Test apparatus

Abstract

A test sample is provided for testing performance of measuring and monitoring equipment for production lines, for example for foodstuffs or pharmaceuticals, and in particular, contamination monitoring equipment employing X-rays and/or metal detectors to spot foreign bodies in packaged products. The test sample may comprise a laminated card enclosing a standardised test piece such as a metal particle of specified size. The card or other sample bears at least one identification containing a barcode, readable by an optical scanner. To test the equipment, a card is placed on a product package passing through the equipment, the optical scanner reads the barcode to confirm that the correct test sample has been submitted, and the results for the test sample are recorded in a computer log. If the results do not match those expected from the particular test sample submitted, the equipment fails the test and requires recalibration or repair.

1 . A test sample adapted to challenge measuring and monitoring equipment of a production line, comprising a test standard specimen having at least one pre-selected property selected from composition, dimensions and mass, and machine-readable identification corresponding to said pre-selected property. 
     
     
         2 . A test sample as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the test standard specimen comprises a contaminant specimen adapted to challenge contaminant monitoring equipment. 
     
     
         3 . A test sample as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the test standard specimen comprises a test standard adapted to challenge equipment for measuring product properties selected from weight, size and composition. 
     
     
         4 . A test sample as claimed in  claim 1 , adapted to be mounted to a product passing along said production line. 
     
     
         5 . A test sample as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said identification is readable by an optical sensor. 
     
     
         6 . A test sample as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said identification comprises a barcode. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . Measuring and monitoring equipment for a production line, comprising means to determine a product property, means to report the determination of said property, and means adapted to read identification of a test sample submitted to the measuring and monitoring equipment so as to confirm correct operation of the measuring and monitoring equipment. 
     
     
         9 . Measuring and monitoring equipment as claimed in  claim 8 , comprising contamination monitoring equipment, said product property comprising one of a presence and an absence of a preselected contaminant. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . Measuring and monitoring equipment as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said means adapted to read identification comprises an optical reader. 
     
     
         12 . Measuring and monitoring equipment as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said means adapted to read identification comprises a barcode reader. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . Measuring and monitoring equipment as claimed in  claim 8 , further comprising means to alert an operator to submit a test sample. 
     
     
         19 . A method for testing correct operation of measuring and monitoring equipment for a production line, comprising the steps of providing a test sample comprising machine-readable identification, providing measuring and monitoring equipment comprising means to read said identification, submitting said test sample to said measuring and monitoring equipment, recording a response of said measuring and monitoring equipment to the test sample, reading the identification of the test sample to determine an identity of the test sample, and recording said identity of the test sample in association with said response. 
     
     
         20 . A method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the measuring and monitoring equipment comprises contamination monitoring equipment. 
     
     
         21 . A method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the measuring and monitoring equipment is adapted to measure product properties selected from mass, dimensions and composition. 
     
     
         22 . A method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein said identification comprises a barcode. 
     
     
         23 . A method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein said identification comprises data concerning at least one property of the test sample. 
     
     
         24 . A method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein said identification comprises data concerning at least one of a type, level and size of a contaminant that is represented by the test sample. 
     
     
         25 . A method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein said identification comprises data concerning a provenance of the test sample. 
     
     
         26 . A method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein said recording steps comprise making a record in an electronic log file. 
     
     
         27 . A method as claimed in  claim 19 , comprising the steps of providing a schedule for submitting pre-selected test samples, and comparing the identification of the test sample submitted with identification of pre-selected test samples in the schedule. 
     
     
         28 . A method as claimed in  claim 19 , further comprising the step of comparing an actual equipment response for a submitted test sample to a predicted response based on a sample identity established by reading the identification of the submitted test sample. 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . (canceled)