JPH0317709B2 - - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention relates to a label pasting device, specifically, a label pasting device which is arranged in a container such as a paper box or a container, and is housed in a container such as a paper box or a container. The present invention relates to a device that automatically attaches labels such as price tags to products.

(Prior art and its problems) Conventionally, when attaching labels to each product stored in a container, such as canned products, boxed products, bottled products, etc., it is not possible to automatically attach labels to each product while it is stored in the container. Unable to affix the label, the product must be manually removed from the container, sent to an automatic labeler to affix the label, and then manually packed into the container again. Ta.

However, in the conventional work, in order to attach a label, it is necessary to remove and pack the products, which causes a decrease in work efficiency.

On the other hand, as a device that automates labeling,
There are JP-A-60-13633 and JP-A-56-64931.

The former device handles products stacked vertically,
The label pasting machine that has absorbed the adhesive label sequentially pastes the label on each of the product surfaces while moving in the vertical direction by the product height. In addition, the latter device places products on pedestals set at regular intervals on a rail, moves them intermittently one after another, and then affixes a label to the product when it stops at the label affixing section. , the relative deviation of the label pasting position that occurs depending on the size of the product can be entered in advance, and the label pasting machine can be set to
The label is moved in the Y direction so that the label is always affixed to the product at a fixed position. Both of the above-mentioned devices have the function of automatically pasting labels on multiple products in sequence and the function of moving the label pasting machine in the While the labeling machine is moved vertically or horizontally in accordance with the preset order in accordance with the arrangement of the products while accommodating the products arranged in the
There is no function for automatically attaching labels, and as described above, attaching labels to the products arranged in the container requires manual work to put in and take out the products, as described above.

Furthermore, conventionally, there is a method of manually attaching labels to a large number of products while they are still in a container using a hand labeler.
When handling a large number of products, worker fatigue is high and work efficiency is poor.

(Object of the Invention) In view of the conventional circumstances, the present invention provides an apparatus that automatically attaches labels to each product in a predetermined order while the products are arranged in multiple rows and columns on the storage surface of a container. The purpose is to provide.

(Structure of the Invention) The labeling device of the present invention places a container containing a large number of products arranged in a plurality of rows at predetermined intervals in the vertical and horizontal directions on the storage surface of the container in a fixed position. A work table is installed so as to be movable in a uniaxial direction with respect to the machine frame, and a movable frame is installed above the table so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the table. A label printer equipped with a position indicator placed at a fixed position is suspended and installed, and a work table and a movable frame are provided with a driving means equipped with a motor for moving the printer and a means for measuring the amount of movement thereof. each drive means has an operation key, a number key, and a setting key for driving the motor,
By electrically connecting and providing operation setting means for setting movement operation data of the work table and movable frame by operating these keys, and moving the work table and movable frame based on the operation data, A drive control unit is provided to move each product to be arranged under the label application slot of the label printer in a set order. The label printer has a pasting means for spraying in the opposite direction, and the issued labels are successively pasted onto each product arranged in the container from the label pasting opening of the label printer that moves with the movable frame by linking both means and the drive control section. It is characterized by

The work table is moved in the front-rear direction (Y-axis direction) on a predetermined plane inside the machine frame, and the movable frame is moved in the left-right direction (X-axis direction), or the moving direction of both (X-axis, Y-axis) is opposite. By moving the label printer using the movable frame and moving the container using the work table, the products in the containers are sequentially moved under the label application opening of the label printer.

The work table and movable frame may be moved continuously at a constant speed, or may be moved intermittently by pausing each time the label application slot reaches directly above the product, or when the label application slot approaches the label application position on the product. Either a variable speed movement method in which the speed is decelerated each time, or a method in which the movement section from the mechanical origin position to the first product position and the section returning from the final product position to the origin position are fast-forwarded may be adopted.

The linkage between the printing means and pasting means of the label printer described above and the drive control unit for the work table and movable frame is such that when the movement of the work table and movable frame is continuous, the drive control unit controls the work table and movable frame. The amount of movement is detected by the measuring means,
The pasting means is activated at each predetermined movement point, and after the label pasting is performed by activation of the pasting means, the printing means is activated and the label is printed while the work table or movable frame reaches the next movement point. Issue.

In addition, when the movement of the work table and movable frame is intermittently, the drive control unit starts the pasting means every time the work table and the movable frame pause, and also controls the drive every time the pasting operation of the pasting means ends. The printing means is activated in the working table and movable frame moving section of the feeding operation.

The moving operation data of the work table and the movable frame are inputted by key operations on the operation setting means, and the drive control section is controlled based on the operation data.

(Embodiment) To explain an embodiment of the present invention with reference to drawings, in Figs. 1 to 3, 1 is a machine frame, and four columns 1
A, 1b, 1c, 1d and reinforcing rods connecting them are constructed into a square frame body, and the pillars 1a,
Ceiling rods 2a, 2d, 2 on the top surfaces of 1b, 1c, 1d
The ceiling frame 2 is formed by mounting and connecting the ceiling frames 2c and 2d.

The machine frame 1 has a screw shaft 5 installed across reinforcing rods 3, 3' at the front and lower portions thereof so as to be rotatable in forward and reverse directions, and guide rods 6, 6 are arranged in parallel on both sides thereof.
The work table 4 is attached to these members 5, 6, 6.
Set up.

The work table 4 has supporting plates 7, 7 integrally protruding downward from the bottom thereof, a screw hole 8 in the center of each plate 7, and through holes 8', 8' on both sides thereof. 8
are screwed onto the screw shaft 5, and the through holes 8',
The guide rods 6, 6 are slidably passed through 8' and movably attached to the machine frame 1.

The screw shaft 5 is linked to rotate by a Y motor _M2 , and the drive of this Y motor _M2 causes the screw shaft 5 to rotate in forward and reverse directions to rotate the work table 4.
along the guide rods 6, 6 in the Y-axis direction (back and forth direction)
Make it move back and forth.

Positioning stoppers 9, 9' are provided on the work table 4, and the container N is positioned and placed against the stoppers 9, 9'.

The container N is a paper box, a container, or the like, and a large number of products n ₁ , n _{2 ,} .

Further, the machine frame 1 has racks 10 and 10' placed horizontally on the front and rear surfaces of its upper part, respectively, and guide rods 11 and 1 on the front and rear surfaces of the ceiling frame 2, respectively.
1' horizontally, and its guide rods 11, 1
A movable frame A is slidably suspended from 1'.

The movable frame A has a front plate a ₁ and a back plate a ₂ erected integrally at the front and rear of a main body plate a, and a movable element 1 is mounted on both plates a ₁ and a ₂ .
2 and 12' are attached, and the movers 12 and 12' are slidably suspended from the guide rods 11 and 11', and are movable along the rods in the X-axis direction (horizontal direction).

A bracket 1 is attached to the main body plate a of the movable frame A at an upper part approximately in the center via a stay 13 which is installed on one side edge of the main body plate a.
3' is arranged, and a reduction gear 14 is attached to the bracket 13'.
At the same time, the screw shaft 15 screwed into the internal thread 15' of the reduction gear 14 is passed through vertically, and the label printer B is hung and installed on the lower end of the screw shaft 15. Four vertical shafts 16, 16, .

The movable frame A is constructed above the work table 4 and moves in the X-axis direction, and the label printer B suspended from the frame A is moved in the X-axis direction on the work table 4.

An X motor _M1 is attached to the back plate _a2 of the movable frame A, and pinions 17', 17' attached to a rotating shaft 17 which rotates forward and backward are rotated on the racks 10, 10' by the X motor _M1 . The movable frame A moves.

Further, a Z motor _M3 is installed on the movable frame A, and the motor _M3 connects the reduction gear 14 so that it can freely rotate in forward and reverse directions. Moves in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

Note that the screw shaft 15 of the label printer B may be rotated manually by a manual handle or the like instead of using the Z motor _M3 , and instead of a mechanism for moving the label printer B up and down, the label printer B can be moved using the movable frame A. Fixedly installed on the work table 4
It may be made to raise and lower.

Furthermore, the label printer B may be attached to the movable frame A so as to be swingable in the left-right and front-back directions, and the bottom surface may be adjusted to be horizontal or at a desired inclination angle.

Label printer B has a label applicator on its left end.
b', a label pasting port b is disposed on the bottom of the pasting device b', and the label L printed and issued by the printing means is suctioned and held in the pasting port b, and when a pasting command signal is received, Label L by air pressure
Spray downward from application port b.

In addition, the label printer B has an indicator 18 attached to a predetermined position, for example, on the left side of the label applicator b', and this indicator 18 is arranged so that it is in the XY coordinate relationship of the fixed position from the label applicator opening b, and the movable frame A is moved. It is used as a position indicator of the product when placing the product.

The indicator 18 has concentric circles 19a... and grid scales 19b... on a transparent glass plate 18a arranged horizontally.
The product and the indicator 1 can be seen through the concentric circles 19a or grid scale 19b.
Visually confirm the position where the center 19 of 8 coincides with the center 19 (FIG. 4).

When the indicator 18 is placed on the glass plate 1
A reflecting mirror 18b is arranged in an inclined manner so that it is easy to see through the mirror 8a.

Furthermore, a console unit C is installed at the upper front of the machine frame 1, and a control unit for the movable frame A and label printer B is built into the console unit C, and a display unit 21 and an operation unit for the movable frame A are mounted on the surface. 22, a display section 23 of the label printer B, and an operation section 24 are provided.

Note that the console unit C may be installed not at the top of the machine frame 1 but in the middle, or may be provided separately from the machine frame.

The details of the display section 21 and operation section 22 of the movable frame A will be explained with reference to FIG.
31 is an operation key, 32 is a numeric key, and 33 is a setting key, these keys 31, 32, and 33 constitute an operation setting means 30 for the movable frame A;
is a function key, and 35 is a label pasting operation key.

The operation key 31 is for X motor M ₁ , Y motor M ₂ , Z
This is the key to drive the motor _M3.The Xa key rotates the X motor _M1 forward and moves the movable frame A to the left in the X-axis direction, and the Xb key rotates the X motor _M1 in the reverse direction to move the movable frame A. Move to the right in the X-axis direction. or,
The Ya key rotates the Y motor _M2 in the forward direction to move the working table 4 backward in the Y axis direction, and the Yb key rotates the Y motor _M2 in reverse to move the work table 4 forward in the Y axis direction.

Furthermore, the X-Y key rotates the motors M ₁ and M ₂ forward or reverse to move the movable frame A and work table 4 to the X axis and Y axis.
This is to return to the mechanical origin position in the axial direction.

Also, the Za key raises label printer B,
The Zb key lowers the label printer B, and the _Z0 key returns the label printer B to its original position in the Z-axis direction.

Setting keys 33 are X ₀ key, Y ₀ key, X ₁ key, Y ₁
key, Px key _, P _Y key, Mx key _, and M _Y key.
Enter the measurement origin coordinates in the Y-axis direction of the product, use the X ₁ key to enter _the dimension (width) of the product in the
The key is used to input the dimension (length) of the product in the Y-axis direction.

Also, the Px key inputs the pitch Px in the X-axis direction between products, and the P _Y key inputs the pitch Px in the Y-axis direction between products.
P _Y is entered, the Mx key is used to enter the number of rows of products in the X-axis direction, and the M _Y key is used to enter the number of rows of products in the Y-axis direction.

The functional parts of the work table 4, movable frame A, and label printer B will be explained with reference to FIG.

The functional parts of the work table 4 and the movable frame A include the display part 21 and the operation part 22, as well as memories ROM and RAM, and a drive control part 25.
and has the operation setting means 30 described above in the operation section 22.

The drive control unit 25 includes rotary encoders 17a, 5a, 15 for detecting the amount of rotation of the motors M ₁ , M ₂ , M ₃ and the rotating shafts 17 and screw shafts 5, 15.
It is configured by connecting to a.

The operation of inputting the operation data of the movable frame A and the work table 4 by the operation setting means 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 7. The operation of moving the movable frame A by operating the Xa key or the let me,
Align the indicator 18 of label printer B to the Y-axis line l ₁ of product n ₁ in container N, and press at that position.
Press the Ya key to move the work table 4 backwards and move the front edge of the product n ₁ to the center 1 of the indicator 18.
9, stop the work table 4, press the _Y0 key of the setting key 33, and input the Y-axis origin _Y0 measured by the encoder 5a.

Next, press the Ya key again to move the work table 4 backwards, and when the center 19 of the indicator 18 coincides with the rear edge of item n ₁ , stop the work table 4 and press the Y ₁ key of the setting key 33. encoder 5
Enter the Y-axis coordinate _Y1 measured in step a.

Next, press the Ya key again to move the work table 4 further backward, and when the front edge C of the product _n8 in the back row and the center 19 of the indicator 18 match, stop the work table 4 and press the P _Y key of the setting key 33. Press to enter the Y-axis coordinate _Y2 at that position.

Thereafter, by operating the operation key 31, align the center 19 of the indicator 18 with the X-axis line _l2 of the product _n1 , and by operating the Xa key, align the center 19 of the indicator 18 with the left edge of the product _n1 , and product n ₂
Temporarily stop _the movable frame A _every time the left _{edge of}
and input X ₂ .

_{Based on the} above _coordinates X ₀ , _{X 1 , 0} + (X ₁ - X ₀ )/2, Y ₀ + (Y ₁ - _{Y 0} )/2], the product pitch in the X _- axis direction (Px = _Y = Y ₂ − _{Y 0} ).

In addition, the coordinates of the base point P ₀ above are label pasting opening b
This is corrected by subtracting the distance coordinates X' and Y' between the indicator 18 and the indicator 18.

[X ₀ +(X ₁ −X ₀ )/2−X′, Y ₀ +(Y ₁ −Y ₀ )/2−Y′].

Next, after pressing the Mx key of the setting key 33, enter the number of rows of products in the container N in the X-axis direction, for example "4", using the number key 32, and after pressing the M _Y key, The number of columns in the Y-axis direction, for example, "3" is entered using the number key 32.

By the above-mentioned number setting operation, the pitch of the movable frame A and the work table 4 to be pitch-fed, the number of pitch-feeds, the inter-row movement position, and the total number of products to be labeled are calculated.

Further, the feeding direction of the movable frame A and the work table 4 is set by key operation of the function key 34.

The operation data of the data inputted by the setting means 30 and the data obtained by the arithmetic processing are stored in the memory RAM, and the drive control section 25 operates based on these operation data when the apparatus is started.

In addition, when handling many types of products, a preset memory 40 is provided to store and hold the product code and operation data for each product.
By inputting a product code using the operation section 22, the corresponding operation data is called up from the preset memory 40.

The drive control section 25 controls the movement amount and timing of the movable frame A and the work table 4 and the operation of the label printer B based on the above-mentioned operation data. A height adjusting means 29 is provided.

The reference point adjustment means 26 is for setting the amount of rotation of the rotary shaft 17 and the screw shaft 5 by which the label printer B's application port b moves from the mechanical origin O of the movable frame A and the work table 4 to the product _n1 in the container N. be.

That is, the movable frame A and the work table 4 are first moved so that the label attachment opening b coincides with the base position _P0 of the product _n1 .

Note that the reference point position P ₀ can also be set at a position shifted by a predetermined distance from the center position of the product by using the setting means 30 described above.

The pitch feed means 27 is used to set the amount of rotation of the rotary shaft 17 and the screw shaft 5 by which the label pasting opening b is sequentially moved from the base position P ₀ to the centers of the products n ₂ , n ₃ . . . n ₁₂ .

In this feeding means 27, products n ₁ ~
When moving between n ₄ , n ₅ - n ₈ , n ₉ - n ₁₂ , only the rotating shaft 17 that moves movable frame A in the X-axis direction rotates forward or reverse, and the movement between columns n ₄ → n ₅ , n ₈ → When n ₉ , the screw shaft 5 moves the work table 4 in the Y-axis direction.
only rotates.

In the embodiment, the pitch feeding means 27 is of a continuous movement type, and the label printer B performs the label pasting operation when the label pasting port b reaches the top of each product.

A diagram of movement of the movable frame A and the work table 4 by the pitch feeding means 27 is shown in FIG. 8 or 9.

The return means 28 returns the movable frame A and the work after the pasting port b reaches the final product n ₁₂ and the label pasting is completed, that is, after the number of times of label pasting corresponding to the number of products inputted by the setting means 30 is completed. Rotating axis 1 so as to return table 4 to origin position O.
7. Set the amount of rotation of the screw shaft 5, that is, set the rotation shaft 1 so that the encoders 17a and 5a become O.
7. It rotates the screw shaft 15.

The height adjusting means 29 drives the Z motor _M3 by key operation of the Za key or the Zb key of the operation section 22 to move the label printer B up and down, so that the distance between the top surface of the product and the application opening b is kept approximately constant. This will be adjusted accordingly.

When storing and retaining the operation data of the movable frame A and the work table 4 in the preset memory 40,
It is preferable to also store the setting amount of the height adjusting means 29 in the preset memory.

The functional section of the label printer B includes the display section 23 and the operation section 24, as well as a memory ROM,
It has a RAM, and is further provided with a printing means 50 and a label pasting means 51, and the printing means 50 prints the required data such as the price of the product on the label L and issues it under the pasting opening b. Then, spray the label L below the application opening B downward.

The functional parts of the movable frame A, work table 4 and label printer B are communication interfaces 52 and 5.
3, and both A and B
make them work in conjunction.

That is, the printing means 50 of the label printer B starts at the same time that the movable frame A and the work table 4 start moving from the origin position, and prints on the label L before the movable frame A and the work table 4 reach the base position. The pasting means 51 is activated in conjunction with the completion of the strain issuing operation and the movement of the movable frame A and work table 4 passing through the base position.

By activating this pasting means 51, the label L is pasted onto the first product _n1 .

Next, the movable frame A or the work table 4 is moved by the pitch feed means 27, but the label printer B activates the printing means 50 in response to the pasting operation completion signal from the pasting means 51, and the set pitch feed is performed. The pasting means 51 of the label printer B is activated at each time.

As a result, the movable frame A or the work table 4 enters _the pitch feed operation, and each time the label printer B's label printer B reaches above the product n ₂ , n ₃ .
Then, the labels L are spray-affixed onto the products, and the labels are sequentially applied to the products n ₂ , n ₃ , . . . n ₁₂ in the order shown in FIG. 9 or 10.

Further, when the movable frame A or the work table 4 reaches the end point of the pitch feeding operation, the return means 28 of the movable frame A and the work table 4 are activated in response to a pasting operation completion signal from the pasting means 51 of the label printer B. As a result, the motor M ₁ or M ₂ is activated and the movable frame A and the work table 4 return to their original positions.

Then, when the container N is placed in a fixed position on the work table 4 and the device is started, the label printer B
The pasting opening b is the product n ₁ , n ₂ ...n ₁₂ in the container N 1
The labels L are affixed under the affixing opening in sequence, and then the label printer B returns to the original position together with the movable frame A, and at the same time, the work table 4 and the container N also return to the original position automatically. It is carried out in a regular manner.

When attaching a label to an inclined surface of an object, the label printer can be tilted freely.

In the apparatus of the above embodiment, the amount of movement of the movable frame A in the X-axis direction, the amount of movement of the work table 4 in the Y-axis direction, and the amount of movement of the label printer B in the Z-axis direction are determined by rotary encoders 17a, 5a, and 15a, respectively.
Although it is configured to measure by detecting the amount of rotation of the rotating shaft 17 and the screw shafts 5 and 15 using the above method, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, X motor
Each movement amount can also be measured by using stepping motors for each of M ₁ , Y motor M ₂ , and Z motor M ₂ and counting the number of drive pulses supplied to the stepping motors. When a stepping motor is used, the cost is somewhat higher than when a DC motor and a rotary encoder are used, but the amount of movement can be measured more accurately.

Therefore, it is desirable to use a stepping motor when it is required to accurately apply a label to a predetermined position on a small item.

(Effects) According to the present invention, while products are arranged in multiple rows and columns in a container, labels can be mechanically and automatically applied to each product in an efficient order. Therefore, it is not necessary to take out and pack products as in the conventional work, which saves labor and reduces worker fatigue compared to when using a hand labeler. You can increase your sexuality.

Furthermore, since the movement setting means connected to the driving means sets the movement movement data of the movable frame for moving the label printer and the movement movement data of the work table for moving the container, the movement setting means connected to the driving means can be set. The operation data of the movable frame and work table can be easily and accurately set through teaching operations and calculation processing, and by storing operation data for each product using preset memory, it is possible to easily and accurately set the operation data of the movable frame and work table. It is possible to provide a labeling device with excellent versatility and versatility.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a partially cutaway front view of the device of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a partially cutaway side view, Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line - - of Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the indicator portion. , FIG. 5 is a surface view of the console unit, FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the movable frame and the functional parts of the label printer, FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating the setting operation of a part of the operation setting means, and FIG. Figure and 9th
Each figure is a plan view showing the order in which labels are pasted. In the diagram, 1 is the machine frame, N is the container, n ₁ ... n ₁₂ is the product,
A is a movable frame, 4 is a work table, 18 is an indicator, B is a label printer, b is a label pasting port,
L is a label, 25 is a drive control unit, 26 is a reference point alignment means, 27 is a pitch feeding means, 28 is a return means,
30 is an operation setting means, 31 is an operation key, 32 is a numeric key, 33 is a setting key, 50 is a printing means, 51
5 is a pasting means, and 52 and 53 are communication interfaces.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A work table on which containers containing a large number of products arranged in multiple rows at predetermined intervals both vertically and horizontally are placed in a fixed position on the storage surface of the container is movable in a uniaxial direction relative to the machine frame. At the same time, a movable frame is installed above the table so as to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the table, and the movable frame is provided with a position indicator placed at a fixed position from the label attachment opening. The printer is installed suspended, and the work table and movable frame each have a drive means equipped with a motor for moving them and a means for measuring the amount of movement thereof, and each drive means has a drive means for driving the motor. an operation setting means having an operation key, a numeric key, and a setting key, and electrically connected to the operation setting means for setting movement operation data of the work table and the movable frame by operating these keys; A drive control unit is provided that moves the work table and movable frame to sequentially move each product arranged in the container under the label application opening of the label printer in a set order, and the label printer stores the necessary data on the label. The label printer has a printing means for printing and issuing a label, and a pasting means for spraying the issued label downward, and both means and the drive control unit are linked to move together with the movable frame. A label pasting device that sequentially pastes issued labels onto each product arranged in a row.