Contrast Area for Vision Detection on Liquid Food Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current liquid food packaging systems face issues with accurately positioning the opening device on non-white colored or film-based packaging materials, particularly when the containers are not aligned properly, leading to defective packaging due to challenges in detecting pre-laminated holes.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a first contrast area adjacent to the pre-laminated hole, printed in a color that provides high contrast, allowing for improved detection and alignment of the opening device using a vision system, which can simplify and reduce the cost of the detection process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a vision system is used to detect the pre-laminated hole on non-white colored or film-based packaging material, then the opening device can be positioned, but the detection accuracy is insufficient leading to improper alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a contrast area printed in a color that differs significantly from the packaging material background. This color contrast enables the vision system to clearly distinguish the pre-laminated hole position, thereby improving both detection accuracy and subsequent alignment precision of the opening device.
Solution Approach 2:
The contrast area serves as an intermediary visual marker between the packaging material and the vision system. It mediates the detection process by providing a clearly detectable signal that indicates the precise location of the pre-laminated hole, which the vision system can then use for accurate positioning.
2Ease of manufacture
If the packaging material uses non-white color or film to enhance product appearance, then the aesthetic value is improved, but the detectability of the pre-laminated hole by the vision system deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the aesthetic value of non-white or film-based packaging materials by introducing a separate contrast area with a distinctly different color. This contrast area is specifically designed to provide high detectability for the vision system without compromising the overall aesthetic appearance of the packaging material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the packaging surface into two functional zones: the aesthetic packaging material area and the contrast area. The contrast area is a distinct segment that serves solely for detection purposes, allowing the main packaging material to retain its aesthetic properties while providing a separate detectable region for positioning.
3Productivity
If the opening device is applied automatically without contrast enhancement, then the production speed is maintained, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates leading to defective packaging
Solution Approach 1:
The contrast area is printed on the packaging material in advance, before the automatic opening device application process. This preliminary action ensures that when the packaging material reaches the application station, the vision system can immediately and accurately detect the pre-laminated hole position without slowing down the production process.
Solution Approach 2:
The contrast area provides visual feedback to the vision system, which then determines the precise position of the pre-laminated hole. This feedback mechanism enables the automatic opening device to be positioned accurately while maintaining high production speed, as the vision system can quickly process the high-contrast visual signal.
Data Source
AI summary
A laminated packaging material for liquid food products may include a paper board having a non-white color or a film arranged on the paper board, and a pre-laminated hole arranged in an opening section of the paper board. A first contrast area may be arranged adjacent to the pre-laminated hole and printed in a first color that is selected such that a high contrast between the first color and the pre-laminated hole is achieved.