Ft System S.r.l.

Arol S.p.a.

Politecnico Di Torino

Ft Systems S.r.l

Fabio Forestelli

Alberto Cirio

Massimo Fedel

Gian Carlo Frazzi

Mario Roberto Casu

Giovanna Turvani

Jorge Alberto Tobon Vasquez

Francesca Vipiana

Marco Ricci

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a system for spatially detecting foreign bodies within a product. In some embodiments, the system includes a conveyor means adapted to convey said product through a scanning region and a plurality of antennae arranged transversally to a crossing direction. In some embodiments, each antenna is adapted to transmit an electromagnetic scanning signal adapted to propagate in said scanning region, so as to diffuse in said product. In some embodiments, processing means are adapted to generate a first set of values indicative of dielectric characteristics of said product. Further, said processing means are adapted to compare said first set of values with a second set of values that indicate dielectric characteristics of said product in the absence of foreign bodies, wherein each antenna is adapted to transmit said electromagnetic scanning signal in a crossing time interval, according to a predefined transmission frequency.

System and method for spatially detecting any foreign bodies within a product on the basis of dielectric characteristics of said product

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

Method and apparatus for ascertaining the presence of cracks in sealed containers

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.

Method and apparatus for recognizing the presence of leakages from sealed containers

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.

Method and apparatus for detecting leakages from sealed containers

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.

Method and apparatus for detecting the angular position of a cap with respect to a bottle

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.

Non-destructive measurement unit of the gas concentration in sealed flexible containers and automatic filling and/or packaging line using such a unit

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.

Group and method for measuring the pressure in closed containers

The sampling control station comprises at least one grasping and transporting group () for picking up containers or bottles () from conveying means () and transporting them to at least one measuring module ('&#x2033;), the containers or bottles () being provided with a body tapered into a neck and ending with a mouth, wherein an annular ribbing () is foreseen at the mouth, and it is characterized in that the grasping and transporting group () comprises gripping means () connected to a mobile support structure (), the gripping means () being mobile between a gripping position, in which they are engaged with the neck of the container () at and below the annular ribbing (), and a release position in which they are not engaged with the container ().

Sampling control station for bottles or containers filling plant

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 () for picking up containers or bottles () from conveying means () and transporting them to a measuring zone, and at least one module () for measuring the removal torque and/or the reclosing angle of a cap () of the container () acting upon a container or bottle () transported to the measuring zone, and it is characterized in that the module () for measuring the removal torque and the reclosing angle is such as to take up a first configuration engaged with the cap (), wherein the cap () can be set in rotation by the module () for measuring the removal torque and the reclosing angle, and a second configuration disengaged from the cap ().

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 () is characterized in that it comprises the steps consisting of collecting () at least one set of data relating to filling and/or closing parameters of containers or bottles () treated through the same tap or filling valve () of the filling plant () and/or through the same closing and/or capping head () of the filling plant (); based on the data collected, calculating () statistical data associated with the tap or filling valve () and/or with the closing and/or capping head (); updating () 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 () and/or the closing and/or capping head () associated with the statistical data so as to compensate for the variation.

Method and plant for filling bottles or containers with continuous calibration

The present invention has as its object a method for testing bottles or containers having flexible walls, made to be inserted in lines for filling bottles made from plastic material or aluminum containers or containers made from polyethylene-coated paperboard, containing any type of liquid. Positioned at the output of the filling system it is able to simultaneously check for the correct fill level, the presence of possible leaks in the sealing system of the container and possible constructive defects in the container. The test is carried out through the combination of two measurement systems, which are the fill level test and the measurement of the tension of the walls of the container. The results obtained from the level and wall tension measurements, suitably interpolated, provide the indicators necessary to establish whether the product being analyzed should be considered suitable or else to be discarded since it is defective.

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Alseno, Italy

Fabio Forestelli