Title of Invention

METHOD FOR THE INSPECTION OR MONITORING OF BOTTLES OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, AND DEVICE FOR THE INSPECTION OF BOTTLES OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the inspection of bottles or similar containers filled with a filling substance, wherein the containers are monitored for any possible foreign bodies present in the liquid filling substance by means of an optoelectric, electromagnetic image recording and processing or analysis system, which is to say by means of images of an optoelectric and/or electromagnetic sensor systern.

Full Text

The invention relates to a method in accordance with generic term in patent claim 1 as well as to a device for the inspection of bottles or similar containers, in particular to a full bottle or a full container inspection device in accordance with generic term 22 or 32. An inspection device is the subject of the claim 36. The task of the invention is it to document a method, which facilitates a reliable inspection of containers filled with a liquid or a liquid filling substance (also full bottles or full containers) for possible presence of solids or foreign bodies with high output (inspected containers per unit of time). A method has been developed to find a solution to this task according to the patent claim 1. An inspection device is the subject of the patent claim 20 or 30. In the invention, the inspection of the containers takes place by means image recording and image evaluation and/or - analysis, and namely in the form that a reference image is generated of each container in a reference position or reference orientation of the container and this reference image is then compared with at least another image, also comparison- or monitoring image, which was generated by the same container in a position deviating from reference orientation or orientation in the area, whereby the image plane of the container area illustrated thereby in the processed or compared images (reference image and at least a further image of the respective container) or in containers deviating from this is identical or essentially identical. In the simplest case, the deviating container orientation in the area is achieved during the image recording by maintaining the same image plane in a manner that the container concerned is swivelled around an axis from its reference orientation, which is parallel or essentially parallel to the optical axis of the optoelectric sensors generating the reference image, as well as parallel or essentially parallel to the optical axis of the optoelectric sensor generating at least one monitoring image. The image areas of the respective containers recorded by the optoelectric sensors and/or used during the image processing are preferably identical or practically identical, so that during the evaluation of the reference image and of at least monitoring image, defects of the respective container, like blisters and/or inclusions in the container wall, burrs, grooves, scratch etc. are eliminated as insignificant image components for monitoring and/or remain unconsidered during the evaluation of the images. Further developments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims. The invention is described in detail in the following paragraphs using the figures with an embodiment. Fig. 1 Schematic representation of an inspection device in top view; Fig. 2 Individual representation of one of the transport components and/or a slide of the transport system of the inspection device of the Figure 1, together with a bottle; Fig. 3 Different process steps of the method according to invention for the inspection of bottles or similar containers made of a transparent material. In the figures, 1 is an inspection device (full bottle inspection device) for inspection of bottles 2, which are manufactured from a transparent material, for example from glass or a transparent synthetic material, e.g. PET and are filled with a transparent filling material (e.g. beer, drinking- or mineral water, wine etc.). The examination and/or inspection of the bottles 2 takes place for the solid or foreign matter present in the filling material, and namely visually by means of image recording and image processing or - analysis with a suitable image- detecting and image-processing system using optoelectric sensors. The bottles 2 to be examined are supplied to the inspection device 1 upright, i.e. with their bottle axis oriented in vertical direction, by means of an outside conveyor formed by a conveyer belt 3. Thereby, the bottles 2 to be examined arrive by means of a bottle intake 6 formed by a single-piece worm conveyor 4 and an intake star 5 at a transport system 7 of the inspection devicel, with which the bottles 2 are moved on an inspection section of this device. After the inspection, the bottles 2 are transferred again by means of a conveyor star 9 forming a bottle discharge to the conveyer belt 3, on which the bottles 2 are transported upright. Such bottles 2, in which during the inspection foreign matter was found, are removed in an appropriate way on the conveyor 3. The transport system 7 consists, in the represented embodiment, of a horizontal and in top view oval guide 10, at which in uniform distances several movable slides 11 are provided along the guide 10 in a conveying direction A. Each slide 11 exhibits a gripping arm 12 for grabbing or holding a bottle 2 in the area of their bottle mouth 2.1 sealed with a plug 13, so that each bottle held at the bottle intake 6 by a gripping arm 12 is moved suspending on this gripping arm with the transport system 7 along the inspection section. Each gripping arm 12 can be lifted and lowered e.g. by suitable cams for pick-up and settling the bottles 2 by a stroke, as this is suggested in the Figure 2 with the double arrow B, as well as at the same time also around a horizontal axis 21.1. That is, it can be swivelled in the represented embodiment around a horizontal axis parallel to the transportation direction A, as this is suggested in the Figure 3 also with the double arrow C. For moving the slides 11 and the gripping arms 12 provided at these along the closed oval path formed by the guide 10, all slides 11 are joined with a common flexible element, for example, a toothed belt 14, which is guided as closed loop, running parallel to the guide 10 and arranged in a horizontal plane across two toothed belt wheels 15 and 16, by which a toothed belt wheel, i.e. for example the toothed belt wheel 16 is driven synchronously with the transportation star 5 and 9, so that the slides 11 are moved along the guide 10 in the transportation direction A and also a trouble-free transfer of each bottle 2 from the transportation star 5 to a gripping arm 12 as well as from a gripping arm 12 to the transportation star 9 is ensured. In the area of the deflecting- or toothed belt wheel 16 for the toothed belts 14 running within the guide 10, the bottle intake 6 and the bottle discharge 8 are provided, so that the larger part of the transportation distance of the transport system 7 is available as inspection section. Three optoelectric sensors in the form of a camera 17, 18 and 19 are provided at the transport- or inspection section formed by the transport system 7 in the represented embodiment, which are a part of an image recording and processing- or analysis system, which in addition to the cameras 17-19 also exhibit a computer-aided electronic system 20 formed by the computer for image processing and/or image analysis. The important process steps of the inspection method carried out with the inspection device 1 are represented in the positions a - e of the Figure 3. The bottles 2 supplied by means of the conveyer belt 3 and/or the outside conveyor are seized in each case by a gripping arm 12 at the container intake 6 and are moved past the first camera 17 with their bottle axis oriented in vertical direction, with which a first image or reference image of the respective bottle 2 (position a of the Figure 3) is generated. Thereby, the camera 17 is so adjusted and/or oriented that it records, according to experience regarding possible present foreign matter, very critical image area 17.1 of the respective bottle 2 i.e. a image area 17.1, which in particular also includes the plug 13 opposite bottle base 2.2, at which according to experience, solid or foreign matter primarily settles, as long as they are present in a bottle 2. In case of further movement of the respective bottle 2 with the transport system 7, then for example ..shaking" takes place by means of repeated swivelling of the gripping arm 12 and concomitantly the bottle 2 around the gripping arm swivelling axis 12.1, and namely from the vertical orientation in an angle for example up to 80° or more (e.g. up to 100°) to the left and to the right, in order to loosen the foreign matter present and sticking in respective bottle 2 at the inner surface of the bottle 2 (position b of the Figure 3). Subsequently, the respective bottle is moved into inclined position, so that the bottle axis with the vertical one contains an angle smaller than 90°, which opens downwards, the bottle with its base 2.2 points diagonally downwards (position C of the Figure 3). In this position, in which solid or foreign matter is available so long, till they drop or deposit in the angular area formed between the bottle base and the peripheral wall of the bottle 2, each bottle 2 is moved past the camera 18 for generating a further image or a first monitoring image. The camera 18 is so adjusted that it records an image area 18.1 of the respective bottle 2, which is identical to the image area 17.1. Due to the swivelled position of the bottles 2 moved past the camera 18, then the image area 18.1 is also accordingly rotated, with reference to the respective bottle and/or its axis, but identical to the image area 17.1. The rotation of the image area 18.1 is compensated for example by software during image processing. Subsequently, the respective bottle 2 is swivelled into an inclination opposite to the inclination of the position C, so that the bottle axis encompasses with the vertical one again an angle less than 90°, which opens downwards, the bottle with its base 2.2 points diagonally downwards (position D of the Figure 3). In this position, each bottle 2 is moved past the camera 19 for generating a further image or a second monitoring image. The camera 19 is so adjusted that it records from the respective bottle 2 an image area 19.1, which is once again identical to the image area 17.1. Due to the swivelled position of bottles 2 moved past the camera 19, then the image area 19.1 is also accordingly rotated, with reference to the respective bottle and/or its axis however identical to the image area 17.1, so that for the evaluation of images of identical image areas 17.1, 18.1 and 19.1. The analysis of each bottle 2 with reference to solid or foreign matter present in the bottle takes place in the electronic system 20 from the comparison of the images generated by the cameras 17, 18 and19. The method of analysis on the comparison of images is based on the knowledge that foreign matter present in a bottle 2 exhibit, particularly also after swivelling or shaking (position b of the Figure 3) at least partly in the second and/or third image generated by the camera 18 and/or 19, a different position than in the image produced by the camera 17 or 18, while however defects in the respective bottle 2, e.g. blisters, inclusions, scratches, burrs etc. in or on the bottle wall in the images of the cameras 17-19 are in form and position practically identical and thus as for the inspection and/or the monitoring result unimportant features during the image processing or image analysis remains unconsidered. It is important for this in this embodiment of the invention that the respective bottle 2 is swivelled for the two monitoring images only around a single axis, which is the optical axis of the cameras 17 -19 or is oriented parallel to their optical axis and runs for example vertical or radial to the bottle axis. After passing the camera 19, each bottle 2 is tilted back again into its vertical position (position e of the Figure 3) and transfer by means of bottle discharge device 8 to the outer conveyor and/or the outer conveyer belt 3. The image areas 17.1, 18.1 and 19.1 are for example selected in such a way that they record a range of approximately 30 - 35 mm over the bottle base 2.2 radial to the bottle axis in each case the total bottle diameters and in the direction of the bottle axis. In order to achieve a high quality during inspection, the cameras 17, 18 and 19 are so selected that they exhibit a camera or a image resolution of at least 0.15 mm per pixel or more, so that solids or foreign matter with a size of 0.5 x 0.5 x 0.5 mm can be recorded easily in transparent liquids contained in the bottles 2 and the error rate during the inspection is at maximum only 0.5 -1%. The image evaluation can take place then for example in such a way that foreign matter is found to be present, only if the evaluation of the image of the camera 18 and the camera 19 shows foreign matter (AND-function), or if already the image of the camera 18 or the camera of 19 shows foreign matter (OR-function). Further characteristics of the inspection device 1 are e.g. that the slides 11 are guided with rollers at the guide 10 and that the carriage guide 10 is designed as self-cleaning, dry- running, lubrication-free and insensitive to dirt, in particular also in the manner that the contaminations caused by the system and/or by possible bursting bottles 2 cannot enter into the guide. It is ensured by swivelling the grip arms 12 around axes 12.1 parallel to the transportation direction A that a swivelling of the grip arms 12 is possible even in a very tight sequence of the slides 11 in transportation direction A. The cameras 17, 18 and 19 are provided in each case in plan view on the inspection devicel off-centre in relation to the carriage guide 10, for example the cameras 17 and 19 outside the loop formed by the carriage guide 10 and the camera 18 within this loop. Each camera 17, 18, 19 is assigned in each case a suitable lighting device. The invention was described above with an embodiment. It is clear that numerous changes as well as modifications are possible, without thereby deviating from the basic concept of the invention. Accordingly, it is for example possible to dispense with shaking or swivelling of the bottles 2 corresponding to the position b of the Figure 3 in modification of the above- described operating sequence and/or to provide only two cameras in place of three cameras, for example only the cameras 17 and 19, of which the camera 17 serves again for the generation of the reference image and the camera 19 for the actual recording of foreign matter or foreign particles in the filled bottles 2, i.e. for the generation of the monitoring image. The invention was described above in such a way that exclusively transparent containers filled with transparent filling materials in the presented invention should be examined. The present invention is however not limited to such applications. Rather also the inspection of non-transparent or translucent containers and/or the inspection of non-transparent or translucent liquids fall into the protection area of the present invention. Since with such applications mentioned earlier, inspection devices operating on optical path do not lead to meaningful results, methods are provided according to the invention, which are in a position to penetrate the non-transparent or translucent components yielding an image. In these methods, it can concern for example those, which work with transmitters for radiation within the range of the infrared radiation, or also the x-rays. For example, the area matrix sensors are provided as reception components for electromagnetic radiation, which serve in the long run for the generation of an image of the object to be examined, which can be evaluated in a desired manner. A characteristic of the inspection device 1 is also still in the fact that the pre-table 21 of the inspection device 1 forming the bottle intake 6 and the bottle discharge 8 and exhibiting the suitable components is so developed that the single-piece worm conveyor 4 and the two transportation stars 5 and 9 can be removed and/or avoided, so that the bottles 2 can be directed on the conveyor belt 3 or on the external conveyor formed by this conveyor belt at the inspection device 1, so that a unit exhibiting the inspection device 1 can practically be operated without retrofitting periods also without the inspection device 1 and/or by avoiding the inspection devicel. A further characteristic of the present invention is in the fact that an inspection device was developed, in which the bottles 2 are held at flexible components, for example toothed belt 14 and moved past the inspection stations by means of an essentially linear movement. Through this procedure, the present inspection device is adopted to the respective spatial conditions with low structural expenditure. Likewise the treatment section, and thus also the treatment- or inspection time can be extended or shortened at will. Additionally, almost as many as desired treatment- or inspection stations can be arranged on the treatment section. Thereby, it is planned that the guide (10) of the flexible component runs at least on partial sections in curve-form and/or circular form and/or arc-form and/or in straight-line, in order to be able to adapt the treatment section fast and economically to the set requirements. Patent claims 1. Method for the inspection of bottles or similar containers (2) filled with a filling material, whereby the containers (2) are monitored with an optoelectric or an electromagnetic image recording- and processing- or analysis system (17, 18, 19, 20) for solid- or foreign matter present in the liquid filling material is characterized by the fact that a reference image is generated of each container (2) in a first container orientation with an optoelectric or an electromagnetic sensor (17), that subsequently a further image is generated of each container (2) in at least another container orientation deviating from the first with an optoelectric or an electromagnetic sensor (18, 19), and that the monitoring for possible foreign matter takes place by processing and/or comparison of the reference image with at least another image. 2. Method according to claim 1, wherein said the containers (2) consist of a transparent or translucent material, and/or that the filling material is transparent or translucent. 3. Method according to claim 1, wherein said the containers (2) do not consist of a transparent or translucent material, and/or that the filling material is not transparent or translucent. 4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said the reference image and at least another image are generated one after another with varying optoelectric or electromagnetic sensors (17, 18, 19). 5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said according to the reference image successively at least two further images are generated in varying container orientations deviating from the first container orientation. 6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said the containers (2) are oriented downwards in the generation of the images with a tank bottom (2.2). 7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said the container orientation is changed in such a way in the generation of the images that the image plane of the container area illustrated in each case (1.1, 18.1, 19.1) in the processed or compared images or in images derived from this for the processing are identical or essentially identical. 8. Method according to claim 7, wherein said the container orientation deviating in the generation of the images is achieved, wherein the container (2) concerned is swivelled around in each case an axis (12.1), which is parallel or essentially to the optical-axis of the optoelectric sensors (17, 18, 19). 9. Method according to claim 8, wherein said the containers (2) are swivelled for the change of container orientation by an axis radial to the container axis. 10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said a shaking, preferably a simple or multiple swivelling of the respective containers (2) takes place between the generation of two images. 11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said optical scanners and/or cameras (17, 18, 19) or camera systems are used as optoelectric sensors. 12. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said area matrix sensors for electromagnetic radiation (17, 18, 19) are used as electromagnetic sensors. 13. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said during the image analysis in the images, image elements identical in the form and/or position, not essential elements, are eliminated and/or not considered for monitoring and/or inspection. 14. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said the presence of foreign bodies is-detected, only when the evaluation of at least two images shows at least a foreign body. 15. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said the presence is of foreign matter is detected, only when the evaluation shows at least one image of at least one foreign body. 16. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said an image, e.g. a reference image in case of containers (2) is generated, which is oriented with the container axis in vertical direction (2). 17. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said the further images in case of containers (2) are generated inclined with their container axis opposite the vertical one. 18. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said the image area (17.1, 18.1,19.1) recorded by the optoelectric sensors (17, 18, 19) is identical in each case. 19. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said the containers (2) are moved past the optoelectric sensors (17, 18, 19) for the inspection with a transport system (7). 20. Method according to claim 19, wherein said the containers (2) are suspended on the transport system (7) or are held at the grip arms (12) there. 21. Method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein said the containers (2) are swivelled for changing their orientation by an axis parallel to the transportation direction (A) of the transport system (7). 22. Device for the inspection of bottles or similar containers (2) filled with filling material, with an optoelectric or electromagnetic image recording- and processing- or analysis system (17, 18, 19, 20) for recording solids or foreign matter contained in the liquid filling material, wherein said an optoelectric or an electromagnetic sensor arrangement (17, 18, 19), with which of each container(2) in first container orientation a reference image and subsequently in at least another container orientation deviating from the first, a further image is generated by an electronic system (20) for evaluation of the images for monitoring the possible foreign matter. 23. Device according to claim 22, wherein said optoelectric sensor arrangement along an inspection section, on which the containers (2) are moved, exhibits several optoelectric sensors (17, 18, 19) for the generation of the reference image and at least another image. 24. Device according to claim 22 or 23, wherein said optoelectric sensor arrangement along an inspection section exhibits at least three optoelectric sensors (17, 18, 19). 25. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said a transport system (7), with which the containers (2) are moved past the optoelectric sensors (17, 18, 19) on the inspection section. 26. Device according to claim 25, wherein said the containers (2) suspended on the transport system (7) or are held at their grip arms (12) there. 27. Device according to claim 25 or 26, wherein said the containers (2) are held as swivelling at the transport system (7) for changing their orientation. 28. Device according to claim 27, wherein said the containers (2) are held as swivelling at this for changing their orientation by an axis parallel to the transportation direction (A) of the transport system (7). 29. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said the optoelectric sensors are optical scanners and/or cameras (17, 18, 19) or camera systems. 30. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said a container intake (6) and a container discharge (8) of the transport system (7) forming pre-table (21), which is connected to an outside conveyor (3) for feeding and discharging the containers (2), whereby the pre-table (21) can be retrofitted for bypassing the containers (2) at the inspection section on the outside conveyor (3). 31. Device according to claim 30, wherein said the pre-table (21) can be retrofitted by removing functional elements (4, 5; 9) forming the container intake (6) and the container discharge (8) for bypassing the containers (2) at the inspection section. Belt inspection device 32. Inspection device for the inspection of containers, whereby the containers are picked up by a holding device and moved by means of a linear motion along a treatment- or an inspection section, whereby the containers (2) are guided in at least one inspection station, wherein said a flexible component is provided within the inspection device, at which the containers (2) are held, and by means of which the containers (2) are moved along the treatment section. 33. Inspection device according to claim 32, wherein said the flexible component is a toothed belt (14). 34. Inspection device according to claim 32 or 33, wherein said the flexible component is held at a guide (10). 35. Inspection device according to one of the claims 32 to 34, wherein said the guide (10) runs at least on partial sections in curve form and/or circular form and/or arc-form and/or in straight-line. 36. Inspection device according to one of the claims 32 to 35, wherein said at least one bypass is provided for the flexible component. 37. Inspection device according to claim 36, wherein said at least one bypass is a toothed belt wheel. Bypass 38. Device for the inspection of bottles filled with a filling material or similar containers (2), with an optoelectric or an electromagnetic image recording - and processing- or analysis system (17, 18, 19, 20) for detecting solids or foreign matter present in the liquid filling material, as well as with a transport system (7), with which the containers (2) for the inspection are moved on a transport- or an inspection section, as well as with a pre-table (21) forming a container intake (6) and a container discharge (8) of the transport system (7), which is connected to an outside conveyor (3) for feeding and discharge of the containers (2), wherein said the pre-table (21) can be changed for directing the containers (2) at the inspection section on the outside conveyor (3). 39. Device according to claim 38, wherein said the pre-table (21) can be retrofitted by functional components (4, 5, 9) forming by removing the container intake (6) and the container discharge (8) for directing the containers (2) at the inspection section. 40. Device according to claim 38, wherein said the pre-table (21) can be reversed by moving components from a first position into a second position by avoiding mounting or dismantling of components for directing the containers (2) at the inspection section. The invention relates to a method for the inspection of bottles or similar containers filled with a filling substance, wherein the containers are monitored for any possible foreign bodies present in the liquid filling substance by means of an optoelectric, electromagnetic image recording and processing or analysis system, which is to say by means of images of an optoelectric and/or electromagnetic sensor systern.

Documents:

1021-KOLNP-2009-(11-06-2014)-ANNEXURE TO FORM 3.pdf

1021-KOLNP-2009-(11-06-2014)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

1021-KOLNP-2009-(11-06-2014)-OTHERS.pdf

1021-kolnp-2009-abstract.pdf

1021-kolnp-2009-claims.pdf

1021-KOLNP-2009-CORRESPONDENCE-1.1.pdf

1021-KOLNP-2009-CORRESPONDENCE-1.2.pdf

1021-KOLNP-2009-CORRESPONDENCE-1.3.pdf

1021-kolnp-2009-correspondence.pdf

1021-kolnp-2009-description (complete).pdf

1021-KOLNP-2009-DRAWINGS-1.1.pdf

1021-kolnp-2009-drawings.pdf

1021-KOLNP-2009-ENGLISH TRANSLATION.pdf

1021-KOLNP-2009-FORM 1-1.1.pdf

1021-kolnp-2009-form 1.pdf

1021-KOLNP-2009-FORM 13.pdf

1021-kolnp-2009-form 18.pdf

1021-KOLNP-2009-FORM 2-1.1.pdf

1021-kolnp-2009-form 2.pdf

1021-KOLNP-2009-FORM 3-1.1.pdf

1021-kolnp-2009-form 3.pdf

1021-KOLNP-2009-FORM 5-1.1.pdf

1021-kolnp-2009-form 5.pdf

1021-kolnp-2009-gpa.pdf

1021-KOLNP-2009-INTERNATIONAL EXM REPORT-1.1.pdf

1021-KOLNP-2009-INTERNATIONAL EXM REPORT.pdf

1021-kolnp-2009-international publication.pdf

1021-kolnp-2009-international search report.pdf

1021-KOLNP-2009-PA.pdf

1021-kolnp-2009-pct request form.pdf

1021-kolnp-2009-specification.pdf

1021-kolnp-2009-translated copy of priority document.pdf

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