PACKAGED EDIBLE MATERIALS
In one aspect, methods for producing packaged edible materials are provided. In a further aspect, edible material dispensing apparatus are provided. In additional aspects, pod units are provided including those adapted for containing equine supplement or feed materials.
1 . A method for producing packaged edible materials comprising:
selecting one or more edible materials and amount thereof based on a purchaser's input;
dispensing each of the edible materials to a packaging unit;
sealing side and ends of the packaging unit;
separating the packaging unit into a predetermined number of pods; and
analyzing each pod of the packaging unit that contains the edible material for one or more of: metal levels, weight and optical characteristics.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the packaging unit is formed out of a roll of film material.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the roll of film material is folded in half and sealed on sides and ends thereof to form the packaging unit.
4 . (canceled)
5 . The method of claim 1 wherein based on a purchaser's input each of the following are selected: 1) one or more edible materials and amount thereof; 2) packing unit; and 3) shipping date.
6 . The method of claim 5 wherein the purchaser's input is stored in and accessed from a database.
7 . The method of claim 1 wherein identifying information is added to the packaging unit.
8 . The method of claim 7 wherein the identifying information includes 1) edible material in the pod; 2) amount of edible material in the pod; and 3) indication of number of pods in packaging unit.
9 . The method of claim 1 wherein the packaging unit includes a detectable tag.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the tag comprises RFID.
11 . The method of any one of claim 10 wherein the packaging unit advances via a transport system through process stations during steps of dispensing and analyzing.
12 . The method of claim 11 further comprising stacking multiple packaging units together.
13 . The method of claim 12 wherein multiple packaging units are stacked laterally and vertically.
14 . The method of claim 12 wherein packaging units are stacked in varying configurations.
15 . The method of claim 12 wherein adjacent packaging units are stacked in varying positions.
16 . The method of claim 12 wherein a first portion of the packaging units are stacked in an inverted position with respect to a second portion of the packaging units.
17 . The method of claim 12 wherein one or more stacks of packaging units are transferred to a shipping container.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein an interior surface of the film material is resistant to air and water.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the edible materials are equine feed or supplements.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein each pod is divided into a plurality of sections based on the number of edible materials dispensed thereinto.
21 . The method of claim 1 , wherein each pod is made of an edible or compostable film.
22 . The method of claim 1 , wherein each pod is made of a paper material.
23 . The method of claim 1 , where each pod is collapsible.
24 . An edible material dispensing apparatus, comprising:
a reservoir in which a plurality of different edible materials are stored;
an output through which the edible materials are dispensed; and
a controller configured to read a personalized code and dispense a predetermined amount and predetermined combination of edible materials through the output based on the personalized code.
25 . A method for producing packaged edible materials comprising:
selecting one or more edible materials and amount thereof based on a purchaser's input;
dispensing the edible materials into separate sections within a packaging unit;
sealing the packaging unit;
separating the packaging unit into a predetermined number of pods, each pod containing the separation sections; and
analyzing each pod of the packaging unit that contains the edible material for one or more of: metal levels, weight and optical characteristics.
26 - 30 . (canceled)