Agr International, Inc.

Georg V Wolfe

William E Schmidt

Sudha Jebadurai

Jeff Schneider

Ronald A Puvak

Robert Cowden

Craig Alan Birckbichler

Edward J Fisher

Jeffery A Peterson

Sudha Christy Jebadurai

Blow molder system and associated method optimizes the performance, energy efficiency and/or operating costs of the blow molder. A blow molder controller executes a system model that relates blow molder input parameter changes to the characteristics of containers generated by the blow molder. Equipped with energy and/or operating cost data for operating the blow molder, the blow molder controller can select a set of blow molder input parameter changes for the blow molder that: drives the containers produced by the blow molder toward desired container characteristics, in an efficient amount of time, and in cost effective manner, considering the energy costs involved in implementing the changes.

Energy efficient blow molder control

Systems and methods control the operation of a blow molder. An indication of a crystallinity of at least one container produced by the blow molder may be received along with a material distribution of the at least one container. A model may be executed, where the model relates a plurality of blow molder input parameters to the indication of crystallinity and the material distribution and where a result of the model comprises changes to at least one of the plurality of blow molder input parameters to move the material distribution towards a baseline material distribution and the crystallinity towards a baseline crystallinity. The changes to the at least one of the plurality of blow molder input parameters may be implemented.

Blow molder control systems and methods

Systems and methods for controlling the operation of a blow molder are disclosed. An indication of a crystallinity of at least one container produced by the blow molder may be received along with a material distribution of the at least one container. A model may be executed, where the model relates a plurality of blow molder input parameters to the indication of crystallinity and the material distribution and where a result of the model comprises changes to at least one of the plurality of blow molder input parameters to move the material distribution towards a baseline material distribution and the crystallinity towards a baseline crystallinity. The changes to the at least one of the plurality of blow molder input parameters may be implemented.

Various embodiments are directed to systems and methods for measuring a thickness of a container. For example, a control device may receive data indicating a surface topology of the container and based on the surface topology of the container, instruct a multi-axis positioning system to position a sensor relative to a first point of the container such that: a distance from the sensor to a surface at the first point is about equal to a predetermined distance; and the sensor direction is about normal to the surface at the first point. Data indicating the thickness at the first point may be received from the sensor.

Container thickness measuring systems and methods

Systems and methods for in-line inspection of plastic blow molded containers. The inspection system may comprise a plurality of emitter assemblies arranged in a vertical array. Each emitter assembly may cyclically emit light energy in at least two different narrow wavelength bands at a container as the container passes through an inspection area. The system may also comprise a plurality of broadband photodetectors arranged in a vertical array, each photodetector facing at least one of the emitter assemblies with the inspection area therebetween such that the photodetectors are capable of sensing light energy that passes through the container when it is in the inspection area. The system may also comprise a processor in communication with the photodetectors for determining a characteristic of the container based on signals from the photodetectors.

Inspection systems and methods for blow-molded containers

In-line inspection system for vertically profiling plastic containers using multiple wavelength discrete spectral light sources

A method and apparatus for manufacturing and inspecting plastic containers. The apparatus may comprise a blow-molder comprising a plurality of molds and spindles for forming a plastic container from a preform. The apparatus may also comprise an inspection device, located in the blow-molder, for inspecting the plastic container after formation by the blow-molder. The inspection device may comprise (i) two or more light energy sources for directing light energy from an exterior of the plastic container toward the plastic container after formation of the plastic container by the blow-molder, and (ii) two or more light energy sensors, each light energy sensor operatively associated with one of the light energy sources, wherein each light energy sensor is for sensing a portion of the light energy that passes through of the plastic container and generating a signal from the sensed portion of the light energy that passes through the plastic container that is related to the light energy absorbed by the plastic container. The apparatus may also comprise a transfer arm in the blow molder for transporting the plastic container along the transport path through the inspection device. The apparatus may also comprise a microprocessor in communication with the inspection device for (i) determining a container attribute of the plastic container based on the signals related to the light energy absorbed by the plastic container; and (ii) determining the mold involved in formation of the plastic container based on at least one signal received by the microprocessor.

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Butler, PA, United States of America

Georg V Wolfe