DE102022114943B4 - Repackaging device for repackaging medicaments in tablet form and method for operating a repackaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

Repackaging device for repackaging medications in tablet form, wherein the repackaging device• has a plurality of transportable tablet containers (1), wherein the respective tablet container (1) has at least one compartment for receiving at least one tablet and the respective compartment◯ either has a dispensing mechanism for dispensing a tablet or◯ has an opening closed by a film, wherein a tablet located in the compartment can be pushed out of the compartment through the opening while destroying the film,• and has a working memory (2) in which several tablet containers (1) can be stored, wherein the working memory (2)◯ has a filling device in which a tablet can be removed from a compartment of a tablet container (1),◯ and has a packaging station in which a tablet removed from the tablet container (1) in the filling device can be packed in a new packaging (140),◯ wherein a tablet transport device is provided which brings a tablet removed from the tablet container (1) in the filling device to the packaging station,• and a mixing storage (6) in which several tablet containers (1) and several packages containing tablets or blisters can be stored, characterized by a work station (7) for unpacking tablets or blisters located in packages and• a feeding device (9) with which a tablet container (1) and/or a package can be fed from the mixing storage (6) to the work station (7), and/or• a removal device (11) with which a tablet container (1) and/or a package can be fed from the work station (7) to the mixing storage (6).

Description

The invention relates to a repackaging device for repackaging medicaments in tablet form. The invention further relates to a method for operating a repackaging device.

Out of EP 2 993 133 A1 A repackaging device for repackaging medications in tablet form is known. This device has a large number of transportable tablet containers which are EP 2 993 133 A1 The blister carrier can hold an original blister pack, often also called a push-through pack. Due to the original blister pack arranged in the blister carrier, the blister carrier has a plurality of compartments, namely the number of recesses usually provided in the plastic or aluminum foil of such an original blister pack, which are closed by the cover foil. The blister carrier therefore has EP 2 993 133 A1 a plurality of compartments for receiving at least one tablet, wherein each compartment has an opening closed by a film, wherein a tablet located in the compartment can be pushed out of the compartment through the opening while destroying the film.

From EP 2 993 133 A1 known device further comprises a working memory in which several tablet containers can be stored. In the EP 2 993 133 A1 the working memory has a conveyor device for separating and feeding original blisters packed in blister carriers assigned to a respective original blister type, an intermediate storage with random access for the intermediate storage of the blister carriers and an ejection device for ejecting a defined number of units of a selected medication from the respective original blister into a filling blister. Thus, the EP 2 993 133 A1 The device known from EP 2 993 133 A1 known device of a conveyor carriage, with which the blister carrier can be fed along a conveyor line from the intermediate storage to the deblistering device containing the ejection device. The tablet ejected in the ejection device falls along a shaft, which also contains a pre-dosing magazine, in the direction of the packaging station. This can be regarded as a tablet transport device that takes a tablet taken from the tablet container in the filling device to the packaging station.

From the practical use of the EP 2 993 133 A1 known device, it is known that packs with original blister packs, but also blister carriers, are stored in warehouses and manually placed on conveyor trolleys of the conveyor line leading to the intermediate storage facility.

Against this background, the object of the invention was to propose a repackaging device for repackaging medicaments in tablet form and/or a method that can be carried out with such a repackaging device, which make it possible to carry out the repackaging more safely and/or make it possible to carry out the repackaging more quickly and/or make it possible to carry out the repackaging for a larger number of different medicaments in tablet form.

This object is solved by the subject matter of claim 1. This object is further solved by a method according to claim 9. Advantageous embodiments are given in the subclaims and the description below.

• • eine Zuführvorrichtung vorzusehen, mit der ein Tablettenbehälter und/oder eine Packungen aus dem Mischlager dem Arbeitsplatz zugeführt werden kann, und/oder
• • eine Abführvorrichtung vorzusehen, mit der ein Tablettenbehälter und/oder eine Packungen von dem Arbeitsplatz dem Mischlager zugeführt werden kann.

The invention is based on the basic idea of equipping the repackaging device with a work station for unpacking tablets or blisters in packs, in addition to a working memory and a filling device, as well as a packaging station and a mixing storage area, and

• • provide a feeding device with which a tablet container and/or a pack can be fed from the mixing warehouse to the workstation, and/or
• • to provide a removal device with which a tablet container and/or a pack can be fed from the workstation to the mixing storage area.

By providing a workstation, a place is created where an operator can concentrate and efficiently remove an original blister pack from a package, such as a box, and place the removed original blister pack into a blister carrier. An operator can also transfer tablets delivered in large-volume packages, such as sacks, into tablet containers in the form of magazines/canisters at a workstation.

The invention provides the possibility of developing a repackaging device for repackaging to propose a new system for the repackaging of medicines in tablet form, which makes it possible to completely transform the repackaging of the starting material (packs of tablets/containers of loose tablets) into a fully automated process and thus to carry it out more safely and/or makes it possible to carry out the repackaging more quickly and/or makes it possible to carry out the repackaging for a larger number of different medicines in tablet form and/or drastically reduces the planning and organisational effort.

In the context of the present invention, a workplace is understood to mean in particular a concrete spatial design of an area of the device according to the invention, which allows an operator of the device to insert an original blister pack into a tablet container equipped as a blister carrier and/or a loose tablet into a tablet container.

In a preferred embodiment, the workstation has a work surface. In a preferred embodiment, the work surface is horizontal. The work surface can also be inclined, but preferably has an angle of inclination of less than 45° to the horizontal. The work surface preferably has an area of more than 0.5 m2, preferably more than 1 m2. The work surface is preferably smaller than 10 m2, preferably smaller than 7 m2.

In a preferred embodiment, the workstation has a free space above the work surface in which devices can be located that can be used to insert an original blister pack into a tablet container equipped as a blister carrier and/or a loose tablet into a tablet container, but into which no partition walls protrude. The free space preferably extends in terms of its horizontal extent over at least 75% of the area of the work surface and in terms of its vertical extent over more than 0.3m, preferably over more than 0.5m and particularly preferably over more than 0.7m.

In a preferred embodiment, the workstation has a printer. In a preferred embodiment, the printer is a label printer. In a preferred embodiment, the printer can be used to create labels with an optically readable code, particularly preferably a barcode or a QR code. These labels can, for example, be stuck onto newly filled tablet containers and enable the specific tablet container to be identified later in further process steps within the device. The labels can also be used to label packs and tablet containers whose contents have been changed at the workstation, for example by removing a certain number of tablets or by adding (refilling) a number of tablets. The printer is particularly preferably connected to a computer at the workstation and/or integrated into a computer network belonging to the device according to the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the workstation has a reader for an optically readable code, particularly preferably a barcode reader or a QR code reader. The reader is particularly preferably connected to a computer at the workstation and/or integrated into a computer network belonging to the device according to the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the workstation has a reader for an RFID tag. The reader can also be equipped as a writer for an RFID tag in order to write to an RFID tag. The reader is particularly preferably connected to a computer at the workstation and/or integrated into a computer network belonging to the device according to the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the device has a display, particularly preferably a screen. The display is particularly preferably connected to a computer at the workstation and/or integrated into a computer network belonging to the device according to the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the workstation has an input means for a computer, in particular a keyboard or a touchscreen. The input means is particularly preferably connected to a computer at the workstation and/or integrated into a computer network belonging to the device according to the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the workstation has a camera, particularly preferably an image camera or a video camera. The camera is particularly preferably connected to a computer at the workstation and/or integrated into a computer network belonging to the device according to the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the workstation has an air extractor with which air can be extracted from the free space of the workstation. The air extractor can be equipped as an extractor hood that is arranged above a work surface. The air extractor can also be arranged to the side next to a free space above the work surface. The air extractor is particularly preferably connected to a computer at the workstation and/or integrated into a computer network belonging to the device according to the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the workstation has tweezers with which tablets can be handled.

In a preferred embodiment, the workstation has a tablet ejection tray into which tablets can be pressed out of original blister packs and pressed out for later removal.

In a preferred embodiment, the workstation has a holding device for a blister carrier, preferably a holding device that can hold several blister carriers next to each other, in particular several blister carriers horizontally next to each other.

In a preferred embodiment, the workstation has an opening device for a tablet container, by means of which a tablet container can be held in a position in which the compartment of the tablet container is open. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a compartment of a tablet container can be opened automatically.

In a preferred embodiment, the workstation has an automatic device for removing the packaging (e.g. clamping device with cutting device) and an automated repacking device, e.g. a handling system that repacks the unpacked original blisters into the provided tablet containers.

In a preferred embodiment, the workstation has a disposal container into which empty packages or empty original blister packs or empty tablet containers can be disposed of.

In a preferred embodiment, the device has several workstations. Embodiments are possible in which two or more workstations are equipped in the same way. This allows every type of activity that is to be carried out at a workstation to be carried out at each workstation. However, embodiments are also possible in which at least one workstation is equipped differently from another workstation. This makes it possible to equip different workstations for different types of activities.

The feeding device can be used to feed the operator at the workplace the pack and/or an empty tablet container or a partially filled tablet container (for refilling) from the mixing warehouse. Process reliability can be increased, particularly in combination with a computerized process control system that controls the mixing warehouse and the feeding device. This makes it possible to feed the operator at the workplace only the pack and the tablet container that he is supposed to work on. This reduces the possibility of human error.

In a preferred embodiment, the feed device is a passive feed device. A passive feed device is particularly preferably understood to mean a device that can convey a pack or a tablet container over a conveyor line without the use of drive means. A passive feed device can particularly preferably be a chute or a spiral or a roller conveyor. A passive feed device can also be, for example, a drop tower, for example a shaft with an insertion opening at the top and an output opening at the bottom, in which the object falls into a soft collecting device, e.g. a cushion, or the fall is braked by flaps, or the object falls onto an incline and is thus automatically output to the side.

In a preferred embodiment, the feed device is an active feed device. An active feed device is particularly preferably understood to mean a device that can convey a pack or a tablet container along a conveyor line using drive means. In a preferred embodiment, the feed device is a conveyor device that extends along a conveyor line, for example a conveyor belt. The active feed device can also be a rail along which the pack or the tablet containers can be moved by a pushing or pulling means.

In a preferred embodiment, the feed device has an end section in which a pack or a tablet container can be located. An end section can be, for example, a horizontal or slightly inclined surface (particularly preferably with an angle of inclination of less than 30°) at the end of the feed device. The end section can be partially enclosed by a frame in order to hold back the pack or the tablet container or to slow down and/or stop a movement of the pack or the tablet container. An end section of a feed device can also be a basket into which a pack or a tablet container falls.

In a preferred embodiment, the feed device has a lock that separates the interior of the mixed storage facility from the workplace. The lock is designed, for example, in such a way that one side can only be opened when the other side is closed. This means that only the interior of the lock is "taken along" when the object is handed over. In a preferred embodiment, the clean area, in particular the interior of the mixed storage facility, can be provided with a higher air pressure (e.g. via a ventilation system in the mixed storage facility) than the "dirty" area, in particular the workplace area. When the clean side is opened, clean air is let into the chamber. After the dirty side is closed and opened, some clean air flows into the dirty side until the air pressure is released.

In a preferred embodiment, the feed device has lighting or a clearly visible switchable marking so that even an inattentive operator can remove the goods to be processed, for example the package to be processed or the tablet container to be processed, from the correct feed device and/or is shown that the goods to be processed have been completely delivered and/or that the delivered goods have not yet been completely removed.

In a preferred embodiment, the end of the feed device is monitored by sensors so that the existence of an old order can still be detected on the feeder, e.g. to detect incomplete removal and/or to supply a feeder with only one order, e.g. to only deliver the pack and its associated tablet carriers, and only to release the feeder for new deliveries when it is empty.

In a preferred embodiment, the start of the feeding device via the feeding device is monitored by sensors, for example to detect overfilling.

In a preferred embodiment, the end of the feeding device is protected from access by a closure, e.g. a locked flap, in order to only allow access when a state determined by the control of the flap has been detected, for example complete delivery of the order, complete processing of a previous order from another feeder.

In a preferred embodiment, the feeding device is a carriage on which the tablet containers and/or the pack are located.

If the workplace has a work surface, in a preferred embodiment the end of the feed device, particularly preferably the end section, viewed in a horizontal direction, is less than 2 m, preferably less than 1.5 m, preferably less than 1 m from an edge of the work surface. It is particularly preferred if an operator working on the work surface can reach a pack or a tablet container located at the end of the feed device without having to take a step, or at least with a few steps. Embodiments are also possible in which the feed device ends immediately adjacent to the work surface, for example a chute opens directly onto an edge of the work surface or possibly even protrudes slightly over the edge of the work surface.

If the workplace has a work surface, in a preferred embodiment the end of the feed device, particularly preferably the end section, viewed in a vertical direction, is arranged at the level of or slightly above the work surface or slightly below, particularly preferably less than 2 m, preferably less than 1.5 m, preferably less than 1 m, preferably less than 0.5 m from the surface of the work surface. It is particularly preferred if an operator working on the work surface can reach a pack located at the end of the feed device or a tablet container located at the end of the feed device without bending or stretching.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one feed device is provided with which a tablet container and/or a pack can be fed from the mixing warehouse to the workstation. However, embodiments are also possible in which more than one feed device is provided per workstation. In a preferred embodiment, fewer than 10, particularly preferably fewer than 5, particularly preferably fewer than 4 feed devices are provided per workstation.

If the device according to the invention is equipped with several workstations, a preferred embodiment provides that each workstation has its own feed device. If the respective feed device is designed as a slide, for example, a slide can be provided for each workstation. Embodiments are conceivable in which the feed devices of the workstations are all of the same type, for example all slides. However, embodiments are also possible in which, for several workstations, zen at least one workstation has a feeding device of a type that is different from the type of another workstation. For example, one workstation may have a passive feeding device, such as a chute, and another workstation may have an active feeding device, such as a conveyor belt.

In a preferred embodiment, the feeding device comprises a pneumatic tube system.

The removal device can be used to store filled tablet containers back in the mixed storage. Instead of transporting filled tablet containers to the working storage area, the removal device provided according to the invention creates the alternative of storing tablet containers handled at the workplace in the mixed storage area. This increases process diversity and allows more efficient work. For example, a pack, such as a box, filled with several original blister packs can be completely emptied at the workplace, with each original blister pack in the box being placed in a blister carrier at the workplace. A blister carrier equipped in this way can then be placed in the working storage area, while the remaining blister carriers are moved to the mixed storage area using the removal device. This prevents an operator from having to handle the same box multiple times.

In a preferred embodiment, the discharge device is a passive discharge device. A passive discharge device is particularly preferably understood to mean a device that can convey a pack or a tablet container over a conveyor line without the use of drive means. A passive discharge device can particularly preferably be a chute or a spiral.

In a preferred embodiment, the discharge device comprises a passive part and an active part which is adjacent to the passive part and receives tablet containers or packages from the passive part.

In a preferred embodiment, at the end of the passive discharge device there is a basket or container or other storage in which the discharged goods (tablet container, package) initially remain for further use.

In a preferred form, there is a switch at the end of the passive discharge device which directs the incoming tablet containers to different destinations, for example two or three destinations. In one embodiment, the allocation can be made using knowledge of the destination from the control system and object tracking (the first incoming goods to destination 2, the second incoming goods also, the third incoming goods to destination 1, ...). In a preferred embodiment, an object recognition system is connected upstream of the switch, by means of which a destination query can be made in the control system (this is 4711, where does it have to go, answer, 4711 please to destination 2). A link can also be made to work processes at the workstation (order 1 is processed, it is diverted to destination 1 for this long, then work is carried out on order 2, it is diverted to destination 2 for this long, etc.).

In a preferred embodiment, the discharge device is an active discharge device. An active discharge device is particularly preferably understood to mean a device that can convey a pack or a tablet container along a conveyor line using drive means. In a preferred embodiment, the discharge device is a conveyor device that extends along a conveyor line, for example a conveyor belt. The active discharge device can also be a rail along which the pack or the tablet containers can be moved by a pushing or pulling means. The active discharge device can also be a pneumatic tube system.

In a preferred embodiment, the discharge device has a control in the form of a gate or optoelectronic detection of features as to whether the tablet container has been placed in the desired form (direction and/or what is at the top, what is at the bottom).

If the workplace has a work surface, in a preferred embodiment a part of the discharge device is less than 2m, preferably less than 1.5m, preferably less than 1m from an edge of the work surface when viewed in a horizontal direction. It is particularly preferred if an operator working on the work surface can place a package or a part of the discharge device without having to take a step, or at least with a few steps. Embodiments are also possible in which the discharge device moves past or starts immediately adjacent to the work surface.

If the workplace has a work surface, in a preferred embodiment a part of the discharge device is arranged at the level of or slightly above or slightly below the work surface, viewed in a vertical direction, particularly preferably less than 2 m, preferably less than 1.5 m, preferably less than 1 m, preferably less than 0.5 m from the surface of the work surface. It is particularly preferred if a person working on the work surface tender operator can place a pack or tablet container on any part of the discharge device without bending or stretching.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one discharge device is provided, with which a tablet container and/or a pack can be fed from the workstation to the mixing storage. However, embodiments are also possible in which more than one discharge device is provided per workstation. In a preferred embodiment, fewer than 10, particularly preferably fewer than 5, particularly preferably fewer than 4 discharge devices are provided per workstation.

Embodiments are conceivable in which the feed device and the discharge device are provided by the same conveyor device. It is thus conceivable that the same conveyor belt is moved in a feed direction as a feed device and in a reverse movement as a discharge device. In a preferred embodiment, however, the feed device is designed separately from the discharge device. This increases the number of possible material flows.

If the device according to the invention is equipped with several workstations, a preferred embodiment provides for a single discharge device that can be used by all workstations. For example, a single active discharge device can be designed as a conveyor belt that runs past all workstations. However, embodiments are also conceivable in which at least one workstation has its own discharge device. Embodiments are conceivable in which the existing discharge devices are all of the same type, for example all conveyor belts. However, embodiments are also possible in which, with several workstations, at least one workstation has a discharge device of a type that is different to the type of another workstation. For example, one workstation can have a passive discharge device, for example a chute, and another workstation can have an active discharge device, for example a conveyor belt.

The invention is directed to a repackaging device for repackaging medications in tablet form. There is a market for individually assembled tablet packages.

Such packaging can be strip bags (sometimes called blister packs) in which bags are attached to one another and each bag contains the tablets for taking at a specific time. There can also be several bags for taking at one time if the tablets do not fit in one bag or the number of tablets is too large to check the bag.

Another possible special form is for tablets to be individually packaged and the packaging of the tablets that are to be taken at a particular time is tied together. Such packaging can also be case-like containers, the compartments of which are assigned to the times at which the medication or medications in the respective compartment are to be taken. These are usually filled manually by the patient themselves or relatives or nursing staff.

An alternative, increasingly popular container form for individually assembled tablet packs is the so-called patient-specific drug blister packaging. This can take the form of blister cards. The blister cards can correspond to the type case-like containers or have other shapes, such as compartments arranged in a circle, and are preferably adapted for machine filling. With blister cards, for example, there is no need for opening flaps or sliders on the individual compartments. The compartments can usually be sealed with a film.

The repackaging device according to the invention is suitable for repackaging medicaments in tablet form, which are initially available in bulk or in original blister packs, into such containers.

The outer packaging device according to the invention has a large number of transportable tablet containers. The tablet containers serve as a specific intermediate storage for the tablet within the outer packaging device. In a preferred embodiment, the invention starts at the point where the tablets to be packaged are either in bulk or in bulk packed in bags or cans or in bulk packed in large canisters or in original packaging, in particular original blisters in outer packaging. In a preferred embodiment, the invention assumes that the tablets in this form are first transferred into transportable tablet containers. This offers the advantage that the tablet containers can be specially equipped for transport within the outer packaging device. It is usual for the original packaging for tablets, for example original blisters or the large-volume packaging for bulk tablets, to be Tablets are not specifically designed for handling within a repackaging device. By providing a large number of transportable tablet containers, the invention solves this problem and enables the tablets to be repackaged to be easily transported within the repackaging device.

In the context of the invention, a transportable tablet container is particularly a blister carrier, such as that made of EP 2 993 133 A1 known. Or a magazine or a cartridge with a compartment in which a batch of tablets is located and which has a dispensing mechanism for dispensing a tablet.

In a preferred embodiment, the tablet container is designed as a magazine, wherein the magazine can accommodate a batch of tablets and the magazine has a dispensing mechanism for dispensing a single tablet,

In a preferred embodiment, the tablet container is designed as a blister carrier, wherein the blister carrier can hold at least one original blister with tablets.

In a preferred embodiment, the tablet container has a plurality of compartments, wherein the respective compartment is designed to accommodate a single tablet or a small number of tablets, and the respective compartment has a dispensing mechanism for dispensing a tablet located in the compartment, wherein a small number of tablets is understood to mean in particular a number of less than 20, preferably less than 10 and particularly preferably less than 6.

According to the invention, the respective tablet container has at least one compartment for accommodating at least one tablet. In a preferred embodiment, the volume of the compartment is greater than 500mm3, particularly preferably greater than 1,000mm3, particularly greater than 1,200mm3, particularly preferably greater than 1,500mm3. In a preferred embodiment, the volume of the compartment is less than 27,000m3, particularly preferably less than 20,000mm3, particularly preferably less than 15,000mm3, particularly preferably less than 10,000mm3, particularly preferably less than 8,000mm3, particularly preferably less than 5,000mm3.

In a first embodiment, the respective compartment of the respective tablet container has a dispensing mechanism for dispensing a tablet. Such a dispensing mechanism can be a simple flap, the opening of which can allow the tablet to fall out of the compartment following gravity. However, the dispensing mechanism (ejector) can also be specially equipped for dispensing a tablet from a magazine (canister) with a large number of tablets, in particular from a bulk of tablets.

The dispensing mechanism can be designed to be passive. This means that the dispensing of the tablet takes place by means of the dispensing mechanism using an external action. For example, a screw that separates the tablets and a closure opening (slider, flap) can be driven and opened from the outside via a motor or actuator. For example, a slide that closes the respective compartment can be pulled up by an external action. Or a flap that closes the compartment can be opened. In an alternative embodiment, the dispensing mechanism is an active dispensing mechanism. This means that the dispensing mechanism itself has a drive, for example in the form of an electric motor. After receiving a corresponding control command, the dispensing mechanism itself can actively dispense a tablet.

In an alternative embodiment, the respective compartment of the respective tablet container has an opening closed by a film, whereby a tablet located in the compartment can be pushed out of the compartment through the opening while destroying the film. Such release mechanisms are known from original blister packs from original tablet packaging.

The tablet container can in particular be a blister pack equipped with an original blister pack according to 2 the EP 2 993 133 A1 be.

The repackaging device according to the invention has at least one working memory in which several tablet containers can be stored. In a preferred embodiment, the repackaging device has several working memories, particularly preferably 2 or more, particularly preferably more than 3, particularly preferably more than 4. In a preferred embodiment, the repackaging device has several working memories, but particularly preferably less than 20 working memories, preferably less than 15 working memories. With the number of working memories, on the one hand, the number of repackaging processes that can be carried out simultaneously increases, and on the other hand, the number of working memories increases the complexity of the conveying paths to be provided.

In a preferred embodiment, more than five, preferably more than ten, tablet containers can be stored in the working memory. In a preferred embodiment, However, the main memory is designed to be so small that it can only store fewer than 1000, preferably fewer than 500, preferably fewer than 400, preferably fewer than 300, tablet containers. The greater the number of tablet containers that can be stored in the respective main memory, the less need there is to bring tablet containers from the mixing warehouse into the main memory for a specific repackaging order. The larger the main memory, the more complex a main memory retrieval device must be in order to be able to control the individual storage locations of the tablet containers in the main memory. The longer the travel distances for such a main memory retrieval device, the longer it takes to process the respective repackaging order. In practice, it has proven advantageous to equip a main memory with around 500 to 800 tablet containers.

In a preferred embodiment, the working memory is designed in such a way that it allows storage and/or retrieval from an intermediate storage area of the working memory, while tablets are removed (dispensed) from the tablet containers at another location in the working memory.

In a preferred embodiment, the working memory has a sensor system and/or a control system by means of which it is recorded clearly and cannot be manipulated by negligence what is where and what the working memory accesses when dispensing. For example, ID chips can be provided on tablet containers that are read by the receiving station. ID chips can be provided on the blister carriers that are read by a gripper when they are placed in the drawer. The working memory can be designed in such a way that manual access to the drawers is not possible and/or a slip protection device can be provided in the drawer.

In a preferred embodiment, the control system has knowledge of the types, but preferably also of the fill levels of the tablet containers. This can prevent a tablet from being missing during a filling process. Preferably, only orders are started for which all tablets are in the working memory.

In a preferred embodiment, an area similar to a parking space can be provided in the working memory. A new package into which the tablets are to be repackaged, for example a so-called patient blister, which was initially positioned under a pressing unit, can, if there is a shortage of tablets, for example because a tablet was broken or a large number of tablets could not be filled, be moved to the parking space until the missing tablets are delivered, so that production is not stopped. The patient blister can be moved from the parking space back under the pressing unit when the tablets arrive.

The working memory can have specific stamps for pressing the tablets out of the tablet container. For example, a set of 20 stamps can be provided, which can preferably be replaced individually. The working memory can also have various pre-perforation tools, for example six. Operating situations are conceivable in which a tool is not available (missing), is defective or unsuitable for carrying out a specific task and therefore has to be replaced. In a preferred embodiment, an order is only processed in the working memory when all the tablets are in the working memory and all the necessary tools are accessible.

The working memory has a filling device in which a tablet can be removed from a compartment of a tablet container. If, in a preferred embodiment, the tablet container is designed such that the dispensing mechanism of the respective compartment is a passive dispensing mechanism, then the external handling means required to effect the dispensing of a tablet with the passive dispensing mechanism are provided on the filling device. The handling means are coordinated with the dispensing mechanism. If the dispensing mechanism is designed as a screw with a slide, for example, the handling means are designed such that they can apply a thrust force to the slide and push the slide open, or they are designed such that they can grasp and pull the slide open and can access the screw with a drive and move it. If the passive dispensing mechanism has a pivotable flap, the handling means can be designed as plungers that can be extended and can pivot the flap open. If the tablet container is designed in such a way that the respective compartment has an opening closed by a film, whereby a tablet located in the compartment can be pressed out of the compartment through the opening, destroying the film, a plunger can be provided as part of the filling device, which can exert pressure from the outside on the tablet located in the compartment and thus push it out of the compartment through the opening, destroying the film. If the tablet container has an original blister, the plunger can act on the deformable compartment from the outside, deform it and exert pressure in the process. on the tablet located in the deformable compartment and push the tablet out of the compartment through the opening, destroying the film. In a preferred embodiment, the filling device is equipped with different handling means so that it can remove a tablet from a compartment of the respective tablet container even with differently constructed tablet containers.

If the tablet container is equipped with an active dispensing mechanism, a means, for example an electrical contact or a radio network, can be provided on the filling device, by means of which a control command can be fed to a correspondingly equipped receiving means of the tablet container (for example an electrical contact or a receiving antenna on the tablet container), with which the active dispensing mechanism can be controlled in the desired form, for example to dispense a single tablet or to dispense a sequence of tablets.

Embodiments are conceivable in which the filling device has a single station, with the different handling means being arranged in the area of this single station in order to be used depending on the tablet container in order to remove a tablet from a compartment of the tablet container in the tablet container located at this station. Such an embodiment with a focus on a single station reduces the design of the filling device. On the other hand, this focus on a single station means that the station has a complex structure - especially if a large number of differently designed tablet containers are used. It is also conceivable that removing a tablet from a compartment of a tablet container takes longer with a first design of a tablet container than with a different design of a tablet container. If only a single station is provided within the filling device, the station is blocked in tablet container designs in which removing the tablet takes longer.

In a preferred embodiment, the filling device has several stations at which a tablet can be removed from a tablet container from a compartment of the tablet container. In a preferred embodiment, the stations of the filling device can be designed identically, so that each station of the filling device can handle any type of tablet container. This increases flexibility, but at the same time means that a high level of design effort must be made. In an alternative embodiment, at least one of the existing stations is designed differently from the other stations. In a preferred embodiment, the majority of the existing stations of the filling device are designed differently from one another.

The repackaging device according to the invention has a packaging station in which a tablet removed from the tablet container in the filling device can be packed into a new package.

In a preferred embodiment, the packaging station has a collection point and a printing and a closure. The collection point is in particular the place where the at least one tablet, usually several tablets, are brought together for a time of administration. This can be done simply by means of a central funnel, for example. Or by means of channels that connect the tablet container dispensing points lying one above the other and that end in containers that travel along all the channels. It is also possible to drop the tablets successively and collect them in the open compartment of an empty patient blister pack.

In a preferred embodiment, each collection for a time of administration (pouch or compartment of a card blister) is printed with the contents and other information. For example, a PE strip can be placed under the collection point and a second PE strip can be printed and placed over the tablets that are on the collection point and then both strips can be welded together. It is also possible to photograph a completed but open patient blister, then print a film for the entire compartment matrix and stick/weld it onto the blister. This closes and labels all the compartments. However, there is also the option of two-stage bonding. First, you bond with an unprinted or standardized printed film (morning, evening) and then apply a second individual layer (patient name, drug name, etc.). This approach allows more flexibility in the material used, for example a first material that is particularly suitable for sealing and a second material that is particularly suitable for printing.

In a preferred embodiment, a distinction is made between a "pre-collection point" and a "final collection point" at the collection point. At the "pre-collection point" the items are collected in a container and the contents are checked. Then the items are dropped from the "pre-collection point" to the "final collection point" where they are then packaged.

In the repackaging device according to the invention, a tablet transport device is provided. The tablet transport device can transport a tablet removed from the tablet container in the filling device to the packaging station. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the tablet transport device is a passive tablet transport device. The tablet transport device can be provided in particular as a shaft or as a group of parallel shafts. Embodiments are conceivable in which the passive tablet transport device has a single shaft. The cross section of this is preferably either the same size as the cross section of the tablet container or preferably somewhat larger. The size is preferably matched to the shape of the tablet container so that a tablet falling out of the compartment of the tablet container during the removal process can be safely picked up by the shaft and falls down through the shaft to the packaging station. The embodiment of a passive tablet transport device with only one shaft is particularly preferably used for tablet containers that have only one compartment. A passive tablet transport device with only one shaft can also be used for tablet containers that have several compartments. In such a design, the cross-section of the shaft is preferably chosen to be large enough to accommodate every tablet, regardless of which compartment of the tablet container it falls from. In an alternative embodiment, the passive tablet transport device has several shafts, preferably several shafts arranged next to one another and particularly preferably several shafts running parallel to one another. In a preferred embodiment, the passive tablet transport device has as many shafts as the tablet container used has compartments. In such an embodiment, however, it should be noted that this may limit the variety of tablet containers that can be used. Embodiments are conceivable in which different tablet containers are used that have different numbers of compartments or differently arranged compartments. In such an embodiment, care must be taken to ensure that the passive tablet transport device is designed to transport tablets from any compartment of any tablet container of the outer packaging device to the packaging station. In such an embodiment of the outer packaging device according to the invention, the passive tablet transport device preferably has only one large shaft or a small number of shafts, each of which is selected to be large.

The shafts can be aligned vertically so that a tablet falling out of the compartment of the tablet container during removal ideally falls downwards without coming into contact with the shaft walls. Such an embodiment can prevent tablets that hit shaft walls from bursting or breaking. In addition, such an embodiment reduces contamination with "medication dust", which may arise when a tablet slides along a shaft wall and is slightly rubbed off in the process. However, embodiments are also conceivable in which a tablet removed from the filling device is to be transported to a packaging station along a predetermined, non-vertical path by means of the tablet transport device. In such a design, a passive tablet transport device can, for example, have angled shafts or, for example, spiral-shaped shafts.

In a preferred embodiment, the tablet transport device is designed as in 4 and 6 the EP 2 993 133 A1 shown, namely the space between the 4 shown blister carrier and the one in 6 shown filling blister, wherein the tablet transport device includes the pre-dosing magazine.

In a preferred embodiment, an active tablet transport device has a pre-dosing magazine that can be driven by an electric motor from the location where the pressed-out tablets fall into the pre-dosing magazine to a photo station and then through a control mechanism and finally to a transfer point in the patient blister pack.

An active tablet transport device can also have a circulating cup transport.

The repackaging device according to the invention has a mixing storage in which several tablet containers can be stored. This creates the possibility of optimizing the processes in the working memory, the filling device and the packaging station for the process of targeted removal of tablets from the tablet container and their packaging in order to use the mixing storage to provide space for the storage of additional medication that is not required in the specific time window. In addition, the mixing storage creates the possibility of carrying out processes on the tablet containers, such as refilling, cleaning or other tasks that are not directly related to the removal from the tablet container and the packaging of the tablet, separately from the working memory, the filling device and the packaging station, thereby relieving them of the processes that have to be carried out there.

In a preferred embodiment, the mixing storage is designed to be larger than the working storage. This means that more tablet containers can be stored in the mixing storage than in the working storage. In a preferred embodiment, the mixing storage is designed to store more than 2,000, particularly preferably more than 5,000, particularly preferably more than 10,000, preferably 25,000, tablet containers.

In a preferred embodiment, the mixed storage has storage spaces for different tablet containers. The storage spaces for different tablet containers can differ in particular in terms of their height, depth or width. With regard to the "width" of a storage space, it is particularly important to take into account that it is common for order picking devices to divide continuous storage areas into "virtual channels" by the control system operating the order picking device. In such embodiments, a storage space as such on the shelf is not necessarily visible to the human eye. The control system of the order picking device is, however, programmed in such a way that it only places transport containers at certain points along the storage floor and leaves sufficiently large free spaces between these points in which no tablet containers are placed. The "width" of a storage space mentioned above can therefore also be realized by designing a control system operating an order picking device accordingly and adjusting the width of the "virtual channels" used by it accordingly. The methodology of working with virtual channels is described, for example, in EP 1 598 291 A2 described.

In a preferred embodiment, the mixed warehouse is designed as an order picking device. The order picking device particularly preferably has a shelf for storing goods. The order picking device also has a storage and retrieval device that is suitable for storing goods at specific locations on the shelf, for example at a specific location on a shelf of a shelf and/or is suitable for retrieving goods that are located at a specific location in the warehouse, for example at a specific location on a specific shelf of a warehouse. A order picking device also has a controller. The controller is designed to control movements of the storage and retrieval device or movements of components of the storage and retrieval device, whereby the term "control" in the sense of control technology includes not only controlling but also regulating and is to be understood as a generic term for control-technical control and control-technical regulation. The mixed warehouse is particularly preferably designed in the manner of one of the order picking devices, as can be seen from EP 2 826 732 A1 , EN 10 2005 012 910 A1 , EP 2 042 477 A1 and EP 1 564 160 A1 are known.

In a preferred embodiment, a tablet container and a medication pack different from the tablet container are stored in the mixed storage.

In a preferred embodiment, the tablet containers are stored in single-type channels in the mixed storage area. The type can be determined by the property of the container specified by an ID (i.e. A matches medication A) or by other (possibly dynamic) properties, e.g. the degree of filling. It is also conceivable that only completely empty containers are stored single-type, because these, or several of them, can then be removed for refilling with one move.

In a preferred embodiment, a mixing storage removal device is provided which is different from the feed device and is particularly preferably part of a conveyor system. Tablet containers can be removed from the mixing storage using the mixing storage removal device. The mixing storage removal device can be designed as a conveyor belt.

In a preferred embodiment, the mixed storage facility has a storage facility that is different from the mixing storage facility removal facility, with which tablet containers and/or medication packages that are different from the tablet containers can be stored in the mixed storage facility.

In a preferred embodiment, the feed device begins in the mixing warehouse. In a preferred embodiment, the feed device has a starting section. The starting section is preferably arranged within the mixing warehouse. In a preferred embodiment, the mixing warehouse has a storage and retrieval device, preferably a movable jaw gripper, with the starting section being arranged in the grip area of the storage and retrieval device. In a preferred embodiment, the storage and retrieval device can place a tablet container or a pack held by it onto the starting section. The starting section can be, for example, the start of a chute or a spiral.

In a preferred embodiment, the discharge device ends in the mixing storage. In a preferred embodiment, the discharge device has an end section. The end section is preferably arranged within the mixing storage. In a preferred embodiment, the mixing storage has a storage and retrieval device, preferably a movable jaw gripper, wherein the end section is arranged in the grip area of the storage and retrieval device. In a preferred embodiment, the storage and retrieval device can pick up a tablet container or a pack held by it from the end section. The end section can be, for example, the end of a conveyor, for example a conveyor belt.

In a preferred embodiment, empty tablet containers, particularly preferred empty blister packs and/or empty magazines/canisters, are stored in the mixing storage. An empty tablet container can be removed from the mixing storage via the feed device and fed to the workstation for loading.

In a preferred embodiment, packs of tablets, particularly preferred packs with original blisters or packs with tablet bulk, are stored in the mixed storage area. A pack can be removed from the mixed storage area via the feed device and fed to the workstation so that at least one tablet in the pack can be repackaged into a tablet container at the workstation.

In a preferred embodiment, partially filled packs of tablets are stored in the mixed storage area, particularly preferred packs with a few original blisters, but not the complete original number of original blisters or packs with a small amount of tablets. Packs from which only a few tablets have been removed can be returned to the mixed storage area for further storage via the removal device. For example, an original blister can be removed at the workstation from a pack that contains 4 unopened original blisters (= the original number of original blisters is 4), and the pack can be stored back in the mixed storage area as a partially filled pack with 3 original blisters using the removal device.

In a preferred embodiment, completely filled tablet containers are stored in the mixing storage area. A completely filled tablet container is understood to mean in particular a tablet container in which there is at least one tablet in each compartment of the tablet container. A completely filled tablet container can be transported directly from the mixing storage area to the working storage area via a conveyor path of a conveyor system.

In a preferred embodiment, partially filled tablet containers are stored in the mixing storage. A partially filled tablet container is understood to mean in particular a tablet container that has more than one compartment and in which at least one tablet is arranged in at least one compartment and in which no tablet is arranged in at least one compartment. A partially filled tablet container can be transported directly from the mixing storage to the working storage area via a conveyor path of a conveyor system. A partially filled tablet container can be fed to the work station via the feed device in order to be filled there with further tablets.

In a preferred embodiment, the repackaging device according to the invention has a conveyor system. In a preferred embodiment, the conveyor system has at least one conveyor, preferably an elongated conveyor. In a preferred embodiment, the conveyor is a conveyor belt or a roller conveyor. In a preferred embodiment, the conveyor has drive means. In a preferred embodiment, the drive means can come into direct contact with the tablet container to be transported. A drive means that comes into contact with the tablet container can be, for example, a drive wheel that transfers its rotation to the tablet container to be moved by means of friction. Gears can also be provided that can engage with correspondingly designed racks/tooth lines on the tablet containers. The conveyor can also have pushing means that reach behind a tablet container to be transported and that push the tablet container in front of them through their movement. Embodiments are possible in which the conveyor has two parallel rails that are intended for the tablet container to be transported to rest on both rails. Conveyor technology can be provided between the two rails to move the tablet container resting on the rails along the rails, for example the pushing means described above.

In a preferred embodiment, the conveyor system has a conveyor loop and conveyors leading to or away from the conveyor loop. A conveyor loop is understood to be a conveyor that runs in a ring shape. However, a conveyor loop can also be formed by two elongated, parallel conveyors that are driven in opposite directions, with the respective End transfer devices are provided which can transfer a tablet container and/or a pack from the end of one conveyor to the beginning of the other conveyor.

In a preferred embodiment, the feed device and/or the discharge device is part of a conveyor system. In a preferred embodiment, the feed device is not part of the conveyor system, but is designed as a passive feed device, for example as a chute, while the discharge device is part of the conveyor system. In a preferred embodiment, the discharge device has a conveyor and a transfer device or a switch, by means of which a tablet container can be transferred from the conveyor, which forms part of the discharge device, to another conveyor of the conveyor system, for example to a conveyor which forms a conveyor loop or part of a conveyor loop.

• • den Lagerbestand;
• • benötigte Tablettenbehälter in den Arbeitsspeicher zu verbringen;
• • derzeitig nicht benutzte Tablettenbehälter zu lagern, beispielsweise vom Arbeitsspeicher zurück in das Mischlager zu führen; das gilt sogar für einen teilbefüllten Tablettenbehälter, bei dem im Arbeitsspeicher zwar ein oder mehrere Fächer geleert wurden, bei dem sich aber herausstellt, dass die in ihm weiterhin befindlichen Tabletten über längere Zeit nicht benötigt werden; die Erfindung schafft die Möglichkeit, einen solchen teilbefüllten Tablettenbehälter aus dem Arbeitsspeicher zu entnehmen und in das Mischlager zu überführen;
• • Lager überzähliger voller Tablettenbehälter;
• • mehrere Arbeitsspeicher zu bestücken;
• • Arbeitsplatz mit Packungen und dazugehörigen Tablettenbehälter;
• • Entblisterstation mit dazugehörigen Tablettenbehälter
• • Austausch der Arbeitsspeicher untereinander für einen individuellen Mix im jeweiligen Arbeitsspeicher.

The use of a conveyor system allows, at a maximum level of expansion, to control and manage all material flow streams, in particular

• • inventory levels;
• • to transfer required tablet containers into the working memory;
• • to store tablet containers that are not currently being used, for example to transport them from the main storage area back to the mixed storage area; this even applies to a partially filled tablet container in which one or more compartments in the main storage area have been emptied, but where it turns out that the tablets still in it are not needed for a longer period of time; the invention makes it possible to remove such a partially filled tablet container from the main storage area and to transport it to the mixed storage area;
• • Storage of excess full tablet containers;
• • to equip multiple memory modules;
• • Workstation with packages and associated tablet containers;
• • Deblistering station with associated tablet container
• • Exchange the RAM with each other for an individual mix in the respective RAM.

• • keine manuellen Transporte notwendig sind und/oder
• • die Organisation der Tablettenbehälter Bevorratung „mannlos“ in „Echtzeit“ gesteuert werden kann und/oder
• • Fehltransporte vermieden werden können.

In a preferred embodiment, the material flows can be controlled so that

• • no manual transport is necessary and/or
• • the organisation of the tablet container storage can be controlled “unmanned” in “real time” and/or
• • Incorrect transports can be avoided.

In a preferred embodiment, a conveyor path is provided as part of the conveyor system, along which a tablet container can be conveyed from the discharge device to the working storage area. In this way, tablet containers that have been filled with tablets at the workstation can be made available to the working storage area immediately.

In a preferred embodiment, a conveyor path is provided as part of the conveyor system, along which a tablet container can be conveyed from the mixing store to the working storage area. In this way, tablet containers stored in the mixing store can be made available to the working storage area.

In a preferred embodiment, a conveyor path is provided as part of the conveyor system, along which a tablet container is conveyed from the working storage area to the mixing storage area.

In a preferred embodiment, a first working memory and a second working memory are provided and, as part of the conveying system, a conveying path along which a tablet container can be conveyed from the first working memory to the second working memory.

In a preferred embodiment, a conveying path is provided as part of the conveying system, along which a tablet container can be conveyed from the working storage unit to a removal nozzle.

In a preferred embodiment, a conveyor path is provided as part of the conveyor system, along which a tablet container can be conveyed from the working storage to a work station.

• • die Zuführvorrichtung ansteuert, so dass die Zuführvorrichtung einen Tablettenbehälter und/oder eine Packungen aus dem Mischlager dem Arbeitsplatz zuführt, und/oder
• • die Abführvorrichtung ansteuert, so dass die Abführvorrichtung einen Tablettenbehälter und/oder eine Packungen von dem Arbeitsplatz dem Mischlager zuführt.

The method according to the invention for operating an outer packaging device according to the invention equipped with a control system provides that the control system

• • controls the feeding device so that the feeding device feeds a tablet container and/or a pack from the mixing warehouse to the workstation, and/or
• • controls the discharge device so that the discharge device feeds a tablet container and/or a pack from the workstation to the mixing storage area.

• 1 eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine erfindungsgemäße Umverpackungsvorrichtung gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform;
• 2 eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine erfindungsgemäße Umverpackungsvorrichtung gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform;
• 3 eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine erfindungsgemäße Umverpackungsvorrichtung gemäß einer dritten Ausführungsform;
• 4 eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine erfindungsgemäße Umverpackungsvorrichtung gemäß einer vierten Ausführungsform;
• 5 eine schematische Draufsicht auf einen Arbeitsplatz einer erfindungsgemäßen Umverpackungsvorrichtung;
• 6 eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Arbeitsplatz einer erfindungsgemäßen Umverpackungsvorrichtung;
• 7 eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Arbeitsplatz einer erfindungsgemäßen Umverpackungsvorrichtung;
• 8 eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Arbeitsplatz einer erfindungsgemäßen Umverpackungsvorrichtung;
• 9 eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Arbeitsplatz einer erfindungsgemäßen Umverpackungsvorrichtung;
• 10 eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Arbeitsplatz einer erfindungsgemäßen Umverpackungsvorrichtung;
• 11 eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Arbeitsplatz einer erfindungsgemäßen Umverpackungsvorrichtung;
• 12 eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Arbeitsplatz einer erfindungsgemäßen Umverpackungsvorrichtung;
• 13 eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Arbeitsplatz einer erfindungsgemäßen Umverpackungsvorrichtung;
• 14 eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Arbeitsplatz einer erfindungsgemäßen Umverpackungsvorrichtung;
• 15 eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Arbeitsplatz einer erfindungsgemäßen Umverpackungsvorrichtung;
• 16 eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht eines Zwischenlagers eines Arbeitsspeicher der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;
• 17 eine Detailansicht des in 14 gezeigten Zwischenlagers, wobei eine Schublade des Zwischenlagers herausgezogen ist;
• 18 eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht dreier Ausführungsbeispiele von als Tablettenbehältern verwendbaren Blisterträger in geöffneter Position
• 19 ist eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht der drei in 16 gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiele der Blisterträger in geschlossener Position;
• 20 ist eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer als Abfüllstation dienenden Entblisterungseinrichtung sowie eines Vordosiermagazins;
• 21 eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer der Entblisterungseinrichtung vorgeschalteten Perforationseinrichtung;
• 22 eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung des Vorgangs der Übergabe der Medikamente aus dem Vordosiermagazin in den Befüllblister.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to figures which merely represent exemplary embodiments of the invention. In these figures:

• 1 a schematic plan view of an outer packaging device according to the invention according to a first embodiment;
• 2 a schematic plan view of an outer packaging device according to the invention according to a second embodiment;
• 3 a schematic plan view of an outer packaging device according to the invention according to a third embodiment;
• 4 a schematic plan view of an outer packaging device according to the invention according to a fourth embodiment;
• 5 a schematic plan view of a workstation of an overpackaging device according to the invention;
• 6 a schematic plan view of a further embodiment of a workstation of an outer packaging device according to the invention;
• 7 a schematic plan view of a further embodiment of a workstation of an outer packaging device according to the invention;
• 8th a schematic plan view of a further embodiment of a workstation of an outer packaging device according to the invention;
• 9 a schematic plan view of a further embodiment of a workstation of an outer packaging device according to the invention;
• 10 a schematic plan view of a further embodiment of a workstation of an outer packaging device according to the invention;
• 11 a schematic plan view of a further embodiment of a workstation of an outer packaging device according to the invention;
• 12 a schematic plan view of a further embodiment of a workstation of an outer packaging device according to the invention;
• 13 a schematic plan view of a further embodiment of a workstation of an outer packaging device according to the invention;
• 14 a schematic plan view of a further embodiment of a workstation of an outer packaging device according to the invention;
• 15 a schematic plan view of a further embodiment of a workstation of an outer packaging device according to the invention;
• 16 a schematic perspective view of an intermediate storage of a working memory of the device according to the invention;
• 17 a detailed view of the 14 shown intermediate storage, with one drawer of the intermediate storage pulled out;
• 18 a schematic perspective view of three embodiments of blister carriers usable as tablet containers in the open position
• 19 is a schematic perspective view of the three in 16 shown embodiments of the blister carrier in closed position;
• 20 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a deblistering device serving as a filling station and a pre-dosing magazine;
• 21 a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a perforation device upstream of the deblistering device;
• 22 a schematic perspective representation of the process of transferring medication from the pre-dosing magazine into the filling blister.

1 shows a repackaging device according to the invention for repackaging medications in tablet form. The repackaging device has a plurality of transportable tablet containers 1. The 1 The repackaging device shown has two working memories 2. Several tablet containers can be stored in the working memory 2. The tablet container 1 can, for example, be designed according to the type of the 16 , 17 illustrated blister carrier, which contains an original blister pack, wherein the original blister pack contains several compartments, wherein the respective compartment is suitable for receiving at least one tablet and the respective compartment of the original blister pack has an opening closed by a film, wherein a tablet located in the compartment can be pressed out of the compartment through the opening, destroying the film.

The respective working memory 2 can have a filling device, such as the one shown in deblistering device 180 ( 20 ) are included. In the bottling device, a tablet can be taken from a compartment of a tablet container.

The working memory 2 further comprises a packaging station in which a tablet removed from the tablet container in the filling device can be packaged in a new package, for example using the pre-dosing magazine 170 and in the filling blister 140 ( 20 , 22 ).

The working memory 2 further comprises a tablet transport device which can bring a tablet taken from the tablet container in the filling device to the packaging station. A tablet transport device can, for example, be the pre-dosing magazine 70 with its pre-dosing compartments 72 according to 18 , 20 contain.

The repackaging device according to the invention further comprises a mixing storage 6. In the mixing storage 6, several tablet containers and several packages containing tablets can be stored.

In the 1 In the embodiment shown, the repackaging device according to the invention has two workstations 7 at which persons 8 can work. The persons 8 can unpack tablets or blisters in packs at the workstation.

A work station 7 is equipped with a feed device 9 designed in the form of a chute, with which a tablet container and/or a package can be fed from the mixing storage 6 to the work station 7. The feed device 9 designed as a chute passes under a conveyor belt 11 forming part of a discharge device 10. The second work station 7 has two feed devices 9 each designed as a chute. These feed devices 9 also pass under the conveyor belt 11 forming part of the discharge device 10.

In the 1 The repackaging device according to the invention shown has, in addition to the three feed devices 9, also a discharge device 10. By means of the discharge device 10, a tablet container and/or a package can be fed from the respective workstation 7 to the mixing storage 6. In the 1 In the embodiment shown, the discharge device 10 has a conveyor belt 11 that begins at the first work station 7 and leads past the second work station 7. Part of the discharge device 10 is a switch 12 by means of which a tablet container conveyed along the conveyor belt 11 or a package conveyed along the conveyor belt 11 can be diverted to the return conveyor belt 13. The return conveyor belt 13 leads from the switch 12 into the mixing warehouse. A tablet container or a package can therefore be fed through the discharge device 10, namely through the conveyor belt 11, the switch 12 and the return conveyor belt 13 from the respective work station 7 to the mixing warehouse 6.

The mixed storage 6 is preferably an order picking device. The order picking device is particularly preferably an order picking device according to EP 2 826 732 A1 , EN 10 2005 012 910 A1 , EP 2 042 477 A1 and EP 1 564 160 A1 known type. The mixed storage 6 has a plurality of shelves 14. The shelves 14 can be arranged on two opposite sides of an aisle 15. The mixed storage 6 has in the 1 illustrated embodiment has two storage and retrieval machines 16. The storage and retrieval machines 16 can move linearly along the aisle 15. The respective storage and retrieval machine 16 preferably has a 1 The gripper has a gripper (not shown in detail) that can be moved vertically along a column that forms part of the storage and retrieval machine 16. The gripper can also be extended and retracted horizontally relative to the column so that it can place tablet containers or packs held by it on a shelf or remove them from a shelf. For details of possible designs of such a storage and retrieval machine, reference is made to the disclosure content of the publications EP 2 826 732 A1 , EN 10 2005 012 910 A1 , EP 2 042 477 A1 and EP 1 564 160 A1 whose content with regard to possible designs for a storage and retrieval machine becomes part of the description of the repackaging device according to the invention given here by reference.

The return conveyor belt 13 ends in the 1 illustrated embodiment in the area of the shelves 14 and thus at a location at which the storage and retrieval machine 16 can pick up a pack located on the return conveyor belt 13 or a tablet container 1 located on the return conveyor belt 13.

The mixed storage 6 has a storage conveyor belt 17. Tablet containers and packs placed on this storage conveyor belt 17 can be moved by means of the storage conveyor belt 17 and a transfer device 18 to an area within the shelves 14, onto which the storage and retrieval machine can place the newly stored pack or pick up the newly stored tablet container. The mixed storage 6 also has a door 19. In a preferred embodiment, the mixed storage 6 has walls on the outside of the shelves 14 and on the end faces 20.

The first workstation 7 is equipped with a suction unit 21. The suction unit 21 can extract dust and at least reduce the risk that individual tablets handled manually at the workstation 7 can be contaminated by dust.

In the 1 In the embodiment of the repackaging device according to the invention shown, the conveyor belt 11 continues beyond the switch 12. With the part with which the conveyor belt 11 leads beyond the switch 12, the conveyor belt 11 forms part of a conveyor system 22.

The conveyor system 22 has a first conveyor path along which a tablet container can be conveyed from the switch 12 along the further course of the conveyor belt 11 and a transfer point 23 provided at the end of the conveyor belt 11 and along a further conveyor belt 24 to one of the two feed conveyor belts 25 of the working storage 2. A tablet container can therefore be transferred from the respective work station 7 to one of the two working storage 2 along the first conveyor path.

In a preferred embodiment, the conveyor system 22 also has a second conveyor path, which is formed by the external storage conveyor belt 26, a part of the conveyor belt 11, the transfer 23, a part of the conveyor belt 24 and one of the two feed conveyor belts 25. By means of the second conveyor path, a tablet container stored in the mixing storage 6 can be transferred to one of the two working stores 2. The outfeed conveyor belt 26 begins at a location between the shelves 14, where the storage and retrieval machine 16 can deposit a tablet container.

In a preferred embodiment, the conveyor system 22 according to the invention has a third conveyor path, which is formed by one of the two discharge conveyor belts 27, a part of the conveyor belt 24, the transfer 28, the switch 12 and the return conveyor belt 13. By means of the fourth conveyor path, a tablet container located in the working storage area can thus be conveyed back to the mixing storage area 6.

A preferred embodiment of the conveyor system 22 has a fifth conveyor path which is formed by one of the two delivery conveyor belts 27 and a part of the conveyor belt 24 and which ends at the end of the conveyor belt 24 at the work station 7. By means of this fifth conveyor path, a tablet container located in the working storage can be conveyed to the second of the two work stations 7.

In a preferred embodiment, the conveyor system 22 further comprises a sixth conveyor path, which is formed by one of the two discharge conveyor belts 27, a part of the conveyor belt 24 and the transfer 28 and ends in a removal nozzle 50 for empty tablet containers. Empty tablet containers can be removed from the removal nozzle 50 and, for example, fed for cleaning.

In a preferred embodiment, the conveyor system 22 has a seventh conveyor path which is formed by the discharge conveyor belt 27 of the 1 shown below, a part of the conveyor belt 24 and the feed conveyor belt 25 of the 1 working storage 2 shown above. By means of this seventh conveying path, a tablet container can be transferred from the lower working storage 2 to the upper working storage 2.

In the 2 The embodiment shown differs from that shown in 1 shown mainly by the elimination of the conveyor system. For the 2 In the embodiment shown, the switch 12 and the transfer 28 have been redesigned. A box 29 and a box 30 are provided. The repackaging device according to the invention can be used in the 2 illustrated embodiment can be operated in such a way that a tablet container to be fed to the lower working store 2 is brought from the conveyor belt 11 over the switch 12 into the box 29 (falls from the conveyor belt 11 into the box 29). The repackaging device according to the invention in the embodiment of the 2 can be operated in such a way that a tablet container that is to be fed from a work station 7 to the upper of the two working stores 2 is fed from the conveyor belt 11 via the switch 12 to the box 30. An operator can then remove the tablet containers located in the box 29 from the box 29 and place them on the feed conveyor belt 25 of the lower of the two working stores. Furthermore, an operator can remove the tablet containers located in the box 30 and place them on the feed conveyor belt 25 of the upper working store.

Furthermore, in the 2 In the embodiment provided, a box 31 is provided at the end of the outfeed conveyor belt 26. In this box, an operator of the repackaging device according to the invention can 2 Remove the tablet container and place it on one of the feed conveyor belts 25 of the working storage 2. Furthermore, in the 2 In the embodiment shown, a box 32, 33 is provided at the end of the discharge conveyor belt 27. In this box, an operator of the repackaging device according to the invention can remove tablet containers and, for example, place them on the Return conveyor belt 13 or storage conveyor belt 17 so that these tablet containers are stored back in the mixing storage 6. If the tablet containers in the boxes 32, 33 are empty, an operator can also feed these tablet containers to a cleaning device, for example.

The third embodiment according to 3 is a further development of the second embodiment of the 2 . In the third embodiment of the 3 In essence, the return conveyor belt 13 and the removal conveyor belt 26 were spatially swapped. This means that the boxes 29 and 30 can be assigned specifically to a working storage unit 2. This makes it possible to assign all the tablet containers that are to be placed in one working storage unit, for example, to the lower of the two working storage units 2 of the 2 , are thrown into the box 29. This includes the tablet containers that come from the workstations 7 via the conveyor belt 11, but also the tablet containers that come via the outfeed conveyor belt 26 and are transferred from the outfeed conveyor belt 26 to the last part of the conveyor belt 11 by means of the switch 12 and are thrown from the conveyor belt 11 beyond its end into the basket 29. For an operator, it can therefore be set up so that he can throw every tablet container that he finds in the basket 29 onto the feed conveyor belt 25 of the lower of the two working stores 2 in the 2 The basket 30 can be moved in the same way. Tablet containers can be placed in this via the conveyor 12 and a short conveyor belt, which are intended for the upper of the two working stores 2 in the 2 and come either via the conveyor belt 11 from one of the two working stores 7 or via the removal conveyor belt 26 from the mixed storage 6.

The basket 31 can be in its 3 can be used to collect tablet containers that are to be stored in the mixing warehouse 6 via the return conveyor belt 13. A tablet container or a package that is to be stored in the mixing warehouse 6 from one of the workstations 7 is, in the embodiment according to 3 In contrast to the embodiments according to 1 or 2 not via a return conveyor provided in the area of the switch 12 (here the outfeed conveyor belt 26 is provided) into the mixing warehouse, but from the switch into the basket 31. The tablet container or the pack is removed from the basket 31 and placed on the 3 placed on a return conveyor belt 13 provided at another location in the mixing storage facility 6 and conveyed from there into the mixing storage facility 6.

The fourth embodiment according to 4 is a further development of the third embodiment of the 3 . In 4 the arrow 13a was introduced parallel to the outsourcing conveyor belt 26. The arrow 13a is representative of a return conveyor belt 13, which can be provided at this point parallel to the outsourcing conveyor belt 26. A further switch (not shown) can be provided at the transition of the return conveyor belt 13a and the conveyor belt 11 and tablet containers or packages that are transported on the conveyor belt 11 and are to be stored in the mixing warehouse 6 can be transferred from the conveyor belt 11 to the further return conveyor belt 13a and introduced with it into the mixing warehouse 6 (comparable to the return conveyor belt 13 in the 1 ).

5 shows a possible embodiment of the workstation 7 of a repackaging device according to the invention. 5 The embodiment shown has a feed device 9 in the form of two chutes from the mixing storage 6. Furthermore, a scanner 40 and a printer 41 and a computer terminal 42 are provided at the workstation 7. The computer terminal 42 can consist of a screen that only presents information to the operator working at the workstation 7. In a preferred embodiment, however, the computer system 42 is designed to be interactive and allows the operator to interact. For example, the computer system 42 can have a touchscreen or a keyboard next to the screen.

Furthermore, the workstation 7 has a holding device 43 for a total of five 18 , 19 known blister packs. In the 5 In the embodiment shown, the conveyor belt 11, which belongs to the discharge device 10, is arranged below the chutes forming the feed devices 9. 6 shows a variant of the design of workstation 7 according to 5 , in which the conveyor belt 11 belonging to the discharge device 10 is arranged above the chutes forming the two feed devices 9.

Tablet containers from the mixed storage 6, but also packs or empty blister trays, i.e. blister trays in which no original blister pack has yet been arranged, can be fed to the work station 7 via the feed devices 9. The operator can remove the original blister packs from the packs at the work station 7 and place them in the blister trays. The operator can then place the blister trays equipped with the original blister packs on the conveyor belt 11.

The 7 shows another variant of the design of the workstation 7. Here only a feed device 9 selected as a chute is provided. However, it is possible to bring empty, cleaned tablet containers to the work station 7 by means of a trolley (not shown). A suction device 21 is also provided. Furthermore, instead of the receiving device 43, a receiving device 44 for a different type of tablet container is provided. A camera 45 is also provided which looks down onto the receiving device 44. Furthermore, a pressing area 46 is provided at which tablets can be pressed out of the original blister packs in order to place the tablets then removed into a tablet carrier which is held in the receiving device 44. The camera 45 can be used to check whether the correct tablet has been placed in the correct compartment of a tablet container held in the receiving device 44.

The embodiments of the 8th , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 differ from the embodiment according to 7 merely by the spatial arrangement of the individual components of the workstation 7.

• Während bei den zuvor beschriebenen Ausführungsformen der 5 bis 13 ein Arbeitsplatz 7 einer Tätigkeit zugeordnet war (Umpacken von Originalblistern in Tablettenträger oder dem Entnehmen von Einzeltabletten und Einfüllen in einen generischen Tablettenbehälter) wird in 14 und 15 ein Multifunktionsarbeitsplatz gezeigt. In 14 findet in der linken Hälfte der 14 das zuvor beschriebene Umfüllen aus Packungen in Tablettenbehälter statt. In der rechten Hälfte der 14 ist ein Fehlerbehebungs- und Dokumentationsarbeitsplatz dargestellt. Der Fehlerbehebungs- und Dokumentationsarbeitsplatz weist eine Kamera 45 auf, mit der nach dem Beheben des Fehlers per Bilddokumentation nachgewiesen werden kann, dass der Blister ordnungsgemäß ist. Ferner ist ein Druckersystem 51 vorgesehen, mit dem die Blister neu bedruckt werden können. Durch das Förderband 11 und die Zuführvorrichtung 9 ist der Fehlerbehebungsplatz auch an das Mischlager 6 angeschlossen.

14 and 15 show a modification of the workplace:

• While in the previously described embodiments of the 5 to 13 a workstation 7 was assigned to an activity (repacking original blisters into tablet carriers or removing individual tablets and filling them into a generic tablet container) is 14 and 15 a multifunctional workstation was shown. In 14 takes place in the left half of the 14 The previously described transfer from packs to tablet containers takes place. In the right half of the 14 a troubleshooting and documentation workstation is shown. The troubleshooting and documentation workstation has a camera 45, which can be used to prove that the blister is in order after the error has been corrected by means of image documentation. A printer system 51 is also provided, with which the blisters can be reprinted. The troubleshooting station is also connected to the mixing warehouse 6 via the conveyor belt 11 and the feed device 9.

If, for example, a broken tablet cannot be completely removed automatically, or if a replacement tablet cannot be easily added (this takes so long that the entire logistics process is disrupted), then the finished blister must be reworked. To do this, the patient blister must be (partially) opened at a point where suction is used (e.g. workstation 7 with suction 21), broken pieces must be removed with tweezers if necessary, a pack with a replacement tablet must be requested from the mixing warehouse 6 and is fed via the feed device 9. Then this tablet must be added, the opened pack must be labeled, the result must be documented by a second camera 45 (documentary camera) and, if necessary, a new sealing film must be produced (printing system 51) and the result must be documented again if necessary.

15 shows that the troubleshooting and documentation workstation (right part of the 15 ) also slightly spaced from the rest of the workstation 7 (left part of the 15 ). The troubleshooting and documentation workstation may include a monitor 42 in addition to the camera 45 and the printer 51.

In the device according to the invention, the individual medications can be delivered in the original packaging and the blister packs can be removed from the respective outer packaging (not shown) at the workplace and separated. The separated original blister packs 110 are assigned to suitable blister carriers 120, which are used to package and store the different medications in their respective original blister packs 110 in the intermediate storage facility 150. Blister carriers 120 can be provided for all desired medication types, whereby different medications with similarly shaped original blister packs 110 can be assigned to identical blister carriers 20. It is particularly preferred that the external dimensions of all blister carriers 20 are standardized, preferably identical.

Three embodiments of blister carriers 120 are shown schematically in the 16 and 17 A blister carrier 120 consists of a carrier part 121 and a cover part 122 which is connected by means of a hinge connection 124 or the like. The carrier part 121 and the cover part 122 both have a hole pattern 123 which is matched to the respective original blister pack 110. The original blister pack 110 is placed with the film side facing upwards on the hole pattern 123 of the carrier part 121 of the blister carrier 120, as shown in 16 The hole pattern 123 accommodates the blister pockets 112 of the original blister 110. Then the lid part 122 is closed, as in 17 is illustrated. A tablet container 1 is thereby formed from the blister carrier 120 and the original blister pack 110. The external dimensions of the blister carriers 120 are preferably all identical so that they can be efficiently stored and transported in the intermediate storage facility 150. Each blister carrier 120 also has an identification device 127 such as an RFID chip 127 for identifying the medication stored in the blister carrier 120.

The medicines packed in the blister packs 120 are, as in 14 is illustrated, fed by known conveyor carriages 162 on a conveyor path 160 to a drawer storage 150, also known per se, in which the blister carriers 120 are stored in an efficient manner in drawers 152, which can be moved in and out by an actuating device 154. 15 shows the drawer storage 150 with an extended drawer 152. The drawer storage 150 enables optional access to each of the blister carriers 1120 stored therein with medications packaged in the respective original blister 110.

If a specific medication is required to fill a filling blister 140, the control technology (not shown) determines the position of the desired medication packed in one of the blister carriers 120, which is removed from the drawer storage 150 by means of the actuating device 154 and fed by means of a conveyor carriage 168 on the conveyor line 166 to the deblistering device 180, which is shown schematically in 18 The blister carrier 120 reaches the deblistering position, where the medicaments 15 are ejected one after the other into the compartments 174 of a pre-dosing magazine 170 by means of a suitable ejection plunger 182. As shown in 18 As shown, the deblistering device 180 of the embodiment shown has a plurality of ejection tappets 182, which are arranged, for example, so as to be rotatable about an axis. The shape of the ejection tappets 182 is optimized for the smooth ejection of the medication 115 from the respective original blister packs 110 and is particularly adapted to the shape of the openings 123 of the blister carriers 120 used, the shape of the medication 115 and/or the shape of the blister pockets 112 of the original blisters 110. To optimize the deblistering process, the deblistering device 170 also preferably has a perforation device 195, which is shown schematically in 19 and perforates the film of the original blister 110 at the positions of the blister pockets. Such a perforation is schematically designated by the reference number 111.

The pre-dosing magazine 170 of the embodiment of the invention shown has seven pre-dosing compartments 172 corresponding to the seven weekday columns of the filling blister pack 140, whereby a different number of compartments 172 is also possible according to the invention. In the lower area of the side walls of the pre-dosing compartments 172, slots are preferably provided for visually checking whether there is a medication in the respective pre-dosing compartment 172 or not.

Finally, the medications are dispensed from the pre-dosing compartments 172 of the pre-dosing magazine 170 into the corresponding compartments 142 of the patient-specific filling blister 140, as shown in 20 is shown schematically. For this purpose, the pre-dosing magazine 170 is positioned above the respective (time of day) row of the filling blister 140 and by pushing back the base part 174 of the pre-dosing compartments 172, the medication 115 is ejected into the respective receiving compartments 142 of the filling blister 140. The filling blister 140 has receiving compartments 142 arranged in a matrix configuration, which in the embodiment shown are arranged in four rows corresponding to a number of times of administration during a day (morning, noon, evening, night) and seven columns corresponding to the days of a week. However, the invention is not limited to this special arrangement of the receiving compartments 142 of the filling blister.

Preferably, sensor devices 190, 192 such as light barriers are also provided, which check the transfer of the medication from the original blister pack 110 into the pre-dosing magazine 170 and further into the respective compartments 142 of the filling blister 140 and generate an error message in the event of an error.

Claims (9)

Repackaging device for repackaging medications in tablet form, wherein the repackaging device • has a plurality of transportable tablet containers (1), wherein the respective tablet container (1) has at least one compartment for receiving at least one tablet and the respective compartment ◯ either has a dispensing mechanism for dispensing a tablet or ◯ has an opening closed by a film, wherein a tablet located in the compartment can be pushed out of the compartment through the opening while destroying the film, • and has a working memory (2) in which several tablet containers (1) can be stored, wherein the working memory (2) ◯ has a filling device in which a tablet can be removed from a compartment of a tablet container (1), ◯ and has a packaging station in which a tablet removed from the tablet container (1) in the filling device can be packaged in a new packaging (140), ◯ wherein a tablet transport device is provided which brings a tablet removed from the tablet container (1) in the filling device to the packaging station, • and a mixed storage (6) in which some tablet containers (1) and some packages containing tablets or blisters are stored can, characterized by a work station (7) for unpacking tablets or blisters located in packs and • a feeding device (9) with which a tablet container (1) and/or a pack can be fed from the mixing storage (6) to the work station (7), and/or • a removal device (11) with which a tablet container (1) and/or a pack can be fed from the work station (7) to the mixing storage (6). Repackaging device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the feeding device (9) and/or the discharge device (11) are part of a conveyor system. Repackaging device according to Claim 2 , characterized in that as part of the conveying system (22) a conveying path is provided along which a tablet container (1) can be conveyed from the discharge device (11) to the working storage device (2). Repackaging device according to Claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that as part of the conveyor system (22) a conveyor path is provided along which a tablet container (1) can be conveyed from the mixing storage (6) to the working storage (2). Repackaging device according to one of the Claims 2 until 4 , characterized in that as part of the conveyor system (22) a conveyor path is provided along which a tablet container (1) is conveyed from the working storage into the mixing storage (6). Repackaging device according to one of the Claims 2 until 5 , characterized in that a first working memory (2) and a second working memory (2) are provided and as part of the conveying system (22) a conveying path is provided along which a tablet container (1) can be conveyed from the first working memory (2) to the second working memory (2). Repackaging device according to one of the Claims 2 until 6 , characterized in that a conveying path is provided as part of the conveying system (22), along which a tablet container (1) can be conveyed from the working storage (2) to a removal nozzle (50). Repackaging device according to one of the Claims 2 until 7 , characterized in that as part of the conveyor system (22) a conveyor path is provided along which a tablet container (1) can be conveyed from the working store (2) to a work station (7). Method for operating a packaging device equipped with a control system according to one of the Claims 1 until 8th , characterized in that the control • controls the feeding device (9) so that the feeding device (9) feeds a tablet container (1) and/or a pack from the mixing storage (6) to the work station (7), and/or • controls the removal device (11) so that the removal device (11) feeds a tablet container (1) and/or a pack from the work station (7) to the mixing storage (6).

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