Apparatus for marking refillable containers, more especially plastic bottles
US5612525A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 3, 1995 |
| Grant date | Mar 18, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 3, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB07C5/3412
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An apparatus is disclosed for marking refillable containers, more especially plastic bottles, with code symbols for later ascertaining whether a container has to be refilled or separated. The part of the container in which is situated a manufacturer's code present from the outset is photographed at a detection station by a camera. Using code symbols applied previously as a reference marking, the place is determined at which a new code symbol of a round trip code is applied at a marking station with a laser. The number of such code symbols gives the number of fillings of the containers, and the data content of each code symbol contains a statement concerning the filling inserted in the container, the bottler etc., in each case. With the aid of this, a certain filling sequence can be adhered to, for example, prevent a plastic bottle which previously contained a cola drink being filled with mineral water, whereas the reverse sequence would be permissible.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.