Opaque Carrier Blocking Bar Code Scanning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional multi-packaging devices often result in individual container bar codes being scanned instead of package bar codes, leading to incorrect pricing and inventory control issues due to random rotational orientations of containers within the carrier.

Innovation Solution

A multi-packaging device with a carrier featuring a plurality of apertures and an opaque section that extends through the center, positioning containers so that their bar codes are blocked from scanning, ensuring only the package bar code is readable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If containers are positioned in random rotational orientations within the carrier, then the carrier can accommodate containers flexibly and easily, but individual container bar codes become readable by bar code scanners causing pricing and inventory control problems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer orientation flexibilityVSAvoidbar code scanning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the problematic element (individual container bar codes) from the scanning process by using an opaque section in the carrier that physically blocks the bar codes on individual containers, allowing only the package bar code to be scanned while maintaining flexible container orientation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The opaque section acts as an intermediary element between the individual container bar codes and the bar code scanner, selectively blocking the individual bar codes while allowing the package bar code to be read, thus resolving the contradiction without restricting container orientation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If an opaque section is added to block individual bar codes, then bar code scanning accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebar code scanning accuracyVSAvoidcarrier structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The opaque section serves multiple functions simultaneously: it blocks individual container bar codes from scanning, provides structural support for the carrier, and can be integrated into the existing carrier design without requiring separate blocking components, thus improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Prevents individual container bar codes from being scanned, ensuring accurate pricing for multi-container packages and improving inventory control by ensuring only the package bar code is read by the scanner.

Implementation Method 1

providing a carrier having a plurality of apertures and an opaque section into engagement with the plurality of containers wherein the opaque section extends in a strip through a center portion of the sheet and between the apertures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP2016005B1Method of assemblying bar code blocking package

Publication Date: 2011.12.28 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

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AI summary

A method and apparatus for blocking a bar code (70) in a package (10) includes a carrier (40) with a plurality of apertures (25) and an opaque section (30). The carrier is engaged with a plurality of containers (60) so that a bar code on each container is rotationally oriented toward a center of the resulting package and is blocked by adjacent containers and/or the opaque section of the carrier from a bar code scanner.