AUTOMATED SACK PROCURING DEVICE

Abstract

An automated sack procuring device comprises a cuboidal body 101 by means of multiple motorized omnidirectional wheels 102 to provide translation to the body 101, a touch interactive display panel 103 to provide input regarding requirement of a sack, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 104 to determine presence of the sack in the surroundings, a proximity sensor to monitor distance and height of the sack from the body 101, a pair of vertical motorized sliding units 105 to provide translation to an extendable platform 106, a laser measurement sensor to monitor dimensions of the sack, a pair of motorized sliders 107 to provide translation to a flap 108 to position beneath the sack, a tilt sensor to monitor tilt angle of the platform 106 a pair of motorized grippers 109 to prevent tilting of the platform 106 and a textile sensor to determine type of fabric of the sack.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an automated sack procuring device that is capable of procuring the sack in an automated manner by measuring the dimension and the fabric of the sack as well as detecting the presence of the holes or the cracks in the sack and alerting the user for the replacement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Sacks are referred to the big bags that are used to store different utility items like grains, fertilizers and many more that needs to be transferred from one place to the other places as required by the user for the different processes. The transferring of the sack from one place to another place require much effort from the human as they transfer the sack to the other place by placing the heavy loads on the back of the person. Trolleys are also used in the transferring of the sacks that also require the humans to place the sacks filled with any raw material that is going to be utilized in the different industries and factories.

[0003] Traditionally, the bags were handled and procured manually with the human intervention by the helping hand that lift the sack to get positioned over the person going to transfer the sack at the different place. This method of transferring the bag from one place to the other place was uneasy for the people working for the transferring the bag. Time consuming during the process was excess and the more number of the labors were required. The process also harms the body posture of the people lifting the sacks or the bags that needs to be transferred. Thus there exist a requirement to make an invention that automate the process and decrease the human intervention.

[0004] FR2888826A1 discloses about an invention that has a cylindrical uprising disk, whose inner and outer diameters are in direct correlation with a model and weight of a bag. Internal safety hooks are fixed under a cross-bar for maintaining straps of the bag. The cross bar has external safety hooks for holding an adjustable safety chain connected to the disk. The chain is equipped with an adjusting ring for adjusting the height of the chain according to the needs of the bag. Although, FR'826 is able to hold the bags by gripping the straps by the hooks on the basis of the dimension. However, the device fails to detect the type of the fabric of the bag.

[0005] JP2001171830A discloses about an invention that handles the bag conveyed in the erected posture on a first conveyer and in the laid posture on a second conveyer. A conveyance device for handling the self-supported bag in particular is provided between the first and the second conveyer so as to handle the bag carefully and to be fitted for handling the self-supporting bag in particular. The first conveyer is provided with a shifting part turning the bag in an approximately horizontal direction in the air and the conveyance device is provided with a mount face forming a row of the laid bags, a holding means drawing out the bag from the first conveyer onto the mount face by an approximately linear movement, and a delivery means moving the bag row to the second conveyer. Though, JP'830 is able to hold the bag of different shape and size effectively. However, the device fails to detect the presence of the holes in the bags.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices are present in the market as disclosed in the prior arts that helps the user in lifting the sacks to transfer the sack from one place to another but lacks in detecting the type of the fabric of the bag as well the device also lacks in detecting the presence of the holes in the bags.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of procuring the sack in an automated manner by measuring the dimension and the fabric of the sack. In addition to this the device is also capable of detecting the presence of the holes or the cracks in the sack and alerting the user for the replacement.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of procuring the sack in an automated manner by measuring the dimension and the fabric of the sack.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of detecting the presence of the holes or the cracks in the sack and alerting the user for the replacement.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is portable and reliable to nature.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to an automated sack procuring device that is capable of procuring the sack in an automated manner by measuring the dimension and the fabric of the sack as well as detecting the presence of the holes or the cracks in the sack and alerting the user for the replacement.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an automated sack procuring device comprises of a cuboidal body positioned over a ground surface by means of plurality of motorized omnidirectional wheels provided beneath the body to provide translation to the body as per requirement, a touch interactive display panel installed over the body to enable a user to provide input regarding requirement of a sack positioned in proximity, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit installed over the body determines presence of the sack in the surroundings, a speaker installed over the body to provide a sound notification in view of notifying the user regarding the detected hole/crack, a proximity sensor installed over the body to monitor distance and height of the sack from the body and a pair of vertical motorized sliding units installed with the body to provide translation to an extendable platform configured with the sliding units in order to position the platform in proximity to the sack.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of a laser measurement sensor installed over the body to monitor dimensions of the sack, a pair of motorized drawer arrangement installed with the platform to provide extension to the platform, a pair of motorized sliders installed over lateral sides of the platform, to provide translation to a flap configured with each of the sliders to position beneath the sack, a motorized hinge joint installed between each of the slider and flap to tilt the flaps in a coordinated manner to assist in positioning of the sack over the platform, a tilt sensor installed over the platform to monitor tilt angle of the platform, a pair of motorized grippers installed over the platform to grip and to regulate positioning of the sack over the platform to prevent tilting of the platform, a textile sensor installed with one of the gripper to determine type of fabric of the sack and a motorized ball and socket joint is installed between each of the grippers and platform to provide multidirectional movement to the grippers for appropriately positioning the sack over the platform.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an automated sack procuring device; and
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a rectangular flap associated with the proposed device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises," and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having" and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to an automated sack procuring device that is capable of procuring the sack in an automated manner by measuring the dimension and the fabric of the sack as well as detecting the presence of the holes or the cracks in the sack and alerting the user for the replacement.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2, a perspective view of an automated sack procuring device and a perspective view of a rectangular flap attached to the proposed device are illustrated respectively, comprising a cuboidal body 101 positioned over a ground surface by means of multiple motorized omnidirectional wheels 102 provided beneath the body 101, a touch interactive display panel 103 installed over the body 101, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 104 installed over the body 101, a pair of vertical motorized sliding units 105 installed with the body 101, an extendable platform 106 configured with the sliding units 105, a pair of motorized sliders 107 installed over lateral sides of the platform 106, a flap 108 configured with each of the sliders 107, a pair of motorized grippers 109 installed over the platform 106 and a speaker 110 installed over the body 101.

[0023] The proposed device includes a cuboidal body 101 positioned over a ground surface by means of multiple motorized omnidirectional wheels 102 ranging 4 to 6 provided beneath the body 101 that provide translation to the body 101 as per requirement. The motorized omnidirectional wheels 102 are the small piece of the metals that are also known as roller and connected to a DC motor that is capable of converting the electrical energy to the mechanical energy by rotating the shaft of the motor that transfers the energy to the microcontroller in the form of the signals. The microcontroller upon receiving the signal, the microcontroller actuates the motorized omnidirectional wheels 102 to provide translation to the body 101 to position as required in the case.

[0024] Further, a touch interactive display panel 103 installed over the body 101 to enable a user to provide input regarding requirement of a sack positioned in the proximity. The touch interactive display panel 103 is made up of insulating material while the surface of the display panel 103 is layered with a thin layer of electrically conducting material ideally an indium tin oxide which helps in creating a low intensity electric discharge conducted towards the internal circuitry of the display panel 103. While touching the surface of the panel by the user, the internal circuitry of the display panel 103 senses the touches on the displayed option and synchronically converts the physical touch into the form of digital bits and transmits the input details to the microcontroller. The microcontroller upon receiving the signal processes the signal and fetches the information regarding requirement of a sack and converts it to the readable format that is to be displayed over the touch interactive display panel 103.

[0025] Based on the information extracted from the input given by the user, the microcontroller linked to the touch interactive display panel 103 actuates an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 104 installed over the body 1 to determine the presence of the sack in the surroundings. The artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 104 is constructed with a camera lens and a processor, wherein the camera lens is adapted to capture a series of images of the surrounding. The processor carries out a sequence of image processing operations including pre-processing, feature extraction, and classification. The image captured by the artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 104 is real-time images of the surrounding. The artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 104 transmits the captured image signal in the form of digital bits to the microcontroller.

[0026] Upon receiving the digital bit signal from the imaging unit 104, the microcontroller processes the signal and extract the images of the sack to confirm the presence of the sack in the surrounding of the device. Based on the extracted images of the sack the microcontroller also determines the presence of any hole or crack in the sack.

[0027] In case any crack or hole is detected the microcontroller, actuates a speaker 110 installed over the body 101 to provide a sound notification in view of notifying the user regarding the detected hole/crack. The speaker 110 works on the principle of conversion of the electrical energy into the sound energy. When the electric current is sent by the microcontroller to the speaker 110, then a coil configured on a magnet in the speaker 110 creates the magnetic field. This magnetic field make the diaphragm in the speaker 110 to move back and forth that creates pressure waves in the air that the user perceives as a sound that notifies the user for the detected hole or crack.

[0028] Further, a proximity sensor installed over the body 101 to monitor distance and height of the sack from the body 101. The proximity sensor monitor the distance and height of the sack from the images of the sack extracted by the imaging unit 104. The proximity sensor comprises of a transducer, wherein the proximity sensor work by sending out a sound wave at a frequency above the range of human hearing.

[0029] The transducer of the sensor acts both as a sound receiver and a sound emitter to receive and send the ultrasonic sound wave respectively. As the transducer sends the sound wave, the wave hits the sack that is in proximity to the body 101 and reflects back to the transducer. Then the proximity sensor analyses the distance and the height of the sack from the body 101 by measuring time lapses between the sending and receiving of the sound wave. As the proximity sensor analyses the distance and the height, it converts the measured distance and height to into electrical signal and transmit that signal to the microcontroller.

[0030] The microcontroller upon evaluating the distance and the height of the sack, actuates the wheels 102 to position the body 101 in proximity to the sack. A pair of vertical motorized sliding units 105 installed with the body 101 to provide translation to an extendable platform 106 configured with the sliding units 105 in order to position the platform 106 in proximity to the sack in accordance with the detected height of the sack. The motorized sliding units 105 comprises the three parts that is the crank, slider 7 and the connecting rods. All the three components are connected to the DC motor. The crank connected herein is the rotating disc that is powered by the microcontroller to provide the translation to the slider 7 that slides inside the tube of the sliding unit and the connecting rod joins the different part together that aids in the operation of the slider 7 to position the extendable platform 106 in proximity to the sack.

[0031] Continually, a laser measurement sensor installed over the body 101 and synced with the imaging unit 104 to monitor dimensions of the sack. The laser measurement sensor consist of the transmitter and receiver that works in the manner by sending the laser beams to the sack present in the proximity to the body 101 and waits for the laser beams to emit back after reflecting from the surface of the sack that is positioned in the proximity. The sensor calculates the time in the emitting and the receiving of the beam on going to the sack and coming back after reflecting the surface. The sensor based on the calculated time and the speed of the beam in the medium monitors the dimension of the sack and converts in the form of the electrical signal that is sent to the microcontroller.

[0032] The microcontroller upon receiving the signal analyses the dimensions of the sack and actuates a pair of motorized drawer arrangement installed with the platform 106 to provide extension to the platform 106 in accordance with the detected dimensions. The drawer arrangement used herein comprises the carriage assembly and the DC motor that works in collaboration to extend and retract the platform 106. The carriage assembly fitted between the two rails that are used to sliding the platform 106 up and down. The platform 106 opening is fitted at the end of the rail and have the two clips that are used to secure the platform 106 with the sliding unit. To extend the drawer, the drawer is pushed to open and the carriage assembly slide outward. This creates the opening to allow extension and retraction of the arrangement to provide translation to the platform 106 to extend in accordance to the detected dimensions of the sack.

[0033] Further, a pair of motorized sliders 107 installed over lateral sides of the platform 106 to provide translation to a flap 108 configured with each of the sliders 107 to position beneath the sack. The pair of motorized sliders 107 used herein works in the similar way to the motorized sliding unit that aids in the translation of the flap 108 to position beneath the sack. As the flap 108 attached to the motorized slider are positioned, the microcontroller re-actuates the sliders 107 to translate the flap 108 in view of positioning the sack over the platform 106.

[0034] A motorized hinge joint installed between each of the slider 7 and flap 108 to tilt the flap 108 in a coordinated manner to assist in positioning of the sack over the platform 106. The hinge joint comprises of a pair of leaf that is screwed with the surfaces of the flap 108 and sliders 107. The leaf connected with each other by means of a cylindrical member integrated with a shaft coupled with a DC (Direct Current) motor to provide required movement to the hinge. The rotation of the shaft in clockwise and anticlockwise aids in opening and closing of the hinge respectively. Hence the microcontroller actuates the hinge that in turn provides movement to the flap 108 to tilt and assist in positioning of the sack over the platform 106.

[0035] Furthermore, a tilt sensor installed over the platform 106 to monitor tilt angle of the platform 106. The tilt sensor comprises of a rolling ball with a conductive plate beneath them. When the sensor gets power, the rolling ball falls to the bottom of the sensor to form an electrical connection. When the sensor is tilted, the rolling ball doesn't fall to the bottom so that the current cannot flow the two end terminals of the sensor. As the tilt sensor form electrical connection the microcontroller determines that the platform 106 are in a balanced position and not tilted. If the tilt sensor does not form an electrical connection, then the microcontroller determined that the platform 106 are tilted.

[0036] Further, in case the tilting of the platform 106 is monitored the microcontroller actuates a pair of motorized grippers 109 installed over the platform 106 to grip and to regulate positioning of the sack over the platform 106 to prevent tilting of the platform 106. The motorized grippers 109 operates as a robotic hand that is designed to grasp the sack effectively. The grippers 109 typically incorporates a motorized mechanism that controls the opening and closing of the jaws of the grippers 109. The motor generates the necessary force to move the grippers 109 fingers for the opening and closing of the jaws with precision. This motorized action is often controlled by the microcontroller for the smooth and precise gripping the sack that is to be positioned over the platform 106 and prevents tilting of the platform 106.

[0037] A motorized ball and socket joint is installed between each of the grippers 109 and platform 106 to provide multidirectional movement to the grippers 109 for appropriately positioning the sack over the platform 106. The motorized ball and socket joint includes a motor, a ball shaped element and a socket. The ball move freely within the socket. The motor rotates the ball in various directions that is controlled by the microcontroller that further commands the motor to position the ball precisely. The microcontroller further actuates the motor to generate electrical current to rotate in the joint for providing multidirectional movement to the grippers 109 for appropriately positioning the sack over the platform 106.

[0038] Continually, a textile sensor installed with one of the grippers 109 to determine type of fabric of the sack. The textile sensor works by integrating conductive materials into the fabric, allowing it to detect and measure various physical properties such as pressure, temperature, or even movement. These conductive materials can be in the form of threads, fibers, or coatings that are woven or printed onto the sack.

[0039] When a force or stimulus is applied to the textile sensor, changes in electrical conductivity occur, which is then converted into measurable signals for analysis and interpretation. After that the signals are calibrated and sent to the microcontroller to determine type of fabric of the sack. Based on the type of the fabric of the sack, the microcontroller evaluates an appropriate amount of force to be applied over the sack while gripping the sack.

[0040] Further, as the sacks are positioned over the platform 106, the microcontroller actuates the imaging unit 104 to capture the images of the user based on which the microcontroller confirms the location of the user from the body 101 and actuates the wheels 102 to body 101 in proximity to the user in view of providing the sack to the user.

[0041] Lastly, a battery is installed within the device which is connected to the microcontroller that supplies current to all the electrically powered components that needs an amount of electric power to perform their functions and operation in an efficient manner. The battery utilized here, is generally a dry battery which is made up of Lithium-ion material that gives the device a long-lasting as well as an efficient DC (Direct Current) current which helps every component to function properly in an efficient manner. As the device is battery operated and do not need any electrical voltage for functioning. Hence the presence of battery leads to the portability of the device i.e., user is able to place as well as moves the device from one place to another as per the requirements.

[0042] The present invention works best in the following manner where the cuboidal body 101 positioned over the ground surface by means of plurality of motorized omnidirectional wheels 102 that provide translation to the body 101 as per requirement. The touch interactive display panel 103 enable the user to provide input regarding requirement of the sack positioned in proximity. The artificial intelligence based imaging unit 104 determines presence of the sack in the surroundings and after the determination of the presence of the sack the imaging unit 104 also detects the presence of the hole in the sack that is notified to the user by the speaker 110. The proximity sensor monitors the distance and height of the sack from the body 101 based on which, the wheels 102 position the body 101 in proximity to the sack. The pair of vertical motorized sliding units 105 provides the translation to the extendable platform 106 to position in proximity to the sack in accordance with the detected height of the sack.

[0043] Additionally, laser measurement sensor monitors the dimensions of the sack, based on the detected dimensions, the microcontroller actuates the pair of motorized drawer arrangement that provide extension to the platform 106 in accordance with the detected dimensions. The pair of motorized sliders 107 provide translation to the flap 108 configured with hinge joint to appropriately position beneath the sack, wherein upon positioning of the flap 108s, the sliders 107 translate the flap 108 for positioning the sack over the platform 106. The tilt sensor monitor tilt angle of the platform 106, wherein in case of detection of tilting of the platform 106, the pair of motorized grippers 109 grip and regulate positioning of the sack over the platform 106 to prevent tilting of the platform 106. The textile sensor monitor the type of the fabric of the sack and evaluates the amount of the pressure that is to be applied to grip the sack. As the sack is positioned the wheels 102 translate the body 101 to the user to offer the sack to the user.

[0044] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) An automated sack procuring device, comprising:

i) a cuboidal body 101 positioned over a ground surface by means of plurality of motorized omnidirectional wheels 102 provided beneath said body 101, wherein said wheels 102 actuates to provide translation to said body 101 as per requirement;
ii) a touch interactive display panel 103 installed over said body 101 to enable a user to provide input regarding requirement of a sack positioned in proximity, wherein based on said user-input, a microcontroller linked with said display panel 103 actuates an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 104 installed over said body 101 and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing images of surroundings, based on which said microcontroller linked with said processor, determines presence of said sack in said surroundings;
iii) a proximity sensor installed over said body 101 and synced with said imaging unit 104 to monitor distance and height of said sack from said body 101, wherein based on said detected distance, said microcontroller actuates said wheels 102 to position said body 101 in proximity to said sack;
iv) a pair of vertical motorized sliding units 105 installed with said body 101 and actuated by said microcontroller to provide translation to an extendable platform 106 configured with said sliding units 105 in order to position said platform 106 in proximity to said sack in accordance with said detected height of said sack;
v) a laser measurement sensor installed over said body 101 and synced with said imaging unit 104 to monitor dimensions of said sack, wherein based on said detected dimensions, said microcontroller actuates a pair of motorized drawer arrangement installed with said platform 106 to provide extension to said platform 106 in accordance with said detected dimensions;
vi) a pair of motorized sliders 107 installed over lateral sides of said platform 106 and actuated by said microcontroller to provide translation to a flap 108 configured with each of said sliders 107 to position beneath said sack, wherein upon positioning of said flap 108s, said microcontroller re-actuates of said sliders 107 to translate said flap 108 in view of positioning said sack over said platform 106; and
vii) a tilt sensor installed over said platform 106 to monitor tilt angle of said platform 106, wherein in case of detection of tilting of said platform 106, said microcontroller actuates a pair of motorized grippers 109 installed over said platform 106 to grip and to regulate positioning of said sack over said platform 106 to prevent tilting of said platform 106.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein in case said microcontroller by means of said imaging unit 104 determines presence of any hole or crack in said sack, said microcontroller actuates a speaker 110 installed over said body 101 to provide a sound notification in view of notifying said user regrading said detected hole/crack.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a textile sensor installed with one of said grippers 109 to determine type of fabric of said sack based on which said microcontroller evaluates an appropriate amount of force to be applied over said sack while gripping said sack.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a motorized hinge joint installed between each of said slider 7 and flap 108 that are actuated by said microcontroller to tilt said flap 108 in a coordinated manner to assist in positioning of said sack over said platform 106.

5) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a motorized ball and socket joint is installed between each of said grippers 109 and platform 106 and actuated by said microcontroller to provide multidirectional movement to said grippers 109 for appropriately positioning said sack over said platform 106.

6) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein upon positioning of said sack, said microcontroller by means of said imaging unit 104 determines location of said user in proximity and accordingly actuates said wheels 102 to body 101 in proximity to said user in view of providing said sack to said user.

7) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is associated with said device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with said device.

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