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 foldable template for forming an envelope includes a central panel, a top glue flap, a bottom glue flap, a first intermediate panel, a second intermediate panel, a first back panel, and a second back panel. The first intermediate panel extends from a first side of the central panel and is separated therefrom by a first curved crease. The second intermediate panel extends from a second side of the central panel and is separated therefrom by a second curved crease. The first back panel extends from the first intermediate panel and is separated therefrom by a third curved crease. The second back panel extends from the second intermediate panel and is separated therefrom by a fourth curved crease.

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: Embodiments are directed to apparatuses and methods for managing and producing equipment within an operational environment. In one scenario, a method is performed that includes generating an organizational database structure that maintains information associated with equipment that is part of an operational environment. The organizational database structure includes information indicating which packable items are associated with the piece of equipment. The method further includes accessing the generated organizational database structure to identify physical operational environment factors that affect which pieces of equipment are to be currently produced within the operational environment.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to a customizable management system for various unique packaging production architectures. The customizable management system can be configurable to universally integrate with various systems within a variety of unique packaging production architectures. For example, the customizable management system can comprise one or more importer modules that receive package creation requests and translate the requests into a second format that is readable by one or more staging and selection modules. The system may also comprise staging and selection modules that are configured to identify within each translated packaging creation order one or more final packaging parameters and identify a workgroup that is capable of meeting the one or more final packaging parameters. The system may also comprise one or more machine group modules in communication with one or more packaging stations.

Abstract: A system for splicing together multiple sheets of generally rigid material into a continuous sheet. The system includes a cart with a cutting mechanism and a sealing mechanism. The cutting mechanism is configured to cut a pattern of segments through the sheet materials that can be interlocked to form a seam. The interlocking segments may include asymmetrical features. The sealing mechanism can apply tape to the seal to secure it. The splicing system may be used while one of the multiple sheets of generally rigid material is concurrently in use by a packaging machine without interruption to the packaging machine.

Abstract: A system that converts sheet material into packaging templates includes a converting assembly that performs conversion functions, such as cutting, creasing, and scoring, on the sheet material as the sheet material moves through the converting machine in a first direction. The converting assembly may be mounted on a frame such that the converting assembly is elevated above a support surface. One or more longhead converting tools performs conversion functions on the sheet material in a first direction and a crosshead converting tool performs conversion functions on the sheet material in a second direction in order to create packaging templates.

Abstract: A method for making a dual fluted corrugated board includes providing a first single face corrugated board having a liner layer and a fluted layer attached to the liner layer and providing a second single face corrugated board having a liner layer and a fluted layer attached to the liner layer. The method also includes arranging the first single face corrugated board and the second single face corrugated board such that the fluted layers thereof face one another and attaching the first single face corrugated board to the second single face corrugated board.

Abstract: A keypoint detection system includes: a camera system including at least one camera; and a processor and memory, the processor and memory being configured to: receive an image captured by the camera system; compute a plurality of keypoints in the image using a convolutional neural network including: a first layer implementing a first convolutional kernel; a second layer implementing a second convolutional kernel; an output layer; and a plurality of connections between the first layer and the second layer and between the second layer and the output layer, each of the connections having a corresponding weight stored in the memory; and output the plurality of keypoints of the image computed by the convolutional neural network.

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 erecting a box includes positioning can unerected box in an automated erecting apparatus. The method further includes bending major and minor flaps on the unerected box relative to sides of the unerected box. The method further includes, while the major and minor flaps are bent relative to the sides of the unerected box, performing an automated opening operation on the unerected box, wherein the unerected box comprises a stacking fold.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a camera group includes: controlling a first and second cameras to capture first and second images of a first scene, the first camera having a first field of view (FOV), the second camera having a second FOV overlapping the first FOV in a first overlap region; the first scene including a calibration target in the first overlap region; computing a first relative pose based on the first and second images; controlling the second camera and a third camera to capture third and fourth images of a second scene, the third camera having a third FOV overlapping the second FOV in a second overlap region, the second scene including a calibration target in the second overlap region; computing a second relative pose based on the third and fourth images; and computing a third relative pose based on the first and second relative poses.

Abstract: A computer system for optimizing node and edge selections within a digital graph model accesses a digital graph model of a physical warehouse location. The digital graph model comprises information indicating a location of multiple specific items of inventory among shelves in the physical warehouse location. The computer system identifies a set of orders that each comprise one or more items and an order priority. The computer system then maps each item in each order selected from the set or orders to the multiple nodes within the digital graph model. The computer system identifies a ranking node from the multiple nodes. The computer system then traverses one or more edges that extend from the ranking node to identify a shortest path within the digital graph model to fill a digital model of a picking cart above a packing threshold level.

Abstract: The present disclosure extends to methods, systems, apparatus, and computer program products related to a cable-based measuring system. The cable-based measuring system includes a cable, comprising an inner cable member configured to move linearly within an outer cable housing. The measuring system also includes a measuring device configured to generate measurement information regarding movement of the inner cable member relative to the outer cable housing using one or more encoders. A computer system receives the measurement information from the measuring device. The measurement information indicates length as a function of time, and represents three orthogonal dimensional measurements of a three-dimensional object. Based on the measurement information, the computer system identifies a length of each dimensional measurement, including a length, a width, and a height of the three-dimensional object.

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 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 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 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.