Automated Container Selection for Shipping Damage Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In materials handling facilities, the selection of inappropriate containers for packaging items leads to increased costs and damage due to human error, resulting in higher shipping costs, waste of space, and reduced profit margins.

Innovation Solution

A packaging information system that recommends suitable containers based on physical characteristics and delivery feedback, incorporating customer feedback and specialty packaging services to ensure appropriate protection and space utilization, using components like a container recommender, inventory management, and product dimension estimators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If visual assessment method is used for container selection, then operation simplicity is maintained, but container selection accuracy deteriorates leading to higher costs and damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer selection processVSAvoidcontainer size matching accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual visual assessment method with an automated image processing system that captures images of items and containers, then uses computer vision algorithms to automatically determine whether items fit in containers. This substitution eliminates human error while maintaining operational simplicity, as the system automatically processes container selection without requiring manual measurement or assessment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary image processing system that acts as a mediator between the item/container and the selection decision. Instead of direct human visual assessment, the system captures images and processes them through algorithms that compare item dimensions with container capacity, providing an objective intermediate evaluation that improves accuracy while keeping the overall process automated and simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If larger containers are used to ensure adequate protection, then item damage protection is improved, but shipping costs and space utilization deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveitem damage during shippingVSAvoidshipping cost and transportation space

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of container selection from conservative over-sizing to precisely matched sizing by using image processing to accurately measure item dimensions and compare them with container capacity. This parameter optimization ensures containers are large enough to protect items while minimizing excess space, thereby reducing shipping costs and improving space utilization without compromising protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary image capture and dimension analysis before final container selection. By capturing images early in the process and using automated algorithms to determine fit, the system pre-evaluates the appropriate container size, ensuring optimal protection while avoiding the cost and space waste of larger containers. This preliminary automated assessment prevents both under-protection and over-packaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If manual container selection is performed, then system complexity is minimized, but productivity and cost efficiency deteriorate due to human error and re-work

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging system structureVSAvoidpackaging throughput and cost efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual container selection with an automated image processing and computer vision system. This substitution increases initial system complexity but dramatically improves productivity by eliminating human error, reducing re-work, and enabling faster automated decision-making. The system processes container selection at machine speed, improving throughput while maintaining reasonable system complexity through the use of standard imaging and algorithmic components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9230233B1Systems and methods for implementing specialty packaging in a materials handling facility

Publication Date: 2016.01.05 AMAZON TECH INC

AI summary

The systems described herein may provide mechanisms for recommending specialty packaging in a materials handling facility dependent on physical characteristics of items to be shipped and/or feedback received in response to previous shipments of the items. For example, if feedback indicates frequent low customer ratings for damage during shipping and/or for the suitability of the container in which a particular item was shipped, of if feedback indicates that concession costs were repeatedly incurred due to damage of the item during shipping, the item may be designated as needing special damage protection. This protection may be realized by shipping the item in sturdier containers, in containers of a more suitable size, and/or with improved or increased protective cushioning. For example, a stored indication that an item is designated for special damage protection may influence the selection of a container recommended for shipping the item, e.g., by excluding unsuitable containers from consideration.