Abstract: An airborne ultrasonic testing system includes two sets of ultrasound transmitters and receivers, an ultrasound frequency generator, a computer analyzer, and a controller. The ultrasound transmitters and opposing receivers are fixedly mounted at oblique angles from a support. A seal-receiving slot is defined between the transmitters and receivers, and is sized to receive a sealed edge portion of a container to be tested. The ultrasound transmitters preferably emit respective ultrasound streams that encounter a top surface of a sealed edge portion of the container at an angle between approximately 0-45 degrees, and most preferably, approximately 45 degrees. The angle of ultrasound emission of the first transmitter may be inverse of the angle of emission of the second transmitter. The signal response of each pair of receivers can be processed individually or combined to produce a summary test result of the two measurements that eliminates systematic variation associated with material variation.

Abstract: An airborne ultrasonic testing system includes two sets of ultrasound transmitters and receivers, an ultrasound frequency generator, a computer analyzer, and a controller. The ultrasound transmitters and opposing receivers are fixedly mounted at oblique angles from a support. A seal-receiving slot is defined between the transmitters and receivers, and is sized to receive a sealed edge portion of a container to be tested. The ultrasound transmitters preferably emit respective ultrasound streams that encounter a top surface of a sealed edge portion of the container at an angle between approximately 0-45 degrees, and most preferably, approximately 45 degrees. The angle of ultrasound emission of the first transmitter may be inverse of the angle of emission of the second transmitter. The signal response of each pair of receivers can be processed individually or combined to produce a summary test result of the two measurements that eliminates systematic variation associated with material variation.

Abstract: Ultrasonic transducers which include at least one internally directed generally concavely configured sonic energy radiating element which directs sonic energy toward at least one arcuate energy reflecting surface which redirects and focuses the energy through an opening in a housing defining the transducer. The configuration of the at least one radiating element and the at least one energy reflecting surface are such that sound waves from substantially any point along the radiating element to the reflecting surface and to a focus exteriorly of the opening are substantially equal. The transducers function to focus energy either as transmitters or receivers.

Abstract: Ultrasonic transducers which include at least one internally directed generally concavely configured sonic energy radiating element which directs sonic energy toward at least one arcuate energy reflecting surface which redirects and focuses the energy through an opening in a housing defining the transducer. The configuration of the at least one radiating element and the at least one energy reflecting surface are such that sound waves from substantially any point along the radiating element to the reflecting surface and to a focus exteriorly of the opening are substantially equal. The transducers function to focus energy either as transmitters or receivers.

Abstract: Systems and devices for testing or inspecting the integrity of package closure seals using contact and non-contact ultrasonic systems wherein a relative movement is created between a package seal and at least one ultrasonic transmitting transducer and at least one receiving transducer such that ultrasonic energy is focused so as to be transmitted toward and along a length of the seal from the transmitting transducer to the receiving transducer in a gaseous environment to thereby monitor energy signals which are analyzed to provide an indication of the seal integrity.

Abstract: A method for testing or inspecting the integrity of package closure seals using contact and non-contact ultrasonic systems wherein a relative movement is created between a package seal and at least one ultrasonic transmitting transducer and at least one receiving transducer such that ultrasonic energy is focused so as to be transmitted toward and along a length of the seal from the transmitting transducer to the receiving transducer in a gaseous environment to thereby monitor energy signals which are analyzed to provide an indication of the seal integrity.

Abstract: A method for testing or inspecting the integrity of package closure seals using contact and non-contact ultrasonic systems wherein a relative movement is created between a package seal and at least one ultrasonic transmitting transducer and at least one receiving transducer such that ultrasonic energy is focused so as to be transmitted toward and along a length of the seal from the transmitting transducer to the receiving transducer in a gaseous environment to thereby monitor energy signals which are analyzed to provide an indication of the seal integrity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing seals of packages or containers incorporating gas permeable materials wherein the packages are placed between opposing components of a vacuum test chamber such that the seals of the packages are open to a pressure testing system. A flexible bladder backed by a foam material or pressurized fluid seal the gas permeable material afterwhich at least a partial vacuum is drawn to create pressure differential between interior sealed spaces of the packages and the exterior of the package seals. In some embodiments, flexible bladders are provided to initially seal opposite surfaces of packages having opposite gas permeable material covering layers.