US 12,436,110 B2
Inspection of drinking straw
Anders Murhed, Linköping (SE); Mathilda Larsson, Linköping (SE); and Nils Högberg, Linköping (SE)
Assigned to Sick IVP AB, Linkoping (SE)
Filed by SICK IVP AB, Linköping (SE)
Filed on Dec. 15, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/066,523.
Claims priority of application No. 22151640 (EP), filed on Jan. 14, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0228693 A1, Jul. 20, 2023
Int. Cl. G01N 21/952 (2006.01); G01N 21/88 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 21/952 (2013.01) [G01N 21/8806 (2013.01); G01N 2021/8887 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. Method for inspection of a drinking straw, wherein the method comprises:
illuminating, by one or more light sources, a first portion of the drinking straw so that at least some of the light on the first portion is transmitted through a sidewall of the drinking straw into the drinking straw, and is guided therein by internal reflections;
providing, by a camera with image sensor configured to sense light provided by said light sources, one or more digital images imaging another, second, portion of the drinking straw during said illumination; and
analyzing a light pattern captured by said one or more digital images, said light pattern corresponding to light escape of the internally reflected light out from the second portion of the drinking straw via a sidewall of the drinking straw.