Method and apparatus for inspecting closures on containers

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for inspecting a container provided with a container closure, wherein the container closure comprises: a closure cap screwed onto the opening of the container; a fixing device disposed on the container below the opening in the longitudinal direction of the container; a connecting strand connecting the fixing device to the closure cap; a first attachment section in which the connecting strand is attached to the closure cap; and a second attachment section by which the connecting strand is disposed on the fixing device, wherein the container is conveyed by a conveying unit and inspected by an inspection unit, wherein the rotational position of the closure cap relative to the container is determined, wherein a first mark located on the container is recorded to determine the rotational position, wherein the rotational position of the container closure is determined from the position of the connecting strand and / or the position of at least one attachment section.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method and apparatus for inspecting a container with closures arranged thereon. In particular, this invention relates to a method and apparatus for inspecting whether the container closures, especially nuts, are properly screwed onto the container. Background Technology

[0002] In the beverage production industry, it is known that machines first fill containers and then close them with closures. The basic standard is whether the container closure is properly and securely screwed onto the container opening or threads.

[0003] For this purpose, a series of inspection systems are known from the prior art. Thus, it is known that a mark is applied to both the container itself and the closure, which can be detected by an inspection device, and thus information about the rotational position of the container and the closure is obtained.

[0004] The state of the closure can be inferred by comparing these markings or their rotational positions. For example, disposable PET containers and their screw-on closures have unique markings. These markings are arranged in a fixed relationship with the thread orientation. If the container closure is applied correctly, the two markings must be at an angle to each other (specifically, relative to the container axis or the container's longitudinal direction) or in a different type of relationship. Manufacturing and application tolerances are defined by the permissible allowable spacing between these two markings. As long as the closure and container markings are within these tolerances, the sealing concept (closure and opening components) is ensured to function correctly.

[0005] Typically, markings are placed on the closure, and these markings have a fixed relationship with the phase position of the threads in the closure, and are applied as inconspicuously as possible. For example, it is known that a portion of the knurled area is shortened to a certain extent.

[0006] Typically, support ring markings or markings are used, either on the container itself or in the neck region below the support ring, and these markings have a fixed relationship with the phase position of the threads on the mouth component. The container preferably has a support ring. The container is preferably made of a transparent material (e.g., PET).

[0007] Closures commonly used to date typically lack markings or embossing on the cover. If such features are present, it is uncertain whether they are in phase with the threads in the mouth component.

[0008] Novel caps for closures are now known, namely so-called tether caps. What they have in common is that they possess some form of lasso function. This function has the effect that even after the closure has been opened, it remains connected via a lasso to the buckle arranged on the container.

[0009] To ensure the closure remains tight, the section of the lasso, or hereinafter referred to as the fastener, should not be longer than necessary. Accordingly, the lasso, connecting rod, or fastener should have a minimum length, but not longer than necessary. In other words, the rod, fastener, or lasso will be just long enough that, when screwed on, it functions upon reaching the end of the thread. Technically, this lasso function has a fixed relationship with the closure thread.

[0010] A drawback of existing technologies is the difficulty in detecting the rotation angle or other characteristics of closures in conventional closures. Many methods exist for this purpose in the prior art, but none are easy to implement. There is no 100% accurate and / or 100% reliable inline inspection technique. Typically, samples are inspected by hand. Summary of the Invention

[0011] Therefore, the present invention is based on the purpose of monitoring such closures that are maintained on a container.

[0012] In a method according to the invention for inspecting a container provided with a container closure, the container closure comprises: a closure cap screwed onto the mouth of the container; a fixing device disposed on the container below the mouth in the longitudinal direction of the container; at least one fastener or connecting rod connecting the fixing device to the closure cap; a first fastening section on which and / or by means of the first fastening section, the fastener is fastened to the closure cap; and a second fastening section on which the fastener is disposed on the fixing device, wherein the container is conveyed by a conveying device and inspected by an inspection device, wherein the rotational and / or rotational position of the closure cap relative to the container is determined, and wherein a first mark (or feature) located on the container is detected and / or recorded to determine the rotational position.

[0013] According to the present invention, the rotational position of the container closure relative to the top of the container and / or the rotational position relative to the longitudinal direction of the container are determined from the position of the fastening member and / or the position of at least one fastening section.

[0014] Preferably, the securing device is a locking ring, which is preferably always held on the container regardless of whether the container is open. In this case, when the container is still closed, the locking ring can engage with the closing cap and disengage from it through a first opening process, and then preferably spaced apart from the closing cap in the longitudinal direction of the container. Preferably, the locking ring can rotate relative to the container (particularly substantially freely).

[0015] The fastening section is preferably a joint section, on which the fastener is arranged on a closing cap or fixing device.

[0016] Therefore, it is proposed that the information derived from the rotational position of the container closure relative to the container is not determined by a mark attached to the container closure for this purpose; instead, it is determined by fastening with connecting fasteners or fixing devices.

[0017] According to the present invention, it is therefore proposed that, in the novel tethering caps, their lasso function or tethering element is used as a feature on the closure element.

[0018] This lasso function can be implemented in different ways by different closure manufacturers. However, the basic principle of the fixed phase relationship between the lasso or tether and the threads in the closure remains the same. However, this phase relationship can be changed depending on the type of container closure.

[0019] In a preferred method, a 360° inspection of the container closure is used. This inspection preferably detects both the closure and the connecting thread, as well as their components. This inspection can also detect the type of closure or connecting fastener (technical implementation, manufacturer, closure location). In a preferred method, this information is used to determine the offset or general correction value between the container closure (or its rotational position) and the container (or its rotational position).

[0020] In a preferred method, visual features are used to inspect the connection between the container closure and the container. Therefore, the inspection device preferably performs visual determination. In a preferred method, at least one image of the container closure and / or the fastening element and / or the securing section is recorded.

[0021] Preferably, this is a spatially resolved image. In particular, at least one fastened section, and especially the first fastened section, is inspected.

[0022] However, several properties of the connection between the container closure and the fixing device can also be examined, particularly for fine-tuning and / or inspection of the corresponding image evaluation. The type of container closure can also be deduced from these characteristics.

[0023] In another preferred embodiment, the container closure has internal threads. Preferably, the container itself has external threads.

[0024] Preferably, the aforementioned features (i.e., the fastening elements and / or securing sections) are in a fixed phase relationship with the threads of the closure. This phase relationship may vary depending on the container closure; however, it is advantageously predetermined for any type of container closure.

[0025] In another preferred method, an inspection device is also used to determine the type of container closure, or to determine at least one value characterizing this type. Particularly preferred is the (especially clearly) identification of the container closure and / or its type.

[0026] For each container closure, a reference value can be specified for the offset (particularly between the thread and the fastener and / or the fastening section).

[0027] Preferably, the type of container closure is therefore taken into account to determine the rotational position of the container closure relative to the container. The offset between features (i.e., the position of the connecting fasteners and / or securing sections) and the threads of the container closure may preferably be considered.

[0028] In a particularly preferred method, the type of container closure is specified and / or determined and / or considered, and from this, a value characterizing the relative position between the threads of this closure is determined.

[0029] For example, it can be known that for a type A container closure, the starting part of the thread is rotated by +30° relative to the position of the fastener, while for a type B container closure, the corresponding rotation angle is 10°. These values ​​can be used to evaluate the determined rotation position.

[0030] In another preferred method, the container is conveyed during inspection. In yet another preferred method, the container and / or container closure are illuminated with a lighting device (such as a flash) during inspection, and particularly for recording images.

[0031] In another preferred method, the container is a plastic container, and particularly a plastic bottle. In yet another preferred method, one or more containers are closed using at least one closure member, preferably multiple closure members, prior to inspection.

[0032] In this case, the operating mode of each closure component can be corrected and / or changed within the scope of inspection. In another preferred method, the defective closed container is discharged from the container's transport path.

[0033] In another preferred method, at least one image of the upper side of the container is recorded. This can be, for example, a full image and / or a 360° image of the container closure.

[0034] In another advantageous method, markings on the container, such as the location of fasteners and / or one or more fastening sections, are received by the same inspection device. Alternatively, the container closure may also be recorded by a first inspection device, and the container itself or markings on the container may be recorded by another inspection device.

[0035] Preferably, the position of the container closure relative to the container is inferred from at least one recorded image of the container closure, and in particular the longitudinal rotational position of the container closure relative to the container.

[0036] In another advantageous method, the inspection device determines at least one additional property characteristic of the container closure and / or the arrangement of the container closure on the container.

[0037] In a particularly preferred method, this additional attribute is selected from the group consisting of: the color of the container closure, the type of the container closure, the orientation of the container closure on the container, damage to the container closure or the container, etc. Therefore, for example, container closures that are incorrectly or obliquely arranged on the container can also be identified by inspection.

[0038] In another preferred method, the inspection device records at least one spatially resolved image of the container and its closure. Preferably, the evaluation device uses this image to determine the position or correct orientation of the container closure on the container. Artificial intelligence can be used for the evaluation. Preferably, a signal characterizing the correct and / or incorrect rotational position of the container closure relative to the container is output.

[0039] Alternatively, the image can be evaluated by comparing it with a reference image. Artificial intelligence can also be used here. Preferably, the container is examined along its longitudinal direction and / or perpendicular to its longitudinal direction. This allows the container to be recorded from several sides, and preferably from all sides (e.g., by using a mirrored cabinet).

[0040] In another preferred method for inspecting containers and / or container closures, an optical system and / or a mirror cabinet are preferably used. Particularly preferred, at least two cameras or image recording devices are used, and preferably at least three cameras or image recording devices are used to inspect the container closures and / or the containers.

[0041] In another preferred method, the detection of the container closure described herein can also perform other test tasks as described above, such as the presence of the container closure, the absence of a closure, and a poorly sealed closure.

[0042] In another preferred method, images of the container closure are recorded centripetally, remotely, or around the center. Furthermore, more than six image recording devices or cameras may be used for inspection. Additionally, another image recording device or camera may be used to identify further markings on the closure, such as its manufacturer's logo and / or trademark.

[0043] Particularly preferably, the marking is detected on the container, for example, on or below its support ring, in the same unit or another additional and / or dedicated unit. Preferably, the two locations of the feature are determined in one or more evaluation devices or computing units, or in outsourced evaluation devices and / or computing units. If the detection is performed at different transport locations, this should preferably be taken into account when assigning analysis results.

[0044] Along with the assignment of closure members, errors, and the twist angle of each individual closure member, can be visually parameterized, controlled, and / or modulated. When errors occur, the corresponding closure member on which this closure is arranged on the container can also preferably be identified.

[0045] Therefore, this invention, for the first time, allows for reliable detection of the thread orientation in a closure without the auxiliary markings required in the prior art. Together with features on the container, a stable and robust detection of the closure's rotational angular position can be determined. Furthermore, accurate detection of the container's seal is thus possible.

[0046] This invention can be combined with other useful tests listed above into a single unit. Therefore, this invention is effective even in difficult cases involving color or container closures.

[0047] The present invention also provides an apparatus for inspecting a container closure, wherein the container closure comprises: a closure cap screwed onto the opening of a container (or a closure cap screwed onto a container); a fixing device to be disposed (or disposed) on the container below the opening in the longitudinal direction of the container; a fastener connecting the fastener to the closure cap; a first fastening section on which and / or by means of the first fastening section, the fastener is fastened to the closure cap; and a second fastening section on which and / or by means of the second fastening section, the fastener is disposed on the fixing device.

[0048] In addition, the device has: a conveying device that conveys a container along a predetermined conveying path; and an inspection device for inspecting a container with a container closure (particularly during this conveying, i.e., during the movement of the container), the inspection device being adapted to determine the rotational position of the closure cap relative to the container, wherein a first mark located on the container is recorded and / or detected or can be detected in order to determine the rotational position.

[0049] According to the present invention, the inspection device determines the rotational position of the container closure from the position of the fastener and / or the position of at least one fastening section.

[0050] Therefore, according to this device, an element connecting the closing cap to the fixing device is proposed for determining the rotational position. In this way, the evaluation or detection of the rotational position can involve the technically necessary features of the closing element.

[0051] In another advantageous embodiment, the device has a closing mechanism that uses a closing element to close the container.

[0052] In another advantageous embodiment, the device has an image evaluation device adapted and intended to output at least one value from at least one of the recorded images, the at least one value characterizing the angular position of the tether and / or at least one fastening segment. Attached Figure Description

[0053] Further advantages and implementation schemes are derived from the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings:

[0054] Figure 1a Figures 1 and 2 show two schematic diagrams of the container closure.

[0055] Figure 2 A representation of a container closure arranged on a container is shown;

[0056] Figure 3 A representation of the device according to the invention in a first embodiment is shown;

[0057] Figure 4 It shows the use of from Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the images recorded by the device;

[0058] Figure 5 A representation of the device according to the invention in a second embodiment is shown; and

[0059] Figure 6 It shows the use of from Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the images recorded by the device. Detailed Implementation

[0060] Figure 1a and Figure 1b A representation of a container closure 12 is shown. It has a closure cap 12a, inside which are arranged (internal) threads 12f for screwing the closure cap onto the corresponding external threads of the container. Reference numeral 12g indicates a sealing device that seals the closure 12 relative to the container, more precisely, relative to the opening edge of the container, when the container is closed.

[0061] Reference numeral 12b indicates a locking ring that remains attached to the container even when screwed in. Reference numeral 12c indicates a fastening element via which the locking ring 12b is held connected to the closing cap 12a. Reference numerals 12d and 12e indicate corresponding fastening sections in which the fastening element is secured to the closing cap and the locking ring. These fastening sections may be designed as engagement sections.

[0062] Reference numeral 12f indicates a connector formed at a predetermined tear point between the closure cap and the locking ring, which is torn open when the container is first opened. Preferably, a plurality of such predetermined tear points are formed circumferentially relative to the container closure.

[0063] Figure 2 A representation of a container closure 12 arranged on a container 10 is shown. This container 10 extends longitudinally L and has an external thread 10a. Reference numeral 10b indicates a support ring, and reference numeral 10c indicates a mark arranged on this support ring 10b, which can be optically detected by an inspection device so that the rotational position of the container can be deduced.

[0064] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the device according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown. An image recording device 22 is arranged longitudinally above the container 10. This uses a lens to record an image of the container closure arranged on the container.

[0065] In a suitable combination, the lenses and objectives of an image recording device create a pericenter image and / or will be collectively regarded as a pericenter objective. A pericenter objective is a special type of objective used in metrology.

[0066] Compared to conventional objectives, the beam path on the object side is convergent, not divergent. This allows the object to be observed simultaneously from several directions through the objective. For example, a center-peripheral objective is used to capture the entire circumferential and front surfaces of a cylinder with a single camera. The mouth and closure of the container are generally cylindrical bodies.

[0067] Reference numeral 24 indicates a lighting device that is circular and accordingly fully illuminates the container closure.

[0068] In all embodiments described herein, the image recording device preferably records an image of the illuminated container closure, such that in each case the inspection is performed using a reflected light method.

[0069] Figure 4 An image recorded by the image recording device 22 is shown. The closed cap 12a and the support ring 10b of the container can be seen. The mark 10c on the support ring can also be seen in the recorded image.

[0070] Furthermore, the connecting fastener 12c can be seen in the image here. In this way, the image evaluation device can determine the rotational position of the fastener 12c relative to the rotational position of the mark 10c. In this way, the rotational position of the container closure relative to the container can be inferred.

[0071] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the device 1 according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown. In this embodiment, a plurality of image recording devices or cameras 22 (four in this case) observe the container in a direction primarily perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the container. Furthermore, an illumination device 24 is also provided here.

[0072] The camera can record simultaneously and synchronously with the (flash) illumination. For example, to adapt the illumination to different closure types and / or colors, the illumination is preferably composed of an integral unit or several segments within an integral unit.

[0073] Furthermore, illumination can be locally distributed during detection. Each camera can record individually, or a subgroup of cameras can record using a separate subset of illumination. Individual images from each camera can be executed rapidly and continuously over time.

[0074] Preferably, the time interval between images is less than 10 ms, more preferably less than 5 ms, and particularly preferably less than 2.5 ms. This has the advantage of minimizing container movement. Furthermore, one or more cameras can achieve quasi-simultaneous incident and transmitted light images by individually controlling the illumination settings.

[0075] Therefore, it is easy to understand that, for the same settings, one camera (in the lighting setting) can produce an incident light image, and a contrasting camera can produce a transmitted light image. In this way, both incident light and transmitted light images of the container and its opening components can be captured in a short time.

[0076] Advantageously, this setting is adapted to a specific closure position or closure color.

[0077] Reference numeral 4 indicates a conveying device that transports container 10 along a conveying path T (a straight line in this case). Imaging of the container is preferably triggered on the conveying device.

[0078] Figure 6 Four images recorded by the image recording device 22 are shown. The tether 12c can be seen in one image, and the mark 10c on the support ring can be seen in another image. By evaluating these images, the position of the tether 12c relative to the mark 10c can be inferred, and thus the rotational position of the container closure 12 relative to the container 10 can be inferred.

[0079] Preferably in Figure 3 and Figure 5 The inspection device shown is provided with a closing device upstream, which closes the container 10 with a container closure 12 or screws the container closure onto the container.

[0080] The container closure described within the scope of this invention is preferably a screw-on closure, which is particularly preferably made of plastic.

[0081] The applicant reserves the right to claim protection for all features essential to the invention disclosed in the application documents, provided that they are novel, individually or in combination, relative to the prior art. It should also be noted that features that may be advantageous in themselves are also depicted in the various figures. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that specific features described in the figures can be advantageous even without employing additional features from those figures. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that advantages can also arise from a combination of several features shown in individual figures or different figures.

Claims

1. A method for inspecting a container (10) provided with a container closure (12), wherein the container closure (12) comprises: a closure cap (12a) screwed onto the opening of the container (10); a fixing device (12b) disposed on the container (10) below the opening (10a) in the longitudinal direction (L) of the container; a fastener (12c) connecting the fastener to the closure cap (12a); a first fastening section (12d) in which the fastener is fastened to the closure cap (12a); and a second fastening section (12e) in which the fastener is disposed on the fixing device, wherein the container is conveyed by a conveying device and inspected by an inspection device (2), wherein the rotational position of the closure cap (12a) relative to the container (10) is determined, wherein a first mark located on the container (10) is recorded to determine the rotational position. in, The rotational position of the container closure is determined from the position of the fastening element and / or the position of at least one fastening section (12d, 12e). And the inspection device (2) therein determines at least one additional property characteristic of the container closure (12).

2. The method according to claim 1, in, Record at least one image of the upper side of the container closure.

3. The method according to claim 1, in, The first mark located on the container (10) is received by the same inspection device.

4. The method according to claim 1, in, The additional attribute characteristics are selected from the group consisting of the following attribute characteristics: the color of the container closure, the type of the container closure, the orientation of the container closure on the container, and damage to the container closure or the container.

5. The method according to claim 1, in, The inspection device records at least one spatially resolved image of the container and the container closure.

6. The method according to claim 1, in, The container is inspected in its longitudinal direction and / or perpendicular to its longitudinal direction.

7. The method according to claim 1, in, The container closure is identified.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in, The type of container closure is taken into account to determine the rotational position of the container closure.

9. An apparatus (1) for inspecting a container (10) provided with a container closure (12), wherein the container closure (12) comprises: a closure cap (12a) screwed onto the opening of the container (10); a fixing device (12b) disposed on the container (10) below the opening (10a) in the longitudinal direction (L) of the container; a fastener (12c) connecting the fastener to the closure cap (12a); and a first fastening section (12d) in which the fastener... The device is fastened to the closure cap (12a); and a second fastening section (12e) by which the fastener is arranged on the fixing device. The device has a conveying device (4) for conveying the container along a predetermined conveying path (T), and an inspection device (2) for inspecting the container (10) with the container closure attached. The inspection device is adapted to determine the rotational position of the closure cap (12a) relative to the container (10), wherein a first mark located on the container (10) is recorded to determine the rotational position. in, The inspection device determines the rotational position of the container closure from the position of the fastening element and / or the position of at least one fastening section (12d, 12e). And the inspection device (2) therein determines at least one additional property characteristic of the container closure (12).

10. The device (1) according to claim 9. in, The device (1) has a closing device that closes the container (10) with a closing element.

11. The device (1) according to claim 9. in, The device (1) has an image evaluation device adapted and intended to output at least one value from at least one of the recorded images, the at least one value characterizing the angular position of the tether and / or at least one fastening segment (12d, 12e).

Images