Container with mark or markings for tracking and tracing

1 . A method for tracking and tracing a container, comprising:

providing an end closure with a tab, wherein the end closure comprises a first unique mark formed on the tab;

transmitting the first unique mark to a database via a network, the database configured to receive and store scan events, wherein the first unique mark is associated in a record of the database with production information about the tab;

providing a container body with a second unique mark;

transmitting the second unique mark to the database via the network, wherein the second unique mark is associated in a record of the database with production information about the container body;

transmitting to the database via the network, by a filler sensor at a filler location, a scan event of at least one of the first unique mark and the second unique mark, wherein the end closure is joined with the container body to form the container at the filler location; and

transmitting to the database via the network, by a sensor, a scan event of at least one of the first unique mark or the second unique mark of the container, wherein the sensor is at a location which is distinct from the filler location.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the production information about the container body includes at least one of batch information, production lot information, and production shift information regarding the container body of the container, and wherein the production information about the tab includes information about a sheet of a tab stock that is used to form the tab.

3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising forming, by a laser, the first unique mark on a sheet of a tab stock, wherein the laser physically changes parts of the sheet of the tab stock from a first emissivity to a second emissivity to form the first unique mark.

4 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising, after forming the first unique mark, applying a lacquer layer to the sheet of the tab stock to preserve the first unique mark.

5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising forming, by a tab press, a planar portion of the tab, wherein the first unique mark is located on the planar portion.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the planar portion is recessed below a tail and a body of the tab.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the tab is attached to a rivet of the end closure.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first unique mark is located on a body of the tab, and the body is positioned between a nose and a tail of the tab.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the tab has a first side and a second side, wherein the first side faces the end closure before the container is opened, wherein the second side faces away from the end closure before the container is opened, and wherein the first unique mark is located on the second side.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first unique mark and the second unique mark are each one of a QR code, a watermark, a serialized number, a two-dimensional barcode (SnapTag®), a patterned graphic code (Digimarc®), a bar code, Datamatrix, Aztec Code, Quickmark, DotCode, Shotcode, Maxicode, MicroQR, Beetagg, Nexcode, Han Xin, Trill Code, Kik Codes, or a static or dynamic circular QR code (TikTok® Code).

11 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

marking a continuous sheet of tab stock with the first unique mark; and

forming the tab from the continuous sheet of tab stock such that the first unique mark is positioned on the tab, wherein the production information about the tab includes information about the continuous sheet of tab stock.

12 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

scanning the first unique mark with a sensor at a production facility to generate a production scan event having time and location information, wherein the production facility is at a location distinct from the filler location; and

transmitting the production scan event to the database via the network, wherein the database is operable to associate the time and location information with the end closure based on the first unique mark.

13 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the first unique mark is located on a side of the tab that faces away from the end closure before the container is opened.

14 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising forming, by a laser, the first unique mark on a sheet of tab stock, wherein the laser alters a coating on the sheet of the tab stock to form the first unique mark, wherein the laser activates pigment in the coating on the sheet of the tab stock to form the unique mark.

15 . A method for tracking and tracing containers during the production, distribution, sale, and to end of life collection of the containers, comprising:

providing a plurality of containers, wherein each container of said plurality of containers has at least one of a closed end or a tab;

forming a unique mark on at least one of said closed end or said tab of a container of said plurality of containers with an ink, a pigment, or laser etching at a production facility to produce said unique mark that comprises production information;

scanning said unique mark of said container with a sensor at said production facility to generate a first scan event having first time and first location information;

transmitting said first scan event to a database via a network, wherein said database is operable to associate said first time and first location information with said container and with said production information based on said unique mark;

scanning said unique mark of said container with a sensor at a filler facility to generate a second scan event having second time and second location information;

transmitting said second scan event to said database via said network, wherein said database is operable to associate said second time and second location information with said container based on said unique mark;

scanning said unique mark of said container with a sensor at a distribution facility to generate a third scan event having third time and third location information;

transmitting said third scan event to said database via said network, wherein said database is operable to associate said third time and third location information with said container based on said unique mark;

scanning said unique mark of said container with a sensor at a retailer facility to generate a fourth scan event having fourth time and fourth location information;

transmitting said fourth scan event to said database via said network, wherein said database is operable to associate said fourth time and fourth location information with said container based on said unique mark;

scanning said unique mark of said container with a sensor of a mobile device to generate a fifth scan event having mobile device information and fifth time and fifth location information;

transmitting said fifth scan event to said database via said network, wherein said database is operable to associate said container with said mobile device and with said fifth time and fifth location information based on said unique mark and said mobile device information;

scanning said unique mark of said container with a sensor of a collection device to generate a sixth scan event having deposit information and sixth time and sixth location information; and

transmitting said sixth scan event to said database via said network, wherein said database is operable to associate said mobile device with said deposition information to associate said sixth time and sixth location information with said container based on said unique mark.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein said unique mark is formed with said pigment by:

applying a varnish layer to said closed end of each container, wherein said varnish layer comprises said pigment; and

activating, with a laser device, some of said pigment in said varnish layer to produce said unique mark on each closed end.

17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein said unique mark is formed with said ink by:

coating an interior surface of each container by an interior coat spray unit; and

forming, by an inkjet printer, said unique mark with said ink on said closed end as said interior coat spray unit coats said interior surface of each container.

18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein said unique mark is formed with said laser etching by:

forming, by a laser, at least one unique mark on a continuous sheet of aluminum material; and

forming a container body of said container from said continuous sheet of aluminum material, wherein said unique mark is positioned on said closed end of said container body of said container.

19 . The method of claim 15 , wherein said unique mark is formed with said laser etching by:

forming, by a laser, at least one unique mark on said tab of an end closure; and

joining said end closure with a container body to form said container.

20 . A system for tracking and tracing a container, comprising:

a database configured to receive and store scan events, wherein a first unique mark is located on a tab of an end closure, and the first unique mark is transmitted to the database via a network where the first unique mark is associated with production information about the tab, wherein a second unique mark is located on a container body, and the second unique mark is transmitted to the database via the network where the second unique mark is associated with production information about the container body;

a filler sensor configured to transmit a scan event of the first unique mark and a scan event of the second unique mark at a filler location to the database via the network, wherein the end closure is joined with the container body to form the container at the filler location; and

a sensor configured to transmit a scan event of at least one of the first unique mark and the second unique mark of the container to the database via the network, wherein the location of the sensor is distinct from the filler location.