Device for collecting gas in sealed containers that are to be controlled

In a system comprising:

• a collector body defining a collecting chamber arranged between first and second openings in the collector body, where the collector body further defines a threaded portion within the collecting chamber and a collar extending around the second opening in the collector body;
• a connecting screw defining an internal passage, a perforating portion, a threaded portion, and at least one receiving duct for allowing fluid communication with the internal passage, where
• the connecting screw extends into the collecting chamber through the first opening such that the perforating portion is arranged within the collecting chamber, and
• the threaded portion of the connecting screw cooperates with the threaded portion of the collector body such that rotation of the connecting screw moves the connecting screw relative to the collecting body;
• and
• a main seal assembly mounted on the connecting screw, the main seal assembly comprising a filtering membrane that is permeable to gasses and impermeable to micro-organisms, where the filtering membrane is arranged such that fluid flowing through the internal passage passes through the filtering membrane;
• a method of continuously analyzing gas emitted from foodstuffs contained within a sealed container comprising the steps of:
• adhering the collar to a wall of the sealed container to close the second opening in the collector body;
• rotating the connecting screw in a first direction to cause the connecting screw to move towards the wall of the sealed container such that the perforating portion of the connecting screw engages the wall of the sealed container to form a container opening in the wall of the sealed container;
• and
• rotating the connecting screw in a second direction to cause the connecting screw to move away from the wall of the sealed container;
• and
• operatively connecting the main seal assembly to the analysis device such that gases within the sealed container flow through the container opening, into the collecting chamber, through the receiving duct, internal passage, and filtering membrane, and to the analysis device for analysis.

A system for collecting gas emitted from foodstuffs contained within a sealed container for continuous analysis by an analysis device, the system comprising:

• a collector body defining a collecting chamber arranged between first and second openings in the collector body, where the collector body further defines a threaded portion within the collecting chamber and a collar extending around the second opening in the collector body;
• a connecting screw defining an internal passage, a perforating portion, a threaded portion, and at least one receiving duct for allowing fluid communication with the internal passage, where
• the connecting screw extends into the collecting chamber through the first opening such that the perforating portion is arranged within the collecting chamber, and
• the threaded portion of the connecting screw cooperates with the threaded portion of the collector body such that rotation of the connecting screw moves the connecting screw relative to the collecting body;
• and
• a main seal assembly mounted on the connecting screw and operatively connected to the analysis device, the main seal assembly comprising a filtering membrane that is permeable to gasses and impermeable to micro-organisms, where the filtering membrane is arranged such that fluid flowing through the internal passage passes through the filtering membrane;
• a screw seal member arranged between the collector body and the connecting screw to prevent fluid flow between the collector body and the connecting member;
• and
• adhesive for securing the collar to a wall of the sealed container;
• whereby
• rotation of the connecting screw in a first direction causes the connecting screw to move towards the wall of the sealed container such that the perforating portion of the connecting screw engages the wall of the sealed container and forms a container opening that is surrounded by the collar of the collector body;
• and
• rotation of the connecting screw in a second direction causes the connecting screw to move away from the wall of the sealed container such that gases within the sealed container flow through the container opening, into the collecting chamber, through the receiving duct, internal passage, and filtering membrane, and to the analysis device.