Device for detecting leaks in packages

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9606018-B2
Application number	US-201314363999-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 3, 2013
Priority date	Jan 3, 2012
Publication date	Mar 28, 2017
Grant date	Mar 28, 2017

Abstract

A device for detecting leaks or weaknesses in a flexible package. The device includes a first member having a non-conductive surface, a second member secured in a position adjacent the first member, and a control system. The second member has an electrically conductive first portion and an electrically conductive second portion. The electrically conductive first portion of the second member is normally electrically insulated from the electrically conductive second portion of the second member. The control system is arranged to detect an electrical current between the electrically conductive first portion and the electrically conductive second portion. The second member may be positioned relative the first member to compress a flexible package between the first member and the second member.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A device for detecting leaks or weaknesses in a flexible package, the device comprising:
a first member having a non-conductive and planar surface;
a second member secured in a position adjacent the first member and having an electrically conductive first portion and an electrically conductive second portion; and
a control system;
wherein the electrically conductive first portion of the second member is normally electrically insulated from the electrically conductive second portion of second member, and the control system is arranged to detect an electrical current between the electrically conductive first portion and the electrically conductive second portion.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the second member is positioned relative the first member to compress a flexible package between the first member and the second member.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the second member rides upon the outer surface of the flexible package during passage of the flexible package past the first member.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein a force applied to the flexible package by the second member is adjustable by a pressure-assist mechanism.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the flexible package contains an electrically conductive material.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the electrical current between the electrically conductive first portion and the electrically conductive second portion flows through an electrically conductive material that has been forced out of the flexible package by compression between the first member and the second member.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the second member is comprised of a first set of individual parts and a second set of individual parts, wherein the first set of individual parts is electrically insulated from the second set of individual parts.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the second member is a roller.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the roller comprises:
a first set of electrically conductive plates;
a second set of electrically conductive plates; and
a set of insulating plates;
wherein each of the first set of electrically conductive plates is electrically insulated from each of the second set of electrically conductive plates by at least one of the set of insulating plates.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the plates are secured in a stack by connectors, wherein a first set of connectors electrically connects the first set of electrically conductive plates and a second set of connectors electrically connects the second set of electrically conductive plates.

11. The device of claim 8 further comprising a pivot arm having a counterweight mounted at one end and the roller rotatably mounted on an opposing end.

12. The device of claim 8 wherein the roller is counterbalanced against the force of gravity applied to the flexible package.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein the control system signals a user when the electrical current is detected between the first portion of the second member and the second portion of the second member.

14. The device of claim 1 wherein the non-conductive surface of the first member is moving during operation of the device.

15. The device of claim 1 wherein the first member is a conveyor having an insulated belt.

16. A device for detecting leaks or weaknesses in a flexible package, the device comprising:
a conveyor having a non-conductive and planar surface;
a roller having a pivot arm having a counterweight mounted at one end and the roller rotatably mounted on an opposing end, and secured in a position adjacent the non-conductive surface and having an electrically conductive first portion and an electrically conductive second portion; and
a control system;
wherein the electrically conductive first portion of the roller is normally electrically insulated from the electrically conductive second portion of roller, and the control system is arranged to detect an electrical current between the electrically conductive first portion and the electrically conductive second portion.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein the roller comprises:
a first set of electrically conductive plates;
a second set of electrically conductive plates; and
a set of insulating plates;
wherein each of the first set of electrically conductive plates is electrically insulated from each of the second set of electrically conductive plates by at least one of the set of insulating plates.

18. The device of claim 16 wherein the roller is positioned relative the non-conductive surface to compress a flexible package between the non-conductive surface and the roller.

19. The device of claim 16 wherein the roller rides upon the outer surface of the flexible package during passage of the flexible package past the non-conductive surface.

20. The device of claim 16 wherein the flexible package contains an electrically conductive material.

Assignees

• Abbott Lab

Inventors

• Botterbrodt Kenneth William
• Ulstad David Carl

Classifications

• G01M3/187 Primary

  for flexible or elastic containers · CPC title

• G01M3/16

  using electric detection means ({G01M3/045,} G01M3/06, G01M3/12, G01M3/20, G01M3/24, G01M3/26 take precedence) · CPC title

• G01M3/40 Primary

  by using electric means, e.g. by observing electric discharges · CPC title

• G01M3/02

  by using fluid or vacuum · CPC title