Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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WIPE-ON LABEL APPLICATOR FOR FRUIT OR VEGETABLES
AND ASSOCIATED METHODS
The present invention relates to labelers,
and, more particularly, to a wipe-on labeler.
Labels are typically applied to fruits and
vegetables in packing houses. The speed at which these
labels are applied is important because the fruit must
be packed and shipped quickly so that the shelf-life in
stores will be as long as possible. Generally, the
speed at which the labeler dispenses the labels is a
limiting constraint. This constraint also results in
an inE~fficient use of other equipment and personnel in
the packing house, thus increasing the overall cost of
packing fruits and vegetables. Accuracy of applying
the labels is also another important factor. Ideally,
a hit rate of 100% is desirable. When the hit rate is
less, a label is not successfully applied to a fruit.
Packing house profitability is adversely affected when
a label that would have permitted a higher selling
price is not applied to fruit otherwise capable of
commanding such a higher price.
Labelers generally apply pressure sensitive
labels using a continuous label strip carrying a
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plurality of labels for application to the fruit as it
is conveyed past the labeler. However, many existing
labelers require stiffness in the labeling material,
and consequently, paper or laminated labels have to be
pre-cut to lay properly on the fruit. Accordingly,
vinyl labels may be preferred because they are thin and
flexible and more easily conform to any fruit shape,
and the adhesion to the fruit is thus better.
Unfortunately, applying such labels at high speed may
be difficult.
A number of techniques have been developed to
attempt to increase the speed and accuracy of labelers.
For example, U.S. Patent No. 4,217,164 to La Mers
discloses a bellows type labelling system using
pressure sensitive labels attached along a label strip
that includes a line of weakness down its middle
forming separable~halves, with the labels attached over
both halves. The label strip is pulled along a plate
towards a V-shaped notch in one edge of the plate. At
the notch, the two halves of the label strip are drawn
through the V-shaped notch with each half over a
different side of the V. This causes the two halves of
the label strip to follow divergent paths from each
other, and also from the label, forcibly releasing the
label.
A significant advance in the art of applying
vinyl labels is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,829,351
to Anderson et al., inventors of the present invention.
The disclosed labeler includes a bellows drive gear and
a cassette drive gear spaced apart and each rotatably
supported in a housing. A stepper motor is mounted in
the housing and has an output shaft. A first drive
gear is affixed to the shaft and engages the bellows
drive gear. A second drive gear is affixed to the
shaft. A drive train engages the second gear and the
cassette drive gear. Because there is a direct
connection between the drive of both the bellows wheel
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and the cassette, a full bellows cycle is available to
accurately effect the transfer of a label from the
label strip to the end of the individual bellows.
U.S. Patent No. 5,660,676 to Brooks discloses
a wipe-on labeler with a peel blade for separating the
labels from the carrier strip. Similiarly, U.S. Patent
Nos. 3,793,114 and 4,017,350 to Thomas disclose a wipe-
on labelling machine that dispenses adhesive labels
from a label strip that includes supply and collector
reels, a pivotal rocker ar<n carrying an application
roller, and an adjustable guide member disposed between
the reels and the roller so that the labels on the
label strip are peeled therefrom by movement of the
label strip around the guide member. A pawl is
rockable about the same pivot axis as the pivotal
rocker arm for applying pressure against the label
strip. The pawl provides a ratcheting index technique
for advancing the labels. Accordingly, this labeler is
difficult to operate at higher speeds because the
ratcheting pivotal rocker arm must swing through a
predetermined working stroke before'a label is
advanced.
Other wipe-on labelling machines that
dispense adhesive vinyl labels include labelers
manufactured by Hurst Labeling Systems, PROLABEL, and
Booth Auto Pak. The PROLAHEL labeler includes an
adjustable speed D.C. stepper motor, and an electronic
eye sensor for detecting fruit location. These
labelers feed the label strip over a flat edge of the
applicator arm, which unfortunately may lack accuracy
in placing the labels onto the fruit.
In view of the foregoing background, it is
therefore an object of the present invention to provide
a labeler and associated method that improves the speed
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and accuracy at which labels are applied to fruit or
vegetables.
This and other advantages, features and
objects in accordance with the present invention are
provided by a wipe-on labeler comprising a frame, a
label cassette connected to the frame for dispensing a
label strip including a carrier and a plurality of
labels adhered thereon, a conveyor for advancing fruit
along a predetermined path of travel, a label
applicator arm pivotally connected to the frame
adjacent the label cassette, and a label feeder for
advancing the label strip along the label applicator
arm to a free end thereof. Because the fruit labeler
is a wipe-on labeler, it is less complex than rotary
and reciprocating type labelers, and can accordingly
place labels at a relatively high speed.
The label applicator arm pivotally extends
outwardly from the label cassette, preferably albng the
predetermined path of travel so that the free end
contacts the fruit. The label applicator arm
preferably has a V-shaped notch in~the free end for
separating from the carrier the label to be applied to
the fruit as the carrier passes through the V-shaped
notch, and is divided into two carrier waste portions.
The carrier waste portions are withdrawn by the label
feeder.
The label applicator arm also preferably
includes a resilient roller attached to the free end
adjacent the V-shaped notch for pressing against the
fruit. The V-shaped notch advantageously removes the
label from the carrier, and the resilient roller
presses the label onto the fruit as it rolls over the
fruit. This allows the dispensing of vinyl labels,
which conform to fruit better than paper or laminated
labels. Consequently, the accuracy or hit rate of the
labeler according to the present invention is improved
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when vinyl labels are dispensed because they more
readily conform to the shape of the fruit.
The label feeder also preferably includes a
pair of take-up wheels for respectively taking up the
pair of carrier waste portions after being split by the
V-shaped notch. Because the carrier halves both
support the label, if the labeler dispenses a label
when there is no fruit, the label desirably stays on
one of the waste portions and is discarded.
The label strip preferably has at least one
edge with a predetermined profile, and the label feeder
includes a dispensing wheel having a similar
corresponding profile.
The label applicator arm preferably includes
at least one spring for biasing the label applicator
arm toward the conveyor, and a damper for damping
pivotal movement .thereof when contacting fruit having
significant size differences. These above described
aspects according to the present invention allow the
speed of the labeler to be significantly faster than
conventional wipe-on labelers.
Another aspect of the present invention
relates to a method of applying labels to fruit using a
labeler having a frame, and a label applicator arm
pivotally connected to the frame and extending
outwardly along a predetermined path of travel so that
a free end of the label applicator arm contacts the
fruit. The method preferably includes the steps of
advancing a label strip using a label feeder along the
label applicator arm to the free end thereof, and
separating from a carrier of the label strip a label
to be applied to the fruit as the carrier passes
through a V-shaped notch.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the labeler
in accordance with the present invention.
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FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a portion of the
label strip for the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of a portion of
the label strip for the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of
the apparatus as shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the apparatus
shown in FIG. 1 with the cassette re~uoved to better
illustrate the label applicator arm.
FIG. 6 is a greatly enlarged bottom plan view
of the free end of the label applicator arm in
accordance with the present invention.
The present invention will now be described
more fully hereinafter with reference to the
accompanying draw~.ngs, in which preferred embodiments
of the invention are shown. This invention may,
however, be embodied in many different forms and should
not be construed as limited to the embodiments set
forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided
so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete,
and will fully convey the scope of the invention to
those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like
elements throughout.
Referring initially to FIG. 1, a perspective
view of a fruit labeler, generally indicated at 10, is
described in accordance with the present invention.
The fruit labeler 10 includes a frame 12, a label
cassette 14 connected to the frame for dispensing a
label strip 16, a label applicator arm 18 pivotally
connected to the frame adjacent the label cassette, and
a label feeder 20 for advancing the label strip along
the label applicator arm to a free end thereof. The
label feeder is generally indicated by reference 20,
which will be described in greater detail below.
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The frame 12 is supported and advanced by a
conveyor 22, which advances fruit 24 along a
predetermined path.of travel as will be appreciated by
those skilled in the art. The label applicator arm 18
extends outwardly from the label cassette 14 along the
predetermined path of travel so that the free end of
the label applicator arm contacts the fruit 24. The
conveyor 22 preferably has conventional cradles 26 for
holding and positioning individual fruit 24. Other
methods of advancing fruit 24 along the predetermined
path of travel are acceptable, as will be readily
appreciated by one skilled in the art.
The label strip 16 has a carrier 30 and a
plurality of labels 32 adhered thereon, as best shown
in FIGS. 2 and 3.' The labels 32 are preferably vinyl
since vinyl labels are thin and flexible and more
easily conform to a variety of fruit shapes than paper
or laminated labels. The adhesion to the fruit 24 is
better because of this conformity.~~ However,
application of the labeler 10 according to the present
invention is not limited to vinyl labels, as will be
readily appreciated by one skilled in the art.
Each of the labels 32 has a front face 32a
with a decorative design or other identifying indicia
printed thereon. The label striF 16 includes a
separation line 34 along its length at a middle portion
thereof. Preferably, the separation line 34 is
perforated but may be a line of weakness as well. The
label strip 16 also has at least one edge 36 with a
sinusoidal or other predetermined profile which
facilitates accurate positioning, as will be described
in more detail below.
Now referring additionally to FIGS. 4-6, the
labeler 10 is described in greater detail. The label
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feeder 20 advances the label strip 16 along the label
applicator arm 18 to the free end thereof. The label
feeder 20 includes.a cassette gear 48, a dispensing
wheel 50, a pair of take-up wheels 52, and a drive
shaft 54 coupled therebetween. The cassette gear 48 is
rotated by a stepper motor 60. The stepper motor 60 is
also part of the label feeder 20, and is activated or
energized for rotating the cassette gear 48 responsive
to a fruit sensing switch 62 positioned adjacent the
conveyor 22. The fruit sensing switch 62 detects the
approach of fruit 24 in the cradles 26 on the conveyor
22.
The stepper motor 60 is mounted within a
housing 66 attached to the frame 12, and has an output
shaft 68 with a drive gear 70 attached thereto. The
drive gear 70 meshes with a first idler gear 72
rotatably mounted in the housing 66. A second idler
gear 74 is attached to the idler gear 72 and meshes
with a cassette drive gear 76. The cassette drive gear
76~is rotatably mounted in the housing 66 with its
teeth projecting through and above a protective cover
secured to the top of the housing to engage the
cassette gear 48 within the frame 12. To accommodate
labels of different sizes, the second idler gear 74 is
removably secured to the first idler gear 72 so that a
gear with the number of teeth necessary to advance the
label strip 16 the proper distance may be installed, as
will be readily appreciated by one skilled in the art.
The cassette gear 48 is affixed to the drive
shaft 54, as is the dispensing wheel 50 and the pair of
take-up wheels 52. The dispensing wheel 50 has a
predetermined profile corresponding to the profile of
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the label strip 16. More particularly, the dispensing
wheel 50 has a depressed center defined by a pair of
opposing sinusoidal side walls 80. The profile edges
36 of the carrier 30 are formed with a shape
complementary to and engageable with the sinusoidal
side walls 80.
The label strip 16 is wound on a core 82
which is rotatably supported on handles 12a formed on
and extending upward from the frame 12. The label
strip 16 is trained around a guide pulley 84 rotatably
carried on a tension arm 86 which is loosely carried by
the drive shaft 54. A second roller 88 rotatably
carried by the tension arm 86 assures the label strip
16 engages the side walls 80 of the dispensing wheel
50. A stepped shaft 90 extends across and is non-
rotationally secured to the frame 12. A full diameter
section of the stepped shaft 90 is engageable by the
guide roller 84 to assure the carrier 30 remains within
the side walls thereof. The full diameter section of
the stepped shaft 90 also limits the downward travel of
the guide roller 84. The guide roller 84 is biased
downward by gravity to trap the label strip 16
therebetween, and stop momentum of the label strip and
to maintain tension therein. As the label strip 16 is
dispensed, it passes over a set of rollers 85 to
provide a non-restricting path to the free end of the
label applicator arm 18.
To reduce the amount of bouncing of the label
-applicator arm 18, particularly when the arm is dragged
over two successive fruits having a significant size
difference, biasing means and a damper 73 are connected
to the label applicator arm 18. In one embodiment, the
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biasing means preferably includes a pair of springs 71
connected between the label applicator arm 18 and the
frame 12. Depending on the amount of bias desired,
only one spring 71 may be used. Other methods of
biasing the label applicator arm 18 are acceptable, as
will be readily appreciated by one skilled in the art.
The damper 73, may also comprise a dashpot which
cushions or dampens movement of the label applicator
arm 18 to avoid damaging the fruit 24 when a label 32
is applied thereto. In another embodiment, the damper
is provided at least one spring adjacent one of the
bias springs 7i, and its size is about half the length
of the bias spring, but larger in diameter. In an
alternative embodiment of the label applicator arm 18,
the biasing means, are provided without the damper 73.
As stated above, the free end of the libel
applicator arm 18 includes a V-shaped notch 40 formed
by. edges 40a, 40b to split the carrier 30 of the label
strip Z6 along the longitudinal separation line. The
V-shaped notch 40 separates the labels 32 from the
carrier 30 as the carrier passes over the respective
edges 40a and 40b, as best shown in FIG. 6. As the
label 32 is separated from the carrier 30, the
respective carrier waste portions 30a, 30b pass briefly
underneath the label applicator artn 18 and return along
the upper surface on opposite sides of the label strip
as shown in FIG. 5.
A resilient roller 41 is connected to the
free end of the label applicator arm 16 via extension
43 for pressing separated labels 32 onto the fruit 24.
The roller 41 has an inverted V-shaped region which
corresponds to the V-shaped notch 40 in the label
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applicator arm 18. The roller 41 is preferably a soft
material, such as rubber, so as not to damage the fruit
24.' As the label 32 is separated from the carrier 30,
the roller 41 ensures that the separated label has
adequate pressure for adhering to the fruit 24.
Each half of the separated carrier, i.e., the
carrier waste portions 30a and 30b, pass along the
upper surface of the label applicator arm 18 and around
guide rollers 92 rotatably mounted by a shaft 94. Each
waste portion 30a, 30b passes between the guide rollers
92 and the take-up wheels 52, and passes over the top
of the take-up wheels. The take-up wheels 52 include a
series of peripheral projections 98 which penetrate the
respective carrier waste portions 30a, 30b of the
carrier 30. A wedge 104 secured to the inside of each
side of the frame 12 separates the respective carrier
waste portions 30a, 30b from the projections 98 on the
respective take-up wheels 52. w
A bar 106 spans one end of the frame 12 and
is engageable with a hook (not shown) formed in the
housing 66. The bar 106 has enlarged diameter ends,
the transition to which tends to center the housing 66
as it is connected to the frame 12. A spring-loaded
detent (not shown) is mounted on each side of the frame
12 and engages a recess on the frame to releasably
retain the label cassette 14 in place. The label
cassettes are interchangeable so that one cassette can
be loaded off-line with a reel of label strips 16 while
another cassette is operatively engaged with the
labeler 10 to apply labels to the fruit 24.
Once the stepper motor 60 has been activated
by the fruit sensing switch 62, the stepper motor
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accelerates from standstill to a rotational speed which
causes the velocity of the labels 32 to match the speed
at which they will be dispensed. Matching the speed
can be determined by counting the rotations of an idler
gear (not shown) engaging the conveyor. when the
stepper motor 60 is deactivated, the labels 32
decelerate to a standstill. The acceleration or ramp-
up of the stepper motor 60 from standstill, which is
initiated by closing the fruit sensing switch 62, is a
function of the speed of the conveyor 22, the distance
between the cradles 26 carrying the fruit 24, and the
maximum tensile force to which the label strip 16 may
be subjected.
Another aspect of the present invention
relates to a method of applying labels 32 to fruit 24
using a labeler 10 having a label applicator arm, l8
pivotally connected to a frame 12, and extending
outwardly so that a free end of the label applicator
arm contacts the fruit. The method~preferably includes
the steps of advancing a label strip 16 along the label
applicator arm to the free end thereof, and separating
a label 32 from a carrier 30 of the label strip to be
applied to the fruit 24 as the carrier passes through
the V-shaped notch 40 in the free end of the label
applicator arin. The labeler 10 includes a dispensing
wheel 50 having a predetermined profile, and the label
strip has at least one edge 36 with a corresponding
profile of the dispensing wheel. The method further
includes the step of engaging the profile of the label
strip 16 to the profile of the dispensing wheel 50.
Because the label strip 16 and the dispensing
wheel 50 have corresponding profiles, a precise and
repeatable location of the label 32 is known every
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time, which improves the accuracy of dispensing labels
to almost 100%. This avoids the use of a more costly
electronic edge detector for providing a location of
the labels. With the label applicator arm 18 including
at least one spring 71 for biasing the label applicator
arm toward the conveyor 22, and a damper 73 for damping
movement of the label applicator arm when dragged over
sequential fruits 24 having a significant size
difference, the speed of the labeler 10 is
significantly faster than conventional wipe-on
labelers.
Many modifications and other embodiments of
the invention will come to the mind of one skilled in
the art having the benefit of the teachings presented
in the foregoing descriptions and the associated
drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the
invention is not to be limited to the specific '
embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and
embodiments are intended to be included within the
scope of the appended claims.
