System for testing an article wrapped with an overwrap and associated method
First Claim
1. A testing system for an article wrapped with an overwrap, said system comprising:
- a first receptacle portion and a second receptacle portion configured to be complementarily engaged so as to define a test receptacle therein, the test receptacle being configured to receive and enclose the article wrapped with the overwrap that forms an overwrap wrapped article, and the second receptacle portion defining an outlet port and an inlet port;
a test fixture operably engaged with the second receptacle portion, the test fixture being in communication with the inlet and outlet ports of the second receptacle portion and defining a perimeter, the test fixture being configured to contact the overwrap wrapped about the article disposed within the test receptacle, and to form a seal with the overwrap about the perimeter of the test fixture in response to a suction applied through the outlet port of the second receptacle portion, the test fixture being further configured to draw a portion of the overwrap away from the article;
a piercing device operably engaged with the second receptacle portion, the piercing device being configured to form an orifice in a portion of the overwrap within the perimeter of the test fixture and drawn away from the article;
a fluid source operably engaged with the second receptacle portion, the fluid source being configured to direct a fluid into the overwrap, between the overwrap and the article, through the orifice; and
a measuring device fluidly engaged with the first receptacle portion or the second receptacle portion, and being configured to measure a pressure change or a fluid flow change within the test receptacle, and externally to the overwrap wrapped about the article, in response to the fluid being directed into the overwrap from the fluid source, in order to determine whether there is leakage in the overwrap.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A testing system is provided for an article wrapped with an overwrap. The testing system includes first and second receptacle portions cooperating to define a test receptacle having a test fixture therein. The test receptacle is configured to receive the wrapped article. The test fixture is configured to form a seal with the test fixture about a perimeter thereof and to draw a portion of the overwrap away from the article in response to a suction applied in association with the test fixture. A piercing device is configured to form an orifice in the overwrap, within the perimeter, and a fluid between the overwrap and the article, through the orifice, from a fluid source. A pressure and/or a fluid flow change within the test receptacle, externally to the overwrap, is measured with a measuring device to determine whether there is leakage in the overwrap. An associated method is also provided.
29 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A testing system for an article wrapped with an overwrap, said system comprising:
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a first receptacle portion and a second receptacle portion configured to be complementarily engaged so as to define a test receptacle therein, the test receptacle being configured to receive and enclose the article wrapped with the overwrap that forms an overwrap wrapped article, and the second receptacle portion defining an outlet port and an inlet port; a test fixture operably engaged with the second receptacle portion, the test fixture being in communication with the inlet and outlet ports of the second receptacle portion and defining a perimeter, the test fixture being configured to contact the overwrap wrapped about the article disposed within the test receptacle, and to form a seal with the overwrap about the perimeter of the test fixture in response to a suction applied through the outlet port of the second receptacle portion, the test fixture being further configured to draw a portion of the overwrap away from the article; a piercing device operably engaged with the second receptacle portion, the piercing device being configured to form an orifice in a portion of the overwrap within the perimeter of the test fixture and drawn away from the article; a fluid source operably engaged with the second receptacle portion, the fluid source being configured to direct a fluid into the overwrap, between the overwrap and the article, through the orifice; and a measuring device fluidly engaged with the first receptacle portion or the second receptacle portion, and being configured to measure a pressure change or a fluid flow change within the test receptacle, and externally to the overwrap wrapped about the article, in response to the fluid being directed into the overwrap from the fluid source, in order to determine whether there is leakage in the overwrap. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for testing an article wrapped with an overwrap for leakage in the overwrap, the method comprising:
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receiving and enclosing the article wrapped with the overwrap that forms an overwrap wrapped article within a test receptacle defined by a first receptacle portion complementarily engaged with a second receptacle portion; applying a suction through an outlet port defined by the second receptacle portion so as to form a seal between a test fixture disposed within the test receptacle and the overwrap about a perimeter defined by the test fixture, the test fixture being operably engaged with the second receptacle portion and being in communication with an inlet port and the outlet port defined by the second receptacle portion, and so as to draw a portion of the overwrap away from the article disposed within the test receptacle and into contact with the test fixture; forming an orifice in the portion of the overwrap, within the perimeter of the test fixture and drawn away from the article, with a piercing device operably engaged with the second receptacle portion; directing a fluid into the overwrap, between the overwrap and the article, through the orifice, from a fluid source operably engaged with the second receptacle portion; and measuring a pressure change or a fluid flow change within the test receptacle, externally to the overwrap wrapped about the article, in response to the fluid being directed into the overwrap from the fluid source, with a measuring device fluidly engaged with the first receptacle portion or the second receptacle portion, in order to determine whether there is leakage in the overwrap. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification