Pharmaceutical and Medical Packaging News Magazine
PMPN Article Index

Originally Published May 1998

PRODUCT UPDATE

Simplified Blister Machinery

New equipment helps companies package drugs in blister packs accurately and quickly.

Packing pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements into blister packages definitely simplifies a consumer's dosing regimen. And, thanks to a wide assortment of new automatic blister forming, filling, and sealing machinery, the packager's job just got easier, too.

A self-sufficient thermoformer operates at speeds up to 300 blister packs per minute. The UPS 1030 is available in three versions: the 1030 MTI multistroke intermittent, the 1030 MTK multistroke continuous-motion, and the 1030 ET single-stroke machines. Laser-guided web indexing measures the position of the formed blister web prior to sealing and automatically makes any necessary adjustments. Model 1030 also features servomotor control and fast, toolless changeover. It can handle aluminum, polypropylene, and the entire PVC family. Uhlmann Packaging Systems, Towaco, NJ.

A compact machine can produce a variety of blister package sizes and shapes. The Compacker-2 has a footprint of only 13.9 x 2.19 ft, and can be used to create small-batch packaging for physician samples, stability tests, and clinical trials. It can also be incorporated into a full production line. A user-friendly touch screen features keyed security switches. Optional add-ons include a range of feeding systems, the Medi-Vision package inspection system, and mechanisms for printing and coding, embossing, notching, hole punching, slitting, and perforating. Klöckner Medipak, Gordonsville, VA.

Blister packaging machines can handle all types of pharmaceutical dosage forms and all widely used forming and lidding materials. Temperature and pressure settings are constantly monitored to ensure that the unit functions within preset limits. The EZ Blister can be used for clinical trial or low-volume production, packaging development, and troubleshooting. It is particularly suited for stability studies because it can be fitted with tooling from larger production machinery. Sepha, Irvine, CA.

An integrated blister packaging machine and cartoner can be completely changed over in a matter of minutes. One central PLC handles both the blister machine and the cartoner and communicates with the operator through a monitor and stores all format data. A computer is available for further data processing such as production statistics and troubleshooting instructions. Industria Macchine Automatiche, IMA North America, Fairfield, CT.

Fully automatic blister machinery can handle aluminum, paper, PVC, polyester, and laminated thermosealing film, and can process solid, viscous, or liquid products. Standard features include a large heating tunnel with nonadhesive surface, a large feeding area with double access, air-pressure molding, a centralized lubricating system, and heavy-duty stainless-steel construction. It is designed for easy changeover and quick tool setup. NJM/CLI Packaging Systems International, Lebanon, NH.

A product recovery machine safely separates and removes product such as liquid gels, caplets, and tablets from blister cards at speeds up to 4800 units per hour. Mr. Deblister recovers product from push-through, child-resistant, and cold-formed blister cards and has no difficulty with tight product blisters or stiffening ribs. The mobile unit comes with a standard control panel and a touch screen. Gemel Precision Tool Company, Inc., Ivyland, PA.

A compact thermoformer automatically checks blister packs and ejects those that have any empty cavities. The MB420 blister machine features a microprocessor logic system that performs machine self-diagnosis and a film heating-and-forming mechanism that uses titanium dioxide­coated plates with individual heat adjustment. Thermoforming material can be spliced automatically without halting operation. Options include a printer, video camera, water cooling unit, and a linear or cross-perforating unit. Marchesini Packaging, West Caldwell, NJ.

A series of cold-form- and thermoform-fill-seal blister machines can handle PVC, PVDC, PET, Tyvek spunbonded olefin, and aluminum. The Ministar series features an in-line design to accommodate web material, PLC, a touch screen operator panel, an extended area for product placement, emboss coding, variable-speed drive, an independent digital temperature controller, rugged construction, 316-stainless-steel contact parts, fast changeover, central lubrication, and a closed-loop chiller. Optional features include automatic product feeding, visual product inspection, a reject system, in-line printing of the top web, and integration to cartoning equipment. Key International Inc., Englishtown, NJ.

A blister packaging machine handles commonly used thermoformable foils and films, including polypropylene and aluminum. The Noack 900 can reach speeds up to more than 300 blisters per minute. Romaco Inc., Morris Plains, NJ.