Robotic Blister Packaging System

The Fleximation Trialpack system combines Klöckner Medipak's EAS unit-dose blister packager with a robot-based filling system, capable of handling up to four different but visually identical products in complex, double-blind, randomized clinical trials. The system, designed to provide a more efficient, error-free way to produce blister packs for clinical trials than conventional methods, turns packaging and primary container labeling into a one-step operation.

PC-based software defines the packing patterns of up to four different products and generates a production file for the system, which then prompts the operator to fill the necessary products into the four feeders. The feeders require no change parts to accommodate different types of products, such as capsules and tablets, so that setup time for a new production run is less than 20 minutes. The product travels on conveyors from the feeders to the robot with a vacuum-operated gripper, which locates each tablet/capsule on the conveyor using information from the integrated vision system and places it in the appropriate blister cavity. The robot can handle up to 54 products per minute.

Each blister cavity is checked before placing any product inside; correct placement is verified with the vision system using data from the production file. If the system detects an error, it automatically rejects the blister package. All errors and other quality-related events are automatically logged.

An optional Trialprint system prints information on the foil sealing the blister package.

Klöckner Medipak, 14501 58th St., Clearwater, FL 33760. Tel: 727-532-6502; Fax: 727-532-6521.
E-mail: willpr@kmedipak.com