US3918293A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for testing and emplacing flexible sealed packages
Assignee: NEO DYNE IND Inc
•
Filing: 1975-01-08
•
Granted: 1975-11-11
•
Expires: 1995-01-08
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for testing and emplacing flexible packages provided thereto from a form, fill and seal machine. The apparatus includes conveyor means for advancing the incoming packages to a weighing and leak-seal test station. A weight check is performed at such station by examining the initial peak displacement of a weighing platen at such station. If the weight test yields a satisfactory result, a fluid pressure driven ram is brought down upon the package and stopped at a fixed reaction pressure, the movement of the ram beyond a pre-set limit point being taken as an indication of pressure leak in the package and providing a defect signal. Signals indicative of rejection for weight or gas leak causes are stored in an appropriate memory, and the thusidentified defective package pushed off the conveyor at a downstream point. Upon a predetermined number of acceptable packages being transferred and assembled at a collection area adjacent the main conveyor, the group of acceptable packages are transferred and layered into a shipping case.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold J Feigel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:37
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B1/00; B65B1/30; B65B1/46; B65B5/00; B65B5/06; B65B5/061; B65B57/00; G; G01; G01G; G01G15/00; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
Apparatus for testing the sealing state of flexible packages, including sealed-in gas, comprising in combination: a support surface for holding said package to be tested; a testing platen moveable toward said surface and said package; means to advance said platen against said package; means to stop said advancement of said platen at a predetermined resistive force caused by the resultant compression of said gas in said package; means establishing a limit point in the said path of advancement of said platen; and means to indicate resultant displacement of said platen beyond said limit point, said limit point being established beyond that point which said platen would reach in the presence of a resistive force arising from compression of gas in satisfactorily sealed package whereby said displacement beyond said limit point indicates a leak at said package.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
Apparatus for testing the sealing state of flexible packages, including sealed-in gas, comprising in combination: a support surface for holding said package to be tested; a testing platen moveable toward said surface and said package; means to advance said platen against said package; means to stop said advancement of said platen at a predetermined resistive force caused by the resultant compression of said gas in said package; means establishing a limit point in the said path of advancement of said platen; and means to indicate resultant displacement of said platen beyond said limit point, said limit point being established beyond that point which said platen would reach in the presence of a resistive force arising from compression of gas in satisfactorily sealed package whereby said displacement beyond said limit point indicates a leak at said package.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said platen is displaced by a constant fluid pressure applied behind a piston driving said platen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said constant pressure is adjustable to permit testing of packages with specified anticipated resistance to compression by said platen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said support surface is oriented in a generally horizontal plane, and said platen is moveable vertically toward and away from said surface and package.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for testing the sealing state of a flexible sealed package, including a sealed-in gas, comprising: compressing said package between at least a pair of surfaces; stopping further compression of said package between said surfaces upon development of a predetermined resistive force at said package walls opposing said further compression; determining the final approach distance between said surfaces; and taking the approach of said surface beyond a predetermined distance as an indication of inadequate sealing of said package.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for testing the sealing state of a flexible sealed package, including a sealed-in gas, comprising: compressing said package between at least a pair of surfaces; stopping further compression of said package between said surfaces upon development of a predetermined resistive force at said package walls opposing said further compression; determining the final approach distance between said surfaces; and taking the approach of said surface beyond a predetermined distance as an indication of inadequate sealing of said package.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said package is compressed between said surfaces by application of a fixed force driving said surfaces together.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 6, including the step of setting the said fixed force to a level in accordance with the said approach distance predetermined to be the acceptable limit of approach for the package to be tested.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3091114A
Cited
US3805595A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-10 | 1979-05-12 | 1979-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-10 | 1983-05-12 | 1983-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-10 | 1987-05-12 | 1987-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |