JP4561001B2 - Label printer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a label printer that prints and issues a label that is attached to a product such as food and displays product data related to the product.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Of the foods that have recently been found to cause food allergies, the five items (specified raw materials) that are highly required to be displayed are included in the distribution and sale of processed foods containing these items. The obligation to state that will arise.
In addition, for 19 other items (those that conform to specified raw materials), it is recommended that processed foods containing these items be included.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In this way, what should have been printed on the product label only raw materials with a high content in the past, even if the raw material with a low content is the above-mentioned specific raw material, it will always be printed on the label, For those who have allergies with specific raw materials, they can now shop with peace of mind.
However, for those who have allergic constitutions in 19 items that are based on the specified raw material or other items, the item is included even if the item is not listed in the raw material column or additive column of the label. I don't know if it's not, or that this item isn't listed because of its low content. Allergies develop even with small amounts, and there is a problem that these people cannot shop with peace of mind.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a label printer for clearly presenting information on specific substances contained in products, particularly information on allergens, to consumers.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Label printer of the present invention, the price stuck on products such as processed foods, in the label printer for printing the goods label for displaying product data of raw materials such as, identification and substance tables, the all that is set to a specific substance table printing and issuing means allergens information issues a label printed, printing raw material of the product for each of the allergens information indicating that indicates whether present within the specific substance table of the allergenic substance information Print control means for performing the printing operation at a position or a position in the vicinity of the allergen information and indicating the allergen information .
Thereby, it can be clarified on a label whether a foodstuff contains an allergic substance.
[0007]
In the label printer of the present invention, the specific substance information to be printed is preliminarily printed on a label sheet.
In the present invention, by printing the specific substance information in advance as described above, even if there are many specific substances, the information can be easily seen with a small area, and the label can be made small.
[0009]
Further, the label printer of the present invention is a label printer that prints and issues a product label that displays product data such as price, raw material, etc., affixed to a product such as processed food, a specific substance table for setting each allergen information, characterized in that and a print control means for printing the allergens information in the specific substance table excluding raw materials of the product as a free-allergic substances.
In the present invention, since allergens that are not contained in food are printed on the label in this way, it is easy for customers to buy with confidence whether or not there is the above-mentioned printing for allergic substances in question. I understand.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an external configuration example of a label printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration example of the label printer.
In these figures, a control unit shown in FIG. 2 is provided inside the main body 1, and a scale 2 is connected to the control unit. In addition, on the front surface of the main body 1, a first label printing mechanism 3a and a second label printing mechanism 3b are provided, and an operation unit 4 is provided. The first label printing mechanism 3a and the second label printing mechanism 3b print arbitrary characters, numbers, and images in dot units.
[0011]
Different label sheets are respectively attached to the first label printing mechanism unit 3a and the second label printing mechanism unit 3b, and one of the first label printing mechanism unit 3a and the second label printing mechanism unit 3b is selected, It is possible to print on label paper that suits your needs. For example, a normal priced label is attached to the first label printing mechanism unit 3a to print a priced label of a normal product, and the second label printing mechanism unit 3b is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei. A priced label with POP printing as described in the specification attached to the application of Japanese Patent Application No. 8-324529 can be attached to print a priced label of a special sale product. Moreover, the case where printing of a specific substance is performed with different label sizes can be performed by switching the label printing mechanism.
[0012]
The operation unit 4 is provided with a numeric keypad 5, a product number key 6, an operation / display unit 8, and the like. Here, the product number key 6 is used together with the numeric keypad 5 when inputting the product number of the product. The operation / display unit 8 has a structure in which a touch panel 8b (see FIG. 2) is laminated on the upper surface of a liquid crystal display 8a (see FIG. 2).
An image scanner 10 is connected to the operation unit 4 via a connector 9. The image scanner 10 reads a figure, and can thereby print the read figure on a label sheet. The image scanner 10 is also used to read image data to be printed on a label for appealing to customers.
[0013]
2 shown in FIG. 2 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls each part of the apparatus and performs processing. Specifically, the CPU 20 performs input processing for processing various input data such as input data input from the operation unit 4, image data read by the image scanner 20, and weight data input from the scale 2, a first label A printing process for controlling the printing operation of the printing mechanisms 3a and 3b, a display process for outputting various information to the liquid crystal display 8a, a printing data creation process for creating printing data, and the like are performed.
Further, the CPU 20 sets the operation mode of the main body 1 as follows: a priced mode for printing a label and issuing a priced label; a setting mode for setting a content to be printed; a report mode for reporting a label issuance result; Switch to maintenance mode.
[0014]
The scale 2, the first label printing mechanism 3a, the second label printing mechanism 3b, the image scanner 10, the liquid crystal display 8a, various keys and switches, and the touch panel 8b are, as shown in FIG. 21, the print controller 22, the scanner controller 23, the display controller 25, and the operation controller 24 are connected to the CPU 20. When a product is placed on the scale 2, the product Is output to the CPU 20 as weighing data via the load cell control unit 21.
[0015]
Reference numeral 40 denotes a ROM (Read Only Memory) which stores various programs for controlling the processing of the CPU 20 described above, that is, an input processing program, a printing processing program, a display processing program, a printing data creation processing program, and the like.
A character generator ROM (hereinafter referred to as a character generator ROM) 35 stores a plurality of types of font data for each character such as numerals, alphabets, kana, kanji, commas, and symbols. The character generation ROM 35 includes a plurality of different font data even if the same character, that is, the character code is the same.
Each character is classified as a font for each character type and character typeface, and a font number is assigned to each font. The character generation ROM 35 corresponds to characters whose font number is less than “20”.
[0016]
Reference numeral 30 denotes a RAM (Random Access Memory) that stores the contents of flags, registers, counters, and the like used when executing the various programs, and temporarily reads data read from various files described later. A working area to be stored, and a storage area for storing product files, raw material tables, specific substance tables, label format information and the like are provided. Each storage area is backed up by a battery, so that the contents of the product file and the like are not lost even when the power of the main body is turned off.
[0017]
Next, each file stored in each storage area of the RAM 30 will be described in detail.
In the product file, as shown in FIG. 3, in addition to items such as product number, product name, and unit price, raw material numbers are set. When a plurality of raw material numbers are set for one product number, each raw material number is set by being separated by a delimiter such as a comma.
In the raw material table, a raw material number and a raw material name are set as shown in FIG. The data stored in the raw material table can be arbitrarily changed by performing raw material setting operations from the touch panel 8b or the like.
[0018]
The specific substance table is a table in which a specific substance name is set for each number, and FIG. 5 shows an example thereof. Numbers 1 to 5 are allergic substances that are obligated to be labeled, and five substance names (milk, egg, wheat, buckwheat, peanuts) are set as allergens (specific raw materials) that must be labeled. Substance names (abalone, squid, how much, shrimp, ...) are set. In addition to the above, allergic substances that cause allergies to very few people can be set.
[0019]
Here, the format (label format) of the label printed by the label printer 1 will be described. FIG. 6 shows an example of a label format, and FIG. 7 shows a print example of a label printed based on this label format.
In the example shown in FIG. 7, the column includes an item name column, a raw material column, a check column, a presence / absence target substance column, an expiration date column, a processing date column, a barcode column, a price column, and a store name column. The raw material column is a column for printing raw material information in the product data. The presence / absence target substance column is for displaying all the names of allergic substances for which the names of all the specific substances set in the specific substance table are printed and whether or not the product contains them. This column makes it easy to search for the names of substances to be noted by printing in a predetermined order such as Ai Ao. In addition, in the check column, if the substance name in the presence / absence target substance column is included, a mark indicating “Yes” is printed above the substance name (in the example of FIG. 7) to indicate whether or not it is contained. It is for showing.
[0020]
Next, the operation of the label printer 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The processing shown below is an operation performed when the CPU 20 in the label printer 1 executes a predetermined program stored in the ROM 40.
[0021]
When the operation starts, first, in step SP1, it is determined by a flag (not shown) provided in the RAM 30 whether or not the operation mode of the main body 1 is a pricing mode for issuing a label. As a result, if it is determined that the pricing mode is set (YES in step SP1), the process proceeds to step SP2, and if it is determined that the pricing mode is not set (NO determination in step SP1). In this case, the process proceeds to step SP11.
[0022]
In step SP2, it is determined whether or not a product number input operation has been performed, and this process is repeated until it is determined YES. Here, the process waits until the product number is input. When it is detected that the product number has been input, the process proceeds to step SP3.
In step SP3, based on the product number input in step SP2, product data corresponding to this product number is read from the product file, and dot data corresponding to each character code is read from the character generator ROM 35 and stored in the RAM 30. The data is expanded into print image data based on the label format data. However, data on the presence / absence target substance column and check column are not expanded here.
[0023]
In subsequent step SP4, all substance names are read out from the specific substance table shown in FIG. Then, the title “allergic substance list” is attached, and the print image data in the presence / absence target substance column is developed in the order of eyewear.
In subsequent step SP5, one raw material number is extracted from the product data read in step SP3, and further, based on this raw material number, the raw material name corresponding to this raw material number is read from the raw material table shown in FIG. In the product file, the raw material number is described by being separated by a delimiter such as a comma as shown in FIG. 3, so that one raw material number can be read by identifying this delimiter. Become.
In subsequent step SP6, the raw material name read in step SP5 is developed into print image data in the raw material column.
[0024]
Further, in the subsequent step SP7, it is determined whether or not the raw material name read in step SP5 is a specific substance. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the raw material name read in step SP5 is set in the specific substance table shown in FIG. For example, when the raw material name read in step SP5 is “wheat flour” and the specific substance table is set to “wheat” as the specific substance name, the specific substance name “wheat” is changed to the raw material name “wheat flour”. As a result, the raw material name “flour” is determined to be a specific substance. And when it is judged that it is a specific substance (in the case of determination of YES in step SP7), it transfers to step SP8.
[0025]
In step SP8, a mark indicating that there is a specific substance (for example, a circle) is developed into print image data arranged at a position above the print image data of the raw material name developed in step SP6.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step SP7 that the substance is not a specific substance (NO determination), the process proceeds to step SP9.
In step SP9, it is determined whether or not the processing between steps SP5 to SP8 has been performed for all raw material numbers in the product data. As a result, if it is determined that the processing for all the raw material numbers of the product data has not been completed (in the case of NO determination in step SP9), the process returns to step SP5, the remaining raw material numbers are read, and step SP5 to step SP5 Processing between SP8 is performed.
[0026]
On the other hand, if it is determined that all the raw material numbers have been processed (YES in step SP9), the process proceeds to step SP10.
In step SP10, a label is printed based on the developed image data, and a label as shown in FIG. 7 is issued. Then, the process returns to step SP1. Here, when a label is instructed by an operator performing a predetermined operation for instructing printing from the operation unit 4 such as the touch panel 8b, the processing is expanded in steps SP3, SP4, SP6, and SP8. The dot data is transmitted to the print control unit 22 in FIG. Then, the print control unit 22 performs printing on the label paper by the first label printing mechanism unit 3a or the second label printing mechanism unit 3b designated in advance, and a label as shown in FIG. 7 is printed and issued. The
[0027]
Subsequently, when it is determined in step SP1 that it is not the pricing mode (when NO is determined), the process proceeds to step SP11.
In subsequent step SP11, other processes such as data setting and report output are performed, and the process returns to step SP1.
The operation of the label printer 1 according to this embodiment has been described above.
[0028]
Next, another embodiment of the label printer of the present invention will be described.
The label printer 1 described above is the first embodiment.
[Second Embodiment]
This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the portion related to the check column to be printed on the label, and the check column is printed as shown in FIG. In other words, the presence / absence target substance column and the check column are printed in an overlapping manner, and the name of a substance that is not contained indicates that the substance name is not overwritten by a bar line. It represents that it contains. Either one of the check marks may be used.
Thereby, there is an effect that the space required for the check column can be omitted.
[0029]
[Third embodiment]
In this embodiment, the content to be printed in the presence / absence target substance column is printed in advance on a label sheet. In the case of the present embodiment, this print content is matched with the setting data of the specific substance table. Except this, it may be the same as the first embodiment.
In the case of pre-printing, since the printing resolution is generally higher than that of a label printer, the presence / absence target substance column can be printed small and easy to see.
[0030]
[Fourth embodiment]
In this embodiment, in step SP4 of the operation flowchart described in the first embodiment, the specific substance table data excluding those corresponding to the raw material data in the product data is expanded into print image data, and the presence / absence target substance Print in the column. Also, the title of the presence / absence target substance column is “list of allergic substances not contained”. The present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that step SP7 and step SP8 in the operation flow described in the first embodiment are omitted. FIG. 10 shows a print example of the presence / absence target substance column according to this embodiment. In this way, according to this embodiment, since the specific substance not contained in the food is printed on the label, the customer can buy it with confidence depending on whether or not there is the above-mentioned printing for the specific substance in question. It is easy to know whether or not.
[0031]
[Fifth embodiment]
In the present embodiment, the substance name printed in the presence / absence target substance column is obtained by removing five items that are designated as specific raw materials. This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the parts related to this. Since it is known from the beginning that specified raw materials for which labeling is mandatory are included in the judgment of the inclusion of food, the clarity of the presence or absence of specific substances can be maintained even if this amount is excluded, and the label is reduced accordingly. it can.
[0032]
The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes a configuration that does not depart from the gist of the present invention.
[0033]
In addition, about the additive added when manufacturing processed food, since there is no difference in the food containing this additive, you may handle it like raw materials.
In addition, the presence / absence target substance column and the check column are not limited to being provided on one label together with the price, but may be provided on a label different from the conventional product label. In this case, the conventional label can be attached to the front surface of the product, and another label can be attached to the back surface of the product, so that the appearance of the product can be maintained. Further, the presence / absence target substance column may be displayed in multiple stages.
[0034]
In the specific substance table, the raw material number set in the raw material table may be set instead of the substance name of the specific substance. In this case, the accuracy of determination at step SP7 in the operation flowchart shown in FIG. 8 is improved. Moreover, this substance name may be set with various names such as kana, katakana, kanji, and English for the same item.
Further, the determination of whether or not the substance is a specific substance in step SP7 in the operation flowchart shown in FIG. 8 is not limited to the label issuance, but may be performed when the raw material data is set in the product file.
Further, the specific substance is not limited to the allergic substance, and may be applied to other properties.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the invention described in claim 1, it is possible to clarify on the label whether or not the food contains a specific substance.
In addition, according to the invention described in claim 2, a person with allergies can shop for food with peace of mind.
Further, according to the invention described in claim 3, by printing the specific substance information in advance, even if there are many specific substances, it is easy to see with a small area and the label can be made small.
[0036]
Further, according to the invention described in claim 4, since it has been known from the beginning that the specified raw materials for which labeling is obligatory are subject to the judgment of the inclusion of food, the presence or absence of specific substances is excluded even if this amount is excluded. The clarity of the label can be maintained and the label can be made smaller accordingly.
In addition, according to the invention described in claim 5, since the specific substance not contained in the food is printed on the label, the customer can purchase with confidence whether or not the above-mentioned printing is made for the specific substance in question. You can easily see if you can. Also, the label can be made smaller than when all specific substances are printed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an external configuration example of a label printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of an electrical configuration of the label printer.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a product file.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a raw material table.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a specific substance table.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a label format.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a label printed and issued by the label printer according to the embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the label printer according to the embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a print example of the presence / absence target substance column according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a print example of a presence / absence target substance column according to the fourth embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Label printer (main unit)
3a: First label printing mechanism (issuing means)
3b ... Second label printing mechanism (issuing means)
4. Operation unit 8b ... Touch panel 20 ... CPU
22 ... Print control section (print control means)
25 ... Display control unit 30 ... RAM
35 ... Character generator ROM
40 ... ROM

Claims (3)

In a label printer that prints and issues product labels that display product data such as prices and raw materials attached to products such as processed foods,
Specific substance table,
Issuing means for issuing a label on which all allergen information set in the specific substance table is printed;
A print indicating whether or not the raw material of the product exists in the specific substance table for each allergen information is a print position of the allergen information or in the vicinity of the allergen information and the allergen A printing control means for performing a position indicating information ;
A label printer comprising: The label printer according to claim 1, wherein the specific substance information to be printed is preliminarily printed on a label sheet. In a label printer that prints and issues product labels that display product data such as prices and raw materials, which are attached to products such as processed foods.
A specific substance table for setting each allergens information, and print control means for printing the allergens information in the specific substance table excluding raw materials of the product as a free-allergic substances,
A label printer comprising:

Images