Foreign matter detecting system
US6081324A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 13, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jun 27, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 13, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N33/15
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
For use in the production line for manufacturing a liquid product such as a beverage or a liquid drug, a system is provided for detecting foreign matter contained in the fluid which is being conveyed at high speed in a conduit and automatically removing the same. The system comprises an inspection station which is connected to the conduit and of which the inspection window for detecting foreign matter is made of at least a transparent material, an illuminating means for illuminating the subject to be inspected with light directed through the inspection station, an imaging means for picturing the subject to be inspected by directing an intensity of light to the inspection window and receiving transmission or reflection of the light, a detecting means for comparing the signal level where a part indicative in which the level of the video signal is sharply changing is emphasized and processed with a reference level for the subject to be inspected to detect the foreign matter contained in the fluid. When the foreign matter is detected by the detecting means, the fluid is temporarily switched to a branch of the tubular conduit by the open and close action of a control valve to systematic…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.