A method and apparatus for detecting external defects of a circular sealing member by means of irradiation of detecting rays. A laser detecting ray for scanning is irradiated to a surface of the circular member which is rotated at the detecting section, and reflected light from the surface is received to be converted into electric signals so that the surface defects can be optically inspected. In case there is a defective surface, an irregularly reflected light can be received and based on an extracted signal a defective surface can be easily discriminated from the normal surface. The circular member is delivered one after another to the detecting section wherein discrimination is automatically made whether the circular member is non-defective or defective by means of rotation, irradiation of detecting rays and defect detecting action.

A method and apparatus for inspecting glass tubes for fire checks and other defects is disclosed. Each tube is positioned on transport equipment and moved through an inspection area as it is rotated about its longitudinal axis by a spinner mechanism. A broad source of diffused light illuminates each tube in the inspection area. A camera is positioned above the moving line of tubes and includes an array of photosensitive diodes arranged parallel to the longitudinal axes of the tubes. A check in a tube will reflect a higher intensity light to the camera than a non-defective portion of the tube. By averaging the signals from the first few diodes for each longitudinal scan of the camera, a reference voltage level can be electronically determined for each scan. Any signal generated by a diode element of the camera which is greater than the sum of the reference signal and a predetermined signal indicates the presence of a defect in the tube.

A cop selecting and conveying apparatus for an automatic winder in which winding units are divided into a plurality of winding sections and different kinds of cops carried on carrying mediums are transferred on the conveying passage to each of the winding sections. A indicia is formed in either the carrying medium or the guide member at the side of the conveying passage and a device for discriminating or detecting the discrimination indicia is disposed at a position to corresponding to the indicia.

A machine, and operating procedures for a machine, for automatically threading, swaging and packaging surgical needles. A first mechanism is used to suture the needles and to pull test the needles to determine if certain maximum and minimum pull test requirements are met. The sutured needles are then transferred to packages on a second mechanism, and that mechanism indexes the packages through a series of stations to complete the packaging of the needles. Various checks are made at the packaging mechanism before that mechanism is operated to index the needle packages; and different items at the station used to pull test the needles, are monitored to determine if they return timely to predetermined positions. Also, check are made at the station at which the needles are transferred to the packages, to be sure that those items are in preferred positions before the packages are moved. A detector unit and procedure are employed to inspect the packages for sutures hanging outside the packages, and another detector unit and procedure are provided to inspect the packages for needles protruding from the packages.

A system for non-destructive, non-contacting use for detecting imperfections in multi-layered supply rolls of wound plastic film comprises a laser which scans the length of the particular roll being inspected with a photo-electric detector at a fixed reference angle which picks up reflected unimpeded and scattered light plus associated indicating and/or recording equipment. Defects in the roll, particularly those related to the upper longitudinal surface thereof, cause light scattering which decreases the signal strength to the indicator or recorder, thus noting the presence of a wrinkle or the like imperfection in the film roll.