JP5750010B2 - Carton printing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a carton printing apparatus that prints a barcode or the like on a side surface of a carton.

  Conventionally, various cartons are used in various fields, and a carton printing apparatus that prints a barcode or the like on a carton by an ink jet printer or a laser printer is known.

  For example, a barcode printing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 below conveys a box-shaped article (carton) sandwiched from above and below by a pair of first and second conveyors arranged above and below, and the carton serves as a reference. The detection sensor detects that the position has been reached. In order to convey the carton from the position detected by the detection sensor to the printing position where the printing machine prints, the servo motors of the first and second conveyors are rotated by a predetermined phase. When the servo motor is rotated by the predetermined phase, the first and second conveyors are stopped by stopping the servo motor, and the printing machine is activated to print the barcode on the stopped carton.

JP 2009-91040 A

  However, the carton transported by the conveyor may be displaced laterally with respect to the transport direction when being placed on the conveyor or in the process of being transported by the conveyor. Further, if the side surface serving as the printing surface of the carton is a flap portion, the side surface may swell and bend outward. In such a case, the distance between the print head that performs printing and the side surface (printing surface) of the carton is not constant, and there is a problem that printing cannot be performed accurately on the side surface of the carton. In particular, in the medical field or the pharmaceutical field, due to the characteristics of these fields, a high accuracy is required for carton printing, which is a problem that cannot be ignored.

  Of course, in order to improve the printing accuracy of the carton, it may be possible to adjust the position of the cart by stopping the conveyance of the carton each time when printing on the carton, but then it is impossible to print on the carton at high speed, Depending on the number of cartons to be printed, it takes a lot of time.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a carton printing apparatus capable of printing on a carton with high accuracy and at high speed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described object, and relates to a carton printing apparatus that prints on a side surface of a carton, and is provided adjacent to a transport unit that transports a carton, and a transport unit. A printing unit that prints on one side of the inner carton and a side opposite to the printing unit via the carton transport path, and presses the other side of the carton being transported toward the printing unit along the transport path A pressing unit, and a support unit that is fixed in the vicinity of the printing unit and supports one side surface of the carton pressed by the pressing unit at a predetermined position along the transport path. By pressing the other side surface along the conveying path toward the printing unit side, the supporting unit supports one side surface of the carton being conveyed at a predetermined position along the conveying path, while the printing unit is performing the conveying operation. Wherein the printing on one side of Ton.

  According to this, even when the carton is laterally shifted during conveyance or when one side surface of the carton is curved, the distance between the printing unit and one side surface of the carton can be made constant and the conveyance of the carton is stopped. Therefore, it is not necessary to make adjustments, so that the carton can be printed with high accuracy and at high speed.

  In addition, the pressing portion has a plurality of pressing rollers provided with rotation shafts orthogonal to each other on the side of the transport path of the carton in series along the transport path, and the other side surface of the carton is held by the plurality of pressing rollers. It is preferable to press toward the printing unit side. According to this, since the friction between the pressing portion and the other side surface of the carton is reduced, it is possible to press the other side surface of the carton while smoothly transporting the carton.

  The pressing unit has a pressing plate member having a surface parallel to the conveying direction along the conveying path, and the other side surface of the carton is pressed against the printing unit side by the pressing plate member. Good. According to this, the other side surface of the carton can be pressed with a simple configuration.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the pressing plate member is formed so that the rear end portion in the transport direction extends outside the transport path. According to this, the carton in which the rear end portion in the transport direction of the pressing plate member is transported is guided between the pressing portion and the support portion, so that the carton can be reliably introduced between the pressing portion and the support portion. it can.

  Moreover, it is preferable that a press part is urged | biased by the urging | biasing member to the printing part side, and presses the other side surface of a carton to the printing part side along a conveyance path | route. According to this, the other side surface of the carton can be pressed by the pressing portion with a simple configuration.

  Further, the pressing unit presses the side surface of the carton in a range from immediately before at least one side surface of the carton starts to pass in front of the printing position of the printing unit to immediately after it has passed in front of the printing position of the printing unit. Although it is formed in length, it is preferable. According to this, in order to stably support one side surface of the carton at least from immediately before printing to immediately after printing by continuously pressing the other side surface of the carton in the range before and after the printing position of the printing unit, It is possible to print stably on one side of the carton.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the press part is formed in length shorter than the space | interval of each carton conveyed sequentially. According to this, in order to prevent a plurality of cartons from entering between the pressing portion and the support portion at the same time, each carton can be pressed individually and stably.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the support part is formed in the thickness of 0.8 mm-1.0 mm. According to this, it is possible to prevent the print head from coming into contact with one side surface of the carton due to the support portion being greatly bent, and to set the print head and one side surface of the carton at an appropriate interval.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the support part is formed with a printing window at a part corresponding to the printing position of the printing part. According to this, while printing on one side of the carton through the printing window and supporting one side of the carton at a portion other than the printing window, one side of the carton can be printed without causing any trouble in printing. The side surface can be supported in a wider range.

  Moreover, it is preferable to have a 2nd press part provided in the aspect which opposes a conveyance part via the conveyance path | route of a carton, and presses the upper surface of a carton to the conveyance part side. According to this, since the position of the carton in the vertical direction is stabilized, printing can be performed with high accuracy on one side surface of the carton.

  In addition, the second pressing portion has a plurality of second pressing rollers having a rotation shaft that traverses the upper side of the transport path of the carton in series along the transport path, and the plurality of second press rollers It is preferable that the upper surface of the carton is pressed to the conveying unit side. According to this, since the friction between the 2nd press part and the upper surface of a carton is reduced, the upper surface of a carton can be pressed, conveying a carton smoothly.

  The transport unit is disposed in the center in the transport direction and includes a first transport belt having a first support piece that supports the front surface of the carton, and first transport belts that are disposed on both sides of the first transport belt and support the rear surface of the carton. It is preferable to provide a second conveyor belt having two support pieces. According to this, according to the size of the carton, the first support piece of the first transport belt supports the front surface of the carton mainly at the central portion, and the second support piece of the second transport belt supports the rear surface of the carton. Since the carton is transported mainly supported at two points on both sides, the carton can be easily and reliably positioned in the transport direction.

  The transport unit is rotatably provided at a position where the carton is transferred, and the first transport belt and the second transport belt are rotated by rotating the first transport belt and the second transport belt. And a second rotating member that folds back in the conveying direction from the direction of the first and second belts after the first conveying belt is folded back by the folding and rotating member while supporting the front surface of the carton. It is preferable that the rear surface of the carton is supported by the second support piece immediately after the conveyance belt is turned back. According to this, since only the first support piece is in the transport path at the stage of transferring the carton, it becomes easy to transfer the carton to the transport unit. In addition, after the carton is transferred while being supported by the first support piece, the second support piece is folded back from the other direction in the transport direction and automatically supports the rear surface of the carton. Can be positioned.

  Further, the conveyance unit can individually adjust the conveyance speeds of the first conveyance belt and the second conveyance belt so that the distance between the first support piece and the second support piece is gradually reduced to the length of the carton during conveyance of the carton. In addition, the conveyance speeds of the first conveyance belt and the second conveyance belt may be adjusted. According to this, since the first support piece and the second support piece gradually support the front and back of the carton that is being transported, in the transport direction, even if the position and orientation are not precisely set at the stage of transferring the carton. The carton can be positioned.

  According to the present invention, by pressing the other side surface of the carton being conveyed to the printing unit side along the conveyance path by the pressing unit, the one side surface of the carton being conveyed is conveyed by the support unit. And printing at one side of the carton being conveyed by the printing unit. For this reason, even if the carton is laterally shifted during conveyance or one side surface of the carton is curved, the distance between the printing unit and one side surface of the carton can be made constant, and the conveyance of the carton is stopped and adjusted. Since it is not necessary, printing can be performed on the carton with high accuracy and at high speed. Accordingly, since one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcodes can be printed on a carton with high accuracy, it is possible to print high-precision barcodes that cannot be visually identified, and in particular, carton printing in the medical field or pharmaceutical field. A great effect can be expected.

It is a top view of the printing apparatus for cartons concerning a 1st embodiment. It is the (a) enlarged plan view and (b) enlarged front view in a press part. It is the (a) enlarged front view and (b) enlarged side view in a support part. It is a figure which shows the conveyance process of the carton in the printing apparatus for cartons. It is a top view of the printing apparatus for cartons concerning a 2nd embodiment. It is the (a) enlarged front view and (b) enlarged side view of the press part vicinity of the printing apparatus for cartons concerning 3rd Embodiment. It is the (a) enlarged front view and (b) enlarged side view of the press part vicinity of the printing apparatus for cartons concerning 4th Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the press part vicinity of the printing apparatus for cartons concerning 5th Embodiment. It is a front view which shows the transfer process of the printing apparatus for cartons concerning 5th Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the conveyance process of the carton of the printing apparatus for cartons concerning 6th Embodiment.

<First Embodiment>
Next, a first embodiment of a carton printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a carton printing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “this apparatus”) 1 according to this embodiment includes a conveyance unit 10 that conveys a carton C, a printing unit 20 that performs printing on the carton C, and a carton C. Are provided, a pressing portion 30 for pressing the carton C, a support portion 40 for supporting the carton C at a predetermined position, and a detection sensor 50 for detecting the carton C being conveyed.

  The carton C used in the present embodiment is a paper box having a length of 50 mm, a width of 50 mm, and a height of 25 mm, and both side surfaces in the transport direction are flap portions. For convenience of explanation, a case where one carton C is printed will be described. However, in actuality, the carton C can be continuously conveyed and printed at any time.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the transport unit 10 has a transport belt 11 on which a carton C is placed, and a drive motor (not shown) rotates the transport belt 11 endlessly via a plurality of drive pulleys. It is supposed to be. The conveyor belt 11 is a toothed belt that is formed to have a width that is approximately the same as the width of the carton C, and has a back surface that is fitted with a plurality of drive pulleys. The transport unit 10 transports the carton C with frictional force while the carton C is placed on the transport belt 11. Hereinafter, the direction in which the carton C is transported is referred to as “transport direction A”, and the path for transporting the carton C is referred to as “transport path”.

  The printing unit 20 is an ink jet printer, and is provided adjacent to the transport unit 10 and has a print head 21 that discharges ink toward the transport path of the carton C as shown in FIG. . Accordingly, the printing unit 20 discharges ink in a direction (a direction indicated by a broken line B in FIG. 1) from the side of the carton C to which the print head 21 is conveyed by the conveyance unit 10, and the direction of the carton C. Printed on one side Ca. The print head 21 can print characters, figures, bar codes, and the like. Hereinafter, the direction in which the print head 21 prints is referred to as “print direction B”, and the position where the print head 21 prints on one side surface Ca of the carton C is referred to as “print position R”. Further, the distance between the print head 21 of the printing unit 20 and one side surface Ca of the carton C is often set in a range of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pressing portion 30 is provided on the opposite side of the printing portion 20 via the transport path of the carton C, and as shown in FIG. A plurality of pressing rollers 31 provided with shafts 311 are arranged in series along the conveying path, and the outer peripheral surface of the pressing roller 31 on the conveying path side is arranged at a position in contact with the other side surface Cb of the carton C to be conveyed. ing.

  Each pressing roller 31 is rotatably fixed by a rotating portion 32 provided on the fixing member F1. The rotating unit 32 includes a rotating shaft 322 fixed to the fixed member F1, a link member 321 that connects the rotating shaft 322 and the pressing roller 31, and an urging force that urges the pressing roller 31 toward the conveyance path. And a member 323.

  In this embodiment, the biasing member 323 is a spring member, and in two adjacent rotating portions 32, the link member 321 of one rotating portion 32 and the rotating shaft 322 of the other rotating portion 32. It is provided in between. Thus, when the pressing roller 31 receives a force from the other side Cb of the carton C that has been transported and rotates to the outside of the transport path, the biasing member 323 biases the press roller 31 toward the transport path. Then, the pressing roller 31 can press the other side surface Cb of the carton C while rotating it toward the printing unit 20 side.

  Each link member 321 is formed with an opening 321a, and the rotation shaft 322 of the rotation unit 32 adjacent to the opening 321a is inserted therethrough, and the link member 321 is provided for each adjacent rotation unit 32. Are alternately provided. As a result, the adjacent rotating parts 32 can be arranged close to each other, so that the space between the pressing rollers 31 is narrowed, and the other side face Cb of the carton C is pressed toward the printing part 20 at a fine interval. It becomes possible.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the support portion 40 is fixed so as to be interposed between the printing portion 20 and the transport path of the carton C in the vicinity of the printing portion 20, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), the first support member 41 located in the vicinity of the print position R of the print head 21, the second support member 42 and the third support member located above and below the first support member 41, respectively. 43.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the first support member 41 extends in parallel with the transport direction A on the rear side of the transport direction A from the front of the print head 21 at the print position R, and is fixed by the fixing member F2. It is fixed. As shown in FIG. 3B, the first support member 41 has a first support surface 41a parallel to the surface on which the print head 21 can print on the transport path side of the carton C. The positional relationship between the support surface 41a and the print head 21 is maintained constant.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the second support member 42 is provided in parallel with the first support member 41 above the first support member 41, and crosses the front of the printing unit 20. 41 extends further to the front side in the transport direction A, and both ends are fixed to the fixing members F2 and F3. Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the second support member 42 has a second support surface 42 a that forms the same plane as the first support surface 41 a of the first support member surface 41 on the transport path side of the carton C. Have. The positional relationship between the second support surface 42a and the print head 21 is also kept constant.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the third support member 43 is provided below the first support member 41 in parallel with the first support member 41, and traverses the front of the printing unit 20. Furthermore, it extends to the front side in the transport direction A, and both ends are fixed to the fixing members F2 and F3. As shown in FIG. 3B, the third support member 43 has a third support surface 43a that forms the same plane as the first support surface 41a of the first support member surface 41 on the transport path side of the carton C. Have. The positional relationship between the third support surface 43a and the print head 21 is also maintained constant.

  As described above, the support unit 40 is a member fixed in a wall shape between the printing unit 20 and the transport path of the carton C, and the first support member 41 is present at the printing position R in the support unit 40. Accordingly, the printing window 44 corresponding to the printing position R of the printing unit 20 is formed. Accordingly, printing can be performed on one side surface Ca of the carton C through the printing window 44, and the one side surface Ca of the carton C is supported by a portion other than the printing window 44. It is possible to support one side surface Ca of the carton C in a wider range without causing any damage.

  In the present embodiment, the thicknesses of the first support member 41 to the third support member 43 of the support portion 40 are set to 0.8 mm to 1.0 mm. The reason why the thickness is set to 0.8 mm or more as described above is that if it is less than 0.8 mm, the first support member 41 to the third support member 43 are greatly bent by the carton C, and the print head 21 is one side of the carton C. This is because there is a possibility of contact with the side surface Ca. The reason why the thickness is set to 1.0 mm or less is that if it is larger than 1.0 mm, the distance between the print head 21 and the side surface Ca on one side of the carton C is long, and printing may not be performed with high accuracy. Thus, by setting the thickness of the first support member 41 to the third support member 43 of the support portion 40 to 0.8 mm to 1.0 mm, the first support member 41 to the third support are supported by the carton C that is pressed. It is possible to prevent the print head 21 from coming into contact with the carton C due to the large deflection of the member 43 and to set the print head 21 and one side surface Ca of the carton C at an appropriate interval.

  Here, the arrangement relationship between the pressing portion 30 and the support portion 40 will be described. The distance between the pressing unit 30 and the support unit 40 is set to be approximately the same as or slightly smaller than the width of the carton C (the length in the both directions of the transport path). For this reason, when the carton C enters between the pressing portion 30 and the support portion 40, the pressing portion 30 is pressed outward against the biasing member 323, and accordingly, the pressing is performed by the biasing force of the biasing member 323. The part 30 presses the other side Cb of the carton C. Further, since the carton C pressed by the pressing unit 30 is supported by the support unit 40, the carton C is transported in the transport direction A with the support surfaces 41a to 43a of the support unit 40 as the reference position as a result. become.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2A, the pressing portion 30 is located in front of the printing position R of the printing portion 20 from immediately before one side surface Ca of the carton C starts to pass in front of the printing position R of the printing portion 20. In the range L up to immediately after passing, the length is such that the other side Cb of the carton C is continuously pressed. In particular, in the present embodiment, the length is at least twice the length of the carton C. Further, the support part 40 is formed longer than the length of the pressing part 30. Thus, by continuously pressing the other side surface Cb of the carton C in the range L before and after the printing position R of the printing unit 20, the one side surface Ca of the carton C is stably kept at least from immediately before printing to immediately after printing. Since it supports, it can print on one side Ca of carton C stably.

  Moreover, the press part 30 is formed in the length shorter than the space | interval of each carton C conveyed sequentially. In general, when a plurality of cartons C enter between the pressing portion 30 and the support portion 40 at the same time, the respective cartons C may not be pressed properly due to a subtle difference in width size of each carton C. However, the range L where the pressing unit 30 and the support unit 40 face each other is formed with a length shorter than the interval between the cartons C that are sequentially conveyed, thereby the range L between the pressing unit 30 and the support unit 40. Since a plurality of cartons C can be prevented from entering simultaneously, each carton C can be pressed individually and stably.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the detection sensor 50 is provided on the rear side in the transport direction A of the printing unit 20 and detects the carton C being transported. Here, an optical sensor is used. Yes. By transmitting the detection result of the carton C conveyed by the detection sensor 50 to a control device (not shown), a signal about the timing at which the control device causes the print head 21 to print based on the detection position of the detection sensor 50 Is transmitted to the printing unit 20. Thereby, it is possible to print on one side surface Ca of the carton C with good timing.

  Next, a method for printing carton C by the apparatus 1 will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the carton C is conveyed by the conveying unit 10, the detection sensor 50 detects the carton C, and a detection result indicating that the carton C is detected is transmitted to the control device. The

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, the carton C is further transported between the pressing unit 30 and the support unit 40 by further transporting the carton C. Then, it receives force from the other side Cb of the carton C in order from the pressure roller 31 on the rear side in the conveyance direction A and rotates outward in the conveyance path, and each pressing roller 31 is urged by the urging member 323 of each rotation portion 32. Is urged toward the transport path, and the pressing roller 32 presses the other side Cb of the carton C being transported toward the printing unit 20. As a result, the carton C being transported is pushed toward the printing unit 20, and one side surface Ca of the carton C being transported is supported by the first support surface 41 a to the third support surface 43 a of the support unit 40. .

  Here, since the first support surface 41a to the third support surface 43a of the support part 40 form the same plane, from the print head 21 to the plane formed by the first support surface 41a to the third support surface 43a. Since the interval is kept constant, the interval between one side surface Ca of the carton C being conveyed and the print head 21 of the printing unit 20 can be made constant.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4C, one side surface Ca of the carton C is printed while maintaining a constant distance between the print head 21 of the printing unit 20 and one side surface Ca of the carton C being conveyed. It is conveyed until just before it starts to pass in front of the printing position R of the section 20. Here, since the carton C is located in the range L in which the pressing portion 30 and the support portion 40 face each other, the other side surface Cb of the carton C is continuously pressed, whereby one side surface Ca of the carton C is obtained. Is stably supported.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4D, when the carton C is transported to the front of the print head 21 while stably supporting one side surface Ca, the timing based on the detection result of the detection sensor 50. The print head 21 prints on one side Ca of the carton C being conveyed. At this time, since the distance between the printing unit 20 and one side surface Ca of the carton C is constant, it is possible to print on one side surface Ca of the carton C with high accuracy.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4E, the carton C printed at the print position R by the print head 21 is further conveyed in the conveyance direction A, but has finished passing in front of the print position R of the printing unit 20. Within the range L that is just after, the other side Cb of the carton C is continuously pressed by the pressing part 30 and the support part 40, so that one side Ca of the carton C is stably supported.

  Thus, according to the apparatus 1, the other side Cb of the carton C being transported is pressed by the pressing unit 30 toward the printing unit 20 along the transport path, whereby the carton being transported by the support unit 40. Since one side surface Ca of C is supported at a predetermined position along the conveyance path, even when the carton C is laterally shifted during conveyance or when one side surface Ca of the carton C is curved, the printing unit 20 and the carton C Since the distance from the one side surface Ca can be made constant and it is not necessary to stop and adjust the conveyance of the carton C, it is possible to print on the carton C with high accuracy and at high speed.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the biasing member 323 is a spring member has been described, but other biasing members may be used.

  Moreover, although the press part 30 demonstrated the case where the press roller 31 rotated by the rotation part 32, you may make it the press roller 31 move linearly.

  Further, the pressing portion 30 is in a range L from immediately before one side surface Ca of the carton C starts to pass in front of the printing position R of the printing portion 20 to immediately after it has passed in front of the printing position R of the printing portion 20. The case where the length is formed to press the other side surface Cb of the carton C has been described, but it may be larger or smaller than the length.

  Moreover, although the case where the press part 30 was formed in the length shorter than the space | interval of each carton C conveyed sequentially was demonstrated, it does not need to be shorter than the space | interval of each carton C conveyed sequentially.

  Moreover, although the support part 40 demonstrated the case where it comprised the 1st support member 41, the 2nd support member 42, and the 3rd support member 43, it may be comprised from a single member and several members other than three May be configured.

  Moreover, any ink such as water-based ink, oil-based ink, UV curable ink, and solid ink may be used as the ink ejected for printing by the printing unit 20.

  Moreover, although the case where the printing unit 20 is an inkjet printer has been described, other types of printers may be used.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the carton printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  A carton printing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “this apparatus”) 2 according to this embodiment is different from the above-described embodiment in the pressing portion. In the following description, only differences from the above-described embodiment will be described, and the description of the same configuration will be omitted and the same reference numeral will be given.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the pressing unit 130 according to the present embodiment includes a pressing plate member 131 that is parallel to the support surface (the first support surface 41 a to the third support surface 43 a) of the support unit 40, and the pressing plate member 131. And an urging member 132 that urges the image forming unit 20 toward the printing unit 20 side.

  The pressing plate member 131 is provided on the opposite side of the printing unit 20 via the transport path of the carton C, and includes a surface parallel to the transport direction A along the transport path. The pressing plate member 131 is formed so that the rear end 131a in the transport direction A extends outside the transport path, and the carton C that has been transported by the rear end 131a is moved between the pressing unit 130 and the support unit 40. Since it is guided in between, the carton C can be reliably introduced between the support portion 40 and the pressing portion 130.

  The urging member 132 has one end connected to the fixing member F1 and the other end connected to the pressing plate member 131 to urge the pressing plate member 131 toward the printing unit 20 side. . Thus, when the pressing plate member 131 receives a force from the carton C that has been transported and is pushed outward in the transport path, the biasing member 132 biases the pressing plate member 131 toward the transport path, The other side surface Cb of the carton C can be pressed toward the printing unit 20 side.

  By configuring the device 2 as described above, the other side surface Cb of the carton C can be pressed with a simple configuration.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the pressing plate member 131 is formed so that the rear end 131a in the transport direction A extends outside the transport path has been described. However, the rear end 131a extends outside the transport path. It does not have to be.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment of the carton printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The carton printing device (hereinafter referred to as “this device”) 3 according to the present embodiment includes an upper pressing portion (second pressing portion) that presses the upper surface Ce of the carton C from above the transported carton C. In the following description, only differences from the above-described embodiments will be described, and the description of the same configuration will be omitted and the same reference numeral will be given.

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the upper pressing portion 60 is diagonally above the pressing portion 30 and the support portion 40 and faces the conveying portion 10 via the conveying path of the carton C. Is provided. The upper pressing portion 60 is formed in a plate shape having a surface parallel to the conveying belt 11 of the conveying portion 10, and presses the upper surface Ce of the carton C that has been conveyed toward the conveying portion 10 side. . As a result, the upper surface Ce of the carton C is pressed with a simple configuration to stabilize the position of the carton C in the vertical direction, so that printing can be performed with high accuracy on one side surface Ca of the carton C.

  The upper pressing part 60 is provided with a pressing release mechanism 70. The press release mechanism 70 can be rotated in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction A, an L-shaped connection member 71 connected to the upper pressing plate member 61, an arm member 72 that holds the connection member 71, and the arm member 72. And a rotating shaft 73 to be supported. In this press release mechanism 70, when the connecting member 71 is rotated about the rotation shaft 73 via the arm member 72, the upper side of the carton C is opened, so that work such as repair and maintenance of the apparatus 3 is performed. Can be easily performed.

  In addition, although the case where the press release mechanism 70 was provided was demonstrated in this embodiment, the press release mechanism 70 does not need to be provided.

<Fourth Embodiment>
Next, a fourth embodiment of the carton printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The carton printing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “this apparatus”) 4 according to the present embodiment is different from the third embodiment in the upper pressing portion. In the following description, only differences from the above-described embodiments will be described, and the description of the same configuration will be omitted and the same reference numeral will be given.

  As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the upper pressing portion 160 according to the present embodiment is obliquely above the pressing portion 30 and the support portion 40 and is transported via the transport path of the carton C. It is provided in a manner facing the portion 10. The upper pressing unit 160 includes a plurality of upper pressing rollers (second pressing rollers) 161 having a rotation shaft 162 that traverses the conveying path in series along the conveying path, and the plurality of upper pressing rollers 161. The upper surface Ce of the carton C is pressed toward the transport unit 10 while rotating.

  Thereby, since the friction between the upper pressing part 160 and the upper surface Ce of the carton C is reduced, it is possible to press the upper surface Ce of the carton C while smoothly transporting the carton C.

  Note that the upper pressing portion 160 may have the pressing release mechanism 70 as in the third embodiment.

<Fifth Embodiment>
Next, a fifth embodiment of the carton printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  A carton printing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “the present apparatus”) 5 according to the present embodiment is different from the above-described embodiments in the conveyance unit. In the following description, only differences from the above-described embodiments will be described, and the description of the same configuration will be omitted and the same reference numeral will be given.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the transport unit 110 according to the present embodiment is disposed in the center in the transport direction A, and includes a first transport belt 111 having a first support piece 111 a that supports the front surface Cc of the carton C at a predetermined position. And a second conveyor belt 112 that is disposed on both sides of the first conveyor belt 111 and has a second support piece 112a that supports the rear surface Cd of the carton C on the rear side in the conveyance direction A from the first support piece 111a. Yes.

  The first support piece 111a and the second support piece 112a are adjusted so as to be positioned at the front and back with substantially the same distance as the length of the carton C in the transport direction A. Thereby, according to the size of the carton C, the first support piece 111a of the first transport belt 111 supports the center portion of the front surface Cc of the carton C, and the second support piece 112a of the second transport belt 112 is the carton. Since both ends of the rear surface Cd of C are supported at two points and the carton C is conveyed, the carton C can be easily and reliably positioned in the conveying direction A.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the conveying unit 110 is provided so that the turn-back rotating member 115 can rotate at a position where the carton C is transferred. The folding rotation member 115 is wound around the first conveyance belt 111 and the second conveyance belt 112 and rotated to thereby return the first conveyance belt 111 and the second conveyance belt returned from below after conveying the carton C. 112 is folded back in the transport direction A.

  The transport unit 110 is transferred while the front surface Cc of the carton C is supported on the first support piece 111a immediately after the first transport belt 111 is folded back by the folding rotation member 115, and then the second transport belt 112 of the second transport belt 112 is transferred. Two support pieces 112a support the rear surface Cd of the carton.

  Thereby, in the stage which transfers the carton C, since only the 1st support piece 111a exists in a conveyance path | route, it becomes easy to transfer carton C. FIG. Further, after the carton C is transferred while being supported by the first support piece 111a, the second support piece 112a is automatically folded back in the transport direction A to automatically support the rear surface Cd of the carton C. The carton C can be easily positioned.

<Sixth Embodiment>
Next, a sixth embodiment of the carton printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  A carton printing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “the present apparatus”) 6 according to the present embodiment is a modification of the transport unit of the fifth embodiment. In the following description, only differences from the above-described embodiments will be described, and the description of the same configuration will be omitted and the same reference numeral will be given.

  As shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C, the transport unit 210 in the present embodiment includes the first transport belt 111 and the second transport belt 112 of the fifth embodiment, and the first transport belt 111 and The conveyance speed of the second conveyance belt can be individually adjusted.

  The operation of the transport unit 210 will be described. First, when the carton C is transferred, the first support piece 111a and the second support piece 112a are positioned forward and backward with a wider interval than the length in the transport direction A of the carton C. The carton C is transferred between the first support piece 111a and the second support piece 112a in a state of having a space forward or backward. After the carton C is transferred, the distance between the first support piece 111a and the second support piece 112a is set to the length of the carton C by adjusting the conveyance speed of the first conveyance belt 111 and the second conveyance belt 112. It gradually narrows to (the length of one side surface Ca in the transport direction A).

  Accordingly, since the first support piece 111a and the second support piece 112a gradually support the front and back of the carton C being transported, the transport can be performed without setting the position and orientation precisely at the stage of transferring the carton C. The carton C can be positioned in the direction.

  In addition, the adjustment method of each conveyance speed of the 1st conveyance belt 111 and the 2nd conveyance belt 112 is the method of increasing the 2nd conveyance speed 112 with the conveyance speed of the 1st conveyance belt 111 being the same speed, the 2nd conveyance belt A method of decreasing the transport speed of the first transport belt 111 while keeping the transport speed of 112 the same, or a method of increasing the transport speed of the second transport belt 112 by decreasing the transport speed of the first transport belt 111, etc. There is.

  Here, for example, a specific example in which the carton C is positioned in the transport direction A is exemplified by a method of increasing the transport speed of the second transport belt 112 while keeping the transport speed of the first transport belt 111 at the same speed. explain.

  First, as shown in FIG. 10 (a), the carton C is transferred between the first support piece 111a and the second support piece 112a in a state where there is a space forward or backward.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 10B, the transport speed of the second transport belt 112 is increased while the transport speed of the first transport belt 111 remains the same. Then, the interval between the first support piece 111a and the second support piece 112a is narrowed, and the rear surface Cd of the carton C is supported by the second support piece 112b.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 10C, the transport speed of the second transport belt 112 is increased while the transport speed of the first transport belt 111 remains the same. Then, while the rear surface Cd of the carton C is supported by the second support piece 112b, the distance between the first support piece 111a and the second support piece 112a is further narrowed, and the front face Cc of the carton C is also reduced by the first support piece 111a. Supported.

  In this embodiment, the transport speed of the first transport belt 111 and the second transport belt 112 is adjusted after the carton C is transferred to the transport unit 210, but the second transport belt 112 is more effective than the first transport belt 111. You may adjust beforehand so that the conveyance speed of may become a quick state.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described with reference to drawings, this invention is not limited to the thing of embodiment shown in figure. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiment within the same range or equivalent range as the present invention.

1-5 ... Carton printing device (this device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 110, 210 ... Conveying part 11 ... Conveying belt 111 ... 1st conveying belt 112 ... 2nd conveying belt 115 ... Folding rotation member 20 ... Printing part 21 ... Print head 30 ... Pressing part 31 ... Pressing roller 311 ... Rotating shaft 32 ... Rotating part 321 ... Link member 322 ... Rotating shaft 323 ... Biasing member 40 ... Supporting part 41 ... First supporting member 42 ... Second supporting member 43 ... Third supporting member 44 ... Printing window 50 ... Detection sensor 60, 160 ... Upward pressing portion 70 ... Press release mechanism

Claims (13)

A carton printing device for printing on the side of a carton,
A transport unit for transporting the carton;
A printing unit which is provided adjacent to the conveyance unit and which prints on one side surface of the carton being conveyed;
A pressing unit that is provided on the opposite side of the printing unit via the conveyance path of the carton, and that presses the other side surface of the carton being conveyed to the printing unit side along the conveyance path;
A support unit fixed in the vicinity of the printing unit and supporting one side surface of the carton pressed by the pressing unit at a predetermined position along the conveyance path;
By pressing the other side surface of the carton being transported by the pressing unit toward the printing unit side along the transport path, the one side surface of the carton being transported by the support unit at a predetermined position along the transport path. While supporting, printing on one side of the carton being conveyed by the printing unit ,
The pressing portion presses the side surface of the carton in a range from immediately before at least one side surface of the carton starts to pass in front of the printing position of the printing portion to immediately after it has passed in front of the printing position of the printing portion. A carton printing apparatus, wherein the carton printing apparatus is formed to have a length to be formed .   The pressing portion has a plurality of pressing rollers provided with rotation shafts orthogonal to each other on the side of the transport path of the carton in series along the transport path, and the other side surface of the carton is formed by the plurality of pressing rollers. The carton printing device according to claim 1, wherein the carton printing device is pressed toward the printing unit.   The press unit has a press plate member having a surface parallel to the transport direction along the transport path, and presses the other side surface of the carton to the print unit side by the press plate member. The carton printing device described.   The carton printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the pressing plate member is formed such that a rear end portion in a transport direction extends outside the transport path.   5. The pressing unit according to claim 1, wherein the pressing unit is urged toward the printing unit by an urging member, thereby pressing the other side surface of the carton toward the printing unit along the conveyance path. The carton printing device described. The carton printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the pressing portion is formed to have a length shorter than an interval between the cartons that are sequentially conveyed. The carton printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the support portion is formed to a thickness of 0.8 mm to 1.0 mm. The carton printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the support portion has a printing window formed at a portion corresponding to a printing position of the printing portion. The carton according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , further comprising a second pressing portion that is provided so as to face the transport portion via a transport path of the carton and presses the upper surface of the carton toward the transport portion. Printing device. The second pressing portion includes a plurality of second pressing rollers having a rotation shaft that traverses the upper side of the transport path of the carton in series along the transport path, and the plurality of second press rollers The carton printing apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein an upper surface of the carton is pressed toward the conveying unit. The transport unit is disposed in the center in the transport direction and has a first transport belt having a first support piece that supports the front surface of the carton, and a second transport belt that is disposed on both sides of the first transport belt and supports the rear surface of the carton. carton printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and a second conveyor belt having a support piece. The transport unit is rotatably provided at a position where the carton is transferred, and the first transport belt and the second transport belt are rotated by winding the first transport belt and the second transport belt. The belt has a folding rotation member that folds the belt from the other direction to the conveyance direction, and the belt is transferred while supporting the front surface of the carton on the first support piece immediately after the first conveyance belt is folded by the folding rotation member. The carton printing apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the rear surface of the carton is supported by the second support piece immediately after the second conveyor belt is turned back. In the transport unit, the transport speeds of the first transport belt and the second transport belt can be individually adjusted, and the distance between the first support piece and the second support piece can be reduced to the length of the carton during the transport of the carton. The carton printing apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the conveyance speeds of the first conveyance belt and the second conveyance belt are adjusted so as to gradually narrow.