Storage containers for storage and dispensing stations

Abstract

The present invention relates to a storage container for a storage and dispensing station for small product particles, particularly for drugs or dietary supplements. In known storage containers, the small product particles to be separated periodically become trapped under the base area of ​​a separation device. This problem is solved by the storage container of the present invention, which comprises a housing (10) including an inner cylindrical portion (11), a separation device (30) including a plurality of channels (32) and disposed in the cylindrical portion (11) of the housing (10), and a retaining means (40). According to the present invention, the base area (36) of the separation device (30) has, at least in part, a plurality of depressions (37) and / or ridges to reduce the potential contact area between the base area and the small product particles, the shape and size of which are selected to reduce the electrostatic attraction between the small product particles and the base area.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a storage container for a storage and dispensing station for small items, particularly for medications or dietary supplements. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a conventional blister packaging machine, such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,999,623, may include hundreds of storage and dispensing stations depending on the level of expansion. Multiple drug portions of a particular drug are stored in each of these, and individual drug portions can be dispensed on demand. The drugs stored in the storage and dispensing stations are then packaged by the blister packaging machine into patient-specific blister packages according to medically prescribed administration times.

[0003] A corresponding storage and dispensing station for dispensing one or more drug portions is activated to aggregate the drug portions. Upon activation, a separation device located in a storage container of the storage and dispensing station is used to separate a single drug portion and transfer it through a dispensing opening in the storage container to a guide device of a blister packaging machine. With the aid of the guide device, and optionally with an intervening collection device, the dispensed drug portion is provided to a packaging device that blisters individual or multiple drug portions according to the medical prescription.

[0004] To separate the drug portions stored in the storage containers of the storage and dispensing station, the separation device typically includes a rotor having multiple channels arranged around its periphery. The dimensions of the channels must be adapted to each of the drug portions to be separated so that only one drug portion can be placed on top of another within a channel, but not adjacent to each other. The channels may be dimensioned, for example, so that only one drug portion can be accommodated in a channel. To dispense a drug portion from a channel, the channel is moved above a dispensing opening on the bottom surface of the storage container housing, and the drug portion located in the channel (at its lowest point) 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 introduced or positioned within or above the channel in alignment with the dispensing opening in the region above the dispensing opening. The retaining section is positioned within or above the channel relative to its height such that only one drug portion can be located below the retaining section. When the retaining section is guided into the channel to separate the bottom drug portion from the drug portion above, each channel separating projection has a slot to accommodate the retaining section. When the retaining section is located or guided above the channel, it is typically guided slightly above the top of the projection to prevent additional drug portions from entering the channel as the drug portions are dispensed.

[0005] The separation device in the known storage container is located at least inside the cylindrical portion of the housing of the storage container and includes a base area facing the bottom of the housing. To ensure frictionless rotation of the separation device, and to ensure, for example, separation of drug debris, a gap is always formed between the bottom of the housing and the base area of ​​the separation device. During dispensing, the drug and dietary supplement portions rub against each other and against the components of the storage container, resulting in electrostatic charging of these components and the drug and dietary supplement portions, resulting in electrostatic attraction between them. Due to this electrostatic attraction, when the channel is aligned with the dispensing opening on the bottom of the housing, the drug portions (hereinafter referred to as drug portions, but this also applies to dietary supplement products and corresponding small piece products) do not fall due to gravity through the dispensing opening, but instead may be pulled under and trapped on the base area during the actual dispensing process or, if applicable, during movement on the bottom of the housing. As a result, non-dispensing or delayed dispensing of the drug portions occurs, incorrect clumping of the drug portions occurs, delayed dispensing occurs, and two incorrect clumping occurs. One batch lacks the drug moiety, and another subsequent batch has excessive blistering of the drug moiety. The second discrepancy in particular is particularly significant given the undesirable interactions between certain drug types. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] International Application Publication No. 2013 / 034504 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage container for a storage and dispensing station for small piece goods that avoids incorrect dispensing of medication due to medication portions getting caught in the base area of ​​a separation device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] This object is achieved by a storage container according to claim 1. The storage container for a storage and dispensing station for small piece goods according to the invention comprises a housing enclosing a receiving space for the small piece goods in an inner cylindrical portion, a housing bottom having a dispensing opening, and a separating device arranged in the cylindrical portion, the separating device including a base area facing the housing bottom, the base area including a plurality of channels for receiving at least one small piece good, the dispensing opening for the channels. The storage container further comprises a holding means including a positioning means and a holding portion, the positioning means holding the holding means above the dispensing opening.

[0009] According to the invention, the base area of ​​the separation device has, at least in part (especially in the region of the distribution opening of the channel), a number of depressions and / or protuberances in order to reduce the possible contact area between the base area and the small pieces, the shape and size of which are selected so as to reduce the electrostatic attraction force between the small piece goods and the base area.

[0010] According to the present invention, the terms "dimples" and / or "ridges" are used because, in the case of a flat base area, one always determines the other. When the dimples predominate, the ridges are the "predominant" feature, and when the ridges predominate, the dimples are the predominate feature. It is essential that the reduction in contact area leads to a reduction in electrostatic attraction to prevent the drug moieties from being drawn into or caught on the base area. The design of the dimples / ridges also depends on the shape of the drug moieties to be separated. For example, if a flat, circular drug moiety is to be separated, the dimples should not be selected so that a flat drug moiety with a flat section will fit more or less precisely into the dimples. For those skilled in the art, the selection of the appropriate dimples / ridges will readily follow from the exact shape and additional features of the drug moieties to be separated.

[0011] The reduced contact area reduces the potential electrostatic attraction between the base area and the drug moiety, eliminating retraction or adhesion and avoiding mis-dispensing of the drug moiety.

[0012] In one particularly preferred embodiment, which is easy to manufacture, the channels are defined as outwardly open channels on the periphery of the separation device by a plurality of webs, and the depressions / ridges are arranged within the webs. Due to the rotational movement during dispensing and the arrangement on the periphery, "drawing" in such cases occurs periodically under the webs, which makes it convenient to provide depressions / ridges in the webs. However, in addition, further depressions / ridges may be arranged in the remaining, mostly ring-shaped part of the base area, in particular in the region of the outlet openings of the channels.

[0013] As already explained, the exact design of the depressions / ridges depends on the exact structure of the separation device and the drug portion to be separated. However, the problem of being drawn into or caught in the base area occurs particularly with light, flat or oval drug portions. In one preferred embodiment, in which the depressions are particularly easy to generate, it is provided that the depressions (or at least part of them) are designed as radial grooves. Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the depressions are designed as coaxial grooves.

[0014] Regardless of the exact design of the depressions / ridges, the separation device needs to be cleaned periodically, either because it needs to be replaced or because the storage container has too much drug debris. In one preferred embodiment, in which it is particularly easy to thoroughly clean the depressions, it is provided that the radial grooves are designed to open towards the outer periphery of the separation device. Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is particularly easy to introduce the grooves structurally. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] One preferred embodiment of a storage container according to the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1a] 1A-1C show different perspective views of the preferred embodiment. [Figure 1b] 1A-1C show different perspective views of the preferred embodiment. [Figure 2]1A-1C show different perspective views of the preferred embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 shows a top view of a preferred embodiment, with the separation device omitted. [Figure 4a] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment. [Figure 4b] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment, showing the interior of a separation device. [Figure 5] 1 shows a combination of a separation device and a holding means. [Figure 6] 10 shows a side view of the separation device when dispensing the drug portion. [Figure 7a] 1 shows a detailed view of the separation device. [Figure 7b] 1 shows a detailed view of the separation device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] 1a, 1b, and 2 show different perspective views of one preferred embodiment of a storage container 1 according to the present invention. The storage container 1 according to the present invention comprises a housing 10 enclosing a receiving space 2 for drug portions and including an inner cylindrical portion 11 at its lower portion. The storage container 1 further comprises a base plate 12 and a cover 14, which is located on the housing 10 during operation of the storage and dispensing station and can be removed for refilling. For easier handling, the storage container 1 includes a handle 13 in its "front" area. As can be seen particularly in FIG. 2, a separation device 30, having a surface 31 facing the receiving space 2, is located on the inner cylindrical portion 11. In the illustrated embodiment, three protrusions 34 are arranged on the surface 31, ensuring the drug portions' movement within the receiving space and thus facilitating the drug portions' sliding into the channels 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the channels are arranged on the outer periphery of the separation device 30. The channels are defined by a plurality of webs 33 arranged on the base body of the separation device. The webs themselves may be attached, or the channels 32 may be formed by milling them from the base body.

[0017] Figure 3 shows a top view of a preferred embodiment, with the separation device 30 omitted from this top view. As can be seen in Figure 3, the housing comprises a housing bottom 15 in which the dispensing opening 16 is located. A connecting means 17 is located "below" the dispensing opening, through which the dispensed drug portion is transferred to a guide device (not shown). To dispense the drug portion from the channel, the separation device is rotated by a connecting means 50 shown in Figure 3 so that the channel is positioned above the dispensing opening 16, such that the drug portion located in the channel falls by gravity through the dispensing opening 16 and the connecting means 17.

[0018] Figures 4a and 4b show cross-sectional views of a preferred embodiment of a storage container according to the invention, the interior of the separation device being visible in Figure 4b. As can be seen in Figures 4a and 4b, the separation device 30 is held in the cylindrical portion 11 via connecting means 50. It can also be seen that a gap into which the drug portion can be drawn, if necessary, is formed between the base area 36 of the separation device (see Figure 4b), which in the embodiment shown is of an annular design due to the connection with connecting means 50, and the housing bottom surface 15. In the embodiment shown, the base area of ​​the separation device further comprises an area formed by webs 33, as can be seen more clearly in the following figures.

[0019] Due to electrostatic charging of the drug portion and / or the separation device, electrostatic attraction between them may cause the drug portion to adhere to the base area 36, ​​especially in the region of the web. To avoid this, the present invention provides for reducing the possible contact area between the drug portion and the base area, especially by introducing depressions / ridges in the base area. As can already be seen in Figure 4b, radial grooves 37 are provided in the shown embodiment to ensure such a reduction.

[0020] 4a and 4b also show that the retaining portion 41 of the retaining means 40 is guided to the area above the dispensing opening 16 via a slot in the cylindrical portion 11 of the housing, always aligned with the dispensing opening. In the illustrated embodiment, this has the effect that the retaining portion is always held above the channel opening and rotated toward the dispensing opening to dispense a drug portion. Even if a drug portion is no longer present in an aligned channel, it is impossible for additional drug portions to enter that aligned channel. As a result of this alignment of the retaining portion, while many drug portions can pass from the aligned channels into the dispensing opening so that they are positioned within the channels, the channels are typically adapted to accommodate the drug portions such that only one drug portion is positioned within each channel below the retaining portion. In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining portion 41 of the retaining means 40 is held via a positioning means 42 fixed to the outside of the housing. However, how the retaining means is precisely constructed and positioned is irrelevant to the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of the separation device 30 / retaining means 40 combination, showing how the retaining portion 41 above the receiving opening of the channel prevents further drug moieties from entering this channel.

[0022] As mentioned earlier, it may happen that, particularly in the case of light and / or flat drug portions, they are not dispensed through the dispensing opening but are instead drawn out due to electrostatic attraction into the gap between the base area of ​​the separation device and the bottom surface of the housing. Furthermore, due to the potential for electrostatic attraction between the base area and the drug portion to be separated, the latter is not dispensed by gravity in a dispensing situation, but in a situation where a portion of the base area of ​​the separation device is rotated above the dispensing opening 16, it is possible that the latter is drawn under the base area portion by electrostatic attraction and then positioned above the dispensing opening. A corresponding situation is shown in FIG. 6 , which shows the separation device 30 and the guide means in a side view. The drug portion 3 to be actually dispensed does not fall through the connecting means 17 but instead adheres to a "free" portion of the base area of ​​the separation device, which in the illustrated embodiment is formed by a web 33.

[0023] Figures 7a and 7b show further views of a separation device according to a preferred embodiment. It can be seen that the potential contact area between the drug portion and the base area is reduced by the radial grooves 37, thereby reducing the electrostatic attraction force and avoiding entrapment or adhesion with appropriately selected depressions (as in Figure 6a). In the illustrated embodiment, the radial grooves are formed mainly in the area of ​​the webs 33, since the situation shown in Figure 6a accounts for the majority of incorrect dispensing. As can be seen in Figures 6 and 7a, 7b, the radial grooves are open "outward," i.e., have exit openings, allowing them to be easily introduced into the base area. Furthermore, the correspondingly designed open grooves can be easily thoroughly cleaned. Drug debris can migrate outward from the grooves.

[0024] In alternative embodiments, additional grooves may be located in the inner ring region of the base area; alternatively (or additionally), the grooves may also be designed coaxially. In yet other embodiments, a reduction in the contact area may be achieved, for example, by providing a plurality of small ridges in the base area portion of web 33; such a base area design may also provide the necessary reduction in electrostatic attraction between the base area and the drug portion.

Claims

1. 1. A storage container for a storage and dispensing station for small items of merchandise, comprising: a housing (10) enclosing a receiving space (2) for the small product pieces, the housing (10) including an inner cylindrical portion (11) and a housing bottom (15) having a dispensing opening (16); a separating device (30) disposed in the cylindrical portion (11) of the housing (10), the separating device (30) including a plurality of channels (32) for receiving at least one small commodity, the separating device (30) including a base area (36) facing the housing bottom surface (15), the base area (36) having dispensing openings (38) for the channels (32); a holding means (40) including a positioning means (42) and a holding portion (41), said positioning means (42) holding said holding means (40) above said dispensing opening (16) of said housing bottom surface (15); a base area (36) of the separating device (30) having, at least in part, a plurality of downwardly facing depressions and / or ridges for reducing the possible contact area between the base area and the small pieces, the shape and size of which are selected so as to reduce the electrostatic attraction force between the small piece goods and the base area.

2. 2. A storage container (1) for a storage and dispensing station for small piece goods as described in claim 1, characterized in that the channel (32) on the periphery of the separation device (30) is defined by a plurality of webs (33), and the depressions / ridges are arranged within the webs (33).

3. 3. A storage container (1) for a storage and distribution station for small goods according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the recesses are designed as coaxial grooves.

4. 3. A storage container (1) for a storage and distribution station for small goods according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the recesses are designed as radial grooves.

5. 5. A storage container (1) for a storage and distribution station for small goods according to claim 4, characterized in that the radial grooves are designed to open towards the outer periphery of the separating device (30).

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