System for inspecting an article

Abstract

Described herein is a system (10) for inspecting an article (P), comprising: - a detection zone (2) in which the article (P) is positioned; - a lighting unit (20) for illuminating said article (P) positioned in said detection zone (2), wherein said lighting unit (20) has at least one lighting surface (22A, 22B); - an optical detection unit (40) for acquiring images of said article (P) positioned in said detection zone (2) and illuminated by said lighting unit (20), said lighting unit (20) and said optical detection unit (40) being located on opposite sides with respect to said detection zone (2); and - a contrast surface (60) arranged on the same side as said lighting unit (20) and associated to said at least one lighting surface (22A, 22B) so that said optical detection unit (40) will acquire an image (100) of said article (P) in said detection zone (2), wherein said article (P) or at least one part thereof is in an illuminated state and is set against a contrast background (106) defined by said contrast surface (60).

Description

[0001] "System for inspecting an article"

[0002] ****

[0003] TEXT OF THE DESCRIPTION

[0004] The present invention relates to a system for inspecting an article, of the type comprising: a detection zone in which the article is positioned; a lighting unit for illuminating said article positioned in said detection zone, wherein said lighting unit has at least one lighting surface; and an optical detection unit for acquiring images of said article positioned in said detection zone and illuminated by said lighting unit.

[0005] An inspection system of the type referred to above can be used to verify the product contained in transparent or translucent containers.

[0006] Inspection systems of the type referred to above are, for example, widely used in processes for filling vials, flasks, carpules, and containers of a similar type, in order to detect the possible presence of foreign bodies in the dosed liquid product inside the containers themselves.

[0007] In the above applications, the lighting unit and its position with respect to the article to be inspected may vary as a function of the type of foreign body that is to be sought. For instance, for detecting essentially opaque bodies, it is known to arrange the lighting unit on a side of the article opposite to the side on which the optical detection unit is located.

[0008] For detecting translucent foreign bodies, it is instead known to set the lighting unit in a position corresponding to the bottom of the container, the detection unit being located instead alongside it.

[0009] The present applicant has been able to note that inspection systems known in the art present serious limits of operation in applications in which the type of container containing the liquid product to be inspected is also formed by non-transparent parts so that the possibility of adapting positioning of the lighting unit around the article according to the type of foreign body to be detected is markedly limited.

[0010] In this context, the present applicant has provided a system for inspecting an article that is able to overcome the aforesaid drawback.

[0011] In general, the solution described herein relates to a system for inspecting an article according to claim 1, and a method for inspecting an article according to claim 9.

[0012] The claims form an integral part of the teaching provided herein.

[0013] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge clearly from the ensuing description with reference to the annexed drawings, which are provided purely by way of non-limiting example and in which:

[0014] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an example of inspection system according to the present invention; and

[0015] Figure 2 represents an image detected by the system of Figure 1 in an example of application.

[0016] In the ensuing description various specific details are illustrated aimed at enabling an in-depth understanding of the embodiments. The embodiments may be provided without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, or materials, etc. In other cases, known structures, materials, or operations are not illustrated or described in detail so that various aspects of the embodiment will not be obscured.

[0017] The references used herein are provided merely for convenience and hence do not define the sphere of protection or the scope of the embodiments.

[0018] With reference to Figure 1, this illustrates an example of the inspection system described herein, designated as a whole by the reference number 10.

[0019] The inspection system 10 comprises: a detection zone 2 in which an article P to be inspected is positioned; a lighting unit 20 for illuminating the article P positioned in the detection zone 2; and an optical detection unit 40, for example a video camera or a photographic camera, for acquiring images of the article P positioned in the detection zone 2 and illuminated by the lighting unit 20.

[0020] Preferably, the article P contains a generic product. Even more preferably, the product contained in the article P is a transparent or translucent liquid product.

[0021] In the example illustrated, the inspection system 10 is set on a line for the production of articles P, and the detection zone 2 is traversed by a feed path K along which the articles P advance in succession. In this regard, illustrated in Figure 1 are a plurality of conveying members 12, each of which is configured to support a respective article P and move it along the feed path K.

[0022] The conveying member 12 comprises a support 12B, on which the article P rests directly and which is rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation I.

[0023] In a way in itself known, for detection of the article P by the unit 40, this is first set in rotation about the axis of rotation I, and then is stopped, and finally the unit 40 acquires a plurality of images 100 of the article P.

[0024] In this way, the product contained in the article P continues to turn by inertia even though the article P has been stopped and possible foreign bodies present in the aforesaid product contained in the article P will hence be located in different positions in the various images acquired.

[0025] Consequently, the foreign bodies can be easily recognized with the modality referred to in what follows.

[0026] Once again in a way in itself conventional, acquiring images of the articles P can be carried out as they advance along the path K, without any need to stop them.

[0027] In this case, the lighting unit 20 and the optical detection unit 40 are mobile in a synchronized way to follow the movement of the articles P along the path K, for a predefined stretch, and subsequently perform a movement of return in order to move back into a position corresponding to new articles to be inspected.

[0028] The two units 20 and 40 may be configured to carry out an action of inspection on a plurality of articles P simultaneously.

[0029] In the example of application, the article P is a syringe, which is positioned on the support 12B so as to present its own longitudinal axis L set vertically. The syringe P comprises a container Pl made of transparent material (for example, glass), a cap P2, which covers a needle (not visible) associated to one end of the container Pl, and a plunger P3, which is inserted into the container P2. Provided in the container Pl is an inner chamber P4 containing a liquid product P5, which is delimited, on one side, by the plunger P3.

[0030] The inspection system 10 is able to identify possible foreign bodies present in the liquid product P5. To return to the inspection system 10, the lighting unit 20 is positioned opposite to the optical detection unit 40 with respect to the detection zone 2. The latter is hence located between the lighting unit 20 and the optical detection unit 40.

[0031] In one or more preferred embodiments like the one illustrated, the lighting unit 20 has two lighting surfaces 22A, 22B that face the detection zone 2.

[0032] In one or more preferred embodiments like the one illustrated, the two surfaces 22A, 22B are parallel, or substantially parallel, to the longitudinal axis L of the container Pl.

[0033] On the other hand, the optical detection unit 40 defines a direction of detection S with respect to which the longitudinal axis of the container Pl extends in a transverse direction.

[0034] According to an important characteristic of the solution described herein, the inspection system 10 further comprises a contrast surface 60, arranged on the same side as the lighting unit 20 and associated to the two lighting surfaces 22A, 22B.

[0035] In particular, with reference to Figure 2, the contrast unit 60 is associated to the two lighting surfaces 22A, 22B so that the optical detection unit 40 will acquire an image 100 of the article P in the detection zone 2, where the article P, or at least one part thereof, is in an illuminated state and is set against a contrast background 106 defined by the contrast surface 60.

[0036] In one or more preferred embodiments like the one illustrated, the contrast surface 60 is set between the two lighting surfaces 22A, 22B and borders directly on each of them.

[0037] In one or more preferred embodiments like the one illustrated, the lighting surfaces 22A, 22B and the contrast surface 60 have respective perimeters of a rectangular shape, and the contrast surface 60 shares a first side 61 with the lighting surface 22A, and a second, opposite and parallel, side 62 with the lighting surface 22B.

[0038] With reference to Figure 2, in the example of application illustrated the contrast surface 60 is positioned in such a way that in the image 100 of the syringe P, the contrast background 106, defined by the contrast surface 60, is set in a position corresponding to the chamber P4 of the syringe; i.e., it is set behind the chamber P4, thus constituting the corresponding background.

[0039] In general, the contrast surface 60 is positioned so that, in the image 100 acquired by the detection unit 40, the contrast background 106 is located in a position corresponding to the part to be inspected of the article P.

[0040] In one or more preferred embodiments, the lighting unit 40 is configured to bring about a state of diffused illumination on the detection zone 2. For instance, the lighting unit may comprise at least one light source and at least one light-diffusing element associated to the source and defining the two lighting surfaces 22A, 22B.

[0041] Moreover, in one or more preferred embodiments like the one illustrated, the contrast surface 60 is defined by a contrast element 60’ set on an emitting surface 22’ of the lighting unit 20 so as to cover a portion thereof and identify, at the sides thereof, the two lighting surfaces 22A, 22B. In one or more preferred embodiments like the one illustrated, the emitting surface 22’ is defined by the aforesaid diffusing element. The contrast element 60’ may be constituted by an absorbent body that does not let through the light emitted by the lighting unit 20.

[0042] In an alternative embodiment, the inspection system 10 may instead comprise two distinct lighting units, which each define one of the two lighting surfaces 22A, 22B, set between which is a contrast element defining the contrast surface 60.

[0043] In view of the foregoing, the inspection system 10 enables acquisition of an image 100 of the article P to be inspected, in which this is in an illuminated state and at the same time is set against a contrast background 106.

[0044] Via an image of this type, it is possible to recognize immediately possible translucent or transparent foreign bodies 110 present in the liquid product 105 contained in the article P.

[0045] In fact, the above bodies emerge clearly in the image 100, being illuminated by the unit 20 and set against the contrast background 106.

[0046] Identification of the foreign bodies can be conducted visually using a technique that analyzes the images 100 or else automatically, by way of an image-processing software.

[0047] In this connection, the inspection system 10 may comprise a control unit 90 configured for execution of the aforesaid software. It should now be noted that an image 100 of the type referred to is obtained even though the lighting unit 20 is set in a position opposed to the optical detection unit 40, as in known inspection systems.

[0048] In view of the foregoing, the inspection system 10 is thus able to operate in an efficient and reliable way also on articles such as the syringe P, for which, it is in effect possible to illuminate the product contained inside them only from a lateral position.

[0049] Of course, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the details of construction and the embodiments may vary, even significantly, with respect to what has been illustrated herein purely by way of non-limiting example, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the annexed claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A system (10) for inspecting an article (P), comprising:- a detection zone (2) in which the article (P) is positioned;- a lighting unit (20) for illuminating said article (P) positioned in said detection zone (2), wherein said lighting unit (20) has at least one lighting surface (22 A, 22B);- an optical detection unit (40) for acquiring images of said article (P) positioned in said detection zone (2) and illuminated by said lighting unit (20), said lighting unit (20) and said optical detection unit (40) being located on opposite sides with respect to said detection zone (2); and- a contrast surface (60) arranged on the same side as said lighting unit (20) and associated to said at least one lighting surface (22A, 22B) so that said optical detection unit (40) will acquire an image (100) of said article (P) in said detection zone (2), in which said article (P) or at least one part thereof is in an illuminated state and is set against a contrast background (106) defined by said contrast surface (60).

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said contrast surface (60) is contiguous with and borders on said at least lighting surface (22A, 22B).

3. The system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said lighting unit (20) comprises two lighting surfaces (22A, 22B), and said contrast surface (60) is set between the two lighting surfaces (22A, 22B) and borders directly on each of them.

4. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said lighting unit (20) comprises an emitting surface and wherein said station further comprises a contrast element (60’) having said contrast surface (60), which covers said emitting surface so as to define said at least one lighting surface (22A, 22B) and said contrast surface (60) associated to said at least one lighting surface (22 A, 22B).

5. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, said system being an inspection station for a line for manufacturing or checking articles, wherein said lighting unit (20) and said optical detection unit (40) are mobile in a synchronized way to follow a movement of said article (P) in said detection zone (2), along a path of feed (K) of said article (P).

6. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, whereinsaid lighting unit (20) comprises a light source and a light-diffusing element associated to said light source and defining said at least one lighting surface (22A, 22B), said lighting surface creating a state of diffused illumination on said detection zone.

7. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an absorbent body (60’) defining said contrast surface (60).

8. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a support (12B) for receiving said article in said detection zone, said support being rotatable about an axis of rotation (I).

9. A method for inspecting an article (P), comprising:- arranging an article (P) in a detection zone (2);- via a lighting unit (20), illuminating said article (P) in said detection zone (2); and- via an optical detection unit (40), detecting said article (P) in said detection zone (2); said lighting unit (20) and said optical detection unit (40) being located on mutually opposite sides with respect to said article (P) in said detection zone (2); wherein said method includes providing a contrast surface (60) on the same side of said lighting unit (20) and in association with at least one lighting surface (22 A, 22B) of said lighting unit (20); the method further including: acquiring, via said optical detection unit (40), an image (100) of said article (P) in said detection zone (2), wherein said article (P) or at least one part thereof is in an illuminated state and is set against a contrast background (106) defined by said contrast surface (60).

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said illuminated state is a state of diffused illumination.

11. The method according to claim 8 or claim 9, in particular for inspecting a liquid product of an article comprising a container (Pl) and said liquid product (P5) contained in said container (Pl), wherein said container (Pl) comprises a transparent or translucent side wall that extends along a longitudinal axis (L) of said container, wherein said method comprises arranging said container (Pl), in said detection zone (2), with said longitudinal axis (L) set transverse to a directionof detection (S) of said optical detection unit (40).

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said lighting surface (22A, 22B) is substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis (L) of said container (Pl).

13. The method according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein said article (P) is a syringe that has an inner chamber (P4) containing a liquid product (P5) and is set with its longitudinal axis (L) substantially parallel to said lighting surface (22A, 22B), wherein said method includes: acquiring, via said optical detection unit (40), an image (100) of said syringe (P) in said detection zone (2), in which said inner chamber (P4) containing said liquid product (P5) is in an illuminated state and is set against a contrast background (106) defined by said contrast surface (60).

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the step of acquisition via said optical detection unit (40) includes rotating said container or said syringe (P) about an axis of rotation (I) parallel to and / or coinciding with said longitudinal axis (L), stopping rotation of said container or said syringe (P) about said axis of rotation (I), and subsequently acquiring a plurality of images (100) of said container or syringe (P) in said detection zone (2).

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