US 6,565,686 B2 · 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.

Claims32

Dependent claims

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

(a) sensing infrared properties of product or product precursors being fabricated on the web using infrared sensing apparatus;
(b) outputting signals indicative of infrared properties of the product or product precursors being fabricated on the web to visual image processing apparatus;
(c) creating a database representative of infrared properties of product standards within selected control tolerance;
(d) comparing the sensed infrared properties of product being fabricated with the database, using the image processing apparatus, the image processing apparatus comprising a programmable logic controller capable of comparing image data from the infrared sensing apparatus with preselected stored images of the database, and thereby developing an image comparison result;
and
(e) outputting processing adjustment signals from the programmable logic controller to processing apparatus of the fabrication line to effect adjustment of absorbent article processing in accord with the image comparison result.

3 more elements

A method for fabricating composite personal care articles and sensing assembly quality characteristics of the personal care articles so fabricated, at least one of the components of precursors of the personal care articles so fabricated comprising a continuous web of material, the method comprising:

(a) transporting the web along a fabrication line, past a plurality of work stations where work, for fabricating the personal care article precursors according to a predetermined arrangement, is performed on the web thereby to form an array of precursors of such personal care articles on the web;
(b) separating ones of the array of personal care article precursors 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 being fabricated on the web, 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 sensed 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

Claims32