Abstract: 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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 25, 1997
Date of Patent:
March 21, 2000
Assignee:
QuesTech Packaging, Inc. Liquidating Trust
Inventors:
Michael R. O'Herron, John A. Loebach, Greg A. Whitehead