Optical inspection of translucent containers for vertical checks and split seams in the container sidewalls
US5637864A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 15, 1995 |
| Grant date | Jun 10, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 15, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N33/0081
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Apparatus for detecting checks in the sidewall of a translucent container that includes a light source for illuminating an elongated strip of the container sidewall parallel to the central axis of the container in such a way that illumination rays are incident at any point of the strip from multiple differing angles. A camera is positioned externally of the container for receiving light reflected by checks in the illuminated strip, and electronic circuitry is coupled to the camera for detecting checks in the container as a function of such reflected light. Since the light rays at any point in the elongated illuminated strip on the container sidewall are incident from multiple differing angles, planar checks in the container sidewall that are not precisely vertical in orientation will have a greater chance of reflecting light energy from the source onto the detector.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.