JP5004570B2 - Printing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention is used are added to food packaging, it relates to a printing apparatus for printing graduations food indicator that will change with time and the ambient temperature.

  For foods such as vegetables, meat, and side dishes, it is necessary to maintain a temperature environment below a specified value in order to maintain the quality after being packed in a food processing plant and before being sold at a store. is there. At least, it is necessary to manage so as not to be placed in a temperature environment above a predetermined value for a predetermined time.

  Conventionally, it has been left to self-declaration by each distributor as to whether or not the temperature control of food in the distribution process such as transportation is properly performed. For this reason, it has not been possible to objectively and accurately determine whether or not the temperature control of food is properly performed.

  In recent years, what is called a low temperature control indicator has been proposed as an object that can objectively determine whether or not the temperature control of food is appropriate (Non-Patent Document 1).

  This low-temperature control indicator is composed of a transparent sachet containing a reaction solution containing baker's yeast and sugar that generates gas under a temperature environment of a predetermined value or more, and is used by being attached to the outside of a food packaging. . Then, by visually observing the amount of gas generated in the low temperature management indicator, it is determined whether or not the temperature management is properly performed, and it is determined whether or not the freshness management is appropriate.

Shinichi Kawamoto, “Development of a safe and simple microorganism sensor for temperature control”. [Online], [December 14, 2006 search], Internet <URL: http://www.nfri.affrc.go.jp/guidance/katsudo/pdf/kanko_kouen16/54.pdf>

  In the conventional freshness management determination method described in Non-Patent Document 1 described above, the amount of gas in the low-temperature management indicator is estimated based on a visual rule of thumb. There was a risk that variations in the determination of whether or not it was appropriate occurred.

The present invention is to solve the problems described above, the temperature management of the food to provide a printing apparatus for printing graduations of food indicator can be accurately determined that the maintained freshness have been made properly For the purpose.

The printing apparatus of the present invention is used by being added to food packaging, and is a food indicator in which a yeast liquid containing baker's yeast, sugar and water is visually sealed in a transparent storage package according to time and ambient temperature. A printing apparatus with a scale for measuring the amount of change in the state of the yeast liquid, including a scale interval when the indicator is placed horizontally and a scale interval when the indicator is placed vertically A scale interval information storage unit that stores scale interval information, an installation type selection receiving unit that receives a selection input of an installation type indicating whether the indicator is a horizontal indicator or a vertical indicator, and the scale interval information reference, the scale interval determining unit which determines the spacing of graduations in accordance with the installation type the installation type selection accepting unit accepts, the determined Characterized in that it comprises a printing unit for subjecting the scale to the food indicator at prime interval.

In the printing apparatus, the interval between the scales when the indicator is placed horizontally, and the interval between the scales when the indicator is placed vertically are the scale intervals set corresponding to the scale shape, and the scale shape May be configured in any one of a straight line shape, a cross-shaped shape, a grid shape, and a shape spreading in a circle from the center. In addition, the printing apparatus may include a scale type selection receiving unit that receives a selection input of the scale shape type. With such a configuration, an administrator who manages the quality of food can appropriately select a scale shape that is easy to browse.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printing apparatus for printing graduations of food indicator can be accurately determined that the temperature control of the food is maintained freshness have been made properly.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Food indicator according to the first embodiment]
First, the food indicator 1 in the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a top view showing a food indicator 1 in the first embodiment. The food indicator 1 is attached, for example, by a method such as sticking to the inside or the outside of the food package when food produced in the food processing factory is packed in a food processing factory. As shown in FIG. 1, the food indicator 1 is mainly composed of a yeast liquid 11 and a storage package 12 in which the yeast liquid is sealed. The food indicator 1 is installed in a food packaging or on an external surface such as a side surface or an upper surface of a packaging and a box for packaging food.

  The yeast liquid 11 contains baker's yeast, sugar and water. In the yeast liquid 11, baker's yeast produces bubbles (carbon dioxide) when fermenting sugar depending on time and temperature.

  The accommodation package 12 is a transparent sachet that allows the yeast liquid to be visually observed. For example, the accommodation package 12 is a vinyl sachet or the like, and may not be made of vinyl as long as it is a stretchable material. The storage package 12 is large enough to be stored in a pack for storing food. The accommodation package 12 has a scale 12a extending linearly. The predetermined interval of the scale 12a is determined according to the food to which the food indicator 1 is attached. The scale 12a is printed with a display such as “CAUTION” indicating that attention is required for quality control and “WARNING” indicating that quality control is not sufficiently performed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the change of the food indicator 1 and its measuring method are demonstrated. The food indicator 1 maintains an initial state as shown in FIG. 2 (a) while being managed at a low temperature. However, when the food indicator 1 is placed under a condition of a predetermined temperature or more, gas is generated over time, and FIG. As shown in (b), the bubbles B gather above the housing package 12 so as to be visible. When the time further elapses, the bubbles B are further increased above the accommodation package 12 as shown in FIG. Here, the administrator or the like can clearly measure the amount of the bubbles B using the scale 12a.

[Food indicator according to the second embodiment]
Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the food indicator 2 in 2nd embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. The food indicator 2 in the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the configuration of the accommodation package 22. Moreover, the food indicator 2 in 2nd embodiment is installed in the upper surface of the box which packs a package and food in food packaging.

  As in the first embodiment, the containing package 2 contains the yeast liquid 11 therein and is transparent so that the yeast liquid 11 can be visually observed. The accommodation package 2 has a cross-shaped scale 22a. The interval of the scale 22a is determined according to the food to which the food indicator 2 is attached. In addition, at a predetermined position of the scale 22a, a display such as “Caution” indicating that attention is required for quality control and “Warning” indicating that quality control is not sufficiently performed are printed.

[Food indicator according to the third embodiment]
Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the food indicator 3 in 3rd embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. The food indicator 3 in the third embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments only in the configuration of the accommodation package 32. Moreover, the food indicator 3 in 3rd embodiment is installed in the upper surface of the box which packs a package and food in a food packaging.

  As in the first embodiment, the accommodation package 3 contains the yeast liquid 11 therein, and is transparent so that the yeast liquid 11 is visible. The accommodation package 3 has a grid-shaped scale 32a. The interval between the scales 32a is determined according to the food to which the food indicator 3 is attached. In addition, a display such as “CAUTION” indicating that attention is required for quality control, “WARNING” indicating that quality control is not sufficiently performed, and the like are printed at predetermined positions on the scale 32a.

[Food indicator according to the fourth embodiment]
Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the food indicator 4 in 4th embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. The food indicator 4 in the fourth embodiment is different from the first to third embodiments only in the configuration of the accommodation package 42. Moreover, the food indicator 4 in 4th embodiment is installed in the upper surface of the box which packs a package and food in a food packaging.

  As in the first embodiment, the containing package 4 contains a yeast liquid 11 therein, and is transparent so that the yeast liquid 11 is visible. The accommodation package 4 has a scale 42a that extends concentrically from the center. The interval between the scales 42a is determined according to the food to which the food indicator 4 is attached. In addition, at a predetermined position of the scale 42a, a display such as “Caution” indicating that attention is required for quality control and “Warning” indicating that quality control is not sufficiently performed are printed.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the change of the food indicator 4 and its measuring method are demonstrated. The food indicator 4 maintains an initial state as shown in FIG. 6A while being managed at a low temperature. However, when the food indicator 4 is placed under a condition of a predetermined temperature or more, gas is generated over time, and FIG. As shown in (b), the child bag expands, and the bubbles B gather in the upper part of the central portion of the housing package 12 so as to be visible. When the time further elapses, the child bag is further expanded as shown in FIG. 6C, and the bubbles B are further increased above the central portion of the housing package 12. Here, the administrator or the like can clearly measure the amount of the bubbles B using the scale 42a.

  As described above, in one embodiment of the food indicator described above, the food indicators 1 to 4 have a structure that expands and changes with the passage of time and the ambient temperature and collects the bubbles B in the upper part thereof. And the food indicators 1-4 are transparent so that the bubble B of the inside is visible, and the scales 12a-42a are attached | subjected. Therefore, the administrator or the like can clearly measure the amount of the bubbles B using the scales 12a to 42a. That is, by accurately determining the amount of foam, it is possible to accurately determine that the temperature of the food is properly controlled and the freshness is maintained.

[Printing Apparatus According to One Embodiment]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 7-9, the printing apparatus 5 which prints the scales 12a-42a of the food indicators 1-4 mentioned above is demonstrated.

  FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the printing apparatus 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the printing apparatus 5 mainly includes a storage unit 51, a control unit 52, an input unit 53, a display unit 54, a communication unit 55, and a printing unit 56.

  The storage unit 51 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or the like, and stores a food database (hereinafter, food DB) 51a, various databases, programs, and the like. The food DB 51a has scale interval information including the interval of the scale corresponding to the food.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the scale interval information includes food ID (437299, 111859, 004805, etc.), food name (tuna, mackerel, squid, etc.), vertical (linear) scale interval (4.00mm, 4.50mm, 5.00). mm), horizontal (linear) scale intervals (3.00mm, 3.25mm, 3.50mm, etc.), vertical (circular) scale intervals (2.80mm, 3.05mm, 3.30mm, etc.), and various other information. In this example, the scale interval of large fish (for example, tuna) is set to be smaller than the scale interval of small fish (for example, mackerel). Here, the vertical (linear) scale is the scale 12a of the vertically placed indicator 1. The horizontal (linear) scale is the scales 22a and 32a of the horizontal indicators 2 and 3, and the vertical (circular) scale is the scale 42a of the horizontal indicator 4.

  The control unit 52 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 52 has a function of reading out and executing a program from the storage unit 52 and controlling the printing apparatus 5. The control unit 52 includes a scale interval determining unit 52a and a scale type selection receiving unit 51b.

  The scale interval determination unit 52 a determines the interval of the scales to be printed based on the information received by the input unit 53. Here, the received information includes a food ID, a food name, and the like. The scale type selection receiving unit 52b receives the type of the scale selected and input from the input unit 53. Here, the type of scale is a type of shape such as a straight line, a cross, a square, or a circle such as the scales 12a, 22a, 32a, and 42a described above.

  The input unit 53 is configured by, for example, an information input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and is used when, for example, an administrator who manufactures an indicator inputs various types of information. The display unit 54 is configured by a display device such as an LCD (liquid crystal display device), and is used for displaying various information. The communication unit 55 has a function of transmitting and receiving various types of information via a communication network.

  The printing unit 56 prints the scale on the food indicator based on the control information from the control unit 51.

  Next, the operation of the printing apparatus 5 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the printing apparatus 5. As shown in FIG. 9, first, the scale type selection receiving unit 52b receives an input of the installation type (vertical placement, horizontal placement) from the input unit 53 (step S101). Subsequently, the scale type selection receiving unit 52b receives an input of a print type (straight line, grid shape, circular shape, etc.) from the input unit 53 (step S102). Next, the scale interval determination unit 52a receives input of food (food ID, food name, etc.) from the input unit 53 (step S103). Subsequently, the scale interval determination unit 51a reads the scale interval information from the food DB 52a, and determines the scale interval to be printed (step S104). Then, the printing unit 56 receives the scale interval determined by the scale interval determination unit 52a and prints the scale (step S105). Thus, the operation of the printing apparatus 5 is finished.

  As described above, the printing apparatus 5 according to an embodiment determines the interval between the scales according to the type of food and prints the scales, so that the freshness can be managed according to the food. That is, it is possible to prevent an increase in management cost due to unnecessarily freshness management.

  Moreover, since the printing apparatus 5 which concerns on one Embodiment receives selection input of the kind of scale shape, the printing apparatus 5 which concerns on one Embodiment can select suitably the shape of the scale which is easy to browse for the manager who manages the quality of foodstuffs. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the scale of the indicator 1 has been described as being determined by the type of food, but may be determined by the size of the food, the content of the food, the conditions of the physical distribution process in the food, and the like. It may be. Further, the scale of the indicator 1 may be determined by any combination thereof.

  According to the present invention, it is useful for accurately determining that the temperature control of food is properly performed and that the freshness is maintained, and for identifying the portion where the temperature control is inappropriately performed in the distribution process. It is.

It is a top view which shows the food indicator in 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the change of the food indicator in 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the food indicator in 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the food indicator in 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the food indicator in 4th embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the change of the food indicator in 4th embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of scale interval information. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

  1, 2, 3, 4 ... food indicator, 11 ... yeast liquid, 12, 22, 32 ... containing package, 12a, 22a, 32a, 42a ... scale, 5 ... printing device, 51 ... storage unit, 51a ... food DB, 52... Control unit 52 a. Scale interval determination unit 52 b. Scale type selection receiving unit 53. Input unit 54. Display unit 55. Communication unit 56.

Claims (4)

The amount of change in the state of the yeast liquid in a food indicator sealed in a transparent packaging package that can be visually observed with yeast liquid containing baker's yeast, sugar, and moisture, depending on the passage of time and ambient temperature. A printing device with a scale for measuring
A scale interval information storage unit for storing scale interval information including the interval of the scale when the indicator is placed horizontally and the interval of the scale when the indicator is placed vertically;
An installation type selection accepting unit that accepts a selection input of an installation type indicating whether it is a horizontal indicator or a vertical indicator;
A scale interval determination unit that refers to the scale interval information and determines a scale interval according to the installation type received by the installation type selection reception unit ;
And a printing unit that adds the scale to the food indicator at the determined scale interval. The interval between the scales when the indicator is placed horizontally and the interval between the scales when the indicator is placed vertically are the scale intervals set corresponding to the scale shape,
The scale shape is any one of a shape extending in a straight line, a cross-shaped shape, a grid shape, and a shape extending in a circle from the center.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a scale type selection receiving unit that receives a selection input of the scale shape type. The scale interval information is information in which a food ID that can identify the type of food, a scale interval when the indicator is placed horizontally, and a scale interval when the indicator is placed vertically are associated with each other. ,
The scale interval determination unit determines a scale interval according to the installation type and the type of food.
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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