Testing Aseptic Packaging
Load Cell Product
Model 31 Load Cell
Load Cell Application
The aseptic package is only as good as the final sealinq of the ingredients. A small amount of inert gas is injected into a package of dairy and meat products to ensure freshness. The gas is injected at atmospheric pressure to keep the package dimensions stable.
|
|
|
Testing the presence of a minimum amount of the inert gas and the integrity of the package seal posed a problem to the manufacturer. Loss of gas either by a puncture or from a poor seal means inevitable product spoilage.
To reduce the potential of loss, a method of testing the final package had to be developed. Intrusive testing was eliminated as test method because it too time consuming.
Solution to Load Cell Application
The customer and Sensotec came up with a 100% inspection method by placing several sealed packages in a chamber with a reduced atmosphere and allowed the gas filled package to enlarge. A Sensotec Load Cell With a platen attachment was automatically lowered against the top of the package to sense the force created by the increase in relative pressure. A force level window was created to reject under pressurized packages.
A Sensotec Model 31 Load ce1l was selected because of the capability to hermetically seal the all welded stainless steel load cell, and to provide a submersible cable for the sanitary wash-down procedure. The Model 31 Load Cell would also have to operate in a near vacuum condition inside the test chamber.
The quick response time of the Model 31 in the range of 0-50 Ib, allowed up to 2500 packages per hour to be inspected. The high overload option in the Model 31 assured continuous operation of the testing equipment even though a jam in the process couId generate up to 500 Ibs or ten X the Load Cell Range. Space was also a premium in the package testing chamber and the Model 31 fit the bill perfectly with the small footprint.
Conclusion
Sensotec supplied a standard model load cell with standard options to 100% monitor the integrity of a complicated food package seal. The load cell was located in a wash-down area and reliably operated in a reduced pressure atmosphere. The quick response by the Sensotec Sales and Engineering Team was rewarded by the continuing success of this customer's high quality product in the consumer market place.
| 