IMPROVED PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR SPOTTING LABELS

摘要

A system for registering containers carried on one conveyor belt with wraps carried on another conveyor belt, in which each container is viewed by an electronic camera that provides a digitized image of the container. Printed material on the face of each wrap, being carried face down on its conveyor, is viewed by another electronic camera that provides a digitized image of the printed material. The wrap conveyor comprises a flexible, light-transmissive conveyor belt supported on a light-transmissive frame. A light source is provided for lighting the wrap through the belt. In one embodiment where the wrap is light-transmissive, the printed material is viewed through the wrap itself. In another embodiment where the wrap is light-opaque, the printed material is viewed through the conveyor belt. Digitized information of standards of at least the location and details of the printed material and of the container are prestored in a computer. The latter compares the digitized images with the standards to generate commands that control a mechanical arm that correctly spots the containers on the wraps regardless of their original orientation and position.