Movable Carriage Container Foreign Object Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for checking empty containers before filling fail to reliably detect foreign objects inside containers, especially in those with wide mouths, leading to contamination issues during palletizing, and current solutions are either inaccurate or cumbersome, affecting palletizing speed and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A control device with a movable carriage-mounted viewing means that translates above the containers to detect images of their interiors through the mouth, using cameras arranged to read multiple containers simultaneously, with adjustable positioning and speed to ensure thorough detection and easy identification of foreign objects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a viewing element is placed on the head of a palletiser to read on the entire layer at the same time, then the control operation is fast and does not heavily affect working time, but it is not accurate and does not ensure correct detection of foreign objects in all containers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepalletising speedVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the detection process into two stages: first, a layer-level view detects the presence of foreign objects in containers across the entire layer; second, individual containers showing potential contamination are re-examined in detail. This segmentation allows fast initial screening followed by precise targeted inspection, resolving the contradiction between speed and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection on the entire layer before finalizing the palletising operation. By using the viewing element on the palletiser head to scan all containers in advance, foreign objects are identified early, allowing contaminated containers to be removed before they compromise the entire pallet. This preliminary action maintains productivity while enabling subsequent detailed verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the viewing means cannot be brought as close to the container mouths as necessary, then mechanical encumbrances on the palletiser head are avoided, but reliable detection of foreign objects is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical encumbrancesVSAvoiddetection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses lighting elements as intermediaries between the viewing means and the container interiors. Enhanced illumination allows the viewing element to capture clear images of container contents from a greater distance, eliminating the need for the viewing means to physically approach close to the container mouths. This resolves the contradiction by enabling reliable detection without adding mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of time

If containers are checked individually on conveyors prior to arrangement in rows and layers, then control takes place early, but contamination from row and layer formation machines is not detected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetiming of controlVSAvoidcontamination detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This solution provides a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective method for detecting foreign objects inside containers, ensuring the integrity of the pallets by allowing for easy removal of contaminated containers and maintaining palletizing speed without compromising accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

viewing means, such as cameras of various types... operate on the individual container... to allow detection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4390381A1Control device for detecting the presence of foreign objects inside containers and related method

Publication Date: 2024.06.26 E2PACK SRL

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AI summary

Control device (1) for detecting the presence of foreign objects inside open and empty containers (3), comprising a bottom (32) and a mouth (31) defining an opening of the container (3) towards the outside, said containers (3) being placed on a support surface (2), characterised in that said device (1) comprising at least one carriage (5) on which viewing means (4) are mounted, said carriage (5) being movable to perform at least one translation along a plurality of said containers (3) during which an image of the interior of each container (3) is detected.