Plural Filling Stations And/or Contents Sources For Single Receptacle Patents (Class 53/237)
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Patent number: 12054296Abstract: A medical dispensing system with dispensing and pathway components, each of which of a plurality of dispensers and pathways, respectively. The dispensing and pathway components are controlled to minimize contamination between the items being dispensed. Both the dispensing and pathway components have arcs around which the dispensers and pathways are arranged.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2023Date of Patent: August 6, 2024Assignee: ARxIUM, Inc.Inventors: Niels Erik Hansen, Thomas Doherty
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Patent number: 11614453Abstract: A method for distribution of supports impregnated with antibiotics includes a step of positioning of a plurality of tubular containers, each one containing a plurality of supports impregnated with antibiotics and stacked, in a corresponding plurality of seats of a dispenser. Extraction of at least a first support from a first container is performed using an extractor, the step of extraction being performed in correspondence of an upper end of the first container and comprising a movement of the first support between a first position inside of the first container and a second position extracted from the first container, said first position and said second position lying substantially in correspondence of an upper surface of the dispenser. Collection of the first support from the second position is performed using a collector. Transportation of the first support towards a culture plate by the collector is performed.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2021Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: Copan Italia S.p.A.Inventors: Mario Savarese, Salvatore Balzano, Laura Navarria, Guido Schinetti, Andrea Bonatti
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Patent number: 11446441Abstract: A jet injector that includes a prefilled syringe. The syringe includes a fluid chamber that contains a medicament. The syringe also has an injection-assisting needle, and a plunger is movable within the fluid chamber. A housing is configured for allowing insertion of the needle to a penetration depth. An energy source is configured for biasing the plunger to produce an injecting pressure in the medicament in the fluid chamber of between about 80 and 1000 p.s.i. to jet inject the medicament from the fluid chamber through the needle to an injection site.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2019Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: ANTARES PHARMA, INC.Inventor: Paul R. Lesch, Jr.
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Patent number: 10772804Abstract: A method for filling a tray with individual medicine portions, which are removed from medicament packs that are provided from an automated storage system by means of an output/input station, is provided. A target filling of accommodating compartments of the tray is provided to a control device, which determines the medicament packs to be removed from storage and the sequence of the removal. For removal, a medicament pack is placed on a first transfer position of the output/input station by an operating device, transported to an output position by a first transport device as soon as the output position is free, and removed from the output position. Individual portions are removed from the medicament pack and introduced into respective accommodating compartments of the tray as indicated by an indicating device. The medicament pack is transported to a second transfer position by a second transport device.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2019Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: CareFusion Germany 326 GmbHInventor: Christoph Hellenbrand
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Patent number: 9010382Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for filling multi-chamber containers with different loose bulk materials. The apparatus and method may be particularly well-suited to packaging at least one bulk material, which is susceptible to water, chemicals, or other contaminants, with at least one other bulk material. The apparatus is a machine that includes separate hoppers for handling the separate bulk materials, and directs the separate bulk materials into different chambers of a multi-chamber container, which is then transported away from the machine for storage or use. The machine may include one or more movable hoppers supported on tracks, for moving the bulk materials to the hoppers that direct the bulk materials into different chambers of the multi-chamber container. A controller and data logger may be provided to control the apparatus and record the quantity and/or weight of the contents of each multi-chamber container.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Inventor: Reinhard Matye
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Patent number: 8991138Abstract: A medicine dispensing device including: a device body 3; a medicine containing unit 4 mounted in the device body 3 and including a plurality of medicine containers 9 configured to dispense medicines contained therein through a medicine ejecting portion; a medicine receiving unit 5 movably provided in the device body 3 and having at least two medicine receiving sections 26 that are moved to each of the medicine containers 9 of the medicine containing unit 4 to receive the medicine dispensed from the medicine ejecting portion and are moved to a discharging position to discharge the received medicines; a medicine collecting unit 6 having a plurality of medicine collecting sections 44 each collecting the medicines discharged from each of the medicine receiving sections 26 in the discharging position; and a control unit 7 configured to move each of the medicine receiving sections 26 to allow the medicine receiving section to receive the medicines dispensed from a corresponding medicine containing section and to diType: GrantFiled: September 17, 2009Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Jyunichi Iwaya, Akifumi Tanaka
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Publication number: 20140245697Abstract: Provided is a medicine dispensing apparatus in which a medicine guide assembly 114 is constituted from first and second split guide members 114A and 114B and in which substantially no dust is generated through rubbing between the first and second split guide members 114A and 114B. The gap between a pair of guide paths of a pair of linear guide mechanisms 150 provided for a pair of medicine feeder storing units 112, that is, paths along which movable slide portions 152 slide on fixed guide portions 151, becomes wider in a drawing direction in which the medicine feeder storing units 112 are drawn out.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2012Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: TOSHO INC.Inventors: Yoshihito Omura, Syunji Ohgaya
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Patent number: 8798788Abstract: An automated method for dispensing pharmaceuticals particularly tablets and capsules, and other small discrete objects, includes: receiving prescription information, selecting a container, labeling the container, dispensing the tablets or capsules into the labeled container, applying a closure to the filled, labeled container, and offloading the container to a designated location. Preferably, the tablets are dispensed with high speed dispensing bins that employ forced air to agitate and singulate the tablets. The other functions within the system are typically carried out at stations designed to offer speed, flexibility and precision to the dispensing operation.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2012Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Parata Systems, LLCInventors: Jeffrey P. Williams, Richard Michelli, Jasper Pollard, Simon Kelly, David Newcomb, Jess Eberdt, Pete Klein
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Patent number: 8774962Abstract: An automated method for dispensing pharmaceuticals particularly tablets and capsules, and other small discrete objects, includes: receiving prescription information, selecting a container, labeling the container, dispensing the tablets or capsules into the labeled container, applying a closure to the filled, labeled container, and offloading the container to a designated location. Preferably, the tablets are dispensed with high speed dispensing bins that employ forced air to agitate and singulate the tablets. The other functions within the system are typically carried out at stations designed to offer speed, flexibility and precision to the dispensing operation.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2004Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Parata Systems, LLCInventors: Jeffrey P. Williams, Richard Michelli, Jasper Pollard, Simon Kelly, David Newcomb, Jess Eberdt, Pete Klein
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Patent number: 8763348Abstract: Packing unit (1) with a packing machine (2) for filling bulk materials (3) in open sacks with a sack suspension device (7), for suspending the open sacks at a filling nozzle (8-10) of a product supply device (11, 13) and filling the same with at least one bulk material. The sack suspension device is provided with at least two selectable product supply devices. The at least two product supply devices and the sack suspension device are movable relative to each other in order to select a product supply device and to suspend a sack by means of the sack suspension device at the filling nozzle of the selected product supply device and to fill bulk material in the open sack by means of the corresponding filling nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2009Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Haver & Boecker OHGInventor: Alois Combrink
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Patent number: 8707658Abstract: A method and a work station for order-picking and simultaneously packing articles onto a shipping support includes at least one rack which is divided into at least one rack plane respectively comprising a plurality of rack positions for storing load supports, wherein the articles to be picked are stored preferably in or on the load supports in rack positions; at least one vertical lift unit arranged adjacent to a longitudinal side of the rack and being adapted to retrieve load supports from such rack positions being adjacent to the lift unit; and at least a packing station, which is arranged within an immediate area of the lift unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2008Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: SSI Schafer Noell GmbH Lager- und SystemtechnikInventor: Gerhard Schäfer
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Patent number: 8672117Abstract: An inline product feeder for a packaging line and related methods are disclosed. In one example, an inline product feeder includes a product input line configured to receive a contiguous supply of products and configured to guide the products in continuous motion along a path of travel. The inline product feeder also includes a packaging line configured to receive separated groups of the products from the product input line. The inline feeder further includes a feeder unit configured to separate groups of products from the contiguous supply of products in the product input line and move the group of products into the packaging line, each of the separated groups of products including a predetermined number of products from the product input line.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2010Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Bosch Packaging Technology, Inc.Inventor: Keenan W. Stahl
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Patent number: 8671649Abstract: A work station for packing articles to be picked onto a shipping support includes a platform, a packing station, a platform on the platform, a shipping support station beneath the platform, a lifting device for lifting an empty or partially packed shipping support and for lowering completely packed shipping supports, and a track for transporting loose articles to be picked to the packing station dedicated to load supports which conveys the articles to be picked on load supports to the packing station or from the conveyor technique can be order-picked.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2008Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: SSI Schafer Noell GmbH Lager- und SystemtechnikInventor: Gerhard Schäfer
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Publication number: 20130298507Abstract: The invention relates to a device for filling a container with solid particles, the device having annular ducts for passing particles, which ducts are defined by a plurality of vertical nozzles arranged coaxially relative to one another, and a diaphragm arranged upstream from the annular ducts for regulating the flow rate of particles in the annular ducts, the diaphragm has a plurality of shutter flaps for shutting off the annular ducts, each flap shutting off an angular sector of a single annular duct and the diaphragm having control means for controlling movement of the shutter flaps that are configured to be capable of partially shutting off any one of duct independently of the other ducts. The invention also relates to a method of shutting off a filler device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2010Publication date: November 14, 2013Applicant: CREALYSTInventors: Bernard Poussin, Guillaume Poussin
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Patent number: 8561375Abstract: A system for producing and transporting portions of food includes a filling machine for continuously transporting a stream of food, a separating device for dividing portions from the transported food stream, and a transport device for delivering the portions to a subsequent processing device. To prevent fluctuations in portion size and weight, the system further includes a sensor unit for generating a portion request signal in response to a portion request from the subsequent processing device. The sensor unit outputs the portion request signal to the filling machine, which is designed to control the continuous transportation of the food stream using the portion request signal. The system is operable to synchronize the entire line, including the filling machine, the separating device, the transport device, and the subsequent processing device.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2010Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: VEMAG Mashinenbau GmbHInventors: Tobias Kiel, Dieter Meier, Christian Carstens, Uwe Aldag
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Publication number: 20130269298Abstract: A filling machine includes a plurality of parallel-running conveyor lines, to which packaging jackets are supplied for producing the packaging containers and along which the packaging jackets or the packaging containers produced therefrom are conveyed in a conveying direction. The conveyor lines include a first section and a second section therebehind in the conveying direction the distance between at least two of the conveyor lines in the first and second section transverse to the course of the conveyor lines is different so that at least one of the two conveyor lines in the second section runs with a lateral offset to the first section. A handling apparatus is disposed in the conveying direction upstream of the second section, which apparatus takes the packaging jackets or packaging containers from the conveyor lines in the first section and transfers them to the conveyor lines in the second section.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2011Publication date: October 17, 2013Applicant: Elopak Systems AGInventors: Klaus Baltes, Thomas Ruelker
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Patent number: 8549818Abstract: In a process for introducing individual products into containers by means of a picker line comprising at least two pickers individual products are individually picked and transposed to containers. The individual products and the containers are delivered in counterflow on at least one transportation device for the individual products and on at least one transportation device for the containers. The delivery of a next container to be filled into the transposition area of the picker line is controlled by any picker. The picker which is controlling the delivery of the next container to be filled is determined by the number of currently introduced products at the infeed of the picker line.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2010Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Veltru AGInventors: Matthias Ehrat, Jürgen Renner
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Method and system for loading digital content into a digital storage device and subsequent packaging
Patent number: 8549821Abstract: There is provided a method for loading varied pre-determined digital content into a plurality of digital storage devices, and subsequently providing each digital storage device with varied pre-determined accessories. It is preferable that the digital content loaded into the digital storage device is not identifiable at the digital content loading post, and the consolidated digital storage device and the pre-determined accessories are shipped to particulars of the shipping label. A corresponding system is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2009Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Creative Technology LtdInventors: Keng Wah Tan, Woon Hua Edwin Kuah, Boon Tien Tyo -
Patent number: 8516781Abstract: A fully automated pharmaceutical product packaging machine is capable of selectively depositing one or more different solid pharmaceutical products into an individual cavity for each of a plurality of individual patient product package cavities. The system employs a plurality of solid pharmaceutical product dispensing canisters which are capable of selectively dispensing a pre-designated number of solid pharmaceutical products. The machine fills a template containing temporary storage cavities and the template is automatically positioned over a sheet of clear plastic material containing a plurality of cavities corresponding to the cavities in the template. A barrier between the cavities in the template and the sheet of clear plastic material is moved and the pharmaceuticals in the template cavities drop into the corresponding cavities in the clear plastic sheet of material.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2010Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: MTS Medication Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Todd Siegel, Stuart Bagley, Michel Stevenson
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Patent number: 8365507Abstract: In an assembly for filling medicine dispensers (11) with administering units (12/i) which are to be taken daily by patients, a deblistering apparatus (39) is provided for the separating, automatic removal of the medicines from the respective blister pack, the blister film (33) of which can be subjected to a notching or cutting pretreatment, only after which the medicine is removed. A transport device (18) is provided which supplies the medicine dispensers (11) to a feeding device, at which the individual medicines can be loaded into receiving compartments (14/1 to 14/4) of the medicine dispenser (11). The assembly comprises modules (17/i) which have in each case a blister shaft (62), a punching device and a feeding device and are arranged along the transport device (18) at spacings from one another which correspond to the spacing of the receiving compartments (14/i) of the dispensers (11/i) or to an integral multiple of said spacing.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2007Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Inventor: Hans Klingel
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Publication number: 20120223080Abstract: The invention relates to an elongate packing for the packing of a granular substance, in particular for the packing of a spray powder for the thermal coating of a surface of a workpiece. In accordance with the invention, the elongate packing includes a plurality of individual packing pockets of presettable size, with a meterable quantity of the granular substance being packed closed with respect to an outer environment in the individual packing pocket. The invention further relates to a method for the loading of a treatment apparatus with a granular substance to a treatment apparatus for the use of an elongate packing, to a method for the manufacture of an elongate packing and to a packing apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2009Publication date: September 6, 2012Inventor: Heinz Wernli
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Patent number: 8234838Abstract: There is provided a medicine dispensing system configured such that a medicine dispensing device includes a sub unit having a function to dispense medicine that is connected to a medicine dispensing device that includes a main unit having a function of packing medicines. There is also provided a medicine dispensing device that can be appropriately integrated with such a medicine dispensing system. The medicine dispensing system includes, in some embodiments a main unit, a sub unit and a transfer device connecting the main unit and the sub unit. The medicine dispensing system transfers the medicine dispensed in the sub unit to the main unit by means of a transfer device and dispenses the medicine at a medicine packing part together with the medicine dispensed from a main storage part in the main unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2010Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Itsuo Yasunaga, Chisei Asaoka, Norifumi Oike, Kensuke Kaminishi, Masahiko Kasuya, Nakaji Takeda, Hiromichi Tsuda, Yasuyuki Morita, Shinya Taira, Tomohiro Sugimoto, Naomichi Toyota
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Patent number: 8209942Abstract: There is provided a medicine packing device, which prevents a free end of a bottom plate of a tablet dispensing measure from tilting due to its own weight. A bottom plate 43 is provided at a lower opening of a tablet dispensing measure 42. The bottom plate 43 includes a pin 44 at its base end. A leading end of the bottom plate is a free end. When the tablet dispensing measure 42 reaches corresponding stepped portions 37a to 37d by a movement of a tablet dispensing member 36, an opening protrusion 144b of a fixed plate 37 is fitted to an opening recess 43c of the bottom plate 43 and thus the bottom plate 43 pivots about the pin 44 from a closed position to an open position. If the bottom plate 43 moves to the open position, then tablets in the tablet dispensing measure 42 drop.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2011Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kodama, Katsunori Yoshina, Koji Yamashita
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Patent number: 8209941Abstract: An automated medication preparation system for preparing a prescribed dosage of medication in a drug delivery device. The system includes a plurality of stations for receiving, handling and processing the drug delivery device so that the prescribed dosage of medication is delivered to the drug delivery device and a transporting device that receives and holds more than one drug delivery device and moves the drug delivery devices in a controlled manner from one station to another station. The system is configured so that two or more separate drug delivery devices can be acted upon at the same time.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2009Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: FHT, Inc.Inventors: Joel A. Osborne, Dennis Tribble, Abdul Wahid Khan, Morris W. Wallace, Edward J. Lefebre
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Patent number: 8200366Abstract: A system and method for determining and communicating a volume-based fill pattern for a multi-dose medicament container is disclosed. Pill information corresponding to one or more pills for a patient to be packaged together may be obtained, and non-volume fill factors may be obtained. The volume-based fill pattern may be selected and indicated to be a cuboid volume or a packing parameter fill pattern. Pill and multi-dose medicament container data may be obtained and used to determine a fill pattern that is communicated to a filling entity for execution. The present disclosure may operate in accordance with multi-dose blister packs, and systems and methods of filling said blister packs.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2008Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Walgreen Co.Inventors: Syed Y. Ali, Amy C. Biesenthal, Rishi Khullar, Sean McGonagle, Greg Pankow
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Patent number: 8146777Abstract: There is provided a medicine feeding device which can apply uniform tension to wrapping paper wound in a roll state to wrap a medicine. The medicine feeding device comprises a tablet case which stores a medicine, and the wrapping paper wound in the roll state, wraps a medicine discharged from the tablet case in wrapping paper 72, and comprises a tension application mechanism 113 which applies predetermined tension to the continuously pulled-out wrapping paper. This tension application mechanism is constituted to freely move up-and-down, and to apply tension to the pulled-out wrapping paper by its own weight.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2010Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Atsuo Inamura
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Patent number: 8141330Abstract: Systems and methods of automatically dispensing tablets are disclosed. The systems and methods of the invention provide a highly secure, highly accurate and rapid means of dispensing tablets. The system includes an automatic dispensing tablet dispensing system as shown in the Figures and provides a means of lowering errors while preventing unauthorized tampering by non-authorized personnel. Moreover, the invention relates to systems and methods for packaging vials, packaging items from totes, and packaging items from totes with vials.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2005Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: KNAPP Logistics Automation, Inc.Inventor: Claus Henkel
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Patent number: 8136332Abstract: Computer assisted systems, methods and mediums for filling one or more orders. One embodiment of the present invention is a system that includes an order consolidation station configured to receive at least one bottle containing pills individually counted and/or at least one package containing pharmaceutical products without having been designated for any of the orders when the package was created and/or at least one literature pack optionally including patient specific information. The order consolidation station is further configured to combine automatically the received bottle and/or package and/or literature pack into a container to be sent to a recipient including, for example, mail order pharmacies, wholesalers and/or central fill dealers for subsequent distribution or sale including retailer distribution or sale. The bottle is specifically designated for the order, and the order generally includes at least one prescription for the package.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2008Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Medco Health Solutions Inc.Inventors: Dennis Wayne Rice, James G. McErlean, E. Christian Hess, P. Thomas Shupert, Chih-Jen Leu, Robert G. Howell, Michael J. Szesko, Andrew P. Booler, Peter Monkhouse, Douglas W. Walton, Michael W. G. Bell, Christopher J. Lasher, Thomas P. Bonkenburg
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Patent number: 8099928Abstract: A tablet filling device that allows the device to be smaller since a driving range of an arm for holding vials is greatly decreased includes: a tablet supply unit 16; a first vial delivery arm unit 17; and a second vial delivery arm unit 18. The tablet supply unit 16 supplies tablets accommodated in a tablet feeder 21 provided at an outer periphery of a drum 101 as prescribed. The first vial delivery arm unit 17 has an arm 202. The arm 202 is movably mounted in a horizontal direction and may even be lifted in a vertical direction. The first delivery arm unit 17 receives vials 4 at a horizontal first position, accommodates the tablets discharged from the tablet feeder 21 into the vials 4 at a second position and delivers the vials 4 at a third position. The second vial delivery arm unit 18 has an arm 302. The arm 302 is movably mounted in the horizontal direction and may be lifted in the vertical direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2007Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shoji Yuyama
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Patent number: 8082720Abstract: In a conventional tablet packing device, a tablet discharged from a tablet case is supplied to a medicine packing unit through a common path such as a hopper. Thus, in the conventional tablet packing device, a large number of types of tablets are collected through the common path, so that a problem of cross contamination (the chipped pieces of the tablet of the type different from that of the tablet to be packed are mixed) occurs. The present invention provides a tablet packing device from which common path is eliminated. The present invention is characterized by including a conveyance unit for conveying a tablet case to a case arrangement section so that a tablet can directly be discharged from the tablet case to a tablet packing unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2007Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takashi Mori, Masayoshi Ogura
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Publication number: 20110278183Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a packaging system for producing a foam-in bag and method of mixing foam for the packaging of articles for shipment and storage, and in particular, to an improved, flexible, multilayered packaging system with a vented, deformable outer bag and an inner confinement structure made of paperboard box or a plastic bag with reclosable opening for optimal mixing and controlled release of the foam using preferential paths, score lines, weakness points, and/or obstacles to flow. In addition, the precursor fluids are placed in individually sealed pouches with calibrated and aptly positioned frangible seals to facilitate mixing after rupture inside of the inner confinement structure. In another embodiment, one of the precursor fluids is placed directly in the inner confinement structure, and in yet another embodiment, both sealed pouches are adhesively joined to the inner confinement structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2011Publication date: November 17, 2011Applicant: Ivex Protective Packaging, Inc.Inventors: Kerry McKinley, Thomas V. Trauscht
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Patent number: 8001746Abstract: An apparatus and a method are described for manufacturing and/or packaging of multiple items simultaneously, in particular the handling and placement for packaging of the items on an assembly line. In particular, the apparatus and method are for use in changing the center spacing of the simultaneously manufactured items between two locations on the assembly line.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2009Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Parmalat Canada Inc.Inventors: Robert Edwards, Michael Elent
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Patent number: 7984602Abstract: This patent relates to a machine that automatically assembles, inspects, and packages disposable prophylaxis angles. The machine includes a movable table including a plurality of fixtures on which angle components are assembled and the assembled angles are inspected. The movable table is surrounded by a number of stations, each of which performs a different operation of the assembly and inspection procedure. Feeders automatically supply the angle components to their respective stations for assembly. Angles that are incorrectly assembled are automatically rejected. Properly assembled angles are automatically sealed in individual bags. Individually bagged angles are counted into batches by the machine and automatically sealed into cartons.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2006Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Inventor: David G. Kraenzle
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Patent number: 7946097Abstract: The feeder for the controlled transfer of product items into the pockets of a web of sheeting has a base unit, a supply container for holding the product items, and a product conveyor for receiving the product items from the supply container. Further, the feeder has an exchangeable format unit including a sorting plate for receiving the product items from the product conveyor, a filling unit with a number of vertically extending filling tubes for receiving the product items from the sorting plate and with a blocking slide unit with a blocking slide plate for temporarily blocking the guiding channels of the filling tubes. The format unit further has a filling shoe for receiving the product items from the filling unit and for guiding them to the pockets of the web of sheeting. A plurality of drives and the corresponding electrical control components for moving the format unit, the sorting plate, the blocking slide plate and the filling shoe are arranged in the base unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2009Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Kurt Gnann, Juergen Liebhardt, Martin Zuleger
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Patent number: 7827764Abstract: A medicine delivering device permits additional medicine cassettes to be provided at low cost without greatly enlarging the installation space. The medicine delivering device includes a medicine storage and removal unit in which many medicine cassettes each containing a medicine are detachably provided to the outer surface of a drum whose upper and lower ends are rotatable supported by the device body and a medicine packaging unit that packages medicine removed through a collecting hopper from the medicine cassette of the medicine storage and removal unit. There is provided on the side surface of the device body a sub medicine storage and removal unit including: a body; a drawer body provided to be capable of being pulled out from the body and that is detachably provided with a plurality of medicine cassettes each containing the medicine; and a guide that guides the medicine taken out from the medicine cassette to the collecting hopper.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2008Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Satoshi Asada, Hiroki Kobayashi
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Patent number: 7818947Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic medicine packing machine having a cleaning device for automatically cleaning dust generated in the packing machine while packing successively various medicines dose by dose. An automatic medicine packing machine includes a plurality of cassettes arranged in an upper portion of a body to receive medicines of various sizes and shapes, a hopper assembly arranged in a lower portion of the body to collect medicines discharged from the cassettes, a hopper mounting unit for mounting the hopper assembly to a lower portion of a frame of the body to be openable, a packing device for packing the medicines collected by the hopper assembly, and a hopper cleaning device for sucking dust generated from the hopper assembly during a medicine packing process to clean an interior of the hopper assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2009Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: JVM Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jun Ho Kim
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Patent number: 7818950Abstract: A method of transferring a plurality of tablets of a product from a first blister card including a first plurality of blisters to a second blister card including a second plurality of blisters includes discharging the plurality of tablets from the first plurality of blisters of the first blister card. Then, each of the plurality of tablets are guided along one of a plurality of passageways defined by a transfer fixture positioned between the first blister card and the second blister card. Finally, the plurality of tablets are received in the second plurality of blisters of the second blister card.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2008Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Walgreen Co.Inventors: Sean McGonagle, Greg Pankow, J. Randolph Lewis, Victor Lee
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Patent number: 7726098Abstract: Tandem, vertically-aligned vertical form, fill, and seal (VFFS) assemblies enable a method for manufacturing an ingredient package. An inner ingredient-bearing package is manufactured by a first superior VFFS assembly, which inner package is then downwardly displaced to a second inferior VFFS assembly. The inner package and a second ingredient are deposited (filled) into an open-ended outer packaging material being formed by the inferior VFFS assembly. After deposing the inner package and the second ingredient into the formed outer package, the outer package and inner package are sealed to one another at superior ends thereof to finally form an ingredient package. The finally formed package may be removed from partially formed packages in superior adjacency thereto. The finally formed package compartmentalizes the first and second ingredients for later consumer consumption.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2007Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Kraft Foods Global Brands LLCInventor: Paul Edward Doll
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Patent number: 7721508Abstract: A tablet filling device to convey a vial to a tablet cassette for receiving tablets easily and reliably. The tablet filling device includes: a detachable tablet feeding unit including a plurality of tablet feeders capable of discharging tablets one by one and arranged horizontally and vertically; and an arm unit that carries an empty vial, fills the vial with tablets discharged from a tablet feeder of the tablet feeding unit, and carries the vial filled with the tablets. The arm unit includes: a perpendicularly moving base movable horizontally and vertically along a horizontal rail and a vertical rail, respectively, the rails provided in directions in which the tablet feeders of the tablet feeding unit are arranged; an arm base on the perpendicularly moving base to be slidable in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the horizontal rail and horizontally rotatable; and an arm, on the arm base, capable of holding the vial.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2006Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Naoki Koike
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Publication number: 20100043351Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic medicine packing machine having a cleaning device for automatically cleaning dust generated in the packing machine while packing successively various medicines dose by dose. An automatic medicine packing machine includes a plurality of cassettes arranged in an upper portion of a body to receive medicines of various sizes and shapes, a hopper assembly arranged in a lower portion of the body to collect medicines discharged from the cassettes, a hopper mounting unit for mounting the hopper assembly to a lower portion of a frame of the body to be openable, a packing device for packing the medicines collected by the hopper assembly, and a hopper cleaning device for sucking dust generated from the hopper assembly during a medicine packing process to clean an interior of the hopper assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2009Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: JVM CO., LTD.Inventor: Jun Ho Kim
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Patent number: 7637079Abstract: An installation for filling weekly blister packs, i.e. packaging units, with doses of different medicaments corresponding to the weekly requirements of several patients and to be taken by the respective patient in a certain order according to the day of the week and the time of the day, according to a doctor's prescription. The installation is provided with output stations associated with the medicaments, for automatically filling all or selected compartments line-by-line. In order to control the output stations in such a way as to fill the weekly blister pack with the prescribed medicament, an electronic control unit processes information about patients, the information being continuously supplied to the unit in such a way that it is synchronized with the blister pack advancing movements.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2005Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Edwin KohlInventors: Hans Klingel, Edwin Kohl
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Patent number: 7637078Abstract: A medicine supply apparatus which comprises, in a case accommodating section 8, a plurality of tablet cases 3 for accommodating medicine and charges or supplies medicine into a bag 72, which medicine has been discharged from each tablet case 3 based on a prescription. An identification code 26 is provided for each of the tablet cases 3 and read by an optical sensor 33 provided inside the case accommodating section 8, whereby discharge of medicine is controlled. A motor 14 for driving a discharge drum for the tablet case 3 is checked for disconnection by being regularly energized. The operating time and the frequency of operation of parts that wear out, such as the motors, are stored for use in failure prediction. Time slots in which medicine should be taken are printed, each in a different color, by a color printing mechanism 73 on the bag 72 into which medicine is charged.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2003Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Sanyo Electric Biomedical Co. Ltd.Inventors: Hitoshi Ishiwatari, Shinya Uema, Manabu Haraguchi, Koichi Kobayashi, Shigeyuki Nakamura
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Patent number: 7637080Abstract: A capsule filling machine (10) for producing hard gelatin capsules (C) of the type with lid and body (3, 4) containing particles (12) of pharmaceutical material, in particular microtablets (12) or pellets comprises a rotary carousel (2) mounting a plurality of slide units (5) for holding and handling the capsules (C) in order to open and then close the capsules (C) by first separating and then pairing the capsule lids (3) and bodies (4); and means (11) for feeding the particles (12) to the carousel (2) for filling doses of the particles (12) into the respective capsule bodies (4); the feed means (11) comprise at least one hopper (13) containing a mass of these particles (12), and roller means (14) partly immersed in said mass of particles (12) in the hopper (13); the roller means (14) having a plurality of suction recesses (15) for accommodating and retaining a predetermined number of the particles (12) drawn from the hopper (13) and then releasing the particles (12) into a series of hollow conduits (16) mounType: GrantFiled: July 24, 2006Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A.Inventor: Roberto Trebbi
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Patent number: 7565782Abstract: An automated method for dispensing pharmaceuticals particularly tablets and capsules, and other small discrete objects, includes: receiving prescription information, selecting a container, labeling the container, dispensing the tablets or capsules into the labeled container, applying a closure to the filled, labeled container, and offloading the container to a designated location. Preferably, the tablets are dispensed with high speed dispensing bins that employ forced air to agitate and singulate the tablets. The other functions within the system are typically carried out at stations designed to offer speed, flexibility and precision to the dispensing operation.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2008Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: Parata Systems, LLCInventors: Jeffrey P. Williams, Richard Michelli, Jasper Pollard, Simon Kelly, David Newcomb, Jess Eberdt, Pete Klein
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Patent number: 7549266Abstract: A compact tablet storage and take-out apparatus capable of quickly discharging and filing tablets. The tablet storage and take-out apparatus includes: a cylindrical drum; a drum driving device; a plurality of tablet cassette mounting bases fitted to an outer surface of the drum; tablet cassettes which are detachably mounted on the tablet cassette mounting bases; and a guide passage for guiding discharged tablets inside the drum. Moreover, the apparatus includes a transfer robot provided inside the drum so as to be liftable and also rotatable. The transfer robot is operable to transfers a vial between a delivery position located outside an opening formed in an upper end or a lower end of the drum and a tablet filling position. The position of at least one of the drum and the transfer robot is controlled so that an opening of the vial held by the transfer robot agrees with an outlet of the guide passage.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2005Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shoji Yuyama, Katsunori Yoshina, Takafumi Imai, Yoshinori Kumano, Masahito Miyashita
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Patent number: 7543423Abstract: A system and process for packaging sheet materials is disclosed. In particular, the system and process of the present invention is configured to receive clips of a sheet material and to load the clips into a dispenser. During the process, the clips can be folded and loaded into vertical buckets that are positioned over a stream of moving dispensers. A vertical pushing device then pushes the clip from the vertical buckets down into the dispensers. In this manner, the dispensers are loaded from the top. Since the dispensers are loaded from the top, the system is capable of placing clips of a material into dispensers having a complex configuration, such as dispensers having curved side walls.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2005Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Leslie T. Long, Daniel S. Grubb, Jr., Zachary J. Henderson
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Patent number: 7451583Abstract: An automatic medicine packaging machine with door lock unit that prevents the supplement and outflow of tablets by an unauthorized person and makes tablets kept and treated more safely is disclosed. The automatic medicine packaging machine comprising a plurality of tablet cassettes and a door includes; a door lock unit that is established on a body of the automatic medicine packaging machine and locks or unlocks the door; a button operation unit that is established on the front of the body and that operation is inputted by a user; and a lock controller that controls the operation of the door lock unit according to a lock or unlock signal inputted by the button operation unit, in which the lock controller includes a user authentication unit that authenticates user of the door lock unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2007Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: JVM Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jun Ho Kim
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Patent number: 7334379Abstract: An automated pharmaceutical product packaging machine simultaneously fills a plurality of product package templates in parallel with desired pharmaceutical dosing requirements. The templates are subsequently positioned over a temporary storage template having cavities for receiving solid pharmaceutical doses. A collector member is subsequently placed beneath the temporary storage template for receiving the pharmaceuticals which in turn is positioned over a solid pharmaceutical product package having a plurality of cavities which correspond to openings on the templates and wherein each of the templates fills a pharmaceutical package.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2000Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: MTS Medication Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Todd Siegel, Stuart Bagley
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Patent number: 7174694Abstract: A conveyor advances a web horizontally parallel to rows of upwardly open pockets formed in the web underneath a loader having a plurality of object-filled passages each having a downwardly open mouth open immediately above a respective one of the rows of pockets. As the sheet is advanced underneath the loader the objects drop out of the mouths into the pockets. Respective arms are pivotal on the loader downstream of the mouths at each of the rows about a horizontal transverse axis and have upwardly deflectable lower ends normally positioned immediately above the sheet. These lower arm ends are horizontally engageable with any of the objects projecting upwardly out of the respective pocket so that, as the sheet is advanced, the arm lower ends horizontally strikes any upwardly projecting objects and then pivots up while sliding the projecting object up out of the respective pocket.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2005Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Egon Ogger, Volker Schmid
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Patent number: 7152756Abstract: A dispensing system dispensing items includes a dispensing station and a first conveyor for transporting containers to the dispensing station. The dispensing station includes a dispenser for dispensing items to the containers, a mechanism for spacing the containers to a predetermined pitch, a transfer wheel for removing the containers from the first conveyor, a star wheel for receiving the containers from the transfer wheel and for transporting the containers in synchronization with the dispenser, and a turret for removing the containers from the star wheel.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2003Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Campbell Soup CompanyInventor: John Baranowski