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.

A label dispenser for peel-off labels pulls a web with peel-off labels attached from a label supply location to a take-up spool. The label dispenser maintains the web in a taut condition when the web passes over a peeling edge by providing first and second rods about which the web wraps in a sinuous flow path on the feed side of the peeling edge. The take-up spool resists turning in the reverse direction to maintain the web in a taut condition. A cam is selectably rotatable about an axis that is spaced apart from the center of curvature at each location on the curved surface that may contact the web to adjust the thickness of the flow path of the web at the peeling edge.

A label dispensing machine includes a label curving cover, and arched label output mechanism for outputting a continuous series of label strip to an inner side of the label curving cover where the lead end of the continuous series of label strip is curved by the label curving cover into an integral arch-shaped label. The label dispensing machine is disposed at one side of a film roll/bags-on-a-roll on a reel so that the arch-shaped label can be cut off and adhered to a cut-off lead end of the film roll/bags-on-a-roll and partially exposed to the outside of the tear line of the film roll/bags-on-a-roll easily for allowing the user to quickly find and lift the cut-off lead end of the film roll/bags-on-a-roll.

A label rewind machine counts labels on a label roll having an elongated web with labels attached. The rewind machine has an unwind spindle and a rewind spindle, and a first label sensor and a second label sensor. The label roll is placed on the unwind spindle, and the web is threaded through the first and second sensors and attached to the rewind spindle, creating a web path. As the web is drawn along the web path, each sensor detects the presence or absence of a label on the web proximate that sensor and generates an electronic signal. Together, the sensors generate a specific quadrature sequence dictated by the presence of labels on the web. If the detected sequence mimics a selected sequence, the rewind machine records a unitary count of one label. The label count is indexed by one each time the rewind machine detects the selected sequence.

A label-sensing method includes the steps of aligning a sensor to an exposed portion of a strip of release paper that supports a row of labels, switching the sensor to a setting mode, determining whether an existing threshold is to be used for the roll of labels, transferring an existing threshold to the sensor if an existing threshold is to be used for the roll of labels, using the sensor to scan the exposed portion of the release paper and produce a sensed value if no existing threshold is to be used for the roll of labels, and calculating a threshold based on the sensed value, storing the threshold and transferring the threshold to the sensor.

An apparatus and method for printing labels (1), in particular labels provided on a liner (2). The apparatus includes at least one label feed device (3) for providing and feeding labels, a transport device (4) including at least one transport element (9, 10) for transporting the labels, which have been fed by the label feed device, in a transport direction, a printing device (11) including a printing head (11a) for printing the labels transported by the transport device, and a capturing device (12) for capturing the position of the respective label in a section of the transport device. The capturing device has a line-scan or area-scan camera (13) with which the side of the transport element that faces the labels during correct use and/or a gap (19) formed between two transport element sections (17, 18) in the transport direction is optically capturable in a capturing region (14).

Apparatuses and methods for applying a transfer material onto one or more surfaces of an article are disclosed, including apparatuses and methods of transfer printing on and/or decorating three-dimensional articles, as well as the articles printed and/or decorated thereby. The apparatuses and methods may include providing a deposition device, such as a printing device; providing a transfer component; depositing a material onto a portion of the transfer component with the deposition device; modifying the portion of the transfer component with the transfer material thereon to conform the transfer component to at least a portion of one or more surfaces of the three-dimensional article; and transferring the transfer material onto the one or more surfaces of the article.

A peel plate with a rotating rod is provided. The peel plate with the rotating rod may be used in a label dispensing system in place of a standard peel plate having a narrow-edged portion. The peel plate with the rotating rod reduces the friction over a liner (e.g., having labels disposed on both sides) during label dispensing of a first side, which would thereby reduce or eliminate the curling effect of the liner for subsequent (second side) label dispensing.

A method and apparatus for reuse and/or recycling of liner material layers from a label supply which typically includes the liner material layer and a label supply material in which the labels are formed and from which the labels are subsequently applied to one or more articles. The invention allows the separation and processing and recycling of the liner material layer which, otherwise and conventionally would be treated as waste. The invention allows this to be achieved without the need for the application of any material to the label supply following the formation of the same. The recycling can be in the form of forming the liner material into a raw material for subsequent processing or, alternatively, using the liner material as an adhesive tape or, alternatively, directly reusing the liner material layer as part of another label supply.

A labelling machine comprises a supply spool support for supporting a supply spool comprising label stock; a take-up spool support adapted to take up a portion of the label stock; a movable element which defines a portion of a web path between the supply spool and the take-up spool support; a sensor configured to produce a sensor signal indicative of the position of the movable element; a controller configured to receive the sensor signal and output a brake assembly control signal based upon the sensor signal; and a brake assembly configured to apply a braking force to one of said spool supports based upon the brake assembly control signal, the braking force resisting rotation of said one of said spool supports. The controller is configured to control the brake assembly based upon the sensor signal so as to cause the moveable element to move towards a desired position.