Blister Card Packager With Universal Feed Cassette and Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current blister card packagers are expensive, inefficient, and do not provide a cost-effective alternative to manual filling, occupying large areas and failing to significantly speed up the process.

Innovation Solution

An automatic blister card packager with a universal feed cassette and packaging unit that includes a cartridge mechanism with a wheel and scooping members to individually dispense medications, integrated with a camera system for verification and a lockout mechanism to ensure accuracy and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If current blister card packagers are used, then automated packaging is achieved, but the device occupies large area and is expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated packagingVSAvoiddevice area

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging system is divided into separate functional modules: a medication storage container, a separate packaging unit with blister card holder, and a connection mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be compact and independently optimized, reducing the overall footprint while maintaining automated packaging functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging unit is designed to nest within or adjacent to the storage container, with the blister card holder positioned to receive medications directly from the storage area. This nested arrangement minimizes space requirements by eliminating unnecessary transitions and intermediate spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Extent of automation

If current blister card packagers are used, then automated packaging is achieved, but the device is expensive and not cost-effective

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated packagingVSAvoidcost-effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging unit is designed with universal components that can handle multiple medication types and blister card configurations. The scooping member and packaging mechanism are configured to accommodate various medication sizes and packaging formats, reducing the need for specialized expensive equipment for different packaging tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates sensors and control mechanisms that automatically detect medication presence, verify packaging completion, and trigger appropriate actions without human intervention. This self-service capability reduces operational costs and increases cost-effectiveness by eliminating the need for complex manual monitoring systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If manual filling is used, then cost-effectiveness is maintained, but the process is slow and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost-effectivenessVSAvoidpackaging speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging unit is designed to continuously receive medications from the storage container and immediately package them into blister cards without interruption. The scooping member continuously scoops medications and the packaging mechanism continuously seals blister cards, maintaining continuous productive action that significantly speeds up the packaging process compared to manual batch processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical filling operations with an automated mechanism featuring a scooping member that mechanically transfers medications and a sealing mechanism that automatically seals blister cards. This mechanical automation eliminates manual labor while maintaining cost-effectiveness through simple, reliable components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Productivity

If automated packagers are used, then packaging speed is improved, but the device occupies large area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging speedVSAvoiddevice area

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging unit incorporates movable components including a relocatable blister card holder and a scooping member that moves to different positions to access medications and package them. This dynamic design allows the system to perform multiple packaging operations within a compact space, achieving high packaging speed without requiring a large stationary footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12534240B2Automatic packager for medications

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 RXSAFE LLC

AI summary

An automatic blister card packager (200) is provided. The automatic blister card packager (200) includes a universal feed cassette (205) for individually dispensing medications, a packaging unit (210) in communication with the universal feed cassette (205). The packaging unit (210) is configured to receive a blister card (100). The automatic blister card packager 210 also includes a chute (230) connecting the universal feed cassette (205) to the packaging equipment (210). The chute (230) includes a plurality of tracks (450) and directs the medications dispensed from the universal feed cassette (205) into the blister card (100) received in the packaging equipment (210).