Mobile table for implementing clamshell-to-case association

• US 8,573,476 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2012
• Issued: 11/05/2013
• 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:
  US13/593,851
• Publication Number:
  US 20120318861A1
• Time in Patent Office: 438 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 system for associating clamshells with containers comprising:

a table including

a transverse rail disposed on a top surface,

a first scanner configured to read a traceability code on a clamshell of a stack of clamshells held against the transverse rail,

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

a computing system in communication with the first and second scanners; and

a third scanner in communication with the computing system.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a labeler configured to affix labels to clamshells, wherein the third scanner is configured to read traceability codes from the labels affixed to the clamshells by the labeler.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising a clamshell fabricator.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a host computing system, wherein the computing system of the table is configured to upload traceability codes and unique identifiers read by the first and second scanners to the host computing system.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the host computing system includes association logic configured to associate traceability codes with unique identifiers and to store the associations.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the third scanner is not disposed on the table.