Abstract

In a cavity identification system the containers, which are upright, will be in single file and will be diverted from a linear conveyor by a rotating starwheel, having in the periphery thereof, pockets which generally correspond to the external diameter of the containers. The starwheel serves to guide the containers from the side of the conveyor, in slightly spaced-apart fashion, over an identification station where the cavity identification reader is positioned. After the container has passed the reading position, it will be moved back onto the moving conveyor so that the container will be carried to a later processing position. Guard rails are provided at both the incoming and outgoing ends of the cavity reading system to guide the containers in series relationship. The described inspection apparatus may be moved as a unit away from the side of the conveyor an amount to clear the normal span of the conveyor. When the inspection apparatus is moved away, a pair of straight rails will be automatically moved into the intervening gap in the permanent guard rails over that span of the conveyor which is bypassed for inspection purposes. The straight rails then span the gap between the permanent rails that are already present in overlying relationship to the conveyor, and in this manner the containers which are being moved by the conveyor may move uninterrupted during any period when the identification or inspection equipment is temporarily out of use.