Back to results
US 12,662,279 B2Granted
Container with mark or markings for tracking and tracing
AssigneeBall Corporation
InventorsJason M. Kelly, Sarah I. Merrill, Adam P. Stowitts
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for marking a container for tracking and tracing the container throughout the lifecycle of the container. The mark can be applied, for example, on the closed end, bottom dome, or an end closure of the container. Tracking and tracing a container at various points during its lifecycle such as point of sale, where the container is recycled or destroyed, etc. provides valuable information that can be used to improve and incentivize recycling and deposit return public policies and environmental programs.
Claims20
A method for tracking and tracing a container, comprising:
- providing an end closure with a tab, wherein the end closure comprises a first unique mark formed on the tab;
- transmitting the first unique mark to a database via a network, the database configured to receive and store scan events, wherein the first unique mark is associated in a record of the database with production information about the tab;
- providing a container body with a second unique mark;
- transmitting the second unique mark to the database via the network, wherein the second unique mark is associated in a record of the database with production information about the container body;
- transmitting to the database via the network, by a filler sensor at a filler location, a scan event of at least one of the first unique mark and the second unique mark, wherein the end closure is joined with the container body to form the container at the filler location;
- and
- transmitting to the database via the network, by a sensor, a scan event of at least one of the first unique mark or the second unique mark of the container, wherein the sensor is at a location which is distinct from the filler location.
4 more elements
A method for tracking and tracing containers during the production, distribution, sale, and to end of life collection of the containers, comprising:
- providing a plurality of containers, wherein each container of said plurality of containers has at least one of a closed end or a tab;
- forming a unique mark on at least one of said closed end or said tab of a container of said plurality of containers with an ink, a pigment, or laser etching at a production facility to produce said unique mark that comprises production information;
- scanning said unique mark of said container with a sensor at said production facility to generate a first scan event having first time and first location information;
- transmitting said first scan event to a database via a network, wherein said database is operable to associate said first time and first location information with said container and with said production information based on said unique mark;
- scanning said unique mark of said container with a sensor at a filler facility to generate a second scan event having second time and second location information;
- transmitting said second scan event to said database via said network, wherein said database is operable to associate said second time and second location information with said container based on said unique mark;
- scanning said unique mark of said container with a sensor at a distribution facility to generate a third scan event having third time and third location information;
- transmitting said third scan event to said database via said network, wherein said database is operable to associate said third time and third location information with said container based on said unique mark;
- scanning said unique mark of said container with a sensor at a retailer facility to generate a fourth scan event having fourth time and fourth location information;
- transmitting said fourth scan event to said database via said network, wherein said database is operable to associate said fourth time and fourth location information with said container based on said unique mark;
- scanning said unique mark of said container with a sensor of a mobile device to generate a fifth scan event having mobile device information and fifth time and fifth location information;
- transmitting said fifth scan event to said database via said network, wherein said database is operable to associate said container with said mobile device and with said fifth time and fifth location information based on said unique mark and said mobile device information;
- scanning said unique mark of said container with a sensor of a collection device to generate a sixth scan event having deposit information and sixth time and sixth location information;
- and
- transmitting said sixth scan event to said database via said network, wherein said database is operable to associate said mobile device with said deposition information to associate said sixth time and sixth location information with said container based on said unique mark.
12 more elements
A system for tracking and tracing a container, comprising:
- a database configured to receive and store scan events, wherein a first unique mark is located on a tab of an end closure, and the first unique mark is transmitted to the database via a network where the first unique mark is associated with production information about the tab, wherein a second unique mark is located on a container body, and the second unique mark is transmitted to the database via the network where the second unique mark is associated with production information about the container body;
- a filler sensor configured to transmit a scan event of the first unique mark and a scan event of the second unique mark at a filler location to the database via the network, wherein the end closure is joined with the container body to form the container at the filler location;
- and
- a sensor configured to transmit a scan event of at least one of the first unique mark and the second unique mark of the container to the database via the network, wherein the location of the sensor is distinct from the filler location.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.