Printing device

Abstract

To provide a printing device capable of confirming that a printed matter is correctly enclosed in an envelope without adding unique information to the printed matter.SOLUTION: The printing device includes a printing unit 11 that prints on paper, a marking unit 12 that applies a thermal marker to desired locations on a printed matter printed by the printing unit 11, an enclosing unit 13 that encloses the printed matter with the thermal marker applied into an envelope, a pressing unit 14 that presses the envelope with the printed matter enclosed, a marker detection unit 15 that detects the position of the thermal marker on the envelope with the printed matter enclosed, and a judgment unit 16 that judges whether or not the printed matter is correctly enclosed in the envelope based on the position of the thermal marker.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Printing devices are used that have the functions of generating an envelope and a printed matter, folding the printed matter, enclosing it in an envelope, and further sealing it. In such printing devices, it is necessary to check whether the printed matter is properly enclosed in the envelope, and for example, a method of inspecting an enclosed matter is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses a method of determining whether or not a printed matter has been properly enclosed in an envelope by attaching an identifiable unique mark corresponding to each type of enclosed matter and detecting it with X-rays. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-78644 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 mentioned above, by adding a unique mark, information that identifies the printed matter is also added, which creates the problem that if, for example, an anonymous questionnaire is enclosed, an individual may be identified.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve such conventional problems, and its purpose is to provide a printing device that makes it possible to confirm that a printed matter has been correctly enclosed in an envelope without adding unique information to the printed matter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, the printing device of the present invention comprises a printing unit that prints on paper, a marking unit that applies a thermal marker to desired portions of a printed material printed by the printing unit, an enclosing unit that encloses the printed material with the thermal marker applied into an envelope, a pressing unit that presses the envelope in which the printed material is enclosed, a marker detection unit that detects the position of the thermal marker on the envelope in which the printed material is enclosed, and a judgment unit that judges whether the printed material is correctly enclosed in the envelope based on the position of the thermal marker. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to confirm that a printed matter is correctly enclosed in an envelope without adding unique information to the printed matter. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram that illustrates a flow of printing processing in the printing device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing the process from placing a single printed sheet in an envelope, sealing it, and inspecting the printed sheet. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing the process of placing two printed sheets in an envelope, sealing it, and inspecting the printed sheets. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a high-temperature area that is generated on the surface of an envelope by transferring a thermal marker applied to a printed matter to the envelope. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing device 100 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the printing device 100 according to this embodiment includes a printing unit 11, a marking unit 12, an inserting unit 13, a pressing unit 14, a marker detection unit 15, and a determination unit 16.

[0011] The printing unit 11 prints on blank printing paper. Hereinafter, the printed paper will be referred to as a “printed matter.” The printing unit 11 also prints on envelope paper, and then folds the paper to create an envelope.

[0012] The marking unit 12 applies a thermal marker to a desired portion of the printed matter printed by the printing unit 11. A thermal marker is a marker that is heated so that the surface temperature of a certain area becomes high. Specifically, the marking unit 12 applies a thermal marker by using heated ink, a thermal head, a laser, an infrared ray irradiator, pressing a heating member against the printed matter, a heat gun, or the like.

[0013] For example, a thermal marker can be applied to a printed matter by applying a transparent ink at a high temperature. In this case, for example, by using ink for thermal markers instead of the gray ink used in the printing device, it is possible to apply a thermal marker to a printed matter using the functions of an existing printing device. The thermal marker applied to the printed matter dissipates heat over time and returns to room temperature after a certain period of time has passed. Note that, although an example of applying a thermal marker that reaches a high temperature will be described in this embodiment, a cooled thermal marker may also be applied.

[0014] The inserting section 13 inserts the printed matter to which the thermal marker has been applied into an envelope.

[0015] The press unit 14 presses the envelope containing the printed matter. By pressing the envelope, the printed matter and the envelope come into contact with each other at a constant pressure. Therefore, the thermal marker affixed to the printed matter is transferred to the surface of the envelope. In other words, a specific area on the envelope can be made into a high-temperature area.

[0016] The marker detection unit 15 has a function of measuring the surface temperature distribution of the envelope. The marker detection unit 15 detects the presence or absence of a thermal marker on the printed matter and the position of the thermal marker by detecting the high temperature area of ​​the envelope in which the printed matter is enclosed. A thermo camera, an infrared camera, etc. can be used as the marker detection unit 15.

[0017] The determination unit 16 determines whether the printed matter is correctly inserted in the envelope based on the position of the thermal marker detected by the marker detection unit 15. That is, if the printed matter is correctly inserted in the envelope, a high-temperature area transferred from the thermal marker on the printed matter should be present in a predetermined area on the envelope surface. Therefore, by measuring the high-temperature area on the envelope surface, it is possible to determine whether the printed matter is correctly inserted in the envelope.

[0018] In addition, when multiple printed materials are enclosed in an envelope, the position at which the thermal marker is applied is changed for each printed material. For example, when two printed materials are enclosed in one envelope, the positions of the thermal markers are set to be different when each printed material is enclosed in the envelope. When high temperature areas are detected at two positions, the determination unit 16 determines that the two printed materials are correctly enclosed in the envelope.

[0019] Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram that shows a schematic flow of processing by a printing device according to an embodiment, and the general flow of processing from printing to judgment will be described below with reference to the flow diagram shown in Fig. 2. First, an envelope is created by printing on envelope paper 1 shown in Fig. 2 (P1).

[0020] Also, the printer 1 prints on the blank printing paper 2 loaded in the tray 2A, and generates a printed matter to be inserted in an envelope (P2).

[0021] Next, a thermal marker is applied to the printed matter, and the printed matter is folded to a size that allows it to be enclosed in an envelope, so that the thermal marker is positioned on the outer surface (P3).

[0022] The printed matter is then inserted into an envelope and sealed. The sealed envelope is pressed by press unit 14, and a high-heat area is detected on the surface of the pressed envelope by marker detection unit 15 (P4). If a high-heat area is detected in a predetermined area on the envelope surface, it can be determined that the printed matter has been properly inserted into the envelope.

[0023] 3 is a flow diagram showing the process flow when one printed sheet is enclosed in an envelope. First, in the printing step, the printing unit 11 prints on envelope paper. Next, in the folding step, the printed envelope paper is folded to create an envelope.

[0024] In the printing process, the printing unit 11 prints on a blank printing paper, and in the marking process, the marking unit 12 applies a thermal marker r1 to a predetermined portion of the printed matter. In the folding process, the printed matter with the thermal marker applied is folded to a size that can be enclosed in an envelope. At this time, as described above, the printed matter is folded so that the thermal marker r1 is located on the outer surface when folded.

[0025] In the inserting step, the inserting unit 13 inserts the printed matter into an envelope, and in the sealing step, the envelope after the printed matter has been inserted is sealed.

[0026] In the pressing process, the press unit 14 applies a certain amount of pressure to the sealed envelope. By applying pressure to the envelope, the thermal marker r1 on the printed matter comes into contact with the envelope at a certain amount of pressure, and the heat from the thermal marker r1 is transferred to the envelope surface. As a result, a high-temperature area is formed at a desired position on the envelope surface.

[0027] In the inspection process, the marker detection unit 15 measures the high-temperature area on the envelope surface. The judgment unit 16 judges whether the printed matter is correctly enclosed in the envelope based on the measurement result by the marker detection unit 15. Specifically, if the high-temperature area transferred from the thermal marker r1 is present at a desired position on the envelope surface, it is judged that the printed matter is correctly enclosed in the envelope.

[0028] In this way, in the printing device according to the embodiment, after the thermal marker r1 is applied to the printed matter and the printed matter is enclosed in an envelope, the presence or absence and position of the high temperature area is detected by the marker detection unit 15. Then, based on the detection result, it is possible to determine whether the printed matter has been properly enclosed in the envelope.

[0029] The thermal marker dissipates heat over time, leaving no trace of its presence, which makes it possible to prevent the identification of the printed matter enclosed in the envelope.

[0030] It is also possible to change the temperature of the thermal marker r1 depending on the distance (thickness of the paper between) from the envelope surface to the printed matter to which the thermal marker r1 is applied. For example, when the paper used to make the envelope is thick, or when other paper is between the thermal marker r1 applied to the printed matter and the envelope, and it is difficult for the heat from the thermal marker r1 to be transferred to the envelope surface, the thermal marker r1 is applied at a higher temperature. This makes it possible to reliably transfer a high-temperature area to a specified area of ​​the envelope. For example, the temperature of the thermal marker r1 can be increased by setting a longer time for applying the thermal marker r1.

[0031] Next, the process procedure for enclosing two printed sheets in an envelope will be described. Fig. 4 is a flow diagram showing the process flow for enclosing two printed sheets in an envelope. First, in the printing process, the printing unit 11 prints on envelope paper. Next, in the folding process, the printed envelope paper is folded to create an envelope.

[0032] In addition, in the printing process, the printing unit 11 prints on blank printing paper to create two printed products. In the marking process, the marking unit 12 applies thermal markers r1 and r2 to each printed product. At this time, the positions of the thermal markers r1 and r2 on each printed product are made different. In the folding process, each printed product with the thermal markers r1 and r2 applied is folded to a size that can be enclosed in an envelope.

[0033] In the inserting step, the inserting unit 13 inserts the two printed materials into an envelope, and in the sealing step, the envelope after the printed materials have been inserted is sealed.

[0034] In the pressing process, the press unit 14 applies a certain amount of pressure to the sealed envelope. By applying pressure to the envelope, the thermal markers r1 and r2 on the two printed materials come into contact with the envelope at a certain amount of pressure, and the heat from the thermal markers r1 and r2 is transferred to the surface of the envelope.

[0035] Two printed materials are enclosed in the envelope, and the first printed material is in direct contact with the envelope, while the second printed material is in contact with the envelope with the first printed material sandwiched between them. Therefore, the high temperature area transferred to the envelope by the thermal marker r1 on the first printed material has a higher temperature than the high temperature area transferred to the envelope by the thermal marker r2 on the second printed material.

[0036] Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a thermal distribution image D1 when the envelope surface is detected by the marker detection unit 15. As shown in Fig. 5, the area indicated by the symbol p1 in the thermal distribution image D1 indicates a high-heat area transferred from the thermal marker r1 of the first printed material, and the area indicated by the symbol p2 indicates a high-temperature area transferred from the thermal marker r2 of the second printed material. As shown in Fig. 5, it can be seen that the temperature of area p1 is higher than that of area p2.

[0037] In the inspection process, the marker detection unit 15 measures high-temperature areas on the envelope surface. That is, as shown in Fig. 5, high-temperature areas p1 and p2 on the envelope surface are measured. The judgment unit 16 judges whether or not the two printed materials are correctly enclosed in the envelope based on the measurement results by the marker detection unit 15. Specifically, if high-temperature areas transferred from the thermal markers r1 and r2 exist at two desired positions on the envelope surface, it is judged that the printed materials are correctly enclosed in the envelope.

[0038] In this way, when multiple printed materials are inserted into an envelope, by changing the positions of the thermal markers r1 and r2 attached to each printed material, it is possible to detect with high accuracy whether or not the printed materials are correctly inserted into the envelope. Note that, although the above embodiment has been described as an example in which one or two printed materials are inserted into an envelope, the present invention can also be applied to the case in which three or more printed materials are inserted.

[0039] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and the components can be modified and embodied in the implementation stage without departing from the gist of the invention. Furthermore, various inventions can be formed by appropriate combinations of the multiple components disclosed in the above-described embodiment. For example, all the components shown in the embodiment may be appropriately combined. Of course, such various modifications and applications are possible within the scope of the invention. The invention described in the claims at the time of filing of this application is appended below.

[0040] [Appendix 1] A printing unit that prints on paper; a marking unit that applies a thermal marker to a desired portion of the printed matter printed by the printing unit; an inserting section for inserting the printed matter to which the thermal marker has been applied into an envelope; a press unit that presses the envelope in which the printed matter is enclosed; a marker detection unit that detects the position of the thermal marker on the envelope in which the printed matter is enclosed; a determination unit that determines whether a printed matter is correctly enclosed in the envelope based on the position of the thermal marker; A printing device comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 11 Printing Department 12 Marking section 13 Enclosure 14 Press Department 15 Marker detection section 16 Judgment section 100 Printing equipment D1 Thermal distribution image r1, r2 thermal markers

Claims

[Claim 1] A printing unit that prints on paper; a marking unit that applies a thermal marker to a desired portion of the printed matter printed by the printing unit; an inserting section for inserting the printed matter to which the thermal marker has been applied into an envelope; a press unit that presses the envelope in which the printed matter is enclosed; a marker detection unit that detects the position of the thermal marker on the envelope in which the printed matter is enclosed; a determination unit that determines whether a printed matter is correctly enclosed in the envelope based on the position of the thermal marker; A printing device comprising:

Images