Abstract: Inspection of a procession of ware such as bottles on a moving conveyor for "down" bottles and bottles which are "stuck" and tilted is accomplished by maintaining an average of detected dimensions for acceptable bottles and by comparing a sensor signal which is indicative of bottle dimension to thresholds which are preselected percentages of the average. Variations in detected bottle dimension, due to different or changing production conditions or variations in conveyor speed, are automatically compensated for.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the sealing surface finish and the internal diameter of the mouth and neck of sealable containers comprises means for pressurizing the container and providing a digital signal having a value indicative of the magnitude of the peak pressure in the container and means for providing a defect signal if there are any obstructions in the mouth or neck of the container. A microcomputer maintains a running average value of selected ones of previously produced digital signals, compares the most recently produced digital signal to the running average value and provides a reject signal if the value of the most recent digital signal fails to exceed a percentage of the running average value. The microcomputer also provides a reject signal if it detects the presence of a defect signal. An initial average value is computed based upon selected ones of the digital numbers initially produced and the running average value is periodically compared to a percentage of the initial average value.

Abstract: Container flaws are detected by repetitively sampling the output of a photosensor at a controlled rate dependent on the speed of inspection. Samples are digitized and stored in memory on a first in, first out basis. First in (oldest) and last in (newest) samples are used to provide a sliding computation of the slope or rate of change of the photosensor output. The computed slope is compared to an empirically determined preselected number. Containers are rejected or accepted based on the results of the comparison.

Abstract: A container such as a glass bottle is inspected for out-of-round condition while being rotated and moved in line through a test area. A transmitter transducer directs a signal such as a 40 Khz acoustic wave to the outer surface of the bottle. The signal (such as the acoustic wave) reflected from the outer surface of the bottle is received by a receiver transducer. Changes in the phase difference between the transmitted and received signals are detected while the bottle is rotated. The difference between the maximum and minimum values of the changes in phase difference is compared to a threshold value to determine whether an out-of-round condition is tolerable. The bottle is ejected from the line if the difference signal exceeds the threshold value.

Abstract: A carriage having dual spindles reciprocates with continuously moving plastic containers. The first spindle pressurizes a container to blow out any dents in the plastic container. The second spindle inspects the container for detection of defects which would cause the container to be a leaker.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for statistically testing frangible containers produced by plural mold sources by selectively diverting containers to a test station at regular intervals of time. A diverted container is automatically tracked to the test station wherein it is tested. A signal indicative of the result of the test is generated for use in selectively diverting additional containers produced by the same mold source that produced the tested container. The totality of containers produced by the plural mold sources is upgraded by automatically ejecting all containers produced by one or more mold sources for fixed periods of time as a function of the test results.

Abstract: Apparatus for pressure testing frangible containers includes a carriage quided for horizontal reciprocation while supporting and guiding a pressure conduit mounted for vertical reciprocation. A pair of jaws are provided for embracing and supporting a container from above as the container is hydrostatically subjected to internal pressure.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring parts moving serially along a first conveyor to parallel ranks on a second conveyor comprising a push bar for contacting and transferring the parts, a carriage for supporting the bar and a base for movably supporting the carriage. A first drive apparatus moves the bar from a starting position adjacent the first conveyor toward the second conveyor. A lifting apparatus raises the bar after the articles have been transferred from the first conveyor onto the second conveyor and maintains the bar in a raised position for at least a portion of its return to its starting position. The bar is mounted on a movable mounting apparatus so that the bar can move with respect to the carriage. A second drive apparatus is provided for moving the bar with respect to the carriage, the second drive apparatus including at least one drive arm for moving the bar mounting apparatus.

Abstract: The mold source of a bottle provided with one or more sectors spanning a circumferential zone with prism-like timing marks thereon is identified by an on-line programmed microcomputer. The bottle is identified by a laser beam and sensor. The sensor generates a series of digital pulses in response to the passage of the laser beam through the timing marks. The leading and trailing edges of the pulses are time stamped by the microcomputer. A microcomputer program identifies the mold source of the bottle based on the time stamped information. The identification of the bottle and its status are stored in the microcomputer memory. A running log of the numbers of defective and acceptable bottles produced by the mold source is printed out based on the contents of the microcomputer memory.