In-line inspecting device for leak detection from gas-filled food packages

Nicolò Scarabottolo; Massimo Fedel; Lorenzo Cocola; Luca Poletto

doi:10.1117/12.2557784

22 April 2020 In-line inspecting device for leak detection from gas-filled food packages

Nicolò Scarabottolo, Massimo Fedel, Lorenzo Cocola, Luca Poletto

Proceedings Volume 11421, Sensing for Agriculture and Food Quality and Safety XII; 1142103 (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2557784
Event: SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, 2020, Online Only

Abstract

A device based on non-dispersive infrared spectroscopy has been developed for leak testing through non-invasive evaluation of escaping carbon dioxide (CO₂) outside of Modified-Atmosphere-Packed (MAP) cheese containers. The targeted samples are bags of processed mozzarella sealed in modified atmosphere at the end of the manufacturing process, in which the internal CO₂ concentration is higher than 10% vol. for product shelf-life extension. The device performs in-line measurement on moving samples on a conveyor belt with the application of a calibrated test pressure to the samples to stimulate leaks through any possible package defect such as holes, cuts, wrinkles and swelling in the seal. The sensor device takes advantage of a multichannel suction manifold and an array of high-speed, optical non- dispersive CO₂ sensors for a space-resolved sensing of any leaked carbon dioxide around the sample perimeter. Any variation in the detected carbon dioxide level when compared with ambient background is correlated with a faulty package. Moreover, the device is able to report and log an approximate fault location and automatically remove the defective package from the production line.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Nicolò Scarabottolo, Massimo Fedel, Lorenzo Cocola, and Luca Poletto "In-line inspecting device for leak detection from gas-filled food packages", Proc. SPIE 11421, Sensing for Agriculture and Food Quality and Safety XII, 1142103 (22 April 2020); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2557784

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