Patent US3886353A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3886353A
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US
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Automatic continuous container inspecting method and apparatus
Assignee: Shibuya Corp
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Filing: 1973-12-28
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Granted: 1975-05-27
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Expires: 1993-12-28
Abstract
Abstract A continuous container inspecting method and an apparatus for practicing such method, in which the light-pervious containers to be inspected are moved linearly in succession while rotating each of them at high speed, and light rays are projected through each said moving container from a fixed light source and if the projected light rays are irregularly reflected by a flaw or flaws on or an alien matter or matters in any of the containers, such irregularly reflected rays are captured by a detecting means having a wider range of vision than the container to thereby detect any flaw or alien matter in any of the containers inspected. Continuous inspection of the moving containers is made possible by enlarging the range of vision of the detecting means and by moving the containers linearly in the direction perpendicular to said detecting means. Further, since the light projecting hole formed to merely allow passage of such light rays that can irradiate only one piece of container is moved between the moving container to be checked and the light source in conformity to movement of the container, only one container within the range of view of the detecting means is irradiated, with the inspection being not affected by other containers in said range, thus ensuring increased precision of inspection.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuhisa Shioya
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:02
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/84; G01N21/88; G01N21/90; G01N21/9018; G01N21/9027; B; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/04; B07C5/12; B07C5/122; B07C5/126; G01N21/9009; G01N33/00; G01N33/0078; G01N33/0081; G07; G07C; G07C3/00; G07C3/14; B65; B65G; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02; B65G2201/0235; B65G2201/0244
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A continuous container inspecting method comprising the steps of: revolving each of the containers which are pervious to light; moving said containers in line continuously; projecting light to each of the linearly moving containers and detecting flaws on and alien matter in each of the containers by a detecting means provided stationarily and perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the containers and having a wider range of view in the direction of movement of the containers than the container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
A continuous container inspecting method comprising the steps of: revolving each of the containers which are pervious to light; moving said containers in line continuously; projecting light to each of the linearly moving containers and detecting flaws on and alien matter in each of the containers by a detecting means provided stationarily and perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the containers and having a wider range of view in the direction of movement of the containers than the container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
A continuous container inspecting method according to claim 1, including the step of moving a shield plate having a light projecting hole in conformity with movement of the containers, said light projecting hole being disposed betweeen the moving container and a light source and adapted to allow passage of light rays sufficient to irradiate only one container passing through the view of said detecting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A continuous container inspecting method according to claim 2, further including the step of producing a pulse when said light projecting hole is at a predetermined position, said pulse being applied to said detecting means to start the operation thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
117 words
A continuous container inspecting method comprising the steps of: revolving each of the containers pervious to light; moving said containers successively; moving a shield plate having a light projecting hole in conformity with movement of the containers, said light projecting hole being adapted to allow passage of light rays sufficient to irradiate only one container and disposed between the moving container to be inspected and a fixed light source for projecting light to the moving container; and detecting flaws on and alien matters, if any, in the container which is being moved while receiving light rays, by a detecting means having a wider range of view in the direction of movement of the containers than the container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
117 words
A continuous container inspecting method comprising the steps of: revolving each of the containers pervious to light; moving said containers successively; moving a shield plate having a light projecting hole in conformity with movement of the containers, said light projecting hole being adapted to allow passage of light rays sufficient to irradiate only one container and disposed between the moving container to be inspected and a fixed light source for projecting light to the moving container; and detecting flaws on and alien matters, if any, in the container which is being moved while receiving light rays, by a detecting means having a wider range of view in the direction of movement of the containers than the container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A continuous container inspecting method according to claim 4, further including the step of producing a pulse when said light projecting hole is at a predetermined position, said pulse being applied to said detecting means to start the operation thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
159 words
A continuous automatic container inspecting apparatus comprising: means for feeding containers one by one successively; an endless train of holders adapted to rotatably hold said containers; a pair of revolving members adapted to continuously drive said train of holders; means for rotating the containers held by said holders transferred linearly in the section between said pair of revolving members; a light source means for projecting light to the containers which have passed by said means for rotating the the containers and are being transferred lineraly; a detecting means provided stationarily and perpendicularly to the linearly transferred train of holders and adapted to capture and detect the irregular reflected light rays from flaws on and alien matters in the container, said detecting means having a wider range of view in the direction of movement of the containers than the container; and a selecting means operable responding to said detecting means to select and respectively discharge the non-defective and defective containers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
159 words
A continuous automatic container inspecting apparatus comprising: means for feeding containers one by one successively; an endless train of holders adapted to rotatably hold said containers; a pair of revolving members adapted to continuously drive said train of holders; means for rotating the containers held by said holders transferred linearly in the section between said pair of revolving members; a light source means for projecting light to the containers which have passed by said means for rotating the the containers and are being transferred lineraly; a detecting means provided stationarily and perpendicularly to the linearly transferred train of holders and adapted to capture and detect the irregular reflected light rays from flaws on and alien matters in the container, said detecting means having a wider range of view in the direction of movement of the containers than the container; and a selecting means operable responding to said detecting means to select and respectively discharge the non-defective and defective containers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
115 words
A continuous automatic container inspecting apparatus as set forth in claim 6, further comprising: a shield plate disposed between the container to be inspected and the light source and having a light projecting hole allowing passage of light rays sufficient to irradiate only one container; and driving means for moving said shield plate along the path of movement of the container to be inspected in a manner such that said container is continuously irradiated by said light source through the hole of said shield plate, during the movement of said container and said shield plate, and returning said shield plate to its original position when the container reaches to a certain point on said path.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
151 words
A continuous automatic container inspecting apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said selecting means comprising: a first star wheel having formed along its circumference a plurality of recesses for receiving the respective containers held by said holers.; a second star wheel also having formed along its circuference a plurality of recesses for receiveing the containers and arranged revolvable corresponding to said first star wheel so that the recesses of said both star wheels will meet each other successively; means for driving said both star wheels; jets opened to the bottoms of the recesses in said both star wheels; a control means for supplying compressed air from an outside compressed air source to said jet leading to only one of the two meeting recess of both star wheels in response to a signal from said detecting means, and passages for delivering out the container held by said both star wheels.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
112 words
An automatic continer inspecting apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein said control means for supplying compressed air has passages opened in upper surfaces of said star wheels and connected to the jets opened to the bottoms of said recesses, and valve bodies provided stationary on the upper surfaces of said respective star wheels so that they are slidable relative to said respective star wheels, said valve bodies having in their undersides the arc-shaped grooves engaged with the passages leading to the two facing recesses of the two star wheels, each of said grooves being connected to an outside compressed air source through a solenoid valve controlled by the detecting means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
An automatic container inspecting apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said holder train consists of a plurality of holders for rotatably holding the containers therein and a roller chain supporting said holders.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
89 words
A continuous automatic container inspecting apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein each said holder comprises a bracket, means for retaining the bottom portion of the container rotatably sustained by said bracket, and means for holding the upper portion of the container rotatably and axially slidably sustained by said bracket, said means for holding the upper portion of the container comprising a pulley portion to which rotative force is given and an arm moved up and down by a cam provided along the passage of the holder train.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
87 words
A continuous automatic container inspecting apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said feeding means comprises a belt conveyor for successively feeding comtainers and a feed rotor having along its circumference a plurality of recesses and arranged to rotate in conformity with saiD holder train, each of said recesses having at its bottom a compressed air jet from which compressed air is ejected so as to retain the container in the recess, whereby to transfer each container from said belt conveyor means to said holder train.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
54 words
A continuous automatic container inspecting apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said rotating means comprises a driving pulley, driven pulleys mounted on the respective threaded shafts, a belt connecting said driving and driven pulleys, and a scale plate provided parallel to the threaded shafts for indicating the positions of said driven pulleys.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
A continuous automatic container inspecting apparatus as set forth in claim 7, further including brake means for stopping rotation of the container held by a holder, said brake means being disposed between said rotating means and said detecting means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
A continuous automatic container inspecting apparatus as set forth in claim 7, further including means for generating a trigger pulse when said shield plate is at a predetermined position said trigger pulse being applied to said detecting means to start the operation thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
150 words
A continuous automatic container inspecting apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said selecting means comprises: a first star wheel having formed along its circumference a plurality of recesses for receiving the respective containers held by said holders; a second star wheel also having formed along it circumference a plurality of recesses for receiving the containers and arranged revolvable corresponding to said first star wheel so that the recesses of said both star wheels will meet each other successively; means for driving said both star wheels; jets opened to the bottoms of the recesses in said both star wheels; a control means for supplying compressed air from an outside compressed air source to said jet leading to only one of the two meeting recesses of both star wheels in response to a signal from said detecting means; and passages for delivering out the container held by said star wheels.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
112 words
An automatic container inspecting apparatus as set forth in claim 16, wherein said control means for supplying compressed air has passages opened in upper surfaces of said star wheels and connected to the jets opened to the bottoms of said recesses, and valve bodies provided stationary on the upper surfaces of said respective star wheels so that they are slidable relative to said respective star wheels, said valve bodies having in their undersides the arc-shaped grooves engaged with the passages leading to the two facing recesses of the two star wheels, each of said grooves being connected to an outside compressed air source through a solenoid valve controlled by the inspecting apparatus.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
An automatic container inspecting apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said holder train consists of a plurality of holders for rotatably holding the containers therein and a roller chain supporting said holders.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
89 words
A continuous automatic container inspecting apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein each said holder comprises a bracket, means for retaining the bottom portion of the container rotatably sustained by said bracket, and means for holding the upper portion of the container rotatably and axially slidably sustained by said bracket, said means for holding the upper portion of the container comprising a pulley portion to which rotative force is given and an arm moved up and down by a cam provided along the passage of the holder train.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
87 words
A continuous automatic container inspecting apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said feeding means comprises a belt conveyor for successively feeding containers and a feed rotor having along its circumference a plurality of recesses and arranged to rotate in conformity with said holder train, each of said recesses having at its bottom a compressed air jet from which compressed air is ejected so as to retain the container in the receSs, whereby to transfer each container from said belt conveyor means to said holder train.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
54 words
A continuous automatic container inspecting apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said rotating means comprise a driving pulley, driven pulleys mounted on the respective threaded shafts, a belt connecting said driving and driven pulleys, and a scale plate provided parallel to the threaded shafts for indicating the position of said driven pulleys.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
39 words
A continuous automatic container inspecting apparatus as set forth in claim 6, further including brake means for stopping rotation of the container held by a holder, said brake means being disposed between said rotating means and said detecting means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
179 words
A continuous automatic container inspecting apparatus comprising: means for feeding containers one by one successively; a holder assembly comprising a plurality of holders adapted to receive and rotatably hold the containers suppled from said feeding; means for moving said holder assembly; means for rotating the containers held in the moving holders; a fixed light source means for projecting light rays to the container which has been rotated, said light rays being greater in span than the container diameter; a shield plate having a light projecting hold through which light is projected to irradiate only one container, said shield plate being disposed between the container to be inspected said light source; and driving means for moving said shield plate along the path of movement of the container to be inspected in a manner such that said container is continuously irradiated by said light source through the hole of said shield plate, during the movement of said container and the shield plate, and returning said shield plate to its original position when the container reaches a certain point on the path.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
179 words
A continuous automatic container inspecting apparatus comprising: means for feeding containers one by one successively; a holder assembly comprising a plurality of holders adapted to receive and rotatably hold the containers suppled from said feeding; means for moving said holder assembly; means for rotating the containers held in the moving holders; a fixed light source means for projecting light rays to the container which has been rotated, said light rays being greater in span than the container diameter; a shield plate having a light projecting hold through which light is projected to irradiate only one container, said shield plate being disposed between the container to be inspected said light source; and driving means for moving said shield plate along the path of movement of the container to be inspected in a manner such that said container is continuously irradiated by said light source through the hole of said shield plate, during the movement of said container and the shield plate, and returning said shield plate to its original position when the container reaches a certain point on the path.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
A continuous automatic container inspecting apparatus as set forth in claim 23, further including means for generating a pulse when said shield plate is at a certain prescribed position.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
147 words
A continuous automatic ampul inspecting apparatus comprising: means for feeding ampuls one by one successively; a holder assembly comprising a plurality of endlessly connected holders adapted to rotatably hold said respective ampuls; a pair of revolving members for continuously driving said holder assembly; means for rotating the ampuls retained by the holders transferred lineraly between said pair of revolving members; a light source means for projecting light to ampuls which have passed by said means for rotating ampuls and are being transferred linearly; a detecting means for capturing and detecting the irregular reflected light rays from flaws on and alien matters in each ampul, said detecting means being provided stationarily perpendicular to said linearly transferred holder assembly and having a greater field of view than said ampul; and a selecting means operable responding to said detecting means for selecting and discharging the non-defective and defective ampuls respectively.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
147 words
A continuous automatic ampul inspecting apparatus comprising: means for feeding ampuls one by one successively; a holder assembly comprising a plurality of endlessly connected holders adapted to rotatably hold said respective ampuls; a pair of revolving members for continuously driving said holder assembly; means for rotating the ampuls retained by the holders transferred lineraly between said pair of revolving members; a light source means for projecting light to ampuls which have passed by said means for rotating ampuls and are being transferred linearly; a detecting means for capturing and detecting the irregular reflected light rays from flaws on and alien matters in each ampul, said detecting means being provided stationarily perpendicular to said linearly transferred holder assembly and having a greater field of view than said ampul; and a selecting means operable responding to said detecting means for selecting and discharging the non-defective and defective ampuls respectively.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
101 words
A continuous automatic ampul inspecting apparatus as set forth in claim 25, wherein each said holder comprises a bracket, means for receiving the bottom portion of the ampul, said means being provided rotatably at the bottom of said bracket, and means for holding the upper portion of the ampul, said means being provided rotatably and vertically movably on said bracket at a location upward of and on the same axis as said ampul bottom receiving means, said means for holding the upper portion of the ampul including a hollow ampul shoulder holder and an ampul end receiver mounted vertically movably therein.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
73 words
A continuous automatic ampul inspecting apparatus as set forth in claim 26, wherein said ampul bottom receiving means comprises a hollow cylindrical member having an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the ampul, a hollow sleeve provided vertically movably therein for resting only the Outer peripheral portion of the ampul, and means for engaging said hollow sleeve at a position slightly lower than the top face of said hollow cylindrical member.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
50 words
A continuous automatic ampul inspecting apparatus as set forth in claim 26, wherein said means for holding the upper portion of the ampul comprises a pulley portion to which rotation is given, and an arm moved up and down by a cam provided along the passage of the holder train.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-26 | 1978-11-25 | 1979-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-26 | 1982-11-25 | 1983-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-26 | 1986-11-25 | 1987-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |