Abstract: In various embodiments, a flexible lid seal detector is disclosed. The flexible lid seal detector comprises a compression body. A compression rim extends from a distal end of the compression body. The compression rim comprises an outer perimeter and inner perimeter. The inner perimeter defines a recessed lid deflection area. The compression rim is configured to apply a force to a flexible lid coupled to a container. A sensor is coupled to the compression body and positioned to detect the deflection of the flexible lid in response to the force applied to the flexible lid. The sensor is configured to detect an amount of deflection of the flexible lid within the recessed lid deflection area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring the filling of a capsule with a medicament, a corresponding filing method and the corresponding devices. According to the monitoring method, after at least part of the capsule is filled with a given filling mass of given closed shape of medicament, in a first step, at least the filling mass located in the part of the capsule after filling is recorded with a digital image, in a second step, the shape of the filling mass located in the part of the capsule is determined from the digital image and, in a third step, the shape analysed to give an analysis of the filling in comparison with given shapes.

Abstract: The reverse vending machine (RVM) receives, handles, sorts, and stores returnable items or objects. The RVM includes an item supporting, rotating, sorting and conveyor unit, an upright storage chamber for such items, a safety apparatus to avoid operational hazards, a camera aided detection device for detecting at least one of a bar code on and other characteristics, e.g. contour, of an item, a simplified token system , and a drive system with a releasable power coupling for operating the sorting device and a further storage device.

Abstract: There exists a demand for providing a method and apparatus capable of sorting articles whose upper and lower attitudes are inverted, in a simple and positive manner, from among different-formed articles such as candies having upper and lower portions different in outside diameter.

Abstract: A method and a device relating to handling caps for drinking straws is provided. In particular, the method and device provide for examining caps and discarding incomplete sets of caps and/or sets of caps in which at least one cap is aligned incorrectly.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for detecting or inspecting for a lining of a container closure that is formed of a sheet metal and has a panel on an inside surface of the closure. The panel of the closure has a lining formed thereon. The system according to the present invention includes a conveyor for moving plural closures longitudinally and substantially through the system, a color sensor that inspects the panel of each one of the closures on the conveyor for a predetermined color, and a separator that is capable of removing closures that lack the predetermined color. The system may include an oven downstream from the sensor to bake the lining. Thus, the system automatically identifies and removes the closure having the deficient color from the conveyor. A corresponding method for identifying and removing a closure having a deficient color is also disclosed.

Abstract: To test closed containers, e.g. with regard to residual air volume or the quality and tightness of the closures which are attached to containers, mechanical oscillations are excited in the closure, the mechanical oscillations are analyzed, measurement values are derived from this, these measurement values are compared with pre-set values for acceptable closures and a signal is produced which states whether the measurement value corresponds to a value for an acceptable closure. To increase the reliability of the test, the oscillation properties of the closure blanks (R) are also ascertained before their attachment to the containers (B) and the range of acceptable values of the closures (V) attached to the containers (B) is chosen according to the oscillation properties of the corresponding closure blank (R). The closure blanks (R) can be classified according to their oscillation properties.

Abstract: Device and process for the manufacture of hollow plastic objects to screen out defective plastic preforms that are to be molded into their desired shape in a molding station before they reach the molding station, the conveyor track leading into the molding station comprising a screening area through which the preforms are conveyed in such a way that they are loosely supported on only one side, wherein screening apparatuses are provided in the screening area to screen out defective plastic preforms in response to signals from an inspection station.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for sorting post-consumed bottles exactly and efficiently and an apparatus for carrying out the method. The sorting apparatus comprises a supply section, a separating section, a detecting section comprising a first image pickup camera for detecting the size and contour of each post-consumed bottle and a second image pickup camera for high speed detection of color by a defined image pickup utilizing data from the first image pickup camera, a sorting section for sorting and discharging only post-consumed bottles already classified to sorting containers preliminarily placed in accordance with data received from the detecting section, and a control section for controlling a series of operations timely. Since the scope of the image pickup for detecting color of the post-consumed bottles is defined in accordance with the data from the detecting section, picture processing at a high speed is achieved resulting in remarkable sorting performance.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for non-destructively testing for a predetermined minimum release torque of container caps on containers at a torque testing station. The apparatus includes a device for clamping the containers at the torque testing station; a device for grasping the caps of the containers at the torque testing station; a device connected to the cap grasping device for applying a release torque to the container caps; and, a device including a strain gage coupled to the release torque applying device for sensing the level of release torque applied to the caps and providing a signal indicative of such level. The apparatus also includes selectively operable controls for destructively testing selected capped containers, on a sampling basis, to determine the actual release torque of the container caps on such containers.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for non-destructively testing for a predetermined minimum release torque of container caps on containers that are sequentially delivered to a torque testing station in the apparatus. The apparatus includes a device for delivering capped containers to the torque testing station; a device for clamping the containers at the torque testing station; a device for grasping the caps of the containers at the torque testing station; a device connected to the cap grasping device for applying a release torque to the container caps; and, a device including a strain gage coupled to the release torque applying device for sensing the level of release torque applied to the caps and providing a signal indicative of such level. Capped containers that pass the test are sequentially passed along for further processing (e.g., packaging and shipping) by the user, and those that fail the test are segregated in a reject area for reprocessing or destruction.

Abstract: A method for measuring a curvature of a reflective surface includes the steps of directing a pair of collimated light beams onto a substantially smooth portion of the reflective surface and measuring the separation of the light beam images reflected from the surface as a representation of the curvature of the surface. An apparatus utilizing this method includes a pair of lasers for producing respective collimated light beams, a laser mount arranged to direct the separate light beams from the lasers as substantially parallel light beams onto a substantially smooth portion of a reflective surface being measured to produce respective bright spots on the surface, receiving images of the bright spots onto a diffuse target surface, viewing these bright spot images with a sensor to produce a light intensity pattern encompassing the spots and calculating the separation of the bright spot images from the light intensity pattern as a measure of the curvature of the surface.

Abstract: High speed system and mechanism for selecting a vial or vials from a series line of vials driven in a given spaced relationship into a capping and sealing mechanism, wherein detection signals are taken in a seal force monitor according to preset criteriae such as bottle configuration and efficiency of capping and sealing, and a vial acceptance or rejection device is operatively tied in to the seal force monitor on a screw feed mechanism, the vials being advanced by a screw feed mechanism into pockets in rotating starwheels, gripper fingers are positioned in conjunction with the starwheel and operable by cam means selectively operated by a signal from the monitor to indicate that a specific vial is to be rejected, the gripper fingers being designed to snap around and hold the vial as long as required, a secondary cam being used to drive the gripper fingers back to a normal inoperative position and/or to release a selected vial to be rejected and deposited into a special path, the secondary cam being further de

Abstract: A system and method for determining the integrity of a sealed container closure assembly wherein the closure is secured to the container by a force applying member and the integrity is determined by converting the force used to secure the closure into a force signal and comparing the force signal to a reference signal, which is reflective of the force used during a closure operation which resulted in seal integrity. The force signal which comprises a series of electrical signals is compared to a series of corresponding reference signals or is a single signal compared to a reference signal at a plurality of points during the closure operation. An indicator is used to indicate when a preselected number of acceptable or non-acceptable comparisons are reached.

Abstract: Containers pass through a radiation beam projected from a beam source to a detector. The detector output pulse rates at points where the container has passed partially into the beam and partially out of the beam are detected. Pulse rates during a measuring interval which lies between these points are divided by time units from a clock pulse generator to produce a signal representative of the average pulse rate during the interval. This signal is compared to a selectable reference signal. If a comparison is made, the comparator yields a signal indicative of whether or not material in the container was at a high enough level to attenuate the beam.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting whether the top panel of a container cap is properly depressed as capped containers are conveyed along a travel path. The apparatus is of the type comprising a floating shoe disposed over the travel path and carrying a proximity sensor. The shoe includes a reference portion arranged to be contacted by the caps to conform the shoe to the orientation of the cap. The floating shoe is mounted for lateral movement and includes guide flanges. The flanges extend generally fore-to-aft and are arranged to be contacted by the caps to shift the shoe laterally so as to position the proximity sensor over the same portions of successive caps. If caps of non-metallic material are being sensed, a metal spring member is carried by the shoe and is arranged to be contacted by the top panel of each cap and assume a spacing from the proximity sensor in accordance with the degree of depression of the top panel. The proximity sensor is directed toward the spring member to sense the latter.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for determining the integrity of a container sealed by means of a closure comprising a resilient sealing element and a cup-like cap having a top and a depending skirt compressing the resilient sealing element over the discharge opening in the container. The invention consists of verifying seal integrity by applying an external force to the cap and measuring the force required to effect initial movement thereof to overcome the residual static force in the resilient sealing element and by comparing the measured force which is essentially equal to the residual static force in the resilient sealing element to a predetermined standard known to provide an acceptable seal. It is known that when the force between the crimped edge of the cap and the container is zero which occurs upon initial displacement of the cap relative to the container, the externally applied force is essentially equal to the residual static force in the resilient sealing element.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for testing the integrity of a container sealed by means of a closure comprising a resilient sealing element and a cup-like cap having a top and a depending skirt compressing the sealing element over the discharge opening in the container. The invention consists in measuring the change in thickness of the resilient sealing element resulting from compression of the sealing element on the container and comparing the change in thickness or a value determined therefrom to a predetermined standard known to indicate sufficient compression to provide an acceptable seal. Resilient sealing element thickness is measured by apparatus including a sensing head having an anvil engageable with the closure mounted on an actuator member of a dial indicator. A face of the anvil engages the top of the cap along a circular line adjacent of the corner radius at its juncture to the top of the cap.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for observing containers which are transported through an illumination station, and generating a recognition signal on the basis of leading edge scanning information. Leading edge scanning information is produced by a trigger photodetector and a plurality of vertically arranged registration photodetectors. A container which is to be recognized is carried through the illumination station by a conveyor, and the conveyor generates conveyor clock pulses corresponding to actual movement of the container through the illumination station. The trigger photodetector senses the leading edge of the container, and it generates a trigger signal which enables a counter to begin counting conveyor clock pulses. The registration photodetectors are positioned downstream from the trigger photodetector and are connected for terminating the counting of conveyor clock pulses upon detection of the container leading edge at their respective positions.