JPH11240524A - Label affixing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To affix a label precisely without inclining it corresponding to a variety of label sizes in a label affixing device to affix a label by blowing off an air jet. SOLUTION: An air nozzle 35 is moved in parallel with a label holding surface 37b holding a label 14 by means of an air nozzle moving means 39 based on label size information read out of a label cassette attached to the label affixing device 2. And/or the number of effective air nozzles 35 is adjusted by means of an air nozzle number adjusting means 48 to uniformly press the label 14 to affix it.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a label attaching device for automatically attaching a label to a product, and more particularly to a label attaching device for attaching a label to a product by using an air jet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A label sticking apparatus of the type of sticking a label to a product using an air jet is used to blow a label with air jet evenly at a plurality of locations on a label in order to blow the label off with an air jet. Must not be tilted. Even if the spray position of the air jet sprayed from the air nozzle is shifted by only a few millimeters, the label is inclined, and in some cases, the label does not fly toward the product and may not be applied. For this reason, in the related art, the position of the air nozzle is adjusted in accordance with the label size so that the air jet is evenly sprayed on a plurality of positions of the label. This adjustment of the air nozzle position is done by loosening the screws etc. that fix the support member of the air nozzle and moving the support member, but it is difficult work to adjust the nozzle position accurately according to the label size. , The manufacturer's professional workers are to do.

[0003]

In the air jet type label sticking apparatus, it is practically impossible for the user to change the label size due to the above-mentioned situation, since the position of the air nozzle needs to be adjusted. However, there was a complaint that it was not possible to respond quickly to a wide variety of product dimensions. By the way, in the label sticking apparatus as described above, the label issued from the label issuing section is pushed out to the label holding section, so that the label rear end is always at the same position in the label holding section. For this reason, in the case of a label having a short length (dimension in the feeding direction to the label holding unit), the center of the label cannot be aligned with the center of the ejection area of the air jet, and the air pressure of the air jet is unevenly distributed on the label. A working case arises. In some cases, there is an air nozzle that does not contribute to spraying and affixing the label, which wastes air and causes uneven distribution of air pressure.
In this case, not only the position adjustment of the air nozzle,
It is necessary to adjust the number of air nozzles for jetting the air jet. To adjust the number of active air nozzles,
The distributor for supplying and branching the air from the air supply unit to each of the air nozzles has to be replaced, and this operation has to be performed at the factory of the manufacturer. Conversely, if the label size is significantly increased with respect to the jetting area of the air jet, it is necessary to increase the number of air nozzles in order to secure a sufficient sticking force. For this reason, it is necessary for the manufacturer to prepare many types of distributors corresponding to the number of air nozzles to be used, which has been a factor of cost increase.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and (1) the position of the air nozzle can be easily adjusted corresponding to the label size, and the label can be stuck reliably. (2) By performing the adjustment of the air nozzle position in the above (1) based on the label size information read from the label cassette, it is possible to easily and accurately correspond to the label size, and the automatic adjustment of the air nozzle position is also performed. (3) Since the number of effective air nozzles is adjusted based on the label size information read from the label cassette, even when the label size to be applied is largely different, it is possible to easily cope with the problem and to reduce the number of effective air nozzles. (4) According to the above (1) to (3), the user can also adjust the position of the air nozzle. And to provide an excellent effect can be obtained labeller such can be reliably affixed label dimensions.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a label cassette is mounted and the issued label is held on a label holding surface, and the label is sprayed on the product by air jets jetted from a plurality of air nozzles. In the label sticking apparatus, size information setting means for setting label size information in the label cassette, size information reading means for reading the label size information from the size information setting means, and the label size read by the size information reading means Based on the information, the air nozzle,
An air nozzle moving means for parallelly moving the label held on the label holding surface to align the center of the air jet with the label is provided as a means for solving the problem. According to this label sticking apparatus, the air nozzle is moved by driving the air nozzle moving means based on the size information read by the size information reading means, and the air pressure is applied uniformly to a plurality of locations on the label. The movement of the air nozzle can be automatically performed by the air nozzle moving means, so that the operation of adjusting the position of the air nozzle can be greatly simplified. The label size information applied by the size information setting unit and the size information reading unit includes electric, magnetic, optical, etc.
Various applications are possible.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the label sticking apparatus according to the first aspect, the air nozzle moving means includes:
A threaded shaft extending in a direction coinciding with the direction in which the label enters the label holding surface is screwed into a nozzle support that supports the air nozzle, and the nozzle is rotated by rotating the shaft. Is moved. The invention according to claim 3 is the label sticking apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the motor adopted as a drive source of the air nozzle moving means that moves an air nozzle for spraying and applying a label toward a commodity below, It is characterized by being provided above the shaft. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the label sticking apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, a predetermined number of air nozzles are closed based on the label size information read by the size information reading means. The number of air nozzles is adjusted.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a label issued by mounting a label cassette is held on a label holding surface, and air is jetted from a plurality of air nozzles.
In a label sticking apparatus that sprays a label on a product, a size information setting unit configured to set label size information in the label cassette, a size information reading unit that reads the label size information from the size information setting unit, and a size information reading unit. By closing a predetermined number of air nozzles based on the read label size information,
A label sticking apparatus comprising: an air nozzle number adjusting means for adjusting the number of effective air nozzles is a means for solving the above-mentioned problem. Various configurations can be adopted as the number of air nozzles. For example, as described in claim 6, a plurality of air nozzles are moved by moving a shielding plate capable of blocking the air passages of the plurality of air nozzles. It is preferable to adjust the effective number of air nozzles by adjusting the amount of entry into the gathered air supply units. In this case, the effective number of air nozzles can be easily adjusted only by moving the shielding plate.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A label sticking apparatus according to the present invention is described below.
An embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
1 is an overall front view showing the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a console, and 2 denotes a label sticking device. The label pasting device 2 includes a conveyor 4 for conveying goods 3 (articles).
The label is affixed to the upper surface of the product 3 transported by the transport conveyors 4 and 5 by an air jet method. That is, the label sticking apparatus 2 sprays and sticks the label issued from the label print issuing unit 9 (not shown in FIG. 1; see FIG. 2) to the label holding unit 7 to the upper surface of the product 3 by an air jet. . The distance between the label holding unit 7 and the article detection sensor S installed on the upstream side in the product 3 transport direction by the transport conveyor 4 is L1 to L.
1 ', the article 3 conveyed by the conveyor 4 is detected by the article detection sensor S, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, an air jet is jetted to label the article 3 in the area. Is attached. In addition, the label sticking apparatus 2 is supported by the support frame 8, and moves in the depth direction of the paper in FIG. 1 and rotates horizontally (rotation about the vertical axis).
This makes it possible to adjust the sticking position and sticking direction of the label. The label sticking direction can be adjusted within a range of about 90 °. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 6 denotes an unloading conveyor for unloading the product 3 to which the label has been attached, M denotes a motor for driving the transport conveyor 4, and K denotes a drive shaft thereof.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the label sticking device 2. 2, the label sticking apparatus 2 includes a label print issuing unit 9 and a label sticking unit 11 which is opened and closed by being horizontally rotated by a hinge 10 with respect to the label print issuing unit 9. I have. When the label attaching section 11 is opened, workability such as maintenance of the label issuing and printing section 11 and the label attaching section 11 is improved. Label print issuing section 9
Prints on a label sheet supplied from a removably attached label cassette 12 and issues a label 14 from an issuing port 13. When the data is input to the console 1, the product data (product name, price, sticking timing, etc.) is called up according to the product number indicated from the product file to create print data, which is output to the label sticking device 2 together with a print command. According to the print command, printing on the label paper is performed. The label 14 issued from the label print issuing section 9
Moves to the label attaching section 11, and when the article detection sensor S (see FIG. 1) detects the article 3, the article is attached to the article 3 at an attaching timing set by a control section (not shown).

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the label print issuing section 9 and the label cassette 12. In FIG. 3, the label print issuing section 9 includes a movable section 21 that reciprocates along a guide groove 20 formed in the label print issue section 9, and is attached to the label print issue section 9 by the movement of the movable section 21. Label paper 15 stored in the labeled label cassette 12
Is drawn laterally from the storage section 12a below the label cassette 12, is printed while being sandwiched between the platen roller 17 mounted on the movable section 21 and the print head 16, and the printing is completed by the dispenser 18. Label 1
4 is peeled off and separated from the backing paper 19, and is pushed out from the issuing opening 13 to be issued.

The label cassette 12 is inserted into the label print issuing section 9.
When the label cassette 12 is mounted on the label cassette 12, the movable portion 21 is at the standby position 22 separated from the print head 16.
When the loading of the label cassette 12 is completed,
a. Here, since the label paper 15 unwound from one roll 12b of the label cassette 12 and wound up by the other roll 12c passes through the outside of the storage unit 12a, it drives the movable unit 21 at the standby position 22. When the movable paper 21 moves to the print head 16, the label paper 15 traversing the opening 12 d on the side of the storage part 12 a is pulled out while being pressed by the platen roller 17. The label paper 15 is sandwiched between the platen roller 16 and the platen roller 17, and the printable state is established. Then, printing is performed by the print head 16 while simultaneously driving the rolls 12b and 12c, the platen roller 17 and the like to feed the label paper 15.

The print head 16 is rotatable about a shaft 16a.
3, the label paper 15 is securely sandwiched between the platen roller 17 and the printing by the biasing force. Further, the leading end position of the label 14 on the label paper 15 is detected by the sensor 16b, and the label 14
Performs printing correctly. In this embodiment, the label 1
A so-called center standard is adopted in which the label paper 15 is transported such that the center of the print head 16 coincides with the center of the print head 16 in the width direction (the direction perpendicular to the length direction).

In FIG. 3, auxiliary rollers 23 and 24 also feed label paper 15 in cooperation with rolls 12b and 12c and platen roller 17. These auxiliary rollers 23, 24
The interval is opened when the label cassette 12 is mounted, closed when the mounting of the label cassette 12 is completed, and the label paper 15 is sandwiched. When removing the label cassette 12 from the label print issuing section 9, the movable section 21 is returned to the standby position 22, the gap between the auxiliary rollers 23 and 24 is opened, and the label cassette 12 is operated by operating the lever 25 (see FIG. 2). Remove.

Label cassette 1 to label print issuing section 9
2 is detected by the cassette mounting sensor 26. FIG. 3 exemplifies a configuration in which the cassette mounting sensor 26 as four optical sensors is provided in the label print issuing unit 9. The cassette mounting sensor 26 detects the mounting of the label cassette 12 by detecting the presence or absence of reflected light with respect to the output light. That is, through holes 27 are formed in the label cassette 12 at four locations corresponding to the respective cassette mounting sensors 26, and at least one of the through holes 27 is closed with a reflective material 28 such as an aluminum seal. The attachment of the label cassette 12 is detected by detecting the reflected light of the output light from the reflecting member 28. When there is no through-hole 27 closed by the reflective material 28 and all the through-holes 27 are penetrated, the state is the same as the state where the label cassette 12 is not mounted. No light is detected, and it is determined that the label cassette 12 is not mounted.

Here, the through hole 27 to which the reflecting material 28 is applied is used.
Is selected from a maximum of four to a minimum of four, four-bit information can be obtained, and by using this, the label size information of the label cassette 12 can be input to the label sticking apparatus 2. it can. There are 15 types of label size information that can be input to the label pasting device 2 except for the case where the through hole 27 to which the reflecting material 28 is applied is 0. The label size information includes a length dimension of the label 14 (dimension in the direction of feeding the label paper 15), a width dimension, and the like. In addition, the label size information also includes a positioning reference for a print position of the label 14. At this time, the through hole 27 and the reflecting material 28 function as size information setting means, and the cassette mounting sensor 26 functions as size information reading means. Note that the size information setting unit and the size information reading unit are not limited to the present embodiment, and various configurations such as electronic information, magnetic information, and contact type switches can be adopted. Further, the cassette mounting sensor 26 and the through hole 27
If more are provided, more various label size information can be transmitted. In addition to the label size information, for example, information such as the paper quality of the label paper 15 may be transmitted. Since the reflecting material 28 using an aluminum seal or the like can be easily attached or removed, label size information can be easily set.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control unit mounted on the label sticking apparatus 2. 4, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, a printing mechanism control unit 54, a communication unit 55, a size information reading unit (cassette mounting sensor) 56, an article detection sensor S, and a sticking control interface 57 are connected to a CPU 51 of the control unit. I have. When the label cassette 12 is mounted on the label print issuing unit 9, the label size information read by the size information reading means (cassette mounting sensor) 26 from the size information setting means (through hole 27 and the reflecting material 28) of the label cassette 12 is stored in the RAM 53.
And the label size information stored in the RAM 53 is maintained until a cancel-out operation is performed. Then, sticking data is created based on the label size information input to the RAM 53, output to the sticking control interface 57, and the position adjusting motor 31 of the label sticking unit 11 (position stepping motor in the figure), the nozzle The motor 32 for adjusting the number of nozzles (stepping motor for number in the figure) and the air supply solenoid 33 are controlled.

When the product number of the product 3 to which the label 14 is to be attached is input to the console 1 connected to the communication unit 55, the product data (product name, price, Attachment timing, etc.) is called to create print data, which is output to the print mechanism control unit 54 together with a print command. Then, when the article detection sensor S detects the product 3 on the transport conveyor 4,
Label 14 printed and issued from label print issuing section 9
Is attached to the product 3 by the label attaching unit 11 driven based on the attaching data.

Next, the label attaching section 11 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the label attaching section 11. In FIG. 5, the label affixing section 11 applies air supplied from an air supply mechanism (not shown) to the distributor 3.
Then, the label 14 issued from the label print issuing unit 9 (see FIG. 7) is applied to the product 3 by jetting air jets from a plurality of air nozzles 35 provided below the label attaching unit 11. It is designed to be attached. FIG.
Reference numeral 36 denotes an air pipe that supplies air to the distributor 34.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the label 14 issued from the label print issuing section 9 is
It is held by the label holding portion 37 at the bottom. That is, the label holding portion 37 has a plurality of grooves 37a that are opened in parallel, and the sticking portion frame 11a and the sticking portion frame 11
The air in the housing formed by the cover 11b (see FIG. 6) attached to the outside of the label holding portion 37 is exhausted by the fan 11c, and the suction force generated in the groove 37a causes the lower surface of the label holding portion 37 to move. Label 1 is placed on a certain label holding surface 37b.
4 is held by suction. The label 14 issued from the label print issuing unit 9 is reliably sent to the label holding surface 37b by a sub air jet that is jetted upward or obliquely upward from a lower nozzle 38 installed below the label holding unit 37. As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of air nozzles 35 are stored in an array in each groove 37 a of the label holding unit 37, and an air jet is jetted from these air nozzles 35 to form a label holding surface 37 b. The label 14 that has been adsorbed is attached to the product 3.

FIG. 6 is a front sectional view of the label sticking section 11, and FIG.
Is a side sectional view. 6 and 7, each air nozzle 35 can be moved by the air nozzle moving means 39 in a direction coinciding with the approach direction of the label 14 from the label print issuing section 9. That is, the air nozzle moving means 3
Reference numeral 9 denotes that a shaft 40 extending and arranged in a direction coinciding with the approach direction of the label 14 from the label print issuing unit 9 is rotationally driven via a belt 42 by a position adjusting motor 31 installed above the shaft 40. The nozzle support 41 screwed to the shaft 40 is moved, and the plurality of air nozzles 35 supported by the nozzle support 41 are moved by a target amount along the extending direction of the shaft 40. I have. As shown in FIG. 8, when the shaft 40 is rotationally driven, the nozzle supporting portion 41 includes a movable member 41b through which the shaft 40 is screwed.
The shaft 40 moves along guide rods 41d, 41d provided between the support blocks 41c, 41c at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 40.
A U-shaped bracket 4 is provided below the movable member 41b.
A nozzle mounting plate 47 on which a plurality of air nozzles 35 are fixedly supported is fixed to the lower end of the bracket 41a.

Therefore, when the nozzle support 41 moves, the air nozzle 35 supported by the nozzle support 41 is moved.
And the distributor 3 supported by the bracket 41a
4 moves integrally with the nozzle support 41. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when the space between the label print issuing unit 9 and the label attaching unit 11 is closed, the label holding unit 3 is closed.
7, the longitudinal direction of the groove 37a coincides with the direction of entry of the label 14 from the label print issuing unit 9, so that the air nozzle 3
5 moves in parallel along the longitudinal direction of the groove 37 a of the label holding portion 37, whereby the label 5 is moved forward and backward with respect to the issuing port 13 of the label print issuing portion 9. Note that a printing unit (see FIG. 3) constituted by the print head 16 and the platen roller 17 of the label print issuing unit 9 and the label holding unit 3
7 and the label holding surface 37b (see FIG. 6 and FIG. 7) are positioned on the basis of the center, so that the label 14 entering the label attaching section 11 from the label print issuing section 9 is
The label holding surface 37b is sucked at the center in the width direction (left and right in FIG. 6).

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the distributor 34 includes an air pipe 36 connected to a case 43.
Is branched into a large number and sent to each air nozzle 35 with substantially equal air pressure. The air nozzle number adjusting means 48 is provided for adjusting the number of effective air nozzles 35 capable of jetting an air jet.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the distributor 34, and FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the assembled distributor 34. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the distributor 34 includes a case 43 and a two-hole branch plate 4.
A four or six hole branch plate 45 is provided. Air piping 3
6 is introduced into a recess 43a formed on the lower surface side of the case 43, passes through a through hole 44a formed in a two-hole branch plate 44 housed in the recess 43a, and
The hole branch plate 44 and the lower 6-hole branch plate 4
5 and flows into an air space 46 defined between them. Further, six through holes 45 formed in the six-hole branch plate 45 are provided.
The air passing through a flows into a recess 45b formed on the lower surface side of the 6-hole branch plate 45.

A nozzle mounting plate 47 of the nozzle support portion 41 is mounted below the 6-hole branch plate 45.
A total of 24 nozzle holes 47a are formed in a row. In one recess 45b of the 6-hole branch plate 45, a total of eight nozzle holes 47a in two rows are arranged to face each other.
The air that has flowed into a is jetted from the air nozzle 35 connected to the nozzle hole 47a. Note that FIG. 5 shows a state in which the attachment of the air nozzles 35 to the eight nozzle holes 47a arranged in total at both ends is omitted, and FIGS. 6 and 7 show that the air nozzles 35 are provided in all the nozzle holes 47a.
Shows a state in which is attached. When the attachment of the air nozzle 35 is omitted, the nozzle hole 47a is closed by a sealing member. Thereby, useless injection of air can be prevented.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the air nozzle number adjusting means 48 rotates the driving gear 48a by the driving force of the nozzle number adjusting motor 32, and the gear 48b meshing with the driving gear 48a has an upper surface. The upper shield plate 48c is moved forward and backward in the direction of arrow A in FIG. Thereby, the shielding plate 48c is attached to the upper surface 4 of the nozzle mounting plate 47.
It moves forward and backward toward the inside of the shielding plate entrance recess 47c formed in 7b.

In the nozzle mounting plate 47, half of the nozzle holes 47a in each row are opened in the shielding plate entry recess 47c, and the remaining half are opened on the upper surface 47b where the shielding plate entry recess 47c is not formed. Have been. Therefore, when the shielding plate 48c is advanced to the innermost part of the shielding plate entrance recess 47c, a total of twelve nozzle holes 47a, that is, a total of 12 nozzle holes 47a are formed.
No air jet is ejected from the air nozzle 35 connected to these nozzle holes 47a.
On the other hand, air can always be supplied to the nozzle holes 47a opened on the upper surface 47b other than the shielding plate entrance recess 47c, regardless of the movement of the shielding plate 48c to the shielding plate entrance recess 47c. At this time, the number of air nozzles 35 that can jet air jets is the minimum. This number corresponds to the shortest label.

Conversely, when the shielding plate 48c is retracted to a position where it does not interfere with all the nozzle holes 47a opened in the shielding plate entry recess 47c, the air connected to all the nozzle holes 47a of the nozzle mounting plate 47 is An air jet can be jetted from the nozzle 35, and the number of effective air nozzles 35 is maximized. At this time, the nozzle hole 47a opened in the shielding plate entrance recess 47c is provided with the through hole 4 of the six-hole branch plate 45.
The air that has flowed into the shielding plate entrance recess 47c from 4a is sent. The shielding plate entrance recess 47c is provided with the air nozzle 35.
It functions as an air supply unit (claim 6). Also,
The nozzle hole 47a functions as an air passage (claim 6) gathered in the air supply unit. The stopper walls 48d protruding at three places of the shielding plate 48c are housed in the respective recesses 45b of the 6-hole branch plate 45, and when the shielding plate 48c is moved in the retracting direction, the stopper walls 48d contact the inner wall surface of the recess 45b. The contacting role prevents the shielding plate 48c from completely falling out of the shielding plate entrance recess 47c and dropping, and serves as a stopper.

Also, the meshing of the drive gear 48a and the gear 48b on the shield plate 48c allows the shield plate 48c to be moved stably and accurately, so that the motor 32 for adjusting the number of nozzles is controlled by the control unit. When rotated appropriately, it is also possible to close only the six nozzle holes 47a in each row. As shown in FIG. 10, the shielding plate 48c
A plurality of engaging recesses 48f, 48g, and 48h are formed on the lower surface side of the shielding recesses 47c, 48g, and 48h, which are urged upward from the bottom surface of the shielding plate entrance recess 47c to engage with the positioning pins 47d projecting therefrom. The engaging recesses 48f, 48 are engaged with the pins 47d.
g, 48h are switched so that the shielding plate 48
c indicates that (i) the amount of entry into the shielding plate entry recess 47c is the smallest, and all the nozzle holes 47a in the shielding plate entry recess 47c
(Ii) A position to close only the six nozzle holes 47a one by one in each row, (iii) A shield plate entry recess 47
c is the largest, and is stably positioned at three stages of positions where all the nozzle holes 47a in the shielding plate entrance recess 47c are closed.

As described above, the air nozzle number adjusting means 48
By controlling the amount of drive of the motor 32 for adjusting the number of nozzles, and adjusting the amount of entry of the shielding plate 48c into the shielding plate entry recess 47c, the number of effective air nozzles 35 can be appropriately and simply adjusted. . By the way, since the label 14 entering from the label print issuing unit 9 enters the label holding surface 37b so as to be pushed out by the pressing force from the label print issuing unit 9, the rear end position is always set to the label holding surface 37b.
b. On the other hand, since the direction of movement of the shield plate 48c coincides with the direction of entry of the label 14 from the label print issuing unit 9, the adjustment of the number of air nozzles 35 that is effective by the shield plate 48c depends on the label holding. Face 3
This is performed in accordance with the length of the label 14 sucked and held by the label 7b. That is, when the label 14 held on the label holding surface 37b is long, the amount of entry of the shielding plate 48c into the shielding plate entry recess 47c is reduced, and the effective air nozzle 3
5 is increased so that an air jet is sprayed on the entire surface of the label 14. When the label 14 is short, the amount of the shielding plate 48 c to be entered is reduced, and the effective air nozzle 35 is reduced.
Is reduced, the injection of the air jet from the air nozzle 35 not corresponding to the label 14 is stopped, and the label 14 does not tilt due to the uneven distribution of the air pressure.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the motor 32 for adjusting the number of nozzles is installed above the motor 31 for adjusting the number of nozzles, and the driving force of the motor 32 is adjusted by the driving gear 48.
A tension is applied to a belt 48d for transmission to a by a tension roller 48e. For this reason, the air nozzle 35 by the air nozzle moving means 39
The belt 48d moves even if the distributor 34 and the air nozzle number adjusting means 48 move integrally with the movement of the belt 48d.
Can always secure an appropriate tension stably. Further, by arranging the motor 32 for adjusting the number of nozzles and the motor 31 for adjusting the position above the shaft 40, a sufficient space is secured near the distributor 34. The members can be easily visually checked, and workability is improved.

Further, since the motor 32 for adjusting the number of nozzles and the motor 31 for adjusting the position are arranged at a position where they do not interfere with the exhaust air flow from the fan 11c, the suction force of the label 14 on the label holding surface 37b is generated. The volume of the exhaust passage 11d formed in the housing can be reduced, which contributes to downsizing of the label sticking section 11. Moreover, the exhaust passage 11d
Fan 11 for generating an attraction force by reducing the volume of the fan 11
c requires a small displacement and can be reduced in cost.
It becomes easy to make the suction force of the label 14 on the label holding surface 37b uniformly and stably act on the entire surface of the label holding surface 37b.

According to the label sticking apparatus 2, by driving the air nozzle moving means 39 and the air nozzle number adjusting means 48, the air jet ejected from the air nozzle 35 in accordance with the length of the label 14 allows the label to be applied. 14 is evenly pressed, sprayed onto the product 3, and attached.
That is, in order to press the label 14 evenly by the air jet, the position of the air nozzle 35 with respect to the length dimension of the label 14 is important. In addition to adjusting the number of the air nozzles 35, by adjusting the position of the air nozzles 35 by the air nozzle moving means 39, it is possible to arrange the air nozzles 35 at an optimum position with respect to the length dimension of the label 14. it can. For this reason,
According to the label sticking apparatus 2, the label 14 can be stuck to the product 3 without tilting, and high sticking quality can be reliably obtained.

When the length of the label 14 fluctuates greatly, the length of the label 14 can be easily adjusted by adjusting the number of effective air nozzles 35 by the number of air nozzles adjusting means 48. Also at this time, by finely adjusting the position of the air nozzle 35 by the air nozzle moving means 39, the label 14 can be uniformly pressed and affixed to the product 3. For example, when the length of the label 14 is short, the shielding plate 48c is made to penetrate deep into the shielding plate entrance recess 47c to close the nozzle hole 47a in front of the label 14 entering direction (lower left side in FIG. 9). In these nozzle holes 47a
The air nozzle 35 that can make the air jet act on the label 14 in consideration of the size of the label 14 by disabling the jet of the air jet from the air nozzle 35 according to
Enable only. The air nozzle 35 that does not contribute to the blowing of the air jet onto the label 14 corresponding to the width dimension of the label 14 (dimension perpendicular to the feeding direction) is omitted in advance, and the nozzle hole 47a is closed. Then, after adjusting the position of the air nozzle 35 by the air nozzle moving unit 39, the air jet is jetted only from a plurality of effective air nozzles 35 capable of jetting the air jet,
The label 14 adsorbed on the label holding surface 37b is affixed to the product 3 (not shown in FIG. 9).

At this time, the pressing force due to the air jets ejected from the air nozzles 35 which are not closed by the shielding plate 48c and are effective is uniformly applied to the label 14 without being unevenly distributed to a part of the label 14. There is a need. That is, strictly speaking, the number of effective air nozzles 35 adjusted by the shielding plate 48c is not the number of all the air nozzles 35 corresponding to the area of the label 14, but the number for pressing the label 14 evenly. And, in some cases, label 1
There may be less than the number of air nozzles 35 corresponding to the area of No. 4.

When the length of the label 14 is long, the amount of the shielding plate 48c entering the shielding plate entrance recess 47c is reduced to increase the number of effective air nozzles 35. After adjusting the position of the air nozzle 35, the label 14 is attached by ejecting an air jet from the air nozzle 35. Also in this case, the number of effective air nozzles 35 is a number suitable for uniformly pressing the label 14 with the air jet, and all the air nozzles 3 that can apply the air jet to the label 14 are used.
It does not always match the number 5. In addition, if the formation pitch of the air nozzles 35 in each row is reduced so that the air nozzles 35 are arranged at a high density in the direction of entry of the label 14, the length of the label 14 can be more densely accommodated. it can.

As described above, according to the label sticking apparatus 2, when the length of the label 14 fluctuates greatly, first, the number of effective air nozzles 35 is adjusted by the air nozzle number adjusting means 48, and then the air nozzles are adjusted. Transportation means 39
By finely adjusting the position of the air nozzle 35, the label 14 can be accurately attached to the target position of the product 3 without tilting. When the variation in the length of the label 14 is small, the adjustment of the number of effective air nozzles 35 by the air nozzle number adjusting means 48 is omitted, and the adjustment is made only by adjusting the position of the air nozzle 35 by the air nozzle moving means 39. be able to.

The adjustment of the position of the air nozzle 35 by the air nozzle moving means 39 and the effective adjustment of the number of air nozzles 35 by the air nozzle number adjusting means 48 are performed simultaneously with the mounting of the label cassette 12 in the label print issuing section 9. The label size information set by the reflective material 28 closing the through-hole 27 of the twelve is read out by the cassette mounting sensor 26 acting as the size information reading means, so that the reading is automatically performed. For this reason, the position adjustment of the air nozzle by the specialized operator is unnecessary, and the user can select the label cassette 12 and mount it on the label print issuing section 9, and the label 14 can be accurately positioned at the target position of the product 3.
Can be attached.

The label sticking apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the following modifications are possible. (A) In the above-described embodiment, the label print issuing unit does not need to adjust the nozzle position and the number of nozzles symmetrically with respect to the label entry direction because of the center reference. In such a case, the nozzle support section can be moved in the left and right direction perpendicular to the label entry direction, and only the air nozzle corresponding to the label at the reference position of the label holding section is enabled, and other air nozzles are enabled. Keep it closed. At this time, it is preferable that the air nozzle number adjusting means is configured to close the air nozzle (the air nozzle not corresponding to the label) on the opposite side to the reference position with the shielding plate. In addition, it is more preferable that the air nozzle number adjusting means is configured to block the air nozzles that do not correspond to the label with the shielding plate, regardless of which of the left and right sides with respect to the label entry direction is used as the reference position. (B) The air nozzle moving means is not limited to a structure in which the nozzle support is moved by rotation of a threaded shaft, and various structures such as, for example, a structure in which a belt to which the nozzle support is attached is driven can be adopted. is there. (C) The driving source of the air nozzle moving means and the air nozzle number adjusting means is not limited to a motor, but may be an air cylinder, a solenoid, or the like. Various configurations can be adopted as long as they can be positioned at a plurality of different positions. (D) The means for adjusting the number of air nozzles is not limited to the one using a shielding plate, and a configuration in which the number of effective air nozzles is adjusted by a valve attached to each air nozzle can also be adopted. (E) The size information reading means is not limited to the optical type, but may be a mechanical type or an electric type. However, it goes without saying that the size information setting means is also changed corresponding to the size information reading means. (F) Even if the air nozzle moving means is removed from the above embodiment, the air nozzle number adjusting means is effective because three different lengths can be handled.

[0039]

As described above, according to the label sticking apparatus of the first aspect, the position at which the label can be uniformly pressed by the air jet based on the label size information read from the label cassette by the size information reading means. Since the air nozzle moves, the label of the size that fits the product can be attached to the product without tilting,
High bonding quality is obtained stably. Further, since there is no need for a specialized operator to adjust the position of the air nozzle, there is an excellent effect that the user can freely attach labels of different sizes to the product.

According to the second aspect of the invention, since the air nozzle is moved by rotating the screwed shaft, fine adjustment can be performed, and the positioning of the air jet ejected from the air nozzle with respect to the label can be easily performed. It has an excellent effect that it can be performed in a short time.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the motor employed as a drive source of the air nozzle moving means for moving the air nozzle for spraying the label toward the commodity below is provided above the shaft. The area occupied by the affixing part for applying the label to the product does not have to be large, and the visual position of the label affixed by the air nozzle is easy to see, and the work such as changing the position of the air nozzle and maintenance is easy. It works.

According to the present invention, the number of effective air nozzles is adjusted by closing a predetermined number of air nozzles based on the label size information read by the size information reading means. In this case, it is possible to easily cope with the case where the values of the labels greatly differ from each other.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the predetermined number of air nozzles is automatically closed by closing the predetermined number of air nozzles based on the label size information read from the label cassette by the size information reading means. Therefore, the effective number of air nozzles can be quickly switched in response to labels having greatly different sizes, and an excellent effect of simplifying the work of switching the number of effective air nozzles can be achieved.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, by moving the shielding plate capable of blocking the air passages of the plurality of air nozzles,
Since the number of effective air nozzles is adjusted by adjusting the amount of entry into the air supply unit in which a plurality of the air passages are assembled, the number of effective air nozzles can be easily adjusted with a simple configuration at low cost. It has excellent effects.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall front view showing one embodiment of a label sticking apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the label sticking apparatus of FIG. 1, and is a perspective view showing a state where the label sticking section is opened to a label print issuing section.

FIG. 3 is a front sectional view showing a label print issuing unit and a label cassette of the label sticking apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit of the label pasting device of FIG. 1;

5 is a diagram showing a label sticking unit applied to the label sticking device of FIG. 1, and is a perspective view seen from a label holding surface side.

FIG. 6 is a front sectional view showing the internal configuration of the label sticking section in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing an internal configuration of the label sticking section in FIG. 5;

8 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of an air nozzle moving unit and an air nozzle number adjusting unit mounted on the label sticking unit of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a distributor applied to the label attaching section of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view showing the distributor of FIG. 9;

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... Label sticking device, 3 ... Product, 12 ... Label cassette, 14 ... Label, 26 ... Size information reading means (cassette mounting sensor, optical sensor), 27 ... Size information setting means (through hole), 28 ... Size information setting Means (reflective material), 3
1 motor (position adjustment motor, position stepping motor), 35 air nozzle, 37b label holding surface,
39 ... Air nozzle moving means, 40 ... Shaft, 41 ... Nozzle support part, 47a ... Air passage (nozzle hole), 47c ... Air supply part (shield plate entrance recess), 48 ... Air nozzle number adjusting means, 48c ... Shield Board.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A label sticking apparatus which holds a label issued by attaching a label cassette on a label holding surface and sprays the label onto a product by air jets jetted from a plurality of air nozzles. Size information setting means for setting the size information, size information reading means for reading the label size information from the size information setting means, and based on the label size information read by the size information reading means, the air nozzle, the label An air nozzle moving means for moving the label held by a holding surface and a center of the air jet in parallel so as to be aligned with each other. 2. The air nozzle moving means threadedly engages a threaded shaft extending in a direction coinciding with a direction in which a label enters the label holding surface with a nozzle supporting portion supporting the air nozzle. 2. The label sticking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle support is moved by rotating the shaft. 3. A motor adopted as a drive source of said air nozzle moving means for moving an air nozzle which moves by spraying a label toward a lower product, is provided above said shaft. 2. The label sticking apparatus according to 2. 4. The number of effective air nozzles is adjusted by closing a predetermined number of air nozzles based on the label size information read by the size information reading means. The label sticking device according to any one of the above. 5. A label sticking apparatus which holds a label issued by mounting a label cassette on a label holding surface, and blows the label onto a product by air jets jetted from a plurality of air nozzles. Size information setting means for setting, a size information reading means for reading the label size information from the size information setting means, and closing a predetermined number of air nozzles based on the label size information read from the size information reading means. A label sticking apparatus comprising: an air nozzle number adjusting means for adjusting the number of effective air nozzles. 6. The air nozzle number adjusting means moves a shielding plate that can shut off air passages of a plurality of air nozzles, and adjusts an amount of entry into an air supply unit in which a plurality of the air passages are gathered. The label sticking apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the number of effective air nozzles is adjusted.