How Blister Pack Types Differ? Roller VS Flat VS Roller Plate
Blister packaging machine is indispensable in modern industry such as pharmaceutical and food. They improve product safety, aesthetics and functionality while simplifying the packaging process. At present, the common packaging types on the market are roller, flat and roller plate. This article can be a good way to help manufacturers choose the best model for them.
What is Blister Packaging?
Blister packaging, also known as blister eye packaging, abbreviated as PTP (press though packaging). Blister packaging is through the blister molding (negative pressure molding) or blow molding (positive pressure molding) filled with materials, the use of aluminum foil and other covering materials, through the application of pressure, under certain temperature and time conditions and into a bubble substrate heat sealing and become, applicable to tablets, capsules, suppositories, pills and other solid preparations of pharmaceutical machinery packaging.
The commonly used materials for blister packaging are aluminum foil or PVC plastic sheets.
Aluminum foil for blister packaging is processed by printing and coating, and then bonded with PVC plastic sheet, so that it can be filled with materials on special blister packaging equipment.
Common blister packaging equipment form
1. Roller blister packaging machine
l Working principle: Rolling of molded plastic sheet → heating → blister molding → Material filling → sealing and covering aluminum foil → batch number → pressing break line → feed → punching → collecting scrap
l Features:
1) The structure of the forming device is roller type, and the forming method is blister forming (negative pressure forming). The blister cap is formed by suction of the heated and softened plastic sheet into the cavity of the forming die to form a certain geometry.
2) Because the negative pressure molding is used, the molding speed is limited, making the production capacity general, and the punching frequency is within 45 times/min.
l Application: Due to the use of roll forming, roll sealing and roll feed, the blister belt will be curved on the roll surface during operation, so it is not suitable for forming large, deep and complex blister, and the volume of the packaged items should be small.
2. Flat plate blister packaging machine
l Working principle: Plastic sheet unwinding → preheating → blow molding → material filling → sealing covering aluminum foil → batch number → pressure breaking line → step → punching → scrap collection
l Features:
1) The structure of the molding device is flat plate type, and the molding method is blow molding (positive pressure molding). Compressed air is used to blow the heated and softened molding plastic hard sheet into the cavity of the molding die (or blow molding and stamping) to form the bubble cap with the required geometry.
2) Due to the plate forming and plate sealing, it has strong adaptability to plate size changes, flexible plate arrangement, and flat plate cut out without warping. However, the sealing time is relatively long, which reduces the speed of the whole machine, and the general punching frequency is within 35 times/min.
l Application: The filling space of this type is large, and multiple filling machines can be arranged at the same time, which is easier to realize the packaging of a variety of drugs in one plate, which expands the packaging scope and improves the packaging grade.
3. Roller plate blister packaging machine
l Working principle: The roller plate blister packaging machine is derived from the roller type and flat type blister packaging machine, and its operation process and working state are basically the same as the above two packaging machines.
l Features:
1) The structure of the heating device is a flat plate structure, and the molding method is blow molding, that is, positive pressure molding. The structure of sealing device is roller type aluminum foil conveying mode is intermittent - continuous combination type.
2) Due to the use of roller continuous sealing, the transmission ratio relationship between the forming mechanism and the punching mechanism is well coordinated, which can greatly improve the packaging efficiency, and the punching frequency of this type of model can be up to 100 times/min or more.
l Application: Roller plate blister packaging equipment integrates the two advantages of plate molding and roller sealing, so it is widely used. It can package various specifications of pharmaceutical sugar-coated tablets, vegetarian tablets, capsules, pellets and special-shaped tablets, and can also be used to package chocolate beans, bubble gum and other small foods. However, when large tablets, capsules, and special-shaped pieces with a diameter of more than l6 mm are tilted at an Angle of more than 45 degrees on the plate, such packaging equipment is not suitable for use.
| Machine Type | Speed | Blister Shape | Application Scope | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roller | Moderate | Simple | Small, lightweight items | |
| Flat Plate | Slower | Complex | Large filling spaces, multiple items | |
| Roller-Plate | High-Speed | Diverse | Adaptable, wide application range | |
Choosing the Right Machine for Your Needs
When selecting a blister packaging machine, consider:
1．Product Type: Size, shape, and material of the items being packaged.
2．Production Volume: Speed requirements and batch sizes.
3．Budget: Balancing initial investment with long-term benefits.
4．Customization Needs: Flexibility in design and layout.
5．Regulatory Compliance: Especially critical for pharmaceutical applications.
Blister packaging machines play a vital role in ensuring product quality and operational efficiency. Understanding the differences between roller, flat plate, and roller-plate machines helps manufacturers make informed decisions to optimize their production lines. Whether prioritizing speed, flexibility, or product complexity, there's a blister packaging solution to meet every need.
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