The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 19, 1980
Filed:
Dec. 15, 1978
Walter W Egee, Wallingford, PA (US);
George R Weaver, Maple Shade, NJ (US);
Campbell Soup Company, Camden, NJ (US);
Abstract
A check is provided of the gas pressure in a closed container having in its bottom wall a snap-action diaphragm of a type which assumes its concave-inward configuration when there is a vacuum of at least a predetermined level in the container, and assumes its convex-outward configuration when the vacuum level in the container is zero or less than said predetermined level. A test stand applies to the exterior of the diaphragm a vacuum sufficient normally to assure that it will assume its convex outward configuration, and then releases the applied vacuum to permit the diaphragm to snap to its concave-inward configuration. A proximity sensor produces an electrical signal representing the position of the diaphragm, which signal is differentiated to produce a signal indicating the speed of inward motion of the diaphragm. The differentiated signal is compared with a reference, and if it exceeds the reference, produces an indication that the inward snap-action has occurred and that the vacuum level in the container is adequate. The arrangement is applied to the high-speed checking of food containers for gas leaks.