초록 ▼

A container with a flexible membrane sealed to a container end may be tested for leaks as the container moves along a conveyor. The conveyor carries the container through a first region in which a negative pressure differential is established between the first region and the interior of the containe

A container with a flexible membrane sealed to a container end may be tested for leaks as the container moves along a conveyor. The conveyor carries the container through a first region in which a negative pressure differential is established between the first region and the interior of the container. The pressure differential can be established, for example, by cooling the first region with cold air. The conveyor also carries the container from the first region to a second region, in which a positive pressure differential is established between the second region and the interior of the container. The pressure differential in the second region can be established, for example, by heating the second region with hot air. In the second region, a sensor detects a transition of the membrane of the container between convex and concave orientations and produces a signal corresponding to the occurrence of the transition. A controller receives the signal from the sensor and determines whether the container has a leak based on the transition of the membrane.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus for determining whether a container including a flexible membrane and moving along a conveyor has a leak, the apparatus comprising:a first region through which the conveyor carries the container and in which a negative pressure differential between the first

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus for determining whether a container including a flexible membrane and moving along a conveyor has a leak, the apparatus comprising:a first region through which the conveyor carries the container and in which a negative pressure differential between the first region and the interior of the container is established;a second region through which the conveyor carries the container and in which a positive pressure differential between the second region and the interior of the container is established by passing the container through a zone in which a gas, moving at a high velocity, passes across the lid of the container to produce a low pressure zone around the container;a sensor configured to detect a transition of the membrane of the container between convex and concave orientations and to produce a signal corresponding to the occurence of the transition; anda controller connected to receive the signal from the sensor and configured to determine whether the container has a leak based on the transition of the membrane.