Container Inspection via Pressure Profiling for Damage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container inspection devices fail to reliably detect foreign matter and physical damage, such as holes or edge breaks, which can lead to inaccurate measurement results and contamination of the recycling process.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a sampling head with a pressure sensor to measure the pressure profile of a fluid introduced and extracted from containers, allowing for the detection of irregular pressure changes indicative of damage or improper placement, thereby increasing the reliability of foreign matter detection without significant cost or manufacturing effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sampling head is used to blow compressed air into containers for foreign matter detection, then foreign matter can be detected through gas extraction and analysis, but physical damage such as holes or edge breaks cannot be reliably detected and may cause false measurement results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring the pressure profile of the container BEFORE introducing compressed air and analyzing gas for foreign matter detection. This initial pressure measurement detects physical damage (holes, edge breaks) before the inspection process begins, preventing contaminated bottles from entering the analysis system. The pressure sensor monitors pressure changes during sampling head placement and compressed air introduction, identifying defects that would otherwise cause false results.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pressure as an intermediary parameter to detect physical damage. The pressure sensor acts as an intermediary measurement tool that indirectly detects the presence of holes or edge breaks by monitoring pressure changes during the sampling process. This intermediary measurement allows the system to identify defective containers without directly observing the physical damage, enabling reliable sorting before foreign matter analysis.
2Productivity
If compressed air is blown into containers with physical damage, then foreign matter analysis can proceed, but external air enters through defects and falsifies measurement results
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary pressure profiling before compressed air introduction to identify containers with physical damage. Containers showing abnormal pressure profiles indicative of holes or edge breaks are rejected before the compressed air blowing and gas analysis steps, ensuring that only intact containers proceed to foreign matter detection. This preliminary rejection maintains both productivity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring pressure during the inspection process and using this information to control the flow of containers through the system. The pressure sensor provides real-time feedback about container integrity, allowing the system to dynamically adjust which containers proceed to analysis and which are rejected, ensuring reliable foreign matter detection while maintaining efficient throughput.
3Quantity of substance
If extracted gas escapes through physical defects, then foreign matter analysis cannot be performed, but the system continues to process damaged containers wasting resources
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary pressure measurement and profiling before gas extraction to identify containers with physical damage. Containers with holes or edge breaks are detected through abnormal pressure responses and are rejected before the gas extraction and analysis steps. This ensures that gas is only extracted from intact containers, maintaining both extraction efficiency and inspection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical observation of gas extraction with pressure-based detection. Instead of mechanically collecting and analyzing gas from all containers, the system uses pressure sensors to indirectly detect container integrity and selectively process only intact containers. This substitution of mechanical gas collection with pressure-based screening improves both efficiency and reliability by avoiding wasted processing of damaged containers.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances the reliability of foreign matter detection in containers by monitoring pressure changes during fluid extraction, preventing false positives and ensuring accurate sorting, while maintaining cost-effectiveness and simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pressure sensor is arranged for measuring the pressure, in particular its time profile, of at least the second fluid during its removal from the container
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for inspecting containers for the presence of foreign matter include, in at least one embodiment, at least one sampling head, at least one pressure sensor, and a filter. The at least one sampling head is configured to introduce an amount of a first fluid into a container and to remove an amount of a second fluid from the container for inspection for the presence of foreign matter. The at least one pressure sensor is configured to measure a pressure of the second fluid upon removal of the second fluid from the container. The filter is arranged in the at least one sampling head and is configured to filter the second fluid.