Storage container for a storage and dispensing station and method for adjusting the storage container

Abstract

The present invention relates to a storage container (1) for a blister packaging machine, comprising a housing (10) with an upper housing section (11) and a lower housing section (12), wherein the housing sections (11, 12) define a receiving space (20), a singulation device (30) arranged in the lower receiving space section (21) with a plurality of channels (32) extending vertically through the base body and open to the outer circumference (39) of a base body (38), separated by vertical webs (31), and a holding device (40) with a fastening device (41) and a holding section (43, 46), wherein each web (31) has a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontal slots (33a, 33b, 33c) extending radially inwards and open to the outer circumference, forming a plurality of slot planes, and wherein the storage container (1) comprises a holding device fastening (50).with which the holding device (40) can be arranged in a height-adjustable and rotationally secured manner relative to the housing such that the holding section (43) is held in any desired slot plane. The storage container according to the invention reduces the number of singulation devices / storage containers to be stored.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage container for a storage and dispensing station for small items, in particular single portions of pharmaceuticals or food supplements, and a method for adapting such a storage container to the small items to be dispensed.

[0002] Modern blister packaging machines, such as those disclosed in WO 2013 / 034504 A1, comprise several hundred storage and dispensing stations, depending on the configuration. These stations store, for example, multiple doses of a specific medication, and individual doses can be dispensed upon request. The machine assembles and blisters the medication doses stored in the storage and dispensing stations according to the patient's prescribed dosing schedule.

[0003] To assemble the medication portions, the corresponding storage and dispensing stations are activated for the dispensing of one or more medication portions. When a storage and dispensing station is activated, a single medication portion is separated by a singulation device located in the storage container of the station and transferred via a dispensing opening in the container to a guide unit of the blister packaging machine. The guide unit then feeds the dispensed medication portion, possibly via an intermediate collection unit, to a packaging unit that blisters one or more medication portions according to a doctor's prescription.

[0004] For the singulation of drug portions stored in a reservoir of a dispensing station, the singulation device comprises a rotor with a plurality of channels, typically arranged around the rotor's outer circumference and defined by webs. The dimensions of the channels must be adapted to the drug portions to be dispensed, ensuring that the portions can only be stacked on top of each other within a channel, not side by side. For example, the channels can be dimensioned to accommodate only one drug portion at a time. To dispense a drug portion from a channel, the channel is moved over the dispensing opening in the base of the reservoir housing, and the drug portion located in the channel (at its lowest point) slides or falls into the dispensing opening due to gravity.To prevent further drug portions stored in or above the channel from being dispensed – i.e., to prevent an unknown number of drug portions from being dispensed – a holding section of a holding device is positioned above the channel in the area above the dispensing opening. This holding section is aligned with the dispensing opening. It is positioned above the channel in such a way that only one drug portion can be placed below it.

[0005] In an alternative design, all webs have a horizontal slot, which together define a "slot plane." In this design, the holding section is held in this slot plane above the discharge opening. When the singulation unit rotates, the slots of the webs rotate over the holding section. The channels and slots are designed to accommodate the small items being singulated, such that only a defined number of small items—usually exactly one—can be stored in a channel section below the slot plane.

[0006] The need to adapt the channels or

[0007] Channel sections mean that, with known storage containers, at least the singulation unit must be replaced if the size of the small items to be singulated changes. This is time-consuming and also requires that a large number of singulation units / storage containers must always be kept on hand.

[0008] From EP 3 064 190 B1 a device is known which comprises the technical features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a storage container which reduces the number of singulation devices / storage containers required. Furthermore, a method for adapting a storage container to different drug portions is to be provided.

[0010] The problem is solved by a storage container for a storage and dispensing station for a blister packaging machine according to claim 1 and a method for adapting a storage container for a storage and dispensing station to different small items to be separated.

[0011] The storage container according to the invention comprises a housing with an upper housing section and a lower housing section, as well as a base plate with a dispensing opening. The housing sections define a receiving space for small items, and the lower receiving space section is cylindrical in shape. Furthermore, the storage container comprises a singulation device arranged in the lower receiving space section, with a cylindrical base body having a plurality of channels extending vertically through the base body, open to the outer circumference of the base body, separated by vertical webs, and adapted to the small items to be singulated. The channel also includes a holding device with a fastening element and a holding section, which is held above the dispensing opening in the lower receiving space section.

[0012] Depending on its dimensions, the singulation unit occupies more or less space within the receiving area for individual items, with the dimensions depending on the type and shape of the items to be singulated. If the singulation unit is relatively flat, it may only occupy a lower portion of the lower receiving area. A taller singulation unit, on the other hand, may fill the entire lower receiving area and potentially even extend into the upper receiving area above it. The area of ​​the receiving area not occupied by the singulation unit, typically the area above it, is used to hold the small items to be singulated.

[0013] According to the invention, each web has a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontal slots extending inwards and open towards the outer circumference, which are designed to receive the holding section of the holding device and form a plurality of slot planes. The slots of each slot plane are vertically aligned with one another, and the slot planes are vertically spaced apart from each other. The number of slots depends on the expected variability of the small items to be separated and their type. Generally, two or more slots are provided. Furthermore, the storage container according to the invention has a mounting for the holding device, with which the holding device can be arranged in a height-adjustable and rotationally secure manner relative to the housing, such that the holding section is held in any desired slot plane.

[0014] By providing multiple slot levels and a holding device mounting for height adjustment of the holding device, the same singulation unit can be used for small items of varying shapes. To singulate "small" items, the holding device is positioned via the mounting bracket so that the holding section engages in the lowest slot level. For larger items, correspondingly higher slot levels are used. If three slot levels are provided, three different size categories of small items can be used. Assuming that the items differ only in height and the three size categories occur with equal frequency, only one-third of the storage containers need to be stocked compared to the number of storage containers with only one slot row.

[0015] A key aspect of the invention is that the holding device is generally height-adjustable, as it must be adapted to the slot plane being used. This means that the holding device must be able to be attached at vertically different points so that the holding section is held securely in the slot plane above the dispensing opening. The precise positioning of the holding device using the mounting mechanism depends on the specific application.

[0016] If, for example, small items (especially individual doses of pharmaceuticals or dietary supplements) are regularly dispensed from a storage container, and no abrasion or dust is generated, meaning the small items or pharmaceuticals are in the form of capsules or coated tablets, it is advantageous for the lower housing section to have a plurality of vertically arranged housing slots through which the holding section of the device extends into the lower receiving chamber. In this case, the holding device is secured by a plurality of fastening elements associated with the housing slots, which allow the holding device to be adjusted vertically and prevented from rotating within the housing. These fastening elements could, for example, be simple small bores through which the holding device or...A mounting section of the holding device is attached with a pin or screw. Such storage containers have the advantage that at least the housing can be manufactured very easily using existing tools. Existing storage containers can also be easily adapted; only the singulation device needs to be replaced (and the mounting hardware for the holding device must be provided, which can be done without much effort).

[0017] In such a case, it is particularly preferred that the lower housing section has a vertically extending mounting projection on which the fastening means are arranged. If, for example, bores or openings are provided as fastening means, providing a mounting projection has the advantage that the entire lower housing section does not need to have a correspondingly increased wall thickness.

[0018] As previously explained, the holding section of the holding device, positioned above the discharge opening, ensures that only a defined quantity of small items (usually just one), namely those in the channel section below the slot plane, are discharged through the opening. Items located in the channel section above are prevented by the holding section from entering the lower channel section (and thus from being discharged through the opening). The holding section can be made of a suitably shaped, non-elastic material. If a channel with an occupied lower channel section and an upper channel section (referred to as the "upper" channel section) is rotated "over" or towards the holding section (when this channel is aligned with the discharge opening), the holding section lifts the small item(s) in the upper channel section. During this process, small particles of the small item(s) may be abraded.If the positioning (i.e., height) of the holding section is not adequately adapted to the size or shape of the small items, small parts may be abraded (in the case of coated tablets or tablets) or a small item in the form of a drug capsule may be damaged. To prevent this, a preferred embodiment provides that the holding device is at least partially elastically deformable and designed such that a small item arranged in a channel aligned with the dispensing opening is pressed against a wall of the channel by the holding section and is thus prevented from moving vertically by friction. To achieve this flexibility, a section of the fastening element of the holding device can be designed to be flexible.Alternatively, the retaining section itself could be elastically deformable – for example, it could be designed like a brush. This would then press the small parts against the wall of the channel, preventing them from entering the lower section of the channel due to the frictional contact. This avoids lifting the small parts and thus the risk of damage or abrasion. This design is particularly advantageous for very delicate small parts.

[0019] However, if the storage container is used with small items that are prone to abrasion (loose tablets), providing multiple housing slots may not be advantageous, as abrasion particles can escape from the storage container through these slots, contaminating other storage containers and the blister packaging machine itself. Therefore, in an alternative preferred embodiment, the retaining device is secured by at least one vertical fastening located on the lower housing section and interacting with the lower receiving chamber section. This fastening allows the retaining device to be adjusted vertically and secured against rotation, and positioned completely within the lower receiving chamber section, such that the retaining section is held in any desired slot plane.By eliminating all housing slots and locating the entire holding device within the housing, the escape of abrasion particles is prevented. Vertical mounting can be achieved, for example, by a permanent magnet that interacts with a counterpart in the mounting device of the holding unit.

[0020] When adapting the storage container to a new size category, it is necessary to reposition the holding device. This requires moving the holding section out of the current slot plane and into the new one. To enable this to be done quickly and easily, a preferred embodiment provides that the at least one vertical mounting is designed as a vertical groove open to the lower receiving section, extending through the lower housing section into an upper receiving chamber section and having an opening to it. Furthermore, the mounting device of the holding device includes at least one fastening element that is height-adjustable within the vertical groove and coupled to the holding section. The upper receiving chamber is shaped at the opening such that the holding device (including the singulation device) can be moved in and out of the vertical groove via the mounting device.

[0021] In this embodiment, the singulation device, including the holding device, can simply be pulled "upwards" out of the housing – due to the upward-facing vertical groove, no connection or mounting needs to be released for removal. The holding device itself is held vertically by the slot plane used, and secured against rotation by the fastening element of the mounting device.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the holding device mounting has two vertical fixings, each arranged next to the dispensing opening in or near the lower housing section. The provision of two appropriately arranged vertical fixings ensures optimal positioning and fixation (against rotation with the singulation unit) of the holding device.

[0023] To prevent the vertical groove from damaging the small items being separated, a preferred embodiment provides for contact protection at the opening area of ​​the vertical groove leading to the lower receiving chamber section. This protection can, for example, be a rubber lip projecting into the opening area from both sides. It must be ensured that the fastening device of the holding assembly is movable within the vertical guide.

[0024] The problem is further solved by a method according to claim 9. In the inventive method for adapting a storage container for a storage and dispensing station according to one of claims 6-8 to small items to be separated, the separating device is first moved out of the housing together with the holding device at least to such an extent that the holding section can be moved out of the slot plane. Based on the circumference of the small items to be separated, a new slot plane is then determined in which the holding section is to be arranged, and then the holding device is positioned with respect to the separating device such that the holding section is arranged in the new slot plane.The singulation device, including the positioned holding device, is then moved into the lower housing section. The at least one fastening element is moved through the opening into the at least one vertical groove, and the singulation device, including the holding device, is moved into the lower housing section until it reaches a predetermined stop. According to the invention, the storage container can be quickly adapted to new small items to be singulated without changing the singulation device. While it may happen that "only" changing the slot plane is insufficient for adaptation, the method according to the invention allows for rapid adaptation in the majority of cases, thus significantly reducing the number of singulation devices / storage containers required.

[0025] In order to prevent the vertical grooves from damaging small items to be separated, a preferred embodiment provides that, after moving the separating device together with the holding device up to a predetermined stop, a removable filling medium is pushed into each vertical groove.

[0026] In the following, preferred embodiments of the storage container according to the invention for a storage and dispensing station of a blister packaging machine, as well as a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention for adapting a storage container, are described with reference to the drawing in which Figures 1A and 1B Oblique views of the first embodiment show, wherein Figure 1B a sectional view shows, Figures 2A and 2B Partial sectional views of the first embodiment are shown, with the singulation device shown uncut, Figures 3A and 3BOblique views of the singulation device according to the first embodiment, including small items and holding device, show, Figure 4 A top view of the singulation device without small items shows, Figures 5A and 5B Oblique views of the second embodiment show, wherein Figure 5B a sectional view shows, Figure 6 a top view of the second embodiment shows, Figure 7 a side sectional view of the second embodiment with singulation device shows, Figures 8A and 8B Partial sectional views of the second embodiment show, Figure 9A an oblique view of the singulation device including the holding device of the second embodiment shows, Figure 9B a side view of the singulation device including holding device of the second embodiment shows, and Figures 10A - 10F schematically shows different stages of the inventive method for adapting a storage container to small items to be separated.

[0027] The Figures 1A and 1B show oblique views of a first embodiment of the storage container 1 according to the invention, wherein the Figure 1B A sectional view is shown. The storage container 1 comprises a housing 10 with an upper housing section 11 and a lower housing section 12, wherein the two housing sections 11, 12 define a receiving space 20 for receiving small items. This receiving space 20 comprises a lower, internally circular cylindrical receiving space section 21 (see [reference]). Figure 1B ) and an upper receiving chamber section 22, the circumference of which extends beyond the circumference of the lower receiving chamber section 21. The storage container 1 further comprises a base frame 16 on which the lower housing section 12 is arranged. A handle 17 extends between the base frame 16 and the upper housing section 11 for simplified handling of the storage container. As in Fig. 1AAs can be seen, the lower housing section 12 in the illustrated embodiment has a vertically extending mounting projection 15 in or on which a retaining device mounting 50 is arranged. In the illustrated embodiment, this mounting has several fastening means 52 in the form of bores or openings. Alternatively, for example, the fastening means could be designed as small permanent magnets. Furthermore, three horizontal housing slots 13 are arranged in the lower housing section 12, extending through the lower housing section.

[0028] The storage container 1 further comprises a holding device 40, which includes a fastening device 41, a fastening section 44 and a holding section 43 (see in particular Figure 1BThe holding device 40 is coupled to the holding device mounting 50 via the mounting section 44, whereby in the illustrated embodiment this coupling can be effected by a screw or a plug which engages a fastening element 52 through an opening in the mounting section. The holding section 43 is arranged on the mounting device 41, which in the illustrated embodiment extends through the lower housing slot 13 into the lower receiving chamber section 21.

[0029] As in Figure 1BAs can be seen, the lower housing section, or the lower receiving chamber section 21, is bounded by a base plate 18, which has a dispensing opening 19 through which small items can be dispensed from the storage container. The base plate 18 also has a central opening in which a coupling element 60 is arranged, to which a singulation device, shown in the following figures, is detachably attached. The coupling element 60 interacts in its lower area with a drive of a dispensing station (not shown) to rotate the singulation device.

[0030] The Figures 2A and 2B two further sectional views of the first embodiment are shown, wherein Figure 2A an oblique view and Figure 2B a side view. In the views of the Figures 2A and 2BA singulation device 30 is arranged in the lower intake area section 21. The singulation device 30 and its arrangement are described in detail below; for a detailed description of the components not explicitly mentioned below but identified by reference numerals, please refer to the description of the Figures 1A and 1B referred.

[0031] As in particular the Figure 2BAs can be seen, the singulation device 30 extends essentially over the entire height of the lower receiving chamber section 21. The singulation device 30 thus occupies a portion of the receiving chamber 20, with the remaining space of the receiving chamber 20 serving to hold small items. In alternative embodiments, the singulation device can be less tall, so that a portion of the lower receiving chamber section can also serve to hold small items. Alternatively, the singulation device 30 can extend at least partially into the upper receiving chamber section 22.

[0032] The singling device 30 itself comprises, as can also be seen from the Figures 3A, 3B and 4 evidently, a circular cylindrical base body 38 with a plurality of outer circumferences 39 (see Figure 4) of the base body 38, open towards the base body, separated by vertical webs 31, and adapted to the small items to be separated, extending vertically through the base body. In the illustrated embodiment, the separating device comprises eight channels, the exact number depending on the size or shape of the small items to be separated and the size of the storage container itself. In the illustrated embodiment, each web 31 has three vertically arranged, horizontal slots 33a, 33b, 33c extending radially inwards and open towards the outer circumference 39, each designed to receive the holding section 43 of the holding device 40, as shown in the preceding figures. The majority of the slots 33a, 33b, 33c each form a slot plane. dhAll slots 33a form a slot plane, etc., so that in the illustrated embodiment three slot planes are formed. In the illustrated embodiment, the slots divide the webs 31 into four web sections 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, with the three slots being arranged at equal intervals so that the web sections 31b, 31c are of the same size. In alternative embodiments, the slots can be spaced differently from one another in the vertical direction.

[0033] The base body 38 of the singulation device 30 has a conical surface 35 above the webs 31 with a plurality of projections 37, which serve to feed the small items arranged in the receiving chamber into the channels. In the illustrated embodiment, the singulation device has an annular groove 36 above the channels 32 or webs 31 (see in particular the figure). Figure 2B), which also serves to supply small items to canals 32. As can be seen in particular from Figure 2B As can be seen, the singulation device 30 is coupled to the coupling element 60 in the base plate. The singulation device is rotated by a drive (not shown) via this coupling element.

[0034] As described above, for the singulation of small items, it is necessary that when a channel rotates past the discharge opening 19, only a specific number (usually only one small item) of small items are discharged. For this purpose, the holding section 43 is arranged in the channel above the discharge opening, which prevents the uncontrolled discharge of small items. Figures 2B, 3A and 3BThe arrangement of the holding section 43 in the slot plane formed by the lower slots 33c is shown, and it can be seen that the small items arranged "above" the holding section 43 are prevented from further vertical downward movement. In particular, in Figure 3B It can be seen that the small items 6(3), 6(2), 6(1) arranged above the holding section 43 are prevented from any further vertical downward movement; only the small item 6(4) can be dispensed via the dispensing opening.

[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, the holding section 43 is formed by a plurality of elastically deformable bristles, which, firstly, prevent vertical movement of small parts not to be dispensed by causing the small parts to rest on the bristles. Particularly when the positioning of the holding device and thus of the holding section 43 is not optimally adapted to the height of the small parts to be separated (in practice, the opposite is often true), it is also possible that, in the case of a holding section 43 with a plurality of elastically deformable bristles, these bristles will press a small part not to be dispensed against a channel wall, thus preventing dispensing.

[0036] With alternative designs of the holding section, this type of retention of small items is not possible; if the holding section is made of a solid material, the small items above it are "held" by being pushed upwards by the holding section. The small items are thus spatially separated. However, this can lead to damage to fragile items.

[0037] With the illustrated embodiment of the storage container according to the invention, it is possible to quickly adapt it to small items of varying heights. As is particularly evident in Figure 2BAs can be seen, the holding section 43 of the holding device 40 is guided through the lower housing slot 13 into the lower receiving chamber section 21. If the small items to be separated are longer, the holding device 40 can simply be detached from the holding device mounting 50, the holding section 43 inserted into a corresponding housing slot 13, and the holding device 40 reattached. Thus, the storage container according to the first embodiment can be used for small items of three different size classes, so that fewer storage containers / singling devices are required for operating a blister packaging machine with a storage container according to the invention. The number and arrangement of the slots per web 31 depends on the specific application and may differ from that according to the first embodiment.

[0038] The Figures 5A and 5Bshow oblique views of the second embodiment of the storage container according to the invention, wherein Figure 5B a sectional view is shown. Figure 6 Figure 1 shows a top view of the second embodiment. The singulation device has again been omitted in the aforementioned figures. In the following description of the second embodiment of the storage container according to the invention, only those features that differ from the first embodiment are described in detail. Features that remain the same are not described again in detail, so that not all reference numerals used in the figures are mentioned in the following description. For a detailed description of these features, reference is made to the first embodiment.

[0039] The second embodiment of the storage container according to the invention differs from the first embodiment in the design and fastening of the holding device. As in Figure 5AAs can be seen, in the second embodiment two fastening projections 15a, 15b run vertically along the outer wall of the lower housing section 12. As shown in the Figures 5B and 6 As can be seen, in this embodiment the holding device is fastened by two vertical fixings (which together form the holding device fixing), which in this embodiment are designed as two vertical grooves 51a, 51b open towards the lower receiving section 21. As already shown in the Figures 5B and 6As can be seen, fastening means 42a, 42b are arranged, which are connected to a retaining section 46 of the retaining device. In the illustrated embodiment, the vertical grooves 51a, 51b each have a semicircular section in which correspondingly round sections of the fastening means 42a, 42b are arranged. A web-shaped section adjoins the round section of the fastening means and is finally connected to the retaining section 46.

[0040] In other embodiments, the vertical grooves and the fastening devices can be designed differently, the essential feature being that the holding device itself is height-adjustable and rotationally secure via the fastening devices in the vertical grooves. In this embodiment, the holding section 46 differs in that it is formed not by elastic bristles, but by an inelastic material. This design of the holding section is dictated by the way it is attached to the lower housing section. The design of the holding section also means that the small items are spatially separated by the holding section itself when a channel for dispensing a small item is rotated onto the holding section. Small items stacked one above the other in a channel that is not rotated over the holding section are separated by lifting the items above.Especially for delicate small items, the design according to the first embodiment may therefore be preferable. As shown in the upper section of the vertical groove 51a in . Figure 5B As indicated, this can have contact protection 54a, for example in the form of elastic bristles, in an opening area 53a to the lower receiving chamber section 21. These are intended to prevent abrasion on a small piece to be separated which is guided past a vertical groove in a channel. Furthermore, in Figure 5B to recognize that the vertical groove 51a extends to an opening 52a in the upper recording chamber section 22.

[0041] Figure 7 shows a side section view of the second embodiment with (uncut) singulation device. Figure 7 largely corresponds to Figure 2Bof the first embodiment, only the holding device differs, in particular the holding section 46 and one of the fastening means, namely the fastening means 42b, are shown.

[0042] The Figures 8A and 8B The figures show partial sectional views of the second embodiment, in which the arrangement and guidance of the holding device in the storage container are particularly illustrated. Figure 8A It can be seen how the holding section 46 of the holding device is guided in the vertical groove 51b via the fastening element 42b. In the vertical section through the singulation device, it can be seen that the cut small item 6(3) rests on the holding section 46. Figure 8BThe singulation device is completely omitted, and in particular the separation of the small items 6(3), 6(4) by the holding section 46 is evident. A filler 70a is indicated in the vertical groove 51a, which is intended to protect the small items to be singulated from damage when they pass by the vertical groove 51a.

[0043] Figure 9A shows an oblique view and Figure 9B A side view of the singulation device, including the holding device of the second embodiment. Both figures illustrate, in particular, the arrangement and orientation of the holding device relative to the slot planes of the singulation device. It can be seen in both figures that the holding section 46 engages in the lower slot plane (formed by the slots 33c). Furthermore, it is particularly evident in Figure 9AIt can be seen that the holding section 46 is connected to the fastening elements 42a, 42b via fastening webs 47a, 47b. In the second embodiment of the storage container, the fastening elements 42a, 42b are guided in the vertical grooves (not shown) so as to be height-adjustable. The holding device is vertically fixed relative to the singulation device by guiding the holding section in a slot plane. Rotation of the holding device itself is prevented by the mounting of the fastening elements in the vertical grooves.

[0044] The Figures 10A - 10F The figures schematically show various steps of a preferred embodiment of the inventive method for adapting a storage container to small items to be separated, with the method being described with regard to the second embodiment. In the Figures 10A - 10FOnly sections of a cut-open storage container are shown, and even within these sections, only the components essential for understanding the process are depicted. Similarly, only some of the components are identified by reference numerals in the figures, specifically those required for the subsequent description.

[0045] In Figure 10AThe initial situation is depicted. In the singulation device 30, the holding section 46 engages in the lower slot plane formed by the slots 33c. Above the holding section 46, three small items 6(1), 6(2), 6(3) are arranged. Below the holding section, a small item 6(4) is indicated, which is shown for illustrative purposes only (in reality, it would already have been dispensed via the dispensing opening located below the holding section). Since the holding section engages in the lowest slot plane, the illustrated singulation device / holding device combination is suitable for singulating small items of the smallest size class.

[0046] If small items of a larger size category are to be singulated, the singulation device 30 and the holding device 40 must be removed from the housing. This is shown in Figure 10B depicted.

[0047] In order to separate small items of a larger size category, the holding section 46 must be moved to a "higher" slot level. Figure 10C It can be seen that the holding section 46 has been moved into the slot plane defined by the slots 33b. The space below the holding section of the holding device is now suitable for larger small items.

[0048] After repositioning the holding device, the singulation device must be moved back into the housing with the repositioned holding device. Figure 10D shows how the fastening element 42a is inserted into the vertical groove 51a via the opening 52a.

[0049] The singulation device 30, together with the repositioned holding device, is guided back into the housing by the fastening devices of the holding device until the singulation device rests against a predetermined stop in the housing. This is in Figure 10Edepicted.

[0050] In Figure 10F It can now be seen schematically that the adapted storage container, when moved to the (middle) slot plane defined by slots 33b, is suitable for small items of a higher size category. A small item 7(1) is indicated above the holding section 46, and a small item 7(2) is indicated below the holding section; the small items 7(1) and 7(2) are approximately 50% larger than the small items 6(1) - 6(4). Moving them to the slot plane defined by slots 33a would allow them to be accommodated in the largest or highest size category.

[0051] The method according to the invention can thus be used to adapt the storage container to small items from three different size categories, so that only one storage container needs to be kept for the singulation of small items of different size categories.

Claims

1. A storage container (1) for a storage and dispensing station for a blister packaging machine, having: a housing (10) with an upper housing portion (11) and a lower housing portion (12) and a base plate (18) with a dispensing opening (19), the housing portions (11, 12) defining a receiving space (20) for receiving small piece goods and a lower receiving-space portion (21) of the receiving space (20) being circular-cylindrical, a separating device (30) arranged in the lower receiving-space portion (21) and comprising a circular-cylindrical main body (38) with a plurality of channels (32) that extend vertically through the main body and are open to the outer circumference (39) of the main body (38), are separated by vertical webs (31) and are adapted to small piece goods to be separated, a holding device (40) having a fastening device (41) and a holding portion (43, 46) which is retained above the dispensing opening (19) in the lower receiving-space portion (21), wherein each web (31) has a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontal slots (33a, 33b, 33c) that extend radially inward and are open to the outer circumference, which slots are designed to receive the holding portion (43, 46) of the holding device (40) and form a plurality of slot planes, characterized in that the storage container (1) comprises a holding-device fastening means (50) with which the holding device (40) can be arranged so as to be height-adjustable and secured against rotation relative to the housing such that the holding portion (43) is retained in any desired slot plane.

2. The storage container (1) for a storage and dispensing station for a blister packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower housing portion (12) has a plurality of slots (13) arranged vertically one above the other and through which the holding portion (43) of the holding device (40) extends into the lower receiving-space portion (21), and in that the holding-device fastening means (50) is formed by a plurality of fastening means (52) assigned to the housing slots (13), in which the holding device (40) is held so as to be height-adjustable and secured against rotation relative to the housing.

3. The storage container (1) for a storage and dispensing station for an automatic blister packaging machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the lower housing portion (12) has a vertically extending fastening projection (15) on which the fastening means (52) are arranged.

4. The storage container (1) for a storage and dispensing station for an automatic blister packaging machine according to either claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that the holding device (40) is elastically deformable, at least in portions, and is designed in such a manner that a small piece good arranged in a dispensing channel (32) aligned with the dispensing opening (19) is pressed against a wall of the channel by the holding portion (43) and is thus prevented from moving vertically by frictional engagement.

5. The storage container (1) for a storage and dispensing station for a blister packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding-device fastening means is formed by at least one vertical fastening means that is arranged on the lower housing portion (12) and interacts with the lower receiving-space portion (21), by means of which the holding device (40) can be arranged entirely within the lower receiving-space portion (21) in such a way as to be height-adjustable and secured against rotation, so that the holding portion (43) is held in any desired slot plane.

6. The storage container (1) for a storage and dispensing station for a blister packaging machine according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one vertical fastening means is designed as a vertical groove (51a, 51b) that is open to the lower receiving portion (21), extends through the lower housing portion (12) and into an upper receiving-space portion (22), and has an opening (52a, 52b) theretoward, and that the fastening device (41) of the holding device (40) has at least one fastening means (42a, 42b) that can be vertically adjusted in the vertical groove and is coupled to the holding portion (46), the upper receiving space (22) being shaped at the opening such that the holding device (40) can be moved in and out of the vertical groove by means of the fastening means (42a, 42b).

7. The storage container (1) for a storage and dispensing station for an automatic blister packaging machine according to either claim 5 or claim 6, characterized in that the holding-device fastening means has two vertical fastening means which are arranged opposite one another next to the dispensing opening (19) on the lower housing portion (12).

8. The storage container (1) for a storage and dispensing station for an automatic blister packaging machine according to either claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that a vertical groove (51a, 51b) has a contact protection means (54a, 54b) in an opening region (53a, 53b) to the lower receiving-space portion (21).

9. A method for adapting a storage container (1) for a storage and dispensing station according to any one of claims 6-8 to small piece goods (6) to be separated, wherein the separating device (30) together with the holding device (40) is moved out of the housing (10) at least to such an extent that the holding portion can be moved out of the slot plane, a new slot plane is determined, on the basis of the size of the small piece goods to be separated, in which the holding portion (46) is to be arranged, the holding device (40) is positioned in relation to the separating device (30) so that the holding portion (46) is arranged in the new slot plane, the separating device together with the positioned holding device is moved into the lower housing portion, wherein the at least one fastening means (42a, 42b) is moved via the opening (52a, 52b) into the at least one vertical groove (51a, 51b), the separating device together with the holding device is moved until it reaches a predetermined stop in the lower housing portion.

10. The method for adapting a storage container (1) for a storage and dispensing station according to claim 9, characterized in that, after moving the separating device together with holding device until it reaches a predetermined stop, a releasable filling medium is pushed into each vertical groove (51a, 51b).

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