JPH08244742A - Device for printing and affixing mailing information - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a device for printing and affixing mailing information by which, irrespective of the form of the postal matter, a mark capable of mechanical reading can be affixed inconspicuously on the postal matter securely in a removable manner. CONSTITUTION: There are provided a keying device for inputting a zip code for an envelope LT, a converting means for converting such an inputted zip code to a bar code C which is capable of mechanical reading, a printing means for printing out such a converted mark on a label 91, and a labeling means 41 for affixing a label 91 printed with a bar code C on an envelope LT. A thermal printer 31 is used as the printing means.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a postal information printing / adding device for converting input postal information (for example, postal code data) into a machine-readable symbol such as a bar code and adding the postal information onto the postal matter. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, in order to further rationalize the mail delivery business, mechanical processing such as sorting work of mail is being further promoted. For example, a postal information printing addition device is proposed which prints a machine-readable symbol (for example, a bar code scanner readable symbol) such as a bar code corresponding to postal information on a mail piece by keying in a postal code). Has been done.

In such a postal information printing / adding device, a symbol such as a bar code is directly printed on a postal matter such as a sealed letter by using an ink jet printer or a dot printer.

[0004]

By the way, in the above-mentioned post information printing / adding device, since a symbol such as a bar code is directly printed on a postal matter such as a letter of seal, the print quality is extremely deteriorated depending on the form of the postal matter. The machine may become unreadable or damaged.

For example, when a dot printer prints a bar code on a sealed letter having an uneven outer surface due to the enclosed contents, the print density may be uneven and the bar code may be unclear. Further, the impact force of the dot pin may cause a hole in the sealed letter or damage the contents.

Further, even when printing is performed using an ink jet printer, if the envelope has irregularities as described above,
The bar width or length of the bar code may change due to the movement of the contents, or the bar may be cut in the middle and printed. In particular, when a resin film envelope, which has been increasing in number in recent years, is printed by an ink jet printer, the ink does not dry and the printing is crushed as the printing work is performed.

Therefore, in order to prevent such inconvenience,
It is conceivable to attach a piece of paper of a predetermined size to the bar code printed portion of the envelope made of resin film in advance and print the bar code on the piece of paper. However, in this case, the piece of paper on which the barcode is printed becomes too conspicuous, which may cause discomfort to the recipient.

Further, the bar code or the like is supposed to be printed on the portion near the side edge of the mail, but in the case of the mail which has information such as the address written on the entire surface, the bar code etc. There is a possibility that it will be unreadable by the machine because it overlaps with a part of it, or the mailman may misread it.

Further, the bar code or the like directly printed on the postal matter by the ink jet printer or the dot printer cannot be removed later, and there is a fear that the recipient may feel uncomfortable. In particular, postal items such as New Year's cards are often stored carefully for many years, and bar codes are apt to be noticeable.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a mail information printing / adding device capable of reliably and inconspicuously adding a machine-readable symbol to a mail regardless of the form of the mail. A second object of the present invention is to provide a mail information printing / adding device capable of removably adding a machine-readable symbol on a mail piece.

[0011]

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a postal information printing / adding device for inputting postal information such as a postal code and converting the input postal information into a machine-readable symbol. The conversion means, a printing means for printing the converted symbol on a label, and a label attaching means for attaching the label on which the symbol is printed to a mail item, and the printing means is formed by a thermal printer. To do.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the postal information printing addition device, the label has an adhesive portion that can adhere to the mail piece, and the adhesive portion has a light peeling force from the mail piece. It is characterized in that it is formed so that it can be peeled off.

[0013]

According to the first aspect of the present invention having the above construction, the postal information such as the postal code input by the operator through the input means can be read by a machine (for example, a bar code scanner) like a bar code by the conversion means. Is converted to a symbol.
This symbol is printed on the label by the printing means, and the label is attached on the mail piece by the label attaching means.
Therefore, a symbol can be machine-readable added to the mail regardless of the form of the mail.

In this case, since the printing means is formed by a thermal printer, it is possible to use a label made of a transparent resin film which is inconspicuous as a label, and it is possible to sufficiently cope with the resin film sealed letters which have been increasing in recent years. it can.

According to the second aspect of the present invention having the above structure, in addition, since the label added on the mail can be peeled off from the mail with a light peeling force, the label can be peeled off from the mail if necessary. Therefore, the recipient does not feel uncomfortable. Further, even when the address etc. is written on the entire surface of the mail, since the symbol such as the bar code is printed on the label, it does not overlap with the address etc. and is not unreadable by the machine. Further, by removing the label from the mail, the address and the like written under the label can be seen, so that, for example, a mailman does not misread the address and the like.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the present postal information printing addition device includes a device body 1, an input unit (11), and a conversion unit (2).
1), a thermal printer 31 as a printing means, and a label sticking means 41 are provided, and a machine-readable symbol (C) corresponding to the postal information (N) is sent via the label 91 to the mail (L).
T) can be added on top.

In this embodiment, the postal matter is sealed as LT.
The case will be described. Further, the postal code N is selected as the postal information. The symbol is the bar code C. In addition, in order to further improve the handleability,
A mail conveying means 51 and a label supplying means 61 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the apparatus main body 1 includes the above-mentioned constituent elements (21, 31, 41, 51, 61).
Etc.) and a hopper section 2 and a stacker section 3 are provided. The hopper unit 2 is provided so as to be able to accommodate a large number of sealed letters LT before the barcode C is added. Further, the stacker unit 3 is provided so as to be capable of accommodating a large number of sealed letters LT to which the barcode C has been added.

Further, the keystroke device 11 as the input means is
It has various keys 12 such as numeric keys and execution keys, and is configured so that the postal code N on the sealed letter LT can be entered.

Further, the conversion means (21) is a keystroke device 11
It is a means for converting the zip code N input by the machine code into a machine-readable bar code C. Specifically, the conversion means is
It is configured by utilizing some of the constituent elements of the control unit 21 that controls the drive of the entire postal information printing addition apparatus and their functions. That is, the CPU forming the control unit 21
And a ROM storing a barcode conversion program and a barcode C corresponding to the postal code N.

The thermal printer 31 as a printing means is a means for printing the bar code C converted by the converting means (21) on the label 91. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the thermal printer 31 includes a thermal head unit 32, an ink ribbon cassette 35, and a platen roller 36, and a label 91 supplied between the thermal head unit 32 and the platen roller 36. The ink ribbon 35 is used for printing. The label 91 is automatically supplied to the thermal printer 31 by using the label supply means 61.

The label supply means 61, as shown in FIG.
Winding rotor 62, feeding rotor 63, upstream and downstream intermediate support rollers [(65A, 65B), 66]
It is formed including and. Here, the label 91
As shown in FIG. 4 (A), the strip-shaped release mounts 95 are attached to the strip-shaped release mounts 95 at equal intervals, and the release mounts 95 are wound in a roll and set on the feeding rotary member 63 so that they can be drawn out. ing.

More specifically, the label 91 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (B), an adhesive portion 92 is provided on the entire back surface thereof. The adhesive portion 92 is formed so that it can be adhered and attached to the letter of seal LT and can be peeled off with a light peeling force. In this embodiment, the adhesive force of the adhesive portion 92 is set to 500 to 900.
It is set to g / cm ² . Further, as the material of the label 91, PET, PP, vinyl chloride, paper or the like is suitable due to the printing characteristics of the thermal printer 31.

The part of the release liner sheet 95 pulled out from the feeding rotary member 63 side is the upstream side intermediate support roller (65A,
65B), while passing through between the thermal head unit 32 of the thermal printer 31 and the platen roller 36, the take-up rotary member 62 via the intermediate support roller 66 on the downstream side.
It is supposed to be wound up in. A predetermined tension is applied to the release liner 95 portion. The take-up rotary member 62 is rotationally controlled by a drive motor (not shown) in conjunction with the postal matter conveying means 51 described later.

The postal matter conveying means 51 is a means for conveying the sealed letter LT inserted from the postal matter inserting portion P1 near the hopper portion 2 toward the label attaching portion P2, and as shown in FIG. It comprises a mechanism 52 and a sub-transport belt mechanism 55.

The main conveyor belt mechanism 52 includes a first conveyor belt portion 53 and a second conveyor belt portion 54, which are opposed to each other with a predetermined distance therebetween. Both belt portions (53, 54) form an envelope LT. It is formed so that it can be sandwiched and conveyed in the direction of the arrow X in a state of being horizontally long and standing upright. The first conveyor belt portion 53 includes a pair of support rollers (53A, 53B) and an endless belt 53 stretched over both support rollers (53A, 53B).
It is formed from C and. In addition, the second conveyor belt unit 54
Is composed of a pair of support rollers (54A, 54B) and an endless belt 54C stretched over both support rollers (54A, 54B).

Further, the sub-conveyance belt mechanism 55 transfers the sealed letter LT inserted in the mail insertion portion P1 to the main conveyance belt mechanism 52.
And a pair of support rollers (56
A, 56B) and an endless belt 56C that is stretched over both supporting rollers (56A, 56B).

The label sticking means 41 is means for sticking the label 91 on which the bar code C is printed at a predetermined position of the letter LT, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the label sticking portion P2.
The pressure roller 45 rotatably arranged about the vertical axis and the part of the release liner 95 discharged from the thermal head unit 32 are bent at an acute angle, and the label 91 can be peeled off from the liner 95. It is composed of the peeling shaft member 42. The label 91 separated from the mount 95 is sent between the envelope LT and the pressure roller 45, which are conveyed by the main conveyance belt mechanism 52, and is pinched as the mount 95 is wound. As a result, the label 91 is attached to the predetermined position of the sealed letter LT.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. To add the bar code C corresponding to the postal code N to the letter LT, the operator uses the hopper unit 2 to write the letter LT.
Is taken out, and the postal code N written on the envelope LT is entered using the keystroke device 11.

After that, when the sealed letter LT is inserted into the postal matter insertion portion P1, the sealed letter LT is indicated by the arrow X by the postal matter conveying means 51.
Is conveyed in the direction. Then, in the label sticking portion P2, the label sticking means 41 sticks the label 91 to a predetermined portion of the sealed letter LT. Then, the sealed letter LT to which the label 91 is attached is continuously conveyed in the arrow X direction by the postal matter conveying means 51 and stored in the stacker unit 3.

However, according to this embodiment, the keystroke device 11, the conversion means (21), the thermal printer 31 as the printing means, and the label sticking means 41 are provided, and the mail written on the letter LT is provided. Bar code C corresponding to number N
Since the label 91 on which is printed is attached to the envelope LT, the barcode C can be surely added to the envelope LT even if the thickness of the envelope LT changes or there is unevenness.
Further, since the printing means is formed by the thermal printer 31, it is possible to use an inconspicuous transparent resin film as the label 91, and it is possible to sufficiently cope with the resin film envelope LT which has been increasing in recent years.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, since the label 91 added on the envelope LT can be peeled off with a light peeling force, the label 91 can be easily peeled off from the envelope LT as needed. Therefore, the recipient does not feel uncomfortable.

Even if the address or the like is written on the entire surface of the sealed letter LT, since the bar code C is printed on the label 91, it does not overlap with the address or the like and is not unreadable by the machine. Further, by removing the label 91 from the sealed letter LT, the address etc. written under the label 91 can be seen, so that, for example, a mailman does not misread the address etc.

In the above embodiment, the adhesive portion 92 is formed on the entire back surface of the label 91, but as shown in FIG. 6, the adhesive-free portion 93 in which the adhesive is not applied to the rear end portion in the transport direction (X). May be provided. With this configuration, the recipient of the sealed letter LT can more easily peel off the label 91 (see FIG. 7). Since the non-adhesive portion 93 is provided at the rear end portion in the transport direction, the label 91 does not get caught during the transport.

[0035]

According to the invention of claim 1, input means,
Since a conversion unit, a thermal printer as a printing unit, and a label sticking unit are provided and a label printed with a symbol such as a bar code corresponding to postal information is stuck to a mail item,
It is possible to add a machine-readable symbol such as a bar code on the mail piece reliably and inconspicuously even if the thickness of the mail piece changes or there is unevenness.

According to the invention of claim 2, in addition, since the adhesive portion of the label can be peeled off from the mail piece with a light peeling force, it can be easily removed as necessary, and the label can be Do not feel uncomfortable.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is likewise an external perspective view.

FIG. 3 is also a diagram for explaining the label sticking operation.

FIG. 4 is also a diagram for explaining a label attached to a tape-shaped release mount.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a sealed letter with a label attached thereto.

FIG. 6 is also a side view for explaining a modified example of the label.

FIG. 7 is also a perspective view for explaining a modified example of the label.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Keystroke Device (Input Means) 21 Control Unit (Conversion Means) 31 Thermal Printer (Printing Means) 41 Label Sticking Means 51 Mail Transfer Means 61 Label Supply Means 91 Labels 92 Adhesives 93 Non-Adhesives 95 Release Mounts

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. Input means for inputting postal information such as a postal code, conversion means for converting the input postal information into a machine-readable symbol, and printing means for printing the converted symbol on a label. And a label attaching means for attaching a label on which a symbol is printed to a postal matter, wherein the printing means is formed by a thermal printer. 2. The label has an adhesive portion capable of adhering to the mail piece, and the adhesive portion is formed so as to be peeled off from the mail piece with a light peeling force. 1
Postal information printing addition device.