JP2012250717A - Labeling method, and labeling apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a labeling apparatus that correctly sticks a label on a package without adjusting a label holding part even when the label of different size is to be stuck, or increasing processing capacity.SOLUTION: The labeling method includes the steps of: after a sticking means B2 sticks a label on an article, calculating moving time for the sticking means to move to a position for receiving a label to be stuck on the next article; obtaining the time required for a label issuing means B1 to issue a label; and determining timing for positioning the label issued by the label issuing means to a position where the sticking means receives the label, by synchronizing shorter one of label issuance completion by the label issuing means and label reception completion by the sticking means with the longer one, on the basis of the determined time of the label issuing means and the sticking means.

Description

  The present invention relates to a label sticking method and a label sticking apparatus, and more particularly, to a label sticking apparatus including a label issuing means for issuing a label and a sticking means (applicator) for sticking a label.

  Conventional packaging comprising label issuing means for issuing a label to be attached to a package that is packaged and discharged and a sticking means (applicator) for attaching the label issued by the label issuing means to the package The pricing device uses a label near the label issuing port (downstream position) of the label issuing means so that the sticking means does not cause a mistake in receiving the label due to the curl of the label roll held in the label issuing means. A warp prevention guide (label holding part) is provided, and when the issued label is held by the warp prevention guide, the front and rear ends along the label issuance direction by the wind pressure from the blower fan below the label (adhesive surface side) The label is received by the sticking means by receiving the portion with the warpage prevention guide and holding the entire label substantially horizontally to stabilize the holding posture of the label. Miss received in time to take is not to occur.

  However, when the label size is small (for example, the vertical and horizontal sizes are small, especially the horizontal width of the label (direction perpendicular to the label issuing direction) is small), while the issued label is held by the warp prevention guide, The posture of the label changes due to the wind pressure by the blower fan, and the label is not received by the sticking means because the end of the label comes off the warp prevention guide, or the holding posture of the label is rotated horizontally by the wind pressure of the blower fan. When moved, the sticking means receives the label in a state where the direction of the label is tilted in the left-right direction, which causes a problem that the label cannot be stuck to the product in the correct direction.

  Therefore, in order not to cause the above-mentioned problems, when the label size to be issued is different, the label holding width (distance between the prevention guides) of the label warpage prevention guide arranged in the vicinity of the label issuing opening by the operator is set. Must be manually adjusted to the label size. Therefore, the operator is forced to perform a troublesome operation of adjusting the label warpage prevention guide every time the label size changes (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Also, the label issuance timing and label affixing in the conventional label affixing device are measured by weighing the weight of the item to be packaged into the packaging device and entering it in the product file in advance. The price of the packaged item is calculated based on the unit price and the like, and the print data is prepared. The label corresponding to the packaged object whose price has been calculated is whether or not the previously issued label has been removed from the label warpage prevention guide (label holding unit) (adsorption movement by the pasting means). Is detected by a sensor, a label is printed and issued upon receipt of a no-label detection signal by the sensor, is discharged to the label warpage prevention guide (label holding unit), and the sticking means is moved from the origin position to be discharged. The discharged label is held on standby by the label warpage prevention guide (label holding unit) until the label is sucked and held.

  Accordingly, the label issued by the label issuing means is discharged to the label warpage prevention guide and waits for the arrival of the sticking means. While waiting for the arrival of the sticking means, the direction of the label is determined by the wind pressure of the blower fan or the like. As a result, the posture or the like changes, and as a result, there is a problem that even if a label is missed by the sticking means or the label is received, the direction of the label is inclined and normal label sticking cannot be performed.

JP 2005-193926 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and even when the size of the label to be applied is different, the label can be correctly applied to the package without adjusting the label holding portion. The object is to provide a labeling device.

  In order to achieve the above object, a label sticking method of the present invention includes a step of issuing a label by a label issuing means, a step of receiving the issued label by the sticking means, and a label received by the sticking means on the product surface. And a step of obtaining a moving time from a position where the affixing means affixes the label to the surface of the product to a position where the label affixed to the next product surface issued by the label issuing means is received. And a step of obtaining a time required for the label issuing means to issue a label, and based on the obtained times of the label issuing means and the attaching means, the label issuing completion of the label issuing means and the attaching means By aligning the shorter completion time of the label reception to the longer completion time, Determining a timing to locate the label Le issuing means has issued a position to receive said attaching means, characterized by having a.

As a method for obtaining the moving time from the position where the sticking means sticks the label to the product to the position where the label to be attached to the next product surface issued by the label issuing means is received, for example, the tip of the label sticking means (applicator) A sensor is provided to detect that the suction surface of the label suction part is in contact with the package (packaged product) W. This sensor is used for contact with the label holding part and label sticking when receiving the label. (Packed product) A method for detecting contact with W and measuring and calculating the time between receiving the label and contact when label is applied, or an encoder for a drive unit that operates the attaching means vertically and horizontally The sensor calculates the time from the pulse count detected by this encoder, or the sensor (for example, a photo sensor) at both the label attaching position and the label receiving position. And a method for calculating the time by measuring ON / OFF between the two sensors, a method for calculating by dividing the moving distance of the label attaching means by the moving speed, or the movement of the attaching means Any method may be used, such as acquiring the movement time from a table according to the count value of the encoder and the movement distance.
Further, as a method for obtaining the time required for the label issuing means to issue a label, for example, a label detecting sensor (label issuing device) is provided with a sensor for detecting the label in the label discharge path, and the label passes through the discharge path. A method in which the label length from the front end to the rear end of the sensor measures the time that passes the sensor, or an encoder is provided on the label platen roller, and the sensor uses the encoder and the sensor to A method for calculating time based on the pulse count between detections, a method for calculating the time required for label issuance from the label length and printing speed of the label to be printed, or the encoder count accompanying the issuance of the label issuing means You can use any method such as obtaining the time required for issuing from the table according to the value or label size.
For example, the determination of the timing of issuing in the label issuing step of the label issuing means should be performed after the travel time of the attaching means (the next time the label issuing means issues a label after the sticking means attaches a label to a product). And a method of subtracting the time required for label issuance by the label issuing means from the movement time to the position where the label is received. Further, the timing is not limited to calculation, and a method of acquiring timing (time) for synchronizing the label applying means and the label issuing means from a coordinate time table composed of the movement time of the label applying means and the time required for label issuance. But it ’s okay.
The time obtained by subtracting the label issuing time of the label issuing means from the moving time of the sticking means is a synchronization time for synchronizing the label issuing completion of the label issuing means and the label reception of the sticking means. Yes, the label issuing means issues a label based on the synchronization time.
The label issuance of the label issuing means based on the timing is performed, for example, when the time counted from the time when the sticking means sticks the label to the product reaches the determined timing, or when the sticking means turns the label into the product. At the time of application, the calculated timing is subtracted, and a label is issued when it reaches zero.
The label issuing timing is determined by the label issuing means according to the moving time from the time when the attaching means attaches the label to the product to the position where the label to be issued next is issued from the label issuing means. For example, a method of multiplying by a constant (table value) determined for each label issuance time required by the issuing means may be used.
A constant (table value) determined for each label issuance time is determined according to the label size.

  According to the above method, the time required for the labeling means to issue a label after the labeling means affixes the label to the surface of the product and to the position where the labeling means receives the label to be affixed to the next product surface. By determining the issuance timing by the label issuing means based on the time and issuing the label at the issuance timing, the sticking means can receive the label at the timing when the label is issued (discharged). Therefore, the issued label does not have a waiting time until it is received by the sticking means, so that it is possible to eliminate the label receiving mistake by the sticking means.

Further, the label sticking apparatus for carrying out the label sticking method is a label sticking apparatus provided with a label issuing means and a sticking means for sticking a label issued by the label issuing means to a product,
The travel time from the position where the sticking means sticks the label to the product to the position where the label is issued to the next product issued by the label issuing means, and the issue time required for the label issuing means to issue the label Based on the calculated calculating means and the calculated moving time and issuing time, the shorter one of the label issuing completion of the label issuing means and the label receiving completion of the sticking means is set to the shorter completion time. And a synchronizing means for obtaining a timing for positioning the label issued by the label issuing means at a position received by the sticking means.

As the calculating means for obtaining the moving time, for example, a sensor for detecting that the suction surface of the label suction portion at the tip of the label sticking means (applicator) is in contact with the package (packaged product) W is provided. While the sensor detects contact with the label holding portion when receiving the label and contact with the package (packaged product) W for label application, and detects contact with the label reception and label application A method for measuring and calculating the time, or a method for calculating the time from the pulse count detected by this encoder, or a method for calculating the time from the pulse count detected by the encoder, or both the label application position and the label reception position A sensor (for example, a photo sensor) is provided in the system, and the time is calculated by measuring the ON / OFF between the two sensors, or the moving distance of the label attaching means Scheme calculated by dividing the moving speed, or the like to obtain the travel time from the table corresponding to the count value and the moving distance of the encoder with the movement of the bonding means may be any method.
Further, as a calculation means for obtaining the time required for the label issuing means to issue a label, for example, a label detection sensor is provided in the label discharge path of the label issuing means (label issuing device), and the label passes through the discharge path. A method in which the label length from the front end to the rear end of the sensor measures the time that passes the sensor, or an encoder is provided on the label platen roller, and the sensor uses the encoder and the sensor to A method for calculating time based on the pulse count between detections, a method for calculating the time required for label issuance from the label length and printing speed of the label to be printed, or the encoder count accompanying the issuance of the label issuing means You can use any method such as obtaining the time required for issuing from the table according to the value or label size.
The timing is calculated by subtracting the issuance time of the label issuing means from the calculated moving time of the sticking means, or the calculated time of the calculating means for calculating the moving time of the sticking means is calculated as the required label issuance time. Calculated by multiplying a constant (table value) determined every time, or timing (time) for synchronizing the label applying means and the label issuing means from a table consisting of the movement time of the label applying means and the time required for label issuing Or any other method.
Moreover, the label sticking apparatus which concerns on this invention may be provided with the label holding | maintenance part which hold | maintains the label which the label issuing means issued, or may not be provided.

According to the above means, a label is issued based on a synchronization time for synchronizing the label issuing completion of the label issuing means and the label receiving of the sticking means, and the sticking means is brought to the label receiving position at the timing when the label issuing is completed. Since the label is attracted and held by being moved (moved), the label can be received in the correct orientation without any mistake.
Further, since the label issuing completion timing is synchronized with the timing at which the sticking means arrives at the position where the label is received, it is not necessary to consider the waiting time for the issued label to wait for the sticking means to arrive. Therefore, there is no need for a label holding portion that has been conventionally required, and even if it is provided, there is a need for the operator to re-adjust the width of the label holding portion to match the label size and operation. It is not affected by forgetting to adjust.

In the label sticking method of the present invention, the sticking means sticks the label to the surface of the product, and then the moving time until the sticking means receives the label to be stuck on the next product surface, and the label issuing means issues the label. By determining the issuing timing by the label issuing means based on the time required for the labeling and issuing the label at the issuing timing, the sticking means can receive the label at the timing when the label is issued. Therefore, the issued label does not have a waiting time until it is received by the sticking means, so that it is possible to eliminate the label receiving mistake by the sticking means.
In the label sticking device, the label issuing means issues a label at the timing when the sticking means arrives at a position where the label is received, so that the sticking means can receive the label without error. And since it is not necessary to consider the waiting time for the issued label to wait for the arrival of the pasting means, there is no need for the label holding portion that has been required conventionally, even if it is provided, the label Even if you forget to adjust the width of the holder to match the label size, it will not be affected. Therefore, even when the size of the label to be applied is different, it is possible to provide a label application device that can correctly apply the label to the package without adjusting the label holding portion.

The front view which shows the state which assembled | attached the label sticking apparatus which concerns on this invention to the stretch wrapping machine. The enlarged front view of a label sticking apparatus part. The partially notched enlarged front view which shows the outline of a label holding body and a holding means. (A) is a top view of FIG. 3, (b) is the longitudinal cross-sectional side view. The electric block diagram of the apparatus.

The label affixing method of the present invention is a label affixing method in a label affixing device provided with a label issuance means and an affixing means for affixing a label issued by the label issuance means to a package (product). For example, in the case of a cut product such as meat with different contents, the label measures the size (length, width, height) and weight of the product when the product is carried into the packaging device, The price of the product is calculated based on the unit price of the product set in advance in the product file, printing preparation is performed, and a fixed amount product with a fixed content and a preset price is stored in the product information set in the product file. Based on this, preparation for printing is performed, and a label is printed and issued by the label issuing means.
The label issued from the label issuing means is held on standby by a label holding unit disposed downstream from the issuing port, and the label waiting on the label holding part is sucked and held by the sticking means, and the sticking means is packaged. The label is attached to the package.
The sticking means for sucking and holding the label to be issued first moves horizontally from the origin position (initial position) to a position immediately above the label holding portion, and moves vertically downward from that position to suck the label. It moves horizontally to the application position (position just above the package) where the label is attached to the package (commodity product) W that has been processed, and descends vertically below that position to attach the label to the surface of the package.

Then, in order to receive the label to be affixed to the next package, the affixing means for affixing the first label to the package follows the path shown in FIG. Return to the label holding unit provided downstream.
As shown in FIG. 1, the time T required for the sticking means to move to the position for receiving the next label increases the distance (D1) from the point of sticking the label to the package to the predetermined height position. The time T1 required for the time T2, the time T2 required to horizontally move the distance (D2) from the height position to the position directly above the label holding part, and the distance from the position immediately above the label holding part to the label holding part The total time [T1 + T2 + T3] of the time T3 required to descend (D3). In other words, it is a return path time in which the so-called sticking means reversely follows the forward path from the position where the label held by the label holding portion is received to the position where the label is stuck on the package.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, if the label issuing means issues a label in accordance with the timing when the sticking means returns to the label holding section, the sticking means sucks and holds the label issued to the label holding section without waiting time. It becomes possible. As a result, the label issued from the label issuing means has no waiting time, and since the sticking means is lowered and adsorbed onto the label holding part at the same time as being fed to the label holding part, the issued label is blown. The conventional problem that the posture, direction, etc. are changed by the wind pressure of the fan is solved.

As a method of issuing a label from the label issuing means in accordance with the timing when the attaching means returns to the label holding unit, for example, the time T [T1 + T2 + T3] required for the attaching means to move to a position for receiving the next label after applying the label. And a method of calculating (subtracting) from the time TP required for the label issuing means to issue the label. When the time T required to move from the time when the sticking means sticks the label to the package to the position where the next label is received is 2 seconds, and the time TP required for the label issuing means to issue the label is 1 second , T-TP = 2-1 = 1. Therefore, the label issuance timing of the label issuing means is set to be one second after the time when the applying means applies the label to the package. Without being attracted and held by the sticking means.
In the above method, the issuing timing of the label issuing means is delayed by the time calculated by the subtraction, so that the arrival of the applying means and the issuing of the label become the same timing. By increasing the speed to be the same as the required time TP of the label issuing means, the arrival of the sticking means and the label issuance can be made at the same timing.

Further, as a method for calculating the label issuance timing of the label issuing means, a method based on multiplication can be used in addition to the subtraction method.
For example, it can be calculated by time T [T1 + T2 + T3] × constant required for the sticking means to move to a position for receiving the next label after sticking the label.
The constant is a table value determined for each time required for label issuance by the label issuing means, and is set according to the label size.

Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of a label sticking apparatus that performs the above-described label sticking method will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a state in which a label issuing device (label issuing means) and a label sticking means (applicator) are incorporated in a stretch wrapping machine. In the figure, A is a stretch wrapping machine, and a product W is carried in. Then, the product W is automatically packaged with a stretch film, and the packaged product, that is, the package W, is discharged to the discharge path. And label issuing apparatus B1 and label sticking means (applicator) B2 are arrange | positioned in the vicinity of the discharge path where the package W which completed packaging with the stretch packaging machine A is discharged | emitted, and a label can be stuck on the package W It is like that.

The label issuing apparatus B1 includes a label roll set unit 2 that rotatably supports a roll of rolled label roll paper 1 on which a label 1b is temporarily attached to a long strip-like base sheet 1a so as to be peeled off at regular intervals, and the label roll set. Printing means 3 for printing predetermined items on the label 1b of the label roll paper 1 drawn out from the section 2, a peeling member 4 for peeling the printed label 1b 'from the mount 1a, and a mount 1a from which the label 1b' has been peeled A mount winding shaft 5 is provided, and the mount winding shaft 5 is configured to be driven and rotated by a driving means (not shown) configured by a motor or the like. That is, the label roll paper supported by the label roll set unit 2 is pulled out by driving rotation of the mount winding shaft 5.
The component member is accommodated in the case 6, and a label issuing port 7 for sending the label 1 b ′ peeled off by the peeling member 4 is opened on the front downstream side of the peeling member 4 in the case 6. A label holding body 8 is provided in front of the mouth 7 to hold the sent label 1b ′ on standby until the label adsorbing portion of the label sticking means (applicator) B2 sucks and holds the label 1b ′. Holding means 9 for bringing the label 1b ′ into contact with the lower surface of the label holding body 8 is provided.

The label holding body 8 is installed on the outer surface of the case via a mounting frame 10, and the label 1b 'held by the label holding body 8 is sucked and held at a side position of the label holding body 8 and moved. And label sticking means (applicator) B2 stuck on the said package W is provided.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the mounting frame 10 is formed by bending a metal plate into a substantially L shape when viewed from the side, and a vertical piece 10a of the mounting frame 10 is opened in the case 6 of the label issuing device B1. The label holding body 8 is fixed to a position above the label issuing port 7 with a set screw 11 and protrudes in a substantially horizontal shape toward the feeding direction of the label 1b ′ on a horizontal piece 10b connected to the lower end of the vertical piece 10a. It is supported.

  The label holding body 8 protrudes along the feeding direction of the label 1b ′ sent out from the label issuing port 7, and is opposed to the label in the label width direction intersecting the feeding direction of the label 1b ′. The pair of parallel frames 12a and 12b is fixed to the horizontal piece 10b of the mounting frame 10 with a set screw 14 so that the movement in the longitudinal direction of the horizontal piece 10b can be adjusted. Yes.

The pair of parallel frames 12a, 12b are formed in a substantially L shape in plan view using a metal flat plate, and are elongated along the short side direction in the short side portion that is placed on the horizontal piece 10b and screwed. 13 is opened, and the parallel frames 12a and 12b are aligned along the width direction of the label 1b '(longitudinal direction of the mounting piece 10) by loosening the set screw 14 that is inserted into the long hole 13 and screwed into the horizontal piece 10b. Movement adjustment.
The space between the pair of parallel frames 12a and 12b is held in contact with the lower surfaces of the parallel frames 12a and 12b, and is the surface opposite to the label application surface exposed between the parallel frames 12a and 12b (printing). Surface), at least the label adhering portion 17 of the label applying means (applicator) B2 can be in close contact.

  Further, the outer edges of the long sides of the pair of parallel frames 12a and 12b (edges facing the width direction side edge of the label 1b ') are bent downward at a right angle so that the guide portion 15 is integrally formed. When the width direction side edge of the label 1b 'abuts against the guide portion 15, the movement of the label in the width direction is restricted, and the label is always held at a fixed position. The guide portion 15 may be formed by partially bending the outer edge of the long side without bending the entire length of the outer edge of the long side of the parallel frames 12a and 12b downward at a right angle.

  The holding means 9 that abuts the surface (printing surface) opposite to the surface to which the label 1b 'is attached to the lower surface of the long side of the pair of parallel frames 12a, 12b is the label that is issued and fed out from the label issuing port. An air blowing device 16 that blows air from below to a sticking surface (lower surface), which is constituted by a small blower fan, for example.

The air blowing device 16 is mounted and fixed on the upper surface of the protruding portion of the bottom plate 6 ′ of the case 6 of the label issuing device B1, and the label issuing device B1 is automatically applied by a label applying means (applicator) B2 (see FIG. 1). ) And 90 degrees horizontally in the counterclockwise direction, and the feeding direction of the label issued from the label issuing device B1 is switched to the manually pasted state that is the same as the discharging direction of the packaged product of the stretch packaging machine A. Even in this case, the issued label is surely held in contact with the lower surface of the label holder 8.
The air blowing device 16 is not limited to a configuration in which a blower fan is placed on the bottom plate 6 ', and a discharge air generation source is arranged at a location other than the corresponding location, and a hose or the like is connected to the generation source. You may comprise.

  The label sticking means (applicator) B2 is a label suction portion 17 that sucks and holds the label 1b 'held by the label holding body 8, and the label suction portion 17 from the initial position to a position almost directly above the label holding body 8. And a moving mechanism (not shown) for moving from the position of the label holder 8 to the package (packaged product) W directly above the package (packaged product) W and from the position directly above the package (packaged product) W. It is of a well-known structure today. The label suction unit 17 that sucks and holds the label is configured such that a suction force due to a negative pressure is generated on the label suction surface by the rotation of the suction fan, and the suction fan is an air blowing device that constitutes the holding means 9. Turns on / off at the same timing as 16 fans

In order to receive a label to be attached to the next package (packaged product) W from the time when the label stuck by the label applying means (applicator) B2 is stuck to the package (packaged product) W, The time T [T1 + T2 + T3] required to move to the position of the label holding body 8 is calculated from the moving speed and moving distance of the moving mechanism. The moving speed of the label adsorption unit 17 that moves in each moving section is set in advance and is constant.
The moving distance is D1 + D2 + D3 shown in FIG. 2, but the distance D3 is constant and constant. The distance D1 varies depending on the height of the package (packaged product) W to which the label is attached, and the distance D2 is the label application position on the package (packaged product) W, and the package (packaged product) W The size (width dimension: X ′), the label size (label width: LH), and the distance (tray margin: Δα) from the left and right side edges of the package (packaged product) W to the label application position. The distance D2 is calculated by a calculation formula of S = {X ′ / 2− (Δα + LH / 2)} − Z as a horizontal movement amount (S) of the label attaching unit (applicator) B2. Each part of the code used in the calculation formula is a dimension, Z is a distance from the center of the label suction surface of the sticking means located in the label holding part to the center of the transport part of the package (packaged product) W, and LH is the side of the label When the label format number is stored in association with the product file in which the product number of the product to be packaged is set and stored in the dimensions, the label format is read by the format number and the label size (vertical length: LV, Horizontal length: LH) can be obtained. Δα is the distance (constant value) from the left and right sides of the package (packaged product) W to the label application position, and X ′ is a product file in which the product number of the package (packaged product) W is set and stored. When the tray number is stored, the tray file corresponding to the tray number is read, and the tray size data set in the tray file (X ′: horizontal dimension, Y ′: vertical dimension, H ′: height) Dimension) and the like can be obtained, and calculation processing is performed using the read X ′: horizontal dimension. In addition, the height dimension of the package (packaged product) W is measured together with the width, depth, weight, etc. of the product when the product W is carried into the stretch wrapping machine A. The distance D1 is calculated by the dimension from the product transport surface to a predetermined height at which the pasting means is attached (constant) minus the product height dimension (measured dimension). The distance D2 is the calculated horizontal movement amount (S). Accordingly, the distances D1 and D2 change each time the product W changes, and the distance D2 changes when the size of the label to be attached changes, whereby the time T also changes. In addition, when the label to be attached is rotated by a predetermined angle depending on the shape of the package (packaged product) W (for example, the label is attached with the label rotated at 30 degrees or 45 degrees when facing the front), the label is rotated. When the label is rotated and pasted, it is necessary to provide an adjustment margin (Δβ) that provides a larger amount of the tray margin (Δα) because the corner of the label is stuck and sticks out from the end of the tray. Further, the adjustment margin (Δβ) is further added to the calculation formula of the horizontal movement amount (S), and S = {X ′ / 2− (Δα + Δβ + LH / 2)} − Z, so that the time T also changes. . In order to receive the label to be affixed to the next package (packaged product) W from the time when the label adhering and holding by the label affixing means (applicator) B2 is affixed to the package (packaged product) W, the label holding The time required to move to the position of the body 8 is calculated by a calculation formula of time T = {(distance D1 + distance D2 + distance D3) / moving speed (speed) of the label suction unit 17}. A method of calculating and adding the time (T1, T2, T3) required for each of the distance D1, the distance D2, and the distance D3 may be used. In addition, any method may be used, such as a system in which an encoder is assembled to a drive unit that moves the sticking means up, down, left, and right, and the time T is calculated based on the pulse count detected by the encoder until the sticking means receives the label.

  On the other hand, the label issuance time TP issued by the label issuing device B1 is the amount of product information for each label size (length and width) and product (package) W to be printed even if the printing speed is constant. Is different for each label to be issued. The required time TP for issuing a label for each label is the product information set in the product file (information such as product number, product name, price, barcode, additive, etc.) and “label format” required for printing and issuing labels. It is calculated based on the data. Specifically, since the product file in which the product number of the product to be printed is stored in association with the label format number, for example, when the label format number is set to the product number of the product file, The label size (length: LV, width: LH) and the format data of the print area of each print item are read out by the format number, and the required time TP = label size (length LV: length in the label discharge direction) / The required time TP for issuing the label is calculated based on the formula for printing speed. In addition to the method for calculating the time required for label issuance (required time TP) from the label length (LV) of the label to be printed and the printing speed as described above, for example, the label discharge path of the label issuing means (label issuing device) A sensor that controls label issuance (for example, a photo sensor), and measures and calculates the time that the label length (LV) from the leading end of the label that passes through the discharge path passes through this sensor, Alternatively, the label platen roller may be provided with an encoder, and the encoder and a sensor (for example, a photo sensor) may be used to calculate the time TP by pulse count while the label passes through the sensor.

  Calculation of the time T required for the movement of the label adsorbing unit 17 in the label sticking means (applicator) B2, the required time TP for label issuance in the label issuance apparatus B1, and the label issuance in the label issuance apparatus B1 based thereon The timing is determined by the control unit C that controls label issuance and label application.

As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 5, the control unit C has a CPU 18 that controls each unit in a ROM 18, a RAM 20, a display operation unit 21, a communication interface circuit (INF) 22, via a bus 18 a. A printing unit 23 (a stepping motor that drives a thermal head and a platen roller), a drive circuit 24 that moves the label suction unit 17, a label application sensor 25, and a product detection sensor 26 are connected via an interface circuit. Stores various control programs executed by the CPU 18.
The RAM 20 includes areas such as various registers and flags used when the CPU 18 executes the control program of the ROM 19 and a preset data area in which various data is stored in advance for each product.
In the preset data area, “product number”, “product name”, “unit price”, “barcode”, “label format number”, which are data for price calculation and label printing, corresponding to the package (product number) W , A product file in which various product information such as “tray number” is stored, a label format file in which a label printing format is defined, and size data (horizontal dimension, vertical dimension, height dimension, etc.) of the tray for storing the product A defined tray file or the like is stored.

The display operation unit 21 includes an operation unit including a keyboard and a touch panel, and a display unit configured by a liquid crystal display. Input of various data and commands, or display of input data based on commands of the CPU 18, preset data And various messages are displayed. Accordingly, various data relating to label issuance and sticking in the present invention can be input by operating the operation unit of the display operation unit 21.
The update interface circuit (INF) 22 is a circuit for updating the packaging mechanism control unit (not shown) of the stretch packaging machine A and various data and commands.
The printing unit 23 prints the product name, price, unit price, bar code, and the like on the label paper based on a command from the CPU 18 and issues a label by peeling it from the mount.
The drive circuit 24 for moving the label adsorbing unit 17 includes a horizontal motor (stepping motor) for moving the label adsorbing unit 17 in the horizontal direction (direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the package: movement in the section D2), and the label adsorbing unit. This is a circuit for driving a vertical motor (stepping motor) that moves the unit 17 in the vertical direction (movement of the sections D1 and D3).
The label sticking sensor 25 detects that the label is stuck on the package (packaged product) W, and detects that the suction surface of the label suction portion is in contact with the package (packaged product) W. This is detected when a certain upward force is applied to the label suction portion.
The product detection sensor 26 detects the presence of the package (packaged product) W at the label application position and generates a signal for label application. The package (packaged product) W is positioned at the label application location. If so, a message to that effect is output to the CPU 18.

Therefore, from the time when the label applying means (applicator) B2 applies the label to the package (packaged product) W, the label holder 8 receives the label to be applied to the next package (packaged product) W. The time (movement time) T (T1 + T2 + T3) required for returning and the time PT required for the label issuing device B1 to issue a label are calculated by the RAM of the control unit C, and are based on the time T and the time PT. Thus, the label issuing timing (synchronization time) issued by the label issuing device B1 is determined.
The label issuance timing (hour) is calculated by subtracting the time PT from the time T. That is, T-PT = label issuance timing. For example, when T = 2 seconds and PT = 1 second, T−PT = 2−1 = 1 second (synchronization time). Therefore, the label issuing device B1 starts the next label issuing from the time when the label adsorbing unit 17 of the label applying means (applicator) B2 applies the label to the package (packaged product) W (signal output from the label applying sensor). By starting after one second has elapsed, the label adsorbing portion 17 of the label applying means reaches the label holding body at the timing when the label is fed out to the label holding body 8. As a result, there is no waiting time for the issued label to wait for the arrival of the label adsorption unit on the label holding body, so that the posture, orientation, etc. of the label does not change during standby, and the label is received by the label adsorption unit. The occurrence of mistakes can be eliminated. The processing of the synchronization time is performed by counting the synchronization time from the time when the label adsorbing unit 17 of the label application means (applicator) B2 applies a label to the package (packaged product) W (signal output of the label application sensor). At the time when the synchronization time is reached or when the label adsorbing unit 17 of the label applying means (applicator) B2 applies a label to the package (packaged product) W (signal output of the label applying sensor) The timing of subtraction of the synchronization time is started and any timing at which the synchronization time becomes zero may be used.

  In addition, the label issuing timing was adjusted so that the label was fed to the label holding body when the label adsorbing portion 17 of the label applying means (applicator) B2 arrived at the label holding body. From the time when the label adsorbing unit 17 of the means (applicator) B2 applies the label to the package (packaged product) W to the label holder 8 to receive the label to be applied to the next package (packaged product) W The time T (T1 + T2 + T3) required for returning is set to be the same as the time PT required for label issuance of the label issuing device B1, and thereby the label adsorbing portion of the label affixing means at the timing when the label is fed to the label holder 8 17 may reach the label holder. According to the above example, the movement time T (2 seconds) of the label adsorbing unit 17 of the label sticking means B2 is twice as long as the time PT (1 second) required for label issuance of the label issuing device B1, If the moving speed of the label suction unit 17 is doubled, T = PT, and the timing of label feeding and label suction unit arrival can be matched. In this case, it is possible to increase the work efficiency of the label attaching process while preventing the occurrence of a label receiving error.

  Also, since the label issued from the label issuing device has no waiting time on the label holder, even if the label size to be issued changes, even if you forget to adjust the width of the label holder, At the same time, since it can be sucked and held by the label sucking portion, the influence of forgetting to adjust the width of the label holder can be avoided. Thereby, even if the label holding body required in the conventional apparatus is not equipped, it is possible to eliminate the label receiving error and perform stable label sticking.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the scope of the present invention.
(1) In the embodiment, the label issuing timing in the label issuing device (label issuing means) is calculated by subtracting the label issuing time PT in the label issuing device from the required moving time T of the label applying means. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a calculation method using multiplication may be used.
The calculation method by the multiplication is calculated by multiplying the required movement time T of the label pasting means by a table value (a constant set according to the label size) determined for each required label issuance time.
(2) In the embodiment, the example in which the label holding body is configured by two parallel frames is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this.
(3) In the embodiment, the synchronization time is calculated based on the movement time of the label applying means and the time required for the label issuing means to issue the label. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the position of each part is detected by a sensor and an encoder. In such a case, the synchronization time may be calculated using the count value of the pulse count detected by the encoder, and the label issue completion and the receipt of the issued label may be synchronized. When the synchronization time is calculated using only the pulse count, the detected pulse count is adjusted to either one (for example, the pulse range on the label applying means side is adjusted to the pulse count detected by the label issuing means). It is necessary to make the same detection (waveform).
(4) In the embodiment, the moving time T of the label applying means is calculated by the distance / speed, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, packaging is performed from the position where the attaching means receives the label held by the label holding unit. While moving to the label affixing position on the object W, the time is measured together with the affixing operation, and the time for this time is received from the position where the affixing means affixes the label to the packaged product (package) W. The synchronization time may be calculated as the time (time T) required to move to the position.
(5) In the embodiment, the moving time of the label applying means and the time and timing required for the label issuing means to calculate the label are calculated. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A method for obtaining the movement time from a table according to the encoder count value and movement distance according to the movement of the sticking means, and the time required to issue the label is the encoder count value and label size accompanying the label issuing means issuance. A method for obtaining the time required for issuance from a table corresponding to the time, obtaining a timing (time) for synchronizing the label affixing means and the label issuance means from a table comprising the movement time of the label affixing means and the time required for label issuance, etc. A method of obtaining from a table may be used.

B1 ... Label issuing device (label issuing means) B2 ... Label sticking means C ... Control part W ... Package T ... Time required for moving label sticking means PT ... Time required for label issuing 8 ... Label holder 17 ... Label adsorbing part

Claims (6)

Issuing a label by a label issuing means;
A sticking means receiving the issued label;
Affixing the label received by the affixing means to the product surface;
In the labeling method having
Obtaining a moving time from a position where the sticking means sticks a label to a product to a position where the label is attached to the next product issued by the label issuing means;
Obtaining a time required for the label issuing means to issue a label;
Based on the obtained time of the label issuing means and the sticking means, the shorter one of the label issuing completion of the label issuing means and the label receiving completion of the sticking means is set to the shorter completion time. The step of determining the timing for positioning the label issued by the label issuing means at the position received by the sticking means;
A method of applying a label, comprising:   The label sticking method according to claim 1, wherein the timing is calculated by subtracting a time required for the label issuing by the label issuing means from the moving time of the sticking means.   The label issuance by the label issuing means is determined when the time counted from the time when the sticking means sticks the label to the product has reached the determined timing or when the sticking means sticks the label to the product. 3. The label affixing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the label is issued at any time when the measured timing is subtracted and reaches zero. In a label sticking device comprising a label issuing means and a sticking means for sticking a label issued by the label issuing means to a product,
The travel time from the position where the sticking means sticks the label to the product to the position where the label is issued to the next product issued by the label issuing means, and the issue time required for the label issuing means to issue the label The required calculation means,
Based on the determined travel time and issuance time, the label issuance is completed by adjusting the shorter of the label issuance completion of the label issuance means and the label reception completion of the affixing means to the longer completion time. Synchronization means for obtaining a timing for positioning the label issued by the means at a position received by the sticking means;
A label affixing device characterized by comprising:   5. The label sticking apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the timing is calculated by subtracting the time required for issuing the label issuing means from the calculated movement time of the sticking means. Further comprising label issue control means for controlling the operation of the label issue means,
The label issuance control means determines the timing obtained when the time measured from the time when the sticking means sticks the label to the product coincides with the obtained timing, or when the sticking means attaches the label to the product. 6. The label affixing device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the label is issued according to any one of the time when the time to be counted is subtracted and the time is zero.

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