Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting the thickness of a container wall, such as a glass or plastic container wall including a plurality of elongated sensors disposed in a linear array in spaced end to end relationship. The containers are urged into intimate contact with the sensor elements and are rotated thereover. The containers are moved from sensing element to sensing element with each element inspecting a portion of the circumference. Oscillators convert the change in capacitance to a corresponding voltage which, in turn, in a processor is converted to an actual thickness reading which is compared with desired predetermined thickness levels. By segmenting the sensors in this manner, a plurality of containers may be inspected simultaneously with a processor combining the individual segments of sensor readings so as to reconstruct the complete thickness evaluation of the container. A corresponding method is provided.

Abstract: A housing, simulating the configuration of a container such as a glass bottle, includes an internal chamber for supporting a center post having an axial bore for receiving a biaxial accelerometer electrically connected to circuitry for detecting and recording the magnitude of the impact force applied externally to the housing. In a method for simulating the impact forces applied to glass bottles as they are conveyed in a bottling operation impact forces are applied at any angle to the housing and are transmitted to the accelerometer. The accelerometer is actuated to generate an output signal expressed in terms of the X and Y vectors of the impact force to the electrical circuitry. The output signal is processed to indicate the magnitude of the applied impact force.

Abstract: Apparatus and an associated method for inspecting a container neck for the desired shape includes an upper body portion having an elongated bore therethrough, and a downwardly projecting lower body portion having a passageway generally aligned with the bore. The lower body portion has an outer surface corresponding to the desired shape of the inner portion of the container neck but of a size corresponding to the minimum permissible inside diameter of the container neck. In one embodiment the lower body portion has at least one vent opening to facilitate improved container neck inspection. Sealing material is provided such that when the container neck is of the desired shape the lower body portion will be received within the neck in such a manner that the passageway will be in sealed communication with the container interior.