Abstract: An optoelectronic system for reading reliefs, such as a mould number, on a transparent container. The optoelectronic system associates a light source and a reception system, the light source illuminating the entire periphery of part of the body of the container and the reception system being capable of reproducing a complete image of the periphery of that part of the body of the container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the thickness of a transparent material. A light beam from a laser diode has a modulated optical frequency. The emitted light shines on opposite surfaces of a wall of the material and is reflected from both of the surfaces. The two beams are used to form an interference. The difference of step .delta. of the interference signal is then determined. The thickness of the transparent material is determined from this difference of step. The apparatus may be used with bottles of glass or plastic material, whether clear or colored and on flat glass.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for the optical inspection of at least partially transparent objects, such as bottles or flasks, arranged in line on a moving horizontal table conveyor. A light source is located on one side of the conveyor and a linear electronic camera on the other. The camera comprises a line of photodetectors extending in a first direction. A lens forms on the camera an image of a portion of the object being inspected, the image being oriented so that as the object moves, the image moves in the same direction as the first direction. The image is scanned rapidly and repeatedly in the first direction by electronically scanning the line of photodetectors. The image is scanned in a second direction, preferably perpendicular to the first direction by a pivoting mirror which varies the portion of the object that is imaged onto the photodetectors.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the optical inspection of partially transparent articles. The apparatus comprises means for transporting the body to the inspection station and orienting it therein which comprises a horizontal plate having a vertical axis which is driven by a star wheel carrying rollers which permit rotation of the object at the inspection station by an exterior counter roller. The device further comprises a translucent diffusing screen; a receiver having a linear camera for observing the rear surface of the screen; and a fixed light emitter arranged outside the mounting of the body.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for optical inspection of transparent articles. The method and apparatus use a light beam scanning field which is separated into at least two portions. The field portions are directed at the article at differing angles of incidence such that they eliminate blind spots caused by portions of the apparatus which block the passage of the light through the article. A feature of the invention is its provision of a folded optical path to increase the length the beam travels between the beam generator and the object beyond the physical distance between the beam generator and the object.