The packaging machine comprises a supply unit for holding and providing a plurality of package goods or packaging materials. A display device assigned to the supply unit is configured to display at least one optical marking, which is indicative of a fill level of the supply unit and is different from an alphanumeric display. The at least one optical marking is variably adaptable as a result of at least one process parameter different from the fill level in a way that an assignment of the at least one optical marking to a certain degree of the fill level of the supply unit is changeable. A control unit, which communicates with the display device, is configured to adapt the at least one optical marking as a function of the at least one process parameter different from the fill level.

An inspection device includes: an irradiator that irradiates an object with near-infrared light; a spectroscope that disperses reflected light from the irradiated object; an imaging device that takes a spectroscopic image of the reflected light; a processor that: obtains spectral data of a plurality of points on the object, based on the spectroscopic image; defines a group of similar spectral data from among the spectral data of the plurality of points; extracts a group having a largest number of spectral data from the defined group; calculates an average of the spectral data of the extracted group; and detects a type of the object using a predetermined analysis of the object, based on the average.

A system and method of identifying and maintaining synchronization of components within a container carrier applicating machine includes connecting a plurality of point of use feedback devices to operative components of the applicating machine and providing visual feedback from the plurality of feedback devices of location of sychronized and or unsynchronized components.

A pouch and an automatic packager for packaging medications into the pouch. One embodiment provides a pouch for containing a plurality of medications. The pouch includes a plurality of discrete compartments, each containing a sub-batch of medications. The pouch also includes serrations at opposite ends of the pouch to separate the pouch from adjacent pouches. The pouch further includes a continuous identifier that spans multiple compartments to give an appearance of one continuous pouch. The plurality of discrete compartments are separated by seals, but not serrations. The continuous identifier includes a border within the opposite ends of the pouch.

A pouch and an automatic packager for packaging medications into the pouch. One embodiment provides a pouch for containing a plurality of medications. The pouch includes a plurality of discrete compartments, each containing a sub-batch of medications. The pouch also includes serrations at opposite ends of the pouch to separate the pouch from adjacent pouches. The pouch further includes a continuous identifier that spans multiple compartments to give an appearance of one continuous pouch. The plurality of discrete compartments are separated by seals, but not serrations. The continuous identifier includes a border within the opposite ends of the pouch.

Systems and methods are provided for validating a tensioning and locking procedure for a band using a banding tool and for determining at least one characteristic of the banding tool for determining whether a component needs repair or replacement. The systems and methods include receiving data from one or more sensors disposed on a banding tool, validating and releasing one or more components of the tool based on the data meeting one or more thresholds, and/or determining that the one or more components of the tool requires repair or replacement. The systems and methods also provide for predictive maintenance based on the received data.

Item-management systems, apparatus, and methods are described, preferably for management of items such as medicaments. In embodiments, an item-management system comprises a container defining plural cells, a docking station configured to receive the container, sources of visible information to indicate the cell(s) into which an item is to be loaded, and at least one controller operable to control the visible information sources to indicate the cell into which the item is to be received.

A method, apparatus and program product may evaluate a packaging material to determine various metrics associated with the packaging material. An apparatus may be used to sense flaws in packaging material, and in some instances, to accommodate such flaws by temporarily increasing a dispense rate of a packaging material dispenser.

Production systems for producing a radioactive drug product include a hot cell having a radiation isolating shielding and a dispensing unit positioned within the hot cell. The dispensing unit includes a manipulator arm for manipulating a closure component of a vial. The system further includes a pneumatic line extending from the manipulator arm and through the radiation isolating shielding to a location outside of the hot cell and a pressure sensor connected to the pneumatic line and positioned outside of the radiation isolating shielding. The pressure sensor is operable to detect air pressure within the pneumatic line.

Production systems for producing a radioactive drug product include a hot cell having a radiation isolating shielding and a dispensing unit positioned within the hot cell. The dispensing unit includes a manipulator arm for manipulating a closure component of a vial. The system further includes a pneumatic line extending from the manipulator arm and through the radiation isolating shielding to a location outside of the hot cell and a pressure sensor connected to the pneumatic line and positioned outside of the radiation isolating shielding. The pressure sensor is operable to detect air pressure within the pneumatic line.