A radio frequency identification system, and method of operation thereof, provides: a sensor for sensing the absence or presence of a radio frequency identification transponder at the radio frequency identification system; a supply system connected to the sensor for supplying the radio frequency identification transponder to the radio frequency identification system in the absence of the radio frequency identification transponder at the radio frequency identification system; and a programmer connected to the sensor for writing transponder content to the radio frequency identification transponder at the radio frequency identification system in the presence of the radio frequency identification transponder at the radio frequency identification system.

A printer for outputting a printed product includes: a print head for printing on a print medium moving in a longitudinal direction, the print medium including a plurality of separate or separable labels detachably arranged on a carrier along the longitudinal direction; and a material interface for outputting the print medium printed by the printer as a printed product, the material interface including a dispensing edge and a support, which deflect the carrier over the dispensing edge and the support downstream of the print head in the longitudinal direction. The dispensing edge is arranged relative to the support in a first position to induce a detaching deflection of the carrier for detaching the respective label. The dispensing edge and the support are arranged in a second position relative to each other to induce an entraining deflection for entraining the respective label on the carrier.

A labeling set for marking a pharmaceutical vessel including a body having a peripheral surface and a removable closure includes: a three-dimensional molded attachment, a label for sticking on the outer vessel circumference to be marked, and an RFID transponder for electronic identification of the vessel and/or contents. The attachment is mountable and/or positionable on the vessel in a predefined relative position and has a circumferential wall with an outer circumferential surface which is intended as an additional labelable and/or electronically identifiable outer wall and/or outer surface and whose radius, outer circumference and/or wall course is selected in accordance with the radius, outer circumference and/or wall course of the vessel circumferential surface. The label and/or the RFID transponder sticks over and/or covers both a circumferential surface, formed in accordance with the vessel body outer circumference, and the attachment circumferential surface at least in regions and/or to secure the vessel attachment to the vessel.

A system for robotic manipulation of objects having various shapes and sizes. The system includes a robot having an end effector, and an independent tag. The independent tag may have an object attachment interface to grasp an object, and an end effector attachment interface to mechanically interface with the end effector. Upon actuation of the robot, the end effector may move the object via the independent tag. A corresponding method is also disclosed and claimed herein.

A machine for forming a container from a blank of sheet material includes a frame and an identification tag applicator mounted to the frame. The blank includes a first surface that forms an interior surface of the container and a second surface that forms an exterior surface of the container. The identification tag applicator is configured to apply an identification tag to the first surface of the blank. The machine also includes a mandrel assembly mounted to the frame and located operationally downstream from the identification tag applicator. The mandrel assembly includes a mandrel having an external shape complimentary to an internal shape of at least a portion of the container. The machine also includes a lift assembly configured to lift the blank having the identification tag adhered thereto towards the mandrel and wrap the blank about the mandrel.

The disclosure features a method of creating a communications network. In this method, a first tape node includes a first type of wireless communication interface and a second type of wireless communication interface having a longer range than the first type of wireless communication interface. A second tape node includes the first type of wireless communication interface that is operable to communicate with the first tape node over a wireless communication connection established between the first type of wireless communication interfaces of the first and second tape nodes. Over a wireless communication connection, the first tape node sends programmatic code executable by the first tape node to function as a master tape node with respect to the second tape node.

A radio frequency identification system, and method of operation thereof, provides: a sensor for sensing the absence or presence of a radio frequency identification transponder at the radio frequency identification system; a supply system connected to the sensor for supplying the radio frequency identification transponder to the radio frequency identification system in the absence of the radio frequency identification transponder at the radio frequency identification system; and a programmer connected to the sensor for writing transponder content to the radio frequency identification transponder at the radio frequency identification system in the presence of the radio frequency identification transponder at the radio frequency identification system.

Apparatus and methods for reducing the tack of adhesive ooze around components and other materials associated with articles and labeling and packaging of articles. In some embodiments, the packaging includes a substrate, an adhesive, a component, a de-tackifying agent, and an ooze zone. The substrate may be a shrink sleeve label. The adhesive may be a pressure sensitive adhesive used to attach the component to the substrate. The component may be a smart component or a promotional material. The de-tackifying agent may reduce the tackiness of the adhesive that oozes (i.e., progresses) beyond the interface of the component and the substrate into an adjacent ooze zone when heat, pressure, or heavy coat weight is applied to the packaging.

A machine for forming a container from a blank of sheet material includes a frame and an identification tag applicator mounted to the frame. The blank includes a first surface that forms an interior surface of the container and a second surface that forms an exterior surface of the container. The identification tag applicator is configured to apply an identification tag to the first surface of the blank. The machine also includes a mandrel assembly mounted to the frame and located operationally downstream from the identification tag applicator. The mandrel assembly includes a mandrel having an external shape complimentary to an internal shape of at least a portion of the container. The machine also includes a lift assembly configured to lift the blank having the identification tag adhered thereto towards the mandrel and wrap the blank about the mandrel.