阅读说明：本技术 用于检查容器的检查设备和检查方法 (Inspection apparatus and inspection method for inspecting containers ) 是由 克里斯托夫·威尔 于 2020-03-06 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及用于检查容器(4)的检查设备(1),该检查设备具有运送装置(10),其用于将容器(4)作为容器流来运送；相机单元(11),利用相机单元将容器(4)光学地拍摄为相机图像；并且具有图像评估单元(13),图像评估单元经由第一图像数据连接件(16)与相机单元(11)连接并且图像评估单元被构造用于在运行时间自动评估相机图像,以便识别出有缺陷的容器(4.1)并为此触发纠正措施,其中,除第一图像数据连接件(16)外,检查设备(1)还经由第二图像数据连接件(17)与用于相机图像的归档单元(14)连接,以便将在一段时间期间内的所有经检查的容器(4)的相机图像未经评估地进行归档。(The invention relates to an inspection device (1) for inspecting containers (4), having a conveying device (10) for conveying the containers (4) as a container flow; a camera unit (11) with which the container (4) is optically photographed as a camera image; and an image evaluation unit (13) which is connected to the camera unit (11) via a first image data connection (16) and which is designed to automatically evaluate the camera images at runtime in order to identify defective containers (4.1) and to trigger corrective measures for this purpose, wherein the inspection device (1) is connected to a filing unit (14) for camera images via a second image data connection (17) in addition to the first image data connection (16) in order to file all camera images of the inspected containers (4) over a period of time without evaluation.)

1. Inspection device (1) for inspecting containers (4), having:

a conveying device (10) for conveying the containers (4) as a container flow,

a camera unit (11) with which the container (4) is optically shot as a camera image, and

an image evaluation unit (13) which is connected to the camera unit (11) via a first image data connection (16) and which is designed to automatically evaluate the camera images at runtime in order to identify defective containers (4.1) and to trigger corrective measures for this purpose,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

in addition to the first image data connection (16), the inspection device (1) is connected via a second image data connection (17) to a filing unit (14) for camera images in order to file all camera images of the inspected containers (4) over a period of time without evaluation.

2. The examination apparatus (1) of claim 1, wherein the archiving unit (14) is connected via the second image data connection (17) with the camera unit (11) or with the image evaluation unit (13) in order to reflect the camera images to the archiving unit (14) as an unevaluated image data stream prior to automatic evaluation.

3. The examination apparatus (1) of claim 2, wherein the second image data connection (17) is coupled with a digital data interface (13.3) of the camera unit (11) or of the image evaluation unit (13) or with the first image data connection (16) via a data exchanger.

4. The inspection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the inspection device (1) comprises a recognition unit (14.3) for container-specific identification elements in order to assign the containers (4) to one or more camera images, respectively.

5. The examination apparatus (1) of one of the preceding claims, wherein the archiving unit (14) comprises a mass data storage (14.1, 14.2) in order to archive camera images of part or all containers (4) examined during a period of time on the mass data storage (14.1, 14.2).

6. The examination apparatus (1) of claim 5, wherein the mass data storage (14.1, 14.2) is configured with exchangeable data carriers in order to distribute the archived camera images over a plurality of data carriers.

7. The examination apparatus (1) of one of the preceding claims, wherein the archiving unit (14) is connected via a network interface (18) with a network data storage (15) in order to archive camera images of some or all containers (4) examined during a period of time on the network data storage (15).

8. The examination apparatus (1) of one of the preceding claims, wherein the archiving unit (14) comprises an image compression unit in order to compress the camera image lossless or lossy prior to archiving.

9. Container processing plant (2) for processing containers (4), having a container processing machine (3) and an inspection apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The container processing plant (2) according to claim 9, wherein the container processing plant (2) comprises an identification device configured for applying container-specific identification elements on the containers (4).

11. Inspection method for inspecting containers (4), wherein the containers (4) are transported as a container flow by means of a transport device (10), wherein the containers (4) are optically recorded as camera images by means of a camera unit (11), wherein the camera images are transmitted from the camera unit (11) to an image evaluation unit (13) via a first image data connection (16) and are automatically evaluated at runtime by means of the image evaluation unit, and wherein defective containers (4.1) are identified and corrective measures are triggered for this purpose,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the camera images of all inspected containers (4) over a period of time are transmitted unevaluably to a filing unit (14) via a second image data connection (17) which is present in addition to the first image data connection (16) and filed.

12. The examination method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the camera image is reflected from the camera unit (11) or the image evaluation unit (13) to an archiving unit (14) via the second image data connection (17) prior to the automatic evaluation.

13. Inspection method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the container (4) is provided with container-specific identification elements in order to associate the identification elements with an archived camera image.

14. Inspection method according to one of claims 11 to 13, wherein camera images of some or all containers (4) inspected during a period of time are archived on a mass data storage (14.1, 14.2) and/or on a network data storage (15) via a network interface (18).

15. Inspection method according to one of claims 11 to 14, wherein camera images are read out from the archiving unit (14) in order to identify the origin of defects and/or in order to verify and/or improve the inspection method, in particular wherein the inspection method works on the basis of artificial intelligence.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an inspection apparatus and an inspection method for inspecting containers having the features of the preamble of claim 1 or 11.

Background

Various types of inspection devices and inspection methods are generally used in container processing facilities, which optically inspect the processed containers or parts of containers by means of a camera unit. The container is transported by means of a transport device and is recorded as a camera image by means of a camera unit. The camera images are then automatically evaluated by an image evaluation unit in order to identify defective containers and to trigger corrective measures for this. For example, defective containers may have wear phenomena, cracks, flaking, foreign objects or similar problems that may adversely affect the product. It is also conceivable to check the quality of the direct print or of the label applied to the container. Subsequent corrective action ensures that the defective container does not reach the end consumer. Corrective action is, for example, a removal from the container stream or an additional cleaning step. In the case of direct printing, it is conceivable, for example, to correct defective patterns by means of correction printing after inspection.

DE 202004007783U 1 discloses an inspection device with at least one camera for inspecting an article and an image evaluation device.

DE 102014105548 a1 discloses an inspection device for containers and/or bundles and a computer-implemented method for inspecting containers and/or bundles.

In the known inspection devices and inspection methods, it is rare that defective containers are not identified and are subsequently complained by the end customer. But often the source of the defect can no longer be unambiguously identified, for example whether the defect is present during the handling of the container or only on the way to the end customer. Furthermore, the mode of operation of the inspection device or of the inspection method can often no longer be verified after a complaint.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an inspection apparatus and an inspection method for inspecting containers, which inspection apparatus and inspection method better allow, in the case of non-identified defective containers: the source of the defect is identified and the mode of operation of the inspection apparatus or of the inspection method is examined.

To solve this object, the invention provides an examination apparatus having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are mentioned in the dependent claims.

In addition to the first image data connection, the inspection device is connected to a filing unit for camera images via a second image data connection (by means of which the camera images of all inspected containers during a period of time are filed unevaluably), so that one or more camera images of non-identified defective containers during this period of time can be retrieved again after the production date of the container and analyzed for defects which have not been identified so far. If a defect is not seen in, for example, one or more camera images of an unidentified defective container, it can be known that the defect occurred after passing through the inspection apparatus. Conversely, if a defect is seen, the one or more camera images may be considered for improving the inspection apparatus. In an improved manner, it is therefore possible in the case of the inspection device according to the invention to: the source of the defect is identified and the inspection apparatus is inspected or the inspection method is improved without identifying the defective container. This applies in particular to inspection methods which work on the basis of artificial intelligence (KI) and can be trained particularly effectively with the aid of boundary value models.

The inspection apparatus may be arranged in a container processing facility. The inspection device can be arranged before and/or after the container treatment machine. The container processing machine may comprise, for example, a container manufacturing facility (e.g., a stretch blow molding machine), a recycling facility for containers, a bottle washing machine, a sorting machine, a filling machine, a closure, a labeling machine, a direct printing machine, an empty and/or full bottle inspection machine, an X-ray facility for performing imaging, and/or a packaging machine. Preferably, the inspection device may be arranged after a filler for filling the product into the container and/or a closure for applying a closure onto the container. It is also conceivable that: the inspection device is associated with a sorting device for bottles to be used several times or with a modular control device for filling level inspection or closure control. Preferably, the inspection device can be configured as an empty bottle and/or a full bottle inspection device.

The container may be configured to contain a beverage, hygiene product, paste, chemical, biological and/or medical product. The container may be a plastic bottle, a glass bottle, a can, and/or a hose. The plastic container can be, in particular, a PET-, PEN-, HD-PE-or PP-container or bottle. Likewise, the container may be a biodegradable container or bottle, the main component of which is constituted by renewable raw materials such as sugar cane, wheat, corn. The container may be filled with a product and/or provided with a closure.

Defective containers can, for example, have wear phenomena, cracks, flakes, foreign bodies or similar problems which, in particular, adversely affect the product filled into the container. The foreign bodies can here preferably comprise granular bodies, such as glass residues, sand and/or residues of cleaning agents or the like.

The transport means for transporting the containers may comprise a transport belt and/or a turret. The axis of rotation of the turret is directed substantially vertically, i.e. towards the earth's center. It is conceivable that: the transport device includes container storage portions for storing containers, respectively.

The camera unit may be part of an optical measurement head. The camera unit can be configured with a CCD or CMOS image sensor. Further, the camera unit may be configured as a line camera or an array camera. The camera unit may be arranged such that it photographs the container mouth, the container side wall and/or the container bottom during inspection. It is also conceivable that: the camera unit is arranged such that it photographs the container bottom through the container mouth during inspection. The camera unit may comprise a digital data interface for outputting the camera image to the image evaluation unit and/or the archiving unit.

The inspection device may comprise an illumination unit with which the container is illuminated or transilluminated. Preferably, the illumination unit can comprise a planar light exit surface, which is arranged opposite the camera unit at the transport device.

The image evaluation unit can be designed as a computer system, in particular externally or internally to the camera. Preferably, the image evaluation unit can be integrated in a machine control of the examination apparatus. The image evaluation Unit may include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a memory, a mass storage Unit, a network interface, a data interface for one or more digits of the camera image, an output Unit (screen), an input Unit (keyboard and/or mouse), and the like. The image evaluation unit may include a computer program product having machine-readable instructions that, when implemented, analyze the camera image for defective containers. The image evaluation unit may comprise a digital data interface for reading in camera images from the camera unit. The image evaluation unit may in particular comprise an image acquisition card in order to read in camera images from the camera unit. The automatic evaluation of the "camera images during runtime" means here that the camera images are automatically evaluated during the operation of the examination apparatus.

The image evaluation unit may be configured for identifying container inspection features in the image using an image processing algorithm. For example, the container inspection feature may be the number and/or type of cracks, foreign objects, wear, etc. that occur on all or a portion of the container. Also conceivable are: the container inspection features are the quality of the direct print and/or the quality of the label applied to the container.

The corrective action may be, for example, the removal of defective containers by means of a fork or the reprocessing thereof. Accordingly, the image evaluation unit can be configured for outputting a signal in order to trigger one or more corrective measures in the case of a defective container. It is conceivable that: the inspection device comprises a diverter in order to reject defective containers.

The filing unit can comprise a digital data interface for reading in camera images from the camera unit or from the image evaluation unit. The archiving unit may include a computer system and/or a mass storage unit.

The digital data interfaces of the camera unit, of the image evaluation unit and/or of the filing unit can each be designed independently of one another as an image data interface, in particular as a high-speed data interface for image data and/or video data. For example, the digital data interface may be a camera Link interface, a GigE interface, or a 10GigE interface. In the image evaluation unit and/or the archiving unit, a digital data interface can be integrated into the image acquisition card.

The first image data connection can connect the digital data interface of the camera unit to the digital data interface of the image evaluation unit. The first data connection and/or the second data connection can each be an image data cable, with which the digital data interface of the camera unit, the digital data interface of the image evaluation unit and/or the digital data interface of the filing unit are connected to one another.

The mentioned period of time may be the duration during which the camera images should be archived, in particular based on the requirements of the operator of the container processing facility and/or based on the duration of time taken by the operator to wait for the product to be returned. The duration is here, for example, at least one day, at least one week, at least one month or at least one year.

It is conceivable that: at the time of archiving, the time stamp of the image and/or the parameters for the examination are transmitted together with the camera image. This can be done at run time or only when a parameter change occurs. Likewise, data about the manufactured product may be transmitted, such as shelf life and/or production date. The production date may comprise a production time with a time stamp accurate to seconds, in particular to microseconds.

The filing unit can be connected to the camera unit or to the image evaluation unit via a second data connection in order to reflect the camera image to the filing unit as an unevaluated image data stream prior to the automatic evaluation. Thus, the image evaluation unit itself does not assume responsibility for archiving, and thus does not affect the recognition efficiency. The second image data connection can be connected to a digital data interface of the camera unit, of the image evaluation unit and/or of the filing unit.

The second image data connection can be coupled to a digital data interface of the camera unit or of the image evaluation unit or to the first image data connection via a data switch. It is conceivable for the image evaluation unit to comprise two digital data interfaces, one of which is connected to the camera unit and the other to the filing unit. Alternatively, it is also conceivable: the filing unit comprises two digital data interfaces, one of which is connected to the camera unit and the other to the image evaluation unit. The camera image thus passes through the image evaluation unit or the archiving unit without processing complexity. The data exchanger may be an electronics unit which receives the camera image from the camera unit and likewise forwards it to the image evaluation unit and the archiving unit.

The inspection device comprises a recognition unit for container-specific identification elements in order to assign the containers to one or more camera images.

In this way, containers that are not identified as defective are associated particularly quickly with one or more archived camera images. The identification unit may be part of the image evaluation unit or of the archiving unit. However, it is also conceivable that the identification unit is a separate unit. The container-specific identification element may be, for example, a one-or two-dimensional code, a specific pattern, a specific imprint or the like. Laser engraving, for example, is conceivable here. The container can also be identified without a specific identification, since the container, due to the manufacturing conditions, may have different tolerances, such as an uneven material distribution at the walls and/or the bottom, or differently configured undercut, beaded decoration, injection-molded dots. It is also preferred that the containers can be identified and assigned according to wear traces of the containers that can be used several times.

The archiving unit may include a mass data storage to archive camera images of some or all of the containers examined during a period of time on the mass data storage. In this way, camera images can be archived for a particularly long period of time in a cost-effective manner. The mass data storage may be, for example, a magnetic data carrier, such as a hard disk or a magnetic tape.

It is also conceivable that: the mass data storage is designed with exchangeable data carriers in order to distribute the archived camera image over a plurality of data carriers. For example, this relates to exchangeable hard disks or exchangeable magnetic tapes. Furthermore, it is conceivable that: the mass data storage comprises one or more silos with exchangeable data carriers and an automated exchange mechanism for exchangeable data carriers, for example a tape library.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that: the archiving unit is connected to the network data storage via the network interface in order to archive the camera images of some or all containers examined during a period of time on the network data storage. This enables a particularly flexible construction of the memory space for the archived camera images. It is conceivable that: the network data store is constructed within or separate from the container processing facility. For example, the network data storage is connected to the archiving unit via the internet.

The archiving unit includes an image compression unit to compress the camera image losslessly or losslessly prior to archiving. Memory space for the camera image can thereby be saved. In the case of lossy compression, the operator of the container processing facility can specify which image detail level is desired at the time of compression. The image compression unit may comprise a hardware compression unit. This achieves a particularly rapid compression.

The invention also provides a container treatment plant for treating containers, having at least one container treatment machine and at least one inspection device according to one of claims 1 to 8. Further embodiments of the container treatment plant are mentioned in the dependent claims. Furthermore, the container treatment installation may comprise the features described above individually or in any combination.

The container treatment plant may comprise one container treatment machine or also a plurality of container treatment machines. A "container treatment machine" may refer here, for example, to a container manufacturing plant (e.g. a stretch blow molding machine), a recycling plant for containers, a bottle washing machine, a sorting machine, a filling machine, a closure, a labeling machine, a direct printing machine and/or a packaging machine.

The inspection device can be arranged before and/or after the at least one container treatment machine. Likewise, the inspection device can be embodied as a component of a container treatment machine or as an inspection machine, preferably as an empty and/or full bottle inspection machine. Preferably, the inspection device may be arranged after a filler for filling the product into the container and/or a closure for applying a closure onto the container. It is also conceivable that: the inspection device is associated with a sorting device for bottles that can be used several times or with a modular control device for filling level inspection or closure control.

The container treatment installation comprises an identification device which is designed to apply container-specific identification elements to the containers. It is conceivable for the marking device to comprise a printing unit or an engraving unit, in particular a laser engraving unit. Furthermore, it is conceivable that: the marking device comprises a direct printer for applying direct print onto the container.

In order to solve the stated object, the invention furthermore provides an inspection method for inspecting containers having the features of claim 11. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are mentioned in the dependent claims.

In the case of an inspection method, camera images of all inspected containers are transmitted in an unevaluated manner to the filing unit via a second image data connection, which is present in addition to the first image data connection, during a period of time, so that one or more camera images of defective containers not identified within this period of time can be retrieved again after the production date of the containers and analyzed for defects not identified so far. If a defect is not visible, for example in one or more camera images of an unrecognized defective container, it can be known that the defect occurred after inspection. Conversely, if a defect is seen, one or more camera images may be considered for improving the inspection method. In an improved manner, it is therefore also possible in the case of the inspection method according to the invention to: in the event that a defective container is not identified, the source of the defect is identified and the operation of the inspection method is checked or the inspection method is improved.

The inspection method for inspecting containers can be carried out with the previously described inspection device, in particular the inspection device according to claims 1 to 8, and/or with the previously described container processing plant, in particular the container processing plant according to claim 9 or 10.

The camera image can be reflected from the camera unit or the image evaluation unit to the filing unit via the second image data interface before the automatic evaluation. The image evaluation unit is thus only rarely or even not responsible for archiving the camera image, so that the recognition accuracy is not affected.

The containers can be provided with container-specific identification elements in order to associate them with the camera image to be archived. In this way, containers which are not identified as defective can be particularly easily associated with the camera image which is filed after the return of the goods.

Camera images of some or all of the containers examined during a period of time are archived on a mass data storage and/or on a network data storage via a network interface. This makes it possible to archive the camera image, in particular, cost-effectively, without great effort.

It is conceivable that: reading out camera images from the archiving unit in order to identify the origin of the defect and/or in order to verify and/or improve the inspection method, in particular wherein the inspection method works on the basis of artificial intelligence. It is conceivable that the features and/or defects correctly identified by the image processing unit are transmitted as metadata to the archiving unit. This makes it possible to avoid complex manual marking of the image data by conventional image processing. Thereby causing the archived camera image to contain the defect characteristics in the metadata or filename.

Drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention are explained in detail below with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. Wherein:

fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a container treatment plant according to the invention with a container treatment machine and an inspection device in a plan view.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a container treatment plant 2 according to the invention with container treatment machines 3, 7 and an inspection device 1 in a plan view. It can be seen that the containers 4 are first processed by the container processing machines 3 and 7 and then inspected by the inspection device 1 along the transport path T.

The container treatment machines 3 and 7 are configured in the exemplary embodiment as a filler 3 and a closure 7, but can also be other types of container treatment machines. For example, the container treatment machine can also be designed as a container production plant, a recycling plant, a bottle washing machine, a sorting machine, a labeling machine, a direct printing machine, an empty and/or full bottle inspection machine, an imaging X-ray plant and/or a packaging machine, respectively.

The empty containers 4 are first fed to the turret 5 of the filler 3 via the inlet star 5. The container 4 is accommodated there in the container receptacle 3.1 and filled with a flowable product, for example a beverage, by means of a filling device not shown here. The filled container 4 is then transferred with the intermediate star to the turret of the closure 7 and is capped there. The containers 4 thus closed are then transferred with the output star 8 to the transport device 10 of the inspection device 1 and inspected.

The inspection apparatus 1 includes: a conveying device 10 for conveying the containers 4 as a container flow, a camera unit 11 which can optically record camera images of the containers 4, and an image evaluation unit 13 which is designed to automatically evaluate the camera images in order to detect defective containers 4.1 and to trigger corrective measures for this purpose.

Here, by way of example only, an illumination unit 12 can also be seen, which is arranged opposite the camera unit 11 on the conveyor 10 in order to illuminate the containers 4 during the inspection.

The image evaluation unit 13 is in this case designed as a computer system with an image processing unit 13.1. The image evaluation unit includes, for example: a CPU, a memory, a screen, an input unit and a digital data interface 13.2 with which the image evaluation unit is connected to the camera unit 11 via a first image data connection 16. The camera image captured by the camera unit 11 can thereby be transmitted to the image processing unit 13.1 and evaluated there for defects by means of algorithms of a computer program product. Thus, for example, foreign matter in the container 4 can be identified.

If a defective container 4.1 is detected during the inspection, a corresponding corrective action is triggered, for example the defective container 4.1 is rejected or reprocessed using a diverter not shown here.

However, in rare cases it still happens that: defective containers 4.1 (which may be damaged and/or contaminated less than what is ensured by the manufacturer in terms of identification technology) are not identified and are complained by the end consumer over a period of time.

For this kind of case, the examination apparatus 1 comprises, in addition to the image evaluation unit 13, a filing unit 14 in order to file the camera images of all examined containers 4 over a period of time as raw data. In this way, one or more camera images of containers which are not identified as defective can be retrieved again within this period of time and analyzed with regard to the complaint of defects, even if a longer time has passed after the production date of the containers. The period of time is typically specified by the operator of the container processing facility 2 and may be, for example, a period of time taken by the operator to wait for returns. The period of time may be, for example, an extended period of time of at least one day, at least one week, at least one month or at least one year. Since the filing unit 14 is present in addition to the image evaluation unit 13, the image evaluation unit 13 does not additionally assume the responsibility for filing.

The filing unit 14 is connected in this exemplary embodiment via a second image data connection 17 to the image evaluation unit 13, wherein the camera image is reflected unevaluably to the filing unit 14 before the automatic evaluation. For this purpose, the camera image is received from the camera unit 11 via a first image data connection 16 by the digital first data interface 13.2 of the image evaluation unit 13 and is looped directly to its digital second data interface 13.3. From there, the camera image is transmitted via a second image data connection 17 to the digital data interface 14.4 of the filing unit 14.

Alternatively, it is also conceivable for the camera unit 11 to be connected directly to the archive unit 14 and for the camera images to be looped from there to the camera unit 11. It is alternatively also conceivable for the second image data connection 17 to be coupled with the first image data connection 16, for example via a data exchanger.

Preferably, together with the camera image, a time stamp of the image and particularly preferably parameters for the examination are also transmitted. This can be done at run time or only when the parameters change. Also, data about the manufactured product may be transmitted, such as shelf life and/or production date. The production date may comprise a production time with a time stamp accurate to seconds, in particular to microseconds.

The camera images received by the digital data interface 14.4 are stored in the archive unit 14 and archived on the mass data storage 14.1, 14.2. It is conceivable that camera images of part or all of the containers 4 examined during a period of time are filed onto the mass data storage 14.1, 14.2. Depending only on its memory capacity. It is also conceivable for the mass data storage 14.1, 14.2 to be designed as exchangeable data carriers, in order to distribute the archived camera image over a plurality of data carriers.

It can also be seen that the filing unit 14 comprises an identification unit 14.3 with which container-specific identification elements on the containers 4 can be identified. The recognition unit 14.3 itself also comprises an image processing unit which evaluates the received camera image in real time for container-specific identification elements, for example for laser marking. The container-specific identification element is applied to the container 4 before or after the filler 3 or the closure 7, for example by means of an identification device not shown here.

The container-specific identification elements recognized by the recognition unit 14.3 are associated with one or more camera images of the respective container 4, for example in a database or in an index table. In this way, in the event of a subsequent complaint that a defective container 4 is not detected, the associated camera image can be read out again from the filing unit 14 and analyzed in a particularly simple manner.

It is additionally also conceivable for the archiving unit 14 to be connected via a network interface 18 to a network data store 15 which comprises a plurality of mass data stores 15.1. This makes it possible to flexibly archive camera images for a particularly long period of time. It is conceivable that the camera images are first buffered in the archiving unit 14 on their mass data storage 14.1, 14.2 and then transferred to the network data storage 15. It is conceivable here to involve the internet at least in part in the case of the network interface 18, so that the network data storage 15 is arranged remotely from the container processing facility 2 in other buildings or even at a service provider for data storage. Thereby, the operator of the container processing facility 2 can flexibly book and manage the storage space of the mass data storage 15.1 as required.

It is also conceivable that the archiving unit 14 does not comprise a large-capacity memory itself, but that the camera image is transmitted directly from the archiving unit to the network data storage 15. For example, in the case of a network data interface, a high-speed data interface is involved. Thus, the effort for archiving is still small.

The examination apparatus 1 shown in fig. 1 is used as follows:

the containers 4 are transported as a container flow by means of the transport device 10, wherein the containers 4 are optically recorded as camera images by means of the camera unit 11, wherein the camera images are automatically evaluated by means of the image evaluation unit 13, and wherein defective containers 1.1 are identified and therefore corrective measures are triggered. Furthermore, the camera images of all examined containers over a period of time are archived as raw data by an archiving unit 14 which is present in addition to the image evaluation unit 13, wherein the camera images are transmitted from the camera unit 11 to the image evaluation unit 13 via a first image data connection 16 and wherein the camera images are reflected from the image evaluation unit 13 to the archiving unit 14 prior to the automatic evaluation via a second image data connection 17.

Furthermore, the containers 4 are provided with container-specific identification elements, so that the filed camera image can be associated with a single container 4.

Preferably, the archived camera images are automatically deleted after a determined time interval. This may for example occur after a given shelf life on the product.

It is conceivable that camera images of some or all containers 4 examined during a period of time are archived on the mass data storage 14.1, 14.2 of the archiving unit 14 or on the network data storage 15 via the network data interface 18.

It is to be understood that the features mentioned in the embodiments described before are not limited to this combination of features but can also be implemented individually or in any further combination thereof.