Abstract: A method for ascertaining the presence of cracks in sealed containers includes steps of defining a detection zone (13) in which a sealed container (CT) will be placed, placing a container (CT) in the detection zone (13), ascertaining the presence of a thermal gradient determined by the container in the detection zone (13), the thermal gradient being indicative of the presence of a crack in the container (CT).

Abstract: A system for detecting leaks from containers is provided. The system comprises conveying means including at least one inlet conveyor belt and being configured to transport containers, already filled with a given food and sealed, to an inspection zone. The system further comprises an inspection apparatus, configured to test the tightness of containers arrived at the inspection zone. The inspection apparatus comprises extraction means and suction means, configured to induce the release of volatile substances from each container arrived at the inspection zone and suck in gas surrounding each of the containers and any volatile substances leaked from the containers. The inspection apparatus also including detection means configured to analyze the sucked-in gas and detect the presence of any volatile substances leaked from the containers.

Abstract: A method for recognizing the presence of leakages from sealed containers includes defining a detection zone in which a sealed container will be placed, putting the detection zone in communication with at least one gas sensor through at least one duct, introducing a flushing gas into the detection zone through the duct, placing a container in the detection zone; and sucking a gas flow from the detection zone through the duct and transferring it to a first sensor. The gas flow that reaches the first sensor is either transferred to a second sensor or to the first sensor for a second time. The signals generated by the two sensors, or the two signals generated by the same sensor, are processed for determining the presence of a gas leakage in the container.

Abstract: A method for detecting leakages of fluids from sealed containers includes defining a detection zone in which a sealed container will be placed, putting the detection zone in communication with at least one gas sensor through at least one duct, introducing a flushing gas into the detection zone through the at least one duct, placing a container in the detection zone, sucking gases from the detection zone through the duct and transferring them to the sensor for ascertaining the presence of a gas leakage in the container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (100) for spatially detecting any foreign bodies within a product (135) on the basis of dielectric characteristics of said product (135), said system (100) comprising: conveyor means (150) adapted to convey said product (135) through a scanning region (S) along a crossing direction (L), in a predefined crossing time interval (T) for crossing said scanning region (S); a plurality of antennae (200) arranged transversally to said crossing direction (L), wherein each antenna (210) of said plurality of antennae (200) is adapted to operate in the microwave range, and wherein each antenna (210) is adapted to transmit an electromagnetic scanning signal adapted to propagate in said scanning region (S), so as to diffuse in said product (135); processing means (250) adapted to generate a first set of values indicative of the dielectric characteristics of said product (135) based on at least one diffused electromagnetic signal received by at least one antenna (210) of said plural

Abstract: A method for detecting the angular position of a cap with respect to a bottle is provided. A first image of a cap provided with a first marker and of at least a portion of the bottle with which the cap is associated and which is provided with a second marker is captured. Liquid drops and other possible impurities existing thereon are removed from and/or displaced relative to the cap and bottle portion. A second image of the cap and bottle portion is then captured. The first image and second image are compared to obtain at least one processing which is free from “noise” and interferences due to the liquid drops and on which the positions of the first and second markers can be determined without errors. The relative angular position of the first and second markers are determined. An apparatus suitable to implement the aforesaid method is also provided.

Abstract: A method for ascertaining the presence of cracks in sealed containers includes steps of defining a detection zone (13) in which a sealed container (CT) will be placed, placing a container (CT) in the detection zone (13), ascertaining the presence of a thermal gradient determined by the container in the detection zone (13), the thermal gradient being indicative of the presence of a crack in the container (CT).

Abstract: A method for detecting leakages of fluids from sealed containers includes defining a detection zone in which a sealed container will be placed, putting the detection zone in communication with at least one gas sensor through at least one duct, introducing a flushing gas into the detection zone through the at least one duct, placing a container in the detection zone, sucking gases from the detection zone through the duct and transferring them to the sensor for ascertaining the presence of a gas leakage in the container.

Abstract: A method for recognizing the presence of leakages from sealed containers includes defining a detection zone in which a sealed container will be placed, putting the detection zone in communication with at least one gas sensor through at least one duct, introducing a flushing gas into the detection zone through the duct, placing a container in the detection zone; and sucking a gas flow from the detection zone through the duct and transferring it to a first sensor. The gas flow that reaches the first sensor is either transferred to a second sensor or to the first sensor for a second time. The signals generated by the two sensors, or the two signals generated by the same sensor, are processed for determining the presence of a gas leakage in the container.

Abstract: A method for detecting the angular position of a cap with respect to a bottle is provided. A first image of a cap provided with a first marker and of at least a portion of the bottle with which the cap is associated and which is provided with a second marker is captured. Liquid drops and other possible impurities existing thereon are removed from and/or displaced relative to the cap and bottle portion. A second image of the cap and bottle portion is then captured. The first image and second image are compared to obtain at least one processing which is free from “noise” and interferences due to the liquid drops and on which the positions of the first and second markers can be determined without errors. The relative angular position of the first and second markers are determined. An apparatus suitable to implement the aforesaid method is also provided.

Abstract: A non-destructive measurement unit of gas concentration in sealed containers and an automatic filling and/or packaging line using such a unit are provided. The flexible containers are at least partially optically transparent, and the measurement unit comprises a light source for emitting a light beam at a wavelength tunable with an absorption wavelength of a gas contained in the sealed flexible container. The light source directs the light beam toward at least one inspection area, and a detector detects at least a portion of the beam after the beam passes through the inspection area and outputs data representative of an absorption spectrum of the gas. Means for generating a head space of predefined width into the sealed flexible container is adapted to advance the sealed flexible container by an advancement path which crosses the inspection zone and to maintain the predefined width of the head space during the advancement.

Abstract: A group and method for measuring the pressure in closed containers made from optically transparent material at least at a portion of a top space without contacting the containers, and a filling and/or packaging plant using the measuring group. The measuring group comprises an inspection area; a laser source with optical axis for the emission of a laser beam at a wavelength tunable with an absorption wavelength of a gas contained in a container top space; at least one detector to detect the laser beam once it has travelled through the inspection area to provide an absorption spectrum of said gas; a device for detecting the signal acquisition time period corresponding to the passage of a top space through the inspection area; having means for identifying signal contributions useful for the pressure measurement amongst the data representative of an absorption spectrum acquired during the signal acquisition time period.

Abstract: The sampling control station comprises at least one grasping and transporting group (22) for picking up containers or bottles (16) from conveying means (18) and transporting them to at least one measuring module (21?,21?,21??), the containers or bottles (16) being provided with a body tapered into a neck and ending with a mouth, wherein an annular ribbing (19) is foreseen at the mouth, and it is characterized in that the grasping and transporting group (22) comprises gripping means (23) connected to a mobile support structure (30), the gripping means (23) being mobile between a gripping position, in which they are engaged with the neck of the container (16) at and below the annular ribbing (19), and a release position in which they are not engaged with the container (16).

Abstract: A non-destructive measurement unit of gas concentration in sealed containers and an automatic filling and/or packaging line using such a unit are provided. The flexible containers are at least partially optically transparent, and the measurement unit comprises a light source for emitting a light beam at a wavelength tunable with an absorption wavelength of a gas contained in the sealed flexible container. The light source directs the light beam toward at least one inspection area, and a detector detects at least a portion of the beam after the beam passes through the inspection area and outputs data representative of an absorption spectrum of the gas. Means for generating a head space of predefined width into the sealed flexible container is adapted to advance the sealed flexible container by an advancement path which crosses the inspection zone and to maintain the predefined width of the head space during the advancement.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a group (10) and method for measuring the pressure in closed containers (30) made from optically transparent material at least at a portion of a top space (31) thereof, and a filling and/or packaging plant (100) using the measuring group. In particular the present invention concerns a group and a method for contactlessly measuring the pressure in closed containers, able to be used directly in automatic filling and/or packaging plants operating at high speed, without the need to stop or slow down such plants or in any case to pick up the containers from the same.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a sampling control station for a containers or bottles filling plant and to a containers or bottles filling plant comprising the same. The sampling control station according to the present invention comprises at least one grasping and transporting group (22) for picking up containers or bottles (16) from conveying means (18) and transporting them to a measuring zone, and at least one module (40) for measuring the removal torque and/or the reclosing angle of a cap (28) of the container (16) acting upon a container or bottle (16) transported to the measuring zone, and it is characterized in that the module (40) for measuring the removal torque and the reclosing angle is such as to take up a first configuration engaged with the cap (28), wherein the cap (28) can be set in rotation by the module (40) for measuring the removal torque and the reclosing angle, and a second configuration disengaged from the cap (28).

Abstract: The present invention refers no a plant for filling bottles or containers with continuous calibration and to a continuous calibration method of such a plant. The calibration method (100) is characterized in that it comprises the steps consisting of collecting (110) at least one set of data relating to filling and/or closing parameters of containers or bottles (16) treated through the same tap or filling valve (15) of the filling plant (10) and/or through the same closing and/or capping head (14) of the filling plant (10); based on the data collected, calculating (120) statistical data associated with the tap or filling valve (15) and/or with the closing and/or capping head (14); updating (130) the statistical data based on new data collected and monitoring the progression thereof; in the case of a variation of the statistical data over time, adjusting the tap or filling valve (15) and/or the closing and/or capping head (14) associated with the statistical data so as to compensate for the variation.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a group for the in-line measuring of the quantity of carbon dioxide dissolved in a liquid contained in a closed container such as bottles, jars and so on and to an automatic containers filling plant comprising such measuring group. The measuring group according to the present invention comprises at least one inspection area (20,20?) suitable for housing at least one container (11), at the at least one inspection area (20,20?) being provided at least one laser spectroscopy device (16) for measuring the partial pressure of carbon dioxide present in the head space (13) of a container (11) placed in the at least one inspection area (20,20?), and it is characterised in that at the at least one inspection area (20,20?) there are additionally provided means for mixing (12) the content of said container (11).

Abstract: The present invention refers to a sampling control station for a containers or bottles filling plant and to a containers or bottles filling plant comprising the same. The sampling control station according to the present invention comprises at least one grasping and transporting group (22) for picking up containers or bottles (16) from conveying means (18) and transporting them to at least one measuring module (21?,21?,21??), the containers or bottles (16) being provided with a body tapered into a neck and ending with a mouth, wherein an annular ribbing (19) is foreseen at the mouth, and it is characterised in that the grasping and transporting group (22) comprises gripping means (23) connected to a mobile support structure (30), the gripping means (23) being mobile between a gripping position, in which they are engaged with the neck of the container (16) at and below the annular ribbing (19), and a release position in which they are not engaged with the container (16).

Abstract: The present invention refers to a sampling control station for a containers or bottles filling plant and to a containers or bottles filling plant comprising the same. The sampling control station according to the present invention comprises at least one grasping and transporting group (22) for picking up containers or bottles (16) from conveying means (18) and transporting them to a measuring zone, and at least one module (40) for measuring the removal torque and/or the reclosing angle of a cap (28) of the container (16) acting upon a container or bottle (16) transported to the measuring zone, and it is characterised in that the module (40) for measuring the removal torque and the reclosing angle is such as to take up a first configuration engaged with the cap (28), wherein the cap (28) can be set in rotation by the module (40) for measuring the removal torque and the reclosing angle, and a second configuration disengaged from the cap (28).