Patent US3727068A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3727068A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bottle inspection apparatus
Assignee: Fords Ltd
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Filing: 1971-12-21
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Granted: 1973-04-10
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Expires: 1991-12-21
Abstract
Abstract An integrated photocell device for bottle inspection comprises a multiplicity of inspection photodiodes and a level sensing photodiode, which measures the average light transmission through a bottle, arranged in a suitable array for scanning an area of a bottle to be inspected. The level sensing diode is in the form of a grid distributed over the photocell device and the inspection diodes are disposed within the grid. The inspection diodes are each connected in an electrical circuit which is adapted to be triggered by a pulse applied thereto and to restore to its initial state within a time determined by the intensity of the illumination of the photodiode. The individual inspection circuits are connected in parallel to a load resistor, the output voltage across which drops to zero when all the circuits have restored to their initial states. The level sensing diode is connected in a similar circuit to each inspection diode and is connected to a separate load resistor. Means is provided for comparing the times taken for the two output voltages to return to zero, after the application of a pulse, in order to determine whether or not a bottle being scanned by the device should be rejected as being dirty or faulty.
Inventors
- 👤 B Poynton
- 👤 T Rich
- 👤 J Sainsbury
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:39
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/84; G01N21/88; G01N21/90; G01N21/9018; G01N21/9009; G01N33/00; G01N33/0078; G01N33/0081
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A photocell device for inspecting transparent bottles and other containers comprising: a. a multiplicity of inspection photoelectric means disposed in an array corresponding to an area of a container to be scanned thereby, b. a multiplicity of electrical circuits connected respectively to said photoelectric means, c. each individual circuit being adapted to be triggered by a charge pulse applied thereto and to restore to its initial state within a time determined by the intensity of the illumination of its associated photoelectric means, d. said multiplicity of circuits being connected in parallel to inspection output means which produces an inspection signal indicative of when all the circuits have restored to their initial states, and e. charge means for applying a charge pulse to said circuits upon initiation of each inspection cycle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
A photocell device for inspecting transparent bottles and other containers comprising: a. a multiplicity of inspection photoelectric means disposed in an array corresponding to an area of a container to be scanned thereby, b. a multiplicity of electrical circuits connected respectively to said photoelectric means, c. each individual circuit being adapted to be triggered by a charge pulse applied thereto and to restore to its initial state within a time determined by the intensity of the illumination of its associated photoelectric means, d. said multiplicity of circuits being connected in parallel to inspection output means which produces an inspection signal indicative of when all the circuits have restored to their initial states, and e. charge means for applying a charge pulse to said circuits upon initiation of each inspection cycle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
134 words
A photocell device as claimed in claim 1, including level sensing photoelectric means for measuring the average illumination of the photocell device, said level sensing photoelectric means being distributed throughout the array of inspection photoelectric means so that the whole of the area being scanned is sampled, said level sensing means being connected to a further electrical circuit which is adapted to be triggered by each said charge pulse and to restore to its initial state in a time determined by the average illumination of said level sensing means, and said further circuit being connected to level sensing output means which produces a level sensing signal indicative of when said further circuit restores to its initial state, and means for applying each charge pulse to said further circuit upon initiation of each inspection cycle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
85 words
A device as claimed in claim 2, including comparing means for comparing the time periods taken by both said output means to produce said output signals subsequent to a charge pulse, said inspection photoelectric means and associated circuits being adapted normally to produce said inspection output signal prior to said level sensing output signal, and said inspection output signal being subsequent to said level sensing output signal if the illumination of any one of said inspection photoelectric means is obscured by dirt in a container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device as claimed in claim 3, including means for comparing said time period for said level sensing output signal with a predetermined, fixed time period, whereby to detect when the light passing through a container falls below a desired minimum level.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
111 words
A device as claimed in claim 4, including a voltage source and wherein said inspection circuits and the level sensing circuit each comprises two MOS transistors, each of which includes source, drain and gate electrodes, means connecting the photoelectric means in series with the source-drain circuit of a first one of said transistors and across said voltage source, means connecting the gate of said fiRst transistor to said charge pulse means, means connecting the gate of the second transistor to the junction between said photoelectric means and said first transistor, and means connecting the source-drain circuit of said second transistor in series with said output means and across said voltage source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
102 words
In bottle inspection apparatus, a photocell device as claimed in claim 5 comprising integrated inspection photodiodes and a level sensing photodiode, said level sensing diode being in the form of a grid within which the array of inspection diodes is disposed, and said integrated diodes being in the form of a circular array adapted to scan the base of a container being inspected and being positioned above the mouth of said container, a light source disposed below the container for illuminating the base thereof, and rejection means actuated in response to the comparing means detecting dirt in the base of the container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
164 words
A device as claimed in claim 2, including integrated inspection and level sensing photodiodes, the level sensing diode being in the form of a grid within which is disposed the inspection diodes, and the whole array being of circular configuration adapted to scan the base of a container, a negative voltage terminal, a common terminal, and an earth terminal, each inspection circuit comprising two MOS transistors having source, drain and gate electrodes, means connecting an inspection photodiode in series with the source-drain circuit of a first one of said transistors between said negative and earth terminals, means connecting the gate of said first transistor to said common terminal, means connecting the gate of the second transistor to the junction between said first transistor and said photodiode, and means connecting the source-drain circuit of said second transistor between said negative and common terminals, an output load resistor connected between said common and earth terminals, and means for applying the charge pulses to said common terminal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3292785A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-09 | 1976-10-09 | 1977-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-09 | 1980-10-09 | 1981-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-09 | 1984-10-09 | 1985-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |