Outfeed mechanism for starwheel type glass inspection machine

A container inspection machine capable of discharging inspected containers from a starwheel feeder, said container inspection machine comprising an outfeed mechanism for receiving containers from the starwheel feeder, said outfeed mechanism comprising:

• an inner belt conveyor operable at a desired conveyor speed, said inner belt conveyor comprising:
• a pickoff wheel located adjacent the starwheel feeder;
• a second wheel;
• and
• at least one drive belt supported between said pickoff wheel and said second wheel for defining a linear outfeed belt portion;
• and
• an outer serpentine belt conveyor operable at the same desired conveyor speed, said outer serpentine belt conveyor comprising:
• an idler wheel, said idler wheel with said pickoff wheel defining an opening for receiving a container displaced by said starwheel feeder;
• a third wheel;
• and
• at least one flexible serpentine belt supported between said idler wheel and said third wheel;
• wherein said idler wheel and said third wheel are selectively located to define a serpentine belt path which, together with said pickoff wheel, defines an interference for the displacement of a container into the opening and around said pickoff wheel;
• and
• wherein said serpentine belt is sufficiently flexible so that a container displaced into the opening between said pickoff wheel and said idler wheel will be conveyed by said serpentine belt and said inner belt with said serpentine belt changing its configuration as the container is conveyed between said serpentine belt and said inner belt.

A method of operating a container inspection machine, comprising:

• receiving containers from a starwheel feeder via an outfeed mechanism, said outfeed mechanism comprising an inner belt conveyor and an outer serpentine belt conveyer;
• operating said inner belt conveyor at a desired conveyor speed, said inner belt conveyor comprising a pickoff wheel adjacent the starwheel feeder, a second wheel, and at least one drive belt supported between said pickoff wheel and said second wheel for defining a linear outfeed belt portion;
• operating an outer serpentine belt conveyor at the same desired conveyor speed, said outer serpentine belt conveyor comprising an idler wheel, a third wheel, and at least one flexible serpentine belt supported between said idler wheel and said third wheel, said idler wheel with said pickoff wheel defining an opening for receiving a container displaced by said starwheel feeder;
• respectively locating said idler wheel and said third wheel to define a serpentine belt path which, with said pickoff wheel, defines an interference for the displacement of a container into the opening and around said pickoff wheel;
• and
• making said serpentine belt sufficiently flexible so that a container displaced into the opening between said pickoff wheel and said idler wheel will be conveyed by said serpentine belt and said inner belt with said serpentine belt changing its configuration as the container is conveyed around said pickoff wheel.