The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 23, 1993
Filed:
Oct. 12, 1990
Wayne I Knigge, Maple Grove, MN (US);
General Mills, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US);
Abstract
A method of testing for and detecting defective liners (12) enclosed within a carton (14) of a double package is disclosed utilizing an apparatus (10) including a pressure plate (16) which rests upon the liner (12), with gravity acting on the pressure plate (16) placing pressure on the liner (12). The extent that the liner (12) deflects under the pressure of the pressure plate (16) can be detected such as by the use of a magnetic sensor (72), with the liner (12) deflecting a greater extent when the liners (12) are improperly sealed allowing escape of the trapped air from the liner (12). In the preferred form, the pressure plate (16) is slideably mounted to a carriage (18) which is reciprocated between a first, lower position and a second, upper position by a crank arm assembly (32). In the first, lower position, the carriage (18) is adjacent to the double package with the pressure plate (16) extending through the open top of the carton (14) and resting upon the liner (12). In the second, upper position, the carriage (18) and the pressure plate (16) are elevated above the liner (12) and the open top of the carton (14). In the preferred form, the carriage (18) is raised by an upward force created by a cam (34) which rocks first and second crank arms (36, 48) and is lowered by removing the upward force and allowing the carriage (18) to fall under gravitational forces to the first, lower position by rotation of the cam (34).