Inventors:
James R. Veale - Charlottesville VA, US
William R. Anderson - Charlottesville VA, US
Warren M. Griffith - Charlottesville VA, US
Glenn E. Edwards - Palo Alto CA, US
George R. Howard - Kennett Square PA, US
Assignee:
Lighthouse Instruments, LLC - Charlottesville VA
International Classification:
G01N 33/15, G01N 33/18, G01N 21/62
US Classification:
436136, 738665, 250343, 422 62, 422 63, 422 64, 422 65, 422 67, 436 43, 436 47, 436127, 436133, 436134, 436171
Abstract:
A system and method for nondestructive automated headspace analysis. The system includes a container conveyor that conveys a plurality of generally optically transparent sealed test containers through a pre-inspection region, an inspection region and a post-inspection region of the container conveyor, and that conveys at least one sealed reference container, through the inspection region. Also included is a zone including a laser emitter and a sensor located in the inspection region and arranged such that the laser source emits a laser beam such that it intersects with a container movement path. The conveyor alternatingly conveys test containers and reference containers through the zone.