Automated packaging
First Claim
1. A method of packaging a substrate comprising (i) conveying the substrate on a conveyor into the field of view of an image analysis system and obtaining an image of the substrate on the conveyor from said system, (ii) comparing the image of the substrate against standard images held in a database, and thereby identifying the substrate and optionally its orientation, (iii) analysing the substrate image and, with reference to the database if necessary, determining the footprint dimensions of the substrate, (iv) selecting a package or a first package component of dimensions based on the footprint dimensions of the substrate, (v) transferring the substrate to the package or component, (vi) providing further components of the package if necessary, and integrating said further components with the package or the first component, and (vii) sealing the package or the first component.
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Abstract
As a substrate (10) is carried on a conveyor (20), an image analysis system (40) detects its presence and derives the various data, at least indicative of the footprint. The footprint data are used in selecting appropriate packaging components. Data may also indicate the transverse location and/or orientation and/or alignment of a substrate, and be used to control position adjustors for adjusting one or more of these. Data may also serve for categorizing the substrate, e.g., in terms of size or color. Such data may be used to control rejection of products, or categorization, e.g., by selection of distinguishable packaging.
92 Citations
23 Claims
- 1. A method of packaging a substrate comprising (i) conveying the substrate on a conveyor into the field of view of an image analysis system and obtaining an image of the substrate on the conveyor from said system, (ii) comparing the image of the substrate against standard images held in a database, and thereby identifying the substrate and optionally its orientation, (iii) analysing the substrate image and, with reference to the database if necessary, determining the footprint dimensions of the substrate, (iv) selecting a package or a first package component of dimensions based on the footprint dimensions of the substrate, (v) transferring the substrate to the package or component, (vi) providing further components of the package if necessary, and integrating said further components with the package or the first component, and (vii) sealing the package or the first component.
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9. A packaging line which comprises:
- conveying means;
an image analysis system suitable for obtaining images of substrates while they are being conveyed on the conveying means;
means for comparing said images against standard images held in a database and on the basis of this comparison (i) recognizing each substrate, (ii) estimating the footprint of each substrate, and optionally (iii) determining the orientation of said substrate;
a placement module;
a controller or coordinator, able to direct the action of a placement module to select a first package component or a package of dimensions based on said footprint and arrange for the selected component or package to receive the substrate on transfer to the placement module and a final package assembler. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
- conveying means;
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22. A method of packaging a substrate, said method comprising:
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conveying the substrate to be packaged on a conveyor into a field of view of an image analysis system;
using the image analysis system to obtain an image of the substrate on the conveyor;
comparing the image of the substrate so obtained with standard images maintained in a database so as to identify the substrate;
analyzing the substrate image to determine footprint dimensions of the substrate;
selecting a package of dimensions based on the footprint dimensions so determined;
transferring the substrate to the package so selected for packaging therein; and
sealing the package with the substrate packaged therein. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification