Container fill level and pressurization inspection using multi-dimensional images

A system for filling a moving container, comprising:

• a filler configured to fill the moving container;
• an inspection station, the inspection station including:
• a radiation source positioned to direct radiation at the moving container;
• a radiation detector positioned to receive a portion of the radiation from the radiation source that is not absorbed or blocked by the moving container and to generate electrical signals in response thereto;
• and
• processing circuitry operable to produce multi-dimensional image data for the moving container based on the electric signals generated by the radiation detector and to determine the fill level of the container based on the image data;
• and
• a feedback path from the inspection station to the filler, the feedback path being configured to transmit the fill level to the filler for use in adjusting filler operation.

A system for filling a moving container, comprising:

• a filler configured to fill the moving container;
• an inspection station, the inspection station including:
• a radiation source positioned to direct radiation at the moving container;
• a radiation detector positioned to receive a portion of the radiation from the radiation source that is not absorbed or blocked by the moving container and to generate electrical signals in response thereto;
• processing circuitry operable to determine the fill level of the container based on the received radiation;
• a feedback path from the inspection station to the filler, the feedback path being configured to transmit the fill level to the filler for use in adjusting filler operation, wherein the processing circuitry is further operable to determine whether the container is sealed;
• a seamer for sealing the moving container, and
• a feedback path from the inspection station to the seamer, the feedback path being configured to transmit an indication as to whether the container is sealed for use in adjusting seamer operation.

A method of filling a moving container, comprising:

• filling the moving container using a filler;
• directing radiation at the moving container;
• receiving a portion of the radiation that is not absorbed or blocked by the moving container;
• producing multi-dimensional image data for the moving container based on the received portion of the radiation;
• determining a fill level of the moving container based on the image data;
• and
• adjusting operation of the filler based on the determined fill level.

A method of filling a moving container, comprising:

• filling the moving container using a filler;
• directing radiation at the moving container;
• receiving a portion of the radiation that is not absorbed or blocked by the moving container;
• determining a fill level of the moving container based on the received radiation;
• adjusting operation of the filler based on the determined fill level;
• sealing the moving container using a seamer;
• determining whether the container is sealed based on the received radiation;
• and
• adjusting operation of the seamer based on the determination