Abstract:
Equipment (100) for processing items intended for commercial and non-commercial distribution, said equipment comprising a conveyor belt (1) for transporting and/or moving said items, means (30) for applying individually a label onto each of said items, said equipment (100) being configured so that each label is generated by means (34) for generating individual labels based on the identification data of the associated or corresponding item.
Abstract:
An improved print and apply device that receives a single data stream containing label printing/encoding data and positioning data. The single data stream may comprise data relating to the skew angle of the package. The print and apply device transmits label data to a printer/encoder portion of the system and positioning data to motors that move the system. Once the printer portion and the applicator portion have indicated they are ready, a signal is sent to apply the label. Supplemental motors can adjust the package in the X, Y, and/or Z directions until the skew angle is determined to be within an acceptable approach to zero. The label can be applied anywhere in the X, Y, and/or Z directions on a package.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for material handling in an order fulfillment center. An order fulfillment system may include inventory storage, a processing area, and a control system. The inventory storage may in some instances include two storage areas, and in some cases the processing area may be disposed between the two storage areas. The processing area may include a router module that is configured to receive inventory items that have been picked from the inventory storage. Inventory items may be received by the router module via conveyance receptacles (e.g., totes, bins) that are conveyed using a conveyor mechanism. The processing area may also include a plurality of processing modules that may be configured to receive inventory items from the router module. In some instances, the processing modules may receive the inventory items via conveyance receptacles that are conveyed using the conveyor mechanism.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for material handling in an order fulfillment center. An order fulfillment system may include inventory storage, a processing area, and a control system. The inventory storage may in some instances include two storage areas, and in some cases the processing area may be disposed between the two storage areas. The processing area may include a router module that is configured to receive inventory items that have been picked from the inventory storage. Inventory items may be received by the router module via conveyance receptacles (e.g., totes, bins) that are conveyed using a conveyor mechanism. The processing area may also include a plurality of processing modules that may be configured to receive inventory items from the router module. In some instances, the processing modules may receive the inventory items via conveyance receptacles that are conveyed using the conveyor mechanism.
Abstract:
A label applicator for applying a label to the top surface of an object moving along a path adjacent to the applicator. The applicator is comprised of a label printer mounted for vertical adjustment on support structure attached to a fixed frame. The printer has a label feed position and is adjusted vertically on the support to set the label feed position to an expected median article height. A label transport assembly, attached to the frame, receives and retains the label and then moves vertically and laterally from a home position, above the label feed position, to an article intercept position, where it applies the label to the moving article. The controller learns the home position and positions the label transport assembly at the home position to pick up labels. The label printer, the label transport assembly, and the moveable frame are located alongside the object path such that when the label transport assembly is in the home position, the object path is vertically unobstructed.
Abstract:
A label printer and applicator system which determines the height and position of moving objects on a conveyor while printing labels and positioning the labels for application on the moving objects. The printer/applicator includes a controllable label buffer, applicator actuator and label ejector to receive and apply the printed label, or eject the label when it has been determined that the application to the object cannot be made. Further embodiments include multiple applicators deployed along the conveyor to permit higher conveyor velocities and avoidance of unlabeled objects due to height/proximity relationships with adjacent packages.
Abstract:
Systems, methods, and computer readable media for transferring data from a delivery item to a label for application of the label onto the delivery item are disclosed. In some aspects, the system can include a camera configured to capture an image of the data on the delivery item, a control computer including at least one hardware processor and memory, the control computer being configured to process the image of the data, integrate the image of the data into a label template, and to generate a print file from the label template, and at least one label applicator disposed after the camera relative to a direction of travel of the delivery item on a conveyor, the at least one label applicator being configured to print the label including the data contained in the print file and apply the printed label onto a top surface of the delivery item.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for material handling in an order fulfillment center. An order fulfillment system may include a pre-shipment package preparation module that receives packaged units, and performs various post-packaging operations to facilitate shipment. Some embodiments may include an alignment section configured to orient received packaged units, a package verification section configured to verify one or more physical parameters of the packaged units, a labeling section configured to automatically apply shipping labels to each packaged unit while the packaged units travel at a constant velocity from the packaging verification section and through the labeling section, thereby applying labeling without need to stop or slow travel of the packaged units through the system. Some embodiments include a routing section that is configured to route each packaged unit to a corresponding shipping path that is selected based on information (e.g., packaged height, customer order information) associated with the given packaged unit.
Abstract:
Apparatus for applying tax stamps to individual cigarette packages of different cigarette cartons, having different height dimensions, comprises a cigarette carton height determination station, a cigarette carton opening station, a cigarette package tax stamp application station, a cigarette carton closing station, and a cigarette carton exit station. Each particular cigarette carton has its height dimension determined at the first cigarette carton height determination station, and the height dimension data is transmitted to a programmable logic controller (PLC). The programmable logic controller (PLC) automatically adjusts mechanisms located at the various stations in accordance with the height dimension data characteristic of each cigarette carton.
Abstract:
An automated pharmaceutical dispensing system comprises a retrieval subsystem (4) for selecting and retrieving a pharmaceutical pack (38). The retrieval subsystem (4) is arranged to deliver the pack (38) to a labelling station (6). The labelling station (6) comprises a label printer (18) arranged to print a label (36) comprising information specific to a patient for whom said pharmaceutical pack (38) is intended and a label applicator subsystem (22) for applying the label (36) to the pack (38). The system further comprises a delivery subsystem (8) for delivering the pack from the labelling station to a user-accessible point. The label applicator can apply the label (36) in a way determined by a dimension of the pack (38)—e.g. at a predetermined position, predetermined orientation or across two discrete planes of the pack (38).