Claims:CLAIMS
We claim:
1. A system (100, 600) for conveying articles, the system (100) comprising:
a first side (102); and
a second side (104) disposed adjacent the first side (102) at an angle (108) relative to the first side (102);
wherein,
the first side (102) and the second side (104) define a V shaped configuration, such that articles gather at a trough of the V shaped configuration, while being conveyed;
at least one of the first side (102) and the second side (104) comprises a plurality of rotating members (106, 602) that rotate about their respective longitudinal axis;
the longitudinal axis is along forward direction of motion of the articles;
rotation of the rotating members (106, 602) changes orientation of the articles, while the articles move in the forward direction; and
change in orientation exposes at least a surface of the article, whose orientation is changed, wherein the surface was previously unexposed for image capture or scanning.
2. The system (100, 600) as claimed in claim 1, wherein,
the first side (102) comprises a plurality of rotating members (106, 602);
the second side (104) comprises a plurality of rotating members (106, 602); and
direction of rotation of the rotating members (106, 602) on the first side (102) is opposite to the direction of rotation of the rotating members (106, 602) on the second side (102).
3. The system (600) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the rotating members (602) are spiral rollers (602).
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotating members (106) are provided on the first side (102), wherein each of the rotating members (106) is a set (106) of plurality of wheels (106A).
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first side (102) comprises:
a first section (202) comprising one or more movement members that cause the articles to move in the forward direction; and
a second section (206) comprising the sets (106) of the plurality of wheels (106A).
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the one or more movement members is a belt configured to travel in an endless loop.
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein a portion of the second side (104) is configured to move the articles in the forward direction, wherein the portion comprises a belt configured to travel in an endless loop.
8. The system (100) according to claim 4, wherein each of the wheels (106A) comprises a plurality of rollers (220) deployed around the circumference of the wheel (106A), wherein each of the rollers (220) are configured to rotate, wherein axis of rotation of each of the rollers (222) is different from axis of rotation of the wheel (224).
9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a plurality of cameras (502) deployed to capture images of articles, while the articles travel along the rotating members (106, 602).
10. A method for conveying articles (114), the method comprising:
moving the articles (114) in a forward direction while the articles (114) are gathered at a trough of a V shaped configuration; and
changing orientation of the articles (114) while the articles (114) move in the forward direction, wherein change in orientation exposes at least a surface of the article (114), whose orientation is changed, wherein the surface was previously unexposed for image capture or scanning.

Dated this 15th day of June 2020
(Digitally signed)
Kartik PUTTAIAH
Patent Agent-IN/PA-1809
, Description:BACKGROUND
[0001] Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to being prior art by inclusion in this section.
Field of the invention:
[0002] The subject matter in general relates to conveyor systems. More particularly, but not exclusively, the subject matter relates to a conveyor system for sorting articles.
Discussion of the related art:
[0003] Systems for sorting articles are generally employed in food processing industries to sort the articles using parameters such as colour, shape and size, among others.
[0004] Sorting these articles manually is a time consuming and cumbersome process. Consequently, conveyor systems are used for sorting articles using the above-mentioned parameters. These articles may be identified and sorted automatically using image recognition techniques. Typically, multiple images of each of the articles to be sorted are captured. As an example, some of the conventional conveyors enable the articles to be suspended in air during their motion. Multiple images from different perspectives are captured, while the article is suspended in air. These images are analysed by a computing machine to determine the grade of the article, which enables sorting of the article. However, such a technique of suspending the article in air may not be feasible for articles such as watermelons, which are susceptible to damage.
[0005] In view of such limitations, it is a general practice to develop conveyor systems that are specific to the article that is being sorted. However, such an approach increases the cost of operations and requires real-estate to accommodate conveyors that are specific to the articles to be sorted.
[0006] In light of the foregoing discussion, there is a need for an improved conveyor system that is capable of handling different types of articles, which may vary in size and shape, and which can orient the articles to enable capturing of images from multiple perspectives.
SUMMARY
[0007] In one aspect a system is provided for conveying articles. A system for conveying articles comprises a first side and a second side. The second side (104) is disposed adjacent the first side to define a V shaped configuration, such that articles gather at a trough of the V shaped configuration, while being conveyed. At least one of the first side and the second side comprises a plurality of rotating members that rotate about their respective longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis is along forward direction of motion of the articles. Rotation of the rotating members changes orientation of the articles, while the articles move in the forward direction. Change in orientation exposes at least a surface of the article, whose orientation is changed, wherein the surface was previously unexposed for image capture or scanning.
[0008] In another aspect, a method is provided for conveying articles. The method comprises moving the articles in a forward direction while the articles are gathered at a trough of a V shaped configuration. The orientation of the articles is changed while the articles move in the forward direction. The change in orientation exposes at least a surface of the article, whose orientation is changed, wherein the surface was previously unexposed for image capture or scanning.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DIAGRAMS
[0009] This disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying figures. Elements illustrated in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for conveying articles 114, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 2A is a partial exploded view of the system 100 for conveying articles 114, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 2B is an alternate embodiment of the system 100 for conveying articles 114;
[0013] FIG. 2C is an isometric view of a wheel 106A of the first set of plurality of wheels 106, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a system 300 of conveying articles 114, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates a system 400 of conveying articles 114, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates a camera 502 to capture images of articles travelling along the plurality of wheels 106 and another camera 504 to capture images of the articles before the first set of plurality of wheels 106, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 6A illustrates a system 600 for conveying articles in which spiral rollers 602 are used, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 6B illustrates a transmission mechanism to rotate the spiral rollers 602 of FIG. 6A, in accordance with an embodiment; and
[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates a spiral roller 602 of the system of FIG. 6A, in accordance with an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The following detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form part of the detailed description. The drawings show illustrations in accordance with example embodiments. These example embodiments are described in enough detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present subject matter. However, it may be apparent to one with ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments. The embodiments can be combined, other embodiments can be utilized, or structural and logical changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
[0002] In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one. In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a non-exclusive “or”, such that “A or B” includes “A but not B”, “B but not A”, and “A and B”, unless otherwise indicated.
[0003] It should be understood, that the capabilities of the invention described in the present disclosure and elements shown in the figures may be implemented in various forms of hardware, firmware, software, recordable medium or combinations thereof.
OVERVIEW
[0004] Disclosed is a system for conveying articles. The system may include two conveyor belts deployed along a first side and a second side of the system. The two belts define a V-shaped configuration. As a result of the V shaped configuration the articles gather along a trough of the V-shaped configuration, as they are conveyed.
[0005] On one of the sides of the system, a shorter conveyer belt is deployed relative to the conveyer belt on the other side. The shorter conveyer belt is followed by plurality of sets of wheels. Wheels of each set are deployed along a longitudinal axis, which may be parallel to the axis of forward movement of the conveyer system. The wheels are configured to rotate about their respective longitudinal axis. Each of these wheels includes rollers deployed around the circumference of the wheel, which are free to rotate. The rotation of the wheels, and consequently the rotation of the rollers of the wheels changes the orientation of the articles as they interface with the wheels, as the articles are being conveyed forward. The change in orientation exposes surfaces of articles, which may have been unexposed prior to change in orientation, for image capture or scanning.
[0006] The system may include multiple cameras to capture images of different surfaces of the articles, facilitated by change in orientation, as the articles move along the system. The capturing of images enables image recognition and processing to sort the articles that are being conveyed by the system.
[0007] Notably, the configuration of the system enables different types of articles, such as, apples and lemons, to be conveyed by the same system, their orientations altered as they move along, and sorted by way of image recognition and processing.
CONVEYOR SYSTEM 100
[0008] Referring to the figures, and more particularly to the FIG. 1 a system 100 for carrying articles 114 is provided. The system 100 may include a motor 110 which may be deployed to operate the belts of the system 100. The system 100 may comprise a first side 102 that may comprise multiple sets of plurality of wheels 106. The system may further comprise a second side 104 that may be disposed adjacent to the first side 102. The first side 102 and the second side 104 may define a V shaped configuration. As a result of the V shaped configuration, the articles 114 may gather at a trough of the V shaped configuration, while the articles 114 are being conveyed. The second side 104 may be disposed at an angle 108 relative to the first side 102. The angle 108 may be less than 180 degrees.
[0009] Each of the sets of plurality of wheels 106 may be deployed along their respective longitudinal axis (each set may be referred to as a rotating member). The longitudinal axis of each of the set may be parallel to the other. As an example, a first set of plurality of wheels 106 may be deployed along a longitudinal axis 112. The wheels 106 may be configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis 112.
[0010] In an embodiment, at least a portion 104 of the second side 104 may be configured to move the articles 114 in a forward direction. In this instant, the portion 104 may be entire length of the second side 104 which may be configured to move the articles in a forward direction.
[0011] In an embodiment, rotating the plurality of wheels 106 may change the orientation of the articles 114 while the articles 114 move in the forward direction. The rotation of the plurality of wheels 106 may cause orientation of the articles 114, resulting in exposing all the surfaces of the articles 114. The surface may also include at least those surfaces which were not exposed previously for image capturing or scanning of the articles 114. The images of the unexposed surfaces may be captured by the camera that may be configured along the first set of plurality of wheels 106.
[0012] In an embodiment, a length of the second side 104 may be equal to a length of the first side 102 and the first set of plurality of wheels 106 put together.
[0013] Now referring to the FIG. 2A, a partially exploded view of the system 100 of conveying articles 114 is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment. In an embodiment, the first side 102 may comprise a first section 202. The first section 202 may comprise one or more movement members that may cause the articles 114 to move in the forward direction.
[0014] In an embodiment, the one or more movement members may be a belt which may be configured to carry the articles 114 in a forward direction. The belt may be a carrying medium that may be configured to travel in an endless loop and carry the articles 114 in a forward direction.
[0015] In an embodiment, the one or more members may be, but not limited to, rollers, chain, screw that may be configured in the system 100 to move the articles 114 in the forward direction.
[0016] In an embodiment, the portion 104 of the second side 104 may be configured to move the articles 114 in the forward direction. The portion 104 may comprise a belt that may be configured to travel in an endless loop. The portion 104 in this instant is the entire length of the second side 104.
[0017] The first side 102 may further comprise a second section 206. The second section 206 of the first side 102 may comprise at least a first set of plurality of wheels 106.
[0018] In an embodiment, the second section 206 may be configured at one of the ends 208 of the first section 202. Likewise, the first set of plurality of wheels 106 may be configured on the second portion 206 of the first side 102.
[0019] In an embodiment, the second section 206 of the first side 102 may be configured as shown in FIG. 2B. The second section 206 may be configured between a first conveyor belt 210 and a second conveyor belt 212. The second section 206 may comprise the first set of plurality of wheels 106. The first conveyor belt 210 and the second conveyor belt 212 may be configured to travel in an endless loop.
[0020] FIG. 2C depicts an isometric view of wheel 106A of the first set of plurality of the wheels 106. Each of the wheel 106A may comprise plurality of rollers 220 deployed around the circumference of the wheel 106A. Each of the rollers 220 maybe be configured to rotate, such that the axis of rotation of each of the rollers 222 is different from the axis of rotation of the wheel 224. The rotation of the rollers 222 causes the rotation of the articles 114 that may travel along the first set of plurality of wheels 106. This rotation causes change in orientation of the articles 114, while being conveyed.
[0021] In an embodiment, the axis of rotation of the rollers 222 may be perpendicular or oblique to the axis of rotation of the wheel 224.
[0022] In an embodiment, the axis of rotation of the rollers 222 may be at certain angle to the axis to the rotation of the wheel 224.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 3, multiple sets of plurality of wheels configured on the section 206 of the first side 102 is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment. The second section 206 of the first side 102 may comprise multiple sets of plurality of wheels 306A, 306B, 306C, 306D, 306E and 306F. The longitudinal axes of the multiple sets of plurality of wheels 306A, 306B, 306C, 306D, 306E and 306F may be parallel to one another.
[0024] In an embodiment, the second section 206 comprising the multiple sets of plurality of wheels 306A, 306B and 306C may define a plane such that, the plane formed by the multiple sets of plurality of wheels 306A, 306B, 306C, 306D, 306E and 306F may be inclined relative to a plane formed by the second side 104. The inclination formed may be equal to the angle 108.
[0025] In an embodiment, multiple sets of plurality of wheels 306A, 306B, 306C, 306D, 306E and 306F may be configured on the second side 104.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 4, a system 400 for conveying articles may be illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment. The multiple sets of plurality of wheels may be arranged in the form of arrays 406A, 406B, 406C, 406D, 406E and 406F. The arrays 406A may be formed by the multiple sets of plurality of wheels. Likewise, the arrays 406B, 406C, 406D, 406E and 406F may be formed by multiple sets of plurality of wheels. The arrays 406A, 406B, 406C may be configured at second section 206 of the first side 102. Likewise, the arrays of multiple sets of plurality of wheels 406D, 406E and 406F may be configured on the second side 104.
[0027] In an embodiment, at least a camera 502 may be deployed to capture images of articles which may be travelling along the sets of plurality of wheels 106. In an embodiment camera(s) 502 may be positioned proximately to the wheels 106. The camera 502 may be configured to capture images of surfaces of the articles 114 which may be left unexposed when the articles 114 travel along the belt.
[0028] In an embodiment, at least another camera 504 may be deployed which may capture images of articles 114 before the articles 114 travel along the sets of plurality of wheels 106.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 2B, the first set of plurality of wheels 106 may be present between the first conveyor belt 210 and the second conveyor belt 212. In an embodiment, another camera 504 may be deployed to capture images of articles 114 travelling along the first conveyor belt 210 and the second conveyor belt 212.
[0030] A housing 506 may be configured to mount the camera 502 to capture images of the articles travelling along the first set of plurality of wheels 106. In an embodiment, the housing 506 may be configured to mount another camera 504 to capture images of the articles 114 before or after the articles 114 travel along the first set of plurality of wheels 106. As in, capturing the images of the articles 114 which may travel on the first conveyor belt 210 and the second conveyor belt 212 as shown in FIG. 2B.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 6A, a configuration similar to the configurations discussed earlier wherein the second side 104 and first side 102 are incident at an angle 108, which is less than 180 degrees is discussed. However, in this embodiment, each of the first side 102 and the second side 104 is formed by multiple spiral rollers 602 (may be referred to as rotating members). Longitudinal axis of each of the spiral rollers 602 on the first side 102 may be parallel to each other. Likewise, each of the spiral rollers 602 on the second side 102 may be parallel to each other as well. FIG. 7 illustrates a spiral roller 602. The spiral rollers not only enable forward movement of the articles, but also results in changing of the orientation of the articles as they move forward.
[0032] Referring also to FIG. 6B, an embodiment of a transmission mechanism to rotate the spiral rollers 602 is discussed. A gear 604a may be driven by the motor 108. The torque is transferred to the rest of the spiral rollers 602 by a combination of chains 604 and gears 604a-604f. Notably, the direction of rotation of all the spiral rollers 602 on the first side 102 is the same. Likewise, the direction of rotation of all the spiral rollers 602 on the second side 104 is the same. However, direction of rotation of all the spiral rollers 602 on the first side 102 is opposite to the direction of rotation of all the spiral rollers 602 on the second side 104.
[0033] The example embodiments described herein may be implemented in an operating environment comprising software installed on a computer, in hardware, or in a combination of software and hardware.
[0034] Although embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the system and method described herein. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
[0035] Many alterations and modifications of the present invention will no doubt become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art after having read the foregoing description. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. It is to be understood that the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the personally preferred embodiments of this invention.