JP2016131614A - Label sewing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a label from bending when supplying the label to a sewing machine while using a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A label sewing apparatus includes: label supply devices 20 each for supplying a label L to be sewn on cloth C; a label conveyance device 40 for conveying the label supplied from each label supply device; and a sewing machine 60 for sewing the label conveyed by the label conveyance device on the cloth. The label conveyance device includes upper clamp members 411-431 and a lower clamp member 44 for clamping the label while one end part of the label is extended in a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction. Each upper clamp member and the lower clamp member are provided with a clamp surface 441 where both are brought into surface contact with each other. The upper clamp members and the lower clamp member each have a clamp surface shaped in a curve shape or a bending line shape as viewed from the extension direction of the label.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

  The present invention relates to a label sewing apparatus.

  A strip-shaped label on which information about the sewing product and precautions for handling are written is sewn between the fabrics of the sewing product. This label has been received by a label transport device from a label supply device provided in the sewing machine, transported to a sewing machine in a clamped state, passed to a cloth presser of the sewing machine, and sewn.

Since the label is sewn at one end side, the label conveying device of the label sewing apparatus supplies the sewing machine with the other end portion of the label clamped and the one end side extended to the sewing machine side.
At this time, when the length of the label is long, thin, or soft, there is a problem that the one end part hangs down and hangs downward.
For this reason, in a conventional label transport device, a nozzle that blows air horizontally is provided on the label clamp, and the label is supplied in a state where the label clamped by the negative pressure formed by the air is kept horizontal. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 2563658

However, since the conventional label conveyance device uses air to keep the label horizontal, a compressor for ejecting air and piping for sending air are required, and the entire device becomes large and the manufacturing cost increases. There was a problem.
Further, if the injected air hits the surrounding structure and diffuses or changes the direction of the wind, the label cannot be kept horizontal, and there is a problem that it is easily affected by the surrounding environment.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an excellent label sewing apparatus by maintaining a state in which a label is extended horizontally.

The invention described in claim 1
In the label sewing device,
A label supply device for supplying labels to be sewn on the fabric;
A label transport device for transporting the label supplied from the label supply device;
A sewing machine for sewing the label conveyed by the label conveying device to the fabric,
The label transport device has an upper clamp member and a lower clamp member that clamp the label in a state in which one end of the label is extended along a direction orthogonal to the transport direction,
The upper clamp member and the lower clamp member include clamp surfaces that are in surface contact with each other,
The shapes of the clamp surfaces of the upper clamp member and the lower clamp member viewed from the extending direction of the label are a curved shape or a bent line shape.

The invention according to claim 2 is the label sewing apparatus according to claim 1,
The label conveying device includes a plurality of the upper clamp members that are arranged so that the respective clamp surfaces are aligned without being overlapped along the extending direction of the label.

The invention according to claim 3 is the label sewing apparatus according to claim 2,
The release positions of the plurality of clamp members of the label conveying device when releasing the label are increased in order from those positioned on the front end side in the extending direction of the label.

Invention of Claim 4 is a label sewing apparatus as described in any one of Claim 1 to 3,
The label supply device includes:
A label storage section in which a plurality of labels are laminated;
A transfer unit that transfers the label to a delivery position that passes from the label storage unit to the label transport device by a nozzle that sucks and sucks the label;
And a suction control unit configured to make a suction force when the label is sucked and pulled up from the label storage unit by the nozzle of the transfer unit weaker than a suction force during transfer after the lifting.

The invention according to claim 5 is the label sewing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The label supply device includes:
A label storage section in which a plurality of labels are laminated;
A transfer unit that transfers the label to a delivery position that passes from the label storage unit to the label transport device by a nozzle that sucks and sucks the label;
A label humidifier is provided for moistening the uppermost label stacked in the label storage unit.

The invention according to claim 6 is the label sewing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The label supply device includes:
A label storage section in which a plurality of labels are laminated;
A transfer unit that transfers the label to a delivery position that passes from the label storage unit to the label transport device by a nozzle that sucks and sucks the label;
The label storage unit maintains a first height detection unit that detects that a stacked uppermost label has a specified target height, and maintains the uppermost label height at the target height. An elevating mechanism is provided.

The invention according to claim 7 is the label sewing apparatus according to claim 6,
The elevating mechanism includes a placement unit for placing the plurality of stacked labels, and a second height detection unit for detecting the height of the placement unit.

The invention according to claim 8 is the label sewing apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 7,
The label storage unit includes a position adjusting mechanism that adjusts end positions of the plurality of stacked labels.

The invention according to claim 9 is the label sewing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A plurality of the label supply devices are provided,
Each of the label supply devices
A label storage section in which a plurality of labels are laminated;
A transfer unit that transfers the label to a delivery position that is passed from the label storage unit to the label transport device by a nozzle that sucks and sucks the label;
A support frame that supports the label storage unit and the transfer unit;
The support frame may be detachable adjacent to the transport path of the label transport device.

The invention according to claim 10 is the label sewing apparatus according to claim 9,
The label transport device includes a transport body that supports the upper clamp member and the lower clamp member and moves between a transport start position in the transport path and the sewing machine that is a transport end position,
The transfer unit of the plurality of label supply devices includes a suction position for sucking the label from the label storage unit, an intermediate standby position between the suction position and the transfer position, and the transfer position. As well as
The transfer unit of the plurality of label supply devices transfers the nozzle to the transfer position when the transfer body is at the transfer start position, and after passing the label to the transfer body, A supply control unit is provided for performing control so as to wait at the intermediate standby position after adsorbing the label by being transferred to the label storage unit.

The label sewing apparatus according to the present invention includes an upper clamp member and a lower clamp member that clamp the label in a state in which the label transport device extends one end of the label along a direction orthogonal to the transport direction. The clamp member and the lower clamp member have clamp surfaces that are in surface contact with each other, and the shapes of the clamp surfaces 441 of the upper clamp member and the lower clamp member viewed from the extending direction (Y-axis direction) of the label L are curved. Alternatively, it has a bent line shape.
For this reason, even when the label L to be clamped is a material that is easy to bend downward due to being thin, long, soft, etc., the rigidity in the vertical direction can be increased, and the horizontally extended state is maintained. It becomes possible to do.
For this reason, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of poor sewing due to the bending of the label and perform better sewing.
In addition, the clamp surface of each clamp member has a curved shape or a bent line shape to prevent the label from being bent. Therefore, unlike the conventional equipment and equipment for air blowing are not required, and the equipment is downsized. It is possible to realize a reduction in manufacturing cost by reducing the number of parts.

It is a perspective view of a label sewing apparatus. It is a control block diagram which shows the control structure of a label sewing apparatus. It is a perspective view of the periphery of the sewing needle of a sewing machine. It is a perspective view of the periphery of the sewing needle of a sewing machine. It is a perspective view of a label supply apparatus. It is a perspective view of a label supply apparatus. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a label storage part. It is a front view of a transfer part. It is a perspective view of a label conveyance apparatus. It is a perspective view around the 1st-3rd clamp mechanism. It is clamp operation explanatory drawing in which the 1st upper clamp member is in a clamp state. It is clamp operation explanatory drawing in which the 2nd upper clamp member is in a clamp state. It is clamp operation explanatory drawing in which the 3rd upper clamp member is in a clamped state. It is a flowchart which shows label sewing operation. FIG. 15 is a continuation flowchart of FIG. 14 showing a label sewing operation.

[Outline of label sewing device]
Hereinafter, the label sewing apparatus 10 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the label sewing apparatus 10, and FIG. 2 is a control block diagram showing a control configuration of the label sewing apparatus 10. As shown in the figure, the label sewing apparatus 10 includes three label supply apparatuses 20A, 20B, and 20C that supply labels L1, L2, and L3 to be sewn on the cloth C to be sewn, and label supply apparatuses 20A, 20B, and 20C. Label transport device 40 that transports labels L1, L2, and L3 supplied from, a sewing machine 60 that sews labels L1, L2, and L3 transported by label transport device 40 onto fabric C, and the entire label sewing device 10 And a table 11 for mounting and supporting the entire configuration.
In the following description, the horizontal direction in which the label L is conveyed is defined as the X-axis direction, the horizontal direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction is defined as the Y-axis direction, and the vertical vertical direction is defined as the Z-axis direction.

The labels supplied from the three label supply apparatuses 20A, 20B, and 20C are distinguished from L1, L2, and L3, respectively. However, when it is not necessary to distinguish these labels, they are collectively referred to as the label L. It shall be described.
In addition, the three label supply devices 20A, 20B, and 20C arranged in order from the upstream side in the transport direction are distinguished from each other. However, when it is not necessary to distinguish these, the label supply device 20 and the label supply device 20 are collectively referred to. Shall be described.
Further, since the configurations of the label supply devices 20A, 20B, and 20C are the same, FIG. 2 shows only the configuration of the label supply device 20A and omits the description of the configurations of the label supply devices 20B and 20C.

[sewing machine]
3 and 4 are perspective views of the periphery of the sewing needle 61 of the sewing machine 60. FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sewing machine 60 includes a sewing machine frame 62, a sewing machine motor 63 that moves the sewing needle 61 up and down by a needle up-and-down moving mechanism (not shown), a work table 64 having a horizontal upper surface, and a work table 64. A lower plate 65 for placing the fabric C thereon, a first holding frame 66 for pressing the fabric C from above the lower plate 65, a second holding frame 67 for pressing the label from above the lower plate 65, A support base 68 that supports the first and second holding frames 66 and 67 so as to be movable up and down, an X-axis motor 69 that arbitrarily moves the support base 68 along the X-axis direction, and the support base 68 in the Y-axis direction. A Y-axis motor 70 that is arbitrarily moved along, a first frame elevating air cylinder 71 that elevates and lowers the first holding frame 66, and a second frame elevating air cylinder 72 that elevates and lowers the second holding frame 67. And a hook mechanism, balance, thread tension, etc. (not shown) Eteiru.

  The lower plate 65 is a rectangular flat plate and is fixedly supported at the lower portion of the support base 68, and the flat plate surface is horizontal. A through hole 651 for inserting the sewing needle 61 is formed in the lower plate 65. The through hole 651 is a long hole along the X-axis direction suitable for sewing the label L.

  The first holding frame 66 is a rectangular frame having approximately the same size as the lower plate 65, and its central portion is wide open. The first holding frame 66 is moved up and down by a first frame lifting / lowering air cylinder 71, held down to hold the fabric C placed on the lower plate 65, and moved together with the support base 68 and the lower plate 65. Can be positioned.

The second holding frame 67 is a frame that is smaller than the first holding frame 66, and is disposed inside the opening of the first holding frame 66. The second holding frame 67 is raised and lowered by the second frame raising / lowering air cylinder 72 and lowered to hold the label L on the fabric C placed on the lower plate 65, It is possible to move and position together with the lower plate 65 and the first holding frame 66.
The second holding frame 67 has a through hole 671 through which the sewing needle 61 is inserted. The through hole 671 is a long hole along the X-axis direction suitable for sewing the label L.

  The support base 68 is slidably supported along the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction on the upper surface of the sewing machine bed portion of the sewing machine frame 62, and is supported by the X-axis motor 69 and the Y-axis motor 70 described above. It is arbitrarily positioned in the axial direction. In the positioning operation of the support base 68, the control device 90 controls the X-axis motor 69 and the Y-axis motor 70 based on the sewing data in which the movement amounts to the plurality of needle drop positions constituting the specified sewing pattern are recorded. It is executed by.

[Label supply device]
5 and 6 are perspective views of the label supply device 20, and FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a label storage unit 22 to be described later. The label supply device 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 to 7. In the following description, one side in the Y-axis direction, the label conveying device 40 side with respect to the label supply device 20 is referred to as “front” side, and the opposite side is referred to as “back” side. In addition, in one direction in the X-axis direction, the sewing machine side with respect to the label conveying device 40 is a “downstream” side, and the opposite direction is an “upstream” side.

Three label supply devices 20A, 20B, and 20C are arranged in order from the upstream along the label conveyance path by the label conveyance device 40, and the respective label supply devices 20A, 20B, and 20C are arranged in order from the upstream side. The labels L1, L2, and L3 are transferred to the label conveying device 40.
Since the three label supply devices 20A, 20B, and 20C all have the same structure, only one label supply device 20 will be described in the following description.

  The label supply device 20 includes a label storage unit 22 in which a plurality of labels L are stacked, and two nozzles 311 and 311 that suck and adsorb the label L. A transfer unit 30 that transfers L, and a support frame 21 that supports the label storage unit 22 and the transfer unit 30 are provided.

[Label supply device: support frame]
The support frame 21 includes a flat base 211 having a horizontal upper surface, a rectangular frame support bracket 212 fixedly mounted on the lower surface of the base 211, and a YZ plane at the upstream end of the base 211 in the X-axis direction. The side wall portion 213 is fixedly installed in a state of being erected along.
The support frame 21 supports the entire configuration of the label supply device 20. As described above, three label supply devices 20 are mounted on the label sewing device 10, and each label supply device 20 supports the entire configuration on the support frame 21, so that the individual label supply devices 20 can be Individually unitized.
The support frame 21 can be attached to and detached from the table 11 so as to be adjacent to the label transport path of the label transport device 40. This attachment / detachment structure can be realized by, for example, screwing or other known attachment structures.
A plurality of label supply devices 20 can be attached along the label transport path of the label transport device 40 by the support frame 21. That is, the unitized label supply device 20 can be easily added or reduced.

[Label supply device: Label storage unit]
The label storage unit 22 surrounds a rectangular strip-shaped label L from all sides, and stores a plurality of labels L in a stacked state in the vertical direction, and the label L in the stacking unit 23 is raised upward. And an elevating mechanism 25 that maintains the height of the label L at the uppermost position at a constant target height.

The laminated portion 23 includes first to fourth wall plates 231 to 234 that surround the label L from four directions along the four sides of the label L.
The first and second wall plates 231 and 232 are bent flat plates having an L-shaped cross section, and include a horizontal portion and a standing portion along the YZ plane. The standing portions of the first and second wall plates 231 and 232 are arranged so as to be close to and opposite to two sides along the Y-axis direction of the label L, respectively. The plurality of labels L sandwiched and stacked between the standing portions can be properly positioned in the X-axis direction.
In addition, the horizontal portions of the first and second wall plates 231 and 232 are each formed with two long holes 231a and 232a along the X-axis direction, and screws 231b (screws on the second wall plate 232 side). Is fixed to the upper surface of the base 211 by fastening. By loosening the screw 231b, the positions of the first and second wall plates 231 and 232 can be adjusted along the X-axis direction, and a label L having an arbitrary width in the X-axis direction can be adjusted at an arbitrary position in the X-axis direction. Can be stored.
That is, the configuration of the first and second wall plates 231 and 232, the long holes 231a and 232a, and the screw 231b functions as a position adjusting mechanism that adjusts the positions of the end portions of the plurality of stacked labels L.

The third and fourth wall plates 233 and 234 are bent flat plates having an L-shaped cross section, and include a horizontal portion and a standing portion along the XZ plane. The standing portions of the third and fourth wall plates 233 and 234 are arranged so as to be close to and opposite to two sides along the X-axis direction of the label L, and the third and fourth wall plates 233 and 234 The plurality of labels L sandwiched and stacked between the standing portions can be properly positioned in the Y-axis direction.
Two horizontal holes 234a are formed in the horizontal portion of the fourth wall plate 234 along the Y-axis direction, and are fixed to the upper surface of the base 211 by fastening screws 234b. By loosening the screw 234b, the position of the fourth wall plate 234 can be adjusted along the Y-axis direction, and a label L having an arbitrary length in the Y-axis direction can be stored.
That is, the configuration of the fourth wall plate 234, the long hole 234a, and the screw 234b functions as a position adjusting mechanism that adjusts the end positions of the plurality of stacked labels L.

  The third wall plate 233 is for positioning the end of the label L on the back side in the Y-axis direction, and the end of the label L on the back side in the Y-axis direction is sewn to the fabric C. Since the position of the third wall plate 233 can be adjusted, there is a concern that the seam allowance may fluctuate or deviate from the needle drop position. Therefore, the position adjustment of the third wall plate 233 is possible. It is fixed by screws 233b so that it cannot be done.

In addition, a first height detection unit for detecting that the label L at the uppermost position has a specified target height is provided at the upper end of the standing portion of the first and second wall plates 231 and 232. A light emitting element 235 and a light receiving element 236 are provided.
The light emitting element 235 and the light receiving element 236 are arranged to face each other so that the optical axis is on the same axis along the X-axis direction, and the height of the optical axis is defined for the label L stacked on the stacked portion 23. The target height is set. The specified target height is a height suitable for the nozzles 311 and 311 of the transfer unit 30 to suck the label L at the uppermost position.
The plurality of labels L stacked on the stacking unit 23 are lifted by the lifting mechanism 25. When the uppermost label L reaches a specified target height, the light receiving element 236 receives light emitted from the light emitting element 235. Therefore, it can be detected from the change in the amount of received light that the label L at the uppermost position is at the specified target height.

  In addition, although the structure of the sensor which the light emitting element 235 and the light receiving element 236 isolate | separated was illustrated as a 1st height detection part, not only this but a light emitting element and a light receiving element are arrange | positioned on the same surface, and are integrated. You may use the sensor. In this case, the optical axis of the light emitting element and the optical axis of the light receiving element are arranged to have a predetermined target height, and the label L at the uppermost position of the plurality of labels L raised by the elevating mechanism 25 is the predetermined target height. , The light emitted from the light emitting element 235 is reflected by the laminated label L and the reflected light is received by the light receiving element, and the uppermost label L is at the specified target height due to the change in the amount of received light. Can be detected.

  The elevating mechanism 25 includes a rectangular elevating plate 251 serving as a mounting portion disposed at the bottom of the surrounding area by the first to fourth wall plates 231 to 234 of the label storage unit 22, and a central portion of the elevating plate 251. The upper and lower shafts 252 are fixed to the lower surface side, two sliding bearings 253 and 253 that support the upper and lower shafts 252 penetrating the base 211 and the support bracket 212 at two locations up and down, and the support bracket 212. , A feed motor 254 that is a drive source for the lift operation of the lift plate 251, a main gear 255 provided on the output shaft of the feed motor 254, a large diameter gear 256 a and a small diameter gear 256 b are integrated concentrically. A reduction gear 256, a large-diameter gear 256 a of the reduction gear 256 is engaged with the main driving gear 255, and a small-diameter gear 256 b of the reduction gear 256 is formed on the lifting shaft 252. It is made to mesh with the rack teeth 252a that is.

With the above-described configuration, the elevating mechanism 25 can decelerate the rotation of the feeding motor 254 by the reduction gear 256, convert it into a linear motion, and transmit it to the elevating shaft 252 to elevate the elevating plate 251.
A plurality of labels L are placed on the upper surface of the elevating plate 251, and these labels L can be lifted by driving a feeding motor 254.
Since the light emitting element 235 and the light receiving element 236 constituting the first height detecting unit described above can detect that the uppermost label L has reached the specified target height, the first height detecting unit By controlling the feeding motor 254 while monitoring the output of the label, even when the label L in the stacking unit 23 is reduced by the feeding operation of the transfer unit 30, the uppermost label L can be maintained at a constant target height. it can.

An origin sensor 257 for obtaining the origin position of the feeding motor 254 that is a stepping motor is provided on the bottom surface of the support bracket 212. The origin sensor 257 is a proximity sensor that obtains the origin based on the presence or absence of the lower end of the elevating shaft 252 that penetrates the support bracket 212.
When the origin is determined by the detection of the origin sensor 257, the control device 90 that controls the delivery motor 254 counts the number of steps as a drive command to the delivery motor 254 from the origin. That is, the height of the lift plate 251 can be obtained from the integrated value of the counted number of steps. That is, the origin sensor 257 and the control device 90 that counts the number of steps of the feeding motor 254 cooperate to function as a “second height detection unit that detects the height of the placement unit”.

[Label supply device: Transfer section]
FIG. 8 is a front view of the transfer unit 30. As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 8, the transfer unit 30 includes a head 31 that holds two nozzles 311 and 311, a slide block 32 that supports the head 31 so as to move up and down, and a slide block 32. A horizontal support portion 33 that supports the head 31 so as to move forward along the Y-axis direction, which is the horizontal direction, and a transfer operation imparting mechanism 34 that imparts up and down and horizontal movement operations of the head 31 are provided.
In FIG. 8, the head 31 and the slide block 32 at three positions are all shown by solid lines, but only one head 31 and slide block 32 are actually mounted.

The head 31 holds two nozzles 311 and 311 along the Z-axis direction on the end surface on the downstream side in the X-axis direction.
These nozzles 311 and 311 are attached to the head 31 side by side along the Y-axis direction at the same height. Each of the nozzles 311 and 311 has an internal hollow tubular shape, and its upper end is connected to a negative pressure source (not shown) such as a compressor, a suction pump, and an injector, and adsorbs the label L at its lower end.

  In addition, each of the nozzles 311 and 311 is provided with a switching valve (not shown) that can switch the strength of the suction force during suction in two stages. This switching valve can be controlled by the control device 90. For example, the control device 90 keeps the suction force weak until the nozzles 311 and 311 absorb the label L at the uppermost position and pulls it upward somewhat. Control is performed so that the suction force is switched to a strong state after being pulled upward. As a result, it is possible to prevent two or more labels L from being attracted and pulled up, and the labels L can be supplied properly one by one.

  Further, a vertical slide shaft 312 is provided on the upper surface of the head 31 so as to stand upward, and an anti-rotation protrusion 313 is provided on the upstream surface in the X-axis direction. The vertical slide shaft 312 is inserted and supported by the first slide bearing 321 of the slide block 32, and the head 31 can move up and down along the vertical slide shaft 312 with respect to the slide block 32. Further, the anti-rotation protrusion 313 is inserted into a guide hole formed along the Z-axis direction in the guide plate 323 supported by the slide block 32 so as to move vertically when the head 31 moves up and down. 312 is regulated so as not to rotate around the center.

The horizontal support portion 33 includes a horizontal slide shaft 331 whose both ends are fixedly supported by the side wall portion 213 along the Y-axis direction, and Y for guiding the slide block 32 so as not to rotate around the horizontal slide shaft 331. And a guide plate 332 formed with guide holes along the axial direction.
On the other hand, the slide block 32 includes a first slide bearing 321 that inserts and supports the vertical slide shaft 312 of the head 31 so as to move up and down, and a horizontal slide shaft 331 and slides along the horizontal slide shaft 331. A second slide bearing 322 that can be moved, and a guide plate 323 in which a guide hole along the Z-axis direction is formed to guide the head 31 so as not to rotate around the vertical slide shaft 312 are provided.
In addition, a non-rotating protrusion (not shown) that is inserted into the guide hole of the guide plate 332 protrudes from the surface of the slide block 32 on the upstream side in the X-axis direction.

Therefore, the slide block 32 can be reciprocated along the Y-axis direction by the horizontal slide shaft 331 while the rotation around the horizontal slide shaft 331 is suppressed by the guide plate 332.
Further, the head 31 can be reciprocated along the Z-axis direction by the vertical slide shaft 312 while being prevented from rotating around the vertical slide shaft 312 by the guide plate 323.
That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the head 31 can arbitrarily move along the YZ plane.

The transfer operation imparting mechanism 34 has a transfer motor 341 whose output shaft rotates around the X axis, and is fixedly mounted on the output shaft of the transfer motor 341 and extends in the radial direction around the output shaft. And an arm member 342 including the rotating arm 345.
The transfer motor 341 is fixedly mounted on the surface on the upstream side in the X-axis direction of the side wall portion 213, and its output shaft penetrates the side wall portion 213 and protrudes from the surface on the downstream side in the X-axis direction.

The arm member 342 is fixedly mounted on the output shaft of the transfer motor 341 that protrudes from the side wall portion 213, and rotates on the surface of the side wall portion 213 on the downstream side in the X-axis direction. A pin 343 that protrudes downstream in the X-axis direction is provided at the tip of the rotating arm 345 of the arm member 342.
On the other hand, a bottomed hole (not shown) is formed along the X-axis direction on the upstream surface of the head 31 in the X-axis direction, and the pin 343 of the arm member 342 is inserted.
Therefore, when the arm member 342 rotates by driving the transfer motor 341, the head 31 moves along a semicircular locus as the pin 343 moves, as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, the two nozzles 311 and 311 mounted on the head 31 in a state where the rotating arm 345 of the arm member 342 is horizontal and the tip end portion is located on the back side in the Y-axis direction are as follows. The label L at the uppermost position of the label storage unit 22 is set as an “adsorption position” where the label L can be adsorbed.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the tip of the rotating arm 345 is rotated 180 ° past the top dead center position from the suction position (the rotating arm 345 is horizontal and the tip is in the Y-axis direction). The two nozzles 311, 311 mounted on the head 31 in a state of being located on the near side are set as “passing positions” for passing the sucked label L to the label conveying device 40.
Further, a position between the suction position and the transfer position and where the tip of the rotating arm 345 is rotated by 120 ° past the top dead center position from the suction position is defined as an “intermediate standby position”. At this intermediate standby position, the two nozzles 311, 311 mounted on the head 31 and the label L adsorbed thereto cause interference with the label transport device 40 passing near the label supply device 20. The previous position. Note that the intermediate standby position is not limited to the 120 ° position, and may be a position as close as possible to the transfer position within a range in which the interference does not occur.
The two nozzles 311 and 311 are made to stand by at this intermediate standby position until a slide block 473 of the label transport device 40 described later returns to the transport start position, and when the slide block 473 reaches the transport start position, the two nozzles 311 and 311 can be moved to the transfer position. As a result, it is possible to supply the label L immediately from the start of conveyance of the slide block 473 while avoiding interference.

The transfer motor 341 is driven only within the range of 180 ° from the “adsorption position” to the “passing position” where the tip of the rotating arm 345 has rotated 180 ° past the top dead center position.
Then, as shown in FIG. 6, in the vicinity of the Y-axis direction rear side end portion of the side wall portion 213, the transfer motor is arranged so as to face the distal end portion of the rotating arm 345 of the arm member 342 at the “adsorption position”. An origin sensor 344 for obtaining the origin position of 341 is provided. The origin sensor 344 is a proximity sensor that obtains the origin based on the presence / absence of the tip of the rotating arm 345 of the arm member 342.

[Label supply device: Label humidifier]
Moreover, the code | symbol 35 shown in FIG.5 and FIG.6 is a label humidification apparatus which wets the label L of the uppermost position laminated | stacked on the lamination | stacking part 23 of the label storage part 22. FIG.
The label humidifier 35 is a spray nozzle that sprays a label humidifying liquid, and is connected to a liquid supply source and a pressurizing source that pressurizes the inside of the nozzle. Further, the pressure source for spraying is controlled by the control device 90, and is controlled to spray the liquid immediately before the nozzles 311 and 311 reach the uppermost label L.
The nozzle of the label humidifier 35 is directed obliquely downward from a position obliquely above the label L so as not to interfere with the label L when the uppermost label L is pulled upward by the transfer unit 30. The liquid is sprayed so that the suction positions of the two nozzles 311 and 311 are included.
In addition to the water, the liquid for humidification may be other liquid such as alcohol that does not stain or alter the label L. The humidifying liquid is preferably volatile.
As described above, the label humidifier 35 wets the label at the uppermost position in advance before the adsorption, thereby making it difficult for air to pass through the gaps between the fibers of the label L, thereby enabling good adsorption. . Further, since it is difficult for air to pass through the gaps between the fibers of the label L, it is possible to suppress the adsorption of the label L under the label L at the uppermost position, and to reduce a sewing error that erroneously sews two labels. It becomes possible.

[Label conveying device]
9 is a perspective view of the label conveying device 40, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the periphery of each clamping mechanism.
The three label supply devices 20 are arranged side by side along the X-axis direction, and deliver the labels L1, L2, and L3 to the label transport device 40 sequentially from the upstream side. At this time, each label supply device 20 stands by in a state where the end on the near side in the Y-axis direction of the labels L1 to L3 is extended to the label transport device 40 side. The labels L1, L2, and L3 are received in the order toward the downstream side in the direction, and are sequentially stacked on top of each other, and in this state, are supplied to the pressing position of the second holding frame 67 of the sewing machine 60.

  In order to perform the above-described transport operation, the label transport device 40 includes a first clamp mechanism 41 that receives the label L1 from the label supply device 20A, a second clamp mechanism 42 that receives the label L2 from the label supply device 20B, and a label supply Of the third clamp mechanism 43 that receives the label L3 from the device 20C, the lower clamp member 44 that is used in common in the first to third clamp mechanisms 41 to 43, and the first to third clamp mechanisms 41 to 43. A clamp release mechanism 45 for releasing the clamp state, a clamp lifting mechanism 46 for lowering the first to third clamp mechanisms 41 to 43 and the lower clamp member 44 simultaneously, the first to third clamp mechanisms 41 to 43 and the lower A clamp transport mechanism 47 that transports the clamp member 44 along the X-axis direction is provided.

[Label transport device: Clamp transport mechanism]
As shown in FIG. 9, the clamp transport mechanism 47 includes a base plate 471 that is a long flat plate covering the entire range of label transport, and a slide guide 472 provided on the base plate 471 along the X-axis direction. , A slide block 473 as a carrier that slides along the slide guide 472, a support bracket 474 provided on the slide block 473 and supporting the clamp lifting mechanism 46, and the slide block 473 reciprocating along the slide guide 472 And a movable part 48 to be moved.

The base plate 471 is fixedly mounted on the table 11 with its longitudinal direction along the X-axis direction.
The slide guide 472 is a rail that is formed to be somewhat longer than the entire length of the label conveying operation and has a groove formed over the entire length.
The slide block 473 is prevented from coming off by fitting in the concave groove, and can slide along the slide guide 472 in such a state.

  The movable portion 48 is provided at the end of the upper surface of the base plate 471 on the upstream side in the X-axis direction. The movable portion 48 is provided on the output shaft of the transport motor 481 and the transport motor 481 serving as a clamp transport drive source. A timing belt 483 which is provided between a main pulley and a driven pulley (not shown) which is provided at an end of the upper surface of the base plate 471 on the downstream side in the X-axis direction and is rotatably supported in a pulley base 482; First to third receiving position detection sensors 491, 492, and 493 for detecting that 473 is at a label receiving position from the label supply devices 20A, 20B, and 20C, and a slide block 473 is a label supply position to the sewing machine 60 And a supply position detection sensor 494 for detecting the presence of the sensor.

  Both the main pulley and the driven pulley are supported so as to be rotatable about the Z-axis, and the timing belt 483 is stretched in a state where an ellipse whose longitudinal direction is along the X-axis direction is viewed from above. . The slide block 473 described above is connected to the timing belt 483, and can move over almost the entire length of the slide guide 472 by driving the transport motor 481.

Further, in the movement range of the slide block 473, first to third receiving position detection sensors 491, 492, 493 and a supply position detection sensor 494 are arranged side by side in order from the upstream side in the X-axis direction.
The first receiving position detection sensor 491 is a proximity sensor that detects the arrival of the slide block 473, and the first receiving position detection sensor 491 is the first clamping mechanism 41 with respect to the label L1 that the label supply device 20A presents. It arrange | positions so that the slide block 473 may be detected when the upper clamp member 411 becomes a clampable position.
The second receiving position detection sensor 492 is a proximity sensor that detects the arrival of the slide block 473, and the second receiving position detection sensor 492 is a second clamp mechanism 42 for the label L2 that the label supply device 20B puts out. It arrange | positions so that the slide block 473 may be detected when the upper clamp member 421 becomes a clampable position.
The third receiving position detection sensor 493 is a proximity sensor that detects the arrival of the slide block 473, and the third receiving position detection sensor 493 is the third clamp mechanism 43 with respect to the label L3 provided by the label supply device 20C. It arrange | positions so that the slide block 473 may be detected when the upper clamp member 431 becomes a clampable position.
The supply position detection sensor 494 is a proximity sensor that detects the arrival of the slide block 473, and the supply position detection sensor 494 uses the labels L <b> 1 to L <b> 3 clamped by the clamp mechanisms 41 to 43 to the second holding frame 67 of the sewing machine 60. Is arranged so as to detect the slide block 473 when it is in a position where it can be held.

[Label conveying device: first to third clamping mechanism]
The first to third clamp mechanisms 41 to 43 will be described with reference to FIG.
The first clamp mechanism 41 includes a first upper clamp member 411, a first clamp air cylinder 412 that raises and lowers the first upper clamp member 411, and a plunger of the first clamp air cylinder 412. A coupling body 413 that couples the first upper clamp member 411 is provided.
The second clamp mechanism 42 includes a plan of a second upper clamp member 421, a second clamp air cylinder 422 for raising and lowering the second upper clamp member 421, and a second clamp air cylinder 422. A connecting body 423 that connects the jar and the second upper clamp member 421 is provided.
The third clamp mechanism 43 includes a plan of a third upper clamp member 431, a third clamp air cylinder 432 that moves the third upper clamp member 431 up and down, and a third clamp air cylinder 432. A connecting body 433 that connects the jar and the third upper clamp member 431 is provided.

The clamp air cylinders 412, 422, and 432 are the same air cylinder, and have the same dimensions and plunger strokes.
The first to third clamping air cylinders 412, 422, and 432 are all integrated so that the operation direction of the plunger is parallel to the Z-axis direction, and the main body portion containing the piston is at the same height. In this state, the clamp block is supported by the support block 452 of the clamp release mechanism 45.

The coupling bodies 413, 423, 433 of the clamp mechanisms 41, 42, 43 are members of the same size and shape, and the base ends thereof are first to third clamping air cylinders 412, 422, 432, respectively. It is attached to be the same height as the plunger.
Each coupling body 413, 423, 433 hangs downward from the base end fixedly supported by the plunger of each clamping air cylinder 412, 422, 432 and the end of the base end on the back side in the Y-axis direction. A hanging part and an extending part extending from the lower end part of the hanging part to the back side in the Y-axis direction are provided.
And the base end part of the upper clamp member 411,421,431 is each connected with the lower surface side of each connection body 413,423,433.
Two insertion blocks 414 and 414 are inserted on the lower surface of the extending portion of the coupling body 413 of the first clamp mechanism 41, and the first upper clamp member 411 is inserted by the thickness of the two sheets. The base end portion is supported so as to be lowered.
One insertion block 414 is inserted on the lower surface of the extending portion of the coupling body 423 of the second clamp mechanism 42, and the base end of the second upper clamp member 421 is equivalent to the thickness of one sheet. It is supported so that a part may become low.

  The first to third upper clamp members 411, 421, and 431 have base end portions 411a, 421a, and 431a connected to the lower surface side of the connecting bodies 413, 423 and 433, and X of the base end portions 411a, 421a and 431a. Hanging parts 411b, 421b, 431b hanging downward from the axially upstream end, and extending parts 411c, 421c, extending from the lower ends of the hanging parts 411b, 421b, 431b to the Y axis depth side, 431c, and gripping portions 411d, 421d, and 431d extending from the end portions on the far side in the Y-axis direction of the extending portions 411c, 421c, and 431c toward the downstream side in the X-axis direction.

As described above, when the plungers of the first to third clamp air cylinders 412, 422, and 432 are in the retracted state (not projecting), the base end portion 431 a of the third upper clamp member 431 is The base end portion 421a of the second upper clamp member 421 is disposed below the thickness of one insertion block 414, and the base end portion 411a of the first upper clamp member 411 is the thickness of the insertion block 414. Two sheets are arranged below.
On the other hand, the length of the hanging portion 421b of the second upper clamp member 421 is shorter than the hanging portion 431b of the third upper clamp member 431, and the length of the hanging portion 411b of the first upper clamp member 411 is the second length. Although it is shorter than the hanging part 421b of the upper clamp member 421, the difference in length between them is smaller than the thickness of one insertion block 414.
For this reason, as shown in FIG. 10, in the vertical direction, the grip portion 431 d of the third upper clamp member 431, the grip portion 421 d of the second upper clamp member 421, and the grip portion 411 d of the first upper clamp member 411 are arranged. It will be in the state arrange | positioned along with producing the predetermined height difference in order from the top.

In addition, each height difference is set larger than the plate | board thickness of each holding part 411d, 421d, 431d, and when it sees from a Y-axis direction, a clearance gap will arise between each holding part 411d, 421d, 431d. It has become.
As described above, when the plungers of the first to third clamping air cylinders 412, 422, and 432 are in the retracted state (not projecting), the gripping portions 411 d, 421 d, and 431 d have different height differences. However, even in the case of the grip part 431d farthest from the lower clamp member 44, all the grip parts 411d, 421d, 431d can clamp the label L.

In addition, regarding the extended portions 411c, 421c, and 431c of the first to third upper clamp members 411, 421, and 431, the second upper clamp member 421 is more than the extended portion 411c of the first upper clamp member 411. The extension portion 421c of the first upper clamp member 411 is slightly longer than the width of the grip portion 411d in the Y-axis direction, and the extension portion 421c of the second upper clamp member 421 is longer than the third upper clamp member. The extending portion 431c of 431 is set somewhat longer than the width in the Y-axis direction of the grip portion 421d of the second upper clamp member 421.
For this reason, when all the gripping portions 411d, 421d, and 431d are lowered until they are pressed against the lower clamp member 44, they are in a state of being lined up toward the back side in the Y-axis direction so as not to overlap.

In addition, the clamp surfaces of the gripping portions 411d, 421d, and 431d viewed from the direction in which the label transport device 40 inserts the labels L1 to L3 with respect to the sewing machine 60 (the extending direction of the labels L1 to L3, that is, the Y axis direction) The shape of the (lower surface) has a uniform waveform along the Y-axis direction. In addition, each grip part 411d, 421d, 431d is formed in the same shape so that the waveform shape seen from the Y-axis direction may correspond, when height is arrange | equalized.
Further, the lower clamp member 44 described later includes a clamp surface (upper surface) 441 to which the three gripping portions 411d, 421d, and 431d are pressed, and each gripping portion 411d, 421d, The waveform corresponds to the waveform shape of 431d. Accordingly, the clamp surfaces of the lowered three gripping portions 411d, 421d, and 431d can be brought into surface contact with the clamp surface 441 of the lower clamp member 44 without a gap.

  As a result, the label L gripped by the gripping portions 411d, 421d, 431d and the lower clamp member 44 is in a state in which the ungripped portion extending toward the sewing machine 60 also follows the waveform, and the plane of the label L The rigidity in the direction perpendicular to the Z direction (Z-axis direction) can be increased. For this reason, even when the label L is a thin and soft material, the occurrence of poor sewing can be reduced by bending downward or hanging down.

[Label transport device: Clamp release mechanism]
The clamp release mechanism 45 includes a support frame 451 having an L-shaped cross section supported by the clamp lifting mechanism 46, a support block 452 for supporting the clamp air cylinders 412 to 432, and a support block 452 for the support frame 451. And a release air cylinder 453 that moves up and down.

The support frame 451 fixedly supports the base end portion of the lower clamp member 44 on the lower surface side.
The release air cylinder 453 brings the support frame 451 and the support block 452 into a close state when the plunger is retracted, and puts the support frame 451 and the support block 452 into a separated state when the plunger protrudes.
When the plunger of the release air cylinder 453 is retracted, all the upper clamp members 411, 421, 431 are pressed against the clamp surface 441 of the lower clamp member 44 by the protruding operation of the plungers of the clamp air cylinders 412, 422, 432. When the plungers of the release air cylinder 453 are projected, even if the plungers of all the clamp air cylinders 412, 422 and 432 are in the projected state, all the upper clamp members 411, 421 and 431 are the lower clamp members. The stroke of the release air cylinder 453 is set so as to be separated from the clamp surface 441 of 44.
That is, even if the labels L1, L2, and L3 are clamped by the upper clamp members 411, 421, and 431, all the labels L1, L2, and L3 are moved by the plunger protruding operation by the release air cylinder 453. It can be released from the clamped state.

[Label transport device: Lower clamp member]
The lower clamp member 44 includes a base end portion that is fixedly supported on the lower surface of the support frame 451 of the clamp release mechanism 45, a drooping portion that hangs downward from an end on the back side in the Y-axis direction of the base end portion, And an extending portion extending from the lower end to the back side in the Y-axis direction.
A clamp surface 441 is formed on the top surface of the distal end of the extended portion of the lower clamp member 44 so that the clamp surfaces of the grip portions 411d, 421d, and 431d of the upper clamp members 411, 421, and 431 are in surface contact with each other.

[Label transport device: Clamp lifting mechanism]
The clamp elevating mechanism 46 has an elevating air cylinder 461 supported by a support bracket 474. The lift air cylinder 461 can lift and lower the clamp release mechanism 45, the lower clamp member 44, and the first to third clamp mechanisms 41 to 43 at a time via the support frame 451 of the clamp release mechanism 45. .
The elevating air cylinder 461 is normally in a state in which the plunger is protruded, and in this state, the lower surface of the extended portion of the lower clamp member 44 is set to be higher than the upper surface of the first holding frame 66 of the sewing machine 60. Has been. In addition, when the plunger of the lifting / lowering air cylinder 461 is retracted, the lower surface of the extended portion of the lower clamp member 44 is set to descend until it sufficiently approaches the upper surface of the lower plate 65 of the sewing machine 60.
This is because the lower clamp member 44 does not interfere with the first holding frame 66 when the label conveying device 40 conveys the label L to the second holding frame 67 inside the first holding frame 66 of the sewing machine 60. It is for doing so. Further, when the labels L are conveyed to the inside of the first holding frame 66 and are held by the second holding frame 67, it is desirable that each label L be close to the lower plate 65. It can be lowered.

[Sewing machine control system]
A control system of the label sewing apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
The control device 90 of the label sewing apparatus 10 includes a ROM 92 that stores and stores a sewing control program, a CPU 91 that performs various arithmetic processes according to the control program, a RAM 93 that is used as a work memory in various processes, and various sewing machines. An EEPROM 94 that stores data and setting data is schematically configured.

  The control device 90 includes a sewing machine motor 63 of the sewing machine 60, an X-axis motor 69, a Y-axis motor 70, first and second frame lifting air cylinders 71 and 72, via a system bus and a drive circuit. The light emitting element 235, the light receiving element 236, the feeding motor 254, the origin sensor 257, the transfer motor 341, the origin sensor 344 and the label humidifier 35, and the first to the first of the label transport device 40 of the label supply devices 20A, 20B, and 20C. Three clamping air cylinders 412, 422, 432, release air cylinder 453, lifting air cylinder 461, conveying motor 481, first to third receiving position detection sensors 491, 492, 493 and supply position detection sensor 494 , Operation input unit 95 for inputting various operations, input of sewing start Start pedal 96 and the like are connected.

The sewing machine motor 63, the X-axis motor 69, the Y-axis motor 70, the feeding motor 254, the transfer motor 341, and the transfer motor 481 are all connected to the control device 90 via a motor driver. In FIG.
The first and second frame lifting air cylinders 71 and 72, the first to third clamping air cylinders 412, 422 and 432, the release air cylinder 453, the lifting air cylinder 461 and the label humidifier 35 are In any case, the control device 90 controls the operation via an electromagnetic valve that supplies air pressure to these, but the illustration of these electromagnetic valves is omitted in FIG.
In addition, the light emitting element 235, the light receiving element 236, the origin sensors 257 and 344, the first to third receiving position detection sensors 491, 492, and 493 and the supply position detection sensor 494 are also connected to the control device 90 through a predetermined interface. However, these interfaces are not shown in FIG.

[Label sewing control]
The label sewing operation of the label sewing apparatus 10 performed based on the operation control of the control device 90 will be described with reference to the clamp operation explanatory diagrams of FIGS. 11 to 13 and the flowcharts of FIGS. 14 and 15.
In this label sewing control, the detection position of the first receiving position detection sensor 491 is set as the transport start position of the slide block 473 of the label transport device 40, and the clamp lifting mechanism 46 is previously set to the clamp mechanisms 41 to 43, etc. The clamp release mechanism 45 holds the clamp air cylinders 412, 422, and 432 downward, and the clamp mechanisms 41 to 43 pull the upper clamp members 411, 421, and 431 upward. It shall be in
In addition, each of the label supply devices 20A, 20B, and 20C is in a state in which the head 31 is in a standby state at the intermediate standby position while the labels L1, L2, and L3 are attracted to the nozzles 311 and 311.

  When the start pedal 96 is depressed, the control device 90 operates the first frame elevating air cylinder 71 of the sewing machine 60 to lower the first holding frame 66 (step S1). As a result, the fabric C set on the lower plate 65 is held by the first holding frame 66.

Next, the control device 90 reads the detection signal of the first receiving position detection sensor 491, and determines whether or not the slide block 473 is at the first receiving position for receiving the label L1 from the label supply device 20A (step). S3).
If the slide block 473 is not detected by the first receiving position detection sensor 491, the transport motor 481 is driven to move the slide block 473 to the first receiving position (step S5).

  When the slide block 473 is detected by the first receiving position detection sensor 491, the control device 90 stops the transport motor 481 (step S7) and transfers all the label supply devices 20A, 20B, and 20C. The motor 341 is driven, and the head 31 is transferred to the transfer position (step S9). Thereby, in each label supply apparatus 20A, 20B, 20C, the labels L1, L2, L3 move to the most front side in the Y-axis direction, and the clamp mechanisms 41 to 43 can be clamped.

  Next, the control device 90 operates the first clamping air cylinder 412 of the first clamping mechanism 41 of the label conveying device 40 to lower the first upper clamping member 411 (step S11, see FIG. 11). Accordingly, the label L1 is clamped between the first upper clamp member 411 and the lower clamp member 44. At this time, the label L1 has a wave shape over almost the entire length in the Y-axis direction, and has a high rigidity and can maintain a horizontally extended state.

Then, the control device 90 drives the transport motor 481 to transport the slide block 473 to the downstream side (step S13).
Further, along with the start of conveyance of the slide block 473, the label humidifying device 35 of the label supply device 20A is activated to humidify the label L1 at the uppermost position of the stacking unit 23 (step S15).

Next, the head 31 of the label supply device 20A is moved to the suction position, and the uppermost label L1 is sucked by the nozzles 311 and 311 (step S17).
At this time, the control device 90 controls a switching valve (not shown) in advance so that the suction force of each nozzle 311, 311 is weakened. That is, the uppermost label L1 is adsorbed with a weak suction force.

  Then, the transfer motor 341 is driven to transfer the head 31 to the intermediate standby position (step S19). Further, the control device 90 controls the switching valve so that the suction force of each of the nozzles 311 and 311 becomes stronger in the process in which the head 31 moves from the suction position to the intermediate standby position. The timing of this switching may be, for example, by measuring the elapsed time from the start of driving of the transfer motor 341, and switching may be performed as the predetermined time elapses, or by counting the number of drive pulses of the transfer motor 341, Switching may be performed by the number of pulses.

  Further, the control device 90 reads the detection signal of the light receiving element 236 of the label supply device 20A and moves the plurality of stacked labels L1 by driving the feeding motor 254 so that the uppermost label L1 becomes the target height. (Step S21).

Next, the control device 90 reads the detection signal of the second receiving position detection sensor 492, and determines whether or not the slide block 473 has reached the second receiving position for receiving the label L2 from the label supply device 20B ( Step S23).
When the slide block 473 is not detected by the second receiving position detection sensor 492, the conveyance is continued, and when the slide block 473 is detected by the second receiving position detection sensor 492, the control device 90 Then, the conveyance motor 481 is stopped (step S25).

  Next, the control device 90 operates the second clamping air cylinder 422 of the second clamping mechanism 42 of the label conveying device 40 to lower the second upper clamping member 421 (see step S27, FIG. 12). Thereby, the label L2 is clamped between the second upper clamp member 421 and the lower clamp member 44 in a state where the label L2 is superimposed on the label L1. At this time, the label L2 also has a wave shape over almost the entire length in the Y-axis direction, so that the rigidity is increased and the state of extending horizontally can be maintained.

Then, the control device 90 drives the transport motor 481 to transport the slide block 473 downstream (step S29).
Further, along with the start of conveyance of the slide block 473, the label humidifying device 35 of the label supply device 20B is operated to humidify the label L2 at the uppermost position of the stacking unit 23 (step S31).

Next, the head 31 of the label supply device 20B is moved to the suction position, and the uppermost label L2 is sucked by the nozzles 311 and 311 (step S33).
Then, the transfer motor 341 is driven to transfer the head 31 to the intermediate standby position (step S35). Also at this time, the control device 90 controls the switching valve so that the suction force is weakened until the head 31 moves from the suction position to the intermediate standby position, and the suction force becomes stronger halfway.

  Further, the control device 90 reads the detection signal of the light receiving element 236 of the label supply device 20B, and moves the plurality of stacked labels L2 by driving the feed motor 254 so that the uppermost label L2 becomes the target height. (Step S37).

Next, the control device 90 reads the detection signal of the third receiving position detection sensor 493, and determines whether or not the slide block 473 has reached the third receiving position for receiving the label L3 from the label supply device 20C ( Step S39).
When the slide block 473 is not detected by the third receiving position detection sensor 493, the conveyance is continued, and when the slide block 473 is detected by the third receiving position detection sensor 493, the control device 90 Then, the conveyance motor 481 is stopped (step S41).

  Next, the control device 90 operates the third clamping air cylinder 432 of the third clamping mechanism 43 of the label conveying device 40 to lower the third upper clamping member 431 (see step S43, FIG. 13). Thereby, the label L3 is clamped between the third upper clamp member 431 and the lower clamp member 44 in a state where the label L3 is superimposed on the labels L1 and L2. At this time, the label L3 also has a wave shape over almost the entire length in the Y-axis direction, so that the rigidity is increased and the state of extending horizontally can be maintained.

Then, the control device 90 drives the transport motor 481 to transport the slide block 473 to the downstream side (step S45).
Further, along with the start of conveyance of the slide block 473, the label humidifying device 35 of the label supply device 20C is operated to humidify the label L3 at the uppermost position of the stacking unit 23 (step S47).

Next, the head 31 of the label supply device 20C is moved to the suction position, and the uppermost label L3 is sucked by the nozzles 311 and 311 (step S49).
Then, the transfer motor 341 is driven to transfer the head 31 to the intermediate standby position (step S51). Also at this time, the control device 90 controls the switching valve so that the suction force is weakened until the head 31 moves from the suction position to the intermediate standby position, and the suction force becomes stronger halfway.

  Further, the control device 90 reads the detection signal of the light receiving element 236 of the label supply device 20C, and moves the plurality of stacked labels L3 by driving the feeding motor 254 so that the uppermost label L3 becomes the target height. (Step S53).

Next, the control device 90 reads the detection signal of the supply position detection sensor 494, and the labels L1 to L3 clamped by the clamp mechanisms 41 to 43 on the slide block 473 are the second inside the first holding frame 66. It is determined whether or not the holding position by the holding frame 67 has been reached (step S55).
When the slide block 473 is not detected by the supply position detection sensor 494, the conveyance is continued. When the slide block 473 is detected by the supply position detection sensor 494, the control device 90 turns the conveyance motor 481 on. Stop (step S57).

Next, the control device 90 operates the lifting / lowering air cylinder 461 of the clamp lifting / lowering mechanism 46 of the label conveying device 40 to lower the upper clamp members 411 to 431 and the lower clamp member 44 (step S59). As a result, the overlapped labels L <b> 1 to L <b> 3 are lowered to the upper surface of the lower plate 65 below the second holding frame 67.
And the control apparatus 90 operates the 2nd frame raising / lowering air cylinder 72 of the sewing machine 60, and lowers the 2nd holding frame 67 (step S61). As a result, the end portions on the back side in the Y-axis direction of the labels L <b> 1 to L <b> 3 in the overlapped state are held by the second holding frame 67.

  Next, the control device 90 operates the release air cylinder 453 of the clamp release mechanism 45 of the label transport device 40 to raise the clamp mechanisms 41 to 43 with respect to the lower clamp member 44 (step S63). As a result, the gripping portions 411d, 421d, 431d of the upper clamp members 411, 421, 431 are raised at different heights in the vertical direction so that the labels L1 to L3 can be easily moved to the upper clamp members 411. , 421, 431 will be out of the gap.

  Thereafter, the control device 90 controls to perform the return operation of the label transport device 40 (step S65). The return operation includes ascending operation of the clamp mechanisms 41 to 43 by the clamp lifting mechanism 46, descending operation of the clamp mechanisms 41 to 43 to the lower clamp member 44 by the clamp release mechanism 45, and upper clamp members of the clamp mechanisms 41 to 43. The ascending operation of 411 to 431, the conveying operation to the first receiving position that is the conveying start position of the slide block 473, and the like.

Then, the control device 90 starts driving the sewing machine motor 63 of the sewing machine 60 to start moving the needle, and in accordance with the sewing pattern for sewing the labels L1 to L3 in synchronization with the needle drop, The shaft motor 70 is driven to move the fabric C and the labels L1 to L3, and the labels L1 to L3 are sewn on the fabric C (step S67).
When the sewing pattern is moved with the specified number of stitches, the sewing operation of the labels L1 to L3 is finished.

[Technical effects of the embodiment of the invention]
The label sewing apparatus 10 includes an upper clamp member 411 to 431 that clamps the label L in a state where the label transport apparatus 40 extends one end of the label L along the Y-axis direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and the lower The upper clamp members 411 to 431 and the lower clamp member 44 include clamp surfaces 441 that are in surface contact with each other, and the labels of the clamp surfaces 441 of the upper clamp members 411 to 431 and the lower clamp member 44 are provided. The shape seen from the extending direction (Y-axis direction) of L is a waveform shape that is a curved shape.
For this reason, even when the clamped label L is a material that is easy to bend downward due to thin, long, soft, etc., the rigidity in the Z-axis direction can be increased, and the horizontally extended state Can be maintained.
For this reason, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of poor sewing due to the bending of the label and perform better sewing.
Moreover, since the clamp surface of each clamp member 411-431,44 is made into the waveform shape which is a curve shape, since the bending of the label L is prevented, the installation and apparatus for performing an air blow like the former are unnecessary. Thus, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost by reducing the size of the apparatus and the number of parts.

In addition, the label transport device 40 includes a plurality of upper clamp members 411 to 431 arranged so that the respective clamp surfaces are aligned without being overlapped along the extending direction of the label L.
For this reason, when a plurality of labels L1 to L3 are clamped, the clamp member is not sandwiched between the labels, so that when the sewing machine 60 is held on the side, a gap is created between the labels. It is possible to reduce the occurrence of an abnormal state. Therefore, it can hold | maintain without producing edge shift etc. in a some label, and it becomes possible to aim at the improvement of sewing quality.

Further, the release positions of the plurality of upper clamp members 411 to 431 of the label conveying device 40 when releasing the label L are sequentially increased from those located on the front end side in the label extending direction. That is, the release position of the third upper clamp member 431 (the state in which the third clamp air cylinder 432 pulls up the third upper clamp member 431) is the highest, and the release position of the first upper clamp member 411 (first A state in which one clamping air cylinder 412 lifts the first upper clamping member 411 is the lowest.
Thereby, when the labels L1 to L3 are released, the heights of the grip portions 411d to 431d of the upper clamp members 411 to 431 are different, and gaps are generated in the vertical direction, so that the labels L1 to L3 are smooth without being caught. It becomes possible to pull out. Therefore, it is possible to satisfactorily perform the labels L1 to L3 on the sewing machine 60 and improve the stability of the sewing operation and the sewing quality.

In addition, the label supply device 20 transfers the label from the label storage unit 22 to the delivery position to be passed to the label transport device 40 by the label storage unit 22 in which a plurality of labels are stacked and the nozzles 311 and 311 that suck and suck the label L. As a suction control unit, the suction force at the time of sucking and lifting the label L from the label storage unit 22 by the nozzles 311 and 311 of the transport unit 30 is weaker than the suction force during the transport after the lifting. A functioning control device 90 is provided.
For this reason, it is possible to suppress a situation in which each of the nozzles 311 and 311 sucks a plurality of stacked labels L, and the labels can be stably transferred with a sufficient suction force during transfer, so that better sewing is possible. Can be performed.

Further, the label supply device 20 includes a label humidifier 35 that wets the label L at the uppermost position stacked on the label storage unit 22.
Therefore, the air permeability of the label L at the uppermost position is reduced to increase the adsorbability, and the attraction of the suction force to the label L below it can be reduced, so that only the label L at the uppermost position is adsorbed more effectively. Is possible. Therefore, the occurrence of sewing of two or more identical labels can be suppressed, the sewing operation can be performed better and more reliably, and reliability and sewing quality can be improved.

In addition, the label storage unit 22 of the label supply device 20 includes a light emitting element 235 and a light receiving element 236 as a first height detection unit that detects that the stacked label L at the uppermost position has a specified target height. The elevating mechanism 25 that maintains the height of the label L at the uppermost position at the target height is provided.
For this reason, the label L at the uppermost position can always be maintained at a constant target height by the control of the elevating mechanism 25, and the nozzles 311 and 311 can be stably adsorbed.

The elevating mechanism 25 also includes an elevating plate 251 as a placement unit for placing a plurality of stacked labels L, and an origin sensor 257 as a second height detecting unit for detecting the height of the elevating plate 251. And a control device 90.
On the other hand, since the label L at the uppermost position is always maintained at a constant target height by the control of the elevating mechanism 25, when the height of the elevating plate 251 is detected, the remaining amount of the label L is obtained by obtaining the distance between them. It can be acquired. In this case, when the remaining amount of the label L becomes less than the specified value, it is possible to notify the notification means, etc., so that when the label breakage occurs, the return operation becomes easy and the sewing work efficiency can be improved. Become.

  Moreover, since the label storage part 22 is equipped with the position adjustment mechanism which adjusts the edge part position of the some laminated | stacked label L in the 1st, 2nd and 4th wall boards 231, 232, 234, it is various various It is possible to stack labels of different sizes, and to adjust the position of the label stacking location.

In addition, a plurality of (for example, three) label supply devices 20A to 20C are provided, and each of the label supply devices 20A to 20C includes a support frame 21 that supports the label storage unit 22 and the transfer unit 30, and a label transport device 40. The support frame 21 can be attached to and detached from the table 11 adjacent to the transport path.
For this reason, it is possible to easily increase / decrease the number of individuals of the label supply apparatus 20, and at the same time, it is possible to arbitrarily adjust the number of labels to be sewn.

Further, the label transport device 40 supports the upper clamp members 411 to 431 and the lower clamp member 44, and from the transport start position (first receiving position) in the transport path to the sewing machine (supply position) that is the transport end position. The transport unit 30 of the plurality of label supply apparatuses 20A to 20C includes a slide block 473 serving as a transport body that moves between the nozzles 311 and 311, an adsorption position for adsorbing the label L from the label storage unit 22, and the adsorption unit The transfer unit 30 of the plurality of label supply apparatuses 20A to 20C is moved to the conveyance start position (first reception position) while being transferred to the intermediate standby position between the position and the transfer position and the transfer position. At a certain time, the nozzles 311 and 311 are transferred to the transfer position and the label L is transferred to the slide block 473. 11,311 and includes a control unit 90 which functions as a supply control unit for controlling so as to transfer the label reservoir 22 to wait after adsorbing the label L at the intermediate standby position.
For this reason, the nozzles 311 and 311 of each of the label supply devices 20A to 20C are kept waiting at the intermediate standby position, while avoiding interference between the nozzles 311 and 311 and the sucked label L and the slide block 473 being conveyed. In the state where the label L suction operation is completed, the nozzles 311 and 311 can be brought closer to the transfer position and can be made to stand by.
Therefore, when the label sewing is continuously performed, the cycle time can be effectively reduced and the working efficiency can be improved.

[Others]
In the label sewing apparatus 10, the shape of the clamp surfaces of the upper clamp members 411 to 431 and the lower clamp member 44 viewed from the extending direction of the label is a wave shape in which a plurality of curves are continuous. It is good also as an arc shape. Further, in the case where the label is made of a material that is hard to be clamped or is a label that is attached to a place that is not visible even if the clamp mark is attached, the labels on the clamp surfaces of the upper clamp members 411 to 431 and the lower clamp member 44 are used. The shape seen from the extending direction may be a bent line shape formed by a bent straight line, for example, a> shape (a parenthesis shape) or a continuous sawtooth shape.
In these cases, the rigidity of the clamped label L in the Z-axis direction can be improved.

  The sewing machine 60 is an example of a so-called electronic cycle sewing machine that forms stitches of a sewing pattern in accordance with predetermined sewing pattern data. However, it is possible to automatically control the raising and lowering operation of the presser for holding the label and the start and end of sewing. Other types of sewing machines may be used.

  Moreover, although the label supply apparatus 20 illustrated the thing of the type on which the label of each sheet is laminated | stacked, it is not restricted to this, For example, the some label is wound on the roll in the state connected in ribbon shape. Alternatively, a label supply device that cuts out one by one while feeding a ribbon-shaped label from the roll and supplies the label to the label conveying device 40 may be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Label sewing apparatus 11 Table 20, 20A, 20B, 20C Label supply apparatus 21 Support frame 22 Label storage part 23 Laminating part 231 1st wall board 231a Elongate hole 231b Screw 232 2nd wall board 232a Elongate hole 233 3rd Wall plate 233b Screw 234 Fourth wall plate 234a Long hole 234b Screw 235 Light emitting element (first height detection unit)
236 Light-receiving element (first height detector)
25 Lifting mechanism 254 Feed motor 257 Origin sensor 30 Transfer unit 31 Head 311 Nozzle 341 Transfer motor 344 Origin sensor 35 Label humidifier 40 Label transport device 41 First clamp mechanism 411 First upper clamp member 411d Grasping unit 412 First Clamping air cylinder 42 Second clamp mechanism 421 Second upper clamp member 421d Grasping part 422 Second clamp air cylinder 43 Third clamp mechanism 431 Third upper clamp member 431d Grasping part 432 Third clamp Air cylinder 44 Lower clamp member 441 Clamp surface 45 Clamp release mechanism 46 Clamp lifting mechanism 47 Clamp transport mechanism 48 Movable portion 491 First reception position detection sensor 492 Second reception position detection sensor 493 Third reception Position detection sensor 494 Supply position detection sensor 60 Sewing machine 90 Control device C Cloth L, L1, L2, L3 Label

Claims (10)

A label supply device for supplying labels to be sewn on the fabric;
A label transport device for transporting the label supplied from the label supply device;
A sewing machine for sewing the label conveyed by the label conveying device to the fabric,
The label transport device includes an upper clamp member and a lower clamp member that clamp the label in a state in which one end of the label is extended along a direction orthogonal to the transport direction,
The upper clamp member and the lower clamp member include clamp surfaces that are in surface contact with each other,
The label sewing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a shape of each of the clamp surfaces of the upper clamp member and the lower clamp member viewed from the extending direction of the label is a curved shape or a bent line shape.   2. The label sewing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the label conveying device includes a plurality of the upper clamp members that are arranged so that the respective clamp surfaces are aligned without being overlapped along the extending direction of the label. .   The release position of the plurality of clamp members of the label conveying device when releasing the label is made higher in order from the one located on the front end side in the extending direction of the label. Label sewing device. The label supply device includes:
A label storage section in which a plurality of labels are laminated;
A transfer unit that transfers the label to a delivery position that passes from the label storage unit to the label transport device by a nozzle that sucks and sucks the label;
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a suction control unit that weakens a suction force when the label is sucked and pulled from the label storage unit by the nozzle of the transfer unit to be lower than a suction force during transfer after the lifting. 4. The label sewing apparatus according to any one of 3 above. The label supply device includes:
A label storage section in which a plurality of labels are laminated;
A transfer unit that transfers the label to a delivery position that passes from the label storage unit to the label transport device by a nozzle that sucks and sucks the label;
The label sewing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a label humidifying device that wets a label at an uppermost position stacked on the label storage unit. The label supply device includes:
A label storage section in which a plurality of labels are laminated;
A transfer unit that transfers the label to a delivery position that passes from the label storage unit to the label transport device by a nozzle that sucks and sucks the label;
The label storage unit maintains a first height detection unit that detects that a stacked uppermost label has a specified target height, and maintains the uppermost label height at the target height. The label sewing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an elevating mechanism.   The said raising / lowering mechanism is equipped with the mounting part which mounts the several said laminated | stacked label, and the 2nd height detection part which detects the height of the said mounting part. Label sewing device.   The label sewing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the label storage unit includes a position adjusting mechanism that adjusts end positions of the plurality of stacked labels. A plurality of the label supply devices are provided,
Each of the label supply devices
A label storage section in which a plurality of labels are laminated;
A transfer unit that transfers the label to a delivery position that is passed from the label storage unit to the label transport device by a nozzle that sucks and sucks the label;
A support frame that supports the label storage unit and the transfer unit;
The label sewing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support frame is detachable adjacent to a conveyance path of the label conveyance apparatus. The label transport device includes a transport body that supports the upper clamp member and the lower clamp member and moves between a transport start position in the transport path and the sewing machine that is a transport end position,
The transfer unit of the plurality of label supply devices includes a suction position for sucking the label from the label storage unit, an intermediate standby position between the suction position and the transfer position, and the transfer position. As well as
The transfer unit of the plurality of label supply devices transfers the nozzle to the transfer position when the transfer body is at the transfer start position, and after passing the label to the transfer body, The label sewing apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a supply control unit configured to control to wait at the intermediate standby position after the label is transferred to the label storage unit and the label is adsorbed.

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