Blister Pack De-blistering Machine with Rotatable Cutter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines for de-blistering pharmaceutical products in hospitals are inefficient, prone to damaging or losing units during transfer, and lack versatility, especially when handling different blister pack configurations.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a mechanical die-cutting system and visual identification using cameras, capable of cutting and processing various blister pack configurations, ensuring secure and accurate transfer of medication doses to a delivery zone for packaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a de-blistering machine is used to separate medication units from blister packs, then the de-blistering operation becomes automated and efficient, but the units of medicine may be damaged, lost or stolen during transfer to the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the medicine unit directly from the blister pack at the cutting station and immediately places it into a secure dispensing container that is integrated into the machine. This extraction and immediate containment prevents the unit from being exposed during transfer, thereby maintaining security while achieving automated de-blistering efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where the blister pack is inserted into a holder that is part of the cutting station, and the cut unit is immediately nested into a secure dispensing container. This nested arrangement ensures continuous containment of the medicine unit throughout the de-blistering process, preventing loss or theft while maintaining operational efficiency
2Extent of automation
If a circular arrangement of blister pack storage stations is used, then automatic cutting of pills can be achieved, but the machine takes up a great deal of space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single cutting station that can process multiple types of blister packs by rotating the cutter to different positions. This universal cutting station eliminates the need for multiple dedicated storage stations arranged in a circle, achieving automatic cutting capability while significantly reducing the machine's footprint
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rotatable cutter that can dynamically adjust its position to accommodate different blister pack configurations. This dynamic adjustment allows one cutting station to perform the function of multiple fixed stations, reducing space requirements while maintaining automation
3Device complexity
If a fixed cutter configuration is used, then the cutting mechanism is simple, but the machine cannot process different blister pack configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a rotatable cutter that can be easily repositioned to different angles and orientations. This dynamic feature allows the same simple cutting mechanism to adapt to various blister pack configurations without requiring complex interchangeable tooling, thus maintaining simplicity while achieving versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the positional parameters of the cutter (rotation angle, height, orientation) to accommodate different blister pack types. By adjusting these parameters rather than changing the cutter itself, the system maintains mechanical simplicity while achieving adaptability to various configurations
Data Source
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AI summary
Machine for handling blister packs, characterised in that it comprises a first blister pack storage station (1000) provided with an opening for feeding blister packs to a second blister pack transport station (2000) for transporting the blister packs to a third station (3000) for cutting the blister packs (100), and an opening (41) for transferring the cut blister packs to a delivery or packing station (4000).