Method For Handling a Blister in a Blister Packaging Machine and Device For Carrying Out Said Method

Abstract

During operation of a blister in a blister packaging machine, the blister is grasped by a relocating device at a supply position and disposed at a deposition location of a continuous conveying device which is driven in cycles, wherein several blisters are stacked at the deposition location during one cycle of the conveying device to form a stack. The individual blisters of the stack are associated with different motions of the relocating device. The relocating device comprises a main arm which can be pivoted about a first pivot axis using a first drive device, and a side arm disposed on the main arm, which can be pivoted relative to the main arm about a second pivot axis using a second drive device, and which carries a receiving device for receiving the blister.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A device for handling a blister in a blister packaging machine, the device comprising:
 means for engaging and grasping a side of a blister using a receiving device at a supply position of the blister;   means for disposing the blister at a deposition location using a relocating device, the deposition location disposed on a continuous conveying device which is driven in cycles; and   means for repeated grasping and disposition of blisters during a single cycle of said conveying device to form a stack of blisters at said deposition location, wherein each blister has an individual associated motion of said relocating device.   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the blister is detected at said supply position using said relocating device, said relocating device having a main arm which can be pivoted about a first pivot axis using a first drive device, and a side arm, disposed on said main arm, which can be pivoted about a second pivot axis relative to said main arm using a second drive device, said side arm carrying said receiving device, wherein said relocating device performs different motions of said main arm and/or of said side arm for each individual blister of said stack. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein several cells defined by walls or fingers, are formed on said conveying device, each of which defines a deposition location, wherein said relocating device is lowered into said cell during a relocating motion. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein said second pivot axis extends parallel to said first pivot axis. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein said first pivot axis is fixed to a frame. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein a separation between said first and said second pivot axes can be changed. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein said receiving device is a suctioning device. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein said supply position is formed on a punching or cutting device for separating the blisters from a blister band. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein said relocating device is disposed on a side of the blister opposite said punching or cutting device. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein said relocating device is disposed between said punching or cutting device and said conveying device. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 17 , further comprising an ejector shaft into which the blister can be introduced by said relocating device. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein said ejector shaft comprises a scraper for scraping the blister from said receiving device. 
     
     
         28 . A method for handling a blister in a blister packaging machine, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) engaging and grasping a side of a blister using a receiving device at a supply position of the blister;   b) disposing the blister at a deposition location using a relocating device, the deposition location disposed on a continuous conveying device which is driven in cycles;   c) repeating steps a) and b) a plurality of times during a single cycle of the conveying device to form a stack of blisters at the deposition location, wherein each blister has an individual associated motion of the relocating device.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the supply location is formed on a punching or cutting device which separates the blister from a blister band. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the relocating device rejects incomplete and/or improperly sealed blisters. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the relocating device supplies the incomplete and/or improperly sealed blisters to an ejector shaft.