# US 12,007,334 B2 · Compact apparatus for batch vial inspection > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,007,334 B2 - Document ID: US12007334B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/510,185 - Filed: 2021-10-25 - Published: 2023-04-27 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2021-10-25 - Assignees: Applied Materials, Inc. - Applicants: Applied Materials, Inc. - Inventors: Asaf Schlezinger - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12007334B2 ## CPC - G01N 21/9009: {Non-optical constructional details affecting optical inspection, e.g. cleaning mechanisms for optical parts, vibration reduction} - G01N 21/9027: {in containers after filling} - G01N 21/9036: {using arrays of emitters or receivers} - G01N 35/04: Details of the conveyor system {(G01N35/021 - G01N35/028 take precedence)} - G01N 35/0099: {comprising robots or similar manipulators (robots per se B25J)} - G01N 2035/0406: {Individual bottles or tubes} - G01N 2035/0415: {moving in two dimensions in a horizontal plane} - G01N 2201/0484: Computer controlled - G01N 2201/0636: Reflectors - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract Methods and apparatus of inspection tools for inspecting impurities in vials are provided herein. In some embodiments, an inspection tool for inspecting impurities in vials includes: a table for inspecting a plurality of vials; one or more carts configured to move about the table to place the one or more carts in an inspection position, wherein each of the one or more carts includes a vial holder configured to hold a plurality of vials, and wherein each vial holder is configured to spin the plurality of vials on their own respective axes; and a camera configured to take images of the plurality of vials when the plurality of vials are disposed in the inspection position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An inspection tool for inspecting impurities in vials, comprising: a table for inspecting a plurality of vials; one or more carts configured to move about the table to place the one or more carts in an inspection position, wherein each of the one or more carts includes a vial holder configured to hold a plurality of vials, and wherein each vial holder is configured to spin the plurality of vials on their own respective axes, wherein the vial holder comprises a base plate having a plurality of rotatable pedestals configured to retain the plurality of vials, a back plate extending upward from the base plate, and a plurality of top covers configured to rotate such that the plurality of top covers are not aligned with respective ones of the plurality of rotatable pedestals during loading of the plurality of vials and the plurality of top covers are aligned with respective ones of the plurality of rotatable pedestals to retain the plurality of vials between the plurality of rotatable pedestals and the plurality of top covers; and a camera configured to take images of the plurality of vials when the plurality of vials are disposed in the inspection position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The inspection tool of claim 1, wherein the table comprises a conveyor system having a motor and a drive chain coupled to the motor, wherein the one or more carts are coupled to the conveyor system and configured to move about the table via the drive chain. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The inspection tool of claim 1, wherein the table comprises a maglev system having one or more magnets disposed below the table and configured to move the one or more carts disposed on or over the table, and wherein the one or more carts are slidingly disposed on the table. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The inspection tool of claim 1, wherein the plurality of vials comprise about 8 to about 12 vials. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The inspection tool of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more carts includes an illumination source configured to pass light to the camera. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The inspection tool of claim 1, further comprising: a vial input line; a vial output line, a first transfer robot configured to transfer the plurality of vials from the vial input line to the one or more carts; and a second transfer robot configured to transfer the plurality of vials from the one or more carts to the vial output line. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The inspection tool of claim 1, wherein the camera is stationary. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The inspection tool of claim 1, wherein the back plate includes a plurality of plates that are spaced from each other. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The inspection tool of claim 1, wherein the table includes an angled mirror disposed on the table and the one or more carts are disposed about the angled mirror and configured to move about the angled mirror. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The inspection tool of claim 1, wherein the table is rectangular shaped, U-shaped, L-shaped, or round shaped. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The inspection tool of claim 1, wherein the vial holder is configured to arrange the plurality of vials linearly on the one or more carts. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A method of inspecting a plurality of vials for impurities using the inspection tool of claim 1, comprising: using a first transfer robot to load the plurality of vials at least partially filled with liquid from a vial input line to a cart of the one or more carts; spinning each of the plurality of vials in the cart about their own respective axes; moving the cart about the table of the inspection tool to place the cart in an inspection position for a first duration; and taking a plurality of images of each of the vials within the first duration with the camera. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising: characterizing each of the plurality of vials as passing inspection or failing inspection after taking the plurality of images; and using a second transfer robot to unload any of the plurality of vials that pass inspection onto a pass line and any of the plurality of vials that fail inspection onto a fail line. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising stopping the spinning of each of the plurality of vials in the cart prior to taking the plurality of images. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising: directing light from the cart to the camera through the plurality of vials and via an angled mirror, prior to taking the plurality of images. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the first duration is about 0.5 to about 1.0 second. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the plurality of vials comprise glass containers, syringes, or ampoules. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein spinning each of the plurality of vials in the cart is performed at about 4000 to 8000 rotations per minute. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising: using the first transfer robot to load a second plurality of vials at least partially filled with liquid from the vial input line to a second cart of the one or more carts disposed on, above, or coupled to the inspection tool; spinning each of the second plurality of vials in the second cart; moving the cart and the second cart either clockwise or counterclockwise about the table to place the second cart in the inspection position; holding the second cart in the inspection position for the first duration; and taking a plurality of images of each of the vials in the second plurality of vials within the first duration with the camera. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) A non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed, causes a method of inspecting a plurality of vials for impurities to be performed using the inspection tool of claim 1, the method comprising: using a first transfer robot to load the plurality of vials at least partially filled with liquid from a vial input line to a cart of the one or more carts disposed in an inspection tool; spinning each of the plurality of vials in the cart about their own respective axes; moving the cart about the table of the inspection tool to place the cart in an inspection position for a first duration; and taking a plurality of images of each of the vials within the first duration with the camera.