Method and apparatus for inspection of containers

Abstract

A method of inspecting a container during transfer of the container includes connecting a crane to the container by way of a spreader bar, causing a probe to engage an inspection port on the container, and probing the container. The probe may be an imaging probe, a camera, or another device for inspecting the contents of the container. The probe may be shielded, and the probe or shield may penetrate the inspection port with sufficient force to disengage a spring-loaded mount of a retractable port seal. The inspection port may be at a side wall of the container. Based on the findings of the probe, the container may be identified for further inspection. An apparatus for inspecting a container, a method of fitting a container for inspection, and an apparatus which may be fit to a container to facilitate inspection thereof are also disclosed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.