Method for indexing synchronization during production of gloves or condoms

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for index synchronization during the production of gloves and condoms, wherein the index information of the gloves / condoms is collected by at least one first triggering module and at least one any suitable indicator (115a, 115b) is placed on the conveyor belt (109) of the gloves / condoms production system (111) in a suitable position, said indicator being detected by at least one second triggering module (113), so that when said indicator (115a, 115b) is detected, the index of the gloves and condoms (107) will be reset, allowing the index of the gloves and condoms to be grouped in batches, reducing possible errors in the checks.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for synchronizing indexes during the production of gloves / condoms, wherein glove / condom index information is collected by at least one first trigger module, and at least one suitable indicator is placed at a suitable position on the conveyor belt of the glove or condom production system, the indicator being detected by a second trigger module such that when the indicator is detected, the glove or condom index is reset, allowing the glove or condom index to be grouped in batches to reduce possible errors during inspection. Background Technology

[0002] During the production of items such as gloves or condoms, numerous processes / stations are required to perform various tasks sequentially and / or in parallel to produce a complete finished product. Conveyor belts are typically used in glove or condom production systems to facilitate the movement of the gloves or condoms, allowing for precise passage through the processes or tasks completed at those stations within the system or production line. Typically, the conveyor belt suspends the gloves or condoms or places them on top of a surface. At each station or process along the conveyor belt of the glove or condom production system, automated image inspection is performed on the gloves or condoms to ensure the identification and rejection of defective / flawed gloves or condoms.

[0003] Due to the need for high throughput, high production volume, and high efficiency, typical conveyor belts move at very high speeds. Therefore, very high-speed image inspection stations are also required to keep up with the conveyor belt speed. Given the high speed of the conveyor belt and image acquisition, some gloves or condoms may be skipped / missed during inspection. If some gloves or condoms are skipped / missed during inspection, the incorrect gloves or condoms will be identified as defective, and the wrong items will be rejected, resulting in unnecessary losses. For example, if 10,000 gloves or condoms need to be produced, and the image inspection station inadvertently skips / misses the 9th glove or condom, the 10th glove or condom will be considered the 9th, the 11th glove or condom will be considered the 10th, and so on. In this case, if the inspection station detects a defect in the 15th glove or condom, it is actually the 16th glove or condom. The inspection station then instructs the rejection station to reject the 15th glove or condom, which is actually a defect-free glove or condom. After all 10,000 gloves or condoms have been produced, and the user realizes that only 9,999 images were taken, the user knows that some gloves or condoms were skipped during the inspection process, but doesn't know which glove or condom was skipped. Investigating which glove or condom was skipped will be a daunting task.

[0004] Therefore, it is advantageous to use an index synchronization method to reduce these drawbacks during the production process of gloves or condoms. This method allows the indexes of gloves / condoms to be grouped in batches to reduce the errors that may occur during inspection. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the main objective of this invention is to provide a method for indexing synchronization during the production of gloves or condoms, which can detect mismatches between the indexed gloves or condoms and a predetermined number of gloves / condoms caused by skipping of gloves or condoms being inspected due to high-speed conveyor belts in the glove or condom production system.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for indexing synchronization during the production of gloves or condoms, thereby narrowing the detection range of mismatches between indexed gloves / condoms and a predetermined number of gloves / condoms to a specific batch within the entire production batch, accurately identifying the specific batch with said mismatch.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for index synchronization during the production of gloves or condoms, which can avoid significant cost and time losses due to the inaccuracy of recognition caused by mismatch between index images and a predetermined number of gloves or condoms.

[0008] The additional objectives of the invention will become apparent from understanding the following detailed description of the invention or from using the invention in practice.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the following is provided:

[0010] A method for index synchronization during item production, the method comprising the following steps:

[0011] i. After at least one first trigger module detects at least one item or at least a portion of an item holder being conveyed along at least one moving conveyor belt in the item production system, at least one image capturing device captures an image of the item, and the image is sent to at least one processing device for recording and indexing in at least one data storage device; furthermore, within the detection range of at least a portion of the conveyor belt in the item production system, there is at least one suitable second trigger module, wherein the second trigger module monitors the conveyor belt in the item production system;

[0012] ii. Repeat step (i) to accumulate index information for each subsequent image until the second trigger module detects at least one indicator placed at any suitable position on the conveyor belt, wherein, upon detection, the index information of the subsequent image is reset;

[0013] iii. Repeat steps (i) and (ii) throughout the production process;

[0014] The items mentioned are gloves or condoms.

[0015] In another embodiment of the invention, the following is provided:

[0016] A method for index synchronization during item production, the method comprising the following steps:

[0017] i. After at least one first trigger module detects at least one item or at least a portion of an item holder being conveyed along at least one moving conveyor belt in the item production system, the first trigger module sends at least one signal to at least one processing device for recording and indexing in at least one data storage device (not shown); further, within the detection range of at least a portion of the conveyor belt in the item production system, there is at least one suitable second trigger module, wherein the second trigger module monitors the conveyor belt in the item production system;

[0018] ii. Repeat step (i) to accumulate index information until the second trigger module detects at least one indicator placed at any suitable position on the conveyor belt, wherein, once the detection is made, the subsequent index information is reset;

[0019] iii. Repeat steps (i) and (ii) throughout the production process;

[0020] The items mentioned are gloves or condoms. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent after studying the specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0022] Figure 1 A flowchart of the present invention is shown.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a side view of an example of the method of the present invention implemented at a glove or condom inspection station.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a side view of an example of the method of the present invention implemented at a glove or condom peeling station. Detailed Implementation

[0025] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the invention can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, processes, and / or components have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the invention.

[0026] The invention will be more clearly understood through the following description of embodiments thereof, which is given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are not drawn to scale.

[0027] Figure 1 A flowchart of the method for indexing synchronization during the production of gloves or condoms according to the present invention is shown. In a first step (201), after at least one first trigger module (103) detects at least a portion of at least one glove / condom (107) or an item holder (106) being conveyed along at least one moving conveyor belt (109) in the glove or condom production system (111), at least one image capturing device (105) captures an image of the glove or condom (107), and the image is sent to at least one processing device (117) for recording and indexing in at least one data storage device (not shown). In the absence of an image capturing device (105), after the first trigger module (103) detects at least one item (107) or at least a portion of an item holder (106) being conveyed along the moving conveyor belt (109), the first trigger module (103) sends at least one signal to the processing device (117) for recording and indexing in the data storage device. Meanwhile, within the detection range of at least a portion of the conveyor belt (109) in the glove or condom production system (111), at least one suitable second trigger module (113) is available, wherein the second trigger module (113) continues to monitor the conveyor belt (109) in the glove or condom production system (111).

[0028] In the second step (203), the first step (201) is repeated, thereby accumulating the index information or index data for each subsequent image until the second trigger module (113) detects at least one indicator (115a, 115b) placed at any suitable position on the conveyor belt (109), wherein once the detection is detected, the index information or index data for the subsequent image is reset in the third step (205). Throughout the production process, the first and second steps are repeated in the third step.

[0029] Figure 2An example of the method of the present invention implemented at a glove / condom inspection station is shown. At least one suitable first trigger module (103) is located within the detection range of at least one glove or condom (107) being conveyed along at least one conveyor belt (109) in a glove or condom production system (111). The first trigger module (103) may also be located within the detection range of at least a portion of the glove or condom retainer (106) used to hold the glove or condom (107). If the first trigger module (103) is a physical sensor, the detection range refers to the range from the physical sensor to the article (107), the article retainer (106), or any suitable physical indicator (not shown) on the article or the article retainer. If the first trigger module (103) is a wireless sensor, the detection range here refers to the range from the wireless signal of the sensor (103) to the article (107) or the article retainer (106). In the glove or condom production system (111), at least one image capture device (105) is also located within the capture range of at least one glove or condom (107) being conveyed along at least one conveyor belt (109). The capture range of the image capture device (105) refers to the field of view of the image capture device (105) capable of capturing the intended portion of the glove or condom (107).

[0030] Preferably, the positions of the first trigger module (103) and the image capturing device (105) are such that when the first trigger module (103) is able to detect the presence of at least a portion of a glove / condom (107) or an item holder (106), the image capturing device (105) is able to capture an image of the same glove or condom (107) to ensure that the glove or condom being inspected is correct. However, there is also a possibility that the position of the first trigger module (103) is not aligned with the image capturing device (105), provided that certain adjustments are made to allow for the capture of a correct image of the glove or condom (107).

[0031] During production, the conveyor belt (109) moves at a predetermined speed, carrying the gloves or condoms (107), which are typically kept at a constant distance from each other. For manufacturing the gloves, the conveyor belt includes a plurality of glove formers suspended along the conveyor belt, each glove former carrying one glove.

[0032] Along the conveyor belt (109), the number of gloves or condoms (107) between two subsequent indicators (115a, 115b) is typically predetermined. For example, if 10,000 units of gloves or condoms need to be manufactured, the number of gloves or condoms between the subsequent indicators (115a, 115b) can be predetermined as 100 units, allowing the entire batch to be divided into 100 lots. The fewer the number of gloves or condoms between the two subsequent indicators (115a, 115b), the more accurately mismatches / errors can be identified. However, it should be noted that the user can set any suitable number of gloves or condoms between the two subsequent indicators (115a, 115b).

[0033] In this invention, the processing device (117) can also compare a predetermined number of gloves or condoms (107) between two subsequent indicators (115a, 115b) with image index information or index information between the two subsequent indicators (115a, 115b). The comparison data for each batch of gloves or condoms between the two subsequent indicators (115a, 115b) can be stored in any suitable data storage device. This comparison can be performed during production or after the entire production process is completed. This comparison data is crucial, enabling the user to identify batches with discrepancies within the overall production batch. For example, if the processing device (117) detects a discrepancy with batch #2, where the image or glove / condom index is 98 when the predetermined number of gloves / condoms between the two subsequent indicators (115a, 115b) should be 100, the user can focus on batch #2 when a mismatch / error is identified.

[0034] Another feature of the invention is that when the processing device (117) detects any discrepancy between the predetermined number of gloves or condoms (107) between the two subsequent indicators (115a, 115b) and the image index information or index information between the two subsequent indicators (115a, 115b), the processing device (117) is able to provide at least one alert to the user so that the user can take swift action to correct any problem.

[0035] The method of the present invention can be implemented at any suitable station in the glove / condom production system (111), such as a glove / condom forming station, glove / condom peeling station, glove / condom inspection station, packaging station, glove / condom testing station, glove / condom rejection or removal station, glove / condom marking station, or any other suitable station required for manufacturing gloves or condoms.

[0036] Figure 1 Another embodiment, such as Figure 3The physical arrangement shown illustrates the index synchronization method of the present invention implemented at a glove / condom peeling station. Figure 2 The glove / condom check station shown is... Figure 3 The difference between the stripping stations shown is that, for Figure 3 There are two conveyor belts: a main conveyor belt (109) and a stripping station conveyor belt (109A). Typically, the stripping station conveyor belt (109A) is a closed-loop conveyor belt located on the side of the main conveyor belt (109) facing the glove fingertips / condom tips, and has multiple stripping mechanisms (301) that remove the glove from its holder. A first trigger module (103) and an optional image capture device (105) are positioned similarly to the glove / condom inspection station. However, a second trigger module (113) is positioned to monitor the stripping station conveyor belt (109A).

[0037] In the first step (201), when at least one first trigger module (103) detects at least one glove / condom (107) or at least a portion of an item holder (106) being conveyed along the main conveyor belt (109) in the glove / condom production system (111), at least one image capturing device (105) captures an image of the glove / condom (107), and the image is sent to at least one processing device (117) for recording and indexing in at least one data storage device. In the absence of an image capturing device (105), when the first trigger module (103) detects at least one item (107) or at least a portion of an item holder (106) being conveyed along the moving conveyor belt (109), the first trigger module (103) sends at least one signal to the processing device (117) for recording and indexing in the data storage device. Simultaneously, within the detection range of at least a portion of the peeling station conveyor belt (109A) in the glove or condom production system (111), at least one suitable second trigger module (113) is available, wherein the second trigger module (113) continues to monitor the peeling station conveyor belt (109A) in the glove / condom production system (111). In the second step (203), the first step (201) is repeated, thereby accumulating the index information or index information of each subsequent image until the second trigger module (113) detects at least one indicator (115a, 115b) placed at any suitable position on the peeling station conveyor belt (109A), wherein, upon such detection, in the third step (205), the index information or subsequent index information of the subsequent image is reset. Throughout the production process, the first and second steps are repeated in the third step.

[0038] Since the stripping station conveyor belt (109A) is a closed-loop conveyor belt, there may only be one indicator (115a) on the stripping station conveyor belt (109A). Therefore, once the second trigger module (113) detects the indicator (115a) after one movement loop of the stripping station conveyor belt (109A), the index information of the subsequent images or subsequent index information is reset. If necessary, more indicators (115a, 115b) can be placed on the stripping station conveyor belt (109A).

[0039] In one exemplary setup, a portion or all of the item holder (106) may be made of a specific material, such as metal, and a first trigger module (103) is selected, such as a wireless sensor, such that the sensor can detect the presence of the specific material available on the item holder (106) in order to detect the presence of the item holder (106). Any other type of material besides metal is also possible.

[0040] The first trigger module (103) used in this invention can be any suitable wireless sensor, any suitable physical sensor, or a combination thereof. Examples of wireless sensors are optical sensors and proximity sensors, while examples of physical sensors are switches. The second trigger module (113) used in this invention can be any suitable wireless sensor, any suitable physical sensor, or a combination thereof. Examples of wireless sensors are optical sensors and proximity sensors, while examples of physical sensors are switches. The indicators (115a, 115b) that can be used in this invention can be radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, 1D tags, 2D tags, physical indicators, or any suitable indicators that can be detected by the second trigger module (113). It is important to note that the second trigger module (113) and indicators (115a, 115b) used in a particular setup must ensure that the indicators (115a, 115b) can be detected by the second trigger module (113) when they are present. The image capturing device (105) can be any suitable camera.

[0041] While the invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered its preferred embodiments to illustrate the results and advantages obtained by the invention relative to the prior art, the invention is not limited to those specific embodiments. Therefore, the forms of the invention shown and described herein are to be considered illustrative only, and other embodiments may be chosen without departing from the scope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for index synchronization during item production, the method comprising the following steps: i. After at least one first trigger module (103) detects at least one item or at least a portion of an item holder (106) being conveyed along at least one moving conveyor belt (109) in the item production system (111), at least one image capturing device (105) captures an image of the item, and the image is sent to at least one processing device (117) for recording and indexing in at least one data storage device; furthermore, within the detection range of at least a portion of the conveyor belt (109) in the item production system (111), there is at least one suitable second trigger module (113), wherein the second trigger module (113) monitors the conveyor belt (109) in the item production system (111). ii. Repeat step (i) to accumulate index information for each subsequent image until the second trigger module (113) detects at least one indicator placed at any suitable position on the conveyor belt (109), wherein, upon such detection, the index information of the subsequent image is reset; iii. Repeat steps (i) and (ii) throughout the production process; The item mentioned is a glove or a condom (107).

2. The method for index synchronization during the production of articles according to claim 1, wherein the processing device (117) compares a predetermined number of gloves or condoms (107) between two subsequent indicators with image index information between two subsequent indicators, thereby generating comparison data, wherein the comparison data for each batch of gloves or condoms between two subsequent indicators is stored in the data storage device.

3. The method for index synchronization during the production of articles according to claim 2, wherein at least one alarm is provided when the processing device (117) detects a difference between the predetermined number of gloves or condoms (107) between two subsequent indicators and between the image index information of the two subsequent indicators.

4. A method for index synchronization during item production, the method comprising the following steps: i. After at least one first trigger module (103) detects at least one item or at least a portion of an item holder (106) being conveyed along at least one moving conveyor belt (109) in the item production system (111), the first trigger module (103) sends at least one signal to at least one processing device (117) for recording and indexing in at least one data storage device; furthermore, within the detection range of at least a portion of the conveyor belt (109) in the item production system (111), there is at least one suitable second trigger module (113), wherein the second trigger module (113) monitors the conveyor belt (109) in the item production system (111). ii. Repeat step (i) to accumulate index information until the second trigger module (113) detects at least one indicator placed at any suitable position on the conveyor belt (109), wherein, once the detection is made, the subsequent index information is reset; iii. Repeat steps (i) and (ii) throughout the production process; The items mentioned are gloves or condoms.

5. The method for index synchronization during the production of articles according to claim 4, wherein the processing device (117) compares a predetermined number of gloves or condoms (107) between two subsequent indicators with the index information between the two subsequent indicators, thereby generating comparison data, wherein the comparison data for each batch of gloves or condoms between the two subsequent indicators is stored in the data storage device.

6. The method for index synchronization during the production of articles according to claim 5, wherein at least one alarm is provided when the processing device (117) detects a difference between the predetermined number of gloves or condoms (107) between two subsequent indicators and between the index information of the two subsequent indicators.

7. The method for index synchronization during the production of articles according to claim 4, wherein a predetermined number of gloves or condoms (107) are included between two subsequent indicators along the conveyor belt (109).

8. The method for index synchronization during the production of articles according to claim 4, wherein the article production system (111) includes a glove or safety forming station, a glove or condom peeling station, a glove or condom inspection station, a packaging station, a glove or condom testing station, a glove or condom rejection station, a glove or condom marking station, or any other suitable station required for the production of gloves or condoms.

9. The method for index synchronization during the production of articles according to claim 4, wherein the first trigger module (103) can be any suitable wireless sensor, any suitable physical sensor, or a combination thereof.

10. The method for index synchronization during the production of articles according to claim 4, wherein the second trigger module (113) can be any suitable wireless sensor, any suitable physical sensor, or a combination thereof.

11. The method for index synchronization during the production of articles according to claim 4, wherein the indicator can be a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, a 1D tag, a 2D tag, a physical indicator, or any suitable indicator that can be detected by the second trigger module (113).

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