Barcode hiding tape

Abstract

To provide a bar code hiding tape that is stuck on a bar code to make it impossible to read the bar code with an optical and image processing type bar code reader, while having visibility that allows the contents of information other than the bar code underneath to be grasped. [Solution] The tape comprises a transparent substrate, an adhesive layer, and a printed layer between these layers, the printed layer comprising a first printed layer and a second printed layer, the second printed layer being positioned on the barcode attachment side of the first printed layer, the first printed layer comprising a pattern print consisting of printed areas containing black pigment and non-printed areas, the second printed layer comprising printed areas containing glossy pigment and having an optical density (OD) of 0.15 to 2.0 or comprising a half-deposited film, and when the barcode concealing tape is attached, the barcode information cannot be read by optical and image processing barcode readers, while the information underneath is still visible through the printed layer.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a barcode hiding tape that is applied over a barcode to prevent the barcode information from being read by two types of barcode readers, optical and image processing, while ensuring the visibility of information other than the barcode underneath. [Background technology]

[0002] Commercial facilities often sell products at a discount from their regular price for reasons such as clearance sales of food products or disposal of unsold inventory. In these cases, new barcode stickers bearing information such as the discounted price are affixed. However, because old barcode stickers bearing information such as the regular price remain, it is necessary to render these barcodes unreadable and allow a barcode reader to read only the new barcode bearing the discounted price. To achieve this, a typical practice has been to obscure at least one of the old barcodes with commercially available black marker or correction tape. However, both methods have created psychological resistance among consumers attempting to purchase the product. In light of this situation, a method has been developed to prevent barcode readers from mistakenly reading information such as the old price by affixing special barcode concealment tape over the old barcode bearing information such as the regular price, as shown in Figure 1.

[0003] However, the sizes and shapes of products for sale, as well as the locations where barcode information is attached, vary widely, and in reality, depending on the skill level of the worker, the application of the barcode concealing tape shown in Figure 1 to the barcode can easily become messy, and there is a possibility that information that consumers refer to, such as product description and regular selling price information printed near the barcode, may be covered up. Therefore, even if information other than the barcode is accidentally covered up with the barcode concealing tape, it is desirable to ensure that the information in the covered area remains visible so that consumers can understand it.

[0004] Furthermore, barcode readers used in commercial facilities have traditionally been optical barcode readers that shine light on the barcode to read the light-reflecting parts (background) and light-absorbing parts (bars) and obtain barcode information from them, but in recent years, image-processing barcode readers that read barcode images with digital cameras and obtain barcode information using image processing software have also come into use to accommodate two-dimensional barcodes. Therefore, there is a need to make it impossible for barcodes to be read by any of these types of barcode readers when they are attached using barcode hiding tape. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention was devised in light of the current state of the prior art, and its purpose is to provide a barcode hiding tape that can be applied over a barcode to make it impossible for the barcode information to be read by two types of barcode readers, optical and image processing, while still ensuring visibility so that consumers can understand the content of the information other than the barcode underneath. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] As a result of extensive research into achieving the above-mentioned object, the inventors have discovered that by providing a printed layer having a printed portion containing a black pigment that makes it impossible for an optical barcode reader to read the barcode, and a printed layer containing a glossy pigment that makes it impossible for an image processing barcode reader to read the barcode, on a transparent substrate, and configuring and arranging the printed layer so that each printed layer performs the function of preventing reading by each barcode reader while ensuring visibility when attached, it is possible to make it impossible for the two types of barcode readers, optical and image processing, to read the barcode information, while ensuring visibility that allows the content of information other than the barcode underneath to be understood, and have completed this invention.

[0007] That is, the present invention comprises the following (1) to (8). (1) A barcode hiding tape used to apply over a barcode to make the barcode information unreadable, the barcode hiding tape comprising a transparent substrate, an adhesive layer, and a printing layer, the printing layer being disposed between the transparent substrate and the adhesive layer, the printing layer comprising a first printing layer and a second printing layer, the second printing layer being disposed on the barcode application side of the first printing layer, the first printing layer comprising a pattern print consisting of printed areas containing black pigment and non-printed areas, the second printing layer comprising printed areas containing glossy pigment and having an optical density (OD) of 0.15 to 2.0 or comprising a half-deposited film, the barcode hiding tape being configured such that when the barcode hiding tape is applied, the combination of the first printing layer and the second printing layer makes the barcode information unreadable by both optical barcode readers and image processing barcode readers, while maintaining the visibility of the information beneath the barcode hiding tape through the printing layers including the first printing layer and the second printing layer. (2) The barcode hiding tape according to (1), wherein the glossy pigment in the printed portion of the second printed layer is pearl ink, or silver or gold ink. (3) The barcode hiding tape according to (1), characterized in that the gloss (GU) of the printed portion of the second printed layer or the half vapor-deposited film is 85 to 100%. (4) A barcode hiding tape described in any one of (1) to (3), characterized in that the barcode hiding tape is in the form of a wound tape and has a release layer on the side of the transparent substrate where the printed layer is not present. (5) The barcode hiding tape according to (4), characterized in that a primer layer is provided between the printed layer and the adhesive layer. (6) The above Barcode Hidden Do The barcode hiding tape according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the tape is in the form of a label and has a release layer on the side of the adhesive layer where the printed layer is not present. (7) The barcode hiding tape according to (6), characterized in that a primer layer is provided between the printed layer and the adhesive layer. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] When the barcode hiding tape of the present invention is applied over old and unnecessary barcode information, it not only makes it impossible to read the barcode information by both an optical barcode reader and an image processing barcode reader, but also has visibility that allows a person to understand the contents of the covered information even when the tape is applied over necessary information other than the barcode. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a photograph showing an example of conventional barcode hiding tape applied over a product barcode. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of the configuration of the barcode hiding tape of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows an example of a pattern printed on the first print layer of the barcode concealment tape of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of the configuration of the barcode concealment tape of the present invention when it is in the form of a wound tape. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of the structure of the barcode concealment tape of the present invention when it is in the form of a label. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a photograph showing an example of the barcode hiding tape of the present invention applied over the barcode of a product. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

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

[0012] The barcode concealment tape of the present invention is characterized not only by its ability to be applied over a barcode, as described above, making it impossible for the two types of barcode readers to read the barcode information, but also by its ability to ensure visibility that allows the content of information other than the barcode underneath (e.g., product description, quality label, etc.) to be understood. Visibility here refers to the degree to which the content of the information, consisting of numbers, alphabets, katakana, and hiragana characters, can be substantially recognized or inferred by the human eye. This characteristic allows people to understand the content of information other than the barcode underneath, even if the barcode concealment tape of the present invention is applied and covers it.

[0013] Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of the configuration of the barcode hiding tape of the present invention. In Figure 2, 1 is the barcode hiding tape of the present invention, 2 is a transparent substrate, 3 is a printed layer, and 4 is an adhesive layer, with printed layer 3 disposed between transparent substrate 2 and adhesive layer 4. Printed layer 3 includes a first printed layer 3A and a second printed layer 3B, and is disposed so that when the barcode hiding tape of the present invention is applied to a barcode, second printed layer 3B is closer to the barcode than first printed layer 3A.

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

[0015] The printed layer 3 basically serves to prevent the barcode information from being read by both an optical barcode reader and an image processing barcode reader, and the printed layer 3 includes a first printed layer 3A that prevents reading by an optical barcode reader, and a second printed layer 3B that prevents reading by an image processing barcode reader. In the present invention, the printed layer 3 is configured so that the first printed layer 3A is on the viewer side and the second printed layer 3B is on the barcode attachment side, as shown in Figure 2.

[0016] The first printed layer 3A is composed of a patterned print consisting of a printed area 3A0 containing black pigment and a non-printed area 3A1. The printed area 3A0 is provided to prevent an optical barcode reader from reading the barcode information from the viewer's side when the barcode concealment tape of the present invention is applied over the barcode, and the black pigment contained in the printed area 3A0 in particular fulfills this role. The black pigment content in the printed area 3A0 is preferably 1% by weight, more preferably 3% by weight or more. If the black pigment content is less than this percentage, it may not be sufficient to prevent reading by an optical barcode reader. Note that if a pigment such as blue, red, or yellow is used instead of black pigment, it is more likely that reading by an optical barcode reader will be possible. Therefore, when using a pigment of a color other than black pigment, it is necessary to use black pigment in the above-mentioned concentration.

[0017] The non-printed portion 3A1 is provided so that the second printed layer 3B can be seen from the viewer's side. In other words, it is provided so that when the viewer attempts to read a barcode with an image processing type barcode reader, the non-printed portion 3A1 is directly affected by the second printed layer 3B, preventing the image processing type barcode reader from reading the barcode. In order to fully achieve the purposes of the above-mentioned printed portion 3A0 and non-printed portion 3A1, it is preferable that the pattern printing on the first printed layer 3A is formed so that the planar area ratio of the printed portion 3A0 is within a specific range for any specific square area in any location. Specifically, among the pattern printing on the first printed layer, the planar area ratio of the printed portion 3A0 containing black pigment is within a specific range for any specific square area in any location. 2 The square area of ​​the printed portion 3A0 is preferably 10 to 70%, and more preferably 15 to 65%. If the square area ratio of the printed portion 3A0 is less than the above ratio, the function of preventing reading by an optical barcode reader may be insufficient, and if it is more than the above ratio, the second printed layer 3B may not be sufficiently visible to the viewer, and the function of preventing reading by an image processing barcode reader may be insufficient. The pattern printed on the first printed layer 3A is preferably configured so that a specific printed shape is regularly repeated, and for example, the one shown in Figure 3 can be used.

[0018] The second printed layer 3B is provided to prevent barcodes from being read by an image-processing barcode reader. It is composed of either a printed portion containing a glossy pigment or a half-deposited film. In the former configuration, the glossy pigment is preferably a pearlescent ink with a unique glossy color that changes hue depending on the viewing angle, or a metallic ink such as silver or gold. The printed portion in the former configuration has an optical density (OD) of 0.15 to 2.0, preferably 0.18 to 1.9. If the optical density is below the lower limit, the effect of preventing reading by an image-processing barcode reader is insufficient. If the optical density is above the upper limit, the visibility of the information underneath may be insufficient. The half-deposited film used in the latter configuration has an adjusted amount of deposition of a reflective metal such as aluminum to allow light transmission and visibility of the other side, and is readily available commercially. The glossiness (GU) of the second printed layer 3B is preferably 85 to 100%. A glossiness (GU) of 85% or more can prevent the reading function of an image processing type barcode reader. In the present invention, glossiness (GU) and optical density (OD) are measured by the method described in the examples.

[0019] The adhesive layer 4 is used to adhere the barcode concealing tape of the present invention onto a barcode, and is provided on the barcode-adhering side of the second printed layer 3B of the printed layer 3. The adhesive layer 4 can be selected from conventionally known adhesives such as acrylic, rubber, silicone, epoxy, and urethane adhesives. The thickness of the adhesive layer is, for example, 2 to 70 μm, and preferably 10 to 50 μm. A primer layer can be disposed between the printed layer 3 and the adhesive layer 4, if necessary. The primer layer is used to improve adhesion between the printed layer 3 and the adhesive layer 4, and a conventionally known adhesive such as acrylic, rubber, urethane, and epoxy adhesives can be selected and used. The thickness of the primer layer is, for example, 0.08 to 5.0 μm, and preferably 0.05 to 3.0 μm.

[0020] The barcode concealment tape of the present invention can be provided in the form of a wound tape or a label, depending on the mode of use. When the barcode concealment tape of the present invention is in the form of a wound tape, it is configured by winding a continuous tape around a core. In this case, as shown in Figure 4, a release layer 5 is provided on the side of the transparent substrate 2 where the printed layer 3 is not present (i.e., the viewer side). This release layer 5 makes it easy to unwind the rolled tape when using it. The release layer 5 can be formed by applying a conventionally known release agent, such as an alkyl-based or silicone-based release agent. The basis weight of the release layer 5 is preferably 0.1 to 10 g / m 2 , more preferably 0.1 to 3 g / m 2 is.

[0021] When the barcode concealment tape of the present invention is in label form, it is provided by cutting the label into a specific size and shape and attaching it to a backing paper or the like. In this case, as shown in Figure 5, a release layer 6 is provided on the side of the adhesive layer 4 where the printed layer 3 is not present (i.e., the barcode-attached side). This release layer 6 makes it easy to peel the label-form barcode concealment tape from the backing paper when using it. The release layer 6 can be formed by applying the same material as the release layer 5 at the same basis weight.

[0022] The barcode concealment tape of the present invention can be manufactured using a conventional method. For example, a first printed layer with a pattern, consisting of printed and non-printed areas, is formed on one side of a transparent substrate using ink containing a black pigment. Next, a second printed layer, consisting of printed areas with an optical density (OD) of 0.15 to 2.0, is formed on the first printed layer using ink containing a glossy pigment. When the second printed layer is formed using the ink described above, the ink constituting the second printed layer will penetrate into the non-printed areas of the first printed layer. Instead of this formation method, a half-deposited film may be laminated on the first printed layer. Next, a primer layer, if necessary, is applied on the second printed layer, followed by an adhesive layer. When the barcode concealment tape of the present invention is in the form of a wound tape, a release layer is applied to the side of the transparent substrate where the printed layer is not present, and the tape is then wound around a core, and the core is cut to the required size before being provided. When in the form of a label, a release layer is applied to the side where the adhesive printed layer is not present, and a backing is laminated on the release layer side, and the tape is cut to the required size before being provided.

[0023] The barcode concealing tape of the present invention is configured as described above, and as shown in Figure 6, can be applied over old and unnecessary barcodes on products such as food and miscellaneous goods, making the barcode information unreadable by two types of barcode readers: optical and image processing.At the same time, even if the tape extends to include necessary information other than the barcode information, it can still ensure visibility so that the necessary information underneath can be grasped. [Example]

[0024] The effects of the barcode hiding tape of the present invention will be shown by way of examples, but the present invention is not limited to these.

[0025] Example 1 A pattern consisting of a printed area and a non-printed area was printed on one side of a 40 μm thick polypropylene substrate using an ink containing 35% black pigment solids at a solid concentration of 50% by weight (0.25 cm on either side). 2A first printed layer was formed (the area ratio of the printed area was set to 20% even in a square area of ​​1000 mm). A second printed layer was then formed on the first printed layer using silver ink, consisting of a printed area with an optical density (OD) of 0.40 and a gloss (GU) of 95%. A 0.1 μm thick primer layer made of an acrylic resin was then applied to the second printed layer, followed by a 15 μm thick rubber-based adhesive layer. The barcode concealment tape thus prepared was applied to a one-dimensional barcode to verify its effectiveness. The optical density (OD) was measured by measuring the transmission density of the corresponding area from the transparent substrate surface using an X-Rite transmission densitometer, and the gloss (GU) was measured by measuring the gloss of the corresponding area from the transparent substrate surface using a BYK-Gardner colorimeter.

[0026] Example 2 A barcode concealing tape was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the solid content of the black ink used in the first printed layer was changed to 75% by weight, and its effects were similarly verified.

[0027] Example 3 In Example 1, a barcode hiding tape was created in the same manner, except that the second printed layer was formed so that the optical density (OD) of the second printed layer was 0.20 and the gloss (GU) of the printed area was 90%, and its effectiveness was similarly verified.

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

[0029] (Comparative Example 1) A barcode hiding tape was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that no first printed layer was provided, and its effectiveness was similarly verified.

[0030] (Comparative Example 2) A barcode hiding tape was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the first printed layer had no non-printed areas and the entire surface was printed, and its effects were similarly verified.

[0031] (Comparative Example 3) In Example 1, barcode hiding tape was created in the same manner, except that the second printed layer was formed with an optical density (OD) of 3.0 and a glossiness (GU) of 99%, and its effectiveness was verified in the same manner.

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

[0033] The effectiveness of the barcode hiding tape was verified in the following manner. (1) Check that the barcode can be read by an optical barcode reader Using an optical barcode reader (Busicom, BC-BR1000U-B), we confirmed the possibility of reading barcodes from behind hidden tape. (2) Checking the readability using an image processing barcode reader Using an image processing barcode reader (Busicom, BC-NL2250U3-B), we confirmed the possibility of reading barcodes from behind hidden tape. (3) Check visibility Barcode concealment tape was applied to a backing paper printed with 5.5-point numeric information (1-9) and katakana information (A, I, U, E, O) as specified in Japanese Industrial Standard Z8305 (1962), so as to completely cover the information, and five subjects were asked to confirm whether they could completely recognize or guess the content of the information underneath.

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

[0035] The barcode concealment tapes of Examples 1 to 4, which satisfy the requirements of the present invention, ensure the visibility of the information underneath while preventing reading by both optical and image processing barcode readers, whereas the barcode concealment tapes of Comparative Examples 1 to 4 showed unsatisfactory results in one or more of the following categories: Comparative Example 1, which lacks a first printed layer, allows reading by an optical barcode reader; Comparative Example 2, which lacks an unprinted portion in the first printed layer, not only suffers from poor visibility but also cannot utilize the glossiness of the second printed layer, allowing reading by an image processing barcode reader; Comparative Example 3, which suffers from poor visibility because the optical density (OD) of the second printed layer is too high; and Comparative Example 4, which uses only a blue pigment in the first printed layer, fails to prevent optical reading. [Industrial Applicability]

[0036] When applied over barcode information, the barcode concealment tape of the present invention can prevent barcode reading by two typical types of barcode readers, eliminating the problem of old, unnecessary barcode information being mistakenly read depending on the type of barcode reader used.Furthermore, even if the tape is applied over an area containing necessary information other than the barcode, it is visible enough for consumers and demanders to understand the information underneath.Therefore, the barcode concealment tape of the present invention is extremely useful in retail and wholesale businesses. [Explanation of symbols]

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

Claims

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

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

3. 2. The barcode concealing tape according to claim 1, wherein the gloss (GU) of the printed portion of the second printed layer or the half-deposited film is 85 to 100%.

4. The barcode hiding tape described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the barcode hiding tape is in the form of a wound tape and a release layer is provided on the side of the transparent substrate where the printed layer is not present.

5. 5. The barcode concealing tape according to claim 4, wherein a primer layer is provided between the printed layer and the adhesive layer.

6. The barcode hiding tape described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the barcode hiding tape is in the form of a label and has a release layer on the side of the adhesive layer where the printed layer is not present.

7. 7. The barcode concealing tape according to claim 6, wherein a primer layer is provided between the printed layer and the adhesive layer.

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