Garment palletization

Inventors: Alon Polakevich (Pardes Hanna, IL); Meir Warulker (Rosh HaAyin, IL); Nadav Mordechai (Tel Aviv, IL); Ohad Snir (Kiryat-Ono, IL); Avi Feinschmidt (Holon, IL); Alon Yasovsky (Herzlia, IL); Harel Yizhak (Rehovot, IL); Dor Shlomo Ben David (Shoham, IL); Eduard Bendeiski (Petah Tikva, IL)

Assignee: Kornit Digital Ltd.

G06T7/74 G06T7/001 G06T2207/10024 G06T2207/30144

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 12700136
App. No.: 18/561,300
Granted: Aug 4, 2026
Kind: B2

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Abstract

Palletization apparatus for loading a garment onto a pallet for processing comprises a form pallet, having an upper surface and a form collar, and an imaging device that views the pallet and the collar area. The garment meanwhile has a neckline or collar. The imaging device is connected to an image processor and the image processor identifies the region around the form collar and the garment neckline or collar and determines firstly that the garment is present, and then secondly that the garment neckline or collar is symmetrically placed in relation to the form collar, thereby to provide an indication of correct placement of the garment on the form pallet.

Claims (37)

1 . Palletization apparatus for ensuring a correct loading of a garment having a neckline or a collar onto a pallet for processing, the apparatus comprising:

a. a configurable pallet, the configurable pallet having an upper surface and a form collar, the form collar comprising at least one identification marker;

b. an imaging device being located in relation to said configurable pallet to have a view of the configurable pallet, the view including one or more of a region around said form collar, said at least one identification marker and at least part of said garment;

c. an image processor connected to said imaging device;

wherein the image processor is configured for:

i. identifying one or more of said region around said form collar, said at least one identification marker and said at least part of said garment;

ii. assessing a placement of said garment neckline and/or said collar in relation to said form collar and said at least one identification marker;

iii. providing an indication and/or corrective actions of correct placement of said garment on said configurable pallet thereby ensuring said correct loading of said garment.

2 . The palletization apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said image processor is configured to delimit a circle around said neckline or said garment collar and to determine how said circle is positioned in relation to said form collar and said at least one identification marker.

3 . The palletization apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising grippers for holding said garment and pulling said garment onto said configurable pallet, the grippers being controllable for adjustment of said garment to adjust said placement of said garment before or after loading the said garment.

4 . The palletization apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said image processor is further configured to compare a garment on said configurable pallet to a predetermined configuration, to ensure a match between the garment and/or said configurable pallet with data from a predetermined processing program.

5 . The palletization apparatus of claim 4 , wherein said predetermined processing data comprises a print map for a given size and/or color and/or shape and/or knit or woven type of garment and said image processor is configured to confirm that a garment on said configurable pallet conforms with said given size and/or color and/or shape and/or knit or woven type.

6 . The palletization apparatus of claim 4 , wherein said predetermined processing data comprises data for a pre-printing process for color printing on a colored background, and said image processor is configured to confirm that a garment on said configurable pallet is colored.

7 . The palletization apparatus of claim 4 , wherein said predetermined processing data is for a garment of a given size within preset manufacturer's tolerances, and said image processor is configured to confirm that a garment on said configurable pallet is of said given size within said manufacturer's tolerances.

8 . The palletization apparatus of claim 4 wherein said predetermined processing data is designed for a garment having a specified distribution of discontinuities within a print area, and said image processor is configured to confirm that a garment on said configurable pallet conforms to the specified distribution of discontinuities.

9 . The palletization apparatus of claim 4 , wherein said configurable pallet is configurable or exchangeable for different garments and said image processor is configured to confirm that a current configuration or pallet size is compatible with said predetermined processing program.

10 . The palletization apparatus of claim 4 , wherein said image processor is configured to compare a neckline or garment collar to an expected neckline or garment collar to verify that a garment is orientated on said configurable pallet in accordance with said predetermined processing program, thereby to process an intended side of said garment.

11 . The palletization apparatus of claim 4 , wherein said image processor is configured to verify that a processing area of said garment is free of garment appendages.

12 . The palletization apparatus of claim 4 , wherein said image processor is configured to verify that a processing area of said garment is free of wrinkles.

13 . The palletization apparatus of claim 4 , wherein said image processor is configured to compare garments after partial or complete printing with data from a respective predetermined processing program to verify that said process has been applied successfully to a respective garment.

14 . The palletization apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the imaging device is one member of the group consisting of a camera, a laser and a LIDAR device.

15 . The palletization apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said at least one identification marker comprises contrast indicators to provide a contrast between the garment and said at least one surface.

16 . The palletization apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the contrast indicator is one member of the group consisting of: a geometrical pattern on said surface and light reflectors.

17 . The palletization apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said apparatus further comprises a laser imaging device configured to perform a laser scanning process that scans said garment, which allows to further perform said identifying.

18 . The palletization apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said corrective actions comprise one or more of correcting a configuration of said configurable pallet and a type of said garment.

19 . Palletization method for ensuring a correct loading of a garment having a neckline or a collar onto a pallet for processing, the method using a configurable pallet comprising a form collar comprising at least one identification marker, the method comprising:

a. imaging the configurable pallet to take a view of the configurable pallet and determining that said garment is present in said view, the view including one or more of a region around said form collar, said at least one identification marker and at least part of said garment;

b. identifying from said view, one or more of said region around said form collar, said at least one identification marker and said at least part of said garment;

c. assessing a placement of said garment neckline and/or said collar in relation to said form collar and said at least one identification marker; and

d. providing an indication and/or corrective actions of correct placement of said garment on said configurable pallet thereby ensuring said correct loading of said garment.

20 . The palletization method of claim 19 , comprising delimiting a circle around said neckline or garment collar and determining how said circle is positioned in relation to said form collar and said at least one identification marker.

21 . The palletization method of claim 19 , further comprising comparing a garment on said configurable pallet to a predetermined configuration, to ensure a match between the garment and data from a predetermined processing program.

22 . The palletization method of claim 21 , comprising verifying that a processing area of said garment is free of garment appendages or wrinkles.

23 . The palletization method of claim 19 , comprising comparing a garment on said configurable pallet to a preset size and/or color and/or shape and/or knit or woven type.

24 . The palletization method of claim 23 , wherein a predetermined process is for color printing on a colored background, the method comprising confirming that a garment on said configurable pallet is of a correct color.

25 . The palletization method of claim 19 , wherein a predetermined processing program is for a garment of a given size within preset manufacturer's tolerances, the method comprising confirming that a garment on said configurable pallet is of said given size within said manufacturer's tolerances, or wherein a predetermined processing program is designed for a garment having a specified distribution of discontinuities within a print area, the method comprising confirming that a garment on said pallet conforms to the specified distribution of discontinuities.

26 . The palletization method of claim 19 , comprising determining an orientation of the garment on the configurable pallet, or using grippers to realign the garment.