Image acquisition system for a design on a transparent side of a container

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for acquiring an image of a design on a transparent face of a container. The acquisition system comprises a first image acquisition unit (3), the first image acquisition unit comprising an image acquisition device (4), a positioning device (6) adapted to place a container in a so-called inspection zone, in the inspection zone (18), the design of the first face (26) of the container being oriented towards the image acquisition device (4) to allow said image acquisition device (4) to take an image of the second face of the container, through the first face (26) of the container, and a light source (8) adapted to emit a light beam (28), said light source (8) being configured so that its light beam (28) illuminates the first face (26) of the container, when the image acquisition device (4) takes an image of said container in the inspection zone (18).When the container is present in the inspection zone (18), the light source (8) is capable of emitting a light beam (28) illuminating the decoration of the first face (26) of the container, without illuminating the second face of said container. Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: System for acquiring an image of a design on a transparent side of a container Technical field to which the invention relates

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of automated control of decorations or inscriptions applied to a transparent or translucent object.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a control method and a control device enabling the automatic control of objects within a manufacturing chain in order to detect those objects which do not meet predefined quality criteria. Technological background

[0003] In the field of decoration of glass containers, there are many known decoration processes among which it is possible to mention: the application of decorative accessories such as labels, medallions, stickers or decals, the application by screen printing of a monochrome or colour decoration, lacquering and metallization, engraving by mechanical removal of material, etching or frosting with acid.

[0004] Screen printing is a commonly used method for applying decoration, involving successive applications of different layers of colored ink in an automated machine, according to various patterns, in order to obtain, for example, a final polychrome decoration. After the application of these layers of ink or enamel, the decorated articles are fired to set and fix the inks or enamels applied to their surfaces.

[0005] Screen printing decoration on glass containers offers numerous advantages, particularly in terms of resistance and durability. Indeed, screen-printed decorations are designed to withstand multiple cleaning and reuse cycles, making them a particularly attractive option for companies wishing to reduce their manufacturing costs and environmental impact.

[0006] Before being reused, glass containers must undergo a rigorous cleaning process to remove all traces of products or contaminants. This process includes several steps, such as rinsing, washing with hot water and detergent, rinsing with cold water, and sterilization.

[0007] It should be noted that, after a certain number of cleaning and reuse cycles, the screen-printed decoration on glass containers may deteriorate or lose its shine. This deterioration may be caused by various factors, such as mechanical wear, exposure to chemicals or the use of overly aggressive cleaning methods.

[0008] In some cases, this degradation can render the glass container unusable, because the decoration no longer meets quality standards or because the identification marks are no longer legible, making the container untraceable.

[0009] Thus, the need arose for an automated quality control solution for decorations present on glass containers, after cleaning, in order to ensure that the decorations conform to the quality standards required prior to their reuse. Object of the invention

[0010] To achieve this objective, the invention proposes a system for acquiring at least one image of a design on a first transparent and / or translucent face of a container, the container comprising a second face opposite the first face, the acquisition system comprising a first image acquisition unit, the first image acquisition unit comprising: - an image acquisition device; and - a positioning device capable of placing the container in a designated inspection zone, in the inspection zone, the decoration of the first face of the container being oriented towards the image acquisition device to allow said image acquisition device to take an image of the second face of the container, through the first face of the container; and - a light source capable of emitting a light beam, said light source being configured so that its light beam illuminates the first face of the container, when the image acquisition device takes an image of said container in the inspection area.

[0011] The invention is remarkable in that, when the container is in the inspection area, the light source is able to emit a beam of light illuminating the decoration of the first face of the container, without illuminating the second face of said container.

[0012] Advantageously, the second face visible through the first face of the container is not directly illuminated by the light source when the acquisition device takes an image of the first face illuminated by said light source. Consequently, the image of the second face is barely or not at all visible in the image taken by the acquisition device. Therefore, the image of the second face is not superimposed on that of the first face. The acquisition system thus allows for easier detection and control of a design present on one face of a transparent and / or translucent container.

[0013] The term "decoration" includes, in particular, a graphic or visual representation that can be applied to the surface of a container for aesthetic purposes, informative or functional. This representation can take different forms, such as patterns, logos, images, texts or codes.

[0014] The term "container" refers, for example, to a bottle comprising at least one lateral face, at least partially transparent and / or at least partially translucent. The bottle may be made of glass or of a synthetic polymer. Preferably, the bottle comprises a longitudinal axis and at least one lateral face extending along or substantially along said longitudinal axis.

[0015] According to another embodiment, the positioning device includes obscuring means that reduce ambient light in the inspection area. These obscuring means may be opaque panels or curtains placed around the inspection area to block external light and create a dark and controlled environment. By reducing ambient light, the obscuring means allow for more precise images of a design present on the front face of a container, thus facilitating inspection and the detection of any defects in said design.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the invention, when the container is present in the inspection area, the light source is capable of emitting a beam of light illuminating only the decoration on the first face of said container. This embodiment makes it possible to illuminate only an area of ​​interest in the decoration.

[0017] According to another embodiment of the invention, when the container is present in the inspection area, the decoration of the first face of the container is illuminated by the light source, at an angle of incidence whose value is equal to or greater than 35°, this value preferably being between 55° and 89°.

[0018] According to another embodiment of the invention, when the container is present in the inspection area, the light source is capable of emitting a light beam composed of parallel or substantially parallel light rays. This embodiment provides more homogeneous illumination of an area of ​​interest on the first face of the container. The area of ​​interest preferably includes at least part of a decorative element.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the invention, when the container is present in the inspection area, the light source is capable of emitting a light beam whose cross-section is elliptical or rectangular.

[0020] According to another embodiment of the invention, when the container is present in the inspection area, the first face of the container is oriented so as to form with an optical axis of the image acquisition device, an angle whose value is between 75° and 105°, preferably of the order of 90°.

[0021] According to another embodiment of the invention, the positioning device is capable of moving a container within the inspection zone along a direction of movement. By way of example, the positioning device may include a chain conveyor adapted to support and move glass containers within the inspection zone. According to another example, the positioning device may include a mechanical gripper capable of grasping the neck of a container and moving it within the inspection zone.

[0022] According to another embodiment of the invention, the acquisition system comprises at least one second image acquisition unit, identical or substantially identical to the first image acquisition unit, and at least one second image acquisition unit is arranged to allow the acquisition of an image of the container from a different viewpoint than the first image acquisition unit when the container is in the inspection area. Preferably, the positioning device is common to the image acquisition units. In other words, the acquisition system may comprise a single positioning device common to each acquisition unit.

[0023] According to another embodiment of the invention, the acquisition system comprises several image acquisition units, identical or substantially identical to the first image acquisition unit, and the image acquisition units are positioned all around the positioning device, so as to allow the image acquisition system to take images of several faces of a container present in the inspection area. Preferably, the acquisition system may comprise a single positioning device common to each acquisition unit.

[0024] In the inspection zone, the optical axes of several image acquisition devices may be coplanar or substantially coplanar. According to a preferred embodiment, the positioning device is configured to move a container in the inspection zone, along a so-called direction of movement, and the direction of movement is parallel or substantially parallel to the plane defined by several optical axes of the image acquisition devices.

[0025] According to another embodiment, when the container is present in the inspection area and the container includes a longitudinal axis, the optical axes of several image acquisition devices are included or substantially included in a plane perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said container.

[0026] According to another embodiment, at the inspection zone, at least one acquisition unit comprises at least one reflecting mirror, deviating the optical axis of the image acquisition device by an angle between 60° and 120°, from a preference of around 90°. This embodiment advantageously allows the image acquisition device to be positioned above or below the positioning device, in order to significantly reduce the bulk of the acquisition system around said positioning device.

[0027] According to another advantage, the use of a reflecting mirror allows, at the inspection zone, the optical axis of an image acquisition device to be brought as close as possible to the direction of movement of the positioning device. In other words, the reflecting mirror makes it possible to reduce the angle formed between an optical axis of an image acquisition device and the direction of movement of a container in the inspection zone. The acquisition system is then able to take images all around a container moved by the positioning device, without hindering its movement.

[0028] According to another embodiment of the invention, the acquisition system comprises a control unit configured to command each image acquisition unit, in succession, to take at least one image of a container present in the inspection area. In other words, the control unit is configured so that a single light source illuminates a container present in the inspection area when an image acquisition unit takes an image of said container. This embodiment advantageously ensures that the other faces of the container are not illuminated when the system takes an image of a desired face of said container.

[0029] According to another embodiment, the time interval between the acquisition of two images taken successively by two acquisition units is equal to or less than 2 ms.

[0030] According to another embodiment of the invention, the control unit is coupled to the positioning device, so that the images of the same container present in the inspection area, taken by the acquisition system, are made in a time interval dependent on the speed of passage of the container in the inspection area.

[0031] According to another embodiment of the invention, the control unit is configured so that the images of the same container taken by the acquisition system are taken during a movement of the container in the inspection area which is equal to or less than 2 mm, preferably equal to or less than 1 mm.

[0032] According to another embodiment of the invention, the acquisition system includes a storage unit, the storage unit comprising a method for checking the quality of a decoration present on a container, from the images acquired by the detection system.

[0033] The inspection method may include a step of assembling images of the same container taken by different acquisition units. Preferably, the assembly step is configured to allow a view of each lateral face of the container. This embodiment advantageously makes it possible to obtain a complete image of a design present on a lateral face of the container, regardless of its orientation within the inspection area.

[0034] According to another embodiment of the invention, the acquisition system comprises a computing unit connected to the storage unit as well as to several image acquisition units mentioned above, so as to allow the implementation of the control process saved by the storage unit.

[0035] According to another embodiment of the invention, the computing unit is capable of transmitting a rejection signal to a switching system, the switching system being present downstream of the positioning device, so as to allow the switching system to isolate a container whose decoration is identified as being of insufficient quality by the control process.

[0036] Of course, the different characteristics, variants and embodiments mentioned above can be combined with each other in various ways, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. Description of the figures

[0037] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

[0038] [Fig-1] illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of an image acquisition system according to the invention, comprising an image acquisition unit composed of an image acquisition device, a positioning device and a light source;

[0039] [Fig.2] illustrates a side view of a second embodiment of an acquisition system according to the invention, comprising several image acquisition units;

[0040] [Fig.3] illustrates a front view of the second embodiment of the acquisition system, visible in [Fig.2];

[0041] [Fig.4] illustrates a bottom view of the second embodiment of the acquisition system, visible in [Fig.2];

[0042] [Fig.5] illustrates a top view of the second embodiment of the acquisition system visible in [Fig.2]. Detailed description of the invention

[0043] As a reminder, the invention proposes an automated quality control solution for decorations present on glass containers, after cleaning, to ensure that the decorations conform to the quality standards required prior to their reuse.

[0044] [Fig. 1] illustrates a non-limiting embodiment of a first embodiment of an acquisition system 2 according to the invention, comprising an image acquisition unit 3.

[0045] The image acquisition unit 3 comprises an image acquisition device 4, a positioning device 6 and a light source 8.

[0046] The image acquisition device 4 includes a digital camera 10 whose sensitivity range is between 350 and 1000 nm, preferably between 400 and 700 nm.

[0047] According to the present example, the acquisition system 2 comprises a mechanical arm 12 holding a reflecting mirror 14 opposite the digital camera 10. The reflecting mirror 14 is oriented so as to deflect the optical axis 16 of the digital camera, at an angle of approximately 90°, towards an inspection area 18 in which there is a glass container 20.

[0048] More specifically, the container 20 is brought into the inspection area 18 by the positioning device 6. In the present case, the positioning device 6 is a chain conveyor, capable of moving the container 20 in a direction of movement AA'.

[0049] According to this example, the container 20 is a cylindrical glass bottle extending along a longitudinal axis. The side wall 22 of the container, extending along its longitudinal axis, is transparent or translucent. The side wall 22 includes a decoration 24 on a first face 26. In this case, the decoration 24 is a barcode positioned on the body of the bottle.

[0050] As illustrated by [Fig.1], the light source 8 is capable of emitting a light beam 28 illuminating the decoration 24 present on the first face of the container, when the image acquisition device takes an image of said container in the inspection area 18.

[0051] Remarkably, when the container 20 is present in the inspection zone 18, the light source 8 is able to emit a light beam 28 illuminating the decoration present on the first face 26 of the container, without illuminating a second face of the container opposite said first face.

[0052] Advantageously, the second face of the container, visible through its first face 26, is barely or not at all visible through said first face, because the second face is less illuminated or not illuminated at all, compared to the first face when the acquisition device takes an image of said first face. Therefore, the image The second side is barely or not at all visible in the image taken by the acquisition device. The acquisition system thus allows for easier detection and therefore easier control of a design present on the first side of a transparent and / or translucent container.

[0053] Preferably, the light source 8 emits a light beam 28 illuminating only the decoration 24 present on the first face of the container. The decoration 24 on the first face of the container is illuminated by the light source at an angle of incidence equal to or greater than 35°, this value preferably being between 55° and 89°.

[0054] A second variant of an acquisition system 30 according to the invention is illustrated by Figures 2 to 5. This second variant differs from the previous one in that the acquisition system 30 comprises several image acquisition units, identical or substantially identical to the image acquisition unit 3, the positioning device 6 is common to the image acquisition units 3 and the image acquisition units are positioned all around the positioning device 6, so as to allow the image acquisition system 30 to take images of several faces of the container present in the inspection zone 18.

[0055] By way of illustration, figures 2 to 4 illustrate the light sources 8 simultaneously emitting their light beam 28, thus demonstrating the advantageous arrangement of the acquisition units 3 for capturing images all around the container 20. This arrangement makes it possible to ensure that at least one image of the decoration 24 present on the first face of the container is obtained, regardless of its orientation in the inspection area 18.

[0056] According to the invention, the acquisition system 30 comprises a control unit (not shown) configured to successively command each image acquisition unit 3 to take at least one image of a container present in the inspection area. In other words, the control unit is configured so that a single light source 8 illuminates the container when an image acquisition unit 3 takes an image of said container.

[0057] The control unit is coupled to the positioning device 6 so that the images of the same container taken by the acquisition system 30 are acquired within a time interval dependent on the speed of the container's passage through the inspection zone. Preferably, the control unit is configured so that the images of the same container taken by the acquisition system 30 are acquired during a displacement of the container within the inspection zone of 2 mm or less, preferably 1 mm or less.

Claims

Demands

1. Acquisition system (2, 30) of at least one image of a decoration on a first transparent and / or translucent face (26) of a container, the container comprising a second face opposite the first face (26), the acquisition system (2, 30) comprising a first image acquisition unit (3), the first image acquisition unit comprising: - an image acquisition device (4); and - a positioning device (6) capable of placing the container in a so-called inspection zone, in the inspection zone (18), the decoration on the first face (26) of the container being oriented towards the image acquisition device (4) to allow said image acquisition device (4) to take an image of the second face of the container, through the first face (26) of the container;and - a light source (8) capable of emitting a light beam (28), said light source (8) being configured so that its light beam (28) illuminates the first face (26) of the container, when the image acquisition device (4) takes an image of said container in the inspection zone (18); characterized in that, when the container is present in the inspection zone (18), the light source (8) is capable of emitting a light beam (28) illuminating the decoration of the first face (26) of the container, without illuminating the second face of said container.

2. Acquisition system (2, 30) according to claim 1, characterized in that when the container is present in the inspection area (18), the light source (8) is capable of emitting a light beam (28) illuminating only the decoration of the first face (26) of the container.

3. Acquisition system (2, 30) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when the container is present in the inspection area (18), the decoration of the first face (26) of the container is illuminated by the light source (8), at an angle of incidence whose value is equal to or greater than 35°, this value preferably being between 55° and 89°.

4. Acquisition system (2, 30) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that when the container is present in the inspection zone (18), the light source (8) is capable of emitting a light beam (28) composed of parallel or substantially parallel light rays.

5. Acquisition system (2, 30) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that when the container is present in the inspection zone (18), the light source (8) is capable of emitting a light beam (28) whose cross-section is elliptical or rectangular.

6. Acquisition system (2, 30) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that when the container is present in the inspection zone (18), the first face (26) of the container is oriented so as to form with an optical axis (16) of the image acquisition device (4), an angle whose value is between 75° and 105°, preferably of the order of 90°.

7. Acquisition system (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises at least one second image acquisition unit, identical or substantially identical to the first image acquisition unit, and in that at least one second image acquisition unit is arranged so as to allow the acquisition of an image of the container from a different point of view than the first image acquisition unit, when the container is present in the inspection area (18).

8. Acquisition system (30) according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises several image acquisition units, identical or substantially identical to the first image acquisition unit, and in that the image acquisition units are positioned all around the positioning device (6), so as to allow the image acquisition system (2, 30) to take images of several faces of the container present in the inspection area (18).

9. Acquisition system (30) according to claim 8, characterized in that when the container is present in the inspection area (18) and the container includes a longitudinal axis, the optical axes of several image acquisition devices are contained or substantially contained in a plane perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container.

10. Image acquisition system (30) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a control unit configured to successively command each acquisition unit of images, to take at least one image of the container in the inspection area (18).

Images