Metering Scoop Arrays With Visual IDs for Accurate Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated packaging systems face challenges in identifying and providing the correct type of metering scoop for consumer products, as existing scoops have similar construction elements but differ in subtle features that are not easily distinguishable by robots or humans, leading to potential mis-dosage during filling and packing processes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an array of scoops with unique visually detectable identification elements, such as apertures or raised elements, that differ in size, design, or number, allowing for visual and automatic identification and differentiation, ensuring the correct scoop is matched with the appropriate packaging container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If scoops have similar construction elements to maintain manufacturing simplicity, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but identification difficulty increases for automated systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies visual identification elements that differ in color, pattern, or optical properties among otherwise similar scoop constructions. This allows automated detection systems to distinguish between scoop types based on optical characteristics while maintaining uniform manufacturing processes for the functional scoop components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces visual identification elements as intermediary features that do not affect the functional construction of the scoops but enable differentiation. These elements act as mediators between the uniform scoop design and the automated detection system, allowing identification without complicating the core manufacturing process.
2Measurement precision
If scoops differ in subtle features to enable identification, then identification accuracy improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the scoop design into functional components and identification components. The functional components (bowl, handle) remain simple and uniform, while separate identification elements (visual features on the handle or bowl) provide differentiation. This segmentation allows high identification accuracy without increasing overall manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by introducing identification features at specific locations on the scoop (such as the handle or bowl rim) rather than changing the entire scoop design. These localized visual features provide sufficient differentiation for accurate identification while leaving the rest of the scoop construction simple and easy to manufacture.
3Reliability
If unique identification elements are added to each scoop type, then identification reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual identification elements with distinct optical properties (color, pattern, reflectivity) that provide reliable differentiation between scoop types. These optical features can be detected by simple cameras or optical sensors, maintaining system simplicity while achieving high identification reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The identification elements are integrated into the scoop structure itself during manufacturing, so the scoops self-identify through their inherent visual features rather than requiring external identification systems. This reduces overall system complexity while ensuring reliable identification.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is related to an array of different types of scoops (10) comprising at least two types of scoops (11), each type of scoop (11', 11", 11"', 11"") in the array (10) comprising: a scoop bowl (12) having a scoop capacity (12', 12"); and a handle (13) having a proximal end (16) connected to said scoop bowl (12), said handle (13) having a handle extension (13', 13") extending from said proximal end to a distal end (17) remote from said scoop bowl (12); and visually detectable identification means. Each type of scoop (11', 11", 11"', 11"") in said array of different types of scoops differs from every other type of scoop (11', 11", 11"', 11"") in said array of different types of scoops (10) by having a different scoop capacity (12', 12") and/or handle extension (13', 13"). The visually detectable identification means is a visually detectable identification element (18', 18", 18"', 18""), wherein each type of scoop (11', 11", 11"', 11"") in said array of different types of scoops (10) is provided with a unique visually detectable identification element (18', 18", 18"', 18""). The invention also relates to an array of different types of packaging containers (30) comprising at least two types of packaging containers (31) wherein each type of packaging container in the array (30) differs from every other type of packaging container (31) in said array (30) by one or more aspects such as different content, different size and different design. Each type of packaging container (31) in said array (30) is provided with a corresponding unique type of scoop (11) from said array of different types of scoops (10).