US 12,000,804 B2
Measuring apparatus and method for capsules
Danilo Albonetti, Imola (IT)
Assigned to SACMI COOPERATIVA MECCANICI IMOLA SOCIETA' COOPERATIVA, (IT)
Appl. No. 18/256,797
Filed by SACMI COOPERATIVA MECCANICI IMOLA SOCIETA' COOPERATIVA, Imola (IT)
PCT Filed Dec. 21, 2021, PCT No. PCT/IB2021/062062
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jun. 9, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/137098, PCT Pub. Date Jun. 30, 2022.
Claims priority of application No. 102020000032168 (IT), filed on Dec. 23, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2024/0035943 A1, Feb. 1, 2024
Int. Cl. G01N 3/24 (2006.01); B65D 41/34 (2006.01); B65D 55/16 (2006.01); G01L 5/00 (2006.01); G01N 3/06 (2006.01); G01N 3/08 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 3/24 (2013.01) [G01N 3/066 (2013.01); G01N 3/08 (2013.01); B65D 41/3442 (2013.01); B65D 41/3447 (2013.01); B65D 55/16 (2013.01); G01L 5/0071 (2013.01); G01N 2203/0017 (2013.01); G01N 2203/0025 (2013.01); G01N 2203/0067 (2013.01); G01N 2203/0282 (2013.01); G01N 2203/04 (2013.01); G01N 2203/0676 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. Measuring apparatus, comprising:
a tubular element with a vertical axis;
an axial thrust element axially movable inside said tubular element and configured to push downwards a capsule provided with a frangible arrangement which connects the capsule with a guarantee band of closed annular shape in order to cause breakage of the frangible arrangement;
an annular projection which projects radially from said tubular element and which comprises at least one reaction surface configured to axially hold the guarantee band when said axial thrust element pushes downwards the capsule to cause said breakage, said reaction surface being extended in a circumferential direction and comprising an external diameter greater than an internal diameter of the guarantee band;
a sensor configured to detect at least one force exerted by said axial thrust element on the capsule;
a band disengagement device configured to cause at least one relative movement between said annular projection and the guarantee band after said breakage, said relative movement comprising a radial widening of the guarantee band and/or a radial collapse of said annular projection, whereby, due to the effect of said relative movement, the guarantee band remains of closed annular shape.