Pharmaceutical and Medical Packaging News
Magazine
PMPN Article Index
Originally Published April 1999
SHOW COVERAGE
Interphex 99 Focuses on Discovery
Marking its 20th year in 1999, Interphex 99 (sponsored by ISPE, the Society for Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Professionals) provides opportunities for industrywide discussion, problem solving, and networking. The event combines a comprehensive showcase of pharmaceutical equipment and materials and a conference program focusing on the industry's current issues. Interphex 99 takes place April 20–22 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center (New York City). Special features of this year's Interphex include a full-scale mock-up of NASA's space station module, the second annual PhRMA Foundation Awards in Excellence Gala, and four technology pavilions.
Interphex draws attendees from every industry segment, including ethical drugs, biopharmaceuticals, proprietary drugs, medical devices and diagnostics, and nutraceuticals. Products and equipment will be displayed by 750 exhibitors, including companies that offer packaging machinery, inspection systems, finished packs and packaging materials, and contract packaging.
Four technology pavilions allow attendees on a tight schedule to make the most of their time. The Pharmaceutical Research & Development Center, the Process Automation & Controls Pavilion, the Contract Services Pavilion, and the Packaging Pavilion show attendees specific kinds of equipment, materials, and services in one place. Packaging professionals will be especially interested in visiting the Packaging Pavilion, which is sponsored by Pharmaceutical & Medical Packaging News and WILCO AG and is endorsed by the Healthcare Compliance Packaging Council.
Conferences pertaining to packaging professionals and packaging issues include:
- How to Select Machine Vision Equipment.
- Quality Control of Pharmaceutical Raw Materials and Finished Products Using a Sensor Array System.
- Advancements in Clinical Trial Packaging.
- Packaging Validation.
- Trends in Pharmaceutical Labeling: Preparing to Compete in the Era of Consolidation.
- How to Design a Packaging Line.
For more information about Interphex 99, call 888/334-8704 or 203/840-5648; fax 203/840-9648; or visit the show's Web site at http://interphex.reedexpo.com.
Interphex products
A medium- to high-speed rotary vial washer has been upgraded. The Model MRW-1150 has increased cleanliness, accomplished by eliminating numerous welds and by electropolishing all water-contact parts. The company uses only the latest hardware and software technology available in both the design and manufacture of its line of pharmaceutical equipment. Mengibar Applied Technologies Inc., Ivyland, PA.
A tabletop heat-sealing machine may be used in the lab or on the production floor. The unit contains a pneumatic sliding table and is designed for tall aluminum and plastic containers. The maximum container size is 120 x 170 mm; smaller containers can be heat sealed in clusters. The machine is capable of heat sealing up to 1200 containers per hour at temperatures up to 250°C, with an adjustable sealing time of 0.10 to 9.99 seconds. Custom machines are available for containers up to 200 mm high. Packaging Technologies & Inspection (PTI), Tuckahoe, NY.
A company offers printing, coding, and labeling equipment that allows pharmaceutical and medical device companies to meet their needs in-house. Many machines are available, including digital thermal-transfer printers, flexographic and offset printers, print-and-apply labelers, coders, and scanners. The company also maintains a supply of consumables and replacement parts, such as bags, labels, ribbons, inks, and print plates. Technical support staff provide needs assessment, coordination and integration with existing equipment, installation and setup, and training. Customer service continues after the purchase of equipment and includes equipment repair and technical assistance. Griffin-Rutgers Company, Inc., Ronkonkoma, NY.
Drying trays are designed and manufactured specifically for soft gelatin capsule processing. The stacking trays feature dropped sides that enhance air circulation around the capsules, decreasing drying time. Made of composite material, the trays eliminate the problem of hot spots common to stainless-steel trays. The composite material trays may be stacked so that tradition rack systems are eliminated. The tray material won't dent, bend, or warp, thus maintaining a flat tray bottom that allows the product to spread evenly over the surface of the tray. Molded Fiber Glass Tray Co., Linesville, PA.
A continuous-label feeder automatically provides an uninterrupted supply of label feedstock in virtually any web size and material. The rugged, dual-reel design of the Easisplice continuous-label feeder works to eliminate production stoppages caused by reel-to-reel changeovers. Photoelectric detectors identify the end point on the feeding roll and alert the operator to perform a rapid join between the reserve reel and the feeding reel. Easisplice then feeds off the reserve reel and a new reel can be placed in the empty position for continuous feeding. The unit works with a broad range of web materials with maximum web diameters of 470 mm in label heights up to 160 mm. Newman Machinery, Belle Mead, NJ.
A high-speed capper features heavy-duty construction, four sets of spring-loaded tightening discs, fully adjustable container holding belts, air clutches for torque control, adjustable cap chute and pickup, and a cap elevator-orienter feeding system. The Unicap 150 can also be equipped with a torque monitoring and printer system. The company also offers a wide range of labeling and packaging equipment, including complete line integration services. Other products include bottle unscramblers, liquid fillers, tablet counters, cottoners, induction sealers, print-and-apply labelers, tamper-evident banders, blister-packaging machines, tube fillers, conveyors, turntables, accumulation tables, and cartoners. NJM/ CLI Packaging Systems International, Lebanon, NH.
A single-column, low-force tensile testing instrument offers versatility and simple operation. The LTL universal tensile tester digitally displays load and extension results, and an integral microprocessor controls all machine functions. The LTL is designed for pharmaceutical package and product testing where there is a need for precise, efficient, and consistent performance. The LTL tests the strength of seals, opening forces, the push-out forces of pills from blister packs, and the peel-off strength of strip bandage packaging. The instrument offers high-accuracy load measurements, extension resolution better than 0.0002 in. (5 µm), fast data acquisition, continuous cycling between extension and load limits, and RS-232 interface and analog output. Testing Machines Inc., Islandia, NY.
A bottle blow molder produces PET bottles and can be used in line with the company's bottle rinsing, filling, capping, labeling, packing, and palletizing equipment. The Contiform, a high-speed, two-stage blow-molding machine, is designed to save energy. Preforms are warmed by infrared radiation and then moved to the blowing unit for shaping. The Contiform is available with 10, 16, or 24 stations, with output capacities ranging from 12,000 to 28,800 bottles per hour. The unit features easy operation and quick mold and product changes. Krones Inc., Franklin, WI.
Two printers provide clear, crisp imprints of variable information. The RS-1100 hot-stamp label printer is designed to print at speeds of more than 400 imprints per minute in a 1 x 1-in. area. This compact printer provides high-quality imprints and is ideal for changing information such as lot codes and expiration dates. The Jaguar J27i2 thermal-transfer printer is a programmable, intermittent-motion unit that mounts easily on a wide variety of packaging lines and labelers. Its programmability allows a variety of text and graphics—such as real time and date, bar codes, logos, and expiration dates—to be printed directly on labels or packaging materials. Norwood Marking Systems, Downers Grove, IL.
A full-color digital thermal-transfer label printer features rugged design, tight registration, and powerful electronics. The QLS-4000 is capable of producing high-quality color images, logos, and graphics. The printer is suitable for applications requiring printed labels in a range of colors with graphics and logos. The printer can be used by manufacturers that offer private-label products. A color brochure that contains full specifications, a sample label, and additional information is available. QuickLabel Systems Div., Astro-Med Inc., West Warwick, RI.
A manufacturer of PVC films is increasing its commitment in North America with the introduction of a new blister packaging film and additional services. The new film, C.O.P., can be processed easily on conventional form-fill-seal equipment and features low density, mechanical stability, and good rigidity. The barrier properties of the film have been proven after extensive testing, according to the supplier. Beginning this summer, the firm will manufacture PVC films and coat them with PVdC under one roof. Other efforts include local technical service for customers, the opening of a state-of-the-art coating unit, and the use of in-line controls and camera inspections to ensure film quality. EVC Rigid Film GmbH and Delmar Vinyls, Berlin, CT.
A compact, high-speed machine can inspect open or closed cases. The FT-100/CI can detect missing, empty, broken, or grossly underfilled containers in a case. The system's inspection head houses a radiation source and detector system that measures the relative density of the case and contents as they pass through the inspection zone. Optional functions include the detection of high, side, leading, and trailing flaps as well as unslit flaps. A video display is controlled by user-friendly, menu-driven software. Current and last shift counters display total rejects and total throughput for current and past shifts. An optional RS-232/422/423 port sends production, quality control, and diagnostic information to the plant floor or host computers. Industrial Dynamics International Inc., Torrance, CA.
A machine is designed to apply leaflets to the sides of square or rectangular bottles at the rate of 65 units per minute. The Model 600 sideserter applies a hot-melt adhesive to the side of the bottle just before it applies the leaflets. Capable of handling a range of bottle sizes, the system uses a star-wheel design to register the bottles as the adhesive and leaflets are applied. An adjustable hopper will accommodate leaflets ranging in size from 1 x 1 to 3 x 3 in. and thicknesses from 0.048 to 0.188 in. Operations such as product and bar code verification and a reject system are available. Creative Automation Inc., Passaic, NJ.
A wide range of packaging films and a blister packaging machine are available for the pharmaceutical industry. The Pentapharm Aclar 130/02 film using Aclar NT is a cost-effective medium barrier film for blister packs. The transverse direction oriented (TDO) sleeve shrink film is designed for full or partial body wrapping of bottles, jars, and multiple packs. Machine direction oriented (MDO) films are designed for pressure-sensitive labels. The Compacker-10 blister packaging machine features a card feeder that ultrasonically welds formed blisters to a stiffening card. A year 2000–compliant hardware and software package is available for blister machines. Klöckner Pentaplast of America and Klöckner Medipak, Gordonsville, VA.
A high-speed filler dispenses 1 to 500 ml at speeds of up to 600 vials per minute. The FWR 4080 includes cleaning and sterilization of the product path; a no-vial, no-fill logic; checkweighing; eject capacity for sampling purposes; barrier isolation compatibility; and the ability to use either time-pressure filling or rolling diaphragm pumps. TL Systems/Bosch, Minneapolis, MN.
An automatic liquid-filling and stoppering system is designed for pharmaceutical, biological, and diagnostic uses. The FS series is suitable for R&D, pilot plant, and production speeds up to 120 vials per minute. Options include nondestructive, sample checkweighing, feedback to pumps to enable them to automatically adjust fill volumes, an integral cleanroom, and IQ/OQ documentation. Built-in or stand-alone tray loaders are also available. Chase-Logeman Corp., Greensboro, NC.
A dual-station, benchtop, semiautomatic filling machine can dispense solutions ranging from 1 to 1100 cm3 per stroke at speeds up to 36 rpm. The CE-DAB-32-2 filler is designed to conform to International Electrotechnical Committee standards pertaining to electrical compatibility, operations, and performance regulations. It can handle liquids including suspensions and products containing a high percentage of particulate matter. The filling unit uses a Filamatic stainless-steel casing lined with a ceramic cylinder sleeve and a ceramic piston. The ceramic seal enables operators to maintain a filling accuracy of ±0.5%. National Instrument Company, Inc., Baltimore, MD.
A versatile leaflet placer can insert, outsert, or topsert, all from one machine. The Rotosert can be changed over in minutes without tools using a snap-in-place leaflet magazine. A 15-minute feed carousel is supplied with standard models; a one-hour extended-use carousel is optional. Other design features include an adjustable power lift, touch screen controls, interchangeable parts, lubrication-free pneumatics, and interlocked guards. Kalish, a member of DT Industries Packaging Group, Montreal, QC, Canada.
A machine can fill capsules with liquids, powders, tablets, or herbal products in either single or multiple doses. The MG Futura, designed specifically for the pharmaceutical and nutritional markets, can fill capsules at rates from 6000 to 48,000 capsules per hour. The continuous-motion machine is fully automated. MG America, Fairfield, NJ.
Plastic tubes have caps that snap off, twist off, and pierce to offer a range of packaging options. The Maxims snap-off tubes, Modoco twist-off tubes, and Pierce Pak pierce-to-open tubes can be filled with a variety of products. They are available in 1 to 5 ml sizes. Applications include intranasal drug administration, oral vaccine delivery, diagnostic test procedures, simultaneous delivery of two products, and packaging for ophthalmic ointment. CP Packaging, Jamesburg, NJ.
Desiccants supplied in hole-punched strips enable medical device, diagnostic, and pharmaceutical packagers to automatically insert desiccant packets into bottles. The Continu-Strip desiccants feature a hole place in the seal between each desiccant packet. The holes allow electronic sensors to detect and distinguish individual packets, so precise cuts are made in the seals, not the packets. By preventing wrong cuts, the strips eliminate the risk of product contamination and downtime. The Tyvek brand packets are wound on reels for automated loading. United Desiccants, Belen, NM.
A desiccating stopper minimizes moisture in packaged drugs and enhances the stability of moisture-sensitive drugs. LyoDry desiccant stoppers are rinsed in water for injection, siliconized, certified for particulate levels, packaged in a Class 100 cleanroom, and gamma sterilized. The LyoDry absorbs moisture from the inside of the vial, which may help extend drug shelf life. Moisture will only be released when the vial is exposed to high temperatures (350°C) for long periods. West Pharmaceutical Services, Lionville, PA.
Blister packaging systems for pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other products handle PVC, PVdC, PET, aluminum, and paper. The systems are designed for thermoforming and cold forming. Key International Inc., Englishtown, NJ.
