Method and apparatus for detecting leaks in packaging
AssigneeTrue Technology, Inc.
InventorsEugene K. Achter, Jonathan E. Bosworth, Helmut Klotzsch
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus are directed to non-destructive testing for a leak in a sealed package having an interior chamber formed of a gas-permeable portion and a non-gas-permeable portion. A temporary barrier having an aperture is formed to the gas-permeable portion to temporarily seal the gas-permeable portion of the sealed package except at the aperture. A tracer gas is applied through the aperture at the gas-permeable portion, whereby the tracer gas enters into the interior chamber. The concentration of tracer gas is measured at the exterior of the sealed package, thereby testing for a leak in the sealed package.
Claims33
A method for non-destructive testing for a leak in a sealed package having an interior chamber formed of a gas-permeable portion and a non-gas-permeable portion, comprising the steps of:
- a) forming a temporary barrier having an aperture to the gas-permeable portion to temporarily seal the gas-permeable portion of said package except at said aperture;
- b) applying a tracer gas through said aperture at said gas-permeable portion, whereby said tracer gas enters into said interior chamber;
- and
- c) measuring the concentration of tracer gas at the exterior of the sealed package, thereby testing for a leak in the sealed package.
A method for non-destructive testing for a leak in a sealed package having an interior chamber formed of a gas-permeable portion and a non-gas-permeable portion, comprising the steps of:
- a) applying a temporary barrier having an aperture to the gas-permeable portion to temporarily seal the gas-permeable portion of said package;
- b) applying a tracer gas under pressure through said aperture to said gas-permeable portion whereby said tracer gas enters into said interior chamber;
- c) purging the atmosphere adjacent to said sealed package of the tracer gas;
- and
- d) measuring the concentration of the tracer gas proximal to the exterior of the sealed package, thereby testing for a leak in the sealed package.
A method for non-destructive testing for a leak in a sealed package having an interior chamber formed of a gas-permeable portion and a non-gas-permeable portion, comprising the steps of:
- a) applying a tracer gas to a first section of the gas-permeable portion, whereby said tracer gas enters into said interior chamber;
- and
- b) measuring the concentration of the tracer gas at a second section of the gas-permeable portion, thereby testing for a leak in the second section of the gas-permeable portion.
An apparatus for non-destructive testing for a leak in a sealed package having a gas-permeable portion and a non-gas-permeable portion, comprising:
- a) a barrier layer for temporarily attaching to the gas-permeable portion of said sealed package;
- b) an aperture in said barrier layer through which a tracer gas can be directed into said sealed package;
- c) a tracer gas source for supplying a tracer gas to within said sealed package;
- and
- d) a tracer gas analyzer for measuring the concentration of tracer gas outside said sealed package.
An apparatus for non-destructive testing for a leak in a sealed package having a gas-permeable portion and a non-gas-permeable portion, comprising:
- a) a shell sized for holding said sealed package therein;
- b) a platen for sealing said shell;
- c) a platen aperture through said platen;
- d) a barrier layer having a first barrier side for attaching to said platen and a second barrier side for temporarily attaching to said gas-permeable portion of said sealed package, wherein said barrier layer has an aperture aligned with said platen aperture;
- e) a tracer gas source for delivering a tracer gas to the first side of said aperture;
- and
- f) a tracer gas analyzer for measuring the concentration of tracer gas on the second side of barrier layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.