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US4843231A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Apparatus for the inspection of transparent materials utilizing a diffusing screen

Assignee: SGCC SAS
•
Filing: 1988-12-02
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Granted: 1989-06-27
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Expires: 2008-12-02
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Abstract

Abstract The invention relates to an apparatus for the optical inspection of partially transparent articles. The apparatus comprises means for transporting the body to the inspection station and orienting it therein which comprises a horizontal plate having a vertical axis which is driven by a star wheel carrying rollers which permit rotation of the object at the inspection station by an exterior counter roller. The device further comprises a translucent diffusing screen; a receiver having a linear camera for observing the rear surface of the screen; and a fixed light emitter arranged outside the mounting of the body.

Inventors

  • 👤 Theodore Caloyannis
  • 👤 Pierre Lamborot

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-27 11:39
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/84; G01N21/88; G01N21/90

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim 186 words
An apparatus for the optical inspection of transparent bodies which comprises: (a) a means for transporting said bodies to an inspection station located upon said apparatus; (b) a means for rotating said bodies at the inspection station; (c) a fixed light emitter placed at a distance from said body and used for generating a narrow light beam which is capable of passing through a narrow zone of said transparent body; (d) a narrow translucent diffusing screen mounted on said apparatus and situated in the immediate vicinity of said transparent body, said screen having a front and a back, the front of said screen being illuminated by the narrow light beam from the emitter after said beam passes through the transparent body; and (e) a receiver comprising an objective lens and a line of photosensitive elements formed by a continuous strip of diodes wherein said receiver is placed at a distance from the transparent body and the objective lens faces the back of said screen and is located so that an image of the back of said screen is in focus at the line of photosensitive elements.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 186 words
An apparatus for the optical inspection of transparent bodies which comprises: (a) a means for transporting said bodies to an inspection station located upon said apparatus; (b) a means for rotating said bodies at the inspection station; (c) a fixed light emitter placed at a distance from said body and used for generating a narrow light beam which is capable of passing through a narrow zone of said transparent body; (d) a narrow translucent diffusing screen mounted on said apparatus and situated in the immediate vicinity of said transparent body, said screen having a front and a back, the front of said screen being illuminated by the narrow light beam from the emitter after said beam passes through the transparent body; and (e) a receiver comprising an objective lens and a line of photosensitive elements formed by a continuous strip of diodes wherein said receiver is placed at a distance from the transparent body and the objective lens faces the back of said screen and is located so that an image of the back of said screen is in focus at the line of photosensitive elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 15 words
The inspection apparatus of claim 1, wherein said strip of diodes is rectilinear but orientable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 31 words
The inspection apparatus of claim 1, wherein said translucent screen has a curved surface extending along a profile of a path located upon said apparatus along which said body is transported.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 42 words
The inspection apparatus of claim 1, wherein said emitter comprises a projector having an optical system using a light source for emitting a narrow beam which is diaphragmed to a flat beam passing through an axis of symmetry of each said body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 24 words
The inspection apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said receiver and said emitter is provided with at least one return mirror.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 15 words
The inspection apparatus of claim 1, wherein said receiver and said emitter are arranged obliquely.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 20 words
The inspection apparatus of claim 6 wherein said receiver is positioned outside of a direct field covered by said emitter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 35 words
The inspection apparatus of claim 7, wherein said emitter and said receiver are positioned in planes of different principal sections, said planes being adjacent a plane of symmetry for an inspection station of said apparatus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 47 words
The inspection apparatus of claim 1, wherein said emitter comprises a projector having an optical system using a light source for emitting a narrow beam which is diaphragmed to a flat beam, said beam passing at least adjacent to an axis of symmetry of each said body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 14 words
The inspection apparatus of claim 9, wherein said light source is a linear source.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 14 words
The inspection apparatus of claim 9, wherein said light source is a point source.
Claim 13
Independent Claim 188 words
An apparatus for the optical inspection of transparent bodies which comprises: (a) a means for transporting said bodies to an inspection station located upon said apparatus; (b) a means for rotating said bodies at the inspection station; (c) a fixed light emitter placed at a distance from said body and used for generating a narrow light beam which is capable of passing through a narrow zone of said transparent body; (d) a narrow translucent diffusing screen mounted on said apparatus and situated uniformly proximate to an inspection surface of said transparent body, said screen having a front and a back, the front of said screen being illuminated by the narrow light beam from the emitter after said beam passes through the transparent body; and (e) a receiver comprising an objective lens and a line of photosensitive elements formed by a continuous strip of diodes wherein said receiver is placed at a distance from the transparent body and the objective lens faces the back of said screen, and is located so that an image of the back of said screen is in focus at the line of photosensitive elements.
Claim 14
Independent Claim 188 words
An apparatus for the optical inspection of transparent bodies which comprises: (a) a means for transporting said bodies to an inspection station located upon said apparatus; (b) a means for rotating said bodies at the inspection station; (c) a fixed light emitter placed at a distance from said body and used for generating a narrow light beam which is capable of passing through a narrow zone of said transparent body; (d) a narrow translucent diffusing screen mounted on said apparatus and situated uniformly proximate to an inspection surface of said transparent body, said screen having a front and a back, the front of said screen being illuminated by the narrow light beam from the emitter after said beam passes through the transparent body; and (e) a receiver comprising an objective lens and a line of photosensitive elements formed by a continuous strip of diodes wherein said receiver is placed at a distance from the transparent body and the objective lens faces the back of said screen, and is located so that an image of the back of said screen is in focus at the line of photosensitive elements.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3987301A Cited
JPS5342093A Cited
US4338028A Cited
DE3145686A1 Cited
US4584469A Cited
EP0186278A2 Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1992-06-26 1992-12-26 1993-06-27 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1996-06-26 1996-12-26 1997-06-27 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2000-06-26 2000-12-26 2001-06-27 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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