Product tracking arrangement, method and computer program

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a product tracking arrangement (100) for managing product data items (PD1, PD2, PD3) indicative of product parameters of a shipped product (102). The product tracking arrangement comprises a data storage unit (104) configured to receive and store the product data items (PD1, PD2, PD3), an identifier unit (106) associated to the shipped product (102), the identifier unit configured to enable / grant access to the data storage unit for accessing at least a part of the product data items (PD1, PD2, PD3); and a shipment condition ascertainment unit (108) configured to ascertain shipment condition data (CD) indicative of conditions (C1, C2) pertaining to a shipment (110) of the product associated to the identifier unit (106); and to provide the ascertained shipment condition data (CD) to the data storage unit as a product data item (PD3). This improves the traceability of the product.

Description

[0001] Product tracking arrangement, method and computer program

[0002] The present invention is directed to a product tracking arrangement for managing product data items indicative of product parameters of a shipped product. The invention is further directed to a computer implemented method for controlling operation of a product tracking arrangement and to a computer program.

[0003] Material products, also referred to in the frame of this disclosure as products, that are used forthe fabrication of end-products are typically shipped in large quantities from the producer of the material products to a costumer, who then fabricates or produces the end-products using the shipped product. In cases of unexpected low quality of the received product, it is difficult to determine which batch of the shipped product has been affected or has caused the issues. The costumers typically send back product samples for root cause analysis, however the so-called chain of custody of the product samples is often not completely traceable and the results cannot be univocally assessed for determining the cause of the issue.

[0004] Currently, some shipped products include a tag that links a so-called digital twin to the product and that enables access to relevant documentation, such as certificates of analysis, safety data sheets or invoices. An example of such a tag is found under https: / / www.ka- toennatie.com / twintag / (as of 17 May 2024).

[0005] It would be beneficial to improve the traceability of a shipped product and to improve the assessment of the quality of the shipped product and the identification of quality detrimental issues.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a product tracking arrangement, also referred to as the arrangement, is disclosed. The arrangement is advantageously used for managing or controlling product data items indicative of product parameters of a shipped product. The product tracking arrangement comprises a data storage unit configured to receive and store product data items comprising production data associated with a production process of the shipped product and / or quality data associated with quality parameters of the shipped product. The arrangement also includes an identifier unit associated to the shipped product, the identifier unit configured to control access to the data storage unit for accessing at least a part of the product data items associated to said shipped product. The arrangement also includes a shipment condition ascertainment unit that is configured to ascertain, for instance to receive or otherwise determine, shipment condition data that is indicative of conditions pertaining to a shipment of the product that associated to the identifier unit; and to provide the ascertained shipment condition data to the data storage unit as an additional product data item for storage.

[0007] Product data items are individual articles of data that form a collection or set of data regarding the shipped product, each item pertaining to a different aspect or characteristic of the shipped product. The storage unit comprises production data that is associated with the production process of the shipped product, which has been provided to the storage unit and stored therein. The storage unit additionally or alternatively comprises quality data that is associated with quality parameters of the shipped product, which has been provided to the storage unit and stored therein.

[0008] According to the present aspect, an additional product data item includes shipment condition data indicative of conditions during the shipment of the product from the material product supplier to the costumer. The shipment condition data is ascertained by a shipment condition ascertainment unit that is signally connected to the data storage unit to provide the ascertained shipment condition data, which is then added to the production data and / or the quality data stored in the storage unit as an additional product data item associated to the shipped product.

[0009] Interacting with the identifier unit, for instance upon reception of the shipped product, enables accessing the data storage for accessing and / or retrieving at least part of the product data items associated to the shipped product, which include the shipment condition data ascertained during the shipment of the product. Since the conditions during the shipment may affect the quality of the shipped product, the product tracking arrangement of the first aspect is advantageously configured to improve the traceability of a shipped product and BASF SE 240068 to improve the assessment of the quality of the shipped product and the identification of quality detrimental issues.

[0010] In the following, embodiments of the product tracking arrangement of the first aspect will be disclosed.

[0011] In an embodiment, the data storage unit is implemented as a direct area data storage, also referred to as direct-attached storage, and / or as a distributed network-based data storage. Additionally, or alternatively, the data storage unit may be implemented as part of one or more database servers.

[0012] The identifier unit is preferably a passive or an active marker which provides a communication link to the data storage unit. In an embodiment, the identifier unit is a code for representing data in a visual, machine-readable manner. The code can be, for instance, a universally unique identifier (UUID) or a globally unique identifier (GUID). Alternatively, the code can be, for instance, a one dimensional bar code, or a two-dimensional barcode, or matrix code, such as a QR code. The identifier unit may also be an active marker, such as a chip, e.g., an RFID chip. The identifier unit is univocally associated to the shipped product and provides access to one or more of the product data items related to the shipped product and stored in the data storage unit, for example by proving or indicating a communication link or channel for connection to the data storage unit.

[0013] In an embodiment, the shipped product has environment-dependent material properties. For these types of material products, changes in the environmental conditions during shipping have a direct correlatable impact on the quality of the material product. Thus, assessing the conditions during shipment for these type of products results in an improved identification of quality-detrimental issues. In a preferred embodiment, the product tracking arrangement is an arrangement for managing product data items indicative of product parameter of a super absorbent material being shipped, in particular superabsorbent polymer (SAP) material. Thus, the shipped product comprises super absorbent material, in particular superabsorbent polymer.

[0014] Super absorbent material refers to materials that can absorb aqueous solutions. According to the IUPAC, superabsorbent polymers (SAP), are defined as polymers that can absorb and retain extremely large amount of a liquid relative to its own mass. The liquid can absorbed can be water or an organic liquid. The swelling ratio of a superabsorbent polymer BASF SE 240068 can reach the order of 1000:1 . Superabsorbent polymers for water are frequently polyelectrolytes.

[0015] The largest use of superabsorbent polymer materials is found in personal disposable hygiene products, including baby diapers, adult diapers and sanitary napkins but they are also used for other purposes, which include blocking water penetration (e.g., in underground power or communications cable facilities), in self-healing concrete, horticultural water retention agents, control of spill and waste aqueous fluids, or artificial snow for stage productions.

[0016] In an embodiment, the ascertained shipment condition data comprises environment data indicative of environmental conditions along a shipping route of the product, in particular at a current location of the product. Environmental conditions are conditions that have an influence on the quality of the shipped product, and include, for instance, one or more of temperature, atmospheric pressure, and humidity. Further environmental conditions include movement data indicative of relative movement of the shipped product during shipment, for instance vibrations. Vibrations can lead to segregation in the package, which may lead to variations in the dosing at the receiver’s end. Also, movement sensors can record a larger hit (such as the shipped product falling insider the transport vehicle, or an accident of the transport vehicle itself, which could have damaged the shipper product. The shipment condition data, can additionally or alternatively comprise data pertaining to a shipment time, a shipment route, a shipment medium, e.g., truck, train, airplane, ship, etc., shipment company, and / or storage conditions of the shipped product during shipment. The shipment condition ascertainment unit comprises, in an embodiment, an interfacing device where a user, e.g., a driver of a shipping truck, can input shipment condition data, for instance via a predetermined survey or questionnaire or by filling predetermined fields. Additionally, or alternatively, the shipment condition ascertainment unit can be connected to a weather data providing service, which is configured to provided weather data (for instance indicative of one or more of temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure) associated to a current location of the shipped product, in particular along the shipping route. The shipment condition ascertainment unit may include, or be otherwise connected to, a GPS-based device for providing the coordinates of the current location of the shipped product to the weather data providing service. The environment data may comprise data points indicative of parameter fluctuations as a function of time and / or as a function of the location where the shipped product was, when the data was ascertained. The shipment condition data can also be indicative of carbon footprint and / or sustainability information pertaining to the shipment of the product. The condition data ascertainment unit can also comprise sensors, BASF SE 240068 such as temperature sensors, humidity sensors, pressure sensors, movement (e.g. vibration) sensor, etc. For instance, the oxygen content within a tightly packed product can be also monitored or tracked, especially for shipped products blanketed with lean air or nitrogen during filling and sealed directly afterwards. Measuring oxygen atmosphere along the shipping can determined whether the package remained sealed all the time and no moisture orforeign substance could have entered, orthat the package was never opened during transportation so no sabotage or contamination could have occurred. The ascertained shipment condition data can also comprise information regarding the truck drivers in charge of the shipping or customs information.

[0017] In another embodiment, in addition to the production data pertaining to the production process of the shipped product and / or the quality data indicative of quality parameters of the shipped product, the product data items storable in the data storage unit further comprise one or more of safety data sheet data indicative of a safety data sheet of the product, lot number data of the product, invoice data, , certificate of analysis data indicative of a certificate of analysis ofthe product, storage data indicative of storage conditions of the product, transport data indicative of transport conditions of the product, humidity data indicative of humidity conditions of the product, temperature data indicative of temperature conditions ofthe product and pressure data indicative of pressure conditions of the product, color data indicative of a color of the product. Other product data items may include data pertaining to the raw materials used, which increases the traceability of the product, quality data used for optimal dosing of the product at customer’s end, advertisements, contact information of contact persons or costumer’s service, etc.

[0018] The safety data sheet data pertains to the information contained in a typical safety data sheet SDS of the product. The SDS is also referred to as material safety data sheet (MSDS), or product safety data sheet (PSDS), and is a document that lists information relating to occupational safety and health for the use of various substances and products. SDSs are a widely used system for cataloguing information on chemical species including chemical compounds and chemical mixtures. SDS information may include instructions for the safe use and potential hazards associated with a particular material or product, along with spill-handling procedures.

[0019] The lot number refers to an identification number assigned to a particular quantity or lot of material product from a manufacturer and enables tracing of the constituent parts or ingredients as well as labor and equipment records involved in the production of the product. This enables manufacturers and other entities to perform quality control checks, calculate expiration dates, and issue corrections or recall information to subsets of their production BASF SE 240068 output. It also gives consumers an identifier that they can use in contacting the manufacturer and researching the production of goods received.

[0020] The production data pertaining to the production process of the product comprises data indicative of the process conditions of the different fabrication steps of the material product such as temperatures, flows, pressures, residence times, etc.

[0021] A certificate of analysis (COA) is a formal laboratory-prepared document that details the results of (and sometimes the specifications and analytical methods for) one or more laboratory analyses, signed — manually or electronically — by an authorized representative of the entity conducting the analyses. This document gives assurances to the recipient that the analyzed item is what it is designated to be, or has the features advertised by the producer. The design and content of a COA may be based upon a set of requirements identified by the lab, by regulatory-driven requirements, and / or by standards developed by standard developing organizations. The COA is used in a wide variety of industries, including but not limited to the agriculture, chemical, clinical research, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical industries.

[0022] Quality data refers to the results of quality analysis performed on the product during or after production. In the particular case of superabsorbent polymers (SAP), the quality data may refer, for instance to a centrifuge retention capacity (CRC) of the product, i.e., the ability of a SAP sample to retain fluids after being saturated and submitted to centrifugation under controlled conditions, to an absorbance against pressure (AAP) value of the SAP, bulk density value of the SAP, flowability value of the SAP, etc.

[0023] In the case of superabsorbent polymer material, in particular polyacrylate superabsorbent powders, production data and / or the quality data can be obtained for instance using methods including, but not limited to:

[0024] Standard procedure NWSP 230.0.R2 (19) for an estimation of the moisture content as weight loss upon heating;

[0025] Standard procedure NWSP 220.0.R2 (19) for a determination of the particle size distribution by sieve fractionation;

[0026] Standard procedure NWSP 240.0.R2 (19) for a determination of the free swell capacity in saline by gravimetric measurement; BASF SE 240068

[0027] Standard procedure NWSP 241 .0.R2 (19) for a determination of the fluid retention capacity in saline solution by gravimetric measurement following centrifugation; and / or

[0028] Standard procedure NWSP 242.0.R2 (19) for a gravimetric determination of absorption against pressure.

[0029] Thus, the data storage advantageously comprises product data items that characterize a plurality of aspects of the shipped product, including its production process, the quality of the produced product, and the shipment conditions. By interacting with the identifier unit, which is univocally associated to the product, the product data items, or at least a part thereof, can be accessed, and the information included can be retrieved. Providing shipment condition data as an additional product data item increases the traceability of the product and enables a better assessment of any quality issues detected in the shipped product.

[0030] In yet another embodiment, the product tracking arrangement further comprises a data request management unit that is configured to receive a data access request from a data requesting device in response to the data requesting device interacting with the identifier unit. The data access request is indicative of a request for receiving at least part of the product data items of the product associated to the identifier unit. The data request management unit is also configured to retrieve from the data storage unit, and provide to the data requesting device, the requested part of the product data items of the product associated to the identifier unit.

[0031] The data requesting device can be used to interact with the identifier unit in order to directly or indirectly (e.g., by providing a link) access the data storage unit to retrieve product data items of the shipped product associated to the identifier unit. The data requesting device can be a handheld device with a suitable application for scanning a graphical code or interacting with an RFID chip of the identifier unit. Other implementations include NFC chips or communication using loT technologies. Upon interacting with the identifier unit, the data requesting devices is configured to generate a data access request, and to provide said data access request, e.g., via a wired or wireless communication channel, to the data request management unit.

[0032] The data request management unit received the data access request, and is configured to retrieve relevant product data items from the data storage unit and to provide said product data items, or a part thereof, to the data requesting device. BASF SE 240068

[0033] Preferably, in an embodiment, the data request management unit is further configured to determine, using a user identifier data provided by the data requesting device, product data items of the product data that are accessible by the data requesting device and to provide the accessible product data items to the data requesting device. Thus, the different product data items pertaining to a shipped product can be accessed or not by a user in dependence on a user identifier data. Therefore, different users -identified by different user identifier data- can have access to different subsets of the product data items. For example, a first user having a first user identifier data can be granted access to a first product data item indicative of the shipment condition data and to a second product data item indicative of the safety data sheet of the shipped product. A second user having a second user identifier data different than the first user identifier data can be granted access, in addition, to a third product data item indicative of quality test results of the shipped product.

[0034] In yet another embodiment, further comprising the data requesting device, the data requesting device is further configured as a data providing device that is configured, in response to the data requesting device interacting with the identifier unit, to provide, as a product data item, product-state data indicative of a current state and / or condition of the product. In this embodiment, the data request management unit is further configured as a data reception management unit that configured to provide the received product-state data to the data storage unit as a further additional product data item. In this particular embodiment, the data requesting device is also a data providing device for providing an additional product data item indicative of the current state of the shipped product. Upon interacting with the identifier unit, the data providing device may present a survey or other kind of data acquisition interface such as a free text box, for providing data indicative of the current state. The provided data can be indicative of whether the shipped product has been received in acceptable or unacceptable conditions, or whether any issue with the product has been identified. This additional product data item is also associated to the shipped product via the identifier unit that has been scanned or otherwise interacted to provide the required data. This additional product data item is provided to the data storage via the data reception management unit in association with the identifier unit. For example, a customer that receives the shipped product can provide feedback on how the shipped product behaved in his or her product e.g. if variations in dosing stability of their dosing unit were found. Thus information, as additional product data item can be used to optimize packaging approach to minimize segregation in silos / during transport. As another non-limiting example, the costumer can indicate whether caking and / or sticking of material at walls, pipes and / or filters of the unloading or dosing system is found. This indication can be provided as an additional product data item that can be used to optimize anti-caking dosing during production, especially during periods of time where the customer sees more issues due to, for instance, BASF SE 240068 more humid climatological conditions. Also, the costumer receiving the shipped product can provide information regarding non-white material observed in packages when opened. This information, provided as an additional product data item can be used to optimize process conditions to minimize the occurrence of colored particles.

[0035] For instance, a user can scan the QR code associated to the shipped product and land on a support website where the lot data is identified and the user can state a problem with the shipment, if any. This enables a holistic approach to the lifecycle of the shipped product, from the production thereof, to the reception by the costumer.

[0036] In an embodiment the data providing device is configured, in response to the data requesting device interacting with the identifier unit, to provide a predetermined survey to a user, and wherein the product-state data comprises survey input provided by the user.

[0037] In a particular embodiment, independently on whether the data storage unit comprises production data, and / or quality data or not, the product tracking arrangement additionally comprises a process control unit, that is configured to generate and provide process operation instructions for controlling a production process of the product, wherein the process operation instructions depend on the product data items, in particular, on the ascertained shipment condition data and / or on the product-state data indicative of a current state / condition of the product. In particular, forthe case of superabsorbent polymer material, the production parameters that can be controlled by the process control unit based on customer feedback include, for instance, a particular composition or recipe of the material product (e.g., concentration of core cross-linker, concentration of initiators, concentration of surface cross linking solution, concentration of post coating additives, residence time in the surface cross linking step, polarity of the surface cross linking solution), filling level of the reactor vessel, temperatures at different stages of the production process (e.g., temperature of the monomer solution, temperature during polymerization, temperature during surface cross linking), milling parameters, sieving parameters, addition of processing aids, for example, to adjust flowability of the product, solid content and degree of neutralization of monomer solution, throughput of the reaction, etc.

[0038] In an embodiment, the control unit is additionally or alternatively configured to provide shipment data associated with a shipping route and / or shipping conditions based on the additional product item (e.g., the product state data) provided by the user and / or on the shipment condition data, the shipment data being associated with a shipment of an additional batch of the product to be shipped, in particular to the same recipient. BASF SE 240068

[0039] A second aspect of the present invention is directed to a computer implemented method for controlling operation of a product tracking arrangement, in particular for managing and / or controlling product data items indicative of product parameters of a shipped product, such as a superabsorbent polymer material. The method comprises

[0040] - receiving and storing product data items comprising production data associated with a production process of the shipped product and / or quality data associated with quality parameters of the shipped product;

[0041] - providing an identifier unit associated to the product, the identifier unit configured to ena- ble / grant access to the data storage unit for accessing at least a part of the product data items;

[0042] - ascertaining, e.g., receive or otherwise determine, shipment condition data that is indicative of conditions pertaining to a shipment of the product; and

[0043] - providing the ascertained shipment condition data to the data storage unit as an additional product data item.

[0044] The method of the second aspect thus shares the advantages of the arrangement of the first aspect or of any of its embodiments. In the following, embodiments of the method of the second aspect will be disclosed.

[0045] In a particular embodiment, the method further comprises, in response to a data requesting device interacting with the identifier unit, receiving and providing, as an additional product data item, product-state data indicative of a current state / condition of the product; and storing the provided additional product data item in the data storage unit.

[0046] In yet another embodiment, the method further comprises generating and providing process operation instructions for controlling a production process of the product, wherein the process operation instructions depend on the product data items, in particular on the product-state data indicative of a current state / condition of the product. BASF SE 240068

[0047] A third aspect of the invention is formed by a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a processing unit of a product tracking arrangement cause the product tracking arrangement to carry out the steps of the method of the second aspect.

[0048] It shall be understood that the method described above, the apparatus described above and the computer program product described above have similar and / or identical preferred embodiments, in particular, as defined in the dependent claims.

[0049] It shall be understood that a preferred embodiment of the present invention can also be any combination of the dependent claim or above embodiments with a respective independent claim.

[0050] These and other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereafter.

[0051] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] Fig. 1 a schematic diagram of an exemplary product tracking arrangement in accordance with the invention;

[0053] Fig. 2 a schematic diagram of another exemplary product tracking arrangement 100, in accordance with the invention;

[0054] Fig. 3 a schematic diagram of yet another exemplary product tracking arrangement 100, in accordance with the invention; and

[0055] Fig. 4 a flow diagram of an exemplary computer implemented method for controlling operation of a product tracking arrangement for managing or controlling product data items indicative of product parameters of a shipped product.

[0056] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary product tracking arrangement 100, also referred to as the arrangement, in accordance with the invention. A material product 102 such as a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) material is produced in a production facility 101 and shipped to an end costumer 103, for example a diaper manufacturer. The arrangement 100 has a data storage unit 104, for example a localized or distributed database server that BASF SE 240068 is configured to receive and store product data items PD1 , PD2 related to the product 102 that include production data associated with a production process of the shipped product and / or quality data associated with quality parameters of the shipped product. Product data items are individual articles of data that form a collection or set of data regarding the shipped product, in particular, production data and / or quality data, each item pertaining to a different aspect or characteristic of the shipped product 102. For example, the production facility 101 can provide product data items, generally labeled as PD1 in FIG. 1 , pertaining to the production or fabrication process of the product 102, for instance pertaining to the recipe and materials used, their concentrations, process parameters (temperature, pressure, flow, resident times, etc.) used for production, safety data sheet of the product, lot number, etc. A laboratory 105 or a research facility can provide also product data items PD2 regarding the properties of the product 102, such as a certificate of analysis or quality data indicative of the quality of the product, for instance in terms of bulk density, CRC, AAP, flowability, etc. The product data items are associated to the same product shipped 102 based on an identifier unit 106 that is associated to the shipped product 102. Further, the identifier unit 106 is configured to enable or grant access to the data storage unit for accessing at least a part of the product data items PD1 , PD2. The identifier unit can be a marker such as a QR code or a bar code. Alternatively, or additionally, the identifier unit can comprise a RFID chip or be based on NFC or loT technologies. Interacting with the identifier unit provides direct or indirect access to the data storage unit, for instance by providing a link to a website or other suitable information source where the product data items can be queried.

[0058] The arrangement 100 also comprises a shipment condition ascertainment unit 108 that is configured to ascertain (for example to receive or to otherwise determined) shipment condition data CD indicative of conditions C1 , C2 pertaining to a shipment 110 of the product that associated to the identifier unit 106. The condition ascertainment unit 108 is also configured to provide the ascertained shipment condition data CD to the data storage unit as an additional product data item PD3. Since it is associated to the identifier unit, upon reception of the additional product data item PD3, the data item is linked to the product data items already available PD1 , PD2 for said shipped product 102.

[0059] The shipment condition ascertainment unit 108 may for instance include a computer or processor that comprises an interfacing device where a user can input shipment condition data, for example via a predetermined survey or questionnaire, directed to predetermined aspects that are relevant to the shipped products, and which can include a shipping route, shipping time, weather conditions, environmental condition inside the shipping vehicle, etc.. Additionally, or alternatively, the shipment condition ascertainment unit can register a route BASF SE 240068 followed by the shipped product, optionally including time information. Additionally, or alternatively, the shipment condition ascertaining unit be connected to a weather data providing service, which is configured to provided weather data (for instance indicative of one or more of temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure) associated to a current location of the shipped product, in particular along the shipping route. The shipment condition ascertainment unit may include, or be otherwise connected to, a GPS-based device for proving the coordinates of the current location of the shipped product to the weather data providing service. The environment data may comprise data points indicative of parameter fluctuations as a function of time and / or as a function of the location where the shipped product was, when the data was ascertained. The shipment condition data can also be indicative of carbon footprint and / or sustainability information pertaining to the shipment of the product. The shipment condition ascertainment unit 108 can include or be otherwise signally connected to sensor, such as temperature sensors, humidity sensors, pressure sensors, movement (e.g., vibration) sensors, etc. that provide sensor data indicative of the environmental conditions. The sensors can be attached to the shipped product or can be arranged in the shipping vehicle.

[0060] In particular in the case of shipped material products that have strong environment-dependent properties, such as super absorbent material, in particular superabsorbent polymer material, including as additional product data item PD3 data pertaining to the shipping conditions improves the traceability the assessment of the quality of the product. Additionally, the significance of the information available is increased by including product data items pertaining to the shipment of the product. Thus, preferably, the shipment condition data CD comprises environment data ED indicative of environmental conditions EC1 , EC2 along a shipping route 1 10 of the product 102, in particular as a function of the location of the product 102, wherein the environmental conditions are conditions that have an influence on the quality of the shipped product, and include, for example, temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, vibration during shipment, oxygen content within a sealed package containing the shipped product, time, etc.

[0061] Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of another exemplary product tracking arrangement 100, in accordance with the invention.

[0062] The following discussion will be focused on those technical features that distinguish the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 from the arrangement shown in FIG. 2. Those features having a similar or identical technical function will be referred to using the same reference signs or reference numbers. BASF SE 240068

[0063] The arrangement 100 of FIG. 2, further comprising a data request management unit 112, The data request management unit 112 can be part of a computing system and is configured to receive a data access request DAR from a data requesting device 114 in response to the data requesting device 114 interacting with the identifier unit 106. The data requesting device 1 14 can for instance be in the form of a handheld device, such as a mobile phone or a tablet, for example, having a camera and dedicated software for scanning the identifier unit 106, or a RFID-read unit and dedicated software configured to cooperate with an RFID chip of the identifier unit 106. The data requesting device 114 can also be a dedicated device for interacting with the identifier unit 106.

[0064] The data access request provided by the data requesting device 114 to the data request management unit 112 in response to interacting with the identifier unit 106 -as indicated by the dashed arrow-, is indicative of a request for receiving at least part of the product data items PD1 , PD2, PD3 of the product 102 associated to the identifier unit 106.

[0065] The data request management unit 112 is then configured to retrieve from the data storage unit 104, and provide to the data requesting device 114, the requested part of the product data items of the product associated to the identifier unit 106. This is done for instance by providing a data access request DAR* to the storage unit 104 and retrieving the product data items, e.g. PD2, PD3.

[0066] Preferably, the data request management unit 112 is further configured to determine, using a user identifier data ID provided by the data requesting device 114, product data items of the product data that are accessible by the data requesting device 114 and to provide the accessible product data items to the data requesting device 114. For example a first user has a user identifier data ID that indicates a low clearance level for said user. The low clearance level does not allow access to some of the product data items stored in the storage unit, such as, for example, some product data items PD1 related to the production process of the material product. When the data request management unit 1 12 receives a data access request DAR from said user, it accesses the data storage 104 and only provides the product data items that are accessible for that user. For example, a user may provide a data access request for accessing product data items PD1 , PD2 and PD3. Given the user identifier data ID of the user, the data request management unit 112 determines that the user does not have access to product data items PD1 pertaining to the production parameters, and thus sends a data access request DAR* to the storage unit for retrieving product data items PD2 and PD3 and not PD1 . BASF SE 240068

[0067] Different users can have different user identifier data that grant access to different sets or subsets of product data items. Thus, by interacting with the identifier unit 106, the user has access to the available data regarding the product 102 associated to the identifier unit 106.

[0068] The communication between the data requesting device 1 14 and the data request management unit 112 and between the data request management unit 1 12 and the data storage unit 104 can be performed via a wired and / or a wireless communication channel, for instance via the Internet or a dedicated area network, as indicated by the dashed cloud in FIG. 2.

[0069] Fig. 3 shows a schematic diagram of yet another exemplary product tracking arrangement 100, in accordance with the invention.

[0070] The following discussion will be focused on those technical features that distinguish the arrangements shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 from the arrangement shown in FIG. 2. Those features having a similar or identical technical function will be referred to using the same reference signs or reference numbers.

[0071] In the arrangement 100 shown in FIG. 3, the data requesting device 114 shown in FIG. 2 is further configured as a data providing device 1 16. The data providing device 116 can be for instance a dedicated device or a mobile phone or tablet or PDA with corresponding functionality. The data providing device can be a different device than the data requesting device. Alternatively, both can be integrated in the same physical device, as shown in Fig. 3. Thus, the data providing device 116, in addition to the capabilities explained above with respect to the data requesting device 1 14 of FIG. 2 is configured, in response to an interaction with the identifier unit 106 -as indicated by the dashed arrow-, to provide, as a product data item PD4, product-state data indicative of a current state or a current condition PS of the product 102. For example, upon interacting with (e.g. scanning) the identifier unit 106, the data providing device 1 16 may present the user with a predetermined survey or questionnaire, directed to ascertain specific information regarding the state or condition of the shipped product 102 identified by the identifier unit 106.

[0072] For instance, the product state data can be indicative of whether the current conditions of the shipped product meet a required standard or if the product has been subject to any issue causing an impact on the expected quality. For example, the user can provide information on segregation effects of the product, which can be associated to vibrations expe- BASF SE 240068 rienced during the transport of the product, for instance. Also, the user can provide information on color properties of the shipped product, which can be indicative of a percentage of the material or material particles that have a coloration different than expected, for instance are discolored. This information is provided as an additional product data item and can be correlated with the ascertain shipment condition data CD to optimize shipping routes of the conditions during shipment.

[0073] In the arrangement 100 of FIG. 3, the data request management unit 1 12 shown in FIG. 2 is further configured as a data reception management unit 1 18 and configured to receive the product-state data PS provided by the data providing device 116, and to provide said product state data PS the to the data storage unit as an additional product data item PD4. The data reception management unit and the data request management unit can be implemented as different devices. Alternatively, both can be integrated in the same physical device, for instance as different modules or programs in a computer. Thus, with the use of a data providing device 116 and a data reception management unit 118, the product data items stored in the data storage unit 104 can be updated with additional product data items related to the product state data PS, which is indicative of the current state of the product 102, for example during or after shipment 110, which improves the traceability of the product.

[0074] Optionally, the arrangement 100 can comprise a process control unit 150, that is connected to the data storage unit 104 and to the production facility 101 and is configured to generate and provide process operation instructions Ol for controlling a production process of the material product, wherein the process operation instructions depend on the product data items, in particular, on the product-state data. Thus, effects of the shipment conditions on the quality of the product, that can be identified by the provision of shipment condition data can be used to tailor the production of future batches of the product, that are assumed will be subject to similar shipping conditions. Also, based on the product state data, indicative for instance of the state of the product upon arrival to the costumer 103, the costumer can indicate preferences regarding the product that can have an impact of the production process of future batches. Thus, the production process of the material product can be advantageously adapted according to customer feedback provided via the data providing device 116.

[0075] In particular, for the case of superabsorbent polymer material, the production parameters that can be controlled by the process control unit based on customer feed back and / or product state data and / or shipment condition data include, for instance, a particular composition or recipe of the material product (e.g., concentration of core cross-linker, concentration of BASF SE 240068 initiators, concentration of surface cross linking solution, concentration of post coating additives, residence time in the surface cross linking step, polarity of the surface cross linking solution), filling level of the reactor vessel, temperatures at different stages of the production process (e.g., temperature of the monomer solution, temperature during polymerization, temperature during surface cross linking), milling parameters, sieving parameters, addition of processing aids, for example, to adjust flowability of the product, solid content and degree of neutralization of monomer solution, throughput of the reaction, etc. Additionally, the process control unit 150 can be connected to the laboratory or research facility 105 and is configured to provide instructions indicative of analysis steps to be performed for determining predetermined properties of the material to be shipped for future batches, based on the feedback provided by the user and stored as the additional product data item PD4 indicative of the product state PS.

[0076] In the case of superabsorbent polymer material, in particular polyacrylate superabsorbent powders, the analysis steps that can be controlled by the process control unit 150 include, but are not limited to:

[0077] Standard procedure NWSP 230.0.R2 (19) for an estimation of the moisture content as weight loss upon heating;

[0078] Standard procedure NWSP 220.0.R2 (19) for a determination of the particle size distribution by sieve fractionation;

[0079] Standard procedure NWSP 240.0.R2 (19) for a determination of the free swell capacity in saline by gravimetric measurement;

[0080] Standard procedure NWSP 241 .0.R2 (19) for a determination of the fluid retention capacity in saline solution by gravimetric measurement following centrifugation; and / or

[0081] Standard procedure NWSP 242.0.R2 (19) for a gravimetric determination of absorption against pressure.

[0082] Alternatively, or additionally, the process control unit 150 can also generate and provide shipment data indicative of a shipping route or shipping conditions, based on the additional product item data PD4 provided by the user. For example, if the user indicates that segregation effects have been detected, and the ascertained shipment condition data indicate BASF SE 240068 that the shipped product has been affected by exceedingly large vibration effects, the control unit 150 can provide shipment data indicative of an alternative route for the following shipment to that particular user or to other users located close by.

[0083] The arrangement 100 provides an improved customer support and feedback platform. The product and / or shipment specific data provided (e.g. PD3, PD4) by interacting with the identifier unit 106 can be advantageously used for data analysis of the used or the required data. The customer data and the shipment related data is linked to the process and quality data of the product, providing a holistic approach to the lifecycle of the product, in particular of superabsorbent material.

[0084] The survey or questionnaire provided to the data providing device 116 for interacting with the user and generate the additional product data item PD4 can be based on a generative Al, for instance as a chat-bot.

[0085] Fig. 4 shows a flow diagram of a computer implemented method 500 for controlling operation of a product tracking arrangement 100 for managing and / or controlling product data items PD1 , PD2, PD3, PD4 indicative of product parameters of a shipped product 102. The method comprises, in a step 502, receiving and storing product data items PD1 , PD2, PD3, comprising production data associated with a production process of the shipped product and / or quality data associated with quality parameters of the shipped product in particular in a data storage unit 104. The method also comprises, in a step 504, providing an identifier unit 106 associated to the product 102, the identifier unit configured to control (e.g., to enable and / or grant) access to the data storage unit 104 for accessing at least a part of the product data items PD1 , PD2, PD3. This step can be performed for instance by generating a suitable marker, like a bar code or a QR code, or by programming a RFID chip, in order to establish a communication link with the data storage unit 104. The method also comprises, in a step 506, ascertaining, for instance receiving or determining, shipment condition data CD that is indicative of conditions C1 , C2 pertaining to a shipment 110 of the product 102, and, in a step 508, providing the ascertained shipment condition data CD to the data storage unit as an additional product data item PD3.

[0086] Optionally, as indicated by the dashed-lines in FIG. 4, the method 500 comprises, in a step 510, and, in response to a data requesting device interacting with the identifier unit 106, receiving and providing, as an additional product data item PD4, product-state data indicative of a current state or condition of the product 102 during shipment and, in a step 512, storing the provided additional product data item in the data storage unit. BASF SE 240068

[0087] Also optionally, the method 500 can further comprise, in a step 514, generating and providing process operation instructions for controlling a production process of the product, wherein the process operation instructions depend on the product data items, in particular on the product-state data indicative of a current state or condition of the product 102.

[0088] For the processes and methods disclosed herein, the operations performed in the processes and methods may be implemented in differing order. Furthermore, the outlined operations are only provided as examples, and some of the operations may be optional, combined into fewer steps and operations, supplemented with further operations, or expanded into additional operations without detracting from the essence of the disclosed embodiments.

[0089] In summary, the present invention is directed to a product tracking arrangement for managing product data items indicative of product parameters of a shipped product. The product tracking arrangement comprises a data storage unit configured to receive and store the product data items, an identifier unit associated to the shipped product, the identifier unit configured to enable / grant access to the data storage unit for accessing at least a part of the product data items, and a shipment condition ascertainment unit that is configured to ascertain shipment condition data indicative of conditions pertaining to a shipment of the product associated to the identifier unit, and to provide the ascertained shipment condition data to the data storage unit as a product data item.

[0090] In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality.

[0091] A single unit or device may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0092] Procedure steps performed by one or several units or devices can be performed by any other number of units or devices. These procedures can be implemented as program code means of a computer program and / or as dedicated hardware.

[0093] A computer program product may be stored / distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium, supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems. BASF SE 240068

[0094] Any units described herein may be processing units that are part of a classical computing system. Processing units may include a general-purpose processor and may also include a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any other specialized circuit. Any memory may be a physical system memory, which may be volatile, non-volatile, or some combination of the two. The term “memory” may include any computer-readable storage media such as a non-volatile mass storage. If the computing system is distributed, the processing and / or memory capability may be distributed as well. The computing system may include multiple structures as “executable components”. The term “executable component” is a structure well understood in the field of computing as being a structure that can be software, hardware, or a combination thereof.

[0095] For instance, when implemented in software, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the structure of an executable component may include software objects, routines, methods, and so forth, that may be executed on the computing system. This may include both an executable component in the heap of a computing system, or on computer- readable storage media. The structure of the executable component may exist on a computer-readable medium such that, when interpreted by one or more processors of a computing system, e.g., by a processor thread, the computing system is caused to perform a function. Such structure may be computer readable directly by the processors, for instance, as is the case if the executable component were binary, or it may be structured to be interpretable and / or compiled, for instance, whether in a single stage or in multiple stages, so as to generate such binary that is directly interpretable by the processors.

[0096] In other instances, structures may be hard coded or hard wired logic gates, that are implemented exclusively or near-exclusively in hardware, such as within a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any other specialized circuit. Accordingly, the term “executable component” is a term for a structure that is well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art of computing, whether implemented in software, hardware, or a combination. Any embodiments herein are described with reference to acts that are performed by one or more processing units of the computing system. If such acts are implemented in software, one or more processors direct the operation of the computing system in response to having executed computer-executable instructions that constitute an executable component. Computing system may also contain communication channels that allow the computing system to communicate with other computing systems over, for example, network. BASF SE 240068

[0097] A “network” is defined as one or more data links that enable the transport of data (e.g. electronic or optical data) between computing systems and / or modules and / or other electronic devices. When information is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection, for example, either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless, to a computing system, the computing system properly views the connection as a transmission medium. Transmission media can include a network and / or data links which can be used to carry desired program code means in the form of computerexecutable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computing system or combinations. While not all computing systems require a user interface, in some embodiments, the computing system includes a user interface system for use in interfacing with a user. User interfaces act as input or output mechanism to users for instance via displays.

[0098] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that at least parts of the invention may be practiced in network computing environments with many types of computing system configurations, including, personal computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, message processors, hand-held devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, mobile telephones, PDAs, pagers, routers, switches, datacenters, wearables, such as glasses, and the like. The invention may also be practiced in distributed system environments where local and remote computing system, which are linked, for example, either by hardwired data links, wireless data links, or by a combination of hardwired and wireless data links, through a network, both perform tasks. In a distributed system environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

[0099] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that at least parts of the invention may be practiced in a cloud computing environment. Cloud computing environments may be distributed, although this is not required. When distributed, cloud computing environments may be distributed internationally within an organization and / or have components possessed across multiple organizations. In this description and the following claims, “cloud computing” is defined as a model for enabling on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources, e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services. The definition of “cloud computing” is not limited to any of the other numerous advantages that can be obtained from such a model when deployed. The computing systems of the figures include various components or functional blocks that may implement the various embodiments disclosed herein as explained. The various components or functional blocks may be implemented on a local computing system or may be implemented on a distributed computing system that includes elements resident in the cloud or that implement aspects of cloud | BASF SE 240068 computing. The various components or functional blocks may be implemented as software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The computing systems shown in the figures may include more or less than the components illustrated in the figures and some of the components may be combined as circumstances warrant. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

| BASF SE| 240068CLAIMS1. Product tracking arrangement (100) for managing product data items (PD1 , PD2, PD3) indicative of product parameters of a shipped product (102), the product tracking arrangement comprising:- a data storage unit (104) configured to receive and store product data items (PD1 , PD2, PD3, PD4) comprising production data associated with a production process of the shipped product and / or quality data associated with quality parameters of the shipped product;- an identifier unit (106) associated to the shipped product (102), the identifier unit configured to enable / grant access to the data storage unit for accessing at least a part of the product data items (PD1 , PD2, PD3, PD4); and- a shipment condition ascertainment unit (108) configured to ascertain shipment condition data (CD) indicative of conditions (C1 , C2) pertaining to a shipment (110) of the product associated to the identifier unit (106); and to provide the ascertained shipment condition data (CD) to the data storage unit as an additional product data item (PD3).

2. The product tracking arrangement (100) of claim 1 , wherein the shipped product (102) has environment-dependent material properties, in particular wherein the shipped product comprises super absorbent material, in particular superabsorbent polymer material.

3. The product tracking arrangement (100) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the shipment condition data (CD) comprises environment data (ED) indicative of environmental conditions (EC1 , EC2) along a shipping route (110) of the product (102), in particular at a current location of the product (102), wherein the environmental conditions are conditions that have an influence on the quality of the shipped product.

4. The product tracking arrangement of any of the preceding claims, wherein the product data items (PD1 , PD2, PD3, PD4) storable in the data storage unit (104) further comprise:- one or more of a safety data sheet data of the product;BASF SE240068- lot number data of the product;- certificate of analysis data indicative of a certificate of analysis of the product;- storage data indicative of storage conditions of the product;- transport data indicative of transport conditions of the product;- humidity data indicative of humidity conditions of the product;- temperature data indicative of temperature conditions of the product;- pressure data indicative of pressure conditions of the product;.- oxygen content data indicative of an oxygen content within a sealed package containing the shipped product.

5. The product tracking arrangement (100) of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a data request management unit (112) configured to- receive a data access request (DAR) from a data requesting device (114) in response to the data requesting device interacting with the identifier unit (106); the data access request being indicative of a request for receiving at least part of the product data items (PD1 , PD2, PD3, PD4) of the product (102) associated to the identifier unit (106); and- retrieve from the data storage unit (104), and provide to the data requesting device (114), the requested part of the product data items of the product associated to the identifier unit.

6. The product tracking arrangement (100) of claim 5, wherein the data request management unit (1 12) is further configured to determine, using a user identifier data (ID) provided by the data requesting device (114), product data items that are accessible by the data requesting device (114) and to provide the accessible product data items to the data requesting device (114).

7. The product tracking arrangement (100) of claim 5 or 6, further comprising the data requesting device (114), whereinBASF SE240068- the data requesting device (114) is further configured as a data providing device (1 16) configured, in response to the data requesting device (114) interacting with the identifier unit (106), to provide, as a product data item (PD4), product-state data (PS) indicative of a current state or current condition (PS) of the product (102); and wherein- the data request management unit (112) is further configured as a data reception management unit (118) configured to provide the received product-state data (PS) to the data storage unit (104) as a further additional product data item (PD4).

8. The product tracking arrangement (100) of claim 7, wherein the data providing device (116) is configured, in response to the data requesting device (114) interacting with the identifier unit (106), to provide a predetermined survey to a user, and wherein the product-state data (PS) comprises survey input provided by the user.

9. The product tracking arrangement (100) of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a process control unit (150), that is configured to generate and provide process operation instructions (Ol) for controlling a production process of the product, wherein the process operation instructions depend on the product data items (PD1 , PD2, PD3, PD4) and / or to provide shipment data associated with a shipping route or shipping conditions, based on the additional product item data (PD4) provided by a user in accordance with claim 7 and / or on the shipment condition data.

10. The product tracking arrangement of claim 8 and 9, wherein the process operation instructions (Ol) depend on the product-state data (PS).11 . Computer implemented method (500) for controlling operation of a product tracking arrangement (100) for managing / controlling product data items (PD1 , PD2, PD3, PD4) indicative of product parameters of a shipped product (102), the method comprising- receiving and storing (502) product data items (PD1 , PD2, PD3, PD4) comprising production data associated with a production process of the shipped product and / or quality data associated with quality parameters of the shipped product;- providing (504) an identifier unit (106) associated to the product (102), the identifier unit configured to control access to the data storage unit (104) for accessing at least a part of the product data items (PD1 , PD2, PD3, PD4);| BASF SE | 240068 | 240068WQ01 ~- ascertaining (506) shipment condition data (CD) indicative of conditions (C1 , C2) pertaining to a shipment (110) of the product; and- providing (508) the ascertained shipment condition data (CD) to the data storage unit as an additional product data item (PD3).

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising, in response to a data requesting device interacting with the identifier unit (106), receiving and providing (510), as a further additional product data item (PD4), product-state data indicative of a current state / condition of the product (102); and storing (512) the provided additional product data item in the data storage unit.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising generating and providing (514) process operation instructions for controlling a production process of the product, wherein the process operation instructions depend on the product data items, in particular on the productstate data indicative of a current state or condition of the product14. Computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a processing unit of a product tracking arrangement cause the product tracking arrangement to carry out the steps of the method of any of the claims 11 to 13.

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