The present application relates to a method and system for labeling one or more products such as packages transported along a conveyer, and more specifically to applying a label on a respective package by way of a vertically adjustable assembly positioned above the conveyor. The adjustable assembly includes at least a label printer and an applicator for printing and applying the label on a surface of the package on the conveyor.

Generation of a wrinkle is prevented when a sticker is affixed to an object. A sticker affixing system includes an articulated robot, a controller configured to control the articulated robot, and a suction tool attached to a distal end of the articulated robot. The suction tool includes a suction portion configured to hold a sticker and a pressing portion configured to affix the sticker to an object to which the sticker is affixed. The controller causes the articulated robot to execute an operation of inclining a suction surface of the suction portion with respect to a surface of the object and an operation of moving the suction tool along the surface of the object. The pressing portion presses the sticker against the surface of the object while the suction tool moves along the surface of object.

Teaching including adjustment of an inclination of a suction tool with respect to an object is performed in teaching of a suction position of the suction tool. A sticker affixing system includes an articulated robot, a controller, a suction tool attached to a distal end of the articulated robot, a force sensor, and a storage. The controller causes the articulated robot to execute an operation of bringing the suction tool close to a sticker on a release paper in a teaching mode, an operation of adjusting a suction position of the suction tool and an inclination in a traveling direction (roll axis X) of the suction tool in peeling off the sticker based on a signal from the force sensor, and an operation of storing the teaching data including information about the adjusted suction position and the inclination of the suction tool in the storage.

Generation of a wrinkle is prevented when a sticker is affixed to an object. A sticker affixing system includes an articulated robot, a controller configured to control the articulated robot, a suction tool attached to a distal end of the articulated robot, and a force sensor configured to detect force applied to the suction tool. The controller causes the articulated robot to execute: an operation of moving the suction tool holding a sticker along a surface of an object to which the sticker is affixed; and an operation of adjusting an inclination of the suction tool with respect to a traveling direction (roll axis) of the suction tool and the traveling direction of the suction tool based on a signal from the force sensor.

A multi-hole absorption tool includes an absorption surface including a plurality of absorption holes to which a seal is absorbed. Each of the plurality of absorption holes is classified so as to belong to at least one of a first region and a second region, and absorption holes belonging to the first region and absorption holes belonging to the second region are connected to different suction devices. The multi-hole absorption tool having this configuration can peel off the seal from a mount with no wrinkle in the seal, prevent positional displacement of the seal with respect to an object to which the seal is affixed, and affix the seal to the object.

A vacuum station comprising a main housing and a pair of arms extending from the main housing. The arms are configured to hold a roller. The main housing has a front face and a rear face, with the front face having a recess therein. An air path extends from the front face to the rear face. The vacuum station also includes a removable plate having a plurality of suction holes therethrough located within the recess in the front face of the main housing. The removable plate is removably connected to the main housing by magnets. A sheet of labels can be held to the removable plate by a suction force through the air path in the main housing and the suction holes in the removable plate.

An apparatus and method for labelling packs including an advancement device for transporting a pack in a transporting direction, a dispensing device for dispensing a label into a dispensing position, and an application device for applying the dispensed label to the pack. A punch including a punch shank and punch foot moves the dispensed label from a receiving position, where the punch foot receives the label, to a discharging position, where the label is applied to the pack by the punch foot. The punch shank is pivotally mounted about a first pivot axis transverse to the transporting direction, and is movable axially in a guide element. The punch shank is connected to a lifting element of a lifting device via an articulation. The lifting element is movable parallel to a direction angled relative to the transporting direction. A first drive with a motor drives the lifting element.

Devices, systems, and methods for automatically printing and applying one or more label to at least one item to enable shipping of the at least one item by a carrier are provided. In some aspects, a movable label applicator device includes a printer for printing the one or more label onto a supply of labeling material, wherein the one or more printed label contains unique information associated with the at least one item. In some aspects, the device further includes an applicator for applying the one or more printed label to a surface of the at least one item, wherein the applicator is configured to apply multiple labels to the surface of the at least one item such that the multiple labels are removably stacked on top of one another.

Auto-applied packing list and upper label systems. A carrier material with an upper label and a lower label removeably adhered thereto is provided. The upper label and lower label are dispensed in sequence onto a label applicator apparatus. The label applicator apparatus applies the upper label and the lower label to a surface simultaneously, whereby after application the underside of the lower label is in contact with the surface and the undersurface of the upper label is in contact with the top side of the lower label.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a produce label applicator machine is retrofitted with a system such that the positive/negative air pressure at the label applicator bellows is configured to introduce and apply a bacteria or maturity inhibiting substance/gas/chemical to the surfaces of the labels as they are being applied to the produce. A source of bacteria or maturity inhibiting substance/gas/chemical is coupled to a fast-acting valve, that is in communication with the air passageway of the label dispensing arms/bellows.