JP2012148782A - Label carrier and label carrying method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a label carrier that can carry a label cut off a linerless label tape roll to the next step (printing part, attaching part, or the like) in a correct direction (attitude).SOLUTION: A label carrier B pulls a linerless label tape L'a out of the linerless label tape roll, one side of which is a printing surface and the other side of which is an adhesive surface coated with adhesive, cuts it off into a predetermined length by a cutter 12, and carries the cut label L to the next step. The carrier disposes endlessly turning belts 19a and 20b facing each other so that both surfaces of both the belts are closely assembled as a pair, holds the label L between the belts to be carried to the next step.

Description

  The present invention relates to a label transport device that transports a linerless label (mounting-less label) used as a label sheet, and more specifically, a label of a predetermined length is cut from a roll of a linerless label tape, The present invention relates to a label transport apparatus and a label transport method for transporting to a process (for example, a printing unit or a pasting unit if a linerless label on which predetermined matters are printed).

  Conventionally, as a label paper, using a linerless label whose one surface is a printing surface and the other surface is an adhesive surface coated with an adhesive, the label transport method in a label printer for printing on the linerless label is, for example, , A method in which air is blown to the label from the non-adhesive surface (printing surface) side of the linerless label and the label is pressed against the transport surface of the transport belt, or by the negative pressure of air on the transport surface of the transport belt For example, a method for transporting the linerless label using a transport conveyor and a roller or a sliding plate plate that has been easily peeled has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  However, when transporting labels using a transport conveyor and rollers or sliding plate plates, during label transport, collisions between rollers, friction with sliding plate plates, or pressure bonding strength of the label adhesive surface during transport The orientation (posture) of the label changes during conveyance due to variations in the thickness, which causes a negative effect on, for example, printing or sticking on the label after conveyance.

  In general, when the label is transported with horizontal support, depending on the vertical and horizontal size of the label to be transported, the substantially middle part of the label curves downward and hangs down, and the pasting surface on the back side of the label contacts the transport means. However, there is a problem that the conveyance becomes defective. In addition, when the lid of a product with a lid is stopped with a label, since the label is vertically long (strip shape), if the label is transported in the longitudinal direction, the roll diameter of the label roll increases and the apparatus itself becomes large. There was a problem.

Japanese Patent No. 3619590

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and a label obtained by drawing and cutting a linerless label tape from a linerless label tape roll is subjected to the next process (printing section, pasting section) in the correct orientation (posture). Etc.) and a label conveying method.

In order to achieve the above object, the label transport device of the present invention draws a linerless label tape from a linerless label tape roll, one side of which is a printing surface and the other side is an adhesive surface coated with an adhesive, and is predetermined by a cutter. A label transport device that cuts a single length label and transports the cut label to the next process, wherein the transport device is arranged so that endlessly rotating belts are opposed to each other and the surfaces of both belts are in close contact with each other. The pair is assembled and configured, and the label is sandwiched between the belts and conveyed to the next process.
The linerless label tape that becomes the basis of the linerless label may be made of any material such as paper, synthetic resin, or a laminated material of paper and synthetic resin, and the width of the tape is not limited.

  According to the above means, the linerless label tape is pulled out from the linerless label tape roll, and the label cut into a sheet having a predetermined length is sandwiched between the opposed belts, but the clamping surfaces of both belts are in close contact with each other. In this way, the label is sandwiched between a pair of tightly sandwiched surfaces and firmly attached and held. Therefore, the label sticking state does not change due to vibration or the like during transportation, and the label can be transported to the next process while maintaining the correct orientation and posture.

The label conveying device composed of a pair of endlessly rotating belts may be either a form that supports and conveys a label that is nipped and conveyed horizontally or a form that supports and conveys a label vertically. Specifically, for example, the pair of oppositely arranged belts have protrusions on the surface, the protrusions on the surface of the belt are engaged with each other in an intimately facing direction, and have the protrusions. The label clamping surface is arranged along the vertical direction and rotated endlessly in the horizontal direction, and one belt of the pair of belts is opened / closed / separated with respect to the label clamping surface of the other belt around the starting end side in the transport direction. The label is held freely, and the label that is nipped and conveyed on the end side in the conveyance direction is released to the next process.
The form of the protrusions on the surface of the belt is, for example, a form in which protrusions such as a circular shape in plan view are formed at regular intervals, or a toothed belt in which teeth are formed at regular intervals along the longitudinal direction (timing) Belt), and a form in which the entire belt surface is a textured rough surface may be used. In short, if a sheet-like label cut to a predetermined length from a linerless label tape is sandwiched between a pair of belts, it can be transported without changing the clamping state (label orientation, posture, etc.) of the label Good.

  According to the above means, the linerless label tape is pulled out from the linerless label tape roll, and the label cut into a sheet having a predetermined length is sandwiched between the opposed belts. Since the portions are arranged so as to engage with each other, the label is sandwiched between the engaging protrusions and firmly held. Therefore, the contact area between the belt and the pressure-sensitive adhesive surface of the label is small, the label is peeled off smoothly from the belt, and the label sticking state does not change due to vibration during transportation. The correct orientation and posture can be maintained and transported to the next process. In addition, the pair of belts constituting the label conveying device is arranged so that the label holding surface having the protrusions extends along the vertical direction and rotates endlessly in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the label is supported and conveyed in the vertical state. The That is, the label is dropped and conveyed. Therefore, for example, when transporting a strip-like label whose length in the vertical direction is longer than the width, the transport device is influenced by the adhesive surface of the linerless label by sandwiching and transporting the short width portion with the belt. Therefore, it can be configured easily and compactly. Then, one of the belts on which the label is attached is rotated around the start end side in the transport direction, and the label that is nipped and transported can be easily released by separating the end side in the transport direction from the other belt. Further, it is not necessary to increase the size of the device that handles the label.

  In addition, the pair of belts constituting the label conveying device are each provided with a dedicated drive source and driven in synchronization with each other, or one belt is driven, and the other belt is driven and rotated by the engagement of the protrusions. Any of the configurations may be used. For example, one of the belts can be driven and rotated by pressing contact with the driving belt, and the other belt can be driven and rotated. The belt that rotates following the belt is shorter than the belt length of the driving rotation belt, and the label holding surface is a belt on the driving side. It is set as the structure provided with the press roller which presses to the label clamping surface. The driven belt with a short belt length may be arranged to face the driving belt with the end in the conveying direction aligned and opposed to the substantially intermediate portion of the driving belt. . The number of the pressing rollers may be one or plural, and is appropriately determined according to the belt length on the driven side.

  According to the above means, the sheet-like label cut from the linerless label tape is temporarily held on the label holding surface (projection surface) of the drive side belt by the label adhesive, and the drive belt rotates. The temporarily held label is conveyed toward the meshing portion with the driven belt. The label conveyed to the meshing portion is sandwiched between the protrusions of both belts and conveyed toward the end side. The label clamping surface of the driven belt is the label clamping surface of the driving belt by the pressing roller. Since the label is pressed to the side, the label is securely attached and the driven belt can be stably driven and rotated.

In the driving side belt, the outer diameters of the rollers supporting the start side and the end side in the transport direction may be the same, but the diameter of the roller on the start side may be larger than the diameter of the roller on the end side.
By making the roller diameter on the start end side of the driving side belt large, the meshing with the driven side belt can be quickly stabilized.

  The pair of belts can be constituted by, for example, a general-purpose timing belt (toothed belt) that is generally used. In the case of the timing belt, the number of belts (the number of sets) is assembled and arranged at a position corresponding to the belt-like adhesive surface formed on the side opposite to the printed surface of the cut linerless label. For example, when a strip-shaped adhesive surface is formed on both sides and an intermediate part in the length direction on the back side of a strip-like label, the belt has two sides, one side of the label (upper side in the vertical state) and the intermediate part. Two sets are arranged so as to correspond.

  By the said structure, it can procure easily by utilization of a commercially available timing belt, and can comprise a conveying apparatus easily. And since the conveyance part which consists of the timing belt is arrange | positioned according to the number and position of the strip | belt-shaped adhesion surface of a label, it can perform the clamping conveyance of a label stably, without changing the direction of a label.

  The label conveying device of the present invention is stable to a predetermined position without changing the orientation and orientation of the label while maintaining the initial adhesive support of the linerless label having the adhesive layer for adhesion on the side opposite to the printing surface. And can be transported.

The outline of the label sticking apparatus incorporating the label conveyance apparatus which concerns on this invention is shown, (a) is a top view, (b) is the same front view. The location where a linerless label tape is pulled out from a linerless label tape roll and a sheet-like label is cut is shown, (a) is a plan view, and (b) is a rear view. The label conveyance apparatus is shown, (a) is a top view, (b) is the same front view. FIG. 6 is a plan view in which a driving side belt is opened to release a pinched and conveyed label. FIG. 4A shows an uneven form of a belt constituting a label conveying device, wherein FIG. 5A is a plan view and a front view of a timing belt (toothed belt) in which protrusions are formed at regular intervals in the circumferential direction, and FIG. The top view and front view of a belt in which the protrusions of the belt are formed at regular intervals. The structure of the printing part which prints on a label is shown, (a) is a longitudinal front view, (b) is the same side view. 4A and 4B are explanatory views showing a linked operation of a drive side belt of a label conveying device and a label presser of a printing unit, in which FIG. 5A shows a closed state of the drive side belt, and FIG. The structure and operation of the lower label presser are shown, (a) is a front view showing the mounting state, (b), (c) are explanatory views showing the label feeding state after the label presser is turned and adjusted. 4A and 4B are explanatory views showing the operation of a guide frame that guides the transfer of the printing means from the label conveying device to the label conveying belt, in which FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows the sticking operation | movement of the label discharged | emitted from the printing part. (A) is a front view of a printed label, (b) is a perspective view showing a sticking state of the label.

Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of a label transport device according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings with respect to a label sticking device provided with a printing unit.
FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram showing an outline of a label sticking apparatus A. A transport means A1 for transporting a product W is installed horizontally on the upper surface of a base 1, and above the transport means A1, the transport means A1 Printing means A2 for printing predetermined items on a linerless label L (hereinafter simply referred to as “label”) to be affixed to the conveyed product W is arranged.
The product W is a tray with a lid connected to one side of the container body so that the lid body can be opened and closed, and the label L extends substantially from the top surface of the tray with the lid to the bottom surface of the container body through the side of the container. This is a vertically long strip that can be attached in the shape of a letter.

In the conveying means A1, the first conveyor 2 that conveys the product W toward the label affixing unit and the second conveyor 3 that pulls out and conveys the product W on which the label L is affixed at the label affixing unit are straight. Are arranged in a shape. And between the terminal end part of the 1st conveyor 2 and the start end part of the 2nd conveyor 3, the label L drawn | fed out from the printing means A2 and the side part of the goods W were contact | abutted by drooping insertion. A pasting roller 5 is disposed with a scissors for pasting the lower half of the label L on the bottom surface of the product W with a scissors.
The scissor pasting roller 5 is rotatably supported on one side of the arm 6, the arm 6 is supported so as to be swingable in the transport direction of the product W, and the product W transported by the first conveyor 2 is transported by the scissor pasting roller. 5, the sticking roller 5 is tilted in the conveying direction of the product W, and the lower half of the label L is stuck to the bottom surface of the product W. The upper half of the label L is attached to the upper surface of the lid of the product W with a scissors with a presser brush 7 supported by the printing means A2.

  Further, guides 8 and 8 'are provided on both sides in the width direction from the first conveyor constituting the conveying means A1 to the starting end of the second conveyor for conveying the product W straight to the affixing portion. . The guides 8, 8 'may be endlessly rotating belts or simple side plates.

The label L to be attached to the outer peripheral surface of the product W in a substantially U-shape is constituted by a linerless label having a vertically long strip shape, and an adhesive belt layer 9 having an adhesive applied on the surface opposite to the printing surface. Are formed at a total of four locations, including both sides in the longitudinal direction and two intermediate portions.
The label L is formed in parallel with a pattern of a single label along the longitudinal direction of a linerless label tape having a tape width of a vertically long label length by a preprint, and is formed into a sheet by a cutter from the tape. Cut and formed one by one, the cut and formed label L is sent to the printing means A2 by the label conveying apparatus according to the present invention, and predetermined items are printed on the label L by the printing means A2 and sent to the pasting portion.

  The printing means A2 that prints and issues the label L attached to the product W includes a roll support portion 10 that rotatably supports the linerless label tape roll L ′, and a linerless label tape roll L that is supported by the roll support portion 10. A tape-drawing portion 11 for pulling out the linerless label tape L′ a from “a”, a cutter 12 for cutting and forming the sheet-like label L from the drawn linerless label tape L′ a, and a printing means A2 for printing the cut label L Label transport apparatus B delivered to the transport section, and transport section 14 that transports label L received from label transport apparatus B toward print section 13.

As shown in FIG. 2, the roll support portion 10 includes a support base 10a that supports the roll core of the linerless label tape roll L ′ and a core shaft 10b that is erected and fixed on the upper surface of the support base 10a. The base 10 a is rotatably mounted on the base 1. Further, on the outside of the support base 10a, a peeling bar 15 is erected to peel off the linerless label tape L'a drawn from the linerless label tape roll L 'from the circumferential surface of the roll and guide it to the label conveying device B side. Yes.
Then, the linerless label tape L′ a connected to the linerless label tape roll L ′ rotatably supported by the support base 10a is pulled out by the operation of the tape drawer portion 11 disposed on the upstream side of the cutter 12, and the cutter 12 To be supplied.
The tape drawer portion 11 is composed of a pair of rollers that sandwich the linerless label tape, and is configured to be pulled out by driving the rollers. The tape drawing portion 11 is not limited to the configuration of the illustrated roller, and may be, for example, a form that is gripped and pulled out by a gripper, or a form that is pinched and drawn by an endlessly rotating belt.

As shown in FIG. 3, the cutter 12 cuts and separates the label L from the linerless label tape L′ a one by one into a single sheet. The single-sheet label is produced by the shearing action of the fixed blade 12a and the movable blade 12b. L is cut off.
Further, a pressing plate 16 that presses the label L separated from the linerless label tape L′ a by the operation of the movable blade 12b against the drive side belt of the label conveying device B and temporarily attaches to the drive side belt 12b. Is attached.
The operation of the movable blade 12b of the cutter 12 is performed at a constant interval (the width of the label and the width of the label) over the entire width of the tape on the surface on which the adhesive band layer 9 opposite to the printing surface of the linerless label tape L'a is formed. The eye mark (cutting width detection mark) 17 formed with the same width) is operated by being detected by the sensor 18 disposed in the tape drawing path so that the label L having a certain size is cut. It has become. Therefore, the vertically long strip-shaped label L cut from the linerless label tape L′ a is delivered to the label conveying device B in a state where the longitudinal direction is directed to the vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, the label conveying device B conveys a strip-shaped label L in a state of hanging vertically downward, and the conveying device B is a driving side belt configured by a timing belt that rotates endlessly. 19 and two pairs of conveying portions b arranged to face each other so as to mesh with a tooth portion (protrusion portion) S of a driven belt 20 composed of an endlessly rotating timing belt, are vertically arranged at intervals in the vertical direction. Has been configured.
The interval between the two sets of transport portions b corresponds to the interval between the upper two pieces (one of the upper end side and the intermediate portion) of the adhesive band layer 9 formed on the back surface of the label L, whereby the cutter 12 The label L to be cut in step 1 is temporarily attached to the driving side belt 19.

The two sets of drive side belts 19 (19a, 19a ′) span the drive roller 22 and the tail roller 23 arranged at a predetermined interval on the support frame 21, and the timing belt is wound around with the teeth portion facing outward. Configured. The driving roller 22 is arranged on the start end side in the transport direction, and the outer diameter of the driving roller 22 is formed larger than the outer diameter of the other tail roller 23.
The upper driven belt 20b disposed to face the upper drive belt 19a is disposed between a pair of tail rollers 24 and 25 disposed on a fixed support frame 21 'at a distance shorter than the machine length of the drive belt 19a. The timing belt is wound around with the tooth portion facing outward. The starting end of the upper driven belt 20b facing the upper driving belt 19a is shifted from the starting end (position of the driving roller 22) of the driving belt 19a to the downstream side, and the terminal end is on the driving side. The belt 19a is slightly shifted downstream from the end portion.

  Further, the lower driven belt 20b ′ facing the lower driving belt 19a ′ has a length (interval) approximately half the machine length of the upper driven belt 20b on the support frame 21 ′. A timing belt is wound around a pair of tail rollers 24 ′ and 25 ′ arranged with the teeth facing outward. The starting end portion of the driven side belt 20b 'is disposed at the same position as the starting end portion of the upper driven side belt 20b, and the terminal end portion is positioned at a substantially intermediate position of the length of the driving side belt 19a'. The reason why the machine length of the lower driven belt 20b 'is about half the machine length of the upper driven belt 20b is that the lower belt 20b' is crossed substantially perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the label conveyance device B and arranged vertically downward. This is because the delivery of the label L to the printed portion can be performed stably and smoothly.

  For this purpose, the drive side belt 19 (19a, 19a ') is configured such that the support frame 21 can be opened and closed in the front-rear direction around the axis of the large-diameter drive roller 22 on the conveyance direction start end side. When the belt 19 (19a, 19a ′) is opened and separated from the fixed driven belt 20 (20b, 20b ′), the label L that has been held between the teeth until then is released and received by the printing means A2. Passed.

Of the driven belts 20 (20b, 20b ′), the upper driven belt 20b having a long machine length is opposed to the toothed surface (label clamping surface) of the timing belt substantially in the middle of the machine length. A pressing roller 26 is provided to press against the tooth surface (label clamping surface) side of the side belt 19a. The number of pressing rollers 26 is not limited to one in the illustrated example, but may be a plurality.
Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the two sets of driving side belts 19 (19a, 19a ′) and driven side belts 20 (20b, 20b ′) mesh with the toothed portions of the timing belts, whereby the driven side belt 20 (20b, 20b ′) is driven and rotated, and the label L sandwiched between the tooth portions can be conveyed in the conveying direction (horizontal direction) while being vertically lowered. Further, the label L sandwiched between the tooth portions of the belts 19 (19a, 19a ′) and 20 (20b, 20b ′) is sandwiched in a jagged waveform by the meshing of the tooth portions (see FIG. 3A). Thereby, even if there is vibration during conveyance or variations in contact resistance with respect to the belt surface, the orientation and posture of the sandwiched label do not change, and it can be sent stably to the next process. When the strip-shaped label L horizontally transported by the label transport device B is transported with the lower two adhesive strip layers 9 exposed, and passed to the label transport belt 27 of the printing means A2 described later. The lower two adhesive band layers 9 are bonded to the label conveying belt.

  The driving side belt 19 (19a, 19a ′) and the driven side belt 20 (20b, 20b ′) constituting the label conveying device B are projected in the belt width length along the circumferential direction of the belt shown in FIG. A timing belt (toothed belt) in which strips (projections) S are formed in parallel at regular intervals, or circular projections S ′ are oblique lattices at regular intervals along the circumferential direction of the belt shown in FIG. Any of a belt and the like protruding in a shape may be used. In short, the driven belt is driven and rotated by the engagement of the protrusions S or S ′, and the label L is sandwiched and conveyed by the driving belt 19 (19a, 19a ′) and the driven belt 20 (20b, 20b ′). It is sufficient that the orientation and posture of the label L do not change.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the printing unit A <b> 2 includes a label conveyance belt 27 that conveys the label L discharged vertically from the label conveyance device B along the discharge direction, and a conveyance section of the label conveyance belt 27. A platen roller 28 disposed in the middle, a print head (thermal head) 29 disposed opposite to the platen roller 28, and label pressers 30 and 31 are disposed on the start and end sides in the transport direction of the label transport belt 27. Configured.

Specifically, two label conveying belts 27 for adhering and conveying the label L are arranged in the container frame 32 in parallel in the width direction, and the middle of the conveying section of the label conveying belt 27 is conveyed. The surface is recessed in a substantially U shape in the rear direction, and the platen roller 28 is disposed in the U-shaped recess 33. The surface of the platen roller 28 is supported so as to be substantially flush with the surface of the label conveying belt 27, and is configured to stably convey the label L.
A drive shaft 34 for driving and rotating the label transport belt 27 and a shaft 28 ′ of the platen roller 28 so that the platen roller 28 rotates at the same speed as the label transport belt 27 are a constant speed gear train at the shaft end. 35 are connected. That is, the label conveying belt 27 and the platen roller 28 are configured to be driven by one motor.
The drive shaft 34 is connected to an output shaft of a drive motor 36 by a belt 37, and an encoder 38 is disposed in contact with the belt 37 to measure the speed of the label transport belt 27. The print timing for the label can be controlled by measuring the belt speed.

  The label conveying belt 27 is formed of a timing belt in which teeth are protruded and formed at regular intervals along the circumferential direction on the surface for adhering and holding the label. Accordingly, the label is transported while being appropriately adhered to the adhesive band layer 9 of the label, and after the printing, peeling from the label transport belt 27 is performed smoothly.

  The platen roller 28 has an elastic cylinder such as a rubber cylinder integrally fitted and fixed to the outside of the shaft, and can elastically support the print head 29 abutted against the label surface.

  The print head 29 is a thermal head, and is attached to a swinging arm disposed at a position facing the label transport surface of the label transport belt 27. An ink ribbon 39 is disposed on the front surface of the print head (thermal head) 29 (the surface facing the print surface of the label) so as to be wound up via the front surface of the print head 29. The print head 29 is pressed and brought into contact with the printing surface of the label L only when printing on the label L, and is held apart from the surface of the label L except during printing. A gap of 1 mm to 1.5 mm is provided between the platen roller 28 and the print head.

The label presser 30 disposed on the start side of the label transport belt 27 in the transport direction (upper side in the drawing) is opened at the end of the transport direction by the opening of the driving belt 19 (19a, 19a ′) of the label transport device B. , The front end side (lower half in the drawing) of the label L discharged perpendicularly crossing at a substantially right angle to the transport direction (horizontal direction) is bonded to the label transport belt 27 by pressing the adhesive belt layer side Thus, two label retainers 30 are arranged in parallel so as to correspond to the label transport belt 27. The two label pressers 30 are configured to operate in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the drive side belt 19 (19a, 19a ′) of the label conveying device B.
That is, when the driving side belt 19 (19a, 19a ′) is opened, the label presser 30 is pressed against the label conveying belt 27 side, and the driving side belt 19 (19a, 19a ′) is closed and driven side belt 20 (20b). , 20b ′), the label presser 30 is separated from the transport surface of the label transport belt 27. The opening / closing operation of the drive side belt 19 (19a, 19a ′) of the label conveying apparatus B and the contact / separation operation of the label presser 30 are performed at substantially the same timing. 19a, 19a ') is opened and the label is peeled and released, and then the label presser 30 presses the leading end side of the label L (the lower side of the label L in FIG. And can be conveyed to the printing unit.

For example, an air cylinder is used as a drive source for performing the contact / separation operation of the label presser 30 and the opening / closing operation of the drive side belt 19 (19a, 19a ′), and the link mechanism is operated by the expansion / contraction operation of the air cylinder. Can be made.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the support frame 21 to which the driving side belt 19 (19a, 19a ′) of the label conveying device B is attached and the connecting piece 48 that connects and holds the label presser 30 are connected in a U shape. The refracting portion 46a of the link 46 formed in a substantially rhombus shape is connected to the connecting member side of the U-shaped connecting member 45 with the support frame 21 and the refracting portion 46c facing the refracting portion 46a is fixed. The rod 47a of the air cylinder (actuator) 47 is connected to the refracting portion 46b between the refracting portions 46a and 46c.
Then, in the closed position (initial position) where the driving side belt 19 (19a, 19a ′) of the label conveying apparatus B holds and conveys the label L with the driven side belt 20 (20b, 20b ′), FIG. As shown, the rod 47a of the air cylinder 47 is also at the origin position, and the label presser 30 is located at a position away from the surface of the label L. When the label L transported by the label transport device B is transported to a predetermined position on the downstream side in the transport direction, the driving of the driving belt 19 (19a, 19a ′) of the label transport device B is stopped and the label L is in a standby state. To. Then, when the tray is transported by the tray transport means 2 and the tray is detected by a sensor (not shown), the air cylinder 47 is activated and the rod 47a is projected. As a result, the link 46 connected to the rod 47a is deformed into a flat shape (horizontal rhombus) with the refracting portion 46c as a fulcrum, and is connected to the support frame 21 to which the drive belt 19 (19a, 19a ′) is attached. The connecting member 45 is moved backward (leftward in the drawing). Along with this, the label presser 30 moves to the label L side, and the leading end side (lower part) of the label L is pressed against the label transport belt 27 side, and the driving side belt 19 (19a, 19a ′) is attached to the surface of the adhesive band 9 on the label L. Move (open) in the direction of pulling away. The drive source (actuator) for moving the U-shaped connecting member 45 in the front-rear direction is not limited to an air cylinder but may be an electromagnetic solenoid.

  Further, the label presser 30 faces the leading end side of the label to be conveyed so that the label L conveyed in a suspended state by the label conveying device is accurately and surely introduced onto the label conveying belt 27. A guide piece 30 ′ is formed to be connected to the side edge to be inclined upward. The label presser 30 is configured to be movable up and down so that the interval (gap) with the surface of the label transport belt 27 can be adjusted widely.

Further, the label retainer 31 disposed on the end side in the transport direction of the label transport belt 27 is a label disposed on the start end side via an attachment frame 40 attached to the lower portion of the instrument frame 32 as shown in FIGS. Similar to the presser 30, two are arranged in parallel in correspondence with the label conveying belt 27, and are attached to the attachment frame 40 so that the left and right rotation can be adjusted with bolts and nuts. Note that the range (angle) of the rotation adjustment in the left-right direction is restricted to a certain range by the restricting means 51 composed of an arc groove and a pin.
The label presser 31 adjusts the orientation and orientation of the printed label L to be sent to the affixing portion. When the label presser 31 is tilted to the right from the vertical position, the label sent out skews to the left (see FIG. 8 (b)), when the label presser is tilted to the left from the vertically facing vertical state, the label fed out skews to the right (see FIG. 8 (c)). Therefore, when there is a skew (meandering) phenomenon in the fed-out label, the label presser 31 is rotated and adjusted to the correct posture according to the above procedure.
The label L sent out vertically downward via the label presser 31 on the end side is partitioned and formed on the end side in the transport direction of the first conveyor 2 and the start side in the transport direction of the second conveyor 3 of the transport means A1. It is inserted in the front (upstream side) from the sticking roller 5 with a scissors arranged in the opening.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, on the downstream side (downward in the drawing) where the label presser 31 of the mounting frame 40 is attached, the feeding position of the strip-shaped label L on which predetermined items are printed by the printing unit. At a more forward position (right side in the drawing), a brush 41 for attaching the substantially upper half portion of the label to the upper surface of the lid of the product W with a scissors and pressing the product W is detachably attached.

Further, the lower end side of the label L that is suspended and conveyed by the label conveying device B is guided on the label conveying belt 27 of the printing unit A2 on the side surface of the instrument frame 32 facing the conveying label L by the label conveying device B. A guide frame 42 for guiding is attached.
As shown in FIG. 9, the guide frame 42 has a strip-shaped label L that is drawn from the linerless label tape roll L ′ and cut to curl in an arc shape in the width direction by roll winding, and has an approximately upper half portion. Since the lower half of the label L sandwiched between the driving side belt 19 (19a, 19a ′) and the driven side belt 20 (20b, 20b ′) of the label conveying device B and conveyed in a suspended manner is open, the curl The side end portion in the width direction may hit the side surface in the width direction of the label conveyance belt 27 or a shaft flange that regulates the position where the label conveyance belt 27 is wound, and may not be placed on the label conveyance belt 27 correctly. Such a situation is prevented and the lower end side of the label L is reliably guided onto the label transport belt 27.

Further, the outer peripheral surface of the upstream guide roller 43 that divides the concave portion 33 in the middle position of the label conveyance region by the label conveyance belt 27 is positioned on both sides of the label conveyance belt and adhered to the label conveyance belt. The label is lifted from the surface of the belt, and a peeling protrusion 44 is formed. The peeling protrusion 44 has an outer diameter that protrudes from the outer surface of the label conveying belt 27 wound around the guide roller 43, and a mountain-shaped protrusion is formed on the outer peripheral surface. It is difficult to adhere to the layer 9.
In FIG. 1, 49 is a display unit composed of a liquid crystal display panel and the like, and 50 is an input operation unit composed of a keyboard or the like for inputting print information, setting labeling data, and the like.

Next, the label sticking operation of the label sticking apparatus configured as described above will be briefly described.
(1) A linerless label tape L′ a is pulled out from the linerless label tape roll L ′ held on the roll support 10 by a predetermined length, and a pattern for one label along the longitudinal direction of the linerless label tape L′ a. At the same time, a strip-shaped label L is cut on the opposite side of the printing surface as shown in FIG. The layer 9 is temporarily attached to the driving side belt 19 (19a, 19a ′) of the label conveying device B, and the driven side belt 20 (20b, 20b ′) is rotated by the rotation of the driving side belt 19 (19a, 19a ′). It is conveyed horizontally while hanging down toward the clamping part.
(2) The label L is sandwiched between the driven belts 20 (20b, 20b ′) disposed opposite to each other by the rotation of the driving belt 19 (19a, 19a ′), and is transported by being clamped toward the end in the transport direction. . Then, the label L is delivered to the label conveying belt 27 of the printing means A2 that is arranged at a substantially right angle at the terminal portion.
(3) Delivery from the label conveying device B to the label conveying belt 27 of the printing means A2 is a label that is nipped and conveyed between the driven belt 19 (19a, 19a ′) of the label conveying device B and the driven belt. When the opened lower half of L is conveyed on the label conveying belt 27 of the printing means A2 through the guide frame 42, it is disposed on the starting end side (upper side in the drawing) of the label conveying belt 27. The label presser 30 presses the label L against the surface side of the label conveying belt 27 to adhere the adhesive band layer 9 on the back side of the label L to the label conveying belt 27. Then, in conjunction with the movement of the label presser 30, the driving side belt 19 (19a, 19a ′) of the label conveying device B is opened in a direction away from the driven side belt 20 (20b, 20b ′). The upper half of the label L that is adhered to the driving belt 19 (19a, 19a ′) and sandwiched between the driven belt 19b is released, and the label conveying belt 27 of the printing means A2 conveys the label downward in the vertical direction. It becomes possible.

(4) The label L transferred onto the two vertical rows of label conveying belts 27 of the printing means A2 is conveyed vertically downward by the rotation of the label conveying belt 27, and the printing head 29 and the platen roller 28 in the middle of the conveyance. Predetermined items (for example, date of manufacture, expiration date, price, barcode, contents, additive, etc.) (see FIG. 11A) (see FIG. 11A) are printed on the label L at one or two places. The illustrated example shows an example of two-point printing. The label transport belt 27 and the platen roller 28 for adhering and transporting the label L rotate the single motor 36 at a constant speed by the combination of the gear train 35, so that clean printing is ensured.
(5) The label L on which the predetermined matter is printed is sent out vertically downward by the rotation of the label conveying belt 27, and is pasted by the first conveyor 2 of the conveying means A1 disposed almost directly below the printing means A2 and the sticking roller 5 (See FIG. 10A).
(6) When the substantially lower half of the printed label L delivered from the printing means A2 is inserted into the opening 4, the peripheral wall on the front side in the transport direction of the product W transported by the first conveyor 2 is the label. Since the product W is conveyed forward by the rotation of the first conveyor 2, the label L has a portion above the peripheral wall of the product W at the lid portion of the product W and below the peripheral wall. The portion that hangs down is bent and attached to the bottom of the product W in a substantially U shape (see FIG. 10B). The upper half of the label is applied with a brush to the lid surface with a scissors, and the lower half of the label L is applied with scissors from the peripheral wall to the bottom of the product W with a scissors application roller.
(7) The product W on which the label L is pasted in a U-shape is transported and discharged from the pasting portion by the rotation of the second conveyor 3 of the transport means A1 (see FIG. 10C). The sticking state of the label L is as shown in FIG.

The present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present invention.
(1) In the embodiment, the single-sided toothed timing belt is shown as the belt having the protrusions. However, the invention is not limited thereto, and for example, a double-sided toothed timing belt may be used. In addition, the driving side belt and the driven side belt may be constituted by belts having cylindrical protrusions arranged in a lattice pattern on one side surface of the flat belt so that the cylindrical protrusions of each belt are alternately meshed with each other. Good.
(2) In the embodiment, the label sticking device including the printing unit has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the label sticking device may be used as a label transport device of the label sticking device not including the printing unit.
(3) In the embodiment, an example in which two pairs of belts that sandwich and convey a label are arranged is not limited to this, and the number of belts that are sandwiched and conveyed may be one set or three or more.

B ... Label conveying device L ... Label (Linerless label)
L '... Linerless label tape roll L'a ... Linerless label tape 19 ... Drive side belt (timing belt)
20 ... driven belt (timing belt)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 ... Support frame of drive side belt 21 '... Support frame of driven side belt 22 ... Drive roller S ... Projection part of drive side belt and driven side belt

Claims (7)

Pull out the linerless label tape from the linerless label tape roll, one side of which is the printing surface and the other side is the adhesive surface to which the adhesive is applied, and cut it into a single label of a predetermined length with a cutter. A label transport device for transporting to the next process,
The conveying device is constructed by assembling a pair so that endlessly rotating belts are opposed to each other and the surfaces of both belts are in close contact with each other, and the label is sandwiched between the belts and conveyed to the next step. A label conveying device characterized by the above.   The pair of oppositely arranged belts are arranged such that the label holding surface is arranged along the vertical direction and rotated endlessly in the horizontal direction, and one of the pair of belts opens and closes with respect to the label holding surface of the other belt. 2. The label transport device according to claim 1, wherein the label is detachable and released to the next process for holding and transporting the label on the end side in the transport direction.   The pair of belts arranged opposite to each other have protrusions on the surface, and are assembled so that the protrusions on the surface of the belt engage with each other and face each other, and one of the pair of belts is a drive belt, and the other is The belt can be driven and rotated by pressing contact with the driving belt, and the driven and rotating belt is shorter than the belt length of the driving and rotating belt and includes a pressing roller that presses the label holding surface against the label holding surface of the driving side belt. The label conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the label conveying apparatus is provided.   4. A label conveying apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a diameter of a roller on a start end side for winding and holding the endlessly rotating drive side belt is larger than a diameter of a roller on a terminal end side.   The label conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pair of belts are timing belts, and the label is sandwiched between the teeth of the timing belt and conveyed to the next process. .   The label according to claim 5, wherein a belt conveyor including the pair of timing belts is assembled and disposed at a position corresponding to a belt-like adhesive surface formed on the other side surface of the cut linerless label. Conveying device. Pull out the linerless label tape from the linerless label tape roll, one side of which is the printing surface and the other side is the adhesive surface to which the adhesive is applied, and cut it into a single label of a predetermined length with a cutter. A method for transporting a label to be transported to the next process,
The linerless label tape roll is supported so that the linerless label tape surface is along the vertical direction, and the linerless label tape drawn from the linerless label tape roll is cut into labels of a predetermined width, and the cut labels The label is transported to the next process in a suspended state by sandwiching the label with a clamping member that rotates endlessly in a vertical posture.

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