A method of characterizing a serum and plasma portion of a specimen in regions occluded by one or more labels. The characterization method may be used to provide input to an HILN (H, I, and/or L, or N) detection method. The characterization method includes capturing one or more images of a labeled specimen container including a serum or plasma portion from multiple viewpoints, processing the one or more images to provide segmentation data including identification of a label-containing region, determining a closest label match of the label-containing region to a reference label configuration selected from a reference label configuration database, and generating a combined representation based on the segmentation information and the closest label match. Using the combined representation allows for compensation of the light blocking effects of the label-containing region. Quality check modules and testing apparatus and adapted to carry out the method are described, as are other aspects.

An infeed assembly for a necker machine includes a full inspection assembly wherein the full inspection assembly is structured to be coupled to a necker machine frame assembly.

A system is described for inspecting a container having a top surface using light reflections and positional data. The system comprises a radiation source arranged such that the light beam projects radiation onto the top surface, wherein the radiation radiates along the outer edge of the container; a sensor, wherein the radiation is collected by the sensor reflected from the container using positional data, wherein the positional data is used to create a reference plane of the top of the top surface; and a processor operatively connected to the sensor, the processor integrates the positional data to detect defects in the container and creates a reference plane of a top surface of the container, wherein sensor captures the positional data of the container as the container moves on the conveyor; and the positional data is integrated using software to produce a 3D topographical map of the container.

An inspection system is provided for the inspection of a lateral surface of a three-dimensional test object. The inspection system includes a conveying structure; (ii) a facet mirror; and (iii) an optical inspection device. In this context, the inspection system is arranged to rotate the conveying structure and the facet mirror in a coordinated manner and in opposite directions of rotation in such a way that each of a plurality of object carriers, as they pass through an inspection area, is imaged onto the inspection device by exactly one of the facets of the facet mirror. A corresponding method for inspection is also provided.

An Inspection apparatus (9) for inspecting cylindrical metal formed parts comprises a guide (11) for guiding the metal formed parts to be inspected through the inspection apparatus (9). The inspection apparatus (9) further comprises a radiation device which is adapted to emit radiation in the direction of the guided metal formed parts, so that the radiation impinges on each of the metal formed parts and is at least partially reflected therefrom as reflection radiation. A sensor device of the inspection apparatus is adapted to receive the reflection radiation and convert it into image data. An evaluation device is designed to assess, based on an evaluation of the image data, whether the respective metal formed part has production-related defects.

A device for inspecting containers which have an opening includes a transport device which transports the objects along a configured transport path. The device includes a monitoring device which is configured to monitor at least one region of an inner wall of the container through the opening. The monitoring device is configured to capture spatially resolved images, and has a lighting device configured to illuminate at least one region of the inner wall, is arranged between the monitoring device and the container.

A method for detecting the angular position of a cap with respect to a bottle is provided. A first image of a cap provided with a first marker and of at least a portion of the bottle with which the cap is associated and which is provided with a second marker is captured. Liquid drops and other possible impurities existing thereon are removed from and/or displaced relative to the cap and bottle portion. A second image of the cap and bottle portion is then captured. The first image and second image are compared to obtain at least one processing which is free from “noise” and interferences due to the liquid drops and on which the positions of the first and second markers can be determined without errors. The relative angular position of the first and second markers are determined. An apparatus suitable to implement the aforesaid method is also provided.

An apparatus for inspecting containers and in particular cans, having an illumination device which illuminates the can to be inspected and radiates radiation onto an inner base wall of the container, and having an image recording device which records at least one spatially resolved image of the inner base wall illuminated by the illumination device is provided. The apparatus has a first polarization device in a beam path between a light source of the illumination device and the inner base wall in such a way that the radiation reaching the inner base wall is polarized, wherein the illumination device being designed in such a way that a predominant proportion of the radiation irradiated into the container by the illumination device reaches the inner base wall.

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.

A method for inspecting an incision made on a lateral surface of a plastic cap includes the following steps: conveying the plastic cap along an inspection path through an inspection zone in which the cap is inspected; emitting a polarized light collimated along a light orientation towards the inspection zone; capturing image data representing at least one image of the lateral surface of the cap through an optical sensor; receiving the image data in a control unit; processing the image data to derive information about the incision.