JPH0233583B2 - - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention The present invention provides a labeling machine that continuously supplies a plurality of label tapes, cuts the tape pulled out immediately before punching, punches it into a label shape, and affixes the label to a container, etc. It's about structure.

[B] Prior art In contrast to the type of labeling machine that feeds single labels that have already been cut one by one and affixes them to containers, a labeling machine that draws out an uncut roll of labels and cuts them immediately before affixing them. There is a type of labeling machine that is attached to containers.

By the way, if the label is rectangular, it can be easily manufactured by continuously cutting the drawn tape.

However, when the label to be manufactured is oval or other deformed type, a punching method is employed.

In other words, after the tape surface of the drawn tape is punched out using a rotary or reciprocating punching device, the punched labels are transferred to the next process and pasted onto containers, etc., while the remaining tape scraps are collected. Wind it up on a drum, etc. and collect it.

[B] Problems to be Solved by the Invention The following problems exist in the labeling machine that uses the roll-shaped label described above.

<About the label supply method> (1) Since the length of a roll is finite, a new roll must be supplied when one roll is consumed.

However, when replenishing rolls, the operation of the labeling machine must be stopped every time the rolls are replaced.

(2) Recent labeling machines aim to increase speed,
Equipment has been developed that can apply between 600 and 1000 labels per minute, which significantly reduces the time consumed per roll.

As a result, the ratio of the roll replenishment time greatly affects the pasting processing efficiency, and the urgent high-speed processing may become meaningless.

<Manufacturing of punched labels> (1) When manufacturing labels by continuously punching them from a long tape, reducing the remaining width between each label will reduce the amount of waste tape generated by punching. This allows effective use of tape.

However, the tape pull-out force is generated by pulling the scrap tape after punching, so if the tape punching interval is set to the limit, it will be defeated by the winding force and torn, making it impossible to collect the scrap tape. .

(2) In order to collect waste tape without breaking it, it is necessary to leave enough width around the punched hole to resist the winding force.

Therefore, from the point of view of effective use of tape, this is uneconomical and there is room for improvement.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and uses roll-shaped label tape, and continuously processes the roll-shaped label tape with high efficiency without stopping the operation every time the roll-shaped label tape is replenished. To provide a labeling machine capable of economically using tape by reducing the remaining width between punched holes to the bare minimum by adding a cutting process that seems wasteful at first glance.

[C] Means for Solving the Problems Each part of the labeling machine of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(1) First set of label tape supply unit In Fig. 1, 1 is a roll stand, 2 is a tension roller, 3 is a pull-out roller, 4 is a cutter, 5 is a correction drum, 6 and 61 are punching drums, 7 is a gluing drum, and 8 is a pasting drum.

Then, after cutting the roll-shaped label tape T sandwiched and pulled out between a pair of pull-out rollers 3 into the size of the label with a cutter 4, the supply timing is corrected with a correction drum 5, and between the punching drums 6 and 61. and punching drums 6, 61
In this structure, labels L punched out into a predetermined contour shape are collected by a pasting drum 8 between the containers 1 and 2, and the labels L are pasted one by one onto containers 10 on a conveyor 9 approaching from the tangential direction of the pasting drum 8.

(2) Second set of label tape supply units In the present invention, a second set of label tape supply units is further provided.

That is, in parallel with the first set of label supply units, a second roll stand 1', a second tension roller 2', a second pull-out roller 3', a second cutter 4',
Second correction drum 5', second punching drum 6', 6
1', a second gluing drum 7', and a second pasting drum 8' are installed to form a second label tape supply section.

In this embodiment, the second set of label tape supply units is located upstream of the conveyor 9 with respect to the first set of label tape supply units, but the two may be arranged in reverse. good.

(3) End detection device Each label supply section is provided with an end detection device 11, respectively.

This end detection device 11 is disposed during transport before the label tape T is cut, and is a device for the purpose of detecting the end of the label tape T or the remaining amount.

As the end detection device 11, for example, a known phototube is used, and while the label tape T is present, the label tape T is reflected on the tape surface to confirm its presence, and when the label tape T passing in front of the phototube disappears, When the reflected light can no longer be detected, it can be configured so that it can be output as a signal for passing the end of the label tape T.

The signal that detects the end of the label tape T acts as a signal to start operation of other standby label tape supply units, and also acts as a signal to stop the operation of the label tape supply unit that has detected the end of the label tape T. Configure it so that it also works.

Other methods for detecting the end of the label tape T include a method in which a phototube checks an end indicator displayed in advance near the end of the label tape T and sends out a predetermined signal, or a movable method. A method is provided in which a switch is provided on the tension roller 2, and the switch detects the displacement of the tension roller 2 that occurs when the finger pressure on the label tape 1 is released, and sends it as a signal to detect the end of the label tape T. A light emitter and a light receiver are installed in line of sight between the roll of label tape T, and when the radius of the roll of label tape T decreases by a certain amount or more, the light from the light emitter reaches the receiver through the side of the roll of label tape T. Alternatively, it is also possible to adopt a method of distinguishing by the presence or absence of repulsion of compressed air blown onto the label tape T.

(4) Correction drum (Figures 2 and 3) The correction drum 5 receives a single piece of tape T cut to a predetermined length by the cutter 4, and when it is sucked onto the circumferential surface and transferred, the correction drum 5 adjusts the supply position of the single piece. The purpose of this drum is to correct the punching drum and supply it to the next punching drum 6, 61 at accurate timing.

In order to provide the correction drum 5 with the above functions, for example, a large number of suction holes are provided on the circumferential surface of the correction drum 5, and claw bodies 51 are provided on the circumferential surface protruding in the direction of the central axis.

The base end of the communication path connected to each suction hole is exposed in a free manner on the bottom surface of the drum, and furthermore, a negative electrode is provided at the bottom of the correction drum 5 that extends slightly in the direction of rotation of the correction drum 5 from the tangential position for receiving the single piece. A conceivable method is to form a pressure groove 52 so that negative pressure is generated only in the suction hole that passes directly above the negative pressure groove 52.

In other words, before the single piece reaches the punching drums 6, 61, the negative pressure of the suction hole that was sucking the single piece of tape is cut off, so the claw body 51 catches up with the single piece of tape, and the supply timing of the single piece is determined. It is a structure that corrects.

Further, a guide cover 53 is arranged near the circumferential surface of the correction drum 5 to prevent single pieces from flying out.

(5) Punching section The punching section may be of a punching type by reciprocating a known punch, or a drum type as shown in the drawing, in order to punch out a label L with a predetermined outline from a single piece cut with the cutter 4. Can be adopted.

In this embodiment, a case where a drum type is adopted will be explained, but two drums having a punching function are simply used, namely, a die drum 6 having a die 62 recessed on its circumferential surface, and a punch 63 protruding from its circumferential surface. This structure not only passes a single piece of tape between the circumferential surfaces of the punch drum 61 and punches it into a predetermined outline of the label, but also separates and transports the punched label L and the scrap of the single piece. .

That is, the die drum 6 has a suction provided around the die 62 over a section from the tangential position where it receives the single piece supplied from the correction drum 5 to the point where it passes the closest position to the circumferential surface of the punch drum 61. The configuration is such that negative pressure is generated in the hole 64.

In order to generate negative pressure in the suction hole 64 over the above section, the die drum 6
A negative pressure groove 65 extending over the above section is provided at the bottom of the suction hole 6.
4. A method of generating negative pressure can be adopted.

Therefore, the die drum 6 can adsorb only the single piece of waste after punching and separate it from the label L.

In addition, the punch drum 61 has a suction hole 66 on the surface of the punch 63, and sucks only the punched label L by shearing with the die drum 6, and transports it to the position closest to the circumferential surface of the pasting drum 8. Configure it like this.

In order to generate negative pressure in the suction hole 66 on the face of the punch 63 over the above section, for example, the punch drum 61
A negative pressure groove 67 connecting this section can be formed at the bottom of the suction hole 66 so that negative pressure is generated in the suction hole 66 only when the suction hole 66 passes over the negative pressure groove 67.

(6) Pasting drum The pasting drum 8 is a label L punched out at the punching section.
This is a drum for the purpose of receiving and pasting onto the container 10.

In order to transfer the label L received from the punching section until it is attached to the container 10, a suction method using negative pressure or a known transfer method in which the label L is directly gripped and transferred with a picker may be adopted. However, in this embodiment, a case using adsorption will be explained.

That is, a large number of suction holes are provided on the circumferential surface of the pasting drum 8, and a negative pressure groove 81 is provided at the bottom of the pasting drum 8 over a section from the position closest to the punch drum 61 until it contacts the container 10. The structure is such that negative pressure is generated only in the suction hole that passes above the negative pressure groove 81.

Note that if the punch drum 61 is provided with a pasting function, the pasting drum 8 can be omitted.

Next, the operation of the labeling machine will be explained.

(1) Cutting the tape In Figure 1, the first set of label tape supply units is operated.

At this time, the second set of label tape supply units is loaded with a new roll and placed on standby.

The tape T pulled out by the pull-out roller 3 is
The cutter 4 is used to cut the label to be punched out to the last possible length in the transport direction.

(2) Punching The single piece cut with the cutter 4 is cut into the correction drum 5.
After being sent to the punching drums 6 and 61, the label L having a predetermined contour is punched out.

At this time, even if the length of the single piece fed to the punching section is at the limit of the label dimensions, the feeding position of the single piece is accurate, so it is possible to manufacture the label L according to the specifications without causing any deviation in the punching position. .

(3) Attaching labels and releasing waste A single piece of waste is attracted to the dice drum 6, and a label L is attracted to the punch drum 61 and separated.

The label L is transferred to the pasting drum 8, while the single piece of waste is attracted to the die drum 6, transferred, and then released when the negative pressure is cut off.

On the other hand, the label L adsorbed on the pasting drum 8
is pasted in contact with the container 10 approaching from the tangential direction of this pasting drum 8.

(4) Switching from the first set of label tape supply unit to the second set of label tape supply unit As described above, the labels L are continuously pasted, and the label tape T on the roll table 1 is pulled out. When the end time approaches, the end detection device 11 detects this.

The signal detected by the end detection device 11 is inputted as an operation start signal to the second label tape supply section, which has been on standby, and starts operation.

The operating situation is similar to the first label tape supply section, where the waiting tape T is pulled out from the second roll table 1', and the label tape T is transferred to the second cutter 4'.
After cutting, the label L is successively pasted by contacting the container 10 approaching by the conveyor 9 via the correction drum 5', the punching drums 6', 61', and the second pasting drum 8'. be exposed.

In addition, the signal detected by the end detection device 11 is input as an operation stop signal of the first label tape supply section where the end of the label tape T is detected, and is used to stop the operation of the first label tape supply section where the end of the label tape T is detected. Operations stop all at once or one after another.

Roll table 1 of the stopped first label tape supply section
New rolls are supplied on top and kept on standby in preparation for the next changeover.

As described above, when one label tape supply section approaches the end of supplying the tape T, the operation is automatically stopped, and at the same time, the standby label tape supply section starts operation, so that one tape may be missing. Switching can be done smoothly without any problems.

Note that adjustment of the connection position between the running label tape T and the waiting label tape T is easy because the rotational speed and the size and pattern of the label L are constant.

(5) Other Examples In addition to the above-mentioned embodiments, in addition to being able to affix consecutive labels by sharing only the affixing drum, it is also possible to affix consecutive labels in the same way using the following combinations. can.

<A> Method of sharing the parts from the correction drum to the pasting drum (Fig. 4) In this pasting method, one each of the correction drum 5, the punching drums 6, 61, and the pasting drum 8 are arranged and shared, and the correction drum is shared. Roll stands 1, 1', which are means for supplying single pieces to the drum 5;
Tension rollers 2, 2', pull-out roller 3,
3', cutters 4, 4', etc. are provided, and when one label tape approaches the end, this is detected, and the standby label tape supply means starts operating to feed the cutter 4 to the correction drum 5. It has a structure that allows continuous supply of single pieces cut by .

<B> Method of sharing the area from the cutter to the pasting drum (FIG. 5) This method is a method in which two supply means for supplying the label tape T are arranged and continuously supplied to one cutting section.

That is, two rollers 3 and 3' are arranged just in front of the cutter 4, and the label tapes T pulled out from both the pull-out rollers 3 and 3' are guided to the sides of the wedge-shaped guide plate 12 and merged just before the cutter 4. Configure it to do so.

When the end of the label tape T being supplied is detected, the other label tapes T on standby start supplying the label tapes T to the cutter 4, and the punched labels L are successively pasted. It is.

Furthermore, when changing the label tapes, it is also conceivable to move back the leading edge of the label tape T on the side whose supply has been stopped so that the leading edge of the label tape T on the side whose supply has been stopped does not get caught up in the cutter 4.

Possible ways to do this include, for example, blowing air on the label tape surface on the side where the supply has been stopped at the same time as the switching timing, or pressing a rod or the like to apply flexure and causing the tip of the label tape T to retreat. .

[D] Effects (1) A labeling machine in which two sets of label feeding devices are provided for the transfer path of the adherend and rectangular labels are successively pasted is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 57-28734. .

For example, in this labeling machine,
Assuming that the label punching technology disclosed in Publication No. 68599 is applied, the label punching interval must be wide because the tape needs to be collected after punching, which poses a problem in terms of effective use of the tape. be.

The present invention arranges a cutting section in front of the label punching section to cut the tape to the length of the label to be punched, and separates and releases only the waste portion while holding the punched label in the cutting section. By arranging two sets of tape supply devices configured with functions, it is possible to continuously supply punched labels while minimizing the amount of waste generated and manufacturing punched labels.

(2) The present invention does not continuously collect the tape after the labels have been punched out.

Therefore, there is no need to leave gaps between the punched labels to serve as waste for collection, and the tape can be used effectively.

(3) Since the tape waste remaining after punching is separated from the label at the punching part and released, post-processing of the waste is easy.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1: An explanatory diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2:
FIG. 3: An explanatory diagram of the punched portion. FIGS. 4 and 5: An explanatory diagram of other embodiments. 1, 1': Roll stand, 2, 2': Tension roller, 3, 3': Pulling roller, 4, 4': Cutter, 5, 5': Correction drum, 7, 7': Gluing drum.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A labeling machine that affixes a label punched from a continuous tape to an adherend such as a container, comprising: a cutting section that pulls out a roll of tape and cuts it to the length of the label to be punched; and the cutting section. A punching section that punches out a label from a single piece of tape, and separates and releases only the waste generated by the punching from the label, and a position near the punching section where the label is received and pasted with glue to be attached to an adherend. A label supply device is constituted by a sticking drum that transports the label, two sets of the label supply devices are arranged in the middle of the transfer path of the adherend, and each label supply device is provided with a detection means for electrically detecting the end of the tape. are arranged, and each of the detection means is configured to be able to switch between stopping and starting the drive section of each label supply device, and when the detection means of one set of label supply devices detects the end of the tape, the label supply starts. A labeling machine characterized in that the labeling machine is configured to start operation of another set of label supply devices at the same time as the operation of the device is stopped.