Title:
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE DISPERSIBILITY OF A PRODUCT IN PARTICULATE FORM
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO2002103329
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for determining the dispersibility grade of particulate material by means of an image processing technique that employs machine vision. In one aspect, this invention provides a method for grading the dispersibility of particulate material, the method comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining an image, in digitized form, of a sample comprising reconstituted particulate material; (b) performing a series of image processing steps to determine the presence and magnitude of blobs; (c) performing a blob analysis to obtain data relating to the distribution of the particulate material in the sample; (d) comparing the result of the blob analysis with data in a database; and (e) determining the grade of said particulate material by means of the comparison. The sample of particulate material, which is typically in the form of a powder, is reconstituted preferably by means of agitating a container filled with the sample. The database suitable for use in this invention can be established by recording the results of a large number of tests performed by a powder quality grading authority. The grade levels are ssociated with several ranges that have emerged from the statistical analysis. In another aspect, this invention provides an apparatus suitable for grading the dispersibility of particulate material.
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Inventors:
WANG JIANJUN
TERFLINGER RANDALL E
ZEITLER WILSON G
MONDIEK DAVID A
TERFLINGER RANDALL E
ZEITLER WILSON G
MONDIEK DAVID A
Application Number:
PCT/US2002/017566
Publication Date:
July 31, 2003
Filing Date:
June 04, 2002
Export Citation:
Assignee:
ABBOTT LAB (US)
International Classes:
G01N15/02; G01N21/85; G06T7/00; G01N15/00; (IPC1-7): G01N15/02; G06T7/00; G01N21/85
Domestic Patent References:
| WO1998030886A1 | 1998-07-16 | |||
| WO1997014950A1 | 1997-04-24 |
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