Medical Device Link.

Originally Published PMPN May 2002

PRODUCT UPDATE

Cold- and thermoforming blister machinery can handle large or small jobs.

B300
A blister machine features all stainless-steel construction, all servo-controlled axis, and speeds up to 300 blisters per minute. The B300 has a compact footprint yet offers ample access to controls, electrical components, and tooling. It also has two servo-driven pinch rollers, which prevent film stretch in the preheat and form stations. The heating station completely retracts from the film during stoppages, eliminating heat deformation of the film. Ergonomically correct blister and lidding material loading areas accommodate large rolls to allow for a continuous 7.5-hour production shift without roll changes. DT Packaging Systems, Leominster, MA; 978/537-8534; dtpackagingsales@dtindustries.com.

MB421
A continuous-motion blister thermoformer incorporates simple and clean ergonomics and a small, space-conscious footprint. Its main features are a forming station that has an atmospherically isolated environment with easy access to the forming film web, a filling station that can be quickly cleaned and set up by an operator, a dynamic platen sealing station, and a final station without material waste from blister crosscut. The balcony concept is integrated into the design of each station. Marchesini Packaging, West Caldwell, NJ; 973/575-7445; www.marchesini.it.

Gas Flushing System
A portable quality control system provides modified-atmosphere packaging on any blister-packaging machine. The gas flushing system is designed to handle common solid-dose pharmaceutical products and medical devices where increased shelf life and product stability are a concern. It provides nitrogen purge to reduce residual oxygen to less than 1% in sealed blisters. For leak detection purposes, the system is also capable of filling the blisters with helium. The gas flushing rate is adjustable to accommodate any packaging requirements, while the entire system features no moving parts and requires minimum maintenance. Uhlmann Packaging Systems Inc., Towaco, NJ; 973/402-8855; www.uhlmannpackaging.com.

Blister Card System
A high-speed blister card system uses standard card stock versus the heat-sealable coated card stock required by other systems. An on-line hot-melt extrusion system is used to apply adhesive, securely attaching the blister inside the folded card. Multiple blisters can be placed into the same card. Features include a continuous-motion conveyor system with quick-change sealing platens, a rotary card feeder, folding plows to form the finished package configuration, and powered roller compression to finish the sealing process. MGS Machine Corp., Maple Grove, MN; 763/425-8808; www.mgsmachine.com.

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