The Quaker Oats Company

Steven Robert Ehardt

John L Konieczka

Kurt A Kreutzmann

Newell Esmond

Timothy J Hamilton

John J Leonard

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for evaluating the integrity of a seal on liquid-filled container. According to one aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprises a tank for containing a liquid solution and a clamp with a first and second member between which the container is engaged. The clamp is positioned with respect to the tank such that a portion of the container properly situated in the clamp will extend into the tank and contact the liquid solution. A ram and cylinder are operatively connected to the clamp to engage the container. A seat is provided to support a portion of the container such that at least a portion of the container supported by the seat will extend into the tank. A drill is provided to pierce a surface of the container to make an opening. The drill is positioned such that the opening can be made while the container is in the clamp and/or the seat such that at least a portion of the container extends into the tank. The apparatus further includes a conductivity meter mounted on the platform, a first electrode attached to the drill, and a second electrode positioned such that at least a portion of the second electrode extends into the tank. According to another aspect of the invention, the tank, the clamp, the seat, and the ram and cylinder are mounted on a mobile platform. The present invention further relates to a method for evaluating a seal on a liquid-filled container.

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Algonquin, IL, United States of America

Steven Robert Ehardt