초록 ▼

Apparatus and methods whereby flexible walled containers may be automatically pressure tested at a pressure testing station for the purpose of determining the presence of defective containers. Detected defective containers may thereafter be transported to an ejector station and ejected physically fr

Apparatus and methods whereby flexible walled containers may be automatically pressure tested at a pressure testing station for the purpose of determining the presence of defective containers. Detected defective containers may thereafter be transported to an ejector station and ejected physically from their respective supporting tray. The pressure testing station is provided with an array of pressure testing heads which are moveable reciprocally towards and away from the containers while supported in their tray. Each of the pressure testing heads thus makes sealing contact with the rim of an individual respective one of the containers supported in the tray. The ejector station is provided with an array of ejector assemblies equal in number to the number of containers supported on a tray and oriented at an angle relative to a vertical cross-machine plane. If a container is determined to be defective (i.e., will not achieve and/or maintain a predetermined pressure condition when a pressurizing fluid, such as pressurized air, is introduced into the container at the pressure testing station), a controller will issue a signal corresponding to that one of the ejector assemblies which is in registry with the detected defective container. Selective activation of that one ejector assembly will therefore cause an ejector foot to come into contact with the side wall of the defective container thereby forcing the container downwardly through the tray.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Apparatus for the automated, in-line testing of flexible walled containers having a rim which dependently supports the containers on a tray, said apparatus comprising:a pressure testing station for pressurizing the containers to a predetermined pressure condition;an eject

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Apparatus for the automated, in-line testing of flexible walled containers having a rim which dependently supports the containers on a tray, said apparatus comprising:a pressure testing station for pressurizing the containers to a predetermined pressure condition;an ejector station downstream of said pressure testing station for ejecting the defective container from the tray, said ejector station including ejector assemblies oriented at an angle relative to a vertical cross-machine plane and having a retracted position, wherein the ejector assembly is spaced above the container in registry therewith, and an extended position, wherein the ejector assembly contacts the flexible side wall of a container so as to forcibly push the container through the tray; anda controller for (i) determining whether any one of the containers is defective by an inability to maintain the pressure condition established at the pressure testing station, and (ii) moving a selected one of said ejector assemblies corresponding to said detected defective container from said retracted position and into said extended position to thereby cause the defective container to be pushed through the tray; whereinsaid ejector assemblies include an ejector foot which contacts the flexible side wall of the container when in said extended position and thereby causes an asymmetric force to be imparted to the container rim which inwardly collapses the container rim and allows the container to be pushed physically through the tray.