EP3251959A1 - Method for dividing a blister strip and device for implementing the method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for dividing a blister strip (1). To avoid the expiration date, many blistered drugs are portioned in separate sections of a blister strip. For this purpose, the blister strip is cut manually and thus costly and time-consuming. The method of the invention provides a cost effective and quick solution to this problem. According to the invention, a blister strip (1) comprising a carrier plate (10) with a plurality of receptacles (12) for drug portions is provided, and a mapping (200) of the carrier plate (10) is made with a 3D sensor device (20) Figure (200) includes depth information. The image is evaluated by image analysis with a control device (30), and based on analysis results, an arrangement of the images (12) is determined, and based on this arrangement, control signals for a separating device (40). On the basis of the control signals, the blister strip (1) is then divided into a plurality of blister strip parts (15, 15 ', 16).

Description

The present invention relates to a method for splitting a blister strip and to an apparatus for carrying out the method.

A variety of drugs is delivered in so-called blister strips (or blister packs or short blisters). These comprise a carrier plate with a plurality of receptacles formed from the carrier plate in the form of bulges, wherein individual drug portions are arranged in cavities formed by the receptacles. The support plate is provided to cover the recordings with a cover layer through which the individual drug portions can be removed or removed for removal.

Blister strips have the advantage that the individual medicament portions are kept separate from each other, soiling is prevented and the separate and sealed storage increases the shelf life of the medicament portions compared with storage in conventional cans or bottles (even if a blister strip has "broken"). In other words, if one or more portions of the medication have been removed, the shelf life of the remaining portions of the medication which are still not blurred will not change).

The patient-specific blistering of medication portions in accordance with medical requirements is particularly useful for nursing homes and in hospitals. However, a manual compilation and blistering of medication portions is very costly, so that recently used on blister machines, as used for example in the WO 2013/034504 are described. With appropriate blister machines is a qualitative high-quality, safe and at the same time economical blistering of solid medication portions possible. In the case of a "blistering" with the aid of an aforementioned blister machine, the medicament portions are packaged in individual "bags" which regularly contain all medicament portions of a patient's administration time.

In order to automatically stain the largest possible variety of different drug portions, modern blister machines include a variety of so-called "canisters" in which individual drug portions are stored and with which they can be dispensed isolated according to the specifications of drug compositions.

In the canisters, however, only those portions of medicaments are useful storable, which are frequently requested, have a long shelf life and are relatively resistant to environmental influences. A distribution of drug portions to be stored in blister strips is usually not possible or practicable via the canisters.

The aforementioned blister machines regularly comprise at least one so-called tray unit, via which medicament portions in special forms or in separate packages can be supplied to the deflagration process.

According to the prior art, the blister strips are divided by a user manually into one or more drug portions containing blister strip sections or parts, which are then transferred to the corresponding recordings of the tray unit. The manual splitting of a blister strip is time consuming and therefore costly.

Alternatively, the individual blister strip parts can also be used to provide patient-individual compilations according to the single-dose system. For this purpose, one or more blister strip part (s) is packaged in, for example, a transport bag, which transport bag may include medication-related information.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus with which blister strips can be cut quickly and inexpensively.

The object is achieved by a method for dividing a blister strip according to claim 1. In the method according to the invention, first a blister strip is provided with a carrier plate having a plurality of receptacles for drug portions, and with a cover layer for covering the receptacles. A 3D sensor device generates an image of the carrier plate with the images, the image comprising depth information.

The image is then analyzed by image analysis with a control device, wherein (if necessary) a kind of depth map of the surface of the blister strip is created, and based on the analysis results, an arrangement of the images is determined, i. it is determined where exactly the recordings are on the carrier plate. These information necessary for the automatic division of the blister strip are not available at the beginning of the procedure and must therefore be determined as described.

If an absolute position of the images is required, this can be determined on the basis of, for example, a reference point, wherein the reference point can be predetermined, for example, via the 3D sensor device. Alternatively, one can apply the blister strip to a reference point before generating the image (further possibilities for determining an absolute position result from the precise process control and from the structure (described below) of the device used to carry out the method). Alternatively, it is also conceivable to calibrate the 3D sensor device used to generate the image with respect to the support surface on which the blister strips are deposited.

Based on the image-analytically determined arrangement of the images are for a separator with at least one Separation control means calculates control signals, and the blister strip is divided into a plurality of Blisterstreifen parts based on these control signals.

The inventive method can be carried out fully automatically, regardless of the exact design or design of blister strips, since it is determined in the course of the process according to the invention, in which areas of the blister strip the recordings are arranged. Based on the arrangement of the recordings control signals are calculated for a separator, wherein these control signals are calculated such that the images are not damaged in the division of the blister strips. The control signals thus provide separation instructions for the separator, the precise design and execution of the control signals depending on the nature of the separator, as will be explained later.

As already mentioned, due to the fully automatic design, the method according to the invention is considerably faster than the manual splitting of the blister strips. Depending on the separator or the release agent is also given the opportunity to dissolve the individual blister strip parts from the blister strip so that the shape of the blister strip parts provided is better suited for blinding (for example, by the parts are dissolved out the no Corners are present).

Specifically, what 3D sensor device is used is not essential to the purposes of the method as long as depth information is included in the generation of the image that allows conclusions to be drawn as to the location of the images on the blister strip.

• Stereokameras, bei welchen die Umgebung mit zwei Kameras gleichzeitig aufgenommen wird, wobei der Abstand der Kameraobjektive üblicherweise dem menschlichen Augenabstand entspricht. Das resultierende Bildpaar kann in einem Rechner (einer Steuereinrichtung) verarbeitet werden und so eine Tiefenkarte erstellt werden.
• Triangulationssysteme, bei denen eine Lichtquelle ein definiertes Muster auf das Objekt abbildet. Eine Kamera nimmt dieses Muster aus einem anderen Blickwinkel auf und berechnet aus der Verzerrung die Distanz bzw. eine Tiefenkarte.
• TOF-Kameras (time of flight-Kameras), welche über Laufzeitmessung des Lichtes auf die Distanz schließen.
• Interferometriesystem, welche mit Interferenzen zwischen einem Mess- und Objektstrahl arbeiten.
• Lichtfeldkameras, bei welchen auf Kosten der Auflösung mit Hilfe von Mikrolinsenarrays neben der Helligkeit eines Bildpunkts auch die Lichtrichtung der Strahlen, die zu einem Bildpunkt führen, aufgezeichnet werden, wobei sich aus diesen Daten dann eine Tiefenkarte berechnen lässt.

As a 3D sensor device, for example, a 3D camera can be used. 3D cameras are camera systems that allow the visualization of distances of an entire scene. The term "3D cameras" is intended to encompass in particular the following systems:

• Stereo cameras in which the environment with two cameras is recorded simultaneously, with the distance of the camera lenses usually corresponds to the human eye distance. The resulting image pair can be processed in a computer (a controller) to create a depth map.
• Triangulation systems in which a light source depicts a defined pattern on the object. A camera takes this pattern from a different angle and calculates the distance or a depth map from the distortion.
• TOF cameras (time of flight cameras), which close the distance by measuring transit time of the light.
• Interferometry system, which works with interferences between a measuring and object beam.
• Light field cameras, in which at the expense of the resolution using micro lens arrays in addition to the brightness of a pixel and the light direction of the rays that lead to a pixel, are recorded, from which data then a depth map can be calculated.

Alternatively, 3D laser rangefinders may be used, with the use of a 3D camera system being regularly preferred due to the lower cost.

Finally, it should be noted that the term "3D sensor device" as used herein should be defined primarily by the result, ie the created image, which must include depth information, based on which one can determine the location or arrangement of the images. The term of the 3D sensor device is thus intended to encompass all optical devices that can create an image that "includes" depth information, regardless of whether this depth information is inherent in the image or first, if necessary, with the aid of a control device, determined have to. The term "3D sensor device" should thus also include "ordinary" digital cameras whose images are subjected to image processing and thus determine the required depth information (sieve "). image translation for single-shot focal tomography ", Patrick Llull, Xin Yuan, Lawrence Carin, and David J. Brady; Optica, Vol. 2, Issue 9, pp 822-825 (2015); https://www.osapublishing.org /optica/fulltext.cfm?uri=optica-2-9-822&id=326856 ).

According to the invention, the image generated by the 3D sensor device is analyzed by image analysis with the control device, and the arrangement of the images is determined on the basis of the analysis results, control signals for the separation device being generated based on this arrangement. These control signals are usually generated according to fixed specifications. For example, it may be specified that the control signals are always generated in such a way that a certain safety distance to the recordings is ensured, ie. H. For example, a distance of 2mm to a defined height of the receptacle is always maintained, which defined height may be, for example, 5% of the maximum height or the like. Furthermore, it can be determined that the control signals are calculated in such a way that the blister strips are separated in such a way that the individual parts each comprise only one receptacle.

The configuration of the receptacles for the drug portions can vary from blister strip to blister strip, even with the same drug. In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is provided that the control signals are calculated taking account of separation specifications. These separation specifications can be printed on the blister strip and read out with a suitable sensor. Alternatively, the separation specifications can also be generated on the basis of the depth information or the depth map. Thus, it may be necessary or advantageous, for example, to provide a greater safety margin in the calculation of the control signals in the case of exposures that are relatively flat relative to the center than is necessary for exposures with very steep sidewalls.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that separation specifications for one or more blister strips be predetermined by a user. For example, it is conceivable to pretend that not only one receptacle per blister strip part, but several are provided.

Furthermore, it may be possible to adapt the control signals to a desired geometry of the blister strip parts. If only a single blister strip part is to be blistered, the geometry of this part is not relevant in view of a potential damage to further drug portions to be blistered; Here only the risk of affecting the blister packaging itself could be significant. However, in the event that the blister strip portion is blistered together with other portions of medicament blistered without individual packaging, sharp corners should be avoided so that, for example, the blister strip portions may be indicated as having blister strip portions without corners become.

In the method according to the invention, in the last method step, the blister strip, based on the control signals, is divided into a plurality of blister strip parts. Depending on the size of the blister strips, it may be necessary to provide a plurality of release means in the separator to be able to reach all areas of the blister strips. In order to avoid a plurality of separating means, it is therefore provided in a preferred embodiment of the method that the blister strip and the at least one release agent are moved relative to each other during the division of the blister strips. This can be done, for example, such that the release agent is moved in stationary Blisterstreifen. Alternatively, the blister strip can be moved with stationary release agent. This ensures that when using only a release agent all areas of the blister strip can be achieved for the dicing process.

According to the invention, an image of the carrier plate with the recordings is generated with a 3D sensor device. In order to limit the cost of the 3D sensor device, it may be necessary to use a 3D sensor device with only limited resolution. The limitation of the resolution of the 3D sensor device may mean that it is not suitable or capable of producing an image of the entire blister strip with a "picture". In a preferred embodiment of the method, therefore, when generating the image, a plurality of sub-images are generated which together form the image. In this way it is possible to use low-cost 3D sensor devices with only limited resolution.

As already indicated above, it may be advantageous to move the blister strips relative to the release agent. However, if very rapid processing is required, the use of only one release agent may be too slow, so that in a preferred embodiment it is provided that the separator comprises a plurality of release means operated in parallel.

Depending on the release agent used or the separating device used, a heat transfer to the carrier plate of the blister strip can occur locally during the division of the blister strip (for example when using a laser separator). In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is therefore provided that the blister strip is subjected to a cooling fluid during the cutting process. The heat introduced during cutting can be dissipated so quickly, an impairment of the often very temperature-sensitive medicament portions can be effectively avoided.

The above-mentioned object is further achieved by a device for splitting blister strips according to claim 9. The device according to the invention comprises a 3D sensor device for producing an image of a blister strip, wherein the blister strip is a carrier plate comprising a plurality of receptacles, and wherein the mapping includes depth information about the blister strip. The device according to the invention further comprises a separating device with at least one separating means for dividing the blister strip into a plurality of blister strip parts and a control device coupled to the 3D sensor device and the separating device. According to the invention, the control device is designed in such a way that the generated image is evaluated by image analysis with the control device and an arrangement of the receptacles in the carrier plate of the blister strips is determined based on the analysis results, and that control signals for the separating device are calculated based on the arrangement of the images on the basis thereof the blister strip is divided into a plurality of blister strip parts. With regard to the exact configuration of the individual components of the device according to the invention, reference is made to the comments on the method according to the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a movement device, which causes a relative movement between the at least one release agent and the blister strip. Such a device can be used for processing blister strips of any size. Furthermore, a device with only one release agent can also be used for the processing of large blister strips. In view of the relative movement between the at least one release agent and the blister strip, it is provided in a structurally particularly simple design device that the at least one release agent is movably attached to a carriage which is itself movable vertically to the release agent. In this way, a kind of X-Y table is produced, in which the release agent is freely movable, so that a processing of a blister strip of any shape and size is possible.

The division of the blister strip itself can be done for example with a laser separator, which in the division with the laser beam a certain amount of heat in the carrier plate of the blister strip. In order to avoid that the introduced heat damages the medicament portions arranged in the receptacles, it is provided in a preferred embodiment that the device comprises a cooling device, with which a cooling fluid can be applied to the blister strips.

The exact configuration of the separator is for the invention as such not relevant, it is only to ensure that can be divided with the separator of the blister strip into a plurality of blister strip parts, this "cutting" should also include the case that from the Blister strip as such a plurality of Blisterstreifen parts is cut out and remains a framework, from which all recordings (together with the surrounding support plate) are dissolved out.

In order to be able to provide the device according to the invention as inexpensively as possible, it is provided in preferred embodiments that the separating device is provided by a laser cutting device, a water jet cutting device or a punching device. Alternatively, a cutting device with at least one knife or the like can be used. Depending on the separation device used, a fixing device for fixing the blister strip may be provided on the support.

In the event that a laser cutting device or a water jet cutting device is used, the laser beam or the water jet travels through a calculated cutting curve or cutting line, these being predetermined by the control signals. Based on the control signals, the separating device (laser separating device or water jet separating device) or a corresponding separating means is moved in such a way that a suitable cutting curve or cutting line can be traversed with the actual separating means. When moving off the cutting line or - curve finds the actually splitting the blister strips instead. Alternatively, the blister strip can be moved.

When using a punching device, the control signals do not specify a cut line or curve, but only coordinates at which a receptacle together with the surrounding support plate is to be punched out.

Since the recordings are regularly space-optimized and adapted to the shape of the stored medicament portions, it is provided in a preferred embodiment that the stamping device comprises a plurality of punching means which can be used in dependence on the determined control signals. The different punching means have different radii and shapes, so that depending on the shape and size of the images that are used in the determination of the control signals, the appropriate punching means can be selected.

• Figuren 1a und 1b eine Seiten- und eine Draufsicht eines Blisterstreifens zeigen;
• Figuren 2a und 2b eine Draufsicht und eine Seitenansicht einer ersten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zeigen;
• Figur 3 eine zweite Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zeigt;
• Figuren 4a und 4b Analyseergebnisse einer bildanalytischen Bearbeitung einer Abbildung eines Blisterstreifens zeigen;
• Figuren 5a und 5b Draufsichten auf einen Blisterstreifen mit angedeuteten Schnittlinien bzw. -kurven zeigen; und
• Figur 6 eine dritte Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zeigt.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

• FIGS. 1a and 1b show a side and a top view of a blister strip;
• FIGS. 2a and 2 B show a plan view and a side view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention;
• FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the device according to the invention;
• FIGS. 4a and 4b Show analysis results of image-analytical processing of an image of a blister strip;
• FIGS. 5a and 5b Show top views of a blister strip with indicated cut lines or curves; and
• FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the device according to the invention.

FIGS. 1a and 1b show a side and top view of a blister strip 1 with a support plate 10 having a plurality of receptacles 12. The carrier plate and the receptacles are provided with a covering layer 13 which covers cavities 11 formed by the receptacles 12. In the cavities 11 are Usually not shown here drug portions arranged. The in the FIGS. 1a and 1b illustrated blister strip represents a common embodiment of a so-called blister strip (or simply blister).

at FIG. 1b in the lower portion of the support plate information 14 is applied, which can be detected with a corresponding reading device. This information may contain references to, for example, the distribution of the images on the carrier plate, information about the drug portions in the images or information about the design of the images themselves, for example, whether the side walls are rather flat or steep.

In the illustrated blister strip, the receptacles 12 are arranged in a kind of matrix. In other embodiments of a blister strip, these may for example also be arranged in the form of an oval or the like.

FIG. 2a shows a plan view of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention for splitting blister strips. The device comprises a rectangular support structure 50, 51 which is mounted on (in FIG. 2b shown) legs 56 is arranged. The support structure 50, 51 forms together with the legs 56 a kind of table with a support 55. The two lateral (vertically shown) support members 51 spans a carriage 52 which is vertically movable, as indicated by the arrow labeled Y. The mechanism necessary for moving the carriage is omitted, so as not to complicate the presentation unnecessarily. The structure and operation of a corresponding mechanism are known in the art and therefore need not be detailed here.

The carriage 52 is connected to a control device 30, which can send out control signals for moving the carriage in the Y direction. Attached to the carriage 52 are a 3D sensor device 20, a separating device 40 and a sensor 60, all of which can be coupled to the control device 30 via lines (not shown). The 3D sensor device 20 and the separator 40 are in the embodiment shown on the carriage in the X direction (here orthogonal to the Y-direction of movement of the carriage) movable. On the support 55, a drug package or a blister strip 1 is placed, in alignment with a position sensor 57. The blister strip is fixed with a fixing device 58 on the support itself, with a corresponding fixation is particularly in such separation devices application, the force exerts on the carrier plate and so could cause a movement of the blister strip. Depending on the exact configuration of the fixing device, it is also possible to use a plurality of such devices. In an alternative embodiment, the function of the position sensor can also be taken over by the fixing device 58, ie the positioning and the fixing of one and the same component are taken over.

FIG. 2b shows a side view of the first embodiment, in particular, the more accurate configuration of the carriage 52 can be seen, which is movable with two legs 53 on the lateral support members 51. At the in FIG. 2b Side view shown is the separator 40, which includes a release means 41 in the embodiment shown, moved to the right edge of the carriage. This makes it possible for the blister strip 1 placed on the support 55 to be run over in the X direction with the 3D sensor device and thus an image of the blister strip can be produced. In the embodiment shown, due to the design of the 3D sensor device, the blister strips must be lowered, since the actual 3D sensor means 21 of the 3D sensor device is designed such that only a portion of the blister strip can be detected. In other embodiments, for example, a 3D sensor device with a larger 3D sensor means or a plurality of 3D sensor means can be used, whereby overrunning of the blister strip can be avoided.

In the in the FIGS. 2a and 2 B the embodiment shown, a relative movement between the blister strip and the aforementioned components is effected by the movement of the carriage, the separating and the 3D sensor device. As stated, the process of generating an image of the blister strips with a suitable design of the 3D sensor device can also be carried out without a relative movement between blister strip and 3D sensor device. Alternatively, it is also possible to move the blister strips under a non-movable 3D sensor device or a non-movable separator, as in the in FIG. 3 schematically illustrated second embodiment is indicated by the movement arrows X, Y. The mechanism necessary for the movement of the blister strips is likewise not illustrated, but it can be designed, for example, similar to the carriage 52. Depending on the exact structural design of the 3D sensor device and / or the separating device, it may also be sufficient that the blister strip is moved only in one direction, for example along its longitudinal axis in the X direction.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the method according to the invention will be described with reference to some figures of the drawing. According to the invention, first a blister strip on a support 55 of an example in the FIGS. 2a and 2 B provided device described. Subsequently, a picture of the blister strip comprising depth information is generated with a 3D sensor device or a sensor device of the 3D sensor device. For this it is of course essential that the blister strip is aligned with the recordings towards the 3D sensor device.

In FIG. 4a a section of an image generated with the 3D sensor device is shown schematically, wherein a plurality of lines 201, 202, 203, 204, etc. of the figure are shown in simplified form. The image, as shown, already contains depth information (in the Z-direction), as can be seen by the difference between lines 202 and 203.

The exact information content of an image generated with a 3D sensor device is dependent on the recording method used; in some of the methods mentioned above, the depth information is already inherent in the figure as such, i. H. it may not be necessary to further process the map to "expose" the depth information, in other capture methods it may be necessary to manipulate the information captured by the 3D sensor device to produce a map with depth information (for example, when using a stereo camera) ).

Following the generation of the image with the depth information, the image is analyzed by image analysis with a control device, specifically with regard to the position and configurations of the images in the carrier plate. In the image analysis evaluation, it is determined where the images are arranged in detail and which dimensions the images comprise, this information being able to be determined on the basis of the depth information.

Control signals for a separator are then calculated based on the arrangement and size of the images, and subsequently the blister strip with the separator is separated into a plurality of blister strip parts on the basis of the generated control signals, the blister strip if necessary, fix it with appropriate fixing devices on the support. The control signals themselves are dependent on the type of release agent used to break the blister strip.

First, this will be described by means of a laser separator. A laser separating device comprises at least one laser-separating means, which emits a laser beam via a special optics, with which, if appropriate Performance, the support plate can be cut together with cover layer. For this purpose, a specific cutting curve or cutting line must be traced with the laser beam, whereby the cutting curves or lines to be traced are determined on the basis of the separation specifications.

In FIG. 4b two such sectional curves 210 are shown. The control signals are calculated, depending on the exact configuration of the device used, so that the cutting curve 210 can be traced with the laser beam. For this purpose, the control signals comprise signals for example a carriage to be moved in the Y direction and / or a separating device to be moved in the X direction. In other embodiments, the control signals may include signals for the movement of the blister strips themselves.

The exact configuration or the exact structure of the control signals are thus dependent on the exact structural design of a device with which the blister strip is cut.

When using a laser separating device, it would also be conceivable to control the laser beam with a plurality of mirror arrangements and thus follow the cutting curves or cutting lines. The control signals could then also relate to a movement or adjustment of the mirrors.

The control signals can also be dependent on separation specifications. In FIG. 5a For example, it is indicated that each photograph is individually divided out of the blister strip. For this purpose, control signals for a plurality of average curves 210 which surround the individual receptacle 12 are determined. According to the cutting curves a plurality of blister strip parts 15 are removed from the support plate 10.

In FIG. 5b it is indicated on the left side, that each blister strip part 15 'comprises two shots. The cutting curves 210 '(and thus the control signals) are adapted accordingly. While at FIGS. 5a and 5b (Left) parts are removed from the blister strip it can be alternatively provided, the blister strips in a number from Blisterstreifen parts to divide. This is in FIG. 5b , right side, indicated. The control signals provide "cut curves" in the form of cut lines 220, 221, according to which the blister strip is divided into parts 16.

Alternatively, a blister strip may be cut with a water jet separator, the process being similar; Even in such a case, cutting curves or lines should be cut off with the actual separating jet.

When using a punching separation device, the control signals are to be determined differently, since with a punching device no average curve is nachzufahren, but only a coordinate for the positioning of the punching device or the punching means of the punching device is to be determined. In FIG. 4b a corresponding coordinate 230 is indicated. The coordinates for the punching device are determined by the arrangement (and the size) of the images; depending on the size / shape of the recordings then a certain punching means can be selected.

FIG. 6 finally shows a side view of a third embodiment of a device according to the invention, in which the separating device 40 comprises a first and a second separating means 41, 42, which are both formed here as a laser-separating means. FIG. 6 shows the device after generating the image, image analysis evaluation of the image and determination of the control signals in the division of a blister strip 1 by means of two laser beams 45, which are generated by the laser separating means 41, 42.

In the embodiment shown, the two laser-separating means in the X direction on the carriage 52 are movable. In order to ensure sufficient space for a method of the laser separating means, the 3D sensor device 20 is completely moved to the left at this stage of the process. In the embodiment shown, the apparatus further comprises a cooling device 70 which is attached to the separator 40. With this, the blister strip with a coolant 71 be charged. The second laser separating means 42 may also be combined with a corresponding cooling device.

Claims (14)

A method of dividing a blister strip (1) comprising providing a blister strip (1) comprising a backing plate (10) having a plurality of medication portion receptacles (12) and a cover layer (13) for covering the receptacles (12),
with a 3D sensor device (20) an image (200) of the carrier plate (10) with the receptacles (12) is generated, wherein the image (200) comprises depth information,
the image is evaluated by image analysis with a control device (30) and an arrangement of the images (12) is determined on the basis of analysis results,
based on the arrangement of the receptacles (12) control signals for a separating device (40) with at least one separating means (41) are calculated, and
the blister strip (1) is divided into a plurality of blister strip parts (15, 15 ', 16) based on the control signals. A method for dividing a blister strip (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control signals are calculated taking into account separation specifications. A method for dividing a blister strip (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the separation specifications comprise the number of receptacles per blister strip part and / or a distance specification with respect to the recordings. A method of dividing a blister strip (1) according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that on the blister strip applied information (14) with a sensor (60) and, at least in part, be used as separation targets. Method for dividing a blister strip (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the blister strip (1) and the at least one separating means (41) are moved relative to one another during the division of the blister strips. A method of dividing a blister strip (1) according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that in generating the image a plurality of sub-images are generated which together form the image. A method of dividing a blister strip (1) according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the separating means (40) comprises a plurality of separating means (41, 42), wherein in the division of the blister strip (1) based on the control signals in a plurality of blister strip parts (15, 15 ', 16) the plurality of separating means can be operated in parallel. A method of dividing a blister strip (1) according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that a blister strip is applied in the division with a cooling fluid. Device (100) for dividing blister strip (1), comprising
a 3D sensor device (20) for generating an image of a blister strip, wherein the blister strip (1) comprises a carrier plate (10) and a plurality of receptacles (12) and wherein the image comprises depth information,
a separating device (40) having at least one separating means (41) for dividing the blister strip into a plurality of blister strip parts (15, 15 ', 16), and
a control device (30) coupled to the 3D sensor unit (20) and the separating device (40), wherein the control device (30) is designed such that
that the generated image evaluates by image analysis and based on the analysis results, an arrangement of the receptacles (12) in the support plate (10) of the blister strip (1) is determined, and
in that control signals for the separating device (40) are calculated on the basis of the arrangement of the receptacles (12), on the basis of which the blister strip (1) is divided into a plurality of blister strip parts (15, 15 ', 16). Device (100) for splitting blister strip (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the device comprises a movement device (52, 53) which effects a relative movement between the at least one separating means (41) and the blister strip. Device (100) for dividing blister strip (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the at least one separating means (41) is movably mounted on the moving means (52, 53). Device (100) for dividing blister strips (1) according to one of claims 9-11, characterized in that the device comprises a cooling device (70) with which a cooling fluid can be applied to the blister strip (1). Device (100) for dividing blister strip (1) according to one of claims 9-12, characterized in that the separating device (40) is provided by a laser cutting device, a water jet cutting device, a punching device or a cutting device with at least one knife. The device (100) for splitting blister strips (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the separating device (40) is provided by a punching device and comprises a plurality of punching means which can be used in dependence on the determined control signals.

Images