METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DESIGNING THREE-DIMENSIONAL CONTAINER

Abstract: A design method wherein the shape of a three-dimen­ sional container is determined by taking into consideration the amount of contents of the container and the amount of material necessary for producing the container and wherein a two-dimensional image is prepared to express and eval­ uate conditions where the containers, the shape of which is determined, is labelled. The design is carried out by using a computer and various input/output devices. This invention discloses a design method which is well adapted especially to determining the shape of a container that has the shape of a body of rotation. The shape is determined by using a coordinate input device. Besides, the invention provides means for two-dimensionally expressing a three-dimen­ sional object and, particularly, means for two-dimensionally expressing a labelled three-dimensional container. The in­ vention further employs a particular algorithm to express the feeling of material of the container in case of making the two-dimensional expression. The invention also provides a method of forming vector data of a particular character font, which is adapted to the operation for providing the three-­ dimensional container with a label that contains characters.

Description: APPARATUS FOR DESIGNING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL RECEPTACLE Technical field The present invention relates to an apparatus for designing a three-dimensional receptacle comprising: an input unit for inputting data to design a receptacle; a processing unit for performing a predetermined computation on the basis of data inputted from the data input unit to provide designed data defining a three-dimensional receptacle; an output unit for outputting an image of the three-dimensional receptacle defined by said designed data; and a display unit for displaying information necessary for an operator. Background art Three-dimensional receptacles or containers are extensively used in order to package various goods including foods and drinks. Ordinarily, these receptacles are formed with synthetic resin materials and labels indicating trade name or trade mark etc. are attached thereon. Conventionally, when designing receptacles of this type, there is employed a method to conduct desk work based on drafting and calculating the capacity and the amount of the resin material, thereafter to actually manufacture products. A conventional process for designing such cubic receptacles is shown in Fig. 1. First, planning 1 is presented by a person who gives an order for an receptacle, and condition setting/information gathering 2 is conducted. Then, idea development 3 is carried out while repeating condition setting/information gathering 2. After narrowing down of design in regard to the receptacle form, rendering manufacture 5 in regard to the design is conducted. At this stage, presentation 6 for presenting the design to the person who has given the order is carried out. If restudying or reexamination is required, the process is repeated from the idea development 3 for a second time. Here, in the process where the final form is determined, various components, i.e., height, width, taper and capacity constituting the form are diversely combined to reach the optimum combination. Every time these respective components are changed, a new drafting will be conducted. Such drafting works require a great deal of labor and time. At the stage where the design has been determined, various processes, e.g., moldability studying 7, material quality studying 8, manual calculation of capacity 9, determination of dimension 10, and coloring study 11 etc. are implemented. If there is any problem, restudying will be repeated. For instance, if the capacity is not equal to a designated value, the design of the entirety of the form must be altered. Accordingly, the same procedure must be repeated from the moldability studying 7 for a second time, with the result that a considerable labor will be spent until the form is determined. When the final form is determined by repeating such studying processes, trial manufacturing of model 12 is carried out at last. This is a process to actually implement trial manufacturing of a three-dimensional object or body as designed using a wooden model etc. Subsequently, the model trially manufactured is presented to the person who has given the order to request for studying 13. In the case where the person who has given the order has judged that the restudying is required, processes from the moldability studying 7 to the model trial manufacturing 12 will be repeated. By the time a satisfactory model is completed, considerable labor and time arerequired. When the satisfactory model is completed and the final form is determined, drafting of metal mold drawing 14 of the three-dimensional form is carried out. Subsequently, surface design studying 15 is conducted. Namely, study on pattern design attached on the receptacle surface is carried out and a design dummy manufacturing 16 in regard to the completed pattern is conducted. Thus presentation 17 for presenting it to the person who has given the order is carried out. If restudying is required at this stage, the study on surface design 15 is repeated again. When the final determination 18 satisfactory to the person who has given the order is made, manufacturing of the receptacle 19 is carried out. A series of processes up to delivery or supply of goods 20 are thus completed. As stated above, with the conventional apparatus for designing three-dimensional receptacles, studying by a person who has given the order is carried out per each process, and when restudying is required, the process of the question must be repeated for a second time. Thus, such a conventional method has the drawback that much labor and time are required. COMPUTERS & GRAPHICS, vol.8, no.2, 1984, pages 149-161 (D1), discloses a raster graphics system to produce pictures for the visualisation of products in industrial design whereby the input comes from a video camera and there are provided a digitizer/datatablet and a keyboard. Furthermore, there is an output unit, said output unit having been used in producing the figures, and it is implicit that there is a display unit to go with the keyboard to reflect input data to prompt for commands and so on. But this system is able to be applied only in a receptacle of complete body of revolution. COMPUTER, vol.17,no.12,December 1984, pages 14-21 (D2), teaches the inclusion of a surface of revolution surface generation technique. Disclosure of the invention Object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which can determine the form of a three-dimensional receptacle having a non-revolutional body in consideration of an internal capacity of the three-dimensional receptacle or an amount of material for forming the receptacle using a computer. To achieve the above mentioned object, the present invention provides an apparatus for designing a three-dimensional receptacle comprising: an input unit for inputting data to design a receptacle, said input unit comprising a coordinate input unit; a processing unit for performing a predetermined computation on the basis of data inputted from the data input unit to provide designed data defining a three-dimensional receptacle; an output unit for outputting an image of the three-dimensional receptacle defined by said designed data, said output unit comprising a hard copy unit to output a two-dimensional projected image of a designed three-dimensional receptacle; a display unit for displaying information necessary for an operator; a label input unit to input picture data of a label to be attached on a surface of said designed three-dimensional receptacle; and a line drawing output unit for outputting a line drawing image of said designed three-dimensional receptacle; characterized in that said coordinate input unit inputs both of a longitudinal cross-section containing a central axis of the receptacle and a plurality of lateral cross-sections perpendicular to said central axis as two-dimensional coordinate data, and segment data indicating designated ranges along said central axis to which said respective lateral cross-sections are applied, thus to define a receptacle having a non-revolutional body; wherein the processing unit provides: a function for computing a first three-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional receptacle based on said longitudinal cross-section, said lateral cross-sections and said segment data; a function for computing a second three-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional receptacle, on which said label is attached, based on said first three-dimensional representation and said picture data; a function for computing a line drawing image, which is outputted by said line drawing output unit, based on said first three-dimensional representation; and a function for computing a two-dimensional projected image, which is outputted by said hard copy unit, based on said second three-dimensional representation. Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a designing process according to the conventional method; Fig. 2 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment according to the present invention; Figs. 3 to 6 are explanatory views showing one example of a cross sectional form inputting method based on an apparatus according to the present invention, respectively; Fig. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention; Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing a designing process based on an apparatus according to the present invention; Best mode of carrying out the invention The present invention will be explained on the basis of embodiments shown. <Fundamental concept of the invention> Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing a fundamental procedure for designing a receptacle using an apparatus according to the present invention. Initially, at step S1, longitudinal cross section of a receptacle is input to a computer. Namely, the longitudinal cross section of a three-dimensional receptacle to be designed is taken in as two-dimensional data. When the receptacle is a symmetric one ,it is sufficient to only input two-dimensional coordinates of the right half or left half of the cross section. For instance, when designing a three-dimensional receptacle as shown in Fig. 3, it is sufficient to input a longitudinal cross section of only the right side with respect to the center line (indicated by single dotted lines) as shown in Fig. 4. At this time, it is enough to designate points A to G in the two-dimensional coordinate system as shown in Fig. 4 to give an instruction so as to connect these respective points using a straight line or a curve. Subsequently, at step S2, the form of the lateral cross section is input. When the three-dimensional receptacle is a complete body of revolution, the input of the form of the lateral cross section is not required. However, since the aim of the present invention is to design a non-revolutional receptacle as shown in Fig. 3, it is necessary to input the form of the lateral cross section in respect to respective portions in the longitudinal cross sectional view shown in Fig. 4. Thus, forms of the respective portions are input on the basis of the longitudinal cross section shown in Fig. 4. For instance, it is instructed that the receptacle has a lateral cross section formed as shown in Fig. 5(a) with respect to the segments from points A to D and has a lateral cross section formed as shown in Fig. 5(b) with respect to the segments from points D to G. There are various methods of instructing the form of the lateral cross section. For instance, when the concerned portion is a body of revolution, it is sufficient to solely designate that the lateral cross section is formed circular. Moreover, in the case of the form as shown in Fig. 5(a), it is sufficient to give an equation in respect of the figure thus formed. With respect to forms commonly used, it is effective to register them as the data base. In addition, in the case of the form as shown in Fig. 5(b), such a form can be defined by designating the combination of circle and rectangle. This may be accomplished by carrying out a drafting using a drafting instruction of the elementary geometrical figure such as circle or square on a display, for example. An operator can determine the form of the lateral cross section by carrying out a drafting on an interactive basis while observing the display. When lateral cross sectional forms of respective portions are thus input, the three-dimensional form of the receptacle is determined. For instance, the lateral cross sectional forms at points D and E may be designated thus to make a designation such as to connect these points D and E using a straight line or a smooth curve. When the three-dimensional form is determined, capacity calculation is performed at step S3. This may be accomplished, for example, as shown in Fig. 6 by giving positions of a lower level H and an upper level I between which a material to be contained is occupied to designate a range to be calculated such as indicated by slanting lines in the figure. Then, correction of the form is made at step S4. This may be performed, for example, by displaying the cross sectional form on a display to give an input for changing the cross sectional form so as to become equal to the capacity as designated. In addition, at step S5, the two-dimensional projected image of the receptacle is displayed on the display on the basis of the above-described cross sectional form to conduct a comparative study on the form to give an input to change the form, when needed. Upon determination of the form, hard copies of a cross sectional view and a wire frame diagram are output to study them at step S6. Subsequently, a procedure for preparing a label attached on the receptacle surface is conducted. Namely, at step S7, a manuscript of the portion of the picture among label manuscripts made up by a designer is input to a computer as two-dimensional data. The picture is displayed on the display on the basis of the data thus input to conduct correction and coloring of the pattern. Such a coloring may be effected, for example, by dividing the picture into several areas to carry out coloring designation per each area. On the other hand, the character portion of the label manuscript is input as character code at step S9. On the basis of the character code thus input, at step S10, a label of the corresponding character font is made up. In a manner stated above, the portion of the picture and the character portion are independently input. They are finally composed and the label is thus completed. When the correction and composition of the label are completed, data of the cross sectional form and data of the label are linked to prepare a shadow diagram of the receptacle after the label is attached to display it on the display at step S11. If correction is further required at this time, the operation may return to the preceeding step to repeat the correction. Finally, at step S12, a hard copy of the shadow diagram of the receptacle on which the label is attached is output. As stated above, in accordance with the designing method, the cross section of the three-dimensional receptacle and the label attached thereon are input to the computer as two-dimensional data to apply a necessary correction to them, thereafter to link these data to output the two-dimensional projected image of the three-dimensional receptacle on which the label is attached, thus making it possible to lessen labor and time required for design. <Best mode in regard to the designing apparatus> Fig. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the arrangement of an apparatus according to the present invention. For a processing unit 101, e.g., a main frame computer may be used. To the processing unit 101, a coordinate input unit 102, a pictorial image input unit 103 and a character code input unit 107 are connected as the input device, and a display unit 104, a line drawing output unit 105 and a color hard copy unit 106 are connected as the output device. The coordinate input unit 102 is a device which inputs the cross section of the three-dimensional receptacle as two-dimensional coordinates, and may be constituted, e.g., with a digitizer, a tablet, a mouse, and a light pen etc. The pictorial image input unit 103 is a device which inputs the original drawing of the pattern of the label attached on the surface of the three-dimensional receptacle as binary pictorial image or color gradation pictorial image data, and may be constituted, e.g., with a scanner or a CCD camera etc. On the other hand, the character code input unit 107 is a device which inputs character data of the label attached on the three-dimensional receptacle, and may be constituted, e.g., with a word processor connected to a computer as the processing unit 101. The character code input with the word processor will be converted to character font in the computer thereafter to be combined with pattern data. Moreover, the display unit 104 is a device which displays the two-dimensional projected image and the pattern of the three-dimensional receptable, and further displays instructions required for an operator. This display unit 104 may be constituted with a plurality of displays corresponding to contents to be displayed. For instance, a monochromatic display and a high resolution color display can be used for displaying the condition of the cross section input of the three-dimensional receptacle and its wire frame diagram and for displaying the two-dimensional projected images of the label and the receptacle on which the label is attached, respectively. The line drawing output unit 105 is a device which outputs, onto a paper, the two-dimensional projected image of the three-dimensional receptacle as the line drawing, i.e., the wire frame diagram, and may be constituted, e.g., with an XY plotter which handles a two-dimensional projected image as a vector pictorial image. In addition, the color hard copy unit 106 is a device which outputs the two-dimensional projected image of the picture pattern or the three-dimensional receptacle on which the pattern is attached onto a paper with color representation, and may be constituted, e.g., with a film recorder or a color printer etc. which handles the two-dimensional projected image as a raster pictorial image. With such a designing apparatus, the three-dimensional receptacle will be designed as follows. Initially, a cross sectional form of the receptacle is input from the coordinate input unit 102. The result thus input is displayed on the display unit 104 and whether or not moldability, dimension and capacity etc. are suitable is judged by the processing unit. Thus, correction of the coordinate input is repeated until the form which is in conformity with the requirement of a person who has given the order is obtained. The finally accepted form is output from the line drawing output unit 105 as the wire frame diagram. Then, an original drawing of the label is input from the pictorial image input unit 103 and the character code input unit 107. A pattern described by a designer is loaded on a scanner etc. and is convertd to two-dimensional data. Thus, characters are input from the word processor etc. as character codes and are converted to character fonts. They are displayed on the display unit 104, respectively. At this stage, necessary correction and coloring are conducted. A hard copy of the colored label can be obtained with the color hard copy unit 106. When the position on the three-dimensional receptacle on which the label is to be attached and its area are input, the processing unit 101 links data indicative of the form of the three-dimensional receptacle with data indicative of the label to output the two-dimensional projected image of the three-dimensional receptacle on which the label is attached with color representation. If necessary, correction is made thereto to finally output the hard copy from the color hard copy unit 106. The hard copy thus obtained is presented to the person who has given the order. Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing the process for designing a three-dimensional receptacle using the above-described designing apparatus. When compared to the conventional designing process shown in Fig. 1, it is seen that the total process has been quite simplified. initially, planning 1 is presented by a person who gives an order for a receptacle to effect condition setting/information gathering 2. Then, a designing step 30 using the designing apparatus according to the present invention is implemented on the basis of the above information. Namely, narrowing down of design and moldability studying 31 and form designing and calculation of dimension and capacity 32 are first carried out. This is accomplished as previously described by inputting the cross sectional form from the coordinate input unit 102 to correct the input indicative of the form with reference to the form and various calculated results displayed on the display unit 104. Subsequently, a surface design studying 33 is carried out on the basis of the label input from the pictorial image input unit 103 and the character code input unit 107 to conduct a study 34 on the form of a final product on which the label is attached to finally output a hard copy 35 of the drawing and the product form. The designing step 30 stated above can be implemented by only applying a predetermined operation to input/output equipment of the designing apparatus by an operator, resulting in no need to actually conduct trialmanufacturing of a model or to manufacture a design dummy as in the conventional designing method. When the hard copy output is finally obtained, presentation 17 which presents it to the person who has given the order is conducted. If restudying is required, the designing step 30 is carried out for a second time. In this instance, necessary correction is only implemented to the data having been previously input, thus, enabling change of the design. The presentation to the person who has given the order is only carried out in the form of a color hard copy of a two-dimensional projected image of the three-dimensional receptacle on which the label is attached in a manner stated above. Thus, the person who has given the order can always check the product using a completed drawing. When determination 18 of the final form and the pattern is made, receptacle manufacturing 19 is implemented and delivery of goods 20 is then conducted. Thus, various processes in the conventional method shown in Fig. 1 are all inclusively implemented at the designing step 30, and this step is easily executed in an extremely short time using the computer. As stated above, in accordance with the designing apparatus according to this embodiment, the cross section of the three-dimensional receptacle and the original drawing of the label attached thereon are input to the computer as two-dimensional data to implement necessary correction thereto, thereafter to link these data to output the two-dimensional projected image of the three-dimensional receptacle on which the label is attached, thus making it possible to lessen labor and time required for design.

Claims: An apparatus for designing a three-dimensional receptacle comprising: an input unit for inputting data to design a receptacle, said input unit comprising a coordinate input unit (102); a processing unit (101) for performing a predetermined computation on the basis of data inputted from the data input unit to provide designed data defining a three-dimensional receptacle; an output unit for outputting an image of the three-dimensional receptacle defined by said designed data, said output unit comprising a hard copy unit (106) to output a two-dimensional projected image of a designed three-dimensional receptacle; a display unit (104) for displaying information necessary for an operator; a label input unit (103) to input picture data of a label to be attached on a surface of said designed three-dimensional receptacle; and a line drawing output unit (105) for outputting a line drawing image of said designed three-dimensional receptacle; characterized in that said coordinate input unit (102) inputs both of a longitudinal cross-section containing a central axis of the receptacle and a plurality of lateral cross-sections perpendicular to said central axis as two-dimensional coordinate data, and segment data indicating designated ranges along said central axis to which said respective lateral cross-sections are applied, thus to define a receptacle having a non-revolutional body; wherein the processing unit (101) provides: a function for computing a first three-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional receptacle based on said longitudinal cross-section, said lateral cross-sections and said segment data; a function for computing a second three-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional receptacle, on which said label is attached, based on said first three-dimensional representation and said picture data ; a function for computing a line drawing image, which is outputted by said line drawing output unit, based on said first three-dimensional representation; and a function for computing a two-dimensional projected image, which is outputted by said hard copy unit, based on said second three-dimensional representation. An apparatus for designing a three-dimensional receptacle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said label input unit includes a pictorial input unit (103) which inputs, as pictorial data, a picture portion of said label, and a character code input unit (107) which inputs, as a character code, a character portion of said label. An apparatus for designing a three-dimensional receptacle as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein said coordinate input unit (102) includes a digitizer, a tablet, a mouse, or a light pen. An apparatus for designing a three-dimensional receptacle as set forth in claim 2 or 3, wherein said pictorial input unit (103) includes a scanner or a CCD camera. An apparatus for designing a three-dimensional receptacle as set forth in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein said character code input unit (107) includes a keyboard. An apparatus for designing a three-dimensional receptacle as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said line drawing output unit (105) handles said two-dimensional projected image as a vector pictorial image. An apparatus for designing a three-dimensional receptacle as set forth in claim 6, wherein said line drawing output unit (105) includes an XY plotter. An apparatus for designing a three-dimensional receptacle as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said hard copy unit (106) handles said two-dimensional projected image as a raster pictorial image. An apparatus for designing a three-dimensional receptacle as set forth in claim 8, wherein said hard copy unit (106) includes a film recorder or a color printer. An apparatus for designing a three-dimensional receptacle as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said coordinate input unit (102) provides a function for inputting a bottom level and top level of contents of the receptacle as a point along the central axis and said processing unit (101) provides a function for computing a capacity of the receptacle based on said bottom level and said top level.

Inventors: KANI NOBUMOTO, KUBOTA YASUO, MIYASAKA TSUNEO, OKAWA KATZUTAKA, TOBITA TAKUO, KANI, NOBUMOTO, KUBOTA, YASUO, MIYASAKA, TSUNEO, OKAWA, KATZUTAKA, TOBITA, TAKUO
Applicants: DAINIPPON PRINTING CO LTD, DAI NIPPON INSATSU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1986
Main classification: G06F17
IPC codes: G06F17, G06T17