Methods and apparatus for storing and retrieving information relating to edible objects

• US 8,544,739 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2011
• Issued: 10/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yta Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Ten Media Llc
• Inventors: Parker, Bradley E.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAIL, ALLYSON NEEL
• Application Number:
  US13/090,614
• Publication Number:
  US 20110258171A1
• Time in Patent Office: 895 Days
• Field of Search: 707/705, 707/812, 705/1.1, 705/14.49
• US Class Current: 235/385
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 43/10 Grading and stamping
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2103/32 Material from living organisms, e.g. skins
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2103/50 Inorganic material, e.g. metals, not provided for in B23K2103/02 – B23K2103/26
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/0622 by shaping pulses
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/0838 by using an endless conveyor belt
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/402 involving non-metallic material, e.g. isolators
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/435 characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/475 for heating selectively by radiation or ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/38 for embossing, e.g. for making matrices for stereotypes
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/407 for marking on special material
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/4073 Printing on three-dimensional objects not being in sheet or web form, e.g. spherical or cubic objects B41J3/283, B41J3/286 take precedence; building up a 3D object using individual droplets from jetting heads B29C64/112
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/262 recording or marking of inorganic surfaces or materials, e.g. glass, metal, or ceramics marking of plastic artifacts with inorganic additives B41M5/267
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/248 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9554 by using bar codes

Abstract

A method of marking an egg is disclosed and comprises applying radiant energy to the shell of an egg so as to cause discoloration of the eggshell, thereby forming a marking comprising at least a traceability code and a freshness date. Apparatus is also disclosed for applying markings on eggs being processed by an egg-handling machine that is designed and configured to transport a plurality of eggs therethrough, wherein the apparatus comprises a radiant energy source located in proximity to the egg-handling machine, the radiant energy source being configured to apply radiant energy to the eggs as the eggs are transported past the radiant energy source to selectively discolor the shell of the eggs and form markings on the shell, including a freshness date and a traceability code.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

i) at least one marking apparatus configured to form at least one marking on at least one edible object, the at least one marking comprising a human-readable manifestation of a traceability code, the at least one marking further comprising at least one advertising indicia; and

ii) at least one processor configured to store, in at least one computer-readable medium, historical information regarding the at least one edible object in such a manner that at least some historical information regarding the at least one edible object is obtainable using the traceability code, wherein the at least some historical information comprises an identification of the at least one advertising indicia, the identification being different from the traceability code.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one edible object comprises an egg.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least some historical information obtainable using the traceability code further comprises an identification of a customer who purchased the egg.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least some historical information obtainable using the traceability code further comprises an identification of a retailer who sells the egg.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least some historical information obtainable using the traceability code further comprises information indicative of one or more operating conditions of at least one processing station during processing of the egg.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the traceability code is uniquely associated with the egg.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least some historical information obtainable using the traceability code further comprises an identification of a customer who purchased the at least one edible object.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least some historical information obtainable using the traceability code further comprises an identification of a retailer who sells the at least one edible object.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least some historical information obtainable using the traceability code further comprises information indicative of one or more operating conditions of at least one processing station during processing of the at least one edible object.

10. A method comprising:

i) using at least one marking apparatus to form at least one marking on at least one edible object, the at least one marking comprising a human-readable manifestation of a traceability code, the at least one marking further comprising at least one advertising indicia; and

ii) using at least one processor to store, in at least one computer-readable medium, historical information regarding the at least one edible object in such a manner that at least some historical information regarding the at least one edible object is obtainable using the traceability code, wherein the at least some historical information comprises an identification of the at least one advertising indicia, the identification being different from the traceability code.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one edible object comprises an egg.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least some historical information obtainable using the traceability code further comprises an identification of a customer who purchased the egg.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least some historical information obtainable using the traceability code further comprises an identification of a retailer who sells the egg.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least some historical information obtainable using the traceability code further comprises information indicative of one or more operating conditions of at least one processing station during processing of the egg.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the traceability code is uniquely associated with the egg.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least some historical information obtainable using the traceability code further comprises an identification of a customer who purchased the at least one edible object.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least some historical information obtainable using the traceability code further comprises an identification of a retailer who sells the at least one edible object.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least some historical information obtainable using the traceability code further comprises information indicative of one or more operating conditions of at least one processing station during processing of the at least one edible object.