What exactly is a Blister Pack?
Blister packaging is a process that entails shaping a heat-softened plastic film into deep-drawn pocket molds to create a tray (thermoforming), followed by filling it with a solid dosage form product and sealing it with either a push-through or peelable cover. Adequate heat and pressure must be applied to guarantee a permanent seal that will safeguard the product from external environmental factors during its shelf life.
What are the advantages of blister packaging?
- Product integrity
- Product protection
- Tamper evidence
- Minimized risk of accidental misuse
- Enhanced patient compliance
- Superior to traditional bottles.
Blister Packaging Equipment
Blister packing equipment are classified as below:
- Flat Forming and Flat Sealing Type Machines
- Flat Forming and Rotary Sealing Type Machines
- Rotary Forming and Rotary Sealing Type Machines
FLAT FORMING AND FLAT SEALING TYPE MACHINES
- PAMPAC BQS
- PAMPAC BP 602
- PAMPACK BP 302
- PAMPAC MINIBLIS
- PG Express
- PG TR102/TR 100
- ELMACH 3020CAM NMX
FLAT FORMING AND ROTARY SEALING TYPE MACHINES
- ELMACH 3000
- PG 230/ 230T/ 230XT
- PAPID PACK 230
- ROMACO NOCK 912
- HOONGA, HM 400
ROTARY FORMING AND ROTARY SEALING TYPE MACHINES
- PG PHARMAPACK 240 CH
- PG ROTOVAC 210V
- PG ROTOVAC 210S
- ELMACH 2300ELMACH 2500
Change Parts in Blister machine
| Change Part Name | Use / Importance | Important to remember |
| Printing Drum | To Over Code the details (Only used for stereos) | Location of stereos is important |
| Guide Plate / Track | To Guide the Web | Fixed Position |
| Feeding Sector | Product alignment and feed towards chute | Fixed position |
| Feeding Chute and Spring | To Feed the product from vibrator to Web( Rotary) | Alignment with drum (Alu/Alu) and Web (PVC) |
| Height adjustment | ||
| Pocket Centering depends on product type. | ||
| Upper / Lower Forming Plate | To Form Cavities – Air Blow for Hot Forming and Plug Assist for Alu/Alu | Fixed Positions. |
| Pressure and temperature requirements are as per change parts. | ||
| Feeding Drum | To feed product (Tablet / Capsules) in the Web | Link between Chute and Web hence alignment with both is important |
| Indexing Roller | To Pull the web for cutting in punching station | Improper alignment between cavities can lead to denting. |
| Embossing Holder and hammer | To over code the details on blister | Letters alignment (Reverse and Forward types) |
| Guide Piece | To guide the web (2 No’s) | Attached after forming and before sealing station |
| L- Type Brackets | To fix the Feeding Chute | Height adjustment is important |
| Upper / Lower Sealing plate | To Seal the web | Alignment of cavities with forming web. OR leads to damaged pockets |
| Main CAM | Draw Off length of the web is decided by this CAM | Complete setup of machine depends on this. |
| Punching Tool | To Cut the Blister from the web | Fixed positions |
| Perforation Tool | To Form deep cuts in the web to separate each unit | Fixed positions |
| Cooling Plate | To Cool the web after sealing | Water temperature needs monitoring. 10 to 12 0C for Alu/Alu 8 to 10 0C for PVC/Alu |