EP4067245B1 - Storage and discharge station for a blister machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a storage and dispensing station for a blister machine for individual small items, in particular pharmaceutical and nutritional supplement portions, as well as a method for placing a storage container of a storage and dispensing station of the blister machine on a dispensing station.

Modern blister machines, such as those used in WO 2013/034504 A1 disclosed include, depending on the level of expansion of the blister machine, several hundred storage and dispensing stations. A number of small, separable items are stored in each of these, and individual small items can be dispensed on request. The small items are usually portions of medicines and nutritional supplements.

Blister machines can be used, for example, to assemble and blister pack drug portions stored in the storage and dispensing stations for each patient individually according to the times of administration prescribed by the doctor. To assemble several drug portions, the corresponding storage and dispensing stations are controlled to dispense one or more drug portions using a control device on the blister machine. To dispense a drug portion, a drug portion stored in a storage container is separated using a separating device on the storage and dispensing station and transferred to a guide device on the blister machine via a dispensing opening. The dispensed drug portion is guided by the guide device, if necessary with an intermediary a collection facility, a packaging facility, which blisters individual or multiple drug portions.

In order to separate the drug portions stored in a storage container of a storage and dispensing station, the separating device comprises a plurality of channels, which are usually arranged on the outer circumference of a base body of the separating device. The channels are adapted to the respective drug portions to be separated in terms of their dimensions in such a way that the drug portions can only be arranged one above the other in a channel, but not next to each other. The channels can, for example, be dimensioned in such a way that only one drug portion can be accommodated in a channel.

To dispense a drug portion from a channel, a channel is moved over the dispensing opening in the bottom surface of the housing of the storage container, and the drug portion arranged in the channel (at the lowest point) slips or falls into the dispensing opening due to gravity. In order to avoid that further drug portions stored in or above the channel are also dispensed, i.e. an unknown number of drug portions are dispensed, a retaining section of a retaining means or separator is guided or arranged at least in or above the channel in the area above the dispensing opening, which is aligned with the dispensing opening. The retaining section is arranged in or above the channel in relation to the height of the channel in such a way that only one drug portion can be arranged under the retaining section. If the retaining section is guided into the channel in order to separate the lowest drug portion from those arranged above it, projections separating individual channels have a slot which accommodates the retaining section. If the retaining section is arranged or is usually guided only slightly above the upper ends of the projections, so that further drug portions are prevented from entering the channel when the drug portion is dispensed.

A storage and dispensing station usually includes a dispensing station, which is usually detachably connected to the blister machine. The storage and dispensing station also includes a storage container, which is detachably arranged on the dispensing station for easy refilling and/or replacement. When refilling, the small items regularly slip into the aforementioned channels of the separating device. Since the channel of the separating device, which is aligned with the dispensing opening, is blocked with the retaining section, no small items can fall out of the storage container during the actual refilling. Rotation of the separating device is usually prevented by a holding device, which is effective when not in place.

However, with known storage and dispensing stations, there is the problem that small items are occasionally dispensed unintentionally when the storage container is placed on top. When placed on top, the separating device aligns itself via a coupling device on the hub of a drive arranged in the dispensing station. Depending on the nature and arrangement of the channels, the rotation caused by this can cause a filled channel (which was not blocked by the retaining section) to rotate over the dispensing opening and then a small item to be dispensed. Although this problem does not occur every time the container is placed on top, since the small items enter the blister machine when dispensed, even occasional unintentional dispensing is very annoying.

From the EP 2 644 512 A2 A supply and delivery station is also known. This also includes a brake, which the separation device is fixed in the non-attached state of the storage container.

From the EP 3 406 237 A1 A storage and delivery station is known in which the problem of small items being accidentally released when the storage container is placed on top is solved. The storage and delivery station also includes a structurally very complex and thus error-prone holding system for the separating device in the storage and delivery station.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a storage and delivery station in which unwanted dispensing of small items when placing a storage container on a delivery station is excluded by a structurally simple measure. It is also the object of the invention to provide a method for placing a storage container on a delivery station in which this is excluded.

The object is achieved on the one hand by a storage and dispensing station for a blister machine according to claim 1. The storage and dispensing station according to the invention comprises a storage container with a housing enclosing a receiving space with an inner circular-cylindrical section and a base surface with a central coupling opening and with a separating device arranged in the inner circular-cylindrical section of the housing with a plurality of channels extending vertically through the separating device and with a coupling device extending into the central coupling opening with a lower coupling section. The storage container further comprises a holding device with a holding means and an actuating means, wherein the holding device prevents rotation of the separating device in a blocking position and rotation of the separation device and is movable between these positions.

The storage and dispensing station according to the invention further comprises a dispensing station on which the storage container is detachably arranged, with a rotary drive with a shaft and a hub seated on the shaft for force-transmitting interaction with the lower coupling section. The dispensing station further comprises an opening means for interaction with the actuating means of the holding device.

Furthermore, it is provided that the lower coupling section, the hub, the actuating means and the opening means are positioned on one another in such a way that when the storage container is arranged on the dispensing station, an effective interaction between the lower coupling section and the hub occurs before an effective interaction between the actuating means and the opening means, which causes the holding device to move into the release position. Since rotation of the coupling device (and thus of the separating device) is only possible in the release position, it is necessary according to the invention that the hub can be rotated in the de-energized state, so that when the interaction between the hub and the lower coupling section begins, the hub (and not the separating device) can rotate into the coupling position. This prevents exactly what led to the unintentional dispensing, namely the possibility of aligning (via rotation) the coupling device (and thus of the separating device) on the hub. When aligning the coupling device with or on the hub, only the hub must (and can) rotate. This was different with state-of-the-art storage and delivery stations - the alignment caused the unwanted rotation of the separating device and thus possibly the delivery of small items.

According to the invention, it is provided that the opening means is designed as a recess in the delivery station and the actuating means as a corresponding vertical nose, that the interaction between the hub and the lower coupling section defines an effective coupling engagement depth and the interaction between the actuating means and the opening means defines an effective holding engagement depth (HET) and that the coupling engagement depth (KET) is greater than the holding engagement depth (HET). By designing the engagement depths according to the invention, it is ensured that the coupling interaction always takes effect first before the holding interaction (and thus the approach to the release position of the holding device) is initiated. Furthermore, this is achieved using particularly simple, purely mechanical components.

In a preferred structurally simple embodiment, the hub and the opening means have an effective height that is identical with respect to the vertical axis of the dispensing station, and the lower coupling section has an effective depth below an effective depth of the actuating means with respect to the vertical axis of the storage container. The term "effective height" refers to the "height" or position within the dispensing station from which an interaction with the corresponding component (e.g. hub <-> lower coupling section) takes place. Accordingly, the "effective depth" describes the "depth" or position within the storage container from which an interaction with the corresponding component can take place.

In an alternative embodiment, which is also structurally very simple, the lower coupling section and the actuating means have an identical effective depth relative to the vertical axis of the reservoir. The hub has, relative to the vertical axis of the Delivery station, an effective height above the effective height of the opening means.

The object is further achieved by a method for placing a storage container of a storage and dispensing station of a blister machine on a dispensing station according to claim 4. According to the invention, a dispensing station is provided with a hub of a rotary drive and with an opening means, wherein the opening means is designed as a recess in the dispensing station. Furthermore, a storage container is provided with a housing enclosing a receiving space with an inner circular-cylindrical section and a base surface with a central coupling opening, a separating device arranged in the inner circular-cylindrical section of the housing with a plurality of channels extending vertically through the separating device and with a coupling device extending into the central coupling opening with a lower coupling section and a holding device with a holding means and an actuating means, wherein the holding device prevents rotation of the separating device via the holding means and wherein the actuating means is designed as a vertical nose corresponding to the recess in the dispensing station. The storage container is then arranged on the dispensing station, wherein firstly an effective interaction between the lower coupling section and the hub is initiated, wherein when the interaction begins the hub adapts or can adapt to the coupling section by rotation and a positive and/or non-positive connection is established between the hub and the coupling section, and then an effective interaction between the actuating means and the opening means is initiated, wherein when the interaction begins the holding means is released so that the rotation of the separating device is enabled.

According to the invention, the interaction between the hub and the lower coupling section is initiated by generating an effective coupling engagement depth (KET) by force-fitting and/or form-fitting connection of the hub and the lower coupling section, and the interaction between the actuating means and the opening means is initiated by guiding the actuating means into the opening means and thereby releasing the holding means and thus generating an effective holding engagement depth (HET), wherein the coupling engagement depth (KET) is greater than the holding engagement depth (HET).

• Figur 1 eine Schrägansicht einer ersten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrats- und Abgabestation zeigt,
• Figuren 2a und 2b Detailansichten der ersten Ausführungsform zeigen, wobei Teile des Vorratsbehälters fortgelassen sind,
• Figuren 3a - 3d verschiedene Ansichten eines Vorratsbehälters der ersten Ausführungsform der Vorrats- und Abgabestation zeigen,
• Figuren 4a und 4b Schrägansichten der Kombination Kupplungseinrichtung/Halteeinrichtung zeigen,
• Figur 5 eine Draufsicht auf die Kombination Kupplungseinrichtung/Halteeinrichtung zeigt,
• Figur 6 einen horizontalen Schnitt durch die Kombination Kupplungseinrichtung/Halteeinrichtung zeigt,
• Figur 7 eine Schnittansicht durch die erste Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrats- und Abgabestation zeigt, wobei Teile des Vorratsbehälters fortgelassen sind,
• Figuren 8a und 8b Detailansichten des Schnittes aus Figur 7 zeigen, wobei die Kombination Kupplungseinrichtung/Halteeinrichtung vertikal nach oben verschoben ist,
• Figuren 9a und 9b Schnittansichten durch eine zweite Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrats- und Abgabestation zeigen, bei denen wiederum Teile des Vorratsbehälters fortgelassen sind und wobei bei Figur 9b die Kombination Kupplungseinrichtung/Halteeinrichtung vertikal nach oben verschoben ist,
• Figur 10 eine Schnittansicht durch eine dritte Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrats- und Abgabestation zeigt, und
• Figuren 11a und 11b Detailansichten des Schnittes zeigen, wobei die Kombination Kupplungseinrichtung/Halteeinrichtung auch bei diesen Figuren vertikal verschoben dargestellt ist.

In the following, the storage and dispensing station according to the invention and the method according to the invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which

• Figure 1 shows an oblique view of a first embodiment of the storage and dispensing station according to the invention,
• Figures 2a and 2b Show detailed views of the first embodiment, with parts of the storage container omitted,
• Figures 3a - 3d show different views of a storage container of the first embodiment of the storage and dispensing station,
• Figures 4a and 4b Oblique views of the coupling device/holding device combination show
• Figure 5 a top view of the coupling device/holding device combination,
• Figure 6 shows a horizontal section through the coupling device/holding device combination,
• Figure 7 a sectional view through the first embodiment of the storage and dispensing station according to the invention, with parts of the storage container omitted,
• Figures 8a and 8b Detailed views of the cut from Figure 7 show, whereby the combination Coupling device/holding device is moved vertically upwards,
• Figures 9a and 9b Show sectional views through a second embodiment of the storage and dispensing station according to the invention, in which again parts of the storage container are omitted and in which Figure 9b the coupling device/holding device combination is shifted vertically upwards,
• Figure 10 a sectional view through a third embodiment of the storage and dispensing station according to the invention, and
• Figures 11a and 11b Show detailed views of the section, whereby the coupling device/holding device combination is also shown vertically shifted in these figures.

Figure 1 shows an oblique view of a first embodiment of the storage and dispensing station according to the invention with a storage container 1 and a dispensing station 100. In the embodiment shown, the dispensing station 100 is part of a network of five dispensing stations 100, whereby to simplify the attachment of the dispensing stations to a blister machine, such a network is usually attached as a whole to the blister machine. In alternative embodiments, the dispensing stations can be separate from one another or combined with different numbers of dispensing stations. The components mentioned in the following description of the dispensing station are present in each dispensing station 100, regardless of whether these are combined, as in Figure 1 shown, or is carried out separately.

Each dispensing station 100 comprises a lower section 130 and an upper section 120. The upper section 120 comprises a projection 121 onto which a storage container can be placed. For this purpose, a lower housing section of the storage container 1 is adapted to the geometry of the projection 121. adapted. The projection 121 comprises an opening 123 which, when the storage container 1 is placed on top, is aligned with a dispensing opening in a bottom surface of a housing of a storage container, as described with reference to the following figures. During separation, a small item falls from a channel via the aforementioned dispensing opening into the opening 123 of the projection 121. The upper section 120 of the dispensing station 100 further comprises a vertical section 122, via which the dispensing station can be attached to the blister machine.

Each dispensing station further comprises an opening means 125 which, when Figure 1 illustrated first embodiment is formed as a recess in the projection 121. With reference to subsequent figures, the exact design of the opening means 125 is described in more detail. The projection 121 comprises a further opening through which a hub 152 of a drive extends and which cooperates with the reservoir, as described with reference to subsequent figures.

In the embodiment shown, the storage container 1 placed on the dispensing station 100 comprises a housing 10 which comprises an inner circular cylindrical section 11. The upper housing part is provided with a lid 13 which can be removed for the purpose of refilling small items. In the lower section, the storage container comprises a base plate 12 which is adapted to the geometry of the dispensing station and the projection 121. The storage container also comprises a handle 14 for easy handling, with which the storage container can be removed from the dispensing station and placed back on.

At the Figure 2a In the detailed view shown, the housing 10 including the inner circular cylindrical section 11 is omitted, and one can see that in the A separating device 30 is arranged in the inner circular-cylindrical section, on the outer circumference of which there are a plurality of channels 32, wherein these channels are each separated by webs 33. The separating device 30 has a conical surface, which in the embodiment shown has three projections. Both the conical design of the surface and the aforementioned projections serve to guide overlying small items to the channels 32 when the separating device rotates.

At the Figure 2b In the detailed view shown, the separating device 30 is also omitted, and one can see a coupling device 40, which is otherwise connected to the separating device in a rotationally fixed manner, as well as a holding device 50, both of which are described in more detail with reference to the following figures. Already in Figure 2b It can be seen that a vertical portion of the holding device 50 extends into the opening means 125.

Figures 3a - 3d show various views of the storage container 1 of the first embodiment of the storage and dispensing station, wherein the attached state of the storage container is shown and the dispensing station is omitted for reasons of clarity. As shown in Figure 3b As can be seen, the housing 10 (and also a section of the inner circular cylindrical section 11) encloses a receiving space 2 for small items to be separated. In Figure 3b a retaining means 60 can also be seen, which is attached to a vertical wall section of the housing via a fastening section 61. The retaining means 60 also comprises a Figure 3b merely indicated retaining section 62, which is inserted through a slot in the inner circular cylindrical section 11 and prevents small items from slipping into a channel which is located above a discharge opening 22 in a bottom surface 20 of the housing (see Figure 3c ) is aligned with the discharge opening. As shown in Figure 3c As can be seen, the bottom surface 20 comprises a coupling opening 21 through which, as shown in Figure 3d can be seen, a lower coupling section 42 of the coupling device 40 extends. In Figure 3d It can also be seen that the holding device 50 is arranged with a section, which is described in more detail below, close to the circumference of the lower coupling section. Figure 3d the holding device is shown in the released state with respect to the coupling device 40 (and thus the separating device 30), i.e. the holding device does not block the rotation of the coupling and thus the separating device.

Figures 4a and 4b show oblique views of a combination coupling device 40/holding device 50, again showing the attached state. As is particularly evident in Figure 4b As can be seen, the coupling device 40 comprises an upper section 41, via which the coupling device can be (detachably) connected to the separating device (and is connected during operation). The lower section of the coupling device 40 is formed by a lower coupling section 42, with an opening which, in the embodiment shown, extends through the entire coupling device, as shown in Figure 5 can be seen. The lower coupling section 42 comprises webs 43, via which a force and/or form fit can be established with a hub of a drive in a delivery station, which is described in more detail with reference to the following figures. In the embodiment shown, the coupling device 40 further comprises a circumferential groove 44, wherein in the groove shown its bottom surface is not circular, but in the form of a polygon. A holding means 54 of the holding device can be inserted into this groove In the embodiment shown, the holding means comprises, as shown in Figures 4b and 5 is indicated, a toothed, slightly curved surface, whereby a positive and force-locking connection can be established with the bottom surface of the groove 44. In the Figures 4a, 4b, 5 and 6 In the state shown, such an intervention does not take place; the holding device does not block the rotation of the coupling device and thus of the separating device.

The holding device 50 comprises, in addition to the holding means 54, a web 52 which is curved in sections and which ends at one end in a vertical actuating means 51 which, as described in more detail with reference to the following figures, can interact with an opening means of the dispensing station to release or lock the holding device. Opposite the actuating means 51, the holding device has a fastening means 53. This fastening means is in the embodiment shown, as is the case with Figure 3d is indicated, can be fastened from below in the opening 123 of the projection 121 of the dispensing station.

When looking at the Figures 4a, 4b, 5 and 6 It is already clear how the holding device can block rotation of the coupling device and thus of the separating device. In the embodiment shown, the web is elastic and pre-tensioned towards the blocking position. When the holding device is no longer pushed into the release position by the actuating means 51, the elastic web 52 presses the holding means 54 into the groove 44 of the coupling means, so that a force and/or form fit takes place between the holding means 54 and the bottom surface of the groove 44, so that rotation of the coupling means is prevented. Such a blocking position always exists when the actuating means is "free", i.e. whenever the storage container is completely removed from the dispensing station.

Figure 7 shows a sectional view through the first embodiment of the storage and dispensing station, wherein a large number of the parts of the storage container, for example the housing and base surface, have been omitted. According to the invention, the problem of the unintentional dispensing of small items of goods, caused by the rotation of the separating device when the storage container is placed on, is solved in the storage and dispensing station in that the lower coupling section 42 of the coupling device 40, the hub 152, the actuating means 51 of the holding device and the opening means 125 are specifically positioned on one another, in such a way that when the storage container is placed on, an effective interaction first occurs between the lower coupling section and the hub, whereby, due to the hub being rotatable in the de-energized state, the shaft of the drive is aligned when the coupling section is aligned on the coupling device. According to the invention, the separating device cannot rotate because when the aforementioned interaction occurs, no interaction between the actuating means and the opening means has yet taken place, whereby this interaction is necessary for releasing or moving away the holding means. According to the invention, the rotation of the separating device (via the coupling device) is only released when the coupling device is already interacting with the hub and the hub (and not the separating device) has been rotated in the course of this interaction. In order to achieve this, a large number of special embodiments of the aforementioned components are possible. For example, it is conceivable that the interaction between the actuating means and the opening means is triggered by a light barrier or an electrical contact. However, these embodiments are structurally relatively complex and prone to errors.

In the preferred embodiments of the storage and dispensing station according to the invention, a different approach is taken, namely a purely mechanical one. The actuating means of the holding device is designed as a type of nose, and the counterpart, the opening means 125, as a recess in the projection 121, whereby in the preferred embodiments this recess has a special geometry.

The preferred embodiments of the storage and dispensing station according to the invention, described in more detail in the following figures, have in common that the interaction between the hub 152 and the lower coupling section 42 of the coupling device 40 defines an effective coupling engagement depth (KET) and the interaction between the actuating means 51 of the holding device 50 and the opening means 125 defines an effective holding engagement depth (HET), wherein the coupling engagement depth is greater than the holding engagement depth. This always results in the aforementioned principle being fulfilled when the storage container is placed on the dispensing station, namely that the effective interaction between the lower coupling section and the hub only occurs before the interaction between the actuating means and the opening means causes the brake to be released, i.e. the holding means to move away from the coupling device.

In Figure 7 a section through the first embodiment is shown. In this section, the storage container is arranged ready for use on the delivery station. The effective clutch engagement depth (KET) is defined by the lower edge (the effective depth) of the lower clutch section and the upper edge (effective height) of the hub 152. This effective clutch engagement depth (KET) is in Figure 7 by dashed lines on the left. As provided by the invention, the effective holding engagement depth (HET), which is shown by dashed lines on the right, is smaller than the effective Coupling engagement depth. This effective holding engagement depth is defined by the lower edge (effective depth) of the actuating means 51 and the upper effective edge (effective height) of the opening means 125. As already explained, the release of the holding device in the preferred embodiments described here is brought about purely mechanically. For this purpose, it is necessary for the actuating means to be moved by the opening means in such a way that the holding means no longer prevents rotation of the coupling device, i.e. the holding means must be moved away from the axis of rotation of the coupling device. With regard to the design of the holding device shown in more detail in the above figures, one can say that it must be "bent open". In order to achieve this, the opening means 125 has a, as can be seen in Figure 8b can be seen, inclined section (effective section), at the upper end of which the effective height of the opening means begins. If the actuating means is moved into the opening means when the storage container is placed, this inclined section causes the actuating means (relative to the Figure 7 ) is moved out of the drawing plane, whereby the holding means is released from the coupling device, thereby releasing the rotation.

In Figure 7 It can also be seen that the hub 152 sits on a shaft 151 of a rotary drive 150. The hub 152 is connected to the shaft 151 in a rotationally fixed manner and extends through an opening 121a in the projection 121 of the storage container.

In Figure 8a is a close-up of the cut from Figure 7 reproduced, whereby the coupling device and the holding device are moved so far upwards that no engagement of the actuating means in the opening means has yet taken place, i.e. no effective interaction between them has yet taken place. However, as one can see from a glance on the lower coupling section 42 and the hub 152 can be seen, has led to the Figure 8a However, at the "time" shown, an effective interaction between the webs 43 and the hub 152 has already taken place, i.e. a force or form fit between these two elements. However, since the coupling device is still prevented from rotating by the holding device, more precisely the holding means 54, the hub 152 was possibly rotated "into position" when this interaction was initiated, so that this interaction could take place. When the rotation of the hub has taken place and the combination of coupling means/holding device is moved further downwards, i.e. the storage container is placed further on, an interaction also takes place between the actuating means 51 and the opening means 125, i.e. the holding means is moved away from the coupling device and the rotation is released. In Figure 8b It can be seen that the opening means 125 has an oblique section (active section) 126, which causes the movement of the actuating means 51 and thus, via the web 52, of the holding means 54. When the storage container is in its final position, which in Figure 7 As shown, both interactions have taken place or are taking place, with the different depths of intervention determining the order of the interactions.

Figures 9a and 9b show sectional views through a second embodiment of the storage and dispensing station according to the invention, in which again parts of the storage container are omitted and in which Figure 9b the combination coupling device/holding device is shifted vertically upwards. In this embodiment, the principle according to the invention is achieved by increasing the effective height of the hub 152 (compared to the first embodiment) and lying above the surface of the projection 121. In this In this way, the interaction between hub 152 and lower coupling section 42 takes place first and then the interaction between actuating means 51 and opening means 125; the engagement depths KET, HET and their relationship to one another in the second embodiment correspond to the first embodiment.

Figure 10 shows a sectional view through a third embodiment of the storage and dispensing station according to the invention, and Figures 11a and 11b show detailed views of the cut Figure 10 , the coupling device/holding device combination also being shown vertically displaced in these figures. In this embodiment, the principle according to the invention is achieved in that the effective depth of the actuating means 51 is reduced compared to the first and second embodiments.

With reference to the third embodiment, an embodiment of the method according to the invention is described below. In the preferred embodiment of the method for placing a storage container 1 of a storage and delivery station on a delivery station 100, the delivery station 100 and the storage container 1 are first provided. In this state of provision, the holding device of the storage container is in the blocking position, and a delivery of small items by rotating the separating device cannot take place. The storage container 1 is then arranged on the delivery station 100, which is shown in the Figures 11a, 11b and 10 is illustrated. During the arrangement, an effective interaction between the coupling section 42 and the hub 152 is first initiated, whereby when the interaction begins, the hub 152 adapts (or can adapt) to the coupling section 42 by rotation and a positive and/or frictional connection is established between the hub 152 and the coupling section. Subsequently, a effective interaction between actuating means 51 and opening means 125 is initiated, wherein when the interaction begins, the holding means 54 is released so that the rotation of the separating device 30 is made possible. In the third embodiment shown, the opening means 125 is designed as a recess or depression in the dispensing station and the actuating means is designed as a corresponding vertical nose. The aforementioned interaction between the hub 152 and the lower coupling section 42 is initiated by generating an effective coupling engagement depth KET by non-positive and/or positive connection of the hub 152 and the lower coupling section 42. The interaction between the actuating means 51 and the opening means 125 is initiated by guiding the actuating means 51 into the opening means 125 and thereby releasing the holding means 54, wherein an effective holding engagement depth HET is generated. As explained above, the clutch engagement depth KET is greater than the holding engagement depth HET.

Claims (4)

1. Storage and dispensing station for a blister machine, comprising

   a storage container (1) having

   a housing (10) enclosing a receiving space (2) having an internally circular-cylindrical portion (11) and a bottom face (20) having a central coupling opening (21),

   a separating device (30) arranged in the internally circular-cylindrical portion (11) of the housing (10) having a plurality of channels (32) extending vertically through the separating device and having a coupling device (40) extending into the central coupling opening (21) and having a lower coupling portion (42),

   a holding device (50) having a holding means (54) and an actuation means (51), wherein the holding device (50) prevents rotation of the separating device (30) in a blocking position and allows rotation of the separating device (30) in a release position,

   and a dispensing station (100) on which the storage container (1) is releasably arranged having

   a rotary drive (150) having a shaft (151) and a hub (152) seated on the shaft for force-transmitting interaction with the lower coupling portion (42), and

   an opening means (125) for interaction with the actuation means (51) of the holding device,

   wherein the lower coupling portion (42), the hub (152), the actuation means (51), and the opening means (125) are set relative to one another in such a way that when arranging the storage container (1) on the dispensing station (100) prior to an effective interaction between the actuation means (51) and the opening means (125), which causes the movement of the holding device into the release position, an effective interaction occurs between the lower coupling portion (42) and the hub (152), and wherein the hub (152) is rotatable in the de-energized state,

   characterized in that the opening means (125) is designed as a recess in the dispensing station and the actuation means (51) is designed as a corresponding vertical nose, in that the interaction between the hub (152) and the lower coupling portion (42) defines an effective coupling engagement depth (KET) and the interaction between the actuation means (51) and the opening means (125) defines an effective holding engagement depth (HET), and in that the coupling engagement depth (KET) is greater than the holding engagement depth (HET).
2. Storage and dispensing station for a blister machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the hub (152) and the opening means (125) have an identical effective height in relation to the vertical axis of the dispensing station (100) and in that the lower coupling portion (42), in relation to the vertical axis of the storage container (1), has an effective depth below an effective depth of the actuation means.
3. Storage and dispensing station for a blister machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower coupling portion (42) and the actuation means (51) have an identical effective depth with respect to the vertical axis of the storage container (1) and in that the hub (152), in relation to the vertical axis of the dispensing station (100), has an effective height above an effective height of the opening means (125).
4. Method for placing a storage container (1) of a storage and dispensing station of a blister machine onto a dispensing station (100), wherein

   a dispensing station is provided having a hub (152) of a rotary drive (150) and an opening means (125), wherein the opening means (125) is designed as a recess in the dispensing station,

   a storage container (1) is provided having

   a housing (10) enclosing a receiving space (2) having an internally circular-cylindrical portion (11) and a bottom face (20) having a central coupling opening (21),

   a separating device (30) arranged in the internally circular-cylindrical portion (11) of the housing (10) having a plurality of channels (32) extending vertically through the separating device and having a coupling device (40) extending into the central coupling opening (21) and having a lower coupling portion (42), and

   a holding device (50) having a holding means (54) and an actuation means (51), the holding device (50) preventing rotation of the separating device (30) via the holding means (54) and wherein the actuation means (51) is designed as a vertical nose corresponding to the recess in the dispensing station,

   the storage container (1) being arranged on the dispensing station (100),

   wherein when arranging, initially

   an effective interaction between the coupling portion (42) and the hub (152) is initiated, the hub (152) adapting itself to the coupling portion (42) through a rotation and a form-fit connection and/or frictional connection being produced between the hub (152) and the coupling portion when the interaction begins, and then an effective interaction between the actuation means (51) and the opening means (125) is initiated, the holding means (54) being released when the interaction begins, so that the rotation of the separating device (30) is allowed,

   characterized in that

   the interaction between the hub (152) and the lower coupling portion (42) is initiated by generating an effective coupling engagement depth (KET) by means of a frictional and/or form-fit connection of the hub (152) and the lower coupling portion (42), in that

   the interaction between the actuation means (51) and the opening means (125) is initiated by guiding the actuation means (51) into the opening means (125) and thereby releasing the holding means (54), an effective holding engagement depth (HET) being generated,

   and in that the coupling engagement depth (KET) is greater than the holding engagement depth (HET).

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