Abstract: Infrared and visible light energies are directed through a container onto a CCD camera that is responsive to both the visible and infrared light energy. Crossed polarizers are positioned on opposed sides of the container, and operate on the visible light energy in such a way as to block transmission of visible light to the camera in the absence of stress variations in the container, which alter polarization of the visible light energy traveling through the container. On the other hand, the polarizers have little or no effect on the infrared light energy, which creates a normally gray intensity of background light at the camera. In this way, incidence of visible light on the camera due to stress variations in the container appears as a bright signal against a normally gray background, while blockage of infrared light due to opaque variations in the container appears as a dark signal against the normally gray background.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting the sealing surface area of a container finish that includes a structured light source positioned to direct a collimated line-shaped light beam onto the sealing surface area of a container as the container is moved relative to the light source. The line-shaped light beam at the container sealing surface area has a long dimension orthogonal to the container axis that extends chordally across the sealing surface area, and a narrow dimension tangential to the container axis. A light sensor is disposed to receive portions of the line-shaped light beam reflected from the sealing surface area, and provides an electrical output signal that varies with height or level of the sealing surface with respect to the light source and sensor. The sensor is coupled to associated electronics for providing information indicative of sealing surface height.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting a container for variations that affect commercial acceptability of the container that includes a light source for directing diffuse polarized light energy through a container while the container is rotated about its axis. A first camera is disposed to receive diff-use polarized light energy transmitted from the light source through a portion of the container, so that the first camera receives an image of the container portion in which opaque variations appear dark against an otherwise bright background. A second camera receives light energy transmitted from the light source through substantially the same portion of the container, and includes a polarizer at cross-orientation to the polarizer at the light source. The second camera receives a bright image of stress variations in the container, which alter polarization of the diffuse polarized light energy passing through the container, against an otherwise dark background.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting the sealing surface area of a container finish that includes a structured light source positioned to direct a collimated line-shaped light beam onto the sealing surface area of a container as the container is moved relative to the light source. The line-shaped light beam at the container sealing surface area has a long dimension orthogonal to the container axis that extends chordally across the sealing surface area, and a narrow dimension tangential to the container axis. A light sensor is disposed to receive portions of the line-shaped light beam reflected from the sealing surface area, and provides an electrical output signal that varies with height or level of the sealing surface with respect to the light source and sensor. The sensor is coupled to associated electronics for providing information indicative of sealing surface height.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting external dimensional parameters of a container finish that includes a light source for directing light energy onto the finish of the container and a matrix array sensor disposed to receive an image of the container finish illuminated by the light source. A telecentric lens is positioned to focus onto the matrix array sensor an image of the container finish profile formed by light energy traveling parallel to the telecentric lens axis, such that the finish profile appears as a dark image against a light background at the sensor. The matrix array sensor is scanned at increments of container rotation to determine one or more dimensional parameters of the container finish.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting checks in the sidewall of a translucent container that includes a light source for illuminating an elongated strip of the container sidewall parallel to the central axis of the container in such a way that illumination rays are incident at any point of the strip from multiple differing angles. A camera is positioned externally of the container for receiving light reflected by checks in the illuminated strip, and electronic circuitry is coupled to the camera for detecting checks in the container as a function of such reflected light. Since the light rays at any point in the elongated illuminated strip on the container sidewall are incident from multiple differing angles, planar checks in the container sidewall that are not precisely vertical in orientation will have a greater chance of reflecting light energy from the source onto the detector.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting external dimensional parameters of a container finish that includes a light source for directing light energy onto the finish of the container and a matrix array sensor disposed to receive an image of the container finish illuminated by the light source. A telecentric lens is positioned to focus onto the matrix array sensor an image of the container finish profile formed by light energy traveling parallel to the telecentric lens axis, such that the finish profile appears as a dark image against a light background at the sensor. The matrix array sensor is scanned at increments of container rotation to determine one or more dimensional parameters of the container finish.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting the sealing surfaces of containers that includes a light source positioned to direct a narrow beam of light energy at an acute angle onto the sealing surface of a container as the container is rotated about its central axis. A light sensor is disposed to receive the narrow beam of light energy reflected from the sealing surface, and provides an output signal that varies as a function of position of incidence of the reflected light beam on the sensor. The sensor is coupled to associated electronics for providing information indicative of container height, and a signal for controlling separation of a container from the conveyor system when height of the container, warp or dip of the container sealing surface, or cocked finish at the container exceeds predetermined standards.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting the bottom of a container that includes a light sensor positioned to view the container bottom through the open container mouth, a light source positioned externally of the container on the opposite side of the container bottom, and electronics for detecting commercial variations in the container bottom as a function of light energy incident on the sensor. The light source, as viewed by the sensor through the container bottom, is characterized by being elongated radially of the container bottom and narrow transversely of the container bottom. In this way, any variations in the container bottom that refract the line of sight of the sensor in the radial direction, such as mold code rings and baffle scars, are essentially transparent as viewed by the sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting the inside diameter of a container mouth that includes a light source for directing light energy into the container, and a light sensor disposed with respect to the source and the container to receive light energy transmitted out of the container through the mouth. A telecentric lens directs onto the light sensor light energy transmitted through the container mouth substantially axially of the container mouth. The light energy is focused through an iris onto a matrix array sensor, which develops a two-dimensional image of the container mouth. The matrix array sensor is coupled to image processing electronics for determining or calculating a circle of greatest diameter that will fit within the two-dimensional image of the container mouth, and treating such circle as indicative of the effective diameter of the container mouth.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting transparent containers having sidewall portions of differing optical properties that includes a pair of discrete light sources for directing light energy through the adjacent essentially discrete portions of the containers having the differing optical properties. A camera receives light energy directed through the container from both of the light sources as a single image of the entire portion of the container illuminated by both light sources. Commercial variations are detected as a function of variations in light intensity at the camera. The camera includes an array sensor that receives light energy transmitted through both of the container portions, and is scanned at increments of container rotation so as to develop an electronic image of the entire portion of the container illuminated by the light sources.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting containers that includes an inspection head positioned for rotation about a fixed axis adjacent to a container under inspection. A light source and a camera are carried by the head for directing illumination energy onto the container and receiving energy from the container after interaction with the container. The camera is connected to interface electronics for controlling camera operation and receiving data signals from the camera. The light source, camera and interface electronics are mounted on the head and rotate continuously, with the light source and interface electronics being connected by optical commutation to external control devices.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring sidewall thickness of transparent containers that includes a source for directing a light beam onto the outer surface of the container sidewall at an angle such that a portion of the light beam is reflected from the outer sidewall surface, and a portion is refracted into the container sidewall, reflected from the inner sidewall surface and then re-emerges from the outer sidewall surface. A lens is disposed between a linear array light sensor and the container sidewall for focusing light energy reflected from the outer and inner sidewall surfaces onto the sensor. The lens has an image plane in which the sensor is disposed and an object plane co-linear with the light beam. Electronics is responsive to light energy incident on the sensor for determining wall thickness of the container between the inner and outer sidewall surfaces.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting commercial variations in transparent containers such as glass bottles that comprises a light source for directing diffused light energy through a container under inspection. A light sensing camera is positioned to receive an image of the light source transmitted through the container sidewall. A light control film is positioned adjacent to the light source between the light source and the container, and comprises a plurality of parallel slats spaced from each other so as to limit the angle from which the image of the light source can be viewed at the camera. Commercial variations are detected as a function of variations in light intensity received at the camera. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, first and second arrays of spaced parallel slats are positioned adjacent to the light source, with the slats of the first array being at an angle to the slats of the second array so as to project a moire fringe pattern through the container onto the camera.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting commercial variations in transparent containers such as glass bottles that includes a conveyor for directing containers along a path through an inspection station, and a light source disposed on one side of the path for directing light energy through a container at the inspection station. A light sensing camera is positioned on the same side of the conveyor path, and a retroreflector is positioned on the opposing side of the conveyor path opposite the light source and camera for reflecting light energy transmitted from the source through a container at the station back through the container onto the camera. Commercial variations are detected as a function of variations in intensity of light energy received at the camera.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting vertical checks in the finish of a translucent container that includes a light source for directing light energy onto the container finish from externally of the container finish laterally of the container axis over an angular portion less than the entire circumference of the container finish. An area array camera is positioned externally of the container at an angle to the container axis so as to receive an image of the illuminated portion of the container finish. The camera is oriented with respect to the light source such that a vertical check in the container finish reflects light energy from the source to the camera to create a bright a image of the check against a normally dark background. Vertical checks in the container finish are detected as a function of such reflected light energy.

Abstract: Apparatus for reading a mold-identifying code in the form of a plurality of surface irregularities extending in an arcuate array around the container heal concentrically with the container axis. A starwheel conveyor sequentially moves a series of containers in an arcuate path about a conveyor axis to and through a reading station. A belt positioned adjacent to the conveyor periphery engages containers at the reading station and is driven so as to rotate the containers about their central axes. A light source is imaged at the conveyor axis through container heel. A scanning mirror is positioned to receive an image of the light source transmitted through the container heel and to reflect such image onto a camera. The scanning mirror is driven as a function of conveyor rotation so as to follow a container traveling through the reading station and reflect onto the camera an image of that circumferential portion of the illuminated container heel closest to the conveyor axis.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting the sealing surface of a container finish that includes a light source positioned to direct light energy onto the container sealing surface as the container is held in stationary position and rotated about its central axis. A camera that includes an array of light sensitive elements is positioned and oriented with respect to the container axis of rotation to receive light energy reflected by the sealing surface, with the camera having an effective field of view limited to an angular portion less than the entire circumference of the container sealing surface. The camera array is scanned at increments of container rotation to develop information indicative of intensity of light at each array element as a function of such increments, and commercial variations in the container sealing surface are detected as a function of such information.

Abstract: An electro-optical gauging system for measuring the flatness of an edge of a workpiece which may be closed upon itself and of non-circular form by mounting the piece centered on a flat circular table having radial slots and an open center. A line source of light of uniform intensity is located at the table center to project a line image along a slot as the table is rotated around an axis of rotation perpendicular to its plane and coincident with the line image. The distance along the slot depth dimension from a reference edge in each slot to the workpiece edge is measured by measuring the width of the light beam passed between the reference edge and the workpiece edge. Measurements are made by passing collimated light between the edges to be measured. The light is imaged by a quasi-telecentric system onto a linescan camera having a linear array of pixels extending along the image length. Image-to-camera distance variations are accommodated by the imaging lens system.

Abstract: A system of back illuminating a glass container with generally horizontal collimated light having a vertical gradient of brightness produced by placing a showcase light behind the upper area of a diffuser plate.The light passing through the bottle is imaged by a lens into the region of the entrance aperture of a camera having a vertical array of pixels. The lens in the camera is focused on the side of the bottle. The output of the camera will be of a general level equal to the level of illumination of the middle of the diffuser. When a refractive defect in the bottle deflects light from the brightest area of the diffuser into the aperture of the camera, the signal output will rise, and if light from the darkest area of the diffuser is deflected by the defect into the aperture of the camera, the output signal will be substantially less.