A core for winding sheet material is proved. The core comprises a cylindrical tube having a longitudinally oriented slot formed therein, and a strip of soft material located in the slot. Because of the geometry of the slot and the strip, the strip may be softer in the central region but firmer where the core transitions from the relatively soft strip to the relatively hard tube. The leading edge of the sheet material imbeds itself into the soft central region of the strip as additional layers are wound around the core.

A core for winding sheet material is proved. The core comprises a cylindrical tube having a longitudinally oriented slot formed therein, and a strip of soft material located in the slot. Because of the geometry of the slot and the strip, the strip may be softer in the central region but firmer where the core transitions from the relatively soft strip to the relatively hard tube. The leading edge of the sheet material imbeds itself into the soft central region of the strip as additional layers are wound around the core.

Embodiments are directed to systems and apparatuses for tracking usage of a packetized item. In one scenario, an apparatus may be provided for tracking use of a packetized item. The apparatus may include a roll of packets where each packet is designed to contain packetized items such as pills. The packets may have an electrically conductive material applied to various parts thereof. The apparatus may also include an enclosure configured to track usage of the packets. The enclosure may include a power source, a display, a transceiver, and a microcontroller that is configured to control operation of the display and may also analyze signals from the electrically conductive material to determine the distribution status of the packets. In one example, as packets are removed from the roll of packets, the microcontroller can determine when, where and how many packets were removed from the roll.

Embodiments are directed to systems and apparatuses for tracking usage of a packetized item. In one scenario, an apparatus may be provided for tracking use of a packetized item. The apparatus may include a roll of packets where each packet is designed to contain packetized items such as pills. The packets may have an electrically conductive material applied to various parts thereof. The apparatus may also include an enclosure configured to track usage of the packets. The enclosure may include a power source, a display, a transceiver, and a microcontroller that is configured to control operation of the display and may also analyze signals from the electrically conductive material to determine the distribution status of the packets. In one example, as packets are removed from the roll of packets, the microcontroller can determine when, where and how many packets were removed from the roll.

A paper rewinding machine includes a rewinding assembly operable to produce coreless retail paper rolls.

A paper rewinding machine includes a rewinding assembly operable to produce coreless retail paper rolls.

Medicine packaging apparatuses and methods for accurately determining a remaining sheet amount of a medicine packaging sheet are described. The apparatus includes: a roll support section to which a core tube of a medicine packaging sheet roll is attached; a sensor disposed in the roll support section for outputting a count value according to a rotation amount; a wireless reader-writer unit for writing information to a core tube IC tag and reading said information; an information generation section for generating information to be written to the core tube IC tag; a remaining sheet amount estimation section for estimating a current amount of remaining sheet based on the information and dimensional information of the core tube; and a controller which selectively performs an operation if a reference time-point count value is not yet written to the core tube IC tag and another operation if the count value is already written thereto.

Medicine packaging apparatuses and methods for accurately determining a remaining sheet amount of a medicine packaging sheet are described. The apparatus includes: a roll support section to which a core tube of a medicine packaging sheet roll is attached; a sensor disposed in the roll support section for outputting a count value according to a rotation amount; a wireless reader-writer unit for writing information to a core tube IC tag and reading said information; an information generation section for generating information to be written to the core tube IC tag; a remaining sheet amount estimation section for estimating a current amount of remaining sheet based on the information and dimensional information of the core tube; and a controller which selectively performs an operation if a reference time-point count value is not yet written to the core tube IC tag and another operation if the count value is already written thereto.

A method for filling a plurality of microdepressions in a major surface of a web with finely divided powder in which the web is fed continuously to and through a powder filling stage including a driven roller. A method of manufacturing an elongate carrier with microdepressions containing finely divided powder comprising steps filling a plurality of microdepressions in a major surface of a web as described, removing from upper surface of the web excess powder not filled within the microdepressions and remaining on areas of the surface between the depressions, and optionally slitting and/or cutting the web in width and/or length.

A method for filling a plurality of microdepressions in a major surface of a web with finely divided powder in which the web is fed continuously to and through a powder filling stage including a driven roller. A method of manufacturing an elongate carrier with microdepressions containing finely divided powder comprising steps filling a plurality of microdepressions in a major surface of a web as described, removing from upper surface of the web excess powder not filled within the microdepressions and remaining on areas of the surface between the depressions, and optionally slitting and/or cutting the web in width and/or length.