US3589513A

US3589513A - Apparatus for sorting bottles

Info

Publication number: US3589513A
Application number: US817751A
Authority: US
Inventors: Eric Heslington Atkinson
Original assignee: BARRY WEHMILLER MACH
Current assignee: BARRY WEHMILLER MACH; BARRY-WEHMILLER MACHINERY Co Ltd
Priority date: 1968-04-19
Filing date: 1969-04-21
Publication date: 1971-06-29
Anticipated expiration: 1988-06-29
Also published as: BR6908213D0; NL6906074A; SE351138B; JPS4837100B1; IE33050B1; CH493284A; BE731764A; FR2006578A1; GB1228815A; DE1919900B2; CA933628A; IE33050L; DE1919900A1

Abstract

An apparatus for sorting bottles which includes means for advancing bottles to and from an inspection station is described. The bottles are advanced from the inspection station on one of at least two alternative paths in accordance with the condition of an electrically controlled means which, in turn, is controlled by photoelectric devices which sense characteristics of bottles as they pass through an inspection station. Two feeler devices are provided which are shiftable by different portions of a bottle for opening an orifice in a shutter device associated with the photoelectric devices. One photoelectric cell is arranged to sense the presence of a ceramic label. Logic circuits providing AND and OR functions are used for controlling the apparatus.

Description

United States atent inventor EricHeslington Atkinson Bolton, England [21] Appl. No. 817.751 [22 Filed Apr. 21,1969 145] Patented June 29, 1971 [73] Assignee Barry Wehmiller Machinery Company Limited 32 Priority Apr. 19,1968 [33] Great Britain [31} 18,561/68 [54] APPARATUS FOR SORTING BOTTLES 23 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 209/75, 209/11l.7,209/82 [51] Int. Cl 1307c 5/28 [50] Field of Search 209/l11.6. 111.7, 75, 73, 74, 82; 250/223 B: 256/240 [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,331,277 10/1943 Stout 250/223 (B) Primary Examiner-Allen W. Knowles Attorney-Baldwin, Wight and Brown ABSTRACT: An apparatus for sorting bottles which includes means for advancing bottles to and from an inspection station is described. The bottles are advanced from the inspection station on one of at least two alternative paths in accordance with the condition of an electrically controlled means which, in turn, is controlled by photoelectric devices which sense characteristics of bottles as they pass through an inspection station. Two feeler devices are provided which are shiftable by different portions of a bottle for opening an orifice in a shutter device associated with the photoelectric devices. One photoelectric cell is arranged to sense the presence of a ceramic label. Logic circuits providing AND and OR functions are used for controlling the apparatus.

PATENTED JUN29 197:

SHEET UF 5 PATENTED M29 971 SHEET 5 OF 5 APPARATUS IFOIR SORTING BOTTLES This invention relates to the sorting of bottles.

Bottles returned for refilling at a bottling plant with a particular beverage or other liquid are generally admixed with at least a small proportion of foreign" bottles distinguished by shape and/or dimensions and/or color and/or the presence or absence of permanent labelling from those to be filled.

Hitherto it has been necessary to sort the bottles by visual inspection in order to remove the foreign bottles manually, which is very wasteful of manpower; on a large-capacity bottling line, as many as l people may be necessary for this purpose.

The object of the invention is to provide apparatus for carrying out this task automatically.

According to the invention, apparatus for sorting bottles comprises means for advancing the bottles one by one to an inspection station and advancing each bottle from the inspection station on one of at least two alternative paths, electrically controlled means determining along which path a bottle advances from the station, a source of light and means directing said light along at least one path towards at least one photoelectric cell or set of cells, the light passing along each path being subject to attenuation or cutoff by passing through the bottle and/or through shutter means controlled by or synchronous with movement of the bottle as it reaches the inspection station each cell or set of cells being connected to electronic circuit means responsive to the output or conductance of the or each cell or set of cells reaching a level corresponding to a given level of illumination thereof, said electronic circuit means being responsive to a predetermined state or combination or combinations of responsive and nonresponsive states as a bottle reaches the inspection station means to control said electrically controlled or operated means and thus to determine the path followed by the bottle on leaving the inspection station.

The/or each light path and associated photoelectric cell is associated with the determination of a particular bottle characteristic or set of characteristics, preferably all or any selection from the following: bottle color, bottle dimensions, and the presence on the bottle of labels, particularly permanent labels of the ceramic type. These factors are normally sufficient to sort bottles as received for refilling with a high degree of accuracy.

According to the invention also, apparatus for sorting bottles according to color comprises a source of diffused light, a photoelectric cell, means for advancing bottles to be inspected one by one to an inspection station between said light source and said cell whilst restricting passage of said diffused light through each bottle to a small area framed by a window, and electronic circuit means associated with said cell and operative to change state at a certain level of response from said cell corresponding to the level of light transmitted by a bottle on the borderline of acceptability as to color, and electrically controlled or operated means to forward bottles from said in spection station on one of two paths responsive to the state of said circuit.

Again according to the invention, apparatus for sorting bottles comprises means to advance bottles one by one to an inspection station, at least two feeler devices shiftable by different parts of a bottle entering the inspection station, said devices each including a plate having an orifice, said orifices being brought into alignment with each other between a light source and a photoelectric cell upon a bottle of the desired dimensions entering the inspection station, electronic circuit means associated with said cell and operative to change state upon said cell being illuminated, and electrically controlled means to forward bottles from said inspection station on one of two paths responsive to the state of said circuit.

According also to the invention, apparatus for sorting bottles comprises means for advancing bottles one by one into an inspection station, means for illuminating the base of the bottles, and one or more photoelectric cells spaced from the walls of the bottle to receive light radiated from a ceramic label as a result of light being transmitted up the walls from the base, electronic circuit means responsive to a predetermined diminution of the output of the cells as a result of lack of radiation from the label, and electrically controlled means to forward bottles from said inspection station on one of two paths according to whether said electronic circuit has responded to a diminution of cell response.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevatlon ofa bottle-sorting machine,

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the machine with the sorting head removed,

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic part plan view showing a modification,

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the sorting head on an enlarged scale, with its side cover removed, and partially broken away to show certain parts of the internal mechanism in section,

FIG. 5 is a section through the sorting head on the line V-V in FIG. 4 showing the internal mechanism in plan but omitting all wiring and partially broken away to show certain internal parts in section,

FIG. 6 shows a detail on an enlarged scale of a modification ofthe mechanism shown in FIG. 5, and

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram.

Referring first to FIGS. I-3, the apparatus comprises a stand 2, an inspection station 4 situated over a lamp house 6 in the lower housing, a sorting head 8 supported above the inspection station by a column 10 extending from the stand, a star wheel 12 mounted for rotation in the direction shown by the arrow about a vertical axis on a hollow shaft 16 journaled in a bearing 14 in housing 2 so that one point on its periphery is adjacent the inspection station 4, a conveyor 18 adapted to advance bottles in single file towards the star wheel and away from the star wheel, a spring belt 20 on free-running pulleys 34 supported from the column 10 by brackets, the belt holding the bottles against the star wheel, and a rotating table 35 within a pen 37, adjacent and to one side of the star wheel, or a second conveyor 36 (see FIG. 3) extending tangentially away from the star wheel at a point further advanced relative to its direction of rotation.

The conveyor 18 runs alongside the inspection station 4 beneath the star wheel 12, so that advancing bottles are constrained by the action of the star wheel and the belt 20 to leave the conveyor, pass through the inspection station 4, and to return to the conveyor, this last step being assisted by a further idling star wheel 13.

In order to enable different sizes of bottles to be sorted, the column 10 may be moved forwardly or rearwardly relative to the stand 2 on slides 3 by means ofa handwheel l1 and an associated screw drive, whilst a further handwheel 5 on the column provides vertical adjustment of the sorting head 8 on slides 7 carried by the column 10, thus accommodating different bottle diameters and heights. The star wheels 12 and 13 are also interchangeable to suit different ranges of bottle size.

The star wheel 12 comprises two discs 22, 24 linked by struts 26 and is detachably mounted on the shaft 16. The lower disc 22 has a series of peripheral recesses 28 each adapted partially to receive the body of a bottle, and the upper disc 24 a corresponding series of recesses 30 adapted partially to receive the neck of a bottle. The disc 24 comprises an inner flange portion 38 carried by a hub disc 39, an upwardly extending frustoconical portion 40, and a radially extending flange 42, the last being provided with the recesses 30. In the frustoconical portion 40 a window 44 is provided in line with each recess 30 so as to lie adjacent a portion of the neck of a bottle whose neck is received in that recess, and a further series of smaller windows 46 is provided adjacent the first windows, but circumferentially displaced so as not to lie in line with the neck of a bottle received in the recess concerned.

Also mounted on the shaft 16 is a valve block 48 (see FIG. ll) carrying a number of radially extending tubes 50 (for clarity only two are shown) in line with the recesses in the discs, each tube terminating in a rubber suction cup 52 adapted to contact the body ofa bottle received by the recesses in the two discs. The valve block 48 contains a valve associated with each tube and having positions connecting each cup 52 via its tube 50 with the atmosphere or with a vacuum pump contained in the base 2 via the hollow shaft 16 and a rotary joint, the valves being operated by plungers 54 (again only two are shown) extending vertically through the valve block.

In operation the star wheel 12 is rotated by the pressure of the incoming bottles on the conveyor 18, each bottle reaching the wheel being received by a pair of the recesses 28, 30 and being carried thereby through the inspection station 4 and back onto the conveyor 18. However, a solenoid 56 is so arranged beneath the valve block 48 that energization of the solenoid whilst a bottle is in the inspection station will drive upwards that plunger 54 operating the valve associated with the cup 52 contacting the bottle in the station, thereby evacuating the cup and holding the bottle firmly in the pair of recesses so that it cannot pass back onto conveyor 18 and is instead carried by the star wheel 12, either into engagement with a guide 58 which holds it in the recesses until it is released onto the platform 35 (FIG. 2), or onto the conveyor 36 (FIG, 3), the bottle being released from the cup 52 by a fixed cam (not shown) returning the plunger to the downward position, and connecting the cup 52 to the atmosphere. It will be appreciated that the route taken by individual bottles can be determined by selective operation of the solenoid. By reversing the direction of rotation of the table 35, bottles contained in the pen may be discharged onto the conveyor 18 across platform 33.

The inspection station 4 comprises a platform 60 over which the bottles pass, the platform having a clear or opalised window 62 situated so that in their progress over the platform each bottle will pass exactly over the window. Light from the lamp house 6 shines upwardly onto the underside of the platform so as to illuminate the window 62, and through this window, the bases of the bottles, an inclined mirror 64 (see FIG. 4) within the head 8 and level with the portion 40 of the disc 24, and a window 66 in a mirror housing 63 (see FIG.

Light passing through the window 62 is transmitted up the walls 68 ofa bottle positioned thereover and illuminates these walls, throwing into contrast any labels these may carry, light radiated by any ceramic label on the bottle walls being picked up by two or more photoelectric cells 70 distributed around the bottle ofthe level at which labels, normally ceramic labels, are expected to occur. If a sufficient number of cells is used, depending on the circumferential extent of the label concerned (two will normally be sufficient), light will be received by at least one of the cells from the edge-illuminated label, and the total output or resistance of the cells will be different from that expected from a bottle without a label. The use of base lighting in the manner described is an important feature since it gives a large difference in overall output or resistance for labeled and unlabeled bottles and the light emitted by a label may be easily received by a cell placed at the opposite side of the bottle, whilst by the alternative use of reflected light, the ceramic label may have a reflectivity similar to that of glass.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the light reflected from the mirror 64 passes through a window 72 and a diffuser 78 in the housing 8 towards a photoelectric cell 76 mounted in a holder 84 behind an aperture 77 in a depending portion 74 of the housing 8 extending into the frustoconical portion 40 of the disc 24, the cell 76 being arranged so as to be in line with a window 46 in disc portion 40 and the window 72 when the base ofa bottle engaged by the

corresponding recesses

26 and 28 is exactly in the inspection station 4.

Further light passes through the diffuser 78 and the window 72 towards a further photoelectric cell 82 mounted in the holder 84 behind an aperture 79 and a color filter 80, the parts being aligned so that when a window 46 and the aperture 72 and cell 76 are in alignment, the aperture 72, the cell 82 and the corresponding window 44 are also in alignment, the light reaching the cell through that portion of the bottle neck formed by the window 44. It should be appreciated that the apparatus could be arranged so that the window 44 was opposite some other portion of the bottle if necessary or convenient, in order to obtain an unobstructed path for diffused light through the bottle. Alternatively, the cell 82 may be positioned above the bottle to receive light passing through the bottle base via the window 62, or a combination of two cells measuring the color transmission of base and neck (or wall) may be used. The amount of light falling on the cell 76 will depend on the light-absorbtive properties of the glass of which the bottle is made, and it is found that, at least with the photoelectric cells currently available, and with the glasses commonly used for bottle making, the color filter is necessary to provide sufficient differentiation in the cell response between the transmission characteristics of glasses of different color and shade. Further, the use of diffused light is essential if consistent transmission through bottles of the same color is to be achieved, since effects due to refraction of the light by the glass then tend to cancel each other.

The light passing through the aperture 66 falls on the overlapping ends of a pair of elongated shutter members 86, 88 above which is situated a further photoelectric cell 90. The overlapping ends of the shutter members are formed with apertures 92, 93 respectively and form a shutter assembly which can be opened to allow light from the window 66 to fall on the cell by alignment of the two apertures 92.

The member 88 is pivoted on a sleeve 89 carried by a vertical shaft 94 supported by a bearing assembly 87 and carrying a feeler 96 at its lower end, and the sleeve is biased by a spring 97 anchored by a screw 98 so that the feeler 96 projects into the path of the top lip of a bottle 100 passing through the inspection station 4. Provision is made for adjusting the shaft 94 vertically relative to the sleeve 89, whilst the sleeve 89 carries an arm 91 connected by a spring 95 to the member 88, the angle between the arm and the member being adjustable by means of a screw 99. The feeler 96 can thus be set with vertically and angularly relative to the member 88 so that when an angle 102 in the feeler 96 engages the lip of a bottle of a desired height and neck diameter, the aperture 92 in the free end of the member 88 will be in alignment with the window 66 and the cell 90. if the neck of the bottle is too large or too small, the feeler will be deflected more or less, and alignment will not occur; if the bottle is too tall or too short, the feeler will be deflected too much, owing to the bottle engaging the feeler above the notch, or not at 11, owing to the bottle missing the feeler.

The member 86 is pivoted on a sleeve 101 carried by a vertical shaft 104 supported by a bearing assembly 103 and carrying a feeler 106 at its lower end, and the sleeve is spring-biased by a spring anchored by a screw 108 so that the feeler 106 projects into the path of the bodies ofa bottle passing through the inspection station 4. Provision is made for adjusting the shaft 104 vertically relative to the sleeve 101, and the member 86 relative to the sleeve 101 by means ofa micrometer screw device 110 acting between the member and an arm 107 fast to the sleeve and linked to the member by a spring 109, so that when the feeler engages the body of a bottle of the desired diameter, the aperture 93 in the free end of the member will be in alignment with the aperture 66 and the cell 90. The free ends of the members 86 and 88 are forked so that the arms 111 of the forks will limit movement of the members by contacting stops 113. Any excess movement of the feelers 96, 106 will be accommodated by the springs 95, 109.

If a bottle at the inspection station 4 has the correct body diameter, neck diameter and height, the cell 90 will be exposed to light from the window 66 since the apertures 93 will be in alignment with each other, the cell and the window. Moreover the arrival of a bottle at the inspection station will result in light falling on the cell 76, in filtered diffused light which has passed through the neck of the bottle falling on the cell 82, and in light radiated from a label on the bottle falling on the cells 70. The dimensional tolerances permissible in the bottles being inspected are set by the dimensions of the apparatus 92. Since in the case of bottle diameter at least the tolerances required will vary with bottle size, some means for adjusting tolerance is desirable. This is achieved by the arrangement of FIG. 6, which shows the member 116 equipped with means for automatic tolerance compensation. A pin 51 is carried by a plunger member 53 of the micrometer screw device 110, this pin projecting through a slot 55 in an outer sleeve 57 of the device. A shutter plate 59 is pivoted to the plate 88 so that one end partially obturates the aperture Q3 and a grommet 61 mounted on the other end engages the pin 51. Thus as the micrometer screw device is extended so as to set the feeler for larger bottles, the degree of obturation of the aperture 93 is decreased and the tolerance increased. Different tolerance ranges are provided by providing alternative holes 63 in the

plates

59 and 88 into which a pivot pin 65 may be inserted.

The photoelectric cells used are preferably photoresistive, although photovoltaic cells or other photoelectric devices could conceivably be used, and further description is based on the assumption that photoresistive cells are used.

The lower housing 2 accommodates a stabilized AC power supply which supplies a tungsten lamp in the lamp house 6, and an electronic assembly consisting of a circuit board 112 mounted in the upper housing which processes the output of the

cells

76, 70, 82, 90, and the solenoid 56, the last being controlled by the assembly 112.

This assembly, described with reference to FIG. 1, comprises a separate power supply comprising a transformer T1, its primary being connected to the stabilized AC supply at 114, 116. The transformer secondary is connected across a bridge rectifier comprising diodes D1-D4, the output of which is connected to a negative lead 118 and a positive lead 120, and is smoothed by capacitor C1. The positive lead 121) feeds two further

positive leads

122, 124, through resistors R6, R7, the potentials of both being stabilized by diodes D5, D6 and D7, D8.

The resistance of the photoresistive cell 76 is lowered in response to the illumination it receives upon a bottle reaching the inspection station 41, and since it is connected to assembly 112 so as to form part of a potential divider completed by re sistor R1 and preset potentiometer VR1, it controls the bias applied to the base of transistor TR1, which together with TR2, R2, R3 and R41, forms a Schmitt trigger circuit fed from the positive lead 122. Triggering of the circuit by reason of lowering the resistance of cell 76 beyond a level preset by means of VR1 causes TR2 to conduct and a pulse to be trans mitted to an amplifier comprising TR3, R8 and R9 via coupling capacitor C2, from whence the amplified pulse is applied to the base of T114 which forms part of an AND gate comprising TR4 and TRS. The collector of TR4 is fed from the lead 122 via TR5, which conducts only on a suitable bias being applied to its base.

Assuming that TR5 is conducting, the pulse potential developed across R111 passes via R11 to a further amplifier fed from the lead 120 and comprising TR6, TR7, R12, R13, R14 and R15, a network comprising C3, R16 serving 'to maintain a sufficient bias at the base of TR6 to enable it to conduct for a period determined by the values of C3 and R16. Diode D9 prevents the development of a reverse potential across C3.

The potential developed at the junction of R12 and R is applied to the gate electrode of the triac TC which is in a series circuit with the solenoid 56 connected to the same source of AC current as the primary of transformer T1. The triac therefore conducts and thus operates the solenoid for a period determined by the values of C3 and R16. A network comprising R17 and C4 protects the triac from induced surge potentials when the triac ceases to conduct and the solenoid is deenergized. Thus each pulse that passes TR 1 causes actuation of the solenoid and diversion to conveyor 36 of the bottle whose arrival at the inspection station coincided with the original generation of the pulse.

Such a pulse will however be held at TR4, and the solenoid not actuated, if no bias is applied to the base of TR5, the application or otherwise of a bias being determined by that part of the circuit fed from the lead 124. The photoresistive cell 82 is connected to form a potential divider with R18 and either of the two present potentiometers VR2 and VR3 according to the position of switch S1, the divider being used to bias the base of transistor TR8 which together with TR9, R19, R20 and R21 forms a further Schmitt trigger circuit. According to the position ofS1, either VR1 or VR2 is set so that a value of resistance of the cell 82 exactly corresponding to a level of filtered light transmission falling between that of bottles acceptable and that of bottles not acceptable on the ground of color causes TR7 to be biased to exactly that level at which the Schmitt trigger circuit changes state from TR8 conducting to TR9 conducting or vice versa. S1 and the second potentiometer enables an alternative level to be present and selected at will. Thus the presence at the inspection station of a bottle darker than the preset level will cause TR8 to conduct, and a potential to be developed across R20, whilst a lighter bottle will cause TR9 to conduct, and a potential to be developed across R21.

By means of 52, either one of these potentials if developed may be applied via diode D10, switch S5 and resistance R22 to the base of TRS, causing the latter to conduct and TR4 to pass the pulse developed from cell 76. If S2 is operated to select the potential if any across R20, bottles darker than the selected level will be diverted, and if the potential if any across R21 is selected, bottles lighter than the selected level will be diverted.

The photoresistive cells and 70 are connected into similar circuits, comprising respectively TRIO, TR11, R23 26, VR4, S3, D11 and S6, and TRl2, TR13, R27-30, VRS, 54, D12 and S7, the only difference being that no alternative preset potentiometer and associated switch is provided in either case. Switches S5S7 enable any one of the three circuits to be switched out, whilst the diodes Dl0Dl2 prevent interaction between the circuits and form an OR gate.

In the case of the circuit associated with cell 90, the switch S3 is operative either to divert or not to divert dimensionally acceptable bottles according to whether the potential across R25 or R24 is selected, whilst in the case of the circuit associated with cell 70, the switch S4 is operative either to divert or not to divert bottles with ceramic labels, according to whether the potential across R30 or R29 is selected.

Since it is important that the pulse transmitted as a result of the illumination of the cell 76 is not transmitted prematurely before the bottle fully enters the inspection station, the windows 46 are of relatively small size so that the pulse is not transmitted until the bottle is exactly at the inspection station.

It will be seen that complete versatility is provided as to which bottle characteristics are to cause diversion. It will normally be the case that rejected bottles will be diverted, but the opposite condition may be convenient, or it may be desired to sort a relatively small number of bottles of a specific type from mixed bottles. All these possibilities are allowed for, whilst the characteristics assessed by the apparatus are sufficient in most cases to enable reliable sorting, and in any event sufficiently reliably to enable the operator of the machine to remove manually any missorted bottles.

It is convenient instead of providing for manual operation of the switches Sl-S7 to use microswitches mounted on a common circuit board with the remainder of the circuit components, the circuit board which thus forms the assembly 112 being mounted in a rack .140 carrying a slot assembly 142 for the insertion of a card or tablet parallel to the board and adapted to depress the actuators of the microswitches (indicated by the letter S), the tablet or card being cut away so that in its fully inserted position, no pressure will be applied to the actuators of those switches that are to remain open. By providing a series of such tablets or cards a number of different sorting operations may be programmed at will. The assembly 112 is provided with an edge connector 148 adapted to engage a suitable socket 144 carried by the rack 140, connections (not shown) to the photoelectric cells via leads 150, 152,

154 and to a power supply being made via a terminal strip 146.

What we claim is:

1. Apparatus for sorting bottles comprising:

a. means for advancing the bottles one by one to an inspection station and from the inspection station by one of at least two alternate paths;

. electrically controlled means adapted to determine along which path a bottle advances from the inspection station;

. a light source and means for directing said light along at least one path toward at least one photoelectric cell;

(1. electronic circuit means connected to said at least one photoelectric cell, said electronic circuit means being operative to change from one state to another in response to the cell reaching a level corresponding to a given level of illumination thereof and to transmit a signal to said electrically controlled means in response to one of said states of said electronic means; and

e. at least two feeler devices shiftable by different parts of a bottle entering the inspection station, said devices each being connected to a shutter member having an orifice, said orifices being brought into alignment with each other between said light source and said at least one photoelectric cell upon a bottle of desired dimensions entering the inspection station, the electronic circuit means being operative to change state upon said photoelectric cell being illuminated through the orifices in said shutter members.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that the means for advancing bottles to and from the inspection station comprises a star wheel mounted on a vertical axis in chordal overlying relationship to a conveyor adapted to advance bottles to be sorted to the star wheel and to forward them from the star wheel on one of the alternative paths, the star wheel being adapted on rotation to divert bottles off the conveyor and through the inspection station, the star wheel being equipped with selectively operable electrically controlled means to hold individual bottles thereagainst whereby to prevent their being released onto the conveyor again after passing through the inspection station, said electrically controlled means being controlled by said electronic circuit means.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that one of said feeler devices is spring-biased into the path of the body of a bottle passing through the inspection station, and another of said feeler devices is biased into the path of the neck of such a bottle.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 characterized in that the feeler devices are mounted on shafts, journaled in a housing supported over the inspection station, and the shutter members and the associated cell are within the housing.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 characterized in that the housing extends downwardly to either side of that part of the inspection station arranged to be occupied by a neck ofa bottle, and the cell and source of light are housed in the housing to the two sides of the bottle neck.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that the position of the shutter members relative to one feeler member is adjustable.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that the size of the orifice in at least one of the shutter members is ad justable.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 characterized in that adjustment of the position of one of the shutter members relative to the associated feeler member adjusts the size of the orifice in that shutter member.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 characterized in that the adjustment of the size of the orifice in said one of the shutter members is by means of a shutter plate pivoted on said one of the shutter members, the position of said one of the shutter members relative to one of the feeler members is adjusted by a micrometer screw device acting between the one shutter member and an arm carried by an associated shaft, and the shutter plate is pivoted on the said one of the shutter members by the micrometer screw device.

10. Apparatus according to claim 4 characterized in that the position of the housing relative to the inspection station is adjustable both vertically, and horizontally in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of bottles through the inspection station.

11. Apparatus for sorting bottles comprising:

b. electrically controlled means adapted to determine along which path a bottle advances from the inspection station;

. a light source and means for directing said light along at least one path toward at least one photoelectric cell; and

d. electronic circuit means connected to said at least one photoelectric cell, said electronic circuit means being operative to change from one state to another in response to the cell reaching a level corresponding to a given level of illumination thereof and to transmit a signal to said electrically controlled means in response to one of said states of said electronic means;

. said light source being positioned for illuminating the base of bottles when in the inspection station, said photoelectric cell being spaced from the walls of the bottle to receive light radiated from an edge-illuminable label or the like as a result of light being transmitted up the walls from the base, and said electronic circuit means being responsive to a predetermined diminution of the output of the at least one photoelectric cell as a result of lack of radiation from a label if none is present.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 characterized in that the edge-illuminable label is a ceramic label.

13. Apparatus for sorting bottles comprising:

a. means for advancing said bottles one by one to an inspection station, and from the inspection station onto one of two paths;

b. circuit means controlled by electrical signals for determining along which path each bottle advances from said inspection station according to whether a signal is applied;

a plurality of photoelectric devices each including a photoelectric cell, each operative to sense a different characteristic of a bottle in the inspection station, and including electronic circuit means operative to change from one state to another in response to the presence or absence ofa desired characteristic; and d. an additional photoelectric cell and light source provided together with shutter means synchronized with the movement ofa bottle into the inspection station;

. the electronic circuit means including a gate means controlled by said additional photoelectric cell for preventing said electronic circuit means from responding to the outputs from responding to the outputs from each of said photoelectric cells forming part of said plurality of photoelectric devices except when a bottle is in the inspection station.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 characterized in that the shutter means are integral with the means for advancing bottles to and from the inspection station.

15. Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the gate means comprises an at least two-input AND-gatecontrolling means to operate said circuit means, the condition of said gate means determining into which path a bottle is directed on leaving the inspection station, one input to the gate means being derived from said additional cell, and the other input from at least one of the plurality of photoelectric devices sensing bottle characteristics.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15 characterized in that signals derived from said plurality of photoelectric cells are applied to the AND gate via an OR gate.

.17. Apparatus according to claim 16 characterized in that the inputs to the OR gate are derived from circuits responsive to a threshold level of cell response to illumination, and

- switching means are included for determining whether a signal is transmitted in the appropriate threshold level being reached or vice versa.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17 characterized in that additional switching means are provided operative to select different threshold levels for the response to at least one cell or plurality ofcells.

19. Apparatus according to claim 17 characterized in that additional switching means are provided operative to cut oft" the input to the OR gate of signals derived from the response of any selected cell or plurality of cells.

20. Apparatus according to claim 17 characterized in that the switching means are arranged on one side of a circuit board and are adapted to be operated by a removable card or tablet held parallel to the board against switches forming said switches means, a plurality of cards or tablets being provided, said cards or tablets being cut away so as to operate selected switches forming said switching means only on being heldagainst the switches.

21, Apparatus according to claim 18 characterized in that the switching means are arranged on one side of a circuit board and are adapted to be operated by a removable card or tablet held parallel to the board against switches forming said switching means, a plurality of cards or tablets being provided, said cards or tablets being cut away so as to operate selected switches forming said switching means only on being held against the switches.

22. Apparatus according to claim 19 characterized in that the switching means are arranged on one side of a circuit board and are adapted to be operated by a removable card or tablet held parallel to the board against switches forming said switching means, a plurality of cards or tablets being provided, said cards or tablets being cut away so as to operate selected switches forming said switching means only on being held against the switches.

23, Apparatus according to claim 18 characterized in that additional switching means are provided operative to cut off the input to the OR- gate of signals derived from the response of any selected cell or plurality of cells.

Claims

1. Apparatus for sorting bottles comprising: a. means for advancing the bottles one by one to an inspection station and from the inspection station by one of at least two alternate paths; b. electrically controlled means adapted to determine along which path a bottle advances from the inspection station; c. a light source and means for directing said light along at least one path toward at least one photoelectric cell; d. electronic circuit means connected to said at least one photoelectric cell, said electronic circuit means being operative to change from one state to another in response to the cell reaching a level corresponding tO a given level of illumination thereof and to transmit a signal to said electrically controlled means in response to one of said states of said electronic means; and e. at least two feeler devices shiftable by different parts of a bottle entering the inspection station, said devices each being connected to a shutter member having an orifice, f. said orifices being brought into alignment with each other between said light source and said at least one photoelectric cell upon a bottle of desired dimensions entering the inspection station, the electronic circuit means being operative to change state upon said photoelectric cell being illuminated through the orifices in said shutter members.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 characterized in that the housing extends downwardly to either side of that part of the inspection station arranged to be occupied by a neck of a bottle, and the cell and source of light are housed in the housing to the two sides of the bottle neck.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that the size of the orifice in at least one of the shutter members is adjustable.

11. Apparatus for sorting bottles comprising: a. means for advancing the bottles one by one to an inspection station and from the inspection station by one of at least two alternate paths; b. electrically controlled means adapted to determine along which path a bottle advances from the inspection station; c. a light source and means for directing said light along at least one path toward at least one photoelectric cell; and d. electronic circUit means connected to said at least one photoelectric cell, said electronic circuit means being operative to change from one state to another in response to the cell reaching a level corresponding to a given level of illumination thereof and to transmit a signal to said electrically controlled means in response to one of said states of said electronic means; e. said light source being positioned for illuminating the base of bottles when in the inspection station, said photoelectric cell being spaced from the walls of the bottle to receive light radiated from an edge-illuminable label or the like as a result of light being transmitted up the walls from the base, and said electronic circuit means being responsive to a predetermined diminution of the output of the at least one photoelectric cell as a result of lack of radiation from a label if none is present.

13. Apparatus for sorting bottles comprising: a. means for advancing said bottles one by one to an inspection station, and from the inspection station onto one of two paths; b. circuit means controlled by electrical signals for determining along which path each bottle advances from said inspection station according to whether a signal is applied; c. a plurality of photoelectric devices each including a photoelectric cell, each operative to sense a different characteristic of a bottle in the inspection station, and including electronic circuit means operative to change from one state to another in response to the presence or absence of a desired characteristic; and d. an additional photoelectric cell and light source provided together with shutter means synchronized with the movement of a bottle into the inspection station; e. the electronic circuit means including a gate means controlled by said additional photoelectric cell for preventing said electronic circuit means from responding to the outputs from responding to the outputs from each of said photoelectric cells forming part of said plurality of photoelectric devices except when a bottle is in the inspection station.

15. Apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the gate means comprises an at least two-input AND-gate-controlling means to operate said circuit means, the condition of said gate means determining into which path a bottle is directed on leaving the inspection station, one input to the gate means being derived from said additional cell, and the other input from at least one of the plurality of photoelectric devices sensing bottle characteristics.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16 characterized in that the inputs to the OR gate are derived from circuits responsive to a threshold level of cell response to illumination, and switching means are included for determining whether a signal is transmitted in the appropriate threshold level being reached or vice versa.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17 characterized in that additional switching means are provided operative to select different threshold levels for the response to at least one cell or plurality of cells.

19. Apparatus according to claim 17 characterized in that additional switching means are provided operative to cut off the input to the OR gate of signals derived from the response of any selected cell or plurality of cells.

20. Apparatus according to claim 17 characterized in that the switching means are arranged on one side of a circuit board and are adapted to be operated by a removable card or tablet held parallel to the board against switches forming said switches means, a plurality of cards oR tablets being provided, said cards or tablets being cut away so as to operate selected switches forming said switching means only on being held against the switches.

21. Apparatus according to claim 18 characterized in that the switching means are arranged on one side of a circuit board and are adapted to be operated by a removable card or tablet held parallel to the board against switches forming said switching means, a plurality of cards or tablets being provided, said cards or tablets being cut away so as to operate selected switches forming said switching means only on being held against the switches.

22. Apparatus according to claim 19 characterized in that the switching means are arranged on one side of a circuit board and are adapted to be operated by a removable card or tablet held parallel to the board against switches forming said switching means, a plurality of cards or tablets being provided, said cards or tablets being cut away so as to operate selected switches forming said switching means only on being held against the switches. 23, Apparatus according to claim 18 characterized in that additional switching means are provided operative to cut off the input to the OR gate of signals derived from the response of any selected cell or plurality of cells.