Storage container for a storage and dispensing station for a blister packaging machine and method for separating small piece goods

A method for separating small piece goods with a storage container for a storage and dispensing station for a blister packaging machine, the method comprising:

• providing a plurality of piece goods in a receiving space of a housing of the storage container;
• introducing small piece goods into dispensing channels arranged on an outer circumference of a base body of a separating device and that are open towards the outer circumference, wherein the separating device is arranged in a circular cylindrical inner space of a lower housing portion of the housing and wherein the base body has, at least above each dispensing channel on the outer circumference, a recess which is adapted to a small piece good to be separated and is open towards the outer circumference and has a wall;
• rotating the separating device to dispose a dispensing channel over a dispensing opening in a bottom plate of the lower housing portion;
• dispensing a first small piece good arranged in the dispensing channel rotated over the dispensing opening via the dispensing opening;
• arranging a second small piece good over the dispensing channel rotated over the dispensing opening by rotational movement of the separating device;
• pressing the second small piece good, which is arranged above the dispensing channel rotated over the dispensing opening, against the wall of a corresponding recess by a retaining portion of a sectionally elastically deformable retaining device;
• and
• preventing the second small piece good by frictional connection from entering the dispensing channel aligned with the dispensing opening.

A storage container, comprising:

• a housing, comprising:
• a receiving space for small piece goods;
• a circular cylindrical inner space;
• and
• a dispensing opening;
• a separating device disposed in the circular cylindrical inner space, the separating device comprising:
• a plurality of dispensing channels arranged on an outer circumference of a base body;
• and
• a recess with a wall disposed above each dispensing channel, the recess configured to receive a small piece good from the receiving space;
• a retaining device, comprising:
• a fastening portion;
• and
• a retaining portion disposed above the dispensing opening,
• wherein at least a portion of the retaining device is elastically deformable and is configured to press a first small piece good against the wall of the recess disposed over the dispensing channel disposed over the dispensing opening, thereby preventing the first small piece good from entering the dispensing channel aligned with the dispensing opening.