Patent ID: 6332369
Filing Date: 2001-12-25
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A system for collecting gas emitted for foodstuffs contained within a sealed container for continuous analysis by an analysis device, the system comprising:a collector body defining a collecting chamber arranged between first and second openings in the collector body, where the collector body further defines a threaded portion within the collecting chamber and a collar extending around the second opening in the collector body, the collar being secured to a wall of the sealed container;a connecting screw defining an internal passage, a perforating portion, a threaded portion, and at least one receiving duct for allowing fluid communication with the internal passage, wherethe connecting screw extends into the collecting chamber through the first opening such that the perforating portion is arranged within the collecting chamber, andthe threaded portion of the connecting screw cooperates with the threaded portion of the collector body such that rotation of the connecting screw moves the connecting screw relative to the collecting body; anda main seal assembly mounted on the connecting screw and operatively connected to the analysis device, the main seal assembly comprising a filtering membrane that is permeable to gasses and impermeable to micro-organisms, where the filtering membrane is arranged such that fluid flowing through the internal passage passes through the filtering membrane; wherebyrotation of the connecting screw in a first direction causes the connecting screw to move towards the wall of the sealed container such that the perforating portion of the connecting screw engages the wall of the sealed container and forms a container opening that is surrounded by the collar of the collector body; androtation of the connecting screw in a second direction causes the connecting screw to move away from the wall of the sealed container such that gases within the sealed container flow through the container opening, into the collecting chamber, through the receiving duct, internal passage, and filtering membrane, and to the analysis device.