US 12,007,334 B2
Compact apparatus for batch vial inspection
Asaf Schlezinger, Modiin (IL)
Assigned to APPLIED MATERIALS, INC., Santa Clara, CA (US)
Filed by Applied Materials, Inc., Santa Clara, CA (US)
Filed on Oct. 25, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/510,185.
Prior Publication US 2023/0127203 A1, Apr. 27, 2023
Int. Cl. G01N 21/90 (2006.01); G01N 35/04 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 21/9009 (2013.01) [G01N 35/04 (2013.01); G01N 2035/0406 (2013.01); G01N 2035/0415 (2013.01); G01N 2201/0484 (2013.01); G01N 2201/0636 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An inspection tool for inspecting impurities in vials, comprising:
a table for inspecting a plurality of vials;
one or more carts configured to move about the table to place the one or more carts in an inspection position, wherein each of the one or more carts includes a vial holder configured to hold a plurality of vials, and wherein each vial holder is configured to spin the plurality of vials on their own respective axes, wherein the vial holder comprises a base plate having a plurality of rotatable pedestals configured to retain the plurality of vials, a back plate extending upward from the base plate, and a plurality of top covers configured to rotate such that the plurality of top covers are not aligned with respective ones of the plurality of rotatable pedestals during loading of the plurality of vials and the plurality of top covers are aligned with respective ones of the plurality of rotatable pedestals to retain the plurality of vials between the plurality of rotatable pedestals and the plurality of top covers; and
a camera configured to take images of the plurality of vials when the plurality of vials are disposed in the inspection position.