Apparatus and methods of cleaning a sealing head (23) of a capsule filling line, comprising operating an ablation unit (10) to irradiate the sealing head (23) to ablate a residue off the sealing head (23).

A containment system and assembly for the automated production of pharmaceutical or biotechnical articles is provided. The containment system has a housing within which there is an inner chamber having at least one through opening. One or more robots are installed in the chamber, which have a manipulating element on the pivotable arms, which can move within a pivot range. One or more process units are installed in the chamber for the production of the articles. The chamber includes a process space for the production of the articles and a tub-shaped base space for anchoring the feet of the robots to the side surfaces inside the base space. The manipulating element functions as a gripping and transportation device for inspecting the articles or article parts and/or for the production of the articles.

A multi-chambered shot glass for storing and transporting multiple liquids for consumption or mixing at a time after the chambers have been filled includes a first body portion comprising a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber and the second chamber separated by an inner partition. The first chamber has a first aperture configured to form a fixed first chamber rim and a seal covering the first aperture. The second chamber includes a second aperture configured to form a second chamber rim. A second body portion having a fixed third chamber includes a third aperture. The fixed third chamber is configured for insertion into the second chamber such that the third chamber engages the second chamber in a fluid sealed configuration.

A multi-chambered shot glass for storing and transporting multiple liquids for consumption or mixing at a time after the chambers have been filled includes a first body portion comprising a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber and the second chamber separated by an inner partition. The first chamber has a first aperture configured to form a fixed first chamber rim and a seal covering the first aperture. The second chamber includes a second aperture configured to form a second chamber rim. A second body portion having a fixed third chamber includes a third aperture. The fixed third chamber is configured for insertion into the second chamber such that the third chamber engages the second chamber in a fluid sealed configuration.

A reclosable package, and a machine and method for making that reclosable package that includes a tray for receiving a product and a substantially horizontal edge, wherein the horizontal edge extends circumferentially on an upper side of the tray and has a clamping portion releasably connected thereto. The package includes a top film across the tray, the edge and the clamping portion, and which may be releasably connected to the edge by a first sealed seam to seal the tray in a gas-tight manner. The top film may be connected to the clamping portion by a second sealed seam. A side face of the tray may include an undercut provided with a projection, the projection being suitable for locking the clamping portion in position when the clamping portion has been detached from the edge and is located between the projection of the undercut and the side face of the tray.

A heat sealing product suitable for sealing one or more individual containers, said heat sealing product comprising: (i) a plurality of individual heat seals set out in a configuration substantially corresponding to the shape and configuration of the container(s) to be sealed, the size and shape of the individual heat seals corresponding substantially to the size and shape of the tops of the individual container(s) to be sealed; (ii) a peelable support film layer coated on one side with a low tack adhesive, the low tack adhesive serving to hold the individual heat seals in place on the support film layer in the desired configuration prior to the sealing process; (iii) alignment points in the sealing product adapted to enable the heat sealing product and therefore the individual heat seals of the heat sealing product to be aligned substantially exactly with respect to the individual containers to be sealed.

A heat sealing product suitable for sealing one or more individual containers, said heat sealing product comprising: (i) a plurality of individual heat seals set out in a configuration substantially corresponding to the shape and configuration of the container(s) to be sealed, the size and shape of the individual heat seals corresponding substantially to the size and shape of the tops of the individual container(s) to be sealed; (ii) a peelable support film layer coated on one side with a low tack adhesive, the low tack adhesive serving to hold the individual heat seals in place on the support film layer in the desired configuration prior to the sealing process; (iii) alignment points in the sealing product adapted to enable the heat sealing product and therefore the individual heat seals of the heat sealing product to be aligned substantially exactly with respect to the individual containers to be sealed.

A method for controlling a plurality of carts movable independently from one another along an endless track and configured to perform at least one task in order to carry out at least one operation onto respective articles; the method including the steps advancing the carts along the track, the track including at least one task section and at least one transient section; advancing each cart along a task-assignment section of the track arranged upstream of the at least one task section; advancing a plurality of articles along a feeding path and through an operation station; detecting the passage of each article at a detection station of the feeding path located upstream of the operation station; and controlling one respective cart perform the at least one task if an article is detected, during the step d) of detecting, when the cart is moving along the task-assignment section.

A method for improving the efficiency of a pharmaceutical filling line by running the filling line at an increased throughput rate is disclosed. The method involves using glass vials that have been strengthened and coated to reduce the coefficient of friction of the outer surface of the vials with a pharmaceutical filling line set at a rate greater than or equal to 600 vials per minute and miming in an efficiency of at least 70%. In other embodiments of the invention, the pharmaceutical filling line may also be provided with a polymer chemical coating at points of contact with the glass vials, thereby further reducing the friction between the vials and the points of contact and the effects of impact of the vials with contact points of the pharmaceutical filling line.

A method for improving the efficiency of a pharmaceutical filling line by running the filling line at an increased throughput rate is disclosed. The method involves using glass vials that have been strengthened and coated to reduce the coefficient of friction of the outer surface of the vials with a pharmaceutical filling line set at a rate greater than or equal to 600 vials per minute and miming in an efficiency of at least 70%. In other embodiments of the invention, the pharmaceutical filling line may also be provided with a polymer chemical coating at points of contact with the glass vials, thereby further reducing the friction between the vials and the points of contact and the effects of impact of the vials with contact points of the pharmaceutical filling line.