Inspection system
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- at least one row of product receiving pockets, each pocket being structured to convey a pellet-shaped article along a path;
at least one camera unit configured to sense a predetermined characteristic of the plurality of pellet-shaped articles;
a removal unit, downstream from the at least one camera unit, structured to remove at least a selected one of the plurality of pellet-shaped articles from at least a selected one of the pockets depending on whether the predetermined characteristic is sensed by the at least one camera unit; and
a controller in communication with the at least one camera unit and the removal unit, the controller providing a signal to the removal unit in accordance with the predetermined characteristic sensed by the at least one camera unit,wherein the removal unit includes a rotatable ejection drum having a plurality of extended vacuum nozzles along its length associated with the number of articles conveyed in each row, each vacuum nozzle structured to selectively remove the article from an associated pocket by suction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An inspection system is configured for use with a conveyer apparatus including carrier bars. Each carrier bar conveys pellet-shaped articles along a predetermined path. The inspection system includes at least one camera unit for sensing a predetermined characteristic of the pellet-shaped articles, a removal unit, and a controller. The removal unit, downstream from the at least one camera unit, removes selected pellet-shaped article(s) from the carrier bar(s) depending on whether the characteristic is sensed by the at least one camera unit. The controller is in communication with the at least one camera unit and the removal unit. The controller provides a signal to the removal unit in accordance with the sensed characteristic. The removal unit includes a rotatable ejection drum having extended vacuum nozzles along its length, equal to the number of articles conveyed in each carrier bar. Each vacuum nozzle selectively removes article(s) from the carrier bar(s) by suction.
137 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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at least one row of product receiving pockets, each pocket being structured to convey a pellet-shaped article along a path; at least one camera unit configured to sense a predetermined characteristic of the plurality of pellet-shaped articles; a removal unit, downstream from the at least one camera unit, structured to remove at least a selected one of the plurality of pellet-shaped articles from at least a selected one of the pockets depending on whether the predetermined characteristic is sensed by the at least one camera unit; and a controller in communication with the at least one camera unit and the removal unit, the controller providing a signal to the removal unit in accordance with the predetermined characteristic sensed by the at least one camera unit, wherein the removal unit includes a rotatable ejection drum having a plurality of extended vacuum nozzles along its length associated with the number of articles conveyed in each row, each vacuum nozzle structured to selectively remove the article from an associated pocket by suction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of making a genuine batch of pellet-shaped articles using an apparatus including at least one row of product receiving pockets, each pocket being structured to convey a pellet-shaped article along a path, the method comprising:
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separating acceptable pellet-shaped articles to be included in the genuine batch, from unacceptable pellet-shaped articles to be excluded from the genuine batch, in connection with the apparatus; and packaging together the separated acceptable pellet-shaped articles in making the genuine batch, wherein the apparatus comprises; at least one camera unit configured to sense a predetermined characteristic of the plurality of pellet-shaped articles; a removal unit, downstream from the at least one camera unit, structured to remove at least a selected one of the plurality of pellet-shaped articles from at least a selected one of the pockets depending on whether the predetermined characteristic is sensed by the at least one camera unit; and a controller in communication with the at least one camera unit and the removal unit, the controller providing a signal to the removal unit in accordance with the predetermined characteristic sensed by the at least one camera unit, and wherein the removal unit includes a rotatable ejection drum having a plurality of vacuum nozzles along its length that is associated with the number of articles conveyed in each row, each vacuum nozzle structured to selectively remove the article from an associated pocket. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification