Package seal inspection system

A system for inspecting substantially transparent and fully transparent package seals, comprising:

• means for transporting a package including a substantially transparent or a fully transparent seal to and from at least one inspection station;
• structure light source means located to the side of said package and said seal at inspection station for generating and directing light to the seal at a predetermined relatively low incident angle relative to a surface of the seal;
• means located beneath said package and said seal for backlighting at least said seal;
• means located above the package at said inspection station for generating at least one image of the seal from reflected incident light from said structured light source means for generating and directing light at a low incident angle and said means for backlighting;
• image processor means coupled to the means for generating said at least one image for defining the boundaries of the seal, determining the existence and location of defects in the seal as well as classifying the type and severity of said defects and thereafter generating an output signal indicative of the quality of the seal;
• and
• means responsive to said output signal for accepting or rejecting said package from the system depending on the quality of the seal.

A system for inspecting the seal area of substantially transparent and fully transparent package seals, comprising:

• means for transporting a package including a substantially transparent and fully transparent seal, having a predetermined seal area, to and from at least one inspection station;
• means located beneath said package and said seal for backlighting the seal area;
• means located above the package at said inspection station for generating at least one image of the seal from the light incident thereon from the means for backlighting;
• image processor means coupled to the means for generating said at least one image for determining the existence of any defects in the seal, the location of said defects, the type of severity of said defects and thereafter generating an output signal indicative of the quality of the seal;
• and
• means responsive to said output signal foe accepting or rejecting said package from the system depending on the quality of the seal.