JPH0717082B2 - Label printing machine for label sticking machine - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a label printing apparatus for a label sticking machine, which is a stamp head and an ink roller for applying ink to a character portion of the stamp head. An ink container, and an ink ribbon that is immersed in the ink container and comes into contact with the ink roller and circulates in an endless manner. At least the ink roller is a main unit of the labeling machine.
The present invention relates to a label printing device of a label sticking machine, which can be driven by a motor.

(Prior Art) In this type of device, an ink ribbon, which is made to run in the same direction as the rotation direction of the ink roller at the contact portion with the ink roller, is always linked with the ink roller. Moreover, it has been known so far to drive the ink roller at a speed significantly lower than the peripheral speed of the ink roller (West German Patent Publication No. 3530352). This device has an extremely large work capacity, its operating conditions are not so lenient, but it gives excellent printing results, and it operates for a long period without failure.
It should be added, however, that after the ink roller (and thus the ink ribbon) has been stopped for a long time, the ink ribbon's ink application plate in the ink container, The print ink that adheres to the intermediate portion between the ink roller and the contact area that is in contact with it dries out, which is especially the case when using a quick-drying, solvent-free printing ink. . While the labeling machine is in a stopped state, the printing ink dries when the bottle is still attached to this labeling machine (for example, in case of an emergency stop), unlike normal operating conditions. As a result, when the label applicator is restarted, proper printing is not performed on the label of the bottle and the like in the beginning, and in this state, new ink is impregnated on the ink ribbon. Will continue until it comes into contact with the ink roller again. Such bottles and the like need to be removed manually or to be removed automatically.

In a device of the type described in "Industrial application", which is another known device, this situation is considerably improved, in which the ink
The ribbon is run in a direction orthogonal to the circumferential direction of the ink roller (European Publication No. 268079). In addition to this, in this device, the ink ribbon is always driven by the main motor of the labeling machine in conjunction with the ink roller, and the ink container of the ink ribbon is also used. The area between the ink roller and the ink roller is relatively short, and a guide plate for covering the ink ribbon is provided there. This guide plate has the function of preventing the printing ink from drying out, so that it does not cause a problem when the stop condition is relatively short.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) An object of the present invention is to provide a label printing apparatus for a label sticking machine, which includes a stamp head, an ink roller for applying ink to the character portion of the stamp head, and an ink. Container and
An ink ribbon that is immersed in the ink container and contacts the ink roller and circulates in an endless manner; at least the ink roller is drivable by a main motor of the label applicator; Improving the label printing equipment of the applicator to avoid the inconvenience of the printing ink on the ink ribbon drying out even after long periods of inactivity, thus allowing immediate printing. To be able to do so.

(Means for Solving the Problems) According to the present invention, the ink ribbon is
This is achieved by making it possible to drive the sub roller independently of the main motor while the ink roller is stopped.

According to the device of the present invention, conventionally, the ink roller and the ink ribbon, which have been maintained without being changed, are stopped from being in a “fixed” interlocking state, and the labeling machine is stopped. That is, while the ink roller is stopped, the ink
The ribbon can be continuously driven at any speed. Therefore, the supply of ink to the ink roller is not interrupted at any time, and when restarting the operation of the label sticking machine, appropriate printing work is immediately started. The idle speed of the ink ribbon can be very small, because the ink is not consumed and the ink ribbon and the part of the ink roller that contacts it are kept wet. Because it is good. For one, ink ribbon slippage occurs only in relatively rare and limited operating conditions, and, second, it is a precondition for the apparatus of the present invention. Devices of the type described in "Industrial application" generally have very low pressure forces between the ink ribbon and the ink roller, and between them. Since it may be operated at a high sliding speed, even if the ink ribbon is stopped for a long time, it does not cause any harm. As in one embodiment of the present invention , The ink ribbon can be driven by the sub motor not only when the ink roller is stopped but also when the ink roller is rotating, or the sub motor is fixed to the ink ribbon driving roller. Are linked together As described above, it is particularly advantageous if the ink ribbon is driven only by the sub motor. This allows the main motor and ink
Various drive members for connecting with the ribbon are not required, and the manufacturing cost can be kept low. In such a case, the following various methods are possible as a control method of the sub motor.

In the case of a label sticking machine having a small work capacity or a medium work capacity up to about 30,000 labels / hour, as in one embodiment of the present invention,
The ink ribbon can be driven at the same speed not only while the ink roller is stopped but also while the ink roller is rotating, whereby the ink ribbon is
It has been found that completely satisfactory results are obtained by always driving at a predetermined speed. This drive speed must, of course, be high enough to supply a sufficient amount of ink to the ink rollers when the labeling machine is at its maximum working capacity. Absent. Also, doing so does not have any adverse consequences, because the ink roller works normally with the stamp head and / or other members such as the adhesive segment carrying the label. This is because the peripheral speed of the ink roller is considerably high because it is necessary to rotate the ink ribbon, but the peripheral speed of the ink roller is zero when the ink ribbon idles.

In the case of a labeling machine with a higher work capacity, as in another embodiment of the present invention, the ink ribbon can be driven at a higher speed during rotation of the ink roller than at rest of the ink roller. Or the ink ribbon is drivable at a constant, very low speed when the ink roller is stopped and in conjunction with the ink roller while the ink roller is rotating. Therefore, when the ink ribbon idles while the ink roller is stopped, it is advantageous to drive the ink ribbon at a speed smaller than that in normal operation. This prevents excessive buildup of printing ink on the stopped ink roller when the ink ribbon spins.

Since the ink ribbon is driven independently, as in one embodiment of the present invention, the ink ribbon is in a state where the label is prevented from being taken out and the ink roller is rotating. Occasionally, it is possible to drive the label at a lower speed than when it is possible to take out the label, and when the label applicator is in operation and the label is not taken out (for example, a bottle in the bottle carry-in section). Can be implemented to reduce the running speed of the ink ribbon. This prevents excessive scattering of the printing ink.

As a further possible embodiment, as in another embodiment of the present invention, the ink ribbon can be driven by the sub motor only while the ink roller is stopped, and the ink ribbon can be driven while the ink roller is rotating. Is driven by the main motor, or the drive roller of the ink ribbon is connected to the sub motor through a free wheeling clutch or a disconnecting clutch and the main motor is connected. So that the ink ribbon is connected to the main
It is also possible to drive it by the motor, and only when it idles, by the sub motor. With such a configuration, the ink roller and the ink ribbon can be reliably interlocked during normal operation with a simple structure and without providing an extra control mechanism for controlling the motor.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, which prevents wear and ink splattering of the ink ribbon, the ink ribbon is in tension and the ink ribbon is
An arrangement in which the ribbon is in contact with an ink roller, preferably made of metal, in the unsupported free running portion between the two diverters;
There is a configuration in which the ribbon can be driven at a speed lower than the peripheral speed of the rotating ink roller not only when the ink roller is stopped but also when the ink roller is rotating.

As in the embodiment of the present invention, the sub motor is fixed to a casing containing the ink ribbon and the ink roller, and the casing itself is
When arranged removably inside the labeling machine, the sub-motor is integrally combined with the casing of the printing device to form one structural unit. This makes operation and cleaning extremely easy.

(Example) Below, the Example of this invention is described based on drawing.

The label sticking machine, a portion of which is shown in FIG. 1, includes a drum-shaped carriage 2, and a plurality of adhesive pallets 3 are rotatably supported on the carriage 2. A label accommodating magazine 4 and an adhesive pallet 3 which are fixedly provided around the carriage 2 are provided.
A pressure-sensitive adhesive roller (not shown) for applying a pressure-sensitive adhesive to the label, and a label (not shown) that is peeled off from the pressure-sensitive adhesive pallet 3 and is pressed and attached to an object to be labeled such as a bottle. A gripping cylinder is provided for this purpose. The various elements described above are supported or fixed to the drive mechanism housing 19. Also,
These elements are driven in the direction of the arrow in conjunction with each other, and the driving is performed through the drive path schematically shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. Is performed by the main motor 25 of. Maine·
The motor 25 further drives a transport device (not shown) (for example, a rotary table for transporting a bottle) for transporting an object to which a label is attached.

As shown in FIG. 1, behind the label accommodating magazine 4 as seen from the rotation direction of the carriage 2, the adhesive accommodating pallet 3 is drawn out from the label accommodating magazine 4, which is indicated by reference numeral 1 in its entirety. A label printing device is provided for printing the label adhered on the label.

This apparatus 1 is provided with a stamp head 5 having a print shape (not shown) on the outer circumference. The stamp head 5 is supported by the drive mechanism housing 19 and is driven at a rotational speed corresponding to the circumference of the adhesive pallet 3 in cooperation with the carriage 2. The stamp head 5, like the carriage 2, has a vertical axis of rotation. The device 1 further comprises an ink roller 6, which also rotates about a vertical axis,
Is attached to a keyed shaft 18 in a relatively non-rotatable but removable manner. This keyed axis
18 is also supported by the interlocking mechanism housing 19, and is driven in conjunction with the stamp head 5 at the same peripheral speed as that of the letter-shaped portion. Furthermore, an endless ink ribbon 7 is provided.
Supplies ink to the ink roller 6 from the ink container 8 positioned lower than the ink roller 6.

As can be seen especially from FIG. 2, the ink ribbon 7
Is arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the ribbon 7 is substantially intersecting with the rotation direction of the ink roller 6 in the contact area where the ink roller 6 contacts. In the case of the illustrated embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the ink ribbon 7 is perpendicular to the direction of rotation of the ink roller 6, and the ink ribbon 7 runs in a vertical plane. I am trying. As further apparent from the figure, the ink roller 6 has its edges 9 and 10 rounded. The ink roller 6 is made of steel as a whole, and therefore, the surface of the outer peripheral portion of the ink roller 6 which comes into contact with the ink ribbon 7 is also made of steel. The ink ribbon 7 is made of knitted polyester.

In particular, as is apparent from FIG. 2, the circulating ink ribbon 7 is guided by the direction change rollers 11, 12, 13 and 14 and the direction change pin 30. As shown in FIG. 3, each of the direction changing rollers has an outer peripheral surface having a bulged central portion, and by having such a shape, the direction changing rollers 11 to 14 have The ink ribbon 7 is always centered.

The direction changing roller 14 arranged at a deep position in the ink container 8 is configured as a tension roller biased by a spring. In order to have such a structure, the swing lever 16 having arms on both sides is attached to the rod 15 which is fixed to the casing 26 and hangs down to the deep position of the ink container 8.
Is attached, and the swing roller 16 supports the tension roller 14. Tension roller 14 of swing member 16
A tension spring 17 attached to the rod 15 is engaged with the end portion on the side separated from.

Further, as can be seen from FIG. 2, the ink ribbon 7 has a considerable portion in the portion immediately before the contact portion with the ink roller 6 when viewed from the circulation traveling direction of the ribbon 7 indicated by the arrow. A guide plate 21 is provided over the length and is guided thereby. The guide plate 21 is
The shape of the angle member is made of, for example, a steel angle member, and is fixed to the side wall portion of the casing 26 at the mounting piece 24. The ink ribbon 7 contacts the ink roller 6 with a small pressure in the free running portion between the end 23 of the guide plate 21 and the diverting pin 30.

All of the various components of the apparatus 1 described above are supported or fixed to the casing 26, except for the stamp head 5, which is directly supported by the drive mechanism housing 19. The casing 26 itself has a clamping screw 31
The vertical columns 32 fixed to the drive mechanism housing 19 can be fixed at any height.

On the outside of the casing 26, a worm drive mechanism is
The worm drive mechanism 27 includes a drive shaft 20 whose drive portion is supported by a casing 26.
Are connected so that they cannot rotate relative to each other. Furthermore, this drive shaft
On top of 20 is fixed the highest-level turning roller 11, which is formed as a drive roller for driving the ink ribbon 7. The other direction changing rollers 12, 13, and 14 are freely rotatable. A horizontally arranged motor 28 is coupled to a driving portion of the worm driving mechanism 27 by a flange, and the motor 28 functions as a sub motor for driving the ink ribbon 7. Thus, the casing 26, together with the motor 28 and the worm drive mechanism 27, forms a complete structure, which can be height-adjusted in its entirety and can also be used for cleaning, for example. Therefore, it can be removed from this labeling machine. In order to facilitate this removal, electric power is supplied to the motor 28 via a removable electric connector 29.

Therefore, the ink ribbon 7 is driven by the motor 28 completely independently from the main motor 25 of the labeling machine, and the main motor 25 is driven by the device 1.
With regard to (1), only the stamp head 5 and the ink roller 6 are driven. As a possible control method for controlling the motor 28 according to the operating state of the labeling machine, for example, there are the following various methods.

For example, in a labeling machine with a work capacity of up to about 30,000 labels / hour, the ink
The ribbon 7 is always driven by a motor 28 at a constant traveling speed, and at that time, the main motor 25
Therefore, the ink roller 7 is constantly driven regardless of whether the ink roller 6 is rotating or is stopped (for example, due to an emergency stop or the bottle to be labeled has run out). Try to drive at speed. The running speed of the ink ribbon 7 in this case is such that a sufficient amount of ink is supplied to the ink roller 6 even when the maximum working capacity of, for example, 30,000 labels / hour is exhibited. , The traveling speed must be high enough. Amount of ink ribbon 7 applied (shift amount)
According to experience, about 2 mm is sufficient to supply the required amount of ink for printing, and
In that case, the traveling speed of the ink ribbon 7 is 1 m / min. This running speed is extremely small compared to the peripheral speed of the ink roller 6, and therefore the ink
Even when the roller 6 is stopped, the stop does not cause any problems, and further, the problem of abrasion of the ink ribbon 7 and the problem of undesired retention of ink on the surface of the ink roller 6 are caused. However, it does not occur.

For example, in a label sticking machine with a high working capacity having a work capacity of up to about 80,000 labels / hour, the ink ribbon 7 and the main motor 25 are driven by the motor 28 during the production operation of the label sticking machine. It is driven at two different traveling speeds depending on whether it is rotating or stopped. When the main motor 25 and hence the ink roller 6 are rotating, the ink ribbon 7 is driven at a high speed and at a constant speed, and the maximum work capacity of 80,000 bottles / hour is exhibited. For example, the speed is 3 meters / minute. When the main motor 25, and thus the ink roller 6, is at rest, it drives the ink ribbon 7 at a slow constant speed, for example 1.5 meters / minute. According to this method, one is surely supplied with a sufficient amount of ink even when the labeling speed is the maximum, and the other is that the ink on the surface of the ink roller 6 in the stopped state is reliably supplied. Excessive accumulation of is prevented.

Further, for example, when the label applicator is frequently operated at different work speeds, if the ink supply amount is to be accurately controlled, the ink ribbon 7 may be moved during the rotation of the main motor 25. , In conjunction with the main motor 25, the motor
Drive at 28. This can be performed by, for example, controlling the main motor 25 and the motor 28 in common, or a tacho generator that detects rotation of a member driven and rotated by the main motor 25. It can also be carried out by controlling the motor 28. In this case, it is sufficient to drive the ink ribbon 7 at a constant and extremely small speed while the main motor 25 is stopped.

The three methods for controlling the motor 28 described above include the ink ribbon 7 while the ink roller 6 is stopped.
Is common in that it keeps running at a relatively low speed. As a result, the ink attached to the ink ribbon 7 is continuously refreshed into new ink by being dipped in the ink stored in the ink container 8, whereby The ink on the 7 tatami mat of the ink ribbon is designed not to dry. The printing ink conveyed upward to the stopped ink roller 6 is the ink ribbon 7 and the ink roller 6.
The contact portion between and is kept wet, and is rubbed mainly on the surface of the ink roller 6, or is circulated in the casing 26 and returned to the ink container 8. According to this method, even if the label affixing machine is stopped for a long time, it does not cause modulation, and when the ink roller 6 and the stamp head 5 restart their rotation, they immediately Then, the printing can be started.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a label printing device of a label sticking machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 1 ... Label printing device, 5 ... Stamp head, 6 ... Ink roller, 7 ... Ink ribbon, 8 ... Ink container, 11 ... Ink ribbon drive roller, 25 ... Main motor , 26 …… Casing, 28 …… Sub motor.

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A label printing apparatus for a label sticking machine, comprising:
A stamp head, an ink roller for applying ink to the letter-shaped portion of the stamp head, an ink container, and an ink ribbon that is immersed in the ink container and contacts the ink roller to circulate in an endless manner. A label printing apparatus for a label applicator, wherein at least the ink roller is driven by a main motor of the label applicator, the ink ribbon (7) includes the ink roller (6). ) Is stopped, the label printing apparatus is characterized by being driven by a sub motor (28) independently of the main motor (25). 2. The sub-motor (28) drives the ink ribbon (7) not only when the ink roller (6) is stopped but also when the ink roller (6) is rotating. The label printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the label printing apparatus is free. 3. The sub motor (28) is provided with the ink
3. A label printing device according to claim 2, wherein the label printing device is fixedly connected to the driving roller (11) of the ribbon (7). 4. The ink ribbon (7) can be driven at the same speed not only while the ink roller (6) is stopped but also while the ink roller (6) is rotating. The label printing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that 5. The ink roller (6) when the ink ribbon (7) is rotating during the rotation of the ink roller (6).
The label printing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the label printing apparatus is capable of being driven at a speed higher than that during the stop. 6. The ink ribbon (7) moves at a very constant speed while the ink roller (6) is stopped, and when the ink roller (6) is rotating. The label printing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the label printing apparatus is drivable in association with the roller (6). 7. The ink ribbon (7) is smaller than when the label can be taken out when the label is prevented from being taken out and the ink roller (6) is rotating. 7. The label printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the label printing apparatus can be driven at a speed. 8. The sub motor (28) only when the ink ribbon (7) is stopped by the ink roller (6).
2. The label printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the label printing apparatus can be driven by the main motor (25) while the ink roller (6) is rotating. 9. A drive roller (11) for the ink ribbon (7) is connected to the sub motor (28) through a free wheeling clutch or a disconnecting clutch, and the main roller is connected to the sub motor (28). 9. The label printing device according to claim 8, wherein the label printing device is also connected to a motor (25). 10. The ink ribbon (7) is in a tensioned state, and the ink ribbon (7) is in an unsupported free running portion between two turning portions. Label printing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is in contact with the ink roller (6). 11. The ink roller (6) being rotated while the ink ribbon (7) is rotating during the rotation of the ink roller (6) in addition to when the ink roller (6) is stopped. The label printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the label printing apparatus can be driven at a speed lower than the peripheral speed of (1). 12. The sub motor (28) is fixed to a casing (26) containing the ink ribbon (7) and the ink roller (6), and the casing (26) is The label printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the label printing apparatus itself is detachably disposed inside the label sticking machine.