Film roll supply device, film supply system, and film roll

Abstract

To provide a film roll feeding apparatus capable of ensuring detection of mismatching between product information of a registered film roll and product information included in roll specific information added to a film roll automatically fed by a conveyance device.SOLUTION: A film roll feeding apparatus 10 comprises: a second conveyance device 14b that conveys and feeds a film roll R to film delivery devices 50a, 50b; a first reading device 34 provided to an adhesive tape retaining the winding end of a belt-like film on the roll outer peripheral surface so as to read information specifying a film roll from a roll side information medium having information specifying the film roll R in the film roll R fed to the film delivery devices 50a, 50b by the second conveyance device 14b; and a data processing device that stores and manages first information read by the first reading device 34 in a storage device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a film roll supply device that supplies a film roll of a strip-shaped film wound into a roll to a film delivery device, a film delivery system that includes a film roll supply device and a film delivery device, and a film roll used in the film delivery system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a label application system has been known in which a strip-shaped, cylindrical label film is folded into a sheet and wound into a roll, and the strip film is unwound from a film roll, cut into predetermined lengths to produce individual labels, and then the labels are opened into a cylindrical shape and applied to containers such as PET bottles. The labels are formed, for example, from shrink film, and are fitted onto the container and then heated, causing the labels to thermally shrink and adhere closely to the outer peripheral surface of the container. In another example, a film roll of a strip-shaped film consisting of a series of non-cylindrical labels is supplied to the label application system, and the strip film unwound from the film roll is cut into predetermined lengths, and the resulting labels are wrapped around the container and attached by joining the label ends together.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a label attachment system that includes a label attachment machine that unwinds long, flat labels from a label winding that has been wound up with multiple long, flat labels connected by seam members, cuts the labels to a predetermined length, opens the labels, and attaches them to an object such as a container to be attached, to produce a labeled item; a reading sensor that reads information stored in a storage medium on the label winding that has the long, flat labels attached; a detection sensor that detects seam-attached items that have labels including seam members attached, among the labeled items; and a data processing device that can output information about seam-attached items that were not detected by the detection sensor, based on the number of seam members read by the reading sensor and the number of seam-attached items detected by the detection sensor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4766738 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In label application systems such as those described above, it has been common for film rolls, which are strip-shaped films wound into rolls, to be supplied manually. However, it is conceivable to configure the system so that film rolls are supplied automatically using a transport device such as a transport robot, thereby reducing the labor required to operate the label application system.

[0006] In this case, it is preferable to be able to confirm whether the film roll automatically supplied by the transport device is of the same type as the film roll currently being delivered by the film delivery device.

[0007] One object of the present invention is to provide a film roll supplying device that can confirm whether the film roll automatically supplied by the conveying device is of the same type as the film roll currently being fed by the film feeding device.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a film supply system that can more accurately remove spliced items by taking into account the fact that the number of splices increases by one when automatically supplying a film roll wrapped with a strip of tubular label film folded into a sheet, joining the strips of film together, and resuming feeding.

[0009] A further object of the present invention is to make it possible to read information identifying a film roll from a film roll that is automatically fed by a transport device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A film roll supply device according to an aspect of the present invention is a film roll supply device that supplies a film roll in which a strip-shaped film is wound in a roll shape to a film delivery device, and includes a transport device that transports and supplies the film roll to the film delivery device, and the transport device is provided on an adhesive tape that holds the end of the strip-shaped film at the end of winding on the outer peripheral surface of the roll in the film roll supplied to the film delivery device. A first reading device that reads information for identifying the film roll from a roll-side information medium having information for identifying the film roll, and a data processing device that stores the first information read by the first reading device in a storage unit and manages the information.

[0011] A film supply system according to another aspect of the present invention is a film supply system including the film roll supply device having the above configuration, and a film delivery device that connects and delivers a strip-shaped film fed out from the film roll supplied by the film roll supply device to a strip-shaped film of a film roll that has already been delivered using a joint member. The roll-side information medium includes information on the number of joints of the strip-shaped film wound around the film roll, the first reading device is configured to read information on the number of joints of the strip-shaped film from the roll-side information medium, the film delivery device further includes a joint detector that detects a joint member provided on the strip-shaped film sent out from the film roll, and a determination unit of the data processing device determines whether the number of joints detected by the joint detector matches the number obtained by adding 1 to the number of joints read by the first reading device.

[0012] A film roll according to yet another aspect of the present invention is a film roll formed by winding a strip of film into a roll, in which multiple strips of film are connected by seam members, and the end of the wound strip of film is secured to the outer circumferential surface of the roll by adhesive tape affixed to the center of the width of the strip of film, and the adhesive tape is provided with a roll-side information medium having information identifying the film roll. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the film roll supply device of the present invention, it is possible to confirm whether the film roll automatically supplied by the transport device is of the same type as the film roll currently being fed by the film feeding device.

[0014] Furthermore, with the film supply system of the present invention, when a film roll wrapped with a strip of tubular label film folded into a sheet is automatically supplied, the strips of film are joined together, and feeding is resumed, it is possible to more accurately remove spliced items by taking into account that the number of seams will increase by one.

[0015] Furthermore, with the film roll according to the present invention, it is possible to read information identifying the film roll from the adhesive tape that fastens the strip of film to the outer surface of the roll when the film roll is automatically supplied by the conveying device, and it is possible to determine the suitability of the film roll based on the product type information contained in this information. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of a label attachment system. [Figure 2] 1(a) to 1(c) are perspective views showing film rolls according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] 1(a) and 1(b) are plan views of adhesive tapes that fasten the winding end of a film roll to the outer circumferential surface of the roll. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a packaging box for a film roll. [Figure 5] 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which four flap portions of the packaging box shown in FIG. 4 are opened. FIG. [Figure 6] 6(a) is a perspective view showing how the film roll with the inner bag is removed from the packaging box shown in FIG. 5 by the second conveying device, and FIG. 6(b) is a front view showing the chuck head of the second conveying device. [Figure 7] 10(a) to 10(c) are schematic diagrams showing, in stages, how the mouth of the inner bag is opened in an inner bag opening device included in the film roll supplying device to expose the film roll. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the operation of a film fastening tape peeling device that constitutes the film feeding device. [Figure 9] 8A to 8C are diagrams showing the operation of the film fastening tape peeling device that constitutes the film feeding device. [Figure 10] Continuing from FIG. 9, this figure shows the operation of the film fastening tape peeling device that constitutes the film feeding device. [Figure 11] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing the operation of the film fastening tape peeling device that constitutes the film feeding device. [Figure 12] 11A to 11C are diagrams showing the operation of the film fastening tape peeling device that constitutes the film feeding device. [Figure 13] 12A to 12C are diagrams showing the operation of the film fastening tape peeling device that constitutes the film feeding device. [Figure 14] 13A to 13C are diagrams showing the operation of the film connection device including the film fastening tape peeling device that constitutes the film feeding device. [Figure 15] 14A to 14C are diagrams showing the operation of the film connection device including the film fastening tape peeling device that constitutes the film feeding device. [Figure 16] 15A to 15C are diagrams showing the operation of the film connection device including the film fastening tape peeling device that constitutes the film feeding device. [Figure 17]16A to 16C are diagrams showing the operation of the film connection device including the film fastening tape peeling device that constitutes the film feeding device. [Figure 18] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a film supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure executed in a control unit of the film roll supplying device. [Figure 20] FIG. 1(a) is a plan view showing film rolls stacked on a pallet, and FIG. 1(b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof. [Figure 21] 21 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure executed in a control unit of the film roll supplying device when the film roll is supplied in the form shown in FIG. 20. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this description, specific shapes, materials, numerical values, directions, etc. are examples for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and can be appropriately changed according to the application, purpose, specifications, etc. Furthermore, when multiple embodiments or variations are included below, it is assumed from the beginning that their characteristic parts can be used in appropriate combination.

[0018] Fig. 1 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of a label application system 200. The label application system 200 is a system that applies cylindrical shrink labels to containers such as PET bottles. As shown in Fig. 1, the label application system 200 includes a film supply system 100 including a film roll supply device 10 and film delivery devices 50a and 50b, a label application device 60, a container conveying device 70, and first and second heating devices 78a and 78b.

[0019] The film roll supplying device 10 is a device for automatically supplying film rolls to the film delivery devices 50a and 50b. The film roll supplying device 10 is a device that removes the film roll R, which has been delivered in a packaged state to the factory where the label attachment system 200 is installed, from a packaging box, which is an outer packaging body, and transports and supplies the film roll R to the film delivery devices 50a and 50b.

[0020] 2(a) to 2(c) are perspective views showing a film roll R according to this embodiment. The film roll R shown in Fig. 2(a) and 2(b) is a strip-shaped film F, which is made by folding a strip-shaped, cylindrical shrink label film into a sheet and winding it into a roll.

[0021] In the film roll R, for example, a 1000 m long strip of film F is wound around a cylindrical cardboard tube PP. The strip of film F wound around the film roll R is connected by a plurality of seam members. Specifically, for example, one to five seam members are used to connect the plurality of strips of film F. A suitable seam member is, for example, a metal tape having an adhesive layer formed on a metal substrate such as aluminum foil. Note that the strip of film F wound around the film roll R may also be a single seamless strip of film.

[0022] In this embodiment, the film roll R is wound with a roll width Wr that is wider than the folded diameter Wf, which is the width of the strip film F folded into a sheet. Specifically, the folded diameter Wf of the strip film F is, for example, 114 mm, and the film is wound so that the roll width Wr is wider than that by, for example, d = 20 mm. The film roll R shown in FIG. 2(a) shows an example in which one widthwise edge of the winding end of the strip film is fastened in a state where it coincides with one axial end face of the film roll R, while the film roll R shown in FIG. 2(b) shows an example in which the other widthwise edge of the winding end of the strip film is fastened in a state where it coincides with the other axial end face of the film roll R, but this is not limiting. The film roll R may also be fastened in a state in which both side edges of the winding end are positioned inside both axial end faces of the film roll R.

[0023] A film roll R having a roll width Wr wider than the folded diameter Wf of the strip film F can be manufactured by winding the strip film F around a paper tube PP while reciprocating the transport path of the strip film F by a predetermined distance d in the width direction, or by winding the paper tube PP while reciprocating the predetermined distance d in the axial direction. This type of winding method is also called vibration winding. When the film roll R is wound with the splice members connecting the strip film F concentrated in the widthwise central region, this vibration-wound film roll R can effectively prevent or suppress the roll surface from curving outward in the widthwise central region.

[0024] The film roll shown in Fig. 2(c) is a roll of strip film F, which is made up of a series of non-cylindrical labels. In this case, the roll width Wr is approximately the same as the width Wf of the strip film F. The strip film F wound in this manner is unwound from the film roll R and cut to a predetermined length to produce individual labels, which are then wrapped around containers and attached to the containers by joining the label ends together.

[0025] As shown in Figures 2(a) to 2(c), the winding end of the strip film F is secured to the outer circumferential surface of the roll by an adhesive tape T affixed to the center of the folded diameter or width Wf of the strip film F. The adhesive tape T may be the same as the metal tape used to connect strips of film F. However, the adhesive tape T may also be configured by providing an adhesive layer on a resin, cloth, or paper substrate.

[0026] 3(a) and 3(b) are plan views of adhesive tapes that fasten the winding end of a film roll to the outer circumferential surface of the roll. As shown in FIG. 3(a), the adhesive tape T is provided with a roll-side information medium 30. The roll-side information medium 30 is displayed or placed on the outer surface of the substrate of the adhesive tape T by printing or the like. The roll-side information medium 30 is preferably configured with, for example, a QR code (registered trademark). However, the roll-side information medium 30 is not limited to this, and other information media such as a barcode, an IC tag, or an RFID tag may also be used.

[0027] The information stored in the roll-side information medium 30 includes information that identifies the film roll R (hereinafter referred to as "roll identification information" as appropriate). The roll identification information includes, for example, type information of the object to which the label produced from the film roll R is attached (for example, a product name, etc., hereinafter simply referred to as "product type information"), the manufacturer of the film roll R, and a production lot number. In addition to this, the roll identification information may also include information such as the manufacturing location, manufacturing date, manufacturing time, minute, and second, and the product name to which the label is attached.

[0028] The information stored in the roll-side information medium 30 may also include at least one of information on the number of splices in the strip film F wound around the film roll R and information on the film length from the winding end of the strip film F to the position of the splice member. As shown in Fig. 3, this information may be displayed on the surface of the adhesive tape T as a table including splice positions 1 to 5, splice positions (meters), and the number of splices. By displaying in this manner, an operator or the like can easily visually recognize the number of splices and splice positions in the film roll.

[0029] Furthermore, product type information such as the product name (here exemplified as XXXXXX), the production lot number (here exemplified as △△△△△), the folded diameter (here exemplified as □□□ mm), etc., to which labels produced from the strip film F wound around the film roll R will be attached may be displayed on the surface of the adhesive tape T. By displaying in this manner, an operator or the like can easily visually recognize the product type information to which labels produced from the strip film F wound around the film roll R will be attached, the production lot number of the film roll R, the folded diameter Wf, etc.

[0030] However, the information on the number of splices and splice positions mentioned above, as well as the product name, manufacturing lot number, and folding diameter, need only be included in the information stored in the roll-side information medium 30, and it may be omitted from being displayed on the adhesive tape T.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3(b), an identification mark 32 may be additionally attached to the surface of the adhesive tape T at a position adjacent to the roll-side information medium 30. In the example shown in FIG. 3(b), the identification mark 32 is configured with a blackened rectangle and a circle, but the mark may include other shapes. This identification mark 32 serves to clearly identify the roll-side information medium 30 so that, when the roll-side information medium 30 is read by a reading device, a QR code (registered trademark) included on a label constituting the strip film F is not read. The position of the identification mark 32 is not limited to a position adjacent to the roll-side information medium 30, but may also be displayed somewhere in the margin of the outer periphery of the adhesive tape T.

[0032] 1, the film roll supply device 10 includes a transfer device 16, an unpacking device 12, a first transfer device 14a, and a second transfer device 14b. The transfer device 16 transfers the film roll R packed in the packaging box 1 along a substantially U-shaped transfer path.

[0033] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a packaging box for the film roll R. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the state in which the four flap portions of the packaging box shown in Fig. 4 are opened. As shown in Fig. 4, the film roll R is delivered to a factory where the label attachment system 200 is installed in a state in which it is stored in a packaging box 1, which is an outer packaging body.

[0034] The packaging box 1 has, for example, a square shape when viewed from above and side walls 2 surrounding the box on all four sides. A suitable packaging box 1 is, for example, a cardboard box, but is not limited thereto. A plastic container or the like may also be used. As shown in FIG. 5, the packaging box 1 has four flaps 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d connected to the upper edge of the side wall 2. As shown in FIG. 4, these flaps 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d are secured in a closed state by adhesive tapes 4a and 4b. Although not shown, the packaging box 1 also has four flaps connected to the lower edge of the side wall 2. When these flaps are secured in a closed state by adhesive tapes 4c and 4d, the bottom of the packaging box 1 is formed. Note that the adhesive tapes 4b and 4d may be omitted in the packaging box 1, and the four flaps may be secured only by the adhesive tapes 4a and 4c.

[0035] A tack label 8 is attached to the side wall 2 of the packaging box 1, and an exterior body-side information medium 9 is provided on the tack label 8. As with the roll-side information medium 30 described above, the exterior body-side information medium 9 stores information such as the number of seams, the seam positions, and the film length up to the seam positions, as well as information identifying the film roll R (e.g., product type information, production lot number, etc.). The exterior body-side information medium 9 can be configured, for example, with a barcode, a QR code (registered trademark), an IC tag, an RFID tag, etc. Furthermore, the tack label 8 may display, in text, the name of the product to which a label produced from the strip film F wound around the film roll R will be attached, and information identifying the film roll R (e.g., product type information, production lot number, etc.).

[0036] As shown in Fig. 5, the film roll R is housed in the packaging box 1 while being placed in the inner bag 5. By packaging the film roll R in the packaging box 1 while being placed in the inner bag 5 in this manner, it is possible to prevent the end surface and outer periphery of the film winding of the film roll R from coming into direct contact with the inner wall surface of the packaging box 1 and being damaged. The inner bag 5 is preferably made of, for example, a bag made of synthetic resin (e.g., a plastic bag). In this embodiment, it is preferable that the opening of the inner bag 5 is not sealed, but is pushed inside the cardboard tube PP of the film roll R (see Fig. 7).

[0037] Referring back to FIG. 1 , packing boxes 1 packed with film rolls R are stacked on a pallet and placed within the circular operating range K1 of a first conveying device 14a. The first conveying device 14a is preferably configured, for example, by an articulated arm robot. The first conveying device 14a has a chuck head at the tip of its arm, which can pick up packing boxes 1 one by one and place them at the starting position 16a of the transfer path of the transfer device 16. When the packing box 1 is placed at the starting position 16a of the transfer device 16, the outer body-side information medium 9 of the tack label 8 attached to the packing box 1 is read by a second reading device 11. The information read from the outer body-side information medium 9 by the second reading device 11 is sent to a data processing device of the film roll supplying device 10, which will be described later. Here, the information read from the outer body-side information medium 9 by the second reading device 11 corresponds to the "second information" in this invention.

[0038] Thereafter, the packaging box 1 is transported by the transport device 16 and is stopped once it reaches the unpacking device 12. The unpacking device 12 is a device that unpacks the film roll R packaged in an outer packaging body. The unpacking device 12 includes a tape cutting station 12a and a flap opening station 12b. The tape cutting station 12a and the flap opening station 12b are installed on the transport path of the packaging box 1 by the transport device 16.

[0039] At the tape cutting station 12a, the adhesive tapes 4a and 4b securing the two flap portions 3a and 3c that close the top surface of the packaging box 1 are cut by a cutter mechanism (not shown). It is preferable to use an ultrasonic cutter for the cutter mechanism so as not to damage the film roll R that is the content of the packaging box 1, but this is not limited to this and a cutter equipped with a blade may also be used. The packaging box 1 from which the adhesive tapes 4a and 4b have been cut at the tape cutting station 12a is transferred by the transfer device 16 to the flap opening station 12b.

[0040] It is preferable that the tape cutting station 12a is configured to cut the adhesive tapes 4a and 4b attached to the top surface of the packaging box 1 as well as the adhesive tapes 4c and 4d attached to the bottom surface of the packaging box 1. This makes it possible to easily and reliably fold the empty packaging box 1, from which the film roll R as its contents has been removed, into a flat state and store it.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 5, the flap opening station 12b has the function of opening the four upper flaps 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d of the packaging box 1. Specifically, the flaps 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d are lifted by four suction nozzles (not shown) while being sucked, and the suction nozzles are moved outward from the side wall 2 to open the flaps 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d. In this state, a pressing member (not shown) bends the flaps 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d so as to press them against the side wall 2 of the packaging box 1. As a result, the flaps 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d are opened while being extended obliquely downward from the side wall 2, as shown in Fig. 6.

[0042] 1, the packing box 1, whose four flap portions 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d have been opened in the flap opening station 12b, is transferred to the terminal position 16b of the transfer path by the transfer device 16 and is stopped by a stopper (not shown). Then, at this terminal position 16b, the film roll R containing the inner bag is removed from the packing box 1 by the second conveying device 14b.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 5, the second conveying device 14b has a function of taking out the film roll R from the unpacked packing box 1 and conveying and setting it at the roll stock position SP. In addition to this, the film roll supply device 10 is provided with an inner bag opening device 18, and the second conveying device 14b has a function of conveying the film roll R with the inner bag taken out from the packing box 1 to the inner bag opening device 18. Note that the second conveying device 14b corresponds to the conveying device in the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 6(a) is a perspective view showing a state in which the film roll R with the inner bag is taken out from the packing box 1 shown in FIG. 3 by the second conveying device 14b, and FIG. 6(b) is a front view showing the chuck head of the second conveying device 14b.

[0045] Similar to the first conveying device 14a, the second conveying device 14b is preferably configured by, for example, an articulated arm robot. The second conveying device 14b is installed adjacent to the first conveying device 14a and at a position where the circular K2 of the second conveying device 14b overlaps with the operating range K1 of the first conveying device 14a. As shown in FIG. 6(a), the second conveying device 14 is provided with a chuck head 22 at the tip of the arm 20, and the chuck head 22 can chuck the film roll R with the inner bag and the film roll R exposed from the mouth of the inner bag 5.

[0046] More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), the chuck head 22 has a head base 23, four inner chuck claws 24 and four outer chuck claws 25 that are movably provided on the head base 23. A drive mechanism (not shown) for opening and closing the inner chuck claws 24 and the outer chuck claws 25 in the direction of the arrows is installed on the head base 23. The inner chuck claws 24 can be inserted inside the paper tube PP of the film roll R and open to contact the inner surface of the paper tube PP to chuck the film roll R. The outer chuck claws 25 can close from the outer diameter side of the film roll R and contact the roll outer peripheral surface via the inner bag 5 (or directly) to chuck the film roll R.

[0047] In addition, in this embodiment, an example in which both the inner chuck claws 24 and the outer chuck claws 25 are provided on the chuck head 22 of the second transfer device 14b has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and only one of them (for example, only the inner chuck claws 24) may be provided.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 6(a), at the terminal position 16b of the transfer device 16, the film roll R with the inner bag is chucked by the chuck head 22 of the second transfer device 14b, and in this state, the chuck head 22 moves upward to take out the film roll R with the inner bag from the packing box 1. At this time, it is preferable to adopt a configuration in which the packing box 1 is held by sucking the lower surface of the packing box 1 or sandwiching it with a holding member (not shown) so that the packing box 1 does not lift up.

[0049] FIGS. 7(a) to 7(c) are schematic diagrams showing step by step a state in which the mouth portion of the inner bag 5 is opened and the film roll R is exposed in the inner bag opening device 18 included in the film roll supply device 10.

[0050] The film roll R with an inner bag taken out from the packing box 1 is conveyed by the second conveying device 14b and placed on the mounting table 26 of the inner bag opening device 18 as shown in Fig. 7(a). For example, four cylindrical support pins 27 (only three are shown in Figs. 7(a) to (c)) are erected on the mounting table 26 at equal pitches in the circumferential direction, and the film roll R is placed in a state where the upper end surfaces of the support pins 27 are in contact with the lower surface of the film roll R via the inner bag 5.

[0051] As shown in Fig. 7(a), the inner bag opening device 18 includes four suction nozzles 28 (only two are shown in Figs. 7(a) and (b)) and four opening members 29 (only two are shown in Figs. 7(b) and (c)). Each suction nozzle 28 is vertically movable along the vertical direction and is also provided to be horizontally movable. Each opening member 29 is also vertically movable along the vertical direction and is also provided to be horizontally movable.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 7(a), with respect to the film roll R conveyed to the inner bag opening device 18, each suction nozzle 28 moves downward to suck the inner bag 5 covering the upper surface of the film roll R. In this state, when each suction nozzle 28 moves upward, as shown in Fig. 7(b), the inner bag 5 is lifted while the part of the inner bag 5 sucked and held by the suction nozzle 28 changes, and then the mouth portion 5a of the inner bag 5 is opened by the suction nozzle 28 moving horizontally. In this state, the opening member 29 moves downward and is inserted inside the mouth portion 5a of the inner bag 5. Then, as shown in Fig. 7(c), after each opening member 29 moves horizontally to fully open the mouth portion 5a of the inner bag 5, each opening member 29 moves downward. As a result, the mouth portion 5a of the inner bag 5 is pushed down to the vicinity of the support pin 27 of the mounting table 26, and as a result, the film roll R is exposed from the mouth portion 5a of the inner bag 5.

[0053] Thereafter, the film roll R exposed from the opened mouth portion 5a of the inner bag 5 is chucked by the chuck head 22 of the second conveying device 14b, taken out from the inner bag 5, and conveyed to and set at the roll stock position SP described later.

[0054] In the film roll supplying device 10 of this embodiment, the first conveying device 14a may collect the inner bag 5 remaining on the mounting table 26 of the inner bag opening device 18 after the film roll R has been removed, and input it into a predetermined input location 19. In this way, the inner bag 5 remaining after the film roll R has been removed can be automatically collected and input (or stored) into a predetermined location, thereby reducing the number of workers required when the film roll supplying device 10 is in operation.

[0055] Furthermore, in the film roll supply device 10 of this embodiment, the first conveying device 14a may transport and store the empty packing box 1, from the terminal position 16b of the transfer device 16, to a predetermined storage location 15. In this way, the remaining packing box 1, from which the film roll R has been removed, can be automatically transported to the predetermined storage location 15 by the first conveying device 14a and stored therein, thereby reducing the number of workers required when the film roll supply device 10 is in operation.

[0056] The label attachment system 200 includes two film feeding devices 50a, 50b. Each of the film feeding devices 50a, 50b is provided with a roll stock position SP, and the film roll R transported by the second transport device 14b is supplied to and set at each roll stock position SP. Note that the number of film feeding devices may be one.

[0057] A first reading device 34 is provided at a position adjacent to each roll stock position SP. The first reading device 34 has the function of reading information from a roll-side information medium 30 (see FIG. 3(a)) provided on the adhesive tape T affixed to the outer peripheral surface of the film roll R set at the roll stock position SP. The information read from the roll-side information medium 30 of the adhesive tape T by the first reading device 34 is sent to a data processing device of the film roll supplying device 10, which will be described later. Here, the information read from the roll-side information medium 30 by the first reading device 34 corresponds to the "first information" in the present invention.

[0058] The film roll supply device 10 of the label attachment system 200 preferably includes roll discharge devices 17a and 17b. In the film roll supply device 10, if the data processing device determines that the information identifying the film roll R contained in the information read by the second reading device 11 from the exterior body-side information medium 9 on the outer surface of the packaging box 1, or the information identifying the film roll R contained in the information read by the first reading device 34 from the roll-side information medium 30 of the adhesive tape of the film roll R, does not match the product type information already registered in the data processing device 35, the second conveying device 14b removes the film roll R from the roll stock position SP and conveys it to the roll discharge devices 17a and 17b. The roll discharge devices 17a and 17b have the function of conveying the film roll R and discharging it from the film roll supply device 10. The roll discharge devices 17a and 17b are located separately below the roll stock position SP, and the second transport device 14b can place the film roll R on the roll discharge devices 17a and 17b with its axial direction oriented vertically. The film roll R once supplied to the film feeding device 50a is discharged by the roll discharge device 17a, and the film roll R once supplied to the film feeding device 50b is discharged by the roll discharge device 17b.

[0059] The film feeding devices 50a and 50b are devices that pay out the strip film F from the film roll R and supply it to the label attachment device 60. In addition, the film feeding devices 50a and 50b are equipped with a film connecting device that, when the feeding of the strip film F from one film roll R is completed, automatically connects the winding start end of the fed-out strip film F to the winding end end of the strip film F that has been fed from the film roll R that has been transferred from the roll stock position SP to the setup position.

[0060] 2(c), the film roll may be supplied to the roll label supply conveyor 21 (see FIG. 1) by the second transport device 14b, and then transported to the label attachment device 60 by the roll label supply conveyor 21.

[0061] Next, the configuration and operation of the film splicing device of the film feeding devices 50a, 50b will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 17. Figures 8 to 17 are diagrams showing, in stages, the operation of a film splicing device including a film fastening tape peeling device 99 that constitutes the film feeding devices 50a, 50b. Figures 8 to 14 each show a side view at the top and a plan view at the bottom, while Figures 15 to 17 only show the plan view. In Figures 8 to 17, two directions that are orthogonal to each other in a horizontal plane are indicated by arrows X and Y, and the vertical direction is indicated by arrow Z.

[0062] 12, the film splicing device is equipped with a film fastening tape peeling device 99, which has a peeling unit 85. The peeling unit 85 has the function of peeling off the adhesive tape T that fastens the starting end F1, which will be the unwinding end of the strip film F wound around the film roll R that has been transported from the roll set position to the setup position by a roll transport mechanism (not shown), to the outer circumferential surface of the roll, and then unwinding the starting end F1 from the film roll R.

[0063] The film fastening tape peeling device 99 further includes a moving head 87, and the peeling unit 85 is movably connected to the moving head 87. The moving head 87 can be driven in the X direction by a driving device 86 driven by, for example, a linear actuator. The moving head 87 incorporates an air cylinder driven by, for example, compressed air, and this allows the peeling unit 85 to be movably connected to the moving head 87 in the Z direction.

[0064] The film fixing tape peeling device 99 is provided with a tape position detector 81. The tape position detector 81 detects the position in the roll width direction of the adhesive tape T that holds the end portion F1 at the end of winding on the outer peripheral surface of the roll in the film roll R set at the setup position. For the tape position detector 81, for example, a camera can be used, and the position of the adhesive tape T can be detected by analyzing the image captured by this camera. The tape position detector 81 is preferably arranged obliquely upward with respect to the film roll R set at the setup position in the film connection device. Thereby, the tape position detector 81 can be arranged without interfering with the film fixing tape peeling device 99 arranged directly above the film roll R in the vertical direction.

[0065] As described with reference to FIG. 2, the film roll R is wound such that the roll width Wr is wider than the film folding diameter Wf, and since the adhesive tape T is attached to a predetermined position (for example, the central position) in the width direction of the end portion F1 at the end of winding of the strip-shaped film F, the position of the adhesive tape T in the roll width direction may be deviated from the central position of the roll width Wr. Therefore, by detecting the position of the adhesive tape T using the tape position detector 81 in this way and positioning the stop position of the film roll R at the setup position based on this detection result, the insertion plate 88 and the peeling plate 89 of the peeling unit 85 described later can be accurately inserted on both sides of the adhesive tape T, and the peeling operation of the adhesive tape T can be surely performed. Therefore, according to the film roll R of the present embodiment, it is possible to read information such as the number of splices from the adhesive tape T of the film roll R, and even if the adhesive tape T is wound wider than the film folding diameter Wf and the position of the adhesive tape T is deviated from the center position of the roll width Wr, the connection of the strip-shaped films F by the film connection device can be surely performed.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 8, the peeling unit 85 includes an insertion plate 88 formed in a substantially V shape in plan view, a peeling plate 89 disposed along the lower surface of the insertion plate 88 and rotatably provided with respect to the insertion plate 88, and a pair of pressing members 90 installed above the insertion plate 88 and moving in the Z direction so as to advance and retreat with respect to the two tip portions of the substantially V-shaped insertion plate 88. Since the tip portion of the peeling plate 89 is formed in substantially the same shape as one of the two tip portions of the insertion plate 88, in plan view, the two are in a state of overlapping with substantially the same contour.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 8, the peeling unit 85 is moved in the direction of arrow X1 by the driving device 86, and as shown in FIG. 9, the two tip portions of the insertion plate 88 are inserted on both sides of the adhesive tape T that holds the start end portion F1 of the film roll R set at the setup position. In this state, the pair of pressing members 90 are moved downward in the direction of arrow Z1, and the start end portion F1 of the strip-shaped film F is pressed against the two tip portions of the insertion plate 88.

[0068] Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 10, the peeling plate 89 is rotated in the direction of arrow C with respect to the insertion plate 88. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the tip portion of the peeling plate 89 passes under the adhesive tape T that holds the start end portion F1 of the strip-shaped film F, so that the adhesive tape T is peeled from the outer peripheral surface of the film roll R.

[0069] Subsequently, the peeling unit 85 is moved upward in the direction of arrow Z2 to lift the start end portion F1 of the strip-shaped film F. At this time, since the start end portion F1 is pressed against the two tip portions of the insertion plate 88 by the pair of pressing members 90, the start end portion F1 can be separated from the outer peripheral surface of the film roll R, and as a result, the adhesive tape T can be reliably peeled off.

[0070] Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 12, the peeling unit 85 together with the drive device 86 and the moving head 87 is moved in the direction of arrow X2 by a moving mechanism (not shown). At this time, it is preferable to rotationally drive a roll holder (not shown) that holds the film roll R, whereby the feeding of the strip film F can be smoothly performed. Then, as shown in FIG. 13, after the film roll R rotates approximately once and the strip film F for approximately one round is fed out, the peeling unit 85 stops.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 14, the film connecting device further includes a suction unit 91, a cutting positioning sensor 92, a second cutting unit 93, a film start position detection sensor 94, and a film end positioning sensor 95.

[0072] The suction unit 91 has a function of separating the film portions facing each other at the tip of the start end portion F1 by sucking the start end portion F1 of the strip film F fed out from the film roll R in the setup position by a pair of upper and lower nozzles 91a, 91b.

[0073] The cutting positioning sensor 92 is provided at an upper (or lower) position facing the start end portion F1 of the strip film F fed out from the film roll R in the setup position. When the second cutting unit 93 cuts the start end portion F1 of the strip film F, the cutting positioning sensor 92 detects the marks respectively provided on each label on the strip film F by printing or the like, and is for determining the position of the start end portion F1 of the strip film F with respect to the second cutting unit 93 based on this detection result.

[0074] The second cutting unit 93 is provided so as to be movable in the Y direction with respect to the strip-shaped film F fed out from the film roll R in the setup position. The second cutting unit 93 has a function of cutting the start end portion F1 of the strip-shaped film F into an L shape. Here, the "L shape" means a shape in which the start end portion F1 of the strip-shaped film F is cut in the width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and one corner portion on one side in the width direction is obliquely cut off. In this way, by configuring the second cutting unit 93 to obliquely cut off only one corner portion on one side of the start end portion F1 of the strip-shaped film F, when both corner portions on both sides in the width direction of the start end portion F1 are obliquely cut off (see FIG. 8(a) of Patent Document 1), component replacement or adjustment is required when the width (or folding diameter) of the strip-shaped film F is changed. However, in the film connection device of the present embodiment, the second cutting unit 93 can be dealt with without performing component replacement or adjustment.

[0075] The film start end position detection sensor 94 has a function of detecting the tip position of the start end portion F1 of the strip-shaped film F cut by the second cutting unit 93. The film start end position detection sensor 94 is provided so as to move together with the second cutting unit 93.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 14, based on the detection result of the cutting position determination sensor 92, the drive device 86 is driven to move the peeling unit 85 in the direction of arrow X2 via the moving head 87. Thereby, the position of the second cutting unit 93 with respect to the start end portion F1 of the strip-shaped film F fed out by the peeling unit 85, that is, the cutting position of the start end portion F1 of the strip-shaped film F is determined.

[0077] In this state, as shown in FIG. 15, the second cutting unit 93 and the film start end position detection sensor 94 are moved in the direction of arrow Y1, and the second cutting unit 93 is operated to cut the start end portion F1 of the strip-shaped film F into an L shape. The start end portion F1 of the strip-shaped film F cut by the second cutting unit 93 is sucked by the nozzles 91a, 91b of the suction unit 91 and opened up and down, so that the opposing film portions at the start end portion F1 are separated and the obliquely cut-off corner portion is opened.

[0078] 14 and 15, the trailing end F2 of the strip film F that has been fed from the film roll (not shown) is cut widthwise by the first cutting unit 82. After the trailing end F2 of the strip film F is cut, the feeding of the strip film F to the accumulation unit 52 (see FIG. 1) of the film feeding devices 50a, 50b is stopped, and the leading end of the trailing end F2 of the strip film F is thereby positioned at the film splicing position P7, as shown in FIG. 16. To stop the feeding of the strip film F with the leading end of the trailing end F2 of the strip film F positioned at the film splicing position, the detection results of a film trailing end positioning sensor 95, which is provided opposite the trailing end F2 of the strip film F and detects the marks on each label of the trailing end F2, are used. The cardboard core PP of the film roll R from which the strip film F has been fed is ejected from the film feeding devices 50a, 50b by a cardboard core removal mechanism (not shown).

[0079] Meanwhile, the starting end F1 of the strip film F unwound from the film roll R at the setup position is returned in the direction of arrow X1, as shown in Figure 16, so that the tip of the starting end F1 is aligned with the film splicing position P7. The detection result of the film starting end position detection sensor 94 is used to position the tip of the starting end F1 at this time. Specifically, the film roll R is rotated by the roll holder at the setup position to rewind the strip film F until the tip of the starting end F1 of the strip film F is detected by the film starting end position detection sensor 94.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 16, the leading end piece of the strip film F cut by the second cutting unit 93 is transported in the direction of arrow X2 by the peeling unit 85 and discarded.

[0081] When the tip of the leading end F1 of the strip film F fed out from the film roll R at the setup position aligns with the film connection position P7, as shown in Fig. 17, the second cutting unit 93 and the suction unit 91 are advanced toward the film delivery path by a roll transfer mechanism (not shown). At this time, the film roll R held by the roll holder at the setup position is transferred to the roll holder (not shown) at the roll set position. As a result, the tip of the trailing end F2 of the strip film F that has been delivered is inserted from the diagonally cut corner of the leading end F1 that is opened by the suction unit 91, and the tip of the trailing end F2 of the strip film F is sandwiched between the two film portions that constitute the tip of the leading end F1.

[0082] Then, with the leading end F1 of the strip film F before delivery and the trailing end F2 of the strip film F that has been delivered being sandwiched and connected at the film connection position P7, a joint member is attached by a connecting unit (not shown), thereby completing the splicing of the strip films F. The joint member used here is the same as the one that connects multiple strip films F wound around the film roll R. After that, the rotation of the drive roll for delivering the strip film F is restarted, and the delivery of the strip film F to the accumulator unit 52 of the film delivery devices 50a, 50b is restarted.

[0083] Referring to Fig. 1 again, the film delivery devices 50a, 50b each include a joint detector 54. The joint detector 54 has a function of detecting the joint member provided on the strip film F delivered from the film roll R in the film delivery devices 50a, 50b. For example, a metal sensor can be preferably used as the joint detector 54. The detection result by the joint detector 54 is sent to a data processing device 35 described later. Note that the joint detector 54 may also be provided in the label attaching device 60 and the container transfer device 70. In this case, it may detect a container with a label including the joint member and send the detection result to the data processing device 35.

[0084] The strip-shaped film F sent out from the film delivery device 50a is supplied to the first label generation unit 62a of the label attaching device 60, and the strip-shaped film F sent out from the film delivery device 50b is supplied to the second label generation unit 62b of the label attaching device 60. The first and second label generation units 62a and 62b cut the strip-shaped film F into a predetermined length to generate individual labels, and deliver them to a number of label attaching units (not shown) held on the entire outer periphery of the main rotor 64 of the label attaching device 60.

[0085] The container conveying device 70 of the label attaching system 200 conveys a container such as a PET bottle from the left side to the right side in FIG. 1. The container conveyed by the container conveying device 70 is delivered to the label attaching unit held by the main rotor 64 via the rotating introduction star wheel 66a. Then, in each label attaching unit moved by the rotating main rotor 64, a cylindrical label is fitted around the container in an open state.

[0086] The container with the label fitted is returned from the main rotor 64 to the container conveying device 70 via the rotating discharge star wheel 66b.

[0087] The container conveying device 70 extends through the first heating device 78a and the second heating device 78b. The container with the cylindrical label fitted by the label attaching device 60 passes through the first heating device 78a and the second heating device 78b by the container conveying device 70. As a result, the label fitted on the container thermally contracts and is attached in a state of being in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the container. Then, the container with the label attached is conveyed by the container conveying device to a subsequent process such as packaging. Note that there may be one heating device.

[0088] The container transfer device 70 includes a container discharge path 72. The container discharge path 72 branches off from the container transfer device 70 at a position adjacent to the unloading star wheel 66b. The container discharge path 72 is for introducing a seam-attached product, which is a container with a label including a seam member, from the unloading star wheel 66b and discharging it upstream of the heating process. Whether it is a seam-attached product can be detected by seam detectors 63a, 63b such as metal sensors arranged on the film conveyance path of the label attaching device 60. Based on this detection result, by operating the intake lever provided at the branch position of the container discharge path 72, the seam-attached product can be introduced from the unloading star wheel 66b into the container discharge path 72. The detection result by the seam-attached product detector is sent to a data processing device described later.

[0089] In the above, a rotary type label attaching device is exemplified, but it is not limited thereto. The label attaching device may be of a type that attaches a label opened in a cylindrical shape to a container in the process of the container being intermittently or continuously conveyed linearly by the container transfer device. In this case, since the label attaching speed is lower than that of the rotary type label attaching device, it is preferable to use one film feeding device.

[0090] Next, with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19, the control of the film supply system 100 will be described. FIG. 18 is a block diagram of the film supply system 100 according to the present embodiment.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 18, the film supply system 100 includes a data processing device 35. In the present embodiment, the data processing device 35 is provided in the film roll supply device 10. Information read from the exterior body side information medium 9 (see FIG. 4) by the second reading device 11 is input to the data processing device 35. The information read from the exterior body side information medium 9 includes, for example, information specifying the film roll such as product type information, manufacturing lot number, and information on the number of seams included in the strip-shaped film F wound around the film roll R. These information are stored in the storage unit 35b.

[0092] The data processing device 35 has a control unit 35a, a memory unit 35b, and an output unit 35c. The control unit 35a has a function of reading and executing programs and information stored in the memory unit 35b. The control unit 35a may also have a function of controlling the operations of the film roll supply device 10, the film delivery devices 50a and 50b, the label attachment device 60, and the like that make up the label attachment system 200. Here, the control unit 35a corresponds to the "determination unit" in the present invention, and the output unit 35c corresponds to the "notification unit" in the present invention.

[0093] The control unit 35a is preferably configured with, for example, a CPU, etc. The storage unit 35b is configured with, for example, a ROM, a RAM, etc., and can store programs and information necessary for control in advance and can sequentially store information input from the outside. The output unit 35c is configured with, for example, a display unit, a sound generating unit, etc., and can display a warning on the display unit and generate an alarm sound using the sound generating unit when a predetermined condition is met.

[0094] Information read from the roll-side information medium 30 of the adhesive tape T of the film roll R by first reading devices 34, 34 provided at the roll stock positions SP of the film feeding devices 50a, 50b, respectively, is input to the data processing device 35. This information is stored and managed in the memory unit 35b. The information read from the roll-side information medium 30 includes, for example, information identifying the film roll, such as the manufacturing lot number, and information on the number of seams included in the strip-shaped film F wound around the film roll R.

[0095] The data processing unit 35 also receives detection results of the seam members of the strip film F from the seam detectors 54, 54 provided on the film delivery devices 50a, 50b, and stores the number of seams in the strip film F in the memory unit 35b.

[0096] Next, the processing executed in the control unit 35a of the data processing device 35 will be described with reference to Fig. 19. Fig. 19 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure executed in the control unit 35a of the film roll supplying device 10.

[0097] 19, in step S10, the control unit 35a acquires from the storage unit 35b the type information of the film roll R that has already been registered. This type information is currently type information such as the product name of the object to which the label is to be attached in the label attachment device 60, which has been input in advance by the operator and stored in the storage unit 35b.

[0098] Next, the control unit 35a acquires the information read by the second reading device 11, that is, the information read from the exterior body side information medium 9, in step S12.

[0099] Next, in step S14, the control unit 35a determines whether the type information of the film roll R that has already been registered matches the type information included in the information read by the second reading device 11.

[0100] If the determination in step S14 is negative, the control unit 35a proceeds to step S18, whereas if the determination in step S14 is positive, the control unit 35a proceeds to step S16.

[0101] If it is determined in step S14 that the two do not match (NO in step S14), the control unit 35a notifies the operator by displaying a warning on the output unit 35c in step S18. Also, in step S18, the control unit 35a stores the information read by the second reading device 11 about the film roll R in the memory unit 35b as a case of mismatch in roll identification information. At this time, the control unit 35a may generate an alarm sound from the output unit 35c to increase the immediacy of the notification to the operator.

[0102] Thereafter, in step S20, the control unit 35a moves the film roll R determined to have inconsistent product type information from the roll stock position SP to the roll discharge device 17a or 17b by the second transfer device 14b, and discharges the film roll R from the film roll supply device 10. Then, the control unit 35a returns to step S12 and executes the processes of steps S12 and S14 again.

[0103] On the other hand, in step S14, when it is determined that both pieces of product type information match (YES in step S14), the control unit 35a acquires, in step S16, the information read by the first reading device 34 from the roll-side information medium 30 of the adhesive tape T of the film roll R.

[0104] Next, in step S22, the control unit 35a determines whether the product type information of the already registered film roll R matches the product type information included in the information read by the first reading device 34. When a negative determination is made in this step S22, the control unit 35a proceeds to step S26. On the other hand, when an affirmative determination is made in step S22, the control unit 35a proceeds to step S24. Note that in the above step S22, the case where it is determined whether the product type information included in the information read by the first reading device 34 matches the product type information of the already registered film roll R has been described, but it is not limited thereto. For example, in step S16, the control unit 35a may determine whether the product type information included in the first information read from the adhesive tape T of the film roll R by the first reading device 34 matches the product type information included in the second information read from the exterior body-side information medium 9 by the second reading device 11.

[0105] When it is determined in step S22 that the two do not match (NO in step S22), the control unit 35a warns and notifies the operator by warning display at the output unit 35c in step S26. Further, in step S26, the control unit 35a stores, in the storage unit 35b, as a roll identification information mismatch case, the information read by the first reading device 34 about the film roll R. At this time, the control unit 35a may generate an alarm sound from the output unit 35c to enhance the immediacy of the notification to the operator.

[0106] Thereafter, in step S28, the control unit 35a moves the film roll R for which the product type information is determined to be inconsistent from the roll stock position SP to the roll discharging device 17a or 17b by the second conveying device 14b, and discharges the film roll R from the film roll supply device 10. Then, the control unit 35a returns to step S12 and executes the processes of steps S12 to S22 again.

[0107] On the other hand, when it is determined in step S22 that both pieces of product type information match (YES in step S22), the control unit 35a executes a film connection operation in step S24. The film connection operation is as described above with reference to FIGS. 8 to 17.

[0108] Next, in step S30, the control unit 35a performs a process of adding 1 to the number of joints. This is in consideration of the fact that one joint member is added to the strip-shaped film F fed out from the newly supplied film roll R by the film connection operation, increasing the number of joints by one.

[0109] Subsequently, in step S32, the control unit 35a determines whether the number of joints detected by the joint detector 54 matches the number obtained by adding 1 to the number of joints included in the information read from the roll-side information medium 30 by the first reading device 34. This determination can be made immediately before the strip-shaped film F fed out from the film roll R finishes being sent out.

[0110] In step S32, if the two do not match, the control unit 35a will, in step S34, give a warning display on the output unit 35c to notify the operator. Also, in step S34, the control unit 35a stores, in the storage unit 35b, the information read by the second reading device 11 about the film roll R as a seam number mismatch case. At this time, the control unit 35a may generate an alarm sound from the output unit 35c to enhance the immediacy of the notification to the operator.

[0111] On the other hand, in step S32, if the two match, the control unit 35a ends this series of processes (end process).

[0112] As described above, according to the film roll supply device 10 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reliably detect a case where the pre-registered variety information does not match the variety information included in the information stored in the exterior body side information medium 9 provided on the outer surface of the packing box 1 that packs the film roll R, or the variety information included in the information stored in the roll side information medium 30 of the adhesive tape T of the film roll R, and it is possible to prevent the strip-shaped film F fed out from the film roll R from being supplied to the label attaching device 60.

[0113] Also, according to the film supply system 100 according to the present embodiment, when automatically supplying the film roll R, joining the strip-shaped films F together, and resuming the feeding, by considering that the number of seams increases by one, it becomes possible to more accurately remove the seam-attached products.

[0114] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and their modified examples, and various improvements and changes may be made within the scope of the matters described in the claims of the present application.

[0115] For example, in the above-described film roll supply device 10, an example was described in which the packing box 1 was unpacked, the film roll R in the inner bag was taken out, and then the film roll R was taken out from the inner bag 5 and supplied to the film delivery devices 50a and 50b. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIGS. 20(a) and 20(b), the film roll R may be supplied to the film roll supply device 10 in a state where it is stacked on the pallet 6 without being stored in the packing box. In this case, the pallet 6 is placed within the operating range K2 of the second transport device 14b, and the film rolls R are taken out one by one from the pallet 6 by the second transport device 14b and transported and set at the roll stock position SP. It is preferable to interpose a flexible sheet material 7 between the film rolls R stacked on the pallet 6. Thereby, it is possible to prevent or suppress damage to the film due to direct contact between the end faces of the film rolls R stacked vertically.

[0116] FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure executed by the control unit 35a of the film roll supply device 10 when the film roll R is supplied in the form shown in FIG. 20. The processing procedure shown in FIG. 21 is also applicable when the film roll R is input to the film roll supply device 10 in a state where it is taken out of the packing box which is the exterior body. The step numbers indicating the processing procedure shown in FIG. 21 are the same as the step numbers of the processing procedure described above with reference to FIG. 19. Specifically, the only difference is that the processing shown in FIG. 21 does not include the processing of steps S12 and S14 shown in FIG. 19. That is, when the film roll R is provided to the film roll supply device 10 in the form shown in FIG. 20, since the film roll R is not packed in the packing box 1, the step of acquiring the information read by the second reading device 11 and the collation step using this information are omitted.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0117] 1 Packing box, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, T Adhesive tape, 5 Inner bag, 6 Pallet, 7 Sheet material, 8 Tack seal, 9 Exterior body side information medium, 10 Film roll supply device, 12 Unpacking device, 12a Tape cutting station, 12b Flap opening station, 14a First conveying device, 14b Second conveying device, 15 Storage location, 16 Transfer device, 16a Starting end position, 16b End position, 17a, 17b Roll discharge device, 18 Inner bag opening device, 19 Input location, 20 Arm, 21 Roll label supply conveyor, 22 Chuck head, 23 Head base, 24 Inner chuck jaws, 25 Outer chuck jaws, 26 Placement table, 27 Support pin, 28 Suction nozzle, 29 Opening member, 30 Roll side information medium, 32 Identification mark, 34 First reading device, 35 Data processing device, 35a control unit, 35b memory unit, 35c output unit, 50a, 50b film feeding device, 52 accumulation unit, 54 splice detector, 60 label attachment device, 62a first label production unit, 62b second label production unit, 63a, 63b splice detector (label attachment device side) 64 main rotor, 66a introduction star wheel, 66b discharge star wheel, 70 container conveying device, 72 container discharge path, 78a first heating device, 78b second heating device, 81 tape position detector, 85 peeling unit, 86 driving device, 87 moving head, 88 insertion plate, 89 peeling plate, 90 pressing member, 91 suction unit, 91a, 91b nozzle, 92 cutting positioning sensor, 94 film start position detection sensor, 95 film end positioning sensor, 99 film fastening tape peeling device, 100 Film supply system, 200 label attachment system, F strip film, F1 end or start of winding, F2 end, K1, K2 operating range, P7 film connection position, PP paper tube, R film roll, SP roll stock position, Wf film folding diameter, Wr roll width, d specified dimension.

Claims

1. A film roll supply device for supplying a film roll in which a strip film is wound in a roll shape to a film feeding device, comprising: a conveying device for conveying and supplying the film roll to the film feeding device; a first reading device that reads information for identifying the film roll from a roll-side information medium having information for identifying the film roll, which is provided on an adhesive tape that holds the end of winding of the strip film on the outer peripheral surface of the roll, in the film roll supplied to the film feeding device by the conveying device; a data processing device that stores the first information read by the first reading device in a storage unit and manages the information; a second reading device that reads second information for identifying the film roll from an outer package-side information medium having information for identifying the film roll, which is provided on the outer surface of an outer package for packaging the film roll; an unpacking device for unpacking the outer package, and the data processing device includes a determination unit that determines whether the product type information included in the second information read by the second reading device from the outer package-side information medium of the outer package in which the film roll supplied to the film feeding device by the conveying device is packaged matches the product type information of the film roll that has already been registered. A film roll supply device.

2. A film roll supply device for supplying a film roll in which a strip film is wound in a roll shape to a film feeding device, comprising: a conveying device for conveying and supplying the film roll to the film feeding device; a first reading device that reads information for identifying the film roll from a roll-side information medium having information for identifying the film roll, which is provided on an adhesive tape that holds the end of winding of the strip film on the outer peripheral surface of the roll, in the film roll supplied to the film feeding device by the conveying device; a data processing device that stores the first information read by the first reading device in a storage unit and manages the information; a second reading device that reads second information for identifying the film roll from an outer package-side information medium having information for identifying the film roll, which is provided on the outer surface of an outer package for packaging the film roll; an unpacking device for unpacking the outer package, and The film roll supply device includes a determination unit that determines whether the variety information included in the first information read by the first reading device matches the variety information included in the second information read by the second reading device from the outer package side information medium of the outer package in which the film roll supplied to the film delivery device is packaged by the transport device.

3. A film roll supply device, and a film delivery device that connects and delivers the strip-shaped film unwound from the film roll supplied by the film roll supply device to the strip-shaped film of the film roll that has already been completely delivered, using a joint member, and the film roll supply device includes a transport device that transports and supplies the film roll to the film delivery device, and a first reading device that reads information for identifying the film roll from a roll-side information medium provided on an adhesive tape that holds the end portion of the strip-shaped film at the end of winding on the outer peripheral surface of the roll in the film roll supplied to the film delivery device by the transport device, and a data processing device that stores the first information read by the first reading device in a storage unit and manages the information, the roll-side information medium includes information on the number of joints of the strip-shaped film wound around the film roll, and the first reading device is configured to read the information on the number of joints of the strip-shaped film from the roll-side information medium, the film delivery device further includes a joint detector that detects a joint member provided on the strip-shaped film sent out from the film roll, and the determination unit of the data processing device determines whether the number of joints detected by the joint detector matches the number obtained by adding 1 to the number of joints included in the first information read by the first reading device.

Images