Single-dose machines and complete lines: updates

Product and technology developments from Universal Pack for stick-pack and sachet packaging, designed to optimize the efficiency of the pharmaceutical industry.

On the back of its specific know-how in the design of machines for the packaging of powders, liquids and medicinal tablets in sachets, sticks and cartons, Universal Pack presented numerous product range developments at Interpack 2023, which are worth taking a look at.

Digital printing. Standing out among the rest was the integration of a digital printer in a complete primary and secondary packaging line (see the photo of the line for sticks in flat die-cut cartons), making it possible to print any type of artwork on the stick-packs or on the sachets in real time, starting from a neutral coil.

Technologies for heat sensitive products and laminates. The sensitivity to heat of many pharmaceutical products requires low temperatures during the sachet sealing process. Universal Pack has therefore developed a specific technology which makes it possible to prolong the time of contact of the sealing surfaces, which not only enables a considerable reduction in temperature but also makes it possible to work with compostable and recyclable film. Production speed is also 50-60% higher compared to the previous technology (see Theta photo).

Precise quality control. During the packaging processes of pharmaceutical products, it is necessary to guarantee high standards of quality control, in order to support serialization and aggregation processes. Accessories for quality control can be placed in the line or at the end of the line, and include weight control stations, printing systems and the reading of variable data and barcodes for sachets, leaflets and cartons, video camera vision systems (OCV/OCR), and the application and control of tamper evident or sticker techniques.

Validation and certificates. Finally, Universal Pack offers safety systems – essential with regards to the relative measures adopted by the pharmaceutical industry - for controlling access and the data recorded in the production line. The management of different access levels is ensured, making the machine compliant with the CFR 21 regulation, part 11.