EP1736951A2 - Product identification device - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has an electronic display (6) disposed on the device by adhesive bonding, sealing, or riveting. The display exhibits two display conditions, where the display is opaque in one display condition and is transparent in other display condition. The display is formed as liquid crystal display (LCD) e.g. active-matrix-LCD. The display is received in a recess (5) and is enveloped by a liner.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for product identification according to the preamble of claim 1.

In particular, packaging, labels and scoreboards are used to label products. This marking includes information about the name or brand of the product, the quantity and quantity of the product, the type or type of product, the price of the product, the instructions for freshness and further information on individual product characteristics and advantages.

Packaging, labels and scoreboards are known in a variety of ways. By way of example only packaging such as boxes, boxes and crates, product packaging, such as individual beverage cans, beverage bottles and other beverage containers, but also small-sized boxes and cans and large-sized containers and general cargo containers are listed as packaging. These packages essentially consist of a single material, such as glass, metal, plastic, paper or cardboard or a composite material. You can monochrome, d. H. without information, but most will either have labels that contain more information about the packaged product, or they will have labels providing that information.

Typically, such labels are made of paper or plastic printed with the product information, for which various printing methods may be used. Before or after receiving the product in the packaging, this packaging is labeled so that the product is clearly marked.

Furthermore, scoreboards are known to provide information about a product, in particular his application, pricing and variety, and preferably in large packages, such as pallets or trays (trays with individual Troughs for a variety of products of the same kind), or on shelves in which a variety of products each issued in large quantities, or the like. Be used. Such scoreboards are usually made of paper, on which appropriate information is printed, and which is held in larger or smaller deployable or attachable recordings.

A disadvantage of these devices for product identification is the relatively high price that must be spent during the life of the device for the provision of information, the price results on the one hand from the creation and on the other hand also from the recycling of the information carrier.

For example, a paper label for a beverage bottle box costs 10 cents per circulation of the bottle crate in the distribution and return system. With a lifetime of 100 revolutions per bottle crate, this results in costs of 10 euros, which only result from the product or variety marking.

An alternative to such paper labels on crates is to use for each grade a special box having a particular and distinguishable design in color, shape and print. Such imprints were usually produced by the screen printing process.

A disadvantage of such special packaging is the sometimes quite large lead time that is needed between the provision of information and the use of packaging. For example, the creation of a beverage bottle crate adapted to a particular event requires a lead time of about half a year. In this way, it is usually impossible to react very quickly to certain events with a specific product identification, for example in the form of an advertisement.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for product marking, which reduces the disadvantages of the prior art or overcomes. In particular, the product labeling should be possible with this device more cost-effective over the life of reusable packaging and with very little lead time.

This object is achieved by a device for product identification according to claim 1.

The invention is based on the idea that an electronic information representation, in particular the change of this information, via a display can always be kept very up to date and over the life of the display is much cheaper, as in the conventional devices. In addition, for example, the entire package can be used as a product marking area. This provides a large area for product labeling.

Preferably, the display has at least two display states. In this case, a display state, for example, be formed by an image in the form of a graphic representation or a text and the other display state either no representation, as z. B. in a non-activated display the case, or include another image. Then, a selection of a particular display state, and thus responding to certain conditions better and faster possible.

Common electronic displays include conventional types, such as liquid crystal displays (LCD), in particular active matrix LCD or passive matrix LCD, and plasma displays, as well as novel developments, such as electrochromatic displays, electronic paper, light wave coupled electro-wetting devices (US Pat. LWC-EW-D) or the like can be used.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the device for product identification is a packaging, in particular a box, bottle crate, container or the like, and the display is in a first display state is substantially opaque and is substantially transparent in a second display state so that content of the package is detectable. As a result of this embodiment, sensitive products can be transported view-protected and the optical detection of the products can be enabled by activation only at the destination. On the other hand, it is also possible to protect the packaged product itself, for example UV-sensitive products, from harmful light effects.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention is a label for packaging and containers, such as bottles, glasses or the like., Which completely envelops the package or the container at least in one direction. As a result, the labeling of the product is recognizable on all sides. Flexible electronic displays are preferably used over a certain radius for this purpose.

Preferably, the display on the device permanently, in particular by sticking, pouring, riveting, or the like., Attached. However, it can also be mounted removable or replaceable, so that on the one hand new, but also more advanced displays can be used in the device and on the other hand, for example, in special promotions the buyer can keep the display. Advantageously, the display is received in a recess, since then the arrangement in the device is very easy and space saving. The security of the holder of the display in the device can be further increased if the display is bordered at least at a part of its edge. In order to increase the life of the display in the device, the display is advantageously enveloped by a carrier material, for example a film, in such a way that the display is protected, in particular, against moisture, corrosion or the like.

For product marking with sufficient contrast, the display has at least one display state with a two-color, in particular black and white, display. An even better visual perception and a higher information density can be achieved by a display state with a multi-color display.

In this case, the display preferably does not only display one but several different images per display state. If the display can be switched between the display states and / or the various images of a display state in rapid succession, additional attention, for example due to blinking effects and the like, can be obtained from the viewer and so the labeling of the product can be further improved.

Advantageously, a display is used, which requires no energy to maintain this display state after setting the display, so that the image of the display is virtually frozen.

A possibly nevertheless necessary electrical power supply of the display takes place in a preferred embodiment by an internal energy source, in particular a battery or the like. The display may also include means for receiving and / or means for storing energy of an external energy source, in particular a rechargeable battery, a capacitor or similar. This eliminates the need to replace the source of energy that would otherwise be required after a certain amount of time.

The display can be provided by the manufacturer of the device directly with the information on the product identification and their pictorial representation. However, it is preferred if the device also has, in addition to the means for receiving product identification information, means for storing this information and means for driving the display to display this information. Then this information can be transmitted very quickly to the device. Then the loading can be done directly and without delay in the production process of the device. For example, a production plant for beverage bottle crates has a run of about 3000 pieces per hour. That is, a certain point, for example, just before the issue of boxes, per second is passed by about a box. By means of radio technology, this time is sufficient to transmit the necessary information for product labeling on the beverage bottle crates and store it there.

Furthermore, the device preferably has means for sending information for product identification. As a result, the storage can be simplified because product identifiers are automatically queried.

Fig. 1

eine Mehrweg-Umverpackung,

Fig. 2

ein Etikett auf einer Mehrweg-Produktverpackung, insbesondere einer Getränkeflasche und

Fig. 3

eine Anzeigetafel.

Further characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent hereinafter with reference to preferred exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the associated purely schematic drawings. Show

Fig. 1

a reusable outer packaging,

Fig. 2

a label on a reusable product packaging, especially a beverage bottle and

Fig. 3

a scoreboard.

In Fig. 1, a reusable outer packaging 1, such as a packaging container for beverage cartons, shown, the side parts 2, 3, 4, for example, consist of a plastic. Within a continuous through the side wall 2 recess 5, an electronic display 6 is arranged and secured by a frame 7 against falling out.

The display 6 has two display states. In a first, it appears unobtrusive and light-tight, for example black or one of the packaging 1 adapted color. As a result, on the one hand, the product contained in the packaging 1 (not shown) is protected from light. On the other hand, it is also not possible to close the product without opening the packaging 1 if the packaging 1 contains no further information on the product. This wrapping of the contents may be of importance, inter alia, for transport and storage of certain products. If such concealment is not important, then the display 6 in the first display state, of course, also represent information, for example, by a two-color, non-viewing and light-tight display.

In a second display state of the display 6, it is transparent and translucent so that the product contained is recognizable. In this way, the product continues to remain in the package 1, but after the second display state has been unlocked, for example in a salesroom by authorized personnel, it is visible to everyone. If the packaging itself is hermetically sealed, it is possible to place the product virtually free and yet in a corrosion-protected environment.

The display 6 is powered by an internal battery with energy that is rechargeable. So the energy can be provided again and again, for example by radio transmission. In addition to the energy receiver required for this purpose, the packaging 1 contains a receiver for information, in the present case for switching over the two display states. With suitable coding, it is ensured that the switching takes place only by authorized forces. Energy and information receivers can be part of a single electrical circuit, which can be arranged to save space in or on the display and also takes over all other tasks, such as signal conversion and display control.

In addition to such outer packaging 1, which are received in a continuous recess and transparent in a display state and thus share the view of the product, other packaging are possible in which the display is housed as a decorative element on or in a side wall of the package. For this purpose, especially so-called electronic paper in question, which is formed on the one hand very flat as a film and on the other hand adapts to a certain extent to any surface shapes. This film may be glued, riveted or otherwise connected to the package. By activating the display of such a package, information about the name or brand of the product, number and quantity of the product, Product variety or type, the price of the product, freshness instructions and further information on individual product properties and advantages can be displayed.

On the other hand, it is also possible for the display 6, which if it does not itself have enough rigidity, to be accommodated in a carrier element to be removable from the packaging 1. Then slightly damaged displays 6 can be replaced or converted to 6 displays a newer generation. Or the buyer gets the opportunity to keep such a display, for example, in special promotions.

Such displays 6 can display two-color images in a display state, but displays 6 with multi-color representations can also be used. In addition, a fast switching between the display states or even different images in a display state may be provided. In this way, increased attention can be directed to the package 1 and thus to the product.

In Fig. 2, a reusable bottle 10 is shown, which is composed of a bottle body 11 a bottle bottom 12 and a bottleneck 13. On the bottle body 11, an inventive label 14 is arranged, which surrounds the bottle around its circumference. The label 14 may in turn be formed from an electronic paper and comprise suitable means for power supply and information processing and be glued directly to the bottle 10. It is covered by a foil or the like (not shown) against dirt and other external influences, so that the label 14 is enveloped and protected, as it were, under the outer layer of the bottle 10.

The label 14 shows product information about the content contained in the beverage bottle 10. This content, for example, in food over the lifetime of the reusable bottle 10 several times, in particular with each rotation, change and in addition, the information that is related to the content to be shown change. With the label 14 according to the invention are very flexible and fast, the desired information interchangeable and displayable.

In Fig. 3, a stack 20 of a product 21 is shown, as it is often found in wholesale markets. This stack 20 is associated with a display panel 22, which advertises the product 21 and features. The display panel 22 is attached to a stand 23 with a foot 24 so that it is clearly visible at eye level. The display panel itself in turn consists of an electronic display 25, which is received for stiffening and mounting in an example metallic frame 26. In particular, in such scoreboards 22 flashing displays or changing display conditions are used, since then makes the display panel 22 on itself and thus directly on the product 21 reinforced attention.

In addition to such standing display panels 22, other embodiments are possible. For example, scoreboards can be attached directly to a shelf on or above a shelf, thus indicating products 21 sorted there.

With future expected costs for such labels of 1 Euro per piece, the savings compared to conventional labels amount to 9 Euro or 90% with an average lifetime of 100 cycles. In addition to this decisive price advantage, the label 14 according to the invention offers a decisive time advantage, since the transfer of information for product identification already takes place directly during the filling of the beverage in the beverage bottle 10 and for the step of labeling with the time required for it omitted. As with the other advantages, this also applies to the packaging 1 according to the invention and the display panel 22 according to the invention, since here too the step of printing the product code is omitted.

Furthermore, the devices according to the invention have the advantage over conventional devices that a very fast exchange of information and thus a timely adaptation to certain events, such as athletic or major cultural events or the like., Is possible, which may even take place directly in the store itself, for example by radio transmission. As a result, for example, even from a central location in a shopping center all price awards can be changed directly and so immense personnel expenses and thus costs are avoided.

It has become clear from the above statements that the product identification device according to the invention can be used much more economically than conventional devices, since it is less expensive to maintain and brings decisive time advantages.

Claims (19)

Device for product labeling, in particular a packaging, a label, a display panel or the like, characterized by an electronic display. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the display has at least two display states. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the display is in the form of a liquid crystal display (LCD), in particular an active matrix LCD or passive matrix LCD, as an organically based light-emitting diode display (OLED display) or a polymer-based light-emitting diode display (PLED display), is designed as a plasma display, as an electrochromatic display, as an electronic paper, as a Light Wave Coupled Electro Wetting Device (LWC-EW-D) or the like. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is a packaging, in particular box, bottle crate, container or the like., And the display is substantially opaque in a first display state and in a second display state substantially transparent and so the content of the packaging is detectable. Device, characterized in that it is a label for packaging and containers, such as bottles, glasses or the like., Which completely envelops the package or the container at least in one direction. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display on the device permanently, in particular by sticking, pouring, riveting, or the like., Is arranged. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the display is removable or replaceable. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display is received in a recess, which in particular passes through a wall thickness of the device. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display is enclosed at least at a part of its edge. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display is wrapped by a carrier material, that the display in particular from moisture, corrosion or the like. Protects. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in at least one display state of the display, the display is two-tone, in particular black and white executed. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least in a display state of the display, the display is made multi-colored. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that different images can be displayed in at least one display state of the display. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display between the display states and / or the various images of a display state in rapid succession is switchable. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display is adapted to display the image of a display state permanently without power supply. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an internal energy source, in particular a battery or the like. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by means for receiving and / or means for storing energy of an external energy source, in particular a rechargeable battery, a capacitor or the like. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by means for receiving and means for storing information for product identification and means for driving the display to display this information. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by means for sending information.

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