US4906098A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical profile measuring apparatus
Assignee: Glass Technology Development Corp
•
Filing: 1988-05-09
•
Granted: 1990-03-06
•
Expires: 2008-05-09
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for measuring the profile of portions of an article located within a predefined plane. Each portion is scanned, such as by an optical micrometer providing a beam of radiant energy, to determine its dimension. The distance between each portion and a vertical reference is also scanned to determine its dimension. The article is rotated about an axis intersecting the predefined plane within the scan of the beam and is axially moved along an axis parallel to the intersecting axis within the scan of the beam so that the dimension of each portion and its distance from the vertical reference can be determined. The apparatus may be used in combination with a cavity identification system to control manufacturing employing multiple molds.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan E. Thomas
- 👤 Leon E. Thompson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 01:17
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/24; G01B11/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 54
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
An apparatus for measuring a profile of portions of an article by determining the spatial relationship between portions, said apparatus comprising: means for aligning the portions of the article article to be profiled with a predefined plane; and means for measuring the width of each portion of the article aligned with the predefined plane and for measuring the distance of each portion of the article from a first reference.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
69 words
An apparatus for measuring a profile of portions of an article by determining the spatial relationship between portions, said apparatus comprising: means for aligning the portions of the article article to be profiled with a predefined plane; and means for measuring the width of each portion of the article aligned with the predefined plane and for measuring the distance of each portion of the article from a first reference.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for measuring includes means for scanning each portion of the article located within the predefined plane with a beam of radiant energy and for scanning the distance of a gap between each portion and the first reference.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for aligning comprises means for rotating the article about an axis intersecting the plane within the scan of the beam and means for axially moving the article along an axis parallel to the intersecting axis within the scan of the beam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said means for scanning comprises an optical micrometer including a light source providing collimated light as a scanning beam of radiant energy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said means for rotating comprises a base positioned substantially perpendicular to the intersecting axis and adapted to support the article, and a first servo system adapted to axially rotate the base about an axis parallel to the intersecting axis; and wherein said means for axially moving comprises a second servo system adapted to move the base along an axis parallel to the intersecting axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said means for rotating comprises a base positioned substantially perpendicular to the intersecting axis and adapted to support the article, and a first stepping motor adapted to axially rotate the base about an axis parallel to the intersecting axis; and wherein said means for axially moving comprises a second stepping motor adapted to move the base along an axis parallel to the intersecting axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
117 words
The apparatus of claim 6 further including a shaft adapted to support the base and engage the first stepping motor for axial rotation thereby, a traveling nut supporting the first stepping motor and a threaded shaft engaging the traveling nut and having a longitudinal axis parallel to the intersecting axis, the second stepping motor adapted to engage the threaded shaft and rotate it about its longitudinal axis and wherein said base comprises a platform having an upper surface adapted to support the article and having a lower surface connected to said shaft whereby the traveling nut, the first stepping motor and the platform move along the intersecting axis when the second stepping motor rotates the threaded shaft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising reference means for providing a reference spaced a known distance from the predefined plane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a rod supported by the traveling nut as the reference, said rod positioned substantially parallel to the intersecting axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said rod is U-shaped having one leg supported by the traveling nut and having a second leg located over the platform coaxial with the intersecting axis such that the article is located between the second leg and the platform.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising: means for controlling said means for moving and said means for measuring such that the first and second stepping motors and the means for measuring synchronously operate to scan a plurality of portions and gap distances of the article; means for determining the profile of the article from the scanned portions and the scanned gap distances; and means for comparing the determined profile to a desired profile.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said means for controlling comprises a central processing unit (CPU) and further comprising a first stepping motor driver adapted to receive pulses from the CPU and operate the first stepping motor in response thereto and a second stepping motor driver adapted to receive pulses from the CPU and operate the second stepping motor in response thereto.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a first counter for counting the pulses provided by the CPU to the first stepping motor and a second counter for counting the pulses provided by the CPU to the second stepping motor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 13, said CPU includes a random access memory associated with the CPU adapted to store dimensions and further including a read only memory associated with the CPU adapted to instruct the CPU to sequentially operate the first and second stepping motors and to monitor operation of the means for measuring.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising reference means for providing a second reference spaced a known distance from the predefined plane.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for aligning comprises means for moving the article through a predefined plane so that the portions of the article to be profiled pass through the predefined plane.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for aligning comprises means for moving the predefined plane with respect to the portions of the article to be profiled.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for aligning comprises means for moving the predefined plane across the portions of the article to be profiled so that the predefined plane moves over the portions of the article to be profiled.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for measuring the profile of portions of an article by determining the spatial relationship between portions, said method comprising the steps of: aligning the portions of the article to be profiled with a predefined plane; measuring the width of each portion of the article aligned with the predefined plane; and measuring the distance of the portion of the article from a first reference.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for measuring the profile of portions of an article by determining the spatial relationship between portions, said method comprising the steps of: aligning the portions of the article to be profiled with a predefined plane; measuring the width of each portion of the article aligned with the predefined plane; and measuring the distance of the portion of the article from a first reference.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said step of measuring the width includes scanning the portion of the article located within the predefined plane with a beam of radiant energy and said step of measuring the distance includes scanning the distance between the portion and the first reference with the beam of radiant energy.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 20 wherein said step of aligning comprises the steps of rotating the article about an axis intersecting the plane within the scan of the beam and axially moving the article along an axis parallel to the intersecting axis within the scan of the beam.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said step of scanning comprises scanning a beam of radiant energy provided by an optical micrometer including a light source providing collimated light as the beam of radiant energy.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said step of moving comprises rotating the article about an axis intersecting the plane and axially moving the article along an axis parallel to the intersecting axis.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the step of axially moving comprises moving a base, positioned substantially perpendicular to the intersecting axis and adapted to support the article, along an axis parallel to the intersecting axis by a second servo system; and wherein said step of rotating comprises axially rotating the base by a first servo system.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the step of axially moving comprises moving a base, positioned substantially perpendicular to the intersecting axis and adapted to support the article, along an axis parallel to the intersecting axis by a second stepping motor; and wherein said step of rotating comprises axially rotating the base by a first stepping motor.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
86 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the steps of measuring the width and measuring the distance include scanning a plurality of portions and gap distances of the article with a laser micrometer and further comprising the steps of synchronously operating the first and second stepping motors and the laser micrometer to scan the plurality of portions and gap distances of the article; determining the profile of the article from the scanned portions and the scanned gap distances; and comparing the determined profile to a desired profile.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 26 further comprising the steps of counting pulses provided by a CPU to the first stepping motor and counting pulses provided by the CPU to the second stepping motor.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 27 further comprising storing dimensions determined by the step of measuring in a random access memory associated with the CPU and sequentially operating the laser micrometer and the first and second stepping motors.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said aligning step comprises moving the article through a predefined plane so that the portions of the article to be profiled pass through the predefined plane.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said aligning step comprises moving the predefined plane with respect to the portions of the article to be profiled.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said aligning step comprises moving the predefined plane across the portions of the article to be profiled so that the predefined plane moves over the portions of the article to be profiled.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of searching of a minimum or maximum dimension of the article.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus for inspecting an article manufactured by multiple molds comprising: means for identifying the cavity from which the article was molded; means for aligning portions of the identified article with a predefined plane; means for measuring the width of each portion of the article aligned with the predefined plane and for measuring the distance of each portion of the article from a first reference thereby to form a measured profile; and means for comparing the measured profile to a reference profile.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus for inspecting an article manufactured by multiple molds comprising: means for identifying the cavity from which the article was molded; means for aligning portions of the identified article with a predefined plane; means for measuring the width of each portion of the article aligned with the predefined plane and for measuring the distance of each portion of the article from a first reference thereby to form a measured profile; and means for comparing the measured profile to a reference profile.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 33 further including means, responsive to the means for identifying, for selecting articles to be inspected.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said means for selecting is responsive to the means for comparing.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 35 further including means, responsive to the means for comparing, for selecting articles having profiles which are not within preset limits of the reference profile.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said means for measuring includes means for scanning the portion of the article located within the predefined plane with a beam of radiant energy and for scanning the distance between the portion and the first reference.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said means for aligning comprises means for rotating the article about an axis intersecting the plane within the scan of the beam and means for axially moving the article along an axis parallel to the intersecting axis within the scan of the beam.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 38 wherein said means for scanning comprises an optical micrometer including a light source providing collimated light as a beam of radiant energy.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
120 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said means for scanning comprises an optical micrometer and further comprising: a first stepping motor adapted to rotate the article along an axis intersecting the predefined plane; a second stepping motor adapted to move the article along the intersecting axis; means for controlling said means for aligning and said means for measuring such that the first and second stepping motors and the optical micrometer synchronously operate to scan a plurality of portions and gap distances between the first reference and the portions of the article; means for determining the measured profile of the article from the scanned portions and the scanned gap distances; and means for comparing the determined profile to a desired profile.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the article is a bottle and said means for measuring includes means for scanning the bottle adapted to determine its body diameter and its height.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the article is a bottle and said means for measuring includes means for scanning the bottle adapted to determine the outside diameter at the top of the sealing surface at the mouth of the bottle.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the article is a bottle and said means for measuring includes means for scanning the bottle adapted to determine the outside diameter of the thread around the finish of the bottle.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the article is a bottle and said means for measuring includes means for scanning the bottle adapted to determine the diameter across the thread root which forms the transition between the thread and the finish of the bottle.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the article is a bottle and said means for measuring includes means for scanning the bottle adapted to determine the outside diameter of the locking ring on the finish of the bottle.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the article is a bottle and said means for measuring includes means for scanning the bottle adapted to determine the height of the finish of the bottle.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the article is a bottle and said means for measuring includes means for scanning the bottle adapted to determine the lead of the bottle.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the article is a bottle and said means for measuring includes means for scanning the bottle adapted to determine the tilt of the top of the bottle.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said means for aligning comprises means for moving the article through a predefined plane so that the portions of the article to be profiled pass through the predefined plane.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said means for aligning comprises means for moving the predefined plane with respect to the portions of the article to be profiled.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said means for aligning comprises means for moving the predefined plane across the portions of the article to be profiled so that the predefined plane moves over the portions of the article to be profiled.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-03-05 | 1993-09-04 | 1994-03-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-03-05 | 1997-09-04 | 1998-03-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-03-05 | 2001-09-04 | 2002-03-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |