JP4889242B2 - Labeling device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a label applicator, and more particularly to a label applicator that can apply an RFID label while making it.

Conventionally, using an RFID label in which an RFID inlet has been inserted in advance, data is recorded in the RFID inlet, printed on the RFID label, and then pasted on a predetermined article. However, when preparing an RFID label in advance, if you want to change the size of the label, you must peel off the RFID inlet and affix it to the label of the desired size to recreate the RFID label. There was a problem that would be necessary.
Therefore, immediately before attaching a label to an article, an RFID tag is attached to a part of the back surface of the label, and after creating an RFID label, the RFID label is attached to a product or the like to be attached. Some have been easily changed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-53116 A

  However, in the background art, when attaching only a label to a product or the like, a dedicated label attaching device must be used, and when attaching an RFID label, a dedicated label attaching device must be used. There is a problem in that a stand must be installed, and there is a waste in terms of installation space and cost.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and the application of a label without an RFID inlet to a product or the like is the same as the application of an RFID label with an RFID inlet to an adherend. It can be switched by using the apparatus.

Labeling apparatus comprising, RFID supplies a label feed means for supplying a backing unlabeled held in a roll, the RFID tape holding the RFID inlet to only B Lumpur shaped paste to mount at regular intervals Inlet supply means, transport means for transporting the label without a mount or the label without the mount and the RFID tape, and when only the label without the mount is transported, only the label without the mount is cut. A label comprising: cutting means for cutting the RFID label when the RFID label is transported; and an attaching means for attaching the RFID label without the mount or the RFID label cut by the cutting means to an adherend. In the sticking device, the mount constituting the RFID tape is attached to the RFID A mount sheet winding means for peeling off the mount and winding the mount sheet, and a mount sheet detecting means for detecting whether the mount sheet peeled from the RFID tape is wound on the mount sheet winding means, When it is detected by the mount detection means that the mount is wound on the mount winding means, the RFID label cut by the applying means is set to be attached to an adherend with air, When the mount detecting means detects that the mount is not wound on the mount winding means, the setting is made such that the label without the mount cut by the sticking means is pressed and attached to the adherend. The control part which performs is characterized by the above-mentioned.
Further, at least one of RFID read / write means for writing or reading predetermined data to / from the RFID inlet constituting the RFID label and printing means for printing predetermined print data on the printing surface of the RFID label Can be further provided .

  According to the label sticking apparatus of the present invention, since RFID labels can be stuck while creating, it is not necessary to prepare RFID labels in advance, and it is possible to deal with labels of various sizes. In addition, since it is possible to switch between the operation of applying only the label and the operation of applying the RFID label, the application of the label without the RFID inlet to the article and the attachment of the RFID label with the RFID inlet are performed. Can be easily performed using the same apparatus.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of an embodiment of a label sticking device of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the label sticking device 100 includes a control unit 20 for controlling each unit, an operation panel 16 for inputting various data and commands, and as will be described later with reference to FIG. A non-mounting label supply unit 50 for supplying a non-mounting label (non-separate label) 2 without a mount, which is configured by applying glue 51 to the back surface of the printing paper 1, as will be described later with reference to FIG. An RFID inlet supply unit 60 for supplying the RFID tape 3 in which the RFID inlet 40 is affixed to the mount 57 via the paste 54 at regular intervals, a light emitting unit (not shown) that emits predetermined light, and light from the light emitting unit And a light receiving unit that outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the intensity of the received light (the amount of light received per unit time), and detects the end of the non-mounting label 2 and the conveyance path of the non-mounting label 2 A label breakage detection sensor 5 provided nearby, a light emitting unit (not shown) that emits predetermined light, and a light receiving unit that receives light from the light emitting unit and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the intensity of the received light. The RFID inlet break detection sensor 6 provided in the vicinity of the transport path of the RFID tape 3 for detecting the end of the RFID tape 3 and the back surface of the label 2 without mount (supplied with paste 51). The surface of the RFID tape 3 supplied from the RFID inlet supply unit 60 (the surface opposite to the surface to which the paste 54 is applied (the protective tape 52 is attached to the RFID inlet 40 via the paste 53). The non-mounting label 2 and the RFID tape 3 are respectively guided so that they are in contact with the attached surface)), and the RFID tape is attached to the back surface of the non-mounting label 2 Two bonding rollers 7 that act to bond the front surface of the RFID label 4 and the back surface of the RFID label 4 in the vicinity of the conveyance path of the RFID label 4 formed by bonding the front surface of the RFID tape 3 to the back surface of the label 2 without mount A light emitting unit (not shown) that emits predetermined light, and reflected light from the RFID label 4 of the light emitted from the light emitting unit, and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the intensity of the received light. An eye mark (black rectangular mark) 55 formed by printing or the like on the back surface of the printing paper 1 of the label 2 without mount, or the back surface of the protective tape 52 constituting the RFID label 4 The eye mark 56 formed by printing or the like is peeled off from the eye mark detection sensor 8 for detecting the eye mark 56 based on the amount of light received by the light receiving portion and the mount 57 constituting the RFID tape 3, A turning pin 18 that turns the conveying direction of the mount 57 in a direction of a mount take-up portion 70 described later, a mount take-up portion 70 that takes up the mount 57, and a shaft 71 of the mount take-up portion 70 are provided. A mount detection sensor 19 that detects whether or not the mount 57 is wound on the mount winding unit 70, and an RFID read / write unit 17 that reads and writes data to and from the IC chip 42 that constitutes the RFID inlet 40. The thermal head 10 that prints predetermined print data on the printable printing surface formed on the surface of the label 2 without mount, and the label 2 without mount and the RFID tape 3 are bonded by the bonding roller 7. When the RFID label 4 is used, the RFID label 4 is conveyed while being pressed against the thermal head 10, and the RFID tape 3 is bonded. When only the non-mounting label 2 is used, a platen 11 that transports the label 2 without pressing the mounting head 2 against the thermal head 10 and a cutter unit that cuts the RFID label 4 or the label 2 without mounting at a predetermined timing. 12, a feed roller 13 that discharges the cut RFID label 4 or the label 2 without mount, and a predetermined product that is an adherend by blowing air to the RFID label 4 when the RFID label 4 is discharged If only the label 2 without the mount is discharged, the label 2 without the mount 2 is sucked and held, and the label 2 without the mount 2 is held and moved in a direction approaching a predetermined product or the like Then, a suction plate 15 for pressing and attaching the non-mounting label 2 to a predetermined product or the like, and a label sticking unit for controlling the drive of the suction plate 15 And a 4 like. That is, the suction plate 15 is provided with air holes (not shown) for sucking and discharging air, and by controlling the label affixing unit 14, air is sucked from the air holes to remove the label 2 without the mount. The RFID label 4 is held by sucking and holding it, pressing the suction plate 15 against the product or the like to stop the suction of air, sticking the label 2 without the mount on the product, or discharging the air from the air hole of the suction plate 15. Can be applied to products or the like by wind pressure.

  As will be described later, the case where only the label 2 without the mount is transported and the RFID label 4 obtained by bonding the label 2 without the mount 2 and the RFID tape 3 are transported according to the type and application of the article as an adherend. When only the label 2 without the mount is conveyed, the eye mark detection sensor 8 detects the eye mark 55 formed on the back surface of the printing paper 1 of the label 2 without the mount, and the RFID label When 4 is conveyed, an eye mark 56 formed on the back surface of the protective tape 52 by printing or the like is detected. The protective tape 52 is, for example, white.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the embodiment of FIG. As shown in the figure, the label sticking apparatus 100 includes a control unit 20 and the above-described units that operate under the control of the control unit 20. The control unit 20 is stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 23 that stores a printer control program, various fixed data, control table data, IO (Input / Output) constants, a motor control program, a communication control program, and the like. CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21 that controls each unit, a flag area that stores flag data necessary for the CPU 21 to operate, and data necessary for the CPU 21 to operate are stored. A label 2 or RFID label without a mount by rotating a platen 11 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 22 that stores a work area, a print development area where print data is developed, and the like. A transport unit 25 composed of a stepping motor or the like that transports and drives 4 in the transport direction; Generate and generate control signals corresponding to print data such as characters, figures, and barcodes to be printed developed in the print development area of the RAM 22 under the control of the CPU 21 and the conveyance control unit 24 that controls the conveyance unit 25 The thermal head control unit 26 that supplies the control signal to the thermal head 10 to perform the printing operation and the light emitting unit (not shown) that constitutes the eye mark detection sensor 8 are controlled under the control of the CPU 21 to emit light, An eye mark detection unit 27 that receives an electrical signal output from a light receiving unit (not shown) constituting the eye mark detection sensor 8, converts it into digital data and supplies it to the CPU 21 as print base point detection data, and a label under the control of the CPU 21. A light emitting unit (not shown) constituting the cut detection sensor 5 is controlled to emit light and to detect a label cut. Receives an electrical signal output from a light receiving unit (not shown) constituting the sensor 5, converts it into digital data and supplies it to the CPU 21 as label breakage detection data, and detects the RFID inlet breakage under the control of the CPU 21. A light emitting unit (not shown) constituting the sensor 6 is controlled to emit light, and an electric signal output from a light receiving unit (not shown) constituting the RFID inlet break detection sensor 6 is received, converted into digital data, and converted into an RFID inlet. The RFID inlet break detection unit 29 supplied to the CPU 21 as the break detection data, the operation panel 16 for inputting various data and commands, and the operation panel 16 are controlled, and the data and commands input from the operation panel 16 are sent to the CPU 21. Operation panel controller 30 to be supplied, Data writing and reading through an antenna 41 between an online communication control unit 31 that controls online communication with an external device such as a computer 200 and an IC (Integrated Circuit) chip 42 that constitutes the RFID inlet 40 The RFID read / write unit 17 and the RFID read / write unit 17 are controlled to supply the data read by the RFID read / write unit 17 to the CPU 21 and to the IC chip 42 via the RFID read / write unit 17. An RFID read / write control unit 32 that supplies data to be written to the RFID read / write unit 17 and a light emitting unit (not shown) constituting the mount detection sensor 19 are controlled under the control of the CPU 21 to emit light, and the mount detection sensor 19. Output from the light receiving unit (not shown) The board detection unit 33 that receives the electrical signal to be converted and is converted into digital data and supplied to the CPU 21 as the board detection data, the cutter unit 12 that cuts only the RFID label 4 or the label 2 without the board 2, and the cutter unit 12 are controlled. The cutter control unit 34 and the label pasting unit 14 are controlled, and air is sucked from an air hole (not shown) of the suction plate 15 so that a predetermined product is pressed and pasted while the non-mounting label 2 is sucked, or the suction plate 15 is used to exchange data and commands between the CPU 21 and each unit, and an application control unit 35 that applies air to the RFID label 4 from an air hole (not shown) provided on the device 15 and presses the RFID label 4 against a predetermined product by wind pressure. It consists of a data bus / control bus 36 and the like.

  FIG. 3A shows a configuration example of the non-mounting label 2. As shown in the figure, the non-mounting label 2 has a configuration in which glue 51 is applied to the back surface of the printing paper 1. Further, eye marks 55 are formed on the back surface of the printing paper 1 by printing or the like at predetermined intervals.

  FIG. 3B shows a configuration example of the RFID tape 3. As shown in the figure, the RFID tape 3 has one surface of the RFID inlet 40 affixed to the mount 57 at a predetermined interval via glue 54 and a protective tape 52 affixed to the other surface via glue 53. It has been configured. The RFID inlet 40 has a configuration in which an IC chip 42 and an antenna 41 are covered with a transparent film 43 or the like. Further, on the back surface of the protective tape 52, eye marks 56 are respectively formed in gap portions between the adjacent RFID inlets 40.

  FIG. 3C shows a configuration example of the RFID label 4. As shown in the figure, the RFID label 4 has a configuration in which the label 2 is pasted on the protective tape 52 of the RFID tape 3 via glue 51.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S1, an RFID tape is attached to the shaft 71 of the mount take-up unit 70 based on the mount detection data supplied from the mount detection unit 33 via the data bus / control bus 36 by the CPU 21 constituting the control unit 20. It is determined whether or not the three mounts 57 are wound up.

  As a result, when it is determined that the mount 57 of the RFID tape 3 is wound on the shaft 71 of the mount winding unit 70, the process proceeds to step S2 and air is blown onto the RFID label 4 as a label attaching method. A cylinder jet type is set in which the RFID label 4 is attached to a product or the like that is an adherend by pressing the paste 54 on the back surface of the product 40 onto the surface of the product or the like.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the mount 57 of the RFID tape 3 is not wound on the shaft 71 of the mount winding unit 70, the process proceeds to step S3, where the suction plate 15 sucks the label 2 without the mount as a label attaching method. The suction plate 15 is moved toward the product while the label 2 without the mount is sucked, the label 2 without the mount 2 is pressed against the product, and the glue 51 on the back surface of the label 2 without the mount is pressed against the surface of the product. By doing this, the label 2 without the mount is set to a pressing type for attaching to the product or the like.

  When the process of step S2 or step S3 ends, the process proceeds to step S4, and it is determined whether or not an instruction to start printing has been issued. If it is determined that the start of printing has not been instructed, the process of step S4 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the start of printing has been instructed, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S <b> 5, under the control of the CPU 21, when the cylinder jet method is set as the pasting method, predetermined data is written to the IC chip 42 constituting the RFID inlet 40 of the RFID label 4.

  That is, the CPU 21 instructs the RFID read / write control unit 32 to write predetermined data to the IC chip 42 constituting the RFID inlet 40. Upon receiving this command, the RFID read / write control unit 32 supplies the RFID read / write unit 17 with a control signal for commanding to write the data supplied from the CPU 21 to the IC chip 42. The RFID read / write unit 17 writes the data to the IC chip 42 via the antenna 41 constituting the RFID inlet 40 based on the control signal supplied from the RFID read / write control unit 32.

  On the other hand, when the pressing method is set as the pasting method, only the label 2 without the mount is transported, so that the writing process with respect to the IC chip 42 is not performed, and the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S <b> 6, print data is printed on the print surface of the surface of the no-mounting label 2 under the control of the CPU 21.

  That is, the CPU 21 develops bitmap image data and the like corresponding to the print data in the print development area of the RAM 22. This print data is transmitted in advance from the host computer 200 to the label sticking apparatus 100, supplied to the CPU 21 via the data bus / control bus 36 via the online communication control unit 31, and stored in the RAM 22.

  Next, the CPU 21 instructs the transport control unit 24 to transport the RFID label 4 or the label 2 without the mount. Receiving this command, the conveyance control unit 24 supplies a predetermined control signal to a stepping motor (not shown) that constitutes the conveyance unit 25 to drive the rotation. The rotational driving force of this stepping motor is transmitted to the platen 11, the platen 11 rotates, and the RFID label 4 or the non-mounting label 2 sandwiched between the platen 11 and the thermal head 10 is conveyed.

  In this example, when the cylinder jet method is set as the label attaching method, the RFID label 4 is conveyed. On the other hand, when the pressing method is set as the label sticking method, only the label 2 without the mount is conveyed.

  Next, the CPU 21 supplies predetermined print data (for example, bitmap image data) developed in the print development area of the RAM 22 to the thermal head control unit 26, and sends the print data to the front surface of the printing paper 1 ( A command is given to print on the surface to which the glue 51 is not applied.

  Upon receiving this command, the thermal head controller 26 supplies a control signal corresponding to the print data supplied from the CPU 21 to the thermal head 10. The thermal head 10 executes a printing process in accordance with a control signal supplied from the thermal head control unit 26. As a result, the print data is printed on the surface of the printing paper 1.

  The timing at which the CPU 21 instructs the thermal head control unit 26 to print the print data is determined based on the print base point detection data supplied from the eye mark detection unit 27.

  That is, when the print base point detection data is supplied from the eye mark detection unit 27, the CPU 21 is formed on the back surface of the protective tape 52 constituting the RFID label 4 (the surface facing the side where the eye mark detection sensor 8 is disposed). It can be determined that the eye mark formed or the eye mark formed on the back surface of the printing paper 1 constituting the non-mounting label 2 has passed the position where the eye mark detection sensor 8 is provided.

  Therefore, based on the distance by which the RFID label 4 or the no-mounting label 2 is conveyed between the time when the print base point detection data is supplied and the present time, and the distance from the eye mark detection sensor 8 to the print position of the thermal head 10. Thus, the relative positional relationship between the RFID label 4 or the label 2 without mount and the thermal head 10 is recognized, and the printing position of the thermal head 10 and the surface of the print sheet 1 of the RFID label 4 or the label 2 without mount 2 are recognized. The timing at which the position of the head portion of the predetermined print area coincides can be recognized.

  The CPU 21 prints the print data to the thermal head control unit 26 when the print position of the thermal head 10 and the position of the top portion of the print area 1 of the print paper 1 of the RFID label 4 or the label 2 without mount are coincident. Command to start. Thereby, it is possible to print the print data in a predetermined print area on the surface of the print paper 1 of the RFID label 4 or the label 2 without mount.

  Next, in step S <b> 7, the RFID label 4 or the non-mounting label 2 is cut at a predetermined position by the cutter unit 12 under the control of the CPU 21.

  That is, the CPU 21 cuts the RFID label 4 or the no-mounting label 2 with respect to the cutter unit 12 when the portion to be cut of the RFID label 4 or the no-mounting label 2 matches the cutting position of the cutter unit 12. Command. Upon receiving this command, the cutter unit 12 cuts the RFID label 4 or the label 2 without the mount.

  The section of the RFID label 4 or the non-mounting label 2 cut by the cutter unit 12 is transported by the feed roller 13 and held in a state where the rear end portion is sandwiched.

  Next, in step S8, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the cylinder jet type is set as the label sticking method of the label sticking apparatus 100. As a result, when it is determined that the cylinder jet method is set as the label attaching method, the process proceeds to step S9. On the other hand, if it is determined that the cylinder jet method is not set as the label sticking method (the pressing method is set), the process proceeds to step S10.

  In step S <b> 9, the CPU 21 determines that the RFID label 4 is held by the feed roller 13, blows air against the RFID label 4, presses the product against the product, and affixes the product to the product via the glue 54. Commands to the control unit 35.

  Upon receiving a command from the CPU 21, the sticking control unit 35 exhausts air from an air hole (not shown) provided in the suction plate 15 and supplies a control signal for instructing the RFID label 4 to blow air to the label sticking unit 14. .

  In response to the supply of the control signal, the label affixing section 14 advances the rod, the suction plate 15 approaches the product and stops, and a pump (not shown) is driven to exhaust air from an air hole (not shown) of the suction plate 15. And air is blown onto the RFID label 4. Thereby, the RFID label 4 is pressure-bonded to the product by wind pressure and attached. Then, it progresses to step S11.

  On the other hand, in step S10, the CPU 21 determines that the label 2 without mount is held by the feed roller 13, temporarily holds the label 2 without mount with the suction plate 15, and moves the suction plate 15 toward the product. Then, the label 2 without the mount is pressed against the product, and the sticking control unit 35 is instructed to stick the product to the product via the glue 51.

  Upon receiving a command from the CPU 21, the sticking control unit 35 sucks air from an air hole (not shown) provided in the suction plate 15 to hold the mountless label 2 on the suction plate 15, and in that state, the rod advances. A control signal for instructing to paste the label 2 without mount is supplied to the label pasting unit 14 by moving toward the product and crimping.

  The label attaching unit 14 that has received the control signal drives a pump (not shown) to suck air from an air hole (not shown) of the suction plate 15 and holds the label 2 without the mount. Next, the suction plate 15 is moved toward the product while holding the mountless label 2. Thereby, the label 2 without a mount is pressed and pasted on the product. Thereafter, the suction of air is stopped, and the suction plate 15 is retracted to the original position. Then, it progresses to step S11.

  In step S11, it is determined whether the printing process has been completed. When it is determined that the printing has not been completed yet, the process returns to step S5, and the processes after step S5 are repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if it is determined that printing has been completed, this processing is terminated.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, different types of labels can be handled by the same apparatus, and labels can be affixed to merchandise by an optimal affixing method according to the type of label.

  It should be noted that the configuration and operation of the above-described embodiment are examples, and it goes without saying that they can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  As an application example of the present invention, for example, the present invention can be applied not only when switching between the non-mounting label 2 and the RFID label 4 but also when switching between different types of labels.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of one Embodiment of the label sticking apparatus to which this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structural example of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a label without a mount, an RFID tape, and an RFID label. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printing paper 2 Label without mount 3 RFID tape 4 RFID label 5 Label break detection sensor 6 RFID inlet break detection sensor 7 Bonding roller 8 Eye mark detection sensor 10 Thermal head 11 Platen 12 Cutter unit 13 Feed roller 14 Label sticking part 15 Adsorption Board 16 Operation panel 17 RFID read / write unit 18 Turning pin 19 Mount detection sensor 20 Control unit 21 CPU
22 RAM
23 ROM
24 transport control unit 25 transport unit 26 thermal head control unit 27 eye mark detection unit 28 label cut detection unit 29 RFID inlet cut detection unit 30 operation panel control unit 31 online communication control unit 32 RFID read / write control unit 33 mount detection unit 34 cutter Control unit 35 Adhesion control unit 36 Data bus / control bus 40 RFID inlet 41 Antenna 42 IC chip 43 Transparent film 50 Mountless label supply unit 51,53,54 Adhesive 52 Protective tape 55,56 Eye mark 57 Mount 60 RFID inlet supply unit 70 Mount Winding Unit 71 Axis 100 Labeling Device 200 Host Computer

Claims (2)

Label supply means for supplying a label without a base sheet held in a roll,
And RFID inlet means for supplying the RFID tape held in only b Lumpur shaped paste to mount at regular intervals RFID inlet,
Transport means for transporting the RFID label obtained by bonding the mountless label or the mountless label and the RFID tape;
When only the label without the mount is transported, only the label without the mount is cut, and when the RFID label is transported, a cutting means for cutting the RFID label;
In a label sticking device comprising: a label without a base sheet cut by the cutting means or a sticking means for sticking the RFID label to an adherend;
A mount winding means for peeling the mount constituting the RFID tape from the RFID inlet and winding the mount;
The mount winding means includes a mount detection means for detecting whether or not the mount peeled from the RFID tape is wound,
When it is detected by the mount detection means that the mount is wound on the mount winding means, the RFID label cut by the applying means is set to be attached to an adherend with air,
When the mount detecting means detects that the mount is not wound on the mount winding means, the setting is made such that the label without the mount cut by the sticking means is pressed and attached to the adherend. The label sticking apparatus characterized by including the control part to perform. At least one of RFID read / write means for writing or reading predetermined data to or from the RFID inlet constituting the RFID label, and printing means for printing predetermined print data on the printing surface of the RFID label The label sticking device according to claim 1, further comprising one side.

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