System, apparatus and method for marking and tracking bulk flowable material

• US 6,796,504 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2000
• Issued: 09/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Martin C. Robinson
• Original Assignee: Martin C. Robinson
• Inventors: Robinson, Martin C.
• Primary Examiner(s): FUREMAN, JARED
• Application Number:
  US09/681,065
• Publication Number:
  US 20010029996A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,383 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/454, 235/462.01, 235/462.13, 235/470, 235/487, 235/494, 235/462.15, 702/2, 426/87, 426/132, 426/250, 426/231, 426/293, 700/115, 47/581.R, 106/2, 651/02, 252/408.1, 156/556, 408/705, 533/841, 406/37, 738/635.2
• US Class Current: 235/462.13
• CPC Class Codes: A01C 1/00 Apparatus, or methods of use thereof, for testing or treating seed, roots, or the like, prior to sowing or planting
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 65/005 Control arrangements

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.

Claims

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;

storing information related to the bulk flowable material on a property identification marker, said storing step being performed concurrent with said step of causing the bulk flowable material to flow; and

periodically dispensing a property identification marker into said bulk flowable material.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said bulk flowable material comprises an agricultural product.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said agricultural product comprises an unharvested agricultural product.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein said agricultural product comprises an harvested agricultural crop.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said harvested agricultural crop is located in a transport container.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein said harvested agricultural crop is located in a crop harvesting apparatus.

7. The method according to claim 4, wherein said harvested agricultural crop is located in a storage container.

8. The method according to claim 2, wherein said property identification marker contains information indicating a crop variety designation related to said agricultural product.

9. The method according to claim 2, wherein said property identification marker contains information indicating a specific trait associated with said agricultural product.

10. The method according to claim 2, wherein said property identification marker contains information useful for indicating whether said agricultural product is a genetically modified organism.

11. The method according to claim 2, wherein said property identification marker contains information indicating said agricultural product'"'"'s genetic content.

12. The method of claim 2, wherein said property identification marker contains information identifying a soil amendment application performed to soil used to grow said agricultural product.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said soil amendment application comprises a fertilizer application.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein said property identification marker contains information identifying a grower of said bulk flowable material.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein said property identification marker contains information identifying an owner of said bulk flowable material.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein said property identification marker contains information indicating geographic origin of said bulk flowable material.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein said property identification marker contains information indicating a genetic property of said bulk flowable material.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein said property identification marker contains information indicating a historical record of said bulk flowable material.

19. The method according to claim 1, wherein said property identification marker comprises an optically readable marker.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein said optically readable marker comprises a machine-readable marker.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein said optically readable marker comprises coded information.

22. The method according to claim 19, wherein said optically readable marker comprises human readable information.

23. The method according to claim 1, wherein said property identification marker comprises a radiant energy marker.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein said radiant energy marker comprises a radio frequency identification tag.

25. The method according to claim 23, wherein said radiant energy marker contains identifying information stored prior to said step of causing said bulk flowable material to flow.

26. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a marker preparation step wherein identifying information is stored on said property identification marker, said marker preparation step being performed prior to said step of causing said bulk flowable material to flow.

27. The method according to claim 1, wherein said storing step is also performed after said step of periodically dispensing.

28. The method according to claim 1, wherein said property identification marker comprises information indicating a plurality of properties of said bulk flowable material.

29. The method according to claim 1, wherein said property identification marker comprises a colored-coded marker.

30. The method according to claim 1, wherein said property identification marker comprises a preprinted label.

31. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of periodically dispensing is performed at pre-determined time intervals.

32. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of periodically dispensing is performed at pre-determined volume-related intervals.

33. The method according to claim 1, wherein said property identification marker comprises a substance deposited onto said bulk flowable material.

34. The method according to claim 33, wherein said substance comprises a colored vegetable-based dye.

35. The method according to claim 1, wherein said property identification marker comprises a paper label.

36. The method according to claim 1, wherein said property identification marker comprises a biodegradable label.

37. The method according to claim 1, wherein said property identification marker consists of a biodegradable ink.

38. The method according to claim 37, wherein said biodegradable ink consists of a soy-based ink.

39. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of removing said property identification marker from said bulk flowable material.

40. The method according to claim 39, wherein said removing step comprises a filtering step.

41. The method according to claim 39, wherein said removing step comprises an air flow generating step.

42. The method according to claim 39, wherein said removing step comprises a gravity separation step.

43. The method according to claim 39, wherein said removing step comprises a magnetic separating step.

44. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a marker reading step.

45. The method according to claim 44, further comprising a routing step wherein said bulk flowable material is routed to a location based on data obtained in said reading step.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein said reading step is performed automatically.

47. The method of claim 46, further comprising the step of routing the bulk flowable material based on a determined property of the bulk flowable material.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein said routing step comprises the step of automatically routing the bulk flowable material in response to data gathered via said automatic reading step.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein said step of automatically routing further comprises the step of automatically directing bulk flowable material sharing a given determined property to a designated storage location.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein said step of automatically routing directs genetically modified bulk flowable material to a storage location collecting genetically modified bulk flowable material so as to segregate said genetically modified bulk flowable material from bulk flowable material that has not been genetically modified.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein said step of automatically routing further comprises the step of automatically directing bulk flowable material sharing a given determined property to a designated treatment location.

52. The method according to claim 1, wherein said periodically dispensing step is performed by a marker dispenser located in a bulk flowable material collection device.

53. The method according to claim 52, wherein said bulk flowable material collection device comprises a crop harvester.

54. The method according to claim 1, wherein said property identification marker contains information indicating a prior chemical treatment of said bulk flowable material.

55. The method according to claim 54, wherein said prior chemical treatment comprises an insecticide application.

56. The method according to claim 54, wherein said prior chemical treatment comprises a herbicide treatment.

57. The method according to claim 1, wherein said property identification marker contains information indicating future handling regarding said bulk flowable material.

58. The method according to claim 1, wherein said property identification marker contains information indicating prior testing of said bulk flowable material.

59. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of recording positioning information associated with said bulk flowable material.

60. The method according to claim 59, wherein said recording step includes the step of receiving a positioning system signal related to said bulk flowable material.

61. The method according to claim 1, wherein said property identification marker comprises a shape-coded marker.

62. The method according to claim 1, wherein said property identification marker comprises an edible marker.

63. The method of claim 1, wherein said property identification marker is made of biodegradable material.

64. The method of claim 1, wherein said property identification marker is physically attached to a portion of said bulk flowable material.

65. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of sensing the volume of the flowing bulk flowable material, and wherein said periodically dispensing step dispenses a property identification marker so as to achieve a given property identification marker to volume ratio.

66. The method of claim 65, further comprising the steps of:

reading a dispensed property identification marker; and

using data obtained via the reading step to calculate statistical information related to the bulk flowable material.

67. The method of claim 65, further comprising the steps of:

reading a dispensed property identification marker; and

using data obtained via the reading step to calculate the bulk flowable material'"'"'s volume.

68. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of sensing the mass of the flowing bulk flowable material, and wherein said periodically dispensing step dispenses a property identification marker so as to achieve a given property identification marker to mass ratio.

69. The method of claim 68, further comprising the steps of:

reading a dispensed property identification marker; and

using data obtained via the reading step to calculate statistical information related to the bulk flowable material.

70. The method of claim 68, further comprising the steps of:

reading a dispensed property identification marker; and

using data obtained via the reading step to calculate the bulk flowable material'"'"'s mass.

71. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of sensing the weight of the flowing bulk flowable material, and wherein said periodically dispensing step dispenses a property identification marker so as to achieve a given property identification marker to weight ratio.

72. The method of claim 71, further comprising the steps of:

reading a dispensed property identification marker; and

using data obtained via the reading step to calculate statistical information related to the bulk flowable material.

73. The method of claim 71, further comprising the steps of:

reading a dispensed property identification marker; and

using data obtained via the reading step to calculate the bulk flowable material'"'"'s weight.

74. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of routing the bulk flowable material based on a determined property of the bulk flowable material.

75. A material identification system, comprising:

a plurality of property identification markers;

an automated marker dispenser capable of periodically dispensing said plurality of property identification markers into a flowing bulk flowable material; and

a property identification marker preparation component capable of associating information with said plurality of property identification markers while said automated marker dispenser periodically dispenses 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 said property identification marker is placed.

76. The material identification system according to claim 75, wherein said plurality of property identification markers identifies a bulk flowable material as containing a genetically modified organism.

77. The material identification system according to claim 75, wherein said plurality of property identification markers identifies a bulk flowable material as containing an organism that has not been genetically modified.

78. The material identification system according to claim 75, wherein said plurality of property identification markers comprises a plurality of labels.

79. The material identification system according to claim 75, further comprising a preprinted continuous label spool which is subdivided to create said plurality of property identification markers.

80. The material identification system according to claim 79, wherein said preprinted continuous label spool comprises a continuous barcode printed thereon.

81. The material identification system according to claim 75, wherein said plurality of property identification markers comprises a plurality of optically readable markers.

82. The material identification system according to claim 81, wherein said plurality of optically readable markers comprises a human readable portion.

83. The material identification system according to claim 81, wherein said plurality of optically readable markers comprises a plurality of machine-readable markers.

84. The material identification system according to claim 81, wherein said plurality of optically readable markers contain coded information.

85. The material identification system according to claim 75, wherein said plurality of property identification markers comprises a plurality of radiant energy markers.

86. The material identification system according to claim 85, wherein said plurality of radiant energy markers comprises a plurality of radio frequency identification tags.

87. The material identification system according to claim 75, wherein each property identification marker of said plurality of property identification markers contains information identifying a plurality of characteristics of a bulk flowable material.

88. The material identification system according to claim 75, wherein said plurality of property identification markers is biodegradable.

89. The material identification system according to claim 75, wherein said plurality of property identification markers is consumable.

90. The material identification system according to claim 75, wherein said plurality of property identification markers consists of a plurality of ink doses.

91. The material identification system according to claim 75, wherein said plurality of property identification markers consists of a plurality of biodegradable ink doses.

92. The material identification system according to claim 75, wherein said plurality of property identification markers comprises a plurality of soy-based ink doses.

93. The material identification system according to claim 75, wherein said plurality of property identification markers comprises a plurality of colored marker doses.

94. The material identification system according to claim 75, wherein said plurality of property identification markers comprises a plurality of colored, vegetable-based dye doses.

95. The material identification system according to claim 75, wherein said plurality of property identification markers contains information identifying a soil amendment application performed to soil used to grow an agriculturally generated bulk flowable material.

96. The material identification system according to claim 95, wherein said plurality of property identification markers contains information identifying a fertilizer application as the soil amendment application.

97. The material identification system according to claim 75, wherein said plurality of property identification markers contains information identifying a pesticide application administered to an agriculturally generated bulk flowable material.

98. The material identification system according to claim 75, further comprising a bulk flowable material conveying apparatus.

99. The material identification system according to claim 75, further comprising a bulk flowable material routing apparatus.

100. The material identification system according to claim 75, further comprising an automatic bulk flowable material routing apparatus.

101. The material identification system according to claim 75, further comprising a property identification marker reading apparatus.

102. The material identification system according to claim 75, further comprising an automatic property identification marker reading apparatus.

103. A method of indicating whether a bulk flowable material contains a genetically modified organism, comprising the steps of:

causing a harvested bulk flowable material to flow;

preparing a property identification marker by associating identification data with the property identification marker, said preparing step being performed concurrent with said causing step; and

dispensing a plurality of readily-identifiable property identification markers into the flowing bulk flowable material to indicate whether the harvested bulk flowable material contains a genetically modified organism.

104. The method of claim 103, further comprising the step of harvesting an unharvested bulk flowable material.

105. The method of claim 104, wherein said dispensing step is performed at generally the same time as said harvesting step.

106. The method of claim 103, further comprising the step of:

selecting a field containing a quantity of an unharvested bulk flowable material, at least a portion of the unharvested bulk flowable material being a genetically modified organism; and

harvested the unharvested bulk flowable material from the selected field.

107. The method of claim 106, wherein said dispensing step is performed at a location removed from the field selected in said selecting step.

108. The method of claim 106, wherein said dispensing step is performed at the location of the field selected in said selecting step.

109. The method of claim 103, wherein the plurality of readily-identifiable property identification markers are human-readable property identification markers.

110. The method of claim 103, wherein the plurality of readily-identifiable property identification markers are machine-readable property identification markers.

111. The method of claim 103, wherein the plurality of readily-identifiable property identification markers are radio frequency identification markers.

112. The method of claim 103, wherein the presence of the plurality of readily-identifiable property identification markers in the harvested bulk flowable material indicates, without the need for further testing of the harvested bulk flowable material, the presence of a genetically modified organism.

113. The method of claim 103, wherein the plurality of readily-identifiable property identification markers also indicate an additional characteristic of the harvested bulk flowable material.

114. A method of identifying a genetic characteristic of a bulk flowable material, comprising the steps of:

causing a harvested bulk flowable material to flow;

preparing a property identification marker by associating identification data with the property identification marker, said preparing step being performed concurrent with said causing step; and

dispensing a plurality of readily-identifiable property identification markers into the flowing harvested bulk flowable material to indicate a genetic characteristic of the harvested bulk flowable material that cannot be visually perceived by an unaided human eye.

115. The method of claim 114, further comprising the step of harvesting an unharvested bulk flowable material, at least a portion of the unharvested bulk flowable material having a genetic characteristic that cannot be visually perceived by an unaided human eye.

116. The method of claim 114, further comprising the steps of:

selecting a field containing a quantity of an unharvested bulk flowable material, at least a portion of the unharvested bulk flowable material having a genetic characteristic that cannot be visually perceived by an unaided human eye; and

harvesting the unharvested bulk flowable material from the selected field.

117. The method of claim 114, wherein, in said dispensing step, said plurality of readily-identifiable property identification markers are dispensed to indicate whether a portion of the harvested bulk flowable material comprises a genetically modified organism.

118. The method of claim 114, wherein the presence of the plurality of readily-identifiable property identification markers in the harvested bulk flowable material indicates, without the need for further testing of the harvested bulk flowable material, whether the harvested bulk flowable material comprises a genetically modified organism.

119. The method of claim 114, wherein the plurality of readily-identifiable property identification markers also indicate an additional characteristic of the harvested bulk flowable material.

120. The method of claim 114, wherein the plurality of readily-identifiable property identification markers also indicate an environmental treatment that has been performed on an area from which the harvested bulk flowable material was harvested.

121. The method of claim 120, wherein the indicated environmental treatment comprises an application of a pesticide.

122. The method of claim 120, wherein the indicated environmental treatment comprises an application of a herbicide.

123. The method of claim 120, wherein the indicated environmental treatment comprises an application of a fertilizer.

124. A method of associating an environmental treatment with a bulk flowable material, comprising the steps of:

causing a harvested bulk flowable material to flow;

storing information related to the harvested bulk flowable material on a readily-identifiable property identification marker, said storing step being performed concurrent with said causing step; and

dispensing a plurality of readily-identifiable property identification markers into the flowing harvested bulk flowable material to indicate that a given environmental treatment has been performed on an area from which the bulk flowable material had been collected, the performance of the environmental treatment being not capable of visual detection by viewing the harvested bulk flowable material with an unaided human eye.

125. The method of claim 124, wherein the indicated environmental treatment comprises an application of a pesticide.

126. The method of claim 124, wherein the indicated environmental treatment comprises an application of a herbicide.

127. The method of claim 124, wherein the indicated environmental treatment comprises a soil amendment.

128. The method of claim 127, wherein the soil amendment comprises an application of a fertilizer.

129. The method of claim 124, wherein the plurality of readily-identifiable property identification markers also indicate an additional characteristic of the harvested bulk flowable material.

130. The method of claim 124, wherein the plurality of readily-identifiable property identification markers also indicate a genetic characteristic of the harvested bulk flowable material.

131. The method of claim 124, wherein the presence of the plurality of readily-identifiable property identification markers in the harvested bulk flowable material reduces the need for further testing of the harvested bulk flowable material to determine whether the harvested bulk flowable material has undergone an environmental treatment.

132. The method of claim 124, wherein the plurality of readily-identifiable property identification markers are machine-readable property identification markers.

133. The method of claim 124, wherein the plurality of readily-identifiable property identification markers are radio frequency identification markers.

134. A method of identifying a characteristic of a bulk flowable material in a manner that will travel with the bulk flowable material and that will reduce the need for subsequent testing of the bulk flowable material for presence of the characteristic, comprising the steps of:

determining whether at least a portion of a chosen lot of a harvested bulk flowable material possesses a given characteristic;

causing the chosen lot of harvested bulk flowable material to flow;

storing information related to the chosen lot on a property identification marker, said storing step being performed concurrent with said causing step; and

periodically dispensing a property identification marker into the flowing bulk flowable material;

wherein presence of the property identification marker in the harvested bulk flowable material reduces the need for further testing of the chosen lot of harvested bulk flowable material to determine whether the given characteristic is present in the chosen lot.

135. The method of claim 134, further comprising the steps of:

selecting a field containing a quantity of an unharvested bulk flowable material; and

harvesting thy unharvested bulk flowable material from the selected field;

wherein, in said dispensing step, the property identification marker is dispensed into the flowing bulk flowable material without regard to the specific harvest point within the boundaries of the selected field from which the bulk flowable material has been harvested.

136. The method of claim 134, wherein the property identification marker comprises human-readable information.

137. The method of claim 134, wherein the property identification marker comprises machine-readable information.

138. The method of claim 134, wherein the property identification marker comprises a radio frequency identification marker.

139. The method of claim 134, wherein the determined given characteristic comprises a genetic characteristic.

140. The method of claim 134, wherein the determined given characteristic comprises an exposure of the area from which the harvested bulk flowable material was harvested to an environmental treatment, the environment treatment having been performed prior to harvesting of the harvested bulk flowable material.

141. The method of claim 134, wherein the property identification marker also indicates additional characteristic of the harvested bulk flowable material.

142. The method of claim 141, wherein the indicated additional characteristic of the harvested bulk flowable material comprises ownership information related to the harvested bulk flowable material.

143. The method of claim 141, wherein the indicated additional characteristic of the harvested bulk flowable material comprises origin information related to the harvested bulk flowable material.

144. A method of harvesting and identifying a characteristic of a bulk flowable material containing a genetically modified organism, comprising the steps of:

selecting a field containing a quantity of a bulk flowable material, at least a portion of the bulk flowable material being a genetically modified organism;

harvesting the bulk flowable material from the selected field;

causing the harvested bulk flowable material to flow;

storing information related to the bulk flowable material on a property identification marker, said storing step being performed concurrent with said causing step; and

dispensing, without regard to location within the selected field, a plurality of readily-identifiable property identification markers into the flowing bulk flowable material to indicate that the harvested bulk flowable material contains a genetically modified organism.

145. A method for indicating a characteristic of a bulk flowable material, comprising the steps of:

selecting a bulk flowable material having a determined property;

causing the bulk flowable material to flow;

preparing a property identification marker by associating data with the property identification marker, said preparing step being performed concurrent with said causing step; and

periodically dispensing a prepared property identification marker into the bulk flowable material.

146. The method according to claim 145, wherein the property identification marker contains information identifying a grower of the bulk flowable material.

147. The method according to claim 145, wherein the property identification marker contains information identifying an owner of the bulk flowable material.

148. The method according to claim 145, wherein the property identification marker contains information indicating geographic origin of the bulk flowable material.

149. The method according to claim 145, wherein the property identification marker contains information indicating a genetic property of the bulk flowable material.

150. The method according to claim 145, wherein the property identification marker contains information indicating a historical record of the bulk flowable material.

151. The method according to claim 145, wherein the bulk flowable material comprises an agricultural product, and wherein the property identification marker contains information indicating a crop variety designation related to the agricultural product.

152. The method according to claim 145, wherein the bulk flowable material comprises an agricultural product, and wherein the property identification marker contains information indicating a specific trait associated with the agricultural product.

153. The method according to claim 145, wherein the bulk flowable material comprises an agricultural product, and wherein the property identification marker contains information useful for indicating whether the agricultural product is a genetically modified organism.

154. The method according to claim 145, wherein the bulk flowable material comprises an agricultural product, and wherein the property identification marker contains information indicating the agricultural product'"'"'s genetic content.

155. The method according to claim 145, wherein the property identification marker comprises information indicating a plurality of properties of the bulk flowable material.

156. The method according to claim 145, wherein the property identification marker contains information indicating a prior chemical treatment of the bulk flowable material.

157. The method according to claim 156, wherein the prior chemical treatment comprises an insecticide application.

158. The method according to claim 156, wherein the prior chemical treatment comprises a herbicide treatment.

159. The method according to claim 145, wherein the property identification marker contains information indicating future handling regarding the bulk flowable material.

160. The method according to claim 145, wherein the property identification marker contains information indicating prior testing of the bulk flowable material.

161. The method according to claim 145, further comprising the step of recording positioning information associated with the bulk flowable material.

162. The method according to claim 145, wherein the property identification marker comprises a radiant energy marker.

163. The method according to claim 145, wherein the property identification marker comprises an optically readable marker.

164. A method for indicating a characteristic of a bulk flowable material, comprising the steps of:

causing a bulk flowable material to flow;

periodically dispensing a property identification marker into the bulk flowable material; and

storing information related to the bulk flowable material on a property identification marker, said storing step being performed after said periodically dispensing step.

165. The method according to claim 164, wherein the property identification marker contains information identifying a grower of the bulk flowable material.

166. The method according to claim 164, wherein the property identification marker contains information identifying an owner of the bulk flowable material.

167. The method according to claim 164, wherein the property identification marker contains information indicating geographic origin of the bulk flowable material.

168. The method according to claim 164, wherein the property identification marker contains information indicating a genetic property of the bulk flowable material.

169. The method according to claim 164, wherein the property identification marker contains information indicating a historical record of the bulk flowable material.

170. The method according to claim 164, wherein the bulk flowable material comprises an agricultural product, and wherein the property identification marker contains information indicating a crop variety designation related to the agricultural product.

171. The method according to claim 164, wherein the bulk flowable material comprises an agricultural product, and wherein the property identification marker contains information indicating a specific trait associated with the agricultural product.

172. The method according to claim 164, wherein the bulk flowable material comprises an agricultural product, and wherein the property identification marker contains information useful for indicating whether the agricultural product is a genetically modified organism.

173. The method according to claim 164, wherein the bulk flowable material comprises an agricultural product, and wherein the property identification marker contains information indicating the agricultural product'"'"'s genetic content.

174. The method according to claim 164, wherein the property identification marker comprising information indicating a plurality of properties of the bulk flowable material.

175. The method according to claim 164, wherein the property identification marker contains information indicating a prior chemical treatment of the bulk flowable material.

176. The method according to claim 175, wherein the prior chemical treatment comprises an insecticide application.

177. The method according to claim 175, wherein the prior chemical treatment comprises a herbicide treatment.

178. The method according to claim 164, wherein the property identification marker contains information indicating future handling regarding the bulk flowable material.

179. The method according to claim 164, wherein the property identification marker contains information indicating prior testing of the bulk flowable material.

180. The method according to claim 164, wherein the property identification positioning information associated with the bulk flowable material.

181. The method according to claim 164, wherein the property identification marker comprises a radiant energy marker.

182. The method according to claim 164, wherein the property identification marker comprises an optically readable marker.

183. A property indication apparatus, comprising:

means for causing indicating a property of a bulk flowable material;

means for causing a bulk flowable material to flow;

means for preparing said means for identifying a property by associating identification data with said means for identifying a property, and

means for periodically dispensing said means for indicating a property into a flowing bulk flowable material;

wherein said means for preparing operates concurrent with said means for causing a bulk flowable material to flow.

184. The property indication apparatus according to claim 183, wherein said means for indicating a property identifies a grower of the bulk flowable material.

185. The property indication apparatus according to claim 183, wherein said means for indicating a property identifies an owner of the bulk flowable material.

186. The property indication apparatus according to claim 183, wherein said means for indicating a property identifies geographic origin of the bulk flowable material.

187. The property indication apparatus according to claim 183, wherein said means for indicating a property identifies a genetic property of the bulk flowable material.

188. The property indication apparatus according to claim 183, wherein said means for indicating a property indicates a historical record of the bulk flowable material.

189. The property indication apparatus according to claim 183, wherein the bulk flowable material comprises an agricultural product, and wherein said means for indicating a property identifies a crop variety designation related to the agricultural product.

190. The property indication apparatus according to claim 183, wherein the bulk flowable material comprises an agricultural product, and wherein said means for indicating a property identifies a specific trait associated with the agricultural product.

191. The property indication apparatus according to claim 183, wherein the bulk flowable material comprises an agricultural product, and wherein said means for indicating a property identifies whether the agricultural product is a genetically modified organism.

192. The property indication apparatus according to claim 183, wherein the bulk flowable material comprises an agricultural product, and wherein said means for indicating a property identifies the agricultural product'"'"'s genetic content.

193. The property indication apparatus according to claim 183, wherein said means for indicating a property identifies a plurality of properties of the bulk flowable material.

194. The property indication apparatus according to claim 183, wherein said means for indicating a property identifies a prior chemical treatment of the bulk flowable material.

195. The property indication apparatus according to claim 194, wherein the prior chemical treatment comprises an insecticide application.

196. The property indication apparatus according to claim 194, wherein the prior chemical treatment comprises a herbicide treatment.

197. The property indication apparatus according to claim 183, wherein said means for indicating a property identifies future handling regarding the bulk flowable material.

198. The property indication apparatus according to claim 183, wherein said means for indicating a property identifies prior testing of the bulk flowable material.

199. The property indication apparatus according to claim 183, wherein said means for indicating a property comprises an optically readable marker.

200. The property indication apparatus according to claim 199, wherein said optically readable marker comprises a machine-readable marker.

201. The property indication apparatus according to claim 199, wherein said optically readable marker comprises coded information.

202. The property indication apparatus according to claim 199, wherein said optically readable marker comprises human readable information.

203. The property indication apparatus according to claim 183, wherein said means for indicating a property comprises a radiant energy marker.

204. The property indication apparatus according to claim 203, wherein said radiant energy marker comprises a radio frequency identification tag.

205. A method for identifying a characteristic of a bulk flowable material, comprising the steps of:

causing a bulk flowable material to flow;

sensing a volume of the flowing bulk flowable material;

periodically dispensing a property identification marker into the bulk flowable material, wherein said periodically dispensing step dispenses a property identification marker so as to achieve a given property identification marker to volume ratio;

reading a dispensed property identification marker; and

using data obtained via said reading step to calculate statistical information related to the bulk flowable material.

206. A method for identifying a characteristic of a bulk flowable material, comprising the steps of:

causing a bulk flowable material to flow;

sensing a volume of the flowing bulk flowable material;

periodically dispensing a property identification marker into the bulk flowable material, wherein said periodically dispensing step dispenses a property identification marker so as to achieve a given property identification marker to volume ratio;

reading a dispensed property identification marker; and

using data obtained via said reading step to calculate the bulk flowable material'"'"'s volume.

207. A method for identifying a characteristic of a bulk flowable material, comprising the steps of:

causing a bulk flowable material to flow;

sensing a mass of the flowing bulk flowable material;

periodically dispensing a property identification marker into the bulk flowable material, wherein said periodically dispensing step dispenses a property identification marker so as to achieve a given property identification marker to volume ratio;

reading a dispensed property identification marker; and

using data obtained via said reading step to calculate statistical information related to the bulk flowable material.

208. A method for identifying a characteristic of a bulk flowable material, comprising the steps of:

causing a bulk flowable material to flow;

sensing a mass of the flowing bulk flowable material;

periodically dispensing a property identification marker into the bulk flowable material, wherein said periodically dispensing step dispenses a property identification marker so as to achieve a given property identification marker to volume ratio;

reading a dispensed property identification marker; and

using data obtained via said reading step to calculate the bulk flowable material'"'"'s mass.

209. A method for identifying a characteristic of a bulk flowable material, comprising the steps of:

causing a bulk flowable material to flow;

sensing a weight of the flowing bulk flowable material;

periodically dispensing a property identification marker into the bulk flowable material, wherein said periodically dispensing step dispenses a property identification marker so as to achieve a given property identification marker to volume ratio;

reading a dispensed property identification marker; and

using data obtained via said reading step to calculate statistical information related to the bulk flowable material.

210. A method for identifying a characteristic of a bulk flowable material, comprising the steps of:

causing a bulk flowable material to flow;

sensing a weight of the flowing bulk flowable material;

periodically dispensing a property identification marker into the bulk flowable material, wherein said periodically dispensing step dispenses a property identification marker so as to achieve a given property identification marker to volume ratio;

reading a dispensed property identification marker; and

using data obtained via said reading step to calculate the bulk flowable material'"'"'s weight.