Storage and dispensing station for a blister packaging machine and method for its installation on the dispensing station

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage and dispensing station for a blister pack machine for sortable small goods. Known storage and dispensing stations occasionally exhibit faulty dispensing when a storage container is placed onto the dispensing station. To avoid this, the storage and dispensing station comprises a storage container (1) having a sorting device (30) with a coupling device (40) having a lower coupling section (42) and with a holding device having an actuating element. The storage and dispensing station further comprises a dispensing station (100) onto which the storage container (1) is detachably arranged, the dispensing station having a rotary drive (150) with a shaft (151) and a hub (152) supported on the shaft and an opening element (125) for interacting with the actuating element (51). The opening element (125) is designed as a recess in the dispensing station and the actuating element (51) is designed as a corresponding uniform vertical projection, such that the interaction between the hub (152) and the lower coupling section (42) defines an effective coupling-engagement depth (KET) and the interaction between the actuating element (51) and the opening element (125) defines an effective holding-engagement depth (HET), such that the coupling-engagement depth (KET) is greater than the holding-engagement depth (HET).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage and dispensing station for a blister pack machine for dispensable small items, in particular pharmaceutical portions and nutritional supplement portions, and to a method of placing a storage container of a storage and dispensing station of a blister pack machine onto a dispensing station. BACKGROUND

[0002] Modern blister pack machines, such as disclosed in WO 2013 / 034504 A1, comprise several hundred storage and dispensing stations depending on the expansion level of the blister pack machine. In these storage and dispensing stations a plurality of dispensable small items, each of which can be dispensed on demand, are stored. The small items are usually pharmaceutical portions and nutritional supplement portions.

[0003] With the blister pack machine it is possible, for example, to combine the pharmaceutical portions stored in the storage and dispensing stations individually for a patient according to the taking times prescribed by a physician and to pack them in a blister. In order to combine a plurality of pharmaceutical portions, the corresponding storage and dispensing stations are actuated by means of a control device of the blister pack machine to dispense one or more pharmaceutical portions. In order to dispense the pharmaceutical portions, the pharmaceutical portions stored in the storage containers are separated by means of a sorting device of the storage and dispensing station and are delivered through a dispensing opening of a guiding device of the blister pack machine. The dispensed pharmaceutical portions are conveyed by means of the guiding device to a packaging device, which packs the one or more pharmaceutical portions in a blister, if necessary with intermediate input into a collecting device.

[0004] In order to dispense the pharmaceutical portions stored in the storage containers of the storage and dispensing stations, the sorting device comprises a plurality of channels, which are usually arranged on the outer circumference of the sorting device base body. The channels are adapted in their dimensions to the respective pharmaceutical portions to be dispensed, so that the pharmaceutical portions can only be stacked one above the other in the channels, but not arranged side by side. The dimensions of the channels can be such, for example, that only one pharmaceutical portion can be accommodated in the channels.

[0005] To dispense a dose of medicament from the channel, the channel is moved over a dispensing opening in the bottom of the storage container housing, and the dose of medicament arranged in the channel (at the bottom) slides, due to gravity, into or rather drops into the dispensing opening. To avoid that other doses of medicament stored in or above the channel are also dispensed, i.e. to avoid that an unknown number of doses of medicament are dispensed, a restraining section or rather a restraining member of a separator is guided or arranged at least in or on the channel which is aligned with the dispensing opening. The restraining section is arranged in or above the channel with respect to the height of the channel, so that only one dose of medicament can be arranged below the restraining section. If the restraining section is guided into the channel, to separate the dose of medicament at the bottom from the doses of medicament arranged above it, the protrusions separating the channels each have a narrow gap which accommodates the restraining section. If the restraining section is arranged or guided above the channel, it is often guided only a little bit above the upper end of the protrusions, so that other doses of medicament do not enter the channel when a dose of medicament is dispensed.

[0006] The storage and dispensing station usually comprises a dispensing station which is usually detachably connected to a blister pack machine. The storage and dispensing station further comprises a storage container which is detachably arranged on the dispensing station for the purpose of easy refilling and / or exchange. When refilling, the small items often slide into the aforementioned channels of the sorting device. Due to the closure of the channels of the sorting device which are aligned with the dispensing opening by means of the restraining section, no small items can fall out of the storage container during actual refilling. The sorting device is usually prevented from rotating by means of a holding device which is active in the unmounted state.

[0007] However, the known storage and dispensing station has the problem that occasionally small items are unintentionally dispensed when mounting the storage container. When mounting, the sorting device is aligned by means of the coupling device with the shaft hub of the drive arranged in the dispensing station. By means of the rotation induced thereby, it can happen depending on the properties and arrangement of the channels that a filled channel (not closed by the restraining section) is turned over the dispensing opening, and subsequently a small item is dispensed. Although this problem does not occur every time when mounting, even this occasional unintentional dispensing is disturbing, since the small item enters the blister pack machine when being dispensed. SUMMARY

[0008] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a storage and dispensing station in which unintentional dispensing of small items during the mounting of a storage container on the dispensing station is excluded. It is also the object of the present invention to provide a method for mounting a storage container on a dispensing station in which this problem is excluded.

[0009] This object is solved in one aspect by a storage and dispensing station for a blister pack machine. The storage and dispensing station according to the invention comprises a storage container having a housing enclosing a receiving space, the housing having an inner cylindrical section and a bottom face having a central coupling opening, and a sorting device arranged in the inner cylindrical section of the housing, the sorting device having a plurality of passages extending vertically through the sorting device and a coupling device extending into the central coupling opening, the coupling device having a lower coupling section. The storage container further comprises a holding device, the holding device comprising a holding element and an actuating element, wherein the holding element prevents the sorting device from rotating in a locked position and allows the sorting device to rotate in a released position and is movable between these positions.

[0010] The storage and dispensing station according to the invention further comprises a dispensing station, on which the storage container is detachably arranged, the dispensing station having a rotary drive with a shaft and a hub supported on the shaft, the hub being designed to interact with the lower coupling section in a force transmitting manner. The dispensing station further comprises an opening element for interacting with the actuating element of the holding device.

[0011] Furthermore, it is provided that the lower coupling section, the hub, the actuating element and the opening element are arranged one above the other in such a way that, when the storage container is arranged on the dispensing station, an effective interaction between the actuating element and the opening element occurs before the holding device is moved into the released position, which interaction causes an effective interaction between the lower coupling section and the hub. Since the coupling device, and thus also the sorting device, can only be rotated in the released position, the hub according to the invention is designed to be rotatable in an unenergized state, so that the hub, and not the sorting device, can be rotated into the coupling position when the interaction between the hub and the lower coupling section is initiated. The alignment, which causes an unintended dispensing, that is to say the alignment of the coupling device, and thus also of the sorting device, to the hub by rotation, is thus precisely prevented. When the coupling device is aligned with the hub, or rather to the hub, only the hub must be, and can be, rotated. In the storage and dispensing station according to the prior art, the alignment causes an unintended rotation of the sorting device and thus the possibility of an unintended dispensing of small items.

[0012] According to the invention, it is provided that the opening element is designed as a recess in the dispensing station and the actuating element is designed as a corresponding vertical protrusion, the interaction between the hub and the lower coupling section defines an effective coupling-engagement depth and the interaction between the actuating element and the opening element defines an effective holding-engagement depth (HET), and the coupling-engagement depth (KET) is greater than the holding-engagement depth (HET). By arranging the engagement depths according to the invention, it is ensured that the coupling interaction is always triggered before the holding interaction, and thus the movement of the holding device into the released position. This is achieved by particularly simple, purely mechanical components.

[0013] In a preferred structurally simple embodiment, the hub and the opening piece have the same action height relative to the vertical axis of the dispensing station, while the lower coupling section has an action depth relative to the vertical axis of the storage container which lies below the action depth of the actuating piece. The term "action height" refers to the "height" or position within the dispensing station from which interaction with the corresponding consistent component (e.g. hub <-> lower coupling section) takes place. Correspondingly, the "action depth" describes the "depth" or position within the storage container from which interaction with the corresponding consistent component can take place.

[0014] In an alternative embodiment which is likewise kept simple in terms of structure, the lower coupling section has the same action depth relative to the vertical axis of the storage container as the actuating piece. The hub has an action height relative to the vertical axis of the dispensing station which lies above the action height of the opening piece.

[0015] This object is also solved by a method for placing a storage container of a storage and dispensing station of a blister packaging machine onto the dispensing station. According to the invention, a dispensing station is provided which has a rotary drive hub and an opening piece, wherein the opening piece is designed as a recess in the dispensing station. Furthermore, a storage container is provided which has a housing which encloses a receiving space, the housing having an inner cylindrical section and a bottom face having a central coupling opening; a sorting device which is arranged in the inner cylindrical section of the housing, the sorting device having a plurality of passages which extend vertically through the sorting device and a coupling device which extends into the central coupling opening, the coupling device having a lower coupling section and a holding device having a holding piece and an actuating piece, wherein the holding device prevents movement of the sorting device by means of the holding piece and wherein the actuating piece is designed as a vertical protrusion which corresponds to the recess in the dispensing station. The storage container is then arranged on the dispensing station, wherein firstly an effective interaction between the lower coupling section and the hub is triggered, wherein at the start of the interaction the hub is adapted, or can be adapted, to the coupling section by means of rotation and a form fit and / or a force fit is produced between the hub and the coupling section, and secondly an effective interaction between the actuating piece and the opening piece is triggered, wherein at the start of the interaction the holding piece is released, so that the sorting device can be rotated.

[0016] According to the invention, the interaction between the hub and the lower coupling section is triggered in such a way that the hub and the lower coupling section are connected in a force fit and / or form fit in order to produce an effective coupling-engagement depth (KET), while the interaction between the actuating piece and the opening piece is triggered in such a way that the actuating piece is guided into the opening piece and the holding piece is released there and an effective holding-engagement depth (HET) is produced, wherein the coupling-engagement depth (KET) is greater than the holding-engagement depth (HET). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] The storage and dispensing station according to the application and the method according to the application are described below with reference to the drawings, in which

[0018] Figure 1 A perspective view of the first embodiment of the storage and dispensing station according to the application is shown,

[0019] Figure 2a and 2b A detail view of the first embodiment is shown, in which parts of the storage container are omitted,

[0020] Figures 3a-3d Different views of the storage container of the first embodiment of the storage and dispensing station are shown,

[0021] Figure 4a and 4b A perspective view of the coupling device / retaining device combination is shown,

[0022] Figure 5 A top view of the coupling device / retaining device combination is shown,

[0023] Figure 6 A horizontal cross-section through the coupling device / retaining device combination is shown,

[0024] Figure 7 A cross-sectional view through the first embodiment of the storage and dispensing station according to the application is shown, in which parts of the storage container are omitted,

[0025] Figure 8a and 8b A detail view of the cross-section is shown, Figure 7 in which the coupling device / retaining device combination is pushed vertically upwards,

[0026] Figure 9a and 9b A cross-sectional view through the second embodiment of the storage and dispensing station according to the application is shown, in which again parts of the storage container are omitted and in which the coupling device / retaining device combination is pushed vertically upwards at Figure 9b ,

[0027] Figure 10 A cross-sectional view through the third embodiment of the storage and dispensing station according to the application is shown, and

[0028] Figure 11a and 11b A detail view of the cross-section is shown, in which the coupling device / retaining device combination is also pushed vertically upwards in these figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Figure 1A perspective view of a first embodiment of a storage and distribution station according to the present invention is shown, the station having a storage container 1 and a distribution station 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the distribution station 100 is part of a five-unit pack of distribution stations 100, where such a pack is often fixed as a whole to the blister packaging machine for ease of mounting the distribution station. In alternative embodiments, the distribution stations may be separate from each other or combined in packs with different numbers of distribution stations. The components mentioned in the following description of the distribution station are present in each distribution station 100, regardless of how the distribution station is implemented. Figure 1 The bundled configuration shown is still implemented as a separate unit.

[0030] Each distribution station 100 includes a lower section 130 and an upper section 120. The upper section 120 includes a boss 121 on which a storage container can be placed. For this purpose, the lower housing section of the storage container 1 is adapted to the shape of the boss 121. The boss 121 includes an opening 123 that aligns with a distribution port in the bottom surface of the storage container housing when the storage container 1 is placed, as described with reference to the following figures of the storage container. Small items fall from the channel through the aforementioned distribution port into the opening 123 of the boss 121 during sorting. The upper section 120 of the distribution station 100 also includes a vertical section 122 through which the distribution station can be secured to a blister packing machine.

[0031] Each distribution station also includes an opening 125, which in... Figure 1 The first embodiment shown is designed as a recess within the boss 121. The exact design of the opening 125 is described in more detail with reference to the following figures. The boss 121 includes another opening through which the drive hub 152 extends and which interacts with the storage container, as described in this regard with reference to the following figures.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the storage container 1 placed on the distribution station 100 includes a housing 10, which includes an inner cylindrical section 11. A cover 13 is provided on the upper part of the housing, which can be removed for reloading smaller items. Within the lower section, the storage container includes a base plate 12 adapted to the shape of the distribution station and the boss 121. A handle 14 is also included for easy handling of the storage container, allowing it to be removed from the distribution station and repositioned.

[0033] exist Figure 2aThe detailed view shown largely omits the housing 10 along with the inner cylindrical section 11. It can be identified that a sorting device 30 is arranged within the inner cylindrical section, and multiple channels 32 are located on its outer periphery, each separated by a tab 33. The sorting device 30 has a tapered surface, which in the illustrated embodiment has three ridges. Both the tapered design of the surface and the aforementioned ridges serve to guide smaller items located above into the channels 32 as the sorting device rotates.

[0034] exist Figure 2b The detailed view shown also omits the sorting device 30, and identifies the coupling device 40 and the holding device 50, which are otherwise rotatably and fixedly connected to the sorting device; these will be described more precisely with reference to the following figures. Figure 2b It can be seen that the vertical section of the retaining device 50 extends into the opening 125.

[0035] Figures 3a-3d Different views of the storage container 1 in a first embodiment of the storage and distribution station are shown, illustrating the placement of the storage container and omitting the distribution station for clarity. Figure 3b As can be discerned, the shell 10 (and the section of the inner cylindrical section 11) surrounds the space 2 for holding small items to be dispersed. Figure 3b The constraint member 60 can also be identified, which is fixed to the vertical wall section of the housing by a fixing section 61. The constraint member 60 also includes only... Figure 3b The selected restraint section 62 is guided into the inner cylindrical section 11 through a narrow slot and will prevent small items from slipping into the channel above the distribution port 22 in the bottom surface 20 of the housing (see for details). Figure 3c Align it with the dispensing port. (For example...) Figure 3c As can be discerned, the bottom surface 20 includes a coupling opening 21, such as Figure 3d As can be discerned, the lower coupling section 42 of the coupling device 40 extends through the coupling opening. Figure 3d It can also be seen that the section of the retaining device 50 described in detail below is arranged near the perimeter of the lower coupling section. Figure 3d The holding device is shown in a loose state with respect to the coupling device 40 (and thus the sorting device 30), which means that the holding device does not prevent the rotation of the coupling device and thus the sorting device.

[0036] Figure 4a and 4b A perspective view of the coupling device 40 / holding device 50 assembly is shown, illustrating its placement. (See also...) Figure 4bAs can be recognized, the coupling device 40 comprises an upper section 41, through which the coupling device can be (detachably) connected (and is connected in operation) with the sorting device. The lower section of the coupling device 40 is formed by a lower coupling section 42 with an opening, which in the shown embodiment extends through the entire coupling device, as Figure 5 can be recognized. The lower coupling section 42 comprises a tab 43, through which a force fit and / or a form fit with a hub of the drive of the dispensing station can be produced, which is described in detail with reference to the following figures. The coupling device 40 also comprises in the shown embodiment a circumferential groove 44, wherein the bottom of the shown groove is not circular, but is designed as a polygon. The holder 54 of the holding device can engage into this groove. As Figure 4b and 5 indicated, the holder comprises in the shown embodiment a toothed, slightly curved surface, whereby a form fit and a force fit with the bottom of the groove 44 can be produced. In the state shown in Figure 4a , 4b , 5 and 6, such an engagement does not occur, the holding device does not inhibit the rotation of the coupling device and thus of the sorting device.

[0037] The holding device 50 comprises in addition to the holder 54 a tab 52, which is designed as a partial curve, which tab ends in an end in a vertical actuating element 51, which can interact with the opening piece of the dispensing station to release or lock the holding device as described in detail with reference to the following figures. Opposite the actuating element 51, the holding device has a fixing piece 53. This fixing piece can be fixed from below in the opening 123 of the boss 121 of the dispensing station in the shown embodiment, as Figure 3d indicated.

[0038] It has become clear in the views in Figure 4a , 4b , 5 and 6, how the holding device can inhibit the rotation of the coupling device and thus of the sorting device. The tab is designed in the shown embodiment to be resilient and is pre-tensioned towards a locking position. If the holding device is no longer pushed by the actuating element 51 into the release position, the resilient tab 52 presses the holder 54 into the groove 44 of the coupling piece, so that a force fit and / or a form fit between the holder 54 and the bottom of the groove 44 occurs, which prevents the movement of the coupling piece. Such a locking position always exists when the actuating element is "free", which means when the storage container is completely removed from the dispensing station.

[0039] Figure 7A cross-sectional view through the first embodiment of the storage and dispensing station is shown, in which a number of components of the storage container, such as the housing and the base, are omitted. According to the application, the problem of unintentional dispensing of small items of goods in the storage and dispensing station, which problem is caused by the rotation of the sorting device when the storage container is placed, is solved in that the lower coupling section 42 of the coupling device 40, the shaft hub 152, the actuating element 51 of the holding device and the opening element 125 are specially stacked on top of one another, more precisely, the effective interaction between the lower coupling section and the shaft hub occurs first when the storage container is placed, whereby the shaft of the drive is aligned with the coupling device when the coupling section is aligned by means of the shaft hub, which is rotatable in the unenergized state. According to the application, the sorting device does not rotate, since the aforementioned interaction occurs between the actuating element and the opening element, for which interaction is required for the release or removal of the holding element. According to the application, the rotation of the sorting device (by means of the coupling device) is only carried out when the coupling device has interacted with the shaft hub and the shaft hub (and not the sorting device) is rotated during this interaction. In order to achieve this, a number of special embodiments of the aforementioned structural elements are possible. For example, it is conceivable that the interaction between the actuating element and the opening element is triggered by means of a light barrier or an electrical contact. However, these embodiments are relatively expensive in terms of construction and are prone to errors.

[0040] In the preferred embodiment of the storage and dispensing station according to the application, a further, more precisely a purely mechanical approach is therefore chosen. The actuating element of the holding device is designed as a protrusion, while the mating element, i.e. the opening element 125, is designed as a recess within the boss 121, wherein in the preferred embodiment the recess has a special shape.

[0041] The preferred embodiments of the storage and dispensing station according to the application, which are described in more detail in the following figures, have in common that the interaction between the shaft hub 152 and the lower coupling section 42 of the coupling device 40 defines an effective coupling engagement depth (KET) and the interaction between the actuating element 51 and the opening element 125 of the holding device 50 defines an effective holding engagement depth (HET), wherein the coupling engagement depth is greater than the holding engagement depth. The result of this is that the aforementioned principle is always fulfilled when the storage container is placed on the dispensing station, i.e. the interaction between the lower coupling section and the shaft hub occurs before the interaction between the actuating element and the opening element causes the release of the holding element, i.e. the removal of the holding element from the coupling device.

[0042] Figure 7 A cut through the first embodiment is shown in Fig. 1. In this cut, the storage container is arranged on the dispensing station ready for operation. The effective coupling engagement depth (KET) is defined by the lower edge (action depth) of the lower coupling section and the upper edge (action height) of the shaft hub 152. This effective coupling engagement depth (KET) is greater than the effective holding engagement depth (HET) defined by the lower edge (action depth) of the lower coupling section and the upper edge (action height) of the opening element 125.Figure 7 The effective holding-engagement depth (HET) drawn in dashed lines on the right is smaller than the effective coupling-engagement depth as specified in accordance with the application. This effective holding-engagement depth is defined by the lower edge of the actuating element 51 (action depth) and the active upper edge of the opening element 125 (action height). As already explained, the release of the holding device in the preferred embodiment described here is triggered purely mechanically. For this purpose the actuating element has to be moved through the opening element, more precisely so that the holding element no longer prevents the rotation of the coupling device, which means that the holding element has to be moved away from the axis of rotation of the coupling device. With regard to the embodiment of the holding device more precisely drawn in the preceding figures it can be said that it has to be "pulled upwards". The opening element 125 has a sloping section (action section) as Figure 8b can be recognized, the action height of the opening element begins at its upper end. This sloping section causes the actuating element (with reference to the drawing plane) to move outwards when it is moved into the opening element while the storage container is being placed, thereby releasing the holding element from the coupling device, thereby enabling rotation. Figure 7

[0043] In Figure 7 can also be recognized that the hub 152 is supported on the shaft 151 of the rotary drive 150. The hub 152 is in a rotationally fixed connection with the shaft 151 and extends through the opening 121 a in the boss 121 of the storage container.

[0044] In Figure 8a is reproduced Figure 7 is a detail close-up of the cross section in which the coupling device and the holding device are moved upwards so far that the actuating element has not yet engaged into the opening element, which means that there is no effective interaction between them. But as can be recognized from the observation of the coupling section 42 and the hub 152, at the Figure 8a shown "moment" there is already an effective interaction between the web 43 and the hub 152, which means that there is a force fit or form fit between these two elements. But since the coupling device is not yet hindered in its rotation by the holding device, more precisely by the holding element 54, the hub 152 is turned "into position" if necessary when triggering this interaction, so that this interaction can take place. When the hub has been rotated and the coupling / holding device combination continues to be moved downwards, thereby continuing to place the storage container, an interaction also takes place between the actuating element 51 and the opening element 125, which means that the holding element is moved away from the coupling device and enables rotation. In Figure 8b can be recognized that the opening element 125 has a sloping section (action section) 126, which causes the movement of the actuating element 51 and thereby of the holding element 54 by the web 52. When the storage container is in Figure 7 ​The two interactions occur or have occurred, wherein the different engagement depths determine the order of the interactions, when the final position of the storage container is drawn in the figures.

[0045] Figure 9a and 9b A cross-sectional view through a second embodiment of a storage and dispensing station according to the application is shown, wherein again parts of the storage container are omitted, and wherein in Figure 9b The coupling / retaining device combination is pushed vertically upwards in the figures. In this embodiment the principle according to the application is realized by (in relation to the first embodiment) increasing the action height of the hub 152 and bringing it above the surface of the boss 121. In this way the interaction between the hub 152 and the lower coupling section 42 occurs first, followed by the interaction between the actuating member 51 and the opening member 125; the engagement depths KET, HET and their relationship to each other correspond to the first embodiment in the second embodiment.

[0046] Figure 10 A cross-sectional view through a third embodiment of a storage and dispensing station according to the application is shown, whereas Figure 11a and 11b A cross-sectional detail view is shown Figure 10 The coupling / retaining device combination is also pushed vertically in the figures in this embodiment. The principle according to the application in this embodiment is realized by reducing the action depth of the actuating member 51 in relation to the first and second embodiments.

[0047] With reference to the third embodiment, embodiments of the method according to the application are described in the following. In a preferred embodiment of the method for placing a storage container 1 of a storage and dispensing station on a dispensing station 100, first the dispensing station 100 and the storage container 1 are provided. The retaining device of the storage container in this provided state is in the locked position, the dispensing of the small goods by the rotation of the sorting device cannot occur. Subsequently the storage container 1 is arranged on the dispensing station 100, which in the case of the third embodiment takes place by the storage container 1 being pushed vertically upwards in the figures. The retaining device of the storage container is released by the interaction between the hub 152 and the lower coupling section 42, and the interaction between the actuating member 51 and the opening member 125 occurs. The storage container 1 is now in the unlocked position and can be rotated by the sorting device. Figure 11a , 11bThe effective interaction between the coupling section 42 and the hub 152 is triggered first when the arrangement is made, wherein the hub 152 is adapted (or can be adapted) to the coupling section 42 by rotation at the beginning of the interaction and a form fit and / or a force fit is created between the hub 152 and the coupling section. Subsequently, the effective interaction between the actuating element 51 and the opening element 125 is triggered, wherein the holding element 54 is released at the beginning of the interaction, so that the sorting device 30 can be rotated. In the third embodiment shown, the opening element 125 is designed as a recess or depression in the distribution station and the actuating element is designed as a corresponding uniform vertical projection. The aforementioned interaction between the hub 152 and the lower coupling section 42 is triggered in such a way that the hub 152 and the lower coupling section 42 are connected in a force fit and / or form fit to create an effective coupling- engagement depth KET. The interaction between the actuating element 51 and the opening element 125 is triggered in such a way that the actuating element 51 is guided into the opening element 125 and the holding element 54 is released there, wherein an effective holding- engagement depth HET is created. As explained above, the coupling- engagement depth KET is greater than the holding- engagement depth HET.

Claims

1. Storage and dispensing station for a blister pack machine, having: a storage container (1) with a housing (10) enclosing a receiving space (2), the housing having an inner cylindrical section (11) and a bottom face (20) with a central coupling opening (21), a sorting device (30) arranged in the inner cylindrical section (11) of the housing (10), the sorting device having a plurality of passages (32) extending vertically through the sorting device and a coupling device (40) extending into the central coupling opening (21), the coupling device having a lower coupling section (42), a holding device (50) with a holding element (54) and an actuating element (51), wherein the holding device (50) prevents the rotation of the sorting device (30) in a closed position and allows the rotation of the sorting device (30) in a released position, and a dispensing station (100), on which the storage container (1) is detachably arranged, the dispensing station having a rotary drive (150) with a shaft (151) and a hub (152) supported on the shaft for interacting with the lower coupling section (42) in a force-transmitting manner, and an opening element (125) for interacting with the actuating element (51) of the holding device, wherein the lower coupling section (42), the hub (152), the actuating element (51) and the opening element (125) are arranged one above the other such that, when the storage container (1) is arranged on the dispensing station (100), the interaction between the actuating element (51) and the opening element (125) causes the holding device to move into the released position before an effective interaction between the lower coupling section (42) and the hub (152) occurs, and wherein the hub (152) is rotatable in an unenergized state, the opening element (125) is designed as a recess in the dispensing station and the actuating element (51) is designed as a corresponding uniform vertical projection, the interaction between the hub (152) and the lower coupling section (42) defines an effective coupling-engagement depth (KET) and the interaction between the actuating element (51) and the opening element (125) defines an effective holding-engagement depth (HET), and the coupling-engagement depth (KET) is greater than the holding-engagement depth (HET). The hub (152) and the opening element (125) have the same acting height relative to a vertical axis of the dispensing station (100), and the lower coupling section (42) has an acting depth relative to a vertical axis of the storage container (1) which lies below the acting depth of the actuating element. The lower coupling section (42) and the actuating element (51) have the same acting depth relative to a vertical axis of the storage container (1), and the hub (152) has an acting height relative to a vertical axis of the dispensing station (100) which lies above the acting height of the opening element (125). ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ characterized in that ​ 2. The storage and dispensing station for blister packaging machines according to claim 1, characterized in that, ​ 3. The storage and dispensing station for a blister pack machine of claim 1, characterized in that, ​ 4. Method for placing a storage container (1) of a storage and distribution station of a blister packaging machine onto a distribution station (100), wherein a distribution station is provided, which has a hub (152) of a rotary drive (150) and an opening piece (125), wherein the opening piece (125) is designed as a recess in the distribution station, a storage container (1) is provided, which has a housing (10) surrounding a receiving space (2), which has an inner cylindrical section (11) and a bottom face (20) with a central coupling opening (21), a sorting device (30) arranged in the inner cylindrical section (11) of the housing (10), which has a plurality of passages (32) extending vertically through the sorting device and a coupling device (40) extending into the central coupling opening (21), which has a lower coupling section (42), and a holding device (50), which has a holding piece (54) and an actuating piece (51), wherein the holding device (50) prevents the rotation of the sorting device (30) by means of the holding piece (54) and wherein the actuating piece (51) is designed as a vertical protrusion corresponding to the recess in the distribution station, the storage container is arranged on the distribution station (100), wherein, when the arrangement is made, an active interaction between the coupling section (42) and the hub (152) is triggered, wherein, at the beginning of the interaction, the hub (152) is adapted to the coupling section (42) by rotation and a form fit and / or force fit between hub (152) and coupling section is produced, and, immediately thereafter, an active interaction between the actuating piece (51) and the opening piece (125) is triggered, wherein, at the beginning of the interaction, the holding piece (54) is released, so that the sorting device (30) can rotate, characterized in that the interaction between the hub (152) and the lower coupling section (42) is triggered in such a way that the hub (152) and the lower coupling section (42) are connected in a force fit and / or form fit to produce an active coupling-engagement depth (KET), while the interaction between the actuating piece (51) and the opening piece (125) is triggered in such a way that the actuating piece (51) is guided into the opening piece (125) and there releases the holding piece (54), wherein an active holding-engagement depth (HET) is produced, and the coupling-engagement depth (KET) is greater than the holding-engagement depth (HET).

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