Variable optical axis type bottle inspecting apparatus

A variable optical axis type bottle inspecting apparatus is disclosed. The bottle inspecting apparatus comprises illuminating means (10) for illuminating a bottle (12) continuously conveyed on rotation, an optical system for forming an image of lights transmitted through the bottle, photoelectric converting means for photoelectrically converting the transmitted light image of the bottle, optical axis changing means (14) for changing the optical axis of the optical system with respect to the photoelectric converting means (16) so that the transmitted light image of the bottle continuously conveyed is formed consecutively on the photoelectric converting means, and inspecting means for inspecting the sidewall of the bottle for defects, based on the transmitted light images photoelectrically converted by the photoelectric converting means. In the variable optical axis type bottle inspecting apparatus, the optical axis of an optical system is varied relatively to photoelectric means, whereby images of lights transmitted through a bottle on continuous move are formed consecutively on photoelectric means (16). This makes it possible that a bottle on continuous move is followed with the optical path not bent orthogonal. Consequently the apparatus can be miniaturized as a whole.