Reliable product packaging is critical to prevent spills, contamination, and ensure product integrity during transportation. Issues such as packaging material compatibility, sealing machine setup, and contamination are factors that can affect the packaging seal reliability. Package Testing in a vacuum chamber environment can be a useful way of determining the integrity of product packaging.
Packaging industries
- Food and beverage
- Chemical and gas storage
- Pharmaceuticals
One method of leak testing product packaging, a batch of sealed liquid containers is placed in a vacuum chamber under vacuum for a predetermined time. After the chamber is vented to atmosphere, the operator removes the containers and inspects them for liquid residues on the exterior.
Another common method of package testing, often referred to as a bubble test or immersion leak test, utilizes clear vacuum chambers and submerges the package under water. As a vacuum is created, air inside the package can flow through any existing leaks in the packaging resulting in a trail of air bubbles rising to the top of the vacuum chamber.
Package testing can be destructive or non-destructive. These leak test methods are able to identify a leak, but cannot quantify the leak rate. Special testing methods can be developed to test packaging with flexible walls.
To see LACO vacuum systems at work in package testing applications, select a customer project below.
