The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for launch and recovery of a remote inspection device within a liquid storage tank. In one embodiment, the tank is accessed by opening an entrance hatch and then injecting a vapor suppression foam across a surface of a stored liquid mass to form a foam layer. A launching system having a remote inspection device is attached to the entrance hatch to define a launch and recovery space sealed from an external environment and isolated from the stored liquid mass in the tank via a valve and the foam layer. The launch and recovery space is purged of hazardous vapors by injection of an inert gas prior to launch and recovery of the remote inspection device. Prior to removal of the launching system, the surface of the stored liquid mass is re-coated with vapor suppression foam.

A method and system for optically inspecting parts are provided wherein the system includes a part transfer subsystem including a transfer mechanism adapted to receive and support a part at a loading station and to transfer the supported part by a split belt conveyor so that the part travels along a first path which extends from the loading station to an inspection station at which the part has a predetermined position and orientation for inspection. An illumination assembly simultaneously illuminates a plurality of exterior side surfaces of the part with a plurality of separate beams of radiation. A telecentric lens and detector assembly forms an optical image of at least a portion of each of the illuminated side surfaces of the part and detects the optical images. A processor processes the detected optical images to obtain a plurality of views of the part which are angularly spaced about the part.

In an alternative embodiment the method and system for optically inspecting headed manufactured parts employ an inclined split track to cause the part to traverse an inspection station by gravity feed. The part is inspected for conformity to dimensional and visual standards and sorted under control of a processor based on images of the part obtained from occluded light and reflected light while the part is within the inspection station.

The invention relates to a device for providing stopper elements that are sorted in order to feed a downstream workstation. The devices comprising a lifting means; a means or referencing said stopper elements one by one, located downstream from the lifting means; a conveyor for bringing the referenced elements to said workstation, positioned at the outlet of said referencing means; a vision means for verifying the conformance of said elements in an inspection zone extending at the level of the referencing means and/or of the conveyor; and a means for expelling those elements that do not conform located downstream of said vision means. The inspection zone comprises at least two successive sections each including a distinct color. The invention also relates to a corresponding method.

A capsule placed on a beverage bottle. The capsule includes a capsule material layer and at least two layers of security ink on the capsule material layer. Each of the at least two layers has a different chemical composition. At least one layer of the at least two layers includes a first composition having flakes exhibiting full reflection of light received at a predetermined wavelength.

A method of observing and analyzing optical singularities includes illuminating an outside of a container by using a light-emitting surface of axial symmetry around a vertical axis (Z) parallel to the axes of symmetry of the containers, with a property of the emission that is detectable by the acquisition system(s) varying along a generator line of the light-emitting surface. For containers of low transmittance, taking the view image of the container portion by the image acquisition device receiving light beams comes from a portion of the light-emitting surface situated on the same side of the container. For containers of high transmittance, taking the view of the container portion by the image acquisition device receiving light beams comes from a portion of the light-emitting surface that is diametrically opposite relative to the container.

A device and a method for detecting leaks of closed containers with an inspection apparatus configured to determine the curvature of the container closure of the closed containers, as well as an evaluation apparatus by means of which the curvature of the closure is compared with a predefined value. A pressure generating apparatus is used to press each container closure flat prior to inspection. The pressure-generating apparatus comprises an actuator with which pressure is applied locally to each container closure from the outside.

An apparatus (1) for optical inspection of objects (2) comprises: a conveyor (3) configured to transport the objects (2) in succession, each object (2) having a bottom wall (21), which rests on the conveyor (3), and a side wall (22); an inspection station (4), disposed along the conveyor (3); an illuminator (6) mounted above the inspection station (4) to emit a beam of light rays towards the conveyor (3); a first lens (7) configured to transmit a corresponding beam of collimated rays; a second lens (8) configured to make the light rays converge on the side wall (22) of the object (2) to be inspected.

This invention discloses a system and method for detecting a cover with an abnormal condition. The system includes a transport track for defining a sliding direction of at least one cover with a detection surface. The transport track has a detection area and a cover removal area, and includes a pair of bottom rails and a pair of side rails. The pair of bottom rails support the cover at an inclination angle so that the cover slides on the pair of bottom rails. The cover is located between the pair of side rails, and the sliding direction of the cover is defined by the pair of side rails. The detection area is used for detecting the detection surface of the cover, and the cover removal area has an outlet for removing a cover with an abnormal condition determined based on a detection result of the detection surface thereof.

A device for processing drinks closure caps having at least one cutting unit with at least one cutting blade and a detection unit which, in turn, has a camera as well as at least one conveying device forming a transport path to and from the cutting unit is disclosed. In order to solve the problems of known devices, the detection unit has an optical system and is arranged operatively downstream of the cutting unit such that it fully captures the inner wall of a drinks closure cap located in its field of vision.

The invention relates to a device for providing stopper elements that are sorted in order to feed a downstream workstation. The devices comprising a lifting means; a means or referencing said stopper elements one by one, located downstream from the lifting means; a conveyor for bringing the referenced elements to said workstation, positioned at the outlet of said referencing means; a vision means for verifying the conformance of said elements in an inspection zone extending at the level of the referencing means and/or of the conveyor; and a means for expelling those elements that do not conform located downstream of said vision means. The inspection zone comprises at least two successive sections each including a distinct color. The invention also relates to a corresponding method.