Radio Frequency Identification (Rfid) Label Applicator

• US 20070257798A1
• Filed: 08/29/2005
• Published: 11/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Ford, John, Marcus, Christopher
• Application Number:
  US11/660,304
• Publication Number:
  US 20070257798A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.100
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 2009/0003 Use of RFID labels
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 2009/0093 Devices switching between a peelable and a non peelable position
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 2009/405 reading information before printing and applying a label
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 9/1884 the suction means being a movable vacuum arm or pad
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2417 having a radio frequency identification chip
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1707 Discrete spaced laminae on adhered carrier

Abstract

The invention relates to an RFID label applicator that may include a peeler body portion having a peel end, the body portion being configured to cause an RFID label to peel away from a web when the web passes around the peel end. The body portion may define a cavity having an RFID programming antenna located therein that is configured to transmit programming signals to the RFID label prior to its passing around the peel end. The system may also include an extendable path altering mechanism configured to advance from a retracted position to an extended position to alter a path of the web around said peel end, and wherein the extendable path altering mechanism is positioned and dimensioned to inhibit a RFID label from peeling away from the web when in the extended position.

Claims

1. An applicator peeler member for programming a radio frequency identification (RFID) label, wherein said RFID label contains an IC chip to be programmed, said peeler member comprising:

a body portion including a peel end, said body portion being configured to cause said RFID label to peel away from a web when said web passes around said peel end, said body portion defining a cavity; and

an RFID programming antenna located within said cavity in said body portion, said RFID programming antenna being configured to transmit programming signals to said IC chip in said RFID label on said web prior to passing around said peel end.

2. The applicator peeler member of claim 1, further comprising a cover over said cavity, wherein said cover includes a material that allows said programming signals to pass through.

3. The applicator peeler member of claim 1, wherein said RFID programming antenna is configured to be laterally adjustable within said cavity.

4. The applicator peeler member of claim 1, further comprising an extendable path altering mechanism integrated with said body portion, said extendable end being configured to advance from a retracted position to an extended position such that said extendable path altering mechanism alters a path of said web around said peel end, and wherein said extendable path altering mechanism is positioned and dimensioned to inhibit a RFID label from peeling away from said web when said extendable path altering mechanism is in said extended position.

5. The applicator peeler member of claim 4, wherein said extendable end further comprises a tip having radial member for contacting said web.

6. An RFID label applicator comprising:

a peeler member including a peel end, said peeler member being configured to cause an RFID label to peel away from a web when said web passes around said peel end of said peeler member;

an extendable path altering mechanism located proximate said peel end, said extendable path altering mechanism being configured to advance from a retracted position to an extended position such that said extendable path altering mechanism alters a path of said web around said peel end, and wherein said extendable path altering mechanism is positioned and dimensioned to inhibit a RFID label from peeling away from said web when said extendable path altering mechanism is in said extended position; and

a label tamp assembly, said label tamp assembly being configured to receive said RFID label peeled away from said web and to move said RFID label into contact with an item on which said RFID label is to be applied.

7. The RFID label applicator of claim 6, wherein said peeler member includes a cavity, and wherein said extendable path altering mechanism is located in said cavity.

8. The RFID label applicator of claim 6, wherein said extendable path altering mechanism comprises an extendable end and an end driving mechanism coupled to said extendable end and configured to move said extendable end from said retracted position to said extended position.

9. The RFID label applicator of claim 8, wherein said extendable end further comprises a tip having radial member for contacting said web.

10. The RFID label applicator of claim 6, further comprising a RFID programming system configured to program RFID labels prior to passing around said peel end and to detect defective RFID labels, and wherein said extendable path altering mechanism is configured to move to said extended position in response to detection of a defective RFID label.

11. The RFID label applicator of claim 10, wherein said RFID programming system includes a RFID programming antenna integrated into said peeler member.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising attempting to read said RFID label to determine if said RFID label is defective.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising rejecting a defective one of said RFID labels.

12. A method of programming RFID labels, said method comprising:

advancing a web supporting RFID labels over a peeler member until at least one of said RFID labels is positioned within a programming range of a RFID programming antenna integrated with said peeler member;

transmitting programming signals from said RFID programming antenna to an IC chip in said one of said RFID labels; and

causing said one of said RFID labels to peel away from said web as said web passes around a peel end of said peeler member.