A plural-mode automatic medicament packaging system. In embodiments, the system may include an automatic dispensing machine including an automatic medicament dispensing unit and may further include pouch packaging and blister package packaging units. The medicament dispensing unit may include one or more storage and dispensing units which store and dispense medicaments. Medicaments output from the medicament dispensing unit may be packaged in a pouch package by the pouch packaging unit. Alternatively, a diverter may direct medicaments output from the medicament dispensing unit to the pouch package packaging unit for packaging in a blister package. A single automatic medicament packaging system can package medicaments in different types of packaging providing a pharmacy with the opportunity to package medicaments in the form of packaging most appropriate to meet patient needs.

A thermoforming packaging machine includes a forming station for thermoforming troughs in a film web, a filling path for filling products into the troughs, a sealing station for sealing the troughs, a chain guide for guiding a transport chain for the film web, a transverse cutting device for cutting the film web in a direction transverse to the transport direction, a longitudinal cutting device for cutting the film web in the transport direction, and a control device for controlling processes running on the thermoforming packaging machine. The transverse cutting device comprises a film punch, an adjustment drive which can be controlled by the control device for closing and opening the film punch, and a detection unit which is connected to the control device and which has at least one sensor which is configured to detect, per processing cycle, a force progression occurring at the film punch during opening and closing.

A method and a device for setting vacuum time in a packaging apparatus and in a packaging process are described. The method and device provide for determining, from pressure signals or from humidity signals detected in the vacuum chamber (4; 24; 54), a reference time instant (T.sub.1). The method and device also provide for commanding a vacuum device (6; 26; 56) either to stop extracting gas from the vacuum chamber (4; 24; 54) or to execute one or more prescribed steps preluding to end of the vacuum cycle at expiration of a delay time (DT) interval following said reference time instant (T.sub.1).

A method and a device for setting vacuum time in a packaging apparatus and in a packaging process are described. The method and device provide for determining, from pressure signals or from humidity signals detected in the vacuum chamber (4; 24; 54), a reference time instant (T.sub.1). The method and device also provide for commanding a vacuum device (6; 26; 56) either to stop extracting gas from the vacuum chamber (4; 24; 54) or to execute one or more prescribed steps preluding to end of the vacuum cycle at expiration of a delay time (DT) interval following said reference time instant (T.sub.1).

An apparatus for heat-sealing a lidding film (2) to a supporting element (3), comprising a movement track (5), which extends between an infeed zone and an outfeed zone, a conveying unit (8) and a heat-sealing device (6) which is fitted along the movement track (5), the device (6) comprising a supporting unit (10) and a closing unit (11) which are movable between a home position in which they are at a distance from each other and an operating position in which they are coupled to clamp, in use, the lidding film (2) and a supporting element (3); wherein the conveying unit (8) is configured to support the supporting element (3) and to move and is associable with the movement track (5) for moving on it; the conveying unit (8) comprising one or more active portions (12) which are configured to support the supporting element (3) from below and to couple to the supporting unit (10) to define with it a clamping unit for clamping the supporting element (3) against the closing unit (11).

Packaging apparatus, such as a tray sealer, with a gas supply arrangement enabling a flushing gas to be conducted between a flushing gas outlet (26) and a flushing gas inlet (14) which are relatively moveable. The flushing gas inlet is positioned above the flushing gas outlet. The gas supply arrangement includes a barrel 15 connected to the inlet (14) and sliding in a sleeve connected to the outlet (26). In a first predetermined relative position of the flushing gas outlet and flushing gas inlet a fluid flow connection is established between the flushing gas outlet and flushing gas inlet. In a second predetermined relative position the flushing gas inlet and flushing gas outlet are disconnected and liquid may drain from the barrel 15.

Apparatus and methods for lyophilizing and sealing a medicament within a medical delivery device having an opening. The apparatus may include a stopper for sealing the opening. The stopper may have one or more elongated members extending from a base, in a direction that is parallel to a central axis of the base. One or more of the members may be set radially away from the axis and define a coaxial central well. The member or members may define a void. The elongated member or members may engage a device inner wall and support the base away from the opening. The void may provide gas exchange between a device interior and a device exterior. The gas may be a lyophilization byproduct that escapes from the device interior between the inner wall, the base and the member or members. The stopper may be advanced into the device to seal the opening.

Disclosed herein is a fluid transfer assembly for dispensing flowable material from a container, the fluid transfer assembly having a spout, a screw cap body, and an aseptic plug, wherein the aseptic plug is configured to form an aseptic seal with the screw cap body.

The disclosure relates to a deep-drawing packaging machine with a forming station for deep-drawing trays into a film, a loading stretch for filling products into the trays, and a sealing station for sealing the trays. The deep-drawing packaging machine further comprises at least one vacuum cooling station which is disposed in a direction of transport upstream of the sealing station and which is formed for vacuum cooling the products placed into the trays along the loading stretch. The disclosure furthermore relates to a method for vacuum cooling products.

A thermoform packaging machine comprising a forming station, a sealing station, and a cutting station for separating sealed packaging troughs from one another. The cutting station may comprise at least one cutting unit which is adapted to be positioned within the cutting station at different positions in the production direction. The cutting station may comprise a support that supports bottoms of the sealed packaging troughs conveyed into the cutting station for the purpose of separation from below. The support may comprise a plurality of support elements arranged in a horizontal bearing plane and which form a gap at a position in the support at which a cutting operation takes place according to the position of the cutting unit. The gap may be repositioned by moving the support elements to different positions to position the gap to accommodate a different position of the cutting unit within the cutting station.