Patents by Inventor Helmut W. Klotzsch
Helmut W. Klotzsch has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 5864600Abstract: A container inspection system for inspecting a moving container includes a radiation source positioned to direct radiation at the moving container. A radiation detector is positioned to receive a portion of the radiation from the radiation source that is not absorbed or blocked by the moving container and to generate electrical signals in response thereto. Processing circuitry produces multi-dimensional image data for the moving container based on the electrical signals generated by the radiation detector, and compares at least a first portion of the multi-dimensional image data to a corresponding portion of the multi-dimensional image data for a standard container.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1997Date of Patent: January 26, 1999Assignee: Thermedics Detection Inc.Inventors: Glenn Gray, Clayton Wood, Helmut W. Klotzsch
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Patent number: 5602890Abstract: A container inspection system for inspecting a moving container includes a radiation source positioned to direct radiation at the moving container. A radiation detector is positioned to receive a portion of the radiation from the radiation source that is not absorbed or blocked by the moving container and to generate electrical signals in response thereto. Processing circuitry produces multi-dimensional image data for the moving container based on the electrical signals generated by the radiation detector, and compares at least a first portion of the multi-dimensional image data to a corresponding portion of the multi-dimensional image data for a standard container.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 1995Date of Patent: February 11, 1997Assignee: Thermedics Detection Inc.Inventors: Glenn Gray, Clayton Wood, Helmut W. Klotzsch
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Patent number: 5566569Abstract: To detect an unpressurized moving container, a fluid such as air is directed at the moving container. Thereafter, a level of deflection of the moving container resulting from the directed fluid is detected. An unpressurized container is indicated when the detected level of deflection exceeds a threshold level. Deflection may be detected by directing a pulse of air or a continuous stream of air against the container. The system is particularly useful in detecting unpressurized, thin-walled aluminum cans.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 1994Date of Patent: October 22, 1996Assignee: Thermedics Detection Inc.Inventors: Eugene K. Achter, Glenn Gray, Helmut W. Klotzsch, David Lieb
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Patent number: 5536935Abstract: To detect a foaming contaminant in a moving container, an image of the moving container and any contents thereof is produced. Thereafter, image processing techniques are used to determine levels of low and high frequency spatial variations in intensity in the image. The levels of low and high frequency spatial variations in intensity are then compared to determine the presence of a foaming contaminant.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 1994Date of Patent: July 16, 1996Assignee: Thermedics Detection, Inc.Inventors: Helmut W. Klotzsch, Eugene K. Achter, Fuquan Gao, Craig D. Thompson, Glenn R. Gray, Jose A. Santos
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Patent number: 5528036Abstract: To spectrally detect a contaminant in a moving container, a set of reference spectral information related to one or more containers having known contents is stored. Thereafter, radiant energy is directed at liquid near the bottom of the container so that the radiant energy is modified by the contents of the container and travels through the contents of the container in multiple paths of varying length. Spectral information from detected portions of the modified radiant energy is obtained, and is compared to the stored set of reference spectral information using correlation techniques. Based on the relationship between this spectral information and the stored set of reference spectral information, the presence or absence of a contaminant is indicated.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1994Date of Patent: June 18, 1996Assignee: Thermedics Detection, Inc.Inventors: Eugene K. Achter, John S. Beaty, Helmut W. Klotzsch, Craig D. Thompson
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Patent number: 5510620Abstract: To detect a contaminant in a moving container, radiant energy is directed into the moving container. Thereafter, a level of radiant energy scattered by contents of the moving container is detected. The presence of a contaminant is indicated when the detected level of scattered radiant energy differs from a threshold level. Scattered radiant energy detected by the system includes that scattered by turbid materials within the container and that scattered by foam within the container. Detection of turbid materials or foam may be combined with spectral contaminant detection.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1994Date of Patent: April 23, 1996Assignee: Thermedics Detection, Inc.Inventors: Eugene K. Achter, David Lieb, John S. Beaty, Helmut W. Klotzsch, Craig D. Thompson, Jonathan Bosworth
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Patent number: 5486693Abstract: To detect a turbid contaminant in a moving container, radiant energy having a wavelength that is absorbed by contents of the moving container that include the turbid contaminant at a different level than energy having the wavelength is absorbed by contents of the moving container that include a non-contaminant is directed into the container. Thereafter, a level of radiant energy scattered by contents of the container is detected. The presence of a turbid contaminant is indicated when the detected level of scattered radiant energy differs from a threshold level.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 1994Date of Patent: January 23, 1996Assignee: Thermedics Detection Inc.Inventors: Eugene K. Achter, Helmut W. Klotzsch, Craig D. Thompson, Fuquan Gao, Jonathan E. Bosworth
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Patent number: 5472882Abstract: Disclosed is an improved method and system for injecting liquid into containers and for inspecting containers for the presence of certain substances such as potential contaminants such as ammonium salts or amine salts in glass or plastic bottles. A high speed system and method are provided for detecting these contaminants in these bottles. Ammonia and amines can be detected by chemiluminescence of samples of volatiles emitted from the bottles during the high speed inspection process. A solution of Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 is injected into the bottles in order to enhance the conversion of ammonium or amine salts to free ammonia or amines which are then released as vapors. This enhances the likelihood that a gas-phase detection system such as one using chemiluminescence detection techniques will detect the presence of contaminants containing ammonium salts or amine salts.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 1994Date of Patent: December 5, 1995Assignee: The Coca-Cola CompanyInventors: David P. Rounbehler, Eugene K. Achter, David H. Fine, Freeman W. Fraim, Stephen J. MacDonald, Helmut W. Klotzsch
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Patent number: 5435198Abstract: A method and system for injecting liquid into containers and for inspecting containers for the presence of certain substances such as potential contaminants such as ammonium salts or amine salts in glass or plastic bottles. A high speed system and method are provided for detecting these contaminants in these bottles. Ammonia and amines can be detected by chemiluminescence of samples of volatiles emitted from the bottles during the high speed inspection process. A solution of Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 is injected into the bottles in order to enhance the conversion of ammonium or amine salts to free ammonia or amines which are then released as vapors. This enhances the likelihood that a gas-phase detection system such as one using chemiluminescence detection techniques will detect the presence of contaminants containing ammonium salts or amine salts.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 1994Date of Patent: July 25, 1995Assignee: The Coca-Cola CompanyInventors: David P. Rounbehler, Eugene K. Achter, David H. Fine, Freeman W. Fraim, Stephen J. MacDonald, Helmut W. Klotzsch
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Patent number: 5418170Abstract: A method and system for injecting liquid into containers and for inspecting containers for the presence of certain substances such as potential contaminants such as ammonium salts or amine salts in glass or plastic bottles. A high speed system and method are provided for detecting these contaminants in these bottles. Ammonia and amines can be detected by chemiluminescence of samples of volatiles emitted from the bottles during the high speed inspection process. A solution of Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 is injected into the bottles in order to enhance the conversion of ammonium or amine salts to free ammonia or amines which are then released as vapors. This enhances the likelihood that a gas-phase detection system such as one using chemiluminescence detection techniques will detect the presence of contaminants containing ammonium salts or amine salts.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1993Date of Patent: May 23, 1995Assignee: The Coca-Cola CompanyInventors: David P. Rounbehler, Eugene K. Achter, David H. Fine, Freeman W. Fraim, Stephen J. MacDonald, Helmut W. Klotzsch
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Patent number: 5397540Abstract: A system for injecting liquid into containers moving through an inspection station at variable speeds without spilling liquid over the outside of, or between, the containers for inspecting the containers for the presence of certain substances such as potential contaminants, such as ammonium salts or amine salts in glass or plastic bottles. The movements of each container is tracked with sensors upstream of a high speed injector, and one or more nozzles is timed to inject liquid in a narrow, high velocity stream only while the top opening of a container is under the nozzle(s). The liquid is employed to enhance liberation of vapors from within the containers for detection of the contaminants in the containers.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 1994Date of Patent: March 14, 1995Assignee: The Coca-Cola CompanyInventors: David P. Rounbehler, Eugene K. Achter, David H. Fine, Freeman W. Fraim, Stephen J. MacDonald, Helmut W. Klotzsch