LU87818A1 - LABELING APPLIANCE - Google Patents

Description

CLAIM OF THE PRIORITY of the patent application

IN JAPAN

From October 09, 1989

Nos 263758/1989 - 263759/1989 263760/1989 - 263761/1989 Brief Description filed in support of a request for

PATENT OF INVENTION at

Luxembourg on behalf of: OSAKA SEALING PRINTING CO., Ltd. 1-25, Obase-cho, Tennoji-ku

Osaka-shl, Osaka / Japan for: "Labeling device"

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a label sticking apparatus and, more particularly, to a label sticking apparatus which comprises a transport device for transporting articles and a label feeding device for feeding the labels on the articles arriving on the transport device.

Description of the forms of the prior art

On a conventional label gluing device of this type, the labels delivered successively by the label supply device are glued successively to the articles arriving on the transport device. In this case, for example, a series of labels is used which are temporarily stuck on a basic release paper on a roll. By detaching the labels from the base release paper, the labels can be affixed to a multitude of articles moving on conveyors.

The label supply device comprises a suction device which attracts and maintains the labels by generating negative pressure therein and sticks them to the article by blowing the label maintained with compressed air.

In addition, in order to stick the label on the underside of an article, some devices were equipped under the conveyor with a label release part to detach the label from the base release paper on which the sheets are temporarily stuck. labels and pull the label to the underside of the item arriving where the label is to be affixed.

However, in the conventional labeling machine, if the format of the articles or labels has changed or if the labeling positions have to be changed, the position of the label feeding device had to be adjusted compared to the article arriving on the transport device and this adjustment operation was very complicated.

On the other hand, when the label was pasted on the underside of an article, one end of the pulled label was bent or folded, the label slipped and could not be pasted in a predetermined position on the article.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a label sticking apparatus in which a label feeding device can be easily moved to the desired position and which, moreover, can stick the label in the correct position. The apparatus according to the invention comprises a transport device for transporting the articles, a device for feeding the labels in the vicinity of the transport device, for bringing the labels to the articles, a movement device for moving the device for supply of the labels, a recording device for recording the data relating to the positions of sticking of the labels and a selection device for choosing the data stored in the recording device. In the label gluing apparatus according to the invention, the label feed device is moved to the desired position by the movement device based on the data chosen by the selection device.

In addition, the label gluing apparatus according to the invention comprises a transport device for transporting the articles, a label release section in the vicinity of the transport device for detaching a label from the release paper base carrying labels temporarily glued and pull it toward the article and a label holding and suction section next to the label release section and between the label release section and the suction transport device and holding the label pulled from the label peel section to urge it toward the article.

In the label sticking apparatus, the data concerning the label sticking positions are stored in the recording device. By selecting data in the recording device using the selection device, the moving device, based on the selected data, moves the label feeding device to the desired position.

Furthermore, in the label gluing apparatus, the label pulled in the label release section is held in position or pushed towards the article.

According to the invention, only the selection of data concerning the positions of sticking of the labels by the selection device causes the displacement of the device for feeding the labels to the desired position, the device for feeding the labels thus being able to be easily moved. in the desired position.

Furthermore, according to the invention, the pulled label is held in position or pushed towards the article by the label holding and suction section; in this way, the label does not slip and can be stuck in the predetermined position of the underside of the article with stability.

These objects and other objects, the peculiarities, aspects and advantages of this invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows of the embodiments when it is considered in connection with the attached figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration representing one of the embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration showing the device for positioning the articles and its surroundings in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration showing the relationship between the first movement device, the second movement device, the third movement device and the first device for feeding the labels of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration showing an important part of the second movement device of FIG. 3.

Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration showing the first device for feeding the labels of FIG. 3.

Figs. 6A - 6C are schematic illustrations showing an important part of the first device for feeding the labels of FIG. 5, and FIG. 6A is a diagrammatic side illustration showing a position for holding and sucking a label, FIG. 6B is a schematic illustration seen from below representing the underside of the part of FIG. 6A, FIG. 6C is a schematic side illustration showing a position for sticking a label on an article.

Fig. 6D is a schematic illustration seen from below showing a modification of the important part of the first device for feeding the labels of FIGS. 6A - 6C.

Fig. 7A is a schematic side view illustration showing the third device for feeding the labels and its surroundings in the embodiment of FIG. 1 and FIG. 7B is a schematic plan illustration of FIG. 7A.

Fig. 8 is a schematic illustration showing an important part of the third device for feeding the labels of FIGS. 7A and 7B.

Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the circuit of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

Fig. 10 is a block diagram for explaining the operation or the commands of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

Fig. it is a perspective view showing an example of the article with the labels pasted by the embodiment of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF RECOMMENDED PERFORMANCE FORMS

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration representing an embodiment of the invention.

This label gluing apparatus 10 comprises a first conveyor 12 as a transport device for transporting the articles A. This first conveyor 12 comprises two separate rollers 14A and 14B. Between these rollers 14A and 14B extends a belt 16. A roller 14b is connected to a motor 18. Therefore, once the motor 18 rotates, the belt 16 starts to move to transport the articles A.

Upstream of the flow of articles A on the first conveyor 12, the article positioning device 20 serves to position the articles A in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of transport of the articles A.

This device for positioning the articles 20, as illustrated in FIG. 2, comprises two shelves 22 and 24 of L-shaped section fixed separately to one side of the conveyor 12.

On the shelf 22, one end of a long male screw 26 is supported so as to provide a rotary movement. In this case, the male screw 26 is positioned so that it extends in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of transport of the article A on the conveyor 12. At the other end of the male screw 26 is fixed a gear 28 and this male screw 26 is introduced into an internal thread 30. This internal screw pitch 30 comprises a support plate 32 extending upwards and a guide piece 34 having, for example, a shaped section ü is fixed to the support plate 32. In this case, the guide piece 34 is placed so as to extend in the direction of transport of the article A on the belt 16 of the conveyor 12.

On the other shelf 24 is fixed a motor 36. A gear 38 is fixed to the motor shaft 36. Furthermore, three other gears 40, 42 and 44 are fixed on the shelf 24 so as to be able to exert a rotary movement in the same plane as the gear 38.

A chain 46 is placed on these gears 38, 40, 42 and 44 and the upper gear 28. Thus, when the motor 36 rotates, the male screw 26 rotates via the chain 46 and the guide piece 34 is moved in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the transport direction of article A. Consequently, the position of the guide piece 34 in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the transport direction of article A is fixed by the positioning device of article 20. The shelf 24 is provided with a sensor 48 near the gear 38 which detects a number of turns of the gear 38, that is to say the position of the guide piece 34.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, downstream of the article positioning device 20, a first article sensor 50 is provided for detecting the presence of article A. Furthermore, downstream of the first article sensor 50, a first device feeding labels to deliver a label to article A and a first moving device for moving the first feeding device labels, etc. are provided.

The first displacement device 60, as illustrated in FIG. 3, includes a box-shaped shelf 62 next to the conveyor 12 at a lower height. In the shelf 62 is a motor 64 on the shaft of which is fixed a small gear (not shown). In shelf 62, the small gear engages a large gear (not shown). In the center of the large gear, an internal screw thread is formed in which a long male screw 66 is introduced so that it can move up and down. Thus, when the engine is running, it is possible to vertically move the male screw 66.

A first shelf 68 is fixed to the upper end of the male screw 66. On the first shelf 68, a second shelf 70 is provided so that it can slide in the direction of transport of the article A. The first shelf 68 is provided with a vertical support plate 72 and one end of a long male screw 74 is supported on a lower part of the support plate 72 so as to be able to exert a rotary movement. A gear 76 is fixed to the other end of the male screw 74. The male screw 74 is introduced into an internal screw thread (not illustrated) provided under the second shelf 70. On the upper part of the support plate 72 is mounted a motor 78 which is part of the second displacement device. On the motor shaft 78 is fixed a gear 80 and a chain 82 is placed on the gear 80 and the upper gear 76. Therefore, when the motor 78 is running, the second shelf 70 can be moved in the direction of movement of article A.

Furthermore, the support plate 72, as illustrated in FIG. 4, is provided with a displacement sensor 84 comprising, for example, a photosensor near the gear 80. Furthermore, near the gear 80, a bolt 86 is fixed to the motor shaft 78 so as to instantly cover the displacement sensor 84 when the motor shaft 78 rotates. Thus, the displacement sensor 84 can detect the speed of rotation of the motor 78, that is to say the position of the second shelf 70 in the direction of movement of the article A.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, on the second shelf 70 is a third shelf 88 which can slide in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of transport of the article A. This third shelf 88 is activated to slide in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of transport of the article. article A using the same structure as that which allows the second shelf 70 to move in the transport direction of article A.

In other words, the second shelf 70 is also provided with a vertical support plate 90. On the lower part of the support plate 90, one end of a male screw 92 is supported so as to be able to exert a rotary movement and a gear 94 is fixed to the other end of the male screw 92. This male screw 92 is introduced into an internal thread (not illustrated) formed in the lower part of the third shelf 88. On the upper part of the plate support 90 is fixed a motor 96 which is part of the third displacement device. On the motor shaft 96 is fixed a gear 98. A chain 100 is placed on the gear 98 and the upper gear 94. Therefore, when the motor 96 is running, the third shelf 88 can be moved in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of item A.

Furthermore, near the gear 98, a displacement sensor 102 is fixed to the support plate 90 and a bolt 104 is fixed to the motor shaft 96. Thus, the displacement sensor 102 can detect the speed of rotation of the motor 96, that is to say the position of the third shelf 88 in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of transport of the article A.

The third shelf 88 is provided with a first vertical support 110. On the upper part of the first support 110 is fixed a fixing block 112. To the fixing block 112 is fixed one end of the second support 114 which extends in the direction for transporting article A. A fixing block 116 is fixed to the other end of the second support 114. In addition, is also fixed to the fixing block 116 one end of a third support 118 which extends in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the transport direction of article A. A block 120 for rotation is fixed at the other end of the third support 118. In this case, block 120 for rotation is placed above the belt 16 of the first conveyor 12. The upper end of the vertical rotation support 122 is supported by the block 120 for rotation so as to be able to exert a rotary movement. In addition, the first label feeding device 130 is fixed to the lower end of the rotation support 122. Thus, it is possible to rotate the first label feeding device 130 by rotating the rotation support 122. .

The first label feeding device 130, as illustrated in FIG. 5, for example comprises a hollow suction box in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped 132 as a suction section which is part of a label holding device fixed to the lower end of the rotation support 122. A shelf 134 is attached to one side of the suction box 132.

The upper part of the shelf 134 is provided with a retaining reel 136. This retaining reel 136 serves to maintain a series C of labels in a roll in which the labels L1 are temporarily stuck at intervals on a base paper of band R detachment. Under this holding coil 136, there is a feed roller 140 connected to a motor 138 and an expressing roller. The expressing roller 142, in association with the supply roller 140, encloses and pulls the C series of labels from the retaining reel 136.

On the lower part of the shelf 134, a guide roller 144 is placed under the feed roller 140 and a detachment plate 146 is provided near the suction box 132. This guide roller 144 serves to guide the series C of labels to the detachment plate 146. The detachment plate 146 must quickly fold the base detachment paper R with the series C of labels to peel the first label L1 from the base detachment paper R. In this case , the first label L1 is pulled towards the lower part of the suction box 132.

In addition, the shelf 134 is provided with two guide rollers 148 and 150 which must guide the detachment base paper R folded quickly by the detachment plate 146 and also with a winder 152 which must wind the detachment base paper A. Winder 152 receives low torque from a motor (not shown). Thus, the basic release paper R can be wound by the winder 152.

The lower part of the suction box 132 is provided with three longitudinal rectangular suction ports 154 formed in its width at regular intervals as illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B. The suction box 132 is connected via a hose 156 to a negative pressure source 158 such as a vacuum pump as a negative pressure generation device as illustrated in FIG. 5. Therefore, in the lower part of the suction box 132 comprising the suction parts 154, a suction force is generated. Consequently, the lower part of the suction box 132 can attract the first extracted label L1 as illustrated in FIG. 6A.

In addition, the suction box 132 includes a pushing device 160 made of elastic material such as, for example, rubber or sponge. This pushing device 160 comprises for example three pushing pieces of rectangular section 160a smaller than that of the suction orifices 154 and these three pushing parts 160a are provided to face respectively the three suction orifices 154. The thrust 160 can move vertically while being supported, for example, by a cylinder 162. Consequently, as illustrated in FIG. 6c, the first label L1 attracted towards the lower part of the suction box 132 can be glued to the article A by pressing on the pushing device 160. In addition, the pushing device 160 can consist of this set of three pushing pieces 160a each with a circular section, each assembly facing one of the three suction orifices 154 as illustrated in FIG. 6D and the shape, number and arrangement of the thrust piece 160A can be changed as desired.

Downstream of the first document supply device 130, there follows a second article sensor 170 having the same structure as the first article sensor 50 and a second label supply device 180 having the same structure as the first label feeding device 130. The second label feeding device 180 is supported so that it can move in the vertical direction in the transport direction of the article A and in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of transport of the article A respectively by the same first displacement device, second displacement device and third displacement device as the above-mentioned devices and can also rotate on its axis, namely a rotation squpport, in the same way as the first label supply device 130. Thus, the second label L2 can be stuck to article A p ar the second label supply device 180.

Downstream of the first conveyor 12 is provided a second conveyor 190. This second conveyor 190 comprises two rollers 192a and 192b separated as illustrated in FIGS. 7a and 7b. Two belts 194a and 194b are placed at intervals in the width direction on these rollers 192a and 192b. The roller 192b is connected to a motor 196. Thus, when the motor 196 is running, the articles A on the belts 194a and 194b can be transported.

Downstream of the second conveyor 190, a third article sensor 200 is placed.

The third label feeding device 210 is placed under the center of the second conveyor 190. The third document feeding device 210 comprises a lifting device 212. The lifting device 212 comprises a crank 214 and a support pin 216 vertically movable by rotation of the crank 214.

A chassis 218 is placed on the upper end of the support axis 216 of the lifting device 212. A retaining coil 220 is placed in the lower part of the chassis 218. The retaining coil 220 must maintain a series C of labels in a roll which contains the third L3 labels. Above the holding coil 220, there is a feed roller 224 connected to a motor 222 and an expressing roller 226. The expressing roller 226, with the feeding roller 224, encloses and pulls the C series of labels held by the retaining reel 220.

Furthermore, in the upper part of the frame 218, a guide roller 228 and a detachment plate 230 serve as part for detaching the labels. This guide roller 228 is used to guide the C series of labels to the detachment plate 230 and the detachment plate must quickly fold the basic detachment paper R with the C series of labels to pull the third label L3 upwards. .

The frame 218 is provided with a guide roller 232 on one side of the expressing roller 226 and a winder 234 is placed next to the holding coil 220. This winder 234 receives a low torque from a motor (not shown). Thus, the basic release paper R for the c series of labels is wound by the winder 234.

Above the detachment plate 230, a hollow suction and label holding part 236 is mounted on the main suction and label holding body 237 so that the part 236 can slide in the direction of transport. of the second conveyor 190. The label holding and suction part 236 has an inclined part almost parallel to a lower inclined part of the release plate 230 and several narrow suction orifices 238 are formed in this inclined part as illustrated in Fig. 8. The holding and suction part of the labels 236 is connected to a negative pressure source 242 such as for example a vacuum pump via a hose 240 as illustrated in FIG. 7a. Thus, the negative pressure increases on the inclined part of the holding and suction part of the labels 236 comprising the suction orifices 238. Consequently, the third extracted label L3 can be sucked and held in position by the holding part. and suction of the labels 236 so that the label L3 is pushed outward between the belts 194a and 194b of the second conveyor 190 and above the belts 194a and 194b.

Hereinafter a configuration of the circuit of the labeling machine is explained with reference to Figs. 9 and following. The label sticking apparatus 10 comprises a central computer 300 which comprises a central unit 302. The central unit 302 is connected to a keyboard 306, an optional bar code reader 308 and each sensor via an input interface 304.

In addition, the central unit 302 is connected to a ROM memory 310 in which the operating programs are stored and a RAM memory 312 as a recording medium on which are stored the data relating to the positions of sticking of the labels. The central unit 302 is also connected to each of the motors and to the cylinders by an output interface 314.

The commands or the operation of the label gluing apparatus 10 are explained below with reference to FIGS. 10 and following.

In the first step Si, a bar code corresponding to the data concerning the position of sticking of the labels, the format of the articles A and the format of the labels is read by the bar code reader 308.

In the next step S3, the data relating to the position of sticking of the labels is chosen from the data stored in the RAM memory 312 in response to the reading of the bar code.

Then, in step S5, based on the data chosen, a position of the article A in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of transport of the article A on the first conveyor 12 (hereinafter called "direction width ") is determined as the desired position by the positioning device of the article 20. In this case, the guide piece 34 is moved to the desired position in the width direction by the motor 36 of the device of positioning of article 20.

Then, in step S7, based on the selected data, the position of the first label feeder 130 is determined to be the desired position. In this case, the first shelf 68 is moved into the desired position in the vertical direction by the motor 64 of the first displacement device 60 and the second shelf 70 is moved into the desired position in the direction of transport by the motor 78 of the second device of displacement. In addition, the first label feeding device 130 is moved into the desired position in the widthwise direction by the motor 96 of the third movement device via the third shelf 88, each support and each block being connected to the shelf 88 In step S9, in the same way as in step S7, the second label feeding device 180 is moved in the desired direction. In step SU, the article A is placed on the belt 16 of the first conveyor 12 and the article A is transported to an article positioning device 20 by the first conveyor 12. In the next step S13, the transported article A is moved in the desired position in the width direction by the guide piece 34 of the article positioning device 20. In step S15, the transported article A is detected by the first article sensor 50 In step S17, the first label L1 is stuck in the desired position on the article A by the first label feeding device 130 as illustrated in FIG. 11. In this case, in the first device for supplying the labels 130, the motor begins to rotate in response to the detection of the article A by the first article sensor 50 and the first label L1 is pulled towards the face bottom of the suction box 132 to be drawn towards the bottom of the box 132 as illustrated in FIG. 6A. Then, the first attracted label L1 is pushed down by the pushing device 160 to be stuck in the desired position of the article A as illustrated in FIG. 6c. In the next step S19, the article A with the first label stuck L1 is detected by the second article sensor 170.

Then, in step S21, in the same way as in step S17, the second label L2 is stuck in the desired position of the article A by the second label feeding device 180 in response to the detection of article A by the second article sensor 170 as illustrated in FIG. 11. The article A with the second label stuck L2 is transported to the second conveyor 190 by the first conveyor 12. In step S23, the article A transported on the second conveyor 190 is detected by the third article sensor 200. In step S25, the third label L3 is stuck in the desired position on the underside of the article A by the third label supply device 210 as illustrated in FIG. 11. At this moment, the engine 222 starts in response to the detection of the article A by the third article sensor 200 and the third label L3 is extracted towards the lower face of the article A where it is stuck.

As mentioned previously, in the gluing apparatus 10, the label can be glued in the desired position on the article A simply by reading or choosing the bar code representative of the data concerning the position of gluing of the labels by the reader. 308 barcode used as a selection device. In addition, if the article format, the label format or the sticking positions of the labels are changed, the label can be pasted in the desired position of the article simply by reading and choosing the barcode. representative of the data modified by the barcode reader 308. To choose data concerning the position of sticking of the labels, it is possible to enter the data on the keyboard 306 rather than reading the barcode by the code reader with bars 308. In addition, in the label gluing apparatus 10, the first label feeding device 130 can particularly rotate on the rotation support 122 about its axis, in other words rotate by taking the suction box 132, namely the label gluing device as the center of rotation, the rotation around the rotation support 132 making it possible to easily change a single direction of the first label L1 sa ns change its position. It is an effective solution when the first label L1 has a trapezoid or diamond shape and the label is stuck on the article A so that one of the oblique sides of the label L1 is parallel to an edge of item A. Furthermore, the second device for supplying labels 180 also has the same effect.

In addition, in the label gluing device 10, especially in the first label feeding device 130, the pushing piece 160 is placed in the suction box 132 to push down the first attracted label L1, the first label therefore does not slide during its movement from the suction box 132 towards the article A. Consequently, the first label L1 can be affixed properly in a predetermined position relative to the traditional label gluing apparatus wherein the attracted label is affixed while it is being blown with compressed air from sprinklers. The second label feeder also has the same effect.

In the label gluing apparatus 10, particularly in the third label feeder 210, the third label L3 extracted upwards is attracted and held by the label holding and suction part 236, and therefore, even if the third label is relatively long, the end of the third label L3 does not lift and the label 3 can be affixed skillfully in a predetermined position on the underside of the article A. In other words, even if the third label is relatively long, it can be stuck properly on the underside of article A. And in the third label feeding device 210, the release plate 230 can be moved vertically by the lifting device 212, so even if the lengths of the third L3 labels are different, they can be affixed to the underside of article A. In the third me document feeder 210, the holding portion and the suction labels 236 can slide in the conveying direction; therefore, even if the release plate 230 is moved vertically, the inclined surface comprising the suction parts 238 of the holding and suction part of the labels 236 can certainly attract and retain the third label L3. In addition, in the third label supply device 210, the retaining reel 220, with the release plate 230, can be moved vertically, therefore loading a roll of labels on the retaining reel 220 and all other maintenance or control operations can be facilitated.

It is clearly understood from the above that, although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is by way of illustration and example only and that it should not be taken in a sense of limitation, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

Claims (9)

1. A label sticking apparatus comprising: a transport device for transporting the articles; a label feeder next to said transport device for feeding a label to said article; a moving device for moving said label feeding device; a recording device for recording data relating to the bonding position of said label and a selection device for choosing the data stored in said recording device, based on the data selected by said selection device, said device the label feed is moved to the desired position by said moving device. 2. A label sticking apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said label supply device comprises a label holding part for retaining said label by sucking up said label and sticking said label on the article, said label holding piece has a suction port; a suction port formed on the surface of said suction port; a push piece of elastic material formed inside said suction port and pushed outward from inside said suction port via said suction part and includes a negative pressure generating device for generating negative pressure inside said suction port against the outside of said part. 3. A label sticking device according to claim 2, characterized in that said label feeding device is supported so that it can exert a rotary movement parallel to the label sticking surface of said article taking said body holding labels as a center of rotation. 4. A device for sticking labels according to claim 1, characterized in that said positive movement device comprises a device for moving said device for feeding the labels in a vertical direction in a direction of transport of said article and in a perpendicular horizontal direction. to the direction of transport of the said article. 5. A device for sticking labels according to claim 1, characterized in that said positive recording device is included in a computer. 6. A device for sticking labels according to claim 5, characterized in that said selection device comprises a bar code reader for reading a bar code representative of the data relating to said article, based on the data read by said bar code reader, the data stored in said recording device are chosen. 7. A device for sticking labels according to claim 5, characterized in that said selection device comprises a keyboard for entering data relating to said article, based on the data entered by said keyboard, the data stored in said device d are selected. 8. A label sticking apparatus comprising: a transport device for transporting the articles; a label release part provided next to the transport device for detaching a label from the release base paper with said label temporarily stuck to pull it towards said article, and a label holding and suction part provided next to said label release part and between said label release part and said transport device for sucking and holding in position said label drawn from said label release part to push it outwards towards said article . 9. A label sticking device according to claim 8, characterized in that said label holding and suction part is formed so as to be able to move in the direction of transport of said article.