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US 12,276,572 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for ascertaining the presence of cracks in sealed containers
AssigneeFt System S.R.L.
InventorFabio Forestelli
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for ascertaining the presence of cracks in sealed containers includes steps of defining a detection zone (13) in which a sealed container (CT) will be placed, placing a container (CT) in the detection zone (13), ascertaining the presence of a thermal gradient determined by the container in the detection zone (13), the thermal gradient being indicative of the presence of a crack in the container (CT).
Claims6
A method for ascertaining the presence of cracks in sealed containers, said method comprising the steps of:
- defining a detection zone (13) adapted to receive a sealed container (CT);
- placing a container (CT) in said detection zone (13);
- ascertaining the presence of a thermal gradient determined by said container in the detection zone (13), said thermal gradient being indicative of the presence of a crack in said container (CT);
- wherein the presence of a thermal gradient is ascertained by a temperature sensor;
- and
- wherein a step is provided of putting said detection zone (13) in communication with a temperature sensor (19) through at least one duct (21), and sucking gas from said detection zone (13) through said duct (21) and transferring the gas to the temperature sensor (19) for ascertaining the presence of a thermal gradient caused by the presence of a fluid leakage from said container (CT).
3 more elements
An apparatus for ascertaining the presence of cracks in sealed containers, said apparatus comprising:
- a detection zone (13) adapted to receive a sealed container (CT);
- at least one temperature sensor (19) for ascertaining a presence of a thermal gradient determined for said container (CT) in the detection zone (13), said thermal gradient being indicative of a presence of a crack in said container (CT);
- a duct (21) communicating with said detection zone (13) and said at least temperature sensor (19);
- and
- a suction fan (25) communicating with said duct (21) and located downstream of said at least one temperature sensor (19), the suction fan (25) being configured for sucking gas from the detection zone (13) through the duct (21) and transferring the gas to the at least one temperature sensor (19).
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.