METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IDENTIFYING BEVERAGE METAL CAN AND METAL CAN TO BE IDENTIFIED

摘要

A method for the identification of metal cans for beverages or the like, at least one area of identification (7; 8) being provided extending around the entire circumference of the can (1) and not being interrupted by a possible other decoration or the like on said can, which area of identification (7; 8) is formed by a number of alternating contrasting stripes (9-13) the mutual width ( tau 1, tau 2, tau 3) of which is measured by at least one detector (19-25; 20, 20''; 23; 32'), an identification value (K), e.g. a deposit value, which is characteristic of said can being calculated by the aid of a calculating circuit (33). The measurement may be carried out while said can passes the detector or is briefly at rest. The can is provided with two areas of identification (7;8) at the upper and lower end portions, respectively, of said can (1). The areas of identification (7;8) are provided on said can simultaneously with any other decoration or the like (3, 4, 5, ). The apparatus provided for carrying out said method comprises said detector and the detector may be optically connected with a read head (20). Said read head may comprise two parts (21, 22), one (21) of which being optically connected with the detector (19) and the other part (22) being connected with a light source (24) for illuminating the area of identification on the can. The transition between said two parts (21,22) is defined by a straight separating line (23) oriented in parallel with the stripes of the area of identification.