Patent ID: 6205748
Filing Date: 2001-03-27
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
A suture package unloading arrangement in a machine for automated packaging of a single needle having an attached suture to produce a suture package, wherein said machine includes automatically winding said suture within a confine of a tray and attaching a cover to said tray so as to constitute said suture package, said machine having at least one tool nest for supporting said tray, and means for imparting a forwarding motion to said tool nest and said tray supported thereon for indexed advance to a plurality of workstations stationarily arranged proximate a path of advancing movement of said at least one tool nest; said arrangement comprising:(a) a first workstation including motive means for engaging said suture package located on a support surface of said at least one tool nest; compartmented tray means having a plurality of compartments being positionable at said workstation below said motive means, said motive means being actuatable to disengage said suture package from said support surface and convey said suture package into a respective said compartment.