Drug supply device

Abstract

This suppresses the occurrence of solid drug supply failures in drug supply devices. [Solution] The device comprises a bottom and a side wall extending upward from the bottom. The side wall includes a pair of first wall portions 31 extending in a first direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and facing each other in a second direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the first direction, a pair of second wall portions 32 extending in a second direction between the pair of first wall portions and facing each other in the first direction, and a connecting corner portion 33 connecting one of the first wall portions and one of the second wall portions. The bottom and side wall portions form a storage space for accommodating solid drugs introduced from above. The bottom is openable and closable. One of the first wall portions and one of the second wall portions are curved so as to be convex toward the storage space, and the connecting corner portion is curved so as to be convex toward the outside of the storage space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a drug supply device that supplies solid drugs such as tablets or capsules.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a drug supply device for supplying solid drugs, a tablet storage section in a drug packaging device as described in Patent Document 1 is known. The tablet storage section includes a plurality of drug storage bins that are arranged side by side in the row direction and the column direction, and are rectangular tubular in plan view with open upper and lower ends, and a bottom plate that opens and closes the opening at the lower end of each drug storage bin. The bottom plate includes a bulging portion that bulges upward at the central portion of the upper surface, and a plurality of ribs provided on the bulging portion.

[0003] In the tablet storage section as described above, since the contact area between the tablets introduced into the drug storage bin and the bottom plate can be reduced by the bulging portion and the ribs, it is possible to suppress the tablets from adhering to the bottom plate due to static electricity and the tablets from not falling downward from the drug storage bin.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When the inventor repeatedly studied the poor supply of solid drugs in the drug supply device, it was found that the solid drugs do not fall due to gravity even when the bottom is open, and poor supply of solid drugs occurs by locking in a so-called bridge state in which an arch structure is formed in the space where a plurality of solid drugs are stored.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to suppress the occurrence of poor supply of solid drugs in a drug supply device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The drug supply device of the present invention comprises a bottom portion and a side wall portion extending upward from the bottom portion, the side wall portion comprising a pair of first wall portions extending in a first direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and arranged opposite to each other in a second direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the first direction, a pair of second wall portions extending in a second direction between the pair of first wall portions and arranged opposite to each other in the first direction, and a connecting corner portion connecting one of the pair of first wall portions and one of the pair of second wall portions, the bottom portion and the side wall portion form a storage space for accommodating solid drugs introduced from above, the bottom portion is openable and closable, one of the first wall portions and one of the second wall portions are curved so as to be convex toward the storage space, and the connecting corner portion is curved so as to be convex toward the outside of the storage space.

[0008] With this configuration, the number of contact points of the solid drug with the side wall can be suppressed, thereby preventing the solid drug from coming into stable contact with the side wall and preventing the solid drug from forming a bridge within the containment space.

[0009] Furthermore, the first wall portion and the second wall portion can be configured to be curved so as to be convex in the horizontal direction toward the storage space.

[0010] With this configuration, since the first and second walls are curved in the horizontal direction, it is possible to suppress the solid drug from coming into contact with multiple points on the first or second wall.

[0011] Furthermore, the pair of first wall portions can be configured such that the distance between them in the second direction increases as they move downwards from the middle of the vertical direction.

[0012] With this configuration, the width of the containment space in the second direction is wider at the bottom than at the top, which helps to prevent the solid drug from forming a bridge within the containment space.

[0013] Furthermore, the first wall portion comprises a first lower end wall portion located from the lower end to the middle portion in the vertical direction, and a first intermediate wall portion extending upward from the first lower end wall portion. The first lower end wall portion and the first intermediate wall portion are inclined in the vertical direction such that the lower side is located outside the accommodation space than the upper side. The inclination angle of the first lower end wall portion in the vertical direction may be greater than the inclination angle of the first intermediate wall portion in the vertical direction.

[0014] With this configuration, the inclination of the lower end portion of the first wall in the vertical direction can be made larger than that of the middle portion, thereby suppressing the formation of bridges between multiple solid drugs. In the lower part of the containment space, multiple solid drugs placed on the bottom tend to spread horizontally, making them prone to forming bridges. Even in this lower part of the containment space, increasing the inclination of the lower end portion of the first wall in the vertical direction can more reliably suppress the formation of bridges between multiple solid drugs. On the other hand, by making the inclination of the middle portion of the first wall in the vertical direction smaller than that of the lower end portion, the upper part of the containment space does not become narrower. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the need to enlarge the entire device in order to secure the width of the upper part of the containment space.

[0015] Furthermore, the side wall portion may be configured such that the inner surface forming the accommodation space is a smooth surface.

[0016] With this configuration, since the inner surface of the side wall is a smooth surface, the number of contact points of the solid drug with the side wall can be suppressed compared to cases where there are protrusions or corners, for example. This suppresses the solid drug from coming into stable contact with the side wall and prevents the solid drug from forming a bridge within the containment space. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of supply failures of solid drugs in a drug supply device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing a drug packaging device including a drug supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a plan view showing the upper drug supply device, which is the same drug supply device. [Figure 3] It is an enlarged view of part III shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] It is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] It is a sectional view taken along line V-V shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] It is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] It is a plan view showing the lower drug supply device, which is the same drug supply device. [Figure 8] It is an enlarged view of part VIII shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] It is a sectional view taken along line IX-IX shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] It is a sectional view taken along line X-X shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] It is a sectional view taken along line XI-XI shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 12] It is a diagram showing a state in which solid drugs are accommodated in the same drug supply device. [Figure 13] It is a table showing the distribution of tablet diameters supplied by the same drug supply device. [Figure 14] It is a diagram showing a drug supply device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] The drug supply device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13. For convenience of explanation, the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, and the front-rear direction will be described based on the directions shown in FIG. 1.

[0020] In the present embodiment, the drug supply device 1 constitutes a part of a drug packaging device 7 that packages a plurality of solid drugs M together. First, the outline of the drug packaging device 7 will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, the drug packaging device 7 is a device that packages solid drugs M in individual doses using packaging such as paper packets. Specifically, the drug packaging device 7 has multiple cassettes (not shown) in which solid drugs M are contained, and includes an automatic supply device 71 capable of supplying solid drugs M contained in the cassettes, a manual drug dispensing device 72 that supplies manually dispensed solid drugs M, a packaging unit 73 that packages the solid drugs M supplied from the automatic supply device 71 and the manual drug dispensing device 72 into individual packets, and a box-shaped housing 74 that houses the automatic supply device 71, the manual drug dispensing device 72, and the packaging unit 73. The drug packaging device 7 also includes an input unit 75 that can input prescription information regarding the solid drugs M to be packaged, and a control unit that controls the entire drug packaging device 7. In this embodiment, the solid drugs M contained in the cassettes and the solid drugs M put into the manual drug dispensing device 72 are all solid drugs M such as tablets J, capsules C, or pills. Unlike powders, for example, solid medications M can each be a single unit of administration, which is a prescription unit. Furthermore, solid medications M can have shapes such as approximately spherical, cylindrical, or ellipsoidal (see Figure 12). Specifically, among the solid medications M, tablets J are, for example, approximately cylindrical bodies with an outer surface that curves outward, and capsules C are, for example, approximately ellipsoidal, composed of a straight portion and a portion that curves outward.

[0022] The automatic dispensing device 71 contains multiple types of solid drugs M. Specifically, the automatic dispensing device 71 contains multiple types of solid drugs M, separated into cassettes. The automatic dispensing device 71 also supplies the contained solid drugs M to the packaging unit 73 in accordance with instructions from the control unit. The automatic dispensing device 71 can also contain large quantities of solid drugs M in multiple cassettes.

[0023] The packaging section 73 is the part that packages the solid drug M supplied from the automatic supply device 71 and the manual drug dispensing device 72 into individual doses. The packaging section 73 is located below the automatic supply device 71 and the manual drug dispensing device 72. In this embodiment, the solid drug M supplied from the automatic supply device 71 and the manual drug dispensing device 72 moves according to gravity through a drug supply path (not shown) provided inside the housing 74 and is supplied to the packaging section 73.

[0024] The drug dispensing device 72 includes a drug supply unit 8. The drug supply unit 8 in this embodiment is provided so as to be able to move in and out of the housing 74 by moving in the front-rear direction. In the drug supply unit 8 of this embodiment, the upper drug supply device 1U, which will be described later, can move in the front-rear direction to switch between an extended state (see Figure 1) where it has moved forward from the housing 74 and is stored inside the housing 74, positioned above the lower drug supply device 1D.

[0025] The drug supply unit 8 comprises multiple drug supply devices 1. Specifically, the drug supply unit 8 includes an upper drug supply device 1U (see Figures 2 to 6) and a lower drug supply device 1D (see Figures 7 to 11), with the lower drug supply device 1D positioned below the upper drug supply device 1U, overlapping it vertically. In such a drug supply unit 8, a worker (e.g., a pharmacist) who manually dispenses solid drug M places the solid drug M to be packaged into the upper drug supply device, and after placement, the solid drug M is supplied from the upper drug supply device 1U to the lower drug supply device 1D. The lower drug supply device 1D then supplies the supplied solid drug M to the packaging section 73. In other words, the upper drug supply device 1U is a device that supplies the manually dispensed solid drug M to the lower drug supply device 1D, which is another device located between the packaging section 73 and the upper drug supply device 1U. Furthermore, the lower drug supply device 1D is a device that supplies the solid drug M supplied from the upper drug supply device 1U to another device, the packaging unit 73. In the following description, components that have common functions in the upper drug supply device 1U and the lower drug supply device 1D will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the upper drug supply device 1U includes a container 11 having multiple upper storage sections 2U that serve as storage sections 2 capable of accommodating solid drug M that is dispensed by hand.

[0027] The container 11 is a plate-like body with a thickness smaller than its vertical and horizontal dimensions, and is provided with multiple upper storage sections 2U that define a storage space S, which is a recess capable of containing a solid drug M. The thickness direction is aligned with the vertical direction. The container 11 also has multiple upper storage sections 2U arranged horizontally. In this embodiment, the container 11 has multiple (specifically six) upper storage sections 2U arranged in the front-to-back direction, and multiple rows arranged in the left-to-right direction. The container 11 also has a flat upper surface that fills the space between adjacent upper storage sections 2U. Furthermore, the container 11 in this embodiment is made of resin (the same type of material that has been conventionally used to form containers).

[0028] The upper storage section 2U is box-shaped with an open top, allowing solid drug M to be inserted from above. Specifically, the upper storage section 2U comprises a plate-shaped bottom 21 and an upper side wall 3U that extends upward from the bottom 21 as a side wall 3. The upper storage section 2U has a storage space S formed by the bottom 21 and the upper side wall 3U, which is capable of accommodating solid drug M. The storage space S is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view.

[0029] The bottom portion 21 is a plate-like body with a flat top surface, defining the lower end of the containment space S. The bottom portion 21 is also configured to open and close the lower end of the containment space S. Specifically, the bottom portion 21 is closed when the solid drug M is placed into the containment space S, and opens when the solid drug M in the containment space S is supplied to another device. In other words, by opening and closing the bottom portion 21, it is possible to switch between a state in which the placed solid drug M is held within the containment space S and a state in which the placed solid drug M is supplied to another device. The bottom portion 21 of the upper containment section 2U slides horizontally to open and close the lower end of the containment space S.

[0030] The upper side wall portion 3U comprises a pair of upper first wall portions 31U, which extend in the vertical and horizontal directions and are arranged opposite to each other in the front-to-back direction; a pair of upper second wall portions 32U, which extend between the pair of upper first wall portions 31U in the vertical and horizontal directions and are arranged opposite to each other in the left-to-right direction; and a connecting corner portion 33 that connects the upper first wall portion 31U and the upper second wall portion 32U. The upper side wall portion 3U is formed in a substantially rectangular ring shape by the pair of upper first wall portions 31U, the pair of upper second wall portions 32U, and the connecting corner portion 33. Furthermore, the upper side wall portion 3U defines the inner surface of the accommodation space S by the inner surface of the substantially rectangular ring shape. The inner surface of the accommodation space S formed by the upper side wall portion 3U is a smooth surface without protrusions or angular parts. For example, the inner surface of the accommodation space S does not have linear protrusions extending in the vertical direction or unevenness.

[0031] Furthermore, the upper side wall portion 3U is provided with a position indicator portion 4 for indicating the storage portion 2 into which the operator should place the solid drug M. The position indicator portion 4 is controlled by the control unit based on prescription information input to the input portion 75, and projects light onto the inner surface of the storage space S to indicate the storage portion 2 into which the operator should place the solid drug M. Specifically, the position indicator portion 4 comprises a light source (not shown) and a light-transmitting portion 41 through which the light emitted from the light source passes. The light source is, for example, an LED and is capable of emitting light in multiple colors. The light-transmitting portion 41 is a plate-like body that transmits light, and in this embodiment, it is a milky white plate-like body. The light-transmitting portion 41 is also provided so as to constitute a part of the upper second wall portion 32U. In this embodiment, the position indicator portion 4 is provided on one of a pair of upper second wall portions 32U, the light-transmitting portion 41 constitutes a part of one of the upper second wall portions 32U, and the light source is positioned outside the storage space S relative to the light-transmitting portion 41.

[0032] As shown in Figure 4, the upper first wall portion 31U is a plate-like body inclined in the vertical direction such that its lower side is located towards the rear. In this embodiment, both of the pair of upper first wall portions 31U are inclined so that their lower sides are located towards the rear in the vertical direction, but the front upper first wall portion 31U has a larger angle of inclination in the vertical direction than the rear upper first wall portion 31U. Therefore, the distance between the pair of upper first wall portions 31U decreases as they move downwards.

[0033] Furthermore, the upper first wall portion 31U is a plate-like body that is curved in the horizontal direction so as to be convex inward into the storage space S. In other words, the upper first wall portion 31U has a single convex surface. This single convex surface is located in the center of the upper first wall portion 31U in the left-right direction and extends upward from the lower end of the upper first wall portion 31U, and in this embodiment extends from the lower end to the upper end of the upper first wall portion 31U. This single convex surface is curved in the horizontal direction so as to be convex inward into the storage space S from the left end to the right end of the upper first wall portion 31U. When viewed from above, this single convex surface is curved so as to be convex inward into the storage space S from the left end to the right end of the upper first wall portion 31U. Specifically, the inner surface of the upper first wall portion 31U (the surface facing the storage space S) is curved with a radius of curvature of 10 mm or more and 100 mm or less, so as to be convex inward into the storage space S. Furthermore, the radius of curvature is larger than the radius of curvature of the connecting corner portion 33, which will be described later, so as to be convex outward. In this embodiment, the upper first wall portion 31U is curved with a radius of curvature of 50 mm so as to be convex inward into the storage space S. In this embodiment, both of the pair of upper first wall portions 31U are curved in the horizontal direction so as to be convex inward into the storage space S. The entire upper first wall portion 31U, from the upper end to the lower end, is curved with a constant radius of curvature so as to be convex inward into the storage space S. Therefore, the entire upper first wall portion 31U is composed of a curved surface.

[0034] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, one of the pair of upper second wall portions 32U is a straight wall portion 34, and the other of the pair of upper second wall portions 32U is a curved wall portion 35. In this embodiment, the second wall portion 32 located on the left is a straight wall portion 34, and the second wall portion 32 located on the right is a curved wall portion 35. A position indicator portion 4 is also provided on the straight wall portion 34.

[0035] The straight wall portion 34 is a plate-like body having a flat inner surface. A portion of the straight wall portion 34 is composed of a light-transmitting portion 41.

[0036] The curved wall portion 35 is a plate-like body that is curved horizontally so as to be convex inward into the storage space S. In other words, the curved wall portion 35 has one convex surface. This convex surface is located in the center of the curved wall portion 35 in the front-rear direction and extends upward from the lower end of the curved wall portion 35, extending from the lower end to the upper end of the curved wall portion 35 in this embodiment. This convex surface is curved horizontally so as to be convex inward into the storage space S from the front end to the rear end of the curved wall portion 35. When viewed from above, this convex surface is curved horizontally so as to be convex inward into the storage space S from the front end to the rear end of the curved wall portion 35. In this embodiment, one convex surface of the upper first wall portion 31U and one convex surface of the curved wall portion 35 are surfaces curved with the same radius of curvature, but this is not limited to this, and they can be surfaces curved with different radii of curvature. Specifically, the inner surface of the curved wall portion 35 (the surface facing the storage space S) is curved so as to be convex inward into the storage space S with a radius of curvature of 10 mm or more and 100 mm or less. Furthermore, the radius of curvature is larger than the radius of curvature of the connecting corner portion 33 which will be described later and will be convex outward. In this embodiment, the curved wall portion 35 is curved so as to be convex inward into the storage space S with a radius of curvature of 50 mm. In addition, the curved wall portion 35 is curved so as to be convex inward into the storage space S with a constant radius of curvature throughout its entire length, from the upper end to the lower end. Therefore, the entire curved wall portion 35 is composed of a single three-dimensional curved surface.

[0037] The connecting corner 33 connects the end of the upper first wall section 31U and the end of the upper second wall section 32U. Specifically, the connecting corner 33 is located at the four corners in a plan view, and connects the left end of the upper first wall section 31U located at the front to the front end of the straight wall section 34, the right end of the upper first wall section 31U located at the front to the front end of the curved wall section 35, the left end of the upper first wall section 31U located at the rear to the rear end of the straight wall section 34, and the right end of the upper first wall section 31U located at the rear to the rear end of the curved wall section 35.

[0038] The connecting corner portion 33 is a curved surface that curves so as to be convex outward from the storage space S. Specifically, the connecting corner portion 33 is curved so as to be convex outward from the storage space S with a radius of curvature of 3.75 mm or more and 10.00 mm or less, more preferably with a radius of curvature of 5.00 mm or more and 8.75 mm or less. In this embodiment, the connecting corner portion 33 is curved so as to be convex outward from the storage space S with a radius of curvature of 6.75 mm or more and 8.75 mm or less, and more specifically, it is curved so as to be convex outward from the storage space S with a radius of curvature of 7.50 mm.

[0039] As shown in Figures 7 to 11, the lower drug supply device 1D includes a container 11 having a plurality of lower container sections 2D that serve as container sections 2 capable of accommodating the solid drug M supplied from the upper drug supply device 1U.

[0040] The container 11 is a plate-like body with a thickness smaller than its vertical and horizontal dimensions, and is provided with multiple lower storage sections 2D that define a storage space S, which is a recess capable of containing a solid drug M. The thickness direction is aligned with the vertical direction. The container 11 also has multiple lower storage sections 2D arranged horizontally. In this embodiment, the lower storage sections 2D are arranged in a manner corresponding to the arrangement of the upper storage section 2U. Furthermore, the container 11 has a flat upper surface between adjacent lower storage sections 2D. In addition, the container 11 in this embodiment is made of resin (the same type of material that has been conventionally used to form containers).

[0041] As shown in Figure 8, the lower storage section 2D is box-shaped with an open top, allowing solid drug M to be inserted from above. Specifically, the lower storage section 2D comprises a plate-shaped bottom 21 and a lower side wall 3D that extends upward from the bottom 21 as a side wall 3. The bottom 21 and the lower side wall 3D form a storage space S in the lower storage section 2D that can accommodate solid drug M. The storage space S is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view.

[0042] The bottom portion 21 is a plate-like body with a flat top surface, defining the lower end of the containment space S. The bottom portion 21 is also configured to open and close the lower end of the containment space S. Specifically, the bottom portion 21 is closed when the solid drug M is introduced into the containment space S, and opens when the solid drug M in the containment space S is supplied to another device. In other words, by opening and closing the bottom portion 21, it is possible to switch between a state in which the introduced solid drug M is held within the containment space S and a state in which the introduced solid drug M is supplied to another device. The bottom portion 21 of the lower containment section 2D rotates around a shaft 22 (see Figure 11) fixed to the containment body 11 to open and close the lower end of the containment space S.

[0043] The lower side wall portion 3D comprises a pair of lower first wall portions 31D, which extend in the vertical and horizontal directions and are arranged opposite to each other in the front-to-back direction; a pair of lower second wall portions 32D, which extend in the vertical and horizontal directions and are arranged opposite to each other in the left-to-right direction between the pair of lower first wall portions 31D; and a connecting corner portion 33 that connects the lower first wall portion 31D and the lower second wall portion 32D. The lower side wall portion 3D is formed in a substantially rectangular ring shape by the pair of lower first wall portions 31D, the pair of lower second wall portions 32D, and the connecting corner portion 33. Furthermore, the inner surface of the substantially rectangular ring shape of the lower side wall portion 3D defines the inner surface of the storage space S. The inner surface of the storage space S formed by the lower side wall portion 3D is a smooth surface without protrusions or sharp corners. For example, the inner surface of the storage space S does not have linear protrusions extending in the vertical direction or unevenness. Furthermore, the lower side wall portion 3D does not have a position indicator portion 4.

[0044] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the pair of lower first wall portions 31D comprises a first upper end wall portion 311 extending downward from the upper end, a first lower end wall portion 312 extending upward from the lower end, and a first intermediate wall portion 313 extending vertically between the first lower end wall portion 312 and the first upper end wall portion 311. In the lower first wall portion 31D, the first upper end wall portion 311, the first intermediate wall portion 313, and the first lower end wall portion 312 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction.

[0045] The first upper end wall portion 311 is inclined in the vertical direction such that its upper side is located outside the accommodation space S in the front-rear direction. In other words, the first upper end wall portion 311 is inclined such that, in the front-rear direction, its upper side is located on the side farther from the other lower first wall portion 31D, and its lower side is located on the side closer to the other lower first wall portion 31D.

[0046] The first intermediate wall portion 313 and the first lower end wall portion 312 are inclined in the vertical direction such that the lower end is located further outwards from the storage space S in the front-to-back direction (further away from the other lower first wall portion 31D) than the upper end. Furthermore, the inclination angle of the first intermediate wall portion 313 in the vertical direction is smaller than the inclination angle of the first lower end wall portion 312 in the vertical direction.

[0047] With this configuration, the lower first wall portion 31D can widen the width of the upper end portion of the storage space S in the front-rear direction by the first upper end wall portion 311, while being able to incline outwards from the middle portion below the middle portion. Specifically, the lower part of the first upper end wall portion 311 is inclined to be located inside the storage space S, and the first middle wall portion 313 and the first lower end wall portion 312 extend from the lower end of the first upper end wall portion 311 so as to incline outwards from the storage space S. This allows for a large inclination angle of the first middle wall portion 313 and the first lower end wall portion 312 with respect to the vertical direction, while suppressing an increase in the overall front-rear length of the storage portion 2.

[0048] Furthermore, in the pair of lower first wall portions 31D, the first intermediate wall portion 313 and the first lower end wall portion 312 are inclined with respect to the vertical direction such that the lower portion is located outside the accommodation space S in the front-rear direction than the upper portion. Therefore, below the first intermediate wall portion 313, the distance between the pair of lower first wall portions 31D in the front-rear direction is longer on the lower side than on the upper side.

[0049] Furthermore, the lower first wall portion 31D is a plate-like body that is curved in the horizontal direction so as to be convex inward into the storage space S. In other words, the lower first wall portion 31D has a single convex surface. This single convex surface is located in the center of the lower first wall portion 31D in the left-right direction and extends upward from the lower end of the lower first wall portion 31D, extending from the lower end to the upper end in this embodiment. This single convex surface is curved in the horizontal direction so as to be convex inward into the storage space S from the left end to the right end of the lower first wall portion 31D. When viewed from above, this single convex surface is curved so as to be convex inward into the storage space S from the left end to the right end of the lower first wall portion 31D. Specifically, the inner surface of the lower first wall portion 31D (the surface facing the storage space S) is curved with a radius of curvature of 10 mm or more and 100 mm or less, so as to be convex inward into the storage space S. Furthermore, the radius of curvature is larger than the radius of curvature of the connecting corner portion 33, which will be described later, so as to be convex outward. In this embodiment, the lower first wall portion 31D is curved with a radius of curvature of 50 mm so as to be convex inward into the storage space S. In this embodiment, both of the pair of lower first wall portions 31D are curved in the horizontal direction so as to be convex inward into the storage space S. The entire area of ​​the lower first wall portion 31D, from the upper end to the lower end, is curved with a constant radius of curvature so as to be convex inward into the storage space S. Therefore, the entire area of ​​the lower first wall portion 31D is composed of a single three-dimensional curved surface.

[0050] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the pair of lower second wall portions 32D comprises a second upper end wall portion 321 extending downward from the upper end, a second lower end wall portion 322 extending upward from the lower end, and a second intermediate wall portion 323 extending vertically between the second lower end wall portion 322 and the second upper end wall portion 321. In the lower second wall portion 32D, the second upper end wall portion 321, the second intermediate wall portion 323, and the second lower end wall portion 322 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction.

[0051] The second upper end wall portion 321 is inclined in the vertical direction such that its upper side is located outside the accommodation space S in the left-right direction. In other words, the second upper end wall portion 321 is inclined in the left-right direction such that its upper side is located on the side farther from the other lower second wall portion 32D, and its lower side is located on the side closer to the other lower second wall portion 32D.

[0052] The second intermediate wall section 323 and the second lower end wall section 322 are inclined in the vertical direction such that the lower end is located further outwards from the other lower second wall section 32D in the left-right direction than the upper end. Furthermore, the inclination angle of the second intermediate wall section 323 in the vertical direction is smaller than the inclination angle of the second lower end wall section 322 in the vertical direction.

[0053] With this configuration, the lower second wall portion 32D can widen the width of the upper end portion of the storage space S in the left-right direction by the second upper end wall portion 321, while also being able to incline outwards from the middle portion below the middle portion. Specifically, the lower part of the second upper end wall portion 321 is inclined to be located inside the storage space S, and the second middle wall portion 323 and the second lower end wall portion 322 extend from the lower end of the second upper end wall portion 321 so as to incline outwards from the storage space S. This allows for a large inclination angle of the second middle wall portion 323 and the second lower end wall portion 322 in the vertical direction, while suppressing an increase in the left-right length of the entire storage portion 2. Furthermore, in the pair of lower second wall portions 32D, the second intermediate wall portion 323 and the second lower end wall portion 322 are inclined with respect to the vertical direction such that the lower portion is located outside the accommodation space S in the left-right direction than the upper portion. Therefore, below the second intermediate wall portion 323, the distance between the pair of lower second wall portions 32D in the left-right direction is longer on the lower side than on the upper side.

[0054] Furthermore, the lower second wall portion 32D is a plate-like body that is curved in the horizontal direction so as to be convex inward into the storage space S. In other words, the lower second wall portion 32D has a single convex surface. This single convex surface is located in the center of the lower second wall portion 32D in the left-right direction and extends upward from the lower end of the lower second wall portion 32D, extending from the lower end to the upper end in this embodiment. This single convex surface is curved in the horizontal direction so as to be convex inward into the storage space S from the left end to the right end of the lower second wall portion 32D. When viewed from above, this single convex surface is curved so as to be convex inward into the storage space S from the left end to the right end of the lower second wall portion 32D. In this embodiment, one convex surface of the lower first wall portion 31D and one convex surface of the lower second wall portion 32D are curved with the same radius of curvature, but this is not limited to this, and they can be curved with different radii of curvature. Specifically, the inner surface of the lower second wall portion 32D (the surface facing the storage space S) is curved with a radius of curvature of 10 mm or more and 100 mm or less so that it is convex inward into the storage space S. Also, the radius of curvature is larger than the radius of curvature that causes the connecting corner portion 33, which will be described later, to be convex outward. In this embodiment, the lower second wall portion 32D is curved with a radius of curvature of 50 mm so that it is convex inward into the storage space S. Furthermore, the entire area of ​​the lower second wall portion 32D, from the upper end to the lower end, is curved with a constant radius of curvature so that it is convex inward into the storage space S. Therefore, the entire area of ​​the lower second wall portion 32D is composed of a single three-dimensional curved surface.

[0055] The connecting corner 33 connects the end of the lower first wall 31D to the end of the lower second wall 32D. Specifically, the connecting corner 33 is located at the four corners in a plan view, and connects the left end of the lower first wall 31D located at the front to the front end of the lower second wall 32D located on the left side, the right end of the lower first wall 31D located at the front to the front end of the lower second wall 32D located on the right side, the left end of the lower first wall 31D located at the rear to the rear end of the lower second wall 32D located on the left side, and the right end of the lower first wall 31D located at the rear to the rear end of the lower second wall 32D located on the right side.

[0056] The connecting corner portion 33 is a curved surface that curves so as to be convex outward from the storage space S. Specifically, the connecting corner portion 33 is curved so as to be convex outward from the storage space S with a radius of curvature of 3.75 mm or more and 10.00 mm or less, more preferably with a radius of curvature of 5.00 mm or more and 8.75 mm or less. In this embodiment, the connecting corner portion 33 is curved so as to be convex outward from the storage space S with a radius of curvature of 6.75 mm or more and 8.75 mm or less, and more specifically, it is curved so as to be convex outward from the storage space S with a radius of curvature of 7.50 mm. In addition, the connecting corner portion 33 is inclined in the vertical direction such that its lower side is located outside the storage space S.

[0057] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 9 and 11, the connecting corner 33 of the lower drug supply device 1D comprises a connecting upper end wall portion 331 extending downward from the upper end, a connecting lower end wall portion 332 extending upward from the lower end, and a connecting intermediate wall portion 333 extending vertically between the connecting lower end wall portion 332 and the connecting upper end wall portion 331. In the connecting corner 33, the connecting upper end wall portion 331, the connecting intermediate wall portion 333, and the connecting lower end wall portion 332 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction.

[0058] The upper connecting wall 331 is inclined vertically such that its upper end is located outside the accommodating space S in the horizontal direction. The intermediate connecting wall 333 and the lower connecting wall 332 are inclined vertically such that their lower ends are located outside the accommodating space S in the horizontal direction more than their upper ends. Furthermore, the angle of inclination of the intermediate connecting wall 333 in the vertical direction is smaller than the angle of inclination of the lower connecting wall 332 in the vertical direction.

[0059] In the lower drug supply device 1D of this embodiment, the inclination of the first upper end wall portion 311, the second upper end wall portion 321, and the connecting upper end wall portion 331 with respect to the vertical direction is approximately equal. Also, the inclination of the first intermediate wall portion 313, the second intermediate wall portion 323, and the connecting intermediate wall portion 333 with respect to the vertical direction is approximately equal. Furthermore, the inclination of the first lower end wall portion 312, the second lower end wall portion 322, and the connecting lower end wall portion 332 with respect to the vertical direction is approximately equal. Therefore, in the lower side wall portion 3D, there is a continuous section with approximately equal inclination in the vertical direction along the entire circumference of the inner edge.

[0060] The method of using the drug supply unit 8 and drug supply device 1 configured as described above will now be explained.

[0061] In the drug supply unit 8 of this embodiment, an operator manually places solid drug M into the upper drug supply device 1U, and the placed solid drug M is supplied to the lower drug supply device 1D. The lower drug supply device 1D then supplies the solid drug M to the packaging section 73. Specifically, the operator places solid drug M into the upper drug supply device 1U at the advance position shown in Figure 1, so that one package of solid drug M is contained in one upper storage section 2U. At this time, as shown in Figure 12, multiple solid drug M are contained in one upper storage section 2U. Note that Figure 12 shows a state in which multiple solid drug M are contained in the lower storage section 2D instead of the upper storage section 2U, but the state in which multiple solid drug M are contained is the same for both the upper storage section 2U and the lower storage section 2D.

[0062] Here, as shown in Figure 12, the multiple solid drug particles M come into contact with each other or with the inner surface of the containment space S formed by the upper side wall portion 3U (the parts indicated by circles in Figure 12). In this case, each solid drug particle M in the assembly of multiple solid drug particles M comes into contact with other solid drug particles M or the inner surface of the containment space S and becomes stable, causing the multiple solid drug particles M to lock together in a so-called bridge state, forming an arch structure, and may end up floating relative to the bottom portion 21. However, since the upper first wall portion 31U and the upper second wall portion 32U (curved wall portion 35) on the inner wall surface of the containment space S are curved so as to be convex inward into the containment space S, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of contact points of the solid drug particles M with the inner surface of the containment space S. Specifically, since the upper first wall portion 31U and the upper second wall portion 32U (curved wall portion 35) are curved so as to be convex inward into the containment space S, when an assembly of solid drug M is positioned to extend across opposing upper first wall portions 31U or upper second wall portions 32U (straight wall portion 34 and curved wall portion 35), at least one of the assemblies of solid drug M will be in contact with the curved surface. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the solid drug M from making stable contact with the inner surface of the containment space S and to suppress the assemblies of solid drug M from becoming stuck in a bridging state. Note that the above effect occurs if at least one of the upper first wall portions 31U and at least one of the upper second wall portions 32U are curved so as to be convex inward into the containment space S.

[0063] Furthermore, if the radius of curvature of the connecting corner 33 is greater than the radius of the solid drug M (or the radius of the longer side if the solid drug M is elliptical or oblong), the solid drug M located in the corner of the containment space S will be in contact with the inner surface of the connecting corner 33 at only one point. As shown in Figure 13, the inventor investigated the tablet diameter (diameter) of the solid drug M tablets J among the 9242 types of solid drug M supplied by the drug supply device 1 as of May 2023, and found that the majority (50.63%) of the solid drug M tablets had a diameter of 7.5 mm or less, approximately 90% (89.76%) of the solid drug M tablets had a diameter of 10 mm or less, more than 95% (95.70%) of the solid drug M tablets had a diameter of 12.5 mm or less, and approximately 98% (97.88%) of the solid drug M tablets had a diameter of 15 mm or less. Therefore, as in this embodiment, in a connecting corner 33 with a radius of curvature of 7.50 mm, approximately 98% of the solid drug M will be in contact with only one point. Thus, for the majority of solid drug M, the solid drug M will be in contact with the connecting corner 33 at multiple points, which can prevent the solid drug M from making stable contact with the connecting corner 33. Furthermore, if the radius of curvature of the connecting corner 33 is 3.75 mm or more, it can be prevented for the majority of solid drug M from making stable contact with the connecting corner 33. If the radius of curvature of the connecting corner 33 is 5.00 mm or more, it can be prevented for approximately 90% of the solid drug M from making stable contact with the connecting corner 33. If the radius of curvature of the connecting corner 33 is 6.25 mm or more, it can be prevented for 95% or more of the solid drug M from making stable contact with the connecting corner 33. Furthermore, if the radius of curvature of the connecting corner 33 is 8.75 mm or more, it is possible to suppress stable contact between the solid drug M and the connecting corner 33 for 99.33% of solid drug M with a tablet diameter of 17.5 mm or less, and if the radius of curvature of the connecting corner 33 is 10.00 mm or more, it is possible to suppress stable contact between the solid drug M and the connecting corner 33 for 99.90% of solid drug M with a tablet diameter of 20 mm or less.

[0064] Furthermore, since the upper first wall portion 31U (both of the pair of upper first wall portions 31U in this embodiment) is curved so as to be convex inward into the containment space S in the horizontal direction, and the upper second wall portion 32U (curved wall portion 35 in this embodiment) is curved so as to be convex inward into the containment space S in the horizontal direction, it is possible to suppress contact between the solid drug and multiple locations on the upper first wall portion 31U or the upper second wall portion 32U.

[0065] Furthermore, since the inner surface of the side wall portion 3 is a smooth surface, the number of contact points of the solid drug M with the side wall portion 3 can be suppressed compared to cases where there are protrusions or corners, for example. This suppresses the solid drug M from coming into stable contact with the side wall portion 3 and prevents the solid drug M from forming a bridge within the containment space S.

[0066] Furthermore, since the front upper first wall portion 31U is inclined such that its upper end is located towards the front and its lower end is located towards the rear, if an operator in front of the upper drug supply device 1U puts in a solid drug M other than the one that should be put into the upper storage section 2U, the solid drug M can be moved upward along the smooth surface of the front upper first wall portion 31U and removed from the upper storage section 2U. Therefore, corrective work in the event of putting in the wrong solid drug M can be carried out efficiently, thus improving the efficiency of the work of putting solid drug M into the upper storage section 2U. Moreover, since the front upper first wall portion 31U is inclined such that its upper end is located towards the front and its lower end is located towards the rear, visibility into the storage space S from the operator is improved, making it easier to confirm the solid drug M that has been put in.

[0067] Then, after the solid drug M is supplied to the upper drug supply device 1U, the bottom 21 opens, and the solid drug M is supplied to the lower storage section 2D of the lower drug supply device 1D by free fall. The upper end of the lower storage section 2D is inclined such that the upper side is located outside the storage space S and the lower side is located inside the storage space S, so the horizontal width of the opening at the top of the lower storage section 2D is wide. Therefore, even if the positions of the upper drug supply device 1U and the lower drug supply device 1D are misaligned, or if a horizontal force is applied to the falling solid drug M, causing a slight shift in the horizontal position of the falling solid drug M, this shift can be absorbed by the width of the opening.

[0068] Furthermore, in the lower part of the storage space S of the lower storage section 2D, the multiple solid drugs M placed on the bottom 21 tend to spread horizontally, making it easy for the multiple solid drugs M to form a bridge. Even in the lower part of such a storage space S, increasing the inclination of the lower end portion of the first wall 31 (a pair of lower first wall 31D) in the vertical direction can more reliably suppress the formation of a bridge among the multiple solid drugs M. Increasing the inclination of the lower end portion of the second wall 32 (a pair of lower second wall 32D) in the vertical direction can more reliably suppress the formation of a bridge among the multiple solid drugs M. On the other hand, by making the inclination of the middle portion of the first wall 31 (a pair of lower first wall 31D) in the vertical direction smaller than that of the lower end portion, the upper part of the storage space S of the lower storage section 2D does not become narrower. By making the inclination of the middle portion of the second wall 32 (a pair of lower second wall 32D) in the vertical direction smaller than that of the lower end portion, the upper part of the storage space S of the lower storage section 2D does not become narrower. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the overall size of the device from becoming larger in order to secure the upper space of the storage space S in the lower storage section 2D.

[0069] When multiple solid drugs M are supplied from the upper storage section 2U of the upper drug supply device 1U to the lower storage section 2D, multiple solid drugs M are stored in one lower storage section 2D. Here, in the lower storage section 2D, as with the upper storage section 2U, the multiple solid drugs M are stably locked against other solid drugs M or the inner surface of the storage space S, causing the aggregate of multiple solid drugs M to form a bridge state. However, since the lower first wall section 31D and the lower second wall section 32D are curved so as to be convex inward into the storage space S, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of contact points of the solid drugs M with the inner surface of the storage space S. In this embodiment, since both the pair of lower first wall sections 31D and the pair of lower second wall sections 32D of the lower storage section 2D are curved so as to be convex inward into the storage space S, the solid drugs M are in contact with the curved surface of the lower first wall section 31D or the lower second wall section 32D. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the solid drug M from making stable contact with the inner surface of the containment space S, and to suppress the solid drug M aggregate from becoming stuck in a bridging state.

[0070] Furthermore, if the radius of curvature of the connecting corner 33 is greater than the radius of the solid drug M (or the radius of the longer side if the solid drug M is elliptical or oblong), the solid drug M located in the corner of the containment space S will contact the inner surface of the connecting corner 33 at only one point. The relationship between the radius of curvature of the connecting corner 33 and the outer diameter of the solid drug M is the same as that of the connecting corner 33 in the upper drug supply device 1U. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the solid drug M from contacting the connecting corner 33 at multiple points, thereby preventing the solid drug M from making stable contact with the inner surface of the containment space S, and preventing the aggregate of solid drug M from becoming stuck in a bridge state.

[0071] Furthermore, the pair of lower first wall portions 31D are configured such that the distance between them in the front-to-back direction increases towards the bottom below the midpoint in the vertical direction, thereby preventing the aggregate of solid drug M from becoming stuck in a bridge state. Similarly, the pair of lower second wall portions 32D are configured such that the distance between them in the left-to-right direction increases towards the bottom below the midpoint in the vertical direction, thereby preventing the aggregate of solid drug M from becoming stuck in a bridge state. Moreover, the connecting corner portion 33 is inclined such that, below the midpoint in the vertical direction, it is positioned further outward from the storage space S towards the bottom relative to the vertical direction, thus preventing the aggregate of solid drug M from becoming stuck in a bridge state.

[0072] As described above, with the drug supply device 1 according to this embodiment, since the side wall portion 3 is curved so as to be convex into the storage space S, the number of points in which the straight and curved portions of the solid drug M come into contact with the side wall portion 3 can be suppressed. This prevents the solid drug M from coming into stable contact with the side wall portion 3 and prevents the solid drug M from forming a bridge within the storage space S.

[0073] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to one example, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0074] For example, while we have described a case where the drug supply device 1 constitutes a drug supply unit 8 comprising an upper drug supply device 1U and a lower drug supply device 1D, the configuration is not limited to this, and the drug supply device 1 can also be used independently as a single unit. In such a case, a person can put solid drugs M into the drug supply device 1, or another device can supply the solid drugs M. Furthermore, while we have described a case where the drug supply device 1 constitutes part of the drug packaging device 7, the configuration is not limited to this, and the drug supply device 1 can also be used as a single, independent device.

[0075] Furthermore, the configuration of the upper drug supply device 1U and the configuration of the lower drug supply device 1D can be combined as appropriate. For example, the first wall portion 31 can be configured as the upper first wall portion 31U, and the second wall portion 32 can be configured as the lower second wall portion 32D.

[0076] Furthermore, although the upper drug supply device 1U has been described as being able to move in and out of the housing 74 of the drug packaging device 7, the configuration is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Figure 14, the drug supply device 1 can be positioned so that it is always exposed from the housing 74. In such a configuration, a lid 5 that covers the top of the drug supply device 1 can be opened and closed in order to prevent dust and other particles from entering the containment space S. The lid 5 is, for example, a plate that can rotate around an axis extending in the left-right direction at the rear of the drug supply device 1, and when the lid 5 is open, it rises up in the vertical direction at the rear of the drug supply device 1. Furthermore, in a drug supply device 1 in which solid drugs M are dispensed by hand, the configuration can also include a side cover 6 located on at least one side in the left-right direction of the drug supply device 1 when the lid 5 is open. The side cover portion 6 comprises, for example, a plate-shaped upper piece 61 connected to the lid 5, and a plate-shaped lower piece 62 connected to the upper piece 61 and one end of the drug supply device 1 in the left-right direction, and can be configured to be foldable in one direction or the other at the connection point between the upper piece 61 and the lower piece 62. With such a configuration, when the lid 5 is closed, the upper piece 61 and the lower piece 62 are in a collapsed state relative to the drug supply device 1, and when the lid 5 is open, the upper piece 61 and the lower piece 62 are in an upright state relative to the drug supply device 1. With such a side cover portion 6, when the lid 5 is opened for manual dispensing, it becomes an upright state, so the solid drug M being dispensed by hand does not roll to one side in the left-right direction relative to the drug supply device 1, preventing the solid drug M from falling, getting dirty, or being lost. Furthermore, since the upright and downed states switch with the opening and closing of the lid 5, the effort required to switch the state of the side cover portion 6 can be reduced. In particular, as shown in Figure 14, by arranging the side cover portion 6 to be located at least on the side closer to the left-right end of the drug packaging device 7, the solid drug M can be effectively prevented from falling from the drug supply device 1 and the housing 74. It should be noted that the above effect of the side cover portion 6 is not limited to the drug supply device 1 according to this embodiment, but similar effects can be obtained even with a conventional drug supply device 1, for example.The side cover portion 6 does not necessarily have to switch between an upright state and a downed state in conjunction with the opening and closing of the lid 5. The side cover portion 6 may be provided on at least one side in the left-right direction of the upper drug supply device 1U, which is retractable from the housing 74 of the drug packaging device 7.

[0077] Furthermore, although the position indicator unit 4 was described using the example of projecting light onto the inner surface of the containment space S, the configuration is not limited to this. For example, it can be configured to emit light upwards from the drug supply device 1, or it can be configured without a position indicator unit 4.

[0078] Furthermore, although the first wall portion 31 and the second wall portion 32 were described as being curved so as to be convex inward into the containment space S in the horizontal direction, the configuration is not limited to this, and for example, a configuration in which they are curved so as to be convex inward into the containment space S in the vertical direction is also possible. Even with such a configuration, the number of contact points of the solid drug M with the side wall portion can be suppressed.

[0079] Furthermore, although the case where the storage section 2 has a rectangular shape in plan view has been described, the configuration is not limited to this, and it is also possible to have a polygonal shape in plan view, that is, a configuration in which there are four or more connecting corners 33, and these connecting corners are connected by a first wall portion 31 or a second wall portion 32 that protrudes into the storage space. Even with such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the solid drug M from becoming bridging. In addition, when the storage section 2 has a rectangular shape in plan view, as in the above embodiment, it is advantageous in that the volume of each storage space S can be increased in a storage body 11 with a limited area.

[0080] Furthermore, although the first wall portion 31 and the second wall portion 32 were described as having a single curved surface on their entire inner surface, the configuration is not limited to this, and it is also possible to have a configuration with multiple curved surfaces, or a configuration in which a part is a curved surface and the other part is a surface that extends in a straight line.

[0081] Furthermore, while it was explained that the solid drug M is prevented from becoming bridging, thereby preventing supply problems of the solid drug M, other methods can also be used in combination, such as static electricity removal means to prevent the solid drug M from adhering to the side wall 3 etc. due to static electricity, or vibration means to apply vibration to the solid drug M to resolve bridging, etc. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0082] 1... Drug supply device, 1D... Lower drug supply device, 1U... Upper drug supply device, 11... Housing body, 2... Housing section, 2D... Lower housing section, 2U... Upper housing section, 21... Bottom, 22... Shaft, 3... Side wall section, 3D... Lower side wall section, 3U... Upper side wall section, 31... First wall section, 31D... Lower first wall section, 31U... Upper first wall section, 311... First upper end wall section, 312... First lower end wall section, 313... First intermediate wall section, 32... Second wall section, 32D... Lower second wall section, 32U... Upper second wall section, 321... Second upper end wall section, 322... 323...Second lower end wall section, 33...Connecting corner section, 331...Connecting upper end wall section, 332...Connecting lower end wall section, 333...Connecting middle wall section, 34...Straight wall section, 35...Curved wall section, 4...Position indicator section, 41...Light-transmitting section, 5...Lid, 6...Side cover section, 61...Upper side section, 62...Lower side section, 7...Pharmaceutical packaging device, 71...Automatic supply device, 72...Pharmaceutical manual dispensing device, 73...Packaging section, 74...Housing, 75...Input section, 8...Pharmaceutical supply unit, C...Capsule, J...Tablet, M...Solid drug, S...Storage space

Claims

1. It comprises a bottom portion and a side wall portion extending upward from the bottom portion, The aforementioned side wall portion is A pair of first wall portions extending in a first direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and positioned opposite each other in a second direction perpendicular to both the vertical and first directions, A pair of second wall portions extending in a second direction between the pair of first wall portions and arranged opposite to each other in the first direction, It comprises a connecting corner that connects one of the pair of first wall portions and one of the pair of second wall portions, The bottom and side walls form a storage space for containing solid drugs that are introduced from above. The bottom portion is openable and closable. The first wall portion and the second wall portion are curved so as to be convex toward the interior of the storage space. A drug supply device in which the connecting corner portion is curved so as to protrude outward from the containment space.

2. The drug supply device according to claim 1, wherein one of the first wall portions and one of the second wall portions are curved so as to be convex in the horizontal direction toward the containment space.

3. The drug supply device according to claim 1, wherein the pair of first wall portions are configured such that the distance between them in the second direction increases as they move downward from the middle of the vertical direction.

4. The first wall portion comprises a first lower end wall portion located from the lower end to the middle portion in the vertical direction, and a first intermediate wall portion extending upward from the first lower end wall portion. The first lower end wall and the first intermediate wall are inclined in the vertical direction such that the lower side is located outside the storage space than the upper side. The drug supply device according to claim 3, wherein the inclination angle of the first lower end wall portion with respect to the vertical direction is greater than the inclination angle of the first intermediate wall portion with respect to the vertical direction.

5. The drug supply device according to claim 1, wherein the side wall portion has a smooth inner surface that forms the containment space.

Images