Method and apparatus for detecting product defects during the production of mailing products, hygiene products, or folded paper products

Abstract

To detect product defects during the production of mailing products, hygiene products or folded paper products, optical imaging sensors or capacitive sensors monitor at least one characteristic parameter or feature of the products successively moving through the production machine, to detect an actual value of each characteristic parameter or feature of each product. The detected actual value is compared with a stored nominal value for the respective characteristic parameter or feature. The result of the comparison is used to initiate or control a further measure, such as ejecting a defective product from the production line, marking a defective product so that it can be visually recognized and manually removed from the production line, or initiating corrective measures to correct the cause of the defect. The characteristic parameters or features relate to the dimensions, the position, and / or the form of the product or parts of the product.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM[0001] This application is based on and claims the priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 of German Patent Application 101 61 424.1, filed on Dec. 13, 2001, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.[0002] The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for detecting product defects in mailing products such as envelopes, mailers, shipping bags or the like, hygiene products such as disposable diapers, incontinence products, feminine sanitary napkins, pads, panty liners, or the like, or folded paper products such as paper napkins, paper towels, paper tissues, and the like, while these products are being manufactured on a corresponding production machine including several machine components or stations. The invention thus generally relates to product monitoring for product defects in the manner of an inline quality control.BACKGROUND INFORMATION[0003] Modern machines for the production of the above mentioned mailing products, hygiene products or fo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] In this manner, it becomes possible to detect or recognize defect locations on products directly at the time point at which the respective defect arises, which, in many circumstances, is a time point at which these defects have not yet had an influence on the further production. It is also possible to eject the defective product and to immediately correct the cause of the defect. Thus, a secure and reliable production can be achieved in a much higher measure than could previously be achieved.

Problems solved by technology

As a result, it often occurs that suddenly arising errors or defects in the products being produced are not immediately recognized or noticed, but instead continue on through the rest of the production and packaging process.

Due to the high production speed, this can lead to considerable product waste as well as other considerable damages and losses.

Basically, it is essentially impossible to notice or detect defective products during the production thereof.

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