Container integrity testing system and method

EP4771349A1Pending Publication Date: 2026-07-08F HOFFMANN LA ROCHE & CO AG

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office: EP · EP
Patent Type: Applications
Current Assignee / Owner: F HOFFMANN LA ROCHE & CO AG
Filing Date: 2024-08-29
Publication Date: 2026-07-08

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing container closure integrity (CCI) testing methods for containers with stoppers are prone to errors, are time-consuming, and lack reproducibility, especially when detecting leakage through stoppers that may be impaired or deformed during assembly and shipping.

Method used

A CCI testing system comprising a container holder, a test gas supply, a test gas detector, and a chamber, which uses a controlled flow of test gas to maintain a constant pressure difference across the stopper, allowing for accurate and reproducible detection of leakage.

Benefits of technology

The system provides a reliable, quick, and reproducible method for testing container closure integrity, effectively detecting and evaluating leakage in primary packaging, thereby improving the quality of CCI testing and ensuring safety and accuracy.

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Smart Images

Figure EP2024074154_06032025_PF_FP_ABST

Patent Text Reader

Abstract

A CCI testing system (1) to test closure integrity of a container (2) with a hollow interior (223), an outlet (221), an open end (222) and a stopper (21) arranged to close the hollow interior (223), comprises a container holder (13), a test gas supply (171), a test gas detector (11) and a chamber (14). The container holder (13) is configured to tightly receive a first aperture being one of the open end (222) of the container (2) or the outlet (221) of the container (2). The test gas supply (171) comprises a test gas. The test gas detector (11) is tightly coupled to the container holder (13) and configured to detect test gas exiting the first aperture when being received by the container holder (13). The chamber (14) is coupled to the container holder (13) to form an encasing of a second aperture being the other one of the open end (222) of the container (2) or the outlet (221) of the container (2) when the first aperture is received by the container holder (13). The test gas supply (171) is coupled to the chamber (14). The test gas detector (11) is configured to apply a subatmospheric pressure to the container holder (13) and the container holder (13) is configured to effect the subatmospheric pressure to the first aperture. The test gas supply (171) is configured to supply test gas into the chamber (14). The chamber (14) has an exhaust outlet (141). The chamber (14) is configured to expose the second aperture to a gas flow generated by the test gas supply (171) supplying test gas into the chamber (14) and out of the chamber (14) via the exhaust outlet (141), when the first aperture is received by the container holder (13).

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