Systems and methods for an automated paper cone closing machine are disclosed. A paper cone closing machine may comprise a plurality of tamping rods, a pair of plates, and a plurality of ejection rods arranged above a tray shuttle. The plurality of tamping rods for compacting a material contained in a plurality of paper rolls removeably received in the tray shuttle in a row. The pair of plates for pressing on the top of each paper roll to flatten the top of each paper roll into a flap. The plurality of ejection rods configured to press on the flap of each paper roll to press the flap into a top of each paper roll into a dimple thereby closing each paper roll.

First scanned images of the first container are received from a scanning device that show the contents of the interior of the first container before the first container is cut and opened. Second scanned images that are of the contents of the first container after the first container is cut and opened are also received. The images are analyzed and, based upon the analysis, selective modifications to the operating parameters of the container opening machine are determined and made.

A shape profile measurement device includes: a light projector and a light receiver arranged facing each other; a belt conveyor for conveying an object for measurement; and a calculation unit. The light projector includes a plurality of light-emitting portions arranged in an array direction, and each emits substantially parallel measurement light. The light receiver includes a plurality of light-receiving portions arranged in the array direction facing the plurality of light-emitting portions, and each receives the measurement light emitted from a corresponding light-emitting portion. The light-receiving portions output a signal indicating a light intensity of the received measurement light. The calculation unit acquires the signal of the light receiver when the object is at a plurality of different movement-direction positions between the light-emitting portions and the light-receiving portions, and obtains a shape profile on the basis of the signal acquired and information relating to the plurality of movement-direction positions.

The disclosure herein teaches a method for preserving cosmetics, including hair dye, that are prone to oxidation. The method uses an apparatus for automatically sealing and resealing, so as to prevent oxidation immediately and thereafter the cosmetic products are dispensed, or breached, from their manufacturer packaging. In the proposed apparatus, this is done by producing negative pressure inside a chamber while the cosmetic product is inside an unsealed container within the chamber. The vacuum is produced by a pump connected to an on-off valve, which is directly or indirectly actuated under micro-controlled processes. The one-way flow of air from the chamber to the apparatus' exterior produces negative pressure inside the chamber. Packaging can be sealed by outside influence or sealed by the pressure difference between the outside environment and the inside of the packaging upon the rapid repressurizing of the chamber. These processes prevent oxidation or degradation of the cosmetic product therein. Data related to the properties of the sealed cosmetic product or products is captured and stored in the device in transient or permanent memory and aggregated, analyzed and retrieved at will by a user. Communication and interaction between user and machine can occur physically (using a switch and a luminous indicator), or wirelessly with a mobile device. The resulting product, created to unique specifications from the original manufacturer packaging, can now be stored for an extended period of time without significant degradation of the efficacy.

A method and a device for setting vacuum time in a packaging apparatus and in a packaging process are described. The method and device provide for determining, from pressure signals or from humidity signals detected in the vacuum chamber (4; 24; 54), a reference time instant (T.sub.1). The method and device also provide for commanding a vacuum device (6; 26; 56) either to stop extracting gas from the vacuum chamber (4; 24; 54) or to execute one or more prescribed steps preluding to end of the vacuum cycle at expiration of a delay time (DT) interval following said reference time instant (T.sub.1).

A method and a device for setting vacuum time in a packaging apparatus and in a packaging process are described. The method and device provide for determining, from pressure signals or from humidity signals detected in the vacuum chamber (4; 24; 54), a reference time instant (T.sub.1). The method and device also provide for commanding a vacuum device (6; 26; 56) either to stop extracting gas from the vacuum chamber (4; 24; 54) or to execute one or more prescribed steps preluding to end of the vacuum cycle at expiration of a delay time (DT) interval following said reference time instant (T.sub.1).

A system is presented for monitoring and controlling in a sterilizable environment the peeling of a cover from a tub sealed by the cover. The system employs a platform having a fiducial source locating structure for holding the tub, a cover removal station disposed to engage with the cover and to peel the cover from the tub, a light source disposed to illuminate a portion of the platform proximate the cover removal station, a light sensor sensitive to light from the light source and disposed to preferentially collect and measure light diffusely reflected from the illuminated portion of the platform, and a controller with software to operate the system. An associated method for monitoring and controlling the peeling of the cover involves moving a peeled portion of the cover into a predetermined peeling monitor zone within the illuminated portion of the platform, and measuring an intensity of light from the light source diffusely reflected specifically from the peeling monitor zone. The positioning of the elements of the system and the peeling monitor zone allow measured light intensity to be employed as a control measure for the peeling process.

A system is presented for monitoring and controlling in a sterilizable environment the peeling of a cover from a tub sealed by the cover. The system employs a platform having a fiducial source locating structure for holding the tub, a cover removal station disposed to engage with the cover and to peel the cover from the tub, a light source disposed to illuminate a portion of the platform proximate the cover removal station, a light sensor sensitive to light from the light source and disposed to preferentially collect and measure light diffusely reflected from the illuminated portion of the platform, and a controller with software to operate the system. An associated method for monitoring and controlling the peeling of the cover involves moving a peeled portion of the cover into a predetermined peeling monitor zone within the illuminated portion of the platform, and measuring an intensity of light from the light source diffusely reflected specifically from the peeling monitor zone. The positioning of the elements of the system and the peeling monitor zone allow measured light intensity to be employed as a control measure for the peeling process.

Provided is a container including a container body and an image on the container body. The image includes a plurality of dented portions and non-dented portions. A visibility value of the image represented by Mathematical formula (1) below is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

Visibility value=b.sub.0.Math.L*.sub.0.Math.(1−exp(b.sub.1.Math.ΔL*))  Mathematical formula (1)

In Mathematical formula (1), L*.sub.0 represents a luminosity of the image. ΔL* represents a difference between the luminosity of the image and a luminosity of any other portion than the image, b.sub.0 represents a positive real number, and b.sub.1 represents a negative real number.

Provided is a container including a container body and an image on the container body. The image includes a plurality of dented portions and non-dented portions. A visibility value of the image represented by Mathematical formula (1) below is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

Visibility value=b.sub.0.Math.L*.sub.0.Math.(1−exp(b.sub.1.Math.ΔL*))  Mathematical formula (1)

In Mathematical formula (1), L*.sub.0 represents a luminosity of the image. ΔL* represents a difference between the luminosity of the image and a luminosity of any other portion than the image, b.sub.0 represents a positive real number, and b.sub.1 represents a negative real number.