The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 17, 2002
Filed:
Jul. 14, 2000
Johan H. Geerke, Los Altos, CA (US);
Keith Perry Minton, San Jose, CA (US);
Alza Corporation, Mountain View, CA (US);
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for laser treating batches of pharmaceutical dispensers are provided. Sequential batches of untreated dispensers are carried on alternate batch carriers that are advanced into associated alternate stationary laser treatment stations. The multiple stationary laser treatment stations are located within a region of adjacency in which a single laser source can be operated to treat alternate batches of dispensers positioned within the associated alternate laser treatment stations. A laser controller directs the laser beam to alternatingly operate in each laser treatment station and, within each laser treatment station, to treat each dispenser in a batch of dispensers positioned therein. An advance coordinator advances the batch carriers in coordination with the activity of the laser controller in a repeating alternating cycle.