Optical Height Measurement for Crimp Seal Closure Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for testing the integrity of crimp seal closures are time-consuming, unreliable, and destructive, making them unsuitable for efficient quality control in pharmaceutical applications.
Innovation Solution
A non-destructive method that measures the height of the crimp seal closure in relation to the closed container, using specific measuring points to determine the closure integrity, which is predictive of the tightness performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pressure application methods are used to test crimp seal closure integrity, then tightness can be assessed, but the testing process becomes time-consuming and destructive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical pressure application systems with a simple optical measurement system. Instead of applying pressure and measuring mechanical deformation, the invention uses optical means to measure the height of the crimp seal closure, which correlates with tightness. This substitution eliminates the need for complex testing apparatus and reduces testing time while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from mechanical deformation under pressure to dimensional height measurement. By measuring the height of the crimp seal closure (distance between the top surface of the crimp ring and the top surface of the container closure), the method obtains a parameter that directly correlates with tightness without requiring destructive pressure testing.
2Reliability
If pressure testing methods are used to evaluate crimp seal closure, then tightness can be determined, but the method becomes unreliable and destructive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces destructive mechanical pressure testing with non-destructive optical height measurement. The measurement system uses optical means to determine the height of the crimp seal closure, which provides reliable tightness determination without subjecting the closure to damaging pressures that could compromise the sealed container.
Solution Approach 2:
The crimp seal closure itself provides the measurement information through its height dimension. The height of the closure (influenced by the crimping process and the elasticity of the closing element) inherently contains information about tightness, eliminating the need for external pressure application and destructive testing procedures.
3Reliability
If conventional tightness testing methods are applied, then closure integrity can be assessed, but the process becomes complex and difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical pressure testing apparatus with simple optical measurement means. The height of the crimp seal closure can be measured using basic optical instruments, making the testing procedure easy to operate while maintaining reliable assessment of closure integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential information needed for tightness assessment from the complex pressure testing process. By focusing solely on the height dimension of the crimp seal closure, the method isolates the critical parameter that indicates tightness, simplifying the testing procedure to a single measurement without requiring complex multi-parameter pressure testing.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Method for determining tightness and CCI of containers with a crimp seal closure by providing a container with a closed crimp seal closure, the crimp seal closure having an elastomer section, measuring a determined length between the top of the elastomer section and a position of the container, comparing the length to a predetermined range, and rejecting closed containers with a length outside the predetermined range.