In some embodiments, quality assurance systems for verifying branding of at least one medication container associated with at least one of a prescription and medication order are provided. The systems including: a transport system that transports at least one first container branded with a particular branding among a plurality of bran dings to and from a pharmaceutical and/or medical product dispensing system, and transports the at least one first container to the pharmaceutical and/or medical product dispensing system after correcting the particular branding when correction is performed; a scanning system including at least one scanner for scanning identification information associated with the at least one first container; a display that displays order information associated with the identification information received from the scanning system including information indicating a correct branding for the at least one first container; and a pharmacist station for determining whether the correct branding matches the particular branding and correcting the particular branding if the correct branding does not match the particular branding.

An automated machine for assembling an oral medicament dispenser comprising a combination of special items such as: a programmable logic controller, compressed air, position sensors, actuators or mini carriages, valves, automatic vibratory feeders, said machine avoids handling of all and each one of the components by a large number of operators and reduces the impact on the operating times and production costs, applying a set of processes that are necessary for assembling the oral medication dispenser, for the compliance of the processes starting by the vibratory feeders wherein each component travel through tracks in line and curve to support the flow of the product as it moves through its parts and even with the support of air jets and supports, wherein the components arrive to the tables having two rotating plates each having cavities conveyor plates in said plates are located eight stations in which are performed a set of processes such as loading components, torching, siliconizing, flaming, partial insertion and full insertion of all and each one of the components until obtain the desired oral medication dispenser, which is discharged to a conveyor belt that transport said dispenser to the finished product container.

A device and a process for feeding articles to be packaged with a packaging apparatus are presented. The articles are transported on a first conveying line and can be arranged according to a desired pattern, which is repeated on a second conveying line from which the articles will be picked up in a subsequent station. For this purpose, at least one transfer device is provided for transferring the articles from the first conveying line to the second conveying line, with a self-moving transfer arm and a respective gripping device to pick up the articles. The gripping device has a plurality of gripping elements which are movable between a first configuration, in which the gripping elements are aligned with each other to grip the articles from the first conveying line, and a second configuration, in which at least two of the gripping elements are staggered with respect to each other, to lay the articles according to a predetermined pattern.

A device and a process for feeding articles to be packaged with a packaging apparatus are presented. The articles are transported on a first conveying line and can be arranged according to a desired pattern, which is repeated on a second conveying line from which the articles will be picked up in a subsequent station. For this purpose, at least one transfer device is provided for transferring the articles from the first conveying line to the second conveying line, with a self-moving transfer arm and a respective gripping device to pick up the articles. The gripping device has a plurality of gripping elements which are movable between a first configuration, in which the gripping elements are aligned with each other to grip the articles from the first conveying line, and a second configuration, in which at least two of the gripping elements are staggered with respect to each other, to lay the articles according to a predetermined pattern.

Described and depicted is an application apparatus for applying additional elements, in particular straws, to packages, preferably cardboard composite packages. So that the application can also be carried out reliably at high speeds and with moderate equipment complexity, it is provided that at least two applicators are provided which are adjustable along a common, circumferential transport track from a pick-up position for picking up the additional elements to an application position for applying the additional elements to the packages and back and which comprise respectively at least one application finger for pressing the additional elements onto the packages.

Described and depicted is an application apparatus for applying additional elements, in particular straws, to packages, preferably cardboard composite packages. So that the application can also be carried out reliably at high speeds and with moderate equipment complexity, it is provided that at least two applicators are provided which are adjustable along a common, circumferential transport track from a pick-up position for picking up the additional elements to an application position for applying the additional elements to the packages and back and which comprise respectively at least one application finger for pressing the additional elements onto the packages.

A pill feed apparatus (30) is configured to be utilized in connection with a unit dose packaging machine (10) or other device. The exemplary apparatus includes a plurality of feeder discs (104, 150, 174) that include a plurality of pill engaging apertures (120, 152, 176) that are sized for holding pills of different respective pill configurations. The respective feeder discs are rotatably movable within a base interior area (238) that is bounded by a base ring (42). A cover (66) is in supporting connection with a plurality of deformable brushes (234, 240, 242, 244, 246, 248) that are configured to engage pills that move with a feeder disc. Rotation of a feeder disc causes pills positioned within the interior area to be moved into sequential engagement with the brushes such that a single pill is caused to be engaged with each respective aperture. Pills are delivered individually and in a controlled manner from the apertures for inclusion in packages.

A pill feed apparatus (30) is configured to be utilized in connection with a unit dose packaging machine (10) or other device. The exemplary apparatus includes a plurality of feeder discs (104, 150, 174) that include a plurality of pill engaging apertures (120, 152, 176) that are sized for holding pills of different respective pill configurations. The respective feeder discs are rotatably movable within a base interior area (238) that is bounded by a base ring (42). A cover (66) is in supporting connection with a plurality of deformable brushes (234, 240, 242, 244, 246, 248) that are configured to engage pills that move with a feeder disc. Rotation of a feeder disc causes pills positioned within the interior area to be moved into sequential engagement with the brushes such that a single pill is caused to be engaged with each respective aperture. Pills are delivered individually and in a controlled manner from the apertures for inclusion in packages.

A machine for grouping filter bags for infusion products includes: a movement wheel rotating about a first axis; a rotary transfer wheel, rotating in a synchronised fashion with the movement wheel, about a second axis; a device for collecting the bags; a plurality of gripping elements positioned along a circumference of the transfer wheel and movable with it for picking up, in a first angular position, a bag from the movement wheel and a release configuration of the bag in the collecting device, in a second angular position and after an angular stretch of rotation. A sensor detects possible defects of the bags, and identifies the defective bags before they reach the second angular position. A rejection area receives the defective bags. A locking control controls the gripping element to prevent release of the bag in the second angular position, when detected to be defective by the sensor.

A machine for grouping filter bags for infusion products includes: a movement wheel rotating about a first axis; a rotary transfer wheel, rotating in a synchronised fashion with the movement wheel, about a second axis; a device for collecting the bags; a plurality of gripping elements positioned along a circumference of the transfer wheel and movable with it for picking up, in a first angular position, a bag from the movement wheel and a release configuration of the bag in the collecting device, in a second angular position and after an angular stretch of rotation. A sensor detects possible defects of the bags, and identifies the defective bags before they reach the second angular position. A rejection area receives the defective bags. A locking control controls the gripping element to prevent release of the bag in the second angular position, when detected to be defective by the sensor.