Retrofits in apparatus of inspection to inspect automatically caps the type having an inner concave and in the process to inspect molded caps.

摘要

In accordance with the present invention, methods and machinery are provided for automatically inspecting shaped, lined closures and rejecting those which fail to meet pre-established criteria for shape and seal. Specifically, shaped closures having concave interior portions and resilient sealing liners are supplied to an inspection station comprising one or more female inspection nests for receiving individual closures and one or more respective male inspection heads for insertion into the concave portions of respective closures. The inspection heads are provided with exterior shapes approximating the interiors of ideal closures so that penetration into the closure indicates the conformity of the closure to the ideal. Preferably, the inspection head is connected to a source of pressurized fluid for testing both the depth of penetration and the adequacy of the sealing ring. Closures capable of maintaining a seal at a predetermined level of pressure are automatically passed and closures failing to meet this test are automatically rejected. A preferred embodiment for accepting crown bottle caps from a plurality of lining machines is described in detail.