Robotic Labelling Machine with Vertical Pickup for Liquid-Filled Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing labeling machines are dependent on the conformation of the object, leading to instability, liquid spillage, slow operations, inefficiency, and inaccurate labeling, especially for objects with liquids inside.
Innovation Solution
A labeling machine with a handling robot that vertically picks up objects, rotates them around a Z-axis for label adhesion, and includes sensors for quality control, ensuring precise and reliable labeling regardless of object conformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If objects are transported on conveyor belts in upright position, then labeling can be performed, but objects with liquid contents may spill liquid into intersections between cap and body
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of transporting objects horizontally on a conveyor belt, the invention inverts the approach by keeping objects in upright position and bringing the labeling device to the object. The robot arm with labeling device moves to the object rather than the object moving on a conveyor, thus preventing liquid spillage while enabling labeling operation
2Ease of operation
If conveyor belt systems are used for object transport, then labeling can be performed, but the system becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the object transport function from the labeling system. Instead of using a complex conveyor belt system to transport objects, the object remains stationary on a support while only the labeling device (robot arm with label applicator) moves to perform the labeling operation, thus simplifying the overall system
Solution Approach 2:
A support structure acts as an intermediary between the stationary object and the moving robot arm. The support holds the object in upright position and provides a stable reference point, enabling the robot arm to accurately position and apply labels without requiring complex object transport mechanisms
3Stability of the object's composition
If objects are constrained to specific conformations for conveyor transport, then stable transport is achieved, but adaptability to different object types is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces dynamics by making the robot arm movable and adjustable. Instead of requiring objects to conform to static conveyor belt requirements, the robot arm can dynamically adapt its position, orientation, and labeling approach to accommodate various object shapes, sizes, and configurations while objects remain stationary in stable upright position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
Machine (1) for labeling an object (O), comprising a station (2) for feeding objects (O) to be labeled; a labeling station (3); a handling robot (5) configured for vertically picking up an object (O) to be labeled from said feeding station (2)and placing it onto said labeling station (3) in such a way as to allow the adhesion of a label (E) on said object (O) to be labeled; qualitative discrimination means for discriminating between correctly labeled objects and incorrectly labeled objects.