US 11,724,846 B2
Overhead label print and apply system
Mark N. Bowden, Nokomis, FL (US); and Mark T. Snedecor, Fort Worth, TX (US)
Assigned to ID TECHNOLOGY LLC, Fort Worth, TX (US)
Filed by ID Technology LLC, Ft. Worth, TX (US)
Filed on Jul. 30, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/389,840.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/069,282, filed on Aug. 24, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/064,984, filed on Aug. 13, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0048662 A1, Feb. 17, 2022
Int. Cl. B65C 9/18 (2006.01); B41J 3/407 (2006.01); B41J 15/04 (2006.01); B65C 9/02 (2006.01); B65C 9/26 (2006.01)
CPC B65C 9/18 (2013.01) [B41J 3/4075 (2013.01); B41J 15/044 (2013.01); B65C 9/02 (2013.01); B65C 9/26 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An overhead label print and apply system, comprising:
a conveyance path;
a common label applier located above the conveyance path, wherein the common label applier includes a label applying plate or pad that is movable from a label receiving position toward the conveyance path for applying labels;
a first label print and dispense unit;
a second label print and dispense unit;
wherein the first label print and dispense unit is positionable in a use position to feed printed labels to the label applying plate or pad in the label receiving position and is movable out of the use position and away from the common label applier;
wherein the second label print and dispense unit is positionable in a use position to feed printed labels to the label applying plate or pad in the label receiving position and is movable out of its use position and away from the common label applier;
wherein the common label applier is configured to move the label applying plate or pad from the label receiving position downward toward the conveyance path to apply labels;
wherein the common label applier is configured such that labels received on the label applying plate or pad from the first label print and dispense unit and labels received on the label applying plate or pad from the second label print and dispense unit follow a same direction and path of movement toward the conveyance path;
wherein the first label print and dispense unit, when in its use position, is located at a first side of the common label applier and laterally within a footprint of the conveyance path;
wherein the second label print and dispense unit, when in its use position, is located at a second side of the common label applier and laterally within the footprint of the conveyance path, wherein the second side is opposite the first side;
wherein the first label print and dispense unit, when in its use position, is configured to feed labels to the label applying plate or pad in a first direction that runs from the first side toward the second side such that labels are first fed from the label dispense unit laterally in the first direction before being moved downward by the label applying plate or pad;
wherein the second label print and dispense unit, when in its use position, is configured to feed labels to the label applying plate or pad in a second direction that runs from the second side toward the first side such that labels are first fed from the label dispense unit laterally in the second direction before being moved downward by the label applying plate or pad;
wherein each of the common label applier, the first label print and dispense unit and the second label print and dispense unit is mounted on an overhead rail system that extends transverse to a travel direction of the conveyance path;
wherein the first label print and dispense unit is movable, independently of the second label print and dispense unit, along the overhead rail system between its use position, proximate to the common label applier, and an access position spaced away from the common label applier;
wherein the second label print and dispense unit is movable, independently of the first label print and dispense unit, along the overhead rail system between its use position, proximate to the common label applier, and an access position spaced away from the common label applier,
wherein the access position of the first label print and dispense unit is positioned laterally outside the footprint of the conveyance path;
wherein the access position of the second label print and dispense unit is positioned laterally outside the footprint of the conveyance path.