US 4,972,494 A · Package inspection system

Abstract

The invention provides package inspection systems which are capable of high speed sensing and evaluation of package integrity as packages are continuously conveyed in the manufacturing process. The systems are capable of measuring predetermined parameters of packages, e.g. cigarette packages, comparing the measured parameters with predetermined values, evaluating from the measured parameters the integrity of the packages and determining whether such packages are acceptable or, alternatively, should be rejected. The system can additionally obtain and store data on sensed package parameters for evaluating long-term and short-term manufacturing trends. In various embodiments of the invention, the system can inspect a single or plural package side(s), employing a single or plural line scan or area array camera(s) and may employ special optics to enable plural package side images to be obtained using a single camera. The invention also provides improved conveying systems for package inspection and master part detect systems which can be employed to obviate the need for synchronization between the inspection system and the conveying system.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus for evaluation for positional integrity of packaging elements in a package structure comprising:

(a) a package inspection station including an inspection wall;
(b) a conveyor for transporting a plurality of spaced identical packages sequentially along a conveying path through said inspection station and past said inspection wall, said inspection being positioned vertically of and adjacent said conveying path;
and
(c) retaining means at said inspection station for urging said packages against said inspection wall as said packages pass through said inspection station to thereby provide constant positional alignment of said packages against said inspection wall;
(d) a position sensor to detect the presence of the package structure to be evaluated at the package inspection station, and to produce a sensing signal;
(e) at least one light source to illuminate the package structure;
(f) recording means comprising at least one camera which responds to said sensing signal to produce camera output signals representing images of the package aligned against said inspection wall at the package inspection station, at least one camera being optically perpendicularly aligned to a surface of the package and said inspection wall while obtaining said package images;
and
(g) analysis means responsive to the camera output signals for evaluating said package images.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Package inspection system

Life of this patent

Package inspection system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20