SYSTEM FOR INDIVIDUALIZED FILLING OFBLISTERS OF BLISTER PACKS
First Claim
1. A method of filling blister packs each having a plurality of pockets with individualized assortments of small objects, the method comprising the steps of:
- fitting to each of a plurality of shuttles a respective blister pack;
circulating the shuttles around an annular track through a plurality of filling machines each havinga plurality of supplies each holding a bulk quantity of small objects of a respective type,respective feeders each receiving the objects of a respective supply and advancing same one at a time to a respective picking location, andrespective pickers;
programming a memory of each shuttle with data regarding the intended contents of the pockets of the respective blister pack; and
in each of the machines, reading the memories of the shuttles as they pass through the respective filling machine and operating the respective pickers to move small objects from the feeders to the pockets in accordance with the data for the respective blister pack.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Blister packs each having a plurality of pockets with individualized assortments of small objects are filled by fitting to each of a plurality of shuttles a respective such blister pack and circulating the shuttles around an annular track through a plurality of filling machines. Each machine has a plurality of supplies each holding a bulk quantity of small objects of a respective type, respective feeders each receiving the objects of a respective supply and advancing same one at a time to a respective picking location, and respective pickers. A memory of each shuttle is programmed with data regarding the intended contents of the pockets of the respective blister pack, and in each of the machines, the memories of the shuttles are read as they pass through the respective filling machine. The respective pickers are operated to move small objects from the feeders to the pockets in accordance with the data for the respective blister pack.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of filling blister packs each having a plurality of pockets with individualized assortments of small objects, the method comprising the steps of:
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fitting to each of a plurality of shuttles a respective blister pack; circulating the shuttles around an annular track through a plurality of filling machines each having a plurality of supplies each holding a bulk quantity of small objects of a respective type, respective feeders each receiving the objects of a respective supply and advancing same one at a time to a respective picking location, and respective pickers; programming a memory of each shuttle with data regarding the intended contents of the pockets of the respective blister pack; and in each of the machines, reading the memories of the shuttles as they pass through the respective filling machine and operating the respective pickers to move small objects from the feeders to the pockets in accordance with the data for the respective blister pack. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system for filling blister packs each having a plurality of pockets with individualized assortments of small objects, the system comprising:
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a plurality of filling machines each having a plurality of supplies each holding a bulk quantity of small objects of a respective type, respective feeders each receiving the objects of a respective supply and advancing same one at a time to a respective picking location, and respective pickers; an annular track extending through all of the filling machines; a plurality of shuttles movable around the track through the filling machines, each adapted to hold a respective blister pack, and each having a respective memory; means for programming each of the memories with data regarding the intended contents of the pockets of the respective blister pack; and control means in each filling machine for reading the memories of the shuttles as they pass through the respective filling machine and for operating the respective pickers to move small objects from the feeders to the pockets in accordance with the data for the respective blister pack. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification