Abstract:
A tablet cassette control method of a medication dispensing and packaging system having a microcomputer, a medication dispensing unit with a plurality of tablet cassettes each mounted on a cassette rack, and a medication packaging unit disposed below the dispensing unit to package tablets released from the dispensing unit into a series of tablet containing paper bags, the control method comprises confirming the mounting of the tablet cassette on the cassette rack, applying a power to a memory in the tablet cassette to activate the memory, retrieving tablet information saved in the memory to the microcomputer, and breaking the power from the memory while maintaining operation of the system.
Abstract:
An automatic machine for processing articles, and having a conveyor which feeds the articles along a path in a given feed direction and has a movable member; and a reading device for determining the position of the movable member; the reading device cooperates with a permanent magnet housed inside the movable member and positioned with its polar axis perpendicular to the feed direction, and has two linear Hall-effect sensors arranged side by side parallel to the feed direction so as to have zero sensitivity in a direction parallel to the feed direction; and the instant in which the movable member is in a definite detection position with respect to the reading device is detected by determining the instant in which the output signal of the Hall-effect sensor downstream with respect to the travelling direction of the movable member inverts.
Abstract:
An apparatus for delivering desired counts of products to containers. The apparatus includes a conveyor for moving discrete product portions along a path of travel. A force detecting device located along the path of travel measures force applied to the force detecting device. A counter adds one to a product count each time a force in a product identifying range is measured. A directing structure directs the product portions into a first container until the product count reaches a desired container count and directs the product portions into a second container after the product count reaches the desired container count.
Abstract:
In a method for optoelectronically inspecting pharmaceutical capsules (2) in a capsule filling machine (1), the pharmaceutical capsules (2) are fed in single file from a station (3) where the capsules (2) are made to a capsule (2) outfeed portion (8) of the machine (1) along a defined feed path (P) passing through an inspection station (13). In the inspection station (13), each pharmaceutical capsule (2) passes through an electromagnetic field created by coherent, polarised light radiation.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for confirming the presence of contact lens packages in a secondary carton is disclosed, where a sensor that detects the presence or absence of metallic lidstock of the packages through the secondary carton.
Abstract:
An interactive control system for controlling the automatic consolidation of contact lenses in a contact lens product flow, the interactive control system comprises a product line having random variations in product flow. A consolidation buffer receives the products from the product line. A controller initiates consolidation of the random variations in the product flow. The consolidation is preferably performed by at least one stacking cylinder.
Abstract:
A device for transferring blister packs comprises an intermediate station situated between a working station (3) and a packaging line. The intermediate station includes a clamp for receiving and holding at least one blister pack. First and second groups of suction cups are driven by a two-arm mechanism situated in the intermediate station. In a first position, the first group of suction cups is placed in the working station for picking up one blister pack while the second group of suction cups is over the intermediate station for picking up another blister pack temporarily held by the clamp. In a second position, the first group of suction cups is located over the intermediate station, to release the blister pack previously picked up, that is received and held by the clamp, while the second group of suction cups is over the packaging line to deliver the blister pack previously picked up. When a blister pack is to be eliminated, the clamp is made to open, so that defective blister pack is not transferred to the packaging line.
Abstract:
An envelope opening apparatus for mail assembly operations which employs timed intermittent bursts of compressed air or other gas. One or more gas jets are used in association with an inserter arm, and envelopes are sequentially conveyed past the inserter arm and gas jets. As each envelope is positioned adjacent to the inserter arm and gas jets, a controller computer activates a control valve, supplying compressed air to the gas jets, which direct a blast of air at the envelope, opening the envelope to form a pocket suitable for insertion thereinto of mail materials.
Abstract:
A manufacturing method for a photo-sensitive film magazine packed in a container is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of (a) assembling a photosensitive film magazine in a photosensitive film magazine assembly section (b) feeding successively the photosensitive film magazine to a container accommodation section from said photosensitive film magazine assembly section through a predetermined passage and (c) setting the photosensitive film magazine into a photosensitive film magazine container in the container accommodation section.
Abstract:
Disclosed are a method and apparatus for testing the tightness of foil bags (10). In order to test the tightness of foil bags (10), mechanical testing members are used which act upon the foil bag (10) in the region of a cavity (15) formed above the packaged goods. Testing rams (18) are pushed against a bag wall (16, 17) with a given testing pressure. The depth of impression is indicative of the airtightness of the foil bag ( 10). The size of the cavity (15) which can be used for testing is reduced by clamping members (26) and, as a result, a residual cavity (25) is formed next to the clamping members (26). Consequently, an increased pressure is present within the residiual cavity, that is to say within the foil bag (10), which facilitates testing.