Case-Level Traceability without the need for inline printing
View Patent ↗A pre-printed case label is provided for labeling cases that contain item-level packages such as clamshells of produce or loose bulk produce. The pre-printed case label includes a common identifier and space for adding a tag that includes a unique identifier. A case that includes the pre-printed case label and the tag provides case-level traceability through the distribution chain. Additionally, the item-level packages, or items of loose bulk produce, can include their own individual traceability codes to extend the traceability down to the item level. Methods provided herein associate non-lot-specific information, like brand and quantity, and lot-specific information, like harvest event data, with the unique identifier.
1. A method comprising:
affixing a case label to a case, the case label including a first identifier having a first data structure that is both machine-readable and human-readable;
affixing a tag to the case, the tag including a second identifier having a second data structure that is both machine-readable and human-readable; and
storing lot-specific information in association with the second identifier;
reading the first identifier simultaneously with the second identifier.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein affixing the tag to the case comprises adhering the tag to the case label.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising reading the second identifier.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the lot-specific information comprises a harvest date.
5. The method of claim 1 further comprising filling the case with a plurality of unit-level packages.
6. The method of claim 5 further comprising marking each unit-level package with a traceability code.
7. The method of claim 6 further comprising storing a traceability code of a unit-level package in association with the second identifier.
8. A method comprising:
affixing a tag to a case label disposed on a case,
the case label including a first identifier including a first data structure that is both machine-readable and human-readable,
the tag including a second identifier including a second data structure that is both machine-readable and human-readable;
storing lot-specific information in association with the second identifier; and
reading the first identifier simultaneously with the second identifier.
9. The method of claim 8 further comprising filling the case with a plurality of unit-level packages.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising marking each unit-level package with a traceability code.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprising storing a traceability code of a unit-level package in association with the second identifier.