JP2015034052A - Label application device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To speed up continuous actions when a label application device continuously repeats a sequence of actions from issuing a label to applying the label to an attached object.SOLUTION: A label application device according to the invention includes: a label issuance part 8 which issues a label L; a label transfer part 70 which suctions the label L issued from the label issuance part 8 on a lower surface to hold the label L and moves the label L so that the label L moves away from the label issuance part 8 holding the label L; a label holding part 50 which suctions the label L transferred by the label transfer part 70 on a lower surface to hold the label L; and an application arm 31 which moves down from above the label L held by the label holding part 50 to press the label L against an attached object positioned below the label holding part 50.

Description

  The present invention relates to a label attaching apparatus for issuing a label and attaching it to an object to be attached.

  As a device for automatically applying a label on the upper surface of a product, a label issuing machine that issues a printed label, and a label applying machine that receives a label issued by the label issuing machine and applies it to a product on a conveyor There is known a labeling device provided.

  As shown in FIG. 32 (a), in this type of label sticking apparatus 300, a label sticking machine 302 includes a label holding unit 303 that sucks and holds the label L1 issued by the label issuing machine 301 on the lower surface, and the label holding device. A stick-like sticking arm 304 that pushes the label L1 held by the part 303 downward and sticks it to the upper surface of the product G. In the label affixing operation, the lower end of the affixing arm 304 is lowered from the standby position above the label L1 held by the label holder 303 to the height of the upper surface of the item G, so that the item G as shown in FIG. After affixing the label L1 to the upper side, it is lifted and returned to the standby position as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 32 (d), after the lower end of the sticking arm 304 returns to the standby position, the label issuing machine 301 issues the next label L 2, and this label L 2 does not interfere with the sticking arm 304. Then, it is sucked and held by the label holding unit 303.

  Patent Document 1 discloses another technique for avoiding the interference between the sticking arm and the label as described above. In the technique of Patent Document 1, the sticking arm holds the label output from the issuing slot at the label receiving position near the issuing slot of the label issuing machine, and then moves horizontally to the sticking operation position away from the issuing slot. To do. Subsequently, the lower end portion of the sticking arm is lowered to the height of the upper surface of the product, and then the label is attached to the product, and then rises to the standby height. At this time, since the sticking arm is disposed sufficiently away from the issuing port of the label issuing machine, the sticking arm does not interfere with the next label output from the issuing port. Thereafter, the sticking arm is returned to the label receiving position in a state where the height of the lower end is maintained at the standby height.

JP 2012-188143 A

  However, in the case where a series of operations of issuing a label and applying it to a product by a label application device is repeated a plurality of times, there is room for improvement in the conventional operation described above in order to increase the speed of the continuous operation. .

  Specifically, in the conventional operation shown in FIG. 32, when the sticking arm 304 is lowered and raised to stick the label L1 (see FIGS. 32B and 32C), the label issuing machine 301 is used. Cannot issue the next label L2 in order to avoid interference with the sticking arm 304. That is, since it is necessary to wait for the label L2 to be issued until the sticking arm 304 rises to the standby position, the continuous operation by the label sticking apparatus cannot be sufficiently speeded up.

  On the other hand, in the conventional operation disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the label affixing operation is performed at the affixing operation position away from the issuing port of the label issuing machine, the next operation is performed without interfering with the affixing arm during this affixing operation. Labels can be issued. However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to return to the label receiving position by horizontal movement in order to receive the next label after the sticking arm has been raised to the standby height after sticking the label. Further, in order to attach this label to the product, it must be moved horizontally again to the attaching operation position. In other words, in the operation of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to reciprocate the sticking arm between the label receiving position and the sticking operation position by horizontal movement, so that the operation time is increased accordingly.

  Then, this invention makes it a subject to aim at speeding up of this continuous operation | movement, when a series of operation | movement which issues a label and affixes on a to-be-adhered thing is repeated continuously.

The label applicator according to the present invention is:
A label issuing unit for issuing labels;
A label transfer unit that adsorbs and holds the label issued from the label issuing unit on the lower surface, and moves away from the label issuing unit while holding the label;
A label holding unit for adsorbing and holding the label transferred by the label transfer unit on the lower surface;
And an affixing arm that presses the label against an object to be affixed below the label holding part by descending from the upper side of the label held by the label holding part.

  According to the label applicator according to the present invention, after the label issued from the label issuing unit is transported away from the label issuing unit by the label transport unit, the label pasting operation is performed by lowering the pasting arm. Therefore, compared with the case where a label transfer part is not provided, the sticking arm can be arranged away from the label issuing part. Therefore, the next label can be issued at an early timing without interfering with the sticking arm during the label sticking operation. Therefore, when a series of operation | movement which issues a label and affixes on a to-be-adhered thing is repeated continuously, this continuous operation | movement can be performed at high speed.

The label applicator according to the present invention is:
The label transfer unit according to the length of the label with respect to the moving direction of the label transfer unit so that the position of the label center when the transfer by the label transfer unit is completed coincides with the axis of the sticking arm in plan view Control means for controlling the movement distance of the head.

  In this case, when the sticking arm descends, the center of the label can be surely pushed in by the sticking arm regardless of the size of the label, so that the label can be attached to the adherend with high accuracy.

In the label sticking device according to the present invention,
The label issuing unit may include a cutting means for cutting the label continuous body held on the lower surface of the label transfer unit,
The label issuing unit may issue a label cut from the continuous label body by the cutting means.

  In this case, when the label continuum is cut by the cutting means of the label issuing unit, the label continuum can be satisfactorily cut by holding the label continuum portion on the lower surface of the label transfer unit. .

In the label sticking device according to the present invention,
On the lower surface of the label holding part,
A first suction unit to which a first negative pressure is supplied at least upon completion of transfer by the label transfer unit;
A second suction unit that is supplied with a second negative pressure larger than the first negative pressure when being cut by the cutting means and that stops or reduces the negative pressure supply when the label transfer unit moves is provided. You can,
On the lower surface of the label transfer unit,
A third negative pressure larger than the first negative pressure is supplied at the time of cutting by the cutting means, the negative pressure supply is continued when the label transfer unit is moving, and a negative pressure is supplied when the transfer by the label transfer unit is completed. A third suction unit that stops or reduces the pressure supply may be provided.

  The “first negative pressure” and the “second negative pressure” here do not mean a negative pressure acting on a negative pressure source or an intermediate portion of the negative pressure supply path, but a “first negative pressure” on the lower surface of the label holding portion. The negative pressure finally acting on the “first suction part” or the “second suction part” is meant. Further, the “third negative pressure” does not mean a negative pressure acting on the negative pressure source or an intermediate portion of the negative pressure supply path, but finally acts on the “third suction portion” on the lower surface of the label transfer portion. Means negative pressure.

  According to this configuration, when the label continuous body is cut by the cutting means of the label issuing unit, the label sent out from the label issuing unit by the second suction unit of the label holding unit and the third suction unit of the label transfer unit The continuous part can be held with a strong suction force, whereby the label continuous body can be cut well. When the label transfer section moves, the negative pressure supply to the second suction section is stopped or reduced, so that the negative pressure supply to the third suction section continues while the label is smoothly pulled away from the second suction section. Thus, the label can be transported while being reliably held by the label transport unit. When the transfer by the label transfer unit is completed, the supply of the negative pressure to the third suction unit is stopped or reduced, so that the label can be smoothly transferred from the label transfer unit to the label holding unit.

The label applicator according to the present invention is:
A first air spraying means for blowing air toward the lower surface of the continuous label portion held by the label transfer unit at the time of cutting by the cutting unit, and stopping the air blowing when the label transfer unit is moved;
You may provide the 2nd air spraying means which sprays air toward the lower surface of the label transferred by the said label transfer part at the time of the movement of the said label transfer part.

  In this case, when the label continuum is cut by the cutting means of the label issuing unit, the label continuum portion adsorbed and held on the lower surface of the label transfer unit is blown up toward the lower surface of the label transfer unit by the first air blowing unit. The air is supplementarily supported from below by the generated air. Therefore, the label continuum portion sent out from the label issuing unit can be more reliably held by the suction force acting on the lower surface of the label transfer unit and the pressure of the air blown from the first air blowing means. Thus, the continuous label can be cut more satisfactorily by the cutting means.

  Further, in this case, when the label is transferred, the air blowing by the first air blowing means is stopped, so that the rear end portion in the moving direction of the label is moved from the lower surface of the label transferring portion by the air from the first air blowing means. While being prevented from being peeled off, the label can be transported while being supplementarily supported from below by the air blown toward the lower surface of the label being transported by the second air spraying means.

In the label sticking device according to the present invention,
The label holding part may include an arm facing surface part disposed to face the front of the sticking arm with respect to the moving direction of the label transfer part,
The lower end corner portion of the arm facing surface portion may be provided with an inclined surface that is inclined downward toward the front in the moving direction.

  In this case, during the transfer of the label by the label transfer unit, when the front end of the label crosses below the arm facing surface of the label holding unit facing the front of the sticking arm, the front end of the label is the lower corner of the arm facing surface. It is hard to get caught on the inclined surface connected to Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the glue on the lower surface of the label from adhering and accumulating on the label holding portion during the label transfer.

In the label sticking device according to the present invention,
The label holding part may comprise a transfer part facing surface part arranged to face the moving direction front of the lower end part of the label transfer part,
A groove extending forward in the movement direction from the lower end of the transfer portion facing surface portion may be formed on the lower surface of the label holding portion.

  In this case, when the label is transported with the end in the width direction of the label being sucked and held on the lower surface of the label transfer unit, the front end corner of the label does not catch the groove on the surface facing the transfer unit of the label holding unit. Since it passes, it can prevent that the glue of the front-end corner part of a label adheres and accumulates on a label holding part.

  According to the present invention, the next label can be issued at an early timing during the label sticking operation by the stick arm. Therefore, when a series of operation | movement which issues a label and affixes on a to-be-adhered thing is repeated continuously, speeding-up of this continuous operation | movement can be achieved.

It is a front view which shows the label sticking apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which looked at the internal structure of the label issuing machine mounted in the label sticking apparatus shown in FIG. 1 from the front. It is sectional drawing which looked at the internal structure of the label sticking machine mounted in the label sticking apparatus shown in FIG. 1 from the front. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the label sticking machine shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the lower part structure of the label sticking machine shown in FIG. It is a perspective view similar to FIG. 5 which shows the state which the transfer block moved. It is a top view of the structure shown in FIG. It is a bottom view of the structure shown in FIG. It is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the 1st adsorption block from the lower part. It is the perspective view which looked at the 1st adsorption block from the upper part. It is the perspective view which looked at the 2nd adsorption block from the lower part. It is the perspective view which looked at the 2nd adsorption block from the upper part. It is a perspective view which shows a transfer block. It is a perspective view which shows the 1st modification of a transfer block. It is a perspective view which shows the 2nd modification of a transfer block. It is a perspective view which shows a 1st air spray part and a 2nd air spray part. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of the label sticking apparatus shown in FIG. It is a bottom view which shows the state before transfer of the label by a transfer block, and after transfer. It is a bottom view which shows the state before and after a transfer in the case of carrying out centering transfer of the label comparatively long regarding the moving direction of a transfer block. It is a bottom view for demonstrating another Example regarding centering transfer. It is a time chart which shows an example of a series of operation | movement which issues a label by the label sticking apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and affixes on goods. It is a figure which shows the state of each step | level of the operation | movement shown in FIG. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing the state of each stage following FIG. 23 in the operation shown in FIG. 22. FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the state of each stage following FIG. 24 in the operation shown in FIG. 22. It is a perspective view which shows the structure relevant to the maintenance of the label issuing machine for upper sticking, and a label sticking machine. It is a perspective view similar to FIG. 26 which shows the state which opened the front cover of the label issuing machine and rotated the housing of the label sticking machine. It is a perspective view which shows the state which opened the upper unit of the printing unit of a label issuing machine. It is a perspective view similar to FIG. 26 which shows the state which rotated the cutter unit so that it might separate from the side surface of the housing of a label sticking machine. It is a perspective view which shows the structure relevant to the maintenance of a cutter unit. It is a front view which shows the structure relevant to the maintenance of the label issuing machine for lowering. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the conventional label sticking apparatus.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Overall configuration of labeling device]
As shown in FIG. 1, the label sticking apparatus 1 according to this embodiment attaches a label L (see FIGS. 3 and 4) to the conveyor 4 that conveys the product G and the upper surface of the product G that is conveyed by the conveyor 4. An attaching mechanism 7 for attaching, a lower attaching mechanism 15 for attaching a label to the lower surface of the product G conveyed by the conveyor 4, an operation display unit 12 for performing a predetermined input operation and a predetermined display, and the above components And a rack 2 for supporting the.

[Conveyor]
The conveyor 4 is disposed so as to move the product G along a conveyance direction (D direction in the drawing) from the left to the right as viewed from the front side of the label sticking device 1. The conveyor 4 is provided by being divided into an upstream conveyor 4a and a downstream conveyor 4b disposed at an interval on the downstream side of the upstream conveyor 4a in the transport direction (D direction in the drawing). Therefore, the lower sticking mechanism 15 disposed below the conveyor 4 can stick a label to the lower surface of the product G from the lower side through the gap between the upstream conveyor 4a and the downstream conveyor 4b. Although the upstream conveyor 4a and the downstream conveyor 4b are comprised with an endless belt, for example, in this invention, the specific structure of the conveyors 4a and 4b is not specifically limited.

  A commodity passage sensor 110 is disposed in the vicinity of the upstream conveyor 4a. The commodity passage sensor 110 indicates whether or not the commodity G on the upstream conveyor 4a has passed a predetermined position on the upstream side in the transport direction (D direction in the drawing) from the label pasting position by the upper pasting mechanism 7 and the lower pasting mechanism 15. To detect. Although the kind of goods passage sensor 110 is not limited, For example, the optical goods passage sensor 110 which has a light emission part and a light-receiving part is used.

[Up pasting mechanism]
The top pasting mechanism 7 is a top label issuing machine 8 for issuing a label L to be pasted on the upper surface of the product G, and a label pasting machine for pasting the label L issued by the label issuing machine 8 on the top surface of the product G 10.

  The label issuing machine 8 and the label sticking machine 10 are disposed above the conveyor 4. The label sticking machine 10 is disposed adjacent to the downstream side of the label issuing machine 8 with respect to the transport direction (D direction in the figure). In addition, on the further downstream side of the label applicator 10, another label applicator for pressing the label L attached to the upper surface of the product G from above, or the label L attached to the upper surface of the product G You may arrange | position the air spraying apparatus which blows air from upper direction.

  The label issuing machine 8 is supported by the rack 2 from below. The label issuing machine 8 and the label applying machine 10 are unitized, and the label applying machine 10 is supported by the rack 2 via the label issuing machine 8. The rack 2 is provided with a rail portion 18 extending in the depth direction of the label sticking device 1 orthogonal to the transport direction (D direction in the figure), and the label issuing machine 8 can slide along the rail portion 18. ing. Therefore, the label issuing machine 8 and the label applying machine 10 can be integrally adjusted in the depth direction by sliding the label issuing machine 8 along the rail portion 18.

  The specific configuration of the upper pasting mechanism 7 including the configurations of the label issuing machine 8 and the label pasting machine 10 will be described later.

[Underlay mechanism]
The lower pasting mechanism 15 includes a label issuing machine 16 for lower pasting that issues a label to be attached to the lower surface of the product G, and a label transporting device 24 that transports a label issued from the label issuing machine 16 to the lower surface of the product G. And an air blowing device 26 that blows air from below onto a label attached to the lower surface of the product G. The rack 2 is provided with a rail portion 20 extending in the depth direction of the label sticking apparatus 1 orthogonal to the transport direction (D direction in the figure), and the label issuing machine 16 can slide along the rail portion 20. ing. The label transport device 24 is configured to, for example, rotate the endless belt through a drive pulley by a label transport motor, thereby transporting the label supported by the endless belt upward and sticking it to the lower surface of the product G. ing.

[Operation display section]
The operation display unit 12 includes a display panel 13 and a stroke key unit 14. The display panel 13 is constituted by a touch panel, for example. However, the display panel 13 is not necessarily a touch panel. When the display panel 13 is a touch panel, the operation display unit 12 does not necessarily have the stroke key unit 14.

[Concrete configuration of top pasting mechanism]
Next, a specific configuration of the upper pasting mechanism 7 will be described.

[Label issuing machine]
First, with reference to FIG. 2, the structure of the label issuing machine 8 for upper attachment will be described. A so-called mountless label roll LR is used for the label issuing machine 8. The label roll LR is formed by winding a strip-shaped continuous label LC having a glue surface and a non-glue surface in a roll shape so that the glue surface faces inward. The non-glue surface of the label continuum LC is a printing surface that develops color when heat is applied.

  The label issuing machine 8 includes a support shaft 90 that supports the winding center portion of the label roll LR, and a plurality of guide rollers 99a, 99b, and 99c that guide an extended portion of the label continuous body LC extending from the outer peripheral portion of the label roll LR. The printing unit 91 that prints on the printing surface of the label continuum LC, the printing roller 92 that sandwiches the label continuum LC together with the printing unit 91, and the label continuum LC toward the label issuing port W in cooperation with the printing roller 92 And an assist roller 93 for feeding in, a cutting means 95 for cutting the label continuum LC, and a housing 120 for housing various components of the label issuing machine 8.

  In the following description, the direction in which the label continuum LC is fed from the label roll LR toward the label issuing port W is referred to as “label supply direction” (F direction in the figure).

  One end of the support shaft 90 is fixed to the housing 120, and the other end of the support shaft 90 is a free end. The label roll LR can be set in the label issuing machine 8 by inserting the winding center portion of the label roll LR into the support shaft 90.

  The printing unit 91 is a thermal head that includes a plurality of minute heating elements that are heated according to the printing data. By contacting the heated heating element with the printing surface of the label continuum LC, the thermal printing method is performed. Perform printing.

  The surface of the printing roller 92 is made of a rubber material. The printing roller 92 is a driving roller that is rotationally driven by a printing roller motor 96. For the printing roller motor 96, for example, a stepping motor is used.

  The printing roller 92 is disposed so as to sandwich the label continuous body LC together with the printing unit 91. Thereby, the printing roller 92 can move the label continuous body LC in the label supply direction (F direction in the figure) by rotating the printing roller 92 while pressing the printing surface of the label continuous body LC against the printing unit 91. . The printing roller 92 is disposed below the printing unit 91. Therefore, the label continuum LC is sent out to the label issuing port W in a posture in which the printing surface is the upper surface.

  The printing roller 92 can rotate in both forward and reverse directions. The “forward direction” here refers to the rotational direction in which the label continuous body LC is fed in the label supply direction (F direction in the figure), and the “reverse direction” refers to the direction opposite to the label supply direction. Indicates the direction of rotation.

  The surface of the assist roller 93 is made of a rubber material. The assist roller 93 is a drive roller that is rotationally driven by an assist roller motor 97. As the assist roller motor 97, for example, a stepping motor is used.

  The assist roller 93 is disposed upstream of the print roller 92 in the label supply direction (F direction in the figure). The assist roller 93 is disposed so as to sandwich the label continuous body LC together with the opposed driven roller 94. As with the printing roller 92, the assist roller 93 can rotate in both forward and reverse directions.

  When the print roller 92 and the assist roller 93 are rotationally driven in the forward direction, the label continuum LC is fed in the label supply direction (F direction in the figure), and the print roller 92 and the assist roller 93 are rotationally driven in the reverse direction. Thus, the label continuum LC is back-feeded in the direction opposite to the label supply direction (F direction in the figure).

  Since the printing roller 92 and the assist roller 93 are rotationally driven by different driving sources, the rotational speed of the printing roller 92 and the rotational speed of the assist roller 93 can be individually controlled. However, the present invention does not prevent the printing roller 92 and the assist roller 93 from being rotated by the same drive source.

  Between the assist roller 93 and the printing roller 92, the label continuum LC is guided by a guide roller 99c so as to be detoured downward. A label sensor 100 is disposed between the assist roller 93 and the print roller 92. The label sensor 100 is a sensor that detects whether or not a continuous label body LC exists between the assist roller 93 and the print roller 92. For the label sensor 100, for example, an optical sensor including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit is used. In this case, the slack of the label continuum LC is detected based on the output value of the label sensor 100 using the fact that the output value of the label sensor 100 changes according to the distance between the label sensor 100 and the label continuum LC. Is possible.

  The cutting means 95 includes a movable cutter 95a and a fixed cutter 95b. The movable cutter 95a is disposed with the blade facing downward. The movable cutter 95a is driven to slide up and down by a cutter motor 98. The fixed cutter 95b is fixed to the housing 120 with the blade facing upward.

  When the cutting means 95 is not operating (standby state), the blade of the movable cutter 95a is disposed above the blade of the fixed cutter 95b. When the label continuous body LC is cut by the cutting means 95, the label continuous body LC is fed to the outside of the housing 120 through the label issuing port W, and the cutting position is the blade of the fixed cutter 95b and the movable cutter. Aligned with the 95a blade. If the movable cutter 95a is slid downward with the label continuum LC aligned as described above, the label continuum LC is sandwiched from above and below by the blade of the fixed cutter 95b and the blade of the movable cutter 95a. Is cut off. In this way, the label continuous body LC is cut by the cutting means 95, so that the label L cut from the label continuous body LC is issued from the label issuing port W.

[Labeling machine]
Then, the structure of the label sticking machine 10 is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the label sticking machine 10 has a label sticking mechanism 30 for sticking the label L issued by the label issuing machine 8 to the upper surface of the product G, and a housing 40 for housing the label sticking mechanism 30. .

  A suction block 50 as a label holding portion is provided on the lower surface of the housing 40. The lower surface of the suction block 50 is a suction surface that sucks the label L by supplying negative pressure. A specific configuration of the suction block 50 will be described later.

  The label sticking mechanism 30 descends from the upper side of the label L sucked and held on the lower surface of the suction block 50, and presses the label L against the upper surface of the product G positioned below the suction block 50, for example, one stick arm 31. And an arm holder 36 that holds the application arm 31 by being connected to the application arm 31 via a coil spring 37 that applies an upward biasing force to the application arm 31. The label sticking mechanism 30 includes a vertical movement motor 41 that moves the arm holder 36 together with the stick arm 31 in the vertical direction, and a rotation motor 45 that rotates the stick arm 31 about its axis.

  The arm holder 36 is made of, for example, an aluminum block material, and thus the arm holder 36 can be reduced in weight.

  The pasting arm 31 is a hollow bar. For example, stainless steel is used as the material of the sticking arm 31, thereby reducing the weight of the sticking arm 31. The sticking arm 31 is disposed so as to penetrate the arm holding body 36 and extend in the vertical direction. The hollow portion of the sticking arm 31 communicates with the sticking arm negative pressure source 111 (see FIG. 18) via a connection portion 35 attached to the upper end of the sticking arm 31.

  A cushion portion 32 is provided at the lower end of the sticking arm 31. The cushion part 32 is a cylindrical member extending in the vertical direction. The hollow portion of the cushion portion 32 communicates with the hollow portion of the sticking arm 31. A soft material is used as the material of the cushion portion 32, and specifically, rubber is used, for example. Thereby, the impact given to the goods G when the cushion part 32 is pressed is relieved, and the goods G are protected. When the label attaching mechanism 30 is not in operation (standby state), the lower end portion of the cushion portion 32 is arranged such that the lower surface of the cushion portion 32 is the same height or slightly higher than the lower surface of the suction block 50.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the cushion part 32 includes a cylindrical fitting part 32a fitted to the lower end part of the sticking arm 31, and a bellows-like flexible part 32b extending downward from the fitting part 32a. A pressing portion 32c provided at the lower end of the flexible portion 32b. The shape of the pressing portion 32c is, for example, a trumpet shape whose diameter increases downward. When negative pressure is supplied to the lower surface of the pressing portion 32c by driving the sticking arm negative pressure source 111, the label L can be sucked and held on the lower surface of the pressing portion 32c.

  Returning to FIG. 3, a lower stopper 33 is provided at an intermediate portion of the sticking arm 31. The lower stopper 33 is disposed below the arm holder 36 so as to function as a restricting portion that restricts the relative upward movement of the sticking arm 31 with respect to the arm holder 36. The material of the lower stopper 33 is not particularly limited. For example, the same material as that of the sticking arm 31 is used.

  An upper stopper 34 is provided at the upper end of the sticking arm 31. The upper end of the coil spring 37 is fixed to the upper stopper 34, and the lower end of the coil spring 37 is fixed to the arm holder 36. Thus, the coil spring 37 is interposed between the upper stopper 34 and the arm holder 36 in a compressed state, so that an upward biasing force by the coil spring 37 acts on the sticking arm 31. ing.

  The output shaft of the vertical movement motor 41 is disposed along the horizontal direction. A driving pulley 42 is drivingly connected to the output shaft of the vertical movement motor 41. The driving pulley 42 is connected to a driven pulley 43 disposed below the driving pulley 42 via an endless belt 44. An arm holder 36 is fixed to the belt 44. As a result, the arm holder 36 moves in the vertical direction as the belt 44 moves by driving the vertical movement motor 41.

  In the present invention, the drive mechanism for moving the arm holder 36 in the vertical direction is not limited to the mechanism including the vertical movement motor 41 and the like, and for example, an air cylinder may be used as the drive mechanism. In this case, the arm holder 36 fixed to the rod of the air cylinder or the cylinder can be moved in the vertical direction by extending and contracting the air cylinder in the vertical direction.

  The output shaft of the rotation motor 45 is arranged along the vertical direction. A driving pulley 46 is drivingly connected to the output shaft of the rotation motor 45. The driving pulley 46 is connected to the driven pulley 38 via an endless belt 47. A pasting arm 31 penetrates the driven pulley 38 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction, and a ball bearing is interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the pasting arm 31 and the inner peripheral surface of the through hole of the driven pulley 38. It is disguised. When the driven pulley 38 is rotated by driving of the rotation motor 45, the sticking arm 31 is rotated around the axis in conjunction with the rotation.

  An example of the operation of the label sticking mechanism 30 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the label L issued by the label issuing machine 8 and transferred by a transfer block 70 described later is sucked and held on the lower surface of the suction block 50 supplied with negative pressure. The configuration of the transfer block 70 and the configuration for supplying negative pressure to the suction block 50 will be described later.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, the supply of negative pressure to the lower surface of the suction block 50 is stopped, and the arm holder 36 is driven by the vertical movement motor 41 so as to descend at high speed. When the arm holder 36 is lowered, the lower stopper 33 is pushed downward by the arm holder 36, whereby the sticking arm 31 is lowered together with the arm holder 36. Thereby, the cushion part 32 of the sticking arm 31 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the suction block 50 and pulls the label L away from the suction block 50 and pushes it down.

  At this time, negative pressure is supplied to the lower surface of the cushion portion 32, and the label L is pushed down while being sucked and held on the lower surface of the cushion portion 32. When the label L is pulled away from the suction block 50, the rotation arm 45 drives the sticking arm 31 to rotate around the axis by a predetermined angle. As a result, the label L held on the lower surface of the cushion portion 32 descends while rotating together with the sticking arm 31 until it reaches a predetermined direction.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 4C, when the arm holder 36 is lowered to a predetermined height, the vertical movement motor 41 is suddenly stopped, and the descent of the arm holder 36 is stopped. At this time, downward inertia force acts on the sticking arm 31, and the sticking arm 31 starts to descend due to inertia. Thereafter, the sticking arm 31 continues to descend due to inertia while further compressing the coil spring 37.

  The label L held by the cushion portion 32 is pressed against the upper surface of the product G while the sticking arm 31 is lowered due to the inertia. Further, the negative pressure supply to the lower surface of the cushion portion 32 is stopped at a predetermined timing immediately before the label L is pressed against the upper surface of the product G. Thereby, the label L can be affixed on the upper surface of the product G without giving a large impact force to the product G.

  Thereafter, the sticking arm 31 is pulled up by the upward biasing force of the coil spring 37. Further, when the cushion portion 32 is separated from the upper surface of the product G, the vertical movement motor 41 and the rotation motor 45 operate so as to rotate in the direction opposite to that when the sticking arm 31 is lowered, as shown in FIG. The sticking arm 31 is pulled up while rotating until it reaches the same height and the same angle as the standby state.

[Lower structure of labeling machine]
Next, the lower structure of the label applicator 10 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.

  5 and 6 are perspective views showing the lower structure of the label applicator 10. 7 is a plan view of the structure shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the structure shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, a suction block 50 and a transfer block 70 are provided at the lower end of the label applicator 10. The adsorption block 50 includes a first adsorption block 50a and a second adsorption block 50b. The transfer block 70 is a label transfer unit that holds the label L issued from the label issuing machine 8 while adsorbing the label L to the lower surface and moves away from the label issuing machine 8 while holding the label L.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a pair of air blowing portions 81 and 82 are disposed below the suction block 50. The air blowing parts 81 and 82 are supported by the suction block 50 via the bracket 80. 5-8, illustration of the air spraying parts 81 and 82 and the bracket 80 is abbreviate | omitted.

  Each structure of the 1st adsorption | suction block 50a, the 2nd adsorption | suction block 50b, the transfer block 70, and the air spraying parts 81 and 82 is demonstrated in order.

  In the following description, the direction in which the transfer block 70 moves away from the label issuing machine 8 (the arrow Y direction shown in FIGS. 5 to 17) is referred to as “transfer direction”, and the horizontal direction (FIG. 5) is orthogonal to the transfer direction. (Arrow X direction shown in FIG. 17) is referred to as “width direction”. In the following description, “front”, “rear”, and terms including these used to indicate directions refer to the front and rear in the transfer direction (Y direction in the figure).

[First adsorption block]
As shown in FIG.10 and FIG.11, the 1st adsorption | suction block 50a is a plate-shaped member arrange | positioned substantially horizontally. The rear end surfaces 51d and 51e of the first suction block 50a are arranged to face the housing 120 (see FIG. 2) of the label issuing machine 8, and the lower ends of the rear end surfaces 51d and 51e are the label issuing ports W ( (See FIG. 2). A chamfered corner portion 51f is formed at the lower end of the rear end surfaces 51d and 51e. Thereby, the front-end | tip part of the label continuous body LC sent out from the label issuing port W becomes difficult to catch on the rear-end surfaces 51d and 51e of the 1st adsorption | suction block 50a.

  The rear end surfaces 51d and 51e are provided with notches 52 so as to divide the rear end surfaces 51d and 51e in the width direction. Thus, the first suction block 50a is formed with a pair of projecting portions 57 and 58 projecting rearward on both sides in the width direction across the notch portion 52.

  The inner wall surface of the cutout portion 52 extends inward in the width direction from the pair of side wall surface portions 52a and 52b extending forward from the widthwise inner corner portion of the rear end surfaces 51d and 51e and the front end portions of the side wall surface portions 52a and 52b. A pair of transfer portion facing surface portions 52c and 52d. The lower ends of the side wall surface portions 52a and 52b are connected to the lower surface of the first suction block 50a via the corner portion. The lower ends of the transfer portion facing surface portions 52c and 52d are disposed higher than the lower surface of the first suction block 50a, and are connected to the upper surfaces of grooves 54a and 54b described later via corner portions.

  Further, the notch 52 is provided with a recessed portion 53 that is recessed forward from the transfer portion facing surface portions 52c and 52d. The inner wall surface of the recessed portion 53 is between the pair of side wall surface portions 53a and 53b extending forward from the widthwise inner corner portion of the transfer portion facing surface portions 52c and 52d and the front end portions of the pair of side wall surface portions 53a and 53b. Arm facing surface portion 53c extending in the width direction so as to connect the two. The heights of the lower ends of the side wall surface portions 53a and 53b and the lower end of the arm facing surface portion 53c are the same height as the lower ends of the transfer portion facing surface portions 52c and 52d. An inclined surface 55 that is inclined downward toward the front is provided continuously at the lower corner portion of the arm facing surface portion 53c.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a cushion portion 32 that constitutes a lower end portion of the sticking arm 31 is disposed inside the notch portion 52. Thereby, interference with the sticking arm 31 and the 1st adsorption | suction block 50a is avoided. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 8, the cushion part 32 of the sticking arm 31 is disposed at the front end part of the notch part 52, thereby increasing the distance from the label issuing port W (see FIG. 2) to the sticking arm 31. Is planned. Specifically, the front portion of the cushion portion 32 is disposed inside the recessed portion 53 of the cutout portion 52, and the arm facing surface portion 53 c is disposed in front of the cushion portion 32.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, a pair of grooves 54 a and 54 b extending in the transfer direction are provided on the lower surface of the first suction block 50 a. The grooves 54a and 54b extend forward from the lower ends of the transfer portion facing surface portions 52c and 52d of the notch 52. Due to the pair of grooves 54 a and 54 b, the lower surface of the first suction block 50 a is positioned in front of the pair of outer lower surface portions 51 a and 51 b disposed outside the grooves 54 a and 54 b and the notch portion 52 in the width direction. It is divided into an inner lower surface portion 51c sandwiched between a pair of grooves 54a and 54b. The rear end of the inner lower surface portion 51c is connected to the front end of the inclined surface 55 through a corner portion.

  A first suction portion S1 is provided on the lower surface of the first suction block 50a. The first suction part S1 is composed of a plurality of suction holes 60a, 60b, 60c. Specifically, a plurality of suction holes 60a arranged at intervals in the transfer direction on one outer lower surface portion 51a and a plurality of suction holes arranged at intervals in the transfer direction on the other outer lower surface portion 51b. The first suction portion S1 is configured by 60b and a plurality of suction holes 60c arranged at intervals in the transfer direction in the inner lower surface portion 51c.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the suction holes 60a and 60b of the outer lower surface portions 51a and 51b are disposed along the inner edges in the width direction of the outer lower surface portions 51a and 51b. The rearmost suction holes 60a and 60b in the outer lower surface portions 51a and 51b are arranged at the rear end portion of the first suction block 50a, and the frontmost suction holes 60a and 60b in the outer lower surface portions 51a and 51b are attached arms. It is arranged in front of 31.

  The suction hole 60c of the inner lower surface portion 51c is disposed at the same position as the axis of the sticking arm 31 in the width direction. The rearmost suction hole 60c in the inner lower surface portion 51c is disposed in front of the frontmost suction holes 60a and 60b in the outer lower surface portions 51a and 51b.

  As shown in FIG. 11, a groove-like recess 56 is provided on the upper surface of the first suction block 50a. The concave portion 56 is closed from the upper side by a cover member 49a superimposed on the upper surface of the first suction block 50a.

  The recess 56 includes a pair of rear grooves 56a and 56b extending in the transfer direction at the protrusions 57 and 58 of the first suction block 50a, a front groove 56c extending in the transfer direction in front of the notch 52, and one rear groove. A connection groove 56d that connects the front end of the portion 56a and the rear end of the front groove 56c, and a connection groove 56e that connects the front end of the other rear groove 56b and the rear end of the front groove 56c. . Each of the connecting groove portions 56d and 56e extends obliquely rearward from the rear end portion of the front groove portion 56c toward the front end portions of the rear groove portions 56a and 56b.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the front groove 56c communicates with the suction hole 60c of the inner lower surface 51c. Similarly, the rear groove portions 56a and 56b communicate with the suction holes 60a and 60b of the outer lower surface portions 51a and 51b. That is, all the suction holes 60a, 60b, 60c constituting the first suction part S1 communicate with the recess 56.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, the concave portion 56 has bulged portions 56 f and 56 g that bulge outward from the rear groove portions 56 a and 56 b in the width direction. Above each of the bulging portions 56f and 56g, negative pressure supply paths 77a and 77b (see FIGS. 5 to 7) connected to the first suction portion negative pressure source 112a (see FIG. 18) and the recess 56 are provided. Through holes 48a and 48b for communicating are provided through the cover member 49a. Thereby, the first suction part S1 communicates with the first suction part negative pressure source 112a via the recess 56 and the negative pressure supply paths 77a and 77b.

[Second adsorption block]
As shown in FIG.12 and FIG.13, the shape of the 2nd adsorption | suction block 50b is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. As shown in FIGS. 5-9, the 2nd adsorption | suction block 50b is arrange | positioned behind the sticking arm 31 inside the notch part 52 of the 1st adsorption | suction block 50a. The second suction block 50b is fixed to the first suction block 50a via a bracket (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 7, the side surfaces 59e and 59f in the width direction of the second suction block 50b are arranged to face the side wall surfaces 52a and 52b of the notch 52 of the first suction block 50a. Further, the side surfaces 59e and 59f of the second suction block 50b are disposed substantially parallel to the side wall surfaces 52a and 52b. Therefore, the space | interval of the side surfaces 59e and 59f and the side wall surface parts 52a and 52b is substantially constant over the full length of a transfer direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the front end portion of the second suction block 50 b is provided with a curved surface 59 d that is curved so as to be recessed backward. As shown in FIG. 8, the curved surface 59 d is disposed to face the back of the cushion portion 32 of the sticking arm 31. The planar shape of the curved surface 59d is an arc shape along the planar shape of the lower diameter expanded portion of the cushion portion 32. Thereby, interference with the 2nd adsorption | suction block 50b and the sticking arm 31 is avoided, aiming at reduction of the clearance gap between the 2nd adsorption | suction block 50b and the cushion part 32. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the rear surface 59b of the second suction block 50b is disposed on substantially the same plane as the rear end surfaces 51d and 51e of the first suction block 50a. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the lower surface of the second suction block 50b is disposed on substantially the same plane as the lower surface of the first suction block 50a. As shown in FIG. 12, a chamfered corner portion 59c is formed at the lower end of the rear surface 59b of the second suction block 50b. Thereby, the front-end | tip part of the label continuous body LC sent out from the label issuing port W becomes difficult to catch on the rear-end surface 59b of the 2nd adsorption | suction block 50b.

  As shown in FIG. 12, a second suction part S2 is provided on the lower surface of the second suction block 50b. The second suction part S <b> 2 includes a plurality of suction holes 61. The plurality of suction holes 61 constituting the second suction part S2 are arranged at intervals in the transfer direction. As shown in FIG. 8, the rearmost suction hole 61 in the second suction portion S2 is disposed at the rear end portion of the second suction block 50b. The suction hole 61 of the second suction part S2 is disposed at the same position as the axis of the sticking arm 31 in the width direction.

  As shown in FIG. 13, a recess 62 is provided on the upper surface of the second suction block 50b. The recess 62 is formed in a groove shape extending in the transfer direction. The recess 62 is closed from the upper side by a cover member 49b superimposed on the upper surface of the second suction block 50b.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 and 13, all the suction holes 61 constituting the second suction part S <b> 2 communicate with the recess 62. Above the recess 62, a through hole 48 c for communicating the negative pressure supply path 78 (see FIGS. 5 to 7) connected to the second suction portion negative pressure source 112 b (see FIG. 18) and the recess 62. Is provided through the cover member 49b. Thus, the second suction unit S2 communicates with the second suction unit negative pressure source 112b via the recess 62 and the negative pressure supply path 78.

[Transport block]
As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 14, the transfer block 70 includes a base portion 71 disposed in front of the sticking arm 31, a pair of extension portions 72 a and 72 b extending rearward from the base portion 71, and the like. Leg portions 73a and 73b extending downward from rear end portions of the extension portions 72a and 72b.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the base portion 71 is slidably supported by a pair of linear shafts 76a and 76b extending in the transfer direction. The linear shafts 76a and 76b are fixed to, for example, the first suction block 50a via a bracket (not shown).

  The base portion 71 is drivingly connected to the transfer block motor 64 via the first link member 66 and the second link member 68. The output shaft 65 of the transfer block motor 64 extends in the width direction. One end of the first link member 66 is fixed to the output shaft 65. The other end of the first link member 66 is rotatably connected to one end of the second link member 68 via a connecting shaft 67 extending in the width direction. The other end portion of the second link member 68 is rotatably connected to the base portion 71 via a connecting shaft 69 extending in the width direction.

  With the above configuration, when the transfer block motor 64 is driven, the transfer block 70 moves substantially horizontally forward or backward in the transfer direction along the linear shafts 76a and 76b. The specific operation of the transfer block 70 will be described later.

  The lower end portions of the leg portions 73a and 73b are disposed inside the notch portion 52, and the transfer portion facing surface portions 52c and 52d of the notch portion 52 are opposed to each other in front of the leg portions 73a and 73b. Moreover, the leg parts 73a and 73b are arrange | positioned rather than the cushion part 32 and the 2nd adsorption | suction block 50b of the sticking arm 31 in the width direction outer side. Therefore, when the transfer block 70 moves, the leg portions 73a and 73b are located in the gaps between the side wall surfaces 52a and 52b of the first suction block 50a and the side surfaces 59e and 59f of the second suction block 50b (see FIG. 7). The cushion part 32, the first suction block 50a and the second suction block 50b can move without interfering with any of them.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the lower surfaces of the leg portions 73a and 73b are suction surfaces 74a and 74b that hold the label L by suction. The suction surfaces 74a and 74b are provided with suction holes 75a and 75b, respectively, and the suction holes 75a and 75b constitute a third suction part S3. The suction holes 75a and 75b constituting the third suction part S3 are connected to the third suction part negative pressure source 112c (see FIG. 7) via an air passage 174 (see FIGS. 7 and 9) provided in the transfer block 70. 18) (see FIG. 5 to FIG. 7).

  When negative pressure is supplied to the third suction part S3 by driving the third suction part negative pressure source 112c, the label L cut from the label continuous body LC by the cutting means 95 of the label issuing machine 8 is transferred to the transfer block 70. The suction surfaces 74a and 74b can be sucked and held. Further, even before the cutting by the cutting means 95 is performed, the label continuum LC sent out from the label issuing port W can be sucked and held by the suction surfaces 74a and 74b. In this case, the label continuous body LC is satisfactorily cut by the cutting means 95 while being held by the transfer block 70.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the lower ends of the leg portions 73 a and 73 b are arranged so as to slightly protrude below the lower surface of the suction block 50. The protruding amount of the leg portions 73a and 73b with respect to the suction block 50 is, for example, 0.5 to 1 mm, but is not particularly limited thereto. As a result, the suction surfaces 74a and 74b having the third suction part S3 are disposed slightly lower than the lower surface of the suction block 50, so that the label fed below the suction block 50 with respect to the third suction part S3. It becomes easy to adsorb the continuum LC or the label L. Therefore, the transfer block 70 can hold the label continuum LC with a strong force when cutting the label continuum LC by the cutting means 95, and stably hold the label L cut from the label continuum LC. Can be transferred while

  As shown in FIG. 14, an R chamfered portion 76 is formed at the corner portion between the front surface and the lower surface of each leg portion 73a, 73b. Thereby, even if the front end of the label continuous body LC sent out from the label issuing port W comes into contact with the lower end portions of the leg portions 73a and 73b, the front end of the label continuous body LC smoothly travels downward through the R chamfered portion 76. Guided. Therefore, the tip of the label continuum LC is not easily caught by the lower ends of the legs 73a and 73b. Therefore, the label L cut from the label continuous body LC by the cutting means 95 can be reliably received by the transfer block 70 at a predetermined position. Further, since the glue surface (lower surface) of the label continuum LC is unlikely to contact the R chamfered portion 76, it is possible to suppress the glue from adhering to the R chamfered portion 76 and depositing.

  Fig.15 (a) has shown the 1st modification of the transfer block 70, FIG.15 (b) has expanded and shown a part of transfer block 70 shown to Fig.15 (a). As shown in FIG. 15 (a), in the first modification, each of the suction holes 75a and 75b is composed of an oblong slot that is long in the transfer direction (Y direction in the figure). As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 15B, each suction hole 75a, 75b is a counterbore-shaped bottomed hole. Inlet 175 is provided. The diameters of the inlet 175 and the air passage 174 are the same as the suction holes 75a and 75b of the embodiment shown in FIG. According to the first modification described above, compared to the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the suction area of the label continuum LC or the label L by the third suction part S3 can be expanded in the transfer direction, and the suction power is improved. Can be achieved. However, in the present invention, the shape of the suction holes 75a and 75b is not limited to a circle or an oval. For example, various shapes including an ellipse or a rectangle that is long in the transfer direction can be adopted.

  FIG. 16 shows a second modification of the transfer block 70. In the example shown in FIG. 16, two suction holes 75 a and 75 b are provided on the suction surfaces 74 a and 74 b of the transfer block 70. In each of the suction surfaces 74a and 74b, the two suction holes 75a and 75b are arranged with an interval in the transfer direction (Y direction in the figure). Note that three or more suction holes 75a and 75b may be provided in each of the suction surfaces 74a and 74b. Thus, by providing the suction holes 75a and 75b for each of the suction surfaces 74a and 74b, the suction force of the label continuous body LC or the label L to the third suction part S3 can be increased. In the example shown in FIG. 16, the shape of each suction hole 75a, 75b is not limited to a circle, and various shapes including a long hole like the example shown in FIG. 15 can be adopted.

[Air spraying part]
As shown in FIG. 17, the air blowing parts 81 and 82 are configured by a first air blowing part 81 and a second air blowing part 82.

  The first air blowing unit 81 blows air (compressed air) toward the lower surface of the label continuous body LC held by the transfer block 70 when cutting by the cutting means 95, and blows air when the transfer block 70 moves. Stop. The specific air blowing operation by the first air blowing unit 81 will be described later in the description of the series of operations shown in FIGS.

  The first air blowing portion 81 is disposed close to the front lower side of the label issuing port W. The first air blowing portion 81 is a tubular member extending in the width direction. The internal space of the first air blowing part 81 communicates with the compressed air source 113a for the first air blowing part via the air supply path 83. A plurality of discharge ports 81a, 81b, 81c for injecting air are provided on the outer peripheral portion of the first air blowing portion 81. These discharge ports 81a, 81b, 81c are located in the center of the discharge port 81a whose position in the width direction is substantially the same as that of the suction surfaces 74a, 74b of the transfer block 70 and the label continuum LC sent out from the label issuing port W. And outlets 81b, 81c having substantially the same position in the width direction as compared with the portion. The ejection angle of the discharge port 81a is an angle at which air is ejected upward toward the suction surfaces 74a and 74b of the transfer block 70 before transfer or the periphery thereof. The ejection angles of the discharge ports 81b and 81c are inclined more forward than the ejection angle of the discharge port 81a.

  The second air blowing unit 82 blows air toward the lower surface of the label L transferred by the transfer block 70 when the transfer block 70 moves. The specific air blowing operation by the second air blowing unit 82 will be described later in the description of the series of operations shown in FIGS.

  The second air blowing part 82 is arranged adjacent to the front of the first air blowing part 81. The second air blowing part 82 is a tubular member extending in the width direction. The internal space of the second air blowing portion 82 communicates with the second air blowing portion compressed air source 113b via the air supply path 84. A plurality of discharge ports 82 a and 82 b for injecting compressed air are provided on the outer peripheral portion of the second air blowing portion 82. The discharge ports 82a and 82b are arranged so as to be shifted in the width direction with respect to the center portion of the label L issued from the label issue port W, and the center of the label L issued from the label issue port W. And a discharge port 82b whose position in the width direction is substantially the same as that of the portion. The discharge ports 82a are provided on both sides in the width direction across the discharge port 82b. The ejection angle of the ejection port 82a is substantially the same angle as the ejection angle of the ejection ports 81b and 81c of the first air blowing unit 81 or an angle inclined forward. The diameter of the discharge port 82b is larger than the diameter of the discharge port 82a. The ejection angle of the discharge port 82b is an angle inclined forward from the ejection angle of the discharge port 82a.

[Control system]
The control system of the label sticking apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. However, illustration and description of the control of the lower pasting mechanism 15 are omitted.

  Various operations of the label sticking apparatus 1 are controlled by the control unit 101. The control unit 101 is provided with a storage unit 102 that stores various information necessary for the operation of the label sticking apparatus 1. The control unit 101 is attached to, for example, the rack 2 (see FIG. 1), but the attachment position of the control unit 101 is not limited.

  The storage unit 102 stores, for example, various information including information regarding the screen displayed on the operation display unit 12, a product master, a tray master, a label master, and a cassette master. Various information stored in the storage unit 102 can be changed, added, or deleted by an input operation on the operation display unit 12.

  A signal from the operation display unit 12, a signal from the label sensor 100 of the label issuing machine 8, and a signal from the commodity passage sensor 110 are input to the control unit 101. Note that signals from other various devices may be input to the control unit 101.

  Further, the control unit 101 determines the conveyor motor 104, the label issuing machine 8 (specifically, the printing roller motor 96, the assist roller based on the information stored in the storage unit 102 and / or various input signals. Motor 97, thermal head 91 and cutter motor 98), label applicator 10 (specifically, transfer block motor 64, adhering arm up / down motor 41, adhering arm rotating motor 45, adhering arm negative pressure source) 111, first suction part negative pressure source 112a, second suction part negative pressure source 112b, third suction part negative pressure source 112c, first air blowing part compressed air source 113a and second air blowing part compression Control signals are output to the air source 113b) and the operation display unit 12.

  The control unit 101 controls the operation of the transfer block 70 by controlling the transfer block motor 64, and controls the application arm vertical movement motor 41, the application arm rotation motor 45, and the application arm negative pressure source 111. The operation of the sticking arm 31 is controlled.

  The control unit 101 controls the first negative pressure P1 supplied to the first suction unit S1 of the first suction block 50a by controlling the first suction unit negative pressure source 112a, and the second suction unit negative pressure is supplied. By controlling the pressure source 112b, the second negative pressure P2 supplied to the second suction unit S2 of the second suction block 50b is controlled, and by controlling the third suction unit negative pressure source 112c, the transfer block 70 is controlled. The third negative pressure P3 supplied to the third suction part S3 is controlled.

  The control unit 101 controls the air blowing operation by the first air blowing unit 81 by controlling the first air blowing unit compressed air source 113a, and controls the second air blowing unit compressed air source 113b. 2 The air blowing operation by the air blowing unit 82 is controlled.

  When a vacuum ejector is used as the negative pressure source 112 (112a, 112b, 112c), the negative pressure source 112 may be controlled by controlling the driving and stopping of the vacuum ejector. You may carry out by controlling the valve | bulb provided in the negative pressure supply path | route which connects suction part S1, S2, S3.

  Further, as will be described later, the second negative pressure P2 is larger than the first negative pressure P1. In order to generate the second negative pressure P2 that is greater than the first negative pressure P1, the second suction part negative pressure source 112b generates a negative pressure that is greater than the first suction part negative pressure source 112a. It may be composed of one negative pressure source, or may be composed of a plurality of negative pressure sources connected to the second suction part S2. When the negative pressure source 112b for the second suction part is configured by a plurality of negative pressure sources, the common negative pressure source is connected to both the first suction part S1 and the second suction part S2, and only the common negative pressure source is connected. The first suction part negative pressure source 112a may be configured, and the second suction part negative pressure source 112b may be configured by a plurality of negative pressure sources including a common negative pressure source.

  Further, when a compressor is used as the compressed air source 113 (113a, 113b), the compressed air source 113 is controlled by controlling a valve provided in an air supply path connecting the compressor and the air blowing parts 81, 82. May be.

  The compressed air source 113a for the first air blowing part and the compressed air source 113b for the second air blowing part are common compressed air sources connected to both the first air blowing part 81 and the second air blowing part 82. It may be configured.

[Operation related to label transfer]
Referring to FIG. 19, an operation for transferring the label L issued by the label issuing machine 8 by the transfer block 70 will be described.

  FIG. 19A is a bottom view showing a state in which the transfer block 70 is disposed at the standby position (label receiving position) before transfer, and FIG. 19B shows the label L shown in FIG. It is a bottom view which shows the state which the transfer was completed.

  As shown in FIG. 19A, the standby position (label receiving position) of the transfer block 70 is a position where the third suction part S3 is positioned at substantially the same position as the rear end of the suction block 50 in the transfer direction. In this standby position, the transfer block 70 holds the rear end portion of the label L by suction.

  In addition, regarding the width direction (X direction in the drawing), the width of the label L is not particularly limited as long as it can be sucked by the third suction part S3 of the transfer block 70. Accordingly, in FIG. 19, the label L having a width smaller than the cutout portion 52 of the first suction block 50 a is illustrated by a two-dot chain line, but the label L having a width larger than the width of the cutout portion 52 is used. Also good.

  In the standby state of the transfer block 70 shown in FIG. 19A, when the label L is issued by the label issuing machine 8, the first negative pressure P1 is supplied to the first suction part S1 of the first suction block 50a. The second negative pressure P2 is supplied to the second suction part S2 of the second suction block 50b, and the third negative pressure P3 is supplied to the third suction part S3 of the transfer block 70. Therefore, when the width of the label L is so large that the width direction end of the label L overlaps the lower side of the first suction part S1, the label L issued by the label issuing machine 8 is the first to third suction parts. Adsorbed and held by S1, S2, and S3. Regardless of the width of the label L, the label L is sucked and held by at least the second suction part S2 and the third suction part S3.

  The first negative pressure P1 is smaller than the second negative pressure P2 and the third negative pressure P3. Therefore, even when the end in the width direction of the label L overlaps the first suction part S1, the suction force of the label L with respect to the first suction part S1 is the suction force with respect to the second suction part S2 and the third suction part S3. Smaller than Further, as described above, the third suction portion S3 of the transfer block 70 is disposed slightly lower than the lower surface of the suction block 50 (see FIG. 9), and the suction force of the label L to the third suction portion S3 is increased. It has been.

  When the transfer of the label L by the transfer block 70 is started, the negative pressure supply to the second suction unit S2 is stopped, and thereby the label L is released from the suction state to the second suction unit S2. Therefore, when the transfer block 70 moves in the transfer direction, the label L is smoothly separated from the second suction part S2. Even when the label L is adsorbed to the first suction part S1, as described above, the adsorption force of the label L with respect to the first suction part S1 is small enough not to interfere with the transfer of the label L. . Therefore, the transfer block 70 can be transferred along the lower surface of the suction block 50 while reliably holding the label L.

  At the start of the transfer of the transfer block 70, the negative pressure supplied to the second suction part S2 may interfere with the transfer of the label L instead of completely stopping the negative pressure supply to the second suction part S2. You may make it reduce so that it may become small.

  By the way, when the width of the label L is smaller than the width of the notch portion 52 of the first suction block 50a, the width direction end portion of the label L is sucked and held by the third suction portion S3 of the transfer block 70. In this case, the front end corner portion of the label L being transferred comes into contact with the transfer portion facing surface portions 52c and 52d (see FIGS. 5 and 8) of the cutout portion 52, and the glue of the label L adheres to the contact portion. There are concerns.

  In this regard, according to the present embodiment, as described above, the transfer portion facing surface portions 52c and 52d are disposed higher than the lower surface of the first suction block 50a, and the transfer portion is disposed on the lower surface of the first suction block 50a. Grooves 54a and 54b extending forward from the lower ends of the opposed surface portions 52c and 52d are formed. Therefore, the front end corner portion of the label L passes through the grooves 54a and 54b without being caught by the transfer portion facing surface portions 52c and 52d. Therefore, it can suppress that the paste of the label L adheres and accumulates on the 1st adsorption | suction block 50a.

  Regardless of the width of the label L, during the transfer of the label L, the front end portion of the label L comes into contact with the arm facing surface portion 53c (see FIG. 5 and FIG. 8) of the notch 52, and the label is attached to the contact portion. There is a concern that the glue of L adheres.

  In this regard, according to the present embodiment, as described above, the lower end of the arm facing surface portion 53c is disposed higher than the lower surface of the first suction block 50a, and the lower end corner portion of the arm facing surface portion 53c has a front portion. An inclined surface 55 inclined downward is provided continuously. Therefore, when the front end portion of the label L crosses below the arm facing surface portion 53c, the front end portion of the label L is guided diagonally forward and downward by the inclined surface 55 without being caught by the arm facing surface portion 53c and the inclined surface 55. Therefore, it can suppress that the paste of label L adheres and accumulates on the 1st adsorption | suction block 50a.

  When the transfer of the label L by the transfer block 70 is completed as shown in FIG. 19B, the negative pressure supply to the third suction unit S3 is stopped. As a result, the label L is released from the suction state on the transfer block 70 and is smoothly transferred from the transfer block 70 to the suction block 50.

  When the transfer is completed, the first negative pressure P1 is continuously supplied to the first suction part S1, and the negative pressure is also supplied to the lower surface of the cushion part 32 of the sticking arm 31 by the sticking arm negative pressure source 111. Yes. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 19B, when the label L is small enough not to overlap the first suction part S1, the label L is attracted to the lower surface of the cushion part 32 when the transfer is completed. It is held on the lower surface. On the other hand, when the label L is large enough to overlap the first suction part S1 (see, for example, FIG. 20B or FIG. 21B), the label L has the first suction part S1 and the cushion part 32 when the transfer is completed. By being attracted to the lower surface, it is held on the lower surface of the suction block 50.

  When the transfer of the transfer block 70 is completed, the negative pressure supplied to the third suction part S3 is not affected by the negative pressure supplied to the third suction part S3, instead of completely stopping the negative pressure supply to the third suction part S3. You may make it reduce so that it may become small to the extent which does not come.

  Further, the negative pressure supply to the first suction part S1 does not need to be continuously performed from before the transfer until the completion of the transfer, and may be supplied at least when the transfer is completed.

  In the basic operation in the present embodiment, the central portion of the label L at the completion of the transfer is arranged in front of the axis of the sticking arm 31. However, as shown in FIG. 19B, the transfer block 70 moves the label L so that the position of the center portion of the label L coincides with the axis of the sticking arm 31 (center of the cushion portion 32) in plan view. It may be transported. Hereinafter, the transfer of the label L that aligns the center of the label L and the axis of the sticking arm 31 in this way is referred to as “centering transfer”. When performing the centering transfer, when the sticking arm 31 descends in the sticking operation of the label L, the center portion of the label L can be reliably pushed by the sticking arm 31. Therefore, the label L can be attached to the product G with high accuracy.

  By the way, in the standby state before the transfer, the positional relationship between the central portion of the label L held by the transfer block 70 and the axis of the sticking arm 31 varies depending on the length of the label L in the transfer direction. For example, in the standby state, the center portion of the label L held by the transfer block 70 may be located behind the axis of the sticking arm 31. In this case, by controlling the moving distance of the transfer block 70 according to the length of the label L so that the position of the center of the label L at the time of transfer completion in plan view coincides with the axis of the sticking arm 31. Centering transfer can be realized.

  An example of the centering transfer will be specifically described while comparing FIG. 19 and FIG. 20A is a bottom view showing a state before transfer in the case of transferring a label L that is longer in the transfer direction than the label L shown in FIG. 19, and FIG. 20B is a bottom view of FIG. It is a bottom view which shows the state which the transfer of the label shown in FIG.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the standby position (label receiving position) of the transfer block 70 before transfer is constant regardless of the length of the label L as shown in FIGS. 19 (a) and 20 (a). 19 (b) and FIG. 20 (b), the position of the transfer block 70 at the completion of the transfer is made different according to the length of the label L.

  More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 19A and 20A, the transfer block 70 is substantially the same position as the rear end portion of the suction block 50 in the transfer direction regardless of the length of the label L. The label L is received. Thereby, the transfer block 70 can always adsorb the label L near the label issuing port W.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 19B and 20B, the transfer block 70 moves forward as the label L is shorter. Thereby, the movement distance of the transfer block 70 can be shortened, so that the label L is long. Therefore, the transfer by the transfer block 70 can be stably achieved even for the long label L.

  Subsequently, another embodiment of the centering transfer will be described while comparing FIG. 19 and FIG. FIG. 21A is a bottom view showing a state before transfer in the case of transferring a label L that is longer in the transfer direction than the label L shown in FIG. 19, and FIG. It is a bottom view which shows the state which the transfer of the label shown in FIG.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 19 and 21, the standby position (label receiving position) of the transfer block 70 before transfer differs depending on the length of the label L, as shown in FIGS. 19 (a) and 21 (a). Thus, as shown in FIGS. 19B and 21B, the position of the transfer block 70 when the transfer is completed is made constant regardless of the length of the label L.

  More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 19A and 21A, the longer the label L is, the more the standby position of the transfer block 70 is set to the front side. Thereby, the position closer to the center of the label L can be held by the transfer block 70 as the label L is longer. Further, the longer the label L is, the shorter the moving distance of the transfer block 70 is. Therefore, the transfer by the transfer block 70 can be stably achieved even for the long label L.

[A series of operations of the upper pasting mechanism]
With reference to the time chart shown in FIG. 22 and the schematic diagrams shown in FIGS. 23 to 25, the labeling machine 8 issues a label L, and the label sticking machine 10 attaches the label L to the product G. An example of this continuous operation will be described in the case where a series of operations are continuously performed a plurality of times.

  However, detailed description of the operation of the label sticking mechanism 30 of the label sticking machine 10 (see FIG. 4) is omitted here. 23 to 25, only the main components of the label issuing machine 8 and the label sticking machine 10 are shown in a simplified manner.

  As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 (a), at time t0, the label issuing machine 8 and the label applying machine 10 are in a standby state before the label L issuing operation is started. In the standby state, the leading end of the label continuum LC is disposed at a predetermined position between the printing unit 91 and the cutting means 95 in the label supply direction (the direction of arrow F shown in FIG. 2).

  As shown in FIGS. 22A and 23B, when the issuing operation of the label L is started at time t1, the printing roller 92 and the assist roller 93 are driven to rotate in the reverse direction, and the label continuum LC Is pulled into a nip portion between the printing portion 91 and the printing roller 92.

  When the leading end of the label continuum LC reaches the nip portion, printing on the printing surface is performed within a predetermined length from the leading end of the label continuum LC. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 22B, at time t2, printing on the printing surface of the label continuous body LC by the printing unit 91 is started, and the rotation directions of the printing roller 92 and the assist roller 93 are changed. The feed of the label continuum LC in the label supply direction (the direction of arrow F shown in FIG. 2) is started in the reverse direction.

  The print range and print contents on the label continuum LC are determined based on information including the product master and the label master stored in the storage unit 102. When the feed of the label continuum LC proceeds, the leading end of the label continuum LC is sent out to the outside of the housing 120 of the issuing machine 8 through the label issuing port W (see FIG. 2). The feed of the label continuum LC is performed until the cut position of the label continuum LC reaches the positions of the blades of the movable cutter 95a and the fixed cutter 95b. The cut position of the label continuum LC is determined based on the label length information included in the label master.

  As shown in FIG. 22 (f) to FIG. 22 (i), affixing is performed between time t2 when the feeding of the label continuum LC is started and time t3 when the label continuum LC is cut by the cutting means 95. Supply of negative pressure to the lower surface of the cushion portion 32 of the arm 31, supply of negative pressure to the first suction portion S1 on the lower surface of the first suction block 50a, supply of negative pressure to the second suction portion S2 on the lower surface of the second suction block 50b, and The negative pressure supply to the third suction part S3 of the suction surfaces 74a and 74b of the transfer block 70 is started. As a result, the label continuum LC is sucked and held by at least the second suction part S2 and the third suction part S3 in the part sent out to the outside of the housing 120 of the issuing machine 8 through the label issuing port W (see FIG. 2). The

  At this time, depending on the width (dimension in the short direction) of the label continuum LC, the label continuum LC can be adsorbed and held also in the first suction part S1. However, if the timing of starting the supply of negative pressure to the first suction part S1 is before the time when the transfer of the label L by the transfer block 70 is completed (time t6), it is not necessarily the time when the cutting means 95 cuts (time t3). It doesn't have to be before. Further, the timing at which the negative pressure supply to the lower surface of the cushion portion 32 of the sticking arm 31 is started may be after time t3 as long as it is before the start of lowering of the sticking arm 31 (time t7).

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 22 (j) and 23 (c), air blowing by the first air blowing portion 81 is started between time t2 and time t3. The discharge port 81a (see FIG. 17) of the first air blowing unit 81 blows air toward the third suction unit S3 or its peripheral part through the label continuous body LC, and therefore the label continuous body LC of the transfer block 70 Holding power is increased. Moreover, since the discharge ports 81b and 81c (refer FIG. 17) of the 1st air spraying part 81 spray air toward the center part of the label L hold | maintained at the transfer block 70, or its peripheral part, the label L is adsorbed block. 50 along the lower surface. The air blowing by the first air blowing unit 81 is continuously or intermittently continued until the transfer of the label L by the transfer block 70 (time t4).

  As shown in FIGS. 22 (a), 22 (c), and 24 (a), at time t3 immediately after the feed of the label continuum LC is completed, the movable cutter 95a is slid to drive the movable cutter 95a. The label continuum LC is cut by the fixed cutter 95b. At this time, since the label continuum LC is adsorbed and held at least by the second suction part S2 and the third suction part S3, the label continuum LC is favorably cut.

  As shown in FIGS. 22 (c) and 24 (b), the movable cutter 95a rises and returns to the standby position before cutting from time t4 to time t5 after cutting. Also, as shown in FIGS. 22A, 22C, and 24B, when the movable cutter 95a is raised, the print roller 92 and the assist roller 93 are driven to rotate in the opposite directions, and after cutting. The new leading edge of the label continuum LC is drawn to the same position as in the standby state shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 22D and 24B, after the cutting by the cutting means 95, the slide block is driven so that the transfer block 70 moves away from the label issuing port W from time t4 to time t6 when the movable cutter 95a moves up. Is done. Thereby, the label L cut out from the label continuous body LC is transferred to a predetermined position for being pushed in from the upper side by the sticking arm 31 while being sucked and held by the transfer block 70 (see FIG. 24C).

  As shown in FIG. 22 (h), the negative pressure supply to the second suction part S2 of the second suction block 50b is stopped at the time t4 when the transfer of the label L is started. Thereby, the adsorption state of the label L with respect to the 2nd adsorption | suction block 50b is cancelled | released, and the transfer of the label L is started smoothly. At this time, the negative pressure supply to the first suction part S1 of the first suction block 50a is continued, but the first negative pressure P1 supplied to the first suction part S1 is the third suction part of the transfer block 70. It is sufficiently smaller than the third negative pressure P3 supplied to S3. Therefore, the adsorption force of the label L with respect to the first adsorption block 50a is a weak force that does not hinder the transfer of the label L by the transfer block 70.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 22 (j) and 22 (k), at the time t4 when the transfer of the label L is started, the air blowing by the first air blowing portion 81 is stopped and the second air Air blowing by the blowing unit 82 is started. During the transfer of the label L, the air blowing by the first air blowing unit 81 is stopped, so that the air from the first air blowing unit 81 is blown between the rear end portion of the label L and the suction block 50. This prevents the label L from peeling off from the suction surfaces 74a and 74b of the transfer block 70. Further, during the transfer of the label L, the second air blowing unit 82 sprays air toward the label L part held by the transfer block 70 instead of the first air blowing unit 81, so that the transfer block 70 The holding power of the label L is maintained well. Therefore, the transfer block 70 can transfer the label L while stably holding it.

  As shown in FIGS. 22D, 22I, 22K, and 24C, the negative pressure is supplied to the third suction unit S3 at time t6 when the transfer of the label L is completed. While being stopped, the air blowing by the second air blowing unit 82 is stopped. As a result, the suction state of the label L with respect to the transfer block 70 is released, and the label L is sucked and held on the lower surface of the first suction portion S1 of the first suction block 50a and the cushion portion 32 of the sticking arm 31.

  As shown in FIG. 22 (e) and FIG. 25 (a), at time t7 after the label L is transferred, the sticking arm 31 for sticking the label L on the upper surface of the product G starts to descend. At this time, the negative pressure supply to the first suction part S1 is stopped, and the suction state of the label L with respect to the first suction block 50a is released. As a result, the label L is smoothly separated from the suction block 50 and pushed downward by the sticking arm 31 while being sucked and held on the lower surface of the cushion portion 32.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 4, the negative pressure supply to the lower surface of the cushion portion 32 is stopped immediately before the time t8 when the label L is pressed against the upper surface of the product G. 32 is released from the suction state with respect to 32 and is attached to the product G. Subsequently, from time t8 to time t9, the sticking arm 31 rises to the height before the descent. Further, as described above, during the period from time t7 to time t9, the sticking arm 31 is lowered and raised by the vertical movement motor 41 and is rotated by a predetermined angle around the axis by the rotation motor 45 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Only rotationally driven.

  As shown in FIGS. 22 (a), 22 (b), and 25 (a), the label issuing machine 8 next issues a time between time t7 and time t9 when the sticking arm 31 descends and rises. Printing for the label is started by the printing unit 91, and the forward rotation of the printing roller 92 and the assist roller 93 for feeding the printing portion is started. As described above, since the operation of issuing the next label is started during the operation of applying the label L, when the series of operations of issuing the label L and applying it to the product G is repeated a plurality of times, this continuous operation Can be speeded up.

  Moreover, since the label sticking apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has a function of transferring the label L by the transfer block 70, the distance from the label issuing port W to the sticking arm 31 can be increased. Therefore, even if the next label issuance operation is started before the lowering and raising of the pasting arm 31 for pasting the label L is completed, the label is ejected from the label issuing port W to the lower side of the suction block 50 by the issuing operation. Interference between the label continuum LC portion and the sticking arm 31 protruding below the suction block 50 can be easily avoided.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 22 (d) and 25 (a), during the period from time t7 when the sticking arm 31 descends to time t8, the transfer block 70 is in the direction opposite to that during the transfer of the label L (label). It is slid in the direction of approaching the issue port W. In this way, when the label L is applied, the transfer block 70 is returned toward the position before the label L is transferred, so that the label issuance is performed by the next label issuing operation started during the label L applying operation. The label continuum LC sent out from the mouth W can be reliably sucked and held at the predetermined receiving position by the transfer block 70.

  As shown in FIG. 22 (c), FIG. 22 (h) and FIG. 22 (i), after the feeding of the label continuum LC portion constituting the next label is started, the next label is loaded from the label continuum LC. At a timing before time t10 when cutting for cutting is performed by the cutting means 95, negative pressure is supplied to the second suction unit S2 of the second suction block 50b and negative is supplied to the third suction unit S3 of the transfer block 70. Pressure supply is started. Also, as shown in FIGS. 22 (j) and 25 (b), air blowing by the first air blowing portion 81 is started between time t9 and time t10. As a result, the label continuum LC is sucked and held by the second suction part S2 and the third suction part S3 in the portion sent out from the label issuing port W, and is blown from the first air blowing part 81. In this state, the label continuous body LC is favorably cut by the cutting means 95 (see FIG. 24A).

  In addition, as shown in FIG.22 (f) and FIG.22 (g), the negative pressure supply to the cushion part 32 lower surface of the sticking arm 31 and the 1st adsorption | suction block 50a 1st from the time t9 to the time t10. The negative pressure supply to the first suction unit S1 is started at the same timing as the negative pressure supply to the second suction unit S2 and the third suction unit S3, for example. However, the timing for starting the supply of the negative pressure to the first suction part S1 may be another timing as long as it is before the completion of the transfer of the next label by the transfer block 70. The timing for starting the supply of negative pressure to the head may be a different timing as long as it is before the start of the lowering of the pasting arm 31 for pasting the next label.

  After time t10, until a predetermined number of labels are issued and pasted, a series of operations shown in FIGS. 24 (a) to 24 (c) and FIGS. 25 (a) to 25 (b) are repeatedly executed. The

[Structure related to maintenance]
The structure related to the maintenance of the label sticking apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 26, the housing 40 of the label applicator 10 is disposed adjacent to the side of the housing 120 of the label issuing machine 8. The housing 120 of the label issuing machine 8 is fixed to the front surface of the first box 140 that houses various components including a motor. A second box 150 containing various components is disposed behind the housing 40 of the label applicator 10. The second box 150 is fixed to the side surface of the first box 140.

  The label issuing machine 8 includes a printing unit 122 and a cutter unit 130. The printing unit 122 is a unit in which various components including the printing unit 91, the printing roller 92, the assist roller 93, and the driven roller 94 are unitized. The cutter unit 130 is a unit of various equipment including a cutting means 95 (see FIG. 2) and a cutter motor 98 (see FIG. 18).

  The printing unit 122 is accommodated in the housing 40. The cutter unit 130 is attached to the side surface of the housing 40 of the label applicator 10. In the state shown in FIG. 26, the cutter unit 130 is disposed adjacent to the printing unit 122 and constitutes a part of the side surface of the housing 120 of the label issuing machine 8. 26, the printing unit 122 and the cutter unit 130 are closed from the front side by the front door 121 when the front door 121 is closed. In FIG. 26, only a part of the front door 121 is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 27, when maintenance is performed (for example, when the label roll LR is replaced, or when various parts are replaced or cleaned), the operator opens the front door 121 of the label issuing machine 8. Thus, the printing unit 122 and the cutter unit 130 are exposed, and the cutter unit 130 may be separated from the printing unit 122 by rotating the housing 40 of the label applicator 10 around the connection axis with the second box 150. . Thus, when the label roll LR is replaced and when the maintenance of the printing unit 122 is performed, interference between the printing unit 122 and the cutter unit 130 can be avoided and the operator's hand touches the blade of the cutting means 95. Can be prevented.

  When the front door 121 is open, the driving of the movable cutter 195a of the cutting means 95 is restricted. Thereby, the safety | security at the time of a maintenance is improved.

  As shown in FIG. 28, the printing unit 122 includes a lower case 124 fixed to the housing 120, and an upper case 125 connected to the lower case 124 via a hinge. The lower case 124 accommodates various components including the print roller 92 and the assist roller 93, and the upper case 125 accommodates various components including the printing unit 91 and the driven roller 94 (see FIG. 26).

  When setting the label roll LR in the label issuing machine 8, the upper case 125 is opened by rotating around the connecting shaft with the lower case 124, so that the printing unit 91 and the driven roller 94 attached to the upper case 125. 26 (see FIG. 26) is pulled away from the print roller 92 and the assist roller 93 attached to the lower case 124. Thereby, the vicinity of the leading end of the label continuous body LC extending from the outer peripheral portion of the label roll LR can be placed on the upper side of the print roller 92 and the assist roller 93. Subsequently, by closing the upper case 125, the label continuum LC can be sandwiched between the printing roller 92 and the printing unit 91 and between the assist roller 93 and the driven roller 94.

  Further, by opening the upper case 125 according to the same procedure, various parts of the printing unit 122 including the printing roller 92 and the assist roller 93 can be replaced or cleaned.

  As shown in FIG. 29, the cutter unit 130 can be rotated and opened around a connecting shaft with the housing 40 of the label applicator 10. As a result, the surface of the cutter unit 130 facing the housing 40 and the portion of the suction block 50 and transfer block 70 facing the cutter unit 130 (particularly, the tip of the label continuum LC delivered from the label issuing port W are in contact with each other). It is possible to easily wipe off the glue adhering to the lower end corner portion). Further, the air blowing parts 81b and 81c can be easily cleaned.

  As shown in FIG. 30A, the cutter unit 130 has a frame member 132. A motor unit 134 having a cutter motor 98 (see FIG. 2) is fixed to the upper end portion of the frame member 132, and a fixed cutter 95 b of the cutting means 95 is fixed to the lower end portion of the frame member 132. The movable cutter 95 a of the cutting means 95 is connected to the frame member 132 via the motor unit 134 by being connected to the cutter motor 98. Further, the frame member 132 is provided with a label issuing port W along the blade of the fixed cutter 95b.

  As shown in FIG. 30B, the movable cutter 95a is rotatable so that the blade provided at the lower end of the movable cutter 95a is pulled up. Further, as shown in FIG. 30A, a protruding piece 136 that protrudes in the horizontal direction is provided at the upper end of the movable cutter 95a. When pulling up the blade of the movable cutter 95a, the movable cutter 95a can be easily rotated by pushing the protruding piece 136 from the lower side. By pulling up the blade of the movable cutter 95a in this way, the blade of the movable cutter 95a can be separated from the blade of the fixed cutter 95b. Therefore, the blades of both cutters 95a and 95b can be safely and easily cleaned.

  Finally, the configuration related to the maintenance of the label applicator 16 for lower attachment will be described with reference to FIGS. 31 (a) and 31 (b).

  As shown in FIG. 31 (a), the label application machine 16 for lower attachment generally has a configuration in which the label issue machine 8 for upper application is inverted up and down.

  Specifically, the label issuing machine 16 for underlaying includes a plurality of guide shafts 190 that support the winding center portion of the label roll LR and an extended portion of the label continuous body LC that extends from the outer peripheral portion of the label roll LR. The guide rollers 199a and 199b, the printing unit 191 that prints on the printing surface of the label continuum LC, the printing roller 192 that sandwiches the label continuum LC together with the printing unit 191, and the label continuum LC in cooperation with the printing roller 192. An assist roller 193 that feeds or back-feeds and a cutting means 195 that cuts the label continuous body LC (see FIG. 31B) are provided.

  The label issuing machine 16 includes a printing unit 222 and a cutter unit 230. The printing unit 222 includes an upper case 224 that houses various components including the printing roller 192 and the assist roller 193, and a lower case 225 that houses various components including the printing unit 191 and the driven roller 194.

  As shown in FIG. 31B, the cutter unit 230 includes a frame member 232 that supports the cutting means 195 and the motor unit 234. The cutting means 195 includes a movable cutter 195a with the blade facing upward and a fixed cutter 195b with the blade facing downward. The movable cutter 195a is slid in the vertical direction by a cutter motor (not shown) mounted on the motor unit 234. In the state shown in FIG. 31A, the cutter unit 230 is disposed adjacent to the printing unit 222.

  As shown in FIG. 31 (b), when setting the label roll LR to the label issuing machine 16, after opening the front door (not shown), the cutter unit 230 is rotated about the vertical axis. By opening, the cutter unit 230 is pulled away from the printing unit 222. Subsequently, the lower case 225 is rotated around the connecting shaft with the upper case 224 to open the printing unit 191 and the driven roller 194 (see FIG. 31A) attached to the lower case 225. The print roller 192 and the assist roller 193 attached to the case 224 are pulled away. As a result, the vicinity of the leading end of the label continuum LC extending from the outer peripheral portion of the label roll LR can be passed under the print roller 192 and the assist roller 193. Thereafter, by closing the lower case 225, the label continuum LC can be sandwiched between the printing roller 192 and the printing unit 191 and between the assist roller 193 and the driven roller 194.

  Further, by opening the lower case 225 according to the same procedure, various parts of the printing unit 222 including the printing roller 192 and the assist roller 193 can be replaced or cleaned. Further, similarly to the upper attachment cutter unit 130 shown in FIG. 30B, the lower attachment cutter unit 230 can also rotate the movable cutter 195a, whereby the blade and the fixed portion of the movable cutter 195a can be fixed. The blades of the cutter 195b can be pulled away from each other to clean both blades safely and easily.

  While the present invention has been described with reference to the above-described embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where a label issuing machine that cuts and issues a label from a mountless label roll by a cutting unit is described. However, the present invention uses a label issuing machine that does not include a cutting unit. Shall not interfere. Specifically, for example, by using a label roll with a mount (a label roll formed by winding a strip-shaped mount on which a plurality of labels are peeled off at a predetermined interval in a roll shape), cutting means Labels can be issued without using.

1: Label application device 2: Rack 4: Conveyor 7: Upper application mechanism 8: Label issue machine for upper application (label issue unit)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10: Label sticking machine 12: Operation display part 15: Bottom sticking mechanism 16: Label sticking machine for bottom sticking 30: Label sticking mechanism 31: Sticking arm 32: Cushion part of sticking arm 41: Motor for sticking arm vertical movement 45: Sticking Arm rotation motor 50: Suction block (label holding part)
50a: first suction block 50b: second suction block 52c, 52d: transfer portion facing surface portion 53c: arm facing surface portion 54a, 54b: groove 55: inclined surfaces 60a, 60b, 60c
: Suction hole of first suction block 61: Suction hole of second suction block 64: Motor for transfer block 70: Transfer block (label transfer unit)
71: Base portions 72a, 72b: Extension portions 73a, 73b: Leg portions 74a, 74b: Adsorption surfaces 75a, 75b: Suction holes of the transfer block 76: Curved surface portion 81: First air blowing portion (first air blowing means)
82: 2nd air spraying part (2nd air spraying means)
91: Printing section 92: Printing roller 93: Assist roller 95: Cutting means 95a: Movable cutter 95b: Fixed cutter 96: Printing roller motor 97: Assist roller motor 98: Cutter motor 101: Control section (control means)
102: Storage unit 104: Conveyor motor 110: Product passage sensor 111: Negative pressure source for application arm 112a: Negative pressure source for first suction unit 112b: Negative pressure source for second suction unit 112c: Negative for third suction unit Pressure source 113a: Compressed air source for the first air blowing part 113b: Compressed air source for the second air blowing part D: Product conveyance direction F: Label supply direction G: Product (attachment)
LR: Label roll LC: Label continuum L: Label S1: First suction part S2: Second suction part S3: Third suction part X: Width direction Y: Transfer direction (moving direction of the label transfer part)
W: Label issuing port

Claims (7)

A label issuing unit for issuing labels;
A label transfer unit that adsorbs and holds the label issued from the label issuing unit on the lower surface, and moves away from the label issuing unit while holding the label;
A label holding unit for adsorbing and holding the label transferred by the label transfer unit on the lower surface;
A label sticking apparatus comprising: a sticking arm that presses a label against an object to be stuck positioned below the label holding part by descending from an upper side of the label held by the label holding part.   The label transfer unit according to the length of the label with respect to the moving direction of the label transfer unit so that the position of the label center when the transfer by the label transfer unit is completed coincides with the axis of the sticking arm in plan view The label affixing device according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that controls the movement distance. The label issuing unit includes a cutting means for cutting the label continuous body held on the lower surface of the label transfer unit,
The label affixing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the label issuing unit issues a label cut from the label continuum by the cutting means. On the lower surface of the label holding part,
A first suction unit to which a first negative pressure is supplied at least upon completion of transfer by the label transfer unit;
A second suction unit that is supplied with a second negative pressure larger than the first negative pressure when being cut by the cutting means and that stops or reduces the negative pressure supply when the label transfer unit moves is provided. ,
On the lower surface of the label transfer unit,
A third negative pressure larger than the first negative pressure is supplied at the time of cutting by the cutting means, the negative pressure supply is continued when the label transfer unit is moving, and a negative pressure is supplied when the transfer by the label transfer unit is completed. The label sticking device according to claim 3, further comprising a third suction unit that stops or reduces pressure supply. A first air spraying means for blowing air toward the lower surface of the continuous label portion held by the label transfer unit at the time of cutting by the cutting unit, and stopping the air blowing when the label transfer unit is moved;
5. The label sticking according to claim 3, further comprising: a second air blowing unit that blows air toward a lower surface of the label transferred by the label transfer unit when the label transfer unit moves. apparatus. The label holding portion includes an arm facing surface portion that is disposed in front of the sticking arm with respect to the moving direction of the label transfer portion,
The label affixing according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an inclined surface inclined downward toward the front in the moving direction is continuously provided at a lower end corner portion of the arm facing surface portion. apparatus. The label holding unit includes a transfer unit facing surface unit that is disposed to face the front of the lower end of the label transfer unit in the movement direction,
The label sticking device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a groove extending forward in the moving direction from a lower end of the transfer portion facing surface portion is formed on a lower surface of the label holding portion.

Images