Abstract:
A labeling applicator having a suction plate ( 21 ) including a pair of divided bodies ( 21   b,    21   c ) movable relatively to two positions, i.e., a contact position (S) where the opposing end faces facing each other move toward contact while sucking a first surface side of a label (L) to which an RFID tag is attached and a separated position (V) where the opposing end faces are separated from each other, wherein a portion ( 2 ) of the label (L) is folded in a peak by the end faces of the divided bodies ( 21   b,    21   c ) facing each other as a divided body ( 21   c ) moves, thus forming a folded portion (M) having a bend or curved position ( 7 ) on the proximal end, before labeling an article (W). A non-abutting portion ( 20 ) is provided by cutting the edge of each split body ( 21   b,    21   c ) corresponding to the bend ( 7 ) on the proximal end of the folded portion (M) such that the end faces of the divided bodies ( 21   b,    21   c ) do not abut when the end faces move toward contact. Since a gap (Q) is formed between the bends ( 7 ) of the folded portion (M) in a label (L) attached by the labeling device, the folded portion (M) of the label (L) does not tilt easily enabling stabilized read/write of data.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present application is a 35 U.S.C. §§371 national phase conversion of PCT/JP2009/050676, filed Jan. 19, 2009, which claims priority of Japanese Application No. 2008-330619, filed Dec. 25, 2008, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. The PCT International Application was published in the Japanese language. 
     
    
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a label applicator capable of applying a label provided with a so-called RFID tag having an IC chip that records various information therein to an item. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0003]    A widely used technique typically performs automatic identification wirelessly and in a noncontact manner using RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tags provided for labels applied to various goods. Each tag has an IC chip that records various information therein and a communication antenna that is connected to the IC chip. 
         [0004]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , as an example of such label applicators capable of applying a label L provided with an RFID tag T to an item, there is conventionally known a technique that has been proposed by the Applicant (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (Translation of PCT) No. 2008-535741, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 7,703,685 (B2)). 
         [0005]    This label applicator applies the label L to an item W by forming a flexed portion M by folding a section  2  of the label L including a tag providing portion  1  at which the RFID tag T is provided so as to project into an angled shape with a back surface facing inside and a front surface facing outside. The flexed portion M is provided with one side surface  3  and another side surface  4  and having curved portions  7  on a base end side with a peak portion  6  as a border between the one side surface  3  and the other side surface  4 . 
         [0006]    The label applicator is provided with a suction-holding plate  100  that applies suction to and holds the front surface of the label L. The plate includes a pair of divided bodies  100   a  and  100   b.  The divided bodies  100   a  and  100   b  move relative to each other between two positions: a contact position S at which end surfaces of the divided bodies  100   a  and  100   b  that face toward each other are brought into contact, and a separated position V (broken line in  FIG. 7 ) at which the end surfaces are positioned apart from each other. First, the label L is suctioned and held in a state in which the divided bodies  100   a  and  100   b  of the suction-holding plate  100  are positioned at the contact position S. Next, the divided bodies  100   a  and  100   b  of the suction-holding plate  100  are moved to the separated position V in a state while the label L is being suctioned and held. Then, the divided bodies  100   a  and  100   b  of the suction-holding plate  100  are moved back to the contact position S to produce the flexed portion M by folding of the section  2  of the label L into the angled shape with the back surface facing inside. The suction-holding plate  100  is moved while in this state, so that the label L is applied to the item W. 
         [0007]    In the label L applied using the conventional label applicator, the flexed portion M of the label is provided upright, such that the entire back surfaces of the one side surface  3  and the other side surface  4  of the section  2  of the label L that constitute the flexed portion M are adhered. They often fall flat at the curved portions  7  depending on their environment in transportation or in a storage area of an item on which the label has been applied. A problem with leaving the label fallen flat is that often reduces capabilities of wireless reading and writing between the RFID tag T and a reader/writer. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0008]    The present invention is made in view of the above problem. An object of the present invention is to provide a label applicator capable of preventing as much as possible a flexed portion of a label provided with an RFID tag from falling flat, thereby ensuring reading and writing of data in a stable manner. 
       Solution To Problem 
       [0009]    In order to solve the above problem, a label applicator according to the present invention applies a label provided with an RFID tag having an IC chip and communication antenna to an item. The application is carried out by folding a section of the label, including a tag providing portion at which the RFID tag is provided, so as to project into an angled shape with a back surface facing inside and a front surface facing outside, thereby forming a flexed portion including one side surface and the other side surface. Each side surface has a curved portion on a base end side, taking a peak portion as a border between the one side surface and the other side surface The applicator is provided with: a suction-holding plate configured to suction and hold the label from a side of the front surface, and is provided with a pair of divided bodies that are relatively movable between two positions: a contact position at which end surfaces of the divided bodies that face toward each other are brought into contact with each other, and a separated position at which the divided bodies are spaced apart from each other. The section of the label is folded into the flexed portion with the end surfaces of the divided bodies that face toward each other by relative movement of at least one of the divided bodies, wherein noncontact portions are provided, by eliminating corners, at edge portions of the divided bodies that respectively correspond to the curved portions of the flexed portion on the base end side so as to prevent the noncontact portions from being brought into contact with each other when the end surfaces of the divided bodies are brought into contact with each other. 
         [0010]    Accordingly, by folding the section of the label the flexed portion is provided with the end surfaces of the divided bodies that face toward each other by the movement of the divided body by eliminating the corners. The noncontact portions are provided at the edge portions of the divided bodies that respectively correspond to the curved portions of the flexed portion on the base end side so as to prevent the noncontact portions from being brought into contact with each other when the end surfaces of the divided bodies are brought into contact with each other. Therefore, the curved portions are not adhered to each other, and a gap is provided between the curved portions. This increases rigidity, as a cross-section of a base end section of the flexed portion is triangular. As a result, in a state in which the label is applied to the item, the label is often inclined to fall flat at the curved portions depending on an environment in transportation or of a storage area of the item. However, as the rigidity at the base end section of the flexed portion increases, the label becomes less susceptible to falling flat at the curved portions, and this prevents reduced capabilities of wireless reading and writing between the RFID tag and the reader/writer. 
         [0011]    Further, as required, the label applicator further includes: a suction-holding plate driving unit configured to move the at least one divided body of the suction-holding plate between the contact position and the separated position; and a control unit configured to control the suction-holding plate driving unit so as to position the divided body of the suction-holding plate at the contact position when the label is suctioned and held, to then move the divided body of the suction-holding plate to the separated position in a state in which the label is being suctioned and held, and to subsequently move the divided body of the suction-holding plate back to the contact position, thereby folding the section of the label into the angled shape with the back surface facing inside and the front surface facing outside. As the suction-holding plate folds the label while the label is being suctioned and held, the label does not easily get out of alignment with respect to the suction-holding plate, and it is possible to reliably provide the flexed portion. 
         [0012]    Moreover, as required, the label applicator further includes: a flex assisting unit configured to assist the folding of the section of the label into the angled shape with the back surface facing inside and the front surface facing outside. As the flex assisting unit assists the folding of the section of the label, the section of the label is reliably folded into the angled shape. 
         [0013]    Furthermore, as required, the label applicator further includes: a label supply unit configured to transport a strip-shaped backing liner to which the label is temporarily attached, and to separate the label temporarily attached to the strip-shaped backing liner from the strip-shaped backing liner in the transportation and supply of the separated label; and a suction-holding plate moving unit configured to move the suction-holding plate between two positions: a suction-holding position at which the label supplied from the label supply unit is suctioned and held, and an application position at which the suctioned and held label is applied to an item. It is thereby possible to reliably apply the angled label having the flexed portion to the item. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0014]    According to the label applicator of the present invention, the noncontact portions are provided, by eliminating the corners, at the edge portions of the divided bodies that respectively correspond to the curved portions of the flexed portion of the label so as to prevent the noncontact portions from being brought into contact with each other when the end surfaces of the divided bodies are brought into contact with each other. Therefore, the curved portions are not adhered to each other, and a gap is provided between the curved portions. This makes a cross-section of a base end section of the flexed portion triangular, and increases rigidity. As a result, in a state in which the label is applied to the item, the label is often inclined to fall flat at the curved portions depending on an environment in transportation or of a storage area of the item. However, as the rigidity at the base end section of the flexed portion has been increased, the label becomes less susceptible to falling flat at the curved portions, preventing reduction of capabilities of wireless reading and writing between the RFID tag and the reader/writer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a main portion illustrating a label applicator according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c  and  2   d  are side views illustrating the label applicator according to the embodiment of the present invention during successive stages of its operation. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a side view illustrating the label applicator according to the embodiment of the present invention along with its operation. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a side view illustrating of the main portion of the label applicator showing the operation of the label applicator according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a side view illustrating a state of a label applied to an item by the label applicator according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b  and  6   c  illustrate one example of the label for which the label applicator according to the present invention is intended. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a side view illustrating a main portion of a conventional label applicator. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    The following describes a label applicator according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0023]    There is a label for which the label applicator according to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4  is intended. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 5  and  FIGS. 6 , a label L for which the label applicator is intended is rectangular and is provided with an RFID tag T having an IC chip and a communication antenna. A row of labels L are aligned along a strip-shaped backing liner D ( FIG. 2 ) and are temporarily attached thereto. Labels are individually separated from the strip-shaped backing liner D and are applied to an item W to be labeled. The label L that is applied to the item W is formed into a flexed portion M having one side surface  3  and another side surface  4 . Each side surface has a curved portion  7  toward its base end and there is a peak portion  6  as a border between the one side surface  3  and the other side surface  4 . The portions  6  and  7  are provided by folding a section  2  of the label L which includes a tag providing portion  1  of the label L at which the RFID tag T is provided so as to all together project into an angled shape. Each side surface includes a back surface (adhesive layer side) facing inside the fold and a front surface (display layer side) facing outside. Further, the tag providing portion  1  constitutes one of either the one side surface  3  or the other side surface  4 , wherein the peak portion  6  is the border between the one side surface  3  and the other side surface  4 , of the section  2  of the label L projecting into the angled shape (the other side surface  4 , in the drawing). Then, when the flexed portion M is formed by folding the section  2  of the label L so as to project into the angled shape with the back surface facing inside, application surfaces  8  of the label L are provided on both sides of the section  2  of the label L. 
         [0025]    In the label L shown in  FIG. 6(   a ), in the section  2  of the label L that is folded to project into the angled shape, the peak portion  6  of the projecting angled shape and the curved portions  7  are provided with respective rows of perforations  5 . 
         [0026]    In the label L embodiment shown in  FIG. 6(   b ), the peak portion  6  and the curved portions  7  are provided with the perforation  5 , and an adhesive is not applied to the back surface within a predetermined range d in a transport direction R centering the perforation  5  of the curved portions  7 . 
         [0027]    In the label L shown in  FIG. 6(   c ), only the peak portion  6  is provided with the row of perforation  5 , and the curved portions  7  are not provided with the perforation  5 . 
         [0028]    However, the configuration of the label is not limited to the above examples, and can be modified as needed. The row of perforations is not necessarily required, and the peak portion  6  and the curved portions  7  can be alternatively provided with folding lines such that the section  2  of the label L can be folded into the angled shape, for example. 
         [0029]    In  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4 , the label applicator according to the embodiment of the present invention is shown. The label applicator according to this embodiment is provided with a label supply unit  10  that transports the strip-shaped backing liner D to which the label L is temporarily attached, and that separates the label L which is temporarily attached to the strip-shaped backing liner D from the strip-shaped backing liner D during transportation and supplies the separated label L. It includes a suction-holding plate  21  that is moved between two positions: a suction-holding position X at which the label L supplied from the label supply unit  10  is suctioned and held ( FIG. 2 ), and an application position Y at which the suctioned and held label L is applied to the item W ( FIG. 3 ). 
         [0030]    The label supply unit  10  transports the strip-shaped backing liner D to which the label L is temporarily attached from a reel that is not depicted, and separates the label L from the strip-shaped backing liner D using a release plate  11  by folding the strip-shaped backing liner D. Referring to  FIG. 2 , a sensor  12  senses that the label L has been transported to a predetermined position and is used in control by a suction-holding plate driving unit and a suction-holding plate moving unit that will described below. A reader/writer  13  rewrites data to the IC chip of the RFID tag T. After it is folded back, the strip-shaped backing liner D is wound on a reel, not shown. 
         [0031]    The suction-holding plate  21  suctions and holds the label L at one a side of the front surface to allow the section  2  of the label L, including the tag providing portion  1  which is provided with the RFID tag T of the label L, and that is separated by the release plate  11 , to project with the back surface facing inside. The suction-holding plate  21  is provided with a plurality of small holes  21   a  through which air for suctioning and holding the front surface of the label L is suctioned. 
         [0032]    The suction-holding plate  21  is configured of a pair of divided bodies  21   b  and  21   c  that suction and hold the label L. The pair of bodies are provided by dividing the suction-holding plate along a line perpendicular to the transport direction R of the label L. The one divided body  21   b  is supported to a base  23  by a supporting member  22 . 
         [0033]    The other divided body  21   c  is supported to the base  23  slidably along the transport direction R of the label L by a rail  24  and a slider  25  that slides along the rail  24  and moves between two positions: a contact position S at which a rear end surface of the other divided body  21   c,  in the transport direction R of the label L, is brought into contact with a front end surface of the one divided body  21   b  in the transport direction R of the label L, and a separated position V at which the other divided body  21   c  is positioned apart from the one divided body  21   b.  At the separated position V, a space e is provided between the one divided body  21   b  and the other divided body  21   c.  The section  2  of the label L projects into the space with the back surface facing inside inserted into the space, and the one divided body  21   b  and the other divided body  21   c  respectively suction and hold both end portions of the label L in the transport direction R. 
         [0034]    Further, noncontact portions  20  of the divided bodies are provided, by eliminating corners, at edge portions of the divided bodies  21   b  and  21   c  which respectively correspond to the curved portions  7  of the flexed portion M of the label L on the base end side of the label such that the noncontact portions  20  are not brought into contact with each other when the end surfaces of the divided bodies  21   b  and  21   c  are brought into contact with each other. 
         [0035]    The applicator is provided with a suction-holding plate driving unit  26  that moves the divided body  21   c  of the suction-holding plate  21  between the two positions of the contact position S and the separated position V. The suction-holding plate driving unit  26  is comprises an air cylinder device that moves the other divided body  21   c  to the contact position S when retracting and to the separated position V when advancing. The suction-holding plate driving unit  26  is comprised of the air cylinder device which includes a piston to which the slider  25  of the other divided body  21   c  is attached and a cylinder that is fixed to the base  23 . 
         [0036]    The applicator is further provided with a suction-holding plate moving unit  27  that moves the suction-holding plate  21  between the two positions: the suction-holding position X at which the label L that has been separated by the release plate  11  is suctioned and held, and the application position Y at which the suctioned and held label L is applied to the item W. The suction-holding plate moving unit  27  is comprised of an air cylinder device provided with a piston to which the base  23  is attached and a cylinder on a side of a machine base (not shown). In  FIG. 3  a guide  29  guides movement of the base  23 , which guide is configured by a guiding shaft  29   a  and a guiding pipe  29   b  through which the guiding shaft  29   a  is slidably inserted. 
         [0037]    The applicator further comprises a flex assisting unit  30  that assists insertion of the section  2  of the label L which projects with the back surface facing inside between the one divided body  21   b  and the other divided body  21   c.    
         [0038]    The flex assisting unit  30  comprises an air nozzle  31  that blows air at the section  2  of the label L toward a side of the back surface (adhesive layer side), and folds the section  2  of the label L into its angled shape with the back surface facing inside. The flexed portion M has one side surface  3  and the other side surface  4  each having the curved portion  7 . The peak portion  6  is at the border between the one side surface  3  and the other side surface  4 . It is formed by folding the section  2  of the label L by the air nozzle  31  and the suction-holding plate driving unit  26  constituted by the air cylinder device. This makes it possible to reliably perform the folding. 
         [0039]    The applicator is further provided with a control unit that controls the suction-holding plate driving unit  26  and the suction-holding plate moving unit  27  described above. In particular, in controlling the suction-holding plate driving unit  26 , the divided body  21   c  of the suction-holding plate  21  is positioned at the contact position S when suctioning and holding the label K, and then the divided body  21   c  of the suction-holding plate  21  is moved to the separated position V while the label L is being suctioned and held. Subsequently, the divided body  21   c  of the suction-holding plate  21  is moved back to the contact position S, thereby folding the section  2  of the label L into the angled shape with the back surface facing inside. 
         [0040]    Thus, the application of the label L using the label applicator according to this embodiment is carried out as described below. 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIG. 2(   a ), when the label L is separated by transporting the label L by the label supply unit  10  and folding back the backing D by the release plate  11 , the suction-holding plate  21  suctions and holds the label L at the suction-holding position X. 
         [0042]    Then, the suction-holding plate driving unit  26  constituted by the air cylinder device and the flex assisting unit  30  are actuated. Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 2(   b ), the suction-holding plate driving unit  26  operates to position the other divided body  21   c  at the separated position V. This provides the space e between the one divided body  21   b  and the other divided body  21   c,  into which space the section  2  of the label L projecting with the back surface (adhesive layer side) facing inside and the front surface (display layer side) facing outside is inserted. 
         [0043]    Next, as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2(   c ), the suction-holding plate driving unit  26  operates to move the other divided body  21   c  from the separated position V to the contact position S. Also, at this time, the air nozzle  31  operates to blow air against the back surface (adhesive layer side) of the section  2  of the label L including the tag providing portion  1  provided with the RFID tag T of the label L. The flexed portion M is formed by pressing the one side surface  3  and the other side surface  4  in a direction to which the back surfaces of the one side surface  3  and the other side surface  4  come closer to each other while the one divided body  21   b  and the other divided body  21   c  respectively suction and hold the both end portions of the label L in the transport direction R. In this case, as the section  2  of the label L is pressed toward a side of the front surface (display layer side) by the blowing force of the air from the air nozzle  31 , the section  2  of the label L is reliably folded into the angled shape. 
         [0044]    Then, as shown in  FIG. 2(   d ), when the other divided body  21   c  moves from the separated position V to the contact position S, the end surfaces of the one divided body  21   b  and the other divided body  21   c  that face toward each other are brought into contact with and press the respective front surfaces (display layers) of the one side surface  3  and the other side surface  4  that are the section  2  of the label L. This brings the back surfaces of the one side surface  3  and the other side surface  4  into contact with each other, thereby forming the flexed portion M. 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the noncontact portions  20  are provided, by eliminating the corners, at the edge portions of the divided bodies  21   b  and  21   c  respectively corresponding to the curved portions  7  of the flexed portion M on the base end side such that the noncontact portions  20  are not brought into contact with each other when the end surfaces of the divided bodies  21   b  and  21   c  are brought into contact with each other. Therefore, the curved portions  7  are not brought into contact with each other and a gap Q is provided between the curved portions  7 . This makes a cross-section of a base end section of the flexed portion M triangular, and increases rigidity. 
         [0046]    Subsequently, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the suction-holding plate moving unit  27  comprised of the air cylinder device operates to move the suction-holding plate  21  from the suction-holding position X to the application position Y. With this, the suctioned and held label L is applied to the item W. As the application surface  8  of the label L are provided on the both sides of the flexed portion M that are the section  2  of the label L projecting into the angled shape, the label L is pressed against the item W by the divided body  21   b  and the other divided body  21   c  and is reliably applied to the item W. After the label is applied, the suction-holding plate  21  returns to the suction-holding position X. 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , in the state in which the label L is applied to the item W, the label L is often inclined to fall flat at the curved portions  7  depending on an environment in transportation or of a storage area of the item W as the flexed portion M of the label L is upright. However, the rigidity of the label is increased by the gap Q provided between the curved portions  7  of the flexed portion M and the base end section of the flexed portion M which gap becomes triangular. This makes the label L is not susceptible to falling flat at the curved portions  7 , and prevents reduction of capabilities of wireless reading and writing between the RFID tag T and the reader/writer. 
         [0048]    In particular, as shown in  FIG. 6(   b ), when the label has no adhesive applied to the back surface within the predetermined range in the transport direction R centering the perforation  5  of the curved portions  7 , the curved portions  7  are not adhered to each other. Therefore, it is possible to reliably secure the gap Q provided between the curved portions  7  of the flexed portion M, thereby making the label L even less susceptible to falling flat at the curved portions  7 . 
         [0049]    Further, as shown in  FIG. 6(   c ), when the label does not include perforations at the curved portions  7 , it is possible to make the label less susceptible to falling flat at the curved portions  7 , as the rigidity at the curved portions  7  increases when no perforation is present. 
         [0050]    According to the embodiment described above, the flex assisting unit  30  is configured to blow air to the section  2  of the label L from the side of the back surface. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. It is possible to use a suction nozzle that suctions the section  2  of the label L from the side of the front surface, or to use any type of arrangement as long as it is possible to assist the folding of the section  2  provided with the RFID tag T of the label L in the same direction. 
         [0051]    Further, according to the embodiment, the suction-holding plate  21  is moved from the suction-holding position X to the application position Y by the suction-holding plate moving unit  27  comprised of the air cylinder device, thereby pressing and applying the label L to the item W. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example, and it should be appreciated that the present invention can be applied to a label applicator that employs an application method of blowing air from the small holes  21   a  of the suction-holding plate  21  and blasting the label L against the item (air jet method). 
         [0052]    Moreover, it should be appreciated that the label applicator according to the embodiment can be implemented as a label applicator provided with printing means having an inkjet head or a thermal head capable of printing variable information, such as information relating to the item W or a barcode, on the front surface of the label L (display layer side).