Method and installation for treating reusable containers with tracking

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for treating containers and, in particular reusable containers, having the steps of: providing a container having at least one first marking which identifies this container; determining at least one first information associated with said first marking, applying a second marking to the container, wherein the second marking is created taking into account the first marking and/or the determined information.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A method for treating containers comprising the steps of: providing a container which has at least one first marking which identifies this container; determining at least one information associated with said first marking; and attaching a second marking to the container, wherein the second marking is created taking into account the first marking and/or the determined information.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the second marking is linked to the first marking.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the container is provided with at least one decor element and the second marking is arranged on this decor element.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the decor element is selected from a group of decor elements containing labels, container closures and the like.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the first marking is selected from a group of markings containing matrix codes, barcodes or DotCodes.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the first marking is at least partially concealed by the decor element.

17. An apparatus for treating containers comprising a first treatment unit which treats the containers in a first predetermined manner and with a decorating device which provides the containers with a decor element and with a transport device which transports the containers in a predetermined transport direction, the apparatus has a detection device arranged upstream of the decorating device in the transport direction, which detection device is suitable and intended to detect a first marking arranged on the containers and wherein a marking device is provided which is suitable and intended for applying a second marking on the decor element.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the marking device applies the second marking taking into account the first marking.

19. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the apparatus has a storage device in which data for an association characteristic between the first marking and the second marking can be stored.

20. A reusable container with a main body, which forms a receiving volume for a foodstuff, and with a container mouth, wherein the reusable container has a first marking that can be read out by a read-out device and which identifies this reusable container, wherein the reusable container has a second marking which uniquely identifies this container.

Description

[0048] Further advantages and embodiments can be seen in the accompanying drawings:

[0049] In the drawings:

[0050] FIG. 1 shows a representation of a container according to the invention;

[0051] FIG. 2 shows a rough schematic representation of an apparatus for treating the containers.

[0052] FIG. 1 shows a rough schematic representation of a container 10. This container has a main body 2, as well as a mouth region 4, which has a reduced cross section compared to the main body. Reference sign 4a designates a container closure which is arranged on the container.

[0053] A decor element 12 in the form of a label is arranged on the container. Furthermore, a first marking M1 is arranged directly on the container 10 or its main body 2. Said first marking M1 is shown in dashed lines here because it is concealed by the decor element 12. A second marking M2 is arranged on the decor element 12.

[0054] Both markings M1, M2 are respectively suitable and intended to uniquely identify the container or reusable bottle 10. When the container is recycled, the decor element 12 with the marking M2 arranged thereon is detached from the container, while the marking on the container remains during the entire service life of the container 10.

[0055] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of an apparatus 1 according to the invention for treating containers. Reference sign 6 designates a transport device which transports the containers 10 in the transport direction. This transport device is shown here only roughly schematically. This transport device transports the containers 10 preferably individually. For this purpose, the transport device can also have holding devices (not shown) which hold or grip the containers for their transport. The transport device can also be composed of several transport units arranged in succession.

[0056] It can be seen here that the containers 10 are already provided with the first marking. Reference sign 16 designates a detection device which recognizes or reads the first marking. This detection device can output a signal and/or an information Ito a marking device 14, which is used when the marking M2 is created. The marking M2 can be applied to the label before labeling or even after the labeling process, for example, by means of an ink jet or laser marking unit. In addition, the marking M2 is preferably created in such a way that, during a later readout of the second marking, it is preferably also possible to deduce the first marking M1.

[0057] The identification of feature M1 and the application of the identifier M2 take place at different locations on the transport path. A control unit is provided which tracks both features and combines them at a location/point in time.

[0058] Reference sign 24 designates a treatment device, for example in a labeling machine, which applies the decor element 12 to the containers such as in the form of a label. Reference sign 14 designates roughly schematically the marking device, which in each case applies the second marking M2 to the decor elements. Subsequently, the decor elements 12 provided with the second marking M2 are arranged on the containers. Reference sign 22 designates a (first) treatment device which is designed here, for example, as a filling device which fills the containers. In addition, a closing device can also be provided which closes the filled containers provided with the decor elements 12.

[0059] However, it would also be conceivable for the containers to be initially filled (and possibly also closed) and only then to be provided with the decor elements or labels.

[0060] Reference sign 18 designates roughly schematically a storage device, such as a database in which information regarding the first markings to be read and/or with respect to the second markings M2 to be created can be stored.

[0061] The applicant reserves the right to claim all features disclosed in the application documents as essential to the invention, provided that they are novel over the prior art individually or in combination. It is also pointed out that features which can be advantageous in themselves are also described in the individual figures. The person skilled in the art will immediately recognize that a particular feature described in a figure can be advantageous even without the adoption of further features from this figure. Furthermore, the person skilled in the art will recognize that advantages can also result from a combination of several features shown in individual or in different figures.