Container sealing surface area inspection
First Claim
1. Apparatus for inspecting the finish of a container having a central axis and an open mouth surrounded by an axially facing sealing surface area, said apparatus comprising:
- first and second light sources for directing light energy onto the sealing surface area of a container from respective differing angles with respect to said axis,light sensor means including a matrix array sensor and means for directing light energy reflected from the sealing surface area from both of said light sources onto said matrix array sensor such that said sensor views the sealing surface area from at least said differing angles,means coupled to said first and second light sources and to said matrix array sensor for scanning said sensor to obtain two-dimensional images of the container sealing surface area as said first and second light sources are respectively energized, andmeans for detecting commercial variations at the sealing surface area of a container as a function of said two-dimensional images.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for inspecting the sealing surface area of a container finish that includes a structured light source positioned to direct a collimated line-shaped light beam onto the sealing surface area of a container as the container is moved relative to the light source. The line-shaped light beam at the container sealing surface area has a long dimension orthogonal to the container axis that extends chordally across the sealing surface area, and a narrow dimension tangential to the container axis. A light sensor is disposed to receive portions of the line-shaped light beam reflected from the sealing surface area, and provides an electrical output signal that varies with height or level of the sealing surface with respect to the light source and sensor. The sensor is coupled to associated electronics for providing information indicative of sealing surface height. The elongated dimension of the line-shaped light beam at the container sealing surface area accommodates wobble or misalignment at the sealing surface with respect to the light source and sensor. Furthermore, the elongated radial dimension of the line-shaped light beam at the container sealing surface area produces a reflection on the sensor from any wire-edge or over-press within the container mouth, thus producing at the sensor information indicative of both existence and height of any such wire-edge or over-press.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. Apparatus for inspecting the finish of a container having a central axis and an open mouth surrounded by an axially facing sealing surface area, said apparatus comprising:
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first and second light sources for directing light energy onto the sealing surface area of a container from respective differing angles with respect to said axis, light sensor means including a matrix array sensor and means for directing light energy reflected from the sealing surface area from both of said light sources onto said matrix array sensor such that said sensor views the sealing surface area from at least said differing angles, means coupled to said first and second light sources and to said matrix array sensor for scanning said sensor to obtain two-dimensional images of the container sealing surface area as said first and second light sources are respectively energized, and means for detecting commercial variations at the sealing surface area of a container as a function of said two-dimensional images. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of inspecting the finish of a container that comprises the steps of:
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(a) alternately directing light energies of differing optical characteristics at first and second differing angles onto the sealing surface area of a container finish such that said light energies are reflected at differing angles form the sealing surface area, (b) directing said light energies reflected in said step (a) onto a single matrix array sensor, (c) scanning said matrix array sensor to obtain two-dimensional images of the container sealing surface area as said first and second light sources are respectively energized, and (d) detecting commercial variations at the sealing surface are as a function of such two-dimensional images. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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Specification