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  System for identifying packaging in a groupUSPTO Application #: 20080103621Title: System for identifying packaging in a group Abstract: A process and system are provided for printing variable data on packaging material at a package printer and machine reading the variable data on a packaging facility packaging line and associating the variable data with other information in a computer database. The process and system render unnecessary the use of a printing stage at the packaging facility, thereby improving packaging efficiency. (end of abstract) Agent: Alix, Yale & Ristas, LLP - Hartford, CT, US Inventor: David A. Mantell USPTO Applicaton #: 20080103621 - Class: 700115000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Data Processing: Generic Control Systems Or Specific Applications, Specific Application, Apparatus Or Process, Product Assembly Or Manufacturing, Product Tracking (e.g., Having Product Or Carrier Identification) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080103621. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] A process and system are described for efficiently identifying individual product packages. BACKGROUND [0002] Product packaging is used to identify the contents of the package. Typically, a large quantity of boxes or bags is printed by a printing company and then shipped to a packaging facility where the packages are filled. Additional markings such as alphanumeric characters often are added to packages at the packaging facility using a low resolution printing process in order to track inventory or to provide manufacturing or expiration dates for the package contents. This type of package identification requires an additional printing or labeling step at the factory. [0003] It is known to identify an individual item with a number that is specific to the item. Costly products such as television sets, computers and automobiles frequently have a unique serial number embossed or otherwise attached to the body of the product so that this number will be visible on the product during its useful life. Computer software is often sold with a unique identifying number or watermark inside the package in order to limit its reproduction beyond the scope of the intended license. [0004] Courier services and film developers often use unique numerical sequences and/or bar codes that are preprinted on envelopes or package mailing labels in order to associate a particular envelope or package with a sender and a receiver at the time the package is addressed or shipped. This type of shipping procedure typically is used for packages containing unique items so that the packages can be located if they are lost. [0005] U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2004/0007868 discloses a book covering with a unique identifier printed thereon and a method for printing a book covering using a printing press which has means for printing variable data. This document also discloses a method for printing a product package which includes printing a unique identifier on the package stock with a variable data printing apparatus. The variable data can be printed on-press along with non-variable data. [0006] European Patent Application No. 554989-A1 (1993) is directed to a method of preparing packaging material with variable data printed thereon using an ion deposition or toner technology process. The non-variable data on the packaging material either can printed along with the variable data using ion deposition or toner technology, or in a separate printing process using a different type of printing process. SUMMARY [0007] One embodiment described herein is a process for packaging goods, comprising obtaining a lot of packaging material, printing a first set of variable data directly on the lot of packaging material, delivering the lot of packaging material with the first set of variable data printed thereon to a packaging line, filling the lot of packaging material on the packaging line with items using an automated packaging machine, machine reading the first set of variable data on the lot of packaging material at the time of filling, and automatically associating a second set of data relevant to the items with the first set of machine read variable data. [0008] Usually, the first set of variable data is printed on the lot of packaging material at an off-site location relative to the packaging line. Filling typically includes forming three dimensional packages from the lot of packaging material and sealing the packages. The second set of data frequently includes information relevant to package contents, manufacturing conditions, and/or packaging conditions, and usually includes at least one of the packaging date, time of packaging, ambient packaging facility conditions such as temperature, humidity and/or pressure at the time of packaging, and the source of the packaged items. [0009] The process sometimes further comprises pre-forming the lot of packaging material after printing and before filling. The quality of individual packages in the lot of packaging material often is automatically checked before filling. [0010] In many cases, the process further comprises printing a third set of non-variable data on the lot of packaging material. The third set of data often identifies the packaged items and is usually non-variable. The first and third sets of data can be printed using the same printing device. [0011] Usually, the lot of packaging material includes a plurality of packages, and each package in the lot is printed with different variable data. In some cases, the variable data is common for a small number of packages, such as a small lot of packages or a portion of a large lot, in accordance with the need for later distinguishing packages and recovering data associated with them at the time of filling. For security reasons it may be desirable for the first set of variable data to be coded. [0012] Another embodiment is a process for creating a computer database to track an individual packaged item in a group of substantially identical packaged items, comprising obtaining a lot of unfilled packages having a first set of variable data printed thereon, automatically filling the packages, determining the first set of variable data and storing it in a computer database at the time of filling, and associating the first set of variable data with a second set of data, both the first set of variable data and the second set of data being stored in the computer database. [0013] The first set of variable data usually is machine read. Sometimes, the first set of variable data is sequentially determined from the starting point of the lot. Sequential variable data can be provided with the lot of unfilled packages, and are typically provided by the printing facility. [0014] Often, the second set of data is input into the database when the packages are filled. The first set of variable identifying data sometimes is read before the packages are filled. In certain cases, the process further comprises automatically checking package quality before filling the packages and rejecting low quality packages. The first set of variable identifying data usually is printed at a first location and the packages are filled at a second location that is remote relative to the first location. [0015] The computer database typically can be used to recover the second set of data for a specific package using data from the first set of variable data. The computer database frequently can be used to identify which values from the first set of variable data corresponds to specific values of the second set of data. [0016] A further embodiment is a system for identifying packages in a group, comprising a first printing device connected to a first computer, the first printing device being configured to print variable data on the packages, an automatic packaging machine disposed at a remote location relative to the first printing device, a variable data machine reader positioned proximate the automatic packaging machine, and a second computer connected to the variable data machine reader, the second computer storing the variable data in a computer database and associating the variable data with other data in the computer database. A package pre-forming device frequently is included before the automatic packaging machine. Sometimes, an automated package quality reader is disposed proximate the automatic packaging machine. In most cases, the computer database can be used to recover the second set of data for a specific package using a value from the first set of variable data. The computer database usually can be used to identify which data from the first set of variable data corresponds to specific values of the second set of data. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a process for printing variable data on product packaging and subsequently reading and associating the data. [0018] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a process for printing variable data on product packaging and subsequently reading and associating the data, with packaging quality being checked before the packaging is filled. [0019] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an alternative to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. [0020] FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing showing equipment used in the processes depicted in FIGS. 1-3. Continue reading... Full patent description for System for identifying packaging in a group Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this System for identifying packaging in a group patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like System for identifying packaging in a group or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Process for identifying individual packages in a group Next Patent Application: Intelligent assembly system and method of use Industry Class: Data processing: generic control systems or specific applications ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the System for identifying packaging in a group patent info. 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