System and method for tracking refillable packages filled at a bottling facility

Abstract

The present application provides a bottling facility for filling refillable packages. The bottling facility may include a filling machine for filling the refillable packages, a radio frequency identification tag positioned on the refillable packages, an radio frequency identification reader, and a data processing system in communication with the radio frequency identification reader. When the refillable packages are refilled, the radio frequency identification reader identifies the radio frequency identification tag, and the data processing system tracks the number of times the refillable packages have been refilled.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application and the resulting patent relate generally to refillable packages, such as plastic bottles, and more particularly to systems and methods for tracking such refillable packages to determine the age, usage, location, and other parameters of the packages. Background of the Invention

[0003] For many years, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers have been used to package beverages such as carbonated soft drinks (CSDs). Refillable CSD bottles represent a growing segment of renewable and sustainable packaging applications. Refillable CSD bottles can typically be reused approximately twenty or more times, or refill cycles, before the bottle must be removed from circulation and sent to a recycler. Bottles may be rejected for a variety of reasons, including visual appearance, chemical detection techniques, and performance loss. Bottle quality rejection data indicates that surface scratches, abrasions, and stress cracks at the base, shoulder, or finish likely account for the majority of bottle rejections. Surface scratch and abrasion damage can accumulate with each return cycle until the bottle becomes hazy. Cracking can be caused by the high-temperature caustic (aqueous alkaline) washing process used for sterilization, as well as other types of environmental agents. Therefore, determining how and why a specific bottle has been damaged can extend its overall lifespan in an environmentally friendly manner.

[0004] The life of a bottle can be measured in different ways, but the key metric is the number of times a bottle is returned and refilled before it is lost or damaged. This metric is interchangeably referred to as life, trips, cycles, refills, turns, etc. However, this information has been difficult to track using traditional date codes or other types of QR codes. Non-unique or "batch" codes are generally not useful in tracking the life of refillable bottles. Additionally, QR codes are susceptible to wear and scratching from caustic washing, production line interactions, shipping, consumer abuse, and other types of unforeseen interactions. Bottles nearing the end of their life may appear severely scratched, limiting the code's functionality at a time when the data may be most critical. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] This application and the resulting patent provide a bottling facility for filling refillable packages. The bottling facility may include a filling machine for filling the refillable packages, a radio frequency identification tag positioned on the refillable packages, an radio frequency identification reader, and a data processing system in communication with the radio frequency identification reader. When the refillable packages are refilled, the radio frequency identification reader identifies the radio frequency identification tag, and the data processing system tracks the number of times the refillable packages have been refilled.

[0007] The present application and the resulting patent further provide a method for tracking the life of a refillable package. The method may include the steps of placing an RFID tag on the refillable package, filling the refillable package at a bottling facility, distributing the filled refillable package to a customer, receiving the refillable package at the bottling facility, reading the RFID tag on the refillable package, and tracking the number of times the RFID tag has been read.

[0008] These and other features and improvements of the present application and the resultant patent will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the illustrated drawings and appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a plan view of a refillable package as may be described herein.

[0010] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a refillable package tracking system as may be described herein.

[0011] Figure 3 is a plan view of a refillable package having an RFID tag positioned thereon.

[0012] Figure 4 is a plan view of a refillable package having an RFID tag positioned thereon.

[0013] Figure 5 is a plan view of a refillable package having an RFID tag positioned thereon.

[0014] Figure 6 is a plan view of a refillable package having an RFID tag positioned thereon.

[0015] Figure 7 is with Figure 2 Flowchart of an exemplary bottling facility for use with a refillable packaging tracking system.

[0016] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary computer architecture for implementing the processes described herein.

[0017] Detailed description

[0018] Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the several views, Figure 1 A refillable package 10 as may be described herein is shown. In this example, the refillable package 10 may be in the form of a bottle 15. Although a bottle 15 is described herein, the refillable package 10 may have any convenient size, shape, or configuration and may include, by way of example only, a bottle, a can, a bag, or any type of container.

[0019] Generally speaking, the bottle 15 includes a base 20, a waist 25, a label plate 30, a neck 35, a mouth 40, and a closure 45. The base 20 of the bottle 15 can have an inwardly rounded "champagne" shape, or the bottle 14 can have a plurality of petal-shaped feet 50 or other types of support structures formed therein so that the bottle 15 as a whole can stand upright. Alternatively, the base 20 can be outwardly rounded and a separate base cup can be used. The waist 25 and neck 35 can be curved in shape, while the label plate 30 can be a relatively flat surface for applying a label or other type of covering.

[0020] Bottle 15 can be made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate). Further, similar types of thermoplastics can be used herein, such as HDPE (high-density polyethylene), PLA (polylactic acid), PP (polypropylene) or other types of materials. Bottle 15 can be manufactured by blow molding (which can include injection stretch blow molding (one or two steps or other) and extrusion blow molding) or similar types of molding technology. Thermoplastic material can be substantially transparent or translucent. Substantially transparent or translucent means that the consumer can see the contents of the bottle 15. Colored, transparent or other translucent materials can also be used herein. Cap 45 can be made of different types of thermoplastics, etc. Other types of materials can include glass, stainless steel, aluminum, etc.

[0021] Figure 2 FIG2 is a schematic diagram of an example of a refillable package tracking system 100 as may be described herein. The refillable package tracking system 100 may be used with any number or type of bottles 15 or other types or refillable packages 10. Each bottle 15 or other type of refillable package 10 may have a machine-readable indicia 110 positioned thereon. The machine-readable indicia 110 may take the form of a radio frequency identification ("RFID") tag 120, for example. Generally speaking, an RFID tag 120 includes a microchip and an antenna. The RFID tag 120 may communicate with an RFID reader 130. Specifically, the RFID tag 120 may be a proximity card, and the RFID reader 130 may be a proximity card coupling device. Such a proximity card may be a MIFARE electronic card provided by NXP Semiconductors of Eindhoven, the Netherlands. Similar cards may be provided by Paytec Spa of Como, Italy, and others. Similar devices may be used herein. The RFID tag 120 may be contact-based or contactless. The RFID reader 130 may read information from the RFID tag 120 and may write information to the RFID tag.

[0022] RFID reader 130 can communicate with network 140 and one or more data processing systems 150, etc. Refillable packaging tracking system 100 can also use one or more visual inspection devices 155 to inspect the condition of bottle 15. Visual inspection device 155 can include any type of camera, etc. to visually inspect the bottle. The overall operation and other functions of refillable packaging system 100 described herein can be controlled by computer 600, as will be described in more detail below.

[0023] The RFID tag 120 can communicate over a variety of wavelengths, including HF, UHF, LF, microwave, etc. The RFID tag 120 itself can utilize any technology standard, such as Bluetooth, IrDA, Home RF (SWAP), IEEE 802.11, etc. The RFID tag 120 can be an NFC (near field communication) tag. The RFID tag 120 is typically round or square in shape, but can have any convenient shape or size. The tag backing material can include PET or other polymers and elastomers, metal, paper, etc., while the front material can include PET or other polymers and elastomers. The tag solution can be transparent or printed. The backing material can be printed with materials, colors, and patterns that do not interfere with visual inspection equipment. The inner surface can improve the convenience of detection / interrogation, i.e., foam spacing, ferrous metal borders, etc.

[0024] Antenna materials can include metals and silicones. Polymers can be used to save costs, increase resistance to refillable environments, print circuits, and improve recycling, separation, extraction, or sustainability. Beamforming can be used to increase communication speed and integrity. The antenna can be custom shaped. For example, the antenna can be shaped like a Coca-Cola bottle or other type of marketing logo. Specifically, the antenna and logo can be shaped around a compound curve, such as on the bottle shoulder, or a loop that fits on the neck finish and sits on a support ring. Other shapes and sizes can be used so that the logo forms a loop antenna inside the concave bottom of the base 20. The logo can also be long and thin to accommodate curves or stretch. The antenna can be coiled, folded, or shaped so that it can stretch during blow molding. This configuration will have the additional advantage of being able to stretch or flex when the bottle shrinks and flexes during washing. The RFID tag 120 can be integrated with other technologies such as energy storage like printed capacitors, solid-state batteries and printed batteries, and energy harvesting technologies such as Wi-Fi harvesting, Bluetooth harvesting, solid or printed solar / photovoltaic, and piezoelectric and thermoelectric energy harvesting, electrostatics and nanogenerators. A GPS receiver can be used for location tracking.

[0025] The placement of the RFID tag 120 or other type of machine-readable indicia 100 on the bottle 15 or other type of refillable package can vary. Figure 3The placement of the RFID tag 120 around the neck 35 of the bottle 15 is shown. Figure 4 The placement of the RFID tag 120 around the label plate 30 of the bottle 15 is shown. Figure 5 The placement of the RFID tag 120 around the waist 25 of the bottle 15 is shown. Figure 6 The arrangement of the RFID tag 120 is shown around the base 20 of the bottle 15. The bottle 15 can be customized to better accommodate and protect the RFID tag 120. For example, the bottle 15 can include a pocket, recess, flat area, etc. to protect the RFID tag chip, antenna, or both.

[0026] In its most basic iteration, the RFID tag 120 can be applied to any exterior surface of the bottle 15, but care should be taken to avoid high-damage areas such as crash rings, support rings, stand rings, and similar locations. These areas are not off-limits, but many tag application methods may be affected by uneven surfaces (i.e., compound curves). The RFID tag 120 should be able to be applied to small radii of concave or convex surfaces, down to 30 mm, but typically in the range of 60-200 mm.

[0027] The neck 35 provides convenient access and consumer engagement, but this location, with its compound curve, is susceptible to wear during washing, potentially susceptible to engagement by star wheels or other types of bottling equipment, and may obstruct the view of bottle inspection cameras. Similarly, the RFID tag 120 can also be placed on the neck support ring. The label plate 30 is typically a single radius, thus providing easy attachment. Furthermore, the label plate 30 can be recessed from the impact ring. The RFID tag 120 can also be placed behind the label for protection. Unlike a visible 2D code, an RFID tag can be read through the label. However, if the RFID tag 120 is placed behind the label, consumers may not know where to scan it. Utilization in this area may require additional orientation and integration with label graphics. The waist 25 facilitates consumer access and is also the lowest wash flow area of ​​the sidewall. The base 20 offers the advantage of being highly protected from wear and environmental conditions, as well as low-flow areas within the washer. However, the washer's loading arm may contact the base 20. Furthermore, the base 20 may also be susceptible to stress cracking. Other arrangements of the RFID tag 120 within the bottle 15 may also be used. The RFID tag 120 may be positioned in a horizontal orientation, a vertical orientation, or an inclined orientation.

[0028] The RFID tag 120 can be attached to the bottle 15 in a variety of ways. For example, the RFID tag 120 can be attached via: a pre-applied adhesive, a hot melt adhesive that resists high wash temperatures, a cold glue that resists alkaline washes, a UV-curing adhesive, a double label with a second protective label placed over the tag, a pre-applied cold seal, a heat seal with direct heat, ultrasonic welding (induction can damage the tag) (heat sealing is ideal for tags placed inside the bottle), friction welding such as spin welding, injection molding into a preform, an in-mold label using stretch blow molding, a single-stage injection stretch blow molding process with the tag integrated during or between stages, a heat transfer process in which the tag is permanently affixed using resin and wax-based heat transfer technology, and / or a rigid tag that snaps into bottle features such as holes, ridges, and clefs. The RFID tag 120 can also have holes through which additional mounting techniques such as rivets or fasteners of similar or alternative materials can be used. The RFID tag 120 can also be integrated into a permanent label, particularly a shrink sleeve that wraps around the entire body of the bottle 15. Other types of attachment arrangements may be used herein.

[0029] RFID tag 120 can be used in conjunction with other technologies to determine bottle quality. Potentiometers, Wheatstone bridges, volume change strain gauges, CO2, shelf life, and shrinkage all have applications in both consumer quality and factory performance. For example, strain gauges indicate good CO2 retention. These can also measure shrinkage and report old bottles that may be below capacity or too short to be easily refilled. Such devices can also detect shock. Light / irradiance, chemical- or resistance-based thermometers, and humidity measurements can be used to protect products or alert customers to packaging abuse or improper handling and storage. Exposure limits can help reject packages before they are lost due to stress cracking or other damage. Liquid level detection can be used via a Wheatstone bridge or similar device. Printed circuits are used for contamination and chemical detection to prevent fraud, damage, misappropriation, and ensure environmental and consumer safety. This can be useful for PET packaging, where chemicals can be absorbed and subsequently transferred into the packaging. Tamper-evident seals, where the tag can be integrated with tamper-evident caps, labels, or other fragile devices. Timed printed circuits can be used for highly accurate data acquisition, such as shock, time-stamping exposure, or other events detected by the above technologies. Microbiological testing can be used for quality assurance and safety.

[0030] Multiple RFID tags 120 can be used together. Multiple tags can use different technologies, such as a combination of UH and HF. This has advantages in terms of read range, read speed, batch read, reader power level, etc. Multiple chips or tags are used to communicate with different stakeholders (consumers, customers, and recyclers), so different information can be conveyed to each stakeholder. Multiple tags can be physically or electronically linked together, where one tag is permanently located on the bottle and another tag is integrated into the cap / closure, label, bundled packaging, handle, crate, POP display, shelf, truck, etc.

[0031] Figure 7 A flow chart of a typical returnable bottling facility or plant 160 is shown. Bottles 15 may be transported from a warehouse 170 or other location to the bottling plant 160. The bottles 15 may be unloaded at a depalletizer 180, with new bottles 15 directed to a new bottle rinser 190, while used bottles 15 are washed and inspected. Specifically, used bottles 15 may be sent to a case opener 200, a bottle sprayer 210, a bottle sorter 230, a decapper 240, an electronic pre-wash inspection 250, a rejector 260, a visual pre-wash inspection 270, and a bottle washer 280. New and washed bottles may then be sent to an electronic post-wash inspection 290 and a visual post-wash inspection 300. The bottles 15 may then be filled in a conventional manner by a filler 310, a capper 320, a full bottle inspection 330, a date encoder 340, a labeler 350, a case packer 360, a base rinser 370, and a palletizer 380. The bottling plant 160 described herein is for example purposes only. Many different stations and functions may be used.

[0032] RFID readers 130 can be placed at many different locations within the bottling plant 160 and elsewhere during the bottle lifecycle. RFID readers 130 can be used at the plant gate for batch reading of incoming pallets. RFID readers 130 can be integrated into any existing equipment, such as ASEBIs, sniffers, sorters, washers, squeezers / taptones, fillers, labelers, sorting, palletizing, and more. Integration at every stage of the plant provides overall transparency. Bottles 15 are typically well-spaced within these inspection cells, so overlap is not a problem. In early iterations, inspection equipment may reject a bottle 15, and the quality assurance team or line operator can record the rejection and bottle number using a gate, iPad, phone, app, or custom reader. Further iterations could include readers at each piece of equipment's reject station. Data can be recorded at the station or uploaded to the data processing system 150 and / or cloud 140. Mature systems may have readers integrated by the OEM. Full integration allows for new capabilities, such as keeping a photograph of the bottle after each run through the visual inspection system to "observe" the development of stress cracking and wear, rather than simply passing / failing it. Furthermore, readers can be integrated into balers, grinders, and crushers to ensure destruction. Similarly, for semi-automated and automated logistics and warehouse management purposes, readers can be integrated into sorting operations, trucks, store shelves, forklifts, and pallet trucks.

[0033] Specifically, the bottling plant 160 can use RFID data in any number of different ways. For example, inbound product tracking, inventory management, FIFO, shipping, and receiving. A major issue can be sorting, as this is a major cost driver. RFID will allow sorting to be performed without direct line of sight. Therefore, crates can be checked for correctness more quickly and in a more cost-effective and accurate manner without the need for overhead cameras and machine vision. Sorted bottles 15 can be inventoried and staged for production in a faster manner. Sorted bottles 15 can be assigned to different products based on previous fills (which is a challenge with generic bottles), and quality complaints can be reduced.

[0034] Bottles 15 with additional damage may be sorted to areas where sales are less affected by appearance or other factors. New bottles 15 that do not meet specifications can be accurately counted and compensated. Bottling plant 160 can track a bottle's total journey, average lifespan, lifespan / round distribution, time on site, flavor, complaints, damage, and more. Inspections at each stage will allow R&D to track each SKU, design variant, or other factor throughout the bottle's lifespan. Currently, if a design change is made, it is nearly impossible to assess the effectiveness of the change. Bottling plants can also add or write data to bottles (such as ex-factory date, flavor information, CO2 information, etc.) to enable faster communication with consumers without cellular or Wi-Fi data to access some or all of the bottle's key data. Bottling plant 160 may also choose to distribute promotions, games, sweepstakes, codes, or other marketing information. Information about recycling and overall carbon footprint can be used. OLED and screen implementations can implement permanent labeling that changes color and branding based on the bottle's contents.

[0035] Bottling plant 160 can also track key performance indicators such as stress cracking. Currently, stress cracking can be detected visually and rejected if deemed too severe. When cracking is severe, bottles 15 may burst and product may be lost. The impact of this loss can extend to other bottles, labels, cleanup operations, and more. RFID readers 130 at each station, in communication with data processing system 150, will be able to visually monitor the development of cracking, cross-check this information with equipment detecting CO2 loss, and count any bursts found in the warehouse. This data can be cross-checked against various variables, such as batch code, production code, and bottle processing variables (such as time, travel, location, temperature, humidity, line lubricant, production variables, line operator, on-site time, etc.). Thus, over time, the plant can gain empirical data and test new variables. For example, a new line lubricant that reduces stress cracking is difficult to monitor because the fleet of new and used bottles carried on-site have already been exposed to various factors. The plant may also learn that stress cracking is increasing in a specific area and may choose to inspect that area through targeted messaging or intentionally send used bottles to higher-risk areas. Finally, through big data / machine learning, pictures of stress crack development can be fed into algorithms that can better detect failures, and this data can be used for new bottle designs or other R&D. The algorithm can help monitor known variables and recommend changes, such as reducing production on high-humidity days when the risk of bursting is higher, or recommending the use or shutdown of heaters and plant dehumidifiers (to reduce the plant's overall carbon footprint) based on seasonal changes or weather patterns.

[0036] If the bottle 15 were integrated with other technology that could detect pressure and fill levels, the equipment itself could change. Traditional fill-height mechanisms might be replaced with self-assessing bottles that tell the machine when to stop filling, or bottles that could report hot spots in the scrubber that are damaging the resin. A self-reporting bottle might also be able to let the warehouse know that it has cracked and should be removed. Currently, the only sign is the visibility or appearance of a puddle, but finding the bottle within a pallet is very difficult. Meanwhile, the dripping product makes other bottles gooey, making them unsellable. The savings from such a system could be significant. The bottling plant 160 could also write information such as flavor into the bottle and cross-check that information to ensure the bottle has the correct label.

[0037] Data can be collected for individual bottles 15 or associated with crates and pallets. Currently, automated warehouses waste materials and capital expenditures to wrap pallets and place labels on them. RFID tags 120 can eliminate this wasteful plastic wrapping. Crates can also be custom-sorted for more efficient delivery. Stacks can include a mix of flavors destined for a single store, limiting picking costs and speeding up delivery to that store.

[0038] The use of RFID tags 120 can also improve overall safety. Bottling plants 160 can ensure rejected bottles 15 are not returned to the production line. When bottles enter the grinder, they can be monitored to ensure destruction. Tags can also be used for product recalls, allowing stores, consumers, regulators, and others to distinguish low-quality batches from high-quality batches with 100% accuracy and proactively remove bottles. Chemical detection applications can be used to prevent adulteration and alert users to external chemicals, such as those that may be present in conflict zones. Consumers can request that their used bottles be refilled and shipped back to them. RFID in production and warehousing will enable this capability. Bottles can alert the plant to poor driving, rough roads, drops, and improper handling. Overall algorithms can use information such as weather and traffic to inform operational improvements.

[0039] RFID readers 130 can also be used at recyclers and customers. For example, a reader in a vending machine can ensure that bottles arrive at the correct location, and consumers may be rewarded for correct behavior. Readers can also be used at customer entrances to prevent theft, built into scanners for rapid checkout, built into display counters to ensure shelf stocking and planogram accuracy, built into rear doors for shipping and receiving, and so on.

[0040] Open codes can be used to immediately reward users who correctly return bottles 15. These codes can be used for reverse vending to ensure the correct bottles are received. Bottles on recycling belts may be easier to detect than with 2D codes or machine vision. These bottles could be pulled back to the factory. Trash cans could also tell users to send their bottles elsewhere. Consumers whose bottles are found to be waste could receive different rewards, such as customized incentives and refunds. For example, consumers who return contaminated bottles might receive a smaller refund or targeted advertising about proper use. Bottles could be cross-checked to prevent recycling fraud—where bad bottles are cashed in, stolen, double-counted, or other bottle billing scams (thus saving companies and local authorities money). Bottle returns and recycling can be tracked so that data can be reported for various reasons, such as regulatory requirements or waste requirements. Bottles found to be waste could be fined and returned to their last known user. This data can be shared with various non-governmental organizations, such as those involved in cleanups, river trash interceptors, and ocean-going vessels. Consumers could be alerted that the bottle was detected but successfully intercepted en route to the ocean.

[0041] Likewise, customers / vendors can use the RFID tags 120 in any manner, such as theft prevention, shelf stocking, planogram accuracy, block and face warnings, low stock warnings, just-in-time stocking and ordering, integration with POP displays, integration with source refills, express checkout systems, walk-up stores, programming promotions or coupons, etc., to prevent fraud and price gouging.

[0042] In a similar manner, consumers can also use RFID tags 120. For example, consumers can send messages to other people and bottling plants 160. These messages can include contest submissions, quality assurance complaints, requests, photos of bottle return locations, and so on. Consumers can also write their names on the bottles so they can check which bottle is theirs if they attend a party or forget it. Consumers may also want to share GPS data for games, contests, or other activities. Consumers can write secret messages or share "cards," pictures, GPS, text, voice, or other data with the next person to read the code. The bottle can also be paired with amusement park rides or movie tickets to unlock additional features, coupons, or experiences.

[0043] Figure 8 An example computer architecture is shown for a computer 600 capable of executing program components for implementing the various elements in the manner described herein. Figure 8The computer architecture shown in exemplifies a conventional server computer, workstation, desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, network appliance, electronic reader, smart phone, or other computing device and can be used to execute any of the software components presented herein. For example, Figure 8 The computer architecture shown in FIG. 1 may be used to execute software components for providing the functions and features described with reference to the above figures and / or related functions. Figure 8 The computer architecture shown in may also be used to implement data processing system 150 or any other computing system described herein.

[0044] The computer 600 includes a baseboard 602 or "motherboard," which is a printed circuit board to which multiple components or devices can be connected via a system bus or other electrical communication path. In one illustrative configuration, one or more central processing units (CPUs) 604 operate in conjunction with a chipset 606. The CPU 604 can be a standard programmable processor that performs the arithmetic and logic operations necessary for the operation of the computer 600.

[0045] The CPU 604 performs operations by transitioning from one discrete physical state to another by manipulating switching elements that differentiate and change between these states. Switching elements typically include electronic circuits such as flip-flops that maintain one of two binary states, and electronic circuits such as logic gates that provide an output state based on a logical combination of the states of one or more other switching elements. These basic switching elements can be combined to create more complex logic circuits, including registers, adder-subtractors, arithmetic logic units, floating-point units, and the like.

[0046] Chipset 606 provides an interface between CPU 604 and the remaining components and devices on baseboard 602. Chipset 606 can provide an interface to RAM 608, which serves as the main memory in computer 600. Chipset 606 can further provide an interface to computer-readable storage media such as read-only memory (ROM) 610 or non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) for storing basic routines that help start computer 600 and transfer information between various components and devices. ROM 610 or NVRAM can also store other software components necessary for the operation of computer 600 according to the configuration described herein.

[0047] The computer 600 can operate in a networked environment using logical connections to remote computing devices and computer systems through a network, such as a local area network 620. Chipset 606 may include functionality for providing network connectivity through a NIC 612, such as a Gigabit Ethernet adapter. The NIC 612 can connect the computer 600 to other computing devices through the network 620. It should be understood that multiple NICs 612 can be present in the computer 600, thereby connecting the computer to other types of networks and remote computer systems.

[0048] The computer 600 can be connected to a mass storage device 618 that provides non-volatile storage for the computer. The mass storage device 618 can store system programs, application programs, other program modules, and data that have been described in more detail herein. The data processing system 150 can be integrated with the mass storage device and / or a separate device. The mass storage device 618 can be connected to the computer 600 via a storage controller 614 connected to the chipset 606. The mass storage device 618 can be composed of one or more physical storage units. The storage controller 614 can be connected to the physical storage unit interface via the following: a serial attached SCSI (SAS) interface, a serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) interface, a fiber channel (FC) interface, or other types of interfaces for physically connecting a computer and a physical storage unit and transferring data between them.

[0049] The computer 600 can store data on the mass storage device 618 by transforming the physical state of the physical storage unit to reflect the information being stored. In different embodiments of the present specification, the specific transformation of the physical state can depend on various factors. Examples of such factors can include, but are not limited to, the technology used to implement the physical storage unit, whether the mass storage device 618 is characterized as a primary or secondary storage device, etc.

[0050] For example, the computer 600 can store information in the mass storage device 618 by issuing instructions through the storage controller 614 to change the magnetic properties of specific locations within a disk drive unit, the reflective or diffraction properties of specific locations in an optical storage unit, or the electrical properties of specific discrete components in a solid-state storage unit. Other transformations of the physical media are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this specification, wherein the foregoing examples are provided only to facilitate this description. The computer 600 can further read information from the mass storage device 618 by detecting the physical state or properties of one or more specific locations within the physical storage unit.

[0051] In addition to the mass storage device 618 described above, the computer 600 may also access other computer-readable storage media to store and retrieve information, such as program modules, data structures, or other data. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that computer-readable storage media is any available media that provides non-transitory storage of data and can be accessed by the computer 600.

[0052] By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable storage media may include volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology. Computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to: RAM, ROM, erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory or other solid-state memory technology; compact disk ROM (CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD), high-definition DVD (HD-DVD), Blu-ray (BLU-RAY) or other optical storage devices; magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage devices or other magnetic storage devices; or any other medium that can be used to store desired information in a non-transitory manner.

[0053] The mass storage device 618 can store an operating system 530 for controlling the operation of the computer 600. According to one configuration, the operating system includes at least one of the following: a LINUX operating system, a WINDOWS.RTM.SERVER operating system from Microsoft Corporation, and a UNIX operating system or one of its variants. It should be understood that other operating systems can also be utilized. The mass storage device 618 can store other systems or applications and data utilized by the computer 600, such as one or more applications for performing the functions of the server 180 and / or any of the other software components and data described above. The mass storage device 618 can also store other programs and data 652 not specifically identified herein.

[0054] In one configuration, the mass storage device 618 or other computer-readable storage medium is encoded with computer-executable instructions that, when loaded into the computer 600, transform the computer from a general-purpose computing system into a special-purpose computer capable of implementing the configurations described herein. The computer-executable instructions transform the computer 600 by specifying how the CPU 604 transitions between states, as described above. According to one configuration, the computer 600 can access a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the computer 600, perform the various routines described above with respect to the figures herein. The computer 600 can also include a computer-readable storage medium for performing any of the other computer-implemented operations described herein.

[0055] The computer 600 may also include one or more input / output controllers 616 for receiving input from a plurality of input devices and processing the input, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch pad, a touch screen, a capacitive input device, or other types of input devices. Similarly, the input / output controller 616 may provide output to a display, such as a computer monitor, a flat-panel display, a digital projector, a printer, a plotter, or other types of output devices. It should be understood that the computer 600 may not include Figure 8 All components shown in Figure 8 Other components not explicitly shown may be utilized with Figure 8 A completely different architecture than the one shown in .

[0056] It should be understood that the foregoing relates only to certain embodiments of the present application and the resulting patent. Numerous changes and modifications may be made herein by those skilled in the art without departing from the overall spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A bottling facility for filling plastic bottles, said facility comprising: a bottle washing station for washing each plastic bottle prior to filling; a filling machine, the filling machine being used to fill the plastic bottles; a radio frequency identification tag, the radio frequency identification tag being positioned on the plastic bottle; RFID readers; a data processing system in communication with the radio frequency identification reader; as well as Visual inspection systems; wherein the RFID reader recognizes the RFID tag when the plastic bottle is refilled, and the data processing system tracks the number of times the plastic bottle is refilled, The bottling facility sends used plastic bottles to a visual pre-wash inspection and washes plastic bottles to a visual post-wash inspection, and The visual inspection system inspects the plastic bottles for stress cracking.

2. The bottling facility of claim 1, wherein: The RFID tag is positioned around the neck of the plastic bottle.

3. The bottling facility of claim 1, wherein: The radio frequency identification tag is positioned around the label plate of the plastic bottle.

4. The bottling facility of claim 1, wherein: The RFID tag is positioned around the waist of the plastic bottle.

5. The bottling facility of claim 1, wherein: The radio frequency identification tag is positioned around the base of the plastic bottle.

6. The bottling facility of claim 1, wherein: The RFID tag may be active or passive.

7. The bottling facility of claim 1, wherein: The radio frequency identification tag includes a microchip and an antenna.

8. The bottling facility of claim 7, wherein: The antenna includes a shape wrapping a compound curve, a loop shape, or a coiled shape.

9. The bottling facility of claim 1, wherein: The radio frequency identification reader comprises a near field communication reader.

10. The bottling facility of claim 1, wherein: The bottle washing station includes a caustic solution.

11. The bottling facility of claim 1 , wherein: The filling machine adds carbonated soft drinks, juice or water to refillable packages.

12. A method for tracking the lifespan of a plastic bottle, the method comprising: placing a radio frequency identification tag on the plastic bottle; Wash each plastic bottle before filling; filling the plastic bottles at a bottling facility; Distribute the filled plastic bottles to customers; receiving the plastic bottles at the bottling facility; reading the radio frequency identification tag on the plastic bottle; tracking the number of times said plastic bottle is refilled; Send used plastic bottles for visual pre-wash inspection, and send washed plastic bottles for visual post-wash inspection; as well as The plastic bottles were inspected for stress cracking by a visual inspection system.

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