Abstract: A method and a device for sorting, in terms of phosphor blends, fluorescent lamps, which have a cylindrical body with a right-hand and left-hand end and with a symbol overprint. The fluorescent lamps that are conveyed into an inspection station which have a stop for defining an inspection plane, against which the lamp body respectively to be examined bears. A camera to which an image processing system is connected is directed onto the symbol overprint of the lamp body respectively to be examined. A rotating device in the inspection station is started up in order to rotate the lamp body respectively to be examined. The camera outputs pixel signals to the image processing system, which obtains image data from the pixel signals. The image processing system contains image memories with data for input symbols, and an image-comparing device which correlates the image data with the input symbol data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating caps from gas discharge lamps which include a hollow cylindrical glass tube body and a cap at each end of the tube body. A break-off line is formed near each end of the tube body, and the caps are then removed from the lamps by venting and blowing-off the ends of the gas discharge lamp in a single working operation by directing a plasma flame of a plasma nozzle towards each break-off line and burning a hole in the lamp. The discharge flow of gas from the plasma nozzle flows through the hole produced in the lamp into the interior thereof and the gas pressure blows off the ends of the gas discharge lamp with the caps.