Packaging Technologies & Inspection (PTI)

Pressure Decay

Seal-Scan Technology Statement

Background

Leak detection of empty containers – before the filling and sealing process - is an important step to insure container integrity. Applications in the plastic, blow molding, food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries all require some type of online container integrity system. In addition to the basic inspection economics of reducing the amount of passed leaking containers and false rejects, there are many important factors to consider when evaluating what type of system is best. Important criteria includes: line speed, inspection rate/output, the container specification, handling requirements and required leak size (hole size). VeriCon offers a complete line of leak tester configurations to accommodate various container specifications and the level of test performance each application requires.

Principles of VeriCon Technology

VeriCon systems utilize either pressure decay or vacuum decay technology and a basic 3-step phase to each test cycle: Filling, Equalizing and Testing. Each VeriCon tester consists of either one or more testing stations (test heads). During the testing cycle, the container passes under the test head. During the filling stage, the container is filled with either pressure or for vacuum systems, a vacuum is pulled inside the container. The equalizing phase follows allowing either the pressure or vacuum to stabilize within the container. Then the amount of pressure or vacuum decay is monitored and measured during the test cycle which correlates to the presence of leaks within the container. Thepass/fail result displays on the operator panel and the defective container is rejected from the line.

The specification of pressure or vacuum is determined by the type of container and leak size that must be detected. Typically plastic containers of most any size always use pressure decay. Vacuum decay technology is used when the characteristic of the container would make it difficult to detect the presence of a certain size leak using pressure technology.

All VeriCon systems utilize high resolution non-drifting transducers (either pressure transducers or vacuum transducers) for consistent leak detection. The number of transducers relates to the number of test stations/heads. VeriCon testers are available in one to four station configurations, depending on the line speed/hole size requirement.

Configurations

VeriCon Linear Testers – available in one or two station configurations for standard online linear leakdetection. VeriCon Models 126 Linear and 128

VeriCon Continuous Motion – available in 1 to 4 station configurations. Continuous motion allows inspection of containers “on the fly” - completing the test cycle without stopping the container during the entire process. Continuous Motion inspection enables high speed testing with smooth uninterrupted handling using a specially designed feedscrew. VeriCon Models 135, 136, 172 and 175

VeriCon Trimmer Systems – available in 1 or 2 station configurations. Trimmer mount systems are designed specifically for installation in indexing systems. VeriCon Model 126/TR

Container Integrity Testing using Self-Teach – PTI has developed a unique feature, Self-teach, that is used for all VeriCon systems. Self-teach automatically sets the accept/reject criteria by testing a quantity of good samples together with a software algorithm program that sets the reject points. Self-teach saves time and eliminates operator decision making during setup time or when changing over to test a different container size.

Key Benefi ts of VeriCon