Conveyor System with Gas-Filled Envelopes for Bottle Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional security scanners using x-rays struggle to efficiently scan contained liquids in bottles due to issues with orientation control and throughput, as they require static scanning of individual bottles, which limits the scanning speed and adaptability to existing conveyor systems.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor system with transverse modules that stabilize and orient bottles on a conveyor belt, using gas-filled envelopes for resilient support and minimal x-ray attenuation, allowing continuous scanning of bottles through a scanner zone while maintaining stability and orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If bottles are scanned statically one by one, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static scanning to dynamic scanning by moving bottles through a scanning zone on a conveyor belt. The scanning system captures images at multiple positions along the conveyor, allowing continuous scanning while maintaining measurement accuracy through image processing and data integration from multiple viewpoints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the time dimension to the scanning process by capturing images at multiple positions along the conveyor belt trajectory. This transforms a single-point static measurement into a multi-point dynamic measurement, enabling both high throughput and accurate composition analysis through integrated data processing.
2Device complexity
If bottles are placed directly on conveyor belt, then device complexity is reduced, but stability of object deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces support modules as intermediary elements between the conveyor belt and bottles. These modules provide stable positioning and orientation for bottles during scanning without significantly complicating the overall system, as they can be simple mechanical fixtures or positioning devices integrated into the conveyor structure.
3Productivity
If conventional x-ray scanning is used, then scanning capability is maintained, but x-ray attenuation by support structures interferes with measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin support modules with minimal material thickness to reduce x-ray attenuation. These thin-film or lightweight support structures provide necessary mechanical support and positioning while being sufficiently transparent to x-rays, allowing accurate composition measurements without significant interference from the support elements themselves.
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 enhances scanning throughput and adaptability by stabilizing and orienting bottles on a conveyor belt, enabling efficient and continuous scanning of liquids in bottles, compatible with existing systems, and minimizing x-ray attenuation effects.
Implementation Method 1
using gas-filled envelopes for resilient support and minimal x-ray attenuation
Implementation Method 2
scan the object and contents so that a high energy and for example ionising radiation beam traverses a cross section of the object
Implementation Method 3
The transmission of x-rays through a material can be given by the exponential attenuation law, as follows: I/Io=exp [−(μ/ρ)ρt]
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyor system for use with a scanning apparatus for scanning of contained materials such as liquids within containers such as bottles. The system includes a transverse conveyor having a conveyor surface, a plurality of container support modules each adapted to seat on the conveyor surface. Each container support module includes a lower surface that sits upon the conveyor surface of the conveyor and upper part in which a container-receiving recessed portion is defined.