JP2021147189A - Printer and packaging system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a printer capable of suppressing a decrease in printing accuracy, and a packaging system.SOLUTION: A printer 3 comprises: a conveying roller 20 which comes into contact with a film F to convey the film F toward the downstream side of a conveying path at a predetermined speed; a printing unit 22 which is provided so as to be movable to a proximity position P1 close to the film F conveyed by the conveying roller 20 and a separation position P2 separated from the film F, and performs printing on a printing area A of the film F at the proximity position P1; and a dancer roller 24 provided downstream of the conveying roller 20 in the conveying path of the film F. The dancer roller 24 absorbs the slack of the film F while moving the film F so that the film F winds around the conveying roller 20 when the conveying speed of the film F located on the downstream side of the dancer roller 24 is slower than the conveying speed of the film F located on the upstream side of the dancer roller 24.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a packaging system.

Conventionally, a printing apparatus has been known in which a printing unit prints on a printed object (printed matter) conveyed at a constant speed by a conveying roller (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-16895

An object printed by a printing device is a wrapping film for wrapping an article. Generally, the packaging film is obtained by cutting a film unwound from a film roll and conveyed by a conveying roller by a cutting portion. Information related to the article is printed on the packaging film by the printing unit. Printing by the printing unit is performed on the printed area of the film to be conveyed before the film is cut by the cutting unit. Here, when the film is cut by the cutting portion, the transport of the film is temporarily stopped. At this time, the transfer of the film by the transfer roller is not stopped. Therefore, slack may occur in the film between the transport roller and the cut portion. When the film is loosened, the film may be lifted from the transport roller, the position of the film may be displaced with respect to the transport roller, or the film may be fluttered. Then, the printing accuracy by the printing unit may decrease.

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus and a packaging system capable of suppressing a decrease in printing accuracy.

The printing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is close to a transport roller that comes into contact with a long film and transports the film toward the downstream side of the transport path at a predetermined speed and a film that is conveyed by the transport roller. It is provided with a printing unit that is movably provided at a close position and a separated position that is separated from the film and that prints on the print area of the film at the close position, and a dancer roller that is provided downstream of the transfer roller in the film transfer path. When the transport speed of the film located on the downstream side of the dancer roller is slower than the transport speed of the film located on the upstream side of the dancer roller, the dancer roller moves the film so as to wind around the transport roller. Absorbs slack in the film.

In the printing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, the dancer roller causes the film to be transferred to the transport roller when the transport speed of the film located on the downstream side of the dancer roller is slower than the transport speed of the film located on the upstream side of the dancer roller. It absorbs the slack of the film while moving the film so that it wraps around. As a result, in the printing apparatus, the transfer of the film is temporarily stopped when the film is cut, so that the transfer speed of the film located on the downstream side of the dancer roller becomes the transfer speed of the film located on the upstream side of the dancer roller. Even if the film becomes slack, the dancer roller can eliminate the slack. Further, since the dancer roller moves the film so that the film winds around the transport roller, the state in which the film is in contact with the transport roller can be maintained. As a result, in the printing apparatus, when printing on the film by the printing unit, it is possible to prevent the film from being lifted from the transport roller, the position of the film being displaced with respect to the transport roller, and the film from being fluttered. Therefore, the printing apparatus can print on the film in an appropriate state. As a result, the printing apparatus can suppress a decrease in printing accuracy.

In one embodiment, the transport roller continuously transports the film at a constant predetermined speed, and the dancer roller is a film on the downstream side of the dancer roller with respect to a constant predetermined speed at which the transport roller conveys the film. When the transport speed becomes relatively slow, the film may be moved downward by its own weight so as to absorb the slack of the film while moving the film so as to wind around the transport roller. When the transport speed of the film on the downstream side of the dancer roller becomes relatively slow with respect to a constant predetermined speed at which the transport roller transports the film, the tension of the film decreases, so that the film floats and the like occurs in the transport roller. Therefore, in the printing apparatus, when the speed difference occurs, the dancer roller moves downward due to its own weight, so that tension is applied to the film, so that the film in an appropriate state can be printed.

In one embodiment, the dancer roller may wind the film around the transport roller by changing the angle at which the film advances from the transport roller. In this configuration, the film can be wound around the transport roller.

In one embodiment, the transport roller has a side surface that comes into contact with the film, and when the film enters the side surface of the transport roller, it is in a state of being inclined upward with respect to the horizontal plane, and the film advances from the side surface of the transport roller. The dancer roller is positioned so that it is tilted downward with respect to the horizontal plane, and the dancer roller ends contact with the side surface when the film advances from the transport roller by moving the film. The position may be changed to the downstream side in the rotation direction of the transfer roller to increase the contact area between the transfer roller and the film. When the tension of the film is reduced due to the temporary stop of the transfer on the downstream side of the film transfer path from the printing apparatus, the film transfer depends on the transfer roller. In this configuration, since the contact area between the transport roller and the film is increased, the frictional force of the transport roller acts on the film more, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of slippage between the transport roller and the film.

In one embodiment, the side surface of the transport roller may be formed of an elastic member that creates a frictional force with the film. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the film from sliding (shifting in position) with respect to the transport roller. Therefore, the printing apparatus can print on a film in an appropriate state, so that a decrease in printing accuracy can be suppressed.

In one embodiment, the shaft portion of the dancer roller is movably supported, and a guide portion for guiding the shaft portion along a predetermined direction is provided. When the speed is slower than the transport speed of the film located on the upstream side of the shaft portion, the shaft portion may be guided so that the dancer roller approaches the transport roller in the horizontal direction. In this configuration, the angle at which the film advances from the transport roller can be reduced by bringing the dancer roller and the transport roller close to each other. As a result, in the printing apparatus, the contact area between the transport roller and the film can be increased.

In one embodiment, the diameter of the transport roller may be at least twice the diameter of the dancer roller. In this configuration, the contact area between the transport roller and the film can be secured by adopting a transport roller having a relatively large diameter. Further, in the printing apparatus, by adopting a dancer roller having a relatively small diameter, it is possible to avoid contact between the transport roller and the dancer roller.

In one embodiment, a detection unit that detects marks attached at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the film corresponding to the print area of the film, and a detection unit that detects the detection results of the detection unit, causes the film to be printed. It is provided with a control unit that moves the print unit to a close position when the print area passes and moves the print unit to a remote position when an area other than the print area of the film passes with respect to the print unit. May be good. In this configuration, the printed portion can be brought close to the film when printing on the print area, and the printed portion can be separated from the film when not printing. Therefore, in the printing apparatus, it is possible to prevent the printing portion from coming into contact with the film when not printing, and it is possible to avoid the occurrence of problems such as rubbing marks remaining on the film.

In one embodiment, a measuring unit for measuring the number of pulses related to the rotation of the transport roller is provided, the measuring unit starts measuring the number of pulses when the detection unit detects a mark, and the control unit is the measuring unit. When the number of pulses measured by the above reaches a predetermined number, the printing unit may start printing. If the film transport speed changes after the printing unit starts moving to a close position, the printing position may shift. In this configuration, the control unit causes the printing unit to start printing when the number of pulses measured by the measuring unit reaches a predetermined number. As a result, in the printing apparatus, even if the film transport speed changes after the printing unit starts moving to a close position, printing can be started at an appropriate timing according to the number of pulses. Therefore, the printing position does not shift. Therefore, in the printing apparatus, it is possible to suppress a decrease in printing accuracy.

In one embodiment, the printing unit winds up and collects a printing head that prints the ink ribbon on a film by thermal transfer, a supply unit that supplies the ink ribbon to the printing head, and an ink ribbon printed by the printing head. The collection unit is provided between the print head and the collection unit in the ink ribbon transport path, and is provided between the drive roller for transporting the ink ribbon and the drive roller and the recovery section in the transport path. It may have a turn roller that comes into contact and maintains a constant angle when the ink ribbon advances from the drive roller. In the printing unit, in order to effectively utilize the ink ribbon, after printing by the print head, the ink ribbon is back-fed by a drive roller by a certain amount. As a result, the consumption of the ink ribbon is reduced by reducing the distance between the parts used for printing. Here, the angle of the ink ribbon in contact with the drive roller changes due to the change in the diameter of the ink ribbon wound in the collection unit. Therefore, the amount of back feed may vary depending on the diameter of the ink ribbon wound around the collection unit. This configuration has a turn roller that maintains a constant angle when the ink ribbon advances from the drive roller. As a result, in the printing apparatus, it is possible to suppress the variation in the back feed amount. Therefore, the ink ribbon can be effectively used.

In one embodiment, the film becomes a packaging film that wraps the article by being cut by the cut portion of the packaging system that wraps the article, and the dancer roller is a transport roller when the film is cut by the cut portion. The slack of the film may be absorbed while moving the film so as to wrap around the film. In this configuration, even when the transport of the film is temporarily stopped when the film is cut and the film is slackened, the slack can be eliminated by the dancer roller.

The printing device according to one aspect of the present invention is a printing device used in a packaging system in which a long film is cut by a cut portion and articles are packaged by the cut packaging film, and the film is conveyed rather than the cut portion. For a transport roller provided on the upstream side of the path and transporting the film toward the downstream side of the transport path at a predetermined speed in contact with the film, and a close position and the film close to the film conveyed by the transport roller. The dancer roller is provided with a printing unit that is movably provided at a separated position and prints on the print area of the film at a close position, and a dancer roller provided between the transport roller and the cutting portion in the film transport path. The film is provided with a dancer roller that absorbs the slack of the film while moving the film so that the film is wound around the transport roller when the film is cut by the cutting portion.

In the printing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, when the film is cut by the cutting portion, the dancer roller absorbs the slack of the film while moving the film so that the film is wound around the transport roller. As a result, in the printing apparatus, even when the film is temporarily stopped from being conveyed when the film is cut and the film is slackened, the slack can be eliminated by the dancer roller. Further, since the dancer roller moves the film so that the film winds around the transport roller, the state in which the film is in contact with the transport roller can be maintained. As a result, in the printing apparatus, when printing on the film by the printing unit, it is possible to prevent the film from being lifted from the transport roller, the position of the film being displaced with respect to the transport roller, and the film from being fluttered. Therefore, the printing apparatus can print on the film in an appropriate state. As a result, the printing apparatus can suppress a decrease in printing accuracy.

The packaging system according to one aspect of the present invention includes the printing apparatus, a support portion provided on the upstream side of the film transport path with respect to the printing device and supporting the film roll around which the film is wound, and the film transport path. The film is provided on the downstream side of the printing apparatus in the above, and when the film is conveyed and the film is temporarily stopped at a predetermined timing, and when the film is temporarily stopped by the conveying unit, the film is conveyed. It is provided with a cutting portion for cutting the film.

The packaging system according to one aspect of the present invention includes the printing apparatus. As a result, in the packaging system, it is possible to suppress a decrease in printing accuracy.

According to one aspect of the present invention, printing accuracy can be improved.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a packaging system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a printing apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a printing unit. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the operation of the print head. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the operation of the printing unit. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a film.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the wrapping system 1 includes a printing device 3 and a wrapping device 5. In the packaging system 1, for example, articles such as food are packaged. In the packaging system 1, printing is performed on the film F for packaging the article, and the article is packaged on the printed packaging film RF. In the packaging system 1, printing is performed on the film F supplied from the film roll FR, and the article is packaged by the packaging film RF obtained by cutting the film F.

A long film F is supplied to the packaging system 1 from the film roll FR. The packaging system 1 includes a support portion 9 that supports the film roll FR, a transport portion 11 that conveys the film F supplied from the film roll FR, and a cutting portion 13 that cuts the film F conveyed by the transport unit 11. It has. The film F extends continuously from the film roll FR to the cut portion 13.

The support portion 9 rotatably supports the film roll FR. The support portion 9 is provided on the upstream side of the transport path of the film F with respect to the printing apparatus 3. The transport section 11 is provided between the printing device 3 and the cutting section 13 in the film transport path. The transport unit 11 transports the film F and temporarily stops the transport of the film F at a predetermined timing. The predetermined timing is set so as to convey a fixed amount of the film F. The predetermined timing also corresponds to the timing at which the cutting portion 13 cuts the film F.

The transport unit 11 includes a pair of rollers 11a and 11b. In the transport unit 11, the film F is sandwiched between the pair of rollers 11a and 11b in the vertical direction, and the film F is conveyed by the rotation of the pair of rollers 11a and 11b. At least one of the pair of rollers 11a and 11b is rotationally driven by a drive unit (not shown). The cutting section 13 cuts the film F when the transport of the film F is temporarily stopped by the transport section 11. The cutting portion 13 cuts the film F at the timing when the rotation of the pair of rollers 11a and 11b of the conveying portion 11 is stopped. The film F cut by the cutting portion 13 becomes the packaging film RF.

In the transport path of the film F, a plurality of rollers 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19 are provided between the film roll FR and the packaging device 5. The numbers and positions of the rollers 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19 may be appropriately set.

The printing device 3 prints on the film F. The printing device 3 inspects the printed content printed on the film F. The printing device 3 includes a transport roller 20, a printing unit 22, a dancer roller 24, a detection unit 26 (see FIG. 2), a control unit 28, and a camera 30.

The transport roller 20 transports the film F unwound from the film roll FR. The transfer roller 20 is arranged on the downstream side of the film roll FR. The transport roller 20 is provided on the upstream side of the transport path of the film F with respect to the cutting portion 13. The transport roller 20 is located below the film F and can come into contact with the lower surface of the film F. The transport roller 20 comes into contact with the film F and transports the film F toward the downstream side of the transport path at a predetermined speed. The transfer roller 20 continuously conveys the film F at a constant predetermined speed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the transport roller 20 is rotatably supported by the housing portion 3A of the printing apparatus 3. In the transport roller 20, the shaft portion 20a is rotatably supported by the housing portion 3A. The transfer roller 20 is rotated by being driven by the transfer roller drive unit 21 (see FIG. 2). The operation of the transport roller drive unit 21 is controlled by the control unit 28.

The transport roller 20 has a side surface (peripheral surface) 20s that comes into contact with the film F. The side surface 20s is formed of an elastic member that generates a frictional force with the film F. The side surface 20s is made of rubber, for example. The transport roller 20 is in a state of being inclined upward with respect to the horizontal plane when the film F enters the side surface 20s of the transport roller 20, and becomes a horizontal plane when the film F advances from the side surface 20s of the transport roller 20. On the other hand, it is arranged in a position where it is inclined downward. The diameter of the transport roller 20 is at least twice the diameter of the dancer roller 24.

The transfer roller 20 is provided with an encoder (measurement unit) 32 (see FIG. 2). The encoder 32 is, for example, a rotary encoder. The encoder 32 measures the number of pulses related to the rotation of the transport roller 20. The encoder 32 outputs a pulse signal corresponding to the displacement due to the rotation of the transport roller 20. The encoder 32 outputs a pulse signal to the control unit 28. The encoder 32 starts measuring the number of pal when the measurement signal is output from the control unit 28.

The printing unit 22 prints the print area A (see FIG. 7) of the film F. As shown in FIG. 4, the printing unit 22 includes a printing head 40, a supply unit 42, a collecting unit 44, a drive roller 46, and a turn roller 48.

The print head 40 prints the ink ribbon R on the film F by thermal transfer. The print head 40 is held by the holder 50. The holding body 50 is fixed (supported) to the housing portion 22A. The print head 40 is swingably supported by the holding body 50. As shown in FIG. 5, the print head 40 moves to the proximity position P1 and the separation position P2 by swinging. The print head 40 swings by being driven by the head drive unit 41 (see FIG. 2). The operation of the head drive unit 41 is controlled by the control unit 28. Further, the print head 40 prints (thermally transfers) on the film F being conveyed at a substantially constant speed.

As shown in FIG. 4, the supply unit 42 supplies the ink ribbon R to the print head 40. The supply unit 42 rotatably supports the ink ribbon roll RR. The supply unit 42 is provided in the housing unit 22A. The collection unit 44 winds up and collects the ink ribbon R used by the print head 40. The collection unit 44 supports a reel (not shown) for winding the ink ribbon R. The collection unit 44 collects the ink ribbon R by rotating the reel. The recovery unit 44 is provided in the housing unit 22A.

The drive roller 46 conveys the ink ribbon R. The drive roller 46 is provided between the print head 40 and the collection unit 44 in the transport path of the ink ribbon R. The drive roller 46 is provided on the holding body 50. The drive roller 46 is rotated by the drive of the drive roller drive unit 47. The operation of the drive roller drive unit 47 is controlled by the control unit 28.

The turn roller 48 is provided between the drive roller 46 and the recovery unit 44 in the transport path of the ink ribbon R. The turn roller 48 is provided in the housing portion 22A. The turn roller 48 comes into contact with the ink ribbon R and maintains a constant angle when the ink ribbon R advances from the drive roller 46. As shown in FIG. 4, the diameter of the ink ribbon R collected by the collection unit 44 changes depending on the amount of collection, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line and the solid line. The turn roller 48 comes into contact with the ink ribbon R between the drive roller 46 and the collection unit 44, so that the angle at which the ink ribbon R advances from the drive roller 46 is maintained constant. That is, the angle of the ink ribbon R located between the drive roller 46 and the turn roller 48 does not change.

As shown in FIG. 6, the housing portion 22A is provided so as to be movable in the extending direction of the transport roller 20. The housing portion 22A is suspended from the rail 54 by the mounting portion 52. The mounting portion 52 is slidably provided on the rail 54. The rail 54 extends along the extending direction of the transport roller 20. One end of the rail 54 protrudes from the end of the transport roller 20. By moving the housing portion 22A along the rail 54, the housing portion 22A moves to a position deviated from above the transport roller 20. As a result, maintenance of the printing unit 22 (replacement of the ink ribbon R, etc.) can be easily performed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the dancer roller 24 is provided between the transport roller 20 and the cutting portion 13 in the transport path of the film F. The dancer roller 24 is located above the film F to be conveyed and can come into contact with the upper surface of the film F.

As shown in FIG. 3, the dancer roller 24 is rotatably supported by the housing portion 3A. In the dancer roller 24, the shaft portion 24a is rotatably supported by the housing portion 3A. The shaft portion 24a is located in the guide groove (guide portion) 29 of the housing portion 3A. The guide groove 29 movably supports the shaft portion 24a of the dancer roller 24 and guides the shaft portion 24a along a predetermined direction. The guide groove 29 is provided in the housing portion 3A. The guide groove 29 is a hole that penetrates the housing portion 3A in the thickness direction and extends along one direction. The extending direction of the guide groove 29 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. Specifically, the guide groove 29 is inclined so that the upper end thereof is separated from the lower end with respect to the transport roller 20 in the horizontal direction.

The shaft portion 24a of the dancer roller 24 is movable in the guide groove 29. The guide groove 29 guides the shaft portion 24a so that the dancer roller 24 approaches the transport roller 20 in the horizontal direction when the film F is cut by the cutting portion 13. The dancer roller 24 is the closest to the transport roller 20 in the horizontal direction when it is located at the upper end of the guide groove 29, and is closest to the transport roller 20 in the horizontal direction when it is located at the lower end of the guide groove 29.

The dancer roller 24 is arranged so that the film F winds around the transport roller 20 when the transport speed of the film F located on the downstream side of the dancer roller 24 is slower than the transport speed of the film F located on the upstream side of the dancer roller 24. While moving the film F, it absorbs the slack of the film F. When the film F is cut by the cutting portion 13, the transport speed of the film F located on the downstream side of the dancer roller 24 becomes slower than the transport speed of the film F located on the upstream side of the dancer roller 24. The dancer roller 24 winds the film F around the transport roller 20 when the transport speed of the film F on the downstream side of the dancer roller 24 is relatively slow with respect to a constant predetermined speed at which the transport roller 20 transports the film F. While moving the film F in this way, it moves downward along the guide groove 29 due to its own weight so as to absorb the slack of the film F. As a result, the film F does not float from the transport roller 20 and continues to be in close contact with the transport roller 20. Therefore, the transport speed of the film F located on the downstream side (that is, the cutting portion 13 side) of the dancer roller 24 is slower than the transport speed of the film F located on the upstream side (that is, the transport roller 20 side) of the dancer roller 24. Even so, the transport roller 20 continuously transports the film F without decelerating the film F.

When the film F is conveyed with a predetermined tension, the dancer roller 24 is lifted upward by the tension of the film F. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the dancer roller 24 is located at the first position P11.

When the film F is cut by the cutting portion 13, that is, when the transport speed of the film F located on the downstream side of the dancer roller 24 is slower than the transport speed of the film F located on the upstream side of the dancer roller 24, the film A change occurs in the tension of F. Specifically, when the film F is cut by the cutting portion 13, the transport of the film F is temporarily stopped, so that the tension of the film F is reduced. As a result, the dancer roller 24 moves downward due to its own weight so as to press the film F downward as the film F loosens. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, the dancer roller 24 moves downward along the guide groove 29 and is located at the second position P22. As a result, the dancer roller 24 absorbs the slack of the film F.

The dancer roller 24 winds the film F around the transport roller 20 by moving along the guide groove 29. The dancer roller 24 winds the film F around the transport roller 20 by changing the angle at which the film F advances from the transport roller 20. Specifically, by moving the film F, the dancer roller 24 changes the position at which the contact with the side surface 20s ends when the film F advances from the transport roller 20 to the downstream side in the rotation direction of the transport roller 20. Therefore, the contact area between the transport roller 20 and the film F is increased. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the dancer roller 24 changes the film F from the position indicated by the solid line to the position indicated by the alternate long and short dash line. As a result, the contact area between the transport roller 20 and the film F increases, and the film F winds around the transport roller 20.

As shown in FIG. 2, the detection unit 26 detects the mark M. The detection unit 26 detects marks M attached at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the film F corresponding to the print area A of the film F. As shown in FIG. 7, the film F is marked (printed) with marks M at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction (extending direction) D. The detection unit 26 is, for example, a camera. The detection unit 26 is arranged at a position where the mark M can be detected. The detection unit 26 outputs the detection result to the control unit 28.

The control unit 28 controls the operation of the printing device 3. Based on the detection result of the detection unit 26, the control unit 28 moves the print unit 22 to the proximity position P1 when the print area A of the film F passes through the print unit 22, and also with respect to the print unit 22. The printing unit 22 is moved to the separation position P2 when an area other than the printing area A of the film F passes through. When the mark M is detected in the detection result of the detection unit 26, the control unit 28 moves the printing unit 22 to the proximity position P1. Specifically, the control unit 28 controls the operation of the head drive unit 41 based on the detection result, and controls the printing unit 22.

The control unit 28 causes the printing unit 22 to start printing based on the output result of the encoder 32. When the mark M is detected in the detection result of the detection unit 26, the control unit 28 outputs a measurement signal instructing the encoder 32 to start the measurement. The control unit 28 inputs the pulse signal output from the encoder 32 in response to the output of the measurement signal, and causes the printing unit 22 to start printing when the number of pulses reaches a predetermined number in the pulse signal. The predetermined number is set according to the amount of film F conveyed.

The control unit 28 inspects the print state based on the image output from the camera 30. The control unit 28 performs image processing on the image and inspects whether or not the print state (print position, print content, etc.) is possible. When the control unit 28 detects an inadequate printing state, the control unit 28 notifies the fact. For example, the control unit 28 causes the display to indicate that fact.

The camera 30 takes an image of the film F printed by the printing unit 22. The camera 30 captures, for example, the print area A of the film F carried between the rollers 15 and 16. The camera 30 outputs the captured image to the control unit 28.

The camera 30 is provided integrally with the printing unit 22. The camera 30 and the printing unit 22 are connected by a connecting unit 34. Specifically, the bracket 30A that holds the camera 30 and the housing portion 22A of the printing portion 22 are connected by a connecting portion 34. The camera 30 and the printing unit 22 are integrally movable.

As shown in FIG. 1, the packaging device 5 wraps the article. The wrapping device 5 wraps the article by the wrapping film RF cut by the cutting portion 13.

Subsequently, the operation of the packaging system 1 will be described. The film F supplied from the film roll FR is conveyed by the transfer roller 20 at a constant predetermined speed. The printing unit 22 prints on the film F conveyed by the conveying roller 20. The camera 30 takes an image of the film F printed by the printing unit 22. The control unit 28 inspects the printing state based on the image captured by the camera 30.

The transport unit 11 suspends the transport of the film F at a predetermined timing while transporting the film F. The cutting portion 13 cuts the film F at the timing when the transport of the film F is temporarily stopped. As a result, a wrapping film RF for wrapping the article is created. The wrapping device 5 wraps the article using the wrapping film RF.

In the printing apparatus 3, in order to cut the film F by the cutting section 13, when the transporting section 11 suspends the transporting of the film F and the transporting speed of the film F changes, that is, the cutting section 13 causes a change in the transporting speed of the film F. When there is a difference between the transport speed of the film F when the film F is cut and the predetermined speed at which the transport roller 20 transports the film F, the dancer roller 24 moves. The dancer roller 24 moves downward along the guide groove 29 and approaches the transport roller 20 as the tension generated in the film F decreases (slack of the film F). As a result, the film F pushed downward by the dancer roller 24 absorbs the slack (tension is applied by the dancer roller 24) and winds around the transport roller 20. By winding the film F around the transport roller 20, the contact area between the transport roller 20 and the film F increases.

As described above, in the printing apparatus 3 of the packaging system 1 according to the present embodiment, in the dancer roller 24, the transport speed of the film F located on the downstream side of the dancer roller 24 is set to the transport speed of the film F located on the upstream side of the dancer roller 24. When the speed is slower than the transfer speed of the above, the film F is moved so as to be wound around the transfer roller 20, and the slack of the film F is absorbed. As a result, in the printing apparatus 3, when the film F is cut, the transport of the film F is temporarily stopped, so that the transport speed of the film F located on the downstream side of the dancer roller 24 is moved to the upstream side of the dancer roller 24. Even if the film F is slower than the transport speed of the position film F and the film F is slackened, the slack can be eliminated by the dancer roller 24. Further, since the dancer roller 24 moves the film so that the film F winds around the transport roller 20, the state in which the film F is in contact with the transport roller 20 can be maintained. As a result, in the printing apparatus 3, when printing on the film F by the printing unit 22, the film F is lifted from the transport roller 20, the position of the film F is displaced with respect to the transport roller 20, and the film F is fluttered. Can be avoided. Therefore, the printing apparatus 3 can print on the film F in an appropriate state. As a result, the printing apparatus 3 can suppress a decrease in printing accuracy.

The print head 40 prints on the film F by bringing the ink ribbon R, which is fed at a speed substantially the same as the transport speed of the film F, into contact with the film F as the film F is conveyed. Therefore, the print head 40 cannot properly print when the film F at the print position decelerates or stops. On the other hand, in the printing apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment, the printing head 40 suppresses a decrease in printing accuracy in a configuration in which printing (thermal transfer) is performed on the film F being conveyed at a substantially constant speed. Can be done. Specifically, even if the transport speed of the film F located on the downstream side of the dancer roller 24 is slower than the transport speed of the film F located on the upstream side of the dancer roller 24, the transport roller 20 substantially conveys the film F. The film F can be continuously conveyed without decelerating. As a result, even if the print head 40 has a configuration in which printing (thermal transfer) is performed on the film F being conveyed at a substantially constant speed, the film F does not stop or decelerate in the middle of printing. The printing device 3 of the packaging system 1 according to the embodiment can print with high printing accuracy.

In the printing apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment, the transfer roller 20 continuously conveys the film F at a constant predetermined speed. The dancer roller 24 winds the film F around the transport roller 20 when the transport speed of the film F on the downstream side of the dancer roller 24 is relatively slow with respect to a constant predetermined speed at which the transport roller 20 transports the film F. While moving the film F in this way, it moves downward due to its own weight so as to absorb the slack of the film F. When the transport speed of the film F on the downstream side of the dancer roller 24 becomes relatively slow with respect to a constant predetermined speed at which the transport roller 20 transports the film F, the tension of the film F located downstream of the transport roller 20 decreases. Therefore, the film F is lifted or the like in the transport roller 20. Therefore, in the printing apparatus 3, when the speed difference occurs, the dancer roller 24 moves downward due to its own weight, so that tension is applied to the film F, so that the film F in an appropriate state can be printed. ..

In the printing apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment, the dancer roller 24 winds the film F around the transport roller 20 by changing the angle at which the film F advances from the transport roller 20. In this configuration, the film F can be wound around the transport roller 20.

In the printing apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment, the transport roller 20 has a side surface 20s that comes into contact with the film F, and when the film F enters the side surface 20s of the transport roller 20, it is inclined upward with respect to the horizontal plane. Therefore, the film F is arranged at a position where it is inclined downward with respect to the horizontal plane when the film F advances from the side surface 20s of the transport roller 20. By moving the film F, the dancer roller 24 changes the position at which the contact with the side surface 20s ends when the film F advances from the transport roller 20 to the downstream side in the rotation direction of the transport roller 20, and the transport roller 20 The contact area between the film F and the film F is increased. When the tension of the film F is reduced due to the temporary stop of the transfer on the downstream side of the transfer path of the film F from the printing apparatus 3, the transfer of the film F depends on the transfer roller 20. In the printing apparatus 3, since the contact area between the transport roller 20 and the film F is increased, the frictional force of the transport roller 20 acts on the film F to be larger, and slippage occurs between the transport roller 20 and the film F. Can be suppressed.

In the printing apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment, the side surface 20s of the transport roller 20 is formed of an elastic member that generates a frictional force with the film F. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the film F from sliding (shifting in position) with respect to the transport roller 20. Therefore, the printing apparatus 3 can print on the film F in an appropriate state, so that a decrease in printing accuracy can be suppressed.

The printing apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment includes a guide groove 29 that movably supports the shaft portion 24a of the dancer roller 24 and guides the shaft portion 24a along a predetermined direction. The guide groove 29 is provided so that the dancer roller 24 approaches the transport roller 20 in the horizontal direction when the transport speed of the film F located on the downstream side of the dancer roller 24 is slower than the transport speed of the film F located on the upstream side of the dancer roller 24. Guide the shaft portion 24a to. In this configuration, the angle at which the film F advances from the transport roller 20 can be reduced by bringing the dancer roller 24 and the transport roller 20 close to each other. As a result, in the printing apparatus 3, the contact area between the transport roller 20 and the film F can be increased.

In the printing apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment, the diameter of the transport roller 20 is at least twice the diameter of the dancer roller 24. In this configuration, the contact area between the transport roller 20 and the film F can be secured by adopting the transport roller 20 having a relatively large diameter. Further, in the printing apparatus 3, by adopting a dancer roller 24 having a relatively small diameter, it is possible to avoid contact between the transport roller 20 and the dancer roller 24.

The printing apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment includes a detection unit 26 that detects marks M attached at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the film F corresponding to the print area A of the film F, and detection results of the detection unit 26. Based on this, when the print area A of the film F passes through the print unit 22, the print unit 22 is moved to the proximity position P1, and the area other than the print area A of the film F passes through the print unit 22. A control unit 28 that sometimes moves the printing unit 22 to the separation position P2 is provided. In this configuration, the printing unit 22 can be brought close to the film F when printing on the print area A, and the printing unit 22 can be separated from the film F when not printing. Therefore, in the printing apparatus 3, it is possible to prevent the printing unit 22 and the film F from coming into contact with each other when printing is not performed, so that it is possible to avoid the occurrence of problems such as rubbing marks remaining on the film F.

The printing apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment includes an encoder 32 that measures the number of pulses related to the rotation of the transport roller 20. When the mark M is detected by the detection unit 26, the encoder 32 starts measuring the number of pulses. The control unit 28 causes the printing unit 22 to start printing when the number of pulses measured by the encoder 32 reaches a predetermined number. Here, since the distance between the position of the mark M and the printing position (area to be printed) is determined for each type of (long) film F, a predetermined number of marks M are detected by the detection unit 26. If printing is started at the timing when the pulse of (that is, the film F is sent by a predetermined distance) is started, printing can be performed according to the printing position. However, the transport speed of the film F is not always a completely constant speed. Therefore, if the timing is determined on the premise that the film F is conveyed at a completely constant speed after the mark M is detected and printing is started, when the transfer speed of the film F changes, The print position may shift. Further, the printing unit 22 needs to finish moving from the separation position P2 to the proximity position P1 before starting printing. Therefore, when the detection unit 26 detects the mark M, the control unit 28 approaches the printing position faster than the printing position reaches the position of the printing unit 22, even if the transport speed of the film F is always the theoretical maximum value. The movement of the printing unit 22 (head driving unit 41) is started at the timing when the movement from the position P1 to the separation position P2 is completed. As a result, the printing unit 22 conveyed the film by a predetermined amount from the time when the mark M was detected (that is, the number of pulses became a predetermined number) regardless of how the conveying speed of the film F changed. At this point, printing can be started. Further, in the printing device 3, the control unit 28 causes the printing unit 22 to start printing (thermal transfer) when the number of pulses measured by the encoder 32 reaches a predetermined number. With these configurations, in the printing apparatus 3, even if the transfer speed of the film F changes after the printing unit 22 starts moving to the proximity position P1, printing is performed at an appropriate timing according to the number of pulses. Since the printing position can be started, the printing position does not shift. Therefore, the printing apparatus 3 can suppress a decrease in printing accuracy.

In the printing apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment, the printing unit 22 includes a printing head 40 that prints the ink ribbon R on the film F by thermal transfer, a supply unit 42 that supplies the ink ribbon R to the printing head 40, and a printing head. A collection unit 44 that winds up and collects the ink ribbon R printed by 40, and a drive roller 46 that is provided between the print head 40 and the collection unit 44 in the transfer path of the ink ribbon R and conveys the ink ribbon R. A turn roller 48, which is provided between the drive roller 46 and the collection unit 44 in the transport path and is provided in contact with the ink ribbon R to maintain a constant angle when the ink ribbon R advances from the drive roller 46. Have. In order to effectively utilize the ink ribbon R, the printing unit 22 prints with the print head 40 and then backfeeds the ink ribbon R by a fixed amount by the drive roller 46. As a result, the consumption of the ink ribbon R is reduced by reducing the distance between the portions used for printing. Here, the angle of the ink ribbon R in contact with the drive roller 46 changes due to the change in the diameter of the ink ribbon R wound in the collection unit 44. Therefore, the amount of back feed may vary depending on the diameter of the ink ribbon R wound around the collection unit 44. The printing unit 22 has a turn roller 48 that maintains a constant angle when the ink ribbon R advances from the drive roller 46. As a result, in the printing apparatus 3, it is possible to suppress the variation in the back feed amount. Therefore, the ink ribbon R can be effectively used.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof.

In the above embodiment, a mode in which the dancer roller 24 moves along the guide groove 29 by its own weight has been described as an example. However, the dancer roller 24 may be driven according to the tension of the film F. In this case, a sensor for detecting the transport speed of the film located on the downstream side of the dancer roller 24 and the transport speed of the film located on the upstream side of the dancer roller 24 is provided, and the dancer roller 24 is driven based on the detection result of the sensor. Just do it.

In the above embodiment, a mode in which the printing unit 22 prints using the ink ribbon R has been described as an example. However, the printing method is not limited to this, and for example, an inkjet method may be used.

1 ... Packaging system, 3 ... Printing device, 11 ... Transport section, 13 ... Cutting section, 20 ... Transport roller, 20s ... Side surface, 22 ... Printing section, 24 ... Dancer roller, 24a ... Shaft section, 26 ... Detection section, 28 ... Control unit, 29 ... guide groove (guide unit), 32 ... encoder (measurement unit), 40 ... print head, 42 ... supply unit, 44 ... collection unit, 46 ... drive roller, 48 ... turn roller, A ... print area, F ... film, FR ... film roll, M ... mark, P1 ... proximity position, P2 ... separation position, R ... ink ribbon, RF ... packaging film.

Claims (13)

A transport roller that comes into contact with a long film and transports the film toward the downstream side of the transport path at a predetermined speed.
A printing unit that is movably provided at a position close to the film conveyed by the transfer roller and a separation position away from the film, and prints on the print area of the film at the close position.
A dancer roller provided downstream of the transport roller in the film transport path is provided.
When the transport speed of the film located on the downstream side of the dancer roller is slower than the transport speed of the film located on the upstream side of the dancer roller, the dancer roller winds the film around the transport roller. A printing device that absorbs slack in the film while moving the film. The transfer roller continuously conveys the film at a constant predetermined speed.
When the transport speed of the film on the downstream side of the dancer roller is relatively slower than the constant predetermined speed at which the transport roller transports the film, the dancer roller winds the film around the transport roller. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the film is moved downward by its own weight so as to absorb the slack of the film. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the dancer roller winds the film around the transport roller by changing the angle at which the film advances from the transport roller. The transport roller has a side surface that comes into contact with the film, and when the film enters the side surface of the transport roller, it is in a state of being inclined upward with respect to a horizontal plane, and the film is in a state of being inclined upward with respect to the horizontal plane. It is arranged at a position where it is inclined downward with respect to the horizontal plane when advancing from.
By moving the film, the dancer roller changes the position at which the contact with the side surface ends when the film advances from the transport roller to the downstream side in the rotation direction of the transport roller, and the transport roller changes the position. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which increases the contact area between the film and the film. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the side surface of the transport roller is formed of an elastic member that generates a frictional force with the film. A guide portion that movably supports the shaft portion of the dancer roller and guides the shaft portion along a predetermined direction is provided.
The guide portion is provided so that the dancer roller approaches the transport roller in the horizontal direction when the transport speed of the film located on the downstream side of the dancer roller is slower than the transport speed of the film located on the upstream side of the dancer roller. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which guides the shaft portion. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the diameter of the transport roller is at least twice the diameter of the dancer roller. A detection unit that detects marks attached at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the film corresponding to the print area of the film, and a detection unit.
Based on the detection result of the detection unit, the printing unit is moved to the proximity position when the printing area of the film passes through the printing unit, and the printing of the film is performed on the printing unit. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a control unit that moves the printing unit to the separated position when an area other than the area passes through. A measuring unit for measuring the number of pulses related to the rotation of the transfer roller is provided.
When the mark is detected by the detection unit, the measurement unit starts measuring the number of pulses.
The printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control unit causes the printing unit to start printing when the number of pulses measured by the measuring unit reaches a predetermined number. The printing unit
A print head that prints the ink ribbon on the film by thermal transfer,
A supply unit that supplies the ink ribbon to the print head,
A collection unit that winds up and collects the ink ribbon printed by the print head, and a collection unit.
A drive roller provided between the print head and the collection unit in the ink ribbon transport path to transport the ink ribbon, and
It has a turn roller provided between the drive roller and the collection unit in the transport path, which comes into contact with the ink ribbon and maintains a constant angle when the ink ribbon advances from the drive roller. , The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9. The film becomes a packaging film for packaging the article by being cut by a cutting portion of the packaging system for packaging the article.
10. The printing apparatus according to one item. A printing device used in a packaging system in which a long film is cut by a cutting portion and articles are packaged by the cut packaging film.
A transport roller provided on the upstream side of the transport path of the film from the cutting portion, which comes into contact with the film and transports the film toward the downstream side of the transport path at a predetermined speed.
A printing unit that is movably provided at a position close to the film conveyed by the transfer roller and a separation position away from the film, and prints on the print area of the film at the close position.
A dancer roller provided between the transport roller and the cutting portion in the film transport path is provided.
The printing apparatus includes a dancer roller that absorbs slack of the film while moving the film so that the film is wound around the transport roller when the film is cut by the cutting portion. .. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
A support portion provided on the upstream side of the film transport path with respect to the printing apparatus and supporting the film roll around which the film is wound, and a support portion.
A transport unit provided on the downstream side of the printing apparatus in the film transport path to transport the film and temporarily stop the transfer of the film at a predetermined timing.
A packaging system comprising a cutting portion that cuts the film when the transport of the film is temporarily stopped by the transport portion.

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