Patent Publication Number: US-2013242085-A1

Title: Device for use in inspection of container, inspection system and inspection method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims foreign priority based on German patent application DE 10 2012 102 221.6, filed on Mar. 16, 2012, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a device for use in an inspection of a container, an inspection system and an inspection method, and in particular to a device, an inspection system and an inspection method, which are used in a container treatment plant for inspection of containers arranged in a stream of containers. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     In the production of containers, like for example glass bottles for accommodating a product, in particular a beverage, a cleaning liquid, etc., the containers are guided in a row one after another, which is a so-called production stream along an inspection system to examine the containers in respect of defects. Herein, an empty container is inspected from above or laterally, for example, before the container is filled. In doing so the avoidance of a contamination of the containers is highest bid. Primarily, it is to be avoided that glass fragments get into an empty container. 
     However, it is problematic that parts of the inspection system, like a detecting unit, a lamp, etc., are to be incorporated into a waterproof housing to protect the parts against humidity. This housing is namely covered in the direction of the containers with a glass pane. The glass pane can be destroyed in case of a defect in the production stream. Thereby, there is the risk that glass fragments of the glass pane can get into the empty containers. In addition, no fast resumption of the production is possible in the case of a breakage of the glass pane, since the tightness of the housing against water must again be secured in an exchange of the glass pane, and further, the detecting unit and/or the lamp in the housing might already be damaged. Due to this reason it is conceivable that, between the glass pane and the production stream, an additional protection pane is arranged which can be removed with a flick of the wrist in case of a breakage and replaced by a new protection pane. In such a case, the tightness of the housing is preserved. 
     However, difficulties arise in case a broken protection pane is not replaced. Even if the production can continue for the time being, the glass pane of the housing might break in which the detecting unit and/or the lamp are/is incorporated. Thereby, remarkable production delays are caused anyway. In addition, the risk is much higher, that a glass fragment gets into an empty container. 
     DE 203 14 918 U1 discloses a device for monitoring, in respect of breakage and/or contamination, a protection glass of a laser optic of a material treatment device. By coupling in electromagnetic radiation via the end face of the protection glass it is detected with a photo detector whether or not the protection glass pane is broken. 
     However, in the inspection systems presently used in a container treatment plant, it is not possible to determine, whether or not a protection pane is mounted in front of the glass pane of the housing. Moreover, a proximity switch must be used to determine the position of devices in the proximity of the glass pane. 
     Due to this, there is a need for a simpler and cheaper possibility to monitor a protection glass in respect of presence and/or breakage and/or correct mounting. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide a device for use in the inspection of a container, an inspection system and an inspection method with which the above-mentioned problems can be solved. In particular, a device, an inspection system and an inspection method shall be provided with which proof can be furnished that in the proximity of a glass pane of a housing in which a detecting unit and/or a lamp is mounted, all units are mounted so that these units do not cause a defect in the production stream of the containers and/or a contamination of the containers. 
     The object is solved by a device for use in the inspection of a container which device has a protection pane for protecting a first space being separated by the protection pane from a second space for arrangement of the container, and a predetermined mark being arranged on the protection pane so that the predetermined mark is arrangeable on the device in a detecting range of a detecting unit for detection, wherein the detecting range is used or acts for detecting at least one part of the container. 
     In using the device in an inspection system, damages can be verified which arose due to a missing protection pane. 
     The arrangement and form of the predetermined mark can be documented to assess a change of the protection pane before a servicing is performed by an operator. 
     It is further possible to inspect units in the detecting range of the detecting unit in terms of completeness and/or their position. Therewith, a proximity switch for detecting the position of these units can be omitted. 
     Advantageous further developments of the device are given in the dependent claims. 
     It is advantageous that the device further comprises a cover pane for liquid sealing the device. 
     Preferably, the protection pane is an exchangeable protection pane for protecting the cover pane against objects in the second space in case of a breakage of the container. 
     It is possible that the device is an illumination device for illuminating a container to be inspected, wherein the illumination device comprises a housing and a lamp for radiation of light in the direction of the container to be inspected, and wherein the cover pane seals the housing liquid-tightly to protect the lamp mounted in the housing. Alternatively, the device can be a detecting device for detecting a container to be inspected, wherein the detecting device comprises a housing and a detecting unit for detecting at least one part of the container to be inspected, and wherein the cover pane seals the housing liquid-tightly to protect the detecting unit mounted in the housing. 
     In a preferred development, the predetermined mark is applied to the protection pane or the protection pane is a laminated glass pane between the laminated glass panes of which the predetermined mark is added. 
     The predetermined mark can be detectable by at least one illumination of an illumination with visible light or UV-light or IR-light and/or the predetermined mark can be asymmetric. 
     The above-mentioned object is further solved by an inspection system for inspection of a container for accommodating a product, which inspection system comprises a device as described above and an evaluation unit for evaluating whether or not the predetermined mark was detected in the detecting range in the inspection of the container, wherein the detecting unit is configured and/or arranged so that it can detect a range being arranged in the surroundings of the container and being for arrangement of the predetermined mark. Herein, it is possible that the detecting device is a camera and/or a detecting result of the detecting device is storable together with a time stamp. 
     The above-mentioned object is further solved by an inspection method for inspecting a container for accommodating a product, wherein the inspection method comprises the steps of: detecting by a detecting unit, at least one part of a container to be inspected, and evaluating, whether or not a predetermined mark was detected in the inspection of the container on a protection pane in the surroundings of the container. 
     Preferably, the inspection method further comprises the step of storing a detecting result of the detecting unit together with a time stamp and/or outputting a warning by a warning unit when the detecting unit does not detect the predetermined mark. 
     The inspection system and the inspection method achieve the same advantages as they are mentioned in respect of the device. 
     Further possible implementations of the invention comprise also combinations of features or styles described above or in the following with reference to the embodiments, even if they are not explicitly mentioned. Herein, the person skilled in the art will also add single aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the following, the invention is described in more detail by means of embodiments and with reference to the appended drawing Figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  shows a container treatment plant having an inspection system according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  shows an illustration illustrating in more detail the inspection system having a device according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  shows a three-dimensional view of a device according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  shows a view of a detecting result of the inspection system according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  shows a view of a further detecting result of the inspection system according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  shows a simplified illustration of an inspection system having a device according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  shows a simplified sectional view of a protection pane of the device according to the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  shows a simplified illustration of an inspection system having two devices according to a third embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  shows a view of a detecting result of the inspection system according to the third embodiment; and 
         FIG. 10  shows a view of a further detecting result of the inspection system according to the third embodiment. 
     
    
    
     In the figures, the same or functionally same elements are provided with the same reference signs unless given otherwise. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows very schematically a plant  1  for treating of objects  2 , like for example a container treatment plant  1  for treating of containers  2 , etc. In the following, the invention is described on the basis of a container treatment plant  1 , even if the invention is not limited thereto. 
     The containers  2  are inspectable in respect of correct shape and/or breakage and/or material defect etc. with an inspection system  3  according to the present embodiment. In the container treatment plant  1 , the containers  2  are transported in a row one after another, that means in a production stream, through the container treatment plant  1  and also through the inspection system  3 . The containers  2  can be, for example, finished containers like, in particular, bottles made of plastic or glass, cans, etc., in which a product can be filled. The product can be a liquid, in particular a beverage, a detergent, etc. However, the containers  2  can also be preforms made of plastics, like polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP) etc., from which the containers can be produced. 
       FIG. 2  shows in more detail the inspection system  3  for inspecting a container  2  and comprising a device  10  and a detecting unit  20 . The detecting unit  20  is connected by an electric line  21  with an evaluating unit  30  which can output signals by a warning unit  31 . The detecting unit  20  is shown in  FIG. 1  as a camera, for example. 
     The device  10  has a housing  11 , a lamp  12  and a protection pane  13  which is provided with a predetermined mark  14 . The lamp  12  illuminates the container  2  so that the detecting unit  20  can detect in a detecting range  22  at least one part of the container  2  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The device  10  can thus also be denoted as illumination device  10 . 
     The protection pane  13  acts as protection of a first space built by the device  10 , in more detail its housing  11 , against damages by objects in a second space  35 , which objects might be loose objects  36 . The objects  36  are in particular glass fragments, from the production stream of the containers  2 , glass fragments of the protection pane  13 , objects of the transport system for the containers  2 , etc. The protection pane  13  separates the housing  11  of the device  10 , the first space  11 , thus from a second space  35  in which the containers  2  are guided on a band-conveyor  37  through the inspection system  3 . The band-conveyor  37  is driven in  FIG. 2  by a belt  38 , for example. 
     In  FIG. 2 , the predetermined mark  14  is arranged in the detecting range  22  of the detecting unit  20 , as well, and thus detectable by the detecting unit  20 . The detecting result of the detecting unit  20  is transmitted by the electric line  21  to the evaluating unit  30 , which can include a storing unit which is not shown. Alternatively, the storing unit can also be provided in the detecting unit  20  and/or as a separate unit. The evaluating unit  30  can evaluate, in other words determine, on the basis of the detecting result given by the detecting unit  20 , whether or not the predetermined mark  14  was detected in the detecting range  22 . 
     Hence, by means of the predetermined mark  14 , proof can be furnished, whether or not the protection pane  30  was present in the inspection with the inspection unit  3 . In case the predetermined mark  14  is not present, the evaluating unit  13  can output a warning by the warning unit  31 , so that an operator is prompted to insert/exchange/mount correctly the missing and/or broken and/or inaccurate mounted protection pane  13 . 
       FIG. 3  shows the device  10  of  FIG. 2  in more detail. The device  10  has in the illustrated example an ashlar-formed housing  11 , which is sealed impermeably by a cover pane  15 . The term “impermeable” means here in more detail that no liquid can get into the housing  11 , so that it is talked also about a liquid-tight sealing of the housing  11  in the following. At the housing  11 , two guiding rails  16  are mounted adjacent to the cover pane  15  so that the protection pane  13  can be mounted, guided by the guiding rails  16 , on the housing  11  in front of the cover pane  15 . A burling  17  acts as a limitation of the movement of the protection pane  13  to the bottom, as shown in  FIG. 3 . That means, the protection pane  13  abuts to the burling  17 , in case the protection pane  13  is correctly mounted on the housing  11 . An opening  18  in the protection pane  13  eases grabbing of the protection pane  13  with the hand of an operator when the protection pane  13  is to be mounted or dismounted. That is, the protection pane  13  is easily exchangeable from the device  10 . 
     As apparent from  FIG. 3  together with  FIG. 2 , the predetermined mark  14  is added to the protection pane  13  so that the predetermined mark  14  is present in the detecting range  22  of the detecting unit  20  when the protection pane  13  is mounted on the device  10  in front of the cover pane  15  and abuts to the burling  17 . 
       FIG. 4  is a reproduction of the detecting result of the detecting unit  20 , when the predetermined mark  14  is arranged at the device  10 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . More precisely,  FIG. 4  shows a detecting range image  40 , in which a container detection image  41  and a surroundings detection image  42  are included. The container detection image  41  is an image of the detected part of the container  2  which image is illustrated in  FIG. 4  only very simplified. The surroundings detection image  42  is an image of the detected surroundings of the detected part of the container  2 , which image is also shown very simplified. In the surroundings detection image  42  is contained a mark image  43  of the predetermined mark  14 . The reference sign  45  designates a time stamp. 
     The detecting results of the detecting unit  20  can be stored in the evaluating unit  30  together with the time stamp  45 . Therewith, it can be assessed when the respective protection pane  13  was not present and/or was incorrectly mounted and/or was broken. 
     As a result, the predetermined mark  14  of the protection pane  13  is arranged in the detecting range  22  of the detecting unit  20 , when the protection pane  13  is correctly and/or almost correctly mounted on the device  10 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a reproduction of the detecting result of the container  2 , when the protection pane  30  ( FIG. 3 ) with the predetermined mark  14  ( FIG. 3 ) is inserted upside down in the guiding rails  16  ( FIG. 3 ) of the device  10 . In this case, the predetermined mark  14  ( FIG. 3 ) is present on the right side of the opening  18  ( FIG. 3 ) of the protection pane  13  ( FIG. 3 ). As a result, the mark image  43  is arranged on the right side of the container image  41  in  FIG. 5 , too. However, the mark image  43  is still present in the surroundings detection image  42 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     Since the predetermined mark  14  shown in  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 5  is asymmetric, it can be assessed with the evaluating unit  30  on the basis of the detecting result of the detecting unit  20 , how the protection pane  13  is mounted on the device  10 . In other words, by an asymmetric symbol of the predetermined mark  14 , the mounting position and/or the latching and/or the orientation of the protection pane  13  can be monitored. It can be assessed further, whether the device  10  is correctly pivoted into the inspection system  3 , in case the device  10  is mounted as a wall lamp, for example. 
     In the present embodiment, the protection pane  13  is set into the device  10  from above. The cover pane  15  can be inserted liquid-tight in the manufacturing of the device  10  in the factory and is not to be replaced in the event of a breakage of the protection pane  13 . 
     The evaluating unit  30  can also provide that the last detecting results in which the protection pane  13  was present are archived by the means of an FIFO-storage (First-In-First-Out-storage), that is by the means of a storage in which the element stored first is also taken out of the storage first. Hereby, it can be verified that the protection pane  13  was mounted in a predetermined inspection performed with the inspection system  3  or not. 
     The evaluating unit  30  can also be readout by means of remote maintenance (teleservice) so that it can be assessed also at another place than the installation location of the container treatment plant  1  or the inspection system  3 , whether or not the protection pane  13  was mounted. 
     In addition, a further feature is recordable, in particular that the protection pane  13  was present and not broken. 
       FIG. 6  shows an inspection system  4  according to a second embodiment. The inspection system  4  according to this embodiment is configured in most parts like the inspection system  3  of the first embodiment so that only the differences between the preceding and the present embodiment are described in the following. 
     In this embodiment, the device  10  radiates light  19  in the visible and/or invisible wavelength range. As a result, the predetermined mark  14  can be in the visible and/or invisible wavelength range. The usage of invisible light, for example in the infrared and/or ultraviolet wavelength range, is in particular advantageous, if no free portion in the detecting range  22  of the detecting unit  20  is available. In respect of the ultraviolet wavelength range, the predetermined mark  14  can be applied to the protection pane 30  with ultraviolet paint, and the presence of the protection pane  13  and/or the protection pane  53  can be assessed by ultraviolet light (impinging light) in a test modus. In respect of the infrared wave length range, the predetermined mark  14  can be implemented by one or more infrared blockers at the protection pane  13 , and the presence of the protection pane  13  can be assessed by infrared light (transmitted light) in a test modus. 
       FIG. 7  shows further that the protection pane  13  in the present embodiment is made of laminated glass panes  13   a ,  13   b , preferably, laminated safety glass panes. The predetermined mark  14  is added between the laminated glass panes  13   a ,  13   b . That means, the predetermined mark  14  is added at one of the laminated glass panes  13   a ,  13   b  on the face which is oriented toward the other one of the laminated glass panes  13   b ,  13   a . The predetermined mark  14  can, however, also be added to one of the laminated glass panes  13   a ,  13   b  on the face which is averted from the other one of the laminated glass panes  13   b ,  13   a.    
       FIG. 8  shows an inspection system  5  according to a third embodiment. The inspection system  5  according to the present embodiment is configured in most parts like the inspection system  3  of the first embodiment, so that only the differences between the first and the present embodiment are described in the following. 
     In the present embodiment, also the detection unit  20  is mounted in a device  50 . The device  50  is configured in the same way as the device  10 , however, the detecting unit  20  is mounted into the device  50  instead of the lamp  12 . As a result, the device  50  can also be denoted as detecting device  50 . 
     That means, the device  50  has a housing  51 , a protection pane  53  provided with a predetermined mark  54 , and a cover pane  55 . The cover pane  55  is illustrated in  FIG. 8  for simplification of the illustration together with the protection pane  53  as one part, even if actually two separate parts are concerned. The protection pane  53  separates the housing  51  of the device  50 , a first space  51 , from the second space  35 , in which the containers  2  are guided on the band-conveyor  37  through the inspection system  3 . 
     In  FIG. 8 , also the predetermined mark  54 , like the predetermined mark  14  of the protection pane  13  of the device  10 , is arranged in the detecting range  22  of the detecting unit  20 , in case the protection pane  53  is mounted correctly and/or almost correctly on the device  50 . Consequently, the outcome of this is a detecting result as shown in  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10  when the assembly is correct and/or almost correct. 
       FIG. 9  shows the detecting result of the detecting unit  20  in the present embodiment, wherein the detecting result comprises in addition a mark image  44  of the predetermined mark  54 . Since the predetermined mark  54  is symmetric, as shown in  FIG. 6 , it cannot be recognized absolutely unambiguously, whether or not the protection pane  53  was inserted in the right direction. 
       FIG. 10  shows the case in which the protection pane  53  and the protection pane  13  are inserted the other way round as in the case shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     Consequently, proof can be furnished in the present embodiment like in the preceding embodiment, that the protection pane  13  and/or the protection pane  53  was present in the inspection with the inspection device  5  or not. Further, the other proofs can be furnished like in the preceding embodiments. For more details, it is referred to the description of the first embodiment. 
     According to a modification of the present embodiment, the predetermined marks  14 ′ can be located on two panes of a lamp housing, for example, the housing  11  of the device  10 , which panes are arranged one behind the other. Herein, the predetermined mark  14  can be added or applied to the protection pane  13 , whereas the predetermined mark  54  is added or applied to the housing pane  15 . Also in the present case, the result is a detecting image  40  as shown in  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 . If the mark image  43  is not present on the detecting image  40 , it will be advantageous to output a warning by the warning unit  31 , since the protection pane  13  is missing. If, in contrast thereto, the other mark image  44  is missing in the detecting image  40  of the detecting device  20 , preferably measures are to be taken for stopping the container treatment plant  1 , since the liquid-tight housing pane  15  is missing. 
     All of the above-described implementations of the inspection system  3 ,  4 ,  5 , the devices  10 ,  50  and the inspection method according to the first to third embodiments and its modifications can be used separately or in all possible combinations thereof. The features of the first to third embodiments and its modifications are combinable with each other arbitrarily. In addition, in particular, the following modifications are conceivable. 
     The elements shown in the figures are depicted schematically and can differ in the specific implementation from the forms shown in the figures provided that the above-described functions are ensured. 
     The predetermined mark  14  and the predetermined mark  54  are preferably arranged so that they can be imaged adjacent to each other in the detecting result of the detecting unit  20 , as shown in  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 . However, the predetermined mark  14  and the predetermined mark  54  can also overlap each other or be arranged completely above one another. In such a case it is however preferable that the predetermined mark  14  and the predetermined mark  54  are distinguishable clearly from one another. 
     The protection pane  13  and/or the protection pane  53  can be made from hardened glass, too. It is also conceivable that the protection pane  13  and/or the protection pane  53  have a thickness of about 20 mm. 
     It is possible to start, before a production with the container treatment plant  1  takes place, a test modus by a control of focus and/or aperture and/or a light intensity control, in which test modus the presence of the protection pane  13  and/or the protection pane  53  is assessed. 
     The detecting unit  20  can also detect the bottom of a container  2  and can therewith also monitor the belt  38  which can be a gear belt. Therewith, a correct function of the belt control of the band-conveyor  37  can be detected. 
     The predetermined mark  14  and/or the predetermined mark  54  can have any form. Preferably, the predetermined mark  14  and/or the predetermined mark  54  have/has a size of at least 5×5 mm. The form of the predetermined mark  14  and/or the predetermined mark  54  can be adjusted to applications specific to a user. 
     Among the transparent protection pane  13  and/or the transparent protection pane  53  apertures or the like can be controlled, as well, as long as they are arranged in the visible and sufficiently sharp imaging range of the detecting unit  20 . 
     In case, a pluggable filter is present above the lamp  12  of the device  10 , a coding can be present by means of a sufficiently large opening in the unused corners of the device  10 , which coding can protect an operator against an operating error. An operating error can be, for example, that the operator uses a wrong aperture for a production type of containers  2 . 
     For the protection panes  13 ,  53 , basically all protection panes can be used which are detectable sharply up to a certain level with the detecting unit  20 . In case, the detecting unit  20  is a camera, it is advantageous that the protection pane  13 ,  53  can be imaged sharply with the camera. Moreover, an optical coding of guidance rails or the like is possible. 
     In case the detecting unit  20  is a camera, the camera can use telecentric optics. The detecting unit  20  can be a photographic camera and/or a video camera. 
     What has been described above are preferred aspects of the present invention. It is of course not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the present invention, but one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the present invention are possible. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alterations, combinations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.