Arrangement for detection of leakage or weak points in a package

Details Arrangement for detection of leakage or weak points in a package Arrangement for detection of leakage or weak points in a package

1991-05-07

1993-08-17

Williams, Hezron E.

Measuring and testing

Testing sealed receptacle

324558, G01M 3016

Patent

active

052358470

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to detectors for detecting leakage or weak points in a package which is continuously movable relative to the detectors. The detectors are particularly intended to be used for packages having an outwardly extended flange along which a cover is sealed to the package. The contents of the package are thereby maintained in the inner volume or interior of the package.
A detector element provided with such detector has at least one electrical conductor forming part of an electrical circuit. The circuit includes a pole forming a coupling to the package interior, and any leakage or weak points along the sealed region of the package cause a change in the electrical conditions of the circuit.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It previously has been known to use relatively large detector electrodes to detect large surfaces of a package, in which respect no particularly great requirements are set on the position of the detector electrode relative to the package. However, large contact surfaces between the package and the detector create considerable interference problems. It is also known to use smaller detector elements with a relatively limited detector surface, which necessitates accurate tolerances between the detector elements and the portion of the package to be detected or, alternatively, to provide the detector element with arrangements for displacing the detector according to the dimensions of the package.
Further, GB A 1,399,161 discloses a leakage indicator which requires the package to be submersed into a container of liquid and an electrode to be inserted through the wall of the package. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 3,789,297 shows a pair of electrodes mounted adjacent a seal, requiring both electrodes to contact the electrically conductive fluid for indication.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned problems and to provide a very limited detector surface, while at the same time ensuring in a simple manner that the detector surface is at all times situated in the position where detection is to take place.
In accordance with the present invention, this aim is achieved by means of a detector including a detector element extending from a control unit, with the detector element presenting at least one electrical conductor in the form of a detector electrode, and guiding means for guiding the detector electrode toward that part of the package which is to be detected In accordance with the invention, the detector element is resiliently attached to the control unit to permit displacement of the detector element transversely to the feed direction of the package.


BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in greater detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the attached drawings, in which
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a complete detector system for detecting all four sides of a package;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the detector system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a highly schematic sectional view taken along line III--III in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV--IV in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is an extended view of a detector element used in the first embodiment of the detector system of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a highly schematic view of the detector element in accordance with the present invention; and
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view through a further embodiment of the detector element.


DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the mechanical part of a complete detector installation in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention consisting of four detectors 1, 2, 3, 4 for detecting leakage or weak points in a package. In the example shown, a circumferential welding seam along the edge sections 6 of a package 5 is detected. These edge sections run in a rectangular manner with pairs of edge sections opposite each other, namely two longitudinal edge sections 7, 8 and two end edge sections 9, 10.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3789297 (1974-01-01), Frolich
patent: 4125805 (1978-11-01), Nagamatsu et al.
patent: 4431961 (1984-02-01), Kakumoto

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