Henry M Dimmick

US Patent:

55326056, Jul 2, 1996

Filed:

Oct 27, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/330323

Inventors:

Henry M. Dimmick - Butler PA
Mark F. Zanella - Cranberry Township PA
Thomas F. Melnik - Butler PA

Assignee:

AGR International, Inc. - Butler PA

International Classification:

G01R 3500

US Classification:

324671

Abstract:

Apparatus for inspecting non-round annular containers includes elongated capacitive sensors, cooperating oscillators, which convert the sensor signal to a voltage corresponding thereto, and an electronic processor which receives the voltage and determines thickness. A displaceable electromechanical member is operatively associated with the sensor and emits an electrical signal corresponding to the degree of displacement of the sensor by a container being inspected. The electronic processor corrects the thickness determination by an adjustment of container diameter at the specific location where thickness is being monitored in order to compensate for container diameter variations due to the non-round characteristic of the container. In a preferred embodiment, linkage members secured to the rear of the sensor at a plurality of locations cooperate with a single displaceable element which converts the mechanical displacement of the sensor into a corresponding electrical signal. Movement between the capacitive sensors and the apparatus urging the containers into intimate contact therewith to accommodate variations in container diameter, while maintaining intimacy of sensor-container contact, is provided.

US Patent:

58615547, Jan 19, 1999

Filed:

Oct 17, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/732910

Inventors:

Henry M. Dimmick - Butler PA
Thomas F. Melnik - Butler PA
Gary A. Schmiedecke - Butler PA

Assignee:

AGR International, Inc. - Butler PA

International Classification:

G01F 1700

US Classification:

73149

Abstract:

The present invention provides apparatus and associated methods for testing containers to determine if the containers have the desired fill point volume. In a preferred embodiment, the test container will be provided with fluid to the desired fill line and the volume of air in the container will be measured preferably by a differential pressure sensor in conjunction with a microprocessor with the corresponding volume of air in a reference container. The system provides suitable apparatus and an associated method for the supply of a fluid, which may be water, to the fill line in the container and the use of the distance between the fill line and container base or the distance between the fill line and the container mouth, or the percentage headspace in ascertaining the desired volume. In a preferred approach, after the fluid has been introduced into the test container to the desired fill line, comparative volume determinations will be made between the test container and a reference container employing differential pressure measuring. In an alternate embodiment, fluid is introduced into the test container, but not the reference container.

US Patent:

57237972, Mar 3, 1998

Filed:

Sep 27, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/723185

Inventors:

Henry M. Dimmick - Butler PA
Mark F. Zanella - Cranberry Township PA
Thomas F. Melnik - Butler PA

Assignee:

AGR International, Inc. - Butler PA

International Classification:

B07L 507

US Classification:

738658

Abstract:

Apparatus for inspecting non-round annular containers includes elongated capacitive sensors, cooperating oscillators, which convert the sensor signal to a voltage corresponding thereto, and an electronic processor which receives the voltage and determines thickness. A displaceable electromechanical member is operatively associated with the sensor and emits an electrical signal corresponding to the degree of displacement of the sensor by a container being inspected. The electronic processor corrects the thickness determination by an adjustment of container diameter at the specific location where thickness is being monitored in order to compensate for container diameter variations due to the non-round characteristic of the container. In a preferred embodiment, linkage members secured to the rear of the sensor at a plurality of locations cooperate with a single displaceable element which converts the mechanical displacement of the sensor into a corresponding electrical signal. Movement between the capacitive sensors and the apparatus urging the containers into intimate contact therewith to accommodate variations in container diameter, while maintaining intimacy of sensor-container contact, is provided.

US Patent:

59173289, Jun 29, 1999

Filed:

Dec 18, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/574216

Inventors:

Henry M. Dimmick - Butler PA
Jerrold K. Shetter - Cabot PA
Joseph L. Kisiel - Butler PA

Assignee:

AGR International, Inc. - Butler PA

International Classification:

G01R 2726

US Classification:

324686

Abstract:

Apparatus for inspecting the wall thickness of non-round containers includes capacitive sensors which cooperate with oscillator means to provide voltage signals corresponding to container wall thickness to electronic processors which convert the voltage signals to corresponding thickness values and compare them with the desired thickness values. The apparatus subjects the containers to translational movement through the inspection zone while resisting rotational movement. The sensors have at least one sensor element having capacitive sensor portions that are not in the same plane as other capacitive sensor elements or a single sensor element having portions in more than one plane. The sensor elements may be individual sensor elements which are each adapted to inspect different portions of a container or may, in another embodiment, be a single sensor element. The sensors are adapted to be movably mounted so as to maintain efficient contact with non-round containers during inspection. Among the types of containers which may be inspected by the apparatus are generally rectangular and generally oval containers.

US Patent:

50972162, Mar 17, 1992

Filed:

Oct 9, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/594737

Inventors:

Henry M. Dimmick - Butler PA
William L. Layton - Butler PA
Lloyd B. Stivison - West Sunbury PA
Mark F. Zanella - Zelienople PA

Assignee:

AGR International, Inc. - Butler PA

International Classification:

G01R 3500

US Classification:

324671

Abstract:

Apparatus for inspecting the thickness of a container wall, such as a glass or plastic container wall including a plurality of elongated sensors disposed in a linear array in spaced end to end relationship. The containers are urged into intimate contact with the sensor elements and are rotated thereover. The containers are moved from sensing element to sensing element with each element inspecting a portion of the circumference. Oscillators convert the change in capacitance to a corresponding voltage which, in turn, in a processor is converted to an actual thickness reading which is compared with desired predetermined thickness levels. By segmenting the sensors in this manner, a plurality of containers may be inspected simultaneously with a processor combining the individual segments of sensor readings so as to reconstruct the complete thickness evaluation of the container. A corresponding method is provided.

US Patent:

55582338, Sep 24, 1996

Filed:

Oct 27, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/330311

Inventors:

Henry M. Dimmick - Butler PA
Jerrold K. Shetter - Cabot PA
Joseph L. Kisiel - Butler PA

Assignee:

AGR International, Inc. - Butler PA

International Classification:

B07C 500

US Classification:

209522

Abstract:

Apparatus for inspecting the wall thickness of non-round containers includes capacitive sensors which cooperate with oscillator means to provide voltage signals corresponding to container wall thickness to electronic processors which convert the voltage signals to corresponding thickness values and compare them with the desired thickness values. The apparatus subjects the containers to translational movement through the inspection zone while resisting rotational movement. The sensors have at least one sensor element having capacitive sensor portions that are not in the same plane as other capacitive sensor elements or a single sensor element having portions in more than one plane. The sensor elements may be individual sensor elements which are each adapted to inspect different portions of a container or may, in another embodiment, be a single sensor element. The sensors are adapted to be movably mounted so as to maintain efficient contact with non-round containers during inspection. Among the types of containers which may be inspected by the apparatus are generally rectangular and generally oval containers.

US Patent:

49877682, Jan 29, 1991

Filed:

Oct 24, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/426426

Inventors:

Henry M. Dimmick - Butler PA
Paul Schneider - Valencia PA
Richard Spryn - Fenelton PA

Assignee:

AGR International, Inc. - Butler PA

International Classification:

G01M 332

US Classification:

73 375

Abstract:

Apparatus and an associated method for inspecting a container neck for the desired shape includes an upper body portion having an elongated bore therethrough, and a downwardly projecting lower body portion having a passageway generally aligned with the bore. The lower body portion has an outer surface corresponding to the desired shape of the inner portion of the container neck but of a size corresponding to the minimum permissible inside diameter of the container neck. In one embodiment the lower body portion has at least one vent opening to facilitate improved container neck inspection. Sealing material is provided such that when the container neck is of the desired shape the lower body portion will be received within the neck in such a manner that the passageway will be in sealed communication with the container interior.

US Patent:

48995738, Feb 13, 1990

Filed:

Feb 24, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/315530

Inventors:

Henry M. Dimmick - Butler PA
Richard A. Spryn - Fenelton PA

Assignee:

American Glass Research, Inc. - Butler PA

International Classification:

G01M 332

US Classification:

73 492

Abstract:

The present invention provides apparatus and an associated method for testing containers for volume and leaks by employing a pump which provides rapid pressurized pulses simultaneously to a container being tested and a standard volume which may be a container. Acoustic impedance materials are interposed between the pump and the two containers to isolate the containers from each other. A differential pressure monitor is interposed between the two containers to provide output to electronic processing apparatus which may serve to either determine (a) solely if a leak exists or (b) in the alternative if no leak exists to determine whether the desired volume is present within the container.