Method for an automatic inspection of a multiplicity of plate-like plastic carriers

A method for an automatic inspection of a plastic carrier, the plastic carrier being closed by a cover and having an identification code and a culture medium, the method comprising:

• providing a storage container including the plastic carrier;
• providing a computer-controlled handling unit including an optical inspection system;
• and
• performing the automatic inspection in an inspection routine, the inspection routine comprising:
• removing, using the handling unit, the plastic carrier from the storage container;
• placing the cover of the plastic carrier in the handling unit;
• subsequently removing the cover of the plastic carrier;
• supplying the plastic carrier to the optical inspection system;
• reading the identification code of the plastic carrier before or after the plastic carrier is removed from the storage container;
• recording an image, with a light, of the plastic carrier including a surface of the culture medium;
• evaluating the image for a growth of germs, faults in the plastic carrier, faults in the surface of the culture medium, and damage to the plastic carriers;
• and
• storing a result of said evaluating,
• wherein, when recording the image, an entire surface of the plastic carrier and the cover is shown at a same time on a camera unit,
• wherein the inspection routine is performed multiple times,
• wherein different illumination sources are used for recording multiple images, the illumination sources carrying out a transmitted light illumination and a diffuse illumination in incident light.

A method for an automatic inspection of a plurality of plastic carriers, each plastic carrier being closed by a cover and having an identification code and a culture medium, the method comprising:

• providing a storage container including the plurality of plastic carriers;
• providing a computer-controlled handling unit including an optical inspection system;
• and
• performing the automatic inspection in an inspection routine, the inspection routine comprising:
• removing, using the handling unit, the plurality of plastic carriers from the storage container;
• placing the cover of each of the plurality of plastic carriers in the handling unit;
• subsequently removing the cover of the plurality of plastic carriers;
• supplying the plurality of plastic carriers to the optical inspection system;
• reading the identification code each of the plurality of plastic carriers before or after the plurality of plastic carriers is removed from the storage container;
• recording an image, with a light, of each of the plurality of plastic carriers including a surface of the culture medium;
• in an evaluation step, evaluating the images for a growth of germs and faults in the plastic carrier, faults in the surface of the culture medium, damage to the plurality of plastic carriers, and an impermissible labeling of the plurality of plastic carriers;
• and
• storing a result of the evaluation step,
• wherein, when recording the images, an entire surface of the plurality of plastic carriers and the covers is shown at a same time on a camera unit,
• wherein the inspection routine is performed multiple times,
• wherein different illumination sources are used for recording multiple images, the illumination sources carrying out a transmitted light illumination and a diffuse illumination in incident light.

A method for an automatic inspection of a plurality of plate-like plastic carriers, each plastic carrier being closed by a cover and having a unique identification code and a culture medium, the method comprising:

• providing a storage container including the plastic carriers;
• providing a computer-controlled handling unit including an optical inspection system, the computer-controlled handling unit being designed as a part of a robot;
• and
• performing the automatic inspection in an inspection routine, the inspection routine comprising:
• removing one of the plastic carriers from the storage container with the aid of the handling unit;
• subsequently removing the cover of the one of the plastic carriers;
• supplying the one of the plastic carriers to the optical inspection system;
• reading the identification code of the one of the plastic carriers before or after the one of the plastic carriers is removed from the storage container;
• recording at least one image, with a light, of the one of the plastic carriers including a surface of the culture medium;
• during said recording the at least one image, the surface of the one of the plastic carriers is displayed to a camera unit;
• in an evaluation step, evaluating the at least one image for faults as a growth of germs, faults in the surface of the culture medium, and damage to the one of the plastic carriers;
• and
• storing a result of the evaluation step,
• wherein the inspection routine is performed multiple times,
• wherein at least one illumination source is used for recording the at least one image, the at least one illumination source being a transmission light illumination source.