Radio Frequency Identification (Rfid) Label Applicator

• US 20070284049A1
• Filed: 08/29/2005
• Published: 12/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics LLC (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Marcus, Christopher, Ford, John
• Application Number:
  US11/660,303
• Publication Number:
  US 20070284049A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/541
• 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 (100) may include a peeler member (140) having a peel end (142), the peeler member being configured to cause an RFID label (102) to peel away from a web (110) when the web passes around the peel end; and a label tamp assembly (150) having a receiving surface (612) configured to receive the RFID label and to move it into contact with an item (104) on which the RFID label is to be applied, the label tamp assembly having at least one forward opening in a portion of the receiving surface away from the peeler member and a plurality of rearward openings in a portion of the receiving surface proximate the peeler member, wherein at least one of the forward or rearward openings is configured to draw in air such that a leading portion of the RFID label is substantially secured.

Claims

1. A radio frequency identification (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; and

a label tamp assembly, said label tamp assembly having a receiving surface 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, said label tamp assembly having at least one forward opening in a portion of said receiving surface away from said peeler member and a plurality of rearward openings in a portion of said receiving surface proximate said peeler member, wherein at least one of said forward or rearward openings is configured to draw in air such that a leading portion of said RFID label is substantially secured.

2. The RFID label applicator of claim 1, further comprising a stop positioned proximate said receiving surface to allow said RFID label to feed and orient properly.

3. The RFID label applicator of claim 2, wherein said receiving surface is non-horizontal and said stop is positioned to inhibit misalignment of said RFID label 102 with respect to said receiving surface.

4. The RFID label applicator of claim 1, further comprising a vacuum pad recessed into said receiving surface, positioned to substantially hold said RFID label in place without subjecting an IC chip in said RFID label to vacuum forces at said opening.

5. The RFID label applicator of claim 3, wherein said vacuum pad further comprises a compressible material to inhibit damage to said IC chip.

6. The RFID label applicator of claim 1, wherein there are two rearward openings, and said forward and rearward openings form a triangular configuration.

7. The RFID label applicator of claim 1, further comprising:

an RFID programming antenna integrated with said peeler member, said RFID programming antenna being configured to transmit programming signals to an RFID label on said web prior to passing around said peel tip; and

an RFID programmer coupled to said RFID programming antenna, said RFID programmer being configured to generate said programming signals.

8. A radio frequency identification (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;

an RFID programming antenna integrated with said peeler member, said RFID programming antenna being configured to transmit programming signals to an RFID label on said web prior to passing around said peel end;

an RFID programmer coupled to said RFID programming antenna, said RFID programmer being configured to generate said programming signals;

a label tamp assembly, said label tamp assembly 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, and

a vacuum pad proximate said label tamp assembly, said vacuum pad said label tamp assembly having at least one forward vacuum hole in a portion of said receiving surface away from said peeler member and a plurality of rearward vacuum holes in a portion of said vacuum pad proximate said peeler member.

9. The RFID label applicator of claim 8, further comprising a stop positioned proximate said vacuum pad to allow said RFID label to feed and orient properly.

10. The RFID label applicator of claim 9, wherein said vacuum pad is non-horizontal and said stop is positioned to inhibit misalignment of said RFID label 102 with respect to said vacuum pad.

11. The RFID label applicator of claim 8, wherein said vacuum pad further comprises a compressible material to inhibit damage to an IC chip in said RFID label.

12. The RFID label applicator of claim 8, wherein there are two rearward vacuum holes, and said forward and rearward vacuum holes form a triangular configuration around an IC chip in said RFID label.