Apparatus for testing and emplacing flexible sealed packages

Claim 2

Apparatus for testing flexible packages and emplacing acceptable packages in a receiving receptacle, comprising in combination: sealing state testing means for determining presence of defects in the sealing state of said package; weight testing means for determining whether said package exceeds a pre-selected minimum acceptable weight; means for receiving said flexible package and conveying said package to said sealing state testing means; and to said weight testing means; means responsive to the said determinations at said sealing state and at said weight testing means, for rejecting a package found by either such means to be defective, and displacing such package from the processing stream of said apparatus; means for accumulating a pre-selected number of packages determined to be acceptable by both said sealing state and said weight testing means, at a first location at said apparatus; means for positioning a case to be loaded with a plurality of said acceptable packages, at a second location at said apparatus; and means for transferring said accumulated packages from said first location to said second location, and depositing said packages in said case.

Claim 3

Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said sealing state testing means comprises a testing platen, moveable toward a package to be tested; means to advance said platen against such package; means to stop said advancement of said platen at a predetermined resistive force caused by the resultant compression of said bag; and means to indicate resultant displacement of said platen beyond a limit point, whereby to indicate an inadequate resistive force due to a leak at said package.

Claim 4

Apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said platen is pneumatically activated by a constant pressure applied behind a piston by a pneumatic motor driving said platen.

Claim 5

Apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein said constant pressure is adjustable to permit testing of packages with specified characteristics.

Claim 6

Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said weight testing means comprises a generally horizontally oriented platen positioned in the path of conveyance of said packages through said apparatus; said platen being pivoted at one end, with the opposite end thereof being elastically displaceable in a downward direction by said packages impinging thereon; said platen having actuating means moveable with the displaceable end; and switching means being positioned in the displacement path of said actuating means, said switching means being actuated by displacement of said platen beyond a selected point, to provide a signal indicating that said package exceeds a corresponding prescribed weight.

Claim 7

Apparatus in accordance with claim 5, wherein said displaceable end of said platen is restrained by spring means biasing said end in an upward direction, said spring means being adjustable to vary the weight at which said switch is actuated.

Claim 8

Apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said transferring means comprises a vacuum head, first motive means for displacing said head vertically toward and away from said accumulated packages and said carton, second motive means for displacing said head horizontally between said first and second locations, and means for actuating the vacuum to said head to effect pick-up of said packages, and to deactivate said vacuum to deposit said packages at said carton.

Claim 9

Apparatus in accordance with claim 7, including means acting during the last portion of the descent of said head, to slow the vertical displacement rate of said head toward said packages, whereby said packages may be drawn to said head during said last portion of head descent.

Claim 10

Apparatus in accordance with claim 7, including switching means located along the path of vertical and horizontal movement of said head, said head being movable with means interacting with said switch means to provide control signals indicative of the progressive movement of said head; and logic means responsive to said control signals and controlling said first and second motive means and said vacuum actuation means, for enabling control of said head movements.

Claim 11

Apparatus in accordance with claim 9, wherein said switching means provide control signals during vertical descent of said head toward said carton, thereby allowing deposit of a set of said accumulated packages at a pre-set level in said carton to enable layering of said deposited packages.

Claim 12

Apparatus for testing flexible packages and emplacing acceptable packages in a receiving receptacle, comprising in combination: sealing state testing means for determining presence of defects in the sealing state of said package; said means comprising a testing platen moveable toward said package; means to advance said platen against such package; means to stop said advancement of said platen at a predetermined resistive force caused by the resultant compression of said package; and means to indicate resultant displacement of said platen beyond a limit point, whereby to indicate an inadequate resistive force due to a leak at said package; means for receiving said flexible package and conveying said package to said sealing state testing means; means responsive to the said determination at said sealing state testing means, for rejecting a package found by such means to be defective, and displacing such package from the processing stream of said apparatus; means for accumulating a pre-selected number of packages determined to be acceptable by said sealing state testing means, at a first location at said apparatus; means for positioning a case to be loaded with a plurality of said acceptable packages, at a second location at said apparatus; and means for transferring said accumulated packages from said first location to said second location, and depositing said packages in said case.

Claim 13

Apparatus for testing flexible packages and emplacing acceptable packages in a receiving receptacle, comprising in combination: sealing state testing means for determining presence of defects in the sealing state of said package; said means comprising a testing platen moveable toward said package; means to advance said platen against such package; means to stop said advancement of said platen at a predetermined resistive force caused by the resultant compression of said package; and means to indicate resultant displacement of said platen beyond a limit point, whereby to indicate an inadequate resistive force due to a leak at said package; means for receiving said flexible package and conveying said package to said sealing state testing means; means responsive to the said determination at said sealing state testing means, for rejecting a package found by such means to be defective, and displacing such package from the processing stream of said apparatus; means for accumulating a pre-selected number of packages determined to be acceptable by said sealing state testing means, at a first location at said apparatus; means for positioning a case to be loaded with a plurality of said acceptable packages, at a second location at said apparatus; and means for transferring said accumulated packages from said first location to said second location, and depositing said packages in said case.