Patent ID: 7661447
Filing Date: 2010-02-16
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
1. A method of loading a blister on an elongate blister strip with a defined quantity of powder which comprises the steps of: providing a perforated plate in the form of a planar disk having plural perforations arranged in a circular path on the disk, each perforation extending form a first opening in a first side of the disk to a second opening on a second side of the disk; and a director member spaced from the first side of the disk; the method also comprising the step of: a) having relative rotary motion of the perforated plate and said director member with powder being disposed on the first side of he perforated plate on a first path thereon which is different from the circular path, said relative rotary motion comprising rotary movement of the perforated plate; and the method further comprising the following steps while there is said relative rotary motion; b) closing off one of the perforations in the disk by inserting a blanking pin into the perforation through the second opening; c) directing powder from the first path onto the circular path; d) directing powder on the circular path into said closed-off perforation by the sweeping action of the director member; e) compacting said powder in the closed-off perforation by inserting a compacting pin into the closed-off perforation through the first opening; and f) transferring the compacted powder contents of the perforation to said blister through the second opening by withdrawing the blanking pin from the perforation through the second opening to reopen the perforation, placing the blister in registration with the second opening and moving the compacting pin towards the second opening to transfer the compacted powder contents into the blister, and wherein the elongate blister strip is moving continuously on a linear path as the blister is registered with the perforation and the compacted powder contents transferred thereinto.