Elastic Holding Device for Blister Machine Capsule Singulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage containers for blister machines risk damaging small items, such as medication or dietary supplements, during the separation process due to the need for precise alignment and the use of rigid separating sections that can crush sensitive capsule-shaped items.
Innovation Solution
A storage container with an elastically deformable holding device that clamps small items in place, preventing them from falling or being pushed into dispensing channels, thus avoiding damage and allowing for the use of a single separating device for items of varying sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid separating section is used to prevent medication portions from falling into dispensing channels, then the separation function is improved, but the risk of damaging sensitive capsule-shaped items increases
Solution Approach 1:
The separating section is changed from rigid to elastically deformable material, allowing it to adapt its physical state to prevent damage while maintaining separation functionality. This parameter change in material rigidity resolves the contradiction between effective separation and item protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The separating section is made of elastically deformable material that can flex and conform to the medication portions, particularly capsule-shaped items. This flexibility allows the separator to hold items securely without applying excessive force that would cause damage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If precise alignment of the separating section with the dispensing opening is required to prevent damage, then the protection of items is improved, but the device complexity and alignment precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The separating section is made dynamically adaptable through its elastically deformable nature, allowing it to adjust its position and shape during operation. This dynamic property eliminates the need for precise static alignment, as the material can conform to different item positions and sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic deformability of the separating section allows it to change its physical parameters (shape, position) during operation, enabling it to accommodate variations in medication portion alignment without requiring precise initial positioning.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single separating device is used for items of varying sizes, then the adaptability is improved, but the precision of separation for different item dimensions decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastically deformable separating section can flex and conform to different item sizes and shapes, allowing a single device to adaptively handle varying dimensions while maintaining precise separation for each specific item type.
Solution Approach 2:
The separating section changes its physical parameters (deformation degree, contact pressure) based on the item being separated, enabling a single device to achieve precise separation across different item sizes through adaptive parameter adjustment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The elastically deformable holding device reduces the risk of damage by creating a frictional connection that holds items securely, allowing for the separation of items of different heights without the need for precise alignment, thus protecting sensitive items and simplifying the storage and dispensing process.
Implementation Method 1
creating a frictional connection that holds items securely
Implementation Method 2
The elastically deformable holding device reduces the risk of damage by creating a frictional connection that holds items securely
Implementation Method 3
the medication portion arranged in the dispensing channel slides or falls into the dispensing opening due to gravity
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~3b
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a storage container for a storage and dispensing station and a method for singulating small items. With known storage containers, precise adaptation to the shape of the small items to be singulated is necessary to prevent damage. The storage container according to the invention comprises a singulation device (30) arranged in a circular cylindrical interior (14) of a housing (10), the singulation device having a base body (39) with a plurality of dispensing channels (32) for receiving at least one small item. The base body (39) has, at least above each dispensing channel (32), a recess (33) on its outer circumference, adapted to a small item to be singulated and open to the outer circumference, with a wall (34). The container also includes a holding device (40) with a holding section (42) which is held above a dispensing opening (19) in the interior.wherein the retaining section (42) is elastically deformable at least in sections and is designed such that a small item arranged above a discharge channel (32) aligned with the discharge opening (19) is pressed against the wall (34) of the corresponding recess and is thus prevented by frictional engagement from entering the discharge channel aligned with the discharge opening.