In one embodiment the present invention comprises a smartphone and encoders for commissioning RFID transponders. The present invention further includes novel systems, devices, and methods for commissioning RFID transponders with unique object class instance numbers without requiring a realtime connection to a serialization database.

The invention discloses a decoration apparatus for decorating a web of labeling material. The decoration apparatus comprises conveyor for advancing the web of labeling material between a first station and a second station, an activation unit adapted to apply an activation energy at a activation station for selectively activating activatable pigments comprised in the web of labeling material or to locally ablate the web of labeling material and a temperature-conditioning unit which is adapted to actively cool and/or heat the web of labeling material, in particular, in use, prior, during and/or after selectively activating the activatable pigments or ablating the web of labeling material.

A high-speed print-and-apply label applicator includes a conveyor system, a control and monitoring system, a label web feeding assembly, a label printer and encoder system, and a tamp pad assembly driven by a linear motor having a shaft that is formed at least partially by a composite material. A flexible applicator may be secured to the leading edge of the tamp pad and extends at least partially over the generally horizontal surface.

The present invention relates to a labelling machine (1) for applying labels (2) to receptacles (3) comprising a web (11) having a succession of decorative patterns (15); a cutting unit (12) configured to cut said web (11) so as to obtain individual labels (2); a conveying means (14) configured to advance the individual labels (2); a control unit (17) configured to control a positioning of the web (11) in relation to a reference station (18); a determination device (19) configured to determine and/or detect a relative positioning of the decorative patterns (15) in relation to the reference station (18); and a removal device (20) configured to remove incorrect labels (2) that are determined and/or detected as a function of the relative positioning of the decorative patterns (15) in relation to the reference station (18). Also included is a method for applying labels (2).

Fixtures for use with medical device label printing systems are disclosed. An example fixture may include a housing designed to be coupled to a printing device. The housing may have an input region for receiving a media (e.g., that may include a backing portion and a label portion) and a return region. A separating member may be disposed within the housing. The separating member may be designed for separating the label portion from the backing portion. The separating member may be designed to shift between a first configuration where the separating member engages the media in order to separate the label portion from the backing portion and a second configuration where the separating member is positioned away from engagement with the media. The fixture may also include an actuator for shifting the separating member between the first configuration and the second configuration.

A high-speed print-and-apply label applicator includes a conveyor system, a control and monitoring system, a label web feeding assembly, a label printer and encoder system, a tamp pad assembly driven by a linear motor having a shaft that is formed at least partially by a composite material.

A machine for applying tubular film to products includes a film feed path along which a supply of continuous tubular film is fed, and a sleeve eject station at which the film tubing is cut into sleeves that are ejected onto products passing the sleeve eject station. At least one sensor is positioned along the film feed path upstream of the sleeve eject station for detecting a splice in tubular film traveling along the film feed path. A controller is configured for controlling the machine such that, upon detection of a splice in the tubular film, a defective sleeve that includes the splice thereon is ejected into a gap between successive products so as to prevent application of the defective sleeve to any product.

A method for processing heat transfer labels for quality assurance purposes that may be provided in the form of a roll, with defective heat transfer labels remaining included within the roll instead of being removed. A marking system may be used during or after production of the heat transfer labels in order to distinguish acceptable heat transfer labels from defective heat transfer labels to prevent the latter from being used in the manufacture of garments or other goods. A sensor eye may be disposed on the heat bonder used in the production process to detect the marks and automatically advance the roll to the next acceptable heat transfer label.

An auto sort and label (ASL) system includes a conveyor, a controller, a sensor, and a label, print, and apply (LPA) system. The conveyor conveys articles through the ASL system. The sensor is positioned along the conveyor and identifies an article. The controller receives sensor data from the sensor. The LPA is positioned alongside the conveyor and prints labels in sequence with the corresponding article as it travels along the conveyor and applies the labels to the corresponding articles as the article passes the LPA. The controller controls the conveyor such that a gap and/or pitch between a first article and a second article is adjusted to an optimal distance to match the operation capability of the LPA. The controller verifies placement and contents of the label upon the article as defined by sensor data and accepts or rejects the labeled article for further handling based on the verification.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an apparatus to discard defective label form a labeling machine is provided. The invention includes a label path to move a label web containing a plurality of labels from an origin station to a destination station. The invention then includes an inspection unit to detect the defective labels from the plurality of labels in the label path. The invention also includes a defective label discarding unit configured to discard the defective labels from the label path. The invention further includes, a collecting unit to collect the plurality of defective labels. The invention then includes, a labeling unit configured to label the good label in a required product and a processor to synchronize the label path, the inspection unit, the defective label discarding unit, the collecting unit and the labeling unit.