Storage container for a storage and distribution station

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage container for a storage and distribution station, which is suitable for small items, in particular pharmaceutical or dietary supplement products. For known storage containers, the small items to be sorted are usually attached below the lower surface of the sorting device. The storage container according to the invention solves this problem and comprises a housing (10) with a cylindrical section (11), a sorting device (30) arranged in the cylindrical section (11) of the housing (10) with a plurality of channels (32) and a lower surface (36), and a restraining device (40). According to the invention, in order to reduce the possible contact area between the lower surface and the small items, the lower surface (36) of the sorting device (30) is at least partially segmented with a plurality of recesses (37) and / or protrusions, the shape and size of which are chosen such that the electrostatic attraction between the small items and the lower surface (36) is reduced.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage container for a storage and dispensing station, which is suitable for small goods, in particular pharmaceuticals or dietary supplement products. BACKGROUND

[0002] As disclosed, for example, in WO 2013 / 034504 A1, a modern blister pack machine comprises several hundred storage and dispensing stations depending on the expansion level. In these storage and dispensing stations, a plurality of doses of a specific pharmaceutical are stored, respectively, and can be dispensed individually depending on the requirements. By means of the blister pack machine, the doses of pharmaceuticals stored in the storage and dispensing stations are combined and blister packed depending on the time of administration prescribed by the physician and on the patient.

[0003] For the combination of the doses of pharmaceuticals, the corresponding storage and dispensing stations are controlled to dispense one or more doses of pharmaceuticals. In the process of controlling the storage and dispensing stations, the individual doses of pharmaceuticals are separated by means of a picking device arranged in the storage container of the storage and dispensing station and are delivered to a guiding device of the blister pack machine by means of a dispensing opening in the storage container. By means of the guiding device, the dispensed doses of pharmaceuticals are supplied to a packing device, if necessary with access to a collecting device, while the packing device blister packs the individual or multiple doses of pharmaceuticals corresponding to the medical prescription.

[0004] For picking the doses of pharmaceuticals stored in the storage container of the storage and dispensing station, the picking device comprises a rotor having a plurality of channels, which are usually arranged on the outer circumference of the rotor. The channels must be adapted to the size of the individual doses of pharmaceuticals to be picked, so that in the channels the doses of pharmaceuticals can only be arranged one above the other, but not side by side. The size of the channels can be set, for example, so that only one dose of pharmaceuticals can be accommodated in one channel. For dispensing the doses of pharmaceuticals from the channels, the channels are moved over a dispensing opening in the bottom surface of the housing of the storage container and the dose of pharmaceuticals arranged in the channel (in the lowermost position) slides or falls into the dispensing opening due to the force of gravity. In order to avoid dispensing of an unknown number of doses of pharmaceuticals, i.e. of the doses of pharmaceuticals stored in or above the channels, a restraining section of a restraining device or separator is guided or arranged at least in or above the channels while the channels are aligned with the dispensing opening. With reference to the height of the channels, the restraining section is arranged in or above it so that only one dose of pharmaceuticals can be arranged below the restraining section. If the restraining section is guided into the channel to separate the lowermost dose of pharmaceuticals from the doses of pharmaceuticals arranged above it, a protrusion of the individual channel has a slot which accommodates the restraining section. If the restraining section is arranged or guided above the channel, it is usually only slightly guided above the upper end of the protrusion, so that other doses of pharmaceuticals do not enter the channel when the dose of pharmaceuticals is dispensed.

[0005] In known storage containers, the sorting device is arranged in at least the internally cylindrical section of the housing of the storage container and comprises a lower surface facing the housing bottom. In order to guarantee the as frictionless as possible rotatability of the sorting device and in order to guarantee the discharge of, for example, pharmaceutical debris, a gap is always designed between the housing bottom and the lower surface of the sorting device. In the course of the sorting itself, the pharmaceutical portions and the dietary supplement portions rub against each other and against the components of the storage container, which components and the pharmaceutical portions and the dietary supplement portions thereby generate static electricity, resulting in electrostatic attraction between them. Due to this electrostatic attraction, in the case of a channel aligning a dispensing opening of the housing bottom, it can occur that the pharmaceutical portions (in the following only the pharmaceutical portions are discussed, but the corresponding content also applies to the dietary supplement products and the corresponding small items) do not fall out of the dispensing opening due to gravity, but are sucked under the lower surface and adhere to the lower surface in the course of the original dispensing or, if necessary, also in the course of the movement above the housing bottom. The result is: undispensed pharmaceutical portions or delayed dispensing of pharmaceutical portions, which leads to the incorrect combination of pharmaceutical portions, wherein the delayed dispensing leads to two incorrect combinations - one combination lacks pharmaceutical portions, in the other combination too many blister-packaged pharmaceutical portions are present. The second variant is particularly critical in the background of undesired interactions between specific pharmaceutical types. SUMMARY

[0006] It is an object of the present application to provide a storage container for a storage and dispensing station for small items, in which incorrect dispensing of pharmaceutical portions due to the adherence of pharmaceutical portions to the lower surface of the sorting device is avoided.

[0007] The storage container for a storage and dispensing station for small items according to the present application comprises a housing surrounding a containment space for small items, the housing having an internally cylindrical section and a housing bottom comprising a dispensing opening; a sorting device arranged within the cylindrical section, the sorting device having a plurality of channels for containing at least one small item and a lower surface facing the housing bottom, wherein the lower surface has the dispensing opening of the channels. The storage container further comprises a restraining device having a positioning means and a restraining section, wherein the positioning means holds the restraining device above the dispensing opening.

[0008] According to the present application, it is provided that, in order to reduce the possible contact area between the lower surface and the small items, the lower surface of the sorting device has a plurality of recesses and / or protrusions at least sectionally (and in particular in the area of the dispensing opening of the channels), wherein the shape and size thereof are selected such that the electrostatic attraction between the small items and the lower surface is reduced.

[0009] According to the application, recesses and / or protrusions are mentioned, because for a flat lower surface always one of the two determines the other - if recesses prevail, the protrusions are the "prominent" feature, if protrusions prevail, the recesses are the prominent feature. It is important that the reduction of the contact area leads to a reduction of the electrostatic attraction, so that the risk of sucking in or attaching the pharmaceutical portions on the lower surface is avoided. The design of the recesses / protrusions also depends on the shape of the pharmaceutical portions to be sorted - if for example flat round pharmaceutical portions are to be sorted, then for example recesses should not be chosen so that the flat pharmaceutical portions fit more or less exactly with the recesses in the flat section. However, the selection of the appropriate recesses / protrusions can be made immediately by the person skilled in the art depending on the exact shape and other characteristics of the pharmaceutical portions to be sorted.

[0010] The reduction of the contact area reduces the possible electrostatic attraction between the lower surface and the pharmaceutical portions, so that sucking in or attaching does not occur, and the incorrect distribution of the pharmaceutical portions is avoided.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, which can be produced particularly simply, the recesses / protrusions are arranged in the tabs, wherein in this embodiment the channels are defined by the tabs as channels open outwards on the outer circumference of the sorting device. Due to the rotational movement during the sorting process and the arrangement on the outer circumference, in this case "sucking in" usually occurs below the tabs, so that it makes sense to equip the tabs with recesses / protrusions. However, additionally, further recesses / protrusions can also be arranged on the remaining section of the mostly annular design of the lower surface, in particular in the area of the mouth of the channels.

[0012] As already set out above, the exact design of the recesses / protrusions depends on the exact structure of the sorting device and the pharmaceutical portions to be sorted. However, in particular for lighter, flat or oval pharmaceutical portions, problems of sucking in or rather attaching on the lower surface can occur. In a preferred embodiment, in which the recesses can be produced particularly simply, it is provided that the recesses, or at least a part thereof, are designed as radial grooves. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the recesses are designed as coaxial grooves.

[0013] Irrespective of the exact design of the recesses / protrusions, it is often necessary to clean the sorting device - either because it should be replaced or because too much pharmaceutical debris has accumulated in the storage container. In a preferred embodiment, in which the recesses can be cleaned particularly easily and completely, it is provided that the radial grooves are designed to open towards the outer circumference of the sorting device. In addition, in this embodiment, the grooves can be constructed particularly simply. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] In the following, a preferred embodiment of a storage container according to the present application is described with the aid of the drawings, wherein

[0015] Figure 1a , Figure 1b and Figure 2 different perspective views of the preferred embodiment are shown,

[0016] Figure 3 a top view of the preferred embodiment is shown, wherein the sorting device is omitted,

[0017] Figure 4a and Figure 4b a sectional view of the preferred embodiment is shown, wherein the interior of the sorting device is illustrated in Figure 4b ,

[0018] Figure 5 a combination of the sorting device and the restraining means is shown,

[0019] Figure 6 a side view of the sorting device is shown when dispensing a dose, and

[0020] Figure 7a and Figure 7b a detail view of the sorting device is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Figure 1a , Figure 1b and Figure 2 different perspective views of a preferred embodiment of a storage container 1 according to the present application are shown. The storage container 1 according to the present application comprises a housing 10 which surrounds a receiving space 2 for doses, having an inner cylindrical section 11 in the lower section. The storage container 1 further comprises a base plate 12 and a cover plate 14 which is arranged on the housing 10 during operation of the storage and dispensing station and can be detached for refilling. In order to be able to better handle the storage container 1, it has a handle 13 in the "front" region. As can be seen in particular in Figure 2 the inner cylindrical section 11, a sorting device 30 is arranged, comprising a surface 31 facing the receiving space 2. In the embodiment shown, three protrusions 34 are arranged on the surface 31, which are responsible for the movement of the doses within the receiving space and thereby facilitate the sliding of the doses into the channels 32. In the embodiment shown, the channels are arranged on the outer circumference of the sorting device 30. The channels are defined by a plurality of tabs 33 arranged on the base body of the sorting device. The tabs themselves can be attached; however, it is also possible to form the tabs by milling the channels 32 from the base body.

[0022] Figure 3 a top view of the preferred embodiment is shown, wherein the sorting device 30 is omitted in the top view. AsFigure 3 The housing comprises a housing bottom 15 in which a dispensing opening 16 is arranged. Arranged "below" the dispensing opening is a connection device 17 by means of which the dispensed drug portion is transferred to a guiding device (not shown). In order to dispense a drug portion from the channel, the sorting device is rotated by means of the coupling device 50 indicated in Figure 3 , so that one channel is arranged above the dispensing opening 16, so that the drug portion arranged in the channel falls through the dispensing opening 16 and the connection device 17 due to the force of gravity.

[0023] Figure 4a and Figure 4b A cross-sectional view of this preferred embodiment of the storage container according to the application is shown, in which Figure 4b The interior of the sorting device can be seen in Figure 4a and Figure 4b The sorting device 30 is held in the cylindrical section 11 by means of the coupling device 50, as can be seen in Figure 4b . It can also be seen that a gap is designed between the lower surface 36 of the sorting device (see for this ) and the housing bottom 15, wherein in the shown embodiment this lower surface is designed as an inner annulus due to the coupling with the coupling device 50, into which gap the drug portion can be sucked in if necessary. In the shown embodiment, the lower surface of the sorting device also comprises a region formed by the tabs 33, as is more clearly visible in the subsequent figures.

[0024] Due to the electrostatic charge of the drug portion and / or the sorting device, electrostatic attraction between them can cause the drug portion to adhere to the lower surface 36, in particular in the region of the tabs. In order to avoid this, the application provides for the possible contact area between the drug portion and the lower surface to be reduced, more precisely by introducing recesses / protrusions into the lower surface. As can be seen in Figure 4b , in the shown embodiment radial grooves 37 are provided, which are responsible for this reduction.

[0025] In Figure 4a and Figure 4bIt is also indicated that the restraining segment 41 of the restraining device 40 is introduced into the region above the dispensing port 16 through a groove in the cylindrical segment 11 of the housing and is always aligned with the dispensing port. This causes, in the illustrated embodiment, the restraining segment to always be held above the channel opening, rotating toward the dispensing port to dispense the drug dose. Even if there are no more drug doses in the aligned channel, other drug doses cannot enter the aligned channel. Through this alignment of the restraining segment, only the number of drug doses arranged in the channel can always be transferred from the aligned channel to the dispensing port—typically, the channel is adapted to the drug doses such that only one drug dose is arranged in each channel below the restraining segment. The restraining segment 41 of the restraining device 40 is held by the positioning device 42, which, in the illustrated embodiment, is externally fixed to the housing. However, how precisely the restraining device is constructed and arranged is irrelevant to the present invention.

[0026] Figure 5 A detailed view of the combination of sorting equipment 30 / constraint device 40 is shown, and the constrained section 41 above the channel receiving port is illustrated to prevent other drug portions from entering the channel.

[0027] As mentioned at the beginning, especially when the drug portion is light and / or flat, it may not be dispensed through the dispensing port, but instead be sucked into the gap between the lower surface of the sorting device and the bottom surface of the housing due to electrostatic attraction. Furthermore, due to the electrostatic attraction between the lower surface and the drug portion to be sorted, it is possible that, in the dispensing process, the drug portion is not dispensed by gravity, but rather sucked into the lower surface section below the dispensing port 16 due to electrostatic attraction, even when a portion of the lower surface of the sorting device is rotated above the dispensing port 16. This section is thus positioned above the dispensing port. Figure 6 The diagram illustrates the corresponding scenario, showing the sorting device 30 and the guiding device in a side view. The drug dose 3, which was originally to be dispensed, does not fall off via the connecting device 17, but instead adheres to the "idle" section below the lower surface of the sorting device, where, in the illustrated embodiment, this lower surface section is formed by a tab 33.

[0028] Figure 7a and Figure 7b Other views of the sorting device according to this preferred embodiment are shown. It can be seen that the radial grooves 37 reduce the possible contact area between the drug portion and the lower surface, thereby reducing electrostatic attraction—which does not occur when a corresponding recessed portion is selected (e.g., ...). Figure 6 (Intake or adhesion). In the illustrated embodiment, the radial groove is primarily designed within the area of ​​the tab 33 because Figure 6 The situation shown leads to most of the incorrect distributions. For example... Figure 6 and Figure 7a , Figure 7bIt can be seen that the radial recesses are open "outwards", i.e. have an outlet, so that they can be easily introduced into the lower surface. In addition, the recesses, which are correspondingly open in design, can also be easily cleaned out - drug debris can be moved out of the recesses outwards.

[0029] In an alternative embodiment, additional recesses can be arranged in the inner annular region of the lower surface; alternatively (or additionally), the recesses can also be designed coaxially. In a further embodiment, a reduction in the contact area can be achieved, for example, by equipping the lower surface section of the tab 33 with a plurality of small, raised portions - this profiling of the lower surface can also ensure the desired reduction in electrostatic attraction between the lower surface and the drug portions.

Claims

1. A storage container (1) for use in a storage and distribution station for small items, the storage container comprising: The housing (10) surrounds a space (2) for receiving small items, including a cylindrical section (11) and a bottom surface (15) of the housing with a dispensing port (16); Sorting equipment (30), which is arranged in a cylindrical section (11) of the housing (10), has a plurality of channels (32) for receiving at least one small item and a lower surface (36) facing the bottom surface (15) of the housing, wherein the lower surface (36) has a dispensing port (38) of the channels (32). and A restraint device (40) having a positioning device (42) and a restraint section (41), wherein the positioning device (42) holds the restraint device (40) above the dispensing port (16). The sorting device (30) is characterized in that, in order to reduce the possible contact area between the lower surface and the small items, the lower surface (36) of the sorting device (30) has at least partially a plurality of recessed portions (37) and / or protruding portions, wherein the shape and size of these portions are selected such that the electrostatic attraction between the small items and the lower surface (36) is reduced.

2. The storage container (1) for a storage and distribution station suitable for small items according to claim 1, wherein the channel (32) is defined on the outer circumference of the sorting device (30) by a plurality of tabs (33). Its features are, The recessed / protruding portion is arranged within the tab (33).

3. The storage container (1) for a storage and distribution station suitable for small goods according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The recessed portion is designed as a coaxial groove.

4. The storage container (1) for a storage and distribution station suitable for small goods according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The recessed portion is designed as a radial groove.

5. The storage container (1) for a storage and distribution station suitable for small items according to claim 4, characterized in that, The radial groove is designed to be open toward the outer circumference of the sorting device (30).

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