Device for packing drug portions

Abstract

The present disclosure provides devices for packaging drug portions, including a folding and conveyance device configured to receive and mold an elongated packaging material web into a tubular packaging material web, a guide device configured to receive and guide drug portions into the tubular packaging material web, and first and second joining devices disposed downstream of the folding and conveyance device and configured to seam the tubular packaging material web in a direction of movement of the tubular packaging material and at pre-specified intervals with respect to the direction of movement of the tubular packaging material web, respectively, such that a continuous blister tube is created. One of the first and second joining devices includes two joining elements each having an independent movement device. Systems and methods for packaging drug portions are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for packaging drug portions, the device comprising:
 a folding and conveyance device comprising a passage configured to receive an elongated packaging material web and to mold the elongated packaging material web into a tubular packaging material web;   a guide device comprising a conveying segment configured to receive and guide drug portions into the tubular packaging material web;   a first joining device disposed downstream of the folding and conveyance device and configured to seam the tubular packaging material web in a direction of movement of the tubular packaging material; and   a second joining device arranged downstream of the first joining device, the second joining device configured to seam the tubular packaging material web at pre-specified intervals with respect to the direction of movement of the tubular packaging material web such that a continuous blister tube is created,   wherein one of the first and second joining devices comprises two joining elements each having an independent movement device.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first joining device comprises two joining elements and two independently actuable drive assemblies. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second joining device comprises two joining elements and two independently movable horizontal adjusting mechanisms. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a cutting element disposed within a recess of a joining element of the second joining device, the cutting element configured to move into and out of the recess. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the cutting element includes a plurality of teeth, and the blister tube and the cutting element are movable relative to each other to perforate the blister tube. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a spring coupled to a first joining element of the second joining device; and   a second joining element of the second joining device,   wherein when the first joining element is pressed against the spring by the second joining element, the cutting element is further moveable relative to the blister tube to sever the blister tube.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the cutting device is operatively associated with the second joining device. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second joining device seams the tubular packaging material web by welding. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the folding and conveyance device narrows conically at substantially a center of the folding and conveyance device. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the folding and conveyance device includes a raised conical form that includes the passage therethrough. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first joining device is arranged on a receiving plate. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the second joining device includes a drive device for moving the second joining device in, and opposite to, the direction of movement of the tubular packaging material web. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the conveying segment of the guide device extends through the passage of the folding and conveyance device. 
     
     
         14 . A system for dispensing and packaging drug portions, the system comprising:
 a plurality of reservoir and dispensing stations for dispensing individual drug portions;   at least one conveyance and collecting apparatus for receiving and transferring the drug portions dispensed by the reservoir and dispensing stations;   a packaging material feed for feeding a flexible and elongated packaging material web; and   a packaging device, comprising:
 a folding and conveyance device comprising a passage configured to receive an elongated packaging material web and to mold the elongated packaging material web into 
   a tubular packaging material web;
 a guide device comprising a conveying segment configured to receive and guide drug portions into the tubular packaging material web; 
 a first joining device disposed downstream of the folding and conveyance device and configured to seam the tubular packaging material web in a direction of movement of the tubular packaging material; and 
 a second joining device arranged downstream of the first joining device, the second joining device configured to seam the tubular packaging material web at pre-specified intervals with respect to the direction of movement of the tubular packaging material web such that a continuous blister tube is created, 
 wherein one of the first and second joining devices comprises two joining elements each having an independent movement device. 
   
     
     
         15 . A method of forming a blister tube containing drug portions with a packaging device, comprising:
 feeding an elongated packaging material web into a passage of a folding and conveyance device;   molding, by the passage, the elongated packaging material into a tubular packaging material web;   guiding drug portions into the tubular packaging material web by a conveying segment of a guide device that extends along the passage of the folding and conveyance device;   seaming, by a first joining device arranged downstream of the folding and conveyance device, the tubular packaging material web in a direction of movement of the tubular packaging material web;   seaming, by a second joining device arranged downstream of the first joining device, the tubular packaging material web at pre-specified intervals with respect to the direction of movement of the tubular packaging material web such that a continuous blister tube is created; and   moving, via independent movement devices, first and second joining elements relative to one another to actuate the seaming by one of the first and second joining devices.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 moving, by a drive device of the second joining device, the second joining device in, and opposite to, the direction of movement of the tubular packaging material web.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 pressing a first joining element of the second joining device into a spring by a second joining element of the second joining device; and   severing, by a cutting device with a cutting element, the blister tube at pre-specified intervals with respect to the direction of movement of the tubular packaging material.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 moving a cutting element having a plurality of teeth relative to the blister tube; and   perforating the blister tube.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 moving two joining elements of the second joining device relative to one another via two independently movable horizontal adjusting mechanisms.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 moving two joining elements of the first joining device relative to one another via two independently actuable drive assemblies.