Non-intrusive Gas Assessment in Sealed Packages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing gas composition in sealed food packages are often intrusive, leading to waste and increased costs, as they require puncturing the package or adding sensors, which is not suitable for maintaining packaging integrity and ensuring product safety and quality.
Innovation Solution
A non-intrusive method using narrow-band laser sources to emit light through the package, measuring absorption signals caused by gases, and determining deviations from expected gas compositions or concentrations, employing GASMAS technique to analyze gases in translucent packages without damaging them.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional gas sampling techniques are used to assess gas composition in packages, then gas composition can be measured, but the package must be punctured which destroys packaging integrity and causes product waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical puncturing and physical sampling methods with optical detection. A laser beam is directed through the package material to interact with gases inside, and optical detectors measure absorption signals to determine gas composition. This substitution of mechanical systems with optical systems enables non-intrusive measurement that preserves packaging integrity and eliminates product waste.
2Duration of action of moving object
If sensors are added inside packages to monitor gas composition, then continuous monitoring is possible, but packaging complexity increases and product contamination risk rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical detection system that measures gas composition through the package material without requiring internal sensors. The laser beam serves as a mediator that carries information about internal gas composition to external detectors, enabling continuous monitoring while keeping the packaging structure simple and avoiding contamination risks associated with internal sensors.
3Reliability
If opaque package materials are used for protection, then product safety is improved, but optical detection of internal gases becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selecting specific wavelengths of laser light that correspond to absorption characteristics of target gases. These wavelengths penetrate the package material effectively, creating a localized optical window for detection. The system tailors the optical properties to the specific measurement needs, enabling gas detection through protective packaging materials that would otherwise block general light.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables real-time, non-invasive monitoring of gas compositions within sealed packages, reducing waste and costs, while maintaining packaging integrity, and allowing for continuous quality assurance throughout the shelf life, even for packages with modified atmospheres.
Implementation Method 1
measuring an absorption signal of the light scattered in the package, said absorption caused by at least one gas in said package
Implementation Method 2
emitting light from a narrow-band laser source towards the package from outside of the package
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus are disclosed for assessment of a sealed package. Light is emitted from a narrow-band laser source towards said package from outside of said package. An absorption signal of said light scattered in said package is measured, wherein said absorption is caused by said at least one gas when said light is scattered and travels in said sealed package. Measuring is made outside of said package, whereby said assessment is non-intrusive with regard to said package. It is determined if a deviation exists from a predetermined, expected gas composition and/or concentration of said at least one gas within said sealed package based on said measured absorption signal. Thus sealing of said package for said gas is detected.