CA2206546A1 - Method and apparatus for recognising containers - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for recognising containersInfo
- Publication number
- CA2206546A1 CA2206546A1 CA 2206546 CA2206546A CA2206546A1 CA 2206546 A1 CA2206546 A1 CA 2206546A1 CA 2206546 CA2206546 CA 2206546 CA 2206546 A CA2206546 A CA 2206546A CA 2206546 A1 CA2206546 A1 CA 2206546A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- sensors
- container
- containers
- light beam
- conveyor
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
- B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
- B07C5/00—Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or measure such characteristic or feature; Sorting by manually actuated devices, e.g. switches
- B07C5/04—Sorting according to size
- B07C5/12—Sorting according to size characterised by the application to particular articles, not otherwise provided for
- B07C5/122—Sorting according to size characterised by the application to particular articles, not otherwise provided for for bottles, ampoules, jars and other glassware
- B07C5/126—Sorting according to size characterised by the application to particular articles, not otherwise provided for for bottles, ampoules, jars and other glassware by means of photo-electric sensors, e.g. according to colour
Landscapes
- Length Measuring Devices By Optical Means (AREA)
- Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
Abstract
To determine the shape of a container and to be able to distinguish it from other containers, a light beam (6) is directed onto the container and to produce differently reflected light beams (7,8) according to the shape of container. The reflected light beams are individually received or not received by light-sensitive sensors (10,11). From the output signals of the sensors (10,11), the shape, and hence the type, of the bottle can be inferred.
Description
~ CA 02206546 1997-0~-14 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RECOGNISING CONTAINERS
The invention relates to a method for identifying types of containers, and in particular types of bottles, within a series of dissimilar containers or bottles. The invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method.
Known systems exist for sorting containers according to their shape, eg. in bottle sorting units for returned multitrip bottles where unacceptable shapes and/or types of bottles have to be distinguished from acceptable shapes and/or types. In the sorting process, it is necessary to recognise and distinguish between eg. those types of bottles which are usable for further processing (washing, refilling) and those which need to be taken out of the bottle stream and not refilled because they do not -belong to the types of bottle whose shape is appropriate to the product to be contained.
One such known system for sorting according to bottle shape uses an infrared line-scanning camera with recognition electronics or a CCD camera with more or less complex image processing systems. However, these kinds of apparatus are complicated and expensive.
There exist$, therefore, the problem of providing a bottle shape recognition unit which is inexpensive and robust and requires relatively little space and which, by virtue of its simple construction, is also well suited for retrofitting to existing container handling equipment.
CA 02206~46 1997-0~-14 This problem can be solved, in a method of the kind stated at the outset, by the characterising features of claim 1, and in the case of apparatus, by the features of claim 5.
The solution according to the invention, using a light beam reflected from the container, allows a simple construction to be arranged entirely on one side of the container, unlike systems which operate by transmission of light through the container. A simple, low-cost light source producing a continuous beam can be used, in contrast to the luminescent screens and flashing light sources required for camera systems. Standard cheap, compact, light-sensitive components can suffice as sensing elements, rather than special cameras.
The differences in shape between acceptable container types and unacceptable types may be very small.
Through reflection and deflection of the light beam, however, even very small differences in shape can be easily detectable.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 shows schematically a first arrangement as an illustration of the method of the invention;
Fig. 2 is a table to illustrate the interpretation of the sensor signals; and Fig. 3 shows a further arrangement as an illustration of the method of the invention.
CA 02206~46 1997-0~-14 Fig. 1 shows in a highly schematic form part of an apparatus serving to illustrate the method. A container 1, which is a plastic bottle in the illustrated example, is shown in a conveyor system. In this example, the conveyor is a known carousel conveyor 3. This has a plurality of conveyor pockets 15 in which the containers stand upright.
In the illustrated example, a light source 5 mounted on a stationary element 2 emits a light beam ~ towards the container at an angle ~ to the horizontal. The light source 5 may be formed by eg. a laser or a light-emitting diode. Two light-sensitive sensors 10 and 11, formed eg.
by photodiodes, are also mounted on the stationary element 2. The electrical output signals of the sensors are transmitted to an evaluation unit 12 (represented simply as a block) which establishes on the basis of the sensor signals what type of individual container is present, as will be described presently.
The light source 5 and the sensors 10 and 11 are preferably mounted on a common support 13 with provision for vertical adjustment eg. with an accuracy of ~0.5mm, in order that the detection system formed by the light source and sensors can be adapted to the containers to be recognised. Preferably, a further sensor, not illustrated, is provided, to establish that the container is in a predetermined position. This is because, in order for the detection to be successful, it is important that the container be held in the correct position. Special mechanical means may also be provided for this purpose, CA 02206~46 1997-0~-14 .
such as special grippers 14,15,16, or other means; these are known in principle, and will not be described in detail here.
The shape of the container is recognised by causing the light beam 6 to strike the container wall, where it is reflected. For a given shape of container, the light beam is reflected onto the sensor 11, as indicated by the light beam 7 for the container shape 1' shown in the drawing. For a different container shape, indicated in the drawing as 1", the light beam 6 travels a short distance before striking the container wall, and is reflected to the sensor 10 as the light bea~ 8. For other bottle shapes, the light beam is reflected onto neither of the two sensors, or a signal could possibly be produced at both sensors simultaneously. It is also possible to provide a guide 17 for the container in the region of the light beam 6, with eg. an opening 18 to allow the light beam to pass through.
Fig. 2 shows in tubular form the output signals of the sensors 10 and 11, and the information derived therefrom as to the shape or type of bottle. The sensor signals are represented in the table as 1 and 0, with 1 signifying that the sensor receives the light beam, and o signifying that the sensor does not receive the light beam.
Thus, if the light beam is received by the sensor 10 via the light path 8 in Fig. 1, the bottle shape 1", which corresponds to the bottle type X, is present. ln this case the sensor 11 yields the output signal 0. If the sensor 11 CA 02206~46 1997-0~-14 receives the light beam 7, this corresponds to a sensor signal 1 for the sensor 11 and a sensor signal 0 for the sensor 10, signifying the presence of bottle type Y
indicated in Fig. 1 by the shape 1'. The other possible combinations of sensor output signals, in which both sensors supply a 1 as output signal or both supply a 0 as output signal, signify that some other, undesired bottle type is present. Following the test, therefore it is possible to sort the required bottle types X,Y and stray bottles of other types on the basis of the output signal of the evaluation unit 12.
Fig. 3 illustrates highly schematically an alternative form of the method and of the apparatus. In this, a container 20 is shown, which may likewise be carried on a conveyor carousel or on a linear conveyor, and onto which a broad and diverging light beam 21 or a strip-form beam of light rays is directed. Instead of the two sensors 10 and 11, a plurality of sensors arranged in a row, eg. a photodiode array, are provided, on which the plurality of light rays 21 are reflected differently according to the container type, if different shapes of container enter the apparatus. The signals of the photodiode array 22 are transmitted to an evaluation unit 23 which infers the shape of the individual bottle from the distribution of the reflected light rays among the various photosensors. The evaluation unit 23 may use a ~orm of spectral representation for the evaluation; iII this, as shown graphically within the b]ock representing the unit 23, the individual photodetectors are plotted as stations on a horizontal line and the light intensities individually received are plotted vertically. Every bottle shape will then yield a characteristic spectrum, and evaluation can be performed by a pattern recognition of these spectra. A
larger number of bottle shapes can be detected and distinguished in this way than with the two sensors 10 and 11 of Fig. 1.
The invention relates to a method for identifying types of containers, and in particular types of bottles, within a series of dissimilar containers or bottles. The invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method.
Known systems exist for sorting containers according to their shape, eg. in bottle sorting units for returned multitrip bottles where unacceptable shapes and/or types of bottles have to be distinguished from acceptable shapes and/or types. In the sorting process, it is necessary to recognise and distinguish between eg. those types of bottles which are usable for further processing (washing, refilling) and those which need to be taken out of the bottle stream and not refilled because they do not -belong to the types of bottle whose shape is appropriate to the product to be contained.
One such known system for sorting according to bottle shape uses an infrared line-scanning camera with recognition electronics or a CCD camera with more or less complex image processing systems. However, these kinds of apparatus are complicated and expensive.
There exist$, therefore, the problem of providing a bottle shape recognition unit which is inexpensive and robust and requires relatively little space and which, by virtue of its simple construction, is also well suited for retrofitting to existing container handling equipment.
CA 02206~46 1997-0~-14 This problem can be solved, in a method of the kind stated at the outset, by the characterising features of claim 1, and in the case of apparatus, by the features of claim 5.
The solution according to the invention, using a light beam reflected from the container, allows a simple construction to be arranged entirely on one side of the container, unlike systems which operate by transmission of light through the container. A simple, low-cost light source producing a continuous beam can be used, in contrast to the luminescent screens and flashing light sources required for camera systems. Standard cheap, compact, light-sensitive components can suffice as sensing elements, rather than special cameras.
The differences in shape between acceptable container types and unacceptable types may be very small.
Through reflection and deflection of the light beam, however, even very small differences in shape can be easily detectable.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 shows schematically a first arrangement as an illustration of the method of the invention;
Fig. 2 is a table to illustrate the interpretation of the sensor signals; and Fig. 3 shows a further arrangement as an illustration of the method of the invention.
CA 02206~46 1997-0~-14 Fig. 1 shows in a highly schematic form part of an apparatus serving to illustrate the method. A container 1, which is a plastic bottle in the illustrated example, is shown in a conveyor system. In this example, the conveyor is a known carousel conveyor 3. This has a plurality of conveyor pockets 15 in which the containers stand upright.
In the illustrated example, a light source 5 mounted on a stationary element 2 emits a light beam ~ towards the container at an angle ~ to the horizontal. The light source 5 may be formed by eg. a laser or a light-emitting diode. Two light-sensitive sensors 10 and 11, formed eg.
by photodiodes, are also mounted on the stationary element 2. The electrical output signals of the sensors are transmitted to an evaluation unit 12 (represented simply as a block) which establishes on the basis of the sensor signals what type of individual container is present, as will be described presently.
The light source 5 and the sensors 10 and 11 are preferably mounted on a common support 13 with provision for vertical adjustment eg. with an accuracy of ~0.5mm, in order that the detection system formed by the light source and sensors can be adapted to the containers to be recognised. Preferably, a further sensor, not illustrated, is provided, to establish that the container is in a predetermined position. This is because, in order for the detection to be successful, it is important that the container be held in the correct position. Special mechanical means may also be provided for this purpose, CA 02206~46 1997-0~-14 .
such as special grippers 14,15,16, or other means; these are known in principle, and will not be described in detail here.
The shape of the container is recognised by causing the light beam 6 to strike the container wall, where it is reflected. For a given shape of container, the light beam is reflected onto the sensor 11, as indicated by the light beam 7 for the container shape 1' shown in the drawing. For a different container shape, indicated in the drawing as 1", the light beam 6 travels a short distance before striking the container wall, and is reflected to the sensor 10 as the light bea~ 8. For other bottle shapes, the light beam is reflected onto neither of the two sensors, or a signal could possibly be produced at both sensors simultaneously. It is also possible to provide a guide 17 for the container in the region of the light beam 6, with eg. an opening 18 to allow the light beam to pass through.
Fig. 2 shows in tubular form the output signals of the sensors 10 and 11, and the information derived therefrom as to the shape or type of bottle. The sensor signals are represented in the table as 1 and 0, with 1 signifying that the sensor receives the light beam, and o signifying that the sensor does not receive the light beam.
Thus, if the light beam is received by the sensor 10 via the light path 8 in Fig. 1, the bottle shape 1", which corresponds to the bottle type X, is present. ln this case the sensor 11 yields the output signal 0. If the sensor 11 CA 02206~46 1997-0~-14 receives the light beam 7, this corresponds to a sensor signal 1 for the sensor 11 and a sensor signal 0 for the sensor 10, signifying the presence of bottle type Y
indicated in Fig. 1 by the shape 1'. The other possible combinations of sensor output signals, in which both sensors supply a 1 as output signal or both supply a 0 as output signal, signify that some other, undesired bottle type is present. Following the test, therefore it is possible to sort the required bottle types X,Y and stray bottles of other types on the basis of the output signal of the evaluation unit 12.
Fig. 3 illustrates highly schematically an alternative form of the method and of the apparatus. In this, a container 20 is shown, which may likewise be carried on a conveyor carousel or on a linear conveyor, and onto which a broad and diverging light beam 21 or a strip-form beam of light rays is directed. Instead of the two sensors 10 and 11, a plurality of sensors arranged in a row, eg. a photodiode array, are provided, on which the plurality of light rays 21 are reflected differently according to the container type, if different shapes of container enter the apparatus. The signals of the photodiode array 22 are transmitted to an evaluation unit 23 which infers the shape of the individual bottle from the distribution of the reflected light rays among the various photosensors. The evaluation unit 23 may use a ~orm of spectral representation for the evaluation; iII this, as shown graphically within the b]ock representing the unit 23, the individual photodetectors are plotted as stations on a horizontal line and the light intensities individually received are plotted vertically. Every bottle shape will then yield a characteristic spectrum, and evaluation can be performed by a pattern recognition of these spectra. A
larger number of bottle shapes can be detected and distinguished in this way than with the two sensors 10 and 11 of Fig. 1.
Claims (10)
1. Method for identifying types of containers, in particular types of bottles, within a series of dissimilar containers or bottles, characterised in that at least one light beam (6;21) is incident on the container (1;20) at least at one location whose position in space varies for the container types to be recognised, and in that at least two light-sensitive sensors (10,11;22) are provided, which, depending on the container type, individually receive or do not receive the light beam (7,8) reflected from the container, and in that the sensor output signals are evaluated to recognise the individual container type.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that a diverging light beam (21) is used in conjunction with a plurality of sensors (22).
3. Method according to claim 2, characterised in that the output signals of the plurality of sensors are evaluated as a spectrum.
4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the containers are conveyed on a conveyor system (2,3) past a fixed projector (5) for the light beam and fixed sensors (10,11;22), means (3,14,15,16) being provided for controlling the exact positioning of the containers on the conveyor.
5. Apparatus for identifying types of containers, in particular types of bottles, within a series of dissimilar containers, in particular bottles, characterised in that at least one light source (5) is provided to generate at least one light beam (6;21) with which is arranged to be incident on the container (1;20) at least at one location whose position in space varies for the container types to be recognised, and in that at least two light-sensitive sensors (10,11;22) are provided, which, depending on the container type, individually receive or do not receive the light beam (7,8) reflected from the container, and in that an evaluation unit connected to the sensors is provided, which evaluates the sensor output signals to recognise the individual container type.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterised in that the light source is set up to generate a diverging light beam (21), and in that a plurality of sensors (22) are provided.
7. Apparatus according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterised in that the light source (5) and the sensors (10,11;22) are fixed and a conveyor (2,3) is provided for the containers and that which carries the containers past the light source and sensors.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterised in that the conveyor is a carousel conveyor, and in that the light source and the sensors are mounted on a stationary element (2) of the carousel.
9. Apparatus according to claim 7 or claim 8, characterised in that means (3,14,15,16) are provided to ensure that the containers are positioned correctly on the conveyor.
10. Apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 9, characterised in that the light source and the sensors are mounted on a common support (13) with provision for vertical adjustment with respect to the container.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CH161396 | 1996-06-27 | ||
| CH19961613/96 | 1996-06-27 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2206546A1 true CA2206546A1 (en) | 1997-12-27 |
Family
ID=4214542
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2206546 Abandoned CA2206546A1 (en) | 1996-06-27 | 1997-05-14 | Method and apparatus for recognising containers |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0815958A3 (en) |
| AR (1) | AR008994A1 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9703743A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2206546A1 (en) |
| MX (1) | MX9703763A (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102004052942A1 (en) * | 2004-10-29 | 2006-05-04 | Warsteiner Brauerei Haus Cramer Kg | Bottle, in particular reusable beverage bottle |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3506840A (en) * | 1967-09-08 | 1970-04-14 | Anchor Hocking Glass Corp | Down-ware rejector system |
| DE2329358C3 (en) * | 1973-06-08 | 1978-09-07 | Kronseder, Hermann, 8404 Woerth | Optical testing device for containers |
| US4651879A (en) * | 1986-01-31 | 1987-03-24 | Clayton Durand Mfg. Co., Inc. | Automatic bottle sorting system |
-
1997
- 1997-04-23 EP EP97106680A patent/EP0815958A3/en not_active Ceased
- 1997-05-14 CA CA 2206546 patent/CA2206546A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1997-05-22 MX MX9703763A patent/MX9703763A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1997-06-04 AR ARP970102433 patent/AR008994A1/en unknown
- 1997-06-27 BR BR9703743A patent/BR9703743A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AR008994A1 (en) | 2000-03-08 |
| BR9703743A (en) | 1998-10-27 |
| EP0815958A2 (en) | 1998-01-07 |
| MX9703763A (en) | 1997-12-31 |
| EP0815958A3 (en) | 1999-01-20 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |