Plastic articles with integrated barcodes that can be read to reveal material tracking information

Abstract

A system for applying computer-readable matrix bar codes to plastic articles associated with input raw materials used to form the plastic articles is provided. The system includes a bar code applicator located downstream of an article-forming operation. The bar code applicator is configured to provide a computer-readable matrix bar code on a surface of the plastic article. The system further includes a controller communicatively connected to the bar code applicator. The controller has one or more processors configured to cooperatively receive tracking information for one or more components of the input raw materials used to form the plastic article, generate computer-readable matrix bar codes that are readable to display the received tracking information for each component, and send one or more instructions to the bar code applicator instructing the bar code applicator to provide the generated computer-readable matrix bar code on the surface of the plastic article.

Description

Description of Related Applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 421700, filed November 2, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Technical Field]

[0002] The teachings disclosed herein relate generally to plastic articles and their manufacture. In particular, the teachings disclosed herein relate to plastic articles having an integrated barcode that can be read to display tracking information related to raw material inputs used to form the plastic article. [Background technology]

[0003] U.S. Patent No. 5,929,999 (Scharfenort et al.) discloses a method for visualizing invisible information on packaging material to provide traceability. The method includes the steps of reading invisible information from the packaging material with a magnetic head reader, processing the invisible information in a central processing unit together with additional new invisible information, and printing an optional portion of the amount of combined invisible information as a traceability mark on the packaging material. The invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method and a packaging line with a filling machine using the apparatus.

[0004] Patent Document 2 (Yuse et al.) discloses a food container equipped with an identification code and a method for forming an identification code for a food container that allows quick and easy acquisition of information that can vary for each individual container, even for the same product or commodity. The exterior surface of the containerized food is marked with (A) a two-dimensional code that displays the URL of an internet site where information about the containerized food can be found, (B) a character display consisting of letters, symbols, or a combination thereof that is used to access individual information for each individual container of the containerized food within the internet site, and (C) a date display of at least one of the containerized food's manufacturing date, expiration date, and best-before date.

[0005] U.S. Patent No. 6,277,999 (Duckett et al.) describes a method for remotely updating information related to food items. The method comprises configuring an application that can receive nutritional, allergy, date, or other important information specific to the food item. The information can be updated either automatically or manually. The data is entered into the application and linked to a remote database by a key identifier. The food item is then tagged or labeled to allow the user to access the latest updated information. The method of this invention can be used with intelligent printers, such as RFID, QR code, or barcode printers, smart devices, or personal computers.

[0006] Patent Document 4 (Ichikawa) discloses a food packaging container that can accurately and quickly transmit information about food to individual consumers, intermediaries, etc., so that various data processing can be easily performed based on that information. Information about food, such as nutritional information, is recorded on the food packaging container in the form of a two-dimensional code. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 8,579,204 B2 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 234656A [Patent Document 3] US Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0354992A1 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002 / 293332A Summary of the Invention

[0008] The following summary is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the applicants' teachings but is not intended to define any invention.

[0009] In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a plastic article is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of obtaining input raw materials suitable for manufacturing the plastic article and for which tracking information is known, molding the plastic article from the input raw materials, generating a computer-readable matrix barcode that can be read to display the tracking information, and providing the computer-readable matrix barcode on a surface of the plastic article.

[0010] In some examples, the input raw material includes a first component and at least a second component, and the tracking information includes first tracking information for the first component and second tracking information for the second component.

[0011] In some instances, obtaining the input raw materials includes establishing relative proportions among at least the first and second components.

[0012] In some instances, at least one of the first and second components is a recycled material.

[0013] In some examples, forming the plastic article includes thermoforming the plastic article.

[0014] In one example, the method further comprises extruding a plastic sheet produced from the input raw materials prior to the step of thermoforming the plastic article.

[0015] In one example, the process of forming the plastic article includes one of injection molding, vacuum forming, and blow molding the plastic article.

[0016] In one example, the computer readable matrix barcode is a Quick Response (QR) code.

[0017] In one example, providing a computer readable matrix barcode includes etching the computer readable matrix barcode onto a surface of the plastic article using a laser.

[0018] In one example, the input raw materials include one of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, and polystyrene.

[0019] In one example, the method further includes generating a modified computer readable matrix barcode in response to changes in the raw material input.

[0020] In some examples, the change in the raw material input includes at least one of a composition change, a source change, and a change in the proportion of at least one component of the raw material input.

[0021] In one example, the method further comprises, after the step of providing a computer-readable matrix barcode on a surface of the plastic article, stacking the plastic article onto a previously manufactured plastic article.

[0022] In some examples, the step of molding the plastic article occurs after the step of generating the computer readable matrix barcode.

[0023] In one example, the step of providing a computer-readable matrix barcode on a surface of the plastic article occurs within one minute of completing the step of molding the plastic article.

[0024] In one example, generating the computer-readable matrix barcode includes encoding a uniform resource locator (URL) associated with the tracking information into the matrix barcode.

[0025] In another aspect, a system for applying computer-readable matrix bar codes to a plastic article associated with input raw materials used to form the plastic article is disclosed. The system includes a bar code applicator disposed downstream of an article-forming operation. The bar code applicator is configured to provide a computer-readable matrix bar code on a surface of the plastic article. The system further includes an electronic controller communicatively connected to the bar code applicator. The electronic controller has one or more computer processors configured to cooperatively receive tracking information for one or more components of the input raw materials used to form the plastic article, generate computer-readable matrix bar codes that can be read to display the received tracking information for each component, and transmit one or more instructions to the bar code applicator instructing the bar code applicator to provide the generated computer-readable matrix bar code on the surface of the plastic article.

[0026] In one example, to generate the computer-readable matrix barcode, one or more computer processors are configured to jointly encode a URL associated with the tracking information in the computer-readable matrix barcode.

[0027] In one example, the one or more computer processors are configured to cooperatively generate modified computer readable matrix barcodes in response to changes in the input raw materials.

[0028] In some examples, the change in raw material input includes at least one of a composition change, a source change, and a percentage change of at least one of the one or more ingredients.

[0029] In one example, one or more computer processors are configured to collectively receive tracking information that is modified in response to changes in input materials.

[0030] In one example, the bar code applicator is located upstream of the article stacking operation.

[0031] In one example, the bar code applicator is located upstream of the article finishing operation.

[0032] In one example, the barcode applicator is a laser configured to etch a computer-readable matrix barcode onto the surface of a plastic article.

[0033] In one example, the computer readable matrix barcode is a Quick Response (QR) code.

[0034] In another aspect, a plastic article is disclosed. The plastic article includes an article body molded from an input raw material. The input raw material includes one or more components, and tracking information for each component is known. The plastic article further includes a computer-readable matrix barcode disposed on a surface of the article body. The computer-readable matrix barcode is associated with the input raw material and can be read to display tracking information for each component.

[0035] In one example, the input material is clear plastic.

[0036] In one example, the computer readable matrix barcode is a Quick Response (QR) code.

[0037] In one example, the computer readable matrix barcode is laser etched onto the surface of the article body.

[0038] In some instances, the computer readable matrix barcode and the article body are of unitary construction.

[0039] Other aspects and features of the teachings disclosed herein will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0040] For a better understanding of the described examples and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a plastic article according to aspects of the teachings disclosed herein; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of another plastic article according to aspects of the teachings disclosed herein. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the physical layout of a facility for manufacturing plastic articles according to aspects of the teachings disclosed herein. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating another physical arrangement of a facility for manufacturing plastic articles according to aspects of the teachings disclosed herein. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic controller communicatively connected to a bar code applicator and a remote storage device; [Figure 6] 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a plastic container according to aspects of the teachings disclosed herein. [Figure 7] Schematic diagram of an exemplary tracking report displayed on the screen of a user's electronic device. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of another exemplary tracking report displayed on the screen of a user's electronic device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] The drawings included herein are for the purpose of illustrating various examples of the apparatus and methods of the teachings herein and are not intended to limit the scope of the teachings in any way.

[0042] Various apparatus or processes are described below to provide examples of each claimed invention. No examples described below limit any claimed invention, and any claimed invention may be directed to a process or apparatus different from those described below. A claimed invention is not limited to an apparatus or process having all of the features of any one apparatus or process described below, nor to features common to more than one or all of the apparatuses described below. An apparatus or process described below may not be an example of a claimed invention. Any inventions disclosed in the apparatus or processes described below that are not claimed herein may be the subject of other means of protection, such as, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicant, inventor, or owner does not intend to abandon, disclaim, or dedicate such inventions to the public by disclosure herein.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 1 , a plastic article 100 according to embodiments of the teachings disclosed herein includes a readable matrix barcode that provides access to tracking information regarding the input raw materials used to form the plastic article. Many food items and consumer goods are sold in disposable plastic articles, such as bottles, containers, blister packs, and clamshells. In 2022, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development estimated that only 9% of plastic waste will ultimately be recycled. The remainder of plastic waste ends up in landfills or is littered on land or in water. Consumers are aware of the environmental impact of plastic waste and make purchasing decisions based on sustainability criteria.

[0044] As disclosed in more detail subsequently herein, material tracking information accessed from a readable matrix barcode can aid a prospective purchaser in making a purchasing decision. For example, a prospective purchaser may prefer to purchase food items or consumable goods packaged in a plastic article 100 that provides access to tracking information for the input raw materials used to form the plastic article 100 (as opposed to food items or consumable goods packaged in plastic articles that do not provide such tracking information). Alternatively, if a prospective purchaser is choosing from among a number of food items or consumable goods packaged in different plastic articles 100 that provide available tracking information for the input raw materials used to form each plastic article, the purchaser can select the food items or consumable goods packaged in the plastic article 100 with the tracking information they prefer.

[0045] The plastic article 100 includes an article body 102 molded from input raw materials. The input raw materials include one or more components. Tracing information for at least one of the components is known. In some instances, tracing information for each component is known.

[0046] In the illustrated example, the article body 102 includes a bottom wall 104 and a sidewall 106 extending upwardly and laterally outwardly from the periphery of the bottom wall 104. The sidewall 106 and bottom wall 104 laterally and below enclose an interior space 108 for holding one or more items, such as food items or consumable goods. Optionally, the article body 102 may include a removable lid for enclosing the interior space 108 from above. The size and shape of the plastic article 100 can be selected to meet the requirements of a packager. In the illustrated example, the plastic article 100 is a generally square container. In certain examples, the plastic article 100 may be shaped as a tray, clamshell, blister pack, pouch, or any other shape suitable for holding items to be packaged.

[0047] The plastic article 100 further includes a computer-readable matrix barcode 110 disposed on any available surface of the article body 102. The computer-readable matrix barcode 110 is associated with the input raw material and can be read to display tracking information for at least one component of the input raw material. In instances where the tracking information for each component is known, the matrix barcode 110 can be read to display the tracking information for each component.

[0048] The tracking information for each ingredient includes at least one of ingredient composition, ingredient source, and ingredient amount. For example, the ingredient composition may be polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene, polystyrene, or polyethylene. For example, the ingredient source may be virgin resin, post-industrial regrind, post-consumer regrind, or recovered marine plastic. The ingredient source may further specify where the ingredient was sourced (e.g., marine plastic recovered from the Pasig River in Manila, Philippines, food-grade regrind from a recycling facility in Guelph, Ontario, etc.). For example, the ingredient amount may be the volume or mass of the ingredient in the input raw material. Alternatively, or in addition, the ingredient amount may be the ratio of the ingredient to other ingredients in the input raw material.

[0049] In the illustrated example, the matrix barcode 110 is provided on the outer surface of the bottom wall 104. In the illustrated example, the matrix barcode 110 can be read from below (as viewed in FIG. 1 ) the plastic article 100. For example, a user can orient the plastic article 100 so that the matrix barcode 110 can be read by the camera lens of the user's smartphone or tablet. Providing the matrix barcode 110 on the outer surface of the article body 102 allows for easier user access. However, in some examples, the matrix barcode 110 is provided on the inner surface of the article body 102.

[0050] The matrix barcode 110 can have any format in which data is encoded by a machine-readable arrangement of visual elements, such as, for example, Data Matrix, MaxiCode, Vericode, PDF417, Aztech Code, etc. In the illustrated example, the matrix barcode 110 is a Quick Response (QR) code. Data is encoded into the "QR code" by an arrangement of squares. When scanned with an optical scanning device, the encoded data is converted back to its original form. In one example, the matrix barcode 110 carries (e.g., encodes) a uniform resource locator (URL) associated with a web landing page.

[0051] In one example, the matrix barcode 110 and the article body 102 are of one unitary construction. In the illustrated example, the matrix barcode 110 is laser etched onto the bottom wall 104 of the article body 102. This prevents the matrix barcode 110 from being removed from the plastic article 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the input raw material used to form the plastic article 100 is a transparent plastic (e.g., PET). The laser-etched matrix barcode 110, in the illustrated example, does not include black or white. The laser can etch the matrix barcode 110 into the surface of the article body 102 such that the contrast difference between the various elements in the matrix barcode 110 is sufficient for an optical scanning device to detect it.

[0052] In one example, the matrix barcode 110 is applied to the article body 102 at the time the plastic article 100 is manufactured and is associated with the input raw materials used to form the plastic article 100. Within a manufacturing facility, different batches of plastic articles 100 are produced sequentially, with each new batch of plastic articles 100 potentially having different input raw materials. For example, a manufacturing facility may produce 50,000 salad containers made from 50% virgin PET and 50% recycled PET, followed by 70,000 meat trays made from 75% virgin PET and 25% recycled PET. Applying the matrix barcode 110 to the plastic article 100 at the time of manufacturing that associates it with the input raw materials used to form the plastic article 100 improves efficiency and accuracy compared to applying the matrix barcode 110 to the plastic article 100 after manufacturing is complete. After manufacturing, plastic articles are stacked, making application of the matrix barcode time consuming. This is because the articles must be separated and then re-stacked after the matrix barcode is applied. Additionally or alternatively, after manufacture, it may be difficult to determine or remember which raw material inputs were used to form the plastic article.

[0053] In one example, the matrix barcode 110 is printed on a paper or plastic sticker that is affixed to the article body 102. An advantage of the laser-etched matrix barcode 110 over applying a printed matrix barcode on a paper or plastic label is that no additional material is added to the plastic article 100. An applied label would also complicate recycling of the plastic article 100. Additionally or alternatively, the laser-etched matrix barcode 110 does not require ink. The ink used to print the matrix barcode 110 can be harmful to the environment. An advantage of applying a printed matrix barcode on a paper or plastic label over the laser-etched matrix barcode 110 is simplicity of manufacture.

[0054] In use, a potential purchaser can read the matrix barcode 110 on the plastic article 100 with an optical scanning device. In many cases, the optical scanning device will be a camera built into the consumer's smartphone, but in some cases, it may be a camera built into the consumer's tablet computer or barcode reader.

[0055] In the illustrated example, when the matrix barcode 110 is read by a smartphone camera, an applicator or program on the smartphone decodes the matrix barcode 110, and the decoded data triggers an action. If the matrix barcode 110 contains a URL, that action would be for the smartphone to automatically navigate to a web landing page associated with the URL using the smartphone's default internet browser. In one example, that action would be for the smartphone to display a link to the URL. The user then clicks on the link and is taken to the web landing page associated with the URL.

[0056] FIG. 7 shows an example landing page 700 displayed on a user's electronic device screen 702 (e.g., the screen of a smartphone, tablet, etc.). The landing page 700 relates to (e.g., corresponds to) the input raw materials used to form the plastic article 100 through the matrix barcode 110. In the illustrated example, the landing page 700 identifies the input raw materials by lot number: XYZ-1234. A landing page 700 associated with a plastic article 100 made from a different input raw material would show different information (e.g., see FIG. 8, which shows a different lot number and different tracking information).

[0057] In the illustrated example, landing page 700 shows tracking information for each component. Each component has a component composition (PET), a component source (virgin, post-consumer waste regrind, etc.), and a component amount. In the illustrated example, the component amount is the relative proportion (given in the form of a percentage) of that component to the other components of the input raw material. In some examples, the component amount is the mass of that component.

[0058] According to landing page 700, the associated plastic article 100 is made from 50% virgin PET resin and 50% recycled PET material. The recycled PET includes post-industrial regrind, post-consumer regrind, and recovered marine plastic. Landing page 700 also provides additional source information for some of the recycled PET material in the illustrated example. The post-consumer regrind is from a recycling facility in Guelph, Canada, and is food grade. The recovered marine plastic was recovered from the Pasig River in Manila, Philippines.

[0059] A potential purchaser can determine whether or not they want to purchase the item packaged in the plastic article 100 based on the displayed tracking information. In some cases, a potential purchaser may want to purchase an item packaged in a plastic article made from at least a certain percentage of recycled content. In some cases, a potential purchaser can compare tracking information for different plastic articles 100 to determine which item to purchase. In some cases, a potential purchaser may simply want to purchase an item packaged in a plastic article 100 for which tracking information is available.

[0060] In some examples, landing page 700 may show additional tracking information related to the input raw materials. Some or all of the tracking information may be converted into sustainability statistics that are more easily understood by the general public. As one example, landing page 700 may show the number of bottles diverted from landfills (calculated by dividing the total amount of post-consumer waste and post-industrial regrind in the input raw materials for lot number XYZ-1234 by the average amount of PET in a 500 mL bottle). As another example, landing page 700 may show the volume of greenhouse gases saved by using recycled materials (calculated by dividing the amount of recycled material in the input raw materials for lot number XYZ-1234 by the average volume of greenhouse gases emitted to produce an equal amount of virgin PET).

[0061] 8 shows another example landing page 800 displayed on a screen 802 of a user's electronic device. Like landing page 700, landing page 800 corresponds to the input raw materials used to form plastic article 100 by matrix barcode 110. In the illustrated example, landing page 800 identifies the input raw material by lot number: ABC-9876 and includes an image of the associated plastic article 100. In some examples, landing page 800 does not show the lot number and / or image of plastic article 100.

[0062] In the illustrated example, landing page 800 shows tracking information for each component. Each component has a component composition (PET), a component source (post-industrial regrind and recovered ocean plastic), and the component's relative percentage relative to other components. According to landing page 800, the associated plastic item 100 is made from 100% recycled PET (50% post-industrial regrind and 50% recovered ocean plastic). Landing page 800 also shows additional component source information for some of the recycled PET material in the illustrated example. In this example, the recovered ocean plastic was collected from the Agno River at 121°00'E and 16°45'N and deposited at the Pagtatan Collection Centre.

[0063] In the illustrated example, landing page 800 shows additional tracking information regarding input raw materials. Landing page 800 indicates that 59.2 million kilograms of plastic were recovered from the ocean (calculated based on the amount of PET recovered from the ocean used in input raw materials for lot number ABC-9876). Landing page 800 also indicates that 29,600 bottles were recovered from the ocean (calculated by dividing the total amount of PET recovered from the ocean used in input raw materials for lot number ABC-9876 by the average amount of PET in a 500 mL bottle). Landing page 800 also indicates that the input raw materials used to manufacture the associated plastic article 100 included the equivalent of two bottles recovered from the ocean (calculated by dividing the amount of PET recovered from the water used in one plastic article 100 by the average amount of PET in a 500 mL bottle).

[0064] Referring to FIG. 2, another example of a plastic article 200 according to embodiments of the present teachings is similar to plastic article 100, with like features identified with like reference characters incremented by 100.

[0065] Plastic article 200 includes an article body 202 and a computer-readable matrix barcode 210. In the illustrated example, article body 202 includes a bottom wall 204 and a sidewall 206 extending upwardly around the periphery of bottom wall 204. In the illustrated example, plastic article 200 is a generally rectangular container.

[0066] The article body 202 includes a lid 212 connected along a first upper edge of the side wall 206 by a living hinge 214 in the illustrated example. The lid 212, in the illustrated example, is formed from the same sheet of plastic as the rest of the article body 202. The side wall 206, lid 212, and bottom wall 204 laterally and from above and below enclose an interior space 208 for holding one or more items, such as, for example, food items or consumable goods. The interior space 208 can be selectively opened and closed by pivoting the lid 212 about the living hinge 214.

[0067] In the illustrated example, matrix barcode 210 is provided on the underside of lid 212. In the illustrated example, matrix barcode 210 is readable from the top (as viewed in FIG. 2) of plastic article 200. By providing matrix barcode 210 on the inside surface of article body 202, matrix barcode 210 can be protected from the environment and / or discouraged from tampering.

[0068] 3 illustrates an exemplary manufacturing process 300 that can be used to produce plastic article 100. Input raw material is held in a hopper 302. The input raw material is typically held in hopper 302 in pellet form. Hopper 302 controllably releases the input raw material into material handling equipment 304. Generally, material handling equipment 304 is configured to prepare the input raw material for molding.

[0069] For example, in an injection molding process, the material handling equipment 304 may include a heated barrel with a reciprocating screw (driven by a hydraulic or electric motor). The heated barrel melts the input raw material and injects the molten plastic into a clamping unit. For example, in a thermoforming process, the material handling equipment 304 may include an extruder. The extruder extrudes a plastic sheet from the input raw material, which is then fed into a mold.

[0070] A molding machine 306 is positioned downstream from the material processing equipment 304. Generally, the molding machine 306 is configured to form input raw material into a specific, predetermined shape. For example, in an injection molding process, the molding machine 306 may include a clamping unit having a mold. For example, in a thermoforming process, the molding machine 306 may include a heated mold with a vacuum chamber that draws a plastic sheet around the mold. The output from the molding machine 306 is a molded plastic article.

[0071] In the illustrated example, molding machine 306 is shown as a single unit. In other examples, molding machine 306 includes two or more separate sub-units. For example, a plastic bottle may be injection molded in a first molding unit and then blow molded in a second molding unit to form the hollow interior of the plastic bottle.

[0072] In the illustrated example, the material handling equipment 304 and the molding machine 306 are positioned side-by-side. Such an arrangement may be used in an injection molding process, where a heated barrel with a reciprocating screw (the material handling equipment 304) injects molten plastic into a clamping unit (the molding machine 306). In other examples, the material handling equipment 304 and the molding machine 306 may be spaced apart from one another, or even located in different facilities. Such an arrangement may be used in a thermoforming process, where an extruded plastic sheet is fed into a heated mold (the molding machine 306). The extruder (the material handling equipment 304) that produces the extruded plastic sheet can be located anywhere (it does not necessarily have to be located in close proximity to the molding machine 306).

[0073] In the illustrated manufacturing process 300, a barcode applicator 308 is positioned downstream of the molding machine 306. Generally, the applicator 308 is configured to provide a matrix barcode on the surface of a molded plastic article. In one example, the barcode applicator 308 can be an automatic stamper that imprints the matrix barcode 110 onto the molded plastic article. In one example, the barcode applicator 308 can be a labeling machine that applies a plastic or paper label having the matrix barcode 110 printed thereon to the molded plastic article. In one example, the barcode applicator 308 is a pad printer that applies the matrix barcode 110 to the plastic article 100. In one example, the barcode applicator 308 is a laser that etches the matrix barcode 110 onto the plastic article 100.

[0074] In the illustrated manufacturing process 300, an optional finishing device 310 is positioned downstream of the applicator 308. Generally, the finishing device is configured to finish the molded plastic article. For example, the finishing device 310 can be a labeling machine that applies a label to the plastic article (the label can include nutritional information, branding, etc.). For example, in a thermoforming process, the finishing device 310 can include a trim press or cutting device. Due to the nature of thermoforming, the molded plastic part can have excess material left over from the molding process. The excess material can be trimmed in the trim press or cutting device to clean edges and remove unwanted plastic from the molded plastic article. In an injection molding process, the finishing device 310 can be used to finish a final assembly unit (e.g., a lid / cover formed injection molded article can be closed and / or multiple layer formed injection molded articles can be assembled together).

[0075] In the illustrated manufacturing process 300, an optional laminator 312 is located downstream of the applicator 308. The laminator 312 is configured to permanently stack the finished plastic articles 100, thereby facilitating their storage and / or shipping.

[0076] 4, another example manufacturing process 1300 according to aspects of the teachings disclosed herein includes a hopper 302, material handling equipment 304, a former 306, an applicator 308, a finisher 310, and a laminator 312, with the positions of the applicator 308 and the finisher 310 interchanged. The applicator 308 is located downstream of the finisher 310 and upstream of the optional laminator 312.

[0077] Reference is now made to Figure 5, which schematically illustrates an exemplary system for applying computer-readable matrix bar codes to plastic articles that are associated with the input raw materials used to form the plastic articles. In the illustrated example, the system includes a bar code applicator 308 and an electronic controller 500 communicatively connected to the bar code applicator 308. The bar code applicator 308 is located downstream of the article forming operation (see, e.g., Figures 3 and 4).

[0078] The bar code applicator 308 is configured to apply a computer-readable matrix bar code 110 to a surface of the plastic article 100 (FIG. 1). In some examples, the bar code applicator 308 is located upstream of an article stacking operation (see, e.g., FIGS. 3 and 4). In some examples, the bar code applicator 308 is located upstream of an article finishing operation (see, e.g., FIG. 3).

[0079] The electronic control device 500 may include a connection to a network 512, such as a wired or wireless connection to the Internet or a private network. In some cases, the network 512 includes other types of computer or communication networks.

[0080] In the illustrated example, electronic control device 500 includes a computer processor 502, a memory 504, and an input device 506. Memory 504 and input device 506 are each communicatively coupled, directly or indirectly, to computer processor 502. Computer processor 502 may have, for example, multiple I / O ports that can be communicatively coupled to one or both of memory 504 and input device 506.

[0081] In some examples, the electronic controller 500 includes a plurality of one or more of a computer processor 502, a memory 504, and an input device 506. In some examples, the electronic controller 500 does not include one or more of the memory 504 and the input device 506. For example, the electronic controller 500 may not include the memory 504 and / or may not include the input device 506.

[0082] The memory 504 may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), or similar types of memory. In some examples, the memory 504 also stores one or more applications for execution by the computer processor 502. The applications communicate with software modules that include computer-executable instructions for performing operations for the functions and methods described below. In some examples, some or all of the memory 504 may be integrated with the computer processor 502. For example, the computer processor 502 may be a microcontroller (e.g., a Microchip™ AVR, a "Microchip" PIC, or an ARM™ microcontroller) with on-board volatile and / or non-volatile memory.

[0083] Generally, computer processor 502 is capable of executing computer-readable instructions (also referred to as applications or programs). The computer-readable instructions may be stored in memory 504 or may be received from a remote storage location accessible, for example, over network 512. When executed, the computer-readable instructions may configure computer processor 502 (or multiple computer processors 502 in combination) to perform the actions described below with respect to method 600 of FIG. 6, for example.

[0084] The schematic diagram of FIG. 5 illustrates the connection of electronic controller 500 to barcode applicator 308 (FIGS. 3 and 4). Barcode applicator 308 may be communicatively connected to electronic controller 500 through a wireless network 512 (e.g., wireless connection, Bluetooth, etc.) and / or through a wired connection (e.g., wire, USB). These connections allow electronic controller 500 to communicate with and / or transmit signals to barcode applicator 308. Barcode applicator 308 may include, for example, a laser, a label applicator, an automatic stamper, or a pad printer. In examples where barcode applicator 308 is a laser, the laser is configured to etch a computer-readable matrix barcode 110 into the surface of plastic article 100 (see, for example, FIG. 1).

[0085] The input device(s) 506 can include any device for inputting information into the electronic control device 500. The input device(s) 506 can include one or more of a keyboard, keypad, buttons, barcode reader, switches, cursor control device, touch panel, camera, and microphone. The input device(s) 506 can also include input ports and wireless (e.g., Bluetooth, or 802.11x) for wired and wireless connections to external devices (e.g., for sending control signals such as user selections from external electronic devices to the computer processor 502).

[0086] In one example, the computer processor 502 i) receiving tracking information regarding one or more components of input raw materials used to form the plastic article 100; ii) generating a computer readable matrix barcode 110 that can be read to display the received tracking information for each component; iii) sending one or more commands to the barcode applicator 308 instructing the barcode applicator 308 to provide the generated computer-readable matrix barcode 110 on the surface of the plastic article 100; It is structured as follows.

[0087] To receive the tracking information, the computer processor 502 may be configured to exchange signals with the memory 504 and / or the input device 506 (FIG. 5). For example, the input device 506 may be used to input the tracking information into the memory 504 (or in some cases, to transmit the tracking information directly to the computer processor 502).

[0088] The computer processor 502 may be configured to convert the data into a machine-readable arrangement of visual elements to generate the matrix barcode 110. In one example, to generate the matrix barcode 110, the computer processor 502 is configured to encode a URL associated with tracking information within the computer-readable matrix barcode 110.

[0089] The data that is converted (e.g., encoded) into the matrix barcode 110 may be a URL of a web landing page (see, e.g., landing page 700 in FIG. 7 ). The URL and landing page are specific to (i.e., correspond to) the input raw material used to form the plastic article 100. In some examples, the computer processor 502 is further configured to generate the URL and generate the matrix barcode 110 with the URL encoded therein. In some examples, the computer processor 502 selects a previously generated URL before generating the matrix barcode 110. The previously generated URL may be stored in the memory 504.

[0090] In one example, the matrix barcode 110 and / or URL generated by the computer processor 502 is stored in the memory 504. This can provide convenient retrieval of a previously generated matrix barcode 110 and / or a previously generated URL when needed. If the input raw materials used to form the plastic article are the same as those used to form a previously manufactured plastic article, the computer processor 502 can be configured to retrieve the previously generated matrix barcode 110 and / or URL. The computer processor 502 can be configured to communicate one or more commands to the barcode applicator 308 instructing the barcode applicator 308 to provide the retrieved computer-readable matrix barcode 110 on the surface of the plastic article 100 (i.e., an existing matrix barcode 110 can be reused for a different plastic article 100 if the input raw materials are the same).

[0091] In one example, the one or more commands sent to the barcode applicator 308 automate the barcode applicator 308 to provide the generated computer-readable matrix barcode 110 on the surface of the plastic article 100. For example, if the barcode applicator 308 includes a laser, the one or more commands can automate the laser to etch the matrix barcode 110 into the surface of the plastic article 100.

[0092] In some examples, electronic controller 500 is a single device that houses all of its subcomponents (e.g., computer processor 502, memory 504, etc.). In other examples, electronic controller 500 is comprised of two or more separate secondary devices that are communicatively connected to each other and that collectively contain all of the subcomponents of electronic controller 500 (e.g., computer processor 502, memory 504, etc.) and collectively provide the functionality described herein.

[0093] 5 illustrates a hardware schematic diagram of an example electronic controller 500. In alternative examples, electronic controller 500 includes fewer, additional, or different components. Additionally, while aspects of an embodiment of electronic controller 500 are described as being stored in memory, those skilled in the art will recognize that these aspects may also be stored on or loaded into other types of computer program products or computer-readable media, such as secondary storage devices including hard disks, floppy disks, CDs, or DVDs; carrier waves from the Internet or other networks; or other forms of RAM or ROM.

[0094] The schematic diagram of Figure 5 illustrates a connection between the electronic controller 500 and an optional remote storage device 510 via a network 512 (e.g., a wired or wireless access network, which may include a private network and / or a public network such as the Internet). This connection allows the electronic controller 500 and the remote storage device 510 to communicate and / or relay signals with each other. The remote storage device 510 can provide additional storage when the storage capacity of the memory 504 of the electronic controller 500 is insufficient. As an example, the remote storage device 510 can include cloud storage.

[0095] In one example, electronic controller 500 stores information in remote storage 510 accessible via network 512. In another example, electronic controller 500 stores information distributed across multiple storage devices, such as memory 504 and remote storage 510 (i.e., multiple storage devices each store only a portion of the information, and multiple storage devices collectively store all of the information).

[0096] Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which illustrates a method 600 of manufacturing a plastic article according to embodiments of the teachings disclosed herein. At step 602, the method includes obtaining input raw materials suitable for manufacturing a plastic article and having known tracking information. Step 602 can include loading a hopper 302 (FIG. 3) with the input raw materials selected for forming the plastic article. In some cases, the input raw materials are a blend of two or more components. In some examples, step 602 further includes establishing relative proportions among at least first and second components of the input raw materials. The components of the input raw materials are selected to achieve desired performance characteristics of the plastic article being manufactured. In some examples, at least one component of the input raw materials is a recycled material.

[0097] At step 606, the method includes forming a plastic article from the input raw material. Step 606 can include forming the plastic article in a molding machine (FIG. 3). In some examples, forming the plastic article at step 606 includes thermoforming the plastic article. In some examples, forming the plastic article at step 606 includes one of injection molding, vacuum forming, and blow molding the plastic article.

[0098] In step 604, the method can optionally include extruding a plastic sheet produced from the input raw materials before forming a plastic article in step 606. Step 604 can include extruding the plastic sheet in an extruder (e.g., material handling device 304 shown in FIG. 3). In some examples, step 606 can include forming a plastic article from the plastic sheet extruded in step 604.

[0099] At step 608, the method can optionally include finishing the plastic article. Step 608 can include finishing the plastic article with finishing device 310 (FIG. 3). In one example, step 608 includes trimming excess material from the plastic article molded at step 606. This can include cleaning edges and / or removing unwanted plastic from the molded plastic article.

[0100] At step 610, the method includes generating a computer-readable matrix barcode (e.g., see matrix barcode 110 shown in FIG. 1 ) that can be read to display the tracking information. The matrix barcode can have any form in which data is encoded using a machine-readable arrangement of visual elements. In one example, the generated computer-readable matrix barcode is a Quick Response (QR) code, Data Matrix, MaxiCode, Vericode, PDF417, or Aztech Code. In one example, generating the computer-readable matrix barcode at step 610 occurs before molding the plastic article at step 606. In one example, generating the matrix barcode at step 610 includes encoding a uniform resource locator (URL) into the matrix barcode. The URL is associated with the tracking information and can lead to a web landing page (e.g., see landing page 700 in FIG. 7 ) that displays the tracking information.

[0101] In step 612, the method includes providing a computer-readable matrix barcode on the surface of the plastic article. Step 612 can include applying the matrix barcode to the plastic article using barcode applicator 308 (FIG. 3). Providing the computer-readable matrix barcode in step 612 can occur before or after finishing the plastic article in step 608. In some examples, providing the computer-readable matrix barcode on the surface of the plastic article in step 612 occurs within 10 minutes of completing molding the plastic article in step 606. In some examples, providing the computer-readable matrix barcode on the surface of the plastic article in step 612 occurs immediately (e.g., within 1 minute) after molding the plastic article in step 606. In some examples, step 612 includes etching the matrix barcode on the surface of the plastic article using a laser. In some examples, step 612 includes printing the matrix barcode on the surface of the plastic article using a pad printer.

[0102] At step 614, the method can optionally include stacking the plastic article on a previously manufactured plastic article. Stacking the plastic articles at step 614 makes them easier to store and / or ship (i.e., they occupy a smaller volume when stacked). Step 614 can include stacking the plastic articles using a laminator 312 (FIG. 3). Stacking each plastic article at step 614 occurs after providing a matrix barcode on the plastic article at step 612.

[0103] Method 600 can optionally include generating a modified computer-readable matrix barcode in response to a change in the input raw material. In one example, the change in the input raw material includes at least one of a change in ingredient composition, a change in source, and a change in ingredient proportion of at least one ingredient of the input raw material. Computer processor 502 (FIG. 5) can be configured to generate a modified computer-readable matrix barcode in response to a change in the input raw material.

[0104] A change in raw material input can accommodate a change to produce a different plastic article with different material requirements. For example, a batch of 5,000 polypropylene shampoo bottles is completed and a batch of 10,000 polypropylene plates is about to be produced. The plates may require a lower percentage of recycled material so that the raw material input can be adjusted before the plates are produced.

[0105] In other cases, the change in input raw materials may be relatively minor (e.g., a 5% increase in the proportion of one component with a corresponding 5% decrease in the proportion of another component). In another example, the source of collected ocean plastic may be switched from the Pasig River in Manila, Philippines to the Ganges River in Kolkata, India. A modified matrix barcode is generated in response to the change in the source of the collected ocean plastic. In one example, the computer processor 502 may be configured to receive modified tracking information corresponding to the change in input raw materials.

[0106] The foregoing is intended to illustrate examples of the teachings disclosed herein and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto, which claims are to be accorded the broadest interpretation consistent with the specification as a whole. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 100, 200 plastic items 102, 202 Item body 104, 204 bottom wall 106, 206 side wall 108, 208 interior space 110, 210 Computer-readable matrix barcode 212 Lid 214 Living Hinge 300, 1300 manufacturing process 302 Hopper 304 Material Processing Equipment 306 Molding machine 308 Barcode Applicator 310 Finishing equipment 312 Laminating Machine 500 Electronic Control Unit 502 Computer Processor 504 memory 506 Input Device 510 Remote Storage Device 512 Network 700, 800 landing pages 702, 802 Electronic device screens

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing plastic articles, A process for obtaining input raw materials suitable for manufacturing the aforementioned plastic articles, the traceability of which is publicly known. A process of forming the plastic article from the input raw materials, A step of generating a computer-readable matrix barcode that can be read to display the aforementioned tracking information, and A step of providing the computer-readable matrix barcode on the surface of the plastic article. A method that includes this.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the input raw materials comprise a first component and at least a second component, and the tracking information comprises a first tracking information relating to the first component and a second tracking information relating to the second component.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the step of obtaining the input raw materials includes a step of setting relative proportions among at least the first and second components.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein at least one of the first and second components is a recycled material.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of molding the plastic article includes a step of thermoforming the plastic article.

6. Prior to the step of thermoforming the aforementioned plastic article, there is a step of extruding the plastic sheet manufactured from the input raw materials. The method according to claim 5, further comprising:

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of molding the plastic article includes one of injection molding, vacuum forming, and blow molding of the plastic article.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the computer-readable matrix barcode is a quick response (QR) code.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing the computer-readable matrix barcode includes the step of etching the computer-readable matrix barcode onto the surface of the plastic article using a laser.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the input raw material includes one of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, and polystyrene.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of generating a computer-readable matrix barcode that has been modified in accordance with the change in the input raw materials.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the modification of the input raw materials includes at least one of a change in composition, a change in the source of supply, and a change in the proportion of at least one component of the input raw materials.

13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a computer-readable matrix barcode on the surface of the plastic article, and then stacking the plastic article on another plastic article manufactured immediately before by the method described above.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of molding the plastic article is performed after the step of generating the computer-readable matrix barcode.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing a computer-readable matrix barcode on the surface of the plastic article is performed within one minute of the completion of the step of molding the plastic article.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of generating the computer-readable matrix barcode includes the step of encoding a uniform resource locator (URL) related to the tracking information into the matrix barcode.

17. In a system for attaching a computer-readable matrix barcode to a plastic article, relating to the input raw materials used to mold the plastic article, A barcode applicator positioned downstream of an article molding operation, configured to provide a computer-readable matrix barcode on the surface of the plastic article, An electronic control device that is communicatively connected to the aforementioned barcode applicator, and jointly, The system receives tracking information regarding one or more components of the raw materials used to mold the aforementioned plastic article. A computer-readable matrix barcode is generated that can be read to display the received tracking information for each component. One or more commands are sent to the barcode applicator instructing it to provide the generated computer-readable matrix barcode onto the surface of the plastic article. An electronic control unit having one or more computer processors configured as follows, A system equipped with this feature.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein one or more computer processors are configured to jointly encode the URLs related to the tracking information in the computer-readable matrix barcode in order to generate the computer-readable matrix barcode.

19. The system according to claim 17 or 18, wherein one or more computer processors are configured to jointly generate a computer-readable matrix barcode that has been modified in response to a change in the input raw materials.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein the change in the input raw materials includes at least one of a change in composition, a change in the source of supply, and a change in the proportion of at least one of the one or more components.

21. The system according to claim 19, wherein one or more computer processors are configured to jointly receive tracking information that has been modified in response to a change in the input raw materials.

22. The system according to claim 17, wherein the barcode applicator is located upstream of the article stacking operation.

23. The system according to claim 17, wherein the barcode applicator is located upstream of the article finishing operation.

24. The system according to claim 17, wherein the barcode applicator is a laser configured to etch the computer-readable matrix barcode onto the surface of the plastic article.

25. The system according to claim 17, wherein the computer-readable matrix barcode is a quick response (QR) code.

26. In plastic articles, Article body formed from input raw materials, wherein the input raw materials contain one or more components, and the traceability information for each component is publicly known, and A computer-readable matrix barcode provided on the surface of the article body, which is readable in relation to the input raw materials and for displaying the tracking information for each component, Plastic articles containing plastics.

27. The plastic article according to claim 26, wherein the input raw material is transparent plastic.

28. The plastic article according to claim 26 or 27, wherein the computer-readable matrix barcode is a quick-response (QR) code.

29. The plastic article according to claim 26, wherein the computer-readable matrix barcode and the article body are integrally structured.

30. The plastic article according to claim 26, wherein the computer-readable matrix barcode is laser-etched onto the surface of the article body.

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