Abstract: A filling apparatus and method including a carrier for transporting containers and having a plurality of valves, each of the valves being opened for an individual, specific period of time to control a flow of liquid into the respective containers, while the containers are transported by the carrier. An exit feed path transports the containers after the containers have been filled, and a sensor, such as a camera, detects a level of liquid in the respective containers, while the containers are on the exit feed path. The sensor produces a signal that is stored as data representing the level of liquid for the individual containers. The data is then tracked and used for valve optimization. A period of time that each individual valve is opened for subsequent fillings is adjusted based on the signal and the historical performance of each valve.

Abstract: A system for direct injection of selected, narrow bandwidth thermal-infrared (IR) radiation or energy into articles for a wide range of processing purposes is provided. The irradiation wavelengths are selected according to the specific absorption band characteristics of the target entity to create the desired efficiency of thermal transfer. The applications of the invention may include heating, raising or maintaining the temperature of articles, or stimulating a target item in a range of different industrial, medical, consumer, or commercial circumstances. The system is especially applicable to operations that require or benefit from the ability to irradiate at specifically selected mid-infrared wavelengths or to pulse or inject the radiation. The system is particularly advantageous when functioning at higher speeds and in a non-contact environment with the target.

Abstract: A system for identification and confirmation of legitimate deposit refund containers on which a monetary deposit has been collected. The containers include a marking indicating eligibility for collection of the monetary deposit upon return of the containers. The system includes at least one emitter operative to emit radiation positioned to direct the radiation toward a container, at least one sensor operative to sense the radiation reflected back from the container and a control system operative to drive the at least one emitter, receive information from the at least one sensor, and process the information to determine eligibility for the container for the refund of the monetary deposit.

Abstract: This application relates to an apparatus and method for automated inspection of formed metal containers. More specifically, it pertains to the use of machine vision systems to identify and correlate manufacturing defects occurring in formed food and beverage containers to specific manufacturing paths or sources of origin (eg., body makers) used in the container forming process. The disclosed invention is enabled by the placement of a machine-readable code on specific portions of the can body during the forming process and the use of illumination exposure techniques.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for mass and/or volume measurements of manufactured articles. More particularly, this invention relates to a method and apparatus for mass and/or volume measurements that can be performed on-line in a part manufacturing process. On-line measurement of the mass or volume of material contained in a specific region of interest of the manufactured items is performed 100% on-line. Real-time process control information is based on real-time measurement of the mass or volume of material contained in a specific region of interest of a manufactured item. Automated quality control inspection for manufactured articles is based on real-time measurement of the mass or volume of material contained in a specific region of interest of manufactured items.

Abstract: A system for direct injection of selected thermal-infrared (IR) wavelength radiation or energy into articles for a wide range of processing purposes is provided. These purposes may include heating, raising or maintaining the temperature of articles, or stimulating a target item in a range of different industrial, medical, consumer, or commercial circumstances. The system is especially applicable to operations that require or benefit from the ability to irradiate at specifically selected wavelengths or to pulse or inject the radiation. The system is particularly advantageous when functioning at higher speeds and in a non-contact environment with the target.

Abstract: This application relates to an apparatus and method for automated inspection of formed metal containers. More specifically, it pertains to the use of machine vision systems to identify and correlate manufacturing defects occurring in formed food and beverage containers to specific manufacturing paths or sources of origin (e.g., body makers) used in the container forming process. The disclosed invention is enabled by the placement of a machine-readable code on specific portions of the can body during the forming process and the use of machine vision reading techniques.

Abstract: A stretch blow molding system that condition preforms such that the temperature distribution within the cross-section of each preform is optimized prior to blow molding operations is provided. The system has a temperature measurement and control system capable of directly monitoring both the outside as well as inside surface temperature of preforms at different stages of transport throughout the thermal conditioning section of the system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for handling parts ejected from an injection molding machine (10). More particularly, in one aspect, the invention is directed to a system (20) whereby data molded into the ejected part is used to provide useful feedback for the molding process. In another aspect, molded parts formed in a multiple molding die (12) are ejected from the die in a manner to maintain the relative sequential or matrix organization so that useful feedback information can be generated. This system is particularly useful with subsequent machine vision and inspection applications.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for inspecting multi-layer plastic containers (10). More particularly, the invention relates to such an apparatus and method whereby optical energy absorbing compounds are added to the materials comprising the layer(s) of the container (10) to facilitate inspection thereof. Apparatus comprises a sensor unit (40), an illumination unit (30) for illuminating a portion of electromagnetic spectrum at a near IR wavelength to an inspection zone (20) which is located between the sensor unit (40) and the illumination unit (30). A processing unit (50) which receives an output of the sensor unit (40) and determines the attributes of the multilayer plastic containers (10).

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for handling parts ejected from an injection molding machine (10). More particularly, in one aspect, the invention is directed to a system (20) whereby data molded into the ejected part is used to provide useful feedback for the molding process. In another aspect, molded parts formed in a multiple molding die (12) are ejected from the die in a manner to maintain the relative sequential or matrix organization so that useful feedback information can be generated. This system is particularly useful with subsequent machine vision and inspection applications.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for mass and/or volume measurements of manufactured articles. More particularly, this invention relates to a method and apparatus for mass and/or volume measurements that can be performed on-line in a part manufacturing process. On-line measurement of the mass or volume of material contained in a specific region of interest of the manufactured items is performed 100% on-line. Real-time process control information is based on real-time measurement of the mass or volume of material contained in a specific region of interest of a manufactured item. Automated quality control inspection for manufactured articles is based on real-time measurement of the mass or volume of material contained in a specific region of interest of manufactured items.

Abstract: An intelligent display device includes a display screen controlled by a microprocessor unit. The intelligent display device has sensors that feedback information from the environment to the microprocessor control for use in intelligently dynamically display advertisements. The display includes a connection to a network, which may be the Internet and further includes soft-keys for allowing passers-by to interact with the device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for mass and/or volume measurements of manufactured articles. More particularly, this invention relates to a method and apparatus for mass and/or volume measurements that can be performed on-line in a part manufacturing process. On-line measurement of the mass or volume of material contained in a specific region of interest of the manufactured items is performed 100% on-line. Real-time process control information is based on real-time measurement of the mass or volume of material contained in a specific region of interest of a manufactured item. Automated quality control inspection for manufactured articles is based on real-time measurement of the mass or volume of material contained in a specific region of interest of manufactured items.

Abstract: A video inspection system is provided wherein light from a light source is directed through a field lens. The field lens directs the incident light first in the direction of an object under inspection and then, after reflecting from said object, redirecting the reflected light toward the aperture of an imaging lens/camera assembly. This redirection technique results in magnification of selected regions of the object.

Abstract: A system for detecting a side wall perforation in containers operates non-invasively and at line speeds. A stream of similar containers are communicated to an inspection area. An exterior of each container is illuminated while the container is in the inspection area. Light from an interior of the container is focused, via a lens, to a video camera. Any perforate flaw in the container walls results in a point source of light in the container interior. Since the perforations are relatively small, the point source is created due to diffractive properties of the slit perforation. These diffractive properties facilitate obtaining an image of the flaw from the camera disposed to the interior of the container when the camera is mounted orthogonally to the perforation or parallel to the wall being inspected. In an other embodiment, the relative positions of the light source and camera are interchanged. A method for container inspection is also provided in connection with the afore-noted structure.

Abstract: An engineered lighting system for high speed video inspection includes an array of light emitting diodes including light emitting diodes for use in time delay integration (TDI) inspection of web materials. The light emitting diodes of the array are selectively controllable to accomplish sequential illumination and carefully controllable imaging of a specified section of a continuously moving specimen or specimens. LEDs with different wavelength light output, or multi-wavelength light LEDs are utilized for rapid and reliable inspection of surfaces with varying color or contour or detect characteristics. The system also includes an array of optional backlighting elements to aid in illumination of semi-opaque specimens to accomplish inspection thereof.

Abstract: A parcel detection system works in connection with a stream of parcels, such as might be encountered in connection with bulk mail sorting apparatii. A presence of multiple parcels traveling adjacent one to another is detected with a line scan charge coupled device. A transducer array is disposed perpendicularly to the stream flow. Specular illumination of edges of the parcels is completed to facilitate capturing an image in the CCD array. An analog signal, obtained from the array, includes information representative of a number of adjacent parcels. This information is processed to provide a signal representative of a number of parcels traveling adjacent to one another in the stream.

Abstract: An engineered lighting system for high speed video inspection includes an array of light emitting diodes including light emitting diodes for use in time delay integration (TDI) inspection of web materials. The light emitting diodes of the array are selectively controllable to accomplish sequential illumination and carefully controllable imaging of a specified section of a continuously moving specimen or specimens. The system also includes an array of optional backlighting elements to aid in illumination of semi-opaque specimens to accomplish inspection thereof.

Abstract: An engineered video inspection lighting system includes a three-dimensional array of solid-state light emitting diodes focused to an inspection area. A single high-current, low-duration pulse is applied to selected elements of the array. Light thus generated is passed through a diffuser and to a specimen. Light reflected from the specimen is received by a lens of a video camera disposed in an interior of the three-dimensional array. Data thus obtained is used to determine acceptability of the specimen in accordance with preselected standards.