Systems and methods of associating individual packages with harvest crates
First Claim
1. A method for associating containers with unit packages distributed therein, the method comprising:
- reading a first code from a container, the container configured for transporting a plurality of unit packages;
reading a unique second code from each of the plurality of unit packages, each unit package being un-filled at the time the second unique code is read;
receiving a stack of nested un-filled unit packages and singulating the unit packages from the stack before reading the unique second codes;
storing an association between the first code and the unique second codes from each of the plurality of unit packages; and
placing the plurality of un-filled unit packages into the container.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Clamshells for packaging produce, or other unit packaging, are labeled with unique codes. Harvest crates for transporting filled clamshells from the harvest, or other containers for transporting unit packaging, are also labeled with unique codes. A plurality of labeled un-filled clamshells are nested together and placed into each harvest crate before the harvest, and the codes from the clamshells and the harvest crate are stored in association. In some instances, clamshells are de-nested, labeled with pre-printed labels, and nested again before being placed into the harvest crates. At the harvest the clamshells are removed from the harvest crate, de-nested, filled with produce, packed back into the harvest crate, and moved into the distribution chain. The unique codes are further associated with other information such as harvest data.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for associating containers with unit packages distributed therein, the method comprising:
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reading a first code from a container, the container configured for transporting a plurality of unit packages; reading a unique second code from each of the plurality of unit packages, each unit package being un-filled at the time the second unique code is read; receiving a stack of nested un-filled unit packages and singulating the unit packages from the stack before reading the unique second codes; storing an association between the first code and the unique second codes from each of the plurality of unit packages; and placing the plurality of un-filled unit packages into the container. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for packaging harvested produce, the method comprising:
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receiving a plurality of nested un-filled clamshells; labeling the plurality of un-filled clamshells each with a unique first code; labeling a harvest crate with a second code; storing an association between the second code and the unique first codes; storing an association between the second code and a column code; filling each of the plurality of clamshells with harvested produce; and packing the plurality of filled clamshells into the harvest crate. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification