Storage container for a storage and dispensing station and storage and dispensing station

Abstract

The present invention relates to a storage container for a storage and dispensing station for a blister machine for separating small items, particularly pharmaceutical and dietary supplement items, as well as the storage and dispensing station itself. In known storage containers, small items that are periodically separated remain stuck to the storage container's internal components due to static charges and are unavailable for separation. To avoid this, the storage container (1) according to the present invention comprises a housing (10) having an internal cylindrical portion (11), a separating device (30) arranged in the internal cylindrical portion (11) and having a surface (31), and a retaining means (40). According to the present invention, the separation device (30) includes an electrically dissipative discharge device (50) having at least one discharge protrusion (51) extending from a surface (31) of the separation device (30) and a discharge contact means (53) electrically coupled to the at least one discharge protrusion (51) for electrically coupling the discharge device (50) to an electrically dissipative component of a dispensing station (100) associated with the storage container (1) and having a drive.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage container for a storage and dispensing station for a blister machine for separable piece articles, in particular drug portions and food supplement portions, and to such a storage and dispensing station. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,949,999, modern blister machines include hundreds of storage and dispensing stations, depending on the level of expansion of the blister machine. Each of these stores a number of separable small articles, allowing individual small articles to be dispensed on demand. The small articles are typically drug portions and food supplement portions.

[0003] For example, using a blister machine, drug portions stored in a storage and dispensing station can be individually combined and blistered for each patient according to their medically prescribed intake time. To assemble multiple drug portions, a suitable storage and dispensing station for dispensing one or more drug portions is controlled by a control device of the blister machine. To dispense the drug portions, the drug portions stored in the storage containers are separated by a separation device of the storage and dispensing station and transferred through a dispensing opening to a guide device of the blister machine. With the aid of the guide device, the dispensed drug portions, optionally with an intervening collection device, are supplied to a packaging device that blisters individual or multiple drug portions.

[0004] For separating the drug portions stored in the storage containers of the storage and dispensing station, the separation device typically includes a plurality of channels arranged around the periphery of the base body of the separation device. The channels are dimensioned to accommodate the respective drug portions to be separated so that the drug portions are not adjacent to each other within the channels but can be positioned overlapping each other. The channels may, for example, be dimensioned so that only one drug portion can be accommodated within one channel.

[0005] To dispense a drug portion from a channel, the channel is moved over a dispensing opening in the bottom surface of the storage container housing, and the drug portion (at its lowest point) placed in the channel slides or falls into the dispensing opening by gravity. To prevent additional drug portions stored in or on the channel from being dispensed, i.e., to prevent an unknown number of drug portions from being dispensed, a retaining section of a retaining means or separator is guided or positioned within or above the channel in alignment with the dispensing opening in the area above the dispensing opening. The retaining section is positioned within or above the channel relative to the channel height so that only one drug portion can be placed below the retaining section. When a retaining section is guided into a channel to separate the bottom drug portion from those placed above it, each channel separation protrusion has a slot to receive the retaining section. When a retaining section is positioned or guided across a channel or guided above a channel, it is usually guided slightly above the top end of the protrusion to prevent additional drug portions from entering the channel when a drug portion is dispensed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2013 / 034504 Brochure Summary of the Invention

[0007] When separating or dispensing the drug portions, the separation device is rotated as described above. This causes the drug portions stored in the receiving space to constantly move, resulting in friction between the drug portions and the housing. This friction with each other and on the housing causes the drug portions to be charged by triboelectricity, which means that the drug portions are electrostatically charged. This electrostatic charge causes the drug portions to partially "stick" to the inner wall of the housing or to parts of the separation device. On the other hand, this can lead to the fact that some of the drug portions loaded into the storage container are not actually available for separation (because the drug portions "stick" somewhere inside) or the drug portions are not properly dispensed.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a storage container for a storage and dispensing station for a blister machine, which makes it possible to reduce the static charge of small articles during their separation.

[0009] This object is achieved by a storage container according to claim 1. The storage container of the invention for a storage and dispensing station of a blister machine comprises a housing having an inside of a cylindrical portion, a receiving space (medication portion) located above the cylindrical portion, a bottom surface having a dispensing opening, a holding means arranged inside the cylindrical portion of the housing, facing the receiving space, a plurality of channels extending vertically through a separating device having a channel width KB for receiving at least one small article to be separated, and a holding part arranged above the dispensing opening of the cylindrical housing.

[0010] According to the present invention, the separation device includes a dischargeable discharge device, the discharge device having at least one discharge protrusion extending from a surface of the separation device into the receiving space, and a discharge contact means is coupled in a dischargeable manner to the at least one discharge protrusion for electrically coupling the discharge device to a dischargeable component of a distribution station assigned to the storage container and having a drive.

[0011] When the discharge device reaches the receiving space, the electrostatic charge of the small articles caused by friction is discharged to the dispensing station via the discharge contact means, reducing or (mostly) minimizing or discharging the electrostatic charge of the small articles, thereby avoiding the above-mentioned effects. The small articles do not adhere to the inner walls or parts of the separating device, and mismatching is avoided. Although the discharge device is continuously dischargeable from the discharge protrusions to the discharge contacts, this does not mean that the entire discharge device must be made of an electrically dischargeable material; for example, parts can be coated or otherwise surrounded by a non-electrically dischargeable material. A dischargeable material is considered to have a discharge resistance (surface resistance) of less than 1 TΩ (10Ω).

[0012] The fact that the discharge device has at least one discharge protrusion extending into the receiving space ensures that the static electricity of the small articles placed "further up" is reduced so that they can be prevented from sticking to the inner wall. This ensures that all the small articles loaded into the receiving space are also available for separation and distribution. The discharge in the upper region of the receiving space also ensures that the small articles entering the channel have reduced static electricity.

[0013] The exact structural design of the discharge device, in particular the dischargeable connection between the discharge projections and the discharge contact means, depends on the exact design of the separation device. In a structurally very simple (and therefore cost-effective) form, it is provided that the discharge projections and the discharge contact means are designed as discharge rods with a central connection.

[0014] As mentioned above, it is essential to the present invention that the discharge contact means of the discharge device can be electrically coupled to a conductive component of a distribution station assigned to the storage container and having a drive. In a preferred embodiment of the storage container according to the present invention, it is provided that the discharge contact means is formed coaxially with (preferably on) the rotation axis of the separation device. By corresponding design of the discharge contact means, it can be electrically coupled to a component of the drive device of the distribution station. The discharge contact means can in fact "sit" on the component of the drive device (in this case, this component must of course be electrically dischargeable and the charge must be able to be diverted via the distribution station).

[0015] In particular, when the discharge contact means is formed coaxially with respect to the rotation axis of the separating device, it is further advantageous if the discharge contact means is designed as a discharge pin with a contact pin pre-tensioned by a spring, since the contact pin is pre-fixed by the spring, the contact between the discharge device and the dispensing station is particularly supported.

[0016] The discharge projections of the discharge device protrude into the receiving space and reduce the electrostatic charge of, in particular, those small particle articles arranged above the surface of the separation device. In order to ensure or enhance the discharge of any electrostatic charge that may still be present or that has accumulated again from small particle articles arranged "further below", in a preferred embodiment of the storage container according to the invention, it is provided that the discharge device has at least one discharge means electrically coupled to the discharge contact means, the discharge means forming the surface area of ​​the separation device that comes into contact with the small particle articles.

[0017] As mentioned above, electrostatic charging of small articles can also cause them to get stuck in the channels (on the channel walls). The discharge projections already reduce the charge on the small articles, but to further reduce the charge just before the small articles enter the channels, preferred embodiments provide that at least one discharge means forms at least one part of the surface of the web formed between two channels. This embodiment is particularly advantageous for very light products (as these tend to stick or "stick" even when slightly charged).

[0018] The invention also relates to a storage and dispensing station for a blister machine, comprising a storage container according to the invention and a dispensing station having a drive for moving the separating device and having dispensing station contact means that are electrically coupleable to discharge contact means of a discharging device of the storage container and that are designed to be coupled in an electrically dischargeable manner to a conducting device that allows electric charges to be diverted from the storage and dispensing station. In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the dispensing station contact means is designed as a coupling means of the drive.

[0019] In the following, preferred embodiments of a storage container according to the invention and a storage and dispensing station according to the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1a] FIG. 1a is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a storage container. [Figure 1b] FIG. 1b is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the storage container. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a top view of a first embodiment of a storage container. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a top view of a first embodiment of a storage container, the separation device being omitted in FIG. [Figure 4a] FIG. 4a shows a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a storage container and FIG. 4b shows a perspective view. [Figure 4b] Figure 4b shows a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the storage container and Figure 4b shows a side view. [Figure 5a] FIG. 5a shows different views of the separation device and the discharge device of a second embodiment of the storage container. [Figure 5b] FIG. 5b shows a different view of the separation device and the discharge device of the second embodiment of the storage container. [Figure 5c] FIG. 5c shows a different view of the separation device and the discharge device of the second embodiment of the storage container. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a separation device and a discharge device of the second embodiment. [Figure 7a] FIG. 7a shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a storage and dispensing station. [Figure 7b] FIG. 7b shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a storage and dispensing station. [Figure 8a] FIG. 8a shows a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a storage container of a storage and dispensing station. [Figure 8b] FIG. 8b shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a storage and dispensing station. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram of the discharge device in contact with the drive of the storage and dispensing station according to FIGS. 8a and 8b. [Figure 10a] FIG. 10a shows a discharge device according to a third embodiment of the reservoir. [Figure 10b] FIG. 10b shows a discharge device according to a third embodiment of the reservoir. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] 1a and 1b show perspective views of a first preferred embodiment of a storage container 1 according to the present invention. FIGS. 2 and 3 are top views of the first embodiment of the storage container, with the separation device omitted in FIG. 3. The storage container 1 according to the present invention comprises a housing 10 enclosing a drug portion receiving space 2 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) and an inner cylindrical portion 11 at the bottom. The storage container 1 further comprises a base plate 12 and a cover 13 that is located on the housing 10 during operation of the storage and dispensing station and can be removed for refilling. For better handling, the storage container 1 comprises a handle 14 in the "front" area. In the "rear" part of the cylindrical portion 11, a housing protrusion 15 is formed, on which, in this embodiment, a fastening portion of the holding means 40 is arranged.

[0022] As can be seen in Figure 2, a separation device 30 having a (conical) surface 31 is arranged on the inner cylindrical section. The surface itself is arranged with ridges 34 intended, among other things, to prevent drug moieties from remaining on the surface. Furthermore, they ensure that the drug moieties slide towards channels 32 arranged on the outer edge of the separation device. The channels are defined by webs 33 which can be formed integrally with the base body of the separation device 30 or can alternatively be attached to the base body.

[0023] As already explained above, the channel is adapted to the shape of the drug portions to be separated so that only a defined number can be placed in the channel or channel portion. As can be seen from Figure 3, in which the separation device is omitted, the housing comprises a bottom surface 20 with a central opening 21 for receiving the coupling means of the separation device and a dispensing opening 22 through which the drug portions are dispensed first to the dispensing station and then to other components of the blister machine. In Figure 2, the discharge projection of the discharge device can already be seen in the center of the separation device.

[0024] Figures 4a and 4b are cross-sectional views of a first embodiment of the storage container, with Figure 4a showing a perspective view and Figure 4b showing a side view. The exact internal structure of the separation device can be seen in Figures 4a and 4b. In the embodiment shown in Figures 4a and 4b, it comprises a base body 35 having a conical surface 31 on which a number of ridges 34 are arranged. The base body 35 is hollow inside and connected to an upper coupling means 36, which is connected to a lower coupling means 37. This lower coupling means has an internal profile that allows it to be releasably coupled to a coupling means (not shown) of a drive shaft (not shown) of a drive in a dispensing station. A separable coupling is advantageous because it allows the storage container to be easily removed from the storage and dispensing station and refilled with drug portions. The lower coupling means 37 has a circumferential groove that engages the protrusion 23 of the housing to prevent the separation device from "lifting up."

[0025] In the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, as well as in the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 4a and 4b, it can be seen that the discharge device extends on the rotation axis of the separation device and includes a discharge protrusion 51 extending into the receiving space 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the discharge protrusion is designed to be very long—alternatively, it can also be shorter or have a different shape. For the present invention, for example, it is a preferred embodiment, but not essential, for the discharge protrusion to extend over its entire length on the rotation axis of the separation device. The extent to which the discharge protrusion extends into the receiving space depends, inter alia, on the type of drug moiety to be separated, but it is preferred that the discharge protrusion extend into the receiving space by at least two channel widths KB (as viewed from the surface at the exit point). In this case, it is essential that at least one discharge protrusion (depending on the drug moiety to be separated) protrudes into the receiving space to ensure sufficient discharge of the drug moiety's charge.

[0026] At the other end of the discharge device, the discharge device comprises discharge contact means 53, which in the embodiment shown is simply rod-shaped. The discharge contact means 53 is connected to the discharge projection 51 in a dischargeable manner; in the simplest case (shown here), the discharge projection 51 and the discharge contact means 53 are designed as an integral rod formed coaxially with (or on) the rotation axis of the separation device. The discharge device is preferably made of stainless steel; in general, any dischargeable material (see above for definition) is suitable, as long as there is a dissipative connection between the discharge projection and the discharge contact means.

[0027] 4a and 4b also show the arrangement of the retaining means 40, which in this embodiment is fixed to the housing projection 15. The retaining portion 41 of the retaining means 40 passes through a slot in the housing and is aligned with the dispensing opening 22 on the bottom surface. This alignment leads to the fact that in the case of a channel located above the dispensing opening, further drug portions cannot then slide into the channel.

[0028] In an alternative embodiment, it is envisaged that the retaining portion may be guided within a slot in the web between the channels; in this case, the slot or retaining portion separates the channel into an upper channel portion and a lower channel portion. Which type of channel is used depends on the drug portion to be separated and does not affect the invention.

[0029] Figures 5a-5c show different views of a separation device and a discharge device according to a second embodiment of the storage container, and Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the separation device and a discharge device according to the second embodiment. In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 12, Figures 5a-5c and 6, the discharge device includes, in addition to the above-mentioned components, two discharge means 55, which in this case form the surface portion of the web between the channels. These discharge means are dischargeably coupled to discharge contact means 53 via connection 54 (only shown in Figure 6) (possibly via connection 52). Discharge means 55 ensures further (or repeated) discharge of charge, especially of drug moieties about to enter the channel. This ensures that the incoming drug moieties have an even lower charge so that they do not get stuck on the channel walls (due to the charge). In Figure 5b, KB indicates the width of the channel, which must, among other things, be adjusted to the shape of the drug moieties to be separated.

[0030] 7a and 7b show a perspective view of an embodiment of a storage and dispensing station with a storage container 1 and a dispensing station 100, which in the illustrated embodiment are designed as separate components.

[0031] In the embodiment shown, the dispensing station 100 is part of a network of five dispensing stations 100. In alternative embodiments, the dispensing stations may be designed separately from one another. Components mentioned in the following description of the dispensing stations 100 are present in each dispensing station 100, whether they are configured as a composite (as in FIGS. 7a and 7b) or separately.

[0032] Each dispensing station 100 comprises a lower part 130 and an upper part 120. The upper part 120 comprises a protrusion 121 on which the storage container 1 can be placed. For this purpose, the lower housing part of the storage container 1 is adapted to the shape of the protrusion 121. The protrusion 121 comprises an opening 123 which, when the storage container 1 is attached, aligns with a dispensing opening in the bottom surface of the housing. In case of detachment, the drug portion falls from a channel into the opening 123 via the dispensing opening.

[0033] With end faces 122 / 132 formed from the upper and lower housing portions 120 and 130, the dispensing station can be attached to a blister machine (not shown). These end faces show openings 140 extending through the dispensing station and terminating in opening 123, into which chutes (not shown) for drug portions can be inserted, and drug portions separated from the storage and dispensing station are passed to a guide device in the blister machine. Chute 140 extends through dispensing station 100 to projection 121, where opening 123 for receiving drug portions is formed.

[0034] In the aforementioned end face of the dispensing station 100 (only FIG. 7b), a portion of the conducting device 124 allows the storage and dispensing station to be electrically coupled to the blister machine in an electrically dischargeable manner, thereby discharging electrical charges from the blister machine. In the embodiment shown, the conducting device 124 is located on the end face portion 122 of the upper portion of the dispensing station 100; in an alternative embodiment, the conducting device 124 may also be located on the end face portion 132 of the lower portion 130. Alternatively, the conducting device may be designed, for example, as a plug or the like. It is practical to be able to transmit electrical charges to the blister machine (not shown) via the conducting device. It is not possible to see in FIGS. 7a and 7b how the electrically dischargeable coupling is made between the storage container and the dispensing station; this is explained in more detail in the following figures based on a preferred embodiment.

[0035] 8a and 8b show a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a storage container of the storage and dispensing station and a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the storage and dispensing station, respectively. In FIGS. 8a and 8b, the discharge contact means of the discharge device is specifically designed as a contact pin 59 (based on the illustration in the drawings) with a spring (shown only in the following figures) that presses the contact pin downward. In the illustrated embodiment, the contact pin 59 is arranged on the rotation axis of the separation device 30 and, therefore, on the rotation axis of the drive device 150 of the dispensing station. The drive device 150 includes a rotation axis 151, and a coupling means 152 is arranged thereon in a rotationally fixed manner, with the rotation axis and the coupling means 152 being connectable in a form-fitting manner.

[0036] In the embodiment shown, the dispensing station contact means, which is essential for the invention, is designed as coupling means 152 of the drive. Said coupling means is coupled to a conducting device (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). Said coupling means is electrically dischargeably coupled to a conducting device (not shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b) so that charge can be discharged from the storage and dispensing station. In the embodiment shown, for this purpose, the rotating shaft 151 also needs to be designed in a dischargeable manner. The exact manner in which the conducting device is electrically dischargeably coupled to the drive is not essential for the invention, although several possible embodiments are known to those skilled in the art. What is essential is the discharge of charge, i.e., inter alia, the "grounding" of the storage container via the conducting device of the dispensing station.

[0037] In the embodiment shown, the discharge device is coupled via the rotational shaft of the drive to a conduction device 124, through which the charge is ultimately transferred from the storage and dispensing station to the blister machine. Alternatively, many other couplings between the storage container and the dispensing station are possible. However, the embodiment shown here is structurally simple and may be easily retrofitted to existing dispensing stations.

[0038] Figure 9 again clarifies the coupling of the discharge device / coupling means 152 of the drive 150 and shows a view of the discharge device in contact with the drive of the dispensing station. Figure 9 shows that the contact pin 59 of the discharge device is located in the centre of the coupling means 152, thus ensuring good coupling / discharging between the discharge device and the dispensing station.

[0039] 10a and 10b are detailed views of a third embodiment of the discharge device of the storage container, with Fig. 10b showing a cross-section. In the embodiment shown, the discharge device comprises a central discharge rod 56 with discharge lugs 51, a central connecting portion 52 and discharge contact means designed as a discharge pin 57. Discharge pin 57 in turn comprises a contact pin 59 which extends into a recess in the discharge rod and is pretensioned "downwards" (i.e. towards the dispensing station contact means) by a spring 58. A stop (not shown in this case) ensures that the contact pin does not slide downwards when the storage container or separation device is lifted from the storage container.

[0040] According to this embodiment, the discharge device 50 further comprises two discharge means 55 electrically and dischargeably connected to the central discharge rod, in particular via connections 54. The discharge device is therefore very simply constructed and can subsequently be introduced into existing separation devices without considerable effort.

Claims

1. A storage container (1) for a storage and dispensing station of a blister machine, comprising: a housing (10) enclosing a receiving space (2), the housing (10) including an inner cylindrical portion (11) and a bottom surface (20) having a dispensing opening (22); a separation device (30) disposed in the inner cylindrical portion (11) of the housing (10) having a surface (31) facing the receiving space, the separation device having a plurality of channels (32) extending vertically through the separation device having a channel width KB for receiving at least one small article to be separated; a holding means (40) having a holding portion (41) arranged above the dispensing opening (22) in the cylindrical housing; Equipped with The separating device (30) comprises an electrically dischargeable discharge device (50), the discharge device (50) having at least one discharge projection (51) extending from a surface (31) of the separating device (30) into the receiving space (2), and a discharge contact means (53) electrically connected to the at least one discharge projection (51) in a dischargeable manner for electrically connecting the discharge device (50) to a dischargeable component of a dispensing station (100) assigned to the storing container (1) and having a drive.

2. 2. A storage container (1) for a storage and dispensing station of a blister machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the discharge projections (51) and the discharge contact means (53) are designed as discharge rods (56) having a central connection (52).

3. 3. A storage container (1) for a storage and dispensing station of a blister machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the discharge contact means (53) is formed coaxially with the axis of rotation of the separating device (30).

4. 4. A storage container (1) for a storage and dispensing station of a blister machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the discharge contact means (53) is formed as a discharge pin (57) having a contact pin (59) pretensioned by a spring (58).

5. 5. A storage container (1) for a storage and dispensing station of a blister machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the discharge device (50) has at least one discharge means (55) electrically conductively coupled to the discharge contact means (53), the discharge means forming a surface area of ​​the separation device (30) that comes into contact with small articles.

6. 6. A storage container (1) for a storage and dispensing station of a blister machine according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one discharge means (55) forms at least a part of the surface of the web (33) formed between two channels (32).

7. 1. A storage and dispensing station for a blister machine, comprising: A storage container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, a dispensing station (100) having a drive (150) for the movement of the separating device (30) and dispensing station contact means (152) designed to be electrically connectable with the discharge contact means (53) of the discharge device (50) of the storage container (1) and connected in an electrically dischargeable manner with the conducting device (124) so ​​that the charge of the conducting device can be discharged from the storage and dispensing station; 1. A blister machine storage and dispensing station comprising:

8. 8. A storage and dispensing station of a blister machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the dispensing station contact means are designed as coupling means of a drive device (150).

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