Claims
- 1. Automated labeling apparatus for applying identifying labels each label being applied directly at a predetermined position along a top sheet of a layup of sheet material on a table comprising:
- a movable support beam means positionable on said table and moveable over said layup of sheet material;
- a plurality of labeling means mounted on said support beam means for independent transverse movement thereon and vertically adjustable relative to said layup of sheet material wherein each said labeling means is moveable independently of other labeling along the entire length of said support beam means;
- at least one label printing means for printing identifying information on labels accessible to said labeling means; and
- control mans for controlling and coordinating movement of said support beam means and labelling means and operation and printing of said label printing means.
- 2. Automated labeling apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said labeling means includes a rotatable drum having a plurality of load positions thereon for releasably receiving a preprinted label in each said load position from a label printing loading means and rotatably applying said labels in a predetermined sequence.
- 3. Automated labeling apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said labels are adhesive backed.
- 4. Automated labeling apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising steering means mounted to said support beam means to facilitate alignment of said beam along said table.
- 5. Automated labeling apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said label printing-loading means include a thermal printer for printing identifying indicia onto said labels.
- 6. Automated labeling apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said label-printing means includes an electrostatic printer.
- 7. Automated labeling apparatus for applying identifying labels at predetermined positions on a top sheet of a layup of sheet material spread onto a spreading table comprising:
- a moveable support beam positionable on said spreading table and moveable over said layup of sheet material;
- a plurality of labeling carriages movably mounted on said support beam for independent transverse movement thereon and vertically adjustable relative to said layup of sheet material wherein each said labeling carriage is moveable independently of other labeling along the entire length of said support beam means carriages;
- label applicator means attached to each of said labeling carriages for retaining and applying preprinted labels onto said layup of sheet material;
- at least one label printing station, accessible to said label applicator means for printing identifying information on labels; and
- control means for controlling and coordinating movement of said support beam, labeling carriage, label applicator means and said label printing station.
- 8. Automatic labeling apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said label applicator means comprises a rotatable drum having a plurality of load positions around the periphery thereof for releasably receiving preprinted labels from said label printing station.
- 9. Automated labeling apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said label printing station includes a web of adhesive labels, a printing means, a peeling means for removing said labels from said web after printing and a take-up reel for collecting said web.
- 10. Automated labeling apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said printing means is a thermal printer.
- 11. Automated labeling apparatus for applying identifying labels each label being applied directly at a predetermined position along a top sheet of a layup of sheet material on a spreading table comprising:
- a support beam having side supports located at either end thereof, said side supports having wheels for moving said support beam along the spreading table over the layup of sheet material;
- drive means connected to said wheels;
- a plurality of labeling carriages movably mounted on said support beam for independent transverse movement along said support beam and independently vertically moveable relative to the layup of sheet material wherein each said labeling carriage is moveable independently of other labeling along the entire length of said support beam means carriages;
- drum applicator means rotatably mounted on said labeling carriages, said drum applicator means including a plurality of label loading positions for releasably holding labels;
- at least one printing station mounted on said apparatus accessible to said drum applicator means and including a web of labels, a printer, and a means for removing said labels from the web;
- central processing control means for controlling and coordinating said drive means, labeling carriages, drum applicator means and printing station so that said drum applicator means cooperate to simultaneously load and apply said labels on said layup of sheet material.
- 12. Automated labeling apparatus as in claim 11 further comprising a transfer means for supporting and moving said automated labeling apparatus from one table to another.
- 13. Automated labeling apparatus as in claim 12 further comprising sensor means for adjusting the vertical height of said drum applicator.
- 14. Automated labeling apparatus as in claim 11 further comprising optical sensor means for sensing the loaded condition of said drum applicator.
- 15. Automated labeling apparatus as in claim 11 further comprising an optical encoder for providing linear positioning information to said central processing control means.
- 16. Automated labeling apparatus as in claim 11 wherein one of said side supports is pivotally attached to said support beam.
- 17. Automated labeling apparatus as in claim 13 wherein said sensor means comprises a presser foot in combination with micro switch to sense and adjust the vertical height of said drum applicator.
- 18. A method for applying identifying labels directly at predetermined positions along a top sheet of a layup of sheet material on a spreading table comprising the steps of:
- supporting a plurality of labeling carriages adapted for independent transverse and vertical motion above the layup of sheet wherein each said labeling carriages is moveable independently of other labeling means along the entire length of said support beam means material;
- printing identifying indicia onto labels;
- delivering the printed labels to the plurality of labeling carriages;
- controlling vertical, longitudinal and transverse movement of the labeling carriages to apply identifying labels directly onto a top layer of a layup of sheet material at predetermined locations.
- 19. A method for applying identifying labels as in claim 18 further comprising the step of sensing label location on said label carriage to confirm placement of the label.
- 20. A method for applying identifying labels as in claim 19 further comprising the step of automatically sensing and adjusting vertical height of the label carriage above said layup of sheet material.
- 21. Automated labeling apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the table is a spreading table.
Parent Case Info
This is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 07/533,873, filed on Jun. 6, 1990.
US Referenced Citations (13)
Continuations (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
533873 |
Jun 1990 |
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