Blister Machinery For Cold- and Thermoforming

Printing systems for imprinting blister packaging web stocks are easy to integrate into thermoforming lines. Making precisely registered print patterns as well as random prints, inPrint systems by Metronic produce high-quality images regardless of their size and complexity. Quick changeover of print layouts makes the systems economical even when used for short runs printed within a short time. The printing systems offer the benefits of immediately dry impressions, minimal cleaning, no solvent usage, and no need for the operator to have special skills. They allow users to save on substrate costs by buying blank web stock and printing what is needed when it is needed rather than inventorying preprinted material. Griffin-Rutgers Company, Inc., Ronkonkoma, NY.

A blister packaging machine is one of the smallest thermoformers available for GMP-compatible pharmaceutical packaging. The UPS 600 combines high performance with its small-scale capability, providing continuous sealing; push-button product and format changeovers; and quiet, maintenance-free operation. With an index length of 160 mm and 80 forming cycles, the machine consistently produces up to 240 blisters per minute without intervention by an operator. It has been designed for rapid, flexible, cost-efficient production of small batches. Uhlmann Packaging Systems Inc., Towaco, NJ.

Horizontal thermoform-fill-seal and tray-sealing equipment is available to meet any technical demands and productivity requirements. The Model R230 and R530 machines are designed to minimize consumption of packaging material, power, and labor. They feature Allen-Bradley controls and come with a complete validation package that includes factory documentation and on-site validation services. The equipment is capable of running any thermoformable bottom web and any heat-sealable top web, including stretchy light-gauge materials. The machines offer graphic and variable-text printing and labeling, Calrod heating for safety and long operational life, a membrane-actuated seal bar for uniform seal pressure, and wide-tolerance, high-force film grippers. Multivac Inc., Kansas City, MO.

A high-speed intermittent-motion blister packaging machine features simple changeover from blister cold forming to thermoforming and a sliding brush box for product feed flexibility. The Ministar M-300 can handle PVC, PVDC, PET, Aclar, aluminum foil, and special lamination materials such as aluminum/aluminum, aluminum/paper, and PVC/aluminum. The robust machine with balcony-style design is built to strict CGMP and safety standards and is well suited for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, nutraceutical, and hospital unit-dose packaging, as well as other applications. Standard elements of the turnkey system are cooling units, film-tensioner and brake control, servo-driven web transport, all-stainless-steel contact parts; PLC control with a touch screen panel, a low-profile product feeder, tools for quick changeover, an end-of-reel alarm, and more. The blister packager runs at speeds to 400 packs per minute, has a stroke of 200 mm and stroke rate as high as 60 per minute, accommodates webs 250 mm wide, and has a forming depth of 12 mm. Key International Inc., Englishtown, NJ.

A solid-dose feeder for multiproduct blister-card applications is designed so as to avoid problems characteristic of many dedicated feeders. The GFS IIXL feed system incorporates rise and fall with a small rear-driven housing and simple O-ring grating. The vertical grating technology minimizes cleanup time, provides for easy and gentle product release, and eliminates the need for small T pins. Also available from the manufacturer is a mobile product recovery system that can remove product from any blister card. The Mr. Deblister Jr. includes a microprocessor and a four-line vacuum fluorescent display. Gemel Precision Tool Company, Inc., Ivyland, PA.

A continuous-motion high-speed blister thermoformer has been designed with an awareness of ergonomic considerations, GMPs, and possible space restrictions. The balcony design concept is applied to each station of the MB451 blister machine. The principal features of the thermoformer are a user-friendly control system and a forming station that offers an environmentally isolated atmosphere and easy access to the forming web. The filling station can be cleaned quickly and set up by any operator. The blister machine also has a dynamic platen-sealing station and a final station devoid of material waste from blister cross-cutting. Marchesini Packaging Machinery Inc., West Caldwell, NJ.

A blister packaging machine is designed for stability studies, clinical trials, package development, generation of marketing samples, and low-volume production. The space-efficient AutoEZ Blister produces thermoformed or cold-formed blisters on its large-format 275 x 275-mm tooling at 10 strokes per minute or at speeds to 80 blisters per minute for conventional blisters. The touch screen operator interface displays the timers and temperature controllers; individual pressure settings are adjusted by means of the regulators. The machine runs from single-phase electricity and a six-bar air supply, and it features low-cost tooling, rapid toolless changeover, and no requirement of technical expertise. System setup is fast. Sepha Ltd., Newtownards, Ards, UK.