BR0109719B1 - automated solid pharmaceutical packaging machine. - Google Patents

Abstract

A fully automated pharmaceutical product packaging machine (10) is capable of selectively depositing one or more different solid pharmaceutical products into an individual cavity for each of a plurality of individual patient product package cavities (17). The system employs a plurality of solid pharmaceutical product dispensing canisters which are capable of selectively dispensing a pre-designated number of solid pharmaceutical product (15). The machine fills a template containing temporary storage cavities and the template is automatically positioned over a sheet of clear plastic material containing a plurality of cavities corresponding to the cavities in the template (17). A barrier between the cavities in the template and the sheet of clear plastic material is moved and the pharmaceuticals in the template cavities drop into the corresponding cavities in the clear plastic sheet of material. The clear plastic sheet of material is then manoeuvred into subsequent product packaging stations and the template is returned to beneath the canister region.

Description

AUTOMATED PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT PACKAGING MACHINE

Background of the Invention

Field of the invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of automated pharmaceutical packaging machines. But specifically, the present invention is directed to an automated pharmaceutical packaging machine which simultaneously fills a product packaging mold with the required dose of solid pharmaceutical desired while also sealing a final package containing a variety of individual patient doses.

Description of Related Art

There are currently a wide variety of automated pharmaceutical packaging machines available. Most of these machines are designed to package a single pharmaceutical product into a pharmaceutical packaging material. These machines typically transfer individual doses of solid pharmaceutical products into a cavity formed of a clear plastic covering element. Usually a plurality of cavities is formed into a single sheet of transparent plastic material and a corresponding variety of pharmaceutical products is inserted into the filling machine. Once the solid pharmaceutical elements have been inserted into the cavities, a background material is then adhesively applied to the clear plastic sheet to seal the solid pharmaceuticals within the cavities. These automated machines satisfy most of the packaging needs of a solid pharmaceutical where Single product is inserted in a package. However, especially in Managed Care facilities, there is a significant need for an automated pharmaceutical packaging machine that is capable of selectively depositing one or more pharmaceutical products into each of the individual cavities in a pharmaceutical packaging.

Managed Care facilities currently use patient-specific packaging that provides all the prescription drugs the patient needs for a given period of time. Existing packaging solutions typically employ solid pharmaceutical product packaging plates that contain all dosages given to the patient for a time period of one week. Each of one or more pharmaceutical products is stocked in a clear plastic cavity. These dosage plates usually include three or four clear plastic cavities for any given day as it corresponds to any prescribed dosage time for the patient's medication needs. Currently, there are no automated systems for selectively filling a plurality of different dose wells with a variety of different solid pharmaceutical medications for a single patient that are capable of simultaneously sealing the package wells.

As a result, the Managed Care facility needs to go through a more time consuming process to create a package containing a solid pharmaceutical patient dose over a period of time. Accordingly, there remains a technical need for an automated pharmaceutical packaging machine that is capable of automatically deforming and depositing one or more solid pharmaceuticals in a variety of patient-sized packaging while also simultaneously processing and processing a solid pharmaceutical packaging.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention overcomes the prior art disadvantages and provides an automated pharmaceutical packaging machine which is capable of selectively depositing one or more different solid pharmaceutical products into an individual cavity for each of a plurality of individual patient product packaging cavities. The system that is described below is a fully automated computer controlled machine employing a variety of solid pharmaceutical dispensing containers. Each of the solid pharmaceutical dispensing containers is capable of selectively dispensing a predetermined number of solid pharmaceuticals. The containers are programmable and can be handled with a computerized controller. These containers are capable of selecting individual pills regardless of their size or shape and are commercially available.

The system of the present invention employs a set of containers arranged within a mechanical feed mechanism. Each container is designed to feed a funnel or channel that transmits a selectively distributed solid pharmaceutical from one of the containers in a cavity of a product packaging mold. A variety of pharmaceuticals can be selected for a single cavity element. This step is repeated for each of a plurality of cavities in the mold that correspond to the cavities in a single sheet or plate that provides patient dosing requirements for a given period of time.

For example, a single sheet may typically include all solid pharmaceuticals that have been prescribed for a patient over a one week period. The patient's physician may have prescribed three or four different administration times during the week and therefore the dosage plate typically has between 21 and 28 different individual wells. Each of the wells is capable of containing a volume of solid pharmaceuticals needed for the patient's fingerprint needs. Since the mold containing temporary storage cavities for each combination of drug has been filled, the mold is automatically positioned on a sheet of transparent plastic material containing a plurality of cavities that correspond to the cavities in the mold. A barrier between voids in the mold and the transparent plastics sheet is displaced or moved and the pharmaceutical products in the mold cavities fall into the corresponding cavities in the transparent plastics sheet.

The sheet of clear plastic material is then maneuvered in subsequent product packaging stations and the mold is returned below the container region. The mold element is selectively movable through a range of motion defined by an X-Y axis so that the mold cavity can be selectively positioned below the feed mechanism for transfer of the pharmaceutical products located in the containers.

The system then simultaneously fills the mold with dosage requirements for the same patient for another week or dosage requirements for another patient over a given period of time. While the mold is being filled, the sheet of clear plastic material now containing each dose of solid pharmaceutical product for the first patient is then simultaneously closed and packaged in a final package that can be given to a patient or patient support associations so that the prescribed pharmaceutical products may be administered from the product packaging.

Advantageously, the machine saves a significant amount of time by simultaneously filling the mold while also packaging previously selected pharmaceutical products. The present invention will employ containers that are commercially available for distributing the desired amount of solid pharmaceuticals. In order to complete the packaging process, a sheet of backing material is attached to the clear plastic elements to close the pharmaceuticals within the clear plastic cavities as is known in the art. The machine of the present invention uses pneumatically controlled automated machinery for product packaging and handling. In addition, the system of the present invention includes pharmaceutical product packaging and sealing stations.

Brief Description Of Drawings

Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 illustrates a plan top view of the mode of the device shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 illustrates an automated container deliberation mechanism.

Figure 4 illustrates a machine which is used to transfer solid pharmaceuticals from a mold to a sheet of clear plastic material having cavities to receive the solid pharmaceuticals.

Figure 5 illustrates a machine for selectively sealing the bottom element on a transparent plastic sheet.

Figure 6 illustrates a machine that is used for background material distribution to the plates.

Figure 7 illustrates a machine that is used to suspend the final product from the assembly line.

Detailed Description Of Preference Modes

One embodiment of an automated pharmaceutical packaging machine which is capable of selectively depositing one or more different solid pharmaceuticals into an individual cavity for each of a plurality of individual patient product packaging cavities is shown generally in Figure 8. 12 is connected with the various elements of the system to control their respective operations. The system employs a plurality of solid pharmaceutical dispensing containers each of which is mounted on a pharmaceutical dispensing mechanism 15. Pharmaceutical dispensing containers are commercially available products. Each of the solid pharmaceutical dispensing containers located in the pharmaceutical dispensing mechanism 15 is capable of selectively distributing a predetermined number of solid pharmaceuticals. The containers are each independently programmed and can be manipulated via the computer controller 12. Recipients are capable of selecting individual pills regardless of their size or shape.

Each container is arranged within the pharmaceutical dispensing mechanism to feed a funnel or channel that transmits a solidly distributed pharmaceutical product from one or more of the containers into a cavity of a product packaging mold 17. This step is repeated for each well in the container. mold 17 that corresponds to the cavities in a single sheet or plate of cavities in a package that provides a patient's dosage requirements for a given period of time. Mold element 17 is selectively movable through a movement scale defined by an X-Y axis so that each mold cavity 17 can be selectively positioned below the feed mechanism of the pharmaceutical delivery mechanism 15 for transfer of the pharmaceutical products located in the containers located therein. The dispensing mechanism 15 has a container plurality which are controlled by signals from the computer. Each of the containers may have a separate address so that the containers will only respond to commands directed to the selected container.

Figure 1 also illustrates a caster table 19 for convenient movement of the computer controller 12. Caster table 19 may also provide space for a pneumatic drive generator that is used to move machine stations. A package transfer rail is shown at 22 and provides a mechanism for transferring a pharmaceutical package 23 between each of the separate machine stations. An elevator mechanism 24 lifts and transfers pharmaceutical packs 23 to the transfer rail 22.

A product packaging distribution unit is shown at 27 and transfers empty packaging elements to transfer rail 22. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more product packaging distribution elements may be used to transfer portions of packaging to the filling machine. The system of the present invention also includes a product packaging de-packing station 30 and a printing station 32. The product packaging distribution unit 27 is shown adjacent to the printing station 32, however, it is preferable that each packaging distribution station is located adjacent or near the pharmaceutical dispensing unit 15. This eliminates the travel of the product packaging during the manufacturing process and also allows the filling of the pharmaceutical packaging mold to happen simultaneously with the sealing and / or further processing of another packaging element.

Each cavity of a pharmaceutical product package is capable of holding a volume of solid pharmaceuticals needed for a patient's fingerprinting needs. Once the mold 17 containing temporary storage wells for each drug combination has been filled, the mold is automatically positioned over a portion of a pharmaceutical product package comprising a sheet of transparent plastic material containing a plurality of cavities. Recesses in the plastic material correspond to the nominal cavities. A barrier between the cavities in the mold 17 and the transparent plastics sheet is moved when the desired number of cavities has been filled and the pharmaceuticals in the mold cavities fall into the corresponding cavities in the transparent plastics sheet.

The transparent plastics sheet is then maneuvered adjacent to at least one unpacked sealing member and the combined structure of the now-filled plastic sheet and the sealing member is then transferred along the rail 22 to the product packaging sealing station 30. While this occurs , mold 17 is returned under the pharmaceutical dispensing mechanism 15.

System 10 then simultaneously fills the mold with the dosage requirements for the same patient for another week or the dosage requirements for another patient over a given period of time. While mold 17 is being filled, the clear plastic sheet now containing each dose of solid pharmaceutical product for the first patient is then simultaneously closed and sealed by a de-sealing station 30 in a final package that can be given to a patient or care associations. to the patient so that the prescribed pharmaceutical products can be administered from the product packaging. A sheet of backing material is attached to the clear plastic elements to close the pharmaceuticals within the clear plastic wells as is known in the art.

Advantageously, the machine saves a significant amount of time by simultaneously filling the mold while also packaging previously selected pharmaceutical products. The machine of the present invention desirably makes use of pneumatically controlled automated machinery for packaging and handling the product, however those skilled in the art will appreciate that the machine of the present invention may be driven by any conventional or future developed movement mechanism. For example, pedal motors may be used for mechanical handling of various elements as described above.

Figure 2 illustrates a plan top view of the system described above with reference to Figure 1. Figure 2 illustrates the relative space of the various manufacturing stations described above. As noted, it is actually preferable that the empty product packaging distribution station 27 is actually located adjacent to the pharmaceutical distribution distribution station 15. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that additional product packaging distribution stations may be inserted between the sealing station 3. The pharmaceutical dispensing mechanism is dependent upon the number of distinct packaging elements which are to be sealed together by the sealing station 30.

Figure 3 illustrates the pharmaceutical dispensing unit 15 as well as the mold element 17. As shown in Figure 3, the pharmaceutical dispensing unit 15 is supported by structural unbundling elements 36, 37 and 38. Control lines 42 connect the containers with the computer 12 so that the desired pharmaceutical products can be distributed by the machine. Figure 4 is a detail view of the packaging sealing station 30. As shown in Figure 4, the product packaging transfer rails 22 pass directly below the sealing station 30. The sealing station 30 may comprise any conventional sealing mechanism. For example, such sealing station 30 may be capable of applying heat or pressure or some sort of electromagnetic radiation or combination of such peeling techniques in order to attach any adhesives that have previously been applied to the product packaging material.

A significant feature is that the relationship of these structures allows for simultaneous filling of the product mold while also sealing another filled or otherwise processing package.

Figure 5 illustrates a conventional printing station that is mounted above the pharmaceutical packaging transfer rail 22. This station prints information on the sealed packaging that may relate to things such as patient identification, the time and dates for which the measurement was taken. prescribed as well as content information and / or information on due date. Significantly, this station is also capable of operating in parallel and independent of the pharmaceutical distribution station 15.

Figure 6 illustrates the pharmaceutical packaging dispensing station 27. This station is also typical of known automated devices for dispensing product packaging. The station is desirably mounted adjacent to the product package transfer rail 22 so that product packages or partial packages can be easily placed on the rail element 22. As noted, it is preferred that one or more of these stations are located between the sealing station 30 and the distribution station 15.

Figure 7 illustrates an automated device 24 that automatically removes the complete product packages from the transfer rail 22. Figure 7 also illustrates a complete package located on the transfer mechanism 42 that is mounted on the product package transfer rail 22.

Claims (6)

1. Method for filling the solid pharmaceutical packaging (23) characterized by the fact that it comprises: storing patient-specific prescription data in a memory associated with a computer controller (12), automatically making a relative movement between a solid pharmaceutical channel located beneath a variety of automated dispensing containers and a variety of cavity locations arranged in an arrangement corresponding to individual solid pharmaceutical packaging cavities (23) to selectively position the channel above the first of the delocal cavity varieties; automatically and selectively distribute one or more pharmaceutical products solids from each dispensing recipient corresponding to a dose prescribed at a dosage time for a specific patient corresponding to the first site; and then automatically move between a solid pharmaceutical channel and each remaining cavity location and temporarily stop each cavity location in the array and automatically and selectively dispense one or more solid pharmaceuticals from each dispensing container corresponding to a prescribed dose. a dosing time for a specific patient corresponding to each cavity site until all patient prescription wells have been filled. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises, during the stage of selectively dispensing the solid pharmaceutical products, simultaneously sealing another pharmaceutical product package (23) which has been pre-filled with a variety of solid pharmaceutical products. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises printing information on a pharmaceutical product package (23). Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises at least substantially simultaneously distributing the first and second pharmaceutical products from the first and second containers in a single mold cavity. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of automatically effecting a relative movement comprises moving product packaging spindles under the funnel so that each of the cavities is sequentially placed under the funnel. 6. A solid pharmaceutical packaging system (23) comprising: means for storing patient-specific prescription data in a memory associated with a computer controller (12); means for automatically moving between a localized solid pharmaceutical channel. beneath a variety of automated dispensing containers and a variety of cavity locations arranged in a corresponding arrangement of individual solid pharmaceutical packaging (23) cavities to selectively position the channel above the first of the variety of cavity locations; selectively, one or more solid pharmaceuticals from each dispensing container corresponding to a dose prescribed at a specific patient dosing time corresponding to the first site; ways to automatically move between a solid pharmaceutical channel and each remaining cavity location and temporarily stop each array cavity location and automatically and selectively dispense one or more solid pharmaceuticals from each dispensing container corresponding to a prescribed dose. dosing time for a specific patient corresponding to each cavity site until all patient prescribing wells have been filled.