Method and device for inspection of full container

Abstract

Method and device for inspecting a filled container. The present invention relates to a method for inspecting filled containers for foreign bodies, comprising: - providing a flat illumination device, which is designed to emit radiation that passes through the container to be examined; - providing a detection device, which is formed to detect the radiation that was emitted by the illumination device and passed through the container, based on the detected radiation, generating an image capture of the container; - providing an evaluation device that is formed to evaluate the image capture generated by the detection device, wherein the detection device, at an acute angle α, against the horizontals, is projected onto the area of ​​the base (11) of the container to be inspected (10), and wherein a foreign body (26) that is located at the base of the container (11) is recognized as local interference in the image capture.

Description

1 / 14 METHOD AND DEVICE FOR INSPECTING A FULL CONTAINER

[001] The present invention relates to a method and a device for inspecting foreign bodies in filled containers, comprising a flat illumination device, a detection device, as well as an evaluation device, wherein the detection device is positioned at an acute angle against the horizontals in the area of ​​the base of the container to be inspected.

[002] The present invention is particularly suited for use in automatic filling systems for the beverage, food and pharmaceutical sectors, in which containers, up to 90,000 bottles per hour, are transported at high speed. The containers are transported in this way in transport devices that generally comprise a circulating conveyor belt or a circulating link chain.

[003] In particular, the invention is determined for the inspection of filled containers. In automatic filling systems, filled containers are checked for possible impurities or foreign bodies after filling. Typical foreign bodies are glass particles introduced into the container during previous container handling steps, for example, during cleaning, filling or capping. Such glass particles are difficult to identify using conventional methods.

[004] In addition, the containers must be removed from the transport equipment for inspection, particularly for base inspection, so that the base of the containers can be inspected by radiation. This requires additional equipment which complicates the overall structure of the inspection device.

[005] Therefore, the objective of the inspection is to increase the reliability of Petition 870260046532, dated 05 / 15 / 2026, page 10 / 52 2 / 14 a device for inspecting filled containers for foreign bodies and, in particular, for reliably detecting foreign bodies at the bottom of containers. At the same time, it is desirable to reduce the complexity of the inspection equipment.

[006] According to the invention, a method is suggested for inspecting foreign bodies in filled containers, comprising providing a flat illumination device, which is formed to emit radiation that radiates through a receiver to be analyzed, providing a detection device, which is formed to detect the radiation that was emitted by the illumination device and passed through the container and, based on the detected radiation, creating a capture of the container, as well as providing an evaluation device, which is formed to evaluate the capture created by the detection device. The detection device is positioned, in this case, at an acute angle against the horizontals, in the area of ​​the base of the container to be inspected. A foreign body that remains at the base of the container is recognized as localized interference in the image capture.

[007] In the present invention, several effects are used which, surprisingly, can make it possible to carry out bottom inspection in full containers with greater reliability.

[008] On the one hand, a filled transparent container resembles a cylindrical lens. Light that is visible in the transmitted light image from a filled container and has passed through the entire cross-section of the receiver originates from a relatively small area around the focal point or around the focal line of the receiving cylindrical lens. Therefore, it is possible to use a comparatively narrow illumination optic with high light intensity. The illumination device is projected onto the camera as a cylindrical lens through the filled bottle. Since the illumination device has a smaller area than the container to be examined than the diameter of the Petition 870260046532, dated 05 / 15 / 2026, p. 11 / 52 3 / 14 container to be examined, it is possible to simultaneously prevent interfering light from passing directly through the bottle and entering the detection device. Interfering reflections from neighboring receivers also do not occur. This results in a considerably higher signal-to-noise ratio between the incident light or the reflected light components that pass through the bottle.

[009] In addition, another optical effect was observed, which is particularly relevant for the bottom inspection of filled containers. If the camera is pointed at the bottom of a container, from top to bottom, at an acute angle, total internal reflection will occur at the bottom edge of the container's base. This means that the entire surface of the base is illuminated, even if there is a normal plastic or metal conveyor belt under the container, on which the container is transported.

[0010] Foreign bodies found at the base of the container, particularly transparent glass particles or defects in the container wall, additionally lead to light refraction effects and recognizable flaws in the image capture created by the detection device. These interferences can be recognized and classified.

[0011] The present invention can be used for the inspection of containers produced from any transparent material. The present method is particularly suitable for inspecting glass containers, such as clear glass bottles, colored glass bottles, and transparent plastic containers, such as PET bottles.

[0012] The flat lighting device preferably has a width smaller than the width or diameter of the containers to be analyzed. For this purpose, the width of the lighting device can be advantageously adjusted to the respective Petition 870260046532, dated 05 / 15 / 2026, page 12 / 52 4 / 14 Inspection task. Bottles typically used in the beverage industry are cylindrical in shape and have a diameter between 5 and 15 cm. Containers used in the pharmaceutical industry, on the other hand, can be significantly smaller, with a diameter of about 1 to 3 cm. The flat lighting device can therefore preferably have a width of less than 4 cm, preferably less than 2 cm, and particularly preferably less than 1 cm.

[0013] The flat illumination device may preferably have a width of 10 to 90% of the diameter of the container to be examined. The flat illumination device may preferably have a width of 20 to 80% of the diameter of the container to be examined. The flat illumination device may preferably have a width of 30 to 70% of the diameter of the container to be examined.

[0014] With the present invention, containers with different shapes can be analyzed. Regardless of the shape of the container, the diameter is understood to be the measurement with the smallest dimensions. If the lighting device has a width smaller than the defined diameter of the container, then it is ensured that no trace of light can pass through the container directly to the detection device.

[0015] The height of the lighting device can also be advantageously adjusted to suit the respective inspection task. The height of the flat lighting device can be selected so that it corresponds, for example, to the height of the container to be examined. The flat lighting device can, for example, have a height of less than 30 cm, preferably less than 25 cm, and particularly preferably less than 15 cm.

[0016] Preferably, the height and / or width of the irradiation surface of the lighting device can be adjusted and adapted to Petition 870260046532, dated 05 / 15 / 2026, p. 13 / 52 5 / 14 respective dimensions of the container. For this purpose, an opening is provided that limits the irradiation surface of the lighting device. Such an opening can be adjustable by motor, so that the opening is automatically adjusted, for example, when the inspection device is started up, to the size of the container to be inspected.

[0017] The lighting device is preferably designed to emit electromagnetic radiation. The lighting device is also preferably designed to emit light in the visible range. The lighting device may also be designed to emit UV or infrared light or a combination thereof. Infrared radiation can be advantageously used for colored containers, particularly for amber glass bottles.

[0018] The lighting device can be formed as a flat light medium, which essentially emits monochromatic visible light, for example, white.

[0019] The flat lighting device may also feature a plurality of individual radiation sources. These radiation sources may be LEDs, LCDs, or OLEDs. The individual radiation sources of the lighting device, in this case, may be further controlled depending on the shape of the container, such that, here, it may be varied by the size of the irradiation surface of the lighting device.

[0020] The accuracy of the inspection can be further increased if a lighting device is used that presents the illuminated area with different radiation characteristics. For example, the lighting device can be designed to create color-coded illumination. Color-coded illumination means illumination that presents any geometric color pattern. Particles or glass chips cause light refraction. Through this Petition 870260046532, dated 05 / 15 / 2026, p. 14 / 52 6 / 14 refraction of light, the local color is modified in the image capture created by the detection device. In cases where total internal reflection alone leads to relatively small changes in the intensity of the image capture, local changes in color hue can still be used to infer conclusions about the foreign body or defects in the base of the container.

[0021] Color-coded illumination can be a stripe pattern, for example, consisting of several horizontal bands of illumination arranged one above the other, where the illumination bands respectively emit light of a different color. The light strikes the base of the container at different angles, is totally reflected there, and diverted to the detection device. Due to particles or glass chips found at the base of the container, there is a disturbance of the total reflection and refraction of light, which alters the color composition of the radiation detected by the detection device. This color-shifting property allows the detection of such defects at the base of the container, which would otherwise not be recognizable simply due to differences in contrast and transparency in the image capture.

[0022] To generate color-coded illumination, a colored film can be placed in the beam path between the illumination device and the container to be examined. The colored film then presents a corresponding color pattern by which individual illuminated areas can be formed.

[0023] Color-coded lighting can be designed very flexibly if the flat lighting fixture has a plurality of individual radiation sources such as the LEDs or OLEDs mentioned above. Particularly when the lighting fixture consists of multi-color LEDs and UV-LEDs, it is possible to adjust a given color-coded lighting by a Petition 870260046532, dated 05 / 15 / 2026, page 15 / 52 7 / 14 Software parameterization. However, any color pattern can be defined.

[0024] A diffuser can also be used to create smooth color gradients between individual lighting areas. This can further increase the sensitivity of the device.

[0025] The lighting device can also consist of a projector. A projector has the advantage that any color pattern can be specified in the software. This allows for the targeted use of color patterns that are specifically adapted to the shapes of particular containers. Special patterns can thus be used particularly on individual bottles, which are frequently used today. Such patterns may be particularly suitable for inspecting individual bottles with certain reliefs, for example.

[0026] Illumination areas do not necessarily need to emit different colors. Alternatively or additionally, illumination areas may also differ in terms of other radiation characteristics. In addition to the emitted color, different illumination areas may differ from one another in terms of polarization, intensity, and phase of the emitted light. The color code is cited in this document only as an example of such radiation characteristics and is described in more detail below.

[0027] The illumination device can be operated in pulsed mode and, in this way, can be controlled in such a way that radiation pulses are emitted only when a container to be examined is in front of the illumination device. Alternatively, the illumination device can also be operated continuously.

[0028] The detection device is preferably a commercially available color camera, in particular, a camera Petition 870260046532, dated 05 / 15 / 2026, page 16 / 52 8 / 14 semiconductor. Infrared and UV cameras can also be used. Cameras with fast shutter speeds can be used to avoid or reduce motion blur. This is particularly advantageous if the lighting device is operated continuously.

[0029] Preferably, the detection device detects one capture from each container to be examined. This ensures high inspection speed. Alternatively, the detection device can detect multiple captures from each container to be examined. The captures can be detected with a time delay, for example, with a time delay of 100 ps to 1000 ps, ​​preferably around 300 ps. Time-delayed captures are preferentially detected depending on the transport speed of the container to be examined. Since three-dimensional structures of the container, such as decorative elements, create light scattering, time-delayed captures can better recognize the local color contrast in the area of ​​the decorative elements. It is also conceivable to provide multiple detection devices, which are formed, respectively, for the detection of at least one capture from the container to be examined.Preferably, the detection devices are arranged in such a way that they can capture images of the container to be examined from different capture devices.

[0030] If multiple captures of the container to be detected are made, the lighting device between the different captures can be controlled in such a way that the lighting between captures can be modified. Therefore, an individual color pattern can be created for each image capture. For example, the colors emitted by the lighting area can be changed. Alternatively or optionally, the shape of the lighting area can be Petition 870260046532, dated 05 / 15 / 2026, page 17 / 52 9 / 14 varied. For example, the vertical strip lighting area can be used for a first photo, while the horizontal strip lighting area is used for a second photo. This allows various three-dimensional structures, such as vertical or horizontal structures, to be ideally emphasized.

[0031] The camera is generally used to create a color image of the container in the RGB color space. The evaluation device is advantageously formed to convert the image capture of the container to be examined generated by the detection device into an image capture in the HSV or HSL color spectrum. The HSV color spectrum produces a color value or H-value image, a light value or V or L-value image, and a saturation or S-saturation image. The brightness value corresponds to the image capture of a conventional inspection device with a single color radiation source and allows conclusions to be drawn about local brightness contrasts.

[0032] These brightness contrasts may be the result of the presence of foreign bodies at the bottom of the analyzed containers. The H-value signal can also be used for further evaluation. Foreign bodies should not only cause a disturbance in brightness contrast, but also local disturbances in color contrast.

[0033] Therefore, if a local brightness contrast coincides with a local color contrast, the evaluation device detects, in that area, the presence of a three-dimensional foreign body, such as, for example, a glass shard. Saturation S can also be used to evaluate the importance of the color contrast signal.

[0034] Through the special evaluation device, structures such as glass chips or particles can also be identified, which essentially cause no or only a low risk of damage. Petition 870260046532, dated 05 / 15 / 2026, page 18 / 52 10 / 14 local brightness contrast, but cause a local color contrast. Chipped glass may be an indication of glass shards in the container. Such containers, therefore, should not be placed on the market. In general, this glass flaking cannot be detected by conventional methods.

[0035] Appropriate filtering and classification methods are used to analyze the images.

[0036] With the present method, it is also possible to perform a 360° inspection of the containers. Two inspection stations arranged one behind the other can be provided for this purpose. The containers, which are already being transported in a transport device, are fed to these two inspection stations, one after the other. Between the inspection stations, the containers are rotated 90° during transport. This allows the containers to be inspected in two orthogonal orientations.

[0037] The evaluation device can control the classification of containers according to the inspection result. Containers where a foreign body or glass breakage has been detected at the base of the container are preferably separated from the filling process by a rejection device.

[0038] The invention also relates to a device for inspecting filled containers for foreign bodies, comprising: - a flat illumination device, in which the illumination device is formed to emit radiation that passes through a container to be examined, - a detection device, which is designed to detect the radiation emitted by the lighting device that has passed through the container and, based on the detected radiation, generates an image capture of the container, and Petition 870260046532, dated 05 / 15 / 2026, p. 19 / 52 11 / 14 - an evaluation device, which is designed to evaluate the image capture created by the detection device, wherein the detection device is positioned at an acute angle, against the horizontals, in the area of ​​the base of the container to be inspected, and wherein, a foreign body located at the base of the container is recognized as local interference in the image capture.

[0039] The present invention is described in more detail below, based on the accompanying drawings. Here, it is shown: Figure 1 - View of an inspection device, according to the invention; Figure 2 - side view of an inspection device, according to the invention; Figure 3 - trajectory of the beam in a filled glass bottle; Figure 4 - trajectory of the beam in an empty glass bottle; Figure 5 - trajectory of the beam in a glass bottle filled with foreign bodies in a square-shaped glass container; Figure 6 - trajectory of the beam in a glass bottle filled with a foreign body of its own glass in spherical shape; Figure 7 - color image capture of a container base with glass particles.

[0040] Figure 1 shows the inspection device according to the invention in a top view. In the inspection device, containers 10, such as glass bottles, are examined for foreign bodies. The containers 10 are transported in a transport device 12 through the inspection device. A flat illumination device 14 and a detection device 16 are provided for identifying the foreign body. The radiation created by the flat illumination device 14 Petition 870260046532, dated 05 / 15 / 2026, p. 20 / 52 12 / 14 is projected by the filled container 10, which acts as a cylindrical entity, onto the detection device 16. Since the illumination device 14 is narrower than the diameter of the container 10, only radiation that passes through the container 10 is projected onto the detection device 16.

[0041] The flat lighting device 14 is implemented to create color-coded lighting. As specified in the side view of Figure 2, the lighting device 14 is segmented, in this case horizontally, and presents a stripe pattern. The stripe pattern consists of overlapping stripe-shaped lighting areas 18a-18n. Each stripe-shaped lighting area 18 emits light of different colors.

[0042] The detection device 16 is a commercially available CCD camera. This is arranged at an acute angle α against the horizontals and positioned in the area of ​​the base 11 of the container 10. The detection device 16 is implemented in such a way that only radiation from the direction of the base of the container 11 is detected. For this purpose, the detection device 16 is provided with a corresponding aperture 20.

[0043] At the base of the container 11, at the exit of the light beams from the container, total reflection occurs, such that, starting from the entire base of the container 11, the radiation from various illumination areas 18 is projected onto the detection device 16.

[0044] In Figures 3 to 6, the beam path is schematically illustrated based on a container 10, which has the shape of a conventional GdB bottle. In all Figures 3 to 6, the container 10 is located between a horizontally segmented illumination device 14 with 5 overlapping illumination areas 18a-e and a detection device 16. The calculated beam path is shown for various incident beams. Petition 870260046532, dated 05 / 15 / 2026, p. 21 / 52 13 / 14 examples 22.

[0045] In Figure 3, the calculated beam path is shown in a GdB bottle filled with water. As can be seen, in such a filled container, the light from different illumination areas 18a-e is totally reflected at the base of the container 11 and projected onto the detection device 16. The base of the container 11 appears as a bright area in an image, as the light from all the different illumination areas 18a-e is superimposed and projected onto the detection device 16.

[0046] When there is no water in container 10, there is no total reflection. This situation is represented in Figure 4. In this case, only the radiation that was directed from below the base of container 11 onto container 10 was projected onto the detection device 16. Such a beam trajectory cannot be achieved using conventional transport devices 12 with plastic or metal chains, since these do not allow illumination from below.

[0047] In Figures 5 and 6, the calculated beam path is shown in a GdB bottle filled with water, in which a foreign body 24 of the same glass is located at the base of the container 11, respectively in cuboid (Fig. 5) or spherical (Figure 6) shape. In both cases, the refraction of light in the foreign body 24 changes the beam path, such that, by means of this, light from other illumination areas 18 is projected onto the detection device 16. This locally alters the color composition of the total radiation, which is projected onto the detection device 16. This color interference can be used for the detection of the foreign body 24.

[0048] Figure 7 shows a capture of a container 10 created by the method according to the invention. The image capture shows two small glass shards 26, which can be seen as Petition 870260046532, dated 05 / 15 / 2026, p. 22 / 52 14 / 14 a clear interference in the local color space, in the area of ​​the base of the containers 11. Such glass particles could not have been recognized with a conventional transmitted light method. NUMERICAL REFERENCE LIST container base of the container transport device lighting device detection device ak lighting area aperture light beams foreign body glass particles Petition 870260046532, dated 05 / 15 / 2026, p. 23 / 52

Claims

1 / 3 CLAIMS 1. Method for inspecting a container filled (10) with foreign bodies, characterized in that it comprises: - providing a flat illumination device (14), which is formed to emit radiation that passes through a container to be examined (10), - providing a detection device (16), which is designed to detect the radiation that was emitted by the illumination device (14) and passed through the container (10) and, based on the detected radiation, generate an image capture of the container (10), - providing an evaluation device, which is designed to evaluate the image captures generated by the detection device (16), wherein the detection device (16) is positioned, at an acute angle α to the horizontals, in the base area (11) of the container to be inspected (10),such that the radiation emitted by the illumination device is reflected by total internal reflection in the base area of ​​the container to be inspected and is projected by the detection device, and wherein, a foreign body (26) located at the base of the container (11) is recognized as local interference in the image capture.

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the flat illumination device has a width that is smaller than the width or diameter of the container to be examined.

3. A method, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the height and / or width of the irradiation surface of the lighting device are adjustable and can be adapted to the size of the container. Petition 870260046532, dated 05 / 15 / 2026, p. 24 / 52 2 / 3 4. A method, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lighting device has areas with different radiation characteristics.

5. A method, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flat lighting device is designed to generate color-coded illumination.

6. A method, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flat lighting device has a plurality of individual radiation sources.

7. A method, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the individual radiation sources are LEDs, OLEDs, colored LEDs, IR or UV LEDs.

8. A method, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the illumination device is a projector.

9. A method, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that multiple images are captured and the lighting device is controlled in such a way that for each image capture an individual color pattern is created.

10. Device for inspecting containers (10) filled with foreign bodies, characterized in that it comprises: - a flat illumination device (14), wherein the illumination device is (14) formed to emit radiation that passes through a container (10) to be examined, - a detection device (16), which is designed to detect the radiation that was emitted by the illumination device (16) and passed through the container (10) and, based on the radiation detected, Petition 870260046532, dated 05 / 15 / 2026, p.25 / 52 3 / 3 generates an image capture of the container (10), and - an evaluation device, which is designed to evaluate the image captures generated by the detection device (16), wherein the detection device (16) is positioned, at an acute angle α, against the horizontals, in the base area of ​​the container to be inspected (10), such that the radiation emitted by the illumination device is reflected by total internal reflection in the base area of ​​the container to be inspected and is projected by the detection device, and wherein, a foreign body (26) that is in the base of the container (10) is recognized as local interference in the image capture. Petition 870260046532, dated 15 / 05 / 2026, p. 26 / 52.

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