JP2001031038A - Automatically lebelling apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid making an apparatus larger in size in an automatically lebelling apparatus having a plurality of label printers arranged side by side. SOLUTION: This apparatus is the one for sticking labels to packaged commodities and is composed of a conveyor 15 for conveying the commodities to be stuck with labels, two label printers 16a, 17a for printing information on the labels, respectively, and two sticking units 16b, 17b for sticking the label fed from each of the label printers 16a, 17a to each commodity. The two printers 16a, 17a and the two sticking units 16b, 17b are freely movable between a label sticking position for sticking the label to the commodity and a label supply position for label supply work, respectively.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic pricing apparatus, and more particularly to an automatic pricing apparatus having two or more label supply mechanisms for applying a label to a packaged product.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An automatic pricing apparatus is an apparatus for automatically affixing a label on which a product name, price, expiration date and the like are printed to a packaged product in a backyard such as a supermarket. This automatic pricing device includes a transport mechanism that transports a tray containing goods, a label printer that prints information based on weighing data and the like on a label, and a label sticking mechanism that sticks the printed label to the tray. And

[0003] In particular, in an automatic pricing device used in combination with a packaging machine, a weighing conveyer, or the like, one product has two prices.
There are cases where two label printers and a label attaching mechanism are arranged side by side in order to attach two labels or to change the attaching direction of the labels depending on the product. In the former example, for example, a label on which information related to a product is printed by one label printer and a label pasting mechanism is pasted on the product, and then a message for advertisement is printed by the other label printer and the label pasting mechanism. The label is attached to the same product.

[0004]

Here, in a label printer, a large number of labels are stuck on a roll-shaped backing paper and stored. When a label is consumed and a new label is to be supplied, the backing sheet from which the label has been removed is removed from the apparatus, and a new roll on which the label is attached is mounted. Hereinafter, “supplement of labels” is also referred to as “replacement of labels” in the sense that a backing sheet with no labels is replaced with a new backing sheet on which labels are pasted.

[0005] The above label exchange work is usually performed by
This is done from the side of the label printer. Therefore, when two label printers are arranged side by side, a sufficient space for the work must be provided between the two label printers so that the label exchange operation can be easily performed.
However, if a sufficient space is provided between two label printers, the size of the entire apparatus increases.

An object of the present invention is to avoid an increase in the size of an automatic pricing apparatus in which a plurality of label supply mechanisms such as label printers are arranged side by side. Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily perform a label exchange operation. Still another object of the present invention is to simplify the configuration of an automatic pricing device having a plurality of label supply mechanisms.

[0007]

An automatic pricing apparatus according to claim 1 is an apparatus for attaching a label to a packaged product, comprising: a product mounting table on which the product is mounted; There are provided a plurality of label supply mechanisms for supplying, and one or more label attaching mechanisms for attaching labels supplied from the plurality of label supply mechanisms to the product on the product mounting table. Then, at least one of the plurality of label supply mechanisms and at least one of the one or more label attaching mechanisms are arranged between a label attaching position for attaching a label to a product and a label replenishing position at which a label can be supplied. It is movable.

In this apparatus, the wrapped product is transported by a transport device or the like and placed on the product mounting table. In addition,
In some cases, the transfer device functions as a product mounting table. Then, a plurality of labels supplied from the plurality of label supply mechanisms are attached to the packaged product by the label attaching mechanism. When it becomes necessary to supply a label to the label supply mechanism, at least one of the plurality of label supply mechanisms is moved to the label supply position, and the moved label supply mechanism is moved to the label supply mechanism. The label supply operation is performed on another label supply mechanism whose label supply is facilitated by the movement.

Here, when performing a label supply operation,
The label supply mechanism itself to be supplied with a label or the label supply mechanism adjacent thereto can be moved to be placed at the label supply position. By the movement of the label supply mechanism, a working space can be secured beside the label supply mechanism to be supplied with labels. Therefore, there is no need to provide a working space between adjacent label supply mechanisms, and the entire apparatus can be reduced in size as compared with the conventional apparatus.

[0010] The goods referred to in claim 1 include both goods such as fresh foods and goods of a broad concept including a tray when the goods are put on the tray. The automatic pricing device according to claim 2 is the device according to claim 1, wherein the label supply mechanism includes a storage unit that stores the label, a printing unit that prints information on the label, and a transport mechanism that transports the label. Is a label printer having:

Here, the label stored in the storage section is transported to the printing section, information such as weighing data is printed on the label, and the printed label is transported to the label sticking mechanism side. The automatic pricing device according to claim 3 is the same as the claim 1.
Alternatively, in the apparatus of the second aspect, the same number of label attaching mechanisms are provided corresponding to the plurality of label supply mechanisms, and the corresponding label supply mechanisms and label attaching mechanisms are fixed to each other and can be moved integrally.

In this case, since the label supply mechanism and the label sticking mechanism can be moved integrally, the mechanism for moving them is relatively simple. The automatic pricing device according to claim 4 is the device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the label attaching mechanism is one, and a plurality of label supply mechanisms are provided so as to be able to receive labels from the plurality of label supply mechanisms. It is movable along the arranged direction.

In general, when a plurality of labels are attached to a product, a plurality of labels are not attached at the same time, and each label is attached in order. Therefore, in this apparatus, one label sticking mechanism is provided for a plurality of label feeding mechanisms so that one label sticking mechanism can move so as to correspond to each of the plurality of label feeding mechanisms.

Here, since there is only one label sticking mechanism, the size and weight of the apparatus can be reduced. An automatic pricing device according to claim 5 is the device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the label supply mechanism and the label attaching mechanism are movable to a plurality of label attaching positions, One is a label supply position.

Depending on the label affixing position of the label supply mechanism, the adjacent label supply mechanisms may be shifted. For example, when the first label supply mechanism is located at the first label attachment position and the second label supply mechanism is located at the second label attachment position, the second label supply mechanism exists on the side of the first label supply mechanism. May not. In such a case, the label supply operation may be easily performed without moving the first label supply mechanism. In this case, the first label attaching position of the first label supply mechanism can be a label supply position.

[0016] The automatic pricing apparatus according to claim 6 is provided in claim 1.
6. A moving means for moving a label supply mechanism and a label applying mechanism between a label attaching position and a label replenishing position, and supplying a label to each of the plurality of label supplying mechanisms. And a movement control unit for giving an instruction to perform the operation. The movement control means is means for moving the label supply mechanism and the label sticking mechanism to be supplied with the label to the label supply position when the label supply instruction is given by the label supply instruction means.

In this apparatus, when an instruction to perform label replenishment is given by the operator, the label supplying mechanism to be replenished with the label is automatically moved to the label replenishing position by the moving means. Therefore, the operator only has to perform the label supply operation to the label supply mechanism moved to the label supply position, and the label supply operation becomes easy. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the automatic valuing apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the replenishment time detecting means for detecting the label replenishment time in the plurality of label supply mechanisms, and the replenishment time detecting means detects the label replenishment time. And a notifying means for notifying at that time.

In this apparatus, it is detected that the label supply mechanism has run out of labels and it is time to replenish the label, and that fact is displayed on a display unit, for example. For this reason, the operator can give an instruction to perform the label replenishment operation according to the display and perform the operation. The automatic pricing device according to claim 8 is the device according to claim 7, wherein the movement control unit includes:
When the replenishment timing detecting means detects the label replenishment time to the label supply mechanism and the label replenishment instructing means instructs to perform label replenishment, the label supply mechanism to be replenished is moved to the label replenishment position. ,
The other label supply mechanism and the label sticking mechanism are moved to a position that does not interfere with the label supply operation.

Here, depending on the label affixing position of the label supply mechanism, even if a certain label supply mechanism is moved to the label supply position, the adjacent label supply mechanism may hinder the label supply operation. Therefore, in this apparatus, the label supply mechanism that obstructs the operation is moved to a position that does not interfere with the label supply operation for the label supply mechanism to be resupplied. Thereby, the label supply operation can be easily performed.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic pricing apparatus according to the sixth aspect.
In any one of the above-mentioned apparatuses, the apparatus further comprises end instruction means for instructing the end of the label replenishment operation, and the movement control means is moved when the end instruction means instructs the end of the label replenishment operation. Return the label supply mechanism and the label attaching mechanism to their original positions. Here, when the operator gives an instruction to the effect that the label supply operation has been completed, the label supply mechanism and the label attaching mechanism that have been moved to the label supply position are moved to the original positions. Therefore, it is possible to quickly shift to the original label attaching process.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic valuing apparatus according to the ninth aspect, two label supply mechanisms and two label attaching mechanisms are provided. Then, the movement control means performs the following control when the label supply timing of both label supply mechanisms is detected by the supply timing detection means and label supply is instructed by the label supply instruction means. That is, the one label supply mechanism and the label attaching mechanism are moved to the label supply position, and the other label supply mechanism and the label attaching mechanism are moved to a position that does not interfere with the label supply operation of the one label supply mechanism. When the end instruction means instructs the end of the label supply operation of one of the label supply mechanisms, the other label supply mechanism and the label attaching mechanism are moved to the label supply position, and the one label supply mechanism and the label attaching mechanism are moved. Is moved to a position where it does not interfere with the label supply operation of the other label supply mechanism. Next, when the end instruction means instructs the end of the label supply operation of the other label supply mechanism, both the label supply mechanism and the label attaching mechanism are moved to the label attaching position.

Here, when performing a label supply operation to the two label supply mechanisms and the label sticking mechanism, the operator issues an instruction for replenishing the label and an instruction indicating that the label replenishment operation has been completed. By simply giving the labels, the label supply mechanisms and the label sticking mechanisms are sequentially moved to the positions where the label replenishment work is easy, and when the work is completed, they are moved to the original label sticking positions. Therefore, the label replenishing operation can be easily performed, and the process can quickly shift to the original label attaching process.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the automatic pricing apparatus according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, the automatic pricing apparatus further comprises a product transport device for transporting the product, and the plurality of label supply mechanisms are:
Labels can be replenished from the side that intersects the transport direction while being arranged side by side in the transport direction of the products by the product transport device. Position.

In this apparatus, the wrapped product is transported by the product transport device. Then, a label is attached to the conveyed product by the plurality of label supply mechanisms and the label applying mechanism. Here, the length of the entire apparatus in the product transport direction can be reduced as compared with the conventional apparatus. The commodity referred to in claim 11 includes both a commodity itself such as fresh food and a commodity of a broad concept including a tray when the commodity is put on the tray.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic pricing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein a replenishment timing detecting means for detecting a label replenishment timing in the plurality of label supply mechanisms; There is further provided moving means for moving the label applying mechanism between the label applying position and the label replenishing position, and movement control means. The movement control means is means for moving the label supply mechanism and the label sticking mechanism to be supplied with the label to the label supply position when the label supply time is detected by the supply time detecting means.

In this apparatus, when it is detected that the label supply mechanism has run out of labels and the label replenishment time has come, the label supply mechanism to be replenished with the label is automatically moved to the label replenishment position by the moving means. Therefore, the operator only has to perform the label supply operation to the label supply mechanism moved to the label supply position, and the label supply operation becomes easy.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment [Overall Configuration of System] FIGS. 1 and 2 show an automatic packaging weighing and pricing system including an automatic pricing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

This system comprises a packaging machine 2 for packaging a product containing a product or a tray in which the product is stored or a fruit or vegetable itself, a weighing conveyor 3 for weighing while transporting the tray discharged from the packaging machine 2, A positioning device 4 for transporting the subsequent tray and positioning the tray at the sticking reference position;
It has an automatic pricing device 5 for transporting the tray after positioning and attaching a label to the tray.

[Measurement Conveyor] The weighing conveyor 3 is disposed adjacent to the discharge section of the packaging machine 2, and has a belt T on which a tray T is placed and circulated by driving means such as a motor, and a belt conveyor. Tray T placed on top
And a weighing unit such as a load cell for measuring the weight of the device. The belt conveyor is constantly driven to circulate, whereby the tray T discharged from the packaging machine 2 is conveyed with its short side direction as the traveling direction.

[Positioning Device] The positioning device 4 is a transport roller device 10 for transporting the tray discharged from the weighing conveyor 3 in the X direction in FIG. 1 (hereinafter, the direction along the X direction is referred to as the front-back direction). A positioning stopper 11 for positioning the tray conveyed by the conveying roller device 10 at the sticking reference position;
And a pusher 12 for transporting the upper tray in the Y direction in FIG.

The transport roller device 10 transports the tray discharged from the weighing conveyor 3 with the short side direction as the traveling direction. The positioning stopper 11 is provided for the positioning device 4.
At the downstream end in the transport direction of the transport roller device 10
The tray extends in the direction, and the long side of the tray can be contacted. The position of the tray positioned by the positioning stopper 11 is a reference position (sticking reference position) when the sticking process is performed in a subsequent process. In addition, the pusher 12
Is provided at the upstream end in the conveying direction (Y direction) of the pusher 12 so as to extend in the X direction, and pushes the short side of the tray to automatically move the positioned tray with the long side direction as the traveling direction. It is conveyed to the attachment device 5 side.

[Automatic pricing apparatus] Next, the automatic pricing apparatus 5 will be described in detail. The automatic pricing device 5 includes a pasting conveyor 15 that transports the tray transported from the positioning device 4 in the Y direction, and first and second pricing machines 16 arranged in the Y direction above the pasting conveyor 15. , 17 and a first and a second for moving these pricing machines 16, 17 in a direction perpendicular to the tray conveying direction, that is, in the front-back direction.
It has moving mechanisms 18 and 19.

The sticking conveyor 15 is composed of a belt conveyor, a motor for circulating the belt conveyor, and the like, and is always driven during the label sticking process.
The tray is transported with its long side direction as the traveling direction. During the transport, the tray is transported from the positioning device 4 while being guided by a positioning stopper 11 provided continuously.

The first and second moving mechanisms 18 and 19 are provided above the corresponding price machines 16 and 17, respectively, and are supported by a supporting member 18a extending upward from the side of the adhering conveyor 15. , 19a at the upper end. Since the configurations of the moving mechanisms 18 and 19 are the same, only the first moving mechanism 18 will be described in detail below.

<Movement Mechanism> As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first movement mechanism 18 includes a fixed base 20 and two guide rods 21 provided on the fixed base 20 as fixed members. 22 and a rack 23. In addition,
In FIG. 3, the cover is removed. The fixed base 20 is a plate-shaped member extending in the front-rear direction. The two guide rods 21 and 22 extend in the front-back direction and are arranged in parallel with each other. A pair of brackets 24 and 25 fixed on the fixed base 20 have front and rear ends thereof.
It is supported by. The rack 23 extends in parallel with the guide rods 21 and 22 and is arranged close to one guide rod 22 side, and is fixed on the fixed base 20.

The first moving mechanism 18 has a moving plate 26 and a motor 27 fixed to the moving plate 26 as members on the moving side. Moving plate 2
Reference numeral 6 is arranged above the two guide rods 21 and 22 and is supported by the respective guide rods 21 and 22 via four slide bearings movably in the front-rear direction. An upper end of a connecting member 29 extending downward is fixed to one end of the moving plate 26, and a lower end of the connecting member 29 is fixed to the first pricing machine 16. Further, the motor 27 is fixed to the moving plate 26 so that the rotation axis is in the vertical direction, and a pinion gear 30 is fixed to a tip (lower end) of the rotation axis. And
This pinion gear 30 meshes with the rack 23.

In such a configuration, by rotating the pinion gear 30 by the motor 27, the first pricing machine 16 together with the movable plate 26 is guided by the guide rods 21 and
2 can be moved back and forth. In this embodiment, each pricing machine 16, 17 is movable between a label attaching position on the front side of the apparatus shown in FIG. 10A and a label attaching position on the rear side of the apparatus shown in FIG. It is. The label affixing position on the front side of the apparatus is a label exchanging position (label replenishing position) when performing a label exchanging operation.

<Pricing machine> Next, the first and second pricing machines 16,
17 will be described. However, since the configuration of each pricing machine 16 and 17 is the same, only the first pricing machine 16 will be described in detail below. The first pricing machine 16 includes a label printer (label supply mechanism) 16a for issuing a label on which information is printed, and an attaching machine (label attaching mechanism) 16b for attaching the issued label to a tray. Have. These label printer 16a and pasting machine 16b
Are moved integrally in the front-rear direction by the first moving mechanism 18 described above.

As shown in FIG. 5, the label printer 16a includes a storage section 35 in which the label roll R is set, a print head 36 for printing on the label L, and a collection section 37 for collecting the mount of the label roll R. And a transport mechanism 38 for transporting the backing paper between them. Label roll R is
A number of labels are stuck on a band-shaped backing paper at regular intervals so as to be peelable. Then, this label roll R is collected by the collection unit 3
7 and the cover member (not shown) provided on the left side surface of FIG. 1 is opened, and the arrow A of FIG.
Detachable (exchangeable) is possible from the direction. Print head 36
Is provided corresponding to the platen roller 39, and performs predetermined printing on the label L while the label L passes between them. The transport mechanism 38 includes a plurality of rollers and a guide member that guides the transport of the mount. A peeling bar 41 is provided at a portion of the label issuing port 40 in the middle of the transport path constituted by the transport mechanism 38, so that the backing sheet is bent at an acute angle. Therefore, when passing through the peeling bar 41,
The label L is peeled off from the backing paper, and the label L is sent to the sticking machine 16b.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the attaching machine 16b has a label suction head 45 and a push rod 47 having a bellows member 46 at the lower end. The suction head 45 is a box-shaped member having a space inside, and suctions the label L issued from the label issuing port 40 of the label printer 16a by an opening 45a for suction formed at the lower end thereof. It is. The suction head 45 is provided at a lower end of a support rod 48 extending in the vertical direction. Then, the push rod 47 is usually lurking in the internal space of the suction head 45. Push rod 47
The suction head 45 and the suction head 45 can move independently of each other in the vertical direction. When the issued label L is pasted on the tray T, as shown in FIG. As it descends, the push rod 47 descends so that the lower end of the push rod 47 protrudes from the suction head 45.

[Control Block] The system has a control unit 50 as shown in FIG. Control unit 50
Has a microcomputer including a ROM, a RAM, a CPU, and the like, and has an operation panel 51 provided with keys and a display unit for instructing operations, a sensor 52 for detecting a label replacement time, 1st and 2nd pricing machines 16,1
7 is connected to a sensor 53 for detecting the front / rear position (label attaching position) of the sensor 7. In addition, the label replacement time detection sensor 52 can be configured by an optical sensor such as a light emitting element and a light receiving element for detecting the diameter of the label roll R. The control unit 50 includes a driving unit 55 of the weighing conveyor 3, a driving unit 56 of the positioning device 4, a driving unit 57 of the sticking conveyor 15, a motor 27 of each of the moving mechanisms 18, 19, and a label printer 16a. , 17a drive unit 58
And the drive units 59 of the attaching machines 16b and 17b are connected.

The operation panel 51 includes a key 51a for designating a label sticking position, a key 51b for designating a label exchange, and a display unit 51c for displaying that a label exchange time has come. And various keys including a key 51d for designating that the label exchange operation has been completed. [Overall Operation] Next, the operation will be described.

First, in the packaging machine 2, the tray in which the products are stored is packaged with a film. The wrapped tray is discharged to the weighing conveyor 3 with its short side direction as the traveling direction. The weighing conveyor 3 performs weighing while transporting the tray in a state where the tray is discharged from the packaging machine 2. The data obtained by this weighing process is sent to the first pricing machine 16.

The tray that has passed the measuring conveyor 3 is transported in the X direction by the transport roller device 10 of the positioning device 4 and is brought into contact with the positioning stopper 11. Thereby, the tray is positioned at the sticking reference position when sticking the label. Next, the tray is conveyed by the pusher 12 to the sticking conveyor 15 side. In the sticking conveyor 15, the tray is transported in the Y direction with its long side direction as the traveling direction. Each pricing machine 16, 17 has been moved to a pre-designated labeling position. And each pricing machine 1
For trays transported to 6, 17 pasting positions,
Labels issued by the label printers 16a and 17a are pasted by pasting machines 16b and 17b.

In each of the label printers 16a and 17a, the label roll R is transported by the transport mechanism 38 to the storage section 35.
And various information based on the weighing data and a message for advertisement are printed on the label L by the print head 36.
Is printed on The printed label L is further transported by the transport mechanism 38, and is peeled off from the backing paper by being bent at a sharp angle at the peeling bar 41 portion. The peeled label L is sent out to the sticking machines 16b and 17b.

The sent label L is attached to the attaching machines 16b, 1
7b. When it is detected that the tray has been conveyed, the suction head 45 descends, and then the push rod 47 further descends with respect to the suction head 45, whereby the label adsorbed on the suction head 45 is moved. L is pressed onto the tray and attached.

[Label Replacement Processing] As described above, when the label sticking processing is repeatedly executed, the label roll R
Is consumed, and it is time to replace the label roll R. In this case, the label exchange processing is executed by the following control processing. Hereinafter, the label exchange processing will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, in step S1, it is determined whether it is time to replace a label. This determination is made based on a signal from the label replacement time detection sensor 52. Step S
In step 2, it is determined whether or not an operator has pressed a label exchange instruction key. In step S3, it is determined whether or not the operator has pressed a key indicating that label exchange has been completed.

During the operation of the system, if it is detected that the label roll R needs to be replaced, the process proceeds from step S1 to step S5. In step S5, the operation of the system is temporarily stopped. Then, in step S6, the fact that one or both of the label printers 16a and 17a have come to the replacement time is displayed on the label replacement time display section 51c of the operation panel 51.

After checking the above display, the operator presses the label exchange instruction key 51b. Here, the reason why the processing for label exchange is not executed automatically but executed once after the key 51b is pressed by the operator is because safety is taken into consideration. That is, as described later, the first and second labels are exchanged in the label exchange process.
The movement of the pricing machines 16 and 17 is controlled in the front-back direction. At this time, there is a danger if an operator or the like is in the moving range of each of the pricing machines 16 and 17, and after the safety is confirmed by the operator, the subsequent processing is performed by pressing the label exchange instruction key 51b. I am going to proceed.

The label exchange instruction key 51b is operated by the operator.
If is pressed, the process moves from step S2 to step S7. In step S7, it is determined whether or not the label printers 16a and 17a, which have reached the label replacement time, are located at positions where labels can be replaced. Here, as mentioned above,
The label exchange is performed by the label printers 16a and 16a in FIG.
Since the process is performed from the left side of the label printer 7a, it is determined whether or not the label can be replaced based on whether or not there is a space on the left side of the label printer 16a or 17a (to be replaced). If it is impossible to replace the label of the corresponding device due to the positional relationship between the two label printers 16a, 17a, the process proceeds to step S8, and the label printers 16a, 17a are moved to step S8.
Is moved to secure a space on the left side of the corresponding label printer 16a, 17a.

The processing in steps S7 and S8 in this case will be described later in detail with reference to specific examples. Applicable label printers 16a, 17
When the label exchange operation of a is completed, the operator presses a label exchange end key. In this case, the process moves from step S3 to step S10. In step S10, the label rolls R of both label printers 16a and 17a are
Is normal, that is, whether the label roll R has been replaced with a new label roll. If it is time to replace the labels in both label printers 16a and 17a at the same time, and if the label roll of the other label printer has not been replaced after the replacement of the label roll of one label printer has been completed, this step S10 is executed. NO
It returns to step S2. Then, it waits for the operator to press the label exchange instruction key 51b again.

Thereafter, the same processing is repeatedly executed, and when the label rolls in both label printers 16a and 17a are in a normal state, that is, when the necessary label exchange work has been completed, steps S10 to S10 are performed.
Move to 11. In step S11, the label printers 16a and 17a (pricing machines 16 and 17) moved for the label exchange operation are returned to the positions before the system was temporarily stopped.

After finishing the label exchange processing in this way, the process returns to the normal processing. [Specific Example] A specific example of the determination and processing in the above-described steps S7 and S8 will be described with reference to FIG. <Label exchange of the label printer 16a of the first pricing machine 16> Label printer 16a of the first pricing machine 16 (in FIG. 10, it is shown as the first pricing machine 16 and is simply expressed as a pricing machine hereinafter). ) Is a printer whose label is to be exchanged, as shown in FIG.
When both 6 and 17 are set at the label affixing position on the front side of the apparatus, there is no space for label exchange work on the left side of the first pricing machine 16. Therefore, in this case, the second pricing machine 17 is moved to the label attaching position on the back side of the apparatus while the first pricing machine 16 is kept as it is, and the positional relationship as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the first pricing machine 16
Is set at the label attaching position on the back side of the apparatus, and the second pricing machine 1
7 is set to the label attaching position on the front side of the apparatus, the first pricing machine 16 is moved to the front side, and the second pricing machine 17 is moved to the back side. Make the positional relationship as shown. As shown in FIG. 11C, when both the price-setting machines 16 and 17 are set at the label sticking positions on the back side of the apparatus, the first price-making machine 17 is kept as it is and the first price-setting machine 17 is left as it is.
Only the pricing machine 16 is moved to the near side, so that the positional relationship as shown in FIG.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6D, the first pricing machine 16 is set at the label attaching position on the front side of the apparatus, and
When the pricing machine 17 is set at the label sticking position on the back side of the apparatus, the movement control is not particularly performed, and the positional relationship is maintained as it is. By performing such movement control,
A space for label exchange can be secured on the left side of the first pricing machine 16, and the label exchange operation becomes easy.

<Label Printer 17a of Second Pricing Machine 17>
Label exchange> Label printer 17a of second price-setting machine 17
Is an apparatus to be replaced with a label, FIG.
As shown in (a), when both the price-setting machines 16 and 17 are set at the label attaching positions on the front side of the apparatus, the second
Since there is a space for label exchange work on the left side of the price-setting machine 17, the movement is not particularly controlled, and the positional relationship is maintained as it is.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the first pricing machine 16
Is set at the label attaching position on the back side of the apparatus, and the second pricing machine 1
Also, in the case where 7 is set at the label sticking position on the front side of the apparatus, similarly to the above, there is a space for label exchange work on the left side of the second pricing machine 17, so that no movement control is particularly performed. , Maintain the same positional relationship. Figure (c)
As shown in the figure, when both the price-setting machines 16 and 17 are both set at the label sticking position on the back side of the apparatus, the first price-setting machine 1 is used.
6 as it is, only the second pricing machine 17 is moved to the front side of the apparatus, and the positional relationship as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9D, the first pricing machine 16
Is set to the label sticking position on the front side of the apparatus and the second pricing machine 17 is set to the label attaching position on the back side of the apparatus, the second pricing machine 17 is moved to the front side, and FIG. The positional relationship is as shown in a). By performing such movement control, a space for label exchange can be secured on the left side of the second pricing machine 17, and the label exchange operation becomes easy.

<Label printers 16a and 16
Label exchange of a> When the label printers 16a and 17a of both the price giving machines 16 and 17 are devices to be exchanged for labels, the following movement control is performed. FIG.
As shown in (a), when both the price-setting machines 16 and 17 are set at the label sticking position on the front side of the apparatus, the state is first maintained as it is. Then, the operator performs a label exchange operation of the second pricing machine 17. When the operator presses the first label exchange end key, that is, when the operator presses the key indicating that the exchange work of the second pricing machine 17 has been completed, the first pricing machine 16 is left as it is. The binarizing machine 17 is moved to the back side of the apparatus, and the positional relationship as shown in FIG. Then, it waits for the end of the replacement work of the first pricing machine 16.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the first pricing machine 16
Is set at the label attaching position on the back side of the apparatus, and the second pricing machine 1
When 7 is set at the label affixing position on the front side of the apparatus, the same state is first maintained as described above. Then, the operator performs a label exchange operation of the second pricing machine 17.
When the first label exchange end key is pressed by the operator, the first pricing machine 16 is moved to the near side, and the second pricing machine 17 is moved to the back side. Make the positional relationship as shown. Then, the operation of replacing the first pricing machine 16 is waited.

As shown in FIG. 9C, the bi-pricing machine 16,
In the case where both 17 are set at the label attaching position on the back side of the apparatus, the second pricing machine 17 is left as it is, and only the first pricing machine 16 is moved to the near side, as shown in FIG. A good positional relationship. Then, the operator performs a label exchange operation of the first pricing machine 16. When the first label exchange end key is pressed by the operator, the second labeling machine 17 is moved to the front side while the first labeling machine 16 is kept as it is, and as shown in FIG. Make it a positional relationship. Then, the operation of replacing the second pricing machine 17 is waited.

As shown in FIG. 11D, the first pricing machine 16
Is set to the label sticking position on the front side of the apparatus, and the second pricing machine 17 is set to the label sticking position on the rear side of the apparatus, the state is maintained as it is. And the worker is the first
The label exchange operation of the pricing machine 16 is performed. 1 by worker
When the second label exchange end key is pressed, the second pricing machine 17 is moved to the near side so as to have a positional relationship as shown in FIG. Then, the operation of replacing the second pricing machine 17 is waited.

By performing such movement control,
A space for label exchange can be secured on the left side of each of the price assigning machines 16 and 17, and the label exchange operation becomes easy. In addition,
In this embodiment, the label attaching position on the front side of the apparatus is set as the label exchange position, but a position different from the label attaching position may be set as the label exchange position. Further, in this embodiment, the label exchange process is executed after the operator presses the label exchange instruction key 51b. However, the label exchange process is automatically executed without waiting for the operator's instruction. You may do it.

Further, in this embodiment, each pricing machine 1
6, 17 are moved to the label exchange position by moving in the front-rear direction, but the mode for moving each price-adding machine to the label exchange position is not limited to this embodiment. For example, each pricing machine may be rotated about a vertical axis to move to a label exchange position. -2nd Embodiment-FIG. 11 shows a film feeding type packaging and pricing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. This packaging and pricing apparatus 1 pushes up products such as fresh foods placed on a tray or products not placed on a tray such as fruits and vegetables against a stretched film F held in tension, and places the periphery of the film F on the bottom of the tray. This is a device that performs film packaging by folding it into the side. In addition, the packaging and pricing apparatus 1 has a weighing function and a labeling function by sticking a label in addition to the film packaging function.

[Overall Outline of the Apparatus] As shown in FIGS.
, Packaging station 103, roll support mechanism 104
, A film feeding mechanism 105, a film transport mechanism 106, a folding mechanism (packaging mechanism) 107, a sealing mechanism 108, and two price machines 110,
111.

The weigh-in / carry-out mechanism 102 is provided at the front center of the main body 101a. The packaging station 103 is a space formed in the main body 101a. The roll support mechanisms 104 are provided on both sides of the main body 101a, and hold the film rolls R, respectively. The film feeding mechanism 105 feeds the film F drawn from the film roll R upward. The film transport mechanism 106 receives the film F from the film sending mechanism 105,
The film F is transported to the packaging station 103. The folding mechanism 107 wraps the object to be packaged by the film F transported to the packaging station 103. The sealing mechanism 108 heat seals the film F folded on the bottom side of the packaged object by the folding mechanism 107. The pricing machines 110 and 111 are mechanisms for attaching labels on which the weight, price, and the like of the product are printed on the upper surface of the packaged object or the upper surface of the packaged product, respectively. It comprises a label printer 110a, 111a and a sticking machine 110b, 111b arranged above 108.

A control device (control section) 109 having a display panel 109a and operation keys 109b is disposed above the main body 101a. This control device 109
Are the respective mechanisms 102, 105, 106, 107, 1
08, and calculates the price of the product based on the weight of the product weighed by the weigh-in / carrying-in mechanism 102, and prints the weight and the price of the product on a label. 110b, 1
11b is controlled.

[Measurement Loading Mechanism] The measurement loading mechanism 102
As shown in FIG. 13, a weighing table 121 and a weighing device main body 12 for weighing goods G such as foods stored in the tray T
2 and a plurality of carry-in conveyors 125 stretched between four pulleys and a motor for moving them. Each of the carry-in conveyors 125 is provided with a projection 126 for conveyance. When the tray T is placed on the weighing table 121 as shown in FIG.
After being weighed, the tray T is pushed by the projection 126 of the carry-in conveyor 125 and the support member 133 of the lifter mechanism 130 (described later) of the packaging station 103 (inside the apparatus).
(See FIGS. 14 and 15).

The upper surface of the weighing table 121 is higher than the upper surface of the carry-in conveyor 125, and the tray T, which is pushed by the projection 126 and conveyed to the lifter mechanism 130, slides on the weighing table 121. become. [Packaging Station] The packaging station 103 is a space in the main body 101a for performing a series of film packaging processing on the weighed goods G and the tray T. In the packaging station 103, the stretch film F is stretched by the film transport mechanism 106 (see FIG. 15).
The lifter mechanism 130 pushes up the tray T and the product G against the stretched film F (see FIG. 16). And
The folding mechanism 107 folds a portion around the film F on the bottom surface side of the tray T in a state where the film F is pushed up. Thus, the tray T and the product G are covered with the film F.

At the bottom of the packaging station 103,
A lifter mechanism 130 for holding the bottom surface of the tray T and moving the tray T and the product G upward is provided. As shown in FIG. 13, the lifter mechanism 130 includes a support base 131, a plurality of support bars 132 fixed on the support base 131, and a rotatably supported upper end of each support bar 132. And a support member 133 for receiving the bottom surface. Also, the lifter mechanism 130
Is provided with an electric ball screw mechanism 134 for moving the support base 131 up and down.

Each support bar 132 is provided with a hinge that bends back and forth and right and left at the center of the support bar 132, so that when a later-described left and right folding plate 176 or 177 or a rear folding plate 178 enters the lower part of the tray T, it temporarily stops. Is to fall down. [Roll Support Mechanism] Roll support mechanisms 104 for supporting the film roll R are provided substantially symmetrically on both sides of the main body 101a (see FIG. 12). Roll support mechanism 104
Are mainly composed of roll bars. The roll bar allows the film roll R to pass therethrough and holds the film roll R with a holder or the like. The roll bar is a film roll drive motor 104d.
It is driven according to the rotation of.

[Film Delivery Mechanism] The film delivery mechanism 105 is a mechanism for delivering the film F drawn from the film roll R to a pair of feeder units 161 and 162 of the film transport mechanism 106 described later. As shown in FIG. 12, the film feeding mechanism 105 mainly includes a feeding roller 151 and a film insertion plate unit 153. The feeding roller 151 is rotated by the operation of the feeding motor 152. Film insertion board unit 153
Holds the film F by a pair of plate members and a one-way roller, and transfers the film F to the film transport mechanism 106 by moving up and down.

[Film transport mechanism] Film transport mechanism 1
06 is a film feeding mechanism 1 from the film roll R.
The film F fed out by the step 05 is received, conveyed to the central portion of the packaging station 103, and the film F is held in tension. This film transport mechanism 106
As shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, mainly, the first feeder unit 161 and the second feeder unit 162
It is composed of

The first feeder unit 161 is connected to the device 101
Of the second feeder unit 162
Are arranged on the back side when viewed from the front of the apparatus 101 (see FIG. 14). These first and second feeder units 1
61 and 162 sandwich the both sides (front and back sides) of the film F to be fed laterally between upper and lower belts, and transport the film F by belt driving.

The first feeder unit 161 and the second feeder unit 162 are configured to move in the film width direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 14). As shown in FIG. 12, a cutter mechanism 169 is provided in front of the film transport mechanism 106 in the film transport direction. The cutter mechanism 169 is used to cut the film F between the two mechanisms 105 and 106 after the film F transferred from the film feed mechanism 105 to the film transport mechanism 106 is transported by a predetermined amount by the film transport mechanism 106. Is provided. Cutter mechanism 16
9 has a cutting blade longer than the film width, and cuts the film F by moving the cutting blade with an actuator.

[Folding mechanism] The folding mechanism 107
As shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 14, it mainly includes left and right folding plates 176 and 177, a rear folding plate 178, and a front folding bar 179. Left and right folding plate 1
Reference numerals 76 and 177 fold both ends of the film F in the film transport direction toward the bottom of the tray T, and can be moved horizontally by a motor and a timing belt (not shown).

The rear folding plate 178 is the second folding plate of the film F.
The side of the feeder unit 162 is folded into the bottom of the tray T, and can be moved horizontally by a motor and a timing belt (not shown). Front folding rod 179
Is arranged such that the side of the film F on the first feeder unit 161 side is folded into the bottom side of the tray T when the tray T is discharged by the discharge pusher 179a that pushes the tray T toward the sealing mechanism 108 side. .

[Seal Mechanism] The seal mechanism 108 serves to heat and seal the bottom surface of the tray T extruded by the discharge pusher 179a, and the front part also serves as a table for receiving the discharged commodities. I have.
In the seal mechanism 108, a discharge table 181 having a built-in heater is disposed on the front side (upper side). Also, on the back side,
A CCD camera 182 for measuring the dimensions of the tray T placed on the lower weighing table 121 is provided. The CCD camera 182 measures the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the tray T and sends the data to the control device 109.

[Pricing machines] As described above, the pricing machines 110 and 111 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 11 and its plan view, FIG. A part is movably mounted on a base member 90 provided at the upper end of the main body 101a. Each of the price-setting machines 110 and 111 is a label printer 11 respectively.
0a, 111a and pasting machines 110b, 111b, and the label printer and the pasting machine of each price machine 110, 111 are integrally formed. And each pricing machine 1
Reference numerals 10 and 111 are respectively movable in the front-rear direction by two moving mechanisms 91 and 92 provided on the base member 90, and include a label attaching position for attaching a label to the tray (see a solid line position in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18). And the label exchange position (the position indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 17) moved to the front side of the apparatus.

The label printers 110a and 111a
Since the attaching machines 110b and 111b and the moving mechanisms 91 and 92 have exactly the same configuration as in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted here. In addition, each pricing machine 1
The base member 90 to which the reference numerals 10 and 111 are attached can be freely moved in a predetermined range in the left-right direction by the lateral movement mechanism 93. The lateral movement mechanism 93 has a ball screw 94 extending in the left-right direction and a motor 95 for driving the ball screw 94 to rotate. The ball screw 94 is attached to the body 10
A nut member 90 a rotatably supported by the base member 1 a and fixed to the base member 90 is screwed to the ball screw 94.

With such a configuration, each pricing device 11
Both 0 and 111 can move in the left-right direction in synchronization with each other, and can also move independently in the front-rear direction. [Control device] Control device 1 arranged above main body 101a
09 is connected to each part as shown in FIG. 19, and each mechanism 102, 105, 106, 130, 107, 10
8, 110 and 111 are controlled. The operation by the operator is also received by the switches and dials 116, 117, 118, and 119 in addition to the operation key 109b.

[Operation] The operator loads the tray T (hereinafter, referred to as an unpackaged product) containing the product G into the weighing-in / carrying-in mechanism 10.
When the weighing table 121 is placed on the second weighing table 121, the carry-in conveyor 125 starts moving after the weighing value is stabilized and the weighing is completed. According to the movement of the carry-in conveyor 125, the protrusion 126
Is moved, and the unpackaged product is supported by the support member 1 of the lifter mechanism 130.
33 (see FIGS. 14 and 15).

On the other hand, the film F transferred from the film roll R to the film transport mechanism 106 by the film delivery mechanism 105 is cut by the cutter mechanism 169, and is lifted by the lifter mechanism 130 in the form of one rectangular film F. Feeder units 161, 162 up to
Carried by. Above the lifter mechanism 130, both sides of the film F are strongly held by the operation of the clamps provided in each of the feeder units 161 and 162 (see FIG. 15).

Then, the lifter mechanism 130 pushes up the unpackaged product against the film F whose both sides are strongly held as described above (see FIG. 16). Then, the film F which is strongly held stretches so as to cover the upper part of the unpackaged product. In this state, when the rear folding plate 178 and the left and right folding plates 176 and 177 move horizontally to the bottom side of the tray T, the clamps of the feeder units 161 and 162 release the holding of the film F, and the three sides around the film F It is folded under the tray T. Then, when the discharge pusher 179a pushes the tray T toward the sealing mechanism 108, one side of the unfolded front side film F hits the front folding rod 179, and the tray T moves as the tray T moves toward the sealing mechanism 108. It is folded under T. During this movement, when the film F folded under the tray T is heat-sealed and discharged to the position shown in FIG. 18, the product G and the entire tray T are completely packaged by the film F. .

On the other hand, each label printer 110a, 111
In a, various information based on the weighing data, an advertisement message, and the like are printed on the label fed from the label roll. Then, the printed label is peeled off from the backing paper and sent to the sticking machines 110b and 111b, and is stuck on the tray by the sticking machines 110b and 111b.

When two labels are to be pasted on one tray, first, the first label is pasted to a predetermined position on the tray by, for example, one pricer 110. Next, both pricing machines 110 and 111 are moved by the horizontal movement mechanism 93, and the other pricing machine 111 is moved to the label attaching position. Then, the second label is attached to the tray by the pricing machine 111.

[Label Replacement Process] When the label sticking process is repeatedly performed as described above, the label roll is consumed, and it is time to replace the label roll. The label exchange process in this case is the same as in the first embodiment. In brief, when the label replacement time detection sensor detects that the label replacement time has come, the operation of the system is temporarily stopped and the display panel 1
09a indicates that it is time to replace one or both of the label printers 110a and 111a. When the operator presses the label exchange instruction key, the label printer that has reached the label exchange time is moved to the label exchange position. For example, the first label printer 110a
Comes to the label exchange time, the first label printer 1
10a is moved to the label exchange position on the near side. Here, since the second label printer 111a is located at the label sticking position, the first label printer 111a moved to the label exchange position is moved.
A space for replacement work is secured beside the label printer 110a. In addition, since the device is moved to the front side of the device, the operation is facilitated.

When the label exchange operation of the corresponding label printer is completed and the operator presses the label exchange end key, the label printer whose label exchange has been completed moves to the label attaching position. After ending the label exchange process in this way, the process returns to the normal process. The mode for moving each pricing machine to the label exchange position is not limited to this embodiment. -Third Embodiment- Fig. 20 shows a film feeding type packaging and pricing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. This packaging and pricing apparatus 101 is exactly the same as the second embodiment except for the configuration related to the pricing machine. In the following, only the configuration and operation of the pricing machine will be described.

[Pricing Machine] As shown in FIG. 20 and its plan view, FIG. 21, the pricing mechanism according to the third embodiment includes two label printers 201 and 202 arranged side by side in the left-right direction. These label printers 201,
And a labeling machine 203 for receiving a label from the label No. 02 and pasting the label on the tray. Each label printer 201,
202 and the label printers 201, 20
The mechanism for moving 2 in the front-rear direction and the lateral direction is exactly the same as in the above embodiment.

In the third embodiment, a sticking machine moving mechanism 204 for moving one sticking machine 203 to a position corresponding to two label printers 201 and 202 (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 21). )have. The sticking machine moving mechanism 204 is disposed above the mechanisms 91 and 92 for moving the label printers 201 and 202 in the front-rear direction and the horizontal moving mechanism 93, and the sticking machine 2
03 is attached to the attaching machine moving mechanism 204.

As shown in the plan view of FIG. 22, the sticking machine moving mechanism 204 has a base member 210 and a drive mechanism 211 supported by the base member 210.
The drive mechanism 211 causes the attaching machine 203 to move the first label printer 20 in front of the first label printer 201.
1 and a mechanism for moving the front side of the second label printer 202 to a position facing the second label printer 202. The drive mechanism 211 includes a support plate 215 fixed to the base member 210, a motor 216 and a drive pulley 217,
It has a driven pulley 218 and a belt 219 provided between the pulleys 217 and 218. Support plate 21
5 extends laterally above the first and second label printers 201 and 202, and a motor 216 and a driving pulley 217 are supported on one end of the support plate 215;
A driven pulley 218 is supported at the other end. And
One end of a moving support member 220 provided to extend in the front-rear direction in the attaching machine 203 is fixed to a belt 219.

Further, as shown in FIG.
Is provided with a forward and backward moving mechanism 212 and a lifting mechanism 213. The back-and-forth moving mechanism 212 includes
(See FIGS. 6 and 7) is a mechanism for moving the motor 221 and the driving pulley 222 supported on one end of the moving support member 220 and a motor 221 and a driving pulley 222 supported on the other end. The driven pulley 223, the two pulleys 222,
And a guide plate 225 provided between the belts 224. The guide plate 225 is fixed to a lower end portion of the movable support member 220, and has two guide protrusions (not shown) provided on the lower surface thereof at an interval in the front-rear direction. The two guide protrusions are formed in a pair of guide grooves 21 formed in the base member 210 and extending in the lateral direction.
0a, 210b.

The elevating mechanism 213 includes the suction head 45.
Is a mechanism for moving up and down, and is movable in the front-back direction with the circulation of the belt 224. The elevating mechanism 213 has basically the same configuration as the above-described longitudinal movement mechanism 212, and includes a motor 230, a pair of pulleys, and a belt. With such a configuration, the sticking machine 203 can be moved to a label sticking position in each of the label printers 201 and 202. Further, by moving the sticking machine 203 to the first label printer 201 side, the second label printer 202 can be moved to the label exchange position on the near side, and conversely, the sticking machine 203 can be moved to the second label printer 202. Side, the first label printer 202 can be moved to the label exchange position.

As is clear from this, the attaching machine 20
In No. 3, the label attaching position corresponding to the first label printer 201 is a label exchange position when performing label exchange of the second label printer 202, and the label attaching position corresponding to the second label printer 202 is the first label printer. This is the label exchange position when exchanging labels for the printer 201.

[Label Attaching Process] Each Label Printer 20
In step 202, information is printed on the label fed from the label roll, and the printed label is peeled off from the backing paper and sent to the sticking machine 203 side. When two labels are to be pasted on one tray, the two label printers 201 and 202 are moved by the horizontal moving mechanism 93, for example, the first label printer 20.
1 is located at the labeling position. At this time, the attaching machine 2
03 is also moved to the label sticking position by the sticking machine moving mechanism 204. Then, the first label supplied from the first label printer 201 is attached to a predetermined position on the tray.

Next, the two label printers 201 and 20
2 is moved by the horizontal movement mechanism 93 in the same manner as described above, and the second label printer 202 is positioned at the label sticking position. The attaching machine 203 is also moved to the label attaching position. Then, the second label supplied from the second label printer 202 is attached to the tray. [Label Replacement Processing] When the label replacement time detection sensor detects that the label replacement time has come, the operation of the system is temporarily stopped, and one or both of the label printers 110a and 111a are displayed on the display panel 109a. Is displayed.

For example, when it is time to replace the first label printer 201, the labeling machine 203 is moved to the second label printer 202 when the operator presses the label replacement instruction key. In this state, the first label printer 201 is moved to the label exchange position. Here, since the second label printer 202 is located at the label sticking position, a space for replacement work is secured beside the first label printer 201 moved to the label replacement position.

When the label exchange operation is completed and the operator presses the label exchange end key, the label printer whose label exchange has been completed moves to the label attaching position. The same applies to the opposite case. In addition, both label printers 201,
If it is time to replace the label 202, the above-described processing is sequentially performed, and after the label exchange processing of the two label printers 201 and 202 is completed, the processing returns to the normal processing.

The mode for moving the pricing machine to the label exchange position is not limited to this embodiment. [Other Embodiments] (a) In the above embodiments, when a label exchange instruction key is pressed at the time of label exchange, the label printer to be subjected to label exchange is automatically moved to the label exchange position. The operator may move the label printer to the label exchange position by instructing the label printer to be exchanged, and instructing the movement of the label printer.

(B) In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a case where two label printers are arranged side by side. However, the present invention is similarly applied to a case where three or more label printers are arranged similarly. Can be applied. (C) The configuration of the attaching machine is not limited to the configuration of each of the above embodiments. For example, the present invention can be similarly applied to a type in which a label is blown by air and attached to a tray.

(D) In each of the above embodiments, all the label printers can be moved to the label exchange position. For example, when two label printers are arranged, only one of them is moved to the label exchange position. You may make it do. This is because if one is moved to the label exchange position, a working space may be secured beside the other label printer.

[0103]

As described above, according to the present invention, in an apparatus in which a plurality of label supply mechanisms are arranged side by side, at least one of the label supply mechanisms can be moved to the label exchange position. Even if they are arranged relatively close to each other, a space for label supply work can be secured, and the entire apparatus can be downsized. Further, the work for replenishing the label is facilitated.

When one label attaching mechanism is provided for a plurality of label supply mechanisms, the configuration of the apparatus is simplified, and the size and weight can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a system employing an automatic pricing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the system.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a moving mechanism of the label printer.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the moving mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a sectional side view of the label printer.

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional side view of the attaching machine.

FIG. 7 is a partial side view of the attaching machine.

FIG. 8 is a control block diagram of the system.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a label exchange process.

FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view for explaining the operation of a label exchange process.

FIG. 11 is an external perspective view of a packaging and pricing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic front view of the inside of the packaging and pricing apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a schematic side view of the periphery of the weighing-in / carrying-out mechanism.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the device.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the device.

FIG. 16 is an operation explanatory view of the device.

FIG. 17 is a schematic plan view of the device.

FIG. 18 is an operation explanatory view of the device.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a packaging and pricing apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 20 is an external perspective view of a packaging and pricing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a schematic plan view of the device.

FIG. 22 is a plan view of a lateral moving mechanism of the attaching machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

5 Automatic pricing equipment 16, 17, 110, 111 Pricing machine 16a, 17a, 110a, 111a, 201, 202
Label printer 16b, 17b, 110b, 111b, 203 Pasting machine 18, 19 Moving mechanism 50, 109 Control unit 51b Label exchange instruction key 51c Label exchange time display unit 51d Label exchange end key 52 Label exchange time detection sensor T tray

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An automatic pricing apparatus for attaching a label to a packaged product, comprising: a product mounting table on which the product is mounted; a plurality of label supply mechanisms for respectively supplying labels; One or more label sticking mechanisms for sticking labels supplied from the plurality of label feeding mechanisms to the products on the product mounting table; and at least one of the plurality of label feeding mechanisms and the one or more labels feeding mechanisms. An automatic pricing apparatus wherein at least one of the label attaching mechanisms is movable between a label attaching position at which a label is attached to a product and a label supply position at which labels can be supplied. 2. The label printer according to claim 1, wherein said label supply mechanism is a label printer having a storage section for storing a label, a printing section for printing information on the label, and a transport mechanism for transporting the label. Automatic pricing device. 3. The same number of the label attaching mechanisms are provided corresponding to the plurality of label supplying mechanisms, and the corresponding label supplying mechanisms and the label attaching mechanisms are fixed to each other and can be moved integrally. Item 3. The automatic pricing device according to Item 1 or 2. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the label attaching mechanism is one, and is movable along a direction in which the plurality of label supply mechanisms are arranged so as to be able to receive labels from the plurality of label supply mechanisms. The automatic pricing device according to claim 1. 5. The label supply mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the label supply mechanism and the label application mechanism are movable to a plurality of label application positions, and one of the plurality of label application positions is the label supply position. Automatic pricing device as described. 6. A moving means for moving the label supply mechanism and the label attaching mechanism between the label attaching position and the label replenishing position, and performing label replenishment for each of the plurality of label supplying mechanisms. And a movement control for moving a label supply mechanism and a label sticking mechanism to be resupplied to the label replenishing position when a label replenishment is instructed by the label replenishment instruction means. The automatic pricing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: means. 7. A replenishing time detecting means for detecting a label replenishing time in the plurality of label supplying mechanisms, and a notifying means for notifying when the replenishing time detecting means detects a label replenishing time, The automatic pricing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: 8. The label supply device according to claim 1, wherein said replenishment timing detecting means detects a label replenishment time to said label replenishment mechanism and gives an instruction to perform label replenishment by said label replenishment instruction means. 8. The automatic pricing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a label supply mechanism to be moved is moved to the label supply position, and another label supply mechanism and a label attaching mechanism are moved to a position that does not interfere with the label supply operation. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an end instructing unit for instructing the end of the label replenishing operation, wherein the movement control unit is configured to move the label when the end of the label replenishing operation is instructed by the end instructing unit. Return the supply mechanism and label attaching mechanism to their original positions,
An automatic pricing device according to any one of claims 6 to 8. 10. The label supply mechanism and the label sticking mechanism are provided two each. The movement control means detects the label supply timing of both label supply mechanisms by the supply timing detection means and supplies the label. When label supply is instructed by the instruction means, one of the label supply mechanism and the label attaching mechanism is moved to the label supply position, and the other label supply mechanism and the label attaching mechanism are supplied with the label by the one label supply mechanism. When the end instructing means instructs the end of the label supply operation of the one label supply mechanism, the other label supply mechanism and the label attaching mechanism are moved to the label supply position. And the one label supply mechanism and the label attaching mechanism are replaced with the other label supply mechanism. The two label supply mechanisms and the label affixing mechanism are moved to a position that does not interfere with the label replenishment operation, and the two label supply mechanisms and the label affixing mechanism are moved to the label affixing position when the end of the label supply operation of the other label supply mechanism is instructed by the end instruction means. The automatic pricing device according to claim 9, wherein the automatic pricing device is moved. 11. A product transport device for transporting a product, wherein the plurality of label supply mechanisms are arranged side by side in a product transport direction by the product transport device, and the label is supplied from a side surface in a direction intersecting the transport direction. The automatic pricing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a replenishing operation is possible, and the automatic pricing apparatus can move in a direction intersecting the product transport direction to take the label attaching position and the label replenishing position. 12. A supply time detecting means for detecting a label supply time in the plurality of label supply mechanisms, and for moving the label supply mechanism and the label attaching mechanism between the label attaching position and the label supply position. And movement control means for moving a label supply mechanism and a label sticking mechanism to be refilled to the label replenishment position when a label replenishment time is detected by the replenishment time detection means. An automatic pricing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.