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Pouch packaging is a versatile and flexible form of packaging that utilizes materials like films and foils to create sealed pouches capable of containing a variety of products, including pharmaceuticals. These pouches can be designed in different shapes and sizes, offering adaptability to the specific requirements of the packaged goods.

Pouch packaging has become increasingly prevalent in various industries, and its significance is particularly pronounced in the life science sector. In the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, pouch packaging serves several critical purposes. It ensures the protection of medical products from external factors such as light, moisture, and contaminants, preserving their efficacy and shelf life. Pouches also provide a convenient and user-friendly way for patients to access and use their medications. Additionally, the lightweight and compact nature of pouches can contribute to cost-effective and sustainable packaging solutions.

What is Pouch Seal Inspection and Why is it Important?

Pouch seal inspection is the process of thoroughly examining the seals of pouches to ensure they are intact and free from defects. The seals play a vital role in maintaining the integrity of the packaged product, preventing contamination, and preserving its quality. Any compromise in pouch seal integrity can lead to issues such as product spoilage, reduced efficacy, or even potential harm to consumers. Thus, stringent quality control measures, including pouch seal inspection, are imperative in the pharmaceutical industry.

Pouch Seal Integrity Testing Using Seal-Sensor Technology:

Seal-Sensor™ represents a cutting-edge Airborne Ultrasonic Technology designed for seamless online applications, ensuring the non-destructive inspection of final pouch seals. This innovative method stands out for its deterministic, quantitative, rapid, and reliable approach to identifying defects in pouch seals.

Unlike traditional visual inspections, Seal-Sensor™ has the capability to detect a range of issues that may be imperceptible to the naked eye, such as incomplete seals, partial or weak areas, and various other common defects. Despite these defects appearing visually acceptable, they can significantly impact the quality, value, and shelf-life of the packaged product.

The technology operates efficiently with a single linear scan, known as the L-Scan, which completes in less than one second. This quick process not only ensures minimal disruption to production but also delivers a PASS/FAIL result immediately. Furthermore, Seal-Sensor™ provides quantitative, traceable data, offering a comprehensive analysis of the seal quality.

Benefits of Seal-Sensor Technology

• Deterministic inspection method producing quantitative results
• Non-destructive, non-invasive, no sample preparation
• Works for any material and combinations, regardless of color, transparency, print, surface finish and porosity
• Can be integrated for 100% online defect detection of the final pouch seal
• Repeatable and reliable results
• Eliminates subjective, manual vision inspection methods

The packaging industry is undergoing constant evolution, with a key emphasis on maintaining product safety and quality. Pouch seal inspection holds a pivotal role in ensuring the freshness and safety of packaged goods. Any shortcomings in the sealing process can lead to compromised product quality, impacting consumer satisfaction and brand reputation. Conventional inspection methods often struggle to identify microscopic defects or inconsistencies in seals, necessitating the adoption of advanced technologies for a more comprehensive examination.

In response to this challenge, PTI has introduced the Seal-Sensor PQX, an advanced technology designed to revolutionize pouch seal inspection.This innovative solution addresses the limitations of traditional methods by providing a more thorough and precise evaluation of pouch seals.

By incorporating the Seal-Sensor PQX into their operations, manufacturers can enhance their ability to identify and rectify potential sealing issues before products reach the market. This not only safeguards product quality but also contributes to fostering consumer confidence and protecting the brand's reputation.

Inspecting Pouch Seals with Seal-Sensor PQX Technology

The Seal-Sensor PQX is a fully automated technology for inspecting and handling pouch seals. Equipped with an integrated conveyor, seamlessly connectable to your production line, this innovation utilizes PTI's Seal-Sensor Airborne Ultrasonic technology for swift online scanning of the final pouch seal. Accredited as an ASTM Test Method F3004 and an FDA consensus standard, the Seal-Sensor technology guarantees a meticulous inspection of seal quality.

Seal-Sensor™ employs Airborne Ultrasonic technology to scrutinize the final pouch seal, ensuring a 100% online, non-destructive examination. This deterministic, quantitative, and rapid approach provides a reliable means of inspecting pouch seals for potential defects. Seal-Sensor excels at detecting incomplete seals, identifying partial or weak areas in seals, and uncovering various defects that may not be apparent visually but can significantly impact product quality, value, and shelf-life. In under a second, a single linear scan (L-Scan) of the pouch seal delivers a clear pass/fail result along with quantitative, traceable data.

Featuring a full-screen HMI for displaying real-time test result data during pouch scanning, the Seal-Sensor PQX ensures efficient and accurate quality control. Operating at inspection speeds of up to 350 mm/sec, this system incorporates a built-in reject chute to swiftly remove any flaws from the production line. Additionally, a built-in stack light simplifies the determination of pass/fail outcomes for operator monitoring. Even at high outputs, the quick linear scan facilitates an immediate check and verification of seal quality, with test data generated within seconds.

Benefits of Seal-Sensor PQX

• 100% pouch seal inspection
• Easy integration into production lines
• Adjustable for different size pouches
• Manual load or robotic pick & place
• Built-in reject chute