A packaging apparatus and method for depositing pills into a series of containers is provided. A cylindrical rotary slat is rotatable about a first axis and comprises radially inward and outward portions, the radially outward portion defining pill apertures for receiving pills therein at a first angular position. A negative pressure system is configured to apply a negative pressure to the pill apertures to retain the pills therein. An ejection device is in communication with the pill apertures at a second angular position of the rotary slat to eject the respective pills outwardly from the pill apertures. A collection mechanism is disposed adjacent to the radially outward portion about the second angular position, and is configured to collect the pills ejected from the pill apertures and to direct the pills toward the series of containers for deposition therein.

Disclosed is a blister pack smart dispensing package that has an overlay with conductors located over blister pack pockets that are broken when a user retrieves a solid medication, such as a pill, from the blister pack. The date and time that the user retrieved the solid medication from the smart pack is recorded by an electronics and communications package on the smart pack. A local communications device then receives this adherence data and transmits this data to a server, which generates a data structure containing adherence data. A blister pack overlay can be used which changes colors to indicate that the medication is about to expire, or has expired.

An apparatus for dispensing and packaging dosed quantities of solid drug portions is provided. The apparatus includes multiple dosing stations, each dosing station having an output opening for dispensing solid drug portions, a collector for collecting dosed quantities of solid drug portions dispensed by the dosing stations and forwarding the dosed quantities of solid drug portions to a packager, and multiple fall ducts configured to guide the solid drug portions from the output openings to the collector, each fall duct having an outlet and a number of inlet openings, the output openings of the dosing stations being aligned with the inlet openings of the fall ducts when a fall duct is positioned adjacent to a column of dosing stations. Each fall duct includes a first part and a second part detachably connected together.

An apparatus for dispensing and packaging dosed quantities of solid drug portions is provided. The apparatus includes multiple dosing stations, each dosing station having an output opening for dispensing solid drug portions, a collector for collecting dosed quantities of solid drug portions dispensed by the dosing stations and forwarding the dosed quantities of solid drug portions to a packager, and multiple fall ducts configured to guide the solid drug portions from the output openings to the collector, each fall duct having an outlet and a number of inlet openings, the output openings of the dosing stations being aligned with the inlet openings of the fall ducts when a fall duct is positioned adjacent to a column of dosing stations. Each fall duct includes a first part and a second part detachably connected together.

Systems and methods are disclosed for handling items for custom-sized multi-item packages. In one embodiment, an example system may include a multi-item loading component configured to support multiple items, the multi-item loading component including a first surface, a second surface disposed at an angle with respect to the first surface, a first sidewall configured to slide in a vertical direction from a raised position to a lowered position, and a second sidewall configured to slide in the vertical direction from the raised position to the lowered position. The system may include a pusher component configured to push the plurality of items off the multi-item loading component when the first sidewall and the second sidewall are in the lowered position.

Systems and methods are disclosed for handling items for custom-sized multi-item packages. In one embodiment, an example system may include a multi-item loading component configured to support multiple items, the multi-item loading component including a first surface, a second surface disposed at an angle with respect to the first surface, a first sidewall configured to slide in a vertical direction from a raised position to a lowered position, and a second sidewall configured to slide in the vertical direction from the raised position to the lowered position. The system may include a pusher component configured to push the plurality of items off the multi-item loading component when the first sidewall and the second sidewall are in the lowered position.

A system for providing a web of inflated containers includes a conveyance system, a detachment arm, and a controller. The conveyance system has an operative mode in which the web is advanced along a path of travel by counter-rotating members having a nip through which at least a portion of the web passes and (ii) an idle mode. The detachment arm is positioned beside the path of travel downstream from the conveyance system. The detachment arm has a separator end to engage the web in the path of travel. The controller is programmed to operatively control the conveyance system to move to: (i) the operative mode to advance the web by a predetermined number of containers and (ii) the idle mode in which a transverse detachment line of the web is aligned with the separator end of the detachment arm.

A system for providing a web of inflated containers includes a conveyance system, a detachment arm, and a controller. The conveyance system has an operative mode in which the web is advanced along a path of travel by counter-rotating members having a nip through which at least a portion of the web passes and (ii) an idle mode. The detachment arm is positioned beside the path of travel downstream from the conveyance system. The detachment arm has a separator end to engage the web in the path of travel. The controller is programmed to operatively control the conveyance system to move to: (i) the operative mode to advance the web by a predetermined number of containers and (ii) the idle mode in which a transverse detachment line of the web is aligned with the separator end of the detachment arm.

There is provided a system, installed on a vehicle or trailer, for performing an agricultural task. The system comprises a platform connecting to the vehicle or trailer and comprising a socket for an accessory. A plurality of accessories is provided, wherein one accessory is selected among them for installation in the accessory socket. A vision system is operatively connected to a computer and collects data of the environment about the accessory, the computer using the collected data to determine an instruction for performing the agricultural task and to send the instruction to the accessory installed in the accessory socket to perform the agricultural task. The accessory is interchangeable in the accessory socket depending on the agricultural task. The box handling stage and pallet mounting stage can be robotized for efficient automation.

A surgical-implement count and capture system including a carrier tape having a plurality of spaced-apart receiving areas disposed longitudinally along the carrier tape. Each of the plurality of spaced-apart receiving areas being configured to receive a surgical-implement. The carrier tape is configured to follow a first pathway. A deposit station is located along the first pathway and is adapted to accommodate deposition of a plurality of the surgical-implements respectively into successive ones of the spaced-apart receiving areas when resident at the deposit station. A counting station is located along the first pathway downstream of the deposit station. The counting station includes a sensor adapted to detect the plurality of the surgical-implements in the respective receiving areas.