System And Method For Integrity Testing Of Flexible Containers

A system for determining the integrity of a container, comprising:

• a constant pressure fluid source;
• a low mass flow transducer in communication with the constant pressure fluid source and with the container;
• a bypass path comprising a valve, where an input of the valve is in communication with the constant pressure fluid source and an output of the valve is in communication with the container, and where there is a predetermined relationship between a flow rate through the low mass flow transducer and the bypass path when the valve is open;
• and
• a controller, in communication with the valve and the low mass flow transducer, wherein the controller controls the valve to allow or stop a flow of fluid through the bypass path.

A method of determining the integrity of a container, comprising:

• delivering a fluid having a constant pressure to an inlet of a valve, the valve having a first outlet in communication with a high mass flow transducer and a second outlet in communication with a low mass flow transducer, the high mass flow transducer and the low mass flow transducer in communication with the container;
• selecting the first outlet so that fluid passes through the high mass flow transducer;
• monitoring a flow rate through the high mass flow transducer;
• selecting the second outlet so that fluid passes through the low mass flow transducer when the monitored flow rate through the high mass flow transducer decreases below a predetermined level;
• monitoring the flow rate through the low mass flow transducer so as to determine the integrity of the container.

A method of determining the integrity of a container, comprising:

• delivering a fluid having a constant pressure to an inlet of a valve, the valve having an outlet in with a bypass path in communication with the container and to a low mass flow transducer, in communication with the container;
• opening the valve so that fluid passes through the bypass path and the low mass flow transducer;
• monitoring a flow rate through the low mass flow transducer;
• closing the valve so that fluid only passes through the low mass flow transducer when the monitored flow rate through the low mass flow transducer decreases below a predetermined level;
• and
• monitoring the flow rate through the low mass flow transducer so as to determine the integrity of the container.