Patent ID: 6470733
Filing Date: 2002-10-29
Classification: G01M

Abstract:
Apparatus for simultaneously testing for proper filling of and leaks in, a plurality of liquid filled deformable vials which comprises:a first test station for receiving a preselected quantity of vials; a first quantity of force applying members, at least equal to the quantity of vials to be tested; means for detecting displacement of any of said force applying members beyond preset limits and classifying said quantity of vials as a reject upon detecting said displacement; a second test station for receiving said preselected quantity of vials; a second quantity of force applying members, at least equal to the quantity of vials to be tested; means for measuring, recording and storing the force applied by each of said second quantity of force applying members a first time; means for measuring, recording and storing a second separate time, the force applied by each of said second quantity of force applying members; controller means for comparing to a set of predetermined values; said first and second force measurements applied by said second quantity of force applying members; second means for classifying said entire preselected quantity of vials as a reject if any of said force measurements fall outside said predetermined limits when compared with said recorded and stored measurements; and means for rejecting said entire preselected quantity of vials when any one vial of said preselected quantity is classified as a rejects in said first or second test stations.