Packaging information distribution and tracking system and method
View Patent ↗A system and method for distributing and tracking product information to users, such as consumers, is described. In an embodiment, a plurality of articles intended for distribution are provided. The articles are labeled to include a digitally readable code that is controllably variable with respect to each individual article. The labeled articles are arranged for distribution and are then distributed. A user can capture (e.g., photograph or scan) the digitally readable code using a portable electronic device. The captured digitally readable code may, among other things, provide various product information that can, if desired, be viewed on the electronic device.
1. A method for distributing and tracking information associated with containers or packages, the method comprising:
providing a plurality of plastic containers for distribution;
labeling the plastic containers, the labeling including digitally printing a digitally-readable code directly on a curved outer surface of independent plastic containers, wherein the digitally-readable code is controllably variable on a container-by-container basis to provide unique container-specific information in connection with the plastic container to which it is applied;
distributing the plastic containers; and,
capturing the digitally-readable code on a portable electronic device,
wherein the digitally-readable code of at least one of the plastic containers includes a hyperlink that corresponds to a website that contains marketing and/or co-branding information, and the marketing and/or co-branding information associated with a first container corresponds to a first geographic region and the marketing and/or co-branding information associated with a second container corresponds to a second geographic region.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plastic containers are cylindrical or nonround.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plastic containers have two sides with a non-constant radius.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plastic containers include a flexible portion and a label panel area in the flexible portion.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plastic containers include a handle.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the digitally-readable code includes a one-dimensional barcode.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the digitally-readable code includes a matrix code or two-dimensional barcode.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the digitally-readable code comprises a circular 2D-barcode tag.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the digitally-readable code includes a hyperlink.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the labeling of individual plastic containers is done in real time on a container-by-container basis.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the digitally-readable code comprises an embedded digital code that is readable by an electronic device.
12. The method of claim 1 , including arranging of the plastic containers for distribution.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the arranging of the plastic containers for distribution includes grouping the plastic containers based on a sorting method that utilizes the digitally-readable code.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein plastic containers are grouped based on destination information associated with the digitally-readable code.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the capturing of the digitally-readable code on a portable electronic device includes scanning.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the capturing of the digitally-readable code on a portable electronic device includes taking a picture of the digitally-readable code.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the marketing and/or co-branding information corresponds to an intended shipping destination of the at least one of the plastic containers.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the intended shipping destination includes a type of store.
19. The method of claim 1 , including tracking information concerning access to the digitally-readable code.
20. The method of claim 1 , wherein a unique code is applied to at least one of the plurality of plastic containers, and a website is configured to authenticate at least one plastic container.