Label printer applicator system
View Patent ↗A printer system includes a print and apply device that receives a single data stream containing label printing/encoding data and positioning data. The print and apply device transmits label data to a printer/encoder portion of the system and positioning data to motors that move the system. Once the printer portion and the applicator portion have indicated they are ready, a signal is sent to apply the label. The label can be applied anywhere in the X, Y, and/or Z directions on a package.
1. A printer system, comprising:
a print and apply device configured to print or encode a label and apply the label to a package, wherein the device has a printer/encoder portion and an applicator portion;
a first motor to move the print and apply device in an X-direction;
a second motor to move the print and apply device in a Y-direction;
a third motor to move the print and apply device in a Z-direction;
a controller coupled to the print and apply device and having a single interface configured to receive a single data stream comprising label data and positioning data from a single data stream; and
a command parser configured to receive the single data stream and parse label data to the printer/encoder portion and positioning data to the applicator portion.
2. The printer system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is integral with the print and apply device.
3. The printer system of claim 1 , wherein the data stream is received from a host device.
4. The printer system of claim 1 , wherein the package can be of any size.
5. The printer system of claim 1 , further comprising a conveyor to move the package across the print and apply device.
6. The printer system of claim 1 , wherein the print and apply device is located above the package.
7. The printer system of claim 1 , wherein the print and apply device is located along a side of the package.
8. The printer system of claim 1 , wherein the positioning data comprises a first distance from a leading edge of the package.
9. The printer system of claim 1 , wherein the positioning data comprises a second distance from a side edge of the package.
10. The printer system of claim 1 , wherein the label is a barcode label.