WO2018130714A1 - Method for managing a container for bottles, and associated system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for managing at least one container (12) for bottles, said method comprising a step of: reading at least one electronic chip (30) in order to access at least one data item specific to the container (12) and stored in a memory element of the electronic chip (30).

Description

 Method of managing a bottle container and associated system

The present invention relates to a method of managing a bottle container and also relates to a bottle container management system.

 When a consumer acquires a bottle of wine, the bottle of wine has made a long journey from harvest to delivery to the consumer.

 In such a case, the course followed by the bottle of wine involves a plurality of actors among which a producer, a distributor and a reseller, the consumer buying from the reseller.

 At each of these actors, multiple operations are performed.

 For the wine producer, the wine making is done via seven main stages.

In a first step, the harvest of grapes or grape harvests is implemented. It is advisable to harvest the grapes at the right moment, the determination of this moment demanding a great know-how. Depending on the case, the harvest is done by hand or with harvesters. During the harvest, bunches of grapes are sorted, especially to eliminate unsuitable fruits.

 In a second step, grinding and pressing takes place. The grinding and pressing step is usually carried out automatically to obtain a juice.

 The third step is the fermentation usually carried out in a fermentation chamber. The juice undergoes a chemical transformation, the alcoholic fermentation, during which the glucose becomes ethanol.

 The next step is clarification to eliminate all waste and wine residues. The clarification is implemented by a filter or by gluing.

 The sixth step is to bottle the wine. The wine is bottled after the aging phase. During this bottling stage, the bottles are sterilized. It is then used a rinser to wash the empty bottles, then a printer to fill the bottles of wine and finally a corker to put a cap on the neck of the bottles. The bottling stage also includes overcapping capping and labeling.

 The seventh step is the crating of wine.

The crates of wine are then stored and sent to the distributor. These operations are usual logistics operations. The same types of operations take place at the distributor and the dealer. However, it is desirable that the pace of all of the aforementioned steps and operations be accelerated because of the increasing demand for wine, without reducing quality.

 Such a wish is hampered by the fact that all the steps and operations previously described are perfectly controlled and automated, so that the increase in the rate passes through an optimization of each step and operation.

 There is therefore a need for a method of managing a bottle container which, with an easy implementation, increases the capacity to deliver to a consumer the substance contained in the bottles.

 For this purpose, there is provided a method of managing at least one bottle container, the method comprising a step of reading at least one electronic chip to access at least one piece of data specific to the container stored in a memory of the microchip.

 According to particular embodiments, the method comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination:

 - the container is suitable for more than 100 bottles.

 it is defined for the subdivision container, the reading step being implemented for several electronic chips, the number of chips to be read being related to the number of subdivisions of the container.

 the container is suitable for receiving bottle subcontainers, each equipped with electronics including a memory containing a data item specific to the bottle sub-container under consideration, the reading step being implemented for each bottle sub-container; .

 at least one electronic chip is affixed to a part of the container. an internal volume is defined for the container, at least one electronic chip being in the internal volume.

 the reading step is implemented using a reader positioned on a mobile part of a device.

 the device is a forklift or a packaging machine.

 the reading step is implemented using a reader positioned in a gantry.

It is also proposed a management system of a bottle container, the management system comprising at least one electronic chip having a memory storing information specific to the container and a reader able to read said at least one chip. Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only and with reference to the drawings which are:

 FIG. 1, a schematic view of an exemplary management system,

 FIGS. 2 to 8 are diagrammatic views of part of the system of FIG.

FIG. 9, a schematic view of a portion of another exemplary management system, and

 - Figure 10, a schematic view of yet another example of a management system.

 Different management systems 10 of at least one container 12 with bottles or parts of management system 10 are shown in FIGS. 1 to 10.

 Such systems 10 or system parts 10 make it possible to implement a method for managing at least one container 12 with bottles.

 By the term "management" is meant logistics in the broad sense. Such a term thus denotes any tracking and moving operation.

 Inventory or transport actions are specific examples of management. All of these operations under management is implemented on a container 12 bottles.

 A container 12 bottles is a device for accommodating at least two bottles.

 For example, the container 12 delimits a single space large enough to accommodate at least two bottles.

 Alternatively, the container 12 defines at least two spaces large enough to accommodate each bottle.

 Two distinct types of containers 12 are conceivable.

 According to a first type of example, the container 12 is a container 12 having a location dedicated to receiving bottles.

 A box or package 14 are such types of containers 12.

 A crate has two parts: a lid and a box, the lid being fixed to the box with screws. The crate is then sealed.

 The box is, for example, made of wood and has a parallelepiped shape.

The box is adapted to accommodate a plurality of bottles, for example three or six. A package 14 has a parallelepipedal shape and can accommodate a plurality of bottles, including six. The package 14 is, for example, made of cardboard. In such a case, package 14 is also referred to as "carton".

 Such a package 14 is particularly visible in FIG. 7.

 According to another example, the container 12 is an enclosure, in particular an enclosure having a controlled atmosphere.

 Alternatively, the container 12 is a bottle cell, that is to say an installation having locations having a shape for holding bottles in position.

 According to a second type of example, the container 12 is a container 12 having a location dedicated to accommodate at least one container 12 of the first type, the container 12 comprising bottles. In such a case, the container 12 of the first type can be called "sub-container 12".

 Such a container 12 of the second type is, for example, a pallet 16 comprising a plurality of packages 14.

 Such a pallet 16 is particularly visible in FIG. 1 and FIG.

 In another example, the container 12 of the second type is a container packaging film 12 of the first type.

 Alternatively, the container 12 has a location dedicated to accommodate at least one container 12 of the second type.

 For example, the container 12 of the second type is a set of shelves 18 hosting containers 12 of the first type (for example, pallets 16). The set of shelves 18 forms a rack 20 visible in FIG.

 A shelf 18 is shown in FIG.

 The shelf 18 includes uprights 22 and shelves 24.

 According to the proposed example, the shelf 18 comprises four uprights 22.

 Each post 22 extends mainly along a vertical direction.

 In the case of Figure 2, each post 22 has the shape of a square-based profile.

 Each tablet 24 has a planar shape delimited by a front face 26 and a rear face 28.

 According to yet another example, the container 12 of the second type is a transport vehicle, such as a truck.

 In either case, the container 12 includes bottles.

 Each bottle contains a liquid substance.

 According to the proposed example, the liquid substance is wine.

Alternatively, the liquid substance is alcohol. According to another variant, the liquid substance is spirits.

 In all three cases, the bottle is a bottle of liquor.

 According to another embodiment, the bottle is a bottle of perfume. In such a situation, the bottle is sometimes referred to as a bottle.

 The management system 10 comprises at least one electronic chip.

 An electronic chip corresponds to any electronic device (integrated circuits) for storing at least one piece of information and communicating with another device according to a contactless communication protocol.

 The electronic chip has a memory.

 The memory stores at least one data specific to the container 12.

 A container reference number 12 is an example of container-specific data 12.

 The content of the container 12 (that is to say the number of bottles and possibly their contents) is another example of container-specific data 12.

 The management system 10 also comprises a reader 31 able to read the said at least one electronic chip.

 The operation of the management system 10 is now explained with reference to an exemplary implementation of the management method.

 The management method includes a step of reading an electronic chip.

The reading step makes it possible to access at least one piece of data specific to the container 12.

 This facilitates the management of the container (s) 12 and thereby the bottles contained in the container (s) 12.

 The process saves time and / or productivity without loss of quality of the product contained in the bottles.

 The process even makes it possible to improve the traceability.

 In addition, the method is easily implemented on an existing logistics facility. For this, it is sufficient to equip the logistics facility with an electronic chip for storing information specific to the container 12 and a reader 31 adapted to read said at least one electronic chip.

 Such a management method reverses the paradigm used in the field of wine bottles currently which consists in using chips giving information specific to the content of a bottle of wine.

Such a management method is particularly advantageous for containers 12 of large capacity in terms of bottles. For example, the capacity is greater than 50, preferably greater than 100 and preferably greater than 500.

 Indeed, despite a large number of bottles, the control of the contents of a container 12 is non-destructive so that the disassembly (or even destruction for the case of a nailed case) of the container 12 is not required. This advantage applies both during the implementation of the inventory of a container stock 12 that during the implementation of the transport of such a stock.

 In fact, the management method is particularly adapted to be implemented at a distributor or a reseller.

 It is possible to refine the management process taking into account the parameters to be optimized with regard to the elements present at a distributor and a dealer.

 Among the parameters to be considered, the data contained in the memory, the type of electronic chip, the number of electronic chips used, the positioning of the electronic chip (s) or the position of the reader (s) 31 are interesting examples. which lead to embodiments having improved advantages over the implementation example of the previous management method.

 Examples of possible choices for each of the parameters are given in the following.

 Regarding the parameter relating to the data contained in the memory, according to a particular embodiment, the memory includes data relating to the bottle capacity of the container 12.

 It should also be noted that information on the content of a bottle of wine located in the container 12 is not container-specific information 12 while information on the contents of the container 12 is specific information. 12. In the case where a container 12 contains a single bottle, the information on the contents of the container 12 is a double information, namely that the location of the second bottle is empty and that the location for the first Bottle contains a bottle with a specific content.

With regard to the type of electronic chips, according to a particular embodiment, the electronic chip is an NFC (near field communication) chip, enabling near field reading (with a maximum distance of about 4 centimeters between the electronic chip and the electronic chip reader 31). The communication protocol is then a near field communication protocol of the NFC type defined according to the standards recognized by the NFC Forum, including ISO / IEC 14443-1 to ISO / IEC 14443-4.

 It should be noted that the NFC standard is a wireless communication standard (called near-field communication or NFC communication) for communicating electronic chips with a very large number of devices, including wireless mobile phones.

 In one particular case, the electronic chip is able to operate in two distinct frequency ranges. In this sense, the electronic chip can be described as a two-frequency chip.

 On the one hand, the electronic chip is able to communicate according to a first communication protocol called UHF mode. The acronym "UHF" refers to the French terminology of ultra high frequency.

 In such a communication protocol, the electronic chip is capable of transmitting or receiving a signal having a frequency between 300 MHz and 3000 MHz.

 On the other hand, the electronic chip is able to communicate according to a second communication protocol called HF mode. The acronym "HF" refers to the French terminology of high frequency.

 In such a communication protocol, the electronic chip is capable of transmitting or receiving a signal having a frequency of between 3 MHz and 30 MHz.

 The first protocol is, for example, in accordance with IS014443 (NFC protocol) or IS015693 (RFID protocol) standards. The communication range according to the first protocol is preferably less than 20 centimeters.

 The second protocol is, for example, in accordance with ISO18000-6C also known as EPC1 Gen2. Such a second protocol corresponds to a range of between 15 centimeters and 10 meters, more particularly between 5 meters and 10 meters.

 According to another variant, the two communication protocols are respectively an NFC protocol and an RFID protocol.

 The type of chip 30 may also vary depending on the material of the support 32 of the chip 30.

 For example, the support 32 of the chip 30 is made of plastic to better protect the chip 30.

 The support 32 has two openings 36 and 38 of oblong shape.

The shape of the chip 30 may also vary. For example, the shape of the chip 30 is, for example, that of FIG. 8, the chip comprising three main portions 40, 42 and 44 connected by two twists 46 and 48.

 Regarding the number of electronic chips used, it is taken into account the distance between two chips 30, for example, a distance of less than two meters, preferably less than one meter.

 In another example, the number of chips is even to ensure that each chip is associated with another redundant chip having the same data. In case of destruction of one of the chips 30, the other chip 30 still allows access to the data.

 The position of the redundant chip 30 is chosen to be unaffected by the same problems as the first chip 30. For example, the chips 30 are one meter apart.

 For example, it is assumed that this is the case for the two chips 30 positioned on each front face 26.

 Alternatively, the number of chips 30 is connected to the number of subdivisions of the container 12 by a function. For the case of Figure 1, the assembly is a rack 20 and the subdivision of the assembly is a shelf 18.

 A predefined row, column, or volume are other examples of subdivisions.

 For example, the number of chips 30 is one, two, three or four times the number of subdivisions of the system. For the case of FIG. 2, the number of chips 30 is equal to four times the number of subdivisions of the container 12.

 Regarding the position of the chip 30, multiple variants are possible.

 According to a specific case, the chip 30 of a bottle is used to contain data relating to the container 12.

 According to one embodiment, the electronic chip is affixed to a portion of the container 12.

 For example, when the container 12 is a package 14, the package 14 is provided with an electronic chip 30 visible on a wall 48 of the package 14. This is particularly the case in FIG.

 In another example, the electronic chip is in a portion of the container 12.

 Thus, the container 12 has a wall defining a storage volume. The storage volume is suitable for bottles.

The wall has an inner face and an outer face, the space between the inner face and the outer face being called internal volume. At least one electronic chip is located in the internal volume.

 Such an example applies in particular for a container 12 which is a box.

For example, the electronic chip is inserted into the crate cover.

When several electronic chips are present, the following different positions may be variegated.

 Regarding the position of the readers 31, it is advantageous for the reader 31 to be positioned on a moving part 54 of a device.

 In another example, the reader 31 is part of a device having the ability to move.

 For example, the reader 31 is positioned on the mobile part 54 of a lift truck 50 and not on the fixed part 52 of the truck 50.

 Alternatively, the reader 31 is positioned on a packaging machine for packaging one or more parcels 14.

 A packager is sometimes also referred to as a "filmer".

 According to another variant, the reader 31 is positioned in a gantry.

 More specifically, the reader 31 is positioned in a reading panel, each reading panel being in the form of a parallelepiped.

 The dimensions of the device hosting the reader (s) 31 are also advantageously chosen.

 For example, the device is a portable device, such as a devil.

 In a particular case, when each reader 31 is arranged in a gantry, it is advantageous that the gantry allows the passage of a carriage 50.

 In each of the preceding cases, there is obtained a process with a further increase in time.

 As a result, the method of managing a container 12 bottles allows, with ease of implementation, an increased increase in the ability to deliver to a consumer the substance contained in the bottles.

 The management method also allows better monitoring of the stock in containers 12. This is particularly useful for preventing theft of containers 12 or bottles.

 Other embodiments are also conceivable.

 For example, the management system 10 includes, in some cases, a printer capable of producing electronic chips.

 The invention relates to the combination of all technically possible embodiments.

Claims

1. - Method for managing at least one container (12) with bottles, the method comprising a step of:  reading at least one electronic chip (30) to access at least one piece of data specific to the container (12) stored in a memory of the electronic chip (30). 2. - Method according to claim 1, wherein the container (12) is adapted to accommodate more than 100 bottles. 3. - Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein it is defined for the container (12) subdivisions (18), the reading step being implemented for several chips (30) electronic, the number of chips ( 30) to be read connected to the number of subdivisions of the container (12). 4. - Method according to claim 1 to 3, wherein the container (12) is adapted to accommodate sub-containers (12) bottles each equipped with an electronic chip (30) having a memory with a data specific to the sub container (12) with bottles considered, the reading step being implemented for each sub-container (12) bottles. 5. - Method according to claim 1 to 4, wherein at least one chip (30) is affixed to a portion of the container (12). 6. - Method according to claim 1 to 5, wherein there is defined an internal volume for the container (12), at least one chip (30) being electronic in the internal volume. 7. - Method according to claim 1 to 6, wherein the reading step is implemented using a reader (31) positioned on a movable part (54) of a device. 8. - The method of claim 7, wherein the device is a forklift (50). The method of claim 7, wherein the device is a packager. 10. The method of claim 1 to 9, wherein the reading step is implemented using a reader (31) positioned in a gantry. 1 1 .- Management system (10) of a container (12) with bottles, the management system (10) comprising at least one electronic chip (30) having a memory storing container-specific information (12) and a reader (31) capable of reading said at least one electronic chip (30).