US4747299A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of testing a package seal
Assignee: Mission Systems Orchard Park Inc
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Filing: 1987-10-28
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Granted: 1988-05-31
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Expires: 2007-10-28
Abstract
Abstract A method of testing the integrity of a package seal (14) provided between a container portion (11) and a lid portion (12), includes the steps of: initially reducing the pressure acting on the outer surface of the container portion to cause the lid portion to bow inwardly to a position of substantially maximum concavity while maintaining the ullage volume within the package substantially constant; further reducing the pressure acting on the outer surface of the container portion to distend the container portion for increasing the volume of the ullage space; and sensing for a change in position of the distended container wall.
Inventors
- 👤 John M. Fox
- 👤 David C. Maloney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:46
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/36; G01M3/363
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
The method of testing the integrity of a seal in a package, said package having a thin-walled open-mouthed container portion and having a flexible lid portion sealed to a rim portion of said container mouth, said package having an ullage volume therewithin, which method comprises the steps of: creating a first pressure differential to bow said lid portion into said container portion to a position of substantially maximum concavity without substantially changing said ullage volume; creating a second pressure differential across the wall of said container portion to increase said ullage volume; and sensing for a change in position of a portion of said container portion wall after said second pressure differential has been created; thereby to indicate whether fluid has leaked into said package.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
125 words
The method of testing the integrity of a seal in a package, said package having a thin-walled open-mouthed container portion and having a flexible lid portion sealed to a rim portion of said container mouth, said package having an ullage volume therewithin, which method comprises the steps of: creating a first pressure differential to bow said lid portion into said container portion to a position of substantially maximum concavity without substantially changing said ullage volume; creating a second pressure differential across the wall of said container portion to increase said ullage volume; and sensing for a change in position of a portion of said container portion wall after said second pressure differential has been created; thereby to indicate whether fluid has leaked into said package.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first pressure differential is created by reducing the pressure acting on the outside surface of said container portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first pressure differential is created, at least in part, by increasing the pressure acting on the outer surface of said lid portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first pressure differential is created by reducing the pressure acting on the outside surface of said container portion and by increasing the pressure acting on the outer surface of said lid portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3751972A
Cited
US3837215A
Cited
FR2351400A1
Cited
US4188919A
Cited
US4326408A
Cited
GB2059381A
Cited
JPS5944637A
Cited
EP0181722A1
Cited
US4715215A
Cited
US4663964A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-05-31 | 1991-11-30 | 1992-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-31 | 1995-11-30 | 1996-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-31 | 1999-11-30 | 2000-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |