Label device, label system, method for labelling a piece item

Abstract

A label device (1) for applying a label (12) to a piece of goods (2) is provided. The label device (1) comprises: a fixed base (3), a movable arm (4) which is movably mounted on the fixed base (3), a functional end (5) which is provided on the movable arm (4), wherein the functional end (5) is designed to hold a label (12), wherein the movable arm (4) is displaceable between a holding state in which a label (12) can be held on the functional end (5) and an application state in which the functional end (5) can come into contact with the piece of goods (2) in order to apply the label (12) to the piece of goods (2). Furthermore, a method for applying a label (12) to a piece of goods (2) is provided.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a labeling device for applying a label to a piece of goods, a labeling system for labeling a piece of goods and a method for labeling a piece of goods.

[0002] The state of the art offers a variety of labeling solutions, including automated systems. The basic mechanism for applying labels to a piece of goods involves applying them using compressed air, whereby a defined minimum distance must be maintained between the piece of goods and the label gripper. The piece of goods and their positions are primarily detected using simple light barriers. The labels are not pressed firmly during application because mechanical contact is undesirable. Furthermore, the exact position of the piece of goods is not detected, meaning that no precise measurement of the piece of goods takes place, and the labeling process is also very inaccurate. In other words, the position of the label on the piece of goods can only be detected very imprecisely.Furthermore, the throughput of piece goods of the systems known so far is not adapted to the throughputs of other handling devices available today, particularly in the postal sector.

[0003] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a label device which can eliminate at least one disadvantage of the prior art.

[0004] The problem is solved with a labeling device having the features of claim 1, with a labeling system having the features of claim 14 and with a method for labeling a piece of goods having the features of claim 15.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a labeling device for applying a label to a piece of goods is provided. The labeling device may comprise a fixed base. The labeling device may further comprise a movable arm movably mounted on the fixed base. Furthermore, the labeling device may comprise an operating end provided on the movable arm, wherein the operating end is configured to hold a label. Preferably, the movable arm is displaceable between a holding state in which a label can be held at the operating end and an applying state in which the operating end can come into contact with the piece of goods in order to apply the label to the piece of goods.

[0006] Compared to the known prior art, the present invention offers the advantage that the label is applied through contact with the piece goods. The movable arm allows synchronous tracking of the piece goods while the label is applied through contact with the piece goods. This ensures that the label is sufficiently well attached to the piece goods and adheres accordingly. Furthermore, it is advantageous that a movable arm is used to apply a label to a piece goods. This offers greater flexibility compared to conventional systems with regard to the range of piece goods that can be handled with the labeling device. Furthermore, the movable arm can also take movements of the piece goods into account, which allows the piece goods to be labeled while they are in movement. This enables higher throughput rates (for example, piece goods per hour) to be achieved.

[0007] A label can be understood to be a tag or other sticker that is affixed to a piece of cargo for identification or other information purposes. For example, the label can be a sticker that is indicative of a delivery destination of the piece of cargo. The label can be a paper-like object that has an adhesive or similar on one side so that the label can be attached to a piece of cargo upon contact with the piece of cargo. The piece of cargo can be a mail item that is going through a mail item handling process. For example, the piece of cargo can be a parcel, small package, shipping bag, shipping tube, polybag, smalls, or any other type of goods packaging. Different piece of cargo can differ in particular in terms of their surface shape and properties. The labeling device can be an apparatus or device that is designed to apply a label (i.e. a tag) to the piece of cargo.The fixed base can, for example, be a stand for the device. Furthermore, the fixed base can be a fastening means by which the device is fixedly attached to a surface or other objects. For example, it is conceivable that the labeling device is also attached to a shelving system or other machines. The fixed base can thus be the contact point between the labeling device and a foundation or other fixed objects. The movable arm can, for example, be a robot arm. The movable arm can move at least partially in space (i.e. in three dimensions). The movable arm can be a robot arm. The movable arm can be mounted on the fixed base by means of a joint. Furthermore, the movable arm can have a plurality of joints so that the movable arm can be freely positioned in space.Furthermore, the movable arm can have a plurality of forearms, each of which is connected to at least one adjacent forearm by a joint. This allows even complicated movement patterns to be easily executed with the movable arm. The functional end can be a functional section that is designed to perform a specific function. In the present embodiment, the functional end is designed to hold the label. For example, the functional end can hold the label by means of mechanical, magnetic, pneumatic and / or hydraulic force. Holding can mean that the label can be displaced in space together with the functional end. In other words, the functional end can determine the position of the label held thereon. Furthermore, the functional end can be designed to actively pick up the label (i.e.into the held state) and actively repel the label so that it is no longer held. The movable arm can be moved between a holding state in which a label is held at the functional end and an application state in which the functional end comes into contact with the item in order to apply the label to the item. The holding state can be any state of the movable arm in which a label is held at the functional end and in which the movable arm is not in contact with the item. The application state can realize mechanical contact between the functional end and the item. This can ensure that the label is applied to the item safely. The application state can be any state of the movable arm in which the functional end is in contact with the item.In other words, the movable arm can be designed to be movable in such a way as to bring the functional end into a spatial position that allows it to come into contact with the item. In other words, the movable arm can be designed to be displaceable in such a way that it can individually adapt the application of the label to a particular item. Preferably, the movable arm is designed to exert a force on the item in the application state. This can ensure that the label is satisfactorily applied to the item. Furthermore, the force can smooth out a surface of the item to which the label is to be applied, so that the label can be securely attached without damaging the contents of the item or the item itself.Particularly in the case of uneven surface shapes of the piece goods, pressure on the piece goods can ensure that the label is satisfactorily applied to the piece goods.

[0008] Preferably, the functional end is configured to hold the label by means of negative pressure. In other words, in the holding state, the label can be held to the functional end by means of negative pressure. This allows the label to be sucked in while the movable arm is in the holding state. This allows even rapid movements of the movable arm to be realized without the label falling off the functional end.

[0009] The functional end preferably has at least one suction gripper. A suction gripper can generate a holding force that is a product of the difference between the ambient pressure and the provided negative pressure and the effective suction area (i.e., the effective area of the suction gripper subjected to vacuum). A suction gripper can be an elastic element that can realize airtight contact between the label and a negative pressure-generating device. Furthermore, the suction gripper can have a collar element that can reliably ensure airtight contact between the functional end and the label.

[0010] Preferably, the functional end is designed to be parallel to a surface of a conveyor device in the application state. In other words, the functional end cannot be tilted in the application state. In other words, the functional end can retain its previously assumed orientation. This allows the surface of a piece of goods to be labeled that lies opposite the contact surface between the piece of goods and the conveyor device. In this case, the functional end can be seen as a contact plane between the functional end and the label held thereon. This eliminates the need to tilt the functional end, for example around the transport direction or transversely thereto. This allows the labeling process to be accelerated and the device to be designed more simply.

[0011] The functional end preferably has an elastic holding element designed to hold the label in a holding plane when held. An elastic holding element offers the advantage of being adaptable to a label and / or to a piece of goods (i.e., to an outer surface of the piece of goods). This can always ensure secure contact between the label and the functional end and / or between the functional end and the surface of the piece of goods. Furthermore, the elastic holding element can compensate for positioning inaccuracies of the functional end. This allows for faster movement of the movable arm.

[0012] Preferably, the functional end has an elastic holding element which is designed to adapt the holding plane to the external shape of the piece goods when applied. In other words, the elasticity of the holding element allows the holding plane to be adapted to an external surface of the piece goods. If the piece goods is, for example, a transport roll with an external surface that is at least partially circular, the holding element can adapt to this circular surface and satisfactorily press the label even onto such an external shape. This ensures that the label is always applied satisfactorily across a wide range of different piece goods. In other words, the elastic holding element can be designed to adapt to a variety of different external shapes of piece goods.

[0013] The functional end is preferably designed to come into mechanical contact with the piece goods in the applied state. The mechanical contact can be viewed as physical contact between the functional end and the piece goods. The contact between the functional end and the piece goods can be indirect, with the label being interposed. In other words, the functional end can be in direct contact with the label, whereby the label in turn is in contact with the piece goods. The mechanical contact is intended to ensure that the label is not only inflated onto a piece goods or applied contactlessly by other actuators, but can be applied through actual physical contact. This can improve optimal adhesion of the label to the piece goods. Furthermore, adhesion can be ensured even on uneven surfaces of the piece goods.

[0014] Preferably, the functional end is configured to repel the label from the functional end using compressed air during the application state. In other words, in addition to the physical contact between the functional end and the item, a further measure can be provided to ensure the detachment of the label from the functional end. The compressed air can ensure that the label detaches satisfactorily from the functional end and does not remain partially attached to it. This could be disadvantageous if the functional end is moved away from the item after the application state and could potentially damage the label or even tear it off completely. This is particularly advantageous for labels that have a certain surface roughness, so that the functional end could adhere to them more easily.

[0015] The functional end is preferably designed to have a different shape in the applied state than in the held state. For example, the functional end can ensure that the label can be easily detached from the functional end by changing its shape. For example, it is conceivable that a contact surface between the functional end and the label changes due to the contact between the functional end and the piece goods (i.e. indirect contact) in such a way that the contact surface is reduced. This can make it easier to detach the label from the functional end. Furthermore, it is conceivable that, for example, in the case of a suction gripper, the shape changes when it is placed on a piece goods and is thus deformed depending on the outer surface of the piece goods. This can make it possible for the suction gripper to have a different shape in the applied state than in the held state.This provides the technical effect that the label can be optimally adapted to the piece goods and thus also optimally adapts the piece goods.

[0016] The labeling device preferably further comprises a label dispenser which is fixed relative to the stationary base storage. The label dispenser can, for example, be a label printer or label printer designed to print and dispense just-in-time labels which are to be applied to piece goods to be handled. The label dispenser can preferably have a slit-like opening through which the label is at least partially exposed so that the functional end can grip the label. The label dispenser can be fixed in position relative to the stationary base storage. In other words, the label dispenser can be arranged in a stationary manner. The movable arm makes it possible to efficiently receive the labels dispensed by the label dispenser and feed them to the functional end of the movable arm. The movable arm can thus obtain the labels and subsequently apply them to piece goods.

[0017] Preferably, the movable arm can also be moved into a label takeover state, in which a label is taken over from the label dispenser so that the label is held at the functional end. In other words, the movable arm can move spatially to the label dispenser and pick up an dispensed label there with the functional end. For example, the functional end can suck in a printed label using negative pressure and thus hold it at the functional end. Thus, the label takeover state can take place before the holding state. Preferably, a negative pressure applied to the functional end is greater during the label takeover state than during the holding state. This can ensure that the label transfers satisfactorily from the label dispenser to the functional end and that the movable arm can be moved quickly towards the item. Furthermore, this can ensure that the label is detached from a carrier surface during the label dispenser.A slight negative pressure during the holding state also improves the overall effectiveness of the label device. Furthermore, it prevents damage to the label during the holding state.

[0018] Preferably, the movable arm is designed to at least temporarily follow a movement path of a piece of goods to be labeled in the application state. In other words, the piece goods to be provided with a label can be moved at least temporarily along the labeling device. In other words, the labeling device can be positioned on a transport device for piece goods and, during normal operation of the transport device, can provide the piece goods transported thereon with labels. With such a transport device, different options for transporting piece goods can prevail. For example, the piece goods can all be guided past the labeling device in identical alignment and always at the same point. In this case, movement of the movable arm is simple because the targets (i.e. the position of the movable arm in the application state) are known in advance.Furthermore, piece goods can also be fed to the labeling device in any position (for example, with a wider transport device). In addition, the orientation of the piece goods can vary. In other words, one piece of goods can be transported with one edge first, whereas another piece of goods is transported with its longest side first. The ability to at least temporarily follow the movement path of a piece of goods to be labeled always offers the option of labeling a piece of goods during transport without having to slow down the transport device or even stop the piece of goods. This can significantly increase the throughput of labeled piece goods (for example per hour). The movement path of a piece of goods can mean a trajectory or path line that the piece of goods describes in space.The labeling device can be configured to move the functional end, in the applied state, at substantially the same speed in the transport direction as the piece goods. The transport direction of the piece goods can be defined along the movement path of the piece goods. For example, a piece of goods can be transported on a conveyor from a first point to a second point. The path between the two points can be the transport direction. In other words, a movement of the piece goods can determine the transport direction. Thus, the movement of the functional end can be adapted to the movement of the piece goods. As a result, the piece goods no longer have to be stopped or slowed down for labeling. It is also conceivable that the functional end is moved such that it is pivoted into a trajectory of the piece goods in order to follow the piece goods for a specific time (for example, the time required for labeling).

[0019] Preferably, the labeling device comprises a control unit configured to acquire or acquire labeling information and, based thereon, to control the movable arm and / or the functional end such that the label can be applied to the item based on the labeling information. The control unit may be a computer-like device configured to receive data, process data, and output data. The labeling information may include information about the item that may directly and / or indirectly influence the labeling in some way. This information may be supplied to the control unit either from a memory (for example, in the case where the item is always fed to the labeling device in a known manner) and / or through previous handling processes of the item.In other words, in this case it may not be necessary to collect the label information itself. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit can capture the label information itself, for example by individually determining the position of the piece goods on the transport device for each piece goods. Regardless of how the label information is provided to the control unit, it can be used to apply the label to the piece goods. For example, the application state can be varied depending on the type of piece goods. For example, if a piece goods is a relatively soft, deformable piece goods (such as a polybag or a shipping envelope), the application state can be characterized differently than in a case in which the piece goods have a relatively non-deformable external shape (for example, in the case of a package or parcel). In particular, the contact pressure of the functional end on the piece goods can differ.While high contact pressure can cause damage to deformable items, it can be easily absorbed by non-deformable items. Furthermore, the position where the label is applied to the item can be selected based on the label information. Overall, by taking label information into account, it can be ensured that even individually labeled items can be satisfactorily and automatically labeled without errors.

[0020] The labeling device preferably has a sensor device designed to detect a piece of goods to be labeled in order to obtain label information. In other words, the labeling device itself can have a sensor system to detect the label information from a piece of goods to be labeled. The sensor device can, for example, be a camera system arranged adjacent to the transport device. The sensor device can preferably scan the transport device vertically from above. The camera system or vision system can optically detect a piece of goods to be labeled. Based on the acquired images, at least one piece of label information can then be determined. For this purpose, for example, a classifier can be used which outputs at least one piece of label information based on the captured images.Furthermore, a learning algorithm can also be used to determine the label information, so that the system can also be adapted to a changing range of general cargo.

[0021] The label information preferably includes a dimension of the piece of goods to be labeled. A dimension can, for example, be the extent of the piece of goods in at least one spatial direction. Preferably, all dimensions of the piece of goods are recorded in three spatial directions. This allows a three-dimensional shape of the piece of goods to be determined. This provides the advantage that the labeling process can be individually adapted to the piece of goods. For example, the optimal position for the label on a piece of goods can be determined in this way.

[0022] Preferably, the label information includes a movement path of the item to be labeled. Based on how the item is transported on the transport device, it is possible to predict where the item will be located at what time. This allows the movement path that must be followed, for example, by the movable arm, to be determined in advance. This allows the label to be individually applied to the item even while the item is moving.

[0023] Preferably, the at least one piece of label information comprises a position of the piece goods transversely to a transport direction and / or a tilt angle of the piece goods relative to the transport direction. This allows the position of the piece goods on the transport device to be determined. As a result, the label device can be arranged at any point in the handling process of a piece goods, since it is not necessary for the piece goods to be oriented in a specific, predefined manner. Rather, the piece goods can be oriented in any desired manner, and the label device can adapt to the respective piece goods.

[0024] The movable arm preferably has four axes and four degrees of freedom. The movable arm can, for example, be a SCARA robot (short for "Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm"). This can, for example, be an industrial robot whose structure resembles a human arm. The movable arm can also be referred to as a horizontal articulated-arm robot. All axes can be designed as serial kinematics. In other words, the coordinate origin of a subsequent arm can only depend on the position of the previous arm. For example, in a movable arm with four forearms, the first and second arms can be rotary in nature, while the third and fourth arms can be made of multiple components. Thus, both rotary and linear motion are permitted. The working range of the movable arm can preferably be kidney-shaped.Preferably, the longest extent of the working area extends along the conveying direction of the conveyor device. This provides sufficient opportunity to label the piece goods as they are transported past the working area of the labeling device.

[0025] Preferably, the axes are designed as serial kinematics. Here, one axis can describe a forearm of the movable arm.

[0026] The labeling device is preferably designed to recognize the surface of a piece of goods and, based on this, to determine an application for the label. The information about the surface quality of a piece of goods can be determined by the labeling device itself or obtained from an external source. Independently of this, an optimal application point for the label can be determined based on the surface of the piece of goods. For example, with piece goods, it can happen that a large number of other labels or stickers are already applied to them. In such a case, it is advantageous not to stick the label to be applied over another label. This can lead to problems in the further mail run. Therefore, recognizing the surface of the piece of goods offers the advantage that a position of the label can be determined taking into account labels already applied to the piece of goods.Furthermore, unevenness or protrusions on a piece of goods can be detected and avoided as application points. This ensures that the label is not applied to the piece of goods in an unfavorable position.

[0027] The labeling device can preferably be configured to detect the position of an applied label and store the result in the label information. In other words, a suitable position for the label can be saved in a database and stored together with other label information. This offers the advantage that the optimal label application position can be quickly determined if the same item occurs again. Furthermore, a database can be created in this way, whereby the system can deliver a significantly increased throughput rate for a specific range of items after a certain training period.

[0028] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a labeling system is provided, the labeling system comprising: a labeling device according to one of the above embodiments. Furthermore, the labeling system can comprise a conveyor configured to transport piece goods in a transport direction to the labeling device. The conveyor can be the conveyor configured to convey piece goods in the transport direction. The conveyor can run through a working area of the movable arm. The labeling device can be provided adjacent to the conveyor. The conveyor can be configured to transport piece goods thereon relative to the fixed base. Preferably, the conveyor has a width of approximately 400 mm transverse to the transport direction. This can ensure that a wide range of different piece goods can be transported.Preferably, the conveyor has a transport speed of approximately 1 m / s. This speed allows a significant increase in the throughput of the labeling device compared to the known prior art. Preferably, the labeling system is further equipped with a sensor system configured to obtain label information. In one embodiment, the sensor system can be a vision system that can optically determine properties of the piece goods.

[0029] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method for applying a label to a piece of goods is provided. The method may include holding a label at a functional end of a movable arm in a holding state. Furthermore, the method may include applying the label to a piece of goods by means of contact between the functional end and the piece of goods in an application state.

[0030] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a use of a label device according to any of the above embodiments for applying a label to a mailpiece is provided.

[0031] Individual embodiments or features can be combined with other embodiments or other features to form a new embodiment. Advantages and configurations mentioned in connection with the embodiment or features also apply analogously to the new embodiments. Advantages and configurations mentioned in connection with the device also apply analogously to the method, and vice versa.

[0032] In the following, the present invention is described in detail with reference to the attached figures. Figure 1 is a schematic and perspective view of a label system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2is a schematic flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a schematic view of the function end 5 in a hold state. Figure 4 is a schematic and perspective view of a functional end in an application state.

[0033] Figure 1shows a labeling device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The labeling device 1 has a movable arm 4, which is movably mounted on a fixed base 3. In the present embodiment, the movable arm 4 is a robot arm. A functional end 5 in the form of a suction gripper is arranged at the end of the movable arm 4. The labeling device 1 of the present embodiment is part of a labeling system 10. The labeling system 10 has a sensor system 6. The sensor system 6 is an optical sensor unit that can detect piece goods 2 that are transported on a transport device 9 in a transport direction T. Furthermore, the labeling system has a label output 7, which is designed to print and output labels.The functional end 5 of the movable arm 4 can pick up the label 2 from the label output 7 and transport it to piece goods 2 that are transported on the transport device 9 in the transport direction T. This transport process can be referred to as the holding state of the label device. In the holding state, the label device or the movable arm can hold the label 2 and transport it to a desired position in space (an application point on a piece of goods). During the application state, the functional end is in mechanical or physical contact with the piece of goods 2 in order to press the label 12 onto the piece of goods. This allows a particularly good hold to be achieved. Furthermore, the label system has a vacuum device 8, which is designed to apply a vacuum to the functional end 5.

[0034] Figure 2is a schematic flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention. In step S1, the label 12 is held at a functional end 5. In other words, in the first step, the label 12 is held on the movable arm 4 and transported to a desired position. In step S2, the label is applied to the piece goods 2 by means of physical contact between the functional end 5 and the piece goods 2. The physical contact ensures sufficient application of the label to the piece goods. Preferably, in a further step, the applied label can be checked in that the position and / or the quality of the application of the label is checked by an optical sensor device. Here, it can be determined whether the label is sufficiently firmly attached to the piece goods. Furthermore, the position of the label can be checked, for example, whether other labels are covered.The result of this check can be stored along with other labeling information and taken into account during the next labeling process. This provides feedback control that can lead to continuous improvement of the labeling process.

[0035] Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the functional end 5 in the holding state. More specifically, in the holding state, a label 12 is held on the functional end 5. In the present embodiment, the functional end has a suction cup 51. The suction cup 51 is elastically deformable and can adapt to the surface contour of a piece of goods. Figure 3 The holding position shown is the position of the end of the function, in which the label 12 is held, but no contact is made with the piece goods 2.

[0036] Figure 4is a schematic side view of the functional end 5 in the applied state. In Figure 5, the functional end 5 is indirectly in contact with the piece goods 2 via the label 12. In this applied state, the functional end 5 exerts an impression on the piece goods 2. This allows the label 12 to be satisfactorily applied to the surface of the piece goods 2. This prevents the label 12 from detaching. Furthermore, a label 12 can even be applied to uneven surfaces of the piece goods 2. List of reference symbols:

[0037] 1Label device 2Piece goods 3Fixed base 4Movable arm 5Function end 6Sensor system 7Label output 8Vacuum device 9Transport device 10Label system 12Label 51Suction cup

Claims

1. Label device (1) for applying a label (12) to a piece of goods (2), comprising: a fixed base (3), a movable arm (4) which is movably mounted on the fixed base (3), a functional end (5) which is provided on the movable arm (4), wherein the functional end (5) is designed to hold a label (12), wherein the movable arm (4) is displaceable between a holding state in which a label (12) can be held on the functional end (5) and an application state in which the functional end (5) can come into contact with the piece of goods (2) in order to apply the label (12) to the piece of goods (2).

2. Label device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the functional end (5) is designed to hold the label (12) by means of negative pressure.

3. Label device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the functional end (5) is designed to come into mechanical contact with the piece goods (2) in the application state.

4. Label device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional end (5) is designed to have a different shape in the application state than in the holding state.

5. Label device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable arm (4) is designed to exert a force on the piece goods (2) in the application state.

6. Label device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional end (5) is designed to be parallel to a surface of a conveyor device in the application state.

7. Label device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable arm (4) is designed to follow, at least temporarily, a movement path of a piece of goods (2) to be labeled in the application state.

8. Label device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the label device (1) is designed such that the piece goods (2) which are to be provided with a label are moved at least temporarily along the label device (1) during operation.

9. Label device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the label device (1) has a control unit which is designed to obtain or detect label information and, based thereon, to control the movable arm (4) and / or the functional end (5) such that the label (12) can be applied to the piece goods (2) based on the label information.

10. Label device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the label device (1) has a sensor device (6) which is designed to detect a piece of goods (2) to be labeled in order to obtain label information.

11. Label device (1) according to claim 10, wherein the label information comprises a movement path of the piece goods (2) to be labeled.

12. Label device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the label device (10) is designed to detect a position of an applied label and to store the result in the label information.

13. Label device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable arm (4) has four axes and four degrees of freedom.

14. Label system (10), comprising: a label device (1) according to one of the preceding claims a conveyor (9) which is designed to transport piece goods (2) in a transport direction (T) to the label device (1) 15. A method for applying a label (12) to a piece of goods (2), comprising: holding a label (12) at a functional end (5) of a movable arm (4) in a holding state, applying the label (12) to a piece of goods (2) by means of contact between the functional end (5) and the piece of goods (2) in an application state.

Images