INSPECTION OF CONTAINERS

Abstract

An apparatus for inspecting empty containers in order to detect dirt therein is disclosed. A radiation source generates exciting radiation, and the exciting radiation is directed onto the inner wall of a container and excites dirt to be detected in such a way that the dirt emits luminescent radiation. At least one device detects the luminescent radiation emitted by the dirt, and another device analyzes the detected luminescent radiation. Also disclosed is a corresponding method for inspecting empty containers in order to detect dirt therein.

Claims

1. Apparatus for inspecting empty containers for contaminants, comprising a radiation source for generating an exciting radiation, wherein the exciting radiation is directed on to the inner wall of a container and excites contaminants to be detected in such a way that they emit luminescent radiation, at least one device for detecting the luminescent radiation emitted by the contaminants, and a device for analysing the detected luminescent radiation.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the radiation source is an electromagnetic radiation source, preferably a radiation source for light in the visible range, a UV-A, UV-B, UV-C or X-ray radiation source or a combination thereof.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exciting radiation is directed through the container opening into the interior of the container.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the radiation source is introduced through a container opening into the interior of the container.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the luminescent radiation emitted by the contaminants is guided out of the container through the container opening and directed on to the detection device.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, comprising a dichroic mirror which lets through the exciting radiation and directs the luminescent radiation exiting from the container opening on to the detection device.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the luminescent radiation emitted by the contaminants is guided out of the container through the walls of the container and collected by one or more detection devices, which are arranged around the container.

8. Method for inspecting empty containers for contaminants, comprising the steps: irradiating the inner walls of the container with an exciting radiation, wherein the exciting radiation excites contaminants to be detected in such a way that they emit luminescent radiation, detecting the luminescent radiation emitted by the contaminants using a detection device, and analysing the detected luminescent radiation in an analysing device.

9. Method according to claim 8, wherein the radiation source is an electromagnetic radiation source, preferably a radiation source for light in the visible range, a UV-A, UV-B, UV-C or X-ray radiation source or a combination thereof.

10. Method according to claim 8, wherein the exciting radiation is directed through a container opening into the interior of the container.

11. Method according to claim 8, wherein the radiation source is introduced into the interior of the container through a container opening.

12. Method according to claim 8, wherein the radiation source used has at least a proportion of UV-C radiation, so that organic contaminants such as fungi, spores and bacteria are detected and at the same time rendered harmless.

13. Method according to claim 8, wherein a contaminated container is rejected only if the detected luminescent radiation exceeds a previously set limit value.

14. Method according to claim 8, wherein both the fluorescence and the phosphorescence of the contaminants are analysed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] With the aid of the following figures, the method and apparatus of the present disclosure are explained in more detail. There are shown in:

[0033] FIG. 1 a pictorial schematic of a first apparatus for inspecting empty containers;

[0034] FIG. 2 a pictorial schematic of a second apparatus for inspecting empty containers;

[0035] FIG. 3 a top view of the apparatus from FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The apparatus depicted in FIG. 1 comprises an electromagnetic radiation source 1, the radiation of which is focused using a lens 2 in the area of the mouth of a bottle. The radiation here passes through a dichroic mirror 3 arranged between the lens 2 and the bottle mouth. The dichroic mirror 3 is configured in such a way that it lets through the exciting radiation but reflects the expected longer-wavelength luminescent radiation.

[0037] If the bottle has no contaminants, part of the exciting radiation is reflected back out of the bottle opening and then passes through the dichroic mirror 3 without being deflected on to the CCD camera 5.

[0038] If, however, a luminescent contaminant is present in the bottle, i.e. a contaminant that reacts to the exciting radiation with a luminescence phenomenon, part of the luminescent radiation emitted by the contaminant leaves the bottle through the mouth and strikes the dichroic mirror 3. The dichroic mirror 3 reflects this longer-wavelength luminescent radiation on to the CCD camera 5, in which the radiation is then detected.

[0039] In addition, a filter 4 can be provided to prevent parts of the exciting radiation from reaching the CCD camera or to allow only certain frequency ranges to pass selectively.

[0040] The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 is particularly suitable for inspecting containers in which the entire internal space of the container can be illuminated via the container opening, e.g. bottles with long, slowly widening bottle necks or containers with large mouth openings.

[0041] In the case of containers which, owing to their geometry, do not permit illumination of the inner walls via the mouth opening, a modified setup as shown in FIG. 2 is suitable. However, it is a prerequisite here that the container wall must consist of a material that is transparent to luminescent radiation.

[0042] In the apparatus according to FIG. 2, the radiation source is likewise positioned over the container to be examined. The exciting radiation is directed into the interior of the container via the mouth opening of the container. As indicated in FIG. 2, the incident radiation is reflected on the inner side walls and base of the container to be examined, so that with this apparatus too, the entire internal space of the container is illuminated.

[0043] If, in the apparatus of FIG. 2, there is a luminescent contaminant in the container, this contaminant again emits luminescent radiation as a result of the exciting radiation. As discussed above, the wavelength of the luminescent radiation is greater than that of the exciting radiation and therefore, if the container consists of a material that is transparent to the frequency range of the luminescent radiation, it can also exit the container directly through the container wall. To detect this luminescent radiation, detection devices such as e.g. CCD cameras mounted outside the container are provided. The arrangement of the detection devices is illustrated in the top view of FIG. 3. In this arrangement, sets of 2 CCD cameras are each arranged opposite one another in pairs. The number and arrangement of the detection devices can, however, be selected at will, provided that it is ensured that a complete image of the container is achieved. It is also possible to mount detection devices below or above the containers to be examined.

[0044] An additional filter for blocking the exciting radiation is not necessary in this embodiment if the material of the container is non-transparent to the exciting radiation. The embodiment from FIG. 2 is particularly suitable e.g. for examining glass containers by UV radiation. Container glass is typically almost impermeable to UV radiation. The luminescent radiation emitted by contaminants, on the other hand, has a higher wavelength, which is predominantly in the visible range and can therefore pass through the container wall without any problems.