embodiment, Figure 1-3 As shown, a label applicator pad assembly 100 is shown. Figure 1 is a side view of the pad assembly 100 .

[0037] The pad assembly 100 includes a pad 110, a main frame 111, a bracket 115, a holder 120, coupling devices 130 and 140, a fastening device 160, and a bearing 150. The pad assembly 100 of this example may be supported by a carrier arm (not shown).

[0038] Figure 2 is a portion of the mat assembly 100 with a portion of the frame 111 removed. Figure 3 yes Figure 1 1 is a right side view of the pad assembly 100 with the frame 111 and portions of the carrier arm removed.

[0039] The pad assembly 100 is attached to a holder 120 and is provided with a rotation axis 112. This may be achieved using bearings or ball bearings 150 or any other support means that allows the frame 111 attached to the holder 120 to rotate / pivot.

[0040] A pair of magnets 130 and 140 are arranged in an aligned position in a substantially contactless manner and at a distance from the rotation axis 112, so that the magnets contribute to both the spring load effect and the home position. The magnet 130 is mounted on the retainer 120, and the magnet 140 (at a distance from the magnet 130) is mounted on the main frame 111, so that the pulling force of the magnets causes the retainer 120 and the main frame 111 to be pulled closer to each other. In this way, a pulling effect is generated for the hinge label pad 110. The bearing 150 ensures that the two components do not contact each other. Instead, there is a specific position where the pulling effect of the magnets 130 and 140 is the strongest, which position is designated as the "home position".

[0041] The pulling effect is achieved by the mutual attraction of the two magnets 130 and 140. In an exemplary embodiment, two or more magnets may be arranged. In another exemplary embodiment, this may be achieved by a combination of one (or more) magnets and one (or more) ferromagnetic components. In an exemplary embodiment, the movement of the label applicator pad 110 from the original position in both directions is limited by a limiting device (e.g., a blocking pin) in the joint to ensure that it is not too far away from the magnetic pulling effect, thereby allowing it to return to the original position after applying the label to the target.

[0042] The holder 120 is shaped to have a curved holding portion to which the frame 111 is connected. However, the shape of the holder may also be a straight line or any other shape suitable for the application.

[0043] An applicator pad bracket 115 is disposed between the pad 110 and the backing frame 111 and in one exemplary embodiment may be made of plastic or aluminum with slots for attachment means, such as stainless steel nuts 112, for increased durability. Obviously, other attachment means may also be used.

[0044] Thus, the assembly according to this embodiment provides a labelling device in which a label pad 110 can be connected to a carrier arm, for example, for forward / backward tilting movement and / or clockwise / counterclockwise rotation (including one axis of rotation).

[0045] The frame may also house electronics, such as a PCB 113 and connectors 114 for attachment to the arm and / or various devices housed by the frame.

[0046] In one exemplary embodiment, the entire structure may be provided with channels, ie, holes on the surface of the pad and openings in the bottom of the pad and channels through the frame and allow air from the label pad to pass upward through it unrestricted.

[0047] In one exemplary embodiment, the applicator pad may be connected to a holder or arm using a swivel joint 400, such as Figure 4 As shown schematically in FIG. Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the joint 400 is shown in FIG. Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of connector 400 connected to applicator pad 110 ′. Figure 6 is a schematic side view of joint 400 and applicator pad 110 ′.

[0048] The joint 400 includes at least a first retainer 410, an outer wall 420, an inner retainer 430, a chain mechanism 440, and a second retainer 450. In the plane of the drawing, the first retainer 410 is a lower retainer, and the second retainer 450 is an upper retainer. The chain mechanism 400 can be arranged on at least two sides of the substantially rectangular retainer 450, and in this embodiment, the chain mechanism is installed on four sides of the retainer.

[0049] The outer wall 420 is formed as a spring / bellows, comprising a flexible generally U-shaped coiled structure, which may be a cube, a cylinder, or any other suitable shape surrounding the pad connection portion and the second (upper) retainer 450. The ends 421 of the wall 420 may include thickened portions that may be inserted into and secured in the grooves of the first and second retainers.

[0050] The second holder 450 may include a connector portion 451 for connecting the connector to, for example, an applicator arm (not shown). The connector portion 451 may include a substantially tubular structure.

[0051] The chain mechanism 440 includes side chains 441, 443, each side of which is connected to a central chain 442. Each side chain 441 is mounted on a hole-shaped or annular retainer portion on the second retainer, and each chain 443 is mounted on a hole-shaped or annular retainer portion on the inner retainer. The retainer can have a generally square or circular shape, and the retainer portion can be arranged in the corner of the retainer.

[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, the joint 400 can be 3D printed. The first retainer 410 is not in direct contact with the inner retainer 430. When the two parts (first retainer and inner retainer 410 and 430) are connected and fastened together by, for example, a connecting device, such as a screw 460 and a nut 465, the outer spring / bellows 420 is compressed, causing the chain mechanism 440 to be stretched, which in turn causes the lower outer retainer 410 to be guided to a defined original position. The chain mechanism guides in three dimensions. The label pad 110' is directly or indirectly connected to the first retainer 410 and the inner retainer 430. According to Figure 5 This is achieved, for example, by using a screw 460 that extends through three parts, namely the base of the pad 110', the first retainer 410, and the inner retainer 430. A nut 465 can be inserted into a designated space in the inner retainer 430 to receive the screw 460 and provide a connection.

[0053] In operation, when the assembly strikes an application target, the outer spring / bellows 420 is compressed and the chain mechanism 440 relaxes, which allows the first retainer 410 to move freely and conform to the application surface.

[0054] In an exemplary embodiment, the entire structure can be provided with channels, namely holes 119 on the pad surface and openings in the bottom of the pad and channels through the inner retainer 430, allowing air from the label pad to pass through it unrestricted. The outer spring / bellows 420 acts not only as a spring, but also as a bellows to prevent air leakage.

[0055] Obviously, the joints can also be manufactured by other means besides 3D printing, such as molding or casting.

[0056] The terms used herein are only used to describe specific aspects and are not intended to limit the content of this application. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "one", "an" and "said" are also intended to include plural forms. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items. It should be further understood that the terms "include", "comprise", "contain" used herein specify the presence of the features, whole pieces, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, whole pieces, steps, operations, elements, components and / or their groups.

[0057] It should be understood that although the terms "first", "second", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element without departing from the scope of the present application.

[0058] Relative terms such as "lower" or "upper" or "above" or "below" or "horizontally" or "vertically" may be used herein to describe the relationship between one element and another element as shown in the figures. It should be understood that these terms and the above terms are intended to cover different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation shown in the figures. It should be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or there can be intervening elements. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, there are no intervening elements.

[0059] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by ordinary technicians in the field to which this application belongs. It should also be understood that the terms used herein should be interpreted as having the same meaning as in the context of this specification and the relevant field, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein.

[0060] Software and web implementations of various embodiments of the present invention may be implemented through standard programming techniques, wherein rule-based logic and other logic are employed to implement various database search steps or processes, association steps or processes, comparison steps or processes, and decision steps or processes. It should be noted that the terms "component" and "module" as used herein and in the following claims are intended to cover implementations using one or more lines of software code, and / or hardware implementations, and / or devices for receiving manual input.

[0061] It should be understood that the present application is not limited to the aspects described above and shown in the accompanying drawings; on the contrary, those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present application and the appended claims. In the drawings and description, aspects have been disclosed for illustrative purposes only and not for limiting purposes, and the scope of the inventive concept is set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A label applicator pad assembly (100, 100'), comprising: An applicator pad (110, 110'), a support structure (120, 450), a joint (150, 400) disposed between the support structure and the applicator pad, and a mechanism operable between the applicator pad and the support structure and actable in a direction opposite to the joint, the mechanism being configured to provide an initial position of the applicator pad.

2. A label applicator pad assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein the joint includes a pivot joint, and the mechanism includes a pair of attracting magnets (130, 140), the attracting magnets are arranged between the applicator pad and the support structure, and are separated from the pivot joint by a certain distance, and the attracting magnets are configured to provide a reaction in a direction opposite to the pivot direction provided by the joint, and the original position is defined when the magnets are closest to each other.

3. The label applicator pad assembly (100) of claim 2, comprising a limiting device for limiting the movement of the label applicator pad (110) away from the magnetic pulling action.

4. A label applicator pad assembly (100') according to claim 1, wherein the joint is a multi-directional rotary joint, and the mechanism further comprises a flexible member (440) arranged between the applicator pad and the support structure, the flexible member being configured to provide a reaction in a direction opposite to the rotation direction provided by the joint, wherein the original position is defined when the flexible member is decompressed.

5. The label applicator pad assembly (100') of claim 4, wherein the flexible member comprises a chain structure (440) comprising links (441) connected to a center link (442) and corners of a support structure (450).

6. The label applicator pad assembly (100') according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the flexible member connects the support structure to a portion of both sides of the label applicator pad.

7. The label applicator pad assembly (100') according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the chain mechanism is configured to guide in three dimensions.

8. The label applicator pad assembly (100') according to any one of claims 4 to 7, further comprising a flexible outer wall structure (420).

9. The label applicator pad assembly (100') of claim 8, wherein the flexible outer wall structure is formed as a flexible, generally U-shaped coiled structure.

10. The label applicator pad assembly (100') according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the outer wall is substantially cubic or cylindrical.

11. The label applicator pad assembly (100') according to any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein the joint (400) is 3D printed.

12. The label applicator pad assembly (100') according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the support structure is connected to a second support structure (430) coupled to the flexible member, and the second support structure is attached to a label applicator pad connector (410) coupled to the wall structure.

13. The label applicator pad assembly (100') of claim 8, wherein the wall structure is configured to be compressed when the second support structure and the label applicator pad connector are assembled, thereby causing the chain mechanism (440) to be stretched, causing the support structure to be guided to the original position.

14. A label applicator pad assembly (110') according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein in operation, when the label applicator pad assembly contacts an application target for applying a label, the wall structure is configured to compress and the chain mechanism is configured to relax so that the support structure can move and adapt to the application surface.

15. The label applicator pad assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the label applicator pad comprises holes (119) on the surface of the label applicator pad and openings in the base and passages through the support structure.

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