Silgan White Cap LLC

Other

White Cap, Inc.

Thomas C Schafer

A system of measuring a top surface of a closure to determine if the closure is properly affixed to a container. Multiple paths of measurements may be collected and analyzed. In various analysis paradigms, measurements on a given path are separated into different sets, such as a leading set that generally includes the first third of measurements, a trailing set that includes the trailing set of measurements, and a middle set that includes the middle third of measurements. Several methods of analysis may be based on a presumption that a properly affixed closure is symmetrical or near symmetrical.

Dual laser closure scan and method of using the same

A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of a closure on a container and determining whether the closure is properly seated includes at least two fiber optic heads positioned opposite one another on either side of a conveyor belt or other package transport mechanism. The optic heads face one another through the path of travel of a package. The optic fibers of the receiving head are arranged in a rectangular shape, narrow in the horizontal direction and long in the vertical direction. The optic heads are connected to an optical sensor with an analog output. As a package with a closure travels down the transport mechanism, the package closure interrupts portions of the light beam directed at the receiving head. The optical sensor generates an analog trace signal as the closure moves down the conveyor. A processor samples the analog signal and determines the presence and/or position of the closure therefrom.

Linear optical sensor for a closure

A trash container system, particularly for marine pleasure craft, for disposing of refuse wherein the trash container system comprises a trash bag holding device having laterally projecting extensions and a trash receptacle having a resilient, elastomeric, inlet mouth at its top, couplable to the trash bag holding device about and over the lateral extensions, and a sealable (e.g. zippered), refuse expelling outlet at its bottom. The resilient elastomeric inlet mouth functions to (1) securely couple the trash receptacle to the trash bag holding device via the collapsible elastomeric properties of the resilient elastomeric inlet mouth; (2) hold refuse in the trash receptacle; and (3) expand, easily and effortlessly, to receive therethrough refuse having a myriad of dimensions and shapes. In the preferred embodiment, the body of the trash receptacle is made of mesh material with a zipper extending across its bottom to selectively discharge the contained trash (alternatively the trash can be removed though the top, if so desired) and an expandable, elastomeric opening across its top for the easy insertion of trash (or its removable, if so desired). The system was specifically designed for marine use in, for example, pleasure craft, with the trash bag holding device being secured by, for example, screws or other like mechanical fasteners or adhesive to a vertical surface (e.g. a wooden cabinet wall but can be used elsewhere as well).

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Des Plaines, IL, United States of America

Thomas C Schafer