Patent ID: 6175107
Filing Date: 2001-01-16
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A method of inspecting a container for variations that affect commercial acceptability of the container, comprising the steps of:(a) alternately directing first and second light energies of different character into a portion of the container,(b) obtaining first and second two-dimensional images of the portion of the container illuminated in said step (a) during illumination by said first and second light energies respectively, and(c) detecting commercial variations at the container that affect optical properties of the container by comparison of said first and second images to each other,wherein said step (b) comprises the steps of: (b1) directing said first and second light energies alternately into a single area array sensor to develop two-dimensional images of the illuminated portion of the container at said sensor, and (b2) scanning said two-dimensional images from said sensor, andwherein said step (c) comprises the step of overlapping said images.