Automated inspection system with transport and ejector conveyor
US5568715A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 31, 1994 |
| Grant date | Oct 29, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 31, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N21/9508
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An automated inspection system for inspecting packages, such as blister packages, to verify the presence therein of products, such as contact lenses, prior to heat sealing of the blister packages. The automated inspection system includes a transport and ejector mechanism for ejecting any defective packages determined by the automated inspection system not to have a product therein. The automated inspection system includes an optical inspection station at which packages are optically inspected by video cameras to verify that a product is, in fact, present in each package base. A package conveyor system is provided for conveying the packages by the optical inspection station. Following the optical inspection station, an ejector ramp of the transport and ejector mechanism is selectively switchable between a first raised position in which package bases are passed on for further processing, and a second lowered position in which defective packages are transferred from the package conveyor system to the ejector ramp and a buffer area for ejected packages.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.