System, apparatus and method for marking and tracking bulk flowable material
US6796504B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 15, 2000 |
| Grant date | Sep 28, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 26, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G65/005
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for identifying a characteristic of a bulk flowable material. An identification marker is inserted into a bulk flowable material. The identification marker carries information identifying a specified property or properties of the material. A marker dispenser can be located at one or more handling sites of the bulk flowable material. The identification markers can be pre-prepared or property-related information can be added to the marker prior to or subsequent to dispensing. The identification markers can be paper-like labels, for example, or more complex devices. The system can be used to track the lifespan of a material or to indicate a property of the material to others, such as whether the material is a genetically modified organism (GMO). A pre-printed marker source containing a single continuous bar code is also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.