System and process for packing unit doses of liquid medication

Abstract

A personal medication packaging system includes a frame, moveable track is supported by the frame and a roll of separable plastic bags operationally connected to the track. A funnel is positioned relative to the frame to dispense medication into a selected bag. In a process for consumer packing of unit doses of medication, a selected amount of medication is measured, and a roll of plastic bags is fed onto a track. The plastic bags are incrementally advanced on the track to align each bag with a funnel. The selected amount of medication is poured into the funnel.

1 . A personal medication packaging system, comprising: 
 a frame;    a moveable track supported by the frame;    a roll of separable plastic bags operationally connected to the track; and    a funnel positioned relative to the frame to dispense medication into a selected bag.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , including a mechanism for moving the track.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , including means for opening the selected bag positioned adjacent to the funnel.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , including means for closing the selected bag after dispensing medication.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , including means for sealing the selected bag after dispensing medication.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the track includes pins for engaging corresponding apertures located on the bags.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein each bag includes an opening and the apertures are located adjacent to the opening.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the funnel is removably mounted onto the frame.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , including a liner covering an interior surface of the funnel.  
   
   
       10 . A personal medication packaging system, comprising: 
 a frame;    a roll of separable plastic bags operationally connected to the track;    a funnel positioned relative to the frame to dispense medication into a selected bag;    a mechanism for moving the track;    means for opening the selected bag positioned adjacent to the funnel;    means for closing the selected bag after dispensing medication; and    means for sealing the selected bag after dispensing medication.    
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the funnel is removably mounted onto the frame.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 10 , including a liner covering an interior surface of the funnel.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the track includes pins for engaging corresponding apertures located on the bags and wherein each bag includes an opening and the apertures are located adjacent to the opening.  
   
   
       14 . A process for consumer packing of unit doses of medication, comprising the step of: 
 measuring a selected amount of medication;    feeding a roll of plastic bags onto a track;    incrementally advancing the plastic bags on the track to align each bag with a funnel; and    pouring the selected amount of medication into the funnel.    
   
   
       15 . The process of  claim 14 , including the step of covering an interior surface of the funnel with a lining material.  
   
   
       16 . The process of  claim 14 , including the step of opening each bag when aligned with the funnel.  
   
   
       17 . The process of  claim 14 , including the step of heat sealing each bag after pouring the medication thereinto.  
   
   
       18 . A process for consumer packing of unit doses of medication, comprising the step of: 
 measuring a selected amount of medication;    feeding a roll of plastic bags onto a track;    incrementally advancing the plastic bags on the track to align each bag with a funnel;    opening each bag when aligned with the funnel;    pouring the selected amount of medication into the funnel, the medication passing through the funnel and into the open bag aligned with the funnel; and    heat sealing each bag after pouring the medication thereinto.    
   
   
       19 . The process of  claim 18 , including the step of covering an interior surface of the funnel with a lining material.