Discarding defective label

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.

This application is a 371 of PCT/IB2016/051943, filing date Apr. 6, 2016.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates, generally, to the field of labeling products and more particularly, to the field of discarding defective label.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The packaging industry has gained utmost importance in the current industrial setup and has amply manifested itself in various domains such s FMCG, drugs and like consumables. The labeling of a product packaging has now become an integral part of packaging requirements. In such a situation it becomes very important to provide a packaging strategy which is economical, viable, easy to manufacture, and has appropriate labels, to be sold notwithstanding the nature and type or product/consumable.

Conventionally various packaging techniques use labels that has some defective image or text or color. The defective label in few products may lead to misguide consumers. One such example is warning in drug packaging. Hence, in such situation it becomes vital to check and provide appropriate labels. For some products, there is an obligatory requirement to provide proper labeling. Generally various packaging techniques uses check mechanism to provide proper labeling. One such class of techniques for providing proper labeling products is manually checking the product with labels and discarding products with defective labels. However, manually checking and discarding product with defective labels results in wastage of products with defective labels and there are chances to miss out products with defective labels. Moreover, in few cases, defective labels are not identified by human eye, for a non-limiting example, missing of a line in a bar code.

Another class of technique is providing a sensor to detect defective label and providing a suction mechanism to pluck defective labels from a label web in a labeling machine. However, such technique results in high usage of power and there are chances where labels with more adhesive remain on the web. Also there is an obligation requirement to track defective label for various reasons, one such example is to track number of product released in the market. In this class of technique there are chances to miss defective label in the process. Hence there is also a requirement to collect all defective labels and have a proper count on the defective labels.

On another class of technique is to remove defective labels from the product. However, removing defective labels from the product may lead to damage of the product and also results in high effort, time and money utilization in labeling industry.

Based on the classes of packaging techniques discussed above, it may be understood by a person skilled in the art that there is a need of providing a packaging strategy which does away with the eminent problem as discussed above. The instant invention aims at realizing the aforesaid disadvantages by offering a solution in accordance with the manner described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention is to address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is an apparatus to discard defective label form a labeling machine.

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 configured to move a label web containing a plurality of labels from an origin station to a destination station, the said label path further includes a label path in a label web to carry the plurality of labels from the origin station to the destination station. In an embodiment the plurality of labels includes a plurality of good labels, or a plurality of defective labels, or a combination thereof. The invention then includes an inspection unit configured to detect the defective labels from the plurality of labels in the label web, the said inspection unit further includes a defect detector unit configured to compare a current label on the label path with a pre-required configurations so as to identify the good labels or the defective labels. In a preferred embodiment the inspection unit sends a good label signal or a defective label signal or a combination thereof to a defective label discarding unit. The invention also includes the defective label discarding unit configured to discard the defective labels from the label web, the defective label discarding unit further includes a push mechanism, a movable plate and a static guide roller in the label path. In an embodiment the movable plate is configured inside the static guide roller, wherein, the push mechanism is configured either to positioned at an original position in case the push mechanism receives the good label signal so that the movable plate is placed inside the static guide roller or the push mechanism pushes the movable plate if the push mechanism receives the defective label signal from the inspection unit so that the movable plate comes out of the static guide roller to give an angular motion to the label path so as to give a mechanical pressure to the starting of the defective label on the label path in contact with the movable plate that results in peeling of an initial portion of the defective label. The invention further includes, a collecting unit configured to collect the plurality of defective labels, the collecting unit further includes a motorized roll winder configured to move in case of the defective label signal. In an embodiment, the motorized roll winder is positioned such that the initial portion of the defective label sticks in a roll of the motorized roll winder once it comes out of the label path so that full label is plucked out of the label path and sticks in the motorized roll winder. In a preferred embodiment, the motorized roll winder material is selected on the basis of sticking properties of self-adhesive labels in the label web. 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.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a process to discard defective label from a labeling machine is provided. The process includes moving a label web containing a plurality of labels in a label path configured to move from an origin station to a destination station in a labeling machine, the said label path further includes a label web to carry the plurality of labels from the origin station to the destination station. In an embodiment, the plurality of labels includes either of a plurality of good labels, or a plurality of defective labels, or a combination thereof. The process then includes, inspecting the plurality of labels in the label path to detect the defective labels from the plurality of labels in the label web, the said inspecting the plurality of labels further includes steps of detecting at least one of the defective labels or the good labels by a defect detector unit by comparing a current label on the label web with a pre-required configurations so as to identify the good labels or the defective labels and sending a signal corresponding to the current label to a defective label discarding unit. In a preferred embodiment, the said signal comprises at least one of a good label signal or a defective label signal or a combination thereof. The process also includes, discarding the defective label from the label web, discarding the defective label from the label web further comprises steps of pushing a movable plate placed in a static guide roller by a push mechanism out of the static guide roller after receiving the defective label signal. In an embodiment, the push mechanism is configured either to positioned at an original position in case the push mechanism receives the good label signal so that the movable plate is placed inside the static guide roller or the push mechanism pushes the movable plate if the push mechanism receives the defective label signal from the inspection unit so that the movable plate comes out of the static guide roller to give an angular motion to the label path so as to give a mechanical pressure to the starting of the defective label on the label path in contact with the movable plate that results in peeling of an initial portion of the defective label. The process further includes, collecting the plurality of defective labels by a collecting unit when the defective label signal is received, collecting the plurality of defective labels by a collecting unit further comprises steps of placing a motorized roll winder such that initial portion of the defective label peeled out by the moving plate sticks to a roll of the motorized roll winder so as to pluck full said defective label and stick in the motorized roll winder. In a preferred embodiment, the motorized roll winder material is selected on the basis of sticking properties of self-adhesive labels in the label web. The process also includes, labeling the good label in a required product after receiving the good label signal and synchronizing the steps of moving the label web, inspecting the plurality of labels, discarding the defective label from the label web, collecting the plurality of defective labels by the collecting unit and the labeling of the good label in the required product by a processor.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and may have not been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figure may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way that would limit the scope of the disclosure. The terms used to describe various embodiments are exemplary. It should be understood that these are provided to merely aid the understanding of the description, and that their use and definitions in no way limit the scope of the invention. Terms first, second, and the like are used to differentiate between objects having the same terminology and are in no way intended to represent a chronological order, unless where explicitly stated otherwise.

FIG. 1illustrates an apparatus to discard defective label from a labeling machine, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 1, an arrangement100, illustrates an apparatus to discard defective label from a labeling machine.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an arrangement100is provided for an apparatus to discard defective label from a labeling machine. A label path110, is selected to move a label web including a plurality of labels from an origin station to a destination station. The said label path110further includes a label path to carry the plurality of labels from the origin station to the destination station. In an embodiment the plurality of labels includes either of a plurality of good labels, or a plurality of defective labels or a combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, defective labels are those labels those do not match a predetermined parameters of good label, for a non-limiting example, a label with different color or missing a part or whole of a text, or a logo, or a vision, or a coding by various coding techniques or a barcode information is the defective label.

An inspection unit120, is placed in the label path110, to detect the defective labels from the plurality of labels in the label web, the said inspection unit120, further includes a defect detector unit configured to compare a current label on the label web with a pre-required configurations so as to identify the plurality of good labels or the plurality of defective labels. In an embodiment, the said inspection unit120sends a good label signal or a defective label signal to a defective label discarding unit130.

In a preferred implementation of the present invention, the said inspection unit120may include, but not necessarily, a plurality of sensor array configured to detect at least one of the defective labels or the good labels, a camera unit configured to compare a current label on the label path with a predetermined configurations so as to identify the good labels or the defective labels and an activator unit configured to activate a signal corresponding to the current label wherein, the activator unit activates a good label signal or a defective label signal.

The defective label discarding unit130, is positioned after the inspection unit120, in the label path110, to discard the defective labels from the label web, the defective label discarding unit further includes a push mechanism, a movable plate and a static guide roller in the label path. In an embodiment, the movable plate is configured inside the static guide roller. In yet another embodiment, the push mechanism is configured either to positioned at an original position in case the push mechanism receives the good label signal so that the movable plate is placed inside the static guide roller or the push mechanism pushes the movable plate if the push mechanism receives the defective label signal from the inspection unit120, so that the movable plate comes out of the static guide roller to give an angular motion to the label path110so as to give a mechanical pressure to initial portion of the defective label on the label path110in contact with the movable plate that results in peeling of the initial portion of the defective label.

In another preferred embodiment, the movable plate is configured inside the static guide roller so as to achieve a smooth static guide roller outer surface.

In yet another embodiment, the signal can be generated either for each label of the plurality of label in the label path or only for the defective label in the plurality of labels in the label web, further wherein, the signal is generated with a unique identity of label. In further embodiment, the movable plate triggers to original positing after receiving the good label signal and triggers out of the static guide roller after receiving the bad label signal. In case of consecutive similar signal, the movable plate remains on the same position till different signal is received.

A collecting unit140, is chosen so as to collect the plurality of defective labels, the collecting unit140, includes a motorized roll winder to move in case of the defective label signal. In a preferred embodiment, the motorized roll winder is positioned such that the initial portion of the defective label sticks in a roll of the motorized roll winder once it comes out of the label path so that full label is plucked out of the label path and sticks in the motorized roll winder. The roll of the motorized roll winder can be of paper, plastic on any material that can hold the defective label coming out of the defective label discarding unit130. In a non-limiting example the motorized roll winder can be of a waste release paper of the label web.

In an embodiment, the collecting unit140, activates with the defective label signal and deactivates with the good label signal.

A labeling unit150, is placed at the destination station to label the good label in a required product. Hence, at a position of the defective label in the label path110, that has been discarded by the defective label discarding unit130, the labeling unit150, does not apply label on the required product as the position of the defective label is vacant. Hence the required product remains unlabeled that can be re-utilized for labeling.

A processor160, is used to synchronize the label path110, the inspection unit120, the defective label discarding unit130, the collecting unit140and the labeling unit150.

In a preferred embodiment, the label path110, the inspection unit120, the defective label discarding unit130, the collecting unit140and the labeling unit150can be either at single station of the labeling machine or at various stations of the labeling machine.

FIG. 2illustrates a process to discard defective label from a labeling machine, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 2, a process200, illustrates the process to discard defective label from a labeling machine.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a process200is provided to discard defective label from a labeling machine.

A label web containing a plurality of labels in a label path is moved from an origin station to a destination station in a labeling machine at STEP210. The said label path includes a label path to carry the plurality of labels from the origin station to the destination station. In an embodiment, the plurality of labels includes a plurality of good labels and a plurality of bad labels.

In a preferred embodiment, defective labels are those labels those do not match a predetermined parameters of good label, for a non-limiting example, a label with different color or missing a part or whole of a text, or a logo, or a vision, or a coding by various coding techniques or a barcode information is the defective label.

At STEP220, the plurality of labels in the label path is inspected by an inspection unit to detect the defective labels from the plurality of labels in the label path. The said inspection unit120, further includes a defect detector unit configured to compare a current label on the label web with a pre-required configuration so as to identify the plurality of good labels or the plurality of defective labels. In an embodiment, the said inspection unit120sends a good label signal or a defective label signal to a defective label discarding unit130.

In a preferred non-limiting implementation of the invention, the inspection of the plurality of labels may include, not limited to, steps of detecting at least one of the defective labels or the good labels by a sensor array, comparing a current label on the label path with a predetermined configurations by a camera unit so as to identify the good labels or the defective labels and activating a signal corresponding to the current label by an activator unit. In an embodiment the said signal includes at least one of a good label signal or a defective label signal.

In yet another embodiment, the signal can be generated either for each label of the plurality of label in the label web or only for the defective label in the plurality of labels in the label web, further wherein, the signal is generated with a unique identity of label. In further embodiment, the movable plate triggers to original positing after receiving the good label signal and triggers out of the static guide roller after receiving the bad label signal. In case of consecutive similar signal, the movable plate remains on the same position till different signal is received.

The defective label from the label web is discarded at STEP230, by a defective label discarding unit. In an embodiment discarding the defective label includes steps of pushing a movable plate placed in a static guide roller by a push mechanism out of the static guide roller after receiving the defective label signal. In a preferred embodiment, the push mechanism is configured either to positioned at an original position in case the push mechanism receives the good label signal so that the movable plate is placed inside the static guide roller or the push mechanism pushes the movable plate if the push mechanism receives the defective label signal from the inspection unit so that the movable plate comes out of the static guide roller to give an angular motion to the label path so as to give a mechanical pressure to an initial portion of the defective label on the label path in contact with the movable plate that results in peeling of the initial portion of the defective label.

In another preferred embodiment, the movable plate is configured inside the static guide roller so as to achieve a smooth static guide roller outer surface. In further embodiment, the movable plate triggers to original positing after receiving the good label signal and triggers out of the static guide roller after receiving the bad label signal. In case of consecutive similar signal, the movable plate remains on the same position till different signal is received.

At STEP240, a collector unit collects the plurality of defective labels when the defective label signal is received. In an embodiment, the plurality of defective label is collected by placing a motorized roll winder such that the initial portion of the defective label peeled out by the moving plate at STEP230, sticks to a roll in the motorized roll winder so as to pluck full said defective label and stick in the motorized roll winder of the collector unit. The roll in the motorized roll winder can be of paper, plastic on any material that can hold the defective label coming out of the defective label discarding unit130. In a non-limiting example the motorized roll winder can be of a waste release paper of the label web.

In an embodiment, the collecting unit at STEP240, activates with the defective label signal and deactivates with the good label signal.

The good label is labeled in the destination station to a required product at STEP250, after receiving a good label signal. Since bad label is collected by the collector unit at STEP240, the label path has no label at that space and hence the required product is not labeled for the bad label signal.

STEP260, synchronizes the steps of moving the label web at STEP210, inspecting the plurality of labels at STEP220, discarding the defective label from the label path at STEP230, collecting the plurality of defective labels by the collecting unit at STEP240and the labeling of the good label in the required product by a processor at STEP250.

In a preferred embodiment, the label path at STEP210, the inspection unit at STEP220, the defective label discarding unit at STEP230, the collecting unit at STEP240and the labeling unit at STEP250can be either at single station of the labeling machine or at various stations of the labeling machine.

FIG. 3illustrates an apparatus to discard defective label from a labeling machine, in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 3, an arrangement300, illustrates an apparatus to discard defective label from a labeling machine.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an arrangement300is provided for an apparatus to discard defective label from a labeling machine. A label path312, is selected to move a label web including a plurality of labels314from an origin station310to a destination station382. The said label path312further includes a label path (shown as arrow) to carry the plurality of labels314from the origin station310to the destination station382. In an embodiment the plurality of labels314includes a plurality of good labels or a plurality of defective labels or a combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, defective labels are those labels those do not match a pre-determined parameters of good label, for a non-limiting example, a label with different color or miss a part or whole of a text, or a logo, or a vision, or a coding by various coding techniques or a barcode information is the defective label.

An inspection unit320, is placed in the label path312, to detect the defective labels from the plurality of labels314in the label path (shown as arrow), the said inspection unit320, further includes a defect detector unit configured to compare a current label on the label web with a pre-required configurations so as to identify the plurality of good labels or the plurality of defective labels. In an embodiment, the said inspection unit320sends a good label signal or a defective label signal to a defective label discarding unit340.

In a non-limiting implantation, the said inspection unit320may include, a plurality of sensor array324configured to detect at least one of the defective labels or the good labels, a camera unit322configured to compare a current label on the label path (shown as arrow) with a predetermined configurations so as to identify the good labels or the defective labels and an activator unit326configured to activate a signal corresponding to the current label. In a preferred embodiment, the activator unit326activates a good label signal or a defective label signal.

The defective label discarding unit340, is positioned after the inspection unit320, in the label path312, to discard the defective labels from the label web (shown as arrow), the defective label discarding unit further includes a push mechanism348, a movable plate344and a static guide roller346in the label path312. In yet another embodiment, the movable plate344is configured inside the static guide roller346, wherein, the push mechanism348is configured either to positioned at an original position in case the push mechanism348receives the good label signal so that the movable plate344is placed inside the static guide roller346or the push mechanism348pushes the movable plate344if the push mechanism348receives the defective label signal from the inspection unit320, so that the movable plate344comes out of the static guide roller346to give an angular motion to the label path (shown as arrow) so as to give a mechanical pressure to the starting of the defective label on the label path (shown as arrow) in contact with the movable plate344that results in peeling of an initial portion of the defective label. In an embodiment the push mechanism348can be for a non-limiting example, a pneumatic cylinder.

In another preferred embodiment, the movable plate344is configured inside the static guide roller346so as to achieve a smooth static guide roller outer surface.

In yet another embodiment, the signal can be generated either for each label of the plurality of label314in the label path (shown as arrow) or only for the defective label in the plurality of labels314in the label path (shown as arrow), further wherein, the signal is generated with a unique identity of label.

A collecting unit360, is chosen so as to collect the plurality of defective labels, the collecting unit360, includes a motorized roll winder containing a roll364to move in case of the defective label signal. In a preferred embodiment, the roll364of the motorized roll winder is positioned such that the initial portion of the defective label sticks in the motorized roll winder once it comes out of the label path (shown as arrow) so that full label is plucked out of the label path (shown as arrow) and sticks in the roll364of the motorized roll winder. The motorized roll winder can be of paper, plastic on any material that can hold the defective label coming out of the defective label discarding unit340. In a non-limiting example the motorized roll winder can be of a waste release paper of the label web.

In an embodiment, the collecting unit360, activates with the defective label signal and deactivates with the good label signal.

In an exemplary implementation of the present invention, the collecting unit360, includes a motorized roll un-winder362. The motorized roll un-winder362includes a roll of substrate. The substrate can be any substrate that has capability to stick labels onto it, for a non-limiting example, a paper roll. The roll364of the motorized roll winder366, moves through a very close proximity when the movable plate344, is out of the static guide roller346so as to stick the defective label coming out due to mechanical pressure created on the label path (shown as arrow) by the movable plate344. Once the initial of the defective label sticks on the roll364of the motorized roll winder366, a driver pulley368rotates a motorized roll winder366so as to pluck full defective label from the label path (shown as arrow). In an embodiment, the driver pulley368starts after receiving the defective label signal.

A labeling unit380, is placed at the destination station382to label the good label in a required product. Hence, at a position of the defective label in the label path312, that has been discarded by the defective label discarding unit340, the labeling unit380, does not apply label on the required product as the position of the defective label is vacant so as to get the required product without label.

A processor (not shown), is used to synchronize the label path312, the inspection unit320, the defective label discarding unit340, the collecting unit360and the labeling unit380.

In a preferred embodiment, the label path312, the inspection unit320, the defective label discarding unit340, the collecting unit360and the labeling unit380can be either at single station of the labeling machine or at various stations of the labeling machine.

FIG. 4illustrates an apparatus to discard defective label from a labeling machine, in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the present invention, wherein, a sensor405detects label in a label path (shown as arrow).

Referring toFIG. 4, an arrangement400, illustrates an apparatus, for a non-limiting example of the present invention, to discard defective label from a labeling machine, wherein, the sensor405detects label in the label path (shown as arrow).

In an exemplary implementation of the present invention, theFIG. 4, illustrates an arrangement when the sensor405, detects a label in the label path (shown as arrow). The sensor405, sends a signal to camera unit410informing a new label in the label path (shown as arrow). The camera unit410captures image of the new label in the label path (shown as arrow) and compares with a predetermined configurations so as to identify a good label or a defective label. In a preferred embodiment, defective labels are those labels those do not match a predetermined parameters of good label, for a non-limiting example, a label with different color or missing a part or whole of a text, or a logo, or a vision, or a coding by various coding techniques or a barcode information is the defective label.

The camera unit410, sends signal corresponding to either of the good label or the bad label to an activator unit415. The activator unit415, after receiving the signal from the camera unit410, determines to send signal to a push mechanism420. In a preferred embodiment, the activator unit415, sends signal to a push mechanism in case of a defective label.

In case of good label the activator unit415, informs the push mechanism420to keep a movable plate425inside a static guide roller430. The good label goes directly to a destination station435, wherein, the good label is applied in a required product.

In another preferred embodiment, the movable plate425is configured inside the static guide roller430so as to achieve a smooth static guide roller outer surface.

In yet another embodiment, the signal can be generated either for each label of the plurality of label in the label path (shown as arrow) or only for the defective label in the plurality of labels in the label path (shown as arrow), further wherein, the signal is generated with a unique identity of label.

In case of good label a collector unit is at idle stage, wherein a roll442, a driver pulley444, a motorized roll un-winder446and a motorized roll winder448can be either at moving stage or at idle stage.

In an embodiment, the collecting unit, activates with the defective label signal and deactivates with the good label signal.

FIG. 5illustrates an apparatus to discard defective label from a labeling machine, in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the present invention, wherein, an inspection unit detects a defective label.

Referring toFIG. 5, an arrangement500, illustrates, for a non-limiting example of the present invention, an apparatus to discard defective label from a labeling machine, wherein, the inspection unit detects the defective label.

In an exemplary implementation of the present invention, theFIG. 5illustrates the arrangement500wherein the label path (as shown by arrow) carries a defective label (as shown by cross) with good labels.

The sensor510, sends a signal to camera unit520informing a new label in the label path (shown as arrow). The camera unit520captures image of the new label in the label path (shown as arrow) and compares with a predetermined configurations so as to identify a good label or a defective label. In a preferred embodiment, defective labels are those labels those do not match a predetermined parameters of good label, for a non-limiting example, a label with different color or missing a part or whole of a text, or a logo, or a vision, or a coding by various coding techniques or a barcode information is the defective label.

The present figureFIG. 5illustrates a case when the camera unit520detects the defective label. The camera unit520sends a defective label signal to an activator unit530. The activator unit530activates a push mechanism540, wherein, the push mechanism540pushes a movable plate550out of the static guide roller560so as to create an angular motion to the label path (shown as arrow) at point of contact of the label path (shown as arrow) and the static guide roller560. The activator unit530also sends a unique id for which the push mechanism540has to react. At the time when the defective label with the unique id comes to contact with the static guide roller560, the push mechanism540pushes the movable plate550out of the static guide roller560. Once the movable plate550comes out of the static guide roller560, it creates an angular motion to the label path (shown as arrow) and hence creates a mechanical pressure to the defective label so as initial portion of the defective label comes out due to said mechanical pressure. The defective label then sticks to a roll570of the motorized roll winder580of a collector unit which is controlled by a driver pulley590. In an embodiment, the driver pulley590, activates with the defective label signal and deactivates with the good label signal.

The label path (shown as arrow) then has a vacant space wherein at a destination station a required product is not labeled due to lack of label.

In yet another embodiment, the signal can be generated either for each label of the plurality of label in the label path (shown as arrow) or only for the defective label in the plurality of labels in the label path (shown as arrow), further wherein, the signal is generated with a unique identity of label.

FIG. 6illustrates, for a non-limiting example of the present invention, an apparatus to discard defective label from a labeling machine, in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the present invention, wherein, an activator unit sends defective label signal to a push mechanism in a defective label discarding unit.

Referring toFIG. 6, an arrangement600, illustrates an apparatus to discard defective label from a labeling machine, wherein, the activator unit sends defective label signal to the push mechanism in the defective label discarding unit.

In an exemplary implementation of the present invention, theFIG. 6illustrates the arrangement600wherein the label path (as shown by arrow) carries a defective label (as shown by cross) with good labels.

The sensor610, sends a signal to camera unit620informing a new label in the label path (shown as arrow). The camera unit620captures image of the new label in the label path (shown as arrow) and compares with a predetermined configurations so as to identify a good label or a defective label. In a preferred embodiment, defective labels are those labels those do not match a predetermined parameters of good label, for a non-limiting example, a label with different color or missing a part or whole of a text, or a logo, or a vision, or a coding by various coding techniques or a barcode information is the defective label.

The camera unit620sends a defective label signal to an activator unit630. The present figureFIG. 6illustrates a case when the camera unit620detects the defective label and the defective label reaches to a point in the label path (shown as arrow) wherein the activator unit630sends the defective label signal to the push mechanism640for further action. The activator unit630activates a push mechanism640, wherein, the push mechanism640pushes a movable plate650out of the static guide roller660so as to create an angular motion to the label path (shown as arrow) at point of contact of the label path (shown as arrow) and the static guide roller660. At the time when the defective label with the unique id comes to contact with the static guide roller660, the push mechanism640will push the movable plate650out of the static guide roller660. Once the movable plate650comes out of the static guide roller660, it creates an angular motion to the label path (shown as arrow) and hence creates a mechanical pressure to the defective label so as initial portion of the defective label comes out due to said mechanical pressure. The defective label then sticks to a roll670of a motorized roll winder680of a collector unit which is controlled by a driver pulley690. In an embodiment, the driver pulley690, activates with the defective label signal and deactivates with the good label signal.

The label path (shown as arrow) then has a vacant space wherein at a destination station a required product is not labeled due to lack of label.

In yet another embodiment, the signal can be generated either for each label of the plurality of label in the label path (shown as arrow) or only for the defective label in the plurality of labels in the label path (shown as arrow), further wherein, the signal is generated with a unique identity of label.

FIG. 7illustrates, for a non-limiting example of the present invention, an apparatus to discard defective label from a labeling machine, in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the present invention wherein, a movable plate in the defective label discarding unit is triggered by a defective label signal.

Referring toFIG. 7, an arrangement700, illustrates an example for an apparatus to discard defective label from a labeling machine, wherein, the movable plate in the defective label discarding unit is triggered by a defective label signal.

In an exemplary implementation of the present invention, theFIG. 7illustrates the arrangement700wherein the movable plate in the defective label discarding unit is triggered by a defective label signal.

The sensor710, sends a signal to camera unit720informing a new label in the label path (shown as arrow). The camera unit720captures image of the new label in the label path (shown as arrow) and compares with a predetermined configurations so as to identify a good label or a defective label. In a preferred embodiment, defective labels are those labels those do not match a predetermined parameters of good label, for a non-limiting example, a label with different color or missing a part or whole of a text, or a logo, or a vision, or a coding by various coding techniques or a barcode information is the defective label.

The camera unit720sends a defective label signal to an activator unit730. The activator unit730activates a push mechanism740, wherein, the push mechanism740pushes a movable plate750out of the static guide roller760so as to create an angular motion to the label path (shown as arrow) at point of contact of the label path (shown as arrow) and the static guide roller760. The activator unit730also sends a unique id for which the push mechanism740has to react. At the time when the defective label with the unique id comes to contact770with the static guide roller760, the push mechanism740pushes the movable plate750out of the static guide roller760.

The present figureFIG. 7illustrates a case when the movable plate is out of the static guide roller. Once the movable plate750comes out of the static guide roller760, it creates an angular motion to the label path (shown as arrow) at770and hence creates a mechanical pressure to the defective label at770so as initial of the defective label comes out due to said mechanical pressure. The defective label then sticks to a roll780of a motorized roll winder790of a collector unit which is controlled by a driver pulley. In an embodiment, the driver pulley activates with the defective label signal and deactivates with the good label signal.

The label path (shown as arrow) then has a vacant space wherein at a destination station a required product is not labeled due to lack of label.

In yet another embodiment, the signal can be generated either for each label of the plurality of label in the label path (shown as arrow) or only for the defective label in the plurality of labels in the label path (shown as arrow), further wherein, the signal is generated with a unique identity of label.

FIG. 8illustrates, for a non-limiting example of the present invention, apparatus to discard defective label from a labeling machine, in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the present invention, wherein, the defective label comes out due to mechanical pressure by the movable plate.

Referring toFIG. 8, an example for an arrangement800, illustrates an apparatus to discard defective label from a labeling machine, wherein, the defective label comes out due to mechanical pressure by the movable plate.

In an exemplary implementation of the present invention, theFIG. 8illustrates the arrangement800wherein the defective label comes out due to mechanical pressure by the movable plate.

The sensor810, sends a signal to camera unit820informing a new label in the label path (shown as arrow). The camera unit820captures image of the new label in the label path (shown as arrow) and compares with a predetermined configurations so as to identify a good label or a defective label. In a preferred embodiment, defective labels are those labels those do not match a predetermined parameters of good label, for a non-limiting example, a label with different color or missing a part or whole of a text, or a logo, or a vision, or a coding by various coding techniques or a barcode information is the defective label.

The camera unit820sends a defective label signal to an activator unit830. The activator unit830activates a push mechanism840, wherein, the push mechanism840pushes a movable plate850out of the static guide roller860so as to create an angular motion to the label path (shown as arrow) at point of contact of the label path (shown as arrow) and the static guide roller860. The activator unit830also sends a unique id for which the push mechanism840has to react. At the time when the defective label with the unique id comes to contact870with the static guide roller860, the push mechanism840pushes the movable plate850out of the static guide roller860.

Once the movable plate850comes out of the static guide roller860, it creates an angular motion to the label path (shown as arrow) at870and hence creates a mechanical pressure to the defective label at870so as initial of the defective label comes out due to said mechanical pressure.

The present figureFIG. 8illustrates a case when the initial of the defective label comes out due to mechanical pressure created by the movable plate850at870. The defective label then sticks to a roll880of the motorized roll winder890of a collector unit which is controlled by a driver pulley. In an embodiment, the driver pulley activates with the defective label signal and deactivates with the good label signal.

The label path (shown as arrow) then has a vacant space wherein at a destination station a required product is not labeled due to lack of label.

In yet another embodiment, the signal can be generated either for each label of the plurality of label in the label path (shown as arrow) or only for the defective label in the plurality of labels in the label path (shown as arrow), further wherein, the signal is generated with a unique identity of label.

In a preferred embodiment, the activator unit830, activates rotation of the motorized roll winder890. Hence once initial of the defective label at870sticks to the roll880, due to a force created by rotation of the motorized roll winder890, whole defective label is plucked out of the label path (shown as arrow) leaving the space blank.

FIG. 9illustrates, for a non-limiting example of the present invention, an apparatus to discard defective label from a labeling machine, in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the present invention, wherein, the defective label is collected by a collector unit.

Referring toFIG. 9, an example for an arrangement900, illustrates an apparatus to discard defective label from a labeling machine, wherein, the defective label is collected by a collector unit.

In an exemplary implementation of the present invention, theFIG. 9illustrates the arrangement900wherein the defective label is collected by a collector unit.

The sensor910, sends a signal to camera unit920informing a new label in the label path (shown as arrow). The camera unit920captures image of the new label in the label path (shown as arrow) and compares with a predetermined configurations so as to identify a good label or a defective label. In a preferred embodiment, defective labels are those labels those do not match a predetermined parameters of good label, for a non-limiting example, a label with different color or missing a part or whole of a text, or a logo, or a vision, or a coding by various coding techniques or a barcode information is the defective label.

The camera unit920sends a defective label signal to an activator unit930. The activator unit930activates a push mechanism940, wherein, the push mechanism940pushes a movable plate950out of the static guide roller960so as to create an angular motion to the label path (shown as arrow) at point of contact of the label path (shown as arrow) and the static guide roller960. The activator unit930also sends a unique id for which the push mechanism940has to react. At the time when the defective label with the unique id comes to contact970with the static guide roller960, the push mechanism940pushes the movable plate950out of the static guide roller960.

Once the movable plate950comes out of the static guide roller960, it creates an angular motion to the label path (shown as arrow) at970and hence creates a mechanical pressure to the defective label at970so as initial of the defective label comes out due to said mechanical pressure. The defective label then sticks to a roll980of a motorized roll winder990of a collector unit which is controlled by a driver pulley. The present figureFIG. 9illustrates a case when the movable plate is out of the static guide roller.

The label path (shown as arrow) then has a vacant space wherein at a destination station a required product is not labeled due to lack of label.

In yet another embodiment, the signal can be generated either for each label of the plurality of label in the label path (shown as arrow) or only for the defective label in the plurality of labels in the label path (shown as arrow), further wherein, the signal is generated with a unique identity of label.

In a preferred embodiment, the activator unit930, activates rotation of the motorized roll winder990. Hence once initial of the defective label at970sticks to the roll980, due to a force created by rotation of the motorized roll winder990, whole defective label is plucked out of the label path (shown as arrow) leaving the space blank.

FIG. 10illustrates, for a non-limiting example of the present invention, an apparatus to discard defective label from a labeling machine, in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the present invention, wherein, the movable plate goes inside a static guide roller in the defective label discarding unit after getting a good label signal.

Referring toFIG. 10, an example for an arrangement1000, illustrates an apparatus to discard defective label from a labeling machine, wherein, the movable plate goes inside a static guide roller in the defective label discarding unit after getting a good label signal.

In an exemplary implementation of the present invention, theFIG. 10illustrates the arrangement1000wherein the movable plate goes inside a static guide roller in the defective label discarding unit after getting a good label signal.

The sensor1010, sends a signal to camera unit1020informing a new label in the label path (shown as arrow). The camera unit1020captures image of the new label in the label path (shown as arrow) and compares with a predetermined configurations so as to identify a good label or a defective label. In a preferred embodiment, defective labels are those labels those do not match a predetermined parameters of good label, for a non-limiting example, a label with different color or missing a part or whole of a text, or a logo, or a vision, or a coding by various coding techniques or a barcode information is the defective label.

The camera unit1020sends a good label signal to an activator unit1030. The activator unit1030sends a good label signal to a push mechanism1040, wherein, the push mechanism1040informs a movable plate1050to stay in the static guide roller1060so as to create a smooth movement of the label path (shown as arrow).

The present figureFIG. 10illustrates a case when the movable plate is inside the roller1060. The label path (shown as arrow) carries a plurality of labels to destination station1070where labeling of product is done.