US3683677A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Leak detector
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-06-22
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Granted: 1972-08-15
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Expires: 1990-06-22
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus is provided for detecting leaks in plastic bottles and other containers. The device is capable of testing such containers for leaks without relying upon an outside source of air to pressurize the container being tested and can do so at a faster rate than was heretofore possible. Pressured fluid is introduced into the bottle or other container to be tested from a self-contained unit. A pressure switch having a diaphragm type valve is used to detect the presence of a leak. Upon pressurizing the container or as part of the pressurizing step, means are actuated tending to urge the pressured fluid from the bottle thereby speeding up the testing process. Additionally, the present device checks a bottle for the accuracy of its neck or finish portion.
Inventors
- 👤 David S Harris
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 06:53
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/26; G01M3/32; G01M3/3218; G01N; G01N3/00; G01N3/08; G01N3/10; G01N3/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
Apparatus for leak testing a hollow article having a neck portion defining an opening comprising a. a support member for supporting the article to be tested, b. a test head positioned over said support member, said test head having sealing means to isolate the interior of said article from atmosphere, c. means yieldably supporting said test head for movement along the axis of said neck portion from a normal lower position to an upper position, d. means engagable with said neck portion for moving said article into engagement with said test head and for continuing said movement to urge said test head upwardly, e. means responsive to said movement for introducing pressure into said article, f. a pressure switch having a variable volume chamber communicating with the interior of said article, said pressure switch operable to detect the loss of pressure therein through means actuated by a predetermined amount of contraction in said chamber, and g. means for attempting to contract said chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
Apparatus for leak testing a hollow article having a neck portion defining an opening comprising a. a support member for supporting the article to be tested, b. a test head positioned over said support member, said test head having sealing means to isolate the interior of said article from atmosphere, c. means yieldably supporting said test head for movement along the axis of said neck portion from a normal lower position to an upper position, d. means engagable with said neck portion for moving said article into engagement with said test head and for continuing said movement to urge said test head upwardly, e. means responsive to said movement for introducing pressure into said article, f. a pressure switch having a variable volume chamber communicating with the interior of said article, said pressure switch operable to detect the loss of pressure therein through means actuated by a predetermined amount of contraction in said chamber, and g. means for attempting to contract said chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said test head has a plug gauge sized to fit within the opening of said neck to permit sealing engagement between the test head and an article having a neck opening within a specified tolerance and to prevent sealing engagement between the test head and an article having a neck opening outside said tolerance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including means to prevent sealing engagement between the test head and the article being tested when said neck portion is shorter than specified.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3 including first abutment means associated and axially movable with said neck engaging means and second abutment means associated and axially movable with said test head, said first and second abutment means being axially aligned and spaced apart a predetermined distance, said predetermined distance being directly related to the specified height of said neck.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the distance moved by said test head is determined by the height of said neck portion and further including pressure relief means operable to vent pressure from the article upon movement of the test head beyond a predetermined distance.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for introducing pressure in the article comprises means for partially collapsing said article.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
139 words
Apparatus for leak testing a hollow article having a neck portion defining an opening comprising a. a support member for supporting the article to be tested, b. a test head positioned over said support member, said test head having sealing means to isolate the interior of said article from atmosphere, c. means yieldably supporting said test head for movement along the axis of said neck portion from a normal lower position to an upper position, d. means engagable with said neck portion for moving said article into engagement with said test head and for continuing said movement to urge said test head upwardly, e. means responsive to said movement for introducing pressure into said article, and (f) means to prevent sealing engagement between the test head and the article being tested when said neck portion is shorter than specified.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
139 words
Apparatus for leak testing a hollow article having a neck portion defining an opening comprising a. a support member for supporting the article to be tested, b. a test head positioned over said support member, said test head having sealing means to isolate the interior of said article from atmosphere, c. means yieldably supporting said test head for movement along the axis of said neck portion from a normal lower position to an upper position, d. means engagable with said neck portion for moving said article into engagement with said test head and for continuing said movement to urge said test head upwardly, e. means responsive to said movement for introducing pressure into said article, and (f) means to prevent sealing engagement between the test head and the article being tested when said neck portion is shorter than specified.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7 including first abutment means associated and axially movable with said neck engaging means and second abutment means associated and axially movable with said test head, said first and second abutment means being axially aligned and spaced apart a predetermined distance said predetermined distance being directly related to the specified height of said neck.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
159 words
Apparatus for leak testing a hollow article having a neck portion defining an opening comprising, a. a support member for supporting the article to be tested, b. a test head positioned over said support member, said test head having sealing means to isolate the interior of said article from atmosphere, c. means yieldably supporting said test head for movement along the axis of said neck portion from a normal lower position to an upper position, d. means engagable with said Neck portion for moving said article into engagement with said test head and for continuing said movement to urge said test head against its yielding support means, the distance moved by said test head being determined in part by the height of said neck portion, e. means responsive to said movement for introducing pressure into said article, and (f) pressure relief means operable to vent pressure from the article upon movement of the test head beyond a predetermined distance.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
159 words
Apparatus for leak testing a hollow article having a neck portion defining an opening comprising, a. a support member for supporting the article to be tested, b. a test head positioned over said support member, said test head having sealing means to isolate the interior of said article from atmosphere, c. means yieldably supporting said test head for movement along the axis of said neck portion from a normal lower position to an upper position, d. means engagable with said Neck portion for moving said article into engagement with said test head and for continuing said movement to urge said test head against its yielding support means, the distance moved by said test head being determined in part by the height of said neck portion, e. means responsive to said movement for introducing pressure into said article, and (f) pressure relief means operable to vent pressure from the article upon movement of the test head beyond a predetermined distance.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
119 words
In apparatus for leak testing a hollow article having an opening including a. a support member for supporting the article to be tested, b. a self-contained unit having a variable sized chamber for holding a supply of air, c. means for sealing said opening, d. means responsive to relative movement between said article and said unit for reducing the size of said chamber and evacuating the air therefrom, e. communication means for directing air evacuated from said chamber into said article to cause a pressure build-up therein, f. a pressure switch communicating with the article for sensing the loss of pressure therein, g. the improvement comprising means for creating a pressure surge within the article following said pressure build-up.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
119 words
In apparatus for leak testing a hollow article having an opening including a. a support member for supporting the article to be tested, b. a self-contained unit having a variable sized chamber for holding a supply of air, c. means for sealing said opening, d. means responsive to relative movement between said article and said unit for reducing the size of said chamber and evacuating the air therefrom, e. communication means for directing air evacuated from said chamber into said article to cause a pressure build-up therein, f. a pressure switch communicating with the article for sensing the loss of pressure therein, g. the improvement comprising means for creating a pressure surge within the article following said pressure build-up.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein the means for creating a pressure surge within the article comprises an expansible chamber in the pressure switch and means for contracting said chamber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
103 words
Apparatus for leak testing a hollow article comprising (a) means for sealing said article from atmosphere, (b) means for creating a pressure within said sealed article, (c) pressure detecting means communicating with the interior of said article, the volume contained within that portion of the system subjected to pressure following actuation of the pressure creating means being a fixed size, said volume being defined by (1) the interior of the article, (2) the pressure creating means, (3) the pressure detecting means, and (4) means causing communication between (1), (2) and (3) above and (d) means for reducing said volume to increase said pressure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
103 words
Apparatus for leak testing a hollow article comprising (a) means for sealing said article from atmosphere, (b) means for creating a pressure within said sealed article, (c) pressure detecting means communicating with the interior of said article, the volume contained within that portion of the system subjected to pressure following actuation of the pressure creating means being a fixed size, said volume being defined by (1) the interior of the article, (2) the pressure creating means, (3) the pressure detecting means, and (4) means causing communication between (1), (2) and (3) above and (d) means for reducing said volume to increase said pressure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
104 words
Apparatus for leak testing a hollow article having a neck portion defining an opening comprising a. a support member for supporting the article to be tested, b. a test head positioned over said support member, said test head having sealing means to isolate the interior of said article from atmosphere, c. means for imparting relative movement between said test head and said neck portion to bring them toward a position of engagement, d. means for introducing pressure into said article, and e. means to prevent sealing engagement between the test head and the article being tested when said neck portion is shorter than specified.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
104 words
Apparatus for leak testing a hollow article having a neck portion defining an opening comprising a. a support member for supporting the article to be tested, b. a test head positioned over said support member, said test head having sealing means to isolate the interior of said article from atmosphere, c. means for imparting relative movement between said test head and said neck portion to bring them toward a position of engagement, d. means for introducing pressure into said article, and e. means to prevent sealing engagement between the test head and the article being tested when said neck portion is shorter than specified.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 13 further including means engageable with said neck portion for supporting said neck portion during engagement with said test head.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 14 including first abutment means mounted on said neck supporting means and second abutment means mounted on said test head, said first and second abutment means being axially aligned and spaced apart a predetermined distance, said predetermined distance being directly related to the specified height of said neck.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
155 words
Apparatus for leak testing a hollow article having a neck portion defining an opening comprising, a. a support member for supporting the article to be tested, b. a test head positioned over said support member, said test head having sealing means to isolate the interior of said article from atmosphere, c. means for engaging said neck portion at a predetermined position above said support member, d. means for imparting relative movement between said test head and said neck portion to bring them into sealing engagement, the axial distance between said means for engaging said neck portion and the test head when engaged with the neck portion being determined by the height of said neck portion, e. means for introducing pressure into said article, and f. pressure relief means operable to vent pressure from the article when the spacing between the means engageable with neck portion and the test head is greater than a predetermined distance.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
155 words
Apparatus for leak testing a hollow article having a neck portion defining an opening comprising, a. a support member for supporting the article to be tested, b. a test head positioned over said support member, said test head having sealing means to isolate the interior of said article from atmosphere, c. means for engaging said neck portion at a predetermined position above said support member, d. means for imparting relative movement between said test head and said neck portion to bring them into sealing engagement, the axial distance between said means for engaging said neck portion and the test head when engaged with the neck portion being determined by the height of said neck portion, e. means for introducing pressure into said article, and f. pressure relief means operable to vent pressure from the article when the spacing between the means engageable with neck portion and the test head is greater than a predetermined distance.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2084653A
Cited
US3496761A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-15 | 1976-02-14 | 1976-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-15 | 1980-02-14 | 1980-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-15 | 1984-02-14 | 1984-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |