Tracking an Item on a Packaging Line
A system for managing a packaging line, the system including a common data-storage system in data communication with a plurality of item-interaction units, the common data-storage system configured for receiving, from the item-interaction units, item data identifying each item in the packaging line, the item data including information indicative of a location of the item within the packaging line; and maintaining the item data in an item database.
1 . A system for managing a packaging line, the system comprising:
a common data-storage system in data communication with a plurality of item-interaction units, the common data-storage system configured for
receiving, from the item-interaction units, item data identifying each item in the packaging line, the item data including information indicative of a location of the item within the packaging line; and
maintaining the item data in an item database.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the item data includes information leading to a super-item into which an item has been consolidated with other items.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the information leading to a super-item comprises information identifying a distribution unit; and wherein the item data identifies a consumer unit.
4 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the information leading to a super-item comprises information identifying a palette unit, and wherein the item data identifies a distribution unit.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the item data comprises an item record having a location field for storing information indicative of the location of the item within the packaging line.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the item record further comprises a super-item field containing the information leading to a super-item.
7 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the information leading to a super-item is stored in the location field.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the common data-storage system is configured to receive item data for multiple items in a single transaction with an item-interaction unit.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the common data-storage system is configured to receive item data asynchronously with the acquisition of the item data by the item-interaction unit.
10 . A method for managing a packaging line, the method comprising:
receiving item data from one of a plurality of item-interaction units,
the item data identifying an item in the packaging line and indicating a location of that item in the packaging line; and
maintaining the item data in an item database.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein receiving item data comprises receiving information leading to a super-item into which an item has been consolidated with other items.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein receiving item data comprises receiving data identifying a consumer unit and receiving data leading to a distribution unit.
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein receiving item data comprises receiving data identifying a distribution unit, and receiving data leading to a palette unit.
14 . The method of claim 10 , wherein maintaining the item data in an item database comprises storing, in a location field of an item record, information indicative of the location of the item within the packaging line.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein maintaining the item data in an item database further comprises storing, in a super-item field of the item record, information leading to a super-item.
16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein maintaining the item data in an item database further comprises storing, in the location field of the item record, information leading to a super-item.
17 . The method of claim 10 , wherein receiving item data comprises receiving item data for multiple items in a single transaction with an item-interaction unit.
18 . The method of claim 10 , wherein receiving item data comprises receiving item data asynchronously with the acquisition of the item data by the item-interaction unit.