Deblistering Apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus for deblistering a pharmaceutical blister pack having a number of product blisters and a lidding material thereover is described. The apparatus comprises a pack holding means ( 10 ) adapted to hold the blister pack and means to transfer the pack into and out of alignment with an operating position, the operating position having a lidding material cutting means ( 4 ) and a blister punching means ( 6 ) on opposing sides thereof. The present invention provides a simple apparatus having few moving parts for deblistering of a blister pack. Only the pack holding means ( 10 ) requires significant movement into and out of alignment with the cutting means ( 4 ) and punching means ( 6 ), each of which requires little movement in themselves to provide their effect.

1 . Apparatus for deblistering a pharmaceutical blister pack having a number of product blisters and a lidding material thereover, the apparatus comprising: 
 a pack holding means adapted to hold the blister pack; and    means to transfer the pack into and out of alignment with an operating position, the operating position having a lidding material cutting means and a blister punching means on opposing sides thereof.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the pack holding means has a series of indentations.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the pack holding means has a series of holes extending through the pack holding means.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the pack holding means retains the blister pack through at least one of a retaining means and a restraining means.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the pack holding means is retained by a plate transfer means.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the plate transfer means is adapted to provide movement of the pack holding means into and out of alignment of the operating position.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the plate transfer means is guided in its movement, optionally by at least one of arms, guide rails and pins.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the pack holding means is moveable into and out of alignment of the operating position in one movement.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the pack holding means is moveable when out of alignment with the operating position.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the lidding material cutting means includes a number of cutting pieces.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the cutting pieces are attached to a carrier plate so as to be simultaneously operable.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the cutting pieces are in a pattern which is complementary to the position of the blisters on the pack to be deblistered.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the lidding material cutting means is changeable.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the lidding material cutting means is moveable between a rest position and a cutting position.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the blister punching means acts indirectly on the blisters.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the pack holding means is wholly or substantially in a vertical position in the operating position.  
   
   
       17 . A method of deblistering a pharmaceutical blister pack having a number of product blisters covered by a lidding material, comprising: 
 locating the blister pack on a pack holding means having complementary pockets corresponding to the blisters of the blister pack,    transferring the pack holding means into an operating position in alignment with a lidding material cutting means and a blister punching means, wholly, substantially or partly cutting the lidding material by activation of the lidding material cutting means,    deblistering the contents of the product blisters by engagement of the blister punching means such that the contents are without the blister pack, and    moving the deblistered blister pack out of alignment with the operating position.    
   
   
       18 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the pack holding means is wholly or substantially horizontal when locating the blister pack thereon.  
   
   
       19 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the pack holding means is wholly or substantially vertical in the operating position.  
   
   
       20 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the lidding material cutting means and the blister punching means are linearly moveable between a rest position and an engagement position.  
   
   
       21 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the pack holding means and the blister pack are wholly or substantially stationary during engagement of the cutting means and blister punching means.  
   
   
       22 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , 
 wherein the pack holding means is wholly or substantially horizontal when locating the blister pack thereon;    wherein the pack holding means is wholly or substantially vertical in the operating position;    wherein at least one of the lidding material cutting means and the blister punching means are linearly moveable between a rest position and an engagement position; and    wherein at least one of the pack holding means and the blister pack are wholly or substantially stationary during engagement of the cutting means and blister punching means.    
   
   
       23 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , 
 wherein the pack holding means has a series of indentations;    wherein the pack holding means retains the blister pack through at least one of a retaining means and a restraining means, and wherein the pack holding means is moveable into and out of alignment of the operating position in one movement;    wherein the lidding material cutting means includes a number of cutting pieces, wherein the cutting pieces are in a pattern which is complementary to the position of the blisters on the pack to be deblistered, and wherein the lidding material cutting means is moveable between a rest position and a cutting position;    wherein the blister punching means acts indirectly on the blisters; and    wherein the pack holding means is wholly or substantially in a vertical position in the operating position.