Electronic tag coating apparatus and electronic tag coating method

Abstract

To coat an RFID tag efficiently.SOLUTION: An apparatus of the embodiment includes a delivery apparatus 10 for sending a rubber tape 1 out forward and a folding apparatus 20 arranged ahead of the delivery apparatus 10. The folding apparatus 20 is an apparatus that includes a base plate 21 and a wrapping plate 22 lined up in the longitudinal direction when in open state, with the wrapping plate 22 folded to the side of the base plate 21 in the closed state, and is controlled in a manner that, when the folding apparatus 20 is in the open state, an RFID tag 3 is arranged to a part on the side of the base plate 21 among rubber tape chips 2 placed on the base plate 21 and the wrapping plate 22, and when it becomes in the closed state, the RFID tag 3 is clipped with the rubber tape chip 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic tag coating device and an electronic tag coating method.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, it has been considered to attach RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags to various objects for identification and management of the objects. An RFID tag consists of a chip in which data is stored and an antenna for transmitting and receiving data. The data of the RFID tag can be remotely read and written using radio waves.

[0003] Generally, an RFID tag is coated with a coating material to protect the chip and the antenna. When an RFID tag is to be provided on a tire, it is preferable to use rubber, which is the same material as the tire, as the coating material. Therefore, conventionally, it has been proposed to coat an RFID tag with rubber by a method as described in Patent Document 1. Specifically, a large number of RFID tags are arranged at equal intervals on a long rubber belt, a small rubber sheet is placed on each RFID tag to cover the RFID tag, and each RFID tag is cut out together with the surrounding rubber from the rubber belt.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the conventional method requires manufacturing a large number of small rubber sheets separately from the long rubber belt, transporting them to the location of the long rubber belt, and placing them on the RFID tags, which is not efficient.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method capable of efficiently coating an electronic tag such as an RFID tag.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention includes the embodiments shown below.

[0008] [1] In an electronic tag coating device that forms a coated electronic tag by wrapping an electronic tag with rubber, a feeding device that feeds a rubber tape long in the front-rear direction forward, and a rubber tape piece cut from the rubber tape and a coating rubber that is either one of the front portions of the rubber tape can be placed thereon, and a folding device disposed in front of the feeding device. The folding device includes a base plate and a wrapping plate arranged side by side in the left-right direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction when in the open state, and when in the closed state, the wrapping plate is folded toward the base plate side. When the folding device is in the open state, the electronic tag is disposed on the portion of the coating rubber on the base plate side among the coating rubber placed on the base plate and the wrapping plate. When the folding device becomes the closed state, the coated electronic tag is produced by sandwiching the electronic tag between the portion of the coating rubber on the base plate side and the portion on the wrapping plate side. An electronic tag coating device controlled as such.

[0009] [2] A cutting device for cutting out the rubber tape piece from the rubber tape is provided between the feeding device and the folding device. When the folding device is in the open state, one electronic tag is disposed on one rubber tape piece, and when the folding device becomes the closed state, it is controlled to sandwich one electronic tag with one rubber tape piece. The electronic tag coating device according to [1].

[0010] [3] A cutting device is provided between the feeding device and the folding device, which cuts only the portion of the rubber tape on the wrapping plate side in the left-right direction, so that the portion in front of the cutting position is used as the rubber for covering. When the folding device is in the open state, among the rubber for covering, the uncut portion in the left-right direction is placed on the base plate, and the cut portion in the left-right direction is placed on the wrapping plate. It is controlled such that the electronic tag is arranged on the portion of the rubber for covering on the base plate side. When the folding device is in the closed state, it is controlled such that the electronic tag is sandwiched between the portion of the rubber for covering on the base plate side and the portion on the wrapping plate side, so that the covered electronic tag is produced. It is controlled such that a continuum in which a plurality of the covered electronic tags are connected by the uncut portion in the left-right direction in the rubber for covering is produced, and a winding device for winding the continuum is provided. The electronic tag covering device according to [1].

[0011] [4] When the folding device is in the open state, a plurality of the electronic tags are arranged on one of the rubbers for covering, and when the folding device is in the closed state, one of the rubbers for covering sandwiches the plurality of the electronic tags. The electronic tag covering device according to [1].

[0012] [5] Adsorbing means capable of independently adsorbing the rubber for covering are provided on the base plate and the wrapping plate, respectively. The electronic tag covering device according to any one of [1] to [4].

[0013] [6] Pressing means for pressing the covered electronic tag placed on the base plate from above is provided. The electronic tag covering device according to any one of [1] to [5].

[0014] [7] The wrapping plate is provided with a protruding member that protrudes higher than the placement surface of the rubber for coating and contacts the base plate in the closed state, and the protruding member is detachable from the wrapping plate. The electronic tag coating device according to any one of [1] to [6].

[0015] [8] The electronic tag coating device according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein a recess is formed at a location on the base plate where the electronic tag is disposed.

[0016] [9] In an electronic tag coating method for producing a coated electronic tag by wrapping an electronic tag with rubber, a rubber tape that is long in the front-rear direction is sent forward toward a folding device including a base plate and a wrapping plate arranged side by side in the left-right direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction, and a rubber tape piece cut out by cutting the rubber tape or the rubber for coating, which is one of the front portions of the rubber tape, is placed so as to straddle the base plate and the wrapping plate. The electronic tag is disposed on the portion of the rubber for coating on the base plate side, and the wrapping plate is folded toward the base plate side to sandwich the electronic tag between the portion of the rubber for coating on the base plate side and the portion on the wrapping plate side, thereby producing the coated electronic tag. An electronic tag coating method.

[0017]

[10] One rubber tape piece cut out by cutting the rubber tape is placed so as to straddle the base plate and the wrapping plate, and one of the electronic tags is disposed on the portion of the rubber tape piece on the base plate side. By folding the wrapping plate toward the base plate side, one of the electronic tags is sandwiched between the portion of the rubber tape piece on the base plate side and the portion on the wrapping plate side. The electronic tag coating method according to [9].

[0018]

[11] By cutting only the portion of the rubber tape on the wrapping plate side in the left-right direction, the portion in front of the cutting position is used as the rubber for covering. Among the rubber for covering, the uncut portion in the left-right direction is placed on the base plate, the cut portion in the left-right direction is placed on the wrapping plate, the electronic tag is placed on the portion of the rubber for covering on the base plate side, and the wrapping plate is folded toward the base plate side to sandwich the electronic tag between the portion of the rubber for covering on the base plate side and the portion on the wrapping plate side, thereby producing the covered electronic tag. A plurality of the covered electronic tags are produced as a continuum connected by the uncut portion in the left-right direction in the rubber for covering. The electronic tag covering method according to [9].

[0019]

[12] Place one rubber for covering across the base plate and the wrapping plate. Place a plurality of the electronic tags on the portion of the rubber for covering on the base plate side. By folding the wrapping plate toward the base plate side, sandwich a plurality of the electronic tags between the portion of one rubber for covering on the base plate side and the portion on the wrapping plate side. The electronic tag covering method according to [9]. [Advantages of the Invention]

[0020] According to the apparatus and method of this embodiment, the electronic tag can be efficiently covered. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0021]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 6

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Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

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Figure 14

Figure 15

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Figure 17

Figure 18

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are merely examples, and those appropriately modified without departing from the gist of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention.

[0023] 1. Embodiment 1 First, the configuration of the electronic tag covering device according to Embodiment 1 will be described. The electronic tag covering device according to Embodiment 1 is a device that forms a covered RFID tag 4 (see FIG. 9) by sandwiching an RFID tag 3 (see FIG. 8), which is a type of electronic tag, between one piece of rubber tape 2. In Embodiment 1, the rubber tape piece 2 is a rubber for covering that covers the RFID tag 3.

[0024] In the following description, the front refers to the direction in which the rubber tape 1 is fed out, and the rear refers to the opposite direction. Also, the left and right are expressions when the electronic tag covering device is viewed from the rear.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 1, the electronic tag coating device of Embodiment 1 includes a feeding device 10 that feeds a long rubber tape 1 in the front-rear direction forward, a cutting device 19 that is disposed in front of the feeding device 10 and cuts the rubber tape 1 to cut out a rubber tape piece 2, a folding device 20 that is disposed in front of the cutting device 19 and covers the RFID tag 3 with the rubber tape piece 2 to form a covered RFID tag 4, a tag supply device 40 that supplies the RFID tag 3 to the folding device 20, a pressing device 55 (see Fig. 7) that presses the covered RFID tag 4 on the folding device 20, a winding device 50 that is disposed in front of the folding device 20 and winds a plurality of covered RFID tags 4 with a resin tape 5, a tag transfer device 41 that moves the covered RFID tag 4 from the folding device 20 to the winding device 50, and a control device 57 (see Fig. 7) that controls the electronic tag coating device.

[0026] The rubber tape 1 has a resin tape 6 attached to one side and is supplied in a state of being wound around a winding cylinder 11. The feeding device 10 includes a peeling device 12 that peels the resin tape 6 from the rubber tape 1 pulled out from the winding cylinder 11, a winding cylinder 13 that winds the resin tape 6 peeled from the rubber tape 1, and a feeding conveyor 14 that feeds the rubber tape 1 from which the resin tape 6 has been peeled forward. The feeding conveyor 14 is composed of two upper and lower conveyors, and the rubber tape 1 is fed forward while being sandwiched between these conveyors.

[0027] The cutting device 19 is provided with a sharp blade for cutting the rubber tape 1. Examples of the blade include those that cut the rubber tape 1 by any of dropping, rotating, moving left and right, etc., and the blade of an ultrasonic cutter. Such a blade cuts the rubber tape 1 at the position of the rear end of a wrapping plate 22 (details will be described later) in the folding device 20.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 2, the folding device 20 includes a left base plate 21 and a right wrapping plate 22. The base plate 21 and the wrapping plate 22 are connected by a hinge 23. The wrapping plate 22 can operate about the hinge 23 and is folded onto the base plate 21.

[0029] Figs. 2 and 3 are views of the folding device 20 in the open state. Fig. 4 is a view of the folding device 20 in the closed state. The dashed-dotted line in Fig. 4 indicates the wrapping plate 22 during the change from the open state to the closed state.

[0030] When the folding device 20 is in the open state shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the wrapping plate 22 is located beside the base plate 21. At this time, the upper surfaces of the base plate 21 and the wrapping plate 22 are on the same plane, and the rubber tape 1 can be placed on this plane. The surfaces of the base plate 21 and the wrapping plate 22 where the rubber tape 1 is placed are defined as placement surfaces 21a and 22a, respectively.

[0031] On the other hand, when the folding device 20 is in the closed state shown in Fig. 4, the wrapping plate 22 is placed on the base plate 21 with the placement surface 22a in the open state facing downward. That is, the placement surface 21a of the base plate 21 and the placement surface 22a of the wrapping plate 22 face each other in the closed state.

[0032] The folding device 20 is provided with a driving device 24 (see Fig. 7) for operating the wrapping plate 22. As the driving device 24, a rotary actuator, a motor, a rack and pinion, etc. can be used. The open state and the closed state of the folding device 20 are realized by the driving device 24 driving the wrapping plate 22 to operate about the hinge 23.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 5, the hinge 23 has blades 23b and 23c provided on both sides of the hinge pin 23a. One blade 23b is fixed to the mounting surface 21a of the base plate 21 with a plurality of bolts 23d, and the other blade 23c is fixed to the mounting surface 22a of the wrapping plate 22 with a plurality of bolts 23d.

[0034] At the location of each bolt 23d, a spacer 25 is sandwiched between the blade 23b of the hinge 23 and the mounting surface 21a of the base plate 21, and a spacer 25 is also sandwiched between the blade 23c of the hinge 23 and the mounting surface 22a of the wrapping plate 22. The spacer 25 has holes formed therein, and the bolt 23d passes through the holes. Since the hinge 23 is detachable from each plate, the spacer 25 is also detachable.

[0035] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, a projection forming member 26 is provided at a location on the wrapping plate 22 away from the hinge 23. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, a recess 32 is formed in the mounting surface 22a of the wrapping plate 22, the lower part of the projection forming member 26 enters the recess 32, and the upper part of the projection forming member 26 protrudes higher than the mounting surface 22a. Also, the projection forming member 26 is detachably provided on the wrapping plate 22 by a fixture such as a bolt.

[0036] When the folding device 20 is in the closed state, as shown in FIG. 4, the projection forming member 26 protruding downward from the mounting surface 22a of the wrapping plate 22 contacts the mounting surface 21a of the base plate 21.

[0037] The vertical height of the projection forming member 26 and the thickness of the spacer 25 inserted under the hinge 23 are selected such that when the folding device 20 is in the closed state, the mounting surfaces 21a and 22a of the base plate 21 and the wrapping plate 22 are parallel, and the distance between these mounting surfaces 21a and 22a is an interval suitable for the thickness of the covered RFID tag 4.

[0038] On the placement surface 21a of the base plate 21 and the placement surface 22a of the wrapping plate 22, there are suction surfaces 27a and 27b on which the rubber tape 1, the rubber tape piece 2, and the coated RFID tag 4 are respectively adsorbed. As shown in Fig. 2, each of the suction surfaces 27a and 27b is an area of the placement surfaces 21a and 22a where a large number of suction holes 28a and 28b are arranged in alignment in the front-back, left-right directions. When air is sucked from these suction holes 28a and 28b, the rubber tape 1 etc. is adsorbed to the suction surfaces 27a and 27b.

[0039] The suction surfaces 27a and 27b are subjected to a non-sticking treatment so that the rubber tape 1 can be easily peeled off from the suction surfaces 27a and 27b when air is not being sucked from the suction holes 28a and 28b. The non-sticking treatment is a treatment that makes the suction surfaces 27a and 27b less sticky to rubber than before treatment, for example, a treatment that makes the surfaces have unevenness (for example, sandblasting treatment).

[0040] The suction holes 28a of the base plate 21 and the suction holes 28b of the wrapping plate 22 are connected to separate suction devices 29a and 29b (see Fig. 7). Therefore, the suction to the suction surface 27a of the base plate 21 and the suction to the suction surface 27b of the wrapping plate 22 can be independently controlled.

[0041] At the center of the suction surface 27a of the base plate 21, a recess 30 that is recessed with respect to the periphery is formed. The RFID tag 3 is arranged at a position above this recess 30 with the rubber tape piece 2 sandwiched therebetween. Also, the depth of the recess 30 is, for example, about half of the thickness of the completed coated RFID tag 4.

[0042] The suction surface 27a of the base plate 21 is a single plane except for the suction holes 28a and the recess 30. Also, the suction surface 27b of the wrapping plate 22 is a single plane except for the suction holes 28b.

[0043] A stopper 31, which is a plate-like member, is fixed at a position in front of the suction surfaces 27a of the base plate 21 and the wrapping plate 22, respectively. The stopper 31 protrudes upward from the mounting surfaces 21a, 22a. When the rubber tape 1 is fed from the rear to the front and reaches the suction surface 27a, the front end of the rubber tape 1 hits the stopper 31.

[0044] The stopper 31 can be adjusted in its position in the front-rear direction according to the size of the coated RFID tag 4 to be produced. For this purpose, the stopper 31 is detachably attached to a plurality of positions in the front-rear direction of the base plate 21 by fixing means such as bolts.

[0045] The base plate 21 and the wrapping plate 22 are depicted as simple single plates in FIGS. 2 to 4, but are not limited to such shapes and may have various shapes as required. For example, the base plate 21 may be larger than that depicted in FIGS. 2 to 4 and extend to a position below the wrapping plate 22 in FIG. 3, serving as the base of the entire folding device 20.

[0046] Here, the operation of such a folding device 20 will be described based on FIG. 6 as follows. First, the rubber tape 1 sent from the feeding device 10 is placed on the base plate 21 and the wrapping plate 22 of the folding device 20 in an open state and hits the stopper 31 and stops (see FIG. 6(a)). After stopping, the rubber tape 1 is cut at the rear end positions of the base plate 21 and the wrapping plate 22, and the RFID tag 3 is placed on the portion of the cut rubber tape piece 2 on the side of the base plate 21 (see FIG. 6(b)). Next, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4, the wrapping plate 22 is folded toward the base plate 21 side, so that the RFID tag 3 is sandwiched between the portion of the rubber tape piece 2 on the side of the base plate 21 and the portion on the side of the wrapping plate 22 (see FIG. 6(c)). Next, when the wrapping plate 22 returns to its original position, the coated RFID tag 4 is formed on the base plate 21 (see FIG. 6(d)).

[0047] Returning to the description of the parts other than the folding device 20, the pressing device 55 (see FIG. 7) includes a cylindrical pressing roller 56 (see FIG. 1) and a moving device (not shown) that moves the pressing roller 56 along the upper surface of the base plate 21. The pressing roller 56 is made of a cylindrical member made of an elastomer resin, a cylindrical member subjected to rubber lining, or the like. The pressing roller 56 is a roller that presses the coated RFID tag 4 placed on the base plate 21 while rolling. The vertical distance between the pressing roller 56 and the base plate 21 is adjusted so that the pressing roller 56 can press the coated RFID tag 4 placed on the base plate 21. The elastomer resin or rubber lining constituting the pressing roller 56 is preferably relatively soft so as not to damage the coated RFID tag 4.

[0048] The tag supply device 40 and the tag transfer device 41 (see FIG. 1) are devices that can hold and move the RFID tag 3 or the like by a method such as suction. The tag supply device 40 and the tag transfer device 41 adsorb and hold the coated RFID tag 4 by using, for example, the suction force of air. The tag supply device 40 and the tag transfer device 41 are attached to the same frame (not shown).

[0049] The resin tape 5 for winding up the coated RFID tag 4 is supplied to the winding device 50 in a state of being wound around the winding cylinder 51. As shown in FIG. 1, the winding device 50 includes a conveying conveyor 52 that sends the resin tape 5 pulled out from the winding cylinder 51 forward, and a winding portion 53 that winds up the resin tape 5 sent forward by the conveying conveyor 52. The conveying conveyor 52 also serves as a place to place the coated RFID tag 4 on the resin tape 5.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 7, the control device 57 is connected to a feeding device 10, a cutting device 19, a driving device 24 for a folding device 20, suction devices 29a and 29b, a tag supply device 40, a pressing device 55, a winding device 50, a tag transfer device 41, and the like. The control device 57 controls these connected devices to implement the electronic tag coating method of Embodiment 1.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 8, the RFID tag 3 is slender and consists of a rectangular chip 3a and spiral antennas 3b extending from both sides of the chip 3a. The size of the RFID tag 3 varies. The length in the longitudinal direction of the RFID tag 3 is, for example, 30 to 70 mm. Also, the maximum length in the short transverse direction of the RFID tag 3 (i.e., the length in the short transverse direction of the chip 3a) is, for example, 2 to 5 mm.

[0052] The size of the rubber tape piece 2 for covering the RFID tag 3 is suitable for covering the RFID tag 3 and varies. The length in the longitudinal direction of the rubber tape piece 2 is, for example, 80 to 160 mm. Also, the length in the short transverse direction of the rubber tape piece 2 is, for example, 10 to 30 mm. The thickness of the rubber tape piece 2 is, for example, 0.3 to 0.9 mm.

[0053] The covered RFID tag 4 with the RFID tag 3 covered by the rubber tape piece 2 is shown in FIG. 9. The size of the covered RFID tag 4 is half the length of the rubber tape piece 2 in the longitudinal direction and the same length as the rubber tape piece 2 in the short transverse direction. Also, the length in the left - right direction of the rubber tape 1 matches the length in the left - right direction of the rubber tape piece 2.

[0054] The type of rubber used for the rubber tape 1 and the rubber tape piece 2 is not limited. For example, it may be the rubber used for any member (e.g., belt edge tape) constituting a tire, or it may be a rubber specially developed for wrapping the RFID tag 3.

[0055] Next, the electronic tag coating method of Embodiment 1 will be described. The electronic tag coating method is implemented based on the control by the control device 57.

[0056] First, in the feeding device 10, the rubber tape 1 with the resin tape 6 is pulled out from the take-up cylinder 11, and in the peeling device 12, the resin tape 6 is peeled off from the rubber tape 1. The peeled resin tape 6 is wound around the take-up cylinder 13. The rubber tape 1 from which the resin tape 6 has been peeled is sent to the folding device 20 by the feeding conveyor 14.

[0057] The rubber tape 1 reaches the open folding device 20 and is placed on the suction surfaces 27a and 27b of the wrapping plate 22 and the base plate 21. When the front end of the rubber tape 1 hits the stopper 31, the movement of the rubber tape 1 stops, and the rubber tape 1 is adsorbed on the suction surfaces 27a and 27b (see Fig. 6(a)). After adsorption, the rubber tape 1 is cut at the position of the rear end of the wrapping plate 22 by the cutting device 19, and the rubber tape piece 2 is cut out. The cut-out rubber tape piece 2 remains adsorbed on the suction surfaces 27a and 27b. As a result, the rubber tape piece 2 is in a state of straddling and placed on the wrapping plate 22 and the base plate 21.

[0058] Next, the RFID tag 3 is placed on the portion of the rubber tape piece 2 on the base plate 21 side by the tag supply device 40 (see Fig. 6(b)). Next, the wrapping plate 22 is folded toward the base plate 21 side. That is, the folding device 20 is in a closed state (see Fig. 4). By this folding, the RFID tag 3 is sandwiched between the portion of the rubber tape piece 2 on the base plate 21 side and the portion on the wrapping plate 22 side (see Fig. 6(c)). At this time, it is preferable that the rubber tape piece 2 is folded at the center position in the left-right direction, and the left and right ends of the rubber tape piece 2 before folding coincide by the folding. By sandwiching the RFID tag 3 between the folded rubber tape piece 2, the covered RFID tag 4 is formed.

[0059] Next, while the adsorption to the adsorption surface 27a of the base plate 21 continues, only the adsorption of the adsorption surface 27b of the wrapping plate 22 ends. Then, the wrapping plate 22 moves away from the covered RFID tag 4 and returns to the position beside the base plate 21. As a result, the folding device 20 returns to the open state. Also, the covered RFID tag 4 remains on the base plate 21 (see Fig. 6(d)).

[0060] Next, the pressing roller 56 of the pressing device 55 presses the covered RFID tag 4 on the base plate 21 from above while rolling. As a result, the rubber tape pieces 2 sandwiching the RFID tag 3 are in close contact with each other, and when there is air inside the covered RFID tag 4, the air is pushed out. When the pressing by the pressing roller 56 ends, the adsorption of the covered RFID tag 4 to the adsorption surface 27a of the base plate 21 ends.

[0061] Next, the tag transfer device 41 moves the covered RFID tag 4 from above the base plate 21 onto the transport conveyor 52 of the winding device 50. On the transport conveyor 52, the resin tape 5 pulled out from the winding cylinder 51 is placed, and the tag transfer device 41 places the covered RFID tag 4 on the resin tape 5.

[0062] When the covered RFID tag 4 is removed from above the base plate 21, the rubber tape 1 is sent out from the feeding device 10 to the folding device 20 again, and the next covered RFID tag 4 is produced in the folding device 20. Thus, in the folding device 20, every time the produced covered RFID tag 4 is removed, the rubber tape 1 is fed in and the next covered RFID tag 4 is produced.

[0063] The conveying conveyor 52 of the winding device 50 repeats movement and stop. Each time the conveying conveyor 52 stops, the tag transfer device 41 moves the new coated RFID tag 4 on the base plate 21 onto the resin tape 5 on the conveying conveyor 52. The conveying conveyor 52 moves a certain distance each time a coated RFID tag 4 is placed thereon. By repeating this, the coated RFID tags 4 are arranged at equal intervals on the resin tape 5 on the conveying conveyor 52 as shown in FIG. 10. The resin tape 5 on which the coated RFID tags 4 are arranged at equal intervals in this way is wound into a roll by the winding unit 53.

[0064] The resin tape 5 wound into a roll in the winding unit 53 is conveyed to a location of the tire manufacturing facility. Then, in the tire manufacturing facility, the coated RFID tag 4 is peeled off from the resin tape 5 and attached to the tire. The coated RFID tag 4 is attached to, for example, the side surface of the bead filler of the tire. Then, sidewall rubber is attached on top of the coated RFID tag 4 attached to the side surface of the bead filler.

[0065] During the process of providing the coated RFID tag 4 to the tire in this way, since the RFID tag 3 is protected by the surrounding rubber (the rubber that was originally the rubber tape piece 2), it will not be damaged. Also, since the RFID tag 3 is coated with rubber and has become the coated RFID tag 4, it is easy to control the attachment location.

[0066] In this way, since the RFID tag 3 is embedded inside the tire, there is no risk of the RFID tag 3 coming off the tire. Note that since rubber allows radio waves to pass through, the RFID tag 3 has no functional problems even when embedded in the tire.

[0067] The RFID tag 3 provided on the tire can be used not only for traceability and production management in tire factories and automobile factories, but also for recording regular inspection results, recording mileage, recording retreads, etc. after the tire is mounted on a vehicle.

[0068] Next, the effects of Embodiment 1 will be described.

[0069] As described above, the electronic tag coating device of Embodiment 1 includes a feeding device 10 that feeds a long rubber tape 1 forward, and a folding device 20 that is disposed in front of the feeding device 10 and can place a rubber tape piece 2 cut from the rubber tape 1.

[0070] This folding device 20 includes a base plate 21 and a wrapping plate 22 arranged in the left-right direction when in the open state, and is a device in which the wrapping plate 22 is folded onto the base plate 21 when in the closed state. This folding device 20 is controlled such that when in the open state, the RFID tag 3 is disposed on the portion of the rubber tape piece 2 placed on the base plate 21 and the wrapping plate 22 that is on the base plate 21 side, and when in the closed state, the covered RFID tag 4 is produced by sandwiching the RFID tag 3 between the portion of the rubber tape piece 2 on the base plate 21 side and the portion on the wrapping plate 22 side.

[0071] According to this electronic tag coating device, one RFID tag 3 can be covered with one rubber tape piece 2 cut from one rubber tape 1. Therefore, for example, there is no need for the man-hours required to prepare a large number of small rubber sheets separately from the long rubber belt, such as arranging a plurality of RFID tags 3 on a long rubber belt and placing small rubber sheets on each RFID tag 3. Therefore, according to this electronic tag coating device, the RFID tag 3 can be efficiently covered with rubber.

[0072] In addition, since there is no need for a device for producing, transporting, or placing the small rubber sheets on the RFID tags 3, the facilities for producing the covered RFID tags 4 can be simplified.

[0073] Moreover, according to this electronic tag coating device, as long as the RFID tag 3 can be placed on any part (preferably the center) of the rubber tape piece 2 on the base plate 21 side, the RFID tag 3 can be sandwiched by the rubber tape piece 2. Therefore, even if the accuracy of the placement position of the RFID tag 3 on the rubber tape piece 2 is slightly poor, the coated RFID tag 4 can be manufactured.

[0074] In addition, since this electronic tag coating device coats each RFID tag 3 with rubber one by one, it can also be used for the production of small-lot products.

[0075] Further, adsorption surfaces 27a and 27b capable of adsorbing the rubber tape piece 2 are provided on each of the base plate 21 and the wrapping plate 22, and the adsorption surface 27a of the base plate 21 and the adsorption surface 27b of the wrapping plate 22 can independently adsorb the rubber tape piece 2. Therefore, before folding the wrapping plate 22, the rubber tape piece 2 is adsorbed across the adsorption surface 27a of the base plate 21 and the adsorption surface 27b of the wrapping plate 22. After folding the wrapping plate 22, the coated RFID tag 4 is adsorbed only on the adsorption surface 27a of the base plate 21, and the coated RFID tag 4 is separated from the adsorption surface 27b of the wrapping plate 22, and such usage can be adopted.

[0076] In addition, the electronic tag coating device of the present embodiment is provided with a pressing device 55 for pressing the coated RFID tag 4 placed on the base plate 21 from above. Therefore, by pressing the coated RFID tag 4 on the base plate 21 from above, the rubber tape pieces 2 sandwiching the RFID tag 3 can be brought into close contact with each other, and the air remaining inside the coated RFID tag 4 can be extruded.

[0077] In addition, the wrapping plate 22 is provided with a protruding forming member 26 that protrudes higher than the adsorption surface 27b and contacts the base plate 21 in the closed state. Therefore, a gap is secured between the adsorption surface 27a of the base plate 21 and the adsorption surface 27b of the wrapping plate 22, and the covered RFID tag 4 is sandwiched in this gap, preventing the RFID tag 3 from being crushed.

[0078] Here, since the protruding forming member 26 is detachable from the wrapping plate 22, the size of the protruding forming member 26 can be selected according to the thickness of the covered RFID tag 4 to be produced, and the gap between the adsorption surface 27a of the base plate 21 and the adsorption surface 27b of the wrapping plate 22 can be adjusted.

[0079] In addition, a hinge 23 for connecting the base plate 21 and the wrapping plate 22 is provided, and spacers 25 are sandwiched between the respective plates and the blades 23b, 23c of the hinge 23, and these spacers 25 are detachable. Therefore, by changing the thickness of the spacer 25, the gap between the adsorption surface 27a of the base plate 21 and the adsorption surface 27b of the wrapping plate 22 can also be adjusted at the hinge 23 portion.

[0080] In addition, since a recess 30 is formed at the location on the base plate 21 where the RFID tag 3 is disposed, the RFID tag 3 can be prevented from being crushed on the base plate 21 and the wrapping plate 22.

[0081] In addition, the electronic tag covering method of the present embodiment is a method of producing a covered RFID tag 4 by placing a rubber tape piece 2 cut by cutting a rubber tape 1 long in the front-rear direction across the base plate 21 and the wrapping plate 22 of the folding device 20, disposing the RFID tag 3 on the portion of the rubber tape piece 2 on the base plate 21 side, and folding the wrapping plate 22 to the base plate 21 side to sandwich the RFID tag 3 between the portion of the rubber tape piece 2 on the base plate 21 side and the portion on the wrapping plate 22 side.

[0082] According to this method, by sandwiching the RFID tag 3 with the rubber tape piece 2 cut from the single rubber tape 1, the RFID tag 3 can be efficiently covered with rubber.

[0083] Various changes can be made to Embodiment 1. Any one of the modification examples described below may be applied to the above embodiment, or any two or more of them may be combined and applied to the above embodiment. The combination can be freely made.

[0084] <Modification Example 1> The feeding device of the rubber tape 1 only needs to be able to feed the long rubber tape 1 in the front-rear direction toward the folding device 20 in the front, and the detailed configuration is not limited to that of the above embodiment.

[0085] <Modification Example 2> A part of the operations performed by the device in the above method may be performed manually by an operator. For example, the cutting of the rubber tape 1 between the feeding conveyor 14 and the folding device 20 may be performed by the operator. Also, when starting the feeding device 10, the operator may attach the front end of the resin tape 6 peeled from the rubber tape 1 to the winding cylinder 13, or insert the front end of the rubber tape 1 after peeling the resin tape 6 into the feeding conveyor 14.

[0086] <Modification Example 3> Instead of the stopper 31, a sensor for detecting the rubber tape 1 non-contactingly may be provided. In that case, when the sensor detects that the front end of the rubber tape 1 has reached a predetermined position on the base plate 21, the feeding of the rubber tape 1 from the feeding device 10 is controlled to stop. Thereby, the front end of the rubber tape 1 stops at the position of the front end of the adsorption surface 27a of the base plate 21.

[0087] <Modification Example 4> In the above-described embodiment, the recess 30 was formed in the adsorption surface 27a of the base plate 21. However, such a recess may be formed in the adsorption surface 27b of the wrapping plate 22 instead of the base plate 21. Further, such a recess may be formed in the adsorption surfaces 27a and 27b of both the base plate 21 and the wrapping plate 22.

[0088] <Modified Example 5> The operation sequence of the electronic tag coating device may be slightly changed from the sequence of the above-described embodiment as long as the coated RFID tag 4 can be manufactured without problems. For example, after the rubber tape 1 is placed on the base plate 21, the RFID tag 3 may be placed on the rubber tape 1 first, and then the rubber tape 1 may be cut into the rubber tape pieces 2.

[0089] <Modified Example 6> The protrusion forming member 26 may be provided on the base plate 21 instead of the wrapping plate 22. Further, the protrusion forming member 26 may be provided on both the wrapping plate 22 and the base plate 21.

[0090] 2. Embodiment 2 Embodiment 2 is different from Embodiment 1 in that the orientation of placing the RFID tag 3 on the rubber tape piece 2 is different. Specifically, in Embodiment 2, when the RFID tag 3 is placed on the rubber tape piece 2, the RFID tag 3 is arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the RFID tag 3 faces the front-rear direction which is the feeding direction of the rubber tape 1.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 11, the folding device 120 of Embodiment 2 includes a base plate 121 and a wrapping plate 122 arranged side by side in the left-right direction, similar to the folding device 20 of Embodiment 1. Similar to the folding device 20 of Embodiment 1, each plate is provided with suction holes 28a, 28b, stoppers 31, etc., and a recess 30 is also formed in the base plate 121. However, different from the folding device 20 of Embodiment 1, each plate is longer in the front-rear direction than in the left-right direction.

[0092] When covering the RFID tag 3 with the rubber tape piece 2 using this folding device 120, as shown in Fig. 12(a), the RFID tag 3 is placed on the portion of the rubber tape piece 2 placed on this folding device 120 on the base plate 121 side. Next, when the wrapping plate 122 is folded toward the base plate 121 side, the RFID tag 3 is sandwiched between the rubber tape pieces 2. Next, when the wrapping plate 122 returns to its original position, as shown in Fig. 12(b), the covered RFID tag 4 is formed on the base plate 121.

[0093] Also in Embodiment 2, the same modification examples as in the case of Embodiment 1 are applicable.

[0094] 3. Embodiment 3 The electronic tag covering device of Embodiment 3 is shown in Fig. 13.

[0095] In the electronic tag covering device of Embodiment 3, the same feeding device 10 as in Embodiments 1 and 2 is used. Also, the folding device 220 having the same base plate 121 and wrapping plate 122 as in the case of Embodiment 2 is used for the electronic tag covering device of Embodiment 3. However, as shown in Fig. 14, the folding device 220 of Embodiment 3 is different from the folding device 120 of Embodiment 2 in that no stopper 31 is provided on the base plate 121.

[0096] Also, in Embodiment 3, the cutting device 219 between the feeding device 10 and the folding device 220 cuts only one side in the left - right direction of the rubber tape 1, specifically, only the portion on the wrapping plate 122 side.

[0097] In addition, the electronic tag coating device of Embodiment 3 is provided with a tag supply device 40 that supplies the RFID tag 3 to the folding device 220 and a pressing roller 56 that presses the coated RFID tag 4 on the base plate 121, similar to Embodiments 1 and 2. Further, the electronic tag coating device of Embodiment 3 is provided with a take-up cylinder 51 around which the resin tape 5 is wound, a conveying conveyor 52 that sends the resin tape 5 drawn from the take-up cylinder 51 forward, and a take-up unit 53 that takes up the resin tape 5 sent forward by the conveying conveyor 52, similar to Embodiments 1 and 2.

[0098] In Embodiment 3, first, the rubber tape 1 sent forward from the feeding device 10 is placed on the base plate 121 and the wrapping plate 122 of the folding device 220 in an open state and hits the stopper 31 and stops (see Fig. 14(a)). After stopping, the rubber tape 1 is cut by the cutting device 219 at the position of the rear end of the wrapping plate 122 (see Fig. 14(b)). At this time, only the portion of the rubber tape 1 on the wrapping plate 122 side is cut. Then, the front portion 202, which is the portion of the rubber tape 1 in front of the cutting position (that is, the portion placed on the base plate 121 and the wrapping plate 122), is formed as the rubber for coating one RFID tag 3. Of the front portion 202, the uncut portion in the left-right direction is placed on the base plate 121, and the cut portion in the left-right direction is placed on the wrapping plate 122. The tip of the cut is on the boundary between the base plate 121 and the wrapping plate 122.

[0099] Next, the RFID tag 3 is placed on the portion of the front part 202 on the base plate 121 side (see Fig. 14(b)). Next, when the wrapping plate 122 is folded toward the base plate 121 side, the RFID tag 3 is sandwiched between the portion of the front part 202 on the base plate 121 side and the portion on the wrapping plate 122 side. Next, when the wrapping plate 122 returns to its original position, the covered RFID tag 4 is formed on the base plate 121 (see Fig. 14(c)). However, this covered RFID tag 4 remains connected to the subsequent rubber tape 1 on the base plate 121 side in the left-right direction.

[0100] Next, the covered RFID tag 4 and the rubber tape 1 still connected thereto are sent forward (see Fig. 14(d)). Then, when the front end of the rubber tape 1 connected to the covered RFID tag 4 hits the stopper 31, the feeding of the rubber tape 1 stops.

[0101] When the feeding of the rubber tape 1 stops, again, only the portion of the rubber tape 1 on the wrapping plate 122 side is cut, and the front part 202 in front of the cutting position is formed as the covering rubber. Further, the RFID tag 3 is placed on the portion of the rubber tape 1 on the base plate 121 side (see Fig. 15(a)). Then, when the wrapping plate 122 is folded, the front part 202, which is the covering rubber, sandwiches the RFID tag 3, thereby producing the next covered RFID tag 4 (see Fig. 15(b)).

[0102] In this way, the cutting of the portion of the rubber tape 1 on the wrapping plate 122 side, the covering of the RFID tag 3 on the base plate 121, and the forward feeding of the produced covered RFID tag 4 and the rubber tape 1 are repeated. Thereby, a continuum 7 (see Fig. 16) in which a plurality of covered RFID tags 4 are connected by the uncut portion (i.e., the portion on the base plate 121 side) of the rubber tape 1 in the left-right direction is produced.

[0103] On the conveying conveyor 52, the resin tape 5 drawn from the winding cylinder 51 is attached to the back surface of the continuum 7. Then, the continuum 7 with the resin tape 5 attached is wound up by the winding unit 53. At this time, since the resin tape 5 is attached to the back surface of the continuum 7, the continua 7 do not adhere to each other.

[0104] The wound-up continuum 7 is conveyed to the location of the tire manufacturing facility. Then, in the tire manufacturing facility, the covered RFID tags 4 are cut out from the continuum 7 and attached to the tires.

[0105] According to Embodiment 3, it is possible to produce the continuum 7 in which a plurality of covered RFID tags 4 are connected without going through the process of arranging the covered RFID tags 4 one by one on the resin tape 5 as in Embodiments 1 and 2, and it can be wound up and conveyed to the location of the tire manufacturing facility. Therefore, the production efficiency of the tires is good.

[0106] Note that, as the folding device of Embodiment 3, the folding device 20 of Embodiment 1 can also be used. Also, in Embodiment 3, the same modification examples as in the case of Embodiment 1 are applicable.

[0107] 4. Embodiment 4 The electronic tag covering device of Embodiment 4 differs from that of Embodiment 3 only in the folding device. The electronic tag covering device of Embodiment 4 is provided with a folding device 320 (see FIG. 17) that is longer in the front-rear direction than that of Embodiment 3.

[0108] The folding device 320 of Embodiment 4 has a length in the front-rear direction in which a plurality of covered RFID tags 4 can be arranged. In the folding device 320 shown in FIG. 17, the number of covered RFID tags 4 arranged in the front-rear direction is 3, but it can also be 2 or 4 or more. In terms of production efficiency, it is better for the folding device 320 to have a larger number of covered RFID tags 4 arranged in the front-rear direction, and thus it is better to be as long as possible in the front-rear direction.

[0109] This folding device 320 includes a base plate 321 and a wrapping plate 322 arranged side by side in the left - right direction, similar to those in Embodiments 1 - 3. However, each plate is long in the front - rear direction. As shown in FIG. 17, suction holes 28a and 28b are provided in each plate in the same manner as in Embodiments 1 - 3. Further, a recess 30 is formed in the base plate 321, and a protrusion forming member 26 and a stopper 31 are provided in the wrapping plate 322.

[0110] In Embodiment 4, first, the rubber tape 1 sent from the feeding device 10 is placed on the base plate 321 and the wrapping plate 322 of the folding device 320 in an open state, and hits the stopper 31 and stops. After stopping, the rubber tape 1 is cut at the rear - end positions of the base plate 321 and the wrapping plate 122, and one long rubber tape piece 302 (see FIG. 18(a)) as the covering rubber is cut out.

[0111] Next, a plurality of RFID tags 3 are arranged in the front - rear direction on the portion of the rubber tape piece 302 on the side of the base plate 121 (see FIG. 18(a)). At this time, the RFID tags 3 may be placed one by one in order on the rubber tape piece 302, or a plurality of RFID tags 3 may be placed on the rubber tape piece 302 at the same time.

[0112] Next, when the wrapping plate 322 is folded toward the base plate 321 side, a plurality of RFID tags 3 are sandwiched at once between the portion of one rubber tape piece 302 on the base plate 321 side and the portion on the wrapping plate 322 side. Next, when the wrapping plate 322 returns to its original position, a continuum 307 in which a plurality of covered RFID tags 4 are continuous in the front - rear direction is formed on the base plate 321 (see FIG. 18(b)). The continuum 7 thus formed is wound up by the winding device 250.

[0113] The wound - up continuum 7 is conveyed to a place in the tire manufacturing facility. Then, in the tire manufacturing facility, the covered RFID tags 4 are cut out from the continuum 7 and attached to the tire.

[0114] According to Embodiment 4, a continuum 7 in which a plurality of covered RFID tags 4 are connected can be produced without going through the step of arranging each covered RFID tag 4 on the resin tape 5, and it can be wound up and conveyed to the tire manufacturing facility. Therefore, the production efficiency of the tire is good.

[0115] In addition, since the wrapping plate 322 can cover a plurality of RFID tags 3 with rubber only by being folded once, the production efficiency is good.

[0116] Note that, as in Embodiment 1, a folding device that can be arranged such that the longitudinal direction of the RFID tag 3 is in the left - right direction may be used. Also, as in Embodiment 3, only the portion of the rubber tape 1 on the wrapping plate 322 side may be cut, and a continuum 7 may be produced by sandwiching a plurality of RFID tags 3 at a portion in front of the cutting position at once.

[0117] Also, in Embodiment 4, the same modification examples as in the case of Embodiment 1 are applicable.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0118] 1... rubber tape, 2... rubber tape piece, 3... RFID tag, 3a... chip, 3b... antenna, 4... coated RFID tag, 5... resin tape, 6... resin tape, 7... continuum, 10... feeding device, 11... winding cylinder, 12... peeling device, 13... winding cylinder, 14... feeding conveyor, 19... cutting device, 20... folding device, 21... base plate, 21a... mounting surface, 22... wrapping plate, 22a... mounting surface, 23... hinge, 23a... hinge pin, 23b... blade, 23c... blade, 23d... bolt, 24... driving device, 25... spacer, 26... protrusion forming member, 27a... suction surface, 27b... suction surface, 28a... suction hole, 28b... suction hole, 29a... suction device, 29b... suction device, 30... recess, 31... stopper, 32... dent, 40... tag supply device, 41... tag transfer device, 50... winding device, 51... winding cylinder, 52... conveying conveyor, 53... winding part, 55... pressing device, 56... pressing roller, 57... control device, 120... folding device, 121... base plate, 122... wrapping plate, 202... front part, 219... cutting device, 220... folding device, 302... rubber tape piece, 307... continuum, 320... folding device, 321... base plate, 322... wrapping plate

Claims

1. An electronic tag coating device that forms a coated electronic tag by wrapping an electronic tag with rubber, comprising: a feeding device that feeds a rubber tape long in the front-rear direction forward; a folding device that is disposed in front of the feeding device and can place either a rubber tape piece cut from the rubber tape or a rubber for coating that is a front portion of the rubber tape; the folding device includes a base plate and a wrapping plate arranged in the left-right direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction in an open state, and is a device in which the wrapping plate is folded toward the base plate side when in a closed state; when the folding device is in the open state, the electronic tag is disposed on a portion of the rubber for coating on the base plate side among the rubber for coating placed on the base plate and the wrapping plate; when the folding device becomes the closed state, the coated electronic tag is produced by sandwiching the electronic tag between a portion of the rubber for coating on the base plate side and a portion on the wrapping plate side. An electronic tag coating device.

2. A cutting device for cutting the rubber tape piece from the rubber tape is provided between the feeding device and the folding device; when the folding device is in the open state, one electronic tag is disposed on one rubber tape piece; The electronic tag coating device according to claim 1, wherein when the folding device becomes the closed state, it is controlled to sandwich one electronic tag with one rubber tape piece.

3. A cutting device is provided between the feeding device and the folding device, which cuts only a portion of the rubber tape on the wrapping plate side in the left-right direction, and uses the portion in front of the cutting position as the rubber for coating; when the folding device is in the open state, among the rubber for coating, the uncut portion in the left-right direction is placed on the base plate, the cut portion in the left-right direction is placed on the wrapping plate, and it is controlled such that the electronic tag is disposed on a portion of the rubber for coating on the base plate side; when the folding device becomes the closed state, it is controlled such that the coated electronic tag is produced by sandwiching the electronic tag between a portion of the rubber for coating on the base plate side and a portion on the wrapping plate side. Control is performed so that a continuum in which a plurality of the coated electronic tags are connected at a portion of the coating rubber that has not been cut in the left-right direction is produced. A winding device for winding the continuum is provided. The electronic tag coating device according to claim 1.

4. When the folding device is in the open state, a plurality of the electronic tags are arranged on one of the coating rubbers, and when the folding device is in the closed state, the plurality of the electronic tags are sandwiched by one of the coating rubbers. The electronic tag coating device according to claim 1.

5. The electronic tag coating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein suction means capable of independently sucking the coating rubber is provided on each of the base plate and the wrapping plate.

6. The electronic tag coating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein pressing means for pressing the coated electronic tag placed on the base plate from above is provided.

7. The electronic tag coating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a protruding forming member that protrudes higher than the placement surface of the coating rubber and contacts the base plate in the closed state is provided on the wrapping plate, and the protruding forming member is detachable from the wrapping plate.

8. The electronic tag coating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a recess is formed at a location on the base plate where the electronic tag is arranged.

9. In an electronic tag coating method for producing a coated electronic tag by wrapping an electronic tag with rubber, A rubber tape that is long in the front-rear direction is sent forward toward a folding device including a base plate and a wrapping plate arranged side by side in the left-right direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction. A coating rubber, which is either a rubber tape piece cut out by cutting the rubber tape or a front portion of the rubber tape, is placed so as to straddle the base plate and the wrapping plate. The electronic tag is arranged on a portion of the coating rubber on the base plate side. The coated electronic tag is produced by folding the wrapping plate toward the base plate side to sandwich the electronic tag between a portion of the coating rubber on the base plate side and a portion of the coating rubber on the wrapping plate side. An electronic tag coating method.

10. One rubber tape piece cut out by cutting the rubber tape is placed so as to straddle the base plate and the wrapping plate. Place one of the electronic tags on the portion of the rubber tape piece on the base plate side. The method for covering an electronic tag according to claim 9, wherein by folding the wrapping plate toward the base plate side, one of the electronic tags is sandwiched between the portion of the rubber tape piece on the base plate side and the portion on the wrapping plate side.

11. By cutting only the portion of the rubber tape on the wrapping plate side in the left - right direction, the portion in front of the cutting position is used as the rubber for covering. Place the uncut portion of the rubber for covering in the left - right direction on the base plate, place the cut portion in the left - right direction on the wrapping plate, place the electronic tag on the portion of the rubber for covering on the base plate side. Fold the wrapping plate toward the base plate side to sandwich the electronic tag between the portion of the rubber for covering on the base plate side and the portion on the wrapping plate side, thereby producing the covered electronic tag. Produce a continuum in which a plurality of the covered electronic tags are connected by the uncut portion of the rubber for covering in the left - right direction. The method for covering an electronic tag according to claim 9.

12. Place one of the rubbers for covering so as to straddle the base plate and the wrapping plate. Place a plurality of the electronic tags on the portion of the rubber for covering on the base plate side. The method for covering an electronic tag according to claim 9, wherein by folding the wrapping plate toward the base plate side, a plurality of the electronic tags are sandwiched between the portion of one of the rubbers for covering on the base plate side and the portion on the wrapping plate side.

Images