Abstract: There is provided a technique that includes abnormality detecting by picking up a sound generated from a transfer configured to be capable of transporting the substrate and comparing a waveform of sound data with a preset threshold value to detect an abnormality of the transfer; and failure detecting by picking up vibration of the transfer and comparing a waveform of vibration data with a preset threshold value to detect a failure of the transfer.

Abstract: A method is provided for testing an annular seal within a gas turbine engine. During this method, a vacuum is applied to a first volume through a conduit. The annular seal is between the first volume and a second volume. A vacuum pressure is measured within the conduit while the vacuum is applied. The measured vacuum pressure is compared to a threshold vacuum pressure. A difference between the measured vacuum pressure and the threshold vacuum pressure is indicative of leakage across the annular seal from the second volume to the first volume.

Abstract: A tool and system for inspecting, handling, sorting, and packing a sealable bag, the tool including: a housing which includes a mount for mechanically mounting the tool to a tip end of a robot arm; at least four displaceable fingers fixed to the housing in a configuration corresponding to dimensions of the sealable bag, each displaceable finger being displaceable in an axial direction of the displaceable finger and having a sensor for sensing displacement of the displaceable finger by more than a predetermined amount; a suction mechanism fixed to the housing and actuatable to lift the sealable bag; and a controller in communication with the sensor and with the suction mechanism.

Abstract: A method for checking a flexible line, the flexible line including at least one layer of armors (24, 25) surrounded by an external sheath (30), the external sheath (30) delimiting an internal space (33) receiving the layer of armors (24, 25) and including at least one medium (M) at the interface between the external sheath (30) and the internal space (33). The method includes sending an ultrasonic signal on a region to be checked of the external sheath (30), and receiving the reflected signal at the interface between the region to be checked of the external sheath (30) and the internal space (33) facing the region to be checked of the external sheath (30); and analyzing the polarity of the reflected signal and determining, according to the analyzed polarity, at least the nature of the medium (M) at the interface.

Abstract: Leak detection device for measuring the differential pressure between a test chamber (10) and a reference chamber, which can be separated from the test chamber (10) gas-tight by a first check valve (24), wherein a differential pressure sensor (34) is connected to the reference chamber and to the test chamber (10) in order to measure the differential pressure between the internal pressure of the reference chamber and the internal pressure of the test chamber (10), characterized in that the test chamber (10) and the reference chamber each have at least one wall region formed from a flexible film, wherein the ratio of the test chamber volume (20) to the surface area of the flexible wall region of the test chamber (10) adjacent to the test chamber volume (20) and the ratio of the reference chamber volume to the surface area of the flexible wall region of the reference chamber adjacent to the reference chamber volume are substantially equal.

Abstract: A coarse-fine two-stage leak detection is carried out on sealed, filled containers loaded into container holders or “pucks”. Failure of the first, coarse leak detection stage, e.g. a pressure-course or impedance or laser-absorption based leak detection stage, causes containers to be rejected together with their corresponding container holders. These are then separated, and the container holder is cleaned and dried before being returned to the system. Any leaking product from inside a grossly leaking container is thus retained within the container holder, thus reducing contamination of subsequent containers and their container holders, preventing such contamination from reaching the fine leak detection stage, e.g. a mass-spectrometer-based leak detection stage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for checking the leak tightness of deformable containers. The device comprises a probe that can be brought in contact with a container in a probing motion, a drive unit for the probe, and a measuring apparatus coupled to the drive unit and/or the probe for determining the container leak tightness by evaluating the probing motion. For said device, according to this disclosure, a sensor element adapted to detect motion of the sensor element is arranged on the probe, and that the measuring apparatus coupled to the sensor element is designed to record a time curve of the probing motion.

Abstract: A gas pressure testing device, which is for checking pressure of gas inside the gas compartment portion of a bag, including: a pressing member (31) disposed on one side of the bag, a receiving member (38) positioned on another side of the bag, and a movable support member (39) having thereon the pressing member and a distance sensor (32). The pressing member being kept urged toward the gas compartment portion by air cylinder (44) is moved toward the bag so that the gas compartment portion is sandwiched by the pressing member and the receiving member. The distance sensor measures the distance (D) at such time to the pressing member and sends a distance signal to a control unit (37). Based on the distance signal, the control unit determines whether or not the gas pressure in the gas compartment portion is within a preset range.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting leaks in a disposable medical fluid cassette that includes a base and a flexible membrane attached to the base in such a way that the base and the flexible membrane cooperate to at least partially form a fluid passageway. The method includes applying a first force to the flexible membrane, measuring a first physical property of a system that includes the medical fluid cassette a medical fluid pumping machine, removing the first force from the flexible membrane, applying a second force to the flexible membrane, measuring a second physical property of the system, and determining whether the medical fluid cassette leaks based on a comparison of the first physical property and the second physical property.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the intactness and leaktightness of containers (4) that are processed in a filling plant, wherein the filling plant comprises at least one centering head (2) for holding, gripping and/or turning one of the containers (4), wherein the centering head (2) is arranged movably along a longitudinal axis (3) of the container (4), and wherein the relative position of the centering head (2) on the longitudinal axis (3) is determined and used for the intactness and leaktightness determination.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing flexible containers traveling along a production line is disclosed. The apparatus includes a compression assembly in line with the production line. The compression assembly has a flexible section for directly contacting and applying a predetermined compression over a predetermined distance to a plurality of containers as they travel by an inspection station. The apparatus also includes a sensor assembly provided in direct contact with a container while a container is in the inspection station. The sensor assembly is arranged to sense the force applied by the compression assembly to the container. The sensor assembly generates a signal that varies in accordance with the internal pressure of the containers as they pass by the sensor assembly. The apparatus further includes a processing circuit configured to receive the signals from the sensor assembly and to determine the acceptability of the internal pressure of the containers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for detecting a leak in a sealed package containing a product in the form of a foodstuff or a pharmaceutical. The leak detecting arrangement comprises a testing station, in which a package is placed by the transporting means and a pressure applying means arranged to apply a predetermined amount of pressure on the package located in the testing station. The arrangement further comprises a continuously operated suction means arranged to draw ambient air past a seal on the packet to be tested and a gas sensor located in the flow of ambient air drawn off by the suction means and arranged to transmit a signal dependent on the test gas concentration detected in the ambient air.

Abstract: The invention relates to a leak test for filled and closed plastic bottles (5), wherein the plastic bottles (5) are led past a testing device (9) in a positionally stable manner, wherein the testing device (9) comprises an (optoelectric) detection system (10) and a pressure medium system (11), wherein the detection system (10) and at least one controllable valve (17) of the pressure medium system (11) are connected to an evaluation and control unit (15), wherein at least one or more pressure medium pulses having variable durations or a duration of 1 ms to 6 ms are generated when the plastic bottle (5) is led past a nozzle (16) of the pressure medium system (11), wherein each pressure medium pulse applies a punctiform load on a bottle wall region (18), wherein at least one light source (12, 13) or a laser beam of a laser distance sensor (23) of the detection system (10) illuminates or irradiates at least the bottle wall region (18) loaded by the pressure medium pulse at the same time as the pressure medium pul

Abstract: Provided is a pinhole inspecting method for suitably inspecting a pinhole in a bottle compared with conventional pinhole inspection. A reference inner pressure (P1) is a bottle inner pressure obtained directly after closing a supply valve (3) after opening the supply valve (3) for only a predetermined time. Whether the reference inner pressure (P1) is over a previously specified first threshold value (Pth1) or not is checked, and when it exceeds the first threshold value (Pth1), airtight status of the bottle is held for a predetermined time, and then a pressure reduction quantity (?P) of the bottle inner pressure from the reference inner pressure is measured after a fixed time. The bottle is judged to have no pinholes only when the value of ?P is not exceeding the previously specified second threshold value (?Pth2).

Abstract: A method for producing a composite structure comprising fiber reinforced material by means of vacuum assisted resin transfer molding is described. The fiber material is impregnated with liquid resin, and the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a forming structure comprising a rigid mold part and a second mold part, b) placing the fiber material in the rigid mold part, c) sealing the second mold part against the rigid mold part to form a mold cavity, d) connecting a source of uncured fluid resin to at least one resin inlet communicating with the mold cavity, e) connecting at least one vacuum outlet communicating with the mold cavity, f) evacuating the interior of the forming structure through the at least one vacuum outlet, g) supplying uncured resin from the source of uncured resin to the mold cavity through the at least one resin inlet so as to fill the mold cavity with resin, and h) curing the resin in order to form the composite structure.

Abstract: In a leak testing apparatus and a method for manufacturing unleaky closed containers having first and second flexible wall areas with different flexibility characteristics, a biasing member is moved toward and onto the first flexible area and a force detector monitors a biasing force at the second flexible area. A container is considered unleaky if a difference signal from force measuring signals at first and second points in time fulfills a test criteria. Sampling the biasing force monitored which results in the first force measuring signal includes determining maximum biasing force signal value which occurs during a time span up to and including the first point in time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a leak test for filled and closed plastic bottles (5), wherein the plastic bottles (5) are led past a testing device (9) in a positionally stable manner, wherein the testing device (9) comprises an (optoelectric) detection system (10) and a pressure medium system (11), wherein the detection system (10) and at least one controllable valve (17) of the pressure medium system (11) are connected to an evaluation and control unit (15), wherein at least one or more pressure medium pulses having variable durations or a duration of 1 ms to 6 ms are generated when the plastic bottle (5) is led past a nozzle (16) of the pressure medium system (11), wherein each pressure medium pulse applies a punctiform load on a bottle wall region (18), wherein at least one light source (12, 13) or a laser beam of a laser distance sensor (23) of the detection system (10) illuminates or irradiates at least the bottle wall region (18) loaded by the pressure medium pulse at the same time as the pressure medium pul

Abstract: Leak detector systems for detecting leaks in sealed food packages are disclosed, as well as methods for detecting leaks in sealed food packages. The leak detector system includes advancing a food package to a seal testing station where a portion of the food package is deflected and a deflection characteristic is measured. If the deflection characteristic is greater than a predetermined deflection characteristic limit that a sealed package should undergo while being subjected to the predetermined force, indicating that the package contains leaks, the food package is rejected. Otherwise the food package is advanced from the seal testing station.

Abstract: In a leak testing apparatus and a method for manufacturing unleaky closed containers having first and second flexible wall areas with different flexibility characteristics, a biasing member is moved toward and onto the first flexible area and a force detector monitors a biasing force at the second flexible area. A container is considered unleaky if a difference signal from force measuring signals at first and second points in time fulfills a test criteria. Sampling the biasing force monitored which results in the first force measuring signal includes determining maximum biasing force signal value which occurs during a time span up to and including the first point in time.

Abstract: A seal checker capable of reliably detecting a faulty seal at a vertical seal portion of a packaging bag or a portion thereof covered by the vertical seal portion is provided. A lower transfer conveyor conveys a packaging bag such that a vertical seal portion thereof moves along the conveyance direction. The upper and lower transfer conveyors sandwich and press the packaging bag therebetween. A servo motor detects the distance between the transfer conveyors when the packaging bag is pressed thereby. A control unit determines the seal properties of the packaging bag based on the distance detected by the servo motor. A gap is provided on a conveyance surface of one of the transfer conveyors to which the vertical seal portion faces, which extends in the conveyance direction and prevents the vertical seal portion from being pressed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the conditioning of articles. According to one aspect of the invention, a conveyor conveys articles in a conveying direction along a path. A rotatable belt assembly extends adjacent to the path. The rotatable belt assembly includes a belt having a conditioning run extending generally in the conveying direction to contact articles being conveyed along the path. The belt is mounted so that it is capable of displacement to vary the spacing of the conditioning run from the conveying path. The rotatable belt assembly moves vertically and/or with a rocking movement to condition the articles contacted by the conditioning run. The speed of rotation of the rotatable belt assembly may be varied to adjust the spacing between the articles being conveyed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for leak detection in flexible packages involves the location of a flexible fluid containing package (2) in a sealed chamber (1) and evacuating air from the chamber to a predetermined pressure value. An initial measurement of a reference dimension (h1) of the package is made by a sensor (8) and after a predetermined period of time a second measurement of the reference dimension (h1) is made by the sensor (8) to detect any change in that reference dimension as indicative of a leakage of fluid from the package (2).

Abstract: In a leak testing apparatus and a method for manufacturing unleaky closed containers having first and second flexible wall areas with different flexibility characteristics, a biasing member is moved toward and onto the first flexible area and a force detector monitors a biasing force at the second flexible area. A container is considered unleaky if a difference signal from force measuring signals at first and second points in time fulfills a test criteria. Sampling the biasing force monitored which results in the first force measuring signal includes determining maximum biasing force signal value which occurs during a time span up to and including the first point in time.

Abstract: A multilayer web article, including a first layer of a porous material, e.g., Tyvek® film, and a second layer overlying and sealed to the first layer. The second layer is non-porous to passage of gas therethrough and includes a peelable film, e.g., of polyethylene, in contact with the first layer of porous material. The peelable film permits peeling removal of the second layer from the first layer to expose the first layer of porous material for passage of gas therethrough. In a specific construction, the web article constitutes one of opposedly facing panels of a lay-flat bag article, in which the facing panels are bonded to one another along superposed edges thereof. After pressurization integrity testing of the bag, the peelable film is peeled away to enable steam - and/or ETO-sterilization of the bag and its contents to be carried out.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for in-line testing of the internal pressure of flexible containers traveling along a production line at high speeds. The apparatus inspects semi-rigid plastic and thin-walled liquid filled containers by analyzing the output from a load cell that indirectly measures the reaction force applied to a container through the intermediary of a load cell roller that, in turn, supports a flexible belt that directly contacts containers while moving them through an inspection station without interrupting the flow of the production line. Containers are contacted only by a flexible portion of a conveyor belt to minimize structural and aesthetic damage to them that might otherwise occur during the inspection process.

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 system and method for detecting bio-hazardous particulates in mail handling systems includes an air intake hood 20 that connects to a biohazard sensing suite 24 which, in turn, connects through an outlet duct 26 to a filter, adsorber, or scrubber 28 that removes any bio-hazardous material prior to exhausting the air. An air mover 30 is located in the outlet duct 26 and moves the air into the air intake hood 20 into the biohazard sensing suite 24. The biohazard sensing suite 24 detects the presence of any undesired bio-hazardous material.

Abstract: A method for testing a vacuum package with regard to seal-tightness, the vacuum package is placed with at least one surface section against at least one contact surface of a vacuum device. A vacuum is generated on a side of the contact surface opposite the vacuum package. A parameter indicative of an air flow through the contact surface in a flow direction away from the vacuum package is measured. The parameter is compared with at least one limit value. A first state is assigned to the vacuum package when the parameter surpasses the at least one limit value and a second state is assigned to the vacuum packaged when the parameter drops below the at least one limit value.

Abstract: A method and system for expelling test sample-volumes from luggage/packages includes, in one form, a set of superposed or otherwise cooperating belt conveyor (16, 24) and a cooperating biohazard detection system (14). Luggage articles (L) or packages to be inspected are moved by the belt conveyor (18) and subject to a momentary compressive force to reduce the internal volume of the luggage article or package sufficient to expel some of the interior air within the luggage article or package. The biohazard detection system (14) samples some of the air expelled from the interior of the luggage article (L) and subjects that air sample to various test of undesired or prohibited materials.

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: To test the tightness and/or the correct closure of containers which are transported on a conveyor, the containers succeeding each other at brief time intervals and the containers being sealed by attachment of a closure, a characteristic dependent on the internal pressure (internal-pressure characteristic) of the container is measured. Upon attachment of the closures to the containers, the internal-pressure characteristic or parameters of the closures or containers, knowledge which is necessary to measure the characteristic depending on the internal pressure, are recorded. The containers are marked no later than when the closure is attached in a way which permits the values recorded upon attachment of the closures to be allocated to the respective container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing liquid filled plastic vials for quantity of fill and leakage of contents is disclosed. Packets of six vials are tested in first and second test stations. The first station control program prevents second station testing of “solid” vials that would damage the second test station force measuring load cells. Vials testing outside of predetermined limits cause the packet to be classified as a reject.

Abstract: For tightness testers with a plurality of in-line test stations (1) on a conveyor it is proposed to supply the tightness-relevant measurement signals from the chambers by detecting pressure change measurements via pressure sensors or electrical impedance measurements via electrodes that occur at the test stations over a time interval. The signals are supplied through multiplexers (5) to a central evaluation (9).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for leak testing a closed container with at least one flexible wall area, whether or not the container undergoing leakage testing is is filled with a product or not. A biasing member is moved towards and onto the flexible wall area in order to apply a predetermined force and the accompanying reaction forces are monitored over time. The instant invention of this leakage or integrity testing system constitutes an improvement over conventional prior art pressure monitoring sytems by instead monitoring a biasing force applied by such biasing member to such flexible wall area at different times over a testing cycle, whereby storage of two biasing force values at different times allows the later processing of a difference signal that is generated by using two measured force signals over time to thus result in both a leak indicative signal and an updated compensating zero offset signal.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and methods for in-line testing for leaks in flexible containers traveling along a production line at high speeds. The apparatus inspects semi-rigid plastic containers at a high capacity by using multiple sensors at fixed displacements along a compression section while analyzing the response of the sensors such that internal pressure decays of leaky containers are readily discernible without interrupting the flow of the production line.

Abstract: For tightness testers with a plurality of in-line test stations (1) on a conveyor it is proposed to supply the tightness-relevant measurement signals from the chambers by detecting pressure change measurements via pressure sensors or electrical impedance measurements via electrodes that occur at the test stations over a time interval. The signals are supplied through multiplexers (5) to a central evaluation (9).

Abstract: The fluid tightness of containers having a first deformable section and a second deformable section spaced from the first deformable section is checked by changing the pressure applied to the first deformable section, preferably without causing fluid to flow through the first deformable section out of the container, and without changing the pressure applied to the second deformable section, thereby causing a deformation of the first deformable section and a change in pressure within the container; and thereafter monitoring a predetermined characteristic, preferably the position, of the second deformable section. This process can be used to check the fluid tightness of the containers with relatively fragile seals, for example, a foil lid of a food container without mechanical contact. Automated apparatus for carrying out this process is described.

Abstract: A leak detection system for testing a sealed product for leaks includes a test chamber, a pressure system that is operable to maintain a substantially constant pressure during a test period, and a leak sensor coupled to the test chamber via a first conduit and the pressure system via a second conduit. The test chamber of the leak detection system includes a receptacle dimensioned to receive the sealed product. Moreover, the test chamber includes a cover dimensioned to operably seal the receptacle at an initial internal pressure when placed into position with the receptacle. The leak sensor of the leak detection system is operable to permit gas flow between the test chamber and the pressure system via the first conduit and the second conduit. The leak sensor is also operable to obtain a value representative of total mass of the gas flow between the sealed test chamber and the pressure system during the test period.

Abstract: The leakage check system is applied to a vessel having a sealing valve unit that can close a gas passage and a liquid passage of the outlet port of the vessel. To determine the presence of a liquid leakage from the outlet port, there is provided an electrode for measuring liquid electrical conductivity. An actuator moves the electrode forward and backward relative to the outlet port. A forward part of the electrode is surrounded by a liquid receiver cup which is opposed to the outlet port during the leakage check of the liquid in the vessel. The forward part of the electrode is extended from a bottom of the liquid receiving cup. The liquid receiving cup is supplied with a dilution water from a water feeder. The vessel is conveyed by a conveyor with the vessel being upside down so that the outlet port is directed downwardly. The outlet port of the vessel is insertable into the liquid receiving cup.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for testing for leaks in a package is provided. The package is compressed under the weight of a test element (16). The position of the test element is measured at least twice and the positions are compared to check movement of the test head due to gas or liquid escape from the package.