EP3156338B1 - Storage container for a storage and dispensing station for medicaments - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a reservoir for medicaments, and more particularly to a reservoir for a drug delivery and delivery station.

Modern blister machines, such as those in the WO 2013/034504 A1 include, depending on the level of expansion, several hundred storage and dispensing stations. In each of these, a plurality of drug portions of a particular drug are stored, and on request, individual drug portions can be dispensed. With the blister machine, the medicament portions stored in the storage and dispensing stations are compiled and blistered individually according to the patient's prescribed time of entry.

To compile the drug portions corresponding storage and dispensing stations are driven to deliver one or more isolated portions of medication. When a supply and delivery station is actuated, a single medicament portion is separated with a separating device and transferred to a guide device of the blister machine via a delivery opening. By means of the guide device, a dispensed drug portion, possibly with the interposition of a collecting device, a packaging device is supplied, which blisters individual or several portions of medication according to the medical specification.

For separating the medicament portions, which are stored in a storage container of a supply and delivery station, the separating device comprises a rotor with a plurality of channels, which are usually arranged on the outer circumference of the rotor. The channels are to the respective drug portions to be separated in terms of their dimensions adjusted so that in a channel, the drug portions can only be arranged one above the other, but not next to each other.

For dispensing a drug portion from a channel, a channel is moved via a dispensing opening in the housing of the reservoir and the drug portion located in the channel at the bottom slips into the dispensing opening. In order to avoid that further medicament portions stored in or over the channel are also dispensed, in the area above the dispensing opening, a retaining portion of a retaining means is guided at least into or over the channel aligned with the dispensing opening. This retaining portion is arranged in relation to the height of the channel in or above this, that under the retaining portion only a drug portion can be arranged. If the retention portion is guided into the channel to separate the lowermost drug portion from above, the individual channel separating projections have a slot which receives the retention portion upon rotation of the rotor. If the retaining section is guided over the channels, it is routed only slightly over the upper ends of the projections on a regular basis, so that further medicament portions are prevented from entering the channel when the medicament portion is dispensed.

The retaining portion of the retaining means is guided in known storage and dispensing stations from the outside through a housing slot in the reservoir. A disadvantage of this design is that the resulting in the operation of a supply and dispensing station dust can escape through the slot from the reservoir and contaminated the blister machine. Corresponding reservoirs constructed, for example, from the publications US 2003/0057231 A1 and from the already mentioned above WO 2013/034504 A1 known.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a storage container for a supply and dispensing station with which the contamination of the blister machine in which it is used is reduced.

The object is achieved by a storage container according to claim 1. The storage container according to the invention for a storage and dispensing station for pharmaceuticals comprises a receiving space for drug portions enclosing housing having a circular cylindrical portion and a bottom surface, said bottom surface having a discharge opening for receiving individual drug portions.

In the circular cylindrical portion of the housing, a separating device is provided with at least one channel for receiving at least one drug portion. Depending on the exact configuration of the singulation device, the channel can receive only one drug portion or several medicament portions, which can then be arranged only one above the other in the channel.

The reservoir further comprises a retaining means disposed entirely within the housing enclosing the receiving space, having a mounting portion and a retaining portion, the retaining portion being held above the dispensing opening and preventing further drug portions from entering a channel aligned with the dispensing opening, and wherein the mounting portion is at least one Fastening receptacle cooperates within the housing for fixing the retaining means in the housing. The attachment receptacle can have any desired configuration, as long as it is ensured that the retention means is held stationary. Also, the design of the attachment portion of the retaining means is arbitrary, as long as the fixed fixing of the retaining portion is ensured in the housing itself. For example, the fixing portion and the retaining portion may relate to the same "component" of the return means but perform other functions.

Due to the inventive design and arrangement of the retaining means can on the introduction of a slot, through which the retaining portion is guided in the housing, are dispensed with. In the operation of the storage and dispensing station resulting dust can not reach the outside, the dust remains largely inside the storage and dispensing station and can be collected there before an eventual exit to the outside.

Depending on the exact configuration of the at least one channel for receiving medicament portions, the retention section may be arranged above an upper opening of the channel facing the receiving space. In this case, the channel is spatially configured so that only a drug portion can be arranged in this. In the event that the channel is designed so that a plurality of drug portions can be arranged one above the other in this, the retaining portion of the retaining means is inserted into the aligned at the discharge port channel, that the arranged in the channel drug portions are separated, in at least one portion of medication over the retention section and one portion of medication under the retention section. The portion of medication located below the retention section is delivered via the delivery opening. However, the entry of further medicament portions into the channel is prevented since only the lower medicament portion is delivered and the retention agent prevents the slipping of further medicament portions, and thus the entry of further medicament portions. In such an embodiment, projections of the separating device, which define the channels, have a gap in which the retaining section is guided.

Regardless of which type of channel is used, it is always necessary that the positioning of the retaining section over or in the channel, and the configuration of the channel itself, be adapted to the dimensions of the drug portions. This is achieved in known storage and dispensing stations in that adapted to the drug portions singler (Channel design) and housing (positioning slot or retaining section) are used. However, this in turn has the disadvantage that numerous different retaining means, separating devices and housing must be provided. In the storage and dispensing station according to the invention, it is advantageously no longer necessary, due to the complete transfer of the restraint means into the housing, to provide a plurality of housings.

In order to avoid the use of different retaining means adapted to the configuration of the at least one channel, it is provided in a preferred embodiment that the at least one fastening portion of the retaining means cooperates with the fastening receptacle within the housing such that the retaining portion of the retaining means can be fixed in height.

In order to fix the retaining means, the fastening portion of the retaining means cooperates with at least one fastening receptacle within the housing. The attachment receptacle can be arranged at any suitable location within the housing, wherein the location of the attachment receptacle the exact configuration of the retaining means, and in particular of the attachment portion of the retaining means due. In a preferred embodiment, in which the retaining means is particularly simple, it is provided that the at least one fastening receptacle is arranged at the circular cylindrical portion of the housing. In the circular cylindrical portion of the housing and the separating device is arranged in the channels or over the channels of the retaining portion of the fastening means is fixed, so that this spatial arrangement of the mounting receptacle allows a structurally particularly simple retention means.

As already stated above, it is provided in a preferred embodiment, that the retaining portion of the retaining means is adjustable in height fixable. To this, too reach, it is conceivable, for example, to provide different attachment positions with the attachment, with which the attachment portion of the retaining means can cooperate with the attachment receptacle. The various attachment positions can be realized for example by a latching means or the like, which positions the retention portion depending on the exact configuration of the channels.

In a structurally particularly simple preferred embodiment, it is provided that the at least one fastening receptacle has a cylindrical cavity and the attachment section has at least one cylindrical guide section, wherein the cylindrical guide section is arranged in the cylindrical cavity of the fastening receptacle, wherein the cylindrical cavity is preferably the same depth or depth is long as the cylindrical guide portion. This preferred embodiment ensures the most far-reaching flexibility with regard to the height adjustability of the restraint means.

In order to arrange the retention means particularly securely in the housing or set it is provided in a preferred embodiment that the attachment portion is formed in two parts and each part cooperates with a mounting receptacle. In this connection, it is particularly advantageous that the two parts of the fastening portion are arranged at outer end portions of the retaining means. The resulting, in the broader sense U-shaped retaining means is particularly stable and secure in the housing.

As already stated, the retention portion of the retention means may cover or engage in a "top-up" channel at the delivery port to prevent more than one portion of medication from being transferred to the delivery port. In the first alternative, it is preferred that in the at least one fastening receptacle a return means is arranged, which the retaining means in Direction of the discharge opening pushes or pulls, ie from the top of the top of the arranged between the channels projections. By applying pressure to the return means, with a height-adjustable retaining means, it can be ensured that the retaining portion does not "lift off" the projections separating the channels, which would lead to the slipping of medicament portions.

• Figuren 1a - 1d verschiedene Ansichten einer ersten Ausführungsform des Vorratsbehälters zeigen;
• Figuren 2a - 2c verschiedene Schnittansichten der ersten Ausführungsform zeigen;
• Figur 3 eine weitere Schnittansicht der ersten Ausführungsform zeigt;
• Figur 4 eine Schnittansicht bei entfernter Vereinzelungseinrichtung zeigt;
• Figur 5 eine Detailansicht der Vereinzelungseinrichtung in Kombination mit dem Rückhaltemittel zeigt;
• Figur 6 eine Detailansicht des Rückhaltemittels zeigt; und
• Figuren 7a und 7b zwei Schnittansichten einer zweiten Ausführungsform zeigen.

In the following, two preferred embodiments of the reservoir for storage and dispensing stations according to the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

• FIGS. 1a-1d show different views of a first embodiment of the reservoir;
• FIGS. 2a-2c show various sectional views of the first embodiment;
• FIG. 3 a further sectional view of the first embodiment shows;
• FIG. 4 shows a sectional view at the remote singulator;
• FIG. 5 shows a detail view of the singulator in combination with the restraint means;
• FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of the retaining means; and
• FIGS. 7a and 7b two sectional views of a second embodiment show.

The FIGS. 1a and 1b show two oblique views of a supply and dispensing station 1 with a first embodiment of the storage container according to the invention. Figures 1c and 1d show plan views of the supply and delivery station, wherein at Figure 1d a separating device 30, which in the Figures 1a - 1c is at least hinted at, is omitted. In all representations of the supply and dispensing station a cover is omitted for clarity. The cover is usually part of the housing. But it is also conceivable that a reservoir is used without cover.

The storage container according to the first embodiment comprises a medicament portion accommodating space 2 enclosing housing 10, which has a circular cylindrical portion 11 in the lower portion. The reservoir (and the housing 10) is closed at the bottom by a bottom surface 20 having a discharge opening 21 (see Figure 1d ). The bottom surface 20 has a further central receptacle 22, which cooperates with a singulator 30. Like this Figure 1c can be seen, the singulator 30 is disposed in the circular cylindrical portion 11 of the housing 10 and includes a plurality of channels 31 for receiving at least one drug portion. The channels 31 are formed by a plurality of projections 32, which together with a central part 34 form a rotor which is moved by a drive arranged in a housing section 12 (not shown). The projections 32 may be made integral with the central portion 34, but it is also conceivable that the projections 32 are attached to the outer periphery of the central portion 34 and thus the channels are generated on the outer periphery of the central portion 34. As this particular at FIG. 1b can be seen, the circular cylindrical portion 11 of the housing 10 comprises two Ausbuchtunen 14a, 14b, in which fastening receptacles 15a, 15b are formed, which are described in more detail in subsequent figures.

In the arranged under the reservoir housing 12, the motor for moving the singulator 30 and other components of the supply and dispensing station, for example, a sensor for checking the delivery of a drug portion, are arranged. The reservoir can be released from the lower portion of the supply and delivery station, for example, to fill new drug portions in the reservoir. In order to be able to better handle the supply and delivery station (or possibly only the storage container), a handle 13 is provided in the front region.

Like this Figure 1d can be seen, in the circular cylindrical portion 11 of the housing 10 in the region of the bulges 14a, 14b, two fastening receptacles 15a, 15b provided, which extend perpendicularly cylindrical in the bulges. In the embodiment shown, the lateral surface of the cylindrical fastening receptacles is designed as a circular widening blind bore, with an opening for the circular cylindrical section 11 of the housing. In these fastening receivers 15a, 15b, a fixing portion 41 of an in Figure 1c set only to be expected retention means.

In alternative embodiments, it can be provided that the fastening receptacles are arranged at other portions of the housing, for example at the upper opening of the housing 10 or at a (not shown in the figures) cover.

at FIG. 1b It can already be seen that the in Figure 1c only indicated retaining means does not emerge from the housing 10 with its circular cylindrical portion 11, that is, in the housing 10, 11 is arranged fully.

FIG. 2a shows a partial sectional side view of the storage and dispensing station with a reservoir according to the first embodiment, wherein the housing 10 together with circular cylindrical portion 11 is partially cut away, and so the view of the central singler 30 is released.

The separating device 30 comprises a middle part 34, on whose outer circumference a plurality of projections 32 are provided, by the arrangement and configuration of which at the periphery of the middle part 34 a plurality of channels 31 is defined. As already in FIG. 2a can be seen, the projections 32 are each divided at the same height of a slot 33 in which a retaining portion 42 of the retaining means is guided. In the recess 14a on the circular-cylindrical portion 11 of the housing 10, the fastening receptacle 15a is formed, in which a circular-cylindrical portion 43a of a partial mounting portion 41a of the retaining means is guided. Due to the special design of the mounting receptacle 15 a and the circular cylindrical Guide portion 43a of the mounting portion, it is ensured with an appropriate choice of the depth of the mounting bracket and the length of the circular cylindrical guide portion that the retaining means is mounted vertically adjustable, so that the retaining portion 42 of the retaining means can adapt to the height of the slot 33 in the projections 32. This allows the same retaining means to be used for a variety of different singulating devices. Due to the special arrangement and determination of the retaining means, it is also not necessary to provide different reservoirs for drugs with different dimensions, since a insertion of a slot in the housing of the reservoir is no longer necessary (the place of introduction of the slot is dependent on known storage containers of the size of the drug portions to be stored).

FIG. 2b shows a further sectional view, namely a section through the circular cylindrical portion 11 of the housing 10 and by the arranged in the circular cylindrical portion 11 separating device. In this illustration, it is readily apparent that the projections 32 are formed such that they rest against the inner circumference of the circular cylindrical portion 11, so that a defined channel 31 is formed between two projections. In this figure, two mounting receivers 15a, 15b are also visible, which are arranged in recesses 14a, 14b of the circular cylindrical portion.

Figure 2c shows a further sectional view, with only the housing 10 and a portion of the circular cylindrical portion 11 are cut away, so that the exact execution of the singulator 30 and their arrangement in the circular cylindrical portion 11 of the housing can be seen. As already with reference to FIG. 2a described, the projections 32 each comprise a slot 33 for receiving a retaining portion 42 of the retaining means 40. The retaining means 40 is over two circular cylindrical formed guide portions 43a, 43b, which are arranged on two partial mounting portions 41a, 41b, in the two mounting receivers 15a, 15b guided adjustable in height.

FIG. 3 shows a further sectional view of the supply and dispensing station 1 with a first embodiment of the storage container according to the invention. In this embodiment, the rear portion of the housing 10 with a circular cylindrical portion 11 and the lower housing portion 12, which does not belong to the reservoir according to the invention, cut away. In this illustration, once again the two circular-cylindrical guide sections 43a, 43b of the two partial fastening sections 41a, 41b of the guide means are shown. In this figure it can be seen that under the discharge opening 21, in which a drug portion is dispensed, a guide 50 is arranged, via which the dispensed drug portion, for example, a guide means is supplied. at FIG. 3 It can also be seen that the retaining portion 42 of the retaining means is disposed above the (temporarily) aligned at the discharge port 21 channel 31 '.

FIG. 4 shows a further sectional view, in which representation the separating device in the circular cylindrical portion 11 of the housing 10 is omitted, so as to represent the spatial arrangement of the retaining portion 42 of the retaining means in the circular cylindrical portion. In particular, it can be seen that the retaining section 42 is arranged above the discharge opening 21, and thus always conceals or separates the channels which are rotated via the discharge opening 21 during a rotation of the singulating device. In the center of the bottom surface 20, a receptacle 22 for the singling device 30 is shown, which is designed such that on this receptacle 22, the singulator 30 is rotatable with a (not shown) motor.

FIG. 5 shows a detailed view of the interaction of the retaining means 40 with the singulator 30. As to is recognizable, the retaining portion 42 of the retaining means 40 is guided in a slot 33 of the projections 32, and prevents in the two channels, which are positioned in the illustrated illustration between the two guide portions 43a, 43b, that in the receiving space above the singulator 30th arranged drug portion enters the channel region below the retaining portion 42. As a result, slipping further drug portions is prevented.

FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of the retaining means 40 with a central retaining portion 42, at the outer ends of two partial mounting portions 41a, 41b are arranged, which in turn each have a circular cylindrical guide portion 43a, 43b, in the corresponding fastening receptacles 15a, 15b in the circular cylindrical portion 11 of Housing can be performed.

The FIGS. 7a and 7b show two sectional views of a supply and discharge station with a second embodiment of the storage container according to the invention. The second embodiment substantially corresponds to the first embodiment, with the difference that the projections 32 have no slot for guiding the retaining portion 42 of the retaining means 40, but that the retaining means 42 is guided on the top of the projections 42, and so the entry of another Drug serving at least in the channel 31 ', which is aligned with the discharge opening 21, is prevented. The further details with regard to the determination or arrangement of the retaining means correspond to those of the first embodiment, so that a repeated detailed description is omitted here.

Claims (7)

1. A storage container for a storage and dispensing station (1) for drugs, having:

   a housing (10) surrounding an accommodating space (2) for drug portions, with a circular-cylinder-shaped section (11) and a base surface (20), wherein the base surface has a dispensing opening (21),

   a separating device (30) arranged in the circular-cylinder-shaped section (11) of the housing (10) with at least one channel (31) for accommodating at least one drug portion, characterized in that the storage container has a restraining means (40) arranged completely inside the housing (10, 11) surrounding the accommodating space (2) with a fastening section (41) and a restraining section (42),

   wherein the restraining section (42) is held above the dispensing opening (21) and prevents an entry of further drug portions into a channel (31') orientated to the dispensing opening (21), and

   wherein the fastening section (41) interacts with at least one fastening mount (15a, 15b) inside the housing (10) for fixing the restraining means (40) in the housing (10, 11).
2. The storage container for a storage and dispensing station (1) for drugs according to Claim 1, characterized in that the at least one fastening section (41) of the restraining means (40) interacts with the fastening mount (15a, 15b) inside the housing (10, 11) in such a manner that the restraining section (42) of the restraining means (40) can be fixed in a height-adjustable manner.
3. The storage container for a storage and dispensing station (1) for drugs according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one fastening mount (15a, 15b) is arranged at the circular-cylinder-shaped section (11) of the housing (10).
4. The storage container for a storage and dispensing station (1) for drugs according to one of Claims 1 - 3, characterized in that the at least one fastening mount (15a, 15b) has a cylindrical cavity and the fastening section (41) has at least one cylindrical guide section (43a, 43b), which is arranged in the cylindrical cavity of the fastening mount (15a, 15b), wherein the cylindrical cavity is preferably deeper than the cylindrical guide section (43a, 43b) is long.
5. The storage container for a storage and dispensing station (1) for drugs according to one of Claims 1 - 4, characterized in that the fastening section (41) is constructed in two parts, and each part fastening section (41a, 41b) interacts with a fastening mount (15a, 15b).
6. The storage container for a storage and dispensing station (1) for drugs according to Claim 5, characterized in that the two part fastening sections (41a, 41b) of the fastening section (41) are arranged at outer end sections of the restraining section (42).
7. The storage container for a storage and dispensing station (1) for drugs according to Claim 6, characterized in that a reset means is arranged in the fastening mount (15a, 15b), which presses the restraining means (40) in the direction of the discharge opening (21).

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