Method and apparatus for detecting leaks in sealed packages
First Claim
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1. A method for evaluating integrity of a sealed package comprising:
- depositing a volatile hydrocarbonaceous substance within a package;
sealing the package;
placing the package in a sealable chamber;
sealing said chamber;
pulling a vacuum in said chamber after said chamber has been sealed;
maintaining the vacuum in said chamber for a predetermined time period and then allowing gas into said chamber to relieve the vacuum;
sealing said chamber after the vacuum has been relieved; and
monitoring said chamber for the presence of said volatile hydrocarbonaceous substance.
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Abstract
A hydrocarbon leak detector apparatus detects defectively sealed packages by monitoring for the presence of a volatile hydrocarbonaceous substance that leaks from defective packages. The apparatus includes one or more sealable chambers, a vacuum generator pump, a hydrocarbon detector and conduit means for delivering air from the chamber(s) to the hydrocarbon detector.
56 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method for evaluating integrity of a sealed package comprising:
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depositing a volatile hydrocarbonaceous substance within a package; sealing the package; placing the package in a sealable chamber; sealing said chamber; pulling a vacuum in said chamber after said chamber has been sealed; maintaining the vacuum in said chamber for a predetermined time period and then allowing gas into said chamber to relieve the vacuum; sealing said chamber after the vacuum has been relieved; and monitoring said chamber for the presence of said volatile hydrocarbonaceous substance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus for evaluating the integrity of a sealed package which comprises:
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(i) a plurality of sealable chambers; (ii) a vacuum generator pump; (iii) a hydrocarbon detector; and (iv) means for selectively delivering gas from any one of said sealable chambers to said hydrocarbon detector. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. An apparatus for evaluating the integrity of a sealed package which comprises:
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(i) a sealable chamber; (ii) a vacuum generator pump; (iii) a gas chromatograph; and (iv) conduit means for delivering air from said chamber to said gas chromatograph. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification