GB2472415A - Product handling apparatus and method - Google Patents

Product handling apparatus and method Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2472415A
GB2472415A GB0913640A GB0913640A GB2472415A GB 2472415 A GB2472415 A GB 2472415A GB 0913640 A GB0913640 A GB 0913640A GB 0913640 A GB0913640 A GB 0913640A GB 2472415 A GB2472415 A GB 2472415A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
product
label
data
container
attaching
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0913640A
Other versions
GB0913640D0 (en
Inventor
Jeremy Bryan Marden
Mark Andrew Boulter
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
MARDEN EDWARDS Ltd
Original Assignee
MARDEN EDWARDS Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by MARDEN EDWARDS Ltd filed Critical MARDEN EDWARDS Ltd
Priority to GB0913640A priority Critical patent/GB2472415A/en
Publication of GB0913640D0 publication Critical patent/GB0913640D0/en
Publication of GB2472415A publication Critical patent/GB2472415A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
    • G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Landscapes

  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Economics (AREA)
  • Quality & Reliability (AREA)
  • Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
  • Human Resources & Organizations (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • Operations Research (AREA)
  • Development Economics (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • Tourism & Hospitality (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Factory Administration (AREA)

Abstract

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for tracing products, such as tobacco related products. A plurality of products 103 are all individually labelled, the labels including data relating to the product, and given an individual identification number. A database 113 aggregates the data of each individual product, and a container label is produced including a set of data containing the individual identification numbers of all the products stored within the container 117. The invention may comprise quality control, such that all products that have not been successfully labelled are removed and re-labelled. The labels may contain a 2D barcode. An etching laser may be used to record data on the product labels.

Description

PRODUCT HANDLING METHOD AND APPARATUS
This invention relates to method and apparatus for tracing a product.
The conventional method for tracing products comprises attaching a label to a product, wherein the label contains data relating to the product, such as a shipping destination. The data corresponds to a data entry on a database. When the product has reached its destination, the label can be scanned, and the corresponding data entry can be updated to acknowledge receipt of the product, and therefore the products new location.
Certain products, such as tobacco products, are subject to varying tax laws when being transported between various countries. Therefore, current practice when transporting tobacco products is to acknowledge receipt of every individual tobacco product in each country the tobacco product is transported through. However, given the large number of tobacco products produced and transported around the world, it is difficult to track each individual tobacco product.
It is therefore desirable to increase the traceability of products.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method, comprising the steps of, a) attaching a first label to a first product, wherein the first label represents data relating to the first product; b) moving the first product to a container; c) repeating steps a) to b), for a plurality of products, with a respective label for each product; d) aggregating the data relating to each product; and e) attaching a container label to the container, wherein the container label represents the aggregated data.
Therefore, the container label has the aggregated data relating to each product inside the container. Advantageously, a consulter only has to read the container label to retrieve all the information of each product inside.
In the conventional method of traceably transferring products, each product would have to be read and the database updated. In the present invention, only the container label needs to be read. Then, when updating the database to acknowledge the new property of the container (such as the new location), the new property for each individual product inside the container is also acknowledged.
The present invention therefore increases the speed at which a consulter can understand information of the products inside a container, increases the speed at which the database of products can be updated, and therefore increases the traceability of products.
Preferably, the step of attaching the first label to the first product comprises attaching the first label to the first product, and then recording on the first label the representation of the data relating to the first product.
Preferably, the step of attaching the first label to the first product comprises recording on the first label the representation of the data relating to the first product, and then attaching the first label to the first product.
Preferably, an etching laser is used to record on the first label the representation of the data relating to the first product.
The etching laser can etch the first label faster than conventional printed labels can be produced. Therefore, the number of products that can be processed is increased.
Preferably, the first label contains a two dimensional barcode.
Preferably, the method further comprises the step, before moving the first product to the container, of reading the first label to check that the data relating to the first product can be successfully understood.
Preferably, if the step of reading the first label fails, then the first product is removed.
Preferably, the first product is reintroduced at the step of attaching a label.
Therefore, the present invention employs a method of quality control on the products to ensure that each product is correctly labelled and etched with the correct data.
Preferably, a reading camera is used to read the first label representing the data relating to the first product.
Preferably, the first product is a first tobacco-based product.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus, comprising, conveying means for conveying a plurality of products, means for attaching a label to each product, a database, wherein the database contains data relating to each product, means for recording the data relating to each product on the label, means for reading the data recorded on the label, which, upon a successful read, communicates with the database, wherein the database is configured to aggregate the data for each product for which it receives a communication from the means for reading the data recorded on the label, means for writing a container label, the container label representing the aggregated data.
Preferably, the apparatus further comprises means to remove the product from the apparatus.
Preferably, the apparatus further comprises means to convey the product from the means to remove the product from the apparatus to the means for attaching a label to the product.
Preferably, the means for recording the data on the label is an etching laser.
Preferably, the means for reading the data recorded on the label is a reading camera.
Preferably, the label is a two-dimensional barcode.
Preferably, each product is a tobacco-based product.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, and with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a method of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 illustrates a method of an optional embodiment of the present invention, excluding the means to reintroduce the product; Figure 4 illustrates apparatus of an optional embodiment of the present invention, excluding the means to reintroduce the product; Figure 5 illustrates a method of an optional embodiment of the present invention, excluding the means to remove the product and the means to reintroduce the product; Figure 6 illustrates apparatus of an optional embodiment of the present invention, excluding the means to remove the product and the means to reintroduce the product; Figure 7 illustrates a method of an optional embodiment of the present invention, excluding the means to read the data recorded on the label, the means to remove the product and the means to reintroduce the product; Figure 8 illustrates apparatus of an optional embodiment of the present invention, excluding the means to read the data recorded on the label, the means to remove the product and the means to reintroduce the product; Figure 9 illustrates a method of an optional embodiment of the present invention, excluding the means to read the data recorded on the label, the means to remove the product and the means to reintroduce the product, wherein the label-attaching section and recording section are combined; and Figure 10 illustrates apparatus of an optional embodiment of the present invention, excluding the means to read the data recorded on the label, the means to remove the product and the means to reintroduce the product, wherein the label-attaching section and recording section are combined.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. A product handling apparatus 100 is provided. A first product 103, such as a tobacco-based first product 103, is introduced into the product handling apparatus 100.
The product handling apparatus 100 includes a conveyor 101 to transport the first product 103 from one section to the next.
The product handling apparatus 100 includes a database 113, which contains data relating to the first product 103.
The first product 103 is introduced into the label-attaching section 102, which includes means for attaching a label to the first product 104. A first label is attached to the first product 103, by an adhesive or other suitable means. The first label preferably contains a two-dimensional barcode.
The first product 103 is then moved to a recording section 108.
The recording section 108 includes the means for recording the data 109 relating to the first product, which is, for example, an etching laser 109. The etching laser 109 receives a data signal from the database 113. The data signal is transmitted between the database 113 and the etching laser 109 by a wire 112 or other suitable means, and contains the data relating to the first product 103. The etching laser 109 etches the first label, such that the first label represents data relating to the first product 103.
The first product 103 is then moved to the reading section 110.
The reading section 110 includes a reading camera 111, which reads the first label representing the data relating to the first product 103.
If the reading camera 111 successfully reads the first label, that is, understands the data relating to the first product 103, then the reading camera 111 communicates a signal to the database 113, via a wire 112 or other suitable means, acknowledging that the first product 103 has been successfully labelled.
The database 113, on receipt of the signal, records that the first product 103 has been successfully labelled.
If the reading camera 111 fails to read the first label, that is, fails to understand the data relating to the first product 103, then the failed first product 103 (denoted by a cross in the figures) is removed from the product handling apparatus 100. The failed first product 103 is removed from the product handling apparatus 100 by a means to remove the first product 121, such as a ramp 121.
The failed first product 103 is then reintroduced, via means to reintroduce the first product 123, such as a conveyor 123, to the label-attaching section 102. The failed label is removed from the failed first product 103.
If the first product 103 has been successfully labelled (denoted by a tick in the figures), then the first product 103 is moved to a container 117, such as a box, by the conveyor 101, robotic arm 120, or other suitable means.
The conveyor 101 is configured to transport a plurality of products 103 from one section to the next, from the label-attachment section 102 to being moved to the container 117.
Preferably, the product handling apparatus 100 comprises a production line, such that a new product 103 is introduced into the first section, as the previous product 103 is introduced into the second section. This maximises productivity.
The database 113 aggregates all the data relating to each product 103 that has been successfully labelled.
When the container 117 has been filled with the plurality of products 103, a second label-attachment means 122 attaches a container label to the container 117. The container label represents the aggregated data. Therefore, the container label also represents the data relating to each individual product 103 inside the container 117.
Once the container 117 has been filled and labelled, it is then removed. Then, a new container 117 is introduced to the product handling apparatus 100, and is filed with the plurality of products 100. The database 113 is configured to recognize a new container 117, and therefore start a new set of aggregated data for the plurality of products 103 to be contained in the new container 117.
The structure of the database 113 will now be described in more detail. The database 113 contains the data relating to the first product 103. The data can comprise entries such as the first product's 103 production site, production line, and description. The database 113 creates a first product's 103 identification code, which acts as a pointer to the first product's 103 data on the database 113.
The database 113 is configured to create a different identification code for each of the plurality of products 103.
The database 113 is also configured to aggregate the data of each product 103. The aggregated data contains a first set of data, relating to the container 117, and a second set of data, containing each identification code relating to each product 103 in the container 117.
For example, the first set of data, relating to the container 117, comprises the production date, production time, production site, production line, and a number of individual products 103 therein. The second set of data, relating to each individual product 103, contains the identification code for each individual product 103. As described above, a product's identification code is a pointer to the data relating to that product 103 on the database 113.
Therefore, when the aggregated data is read, the reader will receive information on the container 117 itself, and of the identification codes of all the individual products 103 therein.
Therefore, on consultation with the database 113, the identification code will point the consulter to the data relating to the individual product 103.
The database 113 is a computer system, capable of storing and processing data. The skilled person would understand that any apparatus suitable for storing and processing data is suitable for the present invention.
The skilled reader will understand the described embodiment is a preferable embodiment and that some features are optional. The reading section 110, the means to remove the product 121 and reintroduce the product 123 to the label-attaching section 102 are all optional, and form the product handling apparatus' 100 quality control.
An optional embodiment of the product handling apparatus 100, including a conveyor 101, label-attaching section 102, recording section 108, reading section 110 and means to remove the failed product 121 is shown in Figures 3 and 4. This embodiment does not include the means to reintroduce the failed product 123 to the label-attaching section 102, and therefore this must be done manually.
Another optional embodiment of the product handling apparatus 100, including a conveyor 101, label-attaching section 102, recording section 108 and reading section 110, is shown in Figures 5 and 6. This embodiment does not include the means to remove the failed product 121, or the means to reintroduce the failed product 123 to the label-attaching section 102, 50 if the reading section 110 fails to successfully read the label, the failed first product 103 must be manually removed.
Another optional embodiment of the product handling apparatus 100, including a conveyor 101, a database 113, a label-attaching section 102, and a recording section 108 is shown in Figures 7 and 8. When the label has been attached to the first product 103 at the label-attaching section 102, the first product 103 is moved to the recording section 108. The recording section 108 includes an etching laser 109. The etching laser 109 receives a data signal from the database 113, and the database acknowledges that the first product 103 has been labelled. The etching laser 109 etches the first label, such that the first label represents data relating to the first product 103.
The skilled person would understand that the order of the label-attaching section 102 and the recording section 108 could be reversed. Therefore, a recording section 108, on receipt of a data signal from a database 113, etches a first label, such that the first label represents data relating to the first product 103. The database 113 acknowledges that the first product 103 has been labelled. Then, the first label is attached to the first product 103 in the label-attaching section 102.
Another optional embodiment of the product handling apparatus 100 is shown in Figures 9 and 10, including a conveyor 101, a database 113, wherein the label-attaching section 102 and the recording section 108 are combined such that they form a label recording and attaching section 106. This can be achieved by a single apparatus, such as a means to record and attach a label 107. The means to record and attach a label 107 receives a data signal from a database 113. The database 113 acknowledges that the first product 103 has been successfully labelled. The means to record and attach a label 107 etches the first label such it represents the data relating to the first product 103, and attaches the first label to a first product 103.
Furthermore, the embodiment describes the first label as a two-dimensional barcode. This is preferable, due to the amount of data that can be contained on it. However, the skilled reader will understand that other forms of representing data are possible.

Claims (18)

  1. CLAIMS1. A method, comprising the steps of, a) attaching a first label to a first product, wherein the first label represents data relating to the first product; b) moving the first product to a container; c) repeating steps a) to b), for a plurality of products, with a respective label for each product; d) aggregating the data relating to each product; and e) attaching a container label to the container, wherein the container label represents the aggregated data.
  2. 2. The method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the step of attaching the first label to the first product comprises attaching the first label to the first product, and then recording on the first label the representation of the data relating to the first product.
  3. 3. The method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the step of attaching the first label to the first product comprises recording on the first label the representation of the data relating to the first product, and then attaching the first label to the first product.
  4. 4. The method as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, wherein an etching laser is used to record on the first label the representation of the data relating to the first product.
  5. 5. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first label contains a two dimensional barcode.
  6. 6. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step, before moving the first product to the container, of reading the first label to check that the data relating to the first product can be successfully understood.
  7. 7. The method as claimed in Claim 5, wherein if the step of reading the first label fails, then the first product is removed.
  8. 8. The method as claimed in Claims 6, wherein the first product is reintroduced at the step of attaching a label.
  9. 9. The method as claimed in any one of Claims 6 to 8, wherein a reading camera is used to read the first label representing the data relating to the first product.
  10. 10. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first product is a first tobacco-based product.
  11. 11. Apparatus, comprising, conveying means for conveying a plurality of products; means for attaching a label to each product; a database, wherein the database contains data relating to each product; means for recording the data relating to each product on the label; means for reading the data recorded on the label, which, upon a successful read, communicates with the database; wherein the database is configured to aggregate the data for each product for which it receives a communication from the means for reading the data recorded on the label; means for writing a container label, the container label representing the aggregated data.
  12. 12. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 11, further comprising means to remove the product from the apparatus.
  13. 13. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, further comprising means to convey the product from the means to remove the product from the apparatus to the means for attaching a label to the product.
  14. 14.The apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 11-13, wherein the means for recording the data on the label is an etching laser.
  15. 15. The apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 11-14, wherein the means for reading the data recorded on the label is a reading camera.
  16. 16. The apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 11-15, wherein the label is a two-dimensional barcode.
  17. 17. The apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 11-16, wherein each product is a tobacco-based product.
  18. 18. An apparatus and method substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in any combination of the accompanying drawings.
GB0913640A 2009-08-05 2009-08-05 Product handling apparatus and method Withdrawn GB2472415A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0913640A GB2472415A (en) 2009-08-05 2009-08-05 Product handling apparatus and method

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0913640A GB2472415A (en) 2009-08-05 2009-08-05 Product handling apparatus and method

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0913640D0 GB0913640D0 (en) 2009-09-16
GB2472415A true GB2472415A (en) 2011-02-09

Family

ID=41129655

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0913640A Withdrawn GB2472415A (en) 2009-08-05 2009-08-05 Product handling apparatus and method

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2472415A (en)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2288171A (en) * 1994-04-08 1995-10-11 Goldstar Exports Monitoring goods handling
US20020036235A1 (en) * 1997-06-27 2002-03-28 Isao Kudo Semiconductor device and an information management system thereof
US6547137B1 (en) * 2000-02-29 2003-04-15 Larry J. Begelfer System for distribution and control of merchandise
US20050154685A1 (en) * 2004-01-08 2005-07-14 United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. Methods and systems providing the capability to track intra-organizational packages
EP1865450A2 (en) * 2001-01-18 2007-12-12 Federal Express Corporation Accessing package routing information on a computer network

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2288171A (en) * 1994-04-08 1995-10-11 Goldstar Exports Monitoring goods handling
US20020036235A1 (en) * 1997-06-27 2002-03-28 Isao Kudo Semiconductor device and an information management system thereof
US6547137B1 (en) * 2000-02-29 2003-04-15 Larry J. Begelfer System for distribution and control of merchandise
EP1865450A2 (en) * 2001-01-18 2007-12-12 Federal Express Corporation Accessing package routing information on a computer network
US20050154685A1 (en) * 2004-01-08 2005-07-14 United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. Methods and systems providing the capability to track intra-organizational packages

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0913640D0 (en) 2009-09-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US10654657B2 (en) Conveying systems and methods of associating data with an item transported by a conveying system
US11182574B2 (en) Extensible machine workflow and event reporting protocol
CN108805637B (en) Method and device for automatically associating grids and confirming distribution
TW589275B (en) Apparatus and method for automated warehousing and for filling orders from multi-item inventories
US20070203808A1 (en) Product management system
EP1818285A1 (en) Automatic warehouse
CN107215606A (en) A kind of method for sorting and system
CN202542299U (en) Automatic high-rack warehouse system for identifying through electronic tag
CN102770879A (en) Method and system for automatically tracking packages in automated packaging system
CN109840441A (en) The pallet localization method and device in a kind of shelf type warehouse
EP3654257A1 (en) Visual picking for single pick and single pack warehouse management
US20200111555A2 (en) Synchronization of hierarchical data
JP4841956B2 (en) Sorting system
CN102592051A (en) Medicine circulation management system based on electronic tag and realizing method thereof
JP2008094621A (en) Enter/leaving management system of articles
JP2008297086A (en) Id reading device, id reading method, id reading program, and inspecting device
CN110638089B (en) Box-turning wire feeding method, controller and system
GB2472415A (en) Product handling apparatus and method
JPS63288804A (en) Control system of parts for knockdown production
JP3050221B1 (en) Inspection / sorting system
US20110084127A1 (en) Voice Code for Distribution Centers
CN110781703A (en) Method, mobile device and analysis processing computer for generating shipping information
CN113351495B (en) System, method and apparatus for processing orders
CN104123628A (en) Mobile device for weighing medicine and binding medicine information and medicine transport unit records
JP2016533991A (en) Transport system and method for associating data with articles carried by a transport system

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)