US3687559A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for inspecting glass containers or the like
Assignee: Hermann Heye KG
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Filing: 1970-11-24
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Granted: 1972-08-29
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Expires: 1990-11-24
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for the inspection of glass containers to detect cracks, voids, bubbles or other flaws has a rotary testing unit which carries one or more photoelectric detectors whose receivers transmit signals to one or more amplifiers on the testing unit in response to detection of flaws. The light supplying means of the detectors receive light from a light source which is stationary or shares the movements of the testing unit and such light supplying means include bars and/or fiber bundles of light conducting materials which conduct light from the light source and direct it against the selected portion or portions of the container which is to be inspected. The testing unit is movable axially toward and away from the container. The amplifiers receive current by way of a first slip ring on the testing unit, and the amplified signals are transmitted to an ejector for defective containers by way of a second slip ring.
Inventors
- 👤 Knut Fischer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 16:20
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/84; G01N21/88; G01N21/90; G01N21/9072; B; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/34; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/02; G01B11/06; G01N21/9054
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
271 words
Apparatus for the inspection of glass containers or analogous articles for the presence of cracks, bubbles and/or other defects, comprising means for locating an article to be inspected in a predetermined position at a testing station; a light source; a source of electric energy; and a rotary testing unit comprising rotary carrier means movable to and from an operative position in which said carrier means is adjacent to an article at said station, photosensitive detector means mounted on said carrier means and comprising light conducting means arranged to conduct light from said light source and having a portion which directs such light against a selected portion of an article at said station in the operative position of said carrier means, at least one photosensitive receiver mounted on said carrier means in such position as to produce signals when the light directed by said portion of said light conducting means impinges on defects in the selected portion of an article at said station, amplifier means on said carrier means and electrically connected with said receiver to amplify said signals, and conductor means comprising first slip ring means on said carrier means and connected with said amplifier means and first brush means connected with said source of energy and energizing said first slip ring means at least in the operative position of said carrier, and second slip ring means on said carrier and connected to said amplifier means and second brush means engaging said second slip ring means at least in the operative position of said carrier so as to transmit the amplified signals to means adapted to act on a defective article.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
271 words
Apparatus for the inspection of glass containers or analogous articles for the presence of cracks, bubbles and/or other defects, comprising means for locating an article to be inspected in a predetermined position at a testing station; a light source; a source of electric energy; and a rotary testing unit comprising rotary carrier means movable to and from an operative position in which said carrier means is adjacent to an article at said station, photosensitive detector means mounted on said carrier means and comprising light conducting means arranged to conduct light from said light source and having a portion which directs such light against a selected portion of an article at said station in the operative position of said carrier means, at least one photosensitive receiver mounted on said carrier means in such position as to produce signals when the light directed by said portion of said light conducting means impinges on defects in the selected portion of an article at said station, amplifier means on said carrier means and electrically connected with said receiver to amplify said signals, and conductor means comprising first slip ring means on said carrier means and connected with said amplifier means and first brush means connected with said source of energy and energizing said first slip ring means at least in the operative position of said carrier, and second slip ring means on said carrier and connected to said amplifier means and second brush means engaging said second slip ring means at least in the operative position of said carrier so as to transmit the amplified signals to means adapted to act on a defective article.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said detector means is adjustable with reference to said carrier means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said light source is remote from said testing unit and said light conducting means comprises an elongated light conducting element extending through said carrier means and having an end located in the path of light issuing from said source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said portion of said light conducting means is adjacent to said receiver.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus for the inspection of hOllow portions of articles at said station, as defined in claim 1, wherein said portion of said light conducting means extends into the interior of the hollow portion of an article at said station in the operative position of said carrier means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said portion of said light conducting means comprises at least one facet which directs light against the internal surface of the hollow portion of an article at said station in the operative position of said carrier means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said detector means comprises a plurality of receivers and said portion of said light conducting means is provided with a plurality of facets each of which emits light which cooperates with one of said receivers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said receiver is located in the interior of the hollow portion of an article at said station in the operative position of said carrier means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said receiver is located without the hollow portion of an article at said station in the operative position of said carrier means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein at least said portion of said light conducting means constitutes a solid rod.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said detector means comprises a plurality of receivers and said portion of said light conducting means comprises a plurality of bundles of light conducting fibers each arranged to direct light directly against an article at said station, said light conducting means further comprising a light conducting element having a first end portion receiving light from said source and a second end portion transmitting light to said bundles.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein at least a part of said light conducting means is coaxial with said testing unit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a stabilizing circuit installed on said carrier means between said first slip ring means and said amplifier means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said light source is supported by said carrier means and said light conducting means further comprises at least one bundle of light conducting fibers arranged to conduct light from said source directly against an article at said station.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein said bundle and said portion of said light conducting means are adjustable with reference to said carrier means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said light source shares the movements of said carrier means and includes at least one electric lamp, and wherein said conductor means comprise also a conductor connecting said first slip ring means with said lamp.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said source of electric energy is a source of A-C current and including rectifier means in said conductor means and a stabilizing circuit provided in said conductor means between said amplifier means and said rectifier means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-29 | 1976-02-28 | 1976-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-29 | 1980-02-28 | 1980-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-29 | 1984-02-28 | 1984-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |