Method and system for applying ink markings on food products

A system for ink marking individual objects with indicia at an object marking component while the objects travel along at least one path through a processing system, the system comprising:

• at least one processor operable to control marking of individual objects;
• an object packaging component operatively coupled to the at least one processor and controlled in part by the at least one processor, wherein the object packaging component is operable to dispose at least one object in each of a plurality of object packages adapted for distribution thereof, wherein the object packaging component includes an outfeed for outputting the plurality of object packages;
• a package conveyor component operatively coupled to the at least one processor and controlled in part by the at least one processor for transporting packages disposed thereon along a path, wherein the package conveyor component includes a first end positioned relative to the outfeed of the object packaging component and a second end positioned relative to a packaging offloading component, wherein the package conveyor component is configured to receive a plurality of object packages from the outfeed of the object packaging component and transport the received plurality of packages disposed thereon to the packaging offloading component at the second end;
• an object marking component operatively coupled to the at least one processor and controlled in part by the at one least processor, wherein the object marking component is positioned along the package conveyor component between the outfeed of the object packaging component at the first end and the packaging offloading component at the second end, wherein the object marking component includes at least one ink marking unit positioned above the package conveyor component upon which the plurality of packages are conveyed, the at least one ink marking unit operable to mark at least one object disposed in a package with indicia as the packages pass under the at least one ink marking unit;
• a non-transient memory operatively coupled to the at least one processor and operable to store data associated with the marking of the objects;
• an input/output interface operatively coupled to the at least one processor;
• wherein the least one processor is operable to:
• obtain status data associated with at least one of at least one operational parameter of the processing system, at least one operational parameter of the at least one ink marking unit, at least one characteristic of the individual objects to be marked, at least one characteristic of the indicia to be marked thereon, and combinations thereof;
• determine in response to at least a portion of the status data, at least one operational parameter of the at least one ink marking unit;
• configure the at least one operational parameter of the at least one ink marking unit in accordance with such determination;
• and
• mark the objects with the at least one ink marking unit in accordance with the at least one operational parameter to form indicia thereon.