JP3958072B2 - Packaging system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a packaging sticking system having a label sticking function.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, supermarket cashiers have attached labels on the top and bottom surfaces of products, allowing consumers and operators to visually recognize the contents and prices of products with the upper labels, and reading product data with a reader at the lower labels. Has been made. In this way, by attaching a label to the lower surface of the product, the product can be moved on the stationary barcode reader while being face up, and the label can be read. As a result, the efficiency of the cash register operation is significantly increased.
[0003]
However, if the label is attached to the lower surface of the product, the operator cannot see the lower label, so the operator knows the position of the lower label so that the bar code reader can read the label reliably. There is a need. Therefore, the lower label needs to be pasted at a predetermined position.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Conventionally, an edge of a product is detected by an optical sensor provided in front of the lower pasting machine, and a label is pasted in accordance with the detected timing so that the label pasting position becomes a predetermined position. However, some products are difficult to detect with a detector, and in this case, the pasting position is greatly shifted.
[0005]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a packaging sticking system capable of sticking a label at a predetermined position on the back surface of a product even if the product is difficult to detect with a detector.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the product placed on the supply device is supplied onto the lifter by the supply device, and the lifter is lifted so that the upper surface of the product on the lifter is transferred to the packaging station. The product is wrapped on the bottom side of the product by a film folding mechanism provided with a pair of left and right folding plates that press against the stretched film and move the front, rear, left, and right side edges of the film to the center in synchronization with each other. In addition, a packaging device that discharges from the packaging station to a discharge position, a transport conveyor that transports the product discharged to the discharge position in a direction parallel to the moving direction of the left and right folding plates, and the product is transported by the transport conveyor. While having a lower pasting machine that applies a label to the lower surface of the product, a central line in the transport direction by the transport conveyor in the product discharged to the discharge position, Set as a reference line for starting the conveyance of the product by the conveyance conveyor, and set the label affixing position by the lower applicator with the front end in the conveyance direction of the product as a reference, by the conveyance conveyor of the product According to the length in the transport direction, the start timing of the pasting operation of the lower pasting machine is calculated, and when the length of the product is long, the start timing of the pasting operation is advanced, and when the length of the product is short Is to delay the start timing of the pasting operation.
[0007]
The present first invention, the case has a length wherein the length of the product, advancing the start timing of the sticking operation.
Meanwhile, the length of the product within a short have field coupling, slowing the start timing of the sticking operation.
Thereby, a label can be affixed to a predetermined affixing position of the product regardless of the length or deviation of the product.
[0008]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the product placed on the supply device is supplied onto the lifter by the supply device, and the lifter moves upward to press the upper surface of the product on the lifter against the film stretched on the packaging station , The film is folded on the bottom side of the product by a film folding mechanism having a pair of left and right folding plates that move to the center in synchronization with each other on the front, back, left, and right side edges of the film, and from the packaging station to the discharge position. A packaging device for discharging, a transport conveyor for transporting the product discharged to the discharge position in a direction parallel to the moving direction of the left and right folding plates, and a label on the lower surface of the product while transporting the product by the transport conveyor A lower pasting machine for pasting, and the center line in the transport direction by the transport conveyor in the product discharged to the discharge position by the transport conveyor. It is possible to set the reference line for starting the conveyance of the product, and set the label affixing position by the lower pasting machine with the front end in the conveyance direction of the product as a reference, and change the conveyance speed of the product by the conveyor According to the length of the product in the transport direction by the transport conveyor, the product transport speed by the transport conveyor is calculated, and if the product length is long, the product transport speed is reduced, When the length of the product is short, the conveyance speed of the product is increased.
[0009]
The said unit is long in length if the product, to reduce the transport speed of the product. The length of the product within a short have field coupling, to increase the conveying speed of the products. Thereby, a label can be affixed to a predetermined affixing position of the product regardless of the length or deviation of the product.
[0010]
(Delete)
[0011]
(Delete)
[0012]
(Delete)
[0013]
(Delete)
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the following description, the product M shown in FIG. 1 is carried on the tray T. The “product M” refers to the contents in the tray T, and the contents and the tray T are films. It may refer to the state wrapped in In addition, the product does not necessarily have to be placed on the tray.
[0015]
1 to 6 show a first embodiment.
overall structure:
First, the basic structure and operation of this packaging sticking system will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, this packaging sticking system is equipped with the supply apparatus 20 in the front. As shown in FIG. 2, the present system is a front discharge type packaging and affixing system that carries the product M from the supply device 20 on the front side 2 a and discharges it to the front side 2 a. A product centering mechanism 41, which will be described later, is provided above the supply device 20.
[0016]
In FIG. 2, when the product M is placed on the supply device 20, the supply device 20 supplies the tray T on which the product M is placed on the lifter 201. Each post 210 of the lifter 201 is arranged directly below the packaging station S of the packaging mechanism (packaging apparatus) 200 and can be moved up and down by an elevating means 208. When the product M is supplied from the supply device 20, the lifter 201 rises and lifts the product M to the packaging station S.
[0017]
Prior to the packaging operation, the stretched film F is supplied to the packaging station S by the transfer mechanisms 202 and 202. The film F is in close contact with the upper surface of the product M when the product M is pushed up. In this state, the film folding mechanism 203 has a pair of left and right folding plates 204, 204, a rear folding plate 205, a round bar-shaped front folding member 206, and a pusher 207 (FIG. 2) to The left and right side edges are folded to the bottom side of the tray T to package the product M, and the packaged product is discharged onto the heat welding conveyor 211 in FIG. The heat welding conveyor 211 welds the films F folded on the bottom surfaces to each other, and then the packaged product M is discharged onto the first transport conveyor 14.
[0018]
On the other hand, an upper pasting system 1S is provided in the front (discharge direction) X above the packaging station S. The upper pasting system 1S is provided above a moving surface on which the packaged product M is moved. The upper pasting system 1S includes an upper printer (label printer) 12 that issues a first label L1 corresponding to the content of a product, and an upper pasting machine (label pasting machine) 13 that pastes the first label L1. . The upper printer 12 issues the first label L1 on the holding unit 12a. The upper pasting machine 13 adsorbs the first label L1 on the holding part 12a and descends at a predetermined timing until the product M is discharged onto the first transport conveyor 14, and the first label L1 is stuck on the upper surface of the product M. As the upper pasting system 1S, for example, the pasting system disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-104867 can be used.
[0019]
FIG. 4A is a schematic plan view of the front portion of the system. As shown in FIG. 4 (a), the product M which is discharged onto the first conveyor 14 from the discharge position location P 1, are conveyed in the right direction Y by the first transfer conveyor 14, downstream of the second It passes through the conveyor 15 and is stocked on the stock conveyor 16.
In addition, the conveyance direction Y by the 1st and 2nd conveyance conveyors 14 and 15 is parallel to the moving direction of the left and right folding plates 204 and 204 moving to the center in synchronization with each other in FIG. 4A is perpendicular to the product discharge direction X by the pusher 207 (FIG. 2) and is parallel to the carry-in direction of the product M.
[0020]
Here, under the conveyance surface of the second conveyance conveyor 15 shown in FIG. The lower pasting system 2S includes a lower printer (an example of a label issuing machine) 17 that issues a second label L2 corresponding to the content of a product, and a lower pasting machine 30 that applies the second label L2. The lower lamination machine 30, while the product M is conveyed by the second conveyor 15, the pasting position location P 2 to be described later, the lower surface of the product M of the second label L2 issued from below the printer 17 Affix to
[0021]
Underlay system 2S:
In FIG. 1, a label roll R is set in the lower printer 17. The label roll R is formed by winding a belt-like mount Lb to which a number of second labels L2 are attached. The lower printer 17 includes a printing unit 18 including a thermal head and a platen roller, a peeling bar 19 and a take-up roll 17r. After a bar code or the like corresponding to the product is printed on the second label L2 by the printing unit 18, the second label L2 is peeled off from the mount Lb by the peeling bar 19, and the mount Lb is taken up on the take-up roll 17r. .
[0022]
The lower printer 17 is housed in a printer case 10 provided in the system main body 1. The case 10 is provided below the second transport conveyor 15 and the stock conveyor 16. As shown in FIG. 5, an issue port 10 a is provided in the upper part of the case 10. The second label L2 peeled from the mount Lb by the peeling bar 19 is issued upward from the issuing port 10a.
[0023]
The lower pasting machine 30 is provided above the lower printer 17. The lower pasting machine 30 includes a suction plate 25 having a suction mechanism (not shown) using negative pressure and a conveyor belt 34. As shown in FIG. 4A, a plurality of conveyor belts 34 are provided in a direction X orthogonal to the conveyance direction Y of the product M, and are always rotating.
As for the 2nd label L2 issued from the said issuing port 10a of FIG. 5, the printing surface (surface opposite to the sticking surface Lc) side is adsorb | sucked to the said adsorption | suction plate 25. FIG. When the suction plate 25 that sucks the second label L2 rotates clockwise at a predetermined start timing, which will be described later, the second label L2 adheres to each conveyor belt 34 as indicated by a two-dot chain line, and the second label L2 Is conveyed obliquely upward. The suction plate 25 is rotated with each conveyance belt 34 stopped, and the second label L2 is adhered to each conveyance belt 34. Then, the rotation of the conveyance belt 34 is started at a predetermined start timing described later. May be.
[0024]
The second transport conveyor 15 has a plurality of transport rollers 15a arranged in parallel in the transport direction Y of the product M, and the transport roller 15c with the application surface Lc of the second label L2 facing upward. The second label L2 pops out from the gap 15a (between the cuts on the conveyance surface) D, and the second label L2 adheres to the lower surface Mb of the product M conveyed by the second conveyance conveyor 15 at the application position P2. Is done.
[0025]
Equipment configuration:
As shown in FIG. 6A, the present system includes a microcomputer 3, which is connected to a touch screen 10, a stroke key section (input operation means) 11, an upper printer via an interface (not shown). 12, an upper pasting machine control means 13a, a lower printer 17, a lower pasting machine control means 30a, a commodity detector 40, a centering mechanism 41, a local control device 42, and the like are connected.
The upper pasting machine control means 13a and the lower pasting machine control means 30a are connected to the upper pasting machine 13 and the lower pasting machine 30, respectively. The operations of the upper pasting machine 13 and the lower pasting machine 30 are controlled.
[0026]
The centering mechanism 41 presses the product M from the left and right to center it until the product M on the supply device 20 in FIG. 1 is supplied onto the lifter 201 (FIG. 2). With this centering mechanism 41, the product M shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B is centered toward the center of the discharge direction (left-right direction) X, that is, the position corresponding to the discharge position P1, and after packaging, the first transport conveyor 14 is carried out in a state of being positioned at a discharge position P1 on the top 14. As the centering mechanism 41, for example, a centering device described in JP-A-11-049338 or JP-A-2001-048109 can be used.
[0027]
The product detector 40 is composed of, for example, a photodetector, and the front end of the product M when the product M on the first transport conveyor 14 in FIG. 4A is transported toward the second transport conveyor 15 downstream. Edge detection is performed.
The local control device 42 in FIG. 6A controls various devices such as the first transport conveyor 14 and the second transport conveyor 15.
[0028]
The microcomputer 3 shown in FIG. 6A includes a CPU (calculation means) 4 and a memory 7. The memory 7 includes a product information storage unit 70 and a tray information storage unit 71.
As shown in FIG. 6B, the product information storage unit 70 stores product information including product name, unit price, tray number, and the like for each product call number.
As shown in FIG. 6 (c), the tray information storage unit 71 stores, for each tray No., the tray information including the tray width Ty, the depth Tx, and the height, as well as the front end distance Ry and the left end distance described later. Rx and the mode at the time of underlaying are stored in association with each other.
[0029]
As shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, the front end distance Ry is a distance from the front end of the tray T to the label L2. The left end distance Rx is a distance from the left end of the tray T to the label L2.
In the present system, the second label L2 is attached to the lower side so that the application position of the second label L2 indicated by a two-dot chain line overlaps the position below the application position of the first label L1 to be attached. Therefore, the values of the front end distance Ry and the left end distance Rx are the same for both upper and lower sticking.
[0030]
The CPU 4 includes a detection mode and a calculation mode as the mode for the underlaying.
The detection mode is a mode in which the pasting operation of the second label L2 is started based on the detection timing at which the product detector 40 detects the product M.
In the detection mode, when the CPU 4 receives the detection signal of the product M from the product detector 40, the CPU 4 causes the lower sticker 30 to start the operation of applying the second label L2 after a predetermined time. Therefore, in the detection mode, the lower pasting is performed based on the detection of the product M in the product detector 40. Note that the predetermined time can be obtained by performing calculation in consideration of the front end distance Ry with reference to the detection timing.
[0031]
On the other hand, the said calculation mode is a mode which sticks the 2nd label L2 based on the movement time after the goods M are discharged | emitted to the discharge position P1, and arrives at the sticking position P2. In the calculation mode, the CPU 4 performs the following calculation to calculate the start timing of the pasting operation of the lower pasting machine 30.
[0032]
First, the moving distance d of the tray T from the discharge position P1 to the pasting position P2 is calculated by the following equation.
d = A−Ty / 2 + Ry
A: Distance from discharge position P1 to sticking position P2 where second label L2 is stuck Ty: Tray width Ry: Front end distance Ry
[0033]
Next, the movement time is calculated based on a value obtained by dividing the movement distance d of the tray T by the conveyance speed of the tray T. Here, if the conveyance speed of the tray T is constant, as shown in FIG. 4B, the movement distance d becomes long when the width (length in the conveyance direction) Ty of the tray T is short. Since time becomes long, the start timing of the sticking operation | movement of the 2nd label L2 by the lower sticking machine 30 is delayed. On the other hand, when the width Ty of the tray T is long, the moving distance d is shortened, so that the moving time is shortened and the start timing is advanced. As described above, in the calculation mode, the start timing of the lower sticking operation by the lower sticker 30 is set based on the discharge position P1 of the product M.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 4A, since the product M is pushed out onto the first conveyor 14 by the pusher 207, the left end distance Rx is the discharge amount of the pusher 207 according to the size and shape of the product M. Is arbitrarily set based on the left end Lx (see Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-119149 for details).
[0035]
Operation of this system:
Prior to product processing, the operator registers the product, and sets and stores product information, tray information, and the like in the product information storage unit 70 and the tray information storage unit 71 of FIG. At the time of product registration, the tray information storage unit 71 stores the mode at the time of underlaying one of the detection mode and the calculation mode for each piece of tray information.
[0036]
When the operator performs a predetermined operation and designates a product, the CPU 4 reads product information related to the product from the product information storage unit 70, and stores the tray information based on the tray number associated with the product information. The tray information, the front end distance Ry, the left end distance Rx, the mode, and the like are read from the unit 71.
[0037]
When the product M shown in FIG. 2 is placed on the supply device 20, the product M is packaged and discharged onto the first conveyor 14. On the other hand, the upper printer 12 performs printing on the first label L1 based on the product information and issues it on the holding unit 12a. The upper pasting machine 13 receives the first label L1 issued from the upper printer 12 based on the front end distance Ry and the left end distance Rx until the commodity M is discharged onto the first conveyor 14. The product M is pasted on a predetermined position.
[0038]
After the discharge, the product M on the first conveyor 14 shown in FIG. 4A is conveyed downstream. On the other hand, after the lower printer 17 prints on the second label L2 based on the product information, it will be described below during the transportation of the product M based on the mode read from the tray information storage unit 71. Underlay is done.
[0039]
Detection mode:
When the detection mode is stored in the mode column of the tray information storage unit 71 for the product to be processed, the CPU 4 is set to the detection mode.
When the product M is transported on the first conveyor 14 and the product detector 40 detects the product M, a detection signal is sent to the CPU 4. When the CPU 4 receives the detection signal, the lower pasting machine 30 starts the pasting operation of the second label L2 after a predetermined time, and the second label L2 is pasted on the lower surface of the product M. Thereafter, the products M on the second transport conveyor 15 are transported to the stock conveyor 16 and stocked on the stock conveyor 16.
[0040]
Calculation mode:
On the other hand, when the calculation mode is stored in the mode column of the tray information storage unit 71 for the product to be processed, the CPU 4 is set to the calculation mode.
The CPU 4 calculates the movement distance d based on the width Ty and the front end distance Ry of the product M, divides the movement distance d by the conveyance speed of the product M, and based on the division value, The start timing of the pasting operation is calculated. When the conveyance of the product M on the first conveyor 14 is started, the lower pasting machine 30 applies the second label L2 to the product M on the second conveyor 15 based on the start timing. Here, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the width Ty of the product M is short, the moving distance d becomes long, so the start timing of the pasting operation is delayed. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4C, when the width Ty of the product M is long, the moving distance d is shortened, so that the start timing of the pasting operation is advanced.
After the pasting, the product M is transported on the stock conveyor 16 and stocked on the stock conveyor 16.
[0041]
Thus, the second label L2 can be attached to the product M at a substantially constant position by changing the start timing of the application operation according to the width Ty of the product M. Further, even if the product is difficult to detect with an optical sensor or the like, the second label L2 can be attached to a predetermined position on the back surface of the product regardless of the width Ty of the product.
Moreover, since the conveyance speed of the product M is constant, it is possible to perform the underlay without affecting the processing cycle of the product M.
[0042]
Furthermore, since the mode at the time of underlaying can be memorize | stored for every tray T, according to goods, a detection mode and a calculation mode can be used properly. That is, by having two modes, the disadvantages of both can be complemented.
[0043]
Normally, the operation may be performed in the detection mode, and when the commodity M cannot be detected by the commodity detector 40, the subscript may be performed in the calculation mode. That is, when the detection signal from the product detector 40 is not obtained after the lapse of a predetermined time after the product M is discharged, the CPU 4 is changed from the detection mode to the calculation mode during the conveyance of the product M, and the calculation mode is changed. You may make it perform under-pause.
[0044]
In addition, when the product slips during transportation according to the weight of the product or the material of the tray, the timing may be changed according to the weight or the material.
[0045]
(Delete)
[0046]
In the first embodiment, the front end distance Ry and the left end distance Rx are the same for the top and bottom stickers, but the first label L1 and the second label L2 are stuck to different locations on the product M. Also good.
[0047]
Second embodiment:
Next, a second embodiment will be described.
In the second embodiment, the start timing of the underlaying operation is constant regardless of the product, and the transport speed of the product M by the first transport conveyor 14 and the second transport conveyor 15 is changed for each product type. That is, in the calculation mode, the transport speed is calculated by dividing the moving distance d shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C by the time until the start of sticking, and the first and second transport conveyors 14, 15 is set to carry the product M.
Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and detailed description and illustration thereof are omitted.
[0048]
Therefore, when the width Ty of the product M is short, the transport speed of the product is increased. On the other hand, when the width Ty of the product M is long, the transport speed of the product is decreased. In this way, the second label L2 can be affixed to a substantially constant position of the product M by changing the conveyance speed of the product M according to the width Ty of the product M.
[0049]
(Delete)
[0050]
(Delete)
[0051]
(Delete)
[0052]
As described above, the preferred embodiments have been described with reference to the drawings. However, those skilled in the art will readily understand various changes and modifications within the obvious scope by looking at the present specification .
[0053]
For example , in the above-described embodiment, the detection mode using the product detector is provided in the system, but the product detector is not necessarily required, and the pasting may be performed only in the calculation mode. Further, in the calculation mode, the start timing of the underlaying pasting operation is not calculated and calculated each time, but may be registered in advance according to the tray or the product, and the registered value may be read out.
[0054]
Further, a label without a mount which does not use a mount may be used.
Moreover, each sticking machine may adopt an adsorption transport type that sucks and conveys the surface of the label, or an air spraying type that sprays the label with air and sticks it to the surface of the product.
Each sticking machine may have a hand sticking function in addition to the automatic sticking function described above.
[0055]
Furthermore, it is not necessary to provide a centering mechanism in the product carry-in route. Moreover, it is not necessary to provide the top-pasting system.
Moreover, the label printing part is not necessarily required, and a label printed in advance may be attached.
Accordingly, such changes and modifications are to be construed as within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.
[0056]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the packaging sticking system of the first invention, the label is placed at a substantially constant position of the product by changing the start timing of the sticking operation of the lower sticking machine according to the length in the conveyance direction of the product. Can be affixed to.
[0057]
According to the packaging sticking system of the second aspect of the invention, the label can be stuck at a substantially constant position of the product by changing the transport speed of the product by the transport conveyor according to the length in the transport direction of the product. .
[0058]
(Delete)
[0059]
(Delete)
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a packaging sticking system showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view showing a schematic mechanism of the system.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a packaging method in the system.
FIG. 4 is a partial plan view showing the packaging sticking system and the bottom sticking method.
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a lower pasting machine.
6A is a schematic configuration diagram of a packaging sticking system, and FIGS. 6B and 6C are diagrams showing storage contents of a storage unit .
[Explanation of symbols]
14: 1st conveyance conveyor 15: 2nd conveyance conveyor 30: Underlaying machine 40: Product detector (detection means)
41: Centering mechanism F: Film L2: Second label Lc: Attached surface M: Product P1: Discharge position (first position)
P2: Pasting position (second position)
S: Packaging station Y: Transport direction

Claims (4)

The product placed on the supply device is supplied onto the lifter by the supply device, and when the lifter is raised, the upper surface of the product on the lifter is pressed against the film stretched on the packaging station, A packaging device that wraps the product by folding it to the bottom side of the product by a film folding mechanism including a pair of left and right folding plates that move to the center in synchronization with each other, and discharges the product from the packaging station to a discharge position.
A transport conveyor for transporting the product discharged to the discharge position in a direction parallel to the moving direction of the left and right folding plates;
A lower pasting machine that applies a label to the lower surface of the product while transporting the product on the transport conveyor;
The center line in the transport direction by the transport conveyor in the product discharged to the discharge position is set as a reference line for starting the transport of the product by the transport conveyor,
And the label sticking position by the lower sticking machine is set with reference to the front end in the conveyance direction of the product,
According to the length of the conveyance direction by the conveyance conveyor of the product, calculate the start timing of the pasting operation of the lower pasting machine,
If the length of the product is long, advance the start timing of the pasting operation,
A packaging sticking system in which the start timing of the sticking operation is delayed when the length of the product is short. The product placed on the supply device is supplied onto the lifter by the supply device, and when the lifter is raised, the upper surface of the product on the lifter is pressed against the film stretched on the packaging station, A packaging device that wraps the product by folding it to the bottom side of the product by a film folding mechanism including a pair of left and right folding plates that move to the center in synchronization with each other, and discharges the product from the packaging station to a discharge position.
A transport conveyor for transporting the product discharged to the discharge position in a direction parallel to the moving direction of the left and right folding plates;
A lower pasting machine that applies a label to the lower surface of the product while transporting the product on the transport conveyor;
The center line in the transport direction by the transport conveyor in the product discharged to the discharge position is set as a reference line for starting the transport of the product by the transport conveyor,
And the label sticking position by the lower sticking machine is set with reference to the front end in the conveyance direction of the product,
Set the transfer speed of goods by the transfer conveyor to be changeable,
According to the length of the conveyance direction of the product by the conveyor, the product conveyance speed by the conveyance conveyor is calculated,
If the length of the product is long, reduce the transport speed of the product,
A packaging and affixing system that increases the conveyance speed of the product when the product is short. In claim 1 or 2,
The packaging sticking system further provided with the memory | storage part which memorize | stores the length of the conveyance direction by the conveyance conveyor of the said goods. In any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, packaging sticking system products before being fed to the packaging station, comprising a centering mechanism for centering the products in the conveying direction after the discharge.

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