WO2004074102A2

WO2004074102A2 - Device for re-packaging products

Info

Publication number: WO2004074102A2
Application number: PCT/NL2004/000078
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jacob Beekhuis; Hendrik Aalbert Beekhuis
Original assignee: Beekhuis Computer Solutions
Priority date: 2003-02-04
Filing date: 2004-02-03
Publication date: 2004-09-02
Also published as: NL1022583C2; WO2004074102A3

Abstract

A device for re-packaging products comprises feed means (15) for receiving products from at least one initial packaging (20) with products, a number of separate discharge means (80), each for receiving a target package, and distribution means (42..49) for guiding the products out of the initial packaging to the discharge means and delivering the products in a target package. The feed means are equipped with first identification means (31) for associating a first identification code with an initial packaging and registering the code. The discharge means are provided with second identification means (32..39) for associating a second identification code with a target package and registering the code. The distribution means are provided with counting means (12) to determine and register a number of products from an initial packaging per discharge means. Both the first and second identification means are herein coupled to clock means for associating a date and a point in time with a registration. Products in a chain can thus be traced upward and downward with a great measure of accuracy.

Description

Device for re-packaging products

The present invention relates to a device for re-packaging products, comprising feed means for receiving products from at least one initial packaging with products, a number of separate discharge means, each for receiving a target package, and distribution means for guiding the products out of the initial packaging to the discharge means and delivering the products in a target package.

The initial packaging is here usually a bulk packaging and the target package usually involves retail packages. Such devices are applied on a large scale, in particular also for food products such as for instance eggs. The food products are supplied in a bulk packaging and, optionally sorted according to for instance size, colour or weight, are re-packaged in a retail packaging or a wholesale packaging. This not infrequently involves successive bulk packagings from different batches or even from different suppliers whose products are distributed over different target packages. Products from different initial packagings can thus end up in the same target package, and it will also be possible to discharge different target packages combined in the same batch.

Particularly in the case of food products, demands are increasingly being made in respect of traceability of individual products. If an infected, contaminated or otherwise inferior product is encountered somewhere in a food chain, it is of great importance to localize all other suspect products rapidly and precisely so as to still be able to withdraw them if possible from the market. It must be possible for this purpose to determine, on the basis of an individual product, from which initial packaging the product in question came, referred to hereinbelow as upward traceability. In respect of the products from thus traced initial packaging, it must then be possible to find out in which other target packages these have ended up, referred to hereinbelow as downward traceability. Existing devices of the type stated in the preamble have not thus far provided means enabling such an unambiguous traceability.

The present invention has for its object, among others, to provide a device of the type stated in the preamble which provides an effective traceability of the products repackaged therewith. So as to achieve the stated objective, a device of the type stated in the preamble has the feature according to the invention that the feed means are equipped with first identification means for associating a first identification code with an initial packaging and for registering the code, that the discharge means are provided with second identification means for associating a second identification code with a target package and for registering the code, that the distribution means are provided with counting means to determine and register a number of products from an initial packaging per discharge means, and that the first and second identification means are both coupled to clock means for associating a point in time and a registration. Owing to the identification of both packages and the association with a current time, an unambiguous traceability in both directions in a chain is thus possible. If a suspect product is discovered, it is possible on the basis of the second identification code and the associated time of packing to determine precisely from which initial packaging the product came. The thus traced initial packaging defines which other products must be designated as suspect. On the basis of the identification code of this initial packaging and the associated re-packaging time frame, it is possible to find out which other target packages have been filled with products originating therefrom. The customers to whom these target packages have been delivered can then be informed, with mention of the second identification codes associated therewith and designated as suspect. The concept of code should otherwise be interpreted in a broad sense within the context of the present invention, so it is understood to mean not only alphanumeric representations but also other identification symbols, patterns and specifications such as for instance bar codes and the like. The concept of time also merits wider interpretation within the context of the present invention, so that it therefore includes any form of time recording in any sequential system whatever on the basis of which the moment of processing can be determined unambiguously.

In order to limit the number of identification codes to be issued, and to enable a simple recognition of a target package in the field, a particular embodiment of the device according to the invention has the feature that an initial packaging is associated with a unique first identification code, and that target packages forming part of the same batch are provided with a common second identification code. A downward traceability is thus possible at batch level, which in practice will be sufficiently precise and effective in many cases. Because the target packages are physically provided with the common identification code, suspect packages are immediately recognizable on the basis thereof.

Although the scope of the invention provides different possibilities for associating an identification code with a package, a particular practical embodiment of the device according to the invention has the feature that the identification means comprise a printer unit for printing the identification code on an optionally self-adhesive carrier. Such an identification code carrier can be adhered to the package making use of conventional means or be affixed thereto in other manner.

In a preferred embodiment the device according to the invention has the feature that at the discharge means there are placed a number of printer units for a second identification code which are controllable from a shared computer system. By thus making use of collectively controlled printer units distributed over the various discharge means, it is possible in the case of malfunction of one of the printer units to switch quickly and, if desired, automatically to another printer unit ready for operation so as to allow the re-packaging process to continue without disruption.

Although the nature of identification codes in the device according to the invention can be freely chosen per se, a further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention has the feature that the first and second identification comprises at least a bar code. A bar code provides the advantage that it can not only be employed unambiguously within the device, but is also compatible with automated stock control systems such as are in common use in the field.

The invention will now be elucidated with reference to an exemplary embodiment and an associated drawing. In the drawing: figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a device according to an embodiment of the invention. It is noted here that the drawing is wholly schematic and not drawn to scale. Some dimensions in particular may be shown larger or smaller for the sake of clarity. Corresponding parts are designated as far as possible in the figure with the same reference numeral.

The schematic representation of figure 1 shows a device for re-packaging products from an initial packaging to one or more target packages. This embodiment relates to a device for re-packaging eggs. The eggs are supplied in initial packagings 10 in the form of containers which contain a maximum in the order of 5,400 eggs and which have to be re-packaged to target packages 20 in the order of 4-12 eggs or to trays of 30 eggs, herein sorted according to size/weight. Such containers are supplied in such a case per pair on a pallet, whereby a maximum total in the order of 10,800 eggs are then supplied. Other initial packagings are also available as well as containers, such as for instance cases or crates with a maximum of 360 eggs. In order, among other things, to protect the eggs against breakage during transport, these are usually held in trays of 30 eggs and usually arranged in stacks of 6 such trays at a time in the initial packaging.

The device comprises feed means 15 in the form of a platform on which are placed the eggs from successive initial packagings 1 . Containers 20 comprise mobile racks with shelves on which stacks of 6 trays of 6 by 5 eggs at a time are arranged in regular order. The feed means comprise pick-up means which are per se known and therefore not further shown in the figure and which have suction nozzles which pick up one such group of 6x5 eggs at a time and place it on platform 15. The eggs are carried into the device from platform 15. According to the invention each such initial packaging is uniquely identified.

In the present embodiment each initial packaging is registered in a database which is managed by, or at least from, a computer system 30. For every initial packaging a record is made therein with a unique identification of the relevant package, referred to below as the IP number, supplemented with data relating to the content and origin such as for instance the supplier/producer, house number of the chickens, the laying date, type of egg and the average weight. These data are carefully recorded in the database and printed by means of a printer 31 provided for this purpose onto a self- adhesive label which is adhered to the initial packaging. The unique IP number is herein printed not only alphanumerically but also as bar code so as to be electronically readable in easy and reliable manner later in the process.

From platform 15 the eggs are carried into the device and therein distributed over a number of discharge channels 41..49. A counter 12 is arranged per discharge channel 41..49. Counters 12 are coupled to resetting means 13 in the form of a push-button with which the counter readings are set to zero each time an initial packaging is replaced. At that moment a processing date and time are also coupled according to the invention to the IP number of the initial packaging to be processed. Per initial packaging is thus recorded exactly how many eggs originated therefrom, how they are processed over the different discharge lines in the device and at which moment in time this takes place. This information is stored with the database data of the relevant initial batch. The IP number of the relevant packaging is for instance read electronically on the basis of the bar code which is printed on the label thereof, but can also be registered in other manner.

In this embodiment the device is provided with sorting means for the supplied eggs. The eggs are first of all subjected to a visual inspection, wherein eggs with breakage or other flaws are discharged via a first discharge channel 41 and discharge means into a first discharge packaging 22. The thus discarded eggs are for instance processed as raw material in the food processing industry. The remaining eggs are sorted according to size, making use of sorting means which are conventional and therefore not further shown, and distributed according to size over different discharge channels 42..49. Situated at the end of each discharge channel 42..49 are discharge means 80 for receiving a target package 20 and to deliver the supplied eggs therein. These are target packages in the form of cardboard or plastic boxes for 4, 6, 10, 12 or 30 eggs in accordance with the wishes of the customer.

Registration means are provided in the device in the form of a further computer system 50 which is likewise coupled to the above mentioned database. Every target package 20 can hereby be registered and identified. In this embodiment there is assigned to each target package 20 an identification code which is unique for the batch to which the target package belongs, referred to below as the EPP code. For every batch there is held in the database a record which includes this unique identification code, customer data and optionally an article number and other data relating to the nature of the eggs, such as weight, colour and packaging.

In this embodiment a printer unit 32..39 is provided per discharge line 42..49 to enable every target package to be provided with a label once it has been fully filled. A pushbutton 14 at each discharge line enables an operator to obtain a label. On the label is given the EPP code together with the current time and date of packaging and an identification of the discharge line used. Printers 32..39 are controlled from a shared computer system 50. If one of the printers is not operational due to a malfunction or for another reason, this computer system 50 automatically selects another printer to print the label, so that operation of the device can continue without disruption. Such a collective control also provides the option, if desired, of sufficing with fewer printers than discharge lines. The push-button 14 used 'tells' the system for which discharge line the label is intended.

The retail packages 20 are in turn packed into boxes. This can take place manually or automatically. Although each retail package can be provided with the label obtained via one of the printers 32..39 or a printer specifically designed for the purpose, it is found sufficient in practice to provide every such box with a label.

Should a retail package with a contaminated or infected egg be found later in the further progression through the food chain, ail eggs which originate from the initial packaging, and which are therefore suspect, can be traced on the basis of the moment of packaging which can be read from the label and the EPP code. The time and date of packing leads in any case to the IP code of the initial packaging which was being processed at that moment in the relevant discharge line. Owing to the recorded counter readings of counters 12 it is known precisely of this initial batch over which discharge lines the eggs therefrom were discharged, wherein the associated EPP codes can be checked. The customers associated with these EPP codes can then be informed immediately of the suspect consignment, so that they can immediately remove from the food chain the target packages with the EPP code in question.

The invention thus provides an effective upward and downward traceability which, in the case of an infected, contaminated or otherwise suspect batch of eggs, can limit the damage to just this initial batch.

Although the invention has been elucidated with reference to only a single exemplary embodiment, it will be apparent that the invention is by no means limited thereto. On the contrary, many variations and embodiments are still possible for a person with ordinary skill in the art within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Device for re-packaging products, comprising feed means for receiving products from at least one initial packaging with products, a number of separate discharge means, each for receiving a target package, and distribution means for guiding the products out of the initial packaging to the discharge means and delivering the products in a target package, characterized in that the feed means are equipped with first identification means for associating a first identification code with an initial packaging and registering the code, that the discharge means are provided with second identification means for associating a second identification code with a target package and registering the code, that the distribution means are provided with counting means to determine and register a number of products from an initial packaging per discharge means, and that the first and second identification means are both coupled to clock means for associating a point in time and a registration.

2. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that an initial packaging is associated with a unique first identification code, and that target packages forming part of the same batch are provided with a common second identification code.

3. Device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the identification means comprise a printer unit for printing the identification code on an optionally self-adhesive carrier.

4. Device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that at the discharge means there are placed a number of printer units for a second identification code which are controllable from a shared computer system.

5. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the first and second identification comprises at least a bar code.