Patent US4706494A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4706494A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Seal integrity testing
Assignee: FMC Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1986-04-25
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Granted: 1987-11-17
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Expires: 2006-04-25
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an apparatus and method for testing the integrity and acceptability of the seal of a package before or after it has been sterilized by any chosen conventional process which may include heat sterilization of a sealed package, aseptic packaging or irradiation. Testing is accomplished by subjecting the package or container to a controlled external pressure, preferably a linear actuator, sufficient to create a selected level of internal pressure. Any suitable means may be used to determine the rate of pressure change within a selected time interval. Upper and lower limits of pressure change determine whether the seal is acceptable.
Inventors
- 👤 Sherman H. Creed
- 👤 Danny I. Wang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 20:12
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/26; G01M3/28; G01M3/2853; G01M3/2869; G01M3/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
An apparatus for testing the seal integrity of a flexible package containing food products while exposed to ambient atmosphere, said apparatus comprising opposed platens, power means for establishing relative movement between said platens, one of the platens supporting the package, one of said platens being movable toward the other platen by said power means to raise the internal pressure of the package to an initial predetermined level while the seal remains free of compressive forces created by said platens, and means responsive to said power means for applying an additional predetermined higher level of internal pressure to the package during a selected time interval for indicating whether compressed fluids within the package flows past the seal, a large pressure differential in said additional higher level of pressure during said timed interval indicating a leaking condition while a small pressure differential at a higher average pressure during said timed interval indicating a properly sealed container.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
154 words
An apparatus for testing the seal integrity of a flexible package containing food products while exposed to ambient atmosphere, said apparatus comprising opposed platens, power means for establishing relative movement between said platens, one of the platens supporting the package, one of said platens being movable toward the other platen by said power means to raise the internal pressure of the package to an initial predetermined level while the seal remains free of compressive forces created by said platens, and means responsive to said power means for applying an additional predetermined higher level of internal pressure to the package during a selected time interval for indicating whether compressed fluids within the package flows past the seal, a large pressure differential in said additional higher level of pressure during said timed interval indicating a leaking condition while a small pressure differential at a higher average pressure during said timed interval indicating a properly sealed container.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
123 words
An apparatus for testing the seal integrity of a flexible package containing food products while the package is in ambient atmosphere surrounding the apparatus, said apparatus comprising opposed platens, power means for establishing relative movement between said platens, one of said platens supporting the package, one of said platens being movable toward the other platen by said power means to raise the internal pressure of the package to a predetermined level while the seal remains free of compressive forces created by said platens, and flow indicating means responsive to the maximum level of internal pressure during a selected time interval for indicating whether flow of compressed fluids in the package through the seal has occurred, fluids within the package out of the package.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
123 words
An apparatus for testing the seal integrity of a flexible package containing food products while the package is in ambient atmosphere surrounding the apparatus, said apparatus comprising opposed platens, power means for establishing relative movement between said platens, one of said platens supporting the package, one of said platens being movable toward the other platen by said power means to raise the internal pressure of the package to a predetermined level while the seal remains free of compressive forces created by said platens, and flow indicating means responsive to the maximum level of internal pressure during a selected time interval for indicating whether flow of compressed fluids in the package through the seal has occurred, fluids within the package out of the package.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The testing apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising means in contact with the seal of the package during compression for restricting the flow of fluids across the seal to render the flow sonically detectable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The testing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein movement and the rate thereof during the selected time interval by the moveable platen after the fluid within the package has been compressed is electronically detected and processed to determine the seal integrity.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
107 words
An apparatus for testing the seal integrity of a flexible package containing food products, said apparatus comprising opposed platens, one of said platens supporting the package and movable toward the other platen to raise the internal pressure of this package to a predetermined level while the seal remains free of compressive forces created by said platens, and means responsive to the level of internal pressure during a selected time interval for indicating whether flow of the compressed internal atmosphere of the package through the seal has occurred, maintenance of the internal pressure of the package over a selected time interval being electronically evaluated to determine seal integrity.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
107 words
An apparatus for testing the seal integrity of a flexible package containing food products, said apparatus comprising opposed platens, one of said platens supporting the package and movable toward the other platen to raise the internal pressure of this package to a predetermined level while the seal remains free of compressive forces created by said platens, and means responsive to the level of internal pressure during a selected time interval for indicating whether flow of the compressed internal atmosphere of the package through the seal has occurred, maintenance of the internal pressure of the package over a selected time interval being electronically evaluated to determine seal integrity.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus for testing the seal integrity of a flexible container closed by a seal and having a product and fluid packaged therein, comprising: means for applying an initial compressive force to the container to increase the internal pressure therein, said means thereafter applying an additional compressive force for a predetermined period of time for providing a higher level of pressure within the container; and means for measuring the changing pressure within the container during said timed period with a small differential of pressure measured during the timed period indicating a properly sealed container, and with a large differential of pressure measured during the timed period indicating fluid leakage from the container.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
112 words
An apparatus for testing the seal integrity of a flexible container closed by a seal and having a product and fluid packaged therein, comprising: means for applying an initial compressive force to the container to increase the internal pressure therein, said means thereafter applying an additional compressive force for a predetermined period of time for providing a higher level of pressure within the container; and means for measuring the changing pressure within the container during said timed period with a small differential of pressure measured during the timed period indicating a properly sealed container, and with a large differential of pressure measured during the timed period indicating fluid leakage from the container.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said means for applying said compressive force comprises a first platen having a convex seal engaging surface, a second platen having a cavity therein for receiving a portion of the container therein, and power means operatively connected to one of said platens for applying said initial and additional compressive force to the container.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said power means comprises a fluid operated double acting linear actuator connected to one of said platens, a pressure transducer communicating with said linear actuator, a data acquisition system communicating with said pressure transducer, and a data computer communicating with said data acquisition system.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
129 words
An apparatus for testing the seal integrity of flexible container closed by a seal and having a product and fluid packaged therein with the container being positioned between two platens, comprising: means for establishing an initial relative movement between the platens for applying an initial compressive force to the container to increase the initial pressure therein, and thereafter applying an additional amount of relative movement between the platens for a predetermined period of time for providing a higher level of pressure within the container; and means for measuring the change of distance between the platens during said timed period with a resulting small length differential between the platens indicating a properly sealed container and with a large length differential during the time period indicating a leak in the container.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
129 words
An apparatus for testing the seal integrity of flexible container closed by a seal and having a product and fluid packaged therein with the container being positioned between two platens, comprising: means for establishing an initial relative movement between the platens for applying an initial compressive force to the container to increase the initial pressure therein, and thereafter applying an additional amount of relative movement between the platens for a predetermined period of time for providing a higher level of pressure within the container; and means for measuring the change of distance between the platens during said timed period with a resulting small length differential between the platens indicating a properly sealed container and with a large length differential during the time period indicating a leak in the container.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
67 words
An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said means for establishing said initial relative movement and said additional relative movement comprising a first platen having a convex seal engaging surface, a second platen having a cavity therein for receiving a portion of the container therein, and power means operatively connected to one of said platens for establishing said initial and said additional relative movement of said platens.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
76 words
An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said power means comprises a fluid operated double acting linear actuator connected to one of said platens, an arm connected to a movable portion of said actuator, a linear displacement transducer disposed in position to be actuated by said arm after said platens have completed said initial relative movement, a data acquisition system connected to said linear displacement transducer, and a data computer communicating with said data acquisition system.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for testing the seal integrity of a flexible container closed by a seal and having a product and fluid packaged therein, comprising the steps of: applying an initial compressive force to the container to increase the initial pressure therein; thereafter applying an additional compressive force for a predetermined period of time for providing a higher level of pressure within the container; and measuring the changing pressure within the container during said timed period with a small differential of pressure measured during the time period indicating a properly sealed container, and with a large differential of pressure measured during the timed period indicating fluid leakage from the container.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for testing the seal integrity of a flexible container closed by a seal and having a product and fluid packaged therein, comprising the steps of: applying an initial compressive force to the container to increase the initial pressure therein; thereafter applying an additional compressive force for a predetermined period of time for providing a higher level of pressure within the container; and measuring the changing pressure within the container during said timed period with a small differential of pressure measured during the time period indicating a properly sealed container, and with a large differential of pressure measured during the timed period indicating fluid leakage from the container.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for testing the seal integrity of a flexible container closed by a seal and having a product and fluid packaged therein with the container being positioned between two platens, comprising the steps of: establishing an initial relative movement between the platens for applying an initial compressive force to the container to increase the internal pressure therein, and thereafter applying an additional amount of relative movement between the platens for a predetermined period of time for providing a higher level of pressure within the container; and measuring the change of distance between the platens during said timed period with a resulting small length differential between the platens indicating a properly sealed container, and with a large length difference during the time period indicating a leak in the container.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for testing the seal integrity of a flexible container closed by a seal and having a product and fluid packaged therein with the container being positioned between two platens, comprising the steps of: establishing an initial relative movement between the platens for applying an initial compressive force to the container to increase the internal pressure therein, and thereafter applying an additional amount of relative movement between the platens for a predetermined period of time for providing a higher level of pressure within the container; and measuring the change of distance between the platens during said timed period with a resulting small length differential between the platens indicating a properly sealed container, and with a large length difference during the time period indicating a leak in the container.
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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) | 1990-11-16 | 1991-05-18 | 1991-11-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-11-16 | 1995-05-18 | 1995-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-11-16 | 1999-05-18 | 1999-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |