An automatic packaging apparatus is provided, having a conveyor, a continuous longitudinally folded web, cutting and sealing mechanisms for forming flexible pouches from the web. The apparatus also includes processing stations for loading the pouches, transferring fluids (typically gases) into and out of the pouches, and sealing the pouches. Various alternative methods and devices are provided for separating each sealed pouch from the web by either making a continuous cut across a connecting strip of web material downline of the processing stations or pre-perforating the connecting strip upline of the processing stations. When the connecting strip is pre-perforated, a sealed pouch of sufficient weight may be separated from the web passively by a takeaway conveyor, and a lighter sealed pouch may be separated from the web by a tear-off mechanism that grips and pulls the web.

A conveyor system and method for spreading a mass of electrically conductive articles, such as aluminum cans, being transferred from an infeed conveyor to a wider discharge conveyor. A transfer device between the infeed and discharge conveyors uses linear induction to propel and spread electrically conductive articles across a continuous transfer surface with or without the aid of backpressure or mechanical spreading means.

Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for manufacturing a solid formulation for oral administration, comprising an edible substrate portion on which a composition comprising a first pharmaceutical active ingredient is deposited, and solid formulations made thereby. The methods comprise providing an edible substrate in the form of a film comprising a plurality of portions, spraying a liquid formulation comprising the active ingredient and a solvent onto an edible substrate portion and evaporating the solvent to form a solid composition deposited on the edible substrate portion; measuring the quantity of active ingredient supported by the edible substrate portion and comparing to a predetermined value, and dividing the edible substrate into the plurality of portions.

Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for manufacturing a solid formulation for oral administration, comprising an edible substrate portion on which a composition comprising a first pharmaceutical active ingredient is deposited, and solid formulations made thereby. The methods comprise providing an edible substrate in the form of a film comprising a plurality of portions, spraying a liquid formulation comprising the active ingredient and a solvent onto an edible substrate portion and evaporating the solvent to form a solid composition deposited on the edible substrate portion; measuring the quantity of active ingredient supported by the edible substrate portion and comparing to a predetermined value, and dividing the edible substrate into the plurality of portions.

An apparatus and method for maintaining a pattern of non-rigid objects in a desired position and orientation. The first surface, second surface, and third surface are mutually orthogonal and meet at a point to form a lowest corner. The second and third surfaces are supported by, attached to and extend at least somewhat vertically from the apparatus. The first surface is oriented at an angle to a plane running through a bottom of the apparatus and thereby provides the lowest corner.

An apparatus for packaging dosed quantities of solid drug portions includes multiple storage containers and dosing elements for storing and dispensing first dosed quantities of drug portions, multiple moving collecting containers for collecting and outputting drug portions to a packaging station, and fall tubes for guiding the drug portions dispensed by the dosing elements to the collecting containers. An ancillary dosing station has multiple buffer receptacles for storing and delivering second dosed quantities of drug portions to the collecting containers. A conveyor moves the collecting containers between multiple locations along a predetermined path. A controller controls closure members of the buffer receptacles depending on the positions of the moving collecting containers so that drug portions temporarily held in the buffer receptacles are output to selected collecting containers.

An apparatus for packaging dosed quantities of solid drug portions includes multiple storage containers and dosing elements for storing and dispensing first dosed quantities of drug portions, multiple moving collecting containers for collecting and outputting drug portions to a packaging station, and fall tubes for guiding the drug portions dispensed by the dosing elements to the collecting containers. An ancillary dosing station has multiple buffer receptacles for storing and delivering second dosed quantities of drug portions to the collecting containers. A conveyor moves the collecting containers between multiple locations along a predetermined path. A controller controls closure members of the buffer receptacles depending on the positions of the moving collecting containers so that drug portions temporarily held in the buffer receptacles are output to selected collecting containers.

The invention relates to a product stand-up device (10) for standing up products (11) of a plurality of product columns (20) in stack rows (30), which are each associated with a product column (20), comprising a feeding unit (13) for products (11) lying flat, which feeding unit is common to the plurality of product columns (20), and/or a removal transport unit (16) for products (11) stood up in stack rows (30), at least one erecting path (12) for erecting the products (11) of at least one product column (20), and a plurality of shifting elements (21), which are each associated with a stack row (30) and are provided for producing an accommodating gap for lining up a following product (11) of the particular product column (20). According to the invention each shifting element (21) has a separately controllable driving means (22).

The invention relates to a product stand-up device (10) for standing up products (11) of a plurality of product columns (20) in stack rows (30), which are each associated with a product column (20), comprising a feeding unit (13) for products (11) lying flat, which feeding unit is common to the plurality of product columns (20), and/or a removal transport unit (16) for products (11) stood up in stack rows (30), at least one erecting path (12) for erecting the products (11) of at least one product column (20), and a plurality of shifting elements (21), which are each associated with a stack row (30) and are provided for producing an accommodating gap for lining up a following product (11) of the particular product column (20). According to the invention each shifting element (21) has a separately controllable driving means (22).

The invention relates to shrink packaging (1) for packing a series of containers (2), said packaging comprising a first zone (3) and, in this zone, at least one incision line including a series of perforations forming at least one partially detachable section (4) arranged to allow the extraction of at least one container (2) in a direction extending substantially from the lower part of the container (2) to the upper part thereof, said partially detachable packaging section (4) being larger than the cross-section of the at least one container (2) to be extracted. Moreover, the partially detachable section (4) is located on the periphery of the first zone (3).