System for quality control of exterior surface of cork stoppers - uses air pressure difference when cork seals small chamber to detect surface imperfections

摘要

The system automatically controls the quality of the exterior surfaces of corks. A pneumatic system is used to measure the exterior surfaces of the corks. A cork feed (3) introduces the cork into the control system (4) in a continuous and uniform movement via constant speed rollers. The control system (4) has two flexible membranes between which is a compressed air inlet. When the cork is between the two membranes a small volume chamber is created. Air loss due to imperfections in the corks surface produce variations in pressure in front of and behind a throat (2). From this throat compressed air is supplied to the air inlet between the membranes. A photoelectric system measures the length of the cork passing from the pressure chamber.