General Mills, Inc.

Brian A Piotrowski

Wayne I Knigge

Detection of components ( ) missing from sealed packages ( ) is accomplished by combining a multiplicity of electrical outputs representing the mass in volumes of the package ( ) and comparing the combined value with a standard value for packages ( ) including all components ( ). In the preferred form, the mass is represented by the absorption of x-rays, with the packages ( ) being conveyed on a conveyor ( ) between an x-ray radiator ( ) generating a fan-shaped x-ray beam ( ) and a line array ( ) of individual detectors ( , etc.). The detectors ( , etc.) detect radiation after passing through the package ( ) and provide a numerical electrical signal equal to the amount of radiation detected. If the sum of the multiplicity of numerical electrical signals is less than the standard value, the package ( ) is rejected from the conveyor ( ) by a rejection device ( ).

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Aurora, IL, United States of America

Brian A Piotrowski