Your source for news, trends and analysis of pharmaceuticals, biologics, medical devices, and nutraceuticals.

Health Resources LLC of Hueytown, AL, was established in 1995 as a manufacturer of natural health supplements available by mail order. Today, the company offers more than 400 different SKUs, with products that promote a range of health solutions, including joint relief, heart health, reduced inflammation, and better digestion, among many others. In March, the company began running six AirPouch™ Express 3 air-pouch void-fill systems from Automated Packaging Systems to protect its bottles of product during shipment. The switch to air-pouch void-fill systems from loose-fill peanuts increases productivity, lessens mess, and reduces costs.

Drug delivery devices, advances in combination products, and biologics/biopharmaceuticals will present both challenges and opportunities for packagers. New packages and drug delivery methods for over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, nutraceutical and cosmeceutical products are appearing on retail drug and grocery store shelves. (Part II of II)

• PurePouch machine automates the opening, filling, and sealing of packaged sterile medical devices

• printing options include a color thermal-transfer printer or a print-and-apply labeler

• works with pouches up to 10-in. wide x 24-in. long

PurePouch

AutoPak Engineering Corp.

• flexible system places pouches into rectangular nests to ensure correct orientation for downstream processes
• for IV solutions and medical devices, it operates at speeds to 250 pouches/min
• handles pouches in sizes from 3x3 in to 12x18 in

• Autobag AB 145 operates at speeds to 45 bags/min in a fill-and-seal operation

• permits package size changeovers in less than two minutes using pre-opened bags on a roll

• AutoTouch control screen enables quick, easy access to job setup, storage, and recall

Automated Packaging Systems