Printing systems and printing methods

Abstract

This invention provides a printing system and method that enables individual printing on each individual product. [Solution] The system comprises a transport device 2 that transports a container 10 along a predetermined transport path, a photographing device 3 that photographs the container 10 being transported by the transport device 2, a laser printing device 4 positioned downstream of the photographing device 3 in the transport path and performing laser printing on the container 10 being transported by the transport device 3, and a control device 6, wherein the control device 6 can implement a rotation angle identification function that identifies the rotation angle of the container 10 based on the image taken by the photographing device 3, and a printing control function that controls the laser printing device 4 to perform laser printing at the printing position determined based on the rotation angle.

Description

Technical Field

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[0005]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing system and a printing method.

Background Art

[0002] Products such as beverages and pharmaceuticals are handled in a state of being contained in some kind of container at places such as manufacturing, distribution, and consumption. In recent years, various means for managing each individual of industrially mass-produced products have been studied.

[0003] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-527891 (Patent Document 1) discloses a beverage container in which a circuit capable of transmitting data is attached to a cap. The beverage container of Patent Document 1 is configured to be able to transmit data only when it is opened. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-72883 (Patent Document 2) discloses a can body characterized in that a code mark related to the manufacture of the can body is printed on the outer periphery of the winding portion of the can lid. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-519804 (Patent Document 3) discloses an invention related to a can component on which a matrix barcode is formed, and as a specific embodiment thereof, a mode in which the matrix barcode is formed on a tab is disclosed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a printing system and method that can apply individual printing to each individual product. In particular, in order to commercially feasible individual printing on each product, it is necessary to perform printing without interrupting the continuous production of mass-produced products. Containers transported by conveying equipment between processes in continuous production rotate during transport, so even if a printing device is installed on the transport path, the relative position between the printing device and the container will not be constant. For this reason, it has been difficult to apply individual printing to the appropriate position on containers during transport. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The printing system according to the present invention comprises a transport device for transporting containers along a predetermined transport path, a photographing device for photographing the containers being transported by the transport device, a laser printing device positioned downstream of the photographing device in the transport path and performing laser printing on the containers being transported by the transport device, and a control device, wherein the control device is capable of realizing a rotation angle identification function for identifying the rotation angle of the container based on an image taken by the photographing device, and a printing control function for controlling the laser printing device to perform laser printing at a printing position determined based on the rotation angle.

[0008] The printing method according to the present invention is a printing method for performing laser printing on a container being transported by a transport device, and is characterized by comprising: a photographing step of photographing the container being transported by the transport device; a rotation angle determination step of determining the rotation angle of the container based on the image of the container photographed; and a printing step of performing laser printing at a printing position determined based on the rotation angle.

[0009] In this invention, the rotation angle of each individual container is individually identified, and the printing position is determined based on that rotation angle before laser printing is performed. Therefore, even if the container rotates during transport, printing can be applied to the appropriate position on the container. This makes it possible to apply individual printing to each product.

[0010] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited by the examples of preferred embodiments described below.

[0011] In one embodiment, the printing system according to the present invention may further implement a horizontal position determination function in which the control device determines the horizontal position of the top surface based on the image captured by the imaging device, and it is preferable that the printing position is determined in the printing control function based on the rotation angle and the horizontal position.

[0012] This configuration allows printing to be performed while considering not only the rotational displacement of the container but also the horizontal displacement, thus enabling printing to be performed in a more accurate position.

[0013] In one embodiment, the printing system according to the present invention further includes a detection sensor that detects when the container has moved beyond a predetermined position in the transport path, and it is preferable that the printing control function controls the laser printing apparatus based on the detection signal from the detection sensor.

[0014] This configuration makes it easier to recognize the relative relationship between the container and the laser printing device, allowing for more accurate printing.

[0015] In one aspect, the printing system according to the present invention is preferably configured such that the imaging device captures an image of the top surface of the container.

[0016] According to this configuration, since the container can be imaged from above, interference between the imaging device and the conveyance path is less likely to be a problem. Therefore, the degree of freedom in arranging the imaging device is high.

[0017] In one aspect, the printing system according to the present invention is a can container in which the container has a tab on the top surface, and in the rotation angle specifying function, it is preferable to specify the rotation angle based on the position of the tab in the image.

[0018] The tab has a characteristic shape and is a relatively large structure on the top surface of the container. Therefore, it is easy to recognize the position of the tab in the captured image, and it is easy to specify the rotation angle.

[0019] In one aspect, the printing system according to the present invention includes a plurality of the laser printing devices, and in the printing control function, it is preferable that the first laser printing device and the second laser printing device are independently controlled.

[0020] According to this configuration, since a plurality of prints can be applied to the container, it is possible to impart more complex information.

[0021] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments described with reference to the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the printing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a plan view of the can container according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] It is an example of specifying the rotation angle and the horizontal position of the can container.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Embodiments of the printing system and printing method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, an example in which the printing system according to the present invention is applied to a printing system 1 that performs printing on the top surface of a can container 10 (an example of a container) and a printing method using the same will be described. Note that the can container 10 is a container-packed beverage product filled with a beverage.

[0024] 〔Configuration of Printing System〕 The printing system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a transport device 2, a photographing device 3, a laser printing device 4, a detection sensor 5, and a control device 6 (FIG. 1). The printing system 1 is a system that performs printing on the can container 10 while transporting the can container 10. The printing system 1 is incorporated as a part of a continuous process for continuously producing container-packed beverage products, and in order from the upstream of the continuous process, a filling machine that fills the can body with a beverage, a seamer that crimps a can lid onto the can body filled with the beverage, and the printing system 1 are provided in this order.

[0025] The printing system 1 is generally a system that performs printing on the top surface 11 of the can container 10 by the laser printing device 4. Since the can container 10 has a cylindrical shape, it rotates during transportation by the transport device 2. Therefore, the posture of the can container 10 when it reaches the laser printing device 4 is different for each, and the relative relationship between the laser printing device 4 and the printing position is not constant. Therefore, in the present embodiment, by adjusting the printing position based on the captured image of the photographing device 3, printing can be performed at a predetermined printing position regardless of the rotation of the can container

[0026] The can container

[0027] In this embodiment, laser printing is performed on a printing area 15 that is set in a portion of the margin area of ​​the top surface 11 where the stay-on tabs 12 and score panel 13 are not provided. That is, the printing area 15 is set outside the linear area along the diameter of the top surface 11 where the stay-on tabs 12 and score panel 13 are provided.

[0028] The conveying device 2 is a device that conveys the can containers 10 in a straight line. The conveying device 2 may be a known conveying device such as a belt conveyor or a roller conveyor. Along the conveying path in which the conveying device 2 conveys the can containers 10, a camera 3, a detection sensor 5, and a laser printing device 4 are provided in order from upstream. At least in the section where these devices are provided, the conveying device 2 is configured to convey the can containers 10 in a single line in the conveying direction. The conveying speed of the can containers 10 by the conveying device 2 is not particularly limited, but it may be, for example, about 100 to 200 meters per minute.

[0029] The imaging device 3 is a device that photographs the top surface 11 of the can containers 10 being transported by the transport device 2. A known digital camera or the like can be used as the imaging device 3, but it is preferable that it has continuous shooting performance that allows it to photograph each of the multiple can containers 10 being transported continuously by the transport device 2. In other words, the specifications of the imaging device 3 can be determined considering the transport speed of the transport device 2. The imaging device 3 is installed in a downward position above the path through which the transport device 2 transports the can containers 10. The imaging device 3 is electrically connected to the control device 6 (image processing device 61), and the image of the top surface 11 taken by the imaging device 3 is transferred to the control device 6 (image processing device 61).

[0030] The laser printing device 4 is a device that performs laser printing on the top surface 11 of the can container 10 being transported by the transport device 2. As long as the laser printing device 4 is a device capable of laser printing on the material (such as aluminum) that makes up the top surface 11 of the can container 10, any known laser printing device can be used. The laser printing device 4 is installed in a downward position above the transport path through which the transport device 2 transports the can container 10. The laser printing device 4 is also installed downstream of the imaging device 3 in the transport path. The laser printing device 4 is electrically connected to the control device 6 (printing control device 62), and the operation of the laser printing device 4 is controlled by the control device 6 (printing control device 62).

[0031] The form of the design P printed by the laser printing device 4 is not particularly limited and may include, for example, information that enables individual identification of the can containers 10, or information related to a promotional campaign for the can containers 10. Such information may be printed in any form, such as a barcode, a two-dimensional code, an image, or text.

[0032] The distance between the imaging device 3 and the laser printing device 4 along the transport direction of the transport device 2 is preferably as small as possible, to the extent that the installation and operation of both devices do not interfere with each other, and can be around several tens of centimeters (for example, around 20 cm). By making the distance between the imaging device 3 and the laser printing device 4 as small as possible, the rotation of the can container 10 from the time it is photographed by the imaging device 3 until it reaches the laser printing device 4 can be virtually ignored, so that the adjustment of the printing position based on the image of the top surface 11 taken by the imaging device 3 works effectively.

[0033] The detection sensor 5 is a sensor that detects when the can container 10 has passed a predetermined position on the transport path, and may be, for example, a photoelectric sensor or an infrared sensor. In this embodiment, a straight detection line 51 intersecting the transport path is set at a position immediately in front of the laser printing device 4 on the transport path of the transport device 2, and the detection sensor 5 is configured to detect when the leading edge of the transported can container 10 crosses the detection line 51. Therefore, the detection sensor 5 is configured to emit light (visible light, infrared light, etc.) corresponding to the detection method of the detection sensor 5 toward the detection line 51. The detection sensor 5 is electrically connected to the control device 6 (printing control device 62), and the detection signal from the detection sensor 5 is input to the control device 6 (printing control device 62).

[0034] The control device 6 is a control device capable of at least image processing based on images captured by the imaging device 3, controlling the laser printing device 4, and receiving detection signals from the detection sensor 5. It is not prevented from being configured to perform other functions (for example, controlling the transport device 2).

[0035] The number of components constituting the control device 6 may be one or multiple. In this embodiment, the control device 6 is described as having an image processing device 61 that performs image processing and a print control device 62 that controls the laser printing device 4. The image processing device 61 and the print control device 62 are electrically connected and can communicate with each other.

[0036] The image processing device 61 is a device that performs image processing based on the image captured by the imaging device 3, and can be, for example, a well-known computer. Therefore, the image processing device 61 may have common computer components such as a processing unit such as a CPU, a storage device such as a hard disk drive, a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and input devices such as a keyboard and mouse. The image processing device 61 is electrically connected to the imaging device 3, and the image of the top surface 11 captured by the imaging device 3 is input to the image processing device 61.

[0037] The print control device 62 is a device that controls the laser printing device 4, and may be, for example, a programmable logic controller (PLC). The print control device 62 is electrically connected to the laser printing device 4 and transmits and receives signals for controlling the laser printing device 4. In addition, the detection signal from the detection sensor 5 is input to the print control device 62.

[0038] [Control device functions (printing method)] Next, the rotation angle identification function, horizontal position identification function, and print control function of the control device 6 will be described. Since printing by the printing system 1 is performed when each of the functions of the control device 6 is realized, the following description also describes the printing method according to this embodiment.

[0039] (1) Rotation angle identification function The rotation angle determination function determines the rotation angle of the can container 10 (top surface 11) based on the image of the top surface 11 captured by the imaging device 3. The rotation angle determination function is implemented by the image processing device 61.

[0040] The image processing device 61 first performs a process to enhance the contour of the image of the top surface 11. Next, it identifies the portion of the stay-on tab 12 in the contour-enhanced image. Finally, it compares the direction in which the stay-on tab 12 extends in the image to be processed with the direction in which the stay-on tab 12 extends in a reference image previously stored in the image processing device 61 to determine the rotation angle of the can container 10 (top surface 11) in the image to be processed.

[0041] For example, the image of the top surface 11 in the orientation shown in Figure 2 is used as the reference image, and the rotation angle is defined with the direction in which the stayon tab 12 extends in the reference image (to the right in the Figure 2 plane) as the starting line. In the example shown in Figure 3, the stayon tab 12 extends downward to the right, and the rotation angle θ is determined as the angle that the direction in which the stayon tab 12 extends makes with the starting line. The determined rotation angle θ is input from the image processing device 61 to the print control device 62.

[0042] (2)Horizontal positioning function The horizontal position determination function determines the horizontal position of the can container 10 (top surface 11) based on the image of the top surface 11 captured by the imaging device 3. The horizontal position determination function is implemented by the image processing device 61.

[0043] In the horizontal position identification function, similar to the rotation angle identification function, an image that has been processed to enhance its contours is used. Since this processing is performed in the rotation angle identification function, the same image may be used. The image processing device 61 identifies the position of the stay-on tab 12 in the contour-enhanced image. Next, the position of the stay-on tab 12 in the image to be processed is compared with the position of the stay-on tab 12 in the aforementioned reference image to determine the horizontal position of the can container 10 (top surface 11) in the image to be processed.

[0044] For example, an image of the top surface 11 in the orientation shown in Figure 2 is used as a reference image, and an XY coordinate system is set with the center of the top surface 11 in the reference image (i.e., the position of the rivet 14) as the origin. The X axis is the transport direction by the transport device 2 and extends to the right from the center of the page in Figure 2. The Y axis is perpendicular to the transport direction and extends upward from the center of the page in Figure 2. In the example shown in Figure 3, the position of the stayon tab 12 is shifted to the upper right from the origin of the XY coordinate system compared to the reference image, and the horizontal position of the top surface 11 is identified as the displacement amount (X,Y) of the stayon tab 12. The identified displacement amount (X,Y) is input from the image processing device 61 to the print control device 62.

[0045] (3) Print control function The print control function controls the laser printing device 4 so that laser printing is performed with the printing area 15 on the top surface 11 as the printing position. The print control function is implemented by the print control device 62.

[0046] The printing control device 62 stores in advance a control quantity (hereinafter referred to as the reference control quantity) to be transmitted in order to control the laser printing device 4 in order to perform laser printing with the printing area 15 as the printing position when the can container 10 enters the position where printing by the laser printing device 4 is to be performed in the same orientation as the reference image. The control quantity includes parameters for controlling, for example, the direction of laser irradiation, irradiation time, and irradiation intensity. The control quantity when performing laser printing on individual can containers 10 is determined by applying a correction based on the rotation angle θ and displacement (X,Y) to the reference control quantity.

[0047] Furthermore, the timing at which the laser printing device 4 actually operates is determined based on the detection signal from the detection sensor 5. The detection sensor 5 detects when the leading edge of the transported can container 10 crosses the detection line 51, and based on the timing of this detection, it is possible to determine the timing at which the can container 10 enters the position where printing will be performed by the laser printing device 4.

[0048] With the rotation angle identification function, horizontal position identification function, and printing control function described above, laser printing can be performed with a predetermined printing area 15 as the printing position, regardless of the rotation of the can container 10.

[0049] [Other Embodiments] Finally, other embodiments of the printing system and printing method according to the present invention will be described. Note that the configurations disclosed in each of the following embodiments can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as this does not create a conflict.

[0050] In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the imaging device 3 photographs the top surface 11 of the can container 10 was described as an example. However, in the present invention, the imaging device only needs to be able to photograph any part of the container being transported by the transport device, and that part is not limited to the top surface. For example, if the container has a characteristic part such as an engraving or label on the shoulder or body, the rotation angle of the container can be determined based on the position of the characteristic part in the image by arranging the imaging device so that the characteristic part is included in the imaging range. The number and arrangement of imaging devices can be appropriately determined considering the configuration of the transport device and the container so that an image capable of determining the rotation angle of the container can be obtained.

[0051] In the above embodiment, a configuration in which there is one laser printing device 4 was described as an example. However, the number of laser printing devices is not limited in the present invention. Furthermore, when the present invention comprises multiple laser printing devices, the first laser printing device and the second laser printing device can be controlled separately. For example, it is possible to have the first laser printing device and the second laser printing device print different information, print on different locations on the top surface of the container, or have only one printing device that can perform appropriate printing on the printing area considering the rotation angle of the container perform printing. In addition, when the present invention comprises multiple laser printing devices, the number of imaging devices may be the same as or different from the number of laser printing devices.

[0052] In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the laser printing device 4 performs laser printing on the top surface 11 of the can container 10 was described as an example. However, in the present invention, the location where laser printing is performed is not limited to the top surface of the container. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when laser printing is performed on the top surface of the container, a configuration in which the printing area 15 is set in a part of the blank area of ​​the top surface 11 where the stay-on tab 12 and score panel 13 are not provided was illustrated, but this is also merely an example. As other configurations for providing a printing area on the top surface of the container, the printing area may be provided on the stay-on tab or score panel in a can container, or on the lid in a resin container or glass container. The number and arrangement of laser printing devices can be appropriately determined considering the printing area to be set on the container.

[0053] In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the printing system 1 is equipped with a detection sensor 5 was described as an example. However, in the present invention, the presence or absence of a detection sensor is optional. In the case of a configuration without a detection sensor, for example, the timing at which the laser printing apparatus 4 actually operates can be controlled based on the timing of imaging by the imaging device 3.

[0054] In the above embodiment, a configuration in which a stay-on tab type can container 10 is used as the printing target was described as an example. However, the container to be printed on in the present invention is not limited and may be a plastic bottle, can, bottle, box, etc.

[0055] In the above embodiment, a configuration was described as one in which the rotation angle of the can container 10 (top surface 11) is determined based on the position of the stay-on tab 12. However, in the present invention, the specific method for determining the rotation angle of the container is not limited. For example, the rotation angle can be determined based on the position of any element installed, attached, or printed on the container, such as a score panel, rivets, braille markings, logo marks, labels, tags, etc. Similarly, the determination of the horizontal position of the container is not limited to the method based on the position of the stay-on tab 12 in the above embodiment, but can be based on the position of any element, such as the container's contour, score panel, rivets, braille markings, logo marks, labels, tags, etc.

[0056] In the above embodiment, a configuration in which a horizontal position identification function is realized was described as an example, but in the present invention, the realization of a horizontal position identification function is optional. Also, in the above embodiment, a configuration in which the horizontal position of the can container 10 (top surface 11) is identified as the displacement amount (X,Y) of the stay-on tab 12 was illustrated, but for example, only the Y coordinate may be identified. Since the position of containers transported by a transport device may vary from one individual to another in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction, identifying the Y coordinate of the container, i.e., the horizontal position in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction, makes it easier to achieve printing at an accurate position. On the other hand, since the X coordinate is the horizontal position along the transport direction, the position in that direction can also be corrected by other methods such as providing a detection sensor as in this embodiment.

[0057] With regard to other configurations, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects, and it should be understood that the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, other embodiments modified without departing from the spirit of the invention are naturally included within the scope of the present invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0058] This invention can be used, for example, for laser printing on canned containers. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0059] 1: Printing System 2: Conveying device 3: Imaging device 4: Laser printing equipment 5: Detection Sensor 51: Detection line 6: Control device 61: Image processing device 62: Print control device 10: Canned containers 11: Top surface 12: Stay-on Tabs 13: Score Panel 14: Rivet 15:Print area

Claims

1. A conveying device that transports containers along a predetermined transport route, A camera for photographing the container being transported by the transport device, A laser printing device is positioned downstream of the imaging device in the transport path and performs laser printing on the container being transported by the transport device, A control device is provided, The control device, A rotation angle determination function that determines the rotation angle of the container based on the image captured by the aforementioned imaging device, A printing system capable of realizing a printing control function that controls the laser printing device to perform laser printing on a printing position determined based on the rotation angle.

2. The control device can further implement a horizontal positioning function that determines the horizontal position of the container based on the image captured by the imaging device. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing control function determines the printing position based on the rotation angle and the horizontal position.

3. The system further includes a detection sensor that detects when the container has moved beyond a predetermined position in the transport path. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the laser printing apparatus is controlled based on the detection signal of the detection sensor in the printing control function.

4. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the photographing device is configured to photograph the top surface of the container.

5. The container is a can container having a tab on its top surface, The printing system according to claim 4, wherein the rotation angle is determined based on the position of the tab in the image in the rotation angle determination function.

6. The laser printing apparatus comprises multiple such devices, The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the first laser printing apparatus and the second laser printing apparatus are each controlled independently in the printing control function.

7. A printing method for performing laser printing on containers being transported by a transport device, A photographing step of photographing the container being transported by the transporting device, A rotation angle determination step, which determines the rotation angle of the container based on an image taken of the container, A printing method comprising a printing step of performing laser printing on a printing position determined based on the rotation angle.

Images