Patent ID: 8908168

Claim:
An apparatus for the detection and angular orientation of containers in labelling machines comprising, a rotating turntable for the handling of containers, said turntable defining a radius of curvature, a plurality of motor-driven pans each having a controller, said motor-driven pans being rotatably connected to said rotating turntable for supporting said containers, an optical sensor lying along a horizontal plane, said optical sensor positioned external to the rotating turntable and oriented along an arc of a circle having a radius corresponding to said radius of curvature of said turntable, said sensor being adapted for acquiring an image of one or more container rotated on said motor-driven pans, first adjustment means for selectively adjusting the height of said optical sensor relative to the height of the turntable, an illuminating device positioned internally with respect to said turntable such that each container, when supported by a motor-driven pan, passes between said optical sensor and said illuminating device, said illuminating device positioned above said horizontal plane on which said optical sensor lies, such that said illuminating device is capable of providing high-contrast inclined-backlighting illumination of said containers, for maximizing contrast of any reference sign present on said containers, second adjustment means for selectively adjusting the height and orientation of said illuminating device, a photocell arranged in alignment with said optical sensor, said photocell being adapted for detecting the presence or absence of a container on each of said motor-driven pans, said first and second adjustment means being adjustable for placing said photocell in alignment with said optical sensor in a manner that optimizes image contrast, a computing and control unit operatively connected to said optical sensor, illuminating device and photocell; said computing and control unit capable of acquiring images, identifying reference signs on containers, comparing the reference signs to a calibration table, calculating deviation from the calibration table, and sending a command to one or more controllers of said motor-driven pans to rotate said motor-driven pan to correct said deviation.