Labeling device and its discharge section and gripping section

Abstract

To provide a label sticking device capable of accurately positioning and sticking a label to a surface to which the label is to be stuck, and a discharge part and a gripping part thereof.SOLUTION: A user grips a gripping part 80 of a label sticking device 1 and brings an abutment 54B into contact with a surface S to which a label is to be stuck. The abutment 54B protrudes from a region connecting a forming region of the gripping part 80 and a forming region of an outlet 62 with respect to a housing 11. Thus, the label sticking device 1 can bring only the abutment 54B into contact with the surface S in a state where a holding part 60 including the gripping part 80 and the outlet 62 is separated from the surface S. The user moves the gripping part 80 about the abutment 54B, accurately determines a position on the surface S for sticking a label 8, and lifts the gripping part 80. The end of the label 8 sticks to the surface S, and the user moves the label sticking device 1 to a near side and sticks the label 8 to the surface S.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a label affixing device, its discharging unit, and gripping unit.

Background Art

[0002] There is known an electronic hand-held labeler that allows a user to hold and operate a grip and affix a label printed by a thermal head onto an object to be affixed. For example, in the electronic hand-held labeler described in Patent Document 1, a label printed by a thermal head is peeled off from a backing paper by a turning pin, discharged from a label issuing port while being placed on an auxiliary peeling pin, and sent out below an affixing roller. The user places the label on the object to be affixed while holding the grip, and presses the label against the object to be affixed with the affixing roller while pulling the hand-held labeler toward the user, thereby affixing the label to the object to be affixed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When affixing a label longer than conventional ones to an object to be affixed, if the edge on the downstream side of the label conveyance direction in the device and the side that is first discharged outside the device cannot be accurately aligned on the object to be affixed, there is a possibility that the label will be affixed to the object to be affixed with the position of the edge on the upstream side of the conveyance direction shifted from the desired position.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a label affixing device, its discharging unit, and gripping unit that can accurately position and affix a label to an object to be affixed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a label application device is provided, comprising: a housing; a printing unit provided inside the housing for printing on a label attached to a backing sheet; a discharge unit provided in the housing and having a discharge port at its end away from the housing for discharging the label printed by the printing unit from the housing; a gripping unit provided on the housing on a side different from the discharge unit and capable of gripping the housing with one hand; and a contact unit provided between the discharge unit and the gripping unit in the housing, protruding outward from the housing and capable of contacting a surface to which the label is to be applied, wherein the contact unit protrudes outward from the housing beyond the region connecting the region where the discharge unit is provided and the region where the gripping unit is provided relative to the housing, in the direction in which the contact unit protrudes outward from the housing.

[0007] When applying a label, the user brings the contact portion, which protrudes outward from the housing beyond the discharge and gripping portions, into contact with the surface to be applied. While maintaining the contact portion in contact with the surface to be applied, the user can easily move the position of the discharge port relative to the surface to be applied by swinging the gripping portion using the contact portion as a pivot point, while keeping the discharge port slightly away from the surface to be applied. Therefore, the user can accurately position and apply the label discharged from the discharge port to the surface to be applied.

[0008] In the first embodiment, when the contact portion is in contact with the surface to be affixed and the discharge port is close to the surface to be affixed, the angle between the transport direction in which the label is transported in the discharge portion and the surface to be affixed may be 70 degrees or less. If the angle between the transport direction and the surface to be affixed is greater than 70 degrees, the position of the discharge port becomes difficult for the user to see due to the discharge portion, making it difficult to accurately position and affix the label discharged from the discharge port to the surface to be affixed.

[0009] In the first embodiment, the housing may include a peeling unit for peeling the label printed by the printing unit from the backing paper, and the discharge unit may include a holding unit for holding the label peeled by the peeling unit before it is discharged from the discharge port. The label peeled from the backing paper is held in the holding unit before it is discharged from the discharge port. The user can easily discharge the label from the discharge unit and attach it to the surface by simply positioning the downstream end of the label in the transport direction on the surface to be attached and then moving the housing. Since no force is required to peel the label from the backing paper when attaching the label, the user can accurately position the label on the surface to be attached and easily attach it.

[0010] In the first embodiment, the holding unit comprises a plurality of spur bodies arranged along the transport direction, and each of the plurality of spur bodies may hold a plurality of spurs on a shaft extending in a width direction perpendicular to the transport direction. The plurality of spur bodies can hold the labels peeled from the backing paper without them sticking to the transport path. Furthermore, since the spur bodies hold the plurality of spurs on the same shaft, the labels are less likely to be transported at an angle when being applied. Therefore, the user can accurately position and apply the labels to the surface to be applied.

[0011] In the first embodiment, the housing comprises a housing discharge port for discharging the labels printed by the printing unit from the housing, a storage unit for housing a roll around which the backing paper on which the labels are attached is wound, and a lid that can open and close the storage unit. The discharge unit comprises an intake port for taking in the labels discharged from the housing discharge port and guiding them to the holding unit, and a support portion that is detachably attached to the housing and supports the housing-side end of the discharge unit, allowing the outlet-side end to swing. The discharge unit is movable between a proximity position close to the housing, where the labels discharged from the housing discharge port can enter the intake port, and a separation position away from the housing, where the housing discharge port and the intake port are positioned apart. The lid may open and close the storage unit when the discharge unit is in the separation position. The discharge unit is detachable from the housing. Therefore, the user can easily remove the discharge unit to perform maintenance on the housing and the discharge unit. Furthermore, the discharge unit can move between a close-proximity position and a distance-proximity position when installed, and when the discharge unit is in the distance-proximity position, the housing allows the lid of the storage section to be opened and closed. Therefore, the user can replace the roll without removing the discharge unit.

[0012] In the first embodiment, the discharge unit may be provided with a pressing rotating body at the discharge port, which has a rotating shaft extending in the width direction and is capable of pressing the label discharged from the discharge port against the surface to be applied when the label is applied. By pressing the label against the surface to be applied with the pressing rotating body provided at the discharge port, the label does not lift from the surface to be applied. Therefore, the user can accurately position and apply the label to the surface to be applied.

[0013] In the first embodiment, the discharge section may be plate-shaped extending in the width direction, and the discharge section may be provided with a pressing plate capable of pressing the label discharged from the discharge section against the surface to be applied when the label is applied. By pressing the label against the surface to be applied with the pressing plate provided in the discharge section, the label will not lift from the surface to be applied. Therefore, the user can accurately position and apply the label to the surface to be applied.

[0014] In the first embodiment, the housing may be provided with a backing paper discharge port for discharging the backing paper peeled off by the peeling portion to the outside of the housing, and the contact portion may be provided with a guide portion for passing the backing paper discharged from the backing paper discharge port and guiding the backing paper toward the side away from the discharge port. By guiding the backing paper discharged from the backing paper discharge port toward the side away from the discharge port through the guide portion, the backing paper does not cover the application position when the label is applied. Therefore, the user can accurately position and apply the label to the surface to be applied.

[0015] In the first embodiment, the gripping portion may be detachably attached to the housing. The gripping portion is detachable from the housing. Therefore, the user can easily remove the gripping portion to perform maintenance on the housing and the gripping portion.

[0016] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a label application device comprising a housing, a printing unit provided inside the housing for printing on a label attached to a backing sheet, a housing discharge port for discharging the label printed by the printing unit from the housing, a gripping portion provided on the housing on a side different from the housing discharge port and capable of gripping the housing with one hand, and a contact portion provided on the housing between the housing discharge port and the gripping portion, protruding outward from the housing and capable of contacting a surface to which the label is to be attached, wherein the discharge portion provided on a side different from the gripping portion is the housing The provided label application device discharge unit comprises an intake port for taking in the label discharged from the discharge port, an outlet provided at the end away from the housing for discharging the label taken in from the intake port, and a holding portion for holding the label before it is discharged from the discharge port, and is detachably attached to the housing such that, in the direction in which the contact portion protrudes from the housing, the contact portion protrudes further outward from the housing than the area connecting the area on the housing where the discharge unit is provided and the area on the housing where the gripping portion is provided. Therefore, the second embodiment has the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0017] When applying a label, the user brings the contact portion, which protrudes outward from the housing beyond the discharge and gripping portions, into contact with the surface to be applied. While maintaining the contact portion in contact with the surface to be applied, the user can easily move the position of the discharge port relative to the surface to be applied by swinging the gripping portion using the contact portion as a pivot point, while keeping the discharge port slightly away from the surface to be applied. Therefore, the user can accurately position and apply the label discharged from the discharge port to the surface to be applied. Furthermore, the discharge portion is detachable from the housing. Therefore, the user can easily remove the discharge portion to perform maintenance on the housing and the discharge portion. In addition, when the discharge portion is attached, it can move between a close position and a separated position, and when the discharge portion is in the separated position, the housing's storage compartment lid can be opened and closed. Therefore, the user can replace the roll without removing the discharge portion.

[0018] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a gripping part for a label application device is provided, comprising a housing, a printing unit provided inside the housing for printing on a label attached to a backing sheet, a discharge unit provided on the housing and having a discharge port at its end away from the housing for discharging the label printed by the printing unit from the housing, and a contact part provided on the housing, protruding outward from the housing and capable of contacting a surface to which the label is to be applied, wherein the gripping part is provided on a side different from the discharge unit and capable of gripping the housing with one hand, the contact part is positioned between the discharge unit and the gripping part, and the gripping part is detachably attached to the housing such that, in the direction in which the contact part protrudes from the housing, the contact part protrudes outward from the housing more than the area connecting the area where the discharge unit is provided and the area where the gripping part is provided relative to the housing.

[0019] When the user attaches the label, the contact portion that protrudes outward from the discharge portion and the gripping portion to the outside of the housing is brought into contact with the surface to be pasted. While maintaining the state where the contact portion is in contact with the surface to be pasted, the user rocks the gripping portion with the contact portion as a fulcrum, so that the position of the discharge port with respect to the surface to be pasted can be easily moved with the discharge port slightly separated from the surface to be pasted. Therefore, the user can accurately position and attach the label discharged from the discharge port to the surface to be pasted. In addition, the gripping portion is detachable from the housing. Therefore, the user can remove the gripping portion and easily perform maintenance on the housing and the gripping portion.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] It is a front perspective view of the label attaching device 1. [Figure 2] It is a rear perspective view of the label attaching device 1. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view of the label attaching device 1 viewed from the arrow direction along the line I-I in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the label attaching device 1 within the two-dot chain line W1 in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] It is a front perspective view of the label attaching device 1 with the discharge portion 50 and the gripping portion 80 detached. [Figure 6] It is a rear perspective view of the label attaching device 1 with the discharge portion 50 moved to a separated position. [Figure 7] It is a front perspective view of the label attaching device 1 with the lid portion 65 of the discharge portion 50 opened. [Figure 8] It is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the label attaching device 1 within the two-dot chain line W2 in FIG. 3. [Figure 9] It is a rear perspective view of the label attaching device 1 with the cover 13 opened. [Figure 10] It is a cross-sectional view of the label attaching device 1 with the contact portion 54B in contact with the surface to be pasted S. [Figure 11] It is a cross-sectional view of the label attaching device 1 pasting the label 8 on the surface to be pasted S. [Figure 12] It is a cross-sectional view of a modified example provided with a pressing roller 163 at the discharge port 62 of the holding portion 60. [Figure 13] This is a side view of a modified example, which includes a pivoting pressure roller 263 at the discharge port 62 of the holding section 60. [Figure 14] This is a side cross-sectional view of a modified example in which pressure rollers 163 and 263 are provided at the discharge port 62 of the holding portion 60. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0021] A label application device 1, which is one embodiment of the present invention, will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the lower right, upper left, upper right, lower left, upper, and lower sides of Figure 1 are defined as the right side, left side, rear side, front side, upper side, and lower side of the label application device 1, respectively. The label application device 1 is a device in which a discharge unit 50 and a gripping unit 80 are attached to a printing unit 10. The printing unit 10 is a printing device capable of printing on labels 8 attached to a backing paper 7. The printing unit 10 can print characters such as letters and figures on the labels 8. The discharge unit 50 is a part that receives the printed and peeled labels 8 from the printing unit 10 and holds them with the downstream edge in the transport direction exposed from the discharge port 62. The gripping unit 80 is a part that has a handle for the user to grasp the label application device 1 with one hand. As shown in Figure 5, the discharge unit 50 is detachably attached to the upper side of the printing unit 10 with screws 51. The gripping portion 80 is detachably attached to the lower side of the printing portion 10 with screws 81.

[0022] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the printing unit 10 of the label application device 1 will be described. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the printing unit 10 has a box-shaped housing 11. The housing 11 is formed by a main body case 12 and a cover 13. The main body case 12 is a roughly rectangular box shape. The main body case 12 has a bottom part 12A and a front cover part 12B. The bottom part 12A covers the internal area of ​​the printing unit 10 from below. The front cover part 12B covers the front half of the internal area of ​​the printing unit 10 from above. As shown in Figure 3, a mounting part 24 is provided in the rear half of the bottom part 12A. A roll M is mounted on the mounting part 24. The roll M is a roll in which label paper 9 is wound around a cylindrical core material. The label paper 9 is a sheet in which multiple labels 8 are attached to a long sheet-like backing 7. Holders (not shown) are attached to both ends of the core material. When the holder is attached to the mounting section 24, the roll M is supported so as to be rotatable within the mounting section 24.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the main case 12 has an opening 20 formed by the upper end of the rear half of the bottom 12A and the rear end of the front cover 12B. The upper side of the mounting portion 24 (see Figure 3) is open through the opening 20. The opening 20 can be opened and closed by the cover 13. The cover 13 is rotatably supported at the rear end of the bottom 12A of the main case 12. The cover 13 can swing between a closed state and an open state around the rear end. When the cover 13 is closed, it covers the mounting portion 24 from above, and when it is open, it opens the mounting portion 24. In Figure 1, the cover 13 is in the closed state.

[0024] As shown in Figure 4, a label discharge port 14 is formed between the rear end portion 12E of the front cover portion 12B of the main body case 12 and the front end portion 13E of the cover 13. As shown in Figure 1, the label discharge port 14 extends in the left-right direction. The label discharge port 14 discharges the labels 8 printed by the thermal head 17 (see Figure 3) inside the printing unit 10 to the outside of the housing 11. Behind the label discharge port 14, a backing paper discharge port 22 is formed. The backing paper discharge port 22 discharges the backing paper 7 from which the labels 8 have been peeled off to the outside of the housing 11. The backing paper discharge port 22 is formed on the upper surface of the cover 13 in a portion cut out towards the rear from the middle of the left-right direction of the front end portion 13E. Behind the thermal head 17, a guide wall 22A is provided to guide the backing paper 7 to the backing paper discharge port 22. The guide wall 22A separates the backing paper discharge port 22 and the mounting portion 24 within the housing 11 (see Figure 3).

[0025] A platen roller 15 is provided near the front end 13E of the lower surface of the cover 13. The platen roller 15 is cylindrical and is supported so as to be rotatable around an axis extending in the left-right direction. A drive motor (not shown) is connected to the platen roller 15 via a plurality of gears (not shown).

[0026] A thermal head 17 is located in front of the platen roller 15 when the cover 13 is closed. The thermal head 17 has multiple heating elements (not shown) and prints characters on the label 8 by heating the label 8. The thermal head 17 extends in the left-right direction. A heat sink 18 is positioned in front of the thermal head 17. The heat sink 18 dissipates heat from the thermal head 17. The rear end of a spring 19 is connected to the front of the heat sink 18. The front end of the spring 19 is held inside the front cover portion 12B of the main body case 12. The heat sink 18 and the thermal head 17 are biased to the rear by the elastic force of the spring 19. When the cover 13 is closed, the platen roller 15 contacts the thermal head 17 from the rear. The position where the platen roller 15 and the thermal head 17 contact is called the "printing position P". The thermal head 17 generates heat while holding the label paper 9 between it and the platen roller 15, thereby forming an image on the label 8 at the printing position P.

[0027] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the label paper 9 is unwound from near the lower end of the roll M, which is housed in the mounting section 24 of the housing 11. The transport path T1 for the label paper 9 unwound from the roll M extends diagonally upward and forward from near the lower end of the roll M. The transport path T1 further bends upward near the rear of the thermal head 17 and extends upward through the printing position P. The platen roller 15 contacts the transport path T1 at the printing position P. The transport path T1 further bends slightly to the rear and extends diagonally upward and backward toward the label discharge port 14. When the label paper 9 is transported along the transport path T1, the label 8 is positioned on the front side of the backing paper 7. The side of the label 8 to which the adhesive is attached is called the "adhesive side". In the transport path T1, the adhesive side of the label 8 is positioned on the rear side.

[0028] A peeler 21 is provided diagonally above and in front of the platen roller 15 when the cover 13 is closed. The peeler 21 is rod-shaped extending in the left-right direction, with a curved surface that bends sharply at an acute angle towards the tip facing diagonally upward and in front, and is positioned parallel to the platen roller 15. The transport path T1 is the path from which the label paper 9, unwound from the roll M, passes through the printing position P and moves upward until it comes into contact with the tip of the peeler 21 that peels the label 8 from the backing paper 7. The backing paper 7 from which the label 8 has been peeled by the peeler 21 folds diagonally downward and rear towards the transport path T2. The transport path T2 is the path from which the backing paper 7 from which the label 8 has been peeled by the peeler 21 moves towards the backing paper discharge port 22. The label 8 is sent to the upper transport path T3. The transport path T3 is the path from which the label 8 peeled by the peeler 21 moves towards the label discharge port 14. The position where the peeler 21 comes into contact with the transport path T1 of the label paper 9 is called the "peeling position Q". Label 8 is peeled off from backing paper 7 at peel position Q.

[0029] A label guide member 16 is positioned above the platen roller 15. The label guide member 16 is provided in the discharge section 50, which will be described later. The label guide member 16 comprises a peeling roller 16A, a guide roller 16B, a guide rib 16C, and a guide arm 16D. When the cover 13 is closed, the peeling roller 16A is positioned above the platen roller 15 and behind the peeler 21. The peeling roller 16A is cylindrical and rotatable around an axis extending in the left-right direction. The peeling roller 16A holds the backing paper 7, from which the label 8 has been peeled by the peeler 21, between itself and the platen roller 15 and transports it along the transport path T2 toward the backing paper discharge port 22. Both ends of the peeling roller 16A are supported by guide arms 16D. A pair of guide arms 16D are provided, extending forward and pivotably supported on the base 52 of the discharge section 50, which will be described later.

[0030] The guide rib 16C is positioned in front of the peeling roller 16A and above the platen roller 15 when the cover 13 is closed. The guide rib 16C is rib-shaped and extends vertically, with multiple ribs arranged in the left-right direction. Both ends of the guide rib 16C in the left-right direction are fixed to the guide arm 16D. The guide roller 16B is positioned at the upper end of the guide rib 16C and near the center of the guide rib 16C in the left-right direction. The guide roller 16B is a two-wheeled spur with needle-shaped protruding blades formed radially along its outer circumference, and rotates axially in the left-right direction. The guide rib 16C and guide roller 16B guide the label 8 to the label discharge port 14 along the transport path T3 while suppressing the label 8 from curling inward due to the curling of the roll M after peeling by the peeler 21. The transport path T3 is in approximately the same direction as the transport path T1 of the label paper 9, which the label paper 9 passes through immediately before the label 8 is peeled off by the peeler 21. The label guide member 16, together with the platen roller 15, separates the label outlet 14 and the backing paper outlet 22 within the housing 11.

[0031] A reflective photoelectric sensor 25 is provided diagonally above and in front of the platen roller 15. The photoelectric sensor 25 emits light from its light-emitting section upwards towards the peeler 21. When a label 8 is directly above the peeler 21, the photoelectric sensor 25 detects the presence or absence of the label 8 by receiving the reflected light from the label 8 with its light-receiving section. The control device (not shown) of the printing unit 10 controls the printing of the next label 8 according to the detection result of the label 8 by the photoelectric sensor 25.

[0032] Next, the gripping portion 80 of the label application device 1 will be described. As shown in Figure 5, the gripping portion 80 extends vertically and is a grip-shaped part that the user grasps with one hand. The gripping portion 80 has a recess on the rear side for the user's fingers to rest on. When the user grasps the gripping portion 80, the front side of the printing unit 10 is positioned in front of the user. The gripping portion 80 is connected to the mounting portion 83. The mounting portion 83 is the part that attaches the gripping portion 80 to the printing unit 10 and is plate-shaped, covering the bottom surface of the printing unit 10. The front end of the mounting portion 83 is provided with two claw portions 83A that engage with two engagement holes 11A formed in the lower front surface of the housing 11 of the printing unit 10. The mounting portion 83 has a pair of through holes 83B arranged horizontally, approximately in the center in the front-to-back direction. Screws 81 are inserted through the through holes 83B and fastened to the bottom surface of the printing unit 10, fixing the mounting portion 83 to the printing unit 10. A locking portion 85 is provided at the rear end of the mounting portion 83. The locking portion 85 is formed in pairs, each having a claw portion 85A at its end. The claw portion 85A engages with the claw portion 54A of the discharge portion 50, which will be described later, and holds the discharge portion 50 in a position close to the printing portion 10 (described later). Each of the pair of locking portions 85 is biased outward in the left-right direction, maintaining the engagement between the claw portion 85A and the claw portion 54A of the discharge portion 50. When the user moves the locking portion 85 toward the center, the claw portion 85A releases the hold of the claw portion 54A of the discharge portion 50.

[0033] Next, the discharge section 50 of the label application device 1 will be described. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the discharge section 50 comprises a base 52, a label guide member 16, a support arm 53, a fixing arm 54, a main body 70, a lid 65, and a cutting section 56. The base 52 is the part to which the discharge section 50 is attached to the printing section 10, and is plate-shaped and extends in the left-right direction. The base 52 has through holes 52A at both ends in the left-right direction. Screws 51 (see Figure 5) are inserted into the through holes 52A and fastened to the upper surface of the printing section 10, fixing the base 52 to the front side of the label discharge port 14 of the printing section 10. The label guide member 16 has the front ends of a pair of guide arms 16D rotatably supported at both ends of the base 52. A biasing member (not shown) is provided between the guide arms 16D and the base 52. When the cover 13 is open, the peeling roller 16A of the label guide member 16 moves upward from its contact position with the platen roller 15 due to the biasing force. When the cover 13 is closed, the peeling roller 16A is pressed downward by the front end portion 13E of the cover 13 and moves into contact with the platen roller 15.

[0034] A pair of support arms 53 are provided and extend in the front-rear direction. The front ends of the support arms 53 are rotatably supported at both ends of the base 52 at a position diagonally forward and upward of the front ends of the guide arms 16D. The rear ends of the support arms 53 are located diagonally backward and upward. A pair of fixed arms 54 are provided and connect to the support arms 53. The fixed arms 54 extend rearward to match the shape of the cover 13, then bend diagonally downward and extend further downward. The fixed arms 54 have a claw portion 54A at their lower ends. The claw portion 54A engages with the claw portion 85A of the lock portion 85 of the gripping portion 80, thereby holding the discharge portion 50 in a close-proximity position. The close-proximity position is the position of the discharge portion 50 where the support arms 53 rotate and the main body 70 is in close proximity to the label discharge port 14 of the printing portion 10. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the position of the discharge unit 50 when the support arm 53 is rotated so that the main body 70 is separated from the label discharge port 14 is called the separated position. When the discharge unit 50 is in the close position, it can capture and hold the labels 8 that are printed by the printing unit 10 and discharged from the label discharge port 14.

[0035] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the fixed arm 54 has a contact portion 54B above the claw portion 54A. The contact portion 54B is semicircular and plate-shaped, and protrudes diagonally upward and backward from the rear surface of each fixed arm 54. The contact portion 54B is formed at the right end of the right fixed arm 54 and at the left end of the left fixed arm 54, respectively. Here, as shown in Figure 3, the region in which the holding portion 60 (described later), including the discharge port 62 of the discharge portion 50, is formed relative to the housing 11 is defined as A1, and the region in which the gripping portion 80 is formed relative to the housing 11 is defined as A2. The region connecting region A1 and region A2 is defined as A3. In this case, the contact portion 54B is configured to protrude outward (rearward) from region A3 relative to the housing 11. With this configuration, when attaching a printed label 8 to the surface S (see Figure 10), the user can hold the gripping part 80 and bring only the contact part 54B into contact with the surface S. Because the contact part 54B is semicircular, the user can swing the label application device 1 while maintaining the contact part 54B in contact with the surface S.

[0036] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the pair of fixed arms 54 are positioned apart in the left-right direction by an amount corresponding to the left-right length of the backing paper discharge port 22. That is, the backing paper 7 discharged from the backing paper discharge port 22 can pass between the fixed arms 54. The contact portion 54B protrudes from the fixed arms 54. Therefore, even when the contact portion 54B of the label application device 1 is in contact with the surface S to be applied, the backing paper 7 can be guided away from the backing paper discharge port 22 via the guide portion 55 (see Figure 2), which is a gap between the two contact portions 54B through which the backing paper 7 can pass.

[0037] The bridging section 54C is plate-shaped and extends in the left-right direction, bridging a pair of fixed arms 54 behind the backing paper discharge port 22. The backing paper discharge port 22 is exposed between the bridging section 54C and the main body 70. A cutting section 56 is provided on the upper surface of the bridging section 54C. The user can cut the backing paper 7 discharged from the backing paper discharge port 22 to the outside of the housing 11 using the cutting section 56.

[0038] A holding portion 60 is provided at the connection point between the support arm 53 and the fixed arm 54. The holding portion 60 is the part that holds the label 8 discharged from the housing 11 before it is attached to the surface S to be attached. The holding portion 60 comprises a lid portion 65 and a main body portion 70. The main body portion 70 is plate-shaped and extends diagonally upward and backward from the connection point between the support arm 53 and the fixed arm 54. The rear surface of the main body portion 70 has both ends in the left and right directions connected to the fixed arm 54, and is supported by the fixed arm 54 with its front facing diagonally upward and forward. The lid portion 65 is positioned on the front side of the main body portion 70. The lid portion 65 is plate-shaped and covers the front of the main body portion 70, and is rotatably supported on an axis extending in the left and right directions at the top of the main body portion 70. As shown in Figure 7, the lid portion 65 can be rotated open to expose the inside of the holding portion 60. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a transport path T4 for the labels 8 within the discharge section 50 is provided within the holding section 60. When the discharge section 50 is in close proximity, the labels 8 discharged from the label discharge port 14 enter the holding section 60 through the intake port 61, which is the gap between the lower end of the main body section 70 and the lid section 65, and are transported along the transport path T4. The direction in which the labels 8 are transported along the transport path T4 within the holding section 60 is called the transport direction. When the discharge section 50 is in close proximity, the transport direction is from diagonally downward and forward to diagonally upward and backward. The lid section 65 has a window section 66 that allows the user to look into the transport path T4 from the outside. Before attaching the printed labels 8 to the surface S to be attached, the user can confirm that the labels 8 are being held in the transport path T4 through the window section 66.

[0039] As shown in Figure 7, the main body 70 comprises multiple spur bodies 75. Each spur body 75 has a shaft 74 extending in the left-right direction and multiple spurs 73. Each of the multiple spurs 73 is fixed to the shaft 74. That is, as the shaft 74 rotates, all the spurs 73 fixed to the shaft 74 rotate as well. The multiple spur bodies 75 are arranged side by side along a transport path T4 (see Figure 4) through which the labels 8 are transported within the holding unit 60. Each spur body 75 is supported by the holding unit 60 and is rotatable. The transport path T4 is the front side of each spur body 75. The labels 8 being transported along the transport path T4 are transported with their adhesive surface facing the rear, i.e., towards the spur body 75. Therefore, the labels 8 are transported with their adhesive surface only in contact with the needle portion of the spurs 73, making jamming less likely within the holding unit 60. Furthermore, all of the spurs 73 arranged in the width direction, perpendicular to the transport direction of the label 8 along the transport path T4, rotate simultaneously within a single spur body 75. Therefore, when the label 8 is transported along the transport path T4, it is less likely to move obliquely to the transport direction.

[0040] As shown in Figures 4 and 7, the holding unit 60 is equipped with a spur body 78 at the intake port 61. The spur body 78 has the same configuration as the spur body 75 and is positioned at the rear opening end of the intake port 61. The label 8, peeled from the backing paper 7, is pulled backward by the backing paper 7 being transported behind the peeler 21. The leading edge (downstream end) of the label 8, due to the curl it retained when wound as a roll M, is pulled towards the adhesive side after peeling, causing it to move closer to the rear opening end of the intake port 61. The spur body 78 uses the spur 73 to catch the leading edge of the label 8 as it approaches the opening end and guides it to the transport path T4, preventing the leading edge of the label 8 from being unable to enter the transport path T4 from the intake port 61.

[0041] Next, as shown in Figures 3 and 8, the labels 8 being transported along the transport path T4 are discharged from the discharge port 62 to the outside of the holding portion 60. The discharge port 62 is the gap between the upper end of the main body portion 70 and the lid portion 65. A spatula plate 63 is provided at the discharge port 62. The spatula plate 63 is a plate-like structure extending in the left-right direction and is fixed to the upper end of the lid portion 65. The tip of the spatula plate 63 protrudes outwards from the discharge port 62. When the labels 8 are applied, the spatula plate 63 presses the labels 8 against the surface S to be applied, thereby suppressing the lifting of the labels 8.

[0042] The operation when replacing the roll M will now be described. As shown in Figure 6, the user slides the locking part 85 of the gripping part 80 to release the engagement between the claw part 85A and the claw part 54A of the discharge part 50. The user rotates the discharge part 50 from the close position to the separated position. As shown in Figure 9, the user opens the cover 13 and rotates it from the closed state to the open state, exposing the mounting part 24. The platen roller 15 is provided at the front end 13E of the cover 13 and moves upward away from the thermal head 17 as the cover 13 is opened. The peeling roller 16A of the label guide member 16 moves upward away from the contact position with the platen roller 15 due to the biasing force as the cover 13 is opened. Therefore, the label discharge port 14 and the backing paper discharge port 22 are not separated by the platen roller 15 and the label guide member 16 within the housing 11.

[0043] The user replaces the roll M and mounts it in the mounting section 24. The user places the label paper 9 pulled from the roll M along the transport path T1 and closes the cover 13. The user peels a portion of the label 8 from the backing paper 7 at the downstream end of the label paper 9 and sandwiches the backing paper 7 between the peeling roller 16A and the platen roller 15. The label 8 is placed towards the label discharge port 14. The user moves the discharge section 50 from the separated position to the close position and engages the claw portion 54A with the claw portion 85A of the gripping section 80. The replacement of the roll M and the setting of the label paper 9 are completed.

[0044] Next, the operation during printing will be explained with reference to Figures 3, 4, and 8. The user operates the control panel located on the front of the printing unit 10 to instruct printing on the label 8. In this embodiment, the printable label 8 has a predetermined size. Therefore, the label paper 9 used is a sheet in which labels 8 of the predetermined size are continuously attached to a backing sheet 7. In addition, the print data indicating the content to be printed on the label 8 is stored in advance in the storage unit (not shown) of the printing unit 10. The control unit (not shown) of the printing unit 10 drives the platen roller 15 to transport the backing sheet 7, which is sandwiched between the platen roller 15 and the peeling roller 16A, toward the backing sheet discharge port 22. By transporting the backing sheet 7, the label paper 9 is pulled out from the roll M. The control unit drives the thermal head 17 to print on the label 8 based on the print data read from the storage unit. As the backing sheet 7 is transported, the label paper 9 is pulled out from the transport path T1. The label 8 is peeled off from the backing sheet 7 by the peeler 21 and sent along the transport path T3 towards the label discharge port 14.

[0045] When the label 8 is discharged from the label discharge port 14 to the outside of the housing 11, it enters the holding section 60 of the discharge section 50 from the intake port 61. The adhesive surface of the label 8 is prevented from adhering due to contact with the needle-shaped blade of the spur 73. The label 8 is peeled off by the peeler 21 by the tensile force of the platen roller 15 and the peeling roller 16A pulling the backing paper 7, and is then transported along the transport path T3 toward the label discharge port 14. The label 8 is of a specified size, and the control unit controls the amount of drive of the platen roller 15 so that the distance the platen roller 15 transports the backing paper 7 during printing matches the length of the label 8 in the transport direction. The control unit prints on the label 8 based on the print data in accordance with the transport of the label 8. When the drive of the platen roller 15 stops, the downstream end in the transport direction is discharged by a predetermined length from the discharge port 62 of the holding section 60. The label 8 is peeled from the backing paper 7 and held in the holding unit 60 along the transport path T4, with its adhesive surface supported by the spur body 75. Once the label 8 is completely detached from the backing paper 7, it can no longer move in the transport direction. Therefore, the lengths of the transport paths T2 and T4 are designed to be slightly shorter than the length of the label 8 in the transport direction. As a result, the label 8 is completely detached from the backing paper 7 when the downstream end in the transport direction has been discharged from the discharge port 62 by a predetermined length. While the label 8 is held in the holding unit 60, the photoelectric sensor 25 detects the upstream end of the label 8 in the transport direction. The user may cut the backing paper 7 discharged from the backing paper discharge port 22 with the cutting unit 56, or leave it uncut.

[0046] Next, the operation during application will be described. As shown in Figure 10, the user grasps the gripping part 80 and faces the back side of the label application device 1 toward the surface S to which the label 8 is to be applied, so that only the contact part 54B comes into contact with the surface S. As mentioned above, the contact part 54B protrudes outward from the housing 11 beyond the area A3 that connects the area A1 where the holding part 60 is formed and the area A2 where the gripping part 80 is formed (see Figure 3). Therefore, the gripping part 80 and the holding part 60 are separated from the surface S to which the label is to be applied. By moving the gripping part 80 relative to the surface S to which the label is to be applied, the user can move the position of the label 8 exposed from the discharge port 62 of the holding part 60 relative to the gripping part 80. If the backing paper 7 has not been cut with the cutting part 56, the user can position the backing paper 7 toward the gripping part 80 via the guide part 55 (see Figure 3) to avoid contact with the contact part 54B. Furthermore, the user can check whether the printed label 8 is being held in the holding unit 60 through the window 66 of the lid 65.

[0047] As shown in Figure 11(A), the user lifts the gripping part 80 while keeping the contact part 54B in contact with the surface S to be attached, bringing the discharge port 62 of the holding part 60 closer to the surface S to be attached. Once the user positions the downstream end of the label 8 in the transport direction at the attachment position on the surface S to be attached, the user further lifts the gripping part 80 and attaches the downstream end of the label 8 in the transport direction to the surface S to be attached. At this time, it is desirable that θ is 70 degrees or less, where θ is the angle between the transport direction of the label 8 being transported along the transport path T4 in the holding part 60 and the surface S to be attached. In this case, the user can easily see the end of the label 8 exposed from the discharge port 62, making it easier to accurately position the label 8 on the surface S to be attached. The label 8 is held down by the spatula plate 63 and does not lift off the surface S to be attached.

[0048] As shown in Figure 11(B), the user pulls the label application device 1 toward the gripping part 80 relative to the holding part 60, while maintaining at least the spatula plate 63 pressed against the surface S to be applied to via the label 8. The label 8 is pulled out from the holding part 60 and, while being held down by the spatula plate 63, is applied to the surface S to be applied to. Since the multiple spurs 73 of the spur body 75 are fixed to the same shaft 74 and rotate simultaneously, the label 8 is pulled out without skew and applied straight to the surface S to be applied to. The photoelectric sensor 25 becomes non-detective of the label 8. When the user operates the control unit, the printing unit 10 prints the next label 8 and holds the printed label 8 in the holding part 60.

[0049] As explained above, when applying the label 8, the user brings the contact portion 54B, which protrudes outward from the housing 11 more than the discharge portion 50 and the gripping portion 80, into contact with the surface S to be applied. While maintaining the contact portion 54B in contact with the surface S, the user can easily move the position of the discharge port 62 relative to the surface S by swinging the gripping portion 80 with the contact portion 54B as a pivot point, while keeping the discharge port 62 slightly away from the surface S. Therefore, the user can accurately position and apply the label 8 discharged from the discharge port 62 to the surface S.

[0050] If the angle between the transport direction and the surface S to be attached is greater than 70 degrees, the user will have difficulty seeing the position of the discharge port 62 due to the discharge unit 50, making it difficult to accurately position and attach the label 8 discharged from the discharge port 62 to the surface S to be attached.

[0051] The label 8, peeled from the backing paper 7, is held in the holding section 60 before being discharged from the discharge port 62. The user can easily discharge the label 8 from the discharge section 50 and attach it to the surface S by simply positioning the downstream end of the label 8 in the transport direction and attaching it, and then moving the housing 11. Since no force is required to peel the label 8 from the backing paper 7 during application, the user can accurately position the label 8 on the surface S and easily attach it.

[0052] Multiple spur bodies 75 can hold the label 8, which has been peeled off the backing paper 7, without it sticking to the transport path using multiple spurs 73. Furthermore, since the multiple spur bodies 75 hold multiple spurs 73 on the same shaft 74, the label 8 is less likely to be tilted during transport when being applied. Therefore, the user can accurately position and apply the label 8 to the surface S to be applied.

[0053] The discharge unit 50 is detachable from the housing 11. Therefore, the user can easily remove the discharge unit 50 to perform maintenance on the housing 11 and the discharge unit 50. Furthermore, when the discharge unit 50 is installed, it can move between a close position and a separated position, and when the discharge unit 50 is in the separated position, the housing 11 can open and close the cover 13 of the mounting part 24. Therefore, the user can replace the roll M without removing the discharge unit 50.

[0054] By pressing the label 8 against the surface S to be applied using the spatula plate 63 provided at the discharge port 62, the label 8 does not lift from the surface S. Therefore, the user can accurately position and apply the label 8 to the surface S.

[0055] The backing paper 7 discharged from the backing paper discharge port 22 is guided through the guide section 55 to the side away from the discharge port 62, so that the backing paper 7 does not cover the application position when the label 8 is applied. Therefore, the user can accurately position and apply the label 8 to the application surface S.

[0056] The gripping part 80 is detachable from the housing 11. Therefore, the user can easily remove the gripping part 80 to perform maintenance on the housing 11 and the gripping part 80.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the peeler 21 corresponds to the "peeling part" of the present invention. The label discharge port 14 corresponds to the "housing discharge port" of the present invention. The mounting part 24 corresponds to the "storage part" of the present invention. The cover 13 corresponds to the "lid part" of the present invention. The base part 52 corresponds to the "support part" of the present invention. The spatula plate 63 corresponds to the "pressing plate" of the present invention.

[0058] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The discharge section 50 and the gripping section 80 are configured as optional parts to be attached to the housing 11 of the printing section 10, making them detachable from the housing 11. However, the base section 52 and the gripping section 80 may be directly provided on the housing 11, reducing the number of parts by eliminating the need for attachment and detachment. The holding section 60 may be provided on the front end 13E of the cover 13, or on the label guide member 16.

[0059] Within the housing 11, the label 8 moves along the transport path T2 towards the label discharge port 14. The transport direction is the same as the transport direction of the label paper 9 in the portion of the transport path T1 from the printing position P to the peeling position Q, but it may be a different direction.

[0060] The lengths of the transport paths T2 and T4 were designed to be slightly shorter than the length of the label 8 in the transport direction, but they may be designed to be even shorter. In this case, the control unit stops driving the platen roller 15 when the downstream end of the label 8 in the transport direction has been discharged from the discharge port 62 for a predetermined length. The upstream end of the label 8 in the transport direction remains attached to the backing paper 7. Because the transport direction of the label 8 along the transport path T4 of the holding unit 60 is close to the transport direction of the label paper 9 in the transport path T1 from the printing position P to the peeling position Q, the pulling force of the label 8 during attachment can pull the label paper 9, allowing the label 8 to be peeled from the backing paper 7. Preferably in this case, the orientation of the holding unit 60, or the positional relationship of the peeling position Q with respect to the printing position P, should be set so that the transport direction of the label 8 in the holding unit 60 coincides with the direction from the printing position P to the peeling position Q.

[0061] The lid 65 of the discharge section 50 has a window 66 so that it is possible to confirm that the discharge section 50 is holding the label 8. However, the lid 65 may also be made of a transparent or translucent material so that it functions as a viewing window for the label 8 held in the transport path T4, allowing the label 8 to be confirmed. The contact portion 54B is provided on the fixed arm 54 of the discharge section 50, but it may also be provided on the rear end of the main body case 12 or the rear end of the cover 13 of the housing 11, or on the rear end of the gripping portion 80.

[0062] The shaft 74 of the spur body 75 may be equipped with a clutch mechanism to prevent reverse rotation. This prevents the downstream end of the label 8 in the transport direction from retracting into the discharge port 62 due to the label 8's curling while it is being held in the holding section 60. Instead of the spur body 75, a roller made of a material that does not easily adhere to the adhesive surface of the label 8 may be used.

[0063] As shown in Figure 12, a pressure roller 163 may be provided at the discharge port 62 instead of the spatula plate 63. The pressure roller 163 is cylindrical in shape extending in the left-right direction and is rotatably supported by a shaft 164 that also extends in the left-right direction. When applying the label 8, the pressure roller 163 presses the label 8 against the surface S to be applied, preventing the label 8 from lifting relative to the surface S. Therefore, the user can accurately position and apply the label 8 to the surface S. The shaft 164 corresponds to the "rotating shaft" of the present invention. The pressure roller 163 corresponds to the "pressing rotating body" of the present invention.

[0064] Furthermore, the discharge port 62 may also be equipped with the above-mentioned pressure roller 163 and the spatula plate 63 of this embodiment. By using the spatula plate 63 to suppress any lifting of the label 8 during application and the pressure roller 163 to press down on the label 8, the label 8 can be more reliably applied to the surface S to be applied.

[0065] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 13, the pressing roller 263 may be provided to swing. The pressing roller 263 is cylindrical in shape extending in the left-right direction and is positioned in front of and above the discharge port 62. The pressing roller 263 is rotatable, supported at both ends by the upper ends of a pair of support plates 264 that extend from above downward and then bend to extend forward and downward. The pair of support plates 264 are rotatably supported at the bent portion by the pivot axis 265 of the lid portion 65. A projection 266 is provided at the front and lower end of the support plate 264 and is biased forward by springs 270 located on both the left and right sides of the main body portion 70 of the holding portion 60. With this configuration, the pressing roller 263 can swing forward and upward from its position above the discharge port 62 according to the positional relationship between the discharge port 62 and the surface S to be applied to during application, and maintain a state in which the label 8 is pressed against the surface S to be applied.

[0066] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 14(A), the discharge unit 50 may be provided with two pressing rollers at the discharge port 62, for example, the modified pressing roller 163 shown in Figure 12 and the modified pressing roller 263 shown in Figure 13. In this case, when applying the label 8, the user mainly uses the pressing roller 163, which is located closer to the discharge port 62 than the pressing roller 263, to press and attach the label 8 to the surface S to be attached. The leading edge 8A (downstream end) of the label 8 protrudes from the discharge port 62 while being held by the holding unit 60. Therefore, at the start of application, the pressing roller 163 will press the portion of the label 8 upstream of the leading edge 8A in the transport direction against the surface S to be attached. In other words, the leading edge 8A of the label 8 may not be pressed by the pressing roller 163 and may lift away from the surface S to be attached. As shown in Figure 14(B), when the user pulls the label application device 1 towards them to apply the label 8, the pressure roller 263, located downstream of the pressure roller 163 relative to the discharge port 62, passes over the leading edge 8A of the label 8. The pressure roller 263 is biased toward the application surface S by the spring 270 (see Figure 13), and as it passes, it presses the leading edge 8A of the label 8 against the application surface S. Therefore, by providing two pressure rollers 163 and 263 at the discharge port 62, the label application device 1 can easily eliminate any lifting that may occur at the leading edge 8A of the label 8 and reliably apply the label 8 to the application surface S. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1. Labeling device 7. Mounting board 8 labels 10 Printing Department 11 cabinets 13 Cover 14 Label outlet 21 Peel 24 Mounting part 50 Discharge section 52 Base 54B Contact part 60 Holding part 61 Intake 62 Outlet 63 Spatula board 73 Spurs 74 Axis 75 Spurs 80 Gripping part 163 Pressure roller 164 Axis A1,A2,A3 area M Roll S Surface to be attached

Claims

1. The casing and A printing unit is provided inside the aforementioned housing and prints on a label attached to a backing sheet, A discharge unit is provided in the housing and has a discharge port at the end away from the housing for discharging the label printed by the printing unit from the housing, The housing is provided on a side different from the discharge section, and includes a gripping section that allows the housing to be held with one hand, The housing is provided between the discharge portion and the gripping portion, and the contact portion protrudes outward from the housing and is capable of contacting the surface to which the label is to be attached. Equipped with, The aforementioned enclosure is The system includes a peeling unit for peeling the label printed by the printing unit from the backing paper, The aforementioned discharge section is The system includes a holding portion that holds the label, which has been peeled off by the peeling portion, before it is discharged from the discharge port. The aforementioned retaining part is The discharge section includes a plurality of spurs arranged along the conveying direction in which the labels are conveyed. The aforementioned multiple spur bodies are, Each of these devices holds multiple spurs on a shaft that extends in a width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. The aforementioned contact portion is, In the direction in which the contact portion protrudes from the housing, it protrudes further outward from the housing than the region connecting the area where the discharge port is provided with respect to the housing and the area where the gripping portion is provided with respect to the housing. A labeling device characterized by the following.

2. When the contact portion is in contact with the surface to be attached and the discharge port is close to the surface to be attached, the angle between the transport direction and the surface to be attached is 70 degrees or less. A label-applying device according to claim 1, characterized by the following:

3. The aforementioned enclosure is A housing discharge port for discharging the label printed by the printing unit from the housing, A storage section for housing a roll on which the backing paper with the label attached is wound, The storage section has a lid that can be opened and closed. Equipped with, The aforementioned discharge section is An intake port that takes in the label discharged from the housing outlet and guides it to the holding part, A support portion is detachably attached to the housing and supports the housing-side end of the discharge portion, allowing the outlet-side end to swing. Equipped with, The discharge unit is movable between a proximity position, which is close to the housing and allows the label discharged from the housing discharge port to enter the intake port, and a distanced position, which is away from the housing and where the housing discharge port and the intake port are positioned separately. The lid portion is designed to be able to open and close the storage portion when the discharge portion is in the separated position. A label-applying device according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

4. The discharge unit is provided with a pressing rotating body at the discharge port, which has a rotating shaft extending in the width direction and is capable of pressing the label discharged from the discharge port against the surface to be affixed when the label is applied. A label-applying device according to claim 3, characterized by the following:

5. The discharge section is plate-shaped and extends in the width direction, and the discharge port is equipped with a pressing plate capable of pressing the label discharged from the discharge port against the surface to be affixed when the label is applied. A label-applying device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by the above.

6. The housing is provided with a backing paper discharge port for discharging the backing paper peeled off by the peeling section to the outside of the housing. The aforementioned contact portion includes a guide portion that guides the backing paper, which has been discharged from the backing paper discharge port, towards the side away from the discharge port. A label-applying device according to claim 5, characterized by the above.

7. The gripping portion is detachably attached to the housing. A label-applying device according to claim 6, characterized by the following:

8. A label application device comprising a housing, a printing unit provided inside the housing for printing on labels attached to a backing sheet, a housing discharge port for discharging the labels printed by the printing unit from the housing, a gripping unit provided on the housing on a side different from the housing discharge port for gripping the housing with one hand, and a contact unit provided on the housing between the housing discharge port and the gripping unit, protruding outward from the housing and capable of contacting a surface to which the label is to be attached, wherein the discharge unit provided on a side different from the gripping unit, The aforementioned enclosure is The system includes a peeling unit for peeling the label printed by the printing unit from the backing paper, The aforementioned discharge section is An intake port for taking in the label discharged from the housing outlet, An outlet is provided at the end that is away from the housing, for discharging the labels taken in from the intake port, A holding unit that holds the label peeled off by the peeling unit before it is discharged from the discharge port, Equipped with, The aforementioned retaining part is The discharge section includes a plurality of spurs arranged along the conveying direction in which the labels are conveyed. The aforementioned multiple spur bodies are, Each of these devices holds multiple spurs on a shaft that extends in a width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. The aforementioned discharge section is The abutment portion is detachably mounted to the housing such that, in the direction of protrusion from the housing, the abutment portion protrudes further outward from the housing than the region connecting the area on the housing where the discharge portion is provided and the area on the housing where the gripping portion is provided. Discharge section of a label application device characterized by the following.

9. A label application device comprising a housing, a printing unit provided inside the housing for printing on labels attached to a backing sheet, a discharge unit provided in the housing and having a discharge port at its end away from the housing for discharging the labels printed by the printing unit from the housing, and a contact unit provided in the housing, protruding outward from the housing and capable of contacting a surface to which the labels are to be attached, wherein the housing is provided on a side different from the discharge unit and has a gripping unit that allows the housing to be grasped with one hand, The aforementioned enclosure is The system includes a peeling unit for peeling the label printed by the printing unit from the backing paper, The aforementioned discharge section is The system includes a holding portion that holds the label, which has been peeled off by the peeling portion, before it is discharged from the discharge port. The aforementioned retaining part is The discharge section includes a plurality of spurs arranged along the conveying direction in which the labels are conveyed. The aforementioned multiple spur bodies are, Each of these devices holds multiple spurs on a shaft that extends in a width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. The contact portion is positioned between the discharge portion and the gripping portion. The gripping portion is, The abutment portion is detachably mounted to the housing such that, in the direction of protrusion from the housing, the abutment portion protrudes further outward from the housing than the region connecting the area on the housing where the discharge portion is provided and the area on the housing where the gripping portion is provided. A gripping section of a label-applying device characterized by the following.

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