Textile product sorting plant and corresponding method
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual sorting of textile products is uneconomic and inefficient, leading to significant textile waste due to the rapid change in fashion demands and increased textile waste, while the need for recycling and re-use has grown, necessitating a more effective and practical sorting method.
Innovation Solution
A sorting plant and method utilizing a video camera for structure and color detection, a hyperspectral camera for yarn composition detection, and pneumatic nozzles for selective collection, controlled by a computerized unit to automatically sort textile products based on structure, color, and composition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual sorting is used, then operator expertise can identify textile composition, but the process becomes uneconomic and inefficient with high costs and execution times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection by operators with an automated optical detection system comprising a camera and hyperspectral sensor. The camera captures visual information about textile structure and color, while the hyperspectral sensor identifies material composition through spectral analysis. This substitution eliminates the need for human operators to physically examine each textile item, dramatically reducing sorting time while maintaining or improving identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a computerized control unit as an intermediary between the detection systems and the sorting action. This control unit processes images from the camera and spectral data from the hyperspectral sensor, analyzes textile characteristics, and automatically directs sorting decisions. The intermediary system bridges the gap between raw sensory data and actionable sorting commands, enabling high-speed automated sorting without human intervention.
2Measurement precision
If manual sorting is used, then textile composition can be identified, but the activity has high costs and limited profitability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-functional detection system where a single integrated platform performs multiple sorting tasks. The camera captures color and structural information, the hyperspectral sensor identifies material composition, and the computerized control unit handles analysis and sorting decisions for various textile types. This universal system can sort different textile materials (cotton, polyester, wool, blends) using the same hardware infrastructure, reducing per-unit costs compared to specialized manual sorting for each material type.
Solution Approach 2:
The sorting system operates autonomously without requiring expert operators. The detection systems automatically capture textile characteristics, the control unit independently analyzes the data and makes sorting decisions, and the system self-regulates the sorting process. This self-service capability eliminates labor costs associated with training and retaining expert sorters, making the system economically viable despite the initial investment in automated equipment.
3Productivity
If automated detection systems are used, then sorting speed increases, but the device complexity and initial investment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sorting system into distinct functional modules: a camera module for visual inspection, a hyperspectral sensor module for material identification, and a computerized control unit for data processing and decision-making. Each module performs a specific function and can be independently optimized or replaced. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high sorting throughput through parallel processing of multiple textile items while managing complexity through modular architecture, where each component remains relatively simple in isolation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient, automatic sorting of textile products without operator expertise, adapting to user requirements, and reducing waste by directing materials to appropriate recycling pathways.
Implementation Method 1
a first detecting station (3) to detect the structure and the color of the individual textile product, said first station comprising a camera (4) designed to frame individual textile products and acquiring relative images thereof
Implementation Method 2
a second detecting station (10) to detect the composition of the individual textile product, said second station comprising a hyperspectral sensor (11) designed to frame individual textile products and acquire relative images of them
Data Source
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AI summary
Described is a plant (1) for sorting textile products, comprising a belt conveyor (8) designed to advance in succession a plurality of textile products, a first detecting station (3) for detecting the structure of the individual textile product and the color of the individual textile product, a second detecting station (10) for detecting the composition of the individual textile product, a plurality of selecting elements (17) positioned in predetermined positions along the belt conveyor (8) and designed to remove individual textile products from the belt conveyor, a computerised command and control unit for selectively controlling the selecting elements (17).