Abbott Laboratories Corporation

David C Ulstad

Terrence B Mazer

James P Perry

Lewis H Sita

Thomas D Loughrin

Frank S Walczak

Christopher A Cox

Todd A Stevens

Lori J Mihalov

W George Zeitler

Wilson G Zeitler

Kenneth William Botterbrodt

Mark D Green

Robert Alan Miller, Jr

Kenneth M Cramer

A device for detecting leaks or weaknesses in a flexible package. The device includes a first member having a non-conductive surface, a second member secured in a position adjacent the first member, and a control system. The second member has an electrically conductive first portion and an electrically conductive second portion. The electrically conductive first portion of the second member is normally electrically insulated from the electrically conductive second portion of the second member. The control system is arranged to detect an electrical current between the electrically conductive first portion and the electrically conductive second portion. The second member may be positioned relative the first member to compress a flexible package between the first member and the second member.

Device for detecting leaks in packages

Pouch

A package is provided with a lid and container that are heat sealed together. A multi-ply sheet material is provided for being thermoformed to define the container which has a tapering wall and bulge-resistant bottom end. Prior to thermoforming the container from the sheet, the sheet is heated with oval pads on a plurality of plates which are arranged in a configuration to facilitate control of the sheet temperature. A plug is used in the thermoforming process to contact the sheet and position the sheet within a die. A lid sheet is heat sealed to the container sheet over the thermoformed containers so as to produce a pair of spaced-apart, annular bead heat seals. The package is completed by severing the sealed-together sheets at the periphery of the container with a punch and die set that produces and clean, smooth cut surface.

Container having tapered sidewall made from sheet material and lid to seal same

Heater plate and method for using same

Method for punching a sealed package from first and second webs

Heat sealer and method for using same

Growing community of inventors

Dublin, OH, United States of America

David C Ulstad