An automated misfeed and/or fallen container detection system comprising: a conveyor providing a travel path for groups of elongated containers; and a rotating wheel in cooperating alignment with the conveyor, the wheel having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart pockets, each pocket configured to accept a single upright elongated container; characterized in that the system comprises: a plurality of spaced apart sensors (20, 30, 40) including (i) at least one lower sensor configured to transmit a respective optical signal across the container travel path proximate the wheel at a height that is less than a width dimension of the containers, and (ii) at least one upper sensor that is positioned proximate the wheel configured to transmit an optical signal at a height corresponding to a top portion of an upright container to thereby allow detection of different orientations and positions of fallen containers and/or container jam or blockage conditions, wherein the at least one lower sensor comprises a first lower sensor and a second lower sensor, the first lower sensor being downstream of the second lower sensor, with each residing proximate the rotating wheel, the first and second lower sensors (20, 30) configured to transmit respective first and second non-intersecting first and second optical signals (20s, 30s) across the conveyor container travel path proximate the rotating wheel, and wherein the height at which each of the first and second optical signals (20s, 30s) are transmitted is no greater than or below a width dimension of the containers, optionally wherein the first and second optical signals (20s, 30s) diverge away from each other as they project across the conveyor so that the first and second optical signals (20s, 30s) are closer together on one side of the conveyor travel path relative to an opposing side of the travel path. a conveyor providing a travel path for groups of elongated containers; and a rotating wheel in cooperating alignment with the conveyor, the wheel having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart pockets, each pocket configured to accept a single upright elongated container; a plurality of spaced apart sensors (20, 30, 40) including (i) at least one lower sensor configured to transmit a respective optical signal across the container travel path proximate the wheel at a height that is less than a width dimension of the containers, and (ii) at least one upper sensor that is positioned proximate the wheel configured to transmit an optical signal at a height corresponding to a top portion of an upright container to thereby allow detection of different orientations and positions of fallen containers and/or container jam or blockage conditions, wherein the at least one lower sensor comprises a first lower sensor and a second lower sensor, the first lower sensor being downstream of the second lower sensor, with each residing proximate the rotating wheel, the first and second lower sensors (20, 30) configured to transmit respective first and second non-intersecting first and second optical signals (20s, 30s) across the conveyor container travel path proximate the rotating wheel, and wherein the height at which each of the first and second optical signals (20s, 30s) are transmitted is no greater than or below a width dimension of the containers, optionally wherein the first and second optical signals (20s, 30s) diverge away from each other as they project across the conveyor so that the first and second optical signals (20s, 30s) are closer together on one side of the conveyor travel path relative to an opposing side of the travel path.