Measurement device and method for capsules

Abstract

An apparatus and method for measuring the breaking force of a frangible means connecting a capsule and a closed annular security band is described, comprising an annular ridge for axially holding the security band, a pressing element for pressing the capsule to break the frangible means, sensor means for detecting the traction force exerted by the pressing element, a lifting and abutment device configured to feed the capsule to the annular projection, and disengagement means for removing the security band from the annular projection after breakage of the frangible medium while keeping the closed annular shape of the security band intact.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a measuring device and method for measuring the pull-off force of connecting elements of capsules or closures, and in particular to a measuring device and method for measuring the pull-off force of capsules or closures made of plastic material used to close containers such as bottles.

[0002] In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a measuring device and method for measuring the pull-off force of a connecting element arranged to connect a portion of a side wall of a capsule to a portion of a tamper-evident band or safety ring, in particular the connecting element comprising a bridge element or bridges, i.e. an element made of a plastic material intended to be broken by a user upon first opening of a container to which the capsule is attached, providing tamper evidence of the closure of the container, and / or, by contrast, at least one tether element making it possible to hold the capsule to the tamper-evident band even after opening of the container. [Background technology]

[0003] A known measuring device for measuring the separation force of a bridge element applies stress substantially perpendicular to the end wall of a capsule. This measuring device includes a unit for detecting the separation force of the bridge element, which includes a tubular element having an annular ridge on its outer surface, to which a retaining element of the capsule's tamper-evident band is connected. The tubular element with the annular ridge simulates the neck of the container and, in use, is engaged with the capsule to close the container. The capsule has a cup-shaped body defined by a side wall and an end wall extending transversely relative to the side wall. The side wall has a closed end disposed at the end wall and an open end opposite the closed end. In use, the tubular element moves axially toward a stationary surface of the measuring device until the retaining element engages with the ridge. The capsule is placed on the stationary surface with the open end facing upward. In this way, the capsule is retained by the tubular element. The tubular element is then separated from the stationary surface. A generally cylindrical piston provided with a detection unit and slidable within the tubular element then presses the bottom surface of the end wall of the capsule downward, i.e., toward the rest surface, until the bridge breaks. In other words, the piston is positioned to apply a normal stress to at least a portion of the bottom surface of the end wall along a direction substantially perpendicular to, and in particular aligned with, the longitudinal direction of the capsule. A load cell is attached to the piston to detect the axial force that the piston exerts on the bottom surface of the end wall as it moves toward the rest surface. This axial force is converted into a tensile stress acting on the bridge element.

[0004] However, existing types of devices for measuring the separation force of capsule connecting elements have several limitations and drawbacks.

[0005] Indeed, existing types of devices for measuring the separation force of the connecting elements of a capsule may only be used to determine the separation force of the bridge elements, not the tether elements. Indeed, if all bridge elements of a capsule are broken, the side wall (if attached to the tubular element) will tilt relative to the longitudinal axis of the capsule, directing the force applied by the piston so that at least a portion of the tamper-evident band remains attached to at least a portion of the side wall by at least one tether element. In this way, the piston remains attached to the side wall on the one hand and to the tamper-evident band on the other hand, and is unable to apply tensile stress to the at least one tether element. This is because there is no abutment surface on which the piston can rest to apply mechanical stress, and the at least one tether element cannot be distorted.

[0006] Furthermore, force measurements detected by existing types of devices for measuring the separation force of capsule connecting elements have proven unreliable because some bridge elements are not distorted and therefore not subjected to tensile force. In fact, even though the piston exerts a uniform force on the center of the bottom surface of the end wall, not all bridge elements may break, but only some of them. This means that the capsule may tilt relative to its longitudinal axis, which is the direction in which the piston's force is applied, and that this tilting may cause the piston to continue moving without colliding with the capsule. As a result, some bridge elements may not be stressed, leading to inaccurate measurements of the detected separation force. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a measurement device and / or method that overcomes one or more of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative measurement device and / or method to the prior art measurement devices and / or methods mentioned above.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to make available a measuring device and / or method for capsules equipped with a security band, which allows for easy removal of the security band after breakage of the frangible means.

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a measuring device and / or method that allows accurate measurement of the forces acting on the connecting elements of the capsule being tested.

[0011] One advantage is that it provides a versatile measurement device and / or method for measuring forces acting on linking elements of a capsule that can be employed to test for fracture of both bridge elements and tether elements that the capsule may comprise.

[0012] One advantage is that a measuring device is provided that can be used as a laboratory device separate from the capsule processing line, or in-line, i.e., as a device connected to part of the capsule processing line, at a capsule passage that receives capsules for testing with the measuring device of the present invention.

[0013] One advantage is that it provides a measurement device that can be easily installed in an existing capsule processing line without requiring significant modifications to the processing line itself.

[0014] One advantage is that the detected force values ​​can be used to assess the quality of the tamper-evident band, resulting in a versatile measurement method that allows for corrections to be made to the operating parameters of the processing line. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus and method for measuring the pull-apart force of a connecting element of a capsule as defined in the accompanying claims.

[0016] According to the present invention, a measuring device is provided that ensures accurate measurement of the axial force applied to the capsule by the pressing means in order to measure the separation force of the capsule's connecting elements. Indeed, the measuring device according to the present invention comprises an abutment surface arranged to interact with the outer surface of the capsule's end wall, which prevents the capsule from tilting during the application of the axial force, i.e. from rotating about an axis approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pressing means, which would prevent at least part of the capsule's connecting elements from being destroyed by such rotation. Furthermore, the measuring device according to the present invention makes it possible to measure the separation force of both the capsule's bridge element and the capsule's tether element.

[0017] The measuring device according to the invention can be used as a stand-alone laboratory test device, separated from the capsule processing line, or as a device connected to a part of the capsule processing line and arranged downstream of a cutting device or knife that forms the connecting element of the capsules. In particular, the measuring device comprises a cap feed guide connected to a part of the processing line, which part has a capsule passage that, in use, transports capsules, in particular on a sample basis, deflected by a deflecting device to the measuring device, towards the feed guide.

[0018] Furthermore, the measurement device according to the present invention can be easily installed in an existing capsule processing line without requiring significant modifications to the processing line itself.

[0019] Furthermore, one example of a measuring device according to the present invention provides a measuring device for measuring the separation force of connecting elements of a capsule. This measuring device can rotate the capsule around its longitudinal axis so that a vision system can detect characteristics of the tamper-evident band and / or connecting elements intended to form the capsule's tamper-evident band or safety ring, such as the size of the bridge elements, the angular distribution of the bridge elements, and the regularity of the knife cut. Furthermore, by rotating the capsule under strain, its angular orientation, i.e., its phase, can be adjusted depending on the position of the capsule's reference element, e.g., a connecting element such as at least one tether element. Furthermore, the measuring method according to the present invention can reliably detect forces, and the detected forces can be used to evaluate the quality of the tamper-evident band. Indeed, by analyzing the detected forces, it can be determined whether the knife cutting the capsule's side wall to obtain the bridge element (and thus the tamper-evident band) and one or more tether elements is worn and requires replacement or maintenance.

[0020] In one example of the invention, the measuring device comprises an annular ridge for axially retaining a tamper-evident band on the capsule, a pressing element for pressing against the capsule to cause rupture of the frangible means connecting the tamper-evident band to the capsule, sensor means for detecting the pulling force exerted by the pressing element, and band release means for releasing the tamper-evident band from the annular ridge after rupture of the frangible means but maintaining the closed annular shape of the tamper-evident band intact, in particular by pushing the band radially outwards by radial pressing means and / or by causing inward collapse of the annular ridge after rupture of the frangible means. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] The invention may be better understood and put into practice with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of non-limiting example, some embodiments thereof. [Figure 1]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a front portion of an example of a measuring device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the rear portion of the measurement device of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of the measuring device of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the measuring device of FIG. 1 taken along line IV-IV. [Figure 4a] This is a detailed enlargement T of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the measurement device of FIG. 1 with the cover removed to show the force detection unit. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views of a portion of a force detection unit and a capsule subjected to a pulling force for measuring the separation force of a coupling element of the capsule, respectively, and show steps of a first exemplary sequence for detecting the separation force of a coupling element. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views of a portion of a force detection unit and a capsule subjected to a pulling force for measuring the separation force of a coupling element of the capsule, respectively, and show steps of a first exemplary sequence for detecting the separation force of a coupling element. [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are cross-sectional views of a portion of a force detection unit and a capsule subjected to a pulling force for measuring the separation force of a coupling element of the capsule, respectively, and show steps of a first exemplary sequence for detecting the separation force of a coupling element. [Figure 9] 1A-1C are cross-sectional views of a portion of a force detection unit, a capsule subjected to a pulling force and a vision system adapted to detect features of the capsule to measure the pulling force of a connecting element of the capsule, and a second exemplary sequence of steps for detecting the pulling force of a connecting element of the capsule. [Figure 10] 1A-1C are cross-sectional views of a portion of a force detection unit, a capsule subjected to a pulling force and a vision system adapted to detect features of the capsule to measure the pulling force of a connecting element of the capsule, and a second exemplary sequence of steps for detecting the pulling force of a connecting element of the capsule. [Figure 11] 8-11 are images of the capsule tamper-evident bands acquired via the vision system of FIG. 8-10. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views of a part of a force detection unit according to a third embodiment and a capsule subjected to a pulling force for testing the separation force of a connecting element of the capsule. 10C and 10D show steps of a third exemplary sequence for detecting the separation force of a connecting element. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views of a part of a force detection unit according to a third embodiment and a capsule subjected to a pulling force for testing the separation force of a connecting element of the capsule. 10C and 10D show steps of a third exemplary sequence for detecting the separation force of a connecting element. [Figure 14] 10 shows a first mode for detecting the separation force of the capsule's tether elements that can be implemented in the measurement device of FIG. 1; [Figure 15] 10 shows a second mode for detecting the separation force of the capsule's tether elements that can be implemented in the measurement device of FIG. 1. [Figure 16] 1 is a graph showing the tendency of the separation force detected by the measuring device of the present invention, and is also a graph showing the tendency of the separation force detected by the first detection method and the second detection method when the first capsule is subjected to a tensile test. [Figure 16a] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a first capsule. [Figure 17] 10 is a graph showing the trend of the separation force detected by the measuring device according to the present invention, and the trend of the separation force detected by the first detection method and the second detection method when the second capsule was subjected to a tensile test. [Figure 17a] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a second capsule. [Figure 18] 1 shows the direction and sense of the force acting on the capsule by the first and second detection methods relative to the bottle in which the capsule is attached. [Figure 19] 1 is a schematic vertical elevation view of another exemplary measurement device implemented in accordance with the present invention; [Figure 20] 2A and 2B show schematic perspective (left) and vertical elevation (right) views of another exemplary measurement device implemented in accordance with the present invention; [Figure 21] 1A and 1B schematically illustrate perspective views of another exemplary measurement device implemented in accordance with the present invention; [Figure 22] 22A and 22B are vertical elevation views of a detail of the device of FIG. 21 in a tamper-evident band engagement configuration (left side) and a tamper-evident band release configuration (right side). [Figure 23] 1A-1C are schematic diagrams illustrating vertical elevation views of another exemplary measurement device implemented in accordance with the present invention in a tamper-evident band engagement configuration (left side) and a tamper-evident band release configuration (right side). [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing details of the device of FIG. 23. [Figure 25] 10 shows a detail of a vertical section of another example of a measuring device made in accordance with the invention with a security band attached thereto; [Figure 26] 26 shows a detail of the measuring device of FIG. 25 with the security band released. [Figure 27] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the components of the measuring device of FIG. 25. [Figure 28] FIG. 26 is another perspective view of the components of the measurement device of FIG. 25. [Figure 29] 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of another example of a measuring device made in accordance with the invention, with the pressing means in a raised position; FIG. [Figure 30] 29A is a vertical cross-sectional view of FIG. 29, with the pressing means in a lowered state. [Figure 31] FIG. 2 is a vertical elevation view of another example of a measuring device according to the present invention. [Figure 32] 32 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXXII-XXXII in FIG. 31. [Figure 33] 33 shows an enlarged detail of FIG. 32. [Figure 34] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a production line layout including any of the aforementioned measurement devices. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] In the drawings, similar elements of different embodiments are numbered the same for simplicity.

[0023] Referring to the aforementioned figures, a measuring device, also referred to as a PFM (Pull Force Machine), is generally designated by the reference numeral 1 and is arranged to measure the pull-off force of a connecting element 201 (FIGS. 6 and 8) of a capsule or closure 200 (FIG. 6). Specifically, the measuring device 1 applies a tensile force to the capsule 200 and thus the connecting element 201, thereby measuring the pull-off force of the connecting element 201. The capsule 200 is made of a plastic material and is of a type used to close containers such as bottles. The connecting element 201 is arranged to connect a portion of a cylindrical or other side wall 202 of the capsule 200 to a portion of a generally annular tamper-evident band or safety ring 203 provided on the capsule 200. The tamper-evident band 203 is suitable for providing a user with information that the product is intact within the container. In particular, the connecting element 201 is a bridge element or bridge 201a (schematically shown in Figures 6 and 9), i.e., an element made of plastic material intended to be broken by the user during the initial opening of a container to which the capsule 200 is applied, and / or, by contrast, at least one tether element 201b (Figures 8, 13, 14, 15) that is able to hold the capsule 200 to its tamper-evident band 203 even after the container has been opened. The capsule 200 further comprises an end wall 204 extending transversely of the side wall 202. The capsule 200 comprises a cup-shaped body 210 defined by the side wall 202 and the end wall 204. The side wall 202 comprises a closed end 205 provided at the end wall and an open end 206 provided at the tamper-evident band 203. At one end, in particular the closed end 205, the end wall 204 bounds the side wall 202. The end wall 204 is provided with a sealing element 207 that can isolate the product contained in the bottle from the external environment. The sealing element 207 may be of a generally annular shape that protrudes from a bottom surface 214 of the end wall 204. The sealing element 207 has an inner sealing surface 215 that faces the interior of the capsule 200, i.e., towards the longitudinal axis A of the capsule 200.The sidewall 202 includes an outer surface 208 having a knurled area 209 that allows a user to more easily grip and screw the cup-shaped body 210 onto / under it. The sidewall 202 further includes an inner surface 216 having internal threads 217 that mate with the external threads of the bottle.

[0024] The tamper-evident band 203 engages with a rim 211 of the cup-shaped body 210 opposite the end wall 204. A separation line comprising a plurality of spaced apart cuts or openings is formed between the cup-shaped body 210 and the tamper-evident band 203 by the connecting element 201. The retaining element 213 projects generally radially from the inner annular surface 212 of the tamper-evident band 203 towards the longitudinal axis A of the capsule 200 and is adapted to interact with an annular ridge on the bottle to axially retain the tamper-evident band 203 in use. In other words, when the capsule 200 is removed from the mouth during initial opening of the container, the retaining element 213 acts to substantially prevent the tamper-evident band 203 from moving parallel to the longitudinal axis A, thereby facilitating the breaking of the connecting element 201 and enabling the tamper-evident band 203 to be separated from the cup-shaped body 210.

[0025] The measuring device 1 is configured to measure the pull-off force of the connecting element 201 by simulating the action a user performs when first opening a bottle without unscrewing the capsule 200. In practice, the capsule 200 is tested with the measuring device 1 by being subjected to a tensile force, as will be described in detail below. The measuring device 1 comprises a frame 2 that is stationary and placed on a stationary surface 3 (FIG. 3), such as a laboratory floor or a factory floor for the manufacture of capsules 200 that close containers. The frame 2 is provided with support means 4 for resting the measuring device 1 on the stationary surface 3. The support means 4 may comprise a plurality of legs 5 and feet 6, each of which is connected to a corresponding leg on one side and to the stationary surface 3 on the other side. With particular reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the frame 2 comprises a lower part 7 attached to the support means 4 and an upper part 8 attached at a position farther from the stationary surface 3 than the lower part 7. The lower part 7 and the upper part 8 are separated by a support plate 9 attached to the upper edge of the lower part 7. The measuring device 1 comprises a control panel 10 attached to an upper wall 11 of the lower part 7. This control panel is inclined, in particular, with respect to a vertical axis V (FIG. 3) of the measuring device 1. Such vertical axis V is approximately perpendicular to the rest surface 3. The control panel 10 is provided to enable an operator to interact with the measuring device 1. For example, the operator can operate the components of the measuring device 1 via the control panel 10. For this purpose, the control panel 10 comprises an interface panel 12, in particular of the touchscreen type, including a display device 13, such as a display, on which a graphical interface is implemented, through which the operator interacts with the components of the measuring device 1. The control panel 10 may further comprise an additional interface panel 14, in particular of the touchscreen type, or an additional display device 15, such as a display, on which an additional graphical interface is implemented, through which the operator interacts with additional components of the measuring device 1, for example, a force sensor of the measuring device 1, as will be described in more detail below. The control panel 10 may further comprise push button means 16, in particular consisting of a number of push buttons of the mechanical type.For example, a mushroom-shaped button may be provided to be operated when the measuring device 1 experiences an emergency situation, when one or more components of the measuring device do not function properly, when maintenance interventions need to be performed on components of the measuring device 1, or when a reset button is operated after an emergency situation. The control panel 10 may further include a force sensor connection socket 17. The connection socket 17 may be configured to receive a USB-type electronic device that stores data detected by the force sensor. The lower part 7 of the frame 2 further includes a front wall 18 on which a main power switch 19 of the measuring device 1 is mounted. This main power switch 19 may be operated to apply a voltage to, i.e., supply power to, the electrical / electronic components of the measuring device 1. Furthermore, an indicator light 20 may be mounted on the front part 18 to indicate that the electrical / electronic components of the measuring device 1 are connected to a power source. The lower part 7 of the frame 2 further includes a first side wall 21 having an openable panel 22 hinged along an edge 23 via at least one hinge 24 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis R. Finally, the lower part 7 of the frame 2 comprises a second side 25 opposite the first side wall 21, a rear wall 26 opposite the top wall 11 and the front wall 18, and a bottom wall 27 opposite the support plate 9. The second side 25 may be provided with an additional openable panel 39 similar to the openable panel 22.

[0026] The top wall 11, front wall 18, first side wall 21, second side portion 25, rear wall 26, bottom wall 27, and support plate 9 define a chamber 28 configured to house several electronic / electrical components of the measuring device 1. A container 29 may be disposed on the bottom wall 27. This container is particularly suitable for receiving the capsule 200, which is subjected to a pulling force within the measuring device 1 during use, particularly by gravity. The upper portion 8 includes a substantially open, box-shaped casing 30 on the side where the support plate 9 is attached. The casing 30 functions as a physical barrier to protect an operator who is in close proximity to the measuring device 1 and is at risk of coming into contact with protruding and lower moving parts of the measuring device 1. The casing 30 and support plate 9 separate a housing 31 configured to house several electronic / electrical / mechanical components of the measuring device 1 from a working area of ​​the measuring device 1. The casing 30 may be formed of a transparent plastic material ( FIG. 4 ) to allow an operator to visually observe the functioning of the moving parts of the measuring device 1. One side 32 of the casing 30 is provided in particular with a door 33, which is hinged rotatably about its axis of rotation B along an additional edge 34 via an additional hinge 35 to allow an operator access to the moving parts of the measuring device 1, for example for carrying out maintenance. An additional door 36 similar to door 33 may be provided on an additional side 37 of the casing 30.

[0027] The measuring device 1 may comprise a status display means 38 attached to the frame 2, in particular to the ceiling part of the upper part 8, for displaying the status of the measuring device 1 to an operator. For example, the status display means 38 may consist of one or more light sources, the colour of the light emitted indicating the status of the measuring device 1. In particular, a red light relates to an emergency state of the measuring device 1, for example due to a malfunction of one or more components of the measuring device 1, while a green light relates to the operating status of the measuring device 1, i.e. when the measuring device 1 is functioning properly.

[0028] 4, 4a, and 5, the measuring device 1 further comprises a detection unit 40 configured to measure, by the detection unit 40 itself, a number of values ​​of the tensile force exerted on the capsule 200, thereby obtaining the separation force of the coupling element 201. The detection unit 40 in particular comprises a hollow gripping spindle 41 having an annular protuberance 42 to which the capsule 200, which is subjected to the tensile force, can be coupled. In use, the protuberance 42 is configured to interact with the holding element 213 of the capsule 200 to axially hold the tamper-evident band 203 of the capsule 200, and thus the capsule 200 itself. The hollow gripping spindle 41 to which the tamper-evident band 203 of the capsule 200 is coupled simulates the grip provided by the neck of a bottle to which the capsule 200 is attached. The hollow gripping spindle 41 has a substantially tubular shape. In use, the capsule 200 is connected to the end 47 of the hollow gripping spindle 41. The hollow gripping spindle 41 is fixed to a support structure 43 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 5 ) of the detection unit 40. This support structure 43 is attached to a part of a surface 44 of the support plate 9. The support structure 43 has, for example, a portal shape and is made of, for example, a metal material such as aluminum. The surface 44 forms the worktop of the detection unit 40.

[0029] The detection unit 40 further comprises a pressing means 45 arranged to interact with at least a portion of the inner surface of the capsule 200. The inner surface of the capsule 200 may be flat or substantially L-shaped. The inner surface of the capsule 200 may comprise a bottom surface 214 of the end wall 204 and / or an inner sealing surface 215 of the sealing element 207. The pressing means 45 is movable along a breaking direction D and is arranged from top to bottom, i.e., approaching the rest surface 3, to apply a force to the capsule 200, particularly to at least a portion of the inner surface of the capsule 200, so as to break the connecting element 201 of the capsule 200 when the capsule 200 is attached to the hollow gripping spindle 41. The breaking direction D, indicated by an arrow in FIGS. 4, 7, 8, and 9, is approximately parallel to the vertical axis V of the measuring device 1 and approximately perpendicular to the surface 44 of the support plate 9. The pressing means 45 is movable along the breaking direction D by a moving device 48, such as an actuator, i.e. a linear actuator, to which the pressing means 45 is connected. The moving device 48 is attached to the support structure 43 of the detection unit 40. In use, the pressing means 45 is configured to slide within an elongated cavity obtained inside the hollow gripping spindle 41 and stop and press against at least a part of the inner surface of the capsule 200. The pressing means 45 then continues moving past the end 47 of the hollow gripping spindle 41, successively breaking all bridge elements 201a and then one or more tether elements 201b provided on the capsule 200 to be inspected.

[0030] The detection unit 40 further comprises a sensor means 49 associated with the pressing means 45 for detecting a force value that the pressing means 45 exerts on at least a portion of the inner surface of the capsule 200, and consequently on the connecting element 201, when moving along the breaking direction D. The sensor means 49 is configured in particular to detect a measurement signal, e.g., a tension or force value, in particular an electrical measurement signal, proportional to the deformation caused on the connecting element 201 of the capsule 200 by the force applied by the pressing means 45. If the electrical measurement signal is not a force value but, e.g., a tension value, the processing and control unit of the measuring device 1 converts it into a force value. In particular, the sensor means 49 detects force values ​​of a plurality of tension forces experienced by the connecting element 201, each force value being associated with a movement of the pressing means 45 along the breaking direction D. The sensor means 49 may consist of a force sensor means, a pressure sensor means or an electrical power sensor means. For example, the sensor means 49 comprises a load cell.

[0031] Simultaneously with the movement of the pressing means 45 along the breaking direction D, the sensor means 49 detects the force values ​​applied to the capsule 200 and, if necessary, stores them in the memory of the processing and control unit of the measuring device 1. The detected force values ​​may be transferred to an electronic storage device by inserting an end of a USB-type electronic storage device into the connection socket 17. Additionally or alternatively, the detected force values ​​may be automatically transferred to the main control unit (PLC) of the capsule processing line, for example, via an Ethernet cable. In one example, the pressing means 45 comprises a substantially cylindrical pusher.

[0032] The capsules 200 to be inspected are fed to the detection unit 40 manually or, advantageously, by a lifting and abutting device 50 of the measuring device 1. The lifting and abutting device 50 comprises an abutment surface 51 arranged to receive a region of the outer surface 218 of the end wall 204 of the capsule 200 in a stationary state, and is further arranged to press against the region of the outer surface 218 of the end wall 204 along a feed direction S, as indicated by the arrow in Figures 4, 6, 9 and 10, to feed the capsule 200 to the detection unit 40. The feed direction S is approximately perpendicular to the stationary surface 3 and to the surface 44 of the support plate 9. In particular, in use, the capsule 200 is held on the hollow gripping spindle 41 by moving the lifting and abutting device 50 along the feed direction S until the holding element 213 engages with the raised portion 42. To feed the capsule 200 to the detection unit 40, the lifting and abutting device 50 is movable between a lowered, inoperative position N shown in FIGS. 4 and 4a, in which the abutment surface 51 is located below the surface 44, and a feed position P shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, in which the abutment surface 51 is located above the surface 44 and at a distance from the surface 44 so as to ensure coupling to the raised portion of the capsule 200. In the feed position P, the abutment surface 51 may be offset from the end 47 by the thickness of the end wall 204, measured along a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the capsule 200, or by the thickness of the end wall 204 and, if present, the sealing element 207. The lowered position N and the feed position P are located at opposite ends of the travel path of the lifting and abutting device 50. The abutment surface 51 is located at the end of the lifting and abutting device 50 and may be flat. In use, the abutment surface 51 is further adapted to cooperate with at least one area of ​​the outer surface 218 of the end wall 204 in order to limit or prevent the capsule 200 from tilting when a pulling force is applied which would break the coupling element 201, i.e. if the capsule 200 is tilted relative to its longitudinal axis A (when the capsule 200 is mounted on the hollow gripping spindle 41) or the longitudinal axis G of the cavity 46 of the hollow gripping spindle 41, a pulling force will be applied after the capsule 200 is coupled to the raised portion 42 of the hollow gripping spindle 41.

[0033] In use, to limit or prevent tilting of the capsule 200 after coupling it to the end 47 of the hollow gripping spindle 41, the lifting and abutting device 50 is operated to move the set portion (FIGS. 7 and 12) along the operating direction O so as to maintain a set distance X between the abutment surface 51 and the outer surface 218 (or pressing surface 52) corresponding to the length of the set portion measured along the operating direction O. The set distance X may be in the range of 0.5 mm to 1 mm. The operating direction O may have at least one vector component generally parallel to and opposite the feed direction S, moving away from the outer surface 218 of the end wall 204, i.e., toward the surface 44 and the rest surface 3. The operating direction O may further have at least one vector component generally parallel to and aligned with the breaking direction D.

[0034] When the pressing means 45 moves along the breaking direction D and simultaneously applies a force to the capsule 200, the lifting abutment device 50 moves along the operating direction O so as to maintain a set distance equal to the set distance X in a first portion, in particular until all bridge elements 201a are broken. For example, this state may occur when the value of the force applied by the pressing means 45 and measured by the sensor means 49 reaches a maximum value and then starts to decrease. In other words, along the first portion, the abutment surface 51 of the lifting abutment device 50 and the pressing surface 52 of the pressing means 45 do not move relative to each other but are relatively stationary at the same time, in particular because they move at approximately the same speed. Next, the lifting abutment device 50 moves further along the operating direction O, and the pressing means 45 operates along the breaking direction D to interact with the inner surface of the capsule 200 and break the tether elements 201b, if present. In this case, the further set distance Y is also maintained. This corresponds, for example, to a set distance X between the abutment surface 51 and the outer surface 218 of the end wall 204 (or abutment surface 52) for the second movement portion (following the further portion) of the lifting abutment device 50 and the pressing means 45, i.e. the set distance Y is maintained until all tether elements 201b are broken. For example, this situation may occur when the value of the force exerted by the pressing means 45 and measured by the sensor means 49 starts to decrease after reaching a maximum value. In other words, also along the second portion, the abutment surface 51 of the lifting abutment device 50 and the pressing surface 52 of the pressing means 45 do not move by relative movement but are relatively stationary since they move at the same time, in particular at approximately the same speed.

[0035] When the capsule 200 is tipped over, i.e. when the capsule 200 is tilted relative to the longitudinal axis G of the elongated cavity 46 of the hollow gripping spindle 41, the set distance X is not maintained between the abutment surface 51 and the surface 214. This is because the rotation of the capsule 200, and consequently the rotation of the end wall 204, extends an area of ​​the outer surface 218 beyond the position that would normally be assumed if the end wall 204 remained approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated cavity 46 of the hollow gripping spindle 41. In this way, the abutment surface 51 can abut an area of ​​the outer surface 218, thus preventing excessive rotation of the capsule 200, which would occur if the plane in which the abutment surface 52 lies and the plane in which the end wall 204 lies form an angle greater than 75°. Tipping of the capsule 200 occurs when all bridge elements 201a are not broken at approximately the same time; once all bridge elements 201a are broken, the tamper-evident bands 203 remain fixed to the side walls 202 by the tether elements 201b. Excessive rotation of the capsule 200 means that the pressing means 45 does not abut the inner surface of the capsule 200, and the connecting elements 201 do not break. The set distance X and the additional distance are selected to ensure that the abutment surfaces 51 cooperate with the outer surfaces 218 of the end walls 204 of the capsule 200. The lifting and abutment devices 50 thus limit or prevent the capsule 200 from tipping in the absence of the abutment surfaces 51, thereby ensuring reliable measurement of the forces acting on the connecting elements 201 of the capsules 200 to be inspected, i.e., of the capsules 200 that are subject to distortion. This ensures that all connecting elements 201 are first subjected to a tensile force and then a pull-off force.

[0036] The lifting and abutment device 50 comprises a lifting element 53, in particular a cylindrical one, for example a piston, and a drive device 54 of known type, for example a linear actuator, arranged to move the lifting element 53 alternately along the feed direction S or along the operating direction O. The measuring device 1 may further comprise a capsule positioning device 55 arranged to position the capsule 200 to be inspected above the abutment surface 51 when the lifting and abutment device 50 is in the lowered position N. The capsule positioning device 55 comprises a rotating disk 56 attached to the surface 44 of the support plate 9 and rotatable about the axis of rotation M. The rotating disk 56 comprises a seat 57 shaped to receive the capsule 200 to be inspected with its open end 206 facing upwards, i.e., with its closed end 205 facing the stationary surface 3. The size of the seat 57 is selected so that the capsule 200 does not move within the seat 57 itself or moves with limited clearance during rotation of the rotating disk 56, thereby ensuring an optimal position above the abutment surface 51. The rotating disc 56 may further comprise an inlet channel 60 located within the seat 57 and having a first end arranged to receive and deliver the capsule 200 to be inspected to the seat 57, and a second end opposite the first end and providing an entrance for the capsule 200 to be inspected. In use, the capsule 200 is inserted into the entrance of the inlet channel 60 and slides down the bottom of the inlet channel 60 until it reaches the seat 57.

[0037] The capsule positioning device 55 may further include a cover 58 removably attached to the rotating disk 56. The cover may have a through opening 59 through which the capsule 200 can be viewed when inserted into the seat 57 while the rotating disk 56 is rotating. In use, the rotating disk 56 is rotatable about a rotation axis M, specifically in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 5, between a transfer position C shown in FIG. 5, in which the seat 57 faces the first end of the inlet channel 60, and a removal position (not shown), in which the seat 57 is substantially coaxial with the hollow gripping spindle 41. The capsule 200 has its longitudinal axis A substantially parallel to, and particularly coincident with, the longitudinal axis G of the elongated cavity 46 of the hollow gripping spindle 41. The removal position may be located directly opposite the receiving position C. The capsule 200 may be manually fed to the rotating disk 56 by insertion into the inlet channel 60 or directly into the seat 57. Alternatively, the capsules 200 may be fed to the rotary disc 56 via a capsule feed guide 61 that connects the measuring device 1 to a section of a plug processing line provided in a capsule production plant, in particular downstream of a cutter. The cutter is adapted to engrave the capsules 200, in particular to cut the side wall 202 of the capsules 200, so as to obtain a tamper-evident band 203 and one or more connecting elements 201 on said side wall 202. In fact, the capsule feed guide 61 is connected on the one hand to the inlet channel 60 (second end) or to the seat 57 if there is no inlet channel 60, and on the other hand to said section of the capsule processing line, and is provided nearby with a deflecting device, e.g., a rotatable rod, that is arranged to interact with the capsules 200 passing along said section of the line and deflect their path along the feed guide 61 towards the capsule positioning device 55. The capsule feed guide 61 is partially attached to the surface 44. A panel of the casing 30, in particular the rear panel 62 of the upper part 8, is provided with a through-hole 63 that allows a capsule feed guide 61 to be attached to the surface 44. The capsule feed guide 61 may have a polygonal cross section. If the measuring device 1 is equipped with a capsule feed guide 61, the capsules 200 to be inspected are automatically removed from the processing line.Thus, by means of the capsule feed guide 61 the measuring device 1 may form part of a capsule processing line 200 .

[0038] Either individual capsules 200 or groups of capsules 200 to be sequentially inspected by the measuring device may be automatically removed from the processing line. For example, the number of capsules 200 in a group of capsules 200 may correspond to the number of spindles of a cutting machine. The number of capsules 200 to be removed from the supply line may be programmed by a processing and control unit that can interact with the main control device (PLC) of the capsule processing line. The measuring device 1 may also be used stand-alone, i.e., detached from the plug processing line. In that case, the measuring device 1 is employed as a test machine for inspecting the pull-off force of the connecting element 201.

[0039] The measuring device 1 further comprises a cutting device 64 configured to cut the portion of the tamper-evident band 203 that remains attached to the ridges 42 when the measurement of the separating force of the connecting elements 201 is completed, i.e. when all of the connecting elements 201 have been broken. The cutting device 64 comprises a knife 65 ( FIGS. 4 and 4 a) and an actuator device 66 ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ), for example a linear actuator, arranged to bring the knife close to the portion of the tamper-evident band 203 in order to perform a cross cut, i.e. a cut such that the portion of the tamper-evident band 203 separates from the hollow gripping spindle 41 and is not perpendicular to the vertical axis V of the measuring device 1. Once the portion of the tamper-evident band 203 has separated from the gripping spindle 41, the capsule 200 (cup-shaped body 210 and tamper-evident band 203) is guided to a discharge pipe 67 ( FIG. 4 ), the end of which is located above the container 29, for example by an air blow generated by a nozzle attached to a compressed air channel (not shown). The discharge pipe 67 is shaped in such a way that the inspected capsule 200 can fall by gravity into the container 29 and interact with part of the inner surface of the discharge pipe 67 itself. The inspected capsule 200 is automatically ejected from the detection unit 40 by an air blow.

[0040] 6 to 8, which particularly show a part of the force detection unit 40 according to the first embodiment of the measuring device 1 and some steps of a first example of a sequence for detecting a separation force of the connecting element 201, the pressing means 45 comprises a first pusher 70 and a second pusher 71 arranged coaxially and is configured to detect the separation force of the bridge element 201a and the tether element 201b, respectively, when the pressing means 45 is moved along the breaking direction D by the first actuator of the moving device 48 and the additional actuator of the moving device 48. The first pusher 70 is formed in a substantially hollow cylinder, and the second pusher 71 is slidably arranged on the first pusher 70. Specifically, an elongated opening 79 is provided in the first pusher 70, and the second pusher 71 is slidable on the first pusher 70. The second pusher 71 comprises a shaft 72 having a substantially cylindrical shape and a tapered end 73, particularly having a blunt tip, connected to the end of the shaft 72. In this first embodiment, the pressing surface 52 of the pressing means 45 comprises a pressing surface of a first pusher 70 which, in use, is adapted to press against a portion of the bottom surface 214 of the end wall 204 (Figures 6 and 7). The pressing surface 52 of the pressing means 45 further comprises a pressing surface of a second pusher 71 provided at its tapered end 73 which, in use, not only presses against a portion of the bottom surface 214 of the end wall 204 (Figure 8), but also against a portion of the inner sealing surface 215 of the sealing element 207, if present, or against a portion of the inner side surface 216 of the side wall 202, if the capsule 200 is not provided with a sealing element 207. The tapered end 73 of the second pusher 71 is preferably formed to engage with and press against the L-shaped portion of the inner surface, with one side located on the bottom surface 214 and the other side located on the inner sealing surface 215 or the inner side surface 216. In this first embodiment, the sensor means 49 comprises a first force sensor such as a load cell connected to the first pusher 70 and a second force sensor such as a load cell connected to the second pusher 71 to detect the values ​​of the forces acting on the bridge element 201 a and the tether element 201 b of the capsule 200, respectively, when they are subjected to a pulling force.

[0041] 9, 10, 12 and 13, which show a part of the force detection unit 40 according to the second embodiment of the measuring device 1 and some steps of a second example of a sequence for detecting a separation force of a coupling element, the pressing means 45 comprises a substantially cylindrical first part 74 and a similarly cylindrical second part 75 hinged to the first part 74 so as to be rotatable about a hinge axis H that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis G of the elongated cavity 46 of the hollow gripping spindle 41. In other words, the second part 75 is articulated relative to the first part 74. In use, the first part 74 and the second part 75 initially assume an alignment configuration E, which is particularly shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 12. In this alignment configuration E, the first part 74 and the second part 75 are aligned along an axis that is substantially parallel to or coincident with the longitudinal axis G of the elongated cavity 46 when the measuring device 1 is not in operation. The pressing means 45 is moved along the breaking direction D, thereby pressing against a portion of the bottom surface 214 of the end wall 204 in order to first deform and then break the bridge elements 201 a ( FIG. 12 ). Simultaneously with the movement of the pressing means 45 along the breaking direction D, the sensor means 49 detects, and optionally stores in memory, the value of the force exerted on the capsule 200. Once all of the bridge elements 201 a have broken (which corresponds to a decrease in the detected force value), the pressing means 45 is again operated along the breaking direction D and continues to move along the breaking direction D, so that the end of the second portion 75 engages with a portion of the bottom surface 214 of the end wall 204 and with a portion of the inner sealing surface 215 of the sealing element 207 (or with a portion of the inner side surface 216 if the sealing element 207 is not present). Such portion is tilted relative to the longitudinal axis A of the capsule 200 (when the capsule 200 is attached to the hollow gripping spindle 41) or the longitudinal axis G of the cavity 46 of the hollow gripping spindle 41, since at least one tether element 201b rotates and drags the second portion 75, while keeping the tamper-evident band 203 fixed on one side to the hollow gripping spindle 41. In other words, the second portion 75 rotates about the hinge axis H. In contrast, the first portion 74 does not rotate, and its longitudinal axis remains approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis G of the cavity 46 of the hollow gripping spindle 41.The first and second parts 74, 75 therefore assume an inclined configuration F, with the second part 75 having a longitudinal axis that is no longer aligned with but inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the first part 74. As the second part 75 lowers, it continues to exert a force on the inside of the capsule 200, which also leads to the breaking of at least one tether element 201b. Simultaneously with the movement of the pressing means 45 along the breaking direction D, the sensor means 49 detects and optionally stores in memory the value of the force exerted on the capsule 200. Also in this case, the end of the second part 75 is advantageously shaped to engage and press against an L-shaped portion of the inner surface, with one side located on the bottom surface 214 and the other side located on the inner sealing surface 215 or on the inner side surface 216.

[0042] In this second embodiment, the measuring device 1 includes a vision system 76 arranged to capture images of the capsule 200 to be inspected, i.e., images of the tamper-evident band 203, before the capsule 200 is separated from the side wall 202 when the capsule 200 is subjected to a tensile test, specifically before the capsule 200 is coupled to the hollow gripping spindle 41. FIG. 11 shows an example of an image detected by the vision system 76. For example, the vision system 76 may be configured as a video camera, in particular a linear camera. In this manner, the vision system 76 can evaluate the quality of the cut performed by the cutting machine on the capsule 76 under test by evaluating an image of at least a portion of the tamper-evident band 203 within the frame of the vision system 76. In this second embodiment, the lifting and abutting device 50 includes an engagement groove 77 on the abutting surface 51, which is arranged to engage with the outer side surface 208 of the side wall 202 to secure the capsule 200 under test. For example, the engagement groove 77 may include an engagement region 78 formed to engage with the knurled region 209 of the capsule 200. In this embodiment, the drive device 54 allows the lifting and abutment device 50 to be moved not only in translation but also in rotation about an axis of rotation L substantially perpendicular to the surface 44. According to a variant not shown, the capsule 200 to be inspected is fixed to the abutment surface 51 of the lifting and abutment device 50 via a vacuum system of known type.

[0043] Rotation of the lifting and abutting device 50 allows images of several portions of the tamper-evident band 203 to be evaluated, including those that do not fall directly into the visual field of the vision system 76. In this way, it is possible to inspect the entire length of the tamper-evident band 203. Furthermore, before the capsule 200 is subjected to a pulling force, the capsule 200 may be angled depending on the position of at least one tether element 201b. The vision system 76 can also determine the size of the bridge elements 201a, their angular distribution, the regularity of the cuts, and the location of the cuts.

[0044] The operation of the above-described measuring device 1 is as follows: providing the capsule 200 to the detection unit 40; - coupling the capsule 200 to the hollow gripping spindle 41 by means of the holding element 213 engaging with said ridge 42; applying a pulling force to the capsule 200 via the pressing means 45 and detecting, via the sensor means 49, an electrical signal proportional to the deformation undergone by said connecting element 201; moving the lifting and abutting device 50 along the operating direction O and simultaneously, in particular at the same speed, moving the pressing means 45 along the breaking direction D, so that the abutting surface 51 is maintained at a set distance X, Y from the outer surface 218 of the end wall 204, and the abutting surface 51 cooperates with the outer surface 218 of the end wall 204 to counteract excessive tilting of the capsule 200 during application of the pulling force; The measuring method includes:

[0045] The step of supplying the capsule 200 comprises, when the lifting device 50 is in the lowered position N, positioning the capsule 200 with its open end 206 facing upwards above the abutment surface 51, and subsequently moving the lifting and abutment device 50 along the feed direction S to a feed position P where the holding element 213 engages with the raised portion 42, thereby connecting the capsule 200 to the hollow gripping spindle 41 (FIG. 6). The step of positioning the capsule 200 above the abutment surface 51 can further comprise, in particular, sequentially, the steps of providing a rotating disk 56 at a receiving position C, inserting the capsule 200 into a seat 57 of the rotating disk 56, and rotating the rotating disk 56, in particular by approximately 180° about the rotation axis M, until the capsule 200 reaches a removal position where its longitudinal axis A is approximately aligned with the longitudinal axis G of the elongated cavity 46 of the hollow gripping spindle 41 and is approximately aligned with the axis of the seat 57. The step of placing the capsule 200 above the abutment surface 51 may further comprise the step of removing the capsule 200 from a portion of a capsule processing line via a capsule supply guide 61 and supplying the capsule 200 to the seat 57. The measuring method further comprises the step of moving the lifting and abutting device 50 along the operating direction O for a portion until the abutment surface 51 and the outer surface 218 of the end wall 204 are separated by a set distance X ( FIGS. 7 and 12 ). The measuring method further comprises the step of measuring the pulling force of the connecting element 201, which step comprises the steps of moving the pressing means 45 along the breaking direction D to apply a tensile force to the inside of the capsule 200 and break the bridge element 201 a, and moving the lifting and abutting device 50 along the operating direction O for a first portion while maintaining the set distance X. The step of measuring the pulling force of the connecting element 201 further comprises a step of constantly detecting, via the sensor means 49, the value of the pulling force acting on the capsule 200 and thus on the connecting element 201, simultaneously with the movement of the pressing means 45 along the breaking direction D, in particular from the moment the pressing means 45 starts to exert a force on the inner surface of the capsule 200. The step of detecting the value of the pulling force consists in calculating the value of the pulling force of the bridge element 201a, which value of the pulling force of the bridge element 201a corresponds in particular to the value of the first maximum force detected during the first portion.The set distance X is maintained until all bridge elements 201 a are broken, i.e. until the sensor means 49 detects the pulling force of the bridge elements 201 a. The measuring method further comprises the step of moving the lifting abutment device 50 along the operating direction O during the first portion, measuring until the abutment surface 51 of the end wall 204 and the outer surface 218 are separated by an additional set distance Y, which may be the same as or different from the set distance X. The step of measuring the pulling force of the linking element 201 further comprises the step of moving the pressing means 45 further along the breaking direction D to apply a pulling force to the inner surface of the capsule 200 to break the tether elements 201 b, and meanwhile moving the lifting abutment device 50 along the operating direction O for a second portion during which the additional set distance Y is maintained ( FIGS. 8 and 13 ). The step of measuring the pulling force of the connecting element 201 further comprises a step of constantly detecting the value of the pulling force acting on the capsule 200, and thus the connecting element 201, via the sensor means 49, while moving the pressing means 45 along the breaking direction D. The step of detecting the value of the pulling force comprises a step of calculating the value of the pulling force of the tether element 201b, which corresponds to the second maximum force value detected after the first maximum force value detected during the second portion. The additional set distance Y is maintained until all tether elements 201b are broken, i.e., until the sensor means 49 detects the pulling force of the tether element 201b. By maintaining the set distance X during the first portion and the additional set distance Y during the second portion, it is possible to prevent the capsule 200 from tilting during the application of the pulling force. This is because if the capsule 200 is slightly tilted, the abutment surface 51 can cooperate with at least one area of ​​the outer surface 218 of the end wall 204 to prevent excessive tilting that would interfere with measuring the separation force of the connecting element 201. With reference to the first embodiment of the measuring device 1, the step of moving the pressing means 45 along the breaking direction D may comprise a first step of moving the first pusher 70 along the breaking direction D, while maintaining the second pusher 71 in a predetermined position that is approximately coaxial with the longitudinal axis A of the capsule 200, in order to apply a pulling force to a portion of the bottom surface 214 of the end wall 204 of the capsule 200 in order to break the bridge element 201 a (FIG. 7).The step of moving the pressing means 45 along the breaking direction D comprises a second step following the first step. The second step may further comprise a second step of applying a pulling force to a part of the bottom surface 214 of the end wall 204 of the capsule 200 and a part of the inner sealing surface 215 of the sealing element 207 (if the capsule 200 includes the sealing element 207) or to a part of the bottom surface 214 and a part of the inner side surface 216 of the end wall 204 of the capsule 200 (if the capsule 200 does not include the sealing element 207) in order to break the tether element 201b while moving the second pusher 71 along the breaking direction D while maintaining the first pusher 70 in a predetermined position ( FIG. 8 ). Referring to the second embodiment of the measuring device 1, before coupling the capsule 200 to the hollow gripping spindle 41, the measuring method may further include a step of bringing the lifting and abutting device 50 and the pressing means 45 closer to each other so that the abutment surface 51 and the pressing surface 52 abut on opposite portions of the end wall 204 to engage the capsule 200 in the engagement groove 77 so that the capsule 200 is angularly fixed, i.e., cannot rotate freely ( FIG. 9 ). After the step of bringing the lifting and abutting device 50 and the pressing means 45 closer to each other, the measuring method may further include a step of rotating the lifting and abutting device 50 around its rotation axis L to orient the capsule 200 based on the position of its reference element, such as the position of the tether element 201 b. The position of the reference element is detected by acquiring at least one image of the tamper-evident band 203 via the vision system 76. The step may orient the reference element of the capsule 200 in a desired direction. After the step of bringing the lifting and abutment device 50 and the pressing means 45 closer to each other, the measurement method may further comprise a step of inspecting the capsule 200, which comprises rotating the lifting and abutment device 50 about its rotation axis L and acquiring at least one image of an area of ​​the tamper-evident band 203. The rotation of the lifting and abutment device 50 and the acquisition of at least one image may be repeated until an image of the entire outer surface of the tamper-evident band 203 has been acquired.After carrying out the capsule 200 step-by-step and / or capsule 200 inspection step, the measurement method comprises the step of coupling the capsule 200 to the hollow gripping spindle 41 and the subsequent step of measuring the pull-off force of the coupling element 201, during which the vision system 76 may be switched off (FIG. 10). The force values ​​acting on the capsule 200 to be inspected and, consequently, on the coupling element 201 are acquired in the processing and control unit of the measuring device 1 and, if necessary, stored therein. When the sensor means 49 detects a measurement signal proportional to the force value, the processing and control unit processes the measurement signal thus acquired and converts it into a force value. At the end of the step of measuring the pull-off force of the coupling element 201, the measurement method may comprise the steps of cutting the tamper-evident band 203, which remains fixed to the ridge 42, by means of the cutting device 64 and ejecting the capsule 200 using an air blow. The measuring method may further comprise the step of plotting and displaying on the display device 13 a trend curve of the force values ​​as a function of the movement of the pressing means 45 along the breaking direction D or as a function of time.

[0046] 16 and 17 are graphs showing two example tear-off value trend curves detected by testing the capsules of the first and second embodiments shown in FIGS. 16a and 17a, respectively. Each graph shows the trend of tear-off values ​​detected by the measurement device 1 using the above-described measurement method (represented by the dashed curve), the trend of tear-off values ​​detected in the first detection mode (represented by the dotted curve), and the trend of tear-off values ​​detected in the second detection mode (represented by the solid curve). With particular reference to FIG. 18, in the first detection mode, a tensile force is applied to at least one tether element 201b along a direction (vertical, axial, or 0°) substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the capsule 200, which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bottle to which the capsule 200 being tested is attached. In contrast, in the second detection mode, a tensile force is applied to at least one tether element 201b along a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the capsule 200 (or horizontal, radial, or 90° direction). The first and second detection modes may be performed by the measurement device 1 (FIGS. 14 and 15, respectively) or by another laboratory machine. Each curve shown in the graph has a first maximum point corresponding to the pulling force of the bridge element 201a and detected during a first portion of the movement of the pressing means 45 along the breaking direction D, and a second maximum point corresponding to the pulling force of the tether element 201b and detected during a second portion of the movement of the pressing means 45 along the breaking direction D. The first and second portions are approximately 15 mm long. The measurement method may further include analyzing the detected force values ​​to obtain production information for the capsule 200. This information can be used to make changes to one or more parts of a capsule production plant where the inspected capsule 200 is manufactured, particularly if the measurement device 1 is used in the line. Specifically, the force values ​​detected can be analyzed to determine whether one or more components of the capsule manufacturing plant are malfunctioning. For example, it can be determined whether a cutting blade is worn or malfunctioning due to improper cutting parameters used in a cutting machine. As a result, the cutting operation can be corrected by replacing the worn blade or changing the cutting parameters of the cutting machine.It should be noted that by analyzing the graph showing the force as a function of time, it is possible to determine the elongation of the bridge element 201 a. It is therefore possible to compare the elongation of the bridge element 201 a in capsules 200 made of different materials and to determine whether the material used to form the inspected capsule 200 is incompatible, since the detected elongation deviates from the elongation expected for that material. In other words, the detected force value may be related to a fault condition in a part of the capsule manufacturing plant.

[0047] The movable lifting and abutting device 50 allows the abutment surface 51 to cooperate with the outer surface 218 of the end wall 204 during the measurement step to eliminate any possibility of rotation of the capsule 200 about its longitudinal axis A. This ensures that all of the linking elements 201 are broken, thereby enabling a reliable measurement of the separation force of the linking elements 201. Furthermore, the movable lifting and abutting device 50 and the vision system 76 allow the capsule 200 to be properly oriented and fed to the detection unit 40. The shape of the pressing means 45 allows the separation force of a capsule 200 equipped with a bridge element 201a and / or at least one tether element 201b to be detected. The measuring device 1 further comprises a step of measuring the separation force of the linking elements 201 of capsules 200 having a diameter in the range of 25 mm to 38 mm and a height in the range of 10 mm to 20 mm, without any modification to the components. If it is desired to test capsules 200 having a size different from that described above, only the hollow gripping spindle 41 needs to be changed, in addition to the parts that move the capsule 200 into the working position. This shows that the measuring device 1 is very versatile. Finally, the measuring device can test the separation force of the connecting bridge elements 201a of different types of bands on capsules 200 of similar size.

[0048] Figures 19 to 24 show four other examples of measuring devices, which differ from those of the previous examples only in that the means for removing the security band comprise, instead of a means for cutting the band, a removal means which leaves the band in its annular shape.

[0049] The measuring device of Figure 19 comprises a tubular element 81 (e.g. cylindrical) having a vertical axis. In particular, the measuring device may comprise an axial thrust element 45 arranged axially movable inside the tubular element 81. As in the previous example, the axial thrust element 45 is configured to push the capsule 200 downwards and break the frangible means 201 connecting the capsule 200 to the tamper-evident band 203 (having a closed annular shape).

[0050] The axial pressing element 45 shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 19 to 22 may in particular be similar to that of the previous embodiments.

[0051] In particular, the measurement device may comprise an annular ridge 42 projecting radially from the tubular element 81. The annular ridge 42 may comprise at least one reaction surface 82 configured to act as an abutment surface for axially retaining the tamper-evident band 203, in particular when the axial pressing element 45 presses the capsule 200 downwards causing it to break, as in the previous embodiments. In particular, such reaction surface 82 may extend in the circumferential direction (either in a continuous or discontinuous mode).

[0052] The annular ridge 42 shown in the embodiment of Figures 19 to 22 may in particular be similar to that of the previous embodiments.

[0053] The reactive surface 82 may in particular have an outer diameter that is greater than the inner diameter of the tamper-evident band 203 so as to axially retain the tamper-evident band and allow for the frangible means 201 to be broken.

[0054] The measuring device may in particular comprise sensor means 49 (not shown in Figures 19 to 22 but provided in these exemplary embodiments) configured to detect at least one force acting on the capsule 200 by the axial pressing element 45. Thus, each measuring device of Figures 19 to 22 comprises sensor means for measuring the pulling apart force of the frangible means, which may in particular be similar to those described in the previous examples.

[0055] The measuring device shown in FIG. 19 (as well as those shown in FIGS. 20-22) may, among other things, include various elements (in whole or in part) of the previously described measuring devices that are not shown for simplicity. Specifically, the exemplary measuring devices shown in FIGS. 19-22 may not include cutting device 64 because, as described in more detail below, in these examples, destruction of the frangible means is followed by removal or ejection of the tamper-evident band and resulting separation of the capsule. The resulting separation of the capsule occurs by disengaging or moving the tamper-evident band from annular ridge 42 without cutting, tearing, or otherwise opening the tamper-evident band, while leaving the closed annular shape of the band itself intact.

[0056] The measuring device may comprise band disengagement means configured to cause at least one relative movement between the annular ridge 42 and the tamper-evident band 203, in particular after breaking of the frangible means 201.

[0057] The aforementioned relative movement may in particular consist of either a radial expansion of the tamper-evident band 203 (as in the example of Figures 19 and 20) or a radial collapse of the annular ridge 42 (as in the example of Figures 21 and 22), or both (i.e., both a radial expansion of the tamper-evident band 203 and a radial collapse of the annular ridge 42).

[0058] As a result of the aforementioned relative movement, the tamper-evident band 203 remains intact, i.e., has a closed annular shape, for at least the time required for the tamper-evident band 203 to disengage or move from the annular ridge 42, and may have an inner diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the annular ridge 42 so that the tamper-evident band 203 can be removed while maintaining its closed annular shape.

[0059] The band disengagement means may comprise a radial pushing portion configured to spread the tamper-evident band 203 radially outward (as in the embodiment of Figures 19 and 20) (a portion of the tamper-evident band 203 spread by the band disengagement means is shown in dashed lines in Figure 19).

[0060] Specifically, the radial pressing portion may be movable between at least one first contracted configuration, in which it is positioned radially inward of the reactive surface 82 (i.e., positioned inside the tamper-evident band held by the annular ridge and not yet radially expanded), and at least one second expanded configuration, in which the radial pressing portion moves radially outward relative to the first configuration, radially pressing and expanding the tamper-evident band 203, moving it over the annular ridge 42 without breaking it and maintaining its closed annular shape. Figure 19 shows a portion of the radial abutment in the second band-expanding configuration in dashed lines.

[0061] The radial pressing portion may be configured with two, three, or more radially movable sectors 83 arranged along a circumference, as in the embodiment of Figure 19. Specifically, each sector 83 may be configured with a sector extending along a circumferential arc. In the first contracted configuration with a smaller diameter, the various sectors 83 may collectively form a substantially continuous cylindrical shape.

[0062] The measuring device may in particular comprise actuator means (not shown) configured to move the radial pressure part between the first and second configurations. These actuator means may in particular comprise at least one actuator. In particular, pneumatic actuator means may be arranged. Alternatively, one or more linear actuators may be arranged. It is also possible to arrange an actuator that operates all sectors 83 (for example via a motion transmission mechanism). It is also possible to operate each sector 83 by connecting it to a respective actuator.

[0063] The radial pressing part may, as in the embodiment of Figure 20, comprise an internal profile 84 adapted to come into contact with an external counter profile 85 supported by said axial pressing element 45. An upward movement of the axial pressing element 45 brings the internal profile 84 into contact with the external counter profile 85, forcing the radial pressing part radially outwards.

[0064] The aforementioned internal profile 84 may be disposed at one end of one, two or more resilient elements 86 configured to resiliently return to a rest position towards a first configuration (having a reduced diameter), in particular.

[0065] In particular, the internal profile 84 may be arranged at the lower end of the circumferential array of elastic elements 86 around the vertical axis. Each elastic element 86 may in particular comprise an axially elongated elastic tab. The internal profile 84 may be provided in a plurality of profiled sections arranged on each elastic element 86, as in the embodiment of FIG. 20. The external counter profile 85 may be formed from a flared (e.g., frustoconical) section of the axial pressure element 45, as in the embodiment of FIG. 20, so that the pressure element changes diameter from a larger diameter at the element section arranged in a lower position to a smaller diameter at the element section arranged in an upper position.

[0066] In particular, each elastic element 86 may comprise a wall of the same tubular element 81, as in the embodiment of FIG. 20. Each elastic element 86 may be formed by two through-openings or notches in the wall of the tubular element 81 on two opposite sides. The circumferential arrangement is formed by a series of vertical elastic elements 86 without an internal profile 84 and spaced apart by wall sections not intended for expansion, the series of vertical through-openings forming the separation interface between the expandable vertical elastic elements 86 and the fixed wall sections. Each through-opening or notch may in particular comprise a very thin slot, and the aforementioned circumferential arrangement of the expandable elastic elements 86 spaced apart by the fixed wall sections makes it possible to obtain an outer surface (here cylindrical) of the tubular element 81 that can be considered to be substantially continuous and substantially free of associated interruptions.

[0067] After the breaking of the frangible means 201, the pressure element 45 moves upwards (from a lower position similar to that shown in Figure 19). In the embodiment of Figure 20, this upward movement continues until the counter profile 85 is in contact with and interacts with the profile 84 (upper position, not shown), causing the elastic element 86 to expand radially outwards, resulting in the disengagement of the tamper evident band 203, which is ejected from the annular ridge 42 (without any breaking of the band, which remains in a closed annular shape). In this upper configuration, the part of the pressure element 45 with a larger diameter keeps the elastic element 86 in the expanded position, thereby ejecting the band outwards.

[0068] After disengagement or removal of the band, the pressing element 45 moves downwards again with a new measurement cycle for the separation force of the frangible means of another capsule until it reaches an intermediate position (right side of FIG. 20, where the term "intermediate" is understood with reference to the lower position reached to break the frangible means and the upper position reached to disengage the tamper-evident band).

[0069] The band disengagement means may comprise a collapsible portion 87 of the tubular element 81, as in the embodiment of Figures 21 and 22. The annular ridge 42 may in particular be arranged on the collapsible portion 87. Such a collapsible portion 87 may in particular be configured similarly to the elastic element 86 of Figure 20, with the difference that here the annular ridge 42 is arranged on the collapsible portion 87, but in the embodiment of Figure 20 the annular ridge 42 is a fixed element and a mobile element that can expand its diameter in order to press radially outwards is shown on the elastic wall of the tubular element 81.

[0070] Furthermore, such collapsible portion 87 can assume an expanded band retention configuration (shown on the left side of FIG. 22 ) in which the reaction surface 82 of the annular ridge 42 can axially retain the tamper-evident band 203, and a collapsed release configuration (shown on the right side of FIG. 22 ) in which the reaction surface 82 of the annular ridge 42 curves radially inward, thereby reducing its diameter relative to the expanded, larger diameter retention configuration. In the collapsed release configuration, the annular ridge 42 can release the tamper-evident band 203.

[0071] Collapsible portion 87 may in particular be configured to be in a collapsed, released configuration after breaking of frangible means 201 by axial pushing element 45. After breaking of frangible means 201, pushing element 45 moves upwards. The upward movement continues until it is no longer internally opposed to collapsible portion 87, i.e., a configuration similar to that shown on the right side of Figure 22, causing collapse of collapsible portion 87, whereby the latter, due to the lack of internal opposition, moves elastically to a contracted, small diameter rest position.

[0072] The collapsible portion 87 may comprise one, two, or more vertically extending elongated elastic elements 88, as in the embodiment of Figures 21 and 22. Each elastic element 88 may be configured to move to a rest position in the collapsed, released configuration.

[0073] The measuring device may in particular comprise abutment means arranged to maintain the elastic element 88 in the aforementioned expanded configuration in order to retain the tamper-evident band, while the axial pressing element 45 presses the capsule 200 downwards in order to break the frangible means 201.

[0074] As in these embodiments, the abutment means may comprise a similar axial pressing element 45 configured to assume (sequentially) an intermediate position (to allow insertion of the tamper-evident band into the annular ridge), a lower position (to obtain pressure on the capsule and destruction of the flangeable means), and an upper position (to obtain collapse of the annular ridge and allow removal of the tamper-evident band).

[0075] In an intermediate position (eg shown on the left side of FIG. 22 or on the right side of FIG. 20), the axial pushing element 45 can act against the elastic elements 88 to maintain them in the expanded holding configuration.

[0076] In the intermediate position, the axial pressing element 45 can lift the capsule 200 (in particular by a lifting device for lifting the capsule, as described in the previous examples) in order to engage the tamper-evident band 203 in the annular ridge 42. The aforementioned lifting abutment device can be found in all the embodiments of Figures 19 to 22.

[0077] In the downward position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 19), the axial pressing element 45 can oppose the elastic element 88 to maintain the elastic element 88 in the expanded holding configuration after the axial pressing element 45 itself has pressed the capsule 200 downward.

[0078] In the upper position (e.g., as shown on the right side of FIG. 22), the axial pushing element 45 is positioned so that the elastic element 88 is free to collapse (by elastically moving to a smaller diameter rest position) towards the collapse band release configuration.

[0079] 23 and 24 show another exemplary measuring device, in which the radial pressure comprises a pressure profile 90 attached to the axial pressure element 45. The pressure profile 90 may in particular be arranged on a number of elements or attachments, in particular having a flat, layered or plate-like shape, which are rigidly supported by the axial pressure element 45 and which project radially from the outer surface of the pressure element itself.

[0080] The pressing profile 90 may be configured in particular such that a downward movement of the axial pressing element 45 causes the tamper-evident band 203 to spread radially outwards (see, for example, the movement seen from the left to the right part of FIG. 23).

[0081] The pressing profile 90 may in particular be inserted into one or more vertical slots 91 obtained in the tubular element 81 so as to allow vertical movement of the axial pressing element 45 in both directions. The pressing profile 90 may in particular comprise at least one pressing surface arranged in the circumferential direction. The pressing surface may in particular have an inverted flare shape that is inclined to widen towards the top.

[0082] As in the illustrated example, the pressing profile 90 may consist of a number of different circumferentially arranged profile sections which are inserted respectively into respective slots 91 obtained in the tubular element 81 .

[0083] When the axial pressure element 45 moves downwards to perform a pull-apart test of the frangible means of the tamper-evident band 203, the pressure profile 90 supported by the axial pressure element 45 also moves downwards and, due to its shape, exerts a radial pressing action towards the tamper-evident band 203 after the frangible means has been broken, causing the band itself to spread and be removed and ejected from the annular ridge 42.

[0084] With respect to the embodiments of Figures 19 to 24, the device may comprise a lifting element, such as lifting element 53, configured to transport at least capsule 200 from a lower position away from annular ridge 42 to an upper position where tamper-evident band 203 passes through annular ridge 42 and is axially retained by annular ridge 42.

[0085] 19 to 24, the device may comprise an axial pushing portion 89 (see FIG. 19 or 23) configured to push axially down the tamper-evident band 203 after the band disengagement means has caused the aforementioned relative movement between the annular ridge 42 and the tamper-evident band 203, i.e., after the tamper-evident band has been removed to the outside from the annular ridge 42. This axial protrusion 89 may in particular comprise an annular pusher movable in the vertical axial direction, controlled by actuator means. In any case, other types of pushing means may be provided, for example blowing means for spraying air or another gas, to facilitate the movement of the tamper-evident band maintained in the closed annular shape.

[0086] Figures 25 to 33 show a measuring device which differs from that of Figures 23 and 24 in that the pressing profile 90 is provided with retaining means 92 which project radially outwards from its upper end. The retaining means 92 may in particular be configured to retain the security band 203 axially (after removal from the capsule), thereby preventing the security band itself from being thrown beyond the pressing profile 90.

[0087] The retaining means 92 may in particular comprise a circumferential arrangement of several projections or, as in the example shown, a single (continuously extending) circumferential projecting element, the latter of which may define a circumferential contrast portion that can engage with the band in order to retain it axially downwards by means of a horizontal abutment surface (as in this example) or a downwardly inclined abutment surface.

[0088] The measuring device may in particular comprise an actuator 93 connected to the pressing means (axial pressing element 45) in particular by means of a lever 94 in order to activate the movement of the pressing means.

[0089] With reference to all the above-mentioned embodiments, the measurement device comprises electronic control and management means (e.g., at least a CPU or electronic processor) with a data processing system. Each measurement device described herein can be networked to allow data exchange with the outside world. Each measurement device can be linked to at least one operating system with at least one supervisory program, in particular to control the execution of programs and / or to regulate the operation flow.

[0090] The monitoring program may be configured, in particular, to provide the electronic control and management means of the measurement device with one or more operating parameters (or work "recipe") for the various actuators and to store one or more data detected by the various sensors. The monitoring program may, for example, be applied to a single production line including the measurement device, particularly if the measurement device actually forms part of the production line. In another example, the monitoring program may be applied to an entire plant including two or more production lines. In such cases, the measurement device may be used as a standalone device to inspect the production of multiple lines, for example in a laboratory not included in one of the production lines.

[0091] For example, a "basic production line" may be understood to include a cutting machine coupled with a measuring device.

[0092] 34 shows the layout of a production line including a measuring device 1 (one of those described above) arranged in line with a cutting machine (suitable for forming the security band 203) and / or a bending machine 101 (suitable for bending the flaps of the security band 203). The combined arrangement of the two machines in a continuous line (the measuring device 1 downstream of the cutting machine and / or bending machine 101) is particularly advantageous because it allows for feedback control (based on the results of checks performed by the measuring device) of one or more operating parameters of the cutting machine and / or bending machine. Since these two machines are in the same line, both receive capsules in real time and with substantially uniform process parameters (such as temperature). In other words, the control means of the cutting machine and / or bending machine can be configured to control the cutting machine and / or bending machine 101, in particular depending on signals coming from the sensor means of the measuring device 1, in order to intervene in one or more process parameters of the cutting machine and / or bending machine 101 and adjust and improve the cutting and / or folding in real time to form the security band for the capsules.

[0093] In either case, the cutter may be a separate machine and the measuring device may be configured to measure the pull-off force on a batch of previously manufactured, and possibly stored, capsules. For example, the measuring device may be used as a separate device to inspect multiple capsules obtained from different production lines and which may have different shapes.

[0094] The measurement device may in particular comprise a user interface linked to the electronic control and management means, which may be configured to retrieve a Statistical Process Control (SPC) report to obtain one or more of the following data: name of the product or production lot, start time of the work cycle and / or end time of the work cycle, lot size (e.g. number of capsules in the lot), number of capsules processed, predefined minimum threshold force value, etc.

[0095] The SPC report on the user interface may, among other things, include the detected tear force (e.g., the average tear force value of the processed capsules). In particular, the SPC report on the user interface may include a minimum tear force threshold and / or a maximum tear force threshold. In particular, the SPC report on the user interface may include the number of processed capsules having a tear force below the minimum threshold and / or the number of processed capsules having a tear force above the maximum threshold. The SPC report on the user interface may, among other things, comprise an indicator of the overall test results (e.g., an ideogram).

[0096] The electronic control and management means may be particularly configured to compare each detected tear force value with a predetermined minimum threshold and / or a predetermined maximum threshold. A general result of the test may be obtained by processing the detected data according to a predetermined algorithm, for example based on the number of capsules exceeding the minimum and / or maximum threshold. In particular, the electronic control and management means may be configured to provide the supervisory program with information regarding the correct management of the production line.

Claims

1. a tubular element (81) having a vertical axis; an axial pressing element (45) movable axially inside the tubular element (81) and configured to press downwards on a capsule (200), the capsule being provided with frangible means (201) connecting the capsule (200) to a security band (203) of closed tubular shape, the axial pressing element (45) configured to press downwards on the capsule (200) to cause the frangible means (201) to break; an annular projection (42) projecting radially from the tubular element (81) and comprising at least one reaction surface (82) configured to axially hold the security band (203) when the axial pressing element (45) presses down on the capsule (200) to cause the rupture, the reaction surface (82) extending in the circumferential direction and having an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the security band (203); sensor means (49) configured to detect at least one force exerted on said capsule (200) by said axial pressing element (45); a band disengagement means configured to cause at least one relative movement between the annular projection (42) and the security band (203) after said breaking, said relative movement comprising a radial expansion of the security band (203) and / or a radial collapse of the annular projection (42), with the effect of said relative movement being that the security band (203) maintains its closed annular shape; A measuring device comprising:

2. 2. The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the band disengagement means comprises a radial pressing portion (83, 84, 90) configured to expand radially outwardly of the security band (203).

3. 3. The measuring device according to claim 2, wherein the radial pressing portion (83, 84, 90) is movable to assume at least one contracted first configuration in which the radial pressing portion is arranged radially inward of the reaction surface (82) and at least one expanded second configuration in which the radial pressing portion moves radially outward relative to the first configuration to radially press the guarantee band (203) beyond the annular protrusion (42) and remove it.

4. 4. The measuring device of claim 3, comprising at least one actuator configured to drive movement of the radial thruster between the first configuration and the second configuration.

5. The measuring device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the radial pressing portion comprises two or more sectors (83) arranged along a circumference, each of the sectors being movable in a radial direction.

6. 6. The measuring device according to claim 2, wherein the radial pressing part comprises an internal profile (84) configured to come into contact with an external counter profile (85) of the axial pressing element (45), and an upward movement of the axial pressing element (45) causes an outward radial thrust of the radial pressing part under the influence of the contact between the internal profile (84) and the external counter profile (85).

7. A measuring device as described in claim 6 which relies on claim 3 or 4, or claim 6 which relies on claim 5 which relies on claim 3 or 4, wherein the internal profile (84) is arranged at one end of one or more elastic elements (86) configured to resiliently return to rest towards the first configuration.

8. 8. The measuring device of claim 7, wherein each of the one or more elastic elements (86) comprises a portion of the tubular element (81) defined on two sides by two through openings or notches in the tubular element (81).

9. 9. The measuring device according to claim 2, wherein the radial pressing part comprises a pressing profile (90) attached to the axial pressing element (45) and projecting radially from the axial pressing element (45), the pressing profile (90) being configured to expand radially outside the guarantee band (203) under the effect of a downward movement of the axial pressing element (45), the pressing profile (90) being inserted into one or more vertical slots (91) made in the tubular element (81).

10. 10. The measuring device of claim 9, wherein the pressing profile (90) comprises a plurality of separate profile sections arranged circumferentially, each profile section being inserted into a respective slot (91).

11. 11. A measuring device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the pressing profile (90) comprises retaining means (92) projecting radially outward from the pressing profile (90) to interact with the security band (203) to prevent the security band (203) from being ejected beyond the pressing profile (90).

12. 12. The measuring device of claim 1, wherein the band disengagement means comprises a collapsible portion (87) of the tubular element (81), the annular protrusion (42) being arranged on the collapsible portion (87), the collapsible portion being capable of assuming an expanded retention configuration in which the annular protrusion (42) is able to axially retain the security band (203) and a collapsed release configuration in which the annular protrusion (42) is able to collapse radially inward relative to the expanded retention configuration to release the security band (203), the collapsible portion (87) being configured to assume the collapsed release configuration after the axial pressing element (45) causes the breaking of the frangible means (201).

13. the collapsible portion (87) comprises one or more longitudinal elastic elements (88) extending vertically, each of the one or more elastic elements (88) configured to rest in the collapsed, released configuration; 13. The measuring device according to claim 12, comprising abutment means configured to maintain the one or more elastic elements (88) in the expanded holding configuration while the axial pressing element (45) presses the capsule (200) downwards.

14. The measuring device described in claim 13, wherein the abutment means comprises an axial pressing element (45) which can sequentially assume an intermediate position, a lower position, and an upper position, and in the intermediate position, the axial pressing element (45) faces the one or more elastic elements (88) to maintain the elastic elements (88) in the expanded holding configuration and allow the capsule (200) to be lifted to engage the guarantee band (203) with the annular protrusion (42), and in the lower position, the axial pressing element (45) faces the one or more elastic elements (88) to maintain the one or more elastic elements (88) in the expanded holding configuration after pressing the capsule (200) downward, and in the upper position, the axial pressing element (45) leaves the one or more elastic elements (88) free to collapse towards the collapse release configuration in a rest position.

15. a lifting element (53) configured to transport the capsule (200) from at least a lower position where the capsule is spaced apart from the annular projection (42) to an upper position where the capsule's security band (203) can pass through the annular projection (42) and be axially held by the annular projection (42); and / or an axial pressing portion (89) configured to axially press down the security band (203) after the band disengagement means causes relative movement between the annular projection (42) and the security band (203); The measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising:

16. Providing a capsule (200) provided with a closed annular shaped security band (203); engaging said security band (203) with the annular projection (42); pushing the capsule (200) with the security band (203) engaged with the annular projection (42) to cause the frangible means (201) connecting the capsule (200) and the security band (203) to break; detecting at least one force applied to said capsule (200) to cause the frangible means (201) to break; causing at least one relative movement between the annular projection (42) and the security band (203) after said breaking; Equipped with The relative movement includes radial expansion of the security band (203) and / or radial collapse of the annular protrusion (42), thereby allowing the security band (203) to be removed from the annular protrusion (42) while maintaining a closed annular shape by the action of the relative movement.

Images