[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to devices and systems for braille printing.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Visually impaired people may have no standardized method of determining what type of product they are using, and/or information such as expiration dates, brand names, and product warnings, among others. As such, there is a need for an improved system that addresses the above-mentioned limitation of the prior art.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0003] According to various embodiments, disclosed is a system of embossing braille on product labels during the labeling process, which helps or enables visually impaired individuals to read the brand name or other product facts such as expiration dates or warnings on any labeled product. In embodiments, the system provides a braille wheel with slot(s) configured to hold tiles of braille text in a circumferentially aligned orientation, wherein the tiles are interchangeable within the wheel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0004] The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention will be made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein the figures disclose one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0005] FIG. 1 depicts a braille labeling system comprising an assembly of multiple braille labeling wheels, according to various embodiments.

[0006] FIG. 2 shows a single braille labeling wheel of the system of FIG. 1.

[0007] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the braille labeling wheel.

[0008] FIG. 4 is a section view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 5 is a section view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 2. [0010] FIG. 6 is a section view showing disassembly of the braille labeling wheel. [0011] FIG. 7 shows an alternate embodiment of the braille labeling system.

[0012] FIG. 8 a schematic view of an operation setup for the braille labeling system, according to certain embodiments.

BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

[0001] According to various embodiments as depicted in FIGS. 1-7, disclosed is a braille labeling system 2 for applying braille marking indentions 28 (“braille 28") to a label 26. In embodiments, the disclosed system provides a braille marking device 5 comprising one or more braille labeling wheel(s) 10. In embodiments, label 26 may be a product label for various types of consumer items, including foods, drinks, and the like. Braille labeling system 2 allows label 26 to be braille marked with information/ message(s) regarding the product, such as a description of the product, expiration date, price, warning message(s), etc. In some embodiments, the label may be marked before it is applied to the product during the labeling process. In some embodiments, the label may be a sheet made of paper material of various thickness, gloss, etc. In other embodiments, the label may be a sheet made of plastic material but is not limited to these options.

[0002] In certain embodiments, braille labeling device 5 may comprise a single braille labeling wheel 10. In some embodiments, braille labeling device 5 may comprise multiple braille labeling wheels 10 which are assembly to form a stacked braille labeling unit 10A. In one embodiment, stacked braille labeling unit 10A may comprise 3 wheels 10 (see FIGS. 1 and 7) but is not limited to this option. It shall be appreciated the size of braille labeling wheel 10 and the number of stacked wheels may vary in alternate embodiments.

[0003] In embodiments, braille labeling wheel 10 support units of raised marking(s) repressing alpha-numeric characters and other symbols. In some embodiments, each unit of raised marking(s) may comprise a specific pattern of dots, representing a distinct letter, number, punctuation mark, or symbol in braille as is known (wherein the absence of raised markings may represent a space). It shall be appreciated however, that different markings may be used in alternate embodiments, including straight and curved lines, and/or various pictorial designs (e.g., emoji symbols), etc.

[0004] In some embodiments the raised markings may be provided on tiles or inserts 14 which may be interchangeably arranged on braille labeling wheel 10. In one embodiment, braille labeling wheel 10 may comprise a top housing 12 and a bottom housing 16 configured to retain inserts 14 therebetween in a circular configuration, wherein inserts 14 can be removed and replaced to create various arrangement of the inserts needed for a specific label message. In certain embodiments, top housing 12 may include a top housing insert cavity 18 that forms a circumferential well configured to receive a top portion 14A of inserts 14, wherein top portion 14A is specifically configured to fit into top housing insert cavity 18, as shown in FIG. 3. In further embodiments, bottom housing 16 may comprise a bottom housing insert cavity 20 that forms a circumferential well configured to receive a bottom portion 14B of inserts 14, wherein bottom portion 14B is specifically configured to fit into bottom housing insert cavity 20, as shown in FIG. 3. As such, inserts 14 may be securely held in place within top housing insert cavity 18 and bottom housing insert cavity 20 when top housing 12 and bottom housing 16 are assembled. Inserts 14 may further be removed from labeling wheel 10 when top housing 12 and bottom housing 16 are separated. In further embodiments, top housing 12 and bottom housing 16 may each incorporate corresponding position stops 13 which may be used as a staring and/or an ending edge for the labeling. It shall be appreciated that different methods of retaining inserts 14 may be provided in alternate embodiments. For example, top housing insert cavity 18 and/or bottom housing insert cavity 20 may be provided with multiple slots, each slot being configured to hold one insert.

[0005] In some embodiments, top housing 12 and/or bottom housing 16 of one braille labeling wheel 10 may be configured to connect to the bottom housing 16 and/or top housing 12 housing of another braille labeling wheel 10 to form stacked braille labeling unit 10A of multiple braille labeling wheels. In some embodiments, top housing 12 and/or bottom housing 16 may be configured to mount braille labeling wheel(s) 10/ device 5 to a shelf 30 of a labeling machine. In one example, top housing 12 may comprise a top housing hole 22 and bottom housing 16 may comprise a bottom housing hole 24 which allows labeling wheel 10 to be attached to another labeling wheel 10 and/or to shelf 30 via a shaft 32. It shall be appreciated that different components for attaching one labeling wheel to another labeling wheel, and/or to attaching braille labeling device 5 to a labeling machine may be employed in alternate embodiments.

[0006] In some embodiments, the raised markings may be embossed onto label 26 by passing the label between braille labeling device 5 and an opposing surface which may be provided within a labeling machine. In some embodiments, heat may be used for labeling harder material such as plastic. In certain embodiments, as best depicted in FIG. 1 , the opposing surface may comprise a hard rubber wheel 34 which may spin in counter direction to braille labeling wheel(s) 10 that allows label 26 to be embossed with the markings on wheel 10 as label 26 is passed between the pressing wheels. In another embodiment as best depicted in FIG. 7, the opposing surface may be a recessed wheel 36 comprising indentations 40 corresponding to the raised markings on braille labeling wheel(s) 10, wherein the raised markings on braille labeling wheel(s) 10 are positioned to be precisely received within indentations 40 to emboss label 26 as it is pressed between wheel(s) 10 and recessed wheel 36. In some embodiments, indentations 40 may be provided on “negative” tiles or inserts 38 (“negative inserts 38”) corresponding to inserts 14. It shall be appreciated that braille labeling wheel(s) 10 may be used with different labeling system components. In certain embodiments, the disclosed system may use a separate reel-to-reel housing driven by a motor. In some embodiments, braille labeling device 5 and opposing wheel 34 or 36 may be mounted on steel rods that allow the wheels to turn and connect to an existing labeling machine. A locking system may further be provided to hold the braille wheel and opposing wheel against each other for embossing the label. In certain embodiments, braille labeling device 5 may be configured for installation into a conventional labeling machine in place of an ink wheel and may work in conjunction with the existing components of the labeling machine, including the hard rubber wheel and locking system of the machine.

[0001] In one embodiment as depicted in FIG. 8, braille labeling wheel(s) 10 is mounted on an elliptical spindle shaft 44 with captured bearings 42, wherein opposing wheel 34 (or 36) is mounted on a straight spindle shaft 46 with bearings 48 that sit below the wheel. In this configuration, elliptical shaft 46 allows braille labeling wheel(s) 10 to be adjusted and set to a specific position (via a locking mechanism) for applying the precise amount of pressure needed to emboss the bumps. It also enables wheel(s) 10 to swing away to allow for loading of the labels or to bypass the braille device altogether. In some embodiments, both shafts 44, 46 may bearings on the top and bottom for smooth operation.

[0018] As such, the disclosed subject matter provides a braille labeling system comprising braille labeling wheel(s) 10 configured to hold tiles of braille text including letters, numbers, and other symbols, which are interchangeable within the slot(s) of the wheel. In some embodiments, braille labeling wheel(s) 10 may be made of a hard plastic, stainless steel, or other hard material or combination of materials. In further embodiments, braille labeling system 2 may include a case for storage of device 5. Additionally, the disclosed system provides a set of braille tiles/ inserts, including letters, numbers, symbols, conjunction marks, and other text characters, that fit into the slot(s) of the wheel. In some embodiments, the set of braille inserts may provide multiple pieces of each text character, which may be arranged in any way into the braille wheel to create the verbiage desired by the packager. [0019] The disclosed system enables a label to be embossed with braille letters/ markings before it is applied to a product, wherein a packager may easily exchange the braille markings on the wheel whenever needed, e.g., for exchanging a production or expiration date, a brand name, and the like. Additionally, the disclosed braille labeling device may be placed inline on an existing labeling machine to allow for braille embossing during the packaging process.

[0020] It shall be appreciated that the components of the device and system described herein may be manufactured and assembled using any known techniques in the field. In some embodiments, the braille wheel and tiles may be made using 3D printing or CNC machining.

[0021] It shall be appreciated that the disclosed device and system can have multiple configurations in different embodiments. It shall be appreciated that the components of the system described herein may comprise any alternative known materials in the field and be of any size and/or dimensions.

[0022] It shall be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside" is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, which is only for convenience and simplification of describing the disclosed subject matter, rather than indicating or implying that the indicated device or element must have a specific orientation or are constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0023] As used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, the terms “has”, “have”, “having”, “with” or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0013] The constituent elements of the disclosed device and system listed herein are intended to be exemplary only, and it is not intended that this list be used to limit the device of the present application to just these elements. Persons having ordinary skill in the art relevant to the present disclosure may understand there to be equivalent elements that may be substituted within the present disclosure without changing the essential function or operation of the device. Terms such as ‘approximate,’ ‘approximately,’ ‘about,’ etc., as used herein indicate a deviation of within +/-10%. Relationships between the various elements of the disclosed device as described herein are presented as illustrative examples only, and not intended to limit the scope or nature of the relationships between the various elements. Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0014] Embodiments of the disclosed invention are useful for braille labeling.