Optical detection of radial reflective defects
First Claim
1. Apparatus for inspecting a translucent container to detect a radial reflective defect in the container and for rejecting the container in response to a reject signal indicating the presence of a reflective defect, said apparatus comprising:
- means for illuminating the container by focusing a radiant beam of light to form a narrow elongated image extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container along a sidewall portion of the translucent container being inspected and directing said beam against the interior surface of said illuminated wall portion in a direction forming an acute angle to a radial plane extending through and parallel to said illuminated portion of the container;
camera means focused on the exterior of said illuminated portion of the container wall for sensing the intensity of light reflected from said illuminated portion, said camera means viewing the illuminated portion from a direction forming an angle ranging from between 75 degrees to 105 degrees from the path of said beam of light, said reflected light intensity sensing camera means providing a plurality of electrical signals each proportional to the intensity of reflected light from a corresponding position on said illuminated wall portion of the container; and
,means responsive to said plurality of electrical signals for providing a reject signal when one of said plurality of electrical signals exceeds a predetermined threshold in response to the presence of a reflective defect.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for inspecting a translucent container to detect a radial reflective defect in the container is disclosed. The apparatus comprises means for illuminating a container by focusing a radiant beam of light into an elongated image extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container along a portion of the container being inspected. The apparatus also comprises means focused on the illuminated portion of the container for sensing the intensity of light reflected from the illuminated portion and for viewing the illuminated portion from a direction and forming an angle ranging from about 75 degrees to about 105 degrees from a path of the incident beam of light. The sensing means provides a plurality of the electrical signals each proportional to the reflected intensity from a corresponding position on the illuminated portion of the container. The apparatus also comprises means responsive to the plurality of electrical signals for providing a reject signal when one of the plurality of electrical signals exceeds a predetermined threshold in response to the presence of a reflective defect.
32 Citations
14 Claims
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1. Apparatus for inspecting a translucent container to detect a radial reflective defect in the container and for rejecting the container in response to a reject signal indicating the presence of a reflective defect, said apparatus comprising:
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means for illuminating the container by focusing a radiant beam of light to form a narrow elongated image extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container along a sidewall portion of the translucent container being inspected and directing said beam against the interior surface of said illuminated wall portion in a direction forming an acute angle to a radial plane extending through and parallel to said illuminated portion of the container; camera means focused on the exterior of said illuminated portion of the container wall for sensing the intensity of light reflected from said illuminated portion, said camera means viewing the illuminated portion from a direction forming an angle ranging from between 75 degrees to 105 degrees from the path of said beam of light, said reflected light intensity sensing camera means providing a plurality of electrical signals each proportional to the intensity of reflected light from a corresponding position on said illuminated wall portion of the container; and
,means responsive to said plurality of electrical signals for providing a reject signal when one of said plurality of electrical signals exceeds a predetermined threshold in response to the presence of a reflective defect. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for inspecting a translucent container to detect a radial reflective defect in the container sidewall and for rejecting the container in response to a reject signal indicating the presence of a reflective defect comprising the steps of:
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illuminating the container by focusing a radiant beam of light to form an elongated image extending in a direction running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container along a portion of the container sidewall being inspected; directing the beam against the interior surface of the illuminated portion in a direction forming an acute angle with respect to a radial plane extending through and parallel to the illuminated portion of the container; sensing light reflected from the illuminated portion in a direction at an angle ranging from 75 degrees to 105 degrees from the path of the incident beam of light; providing a plurality of electrical signals with each signal being proportional to the intensity of light reflected from a corresponding position on the illuminated portion of the container; and
,providing a reject signal when one of the plurality of electrical signals exceeds a predetermined threshold indicating the presence of a reflective defect. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. In a system for inspecting the entire sidewall of a translucent container to detect a radial reflective defect in the container sidewall while rotating said container through at least 360 degrees and for rejecting the container in response to a reject signal indicating the presence of a reflective defect, apparatus comprising:
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a light source; means for focusing said light source into a narrow beam of light to form an elongated, illuminated image extending in a direction running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container along the sidewall of the container being inspected, said beam being directed against the interior surface of said sidewall in a direction forming an acute angle with respect to a radial plane extending through and parallel to said illuminated image on the container sidewall; camera means for sensing the intensity of light reflected from said illuminated image, said camera viewing the illuminated image from a direction forming an angle ranging from 75 degrees to 105 degrees from the path of said beam of light, said camera means providing as plurality of electrical signals each proportional to the reflected light intensity from a corresponding position on said illuminated image of the container sidewall; and
,comparison means connected to said of electrical signals and a threshold signal for providing a reject signal when one of said plurality of electrical signals exceeds a predetermined threshold in response to the presence of a reflective defect.
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Specification