Item Packaging Machine With Camera Verification And Labeling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging systems for pharmaceutical items lack efficient verification and labeling processes, leading to potential errors in identifying and packaging items accurately.
Innovation Solution
An item packaging machine with integrated cameras and a conveyor system that verifies item identifying indicia through multiple imaging stations, ensuring accurate labeling and packaging by comparing captured images with database information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional manual packaging methods are used, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but productivity is low and errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging system is divided into distinct functional modules: introduction assembly with introduction camera, labeling station with label applicator and verification camera, and packaging verification station with packaging camera. Each module performs a specific verification or application function, allowing automated high-speed operation while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical verification and labeling operations are replaced with automated optical detection systems. Cameras capture images of item identifying indicia and verify them against database information, while label applicators automatically apply customer identifying indicia, eliminating human error and increasing productivity.
2Reliability
If verification cameras are added to ensure accuracy, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple verification functions are merged into a single integrated system. The introduction camera, labeling verification camera, and packaging verification camera all work together with the processing system to verify item identifying indicia and apply labels, ensuring accuracy without requiring separate independent verification systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The verification cameras capture images of item identifying indicia and provide feedback to the processing system, which compares the captured images against database information. This feedback loop ensures that only correctly identified items proceed through labeling and packaging, maintaining high reliability through continuous verification.
3Measurement precision
If multiple imaging stations are implemented, then measurement precision improves, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor continuously moves items through all verification and labeling stations without interruption. While items are being verified at one station, other items are being processed at previous or subsequent stations, ensuring that the useful action of verification and labeling continues without idle time, thus reducing overall processing time despite multiple imaging stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The introduction camera captures and verifies item identifying indicia before the items reach the labeling station. This preliminary verification ensures that only correctly identified items proceed to labeling, reducing the time needed for verification during later stages and maintaining high measurement precision through advance checking.
Data Source
AI summary
An item packaging machine is configured to fulfill a plurality of orders that each include one or more items. The item packaging machine includes an introduction assembly configured to index each item in a retaining notch that is advanced by a conveyor over a base. The conveyor advances each item to a label applicator assembly, where each item is verified by one or more cameras directed to at least one side of each item and a label is applied to each item. The conveyor advances each labeled item to a packaging assembly, where each item is verified and advanced into a package that includes order identification information applied thereon and that is configured to package the order that includes the item.