Abstract: Systems and methods for folding and retaining upper flaps of a box are disclosed. The system includes a conveyor system configured to advance the box at least partially through the system. A flap folding assembly is configured to fold the upper flaps of the box to an open or outwardly folded configuration. The upper flaps are folded outwardly and down towards outer sidewall surfaces of the box in the folded configuration. A bander assembly is configured to apply a band or other restraint to the upper flaps of the box to retain the upper flaps in the folded configuration.

Abstract: A conveyor system includes a rail having one or more channels therein and one or more sleds operatively associated with the rail. A sled can include a body and one or more wheels mounted on the body and configured to move through the one or more channels in the rail. A sled can also include a holding device connected to the body. The holding device can be configured to engage a packaging container to move the packaging container along the rail. Multiple sleds can be used to secure a packaging container therebetween and move the packaging container along the rail. The conveyor system may also include a queue system that dynamically moves packaging containers to packaging stations.

Abstract: A system for packaging one or more items includes an order arrangement station where the one or more items can be arranged into a stack with a desired configuration. A dimensioning mechanism determines the outer dimensions of the stack and a converting assembly creates a box template that when erected forms a box that is custom sized to the dimensions of the stack. A crowder assembly holds and maintains the stack in the desired configuration while the box template is at least partially folded around the stack. The box template is secured around the stack in the form of a box.

Abstract: A method for performing automatic visual inspection includes: capturing visual information of an object using a scanning system including a plurality of cameras; extracting, by a computing system including a processor and memory, one or more feature maps from the visual information using one or more feature extractors; classifying, by the computing system, the object by supplying the one or more feature maps to a complex classifier to compute a classification of the object, the complex classifier including: a plurality of simple classifiers, each simple classifier of the plurality of simple classifiers being configured to compute outputs representing a characteristic of the object; and one or more logical operators configured to combine the outputs of the simple classifiers to compute the classification of the object; and outputting, by the computing system, the classification of the object as a result of the automatic visual inspection.

Abstract: A method for generating a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object includes: capturing images of the object from a plurality of viewpoints, the images including color images; generating a 3D model of the object from the images, the 3D model including a plurality of planar patches; for each patch of the planar patches: mapping image regions of the images to the patch, each image region including at least one color vector; and computing, for each patch, at least one minimal color vector among the color vectors of the image regions mapped to the patch; generating a diffuse component of a bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) for each patch of planar patches of the 3D model in accordance with the at least one minimal color vector computed for each patch; and outputting the 3D model with the BRDF for each patch.

Abstract: A method of adjusting accelerations within a packaging machine includes determining the dimensions and frictional coefficients of each product or group of products that are placed on a product feeder 106. Acceleration profiles of first and second drive lines 200, 202 can be adjusted to ensure that the products are moved through the packaging machine at appropriate speeds and accelerations. The method may ensure that the products maintain proper positions throughout the packaging process so that the products are not damaged, and the packaging process is not hindered. A packaging machine with means for determining the coefficient of friction associated with a product is also provided.

Abstract: A method for estimating tightly enclosing bounding boxes by a computing system includes: controlling a scanning system including one or more depth cameras to capture visual information of the scene including one or more objects; detecting the one or more objects of the scene based on the visual information; singulating each the one or more objects from the frame of the scene to generate one or more 3D models corresponding to the one or more objects, the one or more 3D models including a partial 3D model of a corresponding one of the one or more objects; extrapolating a more complete 3D model of the corresponding one of the one or more objects based on the partial 3D model; and estimating a tightly enclosing bounding box of the corresponding one of the one or more objects based on the more complete 3D model.

Abstract: A box forming machine includes a converter assembly, a fold assembly, and an attachment assembly. The converter assembly converts sheet material into a box template. The fold assembly engages a first end of the box template and moves the first end of the box template to a predetermined position. The attachment assembly engages a second end of the box template and moves the second end of the box template toward and into engagement with the first end of the box template to attach the first and second ends of the box template together.

Abstract: A box erecting machine includes a transport mechanism that can move an un-erected box from an entry portion of the box erecting machine to a forward portion of the box erecting machine. The transport mechanism can include pivot arm(s) and clamp(s) for securing and moving the un-erected box. The machine can also include a box erecting assembly that erects the un-erected box. The box erecting assembly can include an opening or unfolding mechanism that opens or unfolds the un-erected box into a generally rectangular tube. The machine can also include a folding mechanism and a closure mechanism for folding and securing the bottom flaps of the box.

Abstract: Customized boxes for packaging one or more items therein can have item placement indicia printed, applied, or projected thereon. The boxes can include a plurality of side wall panels and a plurality of flaps extending from the plurality of sidewall panels. The plurality of flaps can be configured to form top and bottom surfaces of the customized boxes. The item placement indicia can be printed, applied, or projected on an interior surface of one or more of the side wall panels. The item placement indicia represent desired placements for the one or more items to be packaged in the customized boxes.

Abstract: A method and a system for erecting boxes from box templates of different sizes, said method comprising the steps of: adjusting a size of a frame according to a size of a box template which should be erected; wrapping the box template to be erected around the frame; and separating the frame from the box template.

Abstract: Systems and methods for forming corrugated boards are disclosed. The system includes a single face unit configured to form a single face board having a fluted layer and an outer liner. The system also includes a single face buffer configured to store or hold a length of the single face board. The system has a glue station configured to attach a second outer liner to the single face board to form a single wall board. The system also has an ultrasonic unit configured to apply ultrasonic vibrations to the single wall board. The ultrasonic vibrations are configured to remove moisture from the single wall board, activate, heat, and/or dry an adhesive used to attach the fluted layer and the outer liners, and/or cause the fibers of the fluted layer and the outer liners to weave, intertwine, or otherwise stick together.

Abstract: A method for automatically recognizing content of labels on objects includes: capturing visual information of an object using a scanning system including one or more cameras, the object having one or more labels on one or more exterior surfaces; detecting, by a computing system, one or more surfaces of the object having labels; rectifying, by the computing system, the visual information of the one or more surfaces of the object to compute one or more rectified images; and decoding, by the computing system, content of a label depicted in at least one of the one or more rectified images.

Abstract: A method for computing dimensions of an object in a scene includes: controlling, by a processor, a depth camera system to capture at least a frame of the scene, the frame including a color image and a depth image arranged in a plurality of pixels; detecting, by the processor, an object in the frame; determining, by the processor, a ground plane in the frame, the object resting on the ground plane; computing, by the processor, a rectangular outline bounding a projection of a plurality of pixels of the object onto the ground plane; computing, by the processor, a height of the object above the ground plane; and outputting, by the processor, computed dimensions of the object in accordance with a length and a width of the rectangular outline and the height.

Abstract: A conveyor system includes a rail having one or more channels therein and one or more sleds operatively associated with the rail. A sled can include a body and one or more wheels mounted on the body and configured to move through the one or more channels in the rail. A sled can also include a holding device connected to the body. The holding device can be configured to engage a packaging container to move the packaging container along the rail. Multiple sleds can be used to secure a packaging container therebetween and move the packaging container along the rail. The conveyor system may also include a queue system that dynamically moves packaging containers to packaging stations.

Abstract: A method for producing boxes and a method for erecting a box from a box template (3), a box erecting system and a box production system, wherein said method for erecting boxes comprises the steps of: folding (S1) two first bottom flaps (28) and two second bottom flaps (29) of the box template (3), which first and second bottom flaps (28, 29) will constitute a bottom of the box when it is erected and which two first bottom flaps (28) are opposing each other and which two second bottom flaps (29) are opposing each other in the box when it is erected; attaching (S2) the box template (3) to a frame (5); rotating (S3) the frame (5) for wrapping the box template (3) around the frame.

Abstract: A system for packaging one or more items includes an order arrangement station where the one or more items can be arranged into a stack with a desired configuration. A dimensioning mechanism determines the outer dimensions of the stack and a converting assembly creates a box template that when erected forms a box that is custom sized to the dimensions of the stack. A crowder assembly holds and maintains the stack in the desired configuration while the box template is at least partially folded around the stack. The box template is secured around the stack in the form of a box.

Abstract: A converting machine is used to convert sheet material into packaging templates for assembly into boxes or other packaging. The converting machine includes a converting assembly that performs transverse conversion functions and longitudinal conversion functions on the sheet material to create the packaging templates. A fanfold crease sensing mechanism detects the presence and location of fanfold creases in the sheet material. Based on the location of the fanfold creases, the fanfold creases are either cut out of the sheet material, or the sheet material is cut to adjust the position of the fanfold crease in a packaging template.

Abstract: A method for generating a three-dimensional (3D) model of an object includes: capturing images of the object from a plurality of viewpoints, the images including color images; generating a 3D model of the object from the images, the 3D model including a plurality of planar patches; for each patch of the planar patches: mapping image regions of the images to the patch, each image region including at least one color vector; and computing, for each patch, at least one minimal color vector among the color vectors of the image regions mapped to the patch; generating a diffuse component of a bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) for each patch of planar patches of the 3D model in accordance with the at least one minimal color vector computed for each patch; and outputting the 3D model with the BRDF for each patch.

Abstract: A converting machine is used to convert sheet material into packaging templates for assembly into boxes or other packaging. The converting machine includes a converting assembly that performs a transverse conversion function, a longitudinal conversion function, and an angled conversion function on the sheet material to create the packaging templates. The converting machine includes a tool head with a converting instrument. The orientation of the converting instrument is adjustable to enable performance of the angled conversion function and at least one of the longitudinal conversion function and the transverse conversion function.