Packaging bag, packaging material, visualization device, and packaging equipment

Abstract

To provide a packaging bag with an indication that is not normally easily seen, but is visible when needed.SOLUTION: The packaging bag 19 comprises a sheet-like packaging material, and an indication 110 having a different light diffusivity or refractive index than the packaging material is provided on a portion of the packaging material.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a packaging bag, a packaging material, a visualization device, and a packaging device. [Background technology]

[0002] JP 2020-175546 A (Patent Document 1) describes a technology for writing text information and coded information in a readable manner on a sachet that contains medicine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-175546 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is undesirable from the viewpoint of protecting the privacy of the user to clearly indicate the name of the drug and the name of the user on the packaging bag that contains the drug.

[0005] The present disclosure proposes a technique for attaching a mark in a manner that is usually difficult to see but can be made visible when necessary. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A packaging bag according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a sheet-like packaging material, and a portion of the packaging material is marked with an indication having a light diffusion coefficient or refractive index different from that of the packaging material.

[0007] A sheet-like packaging material according to one aspect of the present disclosure has a portion thereof marked with an indication that the light diffusion rate or refractive index is different from that of the packaging material.

[0008] A packaging bag according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a packaging bag for containing an item, and has an indication related to the item attached thereto so that the indication can be visualized by irradiating the bag with polarized light.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a visualization device for visualizing an indication attached to a packaging bag includes an irradiation unit that irradiates polarized light onto the packaging bag, and a polarizing filter positioned between the packaging bag and a viewpoint.

[0010] A packaging device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a packaging unit that forms a packaging bag from a sheet-like packaging material, and a marking unit that marks a portion of the packaging material with a light diffusion rate or refractive index different from that of the packaging material. Effect of the Invention

[0011] In accordance with the present disclosure, the markings can be applied in a manner that is normally difficult to see and can be made visible when necessary. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a packaging device according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing unit in the packaging device shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of an ink ribbon relative to a thermal head. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the packaging device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of a packaging bag. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a mark attached to a packaging bag. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a visualization device. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the appearance of a packaging bag with a visualized display. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated. It is also intended from the beginning that any configuration may be extracted from the embodiments and that they may be combined in any desired manner.

[0014] [Overall configuration] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a packaging device 1 according to an embodiment.

[0015] The packaging device 1 is used to package an object to be packaged. The object to be packaged is a medicine, specifically, a solid medicine. Examples of the solid medicine include powders, granules, tablets, pills, and capsules. The object to be packaged is not limited to a solid medicine. The object to be packaged may be a semi-solid medicine or a liquid medicine.

[0016] The packaging device 1 is a drug packaging device for packaging drugs based on a prescription. A prescription is issued by a doctor to a patient. The prescription contains patient information and drug information. The patient information includes the patient's name and age. The drug information includes the drug name, amount, usage, and dosage. The packaging device 1 is used to package drugs into single dose amounts based on such a prescription.

[0017] Packaging rolls 2 and 3 are attached to the packaging device 1. The packaging roll 2 is a packaging material 21 wound in a roll shape. The packaging material 21 is sent out from the packaging roll 2. The packaging roll 3 is a packaging material 31 wound in a roll shape. The packaging material 31 is sent out from the packaging roll 3. The packaging materials 21 and 31 are in the form of long sheets. The packaging materials 21 and 31 are formed, for example, from a resin film material. The packaging materials 21 and 31 may be made, for example, of OPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene) or PET (polyethylene terephthalate).

[0018] The packaging device 1 combines a packaging material 21 unwound from a packaging material roll 2 and a packaging material 31 unwound from a packaging material roll 3 by heat sealing them to form a packaging bag 19 containing a medicine. The packaging device 1 is equipped with a packaging material conveying section 9. The packaging material conveying section 9 applies a driving force to the packaging materials 21, 31 to convey the packaging materials 21, 31. The packaging materials 21, 31 are conveyed in their longitudinal directions. The arrows in FIG. 1 indicate the conveying direction DR of the packaging materials 21, 31.

[0019] Dancer roller 11A and guide rollers 12A and 13A are provided in this order from upstream (the side closer to packaging material roll 2) to downstream (the side away from packaging material roll 2) in the conveying direction DR of packaging material 21. Dancer roller 11A and guide rollers 12A and 13A guide the conveyed packaging material 21 and apply a constant tension to the packaging material 21. Dancer roller 11B and guide rollers 12B and 13B are provided in this order from upstream (the side closer to packaging material roll 3) to downstream (the side away from packaging material roll 3) in the conveying direction DR of packaging material 31. Dancer roller 11B and guide rollers 12B and 13B guide the conveyed packaging material 31 and apply a constant tension to the packaging material 31.

[0020] The packaging device 1 includes a packaging section 5. The packaging section 5 includes a medicine supplying section 6, a container forming section 7, and a perforation forming section 8.

[0021] The medicine supply unit 6 supplies medicine between the packaging materials 21 and 31 being transported by the packaging material transport unit 9. The tip of a hopper (not shown) is placed between the packaging materials 21 and 31, and the medicine is poured into the space between the packaging materials 21 and 31 from the tip of the hopper. The medicine is supplied at a dose based on the prescription.

[0022] The container forming unit 7 forms a packaging bag 19 using packaging materials 21, 31 transported by the packaging transport unit 9. The packaging bag 19 contains an object to be contained. The object to be contained is medicine. The container forming unit 7 heat-seals the packaging materials 21 and 31 in a superimposed state, individually packaging the medicine supplied from the medicine supply unit 6 for each dose, and forms the packaging bag 19, which is a package containing the medicine inside.

[0023] The perforation forming section 8 is provided in the storage section forming section 7. The perforation forming section 8 forms perforations extending in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction DR in the packaging material 21, 31 conveyed by the packaging material conveying section 9. The perforations are a plurality of small holes continuously arranged in the short direction of the packaging material 21, 31. The perforations are formed at positions that separate adjacent packaging bags 19 in the longitudinal direction of the packaging material 21, 31. By cutting the packaging material 21, 31 along the perforations, the adjacent packaging bags 19 can be easily separated.

[0024] The packaging device 1 further includes a printing unit 4. The printing unit 4 affixes a predetermined marking to the packaging material 31 that is unwound from the packaging material roll 3 and conveyed by the packaging material conveying unit 9. The predetermined marking is information related to the drug contained in the packaging bag 19. The printing unit 4 is disposed upstream of the packaging unit 5 in the conveying direction of the packaging material 31. The printing unit 4 prints information related to the drug on the packaging material 31 prior to the heat fusion of the packaging materials 21, 31 by the containing portion forming unit 7. The information related to the drug includes the name and age of the person who will be taking the drug, the time of taking the drug (dosage), the name and amount (quantity, weight) of the drug, etc.

[0025] The packaging device 1 further includes a line drawing device 10. The line drawing device 10 is used to draw lines on the transported packaging material 21, the lines extending in the transport direction DR of the packaging material 21. The line drawing device 10 can print lines of multiple colors on the packaging material 21. The line drawing device 10 can draw lines of specific colors on the packaging material 21 in correspondence with information related to the drug printed on the packaging material 31 by the printing unit 4. For example, the line drawing device 10 can draw lines of different colors, such as red, black, blue, and green, depending on the time of administration.

[0026] [Printing Section 4 Configuration] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the printing unit 4 in the packaging device 1 shown in Fig. 1. The printing unit 4 uses a thermal head 41 to thermally transfer the ink of the ink ribbon 45 onto the packaging material 31. The printing unit 4 also uses the thermal head 41 to heat the surface of the packaging material 31. Specifically, the printing unit 4 heats the packaging material 31 using the thermal head 41 to melt a part of the surface of the packaging material 31. The heat treatment corresponds to an example of processing the surface of the packaging material 31.

[0027] The printing unit 4 has a thermal head 41 and a platen roller 44. The thermal head 41 has a plurality of heating elements. The thermal head 41 corresponds to an example of a "print head". The thermal head 41 generates heat. The platen roller 44 supports the packaging material 31. The thermal head 41 and the platen roller 44 are disposed opposite each other with the ink ribbon 45 and the packaging material 31 sandwiched therebetween.

[0028] The printing unit 4 further has a head contact / separation motor 42 and a head movement motor 43. The head contact / separation motor 42 moves the thermal head 41 back and forth in the thickness direction of the packaging material 31 (the up-down direction in FIG. 2) to a pressure-contact position and a separation position. The pressure-contact position is a position where the thermal head 41 is in pressure contact with the platen roller 44 via the ink ribbon 45 and the packaging material 31. The separation position is a position where the thermal head 41 is separated from the platen roller 44. The head movement motor 43 moves the thermal head 41 and the platen roller 44 back and forth in the transport direction DR of the packaging material 31 (the left-right direction in FIG. 2).

[0029] The printing unit 4 further includes a ribbon supply shaft 46, a ribbon take-up shaft 47, guide rollers 48, 49, and a ribbon transport motor 47a. The ribbon supply shaft 46 supplies the ink ribbon 45. The ribbon take-up shaft 47 takes up the ink ribbon 45. The guide rollers 48, 49 are provided between the ribbon supply shaft 46 and the ribbon take-up shaft 47, and guide the ink ribbon 45. The ribbon transport motor 47a drives the ribbon take-up shaft 47 to rotate.

[0030] When the ribbon transport motor 47a rotates and drives the ribbon take-up shaft 47, the ink ribbon 45 is transported in its longitudinal direction from the ribbon supply shaft 46 to the ribbon take-up shaft 47. The transport direction of the ink ribbon 45 and the transport direction DR of the packaging material 31 are parallel to each other, and both are the left-right direction in FIG.

[0031] In the printing unit 4, the thermal head 41 is moved to the pressing position. In this state, the thermal head 41 is moved along the transport path of the packaging material 31. At this time, the multiple heating elements of the thermal head 41 are selectively heated. As a result, a predetermined indication related to the medicine to be packaged is applied to the packaging material 31 one package at a time.

[0032] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of the ink ribbon 45 relative to the thermal head 41. The direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (transport direction DR) of the packaging material 31 and the longitudinal direction of the ink ribbon 45 is referred to as the width direction. The dimension of the packaging material 31 in the width direction is width W shown in Fig. 3. The dimension of the ink ribbon 45 in the width direction is width W2 shown in Fig. 3. Width W2 is smaller than width W. Width W2 of the ink ribbon 45 is smaller than the dimension of the thermal head 41 in the width direction.

[0033] The thermal head 41 has portions on both sides of the ink ribbon 45 in the width direction that are not covered by the ink ribbon 45. The exposed portions of the surface of the thermal head 41 that are not covered by the ink ribbon 45 constitute an indication providing portion 411. The indication providing portion 411 has widths W1 and W3. Only a portion of the thermal head 41 is covered by the ink ribbon 45. The portions of the surface of the thermal head 41 that are covered by the ink ribbon 45 constitute a second indication providing portion 412.

[0034] When the thermal head 41 is placed in the pressure contact position, the marking provision unit 411 is in direct contact with the packaging material 31. The marking provision unit 411 directly transfers heat generated by the thermal head 41 to the packaging material 31. As a result, the marking provision unit 411 heat-treats a portion of the surface of the packaging material 31. The marking provision unit 411 melts a portion of the surface of the packaging material 31. The light diffusion rate or refractive index of a portion of the surface of the packaging material 31 changes. The marking provision unit 411 provides a mark to a portion of the surface of the packaging material 31, the light diffusion rate or refractive index of which is different from that of the packaging material 31.

[0035] With the thermal head 41 disposed at the pressure contact position, the second indication providing unit 412 comes into contact with the packaging material 31 via the ink ribbon 45. The second indication providing unit 412 transfers heat generated by the thermal head 41 to the ink ribbon 45. The second indication providing unit 412 thermally transfers the ink of the ink ribbon 45 to the packaging material 31 to color the surface of the packaging material 31. The second indication providing unit 412 uses the ink ribbon 45 to provide a second indication, the color of which is different from that of the packaging material 31, to a portion of the surface of the packaging material 31.

[0036] After being transported by the packaging material transport section 9 (Figure 1) and passing through the printing section 4, the packaging material 31 has a marking on part of its surface indicating that the light diffusion rate or refractive index is different from that of the packaging material 31, and a second marking on part of its surface indicating that the color is different from that of the packaging material 31.

[0037] 2 and 3, a common thermal head 41 constitutes the indicia providing unit 411 and the second indicia providing unit 412, but is not limited to this example. As in the conventional printing unit 4, the printing unit 4 transfers the ink of the ink ribbon 45 to the packaging material 31 to provide the second indicia on the packaging material 31, and another device for heating the packaging material 31 to melt a part of the surface of the packaging material 31 may be provided upstream of the printing unit 4 in the conveying direction DR.

[0038] Alternatively, the marking having a light diffusion rate or refractive index different from that of the packaging material 31 does not necessarily have to be applied by the packaging device 1. A marking having a light diffusion rate or refractive index different from that of the packaging material 31 may be applied to the packaging material 31 in advance by an external device, and the packaging material roll 3 around which the packaging material 31 is wound may be attached to the packaging device 1 and used to form the packaging bag 19. When the device that applies the marking to the packaging material 31 and the printing unit 4 that applies the second marking to the packaging material 31 are separate devices, the second marking is not limited to printing by thermal transfer, and may be printed on the packaging material 31 by another printing method, or may be applied to the packaging material 31 in a manner other than printing.

[0039] [Electrical configuration of packaging device 1] 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the packaging device 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG.

[0040] The operation unit 91 is operated by an operator who operates the packaging device 1. When the operator operates the operation unit 91, information necessary for the packaging operation of the packaging device 1 is input to the overall control unit 90. The information necessary for the packaging operation of the packaging device 1 includes prescription data based on a prescription and various setting information. Examples of the setting information include the dimension of the width W of the packaging material 31 and the contents of the indication to be attached to the packaging bag 19. The information necessary for the packaging operation of the packaging device 1 may be input to the overall control unit 90 from an external computer.

[0041] The operation unit 91 generates print data to be printed on the packaging material 31 by the printing unit 4 based on the input prescription data. The operation unit 91 inputs the generated print data to the overall control unit 90. The overall control unit 90 may generate the print data, or externally generated print data may be input to the overall control unit 90.

[0042] The overall control unit 90 controls the overall operation of the packaging device 1 based on information necessary for the packaging operation of the packaging device 1. The packaging material conveying unit 9 (FIG. 1) has a packaging material conveying motor 92. The packaging material conveying motor 92 rotates and drives a pair of conveying rollers to convey the packaging materials 21, 31. The overall control unit 90 controls the packaging material conveying motor 92, the packaging unit 5, and the printing unit 4.

[0043] Overall control unit 90 sends a control signal to packaging unit 5 to instruct drug supply unit 6 on the type and quantity of drug to be supplied. Container formation unit 7 (FIG. 1) has heater 75 and pressure motor 72. Heater 75 is built into the heating member. Pressure motor 72 drives the heating member. With heater 75 heating the heating member, the heating member pressurizes packaging materials 21, 31, whereby packaging materials 21, 31 are heat-sealed to form packaging bag 19 containing the drug therein.

[0044] The packaging unit 5 has a packaging control unit 95. The packaging control unit 95 controls the medicine supply unit 6, the heater 75, and the pressure motor 72 based on a control signal from the overall control unit 90. The medicine supply unit 6, the heater 75, and the pressure motor 72 are appropriately driven and stopped to pack the medicine into a packaging bag 19.

[0045] The overall control unit 90 sends a control signal to the printing unit 4 so that printing on the packaging material 31 is performed based on the print data. The printing unit 4 has a print control unit 94. The print control unit 94 controls the thermal head 41, the head contact and separation motor 42, the head movement motor 43, and the ribbon transport motor 47a based on a control signal from the overall control unit 90. The heating elements of the thermal head 41, the head contact and separation motor 42, the head movement motor 43, and the ribbon transport motor 47a are appropriately driven and stopped, whereby a drug-related indication is attached to the packaging material 31.

[0046] [Packaging bag 19] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the appearance of packaging bag 19. A fused portion 23 is formed at the periphery of packaging bag 19, where packaging material 21 and packaging material 31 are heat-fused. A storage portion 22 (Fig. 7) is formed inside packaging bag 19, which is partitioned by fused portion 23. Drug 100 is stored in storage portion 22. Drug 100 inside packaging bag 19 can be seen from the outside of packaging bag 19 through packaging material 31.

[0047] A second indicia 130 is provided on a portion of the surface of the packaging material 31 constituting the packaging bag 19. The second indicia 130 is provided near the center of the packaging bag 19. As described with reference to FIG. 3, the second indicia 130 is a mark provided on a portion of the surface of the packaging material 31 by transferring ink from the ink ribbon 45 to the packaging material 31. The second indicia 130 has a color different from the background color of the packaging material 31. The second indicia 130 can be seen with the naked eye by visually checking the reflected light of the ink color transferred to the surface of the packaging material 31. The second indicia 130 is a visible indicia.

[0048] The second display 130 indicates information necessary for taking the drug 100 contained in the packaging bag 19. As an example, the second display 130 indicates directions for use. Directions for use indicate, for example, when to take the drug 100, such as after a meal. A recipient of the drug 100 can visually check the second display 130 to confirm when to take the drug 100, and then take the drug 100 at the appropriate time.

[0049] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a mark 110 attached to a packaging bag 19. In addition to a second mark 130, the mark 110 is attached to a part of the surface of the packaging material 31 constituting the packaging bag 19. The mark 110 is attached to the packaging material 31 at a position closer to the fused portion 23 than the second mark 130. As described with reference to FIG. 3, the mark 110 is an indication obtained by melting a part of the surface of the packaging material 31 to change the light diffusion rate or the refractive index. In FIG. 6, the mark 110 is illustrated by a dotted line for the sake of understanding, but in reality, the mark 110 cannot be seen by the eye unless a process for making it visible is performed. The mark 110 is an invisible mark that cannot be seen by the eye.

[0050] The display 110 shows information related to the drug 100 contained in the packaging bag 19. The display 110 includes text display 111 that displays information in text. The text display 111 includes the name 112 and age 113 of the recipient who will take the drug 100, the name 114 of the drug contained in the packaging bag 19, and the quantity 115 of the drug 100 contained in the packaging bag 19. The text display 111 shows information related to the privacy of the recipient who will take the drug 100.

[0051] Display 110 includes coded display 120 that displays information in a two-dimensional code. Coded display 120 shown in Fig. 6 is a matrix type two-dimensional code that displays information in a vertical and horizontal mosaic pattern of white and black cells, but is not limited to this example. Coded display 120 may also be a stack type two-dimensional code that has a structure in which one-dimensional codes are stacked vertically. Coded display 120 is not limited to a two-dimensional code, and may also be a one-dimensional code such as a barcode.

[0052] The text indicia 111 represents information that is necessary before the recipient takes the drug 100, for example when a pharmacy or facility staff member hands the package 19 to the recipient. The coded indicia 120 represents information that is necessary when inspecting the drug 100 before the recipient takes the drug 100. On the other hand, the text indicia 111 and the coded indicia 120 included in the indicia 110 represent information that is not necessary after the recipient takes the drug 100.

[0053] 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the packaging bag 19. A hollow storage space 22 is formed between the packaging material 21 and the packaging material 31. The storage space 22 stores a medicine 100. The packaging material 31 has a surface 31S.

[0054] The indicia 110 (character indicia 111 and coded indicia 120) are attached to a part of the surface 31S of the packaging material 31 by processing the surface 31S of the packaging material 31. The surface 31S of the packaging material 31 is heat-treated to melt the packaging material 31 and modify a part of the surface 31S of the packaging material 31, specifically by changing the light diffusion rate or the refractive index, so that the character indicia 111 and the coded indicia 120 are attached to the part of the packaging material 31.

[0055] The second indicia 130 is affixed to a part of the surface 31S of the packaging material 31 by transferring ink to the surface 31S of the packaging material 31. The second indicia 130 is affixed to the surface 31S of the packaging material 31 by applying ink of a color different from the background color of the packaging material 31 to the surface 31S of the packaging material 31.

[0056] The processing of the surface 31S for applying the display 110 to the packaging material 31 is not limited to heat treatment. The processing may be any processing that changes the light diffusion rate or refractive index of a part of the surface 31S of the packaging material 31. For example, the processing may be other types of processing that roughens the surface 31S, such as rubbing, dissolving, or indenting. Alternatively, a layer having a light diffusion rate or refractive index different from those of the packaging material 31 and the air may be provided on the surface 31S of the packaging material 31. This layer may be formed of a transparent ink, resin, a vapor deposition layer, or the like.

[0057] When the packaging material 31 is heated to melt a part of the surface 31S, it is necessary to select a resin film as the packaging material 31. As the resin film, an OPP film is preferable to a PET film because the visibility of the indicia 110 is high when visualized. When the indicia 110 is formed by a method other than heat treatment, the packaging material 31 is not limited to being made of resin, and may be made of other materials. For example, the packaging material 31 may be made of cellopolyester or glassine paper.

[0058] [Visualization of Display 110] 8 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of the visualization device 200. The visualization device 200 is a device for visualizing the indicia 110, which is an invisible indicia attached to the packaging bag 19, so that it can be seen by the naked eye.

[0059] The visualization device 200 includes a light source 201, a first polarizing filter 202, and a second polarizing filter 203. The light source 201 emits light that vibrates in all directions. The first polarizing filter 202 and the second polarizing filter 203 align the vibration direction of the light in a fixed direction. In the optical path from the light source 201 to a viewpoint 204, the packaging bag 19 is disposed between the first polarizing filter 202 and the second polarizing filter 203. The light source 201 and the first polarizing filter 202 constitute an irradiation unit 210 that irradiates the packaging bag 19 with polarized light. The second polarizing filter 203 is disposed between the packaging bag 19 and the viewpoint 204.

[0060] The light L1 emitted by the light source 201 is natural light having various vibration direction components. The light L2 after passing through the first polarizing filter 202 is polarized light with a regular vibration direction. The light L3 represents light that has passed through the mark 110 attached to the surface 31S of the packaging material 31 of the packaging bag 19. Since polarized light is diffused and refracted when passing through the mark 110, the light L3 is unpolarized. The light L4 after passing through the second polarizing filter 203 is polarized light.

[0061] The indicia 110 is attached to the packaging material 31 by changing the light diffusion rate or refractive index of a part of the packaging material 31. The light transmitted through the packaging bag 19 basically remains polarized, and even if the light passes through the second polarizing filter 203, the intensity of the light reaching the viewpoint 204 does not decrease. However, when passing through the indicia 110, the polarized light L2 is diffused. The diffused light is polarized by the second polarizing filter 203, and most of the diffused light does not pass through the second polarizing filter 203. Since only a part of the light passes through the second polarizing filter 203, the intensity of the light reaching the viewpoint 204 decreases. The part where the light intensity is reduced becomes dark and appears black. The reduced light intensity in the shape of the indicia 110 makes it appear to the eye as the character indicia 111 and the coded indicia 120.

[0062] In addition, the light and dark may be reversed. That is, the light transmitted through the packaging bag 19 may be basically diffused, and the light transmitted through the display 110 may be configured to remain polarized, so that the light intensity is increased in the form of the display 110.

[0063] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the appearance of packaging bag 19 with display 110 visualized. Fig. 9 shows packaging bag 19 when packaging bag 19 is attached to visualization device 200 shown in Fig. 8 and viewed from viewpoint 204. By performing a process of visualizing display 110 by irradiating polarized light using visualization device 200, it becomes possible to visually view both display 110 and second display 130.

[0064] The viewpoint 204 of the visualization device 200 is, for example, a human eye. When the packaging bag 19 is handed over to a recipient, the character indicia 111 is visualized so that the recipient can see the information represented by the character indicia 111, thereby preventing the recipient from mixing up the medicines. Furthermore, for example, the viewpoint 204 is a code reader. When the medicine 100 is inspected, the coded indicia 120 is visualized so that the coded indicia 120 can be read by a code reader, thereby enabling the medicine 100 to be inspected appropriately.

[0065] 8 is configured to transmit light in the thickness direction of the packaging bag 19, but is not limited to this example. The visualization device 200 may be a device that visualizes the display 110 by irradiating the surface 31S of the packaging material 31 with polarized light L2 to reflect the light, and polarizing the reflected light with a second polarizing filter 203.

[0066] [Action and Effects] Although there is some overlap with the above description, the characteristic configuration of this embodiment and its actions and effects can be enumerated as follows.

[0067] 5 and 6, the packaging bag 19 has a mark 110 attached to a part of the packaging material 31, the mark 110 having a light diffusion rate or refractive index different from that of the packaging material 31. When the mark 110 is desired to be seen, it can be seen through a polarizing process, and when it is not required to see the mark 110, it can be made difficult to see. This eliminates the need to take the time to erase the mark 110 when disposing of the packaging bag 19, thereby improving convenience.

[0068] 2 and 3, the indicia 110 may be attached by processing a part of the surface of the packaging material 31. The indicia 110 having a different light diffusion rate or refractive index can be attached to the packaging material 31 by processing to roughen the surface of the packaging material 31, such as by rubbing, dissolving, melting, or denting, or by processing to provide a layer having a light diffusion rate or refractive index different from those of the packaging material 31 and the air on the surface of the packaging material 31.

[0069] 2 and 3, the processing may be a heat treatment. By heating the packaging material 31 to change the surface properties, it is possible to attach the indicia 110 having a different light diffusion rate or refractive index to the packaging material 31. If the packaging material 31 is made of resin, the surface can be melted by heating the packaging material 31, so that the indicia 110 can be attached reliably to the packaging material 31.

[0070] 6, the indicia 110 may show information related to the contents contained in the packaging bag 19. By attaching the information about the contents to the packaging bag 19 as the indicia 110 having a light diffusion rate or refractive index different from that of the packaging material 31, it is possible to make the information difficult to see under normal conditions without polarization treatment. Since the information about the contents is unlikely to be seen by third parties, the information can be appropriately protected.

[0071] As shown in Fig. 6, the drug 100 is contained in a packaging bag 19, and the display 110 may show information relating to the privacy of the person taking the drug 100. It is not preferable in terms of handling information to attach information relating to the privacy of the person taking the drug 100, such as the name of the drug and the name of the person taking the drug 100, to the packaging bag 19 in a visible form. By attaching the information relating to the privacy of the person taking the drug 100 to the packaging bag 19 as the display 110 whose light diffusion rate or refractive index is different from that of the packaging material 31, it is possible to make it difficult to see in a normal state without polarization processing. This makes it possible to appropriately protect the information relating to the privacy of the person taking the drug.

[0072] 6, the display 110 may display information that is necessary on a specific occasion before the recipient takes the drug 100, such as during management at a pharmacy or facility, and that is not necessary after the recipient takes the drug 100. When it is necessary to see the display 110, the display 110 can be made visible. After the recipient takes the drug 100, the display 110 is made difficult to see, so the packaging bag 19 can be discarded without the trouble of erasing the display 110.

[0073] 5 and 6, the packaging bag 19 may have a second indication 130 of a different color from the packaging material 31 attached to a part of the packaging material 31. Information that does not need to be hard to see because it is not a problem if it is seen by a third party, or information that is preferable for it to be easily visible, can be attached to the packaging material 31 as the second indication 130 of a different color from the packaging material 31. A person handling the packaging bag 19 can look at the second indication 130 and handle the packaging bag 19 and the contents appropriately according to the information represented by the second indication 130.

[0074] 5 and 6, the second display 130 may display information necessary for taking the drug 100 contained in the packaging bag 19. A recipient who takes the drug 100 can take the drug 100 appropriately by looking at the second display 130 and following the information necessary for taking the drug 100. Since only the second display 130 is visible to the recipient and the display 110 is attached to the packaging material 31 in an invisible form, it is possible to prevent misjudgment of taking the drug due to excessive information, overlooking remaining drugs in the packaging bag 19, and the like.

[0075] As shown in Fig. 8, the indicia attached to the packaging bag 19 and relating to the contents contained in the packaging bag 19 can be visualized by irradiating it with polarized light. When one wishes to see the indicia 110, the indicia 110 can be seen through the polarizing process, and when one does not wish to see the indicia 110, the indicia 110 can be made less visible. This eliminates the need to take the time to erase the indicia 110 when disposing of the packaging bag 19, thereby improving convenience.

[0076] 8, a visualization device 200 for visualizing the indicia 110 attached to the packaging bag 19 includes an irradiation unit 210 for irradiating the packaging bag 19 with polarized light, and a second polarizing filter 203 arranged between the packaging bag 19 and a viewpoint 204. On an occasion when it is necessary to view the indicia 110, the indicia 110 is visualized by irradiating the packaging bag 19 with polarized light using the visualization device 200, and the information represented by the indicia 110 can be visually recognized.

[0077] 1 to 3, the packaging device 1 includes a packaging unit 5 that forms a packaging bag 19 from sheet-like packaging materials 21, 31, and an indication providing unit 411 that provides, on a portion of the packaging material 31, an indication 110 having a different light diffusion rate or refractive index than the packaging material 31. By using this packaging device 1, it is possible to obtain a packaging bag 19 in which, on a portion of the packaging material 31, an indication 110 having a different light diffusion rate or refractive index than the packaging material 31 is provided. When it is desired to see the indication 110, the indication 110 can be seen through a polarization process, and when it is not necessary to see the indication 110, the indication 110 can be made less visible.

[0078] 3, the packaging device 1 may further include a second indication providing unit 412 that provides a second indication 130, the color of which is different from that of the packaging material 31, to a part of the packaging material 31. By using this packaging device 1, information that does not need to be made hard to see or information that is preferably easily visible can be provided to the packaging material 31 as the second indication 130, the color of which is different from that of the packaging material 31.

[0079] 3, the packaging device 1 has a thermal head 41, and the marking providing unit 411 may bring the thermal head 41 into direct contact with the packaging material 31, while the second marking providing unit 412 may bring the thermal head 41 into contact with the packaging material 31 via an ink ribbon 45. The marking providing unit 411 can provide a mark 110 on the packaging material 31 by processing a part of the surface of the packaging material 31. The second marking providing unit 412 can provide a second mark 130 on the packaging material 31 by transferring the ink of the ink ribbon 45 to the packaging material 31.

[0080] 3, the thermal head 41 generates heat, the indication providing unit 411 directly transfers the heat of the thermal head 41 to the packaging material 31, and the second indication providing unit 412 may transfer the heat of the thermal head 41 to the ink ribbon 45. The indication providing unit 411 can provide the indication 110 to the packaging material 31 by heat-treating a part of the surface of the packaging material 31, for example by melting a part of the surface of the packaging material 31. The second indication providing unit 412 can print and provide the second indication 130 to the packaging material 31 by thermally transferring the ink of the ink ribbon 45 to the packaging material 31.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 3, the display providing unit 411 and the second display providing unit 412 may share a common thermal head 41. If the second display 130 is provided on the packaging material 31 using an ink ribbon 45 that is narrower than the thermal head 41, the display 110 can be provided on the packaging material 31 by directly contacting a part of the thermal head 41 with the packaging material 31 without using the ink ribbon 45. Since both the display 110 and the second display 130 can be provided on the packaging material 31 at once by one operation of the thermal head 41, the displays can be provided in a short time. Since both the display 110 and the second display 130 can be provided on the packaging material 31 using the same printing unit 4 as in the past, an increase in the cost of the packaging device 1 can be avoided.

[0082] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the disclosed embodiment should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include the meaning equivalent to the claims and all modifications within the scope. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1 packaging device, 4 printing unit, 5 packaging unit, 9 packaging material conveying unit, 19 packaging bag, 21, 31 packaging material, 22 storage unit, 23 fusion unit, 31S surface, 41 thermal head, 44 platen roller, 45 ink ribbon, 100 medicine, 110 display, 111 character display, 112 name, 113 age, 114 medicine name, 115 quantity, 120 coded display, 130 second display, 200 visualization device, 201 light source, 202 first polarizing filter, 203 second polarizing filter, 204 viewpoint, 210 irradiation unit, 411 display providing unit, 412 second display providing unit, DR conveying direction.

Claims

1. The packaging material is in the form of a sheet. A packaging bag, wherein a portion of the packaging material is marked with an indication that the light diffusion rate or refractive index is different from that of the packaging material.

2. The packaging bag according to claim 1 , wherein the mark is provided by processing a part of a surface of the packaging material.

3. The packaging bag according to claim 2 , wherein the processing is a heat treatment.

4. The packaging bag according to claim 3 , wherein the packaging material is made of resin.

5. The packaging bag according to claim 1 , wherein the indicia indicates information related to an item contained in the packaging bag.

6. The container is a medicine, The packaging bag according to claim 5 , wherein the display represents information concerning the privacy of a person who takes the medicine.

7. The packaging bag according to claim 6 , wherein the display represents information that is necessary at a predetermined opportunity until the recipient takes the medicine and is unnecessary after the recipient takes the medicine.

8. The packaging bag according to claim 1 , further comprising a second indicia, the second indicia having a color different from that of the packaging material, attached to a portion of the packaging material.

9. The packaging bag according to claim 8 , wherein the second marking indicates information necessary for taking the medicine contained in the packaging bag.

10. A sheet-like packaging material, A packaging material, the packaging material having a part marked with a light diffusion coefficient or a refractive index different from that of the packaging material.

11. A packaging bag for containing an item, A packaging bag having an indication relating to the contents therein that can be visualized by irradiating the bag with polarized light.

12. A visualization device for visualizing a marking attached to the packaging bag according to claim 1 or 11, comprising: An irradiation unit that irradiates the packaging bag with polarized light; A visualization device comprising: a polarizing filter disposed between the packaging bag and a viewpoint.

13. A packaging unit that forms a packaging bag from a sheet-like packaging material; a marking section that marks a part of the packaging material with a light diffusion rate or a refractive index different from that of the packaging material.

14. The packaging device according to claim 13 , further comprising a second marking providing section that provides a second marking, the second marking having a color different from that of the packaging material, to a portion of the packaging material.

15. The packaging device has a print head, The display providing unit brings the print head into direct contact with the packaging material, The packaging device according to claim 14 , wherein the second marking providing section brings the print head into contact with the packaging material via an ink ribbon.

16. The print head generates heat; The display providing unit directly transfers heat from the print head to the packaging material, The packaging device according to claim 15 , wherein the second marking section transfers heat from the print head to the ink ribbon.

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