Clamshell Traceability Labeling Mobile Table
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for marking traceability codes on clamshells, such as using inkjet systems, face issues with maintenance, poor print quality, and the inability to reliably print small barcodes, which are necessary for automated scanning in distribution chains and retail environments.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that involves reading and associating traceability codes on clamshells with unique identifiers on containers using scanners on a mobile table, which includes printing or affixing labels with traceability codes on clamshells, nesting them, and storing the associations between the codes and identifiers in a host computing system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If inkjet systems are used to mark codes on clamshells, then codes can be printed on packages, but the systems require considerable maintenance and codes are poorly printed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical inkjet printing system with a label application system. Instead of using inkjet printers to directly mark codes on clamshells, the system applies pre-printed labels to the clamshells. This substitution eliminates the maintenance and quality issues associated with inkjet systems while maintaining the code marking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces labels as an intermediary carrier for the traceability codes. Rather than directly printing on the clamshell surface, the system prints codes on labels first, then applies these labels to the clamshells. This intermediary approach ensures high-quality, consistent code printing while separating the printing process from the packaging process.
2Ease of manufacture
If inkjet systems are used to print codes on clamshells, then codes can be added to packages, but typical inkjet systems cannot reliably print small barcodes needed for automated scanning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the inkjet printing mechanism with a label application mechanism. The label printing process occurs in a controlled environment where precise, small barcodes can be reliably printed using dedicated label printers. The label application system then transfers these precisely printed barcodes to the clamshells, ensuring the barcode size precision required for automated scanning.
3Loss of information
If traceability codes are read from nested clamshells, then individual package traceability is achieved, but the scanning process becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary scanning of traceability codes from nested clamshells before the clamshells are distributed. By reading and recording the traceability information while the clamshells are still nested in the container, the system captures all necessary data in one operation. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex individual scanning later, as the traceability information has already been captured and associated with the container.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the traceability code reading process with the container identification process. Instead of separately scanning each clamshell and then separately tracking its container, the system reads all clamshell codes from the nested stack and associates them with the container identifier in a single integrated operation. This merging simplifies the overall scanning system while achieving complete traceability.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for associating traceability codes on clamshells with unique identifiers on containers in which the empty clamshells are packed for later use. In various methods, the clamshells are marked with traceability codes and stacked together, one traceability code is read from one of the clamshells in each stack, a unique identifier is read from a container, and the stack is placed in the container. The traceability code is stored in association with the unique identifier for later retrieval. An exemplary table for making clamshell-to-container associations comprises a scanner for reading traceability codes and rails for positioning stacks of clamshells proximate to the scanner. The table can also comprise a second scanner positioned to read unique identifiers from containers placed proximate thereto. The table can further comprise a computing system to make and store the associations.