Photo-electric crack detector for glass bottles

Claim 2

Apparatus in accordance with claim 2, including a plunger for entering containers while the containers are being optically tested and rotating, said plunger being supported by one of said carriages for movement therewith.

Claim 3

Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said second sensor is supported by said plunger in close proximity to the inner wall of the container during the testing operation.

Claim 4

Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 including a light source mounted on one of said carriages in position to illuminate the portion of the container inspected by the first sensor, a second light source mounted on one of said carriages in position to illuminate the portion of the container inspected by the second sensor, a third sensor mounted on said plunger in position to inspect an intermediate zone of the container, and a third light source mounted on one of said carriages in position to illuminate said intermediate zone.

Claim 5

Apparatus for optically inspecting glass containers comprising a conveyor for continuously moving containers along a path, a carriage mounted for movement along the path at approximately the speed of said conveyor, means for rotating the containers without interrupting the movement of the containers along the path, optical-sensing means including a photoelectric sensor supported by said carriage for detecting defects in the container, means for ejecting defective containers, a thrust member mounted on said carriage for movement toward and away from said path, antifriction means on said thrust member for engaging a container under test to press it into said means for rotating the containers, said photoelectric sensor being mounted on said thrust member in a position so as to be in close proximity to the surface of said container, and circuitry coupled to said ejecting means and said sensor, said circuitry including means for storing the effect of a signal indicative of a defect in a particular container and for operating said ejecting means when the particular container arrives at the location of the ejecting means.

Claim 6

Apparatus for optically inspecting glass containers comprising a conveyor for continuously moving containers along a path, a carriage mounted for movement along the path at approximately the speed of said conveyor, means for rotating the containers without interrupting the movement of the containers long the path, optical-sensing means including a photoelectric sensor supported by said carriage for detecting defects in the containers, means for ejecting defective containers, and circuitry coupled to said ejecting means and said sensing means, said circuitry including firsT means for generating a signal having a value corresponding to no defects in said containers, a normally open circuit including said ejecting means, said circuit including a first normally open switch to complete a portion of said circuit and first relay means having normally open contacts, said ejecting means being operative in response to closing said first switch and said first relay means, means for intermittently closing said first switch and second means responsive to a signal corresponding to defects in said containers, said second means being operative to energize said second relay means to activate said ejecting means when said normally open switch is closed.

Claim 7

Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said second means includes second relay means intermediate said first relay means and said signal-generating means, said second relay means normally completing a second circuit to said first relay means to maintain said contacts open and being responsive to a signal corresponding to a defect in said containers to open said second circuit thereby permitting said first relay means contacts to close.

Claim 8

Apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said second means includes a second normally open switch means, said second switch means closing in response to a signal corresponding to defects in said container to thereby interrupt the circuit completed by said relay means.

Claim 9

Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said second relay means includes a reset circuit, said reset circuit including a normally closed switch, means for intermittently opening said switch so that said circuit through said second relay means is completed.

Claim 10

Apparatus for inspecting containers comprising a conveyor for continuously moving containers along a path, first and second carriages mounted for movement along opposite sides of the path at approximately the speed of said conveyor, means for rotating the containers about an upright axis thereof without interrupting the movement of the containers along the path, sensors supported by said first and second carriages for detecting defects in the container as the container rotates about an axis thereof, means for ejecting defective containers, and circuitry including means for storing the effect of a signal indicative of a defect in a particular container and for operating said ejecting means when the particular container arrives at the location of the ejecting means.