MXPA98003794A - Inspection of the superficial sealing area of a recipie - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for inspecting the area of the sealing surface (36) of a finish (34) of the container, which includes a structured light source (44) positioned to direct a light beam in the shape of a line, collimated (46) on the area of the sealing surface of a container, when the container is moved relative to the light source. The light beam in the form of a line on the surface of the sealing surface of the container has a longitudinal dimension orthogonal to the axis of the container extending chordally across the area of the sealing surface, and a narrow dimension tangential to the container shaft. A light sensor (52) is positioned to receive portions of the light beam in the form of a line, reflected from the area of the sealing surface, and provide an electrical output signal that varies with the height or level of the surface of sealing with respect to the light source and the sensor. The sensor is coupled to the associated electronic devices (60) to provide information indicative of the height of the sealing surface. The elongated dimension of the beam of light in the form of a line on the surface of the sealing surface of the container accommodates rotation out of the normal plane or misalignment at the sealing surface with respect to the light source and the sensor. In addition, the elongated radial dimension of the light beam in the form of a line on the surface of the sealing surface of the container causes reflection on the sensor from any edge or burr inside the mouth of the container, thus producing on the sensor the indicative information both of existence as the height of any edge or reba

Description

INSPECTION OF THE SURFACE SEALING AREA OF A RECIPIENT Field of the Invention The present invention is directed to the inspection of containers, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for detecting commercial variations in the sealing surface area of a container.

Background and Objects of the Invention The U.S. patent No. 3,313,409 discloses an apparatus for inspecting glass containers in which the reading stars or star wheels transport the containers in sequence through a series of inspection stations. At one of the inspection stations, the selected dimensional parameters of each container are inspected by the container contact with the rollers coupled to the sensors, and by rotating the container around its central axis so that the sensors provide output signals that they vary as a function of the variation of the parameters of the container. Specifically, the height of the container, the twists R? F. 27508 and depressions of the sealing surface, and the misaligned orientation of the container finish are measured by the rollers which couple the sealing surface of the container when the container rotates. The rollers are coupled to the LVDT sensors that provide analog electrical signals indicative of deviations or variations in height (level), on the sealing surface. These signals are fed to the appropriate electronic devices to energize a reject piston to separate a container from the conveyor line if the measurement signals deviate from the desired specifications and standards. The rollers in contact with the sealing surface are subject to mechanical wear, and can cause contamination on the sealing surface. In addition, the size of the rollers limits the size of the containers in relation to which they can be used, and the size (resolution) of the variations that can be detected. Moving parts require maintenance and repair. Furthermore, the construction of the roller is not adapted to measure the height of any edge or burr within the edge of the sealing surface. The U.S. patent No. 4,945,228 discloses an apparatus for inspecting the sealing surface of a container finish that includes a light source positioned to direct light energy onto the sealing surface of the container when the container is held in the stationary position and rotated around the container. its central axis. A camera, which includes a linear array or matrix array (area) of light sensitive elements, is positioned and oriented with respect to the axis of rotation of the vessel to receive the light energy reflected by the sealing surface, with the camera having a limited effective field of view, with respect to an angular portion less than the full circumference of the sealing surface of the container. The array or network of cameras is scanned at increments of container rotation to develop information indicative of the intensity of light in each element of the network or array as a function of such increments, and commercial variations in the sealing surface of the container are detected as a function of such information. The apparatus thus described is well adapted to detect commercial variations that affect the reflective capacity of the sealing surface of the container, such as the variations of the finish on the line, the blisters, the stones and a dirty finish of the container. However, the apparatus thus described is not adapted to measure the dimensional parameters of the container finish, such as the height of the sealing surface of the container, the kinks, depressions or misalignment on the sealing surface of the container, and / or the height of any edge or cut or burr on the sealing surface. The U.S. patent No. 5, 489,987 describes an apparatus for inspecting the sealing surface area of the containers, which includes a light source positioned to direct a narrow beam of light energy at an acute angle over the sealing surface area of a container when the container is rotated around of its central axis. A light sensor is positioned to receive the narrow beam of reflected light energy from the sealing surface area, and provides an output signal that varies as a function of the incident position of the reflected light beam on the sensor. That is, the reflected light beam is incident on the sensor in a position that varies with the height or level of the sealing surface with respect to the light source and the sensor, and the sensor is characterized in that it provides an electrical output signal that it varies as a function of the incident position of the ray of light reflected on the sensor. The variations of the height in the sealing surface area are detected as a function of the sensor output signal. In one embodiment, the pairs of sensors / light sources are positioned on diametrically opposite sides of the container axis, and twists, depressions and / or misalignments on the container sealing surface are detected as a combined function of variations in the position of incidence of the light rays reflected on the sensors when the container rotates. It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus and method for inspecting the sealing surface area of the containers to verify unacceptable commercial deviations or defects. A further and more specific object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method of the character described, which are adapted to inspect the sealing surface area of a container for multiple types of variations in a single operation and in a single inspection station. A further object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus of the character described, for inspecting both the optical and dimensional characteristics of the sealing surface area of a container finish. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and apa >I measure to determine or determine the dimensional characteristics of a container finish, particularly a container sealing surface area, of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,987 noted above, in which the measurement process is characterized by an improved immunity to variations or rotations outside the normal plane of the position on the sealing surface of the container. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus of the described character that achieves the previous objective while being economical to implement and reliable for a prolonged operating time. Still another and more specific object of the present invention is to provide a non-contact, electro-optical method and apparatus for measuring the characteristics of the height on the sealing surface of a container, particularly kinks, depressions and / or misalignment in the finish of the container and the sealing surface, which in part employs electro-optical devices already provided to measure other dimensional parameters in the container finish. A further object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus of the described nature which, in alternative embodiments, can be implemented either at the hot end or the cold end of a glassware manufacturing system.

Brief Description of the Invention An apparatus for inspecting the area of the sealing surface of a container finish according to one aspect of the invention includes a structured light source, positioned to direct a beam of light with a collimated line shape (i.e. a dimension of its length that is many times the width dimension) over the sealing surface area of a container. The beam of light in the shape of a line in the sealing surface area of the container has a dimension of length orthogonal to the axis of the container, and a narrow dimension tangential to the sealing surface. A light sensor is positioned to receive portions of the light beam with a line shape, reflected from the sealing surface area, and provides an electrical output signal that varies with the height or level of the sealing surface area with respect to the light source and the sensor. The sensor is coupled to associated electronic devices to provide information indicative of the height of the sealing surface. In the preferred embodiments, multiple images are obtained at the sensor from different portions of the sealing surface, either by moving the sealing surface area relative to the light source and the sensor between the images, or by employing multiple laser beam lines and the reflections from the sealing area. The elongated dimension of the line-shaped light beam on the sealing surface of the container accommodates rotation away from the normal plane or misalignment at the sealing surface with respect to the light source and the sensor. In addition, the elongated radial dimension of the line-shaped light beam on the sealing surface of the container also causes reflection on the sensor from the cut or edge inside the mouth of the container, thereby producing in the sensor information indicative of both the existence as of the height of any such edge, and if the height of the edge exceeds the height of the sealing surface - that is, a burr. The light source and the sensor in the preferred embodiments of the invention are positioned above the sealing surface area of the container, and are oriented relative to each other with respect to the sealing surface area of the container such that portions of the incident light beam on and Reflected from the sealing surface area of the container are nominally at an angle of 90 ° to each other, and nominally in a plane perpendicular to the sealing surface. (The term "nominal" refers to the prevailing conditions in the orientation and ideal or design height of the sealing surface, any deviation from such orientation and ideal weight due to a short container or burr in the container finish will potentially cause a less deviation from the orientation and angle of the "nominal" reflected beam). The light source and the sensor are placed in a plane nominally parallel to the axis of the container and perpendicular to the sealing surface. The light sensor in the preferred embodiments of the invention includes a sensor of the array network (i.e., an area), and one or more lenses for focusing on the light energy sensor reflected from the surface area of the light source. sealing of the container. The focusing lenses have an imaginary plane on the sensor of the array network and a plane of the object nominally coincident with the light beam in a linear fashion on the sealing surface of the container. The acceptance angle of the light sensor lenses is limited radially on the sealing surface of the container, so that only light reflected from the almost horizontal portions of the sealing surface is directed onto the sensor. The acceptance angle of the sensor lenses preferably is of the tangential width of the sealing surface to receive the light even if the container is slightly inclined, or has a rough or rough sealing surface that tends to disperse the reflected energy. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the light source of the sealing surface comprises a laser diode and lenses for projecting light from the laser diode as a laser beam line onto the sealing surface of the container. In one embodiment of the invention, a second light sensor includes a second sensor of the matrix network and a telecentric lens for focusing on the second sensor an image of the finishing profile of the container formed by the light energy parallel to the axis of the telecentric lens. This second light sensor detects a different portion of the container finish than that observed by the first sensor, and at a small downward angle with respect to the sealing surface area. The output information of the first sensor or sensor of the sealing surface and of the second sensor or sensor of the profile, is verified as a function of rotation of the container to determine twists, depressions and / or misalignment of the container finish. The second light sensor (in addition to being able to measure the dimensional parameters of the container finish) allows the isolation of the up and down movement of the container as a determination of the complete shape of the twists, depressions and misalignment. In another modified embodiment, the first light sensor is combined either with another light source of laser line, or with a light source of narrow beam as in the application referred to above, diametrically opposed to the first light source and the sensor through the mouth of the container. The outputs of the two light sensors are combined to measure kinks, depressions and / or misalignment of the sealing surface. The apparatus for inspecting the finish of a container according to another aspect of the present invention includes first and second light sources for directing the light energies over the area of the sealing surface of a container from different angles with respect to the container axis and to the nominal plane of the sealing surface. The light energy reflected from the sealing surface of the container from the first and second light sources is directed on a sensor of the matrix network, in such a way that the sensor effectively detects the sealing surface area of the container from two. different angles that correspond to the lighting angles of the light sources. In the preferred implementation of this aspect of the invention, the different light sources are of different structure to illuminate the sealing surface of the container with the light having different properties as well as different lighting angles to detect the physical and / or dimensional characteristics of the light. the sealing surface of the container. The different light sources are alternatively energized, preferably in increments of rotation of the container, and the sensor is scanned to develop sequential images of different characteristics of the sealing surface. In the preferred implementation of this second aspect of the invention, three structured light sources direct the light energies of different characteristics on the sealing surface of the container at different angles, a first angle to inspect the sealing surface to verify the characteristics that affect the reflectivity of the sealing surface, a second angle to inspect the reduction due to a condition that a cutting edge or a burr is present, and a third angle to detect cracks in the reduction area on the inner edge of the surface sealing. A pair of lenses are positioned to intercept the light energy reflected by the sealing surface from the first and second light sources. The lenses are placed to have a first focus placed on the sealing surface, in such a way that the reflected light energy is collimated or aligned by the passage through the lenses. The collimated or aligned luminous energy is incident on a separator of the ray or beam, for the combination of the energy rays reflected along a single trajectory on the sensor of the network of the matrix. The light energy reflected from the sealing surface of the third light source is normally not incident on the sensor. However, any cracks in fractured glass scatter or diffuse the energy so that a portion will be reflected through the lens on the sensor of the array network.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention, together with the objects, features and additional advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following description, the appended claims and the appended drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the apparatus for inspecting the sealing surface area of the containers according to a currently preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a fragmentary schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top plan view of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, showing the orientation of the light beam with respect to the sealing surface of the container and to the axis of the container; Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale of a sealing surface area of the container; Figures 5 and 6 are schematic diagrams of the respective modified embodiments of the invention; Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the apparatus for inspecting the sealing surface of the containers according to a further aspect of the present invention, and Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for inspecting the containers according to the invention, in the so-called hot end of the manufacturing process.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Modalities Referring to Figure 1, a conveyor 20, which typically includes a star star or star wheel and a skid plate 21, is connected and thus positioned to a source of molded containers to carry the successive containers 22 in its position in an inspection station 24 of the sealing surface. Such an inspection arrangement of the container-conveyor apparatus with a star wheel is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,313,409 noted above. A device 26 for rotating a bottle, such as a control roller, is positioned to couple each container 22 in sequence in station 24, and to rotate the container about its central axis 25 when the container is held in its position fixed by the conveyor device. An encoder 28 is coupled to the rotation mechanism of the container to provide signals indicative of increases in container rotation. Such increases in container rotation may comprise fixed increments of the angular position, or fixed time increments when the container is rotated at a constant speed. A detector 30, such as a switch, is positioned to provide a signal indicative of the presence of the container 22 in the station * 4. In the implementation of the present invention illustrated in Figure 1, the container 22 comprises a molded glass bottle having a cylindrical body 32 and a generally cylindrical neck 34 projecting upwardly from the projection 35 of the body. The finishing portion of the container includes an upper portion of the neck 34 terminating in a sealing surface 36 of the axially facing lid, which is inspected in accordance with the present invention. A hel fillet 38 is integrally molded on the outer surface of the finishing wall that surrounds the mouth of the container and a flange or projection 40 is formed on the outer surface of the finishing wall on which a skirt of the cover can be secured. in the usual way to fix the lid to the container. A reduction 42 (FIG. 4) may exist around the internal diameter of the sealing surface 36 due to the characteristics of the mold in which the container was formed. The excessive height in the reduction 42 becomes a cutting edge 42a. When the cutting edge exceeds the height of the sealing surface 36, it becomes a burr 42b. A cutting edge or burr is undesirable for several reasons, and may be indicative of a problem in the mold of the container. The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 1 is directed to a method and apparatus for inspecting the height or level in the sealing surface 36 and in the reduction 42. In relation to this, it will be appreciated that the description discloses that the term "sealing surface" in the present application refers to the complete sealing surface area which includes not only the sealing surface 36 itself, but also the reduction 42. A light source 44 is placed above the sealing surface 36 of the container 22 in the station 24, and oriented to direct a narrow collimated or aligned beam 46 of light energy, downwardly at an acute angle on the sealing surface 36. Specifically, the light beam 46 comprises a beam or beam of light in the form of a line, collimated or aligned, having a long dimension in the sealing surface 36 orthogonal to and coplanar with the axis 25 of the container in the nominal position and in the orientation of the container 22 in the station 24, and a narrow dimension tangential with respect to the container axis. The light source 44 may comprise a laser diode 48 and a cylindrical lens 50 to form the laser beam in the form of a collimated line, as described. A chamber 52 is positioned above the sealing surface 36 of the container 22 at the station 24, and oriented to receive that portion 54 of the light beam 46 reflected from the sealing surface 36 (and the reduction 42, if any) . The camera 52 includes an array 56 of focusing lenses and a light lensor 58 of the array network (area) on which the lenses 56 focus the reflected light energy 54. The light source 44 and the camera 52 are positioned in the plane of the incident light beam 46 and the reflected light beam 54, such a plane is parallel to and laterally offset from the axis 25 of the container. The angle of incidence of the illumination beam 46, and the nominal angle of reflection of the light beam 54, are each at 45 ° with respect to the axis 25, whereby it is said that the rays or light beams 46, 54 are at a nominal angle of 90 ° to each other. An information processor 60 (Figure 1) receives the signals from the detector 30 indicating the presence of a container in the inspection station 24, and the signals from the encoder 28 indicative of increases in the rotation of the container. The camera 52 is similarly coupled to the information processor 60 to receive the control signals from the processor 60, and to provide output signals to the information processor, indicative of the incident position of the reflected light energy 54 on the sensor 58. Light source 44 is similarly controlled by processor 60. Processor 60 is also connected to a display 62 for displaying the image data to an operator, and provides a rejection signal to a suitable mechanism for removing the unacceptable containers of the conveyor line.

In the operation of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the light beam of illumination 46 in the shape of a line intersects the sealing surface 36, and a portion thereof is reflected by the horizontal portion of the sealing surface 36 on the sensor 58 in the chamber 52. Similarly, a portion of the illumination light beam is reflected from the edge 42 on the sensor 58 of the chamber. The lenses 56 of the camera preferably have a plane of the image placed on the imaging surface of the sensor 58 of the matrix network, and a plane of the collinear object with the light beam 46 at the nominal position of the sealing surface 36. If the sealing surface is not horizontal due to the inclination, the lenses 56 still form the image of the reflected light energy, so that the inclination on the sealing surface does not affect the image on the sensor 58 of the network or fix and send the signals of height measurement provided by this. The acceptance angle of the lenses 56 is limited in the radial direction with respect to the sealing surface 36 so that only the light energy that is reflected from the almost horizontal portions of the sealing surface is directed onto the sensor 58. lenses 56 have a wide acceptance angle in the tangential direction with respect to the axis 25 and the sealing surface 36 so as to allow the reflected energy to be directed on the sensor 58 even if the sealing surface is laterally misaligned from the nominal position or slightly inclined, or if the light energy is reflected from a rough or rough portion of the sealing surface. From the projected image (s) on the sensor 58, the height of the sealing surface 36 and the reduction 42 (if any) can be determined by the information processor 60 as a function of the relative positions of incidence on the sensor 58. Since the sealing surface 36 is typically crowned (Figure 4) and the reduction 42 is quite narrow, the image of the light reflected in the chamber 52 will typically consist of two points or bright spots, one created by the small amount of light reflected by the point of the sealing surface perpendicular to the plane of the light beams, and another from the tip of the flash. The relative positions of these two spots or spots on the image provide the desired information. The information regarding twists and depressions in the sealing surface of the container can be obtained with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1-4. However, rotations outside the full normal plane of the vessel could affect these measurements. Figure 5 illustrates a modified embodiment of the invention in which the light source 44 and the camera 52 of the embodiment of Figures 1-4 are combined with a light source 70, a telecentric lens 72 and a camera 74. The light source 70 includes a lamp 76 and a diffuser 78 to illuminate the finish 34 of the container 22. The telecentric lens 72 directs on a sensor 80 of the network of the matrix (area) of the chamber 74 only the light rays that are parallel to the axis of the telecentric lens 72, which is at a small angle (eg, 5 °) below the body of the sealing surface so that only a near edge of the sealing surface is observed. The chambers 52, 74 observe the diametrically opposite sides of the sealing surface. Accordingly, a sharp image of the finish 34 of the container is directed on the sensor 80 of the camera 74. This image can be analyzed to obtain the dimensional information of the profile according to the description of the U.S. Application. Serial No. 08 / 296,297 filed on August 25, 1994. This dimensional profile information can also be combined with the height information of the sealing surface obtained in chamber 52 to determine the kinks, the depressions and / or misalignments in the container finish substantially independent in rotations outside the normal plane of the container and the total variations in the height of the container. That is, the information obtained in the chamber 74 provides the reference information indicative of the height of the total sealing surface, for which the increasing height measurements in the chamber 52 are referred to as a function of the rotation of the container for determine the total characteristics of kinks, depressions and / or misalignment of the sealing surface of the container. Figure 6 illustrates another embodiment of the invention, in which a second light source 44a of laser line is positioned to direct a light beam 46a on the sealing surface 36, from which a light beam 54a is reflected to a second chamber 52a. The camera pairs / light sources 44, 52 and 44a, 52a operate on the diametrically opposite sides of the sealing surface 36. The outputs of the cameras 52, 52a can be combined in the information processor 60 (Figure 1) to determine the kinks, depressions and / or misalignments in the sealing surface as described in the aforementioned Patent No. 5,489,987. The secondary light source 44a and the camera 52a can be explained by a narrow beam light source and a camera, as described in the aforementioned application.

Figure 7 illustrates an apparatus 100 for performing various inspections on the sealing surface 36 of a finish 34 of the container according to another aspect and embodiment of the invention. A first light source 44 is positioned at an angle 102 to direct a beam of light in the form of a line on the sealing surface 36 as previously described. A second light source 104 includes an LED 106 that transmits a light beam at an angle 107 through a diffuser 108 and a Fresnel lens array on the sealing surface 36 at the point of intersection of the light beam from the source of light 44 of the laser diode. A third light source 112 includes an LED 114 which directs the light energy at an angle 115 on the sealing surface 36, again to intersect the sealing surface at the illumination point of the light sources 44, 104. The camera 52 is placed at an angle 107 on the opposite side of the axis 25 of the container. The light energy normally reflected from the light source 104 is incident on a lens 118. This lens is mounted at a distance from the sealing surface 36 equal to its focal length from the point of illumination, so that the reflected light energy traveling through the lens is collimated or aligned. Such collimated light energy is directed through a separation of the beam or light beam 120 and the lenses 56 on the sensor 58 of the matrix network in the chamber 52. A lens 122 is placed at an angle 102 opposite the source luminous 44, and again it is mounted at a distance from the illumination point on the sealing surface 36 equal to its focal length. The collimated light energy that has passed over the lens 122 is directed by a mirror 124 over the separator 120 of the beam or light beam, from where such reflected light energy is directed through the lens 56 on the sensor 58 of the network of the matrix. Accordingly, the lenses 118, 122, the mirror 124 and the light beam spacer 120 function to combine the light energy from the light sources 44, 104 reflected from the sealing surface 36 on a single directed light beam path. on the sensor 58 of the matrix network. The angle 115 of the light source 112 is such that the light energy therefrom is normally reflected by the sealing surface 36 away from the chamber 52. The exemplary values for the angles 102, 107, 115 with respect to the axis 25 are of 45 °, 17 ° and 70 ° respectively. The point on the sealing surface 36 illuminated by the light source 104 receives the light energy coming from the complete aperture of the Fresnel lens arrangement 110. After reflection, this light is directed by the lenses 118, 56 on the sensor 58 of the array network. A bright image of the sealing surface as it is illuminated by the light from the Fresnel lenses is formed on the network. The strongly inclined regions of the sealing surface, such as the edges of a variation of the finish on the line, the cavities, etc., will appear as dark areas against this background of the bright image since such areas reflect the light energy that is it moves away from the lens 118. By using a sensor 58 of the array network, the orientation and shape of the figure are relatively unimportant. As in the previous embodiments, only those portions of the sealing surface which are almost horizontal reflect the energy from the light source 44 through the lenses 122, 56 on the sensor 58 of the array network, where such areas appear as spots or bright spots on a otherwise dark background. Because of the 90 ° angle between the illumination axis and the observation axis, the image processor 60 (Figure 1) can determine whether the protruding features of the reduction, if present, are above or below the sealing surface. . If the reduction is above the sealing surface, a burr condition is indicated. If the edge is below the sealing surface or is not present, no flash is indicated. As noted above, the light source 112 operates in combination with the sensor 58 of the matrix array of the camera 52 to detect cracks, which is a condition in which the inner edge or reduction area 43 (FIG. 4) of the sealing surface is broken or has numerous fractures. If the area of the reduction 42 is smooth and free of cracks, the light energy of the light source 112 is reflected by the sealing surface remote from the lenses 122, 118 and from the chamber 52. The fractured glass of the crack will disperse (refract or reflect) some of the light energy towards the lenses 118, 122 and on the sensor 58 of the network. The crack appears as well as a bright image against an otherwise dark background. In the operation, the three light sources 44, 104, 112 are selected or set in sequence, and the sensor 58 of the matrix network is scanned by the information processor 60 at each selection or fixation of the light source. For example, a first cycle of recurring pulses scanned from the sensor 58 of the matrix network can receive an image by the flash of the light source 104, a second cycle of recurring pulses by the flash of the light source 44, and a third cycle of recurring pulses by the flash of the light source 104 again, and a fourth cycle of recurring pulses by the flash of the light source 112. In this way, four cycles of recurring pulses of the data are taken from the camera, each one with its own lighting. This process is rapidly repeated at increments of container rotation to develop multiple two-dimensional images of the sealing surface of the container. Since the light sources are placed at different angles to the sealing surface, and the lenses are used to direct the reflected energy from these light sources onto a single sensor of the array network, the single sensor effectively observes the sealing surface from multiple angles. In addition, all of the optical devices of Figure 7 can be incorporated into a single inspection station. In the embodiment of Figures 1-7, the relative movement between the sensor / light source systems and the container is obtained by a roller 26 (figure 1) or similar that makes contact with the container and rotates the container around its axis 25. Such a technique is suitable for use in the so-called cold end of a glassware manufacturing process - that is, current down the annealing tunnel - where the containers are cooled and stiffen. However, such a technique may not be suitable for use in the so-called hot end of the manufacturing process - that is, between the glassware making machine and the annealing tunnel - because the roll could distort the side wall of the hot and foldable container. Figure 8 illustrates a hot container 22 which is transported on the worm conveyor 130, between the manufacturing machine and the annealing tunnel. The position encoder 28 is coupled to the conveyor apparatus 130 to provide signals to the information processor 60 (Figure 1) indicative of the movement of the container / conveyor apparatus. The information processor 60 scans the chamber 52 at increments of the linear movement of the container to obtain multiple images of the reflections of the light beam 46 from the area of the sealing surface. For example, the camera 52 can be scanned to obtain ten images in which the laser line extends chordally (along the string) through the area of the sealing surface. Reflections from the area of the sealing surface will appear as bright spots or spots against an otherwise dark background. Note that the plane 54a of the array image sensor of the array within the chamber 52 extends up and down the nominal height of the sealing surface area 36, which will accommodate the substantial variations in rotations outside the normal plane or of height. As noted above, multiple reflections are preferably obtained from different areas of the sealing surface of a container. This is effected either by causing the relative movement between the sensor / light source system and the container, between the scanning images (by rotation in FIGS. 1-7 and translation in FIG. 8), or by illumination of the scanning area. the sealing surface with multiple laser lines simultaneously. The multiple scan / single line approach allows a shallow depth of the focus and a correspondingly larger camera lens aperture. A larger aperture of the lens increases the likelihood of a reflection from the container that is intercepted by the lens. The advantage of the single image / multiple lens approach is that the effects of container movement will not distort the finished profile. The information obtained from the inspection process is preferably used to implement adjustments or corrections in the manufacturing process to overcome any problems. The adjustments or corrections could be made manually or, more preferably, automatically. When the inspection is carried out at the cold end, the automatic correction can be implemented as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,762,544. More preferably, the inspection is carried out at the hot end and the appropriate parameters in the manufacturing process are adjusted automatically. For the correction of twists, depressions, misalignments, variations in height and / or burrs of the cutting edges, adjustments are made to the synchronization characteristics of the machine, cooling and / or the gob material. Persistent problems can also indicate a need for maintenance or repair of the machine, a section or a mold.

It is noted that in relation to this date the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following

Claims (16)

1. An apparatus for inspecting the finish of a container having a central axis and an open mouth surrounded by a sealing surface area that is axially facing for sealing engagement with a container lid, the apparatus is characterized in that it comprises: a source of structured light, placed to direct a beam of light in the form of a line, collimated, over the area of the sealing surface of a container in such a way that the light beam in the shape of a line on the sealing surface has a longitudinal dimension orthogonal with respect to the axis of the container and a narrow dimension tangential to the container axis, a light sensing means positioned to receive portions of the ray of light in the shape of a line, reflected from the area of the sealing surface of the container, the light source and the light sensing means are placed above the area of the sealing surface of the container in such a way that the light reflected from the area of the sealing surface of the container on the light sensor means is incident in a position on the sensor means which varies with the weight of the sealing surface with respect to the light source and the sensor means, the longitudinal dimension of the light beam in the form of a line accommodates rotation out of the normal plane or misalignment of the area of the sealing surface of the container with the light source and the light-sensing means, and means for detecting variations in the height in the sealing of the container as a function of the incidence position of the light reflected on the light sensor medium.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the light beam in the shape of a line extends completely through the area of the sealing surface of the container.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it also comprises means for obtaining multiple reflections in the light sensing means for different points on the area of the sealing surface.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the means for obtaining the multiple reflections comprise means for moving the container relative to the light source and the sensor means, and means for scanning the light sensing means at increments of the movement of the container in relation to the source of the light and the sensor means.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the means for moving the container comprise means for rotating the container about its axis.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the longitudinal dimension of the line-shaped light beam is nominally coplanar with the axis of the container on the sealing surface of a container in the rotating means.

7. The apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the means for moving the container comprise means for translating the container linearly once the light source and the sensor means have been passed.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the longitudinal dimension of the light beam in the shape of a line extends chordally through the area of the sealing surface of the container.

9. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the reflection angle of the light beam in the shape of a line is nominally 90 ° in the area of the sealing surface of the container.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the light source and the light-sensing means are placed in a common plane normally parallel to the axis and perpendicular to the area of the sealing surface of the container.

11. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the light sensor means comprises a sensor of the array network.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the light-sensing means further comprises means for focusing on the matrix network sensor the light energy from the light source reflected by the sealing surface area of the container, the medium of focus has an imaginary plane on the sensor of the matrix network and a plane of the object nominally coincident with the light beam in the form of a line in the area of the sealing surface of the container.

13. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a second light source and a second light sensor means including a matrix network sensor and a telecentric lens to focus on the matrix network sensor a image of the finished profile of the container formed by the light energy from the second light source parallel to the axis of the telecentric lens, the detector means of the variations are coupled to both sensor means of light to determine twists, depressions and / or misalignment of the finish of the container.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that both of the light sources and both of the light sensing means are arranged so that the associated light beams illuminate the diametrically opposite portions of the area of the sealing surface of the light. container.

15. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the light source includes a laser diode and means for projecting the light from the laser diode as a laser beam line on the area of the sealing surface of a container. 16. A method for inspecting the finish of a container having a central axis and an open mouth surrounded by an axially facing sealing surface area, for sealing engagement with a container lid, the method is characterized in that it comprises the steps of: (a) ) directing a beam of light in the form of a line, collimated, on the sealing surface of a container in such a way that the light beam in the shape of a line in the area of the sealing surface extends comfortably through the area of the sealing surface of the container, (b) placing the light sensing means to receive the portions of the light beam in the form of a line, reflected from the area of the sealing surface of the container, the sensor means of the light is placed above the area of the sealing surface of the container in such a way that the light reflected from the area of the sealing surface of the container on the light-sensing medium is affected. In a position on the sensor means that varies with the height of the area of the sealing surface with respect to the sensor means, the elongated dimension of the light beam in the shape of a line, accommodates the rotation out of the normal plane or misalignment of the area of the sealing surface of the container with respect to the light beam and the sensor means; and (c) detecting variations in the height of the container seal as a function of the incident position of the light reflected on the sensor medium of the container. the light. 17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that it comprises the additional step, prior to step (c), of obtaining multiple reflections in the light sensing means from different portions of the area of the sealing surface. 18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that step (d) is carried out by causing the relative movement between the container and the light source and the sensor means, obtaining multiple reflections with respect to the increments of movement. 19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that the step (di) comprises the step of rotating the container about its axis. 20. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that step (di) comprises the step of translating the container linearly in a direction orthogonal with respect to its axis. 21. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that it comprises the additional step (d) of adjusting the manufacturing parameters of the container as a function of the variations in height detected in step (c). 22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that steps (a) and (b) are carried out at a hot manufacturing end of the container. 23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that step (d) is carried out automatically. 24. An apparatus for inspecting the finish of a container having a central axis and an open mouth surrounded by an axially facing area of the sealing surface, the apparatus is characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of light sources for directing light energy over the area surface sealing of a container from the respective different angles with respect to the axis, light sensing means including a sensor of the array network and means for directing the reflected light energy from the area of the sealing surface, from the light sources, on the matrix network sensor such that the sensor observes the area of the sealing surface from the different angles, and means for detecting the commercial variations in the area of the sealing surface of a container such as a function of the light energy directed on the sensor of the matrix network. 25. The apparatus according to claim 24, characterized in that it also comprises means coupled or connected to the light sources to alternately energize the light sources to direct the light energy over the sealing surface area alternately from different angles. 26. The apparatus according to claim 25, characterized in that the means for directing the light energy on the sensor comprise a pair of lenses having axes at different angles with respect to the area of the sealing surface and respective focuses in the area of the surface of sealing so that the light energy reflected from the area of the sealing surface is collimated or aligned after passage through the lens, a beam separator placed to direct the collimated light energy from the lens throughout of a unique trajectory, and means to direct such energy over the unique trajectory, over the sensor of the matrix network. 27. The apparatus according to claim 25, characterized in that the light sources are set or alternatively selected at increments of movement of the container. 28. The apparatus according to claim 25, characterized in that one of the light sources comprises an array of Fresnel lenses having a focal point in the area of the sealing surface. 29. The apparatus according to claim 24, characterized in that one of the light sources comprises means for directing a light beam in the shape of a line on the sealing surface area of the container in such a way that the light beam in the shape of a line in the area of the sealing surface has a longitudinal dimension orthogonal to the axis of the container and a narrow dimension tangential to the container axis, the first light source and the sensor of the array network are placed above the area of the sealing surface of the container such that the light reflected by the area of the sealing surface of the container on the light sensing means is incident at a position on the sensing means which varies with the height of the area of the sealing surface with respect to the light source and the sensor means, the longitudinal dimension of the light beam in the shape of a line accommodates the rotation out of the the normal plane or misalignment of the sealing surface of the container. 30. The apparatus according to claim 24, characterized in that one of the light sources is oriented in such a way that the light energy is normally reflected by the area of the sealing surface remote from the sensor of the array network, and is reflected on the sensor by cracks in the area of the sealing surface. 31. A method for inspecting the finish of a container, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: (a) alternatively directing the light energies at different angles over the area of the sealing surface of a container finish such that the light energies are reflected at different angles from the area of the sealing surface, (b) directing the luminous energies reflected in step (a) over a single sensor of the array network, and (c) detecting commercial variations in the area of the sealing surface as a function of such reflected light energy, directed on the sensor. 32. The method according to claim 31, characterized in that step (a) comprises the steps of: (a) providing various light sources, and (a2) alternatively energizing the light sources to direct the luminous energies thereof over the area of the sealing surface from the different angles respectively. 33. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that step (al) comprises the step of structuring each of the light sources to provide a different configuration of the illumination light in the area of the sealing surface. 34. The method according to claim 31, 32 or 33, characterized in that it comprises the additional step of: (d) adjusting the manufacturing parameters of the container as a function of the commercial variations detected in step (c). 35. The method according to claim 34, characterized in that steps (a) and (b) are carried out at a hot end of manufacturing the container.

16. The method according to claim 35, characterized in that step (d) is carried out automatically. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An apparatus for inspecting the area of the sealing surface (36) of a finish (34) of the container, including a structured light source (44) positioned to direct a beam of light in the form of a line, collimated (46) over the area of the sealing surface of a container, when the container is moved relative to the light source. The light beam in the shape of a line in the area of the sealing surface of the container has a longitudinal dimension orthogonal to the axis of the container extending chordally through the area of the sealing surface, and a narrow tangential dimension with with respect to the axis of the container. A light sensor (52) is positioned to receive the portions of the light beam in the shape of a line, reflected from the area of the sealing surface, and provide an electrical output signal that varies with the height or level of light. the sealing surface with respect to the light source and the sensor. The sensor is coupled to the associated electronic devices (60) to provide information indicative of the height of the sealing surface. The elongated dimension of the light beam in the shape of a line in the area of the sealing surface of the container accommodates tion out of the normal plane or misalignment in the sealing surface with respect to the light source and the sensor. In addition, the elongated radial dimension of the light beam in the shape of a line in the area of the sealing surface of the container causes reflection on the sensor from any edge or burr inside the mouth of the container, thus producing in the sensor the information indicative of both the existence and the height of any edge or burr.