A vacuum checker system to check vacuum status of food containers

Abstract

A vacuum checker system and a use method thereof is developed to check a vacuum status of at least one container. The vacuum checker system comprises a proximity sensor, a media capturing device, a light emitting tool, at least two mechanical linear actuators, a control unit, and a programmable device. The vacuum status of the container is obtained by analyzing the captured media from a top surface of the container along with an emitted light on the top surface of the container. If the container has a defect, the container will be eject from the production line utilizing a means for ejecting and of the container is vacuumed, the container will be introduced into a store part. The vacuum checker system and a use method thereof resulted in a reduction of a risk of introducing spoiled material into the market, eliminating a defective container, reducing side costs such as shipping costs, and increasing efficiency and profitability of the production line

Description

A Vacuum Checker System to Check Vacuum Status of Food Containers

[0001] The present disclosure application claims priority from pending IR Patent Application Serial No. 140350140003000627, filed on April 23, 2024, entitled “Vacuum Status Check System and Use Method Thereof.”, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure describes a system to check vacuum status of a food container and a use method thereof.

[0003] Due to increasing growth of the population as well as providing and producing more of the required food for this population, food packaging which is one of the most important indicators of providing a food security have gotten significantly attention by governments as well as the food industries.

[0004] There are various methods and processes that can apply for food packaging. Among these methods and processes, vacuum packaging is the most important, practical, and valuable method due to its advantages including: keeping a product fresh, energy saving, reducing an amount of a waste and corruption, Increasing a shelf life while maintaining the desirable quality properties, removing harmful agents, prevent oxidation, preventing a reaction of food with oxygen, prevent any contamination from entering inside, prevent a product from going out, etc.

[0005] In vacuum packaging, a presence of even a small amount of air inside a food package leads to spoilage of the food. Therefore, it is very important checking a complete vacuum status of the package before releasing a product to the market.

[0006] Therefore, a cost-effective and easy-to-use system to check a vacuum status of a food container as well as a use method thereof has been developed.

[0007] This summary is intended to provide an overview of the subject matter of this patent, and is not intended to identify essential elements or key elements of the subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to determine the scope of the claimed implementations. The proper scope of this patent may be ascertained from the claims set forth below in view of the detailed description below and the drawings.

[0008] In a general aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an exemplary system to check a vacuum status of a container. The exemplary system may comprise at least one proximity sensor, at least one light emitting tool, at least one media capturing device, at least two mechanical linear actuator, a programmable device, and a control unit. The at least one proximity sensor may configure to detect the container and the at least one light emitting tool may configure to emit a light at a particular wavelength to a top surface of the container. Furthermore, the container may be positioned in front of the media capturing device utilizing the at least two mechanical linear actuators. Moreover, the programmable device may configure to analyze the at least one media and obtain the vacuum status of the container. The programmable device may comprise one or more processors, at least one memory, a computing program, and at least one connection part. Additionally, the data from the at least one proximity sensor, the at least one light emitting tool, the at least one media capturing device, and the at least two mechanical linear actuators may be received utilizing the control unit and at least one command may send to the at least one proximity sensor, the at least one light emitting tool, the at least one media capturing device, and the at least two mechanical linear actuators through the programmable device.

[0009] The above general aspect may have one or more of the following features. In an exemplary implementation, the vacuum checker system may further comprise a means for lifting the media capturing device, at least one engine, and at last one means for ejecting at least one defective container. The means for lifting the media capturing device may lift the media capturing device such that the top surface of the container may be adjusted in front of the capturing device. Furthermore, a driving power for the at least two mechanical linear actuators may be provided utilizing the at least one engine. In an exemplary implementation, the means for lifting, at least one engine, and at last one means for ejecting may be controlled utilizing the control unit. In an exemplary implementation, the control unit may comprise at least on single board microcontroller. In an exemplary implementation, a height of the mean for lifting may be adjusted in accordance with a height of the container. In an exemplary implementation, an activation or deactivation of the means for ejecting may be adjusted in accordance with a vacuum status of the container. In some exemplary implementation, the container may comprise an edible content.

[0010] In another general aspect, the present disclosure is directed to use method for using a vacuum checker system for checking a vacuum status of a container. The method may comprise inserting a plurality of features into the programmable device, adjusting a height of the means for lifting in accordance with a container height, detecting a position of the container utilizing the proximity sensor, emitting a light into the top surface of the container utilizing the light emitting tool, capturing at least one media from the top surface of the container along with the emitted light, sending the captured media to the programmable device, and analyzing the captured media utilizing the programmable device such that if the container is vacuumed, the container introduce to a store part and if the container is a defective container, the container is ejected from a production line utilizing the means for ejecting.

[0011] The above general aspect may have one or more of the following features. In some exemplary implementation, the method may further comprise hitting the top surface of the container utilizing a first surface of the means for lifting before emitting the light into the top surface of the container. In an exemplary implementation, the plurality of features may be selected from a group of the container height, a capturing time, a media capturing device height, a height of the means for lifting, and a light emitting time. In an exemplary implementation, the analyzing of the captured media may comprise steps of: obtaining an emitted light curve on the top surface of the container by detecting and analyzing the emitted light on the captured media, dividing the emitted light curve to a first part, a second part, and a third part in accordance with the top surface of the container, wherein the second part is position between the first and the second parts, obtaining a first surface area by measuring a surface area of the second part, preparing a second surface area by measuring a mean average surface area of the first part and the second part, and comparing the first surface are with the second surface area, such that if the first surface area is more than the second surface area, the container has defect and if the first area is equal to the second surface area, the container is vacuumed. In an exemplary implementation, the captured media may be selected from a group of image, video, or a combination thereof.

[0012] The drawing figures only demonstrate one or more embodiments in accord with the present teaching, by way of example only, not by way of limitation. Therefore, the drawing figures do not limit the extent of the present disclosure. Also, reference numerals with similar numbers in the figures demonstrate similar or the same elements.Fig.1

[0013] illustrates an exemplary schematic view of a vacuum checker system installed on a production line to check a vacuum status of at least one container, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.Fig.2

[0014] illustrates an exemplary schematic view of a vacuum checker system to check a vacuum status of at least one container, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.Fig.3

[0015] illustrates an exemplary flowchart of an implementation of a general representation of a method for using an exemplary vacuum checker system for checking a vacuum status of a container, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.Fig.4

[0016] illustrates an exemplary flowchart of an implementation of a general representation of analyzing at least one captured media for detecting a vacuum status of a container, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0017] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it should be apparent that the present teachings may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and / or components have been described at a relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined only by the appended claims.

[0018] The following detailed description is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the methods and devices disclosed in exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. For purposes of explanation, specific nomenclature is set forth provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required to practice the disclosed exemplary embodiments. Descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments are provided only as representative examples. Various modifications to the exemplary implementations will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations and applications without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the implementations shown, but is to be accorded the widest possible scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

[0019] The present disclosure describes an exemplary vacuum checker system to check a vacuum status of a container. The exemplary vacuum checker system may comprise at least six main parts that the six main parts can detect a vacuum status. Some benefits from utilizing the exemplary vacuum checker system described within the present disclosure may include, but are not limited to, an esy-to-use system that are capable in various industries for checking a vacuum status of a container, preventing of spoiling a content of the container, eliminating a defective container from the production line, etc.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the terms “vacuum”, “vacuumed”, and / or “vacuum status” may refer to a status that there is not any matter even air in a determined space.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the term “container” may refer to a closed space that a particular content can be stored within the closed space. In a particular exemplary embodiment, the term “container” may refer to a closed space that can store an edible content.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the term “defective container” may refer to a closed space that comprise an air penetration.

[0023] Furthermore, the present disclosure describes an exemplary method for using an exemplary vacuum checker system. The exemplary method may comprise at least three main steps. The first step may comprise determining a plurality features of different parts of vacuum checker system and container as well as adjusting a container’s position. The second step may comprise capturing at least one media and analyzing the media and the final step may comprise obtaining a vacuum status of the container in accordance with the analyzed media. Some benefits from utilizing the exemplary method described within the present disclosure may include, but are not limited to, eliminating a plurality of defective containers from the production line, reducing a risk of entrance spoiled material into the market, decreasing the side costs such as shipping costs, and increasing efficiency and profitability of the production.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the term “a plurality of features” may refer to a set of characterizations and properties of a main part of an exemplary vacuum checker system, for example, but are not limited to, a media capturing device, a light emitting tool, and a means for lifting and / or a container.

[0025] In an exemplary embodiment, aspects and features of an exemplary vacuum checker system to check a vacuum status of a container as well as an exemplary use method thereof in greater detail described, below.

[0026] AVACUUM CHECKER SYSTEM TO CHECK A VACUUM STATUS OF A CONTAINER

[0027] illustrates an exemplary schematic view of a vacuum checker system100to check a vacuum status of at least one container, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in, the vacuum checker system100may be installed on a production line200to check the vacuum status of the container.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one container may comprise an edible content.

[0029] In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in, the vacuum checker system100may comprise at least one media capturing device102, at least one light emitting tool104, at least one proximity sensor106, at least two mechanical linear actuators108, a control unit (not shown), and a programmable device (not shown).

[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one proximity sensor106may be configured to detect the container when the container is received to the vacuum checker system100from the production line200.

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one light emitting104may be configured to emit a light at a particular wavelength to a top surface of the container. In an exemplary embodiment, the particular wavelength may be in a range of 780 nm to 1 mm.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one media capturing device102may be configured to capture at least one media when a light is emitted to the top surface of the container.

[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, the at least two mechanical linear actuator108may be configured to move the received container and positioned the container in front of the media capturing device102.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one captured media may be sent to a memory of the programmable device utilizing the control unit (not shown) through at least one connection port (not shown) and the captured media may be analyzed to obtain the vacuum status of the container utilizing one or more processors as well as a computing program of the programmable device.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, the control unit may be configured to control different parts of the vacuum checker system100, for example, but are not limited to, the at least one media capturing device102, the at least one light emitting tool104, the at least one proximity sensor106, and the at least two mechanical linear actuator108. In this exemplary embodiment, the at least one media capturing device102, the at least one light emitting tool104, the at least one proximity sensor106,and the at least two mechanical linear actuator 108 may be sent to the control unit (not shown) and the received data may be sent to the programmable device (not shown) to analyze the received data and then a command may be sent to the at least one media capturing device102, the at least one light emitting tool104, the at least one proximity sensor106, and the at least two mechanical linear actuator108utilizing the control unit (not shown)

[0036] In an exemplary embodiment, the vacuum checker system100may further comprise a means for lifting110and at least one engine112. In an exemplary embodiment, the at least one engine112may be configured to provide a driving power for the means for lifting110, therefor, the means for lifting110may be elevate the media capturing device102to a proper position such that the top surface of the container may be adjusted in front of the media capturing device102. In an exemplary embodiment, the means for lifting110may be controlled utilizing the control unit(not shown) as well as the programmable device (not shown) through sending the information to the control unit and receiving a command from the control unit where the information may be analyzed utilizing the programmable device (not shown). In an exemplary embodiment, a height of the means for lifting110may be adjusted in accordance with a height of the container.

[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, the vacuum checker system100may further comprise at least one means for ejecting (not shown) at least one defective container. In an exemplary embodiment, an activation status or a deactivation status of the means for ejecting (not shown) may be adjusted in accordance with a vacuum status of the container such that the activation and / or deactivation statuses of the means for ejecting (not shown) may be controlled utilizing the control unit (not shown).

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, the vacuum checker system may further comprise at least one limit switch114, a ball bearing116, and at least one linear motion module118.

[0039] In some exemplary embodiment, the control unit (not shown) may be comprise at least one single-board microcontroller.

[0040] AMETHOD FOR UTILIZING A VACUUM CHECKER SYSTEM TO CHECK A VACUUM STATUS OF A CONTAINER

[0041] As illustrated in, an exemplary method300for using the exemplary vacuum checker system100is disclosed, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The exemplary method300may comprise at least seven steps. In first step302, a plurality of features may be inserted into a memory of the programmable device. Step304may comprise adjusting a height of the means for lifting110in accordance with a container height. Furthermore, in next step (306), the top surface of the container may be positioned in front of the media capturing device102utilizing the at least two mechanical linear actuators108. Step308may comprise emitting a light into the top surface of the container utilizing the light emitting tool104. In nest step (310), at least one media may be captured from the top surface of the container along with the emitted light. Step312may comprise sending the captured media to the programmable device (not shown). In final step (314), the captured media may be analyzed utilizing the programmable device (not shown) to obtain whether the container is vacuum or defective. If the container is vacuumed, the container may be introduced to a store part and if the container is a defective container, the container may be ejected from a production line200utilizing the means for ejecting (not shown).

[0042] In an exemplary embodiment, the method300may further comprise hitting the top surface of the container utilizing a first surface of the means for lifting110before emitting the light into the top surface of the container. Additionally, the method300may further comprise a step of detecting an entrance of the container into the vacuum checker system100utilizing the proximity sensor106.

[0043] In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of features may be selected from a group of the container height, a capturing time, a media capturing device height, a height of the means for lifting, and a light emitting time.

[0044] illustrates an exemplary flowchart of an implementation of a general representation of analyzing at least one captured media314for detecting the vacuum status of the container, consistent with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In an exemplary, as illustrated in, the analyzing the at least one captured media may comprise at least four main steps to obtain the vacuum status of the container. In first step, an emitted light curve on the top surface of the container may be obtained by detecting and analyzing the emitted light on the captured media3141. In second step3142, the emitted light curve may be divided to a first part, a second part, and a third part in accordance with the top surface of the container such that the second part may be positioned between the first and the second parts. In next step3143, a first surface area may be determined by measuring a surface area of the second part and in step3144a second surface area may be prepared by measuring a mean average surface area of the first part and the second part. Final step (3145) may comprise comparing the first surface are with the second surface area. Therefore, if the first surface area is greater than the second surface area, the container has defect31452and if the first area is equal to the second surface area, the container is vacuumed31454.

[0045] In an exemplary embodiment, the captured media may be selected from a group of image, video, or a combination thereof.

[0046] The following examples are put forth so as to provide those of ordinary skill in the art with a complete disclosure and description of how to make and use the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of what the inventors regard as their invention nor are they intended to represent that the experiment below is all or the only experiment performed.

[0047] Example 1:A Method for Checking A Vacuum Status of A Food Container Utilizing A Vacuum Checker System

[0048] InExample 1, the method for checking a vacuum status of a food container utilizing the exemplary vacuum checker system100was carried out, consistent with the teachings of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In this example, consistent with exemplary method300of, a food container height, a capturing time, a media capturing device height, a height of the means for lifting, and a light emitting time were inserted into the memory of the exemplary programmable device. Following that, after receiving an alarm from the exemplary proximity sensor106to detect entrance of the food container into the exemplary vacuum checker system100, the top surface of the food container was placed in front of the exemplary media capturing device102. After that, a light in a wavelength in a range of 780 nm to 1 mm was emitted to the top surface of the food container utilizing the exemplary light emitted tool104and a plurality of media were taken utilizing the exemplary media capturing device102. Following that, the captured media were sent to the exemplary programmable device and were analyzed utilizing the computing program of the programmable device. Based on the analyzed capture media, If the food container has a defect, a command will be sent to the ejector to eject the food container from the production line and if the food container is vacuumed, a command will be send to the at least two mechanical linear actuator to introduce the food container to the store part.

[0049] While particular aspects of the present subject matter described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from this subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this subject matter described herein. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is solely defined by the appended claims. It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and / or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).

[0050] It will be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study except where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein. Relational terms such as first, and second, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “include,” “including,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, apparatus, or device that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, apparatus, or device. An element proceeded by “a” or “an” does not, without further constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or device that comprises the element. Moreover, “may”, “can”, and other permissive terms are used herein for describing optional features of various embodiments. These terms likewise describe selectable or configurable features generally, unless the context dictates otherwise

Claims

A vacuum checker system to check a vacuum status of a container, comprising:at least one proximity sensor configure to detect the container;at least one light emitting tool configure to emit a light at a particular wavelength to a top surface of the container;at least one media capturing device configure to capture at least one media;at least two mechanical linear actuators configured to position the container in front of the media capturing device;a programmable device configure to analyze the at least one media and obtain the vacuum status of the container, wherein the programmable device comprises one or more processors, at least one memory, a computing program, and at least one connection port; anda control unit configure to receive the data from the at least one proximity sensor, the at least one light emitting tool, the at least one media capturing device, and the at least two mechanical linear actuators and send command to the at least one proximity sensor, the at least one light emitting tool, the at least one media capturing device, and the at least two mechanical linear actuators through the programmable device.The vacuum checker system of claim 1, further comprising a means for lifting the media capturing device wherein the top surface of the container is adjusted in front of the capturing device, at least one engine configure to provide a driving power for the at least two mechanical linear actuators, and at last one means for ejecting at least one defective container.The vacuum checker system of claim 2, wherein the means for lifting, at least one engine, and at last one means for ejecting are controlled utilizing the control unit.The vacuum checker system of claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises at least one single-board microcontroller.The vacuum checker system of claim 2 or 3, wherein a height of the means for lifting is adjusted in accordance with a height of the container.The vacuum checker system of claim 3, wherein an activation status or a deactivation status of the means for ejecting is adjusted in accordance with a vacuum status of the container.The vacuum checker system of claim 1, wherein the container comprise an edible content.A method for using a vacuum checker system of any one claims 1 to 7, comprising following step:inserting a plurality of features into the programmable device;adjusting a height of the means for lifting in accordance with a container height;placing the container in front of the media capturing device utilizing the at least two mechanical linear actuators;emitting a light into the top surface of the container utilizing the light emitting tool;capturing at least one media from the top surface of the container along with the emitted light;sending the captured media to the programmable device; andanalyzing the captured media utilizing the programmable device,wherein:if the container is vacuumed, the container introduce to a store part; andif the container is a defective container, the container is ejected from a production line utilizing the means for ejecting.The method of claim 8, further comprising hitting the top surface of the container utilizing a first surface of the means for lifting before emitting the light into the top surface of the container.The method of claim 8, wherein the plurality of features is selected from a group of the container height, a capturing time, a media capturing device height, a height of the means for lifting, and a light emitting time.The method of claim 8 or 10, wherein the analyzing of the captured media comprise following steps:obtaining an emitted light curve on the top surface of the container by detecting and analyzing the emitted light on the captured media;dividing the emitted light curve to a first part, a second part, and a third part in accordance with the top surface of the container, wherein the second part is positioned between the first and the second parts;obtaining a first surface area by measuring a surface area of the second part;preparing a second surface area by measuring a mean average surface area of the first part and the second part; andcomparing the first surface are with the second surface area;wherein:if the first surface area is more than the second surface area, the container has defect, andif the first area is equal to the second surface area, the container is vacuumed.The method of claim 8 or 11, wherein the captured media is selected from a group of image, video, or a combination thereof.

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