R.j. Reynolds Tobacco Company

Benny L Hester

William H Graves, Jr

William F Fleming, Iii

A method and apparatus for testing packages for leaks. Selected values of suction and positive pressure are supplied to a testing position, which may be a test head. A package to be tested is held in the testing position by the suction, and positive pressure is introduced into the package through a puncture, which may be made before or after the package is placed in position. Values of suction and positive pressure are chosen such that a package meeting leakage specifications will contain sufficient positive pressure to overcome the suction, causing the package to be ejected from the testing position. If the package does not meet specification, leakage will cause the suction to hold the package in position. Thus, a rapid and visible indication of package quality is provided.

Package leak tester

The permeability of a moving web, for example, of perforated cigarette tipping paper, is monitored by inducing a fluid flow across the web, measuring the pressure drop across the web, independently measuring the volumetric flow rate, and calculating the permeability in CORESTA units. This method is embodied in apparatus which sequentially measures the instantaneous permeability of successive areas on the web to provide direct indication of the instantaneous CORESTA permeability.

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Winston-Salem, NC, United States of America

Benny L Hester