Labeling device and labeling method

Abstract

To provide a label sticking device and a label sticking method which can stick labels to articles in various sticking forms such as top sticking, bottom sticking, U-shaped sticking and all-around sticking with a simple configuration. [Solution] A label application device that applies labels to items along the transport direction of the items has a transport unit and a label supply unit, and the transport unit transports the items in the transport direction while supporting parts of the items other than the label application area, and the label supply unit transfers and holds the label in an inclined orientation so that the downstream side in the transport direction is lower from above the transport unit.A label application method involves the transport unit transporting the items in the transport direction while supporting parts of the items other than the label application area, and the label supply unit transporting and holding the label in an inclined orientation so that the downstream side in the transport direction is lower from above the transport unit, and the transport unit transporting the items in the transport direction while affixing labels to the items along the transport direction.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a label sticking device and a label sticking method. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a device that attaches a printed label to a product (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-148408 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, typical labeling devices cannot accommodate various labeling methods, such as attaching a label to the top of a product, attaching a label to the top and sides of a product, or attaching a label to the top, sides and bottom of a product. For this reason, there is a demand for a labeling device that can accommodate various labeling methods. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The labeling device according to the present invention has at least the following configuration. A labeling device for attaching a label to an article, comprising: A conveying unit that conveys the article; an issuing unit that prints predetermined information on a label, issues a sheet-like label, and ejects the printed label from an issuing port; a label supply unit capable of supplying the label issued by the issuing unit in a state in which the label is hung down to a front position in a conveying direction of the article conveyed by the conveying unit and below a bottom of the article; a guide roller that is located below the issuing port and below the label conveying surface of the label supply unit and supports the label. 、 The conveying section has a pair of horizontal conveyors arranged at a distance in the width direction to support the bottom surface of the article, and a space is formed between the pair of horizontal conveyors so that the lower end of the label supplied by the label supplying section can move to a position lower than the conveying section. It is characterized by: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing examples of articles (products) to which labels are attached by a label attachment device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a diagram showing an example of top surface attachment (top surface), (b) is a diagram showing an example of top surface L-shaped attachment (top surface, side surfaces), (c) is a diagram showing an example of vertical U-shaped attachment (U-shaped attachment, top surface and both side surfaces), (d) is a diagram showing an example of horizontal U-shaped attachment (U-shaped attachment, top surface, one side surface, bottom surface), (e) is a diagram showing an example of all-around attachment (large gap), and (f) is a diagram showing an example of all-around attachment (small gap). [Diagram 2] 1 is an overall perspective view showing an example of a label sticking device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1A is a view showing an example of a label sticking device from the upstream side in the article transport direction, and FIG. 1B is a view showing a label transport device from the direction perpendicular to the transport direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an electrical functional block of the label attachment device. [Diagram 5] 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a label sticking device, showing a label issuing section, a label supplying section, an upper pressing member, and an air jet section of the label sticking device, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view from above showing an example of the label issuing section, the label supplying section, etc. of the label sticking device. [Figure 6] 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a label issuing unit, a label supply unit, an upper pressing member, and an air jet unit of a label application device, as viewed from below. FIG. [Figure 7] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating an example of a label supply unit that can be rotated upward. [Figure 8]1 is a general perspective view showing an example of a labeling device, (a) is a diagram showing an example of the labeling device in a state where a side conveyor and a manipulator are removed, (b) is a diagram showing an example of the labeling device in a state where a side conveyor is provided and a manipulator is removed, and (c) is a diagram showing an example of the labeling device in a state where a side conveyor and a manipulator are attached. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of a label attachment device. [Figure 10] 1A is a diagram for explaining an example of a lower pressing member that affixes a label to the downstream side or bottom surface of a relatively low packaged item (goods), and FIG. 1B is a diagram for explaining an example of a lower pressing member that affixes a label to the downstream side or bottom surface of a relatively high packaged item (goods). [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a manipulator of the labeling device. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the label attachment device. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a label is attached to the top surface of a packaged item (article). [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which labels are held by a label supply unit. [Figure 15] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of a state in which a label is attached to an upper surface and a downstream side surface of an article by an upper pressing member and an air jet unit. [Figure 16] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of a state in which a label is pressed onto an upper surface of an article by an upper pressing member. [Figure 17] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a label is pressed onto an upper surface of an article by a roller at the tip of a manipulator. FIG. [Figure 18] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a roller at the tip of a manipulator presses a label against a side surface on an upstream side in a conveying direction of an article. FIG. [Figure 19] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a roller at the tip of a manipulator presses a label against a lower part of a side surface on an upstream side in a conveying direction of an article. FIG. [Figure 20]13 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a label is pressed against the bottom surface of an article by a roller at the tip of a manipulator. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] A labeling device according to an embodiment of the present invention applies a label to an object along a transport direction of the object. The labeling device includes a transport unit, a label supply unit (applicator), and the like. The transport unit transports the object in the transport direction while supporting a portion of the object other than a label application area, and the label supply unit transfers and holds the label in an inclined orientation from above the transport unit so that the downstream side in the transport direction is lower. Then, while the transport unit transports the object in the transport direction, a label is applied to the object along the transport direction.

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment of the present invention includes the contents shown in the drawings, but is not limited thereto. In the following description of each drawing, parts common to parts already described will be given the same reference numerals and some duplicated description will be omitted.

[0009] Fig. 1(a) is a diagram showing an example of a label L with product information or the like printed thereon that is attached to the top surface of an article w such as a commodity, which is called top surface attachment (also called top surface attachment). Fig. 1(b) is a diagram showing an example of top L-shaped attachment (also called top and side surface attachment). Fig. 1(c) is a diagram showing an example of vertical U-shaped attachment (also called U-shaped attachment or top and both side attachment), and Fig. 1(d) is a diagram showing an example of horizontal U-shaped attachment (also called U-shaped attachment or top, one side and bottom attachment). Fig. 1(e) is a diagram showing an example of all-around attachment (large gap) and Fig. 1(f) is a diagram showing an example of all-around attachment (small gap). The labeling device according to the embodiment of the present invention can affix a label L to an article w such as a commodity in various affixing forms, as shown in, for example, Figs. 1(a) to 1(f). The arrows shown in Figs. 1(a) to 1(f) indicate the conveying direction of an article w when a label is affixed to the label affixing device.

[0010] 2 and 3, a label application device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention has a stand 101. Legs 102L and 102R are provided on the stand 101. In addition, a support column 103 is provided in the approximate center of the stand 101. A conveying section 104 for conveying an article is provided above the legs 102L, 102R, and is supported by the legs 102L, 102R and the support section 103.

[0011] The conveying section 104 has an upstream horizontal conveyor 1040 (also referred to as a horizontal conveyor), a downstream horizontal conveyor 1041 (also referred to as a horizontal conveyor), and side conveyors 1042L, 1042R, etc. The upstream horizontal conveyor 1040 is disposed on the upstream side of the article conveying direction, and the downstream horizontal conveyor 1041 and the side conveyors 1042L, 1042R are provided on the downstream side of the conveying direction.

[0012] A label issuing unit 16 and a label supply unit 17 that conveys and holds the labels issued by the label issuing unit 16 to a position where the labels are affixed to articles are provided above the horizontal conveyor 1040 on the upstream side of the transport unit 104. The label issuing unit 16 is supported by the support unit 103 so as to be movable up and down, left and right, and back and forth. The label supply unit 17 is provided downstream of the issuing port of the label issuing unit 16 . In this embodiment, a display operation unit 107 (also called a console) is supported by the support unit 103.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of electrical functional blocks of the label attachment apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. The label application device 100 includes a control unit 11 (CPU), a memory unit 12, a display unit 13, an operation input unit 14, a communication unit 15, a label issuing unit 16 (labeller), a label supply unit 17 (applicator), an upstream horizontal conveyor 1040 (also referred to as a first article transport unit), a horizontal conveyor 1041 (downstream horizontal conveyors 1041L, 1041R), an air jet unit 19, a manipulator 21 (label attachment assistant unit), side conveyors 1042L, 1042R (second article transport unit), a detection unit 30 (various sensors, back sensor, etc.), etc. The transport unit 104 includes, for example, the upstream horizontal conveyor 1040, the downstream horizontal conveyor 1041, the side conveyors 1042L, 1042R, etc. The display operation unit 107 (console) includes a display unit 13, an operation input unit 14, and the like. For example, the control unit 11 is electrically connected to a storage unit 12, a display unit 13, an operation input unit 14, and an interface 9 (I / F) via a communication line such as a bus. The interface 9 is electrically connected to a communication unit 15, a label issuing unit 16, a label supply unit 17 (applicator), horizontal conveyors 1040, 1041 of the transport unit, an air jet unit 19, a manipulator 21, side conveyors 1042L, 1042R, a detection unit 30, etc. The detection unit 30 has various sensors (such as an optical sensor and a sensor for detecting the number of rotations of a motor) and outputs the detection results to the control unit 11.

[0014] The control unit 11 comprehensively controls each component of the label application device 100 . The storage unit 12 is composed of, for example, a ROM, a RAM, an auxiliary storage unit, etc., and stores a control program that controls each component of the label application device 100, product information, data related to label application, and the like.

[0015] The display unit 13, under the control of the control unit 11, displays, for example, information relating to the operation of the label attachment device.

[0016] The operation input unit 14 is, for example, a touch panel, a keyboard, a switch, a button, etc., and outputs a signal according to an operation by an operator to the control unit. Note that the display unit 13 and the operation input unit 14 may be a touch panel display device.

[0017] The communication unit 15, under the control of the control unit 11, communicates with other computers (such as a higher-level management device) via a wired or wireless communication path.

[0018] 5, the label issuing unit 16 (labeller) is provided with a roll holding unit 161 that holds a label roll R made of linerless label paper in a roll shape, a printing unit 162, a platen roller 163, and a cutting unit 164 (movable blade, fixed blade, etc.) in a housing 16B (main body) of the label issuing unit 16. An issuing port 165 is provided downstream of the cutting unit 164. Under the control of the control unit 11, the label issuing unit 16 prints product information, etc. on label paper RP pulled out from the label roll R, cuts the label paper RP to a length according to the product information, generates sheet-like labels L (backing-less labels), and outputs the labels L from the issuing port 165. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, a guide roller 179 is provided between the issuing port 165 and the label supply unit 17. The label output from the issuing port 165 is supported by the guide roller 179 and moves to the label supply unit 17 by passing over the top of the guide roller 179. The label application device has guide rollers 179, so that even if the issued label is relatively short, the label moved to the label supply unit 17 (applicator) is supported and transported so as not to deviate from the specified position or angle. For example, if the issued label is relatively long, the label paper reaches the label supply unit 17 (applicator) without being cut, is cut by the cutting unit 164 while supported by the label supply unit 17, and can move to the label supply unit 17 while supported at a specified position or angle. That is, whether the label is relatively long or relatively short in the transport direction, it is cut by the cutting unit 164 while being supported by the label supply unit 17 and the guide roller 179. When the label issued by the label issuing unit 16 is relatively short, the area supported by the label supply unit 17 is relatively small, so if no guide roller is provided (comparative example), the label supported only by the label supply unit 17 is likely to shift due to the impact when the label paper is cut by the cutting unit 164. On the other hand, in the label application device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the guide roller 179 is provided, so even if the label is relatively short, it is cut by the cutting unit 164 while being supported by the label supply unit 17 and the guide roller 179, so that it is possible to prevent the label from shifting from the specified position or angle when cut. In this embodiment, the guide roller 179 is rotatably provided on the main body of the label supply unit 17 (applicator).

[0019] Although the label issuing unit 16 described above issues linerless labels, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the label may be issued by printing on a label with a liner and peeling the label off the liner.

[0020] The label supply unit 17 (applicator) pays out and holds the label issued by the label issuing unit 16 in an inclined direction from above the conveying unit so that the downstream side in the conveying direction is lower. In detail, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the label supply unit 17 has multiple rollers 171, 172, 173 arranged a predetermined distance apart, and endless belts 176L, 176R arranged on a pulley 174 of a drive motor 175, and is configured so that the endless belts 176L, 176R can be rotated by the drive motor 175 (label conveying drive unit). In addition, the label supply unit 17 has an inclined label conveying surface of the endless belts 176L, 176R, and an intake fan 177 (intake unit) is arranged above the label conveying surface, so that the label can be moved downward by the endless belts 176L, 176R while negative pressure is applied to the endless belt side of the label being conveyed.

[0021] In addition, the label supply unit 17 has endless belts 176L, 176R arranged side by side at a predetermined interval, and one or more ventilation holes 178 are provided between the endless belts 176L, 176R, and the intake fan 177 can apply negative pressure to the labels through the ventilation holes 178. In this embodiment, the label L has an adhesive surface and a print surface on the opposite side to the adhesive surface. The print surface of the label abuts against the endless belts 176L, 176R, and is conveyed in a state where negative pressure is applied to the endless belts 176L, 176R.

[0022] 7, the upper end of the main body of the label supply unit 17 is supported by a rotation shaft 167 arranged horizontally in the housing 16B (main body) of the label printing unit 16. The label supply unit 17 is configured to be rotatable upward about the rotation shaft 167. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the label issuing unit 16 has a detection unit 168 that detects the state of the main body of the label supply unit 17, such as the position. For example, during maintenance, when the label supply unit 17 is rotated upward as shown in Fig. 7, the detection unit 168 detects that the main body of the label supply unit 17 is rotated upward, and the light-emitting display unit 166A such as an LED lights up, and the control unit controls the label issuing unit 16, the conveying unit, etc. to be in an inoperative state. When maintenance is completed and the label supply unit 17 is rotated downward and the main body of the label supply unit 17 is set to a normal operable position as shown in Fig. 5, the light-emitting display unit 166A goes out, and the control unit controls the label issuing unit 16, the conveying unit, etc. to be in an operable state.

[0023] The label issuing unit 16 also has a light-emitting display unit 166B such as an LED. The light-emitting display unit 166B is configured to light up when the cutting unit 164 is removed from the main body of the label issuing unit, for example, during maintenance, and to turn off when the cutting unit 164 is attached. The label printing unit 16 also has an operation button 166C. When the operation button 166C is operated, the label paper RP is moved in the label transport direction by the drive of a drive motor (not shown) that drives the platen roller 163 etc.

[0024] 5 and 6, an upper pressing member 18 that presses a label onto the upper surface of an article transported by the transport unit is provided at the lower end of the label supply unit 17. The upper pressing member 18 is, for example, a plate-like member that protrudes downward and is made of an elastic body such as resin or rubber. The upper pressing member 18 may be a roller or the like, and may be configured to be able to press a label onto the upper surface of an article transported by the transport unit.

[0025] In addition, near the lower end of the label supply unit 17, an air jet unit 19 (air pressing means) is provided. In detail, the air jet section 19 (air pressing means) is provided at the lower end of the label supply section 17, downstream of the upper pressing member 18, and is configured to be able to blow compressed air toward the downstream side of the article being transported by the conveying section 104 (side conveyors 1042L, 1042R, downstream horizontal conveyor 1041, etc.), so that the compressed air can press the label against the downstream side of the article and affix it.

[0026] 8 and 9, the upstream horizontal conveyor 1040 as a conveying section (article conveying section) includes rollers 1040a and 1040b arranged at a predetermined distance apart, an endless belt 1040c stretched between the rollers 1040a and 1040b, a drive motor (not shown) that rotates and drives at least one of the rollers 1040a and 1040b, etc. The upstream horizontal conveyor 1040 conveys articles in the conveying direction.

[0027] 8 and 9, the downstream horizontal conveyor 1041 as a conveying section (article conveying section) has a pair of downstream horizontal conveyors 1041L and 1041R spaced apart in the width direction. In detail, the downstream horizontal conveyor 1041 has rollers 1041a and 1041b spaced apart by a predetermined distance, an endless belt stretched between the rollers 1041a and 1041b, and a drive motor (not shown) that rotates and drives at least one of the rollers 1041a and 1041b. The downstream horizontal conveyor 1041 conveys articles in the conveying direction. A space 1041h is formed between the downstream horizontal conveyors 1041L, 1041R so that the tip of the arm of the manipulator 21 (label attachment assistant) can move downward below the conveying surface of the downstream horizontal conveyor 1041. The label attachment device 100 is configured so that the width of the space 1041h between the downstream horizontal conveyors 1041L, 1041R can be adjusted according to the size of the articles so that the articles can be conveyed without falling off.

[0028] The label application device 100 also has a lower pressing member 20 (see Figs. 8 and 10). The lower pressing member 20 is provided below the upper pressing member 18. The lower pressing member 20 is configured to be able to press against the downstream side surface or bottom surface of an article w transported by a transport section (downstream horizontal conveyor 1041) that transports the article, and can press a label against the downstream side surface or bottom surface of the article w.

[0029] In detail, the lower pressing member 20 is, for example, a plate-like member that protrudes upward and is made of an elastic body such as resin or rubber. The lower pressing member 20 may be a roller or the like, and may be configured to be able to press a label against the downstream side, bottom surface, or corners of the article w transported by the transport unit.

[0030] In the example shown in Fig. 10(a), the lower pressing member 20 is configured so that the height of the contact part 20a that contacts the label can be adjusted. In detail, the lower pressing member 20 has a fixed part 20b fixed to the main body of the label sticking device, a movable piece 20d (movable part) supported rotatably on the fixed part 20b via a rotation shaft 20c, and the contact part 20a provided on the movable piece 20d and adjustable in height. The movable piece 20d is biased in the standing direction by a biasing means (not shown). In the example shown in FIG. 10(a), the height of the article w is relatively low, and the contact portion 20a is set at a relatively low position so as to contact the downstream side of the article w in the conveying direction. The example shown in FIG. 10(b) is a case where the height of the article w is relatively high, and the contact portion 20a is set at a relatively high position so as to contact the downstream side of the article w in the conveying direction. The contact portion 20a of the lower pressing member 20 may be equipped with a mechanism for varying the height by a driving unit (not shown) such as a motor depending on the height of the article w, or may be equipped with a mechanism for manually adjusting the height.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 2 and 3, the label application apparatus 100 has side conveyors 1042L and 1042R as a conveying section for conveying an article, and conveys the article in the conveying direction while supporting both side surfaces in the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. As shown in FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b), side conveyors 1042L and 1042R are provided downstream of the downstream horizontal conveyor 1041 in the conveying direction. As shown in FIGS. 8(b), 8(c) and 11, a manipulator 21 is provided above the side conveyors 1042L and 1042R.

[0032] The side conveyors 1042L, 1042R are configured to be able to adjust the distance (the length in the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction) between the side conveyors 1042L, 1042R by, for example, a width adjustment mechanism 1042C in accordance with the width (the length in the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction) of the article w. The width adjustment mechanism 1042C can adjust the distance manually by a manual operation unit, or automatically by a drive motor or the like in accordance with a width detection unit that detects the width of the article. Each of the side conveyors 1042L and 1042R includes a pair of rollers arranged at a predetermined distance apart in the conveying direction, an endless belt stretched between the pair of rollers, a drive motor for driving the rollers, and the like.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 11, the manipulator 21 (label application assistant unit) has a bent arm 211, a roller 212 provided at the tip of the arm 211, a first drive mechanism 213 that moves the entire arm 211 in an arc, and a second drive mechanism 214 that moves the roller 212 at the tip of the arm in an arc. In detail, the manipulator main body 215 is disposed on a support base 216, and legs 216L, 216R of the support base 216 are arranged to straddle the side conveyor and the article transport path, and the manipulator main body is disposed above the transport path. A horizontal rotation shaft 213R is disposed inside the manipulator main body 215, and this horizontal rotation shaft 213R is supported so as to be freely rotatable. An arm 211 is connected to this horizontal rotation shaft. A positioning lever 215L (operation lever) is provided on the upper part of the manipulator main body 215, and it is possible to adjust the height of the arm 211, the position of the arm 211 in the front-rear direction (direction along the conveying direction), etc. The manipulator 21 is configured so that the arm 211 moves in an arc by rotating the horizontal rotation shaft 213R directly or indirectly by a drive motor (not shown). After the label is pressed onto the article, the control unit controls the drive motor (not shown) to return the arm 211 to its initial position.

[0034] The arm 211 is provided with a first bent portion 211a and a second bent portion 211b in the middle portion, and is bent at about 45° at the first bent portion 211a and about 90° at the second bent portion 211b. The angle of the second bent portion 211b is variable so that the roller 212 at the tip of the arm presses the bottom surface of the article in the case of underlayment. That is, the roller 212 at the tip of the arm is moved in an arc by the second driving mechanism 214. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the second driving mechanism 214 is provided with an air cylinder driven by compressed air on the arm 211, and the air cylinder is operated under the control of the control unit to move the roller 212 at the tip of the arm in an arc, so that the roller 212 can be moved upward. The angle of the first bent portion 211a and the angle of the second bent portion 211b can be set appropriately depending on the shape and size of the article and the shape and size of the label.

[0035] Next, an example of the operation of the label attachment apparatus 100 will be described with reference to Figures 9, 12, 13, etc. In the example shown in Figures 9, 12, and 13, the label attachment apparatus 100 performs a top surface attachment operation to attach a label L to the top surface of an article w.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 9, in the initial state (standby state), the posture of the manipulator 21 and the arm 211 is defined so that the roller 212 at the tip (lower end) of the arm 211 is higher than the upper end of the article w to be transported. Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 9, the posture of the arm 211 is defined so that the long portion of the arm 211 is substantially horizontal.

[0037] Driven by the drive motor of the article transport section, the upstream horizontal conveyor 1040, the downstream horizontal conveyor 1041, and the endless belts of the side conveyors 1042L, 1042R rotate, and the article w moves from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction. An article w is detected on the conveying path by an optical sensor or the like of the detection unit 30, and a detection signal is output from the detection unit 30 to the control unit 11.

[0038] The label issuing unit 16 outputs, from an issuing port 165, a label on which information about the item w (such as product information) is printed by a printing unit 162 (such as a print head). When a label is issued from the issuing port 165 of the label issuing unit 16, the label L is transported downward by the label supply unit 17 (see FIG. 12). In detail, when the printed surface of the label L is in contact with the endless belts 176L, 176R of the label supply unit 17, the label L is sucked in by the intake fan 177 (intake unit) of the label supply unit 17, the endless belts 176L, 176R rotate, and the label L moves downward.

[0039] In the example shown in Figures 12 and 13, the control unit 11 controls the transport of the label by the label supply unit 17 and the transport of the item w by the downstream horizontal conveyor and side conveyors 1042L, 1042R so that the label L is affixed to a predetermined position on the top surface of the item w. In detail, the control unit 11 controls the transport of labels by the label supply unit 17 and the transport of the item w by the downstream horizontal conveyor and the side conveyors 1042L, 1042R, so that first, the lower end of the label L abuts against the downstream end of the upper surface of the item w or a position slightly upstream of that, and while transporting the item w, the label L is moved downward by the label supply unit 17, and the label L is affixed to the upper surface of the item w by the upper pressing member 18, as shown in Figure 13. The movement of the label L and the timing of attaching the label L to the top surface of the item w are controlled by the control unit based on a signal from a detection unit that detects the position of the item w, the movement speed of the item w by the side conveyor and the downstream horizontal conveyor, a signal from a label detection unit that detects the position of the label L by the label supply unit 17, and the label conveying speed by the label supply unit.

[0040] Next, an example of the full-surface labeling operation of the labeling apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 14, in the initial state (standby state), the posture of the manipulator 21 and the arm 211 is defined so that the roller 212 at the tip (lower end) of the arm 211 is higher than the upper end of the article w to be transported. Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 14, the posture of the arm 211 is defined so that the long portion of the arm 211 is substantially horizontal. As shown in FIG. 14, the endless belt of the horizontal conveyor 1041 rotates when driven by a drive motor of the article transport section, and an article w moves from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction. An article w is detected on the conveying path by an optical sensor or the like of the detection unit 30, and a detection signal is output from the detection unit 30 to the control unit 11.

[0042] The label issuing unit 16 outputs, from an issuing port 165, a label on which information about the item w (such as product information) is printed by a printing unit 162 (such as a print head). When a label is issued from the issuing port 165 of the label issuing unit 16, the label L is transported downward by the label supply unit 17 (see FIG. 14). In detail, when the printed surface of the label L is in contact with the endless belts 176L, 176R of the label supply unit 17, the label L is sucked in by the intake fan 177 (intake unit) of the label supply unit 17, the endless belts 176L, 176R rotate, and the label L moves downward.

[0043] In the example shown in FIG. 14, the bottom end of the label L moves to a position lower than the bottom surface of the article w or the conveying surface of the downstream horizontal conveyor 1041, and the article w is conveyed in the conveying direction by the side conveyors 1042L and 1042R.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 15, the upper pressing member 18 and the air jet unit 19 press a part of the adhesive surface (rear surface) of the label L against the downstream side and upper surface of the article w in the conveying direction.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 16, when the article w is moved in the conveying direction by the downstream horizontal conveyor 1041 and the side conveyors 1042L, 1042R, the lower pressing member 20 presses the portion of the label L that is lower than the bottom surface of the article w against the bottom surface of the article w, thereby attaching the label L to the bottom surface of the article w. Furthermore, the upper pressing member 18 presses the label L onto the upper surface of the article w. In the example shown in FIG. 16, the trailing end portion of the long label L is in contact with the endless belts 176L, 176R of the label supply unit 17 and is sucked and held by the intake fan 177 (intake unit).

[0046] As shown in FIG. 17, while pressing the roller 212 at the tip of the arm 211 of the manipulator 21 against the upper surface of the article w, the article w is moved in the conveying direction by the side conveyors 1042L and 1042R, thereby pressing the label L against the upper surface of the article w.

[0047] Next, as shown in Figures 18 and 19, the first driving mechanism 213 causes the arm 211 to move in an arc downward, thereby moving the roller 212 at the tip of the arm 211 below the article w while pressing the label L against the upstream side of the article w with the roller 212.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 20, the second driving mechanism 214 moves the tip of the arm 211 in an upward arc, and the roller 212 at the tip of the arm presses the label L against the bottom surface of the article w being conveyed. Then, the article w with the label L affixed thereto is conveyed in the conveying direction by the side conveyors 1042L and 1042R.

[0049] <Summary of the embodiment> [Technical field] The present invention relates to a label sticking device and a label sticking method. [Background technology] 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a device that attaches a printed label to a product (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art document] [Patent documents] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-148408 A [Summary of the invention] [Problem to be solved by the invention] However, typical labeling devices cannot accommodate various labeling methods, such as attaching a label to the top of a product, attaching a label to the top and sides of a product, or attaching a label to the top, sides and bottom of a product. For this reason, there is a demand for a labeling device that can accommodate various labeling methods. [Means for solving the problem] (1) As described above, one aspect of this embodiment is a labeling device that affixes a label to an object along the conveying direction of the object. This labeling device has a conveying section (at least the side conveyors 1042L, 1042R, or the downstream horizontal conveyors 1041L, 1041R, etc.) and a label supplying section 17 (applicator, etc.). The conveying section (the side conveyors 1042L, 1042R, or the downstream horizontal conveyors 1041L, 1041R, etc.) conveys an object w in the conveying direction while supporting a portion of the object other than the labeling area. The label supplying section 17 transfers and holds the label in an inclined direction from above the conveying section so that the downstream side in the conveying direction is lower. For example, the conveying section may convey an article in the conveying direction while supporting both sides of the width perpendicular to the conveying direction by the side conveyors 1042L, 1042R, or may convey an article in the conveying direction while supporting the article by the downstream horizontal conveyors 1041L, 1041R, or the conveying section may convey an article in the conveying direction while supporting the article by both the side conveyors and the downstream horizontal conveyor. Specifically, the label application device 100 conveys an item w in a conveying direction using a conveying section (at least the side conveyors 1042L, 1042R, or downstream horizontal conveyors 1041L, 1041R, etc.), transfers and holds a label from above the conveying section at an angle so that the downstream side in the conveying direction is lower, and while conveying the item w in the conveying direction using the conveying section, applies a label L to the item w along the conveying direction. In other words, a label application device 100 can be provided that has a simple configuration, in which the label supply unit 17 feeds and holds the label L, and while transporting the item w in the item transport direction, attaches the label L to the item w along the transport direction. In addition, the conveying section conveys the item w in the conveying direction, and the label supply section 17 transfers and holds the label at an inclined angle from above the conveying section so that the downstream side in the conveying direction is lower, and the label is affixed to the item w being conveyed, thereby enabling stable top-side attachment. If, as in a comparative example, the label were to be unwound straight down, the adhesive side of the label would be turned sideways due to the tendency to curl, and there is a risk that the label would not be neatly attached to the top surface of the product. When a label is to be affixed to a relatively heavy object, the object may be transported only by the downstream horizontal conveyors 1041L and 1041R without using the side conveyors. In other words, when the weight of an object is relatively heavy, even if the object comes into contact with the upper pressing member 18, the lower pressing member 20, or the manipulator 21, the object can be transported stably by the downstream horizontal conveyors 1041L and 1041R alone without the object being displaced. In addition, depending on the circumstances, when articles are simply flowed downstream without being labeled, the articles may be transported only by the downstream horizontal conveyors 1041L, 1041R.

[0050] (2) One aspect of this embodiment is that, in the label application device 100 described in (1), an upper pressing member 18 is provided at the lower end of the label supply unit 17 and presses the top surface of an article w transported by the conveying unit (at least the side conveyors 1042L, 1042R, or the downstream horizontal conveyors 1041L, 1041R, etc.), and a lower pressing member 20 is provided below the upper pressing member 18 and presses the downstream side and bottom surface of the article w transported by the conveying unit, and the lower pressing member 20 is positioned so as to come into contact with a label fed out from the label supply unit 17 by a certain length or more.

[0051] That is, it is possible to provide a label sticking device 100 capable of sticking a label L to the top and bottom surfaces of an article w with a simple configuration using the upper pressing member 18, the lower pressing member 20, etc. In addition, since the lower pressing member 20 is disposed so as to come into contact with the label that has been fed out from the label supply unit 17 by a certain length or more, the label, for example, on standby can be stabilized without shaking unsteadily, and the label can be attached to a predetermined position on an article with high accuracy. Also, the positional relationship between the lower pressing member 20 and the label supply unit 17 (applicator, etc.) only needs to be specified so that the standby label does not shake, as described above.

[0052] (3) In one aspect of this embodiment, in the label application device 100 described in (2), the label supply unit 17 supplies the label it is holding to the upper surface of the article when the downstream end of the upper surface of the article reaches the label position, and the upper pressing member 18 presses the label L onto the upper surface of the article w.

[0053] That is, it is possible to provide a label sticking device capable of sticking the label L to only the top surface of an article w, in a configuration capable of sticking the label L to both the top and bottom surfaces of the article w.

[0054] (4) In one aspect of this embodiment, in the label application device 100 described in (2) or (3), an air jet (air jet unit 19) is provided at the lower end of the label supply unit 17 and downstream of the upper pressing member 18, and blows air (which may be compressed air or high-pressure gas) toward the downstream side of the article transported by the transport unit (side conveyors 1042L, 1042R, downstream horizontal conveyors 1041L, 1041R, etc.).

[0055] That is, it is possible to provide a label application device 100 that can reliably apply a label L to the downstream side surface of an article w by blowing air (compressed air, etc.) from an air jet (air jet section 19) with a simple configuration. In detail, a label application device 100 can be provided that can reliably apply a label L to the downstream side of an article w when performing so-called "top L-shaped application" in which a label L is applied to the downstream side and top side of an article w in the conveying direction, as shown in Figure 1(b), or when performing so-called "vertical U-shaped application" in which a label L is applied to the downstream side, top, and upstream side of an article w in the conveying direction, as shown in Figure 1(c).

[0056] (5) One aspect of this embodiment is a label application device described in any one of (1) to (4), which includes a bent arm 211 provided downstream in the conveying direction from the label supply unit 17, a pressing roller (roller 212) provided at the tip of the arm 211, and a first drive mechanism 213 that moves the arm 211 in an arc so as to press the pressing roller (roller 212) against the upper surface and upstream side surface of an article w conveyed by the conveying unit (side conveyors 1042L, 1042R, downstream horizontal conveyors 1041L, 1041R, etc.).

[0057] In other words, with a simple configuration, a label application device 100 can be provided in which a roller 212 provided at the tip of an arm 211 is used by a first driving mechanism 213 to press a label L against the upper surface or upstream side surface of an article w, thereby neatly attaching the label L to the article w. In detail, as shown in FIG. 1(d), a label application device 100 can be provided that performs so-called "horizontal U-shaped application" in which a label L is applied to the bottom surface, the downstream side in the conveying direction, and the top surface of an article w.

[0058] (6) One aspect of this embodiment is the label application device described in (5), which is provided with a second drive mechanism 214 that causes the tip of the arm 211 to move in an arc so as to press the pressing roller (roller 212) against the bottom surface of the article w being conveyed by the conveying section (side conveyors 1042L, 1042R, downstream horizontal conveyors 1041L, 1041R, etc.).

[0059] That is, with a simple configuration, the second driving mechanism 214 can press the roller 212 toward the bottom surface of the article w, thereby making it possible to neatly attach the label L to the bottom surface of the article w. In detail, as shown in Figures 1(e) and 1(f), a label application device can be provided that performs so-called "all-around application," in which a label L is applied to the bottom surface, the downstream side surface in the conveying direction, the top surface, and the upstream side surface of an article w.

[0060] (7) One aspect of this embodiment is a label application device as described in any of (1) to (6), which has a guide roller 179 arranged between an outlet of a label issuing unit 16 provided near an upper end of the label supply unit 17 and the label supply unit 17, and the guide roller 179 is configured to support a label from the outlet.

[0061] That is, since the label is supported by the label supply unit 17 and the guide roller 179, it is possible to prevent the label from shifting even if the label is relatively short, for example.

[0062] (8) One aspect of this embodiment is a label application method in which a conveying unit (side conveyors 1042L, 1042R, downstream horizontal conveyors 1041L, 1041R, etc.) conveys an item w in a conveying direction while supporting parts of the item other than the label application area, and a label supply unit 17 (applicator, etc.) pays out and holds a label from above the conveying unit at an angle such that the downstream side in the conveying direction is lower, and while the item is conveyed in the conveying direction by the conveying unit, a label is applied to the item along the conveying direction.

[0063] That is, it is possible to provide a label attachment method that allows labels to be attached to articles simply and neatly.

[0064] Furthermore, the label application device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention can apply a label L to an article w in various ways, from application on the top surface to application around the entire circumference, as shown in, for example, FIGS. Specifically, the label application device 100 can realize the following application forms, for example. (i) The label application device 100 can perform “top application” by using the upper pressing member 18. (ii) The label application device 100 can perform "upper L-shaped labeling" by using the upper pressing member 18, the side pressing air jet (air jet unit 19), and the plate that presses the side (lower pressing member 20). (iii) The label application device 100 can perform "horizontal U-shaped application" by using the upper pressing member 18, the side pressing air jet (air jet unit 19), and the plate (lower pressing member 20) that presses the sides and bottom. In addition, the "horizontal U-shaped attachment" may be achieved by, after the above-mentioned "top attachment," pressing the label against the side and bottom surfaces of the article on the upstream side in the conveying direction using an arm 211 that moves in an arc and has a pressing roller (roller 212) attached to its tip. (iv) After performing "upper surface L-shaped labeling," the labeling device 100 can perform "vertical U-shaped labeling" by using the arm 211 that moves in an arc and has a pressure roller (roller 212) attached to its tip. (v) After performing "horizontal U-shaped labeling," the labeling device 100 can perform "full-circumference labeling" by using the arm 211 that moves in an arc and has a pressure roller (roller 212) attached to its tip.

[0065] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments, and the present invention also includes design changes and the like that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention. In addition, the embodiments shown in the above-mentioned drawings can be combined with each other as long as there are no particular contradictions or problems in terms of purpose, configuration, and the like. Furthermore, the contents of each drawing may be independent embodiments, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to one embodiment obtained by combining the drawings.

[0066] In the above-described embodiment, a belt conveyor is used as the conveying section for conveying the articles, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and may be a roller conveyor or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 11...Control section 16…Label issuing department 17...Label supply unit (applicator) 18...Upper pressing member 19...Air jet section (air pressure section) 20...Lower pressing member 21...Manipulator (auxiliary label attachment unit) 100...Label application device 104...Transportation section 162…Printing section 175...Drive motor 176L, 176R... endless belt 177…Intake fan 178…Ventilation hole 211…Arm 211a...first bend 211b...Second bend 212...Laura 213...First drive mechanism 214...Second driving mechanism 1040…Upstream horizontal conveyor (horizontal conveyor) 1041, 1041L, 1041R...Downstream horizontal conveyor (horizontal conveyor) 1042L, 1042R...Side conveyor L…Label w…Goods

Claims

1. A labeling device for attaching a label to an article, comprising: A conveying unit that conveys the article; an issuing unit that prints predetermined information on a label, issues a sheet-like label, and ejects the printed label from an issuing port; a label supply unit capable of supplying the label issued by the issuing unit in a state in which the label is hung down to a front position in a conveying direction of the article conveyed by the conveying unit and below a bottom of the article; a guide roller that is located below the issuing port and below the label conveying surface of the label supply unit and supports the label; Equipped with The conveying section has a pair of horizontal conveyors arranged at a distance in the width direction to support the bottom surface of the article, and a space is formed between the pair of horizontal conveyors so that the lower end of the label supplied by the label supplying section can move to a position lower than the conveying section. Label application device.

2. the label supply unit has a label conveying surface that is in a direction intersecting a label issuing direction by the issuing unit and has a width smaller than a width of the guide roller, The guide roller supports a label that is inclined with respect to the label issuing direction.

2. The labeling device of claim 1.

3. A side conveyor is provided to support the article from a side, The side conveyor supports the side surface of the article in a range from above the conveying section to below the guide roller.

3. A labelling device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The label sticking control means is capable of two types of control: top surface sticking control for sticking a label only to the top surface of the article, and U-shaped sticking control for sticking labels to three surfaces, namely the top surface, side surface, and bottom surface of the article.

3. A label application device according to claim 1 or 2.

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