Pressco Technology Inc.

Alltrista Corporation

Richard L Fedor

Don W Cochran

Thomas H Palombo

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for handling parts ejected from an injection molding machine (). More particularly, in one aspect, the invention is directed to a system () whereby data molded into the ejected part is used to provide useful feedback for the molding process. In another aspect, molded parts formed in a multiple molding die () are ejected from the die in a manner to maintain the relative sequential or matrix organization so that useful feedback information can be generated. This system is particularly useful with subsequent machine vision and inspection applications.

Method and apparatus for handling parts ejected from an injection molding machine

A system and method for inspecting opaque objects, such as metal beverage containers, is presented including a light source for illuminating the interior surface of the container, an ellipsoidal first mirror for forming a first image of an upper interior portion of the container, a first camera for capturing the first image of the upper interior portion of the container, a planar image-splitting second mirror for forming a second image of the flange of the container, a second camera for capturing the second image of the flange, an image combiner for electro-optically combining the first and second images, whereby a resultant composite image corresponding to substantially the entire upper interior surface of the container can be generated and analyzed for defects, a third camera located at a separate location for viewing directly the lower interior portion of the container and capturing a corresponding third image, and a computer means for analyzing the resulting images for defects. In an alternative embodiment, a fourth camera and a planar image-splitting third mirror may be disposed at the separate location for forming and capturing a fourth image corresponding specifically to the bottomwall of the container, and an image combiner can electro-optically combine the third and fourth images, whereby a second resultant composite image corresponding to substantially the entire lower interior portion of the container can be generated and analyzed for defects.

Electro-optical inspection system and method

The present invention provides a machine vision inspection system for inspecting the flanges of metal containers that can reliably detect flange defects as small as 0.010 to 0.012 inches. The inspection device comprises apparatus for producing an enlarged image of selected portions of the flange and apparatus for capturing and processing the image. The apparatus for producing the enlarged image includes an annular lens positioned between the flange and the producing apparatus. The invention also provides a method for inspecting a flange of an article, such as a can, for defects. The method comprises the steps of directing light onto the flange of the article from a light source, forming light rays reflected from the flange into a radially expanded image of the flange by positioning an annular lens to redirect reflected light rays into the radially expanded image, and providing apparatus for capturing and processing the image to inspect the flange for defects. By providing an annular lens positioned between the flange and the camera, the present invention enlarges the image of the flange and any defects relative to a pixel of an inspection system. Increasing the effective size of a defect to extend outside of a single pixel increases the effective resolution of the system permitting the detection of smaller defects in the flange of a metal container.

Growing community of inventors

Mantua, OH, United States of America

Richard L Fedor