JP3405174B2 - Label sticking device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

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

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Labeling devices of the type that apply labels to products using air jets blow the labels with air jets and attach them to the products. Need to not lean. Even if the blowing position of the air jet ejected from the air nozzle is displaced by a few millimeters, the label may be tilted, and in some cases, the label may not fly toward the product and may not be attached. Therefore, conventionally, the position of the air nozzle is adjusted according to the label size so that the air jets are evenly blown to a plurality of places on the label. This adjustment of the air nozzle position is done by loosening the screws that fix the support member of the air nozzle and moving the support member, but it is difficult to accurately adjust the nozzle position according to the label size. , The manufacturer's professional workers are supposed to do it.

[0003]

In the air jet type label sticking apparatus, it is practically impossible for the user to change the label size due to the adjustment of the air nozzle position due to the above-mentioned circumstances. However, I was dissatisfied with the fact that I could not quickly respond 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 unit is pushed out to the label holding unit, so that the label trailing end of the label holding unit is always at the same position. Therefore, in the case of a label with a short length (dimension in the feeding direction to the label holding part), the center of the label cannot be aligned with the center of the jetting area of the air jet, and the air pressure of the air jet is unevenly distributed on the label. There are cases where it works. In some cases, there is an air nozzle that does not contribute to the spraying and sticking of 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 also becomes necessary to adjust the number of air nozzles that eject air jets. To adjust the number of effective air nozzles,
It was necessary to replace the distributor for branching and supplying air from the air supply section to each air nozzle, and this work had to be done at the manufacturer's factory. On the contrary, if the label size is remarkably 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. Therefore, it is necessary for the manufacturer to prepare a large number of types of distributors corresponding to the number of air nozzles to be used, which is a factor of cost increase.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems. (1) The position of the air nozzle can be easily adjusted according to the label size, and the label can be surely attached. (2) By adjusting the air nozzle position in (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 air nozzle position can be automatically adjusted. (3) The effective number of air nozzles is adjusted based on the label size information read out from the label cassette. Therefore, even when the label size to be applied is greatly different, it is possible to easily cope with it and (4) Due to the above (1) to (3), even the user can adjust the position of the air nozzle, which can be adjusted automatically. And to provide an excellent effect can be obtained labeller such can be reliably affixed label dimensions.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a label cassette is mounted, the issued label is held on a label holding surface, and the label is blown onto the product by air jets ejected 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 moving parallel to align with the center of said label and said air jet held by the label holding surface, on the basis of the label size information read by said size information reading means, a plurality of air
Move the shield plate that can block the air passage of the nozzle,
Note the amount of entry into the air supply unit, which is a collection of multiple air passages.
The label sticking device, which is provided with an air nozzle number adjusting means for automatically adjusting the number of effective air nozzles by adjusting, is the means for solving the above problems. According to this label sticking apparatus, by driving the air nozzle moving means and the air nozzle number adjusting means based on the size information read by the size information reading means, the air nozzle is moved and the air of the plurality of air nozzles is moved.
Move the shielding plate that can block the passage to collect multiple air passages.
By adjusting the amount of entry into the combined air supply unit
The air pressure is applied evenly to multiple points on the label.
The movement of the air nozzles and the adjustment of the effective number can be performed automatically by the air nozzle moving means and the air nozzle number adjusting means, respectively, which greatly simplifies the work of adjusting the position and effective number of the air nozzles. Can be converted. Further, the label size information applied by the size information setting means and the size information reading means can be variously applied such as electricity, magnetism and light.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the label sticking apparatus according to the first aspect, the air nozzle moving means is
A nozzle support part is formed by screwing a threaded shaft extending in a direction coinciding with the direction in which the label enters the label holding surface with a nozzle support part that supports the air nozzle, and rotating the shaft. It is characterized by being adapted to move. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the label sticking apparatus according to the second aspect, the motor is used as a drive source of the air nozzle moving means for moving the air nozzle for spraying and sticking the label toward the product below. It is characterized in that it is provided above the shaft .

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the label issued by mounting the label cassette is held by the label holding surface, and the air jets ejected from a plurality of air nozzles are used.
In a label sticking device for spraying a label onto a product, 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 size information reading means Based on the read label size information, you can block the air passages of multiple air nozzles.
A movable shield plate was moved to collect multiple air passages.
A label sticking device, which is provided with an air nozzle number adjusting means for automatically adjusting the number of effective air nozzles by adjusting the amount of entry into the air supply part, is a means for solving the above problems. . According to this labeling device, the air passages of multiple air nozzles can be used to move the shielding plate.
By shutting off the air more
The amount can be adjusted appropriately.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 1 of the label sticking apparatus of the present invention.
Embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. Figure 1
FIG. 3 is an overall front view showing this embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a console and 2 is a label sticking device. The label sticking device 2 includes a conveyor 4 that conveys a product 3 (article).
The label is attached by the air jet method to the upper surface of the product 3 which is placed above the product 3 and has been transported by the transport conveyors 4 and 5. That is, the label sticking device 2 sprays and sticks the label issued from the label printing issuing unit 9 (not shown in FIG. 1; see FIG. 2) described later to the label holding unit 7 onto the upper surface of the product 3 by an air jet. . In the label holding unit 7, the distance from the article detection sensor S installed on the upstream side in the transport direction of the product 3 by the transport conveyor 4 is from L1 to L.
In the area 1 ′, when the article detection sensor S detects the article 3 conveyed by the conveyor 4, the product 3 is labeled within the area by injecting an air jet after a predetermined time has elapsed. Affix. The label sticking device 2 is supported by the support frame 8 and moves in the depth direction of the paper in FIG. 1 and rotates horizontally (rotates around the vertical axis).
Allows you to adjust the label sticking position and sticking direction. The label sticking direction can be adjusted within a range of about 90 °. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 6 is a carry-out conveyor that carries out the product 3 whose label has been attached, M is a motor that drives the carry conveyor 4, and K is a drive shaft thereof.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the label sticking device 2. In FIG. 2, the label sticking device 2 includes a label print issuing section 9 and a label sticking section 11 that is opened and closed by rotating the label print issuing section 9 horizontally by a hinge 10. There is. When the label sticking unit 11 is opened, workability such as maintenance of the label issuing / printing unit 11 and the label sticking unit 11 is improved. Label printing issue section 9
Prints on the label paper supplied from the detachably attached label cassette 12, and issues the label 14 from the issuing port 13. When data is input to the console 1, product data (product name, price, sticking timing, etc.) is called by the product number designated from the product file to create print data, which is output to the label sticking device 2 together with the print command. The printing of the label paper is performed by the print command. The label 14 issued by the label printing and issuing unit 9
Moves to the label sticking unit 11, and when the article detection sensor S (see FIG. 1) detects the product 3, the product is stuck to the product 3 at the sticking timing set by the control unit (not shown).

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the label print issuing unit 9 and the label cassette 12. In FIG. 3, the label printing / issuing section 9 includes a movable section 21 which reciprocates along a guide groove 20 formed in the label printing / issuing section 9, and the movable section 21 moves to attach the label printing / issuing section 9 to the label printing / issuing section 9. Label paper 15 stored in the label cassette 12
Is pulled out to the side from the storage portion 12a at the bottom of the label cassette 12, and is sandwiched between the platen roller 17 mounted on the movable portion 21 and the print head 16, and printing is completed by the dispenser 18. Label 1
4 is peeled off to be separated from the mount 19, and is issued by being pushed out from the issuing port 13.

The label cassette 12 is attached to the label print issuing unit 9
When mounted on the label cassette 12, the movable portion 21 is in the standby position 22 separated from the print head 16.
When the mounting of the label cassette 12 is completed,
It is stored in a. Here, since the label paper 15 that is unwound from one roll 12b of the label cassette 12 and is wound by the other roll 12c passes through the outside of the storage section 12a, it drives the movable section 21 at the standby position 22. When moved to the print head 16, the label paper 15 traversing the opening 12d at the side of the storage portion 12a is pulled out while being pressed by the platen roller 17, and when the movable portion 21 reaches the vicinity of the print head 16, the print head The label paper 15 is sandwiched between the platen 16 and the platen roller 17 to be in a printable state. Then, the rolls 12b and 12c, the platen roller 17 and the like are simultaneously driven to feed the label paper 15, and printing is performed by the print head 16.

The print head 16 is rotatable about a shaft 16a, and by a biasing means (not shown),
The label paper 15 is surely sandwiched between the platen roller 17 and the platen roller 17 by this biasing force, and printing is performed. Further, the sensor 16b detects the leading end position of the label 14 on the label paper 15,
Print accurately. In the present embodiment, the label 1
The so-called center reference is adopted in which the label paper 15 is conveyed so that the center of the width direction 4 (direction perpendicular to the length direction) and the center of the print head 16 coincide with each other.

In FIG. 3, the auxiliary rollers 23 and 24 also cooperate with the rolls 12b and 12c and the platen roller 17 to feed the label paper 15. These auxiliary rollers 23, 24
The space is opened when the label cassette 12 is mounted, and is closed at the same time when the label cassette 12 is completely mounted so that the label paper 15 is sandwiched. When removing the label cassette 12 from the label printing / issuing section 9, the movable section 21 is returned to the standby position 22, the space between the auxiliary rollers 23 and 24 is opened, and the lever 25 (see FIG. 2) is operated to remove the label cassette 12. Remove.

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

Here, the through hole 27 to which the reflecting material 28 is applied
Considering that a maximum of 4 is selected to a minimum of 0, 4-bit information can be obtained, and this can be used to input the label size information of the label cassette 12 to the label sticking apparatus 2. it can. There are 15 types of label size information that can be input to the label sticking device 2 except for the case where the number of the through holes 27 to which the reflecting material 28 is applied is 0. The label size information includes the length dimension of the label 14 (dimension in the feeding direction of the label paper 15), the width dimension, and the like, but in addition to this, the positioning reference of the print position of the label 14 and the like are also included. 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. 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 switches can be adopted. Further, the cassette mounting sensor 26 and the through hole 27
By providing a larger number of labels, more diverse label size information can be transmitted. In addition to the label size information, for example, information such as the quality of the label paper 15 may be transmitted. Since the reflecting material 28 using an aluminum seal or the like is easily attached or removed, the label size information can be easily set.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control section mounted on the label sticking apparatus 2. In FIG. 4, the CPU 51 of this control unit is connected to the ROM 52, the RAM 53, the printing mechanism control unit 54, the communication unit 55, the size information reading means (cassette mounting sensor) 56, the article detection sensor S, and the sticking control interface 57. There is. When the label cassette 12 is mounted on the label printing / issuing section 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 reflecting material 28) of the label cassette 12 becomes the RAM 53.
The label size information input to the RAM 53 and stored in the RAM 53 is maintained until a cancel out operation is performed. Then, the sticking data is created based on the label size information input to the RAM 53, is output to the sticking control interface 57, and the position adjusting motor 31 (the position stepping motor in the drawing) of the label sticking unit 11 and the nozzles. The nozzle number adjusting motor 32 (number stepping motor 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 attached is input to the console 1 connected to the communication unit 55, the product data (product name, price, (Pasting timing, etc.) to create print data, and output the print data to the print mechanism controller 54 together with the print command. When the article detection sensor S detects the product 3 on the conveyor 4,
Label 14 printed and issued by the label print issuing unit 9
Is attached to the product 3 by the label attaching section 11 driven based on the attachment data.

Next, the label sticking section 11 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the label sticking unit 11. In FIG. 5, the label sticking portion 11 supplies the air supplied from an air supply mechanism (not shown) to the distributor 3
4, the label 14 issued from the label print issuing unit 9 (see FIG. 7) is applied to the product 3 by ejecting air jets from a plurality of air nozzles 35 provided below the label attaching unit 11. It is supposed to be attached. Figure 5
Reference numeral 36 is an air pipe for supplying air to the distributor 34.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the label 14 issued from the label print issuing unit 9 is the label attaching unit 11
It is held by the label holder 37 at the bottom. That is, the label holding part 37 has a plurality of grooves 37a opened in parallel, and the sticking part frame 11a and the sticking part frame 11 are provided.
The air in the casing formed by the cover 11b (see FIG. 6) attached to the outside of the a 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 on a certain label holding surface 37b
4 is adsorbed and held. 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 accommodated in each groove 37a of the label holding portion 37 in an array state, and by ejecting an air jet from these air nozzles 35, the label holding surface 37b is ejected. The adsorbed label 14 is attached to the product 3.

FIG. 6 is a front sectional view of the label sticking portion 11, FIG.
FIG. 6 and 7, each air nozzle 35 can be moved by the air nozzle moving means 39 in a direction that coincides with the direction in which the label 14 from the label print issuing unit 9 enters. That is, the air nozzle moving means 3
Reference numeral 9 indicates that a shaft 40 extending in a direction corresponding to the direction of entry 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 portion 41 screwed to the shaft 40 is moved, and the plurality of air nozzles 35 supported by the nozzle support portion 41 are moved by a target amount along the extending direction of the shaft 40. There is. As shown in FIG. 8, in the nozzle support portion 41, when the shaft 40 is rotationally driven, the movable member 41b into which the shaft 40 penetrates and is screwed is
The shaft 40 moves along the guide rods 41d and 41d installed between the support blocks 41c and 41c at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 40.
Below the movable member 41b, a U-shaped bracket 4 is provided.
1a is fixed, and further, 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 portion 41 moves, the air nozzle 35 supported by the nozzle support portion 41 is moved.
And the distributor 3 supported by the bracket 41a
4 moves integrally with the nozzle support portion 41. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in the state where the label print issuing unit 9 and the label attaching unit 11 are closed, the label holding unit 3
Since the longitudinal direction of the groove 37a of 7 coincides with the approach direction of the label 14 from the label print issuing unit 9, the air nozzle 3
5 moves in parallel along the longitudinal direction of the groove 37a of the label holding unit 37, and thereby moves forward and backward with respect to the issuing port 13 of the label print issuing unit 9. The label print issuing unit 9 includes a print unit (see FIG. 3) including the print head 16 and the platen roller 17, and a label holding unit 3.
Since the label holding surface 37b of FIG. 7 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) is positioned based on the center, the label 14 that has entered the label attaching unit 11 from the label print issuing unit 9 is
The label holding surface 37b is attracted to the center portion 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 the case 43.
The air from the above is branched into a large number and sent into each air nozzle 35 with substantially equal air pressure. Further, the air nozzle number adjusting means denoted by reference numeral 48 is for adjusting the number of effective air nozzles 35 capable of ejecting 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, a two-hole branch plate 4
A 4- and 6-hole branch plate 45 is provided. Air piping 3
Air from 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,
Hole branch plate 44 and 6-hole branch plate 4 below it
5 flows into the air space 46 defined by Further, the six through holes 45 formed in the six-hole branch plate 45.
The air that has passed through a flows into the recess 45b formed on the lower surface side of the 6-hole branch plate 45.

A nozzle mounting plate 47 of the nozzle supporting portion 41 is mounted on the lower side of the 6-hole branch plate 45. The nozzle mounting plate 47 has four nozzles arranged in a row.
A total of 24 nozzle holes 47a are formed in a row. In one recess 45b of the 6-hole branch plate 45, two rows, that is, eight nozzle holes 47a are arranged so as to face each other.
The air that has flowed into a is jetted from the air nozzle 35 connected to the nozzle hole 47a. It should be noted 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 two rows is omitted, and in FIGS. 6 and 7, the air nozzles 35 are attached to all the nozzle holes 47a.
It shows a state where is attached. When the attachment of the air nozzle 35 is omitted, the nozzle hole 47a is closed with a sealing member. This can prevent wasteful injection of air.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the air nozzle number adjusting means 48 rotationally drives 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 is on the upper surface. The shielding plate 48c formed above is moved back and forth in the direction of arrow A in FIG. As a result, the shielding plate 48 c is attached to the upper surface 4 of the nozzle mounting plate 47.
It moves forward and backward toward the inner side 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. Has been done. Therefore, when the shielding plate 48c is moved to the deepest position of the shielding plate entry recess 47c, half of the nozzle holes 47a, that is, a total of 12 nozzle holes 47a are formed.
Are blocked by the air nozzles and the air nozzles connected to these nozzle holes 47a do not jet air jets.
On the other hand, air can be constantly fed into the nozzle hole 47a opened on the upper surface 47b other than the shield plate entry recess 47c, regardless of whether the shield plate 48c moves in and out of the shield plate entrance recess 47c. At this time, the number of air nozzles 35 that can eject an air jet is the minimum. This number corresponds to the shortest label.

On the contrary, 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 removed. Air jets can be jetted from the nozzles 35, and the number of effective air nozzles 35 becomes the maximum. At this time, the through hole 4 of the 6-hole branch plate 45 is inserted into the nozzle hole 47a opened in the shielding plate entry recess 47c.
The air that has flowed into the shielding plate entrance recess 47c from 4a is fed. The shield plate entry recess 47c is provided in the air nozzle 35.
It also functions as an air supply unit ( claim 5 ). Also,
The nozzle hole 47a functions as an air passage ( claim 5 ) gathered in the air supply portion. In addition, the stopper walls 48d protrudingly provided at three positions of the shield plate 48c are housed in the respective recesses 45b of the 6-hole branch plate 45, and contact the inner wall surface of the recess 45b when the shield plate 48c is moved in the retracting direction. By coming into contact with the shield plate 48c, the shield plate 48c can be prevented from completely falling out of the shield plate entrance recess 47c and falling.

Further, since the shield plate 48c can be stably and accurately moved by meshing the drive gear 48a and the gear 48b on the shield plate 48c, the nozzle number adjusting motor 32 is controlled by the control unit. It is also possible to block only a total of six nozzle holes 47a, one for each row, by appropriately rotating. As shown in FIG. 10, the shielding plate 48c
A plurality of engaging recesses 48f, 48g, 48h are formed on the lower surface side of the shield plate so as to engage with the positioning pin 47d that is urged upward from the bottom surface of the shielding plate entrance recess 47c and is engageable and disengageable. Engagement recesses 48f, 48 with respect to the pin 47d
By switching the engagement of g and 48h, the shielding plate 48
c has the smallest amount of entry into the shield plate entrance recess 47c (i), and all the nozzle holes 47a in the shield plate entrance recess 47c.
Open position, (ii) one row for each row, a position for closing a total of only six nozzle holes 47a, (iii) shield plate entry recess 47
The amount of entry into c is the largest, and stable positioning is performed at three stages of positions where all nozzle holes 47a in the shield plate entry recess 47c are closed.

In this way, the air nozzle number adjusting means 48
By controlling the drive amount of the motor 32 for adjusting the number of nozzles to adjust the advancing amount of the shielding plate 48c into the shielding plate admission recess 47c, the effective number of air nozzles 35 can be appropriately and easily adjusted. . By the way, since the label 14 entering from the label print issuing unit 9 enters the label holding surface 37b by being pushed out by the label print issuing unit 9, the rear end position is always the label holding surface 37b.
It is in the fixed position of b. On the other hand, since the advancing / retreating direction of the shielding plate 48c coincides with the advancing direction of the label 14 from the label printing / issuing unit 9, the effective adjustment of the number of the air nozzles 35 by the shielding plate 48c is performed by the label holding. Surface 3
This is done according to the length dimension of the label 14 adsorbed and held on 7b. That is, when the label 14 held on the label holding surface 37b is long, the effective amount of the air nozzle 3 is reduced by reducing the amount of the shield plate 48c entering the shield plate recess 47c.
The number of 5 is increased so that the air jet is jetted over the entire surface of the label 14, and when the label 14 is short, the amount of penetration of the shielding plate 48c is reduced to make the effective air nozzle 35.
Is reduced to stop the jetting of the air jet from the air nozzle 35 not corresponding to the label 14 so that the label 14 does not tilt due to uneven distribution of the air pressure.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the nozzle number adjusting motor 32 is installed above the position adjusting motor 31, and the driving force of the nozzle number adjusting motor 32 is supplied to the drive gear 48.
The belt 48d for transmitting to a is tensioned by a tension roller 48e. Therefore, the air nozzle 35 is moved by the air nozzle moving means 39.
Even if the distributor 34 and the air nozzle number adjusting means 48 move integrally with the movement of the belt 48d.
It is possible to secure a proper tension at all times. Further, by disposing the nozzle number adjusting motor 32 and the position adjusting motor 31 above the shaft 40, a sufficient space is secured in the vicinity of the distributor 34, and the objective of adjusting the position of the air nozzle 35 and performing maintenance is achieved. Visual inspection of the member is facilitated and workability is improved.

Further, since the nozzle number adjusting motor 32 and the position adjusting motor 31 are arranged at the positions where they do not interfere with the exhaust flow by the fan 11c, the label holding surface 37b generates the suction force of the label 14, The volume of the exhaust passage 11d formed in the housing can be reduced, which contributes to downsizing of the label sticking portion 11. Moreover, the exhaust passage 11d
Fan 11 for generating suction force by reducing the volume of
The displacement of c can be small, cost can be reduced, and
It becomes easy to apply the suction force of the label 14 on the label holding surface 37b uniformly and stably over the entire surface of the label holding surface 37b.

According to this label sticking apparatus 2, the air nozzle moving means 39 and the air nozzle number adjusting means 48 are driven to correspond to the length dimension of the label 14 by the air jet ejected from the air nozzle 35. 14 is evenly pressed to spray and stick to the product 3.
That is, the position of the air nozzle 35 with respect to the length dimension of the label 14 is important in order to uniformly press the label 14 by the air jet, but in the label sticking apparatus 2, the air nozzle number adjusting means 48 is effective. In addition to adjusting the number of the air nozzles 35, the position of the air nozzles 35 is adjusted by the air nozzle moving means 39, so that the air nozzles 35 can be arranged at the optimum position with respect to the length dimension of the label 14. it can. For this reason,
According to the label sticking device 2, the label 14 can be stuck to the product 3 without tilting, and high sticking quality can be surely obtained.

When the length of the label 14 greatly changes, the length of the label 14 can be easily adjusted by adjusting the number of effective air nozzles 35 by the air nozzle number 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 evenly pressed and attached to the product 3. For example, when the length dimension of the label 14 is short, the shield plate 48c is deeply inserted to the inner side of the shield plate entrance recess 47c to close the nozzle hole 47a in the front direction of the label 14 (lower left side in FIG. 9). And these nozzle holes 47a
The air nozzle 35 capable of disabling the jetting of the air jet of the air nozzle 35 according to the above and operating the air jet on the label 14 in view of the size of the label 14.
Only enable. Incidentally, the air nozzle 35 which does not contribute to the blowing of the air jet onto the label 14 is omitted in advance and the nozzle hole 47a is also blocked corresponding to the width dimension (dimension perpendicular to the feeding direction) of the label 14. Then, after the position of the air nozzle 35 is adjusted by the air nozzle moving means 39, the air jets are ejected only from a plurality of effective air nozzles 35 capable of ejecting the air jets.
The label 14 attracted to the label holding surface 37b is attached to the product 3 (not shown in FIG. 9).

At this time, the shielding plate 48c is not blocked and the pressing force of the air jets jetted from the respective effective air nozzles 35 is not unevenly distributed in a part of the label 14, but is uniformly applied to the label 14. There is a need. That is, strictly speaking, the effective number of 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 uniformly pressing the label 14. , In some cases label 1
It may be smaller than the number of air nozzles 35 corresponding to the area of 4.

When the length of the label 14 is long, the amount of the shield plate 48c entering the shield plate recess 47c is reduced to increase the number of effective air nozzles 35, and the air nozzle moving means 39 is used. After adjusting the position of the air nozzle 35, an air jet is jetted from the air nozzle 35 to attach the label 14. Also in this case, the number of effective air nozzles 35 is a number suitable for uniformly pressing the label 14 by the air jet, and all the air nozzles 3 that can act the air jet on the label 14.
It does not necessarily 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 entering direction of the label 14, a higher density can be achieved with respect to the length dimension of the label 14. it can.

As described above, according to the label sticking apparatus 2, when the length dimension of the label 14 largely changes, first, the effective number of air nozzles 35 is adjusted by the air nozzle number adjusting means 48, and then the air nozzles. Means of transportation 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 effective number of air nozzles 35 is not adjusted by the air nozzle number adjusting means 48, and only the position of the air nozzles 35 is adjusted by the air nozzle moving means 39. be able to.

The position adjustment of the air nozzles 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 carried out when the label cassette 12 is mounted on the label print issuing section 9 and at the same time. This is automatically performed by reading the label size information set by the reflecting material 28 that closes the 12 through holes 27 by the cassette mounting sensor 26 that functions as a size information reading means. Therefore, it is not necessary to adjust the position of the air nozzle by a specialized operator, and the user only needs to select the label cassette 12 and mount it on the label printing and issuing unit 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 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 the label print issuing unit is the center reference, but the label is conveyed on the one side reference. In this case, it is possible to move the nozzle support part in the left and right directions that are perpendicular to the label entry direction, enable only the air nozzle corresponding to the label at the reference position of the label holding part, and set the other air nozzles. Close it up. 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 side opposite to the reference position with the shielding plate. Further, it is more preferable that the air nozzle number adjusting means is configured to close the air nozzles that do not correspond to the label with the shielding plate, regardless of which side is adopted as the reference position with respect to the label entering direction. (B) The air nozzle moving means is not limited to the configuration in which the nozzle support portion is moved by the rotation of the screw-processed shaft, and various configurations such as a configuration in which a belt with the nozzle support portion is driven can be adopted. is there. (C) The drive source of the air nozzle moving means and the air nozzle number adjusting means is not limited to the motor, and an air cylinder, a solenoid, or the like can be adopted. In any case, the nozzle support portion or the shield plate is used. 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 one using a shield plate, and a configuration in which the effective number of 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 a mechanical type or an electric type may be used. 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-described embodiment, it is effective because the air nozzle number adjusting means can cope with three different lengths.

[0039]

As described above, according to the label sticking apparatus of the first aspect, the position where the air jet can uniformly press the label based on the label size information read from the label cassette by the size information reading means. thereby moving the air nozzle, a plurality of Eano
Move the shielding plate that can block the air path of the
-Adjust the amount of entry into the air supply unit that has multiple passages
By automatically adjusting the number of effective air nozzles, the label can be pressed evenly by the air jets ejected from the air nozzles, even if the label size is significantly different, and it can be adapted to the product. The size label can be attached to the product without tilting, and high attachment quality can be obtained stably. Further, since it is not necessary for the specialized operator to adjust the position of the air nozzles and the effective number of air nozzles, 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 threaded shaft, fine adjustment is possible, and the positioning of the air jet ejected from the air nozzle with respect to the label is easy. It has an excellent effect that it can be performed.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since the motor adopted as the drive source of the air nozzle moving means for moving the air nozzle for spraying the label toward the lower product is provided above the shaft, The area occupied by the sticking part that sticks the label to the product does not have to be large, and it is easy to visually check the sticking position of the label with the air nozzle, and it is easy to change the position of the air nozzle and work such as maintenance. Produce an effect.

[0042]

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the air of the plurality of air nozzles is read based on the label size information read from the label cassette by the size information reading means.
Move the shield plate that can block the passage to create multiple air passages.
By adjusting the amount of entry to the gathered air supply section
Ri, since automatically adjusts the number of active air nozzle,
The number of effective air nozzles can be quickly changed in correspondence with labels having greatly different sizes, and the work of changing the number of effective air nozzles can be simplified.

[0044]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall front view showing an embodiment of a label sticking device 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 in which the label sticking unit is opened with respect to the label print issuing unit.

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

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit of the label sticking apparatus of FIG.

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

FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the label sticking portion in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing the internal structure of the label sticking portion of FIG.

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

9 is an exploded perspective view showing a distributor applied to the label sticking part of FIG. 5. FIG.

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

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... Label sticking device, 3 ... Merchandise, 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 (reflecting material), 3
1 ... Motor (position adjusting 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 (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A label sticking device, in which a label cassette is mounted and a label issued is held on a label holding surface, and a label is blown onto a product by air jets ejected from a plurality of air nozzles, wherein label size information is applied to the label cassette. Based on the label size information read by the size information reading means and the size information reading means for reading the label size information from the size information setting means. An air nozzle moving means for moving the label held by a holding surface and the center of the air jet in parallel to each other,
Based on the label size information read by the size information reading means , air communication of a plurality of air nozzles is performed.
Move the shielding plate that can block the passage to
By adjusting the amount of entry into the air supply unit that has been assembled several times,
A label sticking device comprising an air nozzle number adjusting means for automatically adjusting the number of effective air nozzles. 2. The air nozzle moving means screw-engages a threaded shaft extending in a direction coinciding with a direction in which a label enters the label holding surface with a nozzle support portion supporting the air nozzle. The label sticking device according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle support portion is moved by rotating the shaft. 3. A motor employed as a drive source for the air nozzle moving means for moving an air nozzle that moves by moving a label toward a lower product, is provided above the shaft. Labeling device according to 2. 4. A label sticking device, in which a label issued by mounting a label cassette is held on a label holding surface, and a label is blown onto a product by air jets ejected from a plurality of air nozzles. Based on the label size information read from the size information reading means, and the size information reading means for reading the label size information from the size information setting means, and the air passages of the plurality of air nozzles. Shut off
You can move the shielding plate to collect multiple air passages.
A label sticking device comprising: an air nozzle number adjusting means for automatically adjusting the number of effective air nozzles by adjusting the amount of entry into the air supply section .