JP2004262512A - Method for printing label - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To print a label at an appropriate position and direction, which is affixed to a workpiece such as a packaged body packaging a photosensitive material. <P>SOLUTION: A printing apparatus 200 reads an image of a packaged body 24 transferred on a conveyor 142 with a scanner 204, and sets a printing position and the inclination of the image to be printed based on the position and inclination of a label 156 extracted from the image. Then, when the packaged body reaches the position facing a laser marker 202, the label is irradiated with laser beam, while being scanned, so as to attain a set position and inclination to perform a predetermined printing on the label. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a label printing method for printing predetermined information on a label which is a package of a photosensitive material or the like and is attached to a work such as a package.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The photosensitive material includes a medical X-ray film. For example, in this X-ray film, the sheet is cut by a predetermined width or cut by a predetermined length while being drawn from a master roll. Formed. This sheet-shaped X-ray film (hereinafter, simply referred to as “X-ray film”) is laminated in a predetermined number and packed in a packaging bag or the like in a state of being sandwiched between protective covers such as contact balls. After that, it is packed in a decorative box or the like, or a predetermined number of boxes are packed in a cardboard box.
[0003]
For such X-ray film packaging, pillow packaging is used in which a bundle of X-ray films is hermetically packaged with a packaging material. Improvements are being made.
[0004]
By the way, predetermined information about the product is recorded in each of the final products in which the packaging body is accommodated in a cosmetic box as well as the intermediate product such as the contact ball sandwiching the X-ray film and the packaging body in which the X-ray film is sealed and packaged. In order to do this, a label on which information to be recorded is printed is created, and this label is attached to an intermediate product or a final product.
[0005]
On the other hand, in the production process of the X-ray film, when a defect occurs during sampling or production, the corresponding intermediate product may be extracted. For this reason, if a label is printed and pasted in advance, the information printed on the label may differ from the contents of the intermediate product or the final product on which the label is pasted.
[0006]
From this, Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-100034 proposes a method in which labels are pasted on intermediate products and final products in advance and predetermined information is printed on the labels.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when printing on a label in the middle of transporting an intermediate product or a final product, if the transport posture is out of order, there is a problem that characters printed on the label are bent or the printing is off the label. In other words, when printing on the appropriate position of the label affixed to the intermediate product or the final product, it is necessary to increase the label affixing accuracy, but it is difficult to obtain a high affixing accuracy by applying the label while blowing air. It is. Further, in order to accurately print on the label, it is necessary to accurately position the label with respect to the printing apparatus. However, when the label is placed on a conveyor or the like and transported, the transport posture often changes. . For this reason, the label does not pass with respect to the printing apparatus at an accurate position and orientation, and due to these, proper printing on the label is difficult.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and a label is previously attached to a workpiece such as an intermediate product when packaging a photosensitive material, and predetermined information is recorded at an appropriate position and orientation on the label. The purpose of this paper is to propose a printing method for labels.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a label printing method for printing a predetermined print image such as a character or a symbol in a fixed direction on a label affixed to the surface of a workpiece by a printing means, The image of the workpiece including the label is read by an image reading unit arranged at a position relative to the printing unit, and the relative position of the label with respect to the printing unit and the printing unit are extracted from the read image by the extracting unit. The inclination of the label with respect to the printing direction is extracted, and the printing position and orientation of the print image by the printing means are set based on the extraction result, and printing is performed.
[0010]
According to the present invention, the image reading unit is disposed at a predetermined relative position with respect to the printing unit, and the workpiece including the label is read by the image reading unit. As such reading means, a so-called CCD camera using a CCD area sensor or the like may be used, or an image may be read while scanning using a CCD line sensor.
[0011]
The extracting unit extracts the relative position and inclination of the label with respect to the printing unit from the image read by the image reading unit. Such extraction can be performed using arbitrary image processing. That is, in the present invention, the position and inclination of the label are detected quickly and accurately without bringing various detection means into contact with the label.
[0012]
When printing a print image on the label, the print position and print direction are set based on the relative position and inclination of the label.
[0013]
As a result, regardless of the position of the workpiece relative to the printing unit and the position and inclination of the label on the workpiece, it is possible to print a print image at a certain position on the label in a certain orientation.
[0014]
As the printing means at this time, a contact type can be applied, but in the case of the contact type, since the label is pressed, it is necessary to stabilize the label at this time. From here, as a printing means, various contact-type printing methods, such as an inkjet printer and a laser marker, can be used, and it is preferable. For example, a laser marker uses a thermal recording paper or the like as a label, scans the laser beam, and heats any position of the label to develop a color, thereby forming an arbitrary print image without contact with the label. can do.
[0015]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the workpiece is conveyed by a conveying unit, the reading unit is arranged at a predetermined position upstream of the printing unit in the conveyance direction of the workpiece, and an image is read. Based on the above, the label is printed.
[0016]
According to the present invention, when printing on the label on the workpiece conveyed by the conveying means, the image reading means is provided at a predetermined position upstream of the printing means in the conveying direction, and the image of the workpiece is printed prior to printing by the printing means. Is read.
[0017]
As a result, it is possible to print a print image in a predetermined direction at a predetermined fixed position even on a label conveyed by the conveying means.
[0018]
The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the moving speed of the workpiece by the conveying means is read and the print image is printed on the label in accordance with the moving speed.
[0019]
According to the present invention, the print start timing is set based on the image reading position and the moving speed by the image reading means, and the print image is printed. Thereby, appropriate printing can be performed on the label on the workpiece moving at an arbitrary moving speed.
[0020]
In the present invention, the workpiece is a package in which a photosensitive material is packaged with a packaging material, and can be applied to printing on the label after the label is attached to the package.
[0021]
In the present invention, information based on the photosensitive material in the package can be printed as the print image.
[0022]
Thus, for example, after the photosensitive material is hermetically packaged with the packaging material, the information that can specify the characteristics of the photosensitive material such as the emulsion number of the photosensitive material in each package, the production lot number of the master roll, and the slit number of the slit roll. In addition, when information based on the processing history including processing information until packaging is properly recorded for each package, it can be recorded on the label with high quality.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, FIG. 1 shows a flow of processing and packaging processing by the processing and packaging system 10 applied to the present embodiment. In the processing and packaging system 10, an X-ray film that is a medical photothermographic material is used as a processing and packaging target. The processing and packaging object is not limited to this, and various photosensitive materials and recording materials can be applied.
[0024]
In this processing and packaging system 10, the X-ray film web 14 drawn from the master roll 12 is cut and cut into a sheet shape (hereinafter referred to as “X-ray film 16”). A book 20 is formed by bundling a predetermined number of X-ray films 16 and sandwiching them by protective balls 18.
[0025]
Thereafter, the booklet 20 is subjected to hermetic packaging such as pillow packaging with a packaging film 22 having moisture and light shielding properties to form a package 24. The package 24 is housed in a cosmetic box 26 and becomes a product 28 for shipment.
[0026]
The products 28 are shipped in a plurality of boxes packed in a cardboard box or the like. Note that a plurality of packaging bodies 26 may be mounted and stored in magazines or the like and packed into the cosmetic box 26 at a predetermined timing.
[0027]
Such a processing and packaging system 10 can be formed to include a processing step 30, a stacking step 32, a contact ball mounting step 34, a packaging step 36 and a boxing step 26. The processing and packaging system 10 is installed in a dark room or the like at least until the packaging step 36 to prevent the X-ray film 16 from being deteriorated in quality such as photosensitivity.
[0028]
FIG. 2 shows an outline of the processing step 30 and the integration step 32. The processing step 30 is provided with a decurling device 40 and a cutting device 42, and the accumulation step 32 is provided with a sorting and accumulating device 44.
[0029]
In the processing step 30 applied to the present embodiment, the slit roll 12 </ b> A obtained by cutting the web 14 drawn out from the master roll 12 in advance into a roll shape is loaded into the decurling device 40. That is, the processing step 30 may include a slit device (cutting device) (not shown) that produces the slit roll 12A from the master roll 12. Further, the processing and packaging system 10 may include a production facility for producing a master roll 12 by applying an emulsion to a support.
[0030]
The decurling device 40 includes a dancer roller 46, a heating roller 48, a cooling means 50, and a suction drum 52, and the X-ray film web 14 drawn out from the slit roll 12A is connected to the dancer roller 46 and the heating roller 48. The cooling means 50 is provided between the heating roller 48 and the suction drum 52 so as to face the web 14 and cools the web 14 heated by the heating roller 48.
[0031]
The web 14 drawn out from the slit roll 12A is heated by being wound around the heating roller 48, and then cooled by the cooling means 50 to remove curl caused by being wound into a roll shape. The The suction drum 52 rotates while the web 14 is sucked and held by air suction.
[0032]
As a result, the web 14 drawn out from the slit roll 12 </ b> A is sent out at a line speed corresponding to the rotational speed of the suction drum 52. At this time, the suction drum 52 is rotationally driven so as to feed the web 14 by a predetermined amount (by a predetermined length), and the dancer roller 46 absorbs the tension fluctuation of the web 14 that occurs at this time, and a constant tension is applied. The web 14 is conveyed in the applied state.
[0033]
The decurling device 40 is provided with a web edge control device (not shown). This web edge control device includes a photoelectric type edge sensor 54 facing the side end of the web 14 drawn out from the slit roll 12A, and this edge sensor 54 detects the side edge of the web 14 at a fixed position. Thus, the position along the axial direction of the slit roll 12A is controlled to prevent the web 14 from meandering.
[0034]
The cutting device 42 includes a rotary oscillating cutter 56. By operating the rotary oscillating cutter 56 electrically or mechanically in synchronism with the rotation of the suction drum 52 that feeds the web 14 of X-ray film by a certain amount, The X-ray film web 14 is cut into a predetermined length and processed into a sheet-like X-ray film 16. The rotary oscillating cutter 56 cuts corners of the X-ray film 16 into an arc shape.
[0035]
The sorting / stacking device 44 is provided with a plurality of stacking tables 58 (in the present embodiment, two stacking tables 58A and 58B as an example). On each upper surface of the stacking table 58 (58A, 58B), a tray 60 on which the X-ray film 16 is placed and stacked is formed.
[0036]
Further, the sorting / stacking device 44 is provided with a sorting gate 62 and a conveyor 64 (64A, 64B, 64C) for transporting the X-ray film 16 sorted by the sorting gate 62 to each of the stacking tables 58A, 58B. .
[0037]
The sorting and accumulating device 44 switches the transport path of the X-ray film 12 by swinging the sorting gate 62 by the driving force of an actuator such as a cylinder, so that the X-ray film 16 is divided and stacked on the stacking tables 58A and 58B. I have to. At this time, in the sorting / stacking device 44, for example, when a predetermined number of X-ray films 16 are stacked on one stacking table 58, the sorting gate 62 is switched so that the X-ray film 16 is conveyed toward the other stacking table 58.
[0038]
As a result, a predetermined number of bundles of X-ray films 16 are alternately formed on the stacking stands 58A and 58B. In addition to the plurality of trays 60, the sorting and accumulating device 44 includes a sampling tray for collecting the sampling X-ray film 16 and a discharge tray for collecting the X-ray film 16 having poor finishing. In this case, the sorting gate 62 and the conveyor 64 may be provided according to the number of trays.
[0039]
FIG. 3 shows an example of the contact ball mounting step 34 provided on the downstream side of the stacking step 32. The hitting ball mounting step 34 includes a seat handling robot 66. The seat handling robot 66 includes a base 68, an arm 70 mounted on the base 68 and capable of rotating and bending with respect to the base 68, and a tip of the arm 70. A general-purpose multi-axis robot provided with a chuck 72 that can hold and hold a bundle.
[0040]
The sheet handling robot 66 takes out the X-ray film 16 stacked on the tray 60 on the stacking table 58 from the tray 60 with the chuck 72 sandwiching the X-ray film 16.
[0041]
Further, in the hitting ball mounting step 34, a base material 74 for forming the hitting ball 18 used as a protective cover for the X-ray film 16 is stacked and loaded at a predetermined position. Oppositely, a labeling device 76 is provided.
[0042]
The hitting ball 18 is made of cardboard or the like, and the base material 74 is processed into a predetermined shape in advance by punching the cardboard or the like. At this time, as shown in FIG. 1, a base portion 18A corresponding to the size of the X-ray film 16 and a folded portion 18B formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape smaller than the size of the X-ray film 12 are formed on the base material 74. ing. The contact ball 18 protects the X-ray film 16 by sandwiching it between the base portion 18A and the folded portion 18B of the base material 74. That is, the X-ray film 16 is accommodated in the contact ball 18 formed in a half box shape, and is protected against pressurization, bending, bending, and the like.
[0043]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the labeling device 76 has a supply reel 80 attached to the upper side of a plate-like frame 78 and a take-up reel 82 attached to the lower side. Further, the labeling device 76 is provided with an edge member 84 having a substantially triangular prism shape between the supply reel 80 and the take-up reel 82, and is provided at a predetermined position on the uppermost base material 74 (the contact ball 18). Opposed.
[0044]
A roll of label tape 86 is mounted on the supply reel 80. As shown in FIG. 4, labels 90 are affixed to the label tape 86 at a predetermined interval on a base sheet 88. As the label 90, for example, a thermal recording paper having a thickness of 80 μm cut into a substantially rectangular shape of a predetermined size and an adhesive applied to the back surface can be used.
[0045]
In the label sticking device 76, the label tape 86 drawn from the supply reel 80 is wound around the edge member 84 while being transported by a certain amount, and is then folded back at an acute angle and wound on the take-up reel 82. At this time, in the label applicator 76, the label tape 86 is bent at an acute angle by the edge member 84 so that the label 90 is peeled off from the base sheet 88 by its own rigidity when passing through the edge member 84. It has become.
[0046]
The labeling device 76 is provided with a pasting unit 92. The affixing unit 92 includes an affixing head 94 facing the label 90 peeled off from the base sheet 88. The affixing unit 92 sucks and holds the label 90 peeled off from the base sheet 88 on the affixing head 94 by air suction. The affixing head 94 is lowered by an elevator 96 using an air cylinder or the like (not shown) as a drive source.
[0047]
As a result, the label 90 is pressed to a predetermined position of the base material 74 and is stuck to a predetermined position on the base material 74 by its own adhesive force.
[0048]
As shown in FIG. 3, a cover handling robot 100 and a temporary folding device 102 are provided in the vicinity of the stacking position of the base material 74.
[0049]
The cover handling robot 100 is a general-purpose multi-axis robot in which an arm 106 that can rotate and bend with respect to the base 104 is provided on the base 104. A base 74 is attached to the tip of the arm 106 by air suction. A suction pad 108 for sucking and holding is provided.
[0050]
The cover handling robot 100 transports the uppermost base material 74 with the label 90 attached thereto to the temporary folding device 102 when it is sucked and held by the suction pad 108.
[0051]
The temporary folding device 102 is provided with a fixing jig 112 and a movable jig 114 on the base 110, and the cover handling robot 100 inserts a predetermined position of the base material 74 into the fixing jig 112. The temporary folding apparatus 102 fixes the predetermined position of the base material 74 with the fixing jig 112 and moves the movable jig 114 up and down by a moving means (not shown) so as to wrap on the end surface of the fixing jig 112.
[0052]
Thereby, the base material 74 is once bent at a preset position (temporary folding). The cover handling robot 100 and the temporary folding device 102 perform temporary folding on a plurality of locations on the base material 74 that are set in advance so as to form the half-box shaped hitting balls 18. The above-described label 90 is attached so as to be, for example, the outer surface of the folded portion 18B when the X-ray film 16 is sandwiched between the base portion 18A and the folded portion 18B.
[0053]
In the contact ball mounting step 34, when the temporary folding with respect to the base material 74 is completed, the base material 74 is taken out from the temporary folding device 102 by the cover handling robot 100, and the sheet handling robot 66 holding the bundle of the X-ray film 16 is taken. Deliver.
[0054]
At this time, the sheet handling robot 66 receives the X-ray film 16 on the base portion 18A of the base material 74 held by the cover handling robot 100 and holds the base material 74 together with the X-ray film 16 by the chuck 72. To do.
[0055]
On the other hand, in the hitting ball mounting step 34, a folding device 116 is provided adjacent to the seat handling robot 66. The folding device 116 is provided with a folding arm 120 on a base 118.
[0056]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the sheet handling robot 66 (not shown in FIG. 5) places the X-ray film 16 on the base 118 with the base portion 18 </ b> A of the base material 74 as the lower side, and the base material 74. The folded portion 18B is opposed to the folding arm 120.
[0057]
When the base material 74 is placed together with the X-ray film 16, the folding device 116 rotates the folding arm 120 toward the upper surface side of the X-ray film 16 on the base 118. As a result, the folded portion 18B of the base material 74 facing the folding arm 120 is folded back so as to sandwich the X-ray film 16 with the base portion 18A, and a predetermined number of X-ray films 16 are protected by the contact balls 18. The book 20 (see FIG. 1) is formed.
[0058]
On the other hand, in the hitting ball mounting step 34, a laser marker 122 is provided above the base 118 of the folding device 116. The laser marker 122 is opposed to the label 90 attached to the folded portion 18B of the contact ball 18, and the laser marker 122 scans a laser beam oscillated by a laser oscillation tube (not shown) toward the label 90. Irradiate while. In the contact ball mounting step 34, the processing history is printed on the label 90 by scanning the laser beam based on information such as the processing history of the X-ray film 16.
[0059]
The laser marker 122 is a CO that emits a laser beam in a wavelength range that does not expose the X-ray film 16. ₂ By using a thermal recording paper as a label 90 using a laser, reliable printing can be performed with low output energy.
[0060]
This prevents the X-ray film 16 from being deteriorated in quality, such as covering with heat or light. Further, since the laser marker 122 performs printing in a non-contact manner, the pressure generated on the X-ray film 16 is prevented by bringing the printer head into contact.
[0061]
In the processing and packaging system 10, a processing history based on processing history data described later is converted into a barcode on the label 90 and printed. In the processing and packaging system 10, a character string such as a number corresponding to the barcode is also printed on the label 90 so that the processing history can be visually confirmed together with the barcode.
[0062]
As such a laser beam, a 9 μm band such as a wavelength of 9.2 μm or 9.6 μm or a 10 μm band such as 10.2 μm can be used. As the laser marker 114, for example, a laser marker having an output of about 12 W, a DUTY ratio of 5 to 9%, and a scanning speed of about 800 mm / sec can be used.
[0063]
On the other hand, FIG. 6 shows a schematic configuration of an example of the packaging process 36. In the packaging process 36 used in the processing and packaging system 10, a packaging device 130 is provided. The packaging device 130 is loaded with a packaging material roll (not shown) in which the packaging film 22 is wound in a roll shape, and the packaging film 22 is drawn out from the packaging material roll.
[0064]
Further, the packaging device 130 is provided with a conveyor 134 on the base 132, and the book 20 in which the X-ray film 16 is protected by the contact ball 18 from the contact ball mounting step 34 is transferred onto the conveyor 134. The The book 20 may be transferred using the seat handling robot 66, and a general-purpose multi-axis robot hand is provided between the contact ball mounting process 34 and the robot hand. Any method can be used.
[0065]
In the packaging device 130, the booklet 20 is transported by the conveyor 134, and the booklet 20 is covered with the packaging film 22 drawn from the packaging material roll, and further the packaging film 22 is brought into close contact with the booklet 20 while packaging. The book 20 is wrapped by folding both end sides in the width direction of the film 22 to the lower side of the book 20.
[0066]
Thereafter, in the packaging device 130, both ends in the width direction of the packaging film 22 folded back to the lower side of the booklet 20 are overlapped, and the adhesive layer provided on the packaging film 22 is joined by heating and melting. The packaging film 22 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape.
[0067]
The packaging device 130 is provided with a cutter 136. The cutter 136 wraps the book 20 and cuts the packaging film 122 formed in a substantially cylindrical shape at a predetermined position. At this time, the adhesive layer provided on the packaging film 22 is heated and melted to enclose the book 20 in the packaging film 22 and form the front fillet portion 138 and the rear fillet portion 140 with the booklet 20 interposed therebetween.
In the packaging process 36, a conveyor 142 and a fin folding device 144 are provided following the conveyor 134, and the book 20 wrapped with the packaging film 22 is conveyed by the conveyor 142.
[0068]
The fin folding device 144 includes fin folding robots 146 and 148 that are general-purpose multi-axis robots, and the fin folding robots 146 and 148 are installed in pairs with the conveyor 142 interposed therebetween.
[0069]
Each of the fin folding robots 146 and 148 is provided with a robot hand 152 at the tip of the arm 150. The robot hand 152 holds the front fillet 138 and the rear fillet 140, and the booklet 20 in the packaging film 22 is attached to the booklet 20. The front fillet portion 138 and the rear fillet portion 140 are folded back so as to overlap.
[0070]
In the packaging process 36, a labeling device 154 is provided. As the label applicator 154, a basic configuration similar to the label applicator 76 (see FIG. 4) provided in the hitting ball mounting step 34 can be applied.
[0071]
In the label attaching device 154, the label tape 160 with the label 156 attached to the base sheet 158 at a predetermined interval is wound in a roll shape and mounted on the supply reel 162, and the label tape 160 drawn out from the supply reel 162 is taken up. It is wound on a reel 164. Further, the label attaching device 154 is provided with a substantially triangular prism-shaped edge member 166 between the supply reel 162 and the take-up reel 164, and the label tape 160 is wound around the edge member 166 and folded back at an acute angle. When the label 156 passes through the edge member 166, the label 156 is peeled off from the base sheet 158.
[0072]
Further, the labeling device 154 is provided with a pasting head 170 of the pasting unit 168 facing the label 156 peeled off from the base sheet 158. The label pasting device 154 holds the label 156 on the pasting head 170 by suction, Press against the boundary between the front fillet 138 and the back fillet 140 in the form of a conveyor 142.
[0073]
The packaging film 22 in which the booklet 20 is packaged has a label 156 on the intermediate portion along the direction perpendicular to the transport direction, straddling the front fillet portion 138 and the rear fillet portion 140 stacked by the fin folding robots 146 and 148. By sticking, the front fillet part 138 and the rear fillet part 140 are stopped.
[0074]
As a result, a package 24 in which a predetermined number of X-ray films 16 are stacked and sealed and packaged (pillow-wrapped) is formed. Note that a thermal recording paper is used as the label 156, and predetermined information can be printed by being heated by a laser beam or the like.
[0075]
In the processing and packaging system 10, the packaging body 24 formed in this way is conveyed to the boxing step 38 by being loaded into a magazine (not shown).
[0076]
As shown in FIG. 1, in the boxing step 36, the package 24 is stored in the decorative box 26. Moreover, in the boxing process 38, the decorative box 26 loaded with the packaging body 24 is packed into, for example, four cardboard boxes, not shown. The X-ray film 16 is shipped in a state packed in this cardboard box.
[0077]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, in the processing and packaging system 10, sequencers 180, 182, 184, 186 and 188 are provided in the processing step 30, the accumulation step 32, the contact ball mounting step 34, the packaging step 36 and the boxing step 38. ing. The processing / packaging system 10 includes a processing / packaging management computer 190, and each of the sequencers 180 to 188 is connected to the processing / packaging management computer 190. Management is to be made.
[0078]
The processing and packaging management computer 190 is connected to a production management computer 192 that holds production instruction information or a production information database 194 that stores production instruction information. Based on this, work management in each process is performed.
[0079]
The production management computer 192 that is higher than the processing and packaging management computer 190 is connected to a cutting management computer (not shown) that controls the operation of the cutting process for producing the slit roll 12A from the master roll 12, whereby the production management computer A production equipment network centered on 192 is established.
[0080]
The production management computer 192 receives production plan data and material (raw materials) entry / exit plans or entry / exit record data. The production management computer 192 stores a prescription table prepared in advance for each type of medical film to be produced, for example. Each prescription table is assigned a product abbreviation that represents the type of product. In addition, the prescription table contains the types of materials necessary to manufacture each product, the manufacturing conditions (processing or packaging conditions) at each step, Inspection conditions are set.
[0081]
A production lot number is assigned to the master roll 12, and each slit roll 12A manufactured from the master roll 12 is assigned a slit number by a cutting management computer.
[0082]
The production management computer 192 generates processing history management data for each package 24, and each of the emulsion number, production lot number, and slit number used for manufacturing the master roll 12 is the production management computer 192. And used to create machining history management data.
[0083]
Further, the master roll 12 including a defective portion may be manufactured due to uneven coating of the emulsion in the manufacturing stage of the master roll 12 or troubles during drying. Further, when the slit roll 12A is manufactured from the master roll 12 in the cutting process, troubles affecting the product quality of the X-ray film 16 may occur, or a defective portion may be detected by surface inspection after cutting. .
[0084]
In such a case, the cutting management computer generates defect information including the manufacturing lot number of the master roll 12, the slit number, the length from the winding start end of the slit roll 12A to the defective portion, the length of the defective portion, and the like. And input to the production management computer 192.
[0085]
As a result, the production management computer 192 can create processing history management data including defect information.
[0086]
Further, in the processing and packaging management computer 190, based on information input from the sequencers 180 to 188, the number of products or semi-finished products produced, the number of defects, etc. during each process from the processing step 32 to the boxing step 38 are displayed. Generation result data is generated, and this production result data is output to the production management computer 192.
[0087]
Thereby, production performance data is included in the processing history management data. Further, the processing history management data includes defect information in the emulsion number, the production lot number of the master roll 12, the slit number of the slit roll 12A, and the serial number corresponding to the progress of the processing and packaging operation on the X-ray film 16. Machining history management data is created.
[0088]
The processing packaging management computer 190 reads the processing history management data at a predetermined timing.
[0089]
On the other hand, the laser marker 122 provided in the hitting ball mounting step 34 is connected to the sequencer 184 that controls the operation of the hitting ball mounting step 34.
[0090]
In the processing and packaging system 10, the X-ray film 16 having the same emulsion number, production lot number, and slit number is stored in the same book 20, and the sequencer 184 receives the processing history input from the processing and packaging management computer 190. Based on the management data, print information for the label 90 attached to the contact ball 18 of each book 20 is generated. The laser marker 122 prints a barcode corresponding to the print information on the label 90.
[0091]
As a result, the processing history up to the folding device 116 for the X-ray film 16 accommodated therein is recorded as a barcode on each of the contact balls 18. Note that the sequencer 184 prints not only the barcode but also a predetermined number of digits according to the barcode, so that the operator can not only read mechanically or electrically using a barcode reader but also visually. The processing history can be checked.
[0092]
Incidentally, a printing device 200 is provided in the packaging process 36, and this printing device 200 is connected to the sequencer 186. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the printing apparatus 200 includes a laser marker 202 and a scanner 204, and each is disposed so as to face the package 24 conveyed by the conveyor 142.
[0093]
As a result, in the packaging process 36, it is possible to print a processing history until the label 156 affixed to the package 24 is sealed and packaged with the packaging film 22.
[0094]
As shown in FIG. 9, the laser marker 202 uses a laser oscillation tube 206 that emits a laser beam of a predetermined wavelength, an acoustooptic device (AOD), or the like to deflect a laser beam incident from the laser oscillation tube 206. A label 208 is attached to the package 24 conveyed by the conveyor 142 and is irradiated while scanning with a laser beam.
[0095]
A thermal recording paper is used as the label 156 attached to the package 24, and printing is performed by irradiating the laser beam while scanning. Note that a condensing lens (not shown) is disposed on the laser beam emission side from the beam deflector 208, so that the spot on the label 156 affixed to the package 24 conveyed on the conveyor 142. The laser beam is focused so that the diameter falls within a predetermined range. Further, the deflection range (scanning range) of the laser beam by the beam deflector 208 can irradiate the label 156 on the package 24 with the laser beam when the package 24 is conveyed on any position on the conveyor 142. Is set to the range.
[0096]
The laser marker 202 is provided with a laser control unit 210. The laser control unit 210 outputs a drive signal to the laser oscillation tube 206 and inputs a signal (pattern signal) corresponding to a printing position on the label 156 and an image pattern to be printed on the label 156. A deflection signal is output to the beam deflector 208 according to the signal. As a result, a predetermined image can be printed at a predetermined position of the label 156 conveyed on the conveyor 142.
[0097]
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the scanner 204 is arranged upstream of the laser marker 202 in the transport direction of the package 24, and can read an image prior to printing on the label 156 by the laser marker 202. It has become.
[0098]
As shown in FIG. 9, the scanner 204 includes an image reading unit 212 and an image reading unit using various image reading means such as a CCD camera using a CCD area sensor or the like, a CCD scanner using a CCD line sensor, or a bar code reader. An image processing unit 214 that performs image processing on an image read by the image processing unit 212 is provided.
[0099]
The image reading area of the scanner 204 is set according to the printing area (laser beam irradiation area) by the laser marker 202. In the printing apparatus 200, the laser marker 202 is placed at an arbitrary point on the image read by the scanner 204. Can be irradiated with a laser beam. That is, in the printing apparatus 200, the relative position of the image reading area of the scanner 204 with respect to the laser beam irradiation area of the laser marker 202 is determined in advance.
[0100]
The printing apparatus 200 includes an extraction unit 216 that extracts a label 156 attached to the package 24 from an image read by the scanner 204, and a position such as the position and inclination of the label 156 from the image of the label 156 extracted by the extraction unit 216. A position information generation unit 218 that generates information and a signal conversion unit 220 that converts a pattern signal to be output to the laser control unit 210 of the laser marker 202 based on the position information generated by the position information generation unit 218 are provided.
[0101]
When the sequencer 186 reads the processing history management data for each package 24 from the processing / packaging management computer 190, the sequencer 186 sets information to be printed on the label 156 based on the processing history management data as a print image, and according to the print image The pattern signal (a pattern signal enabling printing of a print image on the label 156) is output to the signal conversion unit 220.
[0102]
By inputting this pattern signal from the signal conversion unit 220 to the laser control unit 210 of the laser marker 202, the print image set by the sequencer 186 can be printed on the label 156.
[0103]
As shown in FIG. 10A, on the label 156 applied to this embodiment, a barcode 222 and an arrow mark 224 are printed at predetermined positions in advance.
[0104]
This bar code 222 is preprinted by converting certain information common to a series of packaging bodies 24 such as a product abbreviation indicating the type of product, manufacturer name, product code, etc. into a bar code. Note that when different information is printed depending on the X-ray film 16 such as a product abbreviation, a label tape 160 provided with a label 156 that matches the product to be processed and packaged when the product type of the X-ray film to be processed is switched. Anything can be exchanged.
[0105]
In the processing and packaging system 10, a character string such as a barcode 226 based on the processing history management data and a number corresponding to the barcode 226 is set at a predetermined position in the margin of the label 156 by the printing device 200 provided in the packaging process 36. 228 is set as a print image (see FIG. 10B), and the sequencer 186 sets a barcode 226 and a character string 228 to be printed on the label 156 of each package 24.
[0106]
The image reading unit 212 of the scanner 204 reads the package 24 conveyed on the conveyor 142 as an image, and the extraction unit 216 extracts the image of the label 156 from the image of the package 24 read by the scanner 204. Extract.
[0107]
In the position information generation unit 218, from the image of the label 156 extracted by the extraction unit 216, the position of the label 156 on the conveyor 142 and the barcode 222 formed on the label 156, the conveyance direction or conveyance of the package 24. The inclination of the label 156 with respect to the direction orthogonal to the direction is detected.
[0108]
As shown in FIG. 11A, the image read by the scanner 202 is inclined when the label 156 is inclined with respect to the scanning direction (for example, the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the package 24, the direction of the arrow Sr). Accordingly, the bar code 222 is also tilted. Note that in FIG. 11A, a part of the barcode 222 is simplified.
[0109]
From this, it can be determined whether or not the label 156 is inclined with respect to the transport direction by detecting whether or not the edge position is shifted in the preset bar 230.
[0110]
That is, if the deviation along the scanning direction (arrow Sr direction) between the m-th edge point Pm of the bar 230 and the n-th edge point Pn is represented by a deviation amount Δd, whether or not the deviation amount Δd is zero. Thus, it can be determined whether or not the label 156 is inclined with respect to the conveyance direction (arrow A direction) of the package 24.
[0111]
Here, when the label 156 is tilted, the tilt of the label 156 with respect to the transport direction (arrow A direction) from the interval D along the direction (transport direction) orthogonal to the scanning direction of the edge point Pm and the edge point Pn. An angle θ is obtained (tan θ = Δd / D). Note that the inclination of the label 156 is obtained from the coordinates (xm, ym) of the edge point Pm and the coordinates (xn, yn) of the edge point Pn with respect to the origin by setting an arbitrary point in the image reading area as the origin in advance. be able to.
[0112]
Further, the position of the label 156 can be determined from the position of the edge point Pm read by the scanner 204, for example, based on the edge point Pm of the bar 230.
[0113]
The signal conversion unit 220 sets the printing start position and inclination when the barcode 226 and the character string 228 are printed on the label 156 by the laser marker 202 from the position and inclination of the label 156, and the pattern signal input from the sequencer 186 Convert.
[0114]
That is, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the inclination angle of the label 156 is an angle θ, the inclination of each bar of the barcode 226 with respect to the scanning direction of the laser beam (arrow Sw direction) corresponds to the angle θ. Make an angle. That is, each bar of the barcode 226 is inclined by an angle θ with respect to the transport direction.
[0115]
Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 10B, each bar of the barcode 226 can be printed on the label 156 in parallel with each bar of the barcode 222 (for example, the bar 230).
[0116]
On the other hand, the printing apparatus 200 reads the conveyance speed of the packaging body 24 by the conveyor 142 as the movement speed of the packaging body 24 via the sequencer 186. In the printing apparatus 200, the movement speed of the packaging body 24, A laser beam irradiation start position is set in accordance with the position of the label 156 read by the scanner 204.
[0117]
Thus, the printing apparatus 200 prints the barcode 226 and the character string 228 at a fixed position with respect to the reference position of the label 156 (for example, the edge point Pm of the bar 230). That is, the printing apparatus 200 prints the barcode 226 and the character string 228 at a fixed position on the label 156 attached to the packaging body 24 while moving the packaging body 24 by the conveyor 142.
[0118]
The operation of this embodiment will be described below.
[0119]
A slit roll 12 </ b> A manufactured from the master roll 12 is loaded into the processing step 30 of the processing and packaging system 10. At this time, processing history data is generated in the production management computer 192 based on the emulsion number and production lot number of the master roll 12, the slit number of the slit roll 12 </ b> A, defect information until the production of the slit roll 12, and the like. .
[0120]
The slit roll 12A is loaded into a decurling device 40. The decurling device 40 removes curl from the web 14 drawn out from the slit roll 12A, and removes a certain amount of the web 14 (X ray film). (The length corresponding to the size of 16) is sent to the cutting device 42 in increments.
[0121]
The cutting device 42 is provided with a rotary oscillating cutter 56. The rotary oscillating cutter 56 is operated in synchronism with the conveyance of the web 14 from the decurling device 40 (suction drum 52), and an X-ray of a predetermined size from the web 14. Film 16 is produced continuously.
[0122]
The produced X-ray film 16 is sent to the sorting and accumulating device 44. The sorting / stacking device 44 controls the sorting gate 62 to stack a predetermined number of X-ray films 16 on the trays 60 of the stacking tables 58A and 58B.
[0123]
In addition, the sequencer 180 provided in the processing step 30 detects a defective product together with the processing results such as the length of the processed web 14 and the number of X-ray films 16 stacked on each of the stacking tables 58A and 58B. The number of defective products of the X-ray film 16 generated at the front end portion or rear end portion of the web 14 is output to the production management computer 192 via the processing and packaging management computer 190.
[0124]
Thereby, the processing history data generated in the production management computer 192 includes the processing history in the processing step 30.
[0125]
The X-ray film 16 accumulated in the tray 60 is taken out by the sheet handling robot 66 and sent to the contact ball mounting step 34. In this hitting ball mounting step 34, a protect hitting ball 18 is mounted on the accumulated X-ray film 16 to form a book 20. In addition, the hitting ball mounting step 34 is provided with a laser marker 122, and a predetermined information based on the processing history management data is barcoded on a label 90 attached to a predetermined position of the hitting ball 18 (base material 74). Print out.
[0126]
The X-ray film 16 is transferred to the packaging process 36 as a book 20. In the packaging process 36, the booklet 20 is wrapped and sealed by the packaging film 22 drawn from a packaging material roll (not shown) while being conveyed by the conveyor 134, and the front fillet 138 formed when the booklet 20 is sealed and packaged. After the back fillet part 140 is folded and overlapped, the front fillet part 138 and the back fillet part 140 are stopped by the label 156 to form the package 24.
[0127]
The package 24 is sent to the boxing step 38, and is accommodated in the decorative box 26. Further, a plurality of decorative boxes 26 are packed in a cardboard box and shipped.
[0128]
By the way, the processing and packaging system 10 is provided with a printing device 200 in the packaging process 36, and prints predetermined information on a label 156 affixed to the packaging body 24.
[0129]
The processing / packaging management computer 190 provided in the processing / packaging system 10 extracts failure information and the like together with production performance data while managing the processing / packaging operations by the sequencers 180 to 188 provided in the respective processes, and the production management computer 192. Output to. The production management computer 192 generates machining history management data based on the production result data, failure information, and the like.
[0130]
When the sequencer 186 provided in the packaging process 36 reads the processing history management data for each package 24 generated by the production management computer 192 through the processing packaging management computer 190 at a predetermined timing, the sequencer 186 A barcode 226 and a character string 228 to be printed on the label 156 of the body 24 are set, and a pattern signal based on the setting is output to the printing apparatus 200.
[0131]
Based on this pattern signal, the printing apparatus 200 irradiates the label 156 affixed to the package 24 conveyed on the conveyor 142 while scanning with a laser beam, whereby a barcode based on the processing history management data is obtained. 226 and the character string 228 are printed on the label 156.
[0132]
Here, the printing on the label 156 by the printing apparatus 200 provided in the packaging process 36 of the processing and packaging system 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0133]
The printing apparatus 200 is provided with a scanner 204 together with the laser marker 202. In the printing apparatus 200, the package 24 conveyed on the conveyor 142 toward the laser marker 202 is read as an image by the scanner 204 (step 300). ).
[0134]
Thereafter, in step 302, the label 156 on the package 24 is extracted from the image read by the scanner 204. In step 304, position information such as the position and inclination of the label 156 is generated from the image of the label 156.
[0135]
In the next step 306, the pattern signal corresponding to the barcode 226 and the character string 228 to be printed on the label 156 and the moving speed that is the transport speed of the package 24 are read from the sequencer 186. In step 208, the position information of the label 156 is read. The pattern signal is converted based on
[0136]
That is, the pattern signal set by the sequencer 186 is converted into a pattern signal for actually irradiating the laser beam toward the label 156.
[0137]
Thereafter, in step 210, irradiation is performed while scanning with a laser beam based on the converted pattern signal, the position information of the label 156, and the moving speed of the package 24.
[0138]
As a result, the barcode 226 and the character string 228 are printed on the label 156 on the package 24 in an appropriate orientation at a certain position regardless of the position of the movement on the conveyor 142 and the inclination of the label 156 with respect to the transport direction. .
[0139]
That is, if the packaging body 24 conveyed by the conveyor 142 is affixed in a state inclined from the label 156 or the packaging body 24 is conveyed in a posture inclined with respect to the conveyance direction, the laser beam from the laser marker 202 is transmitted. It will tilt with respect to the scanning direction.
[0140]
When the barcode 226 and the character string 228 are printed by irradiating the laser beam to the label 156 that moves in an inclined state, the printed barcode 226 and the character string 228 are printed on the label 156 in advance. 222 or the arrow mark 224 may be overlapped, or the laser beam may be irradiated so that the barcode 226 or the character string 228 is partly or entirely removed from the label 156.
[0141]
Even when the position of the label 156 on the package 24 is shifted or the position of the package 24 on the conveyor 142 is shifted, the bar code 226 and the character string 228 are printed on the label 156 in advance. The laser beam may be irradiated so that it overlaps the code 222, the arrow mark 224, or the like, or a part or all of the bar code 226 or the character string 228 is detached from the label 156.
[0142]
On the other hand, in the printing apparatus 200, when printing is performed by irradiating the laser beam onto the label 156 on the packaging body 24 conveyed by the conveyor 142, the packaging body 24 conveyed by the conveyor 142 is photographed by the scanner 204. The label 156 is extracted from the image (image data), the position and inclination of the label 156 are determined, and based on the determination result, the label 156 is irradiated with a laser beam for printing.
[0143]
As a result, the printing apparatus 200 can print the barcode 226 and the character string 228 at a predetermined position on the label 156 in an accurate and appropriate direction regardless of the inclination and the transport position of the label 156.
[0144]
The present embodiment described above shows an example and does not limit the configuration of the present invention. For example, in the present embodiment, the barcode 226 and the character string 228 are printed, but the print image printed on the label 156 is not limited to this, and can be applied to printing arbitrary information or an arbitrary image. be able to.
[0145]
In the present embodiment, the bar code 222 printed in advance on the label 156 is used when detecting the position, inclination, and the like of the label 156. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is possible to use straight portions such as characters and images printed at certain positions, preferably straight portions formed along the transport direction or the direction orthogonal to the transport direction.
[0146]
In this embodiment, the moving speed of the label 156 is read from the sequencer 186 as the transport speed of the package 24 by the conveyor 142. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the rotational speed is determined according to the transport speed of the conveyor 142. The transfer speed may be detected from a pulse signal output from the rotary encoder using a rotary encoder or the like that changes, and this makes it possible to accurately detect changes in the transfer speed and the transfer amount (movement amount). .
[0147]
Further, the moving speed may be detected by detecting the moving speed of the label 156 using the scanner 204.
[0148]
In this case, an arbitrary point (for example, the edge point Pm) on the label 156 is set as a reference point, the package 24 is read by the scanner 202 at a predetermined time interval, and between the read labels 156 is read. The moving speed of the label 156 may be determined from the moving amount (deviation) of the reference point and the reading time interval.
[0149]
In the present embodiment, the thermal recording paper is used as the label 156 and the label 156 is printed by the laser beam. However, the printing means and the material of the label are not limited to this. As the printing means, for example, any printing means can be used as long as printing according to image data can be performed on various recording papers and recording materials such as an ink jet printer, and the label is attached to the printing means. A suitable material may be used.
[0150]
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the pattern signal when the laser beam is scanned onto the label 156 by the laser marker 202 is converted. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the scanning direction or scanning start position of the laser beam by the laser marker 202 is used. Etc. may be mechanically moved. That is, the laser marker 202 is provided with a rotating means, and the laser marker 202 is rotated according to the inclination of the label 156 so that the scanning direction of the laser beam is inclined. You may move to the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the package 24, etc.
[0151]
Further, in the present embodiment, the packaging body 24 in which the X-ray film 16 is hermetically packaged is used as a workpiece, and the printing on the label 156 attached to the packaging body 24 is described as an example. The present invention is not limited to 24 and can be applied to printing on a label provided on an arbitrary workpiece.
[0152]
Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the one that is conveyed at a predetermined conveyance speed, and may be one that is placed opposite to the printing means in a state where the work to which the label is stuck is stopped and printed. Also in this case, it is possible to print a predetermined print image in a fixed direction at a fixed position on the label without accurately positioning the label on the workpiece with respect to the printing unit.
[0153]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the position and inclination of a label affixed to a workpiece such as a packaging body in a non-contact manner is accurately extracted using an image reading unit, and a label is based on the extracted information. Therefore, an excellent effect can be obtained that a print image can be printed in a proper orientation at a preset position on the label regardless of the position and inclination of the label with respect to the printing means.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a flow of processing in a processing and packaging system applied to a mobile phone according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration perspective view showing an example of a processing step and an integration step.
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration perspective view showing an example of a contact ball mounting step.
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration perspective view showing an example of a labeling device.
FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration perspective view showing an example of an arrangement of a folding device and a laser marker.
FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration perspective view showing an example of a packaging process.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control system provided in the processing and packaging system.
FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration perspective view showing an example of an arrangement of a scanner and a laser marker of the printing apparatus provided in the downstream portion of the packaging process.
FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the printing apparatus.
FIGS. 10A and 10B are schematic views showing an example of a label affixed to a package. FIG. 10A shows before printing, and FIG. 10B shows after printing.
FIGS. 11A and 11B are schematic views showing a main part of a label read by a scanner, and FIG. 11B is a schematic view showing a main part of a label on which a barcode and a character string are printed with a laser marker.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an outline of a printing process.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Processing packaging system
12 Master roll
14 Web
16 X Ray Film
18 hitting ball
20 books
22 Packaging film
24 Packaging
26 Cosmetic box
28 products
30 Machining process
32 Integration process
34 Hitting ball mounting process
36 Packaging process
38 Boxing process
142 Conveyor (conveying means)
154 Labeling device
156 label
180-188 sequencer
190 Processing packaging management computer
192 Production management computer
200 Printing device
202 Laser marker (printing means)
204 scanner (image reading means)
212 Image reading unit (image reading means)
216 Extraction unit (extraction means)
218 Position information generation unit (extraction means)
220 Signal converter
222 Barcode
224 arrow mark
226 barcode (printed image)
228 character string (print image)
230 bar

Claims (5)

A label printing method for printing a predetermined print image such as characters and symbols by a printing means at a fixed position on a label affixed to the surface of a work in a fixed direction,
The image of the workpiece including the label is read by reading means arranged at a position where the relative position is determined with respect to the printing means,
Extracting the relative position of the label with respect to the printing means and the inclination of the label with respect to the printing direction by the printing means from the read image,
A label printing method, wherein printing is performed by setting a print position and orientation of the print image by the printing means based on the extraction result. When the work is transported by the transport means, the reading means is arranged at a predetermined position upstream of the printing means in the transport direction of the work, image reading is performed, and the label is printed based on the read image. The label printing method according to claim 1, wherein: The label printing method according to claim 2, wherein the moving speed of the workpiece by the conveying unit is read, and the print image is printed on the label in accordance with the moving speed. 4. The work according to claim 1, wherein the workpiece is a package in which a photosensitive material is packaged with a packaging material, and the label is printed on the package after the label is pasted on the package. Label printing method. The label printing method according to claim 4, wherein information based on the photosensitive material in the package is printed as the printed image.

Images