초록 ▼

A device is provided for testing the integrity of each container in a conveyed sequence of containers by individually applying pressure internally of each, sensing that pressure and generating a signal having a magnitude corresponding to the value of that pressure, comparing that signal magnitude to

A device is provided for testing the integrity of each container in a conveyed sequence of containers by individually applying pressure internally of each, sensing that pressure and generating a signal having a magnitude corresponding to the value of that pressure, comparing that signal magnitude to a selected threshold signal value, providing an output control signal indicative of the achievement of that signal magnitude and setting an enablement device in one of two states corresponding to the presence and absence, respectively, of that output control signal. One of those states corresponds to an unacceptable container condition and the other to an acceptable container condition. If the unacceptable container condition or reject state exists, a reject cycle is enabled over at least an enabling duration sufficient to clear the container or broken portion thereof from the position it occupies in the sequence. The reject apparatus enabled during the reject cycle is constrained to apply a reject force such as a jet of air over the space occupied by the unacceptable container as well as space upstream therefrom within the extent of the reject cycle to clear from the conveyor all debris associated with the unacceptable container. A counter is provided in several embodiments for determining the number of acceptable containers in a give sequence. A mechanical reject device extends and retracts within the selected enabling duration while the air is enabled for the duration of the reject cycle to purge the conveyor surface.

대표청구항 ▼

Means for testing the integrity of each of a series of liquid filled－liquid tight containers being conveyed in a uniformly spaced and timed sequence past a testing station comprising: a machine frame defining a test location; conveyor means on said machine frame for conveying said containers in a un

Means for testing the integrity of each of a series of liquid filled－liquid tight containers being conveyed in a uniformly spaced and timed sequence past a testing station comprising: a machine frame defining a test location; conveyor means on said machine frame for conveying said containers in a uniformly spaced sequence past said test location in continuous motion; a source of fluid pressure; hydrostatic pressure head means sealably engaging said containers and applying pressure from said fluid pressure source to the interior of each of said containers during translation thereof through said test location for a corresponding test interval; pressure sensing transducer means connected with said pressure head means providing an output signal of a magnitude corresponding to said pressure applied to said container during each said test interval; threshold detecting means responsive to said output signal for providing a control signal output in response to a predetermined threshold value of said output signal; enabling means responsive to said control signal output for assuming at least first and second states in response to the occurrence and non-occurrence, respectively, of said control signal; a source of operating power; interrogate timing means interconnected with said source of operating power and said enabling means for cyclically applying operating power to said enabling means in coordination with the application of pressure to each of said containers at said test location and commencing at a given time in each said test interval and continuing for a predetermined interrogation duration; reject cycle timing means responsive to one of said states of said enabling means and said interrogate timing means for enabling a reject cycle for a predetermined enabling duration occurring at a time subsequent to a corresponding test interval; reject apparatus control means responsive to said reject cycle timing means for initiating and terminating said reject cycle over a reject cycle duration at least as great as and concurrently initiated with the enabling duration of said reject cycle timing means; and reject apparatus means actuated by said reject apparatus control means and located downstream of said test station for clearing said conveyor of a said container or any part thereof which occasioned the last prior enablement of said reject cycle timing means.