Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An apparatus is used to determine whether a container moving along a conveyor is suitable for storing water. The apparatus includes a sampler that obtains a sample from the interior of the container as the container moves along the conveyor. A PID is connected to the sampler to receive the sample and produce a signal corresponding to contents of the sample. A controller is connected to the PID and receives and analyzes the signal to determine whether the container is suitable for storing water. The apparatus may include a vacuum source connected to the PID that produces a reduced pressure for drawing the sample through the PID. A flow restrictor may be positioned between the sampler and PID. The flow restrictor may provide variable resistance to set a desired clearance time through the PID and sensitivity of the PID.

Abstract: Diagnosing disease in a body by analyzing a sample from the body for the presence of sulfur compounds.

Abstract: A container inspection system for inspecting a moving container includes a radiation source positioned to direct radiation at the moving container. A radiation detector is positioned to receive a portion of the radiation from the radiation source that is not absorbed or blocked by the moving container and to generate electrical signals in response thereto. Processing circuitry produces multi-dimensional image data for the moving container based on the electrical signals generated by the radiation detector, and compares at least a first portion of the multi-dimensional image data to a corresponding portion of the multi-dimensional image data for a standard container.

Abstract: A high speed gas chromatography system includes a heated isothermal region and a gas chromatography column located externally to the isothermal region. The system also includes a detector and a flow path between the column and the detector. At least a portion of the flow path is positioned in the isothermal region.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus collects sample air from a subject such as a person. The apparatus includes a bypass that divides the sample air stream into a bypass portion and a collector portion. The collector portion of the air stream is delivered to a collector, which traps entrained particles. After the sampling cycle concludes, a mechanical conveyor removes the collector from fluid communication with the bypass and transports it to a analyzing unit. A chamber in the unit receives the collector, and a diverter couples the chamber with either of two vapor and/or particle analyzers. During analysis, a heater in the unit heats both the chamber and the diverter. A sample collected from one subject can be analyzed in one of the analyzers while another sample is being collected from another subject. The other analyzer can then be used to analyze the second sample.

Abstract: In a contact-type vapor and particle sampling apparatus for collecting vapor or particles from a moving subject, a wand having a plurality of sampling holes is oriented so that the holes extend in the direction of movement of the subject. The external width of the wand is less than a characteristic dimension of the contour of the surface of the subject being sampled, and a central fluid flow passage in the wand is sufficiently wide to prevent substantially all particles of on the order of about 10 microns in diameter from colliding with the wall of the wand as they enter the passage. A collector for use with the apparatus includes a gas impermeable material having a high binding affinity for explosives vapor exposed on a surface of a filter woven to trap explosives particles.

Abstract: A container inspection system for inspecting a moving container includes a radiation source positioned to direct radiation at the moving container. A radiation detector is positioned to receive a portion of the radiation from the radiation source that is not absorbed or blocked by the moving container and to generate electrical signals in response thereto. Processing circuitry produces multi-dimensional image data for the moving container based on the electrical signals generated by the radiation detector, and compares at least a first portion of the multi-dimensional image data to a corresponding portion of the multi-dimensional image data for a standard container.

Abstract: To detect an unpressurized moving container, a fluid such as air is directed at the moving container. Thereafter, a level of deflection of the moving container resulting from the directed fluid is detected. An unpressurized container is indicated when the detected level of deflection exceeds a threshold level. Deflection may be detected by directing a pulse of air or a continuous stream of air against the container. The system is particularly useful in detecting unpressurized, thin-walled aluminum cans.

Abstract: A detection system for detecting the emission (i.e., the fluorescence or phosphorescence) from a contaminant contained in a sample gas. In order to keep the optics of the system clean and maintain a high signal-to-noise ratio in the detected signal, the detection system contains a housing separated into illumination and sample chambers by an aperture-containing partition. A sample inlet port is connected to the sample chamber, and a purge inlet port is connected to the illumination chamber to direct the purge and sample gasses into their respective chambers. A vacuum system is connected to a vacuum port on the sample chamber to simultaneously draw the sample and purge gasses into their chambers through the inlet ports; the purge gas is then drawn through the aperture and into the sample chamber. Finally, both gasses are drawn out of the sample chamber through the vacuum port.

Abstract: To detect a foaming contaminant in a moving container, an image of the moving container and any contents thereof is produced. Thereafter, image processing techniques are used to determine levels of low and high frequency spatial variations in intensity in the image. The levels of low and high frequency spatial variations in intensity are then compared to determine the presence of a foaming contaminant.

Abstract: To spectrally detect a contaminant in a moving container, a set of reference spectral information related to one or more containers having known contents is stored. Thereafter, radiant energy is directed at liquid near the bottom of the container so that the radiant energy is modified by the contents of the container and travels through the contents of the container in multiple paths of varying length. Spectral information from detected portions of the modified radiant energy is obtained, and is compared to the stored set of reference spectral information using correlation techniques. Based on the relationship between this spectral information and the stored set of reference spectral information, the presence or absence of a contaminant is indicated.

Abstract: To detect a contaminant in a moving container, radiant energy is directed into the moving container. Thereafter, a level of radiant energy scattered by contents of the moving container is detected. The presence of a contaminant is indicated when the detected level of scattered radiant energy differs from a threshold level. Scattered radiant energy detected by the system includes that scattered by turbid materials within the container and that scattered by foam within the container. Detection of turbid materials or foam may be combined with spectral contaminant detection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating contraband vapor/particle detection devices is described. The invention includes a desorb site onto which may be deposited solutions containing known concentrations of one or more of the specific compounds to be detected. The desorb site, which may be rapidly heated to vaporize the particles contained in the solution deposited on its surface, is housed in a sealable chamber. The vapor and/or particles become entrained in an air stream forced across the surface of the desorb site, and the airstream is then delivered through a snout to the contraband vapor particle detector.

Abstract: To detect a turbid contaminant in a moving container, radiant energy having a wavelength that is absorbed by contents of the moving container that include the turbid contaminant at a different level than energy having the wavelength is absorbed by contents of the moving container that include a non-contaminant is directed into the container. Thereafter, a level of radiant energy scattered by contents of the container is detected. The presence of a turbid contaminant is indicated when the detected level of scattered radiant energy differs from a threshold level.

Abstract: An in-line ram rejector system particularly for high speed bottling lines with unspaced plastic containers relies on a multi-beam optical system to keep track of the containers between a contamination detection station and a rejector station equipped with a ram rejector. The rejection station is also provided with an automatic side gate on the conveyor. When the leading edge of a tracked, identified container meets the beam, the side gate on the conveyor opens, and when the trailing edge of the same tracked identified container passes by the beam, the container, for example, a plastic beverage bottle is rammed out the open gate onto a neck rail, which catches the container upright.