Automatic label application device equipped with automatic conveying and supplying device, label application method for molded products using the automatic label application device, printing device equipped with automatic conveying and supplying device, and printing device equipped with automatic conveying and supplying device

Abstract

To provide an automatic conveying and supplying device that solves the problem with conventional label applicators that the operator manually places the bottles and removes them after processing, resulting in inefficient operation.SOLUTION: An automatic conveying and supplying device 10 includes: a conveyor 12 for conveying molded products 11; a detection sensor 13 located on a processing table 22 of a molded product post-processing device 21; a molded product supply stocker 14 that automatically supplies molded products 11 to the conveyor 12; and a control part 16 that controls a processing mechanism 23 of a molded product post-processing device 21. With this structure, the molded products 11 are automatically supplied to the processing table 22 of the molded product post-processing equipment 21, enabling continuous operation, shortening tact time and cycle time, improving work efficiency, and improving product quality without being affected by the skill level of the operator.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic transport and supply device. [Background technology]

[0002] The present invention relates to Automatic label application device equipped with automatic conveying and supplying device, label application method for molded products using the automatic label application device, printing device equipped with automatic conveying and supplying device, and printing device equipped with automatic conveying and supplying device Regarding.

[0003] The worker places the object to be labeled on the placement table, and then operates the labeling machine, so that the label is affixed to the desired position on the object. The worker then removes the object to which the label has been affixed from the placement table, places the next object on the placement table, and operates the labeling machine. By repeating this process, the worker can also handle small lot products such as limited production items. Furthermore, the configuration of the labeling machine is simplified, which allows for a smaller device and reduced costs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-145229 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In conventional labeling machines, an operator places an object on a table, presses a start switch, and starts the labeling machine, so that a label is affixed to a desired position on the object. In other words, the operator manually places the object on the table one by one and then removes it from the table, which is problematic in terms of work efficiency. In addition, there is a problem that it is difficult to improve the accuracy of the label affixing position and stabilize the work efficiency due to the individual work capabilities of the operator.

[0006] Furthermore, in order to improve the work efficiency of conventional labeling machines, it is necessary to increase the speed at which workers supply and remove objects to be labeled from the placement table. This increases the workload of workers, which in turn leads to a deterioration in work accuracy and a risk of deterioration in quality, such as the position at which the labels are applied. Furthermore, excessive demands on workers, such as increasing work speed and improving yields, can lead to health problems for workers due to stress and other issues, as well as a decrease in worker retention rates.

[0007] Furthermore, in order to increase the work speed and improve the work efficiency, it is necessary to operate the label application machine continuously. In this case, for example, it is possible to have multiple workers work continuously on the placement table. It is also possible to assign a new worker to store the processed objects to be labeled that are removed from the placement table. In other words, in order to improve the work efficiency, it is necessary to increase the number of workers, which makes it difficult to reduce production costs.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to improve work efficiency, reduce manufacturing costs, and improve product quality by automatically transporting molded products to a post-processing device for molded products such as a labeling machine. Automatic label application device equipped with automatic conveying and supplying device, label application method for molded products using the automatic label application device, printing device equipped with automatic conveying and supplying device, and printing device equipped with automatic conveying and supplying device The purpose of this invention is to provide [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In the automatic label application device equipped with the automatic conveying and supplying device of the present invention, Processing position on the processing table Lying down Automatic transport of molded products Automatic label application device equipped with automatic transport and supply device a driving means for automatically transporting the molded product, the driving means being arranged in parallel with and spaced from the processing table in a transport direction of the molded product on the processing table, The automatic conveying and supplying device A conveyor for transporting the product; The molded product to be processed is detected before the molded product to be processed that is disposed on the processing table and transported to the processing table arrives at the processing position or simultaneously when the molded product to be processed arrives at the processing position.a detection sensor, and the transport conveyor transports the molded product to be processed to the processing table so as to cross a space separated from the processing table, and then automatically transports the succeeding molded product located on the transport conveyor toward the processing table, and pushes the molded product to be processed on the processing table from behind. ,before The molded product to be processed is allowed to reach the processing position.

[0010] The method of labeling molded products using the automatic label application device of the present invention is a method of labeling molded products using an automatic label application device equipped with a transport conveyor capable of automatically transporting a molded product lying on its side to a processing position on a processing table, and is characterized in that it can be switched between operation as an automatic machine that automatically transports the succeeding molded product located on the transport conveyor toward the processing table, pushes the molded product to be processed on the processing table from behind, and detects that the molded product to be processed has reached the processing position using a detection sensor arranged on the processing table, and performs a label application operation on the molded product to be processed, and operation as a manual machine that manually places the molded product to be processed at the processing position by an operator without using the transport conveyor, and performs the label application operation on the molded product to be processed.

[0011] The printing device equipped with an automatic transporting and supplying device of the present invention is a printing device equipped with an automatic transporting and supplying device capable of automatically transporting a molded product lying on its side to a processing position on a processing table, and is equipped with a transport conveyor of the automatic transporting and supplying device that is arranged parallel to and spaced from the processing table in the transport direction of the molded product on the processing table and has a driving means for automatically transporting the molded product, and a detection sensor that is arranged on the processing table and detects the molded product to be processed before it arrives at the processing position or at the same time as it arrives at the processing position, and the transport conveyor transports the molded product to be processed to the processing table across a space separated from the processing table, and then automatically transports the subsequent molded product located on the transport conveyor toward the processing table, and pushes the molded product to be processed on the processing table from behind, causing the molded product to reach the processing position.

[0012] The printing apparatus equipped with an automatic transporting and supplying device of the present invention is a printing apparatus equipped with an automatic transporting and supplying device capable of automatically transporting a molded product lying on its side to a processing position on a processing table, and is equipped with a transport conveyor of the automatic transporting and supplying device that is arranged parallel to and spaced from the processing table in the transport direction of the molded product on the processing table and has a driving means for automatically transporting the molded product, and a detection sensor that is arranged on the processing table and detects the molded product to be processed before it arrives at the processing position or simultaneously when it arrives at the processing position, and the transport conveyor transports the molded product to be processed to the processing table across a space separated from the processing table, and then automatically transports the subsequent molded product located on the transport conveyor toward the processing table, and pushes the molded product to be processed on the processing table from behind, causing the molded product to reach the processing position. Effect of the Invention

[0013] The automatic transport and supply device of the present invention is equipped with a transport conveyor capable of automatically transporting a plurality of molded products, and a processing table of a molded product post-processing device is disposed at the leading end of the transport conveyor. With this structure, molded products that have been moved to the processing table are pushed by molded products on the following transport conveyor to proceed to the processing position. Then, the molded products are automatically transported onto the processing table, improving work efficiency regardless of the skill level of the operator.

[0014] The automatic conveying and feeding device of the present invention also includes a detection sensor for detecting the molded products on the processing table. The detection sensor detects the molded products before or simultaneously with their arrival at the processing position. With this structure, the processing mechanism of the post-processing device for molded products is started in accordance with the timing of the molded products' arrival at the processing position, thereby shortening the takt time and cycle time and improving work efficiency.

[0015] In the automatic conveying and feeding device of the present invention, the molded products travel on the conveyor in a horizontal position and are moved to the processing table. With this structure, when a bottle labeler machine is used as the post-processing device for molded products, the molded products are automatically fed to the processing table in a horizontal position, which is the processing state, improving work efficiency.

[0016] The automatic conveying and feeding device of the present invention also includes a movable arm that starts in response to a detection signal from a detection sensor. With this structure, the movable arm separates the molded products arranged in succession on the processing table, so that the molded products after processing are stably discharged from the processing table. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view illustrating an automatic conveying and feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an automatic conveying and supplying device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view illustrating a molded product post-processing device that cooperates with an automatic conveying and feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a transport conveyor of the automatic transport and supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a conveyor for an automatic conveying and feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a side view illustrating a molded product supply stocker of an automatic conveying and supplying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7A] 1 is a side view illustrating a state in which a molded product is transported by the automatic transport and supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7B] 1 is a side view illustrating a state in which a molded product is transported by the automatic transport and supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7C] 1 is a side view illustrating a state in which a molded product is transported by the automatic transport and supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] An automatic transporting and supplying device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are generally designated by the same reference numerals, and repeated description will be omitted. The up-down direction indicates the height direction of the automatic transporting and supplying device 10, the left-right direction indicates the width direction of the automatic transporting and supplying device 10, and the front-rear direction indicates the depth direction of the automatic transporting and supplying device 10 and the extension direction of the transport conveyor 12. The front-rear direction is the transport direction in which the molded products 11 are transported, and the left-right direction is the direction perpendicular to the transport direction.

[0019] Fig. 1 is a side view illustrating the automatic conveying and supplying device 10 of this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the automatic conveying and supplying device 10 of this embodiment. Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a bottle labeler machine 20, which is an example of a molded product post-processing device 21 to which molded products 11 are supplied from the automatic conveying and supplying device 10 of this embodiment.

[0020] 1, the automatic conveying and feeding device 10 mainly includes a conveyor 12 for conveying molded products 11, a detection sensor 13 (see FIG. 7A) disposed on a processing table 22 of a molded product post-processing device 21, a molded product supply stocker 14 for automatically supplying molded products 11 to the conveyor 12, a movable arm 15 (see FIG. 7B) disposed on the processing table 22, and a control unit 16 (see FIG. 2) for controlling the operation of the automatic conveying and feeding device 10 and controlling a processing mechanism 23 of the molded product post-processing device 21. In the following description, a bottle labeler machine 20 (see FIG. 3) is used as the molded product post-processing device 21 of this embodiment.

[0021] The molded product 11 is a bottle-like container made of plastic or glass, and has a substantially cylindrical shape, for example, to be filled with cosmetics, shampoo, etc. The molded products 11 are available in a wide variety of shapes, with different outer diameters, overall lengths, and appearances depending on the contents to be filled, their applications, and designs. As will be described in detail later, the automatic conveying and feeding device 10 places the molded products 11 lying on the conveying tray 31 and conveys them, thereby making it possible to convey the above-mentioned molded products 11 of various shapes. The automatic conveying and feeding device 10 automatically conveys the molded products 11 to the processing table 22, and can handle even small lots of various types of molded products 11 without deteriorating the work efficiency.

[0022] In the following description, the lying state of the molded product 11 in this embodiment means, in the case where the molded product 11 is a cylindrical bottle, a state where the molded product 11 is laid sideways so that the curved outer peripheral surface to be processed is located along the inner peripheral surface of the conveying tray 31. In the case where the molded product 11 is a rectangular parallelepiped or plate-like body, it means a state where the surface of the molded product 11 to be processed is located on the upper side of the conveying tray 31. In other words, the lying state of the molded product 11 in the conveying tray 31 means a state where the molded product 11 is placed so that the surface to be processed does not need to be manually changed by an operator when the molded product 11 is moved from the conveying tray 31 onto the processing table 22.

[0023] As shown in the figure, the processing table 22 of the molded product post-processing device 21 is arranged alongside the tip end of the transport conveyor 12. The upper surface of the processing table 22 is arranged at approximately the same height as the transport belt 32 in the transport tray 31 of the transport conveyor 12. As will be described in detail later, the molded products 11 on the transport tray 31 move directly from the upper surface of the transport belt 32 in the transport tray 31 to the upper surface of the processing table 22.

[0024] On the other hand, the molded product supply stocker 14 is disposed at the rear end side of the transport conveyor 12 and above the transport tray 31. The leading end side of a supply tray 42 (see FIG. 5) of the molded product supply stocker 14 is located near the transport tray 31. As will be described in detail later, a large number of molded products 11 are stored in a horizontal state in a storage box 41 of the molded product supply stocker 14, and the molded products 11 are supplied one by one to the transport tray 31 while the transport conveyor 12 is in operation.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 2, for example, a personal computer is used as the control unit 16. Various information for controlling the operation of the automatic transporting and supplying device 10 and various information for starting the processing mechanism 23 of the molded product post-processing device 21 are stored in the memory unit 16A of the control unit 16. A keyboard, a mouse, or the like connected to the personal computer is used as the input unit 16B of the control unit 16. A display screen of the personal computer is used as the display unit 16C of the control unit 16. The control unit 16 may be formed by incorporating electronic components such as a CPU and a memory into the automatic transporting and supplying device 10.

[0026] As shown in the figure, for example, a detection sensor 13 is connected to the input terminal side of the control unit 16. The detection sensor 13 is disposed on the processing table 22 for the purpose of detecting the molded product 11 transported to the processing table 22. As the detection sensor 13, for example, a non-contact infrared sensor or a mechanical sensor using a switch that detects the molded product 11 by contacting it, etc., is used.

[0027] For example, the processing mechanism 23 of the molded product post-processing device 21, the transport conveyor 12, and the movable arm 15 are connected to the output terminal side of the control unit 16. When a detection signal is input from the detection sensor 13, the control unit 16 performs calculations and starts up the processing mechanism 23. In addition, the transport conveyor 12 is connected to the output terminal of the control unit 16, and the control unit 16 controls the power supply to the transport conveyor 12, the transport speed, etc.

[0028] Incidentally, movable arm 15 is connected to an output terminal of control unit 16, and control unit 16 also controls movable arm 15 based on a detection signal from detection sensor 13. The structure and operation of movable arm 15 will be described later with reference to Fig. 7C.

[0029] 3, a bottle labeler machine 20 with the product name Bottle Labeler BLG502 manufactured by STK Trading Co., Ltd. is used as the molded product post-processing device 21 in this embodiment. The bottle labeler machine 20 mainly includes a processing table 22 composed of two rotating rollers 22A, a processing mechanism 23 disposed above the processing table 22, a discharge tray 24 for discharging the molded product 11 after processing, and a positioning stopper 25 for fixing the molded product 11 to the processing position.

[0030] The processing mechanism 23 includes a pressing roller unit 23A that fixes the molded product 11 that is transported to a desired processing position on the processing table 22 and positioned by the positioning stopper 25, and a label supply mechanism 23B that feeds out a label 26 to be affixed to the molded product 11. With this structure, in the bottle labeler machine 20, the rotating roller 22A rotates while the molded product 11 on the processing table 22 is fixed by the pressing roller unit 23A. Then, the molded product 11 rotates on the rotating roller 22A on the processing table 22, and the label 26 is supplied from the label supply mechanism 23B between the pressing roller unit 23A and the molded product 11, so that the label 26 is affixed to a desired position on the molded product 11. Thereafter, the rotating roller 22A rotates in the reverse direction, and the molded product 11 to which the label 26 is affixed is discharged from the bottle labeler machine 20 using the discharge tray 24, and the pressing roller unit 23A rises to a standby position.

[0031] Fig. 4 is a side view illustrating the transport conveyor 12 of the automatic transport supply device 10 of this embodiment. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the transport conveyor 12 of the automatic transport supply device 10 of this embodiment, showing a cross section along the line AA shown in Fig. 4.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 4, the conveyor 12 mainly comprises a conveying tray 31, a conveying belt 32 arranged inside the conveying tray 31, a plurality of pulleys 33 supporting the conveying belt 32, a frame portion 34 supporting the conveying tray 31 and the pulleys 33, etc., and a motor (not shown) for driving the conveying belt 32.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 5, the conveying tray 31 may be, for example, a tray having a shape obtained by dividing a cylindrical PVC pipe in half in the length direction. The conveying tray 31 is curved to wrap and protect the molded product 11 from below, making it difficult for the molded product 11 to fall off the conveying tray 31. The conveying tray 31 is curved, so that it can support the molded products 11 of various outer diameters from below, as shown by the dotted line. Even if the molded product 11 wobbles left and right on the conveying belt 32, it is difficult for the molded product 11 to fall off the conveying tray 31, and is conveyed stably.

[0034] As shown in the figure, two conveyor belts 32 are arranged inside the conveyor tray 31. The conveyor belts 32 are arranged along the extension direction of the conveyor tray 31 and are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center line 31A of the conveyor tray 31. The molded article 11 is placed on the upper surface of the conveyor belts 32 in the conveyor tray 31 and is floating above the inner peripheral surface of the conveyor tray 31.

[0035] 4, the conveyor belt 32 is disposed in a circular shape via a plurality of pulleys 33 disposed in a frame body portion 34. The pulleys 33 are rotated by a motor fixed to the frame body portion 34 as a drive source, so that the conveyor belt 32 rotates counterclockwise. The conveyor belt 32 is formed of, for example, a rubber material that has a relatively high frictional resistance and is not slippery.

[0036] With this structure, when the molded products 11 are supplied from the molded product supply stocker 14 onto the conveying tray 31, the molded products 11 press the conveying belt 32 from above due to their own weight. The molded products 11 are placed on the upper surface of the conveying belt 32 without slipping due to the frictional resistance between the molded products 11 and the conveying belt 32. Then, as the conveying belt 32 rotates in the conveying direction, the molded products 11 move together with the conveying belt 32 inside the conveying tray 31. As a result, the molded products 11 are continuously supplied from the molded product supply stocker 14 onto the conveying tray 31, and are conveyed vertically in a linked state.

[0037] Although the details will be described later, while the molded product post-processing device 21 is in operation, the conveyor belt 32 constantly rotates in the conveying direction, but while the molded products 11 are being processed on the processing table 22, the multiple molded products 11 in the conveyor tray 31 stop in a state of collision with the molded products 11 in front. During this stopped state, the conveyor belt 32 continues to rotate while slipping against the stopped molded products 11.

[0038] 6 is a side view for explaining the molded product supply stocker 14 of the automatic conveying and supplying device 10 of this embodiment. Note that when explaining the molded product supply stocker 14, FIG.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 6, the molded product supply stocker 14 mainly comprises a storage box 41 for storing a plurality of molded products 11, a supply tray 42 disposed at the outlet of the storage box 41, and a frame portion 34 for supporting the storage box 41.

[0040] The storage box 41 is box-shaped, and stores a plurality of molded products 11 in a stacked state in a horizontal position. The storage box 41 is supported by the frame portion 34 in a state inclined toward the transport conveyor 12. A supply tray 42 is disposed at the exit of the storage box 41, and the molded products 11 are discharged from the storage box 41 to the supply tray 42 one by one.

[0041] As shown in the figure, the supply tray 42 is inclined toward the transport tray 31 side of the transport conveyor 12, and is bent at a substantially right angle above the transport tray 31. The molded product 11 located at the front of the supply tray 42 is placed on the upper surface of the molded product 11 supplied to the transport tray 31.

[0042] On the other hand, the molded article 11 supplied to the conveying tray 31 is placed in a gripped state on two conveying belts 32 in the conveying tray 31. As the conveying belts 32 rotate, the molded article 11 moves in the conveying tray 31 at the rotation speed of the conveying belts 32.

[0043] With this structure, the molded product 11 located at the front of the supply tray 42 falls into the transport tray 31 by its own weight as the molded products 11 in the transport tray 31 move in the transport direction. Then, the second molded product 11 from the front in the supply tray 42 also falls and is placed on the upper surface of the molded product 11 supplied to the transport tray 31.

[0044] That is, in the molded product supply stocker 14, the transfer conveyor 12 is operated to form an empty space on the transfer tray 31, whereby the molded products 11 are automatically supplied from the supply tray 42 to the transfer tray 31.

[0045] The storage box 41 is provided with a stirring mechanism for stirring the stored molded products 11 and a vibration mechanism for shaking the storage box 41, so that the molded products 11 are less likely to clog at the outlet of the storage box 41. The storage box 41 is also provided with an adjustment mechanism that can vary the storage width W1 (see FIG. 1), so that the worker can easily adjust the storage width W1 of the storage box 41 according to the overall length of the molded products 11 to be handled. The molded products 11 are aligned in the storage box 41 by being restricted by the storage width W1, so that the molded products 11 are less likely to clog at the outlet of the storage box 41.

[0046] 7A to 7C are side views for explaining the state in which the molded products 11 are transported from the transport tray 31 of the transport conveyor 12 of the automatic transport and supply device 10 of this embodiment to the processing table 22. For convenience of explanation, a part of the transport tray 31 and the discharge tray 24 (see FIG. 3) are omitted in FIGS. 7A to 7C.

[0047] 7A shows a state in which a part of the molded article 11 located at the front of the transport tray 31 has been moved from the transport tray 31 to the processing table 22. As described above, when a part of the front molded article 11 is placed on the transport belt 32 of the transport tray 31, the front molded article 11 advances on the processing table 22 using the transport belt 32 as a driving source.

[0048] Meanwhile, as shown in the figure, on the conveying tray 31, behind the leading molded product 11, the second molded product 11 advances in the conveying direction with the conveying belt 32 as a driving source in a vertical line state connected to the leading molded product 11. Similarly, the third and subsequent molded products 11 advance in the conveying direction in the above-mentioned vertical line state with the conveying belt 32 as a driving source.

[0049] 7B shows a state in which the molded product 11 located at the front of the conveying tray 31 has completely moved from the conveying tray 31 onto the processing table 22. The front molded product 11 moves completely onto the processing table 22 and separates from the conveying belt 32, causing the front molded product 11 to lose its driving source and stop on the processing table 22.

[0050] Meanwhile, the second molded product 11 becomes the front on the conveying tray 31, and with the conveying belt 32 as the driving source, the front side of the molded product 11 moves to the processing table 22. As described above, the molded products 11 on the conveying tray 31 proceed in a continuous vertical line, and the molded product 11 stopped on the processing table 22 is pushed by the molded product 11 moving from the conveying tray 31, thereby proceeding on the processing table 22.

[0051] Thereafter, the leading molded product 11 to be processed advances to the processing position by being pushed by the succeeding molded products 11. Then, the leading end of the molded product 11 collides with the positioning stopper 25, and the advancement of the molded product 11 stops.

[0052] Here, on the processing table 22, for example, a detection sensor 13 is disposed alongside the positioning stopper 25. The detection sensor 13 is, for example, a mechanical sensor, and a switch 13A at the tip protrudes further toward the processing table 22 than the positioning stopper 25. With this structure, when the detection sensor 13 comes into contact with the molded product 11 before it stops at the processing position, the switch 13A at the tip is pressed, and the molded product 11 is detected. Then, the detection sensor 13 transmits the detection signal to the control unit 16 (see FIG. 2). As described above, the control unit 16 performs calculation processing and starts the processing mechanism 23 in response to the detection signal input from the detection sensor 13.

[0053] With this control method, the switch 13A of the detection sensor 13 is pressed to start the processing mechanism 23 before the molded product 11 reaches the processing position on the processing table 22, thereby shortening the takt time and cycle time and improving the yield. Note that the detection sensor 13 may be, for example, an infrared sensor instead of a mechanical sensor, which irradiates the tip of the molded product 11 with infrared rays to detect the molded product 11. Furthermore, the timing of detection by the detection sensor 13 may be simultaneous with the molded product 11 stopping at the processing position.

[0054] 7C shows a state in which the molded products 11 to be processed are fixed at the processing position on the processing table 22. As described above, the leading molded product 11 to be processed advances to the processing position by being pushed by the succeeding molded products 11. Then, the leading end of the molded product 11 collides with the positioning stopper 25, thereby stopping the advancement of the molded products 11.

[0055] Furthermore, by starting the processing mechanism 23 via the detection sensor 13 before the molded product 11 stops, the pressing roller unit 23A starts to descend from the standby position, and the molded product 11 that has reached the processing position is fixed between the two rotating rollers 22A and the pressing roller unit 23A. At this time, the processing mechanism 23 can detect the start position of attaching the label 26 (see FIG. 3) to the molded product 11 using, for example, a position sensor (not shown) and fine-tune the fixing position of the molded product 11 by rotating the rotating roller 22A. The timing of detection by the detection sensor 13 can be arbitrarily changed in design according to the settings on the molded product post-processing device 21 side, such as the moving speed and moving distance of the pressing roller unit 23A.

[0056] 3, in the bottle labeler machine 20, after the label 26 is affixed to the desired position of the molded product 11, the rotating roller 22A rotates in the reverse direction, and the processed molded product 11 is discharged from the bottle labeler machine 20 via the discharge tray 24. Then, the pressing roller unit 23A moves up to the standby position.

[0057] Here, a movable arm 15 is also disposed on the shaft portion supporting the pressure roller portion 23A. The movable arm 15 operates together with the pressure roller portion 23A based on a detection signal from the detection sensor 13. The movable arm 15 is a plate-like body, and moves up and down toward the boundary portion of the molded products 11 successively arranged on the processing table 22.

[0058] As described above, there are many different bottle shapes for the molded product 11, including a bottle with a bottom surface that is recessed toward the center. When the molded products 11 are arranged in succession, the head of the bottle to be processed may get stuck in the recessed portion of the bottom surface of the following bottle. When the molded product 11 after processing is discharged from the processing table 22, it may get caught by the following molded product 11 and not be discharged smoothly.

[0059] Therefore, as shown in the figure, the movable arm 15 descends together with the pressing roller portion 23A to separate the succeeding molded product 11 from the preceding molded product 11. Then, the movable arm 15 rotates the rotating roller 22A in the reverse direction while the molded products 11 are separated from each other, so that the molded product 11 after the processing is smoothly discharged from the processing table 22. After that, the succeeding molded product 11 is released from the restriction by the movable arm 15 and moves to the processing position of the processing table 22. Note that the movable arm 15 is not limited to being disposed on the shaft portion with the pressing roller portion 23A and moving together with the pressing roller portion 23A. For example, the movable arm 15 may be formed as a separate body from the pressing roller portion 23A and may move up and down independently. In this case, the movable arm 15 may separate the succeeding molded product 11 from the preceding molded product 11 at least until the processing of the molded product 11 to be processed is completed.

[0060] In addition, when the bottles of the molded products 11 do not have the above-mentioned recessed portions, the molded products 11 after processing can be smoothly discharged from the processing table 22 even if the adjacent bottles are not separated by the movable arm 15. Therefore, the movable arm 15 is not an essential structure for the automatic conveying and feeding device 10.

[0061] Finally, the leading molded product 11 is fixed at the processing position on the processing table 22, and while the molding is being processed, the succeeding molded products 11 on the processing table 22 and the conveying tray 31 are stopped. After that, the processing of the leading molded product 11 is completed in the molded product post-processing device 21, and the stopped succeeding molded products 11 are discharged from the processing table 22, and start moving again using the conveying belt 32 as a driving source. The molded products 11 are conveyed to the processing position on the processing table 22 while repeatedly stopping and moving, thereby realizing automation of the bottle labeler machine 20. Furthermore, by repeating the above-mentioned stopping and moving of the molded products 11, the molded products 11 are arranged in a continuous vertical line, and the above-mentioned automatic conveyance to the processing table 22 is realized.

[0062] In the automatic conveying and feeding device 10 of this embodiment, the molded products 11 are automatically and appropriately fed from the molded product supply stocker 14 to the feeding conveyor 12, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the molded products 11 may be made of a highly adhesive material, making it difficult to stably feed the molded products 11 from the molded product supply stocker 14. In this case, the automatic conveying and feeding device 10 of this embodiment may allow an operator to directly place the molded products 11 on the feeding conveyor 12. In this case, the automatic conveying and feeding device 10 is semi-automatic rather than fully automatic, but the supply of the molded products 11 to the processing table 22 is performed as described above, and similar effects can be obtained.

[0063] In addition, the case where the molded product 11 is transported to the processing table 22 of the bottle labeler machine 20 via the transport conveyor 12 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this case. For example, in the case of a molded product 11 that cannot be transported by the transport conveyor 12, such as a jar container, an operator may stop the transport conveyor 12, directly place the molded product 11 on the processing table 22, and perform processing. In other words, in the automatic transport and supply device 10 of this embodiment, for a molded product 11 that cannot be transported by the transport conveyor 12, the bottle labeler machine 20 can be immediately used as a conventional manual machine simply by stopping the transport conveyor 12. As a result, the bottle labeler machine 20 can be easily used as an automatic machine or a manual machine at the discretion of an operator at the work site.

[0064] In addition, although the molded product post-processing device 21 has been described using the bottle labeler machine 20, the present invention is not limited to this case. As the molded product post-processing device 21, other printing machines or printers such as laser marking machines, hot stamp machines, and pad printers can be used. As the molded product post-processing device 21, mechanical processing machines that perform hole punching and the like, and surface treatment machines such as corona discharge devices can also be used. In other words, as long as the molded product 11 can be transported using the transport conveyor 12 of this embodiment, it can be handled by arranging the processing table of the molded product post-processing device 21 next to the automatic transport and supply device 10.

[0065] Also, although a case has been described in which one molded product 11 to be processed and a part of a succeeding molded product 11 move onto the processing table 22 of the molded product post-processing device 21, the present invention is not limited to this case. For example, in addition to the one molded product 11 to be processed, one or more molded products 11 may be kept waiting on the processing table 22. Even in this case, the molded product 11 on the processing table 22 can move on the processing table 22 by being pushed by the molded product 11 on the succeeding transfer conveyor 12. In addition, various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 10 Automatic conveying and supplying device 11 Molded products 12 Transport conveyor 13 Detection sensor 14 Molding product supply stocker 15 Movable Arm 16 Control section 16A Storage section 16B Input section 20 Bottle Labeler Machine 21 Molded product post-processing equipment 22 Processing table 22A Rotating roller 23 Processing Organization 23A Presser roller 23B Label supply mechanism 24 Output Tray 25 Positioning stopper 26 Label 31 Transport Tray 32 Conveyor belt 33 Pulley 34 Frame body part 41 Storage Box 42 Supply Tray

Claims

1. An automatic label application device having an automatic conveying and feeding device capable of automatically conveying a molded product lying down to a processing position on a processing table, a conveyor for the automatic transfer and supply device, which is arranged in parallel with and spaced from the processing table in a transfer direction of the molded product on the processing table, and which has a driving means for automatically transferring the molded product; a detection sensor that is disposed on the processing table and detects the molded product to be processed before the molded product to be processed that is transported to the processing table arrives at the processing position or simultaneously when the molded product arrives at the processing position; An automatic label application device equipped with an automatic conveying and supplying device, characterized in that the transport conveyor transports the molded product to be processed to the processing table across a space separated from the processing table, and then automatically transports the subsequent molded product located on the transport conveyor toward the processing table, and pushes the molded product to be processed on the processing table from behind, causing the molded product to reach the processing position.

2. A movable arm that moves in a vertical direction relative to the processing table is provided.

2. The automatic label application device equipped with an automatic conveying and supplying device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the movable arm is lowered until the automatic label application device finishes labeling the molded product to be processed, thereby separating the subsequent molded product on the transport conveyor from the molded product to be processed on the processing table.

3. A method for labeling a molded product using an automatic labeling device equipped with a conveyor capable of automatically transporting a molded product lying on its side to a processing position on a processing table, comprising: an operation as an automatic machine that automatically transports the succeeding molded product located on the transport conveyor toward the processing table, pushes the molded product to be processed on the processing table from behind, and detects the arrival of the molded product to be processed at the processing position by a detection sensor disposed on the processing table, and performs a label attachment operation on the molded product to be processed; A method for labeling molded products using an automatic labeling device, characterized in that it is possible to switch between operating the device as a manual machine in which an operator manually places the molded product to be processed at the processing position and performs the labeling operation on the molded product to be processed without using a transport conveyor, and operating the device as a manual machine in which an operator manually places the molded product to be processed at the processing position and performs the labeling operation on the molded product to be processed, without using a transport conveyor.

4. The automatic label application device includes a movable arm that moves in an upward and downward direction relative to the processing table, 4. The method for labeling a molded product using an automatic labeling device as described in claim 3, wherein the movable arm is lowered until the automatic labeling device finishes labeling the molded product to be processed, thereby separating the subsequent molded product on the transport conveyor from the molded product to be processed on the processing table.

5. A printing apparatus equipped with an automatic conveying and feeding device capable of automatically conveying a molded product in a lying state to a processing position on a processing table, a conveyor for the automatic transfer and supply device, which is arranged in parallel with and spaced from the processing table in a transfer direction of the molded product on the processing table, and which has a driving means for automatically transferring the molded product; a detection sensor that is disposed on the processing table and detects the molded product to be processed before the molded product to be processed that is transported to the processing table arrives at the processing position or simultaneously when the molded product arrives at the processing position; A printing device equipped with an automatic conveying and supplying device, characterized in that the transport conveyor transports the molded product to be processed to the processing table across a space separated from the processing table, and then automatically transports the subsequent molded product located on the transport conveyor toward the processing table, and pushes the molded product to be processed on the processing table from behind, causing the molded product to reach the processing position.

6. A printing apparatus equipped with an automatic conveying and feeding device capable of automatically conveying a molded product lying on its side to a processing position on a processing table, a conveyor for the automatic transfer and supply device, which is arranged in parallel with and spaced from the processing table in a transfer direction of the molded product on the processing table, and which has a driving means for automatically transferring the molded product; a detection sensor that is disposed on the processing table and detects the molded product to be processed before the molded product to be processed that is transported to the processing table arrives at the processing position or simultaneously when the molded product arrives at the processing position; A printing device equipped with an automatic transport and supply device, characterized in that the transport conveyor transports the molded product to be processed to the processing table across a space separated from the processing table, and then automatically transports the subsequent molded product located on the transport conveyor toward the processing table, and pushes the molded product to be processed on the processing table from behind, causing the molded product to reach the processing position.

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