Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting glass containers in which an indexing starwheel moves a plurality of containers in series through a plurality of positions or stations where the containers are physically and optically examined.One station, or position, is described in detail as the position where a glass container that is in a vertical position is rotated about its vertical axis by engagement of the finish thereof with a driven wheel. Rotating worm means move the bottles into and out of the handling system and serve as means to time the bottle movements. A mechanism at the exit position assists the bottles out of the starwheel. At the station where the sidewall of the bottles is to be inspected, a light source in the form of a tall housing is positioned in a vertical, annular recess of the starwheel.

Abstract: This invention relates to inspecting glass containers and other types of containers for defects, such as horizontal checks, in the sidewall thereof. The invention involves both method and apparatus for inspecting for such defects, whereby radiant energy is directed from above to be transmitted through the sidewall as a vertical band or column while the container is rotated. A light-sensitive detector observes the sidewall for reflected light produced by the defect, energizing of the detector creating a reject signal for rejection of flawed containers.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting glass containers in which an indexing starwheel moves a plurality of containers in series through a plurality of positions or stations where the containers are physically and optically examined.One station, or position, is described in detail as the position where a glass container that is in a vertical position is rotated about its vertical axis by engagement of the finish thereof with a driven wheel. The container, as it is rotated, is viewed by a camera whose lens focuses the sidewall image of the bottle onto a vertical, linear array of light sensitive pick-ups in the camera. The camera is supported relative to the bottle handling system for adjustment up and down, back and forth and sideways so as to have the flexibility of viewing different size bottles. At the station where the sidewall of the bottles is to be inspected, a light source in the form of a tall housing is positioned in a vertical, annular recess of the starwheel.