JPH0744500U - Computer controlled labeling device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Objective] Adapting digital data technology to a labeling device 【Construction】 A device for cutting a sheet into individual labels, the driving means comprising a feed roll for feeding the sheet through the device A cutter for cutting into individual labels, a digital data processing means, an optical sensor for detecting a display mark on the sheet corresponding to the label to be cut from the optical sensor, the optical sensor being an optical sensor signal for the data processing means. And a numerical input means coupled to said processing means for inputting a selectable numerical value corresponding to the length of the label to be cut, said processing means in the use of said device a display mark on said sheet. Of a label having a cutter, wherein the device operates to maintain a desired relationship between the feeding of the cutter and the actuation of the cutter. Pasting device

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a labeling device controlled by a digital data processing system. More specifically, the present invention provides a mechanical camming mechanism and similar components of a conventional labeling device for a labeling device of the type capable of applying labels of various sizes to packaging containers of various sizes. It relates to a system as described above which replaces an electronic control unit incorporated in a digital data processing system which is linked to control tune, feed and related functions.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 In conventional devices used to label various sizes of cans, glass containers, boxes or other packaging containers of various sizes, timing marks, cams, gears, and similar interconnects. Mechanical elements are used to ensure that the container and label are fed to the device in an orderly and synchronous manner with respect to each other, ensuring that a single label is evenly placed at the desired location on the container. Some control functions of the labeling device also have digital circuitry, including a microprocessor. It is also known in the prior art to replace various mechanical timing devices in complex devices such as internal combustion engines with digital electronics. Many such timing devices have been replaced in automobile engines by the use of digital data processing circuits incorporated into microprocessor integrated circuits in combination with various electronic sensing circuits and electromechanical circuits.

However, the labeling device is a very complex device with many unique problems. It was not known in the art to replace mechanical control systems for the main drive shafts used in labeling machines with digital data processing circuits and electrical sensing circuits. Examples of such labeling devices are described in the following patents and pending applications: US Pat. Nos. 3,765,991; 4,108,709; 4,181,555. 4,188,843; 4,242,167; 4,336,095; and patent application 783-285.

[0004]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to adapt digital data processing technology to a labeling device. Another object of the invention is digital data processing in which electrical circuits are used to provide inputs indicating information and location about the various components of the labeling device and the labels and containers passing through the device. It is to provide a system. Another object of the present invention is to provide such a labeling device system for continuous roll label feeding. Another object of the present invention is to provide a labeling device in which the labels are continuously fed as long as the container is sent through the device to receive the labels. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a labeling device responsive to a scan nig mark located in the cut area of the label to assist in properly positioning the label with respect to the container. That is.

[0005]

[Means for solving problems]

 The accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends may be made through the use of the novel labeling apparatus and labeling apparatus system disclosed herein. The system of the present invention includes a labeling device and digital data processing means operably coupled to the labeling device. At least one sensing circuit is coupled to provide an input signal derived from the operation of the labeling device as an input to the digital data processing means. In a preferred form of the invention, the stepper motor used to advance the label within the device advances the label as directed by the program of the digital data processing means. The step motor advances by a predetermined number of steps per cycle of the apparatus or per container as instructed by the program. An encoder is also preferably coupled to the data processing means and the speed of the stepper motor is provided as an input to the digital data processing means. Digital data processing means are also preferably coupled to allow the user of the system to enter the length of a particular label as input. Thus, the program of the digital data processing means accepts the other parameters supplied by the sensing circuit to activate the labeling device and supply the label to the container passing through the device. The ability of the user to select the desired label length and the ability of the user to properly operate the device for labels of the above length without mechanical adjustment of the labeling device changes the label on the labeling device. This means that the operation that takes 30 minutes is reduced to about 30 seconds.

The present invention described in the utility model registration claims enumerates a labeling device having a digital data processing device, a main shaft and a slave shaft. There are three inputs to the data processor. That is, from the means for detecting the position of the main shaft, from the optical sensor for the display mark on the label sheet that advances through the label sticking device by the slave shaft, and from the length of the label on the sheet. There are three inputs from the input means. The data processor includes one, i.e., three separate input means for each of the three listed inputs. The data processor supplies an actuation signal to the stepper motor from the three inputs provided to the data processor. The step motor is connected to the driven shaft. This combination of elements allows the label on the sheet to continue to be displayed with respect to the position of the spindle. In the prior art, the three inputs identified in the present invention as claimed in the utility model registration are displayed on the rotating device in which the data processing means controls the stepper motor and causes the label to operate on the cutter or other label. Sufficient to hold, neither taught nor implied. The prior art also neither teaches nor implies a data processing device built for use with the labeling device. The shape of this device is made to meet the requirements of the labeling device.

[0007]

【Example】

 Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In particular, FIG. 1 shows a system according to the invention. The system 50 includes a labeling device 52 and a digital data processing system 54. The digital data processing system 54, in this example, has a Gold Modicon-P190 / 484 (Gold Modicon-P190 / 484), but is a control-oriented data processing system. A number of commercially available controlled orientated data processing systems (eg, commercially available microprocessor integrated circuits), such as Intel 8086, Intel 8088, Motorola 68000, Fairchild 9445, National 9445, National 9445, National 9445, National 1645, National 9445, National 1645, National 9445, National. , Etc.] can be I want you to understand.

The labeling device 52 has a cutter 56 having a shaft 58 containing a mark 60 sensed by an encoder 62, which receives as input the data signal of the position and rotational speed of the shaft 58. , Through the interface 65 to the digital data processing system 54 on line 63. The encoder 62 can be replaced by a suitable sensor, such as a magnetic sensing means, by configuring the shaft 58 to perform the function of the mark 60 by disturbing the magnetic field to which the magnetic sensing means responds. In practice, the encoder 68 preferably comprises a C and A Model HT-11B encoder derived from C and A Products. Interface 65 preferably has a PCEF Encoder Interface Module for converting position and velocity information for axis 58 into a binary coded decimal (BCD) format. The digital data processing system 54 gives a rotation speed control signal to the step motor 67 via the step motor control 71 at a rate of, for example, 2,000 pulses per one rotation of the label feeding roll 66 on the line 64. A shaft 69 is connected to the supply roll 66. The rotational speed control signal on line 4 allows the feed roll 66 to feed the continuous label sheet 68 to the cutter at an appropriate speed so that the cutter cuts 72 adjacent separate labels. The individual labels 70 are separated from the sheets 68 with.

Each label 70 has a positioning mark 74. The positioning mark 74 is sensed by the optical sensor 76 as a means of preventing the sheet 68 from creeping with respect to the cutter 56, so the cutter 56 begins to slit the sheet 68 at a different position than the cut 72. . Optical sensor 76 is connected to data processing system 54 by line 78. Optical sensor 76 provides a signal on line 76 when mark 74 is sensed. The digital data processing system 54 will synchronize the axis 58 when the mark 74 is sensed with the position where the axis 58 should be in order for the label 70 feed, and also with the appropriate label 70 scoring. Compare with position 58.

If the axis 58 is not in the proper position to be synchronized to the score 70 cut, then the digital data processing means 54 will cause the actual axis 58 position to be the expected position of the axis 58. Check the rotation difference between and. This rotation difference should be input by the data processing device by (1) the length of the label input through the thumbwheel switch 82, (2) the mark 74 detected by the sensor 76, and the thumbwheel switch 83. In this case, the angular position in degrees with respect to the axis 58, (3) the allowable angular position input by the thumbwheel switch 85, (4) the axial position data from the line 36, and (5) the optical position from the line 78. It can be determined by comparing the sensor signals. Since the standard mathematical relationship is known to those skilled in the art, it is possible to calculate the rotation difference from the input variable information. These mathematical relationships are encoded in the data processing means 54, which also receives the input variable information and produces a rotation difference value. This rotation difference value is encoded by the data processing means 54 into an error signal applied to the step motor control 71. The stepper motor control 71 converts the error signal into a corrected turnover control signal on line 64. The corrective rotation control signal forces the stepper motor 67 to adjust its speed so that the expected rotational position of the shaft 58 corresponds to the actual rotational position of the shaft 58. Optical sensor 76 preferably comprises a Banner CVG-1 sensor available from Burner, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn.

When it is desired to replace roll 80 of label 70 with a roll of label having a length different from the length of label 70, the length of the new label, in inches, is measured on the front panel. A thumbwheel switch 82 at 84 enables the digital data processing system 54. The angular position of shaft 58 when mark 74 is to be sensed by sensor 76 is adjusted with thumbwheel switch 83. The tolerance for angular position is also entered by the thumbwheel switch 85.

FIG. 2 illustrates the data processing system 54 of the system of FIG. 1 in more detail. System 54 includes a processor 100, and input modules 102, 104, 106 are coupled to supply inputs to processor 100. Input / output module 108 is also coupled to the supply input to processor 100 and the supply output from the system on line 112 for control functions of some conventional devices. However, these other control functions are provided using the same data processing system 54 used in the present invention. The output module 110 is coupled to the output from the processor 100 to be provided for stepper motor control on line 112.

Interface module 65 is coupled by line 63 to input module 104 of data processing system 54. The thumbwheel switches 82, 83, 85 are each connected to the input multiplexer module 102. Inputs from other sensors attached to the labeling device 52 (see also FIG. 1) are provided to the I / O module 108 via line 120. The output for the control function of the labeling device 52 is provided to the I / O module 108 via line 22. When the optical sensor 76 senses the presence of the alignment mark 74, it provides an input signal to the input module 106 via line 78. A machine language program listing suitable control programs for the Modicon-P190 / 484 digital data processing system 54 is attached as an adjunct to this specification.

[0014]

[Effect of device]

 It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the above description that a labeling device controlled by a novel digital data processing system that can achieve the above objects of the present invention is provided. The system 50 continuously feeds the label 70 from the roll 80 to the cutter 56 so that the cutter cuts the label 70 at the cut 72 and steadily feeds the cut label 70 to the container. Changing the label device 52 to accept labels of different sizes only allows new label lengths to be entered into the digital data processing system 52. The mark 74 may be located at a desired position on the label.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer-controlled labeling device according to the present invention.

2 is a plan view of a portion of the system shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 50 ... System 52 ... Labeling device 54 ... Digital data processing system 56 ... Cutter 60 ... Mark 62 ... Encoder 65 ... Interface 66 ... ..Label feed roll 67 ... Step motor 100 ... Processor 108 ... Input / output module

Claims (2)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A device for cutting a sheet into individual labels, the drive means (66) comprising a feed roll for feeding the sheet through the device, the sheet (68) being cut into individual labels (70). A cutter (56) for the digital data processing means (54), an optical sensor (76) for detecting an indication mark (74) on the sheet (68) corresponding to the label (70) to be cut, the optical The sensor generates an optical sensor signal for the data processing means and inputs a selectable numerical value corresponding to the length of the label to be cut, the numerical input means (8) being coupled to the processing means.
2), wherein the processing means is operative to maintain a desired relationship between the feeding of the indicia marks on the sheet and the actuation of the cutter (56) in use of the device, The device is a labeling device having a cutter (56), having a shaft (58), the rotational position of this shaft corresponding to the stage of operation of the cutter and the device determining the position of the shaft (58). A sensor (6) for sensing and operably connected to the digital data processing means (54).
0, 62), and a step motor (67) is connected between the processing means (54) and the seat driving means (66), the processing means (54) including an axial position sensor (60, 6).
2) In response to each input from the display mark optical sensor (76) and the input means (82), an input pulse is applied to the step motor (67) to drive the drive means (6).
6) controlling the speed and providing a desired positional correspondence during operation of the cutter (56), determined by the position of the shaft (58) between the end of each label (70) and the cutter (56). The above device, characterized in that it is maintained. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said data processing means is connected to said input means (83), and said optical sensor (76) moves said axis when said optical sensor (76) detects a display mark (74). The said device which inputs the predetermined position of (58).