Barcode concealing tape

Abstract

This invention provides a barcode-concealing tape that can be attached over a barcode to make it impossible to read the barcode using optical and image processing barcode readers, while maintaining visibility so that the content of information other than the barcode underneath can be understood. [Solution] The solution includes a transparent substrate, an adhesive layer, and a printed layer between these layers, the printed layer comprising a first printed layer and a second printed layer, the second printed layer being positioned on the barcode application side of the first printed layer, the first printed layer consisting of a pattern print comprising a printed area containing black pigment and a non-printed area, and the second printed layer consisting of a printed area containing glossy pigment and having an optical density (OD) of 0.15 to 2.0, or a half-deposited film, and when the barcode concealing tape is applied, the barcode information cannot be read by optical and image processing type barcode readers, while the visibility of the information beneath the application through the printed layer is maintained.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a barcode masking tape that is adhered onto a barcode to prevent information on the barcode from being read by two types of barcode readers, an optical type and an image processing type, while ensuring the visibility of information other than the barcode under the adhesion.

Background Art

[0002] In commercial facilities, it is often the case that the normal selling price of a product is discounted for sale due to reasons such as the product being sold out, or the disposal of remaining inventory. In this case, a barcode sticker with information such as the discounted selling price is newly adhered. However, since there are also old barcode stickers with information such as the normal selling price that were adhered previously, it is necessary to prevent these barcodes from being read and to ensure that only the new barcode with information such as the discounted selling price can be read by the barcode reader. For this purpose, conventionally, at least one of the old barcodes has generally been erased and hidden using commercially available black magic or correction tape. However, both methods have been psychologically resistant to consumers who want to purchase the product. In view of such a situation, as shown in FIG. 1, a dedicated barcode masking tape is adhered onto an old barcode with information such as the normal selling price to prevent the barcode reader from mistakenly reading information such as the old selling price.

[0003] However, the sizes, shapes of the products sold, and the positions where barcode information is adhered vary widely. In reality, the adhesion of the barcode masking tape in FIG. 1 to the barcode may become messy depending on the skill level of the operator, and may cover and hide information that consumers refer to, such as product descriptions and normal selling price information printed near the barcode. Therefore, even if the barcode masking tape accidentally covers information other than the barcode, it is desirable to ensure the visibility so that consumers can grasp the content of the covered information.

[0004] Furthermore, while barcode readers used in commercial facilities have traditionally been optical barcode readers that read the light-reflecting (background) and light-absorbing (bar) parts of a barcode by shining light on it to obtain barcode information, recently, image processing barcode readers that read the barcode image with a digital camera and obtain barcode information with image processing software have also come into use to accommodate two-dimensional barcodes. Therefore, when barcode-concealing tape is used to attach barcodes, it is necessary to make it impossible to read the barcode by any of these types of barcode readers. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] This invention was conceived in view of the current state of the prior art, and its purpose is to provide a barcode concealing tape that can be attached to a barcode to make it impossible to read the barcode information using two types of barcode readers, optical and image processing types, while ensuring that consumers can understand the content of information other than the barcode underneath the tape. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] As a result of diligent research to achieve the above objective, the inventors have found that by providing a printed layer having a printed portion containing black pigment that makes reading by an optical barcode reader impossible, and a printed layer containing glossy pigment that makes reading by an image processing type barcode reader impossible, on a transparent substrate, and arranging the printed layers so that each layer performs the function of making each barcode reader unreadable while ensuring visibility when attached, it is possible to make it impossible to read barcode information by two types of barcode readers, optical and image processing type, while ensuring visibility so that the content of information other than the barcode underneath can be understood, thus completing the present invention.

[0007] In other words, the present invention consists of the following (1) to (8). (1) A barcode concealing tape used for attaching to a barcode to make the barcode information unreadable, wherein the barcode concealing tape comprises a transparent substrate, an adhesive layer, and a printed layer, the printed layer being positioned between the transparent substrate and the adhesive layer, the printed layer comprising a first printed layer and a second printed layer, the second printed layer being positioned on the barcode attachment side of the first printed layer, the first printed layer comprising a pattern print consisting of a printed portion containing black pigment and a non-printed portion, the second printed layer comprising a printed portion containing glossy pigment and having an optical density (OD) of 0.15 to 2.0, or comprising a half-deposited film, and the barcode concealing tape is configured such that when the barcode concealing tape is attached, the combination of the first printed layer and the second printed layer makes it impossible to read the barcode information by both optical barcode readers and image processing barcode readers, while maintaining the visibility of the information beneath the barcode concealing tape through the printed layers, including the first printed layer and the second printed layer. (2) The barcode concealing tape according to (1), characterized in that the glossy pigment in the printed portion of the second printed layer is pearl ink, or silver or gold ink. (3) The barcode concealing tape according to (1), characterized in that the gloss (GU) of the printed portion of the second printing layer or the half-deposited film is 85 to 100%. (4) The barcode concealing tape according to any one of (1) to (3), characterized in that the barcode concealing tape is in the form of a wound tape, and a release layer is provided on the side of the transparent substrate where the printed layer is absent. (5) The barcode concealing tape according to (4), characterized in that a primer layer is provided between the printed layer and the adhesive layer. (6) The barcode concealing tape according to any one of (1) to (3), characterized in that the concealing adhesive tape is in the form of a label, and a release layer is provided on the side of the adhesive layer where the printed layer is absent. (7) The barcode concealing tape according to (6), characterized in that a primer layer is provided between the printed layer and the adhesive layer. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The barcode concealing tape of the present invention, when applied over old, unnecessary barcode information, not only makes it impossible to read the barcode information by both optical and image processing barcode readers, but also maintains visibility so that a person can understand the content of the covered information even when it covers other necessary information besides the barcode. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a photograph showing an example of conventional barcode concealing tape being applied over the barcode of a product. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of the configuration of the barcode concealing tape of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of pattern printing on the first printed layer of the barcode concealing tape of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an example configuration when the barcode concealing tape of the present invention is in the form of a wound tape. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of the configuration when the barcode concealing tape of the present invention is in label form. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a photograph showing an example of the barcode concealing tape of the present invention being applied over the barcode of a product. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The barcode concealing tape of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these. Note that the drawings are schematic for illustrative purposes, and the thickness and shape of each layer may differ significantly from the actual product.

[0011] The barcode concealing tape of the present invention is used to make it impossible to read barcodes by barcode readers by attaching it over the barcode of a product. This feature prevents old, unnecessary barcodes from being mistakenly read by two representative types of commercially available barcode readers. The barcode readers that the barcode concealing tape of the present invention makes unreadable are optical barcode readers and image processing barcode readers. Barcodes include not only one-dimensional barcodes, such as striped codes represented by bars and spaces, but also two-dimensional barcodes such as QR codes (registered trademark) that have information in both vertical and horizontal directions. Generally, optical barcode readers shine light on the barcode, read the light-reflecting parts (background) and light-absorbing parts (bars), obtain an analog waveform, and then convert it into a digital signal to extract the numbers. Image processing barcode readers read the barcode image with a digital camera, simplify the image to two colors using image processing software, and then extract the numbers from it. Image processing barcode readers can be used to read not only one-dimensional barcodes but also two-dimensional barcodes.

[0012] The barcode concealing tape of the present invention not only has the feature of making it impossible to read barcode information by two types of barcode readers when attached over a barcode, as described above, but also has the feature of ensuring visibility so that the content of information other than the barcode underneath (e.g., product description, quality labeling, etc.) can be understood. Visibility here refers to the degree to which the content of information consisting of numbers, letters, katakana, and hiragana can be substantially recognized or inferred by the human eye. Due to this feature, even when the barcode concealing tape of the present invention is attached and covers the barcode, a person can understand the content of information other than the barcode underneath.

[0013] Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of the configuration of the barcode concealing tape of the present invention. In Figure 2, 1 is the barcode concealing tape of the present invention, 2 is a transparent substrate, 3 is a printed layer, and 4 is an adhesive layer, with the printed layer 3 being positioned between the transparent substrate 2 and the adhesive layer 4. The printed layer 3 includes a first printed layer 3A and a second printed layer 3B, and is positioned so that when the barcode concealing tape of the present invention is applied over a barcode, the second printed layer 3B is on the barcode application side of the first printed layer 3A.

[0014] The transparent substrate 2 serves to support the printed layer 3 and can be made of conventionally known transparent plastics such as polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, vinyl chloride, acrylic, or polyamide. The surface of the transparent substrate 2 can be treated with corona discharge, electron beam treatment, or a primer coat to improve adhesion with the printed layer. The thickness of the transparent substrate 2 is preferably 5 to 50 μm, more preferably 10 to 40 μm.

[0015] The printed layer 3 essentially serves to prevent both optical barcode readers and image processing barcode readers from reading the barcode information. The printed layer 3 consists of a first printed layer 3A that prevents reading by optical barcode readers and a second printed layer 3B that prevents reading by image processing barcode readers. In this invention, as shown in Figure 2, the printed layer 3 is configured such that the first printed layer 3A is on the viewer's side and the second printed layer 3B is on the barcode attachment side.

[0016] The first printing layer 3A is composed of a pattern printing consisting of a printed portion 3A0 containing a black pigment and a non-printed portion 3A1. The printed portion 3A0 is provided to prevent an optical barcode reader from reading the information of the barcode when the barcode hidden tape of the present invention is adhered onto the barcode from the viewer side. In particular, the black pigment contained in the printed portion 3A0 plays that role. The content ratio of the black pigment in the printed portion 3A0 is preferably 1% by weight, more preferably 3% by weight or more. If the content ratio of the black pigment is less than the above ratio, there is a possibility that the prevention of reading by the optical barcode reader cannot be sufficiently performed. When pigments such as blue, red, and yellow are used without using a black pigment, it is likely to be possible to read by the optical barcode reader. Therefore, when using pigments of colors other than the black pigment, it is necessary to use the black pigment in combination at the above concentration.

[0017] The non-printed portion 3A1 is provided so that the second printing layer 3B can be seen from the viewer side. That is, it is provided to prevent the image processing type barcode reader from reading directly under the influence of the second printing layer 3B when trying to read the barcode with the image processing type barcode reader from the viewer side. The pattern printing of the first printing layer 3A is preferably formed such that the planar area ratio of the printed portion 3A0 is within a specific range regardless of the specific square area at any location in order to sufficiently achieve the purposes of the above-mentioned printed portion 3A0 and non-printed portion 3A1. Specifically, among the pattern printing of the first printing layer, the planar area ratio of the printed portion 3A0 containing the black pigment is preferably 10 to 70% in any 0.25 cm 2 square area, more preferably 15 to 65%. If the planar area ratio of the printed portion 3A0 is less than the above ratio, the function of preventing reading by the optical barcode reader may become insufficient. If it is more than the above ratio, the second printing layer 3B cannot be sufficiently seen from the viewer side, and the function of preventing reading by the image processing type barcode reader may become insufficient. The pattern printing adopted for the first printing layer 3A is preferably configured such that a specific printing shape regularly repeats, and for example, the one shown in FIG. 3 can be adopted.

[0018] The second printing layer 3B is provided to prevent the barcode from being read by an image processing type barcode reader, and is composed of a printing portion containing a glossy pigment or a half-vapor deposition film. In the case of the former configuration, as the glossy pigment, it is preferable to employ a pearl ink having a unique glossy color whose hue changes depending on the viewing angle, or a metallic ink such as silver or gold. The printing portion with the former configuration has an optical density (OD) of 0.15 to 2.0, preferably 0.18 to 1.9. If the optical density is less than the lower limit, the effect of preventing the reading by the image processing type barcode reader is insufficient, and if it exceeds the upper limit, the visibility of the information under adhesion may become insufficient. The half-vapor deposition film employed in the latter configuration is one in which the vapor deposition amount of a reflective metal such as aluminum is adjusted so that the opposite side can be visually recognized through light transmission, and it can be easily obtained from commercially available products. The glossiness (GU) of the second printing layer 3B is preferably 85 to 100%. When the glossiness (GU) is 85% or more, the reading function of the image processing type barcode reader can be hindered. In the present invention, the glossiness (GU) and the optical density (OD) are measured by the methods described in the examples.

[0019] The adhesive layer 4 is for attaching the barcode hiding tape of the present invention onto the barcode, and is provided on the barcode attaching side of the second printing layer 3B of the printing layer 3. As the adhesive layer 4, conventionally known ones such as acrylic, rubber, silicone, epoxy, and urethane can be selected and employed. The thickness of the adhesive layer is, for example, 2 to 70 μm, preferably 10 to 50 μm. A primer layer can be disposed between the printing layer 3 and the adhesive layer 4 as needed. The primer layer is for improving the adhesion between the printing layer 3 and the adhesive layer 4, and conventionally known adhesives such as acrylic, rubber, urethane, and epoxy can be selected and used. The thickness of the primer layer is, for example, 0.08 to 5.0 μm, preferably 0.05 to 3.0 μm.

[0020] The barcode concealing tape of the present invention can be provided in the form of a wound tape or a label, depending on its intended use. When the barcode concealing tape of the present invention is in the form of a wound tape, it is constructed by winding a continuous tape around a core. In this case, as shown in Figure 4, a release layer 5 is provided on the side of the transparent substrate 2 where the printed layer 3 is absent (i.e., the side facing the viewer). This release layer 5 facilitates the unwinding of the rolled tape when in use. The release layer 5 can be formed by applying a conventionally known release agent, such as an alkyl-based or silicone-based agent. The basis weight of the release layer 5 is preferably 0.1 to 10 g / m². 2 More preferably 0.1~3g / m 2 That is the case.

[0021] When the barcode concealing tape of the present invention is in label form, it is provided with labels cut to a specific size and shape and attached to a backing sheet or the like. In this case, as shown in Figure 5, a release layer 6 is provided on the side of the adhesive layer 4 where the printed layer 3 is absent (i.e., the side to which the barcode is attached). This release layer 6 makes it easy to peel the label-form barcode concealing tape from the backing sheet when using it. The release layer 6 can be formed by applying the same material as the release layer 5 with the same basis weight.

[0022] The barcode concealing tape of the present invention can itself be manufactured by employing conventionally known methods. For example, a first printed layer with a patterned design, consisting of printed and unprinted areas, is formed on one side of a transparent substrate using an ink containing black pigment. Next, a second printed layer consisting of printed areas with an optical density (OD) of 0.15 to 2.0 is formed on the formed first printed layer using an ink containing a glossy pigment. When the second printed layer is formed with the aforementioned ink, the ink constituting the second printed layer will penetrate into the unprinted areas of the first printed layer. Alternatively, the second printed layer may be formed by laminating a half-deposited film on top of the first printed layer. Next, a primer layer is applied to the second printed layer as needed, followed by an adhesive layer. If the barcode concealing tape of the present invention is in the form of a wound tape, a release layer is applied to the side of the transparent substrate where the printed layer does not exist, then the tape is wound around a core, and the core is cut to the required size. If it is in the form of a label, a release layer is applied to the side of the adhesive where the printed layer does not exist, then a backing is laminated to the release layer side, and the label is cut to the required size.

[0023] As described above, the barcode concealing tape of the present invention can be affixed to old, unnecessary barcodes on products such as food and general merchandise, as shown in Figure 6, to prevent the barcode information from being read by two types of barcode readers: optical and image processing. At the same time, even if the affixing area extends to other necessary information besides the barcode information, visibility is ensured so that the necessary information underneath can be identified. [Examples]

[0024] The effects of the barcode concealing tape of the present invention are shown by the examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0025] (Example 1) On one side of a 40μm thick polypropylene substrate, a pattern print consisting of printed and unprinted areas (each 0.25cm) is created using an ink containing black ink with a solid content of 35% black pigment at a solid content concentration of 50% by weight. 2A first printing layer was formed (with the printed area ratio set to 20% even in the area of ​​the specified square area). Next, a second printing layer was formed on the first printing layer using silver ink, consisting of a printed area with an optical density (OD) of 0.40 and a gloss (GU) of 95%. Then, a 0.1 μm primer layer made of acrylic resin was applied on the second printing layer, followed by a 15 μm thick rubber adhesive layer. The barcode concealing tape thus created was attached to a one-dimensional barcode, and its effect was verified. The optical density (OD) was measured by measuring the transmittance of the relevant area from the transparent substrate surface using an X-Rite transmittance densitometer, and the gloss (GU) was measured by measuring the gloss of the relevant area from the transparent substrate surface using a BYK-Gardner colorimeter.

[0026] (Example 2) In Example 1, barcode concealment tape was created in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the solid content concentration of the black ink used in the first printing layer was changed to 75% by weight, and its effectiveness was verified in the same manner.

[0027] (Example 3) In Example 1, the barcode concealing tape was created in the same manner as before, except that the second printed layer was formed by modifying the optical density (OD) of the second printed layer to 0.20 and the gloss (GU) to 90%. The effect of the tape was then verified in the same manner.

[0028] (Example 4) In Example 1, barcode concealment tape was created in the same manner as in Example 1, except that 40% by weight of black ink and 20% by weight of blue ink (35% solid content of blue pigment) were used as the inks for the first printing layer, and its effectiveness was verified in the same manner.

[0029] (Comparative Example 1) In Example 1, barcode concealing tape was created in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the first printed layer was not provided at all, and its effectiveness was verified in the same manner.

[0030] (Comparative Example 2) In Example 1, a barcode concealing tape was created in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the first printed layer did not have a non-printed area and the entire surface was made a printed area, and its effect was verified in the same manner.

[0031] (Comparative Example 3) In Example 1, the barcode concealing tape was created in the same manner as before, except that the second printed layer was formed with a modified optical density (OD) of 3.0 and glossiness (GU) of 99%. The effect of the tape was verified in the same manner.

[0032] (Comparative Example 4) In Example 1, barcode concealing tape was created and its effectiveness verified in the same manner, except that blue ink (35% solid content of blue pigment) was used instead of black ink.

[0033] The effectiveness of the barcode concealing tape we created was verified using the following method. (1) Verification of reading using an optical barcode reader We used an optical barcode reader (Bizcom Co., Ltd., BC-BR1000U-B) to confirm the possibility of reading barcodes even with barcode-concealing tape applied. (2) Verification of reading using an image processing type barcode reader We used an image processing type barcode reader (Bizcom Co., Ltd., BC-NL2250U3-B) to confirm the possibility of reading barcodes even with barcode-concealing tape applied. (3) Checking visibility A barcode-covering tape was attached to a cardboard sheet printed with 5.5-point numerical information (1-9) and katakana characters (ア, イ, ウ, エ, オ) as defined in Japanese Industrial Standard Z8305 (1962), completely covering the information. Five subjects were then asked to confirm whether they could fully recognize or infer the content of the information beneath the tape.

[0034] The verification results for Examples 1-4 and Comparative Examples 1-4 are shown in Table 1 below. [Table 1]

[0035] The barcode concealing tapes of Examples 1 to 4, which satisfy the requirements of the present invention, ensure visibility of the information beneath the tape while making it impossible to read by both optical and image processing barcode readers. In contrast, the barcode concealing tapes of Comparative Examples 1 to 4 showed unsatisfactory results in at least one of these areas. Specifically, Comparative Example 1 lacked a first printed layer, making it readable by an optical barcode reader; Comparative Example 2 lacked a non-printed area in the first printed layer, resulting in poor visibility and the inability to utilize the glossiness of the second printed layer, making it readable by an image processing barcode reader; Comparative Example 3 had an excessively high optical density (OD) in the second printed layer, resulting in poor visibility; and Comparative Example 4, using only blue pigment in the first printed layer, failed to prevent optical reading. [Industrial applicability]

[0036] The barcode concealing tape of the present invention, when applied over barcode information, can prevent barcode reading by two representative types of barcode readers. This eliminates the problem of incorrectly reading old, unnecessary barcode information due to differences in the type of barcode reader used. Furthermore, even when applied over areas containing other necessary information besides barcodes, it maintains visibility, allowing consumers and users to understand the information beneath the tape. Therefore, the barcode concealing tape of the present invention is extremely useful in retail and wholesale settings. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0037] 1. Barcode concealing tape 2 Transparent base material 3 printing layer 4. Adhesive layer 5 Release layer 6. Delamination layer 3A First printing layer 3B Second printing layer 3A0 Printing Department 3A1 Non-printing section

Claims

1. A barcode concealing tape used to make barcode information unreadable by being affixed over a barcode, wherein the barcode concealing tape comprises a transparent substrate, an adhesive layer, and a printed layer, the printed layer being positioned between the transparent substrate and the adhesive layer, the printed layer comprising a first printed layer and a second printed layer, the second printed layer being positioned on the barcode application side of the first printed layer, the first printed layer comprising a pattern print consisting of a printed portion containing black pigment and a non-printed portion, the second printed layer comprising a printed portion containing glossy pigment and having an optical density (OD) of 0.15 to 2.0, or comprising a half-deposited film, and the barcode concealing tape is configured such that when the barcode concealing tape is applied, the combination of the first printed layer and the second printed layer makes it impossible to read the barcode information by both optical barcode readers and image processing barcode readers, while maintaining the visibility of the information beneath the barcode concealing tape through the printed layers, including the first printed layer and the second printed layer.

2. The barcode concealing tape according to claim 1, characterized in that the glossy pigment in the printed portion of the second printed layer is pearl ink, or silver or gold ink.

3. The barcode concealing tape according to claim 1, characterized in that the glossiness (GU) of the printed portion of the second printing layer or the half-deposited film is 85 to 100%.

4. The barcode concealing tape according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the barcode concealing tape is in the form of a wound tape, and a release layer is provided on the side of the transparent substrate where the printed layer is absent.

5. The barcode concealing tape according to claim 4, characterized in that a primer layer is provided between the printing layer and the adhesive layer.

6. The barcode concealing tape according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the concealing adhesive tape is in the form of a label, and a release layer is provided on the side of the adhesive layer where the printed layer is absent.

7. The barcode concealing tape according to claim 6, characterized in that a primer layer is provided between the printing layer and the adhesive layer.

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