JP6262467B2 - Label issuing machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a label issuing machine that prints product information or the like on a continuous strip-shaped label without a mount (release paper).

  As a label issuing machine that issues a label printed with product information, etc., there is a machine that uses a continuous strip-like label continuous body with a print side on the front side and an adhesive side on the back side. The rolled label roll, the roller pair that conveys the label continuum fed from the roll, the printing unit that prints product information on the label continuum supplied from the roller pair, and the printing unit There has been proposed a label issuing machine having a cutting section (cutter) for cutting a continuous label body into an appropriate length and separating it into individual labels. In this label issuing machine, the roller pair is composed of a driving roller and a driven roller that is driven and rotated by the driving roller, and the printing unit is arranged to face the thermal head and the thermal head to give a conveying force to the label continuum. It consists of a platen roller.

  According to the label issuing machine configured in this way, during printing, the label continuum drawn from the label roll based on the rotation (normal rotation) of the driving roller is changed based on the rotation (normal rotation) of the platen roller. While being conveyed through the printing area between the platen roller and the thermal head, individual product information and the like are printed by the thermal head. Next, the printed continuous label portion is conveyed to a cutting unit, cut to a length corresponding to each item information, and separated into individual labels. After cutting, the drive roller and the platen roller rotate (reverse) in the opposite directions, and the print start position near the leading edge of the label continuum is sent back to the print area. In this way, the label is issued while repeating the forward and backward movement of the label continuum.

JP 2010-5943 A

  By the way, normally, the conveyance resistance between the thermal head and the platen roller is larger than that of the driving roller and the driven roller. In particular, in a label issuing machine that handles a continuous label without a mount, the difference in conveyance resistance is further increased. The difference in conveyance resistance appears as the speed difference between the label continuum passing through the drive roller and the platen roller, which causes a slack in the label continuum between the drive roller and the platen roller. Will cause printing disturbance.

  In order to solve such problems, the peripheral speed of the drive roller is made slower than that of the platen roller, so that tension is applied to the continuous part of the label from the drive roller to the platen roller to prevent the occurrence of slack. Can be considered.

  According to this method, there is a tendency to eliminate the slack when the label continuous body moves forward, but conversely, it promotes the slackness when retreating, and the printing disturbance is solved as a whole. I can't.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a label issuing machine that can convey a belt-like continuous label without a mount while preventing slack during forward and / or backward movement.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the label issuing machine according to the present invention prints information on the printing surface while transporting a continuous strip-shaped label body having a printing surface on the front side and an adhesive surface on the back side in the first direction. A label issuing machine for cutting a printed label continuous body to issue a label, the roller pair including a driving roller and a driven roller for sandwiching and feeding out the label continuous body, and the label A printing unit and a paste surface that are arranged on the downstream side of the pair of rollers with respect to the first direction of the continuous body and are in contact with the printing surface for printing on the printing surface while sandwiching and transporting the label continuous body A platen roller that contacts the platen roller, and when the label continuous body is conveyed in the first direction, the peripheral speed of the drive roller is set smaller than the peripheral speed of the platen roller. And One, in the above case where the label strip to the first direction to convey the second direction opposite, circumferential speed of the drive roller, than the peripheral speed of the platen roller, is greater or equal to setting, the platen roller And a drive unit that controls the drive roller, and the control unit drives the platen roller to change the peripheral speed of the drive roller while keeping the peripheral speed constant. .

  According to the above invention, when the belt-like continuous label is conveyed in a predetermined conveyance direction and when it is conveyed in the opposite direction, tension is applied to the label continuous body conveyed between the platen roller and the driving roller. Can prevent the occurrence of slack. Thereby, since the slack of the label continuous body is suppressed, it is possible to prevent the label continuous body from being wrapped around the platen roller and / or the driving roller and to prevent the label continuous body from meandering. As a result, since the label continuous body can be stably conveyed, the printing accuracy on the label continuous body can be improved.

  The label issuing machine according to the present invention can employ the following configuration.

(A) The platen roller and the driving roller are respectively driven to rotate by separate driving means.

  According to the configuration (a), the platen roller and the drive roller are individually configured by separately configuring the drive means for rotationally driving the platen roller and the drive means for rotationally driving the drive roller. Can be rotated. Thereby, according to the conveyance direction of a label continuous body, the peripheral speed of each roller can be set easily.

(B) having the above configuration (a), and is conveyed between the platen roller and the drive roller, detects the slack of the label strip, further comprising a slack detection sensor, the slack detection sensor Thus, when the slack of the continuous label body is detected, the control unit keeps the peripheral speed of the platen roller constant and determines the speed difference between the peripheral speed of the platen roller and the peripheral speed of the drive roller. The drive is controlled so as to increase.

  According to the configuration (b), when the glue of the label continuum adheres to the platen roller or the drive roller, the label continuum is also slackened by the rotation driving method of each roller according to claim 1. Even if it becomes easy to do, the slack of a label continuous body can be eliminated easily. That is, when the slack of the label continuous body conveyed between the platen roller and the drive roller is detected, the speed difference between the peripheral speed of the platen roller and the peripheral speed of the drive roller is increased. As a result, tension is applied to the label continuum between the platen roller and the drive roller, and the slack is easily eliminated, so that the label continuum can be stably conveyed.

  That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to convey a belt-like continuous label without a mount while preventing slack during forward and / or backward movement. As a result, winding of the label continuous body around the platen roller and the driving roller and meandering can be prevented.

It is a front view which shows the label sticking apparatus provided with the label issuing machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which looked at the internal structure of the label issuing machine from the front. It is a perspective view which shows a gas injection part. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of the label sticking apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the detection content of the slack by a slack detection part. It is a flowchart which shows a series of operation | movement of the label issuing by a label issuing machine. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of label back feed. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of label issuing. It is a figure explaining a series of operation | movement of a label issuing machine. It is an expanded sectional view in the XX line of FIG.

  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 100 provided with the label issuing machine according to the present embodiment includes a conveyor 1 that transports the product G in the transport direction D, and a label L that is pasted on the upper surface of the product G (FIG. 9). A label issuing machine 10 for issuing a reference), an upper pasting machine 5 for pasting the label L on the upper surface of the product G conveyed by the conveyor 1, and an operation display unit 3 for performing a predetermined input operation and a predetermined display. And a rack 2 that supports the above-described components.

  The label issuing machine 10 and the upper pasting machine 5 are disposed above the conveyor 1. With respect to the transport direction D, the label issuing machine 10 is disposed adjacent to the upstream side of the upper pasting machine 5.

  The label issuing machine 10 is supported from below by the rack 2. The label issuing machine 10 and the top sticking machine 5 are unitized, and the top sticking machine 5 is supported by the rack 2 via the label issuing machine 10. The rack 2 is provided with a rail portion 6 extending in the depth direction of the label sticking device 100 orthogonal to the transport direction D, and the label issuing machine 10 can slide along the rail portion 6. Therefore, the label issuing machine 10 and the upper pasting machine 5 can be integrally adjusted in the depth direction by sliding the label issuing machine 10 along the rail portion 6.

[Conveyor]
The conveyor 1 is disposed so as to move the product G along a conveyance direction D from the left to the right when the label sticking device 100 is viewed from the front side. Although the conveyor 1 is comprised with an endless belt, for example, in this invention, the specific structure of the conveyor 1 is not specifically limited.

  A commodity passage sensor 4 is disposed on the upstream side of the conveyor 1. The commodity passage sensor 4 detects whether or not the commodity G has passed through a predetermined position on the upstream side in the transport direction D from the label pasting position by the upper pasting machine 5. The type of the commodity passage sensor 4 is not particularly limited. For example, an optical commodity passage sensor 4 having a light emitting section and a light receiving section is used.

[Operation display section]
The operation display unit 3 includes a display panel 3a and a stroke key unit 3b. The display panel 3a is constituted by a touch panel, for example. However, the display panel 3a is not necessarily a touch panel. When the display panel 3a is a touch panel, the operation display unit 3 does not necessarily have the stroke key unit 3b.

[Upper pasting machine]
The upper pasting machine 5 is configured to affix the label L issued by the label issuing machine 10 on the upper surface of the product G conveyed on the conveyor 1.

[Label issuing machine]
Hereinafter, the configuration of the label issuing machine 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view seen from the front showing the internal structure of the label issuing machine 10. As shown in FIG. 2, a so-called mountless label roll LR is used for the label issuing machine 10. The label roll LR is formed by winding a belt-like label continuous body 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 10 includes a support shaft 11 that supports the winding center portion of the label roll LR, a plurality of guide rollers 12 to 14 that guide an extended portion of the label continuous body LC extending from the outer peripheral portion of the label roll LR, and a label The printing unit 15 that prints on the printing surface of the continuum LC, the platen roller 16 that sandwiches the label continuum LC together with the printing unit 15, and the label continuum LC that feeds the label issuing port W in cooperation with the platen roller 16 An assist roller 17, cutting means 30 for cutting the label continuum LC, a gas injection unit 40 for injecting air to the platen roller 16 and the label continuum LC, and a housing 19 for housing each component of the label issuing machine 10. It is equipped with.

  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 issuing direction” (direction F in the figure), and the label continuum LC is labeled from the label issuing port W. The direction of drawing toward the roll LR is referred to as “label back feed direction” (R direction in the figure).

  One end of the support shaft 11 is fixed to the housing 19, and the other end of the support shaft 11 is a free end. The label roll LR can be set in the label issuing machine 10 by inserting the winding center portion of the label roll LR into the support shaft 11.

  The configuration of the guide rollers 12 and 13 will be described by taking the guide roller 12 as an example with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 2 and shows the relationship between the guide roller 12 and the label continuum LC. As shown in FIG. 10, the guide roller 12 (the same applies to the guide roller 13) is in contact with the printing surface of the label continuum LC. Further, the roller width A of the guide roller 12 is configured to be shorter than the label width B of the label continuum LC. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the label continuous body LC from coming into contact with the guide roller 12 and to prevent the glue on both end faces in the width direction of the label continuous body LC from adhering to the guide roller 12. As a result, the continuous label body LC can be satisfactorily conveyed by the guide rollers 12 and 13.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the printing unit 15 is a thermal head including a plurality of minute heating elements that are heated according to the printing data, and the heated heating elements are brought into contact with the printing surface of the label continuum LC. Then, thermal printing is performed.

  The surface of the platen roller 16 is made of a rubber-based material (for example, silicon rubber). The platen roller 16 is a drive roller that is rotationally driven by a platen roller motor 26. For the platen roller motor 26, for example, a stepping motor is used.

  The platen roller 16 is disposed so as to sandwich the label continuum LC together with the printing unit 15. Accordingly, the platen roller 16 can be driven to rotate by the platen roller motor 26 while the printing surface of the label continuum LC is pressed against the printing unit 15 to move the label continuum LC in the label issuing direction F. The platen roller 16 is disposed in the lower mold of the printing unit 15. Therefore, the label continuum LC is conveyed to the label issuing port W in a posture in which the printing surface is the upper surface. A printing area is formed between the printing unit (thermal head) 15 and the platen roller 16.

  The platen roller motor 26 is controlled by a controller 50 (not shown) and can rotate in both forward and reverse directions. As used herein, “forward direction” refers to the rotational direction in which the label continuum LC is transported in the label issuing direction F, and “reverse direction” refers to the rotational direction in which the label continuum LC is transported in the label backfeed direction R. .

  The surface of the assist roller 17 is made of a rubber material (for example, silicon rubber). The assist roller 17 is a drive roller that is rotationally driven by an assist roller motor 27. For example, a stepping motor is used as the assist roller motor 27.

  The assist roller 17 is disposed on the upstream side of the platen roller 16 with respect to the label issuing direction F. The assist roller 17 is disposed so as to sandwich the label continuous body LC together with the opposed driven roller 18. As with the platen roller 16, the assist roller 17 is controlled by a control unit 50 (not shown) and can be rotated in both forward and reverse directions.

  When the platen roller 16 and the assist roller 17 are rotationally driven in the forward direction, the label continuum LC is conveyed in the label issuing direction F, and the platen roller 16 and the assist roller 17 are rotationally driven in the reverse direction. The label continuum LC is conveyed in the label backfeed direction R.

  The platen roller 16 and the assist roller 17 are driven to rotate by different drive sources (that is, the platen roller motor 26 and the assist roller motor 27), and the rotation speed of the platen roller 16 and the rotation of the assist roller 17 are rotated. It is possible to control the speed individually. However, the platen roller 16 and the assist roller 17 may be rotationally driven by the same drive source at different rotational speeds using a speed change mechanism.

  Between the assist roller 17 and the platen roller 16, the label continuum LC is guided by the guide roller 14 so as to detour downward. A label sensor 20 is disposed between the assist roller 17 and the guide roller 14. The label sensor 20 is a sensor that detects whether or not the label continuous body LC exists between the assist roller 17 and the guide roller 14. More specifically, the label sensor 20 is an analog sensor in which the output value X (see FIG. 5) changes according to the distance between the detection unit of the label sensor 20 and the label continuum LC. As the label sensor 20, for example, an optical sensor including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit is used.

  The cutting means 30 includes a movable cutter 31 and a fixed cutter 32. The movable cutter 31 is disposed with the blade facing downward. The movable cutter 31 is driven so as to slide up and down by a cutter motor 33. The fixed cutter 32 is fixed to the housing 19 with the blade facing upward so as to face the movable cutter 31.

  When the cutting means 30 is not operating (standby state), the blade of the movable cutter 31 is disposed above the blade of the fixed cutter 32. When the label continuous body LC is cut by the cutting means 30, the label continuous body LC is fed to the outside of the housing 19 through the label issuing port W, and the cutting position is the blade of the fixed cutter 32 and the movable cutter. Aligned with 31 blades. When the movable cutter 31 is slid downward with the label continuum LC aligned in this manner, the label continuum LC is sandwiched from above and below by the blade of the fixed cutter 32 and the blade of the movable cutter 31. Is cut off. In this way, the label continuum LC is cut by the cutting means 30, whereby the label L (see FIG. 9) cut from the label continuum LC is issued from the label issuing port W.

  Next, the air injection unit 40 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the air ejecting unit 40, and the printing unit 15, the platen roller 16, and the first label regulating member 21 are shown by chain lines. The air injection unit 40 is disposed from below the platen roller 16 to below the first label regulating member 21.

  The air injection unit 40 includes a compressed air introduction port 41 connected to a compressed air source 45 (not shown), and first and second gas injection units 42 and 43 each having a hole formed vertically. doing.

  The first gas injection part 42 is formed by being spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the label continuous body LC so as to communicate with the compressed air introduction port 41, and an upper end opening part below the platen roller 16. It is located opposite.

  The second gas injection unit 43 is formed by being separated by a plurality of distances in the width direction of the label continuous body LC so as to communicate with the compressed air introduction port 41, and the upper end opening of the second gas injection unit 43 has a label standby position ( In FIG. 9 (e)), it is opposed to the first label regulating member 21 at a position where compressed air is blown onto the label leading end.

  The first label regulating member 21 is disposed on the downstream side of the printing unit 15 with respect to the label issuing direction F, and the lower edge thereof substantially coincides with the tangential direction between the printing unit 15 and the platen roller 16.

  That is, when compressed air is supplied from a compressed air source 45 (not shown) to the compressed air introduction port 41, compressed air is ejected from the first gas ejecting portion 42 toward the lower side of the platen roller 16, and the second Compressed air is jetted from the gas jetting part 43 toward the first label regulating member 21.

  At this time, the flapping of the label continuum LC in the direction away from the second gas ejection unit 43 is located opposite to the second gas ejection unit 43, and the tangential direction between the printing unit 15 and the platen roller 16, That is, it is regulated by the first label regulating member 21 that substantially contacts the printing surface of the label continuum LC.

  Therefore, the activity of the glue surface of the label continuum LC can be reduced by cooling the platen roller 16 by the first gas ejecting section 42, and the label continuum LC sent out by the second gas ejecting section 43 can be removed from the platen roller. 16 can be spaced apart. That is, this makes it possible to prevent the label continuous body LC from being wound around the platen roller 16.

[Control system]
The control system of the label sticking apparatus 100 will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. Various operations of the label sticking apparatus 100 are controlled by the control unit 50. The control unit 50 is provided with a storage unit 51 that stores various information necessary for the operation of the label sticking device 100 and a slack detection unit 52 that detects slack generated in the label continuum LC. In addition, although the control part 50 is attached to the rack 2 (refer FIG. 1), the attachment position of the control part 50 is not limited, for example.

  The control unit 50 receives a signal from the operation display unit 3, a signal from the label sensor 20 of the label issuing machine 10, and a signal from the product passage sensor 4. The control unit 50 may be input with signals from other various devices.

  Further, the control unit 50 is configured based on the information stored in the storage unit 51 and / or various input signals, the conveyor motor 1, the label issuing machine 10 (specifically, the platen roller motor 26, the assist roller). Control motor 27, cutter motor 33, printing unit 15, compressed air source for air blowing unit 45), top bonding machine 5, and operation display unit 3.

  The storage unit 51 stores, for example, various information including information on the screen displayed on the operation display unit 3, the product master, the tray master, the label master, the cassette master, and the driving conditions of the motors 26, 27, and 33. Is done. Changing, adding or deleting various information stored in the storage unit 51 can be performed by an input operation on the operation display unit 3.

  As driving conditions for the platen roller motor 26 and the assist roller motor 27, a slack suppression condition and a slack elimination condition are set for forward rotation and reverse rotation, respectively. The slack suppression condition is a driving condition when the label continuum LC is normally conveyed. The circumferential speed of the assist roller 17 is smaller than the circumferential speed of the platen roller 16 during normal rotation, and the assist roller 17 is rotated during reverse rotation. The circumferential speed is set to be larger than the circumferential speed of the platen roller 16. The slack eliminating condition is a driving condition set so as to further increase the difference in the peripheral speeds of these rollers when the slack detection unit 52 detects the occurrence of slack in the label continuum LC.

  By controlling the drive of the platen roller motor 26 and the assist roller motor 27 in this way, the difference between the feed amount at the platen roller 16 and the feed amount at the assist roller 17 so that the label continuous body LC is stretched is made. Can be attached. Therefore, the slack of the label continuous body LC between these rollers 16 and 17 can be suppressed. Even if slack occurs in the label continuum LC, the slack is eliminated by rotating the rollers 16 and 17 according to the slack eliminating condition.

  When the platen roller 16 and the assist roller 17 are driven to rotate forward to convey the label continuous body LC in the label issuing direction F, the platen roller is set so that the peripheral speed of the platen roller 16 is larger than the peripheral speed of the assist roller 17. Driving conditions for the motor 26 and the assist roller motor 27 are set. For example, when the peripheral speed of the platen roller 16 is 100, the peripheral speed of the assist roller 17 is set to 96 (that is, 4% smaller than the peripheral speed of the platen roller 16) under the slack suppression condition, and the slack eliminating condition In this case, the peripheral speed of the assist roller 17 is set to 94 (6% smaller than the peripheral speed of the platen roller 16).

  Similarly, when the platen roller 16 and the assist roller 17 are driven in reverse to convey the label continuum LC in the label backfeed direction R, the peripheral speed of the assist roller 17 is made larger than the peripheral speed of the platen roller 16. Driving conditions for the platen roller motor 26 and the assist roller motor 27 are set. For example, assuming that the peripheral speed of the platen roller 16 is 100, the peripheral speed of the assist roller 17 is set to 104 (that is, 4% larger than the peripheral speed of the platen roller 16) in the slack suppression condition. Then, the peripheral speed of the assist roller 17 is set to 106 (6% larger than the peripheral speed of the platen roller 16).

  Next, the slack detection unit 52 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining that the slack detecting unit 52 detects slack generated in the label continuum LC based on the output value X output from the label sensor 20, and FIG. FIG. 5B shows the case where the slack of the label continuum LC is detected, and FIG. 5C shows the end of the label of the label continuum LC (label cut). Indicates the case where is detected.

  Each graph shown in FIG. 5 is a time-series graph showing the output from the label sensor 20, and an output value X corresponding to the distance Y between the detection unit of the label sensor 20 and the label continuum LC is shown. Yes. The larger the output value X, the shorter the distance between the label sensor 20 and the label continuum LC, and the smaller the output value X, the farther the distance between the label sensor 20 and the label continuum LC. It is showing. The threshold value S shown in the graph is a threshold value for determining whether or not the output value X from the label sensor 20 is slack.

  That is, when the output value X from the label sensor 20 is larger than the threshold value S, the slack detection unit 52 does not detect that slack has occurred in the label continuum LC, and when the output value X is smaller than the threshold value S, slack detection is detected. The unit 52 is configured to detect that slack has occurred in the label continuum LC.

  In FIG. 5A, the gap between the label continuum LC and the label sensor 20 is Y1, and no slack is generated in the label continuum LC. The output value X1 by the label sensor 20 shown in the graph is It is larger than the threshold value S. In FIG. 5B, the gap between the label continuum LC and the label sensor 20 is Y2, and the slack has occurred in the label continuum LC. The output value X2 from the label sensor 20 shown in the graph is a threshold value S. Smaller than. Further, in FIG. 5C, when the label continuum LC is out of label, the output value X3 from the label sensor 20 shown in the graph is lower than the threshold value S and becomes substantially zero. Thereby, the label sensor 20 can also serve for label end detection.

[Operation of label issuing machine 10]
The operation of the label issuing machine 10 will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 6 to 8 are flowcharts for explaining a series of operations for label issuance by the label issuing machine 10, and FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operations for label issuance by the label issuing machine 10.

  As shown in FIG. 6, first, the label continuum LC whose leading end is at the standby position (see FIG. 9E) is transported in the label backfeed direction R (step S1). As shown in the subroutine of FIG. 7, in the label back feed, air blow to the platen roller 16 and the label continuous body LC is first started (step S101). The air blow is performed by supplying compressed air from a compressed air source 45 (not shown) to the compressed air introduction port 41, and by injecting compressed air from the first and second gas injection units 42 and 43 communicating with the compressed air introduction port 41. Done.

  Next, label slack detection is performed (step S102). The slack detection is performed by the slack detection unit 52 based on the output from the label sensor 20. When the slack is detected, the platen roller motor 26 and the assist roller motor 27 are driven in reverse according to the slack eliminating condition, and the slack generated in the label continuum LC is eliminated (step S103). If no slack is detected, the platen roller motor 26 and the assist roller motor 27 are driven in reverse according to the slack suppression condition, and the label continuum LC is conveyed while the occurrence of slack is suppressed (step S104).

  That is, as shown in FIG. 9A, the label continuum LC has the first and second gas ejection units 42 and 43 in a state where the feed amount by the assist roller 17 is larger than the feed amount by the platen roller 16. , While being compressed air, is conveyed in the label back feed direction R.

  Returning to FIG. 6, when the rotation of the platen roller motor 26 and the assist roller motor 27 by the control unit 50 is completed for a predetermined step, the leading end of the label continuum LC reaches the printing unit 15 (step S2).

  Next, a label issuing process S3 is performed (step S3). As shown in the subroutine of FIG. 8, in the label issuing process S3, first, a label slack is detected (step S301). When the slack is detected, the platen roller motor 26 and the assist roller motor 27 are driven to rotate forward according to the slack eliminating condition (step S302). When the slack is not detected, the platen roller motor is detected according to the slack suppressing condition. 26 and the assist roller motor 27 are driven forward (step S303). Thereby, when the occurrence of slack in the label continuum LC is detected, the slack is eliminated, and when no slack is detected, the slack is suppressed.

  Next, printing on the label continuum LC is performed by the printing unit 15.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 9B, the label continuum LC is conveyed in the label issuing direction F in a state where the feed amount by the platen roller 16 is larger than the feed amount by the assist roller 17. At this time, the compressed air is continuously injected by the first and second gas injection units 42 and 43.

  Returning to FIG. 6, after printing is completed (step S <b> 4), when the rotation driving of the platen roller motor 26 and the assist roller motor 27 by the control unit 50 is completed for a predetermined step, the printing portion of the label continuum LC is printed. The to-be-cut | disconnected position of the terminal part vicinity of this reaches | attains the cutting position by the cutting means 30 (step S5).

  When the cut position of the label continuum LC reaches the cutting means 30, the control unit 50 stops the rotational drive of the platen roller motor 26 and the assist roller motor 27 (step S6). Next, the control unit 50 stops air blow by the first and second gas injection units 42 and 43. In this state, the label continuum LC is in a state in which the printed portion is attached to the outside of the label issuing machine 10 through the label issuing port W and can be cut.

  Next, the cutting process by the cutting means 30 is performed (step S8). That is, as shown in FIG. 9C, the label continuum LC is cut by the cutting means 30, and the printed label L is separated from the label continuum LC. In addition, since air blow is stopped at the time of cutting by the cutting means 30, vibration due to air blow does not occur in the label continuum LC, so that it can be cut well.

  Returning to FIG. 6, next, label back feed is performed (step S9). In the label back feed, the operation described in step S1 is similarly performed.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 9D, the label continuum LC has the first and second gas injection units 42 and 43 in a state where the feed amount by the assist roller 17 is larger than the feed amount by the platen roller 16. , While being compressed air, is conveyed in the label back feed direction R.

  Returning to FIG. 6, when the rotation of the platen roller motor 26 and the assist roller motor 27 by the control unit 50 is completed for a predetermined step, the leading end of the label continuous body LC is located between the cutting means 30 and the printing unit 15. A predetermined position is reached (step S11).

  When the leading end of the label continuum LC reaches a predetermined position between the cutting means 30 and the printing unit 15, the control unit 50 stops the rotational drive of the platen roller motor 26 and the assist roller motor 27 (step). S11). Next, the control part 50 stops the air blow by the 1st, 2nd gas injection parts 42 and 43 (step S12).

  That is, as shown in FIG. 9E, in this state, the label continuum LC is positioned at a standby position in preparation for the next label issuance. When the next label is issued, the above series of operations are repeatedly executed.

  The label L issued from the label issuing machine 10 is delivered to the upper pasting machine 5 and pasted on the upper surface of the product G conveyed on the conveyor 1 by the upper pasting machine 5. Therefore, according to the label sticking apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the label L printed from the mountless label roll LR can be issued and stuck on the upper surface of the product G by the upper sticker 5.

  According to the label issuing machine 10 having the above configuration, the following effects can be exhibited.

(1) When the label continuous body LC is conveyed in the label issuing direction F, the peripheral speed of the assist roller 17 is smaller than the peripheral speed of the platen roller 16, and when the label continuous body LC is conveyed in the label backfeed direction R, the assist roller 17 The roller motors 26 and 27 are rotationally driven so that the peripheral speed of the roller is greater than the peripheral speed of the platen roller 16. As a result, the feeding amount of the label continuum LC between these rollers becomes smaller than the feeding amount between these rollers, and tension is applied to the label continuum LC transported between these rollers. The slack generation of the label continuum LC can be prevented.

  Thereby, since the slack of the label continuum LC is suppressed, it is possible to prevent the label continuum LC from being wrapped around the platen roller 16 and the assist roller 17 and to prevent the label continuum LC from meandering. Therefore, since the label continuous body LC can be stably conveyed, printing on the label continuous body LC can be performed satisfactorily.

(2) By separately configuring drive means (platen roller motor 26) for rotationally driving the platen roller 16 and drive means (assist roller motor 27) for rotationally driving the assist roller, The platen roller 16 and the assist roller 17 can be individually rotated. Thereby, according to the conveyance direction of label continuum LC, the peripheral speed of each roller 16 and 17 can be set easily.

(3) Even when the glue of the label continuous body LC adheres to the platen roller 16 or the assist roller 17, the slack of the label continuous body LC conveyed between the platen roller 16 and the assist roller 17 is detected. And the speed difference between the peripheral speed of the platen roller 16 and the peripheral speed of the assist roller 17 is increased. Accordingly, tension is applied to the label continuum LC between the platen roller 16 and the assist roller 17 and the slack of the label continuum LC can be easily eliminated, so that the label continuum LC can be stably conveyed.

(4) By blowing the compressed air onto the surface of the platen roller 16 by the first gas injection unit 42, the temperature of the platen roller 16 that is located opposite to the printing unit 15 and accumulated by the printing unit 15 can be reduced. Thereby, since heating to the label continuum LC via the platen roller 16 is suppressed, the activity of the glue on the back surface of the label continuum LC is suppressed, and the winding of the label continuum LC around the platen roller 16 can be prevented. .

  In addition, by configuring the first gas injection unit 42 to blow the compressed air onto the downstream surface of the platen roller 16, the label continuum LC that has passed through the printing region is separated from the platen roller 16. As a result, the label continuous body LC can be effectively prevented from being wound around the platen roller 16.

(5) By blowing the gas on the back side paste surface of the label continuum LC by the second gas ejection unit 43 on the downstream side of the printing region between the printing unit 15 and the platen roller 16 with respect to the label issuing direction F, The label continuum LC that has passed through the printing area is separated from the platen roller 16, thereby effectively preventing the label continuum LC from being wound around the platen roller 16.

(6) The label continuum LC can be stably conveyed by regulating the fluttering of the label continuum LC caused by the gas blowing from the second gas ejecting unit 43 by the first side regulating member 21.

[Other Embodiments]
In the above embodiment, in both the label issuing direction F and the label backfeed direction R, the circumferential speed of one of the platen roller 16 and the assist roller 17 is the circumferential speed of the other roller with respect to the transport direction of the label continuum LC. Although configured to be greater than the speed, the speed difference may be provided only in the label issuing direction F.

  Also by this, when the label continuous body LC is conveyed in the label issuing direction F, it is possible to suppress the slack that may occur in the label continuous body LC, and even if slack occurs in the label continuous body LC, the slack can be eliminated.

  The present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, and it goes without saying that various improvements and design changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  According to the label issuing machine according to the present invention, it is possible to convey a belt-like label continuous body without a mount while preventing slack during forward and / or backward movement. As a result, it is possible to prevent winding of the label continuum around each roller and meandering, and the industrial utility value is great.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Conveyor 3 Operation display part 5 Top sticker 10 Label issuing machine 15 Printing part 16 Platen roller 17 Assist roller 18 Driven roller 20 Label sensor 21 1st control member 22 2nd control member 26 Platen roller motor 27 For assist roller Motor 30 Cutting means 33 Motor for cutter 40 Gas injection part 42 First gas injection part 43 Second gas injection part 44 Third gas injection part 50 Control part 52 Slack detection part 100 Label sticking device G Product F Label issuing direction R Label back feed direction L Label LR Mountless label roll LC Label continuum W Label issuing port

Claims (3)

A label that prints information on the print surface while transporting in a first direction a continuous strip-shaped label continuous body with the front side as the printing surface and the back side as the glue surface, and then issues the label by cutting the printed label continuous body Issuing machine,
In order to sandwich and send out the label continuum, a roller pair including a driving roller and a driven roller;
A printing unit disposed on the downstream side of the pair of rollers with respect to the first direction of the label continuum, in order to print on the print surface while sandwiching and transporting the label continuum; A printing mechanism having a platen roller that contacts the glue surface;
When conveying the label continuum in the first direction, the peripheral speed of the drive roller is set smaller than the peripheral speed of the platen roller, and
In the case where the label continuous body is conveyed in the second direction opposite to the first direction, the peripheral speed of the driving roller is set to be greater or equal to the peripheral speed of the platen roller ,
A control unit for driving and controlling the platen roller and the driving roller;
The label issuing machine , wherein the controller drives the platen roller to change the peripheral speed of the driving roller while keeping the peripheral speed constant .   The label issuing machine according to claim 1, wherein the platen roller and the driving roller are respectively driven to rotate by separate driving means. A slack detection sensor for detecting slack of the continuous label body conveyed between the platen roller and the drive roller ;
When looseness of the label continuum is detected by the looseness detection sensor,
The label issuance according to claim 2, wherein the controller controls the driving so as to increase a speed difference between the peripheral speed of the platen roller and the peripheral speed of the driving roller while keeping the peripheral speed of the platen roller constant. Machine.

Images