An intelligent tableware classification and packaging system based on image recognition

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of tableware disinfection and packaging technology, specifically an intelligent tableware disinfection and packaging system. It aims to solve the problems of high workload and harsh working environments (such as high noise, high temperature, and high humidity) associated with manual tableware placement on packaging lines in tableware disinfection factories. In existing technologies, plates, bowls, cups, and other tableware, after being washed and disinfected by dishwashers, are mixed together, some with their rims facing up and others with their bottoms facing up. Traditional machinery struggles to effectively handle this complex situation, requiring manual placement and sealing, resulting in low efficiency and high labor intensity. This invention provides an intelligent machine that uses a computer image recognition program to classify and identify tableware on the production line, accurately determining the type and orientation of the tableware. It then combines a robotic arm with a flipping mechanism to complete the grabbing, flipping, and classification of the tableware. Addressing the issue of inconsistent orientation of tableware transported from the conveyor belt to the packaging line (e.g., tableware with its rim facing down needs to be flipped to face up), this invention designs a high-speed, low-cost flipping mechanism suitable for tableware of various shapes and sizes. By placing the tableware as required on the sealing line, automated assembly and sealing operations are completed. Compared with existing technologies, this invention significantly reduces manual labor intensity, improves production efficiency and hygiene standards, and is widely applicable to automated packaging processes in tableware sterilization factories.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of tableware packaging equipment technology, and in particular to an intelligent tableware classification and placement system based on image recognition. It aims to solve the problems of reliance on manual operation, low efficiency, and harsh working environment in the packaging process of tableware disinfection factories, and is suitable for large-scale tableware disinfection and packaging assembly line operations. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of the catering industry, the demand for packaged tableware from food stalls and restaurants is increasing year by year. Tableware disinfection factories generally use long-range dishwashers to clean, disinfect, and dry the tableware, which is then manually sorted, arranged, and finally sealed in plastic.

[0003] Traditional manual operation has the following drawbacks: High labor intensity: The packaging workload is large, especially during peak periods of tableware turnover. Long hours of high-intensity work can easily lead to low efficiency; Harsh working environment: Packaging production lines are usually accompanied by machine noise, high temperature and high humidity, which affects workers' health and concentration, increases the risk of misoperation, and affects the quality of tableware; Dependence on manual labor and low reliability: Manual operation is easily affected by problems such as labor shortages, which can lead to production line interruptions and thus affect the high-speed turnover of tableware.

[0004] Existing technologies cannot efficiently handle randomly oriented tableware on production lines (e.g., plates that were initially facing down need to be flipped so that the rim is facing up). Traditional equipment has high requirements for the shape and size of the tableware, limited processing capacity, and is difficult to adapt to the actual needs of packaging tableware of various sizes. Therefore, an intelligent solution is urgently needed to overcome these problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides an intelligent tableware sorting and placement system based on image recognition. It acquires images of tableware on an assembly line using a camera, determines the tableware's status using an image recognition algorithm, and combines a robotic arm and a flipping mechanism to automatically sort, flip, and place the tableware. The system can efficiently handle the identification and assembly of plates, bowls, and cups, and automatically complete the placement and assembly on the plastic sealing assembly line, significantly improving the automation level and production efficiency of the assembly line. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1: Schematic diagram of the flipping mechanism with the suction cup facing upwards.

[0007] Figure 2: Schematic diagram of the flipping mechanism with the suction cup facing down.

[0008] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the intelligent tableware sorting and placement system of the present invention includes the following main components:

[0009] Conveyor Belt No. 1: Tableware Incoming Conveyor Belt, used to transport tableware such as plates, bowls, and cups in random states to the work area.

[0010] Conveyor belt No. 2 is used to receive the placed tableware and transport it to the sealing machine for sealing.

[0011] Suction cup #3: The suction cup of the flipping mechanism, used to grab tableware with the bottom of the plate facing up.

[0012] Motor No. 4: The drive motor for the flipping mechanism, which drives the suction cup to rotate 180 degrees to complete the tableware flipping operation.

[0013] Robotic Arm No. 5: Robotic arm suction cup, used to grab tableware and move it to the flipping mechanism or sealing conveyor belt. Detailed Implementation

[0014] This system uses cameras to capture real-time images of tableware on the production line, employs an image recognition module to determine the type and condition of the tableware, and controls a robotic arm and a turning mechanism to sort and place the tableware. The specific operation is as follows:

[0015] Tableware identification and sorting.

[0016] The camera captures images of the tableware on conveyor belt 1, and the image recognition module determines the position and status (front or bottom facing up) of the plates, bowls, and cups.

[0017] Plate handling process:

[0018] Bottom of the plate facing upwards: The system assigns a task to suction cup #5 on the robotic arm. The robotic arm picks up the plate and moves it to suction cup #3 (as shown in Figure 1).

[0019] After suction cup #3 picks up the plate, motor #4 drives suction cup to rotate 180 degrees, flipping the plate from bottom to bottom (as shown in Figure 2). After the flip is complete, suction cup #3 releases the plate, which falls onto conveyor belt #2. The system records its position on conveyor belt #2.

[0020] Bottom of the plate facing down:

[0021] The system records its position on conveyor belt number 2.

[0022] Bowl processing procedure The system selects the appropriate bowl based on the position of the plate on the production line and operates according to the following procedure.

[0023] Bottom of the bowl facing up: The system assigns a task to suction cup #5 on the robotic arm. The robotic arm grabs the bowl and moves it to suction cup #3 (as shown in Figure 1).

[0024] After the flip is complete, suction cup #3 releases the bowl, which lands on the plate of conveyor belt #2. The system records its position on conveyor belt #2.

[0025] Bowl bottom down: The system directly assigns the No. 5 suction cup on the robotic arm to grab the plate and place it on the No. 2 plastic sealing conveyor belt, without going through the plate flipping mechanism.

[0026] The system records its position on conveyor belt number 2.

[0027] The process for handling cups: The system selects the appropriate cup based on the position of the plates and bowls on the production line.

[0028] Bottom of the cup facing up: The system assigns a task to suction cup #5 on the robotic arm. The robotic arm picks up the cup and moves it to suction cup #3 (as shown in Figure 1).

[0029] After suction cup #3 adheres to the cup, motor #4 drives the suction cup to rotate 180 degrees, flipping the plate from cup bottom up to cup bottom down (as shown in Figure 2). After the flip is complete, suction cup #3 releases the cup, which lands on the bowl of conveyor belt #2. The system records its position on conveyor belt #2.

[0030] Bottom down: The system directly assigns suction cup #5 on the robotic arm to grab the cup and place it on conveyor belt #2, without needing to go through the flipping mechanism.

[0031] The system records its position on conveyor belt number 2.

[0032] Beneficial effects This invention achieves automatic sorting, flipping, and assembly of tableware through the coordinated operation of an image recognition module, a robotic arm, and a flipping mechanism. It significantly improves the automation level of the packaging line, reduces the labor intensity and error rate of manual operation, and is suitable for large-scale tableware disinfection and packaging lines with multiple specifications and scenarios.

Claims

1. Claim 1: An intelligent tableware sorting and packaging system based on image recognition, characterized in that, Includes the following components: The image recognition module uses a camera to capture images of tableware on the production line and uses image recognition algorithms to determine the type and condition of the tableware. The control module is connected to the image recognition module and assigns tasks to the robotic arm and the tilting mechanism based on the recognition results. Conveyor belt, including: Conveyor Belt 1: Used to transport tableware in random states (open or closed) to the work area; The No. 2 sealing conveyor belt receives the tableware processed by the robotic arm and the flipping mechanism, and completes the automated sealing process. The robotic arm is used to grab tableware and move it to the flipping mechanism or place it directly on the plastic sealing production line according to the instructions of the control module.

2. Claim 2: A tilting mechanism, comprising: The motor, with its axis horizontal, is used to drive the rotation. A suction cup, fixed to the motor shaft, with its axis perpendicular to the motor axis, allows for 180-degree rotation driven by the motor. It is used to flip tableware with the opening facing down so that the opening faces up. There can be one or more suction cups.

3. Claim 3. The intelligent tableware sorting and packaging system based on image recognition according to claim 1, characterized in that, The image recognition module can determine the type of tableware (plate, bowl, cup) and its state (mouth up or mouth down) in real time, and transmit the recognition results to the control module.

4. The intelligent tableware sorting and packaging system based on image recognition according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tableware randomly transported by conveyor belt No. 1 is recorded by the system on the position of the plastic sealing production line to ensure the accuracy of assembly and sealing.

5. The intelligent tableware sorting and packaging system based on image recognition according to claim 1, characterized in that, The robotic arm in the system is equipped with a multi-degree-of-freedom motion mechanism, enabling it to move in three-dimensional space, accurately position itself, and grasp tableware.

6. The intelligent tableware sorting and packaging system based on image recognition according to claim 6 and claim 2, characterized in that, The flipping mechanism can handle various sizes of tableware, including plates, bowls and cups of various sizes.

7. The intelligent tableware sorting and packaging system based on image recognition according to claim 1, characterized in that, The suction cup and motor of the flipping mechanism adopt a modular design, which can quickly replace or adapt to different types of tableware.

8. Claim 8 This system can achieve efficient assembly of plates, bowls, and cups on a single packaging line by adding the robotic arm of claim 1 and the flipping mechanism of claim 2.

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