Measuring and testing – Inspecting
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-28
2001-05-29
Williams, Hezron (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
Inspecting
C073S052000, C356S428000, C356S240100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237431
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention concerns an apparatus for testing hollow bodies for defects, more particularly non-rotationally symmetrical hollow bodies.
It will be noted at this stage that the hollow bodies to be tested are preferably non-rotationally symmetrical glass bodies such as for example wide, rounded bottles which are typically used for containing Franconian wine, rectangular bottles, triangular bottles, medication and drug bottles or non-rotationally symmetrical perfume flacons.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A typical form of apparatus for testing non-rotationally symmetrical hollow bodies for defects comprises a feed means for continuously conveying the hollow bodies into a test region of the apparatus, a means for conveying the hollow bodies through the test region of the apparatus, and a discharge means for conveying the hollow bodies out of the test region. Such an apparatus is used when there is a wish to check and inspect glass bodies of the above-indicated kind for surface defects such as for example cracks or irregular wall thicknesses in an automated procedure after production of the glass bodies, and to separate out glass bodies which are found to be defective.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for testing non-rotationally symmetrical hollow bodies for defects, which is reliable and flexible in operation and which permits testing of all sides of a respective hollow body at a high rate of operation.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for testing non-rotationally symmetrical hollow bodies for defects which readily permits all sides of a hollow body to be accurately checked and tested for defects at a speed of several hollow bodies, typically between one and four bodies, per second.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for testing non-rotationally symmetrical hollow bodies for defects thereof which is so designed that the apparatus can be readily and easily adapted to deal with different types of hollow bodies such as glass bodies.
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the foregoing and other objects are attained by an apparatus for testing non-rotationally symmetrical hollow bodies for defects, comprising a test region, a feed means for continuously conveying the hollow bodies to be tested into the test region, a means for conveying the hollow bodies through the test region, and means for conveying the hollow bodies out of the test region. Disposed at the test region are detector means for producing measurement values characterising the nature of the hollow body respectively being tested in dependence on an angle of rotation of the hollow body. An evaluation means is operable to compare the detected measurement values to predetermined values to decide whether the hollow body respectively being tested has defects. The means for conveying the hollow bodies through the test region includes a receiving means adapted to embrace the hollow body and a drive means adapted to push the receiving means over the respective hollow body to be tested, which is supplied from said feed means. The receiving means is removed from the tested hollow body again in the region of the discharge means for conveying the hollow bodies out of the test region of the apparatus. As the hollow body is transported through the test region and past the detector means, the receiving means with the hollow body therein is rotated through a predetermined angular distance during the transportation movement past the detector means.
The detector means for example may comprise a device which operates optically. Where the hollow body to be tested is typically a glass body, light is shone through the glass body and the degree of reflection or transmission of the light is measured at a height or a plurality of predetermined heights on the glass body, in dependence on the angle of rotation. When using a detector means of that kind, defective glass bodies can be detected on the basis of a comparison of the angle-dependent reflection or transmission profile of the glass body being tested, with stored reflection or transmission profiles of intact glass bodies. By virtue of the fact that the receiving means is operable to embrace the hollow body, the non-rotationally symmetrical hollow body can be rotated through a defined angular amount by virtue of the rotary movement of the receiving means, whereby it is possible to record a measurement curve which is dependent on the angle of rotation. The hollow bodies are supplied to the test region of the apparatus by the feed means in a defined angular position and, after the rotary movement of the hollow body through a predetermined angle, the hollow bodies are subjected to further conveying movement through the apparatus, in a defined angular position.
A preferred feature of the invention provides that the receiving means is adapted to be easily replaceable and interchangeable so that the apparatus can be rapidly adapted to deal with different hollow body contours and configurations.
In another preferred feature of the invention, the means for conveying the hollow bodies through the test region includes a guidance means having a guide bar portion which is centered with respect to the axis of rotation of the receiving means and which is adapted to be movable up and down in relation thereto. Upon transportation of the hollow body in the test region of the apparatus, the guide bar portion is adapted to be introduced from above into an opening of the hollow body to be tested. The opening may be for example the opening in the neck of a bottle. The action of the guide bar portion co-operating with the hollow body thus prevents the hollow body from falling over during the conveying and rotary movement thereof.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, it can further be provided that the receiving means is mounted rotatably about its axis of rotation on a first slide means which is driven by an eccentric arrangement and which performs a stroke movement in a vertical direction and a transportation movement which is transverse with respect thereto. The receiving means has an external tooth configuration which is operatively engaged with a gear driven by a synchronous motor. The first slide means provides for a continuous movement of the receiving means along a substantially elliptical path. The driving eccentric arrangement is preferably mechanically synchronised with the means for feeding the hollow bodies into the test region and for further transporting them therethrough, such means usually comprising conveyor screws. In the phase of engagement of the receiving means, the above-mentioned synchronous motor performs a movement through a predetermined angular amount and produces a corresponding rotary movement of the receiving means. The rotor position of the synchronous motor, which is known to the control system of the apparatus, can be correlated to the angular position of the hollow body, so that it is possible to provide for absolute value detection of the current angular position of the hollow body.
A preferred feature of the invention provides that the synchronous motor is arranged on an element of the first slide means, that is non-participatory in the vertical stroke movement of the receiving means. The rotary movement of the drive shaft of the synchronous motor is transmitted to the gear by way of a shaft of non-rotationally symmetrical cross-section, on which the gear is slidably disposed by virtue of a corresponding opening therein. The shaft may be for example a multi-spline shaft.
A further preferred feature of the invention provides that the receiving means is mounted movably in a vertical direction on a second slide means which is arranged on the first slide means and by which the above-mentioned vertical stroke and horizontal transportation movements of the slide means are transmitted to the receiving means during the regular testing mode of the apparatus, but by which, upon the receiving means e
Cygan Michael
Mason, Kolehmainen Rathburn & Wyss
Reiner Franke GmbH & Co. Glasbautechnikmaschinen KG
Williams Hezron
LandOfFree
Apparatus for testing hollow bodies for defects does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Apparatus for testing hollow bodies for defects, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Apparatus for testing hollow bodies for defects will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2549230