Abstract: A laboratory primary sample distributor equipped with a sorter device removing receptacles containing lab samples fitted with destination coding and arriving on a conveyor belt after having code-reading, and with a sorter gripper that transfers the receptacles into one of several destination transport means intended for different destinations. The sorter gripper is designed to simultaneously pick up several receptacles.

Abstract: A system for recycling post-industrial-use plastic waste based on coloring an object, which will become post-industrial-use plastic waste, a user-specified color, said color correlated with a system for identifying plastic based on the resin content of the object. Said object, in the user-specified color, provided to the end user to protect a part shipped by a parts manufacturer, with sorting of the objects into homogenous resin groups being done by the end user based on color.

Abstract: Device and process for the manufacture of hollow plastic objects to screen out defective plastic preforms that are to be molded into their desired shape in a molding station before they reach the molding station, the conveyor track leading into the molding station comprising a screening area through which the preforms are conveyed in such a way that they are loosely supported on only one side, wherein screening apparatuses are provided in the screening area to screen out defective plastic preforms in response to signals from an inspection station.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting containers traveling in sequence on a linear conveyor that includes an infeed mechanism having a first endless drive belt with a portion overlying the conveyor for abutting engagement by containers in sequence traveling on the conveyor, and a first motor driving the belt at a speed greater than the speed of the conveyor for diverting containers laterally at least partially off the conveyor. An abutment assembly is disposed in opposition to the first belt for abutting engagement by containers diverted by the infeed mechanism, such that containers diverted from the conveyor and engaged between the first belt and the abutment assembly are rotated during longitudinal travel along the abutment assembly. Apparatus inspects the containers as they are rotated during travel along the abutment assembly.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device and a method in handling of returnable packages, such as bottles and/or cans. The device (10) comprises a rotatable magazine (12) for transferring returnable packages, such as bottles or cans, from a feed station (B.sub.1) further. The device that transfers the returned package from the package feed station (B.sub.1) is a rotatable magazine (12), which includes package spaces (A.sub.1, A.sub.2). The solution of equipment comprises, in the magazine (12), an outer wall, which moves to ahead of the feed gate (B.sub.1) when the magazine is rotated. The identification station (B.sub.2), in which the returned package, such as a can or a bottle, is identified, is placed after the feed station (B.sub.1). The equipment includes means by which a returned package placed in a package space (A.sub.1 or A.sub.2) in the magazine (12) is transferred, by rotating the magazine, from the feed station (B.sub.1) into the identification station (B.sub.2), in which the returned package is identified.

Abstract: A glassware manufacturing system in which hot glass containers from an individual section machine are directed by an endless conveyor through a container inspection station. A container to be removed from the conveyor is identified by the inspection equipment for calibration purposes. An air jet is controlled by the inspection equipment for selectively removing the container from the conveyor into a trap, within which a progressively increasing force is applied to the container for arresting motion of the container without physical damage. The container may then be removed from the trap by an operator for manual inspection to calibrate the inspection equipment.

Abstract: A compact aluminum can separator have a a continuous conveyer belt, means mounting the conveyer belt to have an upper layer and a lower layer and for revolving said belt to cause the upper layer to travel generally horizontally from an input end of the separator to an output end of the separator and means for positioning cans and bottles on the belt proximate the input end of the separator an a forced air-magnet separator for separating aluminum from steel cans is disclosed.

Abstract: System and method of operation thereof for inspecting glass containers handled by a glass container handling apparatus to determine a height of a bottom of at least one of the containers. The system includes a base adapted to be positioned adjacent the container handling apparatus and adapted to receive the bottom of the containers handled by the container handling apparatus. At least one of the containers is positioned on the base and a capacitive sensor on the base provides an electric field adjacent the capacitive sensor and senses a capacitance affected by the container bottom being positioned in the electric field. The capacitive sensor generates a signal representative of the sensed capacitance which is a function of the height of the container bottom relative to the base. In response to the signal from the capacitive sensor, the processor determines the height of the container bottom based on the sensed capacitance as indicated by the signal.

Abstract: A device for handling empty beverage containers, comprisinga stationary, longitudinally extending, supporting path having a first end and a second end, along which path the containers are caused to move, by means of pushing devices,said pushing devices including a plurality of interlinked, parallel, spaced apart members positioned transversely of the path and having drive devices for moving said members along the path like an endless belt,said supporting path at least over part of its length forming an angle with the horizontal and having container bottom supporting devices along at least part of its lower (longitudinal edge, andexit devices for discharging a specific container from the supporting path at a specific, related location along the said path.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting the wall thickness of non-round containers includes capacitive sensors which cooperate with oscillator means to provide voltage signals corresponding to container wall thickness to electronic processors which convert the voltage signals to corresponding thickness values and compare them with the desired thickness values. The apparatus subjects the containers to translational movement through the inspection zone while resisting rotational movement. The sensors have at least one sensor element having capacitive sensor portions that are not in the same plane as other capacitive sensor elements or a single sensor element having portions in more than one plane. The sensor elements may be individual sensor elements which are each adapted to inspect different portions of a container or may, in another embodiment, be a single sensor element. The sensors are adapted to be movably mounted so as to maintain efficient contact with non-round containers during inspection.

Abstract: Containers containing a mixture of acceptable and unacceptable bottles are conveyed to a removal station in the path of movement of a carrier head that has at least one group of gripping elements that are adapted to selectively grip and remove acceptable bottles and at least another group of gripping elements that are adapted to grip and remove unacceptable bottles. In one implementation, the carrier head picks up the acceptable bottles from incoming containers and simultaneously picks up unacceptable bottles from containers from which acceptable bottles have been removed and transfers the respective groups of bottles to individual outfeed conveyors.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting the color of objects such as bottles to be recycled so as to enable the bottles to be separated by color. The method which is particularly concerned with determining the color of an object (bottle) with a label attached thereto, begins with the storing of a reference image. Next, a determination is made of whether a bottle is present or absent. If a bottle is present, the image of the bottle is then separated into an intensity image representation of the bottle image, a saturation image representation of the bottle image, and a hue image representation of the bottle image. Then, the reference image is subtracted from the intensity image so that a resultant image is produced with the background contribution removed. Next, a logical "AND" operation is performed on the resultant image and the hue image to create a further image which has no background components. A histogram is then performed on the further image to determine the hue with the maximum number of occurrences.

Abstract: An apparatus for counting discrete objects of various sizes and shapes as they travel through the apparatus in a disorderly flow. The apparatus includes a sensor array which comprises a plurality of photodetectors arranged in a linear fashion. The discrete objects are passed over the sensor array. By utilizing the sensor array as a means for obtaining information about the discrete objects, the apparatus samples the sensor array at predetermined time intervals, examines the various contours of the images produced through the sampling and based upon predetermined criteria determines whether an image represents one or more objects.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sorting plastic bottles for recycling wherein if it is first determined that a bottle is clear, the bottle will be ejected. If the bottle is not determined as being clear, the apparatus or method next determines if the bottle is colored. If the bottle is colored, the bottle will be ejected. The above method may also be accomplished by use of a truth table which analyzes the characteristics of a bottle. Also provided is a detector for detecting the presence of chlorine in a plastic bottle by means of X-ray fluorescence. A sorter device sorts the bottles into small diameter and large diameter bottles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distinguishing and separating material items having different levels of absorption of penetrating electromagnetic radiation by utilizing a source of radiation for irradiating an irradiation zone extending transversely of a feed path over which the material items are fed or passed. The irradiation zone includes a plurality of transversely spaced radiation detectors for receiving the radiation beams from the radiation source. The material items passing through the irradiation zone between the radiation source and the detectors measures one or more of the transmitted beams in each item passing through the irradiation zone to produce processing signals which are analyzed by signal analyzers to produce actuated signals for actuating a separator device in order to discharge the irradiated items toward different locations depending upon the level of radiation absorption in each of the items.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for sorting returnable bottles, cans and other returnable packages. In the method, a returnable package is transferred by means of a transferring device to an identification device having a data processing unit and a data storage unit in which data concerning different types of acceptable package forms and/or package colors are preregistered. An identification index corresponding to form/color is given to the identified package and the index is transferred to a pushdown storage of a first sorter located after the identification device, to a first lowermost free storage location of the pushdown storage. The identification index is compared with a specific index related to the sorter. If the identification index corresponds to the specific index of the sorter, a sorting is performed with the sorter and the returnable package is transferred away from a main conveyor.

Abstract: An uncasing and sorting machine for refillable plastic bottles includes a first conveyor arrangement having an inlet section, an intermediate section, and an outlet section, the intermediate section being positioned within a water bath. Crates of sortable bottles are carried by the first conveyor through the described sections such that lightweight plastic bottles are allowed to float within the water bath. To assist in the upward lift of the lightweight bottles in the water bath, a secondary propulsion force of air or water is provided beneath the bottles. Those bottles which are lifted due to their combined buoyancy and the secondary propulsion force, are transported to a separate facility via a secondary conveyor of either mechanical or air type.

Abstract: A non-destructive, spoilage detection device has a conveyor with a top surface, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first end, a second end, a container ingress area, a first container egress area and a second container egress area. The conveyor's top surface is inclined downwardly from the upper edge to the lower edge so that containers introduced onto the conveyor will roll from the upper edge towards the lower edge as they move toward the first end of the conveyor. Containers of non-spoiled liquid food product exit the conveyor at a first container egress area located along the lower edge of the conveyor, while containers of spoiled liquid food product exit the conveyor at a second container egress area located along the first end of the conveyor. There is also disclosed a method for utilizing the device of this invention for the non-destructive detection of spoilage of liquid food products in sealed containers.

Abstract: Signal errors generated in a channel of a wall thickness inspecting machine are detected and counted to determine whether the channel should be turned off.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting the thickness of a container wall, such as a glass or plastic container wall including a plurality of elongated sensors disposed in a linear array in spaced end to end relationship. The containers are urged into intimate contact with the sensor elements and are rotated thereover. The containers are moved from sensing element to sensing element with each element inspecting a portion of the circumference. Oscillators convert the change in capacitance to a corresponding voltage which, in turn, in a processor is converted to an actual thickness reading which is compared with desired predetermined thickness levels. By segmenting the sensors in this manner, a plurality of containers may be inspected simultaneously with a processor combining the individual segments of sensor readings so as to reconstruct the complete thickness evaluation of the container. A corresponding method is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for the optical inspection of at least partially transparent objects, such as bottles or flasks, arranged in line on a moving horizontal table conveyor. A light source is located on one side of the conveyor and a linear electronic camera on the other. The camera comprises a line of photodetectors extending in a first direction. A lens forms on the camera an image of a portion of the object being inspected, the image being oriented so that as the object moves, the image moves in the same direction as the first direction. The image is scanned rapidly and repeatedly in the first direction by electronically scanning the line of photodetectors. The image is scanned in a second direction, preferably perpendicular to the first direction by a pivoting mirror which varies the portion of the object that is imaged onto the photodetectors.

Abstract: A glass container inspection machine including a bottle handling mechanism which presents glass containers to a capacitive sensor which provides a voltage signal representative of the thickness of the glass container, a computer which receives the voltage signals, a keyboard for inputting data into the computer, and a display. The thickness of a glass container is measured at four points, and as each point is presented to the sensor, the measured thickness in input into the computer, which stores the sensed voltages, correlates them to the input thicknesses, and calculates a curve used to determine glass thickness from sensed voltage. Alternatively, the minimum and maximum thicknesses of a glass container are measured, input into the computer, the container is passed through the machine, and the computer correlates the lowest and highest voltages sensed with the minimum and maximum thicknesses respectively, and uses this data to generate the calibration curve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting the sidewalls of containers on a continuously-moving conveyor includes recording instantaneous upper and lower angularly-spaced images of the bottles as they pass. Data on the images is stored as numeric data indicating the grey shade of each pixel in a matrix of pixels, which matrix is examined for edges and then divided based on detected edges into inspection windows. The windows are subject to separate criteria between typically scuffed areas and open areas. The occurrence of pixels in at least three grey ranges reflecting clear glass, opaque glass, and scuffed glass, together with the correlation of such occurrences between angularly-spaced views and upper and lower views, is processed to detect defects. A memory stores a status indication in a queue representing the acceptability of the bottles being examined, which are then segregated by a downstream reject kicker mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting capsules comprises a carrier belt which is formed into an endless belt configuration and can carry the capsules, with the capsules received separately in through-holes in the belt, and a plurality of parallelly disposed rotatable rollers which have axes of rotation extending substantially in parallel with the flow direction of the capsules being carried by the carrier belt. The rollers rotate the capsules which are in contact therewith. An optical inspecting device is provided for optically inspecting the surfaces of the capsules which are rotated in contact with the rotary rollers. The apparatus can accurately inspect very small defects on the surfaces of the capsules irrespective of the type of capsules, and is simple as well as compact in construction.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the integrity of a sealed container closure assembly wherein the closure is secured to the container by a force applying member and the integrity is determined by converting the force used to secure the closure into a force signal and comparing the force signal to a reference signal, which is reflective of the force used during a closure operation which resulted in seal integrity. The force signal which comprises a series of electrical signals is compared to a series of corresponding reference signals or is a single signal compared to a reference signal at a plurality of points during the closure operation. An indicator is used to indicate when a preselected number of acceptable or non-acceptable comparisons are reached.

Abstract: A continuous series of vials carried by their caps on reciprocable vacuum chucks on a turret move continuously (a) through a gross visual inspection station while slowly rotated and under side, top, and back lighting, and with each vial in an intense beam of light from below which moves with the vial; (b) then, while raised into stabilizing cups, across a spinner belt which rotates the cups and vials at high speed; and (c) then, while stopped with their contents rotating, through a particulate visual inspection station with similar lighting for observation of foreign matter suspended in the contents. Inspectors have unrestricted view of each entire vial, except only for the top of the cap, in a continuous series for comparison or pattern inspection and can, with a finger, tap defective vials off the chucks to a reject conveyor for reinspection.

Abstract: An arrangement for sorting a plurality of bottles, discharged from a bottle washer in random fashion, into spaced single file columns on a plurality of parallel conveyor belts arranged substantially perpendicular to the direction of bottle discharge. Guides selectively extend across the top of the conveyor belts in the direction of the discharge of bottles from the washer, and are utilized to divide the randomly discharged bottles into a number of fractional portions, with each fractional portion being directed onto one of the conveyor belts. The guides are side rails extending in the discharge direction of the bottles substantially transversely to the direction of travel of the conveyor belts. The guide rails serving a particular conveyor belt extend to the edge of that belt at which they are curved in the upstream direction from which the belt is traveling to facilitate an orderly discharge of a single column of spaced bottles onto that belt.

Abstract: A device is provided for testing the integrity of each container in a conveyed sequence of containers by individually applying pressure internally of each, sensing that pressure and generating a signal having a magnitude corresponding to the value of that pressure, comparing that signal magnitude to a selected threshold signal value, providing an output control signal indicative of the achievement of that signal magnitude and setting an enablement device in one of two states corresponding to the presence and absence, respectively, of that output control signal. One of those states corresponds to an unacceptable container condition and the other to an acceptable container condition. If the unacceptable container condition or reject state exists, a reject cycle is enabled over at least an enabling duration sufficient to clear the container or broken portion thereof from the position it occupies in the sequence.

Abstract: There is described a plug and air warp gauge which takes the form of an elongated vertically, reciprocated gauging head that is mechanically driven under the influence of a rotating cam. Coaxially within an annular head is positioned a plug which has a diameter such that it will pass through an unchoked neck of a bottle. The plug is attached to the lower end of a tube which is coaxially positioned within a larger tube. The larger tube is raised and lowered mechanically and when in its uppermost position, will support the plug-carrying tube. When the larger tube is lowered, the plug tube also is lowered. The lower end of the larger tube is in the form of an annular piston which will move downward within a cylinder that seats on the bottle finish. As the annular piston moves down, it will pressurize the inside of the bottle and the cylinder if the seal with the finish of the bottle is good.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for statistically testing frangible containers produced by plural mold sources by selectively diverting containers to a test station at regular intervals of time. A diverted container is automatically tracked to the test station wherein it is tested. A signal indicative of the result of the test is generated for use in selectively diverting additional containers produced by the same mold source that produced the tested container. The totality of containers produced by the plural mold sources is upgraded by automatically ejecting all containers produced by one or more mold sources for fixed periods of time as a function of the test results.