Measuring and testing – Inspecting
Patent
1998-02-17
2000-01-11
Noland, Thomas P.
Measuring and testing
Inspecting
250223B, 3562394, 1983391, G01N 2190, G01M 1900
Patent
active
060123443
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an inspection machine for containers including a feed conveyor, an intermediate conveyor and a discharge conveyor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Use has already been made of such a type of inspection machine, wherein the rotary conveyor which operates with a driven endless conveying means and an opposite stationary friction surface is arranged at the feed conveyor at a distance in front of the intermediate conveyor, namely in the operative area of the single side-inspection device. Being of a compact construction, this prior-art inspection machine makes it possible to check containers for impurities, faults, etc., in both the bottom area and the wall area. The containers are handed over in a safe upright position to the discharge conveyor by the conveying means of the intermediate conveyor which are driven at the same speed. A disadvantage is, however, that the rotary conveyor can only engage the lowermost wall portion of the containers in order to avoid an excessively restricted field of vision of the side inspection device. Moreover, since a great rotary angle is required over a relatively short transportation path, the container transport in the area of the rotary conveyor is extremely unstable and the inspection result does not meet the requirements. Moreover, the containers might very easily tip over before being gripped by the intermediate conveyor after their passage through the rotary conveyor. The prior-art inspection machine is therefore not suited for high capacities.
Furthermore, use is made of an inspection machine comprising a feed conveyor, a discharge conveyor spaced apart from the feed conveyor, and an intermediate conveyor transferring the containers between feed conveyor and discharge conveyor, wherein a first side inspection device is arranged at the feed conveyor, a second side inspection device at the discharge conveyor and a bottom inspection device in the area of the gap existing between the feed conveyor and the discharge conveyor. The intermediate conveyor comprises two endless conveying means which engage opposite sides of the containers and are driven at different speeds and which rotate the containers traveling from the feed conveyor to the discharge conveyor by a specific angle. Hence, the containers are rotatingly fed from the intermediate conveyor to the discharge conveyor and can easily reel and tilt over. The consequence thereof is a damaged second side inspection device, as well as serious operational failures. Moreover, the function of the bottom inspection device may be impaired by the self-rotation of the containers in the area of the bottom inspection device.
It is therefore the object of the present invention to improve the inspection machine of the above-mentioned type with respect to efficiency and operational reliability of the container transport and with respect to inspection accuracy as far as side wall inspection is concerned.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In an inspection machine according to the invention, no rotation of the containers is observed during side inspection. The rotary conveyor can therefore engage the containers in the desired portions and for any desired length of time and can rotate the containers reliably and securely by the desired angle, i.e., also at high outputs. An important aspect is that the containers are standing on the feed conveyor during their self-rotation. A remaining angular momentum of the containers is braked upon entry into the intermediate conveyor at the latest, since the conveying means thereof rotate at an absolutely identical speed, thereby handing over the bottles without any angular momentum to the discharge conveyor.
Advantageous developments of the invention, which contribute each to a particularly safe container transport, are indicated in the subclaims.
Particular mention should be made of the inventive developments. As a result of the overlapping arrangement of rotary conveyor and intermediate conveyor with coaxial pulleys, as indicated therein, an uninterr
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Abstract of JP 9-271734 dated Oct. 21, 1997 by Yoshimitsu et al by, JPO JP409271734A copyright 1997 and Derwent Information Ltd, Acc-No.-1998-003328, week 199801, copyright 1998.
Krones AG Hermann Kronseder Maschinenfabrik
Noland Thomas P.
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