Systems, devices and methods for detecting axial forces acting upon a container

A method for measuring residual axial forces applied to a container using a device, the device comprising:

• a device housing extending between a first housing end and a second housing end along a longitudinal axis, the device housing having an inner housing wall and an outer housing wall;
• a capping section mounted to the housing proximate the first housing end, the capping section having a first section end, a second section end, and at least one sidewall extending between the first section end and the second section end, wherein the capping section defines an aperture proximate the first section end;
• a closing member having a corresponding first member end and a second member end along a longitudinal axis, the closing member being extendible into the aperture of the capping section, wherein a flange assembly is defined when the closing member is received within the capping section;
• a force measurement sensor positioned within the device housing, wherein the force measurement sensor is configured to generate force measurement data;
• a biasing member coupled to the force measurement sensor, the biasing member configured to compress against the force measurement sensor when an external force is applied to the flange assembly to seal the container, the biasing member being configured to retain a static deflection upon removal of the external force, the static deflection being indicative of the residual axial forces applied to the container after removal of the external force;
• and
• a processing section positioned within the housing, the processing section comprising a processor configured to receive the force measurement data from the sensor;
• and a battery configured to supply electrical power to the processor,
• wherein the force measurement sensor is positioned to generate residual axial force measurement data acting on the container after removal of the external force applied to the flange assembly, the residual axial force measurement data being based on the static deflection and indicative of an integrity of closure of the container, the method comprising:
• applying a closure member to the flange assembly using external force;
• generating force measurement data in response to the application of the closure member;
• and
• determining a residual axial force acting on the container using the force measurement data.

A device for detecting residual axial forces applied to a container, the device comprising:

• a device housing extending between a first housing end and a second housing end along a longitudinal axis, the device housing having an inner housing wall and an outer housing wall, the device housing comprising a capping section proximate the first housing end, the capping section having a first section end, a second section end, and at least one sidewall extending between the first section end and the second section end, wherein the capping section defines an aperture;
• a closing member having a corresponding first member end and a second member end along a longitudinal axis, the closing member being extendible into the aperture of the capping section, wherein a flange assembly is defined when the closing member is received within the capping section;
• a force measurement sensor positioned within the device housing, wherein the force measurement sensor is configured to generate force measurement data;
• and
• a biasing member coupled to the force measurement sensor, the biasing member configured to compress against the force measurement sensor when an external force is applied to the flange assembly to seal the container, the biasing member being configured to retain a static deflection upon removal of the external force, the static deflection being indicative of the residual axial forces applied to the container after removal of the external force,
• wherein the force measurement sensor is positioned to generate residual axial force measurement data acting on the container after removal of the external force applied to the flange assembly, the residual axial force measurement data being based on the static deflection and indicative of an integrity of closure of the container.