Patent US5229837A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5229837A
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Method for distinguishing between recovered containers for the presence or absence of contaminants
Assignee: Coca-Cola Co
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Filing: 1990-06-19
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Granted: 1993-07-20
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Expires: 2010-06-19
Abstract
Abstract A method for discriminating recovered beverage containers (10) is provided. The method comprises the steps of selecting any particular color according to the color of the beverage contained in the container (10), measuring the area of the selected color in the container(10) , determining whether the measured area of the color is within the fixed range or not, and discriminating the beverage containers (10) in accordance with the determined result.
Inventors
- 👤 Kunio Osakada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:41
CPC Classifications
B; B08; B08B; B08B9/00; B08B9/08; B08B9/46; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/34; B07C5/3404; B07C5/3408; G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/0078; G01N33/0081
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for inspecting recovered beverage containers and for distinguishing containers with beverage residue therein from containers with contaminates therein which comprises the steps of: selecting and storing a predetermined color corresponding to the color of the beverage residue in the container, measuring the area of the selected color of beverage residue in a bottom region of the container, determining whether or not the size of the measured area of the color representing beverage residue is within a predetermined range, and distinguishing the beverage containers in accordance with the results of the determining step, the presence of a measured area of the color of the beverage residue within said predetermined range indicating the absence of contaminates within a container.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for inspecting recovered beverage containers and for distinguishing containers with beverage residue therein from containers with contaminates therein which comprises the steps of: selecting and storing a predetermined color corresponding to the color of the beverage residue in the container, measuring the area of the selected color of beverage residue in a bottom region of the container, determining whether or not the size of the measured area of the color representing beverage residue is within a predetermined range, and distinguishing the beverage containers in accordance with the results of the determining step, the presence of a measured area of the color of the beverage residue within said predetermined range indicating the absence of contaminates within a container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the step of measuring the area of the selected color of beverage residue is made by counting the number of pixels in a picture generated by a camera unit detecting the selected color.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein a fixed amount of water is supplied into the container before measuring the size of the area of the selected beverage residue color.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 2 where said camera unit comprises a video camera.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method according to claim 2, wherein said determining step comprises the additional steps of: entering and storing a pixel number count in a processor for establishing said range; feeding the selected color to the processor, and comparing the number of pixels counted of said selected color during said measuring step against the stored pixel number count in said processor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 5, wherein said distinguishing step further includes the step of sorting the beverage containers in accordance with the results of the determining step.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-07-19 | 1997-01-18 | 1997-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-19 | 2001-01-18 | 2001-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-19 | 2005-01-18 | 2005-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |