Teledyne Instruments, Inc.

Benthos, Inc.

Teledyne Benthos, Inc.

Peter K Novacon

Robert A Chevalier, Jr

Kenneth F Scussel

Ryan D Stirling

Jr Robert A Chevalier

Robert A Chevalier

An apparatus for testing flexible containers traveling along a production line is disclosed. The apparatus includes a compression assembly in line with the production line. The compression assembly has a flexible section for directly contacting and applying a predetermined compression over a predetermined distance to a plurality of containers as they travel by an inspection station. The apparatus also includes a sensor assembly provided in direct contact with a container while a container is in the inspection station. The sensor assembly is arranged to sense the force applied by the compression assembly to the container. The sensor assembly generates a signal that varies in accordance with the internal pressure of the containers as they pass by the sensor assembly. The apparatus further includes a processing circuit configured to receive the signals from the sensor assembly and to determine the acceptability of the internal pressure of the containers.

Flexible container inspection

Apparatus and methods for in-line testing of the internal pressure of flexible containers traveling along a production line at high speeds. The apparatus inspects semi-rigid plastic and thin-walled liquid filled containers by analyzing the output from a load cell that indirectly measures the reaction force applied to a container through the intermediary of a load cell roller that, in turn, supports a flexible belt that directly contacts containers while moving them through an inspection station without interrupting the flow of the production line. Containers are contacted only by a flexible portion of a conveyor belt to minimize structural and aesthetic damage to them that might otherwise occur during the inspection process.

Indirect contact container measurement

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Osterville, MA, United States of America

Peter K Novacon