JP5252967B2 - Label feeder - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a label supply apparatus, and in particular, is a technique related to improving the cutting accuracy of a label base material.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a label supply device has been used to supply a label to be attached to a drinking water bottle or the like. The label supply apparatus supplies a label by cutting a label base material in which a plurality of label segments are continuous in one direction for each label segment.

  And in the said label supply apparatus, the control technique relevant to the cutting | disconnection of a label base material is proposed. For example, in Patent Document 1 listed below, the transport distance of the label base material from when the label base material is cut by the cutting blade until the mark attached to the label base material is detected by the mark sensor is set in advance. A technique for determining whether or not the cutting timing of the label base material is accurate by comparing with the measured distance is disclosed.

Patent Document 2 discloses a technique related to initial setting performed immediately after the label base material is attached. Specifically, the mark attached to the label base material is detected by a mark sensor while the label base material is conveyed at a low speed. Then, by transporting the label base material by a predetermined distance from the time when the mark is detected, a cutting position different from the cutting position in the vicinity of the detected mark is adjusted to the position where the cutting with the cutting blade is executed.
JP 2007-45423 A JP 2007-76671 A

  However, the above-described controls in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are based on the premise that the length of one label segment printed on the label base material is the same. For this reason, if control of patent documents 1 and 2 is applied to a label base material from which the length of a label segment differs, a cutting position will shift from a predetermined position, and it will be difficult to cut out a label with sufficient accuracy.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and labels are not only accurate for label substrates made of label segments having the same length, but also for label substrates made of label segments having different lengths. The purpose is to cut out well.

  The label supply apparatus according to the present invention transports a label base material (S), in which a plurality of label segments (Seg (n)) are continuous in one direction, in the longitudinal direction, and the label base material for each label segment. And then supplied to the subsequent apparatus. The label supply apparatus includes a transport mechanism (3), a cutting mechanism (4), a mark sensor (26), and a control means (13). The transport mechanism (3) transports the label base material along a predetermined transport path. The cutting mechanism (4) is installed along the conveyance path of the label base material and cuts the label base material for each label segment. The mark sensor (26) is installed away from the cutting mechanism along the conveyance path of the label base material, and detects a mark attached to the target cutting position and a fixed relative position for each label segment with respect to the label base material. . The control means (13) controls the transport speed of the transport mechanism based on the detection signal obtained from the mark sensor. Specifically, the control means (13) controls the conveyance speed, the time from when one mark is detected by the mark sensor until the mark reaches the cutting mechanism along the conveyance path of the label base material. Thus, the target cutting position (R (n)) set at a certain relative position with the mark is matched with the actual cutting position (Rc) by the cutting mechanism.

  According to the label supply apparatus, after one mark is detected by the mark sensor, the target cutting position set to a certain relative position with the one mark is set to the actual cutting position by controlling the conveyance speed. Since they are matched, even if there is a variation in the length of each label segment, the variation hardly affects the cutting accuracy.

  In a specific aspect, the label supply apparatus further includes a signal output means (70), a count means (11), and a calculation means (12). The signal output means (70) outputs a signal at a predetermined period as the label base material is transported by the transport mechanism (3). The counting means (11) counts the signals output from the signal output means and accumulates the number of counts. The calculating means (12) sets the accumulated count number (PM (n)) at the time of mark detection by the mark sensor (26) along the conveyance path from the detection position (Rs) by the mark sensor to the actual cutting position (Rc). A value (PL) obtained by converting the measured distance (L) into a count number is added, and the distance (ΔLc) between the mark and the target cutting position (R (n)) installed at a certain relative position and the mark ) Is converted into a count number (ΔPc) is added or subtracted to calculate a target cumulative count number (PM (n)) when the target cutting position matches the actual cutting position. The control means (13) causes the cutting of the label base material by the cutting mechanism (4) at the coincidence timing when the cumulative count number (P) of the counting means matches the target cumulative count number (PC (n)). The conveyance speed of the conveyance mechanism (3) is controlled so as to match the cutting timing.

  According to the specific aspect described above, the absolute position of the label base material is obtained as the cumulative count number by counting signals output at a predetermined period as the label base material is transported by the transport mechanism. Then, the absolute position of the label base material when the target cutting position matches the actual cutting position is accurately obtained as the target cumulative count number.

  In a more specific aspect, the control means (13) includes the cumulative count number at the time of detection by the mark sensor (26) for each of two marks adjacent to each other along the transport path of the label base material (S) ( Based on the difference (ΔPM (n)) between PM (n−1) and PM (n)), the conveyance speed of the conveyance mechanism (3) is controlled so that the coincidence timing matches the cutting timing.

  According to the above specific aspect, the difference between the cumulative count values at the time of detection for two adjacent marks is obtained by converting the length of the label segment between the marks into a count number. Then, the transport speed is controlled based on the length of the label segment.

  According to the label supply device of the present invention, it is possible to cut out a label with high accuracy not only for a label base material composed of label segments having the same length but also for a label base material composed of label segments having different lengths. it can.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

1. 1. Configuration of label supply apparatus 1-1. Mechanical system A label supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a device for supplying a label to be mounted on a bottle for drinking water, etc., and as shown in FIG. 1, a transport mechanism 3, a cutting mechanism 4, A mark sensor 26. The label supply device generates the label L by cutting the label base material S while transporting the label base material S in the longitudinal direction, and supplies the label L to a subsequent device. Hereinafter, the label supply device and the subsequent device will be specifically described.

<Transport mechanism 3>
The transport mechanism 3 includes the feed roller 23 and the driven roller 24 shown in FIG. 1, and the feed motor 68 shown in FIG. The feed roller 23 is driven by a feed motor 68 as shown in FIG. 3, and rotates in a direction 921 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the driven roller 24 sandwiches the label base material S with the feed roller 23. Then, by engaging the gear attached to the driven roller 24 with the gear attached to the feed motor 68, the driven roller 24 is driven to rotate in the direction 922 shown in FIG.

  According to the transport mechanism 3, the label base material S sandwiched between the feed roller 23 and the driven roller 24 with the rotation of the feed roller 23 moves along a predetermined transport path in a direction 91 (hereinafter referred to as “transport direction 91”). ”).)

  A pulse encoder 70 is attached to the feed motor 68. The pulse encoder 70 outputs pulses at a predetermined period as the feed motor 68 rotates. If the pulse is grasped as a signal, the pulse encoder 70 can be grasped as a signal output unit that outputs a signal at a predetermined period as the label base material S is transported by the transport mechanism 3.

<Cutting mechanism 4>
As shown in FIG. 1, the cutting mechanism 4 is installed at a position downstream of the transport mechanism 3 in the transport direction 91. The cutting blade 4 and the rotary blade 28 shown in FIG. The rotary blade motor 71 is configured. The fixed blade 27 is fixed so that the blade edge is along one surface of the label substrate S.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the rotary blade 28 is disposed at a position opposite to the fixed blade 27 with respect to the label substrate S so that the blade edge can come into contact with the blade edge of the fixed blade 27. The rotary blade 28 is driven by a rotary blade motor 71 as shown in FIG. 3, and rotates in the direction 93 shown in FIG.

  By driving the cutting mechanism 4, the cutting edge of the rotating blade 28 contacts the cutting edge of the fixed blade 27 every time the rotating blade 28 makes one rotation. Thereby, the label base material S is cut and the label L is generated.

  A pulse encoder 76 is attached to the rotary blade motor 71. The pulse encoder 76 outputs pulses at a predetermined cycle as the rotary blade 28 rotates.

<Label substrate S>
As shown in FIG. 2, the label substrate S includes a plurality of label segments Seg (n) that are continuous in one direction. Specifically, the label base material S is printed on a label for each label segment Seg (n) using a long transparent sheet as a base material. Here, the symbol n represents an integer.

  A non-printing light transmitting portion S1 is formed between the label segments Seg (n−1) and Seg (n) adjacent along the one direction. In view of the fact that the light transmission part S1 is formed between the label segments, it can be said that the light transmission part S1 is formed at a predetermined location, and thus the light transmission part S1 is relative to the label substrate S. Can be grasped as a mark attached.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the target cutting position R (n) of the label base material S is fixed relative to the light transmitting portion S1 (n), specifically, the position RS1 at the downstream end of the light transmitting portion S1 (n). (N) and a fixed relative position R (n). More specifically, the target cutting position R (n) is set near the center of the light transmission part S1 (n) in the transport direction 91, and the position RS1 (n) at the downstream end of the light transmission part S1 (n). ) With respect to the upstream side by a certain relative distance ΔLc.

<Mark sensor 26>
As shown in FIG. 1, the mark sensor 26 is installed away from the cutting mechanism 4 along the conveyance path of the label base material S. The mark sensor 26 is a transmissive optical sensor that emits light toward the label base material S and detects light transmitted through the label base material S, thereby transmitting light formed on the label base material S. The part S1 is detected. By detecting the light transmitting portion S1, the mark sensor 26 outputs a detection signal indicating the detection.

  Specifically, the case where the label base material S is transported in the transport direction 91 will be described. By transporting the label base material S in the transport direction 91, the light transmitting portion S1 (n) on the upstream side of the mark sensor 26 as shown in FIG. Approaches the detection position Rs. As shown in FIG. 2, when the printed portion of the label base material S is at the detection position Rs, the light emitted from the mark sensor 26 toward the label base material S passes through the label base material S. I can't. Therefore, the mark sensor 26 cannot detect the transmitted light and remains in a standby state.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the light emitted from the mark sensor 26 passes through the label base material S when the position RS1 (n) at the downstream end of the light transmitting portion S1 coincides with the detection position Rs. Therefore, the mark sensor 26 detects the transmitted light and outputs a detection signal notifying the detection of the transmitted light.

<Rear device>
The latter apparatus includes a mounting mechanism for mounting the label L on the bottle and a delivery mechanism for transferring the label L to the mounting mechanism. As shown in FIG. 1, the delivery mechanism includes a receiving unit 46 that receives a label L supplied from the label supply device. A suction port for adsorbing the received label L to the surface is formed on the surface of the receiving portion 46.

  Note that the label L generated by cutting the label base material S by the cutting mechanism 4 is transported by the transport mechanism 5 to the position K6 where the receiving unit 46 receives the label L as shown in FIG. The transport mechanism 5 may constitute a part of the label supply device, or may be installed separately from the label supply device as a subsequent device.

1-2. Control System As shown in FIG. 3, the label supply apparatus includes a control unit 1 that controls the transport mechanism 3, the cutting mechanism 4, and the mark sensor 26. Specifically, the control unit 1 controls the rotation speed of the feed roller 23 by controlling the drive of the feed motor 68 via the servo amplifier 69. Thereby, the conveyance speed of the label base material S by the conveyance mechanism 3 is adjusted. A pulse output from the pulse encoder 70 as the feed motor 68 rotates is input to the control unit 1 via a servo amplifier 69.

  Further, the control unit 1 controls the rotation speed of the rotary blade 28 by controlling the drive of the rotary blade motor 71 via the servo amplifier 72. A pulse output from the pulse encoder 76 along with the rotation of the rotary blade motor 71 is input to the control unit 1 via the servo amplifier 72. The detection signal output from the mark sensor 26 is also input to the control unit 1.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the label supply device further includes a memory 2, a count unit 11, a calculation unit 12, and a control unit 13. In FIG. 3, the count unit 11, the calculation unit 12, and the control unit 13 are configured in the control unit 1, but may be configured separately from the control unit 1, for example.

  The counting means 11 counts the pulses output from the pulse encoder 70 and accumulates the number of counts. The accumulated count number is output from the counting means 11 as the accumulated count number P. Thereby, the absolute position of the label substrate S can be obtained as the cumulative count number.

  The calculation unit 12, the control unit 13, and the memory 2 will be described in detail in the section “Control of label supply device”.

2. Control of Label Supply Device The control of the label supply device includes control for calculating the target cumulative count number PC (n) and the length ΔL (n) of the label segment Seg (n), and control of the conveyance speed. . Therefore, the former will be specifically described below by referring to the former as the first control and the latter as the second control.

2-1. First control (calculation of target cumulative count and label segment length)
The first control of the label supply apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 and FIGS. When label supply by the label supply apparatus is started, first, at step 401, it is determined whether or not a mark is detected by the mark sensor 26. The mark is the light transmission portion S1 (n) that is a mark attached to the label base material S as described above.

  If it is determined in step 401 that the light transmission part S1 (n) is not detected, it is determined again in step 401 whether the light transmission part S1 (n) is detected. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 401 that the light transmission part S1 (n) has been detected, the process proceeds to step 402. In step 402, the cumulative count number P when the mark sensor 26 detects the light transmission portion S1 (n) is stored in the memory 2 as the cumulative count number PM (n) (FIG. 3). After execution of step 402, the process proceeds to step 403 and step 404.

  In step 403, the calculation means 12 calculates the target cumulative count number PC (n) based on the cumulative count number PM (n) obtained in step 402. Here, the target cumulative count number PC (n) is the cumulative count number when the target cutting position R (n) set for the label segment Seg (n) matches the actual cutting position Rc by the cutting mechanism 4. P (FIG. 6). The calculated target cumulative count number PC (n) is stored in the memory 2 (FIG. 3).

  Specifically, the calculation means 11 calculates the target cumulative count number PC (n) by adding two values PL and ΔPc to the cumulative count number PM (n) obtained in step 402 (FIG. 6). ). Here, the value PL to be added to the cumulative count number PM (n) is a value obtained by converting the distance L (FIG. 6) along the transport path from the detection position Rs to the actual cutting position Rc by the mark sensor 26 into the count number. . The value ΔPc to be added to the cumulative count number PM (n) is a constant relative distance ΔLc between the downstream end RS1 (n) of the light transmission part S1 (n) and the target cutting position R (n) converted into the count number. It is the value.

  According to step 403, the absolute position of the label base material S when the target cutting position R (n) matches the actual cutting position Rc can be accurately obtained as the target cumulative count number PC (m).

  In step 404, a value obtained by converting the length ΔL (n) of the label segment Seg (n) in the transport direction 91 into a count number is obtained. Specifically, in step 404, the cumulative count number PM (n−1) relating to the light transmission part S 1 (n−1) adjacent to the light transmission part S 1 (n) from the downstream side is calculated from the memory 2 by the calculation means 11. Read out (FIG. 3). Then, the difference ΔPM (n) between the accumulated counts PM (n) and PM (n−1) relating to the light transmitting portions S1 (n) and S1 (n−1) is calculated by the calculating means 12 (FIG. 6). The calculated difference ΔPM (n) is stored in the memory 2 (FIG. 3). The calculation of the difference ΔPM (n) may be executed by the control means 13 or may be executed by means provided separately from the calculation means 12 and the control means 13.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 4, step 403 and step 404 are executed in parallel, but may be executed in series. That is, after executing one of steps 403 and 404, the other can be executed.

  After executing Steps 403 and 404, the process proceeds to Step 405. In step 405, it is determined whether there is a command to stop the label supply by the label supply apparatus. If it is determined in step 405 that a stop command has been issued, the control of the label supply device ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 405 that there is no stop command, the process proceeds to step 406.

  In step 406, the value (n + 1) obtained by adding 1 to the integer n is again set to the integer n. After execution of step 406, the process proceeds to step 401 again, and the same control as described above is performed for the next segment Seg (n) and the light transmission part S1 (n). Steps 401 to 406 are repeatedly executed until it is determined in step 405 that a stop command has been issued.

2-2. Second control (transport speed control)
2nd control of a label supply apparatus is demonstrated using the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 3, FIG. When label supply by the label supply apparatus is started, the first cutting is performed. In the first cutting, the target cutting position matches the actual cutting position Rc.

  After execution of the first cutting, in step 501, the target cumulative count number PC (m−1) (sign m represents an integer) calculated in step 403 of the first control (FIG. 4), and in step 404. The calculated difference ΔPM (m) is read (FIG. 3).

  After execution of step 501, the process proceeds to step 502. In step 502, the control means 13 calculates the transport speed of the transport mechanism 3, specifically, the rotational speed ω 1 (m) (rad / sec) of the feed motor 68 based on the difference ΔPM (m) using Equation 1. Here, the symbol T represents the rotation period of the rotary blade, the symbol Δs represents the transport distance per pulse, and the symbol r1 represents the rotation radius of the feed motor 68.

(Formula 1)
ω1 (m) = ΔL (m) / (r1 · T) = ΔPM (m) · Δs / (r1 · T)

  The rotational speed ω1 (m) calculated by the mathematical formula 1 indicates that the target cutting position R (m) is actual in accordance with the cutting timing at which cutting by the cutting mechanism 4 is performed when the rotational speed of the rotary blade 28 is constant. This is the rotational speed of the feed motor 68 required to match the cutting position Rc.

  After execution of step 502, the process proceeds to step 503. In step 503, it is determined whether or not the cumulative count number P obtained from the counting means 11 matches the target cumulative count number PC (m−1) read in step 501.

  If it is determined in step 503 that the cumulative count number P does not match the target cumulative count number PC (m−1), in step 503, the cumulative count number P is again changed to the target cumulative count number PC (m -1) is determined as to whether or not.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 503 that the cumulative count number P matches the target cumulative count number PC (m−1), the control means 13 starts the feed motor 68 from that point in step 504. The rotation speed is changed to the rotation speed ω1 (m). Specifically, the control means 13 gives a speed command value having a pattern as shown in FIG. 7 to the feed motor 68 via the servo amplifier 69.

  That is, the control means 13 adjusts the coincidence timing at which the accumulated count number P matches the next target accumulated count number PC (m) to the cutting timing at which the cutting of the label base material S is performed by the cutting mechanism 4. The rotational speed of the feed motor 68 is controlled.

  After execution of step 504, the process proceeds to step 505. In step 505, it is determined whether there is a command to stop the label supply by the label supply apparatus. If it is determined in step 505 that a stop command has been issued, the control of the label supply device ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 505 that there is no stop command, the process proceeds to step 506.

  In step 506, a value (m + 1) obtained by adding 1 to the integer m is set as the integer m again. After execution of step 506, the process proceeds to step 501 again, and the same control as described above is performed for the next segment Seg (m). Steps 501 to 506 are repeatedly executed until it is determined in step 505 that a stop command has been issued.

2-3. Effect by Control of Label Supply Device According to the control of the label supply device described above, the length ΔL (m) of the label segment Seg (m) is reached from the time when the target cutting position R (m−1) is cut. Since the rotational speed of the feed motor 23 is controlled based on this, the coincidence timing of the cumulative count number P with the target cumulative count number PC (m) coincides with the cutting timing of the next target cutting position R (m).

  Therefore, in the case where the rotary blade 28 is rotated at a predetermined rotational speed, the label substrate S is of course not only composed of label segments having the same length, but also of label segments having different lengths. Even when there is variation in the length of the label substrate S, the label substrate S can be accurately cut at the cutting target position R (n) without being affected by the difference in length.

  In addition, the cutting timing of the target cutting position R (m−1) can be known only by determining whether or not the cumulative count number P matches the target cumulative count number PC (m−1). There is no need for separate detection, thereby simplifying the control.

3. Modification <Modification 1>
In step 504 of the second control described above, as shown in FIG. 7, the rotational speed is set as a speed command value to the feed motor 68 from the time when the cumulative count number P matches the target cumulative count number PC (m−1). ω1 (m) is given. However, as shown in FIG. 3, the feed motor 68 controlled by the servo amplifier 69 has high followability to the speed command value. Therefore, the rotational speed of the feed motor 68 is changed to the rotational speed ω1 (m) with a remarkably large change rate. For this reason, the label base material S is subjected to a large impact, and there is a possibility that defects such as wrinkles occur on the label base material S or the label base material S slips on the transport mechanism 3.

  Therefore, a speed command value having a pattern as shown in FIG. 8 is given to the feed motor 68 via the servo amplifier 69. Thereby, the impact to the label base material S can be relieved. Specifically, the feed motor 68 is accelerated at a predetermined acceleration A for a time T1 represented by the mathematical expression 2. Here, the predetermined acceleration A is an acceleration that does not cause a problem in the label substrate S.

(Formula 2)
T1 = T−√ {T ² − {2 (ΔPM (m) −ΔPM (m−1)) · Δs / A}}

<Modification 2>
Instead of the conveyance speed control performed in the second control of the label supply device described above, the rotation speed of the rotary blade 28 may be controlled. This will be specifically described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When label supply by the label supply apparatus is started, the first cutting is performed. In the first cutting, the target cutting position matches the actual cutting position Rc.

  After execution of the first cutting, in step 901, the target cumulative count number PC (m−1) calculated in step 403 of the first control (FIG. 4) and the difference ΔPM (m) calculated in step 404 are obtained. Read (FIG. 3). Here, the symbol m represents an integer.

  After execution of step 901, the process proceeds to step 902. In step 902, based on the difference ΔPM (m), the control means 13 calculates the rotational speed of the rotary blade 28, specifically, the rotational speed ω2 (m) (rad / sec) of the rotary blade motor 71 (FIG. 3). 3 is calculated. Here, the symbol V represents the conveyance speed.

(Formula 3)
ω2 (m) = 2π · V / ΔL (m) = 2π · V / (ΔPM (m) · Δs)

  The rotation speed ω2 (m) calculated by Expression 3 performs cutting by the cutting mechanism 4 in accordance with the timing at which the target cutting position R (m) matches the actual cutting position Rc when the conveyance speed V is constant. This is the rotational speed of the rotary blade motor 71 required to do this.

  After execution of step 902, the process proceeds to step 903. In step 903, it is determined whether the cumulative count number P obtained from the counting means 11 matches the target cumulative count number PC (m-1) read in step 901.

  If it is determined in step 903 that the cumulative count number P does not match the target cumulative count number PC (m−1), in step 903 again, the cumulative count number P is changed to the target cumulative count number PC (m -1) is determined as to whether or not.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step 903 that the cumulative count number P matches the target cumulative count number PC (m−1), the control means 13 starts the rotation blade motor 71 in step 904 from that point. Is changed to a rotational speed ω2 (m).

  That is, the control means 13 is configured so that the cutting timing at which the cutting of the label base material S is performed by the cutting mechanism 4 matches the matching timing at which the cumulative count number P matches the next target cumulative count number PC (m). The rotational speed of the rotary blade motor 71 is controlled.

  After execution of step 904, the process proceeds to step 905. In step 905, it is determined whether or not there is a command to stop the label supply by the label supply apparatus. If it is determined in step 905 that a stop command has been issued, the control of the label supply device is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 905 that there is no stop command, the process proceeds to step 906.

  In step 906, a value (m + 1) obtained by adding 1 to the integer m is set as the integer m again. After the execution of step 906, the process proceeds to step 901 again, and the same control as described above is performed for the next segment Seg (m). Steps 901 to 906 are repeatedly executed until it is determined in step 905 that a stop command has been issued.

  According to the control according to the present modification, the rotation of the rotary blade motor 23 is performed based on the length ΔL (m) of the label segment Seg (m) from the time when the target cutting position R (m−1) is cut. Since the speed is controlled, the cutting timing coincides with the coincidence timing at which the accumulated count number P coincides with the next target accumulated count number PC (m).

  Therefore, in the case where the label base material S is transported at a predetermined transport speed V, when the label base material S is composed of label segments having the same length, of course, Even when the lengths of the label segments vary, the label substrate S can be accurately cut at the cutting target position R (n) without being affected by the difference in length.

<Modification 3>
Instead of the label base material in which the light transmission part is formed between the label segments, a label base material in which the light reflection part is formed may be used. In this case, a reflective optical sensor is employed as the mark sensor 26 instead of the transmissive optical sensor.

  In addition, each part structure of this invention is not restricted to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible within the technical scope as described in a claim. For example, after the mark sensor 26 detects one mark (light transmission portion S1 (n)), the time until the mark reaches the cutting mechanism 4 along the transport path of the label base material S is expressed as a transport mechanism. As long as the target cutting position R (n) can be matched with the actual cutting position Rc by the cutting mechanism 4 by adjusting the conveying speed of 3 by the control means 13, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Other embodiments may be used.

It is a front view which shows the label supply apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the detection position of a label base material and a mark sensor. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the label supply apparatus. It is the flowchart which showed 1st control of the label supply apparatus. It is the flowchart which showed 2nd control of the label supply apparatus. It is a figure explaining the relationship between the position of a label base material, and a cumulative count number. It is a time chart which showed the relation between time and speed command value. 10 is a time chart showing the relationship between time and a speed command value according to Modification 1. 10 is a flowchart showing second control of the label supply apparatus according to Modification 2.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Conveyance mechanism 4 Cutting mechanism 11 Count means 12 Calculation means 13 Control means 26 Mark sensor 70 Pulse encoder (signal output means)
S Label base material Seg (n) Label segment R (n) Target cutting position Rc Actual cutting position Rs Detection position P Cumulative count PM (n) Cumulative count at the time of mark detection PC (n) Target cumulative count L, ΔLc Distance PL, ΔPc Value converted to count number ΔPM (n) Difference

Claims (5)

In a label supply device that feeds a label base material, which is formed of a plurality of label segments continuous in one direction, to the subsequent apparatus by cutting the label base material for each label segment,
A transport mechanism for transporting the label base material along a predetermined transport path;
A cutting mechanism that is installed along the conveyance path of the label base material and cuts the label base material for each label segment;
A mark sensor that is placed away from the cutting mechanism along the conveyance path of the label base material, and detects a mark attached to a target cutting position and a fixed relative position for each label segment with respect to the label base material,
A pulse encoder that outputs a pulse along with the conveyance of the label base material by the conveyance mechanism;
Counting means for counting the pulses output from the pulse encoder and accumulating the number of counts;
Control means for controlling the transport speed of the transport mechanism ,
Whenever one mark is detected by the mark sensor, the control means is a target cumulative count when the target cutting position set at a certain relative position to the mark reaches the actual cutting position by the cutting mechanism. And the conveyance speed of the conveyance mechanism is controlled so that the coincidence timing at which the accumulated count number by the counting means matches the target accumulated count number matches the cutting timing at which cutting by the cutting mechanism is performed. A label feeder characterized by that. Each time one mark is detected by the mark sensor, the control means sets the actual count from the detection position (Rs) by the mark sensor to the cumulative count number (PM (n)) when the mark sensor detects the mark. A value (PL) obtained by converting the distance (L) along the transport path to the cutting position (Rc) into a count number is added, and the target cutting position (R) set at a certain relative position with respect to the mark. (n)) and (by adding or subtracting the conversion value to the count number DerutaLc) (Delta] Pc), the target cumulative count (PM (n) the distance between the mark and calculates the) claim 2. The label supply device according to 1. The control means includes a difference between cumulative count numbers (PM (n−1), PM (n)) at the time of mark detection by the mark sensor for each of two marks adjacent to each other along the transport path of the label base material. The label supply device according to claim 2, wherein a transport speed of the transport mechanism is controlled based on (ΔPM (n)) so that the match timing matches the cutting timing. In the process of controlling the transport speed of the transport mechanism, the control means changes the first transport speed from the first transport speed to the second transport speed and changes the first transport speed from the first transport speed to the second transport speed. The label supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the speed is changed. In a label supply device that feeds a label base material, which is formed of a plurality of label segments continuous in one direction, to the subsequent apparatus by cutting the label base material for each label segment,
A transport mechanism for transporting the label base material along a predetermined transport path;
A cutting mechanism that is installed along the conveyance path of the label base material and includes a rotary blade that cuts the label base material for each label segment;
A mark sensor that is placed away from the cutting mechanism along the conveyance path of the label base material, and detects a mark attached to a target cutting position and a fixed relative position for each label segment with respect to the label base material,
A pulse encoder that outputs a pulse along with the conveyance of the label base material by the conveyance mechanism;
Counting means for counting the pulses output from the pulse encoder and accumulating the number of counts;
Control means for controlling the rotational speed of the rotary blade of the cutting mechanism
And
Whenever one mark is detected by the mark sensor, the control means is a target cumulative count when the target cutting position set at a certain relative position to the mark reaches the actual cutting position by the cutting mechanism. The rotation speed of the rotary blade of the cutting mechanism is calculated so that the coincidence timing at which the cumulative count number by the counting means matches the target cumulative count number matches the cutting timing at which cutting by the cutting mechanism is performed. A label supply apparatus characterized by controlling the above.

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