Radiant energy – Photocells; circuits and apparatus – Optical or pre-photocell system
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-13
2001-01-09
Allen, Stephone B. (Department: 2878)
Radiant energy
Photocells; circuits and apparatus
Optical or pre-photocell system
C209S522000, C209S917000, C356S239400
Reexamination Certificate
active
06172355
ABSTRACT:
The present invention is directed to electro-optical inspection of containers, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for inspecting containers for commercial variations as the containers are transported along a linear conveyor.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It has heretofore been proposed to employ electro-optical techniques for detecting commercial variations in containers of glass or plastic composition. The term “commercial variations” refers to variations from nominal design that may affect the commercial acceptability of the containers. Commercial variations may include, for example, variations in color or dimension from those desired by the manufacturer or customer, surface variations especially around the sealing surface of the container, or manufacturing anomalies in the container sidewall such as stress cracks or inclusions.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,874,940 discloses a method and apparatus for electro-optical inspection of containers as the containers are transported along a linear conveyor. The apparatus includes an arm that is angulated over the conveyor for engaging and laterally diverting containers as the containers are brought by the conveyor into abutment with the arm. (Directional adjectives such as “lateral” and “longitudinal” are taken with respect to the direction of linear conveyor motion, unless otherwise indicated.) The diverted containers are brought into engagement with a drive belt, which is spaced laterally from the conveyor and cooperates with a parallel section of the arm to propel the containers longitudinally over a wear plate while rotating each container about its central axis. A light source positioned beneath the wear plate directs a linear light beam through a slot in the wear plate, and through the containers as they are rotated and transported along the wear plate, onto a camera disposed above the wear plate. The camera is coupled to suitable electronics for detecting commercial variations in the containers as a function of the light energy incident on the camera. Following transport along the wear plate slot, the containers are brought into engagement with a second drive belt that is angulated with respect to the longitudinal direction of the conveyor so as to divert the containers in sequence back onto the conveyor.
Although the method and apparatus disclosed in the noted patent address problems theretofore extant in the art, further improvements remain desirable. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for in-line inspection of containers, of the general type disclosed in the noted patent, that reduce instability of the containers at the infeed and/or outfeed ends of the apparatus, which might otherwise lead to hesitation, stumbling and toppling of the containers, which in turn would require manual intervention by an operator to restore the inspection station to proper operation. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus of the described character that are characterized by ease of container removal in the event of jamming or for other reasons, and that terminate operation of the inspection station in the event of a container jam. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus of the described character that are characterized by reduced maintenance requirements and increased operating lifetime. A further object of the invention is provide to a method and apparatus of the described character that can be readily adapted for use in conjunction with large containers—i.e., containers such as jars that have a large diameter compared with axial length. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus of the described character that are characterized by ease of adjustment, and that can be adjusted during operation. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus that achieve one or more of the foregoing objectives, and can be readily retrofitted into existing inspection installations in place of the apparatus disclosed in the noted patent.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Apparatus for inspecting containers traveling in sequence on a linear conveyor in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention includes an infeed mechanism having a first endless drive belt with a portion overlying the conveyor for abutting engagement by containers in sequence traveling on the conveyor, and a first motor driving the belt for diverting containers laterally at least partially off the conveyor. An abutment assembly is disposed in opposition to the first belt for abutting engagement by containers diverted by the infeed mechanism, such that containers diverted from the conveyor and engaged between the first belt and the abutment assembly are rotated during longitudinal travel along the abutment assembly. Apparatus inspects the containers as they are rotated during travel along the abutment assembly. An outfeed mechanism is disposed adjacent to the abutment assembly for engaging containers in sequence following engagement with the abutment assembly, and for diverting the containers back onto the conveyor.
The first endless drive belt has an elongated reach parallel to the conveyor, and an angulated infeed reach extending laterally over the conveyor for intercepting containers on the conveyor. A second drive belt preferably is operatively coupled to the first drive belt and the first motor, and is disposed in opposition to the outfeed mechanism for capturing containers therebetween and diverting the containers back onto the conveyor at substantially the speed of the conveyor. The second belt preferably is coupled by a drive arrangement to the first belt for driving the second belt at a speed less than and proportional to the speed of the first belt. The first and second belts, the first motor and the gear drive mechanism are mounted on a carriage in the preferred embodiment of the invention that is adjustably positionable with respect to the conveyor. Thus, the containers are affirmatively captured during infeed, outfeed and transport through the inspection station, which improves container handling stability.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, which preferably although not necessarily is implemented in conjunction with other aspects of the invention, the outfeed mechanism includes a third endless belt and a motor for driving the third belt to engage the containers and direct the containers in sequence back onto the conveyor while reducing the speed of the containers substantially to match that of the conveyor. The third endless belt and associated motor preferably are mounted on a carriage that is adjustably positionable with respect to the conveyor.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, which again may be used separately from or more preferably in combination with other aspects of the invention, the abutment assembly includes at least one abutment drag rail mounted for lateral motion in opposition to the first drive belt. The drag rail is resiliently urged toward the first drive belt for capturing containers therebetween and accommodating minor dimensional variations in the containers. The drag rail is mounted on a pair of longitudinally spaced pivot posts. The posts are engaged by associated springs for biasing the abutment drag rail toward the first drive belt, and for accommodating pivotal motion of the drag rail away from the first drive belt. Spring force on the drag rail is adjustable. A limit switch is preferably disposed adjacent to each pivot post for detecting excess pivotal motion of the drag rail away from the drive belt, and thereby indicating a possible jam of containers in the inspection apparatus. A controller is responsive to the limit switches for de-activating all drive motors. The inspection station is thus automatically shut down in the event of a container jam or other situation that results in excess motion at the drag rail. Alternatively, an operator may shut down the inspection station by manually moving the
Gast Ronald E.
Gast Terry L.
Goff, Jr. Sherwood L.
Nicks Tim
Rosenquest David R.
Allen Stephone B.
Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
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