Patent ID: 7177391
Filing Date: 2007-02-13
Classification: B65G,G01N,G01V

Abstract:
1. An imaging inspection apparatus for inspecting objects located within moving articles, said imaging inspection apparatus comprising: a single belt conveyor for conveying articles having objects located therein along a path of travel through an inspection location located substantially within said imaging inspection apparatus, said conveyor including a main portion and first and second end portions located on opposing ends of said main portion, said main portion and said first and second end portions adapted for being positioned in a substantially horizontal orientation during said conveying of said articles, said main portion of said conveyor not including a gap therein; a frame structure; a plurality of imaging inspection devices positioned on said frame and adapted for directing beams onto only said main portion of said conveyor and onto said articles as said articles move on said main portion of said conveyor and pass along said path of travel through said inspection location substantially within said imaging inspection apparatus to thereby inspect said articles, and for providing output signals as a result of said inspecting; and a processing and analysis assembly adapted for receiving said output signals from said plurality of imaging inspection devices and for analyzing said output signals to identify said objects within said moving articles, said conveyor not being physically coupled to said frame structure and also adapted for being folded such that said main portion is at said substantially horizontal orientation and said first and second end portions are each positioned in a substantially vertical, upward orientation when said conveyor is not conveying said articles along said path of travel during which said conveyor is of a lesser length in said horizontal orientation than when said main portion and said first and second end portions are in said substantially horizontal orientation.