INFICON Provides Leak Detection with the Contura Series

Excursus: Non-destructive pressure increase method

To detect leaks in packaging, various methods can be employed, such as bubble bath or CO2 testing. The common principle among these methods is the creation of a pressure difference between the test object and the surrounding environment. This pressure difference forces any contained gas to escape through leaks. The higher the pressure difference, the smaller the detectable leaks. However, high pressure can damage the seals and packaging, which may lead to misinterpretation of results, as intact packaging might rupture and be mistakenly identified as leaking (picture attached).

Additionally, traditional testing systems like bubble baths are highly dependent on the user and must be adjusted differently for each volume and type of packaging. The results are recorded manually, and all tested samples, whether they are found to be intact or leaking, must be disposed of after testing. This practice harms manufacturers due to high write-offs and impacts the environment by causing food waste and additional avoidable waste.

In contrast, the Contura system measures leaks using a pressure increase system within a flexible film chamber. It is very easy and quick to operate: simply place a test item in the chamber, close it, and the system automatically evacuates to 30 mbar while the membrane protects the packaging from expansion and seal stress. The system then uses highly precise, self-developed and produced pressure sensors to detect potential leaks, providing you with a non-destructive and reproducible result in less than 15 seconds.

The reliable Contura system calculates a quantifiable and reproducible leak rate in mbar*l/s from the pressure increase and the time. No other provider has mastered this process. The device therefore not only shows whether something is leaking or not, but exactly how tight it is. This happens regardless of the type of leak or the number of leaks.

A major advantage: the measurement is non-destructive, which means that packs that have tested negative for leaks can be sold or leaking packs can be repackaged and the pressure difference between packaging and chamber Is the by far highest on the market.