JP6203013B2 - Labeling device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a label attaching apparatus for issuing a label and attaching it to an object to be attached.

  Generally, a top-applying type label applicator has a label issued from a label issuing unit adsorbed and held by a label adsorbing unit and lowered the label adsorbing unit to the upper surface of the product on a conveyor, thereby Works like sticking a label. This sticking operation is executed in synchronization with the conveyance of the goods by the conveyor so that the label is stuck at a position preset by the user.

  In such a top sticking type label sticking device, a mechanism for horizontally rotating the label suction portion may be provided so that the label can be stuck at a desired angular position in plan view. In this type of label sticking apparatus, when the label sticking angle is changed, the distance between the end of the product and the end of the label is changed in the product transport direction. Therefore, it is necessary to reset the label sticking position in the transport direction every time the sticking angle is changed.

  When manually performing the resetting of the pasting position, after the user actually performs the pasting operation with the pasting angle setting changed, the end of the label and the end of the product on the upstream side or the downstream side in the transport direction are displayed. The distance to the part is measured, and a deviation between the actually measured value and the desired distance is confirmed. Thereafter, the setting value of the pasting position is re-entered to an appropriate value on the operation screen so that the deviation is eliminated. Thereby, the sticking operation is executed at an appropriate timing so that the label is stuck at a desired position in the transport direction.

  In order to omit such a complicated resetting operation, Patent Document 1 discloses that the timing of the pasting operation is such that the label can be pasted at a desired pasting position even if the setting of the label pasting angle is changed. A technique for automatically correcting is disclosed.

  In the apparatus of Patent Document 1, a label roll with a mount is used. The label roll with a mount is formed by winding a strip-shaped mount on which a plurality of labels having a predetermined size are attached so as to be peeled at predetermined intervals. Moreover, in the apparatus of Patent Document 1, the label sticking angle is determined by selecting one of a plurality of rotation angles such as 0 °, 45 °, and 90 °. The automatic correction of the timing of the pasting operation is performed based on a table (see FIG. 6 of the same document) in which correction values are set in advance for each label size and each rotation angle, whereby the pasting angle is changed. Even in this case, the label can be pasted at a desired pasting position.

  As a device for automatically applying a label on the upper surface of a product, a label issuing machine that issues a printed label, and a label applying machine that receives a label issued by the label issuing machine and applies it to a product on a conveyor There is known a labeling device provided.

Japanese Patent No. 48981515

  By the way, when using a label roll with a mount, labels have various sizes. In addition, when using a mountless label roll formed by winding only a belt-like label continuous body into a roll, the label size is determined by the cutting position of the label continuous body, so that there are innumerable label sizes. become. Therefore, as in the technique of Patent Document 1, in order to prepare a correction value for the timing of the pasting operation for each label size, it is necessary to store enormous data.

  Further, in the technique of Patent Document 1, when the pasting angle is set in units of 45 ° as described above, the data amount of the correction value for each pasting angle may be relatively small. In the label affixing device that can be set in units, the data amount of the correction value is further enormous. Furthermore, when the conveyance speed of goods by the conveyor can be changed, it is necessary to prepare a similar correction value for each conveyance speed, and in this case, an enormous amount of data is required.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a label that can control the timing of the pasting operation so that the label is always pasted at a desired pasting position regardless of the pasting angle without preparing a large amount of correction data in advance. It is an object to provide a sticking device and a label sticking method.

The label applicator according to the present invention is:
A label issuing unit that sends out a substantially rectangular label in a predetermined issuing direction;
A label adsorbing unit for adsorbing the label sent from the label issuing unit to the lower surface;
A rotation mechanism that horizontally rotates the label suction portion around a rotation center that is located downstream from the upstream end of the label sucked by the label suction portion in the issuing direction by a first distance;
A lowering mechanism that lowers the label adsorbing portion and presses the label against an object to be adhered that moves at a predetermined speed in a predetermined conveying direction below the label adsorbing portion;
A passage sensor for detecting the passage of a predetermined reference position in the object to be pasted at a detection position separated by a second distance upstream from the label suction portion in the transport direction;
At a timing such that a label end on the downstream side or upstream side in the transport direction is affixed to a position separated by a third distance from the reference position on the pasted object upstream or downstream in the transport direction. A control unit that operates a lowering mechanism and operates the rotating mechanism so that the rotational angle position of the label when the label is pressed against the object to be pasted by the lowering mechanism is a predetermined angle;
The control unit
Based on the first distance, the predetermined angle, and the size of the label, the fourth in the transport direction between the rotation center and the label end when the rotation angle position of the label is the predetermined angle. Calculate the distance,
Based on the third distance and the fourth distance, a fifth distance between the rotation center in the transport direction and the reference position when the label is pressed against the object to be pasted by the lowering mechanism is calculated. And
Based on the second distance and the fifth distance, a sixth distance between the detection position and the reference position in the transport direction when the label is pressed against the object to be pasted by the lowering mechanism is calculated. And
Based on the sixth distance and the predetermined speed, a first time from when the passage of the reference position is detected by the passage sensor to when the label is attached to the object to be pasted is calculated,
Based on the second time required for the label to be pressed against the object to be pasted after starting the operation of the lowering mechanism and the first time, the passage sensor detects the passage of the reference position. The waiting time until the start of the operation of the lowering mechanism is calculated.

  In the label sticking device according to the present invention, when the sticking speed, the sticking position of the label in the sticking direction, and the label sticking angle are preset, the upstream of the label in the label issuing direction is set. A first distance between the end and the center of rotation, a second distance between the detection position in the transport direction and the label suction portion, and a pasting position in the transport direction (the reference position of the pasting object and the pasting on the pasting object) The fourth distance in the transport direction when the rotation angle position of the label is a predetermined pasting angle based on the third distance between the end of the attached label downstream or upstream in the transport direction) After the fifth distance and the sixth distance in the transport direction when the label is pressed against the object are sequentially calculated, the timing for starting the operation of the lowering mechanism is finally calculated based on the sixth distance and the transport speed. The As described above, since the pasting operation is executed at the timing calculated according to the pasting angle, even if the pasting angle is changed, the label can be reliably pasted to a predetermined pasting position.

  In the present invention, since the timing of the pasting operation is calculated using the predetermined set value and the predetermined fixed value as described above, a correction value is set for each label size, each past angle, or each transport speed. There is no need to prepare a customized table.

  Furthermore, even when the label size, the sticking angle, and the conveyance speed are set to various values, the timing control of the sticking operation as described above can be surely executed corresponding to these set values. Therefore, various label sizes can be employed. In particular, the present invention can be effectively applied when using a mountless label roll whose label length can be arbitrarily set. In addition, since it is not necessary to prepare a correction table for each pasting angle, it is possible to set the pasting angle more freely, for example, by setting the pasting angle every 1 °.

In the label sticking device according to the present invention,
The label is arranged at a substantially right angle in the issuing direction when sent from the label issuing unit, and a first side arranged at a substantially right angle in the issuing direction when sent out from the label issuing unit, and the first A second side disposed on the downstream side in the issuing direction from the side,
When the label end is the end of the first side,
The controller is
The fourth distance may be calculated based on the dimensions of the first side and the second side, the first distance, and the predetermined angle.

  As described above, when the end of the first side that is arranged upstream in the issuing direction at the time of issuing the label out of the first side and the second side of the label serves as a reference for calculating the fourth distance, the fourth distance. For the calculation, only the dimensions of the first side and the second side substantially perpendicular to the issuing direction are used, and it is not necessary to use the dimensions of the remaining two sides substantially parallel to the issuing direction. Accordingly, when the mountless label roll is used, the fourth distance can be easily calculated based on the dimension in the width direction of the label continuous body regardless of the cutting position of the label continuous body.

In the label sticking device according to the present invention,
The label is arranged at a substantially right angle in the issuing direction when sent from the label issuing unit, and a first side arranged at a substantially right angle in the issuing direction when sent out from the label issuing unit, and the first A second side disposed downstream of the issuing direction from the side, and a third side and a fourth side disposed substantially parallel to the issuing direction,
When the label end is the end of the second side,
The controller is
The fourth distance may be calculated based on the dimensions of the first side and the second side, the dimensions of the third side and the fourth side, the first distance, and the predetermined angle.

  As described above, when the end of the second side that is arranged on the downstream side in the issuing direction at the time of label issuance among the first side and the second side of the label is the reference for the fourth distance calculation, the fourth distance. Is calculated using the dimensions of the third side and the fourth side substantially parallel to the issuing direction in addition to the dimensions of the first side and the second side substantially perpendicular to the issuing direction. It is possible to calculate with certainty.

The label sticking method according to the present invention includes:
From the label issuing section, a substantially rectangular label is sent in a predetermined issuing direction,
The label is placed on the lower surface of the label adsorbing portion so that the label adsorbing portion can be horizontally rotated around a rotation center located downstream from the upstream end in the issuing direction by a first distance in the label fed from the label issuing portion. Adsorb,
Move the object to be adhered at a predetermined speed in a predetermined conveyance direction below the label suction part,
At a detection position separated by a second distance from the label suction portion to the upstream side in the transport direction, the passage of a predetermined reference position in the pasted object is detected,
When a predetermined waiting time elapses after the passage of the reference position is detected, the label adsorbing portion to which the label is adsorbed starts to descend, and from the reference position in the pasted object in the transport direction. The label is pressed against the object to be pasted so that the label end on the downstream side or the upstream side in the transport direction is pasted at a position separated by a third distance upstream or downstream,
A label affixing method for horizontally rotating the label adsorbing part to which the label is adsorbed so that the rotation angle position of the label when pressed against the adherend is a predetermined angle,
Based on the first distance, the predetermined angle, and the size of the label, the fourth in the transport direction between the rotation center and the label end when the rotation angle position of the label is the predetermined angle. Calculate the distance,
Based on the third distance and the fourth distance, calculate a fifth distance between the rotation center and the reference position in the transport direction when the label is pressed against the object to be pasted,
Based on the second distance and the fifth distance, a sixth distance between the detection position and the reference position in the transport direction when the label is pressed against the adherend is calculated,
Based on the sixth distance and the predetermined speed, a first time from when the passage of the reference position is detected until the label is attached to the object to be attached is calculated,
The waiting time is calculated based on a second time required from the start of the lowering of the label adsorbing portion until the label is pressed against the object to be pasted, and the first time.

  In the label sticking method according to the present invention, the upstream of the label in the label issuing direction when the sticking speed, the label sticking position in the sticking direction, and the label sticking angle are set in advance. A first distance between the end and the center of rotation, a second distance between the detection position in the transport direction and the label suction portion, and a pasting position in the transport direction (the reference position of the pasting object and the pasting on the pasting object) The fourth distance in the transport direction when the rotation angle position of the label is a predetermined pasting angle based on the third distance between the end of the attached label downstream or upstream in the transport direction) After the fifth distance and the sixth distance in the transport direction when the label is pressed against the object are sequentially calculated, the timing for starting the operation of the lowering mechanism is finally calculated based on the sixth distance and the transport speed. The As described above, since the pasting operation is executed at the timing calculated according to the pasting angle, even if the pasting angle is changed, the label can be reliably pasted to a predetermined pasting position.

  Further, in the present invention, since the timing of the pasting operation is calculated using the limited set value and fixed value as described above, a correction value is set for each label size, each pasting angle, or each transport speed. There is no need to prepare a separate table.

  Furthermore, even when the label size, the sticking angle, and the conveyance speed are set to various values, the timing control of the sticking operation as described above can be surely executed corresponding to these set values. Therefore, various label sizes can be employed, and the present invention can be effectively applied particularly when a mountless label roll capable of arbitrarily setting the label length is used. Further, since it is not necessary to prepare the correction value for each pasting angle, it is possible to set the pasting angle more freely, for example, by setting the pasting angle every 1 °.

  According to the present invention, by the calculation based on the label size, the sticking angle, the sticking position in the carrying direction of the sticking object, various distances in the carrying direction, the carrying time of the sticking object, and the sticking operation time, Since the timing is controlled, a label can always be applied to a desired application position regardless of the application angle without preparing a large amount of data for correction in advance.

It is a front view which shows the label sticking apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which looked at the internal structure of the label issuing machine mounted in the label sticking apparatus shown in FIG. 1 from the front. It is sectional drawing which looked at the internal structure of the label sticking machine mounted in the label sticking apparatus shown in FIG. 1 from the front. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the label sticking machine shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of the label sticking apparatus shown in FIG. It is a time chart of the sticking operation | movement shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the various distance in a goods conveyance direction. It is a top view which shows the label of an unrotated state. It is a figure for demonstrating the calculation method of the 4th distance in case a sticking angle is set to the angle position of a positive 1st angle area. It is a figure for demonstrating the calculation method of the 4th distance in case a sticking angle is set to the angle position of a negative 1st angle area. It is a figure for demonstrating the calculation method of the 4th distance in case a sticking angle is set to the angle position of a positive 2nd angle area. It is a figure for demonstrating the calculation method of the 4th distance in case a sticking angle is set to the angle position of a negative 2nd angle area. It is a figure which shows an example of a sticking angle setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure which sticks out a label from the upper surface of goods.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Overall configuration of labeling device]
As shown in FIG. 1, the label sticking apparatus 1 according to this embodiment attaches a label L (see FIGS. 3 and 4) to the conveyor 4 that conveys the product G and the upper surface of the product G that is conveyed by the conveyor 4. An upper pasting mechanism 7 to be attached, an operation display unit 12 for performing a predetermined input operation and a predetermined display, and a rack 2 for supporting the above components are provided. A lower pasting mechanism (not shown) for pasting a label on the lower surface of the product G may be further provided below the conveyor 4.

[Conveyor]
The conveyor 4 is disposed so as to move the product G along a conveyance direction (D direction in the drawing) from the left to the right as viewed from the front side of the label sticking device 1. Although the conveyor 4 is comprised with an endless belt, for example, in this invention, the specific structure of the conveyor 4 is not specifically limited.

  A commodity passage sensor 110 is disposed in the vicinity of the conveyor 4. The commodity passage sensor 110 detects whether or not the commodity G on the conveyor 4 has passed through a predetermined position upstream of the label pasting position by the upper pasting mechanism 7 in the transport direction D. Although the kind of goods passage sensor 110 is not limited, For example, the optical goods passage sensor 110 which has a light emission part and a light-receiving part is used.

[Up pasting mechanism]
The upper pasting mechanism 7 includes: a label issuing machine 8 that issues a label L that is pasted on the upper surface of the product G; and a label pasting machine 10 that applies the label L issued by the label issuing machine 8 to the upper surface of the product G. I have.

  The label issuing machine 8 and the label sticking machine 10 are disposed above the conveyor 4. Regarding the conveyance direction D, the label sticking machine 10 is disposed adjacent to the downstream side of the label issuing machine 8. In addition, on the further downstream side of the label applicator 10, another label applicator for pressing the label L attached to the upper surface of the product G from above, or the label L attached to the upper surface of the product G You may arrange | position the air spraying apparatus which blows air from upper direction.

  The label issuing machine 8 is supported by the rack 2 from below. The label issuing machine 8 and the label applying machine 10 are unitized, and the label applying machine 10 is supported by the rack 2 via the label issuing machine 8. The rack 2 is provided with a rail portion 18 that extends in the width direction of the conveyor 4 (E direction shown in FIGS. 8 to 12) orthogonal to the transport direction D. The label issuing machine 8 can slide in the width direction E along the rail portion 18. Therefore, the label issuing machine 8 and the label applying machine 10 can be integrally adjusted in the width direction E by sliding the label issuing machine 8 along the rail portion 18. Specific configurations of the label issuing machine 8 and the label sticking machine 10 will be described later.

[Operation display section]
The operation display unit 12 includes a display panel 13 and a stroke key unit 14. The display panel 13 is constituted by a touch panel, for example. However, the display panel 13 is not necessarily a touch panel. When the display panel 13 is a touch panel, the operation display unit 12 does not necessarily have the stroke key unit 14.

[Label issuing machine]
The configuration of the label issuing machine 8 will be described with reference to FIG. A so-called mountless label roll LR is used for the label issuing machine 8. The label roll LR is formed by winding a strip-shaped continuous label LC having a glue surface and a non-glue surface in a roll shape so that the glue surface faces inward. The non-glue surface of the label continuum LC is a printing surface that develops color when heat is applied.

  The label issuing machine 8 includes a holder 90 that supports the label roll LR from the inner peripheral side, and a plurality of guide rollers 99a, 99b, and 99c that guide an extended portion of the label continuous body LC fed out from the outer peripheral portion of the label roll LR. The printing unit 91 that prints on the printing surface of the label continuum LC, the printing roller 92 that sandwiches the label continuum LC together with the printing unit 91, and the label continuum LC toward the label issuing port W in cooperation with the printing roller 92 An assist roller 93 for feeding, a cutting means 95 for cutting the label continuous body LC, and a housing 120 for housing various components of the label issuing machine 8 are provided.

  In the following description, the direction in which the label continuum LC is fed from the label roll LR toward the label issuing port W is referred to as “label supply direction” (F direction in the figure).

  The housing 120 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, for example. The front surface of the housing 120 is configured by a door that can be opened and closed, and maintenance of the label issuing machine 8 and replacement of the label roll LR are performed with the door of the housing 120 opened.

  The holder 90 extends from the back side of the label issuing machine 8 toward the front side. The rear side end of the holder 20 is fixed to the housing 120 and is supported in a cantilevered manner by the housing 120. The label roll LR is set in the label issuing machine 8 by being inserted into the holder 90 from the front side.

  The printing unit 91 is a thermal head including a plurality of minute heating elements that are heated in accordance with the printing data, and the heated heating element is brought into contact with the printing surface of the label continuum LC, thereby enabling thermal printing. I do.

  The surface of the printing roller 92 is made of a rubber material. The printing roller 92 is a driving roller that is rotationally driven by a printing roller motor 96. For the printing roller motor 96, for example, a stepping motor is used.

  The printing roller 92 is disposed so as to sandwich the label continuous body LC together with the printing unit 91. Accordingly, the printing roller 92 can move the label continuum LC in the label supply direction F by rotating the printing roller 92 while pressing the printing surface of the label continuum LC against the printing unit 91. The printing roller 92 is disposed below the printing unit 91. Therefore, the label continuum LC is sent out to the label issuing port W in a posture in which the printing surface is the upper surface.

  The printing roller 92 can rotate in both forward and reverse directions. Here, the “forward direction” refers to the rotational direction in which the label continuous body LC is fed in the label supply direction F, and the “reverse direction” refers to the rotational direction in which the label continuous body LC is pulled in the direction opposite to the label supply direction F. Point to.

  The surface of the assist roller 93 is made of a rubber material. The assist roller 93 is a drive roller that is rotationally driven by an assist roller motor 97. As the assist roller motor 97, for example, a stepping motor is used.

  The assist roller 93 is disposed on the upstream side of the print roller 92 with respect to the label supply direction F. The assist roller 93 is disposed so as to sandwich the label continuous body LC together with the opposed driven roller 94. As with the printing roller 92, the assist roller 93 can rotate in both forward and reverse directions.

  When the print roller 92 and the assist roller 93 are rotationally driven in the forward direction, the label continuum LC is fed in the label supply direction F, and when the print roller 92 and the assist roller 93 are rotationally driven in the reverse direction, the label The continuum LC is back fed in the direction opposite to the label supply direction F.

  Between the assist roller 93 and the printing roller 92, the label continuum LC is guided by a guide roller 99c so as to be detoured downward. A label sensor 100 is disposed between the assist roller 93 and the print roller 92. The label sensor 100 is a sensor that detects whether or not a continuous label body LC exists between the assist roller 93 and the print roller 92. For the label sensor 100, for example, an optical sensor including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit is used. In this case, the slack of the label continuum LC is detected based on the output value of the label sensor 100 using the fact that the output value of the label sensor 100 changes according to the distance between the label sensor 100 and the label continuum LC. Is possible.

  The cutting means 95 includes a movable cutter 95a and a fixed cutter 95b. The movable cutter 95a is disposed with the blade facing downward. The movable cutter 95a is driven to slide up and down by a cutter motor 98. The fixed cutter 95b is fixed to the housing 120 with the blade facing upward.

  When the cutting means 95 is not operating (standby state), the blade of the movable cutter 95a is disposed above the blade of the fixed cutter 95b. When the label continuous body LC is cut by the cutting means 95, the label continuous body LC is fed to the outside of the housing 120 through the label issuing port W, and the cutting position is the blade of the fixed cutter 95b and the movable cutter. Aligned with the 95a blade. If the movable cutter 95a is slid downward with the label continuum LC aligned as described above, the label continuum LC is sandwiched from above and below by the blade of the fixed cutter 95b and the blade of the movable cutter 95a. Is cut off. By cutting the label continuum LC by the cutting means 95 in this way, the substantially rectangular label L cut from the label continuum LC is transferred from the label issuing port (label issuing unit) W to a predetermined issuing direction (see FIG. 7 (a) and the direction of arrow H in FIG. In the present embodiment, the issuing direction H is a direction parallel to the conveying direction D of the product G, but the issuing direction H and the conveying direction D are not necessarily parallel.

[Labeling machine]
Then, the structure of the label sticking machine 10 is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the label sticking machine 10 has a label sticking mechanism 30 for sticking the label L issued by the label issuing machine 8 to the upper surface of the product G, and a housing 40 for housing the label sticking mechanism 30. .

  A suction block 50 is provided on the lower surface of the housing 40. The lower surface of the suction block 50 is a suction surface that sucks the label L by supplying negative pressure from the suction block negative pressure source 112 (see FIG. 5).

  The label sticking mechanism 30 descends from the upper side of the label L sucked and held on the lower surface of the suction block 50, and presses the label L against the upper surface of the product G positioned below the suction block 50, for example, one stick arm 31. And an arm holder 36 that holds the application arm 31 by being connected to the application arm 31 via a coil spring 37 that applies an upward biasing force to the application arm 31. The label sticking mechanism 30 includes a lowering mechanism 48 that lowers the sticking arm 31 and presses the label L against the product G, and a rotation mechanism 49 that rotates the sticking arm 31 horizontally.

  The arm holder 36 is made of, for example, an aluminum block material, and thus the arm holder 36 can be reduced in weight.

  The pasting arm 31 is a hollow bar. For example, stainless steel is used as the material of the sticking arm 31, thereby reducing the weight of the sticking arm 31. The sticking arm 31 is disposed so as to penetrate the arm holding body 36 and extend in the vertical direction. The hollow portion of the sticking arm 31 communicates with the sticking arm negative pressure source 111 (see FIG. 5) via a connection portion 35 attached to the upper end of the sticking arm 31.

  A cushion portion 32 is provided at the lower end of the sticking arm 31. The cushion part 32 is a cylindrical member extending in the vertical direction. The hollow portion of the cushion portion 32 communicates with the hollow portion of the sticking arm 31. A soft material is used as the material of the cushion portion 32, and specifically, rubber is used, for example. Thereby, the impact given to the goods G when the cushion part 32 is pressed is relieved, and the goods G are protected. When the label sticking mechanism 30 is not operating (standby state), the lower surface of the cushion portion 32 is disposed at the same height or slightly higher than the lower surface of the suction block 50.

  The cushion part 32 is a substantially cylindrical member fitted to the lower end part of the sticking arm 31, and the lower end part of the cushion part 32 is expanded in a trumpet shape downward. When negative pressure is supplied to the lower surface of the cushion part 32 by driving the negative pressure source 111 for the sticking arm, the label L can be adsorbed and held on the lower surface of the cushion part 32. With the above configuration, the sticking arm 31 constitutes a label adsorbing portion that adsorbs the label L to the lower surface of the cushion portion 32.

  A lower stopper 33 is provided at an intermediate portion of the sticking arm 31. The lower stopper 33 is disposed below the arm holder 36 so as to function as a restricting portion that restricts the relative upward movement of the sticking arm 31 with respect to the arm holder 36. The material of the lower stopper 33 is not particularly limited. For example, the same material as that of the sticking arm 31 is used.

  An upper stopper 34 is provided at the upper end of the sticking arm 31. The upper end of the coil spring 37 is fixed to the upper stopper 34, and the lower end of the coil spring 37 is fixed to the arm holder 36. Thus, the coil spring 37 is interposed between the upper stopper 34 and the arm holder 36 in a compressed state, so that an upward biasing force by the coil spring 37 acts on the sticking arm 31. ing.

  The lowering mechanism 48 includes a vertical movement motor 41 that moves the arm holder 36 together with the sticking arm 31 in the vertical direction. The output shaft of the vertical movement motor 41 is disposed along the horizontal direction. A driving pulley 42 is drivingly connected to the output shaft of the vertical movement motor 41. The driving pulley 42 is connected to a driven pulley 43 disposed below the driving pulley 42 via an endless belt 44. An arm holder 36 is fixed to the belt 44. Thus, when the vertical movement motor 41 rotates in the forward direction (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3), the arm holder 36 moves upward together with the movement of the belt 44, and the vertical movement motor 41 moves in the reverse direction (FIG. 3). When the belt 44 is rotated, the arm holder 36 moves downward.

  In the present invention, the drive mechanism for moving the arm holder 36 in the vertical direction is not limited to the mechanism including the vertical movement motor 41 and the like, and for example, an air cylinder may be used as the drive mechanism. In this case, the arm holder 36 fixed to the rod of the air cylinder or the cylinder can be moved in the vertical direction by extending and contracting the air cylinder in the vertical direction.

  The rotation mechanism 49 includes a rotation motor 45 that rotates the sticking arm 31 around the axis. The output shaft of the rotation motor 45 is arranged along the vertical direction. A driving pulley 46 is drivingly connected to the output shaft of the rotation motor 45. The driving pulley 46 is connected to the driven pulley 38 via an endless belt 47. A pasting arm 31 penetrates the driven pulley 38 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction, and a ball bearing is interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the pasting arm 31 and the inner peripheral surface of the through hole of the driven pulley 38. It is disguised. When the driven pulley 38 is rotated by driving of the rotation motor 45, the sticking arm 31 is rotated around the axis in conjunction with the rotation.

  An example of the operation of the label sticking mechanism 30 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the label L issued by the label issuing machine 8 is sucked and held on the lower surface of the suction block 50 supplied with negative pressure by the suction block negative pressure source 112.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, the supply of negative pressure to the lower surface of the suction block 50 is stopped, and the arm holder 36 is driven by the vertical movement motor 41 so as to descend at high speed. When the arm holder 36 is lowered, the lower stopper 33 is pushed downward by the arm holder 36, whereby the sticking arm 31 is lowered together with the arm holder 36. Thereby, the cushion part 32 of the sticking arm 31 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the suction block 50 and pulls the label L away from the suction block 50 and pushes it down.

  At this time, negative pressure is supplied to the lower surface of the cushion portion 32, and the label L is pushed down while being sucked and held on the lower surface of the cushion portion 32. When the label L is pulled away from the suction block 50, the rotation arm 45 drives the sticking arm 31 to rotate around the axis by a predetermined angle. As a result, the label L held on the lower surface of the cushion portion 32 descends while rotating together with the sticking arm 31 until it reaches a predetermined direction.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 4C, when the arm holder 36 is lowered to a predetermined height, the vertical movement motor 41 is suddenly stopped, and the descent of the arm holder 36 is stopped. At this time, downward inertia force acts on the sticking arm 31, and the sticking arm 31 starts to descend due to inertia. Thereafter, the sticking arm 31 continues to descend due to inertia while further compressing the coil spring 37.

  The label L held by the cushion portion 32 is pressed against the upper surface of the product G while the sticking arm 31 is lowered due to the inertia. Further, the negative pressure supply to the lower surface of the cushion portion 32 is stopped at a predetermined timing immediately before the label L is pressed against the upper surface of the product G. Thereby, the label L can be affixed on the upper surface of the product G without giving a large impact force to the product G.

  Thereafter, the sticking arm 31 is pulled up by the upward biasing force of the coil spring 37. Further, when the cushion portion 32 is separated from the upper surface of the product G, the vertical movement motor 41 and the rotation motor 45 operate so as to rotate in the direction opposite to that when the sticking arm 31 is lowered, as shown in FIG. The pasting arm 31 is pulled up while rotating until it reaches the same height and the same angular position as the standby state.

[Control system]
The control system of the label sticking apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.

  Various operations of the label sticking apparatus 1 are controlled by the control unit 101. The control unit 101 is provided with a storage unit 102 that stores various information necessary for the operation of the label sticking apparatus 1. The control unit 101 is attached to, for example, the rack 2 (see FIG. 1), but the attachment position of the control unit 101 is not limited.

  The storage unit 102 stores, for example, various information including information regarding the screen displayed on the operation display unit 12, a product master, a tray master, a label master, and a cassette master. Various information stored in the storage unit 102 can be changed, added, or deleted by an input operation on the operation display unit 12.

  A signal from the operation display unit 12, a signal from the label sensor 100 of the label issuing machine 8, and a signal from the commodity passage sensor 110 are input to the control unit 101. Note that signals from other various devices may be input to the control unit 101.

  Further, the control unit 101 determines the conveyor motor 104, the label issuing machine 8 (specifically, the printing roller motor 96, the assist roller based on the information stored in the storage unit 102 and / or various input signals. Motor 97, thermal head 91 and cutter motor 98), label applicator 10 (specifically, application arm vertical movement motor 41, application arm rotation motor 45, application arm negative pressure source 111, and suction block negative pressure) A control signal is output to the pressure source 112) and the operation display unit 12.

  The control unit 101 controls the sticking operation (see FIG. 4) by the label sticking machine 10 so that the label L is stuck at a predetermined sticking position on the upper surface of the product G at a predetermined sticking angle. The sticking angle of the label L and the sticking position in the transport direction D on the upper surface of the product G are set to values input by the user to the operation display unit 12. The sticking angle of the label L is controlled by controlling the rotation amount of the sticking arm 31 by the rotating mechanism 49. On the other hand, the sticking position of the label L in the transport direction D is controlled by the timing of starting the sticking operation, that is, the timing of starting the operation of the lowering mechanism 48.

  In addition, the sticking position in the width direction E (refer FIGS. 9-12) of the conveyor 4 is position adjustment of the guide member (not shown) which positions the goods G on the conveyor 4 in the width direction E, or a label sticking machine Manually adjusted by 10 position adjustment. However, the label sticking apparatus 1 may be provided with a slide mechanism for automatically sliding the guide member (not shown) or the label sticking machine 10 in the width direction E. In this case, the control unit 101 is set by the user. The slide mechanism is controlled so that a label is attached to the applied position in the width direction E.

[Timing control of pasting operation]
Hereinafter, the timing control of the pasting operation will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, as shown in FIG. 6A, in order to determine the timing for starting the pasting operation, the commodity passing sensor 110 detects the passage of a predetermined reference position in the commodity G (time t0 in FIG. 6). In the present embodiment, the reference position is set at the downstream end in the conveyance direction D of the product G, but the upstream end of the product G may be used as the reference position. Further, when using a product passage sensor 110 (for example, an image sensor) that can detect the passage of the product G at positions other than the upstream end and the downstream end, a position other than the upstream end and the downstream end of the product G may be used as the reference position. .

  As shown in FIG. 6B, when a predetermined waiting time Tw elapses from time t0, the operation of the lowering mechanism 48, specifically, the forward direction of the stick arm vertical movement motor 41 (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3). ) Is started (time t1 in FIG. 6). As a result, as shown in FIG. 6C, after the descent of the sticking arm 31 is started at time t1, the label L held on the lower end of the cushion portion 32 of the sticking arm 31 is displayed at time t2. The label L is affixed to the product G by being pressed against the upper surface.

  The waiting time Tw from the time t0 when the passage sensor 110 detects the passage of the downstream end of the conveyance direction D of the product G to the time t1 when the operation of the lowering mechanism 48 (that is, the lowering of the sticking arm 31) is started is 101 is calculated as follows.

[Method for calculating standby time Tw]
As shown in FIG. 6, the time from the time t0 when the passage sensor 110 detects the passage of the downstream end in the conveyance direction D of the product G to the time t2 when the label L is pasted on the product G is defined as the first time Ta, and the descent When the time required from the time t1 when the operation of the mechanism 48 is started to the time t2 when the label L is pressed against the product G is the second time Tb, the waiting time Tw is the first time Ta and the second time Tb. On the basis of this, it is calculated by the following formula 1.

  A method for calculating the first time Ta will be described with reference to FIG. 7A shows the positional relationship between the product passage sensor 110, the product G, and the pasting arm 31 when the product passage sensor 110 detects the passage of the product G in the transport direction D upstream end G1 (time t0 in FIG. 6). FIG. 7B shows the same positional relationship when the label L is pressed against the upper surface of the product G (time t2 in FIG. 6).

  As shown in FIG. 7 (a), the label L is attracted to the lower end of the sticking arm 31 (specifically, the lower surface of the cushion portion 32) in the label issuing direction H from the label issuing port W (see FIG. 2). The distance from the upstream end of the label L to the axis of the sticking arm 31 (the rotation center 131a of the label L attracted to the lower end of the sticking arm 31 (see FIG. 8)) is the first distance A, and the conveyance direction of the product G In D, the distance from the detection position by the commodity passage sensor 110 to the axis of the pasting arm 31 is a second distance B.

  The suction block 50 (see FIG. 3) holds the label L on the lower surface of the suction block 50 in order to always hold the suction direction H upstream end of the label L sent from the label issuing port W at the same position. In the state, the positional relationship between the upstream end of the label L and the pasting arm 31 in the issuing direction H is always constant. Therefore, the first distance A is always a constant value regardless of the size of the label L.

  In the transport direction D, the positional relationship between the commodity passage sensor 110 and the pasting arm 31 is always constant. Therefore, the second distance B is always a constant value.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, when the label L is pressed against the product G, the distance between the downstream end of the label L and the downstream end G1 of the product G in the transport direction D is the third distance C, and the sticking arm 31 Is the fourth distance Xa, and the axis of the stick arm 31 (the rotation center 131a of the label L (see FIG. 8)). ) And the downstream end G1 of the product G is a fifth distance Xb, and the distance between the position detected by the product passage sensor 110 and the downstream end G1 of the product G is a sixth distance Xc.

  The third distance C is determined by setting the label L sticking position in the transport direction D. Since the sticking operation is performed at the timing when the label L is stuck at the position set in the transport direction D, the third distance C is constant unless the setting of the sticking position is changed. Further, when the setting of the pasting position in the transport direction D is changed, the third distance C changes by the same amount as the pasting position change amount.

  The fourth distance Xa varies depending on the dimension of the label L and the pasting angle. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the fourth distance Xa is calculated according to the pasting angle. A method for calculating the fourth distance Xa will be described later.

The fifth distance Xb is calculated by the following formula 2 based on the third distance C and the fourth distance Xa.

Further, based on the fifth distance Xb and the second distance B calculated in this way, the sixth distance Xc is calculated by the following mathematical formula 3.

The sixth distance Xc calculated in this way is the distance that the downstream end G1 of the product G moves in the transport direction D from time t0 to time t2. Accordingly, the first time Ta (see FIG. 6) from the time t0 to the time t2 is calculated by the following formula 4 based on the sixth distance Xc and the conveyance speed V of the product G by the conveyor 4.

  The conveyance speed V is arbitrarily set according to the type of the product G or the like. Further, the conveying speed V is constant during the operation of the conveyor 4.

  On the other hand, the second time Tb (see FIG. 6) required from the time t1 when the operation of the lowering mechanism 48 is started to the time t2 when the label L is pressed against the product G is the lowering distance of the sticking arm 31, that is, the product G It depends on the height. The height of the product G is set by an input by the user or detected by a height sensor (for example, a line sensor). Therefore, the second time Tb is a fixed time as long as the height of the commodity G does not change.

  From the above, based on the first time Ta calculated by the mathematical formula 4 and the second time Tb determined by the height of the product G, the standby time Tw can be calculated by the mathematical formula 1 described above.

  When the sticking operation (the operation of the lowering mechanism 48) is started at time t1 in accordance with the standby time Tw calculated in this way, the label L can be attached to the position set in the transport direction D with high accuracy.

[Calculation method of fourth distance Xa]
A method for calculating the fourth distance Xa will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the label L immediately after being issued by the label issuing machine 8. That is, the state shown in FIG. 8 is an unrotated state in which the rotation of the pasting arm 31 and the label L by the rotation mechanism 49 is not started.

  The rotation angle position θ of the label L in the non-rotation state shown in FIG. 8 is θ = 0 °. In plan view, the rotation angle position θ rotated by 0 ° to 180 ° in the clockwise direction from the non-rotation state shown in FIG. 8 is defined as a positive angle position (0 ° ≦ θ ≦ 180 °). A rotation angle position θ that is rotated counterclockwise by an angle of 0 ° to 180 ° from the unrotated state shown in FIG. 8 is defined as a negative angular position (−180 ° ≦ θ ≦ 0 °). Further, the range of the positive angular position θ (0 ° ≦ θ ≦ 180 °) is a positive first angular region (0 ° ≦ θ ≦ 90 °) and a positive second angular region (90 ° ≦ θ ≦ 180 °). ), And the range of negative angular position θ (−180 ° ≦ θ ≦ 0 °) is a negative first angular region (−90 ° ≦ θ ≦ 0 °) and a negative second angular region (− 180 ° ≦ θ ≦ −90 °).

  As shown in FIG. 8, the periphery of the label L includes a first side m <b> 1 and a second side m <b> 2 arranged along a substantially horizontal direction substantially perpendicular to the issuing direction H when being sent out from the label issuing port W, A third side m3 and a fourth side m4 are arranged substantially parallel to the direction H. Here, the dimension of the first side m1 and the second side m2 is S, and the dimension of the third side m3 and the fourth side m4 is T.

  The rotation center 131a of the label L by the rotation mechanism 49 is located at the center of the circular attracted part 131 with respect to the lower surface of the cushion part 32 of the sticking arm 31, for example. In the present embodiment, the rotation center 131a has a relatively small distance to the first side m1 on the upstream side compared to the distance to the second side m2 on the relatively downstream side in the issuing direction H. The distance between the first side m1 and the rotation center 131a in the issuing direction H is equal to the first distance A described above, and is constant regardless of the dimension T of the label L in the issuing direction H. On the other hand, the distance between the second side m2 and the rotation center 131a in the issuing direction H increases as the dimension T of the label L in the issuing direction H increases.

  The calculation method of the fourth distance Xa differs depending on the set label L sticking angle. Specifically, when the pasting angle is set to the angular position θ in the positive first angle region (0 ° ≦ θ ≦ 90 °), the calculation is performed using virtual triangles I1 and I2 shown in FIG. When the pasting angle is set to the angular position θ in the negative first angle region (−90 ° ≦ θ ≦ 0 °), the calculation is performed using virtual triangles I3 and I4 shown in FIG. When the pasting angle is set to the angular position θ in the positive second angle region (90 ° ≦ θ ≦ 180 °), the pasting angle is calculated using the virtual triangles I5 and I6 shown in FIG. Is set to the angular position θ in the negative second angular region (−180 ° ≦ θ ≦ −90 °), it is calculated using virtual triangles I7 and I8 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, it demonstrates more concretely, referring FIGS. 9-12.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the sticking angle is set to the angular position θ in the positive first angle region (0 ° ≦ θ ≦ 90 °), the label L is stuck on the upper surface of the product G, That is, in the state where the rotation angle position θ of the label L has reached the set angle, the end of the second side m2 that has been arranged on the downstream side in the issuing direction H when the label is issued is located at the downstream end in the transport direction D of the label L. Specifically, the corner m23 between the second side m2 and the third side m3 is located. Therefore, the downstream end corner m23 is a reference for calculating the fourth distance Xa. That is, the fourth distance Xa is a distance from the rotation center 131a of the label L to the downstream end corner m23 in the conveyance direction D of the product G. The calculation of the fourth distance Xa uses two virtual triangles I1 and I2.

One virtual triangle I1 includes a virtual side I1a extending from the rotation center 131a of the label L to the downstream side in the transport direction D, and a virtual side I1b extending from the midpoint m22 of the second side m2 to the side I1a in the width direction E of the product G. And a virtual right triangle having a virtual side I1c connecting the rotation center 131a and the middle point m22 of the second side m2. As is apparent from FIG. 9, the length XI1 of the virtual side I1a parallel to the transport direction D in the virtual triangle I1 is the dimension T of the third side m3 and the fourth side m4 of the label L, and the first distance A. And the following formula 5 based on the pasting angle θ.

The other triangle I2 includes a virtual side I2a extending from the downstream end corner m23 of the label L to the upstream side in the transport direction D, a virtual side I2b extending from the midpoint m22 of the second side m2 to the virtual side I2a in the width direction E, This is a virtual right triangle having a virtual side I2c connecting the middle point m22 of the second side m2 and the downstream end corner m23. As is apparent from the illustration of FIG. 9, the length XI2 of the virtual side I2a parallel to the transport direction D in the virtual triangle I2 is based on the dimension S of the second side m2 of the label L and the pasting angle θ as follows. It is expressed by Equation 6.

In the state shown in FIG. 9, the fourth distance Xa from the rotation center 131a of the label L to the downstream end corner m23 in the transport direction D is equal to the virtual sides I1a and I2a parallel to the transport direction D of the two virtual triangles I1 and I2. It is equal to the sum of lengths (XI1 + XI2). Therefore, when the pasting angle is set to the angular position θ in the positive first angle region (0 ° ≦ θ ≦ 90 °), the fourth distance Xa is expressed as follows based on Equation 5 and Equation 6 above. It is expressed by Equation 7.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the sticking angle is set to the angular position θ in the negative first angle range (−90 ° ≦ θ ≦ 0 °), the rotational angle position θ of the label L has reached the set angle. In the state, the corner m23 of the second side m2 and the third side m3 is located at the downstream end in the transport direction D of the label L. That is, as in the state shown in FIG. 9, the end of the second side m2 that is disposed downstream of the first side m1 in the issuing direction H when the label is issued becomes the reference for calculating the fourth distance Xa. Therefore, the fourth distance Xa from the rotation center 131a of the label L in the transport direction D to the downstream end corner m23 is calculated by a method similar to the method shown in FIG. For calculating the fourth distance Xa, two virtual triangles I3 and I4 are used.

One virtual triangle I3 includes a virtual side I3a extending from the rotation center 131a of the label L to the downstream side in the transport direction D, and a virtual side extending from the midpoint m22 of the second side m2 to the virtual side I3a in the width direction E of the product G. This is a virtual right triangle having I3b and a virtual side I3c connecting the rotation center 131a and the midpoint m22 of the second side m2. As is apparent from FIG. 10, the length XI3 of the virtual side I3a parallel to the transport direction D in the virtual triangle I3 is the dimension T of the third side m3 and the fourth side m4 of the label L, and the first distance A. And based on the absolute value | θ |

The other triangle I4 includes a virtual side I4a extending from the downstream end corner m24 of the label L to the upstream side in the transport direction D, a virtual side I4b extending from the midpoint m22 of the second side m2 to the virtual side I4a in the width direction E, This is a virtual right triangle having a virtual side I4c connecting the middle point m22 of the second side m2 and the downstream end corner m24. As is apparent from FIG. 10, the length XI4 of the virtual side I4a parallel to the transport direction D in the virtual triangle I4 is the dimension S of the second side m2 of the label L and the absolute value | θ | Is represented by the following formula 9.

In the state shown in FIG. 10, the fourth distance Xa from the rotation center 131a of the label L to the downstream end corner m24 in the transport direction D is equal to the virtual sides I3a and I4a parallel to the transport direction D of the two virtual triangles I3 and I4. Equal to the sum of lengths (XI3 + XI4). Therefore, when the pasting angle is set to the angular position θ in the negative first angle range (−90 ° ≦ θ ≦ 0 °), the fourth distance Xa is expressed as follows based on Equation 8 and Equation 9 above. This is expressed by the following formula 10.

Therefore, when the sticking angle of the label L is set to the angular position θ in the positive or negative first angle region (−90 ° ≦ θ ≦ 90 °), the fourth distance Xa is expressed by the above Equation 7 and Equation 10. Is calculated based on the first distance A, the pasting angle θ, and the dimensions S and T of the label L.

  As described above, when the pasting angle θ in the first angle region (−90 ° ≦ θ ≦ 90 °) is set, the dimensions S and T in the two directions of the label L and the pasting angle θ are used. The 4-distance Xa is reliably calculated.

  Subsequently, a calculation method of the fourth distance Xa when the pasting angle is set to the angular position θ in the second angle region (−180 ° ≦ θ ≦ −90 °, 90 ° ≦ θ ≦ 180 °) will be described. .

  As shown in FIG. 11, when the sticking angle is set to the angular position θ in the positive second angle region (90 ° ≦ θ ≦ 180 °), the rotational angle position θ of the label L has reached the set angle. 2, the downstream end of the label L in the transport direction D is the end of the first side m1, which is disposed upstream of the issuing direction H when the label is issued, specifically, the first side m1 and the third side m3. Corner m13 is located. Therefore, the downstream end corner m13 is a reference for calculating the fourth distance Xa. That is, the fourth distance Xa is a distance from the rotation center 131a of the label L to the downstream end corner m13 in the conveyance direction D of the product G. For calculating the fourth distance Xa, two virtual triangles I5 and I6 are used.

One virtual triangle I5 includes a virtual side I5a extending from the rotation center 131a of the label L to the downstream side in the transport direction D, and a virtual side extending from the midpoint m11 of the first side m1 to the virtual side I5a in the width direction E of the product G. It is a virtual right triangle having I5b and a virtual side I5c connecting the rotation center 131a and the midpoint m11 of the first side m1. As is apparent from FIG. 11, the length XI5 of the virtual side I5a parallel to the transport direction D in the virtual triangle I5 is represented by the following formula 12 based on the first distance A and the pasting angle θ. .

The other triangle I6 includes a virtual side I6a extending from the middle point m11 of the first side m1 to the downstream side in the transport direction D, a virtual side I6b extending from the downstream end corner m13 of the label L to the virtual side I6a in the width direction E, This is a virtual right triangle having a virtual side I6c connecting the middle point m11 of the first side m1 and the downstream end corner m13. As is apparent from the illustration of FIG. 11, the length XI6 of the virtual side I6a parallel to the transport direction D in the virtual triangle I is based on the dimension S of the first side m1 of the label L and the pasting angle θ as follows. It is expressed by Equation 13.

In the state shown in FIG. 11, the fourth distance Xa from the rotation center 131a of the label L to the downstream end corner m13 in the transport direction D is equal to the virtual sides I5a and I6a parallel to the transport direction D of the two virtual triangles I5 and I6. It is equal to the sum of length (XI5 + XI6). Therefore, when the pasting angle is set to the angular position θ in the positive second angle region (90 ° ≦ θ ≦ 180 °), the fourth distance Xa is expressed as follows based on the above Equations 12 and 13. It is represented by Equation 14.

  As shown in FIG. 12, when the sticking angle is set to the angular position θ in the negative second angle region (−180 ° ≦ θ ≦ −90 °), the rotational angle position θ of the label L reaches the set angle. In this state, the corner m14 of the first side m1 and the fourth side m4 is located at the downstream end in the transport direction D of the label L. That is, as in the state shown in FIG. 11, the end of the first side m1 that is disposed upstream of the second side m2 in the issuing direction H when the label is issued becomes the reference for calculating the fourth distance Xa. Therefore, the fourth distance Xa from the rotation center 131a of the label L in the transport direction D to the downstream end corner m14 is calculated by a method similar to the method shown in FIG. For calculating the fourth distance Xa, two virtual triangles I7 and I8 are used.

One virtual triangle I7 includes a virtual side I7a extending from the rotation center 131a of the label L to the downstream side in the transport direction D, and a virtual side extending from the midpoint m11 of the first side m1 to the virtual side I7a in the width direction E of the product G. This is a virtual right triangle having I7b and a virtual side I7c connecting the rotation center 131a and the midpoint m11 of the first side m1. As is apparent from FIG. 12, the length XI7 of the virtual side I7a parallel to the transport direction D in the virtual triangle I7 is based on the first distance A and the absolute value | θ | It is expressed by Equation 15.

The other triangle I8 includes a virtual side I8a extending from the middle point m11 of the first side m1 downstream in the transport direction D, a virtual side I8b extending from the downstream end corner m14 to the virtual side I8a in the width direction E, and a first side This is a virtual right triangle having a virtual side I8c connecting the midpoint m11 of m1 and the downstream end corner m14. As apparent from FIG. 12, the length XI8 of the virtual side I8a parallel to the transport direction D in the virtual triangle I8 is the absolute value of the dimension S of the first side m1 of the label L and the pasting angle θ. Is expressed by the following Expression 16.

In the state shown in FIG. 12, the fourth distance Xa from the rotation center 131a of the label L to the downstream end corner m14 in the transport direction D is equal to the virtual sides I7a and I8a parallel to the transport direction D of the two virtual triangles I7 and I8. It is equal to the sum of length (XI7 + XI8). Therefore, when the sticking angle is set to the angular position θ in the negative second angle region (−180 ° ≦ θ ≦ −90 °), the fourth distance Xa is based on the above Equations 15 and 16. It is represented by the following mathematical formula 17.

Therefore, when the sticking angle of the label L is set to the angular position θ in the positive or negative second angle region (−180 ° ≦ θ ≦ −90 °, 90 ° ≦ θ ≦ 180 °), the fourth distance Xa Is calculated on the basis of the first distance A, the sticking angle θ, and the dimension S of the first side m1 and the second side m2 of the label L by the following formula 18 that generalizes the above formula 14 and formula 17.

  Thus, when the pasting angle θ in the second angle region (−180 ° ≦ θ ≦ −90 °, 90 ° ≦ θ ≦ 180 °) is set, the fourth direction Xa is calculated in the issuing direction H. Only the dimension S of the first side m1 and the second side m2 that are substantially perpendicular is used, and it is not necessary to use the dimension T of the label L in the issuing direction H. Therefore, in this embodiment in which the dimension in the issuing direction H is arbitrarily changed depending on the cutting position of the label continuous body LC by the cutting means 95 of the label issuing machine 8, the label continuous body LC is independent of the cutting position of the label continuous body LC. The fourth distance Xa can be easily calculated based on the dimension in the width direction.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, based on the fourth distance Xa calculated by either the above formula 11 or the formula 18 and the above formulas 1 to 4, according to the pasting angle θ. The waiting time Tw for the pasting operation is calculated. As described above, since the pasting operation is executed at the timing calculated according to the pasting angle θ, the label L can be reliably pasted to a predetermined pasting position even if the setting of the pasting angle θ is changed.

  Further, since the timing of the pasting operation is calculated using the predetermined set values θ, C, T, V and the predetermined fixed values A, B, S as described above, the label size T, the pasting angle in the issuing direction H There is no need to prepare a table in which correction values are set for various setting values related to θ or the conveyance speed V.

  Furthermore, since it is not necessary to prepare a correction table for each setting value related to the pasting angle θ, it is possible to set the pasting angle θ more freely, for example, to set the pasting angle θ every 1 °.

  For example, a pasting angle setting screen 200 shown in FIG. 13 is used to set the pasting angle θ. The pasting angle setting screen 200 includes an information display unit 201 that displays information about the product G and the label L, an angle display unit 202 that displays a setting value θ of the pasting angle, and the angular position θ displayed on the angle display unit 202. An image display unit 203 that indicates the orientation of the label L as an image, and a plurality of setting operation units 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, and 209 for setting the pasting angle θ are provided. Thus, the user can reliably set the pasting angle θ to a desired angle while viewing the image of the label L displayed on the image display unit 203.

  The setting operation units 204 to 209 include a first setting unit 204 that sets the pasting angle θ to −90 ° by one operation, and a second setting unit 205 that sets the pasting angle θ to 0 ° by one operation. A third setting unit 206 that sets the pasting angle θ to 180 ° by one operation, a fourth setting unit 207 that sets the pasting angle θ to 90 ° by one operation, and a setting value θ of the pasting angle For example, a fifth setting unit 208 that increases by 1 ° and a sixth setting unit 209 that decreases the setting value θ of the pasting angle by, for example, 1 ° are provided. As a result, the pasting angles of 0 °, 90 °, 180 °, and −90 °, which have a high setting frequency, can be quickly set only by operating one of the first to fourth setting units 204 to 207 once, By operating the fifth setting unit 208 or the sixth setting unit 209, a finer setting of the pasting angle θ becomes possible.

  The pasting angle setting screen 200 further includes a transition operation unit 210 for transitioning to a pasting position setting screen (not shown). When the transition operation unit 210 is operated to shift to the pasting position setting screen, the pasting position of the label L in the conveyance direction D of the product G can be adjusted. However, the pasting position setting screen may be integrated with the pasting angle setting screen 200 so that both the pasting angle and the pasting position can be displayed and set on one screen.

  While the present invention has been described with reference to the above-described embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the entire label L is pasted on the upper surface of the product G has been described. However, for example, the label L may be pasted so as to protrude from the upper surface s1 of the product G as shown in FIG. The invention can be applied. When the label L is attached in the mode shown in FIG. 14, the label L can be attached across the upper surface s1 and the inclined surface s2 by bending along the boundary portion G3 between the upper surface s1 and the inclined surface s2 of the product G. . Also in this case, for example, the fourth distance Xa, the fifth distance Xb, and the sixth distance Xc can be calculated in the same manner as in the above embodiment, with the downstream end G2 in the conveyance direction D of the product G as the reference position of the product G. Therefore, the standby time Tw can be calculated in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, thereby enabling the timing control of the pasting operation according to the pasting angle θ.

  Moreover, you may further provide the label transfer part which transfers the label L to the issuing direction H along the lower surface of the adsorption | suction block 50 in the label sticking machine 10 (refer FIG. 3) which concerns on the above-mentioned embodiment. In this case, by controlling the amount of movement of the label transfer unit, the rotation center 131a (see FIG. 8) of the label L can always coincide with the center of the label L.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the third distance C and the fourth distance Xa are set with reference to the “downstream end” of the label L in the transport direction D has been described. Even if the third distance C and the fourth distance Xa are set on the basis of “”, the fifth distance Xb can be calculated based on the third distance C and the fourth distance Xa. Accordingly, in this case as well, the standby time Tw can be calculated as in the above-described embodiment.

  Moreover, although the above-mentioned embodiment demonstrated the case where the 3rd distance C and the 5th distance Xb were set by using "the downstream end G1" of the goods G in the conveyance direction D as a reference position, in the present invention, " Even if the third distance C and the fifth distance Xb are set with the “upstream end” as the reference position, the fifth distance Xb is calculated based on the third distance C and the fourth distance Xa, and the fifth distance Xb It is possible to calculate the sixth distance Xc based on the second distance B. Accordingly, in this case as well, the standby time Tw can be calculated as in the above-described embodiment.

  Further, the “width direction E (FIGS. 9 to 12) in a state where the rotation angle position θ of the label L has reached the set angle by a method similar to the calculation method of the fourth distance Xa (see FIGS. 9 to 12). The distance between the rotation center 131a of the label L and the corner portion may be calculated. In this case, the distance between the reference position of the product G in the “width direction E” and the rotation center 131a of the label L can be calculated. As a result, when a slide mechanism capable of sliding the sticking arm 31 in the width direction E relative to the product G on the conveyor 4 is provided, the sticking position of the label L in the width direction E is determined according to the sticking angle θ. Can be automatically controlled.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the label affixing device that does not have the function of weighing and packaging has been described. However, in addition to the function of affixing a label to an object to be pasted, the present invention can be used for measuring or packaging the object to be pasted. The present invention can also be applied to an apparatus having at least one function.

  Furthermore, although the above-mentioned embodiment demonstrated the case where a mountless label roll was used, this invention is applicable also when using a label roll with a mount.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1: Label sticking apparatus 2: Rack 4: Conveyor 7: Top sticking mechanism 8: Label issuing machine 10: Label sticking machine 12: Operation display part 30: Label sticking mechanism 31: Sticking arm 32: Cushion part of sticking arm (label adsorption | suction) Part)
41: Motor for moving up and down the pasting arm 45: Motor for rotating the pasting arm 50: Adsorption block 91: Printing unit 92: Printing roller 93: Assist roller 95: Cutting means 95a: Movable cutter 95b: Fixed cutter 96: Motor for printing roller 97: Motor for assist roller 98: Motor for cutter 101: Control unit 102: Storage unit 104: Motor for conveyor 110: Product passage sensor 111: Negative pressure source for sticking arm 112: Negative pressure source for suction block 131: Part to be sucked 131a: Rotation center A: 1st distance B: 2nd distance C: 3rd distance D: Product conveyance direction F: Label supply direction G: Product (attachment)
H: Issue direction LR: Label roll LC: Label continuum L: Label S: Label dimension in the issue direction T: Label dimension perpendicular to the issue direction Ta: First time Tb: Second time Tw: Standby time W: Label issue Mouth (label issuing department)
Xa: 4th distance Xb: 5th distance Xc: 6th distance m1: Label first side m2: Label second side m3: Label third side m4: Label fourth side θ: Label rotation angle position

Claims (4)

A label issuing unit that sends out a substantially rectangular label in a predetermined issuing direction;
A label adsorbing unit for adsorbing the label sent from the label issuing unit to the lower surface;
A rotation mechanism that horizontally rotates the label suction portion around a rotation center that is located downstream from the upstream end of the label sucked by the label suction portion in the issuing direction by a first distance;
A lowering mechanism that lowers the label adsorbing portion and presses the label against an object to be adhered that moves at a predetermined speed in a predetermined conveying direction below the label adsorbing portion;
A passage sensor for detecting the passage of a predetermined reference position in the object to be pasted at a detection position separated by a second distance upstream from the label suction portion in the transport direction;
At a timing such that a label end on the downstream side or upstream side in the transport direction is affixed to a position separated by a third distance from the reference position on the pasted object upstream or downstream in the transport direction. A control unit that operates a lowering mechanism and operates the rotating mechanism so that the rotational angle position of the label when the label is pressed against the object to be pasted by the lowering mechanism is a predetermined angle;
The control unit
Based on the first distance, the predetermined angle, and the size of the label, the fourth in the transport direction between the rotation center and the label end when the rotation angle position of the label is the predetermined angle. Calculate the distance,
Based on the third distance and the fourth distance, a fifth distance between the rotation center in the transport direction and the reference position when the label is pressed against the object to be pasted by the lowering mechanism is calculated. And
Based on the second distance and the fifth distance, a sixth distance between the detection position and the reference position in the transport direction when the label is pressed against the object to be pasted by the lowering mechanism is calculated. And
Based on the sixth distance and the predetermined speed, a first time from when the passage of the reference position is detected by the passage sensor to when the label is attached to the object to be pasted is calculated,
Based on the second time required for the label to be pressed against the object to be pasted after starting the operation of the lowering mechanism and the first time, the passage sensor detects the passage of the reference position. The label sticking device is characterized in that a waiting time from the start to the start of the operation of the lowering mechanism is calculated. The label is arranged at a substantially right angle in the issuing direction when sent from the label issuing unit, and a first side arranged at a substantially right angle in the issuing direction when sent out from the label issuing unit, and the first A second side disposed on the downstream side in the issuing direction from the side,
When the label end is the end of the first side,
The controller is
The label sticking device according to claim 1, wherein the fourth distance is calculated based on the dimensions of the first side and the second side, the first distance, and the predetermined angle. The label is arranged at a substantially right angle in the issuing direction when sent from the label issuing unit, and a first side arranged at a substantially right angle in the issuing direction when sent out from the label issuing unit, and the first A second side disposed downstream of the issuing direction from the side, and a third side and a fourth side disposed substantially parallel to the issuing direction,
When the label end is the end of the second side,
The controller is
2. The fourth distance is calculated based on the dimensions of the first side and the second side, the dimensions of the third side and the fourth side, the first distance, and the predetermined angle. A labeling device according to claim 1. From the label issuing section, a substantially rectangular label is sent in a predetermined issuing direction,
The label is placed on the lower surface of the label adsorbing portion so that the label adsorbing portion can be horizontally rotated around a rotation center located downstream from the upstream end in the issuing direction by a first distance in the label fed from the label issuing portion. Adsorb,
Move the object to be adhered at a predetermined speed in a predetermined conveyance direction below the label suction part,
At a detection position separated by a second distance from the label suction portion to the upstream side in the transport direction, the passage of a predetermined reference position in the pasted object is detected,
When a predetermined waiting time elapses after the passage of the reference position is detected, the label adsorbing portion to which the label is adsorbed starts to descend, and from the reference position in the pasted object in the transport direction. The label is pressed against the object to be pasted so that the label end on the downstream side or the upstream side in the transport direction is pasted at a position separated by a third distance upstream or downstream,
A label affixing method for horizontally rotating the label adsorbing part to which the label is adsorbed so that the rotation angle position of the label when pressed against the adherend is a predetermined angle,
Based on the first distance, the predetermined angle, and the size of the label, the fourth in the transport direction between the rotation center and the label end when the rotation angle position of the label is the predetermined angle. Calculate the distance,
Based on the third distance and the fourth distance, calculate a fifth distance between the rotation center and the reference position in the transport direction when the label is pressed against the object to be pasted,
Based on the second distance and the fifth distance, a sixth distance between the detection position and the reference position in the transport direction when the label is pressed against the adherend is calculated,
Based on the sixth distance and the predetermined speed, a first time from when the passage of the reference position is detected until the label is attached to the object to be attached is calculated,
The waiting time is calculated based on the second time required from the start of the lowering of the label adsorbing part until the label is pressed against the object to be pasted, and the first time. Pasting method.

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