Cleaning assurance for reusable plastic packaging using ultraviolet induced fluorescence

Implementing reusable packaging systems is one approach that could reduce the global consumption of single use plastics. Clearly, it is important to ensure that reusable packaging undergoes a process of cleanliness assurance before it is refilled. This research seeks to demonstrate the feasibility of an optical sensing technique to provide this assurance for polymer drinks bottles. An ultraviolet illumination source is used to induce fluorescence in both common polymer and fouling samples. The responses, captured by digital imaging, are processed to determine features that can be used to differentiate the packaging and fouling substances. Variation in signal intensity and differences in responses in the red, green and blue channels are identified as suitable features to enable detection of fouling