PACKAGING MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF AN INDIVIDUAL BLISTER PACK

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging machine for producing individual blister packs for drug administration.

[0002] EP 1 627 813 A1, WO 2005 / 108208 A1 and US 7 225 597 B1 describe a packaging machine for producing individual blister packs for dispensing medicaments, wherein the packaging machine comprises a filling station with a plurality of containers, wherein each container is provided for storing and dispensing a predetermined medicament, wherein the packaging machine has a conveyor device, wherein the conveyor device is provided for conveying a carrier of a blister pack.

[0003] DE 10 2006 007 136 A1 describes a device for individually packaging tablets according to a multi-dose system. US 2016 / 304 229 A1 shows a device for producing tube blister packs, which includes dispensing stations and a collection device for delivering medication doses to a blister packaging device. The blister packaging device fills the resulting medication doses in groups into pockets of a tube blister pack.

[0004] US 2009 / 255 952 A1 describes a cleaning station, in particular a separating plate, which is capable of efficiently cleaning a drug remaining in a V-shaped container.

[0005] US 2007 / 084 150 A1 relates to an automated packaging machine for pharmaceutical products that simultaneously fills a plurality of product packaging templates in parallel with the desired pharmaceutical dosage requirements.

[0006] Furthermore, US 4 655 026 A discloses a pill dispensing machine that can selectively dispense a variety of different medications into preformed recesses in a plastic strip.

[0007] Blister packs are already known. A distinction is made between bag-like tubular blisters and flat, essentially rigid card blisters. It is also known to fill and seal such a card blister pack with medications for several days and, if necessary, several times a day, according to a doctor's prescription, so that the patient only needs to take all the medications contained in one compartment at the right time.

[0008] However, the disadvantage is that flexibility is not possible, as prefabricated carriers are used with a predetermined matrix of wells (e.g., in the form of a 7 x 2 matrix, i.e., 14 wells for two dosage times over 7 days). Furthermore, such patient-specific packaging is often carried out at least partially manually. With existing packaging machines, cross-contamination occurs due to drug-carrying parts of the packaging machine coming into contact with different drugs. Furthermore, existing packaging machines require a lot of space and are expensive, so that such packaging machines have so far only been used in so-called blister centers.It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a packaging machine for producing such blister packs, which can be operated flexibly and with little space requirement while avoiding cross-contamination and can preferably also be used on site.

[0009] This object is achieved with a packaging machine for producing individual blister packs for drug administration, according to claim 1. Compared to known packaging machines, the packaging machine according to the invention achieves the significant advantage that the drugs are filled as immediately as possible, i.e. directly, into the recesses, thereby eliminating cross-contamination. In any case, a transfer device, for example a chute or a funnel, over which several different drugs are moved, is avoided. A packaging machine according to the invention is also referred to as a blister machine. Preferably, the packaging machine comprises a control unit that controls the individual parts of the packaging machine. Particularly preferably, the control unit is connected to at least one detection device in order to check correct functioning.Most preferably, the data from the detection device are input into a feedback loop of the control unit.

[0010] The statements relating to this subject matter of the present invention also apply to the other subjects and vice versa.

[0011] Those skilled in the art will recognize that with a matrix-like arrangement of the recesses, the medicaments must be assigned to the individual recesses. According to a preferred embodiment, this is achieved by arranging the carrier and / or the containers so that they can move transversely to the conveying direction. Thus, the container and recess are aligned relative to one another to enable precise filling. For this purpose, the packaging machine preferably comprises a detection device that monitors the relative movement of the container and carrier.

[0012] According to the present invention, the container is configured to dispense a predetermined number of medicaments. Particularly preferably, the packaging machine comprises at least one measuring device for measuring the fill level of at least one of the containers. This advantageously makes it possible to automatically dispense precisely measured amounts of medicaments and to detect early on when a container needs to be refilled or replaced.

[0013] According to the present invention, it is provided that the conveyor device is provided for conveying at least one movable transport container, wherein the packaging machine is configured such that in the filling station the medicaments can be filled directly from the containers into the transport container, wherein the packaging machine comprises a transfer station, wherein the packaging machine is configured such that in the transfer station the medicaments can be transferred from the movable transport container into a recess of a blister pack carrier assigned to the transport container. This advantageously makes it possible according to the invention for the medicaments to be collected via individually movable transport containers and then transferred into the recesses. Since the transport containers are movable, the containers are preferably arranged in a stationary manner.This simplifies the design of the packaging machine according to the invention and avoids errors, since the filling openings of the transport containers can be larger than the comparatively small openings of the recesses. The packaging machine preferably comprises a plurality of movable transport containers, which advantageously increases the cycle speed of the packaging machine. Particularly preferably, the packaging machine comprises at least as many transport containers as the carrier has recesses arranged next to one another, i.e. in particular, the number of transport containers corresponds to the number of columns in the carrier, particularly preferably twice the number of columns. It is thus advantageously possible to fill a row of recesses simultaneously and, if necessary, to have the transport containers assigned to the next row filled by the containers while the recesses are being filled.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the conveyor device is a conveyor belt, in particular an endless conveyor belt. Particularly preferably, the conveyor device comprises at least one guide rail and a drive, in particular a magnetic drive. Most preferably, the transport containers are movable essentially autonomously and independently of one another on the conveyor device.

[0015] According to the present invention, the packaging machine comprises a sealing station, wherein the sealing station is arranged immediately after the filling station or the transfer station, wherein the sealing station is configured to seal a lidding film onto the carrier. This makes it particularly advantageous to further reduce the risk of cross-contamination and improve the hygiene of the machine. Particularly preferably, the sealing station is arranged such that the filled recesses are immediately sealed by the lidding film.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the packaging machine comprises a separating device for separating a predetermined length of the blister pack and / or the carrier, wherein the separating device is arranged before or after the filling station, the transfer station, and / or the sealing station. This advantageously makes it possible to further increase flexibility with regard to different blister pack sizes.

[0017] According to the present invention, it is provided that the packaging machine comprises a cleaning station, wherein the cleaning station is arranged immediately after the transfer station, wherein the cleaning station is configured for the automatic cleaning of the at least one transport container and the containers. Particularly preferably, the packaging machine is configured such that each transport container is cleaned, in particular sterilized and / or disinfected, immediately after the medicaments have been transferred into the recess. This further reduces the risk of cross-contamination in a particularly advantageous manner. The thorough cleaning makes it possible to use the transport containers multiple times without the risk of contamination.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the packaging machine comprises a printing station, wherein the printing station is configured to print information onto the lidding film and / or the carrier. Particularly preferably, the printing station is arranged before or after the filling station or the sealing station.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the containers are designed to be exchangeable and / or refillable, particularly automatically. This advantageously makes it possible to increase the space requirements and flexibility of the packaging machine. For example, rarely used medications can be inserted into the packaging machine only when needed. Furthermore, simple and hygienic refilling of the containers is possible, particularly without requiring a downtime of the packaging machine, since the container can be exchanged for another container.

[0020] In the following, the invention is described with reference to Figures 1 and 2These explanations are merely exemplary and do not limit the general concept of the invention. The explanations apply to the packaging machine according to the invention. Identical parts are designated by the same reference numerals. Figure 1 shows a packaging machine. figure 2 shows a packaging machine according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] In Figure 1 A packaging machine is shown that does not correspond to the invention. In this case, only a section of the packaging machine 5 is shown schematically. Coming from the left, a conveyor device 7, for example an endless conveyor belt, transports an (endless) carrier 3 with matrix-like recesses 2 along a conveying direction, here linear.

[0022] The packaging machine 5 comprises a control unit, not shown here, which monitors and controls the operation of the packaging machine 5.

[0023] A filling station 10 contains a plurality of containers 6, each containing a predetermined medication. If a container 6 is positioned precisely above a recess 2 into which the medication contained in the container 6 is to be filled according to the patient's individual specifications, which the control unit can detect, for example, via a corresponding detection device, a predetermined amount of the medication is filled into the recess 2. For this purpose, aids such as funnels or other filling aids can be used. It is important that these filling aids are not used for containers 6 containing different medications in order to avoid cross-contamination.

[0024] Various alternatives are conceivable for filling each of the recesses 2 with the correct medication. According to one embodiment, the containers 6 are displaceable at least transversely to the conveying direction. According to an additional or alternative embodiment, the carrier 3 is at least partially displaceable transversely to the conveying direction. Alternatively or additionally, filling aids are provided such that the medication can be poured from a container 6 into one or more recesses 2 in a targeted manner.

[0025] After all wells 2 have been filled with medication according to the patient's individual specifications, the lidding film 4 is sealed onto the carrier 3 in a sealing station 11, ideally immediately after the last filling. This hygienically seals the wells 2. The lidding film 4 is unwound from a roll, for example, and sealed using ultrasound or heat. For the sake of simplicity, no sealing tool is shown here.

[0026] In the present case, a separating device 8 is arranged after the sealing station 11, which separates the various blister packs from one another and / or separates the lidding film 4.

[0027] Also not shown is a printing station where the lidding film 4 and / or the carrier 3 can be printed with relevant information. This printing station can be arranged before or after the filling station 10 or the sealing station 12.

[0028] In Figure 2 a packaging machine 5 according to the present invention is shown. In contrast to the packaging machine 5 described in connection with Figure 1 In the embodiment described here, the recesses 2 are not filled directly with the medicaments from the containers 6, but rather these are first filled into movable transport containers 9. The transport containers 9 can be moved by the conveyor device 7 or they can be movable independently of one another, wherein the conveyor device 7 can provide a drive, for example a magnetic drive, or merely form a guide for the transport containers 9.

[0029] The transport containers 9 are filled through the containers 6, whereby this is easier due to an opening adapted to the containers 6 or at least a larger opening compared to the opening of the recesses 2 than with direct filling of the recesses 2.

[0030] The transport containers 9 can take on a variety of possible shapes, for example a trolley-like shape.

[0031] Downstream of the filling station 10, a transfer station (not shown here) is provided, in which the medicaments collected in the transport containers 9 are transferred into the respective recesses 2. It will be clear to the person skilled in the art that, for correct dosing, a transport container 9 is preferably assigned to each recess 2.

[0032] As in the previously described embodiment, a sealing station 11 is provided immediately following the transfer station in order to close the recesses 2.

[0033] Furthermore, according to the invention, a cleaning station - also not shown - is provided in which the transport containers 9 are cleaned, preferably disinfected and particularly preferably sterilized in order to avoid possible cross-contamination during subsequent use.

[0034] The cleaning station is located immediately after the transfer station to avoid possible cross-contamination.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment, the number of transport containers 9 corresponds at least to the number of recesses 2 in one row, particularly preferably in two rows, in order to increase the cycle speed. For example, in a 7x3 matrix-like blister pack, at least seven, better 14, and most preferably 21 transport containers 9 are provided. In particular, a high process speed of the packaging machine 5 is achieved when the number of transport containers 9 corresponds at least to the number of recesses 2 in a blister pack. List of reference symbols

[0036] 2 -Recess 3 -Carrier 4 -Lidding film 5 -Packaging machine 6 -Container 7 -Conveyor device 8 -Separator 9 -Movable transport container 10 -Filling station 11 -Sealing station

Claims

1. Packaging machine (5) for producing individual blister packs for dispensing medicaments, wherein the packaging machine (5) comprises a filling station (10) with a plurality of containers (6), wherein each container (6) is provided for storing and dispensing a predetermined medicament, wherein the packaging machine (5) has a conveying device (7), characterised in that the conveying device (7) is provided for conveying at least one movable transport container (9), wherein the packaging machine (5) is configured in such a way that in the filling station (10) the medicaments can be filled directly from the containers (9) into the transport container (9), wherein the packaging machine (5) comprises a transfer station, wherein the packaging machine (5) is configured in such a way that in the transfer station the medicaments can be transferred from the movable transport container (9) into a recess (2) of a carrier (3) of a blister pack associated with the transport container (9), wherein the packaging machine (5) comprises a sealing station (11), wherein the sealing station (11) is arranged immediately after the transfer station, wherein the sealing station (11) is set up for sealing a lidding film (4) onto the carrier (3), wherein the packaging machine (5) comprises a cleaning station, wherein the cleaning station is arranged immediately after the transfer station, wherein the cleaning station is set up for automatic cleaning of the at least one transport container (9).

2. Packaging machine (5) according to claim 1, characterised in that the packaging machine (5) comprises a separating device (8) for separating a predetermined length of the blister pack and / or the carrier (3), the separating device (8) being arranged before or after the filling station (10), the transfer station and / or the sealing station (11).

3. Packaging machine (5) according to claim 2, characterised in that the packaging machine (5) comprises a cleaning station, the cleaning station being arranged, in particular directly, after the transfer station, the cleaning station being set up for cleaning, in particular automatically, the at least one transport container (9) and / or the containers (6).

4. Packaging machine according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the carriers (3) are provided by different machines and preferably comprise a tablet, a powder, an ointment and / or a liquid.

5. Packaging machine (5) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the containers (6) are provided to be exchangeable and / or fillable, in particular automatically.