	US 7,614,282 B2
	Apparatus and method for testing flexible packages for defects
Matts Eliasson, Westlake (Australia)
Assigned to Inspection Machinery (No 2) Pty Ltd., Sumner Park, Queensland (Australia)
Appl. No. 11/628,926 PCT Filed Jun. 07, 2005, PCT No. PCT/AU2005/000815 § 371(c)(1), (2), (4) Date Aug. 13, 2007, PCT Pub. No. WO2005/121738, PCT Pub. Date Dec. 22, 2005.
Claims priority of application No. 2004903050 (AU), filed on Jun. 07, 2004.
Prior Publication US 2008/0127716 A1, Jun. 05, 2008
Int. Cl. G01M 3/34 (2006.01)

U.S. Cl. 73—49.3

21 Claims

1. A method for detection of fluid leaks in flexible packages, said method comprising the steps of:

locating a plurality of flexible fluid containing packages in a sealable common or respective chamber;

bringing into contact with said plurality of packages a flexible membrane to apply a preload of a predetermined value to each of said packages;

reducing the gas pressure within said chamber to a predetermined value;

measuring a reference dimension associated with each said package; and,

after a predetermined period of time, measuring said reference dimension to detect any change in said dimension as indicative of a leakage of fluid for each said package.