JP2016144915A - Label issuing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a label issuing device which performs printing on a label to be attached to an article, issues the printed label, and issues a label that is high in visibility of description expressing that the article includes a specific substance and that prevents misunderstanding of the specific substance included in the article.SOLUTION: A measuring printer comprises a first printing part which performs printing on a label L1 to be attached to a product and issues the label printed by the first printing part. The first printing part performs printing on the label so that an allergic substance is described by a graphic form expressing the allergic substance and a mark M expressing the allergic substance when printing such information that the product includes the allergic substance on the label.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a label issuing device, and more particularly to a label issuing device that performs printing on a label attached to an article and issues the printed label.

  As demands for food safety and security increase, it is increasingly required to present to consumers, etc. in an easy-to-understand manner whether or not substances that affect health or life are contained in articles.

  Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-361194) includes a label indicating that an allergic substance is included in an article by printing a list of allergic substance names and marking the allergic substance name. A label issuing device for printing is disclosed.

  However, in such a label with the listed substance names marked, it is likely that a substance name described as being included in an article is mistaken as another substance name. In addition, it is difficult to recognize a substance showing content instantly with a label with a name on the listed substance name, and it is inconvenient for consumers to take a long time to confirm the label.

  An object of the present invention is a label issuing device that performs printing on a label attached to an article and issues the printed label, which has high visibility of notation indicating that the article contains a specific substance, and is included in the article It is an object to provide a label issuing device for issuing a label that is unlikely to cause misidentification of a specific substance.

  A label issuing device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a first printing unit that prints on a label attached to an article, and issues a label printed by the first printing unit. The first printing unit prints on the label so that the specific substance is indicated by a mark including a graphic representing the specific substance and a character representing the specific substance when the article is printed on the label. Do.

  In the label issuing device according to the first aspect of the present invention, a label on which a mark including a figure and a character representing a specific substance is printed as a label for indicating that the article contains the specific substance. Since the label on which the mark is printed has high visibility of the specific substance, the consumer can accurately recognize the specific substance contained in the labeled article in a short time.

  The label issuing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention is the label issuing apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising an area size adjusting unit and a label length adjusting unit. The area size adjusting unit adjusts the size of the mark printing area for printing the mark based on the number of marks printed on the label. The label length adjustment unit adjusts the length of the label based on the size of the mark printing area.

  In the label issuing device according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the size of the mark printing area is adjusted based on the number of marks, it is possible to suppress useless blanks on the label where nothing is printed. Since the length of the label is adjusted based on the size of the mark printing area, the label roll can be saved and it is economical.

  The label issuing apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention is the label issuing apparatus according to the first aspect or the second aspect, and the first printing unit prints the mark on the label in color.

  In the label issuing apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, since the mark is printed in color on the label, the visibility of the specific substance is particularly high, and it is difficult for consumers to overlook the mark printed on the label. It is easy to accurately recognize a specific substance contained in an article with a mark in a short time.

  The label issuing device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is the label issuing device according to the third aspect, and further includes a second printing unit that prints the label in black and white separately from the first printing unit. The second printing unit prints on the label in cases other than printing on the label that the article contains the specific substance.

  In the label issuing device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the mark indicating the specific substance is color-printed by the first printing unit, while the article contains a specific substance other than printing on the label (that is, the mark) 2), the second printing unit prints the label in black and white, so that an increase in label production cost can be suppressed.

  A label issuing device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the label issuing device according to the fourth aspect, wherein the first printing unit labels only the contents including the mark and indicating that the article includes the specific substance. To print.

  In the label issuing device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the first printing unit capable of color printing is used only for printing on the label the content for indicating that the article contains the specific substance, Since the printing is performed by the second printing unit that prints in black and white, even if the mark indicating the specific substance is printed in color, the increase in the cost of creating the label that occurs by using the first printing unit that can perform color printing is It can be minimized.

  The label issuing device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is the label issuing device according to any of the third to fifth aspects, and there are a plurality of types of specific substances. The label issuing device further includes a print color setting unit. The printing color setting unit sets the color for the first printing unit to print the mark on the label for each type of specific substance.

  In the label issuing device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when there are a plurality of types of specific substances, a mark is printed on the label with a color set for each type. It can be recognized not only by characters but also by color. Therefore, the visibility of the specific substance on the label can be further improved.

  A label issuing device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the label issuing device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, further comprising a layout setting unit. The layout setting unit sets a label printing layout. The first printing unit further prints a mark printing field and prints a mark in the mark printing field. The layout setting unit sets a print layout of marks in the mark print field according to a predetermined format.

  In the label issuing apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the mark printing layout in the mark printing field is set in accordance with a predetermined format, so that the mark is arranged in the mark printing field of the label so that the visibility is high. can do.

  A label issuing device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the label issuing device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, and the specific substance is an allergic substance.

  In the label issuing device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the visibility of the allergen labeling by the mark is high, consumers and the like accurately recognize the allergen contained in the labeled item in a short time. it can.

  The label issuing device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention is the label issuing device according to the eighth aspect, wherein the first printing unit prints on the label that the article contains an allergic substance with heavy allergic symptoms. The label is printed so that the mark indicating the allergic substance is highlighted.

  In the label issuing device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to increase the visibility of a mark indicating an allergic substance having a heavy allergic symptom, and the possibility that a consumer or the like overlooks the content of an allergic substance having a heavy allergic symptom. In particular, it can be reduced.

  A label issuing device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the label issuing device according to the eighth aspect, wherein the first printing unit includes the allergen when the article does not include an allergic substance having a severe allergic symptom. Print on the label so that there is no indication.

  In the label issuing device according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, since the label indicates that allergic substances with severe allergic symptoms are not contained in the article, consumers who are allergic to the allergic substances include the allergic substances. It is easy to recognize that the product is not available, and the product can be purchased with peace of mind.

  In the label issuing apparatus according to the present invention, a label on which a mark including a figure and a character representing the specific substance is printed is issued as a label for indicating that the article contains the specific substance. Since the label on which the mark is printed has high visibility of the specific substance, the consumer can accurately recognize the specific substance contained in the labeled article in a short time.

It is a perspective view of the measurement printer which concerns on 1st Embodiment of the label issuing apparatus of this invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the weighing printer in FIG. 1. It is an example of the label printed by the 1st printing part of the measurement printer of FIG. It is an example of the label printed by the 2nd printing part of the measurement printer of FIG. In the label of FIG. 3, it is a figure which shows the state which reduced the number of the marks showing an allergic substance to three, without adjusting the size of the area | region for mark printing. It is another example of the label printed by the 1st printing part of the measurement printer of FIG. Compared to the label of FIG. 3, the size (height) of the mark printing area is adjusted to be small. It is another example of the label printed by the 1st printing part of the measurement printer of FIG. Compared with the label of FIG. 3, the size (height) of the mark printing area is adjusted to be large. It is another example of the label printed by the 1st printing part of the measurement printer of FIG. The layout setting unit centers the mark printing position within the mark printing area. It is a flowchart of the label issuing process of the weighing printer of FIG. It is an example of the label printed by the 1st printing part of the weighing printer of modification 1D. The label is printed only with content to indicate that the product contains allergic substances. It is an example of the label printed by the 1st printing part of the measurement printer of the modification 1E. A mark indicating an allergic substance with a severe allergic symptom is highlighted on the label (larger than the mark indicating another allergic substance). It is an example of the label printed by the 1st printing part of the weighing printer of modification 1F. The label states that the product does not contain allergic substances with severe allergic symptoms. It is an example of the label printed by the 1st printing part of the weighing printer of modification 1G. It is a perspective view of the measurement printer which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of the label issuing apparatus of this invention. It is a block diagram of the measurement printer of FIG.

  An embodiment of a label issuing device according to the present invention is shown below. The following embodiments are merely specific examples and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

<First Embodiment>
A weighing printer 10 according to a first embodiment of a label issuing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(1) Overall Configuration FIG. 1 shows an external perspective view of the weighing printer 10.

  The weighing printer 10 is a device that prints and issues a label for attaching to a product (article) such as food. Specifically, the weighing printer 10 measures the weight of a certain product, prints information on the product based on various information and measurement values, and prints the printed label (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Issuing device. The weighing printer 10 is configured to print the allergic substance (information that can specify the type of allergic substance) contained in the product on a label attached to the product containing the allergic substance (an example of the specific substance). . For example, the weighing printer 10 is installed in a store such as a supermarket.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the weighing printer 10 includes a communication unit 20, a weighing unit 30, a liquid crystal monitor 40, an operation panel 50, a first printing unit 60, a second printing unit 70, and a control. The unit 80 is mainly included.

(2) Detailed Configuration The communication unit 20, the weighing unit 30, the liquid crystal monitor 40, the operation panel 50, the first printing unit 60, the second printing unit 70, and the control unit 80 of the weighing printer 10 will be described in detail.

(2-1) Communication Unit The communication unit 20 is a communication interface that enables mutual communication between the weighing printer 10 and a store server 90 (see FIG. 2) described later. The communication unit 20 and the store server 90 are connected by a communication line such as the Internet or a dedicated line, for example. In FIG. 2, the store server 90 is connected to only one weighing printer 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. The store server 90 may be connected to a plurality of weighing printers 10.

  The store server 90 has a database 91 that stores product information (various information about products) used when the weighing printer 10 prints on a label. The store server 90 is installed in the same store as the store where the weighing printer 10 is installed, for example. In the database 91 of the store server 90, product information is stored for each product (by product code). The product information includes raw material information. The raw material information includes a character string of the name of the raw material of the product. In addition to raw material information, the product information may further include, for example, the name of the product, the unit price of the product, a list of food additives contained in the product, the name of the seller of the product, the name of the producer of the product, etc. Good. However, the product information is not limited to these pieces of information, and other information may be included instead of or in addition to a part of these pieces of information.

  The store server 90 is connected to the weighing printer 10 in a communicable manner, and is also connected to a higher-level central server (not shown) via a communication line such as the Internet or a dedicated line. The central server is usually installed at a location different from the store server 90. The contents of the database 91 of the store server 90 are updated regularly (for example, once a day) by the central server in accordance with addition / deletion of products handled in the store and changes in product information.

(2-2) Weighing unit The weighing unit 30 is an electronic scale for weighing the product. The weighing unit 30 is provided on the front side of the weighing printer 10 (see FIG. 1). The measuring unit 30 measures the weight of a product to which the issued label is attached. The weighing unit 30 measures the weight of a product placed on the weighing pan 30a (see FIG. 1) by a user of the weighing printer 10 (hereinafter, simply referred to as a user) and sends the measured value to the control unit 80. Send.

(2-3) Liquid Crystal Monitor The liquid crystal monitor 40 is a touch panel monitor. The liquid crystal monitor 40 is attached to the upper part of the weighing printer 10 (see FIG. 1). Various information for the user is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 40. The liquid crystal monitor 40 displays various screens for prompting the user to perform operations.

  The liquid crystal monitor 40 also functions as an input unit. Specifically, the liquid crystal monitor 40 accepts various operations by the user as input.

(2-4) Operation Panel The operation panel 50 functions as an input unit. The operation panel 50 is a key for receiving various operations by the user of the weighing printer 10 as input. The operation panel 50 is disposed on the upper surface of the weighing printer 10 (see FIG. 1).

  Specifically, the operation panel 50 specifies, for example, a call key for calling information related to the selected product, a numeric keypad for selecting a product for which a label is issued, and a product by directly touching the operation panel 50. A PLU (Price Look Up) key for calling up information is provided. However, the types of keys on the operation panel 50 are examples, and are not limited to these.

(2-5) First Printing Unit The first printing unit 60 performs printing on a label attached to a product. A label printed by the first printing unit 60 is referred to as a label L1. The label L1 printed by the first printing unit 60 is issued from a label issuing port 60a (see FIG. 1) provided on the front surface of the weighing printer 10.

  The first printing unit 60 prints a predetermined content on the label L1 for a product containing allergic substances. Here, seven kinds of allergic substances (soba, peanut, egg, crab, milk, wheat, shrimp) called specific raw materials are called allergic substances.

  The first printing unit 60 is a color printer. The first printing unit 60 is, for example, an ink jet printer. However, the printing method of the first printing unit 60 is merely an example, and various printing methods such as a thermal transfer method can be used.

  The first printing unit 60 includes a cutting unit 60b. The first printing unit 60 prints predetermined contents on a label sheet (not shown) fed out from a label roll (not shown), and cuts the label L1 by the cutting means 60b. The cutting position of the label sheet by the cutting means 60b is determined based on the label length determined by the label length adjusting unit 81d of the control unit 81 of the control unit 80 described later.

  The predetermined content printed on the label L1 includes a notation of allergic substances (see FIG. 3). In the first printing unit 60, the allergen contained in the product to be printed on the label L1 is represented by a mark M including a figure representing the allergic substance and a character (name of the allergic substance) representing the allergic substance. Then, printing is performed on the label L1 (see FIG. 3).

  The first printing unit 60 prints the mark M on the label L1 in color. The color for printing the mark M is set for each type of allergic substance by a print color setting unit 81e of the control unit 81 of the control unit 80 described later.

  The first printing unit 60 prints a mark printing field (frame line) B and prints a mark M in the mark printing field B (see FIG. 3). The print layout of the mark M in the mark print field B is set by a layout setting unit 81c of the control unit 81 of the control unit 80 described later.

  The predetermined contents printed on the label L1 include, for example, the name of the product, the unit price of the product (price per unit weight), the weight of the product, the price of the product, as shown in FIG. The name of the raw material of the product, the name of the food additive used in the product, the name of the seller of the product, etc. are included. However, the predetermined content printed on the label L1 is not limited to these items, and includes other items instead of or in addition to some of these items. Also good.

  The first printing unit 60 prints a single color (for example, black) on the label L1 except for the mark M indicating the allergic substance. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first printing unit 60 may use a plurality of colors for printing other than the mark M.

(2-6) Second Printing Unit The second printing unit 70 performs printing on a label attached to a product. A label printed by the second printing unit 70 is referred to as a label L2. The label L2 printed by the second printing unit 70 is issued from a label issuing port 70a (see FIG. 1) provided on the front surface of the weighing printer 10.

  The second printing unit 70 prints a predetermined content on the label L2 for a product that does not contain allergic substances. That is, the second printing unit 70 prints a predetermined content on the label L2 for a product for which no label is printed by the first printing unit 60.

  The second printing unit 70 is a monochrome (monochrome) printer. The second printing unit 70 is, for example, a direct thermal printer. However, the printing method of the second printing unit 70 is merely an example, and various printing methods such as a thermal transfer method and an ink jet method can be used.

  The second printing unit 70 has cutting means 70b. Similarly to the first printing unit 60, the second printing unit 70 prints predetermined contents on a label sheet (not shown) fed from a label roll (not shown), and cuts the label L2 by the cutting means 70b. And The cutting position of the label sheet by the cutting means 70b is determined based on the label length determined by the label length adjusting unit 81d of the control unit 81 of the control unit 80 described later.

  The predetermined content printed on the label L2 does not include the mark M indicating the allergic substance (see FIG. 4). The predetermined contents printed on the label L2 include, for example, the product name, the unit price of the product (price per unit weight), the weight of the product, the price of the product, the name of the raw material of the product, and the product. The name of the food additive used, the name of the seller of the product, etc. are included. However, the predetermined content printed on the label L2 is not limited to these items, but includes other items instead of or in addition to some of these items. Also good.

(2-7) Control Unit The control unit 80 is electrically connected to the communication unit 20, the weighing unit 30, the liquid crystal monitor 40, the operation panel 50, the first printing unit 60, and the second printing unit 70 (see FIG. 2). The control unit 80 receives various types of information from each configuration of the connected weighing printer 10 and controls the operation of each configuration.

  The control unit 80 includes a control unit 81 mainly composed of a CPU and a storage unit 82 mainly composed of ROM, RAM and the like. The control unit 81 controls each unit of the weighing printer 10 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 82. The storage unit 82 stores various types of information in addition to a program to be executed by the control unit 81.

  The control unit 81 includes a print content determination unit 81a, a region size adjustment unit 81b, a layout setting unit 81c, a label length adjustment unit 81d, a print color setting unit 81e, and a print control unit 81f as functional units related to label printing. Have.

(2-7-1) Print Content Determination Unit The print content determination unit 81a is configured to use labels (labels L1, L2) based on the product information read from the database 91 of the store server 90, the measurement value of the measurement unit 30, and the like. ) Is determined. For example, the print content determination unit 81a includes predetermined items included in the product information (for example, product name, product unit price, product raw material name, food additive name used in the product, product seller name, etc.). Is determined as the print content. For example, the print content determination unit 81a determines the measurement value transmitted from the measurement unit 30 to the control unit 80 as the print content as the weight of the product. Further, for example, the print content determination unit 81a multiplies the product unit price by the measurement value of the measurement unit 30, and determines the product of the unit price and the measurement value as the print content as the product price.

  Further, the print content determination unit 81a determines whether or not an allergen is contained in the product for which the label is issued based on the raw material information included in the product information. If it is determined that an allergic substance is contained, the print content determination unit 81a determines the mark M indicating the allergic substance as the print content.

  The print content determination unit 81a determines whether or not an allergen is contained in the product for which the label is issued based on the raw material information included in the product information. Specifically, the print content determination unit 81a includes an allergic substance in the product based on a character string search of the material name of the product included in the material information of the product read from the database 91 of the store server 90. Judgment is made.

  The determination process will be described with a specific example. In the storage unit 82, for example, names of allergic substances such as “Soba / Soba”, “Peanut”, “Egg”,. The print content determination unit 81a performs a character string search to determine whether the name of the allergen contained in the storage unit 82 is included in the raw material name of the product included in the raw material information of the product read from the database 91. . For example, if the raw material name includes the character string “Soba / Soba”, the print content determination unit 81a determines that the product includes “Soba” as an allergic substance. The print content determination unit 81a determines whether allergic substances are included in the product for all (seven types here) allergens.

  The determination process by the print content determination unit 81a is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the database 91 stores, as part of the product information, data for identifying allergens contained in the product (for example, the name of the allergen contained in the product, a code that can identify the allergen contained in the product, etc.). In this case, the print content determination unit 81a may determine whether the product contains allergens based on allergen data included in the products.

  When the print content determination unit 81a determines the mark M indicating the allergic substance as the print content for one or more types of allergic substances, the print content determined by the print content determination unit 81a is determined by the first print unit 60. Printed. On the other hand, if the print content determination unit 81a determines not to include the mark M indicating allergic substances in the print content for all allergens, the print content determined by the print content determination unit 81a is the second Printing is performed by the printing unit 70.

(2-7-2) Area Size Adjustment Unit The area size adjustment unit 81b is an area for printing an item for each item included in the print content based on the print content determined by the print content determination unit 81a. Adjust the size. It should be noted that the area arrangement (that is, which item in the print content is printed where) is determined by default or by input from the input unit (the liquid crystal monitor 40 and / or the operation panel 50). . The area size adjustment unit 81b adjusts the size of each area based on the print contents (for example, based on the number of characters of each item of the print contents).

  The area size adjustment unit 81b adjusts the size of the mark printing area R on which the mark M is printed when the print content determined by the print content determination unit 81a includes the mark M indicating the allergen. .

  The mark printing area R is a printing area for printing the mark M. Here, the mark printing area R is an area in the mark printing field B (see FIG. 3). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the first printing unit 60 is set not to print the mark printing field B, the mark printing area R is an area that cannot be specified by looking at the label L1. It may be.

  In the present embodiment, a maximum of three marks M are printed in the horizontal direction in the mark printing area R (in the mark printing field B) (see FIG. 3). If the number of marks M is greater than 3, the marks M are printed in a plurality of rows (see FIG. 3).

  For example, when there are three marks M to be described, it is assumed that the three marks M are printed in a mark printing area R (see FIG. 3) having a size that allows the marks M to be printed in two stages. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, there are many useless blanks in the label, and the label roll of the first printing unit 60 is consumed uselessly with respect to the print amount. Further, for example, when the number of marks M printed on the label is seven, all the marks M are included in the printing area R (see FIG. 3) having the same size as when the marks M are printed in two stages. Cannot be printed.

  Therefore, the area size adjustment unit 81b determines the mark M based on the number of marks M printed on the label when the printing content determined by the printing content determination unit 81a includes the mark M indicating the allergic substance. The size of the mark printing area R to be printed is adjusted.

  Specifically, if the number of marks M printed on the label L1 is 3 or less, the area size adjustment unit 81b is configured to provide the height (length in the vertical direction) of the mark printing area R as shown in FIG. 6A. Is adjusted to RH1. If the number of marks M printed on the label L1 is 4 or more and 6 or less, the area size adjustment unit 81b adjusts the height of the mark printing area R to RH2 (RH2> RH1) as shown in FIG. To do. If the number of marks M printed on the label L1 is 7, the area size adjusting unit 81b adjusts the height of the mark printing area R to RH3 (RH3> RH2) as shown in FIG. 6B.

  The configuration in which up to three marks M are printed in the horizontal direction in the mark printing region R is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the mark printing area R, only two or less marks M may be printed in the horizontal direction. For example, four or more marks M may be printed in the mark printing region R in the horizontal direction. Also in these cases, the area size adjustment unit 81b is configured to adjust the height of the mark printing area R based on the number of marks M printed on the label.

(2-7-3) Layout Setting Unit The layout setting unit 81c sets a layout for printing labels (labels L1 and L2). Specifically, the layout setting unit 81c sets the print layout so that each item included in the print content determined by the print content determination unit 81a is arranged at a predetermined position on the label.

  When the mark M is included in the print content determined by the print content determination unit 81a, the layout setting unit 81c sets the print layout of the mark M in the mark print field B according to a predetermined format for the mark M. To do. Specifically, the layout setting unit 81c centers the position of the mark M in the mark printing field B (particularly when three marks M are not arranged in the horizontal direction). For example, when only two marks M are printed in the mark printing field B, the layout setting unit 81c arranges two marks M at the center in the horizontal direction in the mark printing field B as shown in FIG. To do.

  The predetermined format used when the layout setting unit 81c sets the layout for printing the mark M is not limited to centering the position of the mark M in the mark printing field B. For example, the predetermined format may be a method in which the mark M is left-justified within the mark printing field B. The predetermined style may be determined as appropriate so that the mark M can be easily seen.

(2-7-4) Label Length Adjusting Unit The label length adjusting unit 81d is configured to adjust the label (label) based on the size of the area for printing each item included in the print content adjusted by the area size adjusting unit 81b. The length of L1, L2), that is, the height of the label (length in the vertical direction) is adjusted.

  The label length adjustment unit 81d, when the mark M indicating the allergic substance is included in the print content, the size (height) of the mark printing area R and the area for printing items other than the mark M Adjust the label length based on the size (height). Specifically, the label length adjusting unit 81d prevents unnecessary margins from being generated in the label as much as possible based on, for example, the size of the mark printing region R and the size of the region for printing items other than the mark M. In addition, the length of the label is adjusted so that areas for printing each item do not overlap each other. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3, 6A, and 6B, the label length adjustment unit 81d performs labeling as the height of the mark printing region R increases to RH1, RH2 (> RH1), RH3 (> RH2). The length of L1 is adjusted to be longer as H1, H2 (> H1), and H3 (> H2).

(2-7-5) Print Color Setting Unit The print color setting unit 81e sets the color that the first printing unit 60 prints the mark M on the label L1 for each type of allergic substance.

  For example, the print color setting unit 81e is based on a table in which allergen names and colors are stored in advance in the storage unit 82, so that “soba” is “purple”, “peanut” is brown, and “egg” is “green” "Kani" is "red", "milk" is "blue", "wheat" is "yellow", "shrimp" is "orange", etc. Set.

  The table in which the allergic substance names and colors stored in the storage unit 82 are associated with each other may be configured to be changed by the user of the weighing printer 10 via the liquid crystal monitor 40 or the operation panel 50. .

  Here, the print color setting unit 81e sets the color of the mark M of each allergic substance to a different color, but the present invention is not limited to this. The print color setting unit 81e may set the color of the mark M of some or all allergens to be the same.

(2-7-6) Print Control Unit The print control unit 81f controls the first print unit 60 and the second print unit 70, and causes the first print unit 60 and the second print unit 70 to print labels.

  When the print content determined by the print content determination unit 81a includes the mark M indicating the allergen, the print control unit 81f instructs the first printing unit 60 to execute the label L1. On the other hand, if the printing content determined by the printing content determination unit 81a does not include the mark M indicating the allergen, the printing control unit 81f instructs the second printing unit 70 to execute the label L2.

  The first print unit 60 and the second print unit 70 are a print content determined by the print content determination unit 81a, a region size for printing each item of the print content adjusted by the region size adjustment unit 81b, and a layout setting unit. The label printing layout set by 81c, the label length adjusted by the label length adjustment unit 81d (for the first printing unit 60, the allergen mark M set by the printing color setting unit 81e A label is printed and issued based on the color).

(3) Flow of Label Issuance Processing A flow of label issuance processing of the weighing printer 10 (labels L1 and L2) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When issuing a label for a certain product, the user of the weighing printer 10 selects a target product for which a label is to be issued via the input unit (the liquid crystal monitor 40 and / or the operation panel 50) (Step S1). S1).

  When the input unit (the liquid crystal monitor 40 and / or the operation panel 50) accepts the product selection operation in step S1, the control unit 81 stores the product information about the product (from the database 91 of the store server 90 via the communication unit 20). (Including raw material information) is read (step S2).

  In step S3, the print content determination unit 81a determines the print content to be printed on the label based on the product information read from the database 91 in step S2 and the measurement value transmitted from the measurement unit 30. The print content determination unit 81a determines whether allergic substances are contained in the product for which the label is issued when determining the print content. If it is determined that the product contains an allergic substance, the print content determination unit 81a includes a mark M indicating the allergic substance in the print content.

  In step S4, the region size adjustment unit 81b adjusts the size of the region for printing each item included in the print content based on the print content determined by the print content determination unit 81a. When the print content determined by the print content determination unit 81a includes the mark M indicating the allergen, the region size adjustment unit 81b also adjusts the size of the mark print region R for printing the mark M.

  In step S5, the layout setting unit 81c sets the print layout so that each item of the print content determined by the print content determination unit 81a is arranged at a predetermined position on the label. The layout setting unit 81c sets the printing layout of the mark M in the mark printing field B according to a predetermined format when the printing content determined by the printing content determination unit 81a includes the mark M indicating the allergen. To do. Specifically, the layout setting unit 81c sets the print layout of the mark M in the mark print field B so that the mark M is printed at the center in the horizontal direction in the mark print field B.

  In step S6, the size of the area for printing each item included in the print content adjusted by the area size adjustment unit 81b (when the mark M is included in the print content includes the mark print area R) is set. Based on this, the length (height) of the label is adjusted.

  In step S7, it is determined whether or not the print content determined by the print content determination unit 81a includes the mark M indicating the allergen. If the print content includes the mark M, the process proceeds to step S8. If the print content does not include the mark M, the process proceeds to step S9.

  In step S8, the print control unit 81f instructs the first printing unit 60 to print the label L1. The first printing unit 60 is instructed by the print control unit 81f based on the result of the processing from step S3 to step S6, the setting of the color of the mark M for each allergic substance set by the printing color setting unit 81e, and the like. The label L1 is printed and issued. The label L1 printed by the first printing unit 60 is issued from the label issuing port 60a.

  In step S9, the print control unit 81f instructs the second print unit 70 to print the label L2. The second printing unit 70 prints and issues a label L2 (the mark M is not printed) based on the result of the processing from step S3 to step S6 and the like according to an instruction from the printing control unit 81f. The label L2 printed by the second printing unit 70 is issued from the label issuing port 70a.

  The label issuing process described above is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the order of steps may be changed within a consistent range. Further, for example, a part of the steps may be executed in parallel with the other steps as long as there is no contradiction.

(4) Features (4-1)
The weighing printer 10 as an example of the label issuing device according to the embodiment includes the first printing unit 60 that prints on the label L1 attached to the product, and issues the label L1 printed by the first printing unit 60. To do. The first printing unit 60 represents an allergic substance when the product prints on the label L1 that it contains allergic substances (in this case, seven kinds of allergic substances called specific raw materials) that are examples of specific substances. Printing is performed on the label L1 so that the allergic substance is represented by the mark M including characters representing the graphic and the allergic substance.

  Here, as a label for indicating that the product contains allergic substances, a label L1 on which a mark M including graphics and characters representing allergic substances is printed is issued. Since the label L1 on which the mark M is printed has high visibility of the allergic substance notation, consumers and the like can accurately recognize allergic substances contained in the product with the label L1 in a short time.

(4-2)
The weighing printer 10 according to the embodiment includes an area size adjustment unit 81b and a label length adjustment unit 81d. The area size adjusting unit 81b adjusts the size of the mark printing area R for printing the mark M based on the number of the marks M printed on the label L1. The label length adjustment unit 81d adjusts the length of the label L1 based on the size of the mark printing region R.

  Here, since the size of the mark printing region R is adjusted based on the number of the marks M, it is possible to suppress the useless blank space on the label L1 where nothing is printed. Since the length of the label L1 is adjusted based on the size of the mark printing region R, the label roll can be saved and it is economical.

(4-3)
In the weighing printer 10 according to the embodiment, the first printing unit 60 prints the mark M in color on the label L1.

  Here, since the mark M is printed in color on the label L1, the visibility of allergens is particularly high, and it is difficult for consumers to overlook the mark M printed on the label L1, and the product with the label L1 attached. It is easy to recognize allergens contained in the food accurately in a short time.

(4-4)
The weighing printer 10 according to the embodiment includes a second printing unit 70 that prints on the label L2 in black and white, which is different from the first printing unit 60. The second printing unit 70 prints on the label L2 in cases other than printing on the label that the product contains allergic substances.

  Here, the mark M indicating the allergic substance is color-printed by the first printing unit 60, and on the other hand, in the case other than printing on the label that the product contains the allergic substance (that is, the mark M need not be printed). In this case, since the second printing unit 70 prints the label L2 in black and white, an increase in label production costs can be suppressed.

(4-5)
In the weighing printer 10 according to the embodiment, there are a plurality of types of allergic substances. The weighing printer 10 includes a print color setting unit 81e. The print color setting unit 81e sets the color that the first print unit 60 prints the mark M on the label L1 for each type of allergic substance.

  Here, since the mark M is printed on the label L1 in a color set for each type of allergic substance, the type of allergic substance can be recognized not only by graphics and characters but also by color. Therefore, the visibility of the allergen labeling on the label L1 can be further improved.

(4-6)
The weighing printer 10 according to the embodiment includes a layout setting unit 81c. The layout setting unit 81c sets a label printing layout. The first printing unit 60 prints the mark print field B and prints the mark M in the mark print field B. The layout setting unit 81c sets the printing layout of the mark M in the mark printing field B according to a predetermined format. Specifically, the layout setting unit 81c centers the position of the mark M in the mark print field B.

  Here, since the printing layout of the mark M in the mark printing field B is set according to a predetermined format, the mark M can be arranged in the mark printing field B of the label L1 so that the visibility is high.

(5) Modification A modification of the first embodiment is shown below. Note that a plurality of modified examples may be combined within a consistent range.

(5-1) Modification 1A
In the above embodiment, when the product includes seven kinds of allergens called specific raw materials, the first printing unit 60 prints the label L1 including the mark M indicating the allergen, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is not something.

  For example, the first printing unit 60 has allergens other than the above seven types, for example, 20 types of allergens called equivalent to specific raw materials (abalone, squid, how much, orange, cashew nuts, kiwifruit, beef, walnuts, For products containing sesame, salmon, mackerel, soy, chicken, banana, pork, matsutake, peach, yam, apple, gelatin), the label L1 including the mark M indicating the allergen is printed. May be.

  In the case of such a configuration, the first printing unit 60, for example, marks allergic substances other than the above seven types (for example, 20 types of allergens called equivalent to specific raw materials) in black and white. It may be configured to print M. Further, when the product does not contain the above seven types of allergic substances and contains only allergic substances other than the above seven types, the weighing printer 10 may include a second printing unit 70 instead of the first printing unit 60. The mark M of allergic substances other than the above seven types may be printed in black and white on the label L2.

  Further, for example, when the first printing unit 60 includes seven types of allergens called specific raw materials as described above, the first printing unit 60 prints the mark M of the allergens on the label L1, and other allergens (for example, 20 types of allergic substances called equivalent to specific raw materials), only the characters representing the allergic substances may be printed on the label L1.

(5-2) Modification 1B
In the above embodiment, when the product includes an allergic substance as the specific substance, the first printing unit 60 prints the mark M indicating the allergic substance on the label L1. However, the specific substance is not limited to the allergic substance.

  For example, the weighing printer 10 is a mark that indicates a specific substance, for vegetarians and the like, that the product contains various animal-derived raw materials (for example, meat, eggs, dairy products, honey, etc.) as the specific substance. May be printed on the label L1.

(5-3) Modification 1C
In the above embodiment, the weighing printer 10 is shown as an example of the label issuing device, but the label issuing device is not limited to the weighing printer. For example, label issuing devices are label printers that do not have a weighing unit, face-to-face scales (facing scale-type printers) used in food departments, weighing and packaging pricing devices that measure, package, and price products. May be. Further, the label issuing device does not need to be configured integrally, and is configured by, for example, a computer corresponding to the control unit 80 and two printers corresponding to the first printing unit 60 and the second printing unit 70. Also good.

(5-4) Modification 1D
In the above embodiment, the first printing unit 60 prints various information about the product (for example, the price of the product) on the label L1 together with the mark M indicating the allergic substance, but is not limited to this. The first printing unit 60 may print only the content including the mark M to indicate that the product contains allergic substances on the label L1.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the first printing unit 60 may be configured to print only the characters “allergy display”, the mark printing field B, and the mark M on the label L1. In addition, although not shown in figure, the information which can identify the goods, such as the name of goods, may be included in the content for printing that the 1st printing part 60 shows that the goods contain allergic substances. The 2nd printing part 70 may be comprised so that everything except the content for showing that allergic substances are included may be printed on label L2. That is, here, when the product contains an allergic substance, the label L1 (see FIG. 9) printed by the first printing unit 60 and the second printing unit 70 are printed as labels attached to the product. A label L2 (see FIG. 3) is issued.

  In such a configuration, the first printable portion 60 capable of color printing is used only for printing on the label the content for indicating that the product contains allergens (printing the mark M in color). Since the other contents are printed by the second printing unit 70 that prints in black and white, even if the mark M indicating the allergen is printed in color, the increase in the cost of creating the label can be suppressed to the minimum. Can do.

(5-5) Modification 1E
In the above embodiment, when the first printing unit 60 prints on the label L1 that the product contains allergic substances with high allergic symptoms (for example, buckwheat and peanuts), the mark indicating the allergic substances with heavy allergic symptoms Is preferably printed on the label L1.

  Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the first printing unit 60 uses the mark M indicating other allergens for the mark M indicating soba and peanuts, which are allergic substances with severe allergic symptoms. Is preferably configured to print on the upper side and the left side (that is, at the top of the allergy display).

  In addition, for example, the first printing unit 60 may be configured to print larger marks M1 indicating soba and peanuts, which are allergic substances with severe allergic symptoms, than marks M2 indicating other allergic substances. Preferred (see FIG. 10).

  Further, for example, the print color setting unit 81e sets the color of the mark M to a particularly conspicuous color (for example, red) for allergic substances with severe allergic symptoms, and sets the color of the mark M to other colors for other allergic substances. It is preferable to set the color (for example, black). In other words, the first printing unit 60 is configured to print the mark M representing the allergic substances, which are allergic symptoms, such as buckwheat and peanuts, in a particularly conspicuous color, and the marks M representing other allergic substances in other colors. It is preferred that

  In this way, by increasing the visibility of the mark indicating the allergic substance having a severe allergic symptom, the possibility that the consumer overlooks the content of the allergic substance having a severe allergic symptom can be particularly reduced.

(5-6) Modification 1F
In the said embodiment, although the 1st printing part 60 does not print any information on the label L1 regarding the allergic substance which a goods does not contain, it is not limited to this.

  For example, if the product does not contain allergic substances with high allergic symptoms (for example, buckwheat and peanuts), the first printing unit 60 displays on the label L1 so as to indicate that it does not contain allergic substances with heavy allergic symptoms. Printing may be performed.

  Specifically, for example, when the product does not include soba and peanuts, which are allergic substances with severe allergic symptoms, the first printing unit 60 is represented as shown in FIG. Further, the buckwheat noodles and peanut marks M with a sign (here,?) Indicating that they are not contained may be printed on the label L1.

  Here, since the label L1 indicates that allergic substances with heavy allergic symptoms are not included in the product, consumers who are allergic to the allergen easily recognize that the product does not contain the allergen. In addition, you can purchase products with peace of mind.

(5-7) Modification 1G
In the above embodiment, the mark M is arranged in the mark printing area R (in the mark printing field B) of the label L1. If a specific example is given and demonstrated, when goods contain three types of allergic substances, in the mark printing area | region R of the label L1, the three marks M will be arrange | positioned in a horizontal line (refer FIG. 6A). However, it is not limited to this.

  For example, the first printing unit 60 may be configured to always print the mark M at the same position for the same allergen. For example, when a product contains all seven types of allergens, the layout has been determined so that the mark M is arranged in the mark printing region R in the arrangement as shown in FIG. 6B. To do. In this case, for example, when the product includes three types of soba, peanut, and milk as allergic substances, the first printing unit 60 is arranged as shown in FIG. 12 (that is, FIG. 6B and the mark printing area). The three marks M may be printed on the label L1 (without changing the size of R and the position of each mark M in the mark printing region R).

  By being configured in this way, consumers can recognize allergic substances contained in the product from the arrangement of the mark M in addition to the mark M itself, so it is included in the product labeled L1. Allergens can be accurately recognized in a short time.

  However, in the case of such a configuration, since the size of the mark printing region R is fixed, the label roll may be consumed more. Therefore, it is more preferable to use such a printing layout when the length of the label L1 is not shortened even if the size of the mark printing region R is adjusted.

Second Embodiment
A weighing printer 110 according to a second embodiment of the label issuing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(1) Overall Configuration FIG. 13 shows an external perspective view of the weighing printer 110.

  The weighing printer 110 is different from the weighing printer 10 of the first embodiment mainly in that it has only one printing unit (see FIGS. 13 and 14). The usage of the weighing printer 110 is the same as that of the weighing printer 10 of the first embodiment.

(2) Detailed Configuration As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the weighing printer 110 includes a communication unit 20, a weighing unit 30, a liquid crystal monitor 40, an operation panel 50, a first printing unit 160, and a control unit 180. And mainly. Here, only the first printing unit 160 and the control unit 180, which are different from the weighing printer 10 of the first embodiment, will be described in detail. A description of the communication unit 20, the weighing unit 30, the liquid crystal monitor 40, and the operation panel 50 is omitted.

(2-1) 1st printing part The 1st printing part 160 prints on the label attached to goods. The label printed by the first printing unit 160 is issued from a label issuing port 160a (see FIG. 13) provided on the front surface of the weighing printer 110.

  Unlike the weighing printer 10 of the first embodiment, the first printing unit 160 prints predetermined contents on a label for all products (regardless of whether or not allergic substances are contained). In the second embodiment, seven kinds of allergic substances (shrimp, crab, wheat, buckwheat, egg, milk, peanut) called specific raw materials are called allergic substances.

  The first printing unit 160 is a monochrome (monochrome) printer. The first printing unit 160 is, for example, a direct thermal printer. However, the printing method of the first printing unit 160 is an example, and various printing methods such as a thermal transfer method and an ink jet method can be used. The first printing unit 160 may be a color printer.

  The first printing unit 160 has cutting means 160b (see FIG. 14). Since the cutting means 160b is the same as the cutting means 60b of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  Since the first printing unit 160 is a monochrome printer, it prints all the printing contents including the mark M in black and white. Since the 1st printing part 160 is the same as that of the 1st printing part 60 of a 1st embodiment except for the other points, detailed explanation is omitted.

(2-2) Control Unit The control unit 180 is electrically connected to the communication unit 20, the weighing unit 30, the liquid crystal monitor 40, the operation panel 50, and the first printing unit 160 (see FIG. 2). The control unit 180 receives various information from each component of the connected weighing printer 110 and controls the operation of each component.

  The control unit 180 includes a control unit 181 mainly composed of a CPU and a storage unit 82 mainly composed of ROM, RAM and the like. The control unit 181 controls each unit of the weighing printer 110 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 82. The storage unit 82 stores various types of information in addition to a program executed by the control unit 181.

  The control unit 181 includes a print content determination unit 81a, a region size adjustment unit 81b, a layout setting unit 81c, a label length adjustment unit 81d, and a print control unit 181f as functional units related to label printing. Unlike the control unit 81 of the first embodiment, the control unit 181 does not have the print color setting unit 81e. The print content determination unit 81a, the area size adjustment unit 81b, the layout setting unit 81c, and the label length adjustment unit 81d are all except that they perform processing related to printing of the first print unit 160 (since there is no second print unit). Since it is the same as that of 1st Embodiment, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

(2-2-1) Print Control Unit The print control unit 181f controls the first print unit 160 to cause the first print unit 160 to print a label. That is, the print control unit 181f is different from the print control unit 81f of the first embodiment in that it instructs the first print unit 160 to print the label only.

(3) Flow of Label Issuance Processing Regarding the flow of label issuance processing of the weighing printer 110, the first printing unit 160 prints all labels (that is, labels corresponding to the labels L1 and L2 of the first embodiment). Since this is the same except for the point to be described, the description is omitted.

(4) Features The weighing printer 110 of the second embodiment also has the same features as (4-1), (4-2), and (4-6) of the weighing printer 10 of the first embodiment.

  When the first printing unit 160 is a color printer, the weighing printer 110 according to the second embodiment has the same characteristics as (4-3) of the weighing printer 10 according to the first embodiment.

(5) Modification The modification of the first embodiment may be applied to the weighing printer 110 according to the second embodiment within a consistent range.

  The label issuing apparatus according to the present invention is useful as a label issuing apparatus for issuing a label that has high visibility of notation indicating that an article contains a specific substance and is unlikely to cause misidentification of the substance contained in the article.

10,110 Weighing printer (Label issuing device)
60, 160 First printing section 70 Second printing section 81b Area size adjustment section 81c Layout setting section 81d Label length adjustment section 81e Print color adjustment section B Mark printing field L1 Label L2 Label M, M1, M2 Mark R Mark printing area

JP 2002-361194 A

Claims (10)

A label issuing device that includes a first printing unit that performs printing on a label attached to an article, and issues the label printed by the first printing unit,
When the first printing unit prints on the label that the article includes a specific substance, the specific substance is represented by a mark including a graphic representing the specific substance and a character representing the specific substance. And printing on the label,
Label issuing device. An area size adjusting unit that adjusts the size of a mark printing area for printing the mark based on the number of marks printed on the label;
A label length adjusting unit that adjusts the length of the label based on the size of the mark printing area;
The label issuing apparatus according to claim 1. The first printing unit prints the mark in color on the label;
The label issuing device according to claim 1 or 2. A second printing unit for printing in black and white on the label, different from the first printing unit,
The second printing unit performs printing on the label in cases other than printing on the label that the article contains the specific substance.
The label issuing device according to claim 3. The first printing unit prints on the label only the content including the mark to indicate that the article includes the specific substance.
The label issuing apparatus according to claim 4. The specific substance has a plurality of types,
The label issuing device further includes a print color setting unit for setting a color for the first printing unit to print the mark on the label for each type of the specific substance.
The label issuing device according to any one of claims 3 to 5. A layout setting unit for setting a layout for printing the label;
The first printing unit further prints a mark printing field, prints the mark in the mark printing field,
The layout setting unit sets a print layout of the mark in the mark print field according to a predetermined format.
The label issuing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The specific substance is an allergic substance,
The label issuing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The first printing unit prints on the label so that the mark indicating the allergic substance is emphasized and printed when the label prints that the article contains the allergic substance having severe allergic symptoms. I do,
The label issuing device according to claim 8. The first printing unit prints on the label so that when the article does not contain the allergic substance having severe allergic symptoms, it is indicated that the article does not contain the allergic substance.
The label issuing device according to claim 8.

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