Oxylos: Revolutionising Leak Testing for Food Packaging
In the competitive world of food packaging, ensuring product quality and safety is paramount. Enter Oxylos, a game-changing solution that’s transforming the way manufacturers approach leak testing for flexible packaging, particularly in the snack food industry.
The Evolution of Leak Testing Technology
Since 1995, Abiss® has been at the forefront of packaging analysis with its Oxysampler and Oxylos® instruments. Initially designed for applications in the potato crisp industry, these tools have evolved to address the unique challenges of flowpack packaging. The latest innovation, Oxylos®, now incorporates leak testing and burst testing capabilities, all within a patented system.
Addressing Flowpack Packaging Challenges
Flowpack packaging, commonly used for products like potato crisps, presents unique challenges in production environments:
- Size variations ranging from 25g to 1kg content
- Large interior volumes to protect potato crisps from external pressures
- Longer leak testing times due to the need to achieve the desired internal pressure
- Film stretching and expansion in free space
Previously, leak testing based on the DIN55508-1 standard could take up to 70 seconds for a 330g potato crisp package. While this method was quick and minimised influencing variables, it still presented limitations when compared to other techniques like positive pressure measurement (DIN55508-3).
Oxylos: Accelerating Testing While Reducing Uncertainty
Oxylos introduces a revolutionary technique that accelerates testing while simultaneously reducing uncertainty. This breakthrough allows manufacturers to:
- Quadruple leak testing speeds
- Maintain the precision of the DIN 55508-1 method
- Analyse internal gas composition in addition to leak measurement
Enhanced Features for Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP)
Both Exos® and Oxylos® offer additional capabilities for MAP applications:
- Internal atmosphere analysis
- Direct correlation between leak size and gas composition changes
- Minimal influencing variables
- High sensitivity
- Controlled pressure conditions regardless of packaging shape or construction
Key Benefits for the Food Industry
Decision Support
Oxylos’ sensitivity allows manufacturers to identify various leak causes, including:
- Film perforation
- Optimal film material selection
- Seal quality assessment
- Product presence in seals
- Machine settings impact on performance
- Fatigue phenomena (creep testing)
Reliable Specification Compliance
Oxylos ensures compliance with DIN 55508-1 standards by measuring:
- Seal resistance
- Leak measurements (down to 5µm)
- Packaging breathability
- Gas absorption over time for MAP applications
The system’s sensitivity can detect perforations as small as 5µm in diameter under low stress conditions, providing a powerful tool for evaluating and improving packaging solutions.
Enhanced Food Safety
Oxylos goes beyond simple gas composition analysis by correlating it with leak measurements. This comprehensive approach helps manufacturers:
- Avoid false conclusions about product safety
- Understand the relationship between oxygen ingress and pathogen growth
- Make informed decisions about packaging materials and processes
Conclusion
In an industry where quality and safety are non-negotiable, Oxylos stands out as a game-changing solution for leak testing in food packaging. By offering unparalleled speed, precision, and comprehensive analysis, Oxylos empowers manufacturers to:
- Optimise their packaging processes
- Ensure product quality and safety
- Differentiate themselves in competitive markets
Invest in Oxylos today and take your food packaging quality control to the next level, contact our team for more information.
