System and method for determining pushup of a molded glass container

A method of operating a system for use with a glass container handling apparatus, said system for inspecting glass containers handled by the apparatus to determine a height of a bottom of the containers relative to a base positioned adjacent the apparatus and adapted to receive the bottom of the containers handled by the container handling apparatus, said bottom of the containers including an inwardly hollowed portion, said method comprising the steps of:

• positioning at least one of the containers on the base;
• generating a signal representative of a distance between a surface of a proximity sensor and the bottom of the positioned container, said distance being a function of the height of the bottom of the positioned container relative to the base;
• and
• determining the height of the inwardly hollowed portion of the bottom of the positioned container based on the distance as indicated by the signal.

An apparatus for handling a glass container, said container having a bottom including an inwardly hollowed portion, comprising:

• a base adapted to receive the container;
• a first mover for transporting the container to the base;
• a proximity sensor for generating a signal representative of a distance between a surface of the proximity sensor and the bottom of the container on the base, said distance being a function of the height of the bottom of the positioned container relative to the base;
• a processor receiving and responsive to the signal from the proximity sensor for determining the height of the inwardly hollowed portion of the container bottom based on the distance as indicated by the signal;
• and
• a second mover for transporting the container from the base.