JPH04102536A - Label-mounting device for container - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To stick a label to a container automatically by forming an annular label, which is a long label to be externally fitted and mounted to the container in the manner of sticking fast thereto, through superposing a pair of long labels from both sides of the container and through thermowelding and fusing them. CONSTITUTION:When containers 2 are successively carried by carrier means, seal mounting 22 between containers 2 superposes long labels 9, 9a under tension from both sides of a container 2 and thermowelds and fuses them to form an annular label. The annular label shrinks by the elastic force of its own and is externally fitted and fixed in the predetermined position of the outer periphery of the container 2 in the manner of sticking fast thereto. Also, a sealing device 22 is provided with sealing bodies 23, 23a, which can perform a circular motion in the manner of coming in contact with and separating from each other, so that the sealing bodies 23, 23a can be effectively brought near to or separated from the container 2 and consequently it is possible to contrive to smooth and speed up a mounting work. Further, respective sealing bodies 23, 23a are provided with label tension removing means 33, 33a for removing the welded and fused parts of the long labels 9, 9a at the time of welding and fusing both long labels 9, 9a so that defective welding of the long labels 9, 9a can be prevented and their welding state becomes satisfactory.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to labeling and snow-packing containers such as plastic containers, styrofoam cases, metal barrels, and the like.

(Prior Art) For example, for handling purposes, it is preferable to display the brand of the product on a container for storing a product such as beer.

Therefore, conventionally, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 1, a stretchable band-shaped label 80 is formed into an annular shape, and the annular label 81 is placed in a tensioned state on the attached portion 80 of the outer peripheral surface of the container 82.
It is fitted externally.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, the reality is that the conventional label 81 mounting operation is performed manually. Therefore, there were drawbacks such as poor working efficiency and high cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for attaching labels to containers, which can automatically attach labels to containers, thereby improving work efficiency and reducing costs.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides label attachment to containers! The feature is a pair of elastic long labels 91 that can be unrolled under tension.
93, a conveying means 5 for conveying a plurality of containers 2 at predetermined intervals, and both long labels 9, 9a to form an annular label 9c that is tightly fitted onto the container 2. A sealing device 22 is provided for superimposing, thermally welding, and cutting the length label 9° 9a between the containers 2 from both sides of the container 2.

Further, the sealing device 22 includes a pair of sealing bodies 23゜2.
3a, and the seal bodies 23 and 23a are provided so as to be able to move in a circular motion so as to approach and separate from each other.

Further, each seal body 23.23a is provided with a label tension removing means 33 for removing tension from the melting layer and the melting portion of the labels 9, 9a when the melting layer and the melting portion of the long labels 9, 9a are cut.
．． 33a is provided.

Further, the sealing device 22 is provided with a nozzle 46 for spouting cooling fluid to the welded and fused portions of the long labels 9, 9a immediately after the welded and fused portions of the long labels 9° 9a are welded and fused.

Further, a reversing device 53 may be provided to rotate the container 2 so that the container 2 has a rectangular shape in a plan view, and the diagonal corners 2c and 2d of the container are in the front and rear directions.

(Function) In the apparatus as described above, when the containers 2 are sequentially transported by the transport means 5, the sealing device 22 is inserted between the containers 2.
However, the long labels 9 and 9a under tension are polymerized from both sides of the container 2, thermally welded, and fused to form an annular label 2C.

The annular label 9c contracts due to its own elastic force, and the container 2
It is tightly fitted and fixed at a predetermined position on the outer periphery.

Also, the seal is included! 22 is provided with seal bodies 23.23a that can move circularly toward and away from each other, the seal bodies 23.23a can be effectively moved toward or away from the container 2, and the installation work is simplified. This will make the process smoother and faster.

Furthermore, both long labels 9 are attached to each seal body 23.23a.
．． When a label tension removing means 33.33a is provided to remove the tension of the welded and fused portion of the label 919a when the label 9a is welded and fused, the long labels 9, 9
It is possible to prevent the defective welding of (a) and improve the welding condition.

Further, when the seal device 22 is provided with a nozzle 46 for spouting cooling water to the welded and fused portions of the long labels 9 and 9a immediately after the welded and fused portions of the long labels 9 and 9a are welded and fused,
The cooling water jetted from the nozzle 46 cools the welded portion of the long label L9a in a short time.

Further, when the container 2 has a rectangular shape in a plan view and a reversing device 53 is provided for rotating the container 2 so that the diagonal corners 2c and 2d of the container are in the front and rear directions,
The welded parts of the long label 919a are at the corners 2c and 2d!
and become less noticeable.

(Embodiment) Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.〇 In Figs. A conveyor (conveying means) 5 that sequentially conveys containers 2 made of plastic and having a rectangular shape in plan view and containing therein is provided so as to be freely cyclically driven via a driving means such as a motor 6.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a pair of left and right payout reels, which are rotatably provided on both sides of the machine base 1, respectively. Each feed reel 8 has a stretchable long label 9, 9 wound in a roll shape.
a is installed.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a pair of left and right columns erected approximately in the middle of the machine base 1, and the long labels 9, 9a are attached to a lower guide roller 11 and a pair of upper guide rollers 1 provided on the outside of each column 10.
2 and a tension adjustment section 13 for applying repetitive resistance to the long labels 9, 9a, the label mounting section 14 located on the other side of the machine stand 1 is provided so as to be able to be drawn out.

As shown in FIG. 5, on the top surface of the tension adjustment section 13, there are provided a vacuum for applying a predetermined feeding resistance to the labels 9, 9a, and an air blower for smoothly feeding the labels 9, 9a. The opening 13 is designed so that the
a is formed. The opening 13a is communicated with a tension adjusting device outside the area capable of evacuation or blowing out air.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a weight, and when the air is blown out from the opening 13a of the tension adjustment section I3, the weight 15 moves the long label L9a that has been rolled toward the label mounting section 14 side toward the support column 10 side by its own weight. It is for pulling back, and is suspended from the long label 9, 9a between the upper guide rollers 12 via a roller 16.

The label attachment part 14 has a vertical support shaft 20.20a.
A pair of left and right rotating disks 21.21a that are driven to rotate around the
The rotating disks 21 and 213 are rotatable together via gear portions 19 formed on their respective outer peripheral surfaces. Further, a pair of seal bodies 23, 23a which can be moved toward and away from each other are provided on the outer periphery of the lower surface of each rotary disk 21, 21a at substantially the same height as the label attachment portion 2a of the container 2. In addition, the rotating disks 21, 21a and the seal body 23
．． 23a and the like constitute the sealing device 22.

As the rotary disk 21.21a rotates, the sealing body 23.23a pulls the long labels 9, 9a toward the rear end of the container 2, and approaches the labels 9.9a between the containers 2. This is for forming an annular label 9c that is externally fitted tightly onto the attachment portion 2a of the container 2 by polymerizing, thermally welding, and cutting it at a predetermined length. still,
Two seal bodies 23.23a are provided in the radial direction of each rotating disk 2i21a.

As shown in FIG. 1, each seal body 23.23a includes a support member 25 rotatably supported around a vertical axis 24 in conjunction with the rotation of a rotating disk 21.21a, and the support member 2.
A seal block 27.27a is provided which is slidable via a slide bar 26.263 parallel to 5.

Each seal block 27.27a has a front block 30.303. Label presser foot 31.31
a.

Middle block 32.32a, cushion arm 33.33
a (label tension removal means) and guide block 34.34
a and are provided respectively.

The front block 30.30a, the label presser 3L 31a, the middle block 32.32a, and the guide block 34.34a are respectively fitted onto the seal block 27.27a so as to be retractable in the direction of the arrow.
Recesses 36a, 36b, and 36c formed in
, 36d, respectively, are elastically biased in a direction in which the distal end side protrudes.

The front block 30.30a has a predetermined circumference by inserting the needle body 35 protruding toward the -blade side into the insertion hole 35a on the other side through the overlapped long labels 9, 9a. This is for setting the positions of the long labels 9, 9a that are welded and cut to form the annular label 9c. 3
8.38a is a guide roller provided at the tip of each front block 30.30a.

The middle block 32.32a is the guide block 3.
Guide roller 40.40 provided at the tip of 4, 34a
This is to prevent the long labels 9, 9a from coming into contact with the label presser foot 31.31a and the cushion 7-m 33.33a when the long labels 9, 9a are brought together via a. Each tip is provided with a guide roller 39.39ah.

A notch 4 is provided at the tip of each label presser 31.31a.
2 and 42a are formed, and one label presser 31
A rod-shaped cartridge heater 43 is erected and fixed to the seal block 27 so as to be located within the notch 42 . The label presser foot 31.31a is attached to the front presser 30.
．． 30a, the heater 43 is connected to the long label 9,
This is to fix the labels 9, 9a so that they do not escape when pressed by the label presser 9a, and the other label presser 31a has a
A needle body 31C that bites into one label presser 31 is provided in a protruding manner.

As shown in FIG. 2, 46 is a nozzle for spouting cooling water to cool the welded and fused portions of the long labels 9, 9a immediately after welding and fusion cutting, and 46 is a nozzle for spouting cooling water to cool the welded and fused portions of the long labels 9, 9a immediately after welding and fusion cutting, and
It is attached above via a bracket 47.

The cushion 7-m 33.33a is
- for removing tension on the long label 9.9a between the frame 33.33a and the front block 30.303;
The rear end portions are swingably supported by a pin 44, and resiliently biased by a spring 45 in a direction toward each other.

That is, a needle body 50 is provided protruding from the distal end side of one cushion 7-m 33, and the needle body 50 is connected to the seal block 27.2.
When the cushion 7a approaches, the rubber body 5I provided on the tip side of the other cushion 7-m 33a bites into the rubber body 5I with the long label 9.9a sandwiched therebetween, and each cushion The members 33, 33a are rotatable against the spring 45 in a direction in which they diverge from each other.

53, as shown in FIG. 7, a reversing device that engages one side of the container 2 being transported and rotates the container 2 so that the diagonal corners 2c and 2d thereof are oriented in the front-rear direction. It is attached to the - side in the left-right direction in the middle of the transfer machine stand 1.

Therefore, each container 2 is rotated by the reversing device 53 at its corner 2.
C22d is transported in a state where it is located on the same line as the welding and fusing position A by the seal body 23.23a.

Next, an example of use of the device will be described.

First, press the operation button 56 of the operation section 55 provided on the machine base 1.
is pressed to drive the conveyor 5 in circulation by the motor 6, and rotate the rotary disk 21° 21a of the label mounting section 14.

When the containers 2 are placed on the conveyor 5 and conveyed sequentially, each container 2
The - side engages with the reversing device 53, and the corner portions 2c, 2
The label attaching part 14 is rotated so that d is in the front-back direction.
will be transported towards.

The tips of both long labels 9, 9a are welded in advance at the start of operation, and as shown by the imaginary line in section 7, the length between the rollers 57° and 57a provided in a pair on the left and right sides of the machine base 1 is The scale labels 9, 9a are pulled back by the weight 15 and maintain a horizontal state without slack.

The long label 9 is attached to the corner 2C of the attachment portion 2a of the container 2.
, 9a are hung, and furthermore, the container 2 is attached with a long label 9.9a.
It is transported with it hooked. At this time, the long labels 9 and 9a are fed out by the movement of the container 2, but air is blown out from the opening 13 of the tension adjustment section 13 by the tension adjustment device, and the long labels 9 and 9a are It is designed to be able to pass smoothly over each tension adjustment section 13.

Further, when the container 2 is transported, the seal bodies 23, 23a are rotated by the rotation of the rotating disk 21.21a as shown in FIG.
The rollers 40.40a of each guide block 34.34a contact the long label 9.9a from both sides, and the long label 91
9a toward the container 2 side.

At this time, use a tension adjustment device! is switched to vacuuming, and the tension adjustment unit 13 applies unwinding resistance to the long labels 9, 9a, so that the long labels 9.9a are stretched in a taut state.

In this tensioned state of the long labels 9, 9a, the rotating disk 21.21a rotates at a low speed, and first the sealing body 23,
23a front block 30.30a roller 38.38a
overlaps and holds the long labels 9, 9a, and the needle body 35 penetrates through the long labels 9, 9a and is inserted into the insertion hole 35a (see FIG. 3A).

Further, when the seal blocks 27.27a are slid toward each other via the slide bar 26.26a with the rotation of the rotary disk 21.21a, the front block 30
30a and the middle block 32.32a are long labels 9.
9a, so it retreats against the springs 37a and 37C.

Next, the needle body 50 of one cushion 7-m 33 is attached to the rubber body 51 of the other cushion 7-m 33a.
Both cushions 7-m 3 are inserted through 9a.
3.33a is a swingable long label 9.33a between the front block 30.30a and the cushion 7-m 33.33a.
The tension at point a is removed (see Figure 3).

In addition, the slack of the long labels 9, 9a is caused by the cushion 7-m 3.
3.33a and the middle block 32.32a, and the long label 9°9a between the middle block 32.32a and the front block 30.30a is maintained in a natural state without tension or slack.

Further, when the seal block 27.27a approaches, the label presser foot 31.31a abuts through the needle body 31, and then the long label 9, 9a near the heater 43 is fixed by the biting of the needle body 31. In the condition, these label presser foot 3
1.31a retreats. As the label presser 31, 313 retreats, the heater 43 protrudes, crosses the long labels 9, 9a, and welds and cuts them (see the opening in Figure 3).

Further, at this time, the seal block 27.27a moves in parallel, and immediately after the heater 43 welds and melts the long label 919a, when the seal block 27.278 is moved in the direction of separation by the cam mechanism, the heater 43 As the vehicle moves backward, the nozzle 46 that has gone too far forward returns to the center, and cooling water is spouted from the nozzle 46. Therefore, the long labels 9, 9a can be connected quickly and reliably.

An annular label 9c is formed by cutting the long labels 9, 9a, and after cutting the long labels 9, 9a, the rotating disk 21.
As the rotation of 21a progresses, the seal block 27°27
a are gradually separated, and the needle body 35 of the front block 30.30a
When the annular label 9c is pulled out from the annular label 9c, the annular label 9c contracts due to its own elastic force, and is fitted onto the attached portion 2a of the container 2 in a tight state.

Furthermore, as the seal blocks 27.27a are separated, the cushions 7-m 33.33a are also gradually separated, releasing the grip between the long labels 9, 9a. Air is blown out,
When the rolling resistance of the long labels 9, 9a is removed, the weight 15 descends, and the welded portion of the long label 9.9a instantly retreats as shown in FIG. The label is hooked onto the mounting portion 2a without shifting, and the label mounting operation described above is performed again.

Incidentally, in order to improve the mounting condition of the annular label 9c, it is desirable to reduce the amount of shrinkage of the annular label 9c. In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG.
3 and the front container 2 is set as small as possible, and the long labels 9, 9a are welded and fused near the rear corner 2d of the front container 2. Therefore, the long label 9.9a is hooked to the front corner 2C of the container 2 during welding and fusing, and is in a state substantially along the outer periphery of the container 2, so that the shrinkage allowance can be reduced, and the long label 9.
Since the welded portions of the label 9a are located at each corner 2c, 2d of the container 2, the welded portions are not noticeable and the annular label 9c can be attached in a good manner.

Note that due to the mechanism of the sealing body 23.23a, a predetermined distance is required between the front and rear containers 2, so the distance L2 between the heater 43 and the rear container 2 is set by reducing the distance L1. Although the size increases, since the long labels 9, 9a are pulled back to the weight 15 at the same time as the long labels 9, 9a are welded and fused, the position at which they are hooked to the container 2 on the rear side does not shift.

In the embodiment described above, since the long labels 9, 9a are welded and fused by mutually moving the two seal bodies 23, 233 in a circular motion, the operation can be carried out smoothly and quickly.

Note that the seal body 23.23a is not limited to circular motion, but can also be made to perform box motion or elliptical motion. Further, the number of seal bodies 23, 23a is not limited to two each, and a plurality of seal bodies 23, 23a may be provided, or a single seal body may be provided.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, a replacement repeating reel 8a
In this case, the support 10 is provided with a lower roller 11a, an upper roller 12a, and a tension adjustment section 13a.
It is possible to provide

Further, in the embodiment, cooling water is used as the cooling fluid, but for example, cooling gas, cooling blast, etc. can be used.

In addition, the design of the specific structure of each part of the present invention can be changed arbitrarily; for example, the container 2 is not limited to a rectangular shape in plan view, but it is of course possible to adopt a circular or polygonal shape. be.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, the present invention allows a pair of long labels to be polymerized from both sides of the container, thermally melted, and fused between the containers conveyed via a conveyance means. Since the annular label is formed with a length label and is tightly fitted onto the container, the annular label can be automatically fitted onto the container when the container is being transported.

Therefore, compared to the conventional method of attaching labels manually, it improves work efficiency and reduces costs, making it especially suitable for attaching labels to a large number of containers.
Its practical value is enormous.

In addition, when the sealing device is equipped with a pair of sealing bodies, and the sealing bodies are provided so as to be able to move in a circular motion so as to approach and separate from each other, welding and fusing of long labels can be performed smoothly and quickly. It has the advantage of being able to

Furthermore, when each seal body is provided with a label tension removing means for removing the tension at the welded and fused portions of the labels when welding and fusing both long labels, it is possible to ensure that both long labels are welded together. This has the effect of firmly attaching the annular label to the container.

In addition, if the sealing device is provided with a nozzle for spouting cooling fluid to the welded and fused parts of the long label immediately after the label is welded and fused, the welded part of the long label can be effectively cooled. Since the cooling time can be shortened, there is an advantage that the working time can be shortened.

When the container 2 has a rectangular shape in a plan view and is provided with an inversion bag W53 for rotating the container 2 so that the diagonal corners 2c and 2d of the container are in the front-rear direction, the long label The welded portions 9, 9a can be located at the corners 2c, 2d, and the welded portions are not conspicuous and the manner in which the annular label is attached can be improved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan sectional view of a sealing device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line ll-1 in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 (A). (B) and (C) are plan views showing welded and fused states of the long label, respectively. Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a long label is gathered by hand with a seal body, Fig. 5 is a front view showing an outline, Fig. 6 is an overall front view, Fig. 7 is a plan view of the container, and Fig. 8 is a container. FIG. FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are perspective views showing conventional examples, respectively. 2... Container, 2c, 2d... Corner, 5... Conveyor (conveying means), 919a... Long label, 22...
・Seal device, 23, 23a...Seal body, 33.3
3a... Cushion 7-me (label tension removal means),
46... Nozzle, 53... Reversing device. No. 21!1 Applicant wAR Beer Co., Ltd. Applicant Fuji Seal Kogyo Co., Ltd. Applicant Kyoto Seisakusho Co., Ltd. Agent Patent Attorney Noboru Fujimoto Figure 3 (A) Figure (B) Figure 4 Figure 10

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A pair of stretchable long labels 9, 9a that can be fed out under tension, a conveyance means 5 for conveying a plurality of containers 2 at predetermined intervals, both long labels 9, A sealing device 2 that superposes, thermally welds, and melts the long labels 9 and 9a from both sides of the container 2 between the containers 2 to form an annular label 9c that is tightly fitted onto the container 2 at 9a.
2. An apparatus for attaching a label to a container, comprising: 2 The sealing device 22 includes a pair of sealing bodies 23, 2
3a, and the sealing bodies 23, 23a are provided so as to be able to move circularly toward and away from each other. 2. The apparatus for attaching a label to a container according to claim 1. 3 Both long labels 9 are attached to each of the seal bodies 23 and 23a.
, 9a, a label tension removing means 33 for removing tension from the welding and fusing portions of the labels 9 and 9a;
3. The device for attaching a label to a container according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a label attachment device 33a. 4. The sealing device 22 is provided with a nozzle 46 for spouting cooling fluid to the welded and fused portions of the long labels 9 and 9a immediately after the welded and fused portions of the long labels 9 and 9a are welded and fused. The apparatus for attaching a label to a container according to claim 1, 2 or 3. 5. The container 2 is arranged so that the container 2 has a rectangular shape in a plan view, and the diagonal corners 2c and 2d of the container are in the front-rear direction.
5. The apparatus for attaching a label to a container according to claim 1, further comprising a reversing device 53 for rotating the container.