Storage containers for storage and discharge stations for blister packaging machines, and methods for individually supplying small items.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a storage container for a storage and discharge station, and a method for individually dispensing small articles. The storage container according to the present invention is an individual dispensing device disposed within a cylindrical internal space of a housing, comprising a base, having a plurality of discharge channels for accommodating at least one small article, the base having a recess with a wall on its outer circumference at least above each discharge channel, the recess opening outward to accommodate the small article to be individually dispensed, and a holding mechanism having a holding portion held above the discharge opening in the internal space, the holding portion being at least partially elastically deformable, and configured such that a small article positioned above a discharge channel aligned with the discharge opening is pressed against the wall of the corresponding recess, thereby preventing it from entering the discharge channel aligned with the discharge opening by frictional engagement.

Description

Technical Field

[0002] , , ,

[0005] ,

[0004] , , , , ,

[0003]

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage container for a storage and discharge station for a blister packaging machine, and a method for individually supplying small articles.

Background Art

[0002] Depending on the expansion level, modern blister packaging machines including hundreds of storage and discharge stations are disclosed in Patent Document 1. Each of these stores a plurality of drug portions of a specific drug and can discharge individual drug portions as required. By the blister packaging machine, according to the dosing time prescribed by the doctor, the drug portions stored in the storage and discharge stations are individually organized for each patient and blister packaged.

[0003] To organize the drug portions, appropriate storage and discharge stations are controlled to discharge one or more drug portions. When controlling the storage and discharge stations, individual drug portions are separated by an individual supply device disposed in the storage container of the storage and discharge stations and transferred to the guide device of the blister packaging machine through the discharge opening of the storage container. By the guide device, the discharged drug portions are fed to a packaging device that blisters individual or multiple drug portions according to the doctor's prescription, optionally through an intervening collection device.

[0004] To individually supply the drug portions stored in the storage container of the storage and discharge stations, the individual supply device typically includes a cylindrical base body provided with a plurality of discharge channels disposed on the outer periphery of a rotor. The discharge channels must each be adapted to the drug portion to be individually supplied with respect to their dimensions, and the drug portions can only be arranged vertically in the discharge channels and not horizontally. The discharge channels can be dimensioned, for example, such that only one drug portion can be accommodated in one discharge channel.

[0005] To discharge drug potions through the discharge channel, the discharge channel is moved over the discharge opening in the bottom plate of the storage container housing, and drug potions placed in the discharge channel slide or fall into the discharge opening by gravity. To prevent further drug potions stored above the discharge channel from being discharged, i.e., to prevent an unknown number of drug potions from being discharged, a separator (also called a separator) is guided or positioned above the discharge channel in the area above the discharge opening, and the discharge channel is aligned with the discharge opening. The separator is positioned above the discharge channel relative to its height, and typically only one drug potion can be placed below the separator.

[0006] An alternative embodiment of the individual dispensing device further includes a storage channel above the discharge channel. Between the discharge channel and the storage channel, a web is positioned to define each channel. In embodiments with storage and discharge channels, these webs are separated by a circumferential annular slot that extends radially to the inner wall of the channel. When the separation portion is guided into this slot and the discharge channel is aligned with the discharge opening, the discharge channel is separated from the storage channel, preventing drug portions placed in the storage channel from falling into the discharge channel.

[0007] In other words, in known storage containers, the rotation of the individual dispensing device guides the discharge channel beneath a fixed separator, thereby spatially separating the drug portion to be discharged from the drug portions placed above it. If the discharge channel is not aligned with the discharge opening, drug portions placed above the discharge channel are pushed aside by the separator due to rotational motion. As long as the storage channel is positioned above the discharge channel containing the drug to be discharged, drug portions placed within the storage channel are lifted by the separator. To push or lift the drug portions, the separator is formed from a rigid material.

[0008] Therefore, especially in embodiments that include storage and discharge channels used for capsule-shaped drug portions, it is crucial that the separation means (i.e., the associated circumferential slots) are precisely aligned with the height of the drug portion, thereby preventing the drug portion in the discharge channel or the storage channel located above it from being damaged by a fixed, rigid separation part when the individual dispensing device rotates. In this regard, capsule-shaped drug portions are particularly susceptible to damage.

[0009] The manufacturing method for capsule-shaped drug portions (inserting two capsule halves into each other) results in considerable variation in height even for the same type of drug, which can cause significant problems during individual dispensing. The above problem, namely that the drug portion is damaged, and in some cases even destroyed, by the separation point, also occurs, albeit to a lesser degree, with drug portions of other shapes. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2013 / 034504 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide a storage container for storage and discharge stations for blister packaging machines, and a method for individually supplying small articles, which reduces the risk of damage to the small articles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The following refers to small articles to be supplied individually, and this term includes, in particular, drug portions and nutritional supplement portions. However, the storage containers according to the present invention may also be used for the individual supply of other small articles formed in correspondence.

[0013] The above objective is achieved by the storage container described in claim 1. The storage container for a storage and discharge station for a blister packaging machine according to the present invention is A housing comprising an upper housing portion that defines or encloses a storage space for small items, a lower housing portion having a cylindrical internal space, and a bottom plate having an outlet opening, An individual dispensing device disposed within a cylindrical internal space, comprising a base, having a plurality of discharge channels for accommodating at least one small article, the plurality of discharge channels being arranged on the outer periphery of the base, opening toward the outer periphery, separated by a web, and adapted to the small article to be individually dispensed, the base having a recess with a wall portion on its outer periphery, at least above each discharge channel, the recess being adapted to the small article to be individually dispensed and opening toward the outer periphery, Includes. The discharge channel must be designed to match the dimensions of the individually supplied small items, so that its height corresponds to at least the height of the individually supplied small items.

[0014] The storage container further includes a retaining mechanism comprising a mounting portion and a holding portion, the holding portion being held above the discharge opening of the internal space.

[0015] According to the present invention, the holding mechanism is intended to be at least partially elastically deformable, and a small article positioned above a discharge channel aligned with a discharge opening is pressed against the wall of a corresponding recess by the holding portion, thereby preventing it from entering the discharge channel aligned with the discharge opening through frictional engagement.

[0016] In other words, according to the present invention, a small article positioned above a discharge channel aligned with a discharge opening is not spatially separated from the discharge channel below by the separation unit (as in the prior art) by the separation unit shielding the discharge channel from above and lifting or pushing the small article. Rather, it simply "holds" or "clamps" the small article, which would normally slide or fall into the aligned discharge channel. The small article is neither pushed nor lifted, but deforms a partially elastically deformable holding mechanism. The restoring force of the deformed holding mechanism, or a pre-formed area of ​​the holding mechanism, presses the small article against the wall of the recess. Frictional engagement is generated between the wall and the small article, and between the small article and the deformed holding unit. In other words, the small article is clamped, so to speak.

[0017] Since there is no need to push or lift, the small articles will not be damaged in these processes. Naturally, the deformable material of the holding part should be selected so that elastic deformation by the small articles can be achieved without damaging them.

[0018] Because no spatial separation occurs, the storage container according to the present invention does not pose a problem even if a small article placed on top of a small article to be discharged partially protrudes into the discharge channel (which rotates upward towards the discharge opening). Even in such cases, the small article is held in place by frictional engagement. Therefore, the same individual dispensing device can be used for small articles of somewhat different sizes. This is especially true for capsule-shaped small articles. Consequently, it is not necessary to precisely fit the individual dispensing device to the small article to be individually dispensed, thereby significantly reducing the number of individual dispensing devices that need to be prepared.

[0019] It is important that the holding mechanism is at least partially elastically deformable. For this purpose, for example, the mounting part can be formed accordingly and can, for example, comprise an elastically deformable part. Furthermore, in some cases, the shape of the holding part needs to be adapted so that it can be pushed away from the small article. That is, in the corresponding configuration, the holding part is pushed "outward" by the small article, and the small article is pressed against the wall part by the restoring force. As usual, when the holding part is guided from the outside into the housing, this causes the holding part to be partially repeatedly pushed out of the housing, resulting in the outflow and inflow of dust.

[0020] To avoid this, in a preferred embodiment, it is contemplated that the holding part is at least partially elastically deformable. In this embodiment, the holding part is elastically deformable and thus the outward extrusion of the holding part is prevented in order to hold or clamp the small article.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment in which the small article is held particularly gently, the holding part comprises a plurality of elastically deformable bristles. The number of bristles, as well as their elasticity and restoring force, are adapted to the small articles to be individually supplied. For a fragile and light pharmaceutical portion in capsule form, fewer (stronger) bristles are required than for a heavy elliptical pharmaceutical portion.

[0022] Preferably, the bristles extend orthogonally and parallel to each other from the bottom plate of the holding part. Such a configuration enables the use of as few bristles as possible and facilitates the manufacture of the holding part.

[0023] In an alternative embodiment particularly used for small articles having a very delicate surface, the holding part comprises an elastically deformable synthetic resin. In this embodiment, when the holding part is deformed due to the rotation of the individual supply device, the surface of the small article is pressed over a large area, minimizing surface damage. In particular, foams and silicones are preferred, as they are available at a high cost-effectiveness and with a quality that has been inspected and approved.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the recesses are separated from each other by the upper webs, whereby the recesses are formed partially in a channel shape. The corresponding configuration of the individual supply device preferably acts in conjunction with the use of the holding mechanism according to the invention, as described above.

[0025] The above object is further achieved by the method according to claim 8. In the method for individually supplying small articles using a storage container for a storage and discharge station for a blister packaging machine according to the invention, a plurality of articles are provided in the accommodation space of the housing of the storage container, the small articles are introduced into the discharge channel, the discharge channel is arranged on the outer periphery of the base body of the individual supply device and opens towards the outer periphery, the individual supply device is arranged in the cylindrical inner space of the lower housing part of the housing, the base body has, at least above each discharge channel, a recess on the outer periphery with a wall portion, the recess is adapted to the small article to be individually supplied and opens towards the outer periphery. To perform the actual individual supply, the discharge channel is rotationally moved above the discharge opening of the bottom plate of the lower housing part by the rotational movement of the individual supply device, whereby the small article arranged in the discharge channel rotationally moved above the discharge opening is discharged through the discharge opening. Here, the small article is arranged on the discharge channel rotationally moved above the discharge opening by the rotational movement of the individual supply device. This "arrangement" is usually effected by the relative movement of the discharge channel to be rotationally moved or rotated above the discharge opening. Usually, the small article remains more or less fixed (depending on the weight, shape, and number of the small articles in the accommodation space), and the discharge channel is moved "under" it. To prevent this small article arranged above the discharge channel aligned with the discharge opening from entering this discharge channel, according to the invention, the small article is pressed against the wall portion of the corresponding recess by the holding part of the holding mechanism that is partially elastically deformable, whereby entry into the discharge channel aligned with the discharge opening is prevented by frictional engagement.

[0026] As already mentioned above, small items "positioned" above the aligned discharge channel are not lifted (and therefore, potentially damaged) by the separator, but are clamped by the retaining part.

[0027] Preferred embodiments of the method according to the present invention are described below. The technical advantages have already been described with reference to the storage container according to the present invention.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the present invention, a small article placed on a discharge channel that is rotated toward a discharge opening is pressed against the wall of a corresponding recess by a holding portion of a holding mechanism, so that the holding portion is at least partially elastically deformed by the small article, thereby generating a frictional engagement between the small article and the wall, which prevents the small article from entering the discharge channel aligned with the discharge opening.

[0029] In a further preferred embodiment of the method for individually supplying small articles according to the present invention, the retaining portion includes a plurality of elastically deformable bristles, the bristles being elastically deformed by the small articles, thereby creating a frictional engagement between the small articles and the wall portion.

[0030] In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the present invention, the retaining portion includes an elastically deformable synthetic resin, which is elastically deformed by a small article, thereby creating a frictional engagement between the small article and the wall portion.

[0031] In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the present invention, the retaining portion comprises an elastically deformable foam or elastically deformable silicone, the foam or silicone being elastically deformed by a small article, thereby creating a frictional engagement between the small article and the wall portion.

[0032] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, preferred embodiments of a storage container for a storage and discharge station of a blister packaging machine according to the present invention, and preferred embodiments of a method according to the present invention will be described. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0033] [Figure 1a] This is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a storage container according to the present invention. [Figure 1b] This is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the storage container according to the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view in which the individual supply device is omitted. [Figure 2a] This is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment, showing the entire individual dispensing device, which includes small articles to be individually supplied. [Figure 2b] This is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment, showing the entire individual dispensing device, which includes small articles to be individually supplied. [Figure 3a] This is a detailed diagram of a combination of individual supply devices / holding mechanisms, including small items. [Figure 3b] This is a detailed diagram of a combination of individual supply devices / holding mechanisms, including small items. [Figure 4a] This is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment, including the entire individual supply device, with the small items omitted. [Figure 4b] This is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment, including the entire individual supply device, with the small items omitted. [Figure 5a] This is a plan view of the combination of individual supply devices / holding mechanisms. [Figure 5b] This is a plan view of a combination of individual supply devices / holding mechanisms, and is a detailed view of a part of Figure 5a. [Figure 6a] This figure shows one embodiment of a holding mechanism. [Figure 6b] This figure shows one embodiment of a holding mechanism. [Figure 7] This figure shows one embodiment of a holding mechanism. [Figure 8] This figure shows one embodiment of a holding mechanism. [Figure 9a] This figure shows one embodiment of a holding mechanism. [Figure 9b] This figure shows one embodiment of a holding mechanism. [Figure 10]This is a side view of a combination of individual supply devices / holding mechanisms according to a second embodiment of the storage container according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0034] Figures 1a and 1b show perspective views of a first embodiment of a storage container according to the present invention, where the individual dispensing device is omitted in Figure 1b, and the individual dispensing device will be described in more detail in the following figures. The storage container 1 includes a housing 10 having an upper housing portion 11 that defines or encloses a storage space 13 for small articles (not shown), and a lower housing portion 12 located below it, having a cylindrical internal space 14, which can be seen in Figure 1b. An individual dispensing device (not shown in Figures 1a and 1b) is placed in the cylindrical internal space 14. Depending on the height of the individual dispensing device, the internal space 14 may not be completely filled by the individual dispensing device, and the upper portion of the internal space may, in some cases, function as a storage space, i.e., small articles to be individually dispensed can be stored there.

[0035] The storage container 1 further includes a base frame 16 on which the housing 10 is placed, and further includes a gripping portion 17 for easier handling of the storage container. As can be seen in Figure 1b, the housing further includes a bottom plate 18 having a central circular opening, in which a coupling element 50 of an individual dispensing device (not shown) is placed. The bottom plate 18 further includes a discharge opening 19 from which small articles are discharged.

[0036] The storage container further includes a retaining mechanism 40, which in the illustrated embodiment is held on a mounting projection 15 by a mounting portion 41. In the illustrated embodiment, a retaining portion 42 of the retaining mechanism extends into a cylindrical internal space 14 through a slot in the lower housing portion 12, and the retaining mechanism or retaining portion is positioned or arranged such that the retaining portion is positioned vertically above the discharge opening 19.

[0037] Figures 2a and 2b show cross-sectional views of a first embodiment, which show the entire individual dispensing device 30. The illustrated embodiment shows an individual dispensing device 30 used particularly for capsule-shaped small articles, such as capsule-shaped drug portions. The individual dispensing device 30 includes a cylindrical base 39, on its outer circumference, in the lower portion, there are a number of discharge channels 32 separated by a web 31 for accommodating small articles. Above the discharge channels 32, on the outer circumference of the cylindrical base 39 of the individual dispensing device, there are recesses 33 that open outward, which in this embodiment are separated from each other by a web 35 and are similarly formed at least partially in a channel shape, forming storage channels above the discharge channels. As can be clearly seen in Figures 2a and 2b, small articles placed in the storage channels are positioned above small articles placed in the discharge channels. The base includes a convex surface 37 in the illustrated embodiment, which guides small articles placed on it into the recesses 33.

[0038] Each recess 33 includes a wall 34, which is described in more detail in Figures 4a to 5b below. The web 31 between the discharge channels 32 and the web 35 between the recesses 33 or storage channels are separated from each other by a slot 36, which extends radially into the individual supply device to the wall 34. As can be seen in Figure 2b, the retaining portion 42 of the retaining mechanism extends into this slot 36 through an opening in the lower housing portion 12. In an alternative embodiment, the retaining mechanism may be arranged around the entire circumference of the housing 10, thereby eliminating the need for the slot.

[0039] Both the discharge channel and the recess (in this embodiment, in the form of a storage channel) are adapted to the shape of the small articles to be supplied individually, and typically at least the discharge channel is formed to accommodate the small articles.

[0040] Similarly, as can be seen in Figure 2b, the retaining section 42 is not positioned between the small articles in the storage channel or recess and the small articles in the corresponding discharge channel aligned with the discharge opening 19, as is typically the case in prior art storage containers. As already mentioned above, prior art storage containers include a separator above the discharge channel aligned with the discharge opening that separates the small articles from the discharge channel.

[0041] As can be seen in Figure 2b, the small articles in the recess 33 (here, the storage channel) aligned with the discharge opening protrude into the discharge channel located below. Therefore, the height of the discharge channel does not exactly match the height of the small articles in the discharge channel. In the illustrated embodiment, if a conventional separator is used, the separator attempts to get between the small articles and lift the upper small article located in the recess, and the fit between the upper small article and the separator prevents the discharge of this small article. However, since the upper small article protrudes into the lower discharge channel, the upper small article is likely to be damaged in the illustrated case.

[0042] However, in the storage container according to the present invention, the retaining portion positioned above the discharge opening 19 is, at least partially, elastically deformable, so that it is deformed by the small article placed in the recess above the discharge channel or within the storage channel, pressing the small article against the wall portion 34 of the recess, and the frictional engagement between the small article, the wall portion, and the retaining portion prevents the small article from entering the discharge channel. Despite the protrusion of the upper small article, this small article is retained and not discharged together with the small article in the discharge channel. Furthermore, the retaining prevents damage to the upper small article. Thus, the present invention makes it possible to individually supply small articles of different heights using the same individual supply device, as long as it is ensured that the discharge channel corresponds at least to the height of the small article to be discharged. The retaining prevents the small article from essentially protruding beyond the discharge channel.

[0043] Figures 3a and 3b show detailed diagrams of the individual feed device / holding mechanism combination. In Figure 3a, we can again see the arrangement of the holding mechanism 40 relative to the individual feed device 30, showing that the holding portion 42 extends into the slot 36. In Figure 3b, the holding mechanism 40 is shown with a small article held in the recess. As can be seen, a portion 42' of the elastically deformable holding portion 42 is deformed by the held small article (not shown). This deformation causes the holding portion 42' to exert a force on the small article, which presses the small article against the wall portion (also not shown), creating a frictional engagement between the small article, the wall portion, and the holding portion, which further prevents the small article from entering the discharge channel located below.

[0044] Figures 4a and 4b show cross-sectional views of a first embodiment including the entire individual dispensing device, where the small articles are omitted. In these figures, the configuration of the discharge channels 32 and the web 31 positioned between them, as well as the recesses 33 positioned above them (in the form of storage channels) and the web 35 positioned between them, can be seen. As already mentioned above, both the discharge channels and the recesses are adapted to the shape of the small articles (with the limitations and advantages mentioned above). In particular, in Figure 4b, it can be seen that the retaining portion 42 of the retaining mechanism 40 extends into the slot 36 between the webs between the discharge channels and the recesses. In Figures 4a and 4b, the wall portion 34 of the recess 33 can be seen, and the retaining portion 42 is located at the discharge opening and presses the small articles in the recess 33, which are aligned with the retaining portion, against its wall portion 34. This creates a frictional engagement between the small articles and the wall portion. Figures 5a and 5b show plan views of the individual supply device / holding mechanism combination, with Figure 5b being a detail view of a portion of Figure 5a. It can be seen that when the recess 33 is not aligned with the holding mechanism, the small article 2 is shown as not in contact with the wall. The possibility of the small article being positioned in such a way within the recess, i.e., without contact with the wall, is actually low, and this illustration was chosen simply to highlight the difference between a recess aligned with the holding mechanism (and therefore the discharge opening). The upper recess 33' is rotated relative to the holding mechanism, i.e., aligned with the holding mechanism. This is the state in which the small article positioned below the illustrated small article 2' is discharged through the discharge opening. The elastically deformable holding portion 42 or deformed portion 42' presses the small article 2' against the wall 34', thereby holding it by frictional engagement. This can be clearly seen in Figure 5b, which also shows the lower small article (actually discharged) for illustrative purposes.

[0045] Therefore, when the individual supply device is rotated and the recess 33' is rotated and displaced from the contact area with the retainer, the retainer deforms again and returns to its original state due to the material properties of the retainer. As soon as the retainer comes into contact with the "next" miniature article again, the retainer deforms due to this miniature article and then pushes this miniature article toward the wall of the corresponding recess.

[0046] Figures 6a and 6b, 7, 8, 9a and 9b illustrate various embodiments of the holding mechanism. In Figures 6a and 6b, the holding section 42 includes multiple elastically deformable bristles 43, which, in the illustrated embodiments, conform to the curvature of the slots between the webs and are fixed to the base plate 44 of the holding section. In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the end faces of the multiple bristles are not curved but are straight and parallel to the base plate 44. The exact material properties and number of bristles depend on the application, i.e., the exact shape, properties, and weight of the small articles to be individually dispensed or held. For example, when capsule-shaped drug portions are to be individually dispensed or held by the holding section, the force that can be applied to these capsules must be less than, for example, the force required for a metal capsule-shaped small article. The number of bristles and the restoring force can be less in the case of drug portions than in the case of a metal small article. The surface of the small article is also important with respect to the setting of the holding section. A smooth surface requires a greater force than a rough surface. The precise properties that the bristles should possess, and the number of bristles to be used, can be easily derived by a person skilled in the art based on the factors mentioned above.

[0047] The bristles preferably extend perpendicularly and parallel to each other from the bottom plate 44 of the holding section, and are preferably formed from a synthetic resin having the material properties described above. Foam and silicone are particularly suitable as synthetic resins. These are available in tested and approved quality and at a high cost-effectiveness.

[0048] Figure 8 shows a further embodiment of the holding mechanism, in which the holding portion 42 is formed from foam and has rounded corners on the end face that protrudes into the slot, but is otherwise formed in a straight line. Alternatively, the end face may be formed with a curved shape, as shown in Figure 9a. Figure 9b schematically shows a portion 42' of the holding portion (containing an elastically deformable material) being "pressed in" by a small article 2, thereby generating a reaction force that presses the small article against the wall of the recess (not shown).

[0049] The possible forms for forming the retaining portion are not limited to those listed above, and it is important that the function of the present invention is performed, namely, that a small article positioned above the discharge channel aligned with the discharge opening is pressed against the wall of the corresponding recess, and its entry into the discharge channel is prevented by frictional engagement.

[0050] Figure 10 shows a side view of a combination of individual dispensing device / holding mechanism according to a second embodiment of the storage container according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the individual dispensing device does not include a recess formed as a storage channel above the discharge channel (as in the first embodiment), and the recesses 33 formed above the discharge channel are not separated from each other by a web, as shown by the dashed line, and thus an annular groove 38 is formed above the discharge channel, and its outer circumference above the discharge channel (shifted radially inward with respect to the outer circumference of the base of the individual dispensing device) provides a wall portion 34 (above the discharge channel), against which small articles can be pressed and thus held by frictional engagement. This is shown in the "right side" portion of Figure 10. The exact configuration of the individual dispensing device depends, in particular, on the shape of the small articles.

[0051] A preferred embodiment of a method for individually dispensing small articles using a storage container according to the present invention is briefly described below. First, a number of articles 2 are provided into the storage space 13 of the housing 10 of the storage container, for example, as shown in Figures 1a and 1b. In Figures 1a and 1b, the articles are omitted to show the components of the storage container. The small articles are then introduced into the discharge channel 32. Due to the design of the individual dispensing device, many small articles reach the discharge channel immediately after filling, and in some cases, some small articles need to be moved into the discharge channel by "shaking" or slightly rotating the individual dispensing device. To discharge one (or more, depending on the discharge channel) small articles as intended, the rotational motion of the individual dispensing device 30 rotates the discharge channel 32 above the discharge opening 19, thereby causing the small articles located within the discharge channel 32, which is rotated above the discharge opening 19, to be discharged through the discharge opening by gravity (see Figure 2b for this). Here, the small article 2' is positioned on the discharge channel 32, which is rotated upwards above the discharge opening 19 by the rotational motion of the individual feeding device. See Figures 2b and 5a, 5b for this. Here, only the individual feeding device / holding mechanism combination is shown in Figures 5a and 5b. In the illustrated figures, the small article 2' is positioned on the discharge channel by a recess 33 (here in the form of a storage channel) located above the discharge channel. In the embodiment shown in Figure 10, this is done so that the small article remains "fixed" (depending on the shape, number, and weight of further small articles (not shown)) and the discharge channel moves "below" the small article.

[0052] According to the present invention, a small article placed on a discharge channel that is rotated toward the discharge opening is pressed against the wall portion 34 of a corresponding recess by a holding portion 42 of a partially elastically deformable holding mechanism 41, thereby preventing it from entering the discharge channel aligned with the discharge opening by frictional engagement. Here, in the embodiments shown in Figures 5a and 5b, the holding portion 42, which includes a plurality of bristles 43, is elastically deformed, and the deformed portion 42' elastically presses the small article 2' against the wall portion 34. Here, the restoring force of the elastic portion is adjusted so that the small article is prevented from entering the discharge channel even if the small article in the aligned discharge channel has already been discharged. As already mentioned above, this restoring force can be adjusted according to the articles to be supplied individually.

Claims

1. A storage container (1) for a storage and discharge station for a blister packaging machine, A housing (10) comprising an upper housing portion (11) defining a storage space (13) for small items (2), a lower housing portion (12) having a cylindrical internal space (14), and a bottom plate (18) having an outlet opening (19), An individual dispensing device (30) disposed within the cylindrical internal space (14), comprising a base (39) and having a plurality of discharge channels (32) for accommodating at least one small article, wherein the plurality of discharge channels (32) are arranged on the outer circumference of the base (39), open toward the outer circumference, separated by a web (31), and adapted to the small article to be individually dispensed, and the base (39) has at least above each discharge channel (32) and on its outer circumference a recess (33) having a wall portion (34), wherein the recess (33) is adapted to the small article to be individually dispensed and opens toward the outer circumference, A retaining mechanism (40) having a mounting portion (41) and a retaining portion (42) held above the discharge opening (19) within the internal space, Equipped with, The holding mechanism (40) is at least partially elastically deformable, and is configured such that a small article positioned above a discharge channel (32) aligned with the discharge opening (19) is pressed against the wall (34) of the corresponding recess by the holding part (42), thereby preventing it from entering the discharge channel aligned with the discharge opening by frictional engagement, in a storage container (1) for a storage and discharge station for a blister packaging machine.

2. The storage container (1) for a storage and discharge station for a blister packaging machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding portion (42) is at least partially elastically deformable.

3. The storage container (1) for a storage and discharge station for a blister packaging machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the holding portion (42) includes a plurality of elastically deformable bristles (43).

4. The storage container (1) for a storage and discharge station for a blister packaging machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the bristles (43) extend from the bottom plate (44) of the holding portion (42) perpendicular to the bottom plate (44) and parallel to each other.

5. The storage container (1) for a storage and discharge station for a blister packaging machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the holding portion (42) includes an elastically deformable synthetic resin.

6. The storage container (1) for a storage and discharge station for a blister packaging machine according to claim 5, characterized in that the holding portion (42) includes an elastically deformable foam or elastically deformable silicone.

7. The storage container (1) for a storage and discharge station for a blister packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the recesses (33) are separated from each other by an upper web (35), thereby forming the recesses in a partially channel shape.

8. A method for individually supplying small articles using a storage container (1) for a storage and discharge station for a blister packaging machine, The process involves providing a plurality of articles (2) into the storage space (13) of the housing (10) of the storage container, A step of introducing small articles into an discharge channel (32), wherein the discharge channel (32) is located on the outer circumference of a base (39) of an individual supply device (30) and opens toward the outer circumference, the individual supply device (30) is located in a cylindrical internal space (14) of the lower housing portion (12) of the housing (10), and the base (39) has a recess (33) with a wall portion (34) on its outer circumference, at least above each discharge channel (32), and the recess (33) is adapted to the small articles to be individually supplied and opens toward the outer circumference, and the step of introducing small articles into an discharge channel (32), The discharge channel (32) is rotated by the rotational movement of the individual supply device (30) to move above the discharge opening (19) of the bottom plate (18) of the lower housing portion (12), thereby causing the small articles placed in the discharge channel (32) that has been rotated above the discharge opening (19) to be discharged through the discharge opening. The small article is placed on the discharge channel (32), which is rotated onto the discharge opening (19) by the rotational movement of the individual supply device, It has, A method for individually supplying small articles using a storage container (1) for a storage and discharge station for a blister packaging machine, characterized in that small articles placed on the discharge channel which is rotated toward the discharge opening are pressed against the wall portion (34) of the corresponding recess by a holding portion (42) of a partially elastically deformable holding mechanism (40), thereby preventing them from entering the discharge channel aligned with the discharge opening by frictional engagement.

9. A method for individually supplying small articles using a storage container (1) for a storage and discharge station for a blister packaging machine according to claim 8, characterized in that a small article placed on the discharge channel which is rotated toward the discharge opening is pressed against the wall portion (34) of the corresponding recess by the holding portion (42) of the holding mechanism (40), so that the holding portion (42) is at least partially elastically deformed by the small article, thereby generating a frictional engagement between the small article and the wall portion, the frictional engagement preventing the small article from entering the discharge channel which is aligned with the discharge opening.

10. A method for individually supplying small articles using a storage container (1) for a storage and discharge station for a blister packaging machine according to claim 9, characterized in that the holding portion (42) includes a plurality of elastically deformable bristles (43), the bristles (43) are elastically deformed by the small article, thereby generating frictional engagement between the small article and the wall portion.

11. A method for individually supplying small articles using a storage container (1) for a storage and discharge station for a blister packaging machine according to claim 9, characterized in that the holding portion (42) includes an elastically deformable synthetic resin, the synthetic resin is elastically deformed by the small article, thereby generating frictional engagement between the small article and the wall portion.

12. A method for individually supplying small articles using a storage container (1) for a storage and discharge station for a blister packaging machine according to claim 11, characterized in that the holding portion (42) comprises an elastically deformable foam or elastically deformable silicone, the foam or silicone is elastically deformed by the small article, thereby generating frictional engagement between the small article and the wall portion.

Images