Abstract: Disclosed is a scanner system which includes a light source and a photodetector. Circuitry is included for automatically adjusting the intensity of the light source so as to prevent saturation of the photodetector. Whenever the current through the photodetector exceeds a predetermined amount, a transistor switch is opened to connect a resistor in series with the light source and cause the intensity of the light source to decrease. When the output of the photodetector reduces due to decreased intensity of the light source, the transistor switch will close and thus cause the resistor to be bypassed and the intensity of the light source to return to its original level.The scanner is utilized to detect reference marks which are located on a contrasting background. Additional circuitry included to adjust the sensitivity of the system so as to be able to detect marks of varying contrast with respect to the background.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting glass containers to determine the presence of the defect termed "birdswing". A container under inspection is rotated and a laser is directed so as to pass through the opening defined by the finish of the container and toward the base of the container. If no birdswing is present the laser beam will pass through the bottom of the container. However, if a birdswing is present, the rotation of the container will cause the laser beam to eventually strike the birdswing, causing scattering of the laser beam. The scattered light is detected by a circumferential photocell array which is positioned below the base of the container. The location of the array is such that it will not detect any of the laser light unless it strikes a birdswing. The detection of scattered light by the photocell array causes a reject signal to be generated.

Abstract: In a cavity identification system the containers, which are upright, will be in single file and will be diverted from a linear conveyor by a rotating starwheel, having in the periphery thereof, pockets which generally correspond to the external diameter of the containers. The starwheel serves to guide the containers from the side of the conveyor, in slightly spaced-apart fashion, over an identification station where the cavity identification reader is positioned. After the container has passed the reading position, it will be moved back onto the moving conveyor so that the container will be carried to a later processing position. Guard rails are provided at both the incoming and outgoing ends of the cavity reading system to guide the containers in series relationship. The described inspection apparatus may be moved as a unit away from the side of the conveyor an amount to clear the normal span of the conveyor.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for determining which of a plurality of molds produced a particular container. A specific concentric ring code is molded into the bottom of each container as it is produced. This code is defined by absence or presence of rings at possible ring positions. No rings are formed in adjacent positions. The containers are then passed by a reading station, where light whose intensity is proportional to the angle of incidence is projected onto the bottom of the container. The variation of intensity of light reflected to a particular point is used to determine the position of the rings on the container and suitable electronics may then decode the ring position to determine the container code, thus permitting identification of the mold which produced each container.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for preventing the formation of blisters in an electrically-heated forehearth that utilizes submerged electrodes connected to either a single or plural phase alternating current source. The electrodes are arranged so that Joule effect heating is effected by passing alternating current through the molten glass with the center tap of the secondary of the power transformer being connected to the positive side of a Direct Current source through a filter, while the negative side of the DC source is connected to a counter electrode, immersed in the glass at a point upstream of the forehearth.With this physical arrangement, the formation of blisters due to free electrons migrating to and collecting on some of the electrodes that are at different potentials than the others is prevented.

Abstract: A multiple station inspection glassware inspection machine in which the containers are moved from station to station by engagement with a changeable, cylindrical pocket with a plurality of these pockets assembled to form an endless structure similar to a chain. Each of the semi-cylindrical pockets is adapted to engage the sidewall of the containers and to effect the indexing movement of the containers from an inlet where they are received from a conveyor and to carry the containers through a plurality of inspection stations. Various inspections may be carried out at the stations. Each container, after having moved through all of the stations, is returned to the conveyor. As each of the containers is moved through the series of positions while engaged in the pockets, they are retained in the posckets by the positioning of a guide rail system which effectively confines the bottles to the semi-cylindrical pocket of the indexing system.

Abstract: Apparatus for moving newly formed glass containers from a cooling dead plate to a moving machine conveyor in which the ware is engagedf by a finger, with the finger being generally horizontal and engageable with the container at a point on its sidewall which best suits the moving of the container by a sliding motion. The finger, or fingers in the case of plural containers being simultaneously moved, is moved through an arc approximately 90.degree. with respect to its vertical axis, moving the containers from the dead plate to the conveyor and then the finger is retracted out of contact with the containers on the conveyor. The cylinder for extending and retracting the fingers is mounted on the upper end of a vertical shaft, the shaft being oscillated through approximately 90.degree.. In the drive mechanism for the shaft, a sprocket-carrying housing surrounding the shaft is provided with an internally contained, flat spiral spring which connnects the housing to a coaxially positioned sleeve.

Abstract: Disclosed is a digital circuit for generating a swept clock frequency having a linear rate of change. A constant frequency signal is divided by a counter signal representative of the inverse of a linearly changing time dependent variable. The value of the counter signal is varied at the proper rate by means of a pair of rate multipliers and a frequency divider. Included are means for controlling the slope of the output frequency.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting bulged and sunken sidewalls and incorrect widths on paneled containers.Containers to be inspected are moved along a conveyor. Two groups of three LVDT's (generally opposite from one another) are utilized to measure the distance between each of three points on the container sidewall and a reference line. The measurements are fed to a circuit which determines the deviation of one of the three points from a line passing through the remaining two points. The amount of deviation is utilized to determine whether or not the sidewall is bulged or sunken. Measurements from each pair of opposing LVDT's are fed to a circuit which determines the width of the container at three different heights. The width values are compared to predetermined limits in order to determine if the container width is acceptable.The timing of measurements is controlled by the use of photocell sensors, which detect the passage of a container past particular reference points.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for forming and applying a plastic sleeve to a rigid base article, such as a glass bottle. A blank of plastic is wrapped and seamed around the fingers of a stripper sleeve enclosing a mandrel. The stripper sleeve holding the plastic sleeve is extended along its longitudinal axis telescopically over a preheated bottle positioned above and longitudinally aligned with the mandrel and the stripper sleeve. Clamping means, such as a plurality of vacuum fingers, extend downwardly and hold the plastic sleeve in position while the stripper sleeve with its fingers is retracted to its original position. The heat of the bottle causes the plastic sleeve to shrink slightly such that it is held in position relative to the bottle when the clamping means is removed. The bottle and plastic sleeve are then subjected to a thermoconstrictive operation.