R.j. Reynolds Tobacco Company

Kenneth W White

Bain C McConnell

John Larkin Nelson

William Robert Collett

Luis Mayan Dominguez

Calvin Wayne Henderson

Clifford R Marritt

Wallace R Lassiter

James C Lewis

Thomas W Cearley

Nancy Harmon Hawley

Michael A Warren

Arthur R St Onge

John A Szysh

James G Madding, Jr

Charles F deMey, Iii

David L Wright

Shannun W Clark

Mickey A Angell

A method and apparatus for automatically loading a cargo compartment of a vehicle is disclosed that maximizes the utilization of available space within the vehicle by determining an optimum load configuration based on various parameters of the vehicle and the containers to be loaded. A self-propelled robot loader is used to load the cargo compartment based on the determined optimum load configuration. The robot loader automatically withdraws from the cargo compartment as the loading is completed.

Automated cargo loading system

The invention provides package inspection systems which are capable of high speed sensing and evaluation of package integrity as packages are continuously conveyed in the manufacturing process. The systems are capable of measuring predetermined parameters of packages, e.g. cigarette packages, comparing the measured parameters with predetermined values, evaluating from the measured parameters the integrity of the packages and determining whether such packages are acceptable or, alternatively, should be rejected. The system can additionally obtain and store data on sensed package parameters for evaluating long-term and short-term manufacturing trends. In various embodiments of the invention, the system can inspect a single or plural package side(s), employing a single or plural line scan or area array camera(s) and may employ special optics to enable plural package side images to be obtained using a single camera. The invention also provides improved conveying systems for package inspection and master part detect systems which can be employed to obviate the need for synchronization between the inspection system and the conveying system.

Package inspection system

The apparatus of the invention comprises a lighting device for illuminating a component to be inspected to form a halo of light around a periphery of the component and a system for comparing the shape of the halo of light to a known acceptable shape. A camera may be used to detect the halo and a programmed computer may be used to perform image analysis of the shape of the halo to determine if it conforms to an acceptable shape.

Component inspection apparatus and method

A method and apparatus is disclosed that detects the specular reflections from the surface of a travelling web to determine if a material is coated on the web. The web is illuminated with diffuse light and the reflected light is received by a detector which determines the presence and width of the coated material based on the specular reflections from the coated surface of the travelling web.

Method and apparatus for detecting the deposition of an adhesive on a

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Lewisville, NC, United States of America

Kenneth W White