Multi-wavelength laser check detection tool
First Claim
1. A glass container inspection device for inspecting a finish region of the glass container comprising:
- a rotator configured to rotate a selected glass container located in an inspection location at least 360 degrees;
a first laser source configured to produce a first collimated laser beam, the first laser source being configured to direct the first collimated laser beam towards the inspection location, the first collimated laser beam forming an angle of incidence with the selected glass container being greater than or equal to a critical angle for producing internal reflection of the first collimated laser beam within the selected glass container; and
a camera directed at the inspection location for detecting light that escapes from the selected glass container as a result of the internally reflected first collimated laser beam intersecting a defect in the selected glass container;
an alignment mechanism for simultaneously adjusting a position of the first laser source and the camera parallel to a plane normal to a container axis of rotation about which the selected glass container is rotated by the rotator;
an alignment guide being carried with the camera and the first laser source when the alignment mechanism adjusts the position of the first laser source and the camera, the alignment guide defining a pair of alignment lines extending at a right angle to one another in the plane normal, wherein both alignment lines are positioned tangent to an outer periphery of a selected glass container within the inspection location when viewed along the container axis of rotation to set a position of the alignment mechanism.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device and method for inspecting glass containers and particularly the finish of glass containers is provided. The glass container inspection device includes a rotator rotates a glass container located in an inspection location at least 360 degrees. A first laser source produces a first laser beam which is directed towards the inspection location to form an angle of incidence with the selected glass container being greater than or equal to a critical angle for producing internal reflection of the first laser beam within the selected glass container. A camera is directed at the inspection location to detect light that escapes from the selected glass container as a result of the internally reflected laser beam intersecting a defect in the selected glass container.
79 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A glass container inspection device for inspecting a finish region of the glass container comprising:
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a rotator configured to rotate a selected glass container located in an inspection location at least 360 degrees; a first laser source configured to produce a first collimated laser beam, the first laser source being configured to direct the first collimated laser beam towards the inspection location, the first collimated laser beam forming an angle of incidence with the selected glass container being greater than or equal to a critical angle for producing internal reflection of the first collimated laser beam within the selected glass container; and a camera directed at the inspection location for detecting light that escapes from the selected glass container as a result of the internally reflected first collimated laser beam intersecting a defect in the selected glass container; an alignment mechanism for simultaneously adjusting a position of the first laser source and the camera parallel to a plane normal to a container axis of rotation about which the selected glass container is rotated by the rotator; an alignment guide being carried with the camera and the first laser source when the alignment mechanism adjusts the position of the first laser source and the camera, the alignment guide defining a pair of alignment lines extending at a right angle to one another in the plane normal, wherein both alignment lines are positioned tangent to an outer periphery of a selected glass container within the inspection location when viewed along the container axis of rotation to set a position of the alignment mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of inspecting the finish region of the glass container comprising:
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rotating a selected glass container located in an inspection location at least 360 degrees; producing a first collimated laser beam with a first laser source; directing the first collimated laser beam towards the inspection location, the first collimated laser beam forming an angle of incidence with the selected glass container being greater than or equal to a critical angle for producing internal reflection of the first collimated laser beam within the selected glass container; detecting light that escapes from the selected glass container as a result of the internally reflected first collimated laser beam intersecting a defect in the selected glass container; adjusting, simultaneously, a position of the first laser source and a camera for detecting light that escapes parallel to a plane normal to a container axis of rotation about which the selected glass container is rotated; wherein adjusting the position of the first laser source and the camera includes using an alignment guide being carried with the camera and the first laser source when the position of the first laser source and the camera is adjusted, the alignment guide defining a pair of alignment lines extending at a right angle to one another in the plane normal; and wherein adjusting the position of the first laser source and the camera includes aligning both alignment lines tangent to an outer periphery of a selected glass container within the inspection location when viewed along the container axis of rotation to set a position of the alignment mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification