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US 5,513,516 AGranted
Method and apparatus for leak testing a container
AssigneeVisi-Pack, Inc.
InventorAnton Stauffer
Life of this patent
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AssigneeVisi-Pack, Inc.
InventorAnton Stauffer
Estimating the term…
A method and apparatus for leak testing a container wherein the container such as a flexible or semi-flexible package is received in a closeable test cavity. A pressure differential is installed between the inside of the container and an enclosed space within the test cavity outside of the container. A change in the pressure in the enclosed space is detected. The closeable test cavity comprises a flexible wall whose shape adapts to the shape of the container at least when the pressure differential is installed. The flexible wall advantageously compensates for variations in head space and shape of the packages, as where the contents are not uniformally distributed within the package. The flexible wall can sealingly contact a portion of the container spaced from a container seal to permit detection of seal leaks. A gas permeable, flexible screen can be employed between the container and the flexible wall to permit leak detection of leaks in the container beneath the flexible wall.
An apparatus for leak testing a flexible or semi-flexible container having a headspace as well as a product therein, said apparatus comprising:
An apparatus for leak testing a flexible or semi-flexible container having a headspace as well as a product therein, said apparatus comprising:
An apparatus for leak testing a container comprising:
A method for leak testing a flexible or semi-flexible container having a headspace as well as a product therein, said method comprising introducing said container to be tested into a test cavity having a flexible wall whose shape can be adapted to the shape of the container in said test cavity, installing a pressure differential between the inside of the container and an enclosed space within the test cavity outside of the container by establishing a measured vacuum in said enclosed space at a pressure lower than a pressure within said container to be tested, said flexible wall adapting to the shape of the container at least when said vacuum is established in said enclosed space, and detecting a change in the pressure in the enclosed space, and wherein a gas permeable, flexible screen is provided between said container and said flexible wall to permit detection of leaks in the container which are covered by said flexible wall.
A method for leak testing a flexible or semi-flexible container having a headspace as well as a product therein, said method comprising introducing said container to be tested into a test cavity having a flexible wall whose shape can be adapted to the shape of the container in said test cavity, installing a pressure differential between the inside of the container and an enclosed space within the test cavity outside of the container by establishing a measured vacuum in said enclosed space at a pressure lower than a pressure within said container to be tested, said flexible wall adapting to the shape of the container at least when said vacuum is established in said enclosed space, and detecting a change in the pressure in the enclosed space, and wherein said container has a sealed flange, said flexible wall being held in spaced relation from the sealed flange of the container but being adapted to the shape of and contacting the container inwardly of said flange at least when said vacuum is established.
A method for leak testing a flexible or semi-flexible container having a headspace as well as a product therein, said method comprising introducing said container to be tested into a test cavity having a flexible wall whose shape can be adapted to the shape of the container in said test cavity, installing a pressure differential between the inside of the container and an enclosed space within the test cavity outside of the container by establishing a measured vacuum in said enclosed space at a pressure lower than a pressure within said container to be tested, said flexible wall adapting to the shape of the container at least when said vacuum is established in said enclosed space, and detecting a change in the pressure in the enclosed space, and wherein said flexible wall sealingly contacts a portion of the container and adapts to the shape of said portion of the container at least when said vacuum is established whereby only container leaks outside said portion are detected.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.