Process and apparatus for testing multi-layer composites and containers produced therefrom
AssigneeBoehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
InventorsCarsten Henning, Matthias Hausmann, Juergen Wittekind, Andreas Kuehnel, Heinrich Kladders, Heiko Rengel
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Abstract
The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for detecting gas-permeable damaged points in an electrically non-conductive layer which can exist as a single layer or as a multi-layer composite with at least one conductive layer, which process can be used for containers or packaging of pharmacological preparations to determine their integrity after storage.
Claims27
A process for detecting gas-permeable damaged points in test subjects which comprise an electrically non-conductive layer, wherein an electrically-conductive layer lies opposite the electrically non-conductive layer on the one side and a gas environment lies opposite the electrically non-conductive layer on the other side, wherein
- The disposal of at least one test subject in a test chamber which has been evacuated to, and maintained at, a given pressure, and
- Ionisation of the gas by means of an electrical gas discharge in the gas environment on the other side of the electrically non-conductive layer, and
- Application of an electric voltage between the electrically-conductive layer which lies on one side of the electrically non-conductive layer and a counter-electrode which is disposed in the test chamber, wherein the electrical voltage generates an electrical field strength in the area of the electrically non-conductive layer which lies below the dielectric strength of the electrically non-conductive layer without gas-permeable damaged points, and
- Measurement of a current flowing though the ionized gas between the electrically-conductive layer and the counter-electrode disposed in the test chamber—in the case of a gas-permeable damaged point being present in the electrically non-conductive layer—which acts as an indicator for the gas-permeable damaged point in the electrically non-conductive layer, with the electrical gas discharge being maintained.
An apparatus for testing test subjects made from an electrically non-conductive layer for gas-permeable damaged points, wherein
- an electrically-conductive layer which is disposed on the one side of the electrically non-conductive layer, and
- a gas environment which is disposed on the other side of the electrically non-conductive layer, and
- means for evacuating the gas environment, and
- an electrode which is provided in the gas environment, and
- a counter-electrode which is provided in the gas environment, and
- a test current circuit in which the counter-electrode is disposed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.