JP2003237143A - Weighed value attaching apparatus, partial meat weighing apparatus, label of goods, and system for referring record of goods - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus capable of attaching the individual identification number inherent to a live cattle to a partial meat and a dressed meat, a medium being attached or a label, and a system for referring production records of a dressed meat. <P>SOLUTION: In the stage for processing a leg of meat into a dressed meat 8, a partial meat weighing apparatus or a weighed value attaching apparatus reads out an RF-ID tag 4 or bar code data to acquire the individual identification number inherent to a live cattle 1 and attaches it to a processed meat. Accuracy of attachment is enhanced by providing each apparatus with recognition and alarm displays. The referring system can acquire the production records of a dressed meat corresponding to the individual identification number by accessing a data base of goods, production/processing, or the like, using the individual identification number printed on an identification label 10 attached to a dressed meat 11 by the weighed value attaching apparatus as a key. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique for printing individual identification information of raw cattle to be processed into meat.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In Japan, BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy,
Since the discovery of cattle infected with so-called mad cow disease, BS
There is a need to completely eliminate E-infected cattle from the distribution and production processes. As a measure to do this, all cattle in Japan are tested for BSE, and if they are positive, they are incinerated.

Despite such a response, in the unlikely event of BS
When a cow infected with E is found, it is necessary to immediately determine whether or not there is another infected beef cow. In that case, it is considered highly likely that BSE-infected cows that have been raised and processed in the same environment and conditions as infected cows are infected with BSE. It is necessary to understand if there is any or what route it was processed for. As a measure for that, it is proposed that each individual live cattle be given a unique individual identification number, and on the basis of this number, the establishment of traceability that makes it possible to trace the process of raw cattle being slaughtered and processed into meat is proposed. There is.

[0004]

On the other hand, for consumers in the position of purchasing meat, the meat purchased by themselves is
Without a proper guarantee or proof that we can be sure that there is no fear of E infection, the purchase will diminish. This causes a decline in the amount of meat sold and consumed, which is a vital issue for sellers and even processors. In order to solve these problems, it is desirable to present to consumers as an objective proof that only safe cows are processed and offered for sale as meat, and consumers can confirm it.

[0005] However, conventionally, a system has been established for allowing consumers to objectively judge as to what kind of production processing history each individual meat product being sold has been sold as a result. Was not done.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the individual identification number given to raw cattle is applied to the meat processed from the raw cattle or the partial meat in the intermediate processing stage. A first object is to provide a device that can be applied accurately and surely, and a product tag (label) that is an application medium.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a system for inquiring the production history of the meat based on the individual identification number given to the label.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention of claim 1 is an apparatus for carrying out processing including weighing and pricing of goods, and a production history of the goods for the goods to be processed. For obtaining index information as an inquiry index, and an index information printing unit for printing the index information on a predetermined product tag and issuing the index information in association with the pricing of the product. Characterize.

The invention of claim 2 is the weighing and pricing device according to claim 1, wherein the product to be processed is meat of livestock, and the index information is used for processing into meat. It is characterized in that it includes individual identification information for identifying an individual of the selected livestock.

The invention of claim 3 is the apparatus for weighing and weighing according to claim 2, wherein the livestock is a cow.

Further, the invention of claim 4 is the apparatus for weighing and weighing according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein common basic information is input for a group of meat obtained by the meat processing of partial meat. It is characterized by further comprising a confirmation means for requesting the user to input or confirm the index information for the partial meat each time.

The invention according to claim 5 is the weighing and pricing device according to claim 4, further comprising warning means for issuing a warning when the input or confirmation is not made. .

The invention of claim 6 is the weighing and pricing device according to claim 5, wherein the index information is recorded in advance in a bar code format on an information medium attached to the partial meat of the livestock. The acquisition means reads the index information from the information medium.

The invention according to claim 7 is an apparatus for weighing partial meat corresponding to each part of livestock, and acquiring means for acquiring index information serving as an inquiry index for the production history of the partial meat. In association with the measurement of the partial meat, index information printing means for printing and issuing the index information on a predetermined tag,
It is characterized by including.

The invention of claim 8 is the partial meat weighing device according to claim 7, wherein the index information includes individual identification information for identifying an individual of the livestock. .

The invention according to claim 9 is the partial meat measuring device according to claim 8, wherein the index information indicates whether data is written to or read from the carcass from which the partial meat is acquired. It is characterized in that it is stored in advance in a non-contact recording element, and the acquisition means acquires the index information from the storage element.

The invention according to claim 10 is a product tag attached to a food product at the time of sale, wherein index information serving as an inquiry index of the production history of the food product is printed. .

The invention according to claim 11 is the product tag according to claim 10, wherein the food item is meat, and the index information is the individual of the livestock that has been processed into the meat. It is characterized by including individual identification information for identifying.

Further, the invention of claim 12 is the product tag according to claim 11, wherein the inquiry destination information of the production history is further printed.

[0020] According to the invention of claim 13, inputting means for inputting index information, which is an index for inquiring about the production history of the product, for the product offered for retail, and the product of the product based on the index information. Communication control means for ordering production history data from a predetermined server via a network,
Display means for displaying information corresponding to the production history data on a guide screen for consumers.

The invention of claim 14 is the product history inquiry system according to claim 13, wherein the input means includes a reading means for reading the index information from a product tag of the product. To do.

The invention of claim 15 is the product history inquiry system according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the display on the guide screen includes a display regarding the safety of the product. .

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION <Outline of Processing from Raw Beef to Meat> FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the flow of processing from raw meat for meat to processing into meat. is there. Raw beef is produced and bred in the ranch until it can be served as meat (step S1). Immediately after birth, the live cow is provided with an ear tag 2 in which an individual identification number, which is a unique number for each individual, in a bar code format is attached to the ear of the live cow. The individual identification number is given, for example, as a 10-digit number that is a combination of a number unique to the production area (ranch) of raw cattle and a serial value for each individual so that there is no duplication in the whole country. Farm producers can use this individual identification number to
It manages the date of birth or purchase date of each live cow, and various other breeding history. Further, in the present invention, this individual identification number becomes the core information (individual identification information) for identifying the raw cattle as the processing source at each stage of processing and sale described later.

After a certain period of time after birth, the raw cattle are shipped, slaughtered and slaughtered at a slaughterhouse (step S2), and processed into carcasses 3 corresponding to the left and right halves. At that time, the individual identification information provided on the ear tag 2 attached to the ear of the raw cow is
Known RF-ID that can be read by a barcode reader
Stored in tag 4. In general, the carcass 3 is processed through several processing steps, but the individual identification information indicates that the RF-ID tag 4 attached to each processed meat at each step.
To the RF-ID tag 4 of the carcass 3 in the end.
Granted to.

At the time of slaughtering / disassembling, all cattle are subjected to BSE test (step S3), and all the products that are positive in the test are discarded. Only carcasses 3 that are negative in the test will be subjected to further processing at the food processing plant.

In the food processing plant, the carcass 3 is processed into the partial meat 5 corresponding to each part of raw beef such as rattle and fin (step S4). The cut out meat is
Wrapped in film and vacuum packed (step S
5). The vacuum-packed partial meat 6 is weighed by a partial meat weighing device, which will be described later, and a partial meat label 7 on which predetermined information is printed is attached to the package (step S).
6). At that time, a barcode including the individual identification information read from the RF-ID tag 4 attached to the carcass 3 is printed on the partial meat label 7. These processes will be described later.

The vacuum-packed partial meat 6 is a supermarket
The meat 8 is wholesaled in a retail store or the like and processed into meat 8 in various forms such as sliced pieces and square pieces (step S7). The meat 8 is placed on a tray, weighed by a weighing and pricing device which will be described later, and then wrapped with a wrap film, and a pricing label 9 on which the weighing value, price and the like are printed is attached on the packaging. As a result, the meat product 11 is sold (step S).
8). In addition to this, in the present invention, the individual identification information read from the barcode printed on the partial meat label 7 is printed on the identification label 10 and given to the meat product 11. These processes will also be described later.

The meat product 11 thus processed is offered for sale to customers at supermarkets and retail stores.

<Processing in Partial Meat Weighing Device> The partial meat weighing device 100 measures the partial meat 6 that is cut out and vacuum-packed into each part of the carcass 3 and prints predetermined information on the measured partial meat 6. It is a device for issuing a label. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the partial meat weighing device 100. Further, FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing reading of data from the RF-ID tag 4 by the partial meat weighing device 100. Hereinafter, the processing in the partial meat weighing device 100 will be described based on these.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the partial meat weighing device 100 includes a weighing unit 110 and an input display unit 120.
A print mechanism unit PM including a print head 130 and a label transport unit 140, a reading unit 150, and a control unit 160 are mainly provided.

The weighing unit 110 has a mounting surface 111 having a size sufficient for mounting the partial meat 6. When the partial meat 6 is placed on the placing surface 111, the weight value of the partial meat 6 is acquired as data by a weighing mechanism (not shown). The mounting surface 111 does not necessarily have to be horizontal, and may be configured by a plurality of rollers held in parallel in a horizontal plane, for example.

The input display section 120 is used for the partial meat weighing device 10.
The display panel 121 displays an operation menu of 0, registration data, operation status, and the like, and an input key 122 including a ten-key pad and other keys. In the input display unit 120, various data registration, weighing, or print execution instructions can be performed by appropriately switching the display screen by a predetermined key operation.

The print mechanism section PM includes a print head 130.
And a label transport unit 140. Print head 1
30 is the part name of the partial meat 6 to be weighed, the weighing unit 1
The portion to be attached to the partial meat 6 by the weighing result by 10, the processing date, the individual identification information for identifying the raw cow from which the partial meat 6 is processed, and the barcode generated based on the individual identification information. Print on the meat label 7. The label transport unit 140 transports each label on the transport path in which the print head 130 is arranged. As a result, the printing mechanism unit PM functions as an index information printing unit that prints the individual identification information, which is the index information for identifying the raw cow individual that is the processing source, on the partial meat label 7.

The reading unit 150 is the RF-applied to the carcass 3.
It has a function of reading the information stored in the ID tag 4.
The reading unit 150 is associated with an antenna 151 that transmits and receives radio waves of a predetermined frequency. That is, the reading unit 150
Functions as an acquisition unit that acquires index information such as individual identification information from the RF-ID tag 4. Acquisition of information from the RF-ID tag 4 by the reading unit 150 will be described later.

The control unit 160 includes a CPU 161 and a ROM.
162, a RAM 163, a storage unit 164 composed of, for example, a non-volatile memory, and a timer 167. These are connected to each other via a bus line 169. The input display unit 120 and the weighing unit 110
Are also electrically connected to the bus line 169. The timer 167 is for giving time information to various processes such as setting a processing date.
The storage unit 164 includes a program 165 that executes various processes of the partial meat weighing device 100, an arrival source of the carcass 3 and the partial meat 6
And the registration master 166 in which the part name of the partial meat 6 and the like are registered.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the functions related to the printing process on the partial meat label 7 in the control unit 160. The control unit 160 includes a CPU 161, a ROM 16
2, a RAM 163, a storage unit 164, and the like, which are realized as functions of the measurement result receiving unit 171 and the print content generating unit 17
2, a print processing control unit 173, and a warning processing control unit 174
And a reading processing control unit 175. The weighing result receiving unit 171 receives the weighing result (metric value) data from the weighing unit 110. The print content generation unit 172 generates print content to be printed on the partial meat label 7 based on the measurement result (measurement value), the registration content of the registration master 166, and the like. Further, the print content generation unit 172 is provided with a barcode processing unit 176, and the predetermined print content is converted into a barcode format by the barcode processing unit 176. The print processing control unit 173 controls the print operation on the partial meat label 7. The warning processing control unit 174, when the partial meat 6 is continuously processed, is newly designated and input such as the site and lot number of the partial meat 6, and the partial meat 6 processed from the new carcass 3 is changed. If it is determined that the measurement has been shifted to, the warning / confirmation processing regarding the continuation of the work is performed.

Next, RF in the partial meat weighing device 100
Acquisition of information from the ID tag 4 and subsequent printing processing will be described. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the carcass 3 passes through the gate 152, in which the reading unit 150 is installed, while being conveyed by a belt conveyor or the like when processing into the partial meat. At this time, a radio wave having a predetermined frequency is emitted from the antenna 151 under the control of the reading processing control unit 175. From the response result to this, RF-
The information stored in the ID tag 4 is read. The read individual identification information is sent to the print content generation unit 172.

The print content generation unit 172, based on the individual identification information, the measured value of the partial meat 6 given from the measuring unit 110 to the measurement result receiving unit 171, and the registered content of the registration master 166, the partial meat label 7 In addition to defining the content to be printed on
The bar code processing unit 176 converts the predetermined content including the individual identification information into the bar code format.
The print content including the bar code is displayed by the print processing control unit 173.
Printing is performed on the partial meat label 7 by the printing mechanism section PM while being controlled by. FIG. 5 is a printing example of the partial meat label 7 thus obtained. In the case of the partial meat label 7 of FIG. 5, the bar code BC1 in the lower row includes the weighing result and the processing date, and the bar code BC2 in the upper row includes the individual identification information as numerical information. The partial meat label 7 printed by the printing mechanism unit PM is finally conveyed to the label issuing port 141 (FIG. 3) by the label conveying unit 140, and is attached to the package of the partial meat 6 by the operator.

In the partial meat weighing device 100,
Although the weighing and printing processes are sequentially performed on the partial meats 6 of various parts, the individual identification information given to the carcass 3 needs to be correctly given to each of the packaged and measured partial meats 6. There is. The warning processing control unit 174 is provided for the purpose of surely performing this processing. For example, from the same carcass 3 to the partial meat 6 of each part sequentially
In the case of cutting out and weighing, in order to correctly give individual identification information to each partial meat 6, the same individual identification information must be given to each partial meat 6. On the other hand, when the partial meat 6 at a certain part is weighed and moved to the next partial meat 6, the new partial meat 6 is not always the partial meat 6 processed from the same carcass 3, but in such a case However, the individual identification information that correctly corresponds to the newly processed partial meat 6 must be surely printed as a bar code on the partial meat label 7. Warning processing control unit 1
Reference numeral 74 denotes a confirmation display on the display panel 121 for prompting the operator to confirm such a change in the individual identification information,
Responsible for displaying a warning when the confirmation is neglected and for suspending the weighing process. For example, when the processing of a certain partial meat 6 is completed and the processing is moved to the next partial meat 6,
Since the printed contents such as the part name are changed, the confirmation display is performed in such a manner that the individual identification information is also checked for the change. All the partial meats 6 that can be obtained from the same carcass 3 are weighed, and when moving to the next carcass 3, the same processing is performed to ensure that the individual identification information is transferred from the carcass 3 to the partial meats 6. It will be taken over.

As described above, by using the partial meat weighing device 100 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to increase the certainty when the individual identification information attached to the carcass 3 is added to the partial meat 6. it can.

The processed partial meat 6 is shipped from a meat processing factory or the like to a supermarket, a retail store, etc. However, all the cattle that become positive in the BSE test are incinerated, so that the partial Since the meat 6 is also subject to incineration, in principle, the partial meat 6 obtained by processing a beef positive in the BSE test is not shipped.

<Processing in the weighing and pricing device> Partial meat 6
Are cut out for each size or weight to be sold at a supermarket, retail store, etc. and sold as meat products 11. The weighing and pricing device 200 is
It is an apparatus for performing a weighing process of the meat 8 placed on a tray, a packaging process using a wrap film, and a pricing process of printing a weighing result and a selling price determined based on the weighing result on a label and pasting it on the package. FIG. 6 shows a weighing and pricing device 200.
FIG. FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the weighing and pricing device 200. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the weighing and pricing device 200. Below, based on these, the weighing and pricing device 2
The processing in 00 will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the weighing and pricing device 200 includes a weighing unit 210 and a first input display unit 220.
A first print mechanism section PM1 including a first print head 230 and a first label transport section 240; and a reading section 250,
A control unit 260, a packaging unit 290, and a sticking unit 280 are mainly provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the weighing and pricing device 200 incorporates an identification label issuing unit 300 for issuing an identification label described later. The identification label issuing section 300 mainly includes a second input display section 320 and a second print mechanism section PM2 including a second print head 330 and a second label transport section 340. The identification label issuing unit 300 is controlled by the control unit 260 like the other units of the weighing and pricing device 200, but may have an independent control unit and be capable of independent operation control. .

The weighing unit 210 weighs the products placed on the upper portion thereof. The tray T on which the meat 8 is placed is the weighing unit 21.
When placed on 0, the weight value is acquired as data by a weighing mechanism (not shown).

The first input display section 220 is the weighing and pricing device 2
00 operation menu, a first display panel 221 for displaying registration data, operation status, and the like, and a first input key 222 including ten keys and other keys. In the first input / display unit 120, various data registration, weighing, or print execution instruction can be performed by appropriately switching the display screen by a predetermined key operation.

The first printing mechanism section PM1 is responsible for printing on the value-added label 9. First print head 2
30 is the part name of the meat 8 to be weighed, the weighing unit 21
The weighing result by 0, the unit price, the selling price determined by the weighing result and the unit price, the processing date, the expiration date, the storage method and the like are printed on the priceable label 9 attached to the wrap film F of the product. The first label transport unit 240 includes a first print head 230.
Each label is transported on the transport path in which is arranged.

The reading section 250 includes bar codes BC1 and BC printed on the partial meat label 7 attached to the partial meat 6.
It has a function as a barcode reader for reading 2. That is, the reading unit 250 functions as an acquisition unit that acquires index information such as individual identification information and the like from the partial meat label 7. The reading unit 250 includes the weighing and pricing device 20.
If it is electrically connected to the main body of 0 and data can be exchanged, it may be attached to the main body, or the main body can be read from a place apart from the weighing and pricing process. It may be a mode that can be used separately from.

The control unit 260 includes a CPU 261 and a ROM.
262, a RAM 263, a storage unit 264 including a non-volatile memory, and a timer 267 are mainly included. These are connected to each other via a bus line 269. The input display unit 220 and the weighing unit 210
Are also electrically connected to the bus line 269. The timer 267 is for giving time information to various processes such as setting a processing date.
The storage unit 264 mainly stores a program 265 that executes various processes of the weighing and pricing device 200, and a registration master 266 in which the arrival source of the partial meat 6 and the part name are registered.

The packaging section 290 has a packaging function of packaging the tray on which the meat 8 is placed with various wrapping films for packaging. As shown in FIG. 7, the packaging unit 290
Is a transfer mechanism 291, a pair of left and right folding plates 292, a rear folding plate 293, a pusher 294, and a heat welding conveyor 2.
And 95. The tray T weighed by the weighing unit 210 is moved to the right side in FIG. 7 and placed on the lifter LF, and then moved upward by the lifter LF. Further, prior to this raising operation, the wrap film F is pre-tensioned and supplied above the tray T by the transfer mechanism 291. Then, as a result of the lifting operation by the lifter LF, the wrap film F is brought into close contact with the upper surface of the product placed on the tray T or the peripheral portion of the tray T. Further, with the wrap film F covering the upper surface of the tray T, the left and right folding plates 292, the rear folding plate 29
3, the pusher 294 and the like are used to fold the four sides of the wrap film F to the bottom surface (lower surface) side of the tray T, and then the edges of the wrap film F folded to the bottom surface side of the tray T by the heat welding conveyor 295. By welding the parts together, a packaging process can be realized.

The pasting section 280 is for pasting the value-added label 9 on which information for each product is printed onto each product. The affixing section 280 is provided with each priced label 9 for which printing has been completed.
Is peeled from the mount and attached to a product (more specifically, the wrap film F).

The identification label issuing section 300 is for issuing the identification label 10 on which the individual identification information and the like are printed. Identification label 10 in the identification label issuing unit 300
Is issued under the control of the control unit 260.
It is realized by the functions of the input display unit 320 and the second print mechanism unit PM2. The process is to measure the target product,
It is performed in parallel with packaging and pricing.

The second input display section 320 includes a second display panel 321 for displaying the operation menu of the identification label issuing section 300, registration data, operation status, and the like, and a second input key 322 including a numeric keypad and other keys. I have it. Second
In the input display section 320, various data registrations, print execution instructions, and the like can be performed by appropriately switching the display screens by a predetermined key operation.

The second printing mechanism section PM2 is responsible for printing on the identification label 10. That is, the second print mechanism unit PM2 functions as index information printing means for printing index information such as individual identification information. The second print head 330 prints individual identification information or the like corresponding to the meat product 11 to be processed. Second label transport unit 3
40 conveys each identification label 10 in the conveyance path in which the 2nd print head 330 is arranged. The printed identification label 10 is transported to the identification label issuing port 341 (FIG. 8) by the second label transporting unit 340, and is affixed to the product for which the pricing process has been completed by the operator.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the functions related to the printing process on the value-added label 9 in the control unit 260. The control unit 260 includes a CPU 261, a ROM 262,
A weighing result receiving unit 271 and a print content generating unit 272, which are realized as functions of the RAM 263, the storage unit 264, and the like.
A print processing control unit 273 and a warning processing control unit 274.
And a reading processing control unit 275. Further, it may be a mode in which the barcode processing unit 276 is further provided.

The weighing result receiving section 271 receives the weighing result (metric value) data from the weighing section 210. The print content generation unit 272 generates print content to be printed on the value-added label 9 or the identification label 10 based on the measurement result (measurement value), the registration content of the registration master 266, and the like. The print processing control unit 273 controls the print operation on the value-added label 9.
When the meat products 11 are continuously processed, the warning processing control unit 274 newly processes and inputs the part 8 of the meat 8, the lot number, the cutting method, and the like to process the new partial meat 6. When it is determined that the process has been changed to, a warning / confirmation process regarding the continuation of work is performed. The reading processing control unit 275 causes the reading unit 250 to read the barcode and restore the information. The barcode processing unit 276 is not essential, and is provided in the case where the identification label 10 is provided with information for inquiring the production history such as individual identification information by a barcode. When such a mode is adopted, the individual identification information and the like are converted into an inquiry barcode BC3 (FIG. 10) described later by the barcode processing unit 276 and printed on the identification label 10. Alternatively, the barcode information read by the reading unit 250 may be held as it is and used for printing on the identification label 10.

Next, the transfer of information from the partial meat label 7 attached to the partial meat 6 to the processed product will be described. When processing the partial meat 6 into the meat 8, the reading unit 250 reads the barcodes BC1 and BC2 of the partial meat label 7. The information regarding the partial meat 6 such as the weight, the date of processing, and the individual identification information given to the read barcode is restored by the reading processing control unit 275 and then sent to the print content generation unit 172. The print content generation unit 172, based on the information restored by the reading processing control unit 275, the measurement value of the meat 8 given from the measurement unit 210 to the measurement result reception unit 271, and the registration content of the registration master 266, The print contents on the value-added label 9 printed by the first print mechanism unit PM1 and the print contents on the identification label 10 printed by the second print mechanism unit PM2 are determined. The print contents on the respective labels are controlled by the print processing control unit 273 while the print mechanism units PM1 and PM2 are controlled.
Will be printed on each label.

In the weighing and pricing device 200, the above-described weighing processing and printing processing are sequentially performed on the meat 8 that has been processed into various forms and subdivided into trays T, which is the processing source. The individual identification information read from the barcode BC2 attached to the partial meat 6 needs to be correctly given to each processed product. The warning processing control unit 274 is provided for the purpose of surely performing this processing. For example, when the meat 8 is cut out from the same partial meat 6 by the same cutting method and the meat products 11 are continuously obtained, in order to correctly give individual identification information to each meat product 11, each meat product 11 needs The same individual identification information must be given. On the other hand, when finishing the processing of the processed meat 8 from a certain partial meat 6 and moving to the processing of the processed meat 8 from the next partial meat 6, the partial meat 6 to be newly processed is not necessarily the front partial meat. Although it does not necessarily have the same individual identification information as that of No. 6, even in such a case, the individual identification information of the newly processed partial meat 6 is added to the meat 8 obtained by processing the partial meat 6. The identification label 10 must be surely printed.
The warning processing control unit 274 uses the second display panel 3 for prompting the operator to confirm the change of the individual identification information.
It is responsible for executing confirmation display on 21, a warning display when the confirmation is neglected, and a temporary stop of the pricing process. For example,
When the processing of the processed meat 8 from a certain partial meat 6 is finished and the processing is shifted to the processing of the next processed meat 8 from the next partial meat 6, or even when the processing is performed from the same partial meat 6,
When the cutting method is switched, the printed contents related to the product name such as the part name and the cutting method will change, so
At that time, the confirmation display is made in such a manner as to confirm whether or not the individual identification information is changed.

As described above, by using the weighing and pricing device 200 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to enhance the certainty when the individual identification information attached to the partial meat 6 is added to the meat product 11. You can

<Identification Label> FIG. 10 shows the weighing and pricing device 2
It is a figure which shows the labels LB1 and LB2 as a printing example of the identification label 10 issued at 00 and attached to the meat product 11. Note that these are examples, and the shape of the label, the print layout, the print content, and the like are not limited to these modes.

The label LB1 in FIG. 10 (a) indicates that the consumer who purchased the meat product 11 can inquire about the production history of the meat 8, which is the content, by using the Internet. 3 is an example of the identification label 10 of FIG. The product history inquiry number display L1 is displayed on the label LB1.
Inquiry URL display L2 and BSE inspection pass display L3
And are printed. The product history inquiry number display L1 is a printout of an individual identification number. Inquiry URL display L
2 is the URL (unif
orm resource locator) The address is printed. The inquiry of the production history will be described later.

The BSE inspection pass display L3 is a display for showing that the meat 8 purchased by the consumer is not processed from raw BSE-infected cattle. As described above, the BSE test is performed at the stage of processing the partial meat 6, and the positive cattle should be incinerated and should not be put into the subsequent distribution process. The BSE test pass display L3 is a display indicating that the meat 8 on sale is negative for the BSE test.

Further, the label LB2 of FIG. 10B is an example of the identification label 10 in the case where the weighing and pricing device 200 includes the bar code processing section 276. Similar to the label LB1, the product history inquiry number display L1 and the BSE inspection pass display L3
In addition to being printed, a bar code for inquiry BC3 in which individual identification information and the like are converted into a bar code by the bar code processing unit 276 is printed. In the case of the label LB2, the inquiry of the production history is realized by using the inquiry barcode BC3.

<Inquiry about production history> A consumer who purchases the meat product 11 can purchase the meat 8 as the contents of the purchased product based on the identification label 10 attached to the meat product 11.
It is possible to inquire about what production history has led to the sale. This will be described below.

FIG. 11 shows a production history inquiry system 500.
It is a figure which shows the structural example of. Inquiry system 500
Is an inquiry device 40 provided in stores such as supermarkets and retail stores.
0, a product database server DB1, a production / processing database server DB2 held by a production / processing company or a production history management organization, and a computer 501 owned by a consumer at home, which are connected to the Internet N. It is a system that can be connected via.

The inquiry device 400 is a device for acquiring the production history of raw meat 11 from raw cattle, based on the information relating to the production history inquiry displayed on the identification label 10, such as the product history inquiry number. Is. Details of the inquiry device 400 will be described later.

The product database server DB1 is a database server provided with a database relating to processing result data relating to processing from the partial meat 6 to the meat 8 and the sales result data of the meat product 11. In the product database server DB1, it is possible to inquire data related to processing and sales up to the sale of the meat product 11 based on the individual identification number attached to the meat product 11.

The production / processing database server DB2 is
Feeding data for live cattle such as ranches, producers and feeds, data on processing of carcass and partial meat, and BSE
It is a database server having a database of inspection result data and the like. The production / processing database server DB2 may have a mode in which a supplier at each stage is provided with a database server for providing data related to each business, or may integrally manage information related to production and processing. The management organization or the like may have a mode in which an integrated database server is provided. In any case, the data relating to the processing and sales up to the meat product 11 can be inquired based on the individual identification number attached to the meat product 11.

Since the data of the product database server DB1 and the data of the production / processing database server DB2 are associated with each other by the individual identification number, either one is accessed and the inquiry is executed based on the individual identification number. A more desirable mode is one in which related data stored in the other database server can be extracted at the same time.

The computer 501 is a general-purpose personal computer commercially available to general consumers, which includes a control unit, an input unit, a display unit, a storage unit, etc., which are not shown.

When the consumer who purchased the meat product 11 inquires the production history using the computer 501 at home, for example, the product history inquiry number display L1 printed on the label LB1 in FIG. 10A. , And the inquiry destination URL display L2 can be used to make an inquiry. As described above, the individual identification information is the information unique to each individual of the raw beef 1 that is the processing source of the meat 8, and therefore the computer 501.
Thus, the product database server DB1 corresponding to the inquiry destination of the URL address shown in the inquiry URL display L2
Alternatively, the production / processing database server DB2 is accessed through the Internet N, and based on the individual identification information displayed on the product history inquiry number display L1, from each database server to the raw beef 1 to the meat 8 It is possible to acquire the production history.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display screen example 502 of the result of inquiring the production history by the computer 501. As shown in the display screen example 502, by referring to the production history, for example, a production certificate 503 issued by a producer of raw cattle such as a ranch, a carcass at a meat processing factory, or a processor for partial meat The meat processing certificate 504 or the like to be issued is acquired by the computer 501 and displayed. In addition, a safety display 505 may be provided to appeal that the meat product 11 can be safely eaten by correctly presenting those certificates. Based on these contents, the consumer has a history of the meat products 11 he / she purchased,
You can know if you can eat safely.

<Production History Inquiry by Inquiry Device> The production history inquiry as described above is not limited to being performed by the consumer at home, and may be performed at a store such as a supermarket or a retail store. It may be. The inquiry device 400 is a device whose purpose is to realize this.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the structure of the inquiry device 400. The inquiry device 400 mainly includes an input unit 410, a reading unit 420, a communication unit 430, a display unit 440, and a control unit 450.

The input section 410 is composed of a numeric keypad and other keys, and functions as an input means used when the consumer inputs information necessary for inquiring the production history such as an individual identification number.

The reading section 420 is a bar code reader for reading the information necessary for inquiring the production history, such as a label LB2 in FIG. 10B, when the bar code BC3 is given. It has the function as.

The communication section 430 has a communication function necessary for accessing the product database server DB1 and the production / processing database server DB2 via the Internet N.

The display unit 440 is a display for displaying various operation guides, the result of inquiry of the production history, and the like. The display unit 440 may be a touch panel having an input function.

The control section 450 includes a CPU 451 and a ROM.
A main unit 452, a RAM 453, a storage unit 454 including a non-volatile memory, and a timer 457 are provided. These are connected to each other via a bus line 459. The input unit 410 and the like are also electrically connected to the bus line 459. Timer 45
Reference numeral 7 is for giving time information to various processes. The storage unit 454 mainly stores a program 455 that executes various processes of the inquiry device 400.

In the inquiry device 400, since the commodity database server DB1 and the production / processing database server DB2 can be accessed in advance,
The consumer can display the production history inquiry result as shown in FIG. 12 on the display unit 440 by simply inputting the individual identification number with the ten-key pad of the input unit 410. Alternatively, in the case of the identification label 10 including the inquiry barcode BC3 like the label LB2 of FIG. 10B, the inquiry result of the production history can also be obtained by causing the reading unit 420 to read the inquiry barcode BC3. Can be displayed.

As described above, the inquiry device 400 is
It enables the consumer to confirm the safety of the meat 8, which is the content of the meat product 11, at a store such as a supermarket or a retail store.

<Modification> The above description has been mainly directed to beef meat products, but the products to be introduced in the production history are not limited to this. For example, with respect to pork, chicken, etc., which are livestock products similar to beef, the present invention can be similarly implemented by performing individual identification on the raw pig or raw chicken that is the processing source. Alternatively, the present invention is considered to be applicable to marine products (tuna, etc.) in which individuals have a certain size and are usually sold in units of fillets rather than the individuals themselves.

[0082]

As described above, according to the inventions of claim 1 to claim 6 and claim 10 to claim 12, the purchaser of the product obtains the information on the production history of the product. It becomes possible to do.

In particular, according to the inventions of claims 2 to 6 and claims 11 to 12, it is possible to specify from which livestock individual the meat to be sold is processed, and therefore purchase The person can confirm whether or not a safe livestock individual is processed.

In particular, according to the invention of claim 3, since it is possible to specify from which raw cow the meat to be sold is processed, the purchaser processed the safe raw cow. You can check if.

In particular, according to the inventions of claims 4 to 6, index information can be correctly associated and added to each meat product.

Particularly, according to the invention of claim 6, the index information can be acquired accurately and easily.

Further, according to the inventions of claims 7 to 9, it is possible to provide information relating to the production history of the partial meat to be processed into the meat.

Particularly, according to the inventions of claims 8 to 9, it is possible to specify from which livestock individual the partial meat is processed.

In particular, according to the invention of claim 9, index information can be correctly associated and added to each partial meat.

According to the twelfth to fifteenth aspects of the invention, the purchaser of the product can confirm whether or not the purchased product has been safely produced.

In particular, according to the twelfth aspect of the invention, the purchaser of the meat can check whether the purchased meat has been safely produced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a processing flow until raw meat for meat is processed into meat.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a partial meat weighing device 100.

FIG. 3 is an RF-ID tag 4 by the partial meat weighing device 100.
It is a figure which shows reading of the data from FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a function related to a printing process on the partial meat label 7.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a printing example of a label 7 for partial meat.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the weighing and pricing device 200.

7 is a sectional view of the weighing and pricing device 200. FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a weighing and pricing device 200.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a function related to a printing process on the value-added label 9.

FIG. 10 is a label LB as a printing example of the identification label 10.
It is a figure which shows 1 and LB2.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a production history inquiry system 500.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display screen example 502 of the result of inquiring the production history by the computer 501.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of an inquiry device 400.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 raw beef 2 ear mark 3 carcasses 4 RF-ID tag 5, 6 pieces of meat 7 Labels for partial meat 8 meat Label with value 10 identification label 11 Meat products 100 partial meat weighing device 111 Placement surface 141 Label issue port 152 gate 160 control unit 200 Weighing device 260 control unit 300 Identification label issuing department 341 Identification label issuing port 400 inquiry device 450 control unit 500 inquiry system 502 Display screen example 505 Safety display BC1, BC2 barcode BC3 inquiry bar code L1 product history inquiry number display L2 inquiry URL display L3 inspection pass display LB1 and LB2 labels N Internet PM, PM1, PM2 Print mechanism section S1-S8 steps

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Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus for performing processing including weighing and pricing of merchandise, for an article to be processed, obtaining means for obtaining index information which serves as an inquiry index for the production history of the article, and to the article. An index information printing unit for printing the index information on a predetermined product tag and issuing the index information, in addition to the pricing of the item. 2. The weighing and pricing device according to claim 1, wherein the product to be processed is the meat of livestock, and the index information identifies an individual of the livestock that has been processed into the meat. An apparatus for weighing and pricing, characterized in that it includes individual identification information for performing. 3. The weighing and pricing device according to claim 2, wherein the livestock is cow. 4. The weighing and pricing device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the partial meat is input each time common basic information is input for a group of fresh meat obtained by the partial meat meat processing. An apparatus for weighing and pricing, further comprising: a confirmation means for requesting a user to input or confirm the index information regarding. 5. The weighing and pricing device according to claim 4, further comprising warning means for issuing a warning when the input or confirmation is not made. 6. The weighing and pricing device according to claim 5, wherein the index information is recorded in advance in a bar code format on an information medium attached to the partial meat of the livestock, and the acquisition means is A weighing and pricing device characterized by reading the index information from the information medium. 7. An apparatus for weighing a partial meat corresponding to each part of livestock, comprising: acquisition means for acquiring index information serving as an inquiry index for the production history of the partial meat; And the index information printing means for printing and issuing the index information on a predetermined tag, the partial meat weighing device. 8. The partial meat weighing device according to claim 7, wherein the index information includes individual identification information for identifying an individual of the livestock. 9. The partial meat weighing device according to claim 8, wherein the index information is a record, which is attached to the carcass from which the partial meat is acquired, in which data can be written and read without contact. A partial meat weighing device, which is stored in advance in an element, and wherein the acquisition unit acquires the index information from the storage element. 10. A merchandise tag attached to a grocery product at the time of sale, wherein merchandise merchandise tag is printed with index information serving as an inquiry index of the production history of the grocery item. 11. The product tag according to claim 10, wherein the food product is meat, and the index information is individual identification for identifying an individual of a livestock that has been subjected to processing into the meat. A product tag that contains information. 12. The product tag according to claim 11, wherein the reference information of the production history is further printed. 13. An input unit for inputting index information, which is an inquiry index for a production history of a product provided for retail sale, and data of the production history of the product based on the index information via a network. And a display unit for displaying information corresponding to the data of the production history on a guide screen for consumers, in a commodity history inquiry system. 14. The product history inquiry system according to claim 13, wherein the input unit includes a reading unit that reads the index information from a product tag of the product. 15. The product history inquiry system according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the display on the guide screen includes a display regarding safety of the product.