Checking of best before date, EAN and type number on labels

Nowadays, a large proportion of food is packed in thermoformed trays. These are designed in a variety of ways, have to comply with legal requirements for the best before date and tables of contents and must be clearly labelled.

This information is located on the top and bottom of the packaging. During the production process it must be ensured that these specifications are observed and that no product mix-ups occur.

With the help of a machine vision system, the presence, position and plausibility of the label is checked on the basis of geometrical features and the label type number. Also the barcode (EAN code) and the best before date are checked for readability and plausibility. In combination with a gap in the conveyor belt and line scan camera technology, the system is able to check labels on both the top and bottom (transport side). his design allows the system to be easily integrated into the production process without additional handling (e.g. time-consuming turning of products).

New label types can be easily trained via the intuitive user interface. The system obtains the production data listed above through the direct connection to the customer‘s SAP interface.

Statistical data as well as the storage of image recordings of defective products support the production managers in optimizing the upstream processes. The machine vision interface also controls the rejection process to ensure that no faulty products reach the retail trade.