JPH0233578B2 - - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to packaging equipment, and more particularly to an application equipment or arrangement for applying labels to containers such as bottles or boxes. regarding the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Packaging equipment is commonly used for filling, closing and labeling containers. Examples of frequently used containers include bottles or boxes (displayed for sale on shelves in supermarkets, etc.) used to package food and other items for household and industrial use. It will be done. These packages (packaged goods) display their contents, and
To provide instructions on how to use the items in the package.
A label is attached.

A problem arises because there may not be enough space on the package label to provide instructions and all other necessary data regarding the use of the item within the package. For example, when distributing pharmaceutical products, it is desirable to include several pages of folded book-shaped instructions (with adequate space to fully describe the item being packaged) in the package. However, the aforementioned multi-page folded or bound booklet is not easily applied by the equipment used to apply a single label. The content manual is bulky,
Because of the ease of opening, a specially constructed device is required to handle folded books or booklets. That is, the aforementioned problems are expressed by the inadequacy of labeling devices for adhering folded books or booklets to containers, especially bottles used for storing pharmaceutical products or food products.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.

Means for Solving the Problems According to the invention, this object is configured to use an adhesive-loaded tape to transport the contents from the hopper to its point of application on the container. This is achieved by means of a dispensing or application device for the written content. According to a first embodiment of the invention, the hopper is equipped with a gate for weighing the contents one copy at a time. The photoelectric sensor is
The presence of the contents manual and the presence of the container are detected so that the arrival of the container to a place where the contents manual is fixed to the container is synchronized with the arrival of the contents manual. According to a second embodiment of the invention, a packet of instructions is removed from the hopper by a suction cup which is carried from the hopper onto the tape by a pivot arm. A vacuum switch detects the presence of the contents. Several modifications to this second embodiment are also disclosed.

At the point of application of the instructions onto the container, the tape is guided to an acute bend around the edge of the peeling plate for separating the instructions from the tape. Because the steering agent exhibits a stronger affinity for the insert than the tape, it can be separated from the tape, remain on the insert, and the insert can be forced toward the side of the container by a pressure roll or brush. Do it like this.

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

[Example] Referring to the drawings, FIG.
An application or dispensing device according to an embodiment is shown. The dispensing device 20 according to this embodiment places an article or workpiece, for example a bottle 24, at an application point 26.
It is equipped with a conveyor 22 for conveying through the. According to the invention, application station 26 applies instructions 28, such as a label, to the side of bottle 24. In carrying out the present invention, the timing screw 30 (1
(shown in dash-dotted lines) can be incorporated into the dispensing device 20 to guide the bottle 24. Screw 3
0 is formed so that the pitch of the threads 32 is equal to the diagonal of the bottle 24 to more accurately position the bottles 24 as they pass successively along the conveyor 22 at the application station 26. Because the dispensing device is an "on-demand" device, feeding devices other than a feed screw may be incorporated into the dispensing device 20 of the present invention. As is clear, bottle 2
4 is shown by way of example only; other circular or rectangular workpieces may be carried by the conveyor 22 to receive the instructions 28.

The application station 26 uses a winding of the transfer adhesive tape 101 and a storage means, such as a hopper 102, holding instructions 28. The ejection plate 103 is attached to the hopper 10 in order to engage the adhesive layer on the tape 101 with a portion of instructions 28 in the hopper 102.
The tape 102 is guided through the opening 2. The tape 101 then passes a pair of adhering or pressing rolls 104, 104', which press the instructions 28 against the tape 101 and force each successive instruction sheet 28 onto the tape 101 more firmly. Make it adhere.

In this embodiment, the hopper 102 is used, but any storage means capable of storing the contents manuals 20 in a stacked state, such as a fixed enclosure well known in the art, may be used. can be used.

The application part 26 includes an electric eye for verifying the existence of the manual 28, that is, a manual sensor 105, a reverse arc-shaped guide plate 106, an idle roll 107, an application roll 108, and a pull-out roll 109. , a drum 110 for receiving the paper base material of the tape 101, and the instruction manual 28 on the tape 101.
Peeling plate 11 for release from
1, an adjustable gate 112 for the opening of the hopper 102, and a sensor 114 for sensing objects on the conveyor 22, such as bottles 24. The application area 26 includes a drum 116 for initially winding the tape 101 and a drum 11.
an idler roll 118 for guiding the tape 101 from 6 to the take-out plate 103; and a frame 120.
The frame further includes a drum 116, an idler roll 11, and a drum 116, an idler roll 11, and
8. The take-out plate 103 and the other rolls and idle rolls in the application area 26 are mechanically connected and positioned.

Further, the frame 120 holds a brake pad 122 on the drum 116 in order to apply a braking force while the tape 101 is being fed out from the drum 116. Plunger 124 in hopper 102
is biased by a spring 126 or a spring motor (not shown) with a constant spring force to bias the portion of instructions 28 toward the ejection plate 103 . The idle roll 128 is used to guide the tape 101 around the pull-out roll 109, and the pressure roll 130 is used to guide the tape 101 around the pull-out roll 109.
It is biased toward 9. The electric motor 132 is indicated by the chain line 1
As shown at 34, it is mechanically connected to the pull-out roll 109 and the drum 110, and the tape 1
01 and transmits rotational force to the pull-out roll 109 and the drum 110 in order to receive the winding of the used tape onto the drum 110. A motor control circuit 136 of known construction provides electrical signals for operating the motor 132 in response to signals from a logic control unit 138 connected thereto.

The logic control unit 138 includes the manual sensor 1
05 and the processed object sensor 114 on signal lines 140 and 142. The signal from the processed object sensor 114 is 1
This is a signal indicating that the bottle 24 has advanced to the position where it receives the manual 28 of the manual sensor 1.
The next signal from 05 is instructions 28 to bottle 24.
This signal indicates that the tape 101 has advanced enough to complete the application. Logic control unit 138 is responsive to signals from workpiece sensor 114 and instruction sensor 105 to control bottle 24.
When the tape 101 reaches a predetermined position, the application station 26 is activated to advance the tape 101, and when the instructions 28 are sufficiently attached to the bottle 24, the tape 1
01, the application site 26 is deactivated.

To explain the operation, the transfer adhesive tape 10
1 is provided with a variable width, and this width is applied at the point of application 2
6 according to the width of the instructions 28 to be distributed. The required width of the tape 101 is also determined by the desired height of the location of the instructions 28 on the bottle 24.

A winding of the tape 101 is attached to the drum 116, from which the tape 101 can be unwound accordingly when a demand arises for a piece of instructions 28 to be applied to the bottle 24. tape 1
As 01 is unwound, gooey adhesive is exposed to the surface of tape 101. The tape 101 that has been fed out advances along the idler roll 118 and is guided to the hopper 102 and the take-out plate 103 by the idler roll. Take-out plate 103
The plunger 12 urges the spring 126 or a spring motor (not shown) with a constant spring force and the manual 28 toward the tape 101 and the take-out plate 103.
4, a constant pressure of the tape 101 is ensured.

As the tape 101 advances, the tack of the adhesive causes the instructions 28 to be removed from the hopper 102. The manual gate 112 allows one copy of the manual to be transferred to the hopper 10 as each tape 101 advances.
It can be adjusted to ensure that it is pulled out from 2. The take-out plate 103 can be accurately adjusted relative to the frame 120 by, for example, an adjustment screw (not shown) in the vicinity of the opening of the hopper 102;
This brings the desired amount of adhesive into contact with the instructions 28 and ensures that the instructions 28 are pulled out of the hopper 102 one after the other.

With each advancement of tape 101, the next instruction sheet 28 is sequentially pulled out of hopper 102 and deposited onto tape 101. Attachment of instructions 28 to tape 101 occurs sequentially with each advancement of tape 101. Therefore, a chain is formed of a series of instructions 28 driven past the adhesive pressing rolls 104, 104', which press the instructions 28 against the paper substrate of the tape 101 so that the instructions 28 are Make sure it is completely covered with adhesive. By the way, after the manual 28 is peeled off from the tape 101 at the peeling plate 111, adhesive remains on the manual 28, and this adhesive remaining on the manual 28 in this way is
It is used to fix the manual 28 to the bottle 24. The chain of instructions 28 then passes through a guide plate 106 which is shaped like an inverted arc to create a spacing between successive instructions 28. Because of this spacing, the light beam from the instruction sensor 105 causes the tape 10 to
1 and its instructions 28 can be checked.

Another verification method, represented by a dashed line, is operated by a verification mark printed on the instruction manual 28 to
A reflective scanner 143 is used to stop the advancement of the tape 101 carrying the tape 8 . According to the scanning verification method according to this embodiment, the guide plate 10
6 and the photoelectric sensor 105 are no longer necessary.

The chain of instructions 28 then follows the play roll 107
The peeling plate 111 is peeled off by this roll.
You will be guided forward in the direction of. The tape 101 is guided by an idler roll 128 around the tip of the peeling plate 111 to a pull-out roll 109 . When the pull-out roll 109 is rotated by the electric motor 132, the tape 1 is wrapped around the tip of the peel-off plate 111.
01 is drawn and one copy of the manual 28 is attached to the tape 101.
This instruction sheet 28 advances directly into the space between the bottle 24 and the idler roll 108 to which it is applied. Particularly when using lightweight containers, the overhead clamping action is preferably provided by means of a head clamping belt of known construction. The adhesive on the instructions 28 remains on the instructions 28 upon separation from the paper substrate of the tape 101 so that it adheres to the sides of the bottle 24. Thus, while the bottles 24 advance along the conveyor 22 past the idler rolls 108, the idler rolls 108 rotate and apply the instructions 28 to the bottles 24. The used tape 101 without the instruction manual 28 is
It continues to advance on the back surface of the peeling plate 111 until it reaches the pull-out roll 109 by the idle roll 128. As the drum 110 rotates together with the rotation of the pull-out roll 109, the used tape 101 is further advanced through the pressure roll 130 and wound onto the drum 110 as a cellbed.

The movement of the bottle 24 is detected by the object sensor 114;
Manual sensor 105, logic control unit 13
8. The movement of the manual 28 is synchronized by the motor control circuit 136 and the motor 132. One bottle 24 is applied along conveyor 22 with roll 1
08, the processed object sensor 114
provides a signal via logic control unit 138 to motor control circuit 136 to begin operation of motor 132. Thereby, the tape 101 begins to move forward, a piece of instructions 28 begins to separate from the tape 101 at the tear-off piece 111, and the idle roll 1
08 is applied to the side of the bottle 24. Application of instructions 28 to bottle 24 continues until instructions sensor 105 sends a signal via logic control unit 138 and motor control circuit 136 to stop operation of motor 132. The manual sensor 105 has a chain of the manual 28 that is a part of the manual 2.
Tape 1 to indicate an advance of 8 intervals.
The manual 28 at the guide plate 106 so as to report the required amount of advance between the chain 01 and the manual 28.
is positioned relative to the chain of Therefore, instruction sensor 105 on signal line 140
The signal of one piece of instructions 28 to the side of the bottle 24
This is a signal indicating the completion of application of . Regarding the circuit configuration of logic control unit 138, this circuit has a set-reset type flip-flop (not shown) which is set by a signal on signal line 142 and which is set by a signal on signal line 140. reset by a signal,
Sends a logic "1" signal to operate motor control circuit 136. According to another method, logic control unit 138 is formed as a latching relay (not shown), with the signal on signal line 142 latching the relay and the signal on signal line 140 restoring the relay to its initial state. Good too.
Motor 132 may be a well-known DC motor or step motor, and the electronics of motor control circuit 136 may be of a corresponding type well known for driving motor 132.

Having described the dispensing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
This will be explained based on Figures 6 to 6. According to this second embodiment, the removal of the instruction manual 28 or instruction packet from the hopper is more precisely achieved using a suction cup supported by a rotatable arm. The vacuum valve begins and ends suction at the desired times to draw packets of instructions 28 from hopper 102 and dispense the packets onto the adhesive coated tape. Instructions 2
The presence of 8 is monitored by a vacuum sensing switch. A spring load is used to operate the cell bed roll (drum). The configuration of this second embodiment will be explained in detail below.

2-6, a dispensing apparatus 20 is shown which includes a conveyor 22 for conveying articles, such as bottles 24, through an instruction application station 26. According to the invention, application station 26 applies packet-shaped instructions 28 to the side of bottle 24. In practicing the present invention, a timing screw 30 may be incorporated into the dispensing device 20, by way of example, to separate and guide the bottles 24. The spacing of the threads 32 of the timing screw 30 depends on the physical size of the bottle 24 and other factors in the dispensing device 20, such as a vibrating pressure station (not shown).
or the main labeling system (not shown). Timing screw 30 precisely positions bottles 24 as they are progressively advanced along conveyor 22 by application station 26 . This device is a so-called on-demand system that can be configured according to the user's requirements. Therefore, a delivery system other than the timing screw may be incorporated into the dispensing device 20. Mata bottle 2
4 is shown merely as an example, and other objects, such as circular or rectangular objects, may be conveyed by the conveyor 22 so as to receive the instructions 28.

The application station 26 uses a winding of the transfer adhesive tape 101, which winding is carried out on a supply take-up drum 11 mounted on a table surface 27 of the application station 26.
It is supported on 6. Brake support arm 12
1 is pivotally mounted on the table surface 27, and the drum 1
16 and supports a brake pad 122 that engages with brake pad 122. Adjustable spring assembly 123 is attached to drum 116
By energizing the brake pad 122 toward the tape 101, a braking force is applied while the tape 101 is being fed out from the drum 116. Transfer adhesive tape 101 is guided along a path through idler rolls 118 (also referred to as dancer rolls). Transfer adhesive tape 1
01 is adhesive adhesion roll or pressing 10
4. It is further guided through an idler roll 107, a peeling plate 111, an idler roll 128, a guide roll 127, a pull-out roll 109, and a pressure roll 130 combined therewith. The path of the tape 101 ends at a drum 110 (cellbed roll) onto which the used paper substrate 131 of the tape 101 is wound. Used paper base material 1
31 remains after the packet of instructions 28 and adhesive coating are removed from the original tape 101 at the peeling plate 111.

The used paper substrate 131 is held firmly between the drawer roll 109 and the associated pressure roll 130, as explained below. Paper substrate 131 is also held by the tension created by idler roll 118. This tension acts on the entire tape 101 and paper base material 131. The idle roll 118 is rotatably supported by a dancer arm 119, and this dancer arm is
It is rotatably pivoted around the drum 116,
The tape 101 is spring-loaded by a tension spring 125 . Tension spring 125 biases dancer arm 119 toward stop block 129. The dancer arm 119 resists the tension of the tension spring 125 when the tape 101 and paper base material 131 are pulled forward by the pull-out roll 109 and the pressure roll 130 against the opposite braking force of the drum 116. The tape 101 is then pulled away from the stop block 129, thereby tensioning the tape 101 and the paper substrate 131. During operation of dispensing device 20, the opposing force on drum 116 is applied to tension spring 12.
5 is balanced by the spring assembly 123, so that the portion of the tape 101 and the paper substrate 131 is
Under the bias of 30, tape 101 and paper substrate 131 are placed under sufficient tension to prevent loosening during advancement.

Tape 101 passes through application site 26 and the adhesive bearing surface of tape 101 is placed opposite the surface of tape 101 that contacts idler roll 118 . Therefore, the adhesive side is
5 (having an array of suction holes). The take-out device 145 is a hopper 10
2, the instruction sheet 28 is held by the suction force generated in the cap 144, and the instruction sheet 28 is conveyed from the hopper 102 to the tape 101, and when the suction force ends as described later, the instruction sheet 28 is held. 28 onto tape 101. Support pad 14
6 is supported on a rotatably mounted lever 147, and a solenoid 148 (table surface 27
(which is firmly attached to the bracket 149) is pressed into contact with the non-adhesive side of the tape 101.

The base 144 is supported by an arm 150 having a groove formed at the end opposite to the support end of the base 144 . The arm 150 has a groove side end that allows the arm 150 to
It is slidably mounted on a block 151 rotatably mounted on the table surface 27. An oscillating movement occurs between a manual retrieval position 153 and a manual dispensing position 152 adjacent to the hopper 102.
This swinging motion is caused by a rotatably mounted lever 15.
4 to the grooved arm 150.
The lever 154 itself is driven by a connecting link 155 from a crank arm 156. Crank pin 157 of crank arm 156 (Figure 3)
transmits driving force to the connecting link 155. The drive mechanism of the manual ejector 145, along with its associated timing vacuum valve 160 and other timing functions, will be described in detail below.

Two or more suction cups 158 are supported on the vertical front surface of the base 144 and are connected via flexible hoses 159 to a timing vacuum valve 160 (FIG. 3).
The manual retrieval device 145 is at the manual retrieval position 15
3, suction cup 158 engages the last packet of instructions 28 in hopper 102 and timing vacuum valve 160 initiates vacuum. The last packet of instructions 28 is pulled from hopper 102 by further movement of crank arm 156. Manual gate 112
is adjusted such that only one copy of the instruction sheet 28 is pulled out of the hopper 102 by the action of the vacuum in the suction cup 158. Hopper 10
The internal plunger 124 of 2 is pressed against the back side of the stack of instructions 28 by a continuous spring force provided by a spring 126 or a constant spring force spring motor (not shown). Therefore, the instruction manual 28 is inserted into the instruction manual gate 112.
8 is energized toward the instruction manual gate 112 so as to supply 8 constantly and without interruption. The last manual 28 from the previous batch is suction cup 158.
It goes without saying that the manual 28 may need to be manually refilled into the hopper 102 before being removed by the operator.

Further movement of crank arm 156 forces instruction retrieval device 145 toward instruction dispensing position 152 . The packet of instructions 28 supported by the suction cup 158 is placed on the adhesive side of the transfer adhesive tape 101 by the instructions retrieval device 1.
45. Tape 101 is held in position to receive instructions 28 by support pad 146. The cooperation of bearing pad 146 and suction cup 158 provides sufficient force to firmly adhere instruction sheet 28 to tape 101. When the packet of instructions 28 contacts the tape 101, the vacuum holding the instructions 28 in the suction cup 158 is terminated by the vacuum valve 160, so that the instructions 28 are removed from the suction cup 15.
8 and adheres to the contact agent of tape 101.

To summarize, during one cycle of the retrieval device 145, one packet of instructions 28 is removed from the hopper 102 at the instruction retrieval device 153, and the instructions 28 are transferred to the transfer adhesive tape 101 at the dispensing position 152. provided. The manual retrieval device 145 then moves to the retrieval position 15.
3, it is returned to the hopper 102. The cycle described above ends during a pause in the feeding movement of the transfer adhesive tape 101. Tape 101 is stationary during this pause period.

As the transfer adhesive tape 101 passes through the bottle 24 and releases one packet of instructions 28, the adhesive coating is separated from the paper substrate 131 and released into the bottle 24.
It is attached to the packet of the instruction manual 28 in order to fix the instruction manual 28 in place. The paper base material 131 passes through the idle roll 128 and is transferred to the drum 110 (cell bed roll).
Head to. The forward movement of the tape 101 is caused by the frictional force of the paper substrate 131 wrapped around the outer circumference of the drawer roll 129 with the aid of the guide roll 127 and the pressure roll 130. The pressure roll 130 is rotatably supported by a pivot arm 133 , which is biased toward the pull-out roll 109 by a spring 135 . The pull-out roll 109 is connected to the drive shaft 33 (fourth
The drive shaft 33 is rotatably supported by a bearing 34 attached to the table surface 27 and a bearing 35 attached to the support plate 29.

The support plate 29 is firmly attached to the table surface 27 by spacers 31. A drawer roll brake 36 is also attached to the table surface 27, and the armature of the brake 36 is fastened to the drive shaft 33. Support plate 29 supports clutch 37. The rotor of the clutch 37 is connected to the drive shaft 3
3, and the armature is the electric motor 13.
It is fixed to 2. Also fastened to the drive shaft 33 is a well-known, commercially available shaft angle encoder 39 that generates a set of digital pulses for each revolution of the drive shaft 33. As an example of the use of the encoder 39, the encoder 39 generates a total of 400 pulses per revolution of the drive shaft 33, and the length of the circumference of the pull-out roll 109 is
25.4 cm (10 inches), each pulse of encoder 39
Incremental rotations in 0.635 mm (0.025 inch) increments and corresponding advancements of tape 101 and paper substrate 131 are depicted.

The drive shaft 33 is connected to a sprocket 40 carrying a chain 41.
drives the second sprocket 42 by this chain. The second sprocket 42 is connected to the drum 11
It is attached to the drive shaft 43 of No. 0 so as to rotate together with this drive shaft 43. Sprocket 42
drives the drive shaft 43 via an adjustable friction drive 50 consisting of a bearing collar 44, a friction washer 45, a hard washer 46, a compression spring 47 and a compression adjustment nut 48. The use of nut 48 to adjust the compression of compression spring 47 adjusts the friction force of friction drive 50. The drive shaft 43 of the drum 110 is rotatably mounted on the table surface 27 by a double row ball bearing 49. The drum 110 is supported on the upper end of the drive shaft 43 and is strongly attached thereto.

To explain the operation, the processed object sensor 1
14 (adjusted into position longitudinally along conveyor 22) informs logic control unit 138 that a bottle 24 moving along conveyor 22 is in position to receive instructions 28. The signal from the workpiece sensor 114 is used as a start command signal for the logic control unit 138, which responsively deenergizes the drawer roll brake 36 and engages the drawer roll clutch 37. energize.
Clutch 37 engages rotating electric motor 132 with drive shaft 33 to rotate drawer roll 109 and advance paper substrate 131 and transfer adhesive tape 101. Tape 101 supports a series of packets of instructions 28 that have already been placed on tape 101 by the aforementioned operation of instruction retrieval device 145. A series of packets of instructions 28 secured to the transfer mounting tape 101 are transferred from the dispensing position 152 to the adhesive press rolls 104,10.
4' (roll 104' may be omitted if desired), additional pressure is applied to the tape 101 so that the packet of instructions 28 is completely coated with adhesive. Note that the adhesive supported by the tape 101 does not adhere to the paper base material 13 for the type of paper normally used for printing the instructions 28.
1, so when the packet of instructions 28 is lifted off the tape 101, it leaves the tape 101 and adheres to the instructions 28. Such separation of instructions 28 from tape 101 occurs at peel plate 111. The adhesive remaining on the packet of instructions 28 is removed from the bottle 24.
It is used to fix the manual 28 to the holder.

After passing through the pressing rolls 104, 104', the packets containing the series of instructions 28 are transferred to the idler roll 10.
7, the idle roll 107 passes through the peeling plate 1
Guide the manual 28 forward toward 11. The tape 101 is guided around the tip of the peeling plate 111 by an idler roll 128 and
It is directed towards 09. The adhesive coating is separated from the transfer adhesive tape 101 at the peeling plate 111, leaving only the paper substrate 131. When the pull-out roll 109 is rotated by the electric motor 132, the tape 101 and the paper base material 131 are pulled out around the tip of the peeling plate 111, and the packet of instructions 28 is separated from the tape 108 and the bottle 24 (instructions 24).
8 packets are applied) from the tape 101. Particularly when labeling bottles and lightweight containers, overhead clamping operations are preferably provided by overhead clamping belts (not shown) of known construction. A packet of instructions 28 to which adhesive has been applied by tape 101 is placed on roll 10.
8 onto the bottle 24. Therefore,
As the bottles 24 pass the rolls 108 along the conveyor 22, the rolls 108 rotate and the instructions 2
8 onto the bottle 24. The instructions 28 and the used tape 131, which has lost its adhesive coating, run on the underside of the peeling plate 111 to the idler roll 128 and are then guided by the guide roll 127 around the drawer roll 109. When the drum 110 rotates as the pull-out roll 109 rotates, the used paper base material 131 is further fed and wound onto the drum 110.

The movement of the bottle 24 is detected by the object sensor 114;
Logic control unit 138, motor control circuit 136
and an electric motor 132 to synchronize the movement of the instruction packet 28. Bottles 24 are conveyor 22
Once conveyed along the application roll 108, the workpiece sensor 114 is connected to the logic control unit 138.
The logic control unit 138 sends a signal to the feed roll clutch 37 and the drawer roll brake 36 to start the rotation of the drawer roll 109.
command. The tape 101 is thereby advanced and the packet of instructions 28 is separated from the tape 101 at the peeling plate 111 and removed from the roll 10.
8 is applied to the side of the bottle 24.

The speed of tape 101 and the speed of bottles 24 moving on conveyor 22 are synchronized by adjusting the rotational speed of motor 132 by motor control circuit 136. Motor 132 may be a well-known DC motor for this purpose, and motor control circuit 136 may be of a well-known type used to regulate the speed of motor 132, for example.

Upon initiation of clutch braking action by the logic control unit 138, the counter 161 internal to the control unit 138 is unlatched and begins counting the pulses generated by the shaft angle encoder 39. Counter 161 counts a predetermined number of counts corresponding to the desired length of advance of tape 101 for applying one packet of instructions 28.
After the counter 161 finishes counting this predetermined number, it sends out a control signal, and this control signal is
The logic control unit 138 is operated and the clutch 3
7 and energizes the pull-out roll brake 36 to generate a signal to stop the tape 101 from advancing. When tape 101 stops, internal circuitry in logic control circuit 138 automatically resets counter 161 in preparation for the next counting operation (see my U.S. Pat. No. 4,397,709, Label Length Monitor). .

Inside the logic control unit 138 there is a display 1 equipped with a rotary selector switch for inputting the numerical value for presetting the counter 161.
There are 62. The width of the packet of instructions 28 or one copy of the instructions 28 measured along the tape 101 is:
As an example, it is approximately 11/8 inches.
Let each count represent an advance of tape 101 equal to 0.63 mm (0.025 inch):
To produce a feed of tape 101 equal to the aforementioned width of instructions 28, 45 counts by count 161 are required. Therefore, in the above example, counter 161 is preset to "45".

Logic control circuit 138 also provides a pulse signal of sufficient duration to cycle clutch index control 163 in response to the control signal from counter 161. Clutch indexing control section 1
63 is a commercially available control unit commonly referred to as a "one shot control" and is manufactured by Warner Electric Company. One-turn clutch 164 (Figures 3 and 4)
is electrically connected to the clutch indexing control section 163 and mechanically connected to a prime mover 165 (FIG. 3), and the prime mover 165 is connected to the crank arm 156 (second , 3) via a drive shaft 166. The clutch index control section 163 is
By energizing clutch 164 in a cycle, prime mover 165 is coupled to drive shaft 166 such that drive shaft 166 rotates one revolution.

The drive shaft 166 is connected to the table surface 2 by a bearing 167.
7 and a support plate 169 by bearings 168, respectively, and the support plate 169 is attached to the table surface 27 by spacer blocks 170.
is strongly fixed to. Crank arm 156 is fixed to the upper end of drive shaft 166. The rotor 171 and grooved discs 172, 173 of the timing vacuum valve 160 are also fastened to the shaft 166. The stator 174 of the vacuum valve 160 is attached to the support plate 1
69 in a stationary state, and a compression spring 175
The rotor 171 is urged to come into airtight contact with the rotor 171.

A vacuum sensing switch 176 (e.g., manufactured by Barksdale Company) connects the base 144 and the vacuum valve 16.
0, in the vacuum path, the vacuum hose 1
Supported by 59. An orifice 177 is also interposed in the vacuum path between the vacuum sensing switch 176 and the port of the stator 174 of the vacuum valve 160. A second port of stator 174 is connected to a known vacuum source (not shown). Since the opening area of the orifice 177 is smaller than the sum of the opening areas of the plurality of vacuum ports of the cap 144 supporting the suction cup 158,
When these vacuum ports are closed by a portion of instructions 28, a relatively high level of vacuum is created at vacuum switch 176, thereby closing the associated electrical contacts of switch 176. In addition, the base 14
If the manual 28 is not present on the switch 1, the vacuum port of the base 144 will be open to the atmosphere, so the switch 1
The vacuum level sensed by 76 is reduced and the associated electrical contacts are opened.

The cycling speed of the instruction retrieval device 145 is synchronized to the cycling speed of the transfer adhesive tape 101. The transfer of the instructions 28 from the instructions retrieval position 153 to the instructions dispensing position 152 occurs during a pause in the tape 101. This is caused by the logic control unit 13 generated by the counter 161.
Stop signal from 8 and processing object sensor 11
The period between the start signal from logic control unit 138 and the start signal from logic control unit 138 initiated by 4. Therefore,
The duration of the rest cycle of the transfer adhesive tape 101 depends on the spacing between the bottles 24 on the conveyor 22 and also on the linear speed of the bottles 24 on the conveyor 22. The speed of conveyor 22 is synchronized with the speed of tape 101 as described above. Drive shaft 166 and crank arm 156 attached to it
The rotational speed of the tape 101 from the hopper 102 is
may be varied to allow sufficient time to accomplish the transfer of instructions 28 without exceeding the time window necessary for transfer of instructions 28 to. By providing an appropriate time for this movement, the manual retrieval device 145
This prevents undesired stresses from occurring. The above timing parameters are based on a commercially available DC motor known as prime mover 165.
is easily satisfied by using a well-known speed controller 178 for controlling the speed of prime mover 165.

In the above description, under normal operating conditions of the dispensing device 20 shown in FIG.
In response to the presence of the bottle 24 on the conveyor 22, the feeding of the transfer adhesive tape 101 carrying the instructions 28 is initiated for a chain of instructions 28 from the instruction dispenser 152 to the peeling plate 111. The packet of instructions 28 is attached to the bottle 24 by the tape 101 at the peeling plate 111.
separated from The chain of instructions 28 should be continuous to prevent malfunction of the dispensing device. To ensure this continuity, it is particularly desirable to use the following interlocking devices:

Referring to FIG. 5, vacuum from a known vacuum source is coupled to base 144 by the action of timing vacuum valve 160 during a transfer cycle from 0° to 180° of rotation of drive shaft 166. be done. Note that during the return cycle of the rotation of the crank arm 156 from 180° to 360°, the vacuum is cut off. A photoelectric sensor 179 is positioned along a grooved disk 172 supported by drive shaft 166 . This grooved disc 172 allows the drive shaft 16
Sensor 1 detects light between 45° and 90° of rotation in step 6.
79 can be reached. sensor 179
has closed electrical contacts in logic control circuit 138 during the previous time it was illuminated by light. The interaction of the electrical contacts is as shown schematically in FIG.

The previous contact was closed by the vacuum sensing switch 176.
In combination with the presence of a high level of vacuum sensed by the hopper 10
2 and is being moved toward the instruction sheet providing device 152. As a result of this combined event, solenoid 148 (FIG. 2) is energized by the circuit of FIG. The support pad 146 is moved forward against the pressure. This advancement places the bearing pad 146 into a position along the tape 101, in which position it holds the tape 101 against the force of the instructions 28 applied at the application position 152 onto the tape 101. Forms a firm restraining surface for A solenoid 148 connects the base 14 to eject instructions 28 onto the transfer adhesive tape 101.
When terminating the vacuum at 4, from 180°
Continuous cycle operation is prohibited on each return cycle to 360°. This inhibition of continuous cycle operation is effected by the actuation of the grooved disc 173 and the photoelectric sensor 180 associated therewith and by the closing of a second electrical contact in the logic control unit 138; Thus, a hold signal is provided to hold the solenoid 148 in an energized state so as to hold the bearing pad 146 in the receiving position. FIG. 6 shows an electrical circuit for connecting photoelectric sensor 180 to solenoid 148.

When the cap 144 cannot take out the manual 28 from the hopper 102, the vacuum sensing switch 176
contacts are opened. When the grooved disc 173 reaches the 55° position of the travel cycle (FIG. 5),
The retaining contact is opened, deenergizing the solenoid 148, allowing the spring 181 (FIG. 2) to retract the bearing pad 146 toward the stop block 182. When the bearing pad 146 is withdrawn, the transfer adhesive tape 101 is displaced laterally away from the receiving position. tape 10
1 due to this displacement, the tape 101 to the cap 14
Transfer of adhesive to suction cup 158 of 4 is prevented. It should be noted that the presence of adhesive on suction cup 158 is undesirable for the operation of dispensing device 20 because it prevents a portion of instructions 28 from being transferred to tape 101 during the next operating cycle.

Instructions 28 are placed on the base 144 during the transfer cycle.
If not present, a disabling signal is also generated by the logic control unit 138 to prevent the forward feeding of the transfer adhesive tape 101, so that the chain of instructions 28 on the transfer adhesive tape 101 is interrupted. Never.

7-9 show modifications or improvements to the embodiment of FIG. 2 which provide a simpler mechanism and more nearly uniform tension in tape 101.

7, the tape 101 is engaged with the tape 101 to hold the tape 101 in position for receiving instructions 28 from the suction cup 158 of the instruction retrieval device 145 when the instruction retrieval device 145 is in the instruction dispensing position 152. Recall that the bearing pad 146 of FIG. 2 is movable from the retracted position toward the mating position. To make the support pad 146 movable, as shown in FIG.
Bracket 149, spring 181 and stop block 182 are required. In this regard, FIG.
1 toward the suction cup 158, and insert the instruction manual 2.
A stationary element in the form of a bearing pad 190 is connected to the movable bearing pad 14 for biasing it into contact with the bearing pad 14
6 is shown in the diagram. Support pad 190
is fixed to the table surface 27 by a bracket 192, and always holds the tape 101 in a predetermined position for receiving the manual 28. Lever 14
7. Solenoid 148, bracket 149, spring 181 and stop block 182 are no longer required. Here, "stationary" does not necessarily mean that it does not move, since the biasing means may be a roll, but simply means that the biasing means does not move toward or away from the instruction sheet providing position. It's just that.

A simple improvement to the drive circuit of FIG. 4 is shown in FIG. In this improved device, the feed roll clutch 37 and the pull-out roll brake 3 shown in FIG.
6, a one-turn clutch 208 is used. One suitable example of this single turn clutch is commercially available from Warner Electric Company. In particular, the drive shaft 33 is rotatably mounted in bearings 34 and 35, as shown in FIG. The bearings 34 and 35 are installed in a bearing housing 200 that supports a pulley 201 at its lower end. The pulley 201 is driven by a belt 202 from a pulley 203 attached to a jack shaft 204. The jack shaft 204 is attached to the support body 20
The support body 207 is rotatably mounted in bearings 205 and 206 supported by the support body 207 and is fastened to the table surface 27.

A one-turn clutch 208 is also attached to the support 207, and the indexing portion of the clutch 208 is fixed to the jack shaft 204, thereby imparting one rotation to the jack shaft 204 for each indexing. A primary rotational motion is transmitted from a sprocket 211 attached to the output shaft of the electric motor 132 to the input portion of the clutch 208 by a sprocket 209 driven by a chain 210. clutch 2
The index pulse to 08 is generated by clutch index control 212. Clutch index control 212 is controlled by logic control unit 138 circuitry.

The sprocket 40 that drives the drum 110 as described above is also attached to the output shaft of the electric motor 132.

A grooved disc 213 is attached to the lower end of the jack shaft 204 and cooperates with a rot sensor that provides a gating signal to the control circuit.

FIG. 9 shows an improvement to the supply and take-up braking device shown in FIG. 2. According to this improvement, the brake arm 121, the friction pad 122, and the spring 123
Instead, the apparatus described below is used to obtain a more approximately uniform tension in the tape 101.

According to this improvement, the pulley 215 is strongly fastened to the bottom of the rotatably mounted supply take-up drum 116. The pulley 215 is connected by a belt 216 to another pulley 217, which is connected to the support 219 by a bearing 220.
It is fastened to a clutch shaft 218 which is rotatably attached to the clutch shaft 218. The upper end of the clutch shaft 218 is fixed to the output part of the particle clutch 221.
Clutch 221 is also tightly fastened to support 219. The controlled bias movement to clutch 221 is
A bias input shaft 222 is rotatably supported in a bearing 223. A feeler arm 224 supporting a feeler roll 225 whose bearing 223 is also fixed in the support 219 is fixed to the upper end of the shaft 222 . Feeler roll 225 is biased by spring 226 toward the outer surface of the supply roll of tape 101 on supply take-up drum 116 .

To explain the action, feeler arm 2
The angular position of 24 causes the tape 1 on the supply take-up drum 116 to increase as the take-up of tape 101 wears out.
A filler roll 225 is placed on the outer surface of the supply winding of 01.
changes depending on contact. As the angular position of the feeler arm 224 changes, the input shaft of the particle clutch 221 rotates, so that the clutch is transmitted via the pulley 217, the belt 216 and the pulley 215 to the drum 116 and thus to the supply winding of the tape 101. The braking force of 221 changes.

The improvements shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 can be used independently of each other.

Although the present invention has been described above with respect to specific embodiments thereof, the present invention can be practiced with various modifications other than the embodiments described above, so the specific configurations described above are merely examples, and do not limit the present invention. It's not something you do.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 is a schematic diagram showing an application or dispensing device according to a first embodiment of the invention for applying instructions to containers moving along a conveyor; FIG.
FIG. 2 is a schematic arrangement diagram showing an application or dispensing device according to a second embodiment of the invention for applying instructions to containers moving along a conveyor; a supply roll of transport adhesive tape; FIG. 3 is a detailed view showing the drive unit of the take-out device together with the vacuum timing mechanism according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a detailed view showing the drive unit of the feed roll along with the control system of the applied device shown in FIG. , FIG. 5 is a timing diagram for one rotation of the drive shaft of the manual retrieval device for explaining the interaction between the manual detecting device and the manual in FIG. 2, and FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2 to show an improved means of providing and adhering the instructions on the tape; FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the electrical contacts of the circuit of the detection device; FIG. 9 is a detailed view similar to FIG. 4 to show the improvement of the drive device of FIG. 4, and FIG. 9 is a side view showing the improvement of the brake device of the supply winding of FIG. Explanation of symbols, 24... Bottle (article), 28...
Contents manual, 101... Tape, 102... Hopper (storage means), 152... Supply position (second position), 153... Removal position (first position), 158
...Suction cup (suction cup means).

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A pressing means for pressing one copy of the instruction manual 28 onto the article 24, a storage means 102 for storing a plurality of instruction manuals 28, and a tape provided with an adhesive coating. an application device for applying a content statement 28 to an article 24, the suction cup means 158 comprising a suction cup means 158 for displacing the content statement 28 from the storage means 102 to the article 24; a first position 153 for the suction cup means to remove the written document 28 by means of a vacuum;
and a second position 152 where the tape 101 is applied and the vacuum is released; 158 and biasing means disposed proximate the second location 152 to bias the adhesive against the tape 10.
1. An application device characterized in that it shows a stronger affinity for the content manual 28 than for the content manual 28. 2. The biasing means is connected to the suction cup means 158.
2. Application device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is formed as a pad (146) movable towards the suction cup means (158) when the suction cup is in the second position (152). 3. Application device according to claim 1, characterized in that the biasing means are formed as stationary pads (190).