Method and apparatus for measuring fill level in bottles

• US 20030052288A1
• Filed: 09/19/2001
• Published: 03/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Industrial Dynamics Company, Ltd. (Kestrel Vision)
• Original Assignee: Industrial Dynamics Company, Ltd. (Kestrel Vision)
• Inventors: Calhoun, Fred L.
• Application Number:
  US09/957,438
• Publication Number:
  US 20030052288A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/577
• CPC Class Codes: B67C 3/007 Applications of control, warning or safety devices in filling machinery flow-control B67C3/28
• CPC Class Codes: B67C 3/284 using non-liquid contact sensing means B67C3/283 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/292 Light , e.g. infrared or ultraviolet

Abstract

Method and apparatus for measuring the liquid fill level in bottles while the bottles are still within the turret section of the filler system. A source of focused light, such as that generated by a laser, is directed onto a series of targets positioned on the turret behind the bottles. The beam is directed back through the bottle neck and detected by a remote camera. The detected image varies depending upon whether the bottle was underfi

Claims

1. Apparatus for measuring the level of liquid in a container having a centerline wherein the liquid has the property of diffusing an illumination beam passing through the liquid comprising:

a source for generating an illumination beam, said beam being directed to a target behind said container and then through the liquid in said container;

means disposed relative to the container for receiving the illumination beam passing through said container in the form of an image; and

means operatively coupled to said receiving means for providing an indication of the liquid level in said container.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said target is positioned on a rotating member.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 where said source of illumination comprises a laser.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the liquid fill level is based on the offset of said image from said container centerline.

5. A method for measuring the level of liquid in a container having a centerline comprising the steps of:

generating an illumination beam;

directing said illumination beam to a target positioned behind said container;

directing the illumination beam reflected from said target through the liquid in said container;

receiving the illumination beam passing through said container in the form of an image; and

providing an indication of the liquid level in said container based on the received illumination.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said illumination beam is generating by a laser.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the liquid level is based on the offset of said image from said container centerline.