Automatic vessel supplying and labeling apparatus

An automatic vessel supplying and labeling apparatus comprising:

• vessel classification storage means for storing various vessels in accordance with a predetermined classification;
• vessel take-out/supply means for taking out a desired vessel from the vessel classification storage means and for supplying the desired vessel to a vessel supply position;
• label supplying means for preparing various labels on which information is displayed, and for supplying a desired label corresponding to the desired vessel in the various labels, to a label supply position separated from the vessel supply position;
• label supply detection means for detecting the desired label at the label supply position;
• label applying means for receiving the desired vessel from the vessel take-out/supply means at the vessel supply position, and for moving the received desired vessel between the vessel supply position and the label supply position through a waiting position which is positioned between the vessel supply position and the label supply position;
• the label applying means moving the desired vessel from the vessel supply position to the waiting position when the label applying means receives the desired vessel from the vessel take-out/supply means and before the label supplying means supplies the desired label to the label supply position;
• moving the desired vessel from the waiting position to the label supply position to apply the desired label on the desired vessel after the label supply detection means detects the desired label;
• and
• moving the desired vessel applied with the desired label from the label supply position to the vessel supply position and discharging the desired vessel applied with the desired label from the vessel supply position;
• label application judging means for checking the information on the desired label applied on the desired vessel and judging whether the desired label is correctly applied on the desired vessel or not;
• vessel sorting means for sorting the desired vessel on which the desired label has been applied by the label applying means into one of two places, the desired vessel on which the desired label has been applied correctly by the label applying means being sorted into one place, and the desired vessel on which the desired label has not been applied correctly by the label applying means being sorted into the other place;
• and
• correctly labeled vessel collecting means for collecting the desired vessel on which the desired label has been correctly applied by the label applying means and which is sorted by the vessel sorting means into the one place, wherein the label applying means includes at least three rollers arranged in parallel to each other and a rotational driving source for selectively rotating at least one of the rollers, two rollers in the at least three rollers being movable independent of the remaining roller between the vessel supply position and the label supply position through the waiting position, with the desired vessel being supported thereon, and the remaining roller being arranged at the label supply position to sandwich the desired vessel supported on the two rollers with the two rollers when the two rollers are arranged at the label supply position;
• the rotational driving source rotates the at least one of the rollers when the two rollers are arranged at the label supply position and the desired vessel supported on the two rollers are sandwiched by the two rollers and the remaining roller so that the sandwiched desired vessel is rotated and the desired label supplied to the label supply position is applied on the rotated, sandwiched desired vessel;
• one of the at least three rollers has two members separated coaxially from each other along a rotational axis of the one of the at least three rollers, and
• the label supply detection means is arranged at a position between the two members of the one of the at least three rollers.