PURPOSE: To obtain apparatus and method for detecting the deformed material in a transparent container.

CONSTITUTION: The apparatus 10 for detecting a commercial deformed material in a transparent container 2 like a glass bottle comprises a conveyor 14 for directing the container along a passage passing an inspecting state, and a light source 16 disposed at one side of the passage to direct optical energy via the container in the station. A light sensing camera 28 is disposed at the same side as the conveyor passage. A retroreflector 22 is disposed at the opposite side of the conveyor passage oppositely to the source 16 and camera 28 to inversely reflect the energy transmitted through the container 2 in the station from the source 16 to the camera 28 via the container 12. The material is detected as the function of the change of the intensity of the energy received by the camera 28.