Blister Pack Cover Attachment Unit Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing blister packing apparatuses lack an efficient and reliable method for automatically attaching a cover to a blister sheet filled with drugs, which is essential for forming a complete blister pack.

Innovation Solution

A cover attaching unit for a blister pack that includes a cover supply roller, a release film collecting roller, a cover suction plate, and a cover separating plate, which work together to accurately and automatically attach a cover with adhesive to a blister sheet, ensuring the drug pockets are hermetically sealed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a cover is attached to a blister sheet filled with drugs, then the drug pockets are hermetically sealed, but the attachment process becomes complex and difficult to automate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehermetic sealing of drug pocketsVSAvoidcover attachment process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover attachment process is segmented into distinct operational phases: the cover is first attached to a release film in a controlled environment, then transferred to the blister sheet through a suction plate mechanism. This segmentation allows each sub-process to be optimized independently, reducing overall complexity while maintaining hermetic sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The release film serves as an intermediary carrier between the cover and the blister sheet. The cover is first bonded to the release film, which then facilitates controlled transfer to the blister sheet through the suction plate. This intermediary approach simplifies the attachment mechanism by providing a stable intermediate state during the transfer process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If automatic cover attachment is implemented, then packaging efficiency is improved, but precision in cover positioning and alignment is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging efficiencyVSAvoidcover positioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The suction plate mechanism utilizes vacuum pressure to automatically position and align the cover with the blister sheet. The cover is drawn into precise alignment through the suction force, eliminating the need for complex mechanical positioning systems. This self-aligning mechanism maintains high positioning accuracy while enabling automatic operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Traditional mechanical positioning systems are replaced with a vacuum-based suction plate mechanism. The vacuum field provides both the driving force for cover transfer and the alignment function, substituting complex mechanical guides and adjusters with a simpler pneumatic field-based system that achieves comparable or superior precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If the cover is attached directly to the blister sheet, then the process is simplified, but the adhesive may be exposed or misaligned causing sealing failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment process simplicityVSAvoidsealing reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is preliminarily attached to the release film in a controlled manner before the final transfer to the blister sheet. This preliminary bonding ensures the adhesive is properly positioned and protected, preventing exposure or misalignment issues during subsequent handling. The release film acts as a protective carrier that maintains adhesive integrity until the precise moment of transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The release film serves as an intermediary that protects the adhesive layer during handling and transfer. By bonding the cover to the release film first, the adhesive remains concealed and properly positioned. The controlled transfer through the suction plate then ensures precise alignment with the blister sheet, guaranteeing reliable sealing without adhesive exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The cover attaching unit enhances the efficiency and reliability of the automatic drug packaging process by ensuring accurate and error-free attachment of the cover to the blister sheet, thereby improving the overall quality of the blister packs.

Implementation Method 1

The cover suction plate includes a suction surface configured to suck the cover

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS12325544B2Cover attachment unit for blister pack and blister packing apparatus for drugs, comprising same

Publication Date: 2025.06.10 CRETEM

AI summary

A cover attaching unit for a blister pack, includes: a cover supply roller configured to supply a release film having the cover detachably attached thereto so that the lower surface of the cover is not exposed; a release film collecting roller configured to wind and collect the release film, with the cover separated therefrom; a cover suction plate comprising a suction surface configured to suck the cover; and a cover separating plate configured to be movable between a first position not overlapping the cover suction plate and a second position overlapping the cover suction plate and comprising a wedge to bend a travel direction of the release film at an acute angle so that the cover is separated from the release film.