Method and apparatus for dating a food product

A method of dating a food product comprising:

• packaging at least two packages of a food product into a storage container, wherein the storage container includes
• a base,
• a plurality of sidewalls that extend upwardly from the base and oriented generally normal to the base to define a storage area, the plurality of sidewalls each including a first end coupled to the base and a second end opposite the first end,
• a first opening formed by the second ends of the plurality of sidewalls,
• a top flap that closes the first opening to inhibit access to the storage area, and
• a side flap formed in at least one of the plurality of sidewalls, the side flap movable between a closed position to inhibit access to the storage area and an open position to facilitate access to the storage area;
• and wherein the following steps are preformed in sequence:
• a. closing the top flap of the storage container;
• b. placing the storage container, with the top flap closed, on a first conveyor;
• c. transporting the closed storage container on the first conveyor to an opening device;
• d. opening the side flap of the closed storage container with the opening device, exposing a portion of the at least two packages of food product;
• e. transporting the storage container with the side flap opened on the first conveyor to a marking device;
• f. marking the exposed portion of the at least two packages of food product in said storage container through said opened side flap with a date using the marking device;
• g. moving the storage container containing at least 2 marked packages from the first conveyor to a second conveyor using a flipping device;
• h. transporting the storage container on the second conveyor to a rotating device;
• i. rotating the storage container approximately 180 degrees using the rotating device;
• j. transporting the storage container to a closing device;
• and
• k. closing the side flap using the closing device.