US4136930A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for detecting foreign particles in full beverage containers
Assignee: Coca-Cola Co
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Filing: 1977-01-10
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Granted: 1979-01-30
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Expires: 1997-01-10
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for detecting foreign particles in the liquid of a full soft drink bottle are described. The bottle under inspection is first passed by a first electronic camera means which memorizes the optical characteristics of a bottle and the fluid contained therein and records these characteristics in the memory of a computer. The bottle under inspection is then rotated either about its vertical axis, or in a preferred embodiment about a horizontal axis to invert the bottle, and just after rotation is moved into the field of view of a second electronic camera means which records in the computer memory the image of the test bottle at this point in time. Any foreign particles within the bottle will tend to undergo movement due to the rotation or inversion of the bottle. Thus, the image detected by the second electronic camera will be different from the image detected by the first electronic camera and indicative of the presence of moving foreign particles within the bottle.
Inventors
- 👤 Thiel Gomm
- 👤 Stephen E. Price
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 10:43
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/84; G01N21/88; G01N21/90; G01N21/9018; G01N21/9027; G01N21/8851; G01N21/93; G01N33/00; G01N33/0078; G01N33/0081
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of detecting the presence of foreign particles in a liquid-filled optically transparent container comprising the steps of: a. detecting a first optical image of said container when the fluid and foreign particles therein are in a substantially static condition; b. storing said optical characteristics of said container containing said substantially static fluid in a memory; c. rotating said container about a horizontal axis passing through said container to generate both heavy and light foreign particle movement in the fluid therein; d. detecting a second optical image of said container after the container has been rotated; e. storing said second optical image in a memory; and f. comparing said first and second optical images of said container to determine a predetermined degree of difference between said images indicative of the presence of moving foreign particles in the fluid in said container.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of detecting the presence of foreign particles in a liquid-filled optically transparent container comprising the steps of: a. detecting a first optical image of said container when the fluid and foreign particles therein are in a substantially static condition; b. storing said optical characteristics of said container containing said substantially static fluid in a memory; c. rotating said container about a horizontal axis passing through said container to generate both heavy and light foreign particle movement in the fluid therein; d. detecting a second optical image of said container after the container has been rotated; e. storing said second optical image in a memory; and f. comparing said first and second optical images of said container to determine a predetermined degree of difference between said images indicative of the presence of moving foreign particles in the fluid in said container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 including the further step of generating a reject signal for said container when said first and second images possess said predetermined degree of difference.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said rotating step is effected by rotating said container 360 degrees about said horizontal axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said containers are moving in-line along a conveyor means, said first optical image is detected at a first station along said conveyor means, said second optical image is detected at a second station along said conveyor means, and said step of rotating is performed between said first and second stations.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
173 words
A system for detecting foreign particles in an optically-transparent liquid-filled container comprising: a. conveyor means for transporting a plurality of said containers in seriatum through at least first and second inspection stations; b. first camera means disposed at said first station for detecting a first optical image of each of said containers when the fluid and foreign particles therein are in a substantially static condition; c. means for storing said first image in a memory; d. agitation means disposed between said first and second stations for generating motion of said foreign particles in said fluid-filled containers; e. second camera means disposed at said second station for detecting a second optical image of said container after said foreign particles have been set into motion; f. means for storing said second optical image in a memory; g. means for comparing said first and second images stored in said memories; and h. means responsive to said means for comparing for generating a reject signal when said first and second optical images differ by a predetermined degree.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
173 words
A system for detecting foreign particles in an optically-transparent liquid-filled container comprising: a. conveyor means for transporting a plurality of said containers in seriatum through at least first and second inspection stations; b. first camera means disposed at said first station for detecting a first optical image of each of said containers when the fluid and foreign particles therein are in a substantially static condition; c. means for storing said first image in a memory; d. agitation means disposed between said first and second stations for generating motion of said foreign particles in said fluid-filled containers; e. second camera means disposed at said second station for detecting a second optical image of said container after said foreign particles have been set into motion; f. means for storing said second optical image in a memory; g. means for comparing said first and second images stored in said memories; and h. means responsive to said means for comparing for generating a reject signal when said first and second optical images differ by a predetermined degree.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 5, wherein there is further provided a third camera means disposed at a third station; means for storing an optical image of said third camera means, and means for comparing the optical image of said third camera means with the optical image of said first camera means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 5 further including means for monitoring the frequency of occurrence of said reject signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 5 further including means for displaying the number of containers which have been inspected by the camera means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said first and second camera means comprise a radiation source directed toward said containers on said conveyor means and an array of photosensors for receiving radiation from said source which passes through said container means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said array of photosensors is a matrix of photodiodes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said agitation means comprises: means for rotating said containers about a horizontal axis passing therethrough.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 11 wherein said means for rotating includes, means for rotating said containers 360 degrees about said horizontal axis while said containers are disposed between said first and second stations.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
141 words
A system for detecting the presence of foreign particles in a liquid-filled optically transparent container comprising: means for detecting a first optical image of said container when the fluid and foreign particles therein are in a substantially static condition; memory means for storing said optical characteristics of said container containing said substantially static fluid; means for rotating said container about a horizontal axis passing through said container to generate both heavy and light foreign particle movement in the fluid therein; means for detecting a second optical image of said container after the container has been rotated; memory means for storing said second optical image; and means for comparing said first and second optical images of said container to determine a predetermined degree of difference between said images indicative of the presence of moving foreign particles in the fluid in said container.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
141 words
A system for detecting the presence of foreign particles in a liquid-filled optically transparent container comprising: means for detecting a first optical image of said container when the fluid and foreign particles therein are in a substantially static condition; memory means for storing said optical characteristics of said container containing said substantially static fluid; means for rotating said container about a horizontal axis passing through said container to generate both heavy and light foreign particle movement in the fluid therein; means for detecting a second optical image of said container after the container has been rotated; memory means for storing said second optical image; and means for comparing said first and second optical images of said container to determine a predetermined degree of difference between said images indicative of the presence of moving foreign particles in the fluid in said container.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 13 further including means for generating a reject signal for said container when said first and second images possess said predetermined degree of difference.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 13, wherein said means for rotating rotates said container 360 degrees about said horizontal axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2798605A
Cited
US3049588A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-01-29 | 1982-07-31 | 1983-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-01-29 | 1986-07-31 | 1987-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-01-29 | 1990-07-31 | 1991-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |