On Cover Having Separate Closure Or On Such A Separate Closure Patents (Class 53/131.3)
  • Patent number: 10850874
    Abstract: Machine and method for producing electronic-cigarette cartridges; being provided: a fill conveyor which feeds bottom shells of the cartridges along a fill path; a filling device located along the fill path to feed a measure of a liquid substance downwards into each bottom shell; an assembly conveyor which feeds bottom shells along an assembly path; a transfer station where the bottom shells are transferred from the fill conveyor to the assembly conveyor; and at least a first assembly device located along the assembly path to fit each bottom shell with a corresponding top cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: G.D SOCIETA' PER AZIONI
    Inventor: Fulvio Boldrini
  • Patent number: 10524985
    Abstract: A vibratory tablet feeder includes a reservoir for storing a supply of tablets with a pathway that leads to an exit opening for discharging tablets therefrom. Vibration of the reservoir moves tablets as a flow of tablets along the pathway to the exit opening. The feeder can include a wiper spaced vertically from the pathway. The wiper has a wiping surface that is configured to guide at least one vertically-bunched tablet in the flow of tablets away from the exit opening for return to the reservoir in order to provide singulated flow of tablets at the exit opening. A portion of the pathway may define a chamfered edge that is configured to guide at least one horizontally-bunched tablet in the flow of tablets away from the exit opening for return to the reservoir in order to provide singulated flow of tablets at the exit opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Capsa Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Aleksandr R. Geltser, Vladimir Gershman
  • Patent number: 9493255
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing human error in loading prescribed medications automatically into blisters (18) of a blister sheet. The operator is provided with a manually-operated controller (15) with which the amount and nature of a particular medication dose can be selected. The operator uses the controller (15) to select the required dosage from a chosen container (13). Each container (13) has a first bar code (14) identifying the nature of the doses it contains. A second bar code is pre-printed on a header sheet (4) which is destined to be attached to the blister sheet after its blisters have been loaded. The second bar code contains information identifying the patient and the contents of the various blisters. A comparator (12) responds to a lack of coincidence between the first and second barcode, by flashing the screen to indicate to the operator that an error has been made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Manrex Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Gerard Stevens
  • Patent number: 9345645
    Abstract: A medication dispenser for coordinating the treatment plan and treatment regimen for a medication (what medication(s), what dosage(s), what time(s), what interval(s)), that presumes errors, emergencies, and changes will happen and must be handled; and so rather than seeking perfect compliance at every level of provisioning, handling, and taking of the medication, examines and as possible corrects and then records as correct or deviating, actual use, and so tracks the experienced regimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Inventor: Alex H. Chernyak
  • Publication number: 20140230366
    Abstract: In some embodiments, quality assurance systems for verifying branding of at least one medication container associated with at least one of a prescription and medication order are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: MEDCO HEALTH SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8230662
    Abstract: A system for filling medication dose packs with oral-solid medication items comprises storage tray drawers each having storage trays. Each storage tray stores a specific type of oral-solid medication item. The storage tray drawers are displaceable to a drawn position to expose the storage trays thereof. A table supports dose packs having a plurality of receptacles arranged in rows, with each receptacle associated with an intake time and date of a patient prescription file. A dispensing mechanism has fingers for grasping by suction an oral-solid medication item, and degrees of freedom to displace the fingers from any one of the storage trays to the dose pack, to transfer the oral-solid medication items from the storage trays in the drawn position to the receptacles of the dose pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Synergie Medicale BRG Inc.
    Inventor: Jean Boutin
  • Publication number: 20120131885
    Abstract: An insertion system includes an enclosure supply device, an envelope supply device, an insertion device to insert an enclosure supplied from the enclosure supply device into the envelope supplied from the envelope supply device, a first input unit to input identification data of the enclosure inserted into the envelope in each of multiple insertion setting records, a second input unit to input identification data of the enclosure set in the enclosure container of the enclosure supply device, and a controller to determine whether the identification data of the enclosure to be inserted, input by the first input unit, matches the identification data of the enclosure set in the enclosure container, input by the second input unit, and to control supply of the envelope by the envelope supply device as well as supply of the enclosure by the enclosure supply device based on a result of the determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shingo Matsushita, Takeshi Sasaki, Satoshi Saito, Ikuhisa Okamoto, Junichi Tokita, Akira Kunieda, Takahiro Watanabe, Jun Yamada
  • Patent number: 8109066
    Abstract: In some embodiments, containers can be, for example, labeled with a uniquely identifiable customer label. The labeled containers can be loaded into a carrier that caries containers. The carrier can be transported to and from various stations by a transport system. The container carrier can travel through, for example, a solid pharmaceutical dispensing system where all or some of the containers in the carrier can be filled with a specific quantity of pharmaceutical product. The carrier can be transported to a capping and branding station where the containers can be capped and branded. The caps can be pre-branded, blank, or a combination of pre-branded and blank. Where at least some of the containers are branded with blank caps, a carrier and/or container can be transported to a branding station that can brand caps with cap labeling information (e.g., logos, graphics, artwork, text, etc.) that can be specific to each cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Jen Leu, James G. McErlean, Dennis Wayne Rice
  • Patent number: 8020359
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of using a combination permanent partial decoration and temporary decoration to mass customize refillable glass vessels. The method comprising: decorating a glass vessel with a permanent partial decoration, receiving the glass vessel at a filling facility, washing the glass vessel in caustic solution to remove presence of a temporary decoration, filling the glass vessel with a product contents, printing the temporary decoration on the glass vessel, distributing the glass vessel to a marketplace for use by a consumer, receiving the consumer used glass vessel at the filling facility, and recycling the glass vessel by returning to the step of washing. Other embodiments include not using the permanent partial decoration and printing the temporary decoration on the glass vessel, wherein at least some of the temporary decoration is printed on top of a background region to increase the luminance qualities of the temporary decoration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Louis Mattos, Jr., Nilton Antonio Moreira Mattos
  • Patent number: 7762301
    Abstract: In an arrangement for a position accurate joining of a first material web, which comprises elements in a section length separated by separating locations, with a second material web which is provided with marks arranged at a predetermined distance from each other corresponding to the section length—except for a possibly certain deviation, the arrangement includes a first device by which the two material webs are joined, a transport device by which the two material webs are moved stepwise by the predetermined distance, and a second device by which an element applied to the first material web when, after movement of the two material webs by a section length, the length of the material web between the first device and the second device corresponds to a predetermined multiple of the section length plus an offset, which is adjustable by an offset device, and a transport device by which the two material webs can be moved section-stepwise, wherein a sensor is provided by which the difference is determined and the of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: CSAT Gesellschaft für Computer-Systeme und Automalions-Technik mbH
    Inventor: Hans Mathea
  • Patent number: 7383671
    Abstract: A blistering machine (M1) for producing blister packs (B1) has a production line including, arranged in a series: at least one thermoforming station (101) of a first continuous band (102) of thermoformable material, in order to define a blister band (102) with blisters containing products (104); a station (105) for feeding the products (104) and filling the blister band (102) with the products; a feeding station (106) of a second band (107), feeding continuously the second band (107) over the blister band (102) to form a blister pack band (NB1); a closing station (108), where the first blister band (102) is sealed by the second band (107) to obtain a blister pack; a station (200) for processing the blister pack band (NB1); and a cutting station (R1), in which the blister pack band is cut into respective blister packs (B1) filled with the products (104). The production line extends, at least beginning from the products feeding station (105), along a continuous feeding path (A1), substantially horizontal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.
    Inventor: Roberto Conti
  • Patent number: 7213382
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for packaging contact lenses. The apparatus includes a compliant head, improved heater and improved heat seal die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Leslie A. Voss, Gregory S. Duncan, Ravi S. Sanka, Gary S. Hall, Mark E. Schlagel, Michael F. Widman
  • Patent number: 6796108
    Abstract: The method comprises viewing by of a magnetic recording camera the zone for the opening of vials and for metered filling thereof and continuously recording the zones visually during the operation of the installation and simultaneously carrying out the identification marking of each full glass container, with indelible marking means, at the outlet of the installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Probitas Pharma S.A.
    Inventors: Javier Jorba Ribes, José R. Sanchez Sabate, Ramón Morales Pérez
  • Patent number: 6449927
    Abstract: A system is provided for automatically dispensing prescriptions according to a patient's order. The system includes at least one line of machines that can automatically fill a patient's prescription order with countable oral solid medication under the control of an appropriate control system. The system includes containers provided to store the oral solid medication. One or more medication-containing containers are detachably coupled to a vibratory dispenser according to a patient's order. The vibratory dispenser automatically vibrates the container to dispense a predetermined amount of medication from the container into the vial according to the patient's order. Labeling and capping apparatus may be provided to apply a patient-specific label to the vial and to apply a cap or closure to the vial. Vials containing medication according to the patient's order may be collected in accumulation receptacles prior to delivery to a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: AutoMed Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Terrance J. Hebron, Douglas L. Vandy Bogurt
  • Patent number: 6308494
    Abstract: A drug filling machine has a plurality of feeders containing a plurality of different kinds of drugs. A plurality of drugs are discharged from one or some or the feeders into a vial. A sealing unit is provided for sealing the mouth of the vial with a transparent sheet. The sealing unit includes a sheet presser for pushing the transparent sheet into the mouth of the vial to form a sealing sheet having a tray-shaped section, a cutter for cutting the transparent sheet into a predetermined shape, and a heater for fusing the transparent sheet to the top end of the vial to seal the mouth of the vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yuyama Seisakusho
    Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Hiroyasu Hamada
  • Patent number: 6256967
    Abstract: A method and a system 100 is provided for automatically dispensing prescriptions according to a patient's order. The system 100 includes at least one line 105 of machines that can automatically fill a patient's prescription order with countable oral solid drugs and unit of use drugs, under the control of an appropriate control system, within the same machine 105. The apparatus of the invention includes numerous components that are integrated into a singular process. A robotic assembly 140 may be used to manipulate and transport vials, canisters 130, and bins 145 within the system. The robotic assembly 140 may further include a gripper assembly 20. The canister 130 may include means to accelerate a drug during the drug's movement through the canister 130 in order to increase the separation distance between drugs. The canister 130 may also include singulation control for maintaining drugs in a nearly single-file order as the drugs move through the canister 130.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: AutoMed Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Terrance J. Hebron, Douglas L. Vandy Bogurt