JP7419796B2 - Substrate manufacturing method and container - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a substrate and a container on which a digital watermark image is printed.

Conventionally, there has been no known method for providing a container having a large number of patterns of digital watermark images (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[Prior art documents]
[Patent document]
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-528061

Provided are a container having multiple patterns of digital watermark images, and a method for manufacturing the substrate.

In order to solve the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a substrate on which a digital watermark image is printed. The method for manufacturing the substrate includes the steps of printing a digital watermark image on the substrate, storing the substrate on which the digital watermark image is printed, and printing a design image on the substrate on which the digital watermark image is printed. .

The step of storing the substrate may include the step of winding up the substrate.

Storing the substrates may include palletizing containers of substrates.

The step of printing the design image may be performed after the step of storing the substrate.

The step of printing the design image may be performed before the step of storing the substrate.

The substrate may be web-shaped. After the step of printing the digital watermark image and the step of printing the design image, a step of forming the substrate into a container may be included.

The substrate may constitute a three-dimensional container.

The images included in the digital watermark image printed on the substrate may vary from container to container.

The step of printing the digital watermark image may include the step of plate printing.

The step of printing the digital watermark image may include the step of plateless printing.

The method of printing a digital watermark image may be different from the method of printing a design image.

The method for manufacturing the substrate includes a step of printing an alignment mark on the substrate before the step of storing the substrate, and a step of printing a design image in accordance with the alignment mark after the step of storing the substrate. good.

In a second aspect of the invention, a container is provided. The container includes a container body, a digital watermark image provided on the container body, and a design image provided above the digital watermark image.

The container may include a film disposed over the digital watermark image. A design image may be provided on the film.

Note that the above summary of the invention does not list all the necessary features of the invention. Furthermore, subcombinations of these features may also constitute inventions.

This is an example of an offset printing device 100 that prints on a container 12. 2 is an example of an enlarged view of one of the plate cylinders 24 of the printing operation section 20. FIG. This is an example of a gravure printing device 150 that prints on a substrate 10. This is an example of a digital watermark image 200. 3 is a flow diagram showing an example of a method 300 for manufacturing the base body 10. FIG. This is an example of a web-like substrate 10 stacked on a pallet. 1 is another example of a palletized web-like substrate 10; FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing another example of a method 300 for manufacturing a base body. This is an example of a design on the front side of the container 12. This is an example of a design on the rear surface of the container 12. An example of a design applied to a web-shaped base 10 before the base 10 is molded into a three-dimensional container 12 is shown. Area A is shown for providing a digital watermark image 200 on the container 12. An example of a cross-sectional view on the front surface side of the base body 10 is shown. Another example of a cross-sectional view on the front surface side of the base body 10 is shown. Another example of a cross-sectional view on the surface side of the base body 10 is shown.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Furthermore, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the solution of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an example of an offset printing apparatus 100 that prints on a container 12. The offset printing apparatus 100 includes a printing operation section 20 that prints on containers 12, and a container supply/export section 50.

The offset printing apparatus 100 of this example prints on a container 12 having a three-dimensional shape formed by molding a web-like base 10. However, the container 12 is not limited to a beverage can, and may be an aerosol can, but is not particularly limited. Further, the container 12 may be a two-piece can or a three-piece can.

The metal that is the material of the container 12 may be an alloy such as aluminum or iron. Further, the container 12 may be a trim can formed by subjecting the base body 10 to various surface treatments, bending and stretching, ironing, impact processing, or the like. The outer surface of the container 12 may be coated with a white coat layer to prevent the background color of the metal plate from being exposed.

The printing operation section 20 of this example includes ink stations 22-A to 22-F that supply ink, plate cylinders 24-A to 24-F that support the base 10, and a blanket that supports the blanket 25. It has a body 27. The printing operation section 20 of this example has six ink stations 22 and six plate cylinders 24, but the number of ink stations 22 and plate cylinders 24 is not limited to six.

The ink station 22 has a mechanism for supplying ink stored in the ink station 22 to a base supported by a plate cylinder 24. As an example, the mechanism included in the ink station 22 may be a form roller 40, which will be described later. The ink stored in the ink station 22 is supplied to the plate 30 of the plate cylinder 24 via the foam roller 40. The printing plate 30 will be described later with reference to FIG.

Blanket 25 is a rubber-like strip that transports the ink deposited by each ink station 22. Blanket 25 is transferred by rotation of blanket cylinder 27 around rotation axis 28 . The blanket 25 contacts each plate cylinder 24 one after another, and ink is placed on the blanket 25 from the printing plate 30 of each plate cylinder 24.

Blanket 25 is transferred by further rotation of blanket cylinder 27. The blanket 25 is transferred between the blanket cylinder 27 and the container supply/export section 50 and is pressed between the blanket cylinder 27 and the container 12. As a result, the ink placed on the blanket 25 is transferred to the container 12.

The container supply/unloading unit 50 includes a chute 52 for taking the container 12 into the offset printing apparatus 100 and an unloading path 60 for transporting the substrate 10 after printing from the offset printing apparatus 100. Further, the container supply/export section 50 includes a mandrel turret 54 that holds and rotates the container 12 taken in from the chute 52 and sends out the container 12 to the printing operation section 20, and a mandrel turret 54 that receives the container 12 from the mandrel turret 54 and transfers the container 12. A transfer turret 56 that sends out to the unloading route 60 is provided.

Containers 12 are transferred to the interface of container supply and output section 50 and printing operation section 20 by rotation of mandrel turret 54 . The container 12 is sandwiched between the mandrel turret 54 and the blanket cylinder 27 and is pressed against the blanket 25.

The container supply/export section 50 may further include a burnish coating section 58 that is attached to the mandrel turret 54 . The vanish coating section 58 applies an over-vanish to the container 12 after the printing operation has been performed by the printing operation section 20 .

FIG. 2 is an example of an enlarged view of one of the plate cylinders 24 of the printing operation section 20. As shown in FIG. A printing plate 30 is supported by the plate cylinder 24 . Ink is transferred from the form roller 40, which is an ink supply mechanism of the ink station 22, to the blanket 25 through the printing plate 30.

The printing plate 30 has a convex portion 31 on its surface. The plate 30 comes into contact with an ink supply mechanism such as a foam roller 40 in the ink station 22, and ink adheres to the convex portions 31 of the plate 30. As the plate cylinder 24 and the blanket cylinder 27 rotate, the plate 30 to which the ink has adhered comes into contact with the surface of the blanket 25 supported by the support portion 29 of the blanket cylinder 27 one after another. As a result, the ink adhering to the convex portions 31 of the printing plate 30 is transferred to the blanket 25.

FIG. 3 is an example of a gravure printing device 150 that prints on the substrate 10. This example is an example of a printing device that prints on the base 10 when the base 10 has not been formed into the container 12. The gravure printing device 150 includes an unwinding roll 152, gravure rollers 154a-f, drying ovens 156a-f, a take-up roll 158, and a belt 160. Gravure printing is an example of intaglio printing.

Unwind roll 152 feeds substrate 10 to belt 160 . The substrate 10 supplied from the unwinding roll 152 may be an original film made of resin, or may be an original sheet of a large plate of a metal material containing aluminum, steel, or the like. As an example, resin substrate 10 is conveyed by belt 160 through gravure rollers 154a-f and drying oven 156 to take-up roll 158.

When the substrate 10 provided by the unwinding roll 152 is an original film, the substrate 10 may be a film made of a material such as resin. As an example, the film may be 5 μm or more thick and 30 μm or less thick. The base 10, which is a film, may be formed from a resin such as an olefin resin, a vinyl resin, a polyester resin, or a polystyrene resin, or may be formed from a thermoplastic resin or a biodegradable resin.

The gravure roller 154 applies the process colors cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and key code (K) color (black), white (W) color, and the above-mentioned process colors to the base 10. Printing is performed using a combination of special colors that are difficult to produce with color combinations. Gravure rollers 154 are provided corresponding to each color. The gravure rollers 154 in this example are, in order from the upstream side, a gravure roller 154a that prints yellow, a gravure roller 154b that prints magenta, a gravure roller 154c that prints cyan, a gravure roller 154d that prints black, and a gravure roller 154d that prints a special color. It includes a gravure roller 154e and a gravure roller 154f that prints white. However, the correspondence between the gravure roller 154 and the printing colors may be different, and the color arrangement from the upstream side to the downstream side may also be different.

The gravure printing device 150 of this example includes six gravure rollers 154. However, the number of gravure rollers 154 is not limited to six. For example, a plurality of gravure rollers 154 for different special colors may be included, or a plurality of gravure rollers 154 for colors that consume fast gravure ink may be included. Conversely, a configuration with fewer gravure rollers 154 may be used, such as a configuration in which the gravure roller 154 for special colors is omitted.

A drying oven 156a-f may be provided for each gravure roller 154a-f. After printing by the corresponding gravure rollers 154a-f is completed, the belt 160 transports the substrate 10 to the drying ovens 156a-f. The drying ovens 156a-f perform an ink drying process by blowing hot air onto the substrate 10. Each of the drying ovens 156a-f executes a drying process on the printing target every time printing of each color is completed.

Since a drying oven 156 is provided for each gravure roller 154 of each color, in the gravure printing apparatus 150 it is easier to overlay the next color on top of the previously printed color than in the offset printing apparatus 100. Furthermore, in the gravure printing device 150, inks of different colors do not mix, making it easier to use primary colors in the printing process, making it easier to print with clear colors.

A take-up roll 158 may be provided downstream of the drying oven 156. The winding roll 158 winds up the substrate 10, which is an original fabric, into a coil shape. The base body 10 wound up by the winding roll 158 may be stored in a cylindrical case, or may be stored in a stacked state in the wound form. However, if it is desired to preserve the substrate 10 in the form of a large sheet, the take-up roll 158 may not be provided. In this case, the substrate 10 may be taken out of the gravure printing apparatus 150 in the form of a large plate.

FIG. 4 is an example of a digital watermark image 200. For example, the digital watermark image 200 has a distribution of many dots.

The digital watermark image 200 may be printed in a design provided on the base 10 in a manner that is difficult for consumers to see. The digital watermark image 200 may be printed before the design is printed on the substrate 10, or may be printed after the design is printed on the substrate 10. As an example, when the digital watermark image 200 is printed by the gravure printing device 150, one of the process colors may be assigned to the color for the digital watermark image 200.

Various information is embedded in the digital watermark image 200 for each pattern. Digital watermark image 200 can be read with dedicated software. For example, the software is an application for a mobile phone or smart phone.

As an example, the digital watermark image 200 includes information used to determine the authenticity of the product, accounting information of the product, etc., and functions as a product tag. In another example, the digital watermark image 200 includes information such as a campaign code, information on winning or losing a campaign project, or a link to music, images, or the like.

By preparing digital watermark images 200 of many patterns, information on many patterns can be provided. As an example, the images included in the digital watermark image 200 printed on the substrate 10 may be different for each container 12. If a small amount of various types of digital watermark images 200 are prepared using an inkjet printer, traceability for each can can also be provided. The cans of this example can provide use in tracking each can in a campaign offering limited edition cans.

In order to embed the digital watermark image 200 in a design image provided on the base 10 in a manner that is difficult to visually recognize, image alignment of the digital watermark image 200 and the design image may be performed. In this example, the substrate 10 may be temporarily stored after either the digital watermark image 200 or the design image is printed first. While the substrate 10 is being stored, image alignment of the digital watermark image 200 and the design image can be performed.

Particularly when providing traceability to each container 12, a large number of patterns of digital watermark images 200 are printed. By printing the other of the digital watermark image 200 or the design image after performing image matching, the digital watermark image 200 can be visually recognized as a design pattern even when a large number of patterns of digital watermark images 200 are used. Rapid printing can be performed in difficult manners.

In particular, when providing the digital watermark image 200 in a manner that is difficult to visually recognize, the digital watermark image 200 can also be provided as a repeated image over a wide range. As a result, it is possible to provide a product tag that can pass through the checkout register without having to aim, and it is possible to provide a product tag that is easier to read than a barcode or the like.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a method 300 for manufacturing the base body 10. The method 300 for manufacturing the substrate 10 includes a step S102 of printing the digital watermark image 200 on the substrate 10, a step S106 of storing the substrate 10 on which the digital watermark image 200 is printed, and a step S106 of storing the substrate 10 on which the digital watermark image 200 is printed. and a step S110 of printing an image of the design on the image.

As an example, step S102 of printing the digital watermark image 200 is performed on the substrate 10 provided in the form of a web, such as printing by the gravure printing device 150. However, like the offset printing apparatus 100, the step S102 of printing the digital watermark image 200 may be performed after the base body 10 is formed into the container 12.

As an example, the step S102 of printing the digital watermark image 200 includes a step of plate printing. Plate printing may include offset printing or gravure printing.

By performing printing by offset printing, the arrangement and arrangement of dots of the digital watermark image 200 can be printed regularly. Furthermore, offset printing can print at a higher speed than plateless printing such as inkjet printing. Offset printing enables high-speed printing when the number of patterns to be printed is small and there is no need to prepare many plates.

On the other hand, gravure printing is an example of intaglio printing. In gravure printing, a drying process is performed for each color of ink. Therefore, in gravure printing, it is easy to overlay the next color on top of the previously printed color. In gravure printing, the different colors of ink do not mix, making it easier to use primary colors in the printing process.

When printing the digital watermark image 200 by gravure printing, the color of the digital watermark image 200 can be set by superimposing colors. Thereby, the digital watermark image 200 can be provided in a manner that is difficult to visually recognize.

In another example, the step S102 of printing the digital watermark image 200 includes a step of plateless printing. Plateless printing may include laser printing, inkjet printing, or electrophotographic printing. Furthermore, in plateless printing, there is no need to change plates in order to change the image to be printed. Therefore, even if the image to be printed includes images of many patterns, the pattern to be printed can be quickly switched.

For example, when printing the digital watermark image 200 by inkjet printing, step S102 may be a process of printing the digital watermark image 200 on the container 12 formed of the resin base 10 by inkjet printing. Printing using inkjet printing is less likely to cause deterioration even on resin, and can print clearly.

In this example, the container 12 may be a container made of resin such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene, or polypropylene. The shape of the container 12 may be cylindrical or polygonal columnar. In another example, the substrate 10 may be a film wrapped around a resin container. The resin that is the material of the base body 10 may be the same resin as the resin that is the material of the container 12, or may be a different resin. Note that printing on the resin container can also be performed by screen printing or the like.

If the step of molding the container 12 has not yet been performed, alignment is performed on the substrate 10 before the step S106 of storing the substrate in order to determine the position to print the design image after the step S106 of storing the substrate 10. The process may include a step S104 of printing a mark. Furthermore, after the step S106 of storing the base body 10, a step S108 of printing a design image in accordance with the alignment marks may be provided.

As an example, alignment marks may be included in digital watermark image 200. The step S104 of printing the alignment mark on the substrate 10 may be performed by the same step as the step S102 of printing the digital watermark image 200. That is, the digital watermark image 200 can include information for managing the substrate 10 during the process of manufacturing the container 12 from the substrate 10.

In another example, the alignment mark may be a separate image from digital watermark image 200. Since the digital watermark image 200 may be used for purposes such as campaigns after manufacturing, another image may be prepared as a positioning mark during manufacturing.

In step S106 of storing the base 10, image matching of the digital watermark image 200 and the design image can be performed while the base 10 is being stored. By performing image alignment, the digital watermark image 200 can be embedded in the image of the design provided on the base 10 in a manner that is difficult to visually recognize.

When preparing multiple patterns of digital watermark images 200, step S106 can secure time for embedding multiple patterns of digital watermark images 200 in a manner that is difficult to visually recognize. Even if the number of patterns in the digital watermark image 200 is small, by providing step S106, business plans such as changing the design of the container 12 for each season or changing the campaign policy of the product provided by the container 12 can be made. Able to adapt to changes.

As an example, storing the substrates 10 includes palletizing the substrates 10. The substrate 10 may be stored on a pallet 70, described below in FIGS. 6A and 6B, by palletization.

As an example, the step S106 of storing the substrate 10 may be a form in which the substrate 10 is stored in the form of a web. By storing the substrate 10 in the form of a web, space can be saved when storing the substrate 10.

In another example, the step S106 of storing the base body 10 may include a step of winding up the base body 10. In this example, the step S106 of storing the substrate 10 may be a step of storing the wound substrate 10 in a spirally wound form. In addition, in order to maintain the base body 10 in a spirally wound form, the method may include a step of storing the wound base body 10 in a cylindrical case and storing the base body 10 stored in the case. By storing the base body 10 without winding it up and forming it into a container, space when storing the base body 10 can be saved.

In yet another example, the step S106 of storing the substrate 10 includes a step of storing the container 12 after forming the substrate 10 into the container 12. Further, the step S106 of storing the base body 10 includes a step of palletizing the containers 12 using a palletizer. For palletized containers 12, a visual inspection of the exterior surface of the containers 12 can be performed to inspect the printing and surface condition. For the substrates 10 stacked on a pallet, an attempt may be made to read the digital watermark image 200 printed on the substrate 10 using a digital watermark image 200 reader. Thereby, the state of printing on the substrate 10 can be confirmed during the step S106 of storing the substrate 10.

Next, step S110 of printing a design image on the substrate 10 on which the digital watermark image 200 is printed is executed. The step S110 of printing the design image in this example may be performed after the step S106 of storing the substrate 10. Therefore, in this example, the step S102 of printing the digital watermark image 200 is performed before the step S106 of storing the substrate 10, and the step S110 of printing the design image is performed after the step S106 of storing the substrate 10. be exposed.

As an example, the step S110 of printing a design image is a step S102 of performing electronic watermark printing after primary molding of the base 10 as a container 12, and the step of further printing on the stored molded container 12. It is. In step S110, an image of the design may be provided on the shaped container by using a plate printing device such as the offset printing device 100. The container 12 of this example is, for example, a two-piece can such as a beverage container.

In another example 1, the step S110 of printing a design image is a step of spreading and printing the substrate 10, which is a web-like film material that was rolled up and stored in step S106. In another example 1, a labeled container 12 is provided by wrapping a substrate 10, which is a film on which a digital watermark image 200 and a design image have been printed, around a container 12 formed in a separate process. As an example, if the container 12 is a metal can, a labeled can is provided.

In another example 1, the substrate 10 on which the digital watermark image 200 or the design image has been printed in step S110 is separated into pieces by slitting. A labeled can container 12 can be manufactured by wrapping the singulated substrate 10 around a cylindrical metal can container using a labeler.

The film wrapped around the label can includes an overlapping portion and is wrapped in such a manner that the overlapping portion is aligned. Alignment marks may be used to align the overlapping portions. By using a label can as the container 12, it becomes easier to print a clearer design than when printing a design directly on the can body. When manufacturing label cans, either the digital watermark image 200 or the design image may be printed on the film side, and the other may be printed on the container 12 side.

In another example 2, the step S110 of printing a design image is performed on the substrate 10 that was stored in a large plate state in step S106 while maintaining the web-like form. To prevent misalignment during molding, printing may be performed using alignment marks. In another example 2, the step S110 of printing the design image may be a step of printing on the base 10 by any one of gravure printing, screen printing, inkjet printing, etc.

The container 12 provided in the second example is, for example, an aerosol can provided as a three-piece can or a cup-shaped draw-and-redraw (DR) can. In this example, after the step S110 of printing a design image, the base body 10 is divided by a slitting step. Furthermore, the container 12 can be molded by the process of performing molding on the divided base 10.

The container 12 provided in the third alternative example is, for example, a flexible package having a shape such as a bag-like pouch. In another example 3, the base 10 is an original film made of resin, and in step S106 of storing the base 10, the wound film is stored.

In this example, the step S110 of printing the design image 110 may be a step in which the substrate 10, which has been rolled up and stored, is expanded and printed by gravure printing, inkjet printing, or the like. In another example 3, the substrate 10 after printing the design image is laminated with a printing protective layer such as a PET film layer, and the original film is separated by a slitting process. The segmented substrate 10 is molded into a bag shape, and a bag-like container 12 is provided.

The substrate 10 provided in further alternative example 4 is a roll label or a shrink label. When providing roll labels, resins such as polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) may be used, and when providing shrink labels, heat-shrinkable resins such as polystyrene and PET may be used.

In another example 4, similarly to another example 3, the base body 10 is provided as an original film made of resin, and in step S106 of storing the base body 10, the wound film is stored. The step S110 of printing a design image in another example 4 may also be a step in which the substrate 10 that has been rolled up and stored by gravure printing, inkjet printing, or the like is spread out and printed.

In this example, after step S110 and the separation into pieces by slitting, there is a step of wrapping the base body 10 around a container 12 made of PET resin or the like. When providing a shrink label, a wrap with an overlapping portion is provided. Alignment marks may be used to align the overlapping portions. A heat processing treatment is performed on the base body 10, and a heat-shrinkable shrink label is attached to the container 12.

On the other hand, when providing a roll label, the base 10 is wrapped around the container 12 and bonded together without subjecting the base 10 to any heat processing. Another example 4 provides a label that can be wrapped around a container 12, such as a resin container such as a PET bottle.

The step S110 of printing the design image may be performed by a method different from the method of printing the digital watermark image 200. As a specific example, the digital watermark image 200 may be provided by gravure printing, and the design image may be printed by offset printing in order to print images of the same pattern design at high speed.

In another example, the electronic watermark image 200 is printed by plateless printing, which allows printing different designs without changing the plates for each design, and the design image is printed by offset printing in order to print images of the same pattern design at high speed. You can print it out. In yet another example, when both the digital watermark image 200 and the design image are provided by inkjet printing, the step S102 of printing the digital watermark image 200 on the substrate 10 and the step S110 of printing the design image are the same printing method. It may be executed by

The step S102 of printing the digital watermark image 200 and the step S108 of printing the image of the design may be performed on the substrate 10 in a web-like form. If the base body 10 is not formed into the container 12 by the completion of step S108, the method 300 for manufacturing the base body 10 includes forming the base body 10 after the electronic watermark image 200 printing step S102 and the design image printing step S108. A step S110 of forming the container 12 is provided.

FIG. 6A is an example of a palletized web-like substrate 10. This example corresponds to an example of a storage form in which the web-like substrate 10 is stored in step S106.

The web-like substrate 10 is automatically stacked above the pallet 70 by a palletizer in step S106 of storing the substrate 10. Since the palletizer can be easily controlled by computer control, the stacking pattern above the pallet 70 can also be easily changed.

FIG. 6B is another example of a palletized web-like substrate 10. This example corresponds to an example of a storage form in which the web-like substrate 10 is stored in step S106.

The rolled up substrates 10 or the substrates 10 shaped as containers 12 are aligned and stacked on the upper surface of the pallet 70. In particular, if the container 12 has already been molded, the printing state of the entire side surface of the container 12 can be confirmed. Furthermore, even if the substrate 10 is stored in a rolled-up form, if the digital watermark image 200 is exposed after being rolled up, the printed state of the digital watermark image 200 on the substrate 10 may be changed. Can be confirmed.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing another example of the method 300 for manufacturing the base body 10. Below, differences between the manufacturing method 300 of FIG. 5 and the manufacturing method 300 of this example will be described.

The manufacturing method 300 of this example includes a step S202 of printing a design image before a step S206 of storing the base body 10. The manufacturing method 300 of this example includes a step 206 of printing the design image by a method such as offset printing, and then storing the substrate 10 on which the design image is printed. That is, in this example, the step S202 of printing the design image is performed before the step S206 of storing the substrate 10, and the step S210 of printing the digital watermark image 200 is performed after the step S206 of storing the substrate. be exposed.

In this example as well, image alignment of design images can be performed in step S206 of storing the base body 10. By performing image alignment, the digital watermark image 200 can be embedded in the image of the design provided on the base 10 in a manner that is difficult to visually recognize.

FIG. 8 is an example of a design on the front side of the container 12. In the container 12 of this example, the container body 82, the design image 84 provided above the digital watermark image 200, the text portion 86-A and the text portion 86-B, and the design image 84 and the text portion 86 are not printed. negative space 87. Although the container 12 in this example is a beverage can, as already stated, the container 12 is not limited to a beverage can.

By performing the step S202 of printing an image of the design before the step S206 of storing the substrate 10, and performing the step S210 of printing the digital watermark image 200 after the step S206 of storing the substrate, a common design can be obtained. In the container 12, the information provided by the digital watermark image 200 can be changed. This allows the digital watermark image 200 to be changed for containers 12 having a common design when the information desired to be provided changes due to a change in campaign content.

FIG. 9 is an example of a design on the rear surface of the container 12. The container 12 of this example includes a container body 82, a component display section 88, and a negative space 87 of the container 12 other than the component display section 88.

The component display section 88 displays the components of the beverage in the beverage can, the contents of the aerosol can, and the like. The component display area 88 has a higher density of printed characters than other areas. Therefore, in the component display section 88, information may be written in black character strings above a white background color, but the background color and the color of the character strings are not limited.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a design applied to the web-like base 10 before the base 10 is formed into a three-dimensional container 12. In this example, printing of the design image 84, character section 86, and component display section 88 is completed before the base body 10 is molded into the three-dimensional container 12.

FIG. 11 shows an area A that provides a digital watermark image 200 on the container 12. In FIG. Area A where the digital watermark image 200 is provided is hatched.

The digital watermark image 200 in this example is provided in a negative space 87, a design image 84, and a character portion 86. By providing the digital watermark image 200 also in the negative space 87 as in this example, the digital watermark image 200 can be provided over a wide range of the area occupied by the base 10. Thereby, when reading the digital watermark image 200, it is no longer necessary to aim the digital watermark image 200 through the reader. Therefore, when the digital watermark image 200 is used as a product tag for checkout, it can be read more easily than a barcode, QR code (registered trademark), or the like.

The digital watermark image 200 in this example is not provided in the component display section 88. A background color such as white may be set on the component display section 88 in order to improve the visibility of text information indicating the components. By providing the digital watermark image 200 so as to avoid the component display section 88, the digital watermark image 200 can be prevented from becoming more noticeable than other areas, and the character strings in the component display section 88 can be kept in an easy-to-read state.

The digital watermark image 200 of this example is also provided in the character section 86. However, in order to keep the character part 86 clearly visible, the digital watermark image 200 may be provided avoiding the character part 86.

The digital watermark image 200 in this example is provided overlapping the design image 84. In particular, when printing the digital watermark image 200 before providing the design image 84 on the base 10 as in step S102, the design image 84 is provided above the digital watermark image 200 provided on the container body 82.

FIG. 12A shows an example of a cross-sectional view on the front surface side of the base body 10. The base 10 forming the container 12 includes a metal layer 92 , a digital watermark layer 94 provided on the top surface of the metal layer 92 , a design printing layer 96 provided on the top surface of the digital watermark layer 94 , and a design printing layer 96 . and a film layer 98 provided on the top surface. The substrate 10 further includes a protective layer 112 on the top surface of the film layer 98.

Metal layer 92 may be an alloy such as aluminum or iron. In this example, container 12 is a metal can. Therefore, although the base body 10 is made of metal, the material of the base body 10 is not limited to metal, and may be made of resin or the like.

The design printing layer 96 on which the design image is printed includes a pattern layer 97. The portion of the design printing layer 96 other than the picture layer 97 may be a solid printing layer for applying solid printing of white or the like in order to improve the coloring for decoration. Also in this example, the design printing layer 96 is provided above the digital watermark layer 94 that includes the digital watermark image 200.

As an example, the protective layer 112 may be a colorless and transparent thermosetting resin layer. The thermosetting resin layer may include a resin composition used as a film polishing varnish. Alternatively, when the protective layer 112 is provided above the ink layer, it may contain a material for protecting the ink of the image formed on the label, and may also contain a lubricant or an isocyanate-based composition.

FIG. 12B shows another example of a cross-sectional view on the front side of the base 10. FIG. The base 10 forming the container 12 includes a metal layer 92, a film layer 98 provided on the upper surface of the metal layer 92, an adhesive layer 114 provided between the metal layer 92 and the film layer 98, and an upper surface of the film layer. A digital watermark layer 94 provided on the top surface of the digital watermark layer 94 , a design printing layer 96 provided on the top surface of the digital watermark layer 94 , and a protective layer 112 provided on the top surface of the design printing layer 96 .

The adhesive layer 114 may include a thermosetting adhesive that easily adheres to the outer surface of the can by heating and pressing. As an example, adhesive layer 114 includes thermosetting resin. The adhesive layer 114 may contain a pigment to prevent thermal shrinkage during heating and suppress distortion of the printed image.

In this example, both the digital watermark image 200 and the design image 84 are provided on the film of the label can. Also in this example, the design printing layer 96 on which the design image is printed is provided above the digital watermark layer 94 including the digital watermark image 200.

FIG. 12C shows yet another example of a cross-sectional view on the surface side of the base 10. The base 10 forming the container 12 includes a metal layer 92, a digital watermark layer 94 provided on the top surface of the metal layer 92, a film layer 98 provided on the digital watermark layer 94, and the digital watermark layer 94 and the film layer. It includes an adhesive layer 114 provided therebetween, and a design printing layer 96 provided on the upper surface of the film layer. The substrate 10 further includes a protective layer 112 on the top surface of the film layer 98.

In this example, a digital watermark image 200 is applied to the base 10 that constitutes the main body of the container 12. Furthermore, the design printing layer 96 on which the design image 84 is printed has a configuration in which it is printed on a film and wrapped around the container 12. That is, the above-described configuration can provide a highly designed label can in which the main body of the container 12 has traceability based on the electronic watermark image 200 and the design image 84 is printed on a film and wrapped around the film.

Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the range described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes or improvements can be made to the embodiments described above. It is clear from the claims that such modifications or improvements may be included within the technical scope of the present invention.

The order of execution of each process, such as the operation, procedure, step, and stage in the apparatus, system, program, and method shown in the claims, specification, and drawings, is specifically defined as "before" or "before". It should be noted that they can be implemented in any order unless the output of the previous process is used in the subsequent process. Even if the claims, specifications, and operational flows in the drawings are explained using "first," "next," etc. for convenience, this does not mean that it is essential to carry out the operations in this order. It's not a thing.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Base body, 12... Container, 20... Printing operation part, 22... Ink station, 24... Plate cylinder, 25... Blanket, 27... Blanket cylinder, 28... - Rotating shaft, 29... Support part, 30... Plate, 31... Convex part, 40... Form roller, 50... Container supply/export part, 52... Shooter, 54... - Mandrel turret, 56... Transfer turret, 58... Vanish coating section, 60... Export route, 70... Pallet, 82... Container body, 84... Design image, 86... Character portion, 87...Negative space, 88...Component display portion, 92...Metal layer, 94...Electronic watermark layer, 96...Design printing layer, 97...Picture layer, 98... ... Film layer, 100 ... Offset printing device, 112 ... Protective layer, 114 ... Adhesive layer, 150 ... Gravure printing device, 152 ... Unwinding roll, 154 ... Gravure roller, 156... Drying oven, 158... Winding roll, 160... Belt, 200... Digital watermark image, 300... Manufacturing method

Claims (12)

A method for manufacturing a substrate on which a digital watermark image is printed, the method comprising:
a step of printing a digital watermark image on the substrate;
storing the substrate on which the digital watermark image is printed;
printing a design image above the digital watermark image on the substrate on which the digital watermark image is printed ;
The method for manufacturing a substrate includes the step of printing the digital watermark image without printing . The step of printing without a plate includes the step of printing a plurality of different digital watermark images.
A method for manufacturing a substrate according to claim 1. The method for manufacturing a substrate according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the step of storing the substrate includes a step of winding up the substrate. The method for manufacturing a substrate according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the step of storing the substrate includes a step of palletizing containers of the substrate. The method for manufacturing a substrate according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the step of printing the design image is performed after the step of storing the substrate. The method for manufacturing a substrate according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the step of printing the design image is performed before the step of storing the substrate. The substrate is web-shaped,
The method for manufacturing a substrate according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , further comprising a step of forming the substrate into a container after the step of printing the digital watermark image and the step of printing the design image. The method for manufacturing a substrate according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the substrate constitutes a three-dimensional container. The method for manufacturing a substrate according to claim 7 or 8 , wherein an image included in the digital watermark image printed on the substrate is different for each container. The method for manufacturing a substrate according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the step of printing the digital watermark image includes a step of plate printing. The printing method of the digital watermark image in the step of printing the digital watermark image is one selected from offset printing, gravure printing, laser printing, inkjet printing, electrophotographic printing, or screen printing,
The method of printing the design image in the step of printing the design image is one selected from offset printing, gravure printing, screen printing, or inkjet printing,
The method for manufacturing a substrate according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a method for printing the digital watermark image is different from a method for printing the design image. printing alignment marks on the substrate before storing the substrate;
The method for manufacturing a substrate according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising, after the step of storing the substrate, printing the design image in accordance with the alignment mark.

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