Apparatus and method for ensuring rotation of a container during inspection
First Claim
1. Apparatus for inspecting a container, which includes:
- means for rotating a container around an axis, an optical inspection device that includes at least one light source for directing light energy onto the container in said rotating means, and at least one light sensor for receiving light energy from said light source following interaction with the container, and an image processor coupled to said sensor for detecting fluctuations in an output from said sensor and determining from said fluctuations that the container is rotating during inspection.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for inspecting a container includes an optical inspection device having at least one light source for directing light energy onto the container as the container is rotated around an axis, and at least one light sensor for receiving light energy from the light source following interaction with the container. An image processor is coupled to the sensor for detecting rotation of the container as a function of fluctuations in the output from the sensor. Rotation of the container will cause some fluctuation in the output of the sensor due to interaction of the light energy with the container. The absence of any detected fluctuations in the sensor output is interpreted as an indication that the container is not rotating, either due to malformation of the container, malfunction of the mechanism for rotating the container, or some other reason.
17 Citations
12 Claims
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1. Apparatus for inspecting a container, which includes:
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means for rotating a container around an axis, an optical inspection device that includes at least one light source for directing light energy onto the container in said rotating means, and at least one light sensor for receiving light energy from said light source following interaction with the container, and an image processor coupled to said sensor for detecting fluctuations in an output from said sensor and determining from said fluctuations that the container is rotating during inspection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. In an apparatus for inspecting a container for commercial variations while the container is rotated around an axis, means for ensuring that the container is actually rotated during inspection, which include:
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at least one light source for directing light energy onto the container, at least one light sensor for receiving light energy from said source following interaction of said light energy with the container, and an image processor for detecting actual rotation of the container as a function of fluctuations in said light energy received at said sensor. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of detecting rotation of a container during optical inspection for commercial variations, in which light energy is analyzed after interaction with the container to identify fluctuations in the light energy indicative of actual rotation of the container during inspection.
Specification