Package drying apparatus and method

Abstract

Apparatus and method for drying the seal area ( 316 ) of a contact lens blister package ( 300 ) prior to affixing a lidstock to the seal area ( 316 ) includes a vacuum block ( 54 ) to which one or more vacuum heads ( 50 ) are removably mounted. The vacuum heads ( 50 ) include vacuum tips ( 52 ) which engage and circumscribe the seal area ( 316 ) removing moisture therefrom. Should a vacuum head ( 50 ) become damaged, it is quickly and easily replaceable upon the vacuum block ( 54 ).

1 . Apparatus for vacuum drying the seal area of a blister package prior to affixing a lidstock to the seal area, the apparatus comprising: 
 a) a vacuum block having one or more vacuum channels extending therethrough for communication with a vacuum source;    b) at least one vacuum head having a vacuum tip at one end thereof, the vacuum head and tip having a vacuum channel extending longitudinally therethrough, and being removably mounted to the vacuum block with the vacuum channel of the vacuum head communicating with the vacuum channel of the vacuum block whereby upon activation of the vacuum source, a vacuum is drawn at the vacuum tip,    whereby the vacuum tip may be engaged with the seal area of a blister package with the vacuum removing moisture from the seal area prior to affixing a lidstock to the seal area.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , including a plurality of vacuum heads mounted in the vacuum block whereby a like plurality of blister packages and respective seal areas may be engaged by the plurality of vacuum tips, respectively, and be dried thereby.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  or  claim 2  wherein the or each vacuum head includes a castellation formed by first and second slots extending perpendicular to each other at a respective vacuum tip.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each vacuum head is removably mounted to the vacuum block by a screw extending through the vacuum block and threaded into the end of a respective vacuum head opposite the vacuum tip.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each vacuum head is formed of acetal.  
     
     
         6 . A method for vacuum drying the seal area of a blister package prior to affixing a lidstock to the seal area, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a vacuum block having one or more vacuum channels extending therethrough for communication with a vacuum source;    b) providing at least one vacuum head having a vacuum tip at one end thereof, the vacuum tip having a vacuum channel extending longitudinally therethrough, the vacuum head being removably mounted to the vacuum block with the vacuum channel of the vacuum head communicating with the vacuum channel of the vacuum block whereby upon activation of the vacuum source, a vacuum is drawn at the vacuum tip;    c) engaging and circumscribing said vacuum tip with the seal area of a blister package with the vacuum at the vacuum tip removing moisture from the seal area; and    d) affixing a lidstock to the seal area.    
     
     
         7 . An apparatus substantially as shown in or as described with respect to any of the accompanying drawings.  
     
     
         8 . A method of vacuum drying the seal area of a blister pack substantially as described with respect to any of the accompanying drawings.