Image analysis – Applications – Manufacturing or product inspection
Reexamination Certificate
1997-07-01
2001-03-20
Couso, Jose L. (Department: 2721)
Image analysis
Applications
Manufacturing or product inspection
C382S143000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06205237
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method of opto-electrical scanning of individual packets, transported at a distance from one another, such as cigarette packets, in accordance with the preamble of patent claim
1
. In addition, the invention relates to a device for the opto-electrical scanning of packets in accordance with the preamble of patent claim
4
.
Packets, especially cigarette packets, are very thoroughly examined in the region of a packaging machine to check that they are correctly formed. Cigarette packets are thus, for example, examined to see whether they are provided with the correct band label or whether the sides of the packet are printed completely and in accordance with the regulations—amongst other things with a safety warning. The packets are checked photographically, especially with the aid of cameras installed in a fixed position. The cameras scan outer surfaces of the packets. Data obtained by this process are compared with reference data; where there are undesired deviations, faulty packets are steered out of the production flow.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Many kinds of methods and devices for the opto-electrical scanning of cigarette packets are known. Thus U.S. Pat. No. 4,972,494 shows a device for the opto-electrical scanning of cigarette packets in which the cigarette packets lie with one wall of the packet on a conveyor and are moved in this position by the conveyor past testing devices. This scanning device has, however, the disadvantage that the wall of the packet lying on the conveyor cannot be scanned by the testing devices. Thus it is not possible to check whether the wall of the cigarette packet lying on the conveyor is correctly formed.
In the device for the electro-optical scanning of cigarette packets according to DE-A-38 01 388, the cuboid-shaped cigarette packets are moved past testing devices with one of the packet walls in contact with a conveyor belt affected by suction air. Free walls of the cigarette packet can be detected by a testing device arranged beside the transport path. A second conveyor belt, connected to a first conveyor belt and likewise affected by suction air, detects an opposite wall of the cigarette packet. A second testing device then detects the wall of the cigarette packet covered by the first conveyor belt and now lying free. The device according to DE-A-38 01 388 requires great constructional outlay. The conveyor belts which can be affected by suction air require a high, permanent expenditure of energy.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The problem underlying the invention, therefore, is to propose a method and a device for the opto-electrical scanning of packets, which make possible the scanning of the walls of packets on all sides with very little constructional outlay.
To solve this problem, the method according to the invention is characterised by the measures of patent claim
1
. Due to the fact that the packets are moved past the or each testing device along an aerodynamic trajectory or falling distance, all the walls of the packets can be scanned simultaneously with very little outlay.
The idea underlying the invention, therefore, is to move the packets, with the aid of an oblique, horizontal or perpendicular throw or with the aid of free fall, past the testing devices without touching them. As a result of this, all the walls of the packets lie free in the region of the testing devices. The testing devices can scan the walls of the packets unimpeded, i.e. without the interfering influence of guides or conveyor belts.
The device according to the invention is characterised by the features of patent claim
4
. It makes possible the simultaneous scanning of the packets on all sides with very little constructional outlay.
By preference, a second conveying section of a feed-in conveyor has a lower continuous conveyor and an upper continuous conveyor which grasp the packets on opposite packet walls. This guarantees exact guiding and expedition of the packets and thus an exact aerodynamic trajectory of same.
Preferred developments of the invention arise from the secondary claims and the specification. Embodiments of the invention, given by way of example, are explained in greater detail below with the aid of the drawing. In the drawing:
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patent: 4624367 (1986-11-01), Shafer et al.
patent: 4912554 (1990-03-01), Neri
patent: 5037245 (1991-08-01), Smith
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patent: 3510363 (1986-09-01), None
patent: 3801388 (1988-07-01), None
patent: 4112263 (1992-10-01), None
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patent: 0330495 (1989-08-01), None
patent: 2658098 (1991-08-01), None
Buse Henry
Focke Heinz
Rösler Burkard
Couso Jose L.
Dang Duy M.
Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co.)
Sughrue Mion Zinn Macpeak & Seas, PLLC
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