Packaging material ordering system and packaging material ordering management device

Abstract

To provide a packaging ordering system which facilitates an ordering operation by an orderer and properly manages manufacturing of a soft packaging based on the order.SOLUTION: A packaging ordering system 1 includes a packaging ordering management device 10 and a packaging manufacturing management device 20. The packaging ordering management device 10 includes: an order-related information acquisition unit for acquiring, from an orderer terminal 90, order information that includes information for designating the part number of a soft packaging, and design data to be printed to the soft packaging; a materials information storage unit 18 for storing materials designation information in which the information for designating the part number of the soft packaging is associated with information for specifying the materials used in the soft packaging specified by the part number; and a packaging creation instruction unit 13 for transmitting, to the packaging manufacturing management device, a packaging creation instruction that includes the design data and materials designation information selected on the basis of the information stored in the materials information storage unit 18. The packaging manufacturing management device 20 initiates management pertaining to the creation of the soft packaging on the basis of the packaging creation instruction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a packaging ordering system and a packaging ordering management device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art There is known an online print system that receives orders, prints, and arranges for delivery based on an order signal from an orderer terminal via the Internet (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-9506 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, online commercial transactions using e-commerce sites and the like have become more common, and it is being considered to allow flexible packaging materials printed with designs specified by users to be ordered online. However, the system described in Patent Document 1 does not anticipate printing materials that use a wide variety of materials, such as flexible packaging materials, and there is room for improvement.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technology that enables an orderer to easily perform an ordering action and appropriately manage the production of flexible packaging materials based on this order. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a packaging ordering system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a packaging ordering system including a packaging ordering management device that receives an order for the production of a flexible packaging material from a purchaser terminal via the Internet, and a packaging manufacturing management device that manages the manufacturing of the flexible packaging material based on an instruction from the packaging ordering management device in a manufacturing department including a printing machine, and the packaging ordering management device acquires order information including information specifying a model number of the flexible packaging material and design data including a design to be printed on the flexible packaging material from the purchaser terminal. the order information includes an information acquisition unit, a material information holding unit that holds material designation information that associates information designating the model number of the soft packaging material with information identifying materials used in the soft packaging material identified by the model number, and a packaging material creation instruction unit that transmits to the packaging material manufacturing management device a packaging material creation instruction that includes material designation information that designates materials for the soft packaging material corresponding to the model number included in the order information, selected based on the information held in the material information holding unit, and the design data, and the packaging material manufacturing management device starts management of the creation of the soft packaging material based on the packaging material creation instruction.

[0007] Furthermore, a packaging material order management device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a packaging material order management device that receives orders for the production of soft packaging material from a purchaser terminal via the Internet, and includes: an order-related information acquisition unit that acquires, from the purchaser terminal, order information including information specifying a model number of the soft packaging material and design data including a design to be printed on the soft packaging material; a material information storage unit that stores material designation information that associates the information specifying the model number of the soft packaging material with information specifying materials to be used in the soft packaging material identified by the model number; and a packaging material production instruction unit that transmits a packaging material production instruction to a packaging material production management device that manages the production of the soft packaging material, the packaging material production instruction including material designation information that specifies materials for the soft packaging material corresponding to the model number included in the order information, selected based on the information stored in the material information storage unit, and the design data.

[0008] According to the above packaging material ordering system and packaging material order management device, an order can be placed from a purchaser's terminal by designating a model number of a soft packaging material. Meanwhile, in the packaging material order management device, material designation information is prepared that designates materials for the soft packaging material associated with the model number based on the model number, and is sent to the packaging material production management device as a packaging material production instruction, and management of the production is started in the packaging material production management device. In this way, when ordering a soft packaging material from a purchaser's terminal, an order can be easily placed by designating a model number, while a packaging material production instruction is sent to the packaging material production management device with the wide variety of materials contained in the soft packaging material each designated in the packaging material order management device. Therefore, with the above packaging material ordering system and packaging material order management device, it is possible for a purchaser to easily perform an ordering operation, and for the production of soft packaging material based on this order to be appropriately managed.

[0009] The material designation information may include information for identifying the materials of a base material, an ink, an adhesive layer, and a sealant layer contained in the flexible packaging material.

[0010] Various characteristics of the flexible packaging material can be realized by the combination of the base material, ink, adhesive layer, and sealant layer that make up the flexible packaging material. By including information that specifies these materials in the material specification information, the purchaser can order a flexible packaging material that meets the desired characteristics by using a model number, and information on each material that makes up the flexible packaging material that corresponds to the model number is appropriately transmitted to the packaging material manufacturing management device.

[0011] The packaging material preparation instruction may include information specifying a shape or size of the flexible packaging material.

[0012] With the above configuration, the packaging material order management device can handle a variety of soft packaging materials having different shapes or sizes, making it possible to handle a wider variety of soft packaging materials.

[0013] The material designation information may include information designating a thickness of a material used in the soft packaging material identified by the model number.

[0014] In some cases, materials used for soft packaging materials are of the same type but have different thicknesses. In the above configuration, the packaging material order management device can handle materials of the same type but with different thicknesses, enabling purchasers to order a wider variety of soft packaging materials.

[0015] The printing press may be a digital printing press, and the packaging manufacturing management device may manage the process so that the design data obtained from the client terminal is used as is in printing on the flexible packaging material by the digital printing press.

[0016] When printing on flexible packaging material is performed on a digital printing machine, by managing the process so that the design data obtained from the client terminal as described above is used as is for printing on the flexible packaging material on the digital printing machine, it is possible to prevent the design from being changed by the worker, thereby enabling appropriate printing.

[0017] The order-related information acquisition unit may provide the orderer terminal with format data corresponding to information specifying a model number of the soft packaging material, and acquire data in which a design has been added to the format data as the design data acquired from the orderer terminal.

[0018] With the above configuration, design data utilizing format data is provided from the client terminal, making it possible to reliably obtain design data suitable for use in a digital printing machine.

[0019] The printing press may be a non-digital printing press, and the packaging manufacturing management device may manage the process so that the design data obtained from the client terminal is subjected to a specified processing and then used for printing on the flexible packaging material in the non-digital printing press.

[0020] When printing on flexible packaging materials is performed by a non-digital printer, it is necessary to perform corrections appropriate for the non-digital printer. Therefore, by managing the process so that the design data is processed as described above and then used for printing on flexible packaging materials by a non-digital printer, it becomes possible to perform appropriate printing even on a non-digital printer.

[0021] The packaging material manufacturing management device may be configured to manage the process such that, when the flexible packaging material includes an intermediate layer and a sealant layer, the intermediate layer and the sealant layer are first bonded together to prepare a pre-bonded base roll.

[0022] For the flexible packaging materials handled by the packaging material ordering system, the materials used as the middle layer and sealant layer are preset for each model number. Therefore, by preparing pre-pasted raw material in advance and using this to create the flexible packaging material for which an order is received, the process after the order is received can be shortened. Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to the present disclosure, a technique is provided that enables an orderer to easily perform an ordering action and appropriately manage the production of flexible packaging materials based on this order. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a packaging ordering system according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the material information storage unit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3(a) is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the material configuration of a flexible packaging material, and FIG. 3(b) is a diagram showing an example of information relating to the specifications of the flexible packaging material. [Figure 4] FIG. 4(a), FIG. 4(b), and FIG. 4(c) are diagrams showing examples of soft packaging materials according to applications. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5(a), FIG. 5(b), and FIG. 5(c) are diagrams showing examples of flexible packaging materials according to applications. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of information held in the format data holding unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the format data. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a packaging material order management device and a packaging material production management device. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a packaging material ordering management method by the packaging material ordering system. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of information related to flexible packaging materials presented to each user. [Figure 11] 11(a) and 11(b) are flow diagrams illustrating an example of a packaging manufacturing method (a management method in a packaging manufacturing management device) in a packaging manufacturing department. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals and duplicated descriptions will be omitted.

[0026] [Packaging ordering system] 1 is a diagram that illustrates a packaging material ordering system 1 according to one embodiment. The packaging material ordering system 1 is a system that communicates with an orderer terminal 90 operated by an orderer, and manufactures and provides flexible packaging material based on an order instruction from the orderer terminal 90. The packaging material ordering system 1 includes a packaging material order management device 10 and a packaging material production management device 20.

[0027] The packaging material ordering system 1 has a function of accepting an order from a purchaser terminal 90 operated by a purchaser, and instructing a packaging material manufacturing management device 20, which operates in cooperation with the manufacturing department, to manufacture and deliver a product based on the order. The product used in the packaging material ordering system 1 is a "soft packaging material." A soft packaging material is a packaging material used for packaging that is made of soft and flexible materials such as paper, plastic film, aluminum foil, and cloth. Among these, plastic film is often used as the main material. In addition, soft packaging materials are devised to exhibit desired performance such as barrier properties and heat resistance by using a composite material that combines multiple materials. Since soft packaging materials are often used for product packaging, it is expected that the printing content on the printing surface of the soft packaging material may differ depending on the order. In this way, when receiving an order for soft packaging materials from a purchaser, it is necessary to obtain information specifying the material to be used for the packaging material, design data for printing, etc. from the purchaser, and further, it is required to provide this information appropriately to the manufacturing department.

[0028] Materials used for soft packaging materials include single-layer films and multilayer films. Among these, multilayer films are generally made by laminating a base material, an intermediate layer, and a sealant layer using an adhesive. Design data is printed on the base material. The intermediate layer may be omitted depending on the application of the soft packaging material, but a material that functions as a barrier material may be selected. When making a soft packaging material for a specific application, a material (multilayer film) is made by combining materials suitable for that application. For example, in the case of packaging for retort foods, sterilization is performed in a high-temperature and high-pressure environment (retort sterilization), so materials that have pressure resistance and heat resistance can be selected for each layer that makes up the multilayer film. In addition, since the film is required to be robust even after printing, adhesives and inks that are compatible with retort sterilization (retort compatible) are selected. On the other hand, if the contents are likely to stick to the packaging material due to static electricity, materials suitable for antistatic films that prevent the generation of static electricity can be selected. In this way, since the materials (film, ink, etc.) of flexible packaging materials differ depending on the application, the materials used in their production are also diverse. On the other hand, purchasers place orders by selecting from a wide variety of flexible packaging materials based on the application of the flexible packaging material to be ordered. The packaging material ordering system 1 described above centrally manages orders from purchasers related to the production of a wide variety of flexible packaging materials made using a wide variety of materials as described above, and also manages the production of the ordered flexible packaging materials.

[0029] In the packaging material ordering system 1, the packaging material order management device 10 is a device that acquires orders from the orderer terminal 90. The packaging material order management device 10 is a device that acquires orders from the orderer terminal 90 via the Internet, that is, performs so-called online order reception. The packaging material order management device 10 has a website or the like that can be viewed by the orderer terminal 90, and acquires information entered by the orderer to this website. Furthermore, when the packaging material order management device 10 accepts an order from the orderer terminal 90, it manages the information, and also provides information related to product production to the packaging material production management device 20.

[0030] The packaging material manufacturing management device 20 has a function of managing various devices related to manufacturing in a department related to manufacturing of packaging materials such as a packaging material manufacturing factory (referred to as the "packaging material manufacturing department" in FIG. 1). The packaging material manufacturing management device 20 may have a function of controlling devices related to manufacturing of packaging materials such as a printer 21, a laminating machine 22, and a bag making machine 23 based on an instruction from the packaging material order management device 10. Furthermore, the packaging material manufacturing management device 20 may have a function of ordering materials, managing inventory, and the like. The packaging material order management device 10 and the packaging material manufacturing management device 20 are configured to be capable of wireless or wired communication, for example, and the packaging material order management device 10 appropriately instructs the packaging material manufacturing management device 20 to create the ordered packaging material. Based on this instruction, the packaging material manufacturing management device 20 starts managing the process related to the creation of the ordered packaging material for each device in the packaging material manufacturing department. In addition, the management of the process of creating packaging materials by the packaging material manufacturing management device 20 may include, for example, understanding the manufacturing process (e.g., laminating and printing materials) according to the ordered soft packaging material, scheduling the work of each device to advance this manufacturing process, and procuring (ordering) materials to be used for the soft packaging material.

[0031] The orderer terminal 90 is, for example, a terminal device used by a user who is an orderer, and examples of such devices include a smartphone, a tablet, and a personal computer. The orderer terminal 90 is connectable to the Internet. When connecting to the Internet, for example, a communication network other than the Internet may be used. The orderer terminal 90 may have a function of editing design data for printing, which will be described later.

[0032] It should be noted that the number of orderer terminals 90 used by a particular user is not limited to one. That is, one user may use multiple orderer terminals 90. Therefore, for example, the orderer terminal 90 used by the user to transmit order information and the orderer terminal 90 used to transmit design data may be different from each other. When multiple orderer terminals 90 are each connected to the Internet and can transmit and receive information, the user can handle each orderer terminal 90 individually.

[0033] [Packaging material order management device] 1, packaging material order management device 10 includes an order receiving unit 11, a print data acquisition unit 12, a packaging material production instruction unit 13, a delivery management unit 14, a payment processing unit 15, a user information storage unit 16, an order information storage unit 17, a material information storage unit 18, and a format data storage unit 19. Furthermore, packaging material order management device 10 communicates with an orderer terminal 90 and a packaging material production management device 20 to transmit and receive information. Communication between packaging material order management device 10 and orderer terminal 90 or packaging material production management device 20 may be performed wired or wirelessly. Order receiving unit 11 and print data acquisition unit 12 function as an order-related information acquisition unit that acquires information related to an order.

[0034] The order receiving unit 11 has a function of receiving an order for packaging materials from the orderer terminal 90. As described above, the packaging material order management device 10 prepares a website that can be viewed on the orderer terminal 90, and the website can be viewed on the orderer terminal 90 in response to a request from the orderer terminal 90 (e.g., specification of a URL). In addition, an orderer (user) operates the orderer terminal 90 to view the website and input information required for an order by, for example, entering information into an input form prepared on the website. The input information is transmitted via the Internet to the packaging material order management device 10 that provides the website. This enables the order receiving unit 11 to receive the order.

[0035] The information on the order (order information) acquired by the order receiving unit 11 when receiving an order includes information identifying the orderer (name, address, etc.), information on the product to be ordered, information identifying the delivery destination (name, address, etc.), and information on payment of expenses. Among these, the information on the product to be ordered includes, for example, information identifying the type of packaging material (e.g., materials to be used) and the number of orders in the case of soft packaging material. The information specifying the packaging material includes information identifying the materials used in the packaging material (information on each layer in the case of a film in which multiple types of materials are laminated) and information identifying the shape and size of the packaging material (shape is, for example, a three-sided square bag, a standing pouch, etc.). In the packaging material order management device 10 of this embodiment, a model number is assigned in association with information identifying the material (materials) constituting the packaging material and information identifying the shape and size of the packaging material. Therefore, by specifying a model number, the orderer can transmit information identifying the material of the packaging material and information identifying the shape and size of the packaging material to the packaging material order management device 10.

[0036] The information presented to the user on the orderer terminal 90 may be adjusted so that the orderer (user) can operate the orderer terminal 90 to select a specific packaging material and place an order. For example, for each soft packaging material that the user can purchase, displaying the type of packaging material (e.g., materials used), size, shape, etc., may be important information when the user selects a soft packaging material. In addition, information such as the use of the soft packaging material (retort compatible, boilable compatible, microwave compatible, examples of contents that can be accommodated, etc.) and characteristics (light blocking properties, antistatic properties, transparency, etc.) may be important information for the user's selection of packaging material compared to the case where the type of packaging material is directly displayed. Therefore, such information may be displayed in combination on the order screen used by the user for the purpose of increasing the user's convenience by presenting it to the user.

[0037] The print data acquisition unit 12 has a function of acquiring design data to be used for printing from the purchaser terminal 90 that has accepted the order. The design data to be used for printing is data describing the content to be printed on the packaging material for which the order has been accepted. The types of printing on soft packaging materials include digital printing, which basically prints directly from the design data, and non-digital printing, which prints after plate-making and color matching. Examples of non-digital printing include gravure printing, flexographic printing, and EB offset printing. However, a non-digital printing method different from these printing methods may be used. The packaging material order management device 10 can handle any printing. However, in the case of digital printing, the print data acquired from the purchaser may be used for printing as is without plate-making. Therefore, the packaging material order management device 10 is configured to acquire design data (printing data) suitable for a specific packaging material from the purchaser by providing the purchaser with format data. This point will be described later. The information acquired by the order acceptance unit 11 and the information acquired by the print data acquisition unit 12 are held in the order information holding unit 17.

[0038] When the design data sent from the client is PDF data, the print data acquisition unit 12 may perform a preflight check, which is a data check based on preset check items. The print data acquisition unit 12 may also be configured to notify the client of the results of the preflight check and the design data to be finally used for printing. In this case, the client may check the notification contents by accessing a predetermined site based on a URL notified by e-mail, for example. Note that although the preflight check is performed on PDF data, the same type of check may also be performed when data other than PDF data is handled as design data.

[0039] The packaging material production instruction unit 13 has a function of issuing instructions to the packaging material production management device 20 to create a packaging material, based on the order accepted by the order acceptance unit 11 and the data acquired by the print data acquisition unit 12. The packaging material production instruction unit 13 prepares information necessary to issue instructions to the packaging material production management device 20, based on the information acquired by the order acceptance unit 11 and the print data acquisition unit 12, and information held in the packaging material production instruction unit 13. By transmitting the prepared information to the packaging material production management device 20, the packaging material order management device 10 issues an instruction to the packaging material production management device 20 to create a packaging material.

[0040] The delivery management unit 14 has a function of managing the delivery and the like of the packaging material the production of which has been instructed by the packaging material production instructing unit 13. When the packaging material the production of which has been instructed by the packaging material production instructing unit 13 is completed, it can be sent from the packaging material manufacturing department (e.g., a factory, etc.) to the delivery destination. The delivery management unit 14 has a function of notifying the purchaser of the production status and delivery status of the product for which an order has been accepted, based on the delivery date information, delivery notice, etc. transmitted from the packaging material manufacturing management device 20.

[0041] The payment processing unit 15 has a function of making payments for orders accepted by the order accepting unit 11. The mechanism for making payments is not particularly limited, and existing payment methods can be combined and used. Payment history (information indicating that payment has been made, etc.) may be stored in the order information storage unit 17 in association with information about the order, etc. Information about payment may be stored separately from the information stored in the order information storage unit 17. In this case, for example, association using the order number may be performed so that it is possible to confirm that payment has been made for each order.

[0042] The user information storage unit 16 has a function of storing information about a user who uses the packaging material order management device 10 (a user who uses the service provided by the packaging material order management device 10). The user can be configured to provide the packaging material order management device 10 with information required for registration in advance or at the time of the first order, thereby registering the user as a user who uses the packaging material order management device 10. The information provided by the user during user registration is stored in the user information storage unit 16. In addition, information for identifying the user (e.g., a user ID) is assigned to each user, and information related to a specific user can be obtained using this information. On the other hand, by providing a password or the like associated with the information for identifying the user and notifying the user of this password, security management using the password can be performed. In this way, by registering user information in the user information storage unit 16, the user can use the information registered as the user when placing an order again. Note that user registration itself is not an essential component of the packaging material order management device 10. Therefore, if user management is not performed, the packaging material order management device 10 does not need to have the user information storage unit 16. Also, the configuration may be such that the correspondence with the order information storage unit 17 described below is not performed.

[0043] The order information storage unit 17 has a function of storing information on orders received from orderers. The order information storage unit 17 can store information acquired by the order reception unit 11 and a design (printing data) acquired by the print data acquisition unit 12 in association with one order from the orderer. Furthermore, the order information storage unit 17 stores user information stored in the user information storage unit 16 in association with each order, thereby enabling the user to search for past order history. When a user who has registered as a user becomes an orderer, the user registered information becomes the orderer's information, so that linking is possible by placing an order in a logged-in state. In addition, when a user registers at the time of the first order, the information entered as the orderer at the time of the first order can be used as user information. Then, data can be linked even after an order is placed by using a user ID or the like assigned as information to identify the user.

[0044] The material information storage unit 18 has a function of storing information related to the correspondence between model numbers and materials. An example of information stored in the material information storage unit 18 is shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, specifications (for example, information specifying the specifications used in the manufacturing department), material composition, shape and size, features, and amounts (unit price and minimum order quantity) are associated with the model numbers used at the time of ordering. Among these, the material composition indicates the composition of each layer that constitutes the packaging material corresponding to each model number. Using this information, it is possible to specify the materials used for the packaging material of the model number from one model number. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the "material composition" includes information specifying the thicknesses of the base material, intermediate layer, sealant layer, and materials used for these layers that are used in the soft packaging material. In addition, the "material composition" may include information specifying the adhesive used between layers, the ink used for printing, and the like. The information included in the "material composition" may be changed as appropriate depending on the type of soft packaging material.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 2, the information stored in the material information storage unit 18 may include information on the shape, size, characteristics (information explaining the characteristics and uses of the material of each soft packaging material) in association with the model number. This information may be used, for example, when the purchaser places an order for the packaging material. Specifically, for example, information on the shape, size, characteristics, price, etc. may be presented to the user on a website, etc., and the user may select the model number of the packaging material to be ordered based on the information. Furthermore, when a discount is set for some or all users, information specifying the discount target and discount rate (or discount amount) may be stored in association with the information shown in FIG. 2, as in the example shown in FIG. 2. When discount information is stored in the material information storage unit 18, when the price of each soft packaging material is presented on the website, the price may be presented in a state that reflects the discount set for each user.

[0046] An example of the configuration of the flexible packaging material included in the information shown in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. FIG. 3(a) is a diagram showing a packaging film 200 used for the flexible packaging material, in which a first base film 201, an adhesive layer 204, a second base film 202, an adhesive layer 206, and a third base film 203 are laminated in this order. A primer layer (not shown) may be provided on one of the pair of main surfaces of the first base film 201 closer to the second base film 202. In addition, an electrostatic ink layer 205 is provided on one of the main surfaces of the adhesive layer 204 closer to the first base film 201. When a primer layer is provided, the electrostatic ink layer 205 is provided on one of the pair of main surfaces of the primer layer closer to the second base film 202. This packaging film 200 is, for example, a film used for a flexible packaging material for food heated by a microwave oven.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 3(a), the first base film 201 is a biaxially stretched polyethylene terephthalate film with a transparent inorganic oxide vapor deposition of 12 μm (GLARH, manufactured by Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.) with an alumina vapor deposition layer, the second base film 202 is a nylon film with a thickness of 15 μm, and the third base film 203 is a non-oriented polypropylene film with a thickness of 60 μm. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the material composition can be described by a combination of the abbreviation of the material and the thickness (number), for example, "GLARH12 / NY15 / CPP60". Furthermore, FIG. 3(b) describes that a film using mechanically recycled PET (GLARNF) can be adopted instead of the biaxially stretched polyethylene terephthalate film with a transparent inorganic oxide vapor deposition of alumina (GLARH). In this way, the "material composition" specifies the composition of the material that constitutes the packaging film to realize the functions required of the soft packaging material, and the materials are similarly described by abbreviations in the example shown in FIG. 2.

[0048] In addition to the material composition, Fig. 3(b) also shows information related to the use and bag shape designation (square standing pouch for microwave oven), adhesive layer designation, size, pattern (designation of the place where a pattern can be added), and bottom tape designation. Some of the information shown in Fig. 3(b) may be included in the information shown in Fig. 2, or as shown in Fig. 3(b), data may be managed individually for each soft packaging material handled by this system.

[0049] 4 and 5 show examples of characteristic flexible packaging materials that are expected to be handled by the packaging order management device 10. FIG. 4 shows an example of a flexible packaging material that uses mechanically recycled PET film as the packaging film. Mechanically recycled PET is made by crushing and cleaning used PET bottles and then turning them back into PET resin. As it is a packaging material that utilizes recycled resin, packaging materials that use mechanically recycled PET are one type of environmentally friendly packaging material.

[0050] Specifically, in Fig. 4(a), the material composition of the retortable, transparent soft packaging material is shown as "mechanical recycled PET12 / AL7 / NY15 / CPP80," which is a laminate of 12μm mechanically recycled PET film, 7μm aluminum film, 15μm nylon film, and 60μm non-oriented polypropylene film, and the specific shapes are shown to be stand-up pouches and three-sided square bags. Also, in Fig. 4(b), the material composition of the retortable, aluminum soft packaging material is shown as "GLARNF12 / NY15 / CPP80," which is a laminate of 12μm mechanically recycled PET film, 15μm nylon film, and 80μm non-oriented polypropylene film, and the specific shapes are shown to be stand-up pouches and three-sided square bags. Furthermore, Figure 4(c) shows that the material composition of aluminum soft packaging for health foods is "mechanically recycled PET12 / AL7 / NY15 / LLDPE40," which is a laminate of 12 μm mechanically recycled PET film, 7 μm aluminum film, 15 μm nylon film, and 40 μm low-density polyethylene film, and indicates that specific shapes are expected to be stand-up pouches, three-sided square bags, standing zipper bags, and three-sided zipper bags.

[0051] Also, Figure 5 shows an example of a soft packaging material that uses a packaging film with a non-sol-lamination structure. Non-sol-lamination refers to lamination processing that uses an adhesive that does not use organic solvents. Since non-sol-lamination is a process that does not use organic solvents, it emits less carbon dioxide (CO) than lamination processes that use adhesives that use organic solvents. 2 ) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Therefore, packaging materials using nonsol laminate are one of the packaging materials that consider the working environment and natural environment.

[0052] Specifically, in Fig. 5(a), the material composition of the soft packaging material made of nonsol laminated packaging film for health foods is shown as "mechanical recycled PET12 / AL7 / NY15 / LLDPE40", which is a laminate of 12μm mechanically recycled PET film, 7μm aluminum film, 15μm nylon film, and 40μm low-density polyethylene film, and the specific shapes are shown to be standing pouches, three-sided square bags, standing zipper bags, and three-sided zipper bags. Also, in Fig. 5(b), the material composition of the soft packaging material made of nonsol laminated packaging film for confectionery, rice, and dry goods is shown as "OPP30 / CPP30", which is a laminate of 30μm biaxially oriented polypropylene film and 30μm non-oriented polypropylene film, and the specific shape is shown to be three-sided square bag. Furthermore, Figure 5(c) shows that the material composition of soft packaging material made of non-sol laminated packaging film for pet food, confectionery, and dry food is "Barrier NY15 / Easy-to-cut LLDPE80," which is a laminate of 15 μm barrier nylon film and 80 μm easy-to-cut low-density polyethylene film, and indicates that the specific shape envisioned is a three-sided zipper bag.

[0053] In this way, the packaging material order management device 10 is able to handle a wide variety of soft packaging materials according to the application. In the example shown in Fig. 2, only four pieces of data associated with model numbers are shown, but in reality, it is assumed that there is a considerable amount of data associated with model numbers managed by the packaging material order management device 10. When a user places an order, the packaging material order management device 10 presents soft packaging materials that can be ordered to the user, but in this case, instead of presenting all the information managed by the material information storage unit 18, a configuration may be adopted in which soft packaging materials according to the user's needs, etc. are selected and presented. This point will be described later.

[0054] Returning to FIG. 2, the format data storage unit 19 has a function of storing information on a set of format data provided to the purchaser and used to create design data for printing at the purchaser. An example of information stored in the format data storage unit 19 is shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. In FIG. 6, information (e.g., a file name) that specifies data to be sent to the purchaser (purchaser terminal 90) is associated with the model number used at the time of ordering. The format data sent to the purchaser terminal 90 is data that allows the purchaser to create a design (process data) using the purchaser terminal 90 or other devices. In addition, it is preferable that the data (printing data) after processing by the purchaser is returned in a predetermined format, and in particular, in the case of digital printing, it is required to send the data from the purchaser terminal 90 to the packaging material order management device 10 in a format that can be used in the printing machine 21, for example. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, one format data, one setting file, and one manual data may be prepared as a set of format data for one model number. This set of format data can be a package of data provided to the orderer terminal 90 .

[0055] The format data is data that is the source of data used for printing. An example of the format data is shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 7, the data D1 may define a drawing area A1 and a non-drawing area A2 that correspond to the packaging material corresponding to the model number. The drawing area A1 may also be provided with a frame line A3 for separating the recommended printing area. Furthermore, in the case of an area with printing restrictions such as a zipper, a restricted area A4 may also be defined. In this way, the data D1 may include information that enables the purchaser to create print data with an appropriate design according to the packaging material.

[0056] Returning to FIG. 6, the setting file associated with each model number is, for example, a file that describes various settings for outputting design data used for printing in an appropriate state in an application used by the purchaser. The manual data is data that describes how to use the format data and the setting file. Such a data set may be stored as a "set of format data" in association with one model number. The format data storage unit 19 stores the setting file and manual data in addition to the above data D1. When the set of format data is to be transmitted to the purchaser terminal 90, three pieces of data (format data, setting file, and manual data) are selected based on the model number. Then, these pieces of data are packaged together and transmitted from the packaging material order management device 10 to the purchaser terminal 90 by the print data acquisition unit 12.

[0057] The packaging material order management device 10 may further have a function for managing the settlement process that occurs when an order is accepted. However, since existing processes can be applied to this part, detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0058] [Packaging material manufacturing control device] The packaging material manufacturing management device 20 is a device that can operate in cooperation with the packaging material order management device 10. The packaging material manufacturing management device 20 has a function of managing each device related to packaging material manufacturing in a department (in FIG. 1, it is referred to as a "packaging material manufacturing department") that the device manages. As an example, FIG. 1 shows a printing machine 21, a laminating machine 22, and a bag making machine 23. As the printing machine 21, a digital printing machine or a non-digital printing machine (gravure printing machine, EB offset printing machine, flexographic printing machine, etc.) can be selected as a printing machine according to the type of printing. As the laminating machine 22, a dry laminating machine, an extrusion laminating machine, etc. can be mentioned. Note that these machines shown in FIG. 1 are examples, and the objects managed by the packaging material manufacturing management device 20 are not limited to these. The packaging material manufacturing management device 20 may be capable of individually controlling the managed equipment (printing machine 21, etc.), or may be configured to manage only the operating status or the operation schedule.

[0059] Furthermore, the packaging material manufacturing management device 20 may be configured to collectively perform material management, process management, and the like, for each product manufactured in the department that the device manages. In this way, the management target of the packaging material manufacturing management device 20 may be the general business related to the manufacturing of packaging materials in the department that the device manages. However, the packaging material manufacturing management device 20 may not perform all of the management related to these businesses, and may be configured to manage only a part of them. As an example, in this embodiment, the packaging material manufacturing management device 20 at least receives a packaging material production instruction from the packaging material ordering management device 10, manages the received data, and manages the manufacturing status of the packaging material that has been instructed to be produced (process management) as part of the management related to the manufacturing of packaging materials based on instructions from the packaging material ordering management device 10. Note that these management tasks do not need to be performed by a single packaging material manufacturing management device 20, and may be managed in a distributed manner by multiple devices.

[0060] [Hardware configuration of packaging material ordering management device and packaging material manufacturing management device] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a computer 110 used in the packaging order management device 10 or the packaging manufacturing management device 20. For example, the computer 110 has a control circuit 100. In one example, the control circuit 100 has one or more processors 101, a memory 102, a storage 103, a communication port 104, and an input / output port 105. The processor 101 executes an operating system and application programs. The storage 103 is composed of a storage medium such as a hard disk, a non-volatile semiconductor memory, or a removable medium (e.g., a magnetic disk, an optical disk, etc.), and stores the operating system and application programs. The memory 102 temporarily stores a program loaded from the storage 103 or a calculation result by the processor 101. The processor 101 functions as an individual functional module by executing a program in cooperation with the memory 102. The communication port 104 performs data communication with other devices via a communication network NW according to a command from the processor 101. The input / output port 105, in accordance with instructions from the processor 101, executes input / output of electrical signals between the input / output device (user interface) such as a keyboard, a mouse, a monitor, and a touch panel.

[0061] Each of the packaging order management device 10 and the packaging production management device 20 may be configured with a plurality of computers 110. When either the packaging order management device 10 or the packaging production management device 20 is configured with a plurality of computers 110, the plurality of computers 110 may be distributed and may be connected to each other via a communication network NW.

[0062] [Packaging material order management method] Next, a packaging order management method by the packaging order system 1, which includes the packaging order management device 10 and the packaging production management device 20, will be described with reference to FIG.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 9, steps S01 and S02 are first performed between the purchaser terminal 90 and the packaging material order management device 10. In step S01, the purchaser operates the purchaser terminal 90 to refer to a website provided by the packaging material order management device 10, input necessary information on the website, and transmit a user registration request. Meanwhile, in step S02, the packaging material order management device 10 receives the user registration request from the purchaser terminal 90, registers the user information in the user information storage unit 16 of the packaging material order management device 10, and notifies the purchaser terminal 90 that the user registration has been completed. This enables the user of the purchaser terminal 90 to become the purchaser. Note that steps S01 and S02 are examples of a case where user registration is performed in advance, and this process may be changed depending on the timing of user registration. Also, when user management is not performed in the packaging material order management device 10, this process may be omitted.

[0064] In addition, the procedure for user registration (S01 to S02) may include a procedure for confirming that the user has no relationship with antisocial forces. By including such a procedure, it becomes possible to conduct transactions in a state where the relationship with antisocial forces is blocked. As a method for confirming that the user has no relationship with antisocial forces, for example, a process for confirmation by the user himself / herself may be provided. Also, a process for confirming the relationship between the user and antisocial forces may be provided by searching online articles using the user name or the like. In addition to the confirmation of the absence of a relationship with antisocial forces, a compliance confirmation process may be provided at this stage. These processes may be performed by combining with a service provided by an external party. An example of an external service provided by an external party is a service that performs a compliance check based on a company name or the like. As a method for combining with such an external service, for example, the packaging material order management device 10 may provide information on the company name registered by the user to an external service during the user registration procedure, and automatically acquire the check result by the external service and store it in the packaging material order management device 10. In this case, the results of the check by the external service are displayed on a display unit (not shown) of the packaging material order management device 10, and the administrator of the packaging material order management device 10 can confirm the results of the check by the external service and thereby confirm whether or not the user has any relationship with antisocial forces. When incorporating such a procedure, a procedure may be added in which the user is provisionally registered until the administrator confirms whether or not the user has any relationship with antisocial forces, and the user is officially registered when the administrator confirms that the user has no relationship with antisocial forces. Note that if user management using user registration is not performed, a similar confirmation may be performed when accepting an order, as described below.

[0065] Next, packaging material order management device 10 executes step S03 based on a request from purchaser terminal 90. When a user of purchaser terminal 90 attempts to place an order for packaging material with packaging material order management device 10, the user operates purchaser terminal 90 to request the presentation of an order form. In response to this request, packaging material order management device 10 presents the order form. The format of the order form is not particularly limited, and for example, a website may display a plurality of packaging materials that can be provided so that the user can select from among them, or the website may be configured so that the user inputs a model number. In this way, the format, interface, etc. for inputting information when the user places an order may be changed as appropriate.

[0066] In a configuration in which, after user registration (S01 to S02), the user places an order for packaging materials via a website (e.g., a user page assigned to each user), the user page assigned to each user may be configured to enable browsing of the order contents by the user, the processing status of the packaging materials ordered by the user, data sent by the user, etc. In addition, the administrator of packaging material order management device 10 may use the user page to present various information (publicity information, notices addressed to specific users, etc.) to the user.

[0067] FIG. 10 shows an example of information related to packaging materials to be presented on a website (user page, etc.) to a user identified by a user ID "U001", extracted from information held in the material information holding unit 18. In a configuration in which packaging materials available on a website are presented to a user and the user is asked to select a packaging material to be ordered, information to be presented to the user can be selected as shown in FIG. 10, and a selection screen can be presented to the user based on the information. FIG. 10 shows information related to five packaging materials as an example. Of these, packaging materials identified by display model numbers X0101, X0102, and X0205 have "price by user" written in the remarks column. In the example shown in FIG. 2, it is shown that the packaging materials of the above three model numbers are individually discounted for user U001 as discount information. FIG. 10 shows a state in which the discount shown in FIG. 2 is reflected as "price" for these three packaging materials. Therefore, when packaging materials available for user U001 are presented, the price shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the website. At this time, for example, the display may be changed to clarify that it is a special price. In this way, for packaging materials for which a special price is set, the normal price may also be displayed, so that the user is proactively informed that a special price has been set.

[0068] The packaging material identified by the display model number X0301 shown in FIG. 10 has "based on user business type" written in the remarks column. This indicates that the packaging material ordering management device 10 has selected to present information related to the user's business type to the user based on information input by the user at the time of user registration. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, when the packaging materials handled by the packaging material ordering management device 10 are diverse, there may be various packaging materials suitable for a specific business type. When presenting packaging materials that can be provided to the user, packaging materials that are highly related to the user's business type are presented to the user with priority, so that the user can easily select packaging materials that match the purpose and easily complete the ordering process. The "user business type" shown in FIG. 10 is one example of extracting packaging materials that are highly related to the user, and indicates that packaging materials that are considered to be used in the user's business type are presented to the user with priority.

[0069] Furthermore, the packaging material identified by the display model number X0401 shown in FIG. 10 has "original specifications" written in the remarks column. This indicates a packaging material for a specific user that was created based on a request from the specific user. In other words, this packaging material can be set as a packaging material that can only be purchased by a specific user (for example, user U001). In this way, the packaging material order management device 10 can also set a unique packaging material based on a request from a specific user. In this case, a model number number and a specification number are set for the unique packaging material, and all information required to manufacture the packaging material is prepared and stored in the material information storage unit 18 in the same way as information on other packaging materials. Then, when packaging materials that can be provided on the website are presented to a specific user, the packaging materials for that user are also presented. With this configuration, it is possible to provide different packaging materials for each user according to the user's request, and the user can easily order the packaging material.

[0070] The method of presenting packaging materials on the website is not limited to the example described above. For example, the initial screen may display all available packaging materials, and the user may set extraction conditions and perform a search to extract and display only information related to specific packaging materials that match the extraction conditions. Also, information related to packaging materials that are to be preferentially displayed to the user may be extracted using a method different from the above method.

[0071] Returning to FIG. 9, next, the purchaser terminal 90 that has acquired the order form executes step S04. In step S04, the user of the purchaser terminal 90 inputs various information required for the order. At this time, the information input by the user includes information specifying the model number of the packaging material. Note that the user may directly specify the model number of the packaging material, but the configuration may also be such that, for example, when a packaging material is selected from packaging materials listed on a website, the model number corresponding to that packaging material is automatically selected.

[0072] Next, the orderer terminal 90 executes step S05. In step S05, the information entered in the order form after input, i.e., the order information, is transmitted from the orderer terminal 90 to the packaging material order management device 10. This order information may include model number information that specifies the material, shape, and size of the packaging material. When the order information is transmitted from the orderer terminal 90, the order reception unit 11 of the packaging material order management device 10 executes step S06. In step S06, the order reception unit 11 acquires the order information as a process for starting the process of receiving the order, and holds it in the order information holding unit 17. Also, as necessary, it associates with the user information holding unit 16 (for example, links information using a user ID).

[0073] Next, the print data acquisition unit 12 of the packaging material order management device 10 executes step S07. In step S07, the print data acquisition unit 12 refers to the format data storage unit 19 and prepares a set of format data corresponding to the model number included in the order information. Next, the print data acquisition unit 12 of the packaging material order management device 10 executes step S08. In step S08, the print data acquisition unit 12 transmits the set of format data prepared by the print data acquisition unit 12 to the orderer terminal 90. As an example, the print data acquisition unit 12 may upload the set of format data to a website or the like from which data can be downloaded by an operation from the orderer terminal 90. In this case, the set of format data may be acquired by downloading the data by an operation from the orderer terminal 90. The set of format data corresponding to each model number may be provided in a downloadable state on a specific website, and the orderer terminal 90 may acquire the set of format data by downloading the set of format data corresponding to a specific model number.

[0074] In response to this, the orderer terminal 90 executes step S09. In step S09, the orderer terminal 90, which has acquired the set of format data, processes the data D1 to create design data for printing.

[0075] The orderer terminal 90 executes step S10 for the created data. In step S10, the orderer terminal 90 transmits processed design data for printing to the packaging material order management device 10. The transmitted data is acquired by the print data acquisition unit 12 of the packaging material order management device 10. The design data may be sent from the orderer terminal 90 to the packaging material order management device 10 by uploading the data to a specific website, for example. At this time, a process may be performed to have the user confirm that the design data does not infringe copyrights or violate public order and morals. The packaging material order system 1 may be configured to check for copyright infringement, violation of public order and morals, in combination with an external service or by executing a program previously installed in the packaging material order management device 10.

[0076] When the above procedures are completed, the payment processing unit 15 of the packaging material order management device 10 executes step S11. In step S11, the payment processing unit 15 confirms the order from the purchaser and performs payment processing. Information indicating that payment has been made by the payment processing unit 15 is recorded in the order information storage unit 17, for example, as described above. With the above processes, a series of processes related to receiving an order is completed.

[0077] Next, packaging material production instruction unit 13 of packaging material order management device 10 executes step S12. In step S12, packaging material production instruction unit 13 refers to the model number included in the order information, and refers to material information storage unit 18 to prepare information that needs to be sent to packaging material production management device 20. That is, information that identifies materials used in the packaging material specified by the model number (material specification information) is prepared. Packaging material production instruction unit 13 obtains information on the materials corresponding to the model number from the information stored in material information storage unit 18. As a result, the data to be sent to packaging material production management device 20 is prepared.

[0078] Next, the packaging material production instruction unit 13 of the packaging material order management device 10 executes step S13. In step S13, a packaging material production instruction unit 13 transmits a packaging material production instruction to the packaging material manufacturing management device 20. The production instruction includes information specifying materials to be used in producing the packaging material and design data to be used for printing on the packaging material. In addition, the production instruction may also include information related to the delivery destination of the packaging material.

[0079] Next, the packaging material manufacturing management device 20 that has received the instruction to create the packaging material executes step S14. In step S14, the packaging material manufacturing management device 20 starts managing and creating the process related to the creation of the packaging material based on the creation instruction. Examples of the process management in the packaging material manufacturing management device 20 include procurement of materials, securing the operating time of each device used to create the packaging material, such as the printing machine 21, laminating machine 22, and bag making machine 23, and the like.

[0080] Furthermore, the packaging material manufacturing management device 20 executes step S15 as necessary. In step S15, the packaging material manufacturing management device 20 processes the design data so that it can be used by the printer 21. However, step S15 can be changed depending on the state of the design data or the type of printing on the packaging material. For example, in the case of packaging material production using digital printing, the printer 21 basically uses the design data transmitted from the orderer terminal 90 for printing as is. This is because the design is written in the predetermined drawing area A1 using the data D1. In this way, in the case of digital printing, step S15 may be omitted. In the case of digital printing, the data may be processed as shown in step S15. In this case, in step S15, adjustments to make the design data usable by the printer 21, data calibration, etc. may be performed.

[0081] In parallel with the production of the product, the packaging material manufacturing management device 20 executes step S16, and in response to this, the packaging material order management device 10 executes step S17. In step S16, the packaging material manufacturing management device 20 notifies the packaging material order management device 10 of the scheduled delivery date of the packaging material. The scheduled delivery date can be identified, for example, as a result of process management (step S14). The packaging material manufacturing management device 20 notifies the packaging material order management device 10 when the delivery date is expected. In step S17, the packaging material order management device 10, which has received the information on the scheduled delivery date from the packaging material manufacturing management device 20, notifies the orderer terminal 90 of the information on the delivery date by the delivery management unit 14. The method of notifying the orderer terminal 90 is not particularly limited, and examples include notification on a website (for example, a user page assigned to each user) and notification by email. At this time, the delivery management unit 14 may update the information on the delivery date in the order information held in the order information holding unit 17.

[0082] When the product is completed, the packaging material manufacturing management device 20 executes step S18. In addition, steps S19 to S21 are executed in conjunction with the execution of step S18. In step S18, the packaging material manufacturing management device 20 ships the completed product to the delivery destination included in the production instruction. Together with the delivery of the product, in step S19, a shipping notice is sent from the packaging material manufacturing management device 20 to the packaging material order management device 10. In addition, in step S20, the packaging material order management device 10, which has received the shipping notice, reports to the orderer terminal 90 that the shipping has been completed. The method of notifying the orderer terminal 90 is not particularly limited, and examples of the method include a notification on a website (for example, a user page assigned to each user) and a notification by email. In addition, as shown in step S21, the product is separately sent from the packaging material manufacturing management device 20 to the delivery destination. Note that FIG. 9 shows a state in which the product is sent to the orderer terminal 90 as an example in which the delivery destination is the user of the orderer terminal 90. The delivery destination is set based on the order information, so the product may be delivered to a location different from the location of the user of the orderer terminal 90.

[0083] With the above, a series of processes related to the production of one packaging material is completed. Note that, when the same user places a packaging material order for the second time or later, some of the procedures shown in FIG. 9 can be omitted. For example, when user management is performed in the packaging material order management device 10, user registration is completed from the second time onwards, so the procedures related to user registration (S01 to S02) are omitted, and a login process using a user ID or the like is performed instead. Also, as described above, when user management is performed in the packaging material order management device 10, order information can be created using the information used for user registration, so that, for example, the input of information in input of order information (S04) can be simplified.

[0084] Furthermore, if the received order information storage unit 17 of the packaging material order management device 10 stores information on orders received during a predetermined period of time in the past, this information may be made available when ordering packaging material with the same contents. In this case, for example, if the order contents or delivery destination are the same, the input of information in the input of order information (S04) may be simplified by using the received order information from the past. Also, if design data used in the past is stored, the steps related to preparing the design data (S07 to S10) may be omitted, and the design data used at the time of the previous order may be used as is. In order to increase convenience when the same user places a reorder, for example, the user may be able to check the design data stored in the received order information storage unit 17 again (data acquired from the orderer or data after processing used to create the soft packaging material).

[0085] Fig. 11 shows an example of the procedure for producing a flexible packaging material in a packaging manufacturing department, which may be subject to process management by the packaging manufacturing management device 20. Fig. 11(a) shows a typical procedure for producing a flexible packaging material. Specifically, when a packaging material production instruction is received from the packaging material order management device 10 (step S31), materials are prepared based on information specifying the materials included in the packaging material production instruction (step S32). Specifically, as described above, preparations are made for the materials for each layer including the base material layer (base material), intermediate layer, and sealant layer, the adhesives used to bond each layer, and the inks used for printing.

[0086] When actually producing a flexible packaging material, typically, printing is performed on the base material layer in the printer 21 (step S33). Then, the base material layer, intermediate layer, and sealant layer are laminated together using the laminator 22 (step S34). Furthermore, the film that will be the material for the laminated flexible packaging material is processed into bags in the bag making machine 23 (step S35). In this way, a flexible packaging material is produced based on the packaging material production instructions. The packaging material production management device 20 manages the above series of processes and produces flexible packaging materials in line with delivery dates.

[0087] On the other hand, FIG. 11(b) shows a modified example of the procedure for producing a soft packaging material that can be adopted in the packaging material ordering system 1. Specifically, first, regardless of whether or not a packaging material production instruction is received, a pre-pasted original roll is prepared by laminating an intermediate layer and a sealant layer together (step S41). The pre-pasted original roll is a roll in which an intermediate layer and a sealant layer that can be used in a product (soft packaging material) for which an order is received from an orderer are laminated together. When an order is received from an orderer by designating a model number, as in the packaging material ordering system 1, it is possible to prepare a pre-pasted original roll by laminating an intermediate layer and a sealant layer that are not printed and can be used in a soft packaging material of a specific model number according to the order trend of each product. Since printing is not performed on the part that will become the pre-pasted original roll, it is possible to prevent quality deterioration due to long-term storage of the pre-pasted original roll by preparing it in consideration of product trends (sales, etc.). The pre-pasted original roll can be produced by, for example, a laminating machine 22.

[0088] Next, when a packaging material production instruction is received from the packaging material order management device 10 (step S42), materials are prepared based on information specifying the materials included in the packaging material production instruction (step S43). Specifically, preparations are made for a pre-attached base material layer (base material), which is composed of an intermediate layer and a sealant layer, adhesives used to bond each layer, and inks used for printing.

[0089] Next, the printing machine 21 prints on the base material layer (step S44). After that, the laminating machine 22 is used to bond the base material layer and the pre-attached raw material (step S45). Furthermore, the film that will be the material for the flexible packaging material after bonding is processed into bags by the bag making machine 23 (step S46). In this way, a flexible packaging material is produced based on the packaging material production instructions. The packaging material production management device 20 manages the series of processes described above and produces flexible packaging materials in line with delivery dates.

[0090] As shown in the example of Fig. 11(b), by configuring the preparation of the pre-pasted raw material (S41) in advance, the process after receiving the instruction to create the packaging material (S42), especially the lamination process (S45), can be shortened compared to the conventional process (S34). In other words, by reducing the number of materials to be laminated, the process using the laminator 22 is shortened. As a result, the time required for the process from receiving the instruction to create the packaging material (S42) to completing the creation of the soft packaging material can be shortened, and delivery in a short period of time can be realized.

[0091] [Effect] According to the packaging material ordering system 1 and the packaging material order management device 10, an order can be placed from the purchaser terminal 90 by designating a model number of a soft packaging material. On the other hand, in the packaging material order management device 10, material designation information is prepared that designates materials of the soft packaging material associated with the model number based on the model number included in the order information, and is sent to the packaging material production management device 20 as a packaging material production instruction. Also, in the packaging material production management device 20, management of the production of the soft packaging material is started based on the packaging material production instruction. In this way, when ordering a soft packaging material from the purchaser terminal 90, an order can be easily placed by designating the model number, while information that designates each of the various materials included in the soft packaging material is prepared in the packaging material order management device 10, and this information is sent to the packaging material production management device 20 as a packaging material production instruction. Therefore, according to the packaging material ordering system 1 and the packaging material order management device 10, the purchaser can easily perform an ordering operation, and it is possible to appropriately manage the production of the soft packaging material based on the order.

[0092] Online ordering systems for printed materials have been known for some time. However, while it has been considered that a server that receives an order issues instructions to a printer, it has not been considered that the manufacturing of packaging materials that combine multiple materials, such as soft packaging materials, is managed. In addition, since the combination of multiple materials is determined to realize desired characteristics for the material of the soft packaging material, it is difficult for the purchaser to specify these individually. In contrast, in the above-mentioned packaging material ordering system 1 and packaging material order management device 10, the purchaser can place an order using a model number, so that the purchaser can appropriately place an order using, for example, a catalog. On the other hand, when the packaging material order management device 10 issues a packaging material production instruction to the packaging material production management device 20, the instruction is given using information specifying the material, so that information required for the production of the packaging material can be appropriately provided.

[0093] The material designation information may include information for identifying the materials of the base material, ink, adhesive layer, and sealant layer contained in the flexible packaging material. As described above, the flexible packaging material can achieve various characteristics by combining the base material, ink, adhesive layer, and sealant layer. By including information for identifying these materials in the material designation information, the purchaser can order a flexible packaging material corresponding to the desired characteristics by using a model number. After the order is received, information on each material constituting the flexible packaging material corresponding to the model number is appropriately transmitted from the packaging material order management device 10 to the packaging material production management device 20.

[0094] The packaging material creation instruction may include information specifying the shape or size of the flexible packaging material. In such a configuration, the packaging material order management device 10 can handle a variety of flexible packaging materials having different shapes or sizes, making it possible to handle a wider variety of flexible packaging materials. Note that, if only one type of shape and size of flexible packaging material is handled, the packaging material creation instruction does not need to include this information.

[0095] The material specification information may include information specifying the thickness of each of the materials used in the flexible packaging material identified by the model number. Materials of the same type used in the flexible packaging material may have different thicknesses. In the above configuration, the packaging material order management device can handle materials of the same type but with different thicknesses, allowing the purchaser to order a wider variety of flexible packaging materials. Note that, with regard to this information, if the materials handled are of one thickness, this information does not need to be included in the packaging material production instruction.

[0096] The printing machine 21 may be a digital printing machine, and the packaging material manufacturing management device 20 may manage the process so that the design data acquired from the orderer terminal 90 is used as is in printing on the flexible packaging material in the digital printing machine. When printing on the flexible packaging material is performed in the digital printing machine, by managing the process so that the design data acquired from the orderer terminal 90 is used as is in printing on the flexible packaging material in the digital printing machine as described above, it is possible to prevent the design from being changed by an operator, and therefore it is possible to perform appropriate printing.

[0097] The print data acquisition unit 12 as an order-related information acquisition unit may provide the orderer terminal 90 with format data corresponding to information specifying the model number of the soft packaging material, thereby acquiring data in which a design has been added to the format data as design data acquired from the orderer terminal 90. With the above configuration, design data using the format data is provided from the orderer terminal 90, so that it is possible to reliably acquire design data suitable for use in a digital printing machine.

[0098] The printing machine 21 may be a non-digital printing machine, and the packaging material manufacturing management device 20 may manage the process so that the design data acquired from the purchaser terminal 90 is used for printing on flexible packaging material in the non-digital printing machine after performing a predetermined processing on the design data. When printing on flexible packaging material is performed in a gravure printing machine, it is necessary to perform corrections suitable for the non-digital printing machine. Therefore, by managing the process so that the design data is used for printing on flexible packaging material in the non-digital printing machine after performing a predetermined processing on the design data as described above, it becomes possible to perform appropriate printing even in the non-digital printing machine.

[0099] The packaging material manufacturing management device 20 may be configured to manage the process so that, when the flexible packaging material includes an intermediate layer and a sealant layer, the intermediate layer and the sealant layer are first bonded together to prepare a pre-pasted raw roll. The flexible packaging materials handled by the above-mentioned packaging material ordering system 1 have materials used as the intermediate layer and the sealant layer set in advance for each model number. Therefore, by preparing the flexible packaging materials in advance as pre-pasted raw rolls and using them to create the flexible packaging material for which an order is received, the process after the order is received can be shortened. In the above-mentioned packaging material ordering system 1, the purchaser orders the flexible packaging material by specifying the model number. In other words, unlike the case where the materials to be used for the flexible packaging material are determined by custom-made, the types of materials to be ordered are also limited. Therefore, it is possible to perform order forecasts for each flexible packaging material with a certain degree of accuracy, so even if a pre-pasted raw roll is prepared as described above, the risk that the raw roll becomes unusable and is discarded can be reduced.

[0100] [Variations] As described above, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0101] For example, some of the functions of packaging material order management device 10 may be managed by a device other than packaging material order management device 10. For example, management of user information may be performed by a device other than packaging material order management device 10. Furthermore, payment-related matters may also be managed by a device other than packaging material order management device 10.

[0102] The information included in the order information is not limited to that described in the above embodiment, and various information may be combined. The input form for ordering, the structure of the design data, etc. may also be modified as appropriate.

[0103] [Appendix 1] A packaging material order management device in one embodiment is a packaging material order management device that accepts orders for the creation of soft packaging material from a purchaser terminal operated by a purchaser via the Internet, and has an order receiving unit that acquires order information sent from the purchaser terminal, including information specifying the shape of the soft packaging material; a format data holding unit that holds format data suitable for the design of the printing surface of the soft packaging material of that shape, in correspondence with the information specifying the shape of the soft packaging material; a print data acquisition unit that acquires design data from the purchaser terminal, including a design to be printed on the soft packaging material, by providing the purchaser terminal with format data that corresponds to the information specifying the shape of the soft packaging material included in the order information, selected based on the information held in the format data holding unit; and an order information holding unit that manages the order information and the design data in correspondence with each other.

[0104] In the packaging material ordering management device, format data corresponding to the shape of the ordered packaging material is provided to the purchaser terminal that accepts the order, and design data using that format data is provided from the purchaser terminal and acquired by the print data acquisition unit. Therefore, design data based on format data suitable for printing on soft packaging material can be reliably acquired.

[0105] The information specifying the shape of the soft packaging material may be information specifying a model number associated with the shape of the soft packaging material.

[0106] When the information specifying the shape of the soft packaging material as described above is information specifying a model number associated with the shape of the soft packaging material, it is possible to manage the format data using this model number, and further, it is possible to select appropriate format data using the model number and provide it to the orderer terminal, thereby enabling more appropriate management and handling of data within the device.

[0107] An embodiment may be such that the flexible packaging material is printed by a digital printing machine, and the design data acquired from the orderer terminal has a data structure suitable for printing on the flexible packaging material by the digital printing machine.

[0108] When printing on flexible packaging material is performed using a digital printing machine, as described above, by configuring design data suitable for printing on flexible packaging material using the digital printing machine to be obtained from the client terminal, it is possible to prevent the design from being changed by the worker, thereby enabling appropriate printing to be performed.

[0109] The format data storage unit may further store a setting file for outputting the design data at the orderer terminal in a state suitable for printing on the soft packaging material, in correspondence with information specifying the shape of the soft packaging material, and the print data acquisition unit may provide the orderer terminal with the format data and the design data selected based on the information stored in the format data storage unit.

[0110] Even when design data is created by processing format data on the client terminal, there is a possibility that the design data cannot be output in a state suitable for printing depending on the operating environment of the client terminal, etc. Therefore, by providing the setting file to the client terminal as described above, the client can create the design data more appropriately.

[0111] The order information may include information specifying the material of the soft packaging material.

[0112] In some cases, materials different from each other are used for soft packaging materials. In the above configuration, the packaging material order management device can handle soft packaging materials made of different materials, which enables the purchaser to order a wider variety of soft packaging materials.

[0113] [Appendix 2] The present disclosure may include, for example, the following inventions. <Invention 1> A packaging ordering system including a packaging order management device that receives an order for the production of flexible packaging materials from a customer terminal via the Internet, and a packaging manufacturing management device that manages the production of the flexible packaging materials based on instructions from the packaging order management device in a manufacturing department including a printing machine, The packaging material order management device includes: an order-related information acquisition unit that acquires, from the orderer terminal, order information including information specifying a model number of the soft packaging material and design data including a design to be printed on the soft packaging material; a material information storage unit that stores material designation information that associates information designating a model number of the soft packaging material with information designating a material used in the soft packaging material identified by the model number; a packaging material production instruction unit that transmits to the packaging material manufacturing management device a packaging material production instruction including material designation information that designates a material of the soft packaging material corresponding to a model number included in the order information, selected based on the information stored in the material information storage unit, and the design data; Including, The packaging material manufacturing management device starts management related to the production of the flexible packaging material based on the packaging material production instruction. <Invention 2> The packaging material ordering system according to claim 1, wherein the material specification information includes information specifying the materials of the base material, ink, adhesive layer, and sealant layer contained in the soft packaging material. <Invention 3> A packaging ordering system according to claim 2, wherein the packaging production instructions include information specifying a shape or size of the soft packaging material. <Invention 4> 4. A packaging material ordering system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the material designation information includes information designating a thickness of a material used in a soft packaging material identified by the model number. <Invention 5> The printing press is a digital printing press, The packaging material ordering system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the packaging material manufacturing management device manages the process so that the design data acquired from the client terminal is used as is in printing on the flexible packaging material by the digital printing machine. <Invention 6> A packaging ordering system as described in any one of Inventions 1 to 5, wherein the order-related information acquisition unit provides the orderer terminal with format data corresponding to information specifying the model number of the soft packaging material, and thereby acquires data in which a design has been added to the format data as the design data acquired from the orderer terminal. <Invention 7> The printing press is a non-digital printing press, The packaging material ordering system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the packaging material manufacturing management device performs a predetermined processing on the design data obtained from the client terminal and then manages the process so that the data is used for printing on the flexible packaging material by the non-digital printing machine. <Invention 8> The packaging material ordering system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the packaging material manufacturing management device manages a process such that, when the flexible packaging material includes an intermediate layer and a sealant layer, the intermediate layer and the sealant layer are first bonded together to prepare a pre-bonded base roll. <Invention 9> A packaging material order management device that receives an order for the creation of soft packaging materials from a customer terminal via the Internet, an order-related information acquisition unit that acquires, from the orderer terminal, order information including information specifying a model number of the soft packaging material and design data including a design to be printed on the soft packaging material; a material information storage unit that stores material designation information that associates information designating a model number of the soft packaging material with information designating a material used in the soft packaging material identified by the model number; a packaging material production instruction unit that transmits a packaging material production instruction, the packaging material production instruction including material designation information that designates a material for the soft packaging material corresponding to a model number included in the order information and that is selected based on the information stored in the material information storage unit, and the design data, to a packaging material production management device that manages the production of the soft packaging material; A packaging material order management device comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 1...packaging ordering system, 10...packaging ordering management device, 11...order reception section, 12...printing data acquisition section, 13...packaging production instruction section, 14...delivery management section, 15...payment processing section, 16...user information retention section, 17...order information retention section, 18...material information retention section, 19...format data retention section, 20...packaging manufacturing management device, 21...printing machine, 22...laminating machine, 23...bag making machine, 90...orderer terminal.

Claims

1. A packaging ordering system including a packaging order management device that receives an order for the production of flexible packaging materials from a customer terminal via the Internet, and a packaging manufacturing management device that manages the production of the flexible packaging materials based on instructions from the packaging order management device in a manufacturing department including a printing machine, The packaging material order management device includes: an order-related information acquisition unit that acquires, from the orderer terminal, order information including information specifying a model number of the soft packaging material and design data including a design to be printed on the soft packaging material; a material information storage unit that stores material designation information that associates information designating a model number of the soft packaging material with information designating a material used in the soft packaging material identified by the model number; a packaging material production instruction unit that transmits to the packaging material manufacturing management device a packaging material production instruction including material designation information that designates a material of the soft packaging material corresponding to a model number included in the order information, selected based on the information stored in the material information storage unit, and the design data; Including, The material designation information includes information for identifying materials of a base material and a sealant layer included in the flexible packaging material, the packaging material production management device controls devices including the printing machine in the manufacturing department so that the flexible packaging material is produced based on the packaging material production instruction; A packaging ordering system in which the order-related information acquisition unit provides the orderer terminal with format data corresponding to information specifying the model number of the soft packaging material, and acquires data in which a design has been added to the format data as the design data acquired from the orderer terminal.

2. The packaging material ordering system according to claim 1 , wherein the material specification information further includes information for specifying the materials of the ink and adhesive layer contained in the flexible packaging material.

3. The packaging ordering system according to claim 2 , wherein the packaging material production instruction includes information specifying a shape or a size of the soft packaging material.

4. A packaging material ordering system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the material specification information includes information specifying the thickness of materials used in the base material and sealant layers contained in the soft packaging material identified by the model number.

5. The printing press is a digital printing press, The packaging material ordering system of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the packaging material manufacturing management device controls equipment including the printing machine in the manufacturing department so that the design data acquired from the client terminal is used as is in printing on the flexible packaging material by the digital printing machine, and the flexible packaging material is created.

6. The printing press is a non-digital printing press, The packaging material ordering system of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the packaging material manufacturing management device performs a predetermined processing on the design data obtained from the client terminal, and then controls equipment including the printing machine in the manufacturing department so that the processed design data is used to print on the flexible packaging material in the non-digital printing machine, thereby creating the flexible packaging material.

7. The flexible packaging material further includes an intermediate layer, The packaging material manufacturing control device includes: Controlling devices including the printing machine in the manufacturing department so as to prepare intermediate products of the flexible packaging material in advance regardless of receipt of the packaging material production instruction; The packaging ordering system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the packaging material production instruction is received from the packaging material ordering management device, equipment including the printing machine in the manufacturing department is controlled so as to use the intermediate product to produce the soft packaging material based on the packaging material production instruction.

8. The packaging material ordering system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the packaging material manufacturing management device controls equipment including the printing machine included in the manufacturing department so that, when the flexible packaging material includes an intermediate layer and a sealant layer, the intermediate layer and the sealant layer are first bonded together to prepare a pre-bonded base roll.

9. A packaging material order management device that receives an order for the creation of soft packaging materials from a customer terminal via the Internet, an order-related information acquisition unit that acquires, from the orderer terminal, order information including information specifying a model number of the soft packaging material and design data including a design to be printed on the soft packaging material; a material information storage unit that stores material designation information that associates information designating a model number of the soft packaging material with information designating a material used in the soft packaging material identified by the model number; a packaging material production instruction unit that transmits a packaging material production instruction, the packaging material production instruction including material designation information that designates a material for the soft packaging material corresponding to a model number included in the order information and that is selected based on the information stored in the material information storage unit, and the design data, to a packaging material production management device that manages the production of the soft packaging material; Including, The material designation information includes information for identifying materials of a base material and a sealant layer included in the flexible packaging material, The order-related information acquisition unit provides the orderer terminal with format data corresponding to information specifying the model number of the soft packaging material, and acquires data in which a design has been added to the format data as the design data acquired from the orderer terminal. This is a packaging order management device.

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