Detecting small holes in packages

Patent · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:870342

Kronberg, James W ^[1]; Cadieux, James R ^[1]

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1. Aiken, SC

A package containing a tracer gas, and a method for determining the presence of a hole in the package by sensing the presence of the gas outside the package. The preferred tracer gas, especially for food packaging, is sulfur hexafluoride. A quantity of the gas is added to the package and the package is closed. The concentration of the gas in the atmosphere outside the package is measured and compared to a predetermined value of the concentration of the gas in the absence of the package. A measured concentration greater than the predetermined value indicates the presence of a hole in the package. Measuring may be done in a chamber having a lower pressure than that in the package.

• Research Organization: WESTINGHOUSE SAVANNAH RIVER CO
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-89SR18035
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5499529
• OSTI ID: 870342
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

/73/
absence
added
atmosphere
atmosphere outside
chamber
closed
compared
concentration
containing
detecting
determining
especially
food
gas
hexafluoride
holes
indicates
measured
measuring
method
outside
package
package containing
packages
packaging
predetermined
predetermined value
preferred
presence
pressure
quantity
sensing
sulfur
sulfur hexafluoride
tracer
tracer gas
value