JP6236076B2 - Labeled container manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to apparatus and a method for manufacturing a labeled container is prepared by by fitted a tubular shrink label on the side wall around the vessel to heat shrinkage.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a label mounting system in which a cylindrical shrink label is fitted on the outer peripheral surface of a body of a container such as a bottle or a plastic bottle, and then the label is thermally contracted by heating. Such a label mounting system usually heats a supply device that supplies a container to a label fitting device, a fitting device that fits a cylindrical shrink label on the supplied container, and a container in which the shrink label is fitted. A transport device for transporting to the device and a heating device for thermally shrinking the shrink label fitted to the container are provided.

  For example, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, in the label mounting system as described above, the cylindrical film is opened by suction holding from the outside with four suction members, and the cylindrical label is lowered in this state, There is disclosed a label fitting device configured to fit on the outer periphery of a body portion of a bottle container.

International Publication WO2012 / 086066 Specification International Publication WO2011 / 114524 Specification

  By the way, using the label fitting apparatus described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example, a shrink label on which a product name is printed may be attached to a cup-shaped container that contains food or the like. For example, as shown in FIG. 22, the cup-shaped container C is provided on the periphery of the bottom 1, the side wall 2 that tapers toward the bottom 1, and the opening formed at the edge of the side wall 2. And a flange portion 3 provided continuously.

  In the container C, the stack rib 4 may be formed annularly in the circumferential direction of the side wall portion at a position on the side wall portion 2 adjacent to the flange portion 3. The stack rib 4 has an abutting surface or step 4 a that faces in the direction of the bottom 1. Thereby, when a plurality of containers C are inserted and stacked, the flanges 3 and the contact surfaces 4a of the stack ribs 4 come into contact with each other and the stacked state is defined, so that the containers C are strong. It is possible to easily separate the containers C one by one by suppressing the fitting to each other.

  A cylindrical shrink label L folded in a sheet shape by a label fitting device as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 in a state where such a container C is turned down so that the flange portion 3 faces downward. By opening in a substantially cylindrical shape and lowering the shrink label L with respect to the container C in this state, the shrink label L is fitted around the side wall 2 from the bottom 1 side.

  In this case, it is preferable that the shrink label L is fitted to a position where the lower end portion comes into contact with the flange portion 3, that is, a position where the stack rib 4 is completely covered. By doing in this way, the display surface of the shrink label L which displays a brand name etc. becomes large, and the design property of the container C with which the shrink label L was mounted | worn improves.

  However, when the shrink label L is to be fitted to a position completely covering the stack rib 4, as shown in FIG. 23 (a), the contact surface of the stack rib 4 in which the lower end portion of the shrink label L forms an annular shape. There is a possibility that defective label mounting may occur due to bending by being hooked on 4a and thermal contraction as it is. In particular, in the case of a container as shown in FIG. 22 in which the opening has an oval shape, the lower end portion of the shrink label L is easily caught and bent by the stack rib 4 on the curved side wall portion 2 on both ends in the long axis direction.

  In order to cope with this, as shown in FIG. 23 (b), the label peripheral length of the shrink label L folded into a sheet is lengthened, and the opening diameter of the shrink label L when the opening is shaped into a substantially cylindrical shape is increased. Thus, it is clear that the lower end portion of the shrink label L is not easily caught on the stack rib 4 when the label is fitted.

However, in such a case, in addition to the increase in the amount and cost of the resin material constituting the shrink label L, the space between the container C and the tubular shrink label L is increased, so that the label covering is performed. The state and the label mounting state after heat shrinkage tend to be unstable.
Specifically, when the cross-sectional shape of the side wall of the container C is a shape other than a circle, for example, a square, an ellipse, an ellipse, etc., as shown in FIG. The main display portion 5 including, for example, the product name “ABCDE” attached in the above is to be mounted in alignment with a predetermined position (for example, the center position) on one side wall surface constituting the side wall portion 2 of the container C ( As shown in FIG. 24 (b), the main display portion 5 may be laterally displaced when the container is transported after the label is fitted or when the label is thermally contracted. (Indicated by “△” in the figure) is likely to occur.

  The object of the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and suppresses the end of the shrink label from being caught by the stack rib when fitted to the container while making the label peripheral length of the shrink label as small as possible. It is to be.

Apparatus for manufacturing a labeled container according to the present invention, bottom and a side wall portion provided so as to be connected to the edge portion of the bottom edge of the side wall portion in the periphery of the opening defined by the end edge of the side wall portion An apparatus for manufacturing a labeled container by thermally shrinking after fitting a cylindrical shrink label around a side wall portion of a container having a flange portion connected to the portion, the shrink label being placed outside Four label holding members each having four label holding members that are held and opened in a cylindrical shape are separated from each other in the circumferential direction on the side wall portion of the container when the labels are fitted. A container supply device that supplies the container in a state of being positioned so as to face the stack rib, and the four label holding members that hold the shrink label in a state of opening in the cylindrical shape and the container A label fitting device for fitting the shrink label around the side wall from the bottom side of the container by moving the label holding members to positions facing the stack ribs; And a heating device that heat-shrinks the attached shrink label and attaches it to the container.
In the apparatus for manufacturing a labeled container according to the present invention, the stack ribs of the container are formed in a substantially uniform arrangement in the circumferential direction of the side wall, and the container supply device is configured so that the label covering device is attached when the label is fitted. The container may be positioned so that the four label holding members face the stack rib of the container and supplied to the label fitting device. Here, “substantially equal” in the present application is intended to include not only the case where the intervals in the circumferential direction of the stack ribs are completely equal, but also cases where they are slightly different.
Moreover, in the manufacturing apparatus of a labeled container according to the present invention, the shrink label has a main display portion, and the label fitting device includes at least one plane or the main display portion constituting a side wall portion of the container. The shrink label may be fitted on the container in a state of being aligned on the curved surface. Here, the “main display portion” in the present application refers to a portion that becomes the front of a container to which, for example, a product name is attached.
Furthermore, in the labeled container manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, the opening of the container has a shape including a major axis direction and a minor axis direction, and the side wall portion is tapered from the opening to the bottom. The label fitting device covers the shrink label on the container in a state where the main display portion is aligned with at least one plane or curved surface extending in the major axis direction of the side wall portion. You may make it fit.

According to another aspect of the present invention , there is provided a method of manufacturing a labeled container, including: a bottom portion; a side wall portion connected to an end edge portion of the bottom portion; and a peripheral edge of an opening portion defined by the end edge portion of the side wall portion. A method of manufacturing a labeled container by thermally shrinking after fitting a cylindrical shrink label around a side wall of a container having a flange portion continuously provided at an edge of the portion, Positioned so that four stack ribs formed to be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction face the side wall of the container on a label mounting device that includes four label holding members that hold the shrink label from the outside and open in a cylindrical shape. A container supplying step for supplying the container in a combined state; and the four label holding members for holding the shrink labels in an open state in the cylindrical shape and the containers are moved relative to each other. A label fitting step of fitting the shrink label around the side wall from the bottom side of the container by moving to a position facing each of the stack ribs, and heating the shrink label fitted to the container And a label mounting step of heat shrinking and mounting on the container.

According to the manufacturing apparatus and the manufacturing method of the labeled container according to the present invention, four label holding members that open and hold the shrink label in the label fitting apparatus are formed on the side wall of the container so as to be spaced apart in the circumferential direction. Since the shrink label is fitted to the container by moving to a position opposite to the two stack ribs, the end of the shrink label is fitted to the container without being caught by the stack rib even if the label peripheral length of the shrink label is made as small as possible. be able to. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of defective mounting of the shrink label while reducing the material and cost of the shrink label.

It is a top view which shows schematic structure of a label mounting system. It is the (a) side view, (b) front view, and (c) top view of the jig used for container conveyance in the label mounting system of FIG. It is (a) top view, (b) front view, (c) bottom view, and (d) right side view which shows the container by which a shrink label is fitted in the label mounting system of FIG. It is an AA line expanded sectional view of the container of FIG. FIG. 4 is a reference front view showing a stacked state in which a plurality of containers of FIG. 3 are stacked. It is the (a) side view and (b) front view which show the state which covered the container of FIG. 3 on the jig of FIG. (A)-(d) is a figure which shows a mode that a shrink label is fitted to a container in steps. (E)-(h) is a figure which shows a mode that a shrink label is fitted to a container following FIG. (A) shows a state where a shrink label folded in a sheet shape is held by four suction holding rods, and (b) shows a state where the shrink label is opened in a cylindrical shape by four suction holding rods. is there. (A) The front view which shows label fitting operation | movement by a label fitting head, (b) is a top view which shows label fitting operation | movement by a label fitting head. 10A is a front view showing the label fitting operation by the label fitting head, and FIG. 10B is a plan view showing the label fitting operation by the label fitting head. 11A is a front view showing label fitting operation by the label fitting head, and FIG. 11B is a plan view showing label fitting operation by the label fitting head. 12A is a front view showing a label fitting operation by the label fitting head, and FIG. 12B is a plan view showing the label fitting operation by the label fitting head. 13A is a front view showing the label fitting operation by the label fitting head, and FIG. 13B is a plan view showing the label fitting operation by the label fitting head. 14A is a front view showing the label fitting operation by the label fitting head, and FIG. 14B is a plan view showing the label fitting operation by the label fitting head. 15A is a front view showing the label fitting operation by the label fitting head, and FIG. 15B is a plan view showing the label fitting operation by the label fitting head. 16A is a front view showing the label fitting operation by the label fitting head, and FIG. 16B is a plan view showing the label fitting operation by the label fitting head. It is process drawing which shows the manufacturing method of a labeled container. It is the (a) top view, (b) front view, (c) bottom view, and (d) right side view which show the container of another shape used with a label mounting system. It is (a) top view, (b) front view, (c) bottom view, and (d) right side view showing a container of still another shape used in the label mounting system. It is (a) top view, (b) front view, (c) bottom view, and (d) right side view showing a container of still another shape used in the label mounting system. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that a cylindrical shrink label is fitted to a cup-shaped container. (A) It is a figure which shows the state which the lower end part of the shrink label hooked on the stack rib formed in the side wall part of a container over the perimeter, and was bent, (b) is a container at the time of forming the circumference of a shrink label large It is a figure which shows the label covering state. (A) is a front view which shows the container with which the main display part of the shrink label matched with the predetermined position of the side wall part of a container, (b) is the main display part of a shrink label on the side wall part of a container. It is a front view which shows the container with which the state shifted | deviated laterally.

  Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this description, specific shapes, materials, numerical values, directions, and the like are examples for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and can be appropriately changed according to the application, purpose, specification, and the like. In addition, when a plurality of embodiments and modifications are included in the following, it is assumed from the beginning that these characteristic portions are used in appropriate combinations.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a label mounting system (labeled container manufacturing apparatus) 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the label mounting system 10 includes a container supply device 11 including a container transport device 12 and an inlet star wheel 13, a label fitting device 14, an outlet star wheel 15, and a heating device 16.

This label mounting system 10 manufactures a labeled container by mounting a shrink label (hereinafter referred to as “label L”) that is a tubular film around a side wall portion of a cup-shaped container C that is a fitting body. System. Here, the container C to which the label L is attached is, for example, a cup-shaped container that accommodates food or the like. The label L is formed by forming a heat-shrinkable film into a cylindrical shape, and is attached to the container C by heating in a state where the film is fitted to the container C.
In addition, the thing accommodated in the container C is not limited to foodstuffs, What kind of liquid other than foodstuffs, powder, solid, and semi-fluid may be sufficient.

  The container C is transported through the system in a state of being covered with a jig 20 as shown in FIG. 2A is a side view, FIG. 2B is a front view, and FIG. 2C is a plan view of the jig 20 used for container conveyance in the label mounting system 10 of FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the jig 20 extends by being fixed to the jig main body 22 and the positioning cam 24, a jig main body 22 on which the container C is placed, and a positioning cam 24 connected and fixed to the jig main body 22. A shaft member 26 and a jig base 28 on which the shaft member 26 is rotatably supported are included. Thereby, the jig body 22 is provided to be rotatable with respect to the jig base 28 in the jig 20.

  Moreover, the jig main body 22 has a fitting portion 22a that covers the container C with the opening facing downward, and a flange portion 22b that protrudes in the horizontal direction over the entire periphery of the lower end edge of the fitting portion 22a. . The fitted portion 22a has a shape substantially corresponding to the inner space of the container C. Specifically, in this embodiment, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 3 and the like, the container C has a shape that opens in a substantially oval shape or oval shape, and the fitting of the jig main body 22 is accordingly performed. The portion 22a and the flange portion 22b are also formed in a substantially oval shape. Here, the oval or oval has a major axis direction and a minor axis direction, two side surfaces in the major axis direction facing each other are parallel, and side surfaces at both ends in the major axis direction are substantially arc-shaped. It shall mean the shape which continues on the two side surfaces in the major axis direction.

  Next, an example of the container C used in the label mounting system 10 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. 3A is a plan view, FIG. 3B is a front view, FIG. 3C is a bottom view, and FIG. 3D is a right side view showing a container C in which the label L is fitted in the label mounting system 10 of FIG. . FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line AA of the container C of FIG. FIG. 5 is a reference front view showing a stacked state in which a plurality of containers C in FIG. 3 are stacked.

As shown in FIG. 3, the container C has a substantially oval bottom 1, a side wall 2 connected to the end edge of the bottom 1, and an end edge of the side wall 2 opposite to the bottom 1. And a flange portion 3 provided continuously.
The side wall part 2 is formed in a tapered shape from the flange part 3 toward the bottom part 1. A substantially oval opening 6 is defined by the edge of the side wall 2. Correspondingly, the outer shape of the flange portion 3 is also formed in a substantially oval shape.

  On the side wall 2 of the container C, four stack ribs 4 are formed at positions adjacent to the flange 3 so as to be separated in the circumferential direction of the side wall. Specifically, the four stack ribs 4 are formed in a substantially uniform arrangement with respect to the circumferential direction of the side wall portion 2. Here, “substantially equal” in the present embodiment is intended to include not only the case where the intervals in the circumferential direction of the stack ribs are completely equal, but also cases where they are slightly different. Specifically, the side wall portion 2 is composed of two flat surfaces 2a and 2b along the major axis direction and curved surfaces 2c and 2d curved in a substantially arc shape at both ends in the major axis direction. Is provided at or near the boundary between the flat surfaces 2a and 2b constituting the side wall 2 and the curved surfaces 2c and 2d. By providing the stack rib 4 in such an arrangement, as will be described later, when the label L is fitted by the label fitting device 14, the stack rib 4 is opposed to the suction rod (label holding member) that holds the label L open. Yes.

  Further, the stack rib 4 has an abutting surface or step 4a facing the bottom 1 as shown in FIG. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, when the plurality of containers C are inserted and stacked in a nested manner, the flange portions 3 and the contact surfaces 4 a of the stack ribs 4 come into contact with each other between the adjacent containers C. It is possible to easily separate the containers C one by one while suppressing the containers C from being firmly fitted. In addition, although this embodiment demonstrates that the contact state 4a of the stack rib 4 and the flange part 3 contact | abut, the stack state of containers C is prescribed | regulated, it is not limited to this. For example, a step portion may be formed on the side wall portion 2 inside the container slightly recessed from the flange portion 3, and the contact surface 4a of the stack rib 4 may be engaged with the step portion to define the stack state. Alternatively, a small auxiliary stack rib is additionally formed in the vicinity of the contact surface 4a of the stack rib 4, and the auxiliary stack rib engages with the inner surface of the side wall portion 2 so that the plane is perpendicular to the stack direction. A stack position between containers may be defined.

  6A is a side view and FIG. 6B is a front view illustrating a state in which the jig C of FIG. 2 is covered with the container C of FIG. 3. The container C is conveyed through the label mounting system 10 in the following manner in a state where the container C is put on the fitting portion 22a of the jig main body 22 of the jig 20.

  Referring again to FIG. 1, the container C placed on the jig 20 is conveyed in the direction of arrow B by a conveyance mechanism such as a belt conveyor included in the container conveyance device 12. In this transporting process, the container C is such that one of the planes 2a and 2b (see FIG. 3D) along the major axis direction constituting the side wall portion 2 faces the front (upward in FIG. 1). Are aligned in such a way that they are positioned. Hereinafter, the plane 2a constituting the side wall 2 of the container C will be referred to as the “front 2a” of the container C as appropriate.

  Such a positioning function is executed when the jig 20 is conveyed by the container conveying device 12 and a cam plate (not shown) comes into contact with the positioning cam 24 of the jig 20 to rotate the jig main body 22. Specifically, the outer peripheral surface of the positioning cam 24 includes an arcuate cam surface and a linear stop surface, and the arcuate cam surface abuts against the edge of the cam plate so that the shaft member 26 of the jig 20 is a jig base. Rotate relative to 28. Then, when the linear stop surface of the positioning cam 24 is oriented along the linear edge of the cam plate, the rotation of the shaft member 26 is stopped. As a result, the linear stop surface of the positioning cam 24 is stopped. Are aligned so that the front surface 2a of the container C positioned corresponding to the direction of one is oriented in one direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the container C whose front is regulated by the container transport device 12 is delivered to the inlet star wheel 13. On the outer periphery of the inlet star wheel 13, a large number of recesses 13a are formed at equal intervals. When the flange portion 22b of the jig body 22 of the jig 20 is fitted into the recess 13a, the rotation of the jig body 22 is restricted. Therefore, in this state, the inlet star wheel 13 rotates in the direction of arrow D, so that the container C is transported by the inlet star wheel 13 in a state where the front surface is regulated. At this time, since an arc-shaped guide plate 17a is provided on the outer periphery of the inlet star wheel 13 from the container receiving position from the container conveying device 12 to the label fitting device 14, it fits into the concave portion 13a in the inlet star wheel 13. The inserted jig 20 does not come off to the outer peripheral side.

  The label fitting device 14 receives the container C from the inlet star wheel 13 at a predetermined container supply position α. The label fitting apparatus 14 includes a turntable 18 that is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow E about the rotation axis O. On the outer periphery of the turntable 18, a number of recesses 18a similar to the inlet star wheel 13 are formed at equal pitches in the circumferential direction. The container C delivered to the label fitting device 14 at the container supply position α is conveyed by a substantially arc-shaped conveyance route according to the rotation of the turntable 18 in a state where the container C is fitted in the recess 18a and is held unrotatable. . The position where the guide plate 17b ends is the container delivery position δ, and the container C transported to this point is delivered to the outlet star wheel 15 together with the jig 20.

  In the process of transporting the container C in the label fitting apparatus 14, the jig 20 on which the container C is placed is placed on the recess 18 a of the turntable 18 by providing a substantially annular guide plate 17 b on the outer periphery of the turntable 18. It is regulated so as not to come out from the outside. Further, in this conveyance process, the container C (that is, the jig body 22 of the jig 20 that holds the container C) is held in a state in which the long axis direction is along the tangential direction of the arc-shaped conveyance route by the turntable 18. It is transported as it is. Therefore, in the label fitting apparatus 14, the container C is conveyed with the front surface 2 a thereof facing the radially outer side of the turntable 18.

  The label fitting device 14 always passes through the label fitting position γ when the container C received from the inlet star wheel 13 is transported from the container supply position α to the container delivery position δ. The label fitting position γ is a position where the label L is fitted on the container C by the label fitting device 14. The label fitting device 14 is a device for fitting the label L around the side wall 2 of the container C by opening the label L folded in a band shape and lowering it toward the container C. The label L handled by the label fitting device 14 is supplied from a label supply device (not shown). The label supply device is configured to sequentially cut the labels L folded in a long band shape at an appropriate length and supply the labels L to the label fitting device 14 at the label delivery position β.

  The label fitting device 14 includes a label fitting head 19 corresponding to each concave portion 18 a of the turntable 18. The label fitting head 19 also rotates around the rotation axis O together with the turntable 18. The label fitting head 19 receives the label L from the label supply device at the label delivery position β, makes the received label L open in a cylindrical shape, and lowers the label L toward the container C in that state. Is a device for fitting the label L around the side wall 2 of the container C at the label fitting position γ.

  The container C in which the label L is fitted by the label fitting device 14 is detached from the turntable 18 and delivered to the outlet star wheel 15 at the container delivery position δ. On the outer periphery of the outlet star wheel 15, like the inlet star wheel 13, recesses 15 a are formed at an equal pitch in the circumferential direction. Thereby, the container C in which the label L is fitted is conveyed by the circular conveyance route by the rotation of the outlet star wheel 15 in the arrow F direction. In this conveyance process, since the substantially arc-shaped guide plate 17c is provided along the outer periphery of the exit star wheel 15, the jig 20 on which the container C is placed does not come off from the recess 15a of the exit star wheel 15. .

  Then, at the position where the guide plate 17c ends, the jig 20 holding the container C fitted with the label L is detached from the outlet star wheel 15 and conveyed in the direction of arrow G by a conveyance mechanism such as a belt conveyor (not shown). And passes through the heating device 16. When passing through the heating device 16, the cylindrical label L fitted on the container C is heat-shrinked by heating and is attached in a state of being in close contact with the side wall portion 2 of the container C. The shrink label L may be provided with a heat-sensitive adhesive layer on the inner surface with a predetermined width (for example, about 20 mm) on the flange portion 3 side of the container C in a state of being fitted. Since the heat-sensitive adhesive layer is activated when L is thermally shrunk, the label L is mounted without shifting to a predetermined position of the tapered container C.

  When passing through the heating device 16, it is preferable that the container C fitted with the label L is conveyed while being rotated. By doing so, there is an advantage that the thermal contraction of the label L becomes uniform over the entire circumference of the container C, and the label mounting state can be improved. In this case, the rotation restriction on the positioning cam 24 of the jig 20 is released, and the shaft plate 26 and the jig main body 22 are brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical shaft member 26 along the driving plate extending along the jig conveying direction. The inside of the heating device 16 can be moved while rotating.

  The container C in which the label L has been attached after passing through the heating device 16 aligns the front surface 2a of the container C in one direction when passing through an alignment mechanism (not shown), and then, for example, a container extraction device using a suction cup or the like. The container C is lifted from the jig 20 and removed. After that, for example, the container C with no label is put on and held by the jig 20 with a container mounting device using a suction cup or the like. As a result, the container C placed on the jig 20 is conveyed to the container conveying device 12 through a circulation path (not shown), and label fitting and label mounting are executed through the same path as described above.

  Next, the configuration of the label fitting head 19 and the label fitting operation will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 7A to 7D are diagrams showing the state in which the label L is fitted to the container C in stages. FIGS. 8E to 8H are views showing the state in which the label L is fitted to the container C in a stepwise manner following FIG. FIGS. 9 to 17A are front views showing the label fitting operation by the label fitting head, and FIGS. 19 to 17B are plan views showing the label fitting operation by the label fitting head. In the following, when referring to the four suction rods (label holding members) 60A, 60B, 60C, 60D provided on the label fitting head 19 without distinction, the subscript alphabet is omitted and “suction” It will be called “60”.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the label fitting head 19 includes a take-up member 40 that receives a label L from a label supply device (not shown), and a label opener 50 that grips and opens the label L. . The take-up member 40 is a substantially U-shaped member in front view, and a plurality of suction holes for sucking and holding the label L are formed on the surface thereof. The take-up member 40 can be raised and lowered.

  The label opener 50 is a unit that holds the label L delivered from the take-up member 40 and opens the label L. This label opener 50 has two sets of suction rods 60 arranged in opposition to each other, for a total of four. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the four suction rods 60 are respectively held by arms 58 and 59 that are rotatable about a rotation axis. Then, in accordance with the rotation of the arms 58 and 59, the pair of opposing suction rods 60 can be separated and approached.

  A plurality of suction holes are formed on the surface of each suction rod 60 so that the label L can be sucked and held. When opening the label L, after gripping the opposed outer surfaces of the folded label L with these four suction rods 60, the opposing suction rods 60 are moved in a state of separating in this state. Further, the four suction rods 60 can be moved up and down by, for example, a lifting mechanism (moving mechanism) 62 including a cam mechanism, an air cylinder, etc., and the suction rod 60 is lowered while the label L is opened. Thus, the label can be fitted onto the container C.

  The flow of the label fitting operation by the label fitting head 19 will be described as follows. First, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 10, when the label fitting head 19 passes the label delivery position β, the take-up member 40 receives the label L supplied from the label supply device. That is, the label L is sucked and held on the surface of the take-up member 40. On the other hand, the label L supplied last time is fitted in the container C located directly below the label fitting head 19. In addition, the four suction rods 60 that have been lowered for the fitting work are released from the suction of the label L and are separated from the label L.

  In this state, the four suction rods 60 are raised to almost the same height as the take-up member 40 as shown in FIGS. 7B and 11. As a result, the take-up member 40 and the label L are positioned between the suction rods 60 facing each other.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 7C and 12, the label suction by the suction rod 60 on the opposite side of the take-up member 40 with respect to the label L, that is, the two suction rods 60C and 60D is started. Thereafter, the label L is delivered from the take-up member 40 to the suction rod 60 by releasing the label suction by the take-up member 40.

  When the label L is delivered to the suction rod 60, subsequently, as shown in FIG. 7D and FIG. 13, the arms 58 and 59 are rotated to separate the suction rods 60 from the take-up member 40. Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 8E and 14, the take-up member 40 is raised, and only the label L exists between the opposing suction rods 60.

  In this state, as shown in FIG. 8 (f) and FIG. 15, the arms 58 and 59 are rotated to bring the opposing suction rod 60 close to each other. In other words, the label L is held between the opposing suction rods 60. Then, suction of the label L by all four suction rods 60 is started.

When the label L is sucked by all the four suction rods 60, as shown in FIG. 8G and FIG. 16, the arms 58 and 59 are rotated again to separate the opposing suction rods 60 from each other.
At this time, the folded label L is opened in a substantially cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. When the label L is opened in this way, as shown in FIGS. 8 (h) and 17, the suction rod 60 is lowered by driving the elevating mechanism 62, and the container C positioned just below the label fitting head 19 is moved. A label L is fitted around the side wall 2. Thereafter, the same process is repeated, so that the label L is fitted into the container C sequentially.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 (h) and 17, when the four suction rods 60 that suck and hold the cylindrical label L are moved down around the side wall 2 of the container C and the label L is fitted. The container C located below the label fitting head 19 is positioned so that the four stack ribs 4 face the suction rods 60. That is, when the jig 20 is positioned so as to fit in the recess 18a of the turntable 18 of the label fitting device 14, the positional relationship between the stack rib 4 of the container C and the suction rod 60 of the label mounting head is opposed. It is comprised so that it may become.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9B and FIG. 17, the label is placed in the container in a state where the suction rod 60 holding the label L is opened and the gap between the suction rib 60 and the stack rib 4 of the container C is opened. C can be fitted. That is, the label L can be fitted so that the lower end portion of the label L is not caught on the contact surface 4 a of the stack rib 4. Therefore, according to the label mounting system 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent or suppress label mounting defects caused by the label L being caught and bent when the label is fitted. In particular, in the case of the container C as shown in FIG. 3 in which the opening has an oval shape, if the stack ribs are continuously provided on the curved side wall portions 2 on both ends in the long axis direction, the label L Although the lower end portion is easily caught and bent when fitted, this is not the case in the present embodiment.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 18, the manufacturing method of the labeled container in this embodiment is demonstrated easily. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing a labeled container according to this embodiment.

  First, in step S10, the container C is supplied to the label fitting device 14 in which the directions of the containers C are aligned. This is performed by the container transport device 12 and the inlet star wheel 13 in the label mounting system 10.

  Next, the label L is put on the container C in step S12. This is performed by the label fitting device 14.

  Then, in step S14, the container C in which the label L is fitted is sent out from the label fitting device 14. This is performed by the outlet star wheel 15 that receives and transports the container from the label fitting device 14.

  In step S16, the label L fitted on the container C is thermally contracted. This is performed by the heating device 16. This completes a labeled container.

  As described above, according to the label mounting system 10 of the present embodiment, when the shrink label L is fitted on the container C having the stack rib 4, the lower end of the label L is not caught on the stack rib 4. The label L can be fitted to the position where the stack rib 4 is completely covered around the side wall 2. As a result, the occurrence of defective label attachment can be eliminated or reduced.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, interference with the stack rib 4 can be avoided when the label is fitted without enlarging the folding width of the cylindrical label L folded into a sheet shape (that is, the circumferential length of the label). Further, it is possible to suppress the orientation of the label L fitted in the container C from being shifted in the circumferential direction in the subsequent transport process or heating process. Therefore, the main display portion 5 of the label L as described with reference to FIG. 24B can be prevented or suppressed from being laterally displaced from a predetermined position on the front surface 2a of the container C.

  Next, another shape of the container that can be used in the label fitting system of this embodiment will be described. In the above description, the container C is described as having a substantially oval or oval opening 6. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the opening 6 defined by the side wall 2 of the container C has two side surfaces 2 a and 2 b along the long axis direction, and the side surfaces 2 c and 2 d at both ends in the long axis direction. May have a substantially triangular shape, and the entire opening may have a substantially hexagonal shape.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 20, the opening 6 of the container C has two side surfaces 2a and 2b along the major axis direction that are flat, and side surfaces 2c and 2d at both ends in the major axis direction are substantially trapezoidal. The entire opening may have an approximately octagonal shape.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 21, with respect to the opening 6 of the container C, the outer shape of the flange portion 3 is a circular shape without the major axis direction and the minor axis direction, but two front and rear portions of the side wall portion 2 are chamfered. Since the flat surfaces 2a and 2b are formed, the opening 6 may have a substantially oval shape. Also in this case, since it is necessary to align the main display portion 5 of the label L with the front surface 2a of the container C and mount the label, the label mounting system 10 in the present embodiment can be suitably used.

  Here, the AA line enlarged sectional view and the reference front view showing the use state of the container C shown in FIGS. 19 to 21 are the same as those shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

  Furthermore, although not shown, the shape of the opening 6 of the container C may be a quadrangular shape such as a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially trapezoidal shape, a substantially rhombus shape, or a substantially square shape. In this case, the container C may have a shape that does not have the major axis direction and the minor axis direction. Alternatively, the shape of the opening of the container C may be elliptical, and in this case, the front surface where the main display portion 5 of the label L is aligned is a curved surface extending in the long axis direction.

  In the above description, the label mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention and the method for manufacturing the labeled container have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration. Various modifications and improvements can be made within the scope of the matters described in the above and equivalent ranges thereof.

  For example, in the above description, the main display portion 5 of the label L has been described as being displayed in alignment with the front surface 2a which is one flat surface or curved surface of the side wall portion 2 of the container C. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, the label L may be such that the main display portion 5 is displayed on both surfaces of the two planes 2a and 2b.

  In the above description, the side wall portion 2 of the container C is described as having a tapered shape toward the bottom portion 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the side wall portion 2 includes the bottom portion 1 and the flange portion 3. The container shape may be a right angle.

  Further, in the above description, the opened label L is moved downward toward the container C to fit the label L. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the container is moved toward the opened label L. The label L and the container C may be fitted to the container C by moving relatively so that the label L and the container C approach each other.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Bottom part 2 Side wall part 2a Side surface, plane or front surface 2b Side surface or plane 2c, 2d Side surface or curved surface 3 Flange part 4 Stack rib 4a Contact surface or step part 5 (Display) main display part 6 Opening part 10 Label mounting system (Labeled container manufacturing equipment)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Container supply apparatus 12 Container conveyance apparatus 13 Inlet star wheel 13a, 15a, 18a Recessed part 14 Label fitting apparatus 15 Outlet star wheel 16 Heating apparatus 17a, 17b, 17c Guide plate 18 Turntable 19 Label fitting head 20 Jig 22 Jig body 22a Fitting portion 22b (Jig) flange portion 24 Positioning cam 26 Shaft member 28 Jig base 40 Take-up member 50 Label opener 58, 59 Arm 60, 60A, 60B, 60C, 60D Suction rod (label holding member)
62 Lifting mechanism C Container L Shrink label O Rotating axis α Container supply position β Label delivery position γ Label fitting position δ Container delivery position

Claims (5)

A container having a bottom portion, a side wall portion provided continuously with an end edge portion of the bottom portion, and a flange portion provided continuously with the end edge portion of the side wall portion at a peripheral edge of an opening defined by the end edge portion of the side wall portion. An apparatus for manufacturing a labeled container by heat shrinking after fitting a cylindrical shrink label around the side wall portion of
In the label fitting device comprising four label holding members that hold the shrink label from the outside and open in a cylindrical shape, the four label holding members are spaced apart from the side wall of the container in the circumferential direction when the label is fitted. A container supply device for supplying the container in a state of being aligned so as to face the four stack ribs formed;
The four label holding members that hold the shrink label in a state of opening in the cylindrical shape and the container are relatively moved, and the respective label holding members are moved to positions facing the respective stack ribs, thereby the shrink label. A label fitting device that fits around the side wall from the bottom side of the container,
A heating device that heat-shrinks the shrink label fitted to the container and attaches the container to the container;
An apparatus for manufacturing a labeled container comprising: In the manufacturing apparatus of the labeled container of Claim 1 ,
The container stack ribs are formed in a substantially uniform arrangement in the circumferential direction of the side wall, and the container supply device is configured such that when the label is fitted, the four label holding members of the label fitting device are the stack ribs of the container. An apparatus for manufacturing a labeled container, wherein the container is positioned so as to face the label and supplied to the label fitting apparatus. In the manufacturing apparatus of the labeled container of Claim 1 or 2 ,
The shrink label has a main display portion, and the label fitting device is configured to position the shrink label in a state where the main display portion is aligned on at least one plane or curved surface constituting the side wall portion of the container. An apparatus for manufacturing a labeled container that fits over the container. In the manufacturing apparatus of the labeled container according to claim 3 ,
The opening of the container has a shape including a major axis direction and a minor axis direction, and the side wall portion is tapered from the opening portion to the bottom portion, and the label fitting device is configured to have the main display portion. A device for manufacturing a labeled container, wherein the shrink label is fitted to the container in a state of being aligned with at least one plane or curved surface extending in the major axis direction of the side wall portion. A container having a bottom portion, a side wall portion provided continuously with an end edge portion of the bottom portion, and a flange portion provided continuously with the end edge portion of the side wall portion at a peripheral edge of an opening defined by the end edge portion of the side wall portion. A method of manufacturing a labeled container by thermally shrinking after fitting a cylindrical shrink label around the side wall portion of
A label mounting device including four label holding members that hold the shrink label from the outside and open in a cylindrical shape is opposed to four stack ribs formed on the side wall of the container so as to be spaced apart in the circumferential direction. A container supplying step for supplying the container in the aligned state;
The four label holding members that hold the shrink label in a state of opening in the cylindrical shape and the container are relatively moved, and the respective label holding members are moved to positions facing the respective stack ribs, thereby the shrink label. A label fitting process for fitting the side wall from the bottom side of the container,
A label mounting step for heat shrinking the shrink label fitted to the container and mounting the shrink label on the container;
A method for producing a labeled container, comprising:

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