Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting a container having a base and a mouth, wherein light is directed through the container base into the container, and out of the container through the container mouth, using at least first and second light sources operatively disposed adjacent to each other beneath the container base and having differing operating characteristics. Light transmitted through the container mouth is sensed, and a composite image of the container mouth may be produced from two or more images of portions of the container mouth.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting commercial variations in at least a portion of an at least partially transparent container. A light pattern in an angular domain is established from signals generated by a plurality of light sensors, wherein a point in the light pattern is generated by a signal from a corresponding portion of the light sensors and represents a light intensity corresponding to a particular reflection angle of a light ray reflected off the container. Different types of commercial variations in the container can be differentiated by analyzing the light pattern in the angular domain.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting a container having a base and a mouth, wherein light is directed through the container base into the container, and out of the container through the container mouth, using at least first and second light sources operatively disposed adjacent to each other beneath the container base and having differing operating characteristics. Light transmitted through the container mouth is sensed, and a composite image of the container mouth may be produced from two or more images of portions of the container mouth.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting contour of a container sidewall includes at least one light source for directing light energy onto the container sidewall and at least one light sensor disposed to receive light energy from the light source reflected from the container sidewall. The light sensor is responsive to such reflected light energy to provide signals indicative of position of the container sidewall relative to the sensor at at least two locations on the container sidewall spaced from each other in the direction of the container axis. An information processor is responsive to such signals to determine contour of the container sidewall as a function of sidewall positions at such locations. The at least two locations on the container sidewall preferably are nominally aligned with each other in a direction parallel to the container axis.

Abstract: A container inspection apparatus and method measures both warp and off-level of an annular sealing surface of a container. The apparatus preferably has a warp gauge device and an off-level gauge device suspended over a container support and base by at least one column for the warp gauge device and a pillar for the off-level gauge device. When measuring for warp, the off-level gauge device is constructed and arranged to pivot clear of the warp gauge device, and vice-versa when measuring for off-level. The container preferably is held laterally or radially in place by two V-bracket assemblies, and vertically in place by a container support. The V-bracket assemblies are adjustable vertically to accommodate containers of differing diameters and heights.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a container having a central axis and a sidewall with circumferentially extending external ribs. The apparatus includes a light source for directing a line-shaped light beam onto an external surface of the container, a light sensor disposed to receive reflected portions of the line-shaped beam, and an information processor coupled to the light sensor to determine a geometric characteristic of the sidewall as a function of the reflected light energy. The line-shaped light beam preferably has a long dimension parallel to the container axis, and sufficient length to illuminate at least one rib peak and at least one valley between the rib peaks. The sensor may be a linear array sensor that is particularly useful for measuring out-of-round, or an area array sensor for measuring out-of-round and sidewall thickness.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting lean of a container includes a light source positioned beneath a container for directing light energy onto the container bottom as the container is held in position and rotated around an axis. A light sensor positioned beneath the container receives portions of the light energy from the source reflected from the container bottom. An information processor is coupled to the light sensor for determining, as a combined function of the reflected light energy and container rotation, departure of the container bottom from a plane perpendicular to the axis. The container preferably is held in position and rotated around an axis by a drive roller that urges the container against axially spaced backup rollers so as to define an average axis of rotation as a function of the geometry of the container and spacing between the backup rollers.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting a container finish includes at least one light source for directing light energy onto the sealing surface of a container. At least one light sensor is disposed to receive light energy reflected from the sealing surface of the container, and is responsive to such reflected light energy to provide signals indicative of the level of the sealing surface at at least four points on the sealing surface spaced from each other around the axis of the container finish. An information processor is responsive to such signals for detecting variations in level at the sealing surface of the container. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the points on the sealing surface from which reflected energy is received at the sensor are at a nominal angle of 90° from each other. The information processor preferably is responsive to such signals for detecting warp, dip, off-level and overall height variations at the sealing surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring sidewall thickness of a container includes a conveyor for moving the container transversely of its axis through an inspection station and simultaneously rotating the container about its axis. A light source and an illumination lens system direct onto the sidewall of the container a line-shaped light beam having a long dimension perpendicular to the axis of the container and parallel to the direction of movement of the container through the inspection station. A light sensor and an imaging lens system direct onto the sensor light energy reflected from portions of the outer and inner sidewall surfaces that are perpendicular to the illumination light energy. An information processor is responsive to light energy directed onto the light sensor by the imaging lens system for determining the thickness of the container between the outer and inner sidewall surfaces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of measuring wall thickness of hollow glass articles, such as molded glass containers having interior and exterior wall surfaces, includes the steps of measuring intensity of radiation emitted by the article at a first wavelength at which intensity varies as a function of both temperature at the surfaces and wall thickness between the surfaces, and at a second wavelength at which intensity varies as a function of temperature at the surface substantially independent of wall thickness between the surfaces. Since the first intensity measurement is a function of both wall thickness and temperature, while the second intensity measurement is a function solely of surface temperature, wall thickness between the surfaces can determined as a combined function of the first and second intensity measurements.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a container includes a first light source for generating light energy of a first character and directing the light energy onto a predetermined portion of a container under inspection, and a second light source for generating light energy of a second character different from the first character and directing such light energy onto the same predetermined portion of the container under inspection. An area array light sensor is disposed to receive a two-dimensional image of the portion of the container illuminated by the first and second light sources. The first and second light sources are sequentially and alternately strobed, and first and second two-dimensional images of the container portion under inspection are downloaded from the sensor. Commercial variations that affect optical properties of the containers are identified by comparing the first and second two-dimensional images from the respective light sources scanned from the sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting checks in the finish of a translucent container that includes a first optical subassembly in which a first light source directs light energy onto the container finish as it rotates and a first light sensor receives portions of the first light energy reflected from horizontal checks in the container finish, and second and third optical subassemblies include respective second and third light sources and associated second and third sensors for directing light energy onto the container finish and receiving energy reflected from vertical checks in the container finish. Each optical subassembly includes an associated mounting plate, by means of which the optical subassemblies are mounted at an inspection station with the first light source and sensor disposed in a vertical plane, and the second and third light sources and sensors disposed in opposed mirror-image arrays on opposite sides of the vertical plane.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting the sealing surface area of a container finish that includes a structured light source positioned to direct a collimated line-shaped light beam onto the sealing surface area of a container as the container is moved relative to the light source. The line-shaped light beam at the container sealing surface area has a long dimension orthogonal to the container axis that extends chordally across the sealing surface area, and a narrow dimension tangential to the container axis. A light sensor is disposed to receive portions of the line-shaped light beam reflected from the sealing surface area, and provides an electrical output signal that varies with height or level of the sealing surface with respect to the light source and sensor. The sensor is coupled to associated electronics for providing information indicative of sealing surface height.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting the sealing surface area of a container finish that includes a structured light source positioned to direct a collimated line-shaped light beam onto the sealing surface area of a container as the container is moved relative to the light source. The line-shaped light beam at the container sealing surface area has a long dimension orthogonal to the container axis that extends chordally across the sealing surface area, and a narrow dimension tangential to the container axis. A light sensor is disposed to receive portions of the line-shaped light beam reflected from the sealing surface area, and provides an electrical output signal that varies with height or level of the sealing surface with respect to the light source and sensor. The sensor is coupled to associated electronics for providing information indicative of sealing surface height.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring sidewall thickness of transparent containers that includes a source for directing a light beam onto the outer surface of the container sidewall at an angle such that a portion of the light beam is reflected from the outer sidewall surface, and a portion is refracted into the container sidewall, reflected from the inner sidewall surface and then re-emerges from the outer sidewall surface. A lens is disposed between a linear array light sensor and the container sidewall for focusing light energy reflected from the outer and inner sidewall surfaces onto the sensor. The lens has an image plane in which the sensor is disposed and an object plane co-linear with the light beam. Electronics is responsive to light energy incident on the sensor for determining wall thickness of the container between the inner and outer sidewall surfaces.

Abstract: A system for inspecting containers that includes a camera for obtaining an image of the container that comprises a plurality of pixels each forming a portion of the image, and a memory for receiving and storing image pixel data from the camera. A systolic array processor includes a plurality of one-bit data processors configured in a rectangular array, and a microcoded controller for controlling operation of the plurality of one-bit data processors to process data simultaneously and in parallel. A data-dependent processor separate from the systolic array processor is adapted to perform non-sequential and/or data-dependent processing of image data. A master computer is connected to the camera control electronics, memory, systolic array processor and data-dependent processor.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting vertical checks in the finish of a translucent container that includes a light source for directing light energy onto the container finish from externally of the container finish laterally of the container axis over an angular portion less than the entire circumference of the container finish. An area array camera is positioned externally of the container at an angle to the container axis so as to receive an image of the illuminated portion of the container finish. The camera is oriented with respect to the light source such that a vertical check in the container finish reflects light energy from the source to the camera to create a bright a image of the check against a normally dark background. Vertical checks in the container finish are detected as a function of such reflected light energy.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting the finish of a container as the container is held and rotated about its central axis. A light source is positioned to direct diffused light energy onto the container finish, and a camera is positioned across the axis of the container from the light source. The camera comprises multiple arrays of light sensitive elements positioned with respect to the camera focusing elements on a common optical plane opposed to the light source to receive non-overlapping images of the container finish spaced from each other laterally of the container axis. Information processing electronics are coupled to the camera arrays for indicating optical characteristics of the container finish as differing functions of light intensity incident on the elements of each array.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting the sealing surface of a container finish that includes a light source positioned to direct light energy onto the container sealing surface as the container is held in stationary position and rotated about its central axis. A camera that includes an array of light sensitive elements is positioned and oriented with respect to the container axis of rotation to receive light energy reflected by the sealing surface, with the camera having an effective field of view limited to an angular portion less than the entire circumference of the container sealing surface. The camera array is scanned at increments of container rotation to develop information indicative of intensity of light at each array element as a function of such increments, and commercial variations in the container sealing surface are detected as a function of such information.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying a molded container such as a glass bottle with its mold of origin, and a corresponding container. Each container has molded therein a plurality of indicia in the form of surface bumps or protrusions extending in an arcuate array at uniformly spaced indicia positions around the container heel perpendicularly of the container axis. The indicia are grouped in sets of two adjacent indicia positions, the sets being of two mutually unique configurations, whereby the sets as a whole identify a binary code associated with the container mold of origin. The method and system for reading such code in accordance with the disclosure contemplate directing a source of diffused light energy onto the container heel, with such energy having an intensity gradient at predetermined orientation with respect to the container axis.