Hybrid Starwheel System for Inspecting Empty Bottles

Abstract

The system for inspecting bottles includes a conveyor that transports bottles at a first speed. A star wheel that rotates at a second speed slower than the first speed receives each bottle. A sensor is disposed adjacent to the star wheel to detect at least one of residual liquid in the bottle and defects in the bottle. The star wheel places each bottle on the conveyor at a downstream position. An outer sidewall inspection system disposed along the path has first and second camera assemblies disposed along the path, and each bottle passes between them. A first belt is disposed along the conveyor in opposing relation to the second belt to rotate the bottles. The outer sidewall inspection system has third and fourth camera assemblies disposed along the path downstream of the first belt, and each bottle passes between the third and fourth camera assemblies.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 399,793, filed August 22, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. [Background technology]

[0002] The present invention is directed to a system for inspecting the quality of empty bottles before filling, and more particularly to providing a system for inspecting bottles that is simpler to construct and implement, and requires less area footprint by combining a star wheel structure with a linear chain structure.

[0003] As known in the art, an Empty Bottle Inspector (EBI) is an inspection system for inspecting bottle quality before filling on a beverage production line. It ensures that broken bottles, bottles with foreign objects, and bottles that are either internally or externally contaminated are rejected before the filling machine. One current approach is a starwheel system for performing base (B), inner sidewall (ISW), finish (F), residual liquid (RLD), and thread (T) inspection (B-ISW-F-RLD-T), followed by an upstream outer sidewall (OSW) inspection in succession.

[0004] It is also known in the art to use linear systems to perform OSW inspections upstream and downstream of a side-grip conveyor, with the critical B-ISW-F-RLD-T inspection taking place at stations along the conveyor. Each approach requires independent, significant line control to manage the bottles as they enter the inspection area. Starwheels are considered the best mechanism for B-ISW-F-RLD-T inspection because the starwheels hold the bottles securely, while linear systems are best suited for OSW inspection because the side-grip conveyor ensures 90-degree bottle rotation.

[0005] While the prior art is satisfactory, linear systems suffer from the disadvantage that they require multiple belts to perform each of the tests and complex control of the movement of each of those belts to align the bottles at the proper intervals for accurate testing. Linear systems also require multiple chains to transport the belts through the system, and the system requires multiple motors and associated motor controls to enable transfer from chain to chain, and from inspection station to inspection station, at the proper intervals for linear positioning. The multiple belts, motors, and controls also result in a large footprint for the device, wasting valuable warehouse space.

[0006] Additionally, prior art linear inspection systems suffer from the disadvantage that individual bottles are held above a chain by opposing belts to expose the bottom for inspection of the bottom, inside sidewall, threads, and finish. When held by a belt and not supported by a chain, the bottles tend to tilt unless the opposing belts are perfectly synchronized. A tilted bottle can cause inaccurate test results.

[0007] Additionally, it is known in the art to perform exterior sidewall testing using a light panel for backlighting the bottle and a matrix camera for imaging the bottle, however this structure and testing method is prone to shadowing the shoulders and sides of the bottle unless a panel light source that is very large compared to the size of the bottle is used, again increasing the footprint of the system.

[0008] Therefore, a system that overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art is desirable. Summary of the Invention

[0009] A hybrid star-wheel system for inspecting the quality of empty bottles includes a conveyor that transports one or more bottles along a unidirectional path. The conveyor transports the bottles at a first speed. A star-wheel disposed along the path receives each of the one or more bottles, and the star-wheel rotates relative to the path at a second speed, the second speed being less than the first speed. One or more sensors are disposed adjacent to the star-wheel to detect at least one of residual liquid in the bottle and defects in one of the bottle bottom, the bottle inner sidewall, the bottle finish, or the bottle threads. The star-wheel places each bottle on the conveyor at a location along the path downstream of the star-wheel. An exterior sidewall inspection system is disposed along the path downstream of the star-wheel and receives each bottle. The exterior sidewall inspection system has a first camera assembly and a second camera assembly disposed along the path, such that each bottle passes between the first and second camera assemblies. A first belt is disposed along the conveyor downstream of the second camera assembly on a first side of the conveyor. A second belt is disposed along the conveyor downstream of the second camera assembly on a second side of the conveyor in opposing relation to the first belt. The first and second belts rotate the bottles as they pass between them. The outer sidewall inspection system has third and fourth camera assemblies disposed along the path downstream of the first belt so that each bottle passes between the third and fourth camera assemblies.

[0010] In one embodiment, the first belt moves parallel to the path at a third speed and the second belt moves parallel to the path at a fourth speed different from the third speed and that rotates the bottles as they move between the first and second belts. In one embodiment of the present invention, the bottles rotate 90 degrees.

[0011] In another embodiment of the present invention, the first camera assembly includes at least one line scan camera. An illumination source is provided. The bottle passes between the at least one line scan camera and the illumination source as the bottle travels along the path.

[0012] In an additional embodiment, the first camera assembly includes a color line scan camera. An illumination source is provided. The bottle passes between the color line scan camera and the illumination source as the bottle travels along the path. The color line scan camera detects defects on the applied ceramic label of the bottle.

[0013] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the exterior sidewall inspection system includes a code reader assembly disposed along the path between the second camera assembly and the third camera assembly. The code reader assembly includes at least one track-and-trace code reader. Bottles pass the at least one track-and-trace code reader as the bottles travel along the path. The at least one track-and-trace code reader scans the bottles with a machine-readable optical image affixed to the bottle.

[0014] An additional embodiment of the present invention includes a first camera assembly disposed upstream of the second camera assembly and a third camera assembly disposed upstream of the fourth camera assembly.

[0015] In another embodiment of the present invention, the hybrid star-wheel system includes at least one rejector downstream of the fourth camera assembly, which rejects bottles from the path. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] The features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, in which like elements are similarly labeled. [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a top view of a hybrid starwheel system for inspecting the quality of empty bottles according to the present invention in operation. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a top view of an exterior sidewall inspection portion of a system constructed in accordance with the present invention in use. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of a bottle traveling along the belt portion of the outer sidewall inspection portion according to the present invention; FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a top view of a bottle traveling through a portion of the system. [Figure 5] 1 is a side view of a camera system constructed in accordance with the present invention shown inspecting a bottle; [Figure 6] 1 is a top view of a camera system constructed in accordance with the present invention shown inspecting a bottle; [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a top view of an exterior sidewall inspection portion of a system configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention in operation. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a side view of a color camera system configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention shown inspecting a bottle. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a top view of a color camera system configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention shown inspecting a bottle. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a top view of an exterior sidewall inspection portion of a system configured in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention in use. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a top view of an exterior sidewall inspection portion of a system configured in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention in use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] 1, there is shown a hybrid starwheel system for inspecting the quality of empty bottles, constructed in accordance with the present invention and generally designated 100. System 100 includes a chain, or conveyor 102, which defines a path along which chain 102 conveys one or more bottles 200a-200n. One or more bottle presence detectors 104, originating upstream and operating downstream along conveyor 102, are disposed along the path of conveyor 102 to detect the presence of bottles 200. This initiates the operation and timing of system 100 and signals the starwheel 300 controller to speed up or slow down.

[0018] The radio frequency sensors 106a, 106b are disposed along the path formed by the conveyor 102 downstream from the bottle presence detector 104 and on opposite sides of the conveyor 102. The radio frequency sensors 106a, 106b determine the presence of corrosive materials and / or residual liquid in each bottle 200 passing between them.

[0019] The starwheel 300 is disposed downstream of the high frequency sensors 106a, 106b, and as the starwheel 300 rotates, it receives each bottle 200 from the conveyor 102 into a respective receiving slot 302, aligning each slot 302 in turn substantially parallel to the path. In this manner, the starwheel 300 sequentially receives and transports the bottles 200 along the path as the starwheel 300 rotates. In a preferred, non-limiting embodiment, belts 310a, 310b are provided adjacent the starwheel 300 to maintain each bottle 200 within the receiving slot 302 as the starwheel 300 transports the bottles 200 along the path.

[0020] Sensor array 312 utilizes a mirror positioned at a 45-degree angle relative to the optical path (not shown) to direct light onto sensor array 312 as each bottle 200 passes underneath. In this manner, using sensor array 312, system 100 performs bottom, interior sidewall, and residual liquid inspection, as is known in the art. System 100, in one embodiment of the present invention, performs thread and finish inspection at locations immediately upstream and downstream of sensor array 312. Thread inspection sensor 314 is positioned upstream of sensor array 312, and finish inspection sensor 316 is positioned downstream of sensor array 312. However, it is within the scope of the present invention for both thread inspection sensor 314 and finish inspection sensor 316 to be either downstream or upstream of sensor array 312.

[0021] As a result of the rotation of the star wheel 300, the star wheel 300 then places each respective bottle 200 downstream of the sensor array 312 onto the conveyor 102. Note that during operation, the conveyor 102 moves along the path at a first speed. The star wheel 300 moves along the path at a second speed that is less than the first speed. As a result, the bottles 200 are gapped a predetermined distance as they leave the star wheel 300. In a preferred, non-limiting embodiment, the second speed is approximately 10-20 percent less than the first speed.

[0022] In a preferred, non-limiting embodiment, the radio frequency sensors 110a, 110b are disposed downstream from the starwheel 300 along the path formed by the conveyor 102, on opposite sides of the conveyor 102. The radio frequency sensors 110a, 110b determine the presence of corrosive materials and / or residual liquid in each bottle 200 that passes between them. The downstream redundancy reduces the likelihood of a bottle 200 being filled with a corrosive material.

[0023] Reference is now made to Figures 2 and 3, which illustrate how each bottle 200 then undergoes exterior sidewall inspection at an exterior sidewall inspection station, generally designated 400, located downstream along the path from the radio frequency sensors 110a, 110b. The exterior sidewall inspection station 400 includes a first camera pair inspection system 401 having a first camera assembly 402a and a second camera assembly 402b, each of which is disposed on opposite sides of the conveyor 102. As described below, the first camera assembly 402a and the second camera assembly 402b each include a camera 410a, 410b, respectively, disposed on one side of the conveyor 102 to face the bottles 200 traveling their path on the conveyor 102. The camera 410a of the first camera assembly 402a is disposed on the opposite side of the conveyor 102 from the camera 410b of the second camera assembly 402b. In this manner, the first camera assembly 402a scans a first side of the bottle 200 as the bottle 200 progresses along the path, and the second camera assembly 402b scans a second, substantially opposite side of the bottle 200 as the bottle 200 progresses along the path.

[0024] A first belt 404a is disposed downstream of the first camera-paired inspection system 401. A second belt 404b is disposed downstream of the first camera-paired inspection system 401 in a spaced-apart, opposing relationship to the first belt 404a, across the conveyor 102. Each of the belts 404a and 404b contacts the side of the bottle 200 as the bottle 200 moves between them. Each of the belts 404a moves in the direction of arrow B, but at different speeds relative to each other, causing the bottle 200 to rotate in the direction of arrow A (see FIGS. 2 and 3). As can be seen in FIG. 3, the bottle 200 is supported by the chains of the conveyor 102 while being manipulated by the belts 404a and 404b. This ensures stability of the bottle during the OSW inspection process and reduces the pressure required on the side of the bottle to hold and rotate it.

[0025] Due to the nature of light and cameras 410a, 410b, sides or surfaces of bottle 200 that are at a 90-degree angle relative to cameras 410a, 410b of inspection system 401 are not captured, i.e., are not inspected. Each camera 410a, 410b captures bottle 200 over substantially 110 degrees. Thus, bottle 200 is rotated substantially 90 degrees by belts 404a, 404b and transported downstream to second camera-paired inspection system 403. In this way, sides that may previously have been hidden from the view of cameras 410a, 410b now face cameras 410c, 410d. Second camera-paired inspection system 403 has substantially the same structure as first camera-paired inspection system 401.

[0026] The second camera pair inspection system 403 includes a third camera assembly 402c and a fourth camera assembly 402d, each disposed on either side of the conveyor 102. As described below, the third camera assembly 402c and the fourth camera assembly 402d each include a respective camera 410c, 410d disposed on a side of the conveyor 102 to face the bottles 200 as they progress along their path on the conveyor 102. The camera 410c of the third camera assembly 402c is disposed on the opposite side of the conveyor 102 from the camera 410d of the fourth camera assembly 402d. In this manner, the third camera assembly 402c scans one turned side of the bottles 200 as they progress along their path, and the fourth camera assembly 402d scans a substantially opposite side of the bottles 200 as they progress along their path. As a result of the rotation, the entire 360-degree surface of the bottle 200 and the outer sidewall of the bottle 200 are scanned by the outer sidewall inspection station 400 with an extra 20-degree overlap per bottle side. This overlap allows for redundancy and also accounts for possible over- or under-rotation of the bottle 200 by the belts 404a, 404b.

[0027] 5 and 6, camera system 402a, which is representative of each of camera systems 402a-402d in exterior sidewall inspection station 400, will now be described in more detail. A light source 420a is disposed on one side of the conveyor 102 for projecting light toward the passing bottles 200. The light from light source 420a is diffused by a diffuser 418a and then polarized by a circular polarizer 416a before illuminating the bottles 200 moving along the conveyor 102 as the light passes through the bottles 200. Light source 420a, diffuser 418a, and circular polarizer 416a are all on a first side of the bottles 200 along the light path.

[0028] Linear Fresnel lens 414a is located on the opposite side of bottle 200 along the light path from light source 420a and receives the light passing through bottle 200 and focuses the light exiting bottle 200 toward a linear receiver. In a preferred, non-limiting embodiment, mirror 412a, angled at a substantially 45 degree angle relative to linear Fresnel receiver 414a, receives the light and angles it toward circular polarizer 411a associated with line scan camera 410a so that bottle 200 is inspected one vertical pixel-wide slice at a time.

[0029] As can be seen in FIG. 6 , the line scan camera 410a scans the bottle 200 as it moves through a single plane. Each image captured by the line scan camera 410a across the bottle 200 is “stitched” together to form an image spanning the entire surface. The use of the line scan camera 410a reduces shadowing, resulting in a more uniform image, and allows for the use of a smaller light source while still maintaining higher resolution. As can be seen particularly in FIG. 6 , utilizing the mirror 412a and smaller light source 420a enabled by line scan inspection provides an overall smaller footprint while increasing sensitivity to defects. The camera system 402a was used as a non-limiting example. Each camera system has a similar structure. In additional embodiments, additional light sources 422a, 422b may be provided to reduce shadowing.

[0030] In a preferred non-limiting embodiment, radio frequency sensors 114a, 114b are disposed along the path formed by the conveyor 102 downstream from the outer sidewall inspection station 400 in opposing relationship across the conveyor 102. The radio frequency sensors 114a, 114b provide redundancy for further determining the presence of corrosive materials and / or residual liquid within each bottle 200 passing between them.

[0031] A test loop disposed downstream of the high frequency sensors 114a, 114b along the path includes a test loop conveyor 500 and a finger rejector (or other type of rejector) 116 on the opposite side of the conveyor 500 across the conveyor 102 for rejecting selected bottles 200b for conversion to queuing for subsequent automatic test bottle runs.

[0032] A destruction station disposed downstream of the test loop along the conveyor 102 includes a non-salvage conveyor 600 for removing bottles 200 for destruction and / or recycling. A finger rejector (or other type of rejector) 118 is disposed on the opposite side of the conveyor 102 from the conveyor 600 to reject selected bottles 200c for destruction or diversion to recycling.

[0033] A return path to the washer station is disposed along the conveyor 102 downstream of the non-salvage conveyor 600, including a return path to a washer conveyor 700 disposed on one side of the conveyor 102. A finger rejector (or other type of rejector) 120 is disposed across the conveyor 102 in opposing relation to the return path to the washer conveyor 700 to reject bottles 200d that an upstream sensor determines require further washing for return to the washer conveyor 700.

[0034] Those bottles 200 that are not rejected are then processed by at least one additional sensor 122 disposed along the conveyor 102 as a reject verification and backup sensor.

[0035] Bottles 200 with thick glass, embossing, or shaped features such as, but not limited to, dimples, flutes, and swirls create a shadowing problem that reduces the amount of light passing through the bottle 200, thus reducing the probability of accurate detection of defects on the bottle 200 by OSW inspection. As a solution, reference is now made to FIG. 7, where, in an additional non-limiting embodiment, a structure 800 is provided to overcome this weakness.

[0036] 7, where like numerals represent like structure, inspection station 800 includes a first camera pair inspection system 801 having a first camera assembly 802a and a second camera assembly 802b, each disposed on opposite sides of conveyor 102. First camera assembly 802a includes two cameras 810a, 810b disposed on the same side of conveyor 102 to face bottles 200 traveling their path on conveyor 102. Second camera assembly 802b includes two cameras 810c, 810d disposed on the same side of conveyor 102 to face bottles 200 on conveyor 102. Cameras 810a, 810b of first camera assembly 802a are disposed on the opposite side of conveyor 102 from cameras 810c, 810d of second camera assembly 802b. In this manner, a first camera assembly 802a scans a first side of the bottle 200 as the bottle progresses along the path, and a second camera assembly 802b scans a second, substantially opposite side of the bottle 200 as the bottle progresses along the path, each side having two cameras.

[0037] Each camera 810a-810d uses the same optics and lighting as line scan cameras 410a-410d, except that each camera 810a-810d is positioned to capture substantially a 60-degree view of bottle 200. This allows cameras 810a, 810b in first camera assembly 802a to both scan 110 degrees of bottle 200, and cameras 810c, 810d in second camera assembly 802b to both scan 110 degrees of bottle 200. Bottle 200 then advances along conveyor 102.

[0038] The second camera pair inspection system 803 includes a third camera assembly 802c and a fourth camera assembly 802d, each disposed on either side of the conveyor 102. As described above, camera assembly 802c also includes two cameras 810g, 810h, each disposed on one side of the conveyor 102 to face the bottles 200 traveling their path on the conveyor 102. Camera assembly 802d includes cameras 810e, 810f, each disposed downstream from camera assembly 802c and on the same side of the conveyor 102. Cameras 810g, 810h of the third camera assembly 802c are disposed on the opposite side of the conveyor 102 from cameras 810e, 810f of the fourth camera assembly 802d. Again, each camera 810e-810h uses the same optics and lighting as line scan camera 410a, but captures substantially 60 degrees of bottle 200. In this manner, third camera assembly 802c scans one turned side of bottle 200 as it progresses along the path, and fourth camera assembly 802d scans substantially the opposite side of bottle 200 as it progresses along the path. As a result of the rotation, the entire 360 ​​degrees of the surface of bottle 200 and its outer sidewall are scanned by outer sidewall inspection station 800, with an extra 30 degrees of overlap per bottle side.

[0039] As explained above, using camera assemblies 802a-802d improves the sensitivity of system 100 to defects when shadowing occurs because viewing bottle 200 over a smaller angle for each camera 810a-810h improves image uniformity and therefore accuracy across images from cameras 810a-810h as a whole.

[0040] Another problem in the art is the limited ability to identify deterioration of bottles 200. However, a change in color of the applied ceramic label (ACL) is often an indication of deterioration. Therefore, in another non-limiting embodiment, as seen in FIG. 10 , where like numerals refer to like structure, exterior sidewall inspection station 870 includes a first camera pair inspection system 871 having a first camera assembly 872 a and a second camera assembly 872 b, and a second camera pair inspection system 873 having a third camera assembly 872 c and a fourth camera assembly 872 d. To more easily identify deterioration of bottles 200, camera assemblies 872 a- 872 d are operationally equivalent to camera assemblies 802 a- 802 d, except that each camera assembly 872 a- 872 d also includes a respective ACL camera 850 a- 850 d.

[0041] 8-10, each ACL camera 850a-850d is illustratively a color line scan camera that uses the same optics and lighting as line scan camera 410a. This configuration enables ACL cameras 850a-850d to inspect the label on bottle 200 to detect various imperfections on bottle 200, such as, but not limited to, stains on the ACL, faded ACL, and scratches on bottle 200. Because each ACL camera 850a-850d views bottle 200 over 110 degrees, the entire bottle 200 is inspected by ACL cameras 850a-850d with an extra 20 degree overlap per side as bottle 200 passes through exterior sidewall inspection station 870 between ACL cameras 850a-850d.

[0042] In yet another non-limiting embodiment shown in FIG. 11 , where like numbers are used to indicate like structures, bottles 200 may include machine-readable optical images, such as alphanumeric codes, bar codes, data matrix codes, or QR codes, that contain identifying information for each bottle 200. To efficiently track bottles 200, exterior sidewall inspection station 900, in a non-limiting embodiment, includes six track-and-trace code readers 910a-910f that can identify bottles 200 by optical codes affixed to the bottles 200. Track-and-trace code readers 910a-910c are disposed along the side of conveyor 102 on which belt 404a is disposed, while the remaining track-and-trace code readers 910d-910f are disposed along the opposite side of conveyor 102, where belt 404b is disposed to ensure proper capture regardless of bottle orientation. Each track-and-trace code reader 910a-910f inspects bottles 200 over approximately 70 degrees. Thus, the entire bottle 200 is inspected by the track and trace code readers 910a-910f, combined with the extra 60 degree overlap, as the bottle 200 passes through the outer sidewall inspection station 900 between the track and trace code readers 910a-910f.

[0043] As a result of the above structure, an empty bottle inspection system is provided that has a smaller footprint and is easier to control. Compared to prior art linear inspection conveyors, no back pressure or complex line control is required. Additionally, the starwheel provides precise bottle positioning for multiple inspections. Bottles are automatically gapped at the appropriate intervals as they leave the starwheel and onto the conveyor. Additionally, by operating the starwheel at a slower speed than the conveyor, simplified gapping and queuing are provided. Additionally, bottle stability during inspection is provided by utilizing side belts to rotate the bottles, but these belts cannot adequately support the bottles as they progress through the OSW inspection process.

[0044] It is therefore intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense, since the above-described objects are efficiently attained among those made apparent from the foregoing description and certain changes may be made in the structure described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Finally, the use of a line scan camera for exterior sidewall inspection provides uniform imaging across a variety of bottle types, resulting in improved inspection.

[0045] It will also be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the general and specific features of the invention described herein, and all statements of the scope of the invention that may be said to fall therebetween as a matter of language.

Claims

1. 1. A hybrid starwheel system for inspecting the quality of empty bottles, comprising: a conveyor for transporting one or more bottles along a unidirectional path, the conveyor transporting the one or more bottles at a first speed; a starwheel disposed along the path and configured to receive each of the one or more bottles from the conveyor, the starwheel rotating at a second speed relative to the path, the second speed being less than the first speed; a sensor disposed adjacent to the star wheel to detect at least one of residual liquid in any bottles disposed on the star wheel and defects in one of the bottom of the bottle, the inside sidewall of the bottle, the finish of the bottle, or the threads of the bottle, the star wheel depositing each bottle onto the conveyor at a location along the path downstream of the star wheel; an exterior sidewall inspection system disposed along the path downstream of the starwheel to receive each bottle exiting the starwheel, the exterior sidewall inspection system having a first camera assembly and a second camera assembly disposed along the path so that each bottle passes between the first camera assembly and the second camera assembly; a first belt disposed along the conveyor on a first side thereof and downstream of the second camera assembly; a second belt disposed along the conveyor on a second side thereof in opposing relation to the first belt and downstream of the second camera assembly; and the first belt and the second belt rotate the bottles as they pass between the first belt and the second belt; a hybrid starwheel system, wherein the exterior sidewall inspection system includes a third camera assembly and a fourth camera assembly disposed along the path downstream of the first belt, such that each bottle passes between the third camera and the fourth camera.

2. the first camera assembly a light source disposed along the second side of the conveyor for shining light through the bottles as they pass by the light source; 10. The hybrid star-wheel system of claim 1, further comprising: at least one line scan camera disposed along said conveyor for receiving said light that has passed through said bottles.

3. the first camera assembly a light source disposed along the second side of the conveyor for shining light through the bottles as they pass by the light source; 10. The hybrid starwheel system of claim 1, further comprising: a color line scan camera disposed along said conveyor for receiving said light that has passed through applied ceramic labels affixed to said bottles.

4. the exterior sidewall inspection system comprises:

10. The hybrid starwheel system of claim 1, further comprising a code reader assembly disposed along the conveyor for tracking the bottles along the path, the code reader assembly having at least one track-and-trace code reader disposed along the conveyor for scanning machine-readable optical images affixed to the bottles.

5. 2. The hybrid starwheel system of claim 1, wherein the first camera assembly is disposed upstream of the second camera assembly, and the third camera assembly is disposed upstream of the fourth camera assembly.

6. 2. The hybrid star-wheel system of claim 1, wherein the first belt moves at a first speed and the second belt moves at a second speed different from the first speed to rotate the bottle relative to the first camera assembly.

7. 10. The hybrid star-wheel system of claim 1, further comprising at least one rejector disposed along said conveyor for rejecting said bottles from said conveyor for further testing.

8. The hybrid starwheel system of claim 7 , wherein the at least one rejector is disposed downstream of the fourth camera assembly.

9. At least the first camera assembly: a light source disposed along the first side of the conveyor for shining light through the bottles as the bottles pass by the light source; at least one line scan camera disposed along the conveyor for receiving the light that has passed through the bottles; and a color line scan camera disposed along the conveyor for receiving the light that has passed through applied ceramic labels affixed to the bottles. a code reader assembly disposed along the conveyor for tracking the bottles along the path, the code reader assembly including at least one track and trace code reader for scanning machine-readable optical images affixed to the bottles; a code reader assembly, wherein the first belt moves at a first speed and the second belt moves at a second speed different from the first speed, to rotate the bottle relative to the first camera assembly; and at least one rejector disposed along the conveyor downstream of the fourth camera assembly for rejecting the bottles from the conveyor for further testing.

10. 1. An outer sidewall inspection system for detecting outer sidewalls of empty bottles moving along a conveyor, comprising: a first camera assembly and a second camera assembly disposed along a path defined by the conveyor so that each bottle passes between the first camera assembly and the second camera assembly; a first belt disposed along the conveyor downstream of the second camera assembly on a first side of the conveyor, a second belt disposed along the conveyor downstream of the second camera assembly in opposing relation to the first belt on a second side of the conveyor, the first belt and the second belt rotating the bottle as the bottle passes between the first belt and the second belt while being supported by the conveyor; the exterior sidewall inspection system having a third camera assembly and a fourth camera assembly disposed along the path downstream of the first belt such that each bottle passes between the third camera assembly and the fourth camera assembly, and at least the first camera assembly including: a light source disposed along the second side of the conveyor to shine light through the bottle as it passes the light source; and at least one line scan camera disposed along the conveyor to receive the light that has passed through the bottle.

11. 11. The exterior sidewall inspection system of claim 10, wherein the first camera assembly is disposed upstream of the second camera assembly and the third camera assembly is disposed upstream of the fourth camera assembly.

12. 11. The exterior sidewall inspection system of claim 10, further comprising a code reader assembly disposed along the conveyor for tracking the bottles along the path, the code reader assembly having at least one track-and-trace code reader for scanning machine-readable optical images affixed to the bottles.

13. At least the first camera assembly:

11. The exterior sidewall inspection system of claim 10, further comprising a color line scan camera disposed along the conveyor for receiving the light that has passed through an applied ceramic label affixed to the bottle.

14. 11. The exterior sidewall inspection system of claim 10, wherein the first belt moves at a first speed and the second belt moves at a second speed different from the first speed to rotate the bottle relative to the first camera assembly.

15. At least the first camera assembly:

13. The exterior sidewall inspection system of claim 12, further comprising a color line scan camera disposed along the conveyor for receiving the light that has passed through an applied ceramic label affixed to the bottle.

16. a code reader assembly disposed along the conveyor for tracking the bottles along the path, the code reader assembly having a track and trace code reader for scanning machine-readable optical images affixed to the bottles; a color line scan camera disposed along the conveyor for receiving the light on the bottles that has passed through an applied ceramic label affixed to the bottles; 12. The exterior sidewall inspection system of claim 11, wherein the first belt moves at a first speed and the second belt moves at a second speed different from the first speed to rotate the bottle relative to the first camera assembly.

Images