Abstract: Apparatus for detecting the presence of surface irregularties in transparent articles, especially spikes on the inside base of glass containers.The containers (5) are passed rotatably over a slit (7) having an opaque line (11) situated centrally about the longitudinal axis of the slit. A pair of light sources (15) are positioned beneath the slit and to either side of the opaque line (11) so that, in the absence of surface irregularities, light is refracted at an oblique angle through the container base. A diode-array camera (13) situated vertically above the slit and focussed thereon normally receives no light from the light sources. In the presence of a defect, diffraction of light occurs into the area of view of the camera causing a "defect present" signal to be produced which is processed electronically, enabling the defective container to be rejected.

Abstract: The apparatus is particularly suited for identifying mould cavity numbers formed in binary code in the stippling on the base of glass containers. It comprises light beam detection means (2), such as a photodiode array, which scans an area of the article to provide an output characteristic of the code; means (12) are provided for creating at least one window in time within each scan period by selecting which diodes in the array commence and terminate the window. Only output signals from the light beam detection means within the window in time are decoded to provide the code on the article. Preferably, the window is selected manually, e.g. by thumbwheel stores (14), and, further, a true decoding is arranged to arise for "1" in the binary code (presence of a stippling mark) only if a predetermined number of photodiodes within the window are activated at any one time. This true decoding reduces errors due to refraction of light from defects in the glass.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to method and apparatus for producing a base article, such as a container, with a shrunken, surface covering of plastic thereon. While conveyed in axial registry with each other, a sleeve form of shrinkable plastic is telescopically assembled onto the article by a cam-operated push-up element and held in place until the article and sleeve enter a heating device for applying heat to a relatively narrow, bank-like region of the sleeve about the article causing the plastic of that region to shrink into gripping engagement with the article to hold the sleeve in place until the next step of the process, e.g. the total heat shrinking of the sleeve on the article. The heating device structure is comprised of opposed elongated nozzles through which hot air of 200.degree.-900.degree. F is applied in a narrow horizontal pattern. The article is conveyed between the opposed nozzles, and during travel therethrough the article is rotated.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to method and apparatus for producing a base article, such as a container, with a shrunken, surface covering of plastic thereon. While conveyed in axial registry with each other, a sleeve form of shrinkable plastic is telescopically assembled onto the article by a cam-operated push-up element and held in place until the article and sleeve enter a heating device for applying heat to a relatively narrow, band-like region of the sleeve about the article causing the plastic of that region to shrink into gripping engagement with the article to hold the sleeve in place until the next step of the process, e.g. the total heat shrinking of the sleeve on the article. The heating device structure is comprised of opposed elongated nozzles through which hot air of 200.degree.-900.degree.F is applied in a narrow horizontal pattern. The article is conveyed between the opposed nozzles, and during travel therethrough the article is rotated.