Labeling device

Abstract

To correct deviation of a cylindrical label to a container while reducing the number of components, and reducing arrangement limitation of required components and speed limitation of the container.SOLUTION: A label mounting device X, which heats a cylindrical label L covering a container B and heat-shrinks the cylindrical label L, and thereby mounts the cylindrical label L on the container B, includes: a direction detection mechanism 40 for detecting a direction of the cylindrical label L covering the container B; and a direction correction mechanism 50 for correcting the direction of the cylindrical label L on the basis of a detection result of the direction detection mechanism 40, wherein the direction correction mechanism 50 has a pair of rollers 51 for sandwiching the cylindrical label.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a label attaching apparatus for attaching a heat-shrinkable label to a container. BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Some label covering apparatuses of this type are configured to cover a container with a tubular label, carry the container into a heating tunnel, and attach the label by thermally shrinking the label.

[0003] In such an apparatus, when the container is, for example, angular or elliptical, if the tubular label is applied in an orientation deviated from the correct orientation, for example, the design will be deviated from the correct orientation, which may result in a defective product.

[0004] Therefore, the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured such that, in order to correct misalignment of a tubular label, a pair of endless belts each having a large number of suction holes are arranged on both sides of a container covered with the tubular label, and the endless belts are rotated to rotate the tubular label relative to the container.

[0005] More specifically, three rotating rollers are provided on both sides of the container respectively so as to be positioned at the vertices of a triangle, and an endless belt is wound around these rotating rollers.

[0006] A suction unit is arranged inside the three rotating rollers. By operating the suction unit and rotating the endless belt, the tubular label is rotated while being sucked by one side of the endless belt wound in a triangular shape.

[0007] However, such a configuration requires at least a pair of endless belts and a total of six rotating rollers, resulting in an increased number of components. PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2021-516195 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] Therefore, the present invention was made to solve the above problems, and its main objective is to correct the misalignment of the cylindrical label relative to the container while keeping the number of parts to a minimum. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In other words, the label attachment device according to the present invention is a label attachment device that attaches a cylindrical label placed over a container to the container by heating and thermally shrinking the cylindrical label placed over the container, and comprises an orientation detection mechanism for detecting the orientation of the cylindrical label placed over the container, and an orientation correction mechanism for correcting the orientation of the cylindrical label based on the detection result of the orientation detection mechanism, wherein the orientation correction mechanism has a pair of rollers for gripping the cylindrical label.

[0011] With the label attachment device configured in this way, the orientation correction mechanism is made up of a pair of rollers, so compared to the configuration using a pair of belts or six rollers described in the background art, it is possible to correct the misalignment of the cylindrical label relative to the container while keeping the number of parts down.

[0012] A more specific embodiment is a configuration that includes a control unit that compares detection direction data, which is the detection result of the direction detection mechanism, with normal direction data, which is a predetermined normal direction, and rotates the pair of rollers based on the comparison result.

[0013] Preferably, the pair of rollers are provided such that there is a gap between them and the container, and suction holes for sucking up the cylindrical label are formed on their outer surfaces. With this configuration, the cylindrical label can be rotated without rotating the container, allowing for more accurate correction of any misalignment of the cylindrical label relative to the container.

[0014] Preferably, the suction holes are formed around the entire circumference of the outer surface of the roller. With this configuration, the program and other elements used to control the rotation of the rollers can be simplified.

[0015] Preferably, the system further includes a guide member provided upstream of the pair of rollers in the container transport direction, which guides the transport of the container between the pair of rollers. With this configuration, the container can be stably transported between the pair of rollers.

[0016] One specific embodiment of the orientation adjustment mechanism is one which has an imaging means for imaging the cylindrical label placed over the container.

[0017] One embodiment that more clearly demonstrates the effects of the present invention is one in which the labeling device attaches the cylindrical label to the container having a non-circular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention configured in this way, it is possible to correct the misalignment of the cylindrical label relative to the container while keeping the number of parts to a minimum. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a labeling device according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] A schematic diagram showing the configuration of the label coating device according to the same embodiment. [Figure 3] A schematic diagram showing the configuration of the orientation detection mechanism and orientation correction mechanism of the same embodiment. [Figure 4]A functional block diagram showing the functions of the processing apparatus according to the same embodiment. [Figure 5] A schematic diagram showing the configuration of the roller according to the same embodiment. [Figure 6] A schematic diagram for explaining the operation in the normal mode of the same embodiment. [Figure 7] A schematic diagram for explaining the operation in the correction mode of the same embodiment. [Figure 8] A schematic diagram showing the configuration of an orientation detection mechanism and an orientation correction mechanism according to another embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a label attaching apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 1, the label attaching apparatus X of the present embodiment comprises: a label covering apparatus 100 that covers a container B with a cylindrical label L; and a heating tunnel 200 that heats and shrinks the container B covered with the cylindrical label L to attach the label L to the container B. In this embodiment, the cylindrical label L is referred to as a shrink label, and is a label made of a heat-shrinkable film.

[0022] Various types of heating tunnels 200 can be used, for example, those that heat-shrink the cylindrical label L using hot air, steam, or superheated steam.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 2, the label covering apparatus 100 cuts a label web Z, in which a large number of cylindrical labels L are continuously arranged, into pieces each having a predetermined length, and covers the container B with the cut cylindrical label L.

[0024] Specifically, the label covering apparatus 100 comprises: a conveying mechanism 10 that conveys the label web Z; a cutter 20 that cuts the label web Z; and a so-called mandrel 30 through which the cut cylindrical film passes and expands into a cylindrical shape.

[0025] In the configuration described above, the labeling device X of this embodiment attaches a cylindrical label L to a container B whose cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction is, for example, angular or elliptical, or otherwise non-circular in shape.

[0026] This suggests that the cylindrical label L is placed in a misaligned orientation, and if that label L is then heat-shrinked while still misaligned, the design may become misaligned, potentially resulting in a defective product.

[0027] Therefore, as shown in Figure 1, the label attachment device X of this embodiment further includes a misalignment correction device 300 that corrects the misalignment of the orientation of the cylindrical label L placed over the container B.

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, this misalignment correction device 300 further includes an orientation detection mechanism 40 that detects the orientation of the cylindrical label L placed over the container B, and an orientation correction mechanism 50 that corrects the orientation of the cylindrical label L based on the detection result of the orientation detection mechanism 40.

[0029] The orientation detection mechanism 40 is provided between the label coating device 100 and the heating tunnel 200, and is used to detect the orientation of the label, such as the relative angle of the cylindrical label L with respect to the container B, or the angle at which the characteristic portion printed on the surface of the cylindrical label L faces.

[0030] Specifically, the orientation detection mechanism 40 includes an imaging means 41 that images the container B on which the label is placed, and a processing device C that receives the actual image data obtained by the imaging means 41 and processes the data.

[0031] The imaging means 41 is, for example, a camera or video camera provided on one or both sides of the container B, which is covered with a cylindrical label L, on the side and / or top.

[0032] Processing unit C is a computer equipped with memory, a CPU, etc., and as shown in Figure 4, it functions as a displacement calculation unit C1 that calculates the displacement of the cylindrical label L placed over container B using the actual imaging data described above.

[0033] More specifically, a predetermined area of ​​the memory of the processing unit C contains a normal orientation data storage unit C2, as shown in Figure 4, which stores normal orientation data indicating that the cylindrical label L is placed in a predetermined normal orientation.

[0034] Examples of this orienting data include reference imaging data obtained by imaging a container B with a cylindrical label L placed on it in the orienting position, and reference angles indicating the orientation of feature regions on the orienting cylindrical label L.

[0035] The misalignment calculation unit C1 then acquires detection orientation data indicating the orientation of the cylindrical label L being imaged by the imaging device (hereinafter also referred to as the detection orientation), and compares this detection orientation data with the normal orientation data to calculate the misalignment of the cylindrical label L placed on the container B based on the comparison result.

[0036] The detection orientation data is the detection orientation data that indicates the detection direction, which is the detection result of the orientation detection mechanism 40. Specifically, it may be the actual imaging data itself as described above, or it may be the detection angle that indicates the orientation of the feature part calculated using the actual imaging data.

[0037] In other words, specific embodiments of the deviation calculation unit C1 include comparing actual imaging data with reference imaging data, and comparing the detection angle with the reference angle. Through this comparison, the deviation of the detection direction from the normal direction is calculated, for example, as the deviation angle.

[0038] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, this processing unit C also has the function of a control unit C3 that controls the orientation correction mechanism 50, which will be described later, based on the misalignment angle that indicates this misalignment.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, the orientation correction mechanism 50 is located downstream of the orientation detection mechanism 40 and upstream of the heating tunnel 200. When the orientation of the cylindrical label L covering the container B deviates from the normal orientation, the mechanism corrects the orientation of the cylindrical label L to the normal orientation.

[0040] The orientation correction mechanism 50 has a pair of rollers 51 that grip the cylindrical label L, and the rotation of these rollers 51 is controlled by the control unit C3 described above.

[0041] These rollers 51 have the same diameter and are positioned so that there is a gap between them and the container B. That is, the spacing between these pairs of rollers 51 is greater than the width of the container B (the dimension along the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction).

[0042] As shown in Figure 5, the roller 51 of this embodiment has suction holes formed on its outer circumferential surface for attracting the cylindrical label L, and in this case, the suction holes h are formed around the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface. The suction holes h may be round holes as shown in Figure 5, or they may be slit-shaped, although these are not shown. Furthermore, the roller 51 may be made of metal with an exposed outer circumferential surface, or it may be made of metal with its outer circumferential surface covered with a resin such as rubber.

[0043] As shown in Figure 3, a flow path P is connected to the roller 51, which communicates with the adsorption hole h. This flow path P is equipped with a negative pressure generating means BL, such as a blower, and an opening / closing means V, such as a solenoid valve. Here, a common negative pressure generating means BL is provided for each roller 51, but a separate negative pressure generating means BL may be provided for each roller 51. Similarly, a separate opening / closing means V is provided for each roller 51, but a common opening / closing means V may be provided for all rollers 51. Furthermore, a vacuum pump may be used as the negative pressure generating means BL.

[0044] Furthermore, the roller 51 has an internal channel (not shown) that is connected to the flow path P, and this internal channel is connected to a portion of the circumferential direction of the roller 51, specifically to the region facing the container B that is being transported between the pair of rollers 51.

[0045] This activates the blower BL and opens the solenoid valve V, which selectively generates negative pressure only at the suction holes h facing the container B that is being transported between the pair of rollers 51.

[0046] In the configuration described above, if the orientation of the cylindrical label L covering the container B is the normal orientation, in other words, if there is no deviation between the detection orientation and the normal orientation, or if the amount of deviation is within an acceptable range, the control unit C3 controls each roller 51 in normal mode. If there is a deviation between the detection orientation and the normal orientation, the control unit C3 controls each roller 51 in correction mode.

[0047] In normal mode, as shown in Figure 6, the control unit C3 closes the solenoid valve V and rotates the pair of rollers 51 in opposite directions at the same rotational speed. This prevents negative pressure from being generated in the suction holes h of each roller 51 and allows the container B to be transported downstream without rotating the cylindrical label L.

[0048] On the other hand, in correction mode, the control unit C3 opens one or both solenoid valves V, as shown in Figure 7, and creates a difference in the speed of each roller 51.

[0049] Specifically, the control unit C3 opens the on-off valve corresponding to at least one of the rollers 51 to generate negative pressure in the suction hole h of that roller 51, and rotates that roller 51 faster or slower than in the normal mode. The control unit C3 may also open the on-off valves corresponding to both rollers 51, and in this case, one roller 51 is rotated faster than in the normal mode, while the other roller 51 is rotated slower than in the normal mode.

[0050] In this process, the control unit C3 calculates a time (hereinafter also referred to as the correction time) that will cause a difference in the rotational speed of each roller 51 based on the deviation angle that indicates the deviation of the detected direction from the normal direction described above, and causes a difference in the rotational speed of each roller 51 over that correction time.

[0051] In this correction mode, the operation of the control unit C3 causes the cylindrical label L placed over the container B to change its orientation (angle of misalignment) over a correction period during which the pair of rollers 51 continue to rotate with a difference in rotational speed. After being corrected to the correct orientation, the container B covered with the corrected cylindrical label L is transported to the heating tunnel 200.

[0052] <Effects of this embodiment> With the label attachment device X configured in this way, the orientation correction mechanism 50 is made up of a pair of rollers 51, so compared to the configuration using a pair of belts and six rollers described in the background art, it is possible to correct the misalignment of the cylindrical label L relative to the container B while keeping the number of parts down.

[0053] Furthermore, since a pair of rollers 51 are provided with a gap between them and the container B, and suction holes for attracting the cylindrical label L are formed on their outer surfaces, the cylindrical label L can be rotated without rotating the container B, and the misalignment of the cylindrical label L relative to the container B can be corrected more accurately.

[0054] Furthermore, since the suction holes are formed around the entire circumference of the outer surface of the roller 51, the program for controlling the rotation of the roller 51 can be simplified.

[0055] Furthermore, while a configuration using an endless belt as described in the background technology would require replacement due to wear and tear of the endless belt, using rollers 51 as in this embodiment improves maintainability.

[0056] In addition, a configuration using rollers 51, as in this embodiment, offers greater flexibility in arrangement compared to configurations using endless belts, as described in the background art.

[0057] Furthermore, in a configuration using an endless belt, the misalignment of the cylindrical label L would have to be corrected while it is being transported over a certain distance. However, by using rollers 51 as in this embodiment, the misalignment of the cylindrical label L can be corrected instantaneously. This makes it possible to minimize the limitations on the transport speed of the container B.

[0058] Furthermore, by using the roller 51, the misalignment of the cylindrical label L can be corrected instantaneously as described above, so the area where negative pressure is generated is smaller compared to when using an endless belt. This suppresses leakage, so that, for example, a vacuum pump can be used as a means of generating negative pressure and its suction force can be maximized.

[0059] <Other modified embodiments> However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0060] For example, in the above embodiment, each of the pair of rollers 51 had an adsorption hole h, but it is also possible to have only one roller 51 have an adsorption hole h, and change the orientation of the cylindrical label L by the adsorption force of this roller 51. With this approach, it is only necessary to form the suction holes h on one of the pair of rollers 51, thus reducing costs.

[0061] Alternatively, each of the pair of rollers 51 may not have suction holes h, and the orientation of the cylindrical label L may be changed by the frictional force generated between the outer surface of the roller 51 and the cylindrical label L.

[0062] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the labeling device X according to the present invention may further include a guide member 60 which is provided upstream of the pair of rollers 51 in the transport direction of the container B, and which guides the transport of the container B between the pair of rollers 51.

[0063] As a specific embodiment of the guide member 60, as shown in Figure 8, one can cite an embodiment that includes a pair of auxiliary rollers 61 provided on the upstream side of each of the pair of rollers 51, and a pair of belts 62 wrapped around the auxiliary rollers 61 and the rollers 51. In the configuration described above, by rotating the pair of belts 62, these belts 62 guide the transport of the container B, thereby enabling stable transport of the container B between the pair of rollers 51.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the orientation of the cylindrical label L was corrected by the rotation of the roller 51 and the suction force. However, instead of rotating the roller 51, or in addition to rotating the roller 51, the roller 51 may be made reciprocating along the transport direction of the container B, and the orientation of the label may also be corrected by the linear movement of the roller 51.

[0065] Furthermore, the label attachment device X according to the present invention may be one that attaches a cylindrical label L to a container B having a circular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction. Even in such cases, by using the label attachment device X according to the present invention, for example, the fold of the cylindrical label L can be aligned with the axial joint formed in the container B, thereby enabling good thermal shrinkage of the cylindrical label L thereafter.

[0066] Furthermore, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from its spirit. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0067] X ···Labeling device 100... Label coating device 200...Heated tunnel L... Label B...container 300... Shift correction device 40 ... Direction detection mechanism 41. Imaging means C ··· Processing Unit C1 ···Deviation Calculation Unit C2 ···Normally oriented data storage unit C3... Control Unit 50 ···Direction correction mechanism 51 ···Laura h...Adsorption hole P ···flow channel V...Opening / closing means (solenoid valve) BL ···Means of generating negative pressure (blower) 60 ··· Guide member 61... Auxiliary roller 62... belt

Claims

1. A label attachment device that attaches a cylindrical label placed over a container to the container by heating and shrinking it, An orientation detection mechanism for detecting the orientation of the cylindrical label placed over the container, The system includes an orientation correction mechanism that corrects the orientation of the cylindrical label based on the detection result of the orientation detection mechanism, The orientation correction mechanism has a pair of rollers that grip the cylindrical label, The label mounting device is characterized in that the pair of rollers have a circular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction, and their outer circumferential surfaces are in direct contact with the cylindrical label.

2. The label mounting device according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that compares detection direction data indicating the detected direction, which is the detection result of the direction detection mechanism, with normal direction data indicating a predetermined normal direction, and rotates the pair of rollers based on the comparison result.

3. The label mounting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pair of rollers are provided such that there is a gap between them and the container, and suction holes for sucking up the cylindrical label are formed on their outer circumferential surfaces.

4. The label mounting device according to claim 3, characterized in that the suction holes are formed over the entire circumference of the outer surface of the roller.

5. The labeling device according to claim 1, further comprising a guide member provided upstream of the pair of rollers in the container transport direction, which guides the transport of the container between the pair of rollers.

6. The label attachment device according to claim 1, characterized in that the orientation correction mechanism has an imaging means for imaging the cylindrical label placed over the container.

7. The label attachment device according to claim 1, characterized in that it attaches the cylindrical label to the container having a non-circular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction.

Images