Abstract: Leak testing a closed container with at least one flexible wall area is performed with the method and apparatus wherein a biasing arrangement compresses or expands the container under test. A biasing force is monitored with a force detector applicable to the wall of the container. The force detector generates an electric output first biasing force signal at a first point in time which is stored for comparison with the monitored biasing force signal at a second subsequent point in time to generate a difference signal as a leak indicative signal. Another difference signal is generated at the first point in time from the first force measuring signal stored and the first force measuring signal. This latter difference signal is stored as a zero offset signal which is used to compensate zero offset of the generated difference signal used as a leak indicative signal.

Abstract: A method and device for testing containers, the method calling for a difference in pressure to be generated between the pressure inside the container and the pressure immediately surrounding the container, the behavior of one of these pressures permitting the gas tightness of the container to be assessed. A pressure value is stored and subsequently compared with one of the pressures, the stored pressure value being stored electronically and compared with at least one value of the output signal from a pressure sensor. The container is housed in an enclosure which is connected to a pressure or suction line, and a pressure-value storage unit, a comparator unit and a pressure sensor are associated with the pressure or suction line.

Abstract: For leak testing closed containers (9) which are filled with a filling product containing at least one liquid component the container is introduced in a test cavity (1) which is evacuated at least down to vapour pressure of that liquid component. The pressure in the surrounding of the container (9) and thus within test cavity (1) is monitored. Monitoring is performed by a vacuum pressure sensor (7), whereas lowering pressure surrounding the container (9) is performed by a vacuum pump (5). Leakage is detected by monitoring a pressure change in the surrounding of the container which is due to evaporation of liquid emerging from a leak and being evaporated in the low pressure surrounding.

Abstract: A method of monitoring pressure of a gas species up to at most a predetermined maximum pressure value is disclosed. The method includes exposing the gas species to transmission of laser light, periodically modulating the wavelength of the laser light over a wavelength band including at least one absorption line of the gas species, optoelectrically converting the transmitted laser light, thereby generating an electric output signal, performing at least one of first filtering the electric output signal with a filter characteristic having a lower cut-off frequency not lower than a transition frequency and of second filtering the electric output signal with a bandpass filter characteristic having an upper cut-off frequency not higher than the transition frequency and a lower cut-off frequency above the modulation frequency of the periodic wavelength modulation. The output of at least one of the filterings is evaluated as a pressure indicative signal.

Abstract: Leak testing a closed container with at least one flexible wall area is performed with the method and apparatus wherein a biasing arrangement compresses or expands the container under test. A biasing force is monitored with a force detector applicable to the wall of the container. The force detector generates an electric output first biasing force signal at a first po9int in time which is stored for comparison with the monitored biasing force signal at a second subsequent point in time to generate a different signal as a leak indicative signal. A difference signal is generated at the first point in time from the first force measuring signal stored and the first force measuring signal. This latter difference signal is stored as a zero offset signal which is used to compensate zero offset of the generated difference signal.

Abstract: For leak testing closed containers (9) which are filled with a filling product containing at least one liquid component the container is introduced in a test cavity (1) which is evacuated at least down to vapour pressure of that liquid component. The pressure in the surrounding of the container (9) and thus within test cavity (1) is monitored. Monitoring is performed by a vacuum pressure sensor (7), whereas lowering pressure surrounding the container (9) is performed by a vacuum pump (5). Leakage is detected by monitoring a pressure change in the surrounding of the container which is due to evaporation of liquid emerging from a leak and being evaporated in the low pressure surrounding.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing filled containers includes providing at least a first and a second part of the container, providing a product within at least one of the first and second parts, and assembling the first and second parts by bonding a portion of the first part to a portion of the second part, thereby generating a bond area. Scanning along the bond area is performed with a transmitted beam of a pulse train of ultrasonic energy. A reflected pulse train of ultrasonic energy from the bond area is sensed and a time derivative of at least one of time lag and of amplitude of the sensed pulse train is determined. A signal indicative of the quality of the bond along the bond area is generated by comparing at least one of the time derivatives with a predetermined threshold valve. If the indicative signal indicates a bond along the bond area is inaccurate, the container is separated. An apparatus for testing filled containers is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to phytase variants, their preparation and uses, which phytase variants, when aligned according to FIG. 1, are amended as compared to a model phytase in at least one of a number of positions. Preferred model phytases are basidiomycete and ascomycete phytases, such as Peniophora phytase and Aspergillus phytases. Preferred phytase variants exhibits amended activity characteristics, such as improved specific activity and/or improved thermostability.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing filled containers includes providing at least a first and a second part of the container, providing a product within at least one of the first and second parts, and assembling the first and second parts by bonding a portion of the first part to a portion of the second part, thereby generating a bond area. Scanning along the bond area is performed with a transmitted beam of a pulse train of ultrasonic energy. A reflected pulse train of ultrasonic energy from the bond area is sensed and a time derivative of at least one of time lag and of amplitude of the sensed pulse train is determined. A signal indicative of the quality of the bond along the bond area is generated by comparing at least one of the time derivatives with a predetermined threshold valve. If the indicative signal indicates a bond along the bond area is inaccurate, the container is separated. An apparatus for testing filled containers is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and device for testing containers, the method calling for a difference in pressure to be generated between the pressure inside the container and the pressure immediately surrounding the container, the behavior of one of these pressures permitting the gas tightness of the container to be assessed. A pressure value is stored and subsequently compared with one of the pressures, the stored pressure value being stored electronically and compared with at least one value of the output signal from a pressure sensor. The container is housed in an enclosure which is connected to a pressure or suction line, and a pressure-value storage unit, a comparator unit and a pressure sensor are associated with the pressure or suction line.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved phytases, preferably phytases of an increased thermostability, and a process of producing them. In particular, stabilizing amino acid mutations are introduced into a homologous protein, or the active site of a phytase is replaced in part or in toto. The corresponding DNA sequences and methods of preparing them are also disclosed, as are methods of producing the improved phytases, and the use thereof. Specific variants of Aspergillus fumigatus phytase and of consensus phytases are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to phytase variants, their preparation and uses, which phytase variants, when aligned according to FIG. 1, are amended as compared to a model phytase in at least one of a number of positions. Preferred model phytases are basidiomycete and ascomycete phytases, such as Peniophora phytase and Aspergillus phytases. Preferred phytase variants exhibits amended activity characteristics, such as improved specific activity and/or improved thermostability.

Abstract: A method and device for testing containers, the method calling for a difference in pressure to be generated between the pressure inside the container and the pressure immediately surrounding the container, the behavior of one of these pressures permitting the gas tightness of the container to be assessed. A pressure value is stored and subsequently compared with one of the pressures, the stored pressure value being stored electronically and compared with at least one value of the output signal from a pressure sensor. The container is housed in an enclosure which is connected to a pressure or suction line, and a pressure-value storage unit, a comparator unit and a pressure sensor are associated with the pressure or suction line.

Abstract: For leak testing closed containers (9) which are filled with a filling product containing at least one liquid component the container is introduced in a test cavity (1) which is evacuated at least down to vapour pressure of that liquid component. The pressure in the surrounding of the container (9) and thus within test cavity (1) is monitored. Monitoring is performed by a vacuum pressure sensor (7), whereas lowering pressure surrounding the container (9) is performed by a vacuum pump (5). Leakage is detected by monitoring a pressure change in the surrounding of the container which is due to evaporation of liquid emerging from a leak and being evaporated in the low pressure surrounding.

Abstract: Leak testing a closed container with at least one flexible wall area is performed with the method and apparatus wherein a biasing arrangement compresses or expands the container under test. A biasing force is monitored with a force detector applicable to the wall of the container. The force detector generates an electric output first biasing force signal at a first po9int in time which is stored for comparison with the monitored biasing force signal at a second subsequent point in time to generate a different signal as a leak indicative signal. A difference signal is generated at the first point in time from the first force measuring signal stored and the first force measuring signal. This latter difference signal is stored as a zero offset signal which is used to compensate zero offset of the generated difference signal.

Abstract: A process for obtaining a consensus protein from a group of amino acid sequences of a defined protein family, proteins and polynucleotides so obtained, and compositions containing such proteins.

Abstract: A process for obtaining a consensus protein from a group of amino acid sequences of a defined protein family, proteins and polynucleotides so obtained, and compositions containing such proteins.

Abstract: For leak testing closed containers (9) which are filled with a filling product containing at least one liquid component the container is introduced in a test cavity (1) which is evacuated at least down to vapour pressure of that liquid component. The pressure in the surrounding of the container (9) and thus within test cavity (1) is monitored. Monitoring is performed by a vacuum pressure sensor (7), whereas lowering pressure surrounding the container (9) is performed by a vacuum pump (5). Leakage is detected by monitoring a pressure change in the surrounding of the container which is due to evaporation of liquid emerging from a leak and being evaporated in the low pressure surrounding.

Abstract: Leak testing a closed container with at least one flexible wall area is performed with the method and apparatus wherein a biasing arrangement compresses or expands the container under test. A biasing force is monitored with a force detector applicable to the wall of the container. The force detector generates an electric output first biasing force signal at a first point in time which is stored for comparison with the monitored biasing force signal at a second subsequent point in time to generate a different signal as a leak indicative signal. A difference signal is generated at the first point in time from the first force measuring signal stored and the first force measuring signal. This latter difference signal is stored as a zero offset signal which is used to compensate zero offset of the generated difference signal.

Abstract: Phytase variants, their preparation and uses, which phytase variants, when aligned according to FIG. 1, are amended as compared to a model phytase in at least one of a number of positions. Preferred model phytases are basidiomycete and ascomycete phytases, such as Peniophora phytase and Aspergillus phytases. Preferred phytase variants exhibits amended activity characteristics, such as improved specific activity and/or improved thermostability.