Abstract: A method for measuring the thickness of glass containers includes the following steps: choosing to measure the radiation emitted by the container from a first side and a second side of the container diametrically opposite to each other; choosing to measure the radiation emitted by the container in a first spectral band in a range between 2,800 nm and 4,000 nm and in a second spectral band; simultaneously measuring, from each side of the container, the intensity of the radiation coming from the walls in the first spectral band and in the second spectral band; and determining at least the thickness of the first wall and of the second wall (22), from the measurements of the intensity of the radiation coming from the first wall in the first and second spectral bands and from the second wall in the first and second spectral bands.

Abstract: A method is provided for measuring the wall thickness of hollow glass articles in a hollow glass production system, wherein the IR radiation emitted by each hollow glass article exiting the hot end of a glass forming machine is detected at least in areas mapped by a function, the same hollow glass article, after having passed through an annealing lehr, being measured in the circumferential direction with respect to a wall thickness distribution, and the detected wall thickness distribution being mapped by a function. Using correlation methods, it is checked whether the progression of the function is contained in the function, wherein if so, measured values of the wall thickness can be associated with the measured values of the IR radiation at the hot end, so that the wall thickness distribution of the hollow glass article is already known at the hot end and implementable for monitoring purposes.

Abstract: A test apparatus checks containers (13) of plastic and produced using the blow-moulding, filling and sealing methods. The containers are filled with fluid that can contain particulate contamination deposited on the container wall when the container (13) is still and floating freely in the fluid when the container (13) is moving and/or changing position owing to the movement. The contamination can be detected by a sensor (37). By a vibration device (23), the container (13) can be oscillated at a prespecifiable excitation frequency such that the particulate contamination (47) in the fluid can be detected.

Abstract: A system for inspecting a glass container and methods of inspecting glass containers are provided. The system includes a panel including a plurality of light sources configured to illuminate the glass container. The system includes a camera configured to image the illuminated glass container. The system includes a controller configured to adjust the amount of power applied to each of the light sources individually. The system includes a processor configured to evaluate the image of the illuminated glass container for indications of defects in the container. Methods of calibrating the system are also provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving one or more querying images associated with a container of a pharmaceutical product, each of the one or more querying images being based on a particular angle of the container of the pharmaceutical product, calculating one or more confidence scores associated with one or more defect indications, respectively for the container of the pharmaceutical product, by processing the one or more querying images using a target machine-learning model, and determining a defect indication for the container of the pharmaceutical product from the one or more defect indications based on a comparison between the one or more confidence scores and one or more predefined threshold scores, respectively.

Abstract: Only a bottle properly preliminarily heated is sterilized by hydrogen peroxide. Temperature inspection to the bottle is performed while travelling the bottle. During the inspection, a bottle of which temperature does not reach a predetermined temperature is removed and a bottle of which temperature reaches the predetermined temperature is continuously travelled, hydrogen peroxide condensed mist ? is blown toward a mouth portion 1a of the bottle by a spray tube 59 disposed at a predetermined position, and hot air is blown into the bottle from the nozzle while the nozzle 64 following the mouth portion of the bottle. According to such operation, only the bottle properly heated can be sterilized by the hydrogen peroxide, Thereafter, beverage fills the bottle, which is then sealed.

Abstract: An inspection system having a light source able to illuminate a transparent cylinder, a mask able to block at least part of the light from the light source, the light source and the mask arranged such that, when the transparent cylinder is positioned in the system for inspection, the light source, the mask and the transparent cylinder are substantially aligned along an inspection axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said transparent cylinder and the mask is interposed between the light source and the transparent cylinder to prevent illumination of a first portion of the transparent cylinder having a width smaller than the diameter of the transparent cylinder while allowing illumination of a second portion of the transparent cylinder, the mask configured to provide a contrast with a particle present in the first portion of the cylinder and illuminated by light refracted by the second portion of the cylinder.

Abstract: A device and a method for foam analysis. The device comprises a cylindrical sample container with a transparent wall, at least one illumination device and a camera, which. can be moved on a track. The curvature of the web runs parallel to the wall of the container. The illumination device directs a light beam onto the wall of the cylindrical sample container at an angle which deflects the light beam into the sample vessel when liquid is present on the inside of the sample container and causes a total reflection when air or another gas fills the foam pores. The camera and the illumination unit are moved along the path in the circumferential direction of the wall of the sample container such that a region to be examined is illuminated in steps or in a continuous progression and the camera records the totally reflected light in the region.

Abstract: An inspection device includes an illumination unit for illuminating a subject having a bright part and a dark part darker than the bright part, a light path dividing unit for dividing object light from the subject illuminated by the illumination unit into first light and second light that pass through different light paths, a filter for reducing the amount of the first light having passed through the light path dividing unit, a first imaging unit in which the first light having passed through the filter forms an image, a second imaging unit in which the second light having passed through the light path dividing unit forms an image, and an inspection unit for inspecting whether a defect is present in the subject based on information of the bright part taken by the first imaging unit and information of the dark part taken by the second imaging unit.

Abstract: An inspection and sorting system sorts conveyed articles. The system is provided with a conveyance device, an X-ray inspection device, and a sorting device. The conveyance device conveys inspection articles. The X-ray inspection device inspects the conveyed inspection articles. The sorting device has an air sorting mechanism that sorts the conveyed inspection articles in a sorting operation. The sorting device has a sorting information receiving component, a reference signal receiving component, and a sorting mechanism control component. The sorting information receiving component receives sorting information relating to the sorting of the inspection articles based on an inspection result of the X-ray inspection device. The reference signal receiving component receives a fixed-interval reference signal relating to the conveyance by the conveyance device.

Abstract: A method of waste separation includes irradiating the waste by a source of radiation, capturing an image of the waste when irradiated by the source of radiation; where an item in the waste is provided with a pattern, the pattern being provided in or on a surface of the item, the pattern forming a repetition of dots, a code being stored in a sequence of adjacent ones of the dots, processing the image to detect the pattern; deriving the code from the sequence of adjacent ones of the dots of the pattern; separating in accordance with the code the item the pattern from the waste. The pattern may be a relief pattern. The relief pattern may comprise a pattern of bumps and recesses. The pattern, such as in a form of a relief, may also be applied to identify the item.

Abstract: A sensor device (2) is removably attachable to a drug delivery device (12). The sensor device comprises an array (20) of optical sensors arranged within the sensor device such that, when the sensor device is attached to the drug delivery device, the drug delivery device having a first movable element (14) which is configured to move along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drug delivery device, each optical sensor is operable to detect light received at different locations along the linear path and to output a signal indicative of an amount of detected light; and circuitry (21) configured to receive the signals output from the optical sensors and, based on the received signals, to determine information associated with a location along the path of the first movable element.

Abstract: In an image capture system having a first image capture apparatus and a second image capture apparatus, in a case where an analysis result of analysis processing on a captured image captured by the first image capture apparatus does not satisfy a predetermined condition, controls an imaging range of the second image capture apparatus so that the imaging range of the second image capture apparatus becomes wider than in a case where the analysis result satisfies the predetermined condition.

Abstract: Method and system for inspecting a manufactured part supported on an optically-transparent window of a rotary actuator at an inspection station are provided. The window rotatably supports the part in a generally vertical orientation at which a bottom end surface of the part has a position and orientation for optical inspection. An illuminator is configured to illuminate the bottom end surface of the part through the window with radiant energy to obtain reflected radiation signals which are reflected off the bottom end surface of the part. The reflected radiation signals travel through the window. A lens and detector assembly is configured to form a bottom image from the reflected radiation signals at a bottom imaging location below the window and is configured to detect the bottom image. The window is made of a material which is substantially transparent to the radiant energy and the reflected radiation signals.

Abstract: A test container for checking container inspection machines, which inspection machines are suitable for examining at least a first category of containers for the presence of foreign bodies, with a main body in which a liquid is disposed, with a mouth via which the liquid is able to be introduced into the container, with a first closure by which the container is closed, wherein a foreign body which can be detected by the inspection machine is disposed in the container is provided. The container and/or the liquid disposed therein has a further substance or for example a transmitting device which can be detected by a user and/or by a detection device in order thus to distinguish the test container per se from another container of the category to be inspected.

Abstract: Only a bottle properly preliminarily heated is sterilized by hydrogen peroxide. Temperature inspection to the bottle is performed while travelling the bottle. During the inspection, a bottle of which temperature does not reach a predetermined temperature is removed and a bottle of which temperature reaches the predetermined temperature is continuously travelled, hydrogen peroxide condensed mist ? is blown toward a mouth portion 1a of the bottle by a spray tube 59 disposed at a predetermined position, and hot air is blown into the bottle from the nozzle while the nozzle 64 following the mouth portion of the bottle. According to such operation, only the bottle properly heated can be sterilized by the hydrogen peroxide, Thereafter, beverage fills the bottle, which is then sealed.

Abstract: This invention relates to an article inspection system having one or more endless article conveyors configured to convey articles along one or more conveying paths. One or more light sources and one or more light diffusers are provided, wherein each light diffuser is positioned substantially at or below the level of the articles when conveyed along the conveying paths so as to illuminate, using light from the one or more light sources, at least side portions of the articles with substantially diffuse light when the articles are conveyed along the conveying path(s). At least one camera is positioned to image articles which are conveyed along the conveying paths.

Abstract: A device and method for inspecting glass containers and particularly the finish of glass containers is provided. The glass container inspection device includes a rotator rotates a glass container located in an inspection location at least 360 degrees. A first laser source produces a first laser beam which is directed towards the inspection location to form an angle of incidence with the selected glass container being greater than or equal to a critical angle for producing internal reflection of the first laser beam within the selected glass container. A camera is directed at the inspection location to detect light that escapes from the selected glass container as a result of the internally reflected laser beam intersecting a defect in the selected glass container.

Abstract: An embodiment provides a turbidimeter standard ampule, including: a main part composed of glass and containing therein a formazin solution comprising a formazine polymer diluted in a solvent; the main part including a lens positioned in a bottom edge thereof and permitting entry of light from a turbidimeter; the main part having glass sides and permitting redirected light to exit the glass sides for detection by a photodetector of the turbidimeter; an upper part composed of glass and being attached to the main part; and an opaque cap on the upper part, the opaque cap blocking light from entering the upper part of the ampule. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method of inspecting two or more sides of an object is provided. The method includes generating one set of image data of two or more sides of the object, such as by using spherical mirror segments that project all sides of the object onto a single image and generating an X by Y array of image data of the single image. The projection of the image data is then compensated for, such as by identifying inspection processes to locate defects of the object in the projected image data or by converting the image data from the projected inspection coordinates to Cartesian coordinates. Predetermined inspection processes are then performed on the compensated image data, such as by using the inspection processes that are optimized for use with the projected image data or by converting the projected image data into a Cartesian format and using Cartesian image data inspection processes.

Abstract: A method of inspecting containers (3) moving between a linear camera and a light source (7) presents continuous variation of light intensity with a periodic pattern (71) along at least one variation direction (D). According to the method, for each movement increment of the container, a sequence of N successive image lines of the container is acquired cyclically so that for each image line; the container (3) is illuminated by the light source (7); the image line of the container is acquired; and the periodic pattern (71) is shifted for the next line along the variation direction (D). For each increment of the container (3), at least one phase image line is calculated; and the phase image lines (LP(k)) are analyzed.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting an empty crate that is transported on a transport device includes an inspection device having a pulse generator, a processor, a sensor, and an uncoupling device. Prior to inspection, the uncoupling device uncouples the empty crate from the transport device. The pulse generator then excites vibrations in the empty crate, which the sensor receives and passes to a processor for analysis.

Abstract: A method of observing and analyzing optical singularities includes illuminating an outside of a container by using a light-emitting surface of axial symmetry around a vertical axis (Z) parallel to the axes of symmetry of the containers, with a property of the emission that is detectable by the acquisition system(s) varying along a generator line of the light-emitting surface. For containers of low transmittance, taking the view image of the container portion by the image acquisition device receiving light beams comes from a portion of the light-emitting surface situated on the same side of the container. For containers of high transmittance, taking the view of the container portion by the image acquisition device receiving light beams comes from a portion of the light-emitting surface that is diametrically opposite relative to the container.

Abstract: A test container for checking container inspection machines, which inspection machines are suitable for examining at least a first category of containers for the presence of foreign bodies, with a man body in which a liquid is disposed, with a mouth via which the liquid is able to be introduced into the container, with a first closure by means of which the container is closed, wherein a foreign body which can be detected by the inspection machine is disposed in the container is provided. The container and/or the liquid disposed therein has a further substance or for example a transmitting device which can be detected by a user and/or by a detection device in order thus to distinguish the test container per se from another container of the category to be inspected.

Abstract: A method is provided for indicating automatically identified flaws on or in a test specimen. A location of a defect on or in a test specimen identified by an inspection unit is subsequently indicated. A lighting unit, for example color LEDs, is used to generate an illuminated indicator marking the location of the defect on the surface or on at least one adjoining lateral edge of the test specimen. After the automatic identification of the flaw, it is checked on the basis of quantifiable properties of the defect whether the defect meets a predefinable quality criterion, and an illuminated indicator marking the location of the defect at or on the test specimen is generated only if the quality criterion is not met. The coloring of the marking illuminated indicator is predefined depending on quantifiable properties of the defect.

Abstract: A method for determining a position of a component in a medical apparatus along a travel distance. The method comprising the steps of generating light by a light source; fixing the component movably along a travel distance; providing a photosensitive sensor surface, and generating a silhouette of the component on the sensor surface by irradiating the component with light from the light source. Data relating to the silhouette is converted by a data processing unit into the position of the component along the travel distance. The component whose position is determined may comprise a stopper of a cartridge.

Abstract: A method of monitoring, controlling, and optimizing operation of a container filling plant, in which image data of different areas of the container filling plant is obtained using an electronic, image-detection arrangement. The image data is then analyzed by a computer to determine if a person, a machine, or a container is in an unwanted condition sufficient to cause at least one of: disruption in the operation of the plant, injury to a person, damage to a machine, or damage to a container. A signal is then generated for either automatic correction or manual correction of the unwanted condition based on the image data.

Abstract: A headlamp aimer box includes a housing defining an opening and a tunnel, a window disposed within the opening, and a whiteboard disposed at one end of the tunnel. The box further includes a mirror disposed within the tunnel. The mirror redirects a beam passing through the window from a headlamp toward the whiteboard. A length of the tunnel is such that light patterns directed by facets of the headlamp sufficiently cross a median line associated with the headlamp to form a developed beam on the whiteboard.

Abstract: To provide workpiece inspection equipment that allows increasing inspection items without increasing the installation space of the inspection equipment as a whole by disposing a plurality of inspection stages around a rotating table for workpiece feeding. Workpiece inspection equipment 20 including a rotating table 21 for workpiece feeding which intermittently rotates with workpiece housing portions 22 provided at a plurality of circumferentially equally divided positions, a workpiece carry-in stage S0 and a workpiece carry-out stage S6 provided at predetermined positions separated in the circumferential direction of the rotating table 21, and a plurality of inspection stages S1 to S5 provided at predetermined circumferential positions of the rotating table between both stages S0 and S6, in which by increasing the number of workpiece housing portions 22 to be provided in the rotating table 21, the number of inspection stages can be increased without increasing the rotating table 21 in diameter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adapting the signal processing of at least one sensor device arranged behind a window in a motor vehicle, wherein the adaptation of the signal processing comprises changing at least one detection threshold value if a probability of ice being on the window is detected on the basis of a determined temperature, characterized in that a temperature signal of at least one temperature sensor integrated in the sensor device is used to detect the probability of ice on the window.

Abstract: A high-speed method and system for inspecting a stream of parts using at least one transparent traveling carrier of a conveyor subsystem are provided. The subsystem has a forward reach and a return reach. The method includes controllably receiving a stream of parts in rapid succession on the at least one traveling carrier and utilizing the subsystem to transfer the stream of parts in rapid succession to a part inspection station. The bottom surface of each part is illuminated through its traveling carrier with radiant energy when the part is located at the inspection station to generate reflected radiation signals which travel through its traveling carrier. A bottom image of each illuminated bottom surface is formed from the reflected radiation signals at an imaging location between the forward and return reaches at the inspection station. The bottom images are detected at the imaging location.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of measuring the placement of material forming a blow-molded plastic container after the container is released from a mold of a blow molder having a plurality of molds, wherein each plastic container comprises a continuous sidewall and a base, the method comprising the steps of: detecting with an infrared camera infrared light emitted from the container after the container is released from a mold; converting the detected infrared light into corresponding electrical signals; transmitting the electrical signals to a microprocessor; comparing in the microprocessor the electrical signals with stored data regarding desired material distribution forming the plastic container; and producing output information regarding the placement of material forming the container.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed for inspecting the wall of a bottle which is delivered by a conveyor sequentially to an inspection station. A light source defines a plurality of vertical row groups each having no black row, a white row and a plurality of adjacent rows where the intensity systematically decreases to a lowest level where light blocking defects can be seen and than increases systematically to the next white row.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting sidewall thickness of non-round transparent containers includes a conveyor for holding a container in stationary position and rotating the container around an axis. A light source directs light energy onto a sidewall of the container on the conveyor. An anamorphic lens system having a lens system axis directs onto a light sensor energy reflected from portions of the inside and outside surfaces of the container sidewall that are substantially parallel to the lens system axis. An information processor is responsive to the sensor for determining sidewall thickness at increments of container rotation as a function of separation at the sensor between light energies reflected from the inside and outside surfaces of the container sidewall.

Abstract: A device for checking a container neck for the presence of an incline is disclosed. A pressure-contact head, which can be lowered onto the container, has means for holding and centering the container. A checking part, which can be moved angularly relative to the horizontal, is urged onto the neck and correlates in its angular position relative to the horizontal plane with the incline of the neck. Means for scanning the angular position of the checking part relative to the horizontal plane are provided along with an evaluating unit which uses measurement values provided by the scanning means to generate an information signal relating to the incline of the neck. An actuator, controlled by the evaluating unit, screens the container and rejects it if the information signal is beyond a permissible threshold value.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed for inspecting the wall of a bottle which is delivered by a conveyor sequentially to an inspection station. A light source defined as spatially cyclically continuously varying between the extremes of dark and light.

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: A system and method inspects containers and cans and includes a conveyor for advancing a plurality of containers into an inspection area. A sensor senses when a can has advanced into the inspection area. At least one light source illuminates the exterior of the can and interior of the can through the top opening after sensing that a can has advanced into the inspection area. The top camera has a field of view looking down into the top opening for obtaining a pixel image of the top and interior of the can and opposing side cameras obtain pixel images in elevation of the container. A processor processes the pixel images and calculates eccentricity, diameter of the opening, and flange width measurements based on the pixel image of the top and the interior of the container. The processor calculates height and flange angle measurements based on the pixel images obtained in the elevation of the container.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed for inspecting the profile and wall of a bottle which is delivered by a conveyor sequentially to two inspection stations. A pair of light sources, when fully illuminated, define two images of the bottle on a CCD camera image, so that the wall can be inspected. Portions of the light sources are darkened so that two different images of the bottle will be imaged on the CCD camera image so that the profile can be inspected.

Abstract: A glass container body check detector is disclosed which comprises a conveyor for conveying glass containers in a predetermined direction to an inspection station, a rotator for rotating a glass container at the inspection station about the axis of the glass container, and an inspection assembly for detecting a check in the body of the rotating glass container. The inspection assembly includes a diffuse light source for directing diffused light at the sidewall of the rotating glass container in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction of conveyance of the glass container, a pair of angularly related directed light sources located above the rotating container for focusing light through the container into coincident vertical lines of light on the sidewall of the container, from the top of the bottle to the bottom of the container, and a linear array camera located above the rotating glass container and focused on the coincident lines of directed light.

Abstract: To photograph the mouth region of a bottle, a light-emitting surface is arranged below the mouth region to be photographed. The light-emitting surface is illuminated by means of an illuminating device and the image of the illuminated mouth region is directed to a camera by a mirror arrangement (5,6,11). The light-emitting surface makes it possible to image the mouth region in transmitted light, facilitating detection of defects and soiling in the mouth region from the interpretation of the image recorded by the camera.

Abstract: According to the process of the invention, optical inspection of a translucent article, in particular optical inspection of a concave bottom of a container, in which the article is positioned between a radiation source and an image recording apparatus and an image of the article is recorded and processed, is improved by placing at least one optical correction element in the paths of rays between the radiation source and the image recording apparatus to correct ray paths causing undesired dark or black spots on the image, so that such dark or black spots are prevented or brightened in order that an adequate image for satisfactory image-analysis is produced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for inspecting entities comprising liquid-filled containers for one or more test parameters of the liquid, the container, or both, by rotating and axially line scanning said entities and comparing said scans electronically, after which entities exhibiting one or more unacceptable test parameters are identified and separated from entities exhibiting acceptable test parameters.

Abstract: An algorithm is disclosed which effectively removes the knurled annular portion on the bottom of a glass or plastic bottle which is located at an inspection location where diffused light is shown through the bottom of the bottle and is observed by a camera looking down through the bottle opening. The annular area is unwrapped and differenced to eliminate the knurling so that defects can be defined.

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 method and system for temporarily halting an article for sensing with a fixed sensing system without altering its average speed. While halted, the article's orientation is manipulated for seeking and presenting a specific area thereon for sensing. The time available for manipulation results from accelerating each article relative to the average speed of articles prior to sensing. The sensing of the article includes visually reading a label thereon to identify the article, and inspection of the article for determining its physical condition. If desired, the physical condition of the article such as a glass bottle may also be evaluated without halting movement thereof. Once the article has been identified and inspected, the article is categorized based on the visual information obtained. Articles in certain categories are rejected from those evaluated.

Abstract: An inspection machine for inspecting a vertically standing container comprising a conveyor for horizontally displacing a vertically standing glass container through spaced inspection locations, a first pair of diffused light sources located behind the conveyor for forwardly directing angularly related beams of light substantially horizontally at a container located at one of the inspection locations, the beams being sufficiently large so that the light beams will pass around the entire profile of a container located at the first inspection location, a first two dimensional camera having an imaging surface on the other side of the conveyor, and first means for redirecting the forwardly directed beams to corresponding halves of the imaging surface, a second pair of diffused light sources located in front of the conveyor for rearwardly directing angularly related beams of light substantially horizontally at a container located at the other one of the inspection locations, the beams being sufficiently large so th

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting the bottom of a container that includes a light sensor positioned to view the container bottom through the open container mouth, a light source positioned externally of the container on the opposite side of the container bottom, and electronics for detecting commercial variations in the container bottom as a function of light energy incident on the sensor. The light source, as viewed by the sensor through the container bottom, is characterized by being elongated radially of the container bottom and narrow transversely of the container bottom. In this way, any variations in the container bottom that refract the line of sight of the sensor in the radial direction, such as mold code rings and baffle scars, are essentially transparent as viewed by the sensor.

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: According to the process, each returning bottle is examined for the presence of a predetermined level of fatigue damage. If this level has been reached, the bottle concerned is marked with a mark enabling further trips of the bottle to be counted. When the count has reached a predetermined value, that is when the bottle has undergone the predetermined number of fillings, the bottle is removed upon its next return. It has been found that the life of the bottle can be anticipated with high accuracy in this way, thus enabling bottles to be withdrawn from circulation before failure occurs.