Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Specific application – apparatus or process – Article handling
Reexamination Certificate
2001-08-28
2003-09-02
Ellis, Christopher P. (Department: 1734)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Specific application, apparatus or process
Article handling
C700S227000, C156S539000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06615106
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus or machine for applying labels to packages, boxes, cartons, or the like, which are being conveyed along a predetermined conveyor path by means of a suitable conveyor mechanism, and more particularly to a new and improved apparatus or machine, for applying labels to packages, boxes, cartons, or the like, which are being conveyed along a predetermined conveyor path by means of a suitable conveyor mechanism, wherein the apparatus or machine comprises a single rotary arm mechanism which is capable, in accordance with a first one of two operative modes, of serially applying two separate labels to two mutually perpendicular surfaces of the package, box, carton, or the like, in accordance with a tamp or touch-contact application mode, and alternatively, is capable, in accordance with a second one of the two operative modes, of applying a single label in a wrap-around manner with respect to a corner location of the package, box, carton, or the like, such that two separate and longitudinally spaced printed portions of a single label can be disposed upon two mutually perpendicular surfaces of the package, box, carton, or the like, in accordance with a combination tamp/touch-contact application mode and a slidable/wipe-on application mode.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Currently, a number of companies manufacture apparatus, machines, mechanisms, or the like, which can apply labels to packages, cartons, boxes, or the like, which are being conveyed along a predetermined conveyor path by means of a suitable conveyor mechanism. More particularly, one type of apparatus, machine, mechanism, or the like, can serially apply two separate labels to two mutually perpendicular surfaces of the package, box, carton, or the like, or alternatively, another type of apparatus, machine, mechanism, or the like, can apply a single label in a wrap-around manner with respect to a corner location of the package, box, carton, or the like, such that two separate and longitudinally spaced printed portions of a single label can be disposed upon two mutually perpendicular surfaces of the package, box, carton, or the like.
Examples of such conventional apparatus, machines, mechanisms, and the like, are disclosed within U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,251 which issued to Hunt et al. on Nov. 23, 1999, U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,669 which issued to Crankshaw et al. on Jul. 8, 1997, U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,948 which issued to Crankshaw et al. on Jun. 6, 1995, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,771 which issued to Crankshaw et al. on Jul. 4, 1989. As can be readily appreciated, however, from a review of such PRIOR ART, none of the disclosed and patented apparatus, machines, mechanisms, or the like, can achieve all of the aforenoted various different operational modes. For example, while the apparatus, system, or mechanism of Hunt et al. is capable of applying labels to two mutually perpendicular surfaces of a box, package, carton, or the like, such apparatus, system, or mechanism is lacking any means which is capable of achieving the application of a label onto a corner region of the box, package, carton, or the like, in a wrap-around mode. In addition, there is also no means for permitting adjustment of the label applicator with respect to the surfaces of the package, box, carton, or the like upon which the labels are being applied such that the labels can be applied at different locations along a particular surface of the package, box, carton, or the like in order to effectively correlate the disposition of the label with existing graphics, logo designs, and the like, already incorporated upon a side surface of the package, box, carton, or the like.
In a similar manner, while the apparatus, system, or mechanism of Crankshaw et al., as disclosed within U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,645,669 and 5,421,948, both enable the application of a single label onto a corner region of an article in a wrap-around mode, such apparatus, system, or mechanism is lacking any means which is capable of achieving the application of separate labels onto mutually perpendicular surface portions of the article. In addition, it is also noted that the labels of the Crankshaw et al. apparatus, system, or mechanism are applied by means of a roller applicator as opposed to a tamp-type label applicator which is significantly less complex and easier to manipulate and control in connection with the actual transfer and application of the label from the label carrier onto the article, package, box, carton, or the like. In connection with the lastly noted Crankshaw et al. patent, while a tamp-type label applicator is in fact disclosed for applying a label onto a surface portion of an article, package, box, carton, or the like, the apparatus, system, or mechanism of Crankshaw et al. lacks any means for applying labels to two mutually perpendicular surfaces of such article, package, box, carton, or the like, as well as to a corner region of the article, package, box, carton, or the like, in a wrap-around mode.
Lastly, an apparatus, machine, or system for applying labels to two mutually perpendicular surfaces of a package, box, carton, or the like, is also known to manufactured by the Diagraph Corporation, however, again, such apparatus, machine or system is incapable of applying a single label to a corner region of the package, box, carton, or the like, in a wrap-around mode. In addition, the actuator mechanism for applying the labels to the two mutually perpendicular surfaces of the package, box, carton, or the like, is relatively complex in that it comprises the mounting of a label applicator upon a rotary arm, and in turn, the mounting of the rotary arm upon a linearly extensible-retractible platform or support member.
A need therefore exists in the art for a new and improved apparatus or machine, for applying labels to packages, boxes, cartons, or the like, which are being conveyed along a predetermined conveyor path by means of a suitable conveyor mechanism, wherein the apparatus or machine would be relatively simple in that the same would comprise a single rotary arm mechanism which would be capable, in accordance with a first one of two operative modes, of serially applying two separate labels to two mutually perpendicular surfaces of the package, box, carton, or the like, in accordance with a tamp or touch-contact application mode, and at different locations along such two surfaces as desired, and alternatively, would be capable, in accordance with a second one of the two operative modes, of applying a single label in a wrap-around manner with respect to a corner location of the package, box, carton, or the like, such that two separate and longitudinally spaced printed portions of a single label can be disposed upon two mutually perpendicular surfaces of the package, box, carton, or the like, in accordance with a combination tamp/touch-contact and slidable/wipe-on application mode.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved apparatus, mechanism, or machine for applying labels to packages, boxes, cartons, or the like, which are being conveyed along a predetermined conveyor path by means of a suitable conveyor mechanism.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus, mechanism, or machine for applying labels to packages, boxes, cartons, or the like, that are being conveyed along a predetermined conveyor path by means of a suitable conveyor mechanism, which effectively overcomes the various operational disadvantages of PRIOR ART apparatus, mechanisms, or machines for applying labels to packages, boxes, cartons, or the like that are being conveyed along a predetermined conveyor path by means of a suitable conveyor mechanism.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus, mechanism, or machine for applying labels to packages, boxes, cartons, or the like, that are being conveyed along a predetermined conveyor path by means of a suitable conveyor mechanism, which effectively overcome
DeLuca David
Schaller Adam
Soto Wilfredo
Crawford Gene O
Ellis Christopher P.
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Schwartz & Weinrieb
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