Patent ID: 7111737

Claim:
A method for checking the integrity of a plurality of packages ( 2 ) with a single detecting step comprising the steps of: using first pressing means ( 4 ) for applying a reference force to at least one package ( 2 ) for a predetermined time interval (Dt); detecting the value of a force transmitted by the package ( 2 ) using force detecting means ( 6 ) positioned opposite to said first pressing means ( 4 ) with respect to the package ( 2 ), the force detecting means detecting the force transmitted by the package in response to the reference force; rejecting the package ( 2 ) when the force transmitted byte package ( 2 ) is lower than a critical force value (f*) which is a value of the force transmitted to the force detecting means by a good package; and, before using said first pressing means ( 4 ) for applying the reference force, using second pressing means ( 5 ) for applying a non-detected test force to the package ( 2 ) for a time interval (Dt*) for preliminarily stressing the package ( 2 ) before using the force detecting means for detecting the value of the force transmitted by the package ( 2 ) in response to the reference force.