Label attachment device and label attachment setting program

Abstract

To smoothly support a setting operation and an adjustment operation according to a type of a label and an attaching method, when realizing a label attachment device matched with various label attaching methods.SOLUTION: A label attachment device comprises an article conveyance part, a label attachment part, a label supply part, and a display part, and a control part. The article conveyance part conveys an article in a state of supporting a portion other than a label attachment area of the article. The label attachment part is possible to attach a label to the article in a state of being conveyed by the article conveyance part, in a plurality of attachment forms. The display part displays length reception means that receives designation of label length on a screen. The control part switches a display mode of the length reception means according to the set attachment forms, and determines the length of the label supplied by the label supply part according to the set attachment forms and the reception length.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a label application device and a label application setting program. [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, general labeling devices cannot accommodate various labeling methods, such as attaching a label to the top surface 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, etc. Therefore, in recent years, labeling devices that can accommodate various labeling methods have been developed. However, when implementing a label attachment apparatus that is compatible with various label attachment methods, a device that smoothly supports setting operations and adjustment operations according to the type and attachment method of the label is also required. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The labeling device according to the present invention has at least the following configuration. The present invention includes an article conveying unit, a label application unit, a label supply unit, a display unit, and a control unit, the article conveying unit conveys an article while supporting a portion of the article other than a label application area, the label application unit is capable of applying labels in a plurality of application forms to the article being conveyed by the article conveying unit, and the display unit is A label image can be displayed, and the control unit controls output so that a line that is not printed is displayed at a position that defines a boundary between the surfaces when the label is attached to a plurality of surfaces. It is characterized by: A label attachment setting program according to the present invention has at least the following configuration. a computer for a labeling device including an article conveying section that conveys an article while supporting a portion of the article other than a label application area, a label application section that can apply labels in a plurality of application forms to the article being conveyed by the article conveying section, a label supply section, and a display section; Label image A display control means for displaying the A display control for outputting the label image so as to display a line that is not printed at a position that defines a boundary between the surfaces when the label is attached to a plurality of surfaces. The present invention is characterized in that it functions as a means. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing examples of articles (products) to which labels are attached by the 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 full perimeter attachment (with gaps), and (f) is a diagram showing an example of full perimeter attachment. [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] FIG. 2 is a view of the label sticking device as seen from the upstream side in the article transport direction. [Figure 4] 1 is a view of the label conveying device as seen from a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an electrical functional block of the label attachment device. [Figure 6] 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 7] 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 8] 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 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which labels are held by a label supply unit. [Figure 10] 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 11] 11 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a label is pressed against an upper surface of an article by an upper pressing member, and at the same time, a label is pressed against a lower surface of the article by a lower pressing member. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a format registration screen. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a setting screen for flexible mountless, which corresponds to horizontal U-shaped pasting. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a sub-window screen. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a setting screen corresponding to upper surface attachment. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a setting screen corresponding to L-shaped attachment on the upper surface. [Figure 17] FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a confirmation screen in a mode for formatting the print start position, end position, etc. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a label image display screen when the print position is appropriate. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a label image display screen when the printing position is not appropriate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] A label application device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises an item conveying unit, a label application unit, a label supply unit, a display unit and a control unit, wherein the item conveying unit conveys an item while supporting portions of the item other than a label application area, the label application unit is capable of applying labels in a plurality of application forms to the item being conveyed by the item conveying unit, the display unit displays on a screen a length reception means that receives a specification of the length of the label, and the control unit switches the display mode of the length reception means in accordance with the set application form and determines the length of the label supplied by the label supply unit in accordance with the set application form and the received length.

[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] (Variations in label attachment) Fig. 1(a) is a diagram showing an example of a so-called top-surface attachment of a label L on which product information and the like is printed, attached to the top surface of an article w such as a commodity. Fig. 1(b) is a diagram showing an example of top-L-shaped attachment (also called top and side 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 full-periphery pasting (with gaps), and Fig. 1(f) is a diagram showing an example of full-periphery pasting. The label application device according to the embodiment of the present invention can apply a label L to an article w such as a commodity in some application forms shown in Fig. 1(a), (b), and (d) among Fig. 1(a) to Fig. 1(f). If a manipulator is added to the device, the label application device can be adapted to all application forms shown in Fig. 1(a) to Fig. 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 in the label affixing device.

[0010] (Overall configuration of label attachment device) 2 to 4, a label application device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention has a U-shaped stand 101. A leg 102 is provided at one vertex on the front side of the U-shaped stand 101. A support 103 is provided at approximately the center of one side of the rear side of the stand 101. Furthermore, screws 105 for adjusting unevenness are provided at the four vertices of the stand 101. A transport section 104 for transporting an article is provided above the legs 102 and the support section 103 and is supported by the legs 102 and the support section 103 .

[0011] The conveying section 104 has an upstream horizontal conveyor 1040 (upstream horizontal conveyors 1040L, 1040R), a downstream horizontal conveyor 1041 (downstream horizontal conveyors 1041L, 1041R), and side conveyors 1042L, 1042R, etc. The upstream horizontal conveyor 1040 is disposed upstream in the article conveying direction, and the downstream horizontal conveyor 1041 and the side conveyors 1042L, 1042R are provided downstream in the conveying direction. Here, the side conveyors 1042L and 1042R can be considered to support the parts of the article other than the label application area. In addition, the two downstream horizontal conveyors 1041L and 1041R are arranged with a larger gap in the width direction than the label application area of ​​the article. From this, the side conveyors 1042L and 1042R and the downstream horizontal conveyors 1041L and 1041R can be considered to have something in common in that they avoid the label application area of ​​the article and support "the parts of the article other than the label application area." This is because the former supports the article on the side surface where the label is not applied, and the latter supports the article on the area of ​​the bottom surface of the article other than the label application area.

[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. The label application device 100 shown in Figures 2 to 4 is capable of top surface application, top surface L-shaped application, and horizontal U-shaped application, but by adding a manipulator 21 (label application assistant unit) not shown in the figures downstream of the label supply unit 17, it can also be used for vertical U-shaped application and full-circumference application.

[0013] (Electrical function block of the labeling device) FIG. 5 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, an upstream horizontal conveyor 1040 (upstream horizontal conveyors 1040L, 1040R), a downstream horizontal conveyor 1041 (downstream horizontal conveyors 1041L, 1041R), an air jet unit 19, side conveyors 1042L, 1042R (second article conveyor), a detection unit 30 (various sensors, back sensor, etc.), etc. The conveyor 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, an upstream horizontal conveyor 1040 and a downstream horizontal conveyor 1041 of the transport unit, an air jet unit 19, side conveyors 1042L and 1042R, a detection unit 30, etc. Also, a manipulator 21 is additionally connected as necessary. 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 a screen as a length receiving means for receiving a designation of the length of the label, and displays related to other setting operations.

[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] (Configuration of label issuing unit and label supply unit) 6, 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 6 and 7, 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 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 without being cut, is cut by the cutting unit 164 while being supported by the label supply unit 17, and the label can move to the label supply unit 17 while being supported at a specified position or angle. In other words, 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, the label supported only by the label supply unit 17 is likely to shift due to the impact when the label paper is cut. 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 provided on the main body of the label supply unit 17 so as to be rotatable.

[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 pays out and holds the labels 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 6 and 7, 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] (Label supply operation) We will explain how labels are supplied. 6 and 7, 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, an elastic roller made of resin, rubber, or the like. The upper pressing member 18 may be a plate-like member made of an elastic material such as resin or rubber that protrudes downward, and may be configured to be capable of pressing a label onto the upper surface of an article transported by the transport unit.

[0023] 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.

[0024] (Label attachment device configuration) The label application device 100 also has a lower pressing member 20 (see FIG. 8). 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 conveyed by the downstream horizontal conveyor 1041 that conveys the article, and can press a label against the downstream side surface or bottom surface of the article w.

[0025] 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.

[0026] In the example shown in Fig. 8(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) rotatably supported by a rotating shaft 20c relative to the fixed part 20b, and the contact part 20a provided on the movable piece 20d and capable of adjusting the height. The movable piece 20d is biased in the standing direction by a biasing means (not shown). In the example shown in FIG. 8(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. 8(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. In addition, although not shown in the drawings, it is also possible to position the upper end of the contact portion 20a below the conveying surface of the downstream horizontal conveyor 1041 so that the lower pressing member does not come into contact with the article at all. This is used when attaching the upper surface. In this way, the shape of the lower pressing member 20 is changeable so as to obtain an appropriate pressing force according to the height of the article and the manner in which the label is affixed. 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.

[0027] (Label pasting operation) Next, an example of the operation of the label application device 100 will be described with reference to Figures 9, 10, 11, etc. In the example shown in Figures 9, 10, and 11, the label application device 100 performs a horizontal U-shaped application operation (also called U-shaped application or top, one side, and bottom application).

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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 conveyed downward by the label supplying unit 17. In detail, with the printed surface of the label L in contact with the endless belts 176L, 176R of the label supplying unit 17, the label L is sucked by the intake fan 177 (intake unit) of the label supplying unit 17, the endless belts 176L, 176R rotate, and the label L moves downward. In the example shown in FIG. 9, 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.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 10, 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.

[0031] 11, when the downstream horizontal conveyor 1041 and the side conveyors 1042L and 1042R move the article w in the conveying direction, 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. Meanwhile, the upper pressing member 18 presses the label L against the top surface of the article w. Then, the article w with the label L affixed thereto is conveyed in the conveying direction by the downstream horizontal conveyor 1041 and the side conveyors 1042L and 1042R.

[0032] In FIG. 9, the manner in which the label is supplied is such that 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 length of the label supplied is sufficient for horizontal U-shaped application. However, if a label shorter than this length is supplied, it will be applied in an L-shape on the top, and if an even shorter label is supplied, it will be applied on the top.

[0033] As described above, it will be understood that the labeling device according to the embodiment of the present invention can perform labeling in accordance with various labeling methods. From here on, a setting screen and setting control for smoothly supporting setting operations and adjustment operations according to the type of label will be described.

[0034] (Configuration of the setting screen) Conventionally, label application devices have been provided with a format registration mode or a setting screen for performing this mode, in which the printing range, printing items, font, font size, etc., are set and registered or modified when printing labels, and these settings are made to accommodate each type of label, such as labels with a liner, labels without a liner, and printing on an exterior film. In addition to these label types, the label application device according to the embodiment of the present invention is now also able to handle linerless labels, which can be printed in a variety of attachment formats. Specifically, a "flexible linerless" item has been added to the format registration screen shown in Figure 12.

[0035] When the item "flexible linerless" is touched on the format registration screen shown in FIG. 12, the screen transitions to the setting screen for flexible linerless shown in FIG. 13. Here, "C-Wrap" is displayed as the pasting type, which means the horizontal U-shaped pasting in FIG. 1(d). The "label height" and "label width" in the top row under the five tabs were also provided in the setting screen of the previous labeling device, and were configured to input values ​​using a numeric keypad provided on the console. Note that the "label height" is a component in a direction perpendicular to the "label width" when the label printing surface is viewed from the front, and is described as the "label length" in this specification. In the previous labeling device, it was possible to input a setting value for this "label height" in the same way as for the "label width", but the labeling device according to the embodiment of the present invention is designed so that a setting value cannot be input. Instead, it is possible to input a setting value for each of the items "top surface height", "side surface height", and "bottom surface height". When a setting value is input for these items, the total length of the label, which is the sum of the individual setting values, is displayed in "label height". In this embodiment, input is performed using the numeric keypad of the operation input unit 14 provided on the display operation unit 107 (console), but the operation input unit may be a touch panel. In either case, the setting screen shown in FIG. 13 is the "length receiving means for receiving the specification of the label length" displayed on the display unit 13.

[0036] When the "Pasting Mode" button shown in FIG. 13 is touched, a sub-window screen shown in FIG. 14 appears. In the sub-window screen, the pasting mode can be selected. Here, "Top" means the top surface pasting in FIG. 1(a), "Top&Side" means the top surface L-shaped pasting in FIG. 1(b), and "C-Wrap" means the horizontal U-shaped pasting in FIG. 1(d). In the screen shown in FIG. 14, "C-Wrap" is selected, but here, the slide button or scroll bar is operated to change the selection to "Top" and then the "Confirm" button is touched, and the setting screen for flexible mountless to which the transition is made is shown in FIG. 15. However, the figure here shows only the upper half under the tab of the screen in FIG. 13. This screen corresponds to "Top", that is, top surface pasting. Therefore, only the "top surface height" is displayed, and the "side surface height" and "bottom surface height" are not displayed. Naturally, the values ​​of "top surface height" and "label height" are the same.

[0037] In the sub-window screen shown in FIG. 14, the slide button or scroll bar is operated to change the setting so that "Top & Side" is selected, and then the "Confirm" button is touched, and the setting screen for flexible mountless that is transitioned to is shown in FIG. 16. However, the figure here shows only the upper half under the tab of the screen in FIG. 13. This screen is a screen that supports "Top & Side", that is, top L-shaped pasting. Therefore, "Top height" and "Side height" are displayed, and "Bottom height" is hidden. The sum of "Top height" and "Side height" is displayed as "Label height".

[0038] In the flexible mountless setting screen when top surface pasting is selected in Fig. 15 and the flexible mountless setting screen when top surface L-shape pasting is selected in Fig. 16, unnecessary height items are hidden, but the flexible mountless setting screen may be configured in a display mode in which the items are not hidden but are displayed in a masked state, grayed out state, or disabled for input. Switching to these display modes is also included in the concept of "switching the display mode of the length receiving means according to the pasting form that has been set" in the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 17 is an example of a label "issuance screen" that displays all items such as registration and pricing related to the product, including settings for flexible linerless. "C-Wrap" is displayed in the middle left area, and the currently set attachment mode can be easily confirmed. In the label attachment device according to the embodiment of the present invention, after touching "Stop Issue" to temporarily suspend the operation, the subwindow for changing the attachment mode shown in FIG. 14 is called up by touching the part displaying "C-Wrap". If the attachment mode is changed to a different type here, the setting screen shown in FIG. 13 is displayed again to allow detailed settings for flexible linerless for that type to be made.

[0040] The labeling device according to the embodiment of the present invention, like the conventional one, allows the user to set, register, and modify the print range, print item, font, font size, and the like when printing a label. In addition, there is a function item for setting the print shortening range, which is a special setting of the print range, to close the blank space in the label issuing direction. The amount of the blank space to be closed is determined in mm or dot units depending on the setting. In the conventional labeling device that only has a top-side pasting mode, even if the print range and the label height are different, there is no problem because the display surface is a single surface. However, in the labeling device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the label print surface spans multiple surfaces, including the top surface, side surface, and bottom surface. If no measures are taken, a single print content may be connected to multiple surfaces depending on the print settings, making it extremely difficult to see. For this reason, the labeling device according to the embodiment of the present invention takes appropriate measures as described below.

[0041] Figure 18 shows the confirmation screen in the mode for formatting the print start and end positions, etc. When labels are affixed to multiple sides, dotted lines that are not actually printed are displayed at the positions that define the boundaries between the sides. This allows you to clearly and easily check whether the print range, etc. have been set correctly. In addition, since Fig. 18 is an explanatory diagram, "Additive 1" is displayed repeatedly, but in reality, the actual contents of each item such as additives, raw materials, synthetic preservatives, synthetic coloring agents, etc. may be displayed. Also, the dotted lines may be highlighted with solid lines, or may be further highlighted with colored lines.

[0042] When setting the format of the print start position, end position, etc., the operator pays attention to the print position while setting, so it is thought that the operator consciously checks the line display screen in FIG. 18. However, when setting the label length (label height), it is expected that the same awareness will be weakened. Therefore, in the label application device according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is also possible to directly call up the label image and display the dotted line. FIG. 19 shows the label image display screen. For example, by calling up this screen after setting the "top height," "side height," and "bottom height," it is possible to clearly and easily check whether the print range is correct, as in FIG. 18.

[0043] If the "top height", "side height", and "bottom height" are not set appropriately, dotted lines are displayed in the middle of the print content as shown in Fig. 20. In other words, it is possible to detect the situation where the label is folded in the middle of the print content before actually printing and attaching the label. Note that the display mode of the line display in the appropriate position may be made different from that in the case where the position is determined to be inappropriate due to overlapping with another image, etc., to further draw attention.

[0044] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described as a label application device, the technical idea of ​​the present invention can also be understood as an invention of a program that causes a computer of a label application device to function, the computer including an article conveying unit that conveys an article while supporting a portion of the article other than the label application area, a label application unit that can apply labels in a plurality of application forms to the article being conveyed by the article conveying unit, a label supply unit, and a display unit. That is, the invention can be conceived as a label application setting program that causes the computer of the label application device to function as a display control unit that displays on a screen a length reception means that receives a designation of the length of a label, a switching unit that switches the display mode of the length reception means according to the set application form, and a determination unit that determines the length of the label supplied by the label supply unit according to the set application form and the received length. <Summary of the embodiment> [Technical field] The present invention relates to a label application device and a label application setting program. [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, general labeling devices cannot accommodate various labeling methods, such as attaching a label to the top surface 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, etc. Therefore, in recent years, labeling devices that can accommodate various labeling methods have been developed. However, when implementing a label attachment apparatus that is compatible with various label attachment methods, a device that smoothly supports setting operations and adjustment operations according to the type and attachment method of the label is also required. [Means for solving the problem] (1) As described above, one aspect of this embodiment is a label application device (label application device 100) comprising an article conveying section (side conveyors 1042L, 1042R), a label application section (upper pressing member 18, lower pressing member 20), a label supply section (label supply section 17), a display section (display section 13), and a control section (control section 11), wherein the article conveying section (side conveyors 1042L, 1042R) conveys an article while supporting a portion of the article other than a label application area, the label application section is capable of applying labels in a plurality of application forms to the article being conveyed by the article conveying section, the display section (display section 13) displays on a screen a length reception means that receives a designation of the length of the label, and the control section (control section 11) switches the display mode of the length reception means in accordance with the set application form and determines the length of the label supplied by the label supply section in accordance with the set application form and the received length. According to this configuration, it is possible to smoothly support setting operations and adjustment operations according to the type and application method of the label.

[0045] (2) One aspect of this embodiment is that, in the label application device (label application device 100) described in (1), the label application unit (upper pressing member 18, lower pressing member 20) corresponds to a plurality of application forms in which the surface of the article to which the label is to be applied is different, and the control unit (control unit 11) switches between displaying and hiding each length item corresponding to each surface of the article according to the set application form. According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a label application device that can easily set the lengths of the top, side and bottom surfaces in accordance with the type of label application.

[0046] (3) One aspect of this embodiment is that in the label application device (label application device 100) described in (2), the control unit (control unit 11) not only displays each length item corresponding to each side of the article, but also displays the total label length which is the sum of the displayed values ​​of each length item. According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a label application device that can reliably confirm the settings of the lengths of the top, side and bottom surfaces in accordance with the label application form.

[0047] (4) One aspect of this embodiment is that in the label application device (label application device 100) described in any one of (1) to (3), the display unit (display unit 13) is capable of displaying a label image, and the label image displays lines (which are not printed out) at the positions of the edges when labels are applied to multiple surfaces. According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a label application device that allows clear and easy confirmation as to whether the printing range is correct.

[0048] (5) One aspect of this embodiment is characterized in that in the label application device (label application device 100) described in any one of (1) to (4), the display unit (display unit 13) displays an issuance screen including information indicating the set application form. According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a label sticking device that allows the user to easily check what sticking mode is set on the printing screen.

[0049] (6) One aspect of the present embodiment is a label application setting program that causes a computer (control unit 11) of a label application device (label application device 100) including an item conveying unit that conveys an item while supporting portions of the item other than the label application area, a label application unit that can apply labels in a plurality of application forms to the item being conveyed by the item conveying unit, a label supply unit, and a display unit to function as: display control means that displays on a screen a length reception means that receives a specification of the length of a label; switching means that switches the display mode of the length reception means in accordance with the set application form; and determination means that determines the length of the label supplied by the label supply unit in accordance with the set application form and the received length.

[0050] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and the present invention includes design changes within the scope of the present invention. The types of attachment forms are classified into types corresponding to a plurality of attachment forms of different surfaces of an article to which a label is attached, such as top attachment, top L-shaped attachment, and horizontal U-shaped attachment, but, for example, even within the category of top attachment, the values ​​given in the initial settings may be broadly divided into longer and shorter, and the length ranges given in the initial settings when detailed values ​​are set from there may be organized as different attachment forms, and the display color of the length item shown in Fig. 15 may be changed accordingly, or the background color of the screen may be changed. 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.

[0051] 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]

[0052] 11...Control section 13…Display section 17…Label supply section 18...Upper pressing member 19...Air jet section (air pressure section) 20...Lower pressing member 100...Label application device 104...Transportation section 162…Printing section 1042L, 1042R...Side conveyor L…Label w…Goods

Claims

1. The apparatus includes an article conveying unit, a label application unit, a label supply unit, a display unit, and a control unit, the article conveying unit conveys the article while supporting a portion of the article other than a label application area; the label application unit is capable of applying labels in a plurality of application forms to the article being transported by the article transport unit, The display unit is capable of displaying a label image, The control unit controls output so that lines that are not printed are displayed at positions that define the boundaries between the surfaces when the label image is attached to a plurality of surfaces. A label application device comprising:

2. a computer for a labeling device including an article conveying section that conveys an article while supporting a portion of the article other than a label application area, a label application section that can apply labels in a plurality of application forms to the article being conveyed by the article conveying section, a label supply section, and a display section; A display control means for displaying a label image on a screen; and a display control means for outputting the label image so as to display a line that is not printed at a position that defines a boundary between the surfaces when the label is affixed to a plurality of surfaces. A label attachment setting program comprising:

Images