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Systems and Methods for Inspecting Absorbent Articles on A Converting Line

  • US 20180357756A1
  • Filed: 05/31/2018
  • Published: 12/13/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2017
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for inspecting absorbent articles, the method comprising the steps of:

  • preprocessing each image of a group of images of absorbent articles to label a component of the absorbent article;

    generating a first inspection algorithm with a convolutional neural network based on the preprocessed images, wherein the first inspection algorithm is usable to mask the labeled component in images of absorbent articles;

    providing a second inspection algorithm, wherein the second inspection algorithm is usable to determine one or more properties of the labeled component in images of absorbent articles, wherein the one or more properties comprise any of a location, a size, a shape, and a presence of the component;

    providing a communication network;

    connecting a sensor with the communication network;

    connecting a controller with the communication network, the controller comprising the first inspection algorithm;

    advancing a substrate through a converting process;

    sequentially adding component parts to the substrate;

    creating images of at least one of the substrate and component parts with the sensor;

    communicating the images from the sensor to the controller;

    masking the labeled component in the images by analyzing the images with the first inspection algorithm;

    determining at least one of the properties for the labeled component in the substrate with the second inspection algorithm;

    cutting the substrate with component parts added thereto into discrete absorbent articles; and

    based on the determination of the least one of the properties for the labeled component in the substrate, executing a control action, wherein the control action is any of rejecting one or more of the discrete absorbent articles, an automatic phase adjustment, an automatic tracking adjustment, a machine maintenance scheduling, and a machine stop command.

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