US 6,224,699 B1 · Infrared imaging to detect components on personal care articles

Abstract

This invention pertains to fabricating composite personal care article products on a fabrication line, and sensing assembly quality characteristics of such personal care article products so fabricated, using infrared image sensing apparatus, and signal processing apparatus for processing the infrared energy so sensed, to fabricate visual displays of the composite images sensed by the infrared sensing apparatus. By using infrared imagery, and sensing the various temperatures of elements being placed and worked on the fabrication line, elements of the personal care articles which are hidden from visual observation can be sensed by sensing the infrared radiation emitted from such articles. Elements which are available for visual observation can likewise be sensed where temperature of such elements is suitable for detection, by infrared-sensitive receptors. Typically, a suitable infrared signature can be obtained without adding, to the elements whose quality is being assessed, any increment of heat for purposes of enhancing detection of such element or elements.

Claims62

Dependent claims

A method of sensing assembly quality characteristics of a web of personal care articles or personal care article precursors being fabricated on a fabrication line by processing apparatus, each personal care article or personal care article precursor having, as an element thereof, a bodyside liner, an outer cover, and at least one element of the personal care article or personal care article precursor disposed between the bodyside liner and the outer cover, the method comprising:

(a) using infrared sensing and vision image signal processing apparatus employing an infrared sensor, sensing at least one quality characteristic of at least one element of the personal care article or personal care article precursor, through an obstructive one of the elements of the personal care article which precludes facile visual observation of the respective quality characteristic, and outputting first signals from the infrared sensor;
and
(b) sending the outputted signals to an element of the infrared sensing and vision image signal processing apparatus which can respond by outputting second signals indicative of assembly quality characteristics of the personal care articles or personal care article precursors being fabricated by the processing apparatus.

A method of fabricating composite personal care article products from precursor elements, at least one of the elements of precursors of the personal care article products so fabricated comprising a continuous web of material, the method comprising:

(a) transporting the web along a fabrication line having fabrication machinery, past a plurality of work stations where work is performed on the web, for fabricating the personal care article precursors according to a predetermined arrangement, thereby to form an array of precursors of such personal care articles on the web;
(b) separating web segments, and the array of personal care article precursors thereon, from the web, and into individual personal care articles, including severing the web across a transverse dimension thereof;
and
(c) sensing infrared signatures of product work pieces fabricated on the web, creating a gray scale representation of thermal differences in the workpiece elements, and thereby determining assembly quality characteristics of respective ones of the composite personal care articles or composite personal care article precursors, and outputting a signal representative of the determined assembly quality characteristics.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Infrared imaging to detect components on personal care articles

Life of this patent

Infrared imaging to detect components on personal care articles

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims62