AU2018249339B2

AU2018249339B2 - Device for packaging pharmaceutical portions

Info

Publication number: AU2018249339B2
Application number: AU2018249339A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Dietmar Gross
Original assignee: Becton Dickinson Rowa Germany GmbH
Current assignee: Becton Dickinson Rowa Germany GmbH
Priority date: 2017-04-07
Filing date: 2018-03-13
Publication date: 2023-07-06
Anticipated expiration: 2038-03-13
Also published as: BR112019020156B1; KR20190134644A; CA3056480A1; CN110536838A; KR102532860B1; JP2020516546A; EP3385174A1; JP2023025121A; EP3385174B1; WO2018184795A1; DK3385174T3; AU2018249339A1; BR112019020156A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for packaging pharmaceutical portions. In known devices, the packaging or blister-packing process of the pharmaceutical portions is prone to error. In order to solve this problem, the invention provides a device which has a plurality of storage and dispensing stations (10); at least one guide and collecting assembly; a packaging material supply (40); a packaging device (30) with a folding and guiding device (50), said folding and guiding device (50) having a packaging material receiving region (52) with a through-opening (51); a guide device (60) which is arranged above the folding and guiding device (50) and which comprises a receiving section (61) for pharmaceutical portions and a guide section (62) that extends in the direction of the through-opening (51) of the folding and guiding device (50); a first joining device (70) which is arranged downstream of the folding and guiding device (50); and a second joining device (90) which is arranged downstream of the first joining device (70).

Description

Device for packaging drug portions

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY The present invention relates to a device for packaging drug portions, and to the use of individual components of the device.

BACKGROUND Devices for packaging drug portions, also called automatic blister packing machines, are known from WO 2013/034504 Al, by way of example. The devices include, according to the configuration level, several hundred reservoir and dispensing stations in each of which are stored multiple drug portions of a certain type of drug. Individual drug portions can be dispensed from the reservoir and dispensing stations upon request, and are then fed via a conveyance device to a packaging device where the drug portions are packaged and/or blister packed. The drug portions stored in the reservoir and dispensing stations are collected and blister packed individually for each patient according to the administration times prescribed by a doctor. For the collection of multiple drug portions, corresponding reservoir and dispensing stations are activated by means of a control device of the device to dispense one or multiple drug portions. The actual dispensing is performed by a drug portion stored in a storage container being separated by means of a separation device of the reservoir and dispensing station, and being transferred via a dispensing opening to a conveyance device of the device for packaging drug portions. The drug portion is conveyed by means of a conveyance device, with regular interconnections of a collection device, to a packaging device which packages and/or blister-packs individual or multiple drug portions. Modern automatic blister packing machines typically have a plurality of reservoir and dispensing stations, and likewise a plurality of collecting devices in which combinations of potentially multiple - drug portions are stored temporarily before they are transferred to the packaging device. Modern automatic blister packing machines are capable of packaging and/or blister-packing a large number of combinations of drug portions per hour. The blistering process involves a packaging material web being molded by a packaging device into a blister tube with a plurality of blister pouches lined up one after the other. For this purpose, a flexible, elongated packaging material web is fed to the packaging device via a packaging material feed. The packaging material web is folded into a V shape in the longitudinal direction, and welded at prespecified intervals transverse to the direction of movement. A partially-closed blister pouch is formed, and the combination of drug portions is transferred into the same. Due to the preparation of the packaging material web, the actual receiving space essentially has the form of an inverted, hollow pyramid. After the transfer, the partially-closed blister pouch is closed by being welded in the direction of movement, and by a further welding transverse to the direction of movement (which can also form the first transverse weld for the subsequent blister pouch). It has been shown that the error rate in the known packaging devices is too high, owing to the high processing speed. This is because drug portions can always jump out of the blister pouches which are only partially closed - particularly if multiple drug portions are blister-packed together in one blister pouch. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each of the appended claims.

SUMMARY The present disclosure may provide a device for packaging drug portions with a lower error rate in the actual packaging of the drug portions into blister pouches. In one aspect, there is disclosed a device for packaging drug portions, having a plurality of reservoir and dispensing stations for dispensing individual drug portions, at least one conveyance and collecting apparatus for receiving the drug portion dispensed by the reservoir and dispensing stations and transferring the drug portion, a packaging material feed for feeding a flexible, elongated packaging material web, a packaging device with a folding and conveyance device, wherein the folding and conveyance device has a packaging material receiving area with a passage, and is designed in such a manner that the elongated packaging material web is fed to the passage, which is designed in such a manner that the elongated packaging material web is molded in the direction of movement into a tubular packaging material web, the shape of which is defined by the passage, having a packaging material overlap region, a first joining device arranged downstream of the folding and conveyance device, which joins the tubular packaging material web at the packaging material overlap region in the direction of movement of the tubular packaging material, and a second joining device arranged downstream of the first joining device, which joins the tubular packaging material web at prespecified intervals with respect to the direction of movement, such that a continuous blister tube is created, wherein a guide device is arranged above the folding and conveyance device, having a receiving segment for drug portions and a conveying segment which extends in the direction of the passage of the folding and conveyance device and which guides drug portions into the tubular packaging material web.

In another aspect, there is disclosed a method of using a packaging device, having a folding and conveyance device, wherein the folding and conveyance device has a packaging material receiving area with a passage, and is designed in such a manner that the elongated packaging material web is fed to the passage, which is designed in such a manner that the elongated packaging material web is molded in the direction of movement into a tubular packaging material web, the shape of which is defined by the passage, having a packaging material overlap region, a first joining device arranged downstream of the folding and conveyance device, which joins the tubular packaging material web at the packaging material overlap region in the direction of movement of the tubular packaging material, and a second joining device arranged downstream of the first joining device, which joins the tubular packaging material web at prespecified intervals with respect to the direction of movement, for the purpose of producing a blister tube which contains drug portions, wherein a guide device is arranged above the folding and conveyance device, having a receiving segment for drug portions and a conveying segment which extends in the direction of the passage of the folding and conveyance device and which guides drug portions into the tubular packaging material web.

In another aspect there is also disclosed a method of using a folding and conveyance device for the purpose of molding a packaging material web moving in a direction of movement, to produce a blister tube containing drug portions, wherein the folding and conveyance device has a packaging material receiving area with a passage, and is designed in such a manner that an elongated packaging material web is fed to the passage, which is designed in such a manner that the elongated packaging material web is molded in the direction of movement into a tubular packaging material web, the shape of which is defined by the passage, having a packaging material overlap region.

Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. The device according to the invention for packaging drug portions has a plurality of reservoir and dispensing stations to dispense individual drug portions, at least one conveyance and collecting apparatus to receive and forward the drug portions dispensed by the reservoir and dispensing stations, and a packaging material feed to feed a flexible, elongated packaging material web. The device according to the invention also has a packaging device with a folding and conveyance device, wherein the folding and conveyance device has a packaging material receiving area with a passage, and is designed in such a manner that the elongated packaging material web is fed to the passage, which in turn is designed in such a manner that the elongated packaging material web is molded in the direction of movement into a tubular packaging material web, the shape of which is defined by the passage, having a packaging material overlap region, as well as a guide device arranged above the folding and conveyance device, having a receiving segment for drug portions and a conveying segment which extends in the direction of the passage of the folding and conveyance device and which guides drug portions into the tubular packaging material web. In order to mold the packaging material web, which has been pre-shaped into a tube by the folding and conveyance device, into closed blister pouches, there is a first joining device in the device according to the invention, arranged downstream of the folding and conveyance device, which joins the tubular packaging material web at the packaging material overlap region in the direction of movement of the tubular packaging material in such a manner that a tube with a closed circumference is created. There is also a second joining device arranged downstream of the first joining device, which joins the tubular packaging material web at prespecified intervals with respect to the direction of movement, such that pouch-shaped receiving segments which are open at the top are created. The second joining device is typically designed in such a manner that the packaging material web is joined approximately orthogonally and/or transverse to the direction of movement of the packaging material web, wherein the precise alignment of the joining site depends on the shape of the blister pouch which is desired.

There are two substantial differences with respect to the prior art in the manipulation of the packaging material web and the transfer of the drug portions. First, the packaging material web is molded into a receiving space with a different construction - specifically a pouch shaped receiving space which is open at the top - such that the risk of drug portions jumping out is reduced simply because of the lower number of open sides. In addition, the feed direction of the drug portions is different at the point of transfer into the pouch-shaped receiving space. Due to the design of the pre-shaped partially closed blister pouch, it was necessary in the prior art to feed the packaging material web at an angle - for example at a 45 degree angle, and to then transfer the drug portions, for example, from above at an angle into the partially closed blister pouches. Due to the construction, the drug portion feed direction always deviated at the receiving space from the direction of movement of the packaging material web. However, according to the invention, it is possible to convey the drug portions at the receiving space according to the direction of movement of the packaging material web, since a pouch-shaped packaging material web segment is present before the individual blister pouch is formed, and can be filled from above with drug portions which will be blister packed. The result of these two measures is that, even at high processing speeds, there is a very low error rate in the blister packing of the drug portions. The second joining device is designed in such a manner that it is suitable for the desired high work speeds. To periodically produce joining sites substantially transverse to the direction of movement, the packaging material web can be halted according to a clock cycle, by way of example; during the halt, the packaging material web can then be joined with suitable joining means. However, because high processing speeds are desired, it is preferred that the packaging material web is not halted periodically. To realize this, the joining device can have, by way of example, opposing, rotating welding rolls with one or more welding means. The interval at which the joining sites are created depends on multiple factors - specifically the speed of operation of the packaging material web, the rotation speed of the welding rolls, and the number of welding means per welding roll. The number of the drug portions which are blister packed per blister pouch varies. In order to ensure that the packaging material web is used optimally, it is desirable to produce blister pouches with different lengths. As such, in a preferred embodiment, the second joining device has a drive device by means of which the second joining device can be moved in and opposite to the direction of movement of the tubular packaging material web. In this embodiment, the second joining device is moved together with the packaging material web when the same is joined (transverse to the direction of movement), and is then moved opposite the direction of movement after the joining. As soon as the drug portions being filled are conveyed to the pouch-shaped receiving segment, the joining process begins again. The length of the blister pouch can therefore be varied without modifying the speed of operation of the packaging material web by varying the length of time between the individual joining processes. Typically, blister tubes with a plurality of blister pouches, each of which contain a combination of drug portions, is created during the blister packing in the known automatic blister packing machines. The blister tubes are typically stored outside the automatic blister packing machines in the form of rolls. The blister pouches of a blister tube are essentially visually identical to each other, such that it is necessary to separate the same after they are conveyed out of the automatic blister packing machine. As such, in a preferred embodiment, the device for packaging drug portions has a cutting device with a cutting means by means of which the blister tube can be severed at prespecified intervals with respect to the direction of movement. The precise manner in which the separation is performed depends on the precise design of the blister tube. Typically, a transverse joining site is part of two blister pouches - that is, the

"lower" end of one and the "upper" end of another blister tube. The separation then occurs precisely at a joining site. If each blister pouch has two of its "own" joining sites, the separation can occur between two joining sites. In this embodiment, the blister tube can be severed right when the same is produced. There is no need for the separation point to be located at a later point. It is also possible to easily produce blister tubes of an entirely different length using a corresponding device. It can even be contemplated that the blister pouch is separated immediately after production. Even pre-separated blister tubes have multiple blister pouches, and these blister pouches generally apply to multiple prescriptions, patients, and/or administration times. Therefore, it is usually necessary to subsequently separate the blister pouches. In a preferred embodiment of the device for packaging drug portions, the cutting means comprises a plurality of cutting teeth and the blister tube and the cutting means are arranged to be able to move relative to each other in such a manner that the blister tube can be severed or perforated. In this embodiment according to the invention, the blister tube can therefore be both severed and perforated by means of one component. As such, by way of example, individual blister tubes can be produced for each patient, wherein the individual blister pouches thereof can be easily detached from each other and opened due to the perforations inserted between them. The manner in which the separations/perforations are distributed can be varied according to the application. In a further preferred embodiment, the cutting device is functionally assigned to the second joining device. As such, it is particularly easy to carry out the separation and/or perforation. This is because it is not necessary to precisely detect the point where the separation and/or perforation is made, since the cutting means is moved together with the joining device. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the second joining device has a joining means in which the cutting means is accommodated, and specifically in such a manner that the joining means extends upstream and downstream of the cutting means in the direction of movement of the packaging material web. This embodiment makes the perforation and separation particularly simple and precise, since the separation/perforation always take place at a joining site produced in a straight line. The invention also relates to a use of a packaging device having a folding and conveyance device, wherein the same has a packaging material receiving area with a passage, and is designed in such a manner that the elongated packaging material web is fed to the passage, which in turn is designed in such a manner that the elongated packaging material web is molded in the direction of movement into a tubular packaging material web, the shape of which is defined by the passage, having a packaging material overlap region, as well as a guide device arranged above the folding and conveyance device, having a receiving segment for drug portions and a conveying segment which extends in the direction of the passage of the folding and conveyance device and which guides drug portions into the tubular packaging material web, a first joining device arranged downstream of the folding and conveyance device, which joins the tubular packaging material web at the packaging material overlap region in the direction of movement of the tubular packaging material, as well as a second joining device arranged downstream of the first joining device, which joins the tubular packaging material web at prespecified intervals with respect to the direction of movement to produce a blister tube holding drug portions. Further preferred embodiments relate to the use of a packaging device having the additional features described in reference to the device. Finally, the invention relates to the use of a folding and conveyance device for the purpose of molding a packaging material web moving in a direction of movement, to produce a blister tube containing drug portions, wherein the folding and conveyance device has a packaging material receiving area with a passage, and is designed in such a manner that an elongated packaging material web is fed to the passage, which is designed in such a manner that the elongated packaging material web is molded in the direction of movement into a tubular packaging material web, the shape of which is defined by the passage, having a packaging material overlap region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the present invention for the packaging of drug portions, and the use of individual components of this device, are described below with reference to the attached drawing, wherein: Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic partial view of the packaging device in relation to a segment of the conveyance and collecting apparatus; Figures 3a - 3d show various views of the packaging device; Figure 4 shows a detailed view of the packaging device; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the first joining device of the packaging device; Figures 6a - 6b show different perspective views of the second joining device of the packaging device; Figure 7 shows a further detailed view of the packaging device; Figures 8a - 8c show further detailed views of the packaging device, wherein a part of the components of the packaging device has been left out for the sake of clarity; Figures 9a - 9c show various views of a combination folding and conveyance device / guide device; and Figures 10a - 10c show different detailed views of the joining means of the second joining device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention for packaging drug portions, wherein a number of components which are not essential for the invention as such, such as cladding parts, have been left out for the sake of clarity. The device 1 has a central frame with a plurality of vertical struts 2 (of which only one is visible), three horizontal struts 3a, 3b, 3c and multiple stand struts 4. The lower horizontal strut 3c extends substantially over the entire length of the device; the upper horizontal struts 3a, 3b only extend over the "right" portion of the device. A conveyance and collecting apparatus is arranged on the frame, consisting in the embodiment shown of a plurality of individual components. The conveyance and collecting apparatus has three axles 24a, 24b, 24c which are accommodated in corresponding bore holes of the horizontal struts 3a, 3b, 3c. The axles 24a, 24b, 24c comprise one (24c), two (24b), or three (24a) deflection rollers 25, wherein transport belts 22a, 22b, 22c are arranged between the deflection rollers 25. The transport belts themselves have different lengths according to the arrangement of the axles 24a, 24b, 24c on the different horizontal struts; the two upper transport belts have the same length and form a sort of assemblage. The lower transport belt is accordingly longer and extends substantially over the entire length of the device. As can be readily seen in Figure 1, the conveyance and collecting apparatus in the embodiment shown has two primary components, wherein the transport belt 22c extends into a region of the device 1 into which the two transport belts 22a, 22b do not extend. This two-part division is based on the fact that different components of the conveyance and collecting apparatus are arranged on the transport belts 22a 22b and the transport belts 22c. Elongated conveyance devices 20 are arranged on retaining means 23 on and/or between the transport belts 22a, 22b, while collecting devices 21 are arranged on retaining means 23 on the lower transport belt 22c, wherein only a few of the conveyance devices and the collecting devices are illustrated, for the sake of clarity. The device 1 has a drive 26 by means of which the axle 24a can be driven, whereby the transport belts 22a, 22b, 22c are moved via the deflection rollers. Because the transport belts 22a, 22b and the transport belt 22c are driven via the same axle 24a, the same move in the direction of rotation with the same speed. With respect to the conveyance devices and the collecting devices, this means that the same can be moved in the region between the axles 24a and 24b at the same speed, and aligned with each other in the direction of rotation. In the device for packaging drug portions, the different drug portions are arranged in a plurality of reservoir and dispensing stations 10, of which only one partial matrix is indicated in Figure 1. These reservoir and dispensing stations 10 are fixed via components (not shown) to the device. The reservoir and dispensing stations comprise a reservoir part in which drug portions are stored, and a dispensing part via which individual drug portions are transferred when requested via a dispensing opening into a receiving opening of a conveyance device. The embodiment shown includes five horizontal rows of reservoir and dispensing stations, such that in this case the conveyance device comprises five receiving openings via which drug portions can be received. In operation, the conveyance devices are moved past the reservoir and dispensing stations 10 via the transport belts 22a, 22b, and drug portions can be dispensed during this pass from the reservoir and dispensing stations to the conveyance device, which transfers the drug portions to a collecting device arranged below the conveyance device and moving in unison with the same. Due to the construction of the device according to the invention, a conveyance device is therefore guided past all of the reservoir and dispensing stations 10 of the device, such that each type of drug stored in the device can be fed to each collecting device upon each passage. The device according to the invention for packaging drug portions comprises, on the "left" side, into which the transport belts 22a, 22b do not extend, below the transport belt 22c, and therefore below the collecting devices 21 fixed to the transport belts, a packaging device 30 and a packaging material feed 40. An elongated packaging material web 41 is fed to the packaging device via the packaging material feed 40. The packaging device 30 forms a blister tube 45 from the elongated packaging material web, with a plurality of blister pouches 44, wherein during this molding process, drug portions which are temporarily stored in the collecting devices 21 are transferred to the respective blister pouches as they are formed. The shaping of the blister pouch and the transfer of the drug portions into the blister pouch are described with reference to the following figures. In the embodiment shown, the conveyance and collecting apparatus has a very complex construction, but enables a high blister packing speed as well as access to a large number of different types of drugs. However, a significantly simpler conveyance and collecting apparatus can also be contemplated. The conveyance and collecting apparatus can, by way of example, only have one (stationary) collecting device to which are fed all combinations of drug portions. It can also be contemplated that only one conveyance device is included, which can receive drug portions from all of the reservoir and dispensing stations. Figure 2 shows a schematic partial view of the packaging device in relation to a segment of the conveyance and collecting apparatus. The orientation of the packaging device 30 with regards to a section of the conveyance and collecting apparatus can particularly be seen in Figure 2 - specifically the orientation of a guide device 60 of the packaging device 30 below the collecting devices 21. To transfer a drug portion temporarily stored in a collecting device 21, a dispensing flap 27 of the accordingly oriented collecting device is opened, and the drug portions arranged in the collecting device fall due to gravity into the guide device 60, which feeds the same to the actual blister packing. Figures 3a - 3d show various views of the packaging device. The same comprises, as an essential feature, the guide device 60, which accepts combinations of drug portions from the collecting devices (not shown). For this purpose, the guide device 60 has a receiving segment 61 designed in the shape of a funnel. The guide device 60 also has a conveying segment which feeds the drug portions into a receiving space of the packaging material web which is pre-shaped into a blister tube open at the top. The process indicated above is described with reference to the following figures. The folding and conveyance device 50, which is particularly described below with reference to Figures 5a - 5c, narrows conically at the middle thereof, and has a central passage 51 by means of which the packaging material web feed is formed into a tubular shape. In general, the folding and conveyance device has the form of a crater, wherein the packaging material web is guided to the center via the outer flanks. The packaging device has a first joining device 70 and a second joining device 90 to form the blister tube comprising the separate blister pouch, wherein the first joining device 70 is arranged downstream of the guide device 60 with respect to the direction of movement, and the second joining device 90 is arranged downstream of the first joining device. As noted above, the packaging material web is pre-shaped into a tubular form by means of the folding and conveyance device 50, but is still open to the circumference of the tube, as well as at the top and bottom. The first joining device arranged downstream of the guide device joins the packaging material web parallel to the direction of movement, such that a closed tube is created - which is indicated in Figure 3a below the first joining device with the reference number 42. The second joining device 90 is arranged below the first joining device 70. By means of the same, the closed tube is joined transverse to the direction of movement - that is, with this joining device, the pouch shape is produced. In the embodiment shown, the second joining device 90 is designed in such a manner that it can be moved in and opposite to the direction of movement of the packaging material web. For the joining and/or application of the joining site into the tubular packaging material web 42, the joining means 91a, 91b are moved together. As soon as the joining means are moved together, the joining device is moved downward in the direction of movement. The duration of the moving-together depends on the amount of time required to ensure the joining. The joining site is typically a welded seam; however, other types of joining can be contemplated. As soon as the joining site is produced, the joining means are moved away from each other, and the joining device as such is once more moved "upward" opposite the direction of movement. As soon as the "lower" joining site has been applied, drug portions can be fed from above via the guide device to the receiving space just created. This receiving space is constructed, after the application of the joining site, as a pouch open at top. For the actual insertion of the drug portions, the packaging material web is not halted. Rather, it continues to be moved in the direction of movement such that it continues to advance during the filling process. However, the actual filling and/or the insertion of drug portions into the receiving segment - that is, the pre-shaped blister pouches open at top - is carried out with synchronization. As soon as all of the drug portions have been inserted, the joining means 91a, 91b of the second joining device are moved together once again, and the joining device is moved downward with the packaging material web. A further joining site is applied, which is simultaneously the "upper" joining site of the blister pouch just created, and the "lower" joining site of the blister pouch which will be made subsequently. Via a packaging material feed 40 which is functionally assigned to the packaging device, the elongated packaging material web 41 is fed to the folding and conveyance device 50 (see particularly Figure 3d). The packaging material feed 40 comprises a central packaging material roll 46 and various deflection rollers which feed the elongated packaging material web 41 ultimately to the folding and conveyance device 50. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3d, two of the various deflection rollers are coupled to a drive 47. In the embodiment shown, the packaging material feed 40 is a central component of the packaging device. In other embodiments, the packaging material feed can be arranged outside of the actual packaging device in order to ensure a rapid change of the packaging material roll. Figure 4 shows a detailed view of the packaging device. In Figure 4 it can be seen that, in the embodiment shown, a drive device 100, by means of which the part of the second joining device which comprises the joining means 91a, 91b can be moved in and opposite to the direction of movement of the packaging material web, is functionally assigned to the second joining device 90. It can be seen in Figure 4 that the first joining device 70 has two drive belts 74a, 74b which encompass a packaging material overlap region 43. The same is formed because of the special construction of the folding and conveyance device. The actual joining of the packaging material parallel to the direction of movement of the packaging material takes place in this packaging material overlap region 43. The components used for this purpose are described below with reference to the following figures. A horizontal adjusting mechanism 92 which is functionally assigned to the joining means 91b and by means of which the joining means can be moved in the X direction toward the tubular packaging material web to apply a joining site, and be removed again after the application of the joining site, can be seen in Figure 4. By means of the drive device 100 noted just above, the second joining device 90 can be moved in the Y direction in and opposite to the direction of movement of the packaging material web. Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the first joining device 70 of the packaging device. The first joining device comprises a receiving plate 71 on which the folding and joining device is arranged. To support the movement of the packaging material web pre-shaped in the form of a tube, the first joining device has two drive belts 74a, 74b which encompass the packaging material overlap region. The elongated packaging material web is pre-shaped in the form of a tube, and the tubular packaging material overlap region is furnished, by the folding and conveyance device. The actual joining in the direction of movement takes place in this packaging material overlap region, and particularly by this packaging material overlap region being welded. For this purpose, the first joining device 70 has joining means 73a, 73b which contact the packaging material to join the same. The joining means in Figure 5 are shown spaced apart from each other for the sake of clarifying the individual components. The joining means 73a, 73b and the drive belts 74a, 74b are coupled to drives 72a, 72c. Figures 6a - 6b show two perspective views of the second joining device 90. For the purpose of applying a joining site to the packaging material web, the second joining device 90 has two joining means 91a, 91b which can be moved horizontally. For this purpose, the second joining device has two horizontal adjusting mechanisms 92, 93 which can be moved independently of each other. As already described with reference to the figures named above, the section of the second joining device shown in Figures 6a, 6b can be moved via a drive device 100 in and opposite to the direction of movement of the packaging material web. Figure 7 shows a detail view of the packaging device - and particularly in the area where the drug portions are inserted and the packaging material web is joined. Figure 7 particularly shows the course of the packaging material web through the first and the second joining devices. The folding and conveyance device 50 shapes the packaging material web into a tubular packaging material web 42 having a packaging material overlap region 43, which is joined together downstream of the folding and conveyance device by means of the joining means 73a, 73b. In the illustrated embodiment, the overlap region is welded. The application of the horizontal joining sites occurs at the second joining device 90 arranged downstream of the first joining device 70. In the embodiment shown, a welded seam is applied. Specifically, the joining means 91a has, for this purpose, two welding edges 94a, 94b which press the packaging material web being welded against two counter edges 95a, 95b of the joining means 91a during the actual application of the weld. In the embodiment shown, the joining means 91a has a cutting means 111 which is incorporated into the center of the joining means, and specifically in such a manner that the welding edges 94a, 94b are arranged downstream and upstream of the cutting means with respect to the direction of movement of the packaging material web. Figures 8a - 8c show further detailed views of the packaging device, wherein a part of the components of the packaging device has been left out for the sake of clarity. Figure 8 shows the course of the packaging material web with the overlap area 43. The second joining device 90 is illustrated in the open position, and the blister tube 45 as such is indicated below the second joining device 90; the precise conveyance of the blister tube after the production of the individual blister pouch is not illustrated in further detail.

In Figure 8b, the packaging material itself is left out, and the conveying segment 62 of the guide device 60 can be seen, which extends through the central passage 51 of the folding and conveyance device 50, which is shown in Figure 8c. The conveying segment 62 supports the formation and shaping of the tubular packaging material web, and feeds the drug portions to the actual receiving space of the pre-shaped packaging material web, which is positioned below the conveying segment 62. The precise manner in which the drug portions are inserted into the pre shaped packaging material web has already been described with reference to the previous figures. Figures 9a - 9c show various views of the combination folding and conveyance device / guide device. Figure 9a shows how the combination named above is installed in the packaging device. The conveying segment 62 of the guide device 60 extends through a central passage 51 of the folding and conveyance device 50. In Figure 9b, the guide device 60 is shifted vertically with respect to the folding and conveyance device 50; in Figure 9c, these two components are illustrated separately from each other. The shaping of the packaging material web is performed by the same riding up the flanks of the folding and conveyance device toward the central passage, and extending downward into the same. In the embodiment shown, the central passage 51 of the folding and conveyance device 50 is not closed to the outside. Rather, it has a gap 53, and this gap forms the packaging material overlap region 43 when the packaging material web is shaped. A corresponding overlap area could also be provided by other embodiments of the central passage and/or the folding and conveyance device. Figures 10a - 10c show detailed views of the region of the joining means of the second joining device 90. Figure 10a shows a snapshot of the application of a joining site transverse to the direction of movement of the packaging material web. The joining means 91a comprises a horizontal recess in which a cutting means 111 is arranged. The joining means 91a has, downstream and upstream of the cutting means, welding edges 94a, 94b which cooperate with counter edges 95a, 95b of the joining means 91b. Figure 10 shows the cutting device 110, comprising a cutting means 111 with a plurality of cutting teeth 112. The cutting means 111 as such is connected via multiple components directly to the horizontal adjustment device 93. The joining means 91a is connected to said horizontal adjustment device via springs 96a, 96b. A movement of the horizontal adjustment device therefore moves both the joining means and the cutting means. However, as soon as the joining means 91a is moved via its weld edges against a stop, which is typically furnished via the counter edges 95a, 95b, there is a relative movement of the cutting means 111 to the joining means 91a, and particularly by the joining means 91a being pressed via the joining means 91b, which is coupled with a horizontal adjustment device 93, against the springs 96a, 96b (see Figure 10c). During the relative movement of the cutting means 111 to the joining means 91b, the cutting means passes out of the recess inside the joining means 91a, and penetrates the packaging material web arranged between the joining means. The packaging material web can be perforated or severed by means of the cutting teeth according to this relative movement. The perforation is created only by a small relative movement. If the joining means 91a is further pressed against the springs 96a, 96b via the joining means 91b, the packaging material web is severed.

Claims

1. A device for packaging drug portions, having a plurality of reservoir and dispensing stations for dispensing individual drug portions, at least one conveyance and collecting apparatus for receiving the drug portion dispensed by the reservoir and dispensing stations and transferring the drug portion, a packaging material feed for feeding a flexible, elongated packaging material web, a packaging device with a folding and conveyance device, wherein the folding and conveyance device (50) has a packaging material receiving area with a passage, and is designed in such a manner that the elongated packaging material web is fed to the passage, which is designed in such a manner that the elongated packaging material web is molded in the direction of movement into a tubular packaging material web, the shape of which is defined by the passage, having a packaging material overlap region, a first joining device arranged downstream of the folding and conveyance device, which joins the tubular packaging material web at the packaging material overlap region in the direction of movement of the tubular packaging material, and a second joining device arranged downstream of the first joining device, which joins the tubular packaging material web at prespecified intervals with respect to the direction of movement, such that a continuous blister tube is created, wherein a guide device is arranged above the folding and conveyance device, having a receiving segment for drug portions and a conveying segment which extends in the direction of the passage of the folding and conveyance device and which guides drug portions into the tubular packaging material web.

2. The device for packaging drug portions according to

claim 1, wherein

the second joining device has a drive device by means of

which the second joining device can be moved in and opposite

to the direction of movement of the tubular packaging material

web.

3. The device for packaging drug portions according to

claim 1 or claim 2, wherein

the device for packaging drug portions has a cutting device

with a cutting means by means of which the blister tube can be

severed at prespecified intervals with respect to the

direction of movement.

4. The device for packaging drug portions according to

claim 3, wherein

the cutting means comprises a plurality of cutting teeth,

and in that the blister tube and the cutting means are

arranged to be able to move relative to each other in such a

manner that the blister tube can be severed or perforated.

5. The device for packaging drug portions according to

claim 3 or claim 4, wherein

the cutting device is functionally assigned to the second

joining device.

6. The device for packaging drug portions according to any

one of the claims 3 to 5, wherein

the second joining device has a joining means in which the

cutting means is accommodated.

7. The method of using a packaging device, having a folding and conveyance device, wherein the folding and conveyance device has a packaging material receiving area with a passage, and is designed in such a manner that the elongated packaging material web is fed to the passage, which is designed in such a manner that the elongated packaging material web is molded in the direction of movement into a tubular packaging material web, the shape of which is defined by the passage, having a packaging material overlap region, a first joining device arranged downstream of the folding and conveyance device, which joins the tubular packaging material web at the packaging material overlap region in the direction of movement of the tubular packaging material, and a second joining device arranged downstream of the first joining device, which joins the tubular packaging material web at prespecified intervals with respect to the direction of movement, for the purpose of producing a blister tube which contains drug portions, wherein a guide device is arranged above the folding and conveyance device, having a receiving segment for drug portions and a conveying segment which extends in the direction of the passage of the folding and conveyance device and which guides drug portions into the tubular packaging material web.

8. The method of using a packaging device for the

production of a blister tube which contains drug portions,

according to claim 7, wherein

the second joining device has a drive device by means of

which the second joining device can be moved in and opposite

to the direction of movement of the tubular packaging material

web.

9. The method of using a packaging device for the

production of a blister tube which contains drug portions,

according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein

the device for packaging drug portions has a cutting device

with a cutting means by means of which the blister tube can be

severed at prespecified intervals with respect to the

direction of movement.

10. The method of using a packaging device for the

production of a blister tube which contains drug portions,

according to claim 9, wherein

the cutting means comprises a plurality of cutting teeth,

and can be moved in such a manner that the blister tube can be

severed or perforated.

11. The method of using a packaging device for the

production of a blister tube which contains drug portions,

according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein

the cutting device is functionally assigned to the second

joining device.

12. The method of using a packaging device for the

production of a blister tube which contains drug portions,

according to any one of the claims 9 to 11, wherein

the second joining device has a joining means in which the

cutting means is accommodated.