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: 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 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.

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 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: 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 packaging system for high flexibility and speed box-last packaging comprises one or more dimensional scanning sensors that are configured to scan a group of one or more target products that are to be boxed and gather dimension information describing physical dimensions of the group of one or more target products. The system also comprises one or more packaging-production machines that are configured to generate custom-made packaging templates that conform to a pre-determined set of packaging template types. Additionally, the system comprises a packaging template buffer that comprises physically divided sections that contain multiple packaging templates selected from the pre-determined set of packaging template types that are generated by the one or more packaging-production machines. Each of the packaging templates are organized within the physically divided section based upon packaging template type.

Abstract: A belt conveyor (1), a belt conveyor system and a box template production system. Said belt conveyor comprising an endless loop of belt (3) which is rotating about at least two pulleys (5a, 5b) comprised in the belt conveyor, whereby different parts of the belt (3) will constitute an upper surface (7) for transporting goods during run, the belt conveyer (1) further comprising a frame (9) holding said at least two pulleys (5a, 5b) and a belt supporting device (11) configured for supporting the belt between the at least two pulleys while allowing the belt (3) to slide over the belt supporting device (11), wherein said belt (3) comprises a substantially plane middle part (13) along the length of the belt and two edge areas (13a, 13b), one provided on each side of the middle part (13), wherein at least one of said edge areas (13a, 13b) is sloped towards an opposite part of the belt in the endless loop at least when said at least one edge area (13a, 13b) constitutes a part of the upper surface of the belt.

Abstract: Systems and methods for folding and stacking fanfold corrugated board material. A system may include a rotatable member (e.g., a wheel) having a number of head pieces disposed thereon. Each head piece has a vacuum setting that can be used to pick up a portion of a length of fanfold and hold it while the rotatable member rotates around its axis and a second blower setting that blows the portion of the length of fanfold that was picked up and rotated around the rotatable member down onto a stack of fanfold. Such a system is capable of forming regular and consistent stacks of fanfold material efficiently and cost effectively without the need for significant human intervention.

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 belt conveyor (1), a belt conveyor system and a box template production system. Said belt conveyor comprising an endless loop of belt (3) which is rotating about at least two pulleys (5a, 5b) comprised in the belt conveyor, whereby different parts of the belt (3) will constitute an upper surface (7) for transporting goods during run, the belt conveyer (1) further comprising a frame (9) holding said at least two pulleys (5a, 5b) and a belt supporting device (11) configured for supporting the belt between the at least two pulleys while allowing the belt (3) to slide over the belt supporting device (11), wherein said belt (3) comprises a substantially plane middle part (13) along the length of the belt and two edge areas (13a, 13b), one provided on each side of the middle part (13), wherein at least one of said edge areas (13a, 13b) is sloped towards an opposite part of the belt in the endless loop at least when said at least one edge area (13a, 13b) constitutes a part of the upper surface of the belt.

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: Systems, methods, and apparatus for converting a sheet material into packaging templates can include a converting machine that performs conversion functions, such as cutting, creasing, and scoring, on the sheet material. Items to be packed into boxes formed of the packaging templates can be used as the pattern for determining the location of performance of the conversion functions on the sheet material. Accordingly, no intermediate measuring of the items may be required prior to performance of the conversion functions. Instead, longheads can be positioned adjacent to opposing sides of the items and cross heads can be advanced inward to the positioned longheads.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to conveyor systems and methods for controlling induction of items within the conveyor systems. In one scenario, a conveyor control system implements a hardware sensor in a conveyor system to generate sensor readings regarding an operational status of a first zone in an operational environment, where the first zone is an area where orders are fulfilled. The conveyor control system receives sensor data from the hardware sensor of the conveyor system. The sensor data includes feedback information for controlling the conveyor system. The conveyor control system then evaluates the received sensor data to determine which conveyable items are currently in the first zone and, based on the evaluation, induces the conveyable items onto the conveyor for the first zone.