JP5969729B1 - Labeling device - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a label attaching apparatus capable of attaching a long label satisfactorily. In the label sticking device (1), the suction holding part (33) includes a main body part (52) connected to a negative pressure generation source, a suction surface (55) in contact with the label (L), and a main body part (52). ) And the suction surface (55), and the suction surface (55) communicates with the suction hole (56) and in plan view, the suction hole (56) communicates with the suction surface (55). Is provided with a recess (57) having a different shape, and the control unit (10) applies the label (L) to the label (L) according to the length of the label (L) issued by the label issuing unit (8). A first suction position (P1) in which the recess (57) is in the first state, and a second suction position (P2) in which the recess (57) is in a second state different from the first state with respect to the label (L). The moving mechanism (34) is controlled so that the suction holding part (33) sucks the label (L) at at least two suction positions. To.

Description

  The present invention relates to a label sticking device.

  As a conventional label sticking device, for example, a device described in Patent Document 1 is known. The label affixing device described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a label issuing unit that feeds a label sheet from a mountless label roll, cuts the label sheet to a predetermined length by a cutting unit, and issues a sheet-like mount label. An attachment means for adhering and holding the mountless label issued by the means and attaching the mountless label to the object to be attached, and a controller for controlling movement of the attachment means by a moving mechanism are provided.

JP 2013-249113 A

  However, in the conventional label sticking apparatus, when the label is long, the end of the label may hang down. When the end of the label hangs down, problems such as the end of the label coming into contact with an object other than the object to be pasted, or in the case of a mountless label, the label may stick to a place other than the pasting position.

  An object of this invention is to provide the label sticking apparatus which can stick a elongate label favorably.

  The label sticking device according to the present invention includes a label issuing unit that issues a label, a suction holding unit that sucks and holds a label issued by the label issuing unit, and a suction holding unit between the suction position and the sticking position of the label. A label sticking device comprising: a moving mechanism that moves in a vertical direction and rotates around a rotation axis parallel to the vertical direction to attach a label to an article; and a control unit that controls the operation of the moving mechanism, The suction holding unit has a main body connected to a negative pressure generation source, an adsorption surface in contact with the label, and at least one suction hole communicating the main body with the adsorption surface. Is provided with a recess that communicates with the suction hole and has a shape different from that of the suction hole in plan view, and the control unit applies to the label according to the length of the label issued by the label issuing unit. The recess is in the first state The moving mechanism is controlled so that the suction holding unit sucks the label at at least two suction positions, that is, one suction position and a second suction position where the concave portion is in a second state different from the first state with respect to the label. .

  In this label sticking device, the recess provided in the suction surface has a shape different from that of the suction hole in plan view. The control unit includes a first suction position where the concave portion is in the first state with respect to the label, and a second portion where the concave portion is different from the first state with respect to the label, according to the length of the label issued by the label issuing unit. The moving mechanism is controlled so that the suction holding unit sucks the label at at least two suction positions of the second suction position that is in a state. Thereby, in a label sticking apparatus, a label can be hold | maintained in the state of a suitable recessed part in order to adsorb | suck a label according to the length of a label. For example, when the label is long, the label is adsorbed in a state where the longitudinal direction of the recess is along the longitudinal direction of the label. At this time, the label is bent so as to enter the recess, and the label is bent in a convex shape along the issuing direction. Therefore, the value of the second moment of section of the label can be increased. Therefore, it can suppress that the edge part of a label hangs down. As a result, a long label can be satisfactorily affixed in the label affixing device.

  In one embodiment, the concave portion has a shape having a larger area than the suction hole and having a longitudinal direction in plan view, and the control unit has a shape of the concave portion according to the length of the label issued by the label issuing unit. The first suction position where the longitudinal direction is in the first state along the first direction and the second suction position where the longitudinal direction of the recess is in the second state along the second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The movement mechanism may be controlled so that the label adsorbs the label. That is, the label is sucked at two suction positions having different extending directions in the longitudinal direction of the concave portion. Thereby, in a label sticking apparatus, according to the length of a label, a label can be hold | maintained with the direction of a suitable recessed part in order to adsorb | suck a label. For example, when the label is long, the label is adsorbed so that the longitudinal direction of the concave portion is along the longitudinal direction of the label. At this time, the label is bent so as to enter the recess, and the label is bent in a convex shape along the issuing direction. Therefore, the value of the second moment of section of the label can be increased. Therefore, it can suppress that the edge part of a label hangs down. As a result, a long label can be satisfactorily affixed in the label affixing device.

  In one embodiment, when the label is less than a predetermined length, the control unit moves the suction holding unit to the first suction position where the longitudinal direction of the recess is orthogonal to the label issuing direction by the label issuing unit. If the label is longer than a predetermined length by the mechanism, the suction holding part may be positioned by the moving mechanism at the second suction position along the label issuing direction and the longitudinal direction of the recess. As described above, when the label is longer than the predetermined length, the label is bent in a convex shape along the issuance direction by sucking and holding the label so that the issuance direction of the label and the longitudinal direction of the recess are along. Accordingly, the value of the second moment of section of the label can be increased, and the sagging of the label can be suppressed.

  In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a label transfer unit that transfers a label issued by the label issuing unit to the suction holding unit, and the label transfer unit is sucked and held at a substantially central position in the label issuing direction. In addition, the label may be transferred. In this way, since the label is moved so that the rotation axis of the suction holding unit and the center position of the label coincide with each other, the substantially center position of the label is held, so that the label can be stably held. Therefore, it can suppress further that the edge part of a label hangs down.

  In one embodiment, the label may be a mountless label. Since the mountless label is not provided with a mount, the label has adhesiveness (adhesiveness) when issued from the label issuing unit. Therefore, in the case of a mountless label, when the label hangs down, the label held by the suction holding unit may stick to a place other than the sticking position. In the label affixing device, it is possible to suppress the end of the label from sagging by increasing the value of the second moment of section of the label. Therefore, it can suppress that a label sticks to things (locations) other than a sticking position.

  According to the present invention, a long label can be satisfactorily adhered.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a label sticking device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the label issuing machine. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the label sticking machine. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the label transfer unit. FIG. 5 is a view of the label transfer unit as viewed from below. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the suction holding unit. Fig.7 (a) is a figure which shows a part of adsorption holding part in a cross section, and FIG.7 (b) is the figure which looked at the adsorption holding part from the bottom. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the label is adsorbed to the adsorption holding unit. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the label sticking apparatus. FIG. 10A is a diagram showing the first suction position, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing the label held at the first suction position. Fig.11 (a) is a figure which shows a 2nd adsorption | suction position, FIG.11 (b) is a figure which shows the label hold | maintained at the 2nd adsorption | suction position. Fig.12 (a)-FIG.12 (d) are figures explaining operation | movement of a label sticking machine.

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

[Overall configuration of labeling device]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a label sticking device according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the label sticking device 1 includes a conveyer 2 that conveys a product (article) G, and an upper pasting mechanism that attaches a label L (see FIG. 3) to the upper surface of the product G transported by the conveyor 2. 3, a lower pasting mechanism 4 for pasting a label on the lower surface of the product G conveyed by the conveyor 2, an operation display unit 5 for performing input operation and display, a rack 6 for supporting each unit, and a control unit 10 It is equipped with.

[Conveyor]
The conveyor 2 is provided so that the goods G may be moved along the conveyance direction D from the left to the right as viewed from the front side of the label sticking device 1. The conveyor 2 has an upstream conveyor 2a and a downstream conveyor 2b. The downstream conveyor 2b is arranged in the transport direction D with a distance from the upstream conveyor 2a on the downstream side of the upstream conveyor 2a. The lower pasting mechanism 4 disposed below the conveyor 2 sticks a label from the lower side to the lower surface of the product G through the gap between the upstream conveyor 2a and the downstream conveyor 2b. The upstream conveyor 2a and the downstream conveyor 2b are constituted by endless belts, for example, and are driven by a conveyor motor 2c (see FIG. 9).

  A commodity passage sensor 7 is disposed in the vicinity of the upstream conveyor 2a. The commodity passage sensor 7 is arranged on the upstream side in the transport direction D from the label pasting position by the upper pasting mechanism 3 and the lower pasting mechanism 4. The commodity passage sensor 7 detects whether or not the commodity G has passed through a predetermined position on the upstream conveyor 2a. The commodity passage sensor 7 is an optical sensor having a light emitting part and a light receiving part, for example.

[Up pasting mechanism]
The upper pasting mechanism 3 has a label issuing machine (label issuing unit) 8 for issuing a label L to be attached to the upper surface of the product G, and the label L issued by the label issuing machine 8 on the upper surface of the product G. A label affixing machine 9 to be affixed.

  The label issuing machine 8 and the label sticking machine 9 are disposed above the conveyor 2. The label sticking machine 9 is disposed on the downstream side of the label issuing machine 8 and adjacent to the label issuing machine 8. On the downstream side of the label applicator 9, another label applicator for pressing the label L attached to the upper surface of the product G from above, or the label L attached to the upper surface of the product G from above. You may arrange | position the air spraying apparatus which sprays air.

  The label issuing machine 8 is supported from below by the rack 6. The label issuing machine 8 and the label sticking machine 9 are unitized. The label sticking machine 9 is supported on the rack 6 via the label issuing machine 8. The rack 6 is provided with a rail portion 11 extending in the depth direction of the label sticking device 1 orthogonal to the transport direction D. The label issuing machine 8 is slidable along the rail portion 11. The label issuing machine 8 and the label applying machine 9 move in the depth direction integrally by sliding the label issuing machine 8 along the rail portion 11. Thereby, the position adjustment in the depth direction of the label issuing machine 8 and the label sticking machine 9 can be performed.

(Label issuing machine)
The configuration of the label issuing machine 8 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The label issuing machine 8 uses a so-called mountless label roll LR. The label roll LR is obtained by winding a strip-shaped continuous label LC having a glue surface (adhesive surface) and a non-glue surface opposite to the glue surface in a roll shape so that the glue surface faces inward. Is formed. The non-glue surface of the label continuum LC is a printing surface that develops color when heat is applied.

  The label issuing machine 8 includes a support shaft 20 that supports a winding center portion of the label roll LR, and a plurality of guide rollers 21a, 21b, and 21c that guide an extended portion of the label continuous body LC that extends from the outer peripheral portion of the label roll LR. The printing unit 22 that prints on the printing surface of the label continuum LC, the print roller 23 that sandwiches the label continuum LC together with the printing unit 22, and the label continuum LC toward the label issuing port W in cooperation with the printing roller 23 And an assist roller 24 that feeds in, a cutting part 25 that cuts the label continuous body LC, and a housing 26 that houses various components of the label issuing machine 8. In the following description, the direction in which the label continuous body LC is fed from the label roll LR toward the label issuing port W is referred to as “label supply direction” (indicated by F in the figure). The direction in which the label L is issued from the label issuing port W is referred to as “label issuing direction” (indicated by S in the figure).

  One end of the support shaft 20 is fixed to the housing 26, and the other end is a free end. The label roll LR is set in the label issuing machine 8 by inserting the winding center portion into the support shaft 20.

  The printing unit 22 is a thermal head including a plurality of minute heating elements that are heated according to printing data. The printing unit 22 performs thermal printing on the label continuum LC by bringing the heated heating element into contact with the printing surface of the label continuum LC.

  The surface of the printing roller 23 is made of a rubber material. The print roller 23 is a drive roller that is rotationally driven by a print roller motor 27. The print roller motor 27 is, for example, a stepping motor. The printing roller 23 is disposed below the printing unit 22 and sandwiches the label continuum LC in cooperation with the printing unit 22. The printing roller 23 moves the label continuum LC in the label supply direction F by rotating the printing roller 23 while pressing the printing surface of the label continuum LC against the printing unit 22. The label continuum LC is sent out to the label issuing port W by the printing roller 23 in a posture in which the printing surface is the upper surface.

  The printing roller 23 is provided to be rotatable in both forward and reverse directions. Here, the “forward direction” is a rotation direction in which the label continuous body LC is fed in the label supply direction F, and the “reverse direction” is a rotation direction in which the label continuous body LC is pulled in a direction opposite to the label supply direction. is there.

  The assist roller 24 has a surface made of a rubber material. The assist roller 24 is a drive roller that is rotationally driven by the assist roller motor 28. The assist roller motor 28 is, for example, a stepping motor. The assist roller 24 is disposed upstream of the print roller 23 in the label supply direction F. The assist roller 24 sandwiches the label continuous body LC in cooperation with the driven roller 24a. The assist roller 24 is rotatably provided in both forward and reverse directions.

  In the label issuing machine 8, the label continuum LC is fed in the label supply direction F by rotating the printing roller 23 and the assist roller 24 in the forward direction. In the label issuing machine 8, the label continuum LC is back-fed in the direction opposite to the label supply direction F by rotating the printing roller 23 and the assist roller 24 in the opposite directions.

  The label continuum LC is guided between the assist roller 24 and the printing roller 23 so as to be detoured downward by the guide roller 21c. A label sensor 29 is disposed between the assist roller 24 and the print roller 23. The label sensor 29 is a sensor that detects the presence or absence of a continuous label body LC between the assist roller 24 and the print roller 23. The label sensor 29 is an optical sensor having a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, for example.

  The cutting unit 25 includes a movable cutter 25a and a fixed cutter 25b. The movable cutter 25a is disposed with the blade facing downward. The movable cutter 25a is driven to slide up and down by a cutter motor 25c. The fixed cutter 25b is fixed to the housing 26 with the blade facing upward.

  In the cutting unit 25, the blade of the movable cutter 25a is disposed above the blade of the fixed cutter 25b when not in operation (standby state). When the label continuous body LC is cut by the cutting unit 25, the leading end of the label continuous body LC is fed out of the housing 26 through the label issuing port W, and the cutting position is the blade of the fixed cutter 25b and the movable cutter. Aligned with the 25a blade. When the movable cutter 25a is slid downward with the label continuum LC aligned in this manner, the label continuum LC is sandwiched from above and below by the blades of the fixed cutter 25b and the movable cutter 25a. Is cut off. In this way, the label continuum LC is cut by the cutting unit 25, whereby the label L cut from the label continuum LC is issued from the label issuing port W.

(Labeling machine)
Then, the structure of the label sticking machine 9 is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the label sticking machine 9 includes a label sticking mechanism 30 for sticking the label L issued by the label issuing machine 8 to the upper surface of the product G, and a housing 31 for housing the label sticking mechanism 30. Have.

  The label sticking mechanism 30 includes a label transfer unit 32 that holds and transfers the label L issued by the label issuing machine 8, a suction holding unit 33 that sucks and holds the label L transferred by the label transfer unit 32, and a suction hold. A moving mechanism 34 for reciprocating the portion 33 between a suction position and a sticking position of the label L in a predetermined direction and rotating the part 33 around a rotation axis parallel to the predetermined direction to stick the label L to the product G. ing.

<Label transfer section>
Initially, the label transfer part 32 is demonstrated with reference to FIG.4 and FIG.5. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the label transfer unit 32 includes a suction block 35 and a transfer block 36. The suction block 35 sucks and holds the label L issued from the label issuing machine 8. The transfer block 36 sucks the label L issued from the label issuing port W and transfers (conveys) the label L in a direction away from (moving away from) the label issuing port W.

  The suction block 35 is disposed below the housing 31. The suction block 35 has a plate shape. The suction block 35 is provided with an insertion portion 37 through which a suction holding portion 33 described later is inserted. The suction block 35 is provided with a passage portion 38 through which a suction portion 43 described later passes. The passage part 38 is provided along the label issuing direction S.

  The lower surface 35a of the suction block 35 is a plane. A plurality of suction holes 39 and suction holes 40 are provided on the lower surface 35 a of the suction block 35. The suction hole 39 communicates with the connection portion 41 and is connected to the first suction negative pressure source 100 (see FIG. 9) via the connection portion 41. The operation of the first suction negative pressure source 100 is controlled by the control unit 10. The suction hole 40 communicates with the connection portion 42 and is connected to the second suction negative pressure source 102 (see FIG. 9) via the connection portion 42. The operation of the second suction negative pressure source 102 is controlled by the control unit 10. In the suction block 35, the label L is sucked by the suction hole 39 and the suction hole 40 by the operation of the first suction negative pressure source 100 and the second suction negative pressure source 102, and the label L is attached to the lower surface 35a to hold the label L. To do.

  The transfer block 36 transfers the label L. The transfer block 36 includes a suction unit 43 that sucks the label L and a moving unit 44 that moves the suction unit 43. The suction part 43 is provided so as to be movable along the passage part 38 of the suction block 35. The lower end surface 43 a of the suction part 43 is substantially flush with the lower surface 35 a of the suction block 35. A suction hole 45 is provided in the lower end surface 43 a of the suction part 43. The suction hole 45 communicates with the connection portion 46 and is connected to the third suction negative pressure source 104 (see FIG. 9) via the connection portion 46. The operation of the third suction negative pressure source 104 is controlled by the control unit 10. In the suction part 43, the label L is adsorbed by the suction hole 45 by the operation of the second suction negative pressure source 102, and the label L is attached to the lower end surface 43a to hold the label L.

  The moving part 44 includes a linear shaft 47, a first connecting part 48, a second connecting part 49, and a transfer block motor 50. The linear shaft 47 has, for example, a rod shape, and two linear shafts are provided. The linear shafts 47 are arranged in parallel to each other at a predetermined interval so that the longitudinal direction thereof is along the moving direction of the suction portion 43 (the extending direction of the passage portion 38). The linear shaft 47 is fixed to the suction block 35 via a bracket (not shown). The linear shaft 47 is inserted through the suction part 43. The suction part 43 slides along the linear shaft 47 (along the label issuing direction S). One end of the first connecting portion 48 is rotatably connected to the suction portion 43, and one end of the second connecting portion 49 is fixed to the shaft of the transfer block motor 50. The other end of the first connecting portion 48 and the other end of the second connecting portion 49 are connected to each other so as to be rotatable. The moving part 44 moves the suction part 43 in the label issuing direction S of the label L along the linear shaft 47 by moving the first connecting part 48 and the second connecting part 49 according to the rotation of the transfer block motor 50. Move along. The operation of the transfer block motor 50 is controlled by the control unit 10.

<Adsorption holding part>
Next, the suction holding unit 33 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the suction holding unit 33 includes a main body unit 52, a suction unit 53, and a connecting unit 54. The main body portion 52 has a cylindrical shape, and a lower end portion of a pasting arm 60 described later is connected to an upper end portion thereof. The adsorbing part 53 has a truncated cone shape. The adsorption part 53 has a substantially horizontal adsorption surface 55 that adsorbs the label L at the lower end. The suction part 53 receives the label L held on the lower surface 35a of the suction block 35 by pushing it down from the lower surface 35a. The connecting portion 54 connects the main body portion 52 and the suction portion 53. The connecting portion 54 is formed in a bellows shape, and supports the suction portion 53 so as to be tiltable.

  A suction hole 56 (through hole) communicating with the main body portion 52, the connecting portion 54, and the suction portion 53 is formed in the suction holding portion 33 along the rotation axis C. The suction hole 56 is connected to a sticking arm negative pressure source 106 (see FIG. 9) via a sticking arm 60 connected to the main body 52.

  A concave portion 57 is provided on the suction surface 55 of the suction portion 53. As shown in FIG. 7B, the recess 57 has a rectangular shape in plan view. That is, the recess 57 has a longitudinal direction. The concave portion 57 is arranged at a position including the suction hole 56 at a position eccentric from the rotation axis C of the suction holding portion 33. The recess 57 communicates with the suction hole 56 and has a larger area than the suction hole 56 in plan view. When adsorbing the label L, the concave portion 57 becomes negative pressure because the space surrounded by the concave portion 57 and the label L is exhausted from the suction hole 56. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 8, the portion of the label L that faces the recess 57 is drawn into the recess 57.

  The adsorption holding unit 33 is made of an elastic member having a large friction coefficient with respect to the label L, such as ethylene / propylene / diene rubber (hereinafter referred to as EPDM). The elastic member preferably has a rubber hardness measured by a type A durometer based on JIS K 6253 in the range of 50 to 70.

  The outer peripheral edge portion 55a of the suction surface 55 is made of a resin having good slipperiness such as polytetrafluoroethylene (hereinafter referred to as PTFE) having a dynamic friction coefficient (against paper) of 0.04. The outer peripheral edge 55a is formed in a substantially horizontal state by, for example, integrally forming a flat resin ring on the suction portion 53. The outer peripheral edge 55a may be formed by subjecting EPDM to surface treatment such as fluorine coating for improving the slipperiness.

<Movement mechanism>
As shown in FIG. 2, the moving mechanism 34 descends from the upper side of the label L sucked and held on the lower surface 35 a of the suction block 35, thereby placing the label L on the upper surface of the product G positioned below the suction block 35. It has a sticking arm 60 to be pressed and an arm holding body 62 that holds the sticking arm 60 by being connected to the sticking arm 60 via a coil spring 61 that applies an upward biasing force to the sticking arm 60. Further, the label sticking mechanism 30 includes a vertical movement motor 63 that moves the arm holder 62 together with the sticking arm 60 in the vertical direction, and a rotation motor 64 that rotates the sticking arm 60 about the axis.

  The sticking arm 60 is a hollow bar. The sticking arm 60 is made of, for example, stainless steel. The sticking arm 60 is disposed so as to penetrate the arm holder 62 and extend in the vertical direction. The hollow portion of the sticking arm 60 communicates with the sticking arm negative pressure source 106 (see FIG. 9) via a connection portion 65 attached to the upper end of the sticking arm 60.

  The sticking arm 60 is provided with a lower stopper 66 at an intermediate portion thereof. The lower stopper 66 is disposed below the arm holding body 62 so as to function as a regulating portion that regulates the relative upward movement of the pasting arm 60 with respect to the arm holding body 62.

  The sticking arm 60 is provided with an upper stopper 67 at its upper end. The upper end portion of the coil spring 61 is fixed to the upper stopper 67. The lower end portion of the coil spring 61 is fixed to the arm holder 62. When the coil spring 61 is interposed between the upper stopper 67 and the arm holding body 62 in a compressed state, an upward biasing force by the coil spring 61 acts on the sticking arm 60.

  The output shaft of the vertical movement motor 63 is disposed along the horizontal direction. A driving pulley 68 is fixed to the output shaft of the vertical movement motor 63. The driving pulley 68 is connected to a driven pulley 70 disposed below the driving pulley 68 via an endless belt 69. An arm holder 62 is fixed to the belt 69. As a result, the arm holder 62 moves in the vertical direction along with the movement of the belt 69 by driving the vertical movement motor 63.

  The output shaft of the rotation motor 64 is arranged along the vertical direction. A driving pulley 71 is fixed to the output shaft of the rotation motor 64. The driving pulley 71 is connected to a driven pulley 73 via an endless belt 72. A pasting arm 60 is inserted into the driven pulley 73 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. For example, a ball bearing is interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the sticking arm 60 and the inner peripheral surface of the through hole of the driven pulley 73. When the driven pulley 73 is rotated by driving the rotation motor 64, the sticking arm 60 is rotated around the rotation axis C (see FIG. 6) in conjunction with the rotation.

[Underlay mechanism]
As shown in FIG. 1, the lower pasting mechanism 4 includes a lower label issuing machine 12 for issuing a label to be attached to the lower surface of the product G, and a label issued from the label issuing machine 12 on the lower surface of the product G. A label conveying device 13 that conveys the air to the bottom of the product G, and an air blowing device 14 that blows air from below onto the label attached to the lower surface of the product G. The label issuing machine 12 has the same configuration as that of the label issuing machine 8 of the upper pasting mechanism 3.

  The rack 6 is provided with a rail portion 15 extending in the depth direction of the label sticking device 1 orthogonal to the transport direction D. The label issuing machine 8 is slidable along the rail portion 15. The label transport device 13 transports the label and attaches the label to the lower surface of the product G. For example, the label conveying device 13 rotates the endless belt by a label conveying motor to convey the label supported by the endless belt upward.

[Operation display section]
The operation display unit 5 includes a display panel 16 and a stroke key unit 17. When the display panel 16 is a touch panel, it is not always necessary to provide the stroke key unit 17 in the operation display unit 5.

[Control unit]
Next, the control unit 10 will be described in detail. The control unit 10 controls the operation of each unit of the label sticking device 1. The control unit 10 includes a CPU [Central Processing Unit], a ROM [Read Only Memory], a RAM [Random Access Memory], and the like. As shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 10 includes a storage unit 110 that stores various types of information necessary for the operation of the label sticking device 1. In the present embodiment, the control unit 10 is attached to, for example, the rack 6 (see FIG. 1), but the attachment position of the control unit 10 is not limited.

  The storage unit 110 stores, for example, various information including information regarding the screen displayed on the operation display unit 5, a product master, a tray master, a label master, and a cassette master. Various information stored in the storage unit 110 can be changed, added, or deleted by an input operation on the operation display unit 5.

  A signal from the operation display unit 5, a signal from the label sensor 29 of the label issuing machine 8, and a signal from the commodity passage sensor 7 are input to the control unit 10. Signals from other various devices are input to the control unit 10.

  Based on the information stored in the storage unit 110 and / or various input signals, the control unit 10 performs the conveyor 2 (specifically, the conveyor motor 2c) and the label issuing machine 8 (specifically, the printing). Roller motor 27, assist roller motor 28, printing unit 22 and cutter motor 25c), label applicator 9 (specifically, transfer block motor 50, vertical movement motor 63, rotation motor 64, and application for application arm) A control signal is output to the negative pressure source 106, the first suction negative pressure source 100, the second suction negative pressure source 102, the third suction negative pressure source 103), and the operation display unit 5.

  Specifically, the control unit 10 controls the operation of the label transfer unit 32 by controlling the transfer block motor 50, and controls the vertical movement motor 63, the rotation motor 64, and the sticking arm negative pressure source 106. Thus, the operation of the sticking arm 60 (the suction holding unit 33) is controlled.

  The control unit 10 controls the first suction negative pressure source 100 to control the negative pressure supplied to the connection portion 41 (see FIG. 4) of the suction block 35 and to control the second suction negative pressure source 102. The negative pressure supplied to the connection portion 42 (see FIG. 4) of the suction block 35 is controlled by the above, and the third suction negative pressure source 104 is controlled to supply to the connection portion 46 (see FIG. 4) of the label transfer portion 32. To control the negative pressure. When a vacuum ejector is used as the first to third suction negative pressure sources 100, 102, 104, the first to third suction negative pressure sources 100, 102, 104 are controlled by controlling the driving and stopping of the vacuum ejector. Alternatively, the control may be performed by controlling a valve provided in a negative pressure supply path that connects the vacuum ejector and the connecting portions 41, 42, and 46.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 10 controls the moving mechanism 34 according to the length of the label L issued by the label issuing machine 8. Specifically, the control unit 10 controls the moving mechanism 34 so that the suction position of the label L by the suction holder 33 is changed according to the length of the label L. As shown in FIG. 10A, the control unit 10 includes a first suction position P1 in which the longitudinal direction of the concave portion 57 of the suction holding unit 33 is along the X direction (first direction), and FIG. As shown, the suction holding unit 33 sucks the label L at two suction positions, that is, the second suction position P2 along the Y direction (second direction) in which the longitudinal direction of the recess 57 is orthogonal to the X direction. The moving mechanism 34 is controlled. The X direction shown in FIGS. 10A and 11A is a direction orthogonal to the label issuing direction S, and the Y direction is a direction along the label issuing direction S.

  The control unit 10 acquires the length of the issued label L based on information (for example, label master) stored in the storage unit 110. The control unit 10 controls the moving mechanism 34 according to the acquired length of the label L. As shown in FIG. 10A, the control unit 10 determines the label of the label L issued from the label issuing port W when the length N of the label L is less than a predetermined length (for example, 60 mm). Rotate so that the longitudinal direction of the concave portion 57 of the suction holding portion 33 is perpendicular to the issuing direction S (Y direction in the drawing) to be the first suction position P1 (so that the longitudinal direction of the concave portion 57 is along the X direction). The motor 64 is controlled. Accordingly, the suction holding unit 33 sucks and holds the label L as shown in FIG.

  11A, when the length N of the label L is equal to or longer than a predetermined length, the control unit 10 determines the label issuing direction S of the label L and the length of the recess 57 of the suction holding unit 33. The rotation motor 64 is controlled so that the second suction position P2 along the direction is reached (so that the longitudinal direction of the recess 57 is along the X direction). Accordingly, the suction holding unit 33 holds the label L in a state where the label L is bent in a convex shape along the label issuing direction S as shown in FIG. The control unit 10 is normally set so that the concave portion 57 of the suction holding unit 33 sucks the label L at the first suction position P1.

  When the label L is longer than the predetermined length, the control unit 10 controls the operation of the label transfer unit 32 so that the substantially center position of the label L in the label issuing direction S is sucked and held by the suction holding unit 33. The label L is transferred. Specifically, the control unit 10 controls the transfer block motor 50 and the first to third suction negative pressure sources 100, 102, 104 when the length of the label L is equal to or longer than a predetermined length. The suction position of the label L issued from the label issuing port W is controlled, and the substantially central position of the label L in the label issuing direction S is positioned on the rotation axis C of the suction holding unit 33.

  Then, an example of operation | movement of the label sticking mechanism 30 which has the said structure is demonstrated, referring FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12A, the label L issued by the label issuing machine 8 is transferred by the transfer block 36 of the label transfer unit 32 and is sucked and held on the lower surface 35 a of the suction block 35. At this time, when the length of the label L is equal to or longer than the predetermined length, the control unit 10 moves the label so that the substantially center position of the label L in the label issuing direction S is sucked and held by the suction holding unit 33. The unit 32 is controlled. Further, when the length of the label L is equal to or longer than the predetermined length, the control unit 10 moves so that the concave portion 57 of the suction holding unit 33 becomes the second suction position P2 (see FIG. 11A). The mechanism 34 is controlled. When the length of the label L is less than the predetermined length, the control unit 10 moves the moving mechanism 34 so that the concave portion 57 of the suction holding unit 33 becomes the first suction position P1 (see FIG. 10A). Control.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 12B, when the suction of the label L on the lower surface 35a of the suction block 35 is released, the arm holding body 62 is driven by the vertical movement motor 63 so as to descend at a high speed. . When the arm holding body 62 is lowered, the lower stopper 66 is pushed downward by the arm holding body 62, whereby the sticking arm 60 is lowered together with the arm holding body 62. As a result, the suction holding unit 33 connected to the sticking arm 60 projects downward from the lower surface 35a of the suction block 35, and pulls the label L away from the suction block 35 and pushes it down.

  At this time, negative pressure is supplied to the lower surface of the suction holding unit 33, and the label L is pushed down while being sucked and held on the suction surface 55 of the suction holding unit 33. When the label L is pulled away from the suction block 35, the sticking arm 60 is driven to rotate around the rotation axis C by a predetermined angle by the rotation motor 64. Thereby, the label L held on the lower surface of the suction holding unit 33 is lowered while rotating together with the sticking arm 60 until the label L is in a predetermined direction. When the label L is longer than a predetermined length, when the label L is applied by rotating it 180 ° clockwise, for example, the control unit 10 rotates the suction holding unit 33 90 ° counterclockwise. To adsorb the label L.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 12C, when the arm holding body 62 is lowered to a predetermined height, the driving of the vertical movement motor 63 is stopped and the lowering of the arm holding body 62 is stopped. At this time, a downward inertia force acts on the sticking arm 60, and the sticking arm 60 starts to descend due to inertia. Thereafter, the sticking arm 60 continues to descend due to inertia while further compressing the coil spring 61.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 12 (d), the label L held by the suction holding unit 33 is pressed against the upper surface of the product G while the sticking arm 60 is lowered due to inertia. Further, at a predetermined timing immediately before the label L is pressed against the upper surface of the product G, the negative pressure supply to the lower surface of the suction holding unit 33 is stopped. Thereby, the label L can be affixed on the upper surface of the product G without giving a large impact force to the product G.

  Thereafter, the sticking arm 60 is pulled up by the upward biasing force of the coil spring 61. When the suction holding portion 33 is separated from the upper surface of the product G, the vertical movement motor 63 and the rotation motor 64 operate so as to rotate in the direction opposite to that when the sticking arm 60 is lowered, as shown in FIG. The sticking arm 60 is pulled up while rotating until the same height and the same angle as the standby state shown.

[Function and effect]
As described above, in the label sticking device 1 according to the present embodiment, the concave portion 57 provided on the suction surface 55 of the suction holding portion 33 has a rectangular shape having a longitudinal direction in plan view. According to the length of the label L, the control unit 10 includes a first suction position P1 (see FIG. 10A) in which the longitudinal direction of the recess 57 extends along the X direction, and a second suction position along which the longitudinal direction extends along the Y direction. The moving mechanism 34 is controlled so that the suction holding unit 33 sucks the label L at two suction positions P2 (see FIG. 11A). That is, the label L is adsorbed at two adsorbing positions in which the extending direction of the concave portion 57 is different. Thereby, in the label sticking apparatus 1, according to the length of the label L, it can hold | maintain the label L with the direction of the suitable recessed part 57 in order to adsorb | suck the label L. FIG. For example, when the label L is long, the label L is adsorbed so that the longitudinal direction of the recess 57 is along the longitudinal direction of the label L. At this time, the label L is bent so as to enter the concave portion 57, and the label L is bent along the label issuing direction S into a convex shape. Therefore, the value of the sectional second moment of the label L can be increased. Therefore, it can suppress that the edge part of the label L hangs down. As a result, the label sticking apparatus 1 can satisfactorily stick a long label.

  In the present embodiment, when the label L is less than a predetermined length, the control unit 10 uses the first suction position where the longitudinal direction of the recess 57 is orthogonal to the label issuing direction S of the label L by the label issuing machine 8. When the suction holding portion 33 is positioned at P1 by the moving mechanism 34 and the label L is longer than a predetermined length, the suction holding portion 33 is sucked and held at the second suction position P2 along which the label issuing direction S of the label L and the longitudinal direction of the concave portion 57 are aligned. The part 33 is positioned by the moving mechanism 34. As described above, when the label L is longer than the predetermined length, the label L is sucked and held so that the label issuing direction S of the label L and the longitudinal direction of the concave portion 57 are aligned, so that the label L extends along the issuing direction. Bends into a convex shape. Therefore, the value of the cross-sectional secondary moment of the label L can be increased, and the sag of the label L can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, a label transfer unit 32 that transfers the label L issued by the label issuing machine 8 to the suction holding unit 33 is provided. The label transfer unit 32 transfers the label L so that the substantially center position in the label L issuing direction is sucked and held by the suction holding unit 33. Thus, since the label L is moved so that the rotation axis C of the suction holding portion 33 and the center position of the label L coincide with each other, the substantially center position of the label L is held, so that the label L is stably held. it can. Therefore, it can suppress further that the edge part of the label L hangs down.

  In the present embodiment, the label L is a mountless label. Since the mountless label is not provided with a mount, the label L has adhesiveness (adhesiveness) when it is issued from the label issuing machine 8. Therefore, in the case of a mountless label, when the label L hangs down, the label held by the suction holding unit 33 may stick to a place other than the sticking position. In the label sticking device 1, the end portion of the label L can be prevented from sagging by increasing the value of the secondary moment of section of the label L. Therefore, sticking of the label L to an object (location) other than the sticking position can be suppressed.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. In the above embodiment, the mode in which the label L is sucked at the two suction positions of the first suction position P1 and the second suction position P2 has been described as an example. However, the label L may be sucked at another suction position. .

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the lower pasting mechanism 4 is provided has been described, but the lower pasting mechanism 4 may not be provided.

  In the above embodiment, the configuration including the vertical movement motor 63 and the like has been described as an example of the drive mechanism that moves the arm holding body 62 in the vertical direction, but the drive mechanism may be, for example, an air cylinder. In this case, the arm holder 62 fixed to the rod of the air cylinder or the cylinder can be moved in the vertical direction by extending and contracting the air cylinder in the vertical direction.

  In the above embodiment, the form using the label roll LR without the mount has been described as an example, but a label roll having a mount can also be used.

  In the said embodiment, although the recessed part 57 demonstrated the rectangular form (it has a longitudinal direction) in planar view as an example, the shape of a recessed part is not limited to this. For example, the recess 57 may have an elliptical shape. Moreover, the recessed part should just be a shape different from the suction hole 56 in planar view. In this case, according to the length of the label L issued by the label issuing machine 8, the control unit 10 has a first suction position where the concave portion is in the first state with respect to the label L, and the concave portion with respect to the label L. The moving mechanism 34 may be controlled so that the suction holding unit 33 sucks the label L at at least two suction positions, ie, a second suction position that is in a second state different from the first state.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which one suction hole 56 is provided has been described, but a plurality of suction holes may be provided.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Label sticking apparatus, 8 ... Label issuing machine (label issuing part), 10 ... Control part, 32 ... Label transfer part, 33 ... Adsorption holding part, 34 ... Moving mechanism, 52 ... Main part, 55 ... Adsorption surface, 56 ... Suction hole, 57 ... concave, P1 ... first suction position, P2 ... second suction position, L ... label.

Claims (5)

A label issuing unit for issuing labels;
An adsorption holding unit for adsorbing and holding the label issued by the label issuing unit;
A moving mechanism for moving the suction holding part in the vertical direction between the suction position and the sticking position of the label, and rotating the suction holding part around a rotation axis parallel to the vertical direction to stick the label to the article;
A control unit for controlling the operation of the moving mechanism, and a label sticking device comprising:
The suction holding part includes a main body part connected to a negative pressure generation source, an adsorption surface in contact with the label, and at least one suction hole communicating the main body part and the adsorption surface. And
The suction surface is provided with a recess that communicates with the suction hole and has a shape different from that of the suction hole in plan view.
The control unit includes a first suction position where the concave portion is in a first state with respect to the label according to a length of the label issued by the label issuing unit, and the concave portion with respect to the label. A label affixing device that controls the moving mechanism so that the adsorption holding unit adsorbs the label at at least two adsorption positions of a second adsorption position that is in a second state different from the first state. The concave portion has a shape having an area larger than the suction hole and having a longitudinal direction in the plan view,
In accordance with the length of the label issued by the label issuing unit, the control unit includes the first suction position in which the longitudinal direction of the concave portion is in the first state along the first direction, and the concave portion The movement mechanism is controlled so that the suction holding portion sucks the label at the second suction position where the longitudinal direction is in the second state along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. Item 2. The label affixing device according to item 1. The controller is
When the label is less than a predetermined length, the suction holding unit is moved by the moving mechanism to the first suction position where the longitudinal direction of the recess is orthogonal to the label issuing direction by the label issuing unit. Position
The said holding | maintenance part is located in the said 2nd adsorption | suction position where the said issuing direction of the said label and the said longitudinal direction of the said recess follow along the said label when the said label is more than the said predetermined length. A labeling device according to claim 1. A label transfer unit for transferring the label issued by the label issuing unit to the suction holding unit;
The said label transfer part transfers the said label so that the substantially center position in the said issuing direction of the said label is adsorbed and hold | maintained by the said adsorption | suction holding part, when the said label is more than the said predetermined length. A labeling device according to claim 1.   The label sticking device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the label is a mountless label.

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