Patent Application
20230019008
The present invention relates to a can body printing system and a can body printing device.
Patent Literature 1 discloses technology for a parts monitoring device configured to detect usage of parts that are not regular ones and to limit operations of working machines upon detection of such usage.
Recent advancements in technology for printing on can bodies have made it possible to allow users to consider performing printing on can bodies by themselves, which was previously impossible.
However, if users are allowed to perform printing too freely, printing may be performed on can bodies that are not regular ones. In such cases, intended print quality may not be achieved.
It is an object of the present invention to ensure printing on can bodies with better print quality as compared to when users are allowed to freely perform printing on can bodies.
A can body printing system according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a detection section configured to, when printing is performed on a can body by a user, detect satisfaction of a condition for the printing, the condition being set by a third party that is not the user; and a control section configured to control a stoppage of the printing on the can body in response to detection of the satisfaction of the condition.
The condition set by the third party may be a condition predetermined based on an assumption that printing is performed on regular can bodies by the user.
The condition set by the third party may be a condition related to a prescribed quantity for printing on can bodies, the can body printing system may further include a quantity measurement section configured to measure a quantity of can bodies having undergone the printing, and the detection section may be configured to detect that the quantity measured by the quantity measurement section has reached the prescribed quantity.
The condition set by the third party may be a condition related to prescribed time for printing on can bodies, the can body printing system may further include a time measurement section configured to measure time taken for the printing, and the detection section may be configured to detect that the time measured by the time measurement section has reached the prescribed time.
The condition set by the third party may be a condition related to a prescribed amount of electricity used by a device for printing on can bodies, the can body printing system may further include an electricity measurement section configured to measure an amount of electricity used for the printing, and the detection section may be configured to detect that the amount of electricity measured by the electricity measurement section has reached the prescribed amount of electricity.
The condition set by the third party may be a condition related to a prescribed amount of a consumable for use in printing on can bodies, the can body printing system may further include a consumable amount measurement section configured to measure an amount of the consumable used for the printing, and the detection section may be configured to detect that the amount of the consumable measured by the consumable amount measurement section has reached the prescribed amount.
A can body printing device according to another aspect of the present invention includes: a printing section configured to print on can bodies; and a stopping section configured to stop printing in response to satisfaction of a condition set by a third party that is not a user who performs the printing.
The present invention ensures printing on can bodies with better print quality as compared to when users are allowed to freely perform printing on can bodies.
Hereinafter, a can body printing system according to an exemplary embodiment is detailed with reference to the appended drawings.
The host device 10 is a computer device provided by, for example, a provider of can bodies subjected to printing by the printing device 30 or a provider of the printing device 30. A database (DB) 50 storing various kinds of information for use in the can body printing system 1 is connected to the host device 10 either directly or via the network 20.
The host device 10 includes: a control section 11 implemented by a central processing unit (CPU) to control the entire device; and a memory 12, such as a random access memory (RAM), used as a working area for calculations. The host device 10 further includes a storage section 13 to store programs and various setting data. Examples of the storage section 13 includes storage devices such as semiconductor memories and hard disk drives (HDDs). The host device 10 further includes a communication section 14 for data exchange via the network 20.
The host device 10 further includes an operation section 15, such as a keyboard, a pointing device, and/or a touch panel, and receives inputs from administrators responsible for the can body printing system 1. The host device 10 further includes a display section 16, such as one implemented by a liquid crystal display, for presentation of images and text information necessary for administrative tasks performed by the administrators. The host device 10 further includes a display control section 17 to control the display section 16. It should be noted that these pieces of hardware do not necessarily share a single housing.
The printing device 30 includes: a control section 31 to control the entire device; and a communication section 32 for exchanges of various data via the network 20. The printing device 30 further includes a printing section 33 to produce printing on can bodies. The printing device 30 further includes a measurement section 34 to measure information indicative of status of the printing device 30. The printing device 30 further includes a user interface 35 for presentation of information to the user operating the printing device 30 and for receiving inputs from the user. The printing device 30 further includes a storage section 36 to store printed image information and other information obtained.
The printing section 33 is capable of conducting digital ink-jet printing on can bodies and changing printed content for each can body. These features are distinct from ordinary block copy-based printing on can bodies, providing more user convenience and helping reduce the device weight. At the printing section 33, ink is ejected as droplets from nozzles and adhered onto an outer surface of each can body, whereby images are formed on the outer surface. Further, paint is applied over the images to form a protective layer. The printing section 33 uses, for example, a basic four color ink set of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) and, when necessary, further uses special inks of special colors prepared for each brand. In this case, an ink-jet head is prepared for each color, so that a plurality of ink-jet heads are used to form images on can bodies. An actinic radiation-curable ink is a preferred choice for the ink to be used. Examples of the actinic radiation-curable ink include an ultraviolet (UV)-curable ink. After the images are formed using the ink-jet heads, paint is applied onto the outer surface of the can body to form a protective layer (overcoat layer).
Can bodies as media subjected to printing may include both those unfilled with beverages, such as beer, and those filled with beverages.
The measurement section 34 includes sections for measuring various kinds of information indicative of status of the printing device 30, including a quantity measurement section 341, a time measurement section 342, an electricity measurement section 343, an ink amount measurement section 344, and a position measurement section 345.
The quantity measurement section 341 measures the quantity of can bodies having undergone the printing by the printing device 30, as information indicative of the status of the printing device 30. Specifically, for example, the printing section 33 may be provided with a counter to count each can body having undergone the printing process. Alternatively, for example, a quantity counter may be provided at any point through which can bodies having undergone the printing pass before being discharged from the printing device 30, and may count each can body passing through the point.
The time measurement section 342 measures the time taken by the printing device 30 to print on can bodies, as information indicative of the status of the printing device 30. Specifically, for example, a mechanism may be provided that can measure a print start time and a print end time. In this case, the time taken to print on can bodies may be calculated based on the difference between the measured times. Alternatively, for example, when operating time of the printing device 30 can be viewed as printing time, a mechanism may be provided that can measure the operating time of the printing device 30. In this case, the time taken to print on can bodies may be calculated based on the measured operating time.
The electricity measurement section 343 measures an amount of electricity used for printing on can bodies by the printing device 30, as information indicative of the status of the printing device 30. Specifically, for example, the printing device 30 may be provided with a power meter that can measure the amount of electricity used. In this case, the amount of electricity used for printing on can bodies may be calculated based on the difference between the amount of electricity used at the start of printing and the amount of electricity used at the end of printing.
The ink amount measurement section 344 measures an amount of ink used for printing on can bodies by the printing device 30, as information indicative of the status of the printing device 30. Specifically, for example, each printing device 30 may be provided with a mechanism that can measure the amount of ink used and output the amount of ink remaining as numerical values. In this case, the amount of ink used for printing on can bodies may be calculated based on the difference between the amount of remaining ink at the start of printing and the amount of ink remaining at the end of printing. Alternatively, when a value indicative of the amount of ink needed for printing on a single can body is known in advance, the amount of ink used may be measured by multiplying this value by the quantity of can bodies having undergone the printing, which can be obtained from the quantity measurement section 341.
The position measurement section 345 measures a position of the printing device 30, as information indicative of the status of the printing device 30. For example, a global positioning system (GPS) location information about the printing device 30 may be used. The information indicative of the status of the printing device 30 as measured by the measurement section 34 is stored in the storage section 36 of the printing device 30 and/or a storage section 43 (described below) of the user PC 40.
The printing device 30 is connected to the user PC 40, which is a computer device operated by the user, either directly with an interface cable or via, e.g., a local area network (LAN), such as Ethernet®. For example, the user PC 40 provides various settings for the printing device 30 and acquires and presents information indicative of the status of the printing device 30, in addition to providing printed image information to the printing device 30. The user PC 40 is also connected to the host device 10 via the network 20 to acquire various kinds of information from the host device 10. In an implementation, the communication section 32 of the printing device 30 may directly communicate with the host device 10; in another implementation, the communication section 32 may communicate with the host device 10 via the user PC 40. These implementations may be used selectively depending on the relevant information.
The user PC 40 includes a control section 41 to control the entire device and a memory 42, such as a RAM, used as a working area for calculations. The user PC 40 further includes a storage section 43 to store programs and various setting data. The storage section 43 is implemented by a storage device such as a semiconductor memory and an HDD. The user PC 40 further includes a communication section 44 for data exchanges via the network 20 and/or for data exchanges through connection to the printing device 30. The user PC 40 further includes an operation section 45, such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a touch panel, and/or a bar-code reader, to receive inputs from the user using the printing device 30. The user PC 40 further includes a display section 46, such as one implemented by a liquid crystal display, for presentation of images and text information necessary for printing tasks performed by the user. The user PC 40 further includes a display control section 47 to control the display section 46.
It should be noted that, while the printing device 30 alone may be considered as the “can body printing device”, the printing device 30 and the user PC 40 may be collectively considered as the “can body printing device”.
Functions of the printing device 30 side (the printing device 30 or the printing device 30 and the user PC 40) in the present embodiment are now described. An advantageous feature of the present embodiment lies in that the printing device 30 performs, alone or jointly with the user PC 40, operations including stopping the printing upon detection of satisfaction of any of conditions set by a third party that is not the user.
For example, the “third party that is not the user” may be a company that provides the printing device 30 to the user. For example, the “conditions set by the third party that is not the user” may be conditions that are predetermined by the company providing the printing device 30 to the user based on the assumption that printing is performed on regular can bodies by the user. The “regular can bodies” include, for example, can bodies provided along with the printing device 30 by the company providing the printing device 30 to the user and can bodies provided by an entity authorized by the company providing the printing device 30. In this case, can bodies that are manufactured by any unauthorized entity without permission from the company providing the printing device 30 to the user (e.g., counterfeit products) are “irregular can bodies” that are not regular ones.
However, it is not necessarily easy to correctly recognize the regular can bodies. Thus, as an alternative to this approach, in the present embodiment, conditions that are predetermined based on the assumption that printing is performed on regular can bodies by the user are employed to accept and handle can bodies as the regular ones. In other words, while can bodies susceptible to these conditions are not necessarily the regular ones, these conditions are defined by the non-user third party to allow can bodies to be handled as the regular ones.
Examples of these conditions predetermined based on the assumption that printing is performed on regular can bodies by the user include a condition with respect to a predetermined quantity (prescribed quantity) of can bodies available for printing by the printing device 30. Examples of these conditions further include a condition with respect to time (prescribed time) taken by the printing device 30 to print on can bodies. Examples of these conditions further include a condition with respect to an amount of electricity (prescribed amount of electricity) used by the printing device 30 to print on can bodies. Examples of these conditions further include a condition with respect to an amount (prescribed amount) of ink used by the printing device 30 to print on can bodies. Examples of these conditions further include a condition with respect to a position (prescribed position) of the printing device 30.
The printing device 30 side further includes a status measurement section 303 to measure information indicative of the status of the printing device 30 using the measurement section 34. The printing device 30 side further includes a comparison enabling section 304 to perform, when necessary, a conversion process to enable comparison between the information measured by the status measurement section 303 and the information acquired by the condition acquisition section 301. The printing device 30 side further includes a status detection section 305 to detect, when printing is performed on one or more can bodies by the user, satisfaction of any of the conditions predetermined based on the assumption that printing is performed on regular can bodies by the user. The printing device 30 side further includes a print stopping section 306 to control a stoppage of the printing on can bodies, in response to the status detection section 305 detecting satisfaction of any of the conditions. The printing device 30 side further includes a detection result output section 307 to output information about the detection to the host device 10 via the communication section 32 and the network 20.
The conversion process by the comparison enabling section 304 converts values and the like so that the information indicative of the conditions predetermined based on the assumption that printing is performed on regular can bodies by the user and the information indicative of the status of the printing device 30 can be compared, in cases where a simple comparison therebetween is impossible.
In order to detect satisfaction of the above conditions, the status detection section 305 includes a prescribed quantity detection section 351, a prescribed time detection section 352, a prescribed electricity detection section 353, a prescribed amount detection section 354, and a prescribed position detection section 355.
The prescribed quantity detection section 351 detects that the quantity of can bodies having undergone the printing by the printing device 30 has reached the prescribed quantity. The prescribed time detection section 352 detects that the time taken for the printing on can bodies by the printing device 30 has reached the prescribed time. The prescribed electricity detection section 353 detects that the amount of electricity used for the printing on can bodies by the printing device 30 has reached the prescribed amount of electricity. The prescribed amount detection section 354 detects that the amount of ink used for the printing on can bodies by the printing device 30 has reached the prescribed amount. The prescribed position detection section 355 detects that the position of the printing device 30 has been displaced from the prescribed position.
The print stopping section 306 controls a stoppage of the printing on can bodies in response to any of the prescribed quantity detection section 351, the prescribed time detection section 352, the prescribed electricity detection section 353, the prescribed amount detection section 354, and the prescribed position detection section 355 detecting satisfaction of a corresponding one of the above conditions.
Specifically, the print stopping section 306 forces the printing to stop in response to the prescribed quantity detection section 351 detecting that the print quantity has reached the prescribed quantity. Forcing a stoppage of the printing by the printing device 30 makes it impossible for the user to perform printing on can bodies using the printing device 30 anymore. In other words, the user can perform printing on any can body, including irregular can bodies, until the print quantity reaches the prescribed quantity. Upon the print quantity reaching the prescribed quantity, the printing is forced to stop, so that the user can no longer perform printing on can bodies even though they are regular ones. The prescribed quantity is set to be equal to the quantity of regular can bodies purchased by the user.
Also, the print stopping section 306 forces the printing to stop in response to the prescribed time detection section 352 detecting that the printing time has reached the prescribed time. Forcing a stoppage of the printing by the printing device 30 makes it impossible for the user to perform printing on can bodies using the printing device 30 anymore. The prescribed time is defined by the provider of the regular can bodies to the user. The prescribed time is set to be equal to the printing time for the regular can bodies provided to the user.
Also, the print stopping section 306 forces the printing to stop in response to the prescribed electricity detection section 353 detecting that the amount of electricity used has reached the prescribed amount of electricity. Forcing a stoppage of the printing by the printing device 30 makes it impossible for the user to perform printing on can bodies using the printing device 30 anymore. The prescribed amount of electricity is defined by the provider of the regular can bodies to the user. Specifically, for example, an amount of electricity used for printing on a single can body is calculated in advance, and the prescribed amount of electricity is calculated by multiplying that amount of electricity by the number of regular can bodies provided to the user.
Also, the print stopping section 306 forces the printing to stop in response to the prescribed amount detection section 354 detecting that the amount of ink used has reached the prescribed amount. Forcing a stoppage of the printing by the printing device 30 makes it impossible for the user to perform printing on can bodies using the printing device 30 anymore. The prescribed ink amount is defined by the provider of the regular can bodies to the user. Specifically, for example, an amount of ink used for printing on a single can body is calculated in advance, and the prescribed ink amount is calculated by multiplying that amount by the number of regular can bodies provided to the user.
Also, the print stopping section 306 forces the printing to stop in response to the prescribed position detection section 355 detecting that the position of the printing device 30 has been displaced from the prescribed position. Forcing a stoppage of the printing by the printing device 30 makes it impossible for the user to perform printing on can bodies using the printing device 30 anymore. The prescribed position is defined by the provider of the printing device 30 to the user. Specifically, for example, in cases where the location of use of the printing device 30 is defined in detail in the contract or other documents agreed upon when the printing device 30 is provided to the user, that defined location is defined as the prescribed position.
Functions of the host device 10 according to the present embodiment are now described.
The host device 10 further includes a detection result acquisition section 106 to acquire, upon a stoppage of the printing in response to detection of satisfaction of any condition set by the condition setting section 102, information indicative of the stoppage from the printing device 30 side. The host device 10 further includes a detection result processing section 107 to recognize that the printing has been stopped in response to the detection of satisfaction of any condition set by the condition setting section 102.
Processing by the printing device 30 side (the printing device 30 or the printing device 30 and the user PC 40) is now described with reference to
The status measurement section 303 of the printing device 30 measures information indicative of the status of the printing device 30 using the measurement section 34 (step 103). Specifically, the quantity measurement section 341 of the measurement section 34 measures the quantity of can bodies having undergone the printing. The time measurement section 342 of the measurement section 34 measures the time taken for the printing. The electricity measurement section 343 of the measurement section 34 measures the amount of electricity used for the printing. The ink amount measurement section 344 of the measurement section 34 measures the amount of ink used for the printing. The position measurement section 345 of the measurement section 34 measures the position of the printing device 30.
The comparison enabling section 304 of the printing device 30 converts the information measured by the status measurement section 303 and the information acquired by the condition acquisition section 301 to enable comparison between them (step 104). The status detection section 305 of the printing device 30 detects that any of the conditions predetermined based on the assumption that printing is performed on regular can bodies by the user has been satisfied during printing on can bodies by the user (step 105). Specifically, the prescribed quantity detection section 351 detects that the quantity of can bodies having undergone the printing has reached the prescribed quantity. For example, when the prescribed quantity is 200, the prescribed quantity detection section 351 detects that the quantity of can bodies having undergone the printing has reached 200. The prescribed time detection section 352 detects that the time taken for the printing has reached the prescribed time. The prescribed electricity detection section 353 detects that the amount of electricity used for the printing has reached the prescribed electricity. The prescribed amount detection section 354 detects that the amount of ink used for the printing has reached the prescribed amount. The prescribed position detection section 355 detects that the position of the printing device 30 has been displaced from the prescribed position.
The print stopping section 306 of the printing device 30 determines whether a detection has occurred, i.e., whether the status detection section 305 has detected satisfaction of any of the conditions predetermined based on the assumption that printing is performed on regular can bodies by the user (step 106). Specifically, in response to the prescribed quantity detection section 351 detecting that the print quantity has reached the prescribed quantity, the print stopping section 306 determines that a detection has occurred. For example, when the prescribed quantity is 200, in response to the prescribed quantity detection section 351 detecting that the quantity of can bodies having undergone the printing has reached 200 the print stopping section 306 determines that a detection has occurred. Also, in response to the prescribed time detection section 352 detecting that the print time has reached the prescribed time, the print stopping section 306 determines that a detection has occurred. Also, in response to the prescribed electricity detection section 353 detecting that the amount of electricity used has reached the prescribed amount of electricity, the print stopping section 306 determines that a detection has occurred. Also, in response to the prescribed amount detection section 354 detecting that the amount of ink used has reached the prescribed amount, the print stopping section 306 determines that a detection has occurred. Also, in response to the prescribed position detection section 355 detecting that the position of the printing device 30 has been displaced from the prescribed position, the print stopping section 306 determines that a detection has occurred.
If none of the conditions has been satisfied (No at step 106), step 106 is repeated until the status detection section 305 detects satisfaction of any of the conditions. If the print stopping section 306 determines that a detection has occurred in response to detection of satisfaction of any of the conditions (YES at step 106), the print stopping section 306 stops the printing on can bodies by the printing section 33 (step 107). Then, the detection result output section 307 of the printing device 30 outputs information indicative of the occurrence of print stoppage to the host device 10 via the communication section 32 and the network 20 (step 108), and the process thus ends. The information output to the host device 10 may include, for example, information indicative of which condition was satisfied to cause the print stoppage, in addition to the information indicative of the occurrence of print stoppage.
Processing by the host device 10 is now described referring to
First of all, prior to printing by the printing device 30, the printing device information acquisition section 101 of the host device 10 acquires printing device information from, for example, a computer device (not shown) owned by the company providing the printing device 30, as shown in
After a stoppage of printing by the printing device 30, the detection result acquisition section 106 of the host device 10 acquires from the printing device 30 side the information indicative of the stoppage of printing in response to detection of satisfaction of any of the set conditions, as shown in
Thus, in the present embodiment, prior to the printing process by the printing device 30, the printing device 30 side (the printing device 30 or the printing device 30 and the user PC 40) acquires the information indicative of the conditions set by the host device 10. Detection of satisfaction of any of these conditions is made by the printing device 30 side. This eliminates the need for the host device 10 to sequentially monitor the processes executed by the printing device 30 side.
As described in detail above, according to the present embodiment, when satisfaction of any of the conditions predetermined based on the assumption that printing is performed on regular can bodies by the user is detected during a printing process by the printing device 30, the printing process is stopped. This allows, for example, a printing process to be performed on can bodies that can be considered as regular ones by manufacturers providing can bodies, manufacturers providing beverages, or the like.
In the present embodiment, information indicative of the status of the printing device 30 measured by the status measurement section 303 includes the quantity of can bodies having undergone the printing by the printing device 30, the operating time of the printing device 30, the amount of electricity and consumable used by the printing device 30, and the position of the printing device 30. However, information indicative of the status of the printing device 30 to be measured by the status measurement section 303 is not limited to these pieces of information, and any information that allows for measurement of the operation amount or position of the printing device 30 can be employed.
In the present embodiment, the ink is employed as an example of a consumable used by the printing device to print on can bodies. However, the consumable is not limited to the ink; any consumable whose usage increases in accordance with the increasing amount of printing by the printing device may be employed.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-016622 | Feb 2020 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2020/045403 | 12/7/2020 | WO |
