The Latest in Unit-Dose Packaging

A single-use liquid stick pack is available in a foil laminate tube-like packette form in sizes from 1 to 30 ml. The stick pack features a directional flow channel along with the ability to apply high-level flexographic printing on its foil laminate film. The stick pack offers an attractive, cost-conscious alternative for single-use applications. Unette Corp., Wharton, NJ; 973/328-6800; www.unette.com.

Small-Format Fill/Seal Machine

A small-format blister-packaging machine is designed to handle rapid changeover demands for moderate-sized productions. The KBS-GS conforms to operations including package development, startup volumes, and small-batch production facilities. The KBS-GS supports a maximum forming and sealing area of 250 × 150 mm and operates at up to 15 cycles per minute. The device’s smaller format range permits the use of lightweight, low-cost tooling that requires only short changeover times and occupies a small footprint. Koch Packaging Systems LP, Towaco, NJ; 973/541-7312; www.kochpackaging.com.

Color Printing on Plastic Ampules

A manufacturer and contract packager of unit-dose dispensing systems now offers color printing and graphics on its line of plastic ampules. The plastic ampules, available in a range of sizes and applicator tips, can now feature printing or graphics in any Pantone Matching System color, with a maximum of three. The graphics can be printed either in standard colors or in hot-stamp foil. James Alexander Corp., Blairstown, NJ; 908/362-9266; www.james-alexander.com.

Blister Packaging Systems

A supplier of automation and innovative packaging solutions has released a new series of blister packaging systems. The BMP 100, 200, and 300 can be interlinked with the company’s cartoning systems, foil bundler, case packer, and palletizing systems. The BMP 100 has a continuous horizontal product flow for thermoforming. It has several options, including automatic or manual feed, blister inspection control, printing, and cooling aggregate. The system seeks to appeal to contract packagers who have a need to produce small batches with efficient conversion ttimes. The BMP 200 and 300 are plate-forming systems for both cold forming and thermoforming. The systems are designed to be fed wet or dry materials for packaging, including tablets, gelatin capsules (hard and soft), oblongs, and liquids. Heino Ilsemann, Sharon Hill, PA; 610/461-6142; www.ilsemann.com.

Dispensing Packets

A packaging manufacturer has added a no-touch applicator to its line of premeasured packages for lotion, gel, or ointment. The Snapplicator is the newest member of the Snap! line of products, and it can be combined with the Array, Duet, and Dual Chamber Snap! products. The products conform to prescription and over-the-counter products and can range in volumes from 0.5 ml to 5 ml. All manufacturing is done in a cGMP-compliant environment. The Tapemark Co., West St. Paul, MN; 651/554-7858; www.tapemark.com.

Aseptic Vial-Filling Machine

A manufacturer has developed a device to adhere to requirements for dispensing liquids and lyophilized injectibles. The FMB210 filler offers an aseptic filling process that combines a secure, sterile environment and gentle peristaltic dispensing to safely and accurately fill injection products into vials. The device features a sterile fill channel with repeatable accuracy in fill volumes. The FMB210 monobloc system’s modular design suits contract-outsource manufacturers who require flexible, on-deadline solutions for filling and capping lyophilized injectables. The FMB210 can adjust to dispense new products with no cross contamination in less than 10 minutes. Flexicon America Inc., Burlington, VT; 802/657-3232; www.flexiconamerica.com.

PVdC-Coated PVC Films

A supplier of blister films to the pharmaceutical industry now offers PVdC-coated PVC films manufactured in the United States. The films are produced in Flemington, NJ, and are made by one of only two companies that offer U.S.-made PVdC-coated PVC films. The company produces the high-clarity films in both duplex and triplex constructions at 40 g/m². The films provide a low to medium barrier to moisture and oxygen and can be thermoformed. Tekni-Films, div. of Tekni-Plex Co., Somerville, NJ; 908/722-4800; www.tekni-films.com.

Modular Blister Machine

A blister machine offers maximum output of 400 blisters per minute. The UPS 5 Blister Machine combines components of its predecessor, the UPS 4, with new technology and machinery. The UPS 5 conforms to UPS 4 tooling and uses different modes of operation to package solid and liquid products. Its large format area and 40-mm forming depth provide flexibility for packaging liquid-filled devices such as syringes, ampules, patches, tropical blisters, and all-aluminum blisters, as well as for packaging solids and processing plastics. Uhlmann Packaging Systems LP, Towaco, NJ; 973/402-8855; www.uhlmannpackaging.com.