Label-affixing machine and stretch-wrapping machine

A label-affixing machine affixes a label, which is conveyed by a label conveying body, to the back surface of a product being conveyed. The label-affixing machine includes a label holding unit configured to hold a label so that an adhesive surface of the label faces outward, a pressing mechanism configured to press a label conveying body, which is disposed on a side facing the label holding unit, against the adhesive surface of the held label by moving the label conveying body toward the label holding unit, and a controller that controls the drive of the label conveying body and the pressing mechanism to affix the label to the back surface of the product.

This application is a 371 of PCT/JP2017/003742, filing date Feb. 2, 2017.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a label-affixing machine that affixes a label to the back surface of a wrapped product and a stretch-wrapping machine including the label-affixing machine.

BACKGROUND ART

A label-affixing machine disclosed in the following Patent Literature 1 is known as a label-affixing machine that affixes a label to the back surface of a product. As illustrated inFIG. 14, the label-affixing machine disclosed in Patent Literature 1 includes: a conveyor2configured to convey a product1; label holding means5for holding a label4issued from a label printer3; label conveying means6for conveying the label4, which is received from the label holding means5, toward the back surface of the product1; and delivery means7for delivering the label4, which is held by the label holding means5, to the label conveying means6so that the label4conveyed by the label conveying means6joins the product1.

The label printer3, which is used here, issues a label4while separating the label4from a mount41so that the adhesive surface of the label4faces the label conveying means6. The issued label4is held by the label holding means5that sucks the label4. Then, when a product1being conveyed reaches a predetermined position, a solenoid71as the delivery means7is operated on the basis of a label detection signal of a sensor (not illustrated) and the label4held by the label holding means5is moved to a position, which is illustrated by a chain line, from a position, which is illustrated by a solid line, by the solenoid71so that the held label4is delivered to the label conveying means6.

The delivered label4is conveyed upward in a state in which the adhesive surface of the delivered label4is affixed to string belts61of the label conveying means6. Accordingly, the delivered label4joins the product1being conveyed and is affixed to the back surface of the product1.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

Incidentally, in a case in which the product is a packed lunch, side dishes, or the like, raw materials and additives are printed on the label, which is to be affixed to the back surface of the product, and a cooking method or the like is printed on the label sometimes. The amount of printing of them varies depending on the product. For this reason, in a case in which a label with a mount where labels having a fixed size are affixed to a mount at a fixed pitch is used, there is a problem that the size of a label should be changed according to the amount of printing.

In contrast, in the case of a mountless label where a long label sheet is cut into a length corresponding to the amount of printing to form a label, the length of a label can be freely changed according to the amount of printing. Accordingly, the mountless label is preferred as a label to be affixed to the back surface of a product.

However, there is a problem that a mountless label cannot be used in the label-affixing machine disclosed in Patent Literature 1. The reason for this is as follows: as illustrated inFIG. 15, in the case of a mountless label, a label sheet42fed from the label printer3is held between a pair of rollers8and is cut by a cutter9, and a label4is held in this state. Accordingly, when the label4is to be moved toward the label conveying means6, the label4is hindered by the rollers8and cannot be delivered to the label conveying means6.

Accordingly, a method of feeding the cut label4from the rollers8by rotationally driving the pair of rollers8is also considered. However, even in this case, the rear end portion of the label4getting out of the rollers8remains at a position where the rear end portion of the label4interferes with the rollers8. For this reason, when the label4held by the label holding means5is to be moved toward the label conveying means6, there is another problem that the posture of the label4is lost since the adhesive surface of the label4comes into contact with the rollers8.

The disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the disclosure is to provide a label-affixing machine that can use not only a label with a mount but also a mountless label and a stretch-wrapping machine on which the label affixing machine is mounted.

Solution to Problem

A label-affixing machine according to an aspect of the disclosure is a label-affixing machine that affixes a label, which is conveyed by a label conveying body, to a back surface of a product being conveyed. The label-affixing machine includes: a label holding unit configured to hold the label so that an adhesive surface of the label faces outward; a pressing mechanism configured to press a label conveying body, which is disposed on a side facing the label holding unit, against the adhesive surface of the held label by moving the label conveying body toward the label holding unit; and a controller that controls drive of the label conveying body and the pressing mechanism to affix the label to the back surface of the product.

In the label-affixing machine, the label conveying body can be pressed against the adhesive surface of the label and the label4can be moved just as it is in that state in the direction where the label is issued. Accordingly, even though not only a label with a mount is used but also a mountless label is used, the label can be affixed to the back surface of the same product.

In the label-affixing machine according to the aspect of the disclosure, the controller may control the drive of the label conveying body and the pressing mechanism to allow the label conveying body to be away from the label holding unit while the label is issued and, once the issuing of the label ends, to press the label conveying body against the adhesive surface of the held label.

In the label-affixing machine according to the aspect of the disclosure, the controller may control the drive of the label conveying body and the pressing mechanism to allow the label conveying body to travel upward in a state in which the label conveying body is away from the label holding unit while the label is issued and, once the issuing of the label ends, to allow the label conveying body to stop after pressing the label conveying body against the adhesive surface of the issued label. Accordingly, it is possible to inhibit the curled front end portion of the label from being folded so that the adhesive surface of the label faces inward.

The label-affixing machine according to the aspect of the disclosure may further include a remaining amount detection unit for a label roll that is loaded into a label printer. In a case in which a detected remaining amount is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, the controller may control the drive of the label conveying body and the pressing mechanism to allow the label conveying body to travel in a state in which the label conveying body is away from the label holding unit while the label is issued and, once the issuing of the label ends, to allow the label conveying body to stop after pressing the label conveying body against the adhesive surface of the issued label. Accordingly, it is possible to inhibit the curled front end portion of the label from not being sucked.

In the label-affixing machine according to the aspect of the disclosure, in a case in which the length of the label in a direction where the label is issued is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, the controller may control the drive of the label conveying body and the pressing mechanism to allow the label conveying body to travel upward in a state in which the label conveying body is away from the label holding unit while the label is issued and, once the issuing of the label ends, to allow the label conveying body to stop after pressing the label conveying body against the adhesive surface of the issued label. Accordingly, it is possible to inhibit the curled front end portion of the label from floating.

In the label-affixing machine according to the aspect of the disclosure, the label printer, which issues the label, may include a cutter configured to cut a label sheet into a length corresponding to the amount of printing. The pair of rollers8(seeFIG. 15) of the related art is not necessary.

In the label-affixing machine according to the aspect of the disclosure, the controller may control the pressing mechanism to press the label conveying body against an adhesive surface of the label sheet to be cut before the label sheet is cut. Accordingly, the label, which is cut and separated from the label sheet, is affixed to and held by the label conveying body without causing a position deviation.

The label-affixing machine according to the aspect of the disclosure may further include a label sensor configured to detect a label to be conveyed by the label conveying body, and the controller may control the drive of the label conveying body and the pressing mechanism to allow the label conveying body to travel until the label is detected by the label sensor after the label conveying body is pressed against the adhesive surface of the label. Accordingly, even though the length of a label in the direction where the label is issued is variously changed, the front end portion of the label can be made to remain at the detection position of the label sensor.

The label-affixing machine according to the aspect of the disclosure may further include a conveyor configured to convey the product and a product detecting sensor configured to detect the product. Once the controller receives a detection signal from the product detecting sensor, the controller may allow the label conveying body to travel upward. Accordingly, when the product to be conveyed reaches the detection position of the product detecting sensor, a label, which stands by at a predetermined position, is sent and is affixed to the back surface of the product. Therefore, even though the length of the product in the conveying direction is changed, the label can be affixed to a predetermined position on the back surface of the product.

A stretch-wrapping machine according to an aspect of the disclosure includes a carry-out conveyor configured to send a wrapped product to the conveyor and the label-affixing machine, and the carry-out conveyor and the conveyor of the label-affixing machine are connected to each other through a power transmission mechanism.

In the stretch-wrapping machine, the carry-out conveyor of the wrapping machine and the conveyor of the label-affixing machine can be operated at the same speed in synchronization with each other.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the disclosure, it is possible to provide a label-affixing machine that can use not only a label with a mount but also a mountless label and a stretch-wrapping machine on which the label-affixing machine is mounted.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Meanwhile, the same portions or corresponding portions will be denoted in the respective drawings by the same reference numerals and the repeated description thereof will be omitted.

FIGS. 1 and 2are conceptual diagrams illustrating the structure of a label-affixing machine according to an embodiment. InFIGS. 1 and 2, the label-affixing machine100includes: a label holding unit110for sucking a label4issued from a label printer3so that an adhesive surface of the label4faces outward; a pressing mechanism130for pressing a label conveying body121, which is disposed on the side facing the label holding unit110, against the adhesive surface of the held label4by moving the label conveying body121toward the label holding unit110; a conveying unit120for sending the label conveying body121to which the label4is affixed toward the back surface of a product1; and a controller140for controlling the operation of the label conveying body121of the conveying unit120and the operation of the pressing mechanism130to affix the label4to the back surface of the product1.

The label holding unit110includes a negative-pressure chamber112that includes a plurality of suction ports111provided on one surface thereof, and sucks and holds the issued label4by these suction ports111. For this reason, the pressure of air in the negative-pressure chamber112is set to low negative pressure that allows the label4sucked to the suction ports111to be slidable along the suction ports111without falling in a state in which the adhesive surface of the label4faces outward. Further, air may be applied to the label holding unit110to press the issued label4against the label holding unit110even by the pressure of air.

The conveying unit120conveys the label conveying body121, to which the label4is affixed, to the back surface of the product1. InFIGS. 1 and 2, the label conveying body121includes a plurality of string belts124that circularly travel between a pair of upper and lower pulleys122and123. However, the label conveying body121is not limited to such a structure, and may also be formed of a conveying body adapted so that the label4is conveyed without being separated but is easily separated in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the label4in a case in which the adhesive surface of the label4is affixed to the conveying body, for example, like a mesh-like flat belt of which the contact area is reduced, a flat belt which a label release agent is applied to the surface thereof, or the like.

Further, inFIGS. 1 and 2, the conveying unit120and the label holding unit110are disposed to be close to each other at upper end portions thereof and to be away from each other at lower end portions thereof. However, the conveying unit120and the label holding unit110are not limited thereto, and may be disposed parallel to each other.

The pressing mechanism130is a mechanism for allowing the conveying unit120to be close to and away from the label holding unit110to press the label conveying body121against the adhesive surface of the label4that is held by the label holding unit110. For this purpose, inFIGS. 1 and 2, the pressing mechanism130is adapted to allow the lower pulley123to oscillate around the horizontal rotating shaft of the upper pulley122to rotationally move the string belts124toward the label holding unit110in the direction of an arrow (seeFIG. 1). However, the pressing mechanism130is not limited to this structure. Instead of this structure, the pressing mechanism130may have a structure in which, for example, the label holding unit110and the conveying unit120are disposed parallel to each other and the entire conveying unit120is moved toward the label holding unit110in parallel.

The controller140performs control for controlling the operation timing of the conveying unit120and the operation timing of the pressing mechanism130to make the label conveying body121be away from the label holding unit110while a label4is issued and, once the issuing of the label ends, to press the label conveying body121against the adhesive surface of the held label.

That is, when the label printer3starts printing, a label4to be fed from the label printer3is raised while being sucked to the suction ports111of the label holding unit110. Then, at a timing where the issuing of the label ends, the controller140actuates the pressing mechanism130to press the string belts124as the label conveying body121against the adhesive surface of the label4. Accordingly, the label4is affixed to the string belts124. In this state, the controller140rotates the respective pulleys122and123to allow the string belts124to travel in the direction of the arrow at a timing where the product1being conveyed reaches the affix position of the label4. Accordingly, the label4, which is conveyed by the string belts124, protrudes from a product conveying surface, the back surface of the product1appears, and the label4is affixed to the back surface of the product1. In more detail, when the string belts124turn around the upper pulley122, the label4protrudes upward while being separated from the string belts124, the back surface of the product1being conveyed appears, and the label4is affixed to the back surface of the product1.

According to the label-affixing machine100, as described above, the label conveying body121is pressed against the adhesive surface of the label4and the label4is raised just as it is in that state in a direction where the label4is issued. Accordingly, even though not only a label with a mount is used but also a mountless label is used, the label4can be affixed to the back surface of the same product1.

Incidentally, since this kind of label4is wound around a paper core so that an adhesive surface of the label4faces inward, the label4to be issued tends to be curled so that the adhesive surface of the label4faces inward. For this reason, in a case in which the label4is issued from the label printer3, the front end portion of the label4may float without being sucked to the suction ports111as illustrated inFIG. 2. In a case in which the label conveying body121is pressed against the label4in this state, the curled front end portion of the label may be folded so that the adhesive surface of the label4faces inward. In this case, the label4, which is normally issued, becomes a defective label. Further, in a case in which the defective label is affixed to the product1, the normal product1is also treated as a defective product.

In order to solve such a problem, the controller140controls the drive of the pressing mechanism130and the label conveying body121to allow the label conveying body121to travel upward in a state in which the label conveying body121is away from the label holding unit110while a label4is issued and, once the issuing of the label ends, to allow the label conveying body121to stop after pressing the label conveying body121against the adhesive surface of the issued label4.

InFIG. 2, the controller140allows the label conveying body121(string belts124) to travel in the direction of the arrow in a state in which the label conveying body121(string belts124) is away from the label holding unit110while a label4is issued. Further, when the curled front end portion of the label comes into contact with the label conveying body121, the front end portion is fallen down in a direction where the label is issued. Accordingly, the curled front end portion of the label is sucked to the suction ports111. Even in a case in which the curled front end portion is not sucked to the suction ports111since the label4is stiff, the label conveying body121traveling in the direction of the arrow approaches the adhesive surface of the label4while pushing down the curled front end portion to the suction ports111. For this reason, even through a label4having a strong tendency to be wound is used, the front end portion of the label4is affixed to the label conveying body121without being folded inward. Accordingly, the label4having a strong tendency to be wound can be corrected.

Incidentally, since the bending of the issued label4is less in a case in which the diameter of a label roll wound in the form of a roll is large, such curl does not cause a problem. However, since the bending of the issued label4is large in a case in which the diameter of a label roll is small, there is a case where the curled front end portion may not be sucked to the suction ports111.

In preparation for such a case, the label-affixing machine100includes a remaining amount detection unit150for a label roll loaded into the label printer3. In a case in which a detected remaining amount is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, the controller140performs control for controlling the drive of the pressing mechanism130and the label conveying body121to allow the label conveying body121to travel upward in a state in which the label conveying body121is away from the label holding unit110while a label4is issued and, once the issuing of the label ends, to allow the label conveying body121to stop after pressing the label conveying body121against the adhesive surface of the held label4.

For example, in a case in which the conveying speed of a label4to be fed from the label roll is constant, the rotational speed of the label roll is increased as the diameter of the roll is reduced. Accordingly, the remaining amount detection unit150can be formed of a sensor configured to detect the rotational speed of the label roll at the time of issuing of a label. In this case, in a case in which the detected rotational speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, it is determined that the remaining amount of the label roll is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value. Further, instead of this structure, a proximity sensor for detecting the position of a label roll can also be provided at the outermost peripheral position of a label roll, of which the remaining amount is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, to form the remaining amount detection unit150. In a case in which such a structure is employed, the remaining amount of a label roll, which causes the curled front end portion to be folded, is tested in advance and the diameter of a label roll, which is slightly larger than the diameter of a label roll where there is a concern that the curled front end portion may be folded, is set as the above-mentioned predetermined value.

Furthermore, in the case of a label4that has a short length in the direction where the label is issued, many suction ports111not closed by the label4remain. For this reason, since a suction force is reduced, the curled front end portion may float from the suction ports111.

Accordingly, in a case in which the length of a label in the direction where the label is issued is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, the controller140controls the drive of the pressing mechanism130and the label conveying body121to allow the label conveying body121to travel upward in a state in which the label conveying body121is away from the label holding unit110while the label4is issued and, once the issuing of the label ends, to allow the label conveying body121to stop after pressing the label conveying body121against the adhesive surface of the label.

The length of the label in the direction where the label is issued in this case is, for example, the length of a label to be fed per label. The length of the label in the direction where the label is issued in this case can be obtained in a case in which the label printer3develops print information as two-dimensional image data. Accordingly, the length of a label to be fed, which is obtained in a case in which the above-mentioned control is needed, is obtained in advance through a test operation, and is registered as the predetermined value.

Since curl, which is caused by a tendency to be wound, occurs not only in the case of a label with a mount and but also in the case of a mountless label likewise, the above-mentioned control can be applied not only in the case of the label with a mount ofFIG. 1but also in the case of the mountless label ofFIG. 2likewise. However, in the case of the mountless label ofFIG. 2, the label4to be cut and separated from the label roll needs to be held when the issued label4is cut by cutters90. In a case in which the label4to be cut and separated from the label roll is not held, the label4cannot be cut at a normal boundary during the cutting of the label or the cut label4causes a position deviation.

For this reason, in a case in which the mountless label is used, the controller140controls the pressing mechanism130before the cutting of a label sheet42to press the label conveying body121against the adhesive surface of an issued label sheet42. Accordingly, a label4can be cut and separated at a proper line.

InFIG. 2, a pair of cutters90is provided above a print head31and a platen roller32that are disposed so as to face each other. In this case, a pair of rollers8ofFIG. 15illustrated as the related art is not necessary. Further, in a case in which a label4is to be cut from the issued label sheet42, the label4is cut by the cutters90after the label conveying body121is pressed against the adhesive surface of the label sheet42. Accordingly, the label4, which is cut and separated from the label sheet42, is affixed to and held by the label conveying body121without causing a position deviation.

Incidentally, the front end portion of a label to be issued from the label printer3is held by the label holding unit110, but the rear end edge thereof remains at the separation position of a separation plate33ofFIG. 1or the cutting position of the cutters90ofFIG. 2. For this reason, the front end portion of the issued label4takes various height positions according to the length of the label in the direction where the label is issued. In this case, since a distance where the front end portion of the label is conveyed until reaching the back surface of the product1varies, there is a trouble that feed control, which allows the front end portion of the label to touch the back surface of the product1, should be changed according to the length of the label in the direction where the label4is issued.

For this reason, label sensors43and44for detecting the label4are provided at a predetermined position on the conveying path of the label conveying body121, and the controller140allows the label conveying body121to be raised until the front end portion of the label4is detected by the label sensors43and44after the label conveying body121is pressed against the adhesive surface of the label4. Accordingly, even though the length of a label in the direction where the label is issued is variously changed, the front end portion of the label can be made to remain at the detection position of the label sensors43and44.

Photoelectric sensors, which detect that the label reaches in a case in which irradiation light is blocked by the label, can be used as the label sensors used in this case. A projector and an optical receiver are provided on the conveying path of a label at a predetermined position slightly below a position where a product1and the label4are to join each other, that is, at a position where irradiation light is blocked by the label4to be conveyed as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, and the label sensors43and44are formed of the projector and the optical receiver. Further, after the label conveying body121is pressed against the adhesive surface of the label4, the label conveying body121is raised. When the front end portion of the label is detected by the label sensors43and44, the label4is stopped at the detected position.

Accordingly, even though the length of a label in the direction where the label is issued varies, the front end portion of the label4can always remain at a fixed position. Therefore, although one kind of control for sending the label conveying body121to the product1at a timing where the product1reaches a predetermined position is provided, labels4having different lengths in the direction where a label is issued can be affixed to a predetermined position on the back surface of a product.

The label-affixing machine100includes a conveyor200configured to convey a product1, and a product detecting sensor400that detects the product1to be conveyed. The controller140allows the label conveying body121to travel upward in a case in which the controller140receives a product detection signal from the product detecting sensor400.

Accordingly, when the product1to be conveyed reaches the detection position of the product detecting sensor400, a label4, which stands by at a predetermined position, is sent and is affixed to the back surface of the product1. Therefore, even though the length of the product1in the conveying direction is changed, the label4can be affixed to a predetermined position on the back surface of the product.

Further, a stretch-wrapping machine includes a carry-out conveyor that sends a wrapped product1to the conveyor200, and the carry-out conveyor and the conveyor200are connected to each other through a power transmission mechanism212to be described later. Accordingly, the carry-out conveyor of the wrapping machine and the conveyor200of the label-affixing machine can be operated at the same speed in synchronization with each other.

According to the above-mentioned label-affixing machine100, since the label conveying body121is moved to the label holding unit110and conveys the label4, which is held by the label conveying body121, in the direction where the label is issued, the posture of the issued label4is not lost and the label can be affixed to the back surface of the product1just as it is even though not only a label with a mount but also a mountless label is used.

Further, even though a label of which the front end has a tendency to be curled is used, the curled front end portion of the label can be affixed to the label conveying body121while being pushed down in the direction where the label is issued. Accordingly, a label can be always affixed to the product1as a normal label4without a defect that the curled front end portion of the label is folded.

In addition, a label4, which stands by at a predetermined position, is raised and is affixed to the back surface of the product1at a timing where a product1being conveyed reaches the detection position of the product detecting sensor400. Accordingly, even though the length of a product in the conveying direction or the length of a label in the direction where the label is issued varies, a label4can be repeatedly affixed to a determined position on the back surface of the product.

Further, according to the stretch-wrapping machine, the conveyor, which sends a wrapped product1to the label-affixing machine100, and the conveyor200of the label-affixing machine100can be operated at the same speed in synchronization with each other. Accordingly, affixing a label to a product1being conveyed is easily controlled, and a user can cope with a trouble after suspending the operation of the wrapping machine provided on the upstream side even though the trouble occurs in the label-affixing machine100provided on the downstream side.

An embodiment of the label-affixing machine and an embodiment of the stretch-wrapping machine on which the label-affixing machine is mounted will be described below with reference toFIGS. 3 to 13. Meanwhile, embodiments to be described below do not limit the scope of the invention.

[Structure of Entire Machine]

InFIGS. 3 and 4, a stretch-wrapping machine1000as an embodiment includes an upper unit1100, a lower unit1200, and a control unit1300. A label printer (not illustrated) that issues a price label and a label-affixing machine (not illustrated) that affixes the price label to the upper surface of a wrapped product1(product1) are built in the upper unit1100. A wrapping machine main body1201and a label-affixing machine100are built in the lower unit1200; the wrapping machine main body1201wraps a product10, which is stored in a tray or the like and is not yet wrapped, (unwrapped product10) in a stretch film; and the label-affixing machine100is provided on the lateral side of the wrapping machine main body1201and affixes a label4to the back surface of the wrapped product1. The control unit1300controls the respective units1100and1200. The control unit1300includes the controller140and the remaining amount detection unit150, which are illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, and an operation display unit1301.

The wrapping machine main body1201includes a carry-in conveyor1202that is provided on the side facing a worker11ofFIG. 4and carries in the product10not yet wrapped. A weighing device1203, which measures the mass of the product10not yet wrapped and outputs the measured mass to the operation display unit1301, is built in the conveyor1202. Further, when the measurement of mass performed by the weighing device1203ends, the carry-in conveyor1202is actuated and the product10placed on the carry-in conveyor1202is carried into the wrapping machine main body1201.

The product10, which is not yet wrapped and placed on the weighing device1203, is processed food, such as fresh food, a side dish, or a packed lunch, stored on a tray. For this reason, the name, weight, price, and the like of a product are printed on a price label to be affixed to the upper surface of the wrapped product1, and raw materials, additives, and the like having been used are printed on a label4to be affixed to the back surface of the product1.

The wrapping machine main body1201is provided with a lift mechanism, a film conveying mechanism, a film holding mechanism, and a film folding mechanism that are not illustrated and are well known. The unwrapped product10, which is carried into the wrapping machine main body1201by the carry-in conveyor1202, is lifted from below toward a film, which is horizontally stretched by the film conveying mechanism and the film holding mechanism, by the lift mechanism. The lifted product10is pushed up while the film is stretched, and the peripheral edge portion of the film, which is formed into a chevron shape in this way, is folded to the back surface of the product10by the film folding mechanism. The product1, which is wrapped in this way, is discharged to a carry-out conveyor1204, which is provided on the front side, through a heater conveyor (not illustrated).

The carry-out conveyor1204is disposed above the carry-in conveyor1202so as to be orthogonal to the carry-in conveyor1202. The conveyor200, which forms a part of the label-affixing machine100, and a stock conveyor500that temporarily stocks products1to which the labels are affixed are connected to the downstream portion of the carry-out conveyor1204. The carry-out conveyor1204and the conveyor200of the label-affixing machine100are adapted to be operated at the same speed in synchronization with each other by being connected to each other through a power transmission mechanism212ofFIG. 6. Further, products1, which are stocked on the stock conveyor500, are transferred to a wagon (not illustrated) or the like by a worker11or another worker12, and are conveyed to a display zone in a store.

Since such a structure is well known, the detailed description thereof will be omitted here and a label-affixing machine100according to an embodiment will be described next.

InFIGS. 5 to 8, the label-affixing machine100includes a conveyor200configured to convey a product1sent from the carry-out conveyor1204, a label printer300that is disposed below the conveyor200, a label holding unit110configured to hold a label4issued from the label printer300so that an adhesive surface of the label4faces outward, a pressing mechanism130(seeFIG. 9) configured to press a label conveying body121against the adhesive surface of the held label4, a conveying unit120configured to convey the label conveying body121to which the label4is affixed toward the product1, and a controller140that controls the drive of the label conveying body121and the pressing mechanism130.

As illustrated in side views ofFIGS. 6 and 7and a plan view ofFIG. 8, the conveyor200has a structure in which a plurality of rollers201are rotatably mounted on a frame202so as to be arranged in parallel. Each of the rollers201has a structure in which a shaft made of stainless steel is inserted into an aluminum pipe of which the surface is subjected to blasting. Further, an opening portion203, which allows the upper end portion of the conveying unit120to be exposed to the outside, is formed substantially in the middle of the conveyor200, and a roller204, which fills a part of the opening portion203, is formed to be shorter than the other rollers201. A small-diameter drive roller portion206, which is in contact with a drive belt205and is rotated, is coaxially formed at one end portion of each of the rollers201and204.

As illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 7, the drive belt205is adapted to be wound around a plurality of free rollers207, which are disposed between the adjacent drive roller portions206, and a main drive roller208under the drive roller portions206of the respective rollers201and to be rotated in the direction of an arrow. Further, the conveyor200is adapted to be detachably mounted on a main body frame1210of the label-affixing machine100from above, and the drive belt205is in close contact with the free rollers207and the drive roller portions206due to the own weight of the respective rollers201as illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 7in a case in which the respective drive roller portions206are placed on the drive belt205. Accordingly, the drive belt205applies torque to the respective drive roller portions206in the direction of an arrow. Furthermore, constant tension is applied to the drive belt205by a tension roller209that is biased by a spring. Accordingly, the drive belt205applies torque to the respective drive roller portions206while maintaining constant tension.

Moreover, the main drive roller208is mounted on one end portion of a rotating shaft210parallel to each roller201, and a gear, which meshes with an idle gear211, is mounted on the an end portion of the rotating shaft210opposite to the main drive roller208. Accordingly, the idle gear211is disposed in a space212S opposite to the drive roller portions206ofFIG. 8. The idle gear211meshes with a drive gear213through a second idle gear212, and a timing pulley214is mounted on the rotating shaft of the drive gear213.

In addition, a timing belt218is wound the timing pulley214and a drive pulley216that is mounted on the rotating shaft of a motor215, which is provided on the lower side, through tree guide rollers217. Since the three guide rollers217are mounted on a movable plate1211that is movable relative to the main body frame1210, the positions of the three guide rollers217relative to the drive pulley216of the motor215are changed in a case in which the movable plate1211is moved. Accordingly, tension is applied to the timing belt218.

Further, the second idle gear212meshes with a gear220that drives the above-mentioned carry-out conveyor1204. Accordingly, the second idle gear212serves as the power transmission mechanism212that transmits the torque of the conveyor200to the carry-out conveyor1204. Furthermore, a gear ratio of the respective gears211,213, and220is set so that the conveying speed of the carry-out conveyor1204is equal to the conveying speed of the conveyor200.

Meanwhile, the conveyor200ofFIGS. 6 and 7is adapted so that the drive roller portions206are placed on the drive belt205, but may be adapted so that gears are mounted instead of the respective drive roller portions206, idle gears are interposed between these gears, and the respective rollers201and204are rotated through the meshing of gears. However, it is easy to attach and detach the conveyor200from above in a case in which the drive belt205is used.

A product detecting sensor400, which detects a product1being conveyed, is provided above a carry-in port of the conveyor200. The product detecting sensor400is formed of a proximity sensor that detects a product1in a non-contact manner.

The label printer300ofFIG. 5is adapted to use a so-called mountless label. The label printer300includes a loading unit302into which a label roll301is loaded, a Print unit304that prints predetermined items on a label sheet303fed from the label roll301, and a cutter unit305that cuts the printed label sheet303into a predetermined length. The cutter unit305has a well-known structure, and includes a pair of cutters90illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, a crank mechanism (not illustrated) that linearly reciprocates one cutter of the cutters90, and a rotary solenoid that rotationally drives the cutter.

As illustrated inFIG. 9, the Print unit304includes a print head310and a platen roller330and the print head310is mounted on a connector part311of a four-joint rotation mechanism. The four joint rotation mechanism includes two fixed shafts312and313, two levers314and315that oscillate around the respective fixed shafts312and313, and the above-mentioned connector part311that is connected between the respective levers314and315. Further, since the respective levers314and315are biased clockwise by torsion coil springs316and317, a support bar318is horizontally maintained at the time of use to press the print head310against the platen roller330against the clockwise rotation of the respective levers314and315. Further, in a case in which the support bar318is rotated downward to allow the label sheet303to pass between the print head310and the platen roller330, the respective levers314and315are rotationally moved clockwise due to the elastic forces of the torsion coil springs316and317as illustrated inFIG. 10. As a result, a gap through which the label sheet303can pass is formed between the print head310and the platen roller330.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, the platen roller330is connected to an assist roller331, which is provided on the lower side, by a timing belt332. The assist roller331is connected to the rotating shaft of a stepping motor333by a timing belt334. Further, the platen roller330is adapted to steps by one dot line as the stepping motor333is driven.

As illustrated inFIGS. 9 and 10, an L-shaped bracket319is rotatably mounted on the fixed shaft313, an auxiliary roller320is mounted on a vertical portion of the bracket319so as to face the assist roller331, and the auxiliary roller320presses the label sheet303against the assist roller331. Furthermore, when the print head310is in pressure contact with the platen roller330, a triangular plate321mounted on the lever314ofFIG. 9presses the head portion of the bracket319in the direction of an arrow. Accordingly, the auxiliary roller320is pressed against the assist roller331. Further, since the assist roller331is rotated by the drive of the stepping motor333ofFIG. 5, the label sheet303, which is pressed against the assist roller331by the auxiliary roller320, is fed from the label roll301. Meanwhile, a bearing bracket322ofFIG. 10, which supports the auxiliary roller320, is mounted on the L-shaped bracket319with coil springs323interposed therebetween so as to be close to and away from the L-shaped bracket319.

A mountless label is loaded into the label printer300. In this case, a label roll is loaded into the loading unit302so that the adhesive surface of the label sheet303is in contact with the platen roller330. For this reason, guide plates340and341of which upper end portions are close to each other are provided at the upper portions of the print head310and the platen roller330as illustrated inFIGS. 9 and 10. Accordingly, a label4to be fed is guided upward in a vertical direction. Further, the guide plate340, which is in contact with the adhesive surface of the label, is formed in the shape of a comb, so that the adhesive surface of the label does not adhere to the guide plate340.

<Structure of Main Parts of Label-Affixing Machine>

InFIGS. 5 and 11, the label-affixing machine100includes the label holding unit110that holds a label4issued from the label printer300so that an adhesive surface of the label4faces outward, the pressing mechanism130that presses the label conveying body121against the adhesive surface of the held label4, the conveying unit120that conveys the label conveying body121to which the label4is affixed toward the back surface of the product1, and a controller140(seeFIG. 12) to be described later that controls the drive of the label conveying body121and the pressing mechanism130on the basis of detection signals output from the label printer300and label sensors43and44.

The label holding unit110includes a negative-pressure chamber112, a label holding body113that is provided on the side facing the conveying unit120, and an exhaust fan114that reduces pressure in the negative-pressure chamber112. The label holding body113includes sleighs115(seeFIG. 11) that extend along the string belts124as the label conveying body121and connecting parts116that bridge the adjacent sleighs115, and an area, which is surrounded by the sleighs115and the connecting parts116, forms a suction port111. Further, a label4, which is issued from the label printer300, is raised while being sucked to the suction port111. However, in this case, to prevent the sliding label4from coming into contact with the connecting parts116, the connecting parts116are provided at positions lower than the label sliding surfaces of the sleighs115. Further, since the label4cannot slide on the sleighs115in a case in which the amount of air to be exhausted from the exhaust fan114is excessively large, the negative pressure in the negative-pressure chamber112is reduced to negative pressure that allows the front end portion of the label4not to sag down. Furthermore, an air blower117, which applies air to the front end portion of the label4to be fed, is provided on the back side of the conveying unit120, which is provided on the side facing the label holding body113, to prevent the front end portion of the issued label from sagging down.

The label holding body113is fixed to a T-shaped bracket118, and the bracket118is rotatably mounted on a machine frame through a hinge118athat extends in a direction orthogonal to the plane ofFIG. 11. Further, a coil spring119, which rotationally moves the label holding body113counterclockwise about the hinge118a, is mounted between an end portion of the bracket118in a horizontal direction and the machine frame. Accordingly, when a finger is put into a space between the label holding body113and the string belts124in a case in which a label is unexpectedly caught between the label holding body113and the string belts124, the label holding body113is rotationally moved clockwise about the hinge118a. As a result, the label caught between the string belts124and the label holding body113is removed by the finger. For this reason, the ceiling portion of the negative-pressure chamber112is provided with a cutout portion99that allows the oscillating label holding body113to avoid interfering with the negative-pressure chamber112.

InFIGS. 8 and 11, the conveying unit120, which conveys the label conveying body121, includes side frames125, upper and lower rotating shafts126that are bridged between these side frames125, a plurality of pulleys122and123to which these rotating shafts126are inserted and which are arranged side by side, a plurality of string belts124that are wound around these pulleys122and123, and tension rollers128that press the respective string belts124from above. Further, a drive gear50ofFIGS. 6 and 8, which is fixed to the upper rotating shaft126, is connected to a power transmission mechanism to be described later, so that the upper rotating shaft126and the pulley122are rotated. Accordingly, the string belts124circularly travel between the respective pulleys122and123.

The upper rotating shaft126faces the opening portion203formed at the conveyor200, and the upper ends of the string belts124mounted on the upper rotating shaft126are mounted at positions slightly lower than the upper ends of the adjacent two rollers201. Further, separation rollers129, which separate the label4from the string belts124, are mounted between the upper pulleys122that are arranged in a line. Furthermore, label sensors43and44are provided above the conveying unit120at a position where the inside of the negative-pressure chamber112is seen from the suction port111. One label sensor44is formed of the label sensor44as an optical receiver illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, and a projector is provided in the negative-pressure chamber112facing the label sensor44. Meanwhile, only the label sensor44as an optical receiver is illustrated inFIG. 8, but this label sensor44may be a projector. In this case, a label sensor provided in the negative-pressure chamber112is an optical receiver.

The power transmission mechanism, which meshes with the drive gear50ofFIG. 8and rotates the drive gear50, is illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 7. InFIGS. 6 and 7, an idle gear51that meshes with the drive gear50and a drive gear52that meshes with the idle gear51and rotates the idle gear51are provided under the drive gear50. Further, a pulley53is coaxially fixed to the rotating shaft of the drive gear52, and a timing belt56is wound around the pulley53and a pulley55that is fixed to the rotating shaft of a motor54. Then, when the motor54is driven, the drive gear52coaxial with the pulley53is rotated through the timing belt56and the pulley53and the drive gear50and the upper rotating shaft126of the respective pulleys122are simultaneously rotated through the idle gear51with the rotation of the drive gear52.

InFIG. 11, the pressing mechanism130includes a pin131that is mounted on the side frames125of the conveying unit120, a lever132of which one end pinches the pin131and the other end is rotatably mounted on the machine frame, and an electromagnetic solenoid133of which a movable core is joined to the lever132by a pin and allows the lever132to oscillate. Further, a coil spring134, which pulls the side frame125clockwise, is provided between the side frame125and the machine frame (not illustrated) to return the lever132to an initial position, and the machine frame is further provided with a first stopper135that regulates the further clockwise rotation of the side frame125.

Furthermore, when the electromagnetic solenoid133is actuated and the movable core is moved to the right, the lever132is rotationally moved clockwise, the pin131is also moved to the right, and the conveying unit120is rotationally moved counterclockwise about the upper rotating shaft126. Then, when the string belts124come into contact with the label holding body113, a second stopper136, which is provided on the movable core, works and the string belts124are in close contact with the label holding body113. Accordingly, in a case in which a label4is held by the label holding body113, the adhesive surface of the label4is affixed to the string belts124. When a controller140to be described later drives the motor54ofFIG. 7in this state, the string belts124travel and the label4affixed to the string belts124is conveyed upward.

FIG. 12is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a control system of the label-affixing machine100. InFIG. 12, the controller140is formed of a computer and controls the drive of the label conveying body121and the pressing mechanism130by executing a program stored in an embedded memory. Further, a lift start signal is input to the controller140from the stretch-wrapping machine1000, label length data and a printing completion signal are input to the controller140from the label printer300, a signal informing that a product1being conveyed reaches a predetermined position is input to the controller140from the product detecting sensor400, and a signal informing that a label4conveyed by the label conveying body121reaches a predetermined position is input to the controller140from the label sensors43and44. Furthermore, in a case in which a weighing completion signal is input to the stretch-wrapping machine1000from the weighing device1203, the carry-in conveyor1202is started, conveys an unwrapped product10, which is placed on the weighing device1203, to the lift mechanism, and stops. Subsequently, when the next unwrapped product10is placed on the weighing device1203and the weighing of the unwrapped product10is completed, the lift mechanism is started, a product10remaining on the lift mechanism is lifted, and the above-mentioned series of wrapping operations are performed.

<<Control of Drive of Label Conveying Body and Pressing Mechanism Performed by Controller>>

The controller140controls the drive of the label conveying body121and the pressing mechanism130on the basis of a timing chart ofFIG. 13from this lift start as a starting point. Meanwhile, a mountless label is loaded into the label printer300. Immediately after the start, the label conveying body121is away from the label holding unit110and the exhaust fan114and the air blower117are operated.

In this timing chart, when the lift mechanism is started at a time T0, the label printer300prints predetermined items on a label sheet303while conveying the label sheet303from the start of the lift mechanism serving as a starting point. Then, the label sheet303, which is fed from the guide plates340and341, passes through the cutter unit305, and the controller140allows the string belts124to travel at a time T1 when the front end portion of the label sheet303is sucked to the label holding body113. At that time, the traveling string belts124are present at a position away from the label holding body113. Accordingly, in a case in which the label is fed while the front end portion of the label sags down, the front end portion, which sags down, comes into contact with the string belts124and is raised while being fallen down toward the label holding body113. Accordingly, the front end portion, which sags down, of the label is raised while being sucked to the label holding body113.

In the meantime, the label sheet303is subjected to printing. When the printing ends, the label sheet303is further fed until a boundary portion between the preceding label and the following label reaches a cut position. Then, when the boundary position reaches the cut position, the label printer300stops the stepping motor333and subsequently outputs a printing completion signal to the controller140.

Once the controller140receives the printing completion signal at a time T2, the controller140actuates the electromagnetic solenoid133of the pressing mechanism130to move the string belts124toward the label holding unit110and stops the travel of the string belts124after some delay. Accordingly, the label sheet303, which is held by the label holding unit110, is affixed to the string belts124.

Subsequently, the controller140drives the cutter unit305at a time T3 when the string belts124are in close contact with the label holding body113and completely hold a label4. Accordingly, the label sheet303is cut and a label4having a predetermined length is formed. Subsequently, the controller140allows the string belts124to travel again at a time T4 when the label sheet303is completely cut. Accordingly, the label4of which the rear end portion has been present at the cut position is conveyed upward. Meanwhile, the label printer300sends the label sheet303back at a time T4 when the label4is cut and separated from the label sheet303to return the overrun front end portion of the label sheet303to a print start position.

Then, the controller140stops the travel of the string belts124at a time T5 when the front end portion of the label4, which is conveyed upward, is detected by the label sensors43and44and the signal thereof is input to the controller140. Accordingly, the front end portion of the label, which is affixed to the string belts124, is stopped at the detection position of the label sensors43and44, that is, a position between the label sensor43as a projector and the label sensor44as an optical receiver that are illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2.

While the stopped label4stands by at the detection position, a wrapped product1is sent to the conveyor200from the carry-out conveyor1204. The product detecting sensor400detects the product1and outputs a detection signal to the controller140at a time T6 as that timing. Then, the controller140operates a timer from the time T6, and allows the string belts124to travel at a time T7 when the front end portion of the product1reaches the opening portion203of the conveyor200. Then, since the label4, which stands by immediately below the opening portion203, protrudes obliquely upward from below, the label4is affixed to the back surface of the product1when the product1joins the label4. In this case, it is preferable that the protruding speed of the label4and the conveying speed of the product1are set to the same value. However, in a case in which the conveying speed of the product is higher, the front end portion of the label4is pulled by the product1in a state in which the front end portion of the label4is affixed to the back surface of the product1. Accordingly, at a timing T8 when the front end portion of the label reaches the back surface of the product1, the electromagnetic solenoid.133of the pressing mechanism130is allowed to stop so that the string belts124float from the label holding body113.

Subsequently, when the next product10is placed on the weighing device1203and the lift is started at a time T9 after the weighing of the product10is completed, the same operations as the above-mentioned operations are repeated.

In the above-mentioned operations, the string belts124are allowed to travel in a state in which the string belts124float from the label holding body113from an early stage where the issuing of one label does not yet end. The reason for this is to prevent the front end portion of a thin label or a label, which has a tendency to be wound, from sagging down, but there is a case where the sag of the front end portion of a firm label sheet or a label sheet having a large diameter of a roll may be prevented by the force of air from the exhaust fan114or the air blower117. In such a case, the string belts124do not need to travel in advance from the time T1 ofFIG. 13.

Further, in a case in which the diameter of a roll is reduced and the sag of the front end portion of a label cannot be prevented, the above-mentioned remaining amount detection unit150may be provided. In a case in which the detected remaining amount is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, the controller140may control the drive of the pressing mechanism130and the label conveying body121to allow the label conveying body121to travel in a state in which the label conveying body121(string belts124) float from the label holding unit110while a label is issued and, once the issuing of the label ends, to press the string belts124against the adhesive surface of the held label.

Furthermore, since the suction force of the suction port111is reduced in a case in which the length of a label in the direction where the label is issued is short, the front end portion of the label may sag down. In such a case, label length data is input to the controller140from the label printer300. In a case in which the length of the label is smaller than a prescribed value, the controller140can control the drive of the pressing mechanism130and the label conveying body121to allow the string belts124to travel in a state in which the string belts124float from the label holding unit110while the label is issued.

The length of a label in the direction where the label is issued varies depending on a product, but print information at that time can be grasped in a case in which the label printer300reads necessary information from a memory and develops the necessary information into two-dimensional image information on the basis of a print format. Accordingly, depending on a product, the string belts124may be allowed to travel or not to travel in a state in which the string belts124float from the label holding body113.

The embodiments of the invention have been described above. However, the invention is not limited thereto, and can also employ other embodiments.

For example, a mountless label has been used in the above-mentioned embodiments, but a label with a mount can also be used instead of the mountless label. In this case, a separation plate is provided instead of the cutter unit305, and a take-up device for taking up a mount from which a label has been separated is added. Even in this case, the same structures as the structures of the embodiment can be applied to the label holding unit110, the conveying unit120, the pressing mechanism130, and the controller140.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST