Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags have recently become a preferred means of automatic identification as costs of production have declined. RFID tags store user-defined information and transmit that information to a reader, or data processor, via radio frequency (RF) waves. RFID tags may also allow the reader/processor to write new information thereto. Active RFID tags generally comprise a programmable microchip, an antenna, and a power source. Passive RFID tags do not contain an internal power source, and instead rely on RF (electromagnetic) waves sent from the reader/processor for power. The microchip stores data, while the antenna receives and transmits data as RF waves.
RFID labels contain RFID tags, in addition to having an exterior surface for receiving visible or printed markings. Therefore, RFID labels contain two forms of information, the RFID tag and the label surface. Within the label applicator industry, the use of RFID labels has created new problems. One of these problems is how to effectively perform read/write cycles on specified RFID labels efficiently and without adversely affecting other RFID labels. A second problem is how to reject defective RFID labels without significantly delaying label application cycles. The present invention at least provides a novel solution to these problems.
In one embodiment, the invention comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) label applicator, comprising: a label-separating/label-restraining portion having an acute label-separating edge; a label web path having a label separating/retaining bend, the bend being directed about the label-separating/label-restraining portion; wherein the edge is translatable between a first position and a second position such that when the edge is in the first position the bend is directed about the portion in an acute course, and when the edge is in the second position the label web path is directed about the portion in a obtuse course.
In another embodiment, the invention comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) label applicator, comprising: a label-separating/label-restraining portion having an acute label-separating edge and an obtuse label-retaining surface; a label web path having a label separating/retaining bend, the bend being directed about the label-separating/label-restraining portion; wherein one of the edge and surface is translatable between a first and second position such that when the one of the edge and surface is in the first position the bend is acute and when the one of the edge and surface is in the second position the bend is obtuse.
In another embodiment, the invention comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) label applicator, comprising: a label web path having a label separating/retaining bend; means for selectively separating a label from a label web at the bend, the means comprising an acute edge; and means for selectively retaining a label upon the label web at the bend, said retaining means providing an obtuse bend.
In another embodiment, the invention comprises a method of accepting or rejecting a radio frequency identification (RFID) label in a RFID label applicator, the method comprising the steps of: translating a target label contained upon a label web into a label processing unit, the unit being adjacent a label-separating/label-restraining portion about which the label web travels, where the portion includes an acute label-separating edge that forms an acute bend in the label web as it translates about the portion when the edge is in a label web engaging position, the label web having an obtuse bend about the portion when the edge is in a label web unengaged position; determining whether or not to use the target label; rejecting the target label after determining to not use the label by disengaging the label-separating edge prior to the label translating about the portion so the label web contains the obtuse bend thereabout; accepting the target label after determining to use the label by engaging the acute label-separating edge prior to the label translating about the portion so the label web contains the acute bend thereabout; and translating a portion of the label web adjacent the target label about the edge.
In another embodiment, the invention comprises a method of accepting or rejecting a radio frequency identification (RFID) label in a RFID label applicator, the method comprising the steps of: translating a target label contained upon a label web into a label processing unit, the unit including a retractable acute label-separating edge about which the label web translates in an acute course, so to generate separation forces between the web and any label translating about the edge capable of separating any label from the web; determining whether or not to use the target label; rejecting the target label after determining to not use the label by retracting the label-separating edge prior to the target label translating about the edge so to reduce the existence of any separation forces that may occur as the target label passes about the edge; accepting the target label after determining to use the label by extending the acute label-separating edge so to generate the necessary separation forces to cause the label to separate from the label web as the web translates about the edge; and translating a portion of the label web adjacent the target label about the edge.
In
Referring to
The label processing unit 30 includes an ejector slide unit 32, a spring block unit 40, an antenna unit 50, and a peel unit 60. Ejector slide unit 32 provides a sliding mounting portion 34 that translates, thereby allowing a portion of the peel unit 60 to retract and eject a rejected label 99. Ejection allows a rejected label 99 to remain on label web 19 as it returns to retrieval spool 16, instead of transferring the label 99 from peel unit 60 to applicator unit 70, as with an operational label 99. It is contemplated that other orientations may exist that would require mounting portion 34 to translate in different directions to effect label ejection, including rotational translations. Ejector slide unit 32 mounts to the snorkel base 22.
Spring block unit 40 ensures proper label web 19 alignment and tension along top plate 62 and comprises a rod 42, a block 44 with securement means 46, and a spring plate 48. In the present embodiment, rod 42 attaches to mounting portion 34; however, it is contemplated that it could mount elsewhere, such as to top plate 62. Block 44 translates axially and radially about rod 42, allowing spring plate 48 to track the location of label web 19 and conform to the thickness of label web 19. Block 44 includes a securing means 46 for constraining block 44 to rod 42. In the present embodiment, the securing means 46 comprises a levered screw, although it is contemplated that any commercially available means may be used. Spring plate 48 attaches to block 44. By properly positioning and securing block 44, spring plate 48 applies pressure to label web 19 so to assist in constraining label web 19 as it approaches the antenna unit 50 and the peel unit 60. Spring plate 48 is made of acetal resin, such as DuPont's Delrin®, or any comparable commercially available material that does not interfere with RF waves. This provides more consistent read/write cycles between antenna 54 and the RFID labels 99, since the use of bare metal interferes with those cycles. It is contemplated that insulated metal may also be used. Rod 42, block 44, and securing means 46 may be formed of any commercially available material, whether metal or non-metal.
Antenna unit 50 transmits and receives RF waves from a RFID label 99 and comprises an antenna housing 52, an antenna 54 (not shown), and an insulating plate 56. In the present embodiment, antenna unit 50 attaches to mounting portion 34; however, it is contemplated that antenna unit 50 may mount elsewhere, such as to top plate 62. Antenna housing 52 generally protects antenna 54 from physical damage by enclosing antenna 54 therein. In the present embodiment, antenna housing 52 is made of acetal resin. such as Delrin®, or any comparable material available commercially that does not interfere with RF signals sent to or from antenna 54. Because proper RF transmission to and from antenna 54 generally requires, based on the present embodiment, non-metallic material to be no closer than approximately one-half inch (½″) from antenna 54, a spacer made from acetal resin, or any other comparable material, may be required when attaching housing 52 to mounting portion 34. The location of metallic material in relation to antenna 54 may change as stronger or weaker RF waves are transmitted from antenna 54, thereby allowing metallic materials to be closer than or requiring metallic materials to be farther than one-half inch (½″) from antenna 54. Insulating plate 56 secures to the label web 19 upstream side (or the block 44 side) of antenna housing 52, to prevent approaching RFID labels 99 from being adversely affected by RF waves sent between antenna 54 and the intended RFID label 99 (generally closest to antenna 54). In the present embodiment, insulating plate 56 is made of stainless steel; however, it is contemplated that any other reflective material may be used. Antenna 54 comprises any commercially available RF antenna, such as those supplied by SAMSys Technologies Inc.
Referring to
Peel plate 66 attaches to at least a portion of the top plate 62 and is located along a top edge and adjacent side thereof, where the downstream portion of the RFID web travels after passing antenna unit 50 (typically located nearest the label applicator unit 70). Any commercially available means of attachment may be used, including fasteners and clips. The purpose of peel plate 66 is to provide a replaceable wear part, since the label web 19 travels over and around the uppermost portion thereof, of which at least includes the peel edge 67. In the present embodiment, the side portion of top plate 62 adjacent peel plate 66 is chamfered or angled (linearly or arced) inward from the uppermost portion of the top plate 62; although it is contemplated that peel plate 66 may comprise a triangular-like cross-section in an effort to duplicate the present profile formed by top plate 62 with peel plate 66. The purpose of the angled side is to provide a high angle of return (an acute course or bend) for label web 19 (generally more than ninety degrees (90° )) about peel edge 67 for separating labels 99 from label web 19. Peel plate 66 generally has a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape, thereby facilitating its mounting to top plate 62 while maintaining an uppermost surface that is substantially co-planar with the uppermost surface of top plate 62. Peel edge 67 may include mounting flanges 68, which extend further along the mounting side of top plate 62. The inclusion of flanges 68 facilitates the reduction of material in the remaining portions of peel plate 66, thereby minimizing RF signal reflection (interference). In the present embodiment, peel plate 66 is made from stainless steel for its wear properties; however, it is contemplated that peel plate 66 may be made from any other comparable metal or non-metal material. It is also contemplated that the cross-sectional shape of peel plate 66 may be non-trapezoidal and the peel plate 66 may mount to the uppermost surface of top plate 62.
Bottom plate 64 attaches to snorkel base 22 below and in close proximity to top plate 62, for the purpose of providing support thereto. It is contemplated that bottom plate 64 may mount elsewhere, such as to the stationary portion of slide unit 32. In the present embodiment, bottom plate 64 is made of aluminum; however, it is contemplated that different materials may be used, such as steel or acetal resin. The aluminum bottom plate 64 comprises a frame having an open center, for the purpose of minimizing RF reflection, and is approximately three-eighths of an inch (⅜″) thick; however, different designs and thicknesses may be required or allowed based upon the material used and/or the existing RF system (having different RF wave frequencies and amplitudes). A return edge 69 attaches to a side of bottom plate 64 substantially adjacent to peel edge 67, so to contact label web 19 after translating from peel edge 67. Return edge 69 is rounded and made of acetal resin, such as Delrin®, or any other comparable material available commercially. This minimizes damage to label web 19 by providing a low-friction surface for improved translation as web 19 exits peel edge 67, around bottom plate 64 and toward retrieval spool 16.
Once a label 99 is separated from the label backing at the peel edge 67, it travels to the applicator unit 70 (referring again to
Although the present invention has been described above in detail, the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention.
This application claims priority from provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/654,274, filed Feb. 18, 2005, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60654724 | Feb 2005 | US |