CA2196474A1 - Electronic tagging device for identifying transported products - Google Patents
Electronic tagging device for identifying transported productsInfo
- Publication number
- CA2196474A1 CA2196474A1 CA002196474A CA2196474A CA2196474A1 CA 2196474 A1 CA2196474 A1 CA 2196474A1 CA 002196474 A CA002196474 A CA 002196474A CA 2196474 A CA2196474 A CA 2196474A CA 2196474 A1 CA2196474 A1 CA 2196474A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- transmitter
- mounting member
- mounting
- electronic
- molded
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
- G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
- G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
- G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
- G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
- G06K19/0772—Physical layout of the record carrier
- G06K19/07728—Physical layout of the record carrier the record carrier comprising means for protection against impact or bending, e.g. protective shells or stress-absorbing layers around the integrated circuit
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A22—BUTCHERING; MEAT TREATMENT; PROCESSING POULTRY OR FISH
- A22B—SLAUGHTERING
- A22B5/00—Accessories for use during or after slaughtering
- A22B5/0064—Accessories for use during or after slaughtering for classifying or grading carcasses; for measuring back fat
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A22—BUTCHERING; MEAT TREATMENT; PROCESSING POULTRY OR FISH
- A22B—SLAUGHTERING
- A22B7/00—Slaughterhouse arrangements
- A22B7/001—Conveying arrangements
- A22B7/002—Devices for hanging animal carcasses while being conveyed or stored, e.g. gambrels, hooks
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A22—BUTCHERING; MEAT TREATMENT; PROCESSING POULTRY OR FISH
- A22B—SLAUGHTERING
- A22B7/00—Slaughterhouse arrangements
- A22B7/001—Conveying arrangements
- A22B7/007—Means containing information relative to the carcass that can be attached to or are embedded in the conveying means
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01V—GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS
- G01V15/00—Tags attached to, or associated with, an object, in order to enable detection of the object
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
- G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
- G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
- G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
- G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
- G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
- G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
- G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
- G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
- G06K19/0772—Physical layout of the record carrier
- G06K19/0773—Physical layout of the record carrier the record carrier comprising means to protect itself against external heat sources
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
- Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Food Science & Technology (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geophysics (AREA)
- Biophysics (AREA)
- Arrangements For Transmission Of Measured Signals (AREA)
Abstract
A transmitter for use in the food industry for unique identification of a transport device such as a hanger for a carcass or a container for food products is mounted within a housing which protects the transmitter from heat, water, corrosive materials and shock loads. The housing comprises a cylindrical ring having one end welded to a suitable support element on the hanger and a second open end. The transmitter itself is in the form of a flat disc molded within a generally cylindrical body which can be inserted into the ring. A male thread is formed on the outside of the cylindrical body and a female thread of the inside of the ring allowing the device to be readily attached into the ring. The body is molded from silicone rubber which provides the necessary protections while allowing the communication of signals to and from the transmitter through the open face of the ring.
Description
ELECTRONIC TAGGING DEVICE FOR IDENTIFYING TRANSPORTED
PRODUCTS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an electronic tagging device for 5 identifying transported products and is particularly but not exclusively designed for use with food products such as animal carcasses, fish and the like where the tagging device must pass through a harsh environment including heat, water, corrosive materials and impact or shock loadings.
It has been a highly desirable objective in the meat processing 10 industry for some years to provide an electronic tagging device which allows individual hangers for the carcasses to be identified, thus allowing identification of the particular carcass carried by that hanger during its movement through the various processing stations.
Such an electronic tagging of the hangers has a number of 15 significant advantages.
Firstly it allows the individual weight of the hanger to be detected prior to attachment of the carcass so that the actual weight of the hanger can be deducted from the weight of the carcass to provide an actual weight of the carcass. Without such a tagging device, it is necessary to use 20 for the deduction of the weight of the hanger a conservative, actual or estimated minimum weight of all of the hangers, bearing in mind that the hangers can vary significantly in weight depending upon their age and condition. As the plant pays for the carcasses based upon the calculated weight of the carcass, the plant is obliged, in such a process where the 25 hanger weight is estimated to pay based upon this conservative estimate rather than the actual weight. It is known that a significant cost saving can be obtained by paying for the actual weight of the carcass rather than the estimated weights.
_ 2 21 ~6474 Secondly, improvements in processing can be obtained by identifying carcasses with certain characteristics for different processing and to use the tagging system to ensure that the carcasses with the required characteristics are moved to the required processing situations. In the 5 absence of an effective tagging system, this cannot be done effectively or needs to be done on a manual basis which requires closer attention and increased labor costs.
Thirdly the use of an electronic tagging device on each hanger allows the system to be formed into a closed loop arrangement in which the 10 hangers are automatically returned to the initial loading location and prior to entry into the loading location are re weighed to provide an actual weight of the hanger prior to receiving the carcass. During the recircùlation process, the hanger is required to be cleaned and therefore the hanger and the tagging device must pass through a corrosive cleaning process.
Attempts have been made to provide electronic tagging device in order to obtain the above significant advantages.
Transmitters are available which are activated in a magnetic field to issue a coded signal which is generally digital in the form of a serial number unique to the particular transmitter. Such devices are relatively small 20 and do not have high power requirement and accordingly are ideal for situations of this type.
The present invention is particularly concerned with the meat processing industry but other food products can also advantageously use the same arrangements, for example the seafood industry and poultry processing.
25 In the processing of meat and poultry products, normally the tagging device is attached to a hanger for the individual carcass. In the fish or seafood industry, the seafood is often contained in a stainless steel tote and in such acase the electronic tagging would be attached to the individual tote.
-In all these industries, the transportation device, that is the hanger or container, must pass through various areas which include those having relatively harsh environments. Thus the transportation device will encounter water, heat, corrosive materials, shock or impact loadings due to 5 impacts of the transportation device with other such devices or dropping of the transportation device from an overhead conveyor.
It is necessary therefore that the known transmitter of the above type must be housed on the transportation device in a manner which allows it to accommodate the above harsh environmental conditions.
For example, it is desirable that the housing of the transmitter will allow the transmitter to accommodate heat from boiling water for a period of up to four hours and heat from an oven of 400~F up to 25 minutes.
While these are not necessarily characteristics which may be met in all circumstances, it is believed that a transmitter device which accommodates 15 these characteristics would likely be suitable in most processing environments.
Attempts have been made to mount a transmitter of this general type on a hanger of a meat processing system. Previous attempts have concentrated upon providing a housing generally of stainless steel which fully 20 encloses and encompasses the transmitting elements and which contains suitable mounting assemblies for the transmitting elements so they are held secure and protected from the environment. The housing is then bolted to a bracket attached to the hanger. However these arrangements have been very complex and therefore expensive and have also been ineffective since 25 the stainless steel housing often interferes with the transmitted signal or with the magnetic field to which the transmitter responds thus interfering with the proper operation of the transmitter.
4 21 ~6474 Up till now, therefore, devices of this type have not been successful and there has been no wide scale adoption of such devices despite the significant advantages which are known to exist.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one object of the present invention, therefore, to provide an improved electronic tagging apparatus for use with transported products such as carcasses or other materials used in the food industry.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an electronic tagging apparatus comprising:
an electronic transmitter for transmitting an electronic code signal providing an identification code substantially unique to the transmitter; and and a housing arranged for mounting the transmitter on an object to be tagged and arranged such that the housing encloses the 15 transmitter and protects the transmitter from heat, water, corrosive materials and trauma, the housing comprising:
a substantially rigid mounting member for attachment to the object;
a body molded from an elastomeric material encapsulating 20 the transmitter;
and means mounting the body on the mounting member.
Preferably the body is molded from a material that does not impede transmission of the signal.
Preferably the body is molded from silicone rubber.
Preferably the transmitter is arranged to transmit the code signal when in the presence of a magnetic field.
Preferably the mounting member is welded to the object.
Preferably the mounting member includes a peripheral wall defining a receptacle with an open front face and wherein the body includes an insert portion which is shaped to engage into the receptacle and includes an end portion which defines a front surface covering the open front face and 5 the peripheral wall of the mounting member forms a ring.
Preferably the insert portion of the body includes connecting means molded thereon for releasably and readily reengageably connecting with the mounting member.
Preferably the connecting means comprises a thread surrounding 10 a cylindrical outer wall of the insert portion and wherein the peripheral wall of the mounting member comprises a ring with a female thread on an inside surface thereof.
Preferably the end portion is of larger transverse dimension than the open front face to define a shoulder surrounding the open front face.
Preferably the insert portion has molded thereon projecting elements for engaging the peripheral wall of the mounting member for holding the body in place inside the mounting member.
Preferably the transmitter is physically connected to the mounting member only through the elastomeric material of the body.
Preferably the body is formed solely from said elastomeric material.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for tracking a plurality of product elements during transportation thereof comprising:
a plurality of transport devices for moving the product elements through a series of processing stations, each transport device being arranged to receive a respective one of the plurality of product elements;
~ 6 2196474 each transport device having mounted thereon a respective one of a plurality of electronic tagging devices, each comprising:
an electronic transmitter for transmitting an electronic code signal providing an identification code substantially unique to the 5 transmitter; and and a housing arranged for mounting the transmitter on an object to be tagged and arranged such that the housing encloses the transmitter and protects the transmitter from heat, water, corrosive materials and trauma, the housing comprising:
a substantially rigid mounting member attached to the respective transport device;
a molded elastomeric body encapsulating the transmitter;
and means mounting the body on the mounting member.
According to a third aspect of the invention thereis provided a 15 method for tracking a plurality of product elements during transportation thereof comprising:
mounting each product element on a respective one of a plurality of transport devices;
moving the transport devices with the food product~0 elements thereon through a series of processing stations;
mounting on each transport device a respective one of a plurality of electronic tagging devices, each comprising:
an electronic transmitter for transmitting an electronic code signal providing an identification code substantially unique to the~5 transmitter; and and a housing arranged for mounting the transmitter on an object to be tagged and arranged such that the housing encloses the 7 21 ~6474 transmitter and protects the transmitter from heat, water, corrosive materials and trauma, the housing comprising:
a substantially rigid mounting member attached to the respective transport device;
a molded elastomeric body encapsulating the transmitter;
and means mounting the body on the mounting member;
at one or more stations, causing the transmitter to emit said code signal;
and detecting said signal to identify the tagging device and 10 therefore the product element associated therewith.
One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a vertical cross sectional view through the electronic 15 tagging device according to the present invention shown attached to a schematically illustrated transportation device and shown in cooperation with a detector element used with the tagging device.
Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the tagging device of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a cross sectional view along the lines 3-3 of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a process used in an animal processing plant and utilizing the tagging device of Figure 1.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.
The electronic tagging device shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 comprises an electronic transmitter 10 which is of the type manufactured by Motorola although any similar arrangement can be used which provides the same purpose. The device is commercially available and accordingly will not be described in detail but comprises in structure a circular disc of approximately 0.75 inches in diameter and a thickness of the order of 0.15 inches with a central hole 11.
As is well known, this transmitter is activated by a magnetic field and in Figure 1 this is transmitted by a plate antenna 13 with the field being generated by a generator indicated schematically at 14. In response to the magnetic field, the transmitter is programmed to generate a coded signal which is then transmitted in the form of a modulated electronic magnetic field 10 which can then be detected by a receiver 15. The receiver and the transmitter are tuned so that the receiver can directly provide an output signalof an identification code unique to the transmitter.
The transmitter 10 is encapsulated within a molded body 16 formed of an elastomeric material. The body is formed wholly of the 15 elastomeric material and the transmitter is located within the body so that it is spaced from all outside surfaces of the body and thus protected by the thickness of the body which varies at different locations in the body.
The body has a front surface 17 and a rear surface 18 both of which are generally flat with the surfaces parallel.
The body is molded to form a cylindrical surface 19 which extends from the end surface 18 partway along the length of the body. The end surface 18 is circular so as to define an end of the cylinder. The cylindrical surface 19 is molded to form a thread which extends along the surface and breaks out at the end 18 allowing the thread to be engaged onto 25 a suitable female thread of the receptacle.
At the end of the surface 19 opposite to the end face 18, the body is molded so that it defines a shoulder 20 extending generally radially outwardly from the end of the surface to form thus an annular area around the surface 19. From the shoulder 20 to the end face 17 is defined a further cylindrical surface 21 so that the end face 17 and the cylindrical surface 21 in effect form a head of increased diameter relative to the surface 19. An outside rim of the end face 17 can be chamfered as indicated at 22.
The transmitter 10 is arranged parallel to the end faces 17 or 18 and is located closely adjacent the end face 18 that is on the side of the shoulder 20 toward the end face 18.
The receptacle for the molded body is indicated at 30 and comprises a metal or other rigid material ring defining a cylindrical wall having open ends 31 and 32. The end 31 of the ring 30 is welded as indicated at 33 to a support structure of a transport device generally indicated at 35.
Thus the ring 30 is closed at the end 31 by the transport device leaving the front end 32 open. The ring thus forms a receptacle or container into which the body is inserted. The ring has a thread 36 formed on the inside surface 15 as a female thread shaped to engage into the male thread section on the surface 19. The depth of the body between the shoulder 20 and the end face 18 is arranged to be substantially equal to the depth of the ring. The diameter of the surface 19 is equal to the diameter of the inside surface of the ring. Thus the male thread starting at the end 18 of the body can be 20 engaged onto the female thread in the ring allowing the body to be threaded into position and held in position within the ring with the end cap portion projecting outwardly from the end of the ring and manually graspable by the fingers of a user to allow the body to be inserted readily into the ring and jails readily removed from the ring simply by rotation causing the threading and 25 unthreading action.
As shown in Figure 1, the magnetic field generating system is arranged adjacent the end cap portion of the body so that the communication of a magnetic field and the communication of the radio frequency signal from , the transmitter can be effected through the material of the body rather than through the area of the ring.
The ring is formed from stainless steel so that it can be readily welded in place but also is resistant to corrosion which could interfere with 5 the hygienic conditions of the device.
The body is molded from a suitable elastomeric material which is resistant to heat, water, corrosive liquids. A suitable elastomeric material comprises silicone rubber which is a high grade elastomeric material providing the above characteristics.
The locating of the transmitter disc within the area inside the ring provides additional protection for the transmitter element while allowing the communication with the transmitter through the open face of the ring.
The body is relatively thin between the outside edge of the disc and the surface 19 and therefore the disc is held relatively stable while allowing the 15 material between the disc and the ring to accommodate shock loads.
The major thickness of the material is between the outside surface and the front face of the disc and this thickness is sufficient to provide an insulation effect to prevent the application of heat from readily reaching the transmitter and thus causing damage. Surprisingly it has been 20 found that the simple manufacture of the supporting body of silicone rubber with a diameter of the order of 1.5 inches and the thickness of the order of 0.75 inches enables the device to accommodate the temperatures set forth above.
In Figure 1, the tagging device is shown attached to a 25 schematically illustrated hanger for use in transporting a carcass. Thus the hanger includes the support structure 35 which is carried via a roller 40 on a rail 41 and includes a depending hanger section 42 on which the carcass is 11 21 q6474 -attached. The details of this arrangement are shown only schematically since these will be well known to one skilled in the art.
Turning now to Figure 4, the device is used in a carcass processing system shown schematically. The processing system includes a 5 loading zone 50 at which the freshly killed carcasses are applied to the hanger 42 on the rail 41 for conveying of the carcass through the various processing stages. Downstream of the loading zone is provided a scale 51 which weighs the hanger including all elements attached thereto and particularly the carcass.
After weighing the carcass transported by the hanger is passed through a heating zone 52 which is used to remove hair from the carcass and therefore the heat is relatively high for a relatively short period of time.
Downstream of the heating zone, the carcass is inspected as indicated at 53 where its suitability for certain processing is determined. The processing 15 roots are indicated at 54 and 55 and these are selected at a junction 56. The inspection zone and the junction 56 both include detection systems responsive to the transmitter so that the control system overseeing the operation of the process can receive information concerning the quality of the carcass and its required processing route. In this way the carcass can be 20 automatically routed either to the section 54 or the section 55 depending upon the characterization determined at the inspection zone and depending upon detection of the unique ID code which is recorded in regard to the particular carcass.
After passing through the processing zones 54 or 55, the hanger 25 after the carcass has been completely butchered and removed is dropped from the conveyor for storage or further processing. The further processing involves passing of the hanger through a washing zone 60 which requires the application of heated water and corrosive materials through the hanger and 12 21 q6474 its attached elements to provide a suitable hygienic condition for the equipment.
Downstream of the washing system, the hanger is replaced on the conveyor and communicated to a scale 61 which measures the weight of 5 the hanger itself including all equipment attached thereto but excluding the carcass so that the actual weight of the hanger can be determined, that is the tare weight.
Using the gross weight determined by the scale 51 and the tare weight determined by the scale 61, the net weight of the actual carcass can 10 be determined without the necessity for averaging or calculations.
While the ring in the embodiment shown is of circular shape in elevational view, it is possible for other shapes of ring to be used. In addition, while the interconnection between the molded body and the ring is shown as a threaded connection, other such connections can be used 15 including projecting pins or members on the body which provide a resilient engagement into recesses on the ring thus holding the body in place. The threaded arrangement however has the significant advantage that the body can be threaded down into engagement of the shoulder with the end face of the ring in the form of a bolt in a nut which thus provides a tight fit between 20 the two elements which is resistant to vibration.
In order to assist in locating the transmitter in the mold during casting of the silicone rubber around the transmitter, a short peg can be inserted through the hole to hold the transmitter in place.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as 25 herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments 5 of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
PRODUCTS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an electronic tagging device for 5 identifying transported products and is particularly but not exclusively designed for use with food products such as animal carcasses, fish and the like where the tagging device must pass through a harsh environment including heat, water, corrosive materials and impact or shock loadings.
It has been a highly desirable objective in the meat processing 10 industry for some years to provide an electronic tagging device which allows individual hangers for the carcasses to be identified, thus allowing identification of the particular carcass carried by that hanger during its movement through the various processing stations.
Such an electronic tagging of the hangers has a number of 15 significant advantages.
Firstly it allows the individual weight of the hanger to be detected prior to attachment of the carcass so that the actual weight of the hanger can be deducted from the weight of the carcass to provide an actual weight of the carcass. Without such a tagging device, it is necessary to use 20 for the deduction of the weight of the hanger a conservative, actual or estimated minimum weight of all of the hangers, bearing in mind that the hangers can vary significantly in weight depending upon their age and condition. As the plant pays for the carcasses based upon the calculated weight of the carcass, the plant is obliged, in such a process where the 25 hanger weight is estimated to pay based upon this conservative estimate rather than the actual weight. It is known that a significant cost saving can be obtained by paying for the actual weight of the carcass rather than the estimated weights.
_ 2 21 ~6474 Secondly, improvements in processing can be obtained by identifying carcasses with certain characteristics for different processing and to use the tagging system to ensure that the carcasses with the required characteristics are moved to the required processing situations. In the 5 absence of an effective tagging system, this cannot be done effectively or needs to be done on a manual basis which requires closer attention and increased labor costs.
Thirdly the use of an electronic tagging device on each hanger allows the system to be formed into a closed loop arrangement in which the 10 hangers are automatically returned to the initial loading location and prior to entry into the loading location are re weighed to provide an actual weight of the hanger prior to receiving the carcass. During the recircùlation process, the hanger is required to be cleaned and therefore the hanger and the tagging device must pass through a corrosive cleaning process.
Attempts have been made to provide electronic tagging device in order to obtain the above significant advantages.
Transmitters are available which are activated in a magnetic field to issue a coded signal which is generally digital in the form of a serial number unique to the particular transmitter. Such devices are relatively small 20 and do not have high power requirement and accordingly are ideal for situations of this type.
The present invention is particularly concerned with the meat processing industry but other food products can also advantageously use the same arrangements, for example the seafood industry and poultry processing.
25 In the processing of meat and poultry products, normally the tagging device is attached to a hanger for the individual carcass. In the fish or seafood industry, the seafood is often contained in a stainless steel tote and in such acase the electronic tagging would be attached to the individual tote.
-In all these industries, the transportation device, that is the hanger or container, must pass through various areas which include those having relatively harsh environments. Thus the transportation device will encounter water, heat, corrosive materials, shock or impact loadings due to 5 impacts of the transportation device with other such devices or dropping of the transportation device from an overhead conveyor.
It is necessary therefore that the known transmitter of the above type must be housed on the transportation device in a manner which allows it to accommodate the above harsh environmental conditions.
For example, it is desirable that the housing of the transmitter will allow the transmitter to accommodate heat from boiling water for a period of up to four hours and heat from an oven of 400~F up to 25 minutes.
While these are not necessarily characteristics which may be met in all circumstances, it is believed that a transmitter device which accommodates 15 these characteristics would likely be suitable in most processing environments.
Attempts have been made to mount a transmitter of this general type on a hanger of a meat processing system. Previous attempts have concentrated upon providing a housing generally of stainless steel which fully 20 encloses and encompasses the transmitting elements and which contains suitable mounting assemblies for the transmitting elements so they are held secure and protected from the environment. The housing is then bolted to a bracket attached to the hanger. However these arrangements have been very complex and therefore expensive and have also been ineffective since 25 the stainless steel housing often interferes with the transmitted signal or with the magnetic field to which the transmitter responds thus interfering with the proper operation of the transmitter.
4 21 ~6474 Up till now, therefore, devices of this type have not been successful and there has been no wide scale adoption of such devices despite the significant advantages which are known to exist.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one object of the present invention, therefore, to provide an improved electronic tagging apparatus for use with transported products such as carcasses or other materials used in the food industry.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided an electronic tagging apparatus comprising:
an electronic transmitter for transmitting an electronic code signal providing an identification code substantially unique to the transmitter; and and a housing arranged for mounting the transmitter on an object to be tagged and arranged such that the housing encloses the 15 transmitter and protects the transmitter from heat, water, corrosive materials and trauma, the housing comprising:
a substantially rigid mounting member for attachment to the object;
a body molded from an elastomeric material encapsulating 20 the transmitter;
and means mounting the body on the mounting member.
Preferably the body is molded from a material that does not impede transmission of the signal.
Preferably the body is molded from silicone rubber.
Preferably the transmitter is arranged to transmit the code signal when in the presence of a magnetic field.
Preferably the mounting member is welded to the object.
Preferably the mounting member includes a peripheral wall defining a receptacle with an open front face and wherein the body includes an insert portion which is shaped to engage into the receptacle and includes an end portion which defines a front surface covering the open front face and 5 the peripheral wall of the mounting member forms a ring.
Preferably the insert portion of the body includes connecting means molded thereon for releasably and readily reengageably connecting with the mounting member.
Preferably the connecting means comprises a thread surrounding 10 a cylindrical outer wall of the insert portion and wherein the peripheral wall of the mounting member comprises a ring with a female thread on an inside surface thereof.
Preferably the end portion is of larger transverse dimension than the open front face to define a shoulder surrounding the open front face.
Preferably the insert portion has molded thereon projecting elements for engaging the peripheral wall of the mounting member for holding the body in place inside the mounting member.
Preferably the transmitter is physically connected to the mounting member only through the elastomeric material of the body.
Preferably the body is formed solely from said elastomeric material.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for tracking a plurality of product elements during transportation thereof comprising:
a plurality of transport devices for moving the product elements through a series of processing stations, each transport device being arranged to receive a respective one of the plurality of product elements;
~ 6 2196474 each transport device having mounted thereon a respective one of a plurality of electronic tagging devices, each comprising:
an electronic transmitter for transmitting an electronic code signal providing an identification code substantially unique to the 5 transmitter; and and a housing arranged for mounting the transmitter on an object to be tagged and arranged such that the housing encloses the transmitter and protects the transmitter from heat, water, corrosive materials and trauma, the housing comprising:
a substantially rigid mounting member attached to the respective transport device;
a molded elastomeric body encapsulating the transmitter;
and means mounting the body on the mounting member.
According to a third aspect of the invention thereis provided a 15 method for tracking a plurality of product elements during transportation thereof comprising:
mounting each product element on a respective one of a plurality of transport devices;
moving the transport devices with the food product~0 elements thereon through a series of processing stations;
mounting on each transport device a respective one of a plurality of electronic tagging devices, each comprising:
an electronic transmitter for transmitting an electronic code signal providing an identification code substantially unique to the~5 transmitter; and and a housing arranged for mounting the transmitter on an object to be tagged and arranged such that the housing encloses the 7 21 ~6474 transmitter and protects the transmitter from heat, water, corrosive materials and trauma, the housing comprising:
a substantially rigid mounting member attached to the respective transport device;
a molded elastomeric body encapsulating the transmitter;
and means mounting the body on the mounting member;
at one or more stations, causing the transmitter to emit said code signal;
and detecting said signal to identify the tagging device and 10 therefore the product element associated therewith.
One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a vertical cross sectional view through the electronic 15 tagging device according to the present invention shown attached to a schematically illustrated transportation device and shown in cooperation with a detector element used with the tagging device.
Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the tagging device of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a cross sectional view along the lines 3-3 of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a process used in an animal processing plant and utilizing the tagging device of Figure 1.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.
The electronic tagging device shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 comprises an electronic transmitter 10 which is of the type manufactured by Motorola although any similar arrangement can be used which provides the same purpose. The device is commercially available and accordingly will not be described in detail but comprises in structure a circular disc of approximately 0.75 inches in diameter and a thickness of the order of 0.15 inches with a central hole 11.
As is well known, this transmitter is activated by a magnetic field and in Figure 1 this is transmitted by a plate antenna 13 with the field being generated by a generator indicated schematically at 14. In response to the magnetic field, the transmitter is programmed to generate a coded signal which is then transmitted in the form of a modulated electronic magnetic field 10 which can then be detected by a receiver 15. The receiver and the transmitter are tuned so that the receiver can directly provide an output signalof an identification code unique to the transmitter.
The transmitter 10 is encapsulated within a molded body 16 formed of an elastomeric material. The body is formed wholly of the 15 elastomeric material and the transmitter is located within the body so that it is spaced from all outside surfaces of the body and thus protected by the thickness of the body which varies at different locations in the body.
The body has a front surface 17 and a rear surface 18 both of which are generally flat with the surfaces parallel.
The body is molded to form a cylindrical surface 19 which extends from the end surface 18 partway along the length of the body. The end surface 18 is circular so as to define an end of the cylinder. The cylindrical surface 19 is molded to form a thread which extends along the surface and breaks out at the end 18 allowing the thread to be engaged onto 25 a suitable female thread of the receptacle.
At the end of the surface 19 opposite to the end face 18, the body is molded so that it defines a shoulder 20 extending generally radially outwardly from the end of the surface to form thus an annular area around the surface 19. From the shoulder 20 to the end face 17 is defined a further cylindrical surface 21 so that the end face 17 and the cylindrical surface 21 in effect form a head of increased diameter relative to the surface 19. An outside rim of the end face 17 can be chamfered as indicated at 22.
The transmitter 10 is arranged parallel to the end faces 17 or 18 and is located closely adjacent the end face 18 that is on the side of the shoulder 20 toward the end face 18.
The receptacle for the molded body is indicated at 30 and comprises a metal or other rigid material ring defining a cylindrical wall having open ends 31 and 32. The end 31 of the ring 30 is welded as indicated at 33 to a support structure of a transport device generally indicated at 35.
Thus the ring 30 is closed at the end 31 by the transport device leaving the front end 32 open. The ring thus forms a receptacle or container into which the body is inserted. The ring has a thread 36 formed on the inside surface 15 as a female thread shaped to engage into the male thread section on the surface 19. The depth of the body between the shoulder 20 and the end face 18 is arranged to be substantially equal to the depth of the ring. The diameter of the surface 19 is equal to the diameter of the inside surface of the ring. Thus the male thread starting at the end 18 of the body can be 20 engaged onto the female thread in the ring allowing the body to be threaded into position and held in position within the ring with the end cap portion projecting outwardly from the end of the ring and manually graspable by the fingers of a user to allow the body to be inserted readily into the ring and jails readily removed from the ring simply by rotation causing the threading and 25 unthreading action.
As shown in Figure 1, the magnetic field generating system is arranged adjacent the end cap portion of the body so that the communication of a magnetic field and the communication of the radio frequency signal from , the transmitter can be effected through the material of the body rather than through the area of the ring.
The ring is formed from stainless steel so that it can be readily welded in place but also is resistant to corrosion which could interfere with 5 the hygienic conditions of the device.
The body is molded from a suitable elastomeric material which is resistant to heat, water, corrosive liquids. A suitable elastomeric material comprises silicone rubber which is a high grade elastomeric material providing the above characteristics.
The locating of the transmitter disc within the area inside the ring provides additional protection for the transmitter element while allowing the communication with the transmitter through the open face of the ring.
The body is relatively thin between the outside edge of the disc and the surface 19 and therefore the disc is held relatively stable while allowing the 15 material between the disc and the ring to accommodate shock loads.
The major thickness of the material is between the outside surface and the front face of the disc and this thickness is sufficient to provide an insulation effect to prevent the application of heat from readily reaching the transmitter and thus causing damage. Surprisingly it has been 20 found that the simple manufacture of the supporting body of silicone rubber with a diameter of the order of 1.5 inches and the thickness of the order of 0.75 inches enables the device to accommodate the temperatures set forth above.
In Figure 1, the tagging device is shown attached to a 25 schematically illustrated hanger for use in transporting a carcass. Thus the hanger includes the support structure 35 which is carried via a roller 40 on a rail 41 and includes a depending hanger section 42 on which the carcass is 11 21 q6474 -attached. The details of this arrangement are shown only schematically since these will be well known to one skilled in the art.
Turning now to Figure 4, the device is used in a carcass processing system shown schematically. The processing system includes a 5 loading zone 50 at which the freshly killed carcasses are applied to the hanger 42 on the rail 41 for conveying of the carcass through the various processing stages. Downstream of the loading zone is provided a scale 51 which weighs the hanger including all elements attached thereto and particularly the carcass.
After weighing the carcass transported by the hanger is passed through a heating zone 52 which is used to remove hair from the carcass and therefore the heat is relatively high for a relatively short period of time.
Downstream of the heating zone, the carcass is inspected as indicated at 53 where its suitability for certain processing is determined. The processing 15 roots are indicated at 54 and 55 and these are selected at a junction 56. The inspection zone and the junction 56 both include detection systems responsive to the transmitter so that the control system overseeing the operation of the process can receive information concerning the quality of the carcass and its required processing route. In this way the carcass can be 20 automatically routed either to the section 54 or the section 55 depending upon the characterization determined at the inspection zone and depending upon detection of the unique ID code which is recorded in regard to the particular carcass.
After passing through the processing zones 54 or 55, the hanger 25 after the carcass has been completely butchered and removed is dropped from the conveyor for storage or further processing. The further processing involves passing of the hanger through a washing zone 60 which requires the application of heated water and corrosive materials through the hanger and 12 21 q6474 its attached elements to provide a suitable hygienic condition for the equipment.
Downstream of the washing system, the hanger is replaced on the conveyor and communicated to a scale 61 which measures the weight of 5 the hanger itself including all equipment attached thereto but excluding the carcass so that the actual weight of the hanger can be determined, that is the tare weight.
Using the gross weight determined by the scale 51 and the tare weight determined by the scale 61, the net weight of the actual carcass can 10 be determined without the necessity for averaging or calculations.
While the ring in the embodiment shown is of circular shape in elevational view, it is possible for other shapes of ring to be used. In addition, while the interconnection between the molded body and the ring is shown as a threaded connection, other such connections can be used 15 including projecting pins or members on the body which provide a resilient engagement into recesses on the ring thus holding the body in place. The threaded arrangement however has the significant advantage that the body can be threaded down into engagement of the shoulder with the end face of the ring in the form of a bolt in a nut which thus provides a tight fit between 20 the two elements which is resistant to vibration.
In order to assist in locating the transmitter in the mold during casting of the silicone rubber around the transmitter, a short peg can be inserted through the hole to hold the transmitter in place.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as 25 herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments 5 of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
Claims (18)
1. An electronic tagging apparatus comprising:
an electronic transmitter for transmitting an electronic code signal providing an identification code substantially unique to the transmitter; and and a housing arranged for mounting the transmitter on an object to be tagged and arranged such that the housing encloses the transmitter and protects the transmitter from heat, water, corrosive materials and trauma, the housing comprising:
a substantially rigid mounting member for attachment to the object;
a body molded from an elastomeric material encapsulating the transmitter;
and means mounting the body on the mounting member.
an electronic transmitter for transmitting an electronic code signal providing an identification code substantially unique to the transmitter; and and a housing arranged for mounting the transmitter on an object to be tagged and arranged such that the housing encloses the transmitter and protects the transmitter from heat, water, corrosive materials and trauma, the housing comprising:
a substantially rigid mounting member for attachment to the object;
a body molded from an elastomeric material encapsulating the transmitter;
and means mounting the body on the mounting member.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the body is molded from a material that does not impede transmission of the signal.
3. The apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the body is molded from silicone rubber.
4. The apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the transmitter is arranged to transmit the code signal when in the presence of a magnetic field.
5. The apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the mounting member is welded to the object.
6. The apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the mounting member includes a peripheral wall defining a receptacle with an open front face and wherein the body includes an insert portion which is shaped to engage into the receptacle and includes an end portion which defines a front surface covering the open front face.
7. The apparatus according to Claim 6 wherein the peripheral wall of the mounting member forms a ring.
8. The apparatus according to Claim 6 wherein the insert portion of the body includes connecting means molded thereon for releasably and readily reengageably connecting with the mounting member.
9. The apparatus according to Claim 8 wherein the connecting means comprises a thread surrounding a cylindrical outer wall of the insert portion and wherein the peripheral wall of the mounting member comprises a ring with a female thread on an inside surface thereof.
10. The apparatus according to Claim 5 wherein the end portion is of larger transverse dimension than the open front face to define a shoulder surrounding the open front face.
11. The apparatus according to Claim 5 wherein the insert portion has molded thereon projecting elements for engaging the peripheral wall of the mounting member for holding the body in place inside the mounting member.
12. The apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the transmitter is physically connected to the mounting member only through the elastomeric material of the body.
13. The apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the body is formed solely from said elastomeric material.
14. Apparatus for tracking a plurality of product elements during transportation thereof comprising:
a plurality of transport devices for moving the product elements through a series of processing stations, each transport device being arranged to receive a respective one of the plurality of product elements;
each transport device having mounted thereon a respective one of a plurality of electronic tagging devices, each comprising:
an electronic transmitter for transmitting an electronic code signal providing an identification code substantially unique to the transmitter; and and a housing arranged for mounting the transmitter on an object to be tagged and arranged such that the housing encloses the transmitter and protects the transmitter from heat, water, corrosive materials and trauma, the housing comprising:
a substantially rigid mounting member attached to the respective transport device;
a molded elastomeric body encapsulating the transmitter;
and means mounting the body on the mounting member.
a plurality of transport devices for moving the product elements through a series of processing stations, each transport device being arranged to receive a respective one of the plurality of product elements;
each transport device having mounted thereon a respective one of a plurality of electronic tagging devices, each comprising:
an electronic transmitter for transmitting an electronic code signal providing an identification code substantially unique to the transmitter; and and a housing arranged for mounting the transmitter on an object to be tagged and arranged such that the housing encloses the transmitter and protects the transmitter from heat, water, corrosive materials and trauma, the housing comprising:
a substantially rigid mounting member attached to the respective transport device;
a molded elastomeric body encapsulating the transmitter;
and means mounting the body on the mounting member.
15. A method for tracking a plurality of product elements during transportation thereof comprising:
mounting each product element on a respective one of a plurality of transport devices;
moving the transport devices with the food product elements thereon through a series of processing stations;
mounting on each transport device a respective one of a plurality of electronic tagging devices, each comprising:
an electronic transmitter for transmitting an electronic code signal providing an identification code substantially unique to the transmitter; and and a housing arranged for mounting the transmitter on an object to be tagged and arranged such that the housing encloses the transmitter and protects the transmitter from heat, water, corrosive materials and trauma, the housing comprising:
a substantially rigid mounting member attached to the respective transport device;
a molded elastomeric body encapsulating the transmitter;
and means mounting the body on the mounting member;
at one or more stations, causing the transmitter to emit said code signal;
and detecting said signal to identify the tagging device and therefore the product element associated therewith.
mounting each product element on a respective one of a plurality of transport devices;
moving the transport devices with the food product elements thereon through a series of processing stations;
mounting on each transport device a respective one of a plurality of electronic tagging devices, each comprising:
an electronic transmitter for transmitting an electronic code signal providing an identification code substantially unique to the transmitter; and and a housing arranged for mounting the transmitter on an object to be tagged and arranged such that the housing encloses the transmitter and protects the transmitter from heat, water, corrosive materials and trauma, the housing comprising:
a substantially rigid mounting member attached to the respective transport device;
a molded elastomeric body encapsulating the transmitter;
and means mounting the body on the mounting member;
at one or more stations, causing the transmitter to emit said code signal;
and detecting said signal to identify the tagging device and therefore the product element associated therewith.
16. The method according to claim 15 wherein the transport device is passed through a heating zone and wherein the body protects the transmitter from damage by heat from the heating zone.
17. The method according to claim 15 wherein the transport device is passed through a sanitizing zone in which the transport device is washed with a corrosive liquid and wherein the body protects the transmitter from damage by the corrosive liquid.
18. The method according to claim 15 wherein the transmitter is activated by a magnetic field to emit said code signal.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002196474A CA2196474A1 (en) | 1997-01-31 | 1997-01-31 | Electronic tagging device for identifying transported products |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002196474A CA2196474A1 (en) | 1997-01-31 | 1997-01-31 | Electronic tagging device for identifying transported products |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2196474A1 true CA2196474A1 (en) | 1998-07-31 |
Family
ID=4159797
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002196474A Abandoned CA2196474A1 (en) | 1997-01-31 | 1997-01-31 | Electronic tagging device for identifying transported products |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2196474A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2001055750A1 (en) * | 2000-01-28 | 2001-08-02 | Minarovic Joe T | Detectable transponder conduit end cap |
| EP1734799A1 (en) * | 2005-06-13 | 2006-12-20 | MBBS Holding SA | Passive compact transponder |
| WO2007141424A2 (en) * | 2006-06-07 | 2007-12-13 | Saint-Gobain Pam | Road system device with transponder |
| WO2009001250A1 (en) * | 2007-06-22 | 2008-12-31 | Soremartec S.A. | System for the flexible production of a plurality of types of moulded food products, particularly chocolate-based products and the like |
-
1997
- 1997-01-31 CA CA002196474A patent/CA2196474A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2001055750A1 (en) * | 2000-01-28 | 2001-08-02 | Minarovic Joe T | Detectable transponder conduit end cap |
| EP1734799A1 (en) * | 2005-06-13 | 2006-12-20 | MBBS Holding SA | Passive compact transponder |
| WO2006134082A1 (en) * | 2005-06-13 | 2006-12-21 | Mbbs Holding Sa | Compact passive transponder |
| WO2007141424A2 (en) * | 2006-06-07 | 2007-12-13 | Saint-Gobain Pam | Road system device with transponder |
| FR2902199A1 (en) * | 2006-06-07 | 2007-12-14 | Saint Gobain Pam Sa | TRANSPONDER ROAD DEVICE. |
| WO2007141424A3 (en) * | 2006-06-07 | 2008-03-27 | Saint Gobain Pont A Mousson | Road system device with transponder |
| WO2009001250A1 (en) * | 2007-06-22 | 2008-12-31 | Soremartec S.A. | System for the flexible production of a plurality of types of moulded food products, particularly chocolate-based products and the like |
| RU2462874C2 (en) * | 2007-06-22 | 2012-10-10 | Соремартек С.А. | Flexible system for production of moulded food products of various types, in particular, chocolate and similar products |
| US8983645B2 (en) | 2007-06-22 | 2015-03-17 | Soremartec S.A. | System for the flexible production of a plurality of types of moulded food products, particularly chocolate-based products and the like |
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