# US 2024/0201135 A1 · Testing apparatus and method for testing containers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2024/0201135 A1 - Document ID: US20240201135A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/288,769 - Filed: 2022-04-25 - Published: 2024-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2021-04-28 - Assignees: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG - Applicants: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG - Inventors: Michael KRONAWITTER - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20240201135A1 ## CPC - G01N 27/72: by investigating magnetic variables - B65B 3/003: {Filling medical containers such as ampoules, vials, syringes or the like} - B65B 5/103: {for packaging pills or tablets} - B65B 7/28: by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers - B65B 57/10: responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of articles or materials to be packaged - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) ## Abstract A testing apparatus has at least one sensor for detecting foreign bodies in a container to be tested. The at least one sensor and/or at least one carrier element receiving the container are movable between a first arrangement and a second arrangement. In the first arrangement, the at least one sensor is arranged at a distance in the movement direction from the container. In the second arrangement, the at least one sensor encloses the container at least partially. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A testing apparatus for a packaging machine for packaging ingestible products in containers, wherein the testing apparatus comprises: a conveyor device, which is configured to convey a plurality of containers in a clocked manner in a conveying plane in a conveying direction through the testing apparatus; and at least one sensor, which is arranged in a testing region of the testing apparatus and which is configured to detect foreign bodies in a container to be tested among the plurality of containers; wherein the at least one sensor and/or at least one carrier element of the testing apparatus, by which the container to be tested is received in the testing region, is configured to be movable such that a relative movement between the at least one sensor and the container to be tested can be generated in a movement direction between a first arrangement and a second arrangement, the movement direction being orientated perpendicularly to the conveying plane; wherein, in the first arrangement, the at least one sensor is arranged at a distance in the movement direction from the container to be tested and, in the second arrangement, the at least one sensor encloses the container to be tested at least partially. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The testing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is formed in an annular shape and, in the second arrangement, fully encloses the container to be tested in a circumferential direction of the container to be tested. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The testing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one carrier element is configured to support the container to be tested from below in the testing region and to be movable in the movement direction. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The testing apparatus of claim 3, wherein a contact face of the at least one carrier element, on which the container to be tested is arranged, lies within the conveying plane in the first arrangement and does not lie within the conveying plane in the second arrangement. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The testing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is arranged below the conveying plane and the at least one carrier element is lowerable in relation to the conveying plane. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The testing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the testing apparatus comprises: a plurality of sensors, wherein each sensor of the plurality of sensors is arranged in a testing region of the testing apparatus; and a plurality of carrier elements, wherein one container to be tested of the plurality of containers is received in a testing region by one carrier element of the plurality of carrier elements. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The testing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the sensors of the plurality of sensors are arranged successively in the conveying direction. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The testing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the carrier elements of the plurality of carrier elements are lowerable in relation to the conveying plane and are connected to one another such that they are movable synchronously. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The testing apparatus of claim 6, wherein at least two sensors of the plurality of sensors are operable with a different frequency. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A packaging machine for packaging ingestible products, in containers, wherein the packaging machine comprises: a feed unit, which is configured to feed a plurality of containers into the packaging machine; a filling unit, which is configured to fill the plurality of containers with the ingestible products; a closing unit, which is configured to close the plurality of containers respectively with a lid; and the testing apparatus of claim 1 for testing the plurality of containers for foreign bodies therein. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The packaging machine of claim 10, wherein the conveyor device of the testing apparatus is configured to convey the plurality of containers in a clocked manner through the filling unit, the closing unit and the testing apparatus. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The packaging machine of claim 10, wherein the testing apparatus is arranged ahead of the closing unit. ### Claim 13 A method for testing containers for ingestible products, wherein the method comprises the steps of: a) feeding a plurality of containers in a clocked manner in a conveying plane in a conveying direction; b) arranging a container to be tested of the plurality of containers in a testing region in a first arrangement relative to at least one sensor for detecting foreign bodies, the at least one sensor being arranged at a distance in a movement direction from the container to be tested in the first arrangement, the movement direction being orientated perpendicularly to the conveying plane; c) generating a first relative movement between the container to be tested and the at least one sensor in the movement direction from the first arrangement into a second arrangement, in which the at least one sensor at least partially encloses the container to be tested; d) detecting by means of the at least one sensor whether a foreign body is contained in the container to be tested, and thereby testing the container; e) generating a second relative movement between the tested container and the at least one sensor parallel to the movement direction back into the first arrangement; and f) feeding the tested container from the testing region. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein step c) comprises: lowering the container to be tested in relation to the conveying plane, wherein the at least one sensor is arranged below the conveying plane. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the sensitivity of the at least one sensor is adjustable, and the method furthermore comprises: adjusting the sensitivity of the at least one sensor as a function of the ingestible products.