include side, front, top, and bottom views of a cutting system, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4C is a plan view of a support bracket 114 in accordance with some embodiments. Some embodiments may include one or more of a cutter mount region 277, a tamper mount region 278, a bracket mount region 270, a first border 271, a second border 272, a first edge 273, a second edge 274, a third edge 275, a fourth edge 276, a first edge 279, a second edge 280, a third edge 282, a first edge 284, a second edge 286, a third edge 288, a first section 290, and/or a second section 292.

In some embodiments, the bracket mount region 270 may extend from a side of the cutter mount region 277, and the tamper mount region 278 may extend from a lower or bottom side of the cutter mount region 277. The bracket mount region 270 may include the first edge 284, the second edge 286, the third edge 288, and the first border 271. The first border 271 may be shared between the bracket mount region 270 and the tamper mount region 278. The bracket mount region 270 may be an elongated plate extending along an X-axis direction away from the tamper mount region 278. In some embodiments, the bracket mount region 270 may be short, wide, narrow, or have any other shape suitable for securing the support bracket 114 to a printer or other support.

In operation, the bracket mount region 270 may be secured to a printer needing additional capabilities with respect to cutting and/or tamping. Securing mechanisms may include one or more of using fasteners such as screws, bolts, or other connectors to welding. In some embodiments, the bracket mount region 270 may be integrally formed with another printer component.

In some embodiments, the cutter mount region 277 may include the second border 272, a first edge 273, a second edge 274, a third edge 275, a fourth edge 276, a fifth edge 294, a first section 290, and a second section 292. The bracket mount region 270 may extend along the Z-axis (e.g., downward) from the first edge 279 of the tamper mount region 278 at the second border 272. The tamper mount region 278 may extend along the Z-axis (e.g., upward) from the second border 272 and along the X-axis (e.g., laterally) from the first border 271.

The first section 290 and the second section 292 may both extend along the Z-axis (e.g., downward) from the second border 272. The first section 290 may be defined by the first edge 273, the second edge 274, and the third edge 275. The second section 292 may be defined by the fourth edge 276 and the fifth edge 294.

In some embodiments, the cutter mount region 277 may be configured to support a cutting unit 116 that can be adapted to add greater functionality to a printer system. For example, adding the cutting unit 116 may enable the printer to cut variable length labels from a label web 106 with a continuous label layer (e.g., with or without a liner) that has not been precut into predefined lengths. In some embodiments, the cutter mount region 277 may enable an appropriately configured cutting unit 116 to modify an existing printer, whether or not that printer already has a cutting capability, to have a variable cut length capability.

In various embodiments, the first section 150 and the third section 154 of the second wall 122 may be coupled to the first section 290 of the cutter mount region 277. The coupling may be accomplished by one or more of welding, bolting, or other connection methods. Because the second section 292 may not extend as far along the Z-axis as the first section 290, the cutter mount region 277 may define a gap that provides room for insertion of the second wheel 134.

In some embodiments, the tamper mount region 278 may be shorter as measured along the Z-axis direction than the cutter mount region 277. The tamper mount region 278 may extend laterally from the second border 272 away from the cutter mount region 277 along the X-axis direction. In some embodiments, the tamper mount region 278 may include a first edge 279, a second edge 280, and a third edge 282.

FIGS. 5A-5B include a cutaway and an expanded cutaway view of a cutting system in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 5C includes an enlarged cutaway perspective view of a cutting system in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5B includes an anvil 148, a cutter cartridge 238, a housing 240, a cutter wheel support 254, and a cutting blade 262.

FIG. 5C illustrates an enlarged perspective cross-sectional view of the cutter assembly 140 in accordance with some embodiments. Various embodiments may include one or more of a pressure hub 266, and a cutting blade 262.

Some embodiments may include one or more of a cartridge release tab 218, a cartridge release actuator 216, a pressure exerting portion 268, attachment points 236, a detent component 246, a cutter carrier 226, a cutter cartridge holder 234, a housing 240, a cutter cartridge 238, flanges 242, and a shaft 248.

In various embodiments, cutter assembly 140 may include one or more of a cutter carrier 226 and a removable cutter cartridge 238, each of which are described more fully below. In some embodiments, the cutting unit 116 includes a cartridge release actuator 216 comprising a cartridge release tab 218 and an actuator tab (not shown). The cartridge release actuator 216 may be positioned on the “home” side of cutting unit 116 and outboard of cutter assembly 140, which may be located on the end of screw shaft 138. In some embodiments, a cartridge release actuator 216 allows an operator to release and remove cutter cartridge 238 as an entire unit from the cutter carrier 226 of cutter assembly 140 without the need for external tools. More specifically, in some embodiments, the cartridge release tab 218 is configured such that the operator actuates or presses the cartridge release tab 218 in a backward or counter-clockwise direction which, in turn, permits the cutter cartridge 238 to engage or disengage with the cutter assembly 140. For example, rotation of the cartridge release tab 218 causes engagement of actuator tab portion (not shown) of release actuator 216 and actuator portion (not shown) of pressure hub 266 which may lift the pressure exerting portion 268, which in turn may release the detent component 246. The detent component 246, while shown as a separate part could be an integral feature of the cartridge housing 240. Once released, the cutter cartridge 238 may be removed from the cutter cartridge holder 234. A user may grasp the flanges 242 to hold or otherwise manipulate the cutter cartridge 238. In this manner, cutter assembly 140 can easily be repaired or replaced with minimal effort, risk of injury and/or downtime.

In some embodiments, cutting unit 116 may include one or more sensors 222 (e.g., an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, an electrical sensor) and optical interrupt blades, ribs, magnets, or other actuation features appropriate for the sensing device (not shown) on the cutter carrier 226 to allow appropriate sensing for motor control at the end of a cutting process. In some embodiments, one or more sensors 222 are mounted to one or both of the first wall 120 and the second wall 122. The one or more sensors 222 may be used to set a zero position for the cutting unit 116, such as for the cutter assembly 140. In some embodiments, a second sensor can be used to set the cut stop location distal to a first sensor location. Alternatively, in some embodiments, motor rotation position feedback may be used to set a cut distance, such as based on a programmable input on the cutter's user interface.

In some embodiments, having sensors 222 (not shown) on one or both walls (e.g. may help provide cutter jam detection for each corresponding direction of cut associated with a sensor 222. In some embodiments, if a cutter assembly 140 fails to reach a sensor, a cutter processor 434 (see FIG. 7) determines that a jam has occurred. One or both sensors 222 may be adjustable in position for setting a desired cutting zone based on label location and/or width. For example, one or both sensors 222 may be adjustable by a user with or without using tools for purposes of setting a desired cutting zone, which may be based on a label position and/or width. One or both sensors 222 may be adjustable in position to minimize blade wear from direct contact between a blade and an anvil of the cutting unit when cutting beyond label width.

In some embodiments, the motor 129 may include position feedback such as from a rotary encoder mounted to the back of the motor (not shown) that can be used to sense the location of the cutter for improved jam detection, diagnostics, and/or closed loop control of the motor for improved cutter motion quality.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a tamp system 112 in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the tamp system 112 includes a tamp driver 304, a tamp head 306, a beam 308, and at least one vacuum tube 310. The tamp driver 304 may be configured to drive movement of the tamp head 306 linearly. Moving the cutting system 100 in various orientations, such as along a Z axis, X axis, or Y axis direction may help with applying labels to the top, side, or an underside of an object such as a box or package. In some embodiments, the tamp driver 304 is an electric motor or an air cylinder. In various embodiments, at least one vacuum tube 310 may draw air into one or more holes disposed in the lowest side of the tamp head, creating a suction sufficient to hold a label against the tamp head until an adhesive side is adhered to a target object. The beam 308 may telescope to allow extension of the tamp head 306 to deliver a label to a target object, such as a package.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a printing system 400 in accordance with some embodiments. In various embodiments the printing system 400 may include one or more of a print and apply machine 402, a cutter system 420, and/or the label applicator 440. In various embodiments, the print and apply machine 402 may be the same or different from the printer system 101. In various embodiments, the cutter system 420 may be the same or different from the cutting unit 116. In various embodiments, the label applicator 440 may be the same or different from the tamp system 112.

In some embodiments, the print and apply machine 402 may include one or more of a power supply 404, a supply roll 406, a liner takeup 408, a printer 410, an applicator interface 412, a printer processor 414, a printer memory 416, a printer user interface 417, a printer display 418, printer keys 419, and/or at least one printer indicator light 421. In some embodiments, the cutter system 420 may include one or more of a cutter mechanism 422, a cutter motor 424, a left home sensor 426, a right home sensor 428, a power supply 430, a cutter control board 432, a cutter processor 434, cutter memory 436, a cutter user interface 437, a cutter display 438, cutter keys 439, and/or at least one cutter indicator light 441. In some embodiments, the label applicator 440 may include one or more of a tamp mechanism 442 and/or an airstream control 444.

In some embodiments, the printer user interface 417 may provide information about the print and apply machine 402 to a user, such as regarding programmable inputs and machine status reporting. In some embodiments, the printer display 418 may be used to provide text and/or images, and the printer keys 419 may be physical keys or touch screen buttons. In some embodiments, the printer indicator light 421 may be used to provide information regarding the status of the print and apply machine 402.

In some embodiments, the cutter user interface 437 may provide information about the cutter system 420 to a user, such as regarding programmable inputs and machine status reporting. In some embodiments, the cutter display 438 may be used to provide text and/or images, and the cutter keys 439 may be physical keys or touch screen buttons. In some embodiments, the cutter indicator light 441 may be used to provide information regarding status of the cutter system 420.

In some embodiments, the power supply 404 provides power to the print and apply machine 402. The supply roll 406 provides a label web 106 that is received by the printer 410. The liner 107 for the label web 106 may be drawn back onto the liner takeup 408. The cutter system 420 may then receive the label web 106. The printer processor 414 and the printer memory 416 may be configured through software instructions to control operations of the print and apply machine 402 and to communicate with other devices and systems.

In some embodiments, the cutter mechanism 422 is moved laterally by the cutter motor 424. In some embodiments, the left home sensor 426 and the right home sensor 428 provide signals when the cutter mechanism 422 reaches a left home or a right home position, respectively. In various embodiments, the power supply 404 and/or the power supply 430 provides power to the cutter system 420. The cutter control board 432 includes at least one cutter processor 434 and at least one cutter memory 436 which contain software instructions that control operation of the cutter system 420 and/or communication with other systems.

In some embodiments, the cutter system 420 and the label applicator 440 receive the same signals from the print and apply machine 402, and the cutter system 420 adapts its cutting operations based on the instructions provided to the tamp mechanism 442, such as for control of an airstream and/or triggering a tamping sequence. In some embodiments, for some modular add-on systems for printers lacking a cutting system, this or other outputs from the print and apply system