Pill carrier for the intermediate transport of pills in a blister packaging process, filling device for a pill carrier and method for filling a pill carrier

A system comprising:

• a pill carrier for the intermediate transport of pills in a blister packaging process;
• a filling device having a receptacle for the pill carrier and a plunger;
• wherein the pill carrier comprises:
• a base body;
• and
• a plurality of recesses, wherein the recesses are defined by limiting walls and comprise a bottom opening;
• wherein a receiving body is provided in each recess between the limiting walls;
• wherein
• the receiving body comprises a receiving space for receiving one or a small number of pills, wherein the receiving space comprises an opening on one side which allows said one or small number of pills to be inserted into the receiving space, and
• the receiving body is arranged in the recess such that the receiving body can be pivoted about a pivot axis (A),
• wherein the receiving body can be pivoted from a closed position, in which the opening is arranged opposite one of the limiting walls and is thereby closed, into an open position, in which the opening is at least partially aligned with the bottom opening;
• wherein the plunger can be moved in a direction towards the receptacle by a movement in a pushing direction and/or the receptacle can be moved in a direction towards the plunger by a movement against the pushing direction;
• and
• wherein the plunger can be brought into contact with the receiving body by a movement in a pushing direction and can pivot the receiving body out of a closed position into an open position.

A method for filling a pill carrier, the pill carrier comprising:

• a base body;
• and
• a plurality of recesses, wherein the recesses are defined by limiting walls and comprise a bottom opening;
• wherein a receiving body is provided in the respective recess;
• wherein
• the receiving body comprises a receiving space for receiving one or a small number of pills, wherein the receiving space comprises an opening on one side which allows said one or small number of pills to be inserted into the receiving space, and
• the receiving body is arranged in the recess such that the receiving body can be pivoted about a pivot axis (A),
• wherein the receiving body can be pivoted from a closed position, in which the opening is arranged opposite one of the limiting walls and is thereby closed, into an open position, in which the opening is at least partially aligned with the bottom opening:
• the method comprising:
• providing a receptacle for the pill carrier and a plunger;
• locating the pill carrier in the receptacle;
• and
• providing a plunger movable in a direction towards the receptacle by a movement in a pushing direction and/or the receptacle movable in a direction towards the plunger by a movement against the pushing direction;
• moving the plunger in the pushing direction so as to bring into contact with the receiving body and by further moving the plunger in the pushing direction, the receiving body is pivoted out of the closed position into the open position, whereby the opening of the receiving body is at least partially aligned with the bottom opening of the pill carrier, and whereby, when the opening of the receiving body is at least partially aligned with the bottom opening, a pill is introduced through the bottom opening and the opening of the receiving body into the receiving space.