EP 0915014 A1 19990512 - Method and apparatus for printing indicia on pellet shaped pharmaceutical articles and orienting same within blistered packaging

Title (en)

Method and apparatus for printing indicia on pellet shaped pharmaceutical articles and orienting same within blistered packaging

Title (de)

Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Drucken von Zeichen auf tablettenförmige pharmazeutische Artikel und zum Ausrichten derselben in einer Blisterpackung

Title (fr)

Procédé et dispositif pour imprimer des marques sur des articles pharmaceutiques en forme de tablette et pour orienter les mêmes dans un emballage de type blister

Publication

EP 0915014 A1 19990512 (EN)

Application

EP 98120926 A 19981104

Priority

US 96460997 A 19971105

Abstract (en)

An apparatus for printing, orienting, and packaging a plurality of pellet shaped pharmaceutical articles 12 within blistered packaging material includes a feeding station 20 having a hopper 22 designed to contain and distribute a plurality of the articles. A printing station 36 has a printer which prints indicia on the face of the articles. A packaging station 42 has a conveyor system for continuously supplying packaging material containing blistered receptacles 48 each having a clear portion 50 that is capable of receiving and retaining an article. A transporting device 24 having a drum 26 with a plurality of peripherally spaced cavities 28 adapted to receive the articles 12 from the feeding station 20 that carries the articles past the printing station 36 and deposits them at the packaging station 42. A sealing station 52 applies a seal to the packaging material and a cutting station 56 separates the packaging material into multiple packages by a blade 58. <IMAGE>

IPC 1-7

B65B 9/04; B41F 7/36

IPC 8 full level

B41F 7/36 (2006.01); B65B 9/04 (2006.01)

CPC (source: EP)

B41F 7/36 (2013.01); B65B 9/045 (2013.01); B65B 63/005 (2013.01)

Citation (applicant)

US 3933239 A 19760120 - YOSHIDA HARUHIKO
US 5415321 A 19950516 - GEHLERT KLAUS E [US], et al
US 3545164 A 19701208 - MIDDLETON EARL
US 4790118 A 19881213 - CHILCOATE ELMER F [US]
US 4999979 A 19910319 - VICQ JEAN-MARIE [FR]

Citation (search report)

[X] WO 9618539 A1 19960620 - IMA SPA [IT], et al
[Y] WO 8203842 A1 19821111 - ACKLEY MICHAEL E [US]
[Y] DE 2031896 A1 19720105
[XY] PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 095, no. 006 31 July 1995 (1995-07-31)
[XY] PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 015, no. 370 (M - 1159) 18 September 1991 (1991-09-18)

Designated contracting state (EPC)

AT CH DE ES FR GB IE IT LI

DOCDB simple family (publication)

EP 0915014 A1 19990512

DOCDB simple family (application)

EP 98120926 A 19981104