Of Individual Contents Or Group Feed Or Delivery Patents (Class 53/493)
  • Patent number: 8220224
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Sanyo Electric Biomedical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Ishiwatari, Shinya Uema, Manabu Haraguchi, Koichi Kobayashi, Shigeyuki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8209945
    Abstract: Breech-load chutes for packaging systems for enclosing at least one target product in a covering material have elongate chute bodies that angle downwardly in a direction of travel at a non-vertical orientation. The respective breech-load chute body resides above a product chute and drops target products into a location to be pushed through a product chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Tipper Tie, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. May, Samuel D. Griggs, Matthew Lowder
  • Patent number: 8209940
    Abstract: A waste sealing apparatus includes a supply mechanism of opposed sealing sheets, a pressure bonding mechanism therefor, a throw-in checking sensor provided on an insertion side of the pressure bonding mechanism, a cutting mechanism for the opposed sealing sheets, a passage checking sensor provided on a discharge side of the pressure bonding mechanism, and a catch-in preventing sensor provided on the discharge side of the pressure bonding mechanism. The pressure bonding mechanism has opposed bonding rolls each having seal parts on its both ends and a elastic compression part therebetween. Detecting a waste by the throw-in checking sensor automatically activates the supply mechanism of opposed sealing sheets. With the pressure bonding mechanism, the bonding rolls to bond opposed sealing sheets to seal the waste. When the passage checking sensor detects the waste from the bonding mechanism, the cutting mechanism automatically cut the sealing sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Sumiron Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takehiro Tsumura
  • Publication number: 20120096816
    Abstract: Tablet-container filling apparatus is provided for feeding and separating tablets and for filling a tablet container with the said tablets. The tablet-container filling apparatus comprises a tablet-colour identifier (3, 5), a tablet remover (4) whereby a rogue tablet is removable once identified by the tablet-colour identifier, a tablet counter (7), a container conveyor (9), and a controller (5, 7) for controlling tablet flow into a container on said conveyor, the tablet-colour identifier (3, 5) being on at least two sides of a tablet flow path, so that in use a tablet colour is identifiable from at least said two sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: SPARC SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventor: Kenneth Shail
  • Patent number: 8146331
    Abstract: The present invention is an automated packaging apparatus utilizing a rotating assembly of elongated slats containing cavities to receive discrete pharmaceutical, vitamin, or food products. Quantities of discrete products such as tablets, capsules, or gels are deposited into the hopper of the apparatus. The apparatus then dispenses the discrete products into containers moving on a conveyor system such that each container receives a predetermined quality and quantity of pharmaceutical, vitamin, or food products. While operating at high speed, the apparatus inspects, counts, identifies and analyzes each product deposited into the containers and maintains electronic records describing the status of each product. In the event any errors occur the apparatus produces various alerts to inform the operator. The presence of foreign products or objects may cause the apparatus to instantly stop the entire system including peripheral equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Sabrie Soloman
  • Patent number: 8091320
    Abstract: A system for automatically packaging prescription orders composed of one or more prescription containers. The system includes a printer for generating literature associated with each order and a packer for packing the prescription containers and the associated literature into a package. The packer has a scale or other means for determining the weight of the prescription containers. A packer controller calculates package weight information based on the container weight information. The package weight information is transmitted to a mail manifest system, which generates shipping information comprising postage. A labeler applies the shipping information to the package. The packer also includes a loading mechanism for inserting the prescription containers and the literature into the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Express Scripts, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael L. Mahar
  • Patent number: 8074426
    Abstract: A multiple prescription package having a plurality of different medications is described. The multiple prescription package comprises a plurality of multiple prescription containers, a marking on each multiple prescription container, a detailed label, and a secondary package. The plurality of the multiple prescription containers are sequentially ordered to permit sequential dispensing of at least two medications that are different from one another. Each of the multiple prescription containers is associated with a prescribed time interval determined by a prescription, and each of the multiple prescription containers comprises the different medications that are sealed within the multiple prescription containers. The marking on each multiple prescription container indicates the prescribed interval when the medications are consumed. The detailed label provides a plurality of medical information regarding the medications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Edge Medical, LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. Luciano, Jr., Lawrence Luciano
  • Patent number: 7958701
    Abstract: A device for dispensing pills includes a set of pill canisters and a control for releasing a desired quantity of pills from a selected pill canister at a target location. Several platens are provided, each of the plurality of platens having a machine-readable platen identifier. A frame is situated beneath the target location. The frame is adapted to move in both an X axis and a Y axis and adapted to accept and hold a selected platen of a set of platens whereas the selected platen holds and supports a target container into which the desired quantity of pills is deposited and the machine-readable platen identifier is read by the device for dispensing pills to determine which of the plurality of platens is the selected platen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: QEM, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman D. Knoth
  • Patent number: 7926242
    Abstract: A container of generally elongate shape for receiving a plurality of envelopes is described wherein the container includes an internal housing having a substantially parallelepiped shape which is open at one of its longitudinal ends to accomodate the plurality of envelopes and closed at its opposite longitudinal end and includes a portion around the internal housing having an external surface of at least partially cylindrical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: MAG Systemes SAS
    Inventors: GĂ©rard Faissolle, Michel Moreaux
  • Patent number: 7908827
    Abstract: A device for dispensing pills includes a set of pill canisters and a control for releasing a desired quantity of pills from a selected pill canister at a target location. A frame is situated beneath the target location. The frame is adapted to accept and hold a selected platen of a set of platens and to move the selected platen in both an X axis and a Y axis. The selected platen holds and supports a target container into which the desired quantity of pills is deposited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: QEM, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman D. Knoth
  • Patent number: 7895814
    Abstract: A case loader for forming arrays of articles such as milk jugs carried by a relatively upper supply conveyor to the loading gate of a loading station and dropping the articles into cases delivered by conveyor to the loading station and raised by an elevator up under the loading gate. A conveyor article sensor is employed to ensure the presence of articles on the supply conveyor a sufficient distance upstream to develop sufficient line pressure force for reliable operation. A plurality of cases are loaded at the same time, and an array of case sensors are employed for reliable case position sensing and operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Milkco, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack A. Levins, Sr., Kevin S. Willett
  • Patent number: 7891159
    Abstract: A method of positioning a loaded bag in a vacuum chamber includes loading a bag by placing a product in the bag; placing the bag on an infeed conveyor that is transparent to IR; advancing the bag, on the conveyor, to a sensing apparatus including an infrared camera disposed above the conveyor, and a bank of LED's disposed below the conveyor; interrogating the loaded bag, using the sensing apparatus, with infrared radiation to detect the trailing edge of the product inside the bag; transmitting information acquired from the interrogating step to a PLC; advancing the interrogated loaded bag a distance, based in the information acquired from the interrogating step, to a vacuum chamber including a heat seal assembly; and heat sealing the loaded bag with the heat seal assembly to close the bag mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Iocco, Greg E. McDonald, Max C. Painter, Wayne T. Workman
  • Patent number: 7861492
    Abstract: Provided is a tablet filling device capable of continuing an operation without stopping the supply of the tablet container, filling with tablets, etc. even when the prescribed operations cannot be performed at the operating positions. The tablet filling device includes: a tablet supply unit (3) that fills a tablet container (12) with tablets; a carrying member (41) which carries the tablet cassette (12) from the tablet supply unit (3) to a standby position; a container holding member (65) provided at a delivery position and having a plurality of holding parts (67, 68) capable of holding the tablet container (12) according to a difference in outer diameter dimension; and another carrying member (52) which carries the tablet container (12) held by a container holding member (65) to an operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yuyama, Hirokazu Chihara
  • Patent number: 7856792
    Abstract: A bag filling and packaging apparatus including hollow guide members that are disposed below ascending/descending hoppers and guide product dropping from hoppers into the interior of bags, the guide members being raised/lowered and moved together with the hoppers in a filling region. The guide members comprise a pair of opening and closing guide frames that are disposed to face each other; and when clogging is detected in a guide member, its guide frames are repeatedly opened and closed while moving through a non-filling region, thus promoting the dropping of product. Directly below the guide members is provided a receiving member that receives the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Toyo Jidoki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoichi Koga, Tohru Yoshikane
  • Publication number: 20100229506
    Abstract: A tablet filling instrument 1 for dispensing tablets into a vial 9 in accordance with prescription data and discharging the vial 9 filled with the tablets in one of a plurality of outlets 113 designates at least one of the outlets 113 to be a priority outlet 113p and discharges the vial 9 filled with the tablets in the priority outlet 113p when the tablets are to be dispensed in one of the outlets 113 at a time-point within a predetermined time length from a present time-point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventor: Yoshinori Kumano
  • Publication number: 20100192515
    Abstract: Apparatus (10) for aligning one or more articles (B) in package (12), which apparatus comprises a conveyor (20) for conveying said package in a continuous forward movement, a detector for detecting the orientation of the or each article within the array, a controller for comparing the orientation of the or each article to a predetermined orientation and an article rotation means (32, 34, 36) operably controllable for rotating the or each article to the predetermined orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Eric Chalendar, Pierre-Yves Poget
  • Publication number: 20100180552
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a powder supply device, a powder filling packaging machine and a method of manufacturing a powder package capable of high-speed operation while suppressing false operations. [Means to Attain the Object] A powder supply device includes: a member 1 including a plate portion having holes 2 formed to penetrate through the plate portion; a moving mechanism 18 that moves the member 1 in such a manner that top openings of the holes 2 move along a specific moving path; an opening/closing member 5 that makes bottom openings of the holes 2 in closed state and opened state as the member 1 moves; a powder filling unit 14 that fills a specific amount of powders 3 in each of the holes 2 within a predetermined section in the moving path; and a sensor 4 that is provided above a path within a section other than the predetermined section in the moving path and that continuously monitors the moving path on the plate portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI GAS CHEMICAL COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Katada, Nobuo Gunji, Hirokatsu Kawaguchi, Masahiko Oosawa, Hidetoshi Hatakeyama
  • Patent number: 7752826
    Abstract: A production system is provided in which high production efficiency can be maintained in the entire production line even in cases in which there is a lack of uniformity in the rates at which the articles are actually supplied from a supply unit; the weighing unit, packaging unit, quality inspection unit, or other constituent device has stopped operating; or other problems have occurred. In this production system, a centralized control system controls the set capacities of devices that constitute a production line including a weighing device, a bagging machine, and other devices disposed downstream, so that the capacities are varied on the basis of the detection results of a supply rate detection sensor of a supply device, that is, on the basis of the actual rates of supply from the supply device to the weighing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Yamaguchi, Kazumi Kitagawa, Yukio Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20100077707
    Abstract: A tablet supply apparatus including a main body having a case accommodating unit at the upper portion thereof, plural tablet cases that are secured in the case accommodating unit and in which tablets are accommodated, a chute through which tablets discharged from each of the tablet cases drop, a hopper that is disposed below the chute and provided in the main body, a filling device for filling tablets received by the hopper into a container, and at least one tablet feeder for freely putting into the hopper tablets whose kinds are other than the kinds of the tablets accommodated in the table cases. The tablet feeder has an opening for putting tablets, a shutter for temporarily trapping the tables put from the opening and a switch for opening the shutter, and is designed so that the put tablets on the shutter are visually recognizable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Kondo, Takashi Mori, Koichi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7685797
    Abstract: A beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage filling material, a container filling plant container information adding station, such as, a labeling station, configured to add information to containers, such as, bottles and cans, and modules for labeling stations proposed a labeling machine. Each module comprises a first coupling structure to permit interchangeable position of a module at one of a plurality of second coupling structures. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: KHS Maschinen- und Anlagenbau AG
    Inventor: Heinz-Michael Zwilling
  • Publication number: 20100031613
    Abstract: A thin-part feeding device is provided which is compact and efficient. The device has a funnel portion with a feeding opening at the bottom thereof, a take-out tube for taking out thin parts from the funnel portion, and a receiving portion with separate opening for receiving thin parts from the discharge opening. The receiving portion is movable, and the receiving opening is sized to receive only one thin part. The device is operative to repeat a state where the receiving opening faces the discharge opening, and a state where the receiving opening is away from the discharge opening to enable thin parts to be taken out from the receiving opening. The device also features a novel, posture-correcting portion to correct vertical posture of thin parts, a delivery portion for receiving posture-corrected thin parts, and a transporting portion as described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventor: Kanji Ishigure
  • Publication number: 20100011715
    Abstract: A device for filling tablets into tablet carriers, e.g., blisters, comprises a tablet storage container for intermediately storing a multiplicity of tablets which lie loosely next to one another and above one another and at least one displaceable load receiving means for removing a single tablet from the tablet storage container and transferring the received tablet to the tablet carrier. The load receiving means thereby removes the tablet from above from the tablet storage container. The load receiving means is designed for performing scanning movements above the tablet storage container, where the scanning movements proceed under the control of either predetermined curves or of a sensor for detecting tablets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: KNAPP LOGISTIK AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventor: Karl Freudelsperger
  • Publication number: 20090313952
    Abstract: A method and device for filling a container with tablets; the device has a conveyor for feeding the container through a number of filling stations, at each of which is located a respective dispenser unit for dropping a predetermined number of tablets from the bottom end of a stack of tablets into the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventor: Guglielmo Martelli
  • Publication number: 20090260330
    Abstract: A feed and sorting device for tablets has a number of vertically extending filling tubes for tablets and a blocking slide unit for temporarily blocking the filling tubes. The blocking slide unit includes a base plate with first through-openings for the filling tubes, an upper retaining plate with second through-openings for the filling tubes, and a lower retaining plate with third through-openings for the filling tubes. The base plate is between the upper and lower retaining plates, and the first, second and third through-openings are at least partially aligned to allow the filling tubes to pass therethrough. Each blocking finger is supported in a receiving portion on the base plate and is secured thereto by the upper and lower retaining plates. Each blocking finger is assigned to one of the filling tubes, and the receiving portions are formed as recesses which, in a vertical direction, pass through the base plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: UHLMANN PAC-SYSTEME GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Christian Hess, Kurt Gnann, Martin Zuleger
  • Publication number: 20090241472
    Abstract: An automated system combines the output from multiple food product producing machines, and formatting the combined output into a format for packaging. A combining conveyor has a first lane and a second lane adjacent to the first lane. Plural food product producing machines output food products onto the combining conveyor. At least one, and preferably more than one, of the food product producing machines outputs food product into an onload position in the second lane. One or more shifting mechanisms shift the food product from the second lane into the first lane. The first and second lanes move together along a conveyor moving direction and each shifting mechanism is located downstream in a conveyor moving direction from the onload position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, Paul Taylor
  • Patent number: 7581370
    Abstract: A bag-making and packaging machine, in which a horizontal bag-making machine and a packaging machine are provided, including a positioning conveyor for positioning bags fed out from the horizontal bag-making machine, a feed conveyor for feeding the bags to the packaging machine, and first, second, and third transport mechanisms provided between the positioning conveyor and the feed conveyor. The first transport mechanism lifts up the bags up and change their attitude to a vertical attitude with the bag mouths oriented upward. The second transport mechanism receives the bags from the first transport mechanisms, transports them, and rotates the bags to orient bag surfaces in the feed direction of the feed conveyor. The third transport mechanisms receives the bags from the second transport mechanisms, changes their attitude to a horizontal attitude, and places them on the feed conveyor with the bag mouths oriented in the feed direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Toyo Jidoki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shoichi Koga
  • Patent number: 7579558
    Abstract: A combination weigher of the present invention has a relationship with the packaging machine in which, a bag accommodating time required to accommodate the objects to be weighed falling from the collecting hopper (4) into the bag in a case where the gate of the collecting hopper (4) is always kept open, is longer than a seal stopping time after completion of sealing a lower end of any one of the bags successively manufactured by the packaging machine (21) before start of sealing an upper end of the bag, wherein the control unit (10) causes the gate of the collecting hopper (4) to be closed immediately before any portion of the objects to be weighed discharged from the weighing hoppers (1) arrives at the collecting hopper (4) at the latest, and causes the gate of the collecting hopper (4) to be opened before all of the objects to be weighed arrive at the collecting hopper (4) and after a specified time that elapses from when the gate of the collecting hopper (4) is closed, such that by keeping the gate of the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Yamato Scale Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Higuchi, Shozo Kawanishi, Taketoshi Okamura
  • Publication number: 20090188212
    Abstract: A coupon insertion apparatus configured for sequentially inserting coupons into receiving containers, including a machine frame, at least one pair of opposed rollers mounted to the frame and adjustable between a closed position and an open position. A moving carriage system including a main carriage housing having one roller of each of the at least one pair of rollers that are automatically slidably adjustable between open and closed positions. A control system is constructed and arranged for automating the movement of the main carriage relative to the machine frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventor: Anthony J. Nowakowski
  • Patent number: 7555875
    Abstract: A medicine management system includes a medicine storage unit, keeping at least one new cassette in which medicines are accommodated; a robot unit including a gripper for gripping the new cassette; an automatic medicine packing apparatus, dispensing and packing medicines from a dispensing cassette thereof, and requesting replenishment of medicines when there is no medicine in the dispensing cassette; and a central control unit, controlling the robot unit to transmit movement control commands to the robot unit upon receiving the replenishment request, to mobilize the robot unit to transfer the empty dispensing cassette to a conveyer and gripping a new cassette in which the corresponding medicines are accommodated from the medicine storage unit and mounted to the automatic medicine packing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: JVM Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Ho Kim
  • Publication number: 20090139189
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventor: Shoji Yuyama
  • Publication number: 20090044495
    Abstract: An automated packaging apparatus and associated method are provided for depositing pills into a container. A cylindrical rotary slat is rotatable about a longitudinal axis and defines a plurality of pill apertures for receiving pills deposited into an interior space of the cylinder, at a first angular position of the rotary slat. A negative pressure system applies a negative pressure the pill apertures for retaining the pills therein, as the rotary slat rotates from the first to a second angular position. A removal system interacts with the pill apertures, as the respective pill aperture is at the second angular position, to remove the pill therefrom through a radially outward portion of the rotary slat. A collection system, adjacent to the radially outward portion of the rotary slat about the second angular position, is configured to direct each pill removed from each respective pill aperture toward a container for deposition therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventor: John T. Aylward
  • Publication number: 20090038274
    Abstract: A loading apparatus for loading blister cards into sleeves includes a blister card magazine for receiving a stack of blister cards and a sleeve magazine for receiving a stack of sleeves. A loading conveyor moves a lug along a path to load a blister card into a sleeve. A gate releasably retains the sleeve in a loading position as the blister card is loaded into the sleeve. The loading apparatus also includes a hopper that facilitates loading sleeves into the sleeve magazine and sensors that ensure the blister cards are properly loaded into sleeves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: John Cash, III, Rafe Patterson, Michael Flagg
  • Patent number: 7428806
    Abstract: Disclosed is a semi-automatic medicine packaging machine with cassette lock unit that improves packaging efficiency and speed by supplying an automatic supply unit and prevents an unauthorized person from supplement and outflow of tablets by fixing tablet cassettes arrayed in the automatic supply unit as a whole. The semi-automatic medicine packaging machine including a medication feed outlet that feeds and discharges medications into a hopper, a sealing unit that seals medications in the hopper by medication envelope(s), a printing unit that prints data on medication envelope(s), a controller that controls the overall apparatus, and a button operation unit that inputs a user's operation into the controller includes an upper shelf; cassette stands; an automatic supply unit including a plurality of tablet cassettes established on the upper part of the cassette stands; and a cassette lock unit that prevents separation of the tablet cassettes from the cassette stands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: JVM Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Ho Kim
  • Publication number: 20080190076
    Abstract: The invention relates to an installation for filling weekly blister packs, i.e. packaging units (11), 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. Said installation is provided with output stations (19) associates with the medicaments, for automatically filling all or selected compartments (12) line-by-line. A longitudinal transport device (14) is used to sequentially transport the weekly blister packs to the output stations (16) that are individually associated with the different medicaments. The medicament doses are supplied to the output stations by means of transversal transport devices (17) individually associated with the medicaments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2005
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Hans Klingel, Edwin Kohl
  • Publication number: 20080172986
    Abstract: A packing material production and bagging apparatus, comprising: a production and bagging section; a base; at least one sensor, configured to sense data regarding operation of the apparatus; and, a controller in communication with the at least one sensor programmed to automatically adapt operation of the apparatus in response to data received from the at least one sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: FIPCO
    Inventors: Philip Neil Theurer, Jonathan Knaan, Shiomo Nevo, Uzi Emanuel Aharony, Brian H. Bunnett
  • Publication number: 20080152756
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for packaging a non-contact printed edible substrate as well as the resultant packaged product. The packaging apparatus may include a non-contact printer, a carrier, and a package located at a discharge position. The carrier may be constructed and arranged to transport the edible substrate from the print position to the package and orient same in the package so that the printed ink indicia is visible through at least a portion of a panel of the package. At a print position, the non-contact printer is constructed and arranged to apply an edible ink indicia to an edible substrate. The packaging apparatus may form a packaged product having a plurality of compartments where at least one compartment at least partially defined by a panel. The interior of the compartment contains at least one edible substrate comprising a surface and a printed edible ink indicia on the surface so that the ink indicia is visible through at least a portion of the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
    Inventors: Ronald L. Ream, Enrique Valdez, Mitchell B. Dikselis
  • Patent number: 7383862
    Abstract: A discrete object dispensing system and method dispenses any selected number of objects, up to a maximum number, without a substantial delay associated with counting all of the tablets. A preset number of objects are counted and stored in dedicated primary chambers. Furthermore, an overflow chamber is provided for temporarily storing and then dispensing tablets which are fed to the primary chamber after the primary chambers are filled with their respective number of tablets. In addition, a direct feed channel is provided for dispensing individually counted tablets. The chambers and direct feed channel can together dispense the selected number. It is also preferable that the chambers have subchambers, and that more than one subchamber be capable of being emptied during a single dispensing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Kirby Lester, LLC
    Inventors: Aleksandr Geltser, Vladimir Gershman
  • Patent number: 7380388
    Abstract: An apparatus for feeding a blister band moved in a forward direction, with a number of interconnected walls defining a bottom closed by the blister band set in motion, to define a chamber. At least two units are arranged in series and separated by a plate, and operate in the chamber. An article supply leads to each unit of the chamber for feeding articles onto the blister band in motion, while a brush works near the plate and near a fore wall in counter-rotation with respect to the forward direction of the blister band to reject possible articles not entered into the blisters of the band or placed in the blisters in double.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Marchesini Group S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Monti
  • Patent number: 7370456
    Abstract: A packaging object supplying apparatus for supplying a packaging object to a packaging unit for packaging the packaging object into a predetermined fashion and specifically, a packaging object supplying apparatus comprising a packaging object combining portion for forming a combination of the packaging objects by combining two or more kinds of the packaging objects by a predetermined quantity in a predetermined array and a packaging object introducing portion for introducing the packaging objects combined by the packaging object combining portion to the packaging unit, a boxing apparatus comprising foldable box body supplying means, opening forming means, box body holding means, packaging object loading means, and lid forming means, a box body supplying apparatus for supplying a box body to the boxing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Haruo Ichikawa, Makoto Shimizu, Kazuyuki Kosemura, Akira Wakabayashi, Katsutoshi Nakamura, Masaharu Minagi, Minoru Tamura, Seiichi Yamashita, Toshihide Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20080104933
    Abstract: A packaging machine includes an article conveyor for transporting articles in a flow direction and a plunger assembly for displacing articles from the article conveyor. The plunger assembly is supported and positioned by a system that includes a frame assembly and a pressure sensitive coupling as means for releasably fixing the position of the plunger assembly. The frame assembly includes a first frame structure that is attached to the plunger assembly and a second frame structure. The first frame structure and the second frame structure are slidably coupled to one another such that a resistive force that overcomes the holding power of the pressure sensitive coupling will cause the first frame structure to slide and translate the plunger assembly out of its operating position in which it can displace the articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventor: Michael F. Flagg
  • Patent number: 7360348
    Abstract: A sorting and conveying line provided at an X-ray film cutting and collection operation includes a defective sheet gate, a collection gate and a sample gate for sorting X-ray film sheets, which have been cut to a predetermined size at a cutting section, while the X-ray film sheets are conveyed. Film detection sensors are disposed at entrance and exit sides of each of the defective sheet gate, the collection gate and the sample gate, and each film detection sensor detects the X-ray film sheet at times when the X-ray film sheet should be conveyed and sorted. Based on the results of detection, a determination is made as to whether or not there is any failure in control on a number of produced X-ray film sheets, and the like, as well as conveyance and sorting operations. This allows smooth and quick handling in the event of a failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Ishii, Hiroyuki Nishida
  • Publication number: 20080078770
    Abstract: An insulated packaging insert, and apparatus and a method of producing the insert are disclosed, wherein a sealing and a cutting process for producing the insert from a blank of material optimizes a fit of the insert to a shipping container; minimizes a contamination of the insert; and minimizes a cost of the insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventor: Eric Thomas
  • Patent number: 7328558
    Abstract: A beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage filling material, a container filling plant container information adding station, such as, a labeling station, configured to add information to containers, such as, bottles and cans, and modules for labeling stations proposed a labeling machine. Each module comprises a first coupling structure to permit interchangeable position of a module at one of a plurality of second coupling structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: KHS Maschinen- und Anlagenbau AG
    Inventor: Heinz-Michael Zwilling
  • Patent number: 7219482
    Abstract: A method and system for selecting fold lines on a sheet to be inserted into a windowed envelope includes scanning the windowed envelope with a scanner to determine the location of the window on the envelope. The location of a data block on an insert to be inserted into the windowed envelope is also determined. The position of one or more of the fold lines on the sheet to be inserted is determined such that a data block printed in the determined location on the sheet will appear behind the envelope window when the sheet is folded in accordance with the determined fold line pattern and inserted into the windowed envelope. The efficiency and flexibility of the system can be enhanced by providing an operator with possible standard and nonstandard fold patterns that will enable proper insertion of the folded sheet into the envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Denis J. Stemmle
  • Patent number: 7131249
    Abstract: A typical product overwrap machine includes a crossfeed conveyor, a pusher bar for transferring bread products to a lifting table which moves upwardly to wrap the bread product with a sealing wrap, and the wrapped bread product is sealed by heated rollers. The present invention provides a sensor and control systems operating servomotors or AC drives so that the crossfeed conveyor is operated only when product is detected at a conveyor inlet, and the pusher bar is actuated to move the product from the crossfeed conveyor when product is detected. The control systems detect the width of a pusher bar plate and adjust the separation of flight bars in the crossfeed conveyor to match the size of the installed pusher bar plate, thereby preventing damage to the crossfeed conveyor if there is a mismatch in sizes. Other control systems may be provided to adjust both the width of the pusher bar and the separation of flight bars in the crossfeed conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Steinmetz Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventor: William M. Michelotti
  • Patent number: 7104034
    Abstract: A method and system for selecting fold lines on a sheet to be inserted into a windowed envelope includes scanning the windowed envelope with a scanner to determine the location of the window on the envelope. The location of a data block on an insert to be inserted into the windowed envelope is also determined. The position of one or more of the fold lines on the sheet to be inserted is determined such that a data block printed in the determined location on the sheet will appear behind the envelope window when the sheet is folded in accordance with the determined fold line pattern and inserted into the windowed envelope. The efficiency and flexibility of the system can be enhanced by providing an operator with possible standard and nonstandard fold patterns that will enable proper insertion of the folded sheet into the envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: Denis J. Stemmle
  • Patent number: RE40510
    Abstract: In an automated prescription dispensing and packing system, empty prescription bottles are labeled and loaded in assigned locations in carriers. Pills are automatically dispensed into the prescription bottles in the carriers. Ranks of carriers containing filled prescription bottles are assembled at stations where the bottles are unloaded and packed into shipping containers with literature printed by the system. Multiple bottles of an order are automatically packed in the same shipping container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Lasher, Dennis W. Rice, Michael J. Szesko, Frank Modrowsky, James McErlean, Michael Kennedy, Paul Thomas Shupert
  • Patent number: RE42730
    Abstract: In an automated prescription dispensing and packing system, empty prescription bottles are labeled and loaded in assigned locations in carriers. Pills are automatically dispensed into the prescription bottles in the carriers. Ranks of carriers containing filled prescription bottles are assembled at stations where the bottles are unloaded and packed into shipping containers with literature printed by the system. Multiple bottles of an order are automatically packed in the same shipping container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Lasher, Dennis W. Rice, Michael J. Szesko, Frank Modrowsky, James G. McErlean, Michael Kennedy, Paul Thomas Shupert
  • Patent number: RE42766
    Abstract: In an automated prescription dispensing and packing system, empty prescription bottles are labeled and loaded in assigned locations in carriers. Pills are automatically dispensed into the prescription bottles in the carriers. Ranks of carriers containing filled prescription bottles are assembled at stations where the bottles are unloaded and packed into shipping containers with literature printed by the system. Multiple bottles of an order are automatically packed in the same shipping container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Lasher, Dennis W. Rice, Michael J. Szesko, Frank Modrowsky, James G. McErlean, Michael Kennedy, Paul Thomas Shupert
  • Patent number: RE42937
    Abstract: In an automated prescription dispensing and packing system, empty prescription bottles are labeled and loaded in assigned locations in carriers. Pills are automatically dispensed into the prescription bottles in the carriers. Ranks of carriers containing filled prescription bottles are assembled at stations where the bottles are unloaded and packed into shipping containers with literature printed by the system. Multiple bottles of an order are automatically packed in the same shipping container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Lasher, Dennis W. Rice, Michael J. Szesko, Frank Modrowsky, James McErlean, Michael Kennedy, Paul Thomas Shupert