Apparatus for determining measurements of an object utilizing negative imaging

#The present invention relates to an apparatus for determining the dimensions of a package or object moving along a conveyor, and more particularly, to an apparatus for estimating the length, width and height of an object regardless of the objects orientation on the conveyor.

#In many industries, it is often necessary to determine the volume of an object or package for a variety of reasons, such as calculating shipping costs, which can be based upon the volume and/or weight of an object. This information can also be used in connection with planning loads for a delivery vehicle based on the available packing volume. It is desirable to be able to make such measurements automatically while the object or package is being transported along a surface, such as a conveyor surface, in order to provide for high throughput of the objects or packages. The need for efficiency in handling packages has become more apparent based on the increase in shipping for e-commerce businesses.

#One known system utilizes a laser scanner in connection with a CCD reader in order to determine the volume of an object. However, the system has not proven reliable in use. Additionally, several of the known arrangements may introduce large errors into the calculation of the object dimensions which can result in undercharging or overcharging of shipping fees as well as additional problems in planning loads.

#The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings an embodiment which is presently preferred. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art from the present disclosure that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and/or equipment shown. In the drawings:

#FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the apparatus for determining measurements of an object moving along a conveyor path in accordance with the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view taken along line 2—2 in FIG. 1;

#Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right,” “left,” “lower” and “upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is being made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the apparatus 10 for determining measurements of an object 12 in accordance with the present invention, and designated parts thereof. The terminology includes the words specifically noted above as well as derivatives thereof and words of similar import. Additionally, the words “a” and “one” are understood to mean one or more of the designated item unless specifically noted.

#Referring now to the drawings where like elements are designated with like element numerals throughout, there is shown in FIGS. 1-6 a preferred embodiment of an apparatus 10 for determining measurements of an object 12 moving along a conveyor path 14 having a support surface 16. While in the preferred embodiment, the support surface 16 is illustrated as being the moving conveyor belt, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art from the present disclosure that the conveyor path 14 could be formed by other structure, such as rollers, moving plates, carts or a fixed surface having pushers for moving objects 12 along the surface, as well as any other type of surface along which objects or packages can be moved. An object detector 20 is located along the conveyor path 14. The object detector 20 is preferably a photo eye which is directed across the conveyor path 14 at an opposing light source or reflector such that when an object 12 moving on the conveyor path 14 passes the object detector 20, the beam is broken indicating the presence of an object 12. The detector 20 is adapted to detect a leading edge of the object 12 and generates a leading edge signal as will be explained in more detail below. In a preferred embodiment, the object detector 20 may also act as a trailing edge sensor since after the object 12 passes beyond the object detector 20, the interruption of the beam is ended allowing the trailing edge position of the object 12 to be determined as outlined below. While in the preferred embodiment of the invention, a photo eye is utilized as the object detector 20, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art from the present disclosure that other types of sensors may be utilized to detect the leading and/or trailing edges of an object 12 traveling along the conveyor path 14, such as an image detector or any other suitable detector arrangement.

#Still with reference to FIG. 1, an object speed detector 22 is also provided along the conveyor path 14. In a preferred embodiment, the speed detector 22 is a tachometer which senses a speed of the conveyor belt provided as the conveyor path 14 which carries the object since the speed of the belt and the object would be the same. However, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art from the present disclosure that other types of speed detectors can be utilized in order to directly track the speed of the object 12, if desired. For example, a second detector could be positioned along the conveyor path 14 a fixed distance from the object detector 20 with the object speed being calculated based upon the signals received from the two detectors. Those skilled in the art will also recognize that any other suitable means for detection of the objects velocity may also be utilized, if desired.