Abstract: A system for inspecting bottles includes a conveyor conveying bottles at a first speed. A starwheel, rotating at a second speed, less than the first speed, receives each bottle. Sensors are disposed adjacent the starwheel for detecting at least one of a residual liquid in the bottle and a defect in the bottle. The starwheel deposits each bottle on the conveyor at a downstream position. An outer sidewall inspection system, disposed along the path, has a first camera assembly and a second camera assembly disposed along the path and each bottle passes therebetween. A first belt is disposed along the conveyor in facing relation with a second belt to rotate the bottle. The outer sidewall inspection system has a third camera assembly and a fourth camera assembly disposed along the path, downstream of the first belt; each bottle passing between the third camera assembly and the fourth camera assembly.

Abstract: Magnetic reading head assemblies are described that enable the alignment of a magnetic reading head to a track of magnetic information on a data card. In addition, embodiments of the present invention can enable the detection of misalignments in circumstances where the elastic mounted magnetic reading head could not aligned with the card reference edge; and therefore, the track of magnetic information on the data card. One embodiment of the invention includes a magnetic reading head including at least one magnetic gap having an alignment axis and a magnetic reading head mount including a base plate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for reading data from either a magnetic stripe, a chip or both a magnetic stripe and a chip located on a data card using a single swiping motion. An aspect of the methods and apparatus described is that movement of a data card is detected, restrained and/or prevented during exchange of information between the reader and any integrated circuits located on the data card. One embodiment includes guiding walls that form a channel and that are connected to a receiver having an interior surface, a magnetic reading head mounted on one of the guiding walls, electrical contacts located on the interior surface of the receiver and a latch extending at least partially across the channel formed by the guiding walls.