Patent Description:
There are already many prior art thermoforming apparatuses which allow a container to be made by coupling a thermoformable film, which advantageously may be multi-layered, to a supporting skeleton. In more detail, the thermoformable film and the supporting skeleton are coupled as a result of thermoforming of the thermoformable film on the supporting skeleton, in such a way that they adhere to each other. The thermoforming is carried out by feeding the thermoformable film and the supporting skeleton to a thermoforming device, whose technical features are known to a person expert in the sector, activating the thermoforming device, thermoforming the thermoformable film on the supporting skeleton and finally moving the containers made in this way towards an outfeed station. An example of a container made by thermoforming the thermoformable film on the supporting skeleton is described in <CIT>, in which the container described comprises a layer of plastic material and a layer which constitutes a barrier to oxygen.

This invention can be applied with any type of supporting skeleton. In most prior art containers of this type, the supporting skeleton is constituted of a paper and cardboard industry article, that is to say, a cellulose material-based article (such as paper or paperboard). However, the supporting skeleton may be constituted of different materials, for example of a plastic material-based article or of a metal material-based article (such as aluminium). Supporting skeletons constituted of an article based on multiple different materials (such as, for example, cellulose material and plastic material) are also possible.

In containers comprising a supporting skeleton and a thermoformable film coupled to the supporting skeleton, one factor which affects the quality of the container is adherence between the thermoformable film and the supporting skeleton.

In fact, if the thermoformable film and the supporting skeleton do not adhere well to each other, defects may arise in the container. One possible defect due to nonoptimal adherence may be, for example, a bubble, in which the thermoformable film extends more than the optimum amount and at least one portion of it is detached from the supporting skeleton. Other possible defects due to nonoptimal adherence between the thermoformable film and the supporting skeleton may be, for example, folds in the thermoformable film and/or scratches and/or zones without the thermoformable film.

In general, containers which have defects due to nonoptimal coupling between the thermoformable film and the supporting skeleton are considered to be defective containers and are rejected. In fact, usually, these defects may compromise container operation in terms of suitable preservation of the product contained (for example if there is a defect, such as a bubble, in the sealing zone it is possible that the seal of the final package is compromised and, as time passes, the product contained deteriorates). Moreover, containers with defects of the type described above may be unappealing for consumers (when the defects are visible).

The disadvantage described above led the Applicant to seek a solution to this problem. The Applicant opted to study how to optimise prior art methods and apparatuses for making containers, the aim being to succeed in applying film on supporting skeletons while avoiding or minimising the risk of creating defects due to nonoptimal adherence between the film and the supporting skeleton. In particular, the Applicant focused on studying how to optimise prior art thermoforming methods and thermoforming apparatuses currently used for that purpose.

In more detail, the study on how to optimise prior art thermoforming methods and thermoforming apparatuses aims to succeed in thermoforming a thermoformable film, on a supporting skeleton, in a more high-performance way than that achieved with the prior art thermoforming methods and thermoforming apparatuses, for example with thermoformable films whose thickness is less than in the prior art.

In this context the technical purpose which forms the basis of this invention is to make an apparatus and define a method for making a container comprising a supporting skeleton and a film coupled to the supporting skeleton, which at least partly overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages.

In particular the technical purpose of this invention is to make an apparatus and define a method for making a container comprising a supporting skeleton and a film coupled to the supporting skeleton, which allow a container to be obtained with quality similar to those currently produced.

The technical purpose and the aims indicated are substantially achieved by an apparatus, by a method for making a container comprising a supporting skeleton and a film coupled to the supporting skeleton and by the container made in this way, as set out in the appended independent claims.

Particular embodiments of this invention are defined in the corresponding dependent claims.

Further features and the advantages of this invention will be more apparent in the detailed description of several preferred, non-limiting embodiments of an apparatus and of a method for making a container comprising a supporting skeleton and a film coupled to the supporting skeleton and of the related container according to this invention, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:.

The following is a description first of the method for making a container <NUM> comprising a supporting skeleton <NUM> and a film coupled to the supporting skeleton <NUM>, followed by a description of the apparatus for making the container <NUM>.

It must be emphasised that the supporting skeleton <NUM> may be made of any material. In particular, the supporting skeleton <NUM> may be constituted of materials comprising, in general, cellulose and/or vegetable fibres. For example, the supporting skeleton <NUM> may be constituted of cardboard and/or of cellulose moulded fibre. In some embodiments, the supporting skeleton <NUM> may be constituted of a paper and cardboard industry article, that is to say, a cellulose material-based article (such as paper or paperboard). For example, it may be constituted of a single sheet, folded and/or shaped and/or glued on itself, or of two or more sheets which are folded and/or shaped and/or glued or constrained to each other).

In other embodiments, the supporting skeleton <NUM> may be constituted of different materials, for example of a plastic material-based article or of a metal material-based article (such as aluminium). Supporting skeletons <NUM> constituted of an article based on multiple different materials (such as, for example, cellulose material and plastic material) are also possible.

Moreover, this invention is not limited either by the type of supporting skeleton <NUM>, since it may be transparent, coloured, moulded, with text, etc., or by the shape of the supporting skeleton <NUM>, since it may be flat, tub-shaped, etc. For example, the supporting skeleton <NUM> may be flat (that is to say, the supporting skeleton <NUM> extends substantially in a lying plane) and in this case the film may be glued to the supporting skeleton <NUM>; or the supporting skeleton <NUM> may be substantially bowl-shaped (that is to say, the supporting skeleton <NUM> has a concavity in which the product can be received and housed) and the film can be thermoformed and simultaneously glued on the supporting skeleton <NUM>.

In any case, the features of the supporting skeleton <NUM> are not important or limiting for this invention; the skeleton may be of any type and an expert in the sector will be capable on each occasion of selecting the material, the type and shape of the supporting skeleton <NUM> suitable for his or her own needs. Moreover, even the film, whether thermoformable or not, may comprise different types of material. For example, the thermoformable film <NUM> may comprise, or may be constituted of, a fossil-based plastic material or a bio-based plastic material.

It should be emphasised that in the following description reference will mainly be made to the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, in which the apparatus is constituted of a thermoforming apparatus <NUM> and the film is constituted of a thermoformable film <NUM>. In particular, the thermoforming apparatus <NUM> is an apparatus for making a container <NUM> by thermoforming the thermoformable film <NUM> on the supporting skeleton <NUM>. However, what is described must be considered applicable, with the required adaptations, even to non-thermoforming apparatuses and for the use of non-thermoformable film.

The main innovative aspect of this invention consists of having introduced a check of the quality of the containers <NUM> made. This check is based, on one hand, on the insertion of an indicator into a first layer <NUM> of plastic material of the thermoformable film <NUM> (with the thermoformable film <NUM> being thermoformed on the supporting skeleton <NUM> to make the container <NUM>), and on the other hand, on the check relating to the presence of the indicator in the container <NUM> made. In the context of this invention, the definition "indicator" means a substance inserted into the composition of the layer of thermoformable film <NUM>, preferably evenly distributed in it, which emits electromagnetic radiation in an expected response band when it is excited with electromagnetic radiation in a predetermined excitation band.

In particular, in some embodiments the indicator is a substance directly inserted into the composition of the layer of the thermoformable film <NUM>.

In contrast, in other embodiments, the indicator is constituted of a substance which is produced during the thermoformable film <NUM> production process, as a result of the chemical modification of other molecules. For example, it is possible that the indicator is produced as a result of the breakdown of more complex molecules during the cross-linking process of the material of which the film is constituted. It is therefore possible for example to insert into the material intended to form the first layer <NUM>, specific molecules which during the cross-linking process break down into fluorescent or phosphorescent molecules.

In more detail, the indicator is inserted into a first layer <NUM> of plastic material of the thermoformable film <NUM> and, since the container <NUM> is obtained by thermoforming this thermoformable film <NUM> on the supporting skeleton <NUM>, even the container <NUM> comprises the first layer <NUM> of plastic material with the indicator. In fact, the container <NUM> comprises the same layers <NUM> of which the thermoformable film <NUM> is constituted. The only difference is that the thermoforming causes stretching of the thermoformable film <NUM> and, consequently, in the container <NUM>, the first layer <NUM> of plastic material has, at least locally, a thickness which is less than that which it had in the thermoformable film <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the term first layer <NUM> will be used both with regard to the thermoformable film <NUM>, and with regard to the container <NUM> obtained by thermoforming the thermoformable film <NUM> on the supporting skeleton <NUM>.

Moreover, in this entire description and in the appended claims, the term thermoformable film <NUM> is used both to indicate the thermoformable film <NUM> before it is thermoformed on the supporting skeleton <NUM>, and to indicate the thermoformable film <NUM> which has been thermoformed on the supporting skeleton <NUM> to make the container <NUM> (and is therefore, together with the supporting skeleton <NUM>, a part of the container <NUM> made). However, when referring to the thermoformable film <NUM> after thermoforming (the latter case), generally it will be specified that it is coupled to the supporting skeleton <NUM>.

In the practical implementation of this invention, the indicator inserted into the first layer <NUM> is excited with electromagnetic radiation in the predetermined excitation band and electromagnetic radiation emitted by the indicator in the expected response band is detected. By analysing this electromagnetic radiation detected, it is possible to determine if the container <NUM> made has defects <NUM> (and is therefore a defective container <NUM> and to be rejected) or does not have detects <NUM> (and is therefore a container <NUM> which is suitable and usable). In particular, the defects <NUM> of interest are those linked to coupling between the thermoformable film <NUM> and the supporting skeleton <NUM> and, in more detail, to the adherence between the thermoformable film <NUM> and the supporting skeleton <NUM> in the container <NUM> made by the thermoforming.

In preferred applications, in particular, the first layer <NUM> of plastic material containing the indicator is the barrier layer, that is to say, the layer suitable for constituting a barrier to oxygen. According to this invention, advantageously, in this case the thickness of the first layer <NUM> is between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably less than or equal to <NUM>, even more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, the first layer <NUM> of plastic material comprises, and preferably is constituted of, EVOH.

However, in other embodiments, the thermoformable film <NUM> may comprise a different type of barrier layer, for example which comprises or which is constituted of a AlOx coating.

Further embodiments are also possible, for example in which the thermoformable film <NUM> is obtained by coupling two or more co-extruded films. This invention may be applied both in containers <NUM> in which the thermoformable film <NUM> coupled to the supporting skeleton <NUM> comprises a plurality of layers <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>), and in containers <NUM> in which the thermoformable film <NUM> coupled to the supporting skeleton <NUM> is constituted of a single layer.

In this latter case, the single layer corresponds to the first layer <NUM> containing the indicator.

In the applications in which, in the containers <NUM>, the thermoformable film <NUM> coupled to the supporting skeleton <NUM> comprises the plurality of layers <NUM>, based on requirements it is possible to insert an indicator both into a single layer (for example the barrier layer) and into multiple layers <NUM> (therefore, in addition to the first layer <NUM> of plastic material, at least one other layer which comprises the indicator will be present). In this latter case, the indicator may be the same in all of the layers <NUM> affected, or it may be the case that different indicators are inserted into different layers <NUM> (in these solutions, in addition to the first layer <NUM> of plastic material, at least one other layer which comprises an indicator will be present). The term different indicators means indicators or substances which emit electromagnetic radiation in different expected response bands when they are excited with electromagnetic radiation in a same predetermined excitation band, or substances which emit electromagnetic radiation in the same expected response band when they are excited with electromagnetic radiation in different excitation bands, or substances which each have their own pair of expected response and predetermined excitation bands.

Depending on application requirements, an expert in the sector will be capable of selecting both the number and the types of indicators to be inserted.

For example, it is possible to insert different indicators in different layers <NUM> to perform a check on the detection of a defect <NUM> of the container <NUM> with regard to adherence between the thermoformable film <NUM> and the supporting skeleton <NUM>. In fact, if a defect <NUM> of the container <NUM> of this type is detected by analysing the electromagnetic radiation emitted by one of the indicators, it is possible to check if that defect <NUM> of the container <NUM> is also detected by analysing the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the indicators inserted into the other layers <NUM>.

For the sake of simplicity, hereinafter particular attention will be paid to the case in which the indicator is present in a single first layer <NUM>. Everything can be suitably adapted by an expert in the sector if there are multiple layers <NUM> present into which the same indicator is inserted (or into which different indicators are inserted).

Advantageously, the first layer <NUM> of plastic material in which the indicator is present extends for the entire extent of the thermoformable film <NUM> coupled to the supporting skeleton <NUM> in the container <NUM>. In other embodiments, in which a check is to be performed only in some zones of the container <NUM>, the first layer <NUM> of plastic material in which the indicator is present may also extend only for a part of the entire extent of the thermoformable film <NUM> coupled to the supporting skeleton <NUM> in the container <NUM> (at least in the zones in which the check is performed). In the preferred embodiments, the indicator is a substance distributed inside the first layer <NUM> of plastic material in such a way that the entire layer contains the indicator. Advantageously, the indicator is evenly distributed inside the first layer <NUM> of plastic material. However, if appropriate, and based on application requirements, it is also possible that the indicator is not evenly distributed in the first layer <NUM> of plastic material; for example, the indicator may be present with higher concentrations in some portions of the first layer <NUM> of plastic material of the container <NUM> and with lower concentrations in others portions of the first layer <NUM> of plastic material of the container <NUM>.

In the preferred embodiments, in the containers <NUM> the thermoformable film <NUM> is coupled to the supporting skeleton <NUM> for the entire extent of the supporting skeleton <NUM>, in such a way that across its thickness the container <NUM> has one layer defined by the thermoformable film <NUM> and at least one layer defined by the supporting skeleton <NUM>. In any case, alternative embodiments are possible, in which the thermoformable film <NUM> is coupled to the supporting skeleton <NUM> only at some portions of the entire extent of the supporting skeleton <NUM>. In this case, the container <NUM> has portions in which the thermoformable film <NUM> is present, but the supporting skeleton <NUM> is not present, or portions in which the supporting skeleton <NUM> is present, but the thermoformable film <NUM> coupled to the supporting skeleton <NUM> is not present, or portions in which the thermoformable film <NUM> is deliberately detached from the supporting skeleton <NUM>.

What will now be described in detail is the method for making a container <NUM> comprising a supporting skeleton <NUM> and a film coupled to the supporting skeleton <NUM>.

First, that method comprises a feeding step, in which the film and the supporting skeleton <NUM> are fed to a coupling device. The film comprises at least the first layer <NUM> of plastic material in which the indicator previously described is distributed.

Second, the method comprises a coupling step followed by a checking step. In the coupling step, the film is coupled to the supporting skeleton <NUM> by means of the coupling device, to obtain the container <NUM> by making the film adhere to the supporting skeleton <NUM>; in this way the container <NUM> which comprises the first layer <NUM> of plastic material is obtained.

In the preferred embodiment, the film is constituted of a thermoformable film <NUM>, and the coupling device is constituted of a thermoforming device <NUM>. The coupling step is a thermoforming step in which the thermoformable film <NUM> is thermoformed on the supporting skeleton <NUM> by means of the thermoforming device <NUM>. In the following description, reference will in general be made to this embodiment, which is also the embodiment shown in the figures.

In contrast, the checking step in turn comprises an emitting sub-step in which electromagnetic radiation is emitted in the predetermined excitation band towards the container <NUM>, and a simultaneous receiving sub-step in which there is detection of the electromagnetic radiation in the expected response band, emitted by the first layer <NUM> of plastic material of the container <NUM> as a result of the excitation due to the electromagnetic radiation in the predetermined excitation band.

In the preferred embodiments, during the emitting sub-step the electromagnetic radiation in the predetermined excitation band is emitted towards the container <NUM> on the side of the container <NUM> on which the thermoformable film <NUM> is present (and not the supporting skeleton <NUM>), so that during the simultaneous receiving sub-step the electromagnetic radiation in the expected response band is detected on the side of the container <NUM> on which the thermoformable film <NUM> is present (and not the supporting skeleton <NUM>).

However, alternative embodiments are possible, in which the supporting skeleton <NUM> is at least partly transparent both to the electromagnetic radiation in the predetermined excitation band and to the electromagnetic radiation in the expected response band. In this case the emitting and receiving sub-steps may even be performed on the side on which the supporting skeleton <NUM> is present.

Then the checking step comprises an examining sub-step in which information about the electromagnetic radiation detected in the expected response band is examined, to detect the presence or absence of defects <NUM> of the container <NUM>, with regard to adherence between the thermoformable film <NUM> and the supporting skeleton <NUM>. In the context of this invention, the term "defects" <NUM> of the container <NUM>, means the presence of one or more zones of the container <NUM> in which adherence between the thermoformable film <NUM> and the supporting skeleton <NUM> is not as desired. In particular, the defect <NUM> may be due to non-adherence between the thermoformable film <NUM> and the supporting skeleton <NUM> in zones of the container <NUM> in which that adherence is required. If zones of the container <NUM> in which the thermoformable film <NUM> does not adhere to the supporting skeleton <NUM> are present, but in those zones of the container <NUM> adherence between the thermoformable film <NUM> and the supporting skeleton <NUM> is not required, that shall not be considered a defect <NUM> in accordance with this invention. In contrast, if in those zones the thermoformable film <NUM> adheres to the supporting skeleton <NUM> that shall be considered a defect.

Examples of possible defects <NUM> are, for example, bubbles and erroneous adherence of the thermoformable film <NUM> to the supporting skeleton <NUM> due to nonoptimal adherence of the thermoformable film <NUM> to the supporting skeleton <NUM> during the thermoforming step. Other possible defects <NUM> due to nonoptimal adherence of the thermoformable film <NUM> to the supporting skeleton <NUM> may be, for example, folds in the thermoformable film <NUM>, scratches and zones in which the thermoformable film <NUM> is not present.

In the context of this description the containers <NUM> which have defects <NUM> are referred to as defective containers <NUM>, whilst the containers <NUM> which do not have defects <NUM> are referred to as suitable containers <NUM>.

If, in the container <NUM>, the thermoformable film <NUM> coupled to the supporting skeleton <NUM> comprises the plurality of layers <NUM>, with different indicators inserted into different layers <NUM>, the checking step is more structured. In particular, if this thermoformable film <NUM> of the container <NUM> comprises a plurality of layers <NUM> of plastic material (X layers <NUM>) inside each of which a different indicator is inserted, then X emitting sub-steps and X receiving sub-steps must be carried out, with each of the receiving sub-steps being carried out simultaneously with the respective emitting sub-step. Depending on how the different bands have been selected, the different emitting sub-steps and the different receiving sub-steps may be carried out one after another or at least partly simultaneously. If, in contrast, the thermoformable film <NUM> of the container <NUM> comprises a group of layers <NUM> of plastic material into which there has been inserted the same indicator or different indicators which emit electromagnetic radiation in the same expected response band as a result of the excitation due to the electromagnetic radiation in the same predetermined excitation band, it is possible to carry out a smaller number of emitting sub-steps (and of respective receiving sub-steps): in fact, for each group of layers <NUM> of plastic material, it is possible to perform a single emitting sub-step (and the receiving sub-step).

In general, when the thermoformable film <NUM> of the container <NUM> comprises a plurality of layers <NUM> of plastic material, it is necessary that any layers <NUM> of plastic material which are placed, relative to the first layer <NUM> of plastic material with the indicator, on the side of the container <NUM> on which the emitting sub-step and the respective receiving sub-step are performed, are at least partly transparent both to the electromagnetic radiation in the predetermined excitation band, and to the electromagnetic radiation in the expected response band. In this way at least part of the electromagnetic radiation emitted reaches the first layer <NUM> of plastic material, and at least part of the electromagnetic radiation consequently emitted by the first layer <NUM> of plastic material can be detected.

According to one embodiment of the method, the receiving sub-step is carried out by acquiring at least one image of the container <NUM> (hereinafter referred to as the acquired image <NUM>), and the information about the electromagnetic radiation in the expected response band used in the examining sub-step is constituted of the at least one acquired image <NUM>.

In some embodiments, acquisition of the acquired image <NUM> is performed from a position which allows the obtainment of an image representative of the entire extent of the first layer <NUM> of plastic material. For example, it is possible that the acquisition is performed from above the container <NUM> from a position and from a distance which are such that the acquired image <NUM> is representative of the entire container <NUM>. In other words, considering that in a container <NUM> two main surface can be identified, an inner surface <NUM> (that of the side configured to receive the product, which is usually defined by the thermoformable film <NUM>) and an outer surface <NUM> (that of the opposite side, which is usually defined by the supporting skeleton <NUM>), the acquired image <NUM> may correspond to an image of the entire inner surface <NUM>. In alternative embodiments, in which the supporting skeleton <NUM> is transparent as previously described, the acquisition may alternatively be performed from below.

However, it is possible that the inner surface <NUM> is defined by the supporting skeleton <NUM> and the outer surface <NUM> is defined by the thermoformable film <NUM>. In these cases the acquired image <NUM> may correspond to an image of the entire outer surface <NUM>. In other embodiments of this type, in which the supporting skeleton <NUM> is transparent as previously described, the acquisition may alternatively be performed from above.

In some further embodiments, both the inner surface <NUM> and the outer surface <NUM> are defined by a thermoformable film <NUM>, with the supporting skeleton <NUM> interposed between the thermoformable film <NUM> which defines the inner surface <NUM> and the thermoformable film <NUM> which defines the outer surface <NUM>. In this case, the checking step may relate to only the thermoformable film <NUM> which defines the inner surface <NUM>, or only the thermoformable film <NUM> which defines the outer surface <NUM>, or both.

Advantageously, the acquisition is performed at the centre of the container <NUM>, perpendicularly to it (that is to say, that an optical axis of a system used for the acquisition is perpendicular to a lying plane of the container <NUM> at its centre).

Moreover, the observation line <NUM> is selected in such a way that no hidden parts of the first layer <NUM> are present and in such a way that no portion of the container <NUM> (for example its lateral walls <NUM>) has an inclination which is too small relative to the position from which the receiving sub-step is performed.

(in fact, theoretically, the best acquisition could be obtained by observing each point of the first layer <NUM> perpendicularly to the first layer <NUM> itself at that point). In fact, otherwise, the acquired image <NUM> could show the first layer <NUM> in a nonoptimal way.

In contrast, in other embodiments, the acquisition of the acquired image <NUM> may be performed in pieces which are then combined. In particular, it may be performed in such a way as to gradually obtain images each showing a portion of the first layer <NUM> of plastic material of the container <NUM>. In this case, images of all of the portions of the first layer <NUM> of plastic material of the container <NUM> are acquired in sequence (it is possible that the images of the portions are images of portions of the first layer <NUM> of plastic material of the container <NUM> slightly overlapping each other - in the preferred case - or images of portions of the first layer <NUM> of plastic material of the container <NUM> which are adjacent to each other). During the examining sub-step, the acquired image <NUM> of the first layer <NUM> of plastic material of the entire container <NUM> is obtained by processing and combining the various images, acquired in sequence, of the portions of the first layer <NUM> of plastic material of the container <NUM>, for example using normal image reconstruction algorithms.

In some embodiments, the emitting sub-step and the receiving sub-step may be performed inside a space which is protected (preferably completely, but at least partly) from possible interference due to external sources of electromagnetic radiation, such as light sources. That protected space may be created for performing the emitting and receiving sub-steps inside a chamber shielded from external light radiation. That is advantageous because it allows a reduction in the probability that such interference might alter the detection of the electromagnetic radiation in the expected response band emitted by the first layer <NUM> of plastic material of the container <NUM> during the receiving sub-step.

In the examining sub-step the presence or absence of any defects <NUM> of the container <NUM>, is determined by means of a processing of the acquired image <NUM>.

In some embodiments, during the examining sub-step the acquired image <NUM> is processed by means of at least one image processing algorithm based on a comparison between the acquired image <NUM> (shown, for example, in <FIG> - an image in which several defects <NUM> are present) and an expected image <NUM> of the container <NUM> which shows a container <NUM> free of defects <NUM> (shown, for example, in <FIG>). In other words, the expected image <NUM> corresponds to the image which could be acquired whenever the container <NUM> being examined is free of defects <NUM>. The expected image <NUM> saved is in fact an image which shows a container <NUM> which is free of defects <NUM>.

Preferably, the expected image <NUM> corresponds to a container <NUM> in which, in the different zones of the container <NUM>, adherence between the thermoformable film <NUM> and the supporting skeleton <NUM> has a known extent, advantageously an optimum trend previously determined. That corresponds to the fact that the first layer <NUM> also has a known extent. In fact, if the thermoformable film <NUM> is correctly adhering to the supporting skeleton <NUM>, its first layer <NUM> extends based on the mechanical constraints caused by the adherence itself. Since the indicator is advantageously distributed in a known way in the material of the first layer <NUM> of the thermoformable film <NUM>, a predetermined extent of the first layer <NUM> in the container <NUM> corresponds to a known distribution of the indicator in the first layer <NUM> of the thermoformable film <NUM> coupled to the supporting skeleton <NUM>. Moreover, whether or not the thermoformable film <NUM> adheres to the supporting skeleton <NUM> causes a different curvature of the surface of the first layer <NUM> and, therefore, a different inclination between it and the observation line <NUM> which may cause a different optical behaviour of the first layer <NUM> itself (for example different types of diffraction and reflection phenomena).

Both the acquired image <NUM>, and the expected image <NUM> have at each point (pixel) an intensity of the electromagnetic radiation (in the expected response band) which depends on the total quantity of indicator present in the portion of the first layer <NUM> to which that point (pixel) of the image corresponds and on the inclination of the surface of the first layer <NUM> relative to the observation line <NUM>. The thickness being equal, a different inclination of the first layer <NUM> of plastic material corresponds to a different intensity of the electromagnetic radiation detectable in the expected response band.

Moreover, if defects <NUM> are present with regard to adherence between the thermoformable film <NUM> and the supporting skeleton <NUM>, the first layer <NUM> of plastic material may have a thickness which is less than expected (for example if the thermoformable film <NUM> is locally stretched and forms a raised bubble). The intensity of the electromagnetic radiation in the expected response band may, therefore, also depend on the thickness. More precisely, the thickness to be considered is not the thickness of the first layer <NUM> measured perpendicularly to its extent, but the thickness of the first layer <NUM> measured along the line of propagation of the electromagnetic radiation which each pixel of the image generates. Therefore, the thickness being equal, a portion observed along a line which forms an angle α (for example equal to <NUM>°) relative to the perpendicular, has an apparent thickness equal to the real thickness divided by cos α (in the example, a double thickness).

Consequently, in the expected image <NUM>, even if the indicator is constantly distributed in the portions of the first layer <NUM> of plastic material present on the bottom wall <NUM>, on the lateral walls <NUM> and on the flange <NUM> of the container <NUM>, the intensities of the electromagnetic radiation in the expected response band may be very different between the portions which are flat and perpendicular or almost perpendicular to the optical axis, and those inclined relative to the perpendicular, with intensities which depend on their inclination.

If the observation point is far away enough from the container <NUM> and is placed along an axis perpendicular to the lying plane of the container <NUM> passing at the centre of the container <NUM> itself, the angle formed by the observation line <NUM> relative to the perpendicular is small and the apparent thickness is practically equal to the real thickness. The image which is obtained is therefore similar to that schematically illustrated in <FIG>, with the highest intensity at the inclined lateral walls <NUM>.

Similar assessments apply for the acquired image <NUM> for which, however, the trend of the thickness of the first layer <NUM> of plastic material of the container <NUM> is unknown. Moreover, the acquired image <NUM> may relate to a container <NUM> which has defects <NUM> and may therefore have zones with intensity different from those expected.

Possible defects <NUM> are for example, as already indicated, bubbles between the thermoformable film <NUM> and the supporting skeleton <NUM>: at these defects <NUM>, in the acquired image <NUM> we notice an intensity of the electromagnetic radiation received in the expected response band, different from that of the expected image <NUM>; that is due both to a different inclination of the first layer <NUM> of plastic material relative to the expected inclination and to a variation in the thickness of the first layer <NUM> of plastic material relative to the expected thickness.

In order to be able to perform the comparison, the acquired image <NUM> and the expected image <NUM> are advantageously acquired from a same viewpoint relative to the container <NUM>, or are resized and/or cut in such a way that the containers <NUM> visible in them have the same dimensions and the same position, as if they had been acquired from that same viewpoint.

The image processing algorithm may be based on a comparison between the intensities of the images. That comparison may be performed on the entire image, but preferably it is performed either by comparing the intensities of corresponding individual pixels (which have the same position relative to the image) or by comparing zones of the image with each other, for example constituted of groups of adjacent pixels.

According to one possible algorithm during the examining sub-step the following steps are carried out: the images are divided into zones (for example they are divided based on the pixels) and the various zones of the images are associated with each other in such a way that each zone of the acquired image <NUM> corresponds to the respective zone of the expected image <NUM>; both the intensity of the zones of the acquired image <NUM> and the intensity of the zones of the expected image <NUM> are assessed; a difference between the intensity of the zones of the acquired image <NUM> and that of the respective zones of the expected image <NUM> is calculated; the absolute value of the difference obtained is compared with a maximum permitted difference, which is substantially a predetermined maximum threshold. The container <NUM> is considered defective if the difference in the intensity of one zone - or multiple zones - is greater than the maximum permitted difference, whilst it is considered suitable if the difference in the intensity of all of the zones is less than the maximum permitted difference. In fact, exceeding the maximum permitted difference is considered indicative of the presence of a defect <NUM>.

In some applications supplied as output is a first signal for indicating a defective container <NUM> or a second signal for indicating a suitable container <NUM>. The algorithm described is just one example of the possible algorithms based on the comparison between the acquired image <NUM> and the expected image <NUM> which can be used. Therefore, algorithms are possible which are based on different types of comparison and/or which have different steps. Therefore, the algorithm used shall not be understood as limiting for this invention.

According to some embodiments, during the checking step the acquired image <NUM> is processed by means of an algorithm based on artificial intelligence, in particular advantageously selected from a group comprising: algorithms based on supervised learning techniques, algorithms based on unsupervised learning techniques, algorithms based on reinforcement learning techniques. Examples of algorithms based on artificial intelligence which can be used are: neural networks (such as feed-forward neural networks, CNN convolutional neural networks, U-Net convolutional neural networks, BN Bayesian networks, RNN recurrent neural networks), linear regression, logistic regression, GAN generative adversarial networks, cycleGAN, VAE-GAN, Bayesian classifiers, SVM support vector machines and algorithms derived from them (such as SVC, structured SVM, transductive SVM and multiclass SVM), K-nearest neighbors k-NN, random forest, Q-learning, Trust Region Policy Optimization TRPO, Proximal Policy Optimization PPO, Deep Q Neural Networks DQNN.

If during the checking step the acquired image <NUM> is processed by means of an algorithm based on artificial intelligence, before using the algorithm it is necessary to carry out a training step to set the algorithm itself. During the training step data is supplied to the algorithm, which may be input data and output data, and if necessary other data such as intermediate data.

In the training step the following sub-steps: can be performed, in the order indicated:.

Aspects strictly linked to algorithms based on artificial intelligence and to learning techniques for those algorithms (methods on which the techniques are based, differences between various techniques, etc.) are however aspects which are themselves known to a person expert in the sector and will not be described in further detail. Moreover, an expert in the sector is capable of adapting what has been described to the various types of algorithms based on artificial intelligence.

It should be emphasised that during the examining sub-step it is possible that the acquired image <NUM> is processed by means of the image processing algorithm based on the comparison between the acquired image <NUM> and the expected image <NUM> or that the acquired image <NUM> is processed by means of the algorithm based on artificial intelligence. It is also possible that the two types of processing described are combined with each other: the acquired image <NUM> may be processed both by means of the image processing algorithm based on the comparison between the acquired image <NUM> and the expected image <NUM>, and by means of the algorithm based on artificial intelligence (in this order or in the reverse order).

In some preferred embodiments, during the emitting sub-step electromagnetic radiation is emitted in a predetermined excitation band which comprises the ultraviolet band. In some cases, the predetermined excitation band is constituted of the ultraviolet band. In these embodiments, the indicator is a fluorescent-based substance and may comprise at least one element selected from a group constituted of: ultraviolet indicator, infra-red indicator, dye, pigment, optical brightener, fluorescent brightening agent, anthraquinone dye, <NUM>,<NUM>'-(<NUM>,<NUM>-thiophenylenediyl)bis(<NUM>-tert-butylbenzoxazole), hydroxyl-<NUM>- )p-tolylamino)anthracene-<NUM>,<NUM>-dione, <NUM>,<NUM>-thiophenediylbis(<NUM>-tert-butyl-l,<NUM>- benzoxazole).

In other embodiments, it is possible that the indicator is a phosphorescent-based substance; in this case, in contrast, during the emitting sub-step electromagnetic radiation may be emitted in a predetermined excitation band which comprises a band different from that of ultraviolet, such as the infra-red band.

In the preferred embodiments, the first layer <NUM> of plastic material emits electromagnetic radiation in an expected response band which comprises the visible band. However, in other embodiments the first layer <NUM> of plastic material may emit electromagnetic radiation in an expected response band which comprises a different band, such as the ultraviolet band or the infra-red band.

In some embodiments, the method comprises a step of monitoring performance of the method itself, in which data about the production of defective containers <NUM> is saved and examined, such as data about the quality of the container <NUM> (that is to say, about the presence or absence of defects <NUM> identified in the container <NUM>). In particular, during the monitoring step the data about the quality of the containers <NUM> determined in the examining sub-step is saved and examined. That is also applicable to a group of containers <NUM>: each time the checking step is performed the data about the quality of the container <NUM> is saved. Therefore, during successive monitoring steps, the data about the quality of a group of containers <NUM> made is saved and examined. In more detail, the phrase "data about the quality of the container <NUM>" means data relating to the presence (or absence) of defects <NUM> of the container <NUM>, such as the number of defects <NUM>, the type of defects <NUM> and the position of these defects <NUM>.

In some embodiments this data is used to process statistics about operation of the coupling device, preferably of the thermoforming device <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the method comprises an optimising step during which the data saved about the quality of a group of containers <NUM> made by the thermoforming device <NUM>, saved during successive checking steps and examined during the monitoring step, is processed to identify any problems of the coupling step and/or to vary operating parameters of the coupling device. In particular, during the monitoring step, the data is processed to identify any problems of the thermoforming step and/or to vary operating parameters of the thermoforming device <NUM>.

Essentially, for each container <NUM> made belonging to the group of containers <NUM> (which may comprise more or less containers <NUM> or even all of the containers <NUM> gradually made), the checking step is performed and the data about the quality of the container <NUM> is saved. The group of containers <NUM> may also be a dynamic set which contains the last N containers <NUM> made (for example the last one hundred or one thousand containers <NUM>).

After the checking and monitoring steps have been carried out (on a group of containers <NUM> or periodically), the optimising step is performed. During this step, the data saved during the monitoring step is processed. Based on the results of this processing, any problems are identified and it is possible to vary the operating parameters of the thermoforming device <NUM> to solve those problems.

The processing of the data saved may comprise determining the incidence of a particular problem or a problem in a predetermined point of the container <NUM>. For example, a group of X containers <NUM> is considered for each of which the checking step is performed and during the monitoring step the data about quality is saved. Then the optimising step is performed, in which this data is processed, and an assessment is made to determine if there is a percentage of the containers <NUM> made which is higher than a predetermined warning threshold, which has the same defect <NUM> in roughly the same position (for example a bubble at the bottom wall <NUM>). If so, during the optimising step the operating parameters of the thermoforming device <NUM> are varied, advantageously automatically (by means of a dedicated software); for example, since a bubble is generally caused by nonoptimal adherence of the thermoformable film <NUM> to the supporting skeleton <NUM>, the temperature may be varied by a predetermined value (for example <NUM>), either for the entire thermoforming device <NUM>, or for the part nearest to the defect <NUM>, to optimise the thermoforming and to thereby reduce the number of defective containers <NUM>. Depending on the embodiments, the features of the thermoforming device <NUM> and the type of problem encountered, a person expert in the sector will know how to set the most appropriate type of correction of the operating parameters of the thermoforming device <NUM>.

After each variation of the operating parameters of the thermoforming device <NUM>, the thermoforming method is implemented again once or a plurality of times and monitoring of the quality of the containers <NUM> advantageously continues; therefore, the steps described above are carried out again, and there is a new assessment to determine if there is a percentage of containers <NUM> for which the same defect <NUM> was detected which is higher than the predetermined threshold. If not, the percentage of defective containers <NUM> is considered to be acceptable and it is possible to keep these operating parameters of the thermoforming device <NUM>; in contrast, if the predetermined threshold was exceeded again, the percentage of defective containers <NUM> is not acceptable and it is therefore possible to again vary the operating parameters of the thermoforming device <NUM> (for example again modifying the temperature or other parameters such as the air pressure or the speed with which the pressure varies). This is then advantageously repeated, keeping production of the containers <NUM> monitored.

The example described relates to a case in which the same defect <NUM> is present in a same position for all of the defective containers <NUM>. However, what was described may be applicable if different defects <NUM> are present in a same position for all of the defective containers <NUM>, and if the same defect <NUM> is present in different positions for the defective containers <NUM>, and if there are different defects <NUM> in different positions for the defective containers <NUM>.

Advantageously, the optimising step (and the resulting repetitive process) may be carried out during the setting up of the thermoforming apparatus <NUM>. That allows the thermoforming process to be optimised directly during the installation step.

However, it may also be useful to perform the optimising step either periodically (depending on the number of containers <NUM> made) or as a result of reaching a threshold value for the total number of defective containers <NUM> identified (assessment of whether the threshold has been reached may be performed by simply counting the number of containers <NUM> rejected in a predetermined period of time and comparing it with a maximum acceptable value, which is the threshold value), or continuously during performance of the thermoforming method.

In some embodiments, the method also comprises an unloading step, in which the thermoformed containers <NUM> are mechanically moved towards an outfeed station <NUM>; in these embodiments, the checking step is advantageously carried out during the unloading step. It is possible to have both embodiments in which the checking step is carried out when the container <NUM> is moving towards the outfeed station <NUM>, and embodiments in which the checking step is carried out when the container <NUM> is stationary. In the latter case, for example, upstream of the outfeed station <NUM> the container <NUM> is stopped to perform the checking step.

In some embodiments, the method also comprises a rejecting step, which is performed after the checking step. During the rejecting step the containers <NUM> for which, during the checking step, at least one defect <NUM> of the container <NUM> was detected (that is to say, the defective containers <NUM>) are rejected.

As already indicated, this invention also relates to the container <NUM> obtainable with the method described herein, that is to say, a suitable container <NUM> which comprises inside it at least one first layer <NUM> equipped with the indicator.

The following is a description of the apparatus according to this invention, which allows a container <NUM> to be made comprising a supporting skeleton <NUM> and a film coupled to the supporting skeleton <NUM> by means of coupling of the film to the supporting skeleton <NUM>. The container <NUM> has already been described in detail and will not be described further below.

First the apparatus comprises a coupling device which is configured to couple the film to the supporting skeleton <NUM> and to make the film adhere to the supporting skeleton <NUM>. In particular, in the preferred embodiments the apparatus is a thermoforming apparatus <NUM>, and the film is constituted of the thermoformable film <NUM> previously described. The coupling device is constituted of a thermoforming device <NUM>.

Therefore, essentially, in the preferred embodiments the thermoforming apparatus <NUM> comprises a thermoforming device <NUM> which is configured to thermoform the thermoformable film <NUM> on the supporting skeleton <NUM> and to make the thermoformable film <NUM> adhere to the supporting skeleton <NUM>.

In the following description reference will mainly be made to this embodiment, which is the embodiment shown in the figures. Despite this, what is described with regard to the thermoforming apparatus <NUM>, or to the thermoforming device <NUM>, shall also be understood to be applicable, with the necessary adjustments, respectively to a generic coupling apparatus and to a coupling device.

In turn the thermoforming device <NUM>, similarly to those in the prior art, preferably comprises a shaped mould and a closing element, with the shaped mould defining a housing in which, in use, the supporting skeleton <NUM> is positioned before performing the thermoforming. The shaped mould and the closing element are movable, at least one relative to the other, between a home position and an operating position. When they are in the home position, the shaped mould and the closing element are uncoupled and at a distance from each other. In contrast, when they are in the operating position, the shaped mould and the closing element are coupled and near each other. In particular, in use, in the operating position the shaped mould and the closing element clamp the thermoformable film <NUM> between them.

Advantageously, the thermoforming device <NUM> also comprises one or more heating elements, which are associated with the closing element; the heating elements are configured to heat, in use, the closing element, with which they are associated.

This invention can be applied both if the thermoforming device <NUM> is configured to make the container <NUM> by thermoforming the thermoformable film <NUM> on the supporting skeleton <NUM> by means of a process for vacuum thermoforming the thermoformable film <NUM>, and if the thermoforming device <NUM> is configured to make the container <NUM> by thermoforming the thermoformable film <NUM> on the supporting skeleton <NUM> by means of a process for thermoforming under pressure the thermoformable film <NUM>.

In the known way, in the former case the thermoforming device <NUM> comprises suitable vacuum creating means, associated with the closing element, for creating a vacuum which allows the container <NUM> to be made by thermoforming the thermoformable film <NUM> on the supporting skeleton <NUM>. In contrast, in the latter case, the thermoforming device <NUM> comprises suitable pneumatic means, associated with the closing element, for creating a pressure which allows the container <NUM> to be made by thermoforming the thermoformable film <NUM> on the supporting skeleton <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the thermoforming device <NUM> comprises an extracting device which is associated with the shaped mould for extracting the container <NUM> made from the self-same shaped mould when the shaped mould and the closing element are in the home position.

In some embodiments, the extracting device is advantageously movable relative to the shaped mould between a retracted position and an extracted position. In the retracted position, the extracting device is pulled back into the shaped mould in such a way as to leave the housing free for the container <NUM>, whilst in the extracted position the extracting device projects inside the housing; passing from the retracted position to the extracted position causes extraction of the container <NUM> from the shaped mould.

The aspects strictly linked to the thermoforming device <NUM>, like all of the possible alternative embodiments, are in any case known to an expert in the sector and will not be described in further detail. For this reason, the elements previously described which are part of the thermoforming device <NUM>, are not shown in the figures.

In any case, it must be emphasised that what has been described with regard to the thermoforming device <NUM> (such as, for example, the type of thermoforming by means of which the container <NUM> is made and the type of extracting device) shall not be understood as limiting for this invention.

The thermoforming apparatus <NUM> also comprises feeding means <NUM> and a conveyor <NUM>, which are associated with the thermoforming device <NUM>. In the embodiments illustrated, both the feeding means <NUM> and the conveyor <NUM> are illustrated only schematically and define a movement path. However, depending on the embodiments they may adopt various different structures (all known in themselves and known to an expert in the sector).

In particular, the feeding means <NUM> are associated with the thermoforming device <NUM> for feeding, in use, the thermoformable film <NUM> and the supporting skeleton <NUM> to the thermoforming device <NUM>, whilst the conveyor <NUM> is associated with the thermoforming device <NUM> for receiving, in use, the container <NUM> made and moving it towards the outfeed station <NUM>. The container <NUM> can be transferred from the thermoforming device <NUM> to the conveyor <NUM> in any way.

Moreover, the thermoforming apparatus <NUM> comprises a checking device <NUM>, which is operatively associated with at least one of either the thermoforming device <NUM> or the conveyor <NUM> for detecting defects <NUM> of the container <NUM>, with regard to adherence between the thermoformable film <NUM> and the supporting skeleton <NUM>. In detail, saying that the checking device <NUM> is operatively associated with the thermoforming device <NUM> or with the conveyor <NUM> means that it is positioned in such a way as to perform the above-mentioned emitting and detecting steps on the container <NUM> made, while the container <NUM> is located, respectively in the thermoforming device <NUM> or on the conveyor <NUM>.

In the first embodiment, shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the checking device <NUM> and the thermoforming device <NUM> are physically close and are integrated in a single component of the thermoforming apparatus <NUM>. In this case, the checking device <NUM> may be placed either upstream of the thermoforming device <NUM> along the movement path, or downstream of the thermoforming device <NUM>.

In the second embodiment, in contrast shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the checking device <NUM> and the thermoforming device <NUM> are two separate components of the thermoforming apparatus <NUM>. In this case, the checking device <NUM> is positioned downstream of the thermoforming device <NUM> along the movement path. In this case the checking device <NUM> is advantageously associated with the conveyor <NUM>.

In turn the checking device <NUM> for checking the container <NUM> comprises an emitter <NUM> and a detector <NUM>. The emitter <NUM> is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in the predetermined excitation band and to direct it towards the container <NUM>, whilst the detector <NUM> is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation emitted in the expected response band by the container <NUM>, as a result of the excitation by the emitter <NUM>.

In some embodiments, such as that shown in <FIG>, in order to attempt to guarantee that the entire container <NUM> is irradiated evenly enough with the electromagnetic radiation there are four emitters <NUM> present, which are positioned substantially at the four vertices of a rectangle or of a square. A single detector <NUM> is placed at the centre of the rectangle or of the square, that is to say, at the point at which the diagonals of the rectangle or of the square intersect. However other embodiments are possible, for example in which a different number of emitters <NUM> and/or detectors <NUM> are present or in which the emitters <NUM> and/or the detector <NUM> are positioned differently from what is shown in the figures. Moreover, advantageously, the one or more emitters <NUM> and the one or more detectors <NUM> are positioned inside a casing which prevents, or which at least obstructs, possible interference due to external sources of electromagnetic radiation (such as for example light sources); this reduces the probability of this external interference being able to alter detection of the defects relative to the coupling between the thermoformable film <NUM> and the supporting skeleton <NUM>. The casing is also configured and sized in such a way as to also contain each time, in use, the container <NUM> with which the one or more emitters <NUM> and the one or more detectors <NUM> interact. Several alternative embodiments are described below. Moreover, the checking device <NUM> comprises an electronic processing unit, which is connected to the detector <NUM> for receiving from it, in digital format, information about the electromagnetic radiation received by the detector <NUM>; moreover, the electronic processing unit is programmed to determine the presence or absence of said defects <NUM> by means of a processing of the information received from the detector <NUM>. The electronic processing unit may advantageously also be connected to the emitters <NUM> present for checking their activation. Advantageously the electronic processing unit is programmed to perform the examining sub-step and if necessary the monitoring step and the optimising step which are described above.

In the preferred embodiments, each emitter <NUM> advantageously comprises one or more lamps <NUM> (for example of the LED type) which have an emitting band which comprises the predetermined excitation band or which coincides with it, and if necessary one or more filters for selecting the predetermined excitation band.

In the preferred embodiments, the detector <NUM> has a plurality of observation lines <NUM> which come out of it. The observation lines <NUM> may extend parallel to each other, but preferably they diverge from each other gradually moving away from the detector <NUM>. The expression "observation line" <NUM> means a line along which the detector <NUM> is configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation emitted in the expected response band; that means that each observation line <NUM> is inside the field of vision <NUM> of the detector <NUM>.

The detector <NUM> is also positioned relative to the position in use adopted by the container <NUM> at the moment of the detection, in such a way that, in use, each observation line <NUM> intercepts the first layer <NUM> of plastic material of the container <NUM> (and advantageously, each of the layers <NUM> of the thermoformable film <NUM> of the container <NUM>) only once. Given that the container <NUM>, obtained by thermoforming the thermoformable film <NUM> on the supporting skeleton <NUM>, has two main surfaces (an inner surface <NUM> and an outer surface <NUM>), saying that each observation line <NUM> intercepts the first layer <NUM> of plastic material only once means that the detector <NUM> is positioned in such a way that (simultaneously or at successive moments) all of the zones of the inner surface <NUM> or of the outer surface <NUM> are visible in its field of vision <NUM>.

In some embodiments, such as that illustrated in <FIG>, the detector <NUM> is configured and positioned to simultaneously receive electromagnetic radiation emitted by the entire first layer <NUM> of plastic material of the container <NUM>. That means that the field of vision <NUM> of the detector <NUM> has an amplitude such that the detector <NUM> succeeds in simultaneously observing the entire container <NUM> made (more specifically, the entire inner surface <NUM> or the entire outer surface <NUM>).

In some embodiments in which the inner surface <NUM> of the container <NUM> is defined by the thermoformable film <NUM>, the detector <NUM> is advantageously positioned above the container <NUM>, in such a way that along each observation line <NUM> of the detector <NUM> no element is interposed between the detector <NUM> and the thermoformable film <NUM> of the container <NUM> which prevents the detector <NUM> from receiving the electromagnetic radiation emitted in the expected response band by the entire first layer <NUM> of plastic material of the container <NUM>. One embodiment of this type is advantageous since it allows the detector <NUM> to receive the electromagnetic radiation emitted in the expected response band by the entire first layer <NUM> of plastic material of the container <NUM> in a single acquisition. As previously described with reference to the method embodiments are possible in which interposed between the detector <NUM> and the thermoformable film <NUM> is the supporting skeleton <NUM>, which is at least partly transparent in accordance with the above-mentioned description.

In other embodiments in which the detector <NUM> is associated with the conveyor <NUM> (as for example in the thermoforming apparatus <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG>), the detector <NUM> may be configured and positioned to receive, at a predetermined moment, electromagnetic radiation emitted in the expected response band only by a portion of the first layer <NUM> of plastic material of the container <NUM> and not by the entire first layer <NUM> of plastic material. In this case, the detector <NUM> may also be configured to perform a plurality of successive detections while the container <NUM> is made to move forward by the conveyor <NUM>, for receiving electromagnetic radiation emitted by all of the successive portions of the first layer <NUM> of plastic material of the container <NUM> which gradually enter its field of vision <NUM>; in this way the detector <NUM> receives as a whole electromagnetic radiation emitted by the entire first layer <NUM> of plastic material of the container <NUM> and the checking device <NUM> is capable of checking the entire first layer <NUM> of plastic material. In particular, the detector <NUM> can receive the electromagnetic radiation emitted only by a portion of the first layer <NUM> of plastic material of the container <NUM> when interposed between the detector <NUM> and the container <NUM> there is a shielding element which has an opening with limited size: only the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the first layer <NUM> of plastic material which passes through the opening is received by detector <NUM> (therefore only that emitted by a portion of the first layer <NUM> of plastic material of the container <NUM>). This situation may occur for example if the detector <NUM> is placed below the conveyor <NUM>; advantageously the conveyor <NUM> will have an opening transversal to its extent, with a size smaller than that of the containers <NUM> which it must convey.

In some of these embodiments it is possible that the detector <NUM> is configured to continuously detect the electromagnetic radiation in the expected response band and to continuously send the information about the electromagnetic radiation received to the electronic processing unit.

In other possible embodiments, the detector <NUM> can be configured to perform the detections at regular time intervals set depending on the conveying speed of the conveyor <NUM>. For example, it is possible either that the successive detections are performed in such a way as to receive electromagnetic radiation emitted by partly overlapping portions of the first layer <NUM> of plastic material (preferred solution), or that successive detections are performed in such a way as to receive electromagnetic radiation emitted by adjacent portions of the first layer <NUM> of plastic material (that is to say, which only share the edge).

In some embodiments, the detector <NUM> can be configured to perform the detections at irregular time intervals set depending on the position of the container <NUM>, in this case too in such a way as to receive radiation from portions which on each occasion are partly overlapping or adjacent. In particular, the checking device <NUM> may also comprise a trigger element connected to the electronic processing unit for detecting, for example, the arrival of the container <NUM> in a predetermined position, in such a way that the electronic processing unit consequently activates the detector <NUM> (and if necessary the emitter <NUM>).

What was described with reference to the detector <NUM> associated with the conveyor <NUM>, is advantageously performed while the conveyor <NUM> moves the container <NUM> along the movement path, without stopping it when the detector <NUM> performs the detections for receiving the electromagnetic radiation. However, in some embodiments, it is also possible that the conveyor <NUM> stops the container <NUM> and that the detector <NUM> receives the electromagnetic radiation emitted in the expected band by the portion of the first layer <NUM> of plastic material of the container <NUM> within its field of vision <NUM>, when the container <NUM> itself is stationary. Essentially, in the former case the container <NUM> is moved continuously by the conveyor <NUM>, whilst in the latter case the container <NUM> is moved intermittently.

In the preferred embodiments, the detector <NUM> comprises an image acquisition device and the information which the electronic processing unit receives from the detector <NUM> is at least one acquired image <NUM> of the container <NUM>. For example, in the embodiments in which the first layer <NUM> of plastic material emits electromagnetic radiation in an expected response band which comprises the visible band, the detector <NUM> comprises a digital camera.

In some embodiments, the detector <NUM> is constituted of the image acquisition device.

If the detector <NUM> comprises the image acquisition device and is configured to perform a plurality of successive detections for receiving electromagnetic radiation emitted by all of the successive portions of the first layer <NUM> of plastic material of the container <NUM> which gradually enter its field of vision <NUM>, the detector <NUM> generates a partial acquired image <NUM> for each of those portions. In this case, at least one of the detector <NUM> or the electronic processing unit may also be programmed to combine the partial acquired images <NUM> and to generate an overall acquired image <NUM> of the entire container <NUM> using common techniques for combining multiple images of different parts of an object. Alternatively, the electronic processing unit may be programmed to process each partial acquired image <NUM> to detect the defects <NUM>, as explained in more detail below.

In the embodiments in which the detector <NUM> comprises the image acquisition device and in which the information which the electronic processing unit receives is at least one acquired image <NUM> (whole or partial), the electronic processing unit is programmed to detect the defects <NUM> in the container <NUM> by means of a processing of the acquired image <NUM>, in particular by performing the examining sub-step described above.

In more detail, in some embodiments the electronic processing unit is programmed to process the image received from the detector <NUM> by means of an image processing algorithm based on a comparison between the image received and an expected image <NUM> of the container <NUM>. One possible embodiment of this type is based on an electronic processing unit which is programmed to perform the steps previously described with reference to the image processing algorithm which is based on the comparison between the intensity of the images (respectively of the image received and the expected image <NUM>).

In some embodiments of the thermoforming apparatus <NUM>, the electronic processing unit is programmed to process the image received from the detector <NUM> by means of an algorithm based on artificial intelligence, in particular in accordance with what was described above with regard to the method.

However, it must be emphasised that, depending on the embodiments, it is possible that the electronic processing unit is programmed to process, by means of the algorithm based on artificial intelligence, directly the image received from the detector <NUM> or the image received from the detector <NUM> previously processed by the same electronic processing unit by means of the image processing algorithm based on the comparison between the image received and the expected image <NUM> of the container <NUM>. Essentially, the algorithm based on artificial intelligence and the image processing algorithm based on the comparison between the images can be used either independently of each other, or combined with each other (in any order).

In some embodiments of the thermoforming apparatus <NUM>, the emitter <NUM> emits the electromagnetic radiation in a predetermined excitation band which comprises the ultraviolet band. Advantageously, the emitter <NUM> emits the electromagnetic radiation in a predetermined excitation band which is constituted of the ultraviolet band. These embodiments are particularly advantageous when the thermoforming apparatus <NUM> is intended to use a thermoformable film <NUM> in which the indicator is a fluorescent-based substance, in particular of the type described above. Other embodiments are also possible in accordance with what was previously described for the method.

In some embodiments, the thermoforming apparatus <NUM> also comprises an expelling device <NUM> which is associated with the conveyor <NUM>. The expelling device <NUM> is connected to and controlled by the electronic processing unit. The function of the expelling device <NUM> is to prevent a container <NUM> in which at least one defect <NUM> was detected (a defective container <NUM>) from reaching the outfeed station <NUM>. In the embodiments illustrated in the figures, the expelling device <NUM> is positioned at a fork in the conveyor <NUM>: a first stretch <NUM> of the conveyor <NUM> extends from the fork as far as the outfeed station <NUM>, whilst a second stretch <NUM> of the conveyor <NUM> extends from the fork as far as a rejecting station <NUM>. Advantageously, the expelling device <NUM> comprises a diverting element (not shown in the figures) which is movable between an operating position and a non-operating position When the diverting element is in the operating position, it diverts the container <NUM> along the second stretch <NUM> of the conveyor <NUM> towards the rejecting station <NUM>, whilst when the diverting element is in the non-operating position, it allows movement of the container <NUM> along the first stretch <NUM> of the conveyor <NUM> towards the outfeed station <NUM>. In more detail, the diverting element is moved from the non-operating position to the operating position, as a result of a command from the electronic processing unit, when it has detected at least one defect <NUM> in the container <NUM> (defective container <NUM>), in such a way as to divert that defective container <NUM> along the second stretch <NUM>, and therefore towards the rejecting station <NUM>. In contrast, the diverting element is kept in the non-operating position when the electronic processing unit has not detected any defect <NUM> in the container <NUM> (suitable container <NUM>), in such a way that the suitable container <NUM> reaches the outfeed station <NUM>.

Other embodiments of the expelling device <NUM> and of the relative diverting element are possible. For example the expelling device <NUM> may comprise a diverting element comprising a piston which pushes the defective container <NUM> towards the second stretch <NUM> of the conveyor <NUM>. Moreover, in some embodiments the first stretch <NUM> and the second stretch <NUM> of the conveyor <NUM> are placed one above the other and the expelling device <NUM> comprises a third stretch of the conveyor <NUM> which is movable between a non-operating position in which it is aligned with the first stretch <NUM> and an operating position in which it is aligned with the second stretch <NUM>. In other embodiments, the conveyor <NUM> comprises the first stretch <NUM> and the third stretch but not the second stretch <NUM>; in that case, when the third stretch is in the operating position it is oriented downwards and unloads the defective container <NUM> directly into a collecting unit placed below the conveyor <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the electronic processing unit is also programmed to monitor the operation of the thermoforming apparatus <NUM> saving and examining data about the production of defective containers <NUM> (that is to say, to perform the monitoring step described above). In particular, the electronic processing unit is programmed to save data about the quality of each container <NUM> made, that is to say, about the result of the examination of each container <NUM>; preferably it can save whether the container <NUM> is suitable or defective and, in the latter case, advantageously, also the reasons which led it to be classed as defective (see what was described above with regard to the method).

Moreover, the electronic processing unit is programmed to perform a processing of that data, as described above with regard to the method.

Advantageously, the electronic processing unit can be programmed to also perform the optimising step, that is to say, to vary operating parameters of the thermoforming device <NUM> based on the results obtained from the processing of the data of the monitoring step. For example, it is possible that the electronic processing unit is operatively connected to the thermoforming device <NUM> to modify the operating parameters of the thermoforming device <NUM> (for example, as already described, the temperature, the pressure, the time). In some cases it may be possible that the variation of the operating parameters of the thermoforming device <NUM> is communicated to an operator and/or must be confirmed by the operator.

It must be emphasised that what was described with reference to the thermoforming apparatus <NUM> is not constrained to a single-lane thermoforming apparatus <NUM>. In fact, this invention can also be applied in thermoforming apparatuses <NUM> of a type different from single-lane thermoforming apparatuses <NUM>, such as for example those of the double-lane type or, more generally, multi-lane thermoforming apparatuses <NUM>.

This invention brings important advantages.

In fact, thanks to this invention, it was possible to define a method for making a container comprising a supporting skeleton and a film coupled to the supporting skeleton and to make an apparatus, which allow the risk of generating defects due to nonoptimal adherence between the film and the supporting skeleton to be avoided or minimised thanks to the check of the quality of the coupling.

In particular, it was possible to define a method for making a container comprising a supporting skeleton and a thermoformable film coupled to the supporting skeleton, and to make a thermoforming apparatus, which allow containers to be made using a thermoformable film with a thickness which is less than those currently used in the sector. That allows the use of a smaller quantity of material, cutting the costs and reducing the difficulties linked to recycling of the material.

Finally, it should be noticed that this invention is relatively easy to produce and that even the cost linked to implementing the invention is not very high. The invention described above may be modified and adapted in several ways without thereby departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.

Claim 1:
Apparatus for making a container (<NUM>) which comprises a supporting skeleton (<NUM>) and a film coupled to the supporting skeleton (<NUM>), the film and the container (<NUM>) comprising at least one first layer (<NUM>) of plastic material in which an indicator is distributed which emits electromagnetic radiation in an expected response band when it is excited with electromagnetic radiation in a predetermined excitation band, the apparatus comprising:
- a coupling device, which is configured to couple the film to the supporting skeleton (<NUM>) and to make the film adhere to the supporting skeleton (<NUM>);
- feeding means (<NUM>) associated with the coupling device for feeding, in use, the film and the supporting skeleton (<NUM>) to the coupling device;
- a conveyor (<NUM>) associated with the coupling device for receiving, in use, the container (<NUM>) made and moving it towards an outfeed station (<NUM>); and
- a checking device (<NUM>) which is operatively associated with at least one of either the coupling device or the conveyor (<NUM>) for detecting defects (<NUM>) of the container (<NUM>), with regard to adherence between the film and the supporting skeleton (<NUM>),
wherein the checking device (<NUM>) for the container (<NUM>) comprises:
an emitter (<NUM>) configured to emit electromagnetic radiation in the predetermined excitation band and to direct it towards the container (<NUM>);
a detector (<NUM>) configured to receive electromagnetic radiation emitted in the expected response band by the container (<NUM>), as a result of the excitation by the emitter (<NUM>); and
an electronic processing unit connected to the detector (<NUM>) for receiving from it, in digital format, information about the electromagnetic radiation received by detector (<NUM>), and which is programmed to determine the presence or absence of said defects (<NUM>) by means of a processing of the information received from the detector (<NUM>).