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Nowhere in packaging are flexibility and fast changeover more necessary than in the contract-packaging arena, where multiple customers and their many SKUs are a fact of life. That’s why ease of changeover was a key machine characteristic sought by Brecon Pharmaceuticals recently when it came time to install a new line for blister packing and cartoning of tablets. This fast-growing contract packager, acquired last year by Amerisource Bergen, is located in the UK near the town of Brecon, Wales. Both thermoforming and cold-forming of foil are routinely done on this new and highly versatile blister-pack line.

San Juan’s Convention Center hosted the Feb. 1-2, 2007 Interphex Puerto Rico conference, with a keynote presentation delivered by Maridalia Torres, director of the San Juan district Food and Drug Administration office. One of the event’s highlights was a session focusing on Packaging End-of-Line Solutions, or PELS. It involves OEMs and controls suppliers working together to assist manufacturers of life science products.

* Eclipse pharmaceutical machine operates at speeds to 90 cartons/min in a variety of carton sizes and styles

* offers a 7.5'x4.5' footprint; features Guardian open-access guarding system for machine accessibility

* permits tool-less changeover; is cGMP-designed, with validation assistance included

MGS Machine Corp.

• Vertipak in-line machine assembles vertical cartons at up to 60/min

• adapts to various shapes and sizes for applications ranging from toothpaste to moisturizer cartons

• monobloc design allows machine to be moved easily

Isopak Ltd.