JPS6169533A - Label cassette fitted for use to auto-labeller - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Field of Technology An autolabeler that temporarily adheres and supports a large number of labels on a release paper tape, and peels off the labels from the rolled label tape and attaches them to articles. is known. The present invention relates to a label cassette device for easily mounting a roll of label tape on an autolabeler.

In conventional autolabelers, a roll support means supports a roll of label tape, and a hairpin-curved movement path is provided to the label tape pulled out from the roll to separate the label from the female paper tape. a peeling means having a thin plate-like protruding tip for affixing the label; a driving means for driving the label tape; a sensor for aligning the label with the article to which the label is to be attached; and controlling the alignment by the sensor. It basically has a control means.

Labels, etc. affixed to products are generally labeled for product management purposes.
It is desirable to display the loft number of the product. Since the lot number is information given to the product,
Cannot print on pre-swaged labels, IX '9
When displaying a lot number on a % label, it is necessary to display the loft number after affixing the label, or to print it on the label immediately before affixing the label to the product. Therefore, autolabelers incorporating printing devices are also in practical use.

Furthermore, although the used paper tape may be placed in a container after the label has been peeled off, a winding means for winding up the used release paper tape is often added in order to reduce the bulk of the waste. ing.

When the above-mentioned driving means is performed by a winding means, if the rotational speed or intermittent driving speed of the winding means is constant, the "tape drive speed" is determined by the habit of the tape wound on the winding means. Alternatively, the intermittent drive distance of the tape cannot be maintained constant, and it is difficult to change the rotational speed or intermittent drive speed of the winding means in accordance with changes in the tape winding diameter. As mentioned above, with the autolabeler, the accuracy of the label and the item to be affixed is /2! In autolabelers that require alignment and have a printing device that prints additional indicia on the label, the alignment between the label and the printing device also needs to be precisely controlled.

For precise tape feeding, there is a method of providing sprocket holes in the tape and feeding it with a sprocket wheel, but this method cannot be used because the cost of the label tape is high. Therefore, in an auto-labeler, a tape is generally sandwiched between a rotary drive wheel and a pressure drive wheel for friction feeding. The friction drive of the tape is applied to the release paper tape after the label has been peeled off so as not to affect the position of the label on the release paper, and when the peeling means uses a flat plate to give the label tape a hairpin curve path. (, t, a large driving force is required.

When setting label tape on such an autolabeler, the roll of label tape is mounted on a roll support means, and then the drawn-out label tape is passed through a printing device, a sensor, a peeling means, a driving means, and further through a printing means. One end of the tape must be secured to the winding means via the path.

Such autolabelers are also used by food processors, but for processed foods, Il! J construction date.

It is the school's duty to display the expiration date.

Since these changes depending on the product series to which the label is attached, it is necessary to incorporate a printing device that prints variable data. ? Food processing companies that supply 12-loss products must prepare different labels for each product and change the rolls of label tape each time the product changes. This problem can be solved by using a uniform label that does not display the product name and by displaying the product name using a printing device, but it is desirable that the product name is displayed on the label in an easy-to-read manner. Similarly, delivery destinations require the use of labels designated by the delivery destination. Therefore, even when delivering only 10 types of products to only 10 customers, 10
It is necessary to prepare 0 types of labels and change the labels for each different delivery destination and each different product. In the case of high-quality processing of a wide variety of small quantities of products delivered to multiple delivery destinations,
Perfect for replacing labels on your auto labeler! i must do it often. However, for small-scale food processing companies, it is currently impossible to have a full-time operator for the auto-labeler, and the auto-labeler is currently operated exclusively by part-time workers. For inexperienced part-timers, the task of changing labels is more troublesome and operation errors are more likely to occur.Therefore, a measure has been desired to make changing labels easier.

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, it is known that in a device that handles tape-like objects, the tape-like object is stored in a cassette to facilitate attachment and removal of the tape. They include a reel for supplying the tape-like material, a take-up reel for scraping off the tape-like material, and a guide means for guiding the tape-like material in close proximity to a tape drive means and associated means on the apparatus side. have These cassettes include, for example, a capstan in a recording/playback device, a window for receiving a movable part on a device that rotates at a fixed position, such as the drive shaft of a take-up reel, a pressure roll that presses the tape against the capstan, and a magnetic head. It has a window for receiving a movable part provided on the side of the device.

Such conventional cassettes N, S314. cannot be immediately applied to autolabelers. This is because label tapes handled by autolabelers have many labels temporarily attached to a release paper tape at regular intervals, and these labels bend the label tape at a small radius or at a steep angle. This is because it easily peels off. In addition, the auto-labeler uses the above-mentioned properties of label tape to create a hairpin curve-shaped movement path on the label tape with a thin plate-shaped tip that protrudes sharply! 1)
ing. Therefore, when installing the cassette, it is necessary to support the label tape so that it does not come into contact with the protruding peeling means, and to engage the label tape with the sharply protruding tip of the peeling means when the auto-labeler is operated. Furthermore, it is necessary for the tape drive means to generate a frictional driving force that overcomes the frictional engagement between the release paper tape and the tip in the peeling means. Moreover, it has been difficult to provide a label cassette device that can be attached to existing autolabelers without making basic design changes.

Therefore, label cassettes suitable for use in autolabelers have not been put into practical use.

Target of invention The objects of the present invention are as follows.

1) To provide a label cassette suitable for use in an auto-traveller, 2) To provide a label cassette that can be attached and detached without requiring any skill, 3) To provide a label cassette that can be attached and detached without requiring any skill. To provide a label cassette adapted to be fitted with a label tape and extrude the label tape from the cassette 1 when the autolabeler is in operation; 4) change the moving path of the label tape by the two-position movement of the peeling means; Providing 12 label cassettes with movable guides; 5) Significantly adding to the existing autolabeler; 3: I;
1. To provide a label cassette that can be applied without making any changes.Structure of the Invention The present invention achieves the above-mentioned objectives with the following structure.

As mentioned above, the difficulty of attaching and removing label tape in an autolabeler using a cassette is that the label tape must be guided in close proximity to a number of operating areas, and the label tape must be reliably attached to those operating areas when the autolabeler is in operation. In particular, the existence of a protruding peeling means has been a bottleneck in making a cassette. A cassette attachment area is provided so that the peeling means can be retracted when the current is attached or detached, and the label tape path when the cassette 1 is attached is simplified, and the peeling means is pushed out when the autolabeler is in operation, and the protruding end is The label tape is extruded from the cassette to provide a hairpin curved path 17.

The autolabeler is provided with support means for rotatably supporting a roll of labels 7-b, and the stagnant label tape can be wound from the roll supported on the support means without coming into contact with the various devices of the autolabeler. Guide means are provided for guiding in close proximity to the.

Among these guide means, the guide disposed close to the label sensor preferably has an operating position that accurately positions the label at the detection position with respect to the label sensor, and a position that moves the label tape from the detection position when the cassette is removed. II V
The movable guide means is movable between the stop device and the stop device, and more preferably, the movable guide means is connected in conjunction with the movement of the peeling means between the retracted position and the extended position. This simplifies the operation when attaching and detaching the cassette.

Further, among the guide means, one of the guide means located close to the tape drive means may also have a remote position where the label tape is guided at a distance of fiI from the drive means when the label cassette is attached or removed, and a separate position where the label tape is guided at a distance of fiI from the drive means when the label cassette is attached or removed. , a movable guide means movable between a pressing position where the label tape is engaged with the tape drive device, and more preferably a movable guide means 11 between the opening position 19J and the protruding position of the peeling means.
It is linked to the movement of 5. This simplifies the operation when attaching and detaching the cassette, and increases the contact area between the tape and the driving means in order to provide a frictional driving force that exceeds the frictional force at the tip of the peeling means.

The release paper after peeling off the label may be directly discharged out of the cassette, but it is preferable to provide winding means to reduce the height of the waste material.

The above-mentioned roll support means, guide means, movable guide means 1
The winding means is supported by the cassette casing, and in this case,
They are cantilevered onto a single mounting board for ease of operation! , it is desirable to put a cover over the grooves. The cover receives a tape drive means and a movable, v
A window for movably receiving a J-leaving step, a window for printing on a label by a printing means, and a positioning means for mounting a cassette on an auto-labeler are provided. By making the winding means receive rotational driving force by frictional force against the driving power source of the auto-labeler, it is possible to adjust the change in the tape cutting speed due to the change in the amount of tape taken up on the winding means by sliding. good.

Thus, the label cassette according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is equipped with the tape drive means in the remote position and the peeling means of the autolabeler retracted into the cassette loading area;
It can be operated simply by setting the appropriate driving means to the pressing position and moving the peeling means to the protruding position, and can be easily operated without requiring any skill.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic side views showing the arrangement of internal elements of a label cassette 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, in order to explain the outline of a label cassette 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure shows the state when the cassette is attached and detached, and FIG. 2 shows the state when the cassette is attached to the auto-labeler and the invasive label pasting operation is possible. In these figures, the gQ connecting neck provided on the side of the auto-traveler is shown by a broken line or a two-dot chain line.

First, we will outline the arrangement of related devices on the auto-traveler side. One side area of the autolabeler has tape driving means for driving the label tape, and the driving means receives rotational driving force from a power source (not shown) and rotates in the direction of arrow a. It is shown as having a drive wheel D1, and a pressure contact wheel D2 that rotates as a result of being pressed against the rotational drive wheel D1. Specifically, the pressure contact wheel D2 is rotatably supported on one end of an arm D4 supported by a support shaft D3, and its The arm D4 can rotate the pressure contact wheel D2 in the opposite direction against the biasing force by means of a lever D6, and by means of known appropriate locking means, the rotary drive wheel can be rotated as shown in FIG. 01 can be provided with a gear V-tube for receiving the tape. That is, the pressure contact ring can be rotated between the separated position shown in FIG. 1 and the pressure contact position t shown in FIG. There is.

A hairpin curve path is given to the label tape driven by the driving means, and the label is peeled off from the PJi pattern. 11 Means E is also set in the auto-labeler. In the conventional auto labeler, 14J fi1
Although the means were fixed in the position shown in FIG. 2, in order to simplify the structure of the label cassette according to the present invention,
As shown in Figure 1, it has been renovated so that it can be moved backwards to the right. The peeling means E has a thin plate-like tip E1,
The label tape is in the protruding position shown in Figure 2.
A sharply angled hairpin curve path is provided along the lower side from the first side of the tip E1, thereby peeling the label from the release paper tape.

In the illustrated embodiment, a printing device P is provided for additional printing on the label. The printing device WP may be of any type. The printing device prints by acting in the direction of misprinting.

A label sensor 5Ifi is provided above the peeling means E in the protruding position (FIG. 2). The label sensor may also be of any type, but in order to adjust the position of the article to which the label is attached and the label position on the release paper tape, and the adjustment between the printing device and the printing position on the label,
It is advantageous for the C blue pattern to be close to the distal end of the peeling means 1 in order to obtain better operational precision.

Before explaining the tape path on the cassette 10, various elements on the cassette 10 will be outlined.

On the cassette 10 is a roll support means 20 for rotatably supporting the label tape roll 11. A winding means 30 for winding up a used release paper tape, and a printing support means 4 for supporting the label tape on an appropriate member during printing by the printing device P.
0, it has a plurality of guide means 50 (shown as 51 to 55 in the figure) for guiding the label tape along a predetermined path, and cassettes 1 to 60 for supporting them. .

Referring to FIG. 1, the tape path when attaching and detaching the cassette 10 to and from the autolabeler will be described. It will be recalled that the pressure contact wheel D2 of this cutting tape drive means is in a spaced position, providing a gap between it and the rotary drive wheel D1, and that the peeling means E is in a retracted position. The label tape unwound from the roll 11 rotatably supported on the roll support means 20 can take two routes depending on whether the label is temporarily attached to the outside or inside of the roll. can be taken. In the former case, route T1 is taken, and in the latter case, route ■2 is taken. The erodible label tape is passed through a first guide means 51, over the print support means 40, through a second guide means 52, through a third guide means 53, and then wound up through a fourth guide 54. It is passed around to the means 30. It should be noted that the tape path T3 between the second guide means 52 and the third guide means 53 is located to the left of the tip E1 of the peeling means in the retracted position. Also, the fourth guide means 54 and the winding means 3
The tape path T4 between the pressure welding ring D and the
2 and the rotary drive wheel D1. This tape path T4 is arranged so that the tape does not come into contact with the driving means even when the winding width of the release paper tape on the winding means 30 (i.e., the diameter of the wound tape) changes. It's being served.

After 11 hours, the cassette 10 with the label tape set along the above-mentioned tape path is moved to r3! of the auto-labeler.
It can be removed without contact between the I series and the label tape.

Referring to FIG. 2, the route of the label tape in a state where labeling is possible will be explained. After the h set 10 is installed in the state shown in Fig. 1, the rotary drive wheel is rotated by the force of the lever I+1/34+6n and →15 r-1-LQ f"Cl ridge C to 1 pulling D5. It is pressed against D1, and the tape is sandwiched between them.

Next, the peeling means E is moved from the retracted position shown in FIG. 1 to the extended position shown in FIG. At this time, the tip E1 is
Contacting the tape path T3 between guide means 52 and 53 forces the label tape out of the cassette 10, giving it a hairpin curve path T3'.

, in FIG. 2, the fifth guide means 55 pivotally supported on the third guide means 53 moves from the release b7 position shown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 2 in conjunction with the peeling means E. It is rotated counterclockwise towards the indicated pressing position a, thereby pressing the label tape onto the thin plate of the peeling means E and allowing an accurate reading of the label position 2 by the label sensor S.

The fourth guide means 54 also includes the peeling means E1. : Interlockingly, the tape is rotated clockwise from the attachment/detachment position t shown in FIG. 1 to the working position shown in FIG. Avoid contact with large areas,
Helps ensure reliable tape drive.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a cassette 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the cassette casing 6
0 is the roll support means 201 winding means 30. Print support means 40. is shown as having a support substrate 61 that supports each element of the guide means 50 (51 to 55) in a cantilever manner, and a cover 62 that is supported on the support substrate 61 and covers some of the above-mentioned elements. There is.

The roll support means 20 is a fixed shaft 21 supported in a cantilever manner on a substrate 61, and the core of the roll 11 is rotatably supported on the fixed shaft 21. The fixing shaft 21 extends to the opposite side of the support substrate 61 and has a male thread, and a cover tightening knob 22 having a female thread is screwed thereon. Of course, a male screw may be installed in the J lip 22 to tighten the cover, and a female screw hole may be provided in the fixing hole 21.

The winding means 30 has a rotating shaft 31 that is rotatably supported on a support substrate 61, and has a rotating shaft 31 that is rotatably supported on a support substrate 61. The rotational force is transmitted by the W lff1 engagement. As such a rotational force transmission means, there are rotating wheels that are pressed against each other! There are various known means, not shown. The rotational force transmission in a circular motion compensates for changes in the winding speed due to fluctuations in the tape σ wound on the winding shaft.

In the illustrated embodiment (J), the print support means 40 is shown as also serving as a guide means for accurately positioning and mounting the cassette substrate 61 on the autolabeler,
Branch RJ! ; The guide member 41 is shown with a C-shaped cross section supported by the four plates 61. The guide member 41 receives a rectangular interior protrusion 42 (FIG. 1) fixed to an area gA on one side of the auto-traveler, and is slidably guided by it. An eccentric cam 43 is provided on the support base plate 61 as a means for fixing them at the mounting position. 41. It is clear that known means of fixing the pond may also be used.

The first guide 51 has a curved surface like a cylindrical side surface, and guides the label tape along a relatively large curved surface no matter which of the two paths T1 and T2 it takes, so that the label is separated. This prevents it from being separated from the paper pattern. In the illustrated embodiment, a label pressing means 51a which is pressed against the first guide means 51 by a leaf spring is provided to prevent the label from peeling off.

The second guide means 52 is shown as a fixed pin cantilevered on the support substrate 61, and on the fixed pin there is a tape side edge guide means movable in the 11111 direction depending on the width of the label tape used. screw 52a (first
(Fig.) is provided at least one place.

The third guide means 53 is shown as a pin planted and fixed on the support substrate 61. This fixing pin is connected to a single-shaped arm 55a that supports the fifth guide means 55.
It is shown as being used as a supporting shaft.

The fifth guide means 55 may be a pin fixed to one end of the L-shaped arm 55a. The other end of the L-shaped arm 55a engages with an appropriate portion on the peeling means E and is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. Press against the upper side of the means, thereby correctly positioning the label tape relative to the label sensor S.

The fourth guide means 54 includes pins 54b and 5 fixed to two ends of an arm 54a whose end is bifurcated.
4G, which are shown as being rotatably supported by a support shaft 54d. 1st, 2nd
As shown in FIG. 171, the Eliga 1 means E- has five engagement pins F2 at the rear end, and the engagement pins E2 are positioned at the two distal ends of the arm 54a to prevent peeling. In conjunction with the protruding and retracting movements of the fit means E, the fourth
The guide means 54 is rotated between the attachment/detachment position (FIG. 1) and the operating position (FIG. 2). A spring biasing means can be provided to support the arm 54a at the two positions. Such structures are well known and are therefore not shown.

The stripping means E must be operated after the cassette 10 is installed, and in this embodiment C: t receives the head of the handle E3 for fixing the stripping means E from moving when the cassette is attached or detached, and: i '11ii! A slot 61a is shown provided in the support substrate 61 to provide a path of movement for the handle E3 during the extension and retraction of the lt means.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the technical idea of the present invention.

For example, the guide means 52 to 55 can hold the tape 1! ! ! Although described as a dynamically guided bin, it may also be a rotatable roll. Moreover, although the cassette casing 60 has been described as consisting of the support substrate 61 and the cover 62, it is clear that they may have a box-like structure. At this time, the fixed element supported by the base plate 61 in a cantilever manner is received and supported by a recess provided in the box-like structure, and the rotating element is guided by the guide groove along the rotation path. I can do it. In the above-mentioned embodiment, a slight modification is made to the existing auto-labeler (a 2-t lobe that can move 8 times between the FF neck that pushes out the peeling means E and the backward position), and uses a cassette. The fourth guide 54 is arranged to enable the following, but if not constrained by the Ni of the device of existing auto-travelers.

By providing two press-contact rings to the auto-labeler, this becomes unnecessary. Further, the winding means 30I is not essential, but may be arranged to eject the used release paper tape to the outside of the cassette 10.

As explained above, in the present invention, on the premise that the peeling means E of the autolabeler is movable between the protruding position and the slow retraction device, the label tape when removing the cassette @ To provide a label cassette which simplifies the path of the cassette and therefore simplifies the outer shape of the cassette, thereby allowing the label cassette to be attached and detached without requiring any skill. After attaching the label cassette, the route of the label tape is changed to the applicator operating position t by simply operating the peeling means and tape drive means.
Therefore, work efficiency can be greatly improved when labels are frequently replaced.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a label cassette 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the cassette, showing the arrangement of various elements when the cassette is attached and detached. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the elements in a state ready for labeling operation. Description of symbols 10: Cassette, 11: Roll of label tape, 20:
Roll support means, 30: Winding means, 40: Printing support means, 51-55-guide means, 60: Cassette casing, Dl: Rotation drive wheel, D2: Pressure contact wheel, P: Printing device,
S Nilabel sensor, E: Peeling means.

Claims (7)

[Claims] (1) A tape driving means that supports a large number of labels by temporarily adhering them on a release paper tape in one side area of the auto-labeler, and drives the label tape wound into a roll to be unwound; a retreat position within one side area;
At least a peeling means is provided that is movable between an extruding position that is extruded from the area and is driven by the tape drive means to give a hairpin curve path to the label tape to peel the label from the release paper tape. A label cassette which is suitable for use in an autolabeler and has the following features: a) roll support means for rotatably supporting a roll of label tape; and b) when the label cassette is mounted on the autolabeler, the roll support means has the following features: guide means for guiding the label tape from the supported roll in close proximity to the protruding end of the peeling means in the retracted position and the drive means without contacting them; c) the roll support means, the guide means; d) receiving the stripping means and other associated equipment of the autolabeler in the retracted position and for the stripping means to move between the retracted position and the extended position; a window is provided in the cassette casing which allows the label tape to be supported on a gentle guide path when the peeling means is in the retracted position and to allow the protruding end thereof to be This makes it possible to push the label tape out of the cassette and give the label tape a hairpin curve path. (2) Of the guide means, at least the guide means disposed close to the drive means has an attachment/detachment position where the label tape is guided away from the tape drive means when the label cassette is mounted on the autolabeler. , a movable guide movable between an operating position in which the label tape is engaged with a tape drive device when the autolabeler is operated. (3) The label cassette as set forth in item 2, wherein the movable guide is connected in conjunction with the movement of the peeling means between the retracted position and the extended position. (4) A tape driving means for supporting a large number of labels by temporarily adhering them on a release paper tape in one side area of the auto-labeler, and for driving the label tape wound into a roll to be unwound; a retreat position within one side area;
a peeling means that is protruded from the area and movable between an extrusion position that gives a hairpin curve path to the label tape driven by the tape drive means and peels the label from the release paper tape; A label cassette suitable for use in an autolabeler, comprising at least a label sensor disposed close to the protruding end of the peeling means in the dispensing position, a) capable of rotating a roll of label tape; b) a protruding end of the peeling means in the retracted position, which removes the label tape from the roll supported by the roll support means when the label cassette is mounted on the autolabeler, and the label sensor; and a guide means that guides the drive means in close proximity to the drive means without contacting them; d) a movable guide that is movable between an operating position in which the label tape is accurately positioned at the detection position and a rest position in which the label tape is guided away from the detection position when the label cassette is installed; a cassette casing supporting the roll support means and the guide means, e) receiving the stripping means in the retracted position and other associated equipment of the autolabeler, and with the stripping means between the retracted position and the extended position; A window is provided in the cassette casing to allow movement in the cassette casing, thereby supporting the label tape on a gentle guide path when the peeling means is in the retracted position and when the peeling means is moved to the extended position. The protruding end allows the label tape to be pushed out of the cassette, giving the label tape a hairpin curve path, and also prevents the label tape from coming into contact with the autolabeler's equipment when loading the label cassette into the autolabeler. However, it is possible to accurately position the label tape at the detection position of the label sensor when operating the auto-labeler. (5) The movable guide is connected to move between an operating position and a rest position in conjunction with the movement of the peeling means between a retracted position and an extended position. The label cassette described in Section 4. (6) Of the guide means, the guide means disposed close to the drive means also has an attachment/detachment position where the label tape is guided away from the tape drive means when the label cassette is attached, and a detachment position for the autolabeler. The label according to any one of the above items 4 or 5, characterized in that the label is a movable guide movable between an operating position in which the label tape is engaged with a tape drive device when the label tape is operated. cassette. (7) A movable guide disposed close to the tape drive device is linked to the movement of the peeling means between a retracted position and an extended position.
Label cassette as described in section.