Patents by Inventor Richard D. Diehr

Richard D. Diehr 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).

  • Patent number: 11308601
    Abstract: A system for inspecting a glass container and methods of inspecting glass containers are provided. The system includes a panel including a plurality of light sources configured to illuminate the glass container. The system includes a camera configured to image the illuminated glass container. The system includes a controller configured to adjust the amount of power applied to each of the light sources individually. The system includes a processor configured to evaluate the image of the illuminated glass container for indications of defects in the container. Methods of calibrating the system are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Emhart Glass S.A.
    Inventors: Joe Dordoni, Richard D. Diehr
  • Publication number: 20160321796
    Abstract: A system for inspecting a glass container and methods of inspecting glass containers are provided. The system includes a panel including a plurality of light sources configured to illuminate the glass container. The system includes a camera configured to image the illuminated glass container. The system includes a controller configured to adjust the amount of power applied to each of the light sources individually. The system includes a processor configured to evaluate the image of the illuminated glass container for indications of defects in the container. Methods of calibrating the system are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Applicant: Emhart Glass S.A.
    Inventors: Joe Dordoni, Richard D. Diehr
  • Patent number: 9329135
    Abstract: A machine for inspecting a rotating glass container for defects wherein the image evaluated for defects is a critical addition of a plurality of additions each defined by a plurality of time spaced images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignees: Emhart Glass S.A., Applied Vision Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. Diehr, Amir R. Novini, Richard A. Sones
  • Patent number: 8135206
    Abstract: A machine for inspecting glass containers rotating at an inspection station. A camera images an area of interest on the glass container (the finish for example) and the area is imaged at angular increments. An anomalous object is analyzed in each image and the deviation of its center relative to a datum is measured. A deviation less than a maximum enables the control to identify the object as a blister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Emhart Glass S.A.
    Inventors: Richard A. Sones, Richard D. Diehr, Amir R. Novini
  • Patent number: 8058607
    Abstract: A machine for inspecting glass containers which are being rotated at an inspection station. A light source illuminates a selected area on a rotating glass container while the container rotates through a selected angle and a camera is triggered to capture an image while the bottle rotates through that angle. A plurality of sequential images are recorded and a critical addition is made to be inspected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignees: Emhart Glass S.A., Applied Vision Corporation LLC
    Inventors: Richard D. Diehr, Amir R. Novini, Richard A. Sones
  • Patent number: 7898655
    Abstract: A machine for distinguishing blisters from checks on the finish of a glass container. The captured objects are located in a band to define a cluster. The cluster is evaluated to determine whether it is a multiple cluster and each defined cluster is evaluated to distinguish a check from a blister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignees: Emhart Glass S.A., Applied Vision Corporation, LLC
    Inventors: Richard A. Sones, R. Dean Houck, Amir R. Novini, Richard D. Diehr
  • Patent number: 7876951
    Abstract: A machine for inspecting the finish of a glass container rotating at an inspection station. A pair of light sources, which are repeatedly turned on and off, have horizontal light axes which are orthogonally related and intersect the container axis. The light sources illuminate the container finish to identify checks. The illuminated checks are imaged by a camera which has a camera axis coincident with the container axis and the intersecting light axes. The camera axis makes an angle of 45 degrees with both light axes and the horizontal. The camera is exposed through multiple images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignees: Emhart Glass S. A., Applied Vision Corporation, LLC
    Inventors: Amir R. Novini, Richard A. Sones, Richard D. Diehr
  • Publication number: 20110007149
    Abstract: A machine for inspecting glass containers which are being rotated at an inspection station. A light source illuminates a selected area on a rotating glass container while the container rotates through a selected angle and a camera is triggered to capture an image while the bottle rotates through that angle. A plurality of sequential images are recorded and a critical addition is made to be inspected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Richard D. Diehr, Amir R. Novini, Richard A. Sones
  • Patent number: 7816639
    Abstract: A machine for inspecting glass containers which are being rotated at an inspection station. A light source illuminates a selected area on a rotating glass container while the container rotates through a selected angle and a camera is triggered to capture an image while the bottle rotates through that angle. A plurality of sequential images are recorded and a critical addition is made to be inspected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignees: Emhart Glass S.A., Applied Vision Corporation, LLC
    Inventors: Richard D. Diehr, Amir R. Novini, Richard A. Sones
  • Publication number: 20100194878
    Abstract: A machine for distinguishing blisters from checks on the finish of a glass container. The captured objects are located in a band to define a cluster. The cluster is evaluated to determine whether it is a multiple cluster and each defined cluster is evaluated to distinguish a check from a blister.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Richard A. Sones, R. Dean Houck, Amir R. Novini, Richard D. Diehr
  • Patent number: 7697132
    Abstract: A machine for distinguishing blisters from checks on the finish of a glass container. The captured objects are located in a band to define a cluster. The cluster is evaluated to determine whether it is a multiple cluster and each defined cluster is evaluated to distinguish a check from a blister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignees: Emhart Glass S.A., Applied Vision Corporation, LLC
    Inventors: Richard A. Sones, R. Dean Houck, Amir R. Novini, Richard D. Diehr
  • Publication number: 20100085426
    Abstract: A machine for inspecting a rotating glass container for defects wherein the image evaluated for defects is a critical addition of a plurality of additions each defined by a plurality of time spaced images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Richard D. Diehr, Amir R. Novini, Richard A. Sones
  • Patent number: 7688437
    Abstract: A machine for distinguishing blisters from checks on the finish of a glass container. The center of each captured object in an array is determined by a controller which determines the object centers in a plurality of adjacent bands. The band having the most object centers is determined and the objects in the band having the most object centers are deleted from the rest of the bands. The control repeatedly determines the band of the rest of the bands having the most object centers and deletes the objects in the band of the rest of the bands having the most object centers from the remainder of the bands until the objects in each band are unique. The maximum separation of objects in each band is defined and checks will be differentiated from blisters based on this separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignees: Emhart Glass S.A., Applied Vision Corporation, LLC
    Inventors: R. Dean Houck, Richard A. Sones, Richard D. Diehr, Amir R. Novini
  • Patent number: 7626158
    Abstract: A machine for inspecting a rotating glass container for defects wherein the image evaluated for defects is a critical addition of a plurality of additions each defined by a plurality of time spaced images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Emhart Glass S.A.
    Inventors: Richard D. Diehr, Amir R. Novini, Richard A. Sones
  • Patent number: 7582856
    Abstract: An inspection machine for determining whether a bottle at an inspection station is “out of round”. A laser, spaced from the bottle to be inspected directs a laser beam towards the axis of the bottle to be inspected whereby a diffuse spot of energy will be defined on the surface of the bottle to be inspected. The bottle to be inspected is rotated about its axis and a CCD camera views the spot of energy on the surface of the bottle at a defined angle to the laser beam. A control determines the displacement of the spot of energy as the bottle to be inspected is rotated 360 degrees about its axis and issues a reject signal in the event the displacement exceeds a set limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Emhart Glass S.A.
    Inventors: Gary C. Weber, William J. Furnas, Richard D. Diehr
  • Patent number: 7541572
    Abstract: A machine for inspecting glass containers rotating at an inspection station. A camera images an area of interest on the glass container and continuous illumination of that area is provided by strobing a light source a number of times while the area is imaged on a camera the entire period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Emhart Glass S.A.
    Inventors: Amir R. Novini, Richard D. Diehr, Richard A. Sones
  • Publication number: 20080273085
    Abstract: A machine for distinguishing blisters from checks on the finish of a glass container. The captured objects are located in a band to define a cluster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Richard A. Sones, R. Dean Houck, Amir R. Novini, Richard D. Diehr
  • Publication number: 20080273086
    Abstract: A machine for inspecting glass containers rotating at an inspection station. A camera images an area of interest on the glass container (the finish for example) and the area is imaged at angular increments. An anomalous object is analyzed in each image and the deviation of its center relative to a datum is measured. A deviation less than a maximum enables the control to identify the object as a blister.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Richard A. Sones, Richard D. Diehr, Amir R. Novini
  • Publication number: 20080273197
    Abstract: A machine for distinguishing blisters from checks on the finish of a glass container. The center of each captured object in an array is determined by a controller which determines the object centers in a plurality of adjacent bands. The band having the most object centers is determined and the objects in the band having the most object centers are deleted from the rest of the bands. The control repeatedly determines the band of the rest of the bands having the most object centers and deletes the objects in the band of the rest of the bands having the most object centers from the remainder of the bands until the objects in each band are unique. The maximum separation of objects in each band is defined and checks will be differentiated from blisters based on this separation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: R. Dean Houck, Richard A. Sones, Richard D. Diehr, Amir R. Novini
  • Patent number: 7436509
    Abstract: A machine for inspecting glass bottles for wire edges. A bottom light directs light vertically upwardly to image a Camera imaging the glass bottle from above. A beam splitter redirects light from a second light source which issues horizontal light, vertically downwardly towards the sealing surface. The bottle hole appears white, the sealing surface appears gray and the annular step appears black with a wire edge on the step appearing gray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Emhart Glass S.A.
    Inventor: Richard D. Diehr