JP2014008679A - Printer and printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer or a printing method which can issue label pieces corresponding to increase of merchandise information.SOLUTION: A printer 160 prints merchandise information on a mount-less label LS, and includes: a roll holder 61; a feeding roller 63; a printing part 62; and a control device 80. The roll holder holds a label roll wound with the mount-less label including a colored conspicuous part extending continuously. The feeding roller clamps a part of the mount-less label and feeds the mount-less label from the label roll. The printing part prints eye-catching information included in the merchandise information on the conspicuous part of the mount-less label and prints merchandise information other than the eye-catching information on a non-conspicuous part which is a part of the mount-less label other than the conspicuous part. The control device controls operations of the feeding roller and the printing part.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, products such as fresh foods and processed foods are sold with a label piece attached to the upper surface of the product to indicate information about the product (product information). Further, a printing device is used to print product information on the label piece. For example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-283633) proposes a printing apparatus capable of printing product information including eye catch information for attracting a glance and general information that is information other than eye catch information. ing.

  By the way, in the printing apparatus proposed in Patent Document 1, the width direction of the mountless label that is the direction (first direction) orthogonal to the direction in which the mountless label extends is the width direction of the label pieces. Eye catch information and general information were printed on Specifically, the eye catch information and the general information are printed in horizontal writing on the mountless label with the extending direction of the mountless label as the vertical direction. In general, in order to print eye catch information, a mountless label is provided with a colored conspicuous portion. The conspicuous portion is often provided in advance on the mountless label for the convenience of printing product information. Specifically, the conspicuous portion extends in the width direction of the mountless label. Each conspicuous portion is provided at a predetermined distance from each other in the extending direction of the mountless label. That is, since an area where product information can be printed is determined in advance, it is difficult to cope with an increase in product information to be printed.

  The subject of this invention is providing the printing apparatus or printing method which can issue the label piece corresponding to the increase in merchandise information.

  A printing apparatus according to the present invention is a printing apparatus that prints product information on a mountless label, and includes a roll holder, a feeding roller, a printing unit, and a control device. The roll holder holds a label roll around which a mountless label including a colored conspicuous portion extending continuously is wound. The feeding roller sandwiches a part of the mountless label and feeds the mountless label from the label roll. The printing unit prints the eye catch information included in the product information on the conspicuous portion of the mountless label, and prints the product information other than the eye catch information on the non-conspicuous portion which is a portion of the mountless label other than the conspicuous portion. The control device controls operations of the conveyance roller and the printing unit.

  Thereby, regardless of the number of print items, a mountless label including a conspicuous portion can be used effectively.

  Moreover, it is preferable that a printing part prints the character or number which shows eye catch information on a conspicuous part with a big size with respect to the character or number which shows general information which is product information other than eye catch information.

  Thereby, the eye catch information can be effectively printed on the mountless label.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the control device includes a product information storage area, a layout information storage area, and a selection receiving unit. The product information storage area stores product information. The layout information storage area stores product information layout information printed by the printing unit. The selection receiving unit receives selection of layout information by the user. The layout information preferably includes first layout information and second layout information. The first layout information causes the first portion of the eye catch information and the general information to be horizontally written with the first direction orthogonal to the direction in which the mountless label extends as the vertical direction. In the second layout information, the direction in which the mountless label extends is the vertical direction, the eye catch information is written vertically, and the first portion of the general information is written horizontally. Moreover, it is preferable that a printing part prints merchandise information on a mount-less label based on selection of the layout information received by the selection reception part.

  Thereby, a desired layout can be appropriately selected.

  Furthermore, the layout information preferably includes third layout information. The third layout information is information related to the third layout. The third layout includes a first area and a second area. The first area is an area in which the eye catch information and the first portion of the general information are horizontally written with the first direction as the top-and-bottom direction. The second area is an area adjacent to the first area. The second area is an area where the second portion of the general information is horizontally written with the direction in which the mountless label extends as the vertical direction.

  Thereby, the aspect by which a label is affixed on goods can be changed.

  Further, it is preferable that the general information includes information on the barcode, and the printing unit prints each bar constituting the barcode on the mountless label in the extending direction of the mountless label.

  As a result, the barcode can be accurately printed on the mountless label.

  A printing method according to the present invention is a printing method for printing product information on a mountless label, and includes a feeding step and a printing step. In the feeding step, a part of the mountless label including the conspicuous colored portions extending continuously is sandwiched, and the mountless label is fed from the label roll around which the mountless label is wound. In the printing step, the eye catch information included in the product information is printed on the conspicuous part of the mountless label, and the product information other than the eye catch information is printed on the non-conspicuous part which is a part of the mountless label other than the conspicuous part.

  Thereby, regardless of the number of print items, a mountless label including a conspicuous portion can be used effectively.

  Furthermore, the printing method according to the present invention preferably includes a layout information storage step. The layout information storage step stores the layout information of the product information printed by the printing step. The layout information includes information related to the layout having the first area and the second area. The first area is an area for horizontally writing the eye catch information and the first portion of the general information that is product information other than the eye catch information, with the first direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the mountless label as the vertical direction. . The second area is an area adjacent to the first area, in which the direction in which the mountless label extends is the vertical direction, and the second portion of the general information is written horizontally. The portion of the mountless label corresponding to the first region is affixed to the upper surface of the product, and the portion of the mountless label corresponding to the second region is affixed to the side of the product.

  Thereby, the label corresponding to each surface of goods can be stuck in an easy-to-read manner.

  The printing apparatus and printing method according to the present invention can issue label pieces corresponding to an increase in product information.

It is an external appearance perspective view of the packaging apparatus provided with the label issuing mechanism which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of a packaging apparatus. It is the schematic of the label issuing mechanism with which the label roll was mounted | worn. It is a figure which shows the back surface of a mount-less label. It is a figure which shows the surface of a mount-less label. It is a figure which shows the example of a goods master. It is a figure which shows the example of eye catch information. It is a figure which shows the example of format information. It is a figure which shows the example of selection information. It is a figure which shows the example of the label piece printed based on 1st layout information. It is a figure which shows the example of the label piece printed based on 2nd layout information. It is a figure which shows the example of the label piece printed based on 3rd layout information. It is a figure for demonstrating the usage example of the label piece printed based on 3rd layout information. It is a figure which shows the example of the label piece printed based on 4th layout information. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement flow of a label issuing mechanism.

  A printing apparatus (label issuing mechanism) 160 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

(1) Overall Configuration FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a packaging apparatus 100 provided with a label issuing mechanism 160 according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the packaging device 100. As shown in FIG. 1 or 2, the packaging device 100 mainly includes a weighing-in mechanism 20, a packaging mechanism 30, an operation unit 70, and a label issuing unit 60. The packaging device 100 further includes a control device 80 that controls the weighing-in mechanism 20, the packaging mechanism 30, the operation unit 70, and the label issuing unit 60. In the present embodiment, the label issuing unit 60 and the control device 80 included in the packaging device 100 will be described as a label issuing mechanism 160.

  The weighing-in mechanism 20 is a mechanism that loads the product P into the packaging device 100 and measures the weight of the product P. The product P weighed by the weighing-in mechanism 20 is conveyed to the packaging mechanism 30.

  The packaging mechanism 30 is a mechanism for packaging the product P put in a tray or a container with a film. The packaging mechanism 30 mainly includes a packaging material holding unit 31, a packaging station 32, and a seal portion 33. The packaging material holding unit 31 is a unit that holds a film roll. The packaging station 32 folds the film fed from the film roll into the lower surface side of the product and wraps the product P with the film. Further, the packaging station 32 sends the packaged product P to the seal portion 33. The seal portion 33 performs heat sealing on the film folded on the lower surface of the product P.

  The operation unit 70 is a unit used when operating the packaging device 100. The operation unit 70 mainly includes a touch panel 71 and machine keys 72. The touch panel 71 is formed integrally with the liquid crystal display. On the touch panel 71, the execution status of the packaging apparatus 100, information on the products packaged by the packaging apparatus 100, and the like are shown. Based on the contents input by the touch panel 71 and the machine key 72, the packaging device 100 operates.

  The label issuing unit 60 issues a label piece LP to be attached to a packaged product. Hereinafter, the configuration of the label issuing unit 60 and the configuration of the control device 80 will be described in detail.

(2) Detailed Configuration of Label Issuing Unit The label issuing unit 60 prints product information on the mountless label LS and issues a label piece LP. The label issuing unit 60 is controlled by the control device 80 as described above. The mount-less label LS is a continuous sheet-like paper member. The mount-less label LS has an adhesive surface with an adhesive on the back surface. The mount is not attached to the adhesive surface. That is, the label sheet LS is a mount-less. As shown in FIG. 4, an eye mark EM is provided on the back surface of the mountless label LS. The eye mark EM is a portion with a different color from the mountless label LS. The eye mark EM is detected by a label detection sensor 65 described later. When the label detection sensor 65 detects the eye mark EM, the amount (length) of the mountless label LS fed out from the label roll LR is determined. The eye marks EM are provided at a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the mountless label LS (the direction in which the mountless label LS is fed out). Product information is printed on the surface of the mountless label LS. The surface of the mountless label LS is formed by a heat-sensitive color developing layer and a release layer. Specifically, the surface of the mountless label LS is coated with silicon so that the adhesive on the adhesive surface does not adhere to the thermosensitive coloring layer.

  In the label issuing unit 60 according to the present embodiment, both the mountless label having the conspicuous portion OP on the surface of the mountless label LS and the mountless label having no conspicuous portion OP are used as the mountless label LS. Specification is possible. Here, the conspicuous portion OP is a portion that is partially colored with a color different from the color (basic color) of the mountless label LS itself and the print color (see FIG. 5). For example, the conspicuous portion OP is formed by partially coloring the white mountless label LS in yellow. The conspicuous part OP is continuously formed in the longitudinal direction of the mountless label LS on one end side in the width direction of the mountless label LS. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the surface of the mountless label LS having the conspicuous portion OP is adjacent to the conspicuous portion OP, with the conspicuous portion OP continuously extending on one side in the width direction of the mountless label LS. The non-conspicuous part NOP continuously extends at the position where the The conspicuous part OP is used for printing the eye catch information EI about the product P. Here, the eye catch information EI is information for attracting attention. For example, the eye catch information EI is one of letters, numbers, marks, or a combination thereof. The eye catch information EI is printed in a conspicuous manner as compared with other product information. For example, when the eye catch information EI is a letter or a number, it is printed with a font and font size that are conspicuous compared to other product information. More specifically, advertising characters and product prices are often printed as the eye catch information EI.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the label issuing unit 60 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The label issuing unit 60 mainly includes a roll holder 61, a thermal head 62, a platen roller (feeding roller) 63, a cutter mechanism 64, and a label detection sensor 65.

(2-1) Roll holder The roll holder 61 is a mechanism that rotatably holds the label roll LR. A mountless label LS is wound around the label roll LR.

  The roll holder 61 has a mounting portion for mounting the label roll LR. The mounting portion has a rotation shaft. The label roll LR is rotated by the rotation of the rotation shaft. A stopper is attached to the tip of the rotating shaft. The stopper restricts the label roll LR mounted on the mounting portion from being removed from the mounting portion.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the mountless label LS is conveyed downstream with the front surface facing upward.

(2-2) Thermal Head The thermal head 62 is a printing unit that prints product information and the like on the surface of the sheet-like mountless label LS fed from the label roll LR. The product information printed on the mount-less label LS includes, for example, product name, unit price, advertising characters for eye catch, raw material, barcode, content, amount, processing date, processing time, expiration date, expiration time, calorie , Variety, storage method, store name, address, etc.

  The thermal head 62 is positioned above a platen roller 63 described later. The thermal head 62 applies heat to the thermosensitive coloring layer on the surface of the mountless label LS to cause color development, and prints the above-described product information on the mountless label LS.

(2-3) Platen Roller The platen roller 63 is a roller that feeds the mountless label LS forward. The platen roller 63 is disposed so as to face the thermal head 62. The platen roller 63 sandwiches the mountless label LS with the thermal head 62. The mountless label LS sandwiched between the thermal head 62 and the platen roller 63 sends out the mountless label LS toward the discharge port of the label piece LP by the rotational drive of the platen roller 63.

(2-4) Cutter mechanism The cutter mechanism 64 separates the portion on which the product information is printed from the continuous mountless label LS. In other words, the cutter mechanism 64 cuts the mountless label LS and separates the label piece LP attached to the product P from the mountless label LS.

  The cutter mechanism 64 is disposed in front of the discharge port. The cutter mechanism 64 is located downstream of the thermal head 62 and the platen roller 63 in the transport path of the mountless label LS.

  The cutter mechanism 64 includes a moving cutter 64a and a fixed cutter 64b. The moving cutter 64a is disposed on the upper surface side of the mountless label LS. The movable cutter 64a has a configuration that can be moved in the vertical direction by an actuator (not shown). That is, the moving cutter 64a moves in a direction toward and away from the mountless label LS. The fixed cutter 64b is disposed on the lower surface side of the mountless label LS. When the moving cutter 64a moves downward, it sandwiches the mountless label LS with the fixed cutter 64b, and separates the label piece LP from the mountless label LS. The label piece LP separated from the mountless label LS by the cutter mechanism 64 is attached to the product P.

(2-5) Label detection sensor The label detection sensor 65 is a photoelectric sensor. The label detection sensor 65 irradiates the mountless label LS conveyed in the downstream direction with light and receives light reflected from the mountless label LS. The label detection sensor 65 detects the eye mark EM of the mountless label LS based on the difference in the amount of light reflected from the mountless label LS. When the eye mark EM is detected by the label detection sensor 65, a detection signal is sent to the control device 80 described later. Based on the detection result by the label detection sensor 65, the transport amount of the mountless label LS is grasped.

  In addition to the label detection sensor 65, a plurality of label detection sensors are provided in the conveyance path of the mountless label LS. Based on the detection results of the plurality of label detection sensors, the leading end position of the mountless label LS and the leading end position of the label piece are grasped.

(3) Control Device As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 80 is connected to each component included in the packaging device 100, and transmits and receives signals to and from each component. The control device 80 is mainly composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, hard disk and the like. The control device 80 includes a storage unit 81 and a control unit 82.

(3-1) Storage Unit The storage unit 81 stores various programs and various information necessary for controlling the packaging device 100. The storage unit 81 stores information necessary for printing product information on the label piece LP. Specifically, the storage unit 81 includes a product master storage area (product information storage area) 81a, an eye catch information storage area 81b, a format information storage area (layout information storage area) 81c, and a selection information storage area 81d. Is secured.

(3-1-1) Product Master Storage Area Basic product information is stored in the product master storage area 81a. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the basic information related to the product includes a call number, a product name, a product code, a unit price, a weight, a raw material, and the like. In other words, the basic information about the product includes information that is referred to for determining the price of the product and information that is referred to when product information is printed on the label piece LP.

(3-1-2) Eye Catch Information Storage Area The eye catch information storage area 81b stores an eye catch number and eye catch information in association with each other. Specifically, in the present embodiment, a plurality of advertising characters for eye catching are stored as eye catching information. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, different advertising characters are associated with eye catch numbers 0 to 4, respectively. Specifically, the advertising character “special price” is associated with the eye catch number 1. The advertisement character “time service” is associated with the eye catch number 2. An advertisement character “advertisement item” is associated with the eye catch number 3. The eye catch number 4 is associated with an advertising character “This is the season”. The eye catch number 0 is not associated with a specific advertisement character. That is, in the case of the eye catch number 0, no advertising character is added.

(3-1-3) Format Information Storage Area The format information storage area 81c stores format information that is referred to when product information is printed on the mountless label LS. Specifically, the format information storage area 81c stores a format number and format information in association with each other. Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the format information includes information on the size of the label piece LP, the type of the print item, the layout of the print item, the font, the font size, and the like. Each information included in the format information will be described in detail below.

(A) The size of the label piece LP The information on the size of the label piece LP is information defining the size of one label piece LP. The size of the label piece LP varies depending on the type of the product P to which the label piece LP is attached.

  The size of the label piece LP varies depending on the length (feeding amount) in the longitudinal direction of the mountless label LS. Specifically, when the feeding direction of the mountless label LS is changed with the top and bottom direction of the label piece LP as the width direction of the mountless label LS, the height of the label piece LP is constant and the width of the label piece LP changes. . On the other hand, when the feeding amount of the mountless label LS is changed with the top and bottom direction of the label piece LP being the longitudinal direction of the mountless label LS, the width of the label piece LP is constant and the height of the label piece LP (the length in the vertical direction). ) Will change.

(B) Type of print item Information on the type of print item is information on the type of item printed on the label piece LP. The type and number of items printed on the label piece LP vary depending on the type of product to which the label piece LP is attached. The print items include basic information about the product stored in the product master, information about the processing date and the expiration date, weighing information obtained by the weighing-in mechanism 20, and barcode information. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the format numbers 01 and 03 include the product name, price, eye catch information, heat quantity, etc. as the types of print items. In format number 02, the product name, price, cooking method, and the like are included as types of print items. In the format number 04, the product name, price, eye catch information, heat quantity, raw materials, additives, and the like are included as types of print items.

(C) Print Item Layout Information on the layout of the print items (layout information) includes information on the layout of the print items, information on the character direction, and information on the top and bottom direction (see FIG. 8).

  Here, a plurality of product information to be printed items are divided into eye catch information EI and product information (general information) GI other than the eye catch information, and the area, character direction, And the top and bottom direction is set. Specifically, the eye catch information EI is associated with the eye catch area ER, and the general information GI is associated with the general area GR1, and the arrangement and the character direction are set for each of the eye catch area ER and the general area GR. The general information GI can be divided into one or a plurality of information groups, and an area can be associated with each group. For example, the general information GI includes first general information GI1 that is a part (first part) of the general information GI including basic product information, and general information (second part) other than the first general information. It is divided into certain second general information GI2. Further, the first general area GI1 is associated with the first general area GR1, and the second general information GI2 is associated with the second general area GR2. The arrangement and the character direction are set for each of the first general region GR1 and the second general region GI2.

  That is, the information relating to the arrangement of the print items is information relating to the arrangement (coordinates) of the area associated with each print item. The information on the character direction is information on the character direction in each area. The information regarding the vertical direction is information regarding the vertical direction of each region.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the eye catch region ER is disposed at a position corresponding to the conspicuous portion OP of the mountless label LS. Further, the general area GR (GR1, GR2) is arranged in the remaining space of the mountless label LS. In the eye catch area ER, the eye catch information EI is written vertically or horizontally along the direction in which the conspicuous portion OP extends (that is, the direction in which the mountless label LS extends).

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of layout information are set for the arrangement of the eye catch area ER and the general area GR, the character direction, and the top and bottom direction. The plurality of layout information includes first layout information, second layout information, third layout information, and fourth layout information. Note that, when any of the first to fourth layouts is used, the longitudinal direction of the barcode cd is arranged to coincide with the width direction of the mountless label LS (FIGS. 10 to 12, (See FIG. 14). In other words, the barcode cd is arranged so that the length direction (extending direction) of each bar br constituting the barcode cd and the length direction (extending direction) of the mountless label LS coincide (see FIG. 10). ). That is, the plurality of bars br constituting the barcode cd are printed on the mountless label LS along the extending direction of the mountless label LS.

(C-1) First Layout Information The first layout information includes eye catch information EI and general information, with the direction (first direction) orthogonal to the direction in which the mountless label LS extends as the vertical direction (height direction). This is information relating to a layout in which GI is written horizontally. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the eye catch area ER is arranged on the left side in the width direction of the mountless label LS, and the general area GR is arranged on the right side in the width direction of the mountless label LS. In other words, with the direction (first direction) orthogonal to the direction (longitudinal direction) in which the mount-less label LS extends as the top-to-bottom direction, the eye catch region ER is arranged on the upper side, and the general region GR is the eye catch region. Located below the ER. The eye catch information EI and the general information GI are written horizontally from right to left in each region, with the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the mountless label LS as the vertical direction of the label piece LP.

(C-2) Second Layout Information The second layout information is information relating to a layout in which the direction in which the mountless label extends is the vertical direction, the eye catch information EI is vertically written, and the general information GI is horizontally written. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the eye catch area ER is arranged on the right side in the width direction of the mountless label LS, and the general area GR is arranged on the left side in the width direction of the mountless label LS. In other words, with the direction in which the mountless label LS extends as the vertical direction, the eye catch region ER is disposed on the right side in the width direction of the mountless label LS, and the general region GR is disposed on the left side of the eye catch region ER. The eye catch information EI is vertically written from the top to the bottom in the eye catch area ER, with the longitudinal direction of the mountless label LS being the vertical direction of the label piece LP, and the general information GI is horizontally written from right to left in the general area GR. The

(C-3) Third Layout Information The third layout information includes an eye catch region ER associated with the eye catch information EI and a first general region associated with a part (first portion) GI1 of the general information GI. This is information relating to a layout having a first region R1 composed of GR1 and a second region R2 composed of a second general region GR2 associated with the remaining part (second portion) GI2 of the general information GI.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, in the first area R1, the eye catch area ER is arranged on the left side in the width direction of the mountless label LS, and the first general area GR1 is set in the width direction of the mountless label LS. Arranged on the right side. In other words, with the direction (first direction) orthogonal to the direction in which the mountless label LS extends as the top and bottom direction, the eye catch region ER is arranged on the upper side, and the first general region GR1 is the eye catch region ER. Located on the lower side. In the first region R1, the eye catch information EI and the first general information GI1 are written horizontally from right to left, with the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the mountless label LS extends as the vertical direction.

  The second region R2 is arranged in all regions except the first region R1 among the regions assigned to one label piece LP. Specifically, the second region R2 is disposed adjacent to the first region R1. Further, the second region R2 is disposed over both the conspicuous part OP and the non-conspicuous part OP. In other words, the second region R2 is a region extending over the entire width direction of the mount-less label LS. Further, the second region R2 is arranged such that the side adjacent to the first region R1 is the upper side. In the second general area GR2, the second general information GI2 is written horizontally from right to left with the longitudinal direction of the mountless label LS as the vertical direction of the label piece LP.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the label piece LP obtained from the third layout information is pasted over both the upper surface and the side surface of the product P by bending the portion of the second region R2.

(C-4) Fourth Layout Information The fourth layout information is information related to a layout that does not include information related to the eye catch area ER. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, in the fourth layout information, the entire area of one label piece LP is the general region GR, and the general information GI is changed from right to left with the extending direction of the mount-less label as the vertical direction. Write horizontally.

(D) Font and Font Size In the area associated with each print item, the font type and font size are defined. As the font in the eye catch area ER, a font that stands out from the font in the general area GR is set. Further, the font size in the eye catch area ER is also set to be conspicuous compared with the font size in the general area GR. That is, a larger font size is set for the eye catch information than for the general information.

(3-1-4) Selection information storage area Various information selected by the operation unit 70 is stored in the selection information storage area 81d in association with each other. Here, the various information stored in the selection information storage area 81d includes a product number, an eye catch number, and a format number related to the product printed on the label piece LP (see FIG. 9). The product number, the eye catch number, and the format number are stored in association with each other.

(3-2) Control Unit The control unit 82 reads out and executes various programs stored in the storage unit 81. Moreover, the control part 82 functions as the selection reception part 82a. The selection receiving unit 82a receives various types of information input by the user via the operation unit 70. The various types of information received by the selection receiving unit 82a correspond to the product number of the product to be printed, the eye catch number corresponding to the eye catch information attached to the product to be printed, and the format information used for the product to be printed. Format number etc. to be included. Information received by the selection receiving unit 82a is stored in the selection information storage area 81d. Further, based on the information received by the selection receiving unit 82a, the control unit 82 transmits a control command to each unit constituting the packaging device 100.

(4) Operation of Label Issuing Mechanism Next, the operation of the label issuing mechanism 160 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S11, it is determined whether or not there is an input from the user in the operation unit 70. If an input is determined in step S11, the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, it is determined whether or not format information needs to be input. If the format information has already been input, the process proceeds to step S14. If the format information has not been input and the format information needs to be input, the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S13, a message requesting format information is displayed on the touch panel 71, and then the input format information is stored (layout information storage step). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S14, the platen roller 63 is rotated while rotating the rotating shaft of the mounting portion. As a result, the mountless label LS is fed out from the label roll LR (feeding-out step).

  Further, the process proceeds to step S15, and based on the selection information stored in the selection information storage area 81d, the various information necessary for printing the product information among the information stored in the storage unit 81 is referred to, and the mountless label Product information is printed on the surface of the LS (printing step). Specifically, corresponding product information is acquired from the product master based on the selected product number. Also, corresponding eye catch information and format information are acquired based on the eye catch number and format number associated with the selected product number. Product information is printed on the mountless label LS based on the acquired information. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S16.

  In step S16, it is determined whether or not the eye mark EM of the mountless label LS is detected by the label detection sensor 65. That is, it is determined whether the mountless label LS has been conveyed by a predetermined amount (an amount corresponding to one label piece LP). In step S16, the process waits until a predetermined number of eye marks EM are detected. When a predetermined number of eye marks EM are detected, the process proceeds to step S17.

  In step S17, the cutter mechanism 64 is driven. That is, the movable cutter 64a is moved to the fixed cutter 64b side, and the continuous mountless label LS is cut in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. Thereby, one label piece LP is cut off from the mountless label LS.

(4) Features (4-1)
The label issuing mechanism 160 according to the above-described embodiment provides the eye catch information EI to the conspicuous portion OP, which is a colored portion included in the mountless label LS and extends continuously in the longitudinal direction of the mountless label LS. The product information (general information) GI other than the eye catch information is printed on the non-conspicuous portion NOP which is a part of the mountless label other than the conspicuous portion. Accordingly, the mountless label LS including the conspicuous portion OP can be effectively used regardless of the number of print items.

  In recent years, labels that have an eye-catching effect are frequently used in grocery stores such as supermarkets in order to attract customers' attention to products. Specifically, in labels that have an eye-catching effect, a part of the label is colored with a color different from the basic color and print color of the label, and letters and numbers that attract customers to the colored part (conspicuous part) (eye-catching) (Information) is printed. In a conventional label issuing mechanism, it is common to use a label with a mount. The label with a mount has a configuration in which a number of label pieces are stuck on a continuous sheet. Therefore, when attaching eye catch information to a label with a mount, it is set so that a conspicuous portion is provided in a predetermined area of the label piece, and an amount of eye catch information that can be printed on the conspicuous portion is printed. Specifically, a conspicuous portion extending across the width direction of the label with the mount was formed, and a plurality of conspicuous portions were formed at predetermined distance intervals in the longitudinal direction of the label with the mount. Thus, it was possible to issue one label piece included in one conspicuous portion. With this trend, even in recent years when mountless labels have come to be preferred, a conspicuous portion extending across the width direction of the mountless label is formed, and a plurality of papers are provided at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the mountless label. A conspicuous part was formed. However, since the area where the product information can be printed is determined in advance, when the number of items printed on the label piece increases, it is necessary to prepare another mountless label. For example, it is necessary to prepare a mountless label in which the distance between the conspicuous portions is increased in the longitudinal direction of the mountless label or another mountless label in which the area of each conspicuous portion is increased.

  The label issuing mechanism 160 according to the above embodiment prints product information on the mountless label LS having the conspicuous portion OP extending continuously. Therefore, even when any of the eye catch information EI and the general information GI increases, the print area can be expanded by changing the amount of the mountless label LS in the longitudinal direction. Thereby, it becomes possible to issue the label piece LP corresponding to the increase in the product information.

(4-2)
The label issuing mechanism 160 according to the above embodiment prints characters or numbers indicating the eye catch information EI on the conspicuous portion OP in a larger size than the characters or numbers indicating the general information GI. Thereby, the eye catch information GI can be effectively printed on the mountless label LS.

(4-3)
The label issuing mechanism 160 according to the embodiment stores a plurality of layout information. The label issuing mechanism 160 prints product information on the mountless label LS based on the layout information selected by the user using the operation unit 70.

  The plurality of layout information includes information regarding each of the first layout, the second layout, the third layout, and the fourth layout. The first layout is a layout in which the eye catch information and the general information are written horizontally with the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the mountless label LS extends as the top and bottom direction. The second layout is a layout in which the eye catch information is written vertically and the general information is written horizontally, with the direction in which the mountless label LS extends as the vertical direction. The third layout is roughly divided into two layouts, a first region R1 and a second region R2. In the first area R1, the eye catch information EI and a part of the general information (first part) RI1 are horizontally written with the direction in which the mountless label LS extends as the vertical direction. The second region R2 is a region adjacent to the first region R1. In the second region R2, the remaining general information (second portion) RI2 is horizontally written with the extending direction of the mountless label LS as the vertical direction. The fourth layout is a label layout that does not include eye catch information.

  Accordingly, both the mountless label LS having the conspicuous portion OP and the mountless label LS not having the conspicuous portion OP can be used, and a desired layout is appropriately selected according to the product P to be printed. Can do.

  Further, the label piece LP printed based on the third layout can be attached to a plurality of surfaces of the product P. That is, the mode in which the label piece LP is affixed to the product P can be changed. In the third layout, the first region R1 and the second region R2 are arranged adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the mountless label LS, and the top direction of the first region R1 and the top direction of the second region R2 are different. The character direction is set so that Thereby, even if it is a case where one label piece LP is affixed over several surfaces of goods, label piece LP which is easy to see a printing item can be formed.

(4-4)
In the label issuing mechanism 160 according to the above-described embodiment, each bar br constituting the barcode cd is printed on the mount-less label LS in the extending direction of the mount-less label LS regardless of which layout is used ( (See FIG. 10). In other words, each bar br constituting the barcode cd extends along the longitudinal direction of the mountless label LS. Thereby, the barcode cd can be accurately printed on the mountless label LS.

  The thermal head 62 for printing product information on the mountless label LS and the platen roller 63 for feeding the mountless label LS in the downstream direction extend in a direction orthogonal to the length direction of the mountless label LS. (See FIG. 3). Here, for example, when the barcode cd is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the mountless label LS (when each bar br is arranged so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the mountless label LS), the barcode cd In order to arrange the respective bars br constituting the above at appropriate distance intervals, it is necessary to finely adjust the amount of the mountless label LS sent by the platen roller 63. Further, the mountless label LS may slide on the platen roller 63. For this reason, it is difficult to print each bar br constituting the barcode cd at a correct interval. That is, it is difficult to maintain the print quality of the barcode cd.

  On the other hand, in the label issuing mechanism 160 according to the above-described embodiment, the direction in which each bar br constituting the barcode cd extends matches the direction in which the mountless label LS extends. At this time, the interval between the bars br is determined by the interval between the dots of the thermal head 62. Therefore, the intervals between the plurality of bars br can be accurately maintained, and a suitable barcode cd can be printed on the mountless label LS.

(5) Modification (5-1) Modification A
In the above embodiment, the label piece LP separated from the mountless label LS by the cutter mechanism 64 is attached to the product by the user. Here, the label issuing mechanism 160 may include a label attaching mechanism for automatically attaching the label piece LP to the product.

(5-2) Modification B
The mountless label LS used in the above embodiment had an adhesive surface on the back surface and an eye mark EM. Here, the back surface of the mountless label LS may have a surface in which the adhesive portions and the non-adhesive portions are alternately arranged so as to cross the width direction of the mountless label LS. Accordingly, the amount of the mount-less label LS fed out can be determined by recognizing the position of the adhesive portion instead of the eye mark EM.

(5-3) Modification C
In the above embodiment, the first layout information, the second layout information, the third layout, and the fourth layout information have been described as the layout information. The layout information may include other layout information. For example, the label issuing mechanism 160 stores information on the layout (third layout) of the label piece LP that is pasted on the lower right and right sides of the product surface, but in addition to this, the lower left and left sides of the product surface Information on various layouts is stored, such as the layout of the label piece LP to be pasted over the surface, the layout of the label piece LP to be pasted on the upper right of the product surface or the upper left of the product surface and the adjacent side surface Also good.

(5-4) Modification D
The packaging device 100 according to the above embodiment may be connected to other devices. Further, the information stored in the control device 80 may be information sent from the other device.

(5-5) Modification E
In the above-described embodiment, the label issuing mechanism 160 has been described by taking the aspect incorporated in the packaging device 100 as an example, but the label issuing mechanism 160 may function alone.

(5-6) Modification F
In the label issuing mechanism 160 according to the above-described embodiment, information (first layout information, second layout information, and third layout information) related to the layout for the mountless label having the conspicuous portion OP, and the mountless having no conspicuous portion OP. Information on the layout of the label (fourth layout information) was stored. Here, the format information storage area 81c may store only information relating to the layout of the mountless label that does not have the conspicuous portion OP. In this case, when using the mountless label having the conspicuous portion OP, the layout information about the stored general information is rotated and the eye catch information is further arranged to obtain necessary layout information. You may make it produce | generate.

20 Weighing-in mechanism 30 Packaging mechanism 60 Label issuing unit 61 Roll holder 62 Thermal head (printing unit)
63 Platen roller (feeding roller)
64 Cutter mechanism 65 Label detection sensor 70 Operation unit 80 Control device 81 Storage unit 81a Product master storage area (product information storage area)
81b Eye catch information storage area 81c Format information storage area (layout information storage area)
81d Selection information storage area 82 Control part 82a Selection reception part 100 Packaging apparatus 160 Label issuing mechanism (printing apparatus)
LR Label roll LS Mountless label LP Label piece EI Eye catch information GI General information ER Eye catch area GR General area

Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-283633

Claims (7)

A printing device for printing product information on a mountless label,
A roll holder for holding a label roll around which the mount-less label including a colored conspicuous portion extending continuously is wound;
A feeding roller that sandwiches a part of the mountless label and feeds the mountless label from the label roll;
The eye catch information included in the product information is printed on the conspicuous part of the mountless label, and the product information other than the eye catch information is printed on a non-conspicuous part other than the conspicuous part. Printing section to
A control device for controlling operations of the transport roller and the printing unit;
Comprising
Printing device. The printing unit prints characters or numbers indicating the eye catch information on the conspicuous portion in a large size with respect to characters or numbers indicating general information that is the product information other than the eye catch information.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1. The control device includes:
A product information storage area for storing the product information;
A layout information storage area for storing layout information of the product information printed by the printing unit;
A selection receiving unit for receiving selection of the layout information by a user;
Including
The layout information is
First layout information for horizontally writing the first portion of the eye catch information and the general information, with the first direction orthogonal to the direction in which the mountless label extends as the vertical direction;
Second layout information for vertically writing the eye catch information and horizontally writing the first portion of the general information, with the direction in which the mountless label extends as the vertical direction,
Including
The printing unit prints the product information on the mountless label based on the selection of the layout information received by the selection receiving unit.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The layout information is
A first area in which the eye catch information and the first portion of the general information are written horizontally with the first direction as a top-and-bottom direction, and an area adjacent to the first area and extending in the mount-less label 3rd layout information about a 3rd layout which has the 2nd field where the 2nd part of the general information is written horizontally,
The printing apparatus according to claim 3. The general information includes information about a barcode,
The printing unit prints each bar constituting the barcode on the mountless label in a direction in which the mountless label extends.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1. A printing method for printing product information on a mountless label,
A feeding step of feeding out the mountless label from the label roll around which the mountless label is wound, sandwiching a part of the mountless label including a colored conspicuous portion extending continuously,
The eye catch information included in the product information is printed on the conspicuous part of the mountless label, and the product information other than the eye catch information is printed on a non-conspicuous part other than the conspicuous part. A printing step to
Comprising
Printing method. A layout information storage step for storing layout information of the product information printed by the printing step;
The layout information is horizontally written with the first direction orthogonal to the direction in which the mount-less label extends in the vertical direction, and the first portion of the general information that is the product information other than the eye catch information. Information relating to a layout including: a first region that is adjacent to the first region, and a second region in which the second portion of the general information is horizontally written with a direction in which the mountless label extends as a vertical direction. Including
The portion of the mountless label corresponding to the first region is affixed to the upper surface of the product, and the portion of the mountless label corresponding to the second region is affixed to the side of the product.
The printing method according to claim 6.

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