JP4799108B2 - Labeling device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a label affixing device that affixes a label attached with a so-called RFID tag having an IC chip for storing various information to an article.

In recent years, RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tags comprising an IC chip for storing various information and a communication antenna connected to the IC chip are attached to labels attached to various articles, and the RFID tag is attached to the RFID chip. A technique for using wireless and non-contact automatic identification is widely used.
FIG. 18 shows a label L to which an RFID tag T is attached. The label L includes a display layer U and an adhesive layer B. The RFID tag T is attached to the back surface of the display layer U, and a belt-like mount D It is temporarily attached to.
The RFID tag T is composed of an IC chip Ta and a communication antenna Tb, and is protected by a film layer P covering the whole.
As such a label sticking device for sticking the label L with the RFID tag T attached to an article, for example, one previously proposed by the applicant of the present application is known (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-104521). Published). This is because the label L is transported in a temporarily attached state on the mount D, and the label L peeled off from the mount D is sucked by a suction plate at a predetermined suction position, and the label L sucked by the suction plate is placed at a predetermined sticking position. It is affixed to an article.

JP-A-2005-104521

  By the way, in the label L stuck by such a conventional label sticking apparatus, although it changes also with frequencies, especially in the RFID tag T of UHF band, the material and contents of the article which sticks the label L inhibit electromagnetic waves. If the product contains a liquid such as metal or water, the electromagnetic wave is absorbed by the product due to the influence of the liquid such as metal or water of the product, or the electromagnetic wave is disturbed by irregular reflection, so that the information on the IC chip Ta There is a problem that reading / writing may not be possible with a reader / writer.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. A part of a label provided with an RFID tag is protruded and attached to an article in a mountain shape, and the RFID tag is separated from the article. It is an object of the present invention to provide a label sticking device that can reduce the influence from an article to which a tag is attached, and thus can ensure stable reading and writing of data.

  Therefore, the label sticking device of the present invention is a label sticking device for sticking a label provided with an RFID tag comprising an IC chip and a communication antenna to an article, a label holding means for holding the surface side of the label, and the label A folding sticking means for sticking the label by folding and protruding a part of the label including the tag attaching part to which the RFID tag is attached from the back surface side to the front surface side, and the IC chip of the RFID tag A reader / writer that writes or reads information via an antenna, and at least the antenna of the reader / writer is located at a position facing the part of the label when the folding and pasting means folds the part of the label. It is characterized by having arranged.

  According to the above invention, the folding tag attaching means can stick a part of the label attached with the RFID tag so as to protrude in a mountain shape with respect to the article, and the RFID tag can be separated from the article. When the material or the content of the article to which is attached is a liquid such as metal or water, the influence can be reduced, so that information can be reliably transmitted and received.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the reader / writer for writing or reading information to / from the IC chip of the RFID tag is provided, and the reader is placed at a position facing the part of the label when the folding sticking means folds the part of the label. Since at least the antenna of the writer is arranged, it is ensured that the RFID tag IC chip is not affected by the influence of the label holding means made of a metal member or the bending sticking means at the final stage before the label is attached to the article. Can write or read. At this time, whether the RFID tag is good or bad can also be detected. Therefore, when the RFID tag is a non-defective product, information can be reliably written to the IC chip, and thereafter the RFID tag is not damaged. If it is detected that the RFID tag is defective, it is possible to take measures such as stopping the apparatus and removing the label related to the defect based on this detection, thereby reliably improving the accuracy of defect detection. be able to.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the folding and pasting means folds a part of the label including a tag attachment portion to which an RFID tag of the label is attached from a back surface side to a front surface side and protrudes in a mountain shape. It is characterized by comprising a bending means.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the label holding means comprises a pair of divided bodies that adsorb the label, and the bending means places one of the divided bodies at two positions, a separation position and a joining position. It is possible to move, and at the end faces facing each other of the divided body, a part of the label is bent, and the one side surface and the other side surface each having a curved portion formed on the top are brought into contact with each other. A bent portion is formed by pressing, and at least the antenna of the reader / writer is disposed between the divided bodies at a separation position of the divided bodies.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pressing member that bends a part of the label and presses the bent side of the other side surface that is formed at the top, and the bending means separates the pressing member from the separated position. And the pressing member and the label holding means are arranged so that the one side surface and the other side surface of the label are close to each other in the direction in which the side surfaces are close to each other. The portion of the label is bent by pressing the portion to form a bent portion, and at least the antenna of the reader / writer is disposed between the pressing member and the label holding means at a separation position of the pressing member. .

According to the above invention, since the bending means has a simple configuration, the label L can be bent instantly, and one of the labels including the tag attachment portion to which the RFID tag of the label is attached is provided. The part can be folded and projected from the back side to the front side.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the folding sticking means includes folding assisting means for assisting in folding a part of the label from a back surface side to a front surface side.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the folding assisting means has an air blowing nozzle that blows air from the back side to a part of the label and folds a part of the label to the front side by the blowing force of the air. It is characterized by comprising.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the folding assisting means comprises a suction nozzle that sucks a part of the label from the surface side and folds a part of the label to the surface side. And

  According to the above invention, the folding assisting means is made of an inexpensive member, thereby reducing the size and cost of the device and folding a part of the label attached with the RFID tag in the same direction. Therefore, the folding can be performed reliably.

According to invention of Claim 8, the said label sticking apparatus drives the said bending means or the said bending auxiliary means, and controls whether a part of said label is folded in a mountain shape from the back side to the surface side. It is characterized by comprising bending control means.
According to invention of Claim 9, the said label sticking apparatus sets the setting value which sets whether the part of the said label is folded in a mountain shape from the back side to the surface side, and the setting value set by the said setting means Storage means for storing, and determination means for determining the set value stored in the storage means, wherein the bending control means is configured to determine the set value, and to determine a part of the label. When it is determined that a setting is made to fold into a chevron from the back side to the front side, the folding means or the folding auxiliary means is driven, and a part of the label is chevron from the back side to the front side. It is characterized by being folded in.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the label sticking device includes an operation unit that sets information related to the operation of the label sticking device, and the setting unit is set from the operation unit.
According to the invention of claim 11, the label sticking device includes an external interface that communicates with an external device by wire or wirelessly, and the setting unit is configured to receive data received from the external device by the external interface. It is characterized by being set.

According to the above invention, the bending control means can switch the shape of the label to be pasted, and the label can be stuck with a flat surface or a part of the label attached with the RFID tag protruding in a mountain shape. Whether or not the label is attached, or a labeling system can be constructed according to the operation and usage.

According to a twelfth aspect of the invention, the bending sticking means moves the sticking means to two positions: a suction position where the label holding means sucks the label and a sticking position where the sucked label is stuck to the article. It is characterized by having.
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the label holding means is a suction plate.
According to the invention described in claim 14, at least the antenna of the reader / writer is provided on the support material side of the suction plate. As a result, if an antenna is provided on the suction plate, it is necessary to create the suction plate so that it does not hinder the RFID tag communication, such as making the suction plate. In cases where the suction plate moves, the reader / writer antenna moves repeatedly with the suction plate, so the cable connecting the reader / writer module to the antenna is Although it will be bent repeatedly and the possibility of breakage will increase, in the present invention, since at least the antenna of the reader / writer is provided on the support material side of the suction plate, it is not affected by the material or thickness of the suction plate Therefore, communication with the RFID tag can be surely performed, the degree of freedom of design is widened, the cost can be made low, and it can be fixed to the support material side. In, can be damaged due to bending of the cable improves even less likely durability occurs.

According to the label sticking device of the present invention, the folding sticking means can stick a part of the label attached with the RFID tag so as to protrude in a mountain shape with respect to the article, and the RFID tag can be separated from the article. When the material or contents of the article to which the RFID tag is attached is a metal or liquid, the influence can be reduced, so that information can be transmitted and received reliably.
In addition, according to the present invention, the reader / writer for writing or reading information to / from the IC chip of the RFID tag is provided, and the reader is placed at a position facing the part of the label when the folding sticking means folds the part of the label. Since at least the antenna of the writer is arranged, it is ensured that the RFID tag IC chip is not affected by the influence of the label holding means made of a metal member or the bending sticking means at the final stage before the label is attached to the article. Can write or read. At this time, whether the RFID tag is good or bad can also be detected. Therefore, when the RFID tag is a non-defective product, information can be reliably written to the IC chip, and thereafter the RFID tag is not damaged. If it is detected that the RFID tag is defective, it is possible to take measures such as stopping the apparatus and removing the label related to the defect based on this detection, thereby reliably improving the accuracy of defect detection. be able to.

Hereinafter, based on an accompanying drawing, a label sticking device concerning an embodiment of the invention is explained in detail.
First, the label sticking device according to the embodiment of the present invention and a target label will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 14, and 15 to 17 show an example of a label L targeted by the label sticking apparatus.

  The tag attaching part 1 to which the RFID tag T of the label L shown in FIGS. 15 to 17 is attached is a predetermined horizontal width Ha in the carrying direction R of the mount D and a direction perpendicular to the carrying direction R of the mount D and is relatively This is a rectangular area having a predetermined vertical width Hb extending between a pair of sides of the label L facing.

  The label L in a state of being affixed to the article W is such that a part 2 of the label L including the tag attaching portion 1 to which the RFID tag T of the label L is attached is from the back side (adhesive layer B side) to the front side (display). The bent portion M is bent to the side of the layer U, protruded in a mountain shape, and formed into a bent portion M having one side surface 3 and the other side surface 4 each having a bent portion 7 formed with the top portion 6 as a boundary. Moreover, the tag attachment site | part 1 comprises either the one side surface 3 and the other side surface 4 which are formed on the boundary of the top part 6 of the part 2 of the label L protruded in the mountain shape (the other side surface 4 in the figure). . On the other hand, the side surface 3 is a rectangular area having a size corresponding to the tag-attached portion 1, and is opposite to the predetermined lateral width Ha in the transport direction R of the mount D in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction R of the mount D. It has a predetermined vertical width Hb extending between a pair of sides of the label L. Reference numeral 8 in the figure denotes a sticking surface on which the label L projected in a mountain shape is stuck to the article W.

  The label L shown in FIG. 15 includes a part 2 of the label L including the tag attachment site 1 to which the RFID tag T of the label L is attached, in the middle portion closer to the front side in the transport direction R of the label L than the center of the label L. Is formed. Then, in a state where the part 2 of the label L is bent from the back side to the front side, protruded in a chevron shape and formed in the bent part M, the label L is attached to both sides of the part 2 of the label L. Surface 8 is formed.

  The label L shown in FIG. 16 is substantially the same as the label L shown in FIG. 15 except that a perforation 5 is formed in the top portion 6 and the bent portion 7 that are bent into a chevron in a part 2 of the label L that is projected in a chevron. Is formed. Since the perforation 5 is formed, bending can be facilitated.

The label L shown in FIG. 17 is a label in which a part 2 of the label L including the tag attaching portion 1 to which the RFID tag T of the label L is attached is formed at the end of the label L and protruded in this mountain shape. In a part 2 of L, a perforation 5 is formed at a top portion 6 that is bent into a mountain shape. Then, in a state where the part 2 of the label L is bent from the back side to the front side and protruded in a chevron shape, the sticking surface 8 of the label L is formed on one side of the part 2 of the label L.
In addition, it is needless to say that a perforation may be formed in the curved portion 7 in the mountain-shaped part 2 of the label L shown in FIG.

The RFID tag T of the label L shown in FIGS. 15 to 17 has been described using the one attached in the adhesive layer B. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the RFID tag T is attached to the display layer U. It may be provided between the layers B or on the lower surface of the adhesive layer B (mounting paper D side). Further, the same effect can be obtained by attaching to the surface of the display layer U (the surface opposite to the surface in contact with the adhesive layer B). Play.
However, by covering the tag attachment site 1 with the display layer U and the adhesive layer B of the label L to form a double structure, the strength of this portion can be increased and the RFID tag T can be prevented from being easily damaged. It is desirable to attach the label L including the tag attachment site 1 to which the RFID tag T is attached to the inside (on the adhesive layer B side) of the one side surface 3 or the other side surface 4 of the part 2 of the label L.

1 to 3 and 5 show a label sticking device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 4, 15, and 16, the label L targeted by the label sticking device according to the first embodiment is such that a part 2 of the label L including the tag attachment site 1 is the label L It is formed in the middle part.
The label affixing device 100 according to the first embodiment affixes a label L to an article W that is conveyed by a conveyor C along a predetermined conveyance direction.
The label sticking device 100 includes a label transport means 10 and a bending sticking means 20.

The label conveying means 10 includes a peeling plate 11 that peels the label L from the mount D, and a sensor 12 that detects that the label L has been conveyed to a predetermined position, and is sent from a roll not shown. The board D on which L is temporarily attached is conveyed and folded by the peeling plate 11 to peel off the label L. The folded mount D is wound around a reel (not shown).
Further, as the label L is conveyed, the sensor 12 measures the timing for operating the bending sticking means 20 based on the detection of the label L.

The label sticking device 100 also includes a reader / writer 13 that rewrites data to the IC chip Ta of the RFID tag T. The reader / writer 13 writes or reads information to / from the IC chip Ta of the RFID tag T via an antenna (not shown) and detects whether the RFID tag T is good or defective. The attachment of the reader / writer 13 will be described later.

  The bending sticking means 20 is provided with a suction plate 21 (label holding means), and this suction plate 21 includes a tag attachment portion 1 to which the RFID tag T of the label L peeled off by the release plate 11 is attached. The part 2 of L adsorbs the surface side of the label L so that it can protrude from the back side to the front side. The suction plate 21 is provided with a plurality of small holes 21a for sucking air for sucking the surface of the label L.

The suction plate 21 is formed of a pair of divided bodies 21b and 21c that are formed by being divided by a line orthogonal to the conveyance direction R of the label L and suck the label L. One divided body 21 b is supported by a base 23 serving as a support material via a support member 22.
The other divided body 21c is supported by the base 23 via a rail 24 and a slider 25 that slides along the rail 24 so as to be slidable along the conveyance direction R of the label L, and the conveyance direction of the label L of the other divided body 21c. The rear end portion of the R and the front end portion of the label L of the one divided body 21b in the conveyance direction R are supported so as to be movable at two positions, namely, a separation position V separated from the one divided body 21b. In the separation position V, a folding space e is formed between the one divided body 21b and the other divided body 21c, into which a part 2 of the label L protruding from the back surface side to the front surface side can enter. The divided body 21b and the other divided body 21c adsorb and hold the both ends of the label L in the transport direction R.
The other divided body 21c is driven by an air cylinder device 26 (bending means) that is positioned at the joining position S when retracted and positioned at the separation position V when advanced. The air cylinder device 26 includes a piston to which the slider 25 of the other divided body 21 c is attached and a cylinder fixed to the base 23.

Further, the bending sticking means 20 moves the suction plate 21 to two positions: a suction position X for sucking the label L peeled by the peeling plate 11 and a sticking position Y for sticking the sucked label L to the article W. Means 27 are provided.
The moving means 27 includes an air cylinder device 28 including a piston to which the base 23 is attached and a cylinder on the machine base (not shown) side. Reference numeral 29 denotes a guide including a guide shaft 29a for guiding the movement of the base 23 and a guide tube 29b through which the guide shaft 29a is slidably inserted.

Further, the bending sticking means 20 includes bending assisting means 30 for assisting a part 2 of the label L protruding from the back surface side to the front surface side between the one divided body 21b and the other divided body 21c. ing.
The folding assisting means 30 blows air from the back side (adhesive layer B side) to the part 2 of the label L, and an air blowing nozzle 31 that folds the part 2 of the label L into a mountain shape by the blowing force of the air. It has. A part 2 of the label L is bent by an air blowing nozzle 31 and an air cylinder device 26 (bending means), and is bent with one side surface 3 and the other side surface 4 formed at the top portion 6 and having a bending portion 7 respectively. Since the portion M is formed, the bending is reliably performed.

Next, attachment of the reader / writer 13 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, at least an antenna (not shown) of the reader / writer 13 is provided at a position facing the part 2 of the label L, that is, a position facing the folding space e. Specifically, the reader / writer 13 is attached so as to face the folding space e formed between the divided bodies 21b and 21c at the separation position V of the other divided body 21c so that the reader / writer 13 can communicate with the IC chip Ta of the RFID tag T. It is fixed to the base 23 via the member 13a.
In this case, if the reader / writer 13 is provided on the suction plate 21, it is necessary to make the suction plate 21 so as not to hinder the communication of the RFID tag T, such as making the suction plate 21, and the strength is reduced accordingly. The reader / writer 13 repeatedly moves together with the other divided body 21c of the suction plate 21, so that the cable connecting the read / write module of the reader / writer 13 and the antenna. However, in this embodiment, since the reader / writer 13 is provided on the base 23, it is not affected by the material or thickness of the suction plate 21. Communicating with the RFID tag T can be surely performed, the degree of freedom of design is widened, the cost can be made low, and the base 23 can be fixed. Durability hardly occurs damage due bending of the cable can be improved.

FIG. 5 is a circuit configuration diagram of the label sticking device according to the embodiment.
The label affixing device 100 has a CPU 80 that controls the label affixing device 100, a non-volatile memory 81 such as a ROM or a flash memory that stores programs of various control units, and a rewritable and holds various settings of the label affixing device. EEPROM 82 (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), RAM 83 used as a work area of the CPU 80, an external interface 85 that communicates with an external device (host 84) in a wired or wireless manner, and a transport motor that transports the mount D 86 of the conveyance motor control part which controls 86, the operation control part 89 which sets the information regarding operation | movement of the label sticking apparatus 100, and controls the operation part 88 which consists of various buttons and a display panel, and the sensor 12 which detects the label L For the sensor control unit 90 that performs control and the IC chip Ta of the RFID tag T A reader writer control unit 91 for controlling the reader-writer 13 to rewrite over data, control labeling control unit 92 for controlling the folding sticking means 20 and a (folding control unit) via a system bus 93. A scanner 94 for reading a barcode attached to the article W is connected to the host 84.
When the reader / writer 13 writes or reads information to or from the IC chip Ta of the RFID tag T, the reader / writer control unit 91 detects whether the RFID tag T is good or bad. For example, control is performed such as stopping the apparatus or sounding an alarm buzzer to light an alarm lamp.

The EEPROM 82 is provided with an operation flag area for the label sticking control unit 92 to determine whether or not to operate the air cylinder device 26 (folding means) and the bending assisting means 30. This operation flag area is set by setting from the operation unit 88 (A), setting by a command received by the external interface 85 (B), or a normal label or RFID tag T to which the reader / writer 13 does not attach the RFID tag T. This is performed by any one of the settings (C) performed by detecting the attached label L.
When the label sticking control unit 92 is set to ON (1) in the operation flag area of the EEPROM 82, the air cylinder device 26 (folding means) and the folding assisting means 30 are operated during the label L sticking operation. When OFF (0) is set, the air cylinder device 26 (bending unit) and the bending auxiliary unit 30 are controlled not to operate.

Therefore, when the label L is pasted by the label pasting apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, it is as follows.
Here, a case will be described in which the operation flag is set by setting (A) from the operation unit 88 in the operation flag area of the EEPROM 82. In the case of this setting, for example, an article W having the same content is continuously conveyed by the conveyor C. When the label loaded in the label applicator 100 at the change of the article W is a normal label, the operation is performed. The flag is set to OFF (0), and the operation flag is set to ON (1) when the label L attached with the RFID tag T is loaded.

First, the operation of the label affixing device 100 when the operation flag in the operation flag area of the EEPROM 82 is set to ON (1) by the operation unit 88 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 6. To do.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the label L is conveyed by the label conveying means 10 (FIG. 6 (S10)), and the sensor 12 detects that the label affixing control unit 92 is based on the detection of the label L. Measure the timing to operate. Next, when the mount D is folded back by the peeling plate 11 and the label L is peeled off, the suction plate 21 sucks the label L at the suction position X (FIG. 6 (S11)).

Since ON (1) is set in the operation flag area of the EEPROM 82 (FIG. 6 (S12 ON)), the label sticking control unit 92 is connected to the air cylinder device 26 (folding means) and the folding when the label L is sticking. The music assisting means 30 is operated (FIG. 6 (S13)).
That is, as shown in FIG. 2B, the label sticking control unit 92 operates the air cylinder device 26 and positions the other divided body 21 c at the separation position V. Thereby, a part 2 of the label L protruding from the back surface side (adhesive layer B side) to the front surface side (display layer U side) can be inserted between one divided body 21b and the other divided body 21c. A space e is formed.

In this state, the reader / writer 13 writes or reads information with respect to the IC chip Ta of the RFID tag T.
Since at least the antenna of the reader / writer 13 is provided at a position facing the part 2 of the label L, the suction plate 21 (label holding means) made of a metal member and the bending sticking means at the final stage before sticking the label L to the article W Thus, it is possible to reliably write or read information to / from the IC chip Ta of the RFID tag T. At this time, since the RFID tag T can be detected as good or defective, if the RFID tag T is a non-defective product, information can be reliably written to the IC chip Ta, and then the RFID tag T can be damaged. Absent. If it is detected that the RFID tag T is defective, it is possible to take measures such as stopping the device and removing the label related to the defect based on this detection, thereby reliably improving the accuracy of defect detection. Can be made.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2C, the label sticking control unit 92 operates the air cylinder device 26 to move the other divided body 21 c from the separation position V to the joining position S. Further, at this time, the label sticking control unit 92 operates the air blowing nozzle 31, and the back side (adhesive layer B side) is attached to a part 2 of the label L including the tag attachment site 1 to which the RFID tag T of the label L is attached. Blow out air toward As a result, the one side surface 3 and the other side surface 3 in the direction in which the back surfaces of the one side surface 3 and the other side surface 4 are close to each other while the one divided member 21b and the other divided member 21c are sucking and holding the opposite ends of the label L in the transport direction R The bent portion 7 and the bent portion 7 on the other side surface 4 are pressed to form a bent portion M. In this case, since the part 2 of the label L is pushed to the surface side (display layer U side) by the air blowing force from the air blowing nozzle 31, the part 2 of the label L is surely bent into a mountain shape.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 2D, when the other divided body 21c moves from the separation position V to the joining position S, the end faces of the one divided body 21b and the other divided body 21c facing each other are on the label L. The two side surfaces 4 and the other side surface 4 (display layer U) which are part 2 are in contact with each other and pressed to join the back surfaces of the one side surface 3 and the other side surface 4 to each other. It is formed.

  After that, as shown in FIG. 3, the label sticking control unit 92 operates the air cylinder device 28 of the moving means 27 to move the suction plate 21 from the suction position X to the sticking position Y (S14 in FIG. 6). Thereby, the adsorbed label L is affixed to the article W. In this case, since the sticking surfaces 8 of the label L are formed on both sides of the bent portion M, which is the portion 2 of the label L that is protruded in a chevron shape, the divided body 21b and the other divided body 21c can Pressed by W, the label L is securely attached to the article W. After sticking the label, the suction plate 21 is returned to the suction position X.

Next, a description will be given of a case where a normal label without an RFID tag T is attached. In this case, in the operation unit 88, the operation flag in the operation flag area of the EEPROM 82 is set to OFF (0). Referring to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, as shown in FIG. 2A, the label L is conveyed by the label conveying means 10 (FIG. 6 (S10)), and the sensor 12 is based on the detection of the label L. The label sticking control unit 92 measures the timing for operating the bending sticking means 20. Next, when the mount D is folded back by the peeling plate 11 and the label L is peeled off, the suction plate 21 sucks the label L at the suction position X (FIG. 6 (S11)).
Since OFF (0) is set in the operation flag area of the EEPROM 82 (FIG. 6 (S12 OFF)), the label sticking control unit 92 operates the air cylinder device 26 (folding means) and the folding assisting means 30. Without causing the air cylinder device 28 of the moving means 27 to operate, the suction plate 21 is moved from the suction position X to the sticking position Y (FIG. 6 (S14)).
Thereby, the adsorbed normal label is stuck on the article W in a planar shape. As described above, according to the setting (A) from the operation unit 88, it is possible to easily introduce the system into a small system that performs simple sorting with few types of articles.

  Next, the case where the operation flag is set by the command received by the external interface 85 (B) will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. For example, when the label L to which the RFID tag T is attached is loaded in the label affixing device and the articles W having different contents are conveyed by the conveyor C in a mixed manner, this setting depends on the type of the article W. An article W is provided with a barcode on which an instruction is attached to the label L with the RFID tag T attached thereto in a flat shape (operation flag OFF) or bent into a chevron shape (operation flag ON). The label L is affixed according to the instructions of the code.

  As shown in FIG. 7, first, the barcode of the article W is read by the scanner 94 (S21), and the host 84 folds the label L into a mountain shape and pastes the label L read by the scanner 94 (operation flag ON). ) Or a label L attached to a flat surface (operation flag OFF) (S21), and one of these commands is transmitted (S22, S23). The label sticking apparatus 100 sets the operation flag in the operation flag area of the EEPROM 82 to ON (1) or OFF (0) according to the received command (S24).

Then, the label L is transported by the label transport means 10 (S25), and when the mount D is folded back by the release plate 11 and the label L is peeled off, the suction plate 21 sucks the label L at the suction position X ( S26). Next, when the operation flag in the operation flag area of the EEPROM 82 is ON (1) (S27 ON), the label sticking control unit 92 operates the air cylinder device 26 (folding means) and the bending assisting means 30 (S28). . Thereafter, the label sticking control unit 92 operates the moving means 27 (S29), and the label L is bent and stuck to the article W in a mountain shape.

On the other hand, when OFF (0) is set in the operation flag area of the EEPROM 82 (S27 OFF), the label sticking control unit 92 operates the air cylinder device 26 (folding means) and the folding assisting means 30. Instead, the air cylinder device 28 of the moving means 27 is operated to move the suction plate 21 from the suction position X to the sticking position Y (S29). Thereby, the adsorbed normal label is stuck on the article W in a planar shape.
According to the setting (B) by the command received by the external interface 85, the shape of the label L to which the RFID tag T to be affixed depending on the type and contents of the article W is affixed (in a flat shape or in a mountain shape). It is easy to change (bend and paste).

  In the above description, the barcode of the article W is read by the scanner 94, and the content of the barcode read by the scanner 94 is that the label L is bent and pasted into a mountain shape, or the label L is pasted in a flat shape. Although it has been described that one of these commands is transmitted and the scanner is an external device, the label attaching apparatus 100 receives the barcode data read by the scanner via the external interface 85, and the scanner The label sticking control unit 92 may be configured to operate the air cylinder device 26 (folding means) and the folding assisting means 30 in accordance with the contents of the barcode read in.

According to the above description, a part 2 of the label L to which the RFID tag T is attached is protruded and attached to the article in a mountain shape, and the RFID tag T is attached to the article by separating the RFID tag T from the article. Can be reduced, so that stable reading and writing of data can be ensured. Also, since the back surfaces of the one side surface 3 and the other side surface 4 of the bent portion M are joined by the bending means, the label L Since the display layer U and the adhesive layer B cover the tag attachment site 1 and have a double structure, the strength of this portion can be increased and the RFID tag T can be prevented from being easily damaged.
Further, by using the label L shown in FIG. 16 according to the usage, after the purpose of use of the article W is completed, the bent portion M projected in a mountain shape can be easily cut out, and information leakage Can be prevented and separation and disposal can be easily performed.
Furthermore, according to the setting of the operation flag, whether the label L is applied to the article W in a flat shape or folded in a chevron can be switched according to the application and system, and the shape of the attached label L ( The contents and type of the article W can be easily visually recognized by attaching them in a flat shape or bending them in a mountain shape.

8 to 10 show a label sticking device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 4, 15, and 16, the label L targeted by the label sticking device according to the second embodiment is such that a part 2 of the label L including the tag attachment site 1 is the label L It is formed in the middle part.
Although the label sticking apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment is configured in substantially the same manner as the label sticking apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, the label sticking apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment and The configuration of the bending assisting means 30 is different.

The folding assisting means 30 of the label sticking device 200 according to the second embodiment is configured to place a part 2 of the label L including the tag attachment site 1 to which the RFID tag T of the label L is attached on the surface side (display layer U ) And a suction nozzle 32 that bends a part 2 of the label L to the surface side.
The suction nozzle 32 is provided so as to be able to advance and retract by an air cylinder device 33. The air cylinder device 33 includes a piston to which the suction nozzle 32 is attached and a cylinder on the machine base (not shown) side. The suction nozzle 32 adsorbs the label L by suction when in contact with or close to the surface of the part 2 of the label L when the air cylinder device 33 advances, and part 2 of the label L when the air cylinder device 33 moves backward. Is bent in a mountain shape from the back surface side to the front surface side to project, and a bent portion M is formed. Since the part 2 of the label L is folded together with the air cylinder device 26 (folding means) by the suction nozzle 32, the folding is performed reliably.

Therefore, when the label L is pasted by the label L pasting apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment, it is as follows. Here, a case where the operation flag is turned ON (1) will be described. When the operation flag is OFF (0), the label is affixed in a flat manner as described above.
As shown in FIG. 9A, when the label L is transported by the label transport means 10 and the mount D is folded back by the release plate 11 and the label L is peeled off, the suction plate 21 is labeled at the suction position X. L is adsorbed. In this state, as shown in FIG. 9B, the air cylinder device 26 is operated, and the other divided body 21 c is positioned at the separation position V. Thereby, a folding space e in which a part 2 of the label L protruding from the back surface side to the front surface side can be formed between the one divided body 21b and the other divided body 21c.
In this state, the reader / writer 13 writes or reads information with respect to the IC chip Ta of the RFID tag T. At this time, as in the case described above, whether the RFID tag T is good or bad is detected by writing or reading information.

Also, as shown in FIG. 9B, the air cylinder device 33 is operated to advance the suction nozzle 32 to contact or approach the surface of a part 2 of the label L, and the suction nozzle 32 is operated to perform suction. The label L is adsorbed.
Then, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9C, the air cylinder device 26 is operated to move the other divided body 21c from the separation position V to the joining position S, and the air cylinder device 33 is operated to perform suction. The nozzle 32 is retracted. As a result, the one side surface 3 and the other side surface 3 in the direction in which the back surfaces of the one side surface 3 and the other side surface 4 are close to each other while the one divided member 21b and the other divided member 21c are sucking and holding the opposite ends of the label L in the transport direction R. The bent portion 7 and the bent portion 7 on the other side surface 4 are pressed to form a bent portion M. In this case, since the part 2 of the label L is pulled by the suction nozzle 32, the part 2 of the label L is reliably bent into a mountain shape.

  9D, when the other divided body 21c moves from the separation position V to the joining position S, the end faces of the one divided body 21b and the other divided body 21c facing each other are on the label L. The back surfaces of the one side surface 3 and the other side surface 4 are joined by abutting against and pressing the surfaces of the one side surface 3 and the other side surface 4 which are the part 2, whereby the bent portion M is formed.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 10, the operation of the air cylinder device 33 is stopped and the air cylinder device 28 of the moving means 27 is operated to move the suction plate 21 from the suction position X to the sticking position Y. Thereby, the adsorbed label L is affixed to the article W. In this case, since the sticking surfaces 8 of the label L are formed on both sides of the bent portion M, which is a part 2 of the label L that is protruded in a chevron shape, each of the divided bodies is pressed against the article W and reliably The label L is affixed to the article W. After sticking the label, it returns to the suction position X.
Therefore, the operation and effect are the same as those of the label sticking device according to the first embodiment.

In FIG. 11 thru | or FIG. 13, the label sticking apparatus which concerns on 3rd embodiment of this invention is shown.
As shown in FIGS. 14 and 17, the label L targeted by the label sticking apparatus according to the third embodiment is one of the labels L including the tag attachment portion 1 to which the RFID tag T of the label L is attached. The part 2 is formed at the end of the label L.
The label sticking apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment is configured in substantially the same manner as the label sticking apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, but the label sticking apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment and Are different in the configuration of the bending sticking means.

The bending sticking means 40 of the label sticking apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment has a suction plate 41 (label holding means), and the suction plate 41 is a label sticking apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. The suction plate 21 is not divided.
That is, the adsorption plate 41 has a part 2 of the label L including the tag attachment site 1 to which the RFID tag T of the label L peeled off by the peeling plate 11 is attached from the back side (adhesive layer B side) to the front side ( The surface side (display layer U side) of the label L is adsorbed so as to be able to project to the display layer U side).
The suction plate 41 of the bending sticking means 40 is provided with a plurality of small holes 41a for sucking air for sucking the surface of the label L. The suction plate 41 is supported with respect to the base 43 via a support member 42.

Further, the bending pasting means 40 includes a slider 45 that can be slid by the rail 44 along the conveyance direction R of the label L, and a pressing member 46 that is fixed to the slider 45 and presses the curved portion 7 side of the other side surface 4 of the label L. The support member 48 supports an air cylinder device 47 (folding means) that moves the pressing member 46 to the separation position V and the joining position S when the piston is attached to the pressing member 46.
In addition, a support portion 49 that supports the front end of the label L in the transport direction R protrudes from the rear end of the pressing member 46 in the transport direction R of the label L. The support portion 49 is provided with a sensor 50 that detects the front end of the conveyed label L at the joining position S of the pressing member 46.

Moreover, the moving means 27 of the bending sticking means 40 is comprised by the air cylinder apparatus 28 similarly to the label sticking apparatus 100 which concerns on 1st embodiment. The air cylinder device 28 includes a piston to which the base 43 is attached and a cylinder on the machine base (not shown) side. The suction position X for sucking the label L peeled by the peeling plate 11 from the suction plate 41 and the suction position X are sucked. The label L is moved to two positions of the pasting position Y where the label L is pasted on the article W.

  Furthermore, the bending assisting means 30 of the bending sticking means 40 is fixed to the support body 48 at a substantially middle position where the pressing member 46 moves from the separation position V to the joining position S. Air is blown out from the side (adhesive layer B side), and an air blowing nozzle 34 is provided to fold a part 2 of the label L into a mountain shape on the surface side (display layer U side) by the blowing force of the air.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the reader / writer 13 is provided with at least an antenna (not shown) at a position facing the part 2 of the label L, that is, a position facing the folding space e. Specifically, the reader / writer 13 is attached to the folding space e formed between the pressing member 46 and the suction plate 41 at the separation position V of the pressing member 46 so that the reader / writer 13 can communicate with the IC chip Ta of the RFID tag T. It is being fixed to the support body 48 as a support material via the member 13a.

  The circuit configuration of the label applicator 300 according to the third embodiment is the same as the circuit configuration of the label applicator 100 according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 5). Controlled by the label sticking control unit 92.

  Therefore, when the label L is pasted by the label pasting apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment, it is as follows. Here, a case where the operation flag is turned ON (1) will be described. When the operation flag is OFF (0), the label is affixed in a flat manner as described above.

As shown in FIG. 12A, when the label L is transported by the label transport means 10, the mount D is folded back by the release plate 11, and the label L is peeled off, the label L is attracted to the suction plate 41. The label L is transported in the transport direction R, and accordingly, the label sticking control unit 92 operates the air cylinder device 47 to move the pressing member 46 from the separation position V to the joining position S. When the front end of the label L reaches the support part 49 of the pressing member 46, the sensor 50 detects this and outputs a signal to the label sticking control part 92. As shown, the label sticking control unit 92 operates the air cylinder device 47 to move the pressing member 46 from the joining position S to the separation position V, and sucks the label L at the suction position X by the suction plate 41.
In this state, as shown in FIG. 12B, the pressing member 46 is positioned at the separation position V, and a part of the label L protruding from the back surface side to the front surface side between the suction plate 41 and the pressing member 46. A folding space e into which 2 can enter is formed.

In this state, the reader / writer 13 writes or reads information with respect to the IC chip Ta of the RFID tag T.
Since at least the antenna of the reader / writer 13 is provided at a position facing the part 2 of the label L, an adsorption plate 41 (label holding means) made of a metal member or a bending sticking means at the final stage before the label L is stuck on the article W Thus, it is possible to reliably write or read information to / from the IC chip Ta of the RFID tag T. At this time, since the RFID tag T can be detected as good or defective, if the RFID tag T is a non-defective product, information can be reliably written to the IC chip Ta, and then the RFID tag T can be damaged. Absent. If it is detected that the RFID tag T is defective, it is possible to take measures such as stopping the device and removing the label related to the defect based on this detection, thereby reliably improving the accuracy of defect detection. Can be made.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12C, the label sticking control unit 92 operates the air cylinder device 47 to move the pressing member 46 from the separation position V to the joining position S, and the label sticking control part. 92 activates the air blowing nozzle 34 and blows air toward the back side (adhesive layer B side) of a part 2 of the label L including the tag attachment site 1 to which the RFID tag T of the label L is attached. Thereby, while the suction plate 41 sucks and holds the label L, the suction plate 41 and the pressing member 46 are arranged so that the back surface of the one side surface 3 and the other side surface 4 are close to each other. 4 part 7 is pressed to fold part 2 of label L to form bent part M. In this case, the part 2 of the label L is bent into a mountain shape on the surface side (display layer U side) by the blowing force of air from the air blowing nozzle 34, and the part 2 of the label L is reliably bent into a mountain shape. .

Then, as shown in FIG. 12D, when the label sticking control unit 92 operates the air cylinder device 47 to move the pressing member 46 from the separation position V to the joining position S, the suction plate 41 and the pressing member 46 are moved. The end surfaces facing each other abut against the surfaces of the one side surface 3 and the other side surface 4 which are a part 2 of the label L, respectively, and press them to join the back surfaces of the one side surface 3 and the other side surface 4 together.
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 13, the label sticking control unit 92 operates the air cylinder device 47 to move the pressing member 46 from the joining position S to the separation position V, and the label sticking control unit 92 causes the air cylinder device 28 to move. It operates to move the suction plate 41 from the suction position X to the sticking position Y. Thereby, the adsorbed label L is affixed to the article W. In a state where the label L is stuck on the article W, the bent portion M, which is a part 2 of the label L projected in a mountain shape, stands up from the article W as shown in FIG.
Therefore, the operation and effect are the same as those of the label sticking device according to the first embodiment.

In the above embodiment, the entire reader / writer 13 is attached to the base 23 and the support 48. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only the reader / writer 13 antenna (not shown) is attached. It can be changed as appropriate.
In the above embodiment, the bending assisting means 30 is described using an air blowing nozzle that blows air from the back side to the part 2 of the label or a suction nozzle that sucks part 2 of the label from the front side. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any change may be made as long as it assists the part 2 of the label L to which the RFID tag T is attached to bend in the same direction.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although demonstrated so that the back surfaces of the one side surface 3 and the other side surface 4 which are the part 2 of the label L were joined, it is not limited to this, The one side surface 3 and the other side surface 4 are attached. The label L in a form in which a part 2 of the label L is bent and projected without being joined may be attached to the article. In this case, in the air cylinder device 26 (first and second embodiments) and the air cylinder device 47 (third embodiment), the amount of movement that moves from the separation position V to the joining position S is reduced. It can be easily realized. As a result, since the bent part 2 of the label L is maintained in a shape that is bent and projected into a chevron, the portable reader / writer is held over the IC chip Ta of the label L attached to the article W. When performing a reading operation, compared with the case where a flat label L is affixed to the article W, the communication angle is further widened, and the reading operation toward the label L can be efficiently performed.

  Further, in the case where a crease or the like is provided so that the part 2 of the label L is bent into a mountain shape, the folding assisting means 30 need not be provided. However, in order to bend the part 2 of the label L reliably from the back side to the front side, it is desirable to have the folding assisting means 30.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the description has been given of the case where the suction plates 21 and 41 are moved from the suction position X to the sticking position Y by the air cylinder device 28 and the label L is pressed and stuck to the article W, but this is not limitative. Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to a label sticking apparatus (air jet method) in which air is ejected from the small holes 21a and 41a of the suction plates 21 and 41 and the label L is blown off toward the article W for sticking. Yes. In this case, after the part 2 of the label L is bent into a mountain shape by the air cylinder device 26 (first and second embodiments) and the air cylinder device 47 (third embodiment), the label sticking control unit This can be easily realized by simply ejecting air from the small holes 21 a and 41 a of the suction plates 21 and 41.

  Furthermore, in the label sticking apparatus of the above embodiment, printing having an ink jet or thermal type head that prints information about the article W and variable information such as a barcode on the surface side (display layer U side) of the label L. Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to a labeling apparatus provided with means.

It is a principal part perspective view which shows the label sticking apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the label sticking apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention with the effect | action. It is a top view which shows the label sticking apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention with the effect | action. It is a perspective view which shows the state of the label which the label sticking apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention stuck to the articles | goods. It is a circuit block diagram of the label sticking apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the label sticking apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows another operation | movement of the label sticking apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part perspective view which shows the label sticking apparatus which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the label sticking apparatus which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention with the effect | action. It is a top view which shows the label sticking apparatus which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention with the effect | action. It is a principal part perspective view which shows the label sticking apparatus which concerns on 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the label sticking apparatus which concerns on 3rd embodiment of this invention with the effect | action. It is a top view which shows the label sticking apparatus which concerns on 3rd embodiment of this invention with the effect | action. It is a perspective view which shows the state of the label which the label sticking apparatus which concerns on 3rd embodiment of this invention stuck to the articles | goods. It is a figure which shows an example of the label which the label sticking apparatus of this invention makes object. It is a figure which shows an example of another label which the label sticking apparatus of this invention makes object. It is a figure which shows an example of another label which the label sticking apparatus of this invention makes object. It is a figure which shows the general example of the label with which the RFID tag was attached.

Explanation of symbols

L Label T RFID tag U Display layer B Adhesive layer P Film layer D Mount Ta IC chip Tb Communication antenna Ha Horizontal width Hb Vertical width W Article R Transport direction 1 Tag attachment part 2 Part of label 3 One side 4 Other side 5 Perforation 6 Top portion 7 Curve portion 8 Attaching surface M Bending portion C Conveyor 10 Label conveying means 11 Peeling plate 12 Sensor 13 Reader / writer 20 Bending sticking means 21 Suction plate (label holding means)
21a Small hole 21b One divided body 21c The other divided body 22 Support member 23 Base 24 Rail 25 Slider 26 Air cylinder device (bending means)
27 Moving means 28 Air cylinder device 29 Guide 29a Guide shaft 29b Guide pipe S Joining position V Separation position e Folding space X Adsorption position Y Sticking position 30 Bending assist means 31 Air blowing nozzle 32 Suction nozzle 33 Air cylinder device 34 Air blowing nozzle 40 Bending and sticking means 41 Suction plate (label holding means)
41a Small hole 42 Support member 43 Base 44 Rail 45 Slider 46 Pressing member 47 Air cylinder device (bending means)
48 Support 49 Supporting part 50 Sensor 80 CPU
81 Nonvolatile memory 82 EEPROM
83 RAM
84 Host 85 External interface 86 Conveyance motor 87 Conveyance motor control section 88 Operation section 89 Operation control section 90 Sensor control section 91 Reader / writer control section 92 Label sticking control section (bending control means)
93 System Bus 94 Scanner 100 Labeling Device (First Embodiment)
200 Labeling device (second embodiment)
300 Labeling device (third embodiment)

Claims (14)

In a label sticking device for sticking a label attached with an RFID tag comprising an IC chip and a communication antenna to an article,
Label holding means for holding the surface side of the label;
A folding sticking means for sticking the label by folding a part of the label including a tag attaching portion to which an RFID tag of the label is attached from the back side to the front side and projecting it;
A reader / writer that writes or reads information to or from the IC chip of the RFID tag via an antenna;
The label sticking apparatus, wherein at least the antenna of the reader / writer is arranged at a position facing a part of the label when the bend sticking means bends a part of the label. The bending sticking means includes bending means for folding and projecting a part of the label including a tag attachment portion to which an RFID tag of the label is attached from the back surface side to the front surface side. The label sticking device according to claim 1. The label holding means comprises a pair of divided bodies that adsorb the label,
The bending means enables any one of the divided bodies to be moved to two positions, that is, a separation position and a joining position, and bends a part of the label at the opposite end surfaces of the divided bodies, with the top as a boundary. The formed side surface and the other side surface are respectively in contact with the surface of the one side surface and the other side surface and pressed to form a bent portion,
The label sticking device according to claim 2, wherein at least an antenna of the reader / writer is arranged between the divided bodies at a separation position of the divided bodies. Bending a part of the label, provided with a pressing member that is formed on the top and presses the curved portion side of the other side,
The bending means enables the pressing member to move to two positions of a separation position and a joining position, and the pressing member and the label holding means are such that the back surfaces of the one side surface and the other side surface of the label are close to each other. Press the curved part on one side and the curved part on the other side in the direction to bend a part of the label to form a folded part,
The label affixing device according to claim 2, wherein at least an antenna of the reader / writer is disposed between the pressing member and the label holding means at a separation position of the pressing member. The label according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the folding sticking means includes folding assisting means for assisting folding of a part of the label from a back surface side to a front surface side in a mountain shape. Pasting device. The bending assisting means comprises an air blowing nozzle that blows air from the back side to a part of the label and folds a part of the label to the front side by the blowing force of the air. Item 6. The label affixing device according to Item 5. 6. The label affixing device according to claim 5, wherein the folding assisting means includes a suction nozzle that sucks a part of the label from the surface side and folds a part of the label to the surface side. apparatus. The label affixing device includes a folding control unit that drives the folding unit or the folding auxiliary unit to control whether or not a part of the label is folded in a mountain shape from the back side to the front side. The label affixing device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, The label sticking device is configured to set whether or not to fold a part of the label from the back side to the front side,
Storage means for storing the set value set by the setting means;
Determining means for determining the set value stored in the storage means;
The bending control means determines the setting value when the determination means determines that the setting is made so that a part of the label is folded in a mountain shape from the back side to the front side. 9. The label sticking device according to claim 8, wherein a part of the label is folded in a mountain shape from the back surface side to the front surface side by driving the means or the folding assist means. The label sticking device includes an operation unit for setting information regarding the operation of the label sticking device,
The label sticking apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the setting unit is set from the operation unit. The labeling device includes an external interface that communicates with an external device by wire or wirelessly,
10. The label sticking apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the setting means is set by received data received by the external interface from the external device. The bending attaching means includes a moving means for moving the label holding means to two positions: an adsorption position where the label is adsorbed and an adhering position where the adsorbed label is affixed to the article. Item 12. The label affixing device according to any one of Items 1 to 11. The label sticking device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the label holding means is a suction plate. The label sticking device according to claim 13, wherein at least an antenna of the reader / writer is provided on a support material side of the suction plate.

Images