Patent ID: 7792419
Filing Date: 2010-09-07
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. An illuminator for diffuse illumination of a curved surface of an article, the illuminator comprising: a source of diffuse illumination including at least an illumination source and a diffuser coupled to the illumination source to provide diffuse illumination, the source of diffuse illumination projecting at least a portion of the diffuse illumination towards an article illumination location where a center line through the article, when so disposed, will be co-linear with an imaginary center line at which the portion of the diffuse illumination is to be directed, wherein the article illumination location is situated to the side of the source of diffuse illumination along the imaginary centerline; and a housing, the diffuser being disposed at a predetermined location within the housing, wherein the illumination source includes a plurality of illumination devices spaced from each other in at least a single strip-like arrangement and disposed in a semi-circular arc having an imaginary centerline that is co-linear with the center line through the article when the article is located at the article illumination location.