Conveyor System
AssigneeIMA Life S.R. L.
InventorsJan Vugts, Jozef Antonius Willem Maria Corver
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A conveyor system comprises means for conveying a sample at a controlled velocity between functions of a production line and through an interrogation zone, means for generating at least one beam of electromagnetic radiation of a terahertz frequency and directing the beam through the interrogation zone, means for detecting the electromagnetic radiation reflected from or transmitted through the sample as it moves through the interrogation zone, and means for analyzing the detected electromagnetic and for outputting a signal to at least one of the functions in dependence on the result of the analysis.
Claims25
A method of quality control on a production line in which samples are conveyed between functions of the production line, the method comprising the steps of conveying each sample at a controlled velocity through an interrogation zone, generating at least one beam of electromagnetic radiation of a terahertz frequency and directing the beam through the interrogation zone, detecting the electromagnetic radiation reflected from or transmitted through a sample as it moves through the interrogation zone, analyzing the detected electromagnetic radiation, and outputting a signal to at least one of the functions in dependence on the result of the analysis.
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the sample is rejected in dependence on the result of the analysis.
A method of quality control on a production line in which samples are conveyed between stations of the production line, the method comprising the steps of conveying each sample at a controlled velocity through an interrogation zone, generating at least one beam of electromagnetic radiation of a terahertz frequency and directing the beam through the interrogation zone, detecting the electromagnetic radiation reflected from or transmitted through a sample as it moves through the interrogation zone, analyzing the detected electromagnetic radiation, and rejecting the sample in dependence on the result of the analysis.
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein, in dependence on the result of the comparison, a signal is output to a filling station for inserting the sample into a container.
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each sample is located within a container that is substantially transparent to the beam of electromagnetic radiation.
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein a beam of electromagnetic radiation is scanned across the interrogation zone.
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the interrogation zone extends substantially orthogonally to the direction of movement of the sample therethrough.
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the detection is performed by an array of detectors.
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the electromagnetic radiation of a terahertz frequency has a frequency within the range from 100 GHz (1011 Hz) to 30 THz (3×1013 Hz).
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the samples comprise pharmaceutical samples each contained within a respective container.
A conveyor system comprising means for conveying a sample at a controlled velocity between functions of a production line and through an interrogation zone, means for generating at least one beam of electromagnetic radiation of a terahertz frequency and directing the beam through the interrogation zone, means for detecting the electromagnetic radiation reflected from or transmitted through the sample as it moves through the interrogation zone, and means for analyzing the detected electromagnetic and for outputting a signal to at least one of the functions in dependence on the result of the analysis.
A conveyor system comprising means for conveying a sample at a controlled velocity through an interrogation zone, means for generating 10 at least one beam of electromagnetic radiation of a terahertz frequency and directing the beam through the interrogation zone, means for detecting the electromagnetic radiation reflected from or transmitted through the sample as it moves through the interrogation zone, means for analyzing the detected electromagnetic, and means for rejecting the sample in dependence on the result of the analysis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.