Spouted Pouch Transfer Assembly With Vision-Guided Spout Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current automation in packaging is inefficient in handling spouted pouches due to their flexible and thin nature, making it difficult to detect and transfer them from containers, especially when packed tightly and in disordered arrangements.

Innovation Solution

A robotic system equipped with an imaging unit and a robotic arm that detects the spout's characteristic features, such as contour lines, to accurately locate and grip spouted pouches, allowing for automated transfer to an infeed belt conveyor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual loading of spouted pouches is used, then labor intensity is reduced, but productivity is low and efficiency is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelabor intensityVSAvoidtransfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses machine vision to automatically detect and locate pouches without human intervention, and the robotic arm autonomously performs the transfer operation, making the system self-sufficient in both detection and execution phases

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical loading with an automated robotic system that uses vision guidance and robotic manipulation, substituting human labor with automated mechanical and optical systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Quantity of substance

If spouted pouches are packed tightly in containers, then storage efficiency is improved, but detection and gripping become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepouch density in containerVSAvoidspout detection difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and focuses on the spout feature as the key identification element, using machine vision to detect the spout's characteristic contour lines and shape, thereby identifying the pouch location without being hindered by tight packing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The machine vision system detects the spout based on its visual characteristics and contour lines, identifying the pouch through optical recognition of the spout's unique shape and features

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If spouted pouches are arranged in disordered fashion, then packaging flexibility is improved, but locating and gripping becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging arrangement flexibilityVSAvoidlocating and gripping complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic system autonomously locates and adapts to any pouch arrangement by using vision to detect spout features and automatically calculating gripping parameters, requiring no pre-programmed knowledge of pouch positions or arrangements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts its detection and gripping strategy based on the actual pouch arrangement detected by the vision system, adapting to different configurations in real-time rather than requiring fixed, predetermined positions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11542106B2Method for automatically transferring spouted pouches and automatic pouch transferring assembly

Publication Date: 2023.01.03 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

A method for automatically transferring spouted pouches provides a simple, efficient approach for automatically loading spouted pouches from a container to a belt conveyor. And, an automatic pouch transferring assembly is also provided.