Apparatus for measuring transmission of volatile substances through films

Claim 1

An apparatus for measuring gas transmission through membrane samples located at sample sites comprising: a lower staging section, said lower staging section defining a plurality of sample sites; each sample site having perimeter defining means for hermetically sealing said sample within said sample site; said perimeter defining means together with one surface of a sample defining a first gas containment volume; said lower staging section defining conduit means in communication with each said first gas containment volume for providing a flow of gas into and out of said first gas containment volume; means communicating with said conduit means for interrupting said flow of gas into and out of each said first containment volume so as to provide stagnation of gas within each said first gas containment volume when said means for interrupting is actuated; each said means for interrupting communicating with a source of gas for introduction into each of said first gas containment volume and having an exit port which receives gas from said gas containment volume when not interrupted; detection means in communication with said exit port; said lower staging section defining upwardly projecting alignment pins; a removable upper staging section defining a plurality of sample sites for alignment with the sample sites of said lower staging section; said sample sites of said upper staging section including means for placement of a volatile solid or liquid substance within said sample site; said upper staging section having a plurality of perimeter defining means at each sample site for hermetically sealing a sample at said sample site; said perimeter defining means of said upper staging section together with the other surface of a sample defining a second gas containment volume whereby a sample is contained at each sample site between the perimeter defining means of said lower staging section and the perimeter defining means of said upper staging section; said upper staging section defining conduit means communicating with said second gas containment volume for providing a flow of gas therethrough; said upper removable staging section defining alignment pin receipt means for positioning said upper removable staging section upon said lower staging section; and wherein said alignment pins define means for communicating with said conduit means of said upper removable staging section whereby a gas flow path is established through said alignment pins of said lower staging section into the conduit means of said upper staging section and from said conduit means into another alignment pin of said lower staging section.

Claim 2

An apparatus for measuring gas transmission through membrane samples located at sample sites comprising: a lower staging section, said lower staging section defining a plurality of sample sites; each sample site having perimeter defining means for hermetically sealing said sample within said sample site; said perimeter defining means together with one surface of a sample defining a first gas containment volume; said lower staging section defining conduit means in communication with each said first gas containment volume for providing a flow of gas into and out of said first gas containment volume; means communicating with said conduit means for interrupting said flow of gas into and out of each said first containment volume so as to provide stagnation of gas within each said first gas containment volume when said means for interrupting is actuated; each said means for interrupting communicating with a source of gas for introduction into each of said first gas containment volume and having an exit port which receives gas from said gas containment volume when not interrupted; detection means in communication with said exit port; said lower staging section defining upwardly projecting alignment pins; a removable upper staging section defining a plurality of sample sites for alignment with the sample sites of said lower staging section; said sample sites of said upper staging section including means for placement of a volatile solid or liquid substance within said sample site; said upper staging section having a plurality of perimeter defining means at each sample site for hermetically sealing a sample at said sample site; said perimeter defining means of said upper staging section together with the other surface of a sample defining a second gas containment volume whereby a sample is contained at each sample site between the perimeter defining means of said lower staging section and the perimeter defining means of said upper staging section; said upper staging section defining conduit means communicating with said second gas containment volume for providing a flow of gas therethrough; said upper removable staging section defining alignment pin receipt means for positioning said upper removable staging section upon said lower staging section; and wherein said alignment pins define means for communicating with said conduit means of said upper removable staging section whereby a gas flow path is established through said alignment pins of said lower staging section into the conduit means of said upper staging section and from said conduit means into another alignment pin of said lower staging section.