Abstract:
The object of the present disclosure is to provide a label application device which can easily perform label applying operation by protruding a portion of the label towards an article in a mountain-shape and automatically applying the label, improving the work efficiency by reducing the operation process as much as possible. 
     The label application device includes: a label holding unit including an attracting board provided with a pair of divided bodies and attracting and holding a label supplied from the label supplying unit; a folding and applying unit folding and protruding a portion of a label held in a mountain-shape forming a folded portion, and applying an outer end portion, provided next to a folded portion to an article; wherein the folding and applying unit including: a movement control unit controlling the movement of the air cylinder unit as a folding unit, wherein the divided bodies and are relatively approaching and separating the other and the label is folded forming the folded portion by the divided bodies pressing the label when the divided bodies approach the other, defining the divided bodies at the separation position when attracting and holding the label, and at a folded portion forming position K by approaching the divided bodies from the separation position.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a label application device for applying labels to articles, especially a label application device which folds and protrudes a portion of a label from the back side to the surface side in a mountain-shape (the back side of label urged towards the surface side of the label such that the part of the label portion protrudes to form an oblique angle) and applies the label to an article. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    A label with a portion of the label folded and protruded from the back side to the surface side in a mountain-shape has been known in the past. Such a label, for example as shown in  FIG. 9 , is a rectangular-shaped label, which is formed as a folded portion  1  with a portion  2  in the middle part of the label folded and protruded from the back side to the surface side in a mountain-shape and having a first side face  4  and a second side face  5  with an apex portion  3  as a border therebetween, and having each outer end portion  7  provided next to each base end portion of the first side face  4  and the second side face  5  of the folded portions  1  via each bent portion  6 . The back sides of the outer end portions  7  are coated with adhesive, and in a planar state, are temporally attached to the backing sheet not shown in the diagram. When applying the label L to an article, the label L is peeled off from the backing sheet and the folded portion  1  is formed by folding label L at the apex portion  3  and at the bent portions  6  by manual labor. Then at the outer end portions  7 , the label L is applied to the article (for example, Registered Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3073917 for reference). 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0003]    Incidentally, with such a label L, since a portion  2  of the label L is protruded to be applied to an article, the work is performed manually, thereby the applying operation becoming complicated. 
         [0004]    The present invention has been achieved in view of this problem. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a label application device which can protrude a portion of the label in a mountain-shape (the back side of label urged towards the surface side of the label such that the part of the label portion protrudes to form an oblique angle) and automatically applying the label towards an article, thereby facilitating applying operation and improving the work efficiency by reducing the operation process as much as possible. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0005]    To solve the above-mentioned problems, the label application device of the present invention includes a label application device applying a label supplied from a label supplying unit comprising: a label holding unit attracting and holding a label supplied from the label supplying unit; and a folding and applying unit folding and protruding a portion of a label held by the label holding unit from the back side of the label towards the surface side in a mountain-shape forming a folded portion having a first side face and a second side face with an apex portion as a border therebetween, and applying each outer end portion provided next to each base end portion of the first side face and the second side face of the folded portion via a bent portion to an article; wherein the label holding unit is configured with a pair of divided body which attracts and holds the label; and the label application device further comprising: the folding and applying unit, wherein the divided bodies are relatively approaching and separating the other and when approaching the other, a portion of the label is folded by pressing such that the bent portions of the label at each end surface opposing each of the divided body forming the folded portion; and a movement control unit controlling the movement of the divided bodies of the folding unit, wherein, at attracting and holding of the label supplied from the label supplying unit, the movement control unit defines the position of the divided bodies when attracting and holding the label supplied from the label supplying unit, at a separation position where the each divided body are separated from the other enabling attracting and holding the outer end portions of the label by the each divided body, and from the separation position to a folded portion forming position where the divided bodies approach the other forming the folded portion. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, when applying labels, first, movement control unit defines the each divided body at the separation position in advance by the folding and applying unit, enabling attracting and holding the outer end portion of the label by the each divided body. In this state, the label is supplied from the label supplying unit and a pair of divided bodies attracts and holds the label at the outer end portions of the label. Next, the movement control unit defines the position of the pair of divided bodies approaching the other from the separation position to the folded portion forming position by the folding and applying unit. At this approach, the bent portions of the label are pressed by the end surfaces opposing each divided body, and a portion of the label is folded forming the folded portion. Then, the label in this folded state, is applied to the article. Because of this, the applying operation can be performed extremely easily by the folding and applying unit protruding a portion of the label in a mountain-shape and automatically applying the label towards an article. 
         [0007]    Particularly, the movement control unit, when attracting and holding the label, defines the divided bodies separated at the separation position. Therefore, compared to the case of defining the position by attracting and holding the label at joining position of the divided bodies abutting the other, and moving the divided bodies to the separation position then to the folded portion forming position by the divided bodies approaching, the operation process of the divided bodies is reduced, enabling to improve the work efficiency. 
         [0008]    In addition, according to the setting manner of the folded portion forming position, it is possible to change the manner of label application, for example, the label application device forms a space between the first side face and the second side face of the label forming the label as it were in an inverted V-shape and applies the label, or joins the first side face and the second side face of the label and applies the label, etc. 
         [0009]    Then, if necessary, the separation position of the divided body is configured such that the position of which the end portion of the end surface of the divided body in contact with the label is in a corresponding position to the bent portion of the label. At approach of the divided bodies, as the end portions of the divided bodies are positioned at the bent portions of the label, it is possible to securely fold the label at the bent portions. 
         [0010]    Furthermore, if necessary, the label application device configures the folded portion forming position at a position separated by a predetermined interval from the joining position where the divided bodies abut the other, and forms a space between the first side face and the second side face of the label. It is possible to apply the label providing a space between the first side face and the second side face of the label forming the label as it were in an inverted V-shape. 
         [0011]    Still furthermore, if necessary, the label application device configures the folded portion forming position at a same position as the joining position where the divided bodies abut the other, and joins the first side face and the second side face of the label. It is possible to apply the label joining the first side face and the second side face of the label. 
         [0012]    In addition, if necessary, the label application device is provided with an air blowing pipe, blowing the air from the back side of the label towards the each divided body, assisting the each divided body attracting and holding the label when the each divided body attracting and holding the label supplied from the label supplying unit. By the air blow from the air blowing pipe, it is possible to press the label to the each divided body such that the label can be securely attracted and held by the each divided bodies. 
         [0013]    In this case, it is effective to form the air blowing pipe such that the air blowing range is directing towards the outer end portions of the label. In case the air is blown to the entire surface of the label, the middle portion of the label positioned between the each divided body is curved by the air, causing the outer end portions of the label to move and misalign relative to the divided bodies. If the outer end portions of the label are misaligned relative to the divided bodies, later when the each divided body approach the folded portion forming position, the pressing of the bent portions of the label by the each divided body will be insufficient such that folding of a portion of the label will not be performed smoothly, thereby causing trouble in forming the folded portion. However, in the present configuration, as the air blow from the air blowing pipe is provided such that it is directed towards the outer end portions of the label, it prevents the middle portion of the label from curving by the air and the outer end portions of the label from moving and misaligning relative to the divided bodies, thereby securely attracting and holding the outer end portions by the each divided bodies, performing folding of a portion of the label smoothly, and securely forming the folded portion. 
         [0014]    In addition, if necessary, it is configured to blow the air from the air blowing pipe when moving the above-mentioned divided bodies from the separation position to the folded portion forming position. 
         [0015]    Because of this, when the bent portions of the label are pressed at the opposing end surfaces of the divided bodies and a portion of the label is folded, the air is blown from the air blowing pipe such that the air blown from the air blowing pipe is directing towards the outer end portions of the label. But in the process of moving the second divided body from the separation position to the folded portion forming position, the air current from the air blowing pipe moderately acts upon the middle portion of the label preventing a portion of the label protruding from the surface side (the indication layer side) to the back side (the adhesive layer side) and bending in the opposite direction. Then a portion of the label is folded securely into a space formed between the first divided body and the second divided body, in other words, is securely folded from the back side (the adhesive layer side) to the surface side (the indication layer side), thereby securely forming the folded portion. 
         [0016]    Furthermore, if necessary, the label application device is provided such that a label supplying direction of the label supplying unit and the approaching and separating directions of the divided bodies are perpendicular to the other. In case ae portion of the label is formed in a variant form, with the first side face and the second side face constricted inwardly such that a portion of the label is smaller in width, the rigidity is smaller accordingly. In this case, since the label supplying direction and the approaching and separating directions of the divided bodies are perpendicular to the other, it is possible to supply the label with the folding lines of the apex portion and the bent portions parallel to the label supplying direction, thereby preventing the label from flexing and curving at supply, enabling the label to be attracted and held securely to the label holding unit. 
         [0017]    Still furthermore, as the label from the label supplying unit is supplied with the outer end portions contacting the each divided body previously positioned at the separating position, the outer end portions of the label are securely attracted and held to the divided bodies preventing failure in attracting and holding of the label. 
         [0018]    In addition, if necessary, the folding and applying unit includes a transfer unit which transfers the label holding unit to the two positions, the attracting and holding position where the label holding unit attracts and holds the label, and the applying position where the attracted and held label is applied to the article. 
       ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION 
       [0019]    According to the label application device of the present invention, the applying operation can be performed extremely easily by the folding and applying unit protruding a portion of the label in a mountain-shape and automatically applying the label towards the article. Particularly, as the movement control unit positions the divided body at the separation position when attracting and holding the label, as soon as the label is attracted and held by the divided bodies, the movement control unit moves the divided bodies to the folded portion forming position performing folding of the label. Therefore, compared to the case of defining the position by attracting and holding the label at joining position of the divided bodies abutting the other, and moving the divided bodies to the separation position then to the folded portion forming position by the divided bodies approaching, the operation process of the divided bodies is reduced, improving the work efficiency. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the label application device related to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a front view showing the operation of the label application device related to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a front view showing the operation of the label application device related to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a front view showing the operation of the label application device related to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a front view showing the operation of the label application device related to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing a substantial portion of the label application device related to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view showing a substantial portion of the label application device related to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 8(   a ) is a diagram showing an example of a label used in the label application device related to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 8(   b ) is a diagram showing an example of a label used in the label application device related to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 8(   c ) is a diagram showing an example of a label used in the label application device related to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 8(   d ) is a diagram showing an example of a label used in the label application device related to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  is a diagram showing an example of the label used in the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0032]    Hereinafter, a label application device according to the embodiment of the present invention is described in detail based on the attached figures. 
         [0033]    First,  FIGS. 1 through 7  show the label application device T related to the embodiment of the present invention. The label L which is the object of the label application device T related to the embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  8 ( a ),  8 ( b ),  8 ( c ) and  8 ( d ), is formed as a folded portion  1  with a portion  2  in the middle part of the label folded and protruded from the back side to the surface side in a mountain-shape and having a first side face  4  and a second side face  5  with an apex portion  3  as a border therebetween, and having each outer end portion  7  provided next to each base end portion of the first side face  4  and the second side face  5  of the folded portion  1  via a bent portion  6 . Only the back sides of the outer end portions  7 , or the entire back side are coated with an adhesive and, in a planar state, are temporally attached to the backing sheet D in a row. The label L is temporally attached to the backing sheet D with the folding lines P of the apex portion  3  and the bent portions  6  parallel to the longitudinal direction of the backing sheet D (the supplying direction R of the label L). 
         [0034]    In addition, the label L which is the object of the label application device T related to the embodiment may be a rectangular-shaped label ( FIGS. 6 and 9 ), or as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  8 ( a ),  8 ( b ),  8 ( c ) and  8 ( d ), a portion  2  in the middle part of the label may be formed in a variant form, mainly, with the first side face  4  and the second side face  5  constricted inwardly such that a portion  2  of the label is small in width. And various sorts of shapes may be employed. 
         [0035]    At the folding lines P of the apex portion  3  and the bent portions  6 , perforations  8  are formed. As the perforations  8  are formed, folding can be performed easily. 
         [0036]    Then the label L, as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  8 ( a ) and  8 ( b ), is applied providing a space between the first side face  4  and the second side face  5  of the label L forming the label L as it were in an inverted V-shape, or as shown in  FIGS. 8(   c ) and  8 ( d ), is applied joining the first side face  4  and the second side face  5  of the label L. 
         [0037]    The label application device T related to the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 1 , applies the label L to the article W conveyed along the predetermined conveyance direction by the conveyor not shown in the diagram. 
         [0038]    The label application device T, as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 6 , is provided with a label supplying unit  10 . The label supplying unit  10  peels off the label L from the strip-shaped backing sheet D where the label L is temporally attached, and feeds out the label L. The label supplying unit  10  peels off the label L, which is supplied from the supply reel  11  to the conveyance route, from the strip-shaped backing sheet D by the peel-off board  12  and by the take-up reel which is not shown in the diagram, takes up the strip-shaped backing sheet D of which the label L is peeled off. The peel-off board  12 , by folding back the strip-shaped backing sheet D conveyed through the conveyance route of the backing sheet D, peels off the label L, of which the rigidity is larger than that of the strip-shaped backing sheet D, from the strip-shaped backing sheet D, feeds out and supplies the label L. In  FIG. 2 , the reference number  13  is the thermal head for printing on the label L and the reference number  14  as the platen. 
         [0039]    In addition, the label application device T is provided with a label holding unit  20  attracting and holding the label L supplied from the label supplying unit  10 . The label holding unit  20  is provided with an attracting and holding board  21 . The attracting and holding board  21  attracts and hold the surface side of the label L peeled off by the peel-off board  12 . At the attracting and holding board  21 , a plurality of small holes  20   a  ( FIG. 6 ) attracting and holding the surface of the label L by air suction are provided. The attracting and holding board  21  is divided and formed by the line along the supplying direction R of the label L, in other words, the line parallel to the folding lines P of the apex portion  3  and the bent portions  6  of the label L, and formed and provided with a pair of divided bodies  21 A and  21 B able to approach and separate from the other, attracting and holding the label L. In other words, the label supplying direction R of the label supplying unit  10  and the approaching and separating direction Q of the pair of divided bodies  21 A and  21 B are perpendicular to the other. 
         [0040]    Furthermore, the label application device T is provided with a folding and applying unit  30 . The folding and applying unit  30  is provided with an air cylinder unit  22 , provided as a transfer unit transferring the attracting and holding board  21  of the label holding unit  20  to the two positions; the attracting and holding position X where the label attracting and holding board  21  of the label holding unit  20  attracting and holding the label L at the after-mentioned separation position J of the divided bodies  21 A and  21 B, and the application position Y where the label attracting and holding board  21  of the label holding unit  20  applying the attracted and held label L to the article W at the after-mentioned folded portion forming position K of the divided bodies  21 A and  21 B. In other words, by the air cylinder unit  22  comprising of a cylinder  22   a  and a piston  22   b , the attracting and holding board  21  is transferred to the attracting and holding position X ( FIGS. 1 through 4  and  FIG. 6 ) at which the label L is attracted and held, and to the application position Y ( FIG. 5 ) at which the label L is applied to the article W. The cylinder  22   a  of the air cylinder unit  22  is supported by a machine base  15 , and a fixing board  23  supporting the attracting and holding board  21  is assembled at the end of the piston  22   b.    
         [0041]    Still furthermore, near the peel-off board  12 , an air blowing pipe  24  assisting attracting and holding of the label L at the attracting and holding position X by the attracting and holding board  21  is provided. The air blowing pipe  24  blows the air from the air blowing nozzle towards the attracting and holding board  21  side from the back side of the label L peeled off from the peel-off board  12 . 
         [0042]    In detail, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the air blowing pipe  24 , when attracting and holding the label L supplied from the label supplying unit  10  by the each divided body  21 A and  21 B, blows the air towards the each divided body  21 A and  21 B from the back side of the label L, assisting attracting and holding the label by the each divided body  21 A and  21 B. Then, the air blowing pipe  24  is provided with the air blowing nozzles  24   a  only on the right and the left sides such that an air blowing range is directing towards the outer end portions  7  of the label. The nozzles  24   a  are not provided at the portion corresponding to a portion  2  in the middle part of the label L, which is the portion between the bent portions  6 . 
         [0043]    Then, the folding and applying unit  30 , at the attracting and holding position X of the attracting and holding board  21  of the attracting and holding unit  20 , folds and protrudes a portion  2  of the label L held by the label holding unit  20  from the back side of the label towards the surface side in a mountain-shape forming the folded portion  1  having the first side face  4  and the second side face  5  with the apex portion  3  as a border therebetween, and applies each outer end portion  7  provided next to each base end portion of the first side face  4  and the second side face  5  of the folded portion  1  via the bent portion  6  to the article W. The folding and applying unit  30  is comprised of the attracting and holding board  21  having the above-mentioned divided bodies  21 A and  21 B. 
         [0044]    In detail, the first divided body  21 A is supported against the base  26  via the supporting member  25 . By the spring  27 , the base  26  is biased towards the article W side and supported by the fixing board  23 . The second divided body  21 B is supported such that it is possible to be moved in the transferring direction Q perpendicular to the supplying direction R of the label L. And the folding and applying unit  30  is comprising of the air cylinder unit  31  as the folding unit, wherein the divided bodies  21 A and  21 B are relatively approaching and separating the other, and at approach, a portion  2  of the label L is folded by pressing such that the bent portions  6  of the label L at each end surface  28  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) opposing each of the divided body  21 A and  21 B forming the folded portion  1 . This air cylinder unit  31  performs approaching and separating of the second divided body  21 B to and from the first divided body  21 A, and is comprising of the cylinder  31   a  fixed to the base  26  and the piston  31   b , where the second divided body  21 B is assembled. This makes the directions, the supplying direction R of the label L of the label supplying unit  10  and the approaching and separating direction of the divided bodies  21 A and  21 B perpendicular. 
         [0045]    Furthermore, the folding and applying unit  30  is provided with a movement control unit  40  controlling the movement of the divided bodies  21 A and  21 B of the folding unit. The movement control unit  40  positions the moving second divided body  21 B, at the separation position J ( FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  6 ) where the each divided body  21 A and  21 B are separated from the other when attracting and holding the label L supplied from the label supplying unit  10  enabling attracting and holding the outer end portions  7  of the label L by the each divided body  21 A and  21 B, and from the separation position J to the folded portion forming position K ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ) where the divided bodies  21 A and  21 B approach the other forming the folded portion  1 . The movement control unit  40  can position the moving second divided body  21 B also at the joining position (not shown in the diagram) where the divided bodies  21 A and  21 B abut the other. 
         [0046]    The separation position J of the divided bodies  21 A and  21 B is configured to be at a position where the end portion  28   a  of the end surface  28  of the divided bodies  21 A and  21 B contact the label L corresponding to the bent portions  6  of the label L. The first divided body  21 A is prepared with a length corresponding to the length of the outer end portion  7  of the label L, and with the end portion  28   a  of the end surface  28  contacting the label L positioned at the position of the bent portion  6  of the label L supplied from the label supplying unit  10 . The second divided body  21 B is positioned at the separation position J such that the end portion  28   a  is positioned to be at the bent portion  6  of the label L. At the separation position J, a space is formed between the first and the second divided bodies  21 A and  21 B where a portion  2  of the label L protruding from the back side towards the surface side can enter, and the first and the second divided bodies  21 A and  21 B attracts and holds both outer end portions  7  of the label L supplying direction R. 
         [0047]    In case of applying the label L by providing a space between the first side face  4  and the second side face  5  of the label L forming the label as it were in an inverted V-shape, the folded portion forming position K is configured, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 8(   b ), at a position ( FIG. 4)  separated from the joining position by a predetermined interval and where the space between the first side face  4  and the second side face  5  of the label L is formed. 
         [0048]    Whereas, as shown in  FIG. 8(   d ), in case of applying the label L by joining the first side face  4  and the second side face  5  of the label L, the folded portion forming position K is configured at a position same as the joining position where the first side face  4  and the second side face  5  of the label L are joined. 
         [0049]    The movement control unit  40 , specifically, controls the stroke of the air cylinder unit  31 . At the joining position, the movement control unit  40  is provided with a positioning member  41  positioning the second divided body  21 B by abutting the second divided body  21 B to the first divided body  21 A. The positioning member  41  is comprised of the first divided body  21 A. 
         [0050]    In addition, at the separation position J, the movement control unit  40  is provided with an abutting member  42  abutting against the downstream side surface of the second divided body  21 B, and positioning this second divided body  21 B to be at the bent portion  6  of the label L as mentioned-above. As shown in  FIG. 7 , on the abutting member  42 , a long hole  43  is formed along the movement direction of the piston  31   b  of the air cylinder unit  31 . By inserting the bolt  44  through this long hole  43  and screwing-in this bolt  44  to the internal thread  45  provided at the cylinder  31   a , the abutting member  42  is fixed to the cylinder  31   a . By making the inserting position of the bolt  44  to the long hole  43  variable, the abutting position of the second divided body  21 B to the abutting member  42  is made variable, enabling adjustment of the second divided body  21 B stop position. 
         [0051]    The movement control unit  40  positions the second divided body  21 B at the folded portion forming position K. On the divided bodies  21 A and  21 B, provided are position detection sensors  46 , such as optical sensors, etc., detecting the second divided body  21 B reaching the folded portion forming position K from the separation position J. The movement control unit  40  is provided with a control unit (not shown in the diagram) which stops the air supply to the cylinder  31   a  and stops the second divided body  21 B at the folded portion forming position K when the position detection sensor  46  detects the second divided body  21 B reaching the folded portion forming position K from the separation position J. 
         [0052]    In this case, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , if applying the label L by providing a space between the first side face  4  and the second side face  5  of the label L forming the label as it were in an inverted V-shape, the position detection sensor  46  detecting the second divided body  21 B reaching the separated position from the joining position S by a predetermined interval. 
         [0053]    Whereas as shown in  FIG. 8(   d ), in case of applying the label L by joining the first side face  4  and the second side face  5  of the label L, the position detection sensor  46  detects the second divided body  21 B reaching the joining position. 
         [0054]    Therefore, the application of the label L by the label application device T related to the embodiment will be as follows. Here, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 8(   b ), the label application by providing a space between the first side face  4  and the second side face  5  of the label L forming the label as it were in an inverted V-shape will be explained. 
         [0055]    First, as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  6 , by the air cylinder unit  31 , the second divided body  21 B of the attracting and holding board  21  is positioned at the separation position J, and the divided bodies  21 A and  21 B are separated from the other. Also, by the air cylinder unit  22 , this attracting and holding board  21  is positioned at the attracting and holding position X. In this state, when the label L is conveyed by the label supplying unit  10 , and the backing sheet D is peeled off by the peel-off board  12 , the pair of divided bodies  21 A and  21 B of the attracting and holding board  21  attracts and hold the label L by the outer end portions  7 . 
         [0056]    In this case, if the label L is formed such that a portion  2  in the middle of the label is formed in a variant form with the first side face  4  and the second side face  5  constricted inwardly thereby smaller in width, the rigidity of the label L is smaller accordingly. However, as the label L is fed out with the folding lines P of the apex portion  3  and the bent portions  6  parallel to the longitudinal direction (the supplying direction R of the label L) of the backing sheet D, the label is prevented from flexing and curving at supply, and attracting and holding of the label is performed securely. 
         [0057]    In addition, in this case, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 6 , when attracting and holding the label L supplied from the label supplying unit  10  by the each divided body  21 A and  21 B, the air blowing nozzle  24  blows the air from the back side of the label L towards the each divided body  21 A and  21 B assisting the attracting and holding of the label L by the each divided body  21 A and  21 B. The air blowing pipe  24  is provided such that an air blowing range is directing towards the outer end portions  7  of the label L. Therefore, in case the air is blown to the entire surface of the label L, the middle portion of the label L positioned between the each divided body  21 A and  21 B is curved by the air, causing the outer end portions  7  of the label to move and misalign relative to the divided bodies  21 A and  21 B. However, in the present embodiment, as the air blow from the air blowing pipe  24  is directed towards the outer end portions  7  of the label L, it prevents the middle portion of the label L from curving by the air and the outer end portions  7  of the label L from moving and misaligning relative to the divided bodies  21 A and  21 B, thereby securely attracting and holding the outer end portions  7  by the each divided bodies  21 A and  21 B. 
         [0058]    Next, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the air cylinder unit  31  is operated, and the second divided body is moved from the separation position J to the folded portion forming position K. Thereby the first divided body  21 A and the second divided body  21 B each attracts and holds the respective outer end portions at the supplying direction R of the label L, and in the direction of the first side face  4  and the second side face  5  approaching the other, presses the bent portions  6  of the first side face  4  and the second side  5  forming the folded portion  1 . The folded portion  1  is formed by a portion  2  of the label L protruding from the back side (the adhesive layer side) to the surface side (the indication layer side) in the space between the first divided body  21 A and the second divided body  21 B. In this case, the air from the air blowing pipe  24  is directed towards the outer end portions  7  of the label L. However, during the process of moving the second divided body  21 B from the separation position J to the folded portion forming position K, the air current from the air blowing pipe  24  moderately acts upon the middle portion of the label L, preventing a portion  2  of the label L protruding from the surface side (the indication layer side) to the back side (the adhesive layer side). Specifically, by referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a portion  2  of the label L is prevented from protruding and being folded in the opposite direction towards the article W. 
         [0059]    Then, as the position detection sensor  46  detects the second divided body  21 B reaching the folded portion forming position K from the separation position J, the air supply to the cylinder  31   a  stops, and the second divided body  21 B is stopped at the folded portion forming position K. 
         [0060]    Then, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the air cylinder unit  22  operates and moves the attracting and holding board  21  from the attracting and holding position X to the application position Y, thereby applying the attracted and held label L to the article W. In this case, both outer end portion  7  of the folded portion  1  at a portion  2  of the label L protruded in a mountain-shape, are pressed to the article W by the first divided body  21 A and the second divided body  21 B securely applying the label L to the article W. After applying the label L, the attracting and holding board  21  is returned to the attracting and holding position X by the air cylinder unit  22 , and the divided body  21 B of the attracting and holding board  21  is positioned at the separation position J by the air cylinder unit  31 . 
         [0061]    Next, regarding the label application device T related to the embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 8(   d ), the case of applying the label L by joining the first side face  4  and the second side face  5  will be explained. In this case, the label application device T is operated almost in the same way as the above-mentioned, but unlike the above-mentioned, the movement control unit  40  positions the folded portion forming position K at the same position as the joining position. Therefore, when the attracting and holding board  21  attracts and holds the label L at the attracting and holding position X, and moves the second divided body  21 B from the separation position J to the folded portion forming position K, since the folded portion forming position K is at the same position as the joining position, the second divided body  21 B is abutted to the first divided body  21 A. Thereby the end surfaces  28  opposing each of the first divided body  21 A and the second divided body  21 B abut and press the surfaces of the first side face  4  and the second side face  5 , which are at a portion  2  of the label L, forming the folded portion  1 . The other operations and effects are the same as the above-mentioned. 
         [0062]    Also, even if it is a label L provided without the perforations  8  and fold lines, etc., the present invention may be applied. Furthermore, in the label application device of the above-mentioned embodiment, the strokes of the air cylinder unit  31  controlled by the movement control unit  40  of the air cylinder unit  31  is made to mechanically stop the second divided body  21 B by the first divided body  21 A and the abutting member  42 , as the positioning members  41 . However, it is not necessarily limited by the disclosure herein, but like the case positioning the second divided body  21 B at the folded portion forming portion K, the air cylinder unit  31  may be controlled to stop by position detection using the position detection sensor, and appropriate modifications may be made. In addition, not only limited to the position detection sensor, but for example, the air cylinder unit  31  may be controlled by time-control using a timer. Furthermore, instead of the air cylinder unit  31 , it may be configured, for example, by using an actuator operating the piston  31   b  by the rack and pinion mechanism, or an actuator moving the piston  31   b  by an electric motor, and with appropriate modifications. 
         [0063]    Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, although it is described that the label application device pressing and applying the label L to the article W by the air cylinder unit  22  moving the attracting and holding board  21  to the application position Y from the attracting and holding position X, it is not only limited to this. It is needless to mention that the present invention may also be applicable to a label application device with a label application method (the air-jet method) applying the label L by blowing the label L towards the article W. 
         [0064]    Still furthermore, the label L may be temporary applied with the folding lines P of the apex portion  3  and the bent portions  6  perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (supplying direction R of the label L) of the backing sheet D, such that the supplying direction R of the label L from the label supplying unit  10  and the approaching and separating direction Q of the divided bodies  21 A and  21 B are in the same direction. However, to securely attract and hold the outer end portions  7  of the label L by the divided bodies  21 A and  21 B, the above-mentioned embodiment is preferable. 
       CITATION LIST 
       [0065]    Patent Literature 1: Registered Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3073917 
       REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
         T label application device 
         L label 
         W article 
           1  folded portion 
           2  a portion 
           3  apex portion 
           4  first side face 
           5  second side face 
           6  bent portion 
           7  outer end portion 
         D strip-shape backing sheet 
         R supplying direction of label 
         P folding line of apex portion and bent portion 
           10  label supplying unit 
           11  supplying reel 
           12  peel-off board 
           20  label holding unit 
           21  attracting and holding board 
           21 A first divided body 
           21 B second divided body  22  air cylinder unit (transfer unit) 
         X attracting and holding position 
         Y applying position 
           24  air blowing pipe 
           24   a  blowing nozzle 
           28  end surface 
           28   a  end portion 
           30  folding and applying unit 
           31  air cylinder unit (folding unit) 
         Q transferring direction 
         J separation position 
         K folded portion forming position 
           40  movement control unit 
           41  positioning member 
           42  abutting member 
           43  long hole 
           44  bolt 
           45  internal thread 
           46  position detection sensor