Inspection apparatus for flanged or curled open end parts of cans

An inspection apparatus for an open end of a can having a cylindrical body open at one end thereof comprising:

• (a) a can feeding duct from which cans are fed,
• (b) a ratchet wheel shaped can holder having a periphery facing the outlet of the can feeding duct and including means for receiving and removably holding cans fed from the can feeding duct, said can holder being rotatable about an axis and the speed of rotation of the can holder controlling the rate at which cans are fed to the can holder,
• (c) a plurality of sensor holders with each sensor holder mounting a plurality of eddy current sensors in a position facing the open end of a can to be inspected,
• (d) locating means for positioning each sensor holder at a predetermined location relative to the open end of a can to be inspected,
• (e) rotary driving means for rotating each sensor holder relative to the open end of a can being inspected,
• (f) discriminating means responsive to an output of the eddy current sensors and discriminating as to whether there is a defect in a can being inspected by the output of the eddy current sensors, and
• (g) discharge means responsive to said discriminating means and which discharges a can with a defect at a prescribed position and a can without defect at another prescribed position.