WEB TRANSPORT SYSTEM WITH ELECTRO-OPTICAL LABEL DETECTION

摘要

A label carrier web transport for use in heat transfer decorators and the like, in which labels are optically registered to control web transport. A timing assembly (80) coordinates the rotation of a cam shaft (76) with the actuation and deactuation of clutch and brake assemblies within a metering roll (30). An optical scanner (60) trained on the web registers a predetermined contrast location within a label (110) to actuate the brake (32) and deactuate the clutch (42), subject to the presence of an enabling signal from the timing assembly. The metering roll, in combination with a reciprocating label shuttle (20), provides intermittent web motion to achieve controlled label advance. An alternative label transport system (210) incorporates a capstan web drive (230) in lieu of the metering roll, with a microprocessor (290) to control various machine functions including intermittent web transport.