Abstract: A system, including: a sensor that monitors containers as the containers move along a production line; a rejection device; a controller communicatively connected to the sensor and the rejection device, wherein the controller is programmed to determine whether a container is associated with a match condition in response to a signal received from the sensor, the match condition reflecting that the container is associated with predetermined properties or characteristics, in response to a match condition, determine a pass result, and otherwise determine a fail result, determine a velocity of the production line, dynamically determine a correction amount for a reject position, track a position of the container on the production line, and in response to the fail result, outputs a signal to actuate the rejection device that removes the container from the production line based on the velocity of the production line, the dynamically determined correction amount, and the position of the container on the production line

Abstract: A method for measuring verticality of a container having a base and vertical wall comprises measuring at each rotational position of the container, at least the position along a first measurement axis, of at least one first measuring point located on the base, and a second measuring point located on the base diametrically opposite to the first measuring point, the position along a third measurement axis, of at least one third measuring point located on the vertical wall at a distance from the base. An angle defined between a first segment passing through the first and second measuring points and a second segment intersecting the first segment and passing through at least the third measuring point is selected to be representative of the container verticality. For each rotational position of the container, a quantity depending on the angle is calculated. Verticality is measured from the variations of the calculated quantity.

Abstract: An accommodating magazine for accommodating a plurality of sample carriers in a sample holder for use in an input or output area of an automated sample handling device. The magazine comprises a magazine panel, a detection device for detecting whether the panel is filled with sample holders or sample carriers during movement of the panel between a loading position and a ready position. The detection device includes at least one contactless detector for detecting the presence of objects in a sensor area, a path sensor, which detects a displacement path or current position of the panel during displacement of the panel between the loading and ready positions; and an evaluating unit in which the detector data and the path sensor data are merged and are evaluated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring the filling of a capsule with a medicament, a corresponding filing method and the corresponding devices. According to the monitoring method, after at least part of the capsule is filled with a given filling mass of given closed shape of medicament, in a first step, at least the filling mass located in the part of the capsule after filling is recorded with a digital image, in a second step, the shape of the filling mass located in the part of the capsule is determined from the digital image and, in a third step, the shape analysed to give an analysis of the filling in comparison with given shapes.

Abstract: A machine, and operating procedures for a machine, for automatically threading, swaging and packaging surgical needles. A first mechanism is used to suture the needles and to pull test the needles to determine if certain maximum and minimum pull test requirements are met. The sutured needles are then transferred to packages on a second mechanism, and that mechanism indexes the packages through a series of stations to complete the packaging of the needles. Various checks are made at the packaging mechanism before that mechanism is operated to index the needle packages; and different items at the station used to pull test the needles, are monitored to determine if they return timely to predetermined positions. Also, check are made at the station at which the needles are transferred to the packages, to be sure that those items are in preferred positions before the packages are moved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for detecting toppled packages (2) lying on a conveyor (1). The apparatus includes two pairs of photocells, an upper (4) and a lower (5), disposed as transmitter and receiver of a light beam (6). The photocell pairs (4, 5) are placed on either side of the conveyor path (1) so that the light beam (6) bisects the conveyor path (1) at a certain angle. The apparatus also includes a magnet valve (16) and a device (1) for removing a toppled package (2). The lower photocell pair (5) transmits, when the light beam (6) is broken, a signal to the upper photocell pair (4) which, when the light beam (6) is unbroken, transmits a signal to the magnet valve (16). The magnet valve (16) activates the device (10) which, for example, consists of an air nozzle (11), so that the toppled package (2) is blown off from the conveyor (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to an empty bottle collector with an intake chamber (14) for empty bottles (16) and a carriage (20) as an interchangeable store (22). To simplify operations when the interchangeable store (22) is being filled and emptied, the empty bottle store (22) is accessible from the stationary intake chamber (14) via a closable aperture (38) transverse to the intake aperture (11). In addition, there is a conveyor with a transverse slide (68) movable to and fro transversely to the intake direction through the intake chamber (14) towards the aperture (38). The bottles are sorted via a sensor slide (44) movable to and fro in the intake direction crossing the path of the transverse slide (68) in the region of the intake chamber and fitted with sensors (48) for contactlessly scanning the shape of the bottle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for sorting post-consumed bottles exactly and efficiently and an apparatus for carrying out the method. The sorting apparatus comprises a supply section, a separating section, a detecting section comprising a first image pickup camera for detecting the size and contour of each post-consumed bottle and a second image pickup camera for high speed detection of color by a defined image pickup utilizing data from the first image pickup camera, a sorting section for sorting and discharging only post-consumed bottles already classified to sorting containers preliminarily placed in accordance with data received from the detecting section, and a control section for controlling a series of operations timely. Since the scope of the image pickup for detecting color of the post-consumed bottles is defined in accordance with the data from the detecting section, picture processing at a high speed is achieved resulting in remarkable sorting performance.

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: First, second and third linear conveyors are arranged in alignment with each other in the stated order. Bottles to be inspected are conveyed standing on their bottoms on the first linear conveyor through an inspection station followed by an ejector for those bottles which fail to match specified characteristics of an acceptable bottle model. The second conveyor has spaced apart parallel translating conveyor belts for frictionally gripping the bottles by their bodies between them to make their mouth ends and bottoms clear for inspection. The bottle discharge end region of the first conveyor and the bottle inlet end region overlap to achieve an overall shorter machine. The second conveyor has a bottle discharge region that overlaps the bottle inlet end region of the third conveyor to achieve a shorter machine.

Abstract: A glass bottle production line comprising a bottle mold which has a plurality of mold cavities arranged in a predetermined order for forming bottles from glass parisons and for transferring the bottles to a conveyor in a predetermined sequence corresponding to the predetermined order of the mold cavities. The conveyor has a hot end portion and a cold end portion for receiving bottles from the bottle mold at an elevated temperature at the hot end portion and conveying the bottles to the cold end portion. A hot bottle inspector located at a fixed inspection station along the conveyor at the hot end portion non-touchingly inspects the bottles as the bottles are conveyed past the inspection station by the conveyor. A mold transfer signal and bottle detection signal are processed to determine the mold cavity used to produce the bottle detected at the inspector's station.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the capacitance of tablets of varying shapes and sizes by conveying the tablets along a curved path which includes a zone of travel between the plates of a capacitive sensing device. The tablets are conveyed in a relatively fixed orientation by constructing a guide channel including a fixedly-positioned curved guide spaced away from a rotatable disk, and wherein a resilient clamp is provided above the guide channel so as to compress the tablet against the rotatable disk during its path of travel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and equipment for identifying returned bottles, cans, plastic bottles or other packages (10) and for sorting them on the basis of an identification code, in which method a compensation corresponding to the package is given on the basis of the identification of the returnable package (10). The returnable package (10) is transferred to a measuring station of an identification device (2), at which measuring station is generated a signal corresponding to the shape of the returnable package (10) for the central unit (3) of the device, which compares the measured signal or signals with the preprogrammed signals stored in a memory (8) of the central unit (3) and identifying the shape of different packages. When the package shape corresponds to the shape stored in the memory (8) and programmed therein, a sorter (11) located after the measuring point is activated for transfer-ring the package (10) to its own storage storage station (A.sub.1, A.sub.2, A.sub.3 . . .

Abstract: A method and a device for inspecting the sidewall of a bottle is disclosed. In the method and device for inspecting the sidewall of the bottle, an elongate illumination portion is moved to irradiate illumination light to the sidewall of the bottle to be inspected, an elongate observation portion moved synchronously with the elongate illumination portion to observe the illumination light transmitted through the sidewall of the bottle, and based on an image of the transmitted light, the presence of defects is judged. Light blocking defects and refractional defects on the sidewall of the bottle can be detected with high precision.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the profile of portions of an article located within a predefined plane. Each portion is scanned, such as by an optical micrometer providing a beam of radiant energy, to determine its dimension. The distance between each portion and a vertical reference is also scanned to determine its dimension. The article is rotated about an axis intersecting the predefined plane within the scan of the beam and is axially moved along an axis parallel to the intersecting axis within the scan of the beam so that the dimension of each portion and its distance from the vertical reference can be determined. The apparatus may be used in combination with a cavity identification system to control manufacturing employing multiple molds.

Abstract: A glassware production system includes an electropneumatic individual section glass forming machine having a multiplicity of operating mechanisms for converting a gob of molten glass into a hollow glass container. A glass forehearth feeds molten gobs at controlled temperature and weight to the forming machine. Electronic controllers individually and selectively control parameters of operation of the multiplicity of machine mechanisms and the forehearth. Glassware from the forming machine is inspected for manufacturing faults and for identifying each inspected container with its associated mold of origin. The glassware inspection devices provide fault signals indicative of a plurality of differing types of faults, which are thereafter associated not only with mold or section of origin but also with fault cause.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus which can be utilized for the quality inspection of fish fillets and enables the detection of faulty spots resulting from processing deficiencies, such as skin or fin remainders, blood spots, bones, as well as from parasites and others. To this end, fillets are guided to a light emitter by means of a conveyor belt which is made from a material which allows light to pass at low absorption. The light emitter comprises light sources which are arranged out of direct sight by means of screens. Due to its characteristic to allow light to pass by dispersion, the fillet will appear illuminated in darker surroundings.

Abstract: A method for contour recognition of completely or partly transparent objects (2), e.g. containers like glass or plastic bottles, the object being advanced through an illumination and detector station (3-13; 3, 4, 20, 21) and there being illuminated on at least part of its circumference. The light reflected by the object (2) is viewed by a detector (4,3) against a background that is dark relative to the object, and the viewed image is recorded and converted to pulse signals that are processed to yield a numerical code characteristic of the object. During recording distinct signals are generated which are characteristic of the width (b.sub.n) of the object relative its corresponding height (h.sub.n) for a number of levels (n). The signals are then processed in a threshold circuit (24) and a pulse generating circuit (25) for the generation of the pulse signals (P), for each height (h.sub.

Abstract: An article sensor which defines an opening through which articles to be measured are propelled in a non-supported condition. Bounding the opening are at least two mutually perpendicular arrays of light sources and of photodetectors. The photodetectors constitute the inputs to a microprocessor controlled circuit so that the number and identity of photodetectors that are obscured by a passing article can be determined rapidly thereby enabling plural measurements of articles dimensions to be made during traversal of a single article. The microprocessor can be programmed to compute the volume of an article, the weight of an article or virtually any other characteristic of an article.A container filling machine which is controlled by the abovementioned microprocessor so that the aggregate weight applied to each container can be carefully measured and controlled, thereby assuring compliance with relevant fair packaging and labeling regulations without the waste attending overfilling of such containers.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting glass containers for irregularities in shape, wherein the containers are moved, in line, on a conveyor past a viewing station where there are three strobed light sources positioned at one side of the conveyor. One light is at 90.degree. with respect to the conveyor while the other two are at 45.degree. angles on either side thereof. Between the lights and the container being inspected are positioned Fresnel lenses; solid state discrete array cameras are positioned behind Fresnel lenses mounted on the opposite side of the conveyor with their viewing axes directed toward the light sources.Each backlighted container is viewed by the three cameras simultaneously and provides a profile scan of the container at a plurality of planar elevations. These scans are processed and compared electronically with input data fed to a central processing unit.

Abstract: A dispenser for automatically dispensing into receptacles of variable dimensions, a very accurate volume of liquid stored in bulk form in at least one tank. The dispenser has several dispensing units each having a mobile spout that can be automatically returned to a rest position, a volume measuring container placed between a filling and an emptying electrovalve. A switch opens the emptying valve when it is manoeuvered by a customer. The dispensing unit also supplies a ticket indicating the volume and/or the price of the dispensed liquid.

Abstract: An object such as a bottle to be identified by its shape is made to travel between a source and an elongated radiation receiver in a direction oblique relative to the travelling direction of the object so as to define, during the travelling, positions in which said receiver presents a segment, the points of which are at least partly occluded by the object, flanked by first and second segments (X and Z) not occluded. The length variations of at least two of the three segments of said receiver are read out for obtaining a characteristic relation of the object shape. Parameters of this relation are compared with corresponding parameters of characteristic relations of the shape of typical objects so as to find out whether the object travelling belongs to the category of one of the typical objects, and if in the affirmative, to which of them. The invention is applicable to the automating refund of deposits on bottles.

Abstract: Appratus for automatically removing stuck and down ware from an automatic glassware forming machine conveyor produces a first signal for each item of normal ware, stuck ware and down ware which is conveyed past an inspection location. Each of the first signals has a duration corresponding to the time required for passage of the corresponding item past the inspection location. In order to prevent the generation of spurious first signals, two spaced radiant energy beams are sensed which are directed transversely across the transport path of the wares and which are in coplanar alignment perpendicular to the transport path of the wares. A first one of the beams is aligned with the bases of upright wares and the other of the beams is aligned above the first beam. The first signal is produced if either of the beams is interrupted.

Abstract: A device for detecting and sorting out bottles of improper size is suggested in a bottle treatment machine of the type including a filling and closing sections switched in series. The bottles are fed to a cleaning test device and on the way thereto are tested by a recognition device which scans the bottles of improper size and actuates a closing control arrangement adapted to activate grippers on the device of transferring bottles to the cleaning test device such that those grippers do not grip defective bottles which are then withdrawn from the bottle transferring device.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically removing stuck and down ware from an automatic glassware ware forming machine conveyor produces a first signal for each item of normal ware, stuck ware and down ware which is conveyed past an inspection location. Each of the first signals has a duration corresponding to the time required for passage of the corresponding item past the inspection location. The apparatus also produces a second signal simultaneously with the production of each of the first signals, the second signals having a predetermined duration corresponding to the time required for a normal upright and spaced item of ware to be conveyed past the inspection location. The generation of a reject signal during the duration of each of the second signals is inhibited and a reject signal is generated if a first signal is present after the termination of the corresponding second signal, which actuates a signal responsive automatic ware removal mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving and handling empty beverage containers. The empty containers may be received either individually or in cartons upon a moving conveyor. An alignment mechanism separates the containers and moves them to one side of the conveyor. A switch arrangement senses cartons, so that the system can process cartons of empty containers in a different manner than individual empty containers. The containers, whether individually or in cartons, pass through an illumination station wherein they interrupt illumination falling upon a row of photocells. Output signals from the photocells are transmitted to identification circuitry together with clock signals generated in synchronism with the movement of the conveyor. The identification circuitry generates registration signals, which are used to compute value of the containers being received. A paddle mechanism shifts the cartons to a separating station, which forwards properly filled cartons to a storage area.

Abstract: A device for the purpose of providing computerized direction and control in the process of manually sorting documents. A sorting bin is provided containing compartments into which documents are placed to effect the sort. The sorting bin is contained within a sorting console which also houses a power supply; an indicator and document detector array; a control unit which monitors the document detectors, operates the indicators, and communicates with a computer; and control switches and indicators.An operator sorts documents by depositing them one at a time into a selected compartment of the sorting bin. The control unit, under computer direction, indicates to the operator the correct compartment for depositing each document, by illuminating indicators associated with the proper compartment. Document detectors inform the control unit when a document is deposited in any compartment. When a document is deposited in an incorrect compartment, an alarm alerts the operator.

Abstract: This invention relates to the inspection of glass ampules to determine whether or not a complete score line is present. A laser beam is directed to the point on the ampule where a score line would be located. The laser beam is reflected in a diffuse or specular fashion depending upon whether or not a score line is present. By detecting the amount of light which is diffusely reflected in a particular direction, determination of the presence of a score line is possible. The same inspection may be utilized to determine whether the constriction on an ampule is of the proper diameter.