Container inspection machine

[0001] The present invention relates to machines which inspect bottles for defects and more particularly to such machines wherein a bottle is conveyed through one or more inspection stations via a linear conveyor system.

[0002] Machines for inspecting glass bottles and the like are performing more and more inspections using camera technology. In such applications mirrors redirect images to a camera and massive light sources assure proper illumination. Access to this equipment is a high priority in the design of the machine since the environment within a factory making glass bottles is not clean requiring periodic cleaning of the light sources, mirrors and camera lenses.

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a machine for inspecting glass containers which will make required cleaning of the mirror's, etc. easier.

[0004] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following portion of this specification and from the accompanying drawings which illustrate, in accordance with the mandate of the patent statutes, a presently preferred embodiment incorporating the principles of the invention.

[0011] FIG. 1 shows a glass bottle inspection machine 10 which has a conveyor 12 for conveying bottles 14 through the machine. As the bottles proceed through the machine they will pass through any number of inspection stations. A plastic front closure 16 is pivotally mounted across the top so that it can be raised to provide access to the machine. This front closure 16 cooperates with two fixed side panels 18 to close the machine.

[0012] Below the closure are three front panels 20,21,22 and a console 24 that can be used by an operator to operate the machine. When not in use the console can be pushed down against the front wall of the cabinet and will be covered by the window 26 in the front wall cover 28 which pivots to a vertical position (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,580). This structure is secured to the frame via a vertical pivot (not shown) at the right side so that it can pivot outwardly providing frontal access to the electronics stored within. The left most panel 20 can be released via a screw 30 (FIG. 2) and removed from the frame to provide frontal access to the electronics stored within.

[0013] FIG. 2 shows that the pair of center panels 21,22 are doors which open inwardly into an open chamber 23 into which an operator can enter for working in close proximity with the conveyor path 25. As shown each door has upper and lower hinges 40 which are secured to an elongated key member 42 (FIG. 3) which slides into an elongated horizontal keyway 44 which is part of the machine framework 46.

[0014] As can be seen from FIG. 2, since the keyway extends to the front of the machine, each door can be completely removed from the machine by pulling the key 42 out of the keyway 44. With the doors removed the side opening 45 in the right hand cabinet and the side opening 46 in the left hand cabinet will be exposed thereby providing access from the side to the cabinets.

[0015] Finally, also exposed when the doors are opened is a panel 50 (FIG. 2) covering the storage area beneath the conveyor path 25. This panel operates like the front left panel to provide access to the electronics stored behind this panel.

[0016] In a second embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 (the front cover has been removed for clarity), the bottles pass through right hand and left hand inspection stations. The right hand station is defined by a right hand mirror assembly 54 which supports three mirrors 56, a light source assembly 58 in the form of a large array of L.E.D.'s which is rigidly mounted on the machine frame 46 and a camera system (not shown) also mounted on the machine frame. The left hand station is defined by a mirror assembly 54 which supports three mirrors 56 and which is rigidly mounted on the machine frame, a light source assembly 58 in the form of a large array of L.E.D.'s and a camera system (not shown) also mounted on the machine frame.

[0017] As can be seen from FIG. 6, the right hand mirror assembly 54 is mounted on a horizontal arm 60 which is secured at its end proximate the conveyor path, to a vertical column 61 which is mounted on a pivot shaft 62 located at the right end of the machine. The right hand mirror assembly can therefore be pivotally displaced between a retracted service position shown in FIG. 6 and the operating position shown in FIG. 5. The left end light source assembly 58 is mounted on a horizontal arm 70 which is secured at the interior end to a pivot shaft 72 located at the left end of the machine. The left hand light assembly can therefore be pivotally displaced between a retracted service position shown in FIG. 6 and the operating position shown in FIG. 5 where it will be clear of the open area so that a serviceman can service the conveyor path and the equipment at the first and second stations.

[0018] When the machine is in the servicing mode with the left-hand light source assembly and the right hand mirror assembly are at their service position and the front doors 21,22 open, an operator can step into the chamber 23 and conveniently address any issues involving bottles being conveyed along the conveyor or service all of the mirror and light source assemblies.