Cascading inspection system and process
First Claim
1. A method of inspecting an absorbent article wherein the absorbent article is constructed from a plurality of layered components including at least one permeable topsheet, an impermeable backsheet, with a pad core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, the method comprising the steps of:
- producing an image from the absorbent article;
identifying at least one edge in the image, the edge comprising a location in the image where there is a contrast;
defining a first discrete region in the image based on the location of the at least one edge;
identifying at least one edge within the first discrete region, the edge comprising a location in the first discrete region where there is a contrast;
Calculating a center point of the image using the previously identified edges;
Determining a centerline of the image;
Calculating a skew of the image from the centerline;
defining at least one other discrete region in the image;
identifying at least one other edge within the at least one other discrete region in the image;
comparing the at least one other edge to the skew of the image.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A process is provided for inspecting an absorbent article constructed from multiple components. A filtered image is produced from the absorbent article. In the image of the absorbent article, a nonlinear first edge and a second edge are identified at a location where there is a course change in contrast. A center point and centerline of the absorbent article is calculated using the position of the first edge and the second edge. A skew of the absorbent article is calculated. These known locations are utilized to define at least one additional region of the image for further analysis. A third edge and fourth edge are identified at a location where there is a fine change in contrast. The skew of the third edge and the fourth edge within the defined region is calculated and compared to known parameters for the absorbent article.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of inspecting an absorbent article wherein the absorbent article is constructed from a plurality of layered components including at least one permeable topsheet, an impermeable backsheet, with a pad core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, the method comprising the steps of:
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producing an image from the absorbent article;
identifying at least one edge in the image, the edge comprising a location in the image where there is a contrast;
defining a first discrete region in the image based on the location of the at least one edge;
identifying at least one edge within the first discrete region, the edge comprising a location in the first discrete region where there is a contrast;
Calculating a center point of the image using the previously identified edges;
Determining a centerline of the image;
Calculating a skew of the image from the centerline;
defining at least one other discrete region in the image;
identifying at least one other edge within the at least one other discrete region in the image;
comparing the at least one other edge to the skew of the image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A process for inspecting an article having overlying components, the process comprising:
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producing an image from the article;
identifying a first edge within the image at a location where there is a substantially course contrast;
defining a first discrete region based on the location of the first edge;
identifying a location of a second edge within the first discrete region at a location where there is a contrast;
comparing the location of the second edge to a known parameter;
defining a second discrete region based on the location of the second edge;
identifying a location of a third edge within the second discrete region at a location where there is a contrast;
comparing the location of the third edge to a known parameter. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A process for inspecting an absorbent article constructed from multiple components including at least a permeable topsheet, an impermeable backsheet, and an pad core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, the process comprising:
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producing an image from the absorbent article;
filtering the image of the absorbent article;
identifying in the image of the absorbent article, a nonlinear first edge wherein the first edge is a location where there is a course change in contrast;
identifying in the image of the absorbent article, a second edge wherein the second edge is a location where there is a course change in contrast;
calculating a center point of the absorbent article using the position of the first edge and the second edge;
determining a centerline of the absorbent article;
calculating a skew of the absorbent article;
utilizing these known locations to define at least one region of the image for further analysis;
utilizing a filter to enhance the contrast of the image in the defined region;
identifying in the defined region, a third edge wherein the third edge is a location where there is a fine change in contrast;
identifying in the defined region, a fourth edge wherein the fourth edge is a location where there in is a fine change in contrast;
calculating the skew of the third edge and the fourth edge within the defined region; and
comparing the skew of the third edge and the fourth edge to known parameters for the absorbent article.
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Specification