Patent Publication Number: US-7721879-B2

Title: Bar code blocking package

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/796,721 filed on 2 May 2006. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a package of containers that facilitates proper bar code scanning. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     Conventional container carriers are often used to unitize a plurality of similarly sized containers, such as cans, bottles, jars and boxes and/or similar containers. Flexible plastic ring carriers are one such conventional container carrier. 
     Such flexible plastic ring carriers for cans and bottles may or may not have labels printed on the carrier. Often it is desirable to add a Universal Product Code (UPC) or “bar code” (the terms “UPC” and “bar code” are used interchangeably herein) to the container to identify individual containers and the carrier to identify the multi-container package, or multi-package. Containers within the multi-package that are individually coded with the bar code enable a bar code scanner or reader (also used interchangeably herein) to read product information, such as price. 
     Flexible plastic ring carriers may be used to unitize groups of four, six, eight, twelve or other suitable groups of containers into a convenient multi-package. In such cases, it is preferable to block any bar code on the individual container. This will prevent the bar code for individual containers from being read in place of or in addition to the bar code for the multi-pack. When such containers are placed within a multi-package such as a “six pack,” difficulties may arise when container bar codes with individual container information are scanned instead of package bar codes with the information relevant to the multi-package or six pack. 
     Traditional multi-packages, such as six-packs, include containers that are positioned in random rotational orientations within the carrier. Each container generally includes an individual bar code which includes information, such as price, regarding the individual container. However, when the bar code for the individual container is scanned as the multi-package price, problems may arise for the vendor. Such problems primarily include a single container price being charged for a multi-container package and the inventory control problems that may result. 
     As such, it is desirable to ensure that the correct bar code is scanned for the correct container and/or multi-package. More specifically, it may be desirable to block the bar codes of individual containers within a multi-package from the scanning process. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a package that includes a flexible carrier and a plurality of containers. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, a plurality of containers, such as cans, are positioned within a carrier manufactured with specifically selected blended dyes to both absorb laser light from the bar code reader and to replace that light absorbed to maintain the neutral color of the carrier. As a result, a bar code reader is less likely to read the bar code on each container. 
     The carrier of the present invention, although traditionally generally transparent, may additionally include an absorbing dye and a fluorescing dye. The area of the carrier that includes such dyes preferably extends across an entirety of the carrier however it may alternatively extend through a center of the carrier or across or along any other suitable area of the carrier. 
     Accordingly, the plurality of containers are positioned in the carrier so that each bar code is blocked by either the carrier and/or the containers are oriented in a rotationally inward position toward a center of the package and preferably toward an area of the carrier that includes the absorbing dye and the fluorescing dye. Alternatively, containers may be rotationally oriented in the carrier in any other suitable manner such that a bar code scanner is less likely to read individual bar codes on the respective containers. The area of the carrier that includes the absorbing dye and the fluorescing dye preferably prevents any light from the bar code scanner from contacting and reading the bar codes of the individual containers. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a multi-package of containers assembled in a conventional manner with individual bar codes in random rotational orientations; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a typical bar code reader; 
         FIG. 3  is a graph showing absorption curves of various red absorbing dyes and fluorescence frequencies of two UV fluorescing dyes for use with preferred embodiments of this invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a top schematic view of a multi-package similar to a package according to one preferred embodiment of this invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of a multi-package of containers according to one preferred embodiment of this invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  shows a multi-package of six containers  60  unitized in a carrier to form a multi-packaging device. As shown, an exterior face of each container  60  includes a machine readable universal product code (“UPC”), referred to herein as bar code  70 , printed thereon. Bar code  70  on each individual container  60  permits container  60  to be scanned by a bar code reader or scanner. When bar code  70  on container  60  is scanned by the bar code reader, information, such as the price, about the individual container  60  is retrieved from a computer connected with respect to the bar code reader. According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, the lines on bar code  70  are aligned in a generally horizontal orientation relative to container  60 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a package of individual containers  60  comprises a unitized group of containers  20  sold as a multi-package. The unitized containers  60  are generally randomly oriented so that each container  60  is positioned in a different and/or random rotational orientation within the carrier. The package may have a separate bar code (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) which allows information about the package, such as the price of the group of containers  60 , to be retrieved when the separate bar code is scanned by the bar code reader. This separate “package” bar code may be printed on the exterior of the package or otherwise affixed to the package by suitable means, such as adhesive. 
       FIG. 2  shows a schematic of a conventional bar code scanner or reader  100 . Bar code reader  100  traditionally uses laser light beams that are scanned across bar code  70  optically. In order to accept the broadest range of configurations, bar code readers  100  have been reported in the literature from wavelengths as low as 630 nm to 940 nm. Many point of sale bar code readers  100  fall in the range of 650 to 670 nm. The configuration of a typical point of sale bar code reader  100  is shown in  FIG. 2 . The laser beam is scanned across bar code  70  by moving the disk and/or the mirrors. 
     However, problems and mis-scans may arise if the bar code reader  100  instead scans bar code  70  of the individual containers  60  in lieu of the separate package bar code. Such mis-scans may result in a single container  60  price being charged for a multi-container package. 
       FIG. 4  shows a top view of a multi-package  10  according to a preferred embodiment of this invention. As shown, multi-package  10  may include a plurality of containers  60 , such as cans. Although  FIG. 4  shows one preferred embodiment of this invention wherein each bar code  70  has been oriented into a preferably inward position relative to multi-package  10 , an alternative embodiment of this invention includes carrier  15  applied in a suitable position over at least a portion of each respective bar code  70  such that specific orientation is not required. Although cans are shown in  FIG. 4 , bottles or any other commonly unitized container may be used in multi-package  10  according to this invention. Containers  60  are preferably, though not necessarily, like-sized within a single flexible carrier  10 . 
     Each carrier  15  preferably includes sheet  20  having a width and length defining therein a plurality of container receiving apertures  25 , each for receiving a single container  60 . The plurality of container receiving apertures  25  are preferably arranged in longitudinal rows and longitudinal ranks so as to form an array of container receiving apertures  25 , such as two rows by three ranks for a six container multi-package, two rows by six ranks for a twelve container multi-package, etc. Container receiving apertures  25  are preferably elongated in a longitudinal direction of carrier  10 . 
     Sheet  20  and thus carrier  15  of the present invention are preferably substantially transparent and made of a suitable plastic material, preferably, generally transparent and preferably formed in extruded sheets, such as low to medium density polyethylene. In addition, according to a preferred embodiment of this invention, a light absorbing dye and a fluorescing dye are included in sheet  20 , either as an additive during the forming process, such as during extrusion, or post process, such as with inks, tapes or similar post process applications. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, red dyes are identified and used that absorb the light at about 670 nm. Although traditionally referenced as an infrared absorber, such dyes are in fact visible light in the red region. Although various dyes absorb a significant amount of light in the proper wave band, such dyes do not consistently prevent a read of bar code  70 . Additionally, the removal of red light from the generally transparent plastic material resulted in a definite blue cast to resulting carriers  15 . 
     The color shift to blue is generally undesirable since bottlers, retailers and consumers generally prefer a neutral colored and/or generally transparent carrier  15 . Color correction through additional dyes to absorb blue light is generally undesirable as this solution could potentially have resulted in a grey carrier, neutral in color but with an overall attenuation in light transmission. Issues with the color shift, supply of the dyes, and the effectiveness of the UPC blocking effect all contributed to a requirement for an alternative solution. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, the fluorescing dye comprises specifically a UV fluorescing dye or similar additives that absorb light in the UV region of the spectra and fluoresce in the red visible region of the spectra are desirable for use in connection with sheet  20 . Examples of desirable additives include Ranita Ksanta™ which fluoresces at 600 to 630 nm, and Smartlight® RL 1000 by Ciba Specialty Chemicals which fluoresces at 630 to 640 nm. These materials may yield red hued polyethylene films or sheet  20 .  FIG. 3  shows absorption curves for various red absorbing dyes tested, the target range to be blocked and the fluorescence frequencies of two UV fluorescing dyes. 
     By coupling the two dyes, the red absorbing dyes in the range of 660 to 680 nm and the UV fluorescing dyes that translate light in UV wavelengths to the range of 600-640 nm, carrier  15  includes both enhanced blocking effect of the red absorbing dye through added red in the film, and enhanced blocking of color shift from the red absorbing dyes. By compensating for the loss in red by translating UV to the red wavelengths, the “graying” effect of the blue absorbers is minimized in carrier  15  while countering the blue shift by adding red instead of subtracting blue. This combination preferably blocks UPC scans of bar code  70  on individual containers  70  and/or multi-packages  10  while maintaining a neutral color. Additional additives may be included within carrier  15  including a third dye to fine tune a resulting color balance in carrier  15 , for instance, to minimize “graying” of carrier  15  and/or enhance translucence of carrier  15 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , carrier  15  preferably includes sheet  20  having an absorbing dye and a fluorescing dye, such as a UV fluorescing dye, comprising an entire area  30  of sheet  20 . This preferred embodiment of the invention preferably results from the absorbing dye, preferably the red absorbing dye and the fluorescing dye being added during the manufacturing process of sheet  20  and/or carrier  15 . Such process preferably includes mixing pelletized plastic with the suitable dye additives before or during the extrusion process, extruding suitable sheet material and then punching such sheet material to form carriers  15 . More preferably, the red absorbing dye and the fluorescing dye are mixed with plastic material to form a combined particle that is then suitable for extrusion. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , carrier  15  is preferably applied around a sidewall of each respective container  60 . As such, preferably directly overlaps with at least one line of each bar code  70  on each container  60 , thereby preventing an effective scan by bar code reader  100 , even when bar codes  70  are exposed along outer faces of containers  60 . 
     Alternatively, such as shown in  FIG. 5 , carrier  15  may include a partial section or area  30  that is treated or otherwise processed to include the absorbing dye and the fluorescing dye. Area  30  preferably comprises a material and/or treatment that results in a portion of sheet  20  that absorbs or reflects light beams emitted from the bar code reader so that the bar code reader cannot read bar codes  70  on containers  60  which are covered or obscured, at least partially, by carrier  15 . As used herein, “area”  30  is defined as all or part of carrier  15  including a process, treatment, ingredient, feature and/or quality that does not permit light beams from a bar code reader  100  to pass through carrier  15  and thus scan bar code  70 . 
     As described, sheet  20  is formed of a generally transparent material and includes an array of container receiving apertures  25 . Area  30  preferably extends through sheet  20  to comprise carrier  15  of the subject invention. As shown in  FIG. 5 , area  30  may extend within sheet  20  through a center of carrier  15 , or on top of, underneath or between sheet  20 . As such, area  30  may be adhered in sections or strips to sheet  20 , such as with an adhesive; area  30  may be applied to sheet  20 , such as with a hot stamp, an ink or paint; and/or area  30  may be manufactured into sheet  20 , such as in a co-extrusion process. 
     According to one preferred embodiment of this invention wherein the absorbing dye and the fluorescing dye are homogeneously mixed within sheet  20 , containers  60  may be placed within carrier  15  without regard to rotational orientation of bar codes  70  relative to multi-package  10 . 
     According to another preferred embodiment of this invention, such as shown schematically in  FIG. 4 , the plurality of containers are rotationally oriented in the corresponding array of apertures so that each bar code  70  is positioned so that a bar code reader cannot scan each bar code  70 . Although the inclusion of the absorbing dye and the fluorescing dye may alone prevent bar code reader  100  from scanning bar codes  70 , such orientation may provide additional security. 
     Such orientation may be more preferable in an embodiment where a single area  30  of sheet  20  that includes the absorbing dye and the fluorescing dye is arranged along a center of carrier  15 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , each bar code  70  is rotationally positioned inwardly toward area  30  and a center of a resulting package  10 . However, opaque section  30  may be intermittently applied and/or positioned throughout carrier  15  based upon a desired location of bar code  70  on oriented containers  60 . In any desirable configuration, each container  60  within carrier  15  may be rotationally oriented within carrier  15  so that bar code  70  is obstructed by an adjacent container  60  and/or by carrier  15 . 
     Various desirable methods of orienting individual containers  60  are taught by Arends et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,478; Arends et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,688,465; and Arends et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,868,652, which are each incorporated herein by reference. 
     According to one preferred embodiment of this invention, a second bar code  80  (or “multi-package code”) may be positioned on handle  90 , such as shown in  FIG. 5 , or other portion of package  10 . The second bar code  80  may include information regarding the multi-package including new pricing and quantity information. Area  30  of sheet  20  thereby provides a dual role of blocking bar codes  70  on individual containers  60  and supporting the second bar code for multi-package labeling. 
     According to a preferred method of the subject invention, carrier  15  having a plurality of container receiving apertures  25  and sheet  20  having an absorbing dye and fluorescing dye area  30  is provided for engagement with a plurality of containers  60 . Containers  60  are then positioned within carrier  15  and additionally may be oriented so that bar code  70  of each container  60  is blocked by adjacent containers  60  and/or area  30  of carrier  15 . As described in the Arends et al. patents, incorporated herein be reference, each container  60  may be oriented before it is positioned within carrier  15 ; after container  60  is positioned within carrier  15  or some combination of orienting containers  60  before and after engagement with carrier  15 . 
     According to one desired embodiment of this invention, each container  60  is oriented, prior to engagement with carrier  15 , so that each bar code  70  faces a corresponding bar code  70  in a transversely adjacent container  60 . Carrier  15  is then applied to a desired set of containers  60  resulting in a unitized package  10 . 
     While in the foregoing specification this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have been set forth for purpose of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that package is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.