AU2022309253A1 - A method for marking identity codes on a cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method (100) for marking unique identity codes (10) on a cartridge (20). The method (100) includes printing multiple unique identity codes (10) on a predefined location (20a) over the cartridge (20). The unique identity codes (10) are marked on the polymeric film (30) in such a way that the unique identity codes (10) are visible along a circumferential area (40g) of the cylindrical cartridge (20).

Description

“A Method for Marking Identity Codes on a Cartridge”

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for marking identity codes. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for marking identity codes on a cartridge.

Background of the invention:

[0002] Generally, cartridges have been used in various industries such as mining, chemical, construction, food processing, manufacturing and road construction etc. The cartridges are available in cylindrical shapes. The cartridges are used for storing materials. For effective tracking of every filled cartridge starting from the manufacturer to the end-user on a real-time basis throughout the supply chain or for tracking the last legal source of the cartridge, it is essential to mark each cartridge with a unique identification code and verify the marking of this code for quality check and/or verification of data integrity for serialization.

[0003] In the existing process, no unique identity code is marked, or the unique identity codes such as barcode / 2D Code / QR code / human-readable data / Alphanumeric code / Alphabetic code are marked on the cartridges. The unique identity code includes identification information and/or other information regarding the cartridge. The printing location is not appropriate and not at the same distance from the edge of the cartridge. Hence, the marked identity code is not readable during online quality check and/or verification of data integrity for serialization by camera or any such automated equipment or scanning device. The code verification is done on the production line at substantial speed, resulting in the rejection of the cartridges.

[0004] Also, in existing methods, a camera system is installed to check the unique identity code on each cartridge while cartridges are moving. A sensor is used to sense the leading edge of the cartridge, the camera is triggered at a specific distance from this edge, so the unique identity code must be printed at the exact location on the cartridge, but in the existing process, there is a shift in this printing due to which the camera is unable to scan the identity code resulting into the rejection of these cartridges.

[0005] Also, due to the further processes, external impurities such as dust, oil, dirt, water etc., are present on the cartridges. Hence, the marked identity code is not readable during quality check and/or verification of data integrity for serialization, resulting in the rejection of these cartridges. [0006] Also, existing cartridges have poor colour contrast between the unique identity code and the surface on which the unique identity code is marked. Hence, the marked code is not readable during quality check and/or verification of data integrity for serialization.

[0007] Further, one more challenge while scanning the unique identity code is that the cartridges tend to rotate around their own axes. Due to this rotation, the identity code loses its position and gets shifted on either side. Due to such a problem, the overhead scanning device or reading device cannot read the marked identity code.

[0008] Due to frequent rejection, the problems such as production loss, financial loss, reduction in the required quantity, risk of data mismatch in case of any malfunction and delay in delivery of the goods may occur. Hence, there is a requirement for a method for marking identity codes on a cartridge that can overcome one or more drawbacks of the existing methods.

Objects of the invention

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for marking identity codes on a cartridge. [0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for marking identity codes on a cartridge, which provides a defined location for printing identity codes on the cartridge.

[0011 ] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for marking identity codes on a cartridge, which removes the external impurities from the surface of the cartridge.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for marking identity codes on a cartridge, which enables scanning devices to scan the identity codes marked on the cartridge efficiently for quality check and/or verification of data integrity for serialization.

[0013] Further object of the present invention is to provide a method for marking identity codes on a cartridge, which ensures accurate online reading or scanning or verification of the code to avoid rejection or production loss. Summary of the invention

[0014] The present invention relates to a method for marking identity codes on a cartridge and online authentication scanning of identity codes on cartridges at a defined location on the cartridge with the help of an eye mark and better contrast and readability. The method involves marking unique identity codes multiple times on the cartridge so that the unique identity codes get clearly scanned by scanning devices to avoid rejection during quality check and/or verification of data integrity for serialization. Also, the method can provide a clear colour contrast between the identity codes and the surface of the cartridge to provide proper visibility of the identity codes.

[0015] At the first step, a polymeric film is selected for printing the identity codes based on the product or brand of the cartridge. In an embodiment, the polymeric film can be a High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) or a Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) material or any other material, including paper. The polymeric film may have a white background thereon for providing a colour contrast between the background and the identity code thereon. The geometrical dimension of the polymeric film can be configured according to the geometrical dimensions of the cartridge. [0016] The polymeric film has an eye mark marked on a definite location of the polymeric film. The eye mask is a black-coloured mark to enable external scanning devices (such as an optical sensor, cameras) to identify a start position of a portion on a packaging to be scanned. The scanning device (not shown in the figure) get triggered when the eye mark on the starting position is detected, and the scanning device scans the identity codes.

[0017] Further, an identity code is printed multiple times in two or more rows in an asymmetric manner in a definite location along the width direction of the polymeric film. Each identity code contains equal information regarding the cartridge (i.e. each identity code is equal). In an embodiment, the location of the identity codes is close to the centre of the cartridge along the length of the cartridge. The identity codes are marked on the cartridge from a predefined distance from the eye mark.

[0018] The identity codes are marked so that the botheration of non-scan ability of the identity code due to shifting in position and rotation of the cartridge around the axis of the cartridge is resolved. The identity code is a machine -readable code that stores the information data of the cartridge such as a batch number and/or manufacturing date and/or expiry date and/or a lot number and/or a manufacturing code and/or a unique identification number and/or any such information linked with the cartridge in an encrypted form and/or non-encrypted form.

[0019] The identity codes can be two-dimensional or quick response codes or data matrix codes or barcodes or a human-readable data or alphanumeric codes or alphabetic codes or numeric codes. In an embodiment, the unique identity codes are printed on the polymeric film by a solvent-based or water-based or UV curable ink or thermal transfer overprint or any other suitable print option for preventing smudging of the identity codes. In addition, the white background on the polymeric film may provide clear visibility between the black-coloured identity codes and the white background on the polymeric film.

[0020] In further step, the polymeric film is rolled along a length direction for configuring a hollow cylindrical body with edges/end attached to form a closing edge/end. The hollow cylindrical body may have two open ends.

[0021] In the next step, one of the open ends of the hollow cylindrical body is sealed with folded crimps or rolled crimps or wire ties or any other such sealing methods. Further, the material such as a chemical or a water gel or an emulsion or a slurry or a food item etc., is filled in the cartridge with the help of a manual/automatic/semiautomatic filling machine or any type of filling machine. In the end, the other open end of the hollow cylindrical body is sealed with folded crimps or rolled crimps or wire ties or glue or an adhesive tape such as a packing tape or a Teflon tape, or a staple machine etc. to form the cartridge.

[0022] After forming the cylindrical cartridge, the cartridge moves for further processes if necessary. The cartridge is carried for further processing on a conveyer. In these processes, external impurities may get deposited on the surface of the cartridges. To remove the external impurities such as dust, oil, dirt, and other external particles, a hot air blower can be configured over the conveyor. The hot air blower may remove external solid impurities by blowing the air over the surface of the cartridge. Further, the moisture or water particles deposited on the surface of the cartridge are removed by a 360-degree circular air knife or air curtain before scanning the identity codes. Further, the printed identity codes get scanned by two or more scanning devices (such as a camera) mounted over the conveyor.

Brief Description of drawings

[0023] Figure 1 shows a flow chart for a method for marking unique identity codes on a cartridge in accordance with the present invention; [0024] Figure 2 shows a schematic top view of a rectangular polymeric film used for forming a cartridge and marking of unique identity codes using the method shown in figure 1 ;

[0025] Figure 3 shows an isometric view of a hollow cylindrical body formed after rolling the polymeric film shown in figure 2.;

[0026] Figure 4 shows an isometric view of the cartridge formed using the method shown in figure 1 ;

[0027] Figure 5 shows an isometric view of a hot air blower configured with the cartridge; and

[0028] Figure 6 shows an isometric view of an air knife configured with the cartridge.

Detailed description of the invention

[0029] An embodiment of this invention, illustrating its features, will now be described in detail. The words "comprising," "having," "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open-ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.

[0030] The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items.

[0031] The present invention relates to a method (100) for marking identity codes on a cartridge authentication scanning of unique identity codes on the cartridge. The method involves printing unique identity codes on the cartridge at a defined location with the help of an eye mark so that the unique identity codes are clearly scanned by external scanning devices to avoid rejection during quality check and/or verification of data integrity for serialization. Also, the method prevents the botheration of the non scan ability of the Code due to 'Position Shift' or rotation around its axis. Furthermore, the method provides clear colour contrast between the unique identity codes and the cartridge to provide proper visibility of the unique identity codes. [0032] The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms.

[0033] Referring to figure 1, a method (100) for marking unique identity codes (10) on a cartridge (20) is illustrated in accordance with the present invention. The cartridge (20) is a rigid or flexible container for holding any material either in semisolid form or solid form. The cartridges (20) are used in rock excavation, chemical, construction, food processing, manufacturing industries etc. In the present embodiment, the cartridge (20) is of a flexible material, and the cartridge (20) is used to store materials like water gels or emulsion or slurry or food materials or any other and the like (30).

[0034] The method (100) starts at step 110.

[0035] At step 120, a rectangular polymeric film (40) with edges (40a and 40b) is selected for marking unique identity codes (10) thereon, as shown in figure 2. In the present embodiment, the polymeric film (40) is a High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) or a Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) material or any other material, including paper. The polymeric film (40) has an eye mark (90) printed on a predefined location of the polymeric film (40). The location of the eye mark (90) is dependent on the requirement of a user. The eye mask is a black-coloured mark to enable external scanning devices (such as an optical sensor, cameras) to identify a start position of a portion on a packaging to be scanned.

[0036] The scanning device (not shown in the figure) get triggered when the eye mark is detected. The polymeric film (40) has a white background thereon for providing a colour contrast between the polymeric film (40) and the identity codes (10) thereon. The geometrical dimension of the polymeric film (40) is configured according to the geometrical dimensions of the cartridge (20). In the present embodiment, the polymeric film (40) is in the rolled form initially.

[0037] At step 130, two or more unique identity codes (10) are marked on a predefined location (20a) over the polymeric film (40) along a width direction (40c) of the polymeric film (40), as shown in figure 2. The location (20a) of the identity codes (10) is at a predefined distance from the eye mark (90). The distance of the identity codes (10) from the eye mark (90) is based on the type of external scanning device (such as an optical sensor, camera). In one of the embodiment, the location (20a) of the identity codes (10) is closer to the central portion of the polymeric film (40), as shown in figure 2. The identity codes (10) are marked over the polymeric film (40) in two or more rows in an asymmetric manner, as shown in figure 2. In the present embodiment, each of the identity codes (10) are identical (i.e. contains equal/same information). The unique identity codes (10) are unique machine -readable codes for storing information data of the cartridge (20) such as a batch number and/or manufacturing date and/or expiry date and/or a lot number and/or a manufacturing code and/or a unique identification number or any such information linked with the cartridge in an encrypted form or non-encrypted form.

[0038] In the present embodiment, the unique identity codes (10) are two- dimensional codes or quick response codes or barcodes or human-readable data or alphanumeric codes or alphabetic codes. The unique identity codes (10) are marked on the polymeric film (40) by any printing machine. The unique identity codes (10) are printed on the polymeric film (40) by a suitable print option such as a solvent-based or water-based, or UV curable ink or thermal transfer overprint or other suitable print option for preventing smudging of the unique identity codes (10). The polymeric film (40) has a white background thereon to provide clear visibility between the unique identity codes and the polymeric film.

[0039] At step 140, the polymeric film (40) is rolled along a length direction (40d) of the polymeric film (40) for forming a hollow cylindrical body (50), as shown in figure 3. During rolling of the polymeric film (40), the edges (40a and 40b) of the polymeric film (40) are attached to form a closing edge (40e), as shown in figure 3. After rolling, the polymeric film (40) is formed into a hollow cylindrical body (50) with two open ends (50a and 50b), as shown in figure 3. In the present embodiment, the open ends (40a and 40b) are attached by folded crimps or rolled crimps or wire ties or glue or an adhesive tape such as a packing tape or a Teflon tape, or a staple machine etc.

[0040] At step 150, the material (30) is filled inside the hollow cylindrical body (50) through one of the open ends (50a or 50b) by sealing the other end (50a or 50b) of the hollow cylindrical body (50) as shown in figure 2. The material (30) is filled inside the hollow cylindrical body (50) by a manual/automatic/ semiautomatic filling machine. In the present embodiment, the material (30) is a chemical or a water gel or an emulsion or a food item etc. One of the ends (50a or 50b) is sealed by folded crimps or rolled crimps or wire ties or a staple machine or glue or an adhesive tape.

[0041] At step 160, the other open end (50a or 50b) of the filled cylindrical body (50) is sealed to form a cartridge (20), as shown in figure 4. In the present embodiment, the other open end (50a and 50b) is sealed with folded crimps or rolled crimps or wire ties or any other such process. In one of the embodiment, the rolling of the polymeric film (40), filling the material (30) in the hollow cylindrical body (50) and sealing ends of the cylindrical body (50) are performed by a cartridge packaging machine. The unique identity codes (10) are marked on the polymeric film (40) in such a way that the unique identity codes (40) are visible along a complete circumferential area (40g) of the cylindrical cartridge (10). Due to the visibility of the multiple identity codes (10) over the entire circumferential area (40g), the scanning device can scan any of the identity codes (10) clearly, eliminating the problem encountered due to a single identity code (10). The marking of the identity codes (10) over the cartridge (20) prevents errors in scanning due to the shifting of the identity codes (10) during the rotation of the cartridge (10) around its axis.

[0042] The method (100) ends at step 170.

[0043] After forming the cylindrical cartridge (20), the cartridge (20) moves for further processes if necessary. The cartridge is carried for further processing on a conveyor (110), as shown in figure 5. In these processes, there are external impurities may get deposited on the surface of the cartridges. To remove the external impurities such as dust, oil, dirt, and other external particles, a hot air blower (70) is configured over the conveyor (110), as shown in figure 5. The hot air blower (70) removes external impurities by blowing the air over the surface of the cartridge (20). Further, the moisture or water particles deposited on the surface of the cartridge (20) are removed by a 360-degree circular air knife (80) or air curtain before scanning the unique identity codes (10), as shown in figure 6. [0044] The air knife (80) is a circular ring-like structure configured over the conveyor (10) in such a way that when the cartridge (20) passes through the air knife (80), the air knife (80) encloses the entire circumferential area (50) of the cartridge (20) as shown in figure 6. The air knife (80) blows a high velocity compressed air in a radial direction over the circumference of the cartridge (20) to remove moisture content accumulated over the cartridge (20). After cleaning the cartridge (20) with the air knife (80), the scanning device (such as a camera) arranged along the conveyor (110) scan the identity codes (10).

[0045] Thus, the present invention provides a method (100) for printing unique identity codes (10) on a cartridge (20), which provides a simple and unique way of printing unique identity codes over the surface of the cartridge (20). Moreover, the cartridges (20) made from the method (100) enables the scanning devices to clearly scan the unique identity codes (10) and prevent rejection during the manufacturing process. Further, the method (100) involves a simple and cost-effective process. Also, the method (100) removes the external impurities such as dust, oil, dirt, and other external particles from the surface of the cartridge (20). Also, the method (100) provides clear visibility and colour contrast between the unique identity codes (10) and the surface of the cartridge (20). [0046] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims (10)

We Claim:

1. A method (100) for marking identity codes (10) on a cartridge (20), the cartridge (10) being used to store a material (30) therein, the method (100) comprises steps of: selecting a polymeric film (40) of rectangular shape having edges (40a and 40b) with an eye mark (90) being printed at a predefined location of the polymeric film (40); marking two or more unique identity codes (10) on a predefined location (20a) over the polymeric film (40) in two or more rows along a width direction (40c) of the polymeric film (40), rolling the polymeric film (40) along a length direction (40d) of the polymeric film (40) for configuring a hollow cylindrical body (50) with edges (40a and 40b) attached to form a closing edge (40e), wherein the hollow cylindrical body (50) having two open ends (50a and 50b); filling the material (30) inside the hollow cylindrical body (50) through one of the open ends (50a or 50b) by sealing the other end (50a or 50b) of the hollow cylindrical body (50); and sealing the other open end (50a or 50b) of the filled cylindrical body (50), thereby configuring the cartridge (10), wherein the identity codes (40) are marked on the polymeric film (40) in such a way that the identity codes (40) are visible along a circumferential area (40g) of the cylindrical cartridge (20).

2. The method (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a hot air blower (70) is configured on a conveyor (110) for removing external impurities from the circumferential area (40g) of the cartridge (20) when the hot air blower (70) performs air blowing operation on the cartridge (20).

3. The method (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cartridge (10) is passed through a 360° circular air knife (80) configured arranged on the conveyor (110) and the circular air knife (80) is operated for removing moisture particles from the circumferential area (40g) of the cartridge (20).

4. The method (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the identity codes (40) are two- dimensional quick response codes or barcodes or human-readable data or alphanumeric codes or alphabetic codes.

5. The method (100) as claimed in claims 1 and 4, wherein the identity codes (10) include the identification data of the cartridge (20) such as a batch number and/or manufacturing and expiry dates and/or a lot number and/or a manufacturing code and/or a unique identification number or any such information linked with the cartridge (20).

6. The method (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the unique identity codes (10) are marked on the polymeric film (40) by a solvent-based or water-based or UV curable ink or thermal transfer overprint for preventing smudging of the unique identity codes (10).

7. The method (100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the polymeric film (30) is a High- Density Polyethylene (HDPE) paper or a Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) material or any other material including paper.

8. The method (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polymeric film (40) is having a white background thereon to provide colour contrast between the identity codes (10) and the polymeric film (40).

9. The method (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the open ends (50a and 50b) of the cylindrical body (50) are sealed by folded crimps or rolled crimps or wire ties or a staple machine or a glue or an adhesive tape.

10. The method (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the identity codes (10) are configured over the polymeric film (30) in an asymmetric manner.