System, apparatus and method for marking and tracking bulk flowable material
First Claim
1. A method for identifying a characteristic of a bulk flowable material, comprising the steps of:
- selecting a bulk flowable material having a determined property;
causing said bulk flowable material to flow; and
periodically dispensing a property identification marker into said bulk flowable material.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for identifying a characteristic of a bulk flowable material. An identification marker is inserted into a bulk flowable material. The identification marker carries information identifying a specified property or properties of the material. A marker dispenser can be located at one or more handling sites of the bulk flowable material. The identification markers can be pre-prepared or property-related information can be added to the marker prior to or subsequent to dispensing. The identification markers can be paper-like labels, for example, or more complex devices. The system can be used to track the lifespan of a material or to indicate a property of the material to others, such as whether the material is a genetically modified organism (GMO). A pre-printed marker source containing a single continuous bar code is also disclosed.
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Citations
64 Claims
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1. A method for identifying a characteristic of a bulk flowable material, comprising the steps of:
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selecting a bulk flowable material having a determined property;
causing said bulk flowable material to flow; and
periodically dispensing a property identification marker into said bulk flowable material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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56. A property identification marker dispenser, comprising:
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a dispenser, said dispenser capable of being located proximate a moving flow of bulk flowable material;
a property identification marker holding apparatus, associated with said dispenser; and
a periodic identification marker release component. - View Dependent Claims (57, 58, 59, 60, 61)
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62. A preprinted label spool, comprising:
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a spool of label media; and
a continuous bar code-style indicia, running along a length said spool of label media.
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63. An apparatus, comprising:
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a plurality of property identification markers; and
a dispenser capable of periodically dispensing said plurality of property identification markers into a flowing bulk flowable material;
wherein said plurality of property identification markers carry information identifying a physical characteristic of a bulk flowable material in which it is placed. - View Dependent Claims (64)
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Specification