Abstract: Method and apparatus for inspecting transparent articles such as glassware for various types of defects, while conveying the articles past an optical inspection assembly. An article to be inspected is transported through an inspection station where it may undergo rotational and translational motion while being illuminated during an inspection interval. The inspection apparatus includes a video camera which provides output signals representative of the luminance of image elements, and video processing circuitry to derive line sum signals representative of the aggregate luminance of preselected scan lines. The line sum signals are further processed to discriminate streaks of brighter-than-normal or darker-than-normal pixels in a series of image frames. The user may establish window parameters to define an area of the article to be scanned for defects.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for optical inspection of transparent layers such as the wall of glass and plastic containers, using bifurcated fiber optic probes. One or more of such fiber optic probes are directed at the wall of a transparent container, and light emitted thereby is selectively reflected from both the inner and outer surfaces of the container wall. Each probe includes a pair of bifurcated fiber optic bundles which are disposed at different distances behind a 1:1 lens system, resulting in two focal points at different distances from the fiber optic probe. Relative motion of the inner and outer wall surfaces between these focal points results in measurable variations of the probe output signals, which variations may be interpreted to track wall thickness and concentricity. An alternative detection scheme uses a probe with a single bifurcated bundle, and reciprocates such probe relative to the container wall while measuring the separation of null points of the output signal.

Abstract: In a method for detecting an inferior container, wherein: light beams are projected in different two directions upon a side of a transparent or a semitransparent test container while the container is rotatably driven; both of a transmitted beam which is one of the above light beams, having penetrated through the container, and a refelected beam which is the other of the above light beams, having reflected from the container are simultaneously received by a common photo-receptive surface; a composite image constructed of both of the transmitted beam and the reflected beam is projected upon this photo-receptive surface; and an inferior container is detected by means of a shadow formed in this image.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting "birdswing" flaws in glass containers. A container is illuminated using a beam of light introduced at its base. The column of light passes up through the container along its inner sidewall until it impinges upon a birdswing or like defect at the inner wall, which will cause light rays to be reflected through the outer wall. The light rays advantageously illuminate a zone at the base of the bottle which does not extend beyond the outer side wall, and are evenly distributed over a defined range of incident angles. Light reflected through the outer sidewall is detected as a bright spot by a suitable photodetector array, which monitors the entire container sidewall. This inspection technique effectively eliminates undesired indications of defects within the container wall, as well as of patterns embossed on the outer surface.

Abstract: A system for automatically detecting sidewall and dimensional defects in a transparent container includes a laser scanning system positioned astride a conveyor in a production line. In an upstream inspection zone a laser beam vertically scans a portion of the side wall of the container. Photosensors positioned in a detection chamber detect the specific effect which any defect has upon the laser beam by determining the location of light passing through the container and comparing its intensity against pre-set thresholds. A flaw signal is generated when a threshold is exceeded. The number of flaw signals is counted and when the count equals a pre-set value a reject signal is generated to eject the defective container from the conveyor. If a container is not rejected, it passes through a rotator assembly which rotates the container precisely 90.degree..

Abstract: A bottle inspecting apparatus comprises means for conveying bottles while rotating the same; a first light source for exposing only the bottle finish with light; a second light source having a radiation spectrum different from that of the first light source for exposing the thread of the bottle neck; a filter for discriminating the light of the first light source scattered at the bottle finish and the light of the second light source scattered at the bottle finish and the thread of bottle neck from the second light source; a first photoelectric transducer for photoelectric array converting the light of the first light scattered at the bottle neck into a first output signal; a second photoelectric transducer for photoelectric array converting the scattered light of the second light source from the bottle finish and the thread of bottle neck into a second output signal; a first defect discriminating circuit for digitalizing the output signal from the first photoelectric transducer and for detecting the defect a

Abstract: A method and system for identifying a molded container such as a glass bottle with its mold of origin, and a corresponding container. Each container has molded therein a plurality of indicia in the form of surface bumps or protrusions extending in an arcuate array at uniformly spaced indicia positions around the container heel perpendicularly of the container axis. The indicia are grouped in sets of two adjacent indicia positions, the sets being of two mutually unique configurations, whereby the sets as a whole identify a binary code associated with the container mold of origin. The method and system for reading such code in accordance with the disclosure contemplate directing a source of diffused light energy onto the container heel, with such energy having an intensity gradient at predetermined orientation with respect to the container axis.

Abstract: A method of increasing the contrast when photographing a transparent object, such as a glass object through the use of a television camera, is provided. The transparent object is illuminated with radiation in a region of the spectrum to which the transparent object is impermeable. A filter which suppresses the radiation in the region of the spectrum to which the transparent object is permeable and transmits radiation in the region of the spectrum to which the transparent object is impermeable is used between the light source and the transparent object. An electronic pick-up camera which is sensitive, i.e., capable of detecting radiation, in the region of the spectrum to which the filter is permeable, is used for taking photographs of the object.

Abstract: A cigarette testing apparatus wherein a single layer of cigarettes is transported sideways in the flutes of two conveyors one of which exposes a first half of the wrapper of each cigarette thereon from the one to the other end of the cigarette and the other of which exposes the remaining half of the wrapper. A first optoelectrical scanning system monitors the first half of the wrapper of each cigarette on the first conveyor for the presence or absence of defects, and a discrete second optoelectrical scanning system monitors the remaining half of the wrapper of each cigarette on the second conveyor for the presence or absence of defects. Each of the two systems can employ two discrete scanning units having light sources, mirrors and lenses which focus light from the sources upon the respective halves of the wrappers, rows of photoelectric transducers, and elements which focus reflected light upon the transducers.

Abstract: In a bottle inspection machine a cylindrical hollow shaft is driven rotationally about a vertical axis. Another shaft is splined in the tubular shaft for rotation therewith. Another rotor is mounted coaxially to the inner shaft and the two rotors constitute a means for transporting bottles in a circular path. A light source is mounted on the radially outer side of the circular path and projects beams generally radially inwardly through one or more bottles at a time. The bottles carried on the rotors do not fill a complete circle, thus leaving an open side on the rotor. A detector or scanning device is located on the side of the center shaft facing the area which is free of bottles. The scanning device has photodetectors or imaging elements that intercept the images of the bottles side walls which may be modulated by flaws or contaminants in the bottles.

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: A method and an apparatus for optical inspection of transparent articles. The method and apparatus use a light beam scanning field which is separated into at least two portions. The field portions are directed at the article at differing angles of incidence such that they eliminate blind spots caused by portions of the apparatus which block the passage of the light through the article. A feature of the invention is its provision of a folded optical path to increase the length the beam travels between the beam generator and the object beyond the physical distance between the beam generator and the object.

Abstract: A perspective receptacle charged with liquid and having its mouth portion sealed with an opaque seal member is rotated as-erected at a high speed. Due to this high speed rotation, the air resident in the vicinity of the mouth portion of the receptacle forms an air cavity and descends below the seal member. This descending air cavity is detected from the outside of the receptacle by means of an optical detecting member.

Abstract: A system of back illuminating a glass container with generally horizontal collimated light having a vertical gradient of brightness produced by placing a showcase light behind the upper area of a diffuser plate.The light passing through the bottle is imaged by a lens into the region of the entrance aperture of a camera having a vertical array of pixels. The lens in the camera is focused on the side of the bottle. The output of the camera will be of a general level equal to the level of illumination of the middle of the diffuser. When a refractive defect in the bottle deflects light from the brightest area of the diffuser into the aperture of the camera, the signal output will rise, and if light from the darkest area of the diffuser is deflected by the defect into the aperture of the camera, the output signal will be substantially less.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the outer diameters, ovality and eccentricity of the finish of a container is disclosed. The invention can be practiced in either a one-camera or a two-camera embodiment. The one-camera embodiment comprises means for illuminating the finish with a collimated beam of light to produce a transmitted beam containing a shadow of the finish and means for focusing the transmitted beam containing the shadow of the finish to produce the image thereof. The apparatus further comprises a line-scan camera for periodically scanning sequential segments of the image from one periphery to the other periphery as the container rotates for providing a plurality of pixel signals for each scan, and a data circuit responsive to the magnitudes of the pixel signals in each of the scans for counting the number of signals in the peripheries of the image to provide a left periphery count and a right periphery count for each scan.

Abstract: A system of illuminating a transparent glass article, such as a TV faceplate, for detecting optical defects. The source of illumination is tailored so as to be space invariant and results in producing a plurality of collimated beams which travel in a continuum of different directions. A uniformly illuminated diffuser plate with a mask has the attribute of enhancing refractive defects of a given magnitude while not detecting those of a more gradual refractive nature. The object is viewed with a linear diode array camera of a given acceptance angle.

Abstract: In detection of a defect in a part of an object having a surface which is substantially a surface of revolution, the surface of the inspected part is illuminated by light rays which are emitted through an annular portion coaxially disposed with the surface of the inspected part, and light rays reflected at the surface of the inspected part are received to form an image of the inspected part. The image is constituted of pixels corresponding to the respective portions of the surface of the inspected part. Signals having a value indicative of the brightness of the pixels are stored in relation to the respective positions of the pixels in the image. The stored signals are referred repeatedly to provide, as a set of signals, a predetermined number of the signals of the pixels positioned along an imaginary line extending radially through a central point in the image corresponding to the axis of the surface of the inspected part and positioned and distributed within a radial range extending along the imaginary line.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and device for detecting foreign bodies in a liquid, wherein the image of the apparent surface of the liquid in rotation in the immobilized recipients is formed, by reflection, diffraction, refraction or attenuation of the light coming from a source, on a matrix of reception and read cells. In the matrix each cell is perfectly delimited and its position is identified by numerization. A series of images is produced, of which a certain number are taken as reference and memorized. Each image is digitized and those images following the last memorized image is compared therewith cell by cell by a subtractor.The results of such a subtraction are compared with a threshold and results overstepping the threshold involve delivering a signal to a processor which controls a sort device arranged to eliminate undesirable units.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting and sorting transparent containers such as glass containers having defects in the container sidewalls, and for distinguishing between commercially acceptable and unacceptable defects on the basis of defect type and size. A light source is positioned to direct diffused illumination through the sidewall of a container under inspection as the container is rotated about its central axis with the intensity of the illumination varying across the light source transversely of such axis as a predetermined function of transverse position. In specific disclosed embodiments of the invention, the light intensity is filtered across the source to provide transversely spaced outer regions of uniform intensities, either equal or unequal, and an intermediate region of either uniform intensity different from that in the outer regions or transversely varying intensity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting a translucent container to detect a radial reflective defect in the container is disclosed. The apparatus comprises means for illuminating a container by focusing a radiant beam of light into an elongated image extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container along a portion of the container being inspected. The apparatus also comprises means focused on the illuminated portion of the container for sensing the intensity of light reflected from the illuminated portion and for viewing the illuminated portion from a direction and forming an angle ranging from about 75 degrees to about 105 degrees from a path of the incident beam of light. The sensing means provides a plurality of the electrical signals each proportional to the reflected intensity from a corresponding position on the illuminated portion of the container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optically inspecting and sorting transparent containers such as glass containers having defects in the container sidewalls, and for distinguishing unacceptable major refractive defects and opaque defects from each other and from commercially acceptable minor refractive defects. First and second sources of diffused illumination having differing source widths are sequentially directed onto a container while the container is rotated about its central axis for at least one revolution during each illumination. A camera which includes a plurality of light sensitive elements disposed in a linear array parallel to the axis of container rotation is positioned to receive light energy transmitted through the container sidewall.

Abstract: An inspection device is disclosed for inspecting glass containers for leaners and chokes as they are moved continuously past a single work station. The invention utilizes a video camera and processing circuits for determining the size of the opening of the finish of each container as well as the extent of its lean relative to predetermined acceptable limits. Containers having excessive lean or choke are rejected.

Abstract: Optical transmittances of a combination of a liquid to be detected and a container wall are measured in order to select two optical pass-bands, one of which is relatively high transmittance level while the other of which is relatively low transmittance. The light transmission quantities of the container at the selected two pass-bands are measured by one or more detecting elements. The light transmission quantities are converted into two electric signals, one of which is divided by the other in a signal process circuit.

Abstract: For detecting a leaking in a transparent or semi-transparent vessel by the dye bath method, the light passing through the vessel is divided into three wavelength regions, that is light having the characteristic wavelength of the dye bath liquid, the light having a wavelength shorter than said light as much as prescribed wavelength and the light having a wavelength longer than said light as much as prescribed wavelength, the curvature of transmittance curve based upon difference value of transmittance among three light having different wavelength is obtained for comparing with a preestablished value to judge the vessel to be inferior or normal with the compared output.

Abstract: A method for inspecting transparent or semitransparent, liquid-filled containers as to whether or not the liquid in each of the container contains foreign matters. The inspection is carried out by passing the container in front of a television camera while the liquid in each container undergoes a spiral motion as it passes through an inspection region, and processing video signals generated from the television camera by the use of a unique controlling circuit. With this controlling circuit, distinction can be made between signals indicative of the presence of foreign matters in the liquid and that indicative of the presence of external flaws on the container.

Abstract: In a detecting system adapted to detect foreign matters as faults of a glass bottle, between a projection path of a diffused light towards the object to be inspected and said object, a plane polarizing plate of a circular polarizer which includes the plane polarizing plate combined with a 1/4 wave plate is disposed at the side of a diffused light side, while, in a light path which causes light transmitted through the object to form an image on the photoelectric detector 6 through the lens, a detecting side circular polarizer which includes a 1/4 wave plate and a plane polarizing plate is placed. An output electric signal of the photoelectric detector is subjected to analog operation processing.

Abstract: A mechanism for automatically inspecting the condition of the lip of a container. A beam or pulse of energy is directed by a first energy guide to impact upon a portion of the lip of a container. The amount of energy, reflected off the lip and through a second energy guide, is measured by a sensor located at the end of the second guide. The sensor produces an output signal having a magnitude proportional to the amount of reflected energy received by the sensor. Appropriate electrical circuitry compares the magnitude of the sensor output to a preselected magnitude. If the sensor output is greater it generates a first signal indicating a first condition of that portion of the lip of the container and, if the sensor output is less it generates a second signal indicating a second condition of that portion of the lip. A plurality of such reflected beams and sensors and electrical circuits may be employed around the perimeter of the lip to determine the condition of substantially the entire lip.

Abstract: An automatic optical inspection method apparatus wherein optical preprogramming means are utilized to designate the locations of reference features on a reference object, and to instruct the system regarding the reference feature characteristics, and of reference feature parameters, the automatic optical inspection apparatus is then utilizing information obtained from the optical pre-programming means to analyze image data obtained from objects under inspection, the apparatus initially obtaining a larger amount of optical imaging data and systematically thereafter reducing the quantity of such data by appropriate signal processing and gating, so that an accept or reject decision is based upon a small portion of the originally obtained data.

Abstract: An optical system for automatic sorting and inspection machines for providing an improved two dimensional image of a three dimensional object to a camera or a camera-like device is disclosed. The optical system utilizes two spaced apart mirrors for receiving light primarily from different areas of the object to be viewed. Each mirror is positioned to reflect that light toward an optical axis. Positioned between the first and second mirrors are third and fourth mirrors positioned to reflect the light received thereby along the optical axis of the camera system. In this manner the image viewed by the camera will represent two separate views or image portions of the object being viewed, which image portions may or may not overlap as desired. By proper positioning of the mirrors, one can obtain an image of a three dimensional object which includes image portions of minimum distortion which effectively start to reach around the object and therefore not otherwise viewable from the camera position.

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: In a device for testing the rim around the apertures of bottles for flaws there is a rotor which has an optic fiber bundle for transmitting light to the rim or sealing surface of the bottle and another fiberoptic bundle for receiving light reflected or scattered by the surface that is to be sealed with a crown cap. The optical axes of the light transmitter and receiver are arranged in a common scanning plane which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the aperture or rim and intersects the plane tangentially to the sealing surface. The optical axes are inclined by an acute angle, alpha, with respect to the plane of the aperture or rim. The light transmitter and receiver optical bundles have lenses at their ends for, respectively, projecting a light beam through the aperture plane and for receiving light reflected or scattered therefrom. One end of the light conductor or transmitter is coupled to a light source. One end of the light receiver is coupled to a photosensitive device.

Abstract: Inspection of a procession of ware such as bottles on a moving conveyor for "down" bottles and bottles which are "stuck" and tilted is accomplished by maintaining an average of detected dimensions for acceptable bottles and by comparing a sensor signal which is indicative of bottle dimension to thresholds which are preselected percentages of the average. Variations in detected bottle dimension, due to different or changing production conditions or variations in conveyor speed, are automatically compensated for.

Abstract: In a defect detecting method and apparatus, the image of a bottle under inspection, which is conveyed while being spun, is divided into picture elements arranged in a matrix form, signals representative of the picture elements are generated sequentially and repeatedly, and the signals of the picture elements, on the same imaginary line perpendicular to the central axis of the image, are compared with each other, and the result of the comparison is used to detect a defect such as a foreign matter or a scratch.

Abstract: A device for detecting unacceptable defects in a neck area of hollow glass articles transported by a feeding element has a light source spaced from a path of feeding of the articles and arranged to illuminate the neck area of the latter, a projecting element arranged to project an image of the neck area of each of the glass articles, an image receiving element arranged to receive the projected image of the neck area and having a plurality of electrooptical elements, wherein the projecting element includes a mirror arranged to project the image of the neck area of each of the articles along a projecting axis which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the device, and the electrooptical elements are arranged in a circle located in a plane normal to the projecting axis.

Abstract: Container flaws are detected by repetitively sampling the output of a photosensor at a controlled rate dependent on the speed of inspection. Samples are digitized and stored in memory on a first in, first out basis. First in (oldest) and last in (newest) samples are used to provide a sliding computation of the slope or rate of change of the photosensor output. The computed slope is compared to an empirically determined preselected number. Containers are rejected or accepted based on the results of the comparison.

Abstract: A method for detecting a substantially transverse refractive defect in the sidewall of a transparent container is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of directing a filtered source of diffused light toward the sidewall of the container to provide an intensity gradient varying in a direction substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the container and sensing the intensity of light at a plurality of positions in a field-of-view aligned along a path in the plane of the sidewall and generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the container.

Abstract: Containers pass through a radiation beam projected from a beam source to a detector. The detector output pulse rates at points where the container has passed partially into the beam and partially out of the beam are detected. Pulse rates during a measuring interval which lies between these points are divided by time units from a clock pulse generator to produce a signal representative of the average pulse rate during the interval. This signal is compared to a selectable reference signal. If a comparison is made, the comparator yields a signal indicative of whether or not material in the container was at a high enough level to attenuate the beam.

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: A control circuit for an apparatus for inspecting objects, such as glass bottles and the like, for defects includes an interface circuit connected between a source of data signals and means for processing information obtained from the object. The interface circuit receives the data signals, typically in digital series form, and includes a latch for storing one of the digital signals, a pair of adders, and a storage means for a plurality of threshold signals. Each data signal is compared to the preceding data signal stored in the latch in one of the adders to generate a difference signal representing the difference in magnitudes between the two signals. Each difference signal is compared with a selected one of the stored threshold signals in the other adder to generate an event signal representing the difference in magnitudes between the two signals.

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: In general, used beer, alcoholic drink or medical bottles are collected to be used again. Such used returnable bottles often have defects such as dust and contaminant or cracks, and they must be removed from the bottles before or after the bottle cleaning process. This invention positively satisfies such a requirement. The electro-optic inspection system according to this invention uses a polarized, scanned optical beam and an array of polaroid optical detectors and a logic signal processing system thereby to securely detect the defects on the transparent or semitransparent containers.

Abstract: In a defect detecting method and apparatus, the image of an object under inspection is formed, the signals of picture elements forming the image is stored, the picture elements signals are accumulated for each of the regions which form parts of the image, the results of the accumulations for regions proximate to each other are compared, and a defect is detected from the result of the comparison.

Abstract: In a defect detecting method and device, image formed by receiving light from an illuminated object to be examined, is divided into a plurality of picture elements, and the signals of the picture elements are stored. The signals are later read out in the order in which the portions of the object corresponding respectively to the picture elements are traversed by a substantially spiral imaginary line drawn on said object, and a defect is detected from the relationship between the signal of one of the picture elements and the signal of another picture element read out a little before the reading of the signal of said one of the picture elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting pinholes in cans comprising a dark box consisting of a light seal plate and a window, a photodetector detecting electrically the outer penetration of light, and light sources disposed around the can. The light seal plate has a groove for receiving an open end of a can therein and is of a hardness greater than that of the can. The groove of the light seal plate communicates with a trap. The surface of the groove is black non-luster.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which inspects whether or not an object to be inspected contains an abnormality, defect or the like by using a single photo-sensor such as a video camera provided with a photo-electric conversion screen such as a target screen therein. An inspection section or processor such as an computer is provided to receive the output from the video camera and process the same to determine whether the object contains the abnormality, defect etc. or not. The video camera includes an optical lens arrangement which can simultaneously focus images of at least two different portions of the object on the target screen of the video camera.

Abstract: A light diffusion device has a plurality of rough surfaces with different roughnesses which are placed at a light source side of an object to be inspected. The plurality of rough surfaces consecutively diffuse the light emitted from the light source. The diffused light then passes the inspection zone of the object to which a photosensing means is faced from the opposite side to the light source, into which the diffused light is introduced from the light diffusion device after passing the inspection zone of the object.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for inspecting an object, in particular a bottle, which is irradiated by a radiation that is received and converted into an electrical videosignal which is converted into a digital signal, points of fault in the object being established by alterations in intensity between the digital signals from two adjacent image spots, characterized in that:(1) only alterations in intensity which exceed a definite threshold level are recorded as the start of a point of fault and the end of a point of fault;(2) for each of these points of fault certain characteristic quantities such, e.g.

Abstract: This invention relates to method and apparatus for inspecting glass containers and other types of containers having transparent or translucent sidewalls for defects, and especially to inspecting the finish portion of glass containers for defects such as horizontal checks. The entire finish portion is illuminated by diffused light and the check-type defects reflect light upwardly into an Erfle eyepiece which is then imaged onto a matrix-type light sensor.

Abstract: Sorting and inspection apparatus and methods which may be used for the identification and separation of articles of different characteristics, or the inspection of articles of similar characteristics to reject those of below minimum standards. A typical system will include a transport system for individually transporting the articles past a television camera so that the camera may view the distinctive portions of the articles to be sorted or the area of the articles to be inspected. The output of the television camera is digitized based upon the number of transitions of light to dark (or dark to light) in the scan lines. A correlator then performs a specialized correlation between the digitized image and various previously digitized images representing the different items being sorted or inspected, to determine which of the previously stored images best correlates with the digitized image from the television camera.

Abstract: The present Specification describes an apparatus for the inspection of translucent containers comprising a conveyor (10) for transporting a container (12) through an inspection zone, and means (15, M1,M1,M3) for directing a plurality of light beams (B1,B2,B3) sideways at the container during its movement through the zone. Each light beam is directed at the side of the container from a different direction relative to the container, and deflection means cause each of the beams to repeatedly scan the side of the container in a vertical direction as the container moves fully through each beam.