Method for the optical inspection of containers, where the containers are transported with a conveyor as a container mass flow, where the containers are each captured with an optical inspection unit as first image data, and where the first image data is evaluated with an image processing unit for contamination and/or defects on the respective container, where the first image data of several containers is overlaid to form an overlay image, and where the overlay image is evaluated for the presence of points of contamination in a beam path of the optical inspection unit.

The present disclosure relates to a frame for fastening inspection modules for containers. The frame includes a conveyor for the containers and a plurality of rails. The plurality of rails includes a first rail and a second rail arranged on a first side of the conveyor and a third rail and a fourth rail arranged on a second side of the conveyor. Each of the plurality of rails are for the fastening of the inspection modules. The present disclosure further relates to an inspection unit including the frame and at least one of the inspection modules.

Provided is a method for inspecting containers, wherein the containers are conveyed along a predetermined transport path by a transport device and wherein an image recording device takes at least one locally resolved inspection image of at least one area of the containers during transport of the containers. A triggering of the inspection image recording of this locally resolved image is controlled, wherein this controlling takes place in consideration of a triggering image recording of an image of the container.

A glass vial illumination and inspection system may be provided with a light source and a stand. The stand may have an internal cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the light source. A recess may be located in the stand and configured to receive at least a portion of a glass vial. The stand may be configured to aim the light output from the light source toward the glass vial to illuminate the vial. The stand may be configured to position the vial such that an inspector can manually inspect the illuminated vial for defects. Methods of use are also disclosed.

A robotic inspection platform comprises a robotic arm, an imager, and a controller. The controller causes the robotic arm to retrieve, using its end effector, a container, and to manipulate the container such that the container is sequentially placed in a plurality of orientations while in view of the imager. The controller also causes the imager to capture images, with each of the images being captured while the container is in a respective one of the orientations. The controller also determines one or more attributes of the container, and/or a sample within the container, by analyzing the images using a pattern recognition model and, based on the attribute(s), determines whether the container and/or sample satisfies one or more criteria. If the container and/or sample fails to satisfy the criteria, the controller causes the robotic arm to place the container in an area (e.g., bin) reserved for rejected containers and/or samples.

A detection apparatus includes an image acquisition interface that acquires a captured image captured by an imaging unit and a controller that generates or acquires a smoothed image yielded by smoothing the captured image. The controller compares the captured image and the smoothed image and detects a low-frequency region having a predetermined spatial frequency spectrum from the captured image.

An inspection system for a drug container is provided to identify foreign matter, such as particles or fibers, within the drug container prior to filling with a drug. The system includes a camera device aligned with an axis of the drug container and captures a series of images of an interior surface of a sidewall of the drug container while the robot causes relative movement between the drug container and the camera device along a linear path. Atypical lighting, which improves contrast between particles and the background in images is employed to aid detection. A control circuit then processes the series of images to identify foreign matter within the drug container.

Apparatus and methods for evaluating the accuracy of deformable image registration (DIR) systems. Certain aspects may include a base and a support member coupled to the base, where the support member is configured to rotate about a first axis with respect to the base. Particular aspects may include a housing coupled to the support member, where the housing is configured to rotate about a second axis with respect to the support member. Specific aspects may include an insert coupled to the housing, where the insert is configured to rotate about a third axis with respect to the housing.

An installation (2) for optically inspecting containers (3) includes a support table (7) for containers, which table has a slide plate (8) on which the bottom of a container stands. The slide plate (8) includes a portion (18) that is movable under the action of an actuator (19) to move the movable portion (18) between a transfer position in which the movable portion is flush with the table, and an inspection position in which the movable portion (18) is set back relative to the slide plate (8). A light source (14) and a light sensor (15) are positioned so that, in the inspection position of the movable portion, the sensor can receive a light beam propagating in an inspection volume (V) in which there is situated at least a portion of the bottom (4) of the container spaced apart from the slide plate.

Inspection system for visually inspecting objects, such as the surface of objects, during their transport along a transport path, the system including a free space allowing the objects to pass through the system and including an inspection area in which the objects are inspected visually, an illumination device for illuminating at least the peripheral surface of an object in the inspection area, and a plurality of camera/sensor devices, each being configured to take an image of a surface section of said peripheral surface in its respective field of view by receiving light running along a respective light path from the illuminated object to the camera/sensor device, the fields of view of the camera/sensor devices in combination providing for full peripheral coverage of azimuth angle 360 of the inspection area wherein the length of at least one of the light paths is longer than the spatial distance between its ends.