INTELLIGENT SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR AUTOMATED MONITORING OF MICROINGREDIENT INVENTORY USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF MEDICATED FEED RATIONS

摘要

A computer-based microingredient inventory accounting system and process for use with programmable microingredient dispensing and mixing machinery. In the illustrative embodiment, the computer-based microingredient inventory accounting system is coupled with a programmable microingredient dispensing and mixing system. The programmable microingredient dispensing and mixing system includes weight measuring mechanisms that are interfaced with a computer system programmed to continuously monitor the weight of microingredients stored on a plurality of inventory storage scales, as well as in a plurality of dispensing bins and tanks. The computer-based microingredient inventory accounting system is programmed to perform a number of inventory monitoring functions including: automated detection of microingredient loss (e.g., spillage) after each inventory receiving operation and each dispensing bin and tank refilling operation; automated detection of microingredientusage errors after each micro-batch production run: automated production of inventory reports when arbitrarily requested; and automated tracking of microingredients using the lot numbers of the microingredient supplier. In the preferred embodiment, the computer-based microingredient inventory accounting system cooperates with a portable auxiliary computer and bar code symbol reader in order execute interactive routines which facilitate system configuration, inventory receiving operations, and dispensing bin and tank refilling operations.