Glass fragment detector

Claim 2

Apparatus for aiding an operator in the visual inspection of jars filled with translucent material comprising: means for tilting the jars by an angle less than 90°, thereby defining a lowermost portion of the jar bottom, such that solid material within the jar gravitates to and is localized at the lowermost portion; means for transporting the jars in their tilted position along a predetermined path past an inspection station; means for forming a magnified visual image, such means situated sufficiently close to lowermost portion to precisely focus on said portion while producing a clear, sharp magnified image of high resolution.

Claim 3

The invention of claim 1 wherein the image forming means comprises: means for illuminating the lowermost portion of the jar bottoms; a television camera directed at the lowermost portion of the tilted jars; and a television monitor coupled to the television camera to provide a magnified image of the lowermost portion of the jar bottom for the operator.

Claim 4

Apparatus for facilitating the detection by an operator of solid material in a plurality of liquid-filled jars comprising: means for tilting the jars to define a lowermost portion of the interior of the jar, so that solid matter within the jar settles to and is localized at the lowermost portion of the jar interior; means for moving the jars in serial fashion along a predetermined path past an inspection station; means for illuminating the lowermost region of the jar; a television camera directed at the lowermost portion of the tilted jars; and a television monitor coupled to the television camera to provide a magnified image of the lowermost portion of the jar bottom for the operator.

Claim 5

Apparatus for facilitating the detection by an operator of solid material in a plurality of liquid-filled jars comprising: means for tilting the jars to define a lowermost portion of the interior of the jar, so that solid matter within the jar settles to and is localized at the lowermost portion of the jar interior; means for moving the jars in serial fashion along a predetermined path past an inspection station; means for illuminating the lowermost region of the jar; a television camera directed at the lowermost portion of the tilted jars; and a television monitor coupled to the television camera to provide a magnified image of the lowermost portion of the jar bottom for the operator.

Claim 6

Apparatus for facilitating the detection by an operator of solid material in a plurality of jars filled with translucent liquid contents comprising: a conveyor for carrying the jars along a predetermined path for deflecting the jars at least partially over an edge of the conveyor; a slanted fence for preventing the jars from falling off the edge of the conveyor; a housing at the inspection station for receiving the jars, the housing including a slanted wall and a flange which together form a trough for supporting the jars at an acute angle from the vertical, thereby defining a lowermost portion of the jar contents such that solid material in the jar settles to and is localized at the lowermost portion opposite the slit; the slanted wall and flange having portions defining a slit opposite the lowermost portion of a jar passing through the housing; a light source for illuminating a region of the jar contents including the lowermost portion; a television camera directed at the slit; and a television monitor coupled to the television camera; such that the localization of the solid material allows the television camera to be located at a sufficiently small distance from the slit to produce a magnified image of high resolution, thereby allowing the detection of particles too small to be readily discernible to the eye.

Claim 7

Apparatus for facilitating the detection by an operator of solid material in a plurality of jars filled with translucent liquid contents comprising: a conveyor for carrying the jars along a predetermined path for deflecting the jars at least partially over an edge of the conveyor; a slanted fence for preventing the jars from falling off the edge of the conveyor; a housing at the inspection station for receiving the jars, the housing including a slanted wall and a flange which together form a trough for supporting the jars at an acute angle from the vertical, thereby defining a lowermost portion of the jar contents such that solid material in the jar settles to and is localized at the lowermost portion opposite the slit; the slanted wall and flange having portions defining a slit opposite the lowermost portion of a jar passing through the housing; a light source for illuminating a region of the jar contents including the lowermost portion; a television camera directed at the slit; and a television monitor coupled to the television camera; such that the localization of the solid material allows the television camera to be located at a sufficiently small distance from the slit to produce a magnified image of high resolution, thereby allowing the detection of particles too small to be readily discernible to the eye.

Claim 8

The invention of claim 4 wherein the acute angle is approximately 45°.

Claim 9

The invention of claim 4 wherein the television camera is oriented perpendicular to the slanted wall.

Claim 10

The invention of claim 4 wherein the slanted wall includes a door for allowing a jar to be selectively removed from the housing.

Claim 13

A method in accordance with claim 8 and further characterized by the step of illiminating the lowermost portion of the jar at least while the magnified image is being produced.

Claim 14

A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein said jars are tilted approximately 45°.