Can badge making device

Abstract

Provided is a can badge making device capable of switching and detecting the operability of a mounting unit while suppressing an increase in cost.　This can badge making device 10 comprises: a body 11 having a printing unit 20 for printing an image on a print medium W, and a connection unit 30 for connecting a front member A coated on the print medium W and a back member B; a mounting unit 12 detachably mounted on the body 11 and having a driving part; a cover 90 moving between a closing position for covering at least a part of the mounting unit 12 and an opening position for opening the mounting unit 12; and switches 87, 88 provided to the mounting unit 12. The mounting unit 12 is mounted on the body 11, and the mounting unit 12 is operable in a first state in which the cover 90 disposed at the closing position is in contact with the switches 87, 88, while the mounting unit 12 is inoperable in a second state different from the first state.

Description

Badge making device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a can badge production device that produces can badges.

[0002] A known example of a conventional can badge production device is the can badge production device disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. This can badge production device has an assembly chamber inside its housing. A user opens the door to the assembly chamber and places a transparent film with an image printed on it on a front cover placed in the assembly chamber. When the user then closes the door, a process is performed to determine whether the transparent film is facing upside down. If this process determines that the orientation of the transparent film is correct, the back cover is joined to the front cover so that the peripheral portion of the transparent film that protrudes around the front cover is sandwiched between the front and back covers, and a can badge is produced.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-136210

[0004] In the above-described conventional badge production device, if a malfunction occurs during the production of a badge, the attachment part may be removed from the device and repair work performed to resolve the malfunction. If the attachment part has a drive unit, it is desirable that the operation switch of the attachment part be linked in response to the attachment and detachment of the attachment part so that repair work can be performed while the attachment part is stopped. It is also desirable that the badge production device be equipped with a detection sensor that detects whether the removed attachment part has been attached to the device after the repair work. However, there is a problem in that providing both an operation switch and a detection sensor for the attachment part in the badge production device leads to increased costs for the badge production device.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a can badge manufacturing device that can switch and detect whether an attachment unit is operational while suppressing increases in costs.

[0006] The can badge manufacturing device disclosed herein comprises a main body having a printing unit that prints an image on a print medium and a connection unit that connects a front member covered on the print medium and a back member, an attachment unit that is detachably attached to the main body and has a drive unit, a cover that moves between a closed position that covers at least a portion of the attachment unit and an open position that opens the attachment unit, and a switch provided on the attachment unit, wherein in a first state in which the attachment unit is attached to the main body and the cover, positioned in the closed position, is in contact with the switch, the attachment unit is operable, and in a second state different from the first state, the attachment unit is inoperable.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, when the attachment unit is attached to the main body and the cover covers at least a portion of the attachment unit, the switch of the attachment unit contacts the cover, enabling the attachment unit to operate. In other words, the cover in the closed position contacts the switch of the attachment unit, causing the badge production device to detect the attachment unit. On the other hand, when the attachment unit is not attached to the main body, the switch does not contact the cover, rendering the attachment unit inoperable. Furthermore, when the cover does not cover the attachment unit, the switch does not contact the cover, rendering the attachment unit inoperable. This allows the user to release the attachment unit from the cover, stopping its operation, and allowing repair work, etc., while the attachment unit is stopped. In other words, the attachment unit can be switched between operable and inoperable (i.e., operable and inoperable) based on the position of the cover and the attachment state of the attachment unit.

[0008] In this way, the switch is attached to the attachment unit, and the cover switches the switch on and off, which allows the badge production device to switch and detect the operation of the attachment unit without having both an operation switch and a detection sensor for the attachment unit, while suppressing costs.

[0009] 4A is a perspective view showing a can badge production device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4B is a block diagram showing a control device of the can badge production device and the drive parts of each unit. FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of a can badge. FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a front member. FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a back member. FIG. A top view of the print medium. FIG. A top view of the backing paper. FIG. A top view of the main body. FIG. A cross-sectional view of a can badge production device. FIG. 4D is a perspective view of a mounting unit. FIG. A perspective view of a can badge production device with the movable part of the cover positioned in the open position and the mounting unit removed from the main body. FIG. 4E is a perspective view of a can badge production device with the movable part of the cover positioned in the open position. FIG. 4F is a perspective view of a can badge production device with the movable part of the cover positioned in the closed position and the mounting unit removed from the main body. FIG. 4G is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a can badge production device with the movable part of the cover positioned in the closed position. FIG. 4H is a perspective view of a cutting unit viewed from one side of the first head part. FIG. 4H is a perspective view of a cutting unit viewed from the other side of the first head part.

[0010] <Can Badge Production Apparatus> As shown in Fig. 1, a can badge production apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a main body 11, an attachment unit 12 that is detachably attached to the main body 11, and a cover 90 that covers at least a portion of the attachment unit 12. As shown in Fig. 2, the main body 11 has a printing unit 20 that prints an image on a print medium W (Fig. 5), and a connection unit 30 that connects a front member A that is covered on the print medium W to a back member B (Fig. 3).

[0011] The main body 11, the attachment unit 12, and the cover 90 will be described later. Hereinafter, the side of the main body 11 facing the attachment unit 12 will be referred to as the "front," and the opposite side will be referred to as the "rear." Directions that intersect (e.g., are perpendicular to) this front-to-back direction will be referred to as the "left-to-right" and "up-to-down" directions. However, the directions related to the badge production device 10 are not limited to these.

[0012] 2, the badge production device 10 further includes a control device 13. The control device 13 is, for example, a computer, and includes a calculation unit such as a CPU for processing data, and a storage unit such as a memory for storing data. The control device 13 is electrically connected to the drive units, such as motors, of each unit of the badge production device 10 via drive circuits 14a to 14g, and controls the operation of these units.

[0013] The control device 13 may be configured as a single control device, or may be configured as a plurality of control devices distributed in a distributed manner that cooperate to perform the operations of the control device 13. For example, the plurality of control devices may include one or more control devices in the main body 11 and a control device of a personal computer that can communicate with the control device in the main body 11. The plurality of control devices in the main body 11 may include a control device for the printing unit 20, and control devices for the connection unit 30 and the attachment unit 12.

[0014] 3, the can badge C is produced by connecting (e.g., crimping) a front member A, which is covered with a backing sheet F and a print medium W, to a back member B. The front member A and the back member B are can members, and are made of a magnetic material such as a tin-plated steel sheet.

[0015] As shown in Figure 4A, the front member A has a front plate portion A1 that is circular when viewed from above and an annular front edge portion A2 that protrudes downward from the outer periphery of the front plate portion A1. As shown in Figure 4B, the back member B has a back plate portion B1 that is circular when viewed from above and an annular back edge portion B2 that protrudes upward from the outer periphery of the back plate portion B1.

[0016] 3, a first covering portion Fb of a backing sheet F is placed on the surface of the front member A, and a second covering portion Wb of a print medium W is placed on the first covering portion Fb. Of these covering portions Fb and Wb, the portions that extend beyond the surface of the front plate portion A1 are folded downward from the outer periphery of the front plate portion A1 to cover the surface of the front edge portion A2.

[0017] Furthermore, the portion extending beyond the surface of the front edge A2 is folded upward from the lower end of the front edge A2 and sandwiched between the back surface of the front edge A2 and the surface of the back edge B2 of the backing member B. Then, with the covered portions Fb, Wb sandwiched between the opposing front edge A2 and back edge B2, at least one of the front member A and the backing member B is deformed (e.g., crimped) to produce the can badge C. Note that the backing sheet F may not be used for the can badge C, and the front member A may be covered by the print medium W without being covered by the backing sheet F.

[0018] <Printing Medium> As shown in Figure 5, the printing medium W is, for example, a rectangular transparent sheet. The printing medium W has a transparent resin film and an ink-receiving layer formed on one surface of the resin film. The printing medium W has a downstream end We1 and an upstream end We2 in the first transport direction D1 in which it is transported toward the connection unit 30. The printing medium W has a second covered portion Wb that covers the front member A, and a second remaining portion Wa that is the remainder of the second covered portion Wb.

[0019] The print medium W also has a second connecting portion Wc connecting the second covered portion Wb and the second remaining portion Wa, and a second linear weakened portion Wd extending linearly from the second connecting portion Wc to the downstream end We1. The second covered portion Wb has a second circular portion Wb1 that covers the surface of the front plate portion A1 of the front member A, a second annular portion Wb2 that covers the surface of the front edge portion A2, and a second annular sandwiched portion Wb3 that is sandwiched between the back surface of the front edge portion A2 and the back edge portion B2 of the back member B. The second connecting portion Wc and the second linear weakened portion Wd are weak portions, such as perforations, that are weaker than the second covered portion Wb and the second remaining portion Wa.

[0020] <Backing Paper> As shown in Figure 6, the backing paper F is, for example, a rectangular white sheet. The backing paper F has the same shape and size as the print medium W and, except for the material, has basically the same configuration as the print medium W. Therefore, the backing paper F has a downstream end Fe1 and an upstream end Fe2 in the first transport direction D1, a first covered portion Fb, a first remaining portion Fa, a first connecting portion Fc, and a first linear weakened portion Fd. The first covered portion Fb has a first circular portion Fb1, a first annular portion Fb2, and a first clamped portion Fb3.

[0021] The downstream end Fe1, upstream end Fe2, first covered portion Fb, first remaining portion Fa, first connecting portion Fc, and first linear weak portion Fd of the mount F correspond to the downstream end We1, upstream end We2, second covered portion Wb, second remaining portion Wa, second connecting portion Wc, and second linear weak portion Wd, respectively, of the print medium W. The first circular portion Fb1, first annular portion Fb2, and first clamped portion Fb3 of the first covered portion Fb correspond to the second circular portion Wb1, second annular portion Wb2, and second clamped portion Wb3, respectively, of the second covered portion Wb. Hereinafter, the mount F and the print medium W may be referred to as sheets F and W when, for example, both are included without distinction.

[0022] 1, the main body 11 includes a housing 15. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the housing 15 is, for example, substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped and has an upper surface 15a, a front surface 15b, and an internal space.

[0023] The main body 11 further includes a first supply unit 40 that supplies the front member A to the connection unit 30. The first supply unit 40 is disposed on the upper surface 15a of the housing 15 and includes a first stocker 41, a first slider 42, a first pusher 43, and a first pusher motor 44 (FIG. 2). The first stocker 41 is cylindrical and accommodates a plurality of front members A stacked vertically. The first stocker 41 extends above the upper wall of the fixed portion 91 through the cover opening 91a. The first slider 42 extends from a position below the first stocker 41 to the first lower mold 31, which is disposed at the first position P1 of the connection unit 30.

[0024] The first pusher 43 is disposed on the first slider 42. The first pusher 43 moves back and forth along the first slider 42 by being driven by a first pusher motor 44. The driving of this first pusher motor 44 is controlled by the control device 13. The first pusher 43 causes the front member A to descend from the first stocker 41 onto the first slider 42. The front member A is pushed by the first pusher 43 toward the first lower die 31, thereby moving on the first slider 42 and being supplied to the first lower die 31.

[0025] The main body 11 is equipped with a second supply unit 50 that supplies backing members B to the connection unit 30. The second supply unit 50 is disposed on the upper surface 15a of the housing 15 and includes a second stocker 51, a second slider 52, a second pusher 53, and a second pusher motor 54 (FIG. 2). The second stocker 51 is cylindrical and accommodates a plurality of backing members B stacked vertically. The second stocker 51 extends above the upper wall of the fixed portion 91 through a cover opening 91a. The second slider 52 extends from a position below the second stocker 51 to the second lower mold 32, which is disposed at the first position P1 of the connection unit 30.

[0026] The second pusher 53 is disposed on the second slider 52. The second pusher 53 is driven by a second pusher motor 54 to reciprocate along the second slider 52. The driving of this second pusher motor 54 is controlled by the control device 13. The second pusher 53 causes the backing material B to descend from the second stocker 51 onto the second slider 52. The backing material B is pushed by the second pusher 53 toward the second lower mold 32, and moves on the second slider 52 to be supplied to the second lower mold 32.

[0027] The main body 11 has a printing unit 20 that prints an image on a print medium W. The printing unit 20 is arranged in the internal space of the housing 15. The printing unit 20 is, for example, an inkjet printer and has a print head 21 ( FIG. 2 ), a movement motor 22 ( FIG. 2 ), a first tray 25, and a second tray 23. The print head 21 is an inkjet head that ejects ink droplets by driving a piezoelectric element or a heater. The first tray 25 stores backing paper F. The first tray 25 is arranged, for example, on the rear surface of the housing 15. The second tray 23 stores print medium W. This second tray 23 will be described later. Furthermore, an outlet 24 for sheets F and W opens on the front surface 15b of the housing 15. The outlet 24 communicates with the storage space for the printing unit 20 provided within the housing 15.

[0028] The print medium W is moved by the drive of the movement motor 22 from the second tray 23 to the discharge port 24 via a position facing the print head 21, and is then discharged from the discharge port 24. At this facing position, the print head 21 ejects ink onto the print medium W. This causes an image to be printed on the covered portion Wb of the print medium W. This image is inverted so that it appears normal when viewed by a user from the side of the print medium W opposite the side on which the image is printed.

[0029] The printing unit 20 does not print an image on the backing sheet F, but instead discharges the backing sheet F from the first tray 25 through the discharge port 24 by driving the movement motor 22. The driving of the print head 21 and the movement motor 22 is controlled by the control device 13. The printing unit 20 is not limited to an inkjet printer, and may be a printer such as a laser printer or thermal printer, as long as it can print an image on the print medium W.

[0030] In this embodiment, of the mount F and the transparent film covering the mount F, the transparent film is used as the printing medium. Therefore, the printing unit 20 prints an image on the transparent film. However, the printing medium is not limited to this. At least one of the mount F and the transparent film may be used as the printing medium. For example, the image may be printed on the mount F without being printed on the transparent film. This image is a normal image that is not inverted.

[0031] The main body 11 is equipped with a cutting unit 60 that cuts the sheets F and W. The cutting unit 60 is disposed on the top surface 15a of the housing 15 in front of the second supply unit 50 and includes a presser head 61 and a presser motor 62 (FIG. 2). The presser head 61 is driven by the presser motor 62 to move between a presser position where it presses the coated portions Fb and Wb of the sheets F and W and a spaced position away from the presser position. The drive of the presser motor 62 is controlled by the control device 13. The presser head 61 moves from the spaced position to the presser position and presses the coated portions Fb and Wb of the sheets F and W. This causes at least a portion of the connecting portions Fc and We between the coated portions Fb and Wb and the remaining portions Fa and Wa to be cut.

[0032] As described above, the main body 11 is equipped with the connection unit 30 that connects the front member A coated on the print medium W with the back member B. The connection unit 30 is arranged on the top surface 15a of the housing 15, and has a first lower die 31, a second lower die 32, a rotary table 33, an elevating device 34, and an upper die 35. The first lower die 31 supports the front member A supplied by the first supply unit 40 from below, and the second lower die 32 supports the back member B supplied by the second supply unit 50 from below. The first lower die 31 and the second lower die 32 are arranged on the rotary table 33.

[0033] The rotary table 33 has a rotary motor 33a (FIG. 2). The rotary table 33 rotates the first lower mold 31 and the second lower mold 32 by driving the rotary motor 33a. The driving of the rotary motor 33a is controlled by the control device 13. The rotary table 33 moves the first lower mold 31 and the second lower mold 32 between the second position P2 and the first position P1. When the first lower mold 31 is positioned at one of the first position P1 and the second position P2, the second lower mold 32 is positioned at the other. The second position P2 is a position facing the upper mold 35 in the vertical direction. The first position P1 is a position different from the second position P2. The first position P1 is, for example, forward of the second position P2 and located between the first slider 42 and the second slider 52. When the front member A is supplied from the first slider 42 by the rotary table 33, the first lower die 31 is placed at the first position P1, and when the back member B is supplied from the second slider 52, the second lower die 32 is placed at the first position P1.

[0034] The lifting device 34 has a lifting motor 34a (FIG. 2). The upper mold 35 is disposed on the lifting device 34. The lifting device 34 raises and lowers the upper mold 35 at the second position P2 by driving the lifting motor 34a. The driving of the lifting motor 34a is controlled by the control device 13. The upper mold 35 descends toward the first lower mold 31 on which the covering portions Fb, Wb and the front member A are arranged, thereby covering the front member A with the covering portions Fb, Wb and then holding them. While holding the covering portions Fb, Wb and the front member A, the upper mold 35 descends toward the second lower mold 32 on which the back member B is arranged. In this manner, the upper mold 35 crimps (connects) the front member A and the back member B to produce the can badge C.

[0035] The main body 11 is equipped with a take-out unit 70 that takes out the can badges C produced by the connection unit 30. The take-out unit 70 is disposed on the top surface 15a of the housing 15 in front of the first supply unit 40. The take-out unit 70 has a swing arm 71, a take-out motor 72 ( FIG. 2 ), a magnet 73, and a seat 74. The swing arm 71 has the magnet 73 attached to its tip. The swing arm 71 is rotated by driving the take-out motor 72 so that the magnet 73 moves between the second lower die 32 at the first position P1 and the seat 74. The driving of the take-out motor 72 is controlled by the control device 13.

[0036] As the swing arm 71 rotates, the magnet 73 attaches to the can badge C supported by the second lower mold 32, and then moves the can badge C to the seat 74. The can badge C slides down the downwardly sloping seat 74 into the product container 110 and is stored in the product container 110.

[0037] <Second Tray> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8 , a tray opening 15b1 is provided on the front surface 15b of the housing 15. The tray opening 15b1 is located below the attachment unit 12. The second tray 23 is disposed in the internal space of the housing 15 through the tray opening 15b1. The second tray 23 is box-shaped and open at the top. It includes a lower plate 23a that supports the print medium W from below, and a front plate 23b that opens and closes the tray opening 15b1. The lower plate 23a is flat and intersects (or is perpendicular to) the vertical direction, and the print medium W is disposed on the upper surface 15a of the lower plate 23a. The front plate 23b rises upward from the front end of the lower plate 23a and covers the tray opening 15b1 when the second tray 23 is housed in the internal space of the housing 15. When the second tray 23 is pulled forward from the internal space of the housing 15 through the tray opening 15b1, the tray opening 15b1 is opened.

[0038] The user moves the second tray 23 forward from inside the housing 15 and pulls it out of the housing 15. The user stacks multiple print media W vertically and places them on the lower plate 23a of the second tray 23, storing them in the second tray 23. The user moves the second tray 23, which contains the multiple print media W, backward through the tray opening 15b1 and inserts it into the housing 15. By moving it backward, the second tray 23 is stored within the housing 15, and the multiple print media W are loaded into the housing 15. By moving the second tray 23 forward or backward, the user can refill the second tray 23 with print media W and load them into the housing 15 from the front of the housing 15, improving the convenience of these operations.

[0039] <Attachment Unit> The attachment unit 12 is detachably attached to the housing 15 of the main body 11 and has a drive unit. Below, a case will be described in which a transport unit 80 that transports the print medium W from the printing unit 20 to the connection unit 30 is used as the attachment unit 12. However, the attachment unit 12 is not limited to this. The attachment method of the attachment unit 12 will be described later.

[0040] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the drive section of the transport unit 80 has a transport motor 81 (Figure 2) and a plurality of rollers 82. The plurality of rollers 82 transport the remaining portions Fa and Wa of the sheets F and W by sandwiching them between each of a plurality of pairs of rollers 82. The plurality of rollers 82 has pairs of drive rollers and driven rollers. The drive rollers are rotated by the drive of the transport motor 81, and the driven rollers are rotated in conjunction with the rotation of the drive roller. The drive of this transport motor 81 is controlled by the control device 13.

[0041] The transport unit 80 has a supply path 83c and a recovery path 83d. The supply path 83c is a transport path for the sheets F, W that runs from the printing unit 20 to the connection unit 30. The recovery path 83d is a transport path that transports (recovers) the remaining portions Fa, Wa of the sheets F, W that have been separated from the covered portions Fb, Wb from the connection unit 30 to the collection container 100. The recovery path 83d is provided between the connection unit 30 and the collection container 100.

[0042] The pair of rollers 82 sandwich the remaining portions Fa and Wa of the sheets F and W between them, and are rotated forward by the drive of the conveying motor 81 to convey the sheets F and W along the supply path 83c. The sheets F and W are conveyed above the front member A of the first lower mold 31 of the connection unit 30 in the first conveying direction D1.

[0043] Meanwhile, the pair of rollers 82 sandwich the remaining portions Fa, Wa separated from the coated portions Fb, Wb between them, and are rotated in reverse by the drive of the conveying motor 81 to convey the remaining portions Fa, Wa along the recovery path 83d. The remaining portions Fa, Wa are conveyed from above the first lower mold 31 of the connection unit 30 to the collection container 100 via the recovery path 83d along a second conveying direction D2 that is the opposite direction to the first conveying direction D1.

[0044] The collection container 100 has, for example, a generally box-like shape with an open top and is detachably attached to the front portion of the transport unit 80. The top opening of the collection container 100 forms a collection port 101 and an extraction port 102 for the remaining portions Fa and Wa. The collection port 101 is located rearward of the extraction port 102 and is located forward of and below the downstream end of the collection path 83d of the transport unit 80. The remaining portions Fa and Wa transported along the collection path 83d are inserted (collected) into the collection port 101 of the collection container 100 as discarded portions. The extraction port 102 is located forward of the collection port 101. This allows the user to remove the remaining portions Fa and Wa from the extraction port 102 in the collection container 100 from the front of the main body 11, thereby improving the convenience of the removal operation of the remaining portions Fa and Wa.

[0045] <Method of Producing Can Badges> In the can badge producing device 10, the first supply unit 40 uses the first pusher 43 to push the front member A onto the first slider 42. As a result, the front member A is supplied to the first lower die 31 arranged at the first position P1 of the connection unit 30.

[0046] The printing unit 20 moves (supplies) a backing sheet F, on which an image is not printed, from the first tray 25 to the transport unit 80 via the discharge port 24. When the transport unit 80 rotates the rollers 82 in the forward direction, the backing sheet F is sandwiched between each of the pairs of rollers 82 and transported through the supply path 83c from the printing unit 20 to the connection unit 30. The backing sheet F is transported above the front member A arranged on the first lower mold 31 of the connection unit 30.

[0047] The cutting unit 60 moves the pressing head 61 from the separated position to the pressing position. The first covered portion Fb of the backing sheet F is pressed by the pressing head 61 positioned at the pressing position, and at least a part of the first connecting portion Fc between the first covered portion Fb and the first remaining portion Fa of the backing sheet F is cut.

[0048] The transport unit 80 reversely rotates the rollers 82 while the first covered portion Fb of the backing sheet F is pressed by the pressing head 61. The reverse rotation of the rollers 82 cuts the entire first connecting portion Fc and the first linear weak portion Fd of the backing sheet F, separating the first covered portion Fb and the first remaining portion Fa of the backing sheet F. Then, with the first covered portion Fb remaining above the front member A of the first lower mold 31, the first remaining portion Fa is sandwiched between each of the multiple pairs of rollers 82 and transported through the recovery path 83d from the connection unit 30 to the collection container 100. As a result, the first remaining portion Fa is stored in the collection container 100.

[0049] The printing unit 20 prints an image on the print medium W and moves (supplies) it to the transport unit 80. The print medium W, like the backing sheet F, is transported by the transport unit 80 above the front member A placed on the first lower mold 31 of the connection unit 30. The second covered portion Wb of the print medium W is pressed by the pressing head 61 of the cutting unit 60, and at least a portion of the second connecting portion Wc is cut. When the roller 82 rotates in the reverse direction while the second covered portion Wb is pressed by the pressing head 61, the second connecting portion Wc and the second linear weakened portion Wd are entirely cut, and the second covered portion Wb and the second remaining portion Wa are separated. The second covered portion Wb remains above the front member A of the first lower mold 31, while the second remaining portion Wa is transported to the collection container 100.

[0050] The rotary table 33 of the connection unit 30 moves the first lower mold 31 from the first position P1 to the second position P2. The front member A loaded in the first lower mold 31 and the covering portions Fb and Wb arranged above the front member A are positioned at the second position P2. The second lower mold 32 moves from the second position P2 to the first position P1.

[0051] The lifting device 34 of the connection unit 30 lowers the upper mold 35 to the first lower mold 31. The upper mold 35 presses the coated portions Fb, Wb on the first lower mold 31 against the front member A. The front member A is covered by the coated portions Fb, Wb, moves from the first lower mold 31 to the upper mold 35, and is held by the upper mold 35 in a state covered by the coated portions Fb, Wb. The lifting device 34 raises the upper mold 35 holding the front member A.

[0052] The second supply unit 50 pushes the backing material B on the second slider 52 by the second pusher 53. The backing material B is supplied to the second lower mold 32 arranged at the first position P1 of the connection unit 30.

[0053] The rotary table 33 of the connection unit 30 moves the second lower die 32 from the first position P1 to the second position P2. The lifting device 34 of the connection unit 30 lowers the upper die 35 holding the front member A to the second lower die 32 supporting the back member B. The front member A covered with the covering portions Fb, Wb is pressed against the back member B. With the sandwiched portions Fb3, Wb3 of the covering portions Fb, Wb sandwiched between the front edge portion A2 of the front member A and the back edge portion B2 of the back member B, the front member A and the back member B are crimped (connected) to produce the can badge C.

[0054] The rotary table 33 of the connection unit 30 moves the second lower mold 32, on which the can badge C is placed, from the second position P2 to the first position P1. The take-out unit 70 moves the tip of the swing arm 71 to the second lower mold 32 placed at the first position P1, and causes the magnet 73 at the tip to attract the can badge C. The take-out unit 70 moves the tip of the swing arm 71 from the second lower mold 32 to the seat portion 74, thereby moving the can badge C attracted to the tip to the seat portion 74. The can badge C separates from the tip at the seat portion 74, slides down the downwardly sloping seat portion 74 into the product container 110, and is stored in the product container 110.

[0055] <Attachment Method of Attachment Unit> The transport unit 80, which is the attachment unit 12, is detachable from the housing 15 of the main body 11. As shown in FIG. 9 , the transport unit 80 has, for example, a drive support portion 83, two protrusions 84, and a protruding portion 85. The drive support portion 83 supports the drive portion. The drive support portion 83 has a vertical portion 83a extending in the up-down direction and a horizontal portion 83b extending rearward from an upper portion of the vertical portion 83a. The two protrusions 84 are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. The protrusion 84 protrudes downward from the horizontal portion 83b, and the protruding portion 85 protrudes rearward from a lower portion of the vertical portion 83a below the horizontal portion 83b.

[0056] 10 , the housing 15 has two recesses 15a1 and an outlet 24. The recess 15a1 is disposed in front of the connection unit 30 on the top surface 15a of the housing 15, and is recessed from the top surface 15a of the housing 15. The outlet 24 is provided on the front surface 15b of the housing 15.

[0057] As shown in Figures 9 and 10 , the user moves the transport unit 80 rearward from the front of the main body 11 and positions the side portion 83b of the transport unit 80 above the top surface 15a of the housing 15. The user lowers the transport unit 80 and fits the protrusion 84 protruding downward from the side portion 83b into the recess 15a1 in the top surface 15a of the housing 15. The side portion 83b of the transport unit 80 is supported on the top surface 15a of the housing 15. The protrusion 85 of the transport unit 80 is inserted into the discharge port 24 of the housing 15. In this way, the transport unit 80 is attached to the housing 15. Because the user can perform this attachment operation from the front of the main body 11, the attachment operation of the transport unit 80 can be easily performed.

[0058] The user raises the transport unit 80 to remove the protrusion 84 of the transport unit 80 from the recess 15a1 of the housing 15, and then moves the transport unit 80 forward to remove the protrusion 85 of the transport unit 80 from the outlet 24 of the housing 15. In this way, the transport unit 80 is removed from the housing 15. The removal direction of this transport unit 80 is the same as the removal direction of the second tray 23 from the housing 15 of the main body 11, that is, forward. In this way, because the removal direction of the transport unit 80 and the removal direction of the second tray 23 are the same, these removal operations can be performed easily.

[0059] <Mounting Unit Switch> As shown in Fig. 9, the transport unit 80 has a first connector 86. The first connector 86 is disposed in the rear portion of the transport unit 80, and for example, protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the drive support portion 83. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 10, the main body 11 has a second connector 16. The second connector 16 is connectable to the first connector 86, and is disposed on the front surface 15b of the housing 15, and is recessed rearward from the front surface 15b, for example.

[0060] The user can connect the first connector 86 of the transport unit 80 to the second connector 16 of the housing 15 by moving the transport unit 80 backward from the front of the main body 11 toward the front surface 15b of the housing 15. The direction in which the transport unit 80 can be attached and detached to and from the main body 11 can be limited to the front-to-rear direction depending on the attachment and detachment direction of the first connector 86 and the second connector 16. Furthermore, the connection direction of the first connector 86 to the second connector 16 is the same direction as the attachment direction of the transport unit 80 to the housing 15 of the main body 11, for example, backward. This allows the user to easily connect the first connector 86 and attach the transport unit 80 from the front of the main body 11.

[0061] The first connector 86 is electrically connected to the carry motor 81 (FIG. 2). The second connector 16 is electrically connected to the control device 13 (FIG. 2). By connecting the first connector 86 to the second connector 16, the carry motor 81 is electrically connected to the control device 13 via the first connector 86 and the second connector 16. As a result, when the control device 13 outputs a drive signal for the carry motor 81, the drive signal for the carry motor 81 is transmitted via the first connector 86 and the second connector 16. The carry motor 81 then drives in accordance with this drive signal.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 9, the transport unit 80 has a first switch 87 and a second switch 88. The first switch 87, the second switch 88, the first connector 86, and the transport motor 81 are connected in series. The first switch 87 and the second switch 88 are also electrically connected to the drive section of the main body 11 via the first connector 86 and the second connector 16. The drive section of the main body 11 has, for example, the print head 21 and the motors 22, 33a, 34a, 44, 54, 62, 72, and 81, as shown in Fig. 2.

[0063] When at least one of the first switch 87 and the second switch 88 is off, the transmission path of the drive signal from the control device 13 to the transport motor 81 and the drive section of the main body 11 is blocked. This disables the transport unit 80 and the units 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 of the main body 11. On the other hand, when both the first switch 87 and the second switch 88 are on, the transmission path of the drive signal from the control device 13 to the transport motor 81 and the drive section of the main body 11 is connected. This enables the transport unit 80 and the units 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 of the main body 11 to operate. The first switch 87 and the second switch 88 are switched on and off by a cover 90. The switching method will be described later.

[0064] When both the first switch 87 and the second switch 88 are turned on, the transport unit 80 and the units 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 of the main body 11 become operable. In this case, it is possible to prevent the transport unit 80 and the units 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 of the main body 11 from being erroneously operated, compared to when the transport unit 80 and the units 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 of the main body 11 become operable when either the first switch 87 or the second switch 88 is turned on.

[0065] The first switch 87 and the second switch 88 are attached to the drive support portion 83 of the transport unit 80 and are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. The space between the first switch 87 and the second switch 88 is equal to or greater than the left-right dimensions of the sheets F and W. The sheets F and W are transported by rollers 82 rotatably supported on the drive support portion 83 and pass between the first switch 87 and the second switch 88. By separating the first switch 87 and the second switch 88, it is possible to reduce the risk of erroneous turning on both the first switch 87 and the second switch 88 compared to when the first switch 87 and the second switch 88 are close to each other.

[0066] 1 and 11 , the cover 90 covers the units 40, 50, 30, 60, and 70 arranged on the top surface 15a of the housing 15 of the main body 11. The cover 90 has a fixed part 91 and a movable part 92 that is movable relative to the fixed part 91. The fixed part 91 is generally box-shaped with an open bottom, and is attached to the housing 15. The fixed part 91 has, for example, a side wall that surrounds the periphery of the top surface 15a of the housing 15, and an upper wall that covers the upper opening of the side wall. The fixed part 91 is provided with a cover opening 91a that is opened and closed by the movable part 92.

[0067] The cover opening 91a extends from a portion of the front wall of the side wall of the fixed part 91 to a portion of the top wall. The cover opening 91a is located in the center in the left-right direction on the front wall of the fixed part 91, and is located at the front in the front-to-back direction on the top wall of the fixed part 91. If a malfunction occurs in any of the units 40, 50, 30, 60, and 70 arranged on the top surface 15a of the housing 15, the user can perform repair work on the units 40, 50, 30, 60, and 70 from the front of the main body 11 through the cover opening 91a.

[0068] The cover 90 has a support member 41 a and a support member 51 a. The support member 41 a extends from the edge of the cover opening 91 a in the upper wall of the fixed part 91 to the first stocker 41 and supports the first stocker 41. The support member 51 a extends from the edge of the cover opening 91 a to the second stocker 51 and supports the second stocker 51.

[0069] <Opening and Closing of Cover> The movable part 92 has a generally box-like shape with an open bottom, and is attached to the fixed part 91 so as to cover the cover opening 91a of the fixed part 91 in an openable and closable manner. For example, the movable part 92 has a hinge mechanism that rotates about an axis extending in the left-right direction. For example, the hinge mechanism has a shaft 92a and a bearing 92b. The shaft 92a extends in the left-right direction and is located rearward of the front surface 15b of the housing 15, for example, behind the cover opening 91a in the upper wall of the fixed part 91. The bearing 92b rotatably supports the shaft 92a and is connected to the movable part 92.

[0070] The movable part 92 rotates around a shaft 92a. As shown in Fig. 11 , when the movable part 92 rotates upward from the closed position to the open position, the cover opening 91a is opened. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 1 , when the movable part 92 rotates downward from the open position to the closed position, the cover opening 91a is covered by the movable part 92. Because this cover opening 91a is provided in the front part of the cover 90, the front part of the cover 90 can be opened and closed by rotating the movable part 92.

[0071] The user can open and close the front portion of the cover 90 by rotating the movable portion 92 from the front of the main body 11. Also, as described above, as shown in Figure 10, the user can attach and detach the transport unit 80, which is the attachment unit 12, to the front surface 15b of the housing 15 of the main body 11 from the front of the main body 11. In this way, the user can open and close the cover 90 and attach and detach the transport unit 80 from the front of the main body 11, making it easy to perform these operations on the can badge production device 10.

[0072] When the movable part 92 covers the cover opening 91a, the movable part 92 covers the first stocker 41 and the second stocker 51. On the other hand, when the movable part 92 opens the cover opening 91a, the first stocker 41 and the second stocker 51 appear upward through the cover opening 91a. A user can easily load a front member A into the first stocker 41 and a back member B into the second stocker 51 from the front of the main body 11.

[0073] The movable part 92 moves by rotation between the closed position shown in FIG. 11 and the open position shown in FIG. 1. In the closed position, the movable part 92 covers the cover opening 91a of the fixed part 91 and at least a portion of the transport unit 80 attached to the housing 15, i.e., the upper part of the transport unit 80 in the example shown in FIG. 1. The cover 90, including the fixed part 91 and the movable part 92, and the transport unit 80 cover the units arranged on the top surface 15a of the housing 15. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, when the transport unit 80 is not attached to the housing 15, an opening 17 is provided between the cover 90 and the front surface 15b of the housing 15. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 1, when the transport unit 80 is attached to the housing 15, the opening 17 is covered. As a result, the units 40, 50, 30, 60, and 70 arranged on the top surface 15a are entirely covered.

[0074] 11, the movable portion 92 opens the transport unit 80. In this way, as shown in FIG. 10, the transport unit 80 is not covered by the cover 90, and therefore the transport unit 80 can be removed from the housing 15. Even if a jam occurs while the transport unit 80 is transporting the sheets F and W, the sheets F and W causing the jam can be removed by removing the transport unit 80, and the jam can be cleared.

[0075] <Switching> As shown in Figures 9 and 11, in the transport unit 80, the first switch 87 and the second switch 88 protrude upward from the drive support portion 83. A notch 87a is provided in the first switch 87. The notch 87a extends diagonally downward and rearward from the front end of the switch 87. A notch 88a is provided in the second switch 88. The notch 88a extends diagonally downward and rearward from the front end of the switch 88. As shown in Figure 13, the movable piece 87b of the first switch 87 is disposed in the notch 87a, and the movable piece 88b of the second switch 88 is disposed in the notch 88a.

[0076] The movable part 92 of the cover 90 has a front wall 92c and two retaining portions 93 attached to the rear surface of the front wall 92c. The front wall 92c is disposed forward of the switches 87 and 88 of the movable part 92 when in the closed position. In the front-to-rear direction, the rear surface of the front wall 92c faces the front ends of the switches 87 and 88. The retaining portions 93 are, for example, flat, inclined with respect to the rear surface of the front wall 92c, and protrude diagonally downward and rearward from the rear surface of the front wall 92c.

[0077] 11 and 13 , when the transport unit 80 is attached to the main body 11 and the movable part 92 moves from the open position to the closed position, one of the retaining portions 93 is inserted into the notch 87 a of the first switch 87, and the other retaining portion 93 is inserted into the notch 88 a of the second switch 88. The retaining portion 93 presses (comes into contact with) the movable pieces 87 b and 88 b of the switches 87 and 88, turning on both the first switch 87 and the second switch 88, and enabling the transport unit 80 and the units of the main body 11. That is, in a first state in which the attachment unit 12 is attached to the main body 11 and the cover 90, which is positioned in the closed position, is in contact with the switches 87 and 88, the drive portion of the attachment unit 12 is enabled to operate.

[0078] On the other hand, when the transport unit 80 is attached to the main body 11, the movable part 92 moves from the closed position to the open position. This movement causes one of the retaining portions 93 to be removed from the notch 87a of the first switch 87, and the other retaining portion 93 to be removed from the notch 88a of the second switch 88. The retaining portions 93 move away from the movable pieces 87b, 88b of the switches 87, 88, turning both the first switch 87 and the second switch 88 off, and the transport unit 80 becomes inoperable. In other words, in a second state different from the first state, the drive unit of the attachment unit 12 becomes inoperable.

[0079] 12, when the transport unit 80 is not attached to the main body 11, the movable part 92 is in the closed position. Even in this position, the switches 87 and 88 are not positioned opposite the retaining portion 93, so the retaining portion 93 is separated from the movable pieces 87b and 88b of the switches 87 and 88. Therefore, both the first switch 87 and the second switch 88 are turned off, and the transport unit 80 is inoperable. In other words, in a second state different from the first state, the drive unit of the attachment unit 12 is inoperable.

[0080] 8 and 13 , in the first state, the rear surface of the front wall 92c of the movable part 92 faces the front ends of the switches 87 and 88 of the transport unit 80. Even if the transport unit 80 is attempted to be moved forward from the main body 11, the switches 87 and 88 of the transport unit 80 will hit the front wall 92c of the movable part 92. In this case, the front wall 92c of the movable part 92 of the cover 90 is a locking portion that limits the movement of the transport unit 80, and the switches 87 and 88 of the transport unit 80 are locked portions that are locked by the front wall 92c of the movable part 92. The switches 87 and 88 and the front wall 92c limit the movement of the transport unit 80, and the transport unit 80 remains attached to the main body 11.

[0081] The cover 90 has a locking portion, and the locking portion includes, for example, a wall (e.g., a front wall 92c) that faces the switches 87 and 88 when the cover 90 is placed in the closed position. The mounting unit 12 is locked by the locking portion of the cover 90 placed in the closed position, and has a locked portion that maintains the mounting unit 12 attached to the main body 11. The locked portion of the mounting unit 12 includes, for example, the switches 87 and 88.

[0082] The locking portion and the locked portion prevent the transport unit 80 from being removed from the main body 11 when the movable part 92 is in the closed position. The user moves the movable part 92 from the closed position shown in Fig. 1 to the open position shown in Fig. 11, and then removes the transport unit 80 from the main body 11 as shown in Fig. 10. Because switches 87 and 88 are turned off, the user can remove the transport unit 80 with the transport unit 80 and the main body 11 units stopped.

[0083] If the transport unit 80 is not removed, for example, if a malfunction occurs in the unit of the main body 11, the cover opening 91a is opened and the switches 87 and 88 are turned off by moving the movable part 92 from the closed position in Fig. 1 to the open position in Fig. 11. With the transport unit 80 and the unit of the main body 11 stopped, the user can repair the unit of the main body 11 through the cover opening 91a.

[0084] For example, after removing the transport unit 80 from the main body 11, the user may forget to attach the transport unit 80, and the cover opening 91a may end up being covered by the movable part 92. Even in such a case, since the switches 87 and 88 are provided on the transport unit 80, the switches 87 and 88 are not turned on, and the units of the main body 11 do not operate. The user then notices that the transport unit 80 is not attached, and can attach the transport unit 80 to the main body 11.

[0085] In the badge manufacturing device 10, switches 87 and 88 are provided on the transport unit 80, and the switches 87 and 88 are turned on by a cover 90. This makes it possible to switch and detect whether the badge manufacturing device 10 is operational while suppressing increases in costs.

[0086] <Variation 1> In a can badge production device 10 according to Variation 1 of the present disclosure, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, a pad 63 is attached to the presser head 61 of the cutting unit 60. The presser head 61 has a first head portion 61a and a second head portion 61b. The first head portion 61a is disk-shaped and is connected to the rotation shaft of the presser motor 62 by a gear, an arm, or the like. The diameter of the first head portion 61a is equal to or smaller than the diameters of the covering portions Fb and Wb of the sheets F and W. The pad 63 is attached to one surface of the first head portion 61a.

[0087] The pad 63 is made of, for example, an elastic porous material such as resin foam. The pad 63 is disk-shaped, and the diameter of the pad 63 is equal to or smaller than the diameter of the first head portion 61a. The pad 63 is stacked on the first head portion 61a so that its center coincides with the center of the first head portion 61a. A through-hole 63a is provided at the center of the pad 63, and a through-hole 61a1 is provided at the center of the first head portion 61a. The through-holes 63a and 61a1 extend in the stacking direction of the first head portion 61a and the pad 63. The pores of the pad 63 communicate with the space on the other side of the first head portion 61a via the through-hole 63a in the first head portion 61a and the through-hole 61a1 in the pad 63.

[0088] When the first head portion 61a moves from the separated position to the pressing position, the pad 63 on the first head portion 61a presses the coated portions Fb, Wb of the sheets F, W on the first lower mold 31 (FIG. 7). The pad 63 is sandwiched and compressed between the first head portion 61a and the coated portions Fb, Wb. Then, after the connecting portions Fc, Wc are cut to separate the coated portions Fb, Wb from the remaining portions Fa, Wa, the first head portion 61a moves from the pressing position to the separated position.

[0089] At this time, air flows from the other surface side of the first head portion 61a through the through holes 63a, 61a1 into the pad 63 and between the pad 63 and the covering portions Fb, Wb. As a result, the pad 63 separates from the covering portions Fb, Wb and returns to the separated position, and the covering portions Fb, Wb remain on the first lower mold 31. This allows the covering portions Fb, Wb to cover the front member A loaded in the first lower mold 31.

[0090] The second head portion 61b has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and has a pressing surface for pressing the remaining portions Fa and Wa. The second head portion 61b extends in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction and radial direction of the first head portion 61a. When the first head portion 61a presses the covering portions Fb and Wb, the second head portion 61b presses the remaining portions Fa and Wa. At this time, the second head portion 61b does not press the linear weak portions Fd and Wd, but presses each of the two side portions of the remaining portions Fa and Wa that sandwich the linear weak portions Fd and Wd between them. As a result, the linear weak portions Fd and Wd are cut along with the cutting of the connecting portions Fc and Wc. The remaining portions Fa and Wa are separated at the linear weak portions Fd and Wd and transported to the collection container 100 by the transport unit 80 through each side of the first head portion 61a.

[0091] <Other Modifications> In all of the above embodiments and modifications, the cover 90 has the fixed portion 91 fixed to the housing 15 of the main body 11 and the movable portion 92 movable relative to the fixed portion 91, but the configuration of the cover 90 is not limited to this. The entire cover 90 may be movable relative to the housing 15.

[0092] In all the above embodiments and modified examples, the fixed portion 91 of the cover 90 is fixed to the housing 15 of the main body 11, but it may also be detachably attached to the housing 15.

[0093] In all of the above embodiments and modified examples, the cover 90 covers the attachment unit 12 and the units of the main body 11 arranged on the upper surface 15a of the housing 15. However, the cover 90 only needs to cover at least a portion of the attachment unit 12. Therefore, for example, the cover 90 may cover the attachment unit 12, but may not cover some or all of the units of the main body 11 arranged on the upper surface 15a of the housing 15.

[0094] In all of the above embodiments and modified examples, the attachment unit 12 and all units of the main body 11 are rendered inoperable in the second state. However, the units that become inoperable are not limited to this. In the second state, the units of the main body 11 may be operable, while the attachment unit 12 is rendered inoperable. For example, when the cover 90 moves from the closed position to the open position and enters the second state, the printing unit 20 in the housing 15 may be performing a printing operation. In this case, the printing operation may continue, and the printing unit 20 may become inoperable when the printing operation is completed. Because the printing unit 20 is located inside the housing 15, even if the printing unit 20 continues to print, the user can perform work such as repairing the transport unit 80 and other units of the main body 11.

[0095] In all of the above embodiments and modified examples, the backing sheet F is stored in the first tray 25 and the print medium W is stored in the second tray 23, but the method of storing the backing sheet F and the print medium W is not limited to this. For example, the backing sheet F and the print medium W may be stored in the second tray in an alternating stack. In this case, the drive of the movement motor 22 moves the backing sheet F and the print medium W alternately from the second tray 23 to the transport unit 80 via the discharge port 24.

[0096] It should be noted that many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the above description. Therefore, the above description should be construed as illustrative only and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode for carrying out the present disclosure. Details of the structure and / or function thereof may be substantially changed without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0097] 10: Can badge manufacturing device 11: Main body 12: Mounting unit 15b: Front surface 16: Second connector 20: Printing unit 23: Tray 30: Connection unit 80: Conveying unit 81: Conveying motor (driving unit) 82: Roller (driving unit) 86: First connector 87: Switch 87: First switch (switch, latched portion) 88: Second switch (switch, latched portion) 88: Switch 90: Cover 92c: Front wall (latching portion, wall)

Claims

1. A badge manufacturing device comprising: a main body having a printing unit that prints an image on a print medium and a connection unit that connects a front member covered on the print medium and a back member; an attachment unit that is detachably attached to the main body and has a drive unit; a cover that moves between a closed position that covers at least a portion of the attachment unit and an open position that opens the attachment unit; and a switch provided on the attachment unit, wherein the attachment unit is operable in a first state in which the attachment unit is attached to the main body and the cover, when placed in the closed position, is in contact with the switch, and the attachment unit is inoperable in a second state different from the first state.

2. The badge manufacturing device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting unit is a transport unit that transports the print medium from the printing unit to the connection unit.

3. A can badge manufacturing device as described in claim 2, wherein the switch has a first switch and a second switch arranged at a distance from each other in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction in which the printing medium is transported by the transport unit, and the transport unit transports the printing medium in the transport direction between the first switch and the second switch.

4. A can badge manufacturing device as described in claim 1, wherein the cover has a locking portion, and the mounting unit has a locking portion that is locked by the locking portion of the cover when it is positioned in the closed position and maintains the mounting unit attached to the main body.

5. A can badge manufacturing device as described in claim 4, wherein the engaging portion of the attachment unit includes the switch, and the engaging portion of the cover includes a wall of the cover that faces the switch when the cover is positioned in the closed position.

6. The can badge manufacturing device according to claim 1, wherein the attachment unit is detachable from the front surface of the main body from the front, and the front part of the cover is openable and closable.

7. A can badge manufacturing device as described in claim 1, wherein the attachment unit has a roller that transports the printing medium and a motor that drives the roller as the drive unit, and also has a first connector, and the main body has a second connector that can be connected to the first connector and transmits a drive signal for the motor.

8. The can badge manufacturing device according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit has a tray that stores the printing medium and is removably attached to the main body, and the direction in which the tray is removed from the main body and the direction in which the attachment unit is removed are the same.

Images