Abstract: A mechanism for automatically inspecting the condition of the lip of a container. A beam or pulse of energy is directed by a first energy guide to impact upon a portion of the lip of a container. The amount of energy, reflected off the lip and through a second energy guide, is measured by a sensor located at the end of the second guide. The sensor produces an output signal having a magnitude proportional to the amount of reflected energy received by the sensor. Appropriate electrical circuitry compares the magnitude of the sensor output to a preselected magnitude. If the sensor output is greater it generates a first signal indicating a first condition of that portion of the lip of the container and, if the sensor output is less it generates a second signal indicating a second condition of that portion of the lip. A plurality of such reflected beams and sensors and electrical circuits may be employed around the perimeter of the lip to determine the condition of substantially the entire lip.

Abstract: Force balanced actuator for mechanically actuated container grippers such as may be used in bottle handling apparatus are disclosed. The actuator is disposed so as to cooperatively engage an actuating member of a gripper assembly moving with respect thereto. The actuator is supported so as to yield in response to engagement with the actuating member of a gripper assembly and to engage a second member mounted on the same structure as the gripper assembly so that the actuation force required by the gripper assembly is provided, not by the structure supporting the actuator, but by the second member supported on the same structure as the gripper assembly. In this manner noise, vibration and structural rigidity requirements of such equipment are substantially reduced.

Abstract: An optical system for automatic sorting and inspection machines for providing an improved two dimensional image of a three dimensional object to a camera or a camera-like device is disclosed. The optical system utilizes two spaced apart mirrors for receiving light primarily from different areas of the object to be viewed. Each mirror is positioned to reflect that light toward an optical axis. Positioned between the first and second mirrors are third and fourth mirrors positioned to reflect the light received thereby along the optical axis of the camera system. In this manner the image viewed by the camera will represent two separate views or image portions of the object being viewed, which image portions may or may not overlap as desired. By proper positioning of the mirrors, one can obtain an image of a three dimensional object which includes image portions of minimum distortion which effectively start to reach around the object and therefore not otherwise viewable from the camera position.

Abstract: An improved rejector for selectively transferring articles from a conveyor or conveyor-like device, to a delivery region such as a second conveyor based upon one or more signals which may be associated with any of the articles to be so transferred. The system utilizes a further conveyor-like device running substantially parallel to the conveyor carrying the articles to be transferred, the conveyor-like device having a plurality of pusher members substantially transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor-like device, and slideable by a guide between a normally withdrawn position and an extended position passing over the conveyor carrying the articles to be transferred so as to transfer an article therefrom to the delivery device.

Abstract: Sorting and inspection apparatus and methods which may be used for the identification and separation of articles of different characteristics, or the inspection of articles of similar characteristics to reject those of below minimum standards. A typical system will include a transport system for individually transporting the articles past a television camera so that the camera may view the distinctive portions of the articles to be sorted or the area of the articles to be inspected. The output of the television camera is digitized based upon the number of transitions of light to dark (or dark to light) in the scan lines. A correlator then performs a specialized correlation between the digitized image and various previously digitized images representing the different items being sorted or inspected, to determine which of the previously stored images best correlates with the digitized image from the television camera.

Abstract: A full depth uncaser for automatically removing bottles from a case having a depth substantially equal to the bottle height, and delivering the bottles to a delivery conveyor. The uncaser utilizes a system of individual grippers arranged in the general pattern of the bottles in the cases, with the various rows of grippers supported by continuous chains at each side of a gripper assembly. Each individual gripper utilizes an over-center toggle mechanism held to the open position by the toggle, and triggerable by the contact of the center member with the top of a bottle to allow a spring to cause the gripper to close on the neck of the bottle. Bottles are released onto the delivery conveyor by depression of the center member at that point to reset the over-center mechanism. Provisions for synchronizing the cases with the gripper motion as well as other features, embodiments and improvements for such equipment are provided.

Abstract: An electronic bottle inspector having particle and liquid detection capabilities through the use of sensing systems in the visible and infra-red light range. For particle inspection in the visible light range, light from a source, typically an incandescent source passing through the bottom of a bottle, is focused above the neck of the bottle to preset an image of the bottom of the bottle on a rotating scanner characterized by a generally non-reflective background having one or more reflecting segments thereon. The scanner rotates at high speed so that the reflecting segment or segments scans the image focused thereon, with at least the reflective segments being contoured so the light falling thereon from the respective portion of the bottle bottom image is focused onto a detector. The particulate matter on the bottom of the bottle will block the light, creating a dip in detector output when that portion of the image is scanned.

Abstract: A box opening apparatus for automatically opening the closed (unsealed) flaps of cartons delivered on a conveyor. The initial lifting of the longitudinal flaps is by a stream of air or by vacuum. Thereafter the undersides of the slightly lifted flaps engage a blade which urges the flaps upward, with helical rails completing the opening of the longitudinal flaps. A drag link engages the rear lateral flap, pivoting the flap open as the carton moves along the conveyor. A hook member is coupled to an endless chain moving substantially faster than the conveyor and synchronized with the movement of cartons on the conveyor. The hook member is disposed and synchronized to engage the underside of the front lateral flap when in the closed position, and to move in an upwardly and then downwardly sloping direction followed by a horizontal trajectory segment to rotate the flap to the open position.

Abstract: Internal gripper apparatus for use in uncasers and the like, for controllably gripping bottles or other containers from within for transport and release as desired. The internal grippers are spring-loaded to an outer position though automatically retract as required for insertion into the mouth of a container, gripping the container near the top, or at the ridge adjacent the top of the container characteristic of nearly all containers. The grippers have an upward extending centrally disposed actuating member which may be slidably encouraged to a lower position to retract the grippers and release a container held thereby. The grippers provide relatively close axial positioning of the containers to provide the desired separation of containers on container handling apparatus, and further include supporting structure to allow retraction of the gripper on engagement with broken or inverted containers or other obstructions in the normal operation of the gripper apparatus.

Abstract: Improvements in bottle handling apparatus whereby bottles may be firmly grasped by the neck thereof for conveying but may be easily and quickly released as desired. A pair of spaced elongated members, somewhat flexible by design, extend outward adjacently and are manipulated to clamp and retain the bottles. The elongated members are pivotally supported intermediate the ends thereof and a toggle joint mechanism is disposed to spread the rear portion of the elongated members so as to cause the forward portion thereof to grasp a bottle. A spring across the toggle mechanism drives the clamp into either the completely open or completely closed position in response to an impulse. Mechanism is provided for causing the clamp to release at one of a plurality of possible locations depending on the desired position of the bottle being conveyed.

Abstract: A Full Depth Uncaser for automatically removing bottles from a case having a depth substantially equal to the bottle height, and delivering the bottles to a delivery conveyor. The Uncaser utilizes a system of individual grippers arranged in the general pattern of the bottles in the cases, with the various rows of grippers supported by continuous chains at each side of a gripper assembly. Each individual gripper utilizes an over-center toggle mechanism held to the open position by the toggle, and triggerable by the contact of the center member with the top of a bottle to allow a spring to cause the gripper to close on the neck of the bottle. Bottles are released onto the delivery conveyor by depression of the center member at that point to reset the over-center mechanism. Provisions for synchronizing the cases with the gripper motion as well as other features and improvements for such equipment are disclosed.