Packaging Line Marking Control for Flexible Product Traceability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current marking equipment for packaging lines lacks the flexibility and functionality to meet the increasing market demand for higher food traceability and marking versatility.
Innovation Solution
A Packaging System with a centralized automation control, integrated Marking System, and advanced software applications such as Line Configurator, Line Commander, Recipe Manager, and Conveyor Optimizer, which includes a Marking System with graphical information application and Verification System using cameras and barcode readers, enabling flexible and accurate marking of packaged consumer products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If legacy automation and control systems are used in packaging lines, then valuable functionality and capital investment are maintained, but flexibility and functionality required for food safety traceability and production versatility are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal marking system that can perform multiple marking functions (coding, barcoding, 2D data matrix coding) across different packaging lines. The system uses a common hardware platform and software architecture that can be configured for various marking requirements, eliminating the need for separate specialized systems for each marking task and providing both versatility and ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The marking system employs dynamic configuration capabilities where marking parameters, templates, and operational settings can be adjusted in real-time based on production requirements. The system adapts to different product types, packaging materials, and traceability requirements through programmable control, allowing the same physical system to serve multiple functions across different production scenarios.
2Reliability
If marking equipment is added to packaging lines to enhance traceability, then food safety traceability and marking versatility are improved, but system complexity and configuration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The marking system incorporates self-configuration capabilities where the system can automatically detect packaging line parameters, product characteristics, and marking requirements, then configure itself without extensive manual intervention. The system includes built-in diagnostics and automated setup routines that reduce the burden on operators and minimize configuration time while ensuring reliable traceability marking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where marking results are verified and fed back to the control system for automatic adjustment. The system monitors marking quality, detects issues, and self-corrects parameters to maintain optimal performance, reducing the need for manual tuning and ensuring consistent traceability marking across production batches.
Data Source
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AI summary
A Packaging System comprising: • a Packaging Line designed to produce Packaged Consumer Products; • a Marking System designed to mark individual or packs of Packaged Consumer Products with graphical information; and • a Line Controller designed to control the Packaging Line and the Marking System; wherein the Marking System includes: • a Marking Equipment comprising: - one or more Marking Devices provided along the Packaging Line and designed to apply graphical information onto individual or packs of Packaged Consumer Products in response to received Marking Command(s); and - one or more Marking Device Controllers designed to control the Marking Device(s) in response to received Marking Instruction(s); and • a Marking Server comprising one or more Repositories designed to store one or more Mark Layout Templates, wherein a Mark Layout Template is an hardware-independent description of associated graphical information to be applied onto individual or packs of Packaged Consumer Products, and contains production-independent data, and place holders valorised to mark individual or packs of Packaged Consumer Products with production-dependent data; wherein the Marking Server is designed to: • receive Production Batch Data representing a Production Batch assigned to the Packaging Line for production, and associated Template Identifier(s) of Mark Layout Template(s) requisite to mark individual or packs of Packaged Consumer Products produced during the Production Batch; wherein Production Batch Data includes a Production Batch Identifier; and • provide a Marking Device Controller with stored Mark Layout Template(s) and Production Batch Data requisite to mark individual or packs of Packaged Consumer Products produced during a Production Batch assigned to the Packaging Line; wherein the Line Controller is designed to: • receive Production Batch Data representing a Production Batch assigned to the Packaging Line for production; and • generate Marking Instruction(s) for associated Marking Device Controller(s), wherein a Marking Instruction for a Marking Device Controller includes the Production Batch Identifier of the Production Batch assigned to the Packaging Line for production, and Marking Device Identifier(s) of the Marking Device(s) to be involved to mark individual or packs of Packaged Consumer Products produced during a Production Batch; wherein a Marking Device Controller is designed to: • receive Marking Instruction(s) from the Line Controller; • fetch out from a Repository in the Marking Server stored Mark Layout Template(s) and Production Batch Data requisite to mark individual or packs of Packaged Consumer Products produced during a Production Batch assigned to the Packaging Line for production; and • generate Marking Command(s) for Marking Device(s) controlled by the Marking Device Controller based on fetched Mark Layout Template(s) and Production Batch Data, wherein a Marking Command for a Marking Device is designed to cause, when executed, the Marking Device to mark individual or packs of Packaged Consumer Products with graphical information including production-independent data contained in a fetched Mark Layout Template and production-dependent data contained in fetched Batch Data, wherein the production-independent data and the production-dependent data are applied onto the individual or packs of Packaged Consumer Products according to the fetched Mark Layout Template.