Blister package collator and stacking apparatus, system and method

Abstract

A collator and stacking apparatus, system and method for the collation and stacking of asymmetric plastic blister packages having a blister at or toward one end on a flat card, which comprises package-receiving inverter and sliding trays each with a tray surface, upwardly extending sides and a one and other end, for receiving each a package thereon, the received package being in the same orientation on each tray surface. The inverter trays have stops to position the received package on the tray surface as it moves between a package receiving position and an inverted package discharge position, wherein the package is inverted and placed within a collation track perpendicular to the trays, the track having a first and second end for receiving periodically an inverted package from the inverter tray and a slidable package from the sliding tray in a spaced-apart alternating arrangement within the track rails. The sliding tray moves between the package receiving position and a package discharge position, wherein the packages are slidably discharged from one end of the sliding tray in an oriented stacked position onto the track, by a second overhead stripper arm. A stacking device moves between the first and second end of the track, stacking the inverted and oriented packages, which are then discharged from the one end of the track into a packaging carton.