Method and apparatus for facilitating cutting of a unit dose blister card

An apparatus for cutting a blister card, the apparatus comprising:

• a platform on which the blister card is positionable for cutting;
• a guillotine head comprising at least one elastic element, wherein the at least one elastic element comprises a compression spring;
• a clamp comprising a portion of a card holder, the card holder being movable in a channel defined by a base, the clamp being positionable to hold a portion of the blister card in contact with the platform for cutting when the clamp is seated, the clamp being operatively coupled to a guillotine head by the at least one elastic element;
• a blade operatively coupled to the guillotine head, the guillotine head being configured to move the blade through a range of motion that intersects a plane of the platform;
• and
• a sensor positioned to detect a seating status of the clamp to enable control of movement of the guillotine head based on the seating status,
• wherein the at least one elastic element is compressed to enable continued movement of the guillotine head through the range of motion that moves the blade to a position that intersects the plane of the platform to cut the blister card in response to the sensor detecting a seated condition of the clamp, and
• wherein the blade is in slidable contact against the base as the at least one elastic element is compressed.