US 12,332,147 B2
Method and apparatus for checking the tightness of a closure
Manfred Haag, Crailsheim (DE); and Lars Michael, Ilshofen (DE)
Assigned to GRONINGER & CO. GMBH, Crailsheim (DE)
Filed by Groninger & Co. GmbH, Crailsheim (DE)
Filed on Dec. 29, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/090,769.
Application 18/090,769 is a continuation of application No. PCT/EP2021/068541, filed on Jul. 5, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2020 117 790.9 (DE), filed on Jul. 6, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0138697 A1, May 4, 2023
Int. Cl. G01M 3/36 (2006.01)
CPC G01M 3/36 (2013.01) 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for checking the tightness of a closure of a container, the closure comprising a closure cap for closing the container and an elastic sealing member arranged between the closure cap and a mouth edge of the container, wherein the method comprises the following steps:
exerting a first test force on the elastic sealing member to effect compression of the elastic sealing member;
measuring a first end position value indicating a stroke position of the elastic sealing member resulting from the first test force;
exerting a crimp biasing force on the elastic sealing member, thereby pressing the elastic sealing member against the mouth edge of the container, and crimping the closure cap;
exerting a second test force on the elastic sealing member biased by the crimped closure cap; and
measuring a second end position value indicating a stroke position of the biased elastic sealing member resulting from the second test force;
determining a comparison value based on the first end position value and the second end position value; and
assessing the tightness of the closure by comparing the comparison value to a predefined threshold value.