Patent ID: 7383671
Filing Date: 2008-06-10
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
1. A blistering machine for producing blister packs comprising: a product feeding station for feeding products to be packaged; a production line extending substantially horizontal from said products feeding station, along a continuous feeding path, said production line including: at least one thermoforming station for thermoforming a first continuous band of thermoformable material to form a blister band containing a plurality of blisters for receiving the products therein; a filling station for filling the plurality of blisters in said blister band with the products; an overlay band feeding station for continuously feeding a second continuous band over the blister band filled with said products; a closing station for sealing said blister band with said second continuous band to form a blister pack band; at least one processing station for performing a process selected from the group consisting of printing, pre-cutting, incision, and combinations thereof on said blister pack band as said blister pack band moves along said continuous feeding path, said at least one processing station containing processing means operable on said blister pack band to perform said selected process; and, a cutting station for cutting said blister pack band into a plurality of blister packs; said at least one processing station having: plate supporting means for supporting said processing means; rotating and reciprocating means for cyclically moving said plate supporting means first in a direction toward said blister pack band then moving along said feeding path with said blister pack band and then away from said blister pack band with return to the position for moving again toward said blister pack band, in a continuous cycle, the rotating and reciprocating means operating in synchrony with the feeding of the blister pack band along the feeding path, thereby defining a work cycle having a first step for moving said plate supporting means close to said blister pack band, to touch said blister pack band and to move together with said blister pack band, and a second step for moving said plate supporting means away from said blister pack band, and back to an initial position for repeating the work cycle, so that said at least one processing means move toward and away from the blister pack band and follow the blister pack band along said path when the processing means are acting on said blister band pack, said plate supporting means including: