Label supply mechanism and label application device

Abstract

To provide a label supply mechanism and a label sticking device which eliminate the need to select a spring constant required when a coil spring is used, and which prevent label from being unsuccessfully taken out.SOLUTION: A label supply mechanism 21 that stores a label bundle composed of a plurality of labels L and that takes out the labels L one by one from the bundle includes: a pressing member 4 that presses against the label bundle from the opposite side of a label L take-out direction; and an electric actuator 5 that presses and moves the pressing member 4 in the label take-out direction, and is configured such that a pressing force applied from the electric actuator 5 to the pressing member can be changed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a label supply mechanism for supplying labels to be affixed to containers, and a label application device using this mechanism. [Background technology]

[0002] Some labeling devices that apply labels to containers are equipped with a label supply mechanism (also called a label hopper) that stores a stack of labels. More specifically, a suction drum that attracts and transports the labels is provided in front of the label supply mechanism, and the labels are taken out one by one from the label supply mechanism by the suction drum.

[0003] This label supply mechanism is designed to apply an appropriate amount of pressure to the label stack from the opposite side of the label removal direction, allowing the labels to be removed one by one. If the pressure is too light, a label may not be removed correctly, while if the pressure is too strong, two labels may be removed at once. Thus, handling the labels requires delicacy.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art As shown in Patent Document 1, for example, a conventional label supply mechanism is configured to bias a label stack by a coil spring having a predetermined spring constant.

[0005] When using such a coil spring, it is necessary to ensure that the pressing force applied to the label stack is not too large when there are a large number of labels, i.e., when the coil spring is contracted, and conversely, it is necessary to ensure that the pressing force is not too small when there are a small number of labels, i.e., when the coil spring is extended, so it is difficult to select an appropriate spring constant. Even if such a spring constant could be selected, there would be problems such as the spring constant changing between summer and winter and changing over time. In addition, when the size of the labels changes, the weight of the label stack also changes, so there is also the problem that it is necessary to change to one with an appropriate spring constant each time.

[0006] In contrast, there is a device that does not require the selection of a spring constant, as shown in Patent Document 2, which is configured to bias the label stack using a spiral spring (also known as a Constant Spring) that applies a constant pressing force to the label stack regardless of the number of labels.

[0007] However, when a constant pressing force is applied to the label bundle, the frictional force acting on the label bundle differs depending on whether the number of labels is large or small, making it difficult to apply an appropriate force to the label bundle in both states. In other words, when the number of labels is large, the frictional force is large, so a large pressing force is required to remove the labels, but when the number of labels is small, the pressing force is too large and there is a risk that two labels will be pushed out at once. On the other hand, if a pressing force is applied that removes the labels one by one even when the number of labels is small, there is a risk that the labels will not be able to be removed when the number of labels is large. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 61-104935 [Patent Document 2] JP 2010-269869 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The present invention has been made to solve all of the above problems at once, and its main objective is to eliminate the need to select the spring constant required when using a coil spring, and to prevent problems with label removal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In other words, the label supply mechanism of the present invention is a label supply mechanism that stores a label stack consisting of multiple labels and removes the labels one by one from the stack, and is characterized in that it is equipped with a pressing member that is pressed against the label stack from the side opposite the label removal direction, and an electric actuator that presses and moves the pressing member in the label removal direction, and that the pressing force applied from the electric actuator to the pressing member is changeable.

[0011] With the label supply device configured in this way, the electric actuator is used to bias the label stack, eliminating the need to select a spring constant when using a coil spring. Moreover, since the pressing force applied to the pressing member by the electric actuator can be changed, by setting an appropriate pressing force depending on the number of labels, it is possible to prevent label removal failures both when there are a large number of labels and when there are a small number of labels.

[0012] It is preferable that the label stack further includes a control mechanism for controlling the pressing force, and that the control device controls the pressing force when the number of labels in the label stack is small compared to the pressing force when the number of labels in the label stack is large. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent removal errors such as not removing a label when there are a large number of labels, and it is also possible to prevent removal errors such as removing two labels at once when there are a small number of labels.

[0013] As a more specific embodiment, the control mechanism may gradually reduce the pressing force as the number of labels constituting the label bundle decreases.

[0014] In the configuration for biasing the label stack in the removal direction as described above, a plurality of claw-shaped holders are provided to hook onto the leading label of the label stack in order to prevent the leading label from being accidentally removed. In such a configuration, the pressing force of the electric actuator and the restraining force of the multiple claw-shaped holders work together to prevent failure to remove the label, and the position of these claw-shaped holders is also very important and requires delicate adjustment. In contrast, in the past, the positions of the claw-shaped holders were adjusted one by one, making it difficult to adjust the restraining force of the claw-shaped holders.

[0015] Therefore, it is preferable to further provide a plurality of claw-shaped holders that hook onto the leading label among the labels that make up the label bundle, and a restraining force adjustment mechanism that moves the plurality of claw-shaped holders together to adjust the restraining force applied from these claw-shaped holders to the leading label. With this configuration, the restricting force adjustment mechanism is configured to move multiple claw-shaped holders together, so that the restricting force from the claw-shaped holders can be adjusted in a short time compared to adjusting the position of each claw-shaped holder one by one.

[0016] In order to reliably prevent the leading label from being accidentally removed, it is preferable that the multiple claw-shaped holders include multiple first claw-shaped holders that hook onto the upper edge portion of the label located at the front of the label stack and multiple second claw-shaped holders that hook onto the side edge portion of the label, and that the restraining force adjustment mechanism include a first restraining force adjustment mechanism that moves the multiple first claw-shaped holders together, and a second restraining force adjustment mechanism that moves the multiple second claw-shaped holders together.

[0017] Incidentally, when applying labels of the same type, the size of the labels may vary by, for example, a few millimeters depending on the lot. In such cases, it is necessary to fine-tune the position of the claw holder, and this adjustment is easy for an experienced worker, but difficult for an unskilled worker, and if the adjustment is not appropriate, removal failure will occur. Therefore, it is preferable that the restricting force adjustment mechanism includes a scale indicating the position of the claw-shaped holder. With this configuration, the position of the claw-shaped holder can be quantified, and the numerical value can be used as an index for fine adjustment, so that the position of the claw-shaped holder can be adjusted accurately and with good reproducibility.

[0018] Furthermore, a label application device according to the present invention is characterized in that it comprises the above-mentioned label supply mechanism, a suction drum that sucks up the labels from the label supply mechanism, a glue application mechanism that glues the labels adsorbed to the suction drum, and an application drum that adsorbs the glued labels and affixes them to containers. Such a label application device can achieve the effects of the label supply mechanism described above.

[0019] Incidentally, labels to be affixed to containers include paper labels and film labels, and it has been conventional technical knowledge to use a glue called cold glue for paper labels. However, when cold glue is used, cleaning of the conveying line and glue pots, etc. is difficult, and because cold glue does not dry quickly, a finishing roller is required after attaching the label to the container. Therefore, it is preferable that the label is made of paper, and the application mechanism applies hot melt to the label. With this configuration, maintenance is easier than with cold glue, and since it dries quickly, it may be possible to eliminate the need for a finishing roller, which allows for a more compact and less expensive device. Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention thus configured, it is possible to eliminate the need to select the spring constant required when using a coil spring, and to prevent problems with removing the label. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a label sticking device according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of the label supply mechanism of the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of the label supply mechanism of the embodiment as viewed from the side. [Figure 4] 5 is a graph showing a manner in which a pressing force is controlled by the control mechanism of the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] 10 is a graph showing a manner in which a pressing force is controlled by a control mechanism according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a label application device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0023] <Overall composition> As shown in FIG. 1, the labeling apparatus 100 of this embodiment conveys a plurality of containers X and successively attaches labels L to the containers X.

[0024] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the label application apparatus 100 includes a label transfer mechanism 20 that transfers a label L to a container X transported to a predetermined position by a transport mechanism 10, and a control mechanism 30 that controls the operation of the label transfer mechanism 20.

[0025] The label transfer mechanism 20 includes a label supply mechanism 21 that stores a label bundle consisting of a number of labels L, a suction drum 22 that sucks the labels L one by one from the label supply mechanism 21, a glue application mechanism 23 that glues the labels, and an application drum 24 that sticks the glued labels L to a container X.

[0026] The label supply mechanism 21 is what is called a label hopper, and takes out the labels L one by one from a stored label bundle. In this embodiment, the label supply mechanism 21 has a distinctive feature, and will be described in detail later.

[0027] The suction drum 22 is a rotating body that sucks and picks up the labels L sent out from the label supply mechanism 21 one by one, rotates while sucking and holding the labels L, and passes them over to the application drum .

[0028] The glue application mechanism 23 applies glue to the back surface of the label L held by the application drum 24. Specifically, the glue application mechanism 23 applies hot melt as the glue, and includes a gun module (not shown) that sprays the hot melt. Note that the glue application mechanism 23 may also apply cold glue to the label L.

[0029] The application drum 24 is a rotating body that receives the label L sucked and held by the suction drum 22, rotates while sucking and holding the label L, and sticks the label L, which has been glued by the glue application mechanism 23, onto the container X.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, the label supply mechanism 21 of this embodiment includes a pressing member 4 that is pressed against the label stack from the side opposite to the removal direction of the labels L, and an electric actuator 5 that presses and moves the pressing member 4 in the removal direction of the labels L.

[0031] The pressing member 4 is pressed against the rearmost label L among the labels L constituting the label bundle, to push out the frontmost label L among the labels L constituting the label bundle.

[0032] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, power from an electric actuator is transmitted to this pressing member 4 via a power transmission mechanism 6 constructed, for example, using a ball screw, and the pressing member 4 receives this power and urges the label stack in the removal direction.

[0033] Specifically, the pressing member 4 includes a movable body 41, for example, in the shape of a flat plate, which moves forward and backward with respect to the label stack, and a support body 42 which supports the movable body 41 and is connected to the power transmission mechanism 6. The movable body 41 is not limited to a flat plate shape, and may be in various shapes such as a block shape. Although the pressing member 4 in this embodiment includes a single movable body 41, a plurality of movable bodies 41 may be integrally supported by, for example, a common support body 42. Furthermore, although the movable body 41 and the support body 42 are integrally formed here, the movable body 41 and the support body 42 may be separate bodies.

[0034] The electric actuator 5 is a drive source such as a servo motor for moving the pressing member 4 back and forth, and the power output from the electric actuator 5 acts as a pressing force for pressing the pressing member 4 via a power transmission mechanism 6. That is, the direction of the pressing force applied from the electric actuator 5 to the pressing member 4 is the removal direction of the label L, in other words, the direction from the rear to the front of the label stack.

[0035] The electric actuator 5 is configured to be capable of changing the pressing force applied to the pressing member 4, and is controlled by the control mechanism 30 described above.

[0036] The control mechanism 30 controls the voltage and current applied to the electric actuator 5 to change the pressing force, for example, depending on the number of labels in the label bundle. Specifically, it controls the electric actuator 5 so that the pressing force when the label bundle contains a small number of labels is smaller than the pressing force when the label bundle contains a large number of labels.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 4, the control device of this embodiment is configured to control the electric actuator 5 so as to gradually reduce the pressing force as the number of labels constituting the label bundle decreases.

[0038] More specifically, the control device is configured to store correlation data indicating the correlation between the position and pressing force of the pressing member 4, for example, in its internal memory, and to control the electric actuator 5 based on this correlation data.

[0039] The correlation data here is a correlation equation or the like that is set so that the pressing force decreases monotonically, for example, linearly, as the number of labels decreases, but the correlation data is configured so that it can be changed as appropriate by the operator. Note that the correlation data is not limited to a correlation equation, and may be, for example, a look-up table or the like.

[0040] However, when the above-mentioned pressing member 4 is pressed against the last label L to urge the label stack in the removal direction, there is a concern that the first label L may be accidentally removed. To prevent this, the label supply mechanism 21 of this embodiment is provided with multiple claw-shaped holders 7 that hook onto the first label L, as shown in Figure 2.

[0041] These claw-shaped holders 7 apply a restraining force to the leading label L in a direction that prevents the leading label L from being removed. That is, the direction of the restraining force acting on the leading label L from the claw-shaped holders 7 is opposite to the removal direction of the label L, in other words, the direction from the front to the rear of the label stack.

[0042] Specifically, these multiple claw-shaped holders 7 include multiple first claw-shaped holders 7A that hook onto the upper edge portion of the label L located at the front, and multiple second claw-shaped holders 7B that hook onto the side edge portions of the label L, and here, second claw-shaped holders 7B are provided corresponding to each of the left and right edges of the label L.

[0043] With the above-mentioned configuration, the restricting force of the plurality of claw-shaped holders 7 and the above-mentioned pressing force work together to bias the label stack to such an extent that the labels L are taken out one by one.

[0044] In such a configuration, the label supply mechanism 21 of this embodiment further includes a restraining force adjustment mechanism 8 that moves the multiple claw-shaped holders 7 together to adjust the restraining force applied from these claw-shaped holders 7 to the label L located at the front.

[0045] Specifically, the restricting force adjustment mechanism 8 includes a support member 81 that integrally supports the plurality of claw-shaped holders 7, and an operation unit 82 for manually adjusting the position of the support member 81.

[0046] Here, the restraining force adjustment mechanism 8 includes a first restraining force adjustment mechanism 8A that moves multiple first claw-shaped holders 7A together, and a second restraining force adjustment mechanism 8B that moves multiple second claw-shaped holders 7B together.

[0047] The first restraining force adjustment mechanism 8A is configured such that, by operating the operating portion 82, the support member 81 supporting the first claw-shaped holder 7A moves in the forward / backward direction, thereby adjusting the restraining force applied from the first claw-shaped holder 7A to the leading label L.

[0048] The second restraining force adjustment mechanism 8B is configured such that, by operating the operating portion 82, the support member 81 supporting the second claw-shaped holder 7B provided corresponding to one of the left or right sides of the label L moves toward or away from the support member 81 supporting the second claw-shaped holder 7B provided corresponding to the other side, so that the separation distance between this pair of support members 81 changes, thereby adjusting the restraining force applied from the second claw-shaped holder 7B to the leading label L.

[0049] 2, the restricting force adjustment mechanism 8 of the present embodiment is provided with a scale 83 indicating the position of the claw-shaped holder 7. Specifically, the scale 83 is provided at a position visible to an operator operating the operation unit 82. Here, the first restricting force adjustment mechanism 8A and the second restricting force adjustment mechanism 8B each have a scale 83 arranged near the operation unit 82.

[0050] <Effects of this embodiment> With the label application device 100 configured in this way, the label stack is biased using the electric actuator 5, eliminating the need to select a spring constant that would be required if a coil spring were used. Moreover, since the pressing force applied to the pressing member 4 by the electric actuator 5 can be changed, by setting an appropriate pressing force depending on the number of labels, it is possible to prevent failure to remove the labels L when there are a large number of labels and when there are a small number of labels.

[0051] More specifically, the control mechanism 30 gradually reduces the pressing force as the number of labels in the label stack decreases, thereby preventing removal errors such as a label L not being removed when there are a large number of labels, and preventing removal errors such as two labels L being removed at once when there are a small number of labels.

[0052] Furthermore, as described above, the pressing force of the electric actuator 5 and the restraining force of the multiple claw-shaped holders 7 work together to prevent failure to remove the label L, so the position of these claw-shaped holders 7 is also very important and requires delicate adjustment. In contrast, the label application device 100 of the present embodiment is equipped with a restraining force adjustment mechanism 8 that moves multiple claw-shaped holders 7 together and adjusts the restraining force applied from these claw-shaped holders 7 to the label L located at the front, so that the restraining force from the multiple claw-shaped holders 7 can be adjusted in a short time compared to adjusting the position of each of the claw-shaped holders 7 one by one.

[0053] Incidentally, in the application of the same type of labels L, the size of the labels L may vary by, for example, several mm depending on the lot. In such a case, fine adjustment of the claw holder 7 is required, and this adjustment takes time for an unskilled person, although it may be possible for an experienced person, and if the adjustment is not appropriate, removal failure may occur. In contrast, the restraining force adjustment mechanism 8 of the present embodiment is equipped with a scale 83 indicating the position of the claw-shaped holder 7, so that the position of the claw-shaped holder 7 can be quantified, and the numerical value can be used as an index for work, thereby improving the accuracy and reproducibility of the position adjustment of the claw-shaped holder 7.

[0054] In addition, in this embodiment, the label L is made of paper, and the application mechanism applies hot melt to the label L. This makes it easier to maintain, such as by cleaning, compared to a configuration in which cold glue is applied, and since the glue dries quickly, it may be possible to eliminate the need for a finishing roller.

[0055] <Other Modified Embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0056] For example, in the above embodiment, the pressing force applied from the electric actuator 5 to the pressing member 4 was set to decrease monotonically and linearly as the number of labels decreased, but it may be set to decrease monotonically and curvilinearly as the number of labels decreased, as shown in FIG. 5(A), or it may be set to decrease in stages as the number of labels decreased, as shown in FIG. 5(B).

[0057] Furthermore, the electric actuator 5 is not limited to a servo motor, but may be, for example, a pulse motor or a stepping motor whose rotation speed is variable.

[0058] Furthermore, in addition to the electric actuator 5, the label application device 100 according to the present invention may be combined with, for example, a coil spring having a predetermined spring constant or a spiral spring that applies a constant pressing force to a label stack regardless of the number of labels.

[0059] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 100 Label application device X...Container L···Label 10 Container transport mechanism 20 Label transport mechanism 21 Label supply mechanism 22 Suction drum 23...Glue application mechanism 24 ···Pasting drum 30 Control mechanism 4. Pressing member 41 Mobile 42...Support 5. Electric actuator 6 Power transmission mechanism 7 Claw holder 8 ...Regulatory force adjustment mechanism 81 Support member 82...Operation unit 83 ··· scale

Claims

1. A label supply mechanism that stores a label stack consisting of a plurality of labels and takes out the labels one by one from the stack, a pressing member that is pressed against the label stack from the opposite side to the label removal direction; an electric actuator that presses and moves the pressing member in the label removal direction; a plurality of second claw-shaped holders that are hooked onto a left side portion of a leading label among the labels constituting the label bundle, and a plurality of second claw-shaped holders that are hooked onto a right side portion of the leading label; a second restricting force adjustment mechanism that moves the second claw holders hooked on the left side portion as one unit and moves the second claw holders hooked on the right side portion as one unit, and adjusts the distance between the second claw holders hooked on the left side portion and the second claw holders hooked on the right side portion, thereby adjusting the restricting force applied from the second claw holders to the label located at the front, A label supply mechanism comprising: a pressing force applied from the electric actuator to the pressing member that is variable.

2. A control mechanism for controlling the pressing force is further provided.

2. The label supply mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the control mechanism reduces the pressing force when the number of labels constituting the label bundle is small compared to the pressing force when the number of labels constituting the label bundle is large.

3. 3. The label supply mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the control mechanism gradually reduces the pressing force as the number of labels constituting the label bundle decreases.

4. A plurality of first claw-shaped holders that hook onto the upper edge portion of the label located at the front of the label stack; The label supply mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a first restraining force adjustment mechanism that moves the multiple first claw-shaped holders hooked onto the upper edge portion as a unit and adjusts the restraining force applied from the first claw-shaped holders to the label located at the front.

5. 5. The label supply mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the first restricting force adjustment mechanism or the second restricting force adjustment mechanism further includes a scale indicating a position of the claw-shaped holder.

6. A label supply mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5; a suction drum for sucking the label from the label supply mechanism; a glue application mechanism that applies glue to the label attracted to the suction drum; and an application drum that attracts the glued label and applies it to the container.

7. The label is made of paper, 7. The labeling system of claim 6, wherein the glue application mechanism applies a hot melt to the label.

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