JP7480879B2 - Method for forming a two-dimensional code - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a two-dimensional code and a method for forming the same. The present invention also relates to a printed matter and a package on which a two-dimensional code is printed.

Two-dimensional codes are placed on printed materials such as labels and packaging materials, and on packages formed from packaging materials, to display product information, etc. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a two-dimensional code. This two-dimensional code has a rectangular outer shape and has multiple rectangular cells arranged in a matrix.

Position detection patterns are provided in rectangular areas consisting of multiple cells at the three corners of the two-dimensional code, and data storage areas are provided between the position detection patterns. The data storage areas can express information by the distribution pattern of white and black cells. In addition, the orientation of the two-dimensional code can be detected by the position detection patterns.

JP 2004-206674 A (pages 4 to 10, FIG. 1)

The above-mentioned conventional two-dimensional codes can be formed, for example, by printing using a plate cylinder, but it is not possible to form different two-dimensional codes for multiple printing locations. In contrast, if a two-dimensional code is formed by drawing black cells using laser light, for example, different two-dimensional codes can be easily formed for multiple printing locations. However, because the two-dimensional code is formed by scanning each rectangular cell with laser light that has a beam diameter sufficiently small relative to the cell, it takes a long time to form the two-dimensional code. This has led to the problem of increased manufacturing man-hours for printed materials and packaging that include two-dimensional codes.

The present invention aims to provide a two-dimensional code and a method for forming the two-dimensional code that can shorten the formation time. The present invention also aims to reduce the manufacturing labor required for printed materials and packaging on which two-dimensional codes are printed.

In order to achieve the above object, a two-dimensional code of the present invention is formed of a plurality of rectangular cells arranged in a matrix, and comprises a data storage area in which information is expressed by arranging one circular first dot in each desired cell, and a position detection pattern in which a plurality of the cells are covered with circular second dots having a diameter larger than that of the first dots,
The first dot is inscribed in the outer shape of the cell, and the second dot is inscribed in the outer shape of a rectangular region made up of a plurality of the cells.

The present invention is also characterized in that in the two-dimensional code having the above configuration, the diameter of the second dot is at least twice the diameter of the first dot.

The printed matter of the present invention is also characterized in that it has the two-dimensional code of the above configuration printed on it.

The present invention is also characterized in that the printed matter having the above-mentioned configuration includes a plurality of planned division areas that are to be divided by cutting, the two-dimensional code is printed in each of the planned division areas, and the information expressed by the two-dimensional code differs depending on the planned division area.

The present invention is also characterized in that the printed matter of the above configuration is formed from a laminate including a printed layer printed with ink that changes color when irradiated with laser light.

The packaging of the present invention is also characterized in that it has the above-described two-dimensional code printed on it.

The present invention is also characterized in that the packaging body of the above configuration is formed from a laminate including a printed layer printed with ink that changes color when irradiated with laser light.

The present invention also provides a method for forming a two-dimensional code comprising a data storage area formed of a plurality of rectangular cells arranged in a matrix, with information being expressed by arranging one circular first dot in each desired cell, and a position detection pattern covering the plurality of cells with circular second dots having a diameter larger than that of the first dots, the first dots being inscribed in the outline of the cells, and the second dots being inscribed in the outline of a rectangular area formed of the plurality of cells, the method comprising the steps of:
The method includes an irradiation process for irradiating laser light focused by a focusing lens to form the first dots and the second dots, and is characterized in that the focus of the focusing lens is shifted when forming the second dots relative to when forming the first dots.

The present invention is also characterized in that in the method for forming a two-dimensional code having the above-mentioned configuration, the irradiation step is carried out after printing the inside of each cell with ink that changes color when irradiated with laser light.

According to the present invention, the data storage area of the two-dimensional code is formed by arranging one circular first dot in a desired cell. In addition, the position detection pattern is formed by a circular second dot having a larger diameter than the first dot. Therefore, the first dot of the data storage area and the second dot of the position detection pattern can be easily formed by varying the beam diameter of the laser light. This makes it possible to shorten the time required to form the two-dimensional code and reduce the manufacturing labor required for printed matter and packaging that includes the two-dimensional code.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, the first dot and the second dot are formed by irradiating a laser beam focused by a focusing lens, and the focus of the focusing lens is shifted when forming the second dot compared to when forming the first dot. This makes it easy to realize laser beams with different beam diameters. Therefore, the time required to form a two-dimensional code can be shortened, and the manufacturing labor required for printed matter and packaging with a two-dimensional code can be reduced.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a packaging bag according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a laminate forming a packaging bag according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a roll of a laminate of packaging bags according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a two-dimensional code of a packaging bag according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of a two-dimensional code on a packaging bag according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a two-dimensional code forming device for a packaging bag according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a two-dimensional code of a packaging bag according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a packaging box according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

First Embodiment
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a packaging bag of the first embodiment. The packaging bag 1 is made into a pillow-shaped bag using a laminate 20 of resin films (see Fig. 2), and contains contents such as food, medicine, and supplements.

The packaging bag 1 is sealed by the back seal portion 2 and the edge seal portion 3. The back seal portion 2 is formed by heat-bonding both circumferential ends of the body portion 4, which is a cylindrical arrangement of the laminate 20. The edge seal portion 3 is formed by heat-bonding both axial ends of the body portion 4. The edge of the edge seal portion 3 is formed into a sawtooth shape for opening.

Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the layer structure of the laminate 20 that forms the packaging bag 1. The laminate 20 is formed by laminating a base material layer 23, an intermediate layer 25, and a thermal adhesive resin layer 27 in this order from the outer surface.

The base layer 23 is formed from a resin film such as a biaxially oriented nylon film, a biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate film, or a biaxially oriented polypropylene film.

Printed layer 21 and printed layer 22 are provided on the outer surface of base layer 23. Printed layer 21 and printed layer 22 may be formed in different areas, or printed layer 21 may be formed on the upper surface of printed layer 22. Printed layer 21 and printed layer 22 may also be provided on the inner surface of base layer 23. Printed layer 22 forms a pattern including text such as product name and product description by gravure printing or the like.

The printing layer 21 is formed by printing laser coloring ink in the area where the two-dimensional code 30 (see Figure 1) is to be formed by gravure printing or the like. The laser coloring ink contains a light absorbing material that is highly absorbent to laser light in a specified wavelength range, and a coloring substance that changes color when the light absorbing material absorbs the laser light and generates heat.

In this embodiment, laser-colored ink that develops color when irradiated with a UV laser (YVO4 laser with a wavelength of 355 nm) is used. Laser-colored ink that develops color when irradiated with laser light of other wavelengths may also be used, for example, laser-colored ink that develops color when irradiated with a green laser.

As a result, the non-laser light irradiated areas of the printing layer 21 are formed, for example, in white, and the laser light irradiated areas are formed, for example, in black. By irradiating the desired areas in the printing layer 21 with laser light, a two-dimensional code 30 (see FIG. 1) is formed in which cells with different display colors are distributed. The non-laser light irradiated areas of the printing layer 21 may be a display color other than white, and the laser light irradiated areas may be a display color other than black.

The intermediate layer 25 is formed of a deposition film in which a transparent deposition film (silica, alumina, etc.) or a metal deposition film (aluminum, etc.) is deposited on the lower surface of a resin film. This gives the intermediate layer 25 a barrier property against gases such as water vapor and oxygen. The resin film of the intermediate layer 25 is formed of, for example, a polyester film, a polyethylene terephthalate film, etc.

The thermal adhesive resin layer 27 is made of a thermal adhesive resin and is formed from a low-density polyethylene film, a linear low-density polyethylene film, a non-oriented polypropylene film, etc. The back seal portion 2 and the edge seal portion 3 are formed by overlapping the opposing thermal adhesive resin layers 27 and applying pressure and heat.

The base material layer 23 and the intermediate layer 25 are dry laminated via an adhesive layer 24 made of an acrylic or urethane-based dry lamination adhesive. The intermediate layer 25 and the thermal adhesive resin layer 27 are dry laminated via an adhesive layer 26 made of an acrylic or urethane-based dry lamination adhesive.

Figure 3 shows a plan view of a roll 5 of the laminate 20 that forms the packaging bag 1. The roll 5, which is made by winding the laminate 20 into a roll, is sent out in the MD direction to produce the packaging bag 1. The roll 5 is cut along cutting lines 5a to form a number of division regions 6 arranged in parallel in the MD and TD directions. Each division region 6 is divided to form a packaging bag 1.

The printing layer 21 and the printing layer 22 are provided in each of the planned division areas 6. A two-dimensional code 30 is formed by irradiating the printing layer 21 with laser light. At this time, a two-dimensional code 30 containing different information can be formed for each packaging bag 1. Therefore, the two-dimensional code 30 can be used to provide traceable numbering for each product.

Figure 4 shows a plan view of the two-dimensional code 30, and Figure 5 shows an enlarged plan view of a portion of the two-dimensional code 30 (part H in Figure 4). As mentioned above, the two-dimensional code 30 has a rectangular outer shape and has a number of rectangular cells 33 arranged in a matrix. Each cell 33 is divided by imaginary lines 33a shown in dashed lines in the figure. A white printing layer 21 (see Figure 2), for example, is printed over the entire area in which the two-dimensional code 30 is formed.

Position detection patterns 32 are provided in rectangular areas consisting of multiple cells 33 at three corners of the two-dimensional code 30, and data storage areas 31 are provided between the position detection patterns 32. The data storage areas 31 can express information by a distribution pattern of white cells 33 and cells 33 with black first dots 31a. The position detection patterns 32 can also be used to detect the orientation of the two-dimensional code 30.

In the data storage area 31, circular first dots 31a are provided in desired cells 33 based on the information to be represented. The position detection patterns 32 each cover a plurality of cells 33 and are formed by second dots 32a that are larger in diameter than the first dots 31a.

The process for making bags from the roll body 5 (see FIG. 3) includes an irradiation process for irradiating laser light, and the first dots 31a and the second dots 32a are formed by the irradiation process. FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of the irradiation process. In the irradiation process, a laser marker 50 irradiates the printed layer 21 (see FIG. 2) of the roll body 5 with laser light.

The laser marker 50 is composed of an oscillator 51, an aperture 52, a focusing lens 53, a galvanometer mirror 54, and a flat lens 55 arranged in this order. The oscillator 51 emits laser light of a wavelength corresponding to the printed layer 21. The focusing lens 53 focuses the laser light that passes through the aperture 52. The galvanometer mirror 54 reflects the laser light focused by the focusing lens 53 in a direction corresponding to each cell 33 (see Figure 4) of the printed layer 21 on the roll body 5, causing the laser light to scan. The flat lens 55 causes the laser light to be perpendicularly incident on the roll body 5 (light receiving surface).

The focusing lens 53 is arranged to be movable as shown by the arrow D in order to adjust the focus. Therefore, by shifting the focus of the focusing lens 53, the beam diameter of the laser light on the light receiving surface can be changed.

The first dot 31a is formed by adjusting the focusing lens 53 to a predetermined focus and irradiating a laser beam to only one point within the cell 33. In this embodiment, the first dot 31a is formed as a circle inscribed in the imaginary line 33a that indicates the outline of the cell 33.

The second dots 32a are formed as circles with a larger diameter than the first dots 31a by shifting the focus of the condenser lens 53 relative to when the first dots 31a were formed. This causes multiple cells 33 to be covered with the second dots 32a. In this embodiment, the second dots 32a are formed as circles inscribed in the outline of a rectangular region of 4 cells x 4 cells by irradiating only one point within the rectangular region with a laser light beam.

Since the cells 33 in which the first dots 31a of the data storage area 31 are arranged are formed by irradiation of a single point of laser light, the time required to form the two-dimensional code 30 can be shortened. Furthermore, since one position detection pattern 32 consisting of the second dots 32a is formed by irradiation of a single point of laser light, the time required to form the two-dimensional code 30 can be further shortened. This makes it possible to reduce the number of steps required to manufacture the packaging bag 1 (see FIG. 1) and the roll body 5 (see FIG. 3), which are printed products on which the two-dimensional code 30 is printed.

When the first dots 31a in the cells 33 are large, the reading accuracy of the two-dimensional code 30 is higher than when they are small. For this reason, the outer periphery of the first dots 31a may be disposed inside the imaginary line 33a that indicates the outline of the cell 33, but it is more preferable that the outer periphery be inscribed in the imaginary line 33a.

The second dot 32a is inscribed in the outline of a rectangular area of 4 cells x 4 cells, but may be inscribed in the outline of other rectangular areas (e.g., 2 cells x 2 cells or 3 cells x 3 cells). By having the second dot 32a have a diameter at least twice that of the first dot 31a, it is possible to prevent the second dot 32a from being erroneously detected as the first dot 31a during reading. In addition, the outer periphery of the second dot 32a may be spaced inward from the outline of the rectangular area.

Also, the reading range may be a circular area corresponding to the first dot 31a for the cell 33 in the data storage area 31. The reading range may be a circular area corresponding to the second dot 32a for the position detection pattern 32. This can further improve the reading accuracy of the two-dimensional code 30.

According to this embodiment, the data storage area 31 of the two-dimensional code 30 is formed by arranging one circular first dot 31a in the desired cell 33. In addition, the position detection pattern 32 is formed by circular second dots 32a having a larger diameter than the first dots 31a. Therefore, the first dots 31a of the data storage area 31 and the second dots 32a of the position detection pattern 32 can be easily formed by varying the beam diameter of the laser light. Therefore, the time required to form the two-dimensional code 30 can be shortened, and the manufacturing man-hours for printed matter and packaging with the two-dimensional code 30 can be reduced.

In addition, the diameter of the second dots 32a is more than twice the diameter of the first dots 31a, which prevents the second dots 32a from being mistaken for the first dots 31a during reading.

In addition, a two-dimensional code 30 is printed in each of the multiple planned division areas 6 into which the roll body 5 is to be divided by cutting, and the information expressed by the two-dimensional code 30 differs depending on the planned division area 6. This allows for traceable numbering of each product using the two-dimensional code 30.

The roll body 5 and the packaging bag 1 are formed of a laminate 20 including a printed layer 21 printed with ink that changes color when irradiated with laser light. This makes it easy to realize a two-dimensional code 30 including circular first dots 31a and second dots 32a by irradiating with laser light.

In addition, in the irradiation process, the first dots 31a and the second dots 32a are formed by irradiating the laser light focused by the focusing lens 53, and the focus of the focusing lens 53 is shifted when forming the second dots 32a compared to when forming the first dots 31a. This makes it easy to realize laser light with different beam diameters. Therefore, the time required to form the two-dimensional code can be shortened, and the manufacturing man-hours for printed matter and packaging with the two-dimensional code can be reduced.

In addition, the irradiation process is carried out after printing inside the cells 33 with laser-colored ink that changes color when irradiated with laser light, so the first dots 31a and second dots 32a can be easily formed.

Second Embodiment
Next, Fig. 7 is a plan view showing a two-dimensional code 30 of a packaging bag 1 of a second embodiment. For ease of explanation, the same parts as those of the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the position detection pattern 32. The other parts are the same as those of the first embodiment.

The position detection patterns 32 are provided at three corners of the two-dimensional code. Each position detection pattern 32 is formed by two consecutive circular second dots 32a provided within a rectangular area of 2 cells x 4 cells. Each second dot 32a is formed into a circle inscribed in the outline of the rectangular area by irradiating only one point within the rectangular area of 2 cells x 2 cells. In this way, each position detection pattern 32 is formed by irradiating the laser light twice.

In this embodiment, one position detection pattern 32 is formed by continuously forming two second dots 32a by irradiating two points with laser light, so the time required to form the two-dimensional code 30 can be shortened. This makes it possible to reduce the number of steps required to manufacture the packaging bag 1 (see FIG. 1) and the roll body 5 (see FIG. 3), which are printed products on which the two-dimensional code 30 is printed.

In addition, one position detection pattern 32 may be formed by three or more second dots 32a. Also, one position detection pattern 32 may be formed by multiple second dots 32a that partially overlap each other.

Third Embodiment
Next, Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a packaging box 40 of a third embodiment. For ease of explanation, the same parts as those of the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The packaging box 40 of this embodiment has the same two-dimensional code 30 as that of the first embodiment.

The packaging box 40 is formed by folding a blank plate (not shown) made of a laminate 20 (see FIG. 2) of a resin sheet or the like cut to a predetermined shape. The packaging box 40 has a rectangular bottom plate 41 with a front plate 42 and a back plate 44 connected to two opposing sides via fold lines, and side plates 43, 45 connected to the other two sides via fold lines. A top plate 46 is connected to the upper end of the back plate 44 via a fold line, and an insert piece 46a is provided at the front end of the top plate 46.

Flaps 43a, 45a are connected to the upper ends of the side panels 43, 45 via fold lines. The front and rear ends of the side panel 43 are glued to the front panel 42 and the back panel 44 by a glue tab (not shown). The front and rear ends of the side panel 45 are glued to the front panel 42 and the back panel 44 by a glue tab (not shown). The packaging box 40 is closed by inserting the insertion piece 46a between the flaps 43a, 45a and the front panel 42.

The two-dimensional code 30 shown in FIG. 4 is formed on the side panel 43 by irradiating it with laser light. This embodiment can achieve the same effect as the first embodiment.

In addition, a roll or sheet of packaging material may be cut to form multiple blank plates that form the packaging box 40. In this case, it is more preferable to print a two-dimensional code 30 with different information on each blank plate on the packaging material, since this allows tracking of each product. In addition, the two-dimensional code 30 shown in FIG. 7 above may be formed on the packaging box 40.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible. For example, the position detection pattern 32 of the two-dimensional code 30 is provided at three corners, but it may be provided at one predetermined position.

Also, similar to the roll body 5 shown in FIG. 3, a roll or sheet-like printed matter having two-dimensional codes 30 arranged in a plurality of planned division areas 6 may be cut, and labels may be formed from each planned division area 6. Also, the two-dimensional code 30 may be engraved on an object such as a resin molded product or metal by irradiating it with laser light.

The present invention can be used for packaging bags, packaging boxes, packaging materials, labels, etc. for food products, etc.

LIST OF SYMBOLS 1 Packaging bag 2 Back seal portion 3 Edge seal portion 4 Body portion 5 Roll body 5a Cutting line 6 Planned division area 20 Laminate 21, 22 Printed layer 23 Base material layer 24 Adhesive layer 25 Intermediate layer 26 Adhesive layer 27 Thermal adhesive resin layer 30 Two-dimensional code 31 Data storage area 31a First dot 32 Position detection pattern 32a Second dot 33 Cell 33a Virtual line 40 Packaging box 41 Bottom plate 42 Front plate 43, 45 Side plate 43a, 45a Flap 44 Back plate 46 Top plate 46a Insertion piece 50 Laser marker 51 Oscillator 52 Aperture 53 Condenser lens 54 Galvano mirror 55 Flat lens

Claims (2)

A method for forming a two-dimensional code comprising: a data storage area formed of a plurality of rectangular cells arranged in a matrix, the data storage area representing information by arranging one circular first dot in each desired cell; and a position detection pattern covering the plurality of cells with circular second dots having a diameter larger than that of the first dots, the first dots being inscribed in the outline of the cells, and the second dots being inscribed in the outline of a rectangular area formed of the plurality of cells, the method comprising the steps of:
A method for forming a two-dimensional code, comprising an irradiation step of irradiating laser light focused by a focusing lens to form the first dots and the second dots, and characterized in that the focus of the focusing lens is shifted when forming the second dots relative to when forming the first dots. 2. The method for forming a two-dimensional code according to claim 1 , wherein the irradiating step is carried out after printing the inside of each of the cells with ink that changes color when irradiated with a laser beam.