An Overview of Two Important Packaging Machines: Blister Packing Machine and Plastic Tube Filling and Sealing Machine

If you have a manufacturing business in the pharmaceutical or food industry, you must be well aware of the vital role played by packaging machines in these domains. The products manufactured in these industries need effective packaging for various reasons including safe handling and aesthetic presentation. Two machines are of particular interest in this context. These are the blister packing machine and plastic tube filling and sealing machine respectively.

What is a blister packing machine?

A blister packing machine is a type of packaging equipment used in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, food, and consumer goods. It is designed to create individual blister packs or blisters, which are typically transparent or semi-transparent plastic cavities that hold products like pills, capsules, or small items. These blister packs are sealed with a foil or plastic backing to protect the contents from moisture, tampering, and contamination.

Blister packing machines typically consist of a few key components:

• Forming Station: This section shapes the plastic material into cavities to hold the product.

• Filling Station: The products, such as pills or capsules, are loaded into the formed blister cavities.

• Sealing Station: The blister packs are sealed with a foil or plastic backing, creating a secure and tamper-evident package.

• Cutting Station: The blister packs are cut into individual units, ready for distribution.

These machines are used extensively in pharmaceutical packaging to ensure the integrity and safety of medications. They are also employed in packaging small consumer goods, electronics, and other products that require protection and visibility of the contents.

Advantages of a blister packing machine

A properly packaged and labeled medicine builds trust and brand loyalty. Here are the major advantages of a blister packing machine that helps companies achieve these goals.

• Neat Packaging: Blister packing machines create uniform and visually appealing packaging. The plastic blisters are precisely formed to hold the product, ensuring a tidy and consistent appearance for each unit. This neatness enhances the overall presentation of the product and is appealing to consumers.

• Safe Handling: Blister packs offer excellent protection for the contents. They keep products secure and minimize the risk of damage or contamination during handling, transportation, and storage. This is particularly crucial in industries like pharmaceuticals, where product integrity is vital.

• Product Preservation: Blister packs provide an effective barrier against moisture, air, and light, helping to preserve the quality and shelf life of the enclosed products. This is especially valuable for sensitive items like medications and food supplements.

• Proper Labeling: Blister packing machines can integrate labeling and printing features, ensuring that each blister pack is properly labeled with essential information, such as dosage instructions, ingredients, and expiration dates. This labeling compliance is essential for regulatory and consumer information purposes.

• Better Identification: Transparent or semi-transparent blister packs allow consumers to easily identify the product inside without opening the packaging. This transparency promotes consumer confidence, as customers can visually verify the product before purchase.

What is a plastic tube filling and sealing machine?

A plastic tube filling and sealing machine is a specialized packaging equipment designed to fill liquids and viscous fluids such as creams, gels, ointments, and pastes. These products are filled into plastic tubes and then sealed to create a secure packaging. These machines are commonly used in industries like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, and personal care products.

Key features of a plastic tube filling and sealing machine include:

• Tube Loading: Empty plastic tubes are loaded into the machine’s feed system, typically in a magazine or hopper.

• Filling: The machine accurately dispenses the product into each tube, ensuring consistent fill levels.

• Sealing: After filling, the machine seals the open end of the tube using various methods, including heat sealing or ultrasonic sealing. This creates an airtight and tamper-evident seal.

• Coding and Labeling: Some machines have options for coding or printing information onto the tube, such as expiration dates, lot numbers, or product labels.

• Cutting and Trimming: Tubes are cut to the desired length and may be trimmed for a clean and finished appearance.

• Ejection: Filled and sealed tubes are ejected from the machine, ready for packaging and distribution.

Plastic tube filling and sealing machines are versatile and suitable for a wide range of product viscosities and tube sizes. They offer advantages like precise filling, efficient production rates, and the ability to customize packaging for different products. These machines are a popular choice for packaging items like toothpaste, lotions, creams, and pharmaceutical ointments, among others.

Is a blister packing machine and the plastic tube filling and sealing machine the same?

No, these two machines are not the same. While both machines are used for packaging purposes, they serve different packaging needs and have distinct characteristics:

Blister Packing Machine:

• Blister packing machines are primarily used to create individual blister packs or blisters made from transparent or semi-transparent plastic material.
• They are commonly used for packaging solid items like pills, capsules, or small consumer goods.
• Blister packs are typically sealed with a foil or plastic backing to protect the contents and provide visibility.

Plastic Tube Filling and Sealing Machine:

• These machines are designed to fill mostly liquid and cosmetic products like creams and gels into plastic tubes and seal them.
• They are used for packaging products that require a squeezable tube format, such as toothpaste, lotions, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical ointments.
• The primary function is to accurately fill the product into tubes and create an airtight and tamper-evident seal.

While both machines are used for packaging, they cater to different types of products and packaging formats.

Key Takeaway

Packaging machines are the backbone of the pharmaceuticals and the FMCG industry. When it comes to packing FMCG products like cream, lotions, and toothpaste, a plastic tube filling and sealing machine becomes a necessity. Similarly, for packing medicines efficiently, blister packing machines are needed.