Patent ID: 7121822

Claim:
A pharmaceutical packaging apparatus for making an embossed blister formed from a laminated plastic film comprising: (a) a pin having a body and face portion, said face having indicia thereon and said pin body being structured to progressively engage the film from the pin face and comprising at least two frusto-conical portions having different apex angles, said pin face comprising a slightly concave surface having a peripheral edge and wherein said pin body adjacent to said pin face comprises different materials having differing friction parameters with said film. (b) a platen bearing an indicia forming die therein and structured to accommodate a laminated plastic film thereon wherein said platen is in a base which is not configured to form a mold against which the laminated film is contoured; and (c) means for advancing said pin towards and in engagement with said platen; wherein said pin indicia and platen indicia are complementary and said pin is positioned transversely to said platen and structured to controllably stretch said film located at the base of said blister; and wherein said apparatus is structured to accomplish both embossing and blister formation within a single pass of pin advancement onto said film.