Method and apparatus for monitoring container compliance

Abstract

Described herein is a method for monitoring the conformity of a container having a substantially cylindrical shape, the method comprising the steps of rotating the container about its longitudinal axis; illuminating the rotating container with a first light source having a first wavelength thereby generating a first image representative of any non-cohesive particles that may be present on the inner and / or outer surface of the container; illuminating the rotating container with a second light source having a second wavelength thereby generating a second image representative of any defects on the surface of the container; acquiring the first image using a first acquisition device; acquiring the second image using a second acquisition device; comparing the first image and the second image to reference parameters; and notifying of defects in the container in response to the comparison, wherein the first light source has a different wavelength than the second light source.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a method for monitoring the conformance of a cylindrical container.

[0002] In particular, this specification describes a method and apparatus for monitoring the integrity and shape of substantially cylindrical containers. Such containers may be made, for example, of clear or yellow glass and may comprise, for example, vials, phials, bottles, jars, etc., i.e., they may be suitable for containing, for example, medicines, perfumes, oils, etc., in liquid or powder form.

[0003] The present invention can be advantageously used, for example, in a plant for the manufacture of glass vials adapted to contain medicines or the like, to indicate and / or automatically discard any vials affected by manufacturing defects.

[0004] Currently, it is common practice to perform tests on the shape of containers, for example, using a suitable imaging system to acquire an image of the cylindrical container and make a comparison with a reference value to identify any non-conforming cylindrical containers.

[0005] For example, European Patent No. 2005146B1 describes a method for inspecting glass containers. Such a method comprises: illuminating the container with light having a first wavelength; generating a "bright field" image; and illuminating the container with light having a second wavelength; generating a "dark field" image Equipped with.

[0006] Bright field and dark field images can be acquired using a single image acquisition device to identify any shape of defect or damage in the container.

[0007] Applicant has observed that loose glass particles may be present on the surface of a glass container, which is disadvantageous in that they may remain suspended within the container once the container is filled (e.g., with a drug).

[0008] Applicant has found that verifying the integrity and shape of the container and verifying that there are no non-agglomerated particles within the container is a time consuming task that impacts the manufacturing costs of the container. Summary of the Invention

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for monitoring the integrity and shape of a substantially cylindrical container, which provides a solution to the above-mentioned problems.

[0010] The invention described herein comprises a method for monitoring the suitability of a container, said container having a substantially cylindrical shape, said method comprising: rotating the container about its longitudinal axis; illuminating the rotating container with a first light source having a first wavelength, thereby generating a first image representative of any non-agglomerated particles that may be present on the interior and / or exterior surfaces of the container; illuminating the rotating container with a second light source having a second wavelength, thereby generating a second image representative of any defects on the surface of the container; acquiring the first image using a first acquisition device; acquiring the second image using a second acquisition device; comparing the first image and the second image to reference parameters; notifying the container of a defect in response to the comparison; Equipped with The first light source has a different wavelength than the second light source.

[0011] According to a further aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for monitoring the conformance of a substantially cylindrical container, comprising: a support including a plurality of rollers adapted to rotate the container about a longitudinal axis of the container; a first light source having a first wavelength and adapted to illuminate the container; a second light source having a second wavelength and adapted to illuminate the container; a first acquisition device configured to acquire images representative of any non-cohesive particles that may be present on the interior and / or exterior surfaces of the rotating vessel; a second acquisition device configured to acquire images representative of any defects on the surface of the rotating container; Equipped with The apparatus is provided wherein the first light source has a different wavelength than the second light source.

[0012] Further advantageous features of the invention are set out in the appended claims, which form an integral part of this specification. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] The invention will now be described in detail through some non-limiting exemplary embodiments thereof, with particular reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic diagram of a monitoring device according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a flow chart of a method according to the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Referring initially to FIG. 1, an apparatus for monitoring the compatibility of one or more containers 10 is generally designated by the reference numeral 100 .

[0015] Hereinafter, the expression "monitoring compatibility" refers to verifying the presence or absence of scratches, foreign objects, spots, breaks (also cosmetic) on the interior or exterior surfaces of the container 10, and the presence or absence of loose glass particles on the walls of the container 10.

[0016] Preferably, such a container 10 has a substantially cylindrical shape. For example, such a container 10 may be a vial, vial, bottle, or jar made of glass. In particular, such a container 10 is a vial having a cylindrical body and a substantially longitudinal extension. Preferably, such a cylindrical body has a flange at its first end and a base at its second end.

[0017] The device 100 comprises a support 110 for the container 10 .

[0018] The support 110 is equipped with a number of rollers 111 adapted to rotate the container 10 about its own longitudinal axis; for example, as shown in FIG. 1 , the support 110 is equipped with pairs of rollers 111 arranged parallel to one another and driven by electric motors (not shown in the drawings). It should be noted that such pairs of rollers 111 define a support for the container 10. The container 10 is preferably positioned on the pairs of rollers 111 such that the longitudinal axis of the container 10 is parallel to the longitudinal axis of development of each roller 111.

[0019] The apparatus 100 preferably comprises a robotic arm (not shown), which is preferably configured to pick up a container 10 (e.g., from a box or a conveyor belt) and position it on a support 110. For example, the robotic arm is configured to pick up a container 10 from a conveyor belt and position the container 10 on a pair of rollers 111.

[0020] The support 110 preferably comprises a contact wall and a piston, in particular, when the piston is operated it presses the container 10 against the contact wall and positions it accurately on the rollers 111.

[0021] According to the invention, the device 100 comprises: a first light source 101 having a first wavelength, wherein said first light source 101 is adapted to evenly illuminate said container 10 when the latter is positioned on a support 110; a second light source 102 having a second wavelength, wherein said second light source 102 is adapted to illuminate the container 10 evenly on the support 110; Equipped with.

[0022] According to the present invention, the first light source 101 has a different wavelength than the second light source 102 .

[0023] Preferably, the first light source 101 and the second light source 102 illuminate the container 10 alternately.

[0024] Alternatively, the first light source 101 and the second light source 102 preferably illuminate the container 10 simultaneously.

[0025] The first light source 101 is preferably a visible light illuminator, for example, an illuminator having a wavelength ranging from 450 nm to 740 nm, for example, an orange light source (i.e., a light source having a wavelength of 550 nm).

[0026] The second light source 102 is preferably an infrared light illuminator.

[0027] The device 100 preferably comprises a dichroic mirror 120. For example, the dichroic mirror 120 is a so-called "cold mirror".

[0028] Dichroic mirrors and cold mirrors are well known and will not be described in detail here.

[0029] For example, as can be seen in Figure 1, the second light source 102 is placed behind the cold mirror 120. The position of the first light source 101 is such that its light is emitted perpendicular to the light emitted from the second light source 102.

[0030] Note that light emitted from first light source 101 strikes the surface of dichroic mirror 120 and is reflected towards and illuminates container 10. Light emitted from second light source 102 is transmitted through dichroic mirror 120 and illuminates container 10.

[0031] The dichroic mirror 120 is preferably mounted on a mirror support 121. Such a mirror support 121 is preferably arranged vertically, and the angle of the dichroic mirror 120 relative to the vertical plane of such a support can be changed.

[0032] Preferably, the dichroic mirror 120 is mounted on the mirror support 121 at an angle α of 40° to 50°. Even more preferably, the dichroic mirror 120 is mounted on the mirror support 121 at an angle α of 45°.

[0033] The device 100 includes: a first acquisition device 103 configured to acquire a first image of the container 10 produced using light emitted by the first light source 101; a second acquisition device 104 configured to acquire a second image of the container 10 generated using light emitted by the second light source 102; Equipped with.

[0034] According to the invention, the first and second images are acquired using respective acquisition means 103, 104 while the container 10 is rotating.

[0035] The first acquisition device 103 is preferably a matrix camera.

[0036] The second capture device 104 is preferably a linear camera.

[0037] In particular, the linear camera 104 is preferably positioned so that the axis of the linear camera 104 is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container 10 .

[0038] Note that "linear camera axis" refers to the axis of longitudinal extension of the linear camera's optical sensor.

[0039] The axis of the linear camera 104, the longitudinal axis of the container 10 (when in position on the support 110), and the center of the second light source 102 are preferably all in the same plane.

[0040] The matrix camera 103 is preferably positioned at an angle β of 10° to 20° relative to the plane in which the axis of the linear camera 104 and the longitudinal axis of the container 10 lie.

[0041] It should be noted that the first image acquired as described above represents any non-agglomerated particles that may be present on the interior and / or exterior surfaces of container 10. In particular, such glass particles are easily distinguishable from container 10. More particularly, in the first image, container 10 has a "dark" color, whereas any non-agglomerated glass particles will be "light" due to, for example, visible light refraction phenomena.

[0042] It should be noted that the second image acquired as described above will represent any imperfections that may be present on the surface of the container 10. In particular, as the container 10 rotates, the structure and / or uniformity of the surface of the container 10 can be ascertained.

[0043] The apparatus 100 preferably comprises a computer 200 .

[0044] The computer 200 is configured to receive a first image (representing any non-cohesive particles that may be present on the inner and / or outer surface of the container 10) and a second image (representing any defects on the surface of the container 10) and compare them with pre-set parameters that enable it to determine whether the container 10 is a suitable container.

[0045] The computer 200 processes the first image to determine the following parameters: the overall length of the main body of the container 10; the perpendicularity of the bottom relative to the main body of the container 10; Bottom body fillet radius; the perpendicularity of the flange to the main body of the vessel 10; Concentricity of the flange with respect to the longitudinal axis of the main body of the vessel 10 Preferably, the system is configured to calculate one or more of:

[0046] The present invention also provides a method for monitoring the conformance of the container 10. As noted above, the container 10 preferably has a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 2, according to the present invention, the method begins with a step 401 of rotating and illuminating the container 10, wherein the container 10 is rotated about its longitudinal axis; a first light source 101 having a first wavelength by which to generate a first image representative of any non-agglomerated particles that may be present on the interior and / or exterior surfaces of the container 10; and and illuminated with a second light source 102 having a second wavelength thereby generating a second image representative of any defects on the surface of the container 10.

[0048] Preferably, the first light source 101 and the second light source 102 alternately illuminate the container 10. In other words, the first light source 101 and the second light source 102 illuminate the container 10 at different times.

[0049] Alternatively, illumination with the first light source 101 and the second light source 102 is performed simultaneously.

[0050] The method according to the present invention further comprises starting an image acquisition stage 402, in which the first image is acquired using a first acquisition device 103 and the second image is acquired using a second acquisition device 104.

[0051] At the end of the image acquisition step 402, a comparison step 403 begins, in which the first and second images are compared with pre-set reference parameters.

[0052] At the end of said comparison step 403, a notification step 404 is initiated in which any defects of the container 10 depending on the previous comparison step 403 are notified.

[0053] Before the comparison step 403, the computer 200 performs an image processing step 403′, where the following parameters are input: the overall length of the main body of the container 10; the perpendicularity of the bottom relative to the main body of the container 10; Bottom body fillet radius; the perpendicularity of the flange to the main body of the vessel 10; the concentricity of the flange relative to the longitudinal axis of the main body of the vessel 10; are calculated in response to a first image acquired using the first acquisition device 103.

[0054] The advantages of the present invention are apparent from the above description.

[0055] The method and apparatus 100 for monitoring the conformity of a container 10 having a substantially cylindrical shape is advantageous in that it can detect the presence of any imperfections, damage, or breakage, as well as the presence of any glass powder grains that are not attached to the container 10.

[0056] A further advantage of the present invention resides in the fact that it provides a method for monitoring the conformance of a container 10 that can reduce the time required for testing while simultaneously allowing all necessary verifications to be performed.

[0057] Naturally, without prejudice to the principles of the present invention, the form and implementation details of the embodiments may be varied widely from those described and illustrated herein, purely by way of non-limiting example, without, however, departing from the scope of protection of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. A method for monitoring the compatibility of a container, the container having a substantially cylindrical shape, the method comprising: rotating the container about its longitudinal axis; illuminating the rotating container with a first light source having a first wavelength; acquiring a first image representative of any non-agglomerated particles present on the interior and / or exterior surface of the container using a first acquisition device; illuminating the rotating container with a second light source having a second wavelength; acquiring a second image representative of any defects on the surface of the container using a second acquisition device; comparing the first image and the second image to baseline parameters of the container; notifying the container of a defect in response to the comparison; Equipped with the first light source has a different wavelength than the second light source; a dichroic mirror mounted on a mirror support positioned such that the second light source is located behind the mirror support and emits second light through the dichroic mirror to illuminate the rotating container; the first light source is positioned to emit a first light incident on a surface of the dichroic mirror to illuminate the rotating container, the first light being emitted perpendicular to the second light; method.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first light source and the second light source alternately illuminate the container.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first light source and the second light source simultaneously illuminate the container.

4. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first light source is a visible light illuminator having a wavelength ranging from 450 nm to 740 nm.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second light source is an infrared light illuminator.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first acquisition device is a matrix camera.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second acquisition device is a linear camera.

8. the container is a vial, the vial having a cylindrical main body with a substantially longitudinal extension, the cylindrical main body including a flange at a first end thereof and a base at a second end thereof; After obtaining the first image and the second image but before comparing the first image and the second image, the method further comprises: The first image acquired by the first acquisition device is processed to obtain the following parameters: the overall length of said main body; perpendicularity of the base to the main body; Bottom body fillet radius; perpendicularity of said flange to said main body; Concentricity of the flange with respect to the longitudinal axis of the main body The method of claim 1 , further comprising calculating one or more of:

9. 1. An apparatus for monitoring the conformance of a substantially cylindrical container, comprising: a support having a plurality of rollers adapted to rotate the container about a longitudinal axis of the container; a first light source having a first wavelength and adapted to illuminate the container; a second light source having a second wavelength and adapted to illuminate the container; a first acquisition device configured to acquire a first image representative of any non-agglomerated particles present on the interior and / or exterior surfaces of the rotating vessel; a second acquisition device configured to acquire a second image representative of any defects on the surface of the rotating container; a computer for comparing the first image and the second image with reference parameters of the container and for indicating a defect in the container in response to the comparison; Equipped with the first light source has a different wavelength than the second light source; the apparatus comprises a dichroic mirror mounted on a mirror support; the second light source is positioned behind the mirror support to emit second light through the dichroic mirror to illuminate the container; the first light source is positioned to emit a first light to illuminate the container, the first light being incident on a surface of the dichroic mirror and emitted perpendicular to the second light; Device.

10. The method described in claim 1, wherein the mirror support is positioned vertically, allowing the angle of the dichroic mirror to be changed relative to the vertical plane of the mirror support.

11. The method described in claim 10, wherein the dichroic mirror is attached to the mirror support and the angle of the dichroic mirror is in the range of 40 degrees to 50 degrees.

12. The method described in claim 1, wherein the second light source and the second acquisition device are positioned on opposite sides of the container, and the second light source, the second acquisition device, and the container are axially aligned.

13. The device described in claim 9, wherein the mirror support is positioned vertically, allowing the angle of the dichroic mirror to be changed relative to the vertical plane of the mirror support.

14. The device described in claim 13, wherein the dichroic mirror is attached to the mirror support and the angle of the dichroic mirror is in the range of 40 degrees to 50 degrees.

15. The device described in claim 9, wherein the first light source is a visible light illumination device having a wavelength in the range of 450 nm to 740 nm.

16. The device described in claim 9, wherein the second light source is an infrared light illumination device.

17. The device described in claim 9, wherein the second light source and the second acquisition device are positioned on opposite sides of the container, and the second light source, the second acquisition device, and the container are axially aligned.

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