Container Verticality Measurement via Orthogonal Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring the verticality of containers, such as bottles, are inadequate as they fail to accurately account for deformations and irregular shapes, leading to incorrect measurements and inability to assess the neck's verticality, especially in high-speed industrial settings where containers are rotated on unpredictable axes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving cameras positioned orthogonally to the container's axis to capture images of the ring, heel, shoulder, and neck edges, analyzing these images to determine the actual position and deviations, allowing for precise measurement of verticality by comparing real and theoretical positions over a half-turn rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If optical sensors are used to measure verticality by directing light to points on the container bottom, then the risk of wear is eliminated and measurement speed is improved, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates because the method assumes the container's central axis coincides with the rotation axis, which is not true in practice
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based measurement systems with an optical imaging system using cameras and image processing. Instead of using physical sensors that direct light to measurement points, the system captures images of the container's ring and heel structures and processes these images to determine verticality, eliminating mechanical wear while improving accuracy through comprehensive geometric analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from measuring only radial displacement at a single height to analyzing the three-dimensional geometry of the container by capturing images of multiple structures (ring, heel, shoulder) at different heights and positions. This multi-dimensional approach allows accurate verticality measurement even when the container axis does not coincide with the rotation axis
2Area of stationary object
If a rotating support surface is used to measure verticality around the entire circumference of the container, then comprehensive measurement coverage is achieved, but the measurement reliability deteriorates because the container's axis of rotation varies constantly due to non-circular cross-section, uneven bases, and deformations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotating support surface system with a stationary imaging system that captures images of the container during rotation. By using image processing to track the positions of reference structures (ring, heel) rather than relying on mechanical reference planes, the system achieves reliable verticality measurement without being affected by variations in the rotation axis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the container's geometry through image capture and processing. Instead of physically rotating the container on a mechanical reference surface, the system captures images at multiple rotation positions and processes these digital copies to determine verticality, eliminating the reliability issues associated with mechanical rotation variations
3Device complexity
If measurement systems focus on the bottom of the container to determine verticality, then the measurement process is simplified, but the capability to measure neck verticality is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal measurement system that can measure verticality at multiple locations on the container (ring, heel, shoulder, neck) using the same imaging and image processing infrastructure. By capturing images that include multiple container structures and processing them with the same algorithm, the system achieves multi-functionality without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the verticality measurement into distinct components by identifying and analyzing specific structures (ring, heel, shoulder, neck) separately in the images. Each structure's position and orientation are determined independently through image processing, allowing flexible measurement of verticality at different locations while maintaining a unified measurement framework
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
This approach provides accurate and reliable verticality measurements, accounting for deformations and irregular shapes, enabling effective quality control of containers on production lines by measuring the total, neck, and body verticality with high precision.
Implementation Method 1
at least one camera delivering images of the container
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention pertains to a method for measuring verticality on a rotating container. • At least one image of the container is taken, so as to obtain the image of the left edge of the ring, the image of the right edge of the ring, the matrix image of the left edge (Img) of the heel, shoulder and/or base of the neck, the matrix image of the right edge (lmd), respectively of the heel, shoulder, and/or base of the neck. • The following are analysed: * the image of the left edge of the ring and the image of the right edge of the ring in order to determine the actual position of the ring, * the matrix image of the left and right edges in order to determine a left positioning point Tg and a right positioning point Td, • the theoretical position of the ring is determined, on a perpendicular of the right-hand segment passing through the left and right positioning points, - and based on the variations of the difference between the actual position and theoretical position of the ring, a verticality measurement for the container is deduced.