A method for sorting products and sorting apparatus with a flow of granular products moving in an inspection zone, in which a light beam is moved over the product flow to generate a reflected stream of light. At least one detector unit is provided to detect light reflected by the products to generate detection signals. This detector unit cooperates with a control unit to sort the products by these detection signals. The detector unit contains at least two sensors that are provided one after the other in the reflected stream of light so that a sensor is placed upstream of a downstream sensor. Each sensor detects a different part of the reflected stream of light.

A lighting device (23) irradiates a web under conveyance with light. The lighting device includes a light source (43), and an irradiation port (61) configured to open linearly in a widthwise direction of the web at an end portion facing the web. The irradiation port (61) is formed between first and second parallel portions (62b, 63b) where a first plate member (62) and a second plate member (63) parallelly face each other. The web under conveyance is irradiated with linear light. It is possible to provide a lighting device capable of irradiating only an inspection region of a sheet or a web with light.

The methods herein utilize polarized light for detecting through holes in substrates. A light source directs light through a first polarization filter having a first polarization axis, wherein polarized light travels from the first polarization filter and toward a substrate. The orientation of the polarized light is changed while traveling through substrate material, and is scattered. However, polarized light traveling through a hole in the substrate remains unscattered. A second polarization filter receives unscattered light and scattered light traveling away from the substrate. The second polarization filter includes a second polarization axis angularly offset from and not parallel with the first polarization axis. As such, the second polarization filter blocks the advancement of unscattered light while the scattered light is not blocked by the second polarization filter. The hole is detected based on an absence of unscattered light surrounded by light traveling from the second polarization filter.

A high-speed method and system for inspecting a stream of parts using at least one transparent traveling carrier of a conveyor subsystem are provided. The subsystem has a forward reach and a return reach. The method includes controllably receiving a stream of parts in rapid succession on the at least one traveling carrier and utilizing the subsystem to transfer the stream of parts in rapid succession to a part inspection station. The bottom surface of each part is illuminated through its traveling carrier with radiant energy when the part is located at the inspection station to generate reflected radiation signals which travel through its traveling carrier. A bottom image of each illuminated bottom surface is formed from the reflected radiation signals at an imaging location between the forward and return reaches at the inspection station. The bottom images are detected at the imaging location.

An apparatus can be used for inspecting printed images for a printing or finishing machine with continuously moved printed products. An illumination unit with a light source illuminates a recording region and an image capture apparatus with at least one camera, for example a line scanning camera, is set up to capture an image inside the recording region, which extends over the width of the printed product, wherein the image capture apparatus is set up to generate a multi-line partial image.

An optical scanning device includes a reflected-light passing unit having a passing region through which a portion of reflected light that is the scanning light reflected by the medium passes. An outer peripheral contour line of the passing region includes a contour curve configured with a set of points where coordinates in a direction orthogonal to a scanning direction are uniquely determined for the coordinates in the scanning direction. The contour curve renders a curve protruded toward the passing region. When a region in contact with the contour curve in the passing region is divided into a plurality of quadrilateral minute regions having equivalent areas and extending from the contour curve to a predetermined coordinate position in the scanning direction and are continuously arranged in the orthogonal direction, widths of the minute regions in the scanning direction are different for each location in the orthogonal direction.

The invention relates to a method for analysing defects in transformer laminations using an inspection system, and to an inspection system (24), wherein the inspection system comprises a detection unit (26), a conveyance device (27) and a processing device, wherein the detection unit includes an optical detecting device (31), wherein the conveyance device is used to continuously transport a plurality of transformer laminations (25) relative to the detecting device, wherein the detecting device is arranged transversely, preferably orthogonally, to a direction of movement of a transformer lamination, wherein a velocity of movement of a transformer lamination relative to the detecting device is measured via a measurement device (40) of the detection unit, wherein an image of a contour of a transformer lamination is captured with the detecting device, wherein images of a transformer lamination are assembled into a combined image of the transformer lamination via the processing device while considering the velocity of movement of the transformer lamination, wherein a shape of the transformer lamination is determined on the basis of the combined image via the processing device.

The invention relates to a product inspection and characterization device, including conveyance means, a two-dimensional inspection region, a radiation source generating a spot light beam for partially illuminating the surface of the product, optical means for directing the light beam provided with at least one mirror to aim the spot light beam in the inspection region, optical means for directing the reflected and/or scattered light to detection means, detection means for analyzing the light scattered and/or reflected by the product and a processing unit for characterizing the product. The radiation source emitting the light beam is therefore pointed at the product by optical means directing the light beam to the two-dimensional inspection region. Another object of the present invention relates to the method for product inspection and characterization.

A beverage bottle transport device in a beverage bottling plant. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

A conveyed object detection apparatus includes an optical sensor configured to receive light reflected by a conveyed object; a detection unit configured to use the optical sensor to acquire a detection result indicating a position, a moving speed, or a moved amount of the conveyed object in at least one of a conveyance direction in which the conveyed object is conveyed and a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, or a combination of the position, the moving speed, and the moved amount; and a setting unit configured to set an aperture value and an exposure time concerning the optical sensor based on the detection result.