JPH09122605A - Coding apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable optically sure reading of a sign printed on a label on which the sign is printed with fluorescent ink and which, when a sign such as a bar code is printed on mail with fluorescent ink, is stuck on the mail. SOLUTION: An ultraviolet absorbent is mixed into the ink accepting layer 492 of a label 49, and a bar code 63 is printed on the label with fluorescent ink. The label is stuck on a post card 12 on which a bar code 81 is printed directly with fluorescent ink. When the label is irradiated with ultraviolet excitation light hν, the fluorescent substance of the bar code 63 on the label, which is excited, emits light L2. However, the ultraviolet excitation light hν can hardly reach the bar code 61 on the post card by being absorbed by the ultraviolet absorber so that the emission cannot occur.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention inputs a piece of information such as a postal code written on a postal matter, converts the information into a readable symbol such as a bar code, and converts the fluorescent ink into the postal matter. The present invention relates to a coding device used and added.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, in order to further rationalize the postal service, mechanization of sorting work of postal matter has been further promoted. As part of this, a coding device has been proposed in which by inputting information such as a postal code written on a mail piece, the information is converted into a readable symbol such as a barcode and printed on the mail piece. As such a coding device, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 61-15758 is known.

The coding device of this publication sends out postal items such as postcards accumulated in a supply unit one by one, and temporarily stops the sent out postal items in a conveying path. Read the information, etc. and enter the key. The postal matter is then conveyed to the bar code printing unit, and the bar code corresponding to the postal code keyed in the printing unit is printed on the postal matter by an inkjet printer or the like. After printing, the mail is sent to the stacker. Then, the barcode-printed mail collected in the stacker is then optically read and sorted.

[0004]

By the way, in such a coding device, if an operator mistakenly inputs information such as a zip code by a key, a bar code of the wrong information is displayed on the mail. Will be printed. In such a case, it is necessary to enter the correct information again to print the barcode of the correct information on the mail, but since the wrong barcode is already printed on the mail, The correct barcode will be printed over the barcode.

For example, as shown in FIG. 19, a transparent label 4 having a corrected barcode printed with fluorescent ink 3 is attached on a mail item 2 having a barcode directly printed with fluorescent ink 1. In this case, in order to optically read the bar code, when the label 4 is irradiated with the excitation light hν for exciting the fluorescent ink 3, the fluorescent ink 3 emits light L2 and the excitation light hν passes through the label 4. The fluorescent ink 1 also emits light because it irradiates the fluorescent ink 1.
1 passes through the label 4 and exits above the label 4. The label 4 has an ink receiving layer 4 on a transparent base material 4a.
b is formed, and the adhesive layer 4c is formed underneath.

Therefore, two lights L1 are placed on the label 4.
, L2 are mixed, and it becomes difficult to reliably read the corrected barcode printed on the label 4.
Therefore, conventionally, two barcodes cannot be overlapped and added to a mail item, and when a wrong barcode is printed on the mail item, there is a disadvantage that sorting must be performed manually.

In view of the above, according to the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, a readable symbol such as a bar code is printed on a mail item directly or indirectly through a transparent label or the like by using fluorescent ink. If a readable symbol is printed at the printing position using fluorescent ink and a translucent label is attached, the symbol printed on the attached label excites the fluorescent ink. Accordingly, the present invention provides a coding device that can be reliably read optically and, therefore, can correct a symbol printed with fluorescent ink on a mail item and can sort the corrected printed symbol by mechanical processing.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
In a coding device that inputs information such as a postal code written on a postal matter, converts the entered information into a readable symbol such as a bar code, and adds it to the postal matter using fluorescent ink. A translucent label provided with an absorption layer that absorbs the wavelength of light that excites, and a printing means that converts the input information into a readable symbol such as a barcode and prints using fluorescent ink. A label sticking means for sticking a label on which a readable symbol such as a bar code is printed by the printing means to a postal item in a position where a readable symbol such as a bar code is attached in advance. is there.

As a result, the light that excites the fluorescent ink is absorbed by the absorbing layer of the label and does not reach the fluorescent ink of the symbol previously added to the mail, and no light is emitted from this fluorescent ink.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, information such as a postal code written on a mail piece is input, the input information is converted into a readable symbol such as a bar code, and fluorescent ink is applied to the mail piece. In a coding device to be added by using, a translucent label provided with an absorption layer that absorbs the wavelength of the light emitted by the fluorescent ink by the light that excites the fluorescent ink, and the input information on the label such as a barcode. A printing means for converting into a readable symbol and printing with fluorescent ink, and a label on which a readable symbol such as a bar code is printed by this printing means is provided with a readable symbol such as a bar code in advance for postal matter. A label sticking means for sticking in a stacked manner at the added position is provided.

As a result, even if the light that excites the fluorescent ink reaches the fluorescent ink of the symbol previously added to the mail and the fluorescent ink emits light, this emitted light is absorbed by the absorbing layer of the label. It does not appear on the label.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the coding device according to the first or second aspect, the ink receiving layer or the adhesive layer of the label is an absorbing layer.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, information such as a postal code written on a postal matter is input, the input information is converted into a readable symbol such as a bar code, and fluorescent ink is applied to the postal matter. In a coding device to be added using, a translucent label provided with a reflective layer that reflects the wavelength of the light emitted by this fluorescent ink by the light that excites the fluorescent ink, and the input information on this label such as a barcode A printing means for converting into a readable symbol and printing with fluorescent ink, and a label on which a readable symbol such as a bar code is printed by this printing means is provided with a readable symbol such as a bar code in advance for postal matter. A label sticking means for sticking in a stacked manner at the added position is provided.

As a result, even if the light that excites the fluorescent ink reaches the fluorescent ink of the symbol previously added to the mail and the fluorescent ink emits light, this emitted light is reflected by the reflective layer of the label. It does not appear on the label.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the coding device according to the fourth aspect, the ink receiving layer or the adhesive layer of the label is a reflective layer.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the coding device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, fluorescent ink that is excited by ultraviolet light to emit light is used as the fluorescent ink.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of a coding device, and 11 is a mail item, for example, a plurality of postcards 12.
A supply unit for storing the postcards, a conveyance unit 13 for conveying the postcards 12,
Reference numeral 14 is a keyboard provided with a key for inputting address information such as a postal code, a print execution key for starting printing, and 15 is a printing unit for printing a readable symbol on the postcard 12, for example, a bar code. . A storage unit 16 for storing the postcard 12 that has been printed is provided in the printing unit 15 so that it can be freely taken in and out.

In this apparatus, the supply section 11 to the transfer section 13
The postcards 12 are automatically fed out one by one and transported, and the postcards 12 are temporarily stopped on the way, and in this state, the operator takes out the postcards 12 from the transport unit 13 and confirms the address information such as the zip code and the address display number. After that, the address information is input by the keyboard 14. Then, after inputting the address information, the postcard 12 is sent to the transport unit 13 and this time the postcard 1
2 is returned with the stamp side facing upward and sideways, and the operation of operating the print execution key of the keyboard 14 is performed in this state. As a result, the postcard 12 of the transport unit 13 is sent to the printing unit 15, a label having a barcode printed thereon is attached at a predetermined position, and the label is stored in the storage unit 16.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the schematic construction of the coding device, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the construction of the transport section and the printing section in the coding apparatus. The supply unit 11 is provided with a cassette 17 that stores the postcard 12, and the cassette 17
From the automatic supply roller 18 and the driven roller 19 to the postcard 1
The two are fed to the transport unit 13 one by one.
The transport unit 13 includes a transport belt 22 that stretches the delivered postcard 12 between a pair of rollers 20 and 21 and a transport belt 25 that stretches between the pair of rollers 23 and 24.
It is nipped and conveyed by a pair of rollers 26, 27.
A conveyor belt 28 and a pair of rollers 2 suspended between them.
It is designed to be carried by being sandwiched by a carrying belt 31 which is stretched between 9 and 30.

Each of the conveyor belts 22, 25, 28, 3
1 is located in the carrying section 13, and when the postcard 12 reaches the position of the carrying belts 28 and 31, the carrying is temporarily stopped. The conveyor belt 31 has a narrow width and is arranged on the lower side so that the operator can easily take out the postcard 12. In the printing unit 15, the postcard 12 transported by the transport belts 28 and 31 is stretched between a pair of rollers 32 and 33 and a transport belt 34 and a pair of rollers 35 and 36. It is configured to be sandwiched by the transport belt 37 and transported. When the postcard 12 is being conveyed by the conveying belts 34 and 37, the label sheet reel 38 moves the label sheet 3
9 is delivered to the platen roller 42 via the rollers 40 and 41, and at the position of the platen roller 42, the bar code corresponding to the address information is printed on the label paper 39 by the thermal head unit 43 by the fluorescent ink ribbon 47. It is designed to be used for thermal transfer printing.

The thermal head unit 43 constitutes a thermal printer, and as shown in FIG. 4, a thermal head 44 is arranged so as to face the platen roller 42, and an ink ribbon supply reel 45 and an ink ribbon take-up reel 46 are arranged. The fluorescent ink ribbon 47 from the ink ribbon supply reel 45 is wound by the ink ribbon take-up reel 46 through the space between the thermal head 44 and the label paper 39.

The label paper 39 on which the barcode is printed by the thermal head 43 is sent to the label peeling section 48,
As shown in FIG. 5, the label peeling section 48 is bent at an acute angle to separate the label 49 and the mount 50. The label 49 separated from the mount 50 is a sticking roller 51 and a pressure roller 5 which constitute a label sticking means.
It is adapted to be attached to the postcard 12 according to 2. At this time, the postcard 12 and the label 49 are synchronized with each other, and the label 49 is always affixed to the reference position of the postcard 12, for example, the same position based on the tip of the postcard.

As shown in FIG. 6, the label paper 39 is formed by attaching labels 49 to a mount 50 at regular intervals. The mount 50 is a release mount so that the label 49 can be easily peeled off. A black label position detection mark 53 for positioning the label 49 is printed on the mount between the labels 49. By printing while detecting the label position detection mark 53 by the sensor, it is possible to always print the barcode on the label 49 at an accurate position.

The bar code printed on the label 49 is
As shown in FIG. 7, a long bar 49a, a short timing bar 49b, and two types of half bars 49 that are long above or below.
It is composed of a total of four types, c and 49d, and is a four-state three-bar indicating three numbers. In addition, the label 49 also prints the numerical value of the bar below the bar code. The mount 50 from which the label 49 has been separated is wound on a mount take-up reel 56 via rollers 54 and 55. Also, label 4
The postcard 12 to which 9 is attached is transported by the transport belts 34 and 37 and stored in the storage portion 16.

The fluorescent ink ribbon 47 is formed by forming a heat-meltable ink layer comprising a fluorescent pigment and a heat-meltable vehicle on a support. As the fluorescent pigment, for example,
An organic fluorescent material or an inorganic fluorescent material that is excited by an ultraviolet black lamp having an emission wavelength of 365 nm is used. Organic fluorescent materials are roughly classified into two types, pigment dye type and synthetic resin solid solution type. Pigment dye type is Lemorgen Color (manufactured by BASF), and synthetic resin solid solution type uses fluorescent dye as synthetic resin. It is a dissolved solid solution, depending on the type of synthetic resin used, benzoquanamine resin solid solution,
Examples thereof include polymethacrylic acid ester resin solid solutions and melamine resin solid solutions. As the inorganic fluorescent material, zinc sulfide (Zn S): Cu-based, zinc sulfide: Mn-based, zinc sulfide:
Examples include high-purity phosphors such as Ag-based alkaline earth metal sulfides and sintered bodies of trace amounts of metals (activators).

FIG. 8 shows the light absorption characteristics of FZ6014, an organic fluorescent material, manufactured by Shin Loihi Co., FIG. 9 is a graph showing the light emission characteristics of the same, and FIG. 10 is a graph showing the inorganic fluorescent material Y. The optical absorption characteristics of ₂ O ₂ S: Eu are shown in FIG.
1 is a graph showing the light emission characteristics of the same material. From this graph, it can be seen that these materials absorb the wavelength of an ultraviolet black lamp having an emission wavelength of 365 nm and emit light in the visible region.

The label 49 is, as shown in FIG.
An ink receiving layer 492 is formed on a light-transmissive PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film 491 as a base material, an adhesive layer 493 is formed below, and the adhesive layer 493 is applied on the mount 50 and the postcard 12 on the upper surface. I am supposed to wear it. The PET film 491 has a thickness of 50μ.
m. The ink receiving layer 492 is formed by mixing silica with a polyethylene resin and further mixing an ultraviolet absorber. The adhesive layer 493 uses an adhesive having an adhesive strength of about 50 to 500 g / cm, and has a film thickness of about 10 μm to 20 μm.

In such a structure, the cassette 17 of the supply unit 11 is connected to the automatic supply roller 18 and the driven roller 19.
Thus, the postcards 12 are delivered to the transport unit 13 one by one.
The postcard 12 delivered to the transport unit 13 is the transport belt 2
2, 25, and further conveyor belts 28, 3
1 transported. Then, the conveyance belts 28 and 31 are stopped midway. In this state, the operator manually picks up the postcard 12 to read the address information of the postal code and the address display number written on the postcard 12, and inputs it by operating the keyboard 14. When the key input operation is completed, the operator returns the postcard 12 to the transport belts 28, 31 with the stamp side facing forward and the stamp side facing up. Then, the print execution key of the keyboard 14 is operated.

As a result, the transport belts 28 and 31 transport the postcard 12 again. In this way, the postcard 12 is fed sideways into the printing unit 15. In the printing unit 15, the postcard 12 is conveyed by the conveyor belts 34 and 37. Further, the printing unit 15 prints a bar code and address information number corresponding to the address information input by the thermal head 44 of the thermal head unit 43 on the label 49 of the label paper 39 delivered from the label paper reel 38. At this time, fluorescent ink is thermally transferred from the fluorescent ink ribbon 47 to the label 49, and barcode printing is performed. The bar code printing start position is accurately positioned by the label position detection mark 53. The printed label 49 is separated from the mount 50 by the label peeling machine 48, and the sticking roller 5
The postcard 12 is conveyed to the No. 1 and is attached to a predetermined position of the postcard 12 by the attaching roller 51 and the pressure roller 52. Then, the postcard 12 to which the label 49 is attached is further transported by the transport belts 34 and 37 and stored in the storage unit 16.

By the way, the ink receiving layer 49 of the label 49 is
The weight ratio of the ultraviolet absorber mixed with 2 is 0, based on 100 parts by weight of the polyethylene resin and 4% by weight of silica.
0.25% by weight, 0.5% by weight, 0.75% by weight, 1.
Label samples with 0% by weight and 2.0% by weight were prepared and the following experiments were conducted. When the ultraviolet absorbing agent was mixed in the ink receiving layer 492, the transmittance in the visible region of the label was about 90% with almost no change even if the content of the ultraviolet absorbing agent was changed.

As shown in FIG. 13A, a bar code 61 is directly printed on the white postcard 12 by using the fluorescent ink ribbon 47.
Print. Six sheets are prepared. Further, as shown in FIG. 13B, the same fluorescent ink ribbon 47 is used, and the ink receiving layer 4 of each label sample 62 is prepared.
The bar code 63 is printed on 92. And in FIG.
Each postcard 1 with a barcode 61 printed as shown in (c) of
Each label sample 62 is laminated and stuck on the barcode printing position of 2.

Thus, the weight ratio of the ultraviolet absorber mixed in the ink receiving layer 492 is 0, 0.25% by weight, 0.5% by weight, 0.7% on the printed portion of the bar code 61.
The six postcards 12 to which the label samples of 5% by weight, 1.0% by weight, and 2.0% by weight were respectively attached were irradiated with excitation light from an ultraviolet black lamp with an emission wavelength of 365 nm, The luminescence output from the cord 61 was measured. As a result, the emission output characteristics shown in FIG. 14 were obtained.
In addition, the measurement is performed by irradiating the label sample from a position about 3 cm away using two 6 W black lamps, and the received light is not affected by the reflected light of the ultraviolet light or the fluorescent whitening agent of the postcard 12. As described above, an O56 filter (high-pass filter that transmits light of 560 nm or more) was inserted in the CCD camera. As the fluorescent material of the fluorescent ink ribbon 47, FZ6014, which is an organic fluorescent material having the absorption characteristics of FIG. 8 and the emission characteristics of FIG. 9, was used. The fluorescent ink ribbon 47
The ink layer has a thickness of 4 μm.

As a result, the weight ratio of the ultraviolet absorber is 0,
That is, in the label sample in which the ultraviolet absorbent is not mixed in the ink receiving layer 492 at all, the light emission output is 72 and the S /
The N ratio was -0.65 dB. The S / N ratio is the light emission output from the bar code 63 of the label sample 62
Then, the light emission output from the bar code 61 directly printed on the postcard 12 is obtained as N. In this case, the discrimination between the bar code 61 and the bar code 63 was completely impossible.

The weight ratio of the ultraviolet absorber is 0.25.
In the weight% label sample, the emission output is 18, and the S /
The N ratio was 0.59 dB. In this case, the barcode 61 and the barcode 63 could be distinguished. Further, in the label sample in which the weight ratio of the ultraviolet absorber was 0.5% by weight, the light emission output was 14 and the S / N ratio was 0.72 dB. Also in this case, the barcode 61 and the barcode 63 can be discriminated. Further, the label sample containing 0.75% by weight of the ultraviolet absorber has a luminescence output of 7%.
The S / N ratio was 1.06 dB. Also in this case, the barcode 61 and the barcode 63 can be discriminated.
Further, in the label sample in which the weight ratio of the ultraviolet absorber is 1.0% by weight, the light emission output is 4 and the S / N ratio is 1.32d.
B. Also in this case, the barcode 61 and the barcode 63 can be discriminated. Furthermore, in the label sample in which the weight ratio of the ultraviolet absorber was 2.0% by weight, the light emission output was 3 and the S / N ratio was 1.45 dB. Also in this case, the barcode 61 and the barcode 63 can be discriminated.

To determine the bar code, refer to postcard 12 3
It was carried out by using a reading device which reads the bar code while being conveyed at a speed of m / sec. Binary slicing of the output from the CCD camera was performed by auto slicing (a system that varies depending on the signal). Here, the experiment was conducted using the white postcard 12, but similar results were obtained when a postal matter of a color other than white was used.

From the above experimental results, when the label in which the ultraviolet absorbent is mixed in the ink receiving layer 492 is used, the bar code already printed on the postcard 12 has an error, and this label on which the correct bar code is printed is printed. By sticking on it, the bar code printed on the label can be surely read by irradiation with ultraviolet excitation light. Therefore, the bar code can be corrected and the corrected bar code can be used for sorting by mechanical processing.

In FIG. 15, the ultraviolet absorbent is used as the ink receiving layer 4.
When the label 49 is irradiated with the ultraviolet excitation light hν, the phosphor of the bar code 63 on the label 49 is irradiated with the ultraviolet excitation light h.
Although it is excited by ν and emits light to output light L2, the ultraviolet excitation light hν is absorbed by the ultraviolet absorber of the ink receiving layer 492 and converted into heat energy, and the bar code 6 on the postcard 12 is received.
Almost never reaches 1. Therefore, the barcode 61
The phosphor is not excited by the ultraviolet excitation light hν and emits almost no light. In this embodiment, the case where the ultraviolet absorber is mixed with the ink receiving layer has been described, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and the ultraviolet absorbing agent may be mixed with the adhesive layer and further with the PET film. .

In this embodiment, the case where the ultraviolet absorbing agent is mixed with the ink receiving layer has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the phosphor of the fluorescent ink emits light when excited by the ultraviolet excitation light hν. A mixture of an absorbing agent that absorbs the ink in the ink receiving layer, a mixture of a reflecting agent that reflects the ultraviolet excitation light hν in the ink receiving layer, and a phosphor of a fluorescent ink. May be a mixture of the ink receiving layer and a reflective agent that reflects light emitted by excitation with the ultraviolet excitation light hν.

The principle of using a label in which an ink absorbing layer absorbs the light emitted by the phosphor of the fluorescent ink when excited by the ultraviolet excitation light hν is used will be described. As shown in FIG. When the excitation light hν is irradiated onto the label 59, the barcode 6 on the label 59
The phosphor of No. 3 is excited by the ultraviolet excitation light hν to emit light and emit light L.
Outputs 2. The ultraviolet excitation light hν passes through the ink receiving layer 592, the PET film 591, and the adhesive layer 593 and irradiates the bar code 61 on the postcard 12. As a result, the phosphor of the bar code 61 is excited by the ultraviolet excitation light hν and emits light to output the light L1. However, this light L1 is absorbed by the absorbent of the ink receiving layer 592 and converted into heat energy, and is not emitted onto the label 59.

Therefore, in this case as well, there is an error in the bar code already printed on the postcard 12, and if this label 59 on which the correct bar code is printed is stuck on it, the bar code printed on the label is excited by ultraviolet rays. It can be read reliably by irradiating light and the barcode can be corrected.
In this case also, it is necessary to mix the absorbent with the ink receiving layer 5
The adhesive layer 593 or PE is not limited to 92.
It may be mixed with the T film 591.

The principle of using a label in which a reflecting agent that reflects the ultraviolet excitation light hν is mixed in the ink receiving layer will be described. As shown in FIG. 17, the ultraviolet excitation light hν is irradiated onto the label 69. Then, the phosphor of the bar code 63 on the label 69 is excited by the ultraviolet excitation light hν and emits light to output the light L2, but the ultraviolet excitation light hν is reflected by the ink receiving layer 592, so that the bar code 61 on the postcard 12 is displayed. Does not reach. Therefore, the phosphor of the barcode 61 is not excited by the ultraviolet excitation light hν. That is, it does not emit light.

Therefore, in this case as well, the bar code already printed on the postcard 12 has an error, and if this label 69 having the correct bar code is stuck thereon, the bar code printed on the label is excited by ultraviolet rays. It can be read reliably by irradiating light and the barcode can be corrected.
In this case also, it is necessary to mix the reflecting agent with the ink receiving layer 6
The adhesive layer 693 or PE is not limited to 92.
It may be mixed with the T film 691.

Further, the principle of the case where the label in which the fluorescent material of the fluorescent ink mixes the ink receiving layer with a reflecting agent that reflects the light emitted by the excitation by the ultraviolet excitation light hν will be described as shown in FIG. , Ultraviolet excitation light h
When the label 79 is irradiated with ν, the phosphor of the bar code 63 on the label 79 is excited by the ultraviolet excitation light hν and emits light to output the light L2. The ultraviolet excitation light hν passes through the ink receiving layer 792, the PET film 791, and the adhesive layer 793 and irradiates the barcode 61 on the postcard 12. As a result, the phosphor of the bar code 61 is excited by the ultraviolet excitation light hν and emits light to output the light L1. But this light L
1 does not reflect on the ink receiving layer 792 and is emitted onto the label 79.

Therefore, in this case as well, the bar code already printed on the postcard 12 has an error, and if this label 79 on which the correct bar code is printed is stuck thereon, the bar code printed on the label is excited by ultraviolet rays. It can be read reliably by irradiating light and the barcode can be corrected.
In this case also, it is necessary to mix the reflection agent with the ink receiving layer 7.
The adhesive layer 793 and PE are not limited to 92.
It may be mixed with the T film 791.

In the above-described embodiment, a postcard is used as a mail item and a bar code is used as a readable symbol added to the mail item, but the present invention is not limited to this. Other than the barcode, other symbols such as a two-dimensional code or a character code may be used as the readable symbol. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the bar code is printed on the label using the thermal printer, but the present invention is not limited to this, and an inkjet printer may be used. The bar code may be printed on the postal matter such as a postcard first by using a label or may be directly printed on the postal matter by an inkjet printer.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where the fluorescent substance which is excited by ultraviolet rays is used as the fluorescent ink has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this.
A fluorescent substance that is excited by infrared rays may be used as the fluorescent ink. As a phosphor excited by infrared rays,
There are phosphors and the like activated by Nd and Yb ions.
In this case, an infrared absorbing agent, an infrared reflecting agent, or a light absorbing agent or reflecting agent excited by infrared rays may be mixed with the ink receiving layer, the adhesive layer or the PET film.

[0047]

As described above, according to the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, a readable symbol such as a bar code is directly printed on a mail item or indirectly through a translucent label or the like by using a fluorescent ink. When printing using, even if you stick a translucent label printed with a fluorescent ink with a readable symbol at the printing position on top of it, the symbol printed on this stuck label By exciting the fluorescent ink, it is possible to reliably read it optically. Therefore, the symbols printed on the mail piece with the fluorescent ink can be corrected, and the corrected printed symbols can be sorted by mechanical processing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing configurations of a transport unit and a printing unit according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of the thermal head unit of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a label peeling and sticking portion of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a label sheet according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a label on which a barcode is printed according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing light absorption characteristics of an organic fluorescent material used as fluorescent ink in the same embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing emission characteristics of an organic fluorescent material used as fluorescent ink in the same embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing light absorption characteristics of an inorganic fluorescent material used as fluorescent ink in the same embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing emission characteristics of an inorganic fluorescent material used as fluorescent ink in the same embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the label according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a barcode correction method according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 14 shows an emission wavelength of 365 nm in the same embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the content of an ultraviolet absorber when irradiated with the ultraviolet excitation light of Example 1 and the light emission output from a barcode directly printed on a postcard.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the principle of light emission when a label used in the same embodiment is attached to a postcard and irradiated with ultraviolet excitation light.

FIG. 16 shows another embodiment, in which a label in which an ink absorbing layer absorbs the light emitted by the phosphor of the fluorescent ink that is excited by the ultraviolet excitation light is mixed, is attached to the postcard, and the ultraviolet excitation light is applied. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the principle of light emission when irradiating with.

FIG. 17 shows another embodiment for explaining the principle of light emission when a label, in which a reflection agent that reflects ultraviolet excitation light is mixed with an ink receiving layer, is attached to a postcard and irradiated with ultraviolet excitation light. Sectional view.

FIG. 18 shows another embodiment, in which a label in which a fluorescent material of a fluorescent ink that reflects light emitted by excitation by ultraviolet excitation light is mixed with an ink receiving layer is attached to a postcard to emit ultraviolet excitation light. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the principle of light emission when irradiating with.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the principle of light emission when a normal translucent label is attached to a postcard and irradiated with ultraviolet excitation light.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 ... Postcard (postal matter) 14 ... Keyboard 15 ... Printing section 39 ... Label paper 43 ... Thermal head unit 47 ... Fluorescent ink ribbon 48 ... Label peeling section 49 ... Label 491 ... PET film 492 ... Ink receiving layer 493 ... Adhesive layer 51 ... Sticking roller 52 ... Pressure roller

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. Inputting information such as a zip code written on a mail piece, converting the inputted information into a readable symbol such as a bar code, and adding it to the mail piece using fluorescent ink. In the coding device, a translucent label provided with an absorption layer that absorbs the wavelength of light that excites the fluorescent ink, and the fluorescent ink by converting the input information into a readable symbol such as a barcode on the label. A label that is printed by using the label and a label on which a readable symbol such as a barcode is printed by the printing unit is attached to the postal matter in a position where a readable symbol such as a barcode is added in advance. A coding device, which is provided with a sticking means. 2. Information such as a postal code written on a postal matter is input, the input information is converted into a readable symbol such as a bar code and added to the postal matter using fluorescent ink. In the coding device, a translucent label provided with an absorption layer that absorbs the wavelength of light emitted by the fluorescent ink by the light that excites the fluorescent ink, and input information on the label are readable symbols such as a bar code. A printing means for converting into a printout using the fluorescent ink and a label on which a readable symbol such as a bar code is printed by the printing means are preliminarily provided with a readable symbol such as a bar code. A coding device, which is provided with a label sticking means for sticking the label in a stacked manner. 3. The coding device according to claim 1, wherein the ink receiving layer or the adhesive layer of the label is an absorbing layer. 4. Inputting information such as a postal code written on a mail piece, converting the input information into a readable symbol such as a bar code, and adding it to the mail piece using fluorescent ink. In the coding device, a translucent label provided with a reflective layer that reflects the wavelength of the light emitted by the fluorescent ink by the light that excites the fluorescent ink, and a readable symbol such as a bar code for input information on the label. A printing means for converting into a printout using the fluorescent ink and a label on which a readable symbol such as a bar code is printed by the printing means are preliminarily provided with a readable symbol such as a bar code. A coding device, which is provided with a label sticking means for sticking the label in a stacked manner. 5. The coding device according to claim 4, wherein the ink receiving layer or the adhesive layer of the label is a reflective layer. 6. The coding device according to claim 1, wherein a fluorescent ink that is excited by ultraviolet light to emit light is used as the fluorescent ink.