JP2024037415A - Label sucking mechanism and label mounting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to use a common sucking drum for labels of various sizes, thereby reducing cost.

SOLUTION: A label sucking mechanism includes a sucking drum 3 with sucking holes h formed at a plurality of locations along the circumferential direction on the outer circumferential surface, a drive mechanism 4 for rotating the sucking drum 3, and a blower 5 for generating negative pressure in the sucking holes h. A label conveyed to a predetermined location is sucked by the sucking drum 3 regardless of the amount of rotation of the sucking drum 3 by the drive mechanism 4.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

COPYRIGHT: (C)2024,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a label attaching device for attaching a label to a container and a label adsorption mechanism used in this device.

As shown in Patent Document 1, the label attaching device is configured to intermittently transport a large number of containers using a timing screw or a star wheel, and attach labels that are held by suction drums to the containers. There are things that have been done.

Conventional suction drums have suction areas on the outer circumferential surface that are capable of suctioning labels, set at equal intervals along the circumference, such as four equally distributed suction areas, and suction holes are machined only in these suction areas, and a vacuum pump is installed. is used to generate negative pressure in each suction hole.

The reason why suction holes are formed only in the suction area is that forming suction holes outside the suction area may result in unnecessary processing costs, but the suction holes outside the suction area are not blocked by the label. This is because air leaks from the suction hole, making it impossible to maintain the degree of vacuum and making it impossible to securely hold the label.

However, when using such a suction drum, for example, if the length of the label changes, the circumferential length required for the suction area also changes (for example, it is necessary to arrange it in three equal parts). It is necessary to prepare suction drums of various sizes, which leads to high costs.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-58755

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and its main objective is to reduce costs by making it possible to use a common suction drum for labels of various sizes. .

That is, the label attaching device according to the present invention includes a suction drum in which suction holes are formed at a plurality of locations along the circumferential direction of an outer peripheral surface, a drive mechanism that rotates the suction drum, and a negative pressure that is generated in the suction holes. The apparatus is characterized in that the label conveyed to a predetermined position is attracted to the suction drum regardless of the amount of rotation of the suction drum by the drive mechanism.

According to the label attaching device configured in this way, negative pressure is generated using a blower instead of a conventional vacuum pump, so even if all the suction holes are not blocked, each suction hole is It is possible to generate enough negative pressure to suction and hold the label, giving flexibility in the number and arrangement of suction holes.
For example, by forming suction holes over a wide area of the suction drum, the label conveyed to a predetermined position is attracted to the suction drum regardless of the amount of rotation of the suction drum by the drive mechanism, so that labels of various sizes can be used. A common suction drum can be used for both, reducing costs.

Examples of the arrangement of the suction holes include a grid-like arrangement arranged along the circumferential direction (horizontal direction) and the height direction (vertical direction) in a developed view of the outer circumferential surface of the suction drum.
However, with this embodiment, for example, when the edge of the label is located between the grids, the adsorption of the edge becomes weak.
Therefore, the suction holes are formed in a row along the axial direction of the suction drum, and a plurality of rows of the suction holes are provided along the circumferential direction of the suction drum, It is preferable that a height position along the axial direction of the suction holes included in a certain row is different from a height position along the axial direction of the suction holes included in the adjacent row.
With this, the suction holes can be arranged in a staggered manner in a developed view of the outer peripheral surface of the suction drum, making it easier to apply suction force to the edge of the label compared to a grid-like arrangement.

It is preferable that the suction holes formed in a row extend from one end in the axial direction to the other end in the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface of the suction drum.
With this, a common suction drum can be used for labels of various width dimensions, and further cost reduction can be achieved.

Among the suction holes formed in a row, it is preferable that an interval between two adjacent suction holes be different from an interval between two other adjacent suction holes.
With this configuration, compared to the case where the suction holes are machined at equal intervals, the degree of freedom in the position of the suction holes can be improved, and for example, it is possible to improve the degree of freedom in the position of the suction holes. The suction hole can be machined to avoid this.

It is preferable that the suction holes are formed all around the outer peripheral surface of the suction drum.
With this, the label can be more reliably attracted to the suction drum regardless of the amount of rotation of the suction drum by the drive mechanism.

A more specific configuration is a configuration in which the suction holes are formed at equal intervals over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the suction drum.

Further, the label mounting device according to the present invention is characterized by being equipped with the above-mentioned label suction mechanism, and with such a device, the effects of the above-described label suction mechanism can be achieved.

According to the present invention configured in this way, a common suction drum can be used for labels of various sizes, and costs can be reduced.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a label mounting device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a label adsorption mechanism according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a suction drum according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the disassembled state of the suction drum of this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of suction holes of this embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of suction holes in other embodiments.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, one Embodiment of the label attachment apparatus 100 based on this invention is described with reference to drawings.

<Device configuration>
As shown in FIG. 1, the label attaching device 100 of this embodiment is for attaching labels to a plurality of containers X (such as plastic bottles) in succession while conveying the containers X. It includes a container transport mechanism 10 that transports the label, a label transport mechanism 20 that transports the label to the container X, and a control device (not shown) that controls the operations of these mechanisms 10 and 20.

The container transport mechanism 10 continuously transports a plurality of containers X, and as shown in FIG. It is provided with a guide member G for guiding.

The label transfer mechanism 20 transfers and affixes a sticker-like label (so-called tack label) to a container It includes a supply mechanism 21 and a label suction device 22 that suctions and holds the label conveyed to a predetermined position Q.

The label supply mechanism 21 conveys the tack label using, for example, a drum or a conveyor belt, and supplies it to a predetermined position Q. Although two label supply mechanisms 21 are provided here, the number of label supply mechanisms 21 may be one, or may be three or more.

This label suction mechanism 22 attaches the label held by suction to the container that has reached the label attachment position P. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 and a blower 5 that generates negative pressure in the suction drum 3.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the suction drum 3 has a cylindrical shape, and has suction holes h formed at a plurality of locations along the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface.

As shown in FIG. 4, the suction drum 3 includes a drum body 31 and a hole forming member 32 that covers the outer peripheral surface of the drum body 31.

The drum body 31 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and is made of metal such as aluminum and has a bottom wall portion 311 and a peripheral wall portion 312 surrounding the bottom wall.

A suction port H1 is formed on the bottom surface of the bottom wall portion 311. Here, suction ports H1 are formed at a plurality of locations along the circumferential direction of the bottom surface, and these suction ports H1 and the plurality of suction holes h mentioned above are in communication with each other.

To explain more specifically, the suction ports H1 are formed at regular intervals along the circumferential direction, and each of the suction ports H1 is formed on the bottom wall portion 311 of the drum body 31 along the circumferential direction. It communicates with the extending arcuate space H2.

This arcuate space H2 communicates with a slit H3 formed in the peripheral wall portion 312 of the drum body 31 and extends along the axial direction. Here, a plurality of slits H3 communicate with each of the arcuate spaces H2. There is.

These slits H3 extend along the axial direction of the drum body 31, are closed at both ends in the axial direction, and are open to the outer peripheral surface of the drum body 31. These slits H3 are formed so that their lengths along the axial direction are equal to each other. However, the length along the axial direction of a certain slit H3 may be formed to be different from the length along the axial direction of the slit H3 located next to it.

The slits H3 of this embodiment are formed at regular intervals along the circumferential direction of the drum body 31, and are provided over the entire circumference of the drum body 31 here. Note that the intervals between the slits H3 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction do not necessarily have to be equal intervals, and the interval along the circumferential direction between two slits H3 adjacent to each other is the same as that of another two slits H3 adjacent to each other. The spacing may be different from the spacing along the circumferential direction.

As shown in FIG. 4, the hole forming member 32 has a cylindrical shape and is made of, for example, resin and has the plurality of suction holes h described above formed therein.

This hole forming member 32 is attached so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the drum body 31 and is provided integrally with the drum body 31. As a result, the plurality of suction holes h overlap the plurality of slits H3 opening on the outer peripheral surface of the drum body 31, and these suction holes h and the slits H3 are in communication.

By assembling the hole forming member 32 to the drum body 31 in this manner, the suction port H1, the arcuate groove, and the plurality of slits H3 formed in the drum body 31 are connected to the hole forming member 32. The plurality of suction grooves communicate with each other.

The drive mechanism 4 is an electric motor with a variable rotation speed, such as a servo motor, connected to the suction drum 3, and is controlled by the above-mentioned control device (not shown) here. However, the drive mechanism 4 is not limited to a servo motor, but may also be an electric motor with a constant rotational speed such as an AC motor, a pulse motor, or a stepping motor. It may also be a mechanical type in which the pressure is transmitted to the suction drum 3 via a gear or the like.

The blower 5 generates negative pressure on the upstream side by force-feeding air, and specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the upstream side is connected to the suction drum 3, and the downstream side is opened to the atmosphere. This is a blower installed in the flow path L.

Specifically, the upstream opening of the flow path L in which the blower 5 is provided is connected to the suction port H1 of the suction drum 3, so that when the blower 5 is operated, the suction port H1 is connected to the suction port H1. Negative pressure is generated in the plurality of suction holes h through the suction holes h.

The label suction mechanism 22 of this embodiment is configured so that the label conveyed to a predetermined position is suctioned onto the suction drum 3 regardless of the amount of rotation of the suction drum 3 by the drive mechanism 4.

In other words, the label suction mechanism 22 of this embodiment is configured to suction the label conveyed to the predetermined position onto the suction drum 3, regardless of the conveyance timing of the label conveyed to the predetermined position.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the suction drum 3 described above has suction holes h formed over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface in the circumferential direction. Here, the suction holes h are formed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction over the entire circumference, but some of the intervals along the circumferential direction of the suction holes h are formed along the circumferential direction of the suction holes h. may be different from other intervals.

Further, this suction drum 3 has suction holes h formed not only in the circumferential direction but also along the axial direction. In other words, a plurality of rows of suction holes h formed along the axial direction are provided along the circumferential direction.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the height position along the axial direction of the suction holes included in a certain row is the height along the axial direction of the suction holes included in the adjacent row. different from the position.

In other words, in the suction drum 3 of this embodiment, a plurality of suction holes h are arranged in a staggered manner in the developed view of the outer peripheral surface shown in FIG. Note that although each row includes an equal number of suction holes h, the number of suction holes h is not limited to this. For example, the number of suction holes h included in a certain row and the number of suction holes h next to it are The number of suction holes h included in the rows may be different from each other.

The suction holes formed in a row along the axial direction are formed from one axial end to the other axial end on the outer peripheral surface of the suction drum 3, and are also formed in the drum body 31 described above. It overlaps with the slit H3.

Focusing on the plurality of suction holes h included in one row, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, some intervals along the axial direction of the suction holes h are different from other intervals. That is, among the suction holes formed in a row, the interval between two adjacent suction holes is different from the interval between two other adjacent suction holes.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the interval L1 between adjacent suction holes h formed in one or both of the one axial end and the other axial end is different from that in the other axial center, for example. It is shorter than the interval L2 between suction holes h that are arranged at different locations and adjacent to each other.
However, the suction holes h included in a certain row may be formed at equal intervals along the axial direction.

<Effects of this embodiment>
According to the label attaching device 100 configured in this way, since negative pressure is generated using the blower 5 instead of a conventional vacuum pump, each suction hole can be closed even if all the suction holes are not blocked. It is possible to generate enough negative pressure to suction and hold a label, giving flexibility in the number and arrangement of suction holes.
For example, by forming suction holes in a wide range of the suction drum 3, the label conveyed to a predetermined position is attracted to the suction drum 3 regardless of the amount of rotation of the suction drum 3 by the drive mechanism 4. The common suction drum 3 can be used for labels of various sizes, and costs can be reduced.

In addition, the height position along the axial direction of the suction holes included in a certain row is different from the height position along the axial direction of the suction holes included in the adjacent row, in other words, the outer circumferential surface of the suction drum 3 In the developed view, the suction holes h are arranged in a staggered manner, so it is easier to apply suction force to the edge of the label, compared to a configuration in which the suction holes h are arranged in a grid pattern in the same developed view. This makes it possible to more reliably hold the label by suction.

Furthermore, since the suction holes are formed in a row from one end in the axial direction to the other end in the axial direction on the outer circumferential surface of the suction drum 3, a common suction can be applied to labels of various widths. The drum 3 can also be used, making it possible to further reduce costs.

Moreover, among the suction holes formed in a row, the interval between two adjacent suction holes is different from the interval between two other adjacent suction holes, so when machining the suction holes at equal intervals, In comparison, the degree of freedom in positioning the suction hole can be improved, and the suction hole can be machined while avoiding difficult-to-machine locations such as the axial ends of the suction drum 3, for example.

In addition, since the suction holes are formed all around the outer peripheral surface of the suction drum 3, the label can be more reliably attracted to the suction drum 3 regardless of the amount of rotation of the suction drum 3 by the drive mechanism 4. Can be done.

<Other modified embodiments>
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the plurality of suction holes h may be arranged in a grid pattern in a developed view of the outer peripheral surface of the suction drum 3.

Further, the suction holes h do not necessarily have to be provided over the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface of the suction drum 3, and the suction holes h may not be provided in some areas along the circumferential direction.

Furthermore, the label to which the present invention is applied is not necessarily limited to a sticker-like tack label, but may be a label that is glued during transportation (so-called glue label).

In addition, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100...Label attaching device Main body 311... Bottom wall part 312... Surrounding wall part H1... Suction port H2... Arc-shaped space H3... Slit 32... Hole forming member 4... Drive mechanism 5... Air blower

Claims (7)

A suction drum with suction holes formed at multiple locations along the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface,
a drive mechanism that rotates the suction drum;
and a blower that generates negative pressure in the suction hole,
A label suction mechanism characterized in that a label conveyed to a predetermined position is suctioned by the suction drum regardless of the amount of rotation of the suction drum by the drive mechanism. The suction holes are formed in a row along the axial direction of the suction drum, and the suction holes in the rows are provided in a plurality of rows along the circumferential direction of the suction drum,
2. A height position along the axial direction of the suction holes included in a certain row is different from a height position along the axial direction of the suction holes included in an adjacent row. Label adsorption mechanism described. 3. The label suction mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the suction holes formed in a row are formed from one end in the axial direction to the other end in the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface of the suction drum. 3. The label according to claim 2, wherein an interval between two adjacent suction holes among the suction holes formed in a row is different from an interval between two other adjacent suction holes. Adsorption mechanism. 2. The label suction mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the suction hole is formed all around the outer peripheral surface of the suction drum. 2. The label suction mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the suction holes are formed at equal intervals all around the outer peripheral surface of the suction drum. A label mounting device comprising the label suction mechanism according to claim 1.