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

• US 9,511,601 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2013
• Issued: 12/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ten Media Llc
• Original Assignee: Ten Media Llc
• Inventors: Parker, Bradley E.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAIL, ALLYSON NEEL
• Application Number:
  US13/967,118
• Publication Number:
  US 20140085397A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,210 Days
• Field of Search: 235/385, 235/383, 705/26, 705/26.9, 455/556.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 method for providing historical information regarding an egg, the method comprising:

receiving a request to access information relating to an egg, the request including a traceability code associated with the egg, wherein the traceability code is a marking that has been generated and applied to an eggshell of the egg with a radiant energy source that is located along a path of an egg-handling machine,

wherein the traceability code is generated by a computer control system of the egg-handling machine;

retrieving, from at least one database, via the traceability code, the historical information regarding the egg, the historical information including information indicative of one or more operating conditions of at least one processing station of the egg-handling machine during processing of the egg, a date at which the egg was processed, and information regarding a packing lane in which the egg was processed; and

transmitting the historical information regarding the egg to be displayed to a user.

2. The method of claim 1, further including providing a web site configured to receive requests to access information relating to eggs, wherein the act of receiving the request includes receiving the request via the web site.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein applying a marking to the eggshell includes using one or more laser beams to form the making on the eggshell.

4. The method of claim 1, further including

monitoring the one or more operating conditions of the at least one processing station during the processing of the egg, and

recording the information indicative of the one or more operating conditions in the at least one database.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the historical information regarding the egg includes a temperature under which the egg was washed at the at least one processing station.

6. The method of claim 5, further including

monitoring the temperature under which the egg was washed at the at least one processing station, and

recording the temperature under which the egg was washed in the at least one database.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the historical information regarding the egg further includes an identification of a customer who purchased the egg.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the historical information regarding the egg further includes an identification of a customer who purchased the egg.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the historical information regarding the egg further includes an identification of at least one advertising indicia formed on the egg.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the historical information further includes information regarding a producer that produced the egg.

11. A system for providing historical information regarding an egg, the system comprising:

at least one interface configured to receive a request to access information relating to at least one edible object, the request including a traceability code associated with the at least one edible object, the at least one edible object being an egg, wherein the traceability code is a marking that has been generated and applied to an eggshell of the egg with a radiant energy source that is located along a path of an egg-handling machine,

wherein the traceability code is generated by a computer control system of the egg-handling machine; and

at least one processor configured to retrieve, from at least one database, via the traceability code, historical information regarding the at least one edible object, the historical information including information indicative of one or more operating conditions of at least one processing station, of the egg-handling machine, during the processing of the egg, a date at which the egg was processed, and information regarding a packing lane in which the egg was processed, wherein the at least one interface is further configured to transmit the historical information regarding the at least on edible object to be displayed to a user.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one interface is configured to receive web requests, and wherein the request to access information relating to the at least one edible object includes a web request.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the historical information further includes information indicative of one or more operating conditions of at least one processing station during processing of the at least one edible object.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the historical information further includes an identification of a customer who purchased the at least one edible object.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the historical information further includes an identification of a retailer who sells the at least one edible object.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the historical information further includes an identification of at least one advertising indicia formed on the at least one edible object.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the historical information further includes information regarding producer that produced the edible object.