APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MEASURING FORCES IMPARTED ON VALVE ASSEMBLIES OF METERED DOSE DELIVERY CONTAINERS DURING MANUFACTURE THEREOF

摘要

An axial force measurement apparatus ( 40 ) comprises a head member ( 42 ) adapted for receiving force imparted by an external force-applying source, and a transducer ( 44 ) such as a load cell for measuring the amount of force applied to the head member ( 42 ). Electronic circuitry ( 61 ) for receiving, processing, storing and/or sending electrical information generated by the transducer is provided either externally to the measurement apparatus ( 40 ), or is integrated with the apparatus ( 40 ). The apparatus ( 40 ) can be used to calibrate the valve crimping station ( 75 ) and/or the test firing station ( 125 ) of a metered dose delivery canister production line. The apparatus ( 40 ) is designed to emulate an actual canister ( 12 ).