EP1687206A1 - Material handling system with dynamic source tagging - Google Patents

Material handling system with dynamic source tagging

Info

Publication number
EP1687206A1
EP1687206A1 EP04801050A EP04801050A EP1687206A1 EP 1687206 A1 EP1687206 A1 EP 1687206A1 EP 04801050 A EP04801050 A EP 04801050A EP 04801050 A EP04801050 A EP 04801050A EP 1687206 A1 EP1687206 A1 EP 1687206A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
article
label
labeling system
application apparatus
conveying surface
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP04801050A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1687206B1 (en
Inventor
Joe D. Dunlap, Jr.
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Dunlap Joe D
Siemens Energy and Automation Inc
Original Assignee
Dunlap Joe D
Siemens Energy and Automation Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dunlap Joe D, Siemens Energy and Automation Inc filed Critical Dunlap Joe D
Publication of EP1687206A1 publication Critical patent/EP1687206A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1687206B1 publication Critical patent/EP1687206B1/en
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
    • B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
    • B65C9/08—Label feeding
    • B65C9/10—Label magazines
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
    • B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
    • B65C9/08—Label feeding
    • B65C9/18—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls
    • B65C9/1865—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls the labels adhering on a backing strip
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
    • B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
    • B65C9/40—Controls; Safety devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
    • B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
    • B65C2009/0003—Use of RFID labels

Definitions

  • the present invention is directed to a material handling system and, in particular, to a label application and method for use with such material handing system.
  • the invention is particularly adaptable for use in the application of a particular label selected from a plurality of different labels to articles being conveyed by a conveying surface of the material handling system.
  • the invention is particularly adapted for use in the application of different labels, wherein at least one of the labels is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.
  • RFID tags provide unique identification codes for articles or a group of articles, such as carried by a pallet, carton, or the like.
  • an RFID tag may be read remotely using radio frequency signals emitted by an RF reader which then, in turn, receives RF signals sent by the RFID tag.
  • One difficulty with RFID tags is that the product or article upon which the tag is placed, or the packaging material for the product, can affect the performance of the tag. For example, if the article is made up of a large quantity of a liquid, such as water, bleach, or the like, the article tends to absorb signals emitted by the RFID tag, thereby distorting the signals. In a similar fashion, if the article contains an appreciable amount of metal, such as pop cans, or the like, the metal may distort the RFID signals emitted by the RFID tag.
  • RFID tags are provided by various suppliers. Some RFID tags are high performance tags that are capable of emitting relatively clear RFID signals even in the presence of distorting articles, such as articles containing a significant amount of liquid or metal. Such high quality RFID tags typically come at a premium price. Other RFID tags come at a low cost, but may be low performance tags that are not as capable of emitting clear radio frequency signals in the presence of liquids, metals, or the like.
  • a method and apparatus of selectively applying a particular label from a plurality of different types of labels includes providing a label application apparatus that is adapted to selectively apply at least one of a plurality of different types of labels to an article. An article is identified.
  • the label application apparatus is controlled to selectively apply at least one of a plurality of different labels to the article as a function of the identity of that article.
  • a method and apparatus of applying radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to an article includes providing a conveyor having a conveying surface for conveying articles and providing a plurality of different types of RFID tags, at least some of the RFID tags having different radio frequency emitting capabilities than other of the RFID tags.
  • a characteristic of an article is determined on the conveying surface that may affect a radio frequency signal emitted by the RFID tag.
  • One of the pluralities of different types of RFID tags are selected as a function of the characteristic of the article and the selected RFID tag is applied to the article on the conveying surface.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a label application apparatus, according to the invention
  • Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus in Fig. 1
  • Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the apparatus in Fig. 1
  • Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the apparatus in Fig. 4
  • Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a dispenser, according to the invention
  • Fig. 6 is a side elevation of an alternative embodiment of a label application apparatus
  • Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the apparatus in Fig. 6
  • a label application system, or apparatus, 10 includes a label application apparatus 16 having a dispenser assembly 18 for dispensing a plurality of different types of labels and an applicator 20 for transporting a dispensed label and applying the label to an article A (Figs. 1-4).
  • Article A is being conveyed by a conveying surface 14 of a conveyor 12.
  • a code reader such as a barcode scanner 22, reads any barcode label, which may be a one-dimensional line type barcode or a two-dimensional barcode, and conveys that information to a control (not shown).
  • the code reader may alternatively optically recognize text and other characters.
  • the control includes a database which, as is conventional, relates the barcode identified by barcode scanner 22 with a stock-keeping unit (SKU) as well as other information about the article, such as its weight, size, and the like.
  • SKU stock-keeping unit
  • the database also relates a label type, such as an RFID tag type, with that SKU corresponding with the barcode.
  • the database may be set up based upon the known electromagnetic characteristics of each particular SKU.
  • certain SKUs may be identified as corresponding to articles which may interfere with the radio frequency emissions of an RFID tag.
  • Such SKUs would be associated with an RFID tag of a particular type, such as a high performance RFID tag.
  • the articles corresponding to the SKU may have characteristics that do not substantially interfere with the transmission of radio frequency signals.
  • the database may associate a different type of RFID tag with SKUs having such non-interfering materials.
  • the RFID tag associated with such non-interfering article may be of a lower performance RFID tag which may emit radio frequency signals which are more easily interfered with.
  • the control reads the barcode information from barcode scanner 22, applies that information to the database and looks up the type of RFID tag assigned to that article A.
  • dispenser assembly 18 in order to dispense the type of tag determined by the control to be applied to the particular article.
  • dispenser assembly 18 includes multiple dispensers 19, each having a label reel 24 containing different types of RFID or barcode tags.
  • Transporter 20 includes a head 21, such as a suction head, which is known in the art, that may be selectively positioned adjacent the reel 24 having the selected RFID tag.
  • transporter 20 moves head 21 vertically in order to apply the tag to article A.
  • transporter 20 is a two- dimensional transporter, utilizing a two-axis servo actuator 26.
  • Two-axis servo actuator 26 may be of the type used in automatic storage and retrieval systems of the type marketed by Siemens Dematic Corp. of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
  • two- axis servo 26 is capable of laterally positioning head 21 with respect to conveying surface 14. This may be useful in positioning the label on a certain location on the article A, notwithstanding lateral uncertainty in the positioning of the article.
  • two- axis servo 26 allows placement at a position on the article to reduce interference with RFID performance due to liquids and metals.
  • an RFID tag 80 may be placed generally between metal cans, as illustrated in Fig. 8a, rather than directly over the metal can, as illustrated in Fig. 8b.
  • Each dispenser 19, may have the capability of not only dispensing a label or tag, but also printing indicia on the tag.
  • the dispenser 19 may print, by way of example, a barcode on the RFID tag, or a blank label, to be applied to the article.
  • the printed tag or label may identify either the type of tag, or other information about the tag or the article.
  • the dispenser 19 may include an electronic writing device in order to write code to the selected RFID tag.
  • RFID tags may include an Electronic Product Code (EPC) which includes not only the information provided with a conventional Uniform Product Code (UPC) associated with barcodes, but also a unique serial number for the article.
  • Dispenser 19 may include the capability of writing an EPC to the RFID tag.
  • dispenser assembly 18 is illustrated as having multiple dispensers 19, in an alternative embodiment shown in Fig. 5, a single dispenser 18' may be capable of dispensing multiple different types of labels. Such a dispenser may include two or more different reels that are dispensed with a single dispenser.
  • dispenser assembly 18, 118' is capable of dispensing multiple different types of tags from a single dispenser
  • transporter 20 may be a single axis, or dimension, transporter capable of vertical motion to transport the dispensed tag from the dispenser assembly to the article. While dispenser assembly 18, 118' may be utilized solely to dispense different types of RFID tags, it may also be used to dispense different types of tags, such as an RFID tag, a barcode label, or both. Likewise, dispenser assembly 18 may dispense different types of RFID tags and a barcode label.
  • a detail of dispenser assembly 14 is illustrated in Fig. 5, wherein the head 21 of the transporter is seen being capable of lateral motion from juxtaposition with each of dispensers 19. Figs.
  • FIG. 6 and 7 illustrate a label application system 110 which is capable of applying labels and tags to the side of the article.
  • System 110 includes a scanner 122 for scanning barcodes or performing optical character recognition on incoming articles. The articles are edge aligned using conventional rails 123.
  • a label application apparatus 116 may include a dispenser assembly 118 with a plurality of label dispensers 119. Each label dispenser 119 may include a printer for applying indicia to the label and an RFID label reader/writer and/or verifier device 132 for reading, writing and or verifying data on RFID tags. Device 132 may also have the capability of collecting unreadable RFID tags.
  • Label applicator 10 may include a combination transporter and application 120 for vertically positioning and applying a particular type of RFID tag.
  • the tag or label can be positioned with respect to both the vertical as well as the horizontal location on the article.
  • a reader/verifier 134 may be used to verify the label or tag on the article.
  • the present invention provides the ability to select a specific type of RFID and selectively position the tag on the article or carton.
  • a plane optical label, such as a barcode label, can also be applied either alone or in combination with an RFID tag.
  • the present invention is capable of achieving a high level of read rate at a low cost basis for the user. Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the principles of the invention which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims, as interpreted according to the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.

Abstract

A method and apparatus (10) of selectively applying a particular label from a plurality of different types of labels includes providing a label application apparatus (16) that is adapted to selectively apply (20) at least one of a plurality of different types of labels (24) to an article (a). An article is identified. The label application apparatus is controlled to selectively apply at least one of a plurality of different labels to the article as a function of the identity of that article.

Description

MATERIAL HANDLING SYSTEM WITH DYNAMIC SOURCE TAGGING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a material handling system and, in particular, to a label application and method for use with such material handing system. The invention is particularly adaptable for use in the application of a particular label selected from a plurality of different labels to articles being conveyed by a conveying surface of the material handling system. The invention is particularly adapted for use in the application of different labels, wherein at least one of the labels is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. RFID tags provide unique identification codes for articles or a group of articles, such as carried by a pallet, carton, or the like. The advantage of an RFID tag is that it may be read remotely using radio frequency signals emitted by an RF reader which then, in turn, receives RF signals sent by the RFID tag. One difficulty with RFID tags is that the product or article upon which the tag is placed, or the packaging material for the product, can affect the performance of the tag. For example, if the article is made up of a large quantity of a liquid, such as water, bleach, or the like, the article tends to absorb signals emitted by the RFID tag, thereby distorting the signals. In a similar fashion, if the article contains an appreciable amount of metal, such as pop cans, or the like, the metal may distort the RFID signals emitted by the RFID tag. In contrast, if the article is made from a material that does not significantly absorb or reflect RFID tags, such as paper, then the article does not affect the signals emitted by the RFID tag appreciably. RFID tags are provided by various suppliers. Some RFID tags are high performance tags that are capable of emitting relatively clear RFID signals even in the presence of distorting articles, such as articles containing a significant amount of liquid or metal. Such high quality RFID tags typically come at a premium price. Other RFID tags come at a low cost, but may be low performance tags that are not as capable of emitting clear radio frequency signals in the presence of liquids, metals, or the like. Therefore, if a supplier supplies articles having various characteristics, which differently affect the radio frequency signal generating capabilities of an RFID tag, the supplier will use the more expensive RFID tags in order to ensure that the tags will emit radio frequency signals when probed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a unique technology for applying tags or labels, such as RFID tags and barcode labels, to articles that is incorporated into a material handling system. A method and apparatus of selectively applying a particular label from a plurality of different types of labels, according to an aspect of the invention, includes providing a label application apparatus that is adapted to selectively apply at least one of a plurality of different types of labels to an article. An article is identified. The label application apparatus is controlled to selectively apply at least one of a plurality of different labels to the article as a function of the identity of that article. A method and apparatus of applying radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to an article, according to another aspect of the invention, includes providing a conveyor having a conveying surface for conveying articles and providing a plurality of different types of RFID tags, at least some of the RFID tags having different radio frequency emitting capabilities than other of the RFID tags. A characteristic of an article is determined on the conveying surface that may affect a radio frequency signal emitted by the RFID tag. One of the pluralities of different types of RFID tags are selected as a function of the characteristic of the article and the selected RFID tag is applied to the article on the conveying surface. These and other objects, advantages and features of this invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a label application apparatus, according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus in Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the apparatus in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the apparatus in Fig. 4; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a dispenser, according to the invention; Fig. 6 is a side elevation of an alternative embodiment of a label application apparatus; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the apparatus in Fig. 6; and Figs. 8a and 8b are top plan views of a case of metal cans illustrating placement of RFID tags with respect to the case. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now specifically to the drawings, and the illustrative embodiments depicted therein, a label application system, or apparatus, 10 includes a label application apparatus 16 having a dispenser assembly 18 for dispensing a plurality of different types of labels and an applicator 20 for transporting a dispensed label and applying the label to an article A (Figs. 1-4). Article A is being conveyed by a conveying surface 14 of a conveyor 12. A code reader, such as a barcode scanner 22, reads any barcode label, which may be a one-dimensional line type barcode or a two-dimensional barcode, and conveys that information to a control (not shown). The code reader may alternatively optically recognize text and other characters. The control includes a database which, as is conventional, relates the barcode identified by barcode scanner 22 with a stock-keeping unit (SKU) as well as other information about the article, such as its weight, size, and the like. In addition, the database also relates a label type, such as an RFID tag type, with that SKU corresponding with the barcode. The database may be set up based upon the known electromagnetic characteristics of each particular SKU. In particular, certain SKUs may be identified as corresponding to articles which may interfere with the radio frequency emissions of an RFID tag. Such SKUs would be associated with an RFID tag of a particular type, such as a high performance RFID tag. Likewise, the articles corresponding to the SKU may have characteristics that do not substantially interfere with the transmission of radio frequency signals. The database may associate a different type of RFID tag with SKUs having such non-interfering materials. For example, the RFID tag associated with such non-interfering article may be of a lower performance RFID tag which may emit radio frequency signals which are more easily interfered with. Thus, the control reads the barcode information from barcode scanner 22, applies that information to the database and looks up the type of RFID tag assigned to that article A. Other techniques for identifying the article may be used, such as having information in the control of the order in which articles are arranged in a queue on the conveying surface. The control may be part of a warehouse management system of the type supplied by Siemens Dematic Corp. of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The control controls dispenser assembly 18 in order to dispense the type of tag determined by the control to be applied to the particular article. In the illustrative embodiment, dispenser assembly 18 includes multiple dispensers 19, each having a label reel 24 containing different types of RFID or barcode tags. Transporter 20 includes a head 21, such as a suction head, which is known in the art, that may be selectively positioned adjacent the reel 24 having the selected RFID tag. Once the tag is received from the reel, transporter 20 moves head 21 vertically in order to apply the tag to article A. Thus, it is seen that transporter 20 is a two- dimensional transporter, utilizing a two-axis servo actuator 26. Two-axis servo actuator 26 may be of the type used in automatic storage and retrieval systems of the type marketed by Siemens Dematic Corp. of Grand Rapids, Michigan. In addition to selecting an RFID tag from the appropriate label reel 24, two- axis servo 26 is capable of laterally positioning head 21 with respect to conveying surface 14. This may be useful in positioning the label on a certain location on the article A, notwithstanding lateral uncertainty in the positioning of the article. This may be facilitated by a scanner (not shown) that identifies the lateral positioning of the article on conveying surface 14, thereby identifying the lateral location required for the tag. In addition to accommodating uncertainty in article positioning, two- axis servo 26 allows placement at a position on the article to reduce interference with RFID performance due to liquids and metals. For example, an RFID tag 80 may be placed generally between metal cans, as illustrated in Fig. 8a, rather than directly over the metal can, as illustrated in Fig. 8b. Each dispenser 19, may have the capability of not only dispensing a label or tag, but also printing indicia on the tag. Thus, the dispenser 19 may print, by way of example, a barcode on the RFID tag, or a blank label, to be applied to the article. The printed tag or label may identify either the type of tag, or other information about the tag or the article. Likewise, the dispenser 19 may include an electronic writing device in order to write code to the selected RFID tag. For example, RFID tags may include an Electronic Product Code (EPC) which includes not only the information provided with a conventional Uniform Product Code (UPC) associated with barcodes, but also a unique serial number for the article. Dispenser 19 may include the capability of writing an EPC to the RFID tag. While dispenser assembly 18 is illustrated as having multiple dispensers 19, in an alternative embodiment shown in Fig. 5, a single dispenser 18' may be capable of dispensing multiple different types of labels. Such a dispenser may include two or more different reels that are dispensed with a single dispenser. Where dispenser assembly 18, 118' is capable of dispensing multiple different types of tags from a single dispenser, transporter 20 may be a single axis, or dimension, transporter capable of vertical motion to transport the dispensed tag from the dispenser assembly to the article. While dispenser assembly 18, 118' may be utilized solely to dispense different types of RFID tags, it may also be used to dispense different types of tags, such as an RFID tag, a barcode label, or both. Likewise, dispenser assembly 18 may dispense different types of RFID tags and a barcode label. A detail of dispenser assembly 14 is illustrated in Fig. 5, wherein the head 21 of the transporter is seen being capable of lateral motion from juxtaposition with each of dispensers 19. Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate a label application system 110 which is capable of applying labels and tags to the side of the article. System 110 includes a scanner 122 for scanning barcodes or performing optical character recognition on incoming articles. The articles are edge aligned using conventional rails 123. A label application apparatus 116 may include a dispenser assembly 118 with a plurality of label dispensers 119. Each label dispenser 119 may include a printer for applying indicia to the label and an RFID label reader/writer and/or verifier device 132 for reading, writing and or verifying data on RFID tags. Device 132 may also have the capability of collecting unreadable RFID tags. Label applicator 10 may include a combination transporter and application 120 for vertically positioning and applying a particular type of RFID tag. By suitable controls, the tag or label can be positioned with respect to both the vertical as well as the horizontal location on the article. A reader/verifier 134 may be used to verify the label or tag on the article. Thus, it is seen that the present invention provides the ability to select a specific type of RFID and selectively position the tag on the article or carton. A plane optical label, such as a barcode label, can also be applied either alone or in combination with an RFID tag. The present invention is capable of achieving a high level of read rate at a low cost basis for the user. Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the principles of the invention which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims, as interpreted according to the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A labeling system, comprising: a control, said control identifying an article; a label application apparatus, said label application apparatus adapted to selectively apply at least one label chosen from a plurality of different types of labels to an article; and said control controlling said label application apparatus to selectively apply at least one label to an article as a function of the identity of that article.
2. The labeling system of claim 1 wherein said label application apparatus selectively dispenses at least one type of barcode label and at least one type of radio frequency identification tag.
3. The labeling system of claim 2 wherein said label application apparatus selectively dispenses a plurality of different types of radio frequency identification tags.
4. The labeling system of claim 2 including a printer for printing indicia to the label being dispensed.
5. The labeling system of claim 2 including an electrical writer for writing electrical code to a radio frequency identification tag being dispensed.
6. The labeling system of claim 1 wherein said label application apparatus includes at least one dispenser, said at least one dispenser adapted to dispense multiple different types of labels and a transporter, said transporter receives a label from said dispenser and applies that label to an article.
7. The labeling system of claim 6 wherein said transporter is operational in at least one direction.
8. The labeling system of claim 6 wherein said transporter is operational in a plurality of different directions.
9. The labeling system of claim 6 wherein said at least one dispenser comprises a plurality of dispensers, each capable of dispensing a different type of label.
10. The labeling system of claim 9 wherein said transporter is operational in a plurality of different directions, one of said directions to receive a label from one of said plurality of dispensers and another of said directions to apply that label to an article.
11. The labeling system of claim 10 wherein said one of said directions is laterally with respect to said conveying surface and said another of said directions is vertically toward said conveying surface.
12. The labeling system of claim 10 wherein said one of said directions is longitudinally with respect to said conveying surface and said another of said directions is vertically toward said conveying surface.
13. The labeling system of claim 1 including a conveyor having a conveying surface for longitudinally conveying articles past said label application apparatus.
14. The labeling system of claim 9 wherein said label application apparatus is operational to apply a label to an article irrespective of the lateral position of the article on said conveying surface.
15. The labeling system of claim 1 wherein said scanner comprises a code reader for reading a label on an article.
16. The labeling system of claim 15 wherein said code reader comprises a barcode reader.
17. The labeling system of claim 1 wherein said control includes a database, said database relating article identifications with a particular type of label.
18. The labeling system of claim 17 wherein said database relates an article identification with a location on that article for placement of a label.
19. The labeling system of claim 1 including a printer for printing indicia to the label being dispensed.
20. The labeling system of claim 1 wherein said control determines a characteristic of an article on said conveying surface that may affect a radio frequency signal emitted by an RFID tag and said control selects at least one of said plurality of different types of RFID tags as a function of the characteristic of the article, and controlling said label application apparatus to apply the selected RFID tag to the article on said conveying surface.
21. The labeling system of claim 21 wherein said control includes a database of article identifiers and information pertaining to the characteristic of that article that may affect radio frequency signals emitted by an RFID tag.
22. The labeling system of claim 21 wherein said control determines the article identifier for that article and applying that article identifier to the database.
23. The labeling system of claim 22 wherein said article identifier comprises a product barcode.
24. The labeling system of claim 23 including a scanner, said control determining a characteristic of an article by reading the product barcode with said scanner as the article is being conveyed by said conveying surface.
25. The labeling system of claim 21 wherein said control controls said label application apparatus to apply the selected RFID tag to a particular location on the article as a function of the characteristic of the article.
26. A method of selectively applying a particular label from a plurality of different types of labels to an article, comprising: providing a label application apparatus that is adapted to selectively apply at least one of a plurality of different types to an article; identifying an article; and controlling said label application apparatus to selectively apply at least one of a plurality of different types of labels to an article as a function of the identity of that article.
EP04801050A 2003-11-12 2004-11-12 Labeling system and associated method Not-in-force EP1687206B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US48162803P 2003-11-12 2003-11-12
PCT/US2004/037933 WO2005047115A1 (en) 2003-11-12 2004-11-12 Material handling system with dynamic source tagging

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1687206A1 true EP1687206A1 (en) 2006-08-09
EP1687206B1 EP1687206B1 (en) 2008-05-28

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04801050A Not-in-force EP1687206B1 (en) 2003-11-12 2004-11-12 Labeling system and associated method

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EP (1) EP1687206B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE396928T1 (en)
CA (1) CA2545847A1 (en)
DE (1) DE602004014182D1 (en)
WO (1) WO2005047115A1 (en)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050139323A1 (en) * 2003-04-11 2005-06-30 Syde Gary V. Linerless label application assembly
US7987141B2 (en) 2005-01-28 2011-07-26 Bowe Bell & Howell Company Dynamically changing label size during mail processing
EP1932371A4 (en) 2005-09-16 2009-02-25 Clevx Llc Radio frequency identification system
ES2612551B2 (en) * 2017-01-04 2018-08-23 Orbital Gestión, S.L. LABEL MACHINE WITH MICROCHIP AND PROCEDURE FOR USING THE SAME

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US4615757A (en) * 1985-07-03 1986-10-07 Hobart Corporation Method and apparatus for package labeling
US5425823A (en) * 1990-08-30 1995-06-20 B.C.E. Technologies Combination label printer and application device
AU670091B2 (en) * 1992-05-13 1996-07-04 Accu-Sort Systems, Inc. Movable label printer-applicator assembly
US5684275A (en) * 1995-01-17 1997-11-04 Ossid Corporation Computer controlled weighing and labelling apparatus
DE19750204A1 (en) * 1997-11-13 1999-05-27 Etifix Etikettiersysteme Gmbh Labeling plant for objects of different sizes
US5897741A (en) * 1998-02-09 1999-04-27 Premark Feg L.L.C. Apparatus for applying security tags to labels
US7383864B2 (en) * 2002-04-03 2008-06-10 3M Innovative Properties Company Radio-frequency identification tag and tape applicator, radio-frequency identification tag applicator, and methods of applying radio-frequency identification tags

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See references of WO2005047115A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1687206B1 (en) 2008-05-28
ATE396928T1 (en) 2008-06-15
WO2005047115A1 (en) 2005-05-26
DE602004014182D1 (en) 2008-07-10
CA2545847A1 (en) 2005-05-26

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