Label winding device

Abstract

To provide a label winding device where it is possible to install various mechanisms such as a label supply mechanism and a label elimination mechanism in a section before the section along the pressing member, without extending the total length in the conveying direction of the device.SOLUTION: The label winding device includes: a label conveying mechanism that temporarily holds and conveys labels on the outer surface of a conveyor belt stretched over two pulleys; and a pressing member that faces the outer surface of the conveyer belt moving between the two pulleys and presses containers supplied between it and the conveyor belt toward the conveyor belt. The label winding device conveys the containers while rotating them by the movement of the conveyor belt and winding the labels around the containers, and the label conveying mechanism further includes a suction mechanism that sucks the labels onto the outer surface of the conveyor belt while the conveyor belt moves along a first section along the pulleys.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a label wrapping device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a label wrapping device that wraps and affixes labels to containers such as PET bottles. The device includes an adsorption belt (conveyor belt) that is stretched over two pulleys and temporarily adsorbs the label, a rotation assisting part (pressing member) that faces the outer surface of the adsorption belt stretched between the two pulleys and presses containers fed between the adsorption belt toward the adsorption belt, and an intake device casing that seals the adsorption belt from the inside as it moves between the two pulleys, and the label is sucked in through multiple suction holes formed in the adsorption belt by a suction fan provided inside the adsorption device casing.

[0003] In this label winding device, in order to make it easier to supply labels to the suction belt, the suction belt passes through an oblique section where it moves diagonally so as to gradually approach the rotation assist section, and then moves along the rotation assist section, and the labels are supplied in this oblique section.

[0004] However, it is desirable to remove defective labels from the labels supplied to the suction label wrapper before attaching them to containers. However, in the label wrapping device disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to secure space between the oblique section and the conveyance path, making it difficult to install both the label supply mechanism and the label removal mechanism in this section. If an attempt were made to install them side by side, it would be necessary to extend the oblique section, which would increase the overall length of the device in the conveyance direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6638981 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to make it possible to install each mechanism in a section before the section along the pressing member without increasing the overall length of the device in the conveying direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The label wrapping device of the present invention comprises a label conveying mechanism that temporarily holds and conveys a label on the outer surface of a conveyor belt that is stretched over two pulleys, and a pressure member that faces the outer surface of the conveyor belt that moves between the two pulleys and presses containers supplied between the conveyor belt toward the conveyor belt, and transports the containers while rotating them as the conveyor belt moves, and wraps the label around the container, and is characterized in that the label conveying mechanism further comprises a suction mechanism that sucks the label onto the outer surface of the conveyor belt while the conveyor belt moves through a first section along the pulleys.

[0008] According to the present invention, for example, by providing a suction mechanism on the pulley that is located upstream of the conveyor belt moving through the first section, of the two pulleys, it is possible to ensure space for installing each mechanism without providing a separate diagonal section before the first section. Also, since there is no need to provide a separate diagonal section, the overall length in the conveying direction can be made shorter than that of the device described in Patent Document 1.

[0009] The labels conveyed by the conveyor belt are not necessarily attached to the containers at the same time as the conveyor belt reaches the second section along the pressing member. If the labels are not attached at the same time as they reach the second section, there is a risk that the labels may shift before reaching the attachment position.

[0010] Therefore, the suction mechanism may further suction the label onto the conveyor belt while the conveyor belt moves through a second section along the pressing member.

[0011] According to this configuration, suction is applied even while the conveyor belt is moving through the second section, so that the label can be prevented from shifting until it reaches the application position.

[0012] In this case, the suction mechanism may be separate from the suction mechanism that performs suction while the conveyor belt moves through the first section and the suction mechanism that performs suction while the conveyor belt moves through the second section.

[0013] The first section and the second section may be continuous, and the suction mechanism may continuously apply suction while the conveyor belt moves through both sections.

[0014] According to this configuration, the conveyor belt is constantly suctioned while moving between the first section and the second section, so that the labels can be prevented from shifting.

[0015] A specific embodiment of the suction mechanism is one in which the suction mechanism comprises a through hole formed in the conveyor belt, a suction path formed inside the pulley and one end of which opens to the side peripheral surface, and a suction device connected to the opening at the other end of the suction path, and when the conveyor belt moves through the first section, the through hole communicates with the suction path, and the suction device sucks the label through the communicating path.

[0016] In this case, the suction path may have a suction groove formed around the entire side surface of the pulley, and the through hole may be configured to communicate with the suction groove while the conveying belt moves through the first section.

[0017] With this configuration, even if the through holes formed in the conveyor belt are provided intermittently in the longitudinal direction, for example, it is easy to make the through holes communicate with the intake passage.

[0018] The suction mechanism may further include an extension member that extends the suction groove along the conveyor belt that moves in the second section.

[0019] With this configuration, suction can be applied not only while the conveyor belt is moving through the first section, but also while the conveyor belt is moving through the second section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, mechanisms such as the label supply mechanism and label removal mechanism can be installed in a section before the section along the presser member without increasing the overall length of the device in the conveying direction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view schematically showing the overall configuration of a label wrapping device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the label conveying mechanism of the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a suction mechanism of the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a conveyor belt according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A label wrapping device according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] <Embodiment> A label wrapping device 100 according to this embodiment affixes and wraps a label L around the side surface of a container X, such as a PET bottle. As shown in Fig. 1, the label wrapping device 100 of this embodiment includes a conveying path C for conveying the container X, a label conveying mechanism M and a pressing member B installed on both sides of the conveying path C, and an inspection device I installed downstream of these.

[0024] The conveying path C supplies the containers X between the label conveying mechanism M and the pressing member B. The conveying path C in this embodiment is specifically a belt conveyor, and conveys the containers X in an upright state on its loading surface. In this embodiment, the conveying path C extends in a straight line, but is not limited to this and may extend in a curved line, for example.

[0025] The label conveying mechanism M temporarily holds and conveys the label L on a holding surface Ms with the adhesive side facing outward. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the label conveying mechanism M of this embodiment includes at least two pulleys 10 and an endless conveying belt 20 stretched over these two pulleys 10.

[0026] The two pulleys 10 are arranged along the conveying path C. In this embodiment, the first to fourth pulleys 10a to 10d are arranged in numerical order from the upstream side to the downstream side. One of these pulleys 10 (specifically, the third pulley 10c) is arranged on the outside of the conveying belt 20, and the rest (specifically, the first pulley 10a, the second pulley 10b, and the fourth pulley 10d) are arranged on the inside of the conveying belt 20.

[0027] The third pulley 10c is movable inward and outward relative to the conveyor belt 20, and the tension of the conveyor belt 20 can be adjusted by moving the third pulley 10c.

[0028] Furthermore, a rotation mechanism (not shown) is connected to at least one of these pulleys 10. The rotation mechanism is, for example, a servo motor.

[0029] The conveyor belt 20 moves through a section α along the first pulley 10a, and then moves through a section β between the first pulley 10a and the fourth pulley 10d. The section β extends along the conveying path C, and while the conveyor belt 20 moves through this section β, it faces the pressing member B. In other words, the first pulley 10a can be said to be a pulley located upstream in the direction of movement of the conveyor belt 20 moving through the section β.

[0030] The pressing member B is disposed so as to face the outer surface of the conveyor belt 20 moving in the section β.

[0031] In this embodiment, a position adjustment mechanism Y is further provided for adjusting the distance and height between the pressing member B and the holding surface Ms.

[0032] The inspection device I inspects the label L affixed to the container that has passed between the label conveying mechanism M and the pressing member B. In this embodiment, a camera is used, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0033] The label conveying mechanism M according to this embodiment includes a suction mechanism 30 that sucks the label L onto the outer surface of the conveyor belt 20 while the conveyor belt 20 moves through a first section α', which is at least a part of the section α. ​​In this embodiment, suction is applied not only to the first section α' but also to the second section β', which is at least a part of the section β. In this embodiment, the first section α' is the entire section α, and the second section β' is a part of the section β, and the first section α' and the second section β' are continuous with each other. A supply position P1 for the label L is set within the first section α', and an application position P2 for the label L is set within the second section β'. The suction mechanism 30 continuously applies suction at least until the conveyor belt 20 moves from the supply position P1 to the application position P2.

[0034] More specifically, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the suction mechanism 30 comprises a plurality of through holes 31 formed in the conveyor belt 20, a suction path 32 formed inside the first pulley 10a and one end of which opens to the side peripheral surface, and a suction device 33 connected to the opening at the other end of the suction path 32.While the conveyor belt 20 moves through the first section α', the through holes 31 are connected to the suction path 32, and the suction device 33 sucks the label L through the connected path.

[0035] The through holes 31 are formed in a plurality of rows at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 20. In this embodiment, three rows are formed, but this is not limited thereto, and one row or multiple rows other than three may be formed. Here, the through holes 31 of the present invention may be formed in any mode as long as they penetrate the conveyor belt 20 from inside to outside when viewed as a whole, and may be formed continuously in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 20 as shown in FIG. 9, for example. In this case, the conveyor belt 20 is divided into a plurality of divided belts. Note that the through holes 31 do not necessarily have to be arranged in a row.

[0036] The suction path 32 includes a suction groove 32a formed around the entire periphery of the side peripheral surface of the first pulley 10a, and a plurality of suction holes 32b penetrating from the bottom surface of the suction groove 32a to the lower end surface of the first pulley 10a. The suction groove 32a faces and communicates with the row of through holes 31 while the conveyor belt 20 moves through the first section α.

[0037] The suction mechanism 30 further includes an extension member 34 that extends the suction groove 32a along the conveyor belt 20 moving through the second section β' so that the suction groove 32a can be sucked while the conveyor belt 20 moves to the attachment position P1 set within the second section β'.

[0038] The extension member 34 is rod-shaped and is installed along the conveyor belt 20 moving through the second section β', with one end fitted into the suction groove 32a. In this state, the extension member 34 has an extension groove 34a on the surface facing the conveyor belt 20, and while the conveyor belt 20 moves through the second section β', the through-hole 31 communicates with this extension groove 34a, and the suction device 33 sucks the label L through this communication path. The extension member 34 of this embodiment is provided integrally with a support plate 35 that supports the conveyor belt 20 from the inside as it moves through the second section β'.

[0039] The suction mechanism 30 further includes a cover member 36 that closes the upstream side of the suction groove 32a.

[0040] Next, the operation of attaching and wrapping a label L around a container X by the label wrapping device 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0041] First, when a container X is supplied between the label conveying mechanism M and the presser member B by the conveying path C, the container X is pressed toward the conveying belt 20 by the presser member B. Thereafter, the conveying belt 20 conveys the container X while rotating it around its axis while moving through the second section β'. During this time, because the container X moves while rotating, its movement speed in the conveying direction is slower than the movement speed of the label L conveyed by the conveying belt 20. As a result, the label L catches up with and adheres to the container X along the way, and then wraps around the container X as it rotates. Then, when the container X with the wrapped label L passes between the label conveying mechanism M and the presser member B, it is conveyed with the end of the label L facing in a predetermined direction and is inspected by the inspection device I.

[0042] According to this embodiment, for example, by providing a suction mechanism on the pulley that is upstream of the two pulleys in the direction of movement of the conveyor belt that moves through section β, it is possible to ensure space for installing the label supply mechanism and label removal mechanism without providing a separate diagonal section before section β. Furthermore, because there is no need to provide a separate diagonal section, the overall length in the conveyance direction can be shorter than that of the device described in Patent Document 1.

[0043] <Other Embodiments> The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments. In the above-described embodiments, the first section α' spans the entire section α, but it may be a part of it. Also, in the above-described embodiments, the second section β' is a part of the section β, but it may be the entire section. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, the first section α' and the second section β' are continuous, but they may be spaced apart from each other. In this case, it is preferable that they be spaced apart within the length of the label L.

[0044] In the above embodiment, the first section α' and the second section β' are sucked by one suction mechanism, but this is not limitative, and each section may be sucked by a separate suction mechanism.

[0045] In addition, although the above embodiment does not include a label removal mechanism, a label removal mechanism may be provided that removes labels from the conveyor belt at a removal position set between the supply position and the application position of the conveyor belt.

[0046] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 100 Label wrapping device X container L Label C transport path M Label transport mechanism 10 pulleys 20 conveyor belt 30 Suction mechanism 31 Through hole 32 Suction path 32a Suction groove 32b Suction hole 33 Suction machine 34 Extension member B Presser member I Inspection equipment

Claims

1. A label winding device comprising: a label conveying mechanism that temporarily holds and conveys a label on the outer surface of a conveyor belt that is stretched over two pulleys; and a pressing member that faces the outer surface of the conveyor belt that moves between the two pulleys and presses a container that is supplied between the conveyor belt and the label conveying mechanism against the conveyor belt; the label winding device conveys the container while rotating it due to the movement of the conveyor belt, and wraps the label around the container; A label winding device characterized in that the label conveying mechanism further includes a suction mechanism that sucks the label onto an outer surface of the conveying belt while the conveying belt moves through a first section along the pulley.

2. 2. The label winding device according to claim 1, wherein the suction mechanism further suctions the label onto the conveyor belt while the conveyor belt moves through a second section along the pressing member.

3. 3. The label winding device according to claim 2, wherein a suction mechanism for sucking the conveyor belt while it moves through the first section and a suction mechanism for sucking the conveyor belt while it moves through the second section are separate.

4. the first section and the second section are continuous, 4. The label winding device according to claim 2, wherein the suction mechanism continuously applies suction while the conveyor belt moves between both sections.

5. 2. The label winding device of claim 1, wherein the suction mechanism comprises a through hole formed in the conveying belt, a suction path formed inside the pulley and one end of which opens to the side peripheral surface, and a suction device connected to the opening at the other end of the suction path, and when the conveying belt moves through the first section, the through hole communicates with the suction path, and the suction device sucks the label through the communicating path.

6. 6. A label winding device as described in claim 5, wherein the suction path has a suction groove formed around the entire side surface of the pulley, and the through hole communicates with the suction groove while the conveying belt moves through the first section.

7. 7. The label winding device according to claim 6, wherein the suction mechanism further comprises an extension member that extends the suction groove along the conveyor belt moving in the second section.

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