Methods and apparatus for storing and retrieving information relating to edible objects

Abstract

A method of marking an egg is disclosed and comprises applying radiant energy to the shell of an egg so as to cause discoloration of the eggshell, thereby forming a marking comprising at least a traceability code and a freshness date. Apparatus is also disclosed for applying markings on eggs being processed by an egg-handling machine that is designed and configured to transport a plurality of eggs there through, wherein the apparatus comprises a radiant energy source located in proximity to the egg-handling machine, the radiant energy source being configured to apply radiant energy to the eggs as the eggs are transported past the radiant energy source to selectively discolor the shell of the eggs and form markings on the shell, including a freshness date and a traceability code.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising acts of: receiving a request to access information relating to an egg, the request comprising a traceability code associated with the egg; retrieving, from at least one database, via the traceability code, historical information regarding the egg, the historical information comprising information indicative of one or more operating conditions of at least one processing station during processing of the egg; and transmitting the historical information regarding the egg to be displayed to a user. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising an act of: providing a web site configured to receive requests to access information relating to eggs, wherein the act of receiving the request comprises receiving the request via the web site. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising an act of: forming a manifestation of the traceability code on a shell of the egg. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the act of forming the manifestation comprises using one or more laser beams to form the manifestation of the traceability code on the shell of the egg. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising acts of: monitoring the one or more operating conditions of the at least one processing station during the processing of the egg; and
 recording the information indicative of the one or more operating conditions in the at least one database.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the historical information regarding the egg comprises a temperature under which the egg was washed at the at least one processing station. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising acts of: monitoring the temperature under which the egg was washed at the at least one processing station; and recording the temperature under which the egg was washed in the at least one database. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the historical information regarding the egg further comprises an identification of a customer who purchased the egg. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the historical information regarding the egg further comprises an identification of a retailer who sells the egg. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the historical information regarding the egg further comprises an identification of at least one advertising indicia formed on the egg. 
     
     
         11 . A system comprising:
 at least one interface configured to receive a request to access information relating to at least one edible object, the request comprising a traceability code associated with the at least one edible object; and   at least one processor configured to retrieve, from at least one database, via the traceability code, historical information regarding the at least one edible object, the historical information comprising an identification of at least one advertising indicia formed on the at least one edible object, wherein the at least one interface is further configured to transmit the historical information regarding the at least one edible object to be displayed to a user.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one edible object comprises an egg. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one interface is configured to receive web requests, and wherein the request to access information relating to the at least one edible object comprises a web request. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the historical information further comprises information indicative of one or more operating conditions of at least one processing station during processing of the at least one edible object. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the historical information further comprises an identification of a customer who purchased the at least one edible object. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the historical information further comprises an identification of a retailer who sells the at least one edible object.