JPS6340741B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION The present invention relates to an apparatus for moving a labeling machine that automatically applies a label to a predetermined position on an item to a desired position relative to the item.

2. Description of the Related Art Labeling machines that affix labels on which weight, price, etc. are printed to items such as foodstuffs are usually installed so that they can be moved depending on the size of the item. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a large number of packaged items 1 placed in a tray 3 are placed on a conveyor 2 and are sequentially and intermittently fed, and one item 1 is placed below the labeling machine 4. When the label applicator 4 reaches the position, the label applicator 4 operates to apply a label 6 from its label applicator 5 to the top surface of the item 1.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In the above-described case, when the label applicator 4 is in a fixed position, the location on the item 1 to which the label is applied will be relatively misaligned depending on the size of the item 1. That is, when the label 6 is affixed to a fixed point m on the upper left of the top surface of an item 1a having a size shown by the solid line in FIG. 2 and the item 1a is carried out in the X-axis direction, the size shown by the chain line in FIG. When the item 1b is carried into a fixed position below the labeling machine 4 along the X-axis and this labeling machine 4 operates at the same position as the previous item 1a, the labeling part of the subsequent item 1b is at the position m. , this item 1b has a part near the center of the top surface,
The label 6 is not affixed to the required location n on the upper left of the top surface of b.

In this way, the places to be labeled are items 1a and 1b.
It is undesirable for management and appearance to change due to a change in size, so in the above example, when the item 1a changes to an item 1b of a different size, the labeling machine 4 is moved in the X-Y direction according to the subsequent item 1b. By moving the item 1b, the label 6 is attached to a fixed position n on the upper left side of the top surface of the item 1b. However, this label pasting machine 4
Previously, this was done manually. Therefore, every time the size of the item 1 differs, the entire apparatus must be stopped and the operator must manually adjust the position, resulting in extremely poor labeling efficiency.

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention is a movably provided labeling machine, which is a moving device for a labeling machine that affixes a label to a predetermined position on an item to be fed. , a drive unit that moves the label pasting machine, a position detection unit that detects the current position of the label pasting machine, and a data setting unit that sets a label pasting position;
A control unit for operating the drive unit in a direction that matches the current position of the label applicator detected by the position detection unit and the set position of the data setting unit. The above problem is solved by providing a device.

Embodiment An embodiment of the labeling machine moving device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6.

Let the X-Y coordinates of the label attachment point m of the item 1a shown in Figure 2 be (X _i , Y _j ), and
The X-Y coordinates of the label attachment point n in b are (X _k ,
An embodiment of the present invention in which the labeling machine 4 is moved two-dimensionally in the X-Y direction as _Yl ) is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and will be described in sequence. First, in FIG. 3, 7 is a data setting section for setting the positional data of the label affixing part of the item 1 carried into the fixed position below the label affixing machine 4, and 8 is the data setting section of the label affixing section 5 of the label affixing machine 4. a position detection unit for detecting a position, 9
10 is a drive unit that moves the label pasting machine 4 in the X-Y direction; 10 is a control unit that controls the drive unit 9;
For example, it consists of a microcomputer, etc. In the case of the item 1a in the example in FIG.
=X _i , Y=Y _j ), and this data is input to the control unit 10. Further, the label pasting machine 4 applies a label 6 to the label pasting location m of the item 1a.
is pasted, the position detection section 8 detects the position of the label pasting section 5 as X _i on the X coordinate and Y _j on the Y coordinate, and inputs this data to the control section 10 . Then, when the X-Y coordinate data of the data setting section 7 and the X-Y coordinate data of the position detecting section 8 match, the control section 10 does not output and stops the driving section 9. Further, if the two data do not match, the operation described later is performed. The drive unit 9 is composed of an X-axis drive unit 11 that moves the label pasting machine 4 in the X-axis direction, and a Y-axis drive unit 12 that moves the label pasting machine 4 in the Y-axis direction, and each drive source is a motor, cylinder, etc. used.

A specific example of the data setting section 7 and position detection section 8 is shown in FIG. 4. 13 is a product name code detection section, 14
18 is a storage section, and the data setting section 7 is constituted by the above. In other words, the size of item 1 is classified by code number, and for example, item 1a has a code number.
01, the item 1b is classified as code number 02, and the storage unit 18 stores position data of the label affixing location by code number, that is, in the case of code number 01, (X=X _i ,
For code number 02, (X=X _{k ,}
Y = Y _l ). This memory is digit part 1
Do this in advance using step 4. For example, when attaching a label to the item 1a, a product name stamp (not shown) corresponding to the item 1a and on which its code number is recorded is attached to the product name code detection unit 13 of the printer (not shown). The configuration is such that the code number 01 is detected, and when the code number 01 is detected, the data of (X=X _i , Y=Y _j ) is read out from the storage unit 18 and is automatically set by the control unit 10.

In addition, the position detection unit 8 includes, for example, an arm 19 that is integrally provided on a part of the label pasting machine 4, and this arm 19
The configuration is such that the tip of the switch is brought into contact with any one of a plurality of micro switches 20 arranged in the grid pattern of a Go board. The microswitches 20 are arranged along the X-Y movement direction of the label applicator 5 of the label applicator 4, and for example, the label applicator 4 attaches the label 6 to the label destination m of the item 1a. In this case, the tip of the arm 19 is brought into contact with the i-th microswitch 20i-j on the X-axis and the j-th microswitch 20i-j on the Y-axis, as shown in FIG. Then, by turning on the microswitches 20i-j, it is detected that the label pasting section 5 is at the position (X=X _i , Y=Y _j ). In addition, 15 is a start switch, 1
Reference numeral 6 denotes an input control unit that outputs the outputs of the product name code detection unit 13, numeric value unit 14, etc. to the control unit 10; 17 outputs the outputs of each microswitch 20 to the control unit 10, and also drives the output of the control unit 10. This is an input/output control section that outputs to the section 9. Next, the operation of the above configuration will be explained. For example, assume that labeling of item 1a has been completed. At this time, the data setting section 7 has (X=X _i ,
The data of Y=Y _j ) is set, the position detection section 8 detects the data of (X=X _i , Y=Y _j ), and since both data are the same, the control section 10 stops the drive section 9. There is even. Next, when attaching the label 6 to the label attachment point n of the item 1b, first remove the product name mark of the item 1a from the product name code detection unit 13 of the data setting unit 7, attach the product name mark of the next item 1b, and then Detect the number 02 and write it from the storage unit 18 (X=
X _k , Y=Y _l ) data is read out and the control unit 10
Put it in. Next, turn on the start switch 15. Then, the position detection section 8 detects the current position of the label pasting section 5 and sends data of (X=X _i , Y=Y _j ) to the control section 10 . Then, the control section 10 compares the data (X=X _k , Y=Y _l ) from the data setting section 7 with the data (X=X _i , Y=Y _j ) from the position detecting section 8 . At this time, both data do not match and X _i > X _k
Therefore, the control section 10 first detects the negative movement direction on the X-axis and sends a negative direction signal A and a drive signal B to the X-axis drive section 11 of the drive section 9. Then, the X-axis drive unit 11 is driven to move the label pasting machine 4 in the negative direction. Along with this movement, the position detecting section 8 continuously detects the position of the label pasting section 5, and when the detected data reaches (X=X _k , Y= Y _j ), the X coordinate data X of the data setting section 7 is detected. = _Xk , the output of the direction signal A and drive signal B is stopped, the X-axis drive section 11 is stopped, and the movement of the label pasting machine 4 in the X-axis direction is completed. Next, the control unit 10 controls Y=Y _j and Y
= Y _l , and since Y _j < Y _l , the positive movement direction on the Y axis is detected, and the positive direction signal C and drive signal D are sent to the Y axis drive unit 12, and the Y axis drive Part 1
2 to move the label pasting machine 4 in the forward direction. Then, the detection data of the position detection unit 8 is (X
= X _k , Y = Y _l ), the data setting section 7
Since the Y coordinate data Y=Y _l matches, the output of the direction signal C and the drive signal D is stopped, and the
stops, and the movement of the label pasting machine 4 in the Y-axis direction is completed. That is, at the time of this completion, the label pasting machine 4
The label sticking unit 5 stops at the position (X=X _k , Y=Y _l ), and the label 6 is stuck at a predetermined label sticking point n of the item 1b.

In the above operation, if X _i <X _k , the label pasting machine 4 moves in the positive direction on the X axis, and if Y _j > Y _l , the label pasting machine 4 moves in the negative direction on the Y axis Move to. Also, in the above operation, the label pasting machine 4 was first moved in the X-axis direction and then moved in the Y-axis direction, but the reverse is also possible, or the label pasting machine 4 is moved in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction simultaneously. It is also possible to have it performed. Further, the position detection section 8 is connected to the label pasting machine 4.
This is done by contacting the arm 19 of the labeling machine 4 with the micro switch 20, but for example, the labeling machine 4 can be manually
If the tip of the arm 19 is moved, the tip of the arm 19 may stop between the microswitches 20 and not come into contact with the microswitches 20, and the position may not be detected. In such a case, turn start switch 15
When turned ON, the position detection unit 8 cannot detect the current position, so the control unit 10 first switches the label pasting machine 4 to
Move in the positive direction of the axis. Then, if the position data matches the setting data, it is stopped, and if they do not match, it is moved to the limit and then moved in the opposite negative direction, a match is detected, and it is stopped. The same process is performed in the Y-axis direction. In this case, the limit of movement of the label pasting machine 4 can be determined by using a switch at the end of each microswitch 20 as a limit detection switch. In addition, in the above embodiment, a large number of micro switches 20 are arranged in a checkerboard pattern, but as shown in FIG. Arm 19″ for detecting position and multiple micro switches 20
If the position is detected by installing a micro switch 20
The number of can be reduced. Note that the position detection unit 8 is not limited to the combination of the arms 19, 19', 19'' and the microswitch 20, but may also have a non-contact configuration in which, for example, a photo sensor is selected as the microswitch and a light emitting element is provided at the tip of the arm. Alternatively, a magnetic sensor may be selected as the microswitch, and a non-contact configuration may be adopted in which only the tip of the arm is made of magnetic material.

Further, in the above embodiment, the data setting section 7 stores the position data set for each product name code, and the stored data is read out by attaching the product name stamp. First, the position data is stored in the number section 14 every time the item 1 is changed.
It is also possible to set the number using and send the set number data to the control section 10. For example, when changing from item 1a to item 1b, first set X _k and then Y _l in the number register 14.

Effects of the Invention As explained above, according to the present invention, the label pasting machine is automatically moved according to the location on the article to be labeled, which eliminates the need for manual adjustment and improves label pasting. Improves work efficiency.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a side view of a general labeling mechanism, Fig. 2 is a plan view of an article illustrating the places to be labeled on items of different sizes, and Fig. 3 is an implementation of the labeling machine moving device according to the present invention. A schematic plan view showing an example;
Figure 4 is a specific block circuit diagram of Figure 3, and Figure 5 is a detailed block circuit diagram of Figure 3.
The figure is a schematic plan view showing an example of the position detecting section, and FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing another example of the position detecting section. 1... Article, 4... Label pasting machine, 5... Label pasting section, 6... Label, 7... Data setting section,
8... Position detection section, 9... Drive section, 10... Control section.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A moving device for a movably installed labeling machine that affixes a label to a predetermined position on an item to be fed, which device includes a drive unit that moves the labeling machine; , a position detection section that detects the current position of the label pasting machine, a data setting section that sets the label pasting position, and a current position of the label pasting machine detected by the position detection section and a setting position of the data setting section. a control section that operates the drive section in a direction to match the label pasting machine moving device.