公开(公告)号：US20040250514A1

公开(公告)日：2004-12-16

申请号：US10840439

申请日：2004-05-06

Applicant: FRITO-LAY NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Inventor： Frank Mathew Brenkus

IPC: B65B061/20

CPC classification number: B65B61/20 ,  B65B65/08 ,  G06Q30/0212

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus of detecting unique items as they are inserted into a product packaging system that is easily adaptable to current product packaging and prize insertion systems. A number of different types of sensors may be used in conjunction with the insertion device to detect the unique prize before it is inserted into a product packaging system. The sensor used will vary depending on the particular application. Sensors that may be used include a capacitive proximity sensor, a thickness sensor, a reflectivity sensor, a transmissivity sensor, a stiffness sensor, a color sensor, or even an odor or chemical sensor. Ideally, the type sensor used will detect a feature of the unique item that is easily distinguishable from other items being inserted. Once the sensor detects the prize and generates a signal, this signal can be used to perform a variety of useful functions. In one embodiment of the invention, the signal is used to control a foreign matter detector (FMD) during the insertion of unique prizes that would ordinarily trigger the FMD. After detecting the unique prize, the controller for the insertion device shuts down the FMD for a pre-determined period of time to allow the unique prize to pass through without triggering the FMD. The controller may also increase a counter each time one of the unique prizes is detected to keep track of the number of unique prizes inserted. Once the unique prize passes through, the FMD is turned back on so that foreign objects may again be detected. The amount of time that the FMD is turned off is minimized.

Abstract translation: 一种检测独特物品的方法和装置，当它们被插入到容易适应当前产品包装和奖品插入系统的产品包装系统中时。 许多不同类型的传感器可以与插入装置一起使用，以便在插入产品包装系统之前检测独特的奖品。 使用的传感器将根据具体应用而有所不同。 可以使用的传感器包括电容式接近传感器，厚度传感器，反射率传感器，透射率传感器，刚度传感器，颜色传感器，甚至气味或化学传感器。 理想情况下，所使用的类型传感器将检测到与插入的其他物品容易区分的独特物品的特征。 一旦传感器检测到奖品并产生信号，该信号可用于执行各种有用的功能。 在本发明的一个实施例中，该信号用于在插入通常触发FMD的独特奖品时控制异物检测器（FMD）。 在检测到独特的奖品之后，插入装置的控制器关闭FMD预定的时间段，以允许独特的奖品通过而不触发FMD。 每当检测到唯一奖品之一时，控制器也可以增加计数器，以跟踪所插入的唯一奖品的数量。 一旦独特的奖品通过，FMD就会重新开启，以便再次检测到异物。 FMD关闭的时间量被最小化。