Agr International, Inc.

Msa Technology, LLC

Mine Safety Appliances Company

Mark Fiori Zanella, Sr

Henry M Dimmick

Thomas F Melnik

Michael Alvin Brown

William E Schmidt

Daniel E Bruce

Meghan E Swanson

Michael B Schulman

Daniel D Santoro, Jr

James B Miller

Jon K Haverstick

James A Cahall

Henry M Dimmick, Sr, Deceased

An article-inspection apparatus includes a light source for directing light energy with multiple wavelengths at the article and multiple sensors to receive light reflected from external and internal surfaces of the wall of the article, with the reflections being used to compute a physical characteristic, e.g., wall thickness, of the container, due to the light absorption characteristics of the material of the wall of the article. A single light sensitive sensor may be used if the light source wavelengths can be selectively transmitted. The apparatus can be used for inspecting transparent plastic containers that are filled (with a liquid) or unfilled. The apparatus may determine the wall thickness of transparent plastic containers even if they have in-molded features or decorations that make their inner and outer walls non-parallel.

Method and apparatus for inspecting liquid filled hollow transparent articles

A sensor system for detecting mass deposition from a gaseous environment includes a first sensor element including a first electrically conductive heating component and a first interface structure on the first electrically conductive heating component. The sensor system further includes electronic circuitry in connection with the first electrically conductive heating component. The electronic circuitry is configured to provide energy to the first electrically conductive heating component to heat the first sensor element and to measure a thermodynamic response of the first sensor element, which varies with mass deposition of one or more compositions on the first interface structure.

Sensor for compositions which deposit upon a surface from a gaseous matrix

A combustible gas sensor for detecting a combustible analyte includes a first sensing element including a first conductive element in electrical connection with an electronic circuitry, a first support structure in operative connection with the first conductive element, a catalyst supported on the first support structure for catalyzing a reaction of the analyte, and a system for measuring a variable related to the reactance of the first sensing element. Changes in the measured variable over time provide an indication of an operational status of the first sensing element.

Diagnostics for catalytic structures and combustible gas sensors including catalytic structures

A photoionization detector includes a housing, electrical contacts within the housing and an easily removable and replaceable photoionization chamber within the housing. The photoionization chamber includes a cathodic electrode and an anodic electrode which may be coated with a thin layer of material. The photoionization chamber and the associated cathodic electrode and anodic electrode are removable from within the housing as a unit. The photoionization chamber makes electrical connection with the contacts when seated within the housing regardless of the orientation of the photoionization chamber about an axis.

Photoionization detectors, ionization chambers for use in photoionization detectors, and methods of use of photoionization detectors

A method of determining a physical characteristic of a hollow transparent article includes positioning the article at an inspection station, creating a scanning light beam which is split into two inspection light beams which are caused to impinge on different portions of the article. A plurality of sensors receive light reflected from the external and internal surfaces of the wall of the article and convert the same into corresponding electrical signals. The electrical signals are based upon the elapsed time from the initiation of the light beam or scanning light beam until arrival of a reflected light beam at least two sensors. The transparent article may, for example, be a container or tube. The inspection light beams are preferably caused to impinge on the article from opposed directions with each impinging on the article within about &deg; degrees and preferably about &deg; degrees of a radial plane perpendicular to the article. The method may be employed to determine wall thickness of the hollow article and/or shape thereof. The processor, which may be any suitably programmed microprocessor, effects comparison between the electrical signals received from the opto-electrical sensors and stored information with time of arrival of reflected light beams from the object facilitating the processor's determination regarding wall thickness or shape. The invention also provides apparatus for inspecting hollow transparent articles which includes a light source, a scanner for creating a scanning light beam, a beam splitter to convert the light beam into two inspection beams which are caused to impinge on two different portions of the container and a plurality of sensors which receive reflected light beams from the container and emit responsive electrical signals to a processor. The processor receives a time initiation signal from a first sensor and time of receipt of reflected signals from at least two additional sensors.

Method and apparatus for inspecting hollow transparent articles

Apparatus for inspecting containers has a support arm for supporting and transporting the containers. The support arm has a pair of movable arms defining a gap and having a recess for engaging the exterior of the finish or neck of the containers. A light source directs lights onto the movable arms and a detector receives light passing through the gap between the movable arms. The detector emits a responsive electrical signal to a processor which determines whether the container has a bulge and whether it is a reject. The movable arms are so structured and positioned as to enlarge the gap when a bulge is present on the exterior of the finish or neck of the container. One or more support arms are preferably disposed within a container forming machine which forms blow molded resinous plastic containers. An associated method is disclosed.

Apparatus and associated method for inspecting containers for bulges

Apparatus for inspecting non-round annular containers includes elongated capacitive sensors, cooperating oscillators, which convert the sensor signal to a voltage corresponding thereto, and an electronic processor which receives the voltage and determines thickness. A displaceable electromechanical member is operatively associated with the sensor and emits an electrical signal corresponding to the degree of displacement of the sensor by a container being inspected. The electronic processor corrects the thickness determination by an adjustment of container diameter at the specific location where thickness is being monitored in order to compensate for container diameter variations due to the non-round characteristic of the container. In a preferred embodiment, linkage members secured to the rear of the sensor at a plurality of locations cooperate with a single displaceable element which converts the mechanical displacement of the sensor into a corresponding electrical signal. Movement between the capacitive sensors and the apparatus urging the containers into intimate contact therewith to accommodate variations in container diameter, while maintaining intimacy of sensor-container contact, is provided. The sensors and/or apparatus for urging the containers into intimate contact may be resiliently mounted. In one embodiment, sensors may be placed on both sides of the path of travel of the container which will have its diameter monitored on both sides thereby permitting rotation of the container against the sensors through 180.degree. rather than 360.degree.. A corresponding method is provided.

Growing community of inventors

Chicora, PA, United States of America

Mark Fiori Zanella, Sr