Abstract: The cavity tracking system employs a tracking station adjacent a screw feed with closely spaced sensors which operate on a first-in first-out memory manner. When a container passes the first sensor the actual encoder "count" obtained at that time is compared with the list of cavity numbers and associated calculated "counts" in the store and the cavity number associated with the actual count is fed to the first memory zone. When the container passes the second sensor, the cavity number is erased from the first zone and passed on to the next zone and so on. Upon passing the last sensor, the cavity number is fed to the read-out and/or further processed.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting and inspecting containers includes an annealing lehr disposed on one side of a primary conveyor and a stacker having a reciprocating pusher bar adapted to transport containers from the primary conveyor into the annealing lehr. Inspection apparatus is positioned adjacent to the primary conveyor. The stacker pusher bar preferably has a series of gates which permit a predetermined container which is to be inspected to pass through the pusher bar when the pusher bar is moved toward the annealing lehr to deliver the other containers thereto. The gates may advantageously be slidable or rotatable and be operated on an individual basis by actuators. The inspection equipment may be provided with conveyors to transport the containers to be inspected from the primary conveyor to the inspection apparatus and to transport the inspected containers which pass inspection to the primary conveyor or annealing lehr.