US5361626A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for detecting leaks in sealed packages
Assignee: United States Surgical Corp
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Filing: 1992-01-29
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Granted: 1994-11-08
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Expires: 2012-01-29
Abstract
Abstract A hydrocarbon leak detector apparatus detects defectively sealed packages by monitoring for the presence of a volatile hydrocarbonaceous substance that leaks from defective packages. The apparatus includes one or more sealable chambers, a vacuum generator pump, a hydrocarbon detector and conduit means for delivering air from the chamber(s) to the hydrocarbon detector.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis D. Colligan
- 👤 Lloyd S. Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:33
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/20; G01M3/22; G01M3/226; G01M3/227
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for evaluating integrity of a sealed package comprising: depositing a volatile hydrocarbonaceous substance within a package: sealing the package: placing the package in a sealable chamber; sealing said chamber; pulling a vacuum in said chamber after said chamber has been sealed: maintaining the vacuum in said chamber for a predetermined time period and then allowing gas into said chamber to relieve the vacuum; sealing said chamber after the vacuum has been relieved; and monitoring said chamber for the presence of said volatile hydrocarbonaceous substance.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for evaluating integrity of a sealed package comprising: depositing a volatile hydrocarbonaceous substance within a package: sealing the package: placing the package in a sealable chamber; sealing said chamber; pulling a vacuum in said chamber after said chamber has been sealed: maintaining the vacuum in said chamber for a predetermined time period and then allowing gas into said chamber to relieve the vacuum; sealing said chamber after the vacuum has been relieved; and monitoring said chamber for the presence of said volatile hydrocarbonaceous substance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising exposing a hydrocarbon detector to at least a portion of the contents of said chamber after said chamber has been sealed and the vacuum relieved.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 2 further comprising purging said chamber after said hydrocarbon detector has been exposed to at least a portion of the contents of the chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 2 further comprising purging said hydrocarbon detector after said hydrocarbon detector has been exposed to at least a portion of the contents of said chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said hydrocarbon detector is a photoionizer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein said photoionizer is adapted to activate an alarm when the concentration of volatile hydrocarbonaceous substance exceeds a predefined limit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein said predefined limit is about 500 parts per million.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said hydrocarbon detector is a gas chromatograph.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein said gas chromatograph is adapted to activate an alarm when the concentration of volatile hydrocarbonaceous substance exceeds a predefined limit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein said predefined limit is about 500 parts per billion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the vacuum is at least about one inch of mercury.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the vacuum is from about five to about twenty inches of mercury.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the vacuum is maintained for about twenty-five to about thirty-five seconds.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said volatile hydrocarbonaceous substance is an organic solvent.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said volatile hydrocarbonaceous substance is isopropyl alcohol.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein an alarm is adapted to be activated when the amount of volatile hydrocarbonaceous substance being monitored exceeds a predefined limit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the sealed package contains surgical sutures.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
45 words
An apparatus for evaluating the integrity of a sealed package which comprises: (i) a plurality of sealable chambers; (ii) a vacuum generator pump; (iii) a hydrocarbon detector; and (iv) means for selectively delivering gas from any one of said sealable chambers to said hydrocarbon detector.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
45 words
An apparatus for evaluating the integrity of a sealed package which comprises: (i) a plurality of sealable chambers; (ii) a vacuum generator pump; (iii) a hydrocarbon detector; and (iv) means for selectively delivering gas from any one of said sealable chambers to said hydrocarbon detector.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said hydrocarbon detector is a photoionizer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 19 further comprising alarm means adapted to be activated when the concentration of hydrocarbon exceeds a predetermined level.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said predetermined level is 500 ppm.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said hydrocarbon detector is a gas chromatograph.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 22 further comprising alarm means adapted to be activated when the concentration of hydrocarbon exceeds a predetermined level.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said predetermined level is 500 ppb.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said hydrocarbon detector is adapted to measure an organic solvent.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said hydrocarbon detector is adapted to measure isopropyl alcohol.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 18 further comprising alarm means adapted to be activated when the concentration of hydrocarbon exceeds a predetermined level.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said means for selectively delivering gas is a microprocessor controlled by program means.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
39 words
An apparatus for evaluating the integrity of a sealed package which comprises: (i) a sealable chamber; (ii) a vacuum generator pump; (iii) a gas chromatograph; and (iv) conduit means for delivering air from said chamber to said gas chromatograph.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
39 words
An apparatus for evaluating the integrity of a sealed package which comprises: (i) a sealable chamber; (ii) a vacuum generator pump; (iii) a gas chromatograph; and (iv) conduit means for delivering air from said chamber to said gas chromatograph.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 29 wherein said gas chromatograph is adapted to measure a volatile hydrocarbonaceous substance.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 30 wherein said volatile hydrocarbonaceous substance is isopropyl alcohol.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 29 further comprising alarm means adapted to be activated when the concentration of a volatile hydrocarbonaceous substance exceeds a predetermined level.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 32 wherein said predetermined level is 500 ppb.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-11-07 | 1998-05-09 | 1998-11-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-11-07 | 2002-05-09 | 2002-11-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-11-07 | 2006-05-09 | 2006-11-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |