Abstract: A system is provided for leak testing a package having a body with an opening, a gas permeable material reaching over the opening, and an adhesive bond attaching the gas permeable material to the body beside the opening. The system includes a coupling element configured to connect with the package to enable potential leakage air flow paths into the coupling element, including a) from inside the package through the opening and further through the gas permeable material, and b) from an ambient atmosphere into the package and further through the gas permeable material.

Abstract: The current invention mitigates the problem of incorrect determinations of leaking packages during vacuum decay leak detection testing. As described in this disclosure, a testing chamber used for vacuum decay leak detection testing is exposed to interferences when not under vacuum or at low pressure conditions between testing cycles. By measuring one or more exposure time intervals immediately preceding a present test cycle, it is possible to improve detection of leaking packages by adjusting raw measured pressure gathered during vacuum decay leak testing based upon the length of exposure times and create corrected pressure data used to improve vacuum decay leak detection.

Abstract: A method and system of testing for package leaks by a test system is disclosed. The test system includes a vacuum source and a test chamber in which a package is received for testing. A package is placed in the test chamber, and a vacuum is drawn on the test chamber by the vacuum source. A predetermined pressure level in the test system is detected, and based upon the detection of the predetermined pressure level, the test system determines when to stop drawing the vacuum. The test chamber is isolated from the vacuum source based upon the determination, and subsequently the test system detects the presence or absence of a leak in the package based on pressure measurements in the test chamber. A timer may be used to determine the delay in isolating the test chamber from the vacuum source after detection of the predetermined pressure level.

Abstract: A device and method for testing and inspecting the integrity of an autoinjector device is disclosed. The autoinjector devices includes a medication container, a housing that receives the medication container, the housing including a plurality of electrodes arranged circumferentially relative to the medication container, and a plurality of electrical contacts corresponding to the plurality of electrodes and in electrical communication therewith, the electrical contacts being accessible from the exterior of the autoinjector device, wherein a circuit between at least one pair of electrodes, measured at the electrical contacts, indicates a defect in the medication container. A method of testing the integrity of the autoinjector device is also disclose, wherein a voltage is applied to the electrical contacts in order to determine the integrity of the medication container in the autoinjector device. Accordingly, defects in the pre-packaged medication container in the autoinjector device may be detected.

Abstract: The current invention mitigates the problem of incorrect determinations of leaking packages during vacuum decay leak detection testing. As described in this disclosure, a testing chamber used for vacuum decay leak detection testing is exposed to interferences when not under vacuum or at low pressure conditions between testing cycles. By measuring one or more exposure time intervals immediately preceding a present test cycle, it is possible to improve detection of leaking packages by adjusting raw measured pressure gathered during vacuum decay leak testing based upon the length of exposure times and create corrected pressure data used to improve vacuum decay leak detection.

Abstract: A device and method for testing and inspecting the integrity of an autoinjector device is disclosed. The autoinjector devices includes a medication container, a housing that receives the medication container, the housing including a plurality of electrodes arranged circumferentially relative to the medication container, and a plurality of electrical contacts corresponding to the plurality of electrodes and in electrical communication therewith, the electrical contacts being accessible from the exterior of the autoinjector device, wherein a circuit between at least one pair of electrodes, measured at the electrical contacts, indicates a defect in the medication container. A method of testing the integrity of the autoinjector device is also disclose, wherein a voltage is applied to the electrical contacts in order to determine the integrity of the medication container in the autoinjector device. Accordingly, defects in the pre-packaged medication container in the autoinjector device may be detected.

Abstract: A method and system of testing for package leaks by a test system is disclosed. The test system includes a vacuum source and a test chamber in which a package is received for testing. A package is placed in the test chamber, and a vacuum is drawn on the test chamber by the vacuum source. A predetermined pressure level in the test system is detected, and based upon the detection of the predetermined pressure level, the test system determines when to stop drawing the vacuum. The test chamber is isolated from the vacuum source based upon the determination, and subsequently the test system detects the presence or absence of a leak in the package based on pressure measurements in the test chamber. A timer may be used to determine the delay in isolating the test chamber from the vacuum source after detection of the predetermined pressure level.

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: A method and apparatus for detecting leaks in blister packages wherein a package is supported with a support chamber and a flexible and imperforate bladder is placed over the package after which at least a partial vacuum pressure is applied and a measure made to determine if any leakage is detected while an image of the bladder is detected, such as by a camera, with the image being used to provide a visual indication of the location of a failure in the blister package.

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: 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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for leak testing a container wherein the container such as a flexible or semi-flexible package is received in a closeable test cavity. A pressure differential is installed between the inside of the container and an enclosed space within the test cavity outside of the container. A change in the pressure in the enclosed space is detected. The closeable test cavity comprises a flexible wall whose shape adapts to the shape of the container at least when the pressure differential is installed. The flexible wall advantageously compensates for variations in head space and shape of the packages, as where the contents are not uniformally distributed within the package. The flexible wall can sealingly contact a portion of the container spaced from a container seal to permit detection of seal leaks. A gas permeable, flexible screen can be employed between the container and the flexible wall to permit leak detection of leaks in the container beneath the flexible wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for leak testing a sealed package having at least one flexible wall portion and a sealed flange wherein at least one flexible wall portion of the package spaced from at least a seal-exposing edge of the sealed flange is gripped and pulled outwardly from the package to stress the package in tension while at least the seal-exposing edge of the sealed flange is exposed to a gas pressure equal to or greater than atmospheric pressure. The reaction of the sealed package to the stressing is then detected. The method and apparatus are useful for testing retort or aseptic pouches, cups and multi-layered trays with heat sealed lids, etc., with or without head space. Leaks in the seal and also in areas adjacent the seal can advantageously be detected quickly and with a high degree of reliability.