Glass fragment detector

• US 4,209,802 A
• Filed: 09/25/1978
• Issued: 06/24/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gerber Products Company (Nestle SA)
• Original Assignee: Gerber Products Company (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Brandt, Maurice W., Fogg, Daniel A., Klemundt, Marshall
• Primary Examiner(s): Britton, Howard W.
• Application Number:
  US05/939,530
• Time in Patent Office: 638 Days
• Field of Search: 358/106, 356/240, 356/426-428, 250/223 B, 209/939
• US Class Current: 348/127
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2033/0081 containers; packages; bottles
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/9027 in containers after filling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 209/939 Video scanning

Abstract

Apparatus and method for detecting glass fragments within closed filled jars on a production line. A plurality of jars is conveyed in serial fashion past an inspection station. Prior to arrival at the inspection station the jars are tilted by an acute angle of approximately 45° to define a lowermost portion of the jar bottom into which glass fragments and the like settle. A light source illuminates this lowermost portion at the inspection station, and a television camera is precisely focused on the lowermost portion. The camera relays a signal for producing a magnified image on a monitor so that an operator can divert jars containing foreign matter out of the line.

Claims

1. Apparatus for aiding an operator in the visual inspection of jars filled with translucent material comprising:

means for tilting the jars by an angle less than 90°

, thereby defining a lowermost portion of the jar bottom, such that solid material within the jar gravitates to and is localized at the lowermost portion;

means for transporting the jars in their tilted position along a predetermined path past an inspection station;

means for forming a magnified visual image, such means situated sufficiently close to lowermost portion to precisely focus on said portion while producing a clear, sharp magnified image of high resolution.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the image forming means comprises:

means for illuminating the lowermost portion of the jar bottoms;

a television camera directed at the lowermost portion of the tilted jars; and

a television monitor coupled to the television camera to provide a magnified image of the lowermost portion of the jar bottom for the operator.

3. Apparatus for facilitating the detection by an operator of solid material in a plurality of liquid-filled jars comprising:

means for tilting the jars to define a lowermost portion of the interior of the jar, so that solid matter within the jar settles to and is localized at the lowermost portion of the jar interior;

means for moving the jars in serial fashion along a predetermined path past an inspection station;

means for illuminating the lowermost region of the jar;

a television camera directed at the lowermost portion of the tilted jars; and

a television monitor coupled to the television camera to provide a magnified image of the lowermost portion of the jar bottom for the operator.

4. Apparatus for facilitating the detection by an operator of solid material in a plurality of jars filled with translucent liquid contents comprising:

a conveyor for carrying the jars along a predetermined path for deflecting the jars at least partially over an edge of the conveyor;

a slanted fence for preventing the jars from falling off the edge of the conveyor;

a housing at the inspection station for receiving the jars, the housing including a slanted wall and a flange which together form a trough for supporting the jars at an acute angle from the vertical, thereby defining a lowermost portion of the jar contents such that solid material in the jar settles to and is localized at the lowermost portion opposite the slit;

the slanted wall and flange having portions defining a slit opposite the lowermost portion of a jar passing through the housing;

a light source for illuminating a region of the jar contents including the lowermost portion;

a television camera directed at the slit; and

a television monitor coupled to the television camera;

such that the localization of the solid material allows the television camera to be located at a sufficiently small distance from the slit to produce a magnified image of high resolution, thereby allowing the detection of particles too small to be readily discernible to the eye.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein the acute angle is approximately 45°

.

6. The invention of claim 4 wherein the television camera is oriented perpendicular to the slanted wall.

7. The invention of claim 4 wherein the slanted wall includes a door for allowing a jar to be selectively removed from the housing.

8. A method of visually detecting solid material within a liquid-filled jar comprising the steps of:

tilting the jar, thereby defining a lowermost portion of the jar, such that solid material in the jar settles to and is localized at the lowermost portion;

moving the tilted jar along a predetermined path past an inspection station;

positioning an image capture means near said lowermost portion;

focusing said image capture means on said lowermost portion; and

producing a clearly defined magnified image of the lowermost portion of the jar for inspection by an operator, whereby the visibility of the solid material is enhanced.

9. A method in accordance with claim 8 and further characterized by the step of illiminating the lowermost portion of the jar at least while the magnified image is being produced.

10. A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein said jars are tilted approximately 45°

.