Container sealing surface inspection
First Claim
1. Apparatus for inspecting the finish of a container having a central axis and an open mouth surrounded by an axially facing sealing surface for sealing engagement with a container cap, said apparatus comprising:
- means for rotating a container about its central axis,a light source positioned to direct a narrow beam of light energy onto the sealing surface of a container in said rotating means,light sensor means disposed to receive said narrow beam of light energy reflected by the sealing surface, said light sensor means being characterized by providing an electrical output signal that varies as a function of position of incidence of light on said sensor means,said light source and said light sensor means being disposed above the sealing surface of the container in said rotating means and positioned such that said beams incident on and reflected from the sealing surface of the container are in a plane perpendicular to the sealing surface, both said light source and said light sensor means being disposed in said plane, and such that the light beam reflected by the sealing surface of the container onto said light sensor means is incident at a position on said sensor means that varies with level of the sealing surface with respect to said light source and said sensor means, andmeans for detecting variations in level at the sealing surface of the container as a function of position of incidence of the reflected light beam on said light sensor means as the container rotates.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for inspecting the sealing surfaces of containers that includes a light source positioned to direct a narrow beam of light energy at an acute angle onto the sealing surface of a container as the container is rotated about its central axis. A light sensor is disposed to receive the narrow beam of light energy reflected from the sealing surface, and provides an output signal that varies as a function of position of incidence of the reflected light beam on the sensor. The sensor is coupled to associated electronics for providing information indicative of container height, and a signal for controlling separation of a container from the conveyor system when height of the container, warp or dip of the container sealing surface, or cocked finish at the container exceeds predetermined standards.
31 Citations
15 Claims
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1. Apparatus for inspecting the finish of a container having a central axis and an open mouth surrounded by an axially facing sealing surface for sealing engagement with a container cap, said apparatus comprising:
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means for rotating a container about its central axis, a light source positioned to direct a narrow beam of light energy onto the sealing surface of a container in said rotating means, light sensor means disposed to receive said narrow beam of light energy reflected by the sealing surface, said light sensor means being characterized by providing an electrical output signal that varies as a function of position of incidence of light on said sensor means, said light source and said light sensor means being disposed above the sealing surface of the container in said rotating means and positioned such that said beams incident on and reflected from the sealing surface of the container are in a plane perpendicular to the sealing surface, both said light source and said light sensor means being disposed in said plane, and such that the light beam reflected by the sealing surface of the container onto said light sensor means is incident at a position on said sensor means that varies with level of the sealing surface with respect to said light source and said sensor means, and means for detecting variations in level at the sealing surface of the container as a function of position of incidence of the reflected light beam on said light sensor means as the container rotates. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. Apparatus for inspecting the finish of containers having a central axis and an open mouth surrounded by an axially facing sealing surface for sealing engagement with a container cap, said apparatus comprising:
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a light source positioned to direct a beam of light energy onto the sealing surface of a container, light sensor means disposed to receive said beam of light energy reflected by the sealing surface, said light source and said light sensor means being disposed above the sealing surface of the container such that said beams incident on and reflected from the sealing surface of the container are in a plane perpendicular to the sealing surface, both said light source and said light sensor means being disposed in said plane, and means for detecting variations in height of the sealing surface of the container as a function of variations in position of incidence of the reflected light beam on said light sensor means. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. The method of inspecting a container for variations in height at the sealing surface of the container comprising the steps of:
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(a) rotating the container about its axis, (b) directing a beam of light energy at an acute angle onto the sealing surface of the container as it rotates such that the beam is incident upon and reflected from the sealing surface in a plane perpendicular to the sealing surface, (c) positioning a light sensor in said plane to receive the light beam reflected from the sealing surface such that the light beam reflected by the sealing surface of the container onto the light sensor is incident at a position on said sensor that varies with level of the sealing surface with respect to said sensor, and (d) detecting variations in height at the sealing surface of the container as a function of variations in position of incidence of the reflected light beam on said sensor as the container rotates. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification