Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for removing a plastic wrap from a cylindrical module includes a conveyor transporting the cylindrical module toward a disperser with the cylindrical axis of the module parallel to the direction of conveyor movement. In another embodiment, the disperser is a travelling head disperser thereby providing relative movement between the modules and the disperser. The direction of the wrap around the module is determined and the cover is removed during rotation of the module, either by unwrapping the plastic or by slitting the plastic and then rotating the module. The equipment used to handle a cylindrical module is moved out of the path of movement of a conventional rectangular module so an installation can handle both rectangular and wrapped cylindrical modules.

Abstract: An apparatus to facilitate the handling of multi-wall bags containing powdered or particular material or product, more specifically but not limited to the emptying of ex factory bags containing milk powder for further processing in a sterile manner. The apparatus includes an outer bag slitting station, an outer and inner bag separating device and an inner bag slitting station incorporating a tilting table to convey the slit inner bag to a powder receiving hopper.

Abstract: The automatic bag opening and slitting machine has a spike star wheels assembly comprising either of one or a combination of star wheels or cylindroid drum like object. The star wheels assembly is provided with spikes which convey a bag, impaled on the spikes when in an extended position, and extends beneath rotary cutting disks driven by two independent pneumatic or electric motors, that may make a continuous cut around three sides of the bag, so that after cutting thereof, the bag comprises two halves joined only at the rear or trailing side of the bag.

Abstract: A process for recovering packaged ingredients from multi-component product packets, comprises the steps of: (a) Providing a supply of multi-component product packets that contain at least two components; (b) orienting the multi-component product packets so that one of the components is in a desired position and feeding the oriented multi-component product packets to a breaching station; (c) breaching the multi-component product packets so as to access one of the components; (d) manipulating the multi-component product packets to collect the component accessed in step (c); and (e) further manipulating the multi-component product packets to release and collect another one of the components.

Abstract: A carrier tape feeder is provided. The carrier tape feeder includes a unit for loading a carrier tape, a picking-up unit where chips are picked up, and a driving unit. The pick-up unit includes a knife portion, a folding-guiding portion, and an inversion-guiding portion. The knife portion separates a cover tape from a base tape in a first adhesive portion. The folding-guiding portion is spaced from one lateral side of the knife portion to induce folding of the cover tape separated by the knife portion in the lengthwise direction in a state in which the cover tape is partially attached to the base tape in a second adhesive portion. The inversion-guiding portion extends in an oblique direction from the knife portion and the folding-guiding portion toward the outside of the carrier tape to induce inversion of the upper and lower surfaces of the cover tape folded in the folding-guiding portion so as to be superimposed on the base tape.

Abstract: An apparatus (3, 103) for removal of packaging (11) from a big bale (1), the apparatus (3) comprising: at least one gripper (41, 141) arranged to hold on to a part of the packaging (11); at least one cutting means (31, 131) arranged to make at least a first cut through the packaging (11) at the binding material-covered face and substantially transversely of the longitudinal extent of the binding material, and optionally make further cuts through the packaging, preferably in the faces adjacent to the first cut, in order to create an opening in the packaging (11) enclosing the big bale (1); and at least one supporting means (23, 123), the at least one supporting means (23, 123) and/or the gripper (41, 141) being arranged to effect relative movement between the big bale (1) and the at least one gripper (41, 141), whereby the packaging (11) is separated from the contents (1a) of the big bale.

Abstract: A grain bag unloader is described for unloading grain from a grain bag wherein the unloader is moved rearwardly and operated by a tractor. The grain bag unloader includes a wheeled frame having a grain hopper at the rearward end thereof with a transversely extending unloading auger which is adapted to be inserted into the lower end of a field grain bag and which conveys grain from the grain bag into the grain hopper. The grain bag unloader also includes a discharge auger which extends upwardly and laterally from the grain hopper. The grain bag unloader also includes a grain bag winder tube. The grain unloader includes a first clutch which is able to disengage the operation of the unloading auger while permitting the discharge auger to continue to operate. The grain bag unloader also includes a second clutch which is designed to disengage the bag winder tube.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing wrapping material from around a cotton module that results in the unwrapped cotton generally retaining the shape and density of the original cotton module. The apparatus has a bale engaging mechanism which straddles the cotton module on a conveyor surface and a cutting device to cut the wrapping material. The bale engaging mechanism has a moveable support frame, one or more arms on each side of the apparatus that pivot downward and inward from the support frame to position a roller at the lower end of the arms against the cotton module and a frame moving mechanism that moves the support frame, arms and cotton module upward and downward. The wrapping material can be cut as the cotton module is moved into the bale engaging mechanism, after the module is engaged by the rollers or after the module is raised above the conveyor surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for releasing tablets from a blister pack (3) having a plurality of tablets (41) contained in corresponding blisters (40), the apparatus comprising abutment means (30), receiving means (10, 26) for receiving a blister pack with any selected one of a plurality of blisters of the pack in registry with the abutment means, either one of the abutment means (30) and the receiving means (10, 26) being moveable to cause a collapsing force to be exerted on a selecting blister thereby to release a tablet from the blister, wherein the apparatus includes biasing means (14, 20) for urging the receiving means into engagement with the blister pack, and that the receiving means is so arranged that said engagement releasably retains, and locates, the blister pack in position relative to the abutment means prior to the release of the tablet.

Abstract: A system for unloading a container of bulk particulate material, having attachment means for lifting the container and a spout for discharging material therefrom, generally consisting of an unloading apparatus including a material hopper, a mobile apparatus and a carrier member including an arrangement for detachably connecting a container thereto, an arrangement for detachably mounting on a mobile apparatus and an arrangement for detachably mounting on the unloading apparatus.

Abstract: A pill dispenser is provided for removing a pill from a blister pack having one or more foil sealed compartments in a plastic sheet, each containing a single pill. The pill dispenser includes a generally planar stage in generally horizontal orientation, a press assembly and a post. An opening is provided in the stage. The post extends upward, from the stage and the press assembly is rotatably coupled to the post. The press assembly includes a punch, configured such that the press assembly may be rotated to advance the punch through the opening. The blister pack may be loaded on the stage, with a compartment aligned with the opening and the foil adjacent to the stage. The press assembly may be operated to collapse the compartment, rupture the foil, and force the pill through the opening. A tray may be provided below the stage, for catching the pill.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention includes an automated method of removing a stockinette from meat having an end, sides, and a length. The stockinette enveloped meat is conveyed in a first direction as the stockinette is cut proximate the end of the meat with a first knife. The stockinette enveloped meat is then conveyed in a second direction as the stockinette is cut proximate the sides of the meat with a second knife and a third knife. The cuts made by the second knife and the third knife intersect with the cut made by the first knife. The cuts in the stockinette create a flap in the stockinette between the cuts. The flap is engaged and peeled away from the meat, and the meat is removed from the stockinette.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for dispensing products provided initially in a package. The system includes a frame and an opening tool. The frame has longitudinally opposed front and rear end sections and includes an upper support deck extending at least partially between the front and rear end sections and below which a product display area is provided. The opening tool is associated with the frame and is arranged to open the package when the package is moved longitudinally on the upper support deck and relative to the opening tool thereby allowing the products to be at least partially dispensed from the package into the product display area.

Abstract: A case cutter apparatus for cutting a container has a conveyor for moving the container in a single direction, a measuring device measuring a length, a width, and a height of the container, a controller for controlling the apparatus and for receiving information from the measuring device, and a first cutting assembly and a second cutting assembly positioned along the conveyor. The first cutting assembly includes an indexing assembly holding the container in a predetermined position during cutting, a carriage moveable in a cutting direction transverse to the direction of the conveyor, and two cutting blades attached to the carriage. The second cutting assembly includes two belts each having a cleat thereon for pushing the container through the second cutting assembly in the direction of the conveyor, and two cutting blades.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sack cutting means (10) for offshore emptying of content from a package, comprising a means (11) for cutting up the package, means (21) for separating the package from its content and means (20) for removing the emptied package from the cutting means, said means (21) for separating the content at least from the package comprising means (13) for ripping the package open, one or more transporting means and a rotating drum (21) provided with openings through which the content separated from the package is allowed to leave the drum (18). Further, the sack cutting screw (11) is separated from the drum (18) and that below both the sack cutting screw (11) and the drum (17), a means (20) for collecting and transporting away the content of the sacks is arranged, said means being configured in such way that the content of the package is removed at one end, while the waste package is removed at the other end of said sack cutting means (10).

Abstract: A method for operating a package emptying station having a work station, in which an emptying step is performed, an inlet via which the package to be emptied is inserted into the work station, an outlet via which the emptied package is ejected, and a product outlet through which the emptied contents of the package is discharged. Continuous tubular film packs are provided both at the inlet and also at the package outlet which seal off the inlet and the outlet and encase the package to be emptied or the emptied package during the insertion or corresponding ejection of the package. The film is sealed off and severed between individual packages such that the interior and the exterior do not come into contact. In this manner, both contamination of the package contents by environmental substances and also any contamination of the environment by the package contents can be avoided.

Abstract: There is provided a carrier tape feeder for a chip mounter, which consecutively and automatically supplies a carrier tape which retains small electronic components at regular intervals and is sealed by a vinyl cover to the chip mounter to mount the components onto a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A grapple attachment is equipped with driven rollers for selectively turning a wrapped round module about its axis so as to position it for having the wrapping slit at the bottom side of the module. When the module is properly located for having the wrapping slit, a powered cutting blade is caused to move into engagement with the wrapping and slit it across the length of the module. An interlock is provided for preventing operation of the grapple cylinders and driven roller motors unless the cutting blade assembly is located in a standby position wherein it is removed from a zone normally occupied by the round module when the latter is supported by the fixed and moveable grapple sections of the grapple attachment.

Abstract: A system for unstrapping and unsleeving a tray is provided. The system comprises a tray-transport configured to transport a tray in the system, a strap cutter configured to cut a strap on the tray, a strap-removal portion configured to remove the strap cut by the strap cutter, and an unsleeving station configured to remove a sleeve from the tray. The unsleeving station is configured to remove the sleeve from the tray after the strap-removal portion removes the cut strap.

Abstract: A multifunctional tool which enables a single robot or other manipulator to perform each of the operations to depalletise a palletised load is disclosed. The depalletisation can proceed without the need to move the palletised load from one station to another.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for removing a plastic wrap from a cylindrical module includes a conveyor transporting the cylindrical module toward a disperser with the cylindrical axis of the module parallel to the direction of conveyor movement. In another embodiment, the disperser is a travelling head disperser thereby providing relative movement between the modules and the disperser. The direction of the wrap around the module is determined and the cover is removed during rotation of the module, either by unwrapping the plastic or by slitting the plastic and then rotating the module. The equipment used to handle a cylindrical module is moved out of the path of movement of a conventional rectangular module so an installation can handle both rectangular and wrapped cylindrical modules.

Abstract: A wrap removal system for removing a film wrap from a load on a conveyor, the wrap removal system including an upright support member, a beam coupled to an upper extent of the support member for movement along a height of the support member, a gripper assembly coupled to the beam and operable to engage the film wrap to create a space between the load and the film wrap, and a cutter assembly.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a handheld apparatus for automated and directional disengagement of a dose unit (17), such as a pill from its packaging (16), said apparatus comprising a housing (2) having a first and second end, where the housing is provided with an opening for receiving and supporting a packaging and positioning of a dose unit in this packaging and holding means arranged adjacent to said opening of the second end; and expelling means comprising a plunger (5) which by actuation of drive means (1) can be pushed against the holding means and hereby having a dose unit disengaged. The advantage of this dispenser apparatus is that it automatically causes the pill to be disengaged from the blister pack, reducing the working environment problems by reducing the repetitive one-sided manual work load, and reducing contamination risks by directional placement of the dose unit.

Abstract: A system for removing and pooling together small volumes of liquid contained in individual small bottles includes a collection and feed mechanism for passing individual small bottles to a cutter mechanism. At another mechanism the top portion of the bottle is separated from the bottom portion of the bottle. A dumper mechanism discharges the small volumes of liquid into a collection container.

Abstract: A round module opener for use with a round module of cotton including a first cradle movably mounted to a first frame, the first cradle including a first peeler belt that is configured for rotary motion, and a second cradle movably mounted to a second frame, the second cradle including a second peeler belt that it configured for rotary motion. The first cradle and the second cradle are disposed on opposing sides of a feeder bed such that the first cradle and the second cradle can be moved inwardly toward each other and toward a longitudinal centerline of the feeder bed to engage the round module of cotton.

Abstract: A grapple device is provided for handling cylindrical cotton modules each having its circumference wrapped with a length of plastic sheet wrapping material. The grapple is equipped with a RFID reader for determining the location of a loose inner tail section of the wrapping material to which is attached an RFID tag assembly. The grapple device is also equipped with powered rollers which can be driven so as to cause the cotton module to be rotated about its axis so as to position the loose tail section of the wrapping material at an upper location of the module so as to permit a bottom surface location of the module to be slit by operation of a cutting device so as to release the cotton from the wrapper when the cotton module is positioned over a conveyor floor of a cotton gin. The powered rollers are then driven to aid in the removal and collection of the of the wrapping material from the module. In one embodiment, a separate set of powered rollers are provided for removing the wrapping material.

Abstract: A method for operating a package emptying station having a work station, in which an emptying step is performed, an inlet via which the package to be emptied is inserted into the work station, an outlet via which the emptied package is ejected, and a product outlet through which the emptied contents of the package is discharged. Continuous tubular film packs are provided both at the inlet and also at the package outlet which seal off the inlet and the outlet and encase the package to be emptied or the emptied package during the insertion or corresponding ejection of the package. The film is sealed off and severed between individual packages such that the interior and the exterior do not come into contact. In this manner, both contamination of the package contents by environmental substances and also any contamination of the environment by the package contents can be avoided.

Abstract: An automated system and method for emptying the contents of pharmaceutical containers. In an embodiment, a gripper unit receives and holds a pharmaceutical container. A cutter cuts the pharmaceutical container, and a rotating unit, operable with the gripper, rotates at least a portion of the gripper unit to empty the contents of the pharmaceutical container.

Abstract: A device and method for removing fibrous materials from a wrapped cylindrical module of fibrous material. The wrap material encloses the lateral sides of the cylindrical module, but only overlaps a portion of each end of the module. A cylindrical module is advanced on its side upon a conveyor to a loading position where it is lifted by one or more grasping members on one or more arms to an unloading position without altering the orientation of the module. The cylindrical module is then turned vertically to allow the fibrous material to fall out of the wrap material. The wrap material remains attached to the grasping member by a plurality of projections. Once empty, the empty wrap material may be manually removed and discarded and the arm returned to the loading position to lift the next module.

Abstract: In a packaging system for handling product cases, a film removal system for removing wrapped film from product cases is provided. The film removal system includes a product conveyor system defining a conveyor path along which a product case is conveyed. A first knife pair is arranged and configured to move across the conveyor path to cut the wrapped film along cut lines extending between a bottom first side edge and a bottom second side edge of the product case. A second knife pair is arranged and configured to cut the wrapped film along cut lines extending between a bottom leading edge and a bottom trailing edge of the product case.

Abstract: An apparatus for disposing garbage bags in one embodiment includes a screen assembly including a first conveyor for conveying garbage bags from a feeding device to a hollow screening cylinder for piercing, and a second conveyor mounted below a rear discharge opening of the cylinder for conveying materials released from the pierced bags to a subsequent station; a nonrigid, elongate object collection assembly extended from within the cylinder to a place rearward of the cylinder, a gable roof mounted on an elongate housing, a lengthwise gap formed on a top of the gable roof, and a second container mounted below a rear end of the object collection assembly for collecting nonrigid, elongate objects dropped therefrom; and a washing assembly including one or more sets of pump and pipe having nozzles terminated within the cylinder for washing the released materials.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus comprising a screen assembly for sifting powder including a rear feeding device, a first conveyor adapted to convey garbage bags from the feeding device to the screen assembly, an inclined board extended downwardly from a front end of the screen assembly, and a second conveyor provided below the board, the second conveyor being adapted to convey materials leaving the screen assembly to a subsequent station for processing; and a nonrigid, elongate object collection assembly extended from the rear of the screen assembly through the screen assembly to a point in front of the screen assembly, the object collection assembly including an elongate housing of rectangular section, a gable roof provided on the housing, a lengthwise gap provided on a top of the gable roof, and a container provided below a front end thereof for collecting nonrigid, elongate objects dropped therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus (3, 103) for removal of packaging (11) from a big bale (1), the apparatus (3) comprising:—at least one gripper (41, 141) arranged to hold on to a part of the packaging (11);—at least one cutting means (31, 131) arranged to make at least a first cut through the packaging (11) at the binding material-covered face and substantially transversely of the longitudinal extent of the binding material, and optionally make further cuts through the packaging, preferably in the faces adjacent to the first cut, in order to create an opening in the packaging (11) enclosing the big bale (1); and—at least one supporting means (23, 123), the at least one supporting means (23, 123) and/or the gripper (41, 141) being arranged to effect relative movement between the big bale (1) and the at least one gripper (41, 141), whereby the packaging (11) is separated from the contents (1a) of the big bale.

Abstract: A system for unloading a container of bulk particulate material, having attachment means for lifting the container and a spout for discharging material therefrom, generally consisting of an unloading apparatus including a material hopper, a mobile apparatus and a carrier member including an arrangement for detachably connecting a container thereto, an arrangement for detachably mounting on a mobile apparatus and an arrangement for detachably mounting on the unloading apparatus.

Abstract: A separation system includes an air separator that in one embodiment primarily receives Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) containing relatively light MSW recyclable materials such as paper, cardboard, plastic containers, and/or metal containers. The air separator blows the relatively light MSW recyclable materials up though a chamber and onto a first conveyer while the other relatively heavy MSW material drops down a chute onto a second conveyer. A separation screen receives the relatively light MSW recyclable materials from the air separator and separates the relatively flat paper and cardboard from the plastic and metal containers.

Abstract: A filled plastic bag may contain insulation. The bags are stacked in a loader. A pair of reciprocating arms rotate a bottom-most bag causing that bag to fall through an opening of a base. A conveyor receives the bag and moves it through a transverse knife and a longitudinal knife. Once the bottom of the bag is slit into quadrants, a pair of gripper wheels peel the bag off. The bag's contents fall into a hopper of a blower.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for handling and opening frangible containers containing substantially solid contents is described. The apparatus includes a cutter configured to sever an upper portion of a container from a lower portion the container. The apparatus further includes a holder for holding the lower portion of the container, and a gripping device for gripping the upper portion of the container as the container is severed by the cutter. The gripping device lifts the upper portion from the lower portion of the bottle such that any portion of the solid contents within the upper portion is discharged to the lower portion of container. The apparatus also can include a positioner for presenting the bottle to the cutter for cutting.

Abstract: An installation and method for rapidly and efficiently unloading material from bulk bags in an unloading station surrounded by an air lock enclosure while the bags move suspended from a closed look conveyer in continuous progress from a loading station to said unloading station then through a bag dumping station. The material is dumped on an air slide and directed into a trough from which it is conveyed to a temporary tank before being repackaged in smaller containers or otherwise distributed.

Abstract: A specially adapted SMIF pod (20) receives and holds one particular type of reticle cassette (36) or reticle holder (132) selected from among dozens of different configurations thereof. The SMIF pod (20) may be interrogated to determine the particular type of reticle cassette (36) or reticle holder (132) carried therein. A reticle transfer system (50) receives a pair of such SMIF pods (20), interrogates each of the SMIF pods (20) to ascertain which type of reticle cassette (36) or reticle holder (132) the SMIF pod (20) carries, and automatically moves reticles (42) through a controlled environment from one reticle cassette (36) or reticle holder (32) to another reticle cassette (36) or reticle holder (132). A reticle reorienter (56) includable in the system (50) also permits automatically exchanging reticles (42) between a reticle carrier (144) and a reticle cassette (36) or reticle holder (132).

Abstract: The method comprises a first stage of formation of a batch of a specific number of full containers to be emptied, which are then subjected to an operation of external washing by spraying with hot, de-ionized water and a subsequent rinsing operation, likewise by spraying with de-ionized water, passing then to a step of drying of the containers and afterwards to a step of cutting off one end of the containers, which then pass to a gripping step, in the same number of containers that were arranged in the batch at the start of the method, these being inverted to permit the fall and collection of the masses of plasma.

Abstract: An unloader for discharging and feeding dry, granular type materials from bulk bags. Among the many improvements of the discharge apparatus is an open frame (20) and offset discharge location. Other improvements include an I-beam (23) and frame design that keeps the hoist (25) movement within the four corner posts of the frame. The unloader may be provided with vibrators, vibration isolators, load cells, actuators (107, 108), massage paddles, or plates (106, 109) to assist in the discharge function.

Abstract: Wrapped cotton bales transported from a cotton harvest area to a receiver at the gin are moved intact to a position generally above a receiver upstream of the ginning equipment. As the bales are supported and conveyed, knife or similar cutting structure severs a portion of the wrap allowing egress of the cotton from the wrap into the receiver. Wrap removal structure prevents the wrap from entering the ginning equipment. In one embodiment of the invention, the wrap is conveyed to a wrap processor after the cotton falls into the receiver. The bale handler can include transversely adjustable cantilever supports to tension wrap for efficient cutting.

Abstract: A system for unloading a container of bulk particulate material, having attachment means for lifting the container and a spout for discharging material therefrom, generally consisting of an unloading apparatus including a material hopper, a mobile apparatus and a carrier member including an arrangement for detachably connecting a container thereto, an arrangement for detachably mounting on a mobile apparatus and an arrangement for detachably mounting on the unloading apparatus.

Abstract: A slide pack container housing a plurality of piled slide packs has a cut-off portion. The cut-off portion has a width slightly larger than the width of a slide contained in each slide pack. As a sucker of a package take-out apparatus draws one of the slide packs from the slide pack container through the cut-off portion, a sealed portion of the slide pack interfering with the edge of the cut-off portion is folded inward so that the slide pack is successfully taken out. The sucker transfers the slide pack to a separated unwrapping apparatus. The sucker releases the slide pack when the front edge of the slide pack is caught between paired rollers of the unwrapping apparatus. After a cutter makes a slit on the slide pack, the paired rollers transfer only a wrapping sheet to separate the wrapping sheet from the slide wrapped therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cutting open a case of product having a top and a bottom is provided. The case is placed on a conveyor and moved to a cutting apparatus. The top is cut open at the cutting apparatus. The case is moved to a lift apparatus. The top of the case is opened and the product is lifted from the bottom of the case. The case is then cut thereby separating the bottom of the case from the top of the case.

Abstract: There is provided a feeder device for a pick-and-place machine used to surface mount connectors on printed circuit boards. The feeder is designed for use with matrixes of connectors, such as pin headers. The feeders, with the proper conversion kits, can be configured to feed any type and/or size of the connector. Individual connectors are separated from the matrix by the feeder using a rotating clamping device. Preferably, the feeders are microprocessor controlled, use an edge conveyor to transport the strips to the pick point, and pneumatic cylinders to break each pin header from the strip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the handling and containment of a cover tape peeled from a pocket tape in a component feeder are disclosed. A single folding pulley comprising inclined sides and an undercut at the hub folds the adhesive contaminated edges back onto themselves so as to captivate the adhesive therebetweeen. A cover tape reservoir, having an internal cavity defined by a curved perimeter and treated sides, stores the folded cover tape. The remaining reservoir capacity is monitor in software for fullness. The cover tape is corrugated to allow for maximum packing density with a minimum of voids as it is pushed into the reservoir.

Abstract: A system for removing a plastic wrapper from a package using a device including a horizontal panel having a planar upper surface and a planar lower surface. An abrasive sheet is secured to the planar upper surface of the horizontal panel. The package is rubbed against the abrasive sheet to tear and break the plastic wrapping so that it can be removed from the package.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for unwrapping stretch film from a palletized load. The unwrapping apparatus has two legs between which a load to be unwrapped is positioned, each leg including an upper and lower portion. Upper and lower grippers are attached to the upper and lower portions of each leg, respectively. The grippers are configured for engaging the stretch film and pulling it from the load. The unwrapping apparatus further includes a cutting unit including a cutting tool for cutting the stretch film. The cutting unit is preferably attached to one leg of the unwrapping apparatus. As the cutting unit moves vertically, preferably from a bottom position to a top position, the stretch film is pulled from the load by the grippers and a guide wheel and is cut by the cutting tool. Also provided is a spooler that may be used to spool and dispose of the collected, spooled stretch film.

Abstract: A resilient cushion pressing member is provided on the movable pressing structure of a tool for removing tablets from blister packages for pressing engagement of the resilient cushion pressing member against the top, blister surface of a tablet-containing blister package supported on a package support base of the tool, the cushion pressing member formed of an elastomeric material selected to resiliently deform under pressing engagement to distribute pressing force substantially evenly over the engaged surface of a blister package and a tablet contained therein to prevent breakage of the tablet as it is pressed to tear through and exit the bottom, tear sheet of its packaging.