Mobile table for implementing clamshell-to-case association

• US 8,261,973 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2012
• Issued: 09/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PTx Trimble LLC
• Original Assignee: YottaMark, Inc. (Silgan Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Grant, Elliott, Carr, J. Scott, Luna, Albert Anthony, Calhoon, Sean
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Michael G
• Assistant Examiner(s): ELLIS, SUEZU Y
• Application Number:
  US13/431,983
• Publication Number:
  US 20120181334A1
• Time in Patent Office: 167 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/440, 235/454, 235/385
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for associating traceability codes on clamshells with unique identifiers on containers in which the empty clamshells are packed for later use. In various methods, the clamshells are marked with traceability codes and stacked together, one traceability code is read from one of the clamshells in each stack, a unique identifier is read from a container, and the stack is placed in the container. The traceability code is stored in association with the unique identifier for later retrieval. An exemplary table for making clamshell-to-container associations comprises a scanner for reading traceability codes and rails for positioning stacks of clamshells proximate to the scanner. The table can also comprise a second scanner positioned to read unique identifiers from containers placed proximate thereto. The table can further comprise a computing system to make and store the associations.

Claims

1. A table comprising:

a top surface;

a lateral rail disposed on the top surface proximate to, and extending generally parallel to, a front side of the top surface;

a transverse rail disposed on the top surface generally perpendicular to the lateral rail;

a first scanner configured to read a traceability code on a clamshell held against a first side of the transverse rail; and

a second scanner configured to read a unique identifier disposed on a container disposed proximate to the top surface.

2. The table of claim 1 wherein the table is configured to be mobile.

3. The table of claim 1 wherein the first scanner is disposed proximate to a second side of the transverse rail that opposes the first side.

4. The table of claim 1 wherein an orientation of the first scanner is adjustable.

5. The table of claim 1 wherein an orientation of the second scanner is adjustable.

6. The table of claim 1 further including a calibration marking disposed on the lateral rail.

7. The table of claim 1 further comprising processing means including logic configured to associate a unique identifier read by the second scanner with one or more traceability codes read by the first scanner, and logic configured to store the association.