STORAGE AND DISPENSING STATION FOR A BLISTER MACHINE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage and dispensing station for a blister packaging machine for singularizable small items, in particular portions of pharmaceuticals and food supplements, and a method for placing a storage container of a storage and dispensing station of the blister packaging machine onto a dispensing station.

[0002] Modern blister packaging machines, such as those disclosed in WO 2013 / 034504 A1, comprise, depending on the machine's configuration, several hundred storage and dispensing stations. Each of these stations stores a number of individually dispensable small items, and individual items can be dispensed upon request. These small items are typically portions of pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements.

[0003] Blister packaging machines can be used, for example, to assemble and blister pack individualized drug portions stored in storage and dispensing stations according to the physician's prescribed dosing times. To assemble multiple drug portions, the corresponding storage and dispensing stations are controlled by the blister packaging machine's control unit. To dispense a drug portion, a singulation unit in the storage and dispensing station separates a portion stored in a storage container and transfers it through a dispensing opening to a guide unit of the blister packaging machine. The guide unit then feeds the dispensed drug portion, possibly via an intermediate collection unit, to a packaging unit, which blisters one or more drug portions.

[0004] To separate the drug portions stored in a reservoir of a dispensing station, the singulation device comprises a plurality of channels, typically arranged around the outer circumference of a base unit. The dimensions of the channels are adapted to the drug portions to be separated, such that the portions can only be stacked on top of each other within a channel, not side by side. For example, the channels may be dimensioned so that only one drug portion can be accommodated in each channel.

[0005] To dispense a dose of medication from a channel, the channel is moved over the dispensing opening in the base of the storage container housing, and the dose located at the bottom of the channel slides or falls into the dispensing opening by gravity. To prevent other doses of medication stored in or above the channel from also being dispensed, thus preventing an unknown number of doses from being dispensed, a retention section of a separator or containment device is positioned in or above the channel in the area above the dispensing opening, aligned with the dispensing opening. The retention section is positioned within or above the channel in such a way that only one dose of medication can be located below it.If the retention section is guided into the channel to separate the lowest dose of medication from those above it, individual channel separating projections have a slot that receives the retention section. If the retention section is positioned or guided above the channels, it is typically only slightly positioned above the upper ends of the projections, thus preventing further doses of medication from entering the channel when the first dose is dispensed.

[0006] A typical storage and dispensing station comprises a dispensing station, which is usually detachably connected to the blister packaging machine. The storage and dispensing station also includes a storage container, which is detachably mounted on the dispensing station for easy refilling and / or replacement. During refilling, the small items regularly slide into the aforementioned channels of the singulation unit. Since the channel of the singulation unit, which is aligned with the dispensing opening, is blocked by the retention section, no small items can fall out of the storage container during the actual refilling process. Rotation of the singulation unit is usually prevented by a holding device that is effective when not in place.

[0007] However, with known storage and dispensing stations, a problem arises: when the storage container is placed on the platform, a small item is occasionally dispensed unintentionally. During placement, the singulation device aligns itself via a coupling mechanism with the hub of a drive located in the dispensing station. Due to the resulting rotation, depending on the design and arrangement of the channels, a filled channel (not blocked by the retention section) can rotate over the dispensing opening, resulting in the dispensing of a small item. While this problem does not occur with every placement, even occasional unintentional dispensing is very disruptive, as the small item then enters the blister packaging machine.

[0008] A storage and dispensing station is also known from EP 2 644 512 A2. This additionally includes a brake that fixes the singulation device in the unattached state of the storage container.

[0009] From EP 3 406 237 A1, a storage and dispensing station is known in which the problem of small items occasionally being unintentionally dispensed when the storage container is placed on the counter is solved. To this end, the storage and dispensing station includes a structurally very complex and therefore error-prone holding system for the singulation device in the storage and dispensing station.

[0010] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a storage and dispensing station in which unintentional dispensing of small items when a storage container is placed on a dispensing station is prevented by a structurally simple measure. It is further an object of the invention to provide a method for placing a storage container on a dispensing station in which this is prevented.

[0011] The problem is solved, firstly, by a storage and dispensing station for a blister packaging machine according to claim 1. The storage and dispensing station according to the invention comprises a storage container with a housing enclosing a receiving space, having an internally circular cylindrical section and a bottom surface with a central coupling opening, and with a singulation device arranged in the internally circular cylindrical section of the housing, having a plurality of channels extending vertically through the singulation device, and with a coupling device extending into the central coupling opening with a lower coupling section.The storage container further comprises a holding device with a holding means and an actuating means, wherein the holding device prevents rotation of the singulation device in a locking position and allows rotation of the singulation device in a release position and is movable between these positions.

[0012] The storage and dispensing station according to the invention further comprises a dispensing station on which the storage container is detachably arranged, with a rotary drive having a shaft and a hub mounted on the shaft for force-transmitting interaction with the lower coupling section. The dispensing station further comprises an opening means for interaction with the actuating means of the holding device.

[0013] Furthermore, it is provided that the lower coupling section, the hub, the actuating means, and the opening means are positioned relative to each other in such a way that, when the storage container is placed on the dispensing station, an effective interaction between the lower coupling section and the hub occurs before an effective interaction between the actuating means and the opening means, which causes the holding device to move into the release position. Since rotation of the coupling device (and thus of the singulation device) is only possible in the release position, it is necessary according to the invention that the hub be rotatable in the de-energized state, so that when the interaction between the hub and the lower coupling section begins, the hub (and not the singulation device) can rotate into the coupling position.This prevents precisely what led to the unintentional dispensing, namely the possibility of aligning (via rotation) the coupling device (and thus the singulation device) on the hub. When aligning the coupling device with or on the hub, only the hub needs to (and can) rotate. With prior art storage and dispensing stations, this was different – ​​alignment necessitates the unintentional rotation of the singulation device and thus potentially the dispensing of a small item.

[0014] According to the invention, the opening means is designed as a recess in the dispensing station, and the actuating means as a corresponding vertical lug. The interaction between the hub and the lower coupling section defines an effective coupling engagement depth, and the interaction between the actuating means and the opening means defines an effective holding engagement depth (HET). The coupling engagement depth (KET) is greater than the holding engagement depth (HET). By designing the engagement depths according to the invention, it is ensured that the coupling interaction always engages first, before the holding interaction (and thus the approach to the release position of the holding device) is initiated. Furthermore, this is achieved using particularly simple, purely mechanical components.

[0015] In a preferred, structurally simple embodiment, the hub and the opening means have an identical effective height relative to the vertical axis of the dispensing station, and the lower coupling section has an effective depth, relative to the vertical axis of the reservoir, that is less than the effective depth of the actuating means. The term "effective height" refers to the "height" or position within the dispensing station from which interaction with the corresponding component (e.g., hub <-> lower coupling section) takes place. Similarly, the "effective depth" describes the "depth" or position within the reservoir from which interaction with the corresponding component can occur.

[0016] In an alternative embodiment, which is also very simple in design, the lower coupling section and the actuating element have an identical effective depth relative to the vertical axis of the storage container. The hub has an effective height above the effective height of the opening element relative to the vertical axis of the dispensing station.

[0017] The problem is further solved by a method for placing a storage container of a storage and dispensing station of a blister packaging machine onto a dispensing station according to claim 4. According to the invention, a dispensing station is provided with a hub of a rotary drive and with an opening means, wherein the opening means is designed as a recess in the dispensing station.Furthermore, a storage container is provided with a housing enclosing a receiving space, having an internally circular cylindrical section and a bottom surface with a central coupling opening, a singulation device arranged in the internally circular cylindrical section of the housing with a plurality of channels extending vertically through the singulation device and with a coupling device extending into the central coupling opening with a lower coupling section, as well as a holding device with a holding means and an actuating means, wherein the holding device prevents rotation of the singulation device via the holding means and wherein the actuating means is designed as a vertical nose corresponding to the recess in the dispensing station.The storage container is then positioned on the dispensing station, whereby an effective interaction is first initiated between the lower coupling section and the hub, whereby, upon commencement of the interaction, the hub adapts or can adapt to the coupling section by means of a rotation and a positive and / or force-fit connection is established between the hub and the coupling section, and subsequently an effective interaction is initiated between the actuating means and the opening means, whereby, upon commencement of the interaction, the holding means is released, so that the rotation of the singulation device is enabled.

[0018] According to the invention, the interaction between the hub and the lower coupling section is initiated by generating an effective coupling engagement depth (KET) through force-fit and / or form-fit connection of the hub and the lower coupling section, and the interaction between the actuating means and the opening means is initiated by guiding the actuating means into the opening means and thereby releasing the holding means, thus generating an effective holding engagement depth (HET), wherein the coupling engagement depth (KET) is greater than the holding engagement depth (HET).

[0019] The storage and dispensing station and the method according to the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 an oblique view of a first embodiment of the storage and dispensing station according to the invention shows, Figures 2a and 2bDetailed views of the first embodiment show, with parts of the storage container omitted, Figures 3a - 3d Various views of a storage container of the first embodiment of the storage and dispensing station are shown, Figures 4a and 4b Oblique views of the coupling / holding device combination show, Figure 5 A top view of the coupling / holding device combination shows, Figure 6 a horizontal section through the coupling / holding device combination shows, Figure 7 A sectional view through the first embodiment of the storage and dispensing station according to the invention is shown, with parts of the storage container omitted. Figures 8a and 8b Detailed views of the section from Figure 7 show, whereby the coupling device / holding device combination is shifted vertically upwards, Figures 9a and 9bSectional views through a second embodiment of the storage and dispensing station according to the invention are shown, in which parts of the storage container are again omitted and wherein at Figure 9b the combination coupling device / holding device is shifted vertically upwards, Figure 10 a sectional view through a third embodiment of the storage and dispensing station according to the invention shows, and Figures 11a and 11b Detailed views of the section show that the coupling device / holding device combination is also shown vertically shifted in these figures.

[0020] Figure 1Figure 1 shows an oblique view of a first embodiment of the storage and dispensing station according to the invention, comprising a storage container 1 and a dispensing station 100. In the embodiment shown, the dispensing station 100 is part of a group of five dispensing stations 100. To simplify the attachment of the dispensing stations to a blister packaging machine, such a group is typically attached to the machine as a whole. In alternative embodiments, the dispensing stations can be separate from one another or grouped together in groups with varying numbers of dispensing stations. The components mentioned in the following description of the dispensing station are present in each dispensing station 100, regardless of whether they are arranged in a group, as shown in Figure 1. Figure 1 shown, or executed separately.

[0021] Each dispensing station 100 comprises a lower section 130 and an upper section 120. The upper section 120 includes a projection 121 onto which a storage container can be placed. For this purpose, a lower housing section of the storage container 1 is adapted to the geometry of the projection 121. The projection 121 includes an opening 123 which, when the storage container 1 is placed on top, is aligned with a dispensing opening in a base surface of a storage container housing, as described with reference to the following figures. During singulation, a small item falls from a channel through the aforementioned dispensing opening into the opening 123 of the projection 121. The upper section 120 of the dispensing station 100 also includes a vertical section 122 by means of which the dispensing station can be attached to the blister packaging machine.

[0022] Each dispensing station also includes an opening device 125, which is used in the Figure 1In the first embodiment shown, the opening means 125 is formed as a recess in the projection 121. The precise design of the opening means 125 is described in more detail with reference to the following figures. The projection 121 includes a further opening through which a hub 152 of a drive extends and which interacts with the reservoir, as described with reference to the following figures.

[0023] In the illustrated embodiment, the storage container 1 mounted on the dispensing station 100 comprises a housing 10 which includes an internally circular cylindrical section 11. The upper part of the housing is provided with a lid 13, which can be removed for refilling with small items. In the lower section, the storage container includes a base plate 12, which is adapted to the geometry of the dispensing station and the projection 121. Furthermore, the storage container includes a handle 14 for easy handling, allowing the storage container to be removed from and replaced on the dispensing station.

[0024] At the in Figure 2aIn the detailed view shown, the housing 10, including the inner circular cylindrical section 11, has been omitted. It can be seen that a singulation device 30 is arranged in the inner circular cylindrical section. A plurality of channels 32 are present around the outer circumference of this singulation device, with each channel being separated by webs 33. The singulation device 30 has a conical surface, which, in the embodiment shown, has three projections. Both the conical shape of the surface and the aforementioned projections serve to guide overlying small items to the channels 32 when the singulation device rotates.

[0025] At the in Figure 2bIn the detailed view shown, the singulation device 30 has also been omitted, and a coupling device 40, which is otherwise rotationally fixed to the singulation device, as well as a holding device 50, can be seen. Both of these are described in more detail with reference to the following figures. Already at Figure 2b It can be seen that a vertical section of the holding device 50 extends into the opening means 125.

[0026] Figures 3a - 3d Figures 1 show different views of the storage container 1 of the first embodiment of the storage and dispensing station, showing the storage container in its installed state and omitting the dispensing station for clarity. As shown in Figure 3b As can be seen, the housing 10 (and also a section of the internally circular cylindrical section 11) encloses a receiving chamber 2 for small items to be separated. Figure 3bFurthermore, a retaining element 60 can be seen, which is attached to a vertical wall section of the housing via a fastening section 61. The retaining element 60 further comprises a Figure 3b The merely indicated retention section 62 is inserted into the internally circular cylindrical section 11 through a slot and is intended to prevent small items from sliding into a channel located above a discharge opening 22 in a base surface 20 of the housing (see [reference]). Figure 3c ) is aligned with the delivery opening. As it is in Figure 3c As can be seen, the base surface 20 includes a coupling opening 21, through which, as shown in 3D figure It can be seen that a lower coupling section 42 extends from the coupling device 40. 3D figure It can also be seen that the holding device 50 is arranged near the circumference of the lower coupling section with a section that is described in more detail below. 3D figure The holding device is shown in the released state with respect to the coupling device 40 (and thus the singulation device 30), that is, the holding device does not block the rotation of the coupling device and thus the singulation device.

[0027] Figures 4a and 4b Oblique views of a combination coupling device 40 / holding device 50 are shown, again in the installed state. As this is particularly evident in Figure 4b As can be seen, the coupling device 40 comprises an upper section 41, via which the coupling device can be (detachably) connected to the singulation device (and is connected during operation). The lower section of the coupling device 40 is a lower coupling section 42, with an opening which, in the illustrated embodiment, extends through the entire coupling device, as shown in Figure 5The lower coupling section 42 comprises webs 43, via which a force-fit and / or form-fit connection can be established with a hub of a drive in a dispensing station, described in more detail with reference to the following figures. In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling device 40 further comprises a circumferential groove 44, the bottom surface of which is not circular but polygonal. A retaining element 54 of the retaining device can engage in this groove. In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining element, as shown in Figures 4b and 5 As indicated, a toothed, slightly curved surface allows for a form-fit and force-fit connection with the base surface of groove 44. In the Figures 4a, 4b, 5 and 6 In the state shown, such an intervention does not take place; the holding device does not block the rotation of the coupling device and thus of the singulation device.

[0028] The holding device 50 comprises, in addition to the holding element 54, a sectionally curved web 52, which terminates at one end in a vertical actuating element 51. As described in more detail with reference to the following figures, this actuating element can interact with an opening element of the dispensing station to release or lock the holding device. The holding device has a fastening element 53 opposite the actuating element 51. In the illustrated embodiment, this fastening element is, as is the case with 3D figure It is indicated that it can be attached from below in the opening 123 of the projection 121 of the delivery station.

[0029] When viewing the Figures 4a, 4b, 5 and 6It is already clear how the holding device can prevent rotation of the coupling device and thus of the singulation device. In the illustrated embodiment, the web is elastically designed and pre-tensioned towards the locking position. When the holding device is no longer forced into the release position by the actuating means 51, the elastic web 52 presses the holding means 54 into the groove 44 of the coupling means, so that a force-fit and / or positive locking occurs between the holding means 54 and the bottom surface of the groove 44, thus preventing rotation of the coupling means. Such a locking position is always present when the actuating means is "free," that is, always when the storage container is completely removed from the dispensing station.

[0030] Figure 7Figure 1 shows a sectional view through the first embodiment of the storage and dispensing station, with a plurality of parts of the storage container, for example, the housing and base, omitted. According to the invention, the problem of the unintentional dispensing of small items, caused by the rotation of the singulation device when the storage container is placed on top, is solved in the storage and dispensing station by specifically aligning the lower coupling section 42 of the coupling device 40, the hub 152, the actuating means 51 of the holding device, and the opening means 125 with each other, such that when the storage container is placed on top, an effective interaction first occurs between the lower coupling section and the hub, whereby, due to the hub being rotatable in the unenergized state, the drive shaft is aligned with the coupling device when the coupling section is aligned.According to the invention, rotation of the singulation device cannot occur because, when the aforementioned interaction occurs, no interaction yet takes place between the actuating means and the opening means, and this interaction is necessary for releasing or moving the holding means. According to the invention, the rotation of the singulation device (via the coupling device) is only released when the coupling device has already interacted with the hub and, in the course of this interaction, the hub (and not the singulation device) has been rotated. To achieve this, a variety of special embodiments of the aforementioned components are possible. For example, it is conceivable that the interaction between the actuating means and the opening means is triggered by a light barrier or an electrical contact. However, these embodiments are relatively complex in design and prone to failure.

[0031] In preferred embodiments of the storage and dispensing station according to the invention, a different approach is therefore taken, namely a purely mechanical one. The actuating element of the holding device is designed as a kind of nose, and the counterpart, the opening element 125, as a recess in the projection 121, wherein in the preferred embodiments this recess has a special geometry.

[0032] The preferred embodiments of the storage and dispensing station according to the invention, described in more detail in the following figures, have in common that the interaction between hub 152 and lower coupling section 42 of the coupling device 40 defines an effective coupling engagement depth (KET), and the interaction between actuating means 51 of the holding device 50 and opening means 125 defines an effective holding engagement depth (HET), wherein the coupling engagement depth is greater than the holding engagement depth. This always results in the aforementioned principle being fulfilled when the storage container is placed on the dispensing station, namely that the effective interaction between the lower coupling section and the hub only occurs before the interaction between the actuating means and the opening means causes the brake to release, i.e., before the holding means moves away from the coupling device.

[0033] In Figure 7A cross-section through the first embodiment is shown. In this section, the storage container is arranged ready for operation on the dispensing station. The effective coupling engagement depth (KET) is defined by the lower edge (the effective depth) of the lower coupling section and the upper edge (effective height) of the hub 152. This effective coupling engagement depth (KET) is shown in Figure 7The holding element is shown by dashed lines on the left. As provided according to the invention, the effective holding engagement depth (HET), shown by dashed lines on the right, is smaller than the effective clutch engagement depth. This effective holding engagement depth is defined by the lower edge (effective depth) of the actuating element 51 and the upper effective edge (effective height) of the opening element 125. As already explained, the release of the holding element in the preferred embodiments described here is effected purely mechanically. For this to occur, it is necessary that the actuating element is moved by the opening element in such a way that the holding element no longer prevents rotation of the clutch element. dhThe holding element must be moved away from the axis of rotation of the coupling device. With regard to the embodiment of the holding element shown in more detail in the aforementioned figures, it can be said that it must be "bent open". To achieve this, the opening element 125 has a feature as shown in Figure 8b The inclined section (acting section) can be identified, at the upper end of which the effective height of the opening device begins. When the actuating device is moved into the opening device upon placement of the storage container, this inclined section ensures that the actuating device (relative to the Figure 7 ) is moved out of the drawing plane, thereby releasing the holding device from the coupling device, thus allowing rotation.

[0034] In Figure 7It can also be seen that the hub 152 sits on a shaft 151 of a rotary drive 150. The hub 152 is non-rotatably connected to the shaft 151 and extends through an opening 121a in the projection 121 of the reservoir.

[0035] In Figure 8a is a close-up of the cut from Figure 7 The diagram shows the coupling device and the holding device moved upwards to such an extent that the actuating means has not yet engaged the opening means, meaning that no effective interaction has yet taken place between them. However, as can be seen by looking at the lower coupling section 42 and the hub 152, the following has occurred in the Figure 8aAt the "time" shown, however, an effective interaction between the webs 43 and the hub 152 had already taken place, that is, a force-fit or form-fit between these two elements. Since the coupling device was still prevented from rotating by the holding device, more precisely the holding element 54, the hub 152 may have been rotated "into position" when this interaction was initiated, so that this interaction could take place. Once the hub has rotated and the coupling element / holding device combination is moved further downwards, i.e., the reservoir is placed further down, an interaction also takes place between the actuating element 51 and the opening element 125; that is, the holding element is moved away from the coupling device and the rotation is released. Figure 8bIt can be seen that the opening means 125 has an inclined section (active section) 126, which causes the movement of the actuating means 51 and thus, via the web 52, of the holding means 54. When the reservoir is in its final position, which is in Figure 7 As depicted, both interactions have taken place or are taking place, with the different depths of intervention determining the order of the interactions.

[0036] Figures 9a and 9b show sectional views through a second embodiment of the storage and dispensing station according to the invention, in which parts of the storage container are again omitted and wherein at Figure 9bThe coupling / holding device combination is shifted vertically upwards. In this embodiment, the principle according to the invention is achieved by increasing the effective height of the hub 152 (compared to the first embodiment) and placing it above the surface of the projection 121. In this way, the interaction between hub 152 and the lower coupling section 42 takes place first, followed by the interaction between actuating means 51 and opening means 125; the engagement depths KET, HET and their relationship to each other are the same in the second embodiment as in the first embodiment.

[0037] Figure 10 shows a sectional view through a third embodiment of the storage and dispensing station according to the invention, and Figures 11a and 11b show detailed views of the section from Figure 10, wherein the coupling device / holding device combination is also shown vertically shifted in these figures. In this embodiment, the principle according to the invention is achieved by reducing the effective depth of the actuating means 51 compared to the first and second embodiments.

[0038] With reference to the third embodiment, an embodiment of the method according to the invention is described below. In the preferred embodiment of the method for placing a storage container 1 of a storage and dispensing station onto a dispensing station 100, the dispensing station 100 and the storage container 1 are first made available. In this provisional state, the holding device of the storage container is in the locked position; dispensing of a small item by rotation of the singulation device cannot take place. The storage container 1 is then arranged on the dispensing station 100, which in the Figures 11a, 11b and 10This is illustrated. During assembly, an effective interaction is first initiated between the coupling section 42 and the hub 152. Upon commencement of the interaction, the hub 152 adapts (or can adapt) to the coupling section 42 by means of a rotation, and a positive and / or force-fit connection is established between the hub 152 and the coupling section. Subsequently, an effective interaction is initiated between the actuating means 51 and the opening means 125. Upon commencement of the interaction, the holding means 54 is released, thus enabling the rotation of the singulation device 30. In the third embodiment shown, the opening means 125 is designed as a recess or depression in the dispensing station, and the actuating means as a corresponding vertical lug.The aforementioned interaction between the hub 152 and the lower coupling section 42 is initiated by generating an effective coupling engagement depth KET through force-fit and / or positive locking of the hub 152 and the lower coupling section 42. The interaction between the actuating means 51 and the opening means 125 is initiated by guiding the actuating means 51 into the opening means 125, thereby releasing the holding means 54 and generating an effective holding engagement depth HET. 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 machine, comprising a storage container (1) having a housing (10) enclosing a receiving space (2) having an internally circular-cylindrical portion (11) and a bottom face (20) having a central coupling opening (21), a separating device (30) arranged in the internally circular-cylindrical portion (11) of the housing (10) having a plurality of channels (32) extending vertically through the separating device and having a coupling device (40) extending into the central coupling opening (21) and having a lower coupling portion (42), a holding device (50) having a holding means (54) and an actuation means (51), wherein the holding device (50) prevents rotation of the separating device (30) in a blocking position and allows rotation of the separating device (30) in a release position, and a dispensing station (100) on which the storage container (1) is releasably arranged having a rotary drive (150) having a shaft (151) and a hub (152) seated on the shaft for force-transmitting interaction with the lower coupling portion (42), and an opening means (125) for interaction with the actuation means (51) of the holding device, wherein the lower coupling portion (42), the hub (152), the actuation means (51), and the opening means (125) are set relative to one another in such a way that when arranging the storage container (1) on the dispensing station (100) prior to an effective interaction between the actuation means (51) and the opening means (125), which causes the movement of the holding device into the release position, an effective interaction occurs between the lower coupling portion (42) and the hub (152), and wherein the hub (152) is rotatable in the de-energized state, characterized in that the opening means (125) is designed as a recess in the dispensing station and the actuation means (51) is designed as a corresponding vertical nose, in that the interaction between the hub (152) and the lower coupling portion (42) defines an effective coupling engagement depth (KET) and the interaction between the actuation means (51) and the opening means (125) defines an effective holding engagement depth (HET), and in that the coupling engagement depth (KET) is greater than the holding engagement depth (HET).

2. Storage and dispensing station for a blister machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the hub (152) and the opening means (125) have an identical effective height in relation to the vertical axis of the dispensing station (100) and in that the lower coupling portion (42), in relation to the vertical axis of the storage container (1), has an effective depth below an effective depth of the actuation means.

3. Storage and dispensing station for a blister machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower coupling portion (42) and the actuation means (51) have an identical effective depth with respect to the vertical axis of the storage container (1) and in that the hub (152), in relation to the vertical axis of the dispensing station (100), has an effective height above an effective height of the opening means (125).

4. Method for placing a storage container (1) of a storage and dispensing station of a blister machine onto a dispensing station (100), wherein a dispensing station is provided having a hub (152) of a rotary drive (150) and an opening means (125), wherein the opening means (125) is designed as a recess in the dispensing station, a storage container (1) is provided having a housing (10) enclosing a receiving space (2) having an internally circular-cylindrical portion (11) and a bottom face (20) having a central coupling opening (21), a separating device (30) arranged in the internally circular-cylindrical portion (11) of the housing (10) having a plurality of channels (32) extending vertically through the separating device and having a coupling device (40) extending into the central coupling opening (21) and having a lower coupling portion (42), and a holding device (50) having a holding means (54) and an actuation means (51), the holding device (50) preventing rotation of the separating device (30) via the holding means (54) and wherein the actuation means (51) is designed as a vertical nose corresponding to the recess in the dispensing station, the storage container (1) being arranged on the dispensing station (100), wherein when arranging, initially an effective interaction between the coupling portion (42) and the hub (152) is initiated, the hub (152) adapting itself to the coupling portion (42) through a rotation and a form-fit connection and / or frictional connection being produced between the hub (152) and the coupling portion when the interaction begins, and then an effective interaction between the actuation means (51) and the opening means (125) is initiated, the holding means (54) being released when the interaction begins, so that the rotation of the separating device (30) is allowed, characterized in that the interaction between the hub (152) and the lower coupling portion (42) is initiated by generating an effective coupling engagement depth (KET) by means of a frictional and / or form-fit connection of the hub (152) and the lower coupling portion (42), in that the interaction between the actuation means (51) and the opening means (125) is initiated by guiding the actuation means (51) into the opening means (125) and thereby releasing the holding means (54), an effective holding engagement depth (HET) being generated, and in that the coupling engagement depth (KET) is greater than the holding engagement depth (HET).