Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an installation for automatically measuring linear dimensions of manufactured objects (2) of a series comprising: the disposition of at least one focal point (Fj) of X-rays, on a same base straight line parallel to the rectilinear trajectory of displacement of the objects and of one or several image sensors (Ci); the acquisition, for each object during its displacement, of a set of one-dimensional images comprising, for a number (NK) of distinct section planes (Pk) containing the base straight line, a number (NP) of said images obtained along at least three different directions of projection (Dijk) in the section plane; for each object, and for each distinct section plane (Pk), the determination, from the images obtained, of a delineation of the object in the considered section plane (Pk).

Abstract: An inspection line comprises: at a finish inspection station, a finish inspection installation capable of detecting without contact, by light rays, check-type defects in the neck of the containers; at a base inspection station, a base inspection installation capable of detecting without contact, by light rays, check-type defects in the base of the containers; and at a radiographic measuring station, a radiographic installation for automatically measuring linear dimensions of at least one region to be inspected of containers. The three installations are each arranged at stations distinct from each other along a trajectory of displacement of the containers. In each installation, a section of the transport device ensures, in the inspection area of the installation, the transport of the containers along a rectilinear portion of the trajectory (T) in a horizontal conveying plane (Pc) perpendicular to the central axis of the containers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for conveying in translation, in a transport zone, glass containers (2) held in a suspended position between two slide rails on which slides a counter-ring (7) arranged on each container which has a ring surface (8) defining the opening of the container, the method consisting of ensuring the movement in translation of the containers (2) by a bearing surface (18a) of at least one belt (18) driven in translation and exerting mechanical pressure on each ring surface (8) of the containers (2) to create a bond by adherence between each ring surface (8) of the containers and the bearing surface (18a) of the belt.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for measuring the dimensions of empty glass containers (2) consisting in: selecting at least one region to be inspected of the container, transporting the containers, positioning, on either side of the region to be inspected, at least one focus of an X-ray generator tube and image sensors, acquiring, using image sensors, for each container during its displacement, at least three radiographic images of the inspected region, analyzing the at least three radiographic images so as to determine the three-dimensional coordinates of a set of points to deduce at least one inner diameter of the neck and/or one thickness of the body.

Abstract: A measurement method comprises acquiring, using image sensors (Cji) for each object during its displacement, at least three radiographic images of the region to be inspected. The images are obtained from at least three radiographic projections of the region to be inspected, the directions of projection (Dji) of which are different from each other. A computer system is provided with an a priori geometric model of the region to be inspected for the series of objects. Using the computer system and considering a constant attenuation coefficient and, from the a priori geometric model, at least three radiographic images of the region to be inspected, a digital geometric model of the region to be inspected is determined. For each object of the series, from the digital geometric model of the region to be inspected, at least one linear dimension measurement of the region to be inspected is determined.

Abstract: An inspection device which is compatible with in-line inspection of containers and reliably determines the presence or not of a defect of a container, has a lighting system arranged above an installation zone and being capable of providing an incident light beam, an image sensor connected to an image-analysis unit, and an optical system with a first primary reflection surface arranged above the installation zone and interposed between the installation zone and the sensor for forming on the sensor an image of a container ring surface to be inspected. Also included is a second primary reflection surface in the upstream field of vision of the sensor to reflect light beams, directly or indirectly in the direction of the sensor. The first and second primary reflection surfaces determine first and second portions of a downstream field of vision, which overlap in the inspection zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, a device and an inspection line for determining the three-dimensional geometry of a container ring surface, including the formation, by two optical systems (24, 24?), of two images of the ring surface of the container, according to two peripheral observation fields having a first and a second observation elevation angle (?1, ?2) different from each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to an installation for optically inspecting containers (2) manufactured by a forming machine at the outlet of which the containers travel by means of a conveyor (5) past at least one inspection device (I) including at least one camera (10) mounted inside a support chamber (11). The installation includes a system for fastening the support chamber (11) on the conveyor (5) in such a manner that the support chamber (11) is positioned on one side of the conveyor and presents, below the conveyor, a low section (11b) in which the camera (10) is mounted, the support chamber (11) also presenting, above the conveyor, a high section (11h) provided with an observation port (15) and in which an optical deflector system (16) is mounted.

Abstract: A method of determining the capacity of containers (1) comprises using an X-ray computed-tomography apparatus (10) to acquire a plurality of X-ray images (I) of the container at different projection angles. The X-ray images are analyzed in order to construct a model of the container from the X-ray images, determine the inside surface of the digital model of the container, position a filling level plane on the digital model of the container parallel to the support surface and at a nominal distance from the top of the digital model of the container, and measure by calculation the inside volume of the digital model of the container as defined by the inside surface of the digital model and by the filling level plane, the measurement being the filling capacity of the container.

Abstract: A method of determining a presence of a wire-edge at the site of an internal edge of a ring surface of a ring of a container includes lighting of the ring surface of the container from above using a radial light beam at 360 and observing the ring surface according to a peripheral observation field. A first principal circle is formed in a first image zone. At least one secondary arc of a circle concentric to the first so-called principal circle, and radially offset relative to the latter is also formed in the first image zone. The first so-called principal circle and any first secondary arc of a circle are searched using the first image zone. A device for executing the determining method is provided along with a line including the device.

Abstract: An installation (2) for optically inspecting containers (3) includes a support table (7) for containers, which table has a slide plate (8) on which the bottom of a container stands. The slide plate (8) includes a portion (18) that is movable under the action of an actuator (19) to move the movable portion (18) between a transfer position in which the movable portion is flush with the table, and an inspection position in which the movable portion (18) is set back relative to the slide plate (8). A light source (14) and a light sensor (15) are positioned so that, in the inspection position of the movable portion, the sensor can receive a light beam propagating in an inspection volume (V) in which there is situated at least a portion of the bottom (4) of the container spaced apart from the slide plate.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and a system of checking a procedure for the optical inspection of glass containers (12), characterized by a procedure for the optical recognition of a control mark (42) of a control container having optical properties of transformation spectral such that: the transformation of the spectral intensity distribution between the incident (LRi) and return (LRr) recognition lights, by the mark (42), is different from that caused by interaction with a marking portion free of any mark (46); the transformation of the spectral intensity distribution between the incident (LIi) and return (LIr) inspection lights, by the mark, is not different, inside at least one useful portion of the inspection spectral band (BSI), from that caused by interaction with a marking portion free of any mark (46).

Abstract: The invention provides a device for optically inspecting high temperature glass containers (2), the device comprising a lighting system (7) having a light-emitting surface that is adapted to emit both: a “flash” first light flux during a flash duration of less than 1 ms and at a wavelength longer than 650 nm; and also a “bottle-scanning” second light flux having wavelengths shorter than 650 nm and for a duration of not less than 2 s, the lighting system (7) being controlled: to emit the flash light flux so that the camera can take images of each container while back-lit by said flash light flux; and to emit the “bottle-scanning” light flux that is perceived by a human eye as being continuous.

Abstract: The invention relates to a determination process of the presence of a wire-edge at the site of an internal edge of a ring surface (16) of a ring of a container, comprising: lighting of the ring surface (16) of the container from above, by means of a radial light beam at 360 and its observation according to a peripheral observation field formation in a first image zone, of a first principal circle; and of at least one secondary arc of a circle concentric to the first so-called principal circle, and radially offset relative to the latter. search, in said first image zone, of the first so-called principal circle and any first secondary arc of a circle. The invention also relates to a device for executing such a process and a line comprising such a device.

Abstract: An inspection device comprises movable equipment (6) driven relative to a stand (7) and fitted with at least one inspection gauge (14, 15). The device also includes a measurement system (30) comprising a contactless transceiver system (30a) for emitting and receiving a light beam (F) along a path in which there is arranged a target (30b) that is securely mounted to the first inspection gauge, the transceiver system being secured to the stand, and delivering measurements continuously of the position of the first inspection gauge relative to the stand (7). A processor unit (31) is provided that means for detecting when the measurements of the position of the inspection gauge delivered by the transceiver system (30a) cease varying, in order to determine that contact has occurred between the inspection gauge and the container.

Abstract: A method of visualizing the planeness of a ring surface of a container includes lighting the ring surface from above using a peripheral incident light beam having radial rays with specular reflection on the ring surface. An optical system is used to form a plane image of the ring surface on a sensor, with an optical geometrical transformation that converts a real height difference (dZ) into an image radial offset (dR) on the image, and the image radial offset (dR) corresponding to a unit real height difference (dZ) is greater than the image radial offset corresponding to a real radial offset of the same dimension. A device and an installation implementing the visualizing method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method, device, and inspection line for optically reading portions in relief on a side wall of a container, includes using a light source to light a portion of interest with a peripheral incident light beam comprising non-parallel radial light rays and using specular reflection of the beam on the portion of interest and on the portions in relief through an optical element to form a plane image in the field of view of a two-dimensional photoelectric sensor. The image received by the sensor is processed in order to detect the portions in relief to cause the light source that provides the peripheral incident light beam to move relative to the optical element in translation along the direction of a theoretical central axis to modify the contrast of the image received by the sensor between zones of the image that correspond to the portions in relief and adjacent zones.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical inspection station comprising: an illumination system capable of delivering a series of light beams illuminating an inspection region of the object at various angles of incidence; a camera equipped with a lens for producing images of the inspection region during rotation of the object; and a unit for analyzing and processing the images taken by the camera so as to detect the presence of reflecting defects in the images. According to the invention, the optical inspection station includes a series of optical elements for deflecting, in the air, rays reflected by the inspection region, these being placed between the inspection region and the lens so as to form, in each image, a series of views of the inspection region taken at different angles of viewing.

Abstract: A method of inspecting containers (3) moving between a linear camera and a light source (7) presents continuous variation of light intensity with a periodic pattern (71) along at least one variation direction (D). According to the method, for each movement increment of the container, a sequence of N successive image lines of the container is acquired cyclically so that for each image line; the container (3) is illuminated by the light source (7); the image line of the container is acquired; and the periodic pattern (71) is shifted for the next line along the variation direction (D). For each increment of the container (3), at least one phase image line is calculated; and the phase image lines (LP(k)) are analyzed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for inspecting, with the aid of a machine (1), transparent or translucent hollow articles (Aj) streaming past a series of monitoring stations each comprising at least one sensor (Ci) delivering an output signal (Si(j)) for each article (Aj) traveling past a sensor.