Perforation detection method
First Claim
1. A method of detecting perforations in a portion of a substantially electrically non-conducting package which contains an electrically conducting material, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) immersing the portion of the package to be tested in an electrolyte solution;
(b) contacting a substantial amount of non-immersed package surface with an electrical conductor;
(c) electrically connecting a first terminal of an AC electrical power source to the electrical conductor and a second terminal to the electrolyte solution and including a resistor in electrical connection either between the first terminal and the electrical conductor or between the second terminal and the electrolyte solution;
(d) measuring voltage reduction across the resistor or measuring current flow and comparing it with a threshold value such that if the voltage reduction or current exceeds the threshold value, perforation of the tested portion of the package is indicated.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of detecting perforations in a portion of a substantially electrically non-conducting package (1) which contains an electrically conducting material, the method comprising the steps of: (a) immersing the portion (2) of the package to be tested in an electrolyte solution (3); (b) contacting a substantial amount of non-immersed package surface with an electrical conductor (5); (c) electrically connecting a first terminal of an AC electrical power source (6) to the electrical conductor and a second terminal to the electrolyte solution and including a resistor (7) in electrical connection either between the first terminal and the electrical conductor or between the second terminal and the electrolyte solution; (d) measuring voltage reduction across the resistor or measuring current flow and comparing it with a threshold value such that if the voltage reduction or current exceeds the threshold value, perforation of the tested portion of the package is indicated.
-
Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A method of detecting perforations in a portion of a substantially electrically non-conducting package which contains an electrically conducting material, the method comprising the steps of:
-
(a) immersing the portion of the package to be tested in an electrolyte solution;
(b) contacting a substantial amount of non-immersed package surface with an electrical conductor;
(c) electrically connecting a first terminal of an AC electrical power source to the electrical conductor and a second terminal to the electrolyte solution and including a resistor in electrical connection either between the first terminal and the electrical conductor or between the second terminal and the electrolyte solution;
(d) measuring voltage reduction across the resistor or measuring current flow and comparing it with a threshold value such that if the voltage reduction or current exceeds the threshold value, perforation of the tested portion of the package is indicated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
Specification