Automated inspection system with transport and ejector conveyor
First Claim
1. A transport and ejector conveyor for an automated inspection system comprising:
- a. an optical inspection station at which a package array comprising connected individual package bases, each base having a product therein, is optically inspected to verify that the product is present in each package base;
i. wherein the optical inspection station comprises a plurality of video cameras, each of which optically inspects a given number of package bases;
ii. wherein the video cameras are mounted on a support which is independently adjustable by separate x, y and z adjustor mechanisms for translation along x, y and z axes to precisely position the video cameras relative to the package bases;
b. a package conveyor system for conveying the package bases by the optical inspection station;
c. an ejector system, selectively switchable between a first position in which the package bases are passed on the package conveyor system by the ejector system and a second position in which the ejector system transfers packages that are determined by the optical inspection station not to have a product therein from the package conveyor system to the ejector system.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automated inspection system for inspecting packages, such as blister packages, to verify the presence therein of products, such as contact lenses, prior to heat sealing of the blister packages. The automated inspection system includes a transport and ejector mechanism for ejecting any defective packages determined by the automated inspection system not to have a product therein. The automated inspection system includes an optical inspection station at which packages are optically inspected by video cameras to verify that a product is, in fact, present in each package base. A package conveyor system is provided for conveying the packages by the optical inspection station. Following the optical inspection station, an ejector ramp of the transport and ejector mechanism is selectively switchable between a first raised position in which package bases are passed on for further processing, and a second lowered position in which defective packages are transferred from the package conveyor system to the ejector ramp and a buffer area for ejected packages.
74 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A transport and ejector conveyor for an automated inspection system comprising:
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a. an optical inspection station at which a package array comprising connected individual package bases, each base having a product therein, is optically inspected to verify that the product is present in each package base; i. wherein the optical inspection station comprises a plurality of video cameras, each of which optically inspects a given number of package bases; ii. wherein the video cameras are mounted on a support which is independently adjustable by separate x, y and z adjustor mechanisms for translation along x, y and z axes to precisely position the video cameras relative to the package bases; b. a package conveyor system for conveying the package bases by the optical inspection station; c. an ejector system, selectively switchable between a first position in which the package bases are passed on the package conveyor system by the ejector system and a second position in which the ejector system transfers packages that are determined by the optical inspection station not to have a product therein from the package conveyor system to the ejector system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification