Storage and dispensing station for a blister packaging machine

Abstract

The present invention relates to a storage and dispensing station for a blister packaging machine for drug portions, in which the deposition of drug dust is reduced. The storage and dispensing station according to the invention comprises a base part (100), at least one contact means (124) with which a storage and dispensing station can be electrically coupled to a blister packaging machine and with which electrical charges can be discharged to a blister packaging machine, a storage container (200) arranged on the base part (100) with a housing (210) enclosing a receiving chamber (202) for drug portions, the housing having a circular cylindrical receiving chamber (211), a base surface (220), and a singulation device (230) rotatably arranged in the circular cylindrical receiving chamber (211) of the housing (210), as well as a drive (110, 111, 112) for moving the singulation device (230).According to the invention, the singulation device (230) is electrically conductive at least at its outer surface (231) which comes into contact with the portions of medicine to be singulated, and a conducting device is provided via which the electrically conductive outer surface (231) of the singulation device (230) is electrically coupled to the contact means (124).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage and dispensing station for a blister machine for pharmaceutical portions.

[0002] Modern blister pack machines, such as those disclosed in WO 2013 / 034504 A1, comprise, depending on the blister pack machine's expansion level, several hundred storage and dispensing stations. These stations each store a number of drug portions of a specific drug, and individual drug portions can be dispensed upon request. The blister pack machines assemble and blister pack the drug portions stored in the storage and dispensing stations for each patient individually, according to the doctor's prescribed dosage times.

[0003] To assemble multiple medication portions, corresponding storage and dispensing stations are controlled by a control device of the blister machine to dispense one or more medication portions. To dispense a medication portion, a separating device of the storage and dispensing station separates a medication portion stored in a storage container and transfers it via a dispensing opening to a guide device of the blister machine. The guide device then feeds the dispensed medication portion, possibly with the interposition of a collecting device, to a packaging device, which blisters individual or multiple medication portions.

[0004] The separating device, located in a section of the storage container, is typically designed in the form of a rotor with a plurality of channels extending axially through the separating device. A receiving space for the medicament portions to be separated is located above the separating device.

[0005] To separate medication portions, the separating device is rotated by a drive. The rotation of the separating device causes at least some of the medication portions stored in the storage container to rotate along with it, so that during the separation process, they come into contact with each other as well as with the separating device and an inner wall of the storage container. This regularly results in tiny chipping of the medication portions, creating a type of medication dust that settles on the separating device and the wall of the storage container.

[0006] The accumulation of medication dust in the reservoir is undesirable, as it makes cleaning the reservoir more difficult. Furthermore, there is a risk that medication dust will be carried into other components of the blister packer and potentially be blistered with unrelated medication portions, which could lead to allergic reactions in sensitive patients, for example.

[0007] JP 2005 059903 A discloses a storage and dispensing station in which at least a portion of the inner surfaces of the housing of the storage and dispensing station is electrically conductive.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a storage and dispensing station for a blister machine in which the deposition of pharmaceutical dust is reduced, and in a particularly simple structural manner.

[0009] This object is achieved according to the invention by a storage and dispensing station according to patent claim 1.The storage and dispensing station according to the invention for a blister machine comprises a base part, by means of which the storage and dispensing station is usually fastened to a blister machine, at least one contact means by means of which the storage and dispensing station can be electrically coupled to a blister machine and by means of which electrical charges can be discharged to the blister machine, a storage container arranged on the base part, which has a housing enclosing a receiving space for medicament portions, which has a circular-cylindrical receiving space, a base surface and a singling device rotatably arranged in the circular-cylindrical receiving space with a plurality of channels extending in the axial direction through the singling device and a coupling means, as well as a drive for moving the singling device.

[0010] The separating device is electrically conductive at least on an outer surface which comes into contact with the medicament portions to be separated, and a conducting device is provided via which the electrically conductive outer surface of the separating device is electrically conductively coupled to the contact means.

[0011] According to the invention, the conducting device comprises a slip ring arranged in the base surface and / or in a housing section forming the circular-cylindrical receiving space, and a contact element arranged in the separating device. By means of the contact element, an electrical connection is established between the separating device and the slip ring, which in turn is electrically conductively coupled to the contact means. The contact element can, for example, be a type of spring contact that rests temporarily or permanently against the slip ring. The slip ring itself can be designed to be continuous, but it is also possible for the slip ring to be formed by various segments that are only temporarily in contact with the contact element.These segments can then be connected to each other or individually, possibly with the interposition of a node, coupled to the contact means.

[0012] According to the invention, there is always an electrical connection between the electrically conductive outer surface of the separating device and the contact means, via which electrical charges can be transferred to the blister machine.

[0013] As already explained above, the rotation of the separating device during the separation or singulation of a medication portion causes at least some of the medication portions stored in the storage container to rotate along with it. This results in friction between the medication portions and between the medication portions and the separating device, as well as between the medication portions and an inner wall of the storage container. It has been determined that the aforementioned friction is sufficient to cause an electrostatic charge, particularly of the separating device.

[0014] Due to the inventive design of the separating device and the provision of the inventive conducting device, the electrostatic charge of the separating device can be dissipated via the contact means to the blister machine, which forms or has a reference potential to the separating device. The reduction in the electrostatic charge of the separating device means that the pharmaceutical dust generated during separation no longer adheres to it, or only adheres to a lesser extent. This facilitates cleaning of the separating device and prevents falling or dispersed accumulations of pharmaceutical dust from the storage and dispensing station from being carried to other parts of the blister machine.

[0015] It has also been proven that the aforementioned electrostatic charge causes medication portions to be attracted to electrostatically charged components of the storage and dispensing station, preventing them from sliding or gliding freely along these components. This leads to the channels no longer reliably filling with medication portions, especially with smaller medication portions. Dissipating electrostatic charges prevents the medication portions from being attracted to the components, allowing them to slide freely into the channels.

[0016] The separating device is arranged in the circular-cylindrical receiving space of the housing. Depending on the precise design of the receiving space and the separating device, the separating device can be completely accommodated in the receiving space, but it is also possible for an upper section of the separating device to protrude from the circular-cylindrical receiving space.

[0017] The contact means electrically connects a storage and dispensing station to the blister machine, allowing electrical charges to be discharged to the blister machine. When the dispensing and storage station is electrically connected to a blister machine (via the contact means), the separating device is grounded.

[0018] The precise design of the contact element and how charges are discharged depend on the precise configuration of the relevant components of the storage and discharge station. Accordingly, the contact element can be arranged in the base part or the storage container, which can be designed as a single component or as separate, connectable components.

[0019] In the storage and dispensing stations typically used with blister packers according to the aforementioned WO document, the base part and the storage container are designed as separate, yet connectable components, with the storage container being attachable to the base part. To refill medication portions or clean components of the storage container, the container can be easily removed from the base part and then reattached for cleaning and / or refilling.

[0020] The base part is detachably connected to the blister machine, whereby electrical contacts between the blister machine and the base part, for example a power supply for a drive and / or a line for a control unit of the storage and dispensing station, can be designed as plug connectors.

[0021] To avoid additional components, a preferred embodiment of the supply and dispensing station according to the invention provides that the contact means is provided, at least in sections, by means of a ground line coupled to a motor of the drive, or is designed as such. In this embodiment, an already present component or group of components, namely the grounding of the drive motor, is also used to dissipate electrical charges. For example, it is common practice to install the motor on a stable support plate. According to the invention, this is designed to be conductive, at least in sections, and is provided with a ground line via which charges can be dissipated from the motor.

[0022] According to the invention, the separating device is electrically conductive at least on the outer surface that comes into contact with the medicament portions to be separated. In a cost-effective embodiment of the separating device, the electrically conductive outer surface of the separating device is designed as a flat, conductive coating. A cost-effective, non-conductive material can be used as the carrier material, and the more expensive conductive coating can be provided only in the areas that come into contact with the medicament portions to be separated, which is then electrically conductively coupled to the contact means via the conducting device.

[0023] In the aforementioned embodiment, an electrically conductive coating is applied to a base body. In an alternative embodiment, the separating device consists of an electrically conductive material, preferably an electrically conductive plastic, at least on its electrically conductive outer surface. This conductive area is then coupled to the contact means. Depending on material and manufacturing costs, it may also be advantageous for the separating device to be made entirely of a conductive material.

[0024] In order to dissipate the electrostatic charge, the present invention requires the provision of a conducting device via which the electrically conductive outer surface of the separating device is electrically coupled to the contact means, via which the electrical charge is discharged to a blister machine. In a structurally very simple embodiment, the aforementioned conducting device comprises a slip ring arranged in the base surface and / or in a housing section forming the circular-cylindrical receiving space, and a contact element arranged in the separating device. By means of the contact element, an electrical connection is established between the separating device and the slip ring, which in turn is electrically coupled to the contact means.The contact element can, for example, be a type of spring contact that temporarily or permanently contacts the slip ring. The slip ring itself can be designed without interruption, but it is also possible for the slip ring to be formed by various segments that are only temporarily in contact with the contact element. These segments can then be interconnected or individually coupled to the contact element, possibly with the interposition of a node.

[0025] The motor of the storage and dispensing station drive is typically connected to the blister machine's central power supply via a cable. The motor is also connected to a blister machine via a contact element, which provides grounding for the motor. Charges transferred to the motor via the coupling element, the drive hub, and finally the drive shaft can thus be dissipated to the blister machine.

[0026] Due to the electrostatic charge on the separating device, the pharmaceutical dust mainly settles on or around it. As already explained above, the electrostatic charge also causes the pharmaceutical portions to adhere to a certain extent to the separating device, making it more difficult for pharmaceutical portions to penetrate the channels. However, the friction resulting from the separating process also causes other components of the storage and dispensing station to become electrostatically charged. In a preferred embodiment, the surfaces of the base area, the circular-cylindrical section of the housing and / or other sections of the housing that come into contact with pharmaceutical portions are electrically conductive and are electrically coupled to the contact means. Here, too, it is possible to electrically couple the aforementioned components orComponent sections can be provided with an electrically conductive coating or made entirely of an electrically conductive material. The connection to the contact means, via which the electrical charges are ultimately discharged to the blister machine, can be established using any means known to those skilled in the art.

[0027] In the following, preferred embodiments of the storage and dispensing station according to the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, in which Figures 1a and 1b show an exemplary storage and dispensing station with a separate base part and storage container; Figure 2 an oblique view of a storage container according to Figure 1 shows; Figure 3 a sectional view of the storage container according to Figure 1 shows; Figure 4shows a detailed view of a separating device within a storage container of an embodiment of the storage and dispensing station according to the invention; Figure 5 shows another sectional view of an exemplary storage container placed on a base part; Figure 6 shows a sectional view of a storage and dispensing station; Figure 7 an exploded view of a separating device / drive transition in another example; and Figure 8 a sectional view according to Figure 7 shows.

[0028] Figures 1a and 1b show oblique views of an exemplary storage and dispensing station. The storage and dispensing station comprises a base part 100 and a storage container 200, which are designed as separate components in the first embodiment.

[0029] The base part 100 is part of a composite of five base parts 100. Alternatively, the base parts can be designed separately from one another. The components mentioned in the following description of the base part 100 are present in each base part 100, regardless of whether they are composite (as in the Figures 1a and 1b ) or are designed separately.

[0030] Each base part 100 according to the first embodiment comprises a lower section 130 and an upper section 120. The upper section 120 comprises a projection 121 onto which a storage container 200 can be pushed. For this purpose, a lower housing section of the storage container 200 is adapted to the geometry of the projection 121.

[0031] In a Figure 1bThe end face of a base part 100, shown here, formed from a housing part of the upper section 120 and the lower section 130, is attached to a blister pack machine (not shown). A chute 140 is formed in the aforementioned end face, via which separated medicament portions are transferred from a storage and dispensing station to a guide device within the blister pack machine. The chute 140 extends through the base part 100 to the projection 121, in which an opening 123 is formed for receiving a medicament portion.

[0032] A contact means 124 is provided on the aforementioned end face of the base part 100, with which the storage and dispensing station can be electrically coupled to the blister machine and via which electrical charges can be discharged to the blister machine. In the embodiment shown, the contact means 124 is arranged in the end face section of the upper section of the base part 100; in an alternative embodiment, the contact means 124 can also be arranged in the end face section of the lower section 130. Alternatively, the contact means can be designed, for example, as a plug or the like. Furthermore, with a corresponding design of the storage container, it is possible to arrange the contact means within the storage container. It is essential that electrical charges can be discharged to the blister machine (not shown) via the contact means.

[0033] In the Figures 1a and 1bIn the example shown, a contact element 122 is arranged in the projection, which is electrically coupled on the one hand to the contact means 124 and on the other hand to the electrically conductive outer surface of a separating device (not shown here). In the embodiment shown, the contact element is part of the conducting device.

[0034] The use of the contact element is dictated by the precise design of the conducting device of the first embodiment. Alternatively, the conducting device can also be provided in such a way that the use of a contact element formed as a separate component is unnecessary (see the embodiments described further below). The position is also not limited to that shown; the contact element can also be formed outside the projection.

[0035] Figure 2 shows an oblique view of the storage container. As already mentioned with reference to the Figures 1a and 1bAs explained, the base part 100 and the storage container 200 are designed as separate components of the storage and dispensing station. The storage container 200 comprises a housing 210 with a (in Figure 3 shown) comprising a circular-cylindrical receiving space 211, a lower section 212 and a handle element 214. The storage container 200 further comprises a lid 213 which can be removed, among other things, for refilling medication portions.

[0036] Figure 3shows a sectional view of the storage container. This sectional view shows the arrangement of a separating device 230 in the receiving space 211 of the receiving section 217 of the housing 210. The separating device 230 is designed as a type of rotor with a plurality of projections 234 and channels 235 that extend in the axial direction through the separating device 230. In the embodiment shown, the channels 235 are defined by the projections 234 on a central component of the separating device 230, so that the channels are open toward the outer circumference of the separating device.

[0037] The separating device 230 comprises a central conical cover surface 232, which, together with the housing 210, defines a receiving space 202 for drug portions. Due to the conical design of the cover surface, drug portions resting on it slide toward the channels 235.

[0038] In the example, a step is formed between the conical cover surface 232 and the projections 234, so that a type of annular space is formed in the area above the channels and the projections. Such an annular space can promote the delivery of drug portions into the channels for drug portions of a specific shape.

[0039] As this is the case on the "left" side of the Figure 3 As can be seen, the bottom surface 220 has a dispensing opening 221, through which separated drug portions are dispensed through an opening 123 in the projection 121 of the base part 100 (see Figure 1a ) are fed to the chute 140.

[0040] As this is further shown in the "left" side of Figure 3As can be seen, a retaining section 216 of a retaining means 215 is inserted into the annular space above the dispensing opening 221. For this purpose, an opening is provided in the circular-cylindrical section 211 of the housing 210. The function of the retaining means, and in particular of the retaining section, is to retain drug portions arranged in the receiving space 202 above the dispensing opening when a channel 235 is aligned with the dispensing opening 221.

[0041] Separation or dispensing of drug portions occurs by moving a channel containing a defined number of drug portions over the dispensing opening 221, so that the defined number of drug portions can be dispensed from the aligned channel. The retaining section 216 prevents overlying drug portions from also being dispensed, ensuring that only the number of drug portions arranged in a channel is dispensed at any given time.

[0042] As is the case with Figure 3As can be seen, the separating device 230 further comprises a coupling means 240, with which the separating device 230 can be coupled to a drive via which the separating device can be rotated to separate medicament portions. In the embodiment shown, the coupling means is designed as a separate component; alternatively, however, it can also be provided that the coupling means is an integral part of the separating device 230.

[0043] According to the invention, the separating device is electrically conductive at least on its outer surface that comes into contact with the medicament portions to be separated. For example, the separating device has a flat, conductive coating 231.

[0044] To divert the electrical charges from the separating device to the contact means 214 (see Figure 1b), via which the loads are then delivered to the blister machine, a conducting device is provided according to the invention. In the first embodiment, the conducting device comprises a contact element 236, 237 arranged in the separating device 230.

[0045] In the Figure 3 In the example shown, the separating device 230 is almost completely accommodated in the receiving space 211. The projections 245 end below the opening of the receiving space 211, so that a kind of annular space is created above them. In alternative embodiments, the receiving space (or the separating device) can also be designed such that the projections exceed the upper opening of the receiving space. If the projections and channels are as in Figure 3are designed, i.e., the channels are open to the outer periphery of the separating device, in such a design, drug portions can (also) enter the channels from the side. The exact design of the receiving space and the separating device depends on the drug portions to be separated.

[0046] In Figure 4 Two variants of the arrangement of the contact element according to a preferred embodiment of the supply and dispensing station according to the invention are shown; one is arranged in the outer region of a projection 234 and the other is arranged in the bottom surface of a projection 234. The contact element establishes an electrical coupling with a slip ring 222, 215 arranged in the bottom surface 220 and / or the receiving section 217. The arrangement of the aforementioned slip rings in the bottom surface 220 and the receiving section 217 is shown in the Figures 5 and 6 illustrated.

[0047] Figure 5 shows another sectional view of a storage container placed on a base part. Figure 6 shows a sectional view of the complete storage and dispensing station.

[0048] Figures 5 and 6 illustrate in particular the coupling between the base part 100 and the storage container 200, which are designed as separate components. The storage container 200 is pushed onto the projection 121 of the base part 100 at its lower section 212, for which purpose the lower section 212 is adapted accordingly.

[0049] Figure 6further illustrates the coupling between the separating device 230 and a drive arranged in the base part. The drive comprises a motor 112, a drive shaft 111, and a drive hub 110. An outer contour of the drive hub 110 interacts force-fittingly with an inner contour of the coupling means 240, which in turn interacts with the separating device itself via a corresponding connection. In alternative embodiments, the coupling means 240 can be an integral part of the separating device 230.

[0050] The separating device 230 is used in the Figures 5 and 6 shown in a dispensing position. A channel is aligned with the dispensing opening 221 in the base surface 220. Medication portions arranged in the channel fall through the dispensing opening 221 into the chute 140 and from there into the interior of the blister packer.

[0051] The retaining section 216 of the retaining element 215 is inserted into the annular space above the channel aligned with the dispensing opening 221 and ensures that no further drug portions slip out of the receiving space.

[0052] Figure 7 shows an exploded view of the separating device 230 / drive transition. The outer contour of the drive hub 110 can be seen in an opening in the projection 121 of the upper section of the base part. The coupling means 240 can be seen above this, and above this, the separating device 230. In this embodiment, the coupling means 240 is also designed as a separate component from the separating device 230.

[0053] Figure 8 shows a sectional view, with a large part of the storage container omitted in order to illustrate in particular the coupling between the separating device and the drive.

[0054] An electric motor 112 is arranged centrally in the base part 100 and is connected to the contact means 124 via a line 113. In this case, the contact means serves, among other things, as a power supply for the electric motor 112. Furthermore, other components inside the base part or the storage container can be connected to a control device (not shown) via the contact means. For example, a sensor (not shown) can be assigned to the chute 140 or the dispensing opening in the bottom of the storage container, which determines whether a medication portion is actually dispensed during a singulation process.

[0055] The electric motor 112 comprises a drive shaft 111, which ends in a drive hub 110. The drive hub 110 has an outer contour (see Figure 7), which interacts positively and releasably with an inner contour 241 of the coupling means 240. The coupling means 240 is (releasably) connected to the separating device.

[0056] The type of connection between the drive hub 110 and the coupling means 240 of the separating device ensures that the storage container can be easily lifted off the base part without any further work steps. Although the coupling means is designed separately from the separating device 230 in the illustrated embodiment, a connection remains between the coupling means 240 and the separating device upon lifting.

[0057] According to the invention, a conducting device is provided via which the electrically conductive outer surface 231 of the separating device 230 is electrically conductively coupled to the contact means. In the second embodiment, the coupling means 240, the drive hub 110, the drive shaft 111, and the electric motor 110 represent components of the conducting device.

[0058] The coupling means 240 is electrically conductive and conductively connected to the electrically conductive outer surface 231 of the separating device 230. This can be achieved, for example, by using a separating device made entirely of a conductive material (e.g., an electrically conductive plastic). Alternatively, lines can be provided from the outer surface to the coupling means. The drive hub and the drive shaft are also electrically conductive, with the above-mentioned details regarding the exact design.

[0059] The electrostatic charge generated during separation or singulation can be dissipated via the outer surface of the singulation device to the coupling means, from there to the drive hub and drive shaft. From the drive shaft, the charge can be dissipated via the motor and line 113 to the contact means 124, via which the charge is ultimately dissipated to the blister machine.

[0060] With this variant, no additional components are required to dissipate the charge. Due to the design of the existing components, the buildup of a potential difference is avoided, reducing the adhesion of drug dust and other fine contaminants. The separating device and / or other components of the storage container that come into contact with drug portions (circular cylindrical section 211 of the housing, the housing 210 itself) are essentially grounded via the blister machine.

Claims

1. A storage and dispensing station for a blister packaging machine for drug portions, having a base part (100), at least one contact means (124) with which a storage and dispensing station can be electrically coupled to a blister packaging machine and by means of which electrical charges can be dissipated to the blister packaging machine, a storage container (200) arranged on the base part (100) with a housing (210) enclosing a receiving chamber (202) for drug portions, which housing has a circular cylindrical receiving chamber (211) and a bottom surface (220), a singulating device (230) rotatably arranged in the circular cylindrical receiving chamber (211) of the housing (210), which singulating device comprises a plurality of channels (235) extending in an axial direction through the singulating device (230), and a coupling means (240), and a drive (110, 111, 112) for moving the singulating device (230), wherein the singulating device (230) is electrically conducting at least in the case of its outer surface (231) which comes into contact with drug portions to be singulated, and a conductor device is provided, by means of which the electrically conducting outer surface (231) of the singulating device (230) is coupled in an electrically conducting manner to the contact means (124), characterized in that the conductor device comprises a slip ring (222, 215), which is arranged in the bottom surface (220) and / or in a housing section (217) which forms the circular cylindrical receiving chamber (211), and a contact element (236, 237) arranged in the singulating device (230).

2. The storage and dispensing station for a blister packaging machine for drug portions according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact means (124) is provided at least in sections by means of a ground wire which is coupled to a motor (112) of the drive.

3. The storage and dispensing station (1) for a blister packaging machine for drug portions according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the electrically conducting outer surface (231) of the singulating device (230) is formed as a planar conducting coating.

4. The storage and dispensing station (1) for a blister packaging machine for drug portions according to one of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that the singulating device (230), at least in the case of its electrically conducting outer surface (231), is made of an electrically conducting material, preferably an electrically conducting plastic.

5. The storage and dispensing station (1) for a blister packaging machine for drug portions according to claim 4, characterized in that outer surfaces of the bottom surface (220) and / or of the housing (210) which come into contact with drug portions are electrically conducting and are electrically coupled to the contact means (124).

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