Storage container for a storage and dispensing station for a blister packaging machine and method for separating small piece goods

Abstract

Storage containers for a storage and dispensing station for a blister packaging machine include a separating device having dispensing channels for receiving at least one small piece good and above each dispensing channel a recess with a wall, which recess is adapted to a small piece good to be separated. A retaining device includes a retaining portion, the retaining portion being retained above a dispensing opening in the storage container, wherein the retaining portion is elastically deformable such that a small piece good arranged above a dispensing channel aligned with the dispensing opening is pressed against the wall of the corresponding recess and prevented from entering the dispensing channel aligned with the dispensing opening. Methods for separating small piece goods in a storage container are also provided.

1 . A storage container for a storage and dispensing station for a blister packaging machine, comprising:
 a housing having an upper housing portion defining a receiving space for small piece goods, a lower housing portion having a circular cylindrical inner space, and a base plate having a dispensing opening;   a separating device arranged in the circular cylindrical inner space having a base body with a plurality of dispensing channels arranged on an outer circumference of the base body and open towards the outer circumference, separated by webs and adapted to small piece goods to be separated, for receiving at least one small piece good, wherein the base body has, at least above each dispensing channel on the outer circumference, a recess with a wall, which recess is adapted to a small piece good to be separated and is open towards the outer circumference; and   a retaining device having a fastening portion and a retaining portion which is retained above the dispensing opening in the inner space,   wherein the retaining device is elastically deformable at least in portions and is designed in such a manner that a small piece good arranged above a dispensing channel aligned with the dispensing opening is pressed via the retaining portion against the wall of a corresponding recess and is thus prevented by frictional engagement from entering the dispensing channel aligned with the dispensing opening.   
     
     
         2 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining portion is elastically deformable at least in portions. 
     
     
         3 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining portion comprises a plurality of elastically deformable bristles. 
     
     
         4 . The storage of  claim 3 , wherein the bristles extend parallel to one another orthogonally from a base plate of the retaining portion. 
     
     
         5 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining portion comprises an elastically deformable plastic. 
     
     
         6 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining portion comprises an elastically deformable foam. 
     
     
         7 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining portion comprises an elastically deformable silicone. 
     
     
         8 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the recesses are separated from one another by upper webs in such a manner that the recesses are channel-like in portions. 
     
     
         9 . A method for separating small piece goods with a storage container for a storage and dispensing station for a blister packaging machine, the method comprising:
 providing a plurality of piece goods in a receiving space of a housing of the storage container;   introducing small piece goods into dispensing channels arranged on an outer circumference of a base body of a separating device and that are open towards the outer circumference, wherein the separating device is arranged in a circular cylindrical inner space of a lower housing portion of the housing and wherein the base body has, at least above each dispensing channel on the outer circumference, a recess which is adapted to a small piece good to be separated and is open towards the outer circumference and has a wall;   rotating the separating device to dispose a dispensing channel over a dispensing opening in a bottom plate of the lower housing portion;   dispensing a first small piece good arranged in the dispensing channel rotated over the dispensing opening via the dispensing opening;   arranging a second small piece good over the dispensing channel rotated over the dispensing opening by rotational movement of the separating device;   pressing the second small piece good, which is arranged above the dispensing channel rotated over the dispensing opening, against the wall of a corresponding recess by a retaining portion of a sectionally elastically deformable retaining device; and   preventing the second small piece good by frictional connection from entering the dispensing channel aligned with the dispensing opening.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 elastically deforming the retaining portion at least in portions by the second small piece good, whereby the frictional connection between the second small piece good and the wall is produced.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 elastically deforming a plurality of elastically deformable bristles of the retaining portion by the second small piece good, thereby creating the frictional connection between the second small piece good and the wall.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 elastically deforming an elastically deformable plastic material of the retaining portion by the second small piece good, thereby creating the frictional connection between the second small piece good and the wall.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 elastically deforming an elastically deformable foam of the retaining portion by the second small piece good, thereby creating the frictional connection between the second small piece good and the wall.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 elastically deforming an elastically deformable silicone of the retaining portion by the second small piece good, thereby creating the frictional connection between the second small piece good and the wall.   
     
     
         15 . A storage container, comprising:
 a housing, comprising:
 a receiving space for small piece goods; 
 a circular cylindrical inner space; and 
 a dispensing opening; 
   a separating device disposed in the circular cylindrical inner space, the separating device comprising:
 a plurality of dispensing channels arranged on an outer circumference of a base body; and 
 a recess with a wall disposed above each dispensing channel, the recess configured to receive a small piece good from the receiving space; 
   a retaining device, comprising:
 a fastening portion; and 
 a retaining portion disposed above the dispensing opening, 
   wherein at least a portion of the retaining device is elastically deformable and is configured to press a first small piece good against the wall of the recess disposed over the dispensing channel disposed over the dispensing opening, thereby preventing the first small piece good from entering the dispensing channel aligned with the dispensing opening.   
     
     
         16 . The storage container of  claim 15 , wherein the retaining portion comprises a plurality of elastically deformable bristles. 
     
     
         17 . The storage container of  claim 16 , wherein the bristles extend parallel to one another orthogonally from a base plate of the retaining portion. 
     
     
         18 . The storage container of  claim 16 , wherein the bristles extend in various lengths from a base plate of the retaining portion to form a concave shape. 
     
     
         19 . The storage container of  claim 15 , wherein the retaining portion comprises one of an elastically deformable plastic, an elastically deformable foam and an elastically deformable silicone. 
     
     
         20 . The storage container of  claim 15 , wherein the retaining portion comprises an elastically deformable concave surface.