Liquid Container Labelling Machine with UV Seam Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid container labelling machines face challenges in accurately detecting seams on containers made of dark materials or filled with dark liquids, leading to defects in label application due to complex and unreliable image processing.

Innovation Solution

A labelling machine equipped with a stationary optical inspection device that uses collimated light rays with an inclination less than a critical angle to illuminate and capture images of containers, positioning the camera to avoid reflectance issues, allowing for precise seam detection even on dark containers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional optical inspection systems are used to detect seams on containers, then the system can identify seam positions, but the detection precision deteriorates when containers are made of dark materials or filled with dark liquids

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseam detection precisionVSAvoiddetection reliability on dark containers

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the color characteristics of the illumination light to ultraviolet (UV) range, which causes dark materials and dark liquids to fluoresce or reflect UV light differently, making seams visible even on containers that appear dark in visible light. This color change in the illumination spectrum resolves the detection problem for dark containers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the illumination light from visible range to ultraviolet range. This parameter change allows the optical inspection system to detect seams on dark containers by exploiting the different optical properties of materials under UV illumination, thereby improving both precision and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If complex image processing is used to analyze distorted light patterns for seam detection, then seam position can be identified, but the system complexity increases and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseam position identificationVSAvoidimage processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the complex image processing step by using UV illumination that creates naturally visible seam patterns. Instead of processing distorted patterns from visible light, the system directly captures clear seam images under UV light, removing the need for complex algorithms and improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the complex mechanical/image processing system with a simpler optical solution. By using UV illumination, the system substitutes complex computational image processing with direct optical visualization, where seams become naturally visible without requiring distortion analysis or complex algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If light rays are transmitted through the container for seam detection, then seam position can be detected, but the method becomes unreliable for dark containers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseam detection capabilityVSAvoiddetection reliability on opaque or dark containers

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of transmitting light through the container (which fails for opaque/dark containers), the patent inverts the approach by illuminating from the outside and detecting reflected/fluorescent light. This inversion makes the detection method reliable for all container types, including those made of dark or opaque materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of dark materials blocking visible light into a beneficial effect by using UV illumination. Dark materials that absorb visible light often fluoresce or reflect UV light, turning the previously harmful absorption into a useful signal that enhances seam visibility and improves detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 precision of seam detection and label application on containers with dark materials or dark liquids, reducing defects and improving the reliability of the labelling process.

Implementation Method 1

the illuminator is configured to emit ultraviolet light rays

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 2

capturing an image of the container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3448764B1Liquid container labelling machine with optical inspection device

Publication Date: 2024.06.26 SACMI COOPERATIVA MECCANICI IMOLA SOC COOP ARL

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AI summary

This invention relates to a machine (1) and a method for labelling and inspecting containers for liquids, automatically applying a label on each container on a seamless zone of it, using an optical inspection device (2) provided with an illuminator (3) having a collimator (3b) interposed between a light generator (3c) of the illuminator (3) and a carousel (6) of the machine.