Method for inspecting treated textile articles, in particular items of clothing

Abstract

Molded parts, particularly garments, are currently inspected manually on a random basis after cleaning, especially after washing, to check for the presence of quality-impairing features. This is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive; due to the random nature of the inspection, there is a risk that molded parts with quality-impairing features will go undetected. The invention provides for the individual inspection of all molded parts after treatment using at least one imaging device and / or at least one device that detects radiation emitted by the respective molded part to determine the presence of quality-impairing features. This method can be performed automatically, thus enabling a complete inspection of all treated molded parts.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for inspecting treated textile molded parts, in particular clothing items, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Quality assurance of treated textile molded parts is becoming increasingly important. This applies particularly to textile molded parts, which can often be garments, especially workwear. These must meet a wide range of quality requirements to be reused.

[0003] Visual inspection of treated molded parts is already known. Such manual inspection is labor-intensive and has therefore only been performed randomly. This is not sufficient to meet the demanding quality requirements. Therefore, it is also known to inspect molded parts comprehensively for a few quality-influencing characteristics. However, this still does not meet the constantly increasing quality requirements.

[0004] From WO 92 / 03721 A1, it is known to automatically inspect new garments, such as underwear, after their production by generating an image of the respective garment. From this image, seams and the surface areas bounded by the seams are derived and individually inspected.

[0005] EP 2 573 550 A1 discloses a method and device for inspecting towels, for example, for stains and tears. For this purpose, consecutive belt conveyors are provided. A spread-out towel is manually placed on the first belt conveyor. Between two consecutive belt conveyors, in the area of ​​an inspection table, the top and bottom of each towel to be inspected are illuminated, and images of the top and bottom are captured using cameras.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of creating a method for inspecting textile molded parts treated by washing or finishing, in particular items of clothing, which allows a comprehensive, automatic and individual inspection of the molded parts that can be carried out quickly and reliably.

[0007] A method for achieving this object comprises the measures of claim 1. By inspecting the treated molded parts individually for the presence of quality-influencing and / or quality-impairing features using at least one detection system, an imaging device, and / or at least one device that detects radiation reflected or detected by the respective molded part, at least the quality-influencing features of the molded parts can be automatically determined. This results in quality assurance for treated molded parts, such as clothing items and, in particular, workwear items, that meets the increasing demands.

[0008] According to the method, the molded parts are individually inspected while hanging from supports. This allows for at least a largely comprehensive scanning of the molded parts by a detection system or an imaging device, such as a camera, and / or a device that detects the radiation reflected and / or emitted by the respective molded part, in particular an infrared camera. This contributes to increasing the completeness and accuracy of the inspection of the treated textile molded parts. This applies particularly to garments to be inspected, and especially to workwear.

[0009] Before the inspection, it is determined what type of molded part is to be inspected.

[0010] The type of molded part is determined primarily by reading data suitable for determining the type of the respective molded part, for example, from a data carrier or data storage device for the molded part or the support on which the molded part is suspended. This allows the type of the respective molded part to be automatically determined before inspection. In principle, only those quality-influencing characteristics of the molded part in question that are relevant to the identified type of molded part need to be determined. Alternatively or additionally, the type of molded part can also be determined from outlines of the molded part captured by the imaging device.

[0011] Furthermore, depending on the type of molded part to be inspected, the method only inspects and / or determines the quality-influencing features relevant to this type of molded part by at least one detection system, at least one imaging device, and / or the device that detects at least the radiation reflected or emitted by the molded part. This shortens the duration of the inspection because not all relevant quality-influencing features need to be determined for each molded part, but only those that can be determined and / or are relevant for the respective molded part. For example, in the case of a colored molded part, the degree of whiteness does not need to be determined because, or at least if, the type of molded part indicates that it is colored, and the impregnation quality of molded parts that do not have an impregnation quality does not need to be determined.

[0012] It is intended to inspect each molded part or specific molded parts for quality-influencing characteristics. Preferably, each molded part or specific molded part—namely, each molded part to be inspected for quality after treatment—is inspected for all relevant or selected quality-influencing characteristics. This allows for a comprehensive inspection of the molded parts, particularly all molded parts, if necessary. This results in an automatic inspection and, if desired, an automatic, continuous inspection, equivalent to a quality test. The inspection results are preferably documented to ensure automatic quality assurance and logging.

[0013] The method according to the invention is particularly advantageously suited, without the invention being limited thereto, for the inspection of molded parts that have a data carrier or data storage device and / or are attached to carriers each having at least one data carrier or data storage device. The information required for the effective inspection of the treated textile molded parts, for example, among other things, the type of molded part in question, can be derived contactlessly from the data storage devices or data carriers designed or serving as transponders and / or chips. Based on this data, the result of the inspection of the respective treated textile molded part can also be electronically documented, in particular stored. This storage can take place centrally in various ways, but also on the data carrier of the molded part.

[0014] The process can be further developed so that the molded parts are divided into different categories. This classification does not necessarily mean that only molded parts of the same type are grouped into the relevant category. It can be the case, and preferably is the general case, that molded parts of different types are grouped into one category. These molded parts are then similar in terms of the characteristics that influence or impair quality and are inspected for the same quality-influencing characteristics, specifically only the quality-influencing characteristics of the respective category. In this case, only those quality-influencing characteristics of the molded parts grouped into the same category are determined whose determination is assigned to the respective category. Then, only those quality-influencing or impairing characteristics are assigned to each category.Quality-affecting characteristics are assigned, according to which the respective molded part belonging to the category or assigned to the category should or must be inspected. Quality-affecting characteristics that are not assigned to the category into which the corresponding molded parts are grouped do not need to be determined, and the respective molded part of the category does not need to be inspected.

[0015] Preferably, by categorizing the molded parts and specifically assigning the quality-influencing characteristics to be determined for carrying out the inspection to the respective category, an inspection of the respective molded part takes place only for those quality-influencing characteristics that are assigned to the category into which the molded part in question is to be grouped.

[0016] Another possible refinement of the method involves categorizing the respective molded part with regard to its inspection based on the determined type of the respective molded part, preferably the type read from the data carrier or data storage of the molded part or its carrier. Preferably, different categories are defined into which a molded part type or even a group of several molded part types that meet the criteria of the same category are grouped.

[0017] Once it has been determined which quality-influencing characteristics should and must be determined during the inspection of molded parts in each category, the categorization determines which molded part is to be inspected with regard to which quality-relevant characteristics. This ensures that each molded part is inspected with regard to the quality-related criteria that must be checked, but also prevents quality-related characteristics that do not need to be determined, for example items of workwear that do not have reflectors, in particular reflective stripes, from not having to be checked with regard to their reflectivity. This allows the duration of the inspection to be reduced to a minimum because there is no need to determine characteristics that the respective molded part, in particular the item of clothing, does not have and / or which are not important for a certain type of molded part.

[0018] According to an advantageous further development of the method, molded parts whose inspection has revealed that they do not meet at least one quality-influencing characteristic and / or have a quality-impairing characteristic are post-treated, repaired, or, if necessary, sorted out as scrap, depending on the type of quality-impairing characteristic and / or the extent or magnitude of the deviation from the specified values. Thus, based on the deficiencies, impairments, and / or defects of a molded part identified by at least one detection system, an imaging device, or the at least one device that detects the radiation reflected and / or emitted by the respective molded part, the molded part can be specifically post-treated, repaired, or—in extreme cases—rejected as unusable.With this approach, the inspection results can be used to automatically determine how to proceed with a molded part that does not meet the specified quality-influencing values, for example, based on specifications, target values, and / or limit values ​​stored in a control system. For example, the inspection results can be used to determine whether it is still worthwhile to repair or retreat the molded part in question, for example, by re-cleaning it to remove any remaining stains.

[0019] However, it is essential for the invention that not all of the quality-influencing or quality-impairing characteristics or values ​​mentioned above are necessarily determined and / or tested for the inspection of all treated molded parts. Rather, for molded parts of different types, quality-influencing values ​​that differ entirely or partially from one another are preferably determined. This allows the type of different molded parts to be determined, and quality-influencing values ​​or characteristics can vary from one type of molded part to another. This provides for completely different quality-influencing values ​​to be determined for certain molded parts than for others.As a rule, however, different types of molded parts will always be examined with regard to at least one quality-related characteristic, for example with regard to stains still present after treatment or impregnation that exceed a specified tolerance limit.

[0020] For molded parts that have an impregnation, it is preferably provided to check or test the impregnation quality. For this purpose, the molded part is exposed to a liquid mist, in particular sprayed, entirely, partially, or at at least one characteristic point. The liquid mist is in particular a water mist made of water, especially pure water. The shape of the water droplets on the surface of the molded parts, in particular their spherical shape, is then optically measured. This can be done using an imaging device, for example at least one camera, but also using another detection system. Conclusions about the impregnation quality can then be derived from the shape, in particular the spherical shape, of the water droplets.The quality or degree of impregnation is better the more the water drops inspected by measuring or in a similar manner have a predetermined ideal shape, in particular a spherical shape.

[0021] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained below in connection with molded parts constituting workwear items, whereby the molded parts can also be molded parts, especially other items of clothing in general: The workwear items are individually inspected after cleaning, in particular washing or finishing treatment. This is preferably carried out with workwear items spread out and / or hanging on a carrier. Preferably, each workwear item is assigned a data carrier, in particular a data storage device. This can be, for example, a passive chip, such as an RFID or RFC chip. These are permanently connected to the respective workwear item.Alternatively, it is also conceivable for a piece of workwear hanging on a wearer to have a data storage device to which the data of the workwear hanging on it has been assigned. The data storage device or chip is preferably a transponder. This can also be provided on the workwear itself or on or in the wearer's strap.

[0022] The respective chip or transponder or other data carrier of the workwear item or the wearer containing it contains a multitude of data belonging to, relating to, and identifying the respective item of clothing. This includes, at a minimum, data required to inspect the workwear item according to the method according to the invention. In the simplest case, it is sufficient if the data of the chip or transponder on the workwear item or on the wearer allow the respective workwear item to be identified by its type and, if applicable, also by its color and / or special features, special treatments, or the like, such as waterproofing, reflectors, and / or reflective stripes.

[0023] The treated workwear items are inspected individually according to their type. Ideally, each piece of workwear is inspected. However, if necessary, the inspection of workwear items that do not require inspection due to their type or special treatment may be omitted. The control system then detects this based on the data from the chip or transponder on the respective workwear item or the wearer of the item, which is crucial for determining the type of workwear item.

[0024] The inspection of individual workwear items is carried out to determine whether certain quality-influencing characteristics of the respective workwear item to be inspected are met or not in relation to the corresponding specifications, in particular target values, or whether quality-impairing characteristics are present. Preferably, the extent to which the respective quality-influencing characteristic deviates from the specified value and / or the severity of quality-impairing characteristics is also determined.

[0025] For the exemplary embodiment of the invention described here, it is assumed that quality-influencing characteristics of the workwear items are their degree of dryness, waterproofing quality, holes, tears, stains, color fastness, color intensity, whiteness, and / or luminosity of reflectors or luminous stripes or dots. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to these. If necessary, particularly for special molded parts, other quality-influencing characteristics can be determined and thus inspected using the method according to the invention.

[0026] Each individual molded part is first automatically identified with regard to its type and / or size. This is preferably done by reading out relevant data at at least one location along which each molded part can be transported. For this purpose, the relevant data is read out contactlessly by at least one suitable reading device and processed in a control system. This is preferably followed by categorization. For this purpose, for example, pieces of workwear of different types that are to be inspected for the same quality-influencing characteristics are automatically classified by the control system into a category to which the quality-influencing characteristics to be inspected for pieces of workwear in the respective category are assigned. For all categories stored in the control system, the quality-influencing characteristics according to which the pieces of workwear belonging to the respective category are to be inspected are individually stored.Typically, such a category encompasses several types of workwear or all workwear. Other fittings are then classified into other applicable categories. However, a category may also be designated for a specific type of workwear.

[0027] After the controller, in particular a computer having at least one memory, has determined the type of workwear item to be inspected next and has also determined which of the predetermined categories stored in the controller this next item of workwear to be inspected belongs to, the specific inspection and thus testing, in particular a quality inspection, of the respective workwear item takes place. In this process, all quality-influencing characteristics that are to be inspected or tested according to the category to which the respective item of workwear to be inspected falls are inspected simultaneously and / or sequentially.

[0028] The degree of dryness, as a quality-influencing characteristic, is preferably only determined for workwear items with pockets and / or shoulder reinforcements. Holes and / or tears, if any, are only detected for workwear items that are highly susceptible to tearing due to the material. Colorfastness and / or color intensity are preferably only determined for colored workwear items. In contrast, the degree of whiteness is only inspected for white workwear items, such as doctor's coats. The luminosity of reflectors or reflective stripes, for example, is usually only determined for workwear items, especially those that are also intended to have a warning function, such as weatherproof jackets and safety vests.

[0029] The waterproofing quality of workwear or other molded parts is determined by spraying them with a liquid, especially a liquid mist. The spraying is preferably done with water, especially pure water, so that the workwear or other molded parts are sprayed with a water mist. It is not necessary to spray the entire garment. It is sufficient to spray at least one characteristic area of ​​the workwear to test the waterproofing quality.

[0030] After spraying, the water droplets forming on the surface, in particular on the at least one sprayed characteristic spot on the surface of the garment or other molded part, are measured for their shape, in particular their spherical shape, or determined in another way. This is preferably done optically. This optical detection and / or measurement of the shape of the water droplets can be performed using at least one camera or a recognition system.

[0031] The quality of the impregnation can then be derived from the determined shape of the water droplets. This is done in such a way that the impregnation quality is better the more closely the determined shape of the measured water droplets, or even just a single measured water droplet, corresponds to the ideal shape of water droplets on impregnated workwear. For example, if the spherical shape of the droplets is used to determine the quality of the impregnation, it is determined how closely the water droplet with which the respective molded article was sprayed corresponds to the ideal spherical shape. Impregnation is ideal when the water droplets are spherical. However, it is also conceivable to define a quality range between the ideal spherical shape and a maximum permissible deviation of the measured droplet or several measured drops from the ideal spherical shape.

[0032] The inspection is carried out using at least one suitable device, one that is tailored to the respective inspection task. For most inspection tasks, imaging devices operating in the visible range are suitable, especially one or more cameras. These can be 2D cameras, 3D cameras, and / or color cameras. These can be used to scan the workwear items to be inspected, even across their entire surface if desired. The at least one imaging device can then capture the shape of the respective workwear item by having the recorded image data processed by an image analysis system, preferably a digital image analysis system, in such a way that the shape of the item of clothing can be derived from it. Holes, tears, and stains can also be detected using the at least one camera operating in the visible range or another imaging device.If necessary, the color fastness, color intensity, whiteness, and / or luminosity of reflectors can also be determined. The image data captured by at least one imaging device can also be used to categorize the garments and / or their impairments.

[0033] As an alternative or in addition to a detection system operating at least in the visible range, such as an imaging device, the inspections can use devices that detect radiation reflected or emitted by the respective workwear item. These devices can be various types, such as light-, moisture-, and / or radiation-sensitive detectors or sensors operating in the infrared range. An infrared camera could also be conceivable as a radiation-detecting device, although this could also include several infrared color cameras if necessary. With at least one such device that detects radiation reflected and / or emitted by the workwear items to be inspected, the degree of dryness or residual moisture of the workwear items can be determined.Where appropriate, these facilities may also determine the colour intensity, whiteness and / or luminosity of reflectors on workwear.

[0034] For example, if the next piece of workwear to be inspected is a white doctor's coat, it is classified into a category that specifies that holes, stains, and whiteness are inspected as quality-influencing features. If certain customers also request that the doctor's coats be inspected for their dryness, they are divided into two different categories: one with a dryness determination and another without.

[0035] If, for example, a safety vest having reflectors, in particular reflective stripes, is to be inspected, this type of workwear is assigned to a category in which the degree of drying, the colour fastness, the colour intensity and / or the luminosity or the reflectivity of reflectors or the like are inspected as quality-influencing characteristics.

[0036] An alternative embodiment of the invention is conceivable in which categorization of the workwear items prior to inspection is omitted. In this embodiment, the data carrier, chip, and / or transponder on the respective workwear item and / or on the carrier holding a workwear item store the quality-influencing or quality-impairing features to be inspected. These stored quality-influencing and / or quality-impairing features are then read from the chip, data carrier, and / or transponder of the respective workwear item, and an inspection or testing of the workwear items or other molded parts is then carried out based solely on these read quality-influencing or quality-impairing features.

Claims

1. Method for inspecting textile articles, in particular items of clothing, treated by washing or finishing, it being ascertained whether, after their treatment, the articles have quality-influencing and / or quality-impairing characteristics, and the degree of drying, the impregnating quality, holes, tears, stains, colour fastness, colour intensity, degree of whiteness and / or luminosity of for example reflectors are ascertained as quality-influencing and / or quality-impairing characteristics, with the treated articles being inspected individually with respect to the presence of quality-influencing and / or quality-impairing characteristics by at least one detection system, an imaging device and / or at least one device capturing radiation reflected and / or emitted by the respective article, characterized in that the articles are inspected individually in the state in which they are hanging on supports, before the inspection the type of the article to be inspected in each case is ascertained and, depending on the type of the article to be inspected in each case, only quality-influencing and / or quality-impairing characteristics that are relevant to the established type of article are ascertained by the at least one detection system, by the at least one imaging device and / or the at least one device capturing radiation reflected and / or emitted by the article.

2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that each article or at least all of the selected articles is / are inspected for its / their quantity-influencing, in particular quality-impairing or quality-reducing, characteristics.

3. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the type of the article to be inspected in each case is ascertained by reading out suitable data before the inspection, from a data carrier or data store of the article or its support.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, on the basis of the ascertained type of the respective article, preferably the read-out data of the data store or data carrier of the article or its support, and / or evaluation of the images or image data captured by at least one imaging device, a categorization of the respective article is performed with regard to its inspection, in particular quality-influencing or quality-impairing characteristics to be checked thereby.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the articles are divided into various categories and / or each category is or has been assigned those quality-influencing, in particular quality-impairing, characteristics according to which the article allocated to the respective category should or must be inspected.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective article is only inspected for those quality-influencing, in particular quality-impairing, characteristics that have been assigned to that category in which the article concerned has been put.

7. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that, for ascertaining the impregnating quality, a liquid, in particular water, is sprayed onto the article, preferably only at least a characteristic location of the same, and the form of droplets of the liquid or water sprayed on is ascertained, preferably measured, by a capturing system or an imaging device, with the impregnating quality being deduced from the ascertained or measured form of the droplets.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that articles found in their inspection not to satisfy at least one quality-influencing characteristic and / or to have at least one quality-impairing or quality-reducing characteristic, are retreated, repaired or rejected in accordance with the quality-influencing characteristic not satisfied or the at least one quality-impairing feature present and / or the magnitude of the deviation from specified values.