US5229840A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method to measure and monitor the coating of objects
Assignee: Marel hf
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Filing: 1991-10-29
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Granted: 1993-07-20
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Expires: 2011-10-29
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method to measure, monitor control the coating of objects in a processing line including a camera to receive an image of the profile of the object before being coated, a second camera to receive an image of the profile of the object after being coated, and a means and method to compare the two images to determine the increase in volume of the object due to the coating. The comparing means is a microcomputer which calculates the increase in volume based on the two images, the speed of the object travelling along the processing line, and a form factor. The microprocessor compares the increase in volume of one object to the increase in volume of a second object to monitor and ensure a consistent coating thickness.
Inventors
- 👤 Hordur Arnarson
- 👤 Petur Gudjonsson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:33
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T7/00; G06T7/0002; G06T7/0004; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/02; G01B11/06; G01B11/0616; G06T7/60; G06T7/62; G06T2207/00; G06T2207/30; G06T2207/30108; G06T2207/30164
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus for measuring the amount of coating applied to an object in a processing line comprising: means for moving an object along a processing line; a first camera located adjacent to said processing line prior to application of coating in a particular relation to said object for generating a first image of a profile of said object; a second camera located adjacent to said processing line after application of said coating in said particular relation to said object for generating a second image of a profile of said object; and means for comparing areas of the profile images recorded by said first and second cameras to determine the increase in volume of said object.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus for measuring the amount of coating applied to an object in a processing line comprising: means for moving an object along a processing line; a first camera located adjacent to said processing line prior to application of coating in a particular relation to said object for generating a first image of a profile of said object; a second camera located adjacent to said processing line after application of said coating in said particular relation to said object for generating a second image of a profile of said object; and means for comparing areas of the profile images recorded by said first and second cameras to determine the increase in volume of said object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said comparing means includes means for determining a ratio of the areas of the images recorded by said first and second cameras.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising at least one additional camera disposed along said processing line to record images of objects after subsequent coatings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said comparing means includes a microprocessor whereby the images from the first and second cameras are electronically sent to said microprocessor which processes the data electronically to determine the amount of coating on said object.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said microprocessor determines the amount of coating on said object on the basis of the images received from said cameras and also data concerning the speed of said object.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the lines of view of the cameras are at right angles to the direction of movement of the object.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said microprocessor determines the ratio of the areas of the images recorded by said first and second cameras.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for measuring the amount of coating applied to objects in a processing line comprising the steps of: conveying an object of a certain profile and cross section at a certain speed; recording a visual image of a profile of the object prior to being coated, with a first camera; recording the visual image with a second camera of a profile of the object, after being coated; and determining the amount of coating on the object by comparing an area of each of the two images and determining the change in volume of the object.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for measuring the amount of coating applied to objects in a processing line comprising the steps of: conveying an object of a certain profile and cross section at a certain speed; recording a visual image of a profile of the object prior to being coated, with a first camera; recording the visual image with a second camera of a profile of the object, after being coated; and determining the amount of coating on the object by comparing an area of each of the two images and determining the change in volume of the object.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein: said recording steps record the images with a camera electronically and send the electronic image data to a microprocessor, said determining step includes the steps of comparing the areas of the images using said microprocessor and determining the amount of the coating using said microprocessor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein said determining step includes the step of determining the speed of the object moving in the processing line.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein said determining step includes the step of using at least one additional camera disposed along the processing line to record images of objects after subsequent coatings.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein said step of recording visual images of the objects includes positioning the lines of view of the cameras at right angles to the direction of movement of the object.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein said determining step includes the step of areas of one object to the ratio of areas of a determining a ratio of the areas of the images recorded by said first and second cameras.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
136 words
An apparatus for monitoring the uniformity of the thickness of a coating applied to objects in a processing line comprising: means for moving objects along a processing line; a first camera located adjacent to said processing line prior to application of said coating in a particular relation to said objects for generating a first image of a profile of said objects; a second camera located adjacent to said processing line after application of said coating in said particular relation to said objects for generating a second image of a profile of said objects; means for comparing areas of the profile images recorded by said fist and second cameras to calculate the increase in volume of said objects; and means for comparing the increase in volume of one object to the increase in volume of subsequent objects.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
136 words
An apparatus for monitoring the uniformity of the thickness of a coating applied to objects in a processing line comprising: means for moving objects along a processing line; a first camera located adjacent to said processing line prior to application of said coating in a particular relation to said objects for generating a first image of a profile of said objects; a second camera located adjacent to said processing line after application of said coating in said particular relation to said objects for generating a second image of a profile of said objects; means for comparing areas of the profile images recorded by said fist and second cameras to calculate the increase in volume of said objects; and means for comparing the increase in volume of one object to the increase in volume of subsequent objects.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said image comparing means includes means for determining a ratio of the areas of the images recorded by said first and second cameras.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said image comparing means includes means for determining the difference between the ratio of areas of one object to the ratio of areas of a subsequent object, said comparison occurs continuously to monitor and ensure a consistent coating on the objects.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 14 further comprising at least one additional camera disposed along said processing line to record images of objects after subsequent coatings.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein both said comparing means include a microprocessor whereby the images from the first and second cameras are electronically sent to said microprocessor which processes the data electronically to determine the amount of coating on said object.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said microprocessor determines the difference between the ratio of areas of one object to the ratio of areas of a subsequent object, said comparison occurs continuously to monitor and ensure a consistent coating on the objects.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said microprocessor determines a ratio of the areas of the images recorded by said first and second cameras.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said microprocessors determines the amount of coating on said object on the basis of the images received from said cameras and also data concerning the speed of said object.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the lines of view of the cameras are at right angles to the direction of movement of the object.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
142 words
A method for monitoring the uniformity of a coating applied to objects in a processing line comprising the steps of: conveying an object of a certain profile and cross section at a certain speed; recording a visual image of a profile of the object prior to being coated, with a first camera; recording with a second camera the visual image of a profile of the object, after being coated; determining the amount of the coating by comparing areas of the two images and determining the change in volume of the object; comparing the amount of coating of one object to the amount of coating of a subsequent object by performing the above steps of conveying, recording, and determining with a subsequent object and comparing the increase in said amount of one object to the increase in said amount of a subsequent object.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
142 words
A method for monitoring the uniformity of a coating applied to objects in a processing line comprising the steps of: conveying an object of a certain profile and cross section at a certain speed; recording a visual image of a profile of the object prior to being coated, with a first camera; recording with a second camera the visual image of a profile of the object, after being coated; determining the amount of the coating by comparing areas of the two images and determining the change in volume of the object; comparing the amount of coating of one object to the amount of coating of a subsequent object by performing the above steps of conveying, recording, and determining with a subsequent object and comparing the increase in said amount of one object to the increase in said amount of a subsequent object.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method according to claim 23 wherein: said recording steps record the images with a camera electronically and send the electronic image data to a microprocessor; said determining step compares the areas of the images using a microprocessor and calculates the amount of the coating using said microprocessor; and said comparing step is performed by said microprocessor.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 23 wherein, said determining step includes the step of measuring the speed of the object moving in the processing line.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 23 wherein said determining step includes the step of using at least one additional camera disposed along the processing line to record images of objects after subsequent coatings.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 23 wherein both said recording steps include positioning the lines of view of the cameras at right angles to the direction of movement of the object.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 23 wherein said determining step includes the step of determining a ratio of the areas of the images recorded by said first and second cameras.
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 |