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 method for selectively feeding rolls of paper coming out of a log saw unit (10), wherein the log saw unit (10) comprises (n) feeding channels (12) for feeding logs (11) towards a cutting device (13) provided at the outlet with (n) unloading belts (14) in a number equal to the feeding channels (12), comprises a step of generating a stop signal relating to a portion of a packaging unit downstream of the log saw unit (10) further to the detection of accumulation of rolls (11′) and/or of stopping of a packaging machine, as well as a step of attributing said stop signal to a feeding channel/sub-group of feeding channels (12) operatively associated with the portion of the packaging unit, called “feeding channels/sub-groups of feeding channels (12) subject to stopping”, wherein the method—upon receipt of the stop signal—comprises at least the steps of: ending the cutting of the log (11) in progress on all of the (n) feeding channels (12) of the log saw unit (10), selectively stopping the forward movement of a new log (11) towards the cutting device (13) just in the feeding channels/sub-groups of feeding channels (12) subject to stopping through the stopping of the forward movement of the carriers (15) of the carrier device (16) of the feeding channels/sub-groups of feeding channels (12) subject to stopping, proceeding without interruption in the operative feeding channels (12), namely those not subject to the stop signal, with the cutting of the logs (11) in succession.

A method for selectively feeding rolls of paper coming out of a log saw unit (10), wherein the log saw unit (10) comprises (n) feeding channels (12) for feeding logs (11) towards a cutting device (13) provided at the outlet with (n) unloading belts (14) in a number equal to the feeding channels (12), comprises a step of generating a stop signal relating to a portion of a packaging unit downstream of the log saw unit (10) further to the detection of accumulation of rolls (11′) and/or of stopping of a packaging machine, as well as a step of attributing said stop signal to a feeding channel/sub-group of feeding channels (12) operatively associated with the portion of the packaging unit, called “feeding channels/sub-groups of feeding channels (12) subject to stopping”, wherein the method—upon receipt of the stop signal—comprises at least the steps of: ending the cutting of the log (11) in progress on all of the (n) feeding channels (12) of the log saw unit (10), selectively stopping the forward movement of a new log (11) towards the cutting device (13) just in the feeding channels/sub-groups of feeding channels (12) subject to stopping through the stopping of the forward movement of the carriers (15) of the carrier device (16) of the feeding channels/sub-groups of feeding channels (12) subject to stopping, proceeding without interruption in the operative feeding channels (12), namely those not subject to the stop signal, with the cutting of the logs (11) in succession.

The system can include: a container no, a set of sensors 120, and a controller 130. The system can optionally include a robot 140. However, the system 100 can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable set of components. The system functions to monitor and/or maintain a fullness level of a container. The system can additionally or alternatively function to enable robotic picking out of the container (e.g., in a pick-and-place setting). The system can additionally function to maintain candidate objects within reach of the robot's end effector to increase robot uptime while minimizing the extent of the robot's required motion (e.g., in the z-axis).

An inline thermal treatment system for thermally treating a continuous product includes a gas supply system configured to supply a first gas flow and a power source configured to supply power. The system includes a plasma torch configured to receive the first gas flow from the gas supply system and power from the power source to form a plasma arc, wherein the plasma arc heats a portion of the continuous product disposed near the plasma arc.

An inline thermal treatment system for thermally treating a continuous product includes a gas supply system configured to supply a first gas flow and a power source configured to supply power. The system includes a plasma torch configured to receive the first gas flow from the gas supply system and power from the power source to form a plasma arc, wherein the plasma arc heats a portion of the continuous product disposed near the plasma arc.

A box packing apparatus supports a box with a sideways facing opening while at a loading location. After loading the box is moved from the loading location. The box packing apparatus includes a supporting and moving component, arms, and a feed mechanism. The supporting and moving component supports the cardboard box in the loading location and moves the cardboard box after loading in the loading location. The arms temporarily support the cardboard box as it is delivered to the loading location with the opening thereof facing sideways, while the supporting and moving component moves the cardboard box. The feed mechanism feeds the articles into the cardboard box through the opening while the box is supported by the arms.

A box packing apparatus supports a box with a sideways facing opening while at a loading location. After loading the box is moved from the loading location. The box packing apparatus includes a supporting and moving component, arms, and a feed mechanism. The supporting and moving component supports the cardboard box in the loading location and moves the cardboard box after loading in the loading location. The arms temporarily support the cardboard box as it is delivered to the loading location with the opening thereof facing sideways, while the supporting and moving component moves the cardboard box. The feed mechanism feeds the articles into the cardboard box through the opening while the box is supported by the arms.

Example methods and systems are disclosed for on-demand packaging of one or more items. According to one example, a method can include receiving an order for the item(s) and determining characteristic-information for the item(s) using a computer system. The characteristic-information includes an indication of at least a size and a shape of the item(s). The method also includes processing the characteristic-information based on design criteria to determine an arrangement of the item(s) within at least one container volume, and a configuration for a protective structure to hold the item(s) in the arrangement within the container volume(s). The method can further include, in response to the processing the characteristic-information, forming the protective structure according to the configuration, placing the item(s) into the protective structure according to the arrangement, and placing the protective structure and the item(s) in the container volume(s).

Example methods and systems are disclosed for on-demand packaging of one or more items. According to one example, a method can include receiving an order for the item(s) and determining characteristic-information for the item(s) using a computer system. The characteristic-information includes an indication of at least a size and a shape of the item(s). The method also includes processing the characteristic-information based on design criteria to determine an arrangement of the item(s) within at least one container volume, and a configuration for a protective structure to hold the item(s) in the arrangement within the container volume(s). The method can further include, in response to the processing the characteristic-information, forming the protective structure according to the configuration, placing the item(s) into the protective structure according to the arrangement, and placing the protective structure and the item(s) in the container volume(s).