| United States Patent | 6,452,133 |
| Geerke , et al. | September 17, 2002 |
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.
| Inventors: | Geerke; Johan H. (Los Altos, CA); Minton; Keith Perry (San Jose, CA) |
| Assignee: | Alza Corporation (Mountain View, CA) |
| Appl. No.: | 616822 |
| Filed: | July 14, 2000 |
| Current U.S. Class: | 219/121.82; 219/121.71 |
| Intern'l Class: | B23K 026/08 |
| Field of Search: | 219/121.7,121.71,121.74,121.82,121.76,384,158,121.8,121.81 424/467 |
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