Patent ID: 6516083
Filing Date: 2003-02-04
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An electro-optical unit for scanning the entire lateral surface presented by articles of substantially cylindrical shape advancing along a predetermined path, comprising illumination means located at a scanning station positioned along the selfsame path, of which the function is to shed light on a given annular area of the surface in uniform manner, and, located at the scanning station, television camera type image detection means of which the position relative to the path is such as to allow the acquisition of a direct image from a first portion of the annular area, also reflecting means located on the side of the path opposite to the detection means, embodied and oriented in such a manner that at least one image from a second portion of the annular area can be reflected back toward the detection means, a tubular element of transparent material coinciding at least with the scanning station, through which the articles are caused to pass, wherein the illumination means, the detection means and the reflecting means are disposed externally of the tubular element, and a housing element of which an internal surface encloses the illumination means, the detection means and the reflecting means, and of which the internal space is occupied by the tubular element, wherein an external surface of the tubular element combines with the internal surface of the housing element to create a fluid-tight chamber containing the illumination means, the detection means and the reflecting means.