Packaging flexibility
The trend to multi-item packaging extends the catalog of requirements

Medicine packaging often contains items such as dosing and application aids in addition to the medicine itself and the patient information leaflet. Finding a cost-effective way of packaging these additional items poses a special challenge. Two companies have joined forces to develop a system that provides flexible, cost-effective handling of multi-item packaging.
The medicine packaging industry must ensure pharmaceutical product safety, and to an increasing extent it must also provide intelligent packaging systems that deliver a maximum of efficiency and flexibility. One traditional, preferred packaging method is the so-called horizontal cartoning process, in which folding cartons are filled in a horizontal position. This process facilitates simple, automated packaging and high-speed packaging operations. Uhlmann Pac-Systeme based in Laupheim/Germany produces complete pharmaceutical production lines that use this technology. The products to be packed such as blisters, bottles, vials, bags or tubes are merged with other items like patient information leaflets, pipettes, dosing spoons, etc. They are then placed together into a folding carton. This can be done at very high speeds that can reach 450 cartons per minute. As the number of items increases, however, the cost of grouping them prior to insertion into the carton also increases.  Inserting the items from above is the preferred method for multi-item packaging, treatment-specific packaging, doctor’s packaging and packaging designed for self medication, which contain different types of products.