Small-object feeder for blister-packaging machine

Abstract

An apparatus for filling small objects into upwardly open blisters of a strip moving in a transport direction and formed with an array of the blisters has a feeder formed by a carrier or base plate juxtaposed with the strip and formed with an array of throughgoing holes aligned with the pockets of the strip and respective tubes joined seamlessly to the plate at the holes and extending upward from the plate.

1 . In an apparatus for filling small objects into upwardly open blisters of a strip moving in a transport direction and formed with an array of the blisters, a feeder comprising:
 a base plate juxtaposed with the strip and formed with an array of throughgoing holes aligned with the pockets of the strip; and   respective tubes joined seamlessly to the plate at the holes and extending upward from the plate.   
   
   
       2 . The feeder defined in  claim 1  wherein the tubes and plate are unitarily formed with one another. 
   
   
       3 . The feeder defined in  claim 1  wherein lower ends of the tubes are joined seamlessly to the base plate. 
   
   
       4 . The feeder defined in  claim 1  wherein the tubes have free ends spaced from the plate. 
   
   
       5 . The feeder defined in  claim 1  wherein each tube is elongated and is formed with a transversely open cutout, whereby a respective blocking element can engage through the cutout into each tube to control small-object movement therethrough. 
   
   
       6 . The feeder defined in  claim 1  wherein the tubes are permanently fixed on the base plate. 
   
   
       7 . The feeder defined in  claim 6  wherein the tubes and base plate are made of different materials.