Patent Description:
A product management system manages products during the manufacture of the products, for example. The management content includes processes such as weighing, packaging, inspecting for foreign objects, and discharging nonconforming products. The processes are executed by product processing devices. For example, the packaging process is executed by a bag-making and packaging machine, which is one form of a product processing device, disclosed in Patent Document <NUM> (<CIT>). In the inspection process for foreign objects, an inspection device, which is one form of a product processing device, is used and nonconforming products mixed with foreign objects are identified. The nonconforming products that have been found are discharged from the manufacturing line by a sorting device, which is one aspect of a product processing device, and is disposed just after the inspection device.

Moreover, Patent Document <NUM> (<CIT>) discloses a packaging film that is set in a bag-making and packaging machine. The packaging film has a pattern iteratively printed on it. One pattern corresponds to one bag. The pattern often includes a product code for identifying the type of product that is packed in the bag. Patent Document <NUM> mentioned above refers to serial numbers being printed on the packaging material in the bag-making and packaging machine.

<CIT> discloses an integrated soft bag inspection system that overcomes the difficulty of inspection associated with the unstable shape peculiar to soft bags (for example soft bags for intravenous feed use) and makes it possible to carry out inspection of soft bags automatically and with high precision. The system uses a robot having at least a robot hand and has image pickup means for picking up an image of a soft bag and grip position detecting means for detecting a position on a neck part of the soft bag to be gripped by the robot hand on the basis of image information from the image pickup means. A carrying system may be made using a plurality of such robots and carrying control means provided for controlling the robots so that the robot hand of each robot grips the neck part of the soft bag and carries the soft bag to a predetermined inspection position and soft bags arriving from a production line are continuously transferred between adjacent robots and various inspections are carried out on the soft bags successively.

<CIT> discloses a bag manufacturing and packaging machine in the provided with a feed mechanism, a roll retaining unit, a printing mechanism, a former, a longitudinal seal mechanism, a transverse seal mechanism, a cutting mechanism, a first sensor and a second sensor. The printing mechanism prints information on a film. The former overlaps two longitudinal sides of the film. The longitudinal seal mechanism creates a film tube by bonding the two longitudinal sides. The transverse seal mechanism pinches and affixes the film tube, creating a transverse seal section. The cutting mechanism cuts the film tube at the transverse seal section. The first sensor detects a mark on the film to specify a cutting position at which the film tube is to be cut. The second sensor detects a mark on the film to specify a printing position at which predetermined information is to be printed.

If the products are delayed in reaching the sorting device due to, for example, the products touching something on the way in the conveyance path, there is the concern that the sorting device will fail to discharge nonconforming products.

It is a first object of the invention to reduce the risk that nonconforming products could be mixed in with conforming products in a product management system.

Furthermore, it is difficult to identify individual products using serial numbers. The workers bare the burden of the work of determining where on the products the serial numbers are printed and reading the serial numbers visually or with a reading device.

It is a second object of the invention to improve the efficiency of individual identification.

Moreover, the pattern on the packaging film can be utilized for various purposes if it includes not only product codes but also individual identification information that enables individual identification of the products.

It is a third object of the invention to provide a packaging film that can be utilized for various purposes.

A product management system pertaining to a first aspect of the invention manages products that are a food and have print surfaces. The product management system has an inspection unit, a first information acquisition unit, and a storage unit.

The inspection unit performs an inspection of the products and outputs inspection results as to whether the products are conforming products or nonconforming products. Plural pieces of individual identification information that are the same are printed on the print surfaces of the products. The first information acquisition unit reads the individual identification information from the products. The storage unit associates and stores, with the inspection results, the individual identification information that the first information acquisition unit has read.

According to this configuration, the inspection results are associated with the individual identification information that has been printed on each product. Consequently, by reading the individual identification information, whether the products are conforming products or nonconforming products can be grasped.

A product management system pertaining to a second aspect of the invention is the product management system pertaining to the first aspect, wherein the print surfaces are outer surfaces of the products, packaging of the products, or labels of the products.

According to this configuration, the individual identification information is printed on outer surfaces, packaging, or labels of the products. Consequently, the individual identification information corresponds to the products.

A product management system pertaining to a third aspect of the invention is the product management system pertaining to the first aspect or the second aspect, wherein the print surfaces have at least a first surface and a second surface on the opposite side of the first surface. Plural pieces of the same individual identification information are printed on each of the first surface and the second surface.

According to this configuration, plural pieces of the same individual identification information are printed on each of the first surface and the second surface. Consequently, individual identification is possible when the first information acquisition unit reads any of the first surface and the second surface.

A product management system pertaining to a fourth aspect of the invention is the product management system pertaining to any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, wherein plural pieces of the same individual identification information are printed on <NUM>% or more of the area of the print surfaces.

According to this configuration, <NUM>% or more of the area of the print surfaces is the individual identification information. Consequently, it is easy for the first information acquisition unit to read the individual identification information.

A product management system pertaining to a fifth aspect of the invention is the product management system pertaining to the fourth aspect, wherein plural pieces of the same individual identification information are printed on <NUM>% or more of the area of the print surfaces.

According to this configuration, <NUM>% or more of the area of the print surfaces is the individual identification information. Consequently, it is even easier for the first information acquisition unit to read the individual identification information.

A product management system pertaining to a sixth aspect of the invention is the product management system pertaining to any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, further having a sorting unit. The sorting unit discharges the products that are the nonconforming products on the basis of the inspection results associated with the individual identification information that the first information acquisition unit has read.

According to this configuration, the sorting unit discharges the nonconforming products on the basis of the inspection results associated with the individual identification information. Consequently, the risk that nonconforming products could be handled as conforming products can be reduced.

A product management system pertaining to a seventh aspect of the invention is the product management system pertaining to any one of the first aspect to the sixth aspect, further having a nonconforming product retention unit, a second information acquisition unit, and a nonconforming product verification unit. The nonconforming product retention unit retains the nonconforming products. The second information acquisition unit reads the individual identification information from the products that are conveyed to the nonconforming product retention unit. The nonconforming product verification unit queries the storage unit for the inspection results associated with the individual identification information that the second information acquisition unit has read and verifies that the products that are conveyed to the nonconforming product retention unit are the nonconforming products.

According to this configuration, it is verified that the nonconforming products have been conveyed to the nonconforming product retention unit. Consequently, whether or not all the nonconforming products that have been found by the inspection unit have been put into the nonconforming product retention unit can be verified, so the risk that nonconforming products could be handled as conforming products can be reduced even more.

A product management system pertaining to an eighth aspect of the invention is the product management system pertaining to any one of the first aspect to the seventh aspect, further having a box packing unit, a third information acquisition unit, and a conforming product verification unit. The box packing unit packs the conforming products into packing boxes. The third information acquisition unit reads the individual identification information from the products that are conveyed to the box packing unit. The conforming product verification unit queries the storage unit for the inspection results associated with the individual identification information that the third information acquisition unit has read and verifies that the products that are conveyed to the box packing unit are the conforming products.

According to this configuration, it is verified that the conforming products have been conveyed to the box packing unit. Consequently, nonconforming products can be inhibited from reaching the box packing unit and being shipped.

A product processing device pertaining to a ninth aspect of the invention has a printing unit that prints information on print surfaces of products and a processing unit that processes the products. The print surfaces are outer surfaces of the products, packaging of the products, or labels of the products. The printing unit prints, on the print surfaces, plural pieces of individual identification information that are the same.

According to this configuration, plural pieces of the same individual identification information are printed on the print surfaces. Consequently, the probability that a reading device would recognize the individual identification information increases, so the efficiency of individual identification is improved.

A product processing device pertaining to a tenth aspect of the invention is the product processing device pertaining to the ninth aspect, wherein the print surfaces have at least a first surface and a second surface on the opposite side of the first surface. The printing unit prints plural pieces of the same individual identification information on each of the first surface and the second surface.

According to this configuration, plural pieces of the same individual identification information are printed on each of the first surface and the second surface. Consequently, individual identification is possible when a reading device reads any of the first surface and the second surface.

A product processing device pertaining to an eleventh aspect of the invention is the product processing device pertaining to the ninth aspect or the tenth aspect, wherein there is substantially no space between adjacent pieces of the plural individual identification information on the print surfaces.

According to this configuration, there is no space between adjacent pieces of the individual identification information. Consequently, the probability that a reading device would recognize the individual identification information increases even more, so the efficiency of individual identification is improved.

A product processing device pertaining to a twelfth aspect of the invention is the product processing device pertaining to any one of the ninth aspect to the eleventh aspect, wherein the printing unit prints plural pieces of the same individual identification information on <NUM>% or more of the area of the print surfaces.

According to this configuration, the individual identification information is printed on <NUM>% or more of the area of the print surfaces. Consequently, it is easy for a reading device to read the individual identification information.

A product processing device pertaining to a thirteenth aspect of the invention is the product processing device pertaining to the twelfth aspect, wherein the printing unit prints plural pieces of the same individual identification information on <NUM>% or more of the area of the print surfaces.

According to this configuration, the individual identification information is printed on <NUM>% or more of the area of the print surfaces. Consequently, it is even easier for a reading device to read the individual identification information.

A product processing device pertaining to a fourteenth aspect of the invention is the product processing device pertaining to any one of the ninth aspect to the thirteenth aspect, wherein the printing unit prints plural pieces of the same individual identification information in the form of digital watermarks.

According to this configuration, the individual identification information is printed in the form of digital watermarks. Consequently, there is little concern of inconveniencing consumers and others who do not need the individual identification information.

A product processing device pertaining to a fifteenth aspect of the invention is the product processing device pertaining to any one of the ninth aspect to the fourteenth aspect, wherein the packaging is boxes or packaging film.

According to this configuration, the packaging is boxes or bags. Consequently, the efficiency of individual identification is improved in regard to products packaged by boxes or bags, for example.

A product processing device pertaining to a sixteenth aspect of the invention is the product processing device pertaining to any one of the ninth aspect to the fifteenth aspect, wherein the products are a food.

According to this configuration, the products are a food. Consequently, the efficiency of individual identification is improved in regard to food.

A product processing device pertaining to a seventeenth aspect of the invention is the product processing device pertaining to any one of the ninth aspect to the sixteenth aspect, further having an information acquisition unit that reads at least one of the plural pieces of the same individual identification information.

According to this configuration, the product processing device further has the information acquisition unit. Consequently, processing details can be verified on the basis of the individual identification information that the information acquisition unit has read.

A product processing device pertaining to an eighteenth aspect of the invention is the product processing device pertaining to any one of the ninth aspect to the seventeenth aspect, wherein the processing unit includes at least one of a packaging unit that packages the products and an inspection unit that inspects whether the products are conforming products.

According to this configuration, the processing unit includes any of a packaging unit and an inspection unit. Consequently, individual identification can be executed in the process of packaging or inspecting the products.

A packaging film pertaining to a nineteenth aspect of the invention is set in a bag-making and packaging machine. A pattern is iteratively printed on the packaging film. The pattern corresponds to one bag. The pattern includes unique individual identification information.

According to this configuration, each bag has unique individual identification information that is distinct from that of other bags. Consequently, the individual identification information can be utilized for various purposes, such as identifying the manufacturing line, identifying the manufacturing lot, comparing manufacturing conditions and product quality, identifying and disposing of nonconforming products in the manufacturing process, and tracking shipments and circulation.

A packaging film pertaining to a twentieth aspect of the invention is the packaging film pertaining to the nineteenth aspect, wherein the pattern includes plural pieces of the same individual identification information.

According to this configuration, plural pieces of the same individual identification information are printed on one bag. Consequently, the probability that a reading device will recognize the individual identification information increases, so the efficiency of individual identification of the products is improved.

A packaging film pertaining to a twenty-first aspect of the invention is the packaging film pertaining to the twentieth aspect, wherein the bag includes a first surface and a second surface on the opposite side of the first surface. The pattern has a first area corresponding to the first surface and a second area corresponding to the second surface. The first area and the second area each include plural pieces of the same individual identification information.

A packaging film pertaining to a twenty-second aspect of the invention is the packaging film pertaining to any one of the nineteenth aspect to the twenty-first aspect, wherein the unique individual identification information included in the plural patterns that have been printed on the packaging film is consecutive numbers.

According to this configuration, the individual identification information is consecutive numbers. Consequently, it is easy to manage products at the manufacturing site, for example.

A packaging film pertaining to a twenty-third aspect of the invention is the packaging film pertaining to any one of the nineteenth aspect to the twenty-second aspect, wherein the percentage of the area of the pattern occupied by the individual identification information is <NUM>% or more.

According to this configuration, <NUM>% or more of the area of the pattern is the individual identification information. Consequently, it is easy for a reading device to read the individual identification information.

A packaging film pertaining to a twenty-fourth aspect of the invention is the packaging film pertaining to the twenty-third aspect, wherein the percentage of the area of the pattern occupied by the individual identification information is <NUM>% or more.

According to this configuration, <NUM>% or more of the area of the pattern is the individual identification information. Consequently, it is even easier for a reading device to read the individual identification information.

A packaging film pertaining to a twenty-fifth aspect of the invention is the packaging film pertaining to any one of the nineteenth aspect to the twenty-fourth aspect, wherein the individual identification information is printed in the form of digital watermarks.

According to the product management system pertaining to the invention, the risk that nonconforming products could be mixed in with conforming products can be reduced. According to the product processing device pertaining to the invention, the efficiency of individual identification is improved. The packaging film pertaining to the invention can utilize individual identification information for various purposes.

Embodiments of a product management system pertaining to the invention will be described below using the drawings.

<FIG> are exterior views of a product P including a film F for packaging. The article packaged in the film F can be many different types of articles and is, for example, a food. What is called food here also includes medical products. The film F forms a bag B. <FIG> shows a first surface S1 of the bag B, and <FIG> shows a second surface S2 of the bag B. The second surface S2 is positioned on the opposite side of the first surface S1. The bag B has a longitudinal seal portion XL on the side of the second surface S2. The bag B has transverse seal portions XT on two edges that are opposite to each other.

Individual identification information I described later is printed on print surfaces of the product P. What is called print surfaces in the present embodiment means the packaging film F.

<FIG> shows the film F for packaging. The film F extends long in a longitudinal direction L and has a fixed width that spans in a transverse direction T perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. A pattern PT corresponding to one bag B is iteratively printed every dimension D on the film F. That is, each zone Z1, zone Z2, zone Z3, and zone Z4 has the pattern PT and is used for forming one bag B. When the film F is finally processed into a bag B, dimension D becomes the distance between the upper edge and the lower edge of the bag B or the distance between the left edge and the right edge of the bag B depending on the design of the bag B.

Each zone has a first area A1 and a second area A2. The first area A1 is a portion that corresponds to the first surface S1 of the bag B. The second area A2 is a portion that corresponds to the second surface S2 of the bag B.

The pattern PT includes a reference mark M. The reference mark M is for being read by a photoelectric sensor <NUM> of a bag-making and packaging machine <NUM> described later. The reference mark M may be in any of the first area A1 and the second area A2.

The pattern PT includes unique individual identification information I. That is, each bag B has different individual identification information I. Plural pieces of the same individual identification information I are printed in the first area A1 of one bag B. Plural pieces of the same individual identification information I are printed in the second area A2 of one bag B. The plural pieces of individual identification information I printed in the first area A1 of one bag B and the plural pieces of individual identification information I printed in the second area A2 of the same bag B are the same.

The individual identification information I is printed in the form of optically readable codes, such as barcodes, two-dimensional barcodes, and dot codes. Adjacent pieces of the individual identification information I are disposed substantially with no space between them. The percentage of the area of the pattern PT occupied by the individual identification information I is <NUM>% or more and preferably <NUM>% or more.

The individual identification information I may be numbers. Moreover, the individual identification information I included in the iterative pattern PT may be consecutive numbers. For example, the individual identification information I included in zone Z1, zone Z2, zone Z3, and zone Z4 increases by one at a time in this order.

It is preferred that the pattern PT include, in addition to the individual identification information I printed in the form of codes, a written representation of the individual identification information I in numerals or characters.

<FIG> shows a product management system <NUM>. The product management system <NUM> is a system for managing the products P. The product management system <NUM> has a weighing machine <NUM>, a bag-making and packaging machine <NUM>, an inspection unit <NUM>, a first information acquisition unit <NUM>, a second information acquisition unit <NUM>, a third information acquisition unit <NUM>, a computer <NUM>, a sorting unit <NUM>, a nonconforming product retention unit <NUM>, a box packing unit <NUM>, and also conveyor belts to which reference signs are not assigned specifically.

The weighing machine <NUM> is for portioning out articles with a certain weight and delivering them to the bag-making and packaging machine <NUM>. The weighing machine <NUM> is, for example, a combination weighing machine.

The bag-making and packaging machine <NUM> uses the film F to create the products P. The film F is set in the bag-making and packaging machine <NUM>. <FIG> shows the configuration of the bag-making and packaging machine <NUM>. The bag-making and packaging machine <NUM> has a roll holding unit <NUM>, a conveyance mechanism <NUM>, a printing unit <NUM>, a printing inspection unit <NUM>, a former <NUM>, a longitudinal sealing mechanism <NUM>, a transverse sealing mechanism <NUM>, a cutting mechanism <NUM>, and a photoelectric sensor <NUM>.

The roll holding unit <NUM> holds a film roll FR. The film roll FR has a core and the film F wrapped around the core.

The conveyance mechanism <NUM> conveys the film F taken out from the roll holding unit <NUM>. The conveyance mechanism <NUM> has plural rollers to which reference signs are not assigned, a pull-down belt 22a, and a discharge conveyor 22b.

The printing unit <NUM> prints, in the form of characters, predetermined information such as the date of manufacture in appropriate positions on the film F that is being conveyed. The printing inspection unit <NUM> includes a camera. The printing inspection unit <NUM> inspects whether or not the predetermined information that the printing unit <NUM> has printed has been printed on the film F in the correct way.

The former <NUM> forms into a tube the film F that has been conveyed thereto in a planar state and makes the two longitudinal edges of the film F overlap each other. The former <NUM> has a tubular member. The space inside the tubular member is used as a fill path for filling, with the article to be packaged, the bags B formed by the film F.

The longitudinal sealing mechanism <NUM> seals the two longitudinal edges of the film F that have overlapped each other by the former <NUM>. The longitudinal sealing mechanism <NUM> has a heater. The heat that the heater emits temporarily softens the overlapping portion of the film F, whereby sealing takes place. Because of this, as shown in <FIG>, the longitudinal seal portion XL is formed in the film F, and a film tube FT having the shape of a tube is created.

Returning to <FIG>, the transverse sealing mechanism <NUM> seals the two portions of the film tube FT that are opposed to each other. The transverse sealing mechanism <NUM> has a first member 27a and a second member 27b that are opposite to each other via the conveyance path. The first member 27a and the second member 27b can be moved toward each other and away from each other by a motor not shown in the drawing. When the first member 27a and the second member 27b are moved toward each other, the opposing portions of the film tube FT contact each other. The first member 27a and the second member 27b both have a heater. The heat that the heaters emit temporarily softens the contacting portions of the film tube FT, whereby sealing takes place. Because of this, as shown in <FIG>, the transverse seal portion XT is formed in the film tube FT. Each time the operation of the transverse sealing mechanism <NUM> ends, the film tube FT is filled with one bag's worth of the articles via the space inside the former <NUM>.

Returning to <FIG>, the cutting mechanism <NUM> is provided in the transverse sealing mechanism <NUM>. The cutting mechanism <NUM> has a blade 28a and a receiver 28b. The blade 28a is provided in the first member 27a and can extend out from and retract into the first member 27a. The receiver 28b is provided in the second member 27b and can receive the extended blade 28a. In the cutting operation of the cutting mechanism <NUM>, the blade 28a extends out toward the receiver 28b. Because of this, an individual product P is cut off. As shown in <FIG>, a cutting position CP where the cutting mechanism <NUM> cuts is in the transverse seal portion XT.

Returning to <FIG>, the photoelectric sensor <NUM> is for reading the reference marks M provided on the film F. Output signals of the photoelectric sensor <NUM> are used to decide the operation timings of the transverse sealing mechanism <NUM> and the cutting mechanism <NUM>.

Returning to <FIG>, the inspection unit <NUM> is for performing a quality inspection of the products P and outputting inspection results as to whether the products P are conforming products or nonconforming products. The inspection unit <NUM> is, for example, a metal detector or an X-ray foreign object detector. The inspection unit <NUM> sends the inspection results to the computer <NUM>.

The first information acquisition unit <NUM> is disposed near the inspection unit <NUM> and reads the individual identification information I from the print surfaces of the products P. A reading device used for the first information acquisition unit <NUM> includes a camera and an image processing unit for recognizing the individual identification information I. The image processing unit is configured by software or hardware. The image processing unit may be embedded into the camera or may be implemented in a device separate from the camera. The first information acquisition unit <NUM> sends to the computer <NUM> the individual identification information I that it has read from the products P.

As shown in <FIG>, the computer <NUM> is connected to the inspection unit <NUM>, the first information acquisition unit <NUM>, the second information acquisition unit <NUM>, the third information acquisition unit <NUM>, the sorting unit <NUM>, and so forth. The computer <NUM> has a storage unit <NUM>, a nonconforming product verification unit <NUM>, and a conforming product verification unit <NUM>.

The storage unit <NUM> associates and stores, with the inspection results of the inspection unit <NUM>, the individual identification information I that the first information acquisition unit <NUM> has read.

The nonconforming product verification unit <NUM> verifies that the products P that have reached the nonconforming product retention unit <NUM> are nonconforming products as described later.

The conforming product verification unit <NUM> verifies that the products P that have reached the box packing unit <NUM> are conforming products as described later.

The storage unit <NUM>, the nonconforming product verification unit <NUM>, and the conforming product verification unit <NUM> are realized by, for example, a CPU, a memory, and software of the computer <NUM>.

Returning to <FIG>, the sorting unit <NUM> sorts nonconforming products of the products P to the nonconforming product retention unit <NUM>, and sorts conforming products of the products P to the box packing unit <NUM>, in accordance with the inspection results received from the inspection unit <NUM>.

The nonconforming product retention unit <NUM> is for retaining the products P that have been determined to be nonconforming products by the inspection unit <NUM> in order to prepare disposal of those products P. The nonconforming product retention unit <NUM> is provided with an alert unit <NUM> that issues an alert using sound or light.

The second information acquisition unit <NUM> reads the individual identification information I from the products P that have been conveyed to the nonconforming product retention unit <NUM>. The physical configuration of the second information acquisition unit <NUM> is the same as that of the first information acquisition unit <NUM>. The individual identification information I that has been read by the second information acquisition unit <NUM> is sent to the nonconforming product verification unit <NUM> of the computer <NUM>. The nonconforming product verification unit <NUM> compares the individual identification information I that it has received with the information stored in the storage unit <NUM>, and verifies that the individual identification information I relates to a nonconforming product of the products P. Because of this, whether or not all the nonconforming products that have been discovered by the inspection unit <NUM> have been put into the nonconforming product retention unit <NUM> can be verified. The alert unit <NUM> may issue an alert in a case where not all the nonconforming products have reached the nonconforming product retention unit <NUM>. Moreover, the alert unit <NUM> may issue an alert in a case where the individual identification information I that has been read by the second information acquisition unit <NUM> relates to a conforming product of the products P.

The box packing unit <NUM> is for collecting plural products P and packing them into packing boxes. The box packing unit <NUM> is provided with an alert unit <NUM> that issues an alert using sound or light.

The third information acquisition unit <NUM> reads the individual identification information I from the products P that have been conveyed to the box packing unit <NUM>. The physical configuration of the third information acquisition unit <NUM> is the same as that of the first information acquisition unit <NUM>. The individual identification information I that has been read by the third information acquisition unit <NUM> is sent to the conforming product verification unit <NUM> of the computer <NUM>. The conforming product verification unit <NUM> compares the individual identification information I that it has received with the information stored in the storage unit <NUM>, and verifies that the individual identification information I relates to a conforming product of the products P. The alert unit <NUM> may issue an alert in a case where the individual identification information I that has been read by the third information acquisition unit <NUM> relates to a nonconforming product of the products P.

The inspection results are associated with the individual identification information I that has been printed on each product P. Consequently, by reading the individual identification information I, whether the products P are conforming products or nonconforming products can be grasped.

Plural pieces of the same individual identification information I are printed on each of the first surface S1 and the second surface S2. Consequently, individual identification is possible when the first information acquisition unit <NUM> reads any of the first surface S1 and the second surface S2.

<NUM>% or more or <NUM>% or more of the area of the print surfaces is the individual identification information I. Consequently, it is easy for the first information acquisition unit <NUM> to read the individual identification information I.

The sorting unit <NUM> discharges nonconforming products on the basis of the inspection results associated with the individual identification information I. Consequently, the risk that nonconforming products could be handled as conforming products can be reduced.

It is verified that the nonconforming products have been conveyed to the nonconforming product retention unit <NUM>. Consequently, whether or not all the nonconforming products that have been discovered by the inspection unit <NUM> have been put into the nonconforming product retention unit <NUM> can be verified, so the risk that nonconforming products could be handled as conforming products can be reduced even more.

It is verified that the conforming products have been conveyed to the box packing unit <NUM>. Consequently, nonconforming products can be inhibited from reaching the box packing unit <NUM> and being shipped.

Example modifications of the above embodiment will be described below. Multiple example modifications may be combined with each other.

Various devices other than a camera are conceivable as the reading device used for the first information acquisition unit <NUM>, the second information acquisition unit <NUM>, and the third information acquisition unit <NUM>. The reading device may, as mentioned before, be a camera <NUM> such as shown in <FIG>. Alternatively, the reading device may be a barcode reader <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Alternatively, the reading device may be a wearable terminal <NUM> such as the smart glasses shown in <FIG>.

Moreover, to provide against a case where reading by the reading device fails, the reading device may also have, as shown in <FIG>, a keyboard <NUM> for inputting the individual identification information I that has been written in numbers or characters.

These reading devices are connected by wires or connected wirelessly to the computer <NUM>.

The printing form of the individual identification information I is digital watermarks that are imperceptible to human sight instead of barcodes, two-dimensional barcodes, and dot codes.

<FIG> shows a film F' for packaging pertaining to an example modification. The film F', like the film F, is set in the bag-making and packaging machine <NUM>. The pattern PT includes pictures, photographs, characters, shapes, and so forth that are perceptible to human sight. The individual identification information I is included in the pattern PT in gradations of pixels or some other form. The individual identification information I need not be perceptible to human sight. One written representation of the individual identification information I is a square having <NUM> sides, for example. The digital watermarks are not limited to those described above, and all forms of digital watermarks can be employed.

Adjacent pieces of the individual identification information I are disposed substantially with no space between them. The percentage of the area of the print surface occupied by the individual identification information I is <NUM>% or more and preferably <NUM>% or more.

<FIG> and <FIG> show a film tube FT' formed of the film F'.

According to this configuration, there is little concern of inconveniencing consumers and others who do not need the individual identification information I.

The inspection device included in the inspection unit <NUM> is not limited to a single device. For example, the inspection unit <NUM> may also include both a metal detector and an X-ray foreign object detector. The metal detector uses an alternating magnetic field to determine whether or not there are metal foreign objects inside the packaging of the products P. The X-ray foreign object detector uses X-rays to detect various types of foreign objects such as metal or plastic. Moreover, the inspection unit <NUM> may also include a detector other than a metal detector and an X-ray foreign object detector.

According to this configuration, nonconforming product information can be collectively managed by the storage unit <NUM>, so it is not necessary to provide a sorting unit <NUM> for each inspection device.

In the above embodiment, the products P are packaged by the bags B that have been formed of the film F. Instead of this, the packaging of the products P may also be boxes made of paper, plastic, or other materials. Outer surfaces of the boxes are the print surfaces of the products P. The individual identification information I is printed on the print surfaces.

A product management system <NUM>' pertaining to a second embodiment manages a target different from that of the product management system <NUM> pertaining to the first embodiment.

<FIG> is an exterior view of a product P' that the product management system <NUM>' manages. The product P' is an article placed on a tray TR and packaged in a wrap W. The article includes many different types of articles and is, for example, a food. What is called food here includes medical products. The individual identification information I is printed on a print surface of the product P'. What is called a print surface Q' in the present embodiment means a label LB adhered to the top of the wrap film.

<FIG> shows the configuration of the product management system <NUM>'. The product management system <NUM>' differs from the product management system <NUM> pertaining to the first embodiment in that it has a packaging unit <NUM>' instead of the weighing machine <NUM> and the bag-making and packaging machine <NUM>. The packaging unit <NUM>' packages in the wrap W the tray TR on which the article has been placed and thereafter adheres to the wrap W the label LB on which the individual identification information I has been printed.

The individual identification information I is printed on the labels of the products P'. Consequently, the individual identification information I corresponds to the products P'.

The example modifications of the first embodiment may be applied to the present embodiment. According to the invention, the individual identification information I is printed on the print surfaces of the products P' in the form of digital watermarks.

A product management system <NUM>" pertaining to a third embodiment manages a target different from that of the product management system <NUM> pertaining to the first embodiment.

<FIG> is an exterior view of a product P" that the product management system <NUM>" manages. The product P" is an unpackaged article. The article can be many different types of articles and is, for example, a food. What is called food here also includes medical products. The product P" is, for example, a fruit. The individual identification information I is printed on a print surface of the product P". What is called a print surface Q" in the present embodiment means the outer surface of the product P".

<FIG> shows the configuration of the product management system <NUM>". The product management system <NUM>" differs from the product management system <NUM> pertaining to the first embodiment in that it has a printing unit <NUM>" instead of the weighing machine <NUM> and the bag-making and packaging machine <NUM>. The printing unit <NUM>" prints the individual identification information I on the product P". It is preferred that the ink used for the printing be edible.

The individual identification information I is printed on the outer surfaces of the products P". Consequently, the individual identification information I corresponds to the products P".

Embodiments of a product processing device pertaining to the invention will be described below using the drawings.

<FIG> are exterior views of a product P that a product processing device <NUM> pertaining to a first embodiment of the invention handles. The product P is packaged by a film F" for packaging. The article packaged by the film F" can be many different types of articles and is, for example, a food. What is called food here includes medical products. The film F" forms a bag B. <FIG> shows a first surface S1 of the bag B, and <FIG> shows a second surface S2 of the bag B. The second surface S2 is positioned on the opposite side of the first surface S1. The bag B has a longitudinal seal portion XL on the side of the second surface S2. The bag B has transverse seal portions XT on two edges that are opposite to each other.

Individual identification information I is printed on print surfaces Q of the product P. What is called print surfaces Q in the present embodiment means areas of the packaging film F" in which information is printed by a printing unit <NUM> described later.

<FIG> shows the film F" for packaging the product P. The film F" extends long in a longitudinal direction L and has a fixed width that spans in a transverse direction T perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. A pattern PT corresponding to one bag B is iteratively printed every dimension D on the film F". That is, each zone Z1, zone Z2, zone Z3, and zone Z4 has the pattern PT and is used for forming one bag B. When the film F" is finally processed into a bag B, the dimension D becomes the distance between the upper edge and the lower edge of the bag B or the distance between the left edge and the right edge of the bag B depending on the design of the bag B.

The pattern PT includes a reference mark M. The reference mark M is for being read by a photoelectric sensor <NUM> described later. The reference mark M may be in any of the first area A1 and the second area A2.

The pattern PT includes lines or shapes that define the print surfaces Q. The print surfaces Q are in both the first area A1 and the second area A2. Instead of this, the print surface Q may be in either one of the first area A1 or the second area A2.

<FIG> shows the product processing device <NUM> pertaining to the first embodiment of the invention. The product processing device <NUM> is configured as a bag-making and packaging machine. The product processing device <NUM> performs a process in which the products P are manufactured by packaging the article in the bags B formed by the film F".

The product processing device <NUM> has a roll holding unit <NUM>, a conveyance mechanism <NUM>, a printing unit <NUM>, a printing inspection unit <NUM>, a former <NUM>, a longitudinal sealing mechanism <NUM>, a transverse sealing mechanism <NUM>, a cutting mechanism <NUM>, and a photoelectric sensor <NUM>. The configuration of the product processing device <NUM> mechanically is substantially the same as that of the bag-making and packaging machine <NUM> shown in <FIG> but the function of the printing unit <NUM> is different.

The printing unit <NUM> prints the individual identification information I on the print surfaces Q of the film F" that is being conveyed. The printing unit <NUM> includes a thermal print head, for example. <FIG> shows the film F" on which the individual identification information I has been printed by the printing unit <NUM>.

Each bag B has different individual identification information I. Plural pieces of the same individual identification information I are printed in the first area A1 of one bag B. Plural pieces of the same individual identification information I are printed in the second area A2 of one bag B. The plural pieces of individual identification information I printed in the first area A1 of one bag B and the plural pieces of individual identification information I printed in the second area A2 of the same bag B are the same.

The individual identification information I is printed in the form of optically readable codes, such as barcodes, two-dimensional barcodes, and dot codes. Adjacent pieces of the individual identification information I are disposed substantially with no space between them. The percentage of the area of the print surfaces Q occupied by the individual identification information I is <NUM>% or more and preferably <NUM>% or more.

The individual identification information I may be numbers. Moreover, the individual identification information I printed on the print surfaces Q included in each iterative pattern PT may be consecutive numbers. For example, the individual identification information I printed on the print surfaces Q of zone Z1, zone Z2, zone Z3, and zone Z4 increases by one at a time in this order.

It is preferred that the printing unit <NUM> print, in addition to the individual identification information I printed in the form of codes, a written representation of the individual identification information I in the form of numerals or characters. Moreover, the printing unit <NUM> may print, in the form of characters, predetermined information such as the date of manufacture on the print surfaces Q of the film F.

Various devices are conceivable as the reading device for reading the individual identification information I. For example, the reading device may be the camera <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Alternatively, the reading device may be the barcode reader <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Alternatively, the reading device may be the wearable terminal <NUM> such as the smart glasses shown in <FIG>. These reading devices have an image processing unit that extracts codes from images, for example. The image processing unit is configured by software or hardware.

Moreover, to provide against a case where reading by the reading device fails, the reading device may have, as shown in <FIG>, a keyboard <NUM> for inputting the individual identification information I that has been written in numerals or characters.

These reading devices may be configured as an information acquisition unit that is part of the product processing device <NUM>.

Plural pieces of the same individual identification information I are printed on the print surfaces Q. Consequently, the probability that the reading device would recognize the individual identification information I increases, so the efficiency of individual identification is improved.

Plural pieces of the same individual identification information I are printed on each of the first surface S1 and the second surface S2. Consequently, individual identification is possible when the reading device reads any of the first surface S1 and the second surface S2.

There is no space between adjacent pieces of the individual identification information I. Consequently, the probability that the reading device would recognize the individual identification information I increases even more, so the efficiency of individual identification is improved.

The individual identification information I is printed on <NUM>% or more or <NUM>% or more of the area of the print surfaces Q. Consequently, it is easy for the reading device to read the individual identification information I.

The products P are a food. Consequently, the efficiency of individual identification is improved in regard to food.

The product processing device <NUM> may further have an information acquisition unit. In this case, processing details can be verified on the basis of the individual identification information I that the information acquisition unit has read.

In the above embodiment, the products P are packaged by the bags B that have been formed of the film F". Instead of this, the packaging of the products P may be boxes made of paper, plastic, or other materials. Outer surfaces of the boxes are the print surfaces of the products P. The individual identification information I is printed on the print surfaces.

According to this configuration, the packaging is boxes. Consequently, the efficiency of individual identification is improved in regard to products packaged by boxes.

<FIG> shows a film F‴ for packaging pertaining to an example modification. The film F‴, like the film F", is set in the product processing device <NUM>. The content to be printed on the print surfaces Q includes pictures, photographs, characters, shapes, and so forth that are perceptible to human sight. The individual identification information I is included in the printed content in gradations of pixels or some other form. The individual identification information I need not be perceptible to human sight. One written representation of the individual identification information I is a square having <NUM> sides, for example. The digital watermarks are not limited to those described above, and all forms of digital watermarks can be employed.

Adjacent pieces of the individual identification information I are disposed substantially with no space between them. The percentage of the area of the print surfaces Q occupied by the individual identification information I is <NUM>% or more and preferably <NUM>% or more.

<FIG> is an exterior view of a product P' that a product processing device <NUM> pertaining to a second embodiment of the invention processes. The product P' is an article placed on a tray TR and packaged in a wrap W (so-called plastic wrap). The article can be many different types of articles and is, for example, a food. What is called food here also includes medical products. A label LB is adhered to the wrap W.

The individual identification information I is printed on a print surface Q' of the product P'. What is called the print surface Q' in the present embodiment means the label LB.

<FIG> shows the product processing device <NUM> pertaining to the second embodiment of the invention. The product processing device <NUM> is configured as a label adhering device. The product processing device <NUM> performs a process in which printing is performed on the labels LB and the labels LB are adhered to the products P'. The product processing device <NUM> has a housing <NUM>, a conveyance mechanism <NUM>, a printing unit <NUM>, a peeling unit <NUM>, an adhering head <NUM>, and a placement unit <NUM>.

The conveyance mechanism <NUM> is a mechanism that conveys the labels LB along a conveyance path FP in a conveyance direction X. The conveyance path FP starts at a label roll <NUM> and leads via the printing unit <NUM> to the adhering head <NUM>.

Unpeeled tape that has been pulled out from the label roll <NUM> includes a tape-like backing paper <NUM> having multiple labels LB adhered to it. The back surfaces of the labels LB are sticky surfaces coated with glue and are adhered to the backing paper <NUM>.

The printing unit <NUM> prints the individual identification information I on the labels LB that are the print surfaces Q' of the products P'. <FIG> shows the label LB on which the individual identification information I has been printed by the printing unit <NUM>.

Each label LB has different individual identification information I. Plural pieces of the same individual identification information I are printed on one label LB.

The individual identification information I is printed in the form of optically readable codes, such as barcodes, two-dimensional barcodes, and dot codes. Adjacent pieces of the individual identification information I are disposed substantially with no space between them. The percentage of the area of the print surfaces Q' occupied by the individual identification information I is <NUM>% or more and preferably <NUM>% or more.

Other items relating to the individual identification information I are the same as in the first embodiment. The reading device corresponding to the individual identification information I is also the same as in the first embodiment.

Moreover, the printing unit <NUM> may print information such as the price, weight, and expiration date of the products P' in the form of characters on the labels LB.

The peeling unit <NUM> peels the labels LB from the unpeeled tape to separate the labels LB from the backing paper <NUM> and, for example, includes a plate or shaft having an edge or a small roller.

The adhering head <NUM> can suck and hold the labels LB by sucking air. The adhering head <NUM> can also jet air to thereby blow the labels LB toward and adhere them to the products P'. The adhering head <NUM> is, for example, an air nozzle device connected to an electromagnetic valve connected to both a vacuum pump and an air source.

The placement unit <NUM> is for placing thereon the products P' to which the labels LB are to be adhered. The placement unit <NUM> is, for example, a location right under the adhering head <NUM> on a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt may have a weighing unit that weighs the weights of the products P'.

The conveyance mechanism <NUM> conveys along the conveyance path FP the unpeeled tape that has been pulled out from the label roll <NUM>. Next, the unpeeled tape has the individual identification information I printed on it by the printing unit <NUM>. Thereafter, the peeling unit <NUM> separates the labels LB from the backing paper <NUM>. The labels LB are delivered to the adhering head <NUM>.

The adhering head <NUM> holds the labels LB by sucking air and stands by until the products P' are placed on the placement unit <NUM>. Thereafter, when the products P' reach the placement unit <NUM>, the adhering head <NUM> blows the labels LB toward the products P' by jetting air. Because of this, the labels LB are adhered to the products P'.

Plural pieces of the individual identification information I are printed on the labels LB that become adhered to the products P' including the trays TR. Consequently, the efficiency of individual identification of the products P' including the trays TR is improved.

The example modifications of the first embodiment may also be applied to the present embodiment. According to the invention, the individual identification information I printed on the labels LB is printed in the form of digital watermarks.

<FIG> is an exterior view of a product P" that a product processing device <NUM> pertaining to a third embodiment of the invention processes. The product P" is an unpackaged article. The article can be many different types of articles and is, for example, a food. What is called food here also includes medical products. The article is, for example, a fruit.

The individual identification information I is printed on a print surface Q" of the product P". What is called the print surface Q" in the present embodiment means the outer surface of the product P".

<FIG> shows the product processing device <NUM> pertaining to the third embodiment of the invention. The product processing device <NUM> is configured as an X-ray foreign object detector. The product processing device <NUM> performs a process in which it is determined whether the product P" is a conforming product or a nonconforming product by irradiating the product P" with X-rays in order to find foreign objects such as an insect pest from the transmitted radiation. The product processing device <NUM> has a housing <NUM>, a conveyance mechanism <NUM>, an X-ray source <NUM>, an X-ray line sensor <NUM>, and a printing unit <NUM>.

The conveyance mechanism <NUM> conveys the product P" in a conveyance direction X from an inlet <NUM> to an outlet <NUM>. The X-ray source <NUM> irradiates the product P" with X-rays. The X-ray line sensor <NUM> detects the X-rays transmitted through the product P". The output of the X-ray line sensor <NUM> is sent to an image processing unit not shown in the drawing and is used to determine whether or not foreign objects are present.

The printing unit <NUM> prints the individual identification information I on the outer surface that is the print surface Q" of the product P". It is preferred that the ink used for the printing be edible. The individual identification information I is different for each product P". Plural pieces of the same individual identification information I are printed on one product P".

The individual identification information I is printed in the form of optically readable codes, such as barcodes, two-dimensional barcodes, and dot codes. Adjacent pieces of the individual identification information I are disposed substantially with no space between them. The percentage of the area of the print surface Q occupied by the individual identification information I is <NUM>% or more and preferably <NUM>% or more.

Plural pieces of the individual identification information I are printed on the outer surfaces of the products P". Consequently, the efficiency of individual identification of the products P" is improved.

The example modifications of the first embodiment may be applied to the present embodiment. According to the invention, the individual identification information I printed on the print surfaces Q" of the products P" is printed in the form of digital watermarks.

Embodiments of a packaging film pertaining to the invention will be described below using the drawings.

<FIG> are exterior views of a product P packaged by a film F for packaging. The article packaged in the film F can be many different types of articles and is, for example, a food. What is called food here includes medical products. The film F forms a bag B. <FIG> shows a first surface S1 of the bag B, and <FIG> shows a second surface S2 of the bag B. The second surface S2 is positioned on the opposite side of the first surface S1. The bag B has a longitudinal seal portion XL on the side of the second surface S2. The bag B has transverse seal portions XT on two edges that are opposite to each other.

<FIG> shows the film F for packaging pertaining to a first embodiment of the invention. The film F extends long in a longitudinal direction L and has a fixed width that spans in a transverse direction T perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. A pattern PT corresponding to one bag B is iteratively printed every dimension D on the film F. That is, each zone Z1, zone Z2, zone Z3, and zone Z4 has the pattern PT and is used for forming one bag B. When the film F is finally processed into a bag B, the dimension D becomes the distance between the upper edge and the lower edge of the bag B or the distance between the left edge and the right edge of the bag B depending on the design of the bag B.

The pattern PT includes a reference mark M. The reference mark M is for being read by a photoelectric sensor <NUM> of a bag-making and packaging machine <NUM>. The reference mark M may be in any of the first area A1 and the second area A2.

The individual identification information I may also be numbers. Moreover, the individual identification information I included in the iterative pattern PT may be consecutive numbers. For example, the individual identification information I included in zone Z1, zone Z2, zone Z3, and zone Z4 increases by one at a time in this order.

<FIG> shows the bag-making and packaging machine <NUM> that uses the film F to create the products P. The film F is set in the bag-making and packaging machine <NUM>. The operation of the bag-making and packaging machine <NUM> is as has already been described.

As shown in <FIG>, the longitudinal seal portion XL is formed in the film F by the longitudinal seal mechanism <NUM>, and the film tube FT having the shape of a tube is created. Thereafter, as shown in <FIG>, the transverse seal portions XT are formed in the film tube FT by the transverse seal mechanism <NUM>. Next, an individual product P is cut off by the cutting mechanism <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a cutting position CP where the cutting mechanism <NUM> cuts is in the transverse seal portion XT.

Various devices are conceivable as the reading device for reading the individual identification information I. For example, the reading device may be the camera <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Alternatively, the reading device may be the barcode reader <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Alternatively, the reading device may also be the wearable terminal <NUM> such as the smart glasses shown in <FIG>. These reading devices have an image processing unit that extracts the individual identification information I from images, for example. The image processing unit is configured by software or hardware. The image processing unit may be implemented in a device different from the reading device.

Each bag B has unique individual identification information I that is distinct from that of other bags B. Consequently, the individual identification information I can be utilized for various purposes, such as identifying the manufacturing line, identifying the manufacturing lot, comparing manufacturing conditions and product quality, identifying and disposing of nonconforming products in the manufacturing process, and tracking shipments and circulation.

Plural pieces of the same individual identification information I are printed on one bag B. Consequently, the probability that the reading device would recognize the individual identification information I increases, so the efficiency of individual identification of the products P is improved.

The individual identification information I can be consecutive numbers. Consequently, it is easy to manage the products P at the manufacturing site, for example.

<NUM>% or more or <NUM>% or more of the area of the pattern PT is the individual identification information I. Consequently, it is easy for the reading device to read the individual identification information I.

<FIG> shows a film F' for packaging pertaining to a second embodiment of the invention. The film F', like the film F pertaining to the first embodiment, is set in the bag-making and packaging machine <NUM>.

The film F' differs from the film F pertaining to the first embodiment in that the individual identification information I is printed in the form of digital watermarks.

The pattern PT includes pictures, photographs, characters, shapes, and so forth that are perceptible to human sight. The individual identification information I is included in the pattern PT in gradations of pixels or some other form. The individual identification information I need not perceptible to human sight. One written representation of the individual identification information I is a square having <NUM> sides, for example. The digital watermarks are not limited to those described above, and all forms of digital watermarks can be employed.

The pattern PT includes unique individual identification information I. That is, each bag B has different individual identification information I. Plural pieces of the same individual identification information I are printed in the first area A1. Plural pieces of the same individual identification information I are printed in the second area A2. The plural pieces of individual identification information I printed in the first area A1 of one bag B and the plural pieces of individual identification information I printed in the second area A2 of the same bag B are the same.

Adjacent pieces of the individual identification information I are disposed substantially with no space between them. The percentage of the area of the pattern PT occupied by the individual identification information I is <NUM>% or more and preferably <NUM>% or more.

The reading devices and keyboard mentioned in regard to the first embodiment can also be used in regard to the film F'.

Claim 1:
A product management system (<NUM>) that manages a product (P) that is a food and has a print surface, the product management system (<NUM>) comprising:
an inspection unit (<NUM>) that performs an inspection of the product and outputs an inspection result as to whether the product is a conforming product or a nonconforming product;
a first information acquisition unit (<NUM>) that reads, from the product which has plural pieces of individual identification information (I) that are the same printed on the print surface (Q), the individual identification information; and
a storage unit (<NUM>) that associates and stores, with the inspection result, the individual identification information that the first information acquisition unit has read;
wherein the individual identification information (I) is printed in the form of digital watermarks.