STORAGE CONTAINER FOR A STORAGE AND DISPENSING STATION FOR A BLISTER PACKAGING MACHINE AND METHOD FOR SEPARATING SMALL PIECE GOODS

Abstract

Storage containers for a storage and dispensing station for a blister packaging machine include a separating device having dispensing channels for receiving at least one small piece good and above each dispensing channel a recess with a wall, which recess is adapted to a small piece good to be separated. A retaining device includes a retaining portion, the retaining portion being retained above a dispensing opening in the storage container, wherein the retaining portion is elastically deformable such that a small piece good arranged above a dispensing channel aligned with the dispensing opening is pressed against the wall of the corresponding recess and prevented from entering the dispensing channel aligned with the dispensing opening. Methods for separating small piece goods in a storage container are also provided.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a storage container for a storage and dispensing station for a blister packaging machine and a method for separating small piece goods.

BACKGROUND

In the case of the known storage containers, spatial separation of a drug portion to be dispensed from drug portions arranged above it occurs, namely by bringing a dispensing channel underneath a stationary separating portion by means of a rotation of a separating device. As a result of the rotational movement, drug portions which are arranged above a dispensing channel which is not aligned with the dispensing opening are pushed away by the separating portion. If a storage channel is arranged above the dispensing channel with the drugs to be dispensed, a drug portion arranged therein is lifted by the separating portion. To ensure that a drug portion can be pushed away or lifted, the separating portion is made of a rigid material.

For capsule-shaped drug portions, it is therefore very important that the separating means is aligned exactly with the height of the drug portions, in such a manner that a drug portion in a dispensing channel or a storage channel arranged above it is not destroyed by the stationary rigid separating portion when the separating device is rotated. In particular, capsule-shaped drug portions are extremely sensitive in this respect.

The method of manufacturing capsule-shaped drug portions (two half-capsules are placed one on top of the other) means that there are considerable variations in height for one and the same type of drug, which can lead to significant problems during separation. The above-mentioned problems, i.e. that a drug portion is damaged by the separating portion and possibly even destroyed, also occur, possibly to a lesser extent, with drug portions of other shapes.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a storage container for a storage and dispensing station for a blister packaging machine, as well as a method for separating small piece goods, in which the risk of damage to small piece goods is reduced.

SUMMARY

One or more embodiments of the disclosure include a storage container for a storage and dispensing station for a blister packaging machine. The storage container includes a housing having an upper housing portion defining a receiving space for small piece goods, a lower housing portion having a circular cylindrical inner space, and a base plate having a dispensing opening. The storage container also includes a separating device arranged in the circular cylindrical inner space having a base body with a plurality of dispensing channels arranged on an outer circumference of the base body and open towards the outer circumference, separated by webs and adapted to small piece goods to be separated, for receiving at least one small piece good, wherein the base body has, at least above each dispensing channel on the outer circumference, a recess with a wall, which recess is adapted to a small piece good to be separated and is open towards the outer circumference. The storage container additionally includes a retaining device having a fastening portion and a retaining portion which is retained above the dispensing opening in the inner space. The retaining device is elastically deformable at least in portions and is designed in such a manner that a small piece good arranged above a dispensing channel aligned with the dispensing opening is pressed via the retaining portion against the wall of a corresponding recess and is thus prevented by frictional engagement from entering the dispensing channel aligned with the dispensing opening.

One or more embodiments of the disclosure include a method for separating small piece goods with a storage container for a storage and dispensing station for a blister packaging machine. The method includes providing a plurality of piece goods in a receiving space of a housing of the storage container; introducing small piece goods into dispensing channels arranged on an outer circumference of a base body of a separating device and that are open towards the outer circumference, wherein the separating device is arranged in a circular cylindrical inner space of a lower housing portion of the housing and wherein the base body has, at least above each dispensing channel on the outer circumference, a recess which is adapted to a small piece good to be separated and is open towards the outer circumference and has a wall; rotating the separating device to dispose a dispensing channel over a dispensing opening in a bottom plate of the lower housing portion; dispensing a first small piece good arranged in the dispensing channel rotated over the dispensing opening via the dispensing opening; arranging a second small piece good over the dispensing channel rotated over the dispensing opening by rotational movement of the separating device; pressing the second small piece good, which is arranged above the dispensing channel rotated over the dispensing opening, against the wall of a corresponding recess by a retaining portion of a sectionally elastically deformable retaining device; and preventing the second small piece good by frictional connection from entering the dispensing channel aligned with the dispensing opening.

One or more embodiments of the disclosure include a storage container having a housing that includes a receiving space for small piece goods, a circular cylindrical inner space and a dispensing opening. The storage container also includes a separating device disposed in the circular cylindrical inner space, the separating device including a plurality of dispensing channels arranged on an outer circumference of a base body and a recess with a wall disposed above each dispensing channel, the recess configured to receive a small piece good from the receiving space. The storage container further includes a retaining device having a fastening portion and a retaining portion disposed above the dispensing opening, wherein at least a portion of the retaining device is elastically deformable and is configured to press a first small piece good against the wall of the recess disposed over the dispensing channel disposed over the dispensing opening, thereby preventing the first small piece good from entering the dispensing channel aligned with the dispensing opening.

The foregoing and other features, aspects and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following, one or more embodiments of the storage container according to the disclosure for a storage and dispensing station of a blister packaging machine and one or more embodiments of the method according to the disclosure are described with reference to the drawing.

FIGS. 1a and 1b show oblique views of a storage container, wherein FIG. 1b is a sectional view in which the separating device is omitted, according to the disclosure.

FIGS. 2a and 2b show two sectional views of the storage container of FIGS. 1a and 1b, in which the complete separating device including small piece goods to be separated is shown, according to the disclosure.

FIGS. 3a and 3b show detailed views of a combination separating device/retaining device together with small piece goods, according to the disclosure.

FIGS. 4a and 4b show sectional views of the storage container of FIGS. 1a and 1b with the complete separating device, wherein the small piece goods are omitted, according to the disclosure.

FIGS. 5a and 5b show a top view of the combination separating device/retaining device of FIGS. 3a and 3b, wherein FIG. 5b is a detailed view of a portion of FIG. 5a, according to the disclosure.

FIGS. 6a, 6b, 7, 8, 9a and 9b show various retaining devices, according to the disclosure.

FIG. 10 shows a side view of a combination separating device/retaining device of a storage container, according to the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below describes various configurations of the subject technology and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the subject technology may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the subject technology. Accordingly, dimensions are provided in regard to certain aspects as non-limiting examples. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject technology may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the subject technology.

It is to be understood that the present disclosure includes examples of the subject technology and does not limit the scope of the appended claims. Various aspects of the subject technology will now be disclosed according to particular but non-limiting examples. Various embodiments described in the present disclosure may be carried out in different ways and variations, and in accordance with a desired application or implementation.

Depending on the expansion stage, modern blister packaging machines, as disclosed, for example, in WO 2013/034504 A1, comprise several hundred storage and dispensing stations. A plurality of drug portions of a particular drug are stored in each of these, and individual drug portions may be dispensed on request. The drugs stored in the storage and dispensing stations are assembled with the blister packaging machine and blister-packed patient-specifically according to the medically prescribed administration times.

Corresponding storage and dispensing stations for dispensing one or multiple drug portions are activated to assemble the drug portions. When a storage and dispensing station is activated, a separating device which is arranged in the storage container of the storage and dispensing station is used to separate a single drug portion and to transfer it to a guide device of the blister packaging machine via a dispensing opening in the storage container. With the aid of the guide device, a dispensed drug portion, optionally by interposing a collecting device, is fed to a packaging device, which blisters individual or multiple drug portions in accordance with a medical prescription.

For separating drug portions stored in a storage container of a storage and dispensing station, the separating device comprises a circular cylindrical base body having a plurality of dispensing channels usually arranged on the outer circumference of the rotor. The dimensions of the dispensing channels must be adapted to the respective drug portions to be separated in such a manner that the drug portions can only be arranged one above the other in a dispensing channel, but not next to one another. The dispensing channels can, for example, be dimensioned in such a manner that only one drug portion can be accommodated in a dispensing channel.

To dispense a drug portion from a dispensing channel, a dispensing channel is moved over the dispensing opening in the bottom plate of the housing of the storage container, and the drug portion arranged in the dispensing channel slides or falls into the dispensing opening due to gravity. In order to prevent further drug portions stored above the dispensing channel from also being dispensed, i.e. an unknown number of drug portions being dispensed, a separating portion of a separating means (also referred to as a separator) is guided or arranged above the dispensing channel in the area above the dispensing opening, which is aligned with the dispensing opening. The separating portion is arranged above the dispensing channel in relation to the height of the latter in such a manner that usually only one drug portion can be arranged below the separating portion.

Some embodiments of the separating device additionally have a type of storage channel above the dispensing channels. Webs that define the channels are arranged between the dispensing channels and storage channels. In the embodiment with storage and dispensing channels, these webs are separated by a circumferential annular slot extending radially to an inner wall of the channels. The separating portion is guided in this slot and, when the dispensing channel is aligned with the dispensing opening, separates the dispensing channel from the storage channel in such a manner that a drug portion arranged in the storage channel does not fall into the dispensing channel.

In the following, reference is made to small piece goods to be separated, wherein this term is intended to comprise, in particular, drug portions and dietary supplement portions. However, the storage container according to the disclosure can also be used for separating other, appropriately shaped small piece goods.

According to the disclosure, a storage container for a storage and dispensing station for a blister packaging machine comprises a housing having an upper housing portion defining or comprising a receiving space for small piece goods, a lower housing portion having a circular cylindrical inner space, and a bottom plate having a dispensing opening, a separating device arranged in the circular cylindrical inner space having a base body with a plurality of dispensing channels, which are arranged on the outer circumference of the base body, are open towards the outer circumference, are separated by webs and are adapted to small piece goods to be separated, for receiving at least one small piece good, wherein the base body has, at least above each dispensing channel on the outer circumference, a recess with a wall, which recess is adapted to a small piece good to be separated and is open towards the outer circumference. The dispensing channel is to be adapted to the dimensions of the small piece goods to be separated in such a manner that its height corresponds at least to the height of a small piece good to be separated.

The storage container further comprises a retaining device having a fastening portion and a retaining portion held above the dispensing opening in the inner space.

According to the disclosure, the retaining device is elastically deformable at least in portions and is designed in such a manner that a small piece good arranged above a dispensing channel aligned with the dispensing opening is pressed via the retaining portion against the wall of the corresponding recess and is thus prevented by frictional engagement from entering the dispensing channel aligned with the dispensing opening.

According to the disclosure, the small piece goods arranged above the dispensing channel aligned with the dispensing opening are not spatially separated from the dispensing channel below by a separating portion, in that the separating portion blocks the dispensing channel from above and lifts or displaces a small piece good (as is the prior art), but rather only a “retaining” or “clamping” of a small piece good takes place, which could otherwise slip or fall into the aligned dispensing channel. This small piece good is not pushed away or lifted for this purpose; rather, it deforms the retaining device, which is elastically deformable in portions. The restoring force of the deformed retaining device or the preformed area thereof presses the small piece good against the wall of the recess. A frictional connection is created between the wall and the small piece good as well as between the small piece good and the deformed retaining portion; the small piece good is virtually clamped in place.

Due to the elimination of pushing or lifting, the small piece goods cannot be damaged by these operations. Of course, the deformable material of the retaining portion should be selected in such a manner that the elastic deformation by the small piece good can be achieved without damaging the small piece good.

Due to the fact that there is no spatial separation, it is also harmless in the storage container according to the disclosure if a small piece good arranged above the small piece good to be dispensed partially protrudes into the dispensing channel (which is rotated above the dispensing opening)—due to the frictional connection, it is also held in such a case. Thus, one and the same separating device can be used for small piece goods that differ in size to a certain extent. This is particularly true for capsule-shaped small piece goods. It is therefore not necessary to adapt the separating device extremely accurately to the small piece goods to be separated, which considerably reduces the number of separating devices that have to be stocked.

It is essential that the retaining device is elastically deformable at least in portions. For this purpose, for example, the fastening portion can be designed accordingly, e.g. have an elastically deformable portion. Further, it might be necessary to adapt the shape of the retaining portion in such a manner that it can be pushed away by a small piece good. In a corresponding design, the retaining portion would thus be pressed “outward” by the small piece goods, and the restoring force would press the small piece goods against the wall. If, as is common, the retaining portion is guided into the housing from the outside, the result is that the retaining portion is repeatedly pushed out of the housing in portions, which promotes an escape and entry of dust.

In order to avoid this, one or more embodiments provide for the retaining portion to be elastically deformable at least in portions. Here, the retaining portion would be prevented from being pushed outwards, since it is elastically deformable and thus holds or clamps the small piece goods.

In one or more embodiments, in which the small piece goods are held particularly gently, the retaining portion comprises a plurality of elastically deformable bristles. The number of bristles as well as their elasticity and restoring force are adapted to the small piece goods to be separated. Fewer (strong) bristles are required for a sensitive and light capsule-shaped drug portion than for a heavy oval drug portion.

In aspects of the disclosure, the bristles extend parallel to one another orthogonally from a base plate of the retaining portion. In such a design, as few bristles as possible can be used, and the manufacture of the retaining section is simple.

In one or more embodiments, which are used in particular for small piece goods with very sensitive surfaces, this comprises an elastically deformable plastic. Here, the surface of the small piece good is pressed over a large area during the deformation of the retaining portion caused by the rotation of the separating device, and damage to the surface can be reduced to a minimum. Foams and silicones are particularly preferred as these are inexpensive and available in tested and approved grades.

In one or more embodiments, the recesses are separated from one another by upper webs in such a manner that the recesses are channel-like in portions. A corresponding design of the separating device interacts positively with the use of the retaining device according to the disclosure, as has been explained above.

According to the disclosure, methods for separating small piece goods with a storage container for a storage and dispensing station for a blister packaging machine include, a plurality of piece goods are provided in a receiving space of a housing of the storage container and the small piece goods are introduced into dispensing channels which are arranged on the outer circumference of a base body of a separating device and are open towards the outer circumference, wherein the separating device is arranged in a circular cylindrical inner space of a lower housing portion of the housing, and wherein the base body has, at least above each dispensing channel on the outer circumference, a recess with a wall, which recess is adapted to a small piece good to be separated and is open towards the outer circumference. To perform the actual separation, a dispensing channel is rotated by a rotational movement of the separating device over a dispensing opening in a bottom plate of the lower housing portion, whereby a small piece good arranged in the dispensing channel rotated over the dispensing opening is dispensed via the dispensing opening. In this case, a small piece good is arranged above the dispensing channel, which is rotated over the dispensing opening, by the rotational movement of the separating device. This “arrangement” usually occurs by relative movement of the dispensing channel rotated or to be rotated over the dispensing opening. Usually, the small piece goods will remain more or less stationary (depending on the weight, shape and number of small piece goods in the receiving space), and the dispensing channel is moved “underneath”. In order to prevent this small piece good arranged above the dispensing channel aligned with the dispensing opening from entering this dispensing channel, according to the disclosure this small piece good is pressed against the wall of the corresponding recess by a retaining portion of a sectionally elastically deformable retaining device and is thus prevented by frictional connection from entering the dispensing channel aligned with the dispensing opening.

As already indicated above, the small piece good “arranged” above the aligned dispensing channel is not lifted (and thus possibly damaged) by a separator, but is clamped via the retaining portion.

One or more embodiments of the method according to the disclosure are described below, wherein the technical advantages have already been described with reference to the storage container according to the disclosure.

In one or more embodiments of the method according to the disclosure, a small piece good, which is arranged above the dispensing channel rotated over the dispensing opening, is pressed by the retaining portion of the retaining device against the wall of the corresponding recess and is thus prevented by frictional connection from entering the dispensing channel aligned with the dispensing opening by the retaining portion being elastically deformed at least in portions by a small piece good, whereby the frictional connection between the small piece good and the wall is produced.

In one or more embodiments of the method for separating small piece goods according to the disclosure, the retaining portion comprises a plurality of elastically deformable bristles which are elastically deformed by a small piece good, thereby creating the frictional connection between the small piece good and the wall.

In one or more embodiments of the method for separating small piece goods according to the disclosure, the retaining portion comprises an elastically deformable plastic, which is elastically deformed by a small piece good, thereby generating the frictional connection between the small piece good and the wall.

In one or more embodiments of the method according to the disclosure, the retaining portion comprises an elastically deformable foam or an elastically deformable silicone which is elastically deformed by a small piece good, thereby creating the frictional connection between the small piece good and the wall.

In the following, embodiments of the storage container for a storage and dispensing station of a blister packaging machine and methods of operating the storage container according to the disclosure are described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, the storage container 1 comprises a housing 10 with an upper housing portion 11, which defines or surrounds a receiving space 13 for small piece goods (not shown), and an underlying lower housing portion 12 with a circular cylindrical inner space 14, which can be seen in FIG. 1b. A separating device (not shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b) is arranged in the circular cylindrical inner space 14. Depending on its height, it may occur that the inner space 14 is not completely filled by the separating device, so that an upper portion of the inner space 14 can optionally fulfill the function of the receiving space 13, i.e. small piece goods to be separated can be stored therein.

The storage container 1 further comprises a base frame 16 on which the housing 10 is arranged, and further comprises a handle 17 for simplified handling of the storage container 1. As can be seen in FIG. 1b, the housing 10 further comprises a bottom plate 18 having a central circular opening in which a coupling element 50 of a separating device (not shown) is arranged. The bottom plate 18 further comprises a dispensing opening 19 through which small piece goods are dispensed.

The storage container 1 further comprises a retaining device 40, which is retained on a fastening projection 15 via a fastening portion 41. As shown, a retaining portion 42 of the retaining device 40 extends into the circular cylindrical inner space 14 through a slot in the lower housing portion 12, wherein the retaining device 40 or retaining portion 42 is arranged or positioned in such a manner that the retaining portion 42 is disposed vertically above the dispensing opening 19.

As shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, a separating device 30 is depicted, such as is used in particular for capsule-shaped small piece goods, for example capsule-shaped drug portions. The separating device 30 comprises a circular cylindrical base body 39, on the outer circumference of which a plurality of dispensing channels 32 separated by webs 31 are arranged in the lower portion for receiving a small piece good. Above the dispensing channels 32, recesses 33 open towards the outer circumference are again arranged on the outer circumference of the circular cylindrical base body 39 of the separating device 30, which are separated from one another by webs 35 and are thus also, at least in portions, of channel-like design and form a bearing channel above a dispensing channel. As it can be well seen in FIGS. 2a and 2b, a small piece good arranged in a storage channel is lying on a small piece good arranged in a dispensing channel. As shown, the base body 39 comprises a convex surface 37 that feeds small piece goods in contact therewith to the recesses 33.

Each of the recesses 33 comprises a wall 34, which is described in more detail in FIGS. 4a to 5b below. The webs 31 between the dispensing channels 32 and the webs 35 between the recesses 33 and storage channels, respectively, are separated from one another by a slot 36 that extends radially into the separating device 30 as far as the wall 34. As can be seen in FIG. 2b, the retaining portion 42 of the retaining device 40 extends through an opening in the lower housing portion 12 into this slot 36. In some embodiments, the retaining device 40 may also be fully disposed within the housing 10 in such a manner that a slot is not necessary.

Both the dispensing channels 32 and the recesses 33 (in the form of storage channels) are adapted to the shape of the small piece goods to be separated, wherein it is usually the case that at least the dispensing channel 32 is designed to receive a small piece good.

As can also be seen in FIG. 2b, the retaining portion 42 is not arranged between a small piece good in a storage channel or recess 33 and a small piece good in the corresponding dispensing channel 32 aligned with the dispensing opening 19, as is common in storage containers in accordance with the prior art. As noted above, prior art storage containers comprise a separating portion separating small piece goods from the dispensing channel above a dispensing channel aligned with the dispensing opening.

As can be seen in FIG. 2b, the small piece goods in the recess 33 (here a storage channel) aligned with the dispensing opening 19 protrude into the dispensing channel 32 below. The height of the dispensing channel 32 is therefore not exactly the same as the height of the small piece goods in it. If a common separating portion were used in the embodiment shown, it would attempt to push between the small piece goods and lift the upper small piece good arranged in the recess, preventing the delivery of this small piece good by positive engagement between the upper small piece good and the separating portion. However, since the upper small piece good protrudes into the lower dispensing channel 32, it would be likely that the upper small piece good would be damaged in the case shown.

In the storage container according to the disclosure, however, the retaining portion arranged above the dispensing opening 19 is deformed by the small piece goods arranged in the recess 33 or a storage channel above a dispensing channel 32 due to its property of being elastically deformable at least in portions, presses the small piece good against the wall 34 of the recess 33 and prevents the small piece good from entering the dispensing channel 32 due to a frictional connection between the small piece good, the wall and the retaining portion 42. Despite the upper small piece good protruding into it, it would be held and not discharged together with the small piece good in the dispensing channel 32. Due to the retaining, the upper small piece good is also not damaged. Thus, the disclosure allows small piece goods of different heights to be separated with the same separating device 30, as long as it is ensured that the dispensing channel 32 corresponds at least to the height of a small piece good to be dispensed. Due to the retaining, a small piece good must not extend significantly beyond a dispensing channel 32.

FIGS. 3a and 3b show detailed views of a combination of separating device 30 and retaining device 40. FIG. 3a again shows the arrangement of the retaining device 40 with respect to the separating device 30, and shows that the retaining portion 42 extends into the slot 36. In FIG. 3b, the retaining device 40 is shown in the state in which a small piece good is held in a recess. As can be seen, a portion 42′ of the elastically deformable retaining portion 42 is deformed by the small piece good being held (not shown). The deformation causes the retaining portion 42′ to exert a force on the small piece good, which presses it against the wall (also not shown) and creates a frictional connection between the small piece good, the wall and the retaining portion 42, which in turn prevents the small piece good from entering the dispensing channel 32 below.

FIGS. 4a and 4b show sectional views with the complete separating device 30, wherein the small piece goods are omitted. In the figures, the design of the dispensing channels 32 as well as the webs 31 arranged between them and the recesses 33 (in the form of storage channels) arranged above them as well as the webs 35 arranged between them can be seen. As noted above, both the dispensing channels 32 and the recesses 33 are adapted to the shape of the small piece goods (with the limitations or advantages described above). In particular, it can be seen in FIG. 4b that the retaining portion 42 of the retaining device 40 extends into the slot 36 between the webs between the dispensing channels 32 and recesses 33. FIGS. 4a and 4b show the wall 34 of the recesses 33 against which the retaining portion 42 presses a small piece good, a recess 33 aligned with the dispensing opening 19 and thus the retaining portion 42, thus creating a frictional connection between the small piece good and the wall 34.

FIGS. 5a and 5b show a top view of the combination of separating device 30/retaining device 40, wherein FIG. 5b is a detailed view of a portion of FIG. 5a. In the case of the recesses 33 not aligned with the retaining device 40, it can be seen that the small piece goods 2 are shown as not resting against the wall 34. It is practically unlikely that the small piece goods are arranged in the recesses 33 in exactly this manner, i.e. without contact with the wall 34, and the depiction was only chosen to illustrate the difference to the recess 33 which is aligned with the retaining device 40 (and thus the dispensing opening 19). The recess 33 is rotated towards or aligned with the retaining device 40. This is the condition in which the small piece good 2′ arranged under the small piece good shown is dispensed via the dispensing opening 19. Due to the elastically deformable retaining portion 42 or the deformed portion 42′, the small piece good 2′ is pressed against the wall 34 and is thus held by frictional engagement. This can be clearly seen in FIG. 5b, with the lower (actually dispensed) small piece good also being indicated in FIG. 5b for illustration purposes.

Due to the material property of the retaining portion 42, it deforms again and returns to its original state when the separating device 30 is rotated, i.e. the recess 33 is rotated out of contact with the retaining portion 42. As soon as the retaining portion 42 again comes into contact with the next small piece good 2, the retaining portion 42 is deformed by this small piece good 2 and then presses this small piece good 2 in front of the wall 34 of the associated recess 33.

FIGS. 6a and 6b, 7, 8, 9a and 9b show various retaining devices. In FIGS. 6a and 6b, the retaining portion 42 comprises a plurality of elastically deformable bristles 43, which conform to the curvature of the slot 36 between the webs 31, 35 and are secured in a base plate 44 of the retaining portion 42. As shown in FIG. 7, the face of the plurality of bristles 43 is not curved, but straight, parallel to the base plate 44. The exact material properties and number of bristles 43 depend on the application, i.e. the exact shape, property and weight of the small piece goods to be separated or held. If, for example, capsule-shaped drug portions are to be separated or held by the retaining portion 42, the force to be applied to this capsule must be lower than is necessary, for example, for capsule-shaped small piece goods made of metal. The number as well as the restoring force of the bristles 43 can be lower for the drug portions than for the small piece goods made of metal. The surface of the small piece goods is also important for setting the retaining portion 42. If it is smooth, more force is required than if it is roughened. The person skilled in the art can easily deduce from the above factors exactly which properties the bristles 43 should have and what number should be used.

The bristles 43 may extend parallel to one another orthogonally away from the base plate 44 of the retaining portion 42, and may be formed from a plastic having the aforementioned material properties. Foams and silicones are particularly suitable plastics and are available at low cost in tested and approved grades.

FIG. 8 shows that the retaining portion 42 is formed from a foam which has rounded corners on the end face projecting into the slot 36, but is otherwise straight. The end face can also be curved, as indicated in FIG. 9a. FIG. 9b schematically shows how a portion 42′ of the retaining portion (comprising an elastically deformable material) is pressed in by a small piece good 2, whereby this portion 42′ forms a counterforce and presses the small piece good 2 against the (not shown) wall 34 of a recess 33.

The possibilities for forming the retaining portion 42 are not limited to those mentioned above; it is essential that it fulfills the function according to the disclosure, namely to press a small piece good 2 arranged above a dispensing channel 32 aligned with the dispensing opening 19 against the wall 34 of the corresponding recess 33 and thus to prevent it from entering the dispensing channel 32 by frictional engagement.

FIG. 10 shows a side view of a combination separating device 30a and retaining device 40 of the storage container 1 according to the disclosure. Here, the separating device 30a above the dispensing channels 32 does not comprise recesses formed as storage channels (as in separating device 30), rather the recesses 33a formed above the dispensing channels 32, indicated by dashed lines, are not separated from one another by webs, thus, an annular groove 38 is formed above the dispensing channels 32, the outer circumference of which annular groove 38 (which is displaced radially inwardly with respect to the outer circumference of the base body 39 of the separating device 30a) provides the walls 34a above the dispensing channels 32, against which walls 34a a small piece good 2 can be pressed and thus held by frictional engagement. This is indicated in the right section of FIG. 10. The exact design of the separating device 30a depends in particular on the shape of the small piece goods 2.

In the following, one or more embodiments of a method according to the disclosure for separating small piece goods with a storage container is briefly described. First, a plurality of piece goods 2 are provided in a receiving space 13 of a housing 10 of the storage container 1, such as shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, wherein in the aforementioned figures the piece goods are omitted to illustrate the components of the storage container 1. The small piece goods 2 are then introduced into the dispensing channels 32, where due to the design of the separating device 30, many small piece goods 2 will enter the dispensing channels 32 immediately as they are introduced, where required, some small piece goods 2 may need to be moved into the dispensing channels 32 by shaking or by slightly rotating the separating device 30. In order to selectively dispense one (or more, depending on the dispensing channel 32) small piece goods 2, a dispensing channel 32 is rotated over the dispensing opening 19 by a rotational movement of the separating device 30, whereby a small piece good 2 arranged in the dispensing channel 32 rotated over the dispensing opening 19 is dispensed via the dispensing opening 19 due to gravity (see FIG. 2b). In this case, a small piece good 2′ is arranged above the dispensing channel 32 rotated over the dispensing opening 19 by the rotational movement of the separating device 30. See FIGS. 2b and 5a, 5b, wherein only the combination of separating device 30/retaining device 40 is depicted in 5a and 5b. In the figures shown, the small piece good 2 is arranged with recesses 33 (here in the form of storage channels) arranged above the dispensing channels 32. As shown in FIG. 10, this will regularly take place in such a manner that the small piece good 2 tends to remain stationary (depending on the shape, number and weight of the other small piece goods (not shown)), and the dispensing channel 32 is moved underneath the small piece good 2.

According to the disclosure, the small piece good 2′, which is arranged above the dispensing channel 32 rotated over the dispensing opening 19, is pressed against the wall 34 of the corresponding recess 33 by a retaining portion 42 of a sectionally elastically deformable retaining device 40 and is thus prevented by frictional engagement from entering the dispensing channel 32 aligned with the dispensing opening 19. As shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, the retaining portion 42, which comprises a plurality of bristles 43, is thereby elastically deformed, wherein the deformed portion 42′ presses the small piece good 2′ against the wall 34 due to elasticity. The restoring force of the elastic portion is adjusted in such a manner that the small piece goods 2 are prevented from entering the dispensing channel 32, even if the small piece good 2′ in the aligned dispensing channel 32 has already been dispensed. As mentioned above, this restoring force must be set depending on the piece goods 2 to be separated.

The present disclosure is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. The disclosure provides various examples of the subject technology, and the subject technology is not limited to these examples. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects.

A reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Pronouns in the masculine (e.g., his) include the feminine and neuter gender (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit the subject technology.

The word “exemplary” or the term “for example” is used herein to mean “serving as an example or illustration.” Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” or “for example” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. In one aspect, various alternative configurations and operations described herein may be considered to be at least equivalent.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a series of items, with the term “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each item of the list. The phrase “at least one of” does not require selection of at least one item; rather, the phrase allows a meaning that includes at least one of any one of the items, and/or at least one of any combination of the items, and/or at least one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrase “at least one of A, B, or C” may refer to: only A, only B, or only C; or any combination of A, B, and C.

A phrase such as an “aspect” does not imply that such aspect is essential to the subject technology or that such aspect applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an aspect may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. An aspect may provide one or more examples. A phrase such as an aspect may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa. A phrase such as an “embodiment” does not imply that such embodiment is essential to the subject technology or that such embodiment applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an embodiment may apply to all embodiments, or one or more embodiments. An embodiment may provide one or more examples. A phrase such an embodiment may refer to one or more embodiments and vice versa. A phrase such as a “configuration” does not imply that such configuration is essential to the subject technology or that such configuration applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to a configuration may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A configuration may provide one or more examples. A phrase such a configuration may refer to one or more configurations and vice versa.

In one aspect, unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that are set forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, not exact. In one aspect, they are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain.

It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps, operations or processes disclosed is an illustration of exemplary approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps, operations or processes may be rearranged. Some of the steps, operations or processes may be performed simultaneously. Some or all of the steps, operations, or processes may be performed automatically, without the intervention of a user. The accompanying method claims, if any, present elements of the various steps, operations or processes in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “step for.” Furthermore, to the extent that the term “include,” “have,” or the like is used, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprise” as “comprise” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

The Title, Background, Summary, Brief Description of the Drawings and Abstract of the disclosure are hereby incorporated into the disclosure and are provided as illustrative examples of the disclosure, not as restrictive descriptions. It is submitted with the understanding that they will not be used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the Detailed Description, it can be seen that the description provides illustrative examples and the various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed subject matter requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed configuration or operation. The following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

The claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects described herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims and to encompass all legal equivalents. Notwithstanding, none of the claims are intended to embrace subject matter that fails to satisfy the requirement of 35 U.S.C. § 101, 102, or 103, nor should they be interpreted in such a way.

Claims

1. A storage container for a storage and dispensing station for a blister packaging machine, comprising:

a housing having an upper housing portion defining a receiving space for small piece goods, a lower housing portion having a circular cylindrical inner space, and a base plate having a dispensing opening;

a separating device arranged in the circular cylindrical inner space having a base body with a plurality of dispensing channels arranged on an outer circumference of the base body and open towards the outer circumference, separated by webs and adapted to small piece goods to be separated, for receiving at least one small piece good, wherein the base body has, at least above each dispensing channel on the outer circumference, a recess with a wall, which recess is adapted to a small piece good to be separated and is open towards the outer circumference; and

a retaining device having a fastening portion and a retaining portion which is retained above the dispensing opening in the inner space,

wherein the retaining device is elastically deformable at least in portions and is designed in such a manner that a small piece good arranged above a dispensing channel aligned with the dispensing opening is pressed via the retaining portion against the wall of a corresponding recess and is thus prevented by frictional engagement from entering the dispensing channel aligned with the dispensing opening.

2. The storage container of claim 1, wherein the retaining portion is elastically deformable at least in portions.

3. The storage container of claim 1, wherein the retaining portion comprises a plurality of elastically deformable bristles.

4. The storage of claim 3, wherein the bristles extend parallel to one another orthogonally from a base plate of the retaining portion.

5. The storage container of claim 1, wherein the retaining portion comprises an elastically deformable plastic.

6. The storage container of claim 1, wherein the retaining portion comprises an elastically deformable foam.

7. The storage container of claim 1, wherein the retaining portion comprises an elastically deformable silicone.

8. The storage container of claim 1, wherein the recesses are separated from one another by upper webs in such a manner that the recesses are channel-like in portions.

9. A method for separating small piece goods with a storage container for a storage and dispensing station for a blister packaging machine, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of piece goods in a receiving space of a housing of the storage container;

introducing small piece goods into dispensing channels arranged on an outer circumference of a base body of a separating device and that are open towards the outer circumference, wherein the separating device is arranged in a circular cylindrical inner space of a lower housing portion of the housing and wherein the base body has, at least above each dispensing channel on the outer circumference, a recess which is adapted to a small piece good to be separated and is open towards the outer circumference and has a wall;

rotating the separating device to dispose a dispensing channel over a dispensing opening in a bottom plate of the lower housing portion;

dispensing a first small piece good arranged in the dispensing channel rotated over the dispensing opening via the dispensing opening;

arranging a second small piece good over the dispensing channel rotated over the dispensing opening by rotational movement of the separating device;

pressing the second small piece good, which is arranged above the dispensing channel rotated over the dispensing opening, against the wall of a corresponding recess by a retaining portion of a sectionally elastically deformable retaining device; and

preventing the second small piece good by frictional connection from entering the dispensing channel aligned with the dispensing opening.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

elastically deforming the retaining portion at least in portions by the second small piece good, whereby the frictional connection between the second small piece good and the wall is produced.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

elastically deforming a plurality of elastically deformable bristles of the retaining portion by the second small piece good, thereby creating the frictional connection between the second small piece good and the wall.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

elastically deforming an elastically deformable plastic material of the retaining portion by the second small piece good, thereby creating the frictional connection between the second small piece good and the wall.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

elastically deforming an elastically deformable foam of the retaining portion by the second small piece good, thereby creating the frictional connection between the second small piece good and the wall.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

elastically deforming an elastically deformable silicone of the retaining portion by the second small piece good, thereby creating the frictional connection between the second small piece good and the wall.

15. A storage container, comprising:

a housing, comprising: a receiving space for small piece goods; a circular cylindrical inner space; and a dispensing opening;

a separating device disposed in the circular cylindrical inner space, the separating device comprising: a plurality of dispensing channels arranged on an outer circumference of a base body; and a recess with a wall disposed above each dispensing channel, the recess configured to receive a small piece good from the receiving space;

a retaining device, comprising: a fastening portion; and a retaining portion disposed above the dispensing opening,

wherein at least a portion of the retaining device is elastically deformable and is configured to press a first small piece good against the wall of the recess disposed over the dispensing channel disposed over the dispensing opening, thereby preventing the first small piece good from entering the dispensing channel aligned with the dispensing opening.

16. The storage container of claim 15, wherein the retaining portion comprises a plurality of elastically deformable bristles.

17. The storage container of claim 16, wherein the bristles extend parallel to one another orthogonally from a base plate of the retaining portion.

18. The storage container of claim 16, wherein the bristles extend in various lengths from a base plate of the retaining portion to form a concave shape.

19. The storage container of claim 15, wherein the retaining portion comprises one of an elastically deformable plastic, an elastically deformable foam and an elastically deformable silicone.

20. The storage container of claim 15, wherein the retaining portion comprises an elastically deformable concave surface.