EP2840026B1 - Assembly for the packaging portions of medicine in dispensing packs and method for refilling a storage container of a storage and metering station of an automatic dispensing machine with medicine portions - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an arrangement comprising a dispensing machine for packaging medicament portions in dispensing packs, the dispenser having a plurality of storage and dispensing stations, each of which can receive a plurality of medicament portions and dispense them one by one, a packaging device which satisfies the requirements of the storage reservoirs. and dosing stations receives dispensed drug portions and dispenses them into dispensing packages, and has a control device controlling the supply storage and dispensing stations and the packaging device, each storage storage and dispensing station having a stationary part attached to a frame of the dispensing machine a detachable part containing an information storage, and wherein the stationary part is associated with a reading device for reading the information storage.

An arrangement of the type mentioned is from the EP 1 634 560 A1 known. In this known arrangement, the information storage is part of an RF tag and stores information about the tablets contained in the reservoir, such as their name, the number of tablets contained and the weight of the tablet. The stationary part includes a tablet information access unit connected to a host computer and assigned an address. The tablet information access unit includes an RF module having an antenna for communicating with the RF tag. The information to be stored in the memory of the RF tag will be at a first touchdown of the removable part on the stationary Part under the control of the host computer via the RF module of the tablet information access unit inscribed, wherein the address of the tablet information access unit serves as identification information. The host computer may request the tablet information access unit address information and the tablet information retrieved from the tablet tag access unit memory from the memory of the RF tag, and store it in its memory along with the position of the storage-and-dispensing station.

A similar arrangement is from the US 5,930,145 A known. This document describes an arrangement for packaging medicament portions in delivery packs, consisting of a dispensing machine (tablet dispensing unit 1 and tablet discharge control unit 2) and a refilling station (work table 4 with tablet replenishment unit 5). The dispensing machine has a plurality of storage and dispensing stations (tablet feeders 11), each of which can receive a plurality of drug portions and dispensed individually. The dispenser also includes a packaging device that receives and dispenses the drug portions dispensed from the storage and dispensing stations into dispensing packages, and a controller controlling the storage and dispensing stations and the packaging device. Each storage-and-dosing station comprises a stationary part (motor base 14) attached to a frame of the dispensing machine and a removable part (cartridge 15) containing a refillable portion for drug portions, the detachable part (15) comprising an information memory (RAM 29 ), which among other things stores the number of drug portions currently contained in the reservoir. The dispensing machine further comprises a reading device for reading the information memory.

From the US Pat. No. 6,405,893 B1 For example, a refillable reservoir of a dispensing machine with a nonvolatile ROM, the drug identification data, is known stores. The US 2009/0287992 A1 describes the application of labels on a storage container of a dispensing machine.

Moreover, from the still unpublished patent application EP 12 182 634.1 Such an arrangement is known, which comprises a refilling station, which serves to refill the reservoir of a removed removable part of the storage and dosing station with drug portions. In this arrangement, the information about the tablets or capsules when filling the reservoir at the refill station is written in the information memory. This information includes not only the information identifying the drug, but also information about the currently refilled lot, such as the expiration date or the number of replenished portions of medication.

Based on this arrangement, it is an object of the invention to enable the control unit to more reliably detect whether the reservoir of a (re) attached to a stationary part removable part was refilled or only temporarily removed for other reasons and whether the Data of the refill have been correctly transferred to a database of the control unit.

This object is achieved by an arrangement with the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 12.

The arrangement according to the invention for packaging medicament portions in delivery packs consists of a dispensing machine and at least one refill station. The dispensing machine has a plurality of storage and dosing stations, each of which can receive and dispense a plurality of drug portions, a packaging device that receives the dispensed from the storage and dispensing stations drug portions and brings in dispensing packs, and a the supply storage and dosing stations and the packaging device controlling control device. Each storage and dosing station includes one on a frame or housing of the Dispensers attached stationary part and a refillable reservoir for drug portions containing removable part. The detachable part has an information storage which stores, inter alia, an identifier of the detachable part. The stationary part is associated with a reading device for reading the information memory. The at least one refill station serves to refill the reservoir of a removed detachable part of the drug storage supply-and-dispensing station. Each store contains a space for a fill handle. The refill identifier is changed at the refill station each time the reservoir has been refilled so that refilling upon reading of the information store by the reader after re-placement of the detachable member on the stationary part thereof or another storage repository. and dosing station can be detected by the control device, wherein the refill station is coupled to a database and reads the identifier of the newly filled detachable part and stores it together with the changed filling ID in the database, and wherein the control device of the dispensing machine is configured that they receive from the read devices of the storage-and-dosing stations the read identifiers with the associated filling identifiers of the attached detachable parts, read from the database the filling identifier stored together with an identifier, and read the read identifier and the ge compare the read fill ID of an attached detachable part with the corresponding values from the database and generate an error signal if it does not match.

This saving and changing a Füllkennung has the advantage that after resuming the detachable part on a stationary part in a subsequent comparison of the filling feature stored in the removable part, the actual filling identifier, with one of the refill station when refilling the reservoir to the database transmitted amended Fill ID, the target fill ID, can be checked to see if they are the same. If this is not the case, an error has occurred, for example, the target fill ID and with it the data of the new fill of the reservoir not properly transferred to the database. Then, the controller of the dispensing machine knows that it may not use the data contained in the database (obsolete) on the drug portions contained in the reservoir.

In a simple embodiment, the space for the stuff tag stores a bit whose value is inverted after each refill at the refill station. These two possible contents of the Füllkennungsspeichers are sufficient for a recognition of the mere fact of refilling. However, this simple variant is susceptible to error, so that possibly another bit (check bit) should be added redundantly. Alternatively, a sequential number incremented at each refill, i. a refill counter, to be used. In a preferred embodiment, the fill identifier is a timestamp corresponding to the time of refill at the refill station. The time stamp can simply contain a date for storage containers that can not be filled twice per day. But it can also be a time or a value of any counter that counts regardless of date and time, be included. This type of fill identifier is safer and also allows tracking a refill history.

In a preferred embodiment, the reading device associated with the stationary part comprises means for wireless communication with the information memory. Such devices may be based on modulated alternating magnetic or electromagnetic fields in the low or high frequency range or optical signals. This avoids mechanical contacts between the detachable part and the stationary part and increases the reliability. Of course, the wireless communication must be configured (range limiting or alternate coding) the communication processes of adjacent storage and dosing stations do not interfere.

The reading device associated with the stationary part may be attached to the frame or housing near the stationary part. It may also be associated with a plurality of stationary parts of a reading device. However, in a preferred embodiment, the stationary part of each supply storage and dosing station includes a reading device. This allows a spatially close arrangement of the reading device and the information memory, which reduces the power consumption during reading. If the reading device and the information memory each have receiving or transmitting devices for wireless communication, the spatially closely adjacent arrangement allows very low ranges and transmission powers, which reduces the risk of mutual interference between adjacent storage and dosing stations and energy consumption.

Preferably, the information memory is a non-volatile semiconductor memory, for example a battery-backed RAM or - preferably - an EEPROM, for example a flash memory. Such a semiconductor memory has a small size and is therefore easy to accommodate in the removable part.

In a preferred embodiment, the information memory is connected to an RFID component or contained in an RFID component. The RFID device can be designed so that it does not need its own power supply, i. when reading or writing data from the reading device or the read-write device is inductively powered.

A preferred arrangement is characterized in that the stationary part of the supply storage and dosing station includes a first part of a dispensing device and the removable part of the storage and dosing station a second part of the dispensing device, wherein the first part of the dispensing device Drive for driving a Separating mechanism for dispensing individual medicament portions, wherein the second part of the dispensing device comprises a dispensing opening of the reservoir. In this embodiment, it is preferably provided that the first part of the dispensing device comprises a controller which is coupled to the reading device and to the control device. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the second part of the dispensing device contains a, adapted to the shape of the drug portions, driven by the drive separating mechanism. This division of the elements of the dispensing device between the stationary and the detachable part has the advantage that elements which are adapted to the type and shape of the medicament portions can be accommodated in the detachable part having the reservoir and thus adapted to the medicament portions contained therein. In contrast, those elements which either require a power voltage supply (such as the drive motor) or which are in constant communication with the controller (such as the controller coupled to the reader and / or drive) are housed in the stationary part, via cable can be connected to the power supply or the control device.

The modified filling code could be changed at the refilling station after refilling in a separate step by means of a programmer. Preferably, however, the refill station includes a read-write device for reading information from the information store comprising identifiers of the detachable portion and for writing information comprising the fill identifier into the information store. This read-write device may be arranged to communicate with the information storage of the detachable part during refilling.

In the inventive method for refilling a reservoir of a storage and dosing station a dispensing machine with drug portions is first removed in a step a) a demounted reservoir containing removable part of a storage storage and dosing station and transported to a refilling station. The dispensing machine has a plurality of storage and dispensing stations, a packaging device that receives and dispenses drug portions dispensed from the storage and dispensing stations into dispensing packages, and a controller controlling the storage and dispensing stations and the packaging device , Each storage and dosing station comprises a stationary part and a removable part containing the refillable reservoir. The detachable part has an information storage which, inter alia, stores an identifier and contains a storage space for a stuffing identifier. The stationary part is associated with a reading device for reading the information memory. Before and during this removal and transport to the refill station, the space for the fill handle contains a first value. In a step b), the identifier is read at the refill station, the reservoir is refilled with a predetermined amount of drug portions and a second value is written into the memory location for storing the filling identifier. In a step c), the second value is stored together with the read identifier in a database readable by the controller. This database can be arranged, for example, part of the control device or even outside of the dispensing machine. In a step d), which can be carried out, for example, after or in parallel with step c), the removable part with the filled storage container is transported back to the dispensing machine and onto the stationary part of the original or another storage and dispensing station placed; then the identifier and the stuff identifier of the information store are read. Then, in a step e), the read identifier and the read value of the Füllkennung compared with the stored in the database corresponding values, wherein an error signal is generated in case of non-conformity.

As explained above with reference to the arrangement, the storage space for the filling identifier stores - in a simple embodiment - a bit whose value is inverted in step b) after each refilling at the refilling station, the resulting value being determined in step c) in the refilling station Database is stored. In a preferred embodiment, the fill identifier is a timestamp corresponding to the time of refill at the refill station, wherein the timestamp in step b) is stored in the memory location for the pad and in step c) in the database.

A preferred embodiment of the method is characterized in that in step c) the filling identifier storing entry of the database is addressed by means of the read identifier. This simplifies the process and avoids additional storage of an assignment of the identifiers to the memory location addresses of the database.

In a preferred embodiment of the method in step c) in addition to the filling identifier and information about the new contents of the reservoir, such as the number and the expiration date of the filled drug portions stored in the database. This allows an automatic adaptation of the control device of the dispensing machine available data about contained in the reservoirs drug.

Preferably, in step b) the database is looked up on the basis of the read identifier and it is determined on the basis of the information stored there which type of medicament portions are to be replenished.

In a preferred embodiment, prior to refilling in step b), a refill reservoir is provided, an identifier attached to this refill reservoir is read, and read from the refill reservoir identifier and read from the refill reservoir Information store of the removable part read identifier determines whether the refill reservoir contains the correct nachzufüllenden drug portions. For example, this refill reservoir identifier may be in the form of a bar code, and the identifier may be read by means of a scanner, for example. This procedure improves the safety of a correct filling of the reservoir.

Advantageous and / or preferred developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims.

• Fig. 1: eine schematische Darstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Anordnung und von Abläufen beim Entnehmen und Wieder-Aufsetzen des abnehmbaren Teils;
• Fig. 2: eine schematische Perspektivansicht eines bei der Implementierung der Erfindung verwendbaren Dispensierautomaten;
• Fig. 3: eine schematische Seitenansicht des Dispensierautomaten nach Anspruch 2; und
• Fig. 4: eine schematische Perspektivansicht einer bei der Implementierung der Erfindung verwendbaren Vorratsspeicher-und-Dosier-Station.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a preferred embodiment shown in the drawings. In the drawings show:

• Fig. 1 a schematic representation of the arrangement according to the invention and of operations during removal and re-placement of the removable part;
• Fig. 2 FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a dispensing machine useful in implementing the invention; FIG.
• Fig. 3 a schematic side view of the dispensing machine according to claim 2; and
• Fig. 4 FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a storage storage and dispensing station useful in implementing the invention. FIG.

In the FIGS. 2 to 4 is a dispenser 1 shown schematically in the patent application EP 12 182 634.1 (not yet published) is described and used in the inventive arrangement or with the aid of the inventive method can be performed. It should be noted at this point, however, that the arrangement according to the invention and the method according to the invention can also be carried out with a multitude of differently designed dispensing machines.

The dispenser 1 according to FIG. 2 has a plurality of in a plane next to and above each other in rows and columns arranged storage and dosing stations 2, one of which in FIG. 4 is shown. Such a storage and dosing station 2 comprises a fixed part 4 fixed to a frame 8 and a detachable part 3 mounted thereon. The removable part 3 contains a reservoir 5 for a plurality of identical drug portions, such as tablets or capsules. The storage-and-dosing station 2 includes a dispensing device, with the help of each individual drug portions removed from the reservoir 5 and via a containing in the stationary part 4 guide shaft at the in FIG. 4 right outlet opening are delivered to a transport path, which finally directs the drug portions targeted to a packaging device, where they are then introduced into dispensing packs in a predetermined amount. For this purpose, each storage-and-dosing station 2 has within its stationary part 4 a connected to the central control device 9 of the dispensing machine 1 controller, which in turn drives a drive motor of a separating mechanism, provided that the central control device 9, the delivery of a drug portion of the associated reservoir 5 requests. The separating mechanism not described in detail here comprises, in addition to the controller and the drive in the stationary part 4, a separating mechanism driven by the drive and contained in the detachable part 3, which is adapted to the respective shape of the medicament portions contained in the reservoir 5. For example, the separating mechanism comprises a so-called separating wheel, ie a rotating cylinder with adapted to the diameter of the drug portions vertical guide channels, each of which can receive a drug portion at its upper end by a predetermined opening of the reservoir 5 and at its lower end to a rotationally offset to the opening Position the drug portion contained in the guide channel can pass on to an opening to the stationary part 4, so that the drug delivered to the stationary part portion moves through an inclined guide shaft and then at the Outlet opening of the stationary part 4 is discharged. The guide well through which the drug portion moves is optionally monitored by a sensor to detect the passage of the drug portion. This sensor portion detecting sensor is in turn coupled to the controller of the stationary part 4.

As in particular in FIG. 3 can be seen, a vertical column of stacked storage storage and dosing stations 2 can be coupled to a vertical chute 32 such that in FIG. 3 arranged on the right (not visible) inlet openings of the chute 32 with associated outlet openings of the stationary part 4 of the storage and dosing stations 2 are coupled such that emerge from the storage and dosing stations 2 leaking drug portions in the chute 32. Therein they fall vertically downwards, with the inner walls of protruding inwards into the chute protrusions 33 dampen the case by laterally deflect the movement of the falling drug portions. When the drug portions falling in the chute 32 reach the bottom of the chute 32, they exit the chute 32 and fall into a collection container 40. Collective containers 40 generally collect multiple drug portions which together are dispensed into a dispensing package to be manufactured by the dispensing machine are to bring. For this purpose, the collecting containers 40 are purposefully emptied at the packaging device 30 such that the medicament portions exiting from the collecting containers 40 fall into a still open pocket of a dispensing package provided below, after which the pocket or the dispensing package is closed.

In the in the FIGS. 2 to 4 shown dispensing move the vertical chutes 32 on the matrix of the storage and dosing stations 2 in the horizontal direction over, so that the inlet openings of the chutes 32 successively with the outlet openings of in a series of horizontally juxtaposed storage storage and dosing stations 2 are connected. In order to enable this horizontal movement of the vertical chutes 32, these are connected at their top and bottom with each in a horizontal plane circulating conveyor belts 31a, 31b, wherein the conveyor belts 31a, 31b are guided around drive wheels 34. The drive wheels 34 are in turn mounted on a driven by a drive motor 36 shaft 35. Both conveyor belts 31a and 31b have mounting lugs 37 at equidistant intervals, to which the chutes 32 are fastened. In FIG. 2 For the sake of clarity, only one vertical chute 32 is shown. In the real arrangement, the conveyor belts 31a and 31b circumferentially fully equipped with chutes 32. Below the horizontal circumferential chutes 32 another conveyor belt 38 is guided by drive wheels, which moves at the same speed as the conveyor belts 31a, 31b. On the conveyor belt 38 are - also at equidistant intervals - mounting lugs 39, wherein the distance corresponds to that of the mounting lugs 37. On the mounting bosses 39, the collecting container 40 are mounted, wherein in FIG. 2 again, by way of example only, six such collection containers 40 are shown. In fact, the entire conveyor belt 38 is circumferentially equipped with storage containers 40. The distances between the collection containers correspond to the distances between the chutes. While the chutes 32 are moved past the matrix of the storage and dosing stations 2 at a predetermined speed, 32 collectively associated containers 40 are moved along at the lower ends of the chutes. After one revolution, the collecting container 40 leave the position of the running chutes 32, because the conveyor belt 38 is led beyond the region of the conveyor belts 31a, 31b, as in the left front area of FIG. 2 can be seen. There, the collection container 40 are then passed over the packaging device 30 and successively into corresponding initially still open top dispensing packages discharged. The dispensing packs are made of weldable plastic films. In FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 is an endless foil strip 41 to recognize, which is the packaging device 30 is supplied (for example, from a roll of film).

In FIG. 3 bottom left, a housing of the central control device 9 is shown schematically. About (not shown) line connections, this control device 9 is connected to both the packaging device 30 and with all the drive motors and all storage and dosing stations 2. In addition, the control device is connected to all the operation of the Dispensierautomaten monitoring sensors.

FIG. 4 shows the storage-and-dosing station 2 in the state in which the detachable part 3 is seated on the stationary part 4. In FIG. 4 on the left you can see a vertical handle of the removable part 3. At the lower end of the handle, an RFID component with an information storage 6 is preferably introduced, which is arranged wirelessly with a reading device 6 introduced into the stationary part 4 adjacent to the handle. When the removable part 3 is mounted, the reading device 7 can read the information memory 6. The read data first go to the controller within the stationary part 4 and from there to the central control device 9.

The information storage 6 stores according to the invention, inter alia, an identifier of the removable part 3 and a Füllkennung, preferably in the form of a time stamp, which marks the time of refilling.

In FIG. 1 the arrangement according to the invention is shown schematically. In addition to the dispensing machine 1, for example, with the above based on the FIGS. 2 to 4 described components, the inventive arrangement has a refill station 10. At the refilling station 10 in the course of operation emptied reservoir of a removed removable part 3 of a storage and dosing station 2, each with a predetermined amount of drug portions of the same type and size filled. The refill station 10 includes a read and write device 11 which can communicate with the information storage of a replenished on the refill station 10 detachable part 3 of a storage and dosing station 2 such that they can write a new Füllkennung in the information memory. Each time the storage container 5 has been refilled, the filling code is changed at the refill station 10, preferably a time stamp of refilling inscribed in the information memory 6. In the FIG. 1 schematically illustrated refill station 10 has a controller 12 which is connected to the reading and writing device 11. The refill station 10 may also include a scale with which the weight of the detachable part 4 can be continuously determined, so that the refilling of the correct number of medicament portions (with known individual weight) can be checked.

As in FIG. 1 shown, both the controller 9 of the dispensing machine 1 and the controller 12 of the refill station 10 is coupled to a database 13. The database 13 stores for each detachable part 3 of a storage and dosing station 2 at least one record, in addition to the identifier of the removable part 3 and the filling identifier (time stamp) information about the contents of the reservoir 5, such as the number, Art and the expiration date of the medicine portions. The control device 9 of the dispensing machine 1 can access the data records of the database 13 in order to determine, when the dispensing of a specific medication portion in a certain dispensing package is requested, by looking up in the database 13 to determine which storage-and-dispensing station 2 activate is.

So that the control device 9 always contains the correct data of the medicament portions contained in the storage containers 5 of the supply storage and dosing stations 2 According to the invention, when refilling a storage container 5, the procedure is as follows. First, it is assumed that the information memory 6 of a detachable part 3 of a storage-and-dosing station 2 whose reservoir 5 is empty stores an identifier ID of the detachable part 3 and a time stamp TS1 of the earlier refilling. This removable part 3 is now removed and moved to the refilling station 10, which is indicated by the arrow 20. In addition to the arrow 20, the designation ID + TS1 indicates that the information store 6 contains the old time stamp TS1 in addition to the identifier ID. After the detachable part 3 has been placed with the reservoir 5 on the refill station 10, the controller 12 of the refill station 10 causes a read of the information memory 6 by means of the read and write device 11. With the aid of the read identifier ID, the refill station 10 beats in the database 13 and thus determines the type of drug portions to be replenished. An in FIG. 1 Unillustrated refill reservoir is brought to the refill station 10 where an identifier attached to the refill reservoir is read. On the basis of the read information of the refill reservoir and retrieved from the database 13 information is checked whether the refill reservoir contains the correct nachzufüllenden drug portions. If this is the case, the reservoir 5 is refilled from the refill reservoir. In this case, it is checked with the aid of a balance of the refill station 10, whether the amount to be replenished has completely passed into the reservoir 5. If so, the controller 12 of the refill station 10 causes its writing device 11 to write a new time stamp as a stuffing identifier into the information store 6 of the detachable part 3. This is in FIG. 1 illustrated by the arrow 21. At the same time or shortly thereafter, the controller 12 causes the new Füllkennung, ie the new Timestamp TS2 is written to the database 13 in association with the identifier ID. At the same time, further information about the replenished drug portions is stored in the database 13. This is indicated by the arrow 22 in FIG FIG. 1 illustrated. Subsequently, the newly filled removable part 3 is again placed on its stationary part 4 of the storage and dosing station 2, where it now contains in its information memory 6 the identifier ID together with the new time stamp TS2. This is illustrated by the arrow 23. After being placed on the stationary part 4, the controller 9 causes reading of the information memory 6 by the reading device 7 of the stationary part 4. This reading of the identifier and the new time stamp (ID + TS2) is illustrated by the arrow 24. At the same time, the control device 9 reads from the data record of the database 13 addressed with the identifier ID the time stamp stored there, which would have to be the new time stamp TS2 if the data were correctly transmitted. This is illustrated by the arrow 25. Finally, the controller 9 compares the identifiers and the timestamps, generating an error signal if they do not match. An operator of the device is sent a message that either the database 13 or the newly attached detachable part 3 does not have the required correct timestamp. Subsequently, it can be checked whether there was a lack of correct transmission of the data from the filling station 10 to the database 13, or whether other errors have occurred. As long as the errors have not been eliminated, the affected storage-and-dosing station 2 is deactivated, ie an output of drug portions from this station is suppressed.

Claims (18)

1. Assembly for packaging portions of medicine in dispensing packs, comprising an automatic dispensing machine (1) and at least one refilling station (10),
   wherein the automatic dispensing machine (1) comprises a plurality of storage and dosing stations (2), which can each take up and individual dispense a large number of medicine portions, a packaging assembly which receives the medicine portions dispensed by the storage and dosing stations and fills them into dispensing packs, and a control device (9) which controls the storage and dosing stations and the packaging assembly,
   wherein each storage and dosing station (2) has stationary section (4) fastened to a frame (8) or housing of the automatic dispensing machine (1) and a detachable section (3) containing a refillable storage container (5) for medicine portions, wherein the detachable section (3) has an information memory (6), which, among other things, stores an identifier of the detachable section, and wherein a reading device (7) is assigned to the stationary section (4) for reading the information memory (6),
   wherein the at least one refilling station (10) serves to refill the storage container (5) of a removed detachable section (3) of the storage and dosing station (2) with medicine portions,
   wherein each information memory (6) contains a storage place for a filling identifier (TS1, TS2), wherein each time the storage container (5) has been newly filled the filling identifier on the refilling station (10) is modified in such a way that on reading of the information memory (6) by the reading device (7) the refilling after replacement of the detachable section (3) on the stationary section (4) thereof or on another storage and dosing station (2) can be identified by the control device (9),
   wherein the refilling station (10) is connected to a database (13) and reads the identifier (ID) of the newly filled detachable section and stores it together with the modified filling identifier (TS2) in the database (13), and
   wherein the control device of the automatic dispensing machine (1) is configured in such a way that it can

   receive the identifiers (ID) with the corresponding filling identifiers (TS1, TS2) of the mounted detachable sections (3) read by the reading devices (7) of the storage and dosing stations (2),

   read the filling identifier stored together with an identifier (ID) from the database (13) and

   compare the read identifier (ID) and the read filling identifier (TS1, TS2) of a mounted detachable section (3) with the corresponding values from the database (13) and generate a fault signal if the event of non-correspondence.
2. Assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that the storage place for the filling identifier (TS1, TS2) stores one bit, the value of which is inverted after each refilling at the refilling station (10).
3. Assembly according to claim 1 characterised in that the filling identifier is a time stamp (TS1, TS2) which corresponds to the time of refilling at the refilling station (10).
4. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 - 3, characterised in that the reading device (7) assigned to the stationary section (4) has facilities for wireless communication with the information memory (6).
5. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 - 4 characterised in that the stationary section (4) of each storage and dosing station (2) contains a reading device (7).
6. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 - 5 characterised in that the information memory (6) is a non-volatile semiconductor memory.
7. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 - 6 characterised in that the information memory (6) is contained in an RFID component.
8. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 - 7 characterised in that the stationary section (4) of the storage and dosing station (2) contains a first part of a dispensing device and the detachable part (3) of the storage and dosing station (2) contains a second part of the dispensing device, wherein the first part of the dispensing device contains an actuator for actuating a separating mechanism for dispensing individual medicine portions, wherein the second part of the dispensing device comprises a dispensing opening of the storage container (5).
9. Assembly according to claim 8 characterised in that the first part of the dispensing device comprises a controller which is connected to the reading device (7) and the control device (9).
10. Assembly according to claim 8 or 9 characterised in that the second part of the dispensing device contains a separation mechanism which is adapted to the shape of the medicine portions and is actuated by the actuator.
11. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 - 10 characterised in that the refilling station (10) has a read-write device (11) for reading information containing the identifier of the detachable section (3) from the information memory (6) and for writing information containing the filling identifier into the information memory (6).
12. Method of refilling a storage container of a storage and dosing station of an automatic dispensing machine with medicine portions, wherein the automatic dispensing machine has a plurality of storage and dosing stations, a packaging assembly which receives medicine portions issued by the storage and dosing station and brings them into dispensing packs and a control device which controls the storage and dosing stations and the packaging device, wherein each storage and dosing station has a stationary section and a detachable section containing a refillable storage container, wherein the detachable section has an information memory, which, among other things, stores an identifier (ID) and contains a storage space for a filling identifier, and wherein a reading device is assigned to the stationary section for reading the information memory, wherein:

    a) a detachable part of one of the storage and dosing stations containing the empty storage container is removed wherein the storage location for the filling identifier contains a first value (TS1) and the detachable part is transported to a refilling station (20),

    b) at the refilling station the identifier (ID) is read, the storage container refilled with a predetermined quantity of medicine portions and a second value (TS2) is written (21) into the storage location for storing the filling identifier,

    c) the second value (TS2) together with the read identifier (ID) is stored (22) in a database which can be read by the control device,

    d) the detachable section with the filled storage container is transported back to the automatic dispensing machine (23) and mounted on the stationary section of the original or a different storage and dosing station and the identifier (ID) and filling identifier (TS2) of the information memory are read (24),

    e) the read identifier (ID) and the read value of the filling identifier (TS2) are compared with the corresponding values stored in the database, wherein an error signal is generated in the event of non-correspondence.
13. Method according to claim 12 characterised in that the storage location for the filling identifier stores one bit, the value of which in step b) is inverted after every new filling at the refilling station, wherein in step c) the resulting value is stored in the database.
14. Method according to claim 12 characterised in that the filling identifier is a time stamp, which corresponds to the time of refilling at the refilling station, wherein in step b) the time stamp is stored in the storage location for the filling identifier and in step c) in the database.
15. Method according to any one of claims 12 - 14 characterised in that in step c) the database entry storing the filling identifier is addressed by means of the read identifier.
16. Method according to any one of claims 12 - 15 characterised in that in step c) in addition to the filling identifier, details of the new content of the storage container, such as the number and expiry date of filled medicine portions, are stored in the database.
17. Method according to any one of claims 12 - 16 characterised in that in step b), by way of the read identifier the database is consulted and with the information stored therein it is determined which type of medicine portions have to be refilled.
18. Method according to any one of claims 12 - 17 characterised in that before refilling, in step b) a refill storage container is provided, an identifier applied to this refill storage container read and by way of the read refill storage container identifier and the identifier read from the information memory of the detachable section it is determined whether the refill storage container contains the correct medicine portions for refilling.

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