US4184362A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bottle leak tester
Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
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Filing: 1978-07-24
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Granted: 1980-01-22
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Expires: 1998-07-24
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for detecting leaks at a fast rate in plastic bottles or similar containers wherein the bottles are secured in a multiplicity of open pocket members and arranged in a plurality of rows on a rotatable turret. A detecting gas is introduced into the bottles and they are subsequently moved to a detecting station where a detection means in the form of a mass spectrometer is activated by any gas leaking from the bottles. In a preferred manner, air is utilized to effect a sweeping action over the bottle exterior to move the detecting gas in the direction of the mass spectrometer. Air is also utilized to purge detecting gas from the pockets and air with vacuum to purge the bottles so that a rapid detecting system can be effected. The preferred gas used as the detecting media is helium and the bottles described are of the semirigid, plastic type which are used to contain sterile liquids. Such bottles can have holes small enough so the liquid will not leak out, but large enough to admit bacteria or other contaminates which would thus make the solutions nonsterile. In order to reach high capacity rates, the rotating turret constitutes a multiplicity of wheels having a multiplicity of pockets each which index through a sequence of different positions. Preferably, the rotating turret is composed of six wheels having twelve pockets each which index through twelve different positions.
Inventors
- 👤 Wendell E. Standley
- 👤 Edward M. Naureckas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:55
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/20; G01M3/202
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
An apparatus for testing leaks in a multiplicity of containers at a high rate utilizing a leak detecting gas comprising: a carrier member; a frame member to support said carrier member in a rotatable manner on a horizontal axis; means to rotate said carrier member; a multiplicity of open-ended pocket members carried by said carrier member and arranged in a plurality of rows; means to introduce said containers into said pocket members; means disposed opposite said open ends of said pocket members defining a sealing surface for closing said containers; means carried by said carrier member to releasably seal said containers against said sealing surface; means operatively associated with said means to seal said containers to introduce said leak detecting gas into said containers; detection means carried by said frame member; and signal means operatively associated with said detection means to activate said means to release said containers from said pocket members.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
152 words
An apparatus for testing leaks in a multiplicity of containers at a high rate utilizing a leak detecting gas comprising: a carrier member; a frame member to support said carrier member in a rotatable manner on a horizontal axis; means to rotate said carrier member; a multiplicity of open-ended pocket members carried by said carrier member and arranged in a plurality of rows; means to introduce said containers into said pocket members; means disposed opposite said open ends of said pocket members defining a sealing surface for closing said containers; means carried by said carrier member to releasably seal said containers against said sealing surface; means operatively associated with said means to seal said containers to introduce said leak detecting gas into said containers; detection means carried by said frame member; and signal means operatively associated with said detection means to activate said means to release said containers from said pocket members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
The apparatus for testing leaks in a multiplicity of containers as defined in claim 1 wherein said carrier member and said frame member define together an infeed and clamping station for said containers, a pressurizing station for said leak detecting gas, a testing station including said detection means, a venting station for flushing said detecting gas, a rejecting station for containers detected as having a leak and an unloading station for containers detected as having no leaks.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus for testing leaks in a multiplicity of containers as defined in claim 2 wherein said carrier member is defined by a turret member which is rotated through said stations in the order the stations are indicated and said stations comprise a complete cycle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus for testing leaks in a multiplicity of containers as defined in claim 3 wherein approximately 1/3 of the cycle time is utilized for introduction of said detecting gas and approximately 1/3 of the cycle time is utilized for purging said pocket members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus for testing leaks in a multiplicity of containers as defined in claim 4 wherein said test station is located at approximately the most upward portion of the turret cycle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus for testing leaks in a multiplicity of containers as defined in claim 5 wherein said stations comprise 12 different positions as said carrier rotates through a complete cycle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus for testing leaks in a multiplicity of containers as defined in claim 1 wherein said leak detecting gas is helium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus for testing leaks in a multiplicity of containers as defined in claim 7 wherein said detection means is defined by a mass spectrometer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus for testing leaks in a multiplicity of containers as defined in claim 8 wherein said mass spectrometer probe is of the stranded wire type.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus for testing leaks in a multiplicity of containers as defined in claim 8 wherein said means to introduce said leak detecting gas includes means to introduce air under pressure and effect a flow thereof between the outside of the containers and the pocket members and in the direction of said detection means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus for testing leaks in a multiplicity of containers as defined in claim 10 wherein said detection means includes means to effect a reduction of pressure at the open end of said pocket members.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus for testing leaks in a multiplicity of containers as defined in claim 11 wherein said means to introduce said leak detecting gas includes means to introduce air under pressure to the inside of said container.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus for testing leaks in a multiplicity of containers as defined in claim 12 wherein said means to introduce said air under pressure in the inside of said container is defined by a nozzle member constructed and arranged to terminate a short distance from the closed end of said container.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus for testing leaks in a multiplicity of containers as defined in claim 1 wherein said means to releasably seal said containers against said sealing surface includes a pneumatically actuated clamping member.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus for testing leaks in a container utilizing a leak detecting gas comprising: an open-end pocket member; means defining a support member for said pocket member and enclosing one end of said pocket member; means to move said support member of a circuitous path; means to releasably seal said containers against a sealing surface; means to introduce said leak detecting gas into said containers; detection means operatively positioned with respect to the open end of said pocket member; and means to introduce a gaseous fluid other than said detecting gas under pressure and effect a flow thereof between the outside of the container and the pocket member in the direction of said detection means.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus for testing leaks in a container utilizing a leak detecting gas comprising: an open-end pocket member; means defining a support member for said pocket member and enclosing one end of said pocket member; means to move said support member of a circuitous path; means to releasably seal said containers against a sealing surface; means to introduce said leak detecting gas into said containers; detection means operatively positioned with respect to the open end of said pocket member; and means to introduce a gaseous fluid other than said detecting gas under pressure and effect a flow thereof between the outside of the container and the pocket member in the direction of said detection means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus for testing leaks as defined in claim 15 wherein said gaseous fluid is air and said detecting gas is helium.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus for testing leaks as defined in claim 16 wherein said detecting means is a mass spectrometer of the stranded wire type.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus for testing leaks as defined in claim 17 further including means to effect a reduction in pressure at the open end of said pocket member and to transfer any detecting gas to said spectrometer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus for testing leaks as defined in claim 18 further including means to introduce a flushing gaseous fluid into said containers.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus for testing leaks as defined in claim 19 wherein said containers are composed of a plastic material.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of detecting leaks in plastic containers comprising: placing said containers in an open-ended pocket member having at least one side wall; introducing a leak detecting gas into said containers; closing said containers to outside atmosphere against one end of said pocket member; and positioning a spectrometer means adjacent the open end of said pocket member while said pocket member is maintained in an opened condition.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of detecting leaks in plastic containers comprising: placing said containers in an open-ended pocket member having at least one side wall; introducing a leak detecting gas into said containers; closing said containers to outside atmosphere against one end of said pocket member; and positioning a spectrometer means adjacent the open end of said pocket member while said pocket member is maintained in an opened condition.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of detecting leaks as defined in claim 21 wherein said leak detecting gas is helium.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of detecting leaks as defined in claim 22 wherein said container is positioned with said open end of said pocket member in an upright position and said spectrometer is placed adjacent the opened end of said pocket member.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of detecting leaks as defined in claim 23 further including the step of flowing a fluid gas other than the helium over the outside of the container and in the direction of said spectrometer.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of detection leaks as defined in claim 24 wherein said fluid gas is air.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of detecting leaks as defined in claim 25 further including the steps of flushing and pocket member and said container with a flushing gas and evacuating said container.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of detecting leaks as defined in claim 21 wherein said containers are partially evacuated prior to the introduction of said leak detecting gas.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of detecting leaks as defined in claim 21 wherein said probe includes a probe and said probe is moved in a direction of said open end of said pocket member and sealed thereover.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of detecting leaks as defined in claim 28 wherein said spectrometer is of the stranded wire type.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-01-21 | 1983-07-23 | 1984-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-01-21 | 1987-07-23 | 1988-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-01-21 | 1991-07-23 | 1992-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |