Cap Removal Torque Prediction Using Machine Vision Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage suppliers face issues with container caps being difficult for consumers to remove, leading to potential leakage problems due to improper sealing, which may worsen with an aging population.
Innovation Solution
A method using imaging techniques to capture and analyze images of caps and container support rings to determine the required removal torque and rotational position, sending feedback signals to adjust capping systems for proper cap alignment and torque application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cap is tightly fitted to ensure proper sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but removal difficulty increases for consumers
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses imaging technology to capture images of the cap and container, analyzes rotational position and torque characteristics, and provides feedback control signals to adjust capping machine parameters. This closed-loop feedback enables optimization of cap torque to achieve proper sealing while maintaining consumer-friendly removal characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts capping parameters such as torque and rotational position based on real-time image analysis. By changing these parameters through feedback control, the system optimizes the balance between sealing reliability and cap removal ease, adapting to variations in cap and container characteristics.
2Ease of operation
If the cap is not turned onto the bottle sufficiently, then cap removal ease is improved, but sealing reliability deteriorates causing leakage problems
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system captures the rotational position of the cap relative to the container and provides feedback to the capping machine. This enables precise control of cap orientation to ensure sufficient engagement for proper sealing while avoiding over-tightening that would make removal difficult.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical inspection and adjustment with automated optical imaging and computational analysis. The imaging system detects cap rotational position and torque characteristics, substituting mechanical trial-and-error with precise optical measurement and feedback control.
3Device complexity
If traditional mechanical inspection methods are used to detect cap torque, then device complexity is minimized, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces traditional mechanical torque measurement devices with optical imaging technology. By capturing images of the cap and container and analyzing their rotational relationship, the system achieves precise torque and orientation measurement without complex mechanical sensors or gauges.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates an optical copy (image) of the physical cap-container assembly and performs measurement analysis on the digital image data. This copying approach enables precise measurement of rotational position and torque characteristics without physical contact or complex mechanical measurement devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique to assess or analyze cap removal or opening torque or rotational position is provided. In at least one form, a high speed, on-line machine vision system measures or determines the rotational position of a cap on a bottle, measures or determines the rotational position of the finish or neck of the same bottle, and then optionally uses such positional information to predict the opening or removal torque that will be required for a consumer to remove the bottle cap from the bottle.