Container Opening Control Using Pre-Scan Content Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container opening systems often damage contents due to the lack of visibility and unawareness of the contents' arrangement, leading to inefficient cutting or opening processes.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of optical sensors and image analysis to scan containers before and after opening, using millimeter wave technology and machine learning algorithms to assess damage and adjust cutting parameters, ensuring minimal damage to the contents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a cutting or opening machine is used to open containers, then opening efficiency is improved, but damage to contents increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening efficiencyVSAvoiddamage to contents

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary scanning of the container and its contents using optical sensors and millimeter wave technology before the cutting operation. This advance detection allows the system to identify the location, shape, and arrangement of contents, and pre-calculate an optimized cutting path that avoids damaging the contents while still efficiently opening the container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from pre-opening scans to dynamically adjust cutting parameters and paths. After opening, post-opening scans provide feedback to verify whether contents were damaged, allowing the system to learn and improve cutting strategies for similar containers in the future, thereby reducing damage while maintaining efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Object-affected harmful factors

If manual opening is used, then damage to contents is reduced, but opening efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage to contentsVSAvoidopening efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual mechanical opening operations with an automated cutting machine guided by optical sensing and image analysis. The machine uses feedback from scanning systems to replicate the careful, adaptive approach of manual opening while achieving much higher speeds and consistency, thus maintaining low damage rates while dramatically improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If cutting depth is increased to ensure container opening, then opening reliability is improved, but damage to contents increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening reliabilityVSAvoiddamage to contents

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different cutting depths and intensities at different locations based on local conditions detected by scanning. Rather than using a uniform deep cut throughout, the cutting machine adjusts parameters locally - applying sufficient depth only where needed to penetrate the container wall while stopping before reaching contents in areas where items are positioned close to the wall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting system dynamically adjusts cutting parameters during operation based on real-time feedback from sensors and pre-scan data. The cutting depth, speed, and path are continuously optimized to maintain reliable opening while avoiding contents, adapting to variations in container material thickness and content placement rather than using fixed parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 approach reduces damage to contents by optimizing the cutting process based on pre- and post-opening scans, allowing for more precise and safe opening of containers, even when contents are opaque.

Implementation Method 1

opens a container and determine whether the opening of the container via the cutting apparatus or system is responsible for any damage to the items stored inside the case, then readjusting the settings of the cutting apparatus and system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical sensing: Light

Implementation Method 2

implementation of optical sensors and image analysis to scan containers before and after opening, using millimeter wave technology

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMillimeter wave penetration: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS12070870B2System and method for adjusting the opening of containers to avoid damage to contents

Publication Date: 2024.08.27 WALMART APOLLO LLC

AI summary

First scanned images of the first container are received from a scanning device that show the contents of the interior of the first container before the first container is cut and opened. Second scanned images that are of the contents of the first container after the first container is cut and opened are also received. The images are analyzed and, based upon the analysis, selective modifications to the operating parameters of the container opening machine are determined and made.