Leak detection equipment can improve food safety that can prevent sickness. It also is used to ensure food quality and avoid costly mess cleanup. The five testing procedures described below are among the most commonly used today.
Automated production line testing:
Factories often combine leak detection equipment technology with production conveyor belts. This allows for checking hundreds of packages at once. It can cut down time required for processing items, and this especially helps when a distribution must be completed by a certain date. It could replace manual checks altogether or be used in addition to them.
1. Seal scanning
This type of leak detection involves scanning plastic package seals. It often is applied to intravenous medications, but it also could be used in food packaging plants. No-contact ultrasound technology is often used for this, and it identifies leaks that cause a high-frequency sound. The consumer probably would never even realize the food has been scanned, whereas the ultrasound has no physical effect on the packaging.
2. Pressure leak detection
This is used to ensure that food packaging maintains a consistent pressure. If it does, this means that the packaging is intact. Pressure gauges measure the status of the internal food contents, and observation of pressure measurements is what determines whether a food package should be kept or discarded.
3. Vacuum leak detection
In some ways, this form of leak detection is like pressure tests often conducted on packaged food. The primary difference is the use of suctioning that creates a vacuum during which pressure is measured by a gauge. Any inconsistencies in food pressure could indicate a possible packaging leak. Visit Flexpak inc if you want to find more resources and information.
4. Helium leak identification tests
Different forms of testing using helium could detect leaks in food packaging. This usually involves the use of a spray or sniff helium inspection procedure. The packages containing helium are sniffed, and the sniffing machinery detects the leaking, non-toxic gas. Otherwise, the food packages are sprayed with helium, and a sensor detects the presence of a leak.
5. Bubble leak detection
This does not require any fancy equipment. It just involves placing food in water to see if it will form bubbles around it. If the food packages do show bubbles, those items must be discarded. Other food packages not leaking will not be harmed by this simple water test.
The basic of all tests, inspecting packages for leaks or deterioration with the human eyes is one more way to prevent equipment failures and potentially dangerous spills. This along with using leak detection equipment could also save people from food poisoning.