Patent Description:
Empty containers, such as bottles, jars made of different materials, for example glass, are generally subjected to various controls before any filling.

The controls may include vision systems which check the container without coming into contact therewith or systems which, on the contrary, carry out checks by means of contact with the container.

For example, vision systems can carry out checks aimed at detecting any imperfections in the material or dimensional checks to control the correct measurements of the container, to be carried out on the various parts thereof, such as the neck, the mouth, the bottom of the container, etc..

The controls which carry out checks by coming into contact with the container can, for example, test the mechanical strength of the container to evaluate the ability thereof to withstand internal or external pressure once filled or stored.

The object of the invention falls within the scope of said control devices by means of contact.

Devices are known in the state of the art which carry out the control on the container by exerting pressure onto the outer surface of the container itself, in particular on a specific zone which we will also call control zone hereinafter. Said control zone generally extends along the entire circumferential perimeter of the outer surface of the container as disclosed in document <CIT>.

This document shows a method for controlling the form of a container by a control apparatus, which provides for actuating the control on a control zone extending throughout a circumferential perimeter of the outer surface of the container, wherein it is provided for forwarding the container according to a forwarding direction, simultaneously rotating the container about its axis of symmetry thereof orthogonal to the forwarding direction and then controlling the container, during the rotation, exerting a control pressure onto the control zone.

Generally, the known control systems provide for forwarding the container through forwarding means adapted to bring it at a thrust device configured to exert a given pressure. Said thrust device is for example a movable guide which is pushed by means of actuators against the outer surface of the container.

Said guide is movable towards/away from the container and perpendicular to the forwarding direction thereof.

The pressure is exerted by the guide while the container is rotated, by means of suitable rotation means so as to extend said control over the entire circumferential perimeter thereof.

Therefore, while the thrust device exerts the control pressure, said container moves forward along the entire thrust device and at the same time carries out a rotation of at least <NUM>° to allow the pressure to be exercised along the entire circumferential perimeter thereof.

The guide has a length such as to allow the container to rotate at least <NUM>° while it is forwarded on the forwarding means.

With this solution, the control apparatus is capable of controlling one container at a time. In fact, if the movable guide were to exert pressure onto more than one container at the same time, it would not be possible to be certain that the pressure exerted is the same on the various containers.

In fact, it could happen that a container has slightly larger dimensions than the others and therefore the guide would exert a greater pressure thereon than on the other containers controlled at the same time.

This solution therefore has the disadvantage of not allowing high control rates to be reached, which therefore prevents the use thereof in high-rate production lines, such as those of glass factories generally.

In fact, having to control one container at a time, it is necessary to space the containers by a distance greater than the length of the control apparatus or of the respective movable guide which exerts the pressure onto the container. Consequently, the greater the space between the containers, the greater the speed of the forwarding means must be to meet the required production rate.

Therefore, said forwarding means must go very fast and this is often incompatible with the stability of the containers.

The technical problem underlying the present invention is that of making available to the art a control apparatus for containers, preferably made of glass, structurally and functionally conceived to overcome one or more of the limits set out above with reference to the cited known art.

Within the scope of the above problem, a main object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and relative method for controlling containers which allows to guarantee an effective control, reaching high rates.

It is also an object of the present invention to allow the mechanical strength of the containers to be controlled dynamically and without moving the containers at overly high speeds, which may affect the stability and integrity thereof.

A further object of the invention is also that of making available to the art an apparatus for controlling containers in the context of a simple, rational solution with a rather low cost.

These and other objects are reached by the characteristics of the invention as set forth in the independent claims. The dependent claims outline preferred and/or particularly advantageous aspects of the invention.

In particular, an embodiment of the present invention makes available a method for controlling the mechanical strength of a container, in particular made of glass, which provides for actuating the control of a control zone extending along an entire circumferential perimeter of the outer surface of the container.

Said method provides at least the steps of forwarding the container, at the same time making it rotate about the axis of symmetry thereof.

Said axis of symmetry, and therefore the axis of rotation, is preferably arranged orthogonal to the forwarding direction of the container.

Said method further provides for controlling the container, during rotation, by exerting a control pressure onto the control zone.

The method provides that the control is divided into several steps, in which in each step it is provided to exert said control pressure onto a respective portion of the control zone. Preferably, the method further provides that each single container is subjected in sequence to each step during the forwarding thereof and the rotation thereof, so that while a container is subjected to a certain control step, the preceding container is simultaneously subjected to the preceding control step, while the container which follows it is simultaneously subjected to the subsequent control step.

Thanks to this solution it is not only possible to carry out a dynamic type control, but it is also possible to increase the number of containers controlled in a given time interval.

In fact, having divided the control into several steps, it is possible to carry out said control simultaneously on several containers, without affecting the correctness of the control and increasing the work rate.

According to a preferred embodiment, the control pressure is exerted along the entire circumferential perimeter during an overall rotation of the container equal to <NUM>°; in fact, considering how the control apparatus is configured, an equal and diametrically opposite counter-pressure corresponds to said control pressure.

Therefore it is sufficient to rotate the container by <NUM>° between the beginning of the first step and the end of the last step, to have a control around the entire circumferential perimeter thereof. This allows to further speed up the control.

In one embodiment, each control step provides for exerting the control pressure onto a respective portion of the control zone extending for a length equal to the circumferential perimeter divided by the number of steps and where said control pressure is exerted during a partial rotation of the container equal to <NUM>° divided by the number of steps.

Thanks to said characteristic of the control method, the individual steps are all the same.

Therefore, in each step the container carries out a rotation having the same amplitude in degrees and a portion of the control zone of the same extension along the circumferential perimeter is controlled.

This facilitates the management of the control and optimizes the pitch between one container and another and consequently the work rate.

Another aspect of the invention is that of making available a control method which provides that each single container follows each step preferably continuously, that is, passing directly from one step to the next.

The advantage of this characteristic is that the control takes place dynamically, i.e., without stopping the container.

In addition, it is possible to provide that in a given step the control of a respective portion of the control zone is carried out and in the preceding and/or subsequent step the control of a respective portion of the immediately preceding and/or subsequent control zone is carried out.

Therefore, among the advantages provided there is that of having the guarantee that the entire container is controlled along the control zone and that there are no uncontrolled portions.

A further advantage is given by the control flexibility on the single container and between one container and another, since the method provides that the control pressure exerted in each step is adjustable according to the type of container.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for checking the mechanical strength of containers, in particular made of glass, configured to operate on a control zone extending along an entire circumferential perimeter of the outer surface of the container, comprising:.

Advantageously said thrust device comprises a plurality of pads, each being adapted to exert said control pressure onto a respective portion of the control zone, being arranged in succession so that each single container, by moving forward in the forwarding direction, interacts one after the other with all the pads.

Thanks to this solution, a control of several containers is carried out at the same time, since the thrust device is divided into several pads and this is essential for increasing the control rate of the apparatus.

An advantage of the invention is that it allows the container to be controlled dynamically, preferably during the rotation thereof by <NUM>°.

In fact, the thrust device is movable according to a contact direction orthogonal to the forwarding direction between at least one working position and a resting position and configured so as to exert, when it is in the working position, the control pressure onto one side of the container and at the same time, pushing it against a corresponding contrast surface, generate a counter-pressure equal to the control pressure, on the diametrically opposite side of the container.

Therefore, the thrust device for carrying out the complete control exerts said control pressure during a rotation of the container greater than <NUM>°, preferably equal to <NUM>°, during the forwarding thereof from the first to the last pad.

One embodiment provides that the pads are arranged one after the other without leaving empty spaces between one and the other.

To facilitate the management of the control and to optimize the pitch between one container and another and consequently the work rate, each pad preferably exerts said control pressure onto a respective portion of the control zone which preferably extends by a length equal to the circumferential perimeter divided by the number of pads and where said control pressure is exerted by each pad during a rotation of the container equal to <NUM>° divided by the number of pads.

This also optimizes the constructive aspect of the apparatus since the pads are all with the same length.

A preferred aspect of the invention provides that the rotation means comprise a first operative member and a second operative member opposite each other with respect to the container which moves forward on the forwarding means and being arranged so as to engage with the outer surface of the container and generate the rotation of the container by friction. Preferably, the first and second operative members translate in the forwarding direction and can move forward in the same direction or according to opposite directions, and preferably have different translation speeds.

In particular, the first and second operative members are located to the sides of the forwarding means and comprise a flexible towing member which is wound about transmission members for the motion thereof, where said flexible towing member provides a contact surface which is so shaped as to engage with the outer surface of the container.

A preferred embodiment provides that the pads are arranged so as to push a portion of the first and/or second operative member, in the contact direction, pressing it against the container so as to exert the control pressure.

Thanks to this solution, the correct rotation of the container is guaranteed, even when subjected to the control pressure P; in fact, possible slips are avoided which would cause an uncertainty in the control of the container along the entire circumferential perimeter thereof.

This and other features will be more apparent from the following description of some of the embodiments, illustrated purely by way of nonlimiting example in the accompanying drawings.

With particular reference to <FIG>, a control apparatus <NUM> of containers <NUM> is shown.

In particular, said apparatus <NUM> is configured for controlling the mechanical strength of a glass container <NUM>. In fact, it is an apparatus <NUM> preferably dedicated to controlling jars or bottles or any other item/container such as vials, bottles, etc., preferably made of glass.

The apparatus <NUM> can also be suitable for controlling containers <NUM> made of a material different from glass, but in any case morphologically similar, i.e., containers <NUM> which require controls aimed at verifying the mechanical strength thereof.

These controls are important since said containers <NUM> are subsequently subjected to internal pressure due to the product which they will contain and/or external pressure due to the storage of said empty or full containers <NUM>.

In particular, the apparatus <NUM> is configured to operate on a specific control zone 201a of the outer surface <NUM> of the container <NUM>.

Said control zone 201a preferably extends along an entire circumferential perimeter <NUM> of the outer surface <NUM>.

The outer surface <NUM> generally extends about a vertical axis of symmetry X of the container <NUM>.

The apparatus <NUM> is therefore configured to control the container <NUM> along the circumferential perimeter <NUM> thereof and in a defined position which can be for example more or less in proximity to the base or the mouth of the container <NUM>, depending on the type and shape of said item and the subsequent use thereof.

Furthermore, the height extension of the control zone 201a is also a function of the type and shape of said container <NUM> and the subsequent use thereof. The apparatus <NUM> preferably comprises forwarding means <NUM> to forward the container <NUM> adapted to bring the container from the inlet to the outlet of the apparatus <NUM>.

A preferred embodiment provides that said forwarding means <NUM> forward the container <NUM> in the direction Y, orthogonal to the axis of symmetry X. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, said forwarding means <NUM> are for example a conveyor belt <NUM> on which the container <NUM> rests, maintained with the axis of symmetry X thereof vertical.

However, forwarding means <NUM> of a different type and which forward the container <NUM> with non-vertical axis of symmetry X are also considered to fall within the scope of the invention.

The speed of said forwarding means <NUM> is a function of both the rate of the production or filling line of the containers <NUM> and of the distance between one container <NUM> and the next.

Said distance is also called pitch and is generally measured between the axis of symmetry X of a container <NUM> and that of the next. As will be better explained below, said distance depends on the shape of the control apparatus <NUM>.

The control apparatus <NUM> further comprises rotation means <NUM> configured to rotate the container <NUM> about the axis of symmetry X thereof during the forwarding thereof in the direction Y.

<FIG> shows a possible embodiment of the rotation means <NUM>.

According to an aspect of the invention, said rotation means <NUM> can comprise a first operative member <NUM> and a second operative member <NUM>' opposite each other with respect to the container <NUM> which moves forward on the forwarding means <NUM>.

Said first and second operative members <NUM>, <NUM>' are preferably arranged so as to engage or come into contact with the outer surface <NUM> of the container <NUM> and generate the rotation of the container <NUM> by friction.

A preferred configuration provides that the first operative member <NUM> and/or the second operative member <NUM>' translate in the forwarding direction Y.

An embodiment shown in <FIG> provides that the first operative member <NUM> and the second operative member <NUM>' are located to the sides of the conveyor belt <NUM>.

Preferably said operative members <NUM> and/or <NUM>' comprise a flexible towing member <NUM>, <NUM>' which is wound about transmission members <NUM>, <NUM>' for the motion thereof.

The term flexible towing member <NUM>, <NUM>' means, for example, flat or toothed belts, ropes, or even a continuous articulated member as shown in <FIG>.

In fact, <FIG> and <FIG> show a preferred embodiment in which the flexible towing member <NUM>, <NUM>' is a roller chain 125a. The roller chain 125a generally comprises a plurality of links 125b hinged to each other.

The transmission members <NUM>, <NUM>' therefore vary according to the type of flexible towing member <NUM>, <NUM>'.

In the case of a roller chain 125a, the transmission members <NUM>, <NUM>' can be for example pinions or crowns, or in any case that which a person skilled in the art deems suitable for the motion of said roller chain 125a.

One aspect of the invention provides that said flexible towing member <NUM>, <NUM>' , provides a contact surface <NUM>, <NUM>' shaped to engage with the outer surface <NUM> of the container <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, said contact surface <NUM>, <NUM>' can comprise dowels 126a, 126a' mechanically associated with the links 125b of the roller chain 125a.

Said dowels 126a, 126a' can be made of deformable material, such as rubber, or of hard material, such as nylon or plastic in general, according to the type of container <NUM> and the control pressure P.

As previously described, the first operative member <NUM> and/or the second operative member <NUM>' translate in the forwarding direction Y. In particular, the first operative member <NUM> and the second operative member <NUM>' can translate in the forwarding direction Y in the same direction, or according to opposite directions.

Furthermore, they preferably have different translation speeds.

As will be better explained below, the difference in speed is important to allow the rotation of the container <NUM>.

While the container <NUM> moves forward on the forwarding means <NUM>, it also moves forward by rotation about the axis of symmetry X thereof. Therefore, the motion of the centre of the container <NUM> (in which the axis of symmetry X passes) in the forwarding direction Y is given by the sum of the forwarding due to the translation by means of the forwarding means <NUM> and the forwarding due to the rotation of the container <NUM>; the latter is calculated according to the laws of pure rolling motion, i.e., the rotation of a rigid body on a surface, about the central axis thereof.

Therefore the calculation of the speeds of the operative members <NUM> and <NUM>' is linked both to the speed of the forwarding means <NUM> and to the laws of rolling motion.

The control apparatus <NUM> is configured to carry out the control of the container <NUM>, while said container <NUM> moves forward according to the motion described above.

Therefore the control occurs dynamically, i.e., without stopping the container <NUM>. This allows carrying out the check of the mechanical strength about the circumferential perimeter <NUM> more quickly.

To carry out said check of the mechanical strength of the container <NUM>, the control apparatus <NUM> comprises, as shown in <FIG>, a thrust device <NUM> configured to exert a control pressure P onto the control zone 201a of the container <NUM>.

To do this, said thrust device <NUM> comprises a plurality of pads <NUM> arranged in sequence and each capable of exerting said control pressure P onto a respective portion of the control zone 201a, during the forwarding and rotation of the container <NUM>.

Summarizing therefore, the control apparatus <NUM> of the mechanical strength of a container <NUM> preferably made of glass, configured to operate on a control zone 201a extending along an entire circumferential perimeter <NUM> of the outer surface <NUM> of the container <NUM>, comprises:.

wherein said thrust device <NUM> comprises a plurality of pads <NUM>, each being adapted to exert said control pressure P onto a respective portion of the control zone 201a, being arranged in succession so that each single container <NUM>, by moving forward in the direction Y, interacts one after the other with all the pads <NUM>.

The thrust device <NUM>, and therefore the pads <NUM> thereof, is movable in a contact direction Z orthogonal to the forwarding direction Y between at least one working position A and a resting position B.

When in the working position A, the thrust device <NUM> is configured so as to exert pressure P onto one side of the container <NUM> by pressing the contact surface <NUM> against said container <NUM>; the container <NUM> is simultaneously pressed against the corresponding contact surface <NUM>' which in turn generates a counter-pressure P' equal to the pressure P on the diametrically opposite side of the container <NUM>.

In particular, the thrust device <NUM> exerts said control pressure P during a rotation of the container <NUM> at least equal to <NUM>°.

The minimum rotation to carry out the total control of the container <NUM> is equal to <NUM>°. In fact, since the pressure P and the counter-pressure P' are diametrically opposite, the rotation of <NUM>° allows the complete control along the entire circumferential perimeter and therefore for all <NUM>° of the container <NUM>.

As described above, this allows the control of the container <NUM> to be carried out dynamically, i.e., without stopping it. The container <NUM> therefore carries out an overall rotation of <NUM>°, while it is subjected to the control pressure P in the thrust device <NUM> and therefore, while it is subjected to the overall action of the plurality of pads <NUM>.

Thanks to this solution, it is possible to carry out a complete control on the entire circumferential perimeter <NUM> of the device and at a specific control zone 201a.

By dividing the exercise of said pressure P over several pads <NUM>, it follows that each pad <NUM> of the thrust device <NUM> exerts the pressure P onto a portion of the circumferential perimeter <NUM> corresponding to a respective rotation which is a portion of the total rotation of <NUM>° carried out inside the thrust device <NUM>; said portion of the total rotation depends on the length of each respective pad <NUM>.

Thanks to this solution it is not only possible to carry out a dynamic type control, but it is also possible to increase the control rate of the apparatus <NUM>.

In fact, considering for example the case shown in <FIG> and <FIG> in which the thrust device <NUM> comprises three pads <NUM>, that which is described below occurs.

A first container <NUM> enters the thrust device <NUM> and is subjected to a pressure P exerted during the transit in the first pad <NUM>, then it is subjected to a pressure P exerted during the transit in the second pad <NUM> and finally it is subjected to a pressure P exerted during the transit in the third pad <NUM>. At the same time, when the first container <NUM> leaves the first pad <NUM> to enter the second, a second container <NUM> can enter the operating zone of the first pad <NUM> and be subjected to a pressure P exerted during the transit in said first pad <NUM>. Once it has exited the first pad <NUM>, said second container <NUM> continues the control thereof by being subjected to a pressure P exerted during the transit in the second pad <NUM> and finally being subjected to a pressure P exerted during the transit in the third pad <NUM>.

At the same time, when the second container <NUM> leaves the first pad <NUM> to enter the second, a third container <NUM> can enter the operating zone of the first pad <NUM> and be subjected to a pressure P exerted during the transit in said first pad <NUM> and so on.

It is therefore evident that having divided the thrust device <NUM> into several pads <NUM> and therefore having divided the control into several steps, it is possible to carry out the control simultaneously on several containers <NUM> without affecting the correctness of the control and increasing the rate of the apparatus <NUM>.

In the case described above in which the control is divided over three pads <NUM> and therefore over three steps, the control time will be approximately one third with respect to the case of control by means of apparatuses of the known type which provide only one pad.

In fact, with the known solutions, the control apparatus is able to control one container at a time, being equipped with a single pad. In fact, if the pad were to exert the pressure P onto more than one container <NUM> at the same time, it would not be possible to be certain that the pressure P exerted is the same on the various containers <NUM>. For example, it could happen that a container <NUM> has slightly larger dimensions than the others and therefore the pad would exert a greater pressure P thereon than on the other containers <NUM> controlled at the same time.

Therefore, with the known solutions it is not possible to reach high control rates unless controls which are not completely reliable are carried out, which therefore prevents the use thereof in production lines with high frequency and efficiency, as those of glass factories generally are.

In order to control one container <NUM> at a time, it is in fact necessary to space the containers <NUM> by a distance greater than the length of the control apparatus or of the single pad which exerts the control pressure P onto the container <NUM>. Consequently, the greater the space between the containers <NUM>, the greater the speed the forwarding means <NUM> must be in order to meet the required production rate, which is often incompatible with the stability of the containers and with the integrity thereof.

In fact, to guarantee the production rate, the speed of the forwarding means <NUM>, expressed for example in metres per minute, must be greater than or equal to the number of containers <NUM> per minute required by the line, multiplied by the pitch thereof expressed in metres.

The presence of a control device <NUM> which comprises a plurality of pads <NUM> means that the pitch between one container <NUM> and the other must be slightly greater than or equal to the length of the longest pad <NUM> (for example in the case of a pad <NUM> long, the pitch between one container <NUM> and another can be <NUM>).

Therefore, the higher the number of pads <NUM>, the shorter the length thereof and therefore the smaller the pitch between containers <NUM>.

It follows that a reduced pitch allows to reach high rates even while maintaining low forwarding means <NUM> speeds, as evident from the calculation of said speed, described above. Low forwarding means <NUM> speeds guarantee a greater stability and integrity of the containers <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, in order to carry out said control cycle, the pads <NUM> are arranged in sequence so that each single container <NUM> interacts one after the other with all the pads <NUM> as it moves forward.

Preferably said pads <NUM> are arranged one after the other without leaving empty spaces between one and the other. In this way, while the container <NUM> moves forward and rotates, it is always located within the working zone of at least one pad <NUM>. This guarantees complete control along the entire circumferential perimeter <NUM> of the container <NUM>, since the rotation always occurs while the container <NUM> is engaged or in contact with a pad <NUM> and therefore subjected to the control pressure P thereof.

According to an aspect of the invention, each pad <NUM> exerts said control pressure P onto a respective portion of the control zone 201a which preferably extends for a length equal to the perimeter <NUM> divided by the number of pads <NUM>. Therefore said control pressure P is exerted by each pad <NUM> during a rotation of the container <NUM> equal to <NUM>° divided by the number of pads <NUM>.

Said solution therefore provides that the pads <NUM> all have the same length and therefore the same length of the working zone. The container <NUM> inside the working zone of each pad <NUM> runs through the same space and carries out the same rotation.

Since, as previously described, the pitch between one container <NUM> and the next must be slightly greater than or equal to the length of the longest pad <NUM>, in this case, since all the pads are of the same length, the pitch between containers <NUM> is optimized.

Therefore, according to the embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG> in which the thrust device <NUM> comprises <NUM> identical pads <NUM>, the container <NUM> carries out a rotation of <NUM>° inside each pad <NUM> i.e., equal to one third of the total rotation of <NUM>°.

The pads <NUM> can be independent of the rotation means <NUM> and therefore arranged thereabove or therebelow or according to a preferred embodiment, the pads <NUM> can be integrated in the rotation means <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, said pads <NUM>, when they are in the working position A, can be arranged so as to exert a thrust against the container <NUM> by means of a portion of the first and/or second operative member <NUM>, <NUM>', so as to exert the control pressure P onto the container <NUM>.

In particular, the pads <NUM>, in the working position A, are arranged so as to push a portion of the flexible towing member <NUM>, <NUM>' causing the contact surface <NUM>, <NUM>' to press against the container <NUM>, exerting the control pressure P.

Thanks to this solution, the correct rotation of the container <NUM> is guaranteed, when it is subjected to the control pressure P; in fact, possible slipping which can occur during contact with, for example, pads <NUM> independent of the rotation means <NUM> is avoided.

In fact, by directly pushing a portion of the flexible member <NUM>, <NUM>', the pads <NUM> cause the contact surface <NUM>, <NUM>' to press against the container <NUM>, while said contact surface <NUM>, <NUM>' translates in the forwarding direction Y. Therefore the contact surface <NUM>, <NUM>' , which presses on the container <NUM>, moves together with the container <NUM> in the forwarding direction Y thereof, preventing any slippage thereof.

The slippage would in fact cause an uncertainty in the control of the container <NUM> relative to the fact that the control extends along the entire perimeter thereof.

As shown in <FIG>, an embodiment provides that only one of the operative members <NUM>, or <NUM>' , provides for being brought into the working position A, being movable in said contact direction Z.

Therefore, the pads <NUM> are arranged so as to push a portion, for example, of the first operative member <NUM>, while the second operative member <NUM>' cannot be moved in the contact direction Z.

Then the pads <NUM> push a portion of the first operative member <NUM>, pressing it against the container <NUM> when they are in the working position A, to exert the control pressure P; said container <NUM> will in turn press on the second operative member <NUM>' receiving therefrom the pressure P' equal to and diametrically opposite to P.

A preferred embodiment provides that during the working step of the apparatus <NUM>, the pads <NUM> maintain the working position A and therefore the portion of the first operative member <NUM> in thrust, which must engage with the container <NUM> by exerting the control pressure P; only when the apparatus is not working or is at a standstill, the pads <NUM> can be returned to the resting position B.

By always maintaining the working position A, the thrust device <NUM> allows a greater rate, not having to wait for the displacement of the pad <NUM> upon the arrival of each container <NUM>.

<FIG> highlights, for example, the case where the flexible towing member <NUM>, <NUM>' is a roller chain 125a and the contact surface <NUM> comprises dowels 126a mechanically associated with the links 125b of the roller chain 125a. In this case the pads <NUM> may comprise a plate <NUM> adapted to push a portion of the roller chain 125a in the contact direction Z of the container <NUM>; said plate <NUM> engages with the roller chain 125a on the opposite side of the contact surface <NUM>.

The plate <NUM>, for example, has a thickness such that it can come into contact with the rollers of the chain 125a so as to reduce the friction during the sliding of the roller chain 125a on said plate <NUM>.

Said solution is therefore effective and simple to implement.

According to what has been described above, since the pads <NUM> are preferably arranged one after the other without leaving empty spaces therebetween, each plate <NUM> has a length equal to the total length of the control zone, divided by the number of pads <NUM>.

Furthermore, in order to push the flexible towing member <NUM>, <NUM>' towards the container <NUM>, the movable pads <NUM> can comprise an actuator <NUM>, for example of the pneumatic type.

In the solution of <FIG> and <FIG> said actuator <NUM> is mechanically connected to the plate <NUM>.

In any case, it is understood that any alternative solution which allows the translation of the flexible towing member <NUM>, <NUM>' in the contact direction Z falls within the scope of protection of the invention.

If the actuator <NUM> is of the pneumatic type, a pressure reducer can be provided for managing the control pressure P.

Different solutions can be provided for the management of the control pressure P, such as for example the thrust device <NUM> can comprise a single pressure reducer which works in a centralized manner, i.e., it controls all the actuators <NUM>. In this case, said actuators <NUM> are managed so as to exert the same control pressure P.

Alternatively, a pressure reducer can be present for each actuator <NUM>. In this way, each pad <NUM> could exert different control pressures.

A preferred embodiment provides for said pressure reducer to be of the programmable type, i.e., it can be managed via software being operatively connected to a control unit of the apparatus <NUM>. This allows the control pressure P to be varied as a function of, for example, the type of container <NUM> and automatically, without the manual intervention of the operator.

Thanks to this solution, each container <NUM> format can be directly linked to a software recipe, a dedicated control pressure P and calibrated precisely to the control specifications thereof.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method for controlling the mechanical strength of containers <NUM>, in particular made of glass.

Said method can be carried out for example by means of a control apparatus <NUM> of the type described above.

In particular, the method provides for actuating the control on a control zone 201a extending along an entire perimeter <NUM> of the outer surface <NUM> of the container <NUM>.

To carry out this control, it is provided for:.

The control of the container <NUM> is subdivided into multiple steps, in which in each step, it is provided for exerting said control pressure P onto a respective portion of the control zone 201a, and it is provided that each single container <NUM> is subjected, in succession, to each step during the forwarding movement thereof and the rotation thereof.

In this manner, while a container <NUM> is subjected to a given control step, the container <NUM> which precedes it is simultaneously subjected to the preceding control step, while the container <NUM> which follows it is simultaneously subjected to the subsequent control step.

Said portion of the control zone 201a checked in a given step extends along a portion of the circumferential perimeter <NUM>. The sum of all the portions of the control zone 201a checked in each step is equal to the overall control zone 201a extending along the entire perimeter <NUM>.

Preferably, the control pressure P is exerted along the entire circumferential perimeter <NUM> during a rotation of the container <NUM> greater than or preferably equal to <NUM>° between the beginning of the first step and the end of the last step.

In fact, an equal and diametrically opposite counter-pressure P' corresponds to said control pressure P.

The minimum rotation for carrying out the total control of the container <NUM> is therefore equal to <NUM>°. In fact, since the pressure P and counter-pressure P' are diametrically opposite, the <NUM>° rotation allows the complete control along the entire circumferential perimeter thereof and therefore for all the <NUM>° thereof.

According to a preferred embodiment, each step provides for exerting said control pressure P onto a respective portion of the control zone 201a extending by a length equal to the circumferential perimeter <NUM> divided by the number of steps, and where said control pressure P is exerted during a partial rotation of the container <NUM> equal to <NUM>° divided by the number of steps.

This implies that the single steps are all the same, or more precisely, in each of them the container <NUM> carries out a rotation having the same amplitude in degrees and therefore a portion of the control zone 201a of the same length is controlled.

This facilitates the management of the control and optimizes the pitch between one container <NUM> and another.

As previously explained, the optimization of the pitch between containers <NUM> has as a consequence the optimization of the rate of the apparatus <NUM>.

According to an aspect of the invention, the method provides that each single container <NUM> is subjected to each step preferably continuously, that is to say passing directly from one step to the next.

This allows controlling the container <NUM> dynamically, i.e. without stopping it. Thanks to this solution, it is therefore possible to carry out a complete control at a specific control zone 201a extending along the entire circumferential perimeter <NUM> without the risk of uncontrolled portions being present.

To better clarify, in a given step it is provided for controlling a respective portion of the control zone 201a, and in the preceding and/or subsequent step, it is provided for controlling a respective portion of the immediately preceding and/or subsequent control zone 201a.

Thanks to this solution it is not only possible to carry out a dynamic type control, but it is also possible to increase the control rate of the apparatus <NUM> since there are no dead or waiting times in the passage from one step to another.

In particular, the method provides working by dividing the control into several steps, precisely to increase the work rate.

In fact, said method preferably provides that while a container <NUM> is subjected to a certain control step, the container <NUM> which precedes it is simultaneously subjected to the preceding control step, while the container <NUM> which follows it is simultaneously subjected to the subsequent control step.

It is therefore evident that having divided the control into several steps, it is possible to carry out the various steps of said control simultaneously on several containers <NUM> without affecting the correctness of the control and increasing the frequency thereof.

In particular, the number of control steps is a function of the work rate, i.e., the number of containers <NUM> which must be controlled in a given time interval.

In fact, having divided the control into a plurality of steps means that the time between the start of the control of a container <NUM> and the start of the control of the next container <NUM> must be slightly greater than or equal to the time for carrying out the longest step; in the preferred case in which the steps are all of the same duration, said time must be slightly greater than or equal to the time to carry out a single step.

Therefore, the greater the number of steps, the shorter they are and the shorter the time which elapses between the start of the control of one container <NUM> and the next.

It follows that a high number of steps allows to reach high rates, also maintaining low forwarding speeds of the containers <NUM>.

A preferred aspect of said method provides that the control pressure P exerted in each step can be adjustable according to the type of container <NUM>. Furthermore, each step can preferably provide a pressure different from the other steps.

Claim 1:
A method for controlling the mechanical strength of a container (<NUM>), in particular made of glass, by means of a control apparatus (<NUM>), which provides for actuating the control on a control zone (201a) extending along an entire circumferential perimeter (<NUM>) of the outer surface (<NUM>) of the container (<NUM>), wherein it is provided for:
- forwarding the container (<NUM>) according to a forwarding direction (Y),
- simultaneously rotating the container (<NUM>) about the axis of symmetry (X) thereof orthogonal to the forwarding direction (Y)
- controlling the container (<NUM>), during the rotation, exerting a control pressure (P) onto the control zone (201a),
characterized in that the control is subdivided into multiple steps, wherein, in each step, it is provided for exerting said control pressure (P) onto a respective portion of the control zone (201a), and it is provided that each single container (<NUM>) is subjected, in succession, to each step during the forwarding movement thereof and the rotation thereof.