Label accumulation jig and label accumulation device

Abstract

To provide a label accumulation jig that, when loading a label into an automatic mounting device such as a labeling device, can align the top-bottom and front-rear directions of the label, can prevent contamination by waste materials such as label insertion hole scraps, enables continuous collection of labels in the label manufacturing process, and is suitable for high-speed, high-volume continuous production, as well as a label accumulation device equipped with such a label accumulation jig.SOLUTION: Disclosed is a label accumulation jig 10 for continuously accumulating a plurality of labels having insertion holes, the label accumulation jig including a blade part 11 for inserting into the insertion holes of the labels, a flange part 12 for preventing the accumulated labels from falling, and a hilt part 13 positioned on the opposite side of the blade part across the flange part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a label stacking tool and a label stacking device. In particular, the present invention relates to a label stacking tool that can align the top and bottom directions of labels when loading them into an automatic loading device such as a labeling device, prevent waste materials from entering the label insertion hole, enable continuous collection of labels in the label manufacturing process, and is suitable for high-speed, large-volume continuous production, and a label stacking device equipped with such a label stacking tool. The present invention is particularly suitable for mounting on a label manufacturing device having an insertion hole for mounting on the neck of a container, especially an automatic loading device that feeds out labels one by one and mounts them on the neck of a container such as a jar or bottle. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, campaign stickers and POP labels displaying sales promotion information have been used on containers for the purpose of sales promotion of various products such as soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, seasonings, etc., which are displayed on shelves at convenience stores, supermarkets, etc. POP labels in particular are often used on the necks of containers such as bottles and other containers, and known labels include those formed with an insertion hole in a label-shaped sheet piece so that the neck of the container can be fitted into and locked, and those formed with a slit into which the neck can be fitted.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 (JP 2020-95158 A) describes a neck label to be attached to the neck of an object having a neck, the neck label comprising a sheet base material having a generally rectangular shape with long sides and short sides, an insertion hole formed in the center through which the neck of the object is inserted, a first locking portion and a second locking portion formed on the edge of the insertion hole so as to sandwich the neck when the label is attached to the object, and a peripheral portion disposed to surround the neck when the label is attached to the object, the first locking portion and the second locking portion being arranged to lock the neck when the label is attached to the object. The disclosed neck label is characterized in that each of the fastening portions has a root connection portion which remains connected to the peripheral portion before and after the attachment, and that during the attachment, the first and second fastening portions are each separated from the peripheral portion by a pair of cut lines formed on the edge of the insertion hole, and the insertion hole has an opening width which is longer in the short side direction than in the long side direction of the sheet base material, and the opening width in the long side direction and the opening width in the short side direction are each maximum at the center of the insertion hole.

[0004] In a typical method of manufacturing such labels, a plurality of labels are produced at once from a single sheet so that a large number of labels can be produced at high speed.

[0005] For example, Patent Document 2 (JP 2023-59666 A) discloses a method for manufacturing a label having an insertion hole for attachment to the neck of a container, the method including a cutting process for forming an outline of the insertion hole in a sheet-like label base material having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a hollowing process for removing from the sheet-like label base material a portion of the inner label base material surrounded by the outline of the insertion hole, the cutting process including forming an insertion hole outline cut line that penetrates between the first surface and the second surface of the label base material except for a partial temporary connection point in order to form the outline of the insertion hole.

[0006] When the labels produced in this manner are to be used on the necks of containers such as jars or bottles, for example, an automatic label attachment device is used to automatically feed the labels one by one to the necks of the containers and automatically attach them to them, thereby attaching labels to a large number of containers in a short period of time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-95158 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2023-59666 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] To make it easy to load labels into the automatic labeling device, it is necessary to pack the labels in groups according to the number of labels to be loaded into the automatic labeling device. At that time, the labels must all be aligned in the same order top to bottom, front to back, and waste materials must be removed from the label insertion holes.

[0009] When the manufactured labels are collected manually, not only is it necessary to check the arrangement of the labels while collecting them, but if inappropriate force is applied to the labels during manual collection, the labels may be damaged. It is also necessary to check whether waste materials are properly removed from the label insertion holes. If it is confirmed that waste materials have been mixed in, it may be necessary to stop the automatic loading device and check whether waste materials have been mixed in, which takes a lot of time to remove the waste materials.

[0010] The present invention has been completed in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide, in one embodiment, a label stacking jig that can align the top and bottom of a label when loading it into an automatic loading device such as a labeling machine, prevent the entry of waste materials into the label insertion hole, enable continuous recovery of labels in the label manufacturing process, and is suitable for high-speed, continuous mass production, and a label stacking device equipped with such a label stacking jig. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In one aspect, the present invention is a label stacking jig for continuously stacking a plurality of labels having insertion holes, the label stacking jig including a blade portion for insertion into the insertion hole of the label, a flange portion for preventing the stacked labels from falling, and a hilt portion located opposite the blade portion across the flange portion.

[0012] In the label collection jig of one embodiment of the present invention, the label collection jig further includes a handle portion provided on the hilt portion side of the flange portion.

[0013] In the label stacking jig of one embodiment of the present invention, the blade portion is a plate-like portion having a rounded tip, and the hilt portion is an extension of the blade portion.

[0014] In the label collecting jig of one embodiment of the present invention, the hilt portion is provided with an attachment hole and / or a notch for attachment to a label collecting device.

[0015] In another aspect, the present invention provides a label collection device for continuously collecting a plurality of labels having insertion holes, the label collection device including a base, at least two pillars fixed to the base, a shaft arranged horizontally between the at least two pillars, and a label collection section having at least two label collection tools according to the present invention attached to the shaft.

[0016] In the label collecting device of one embodiment of the present invention, the shaft is movable up and down between the at least two support columns, and the label collecting jig is rotatable about the shaft.

[0017] In a label collecting device of one embodiment of the present invention, the label collecting device further includes a movable cart, the base is provided with at least two of the label collecting units, and the cart includes rails for sliding along the base. Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a label stacking jig that can align the top and bottom of the label when loading it into an automatic loading device such as a labeling machine, prevent the entry of waste materials into the label insertion hole, enable continuous collection of labels in the label manufacturing process, and is suitable for high-speed, large-volume continuous production, and a label stacking device equipped with such a label stacking jig.

[0019] Furthermore, according to the label collecting tool and label collecting device of one embodiment of the present invention, it is not necessary to collect the labels manually, and damage such as bending or tearing of the labels can be prevented. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1(A)] 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a label stacking jig according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 1(B)] 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a label stacking jig according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 1(C)] 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a label stacking jig according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a hilt portion of a label accumulation jig according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a fixing device of a label assembly jig according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 4(A)] 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a label stacking device according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4(B)] 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a label stacking device according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operating principle of a label stacking device and a label stacking jig according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a label manufacturing process using a label assembly device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a plan view showing a schematic example of a sheet-shaped label substrate that can be applied to a label stacking device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a plan view showing a schematic example of a label that can be applied to the label collection device of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an embodiment in which a label assembly apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is used in a label manufacturing process. [Figure 10(A)] 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a state in which labels are accumulated when the label accumulation device of one embodiment of the present invention is used in a label manufacturing process. FIG. [Figure 10(B)] 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a state in which labels are accumulated when the label accumulation device of one embodiment of the present invention is used in a label manufacturing process. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Next, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and it should be understood that appropriate design changes, improvements, etc. may be made based on the ordinary knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Note that the dimensions, scales, angles, etc. in the drawings explaining each embodiment of the present invention are shown for convenience to aid understanding, and do not necessarily represent the actual dimensions, scales, angles, etc.

[0022] (1. Label stacking fixture) Fig. 1(A) to Fig. 1(C) are schematic diagrams for explaining a label collecting jig according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1(A) is a front view, Fig. 1(B) is a side view, and Fig. 1(C) is a plan view seen from above. According to Fig. 1(A) to Fig. 1(C), the label collecting jig 10 has a blade portion 11 for inserting and collecting labels into insertion holes, a flange portion 12 for preventing the collected labels from falling, a hilt portion 13 located opposite the blade portion 11 with the flange portion 12 in between, and a handle portion 14 provided on the hilt portion 13 side.

[0023] The blade portion 11 is a portion for piercing the label insertion holes and stacking the labels vertically. The shape and dimensions of the blade portion 11 are not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the blade portion 11 has a plate shape with a rounded tip. In other words, when viewed from the angle of FIG. 1(A), it is preferable that the tip of the blade portion 11 is on a circular arc. The rounded tip allows the labels continuously supplied from the label production device to be smoothly stacked on the blade portion 11, and the plate shape, especially the elongated plate shape, prevents the labels inserted into the blade portion 11 from rotating, and aligns the direction of the labels when stacking them.

[0024] For example, in the case of a label 120 shown in FIG. 8, when the insertion hole 121 is an ellipse having a major axis W1 and a minor axis W2, the width W of the blade portion 11 is b is preferably shorter than the major axis W1 and longer than the minor axis W2 of the insertion hole 121 of the label 120, and the thickness T b It is preferable that the width W of the blade portion 11 is smaller than the minor axis W2 of the insertion hole 121 of the label 120. b is preferably 5 mm to 1 mm shorter, more preferably 3 mm to 2 mm shorter, than the major axis W1 of the insertion hole 121 of the label 120, and is preferably 5 mm to 1 mm longer, more preferably 3 mm to 2 mm longer, than the minor axis W2.

[0025] Width W of blade part 11 bIf the width W1 of the blade portion 11 is shorter than the major axis W1 of the insertion hole 121 of the label 120, when the label 120 is stacked on the blade portion 11, the blade portion 11 passes through the insertion hole 121 of the label 120, and it becomes easy to stack the labels 120 continuously. b If is longer than the minor axis W2 of the insertion hole 121 of the label 120, the label 120 can be prevented from rotating when the label 120 is inserted into the blade portion 11, and it becomes easy to align the top, bottom, front and back directions of the label.

[0026] In addition, the thickness T of the blade portion 11 b The thickness is preferably 2 mm or more and 8 mm or less. If the thickness is 8 mm or less, an increase in the weight of the label collecting jig 10 itself can be suppressed, which is preferable in terms of handleability. On the other hand, if the thickness is 2 mm or more, excessive deformation of the blade portion 11 due to the weight of the collected labels can be prevented.

[0027] Length L of blade section 11 b The length is 100 mm to 400 mm, and preferably 200 mm to 350 mm. With this length, the number of labels that can be stacked on the blade portion 11 can be, for example, 500 to 2000.

[0028] The material of the blade portion 11 is not particularly limited as long as it can withstand deformation caused by the weight of stacked labels, but a material that can withstand long-term use without becoming brittle is preferable. For example, it is preferable to use steel plate, stainless steel, surface-treated iron, etc., and more preferably, a material with appropriate strength and corrosion resistance such as SUS304 is used.

[0029] Flange portion 12 is provided at the base of blade portion 11 and prevents labels accumulated on blade portion 11 from falling off. The shape and dimensions of flange portion 12 are not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the shape is slightly smaller than the outer shape of the label and larger than the label insertion hole.

[0030] For example, in the case of a rectangular shape having a length L1 and a width L2 like the label 120 shown in FIG. 8, the width W of the flange portion 12 shown in FIG. f1 The length of the flange portion 12 is preferably shorter than the width L2 of the label 120 and longer than the major axis W1 of the insertion hole 121 of the label 120. f2 It is preferable that the length of the flange portion 12 is shorter than the length L1 of the label 120 and longer than the minor axis W2 of the insertion hole 121 of the label 120. By making the flange portion 12 slightly smaller than the outer shape of the label, it becomes easier to remove the labels accumulated on the blade portion 11.

[0031] The material of the flange portion 12 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the material is durable and does not become brittle even when used for a long period of time, similar to the blade portion 11. For example, it is preferable to use a steel plate, stainless steel, surface-treated iron, etc., and more preferably, a material with appropriate strength and corrosion resistance such as SUS304.

[0032] The hilt portion 13 is provided on the opposite side of the flange portion 12 from the blade portion 11, and is used to attach the label collecting jig 10 to a label collecting device described below. The shape and dimensions of the hilt portion 13 are not particularly limited, and the hilt portion 13 may be provided by simply extending the blade portion 11. In this case, the width and thickness of the hilt portion 13 may be the same as those of the blade portion 11, and the material of the hilt portion 13 may be the same as that of the blade portion 11.

[0033] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the hilt portion of the label collecting tool of one embodiment of the present invention. The hilt portion 13 has a mounting hole and / or a notch for mounting to a label collecting device as shown in Fig. 2. In the example of Fig. 2, the hilt portion 13 is provided with both a gourd-shaped mounting hole 15 and a notch 16.

[0034] FIG. 3 is an example of a fixture 20 for attaching the label collecting jig 10 to the label collecting device. The fixture 20 is shown at different angles in the upper and lower parts of FIG. 3. In the example of FIG. 3, the fixture 20 is attached to the shaft 33 of the label collecting device, and has a clamp part 21 into which the shaft 33 is inserted, and two protruding screws 22 for tightening the clamp part 21 and fixing the label collecting jig 10 (hilt part 13). The two protruding screws 22 are parts for fitting into the mounting holes 15 and the notches 16 provided in the hilt part 13, and when attaching or detaching the label collecting jig 10 to or from the fixture 20, the handle part 14 of the label collecting jig 10 is grasped and moved up and down to fit the mounting holes 15 and the notches 16 provided in the hilt part 13 into the two protruding screws 22 of the fixture 20, or to pull out the two protruding screws, thereby attaching or detaching the label collecting jig 10 from the fixture 20.

[0035] If necessary, a magnet can be attached to the clamp portion 21. When a magnet is attached to the clamp portion 21, the label assembly jig 10 can be easily attached to the fixture 20 by combining the material of the hilt portion 13 with a magnetic material such as iron or steel.

[0036] The label collecting tool 10 of this embodiment is provided with a handle portion 14 for attachment to and detachment from the label collecting device (fixture 20). The shape, material, etc. of the handle portion 14 are not particularly limited as long as it is easy for an operator to hold with one hand and easy to attach and detach.

[0037] (2. Label stacking device) 4(A) and 4(B) are schematic diagrams for explaining a label collecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4(A) shows a front view, and FIG. 4(B) shows a plan view seen from above. According to FIG. 4(A), the label collecting device 30 has at least two (three in the figure) support posts 32 fixed to a base 31, a shaft 33 horizontally provided between the three support posts 32, and a label collecting section 34 equipped with a label collecting jig 10. As described above, the label collecting jig 10 is attached to the shaft 33 via a fixing device 20. The base 31 is movably mounted by sliding on two rails 36 provided on a movable cart 35. The cart 35 is typically equipped with casters and can move back and forth and left and right, and is installed at the label discharge position of the label production device, and the casters are fixed thereto.

[0038] In FIG. 4(A), five label stacking jigs 10 are attached between two supports 32 fixed to a base 31. That is, a total of ten label stacking jigs 10 are fixed to two label stacking units 34. By providing two label stacking units 34, after a predetermined number of labels are stacked in one label stacking unit 34, the label stacking unit 34 is slid and moved on the rails 36, and the other label stacking unit 34 is switched to continue the production and stacking of labels, while simultaneously performing the work of collecting and packaging the stacked labels from the label stacking unit 34 in which the labels have been stacked. When sliding and moving the two label stacking units 34 on the rails 36, it is preferable to provide a stopper with a magnet on the rails 36 so that the label stacking unit 34 can be fixed at any position. In addition, there may be three or more label stacking units 34.

[0039] The length of the shaft 33 in one label stacking section 34, the number of label stacking jigs 10, and the intervals are not particularly limited, but as illustrated in FIG. 7, when a plurality of labels 120 are imposed on a sheet-like label substrate 100 and a plurality of individual labels 120 are manufactured from a sheet-like label substrate 100, the length of the shaft 33, the number of label stacking jigs 10, and the intervals can be set arbitrarily according to the dimensions of the label substrate 100 and the number of labels 120 imposed. In FIG. 7, "4 x 5" labels 120 are imposed by printing in the "width direction x length direction" of the sheet-like label substrate 100. If the flow direction of the sheet-like label substrate 100 in the label manufacturing process is the width direction, the length of the shaft 33 is approximately equal to the width of the sheet-like label substrate 100, and the number of label stacking jigs 10 and the intervals may be equal to the number of impositions and the imposition interval in the length direction of the sheet-like label substrate 100, respectively.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation principle of the label collecting device and the label collecting jig of the present invention. The shaft 33 can move up and down between at least two supports 32, and the label collecting jig 10 can rotate around the shaft 33. FIG. 5 illustrates a state in which the label collecting jig 10 is tilted forward by an angle θ and the shaft 33 is moved upward by a height X. The angle of the label collecting jig 10 can be adjusted by loosening the screw 22 of the fixing device 20 attached to the shaft 33 and re-fixing it to an arbitrary angle, and similarly, the height of the shaft 33 can be adjusted to an arbitrary height by moving the clamp part 21 that fixes the shaft 33 to the support 32. As another method, the angle of the label collecting jig 10 may be adjusted by rotating the shaft 33 between the two supports 32 and rotating the label collecting jig 10 by the rotation of the shaft 33. This allows the tip position of the blade portion 11 of the label stacking jig 10 to be aligned with the label discharge position and label insertion angle of the label manufacturing device, preventing labels transported from the label manufacturing device from falling out of the stack, etc., and enabling efficient stacking.

[0041] (3. Label manufacturing process) Next, an example of a label manufacturing process using the label collecting apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a label manufacturing process using the label assembly apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention. The label manufacturing process shown in FIG. 6 includes a sheet supplying process 51 in which a plurality of sheet-like label substrates 100 are placed on a placement table and the sheet-like label substrates 100 are fed out one by one from the stack of the plurality of sheet-like label substrates 100; a conveying process 52 in which the sheet-like label substrate 100 fed out from the sheet supplying process 51 is conveyed to a predetermined position by a conveyor belt; a cutting process 53 in which the outline of the insertion hole 121 of the label 120 is formed in the sheet-like label substrate 100; a hollowing process 54 in which an inner portion 122 surrounded by the outline of the insertion hole 121 of the label 120 (also called "pulled waste material 122") is removed from the sheet-like label substrate 100; a waste material removing process 55 in which the hollowing process 54 is followed by the hollowing process 54 and the pulled waste material 123 other than the labels 120 of the sheet-like label substrate 100 is removed; a conveyor conveying process 56 in which the labels 120 from which the waste material has been removed are conveyed; and a label collecting process 57 in which the labels 120 are collected. These steps may be performed sequentially or simultaneously in a continuous line.

[0043] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an example of a sheet-like label substrate that can be applied to the label stacking device of the embodiment of the present invention. The sheet-like label substrate 100 shown in FIG. 7 is substantially a single-layer sheet, but a multi-layer structure can also be used. The material of the sheet-like label substrate 100 is not particularly limited, and any material that can be used as a label can be used. Examples of materials for the sheet-like label substrate 100 include paper, synthetic paper, polyolefins such as PP (polyethylene) and PE (polyester), polyesters such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), and rigid resin sheets such as PS (polystyrene) and PA (polyamide). The thickness of the sheet-like label substrate 100 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 50 μm or more from the viewpoint of strength, more preferably 150 μm or more, and even more preferably 170 μm or more. On the other hand, the thickness of the sheet-like label substrate 100 is preferably 300 μm or less, more preferably 250 μm or less, and even more preferably 230 μm or less from the viewpoint of cost and ease of handling. The sheet-like label base material 100 does not necessarily have to be a single-layer sheet made of one type of material, but may be a laminate of sheets made of two or more types of materials. Even in this case, the laminated sheets can be treated essentially the same as a single-layer sheet and used as the sheet-like label base material 100.

[0044] On one or both sides of the sheet-like label substrate 100, a pattern or letters may be printed as necessary to convey information to consumers of the product. Examples of printing methods include flat printing (offset printing, etc.), intaglio printing (engraved intaglio printing, gravure printing, etc.), stencil printing (silkscreen printing, etc.), and digital printing (IJP, dry toner, wet toner, etc.). Examples of inks used for printing include inks in which a colorant is dispersed in a resin such as acrylic or cellulose. Examples of such colorants include inorganic pigments (titanium oxide, carbon black, copper, etc.), pearl pigments, and aluminum powder. The thickness of the printed layer of the pattern or letters is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 0.5 μm or more, preferably 1 μm or more, and can be in the range of 10 μm or less, preferably 3 μm or less.

[0045] In addition, a varnish layer may be applied to the sheet-like label substrate 100 or its print layer to provide slipperiness and abrasion resistance. The material of the varnish layer can be appropriately selected in consideration of the manufacturing method, slipperiness, glossiness, light transmittance, design, etc. Examples of the material of the varnish layer include OP varnish, oil-based varnish, water-based varnish, UV-curable varnish, and other special varnishes. The thickness of the varnish layer is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, 0.5 μm or more, preferably 1 μm or more, and can be 10 μm or less, preferably 3 μm or less.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 7, a plurality of labels 120 are imposed on one sheet-like label base material 100 so as to enable high-speed production of a large number of labels. The dimensions of the label base material 100 can be set arbitrarily according to the number of labels 120 to be imposed. In Fig. 7, "4 x 5" labels 120 are imposed by printing in the "width direction x length direction" of the sheet-like label base material 100.

[0047] In this embodiment, a sheet-like label substrate 100 is placed on a placement table, and a sheet supplying step 51 is performed in which the sheet-like label substrate 100 is fed one by one from a stack of a plurality of sheet-like label substrates 100. For example, the sheet supplying step 51 can be performed using a sheet feeder device that sucks the topmost sheet of the stack of sheet-like label substrates 100 placed on a placement table with air and sends it to a conveyor belt.

[0048] In this embodiment, a conveying process 52 is performed in which the sheet-shaped label substrate 100 fed from the sheet supplying process 51 is conveyed to a predetermined position by a conveyor belt. The sheet-shaped label substrate 100 fed from the sheet supplying process 51 is sent to a cutting process 53 by the conveying process 52.

[0049] In this embodiment, a cutting step 53 is performed on the sheet-like label substrate 100 to form the contour of the insertion hole 121 (see FIG. 8) of the label 120. In the cutting step 53, the sheet-like label substrate 100 is half-cut so that the contour of the insertion hole 121 of the label 120 is thinner than the thickness of the sheet-like label substrate 100. This is because the cutting step 53 for forming a cut line in the insertion hole 121 and the hollowing step 54 for removing the part 122 of the inner label substrate 100 surrounded by the contour of the insertion hole 121 are usually performed at different positions, and the hollowing step 54 is made easy to perform while preventing the part 122 of the inner label substrate 100 surrounded by the contour of the insertion hole 121 from falling off during conveyance. In this embodiment, in the cutting step 53, an outline contour cut line can be formed through the sheet-like label substrate 100 to form the outline of the outer shape of the label 120.

[0050] The method for forming the outline of the insertion hole 121 of the label 120 and the outline of the outer shape in the sheet-like label base material 100 is not particularly limited, and for example, a blade, a pinnacle blade, a metal mold, or a punching die can be used. Also, cutting methods using machines such as laser light or a machining center can be used.

[0051] The sheet-like label substrate 100 on which the contour of the insertion hole 121 and, optionally, the outer contour cut line have been formed in the cutting process 53 is sent by a conveyor belt to the hollowing process 54, where the inner portion 122 surrounded by the contour of the insertion hole 121 of the label 120 is removed from the sheet-like label substrate 100. Possible methods for removing the inner portion 122 surrounded by the contour of the insertion hole 121 of the label 120 from the sheet-like label substrate 100 include pressing with a cylinder or blowing in air.

[0052] After the hollowing process 54, a waste material removal process 55 removes the removed waste material 123 other than the labels 120 from the sheet-like label base material 100, and a label recovery process 57 recovers the labels 120.

[0053] After removing the removed waste material 123 other than the labels 120 from the sheet-like label base material 100 in the waste material removal process 55, the conveyor transport process 56 is carried out. In the conveyor transport process 56, the speed of the conveyor can be adjusted, and the distance in the flow direction of the discharged labels 120 can be changed. That is, it is possible to shorten or extend the interval between each piece of the labels 120 transported by the transport process 52. Specifically, the conveyor transport speed can be adjusted from 1 m / min to 20 m / min depending on the size of the labels 120, and it is usually preferable to make it slower than the transport speed of the transport belt. The transfer of the labels 120 from the conveyor transport process 56 to the label recovery process 57 utilizes the free fall of the labels 120, and the insertion hole 121 of the labels 120 is inserted into the tip of the label accumulation jig 10 of the label accumulation device 30 to recover the labels. Therefore, by making the speed of the conveyor in the conveyor transport process 56 slower than the transport speed of the transport belt, the interval between the labels 120 is shortened so that the leading label 120 and the trailing label 120 overlap, and misalignment of the insertion holes 121 of the accumulated labels 120 can be suppressed. Specifically, the overlap between the leading label 120 and the trailing label 120 is set to 1 / 2 or less, preferably 1 / 2 to 1 / 3, of the label dimension in the conveyor transport direction. If the overlap is 1 / 2 or more of the label dimension, the leading edge of the label 120 will get caught in the insertion hole 121 of the label 120, blocking the insertion hole 121 of the label 120, so it is preferable to avoid an overlap exceeding 1 / 2 of the label dimension. On the other hand, by making the overlap of the labels 120 to be 1 / 3 or more of the label dimension, it is possible to suppress misalignment of the insertion holes 121 of the accumulated labels 120, making it easier for the tip of the label accumulation jig 10 to be inserted into the insertion holes 121 of the labels 120 in the label recovery process 57, resulting in a high label recovery rate.

[0054] The label collecting process 57 is carried out by using the label collecting apparatus of the present invention. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining an embodiment in which the label collecting apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention is used in the label manufacturing process.

[0055] In Fig. 9, two label stacking units 34 are provided, each with five label stacking jigs 10 fixed thereto, and one of the label stacking units 34 is installed and fixed at the label discharge position of the label production device (the conveyor transport process 56 is the conveyor position). At that time, the angle of the blade portion 11 of the label stacking jig 10 and the height of the tip are adjusted to match the drop position of the label 120 (see Fig. 5). This makes it possible to match the tip position of the blade portion 11 of the label stacking jig 10 with the insertion angle of the label 120, preventing labels 120 transported from the conveyor transport process 56 from being missed due to jumping out, etc., and allowing efficient stacking.

[0056] The length of the shaft 33 in the label stacking section 34, the number of label stacking jigs 10, and the intervals between them are determined by, for example, using a sheet-like label substrate 100 of high-quality paper (size: 545 mm x 394 mm, thickness: 170 μm, grammage: about 160 g / m2) as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 2 ) is prepared, the size of the label 120 is 74×60 mm, the insertion hole 121 is an ellipse with a major axis W1 of 30 mm and a minor axis W2 of 20 mm, and "4×5" labels 120 are imposed by printing at 10 mm intervals in the "width direction × length direction" of the sheet-like label base material 100, the length of the shaft 33 is 340 mm to 545 mm, for example 420 mm, the number of label accumulation jigs 10 is five, and the interval between the blade portions 11 is 70 mm based on the center. Also, from the size of the insertion hole 121 of the label 120, the width W of the blade portion 11 is b is 28mm, thickness T b is 3mm, length L b A focal length of 250mm is optimal.

[0057] 10(A) and 10(B) are schematic diagrams for explaining the state of stacking of labels when a label stacking device according to an embodiment of the present invention is used in a label manufacturing process. In Fig. 10(A), the labels 120 are transported in a conveyor transport process 56 so that the leading label 120 and the trailing label 120 overlap by about 1 / 3, and as shown in Fig. 10(B), the labels 120 are stacked in sequence on the label stacking jig 10.

[0058] When the number of labels 120 accumulated in the label accumulation jig 10 reaches a certain number (e.g., 500), the device is stopped or an intermittent operation is started, so that the labels 120 can be collected from the label accumulation jig 10. By providing two label accumulation units 34, after a certain number of labels 120 are accumulated in one label accumulation unit 34, the label accumulation unit 34 is slid and moved on the rails 36, and the other label accumulation unit 34 is switched to continue the production of the labels 120, and at the same time, the labels 120 are collected from the label accumulation unit 34 that has accumulated the labels 120, so that the transfer to the next process (e.g., a packaging process) can be easily and simultaneously performed.

[0059] By using the label collecting tool 10 and label collecting device 30 of the present invention in the collecting step of the label manufacturing process, the labels 120 can be automatically collected with the top and bottom facing in the same direction, and the labels 120 without the insertion hole 121 are removed, preventing the mixing of punched waste and the like. The labels 120 collected in the label collecting step 57 can be packed as necessary and then loaded (for example, 500 sheets) into the stacker portion of an automatic loading device (e.g., Toppan Infomedia Co., Ltd., product name "TLN-800"), and attached to the necks of containers for soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, seasonings, and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 10 Label stacking fixture 11 Blade section 12 Flange 13 Hilt Club 14 Handle section 20 Fixtures 30 Label stacking device 31 Pedestal 32 Pillar 33 Shaft 34 Label stacking section 35 Trolley 36 Rail 51 Sheet supply process 52 Transportation process 53 Cutting process 54 Hollowing out process 55 Waste material removal process 56 Conveyor transport process 57 Label recovery process 100 Sheet label material 120 Labels 121 Insertion hole

Claims

1. A label stacking tool for continuously stacking a plurality of labels having insertion holes, comprising: a blade portion for insertion into the insertion hole of the label; a flange portion for preventing the stacked labels from falling; a hilt portion located opposite the blade portion across the flange portion; A label accumulation fixture comprising:

2. The label stacking tool according to claim 1 , further comprising a handle portion provided on a side of said flange portion facing said hilt portion.

3. 3. The label stacking jig according to claim 1, wherein the blade portion is a plate-like member having a rounded tip, and the hilt portion is an extension of the blade portion.

4. 3. The label collecting tool according to claim 1, wherein the hilt portion is provided with a mounting hole and / or a notch for mounting the jig to a label collecting device.

5. A label stacking device for continuously stacking a plurality of labels having insertion holes, comprising: With a pedestal, At least two posts fixed to the base; A shaft horizontally disposed between the at least two columns; a label collecting unit including at least two label collecting jigs according to claim 1 or 2 attached to the shaft; A label accumulation device comprising:

6. 6. The label collecting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the shaft is movable up and down between the at least two support columns, and the label collecting jig is rotatable about the shaft.

7. The label collecting apparatus according to claim 5 , further comprising a movable carriage, the base being provided with at least two of the label collecting units, and the carriage including rails for sliding the base.

Images