Measurement of container wall thickness

• US 6,860,025 B1
• Filed: 12/30/2002
• Issued: 03/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Incorporated (O-I Glass, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Incorporated (O-I Glass, Inc.)
• Inventors: McMackin, Shaun P, Jaquillard, James H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gutierrez, Diego
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gonzalez, Madeline
• Application Number:
  US10/331,208
• Time in Patent Office: 792 Days
• Field of Search: 335/22, 335/42, 335/43, 335/48, 335/49, 335/55, 337/83, 337/84, 337/92, 338/32, 338/33
• US Class Current: 33/522
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 5/06 for measuring thickness

Abstract

Apparatus for measuring wall thickness of a container having an open mouth includes a gauge indicator mounted on a support base, and having a first tip and a readout that provides an indication of position of the first tip. A probe arm includes a rod mounted on the base, a second tip pivotally mounted on the rod, a sleeve slidable on the rod, and a link connecting the sleeve to the second tip such that pivotal position of the second tip on the rod is controlled by position of the sleeve along the rod. The second tip is movable between a first position at which a container mouth is receivable over the second tip, and a second position at which the second tip internally engages the wall of the container in opposition to the first tip such that the readout provides a measure of container wall thickness between the first and second tips.

Claims

1. Apparatus for measuring wall thickness of a container having an open mouth, which includes:

a gauge indicator mounted on a support base, and including a first tip and a readout that provides an indication of position of said first tip, and

a probe arm including a rod mounted on said base, a second tip pivotally mounted on said rod, a sleeve slidable on said rod, and a link connecting said sleeve to said second tip such that pivotal position of said second tip on said rod is controlled by position of said sleeve on said rod,

said second tip being pivotal between a first position at which a container mouth is receivable over said second tip, and a second position at which said second tip internally engages the wall of the container in opposition to said first tip, such that said readout provides a measure of container wall thickness between said first and second tips,

said probe arm including a first abutment stop on said rod for engaging an end of said sleeve and thereby setting said second position of said second probe tip with respect to said rod, and a second abutment stop on said sleeve for limiting movement of the container over said second tip and said sleeve.

2. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said first abutment stop is secured to said rod at a position such that said second tip is at an angle of 90°

to said rod in said second position of said second tip.

3. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said second abutment stop is adjustably positionable along said sleeve.

4. Apparatus for measuring wall thickness of a flask-shaped container having an open mouth, closely spaced front and back walls and widely spaced sidewalls, said apparatus including:

a first gauge assembly having a first exterior tip for engaging an exterior point on a front or back wall of a container, a first probe arm for insertion through the open mouth of the container and having a first interior tip mounted on said first probe arm for engaging an interior point on the container front or back wall opposed to said exterior point, such that separation between said first tips varies as a function of a first wall thickness between said exterior and interior points, a collar for supporting the container mouth with respect to said first tips, and a first indicator coupled to said first exterior tip for indicating said first wall thickness, and

a second gauge assembly including a second exterior tip for engaging a second exterior point on a sidewall of a container, a second probe arm for insertion through the open mouth of the container and having a second interior tip pivotally mounted on said second probe arm, a control for adjusting angular orientation of said interior second tip with respect to the axis of said second probe arm, following insertion of said second probe through the container mouth, to engage a second interior point on a container sidewall such that separation between said second tips varies as a function of a second wall thickness between said second exterior and interior points, and a second indicator coupled to said exterior second tip for indicating said second wall thickness,

wherein said second probe arm includes a rod, said second interior tip being pivotally mounted on said rod, a sleeve slidable on said rod and a link connecting said sleeve to said second interior tip such that pivotal position of said second interior tip on said rod is controlled by position of said sleeve along said rod.

5. The apparatus set forth in claim 4 wherein said first gauge assembly includes first brackets mounting said first gauge assembly, including said first exterior tip, said first probe arm and said first indicator, on a support base, and

wherein said second gauge assembly includes second brackets spaced from said first brackets mounting said second gauge assembly, including said second exterior tip, said second probe arm and said second indicator, on the same said support base.

6. The apparatus set forth in claim 4 wherein said second probe arm includes a first abutment stop on said rod for engaging an end of said sleeve and thereby setting said pivotal position of said second interior tip with respect to said rod.

7. The apparatus set forth in claim 6 wherein said first abutment stop is secured to said rod at a position such that said second interior tip is at an angle of 90°

to said rod in said pivotal position of said second tip.

8. The apparatus set forth in claim 4 wherein said first interior tip is secured in fixed position to said first probe arm at an angle of 90°

to said first probe arm.