Labeling suction head and labeling device

Abstract

To provide a suction head and label application device that can suppress air leakage. [Solution] The suction head 4 for label application comprises a head body 5 having a hollow air-containing case body 51 that contains air inside. The head body 5 has a label suction surface portion 52 on which a label La is adsorbed, with a plurality of holes 54 that connect the inside and outside of the air-containing case body 51, and an air supply portion 53 which is a part that supplies air to the inside of the head body 5. The air-containing case body 51, the label suction surface portion 52, and the air supply portion 53 are integrally formed with the head body 5 by integral molding.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a suction head for label attachment and a label attaching device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a suction head for label attachment configured by combining a plurality of members has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the suction head described in Cited Document 1, a head upper component and a closing plate are combined to form a space for accommodating air by the head upper component and the closing plate.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Since the suction head described in Cited Document 1 forms a space for accommodating air by combining a head upper component and a closing plate, there is a possibility that air leaks from the portion where the head upper component and the closing plate are combined.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a suction head and a label attaching device capable of suppressing air leakage.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] Furthermore, the air containment case body comprises a first plate portion in the shape of a flat plate on which the air supply portion is formed, a second plate portion in the shape of a flat plate, which is arranged opposite to the first plate portion and parallel to the first plate portion and has the plurality of holes formed thereon, and a peripheral wall plate that connects the peripheral edge of the first plate portion and the peripheral edge of the second plate portion and constitutes the peripheral wall of the air containment case body, and the head body comprises a plurality of reinforcing columns that are arranged between the first plate portion and the second plate portion and formed in the shape of columns, and it is preferable that the air containment case body, the label adsorption surface portion, the air supply portion and the plurality of reinforcing columns are integrally formed with the head body by integral molding.

[0008] The present invention relates to a label application device comprising: a suction head; an air supply mechanism for supplying air to the suction head; and a label supply unit for supplying labels to the label adsorption surface of the suction head. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a suction head and a labeling device that can suppress air leakage. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This figure shows a label application device equipped with a suction head according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the suction head from an oblique upward angle. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the suction head from a diagonal downward angle. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the bottom plate of the suction head with a transparent surface, revealing multiple reinforcing columns. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 2. [Figure 6] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view along line BB. [Figure 7] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view along the CC line. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the label application apparatus 1, including a suction head 4 for label application according to the present invention, will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a side view showing the overall configuration of the label application apparatus 1 according to one embodiment. In this description of the embodiment, when the suction head 4 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is viewed from above, the direction of the long side of the suction head 4 is referred to as the X direction (downward to the right in Figure 2), and the direction of the short side of the suction head 4 is referred to as the Y direction (downward to the left in Figure 2). The vertical direction of the suction head 4 is referred to as the Z direction.

[0012] The label application device 1 of this embodiment is a device that applies labels La supplied by a label supply device 2 to a label suction surface 52 by suction of air with a suction head 4, moves the suction head 4 toward the object to be applied to T (see Figure 1), and applies the labels La that have been suctioned onto the label suction surface 52 to the object to be applied to T. The suction head 4 is a suction head for label application.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the label application device 1 comprises a label supply device 2 (label supply unit), an air supply slider device 3 (air supply mechanism), and a suction head 4 attached to the lower end of the air supply slider device 3. The label supply device 2 supplies labels La to the label suction surface 52 of the suction head 4 attached to the lower end of the air supply slider device 3.

[0014] The label supply device 2 is located to one side of the air supply slider device 3 in the X direction. The X-direction position adjustment unit 23 adjusts the position of the air supply slider device 3 in the X direction.

[0015] The label supply device 2 includes a label conveyance unit 21 and a label peeling unit 22. The label conveyance unit 21 supplies the long label-attached backing paper L to the label peeling unit 22, and conveys the backing paper Lb after the label La is peeled off from the label-attached backing paper L toward a backing paper winding holder (not shown) via the downstream roller 211. The label peeling unit 22 has a label peeling plate 221 that extends obliquely upward as it approaches the suction head 4.

[0016] The label-attached backing paper L conveyed to the label peeling plate 221 by the label conveyance unit 21 is conveyed on the upper surface side of the label peeling plate 221 and folded back at the tip of the label peeling plate 221. Thereby, the label supply device 2 peels the label La from the label-attached backing paper L and supplies it to the label suction surface portion 52 formed on the lower surface of the suction head 4 attached to the lower end portion of the air supply slider device 3. The backing paper Lb after the label La is peeled off from the label-attached backing paper L is conveyed toward a backing paper winding holder (not shown) via the downstream roller 211 on the downstream side of the label peeling plate 221.

[0017] The air supply slider device 3 supplies air to the suction head 4 attached to the lower end portion, and is capable of moving the suction head 4 in the Z direction by the air supply housing portion 32. The air supply slider device 3 is supported by a slide support structure 34. The slide support structure 34 is movable in the Y direction by a Y-direction drive unit 35.

[0018] The air supply slider device 3 includes a head support portion 31, an air supply housing portion 32, and an air supply cylinder portion 33 that supplies air to the suction head 4.

[0019] The head support portion 31 extends in the Z direction. The suction head 4 is connected to the lower end portion of the head support portion 31. The air supply housing portion 32 is formed to extend in the Z direction and supports the head support portion 31 so as to be slidable in the Z direction on one side in the Y direction of the head support portion 31. Thereby, the air supply housing portion 32 moves the suction head 4 in the Z direction.

[0020] The air supply cylinder portion 33 is provided at the lower end portion of the air supply housing portion 32. The air supply cylinder portion 33 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape extending in the Z direction (predetermined direction) from the lower end portion of the air supply housing portion 32. The suction head 4 is connected to the air supply cylinder portion 33. Air is supplied into the suction head 4 through the air supply cylinder portion 33.

[0021] The air supply cylinder portion 33 is slidable relative to the air supply housing portion 32 in the Z direction which is the axial direction. The air supply housing portion 32 moves the suction head 4 between the standby position (solid line portion in FIG. 1) and the label attaching position (two-dot chain line portion in FIG. 1) by moving the suction head 4 in the Z direction with the label La adsorbed to the suction head 4.

[0022] The suction head 4 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, the suction head 4 includes a case-shaped head body 5. The head body 5 has a hollow air storage case body 51 in which air is stored, a label adsorption surface portion 52 to which the label La is adsorbed, an air supply portion 53 which is a portion for supplying air into the head body 5, and a plurality of reinforcing columns 55 (see FIGS. 4 to 7). A plurality of communication holes 54 (holes) (see FIG. 3) are formed in the label adsorption surface portion 52.

[0023] The air containment case body 51, the label adsorption surface portion 52 with multiple communication holes 54, the air supply portion 53, and the multiple reinforcing columns 55 are integrally formed with the head body 5 by integral molding. The head body 5 is manufactured, for example, by a 3D printer, and is formed, for example, by integral molding of metal material using a 3D printer. In this embodiment, the head body 5 is formed by integral molding of metal material, but is not limited to this, and may also be formed by integral molding of resin material.

[0024] The air containment case body 51 is formed in a hollow shape that contains air, and is shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped case (box). The air containment case body 51 has a flat plate-shaped upper plate 511 (first plate part) whose outer shape is rectangular in plan view, a flat plate-shaped lower plate 512 (second plate part) which is positioned parallel to and opposite the upper plate 511 and whose outer shape is rectangular in plan view and is the same size as the upper plate 511, and a plate-shaped peripheral wall plate 513 which forms a peripheral wall that surrounds the four sides of the air containment case body 51 and connects the outer peripheral edge of the upper plate 511 and the outer peripheral edge of the lower plate 512 and extends in the Z direction. An air supply section 53 is formed in the upper plate 511. Multiple communication holes 54 (holes) are formed in the lower plate 512.

[0025] The air containment case body 51 is formed from a metal material, with the top plate 511, bottom plate 512, and peripheral wall plate 513 being integrally molded. It is not made by joining multiple members together, and there are no joints where multiple members are joined.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, four screw holes 514 are formed in the inner portions of the four corners of the top plate 511 of the air containment case body 51 for attaching screws. The screw holes 514 are screw holes into which screws are inserted to attach the suction head 4 to, for example, an air supply slider device 3 or other devices.

[0027] As shown in Figures 2 to 6, the air containment case body 51 has a Z-direction through-hole 515 that penetrates in the Z direction through one portion of the long side of the top plate 511 and one portion of the long side of the bottom plate 512 facing the top plate 511, and a Y-direction communication hole 516 that communicates with a portion of the Z-direction through-hole 515 in the Z direction from one side plate 513a on the long side of the peripheral wall plate 513. The Z-direction through-hole 515 and the Y-direction communication hole 516 are provided for mounting a sensor (not shown) that detects the label La.

[0028] The air supply unit 53 is formed on the top plate 511 of the air housing case body 51. The air supply unit 53 is circular in plan view and is formed by penetrating the top plate 511 from the top surface of the top plate 511 of the air housing case body 51 in the Z direction, communicating the outside and the inside space of the air housing case body 51. The air supply unit 53 is the part of the head body 5 that supplies air to the inside of the head body 5. An air supply cylinder 33 (see Figure 1) connected to the lower part of the air supply housing 32 is connected to the air supply unit 53.

[0029] Negative-pressure air is supplied to the air containment case 51 via an air supply cylinder 33 connected to the lower part of the air supply housing 32. As a result, the inside of the air containment case 51 becomes negative-pressure, which draws in the labels La supplied by the label supply device 2 through the multiple communication holes 54 and causes them to adhere to the lower surface of the suction head 4.

[0030] The suction head 4 adheres the label La, which has been adsorbed by the label adsorption surface 52 formed on the lower surface of the suction head 4, to the upper surface of the object T (see Figure 1) by bringing it into contact with the upper surface of the object T to be attached. When attaching the label La to the upper surface of the object T, it is attached to the upper surface of the object T by the adhesive force of the adhesive on the label La. When attaching the label La to the upper surface of the object T, for example, the label La may be attached by vacuum breaking, or the label La may be attached to the object T by compressed air blown out through the multiple communication holes 54 by supplying positive pressure air inside the suction head 4.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3, multiple communication holes 54 are formed by penetrating the lower plate 512 of the air containment case body 51 in the Z direction, and multiple such holes are provided. The multiple communication holes 54 penetrate the lower plate 512 of the air containment case body 51, connecting the inside and outside of the air containment case body 51. The multiple communication holes 54 allow air to pass from the inside to the outside of the air containment case body 51.

[0032] In this embodiment, the multiple communication holes 54 are formed over the entire area of ​​the lower plate 512 of the air containment case body 51. However, in this embodiment, the multiple communication holes 54 are formed over the entire area of ​​the lower plate 512 of the air containment case body 51, but this is not limited to this. For example, in the lower plate 512 of the air containment case body 51, the multiple communication holes 54 may be formed only in an area that matches the size of the label La.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, the multiple communication holes 54 are formed by fine holes. In the multiple communication holes 54, the size of one communication hole 54 is preferably such that it is formed by opening within a square area where the side length L is, for example, about 100 μm or less. For example, in this embodiment, the size of one communication hole 54 is such that it is formed by opening within a square area where the side length L is on average about 50 μm to 70 μm.

[0034] In this embodiment, the multiple communication holes 54 attract the label La when negative pressure air is supplied inside the suction head 4. In this embodiment, the size of the label La is formed in a rectangular shape smaller than the size of the lower surface of the label suction surface portion 52 of the suction head 4. The label La is positioned on the label suction surface portion 52 of the suction head 4, in a portion of the area in the X direction and a portion of the Y direction on one side of the lower plate 512 of the air containment case body 51, and is attracted to the multiple communication holes 54 provided in the lower plate 512 of the air containment case body 51.

[0035] Here, since the multiple communication holes 54 are formed by multiple fine holes, as in this embodiment, the label La does not have to be positioned on the lower surface of the label adsorption surface portion 52 of the adsorption head 4 so as to cover all of the multiple communication holes 54, and may be positioned so as to cover only a portion of the multiple communication holes 54, with some parts not covering the multiple communication holes 54. Because the multiple communication holes 54 are formed by multiple fine holes, even if the multiple communication holes 54 are formed in areas other than the area where the label La is adsorbed, there is little air leakage from the multiple communication holes 54 other than the area where the label La is adsorbed, and the label La can be adsorbed onto the label adsorption surface portion 52.

[0036] As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the multiple reinforcing columns 55 are formed extending in the Z direction and are positioned between the upper plate 511 and the lower plate 512 of the air containment case body 51, forming columnar shapes that connect the upper plate 511 and the lower plate 512 of the air containment case body 51. In a plan view of the air containment case body 51, the multiple reinforcing columns 55 are arranged substantially evenly across almost the entire area of ​​the air containment case body 51, in a staggered arrangement with multiple rows in the X direction and multiple rows in the Y direction in this embodiment. The number and arrangement of the multiple reinforcing columns 55 are not limited to this embodiment. Furthermore, the multiple reinforcing columns 55 do not necessarily have to be arranged in a staggered arrangement, and the number of multiple reinforcing columns 55 is also not limited.

[0037] Multiple reinforcing columns 55 are formed by connecting the upper plate 511 and the lower plate 512 of the air containment case body 51 between them, thereby reinforcing the air containment case body 51 from the inside and suppressing the air containment case body 51 from collapsing or denting.

[0038] In the label-applying suction head 4 described above, the air-retaining case body 51, the label-applying surface portion 52 with multiple communication holes 54, the air supply portion 53, and the multiple reinforcing columns 55 are integrally formed with the head body 5 by integral molding.

[0039] Conventionally, when the head body was constructed by combining multiple components, there was a possibility of air leaking from the combined parts. In contrast, in the present invention, since the head body 5 is formed by integral molding, air does not leak from the head body 5.

[0040] Furthermore, since the multiple communication holes 54 are formed by multiple fine holes, the amount of adhesive residue left on the label La when the label La is adsorbed is reduced compared to when the communication holes 54 are formed by large holes. In addition, since no adhesive residue is left on the label La, it is possible to suppress the label La from lifting up when it is attached.

[0041] Furthermore, because the multiple communication holes 54 are formed by multiple fine holes, the size of the label La is formed to be smaller than the size of the lower surface of the label adsorption surface 52 of the adsorption head 4. As a result, even if multiple communication holes 54 are formed in areas other than where the label La is adsorbed, there is little air leakage from the multiple communication holes 54 other than where the label La is adsorbed, and the label La can be adsorbed onto the label adsorption surface 52. Therefore, the head body 5 can accommodate multiple types, sizes, and shapes of labels La, eliminating the need to prepare a dedicated head body for each type, size, and shape of label La, thus improving versatility.

[0042] Furthermore, since the air containment case 51, the label adsorption surface 52 with multiple communication holes 54, the air supply unit 53, and the multiple reinforcing columns 55 can be integrally formed with the head body 5, the number of parts can be reduced to one, thereby lowering manufacturing costs compared to using multiple parts.

[0043] Next, the operation of the label application device 1 will be described. As shown in Figure 1, when the suction head 4 is in the standby position (position indicated by the solid line in Figure 1) by the air supply slider device 3, the label La is supplied to the suction head 4. The air supply unit 53 creates negative pressure inside the air supply cylinder 33, supplying negative-pressure air to the inside of the suction head 4. As a result, the suction head 4 sucks the label La through the multiple communication holes 54, and the label La is adsorbed onto the label adsorption surface 52 formed on the lower surface of the suction head 4.

[0044] In this state, the suction head 4 attached to the lower end of the air supply slider device 3 is moved a predetermined distance to the other side in the Y direction by the Y direction drive unit 35 from the standby position shown in Figure 1. Then, the air supply housing unit 32 moves the suction head 4 downward in the Z direction to the label application position shown by the dashed line in Figure 1.

[0045] The suction head 4 adheres the label La, which has been adsorbed on its lower surface, to the upper surface of the object T by bringing it into contact with the upper surface of the object T to be attached. When attaching the label La to the upper surface of the object T, it is adhered to the upper surface of the object T by the adhesive force of the label La's glue. When attaching the label La to the upper surface of the object T, for example, the label La may be attached by vacuum breaking, or the label La may be attached to the object T by compressed air blown out through the multiple communication holes 54 by supplying positive pressure air inside the suction head 4.

[0046] After the suction head 4 has attached the label La to the object T to be attached, the suction head 4, which is attached to the lower end of the air supply slider device 3, is moved by the air supply housing 32 from the label attachment position (position indicated by the dashed line in Figure 1) to the standby position (position indicated by the solid line in Figure 1) to proceed to the next attachment operation, or to wait until the next attachment operation.

[0047] According to this embodiment, for example, the following effects are achieved. The label-applying suction head 4 of this embodiment comprises a head body 5 having a hollow air-retaining case body 51 that contains air inside. The head body 5 has a label-adsorption surface portion 52 on which a label La is adsorbed, and a portion that supplies air to the inside of the head body 5, with a plurality of communication holes 54 that connect the inside and outside of the air-retaining case body 51. The air-retaining case body 51, the label-adsorption surface portion 52, and the air supply portion 53 are integrally formed with the head body 5 by integral molding.

[0048] Therefore, the air containment case body 51, the label adsorption surface portion 52 with multiple communication holes 54, and the air supply portion 53 are integrally formed with the head body 5 by integral molding, so that air does not leak from the head body 5. Thus, air leakage from the head body 5 can be suppressed.

[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the head body 5 has a plurality of columnar reinforcing columns 55 that connect the upper plate 511 and the lower plate 512, and the air containment case body 51, the label adsorption surface portion 52, the air supply portion 53 and the plurality of reinforcing columns 55 are integrally formed with the head body 5 by integral molding. As a result, the air containment case body 51 can be reinforced by the plurality of reinforcing columns 55. Thus, the strength of the air containment case body 51 can be improved.

[0050] Although preferred embodiments have been described above, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without being limited to the embodiments described above. For example, in the above embodiment, multiple reinforcing columns 55 are provided, but the invention is not limited to this, and it is not necessary to provide multiple reinforcing columns 55. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1. Labeling device 2. Label supply device (label supply unit) 3. Air supply slider device (air supply mechanism) 4 Suction heads 5 Head body 51 Air-filled storage case body 52 Label adsorption surface 53 Air supply unit 54 Communication hole (hole) 55 Reinforcement columns 511 Top plate (1st plate part) 512 Bottom plate (second plate part) La Label

Claims

1. A suction head for label application, The head body has a hollow air-containing case that holds air inside, The head body has a label adsorption surface portion formed with a plurality of holes that communicate the inside and outside of the air containment case body and to which a label is adsorbed, and an air supply portion which is a part that supplies air to the inside of the head body, The air-containing case body, the label-adsorbing surface, and the air supply unit are integrally formed with the head body by integral molding, forming a suction head for label application.

2. The air containment case body comprises a first plate portion in the shape of a flat plate on which the air supply portion is formed, a second plate portion in the shape of a flat plate arranged parallel to and opposite to the first plate portion and on which the plurality of holes are formed, and a peripheral wall plate that connects the peripheral edge of the first plate portion and the peripheral edge of the second plate portion and constitutes the peripheral wall of the air containment case body. The head body has a plurality of reinforcing columns formed in a columnar shape that connect the first plate portion and the second plate portion. The label-applying suction head according to claim 1, wherein the air-containing case body, the label-applying surface portion, the air supply portion, and the plurality of reinforcing columns are integrally formed with the head body by integral molding.

3. A suction head according to claim 1 or 2, An air supply mechanism that supplies air to the suction head, A label application device comprising a label supply unit that supplies labels to the label adsorption surface of the adsorption head.

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