A method includes the following steps: aligning a measuring head with an aerosol container, without relative speed between the two, lowering and centring the head; lowering a measuring device and taking the corresponding measurement at different points of the perimeter of the opening; rotating the measuring device in relation to the container; removing the head, transmitting the data, and removing the unsuitable containers, and a device for performing the method includes a head support having an axial movement device, a centring element; a support for the measuring device, an assembly of measuring arms provided with probes, an arrangement for returning to a rest position, at least one measurement reader, and a rotating device for rotating the measuring device or head.

A method and system for forming a packaged product (100) and ensuring that the packaged product (100) is adequately filled. In one aspect, the method includes forming a product (101); introducing the product (101) into a package (103), thereby forming a packaged product (100); obtaining an x-ray image (201) of the packaged product (100); analyzing the x-ray image (201) utilizing a processor (118) to identify whether bounded contours (200) exist in the x-ray image (201) for each of the bounded contours (200), the processor (118) determining whether the bounded contour (200) is a threshold defect based at least in part on bounded area (208) of the bounded contour (200) for each of the threshold defects, the processor (118) classifying the threshold defect as one of a plurality of pre-determined defect types; and determining a source of at least one of the threshold defects in the packaged product (100) based at least in part on the classification of the at least one of the threshold defects.

A system for identifying an object including a conveyer mechanism, a diverting bar, a counterweight, an object collector, an object inspector, and a selection arm. The diverting bar includes a body which may be positioned at least partially over the conveyer mechanism as to divert one or more objects of a plurality of objects traveling on the conveyer mechanism. The counterweight is coupled to the diverting bar and applies a biasing force against the one or more objects as to reduce the force applied to the plurality of objects. The object collector may be positioned adjacent the conveyer mechanism and is configured to accept an object from the conveyer mechanism and inspect the object for at least one marking. Once inspected, the selection arm is configured to deliver the object to a target position or back to the conveyer mechanism based on at least one marking.

A chute system for a building including: an inlet, through which an item is received; a chute, coupled to the inlet, and an outlet, coupled to the chute. The outlet includes a sealing surface, configured to form a seal with an opening of a receptacle into which the item is to be received. The sealing surface is configured to enable a seal to be formed with different receptacles having different sized or shaped openings.

A tennis ball sorting apparatus tests the internal pressure of individual tennis balls and automatically separates a large number of tennis balls based on their internal pressure. Methods of using the same are further provided.

A machine to receive and store only specific used food containers is provided. The machine includes a housing with an interior volume and an outer shell, the housing comprises an inlet opening. A rotatable plate is positioned within the housing and aligned with the inlet opening such that items passed through the inlet opening are received upon the plate, the plate further comprises a shroud along a majority of a circumference of the plate and a void that exists where the shroud does not extend, wherein an item can be positioned upon the plate when the void of the shroud is aligned with the inlet opening and items are prevented from being positioned upon the plate when the void of the shroud is aligned with the inlet opening. A sensor is disposed upon the housing to monitor the inlet opening and identify when an object is placed upon the plate.

Provided is an article sorting device that can handle various containers without necessarily requiring a change of parts. The article sorting device includes a rotating table, a pocket, a guide, a position control unit, and a sorting unit. The position control unit controls a radial position of the pocket to a specified position that is a first position or a second position located radially outward relative to the first position. The sorting unit guides an article to different paths depending on whether the radial position of the pocket is at the first position or the second position when a circumferential position of the pocket reaches a sorting position.

A process, mechanical and electrical system and data structures, allow high speed sorting of pallets of HFI cans using a depalletizer, a sequence of narrowing transfer conveyors and a single filer making the cans into a single file. Simultaneously, data containers begin a process of compiling complete data on the pallet, the individual cans, can counts good and bad, the inspection events and potentially a marking process. Cans are inspected individually by three or more cameras in three positions, sequentially inspecting the interior, exterior sides, and exterior bottom, and if an individual can fails any one of three tests, the can is individually directed to a can reject chute. A can may be undetectably marked to indicate it has passed the inspection process. By use of comprehensive data flows and inputs, comprehensive data reports may be generated for the can maker but more importantly for the can buyer/user.

The invention relates to a testing device for testing the tightness of containers (2), comprising a supply unit (3) for supplying the containers (2), a testing unit (4) for testing the tightness of the containers (2), a diverting unit (5) for diverting tested tight containers (2), and a discharge unit (6) for discharging containers (2) tested to be untight in the testing unit (2). The testing unit (4) has at least one individual testing chamber (42) for testing individual containers and at least one multiple testing chamber (41) for receiving a plurality of containers in order to simultaneously test multiple containers (2). The testing device also comprises a control unit (10) which is designed to supply possibly untight containers (2) which have been discharged by means of the discharge unit (6) from a multiple testing chamber (41) individually back into an individual testing chamber (42) in order to carry out an individual test of said containers.

The present invention is directed to devices, systems, and methods for automating parcel handling.