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Title:
BLISTER PACKAGE STACKER
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2018/140891
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A blister package stacker having a nest inlet for reception of blister packages from a conveyor, a nest assembly for holding one of the blister packages, and a blister package collection tower for storing a stack of the blister packages. The nest assembly is configured to insert one blister package at a time upward into a bottom of the blister package collection tower. The blister package stacker may have a push arm which pushes the stack of the blister packages from the collection tower into storage tubes.

Inventors:
ARCHER BOBBY (US)
DUNN BRUCE (US)
BOHLMANN JAN (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2018/015773
Publication Date:
August 02, 2018
Filing Date:
January 29, 2018
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
REMEDI TECH HOLDINGS LLC (US)
International Classes:
B65B35/52; B65G57/30
Foreign References:
EP0337958A11989-10-18
US20100175352A12010-07-15
US20080110134A12008-05-15
US20100172724A12010-07-08
DE102011100421A12012-11-08
JP2015013671A2015-01-22
US20090220687A12009-09-03
US5954204A1999-09-21
US9394070B22016-07-19
US20100175352A12010-07-15
US20080110134A12008-05-15
US20100176145A12010-07-15
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
OLLIS, Andrew, M. et al. (US)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1. A blister package stacker forreception and stacking of blister packages containing an item, comprising:

a first blistercollection tower having a collection tower storage section;

a nest assembly forholding oneof the blister packages, thenest assemblyhaving a nest inlet for reception of theblister packages froma conveyor; and

a tower gate for retaining blisterpackages in the collection tower storage section, wherein the nestassembly is configuredto insert one blisterpackage at a time upward into a bottom of the col lecti onto wer storage section.

2. The stacker of claim 1, wherein the nest assembly is rotatablevith the collection tower storage section andduring rotation raises forinsertion one of the blister packages into the collection towerstorage section.

3. The stacker of claim 1 , whereinthe nest assembly ,upon rotation, raises vertically said one ofthe blister packages intothe collection towerstorage section.

4. The stacker of claim 3, wherein the nestassembly is connectedby a cam follower to a barrel cam driving said rotationand raising the nest assembly.

5. The stacker of claim 1, wherein the tower gate comprises a flip gate ai bottom thereofto prevent the blisterpackages fromfalling out once the blisters have beeiplaced in the collection towerstorage section.

6. The stacker of any of claim 1, furthercomprising a secondblister collection tower, whereinthe firstand second col lecti on towersare disposed ona rotatable arm.

7. The stacker of claim 6, wherein thefirst and second blister collection towereach comprise between two andfour coUectiontower storage sections disposedin separate quadrants.

8. The stacker of claim 6, further comprisinga rotatable cylinder, whereinthe first and the second blistercollection towers are disposed at opposite ends of the rotatabkrm and the rotatable cylinder isconnected to a centerof the rotatable arm.

9. The stacker of claim 8, wherein the rotatable armrotatesthe firstand second blister collection towersbetweena first position wherethe blister packages are loaded into at least one of the coUectiontower storage sections and a second position whera stack of blister packages filled in said at leastone of the collection towerstorage sections can be unloaded.

10. The stacker of claim 9, further comprising atleast one storage tube,and wherein the blister packagesin the secondposition are unloadable into the storagaube positioned over the stack in the collection towerstorage section.

11. The stacker of claim 1 , wherein the stacker further comprises bar code reader for identifyingthe item inside theblister packages.

12. The stacker of claim 10, further comprising a magazineof clips for sealing theat least one storage tube oncethe stack of the blisterpackages hasbeen inserted into thestorage tube.

13. The stacker of claim 1, wherein the collection tower storagsection holds a stack of the blisterpackages at selected contact positions^ a periphery of each ofthe blister packages.

14. The stacker of claim 1, wherein the nest comprises a stainlessteel material.

15. The stacker of claim 1, wherein the collection tower storagsection comprises an anodized aluminummaterial.

16. The stacker of claim 1, further comprising a push arm configured to push a stack of the blisterpackages from the collectiortower storage section intostorage tubes, wherein the push arm is connected toa servo cylinder.

17. The stacker of claim 1, further comprising a controller which is configuretb execute oneor more ofthe following:

receive a first sensor signal indicatinghat the blister package is loaded in thaiest and transmit a first control signal to rotate a dial and raise the nest;

receive a second sensor signalindicating that the collectiortower storage section is completely fulland transmit a second control signal to push a stack of blisteipackages fromthe full collection towerstorage section into a storage tube;

receive a third sensor signalindicating that a blister collectiortower is full of the blister packages and transmita third control signal to stop production of the blister packagesjand

receive a fourth sensor signal includingnformation on theitem in the blister packages in the storagetubes and store said information.

Description:
TITLE

BLISTER PACKAGE STACKER

BACKGROUND

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priorityto and is a continuation of U. SProvisional Application Serial No. 62/451,417 filed January 27, 2017, entitled "BLISTERPACKAGER AND STACKER' and U.S. ProvisionalApplication SerialNo. 62/517,234 filed June 9, 2017, entitled "BLISTER PACKAGER AND STACKER." The entire contents of bothof the above applications are incorporated herein byreference.

Field

The present invention isrelated to automated pill handling andpackaging devices.

Description of the Related Art

Hospitals, longterm care and other healthcare facilitiesdistribute and administer

pharmaceutical productsto patients in individual doses numerous times perday. Pharmaceutical products such as prescription medicationsnutritional supplements and thelike are often stored in bulk by pharmacies andare packaged into containersof multiple doses basedon individual prescri pti on sfor retail or outpatient di stribution. For inpatientor in-facility distribution, pharmacies also often package bulkpharmaceuticals into"unit of use" or"unit dose" packages, forexample, multiple blister packs that are connected togetherin a strip that contain multiple single doses of the pharmaceutical product. In the art, blister packages are knownfor holding medicaments foriispensing to a patient. A blister packageas descnbedin US Pat. No. 5,954,204 (the entire contents of whicbare incorporated herein by reference's formedof a rupturable substrate, a blister layer formed oveihe rupturable substrate, and a medicament contained betweeAe blister layer andthe rupturable substrate. The blister package can be opened and gives accessto the medicament by deforming thfblister layer so that it puncturesthe rupturable substrateand allowsthe medicament to be removedherefrom, without applyingdirectly a mechanical pressureon the medicament.

US Pat. No. 9,394,070 (the entire contents ofwhich are incorporated herein byeference) describes asystem forpackaging unit doses of medication. Thissystem included a feeding assembly, a pill packaging assembly, anda pill guide. In this system, a pilltraveling through a pill guide would exit an outlet aperture orientecfcuch that a leading edgeof the pill wouldpoint toward one side of the pill package andthe trailing edge ofthe pill wouldbe inclined toward an opposite side of the pill package.

US Pat. Appl. Publ. No. 2010/0175352 (the entire contentsof which are incorporated herein by reference) describesan automated packaging apparatus utilizinga rotating assembly of elongated slats containing cavitiesto receive discrete pharmaceutical, vitamin, or foo^roducts. Quantitiesof discrete productssuch as tablets, capsules, orgels were deposited into the hopper of theapparatus. The apparatus then dispensedthe discrete products into containers moving on a conveyor system such that each container receives a predeterminedquality and quantity of pharmaceutical, vitamin, or food products. The '352apparatus inspected, counted^dentified, and analyzed each product deposited into the containers and maintained electronic records describiili¾e status of each product.

US Pat. Appl. Publ. No. 2008/01 10134 (the entire contentsof which are incorporated herein by reference) describesan apparatus and method forpacking pills in cavities formed ira blister web which includeda plurality of downwardly directed flexible members, foaxample brushes, thatare continuously cyclically moved to contact andknock down pills that are not properly nested in respective bli stercavities. One traditional method fordistributing individual dosage units of pharmaceutical products to patients begins withthe generationof a patient order by a physician for particularmedications. The patient orderis delivered tothe pharmacy. There, the processof interpreting thepatient order, pulling the specified medicationor supplements fromthe drug storageareas, packaging the medication or supplements, andabeling the packageis routinely donemanually by pharmacy support personnel. After afinal checkby the facility pharmacist, thepackaged individual dosage units are ready for distribution. Inlarge facilities, the packages containing the patient's order are forwarded toindividual nursingunits where nursing staffers distributeand administer themto the patients.

There are several disadvantagesassociated with the traditional method of distributing individual dosage units ^pharmaceutical products. To begin with, the processs labor and cost intensive. Many separate labor steps are requiredto fill a single patient order. In large facilities servicing hundredsof patientseach day, the staffing requirementsto rapidly process patient orders are substantial. In addition, withso many human inputs required in theexi sting process, theremay also be a risk of human error.

US Pat. Appl. Publ. No. 2010/0176145 ((the entire contents of whi chare incorporated herein by reference)describesa dispensing system and associated methodhat provides a turnkey solution for dispensingpharmaceutical products suchas solid medications andnutritional supplements tobe taken orally in healthcare settings, including but notlimited to, long term care (LTC) and assisted living settings. The system utilizes modules containing arrays of storage tubes that each contain individually packaged unit dosemedications (typicallya single pill). In one embodiment, the preseninventionsrelate to an improved system andmethod for individually packaging unit dose medications orsingle items and then placing thq^ackaged items into individual storage tubes usablein the system of US Pat. Appl.Publ. No. 2010/0176145.

SUMMARY In one embodiment ofthe presentinvention, thereis provided a blister collationsystem including a blister packager and a blister package stacker. The blister packager includes a blister seal station which seals a blister package with a medicament inside. The blister packagstacker is connected to the blister packager via a conveyor whichmoves and sorts individual blisterpackages. The blister package stacker has a nest inlet for reception ofthe blisterpackages from the conveyor,a nest assembly for holding oneof the blister packages,and a blister packagecollection tower for storing a stack of the blisterpackages. The nest assembly is configuredto insert one blisterpackage at a time upward into a bottom of the blisterpackage collection tower. The blisterpackage stacker has a push arm which pushesthe stack ofthe blister packages from the coll ecti onto wer into storage tubes.

In one embodiment ofthe presentinvention, thereis provided a blister packagestacker for reception and stacking of blisterpackages containingmedicaments. The blister package stacker has a nest inlet for reception of the blisterpackages from theconveyor, a nest assemblyfor holding one of the blister packages, and a blisterpackage collectiontower for storinga stack ofthe blister packages. A blisteris insertedin the nestinlet and israised in one of the nests associated with collectiontower sections byrotation of the collectiontower which drives the blister upward on a helical cam at the bottom ofthe collection tower. When the collection tower hascompleted a 360 degree rotation, the blister is now spaced above the next incoming blister atthe nestinlet. The blisterpackage stacker has a push arm which pushes the stack of the blister packages from the collectiontower into storage tubes.

In one embodiment ofthe presentinvention, thereis provided a control system foa blister collation system. The control system includesa non-transitory computer readablemedium which, when executed by a processor, performs one or more of thefollowing: receive a firstsensor signal indicating that a blisterpackage is loaded on a nest assembly ofa blister package stacker, transmits a first control signal to raise the nest assembly into a collection tower^eceives a second sensor signal indicatingthat the collection toweris completely full and transmits a second control signato push a stack of blister packagesinto a storage tube,receivesa third sensorsignal indicating that a conveyor isfull of the blister packages and transmits a thircbontrol signal to stop production of the blister packages, andreceivesa fourth sensorsignal including information on thanedicamentin the blister packagesand storesthe information.

It is to be understoodthat both the foregoing general description of the inventioiasid the following detailed descriptionare exemplary, but are not restrictive of the inventions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more completeappreciation of the inventionsand many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomesbetter understood by referenceto the following detailed description when considered inconnectionwith the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. lA-1 isa schematicof a blistercollation system;

Fig. 1 A-2 isa schematic depiction of a PVC unwindsystemof a blister packager;

Fig. 1A-3 isa schematic depiction of a dosingstation;

Fig. IB is a schematicof a representativeblister package handled by the present invention;

Fig. 1C is a schematicof a portion of a blisterpackager includinga control gate to selectively select anddirect blisterpackages;

Fig. I D is a cross sectional view of the blistepackager shownin Fig. 1 C;

Fig. 2A-1 isa schematicof a conveyor supplying blister packages to a blister stacker; Fig. 2A-2 isan enlarged viewof a section of the conveyor and lister stacker shownin Fig.

2A-1;

Fig. 2B is another schematic view of the conveyor andblister stacker shownin Fig. 2A-1; Fig. 3 A is a schematicof a blister stacker according to one embodiment^ the invention; Fig. 3B is an enlarged schematic ofthe blister stacker shown in Fig.3A;

Fig. 4 is another schematic viewof the blisterstacker shownin Fig. 3 A; Fig. 5 is a schematic of a magazine containingclips for sealingthe storagetubes onceall of the blisterpackages are stackedtherein;

Fig. 6 is a schematic of a bar codereader implementation;

Fig. 7 is an overview ofan embodimentof a cleatedconveyorassembly and collation dials; Fig. 8A is a schematic showing blisters asthey are indexed alongthe cleated conveyor;

Fig. 8B is a schematic showinga blister in positionin the collation dial nest prior to indexing ofthe collation dial;

Fig. 8C is a schematic showing a blisterin a nest after it has been indexed90° in the collation dial ;

Fig. 8D is a schematic showing a blisteieompletely raised into a tower section;

Fig. 9 is a schematic showinga full stack of blisters readyto be loaded intoa tube; and Fig. 10 is a schematic depicting an exemplary computer system for implementing/arious embodimentsof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shownin Fig. 1A-I, in one embodimentthe blister-collationsystem2 described herein collects blistersl6 from one or more blisterpackagers 4 (suchas for example an UhlmannBEC 300 packager) andup stacks theblistersby way of a novel blister stacker 6 intoplug and play tubes 30. Plug and play tubes 30 can thereafterbe used as a source ofblisters 16 in situations where customized pill packs for patientsare formed containing the sameor differentmedicationsas described, for example, irUS Pat. Appl. Publ. No. 2010/0176145.

Blister Packager

In the blisterpackager 4, blister material roll 64 shown inFig. 1 A-l contains for example polyvinyl chloride (PVC)sheet matenalwhich isunwound to form onepart of the blisters 16. The raw PVC material can be loaded bythe operator ontoan expanding mandrel. The mandrel can be driven by an electric motor tounwind the material. As shown in Figs. lA- 1 andA-2, the material can be fed through a seriesof rollersand a dancer arm. Amaterial pre-heat andblisterform station can heat the incoming material to a formable statefrom which the blisters carbe formed. Once the machine indexes the pre-heated material, the tooling carclamp on the material, andthe plug assist will push into the material to form a cavity inthe materials (i.e., pre-form theblister). The machine will then force airinto thecavity to complete the blister cavityvhere a medication or otheritem can be placed. Once the forming process is completethe tooling will openand wait for the system to index.

While the blisterpackager is particularly suitable forpackaging individual solid unit dose medications, nutraceuticals orsupplements, in principal anyindividual item could be packaged in the blisters.

Consistency in the forming stationcan be improved if interruptions from thepackager 4 can be minimized. In one embodiment ofthe invention, to minimizethe interruptions, a servo web feed (disposed after the blister form section) servers an accumulation dancer. Fig. 1 A-2 is a schematic depiction ofa PVC unwind system ofthe blisterpackager of the invention. Other known thermoformablematerials such as PTE and PVD-C couldbe used instead of PVC if desired. When an operator filling the blister packages determinesthat the arrival rate of blister packs to be filled exceeds thefillingrate, the operator can interrupt the feed of the blister packs by servo adjustment of the dancer arm 60 adding more pathlengthinto the conveyance of the blisterpacks from theblister pack former to the operator station. This permitfche blister pack former to be tolerantof operator interruptions while not interrupting the packagecavity forming processdiscussedabove. Fig. 1A-2. The PVC unwind isa low tension process.

In other words, the accumulationdancer arm shown in Fig. 1A-2 permits the blister form station to operateindependentlyof the remainingstations of theblister packager 4. If packager 4 has an interruption, theblisterform station shownin Fig. 1 A-2A will continue to rurand accumulate formed blistersheets withempty cavitiesin the dancer accumulationarea (servo web feed).

In one embodiment ofthe invention, the dancer hasthree sensors,one to stop making blisters (accumulation full), and one to startagain (accumulation nearempty), and one to signal therest of the machineto start (accumulation empty). Blistedoad or operatorload station is an operator station wherethe medication is loadedinto blister 16. In general, an operator is responsiblefor loading the correct screen 71 for the medication that is beii%>aded into the blister sheets. Fig. 1 A- 3 is a schematic depictionof a filling ordosing stationwhere pills to fillthe cavities are spread out and supplied through through hole channels 72in the screen 71 for the filling of the respective blister packages 16 below. A pneumatic cylinderindexesa pill drop dosing plate automatically based on theindexing sequenceof theblisters. Thedosing plate canbe mounted tolinear rails on both sides with hard stopsfront andback. The dosingplate sits on thefixed, lower section ofihe dosing table, while the moveable uppersection contains the dosing screen71 and dosing tray 70 which can be raised andloweredto setthe spacing ofthe dosing screen abovethe dosing plate for optimal dosing of differenthicknesses ofmedicaments A manual vertical adjustment permitsthe height ofthe upper screen 71 to be set relative to the pilldrop screen for different pillsizes. Once set, a horizontal lock73 secures theposition.

As shown inFig. lA-1, foil materialis supplied toblister packager 4. Fig. 1A-3 shows the filled blister packages76 exiting to the rightbeforethe foil is overlaidon the blister packages. The foil material can be loadedmanually by an operator for example onto an expandablemandrel driven by an electric motor. The clutch can turn on and offbased on the positionfeedbackfrom a dancer arm. When the clutch isoff, the weightof the dancerarm pulls additional foil into themachine until the clutch turns onand stops the motion of the spindle. In one embodimeutf the invention, thefoil material is fed through a series ofrollers and intoa printer (e.g., a Domino printer). Theprinter prints the appropriate information24 on the foil material, andthen the foil material indexes towards blister seal stationlO.

At blisterseal station 10, the blistennaterial and theprinted foil material are heat sealed together to forma blister sheet. The two materials can be pressedlogether using pneumatic cylinders. Pressure forthe pneumatic cylinders can be manually adjustedusing a pressure regulator. Alternatively, the pressurecan be automatically adjusted by a pressure controller in communication with a system control 50. The heat canbe adjustedmanually using a heater controller. The heat can be adjusted automaticallyby the systemcontrol 50. The sealing time is expected to be set manually . As shown inFig. 1 A-l , a servo webfeed advances theblister sheet through the blister packager 4. The lower roller ofthe servo feed maybe made froma rubber roller thatwill grip the blister sheetbetweenthe blisters and onthe ends ofthe blister sheet. The upper rollerof the servo feed will apply spring pressure down oitihe lower rollerto maintain consistent grip. The servo and gearbox can pull the material throughthe blister packager 4 with the index length verified b n encoder count. The indexis adjustable.

As shown inFig. lA-1 , a blisterinspect station caninspect the formed blisters on the blister sheet with one or more cameras. For example, a top camera caninspect the printing on thd^listers and read thebarcodes to make sure theyare readable using for example a Cognex DataMan barcode reader. A lower camera, also for example a Cognex In-Sight Micro,can viewthe blisters to insure pill presence, look fomiultiple pillsin a blister, and look forbroken pills. Once the blisters passthis station, theblisters can be labeled as pass or fail and tracked through the machine.

As shown inFig. lA-1 , a blisterdie cut station cuts or punches the individual blisters from the blister sheet. The cutting die will indexip using a pneumatic cylinder. Oncethe die has cut the blisters from thesheet, a secondary pneumatic actuator will hold thmdividual blisters with vacuum suction cups and lowerthe blisters down ontothe cleated conveyor. As shown inFig. lA-1 , a scrap rewindpulls the excess materialfrom the blister cut and wraps it onto a mandrel driven byan electric motor. The motor will turn on and off based on the position feedback froma dancer arm. The operatoris responsible for removinghe scrap material from the roll when it isfull. As shown inFig. IB, in one embodiment of the invention, themedications/supplements produced byblisterpackager 4 are provided in blisters 16 sized to receive an individual dosrf a particular medication/supplement, commonlyeferred to as a blister pack. With reference toFig. IB, an exemplary blisterl6 includes a baseportion 18 definingthe above-noted cavityfor receiving the individual doseof the medication/supplemenSO, and a generally planar closure 22 disposed over an open end of the base portion 18. In one embodiment ofthe invention, theperipheral dimensions of the blisteicapsule baseportion 1 8 of the unit dose packages are smallerthan the perimeter dimensions ofihe upper, generally planarclosure 22 of the packages 16. This helps to limit the area that the tooling needs tocontact to the blister packaging. Theblisters 16 may be provided with information 24related to the medication/supplement 20 contained in thqaackages 16, such as the name of the medication/ supplements, the manufacturer, the date manufactured,the lot number, and/or other information. In the embodiment shown, information is provided on the closure portion22 and includes machine-readable information, such as a bar-code, that may be used to facilitatethe automated storing, tracking, dispensing, ancjjackaging of orders. Fig.2A shows an example of a bar codereader 52 to read and verify the tube barcodeand in turn associatesthe loaded blister to thetube. Blister barcodes are preferably read prior to thenest inlet 14a in Fig. 2A-2 (barcode reader not shown, see Fig6).

In one embodiment ofthe invention, as shownin Fig. 1 C, a pneumatic bridge (gate 24)is located after exitingthe packager4. In one embodiment ofthe invention, this bridge carbe pneumatically activated with a springretum. In one embodiment of the invention, thbridge can be lowered when a known good blisteris being indexed which wilkllow the good blisters to bypassthe reject bin and travelto the blister stacker 6. Fig. ID shows a perspective where ths)nveyor8 is passing acceptableblisters 16 on toward the blister stacker 6. In one embodimentof the invention, the default positionfor thisbridge is up. If a blisteris not known tobe good, the blister will fallinto a reject bin during conveyor indexingforward. In one embodimentof the invention, asshown in Fig.1C, multiple tracks (e.g., see track

101 and track 102 on Fig. 1C) provide a wayto transportblisters, in each track, to thestacker. Each track will be able topass or reject a single blister witheach index ofthe cleated convey or and separate out acceptable from non-acceptable blisters 16 Accordingly, in oneembodiment ofthe invention, anumber of tracks (2, 3, 4, 5, tracks etc.) can be provided. In the embodiment,the bins are categorized with a first bin being forblisters that possibly have medications while a second bin is for known empty blisters. Tn one embodiment of the invention, a pneumaticotating dividerbetween the bins divertsthe blistersas required per track (gate 24 in Fig. 1C and ID).

Tn one embodiment ofthe invention, as shownin Fig. I D, conveyor 8 is a servo indexing cleated conveyorthat transportsblisters from the punch dieto the blister stacker 6. This conveyor can index approximately6" each cycle. In oneembodiment of the invention, blisters 16 from the blister packager 4 travel on a conveyor 8 segregated in two onore tracks or lanes,for example between 2 -lOlanes, before arrivingat respectiveblister-stacker6. In one embodimentof the invention, railsare incorporated onto the conveyor todefine thedifferenttracks.

As shown inFigs. 2A-1 and 2B, guide rails 32 disposed above the surfaceof the conveyor 8 move and segregate the blisters Ιβηΐο differenttracks or lanes. The rails 32 serve to segregate the blisters into multiple lanes (e.g., 2-lQanes). In one embodiment ofhe invention, therails 32 separate thecenters ofthe lanesby a distanceof 10- 60 cm and preferably 30 cm. In one

embodiment ofthe invention, asshown inFig. 2A-1, theblisters exit from conveyor 8 onto a nest inlet 14a under a collection towerl4. The conveyor typically has a width ranging betweefil.5 m and 5 m. The width of the conveyoris set according tothe rate of blisters required. Conveyor canbe approximately 36" wide. In one embodimentof the invention, a slip belt coulcbe employedon the conveyor ora section of the conveyor versus the cleated conveyor. A slipbelt permits the blisters toslide relativeto the surface of the belt.

Blister Stacker

In one embodiment ofthe invention, blister-stacker 6 is capableaf stacking up to 100 shallow blisters,75 medium blisters or 75deep blisters into each plug andplay tube 30, for example in each of thetubes 30 shownin Fig. 2B. In one embodiment of the invention, thblister-stacker6 can run at a rate of 300 ppm (75 ppmper lane to eachblister stacker). This rate will be dependent on the rate in which the blisters are suppliedrom the blister packager 4.

In one embodiment ofthe invention, as shownin Fig. 3 A, each blister-stacker 6 includes multiple blister collection towers,e.g., one or more pairs of blister collection towersH and 15. In one embodiment ofthe invention, each blister stacker 6 has a pneumatic rotating cylinder 12a which permits the blister collation dialassemblies 12 (connectedby rotatable am 12b) to rotate about a vertical axis of the pneumaticrotating cylinder 12ato angular positions such thatblister collection tower 14 (as shown inFig. 3 A) can be positionedwith its nestassembly inlet 14a aligned to receive blisters 16 from the tracks (orfrom the convey or)while blister collectiontower 15 can be positioned adjacentthe storage tubes30. Both blister coUectiontowers 14 and 15 in this example have 4 tower segments each, 14b andl 5b. Blisters 16 stacked in collection towersl 5 can be transferred into storage tubes 30.

Fig. 3B shows a close-up ofa base of an exemplary collectiontower 14. At the base ofeach tower section 14b isa blister openingl4a for receiving blisters from theconveyor. Thenest assembly 26 is supported by a barrel carn34 which has a cam follower 32 that travels witrthe barrel cam 34 as it rotates. The barrel cam and cam follower are raisedduring rotation as they travel up incline 35. The movement upthe incline in turn lifts the nest assembly 26 into each tower section 14b. As the nest assembly rises, the ister passes throughgate 14. Oncethe blister has passed the gatel4, the gate will hold the blisterin the towerand the nest assembly willbe lowered to its original height as thebarrel cam and cam followertravel down a decline. Thenest assembly 26 will reach its original height by the timet arrives at its starting positionwhere the blister entrance 14a is again ready to receive a blisterfrom a conveyor track.

Fig. 4 shows a collection towerl4 in a first position forloading blister packages from the conveyor 8 and asecond collection towerl 5 in a second position for unloading a filled stack of the blister packages. Theblister collationdial assembly 12 (once one tower is full^otates to put an empty tower 14 into apositionto be filled. Oncethe empty blister collation tower 14 is in position, the blistersresume travel on the conveyor 8 into the nest inlet 14aof the nest assembly 26. Tn one embodiment ofthe invention, anair assistance devicecan aid in theloading of individualblisters 16 into the nest inletl4a. Alternatively, an overhead roller above theconveyor can driveor feed blister packs from convey orinto the dial nest assembly 14a or a cylinderpusher with a finger thatsits behind theback edge of the blisterf or positive loading controlof the blister into nest l4a.

In one embodiment ofthe invention, thereis a pneumatic stoplocated at an entrance ofthe blister stacker 6. The pneumaticstop is used to stop any blisters fromprogressing after a blister collectiontower 14 is full. As shownin Fig. 3 A, each blistercollation dial assembly 12 may include four (4) blister collectiontower sections 14b located90 degrees apart. Each collection tower section isconfiguredto accept shallow,medium or deepblisters withno change over. Each collectiontower section 14b can be located at a fixed position above a nestassembly 26 oneach blister collation dial 12.

In one embodiment ofthe invention, eachcollation dial assembly 12 hasa servo 12c to rotate the collection towers and/or the nest Each nest assembly26 can be made of, forexample, stainless steel. The nestassembly 26 can be mounted to a vertical rail 28 which may extend a full length of the storage tower 14.

Fig. 7 is a general overviewof an embodimentof a cleated conveyor assembly and stacking assembly 106 having two sets of stacking towers 1 14 and 1 15. Blisters 16 are supplied to each pair of stacking towers by a conveyortrack 101, 102.

Fig. 8 A shows theblisters as they are indexed along the cleated conveyor. The blister at the end of the conveyortrack 102 is ready to enterinto the collation dial nest. Thenest assembly 26 collects a single blister as it exits the conveyor 8 into the nesinlet 1 14a. As shown in Fig.8A, in one embodimentthe upper surface of the nestassembly which receives the blisters is U-shaped. Fig. 8B shows a blister 16 in positionin the collation dial nest 126 below a blister tower section 1 14b, just prior to the index of the collation dial. A sensor(not shown) candetectwhen a blister has fully entered thenest 126 and is ready to rotate. As the dial rotates 90degrees,the nest assembly (with blister 16) will be raised by the helical cam,which is internal to the nest 126 and starts to load the blister into the storage tower section 1 14b. Fig. 8C shows the blister in the nestafter it has beenindexed 90° in the collation dial. At this point one blister 16 is also starting tobe raised into thestack tower section 1 14b via the incline 35 on the barrel cam.

The nestassembly 126, after another 90 degree turn(180 degrees from start) will locate the blister at thetop dead center of the cam. Fig. 8D shows the collation dial indexed anothe§0° so that the first blister 16 is 180° from the end of the conveyor. At this point the first blister hasbeen completely raised intothe stack tower sectionl 14b and has been pushedpast the spring loaded catches 1 16 located on either sideof the stack tower section 1 14b. Thesespring loaded catches will support the blisteras the blister nestl 14a starts back down thebarrel cam on the decline on the opposite side. The nest 1 14a willthen be empty and ready for another blister to enter thenest. After releasing the blister 16, the dial rotates twice another 90 degreesand thenest 126 will be lowered back into the position where theload process started. At eacrindex of the cleated conveyor a blister is inserted into thenest inlet 114a and before the nextindex the collation tower 114rotates 90 degrees to movethe nextblister inlet 114a into positionfor the cleated conveyor to inserthe next blister. In one embodimentof the invention^ 360 degree cycle is used for each fulbycle.

Accordingly, there are differenembodimentsfor the order of inserting blister packs. The packs may be inserted sequentially in each ofthe four tower sections,the blister packs maybe inserted serially in one tower until thattower is full orpartially full, the blister packscan be insertedon a schedule between one tower andanother toweror tower section. Amixed sequence canbe used if different products areto be collectivelygrouped together.

Tn a preferred embodiment, each lister col lection tower hasfour tower sections 14b as shown in Fig. 3A. However, eachtower may have 2, 3, 5, 6, or othernumber of tower sections 14b with correspondingnests 14a under each section. Preferably, thetower sections are evenlyspaced (angularly and/or physically) around a perimeteDf thetower section. In one embodiment ofthe invention, a first group of collection towers 14 (e.g., all four collections towers) canrotate whilethe blisters are loadedinto the towersl4 from four separate tracks. In another embodiment, the systemhas twotracks with two receiving towers 14. The blisters may ride upan incline, driventhrough the barrel cam,to push the blister into one of the towers. This procedure pushes the blisteipacks upwardinto the collectiontower section. The upward motionmoves theblister packagainst gravity. In this embodimentgravity and air resistance may act againstthe blister packto hold the blister pack' s orientation during loading, permitting higher rates of packs to be pushed without compromise of the stack integrity. In one embodiment ofthe invention, sequentialblisters ride up theincline and are pushed intoone or more of thetowers 14. In another embodiment of the invention, sequenti¾listersride up theincline and are pushed into adjacent towers. When a collection towerl4 is full, rotatablearm 12b switches the first collection tower 14 to an offload position (where the blisters carbe unloaded from thetower 14 into the plug and playtubes 30) and a secondcollection tower 15 (empty) is rotated into thioading position.

The tower sections 14b are configuredin such a way as to have as fewcontact points with the blistersas possibleto reduce drag onthe blisters. The profilefor the plug and play tubes 30 can accommodate thisconfiguration. Forexample, each storage tower section 14b carbe configured to accommodate upto 20 shallow, 17 medium blisters or 15 deepblisterswith no changeover. The towers andtower sections may bemade of aluminum or other suitable material. In one embodiment of the invention, there is a flip gate 54 at the bottom of each tower section 14b to preverthe blisters from fallingout the bottom oncethe blisters havebeen placed in thetower sectionl4b.

Fig. 9 shows fullystacked tower sections 1 15b sectionready to be loaded into themagazine tubes 130. This is accomplished via an electric actuator mounted belowthe blister nest. Theactuator will lift the blister nest through anopening inthe barrel cam and this will then push all theblisters up into the magazinetube 130.

In one embodiment ofthe invention, oncethe towers 14 are full, the cleatedconveyorwill stop indexingto the filling position. The full collatioitlial assembly will be changed out for an empty oneusing the pneumatic rotary actuator to rotate the full set of collectiontowers 14 as the collation dial assemblyl2 is rotated around rotatablearm 12b. Once the empty collation dial 12 is moved into position, the indexing;onveyoris activated to allow blisters to continue to be stackedn empty towers l 5 while the full collation dial is loadedinto the plug andplay tubes 30.

Plug and Play Tube Load Station

Fig. 4 is a schematic showing a servo 12 that has a cylinderwhich pushesblisters 16 from the collectiontowers 14 of blister stacker 6 up into plug and play tubes30. In one embodimentof the invention, a totalof twenty-four(24) plug and play tubes 30 are loaded (6 per each of the four collation dial assemblies). The plug and play tubes 30 will be loadedonto a linear servo slide. In one embodiment ofthe invention, the blister-stacker 6 loadsfour or more tubes30 concurrently. Once thetubes 30 (or any 1 of the tubes) are filled,a servo slidewill move the filedtube over (e.g., over 5.0 cm,) which will move a setof empty plug and play tubes30 into position to be filled. The filled tubes maythen be utilized in storage modulessuch as those discussed in US*at. Appl. Publ. No. 2010/0176145. The caps will not berequired tobe removed. The operator may simply load the tubes 30, attach the top using the slot inthe cap, and place a clip 40 from a magazine42 onto tube 30. In one embodiment ofhe invention, as shown in Fig.5, there is a magazine 42 locatedin front of each tube 30 at the blisterload stations (4 total). This will allow theblister-stacking system to automati cally insertclip 40 onto each tube 30 after it i s filled. In a preferred embodiment the storage tubes are separate froithe collection towers, as expl ained inmore detail below. Nevertheless, in onffitnbodiment, thestorage tubescoul d be accommodatedon/with the collectiontowers sothat a loading of a collection towein effect loadeda storage tube. However, withthe storage tubes separatefrom the collectiontowers, the processof loading the tubesis separated fromthe ongoingtower loadingmeaning that there need not be any interruption of the conveyor and product deliveryand individual blister pack stackingwhile the storage tubes are filled andsecured.

In one embodiment ofthe invention, as shownin Figs. 2A- 1 and 6, there is a bar code reader 52 located at each tube load station (e.g., at four total load stations). Thebar code reader 52 can read the bar code prior to any blistersbeing loaded into the tubes. If a bar codeis not read, the module will alertthe operatoror the control systemof the blister-stacking system.

In one embodiment ofthe invention, thereis a light curtainlocated atboth ends of the tube station. The light curtain permitsan operatorto changetubes at any time but will notallow the servo slide to move tubes while anoperator is inside the light curtain. While blisters are loaded frorrtowers into tubes in a preferred embodiment, theblisters could be loaded into sleeves, cartridgesmagazines, or other suitablestorage containerwhich can be utilized by alater deviceto dispensethe blisters.

Controls In one embodiment ofthe invention, the blister-collation system includes system control 50

(as noted above). The systemcontrol includes power, sensor, ancbommuni cation networks, including for examplepower distribution,programmable logic control, power supplies§ensors, and safety relays. In oneembodimentof the invention, the control system is machine control system having for example an Allen Bradley Compact Logixwith Ethernet communication and arAllen- Bradley PanelviewPlus 7" color touch screenHMI to control all normal functions of th&lister- stacking system. A managed Ethernetswitch will be provide for communicationto the machine Ethernet network with an open portavailable for connection to a customer network. Servo controls will utilize Allen-BradleyKinetix 350 drives with Ethernet. Pneumatic control s will utilize SMC pneumatic manifoldswith Ethernet communication(Ex250 series) and remotel/O modules. Push buttons preferablycontrol the important functions of the blister-stacking system. Mack light will be providedwith an audible alarm and machinestatus indication.

The blister-collationsystem control system, in one embodiment isequipped with an

Emergency Power Off(EPO) safety circuit. This circuit removes all potential energ^rom the system withthe exceptionof PLC power, low power indicatorcircuits and communicationpower. This circuit is usedfor serious emergencyconditions where thereis an immediate danger of injuiyor equipment damage. An adequate amount of E-Stop push buttons wilbe provided to ensure the safe operation of the machine.

In one embodiment ofthe invention, guard doors have hard wired ower to unlock safety interlock switchesto provide safeentry into the components of the blister-stacking systemln one embodiment ofthe invention, allmachine motion is interrupted untilall guard doors are securely shut.

FIG. 10 illustrates acomputer systeml201 for implementingvarious embodimentsof the invention. The computer system 1201 maybe used as system control50 to perform any or all of the functions described above.The computer system 1201 includesa bus 1202 or other communication mechanism for communicating information^and a processor 1203 coupled with thdms 1202 for processing theinformation. Thecomputer systeml201 also includes a main memory 1204, such as a random access memory (RAJVT r other dynamic storage device (e.g., dynamic RAJVfDRAM), static RAM (SRAM), andsynchronousDRAM (SDRAM)), coupled to the busl202 for storing information and instructions to beexecutedby processor 1203. In addition, the main memory 1204 may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediateiformation during theexecution of instructionsby the processor 1203. The computer system ' 1201 further includes a read only memory (ROM) 1205 or other static storage device(e.g., programmable readonly memory

(PROM), erasable PROM(EPROM), and electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM))>oupled to the bus 1202 for storing staticinformation and instructions foihe processor 1203.

The computer system 1201 alsoincludes a disk controller 1206coupled to the bus l202 to control oneor more storagedevicesfor storing information andinstructions, such as a magnetidiard disk 1207, and a removablemedia drive 1208 (e.g., floppy disk drive, read-only compact disc drive, read/write compactdisc drive, compactdisc jukebox, tape drive, and removable magneto-optical drive). The storage devicesmay be added to the computersystem 1201 using an appropriate device interface (e.g., small computer systeminterface (SCSI), integrateddevice electronics (IDE), enhanced-IDE (E-IDE),direct memory access (DMA), orultra-DMA).

The computer system 1201 mayalso include special purpose logicdevices (e.g., application specific integratedcircuits (ASICs)) or configurable logiodevices (e.g., simple programmabldogic devices (SPLDs), complexprogrammable logicdevices (CPLDs),and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)).

The computer system 1201 mayalso include a display controller 1209coupled to thebus 1202 to control a display, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT),for displaying information to a computer user. The computer system includesinput devices, such as a keyboard and a pointing device, for interactingwith a computer user(e.g., an operator) and providing informationto the processor 1203. The pointingdevice, for example, may be amouse, a trackball, or a pointing stick for communicatingdirectioninformation andcommand selections to the processori203 and for controlling cursor movement orthe di splay. Tn addition, a printermay provide printed li stings of data stored and/or generated bythe computer system 1201.

The computer system 1201 performsa portion or all of the processing stepsof the invention (such as for example those described in elation to blister packaging andstacking) in response to the processor 1203 executing oneor more sequencesof one or moreinstructions contained in a memory, such as the main memory 1204. Suchinstructions may be read intothe main memory 1204 from another computer readablemedium, suchas a hard disk 1207 or a removable media drivel208. One or more processors in amulti-processingarrangement mayalso be employed to execute the sequences of instructionsoontained inmain memory 1204. In alternative embodimentsjiard-wired circuitry may be usedin place of orin combinationwith software instructions. Thus,embodiments are not limited to any specificcombination of hardware circuitry and software.

As stated above, thecomputer systeml201 includes atleast one computer readablemedium or memory for holdinginstructions programmedaccording to the teachingsof the invention and for containing data structures,tables, records, or other data describedierein. Examples of computer readable mediaare compact discs, hard disks, floppy disks, tape, magneto-optical disks, PROMs (EPROM, EEPROM, flash EPROM),DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, or any other magnetic medium, compact discs (e.g., CD-ROM),or any other optical medium,punch cards, paper tape, or other physical mediumwith patterns ofholes, a carrier wave (described below), or any othemedium from which a computer canread.

Stored on any one or on a combination ofcomputer readable media, theinvention includes software for controlling the computeEystem 1201, for drivinga device or devicesfor implementing the invention, andfor enabling the computer system! 201 to interact with a human user. Such software may include,but is not limitedto, device drivers, operating systems,developmenttools, and applications software.Such computer readablemedia further includes thecomputer program product ofthe inventionfor performingall or a portion (if processing is distributed))f the processing performedin implementing the invention.

The computer code devices ofhe invention may be any interpretable or executable code mechanism, includingbut not limited to scripts, interpretable programs, dynamic link libraries (DLLs), Java classes, andcomplete executable programs. Moreover,parts ofthe processing ofthe invention may be distributed forbetter performance, reliability, and/or cost.

The term "computer readablemedium" as used herein refersto any medium that participates in providing instructionsto the processor 1203 forexecution. A computer readablemedium may take many forms, includingbut not limited ΐο,ηοη-volatile media, volatilemedia, and transmission media. Non-volatilemedia includes, for example, optical, magneticdisks, and magneto-optical disks, suchas the hard disk 1207 or the removable media drive 1208. Volatile mediaincludes dynamic memory,such as themain memory 1204. Transmission mediaincludes coaxial cables, copper wireand fiber optics, including the wires that makerp the bus 1202. Transmissionmedia also may also take the form of acoustic orlight waves, such as those generated duringadio wave and infrared datacommunications.

Various formsof computer readable media maybe involved in carrying out one or more sequences of one or more instructionto processor 1203 forexecution. For example, theinstructions may initially be carried ona magnetic disk ofa remote computer. Theremote computer can loadthe instructions forimplementingall or a portion of theinvention remotelyinto a dynamic memory and send the instructions over a telephondine using a modem. A modem local to theomputer system 1201 may receivethe data on the telephoneline and use an infraredtransmitterto convert the data to an infrared signal. An infrared detectocoupled to the busl202 can receive the data carried in the infrared signal and place the data on the bus 1202. The bus 1202 carries the data to themain memory 1204, from whichthe processor 1203 retrievesand executes theinstructions. The instructions received by the main memory! 204 may optionally be stored on storage devicel207 or 1208 either before orafter execution byprocessor 1203.

The computer system 1201 alsoincludes a communication interface! 213 coupled to the bus 1202. The communicationinterface 1213 provides a two-way datacommunication coupling to a network link 1214 that is connected to,for example, a local area network (LAN)1215, or to another communications network 1216 suchas the Internet. For example, thecommunicationinterface 1213 may be a network interface cardto attach to any packet switched LAN. As another example, the communication interfacel213 may be an asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL)card, an integrated services digitalnetwork (ISDN) cardor a modem to provide a data communication connectionto a correspondingtype of communicationsline. Wireless links mayalso be

implemented. Inany such implementation, the communication interfacd213 sends and receives electrical, electromagneticor optical signals that carry digital data streams representing various types of information.

The network link 1214 typically providesdata communication through one or more networks to other datadevices. For example, the network linkl214 may provide a connection to another computer through alocal network 1215 (e.g., a LAN) or through equipment operated b^ service provider, which provides communication services through communicationsnetwork 1216. The local network 1214 and the communicationsnetwork 1216 use, for example, electrical, electromagnetic, oroptical signals that carry digital data streams, andthe associated physical layer (e.g., CAT 5 cable, coaxial cable, optical fiber, etc). The signalsthrough the various networks and the signal s on thenetwork link 1 214 and through the communication interface 121 3, which carry the digital data to and from the computer systeml201 maybe implemented in basebancfeignals, or carrier wave based signals. The baseband signalsonvey thedigital data as unmodulatedelectrical pulses that are descriptive of a stream of digital data bits, wherethe term "bits"is to be construed broadly to meansymbol, where each symbol conveysat least one or moreinformation bits. The digital data may also be used to modulate a carrier wave, such as with amplitude, phase and/or frequency shift keyed signals thatare propagated over a conductivemedia, or transmittedas electromagnetic wavesthrough a propagationmedium. Thus, the digitaldata may be sent as unmodulated basebanddata through a "wired" communication channel and/or sent within a predeterminedfrequencyband, differentthan baseband, by modulating a carrier wave. The computer system 1201 can transmit and receive data, including program code,through the network(s) 1215 and 1216, the networklink 1214, and the communicationinterface 1213.

Moreover, thenetworklink 1214 may provide a connectionthrough a LAN 1215 to a mobile device 1217 such as a personal digital assistant(PDA) laptop computer, or cellular telephone.

Numerous modificationsand variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. lt is thereforeto be understood that withinthe scope of the appended claims, the inventionmay be practiced otherwisethan as specifically describedherein.

Generalized Statements of the Inventions

The following statements provideone or more characterizationsof the present inventions and do not limit the scope of those inventions.

Statement 1. A blistercollation system comprising:

a blister packager includinga blister seal stationwhich seals a blister package with a medicament inside;

a blister package stacker connectedto the blister packagervia a convey orwhich moves individual blisterpackages;

said blister package stacker having a nest inlet for reception of the blisterpackages from the conveyor, anest assemblyfor holding one of the blister packages, anca first blister package collection towerfor storing a stack ofthe blisterpackages, wherein thenest assembly is configuredto insert oneblister packageat a time upward into a bottom of thefirst collection tower;

a tower gate holding the inserted blisterpackages; and

a mechanismfor pushing the stack ofthe blister packages from thefirst collectiontower into a storage container.

Statement 2. The system of statementl, wherein the nestassembly is configured tcrotate and raise for insertion the blister packages into the stack of the first collectidxnwer.

Statement 3. The system ofeny of statements 1 -2, wherein thenest assembly, upon rotation, raises vertically said one of the blister packagesinto the stack. Statement 4. The system ofstatement 3, wherein the neslassembly is connected by a cam follower to a barrelcam driving saidrotation and raisingthe nest assembly.

Statement 5. The system ofeny of statements 1-4, wherein thetower gate comprises a flip gate at a bottom thereof to prevent the blisterpackages from falling out once thfblisters have been placedin the collection tower.

Statement 6. The system ofeny of statements 1-5, further comprising a second collection tower, wherein the firsfcnd second collecti on towers are each disposed on a rotatable arm.

Statement 7. The system ofstatement 6, wherein the firstollection tower comprises four collection towersections disposedin separate quadrants, each collection tower section having an associated blisterinlet and nest assembly.

Statement 8. The system ofeny of statements6-7, further comprising a rotatable cylinder, wherein thefirst and second collection towers are disposed abpposite ends of the rotatable arm and the rotatable cylinderis connected to a centeiof the rotatable arm.

Statement 9. The system ofeny of statements6-8, wherein therotatable arm rotates the first and the second collectiontowers betweena first position where the blister packages are loaded into at leastone of the collectiontowers and a second positionwhere the stack of blister packages filledin said at least one of the collectiontowers is unloaded into atleast one storage tube. Statement 10. The system of any of statements l-9,wherein the storage containers are storage tubes and thetubes index to positions over the stack in thecollection tower.

Statement 11. The system of any of statements 1-10, wherein thdblister package stacker further comprises abar code reader for identifying the medicament insidthe blister packages.

Statement 12. The system of anyof statements 1-11, wherein thdblister packager comprises an inspectionstation whichinspects the blister packages for impropefilling.

Statement 13. The system of statements, wherein the blister packager comprises a control gatefor directing improperly filedblister packages away fromthe blister stacker.

Statement 14. The system of anyof statements 1-13, wherein theconveyor has rails mounted abovea belt of theconveyor, said rail sforming tracks for movement of the blister packages inpredetermineddirections.

Statement 15. The system of statementl4, wherein said belt has cleats forengaging with and pushing the blisterpackages toward the blister stacker.

Statement 16. The systemof any of statements 1-15, further comprising a magazine of clips for sealing the storage tubeoncethe stack of theblister packages hasbeen inserted into the storage tube.

Statement 17. The system of anyof statements 1-16, wherein thecollectiontower holds the stack of the blister packages at selected contact positionsDn a periphery of each of the blister packages. Statement 18. The system of any of statements 1-17, wherein thenest comprises a stainless steel material.

Statement 19. The system of any of statements 1-18, wherein thdower comprises an anodized aluminummaterial.

Statement 20. The system of anyof statements 1-19, wherein themechanismfor pushing comprises apush arm connected to a servo cylinder.

Statement 21. The system of anyof statements 1-20, further comprising a transfer assistancedevice for transference ofthe blister packagesfrom the convey orto the nest.

Statement 22. The system of anyof statements 1-21, further comprising a controller which executesone or more of the following:

receive a first sensor signal indicatingchat the blister package is loaded in theiest and transmit afirst control signal to rotate dial and raise the nest;

receive a second sensor signalindicating that the collectioitoweris completely full and transmit a second control signalto push the stack of blister packages into one of the storage tubes;

receive a third sensor signalindicating that the conveyoiis full of the blister packages and transmit athird control signalto stop production of the blister packages; and

receive a fourth sensor signal includingnformation on themedicamentin the blister packages inthe storage tubes and storesaid information. Statement 23. A blister package stacker forreceptionand stacking of blister packages containing an item,comprising:

a nest inletfor reception of the blisterpackages from a conveyor;

a nest assembly forholding oneof the blister packages;

a blister package collection towersection for storing a stack of the blister packages, wherein the nest assembly is configuredto insert one blister package a1a time upward into a bottom of theblister package collectiontower section; and

a tower gate holding the inserted blisterpackages,

wherein the blisterpackage collectiontower section comprisesa part of a rotatable first blister collection tower.

Statement 24. The stacker of statement 23, wherein thaest assembly is configured to rotate and raise for insertion one of the blistepackages into thestack of the blisterpackage collection towersection.

Statement 25. The stacker of any of statements 23-24, wherein the nes&ssembly, upon rotation, raises vertically said one of the blister packagesinto the stack.

Statement 26. The stacker ofstatement25, wherein the nestassembly is connected by a cam follower to a barrelcam driving saidrotation and raisingthe nestassembly.

Statement 27. The stacker of any of statements 23-26, wherein the towegate comprises a flip gate at a bottom thereof to prevent the blister packagesfrom falling out once theblisters have beenplaced in the towersection. Statement 28. The stacker of any of statements23-27, further comprising a second blister collection tower, whereinthe first and second coUectioitowers are disposed on a rotatable arm.

Statement 29. The stacker of statement28, wherein the firstand second collection towers eachcomprise four collection tower sectiondisposed in separatequadrants.

Statement 30. The stacker ofstatement28, further comprising a rotatable cylinder, whereinthe firstand the secondcollection towersare disposed at oppositeends ofthe rotatable arm and the rotatable cylinder is connected t a center of the rotatablearm.

Statement 31. The stacker of statement 30, whereinthe rotatable arm rotates the first and second collection towers betweena first positionwhere theblister packages are loaded into at least one of the collectiontowers anda second position wherethe stack of blisterpackages filled in said at leastone ofthe collection towersis unloaded into atleast one storagetube.

Statement 32. The stacker ofstatement31, whereinthe storagetubes index to positions over the stack in thecollecti on tower section.

Statement 33. The stacker of any of statements 23-32, wherein the stacker further comprises abar code reader for identifying the iteminside theblister packages.

Statement 34. The stacker of any ofitatements 3 1-33, further comprising a magazine of clips for sealing the storage tubeancethe stack of theblister packages hasbeen inserted into the storage tube. Statement 35. The stacker of any of statements 23-34, wherein the collectioitower sectionholds the stack ofthe blisterpackages at selected contactpositions ona periphery of each of the blister packages.

Statement 36. The stacker of any of statements 23-35, wherein the nescomprises a stainless steel material.

Statement 37. The stacker of any of statements 23-36, wherein the towesection comprises an an odizedaluminum material.

Statement 38. The stacker of any of statements 23-37, further comprising a push arm which pushesthe stack of the blisterpackages fromthe collection tower section into storage tubes, wherein thepush arm is connected toa servo cylinder.

Statement 39. The stacker of any of statements 23-38, further comprising a controller which executesone or more of the following:

receive a first sensor signal indicatinghat the blister package is loaded in thenest and transmit afirst control signal to rotate dial and raise the nest;

receive a second sensor signalindicating that the collectiortower section is completely full and transmit a secondcontrol signal to push the stack of blister packages into a storagfcube; receive a third sensor signalindicating that a blister tower is fulbf the blisterpackages and transmit athird control signalto stop production of the blister packages; and

receive a fourth sensor signal includingnformation on theitem in the blister packages in the storagetubes and store said information.

Statement 40. A control system fora blister collation system, comprising: a non-transitory computer readable medium which, when executed by a processor, performs one or more of thefollowing,

receive a first sensor signal indicatinghat a blister packageis loaded on a nest assembly of a blister package stacker ,and transmit a firstcontrol signal to raise the nest assembly into a collection tower,

receive a second sensor signalindicating that thecoUection tower is completely full and transmit a second control signalto push a stack of blister packages into a storagetube,

receive a third sensor signalindicating that a conveyor is fulbf the blister packages and transmit athird control signal to stop productionof the blister packages, and

receive a fourth sensor signal includingnformation on themedicamentin the blister packages inthe blisterpackage and storethe information.

Statement 41. A method for forming packages ofilister packages, comprising:

sealing a blister package withan item inside;

moving the blister packages on a conveyor toward a blister packagestacker;

receivingthe blister packagesone at a time in a nest inlet of the blister package stacker and holdingthe received blister packagein a nest assembly;

inserting one blisterpackage at a time into a bottom of a blisterpackage collection tower section by upward movement ofthe blister;

retaining the inserted packagein the blister package collectiortower section; and repeating said receiving, inserting, and retaining to forna stack of the blister packages in the blisterpackage collection towersection.

Statement 42. The method of statement 41, further comprising pushing thetack of the blister packagesfrom the blisterpackage collectiontower into storagetubes. Statement 43. The method of anyof statements 41-42, wherein said inserting e blister package at a time comprises rotating and raisinghe nest assembly vertically fornsertion of said one of the blister packages into the stack ofthe blister package collectiontower section.

Statement 44. The method ofany of statements 41-43, further comprising loading a first set of the blister packages intoa first blister package collection tower whilainloading a second set ofthe blister packages from a seconcblister package collectiontower.

Statement 45. The method ofany of statements 41 -44, wherein thainloading of the blister packagesis into a storage tube.

Statement 46. The method ofstatement 45, further comprising indexing thetorage tubes to positions overthe stack in the collection tower section.

Statement 47. The method ofany of statements 41-46, further comprising identifying the item inside the blister packages witha bar code reader.

Statement 48. The method ofany of statements 41-47, further comprising inspectingie blister packageson the conveyor forimproper filling.

Statement 49. The method ofany of statements 41-48, further comprising directing improperly filled blister packagesaway from the blister stacker.

Statement 50. The method ofany of statements 41-49, wherein thetem is a

medicament.