Patent ID: 6097427
Filing Date: 2000-08-01
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
In an apparatus for making suture packages in which product at intermediate stages of manufacture is conveyed from station to station through the apparatus, a system for optically inspecting the product for defects comprising:first and second inspection stations for inspecting product at different stages of manufacture, each station having one or more video cameras dedicated to detection of particular conditions;each video camera directed to provide an image of a selected area of the product to be inspected, said camera generating a real time image of the area to be inspected;processing means, connected to said video camera and containing stored parameters indicative of a defect free product, for comparing data representative of said real time image to said stored parameters and for generating a fault signal whenever said real time image data and said stored parameters differ to a predetermined extent indicating that a defective area of the product has been detected; andcontrol means, responsive to said fault signal, for causing product containing said defective area to be rejected.