Tablet feeder

Abstract

The application discloses a tablet feeder and relates to the field of medical articles. The tablet feeder comprises a tablet container, a medicine adding hopper, a tablet ejector, a medicine blowing pipe, a gas supply device, a guide-out structure and a counter. The top of the tablet container is provided with a container hole, the lower part of the tablet container is in a spherical or conical shape, and the bottom of the tablet container is provided with an ejector hole opposite to the container hole. The medicine adding hopper is arranged above the tablet container and corresponds to the position of the container hole. The tablet ejector is a pneumatic cylinder comprising an ejector rod, and the tablet ejector is vertically arranged below the tablet container. The top of the ejector rod is provided with a groove, and the ejector rod is inserted into the ejector hole. The guide-out structure comprises a guide-out cover and a guide-out pipe, the guide-out cover is connected with the tablet container, and the guide-out pipe is connected to the lower end of the guide-out cover. The end of the medicine blowing pipe is directed to the highest position of the top end of the ejector rod and the tablet passage. The gas supply device can supply gas to the medicine blowing pipe and the tablet ejector. The counter can detect the number of tablets passing through the guide-out pipe.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of medical articles, and more particularly to a tablet dispenser. Background Technology

[0002] Some diseases require patients to take medication at home for extended periods, or even for life. These include diseases that are complex, prone to relapse after treatment, or those that, while providing intermittent symptom relief, are difficult to cure completely, such as chronic gastritis, gastric ulcers, chronic hepatitis, chronic bronchitis, and various types of arthritis. Other diseases are those that cannot be cured but can only be managed, such as hypertension, diabetes, and many cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

[0003] Patients who take medication regularly inevitably forget to take it sometimes, especially the elderly who are more prone to forgetting due to memory decline, which can easily delay treatment. To help patients take their medication on time, medication reminder devices have been developed. Currently, the main function of these devices is to hold medications and, similar to an alarm clock, sound an alarm to remind the patient to take their medication when it is due. For example, the medication reminder devices disclosed in ZL202121823709.3 and ZL202121585158.1 are similar.

[0004] While the aforementioned medication reminder device can remind patients to take their medication on time, it does not have the function of separating the medication that the patient needs to take at one time. Patients or their families need to take out the appropriate amount of medication on the spot when taking the medication, or divide the medication into portions and put them into the medicine box in advance. This is not very convenient, and elderly people with memory loss are also prone to dividing the medication into the wrong portions, leading to medication errors.

[0005] To this end, the applicant invented a home medication reminder device. In addition to the conventional functions of reminding patients to take medication at the designated time and holding medication, this device can automatically dispense the required number of pills for each dose, eliminating the need for patients and their families to dispense medication manually, making it more convenient to use. The applicant filed a patent application for this medication reminder device and this application on the same day. The structure of the medication reminder device is as follows: Figure 10 As shown, it includes a base, a main unit, and a tablet dispenser. Figure 10 (Component a); The main unit has a display screen, setting buttons and an audible reminder, and the base has a drawer; After the medication time and the required number of tablets are set on the main unit, the tablet dispenser can dispense the required number of tablets on time and drop the tablets into the drawer; The patient can take the tablets from the drawer and take them.

[0006] The tablet dispenser is a key component of the aforementioned medication reminder device. It needs to be able to hold tablets and dispense the appropriate number of tablets each time. Patients often need to take multiple types of tablets, which vary in shape and size, and the tablet dispenser must be able to accommodate these different types. Furthermore, the tablet dispenser should have a simple structure to minimize costs and suitability for home use. A search revealed that the applicant did not find a tablet dispenser that meets these requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a tablet dispenser that can accommodate tablets and output a suitable number of tablets as needed, and can also accommodate a variety of tablets.

[0008] The technical solution adopted to solve the above problems is: the tablet dispenser includes a tablet container, a dosing hopper, a dosing hopper cover, a tablet ejector, a blowing tube, an air supply device, a discharge structure, a counter, and a drain hole;

[0009] The tablet container has a container hole at the top, a spherical or conical shape at the bottom, and an ejector hole at the bottom that is directly opposite the container hole. The dosing hopper is positioned above the tablet container and corresponds to the container hole, with a dosing hopper cover on top of the dosing hopper.

[0010] The tablet ejector is a cylinder including an ejector rod. The tablet ejector is vertically positioned below the tablet container. The top of the ejector rod has a groove. The ejector rod is inserted into the ejector hole and can move up and down. The lowest position of the ejector rod is when its top is below the bottom surface of the tablet container, and the highest position of the ejector rod is when its top protrudes from the container hole and is below the dispensing hopper.

[0011] The export structure includes an export cover and an export tube. The export cover is connected to the tablet container, and a tablet channel is formed between the export cover and the tablet container. The export tube is set vertically and connected to the lower end of the export cover.

[0012] The end of the blowing tube faces the highest point of the ejector rod and towards the tablet channel; the air supply device can supply air to the blowing tube and the tablet ejector.

[0013] The counter can detect the number of tablets passing through the outlet tube; the drain hole is located at the bottom of the outlet tube.

[0014] Furthermore, the top of the ejector rod has a cross-shaped groove.

[0015] Furthermore, the air supply device includes an air supply cylinder, an air supply motor, a turntable, a connecting rod, and an air distribution valve. The turntable is connected to the air supply motor, one end of the connecting rod is hinged to the edge of the turntable, and the other end of the connecting rod is hinged to the piston of the air supply cylinder. The air distribution valve is connected to the air supply cylinder. The blowing tube is connected to the air distribution valve, and the tablet ejector is connected to the air distribution valve through a pipeline.

[0016] Furthermore, the air supply device includes an overflow valve, which is connected to the air supply cylinder.

[0017] Furthermore, the counter includes a swing plate and a pressure sensor, the pressure sensor is fixedly mounted, the swing plate rests on the pressure sensor, and the swing plate includes an inclined section located below the outlet tube; the outlet structure includes a tablet baffle, the tablet baffle is located in front of the swing plate and connected to the outlet tube.

[0018] Furthermore, the tablet dispenser includes a tilting cover connected to the bottom of the tablet container, which has a tilting hole at the bottom. The tilting cover is connected to an air supply device via a pipe.

[0019] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: 1. When the dosing hopper lid is opened and tablets are added from the dosing hopper, the tablets accumulate at the bottom of the tablet container because the lower part of the container is spherical or conical. Each up-and-down movement of the ejector rod has a probability of ejecting one tablet. When the ejector rod reaches its highest position, the blowing tube blows air at high speed. If there is a tablet at the top of the ejector rod, it can be blown into the tablet channel, and the tablet falls out from the outlet tube and the drain hole. The counter can detect the number of tablets passing through the outlet tube. If the tablet count is insufficient, the invention continues to operate until the count is sufficient. Therefore, this invention can output a suitable number of tablets, eliminating the need for manual dispensing when the patient takes medication.

[0020] 2. Setting the ejector rod to a suitable diameter avoids placing two small tablets at the tip of the ejector rod, which could lead to incorrect tablet output. Larger tablets are also easier to place at the tip of the ejector rod. The groove facilitates the ejection of tablets with curved surfaces. This tablet ejector is suitable for tablets of different sizes and shapes. Therefore, this invention is applicable to tablets of different sizes and shapes. Further, by adding a cross-shaped groove, this invention can also be applied to capsules.

[0021] 3. This invention only requires one motor to complete the medication dispensing process, has a simple structure, and is suitable for home medication reminder devices. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a tablet dispenser;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the state of the tablet being ejected by the ejector rod;

[0024] Figure 3 This is the top front view of the ejector rod;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a top view of the ejector rod;

[0026] Figure 5 This is the main view of the tablet container and its derived structure;

[0027] Figure 6 This is a top view of the tablet container and its delivery structure;

[0028] Figure 7 This is the main view of the gas supply unit;

[0029] Figure 8 This is a left view of the gas supply device;

[0030] Figure 9 This is a diagram of the counter structure;

[0031] Figure 10 This is a structural diagram of a home medication reminder device;

[0032] The following are labeled in the diagram: tablet container 1, container hole 1-1, ejector hole 1-2, flipping hole 1-3, dosing hopper 2, dosing hopper cover 3, blowing tube 4, tablet ejector 5, ejector rod 5-1, groove 5-1-1, cross groove 5-1-2, air supply device 6, air supply cylinder 6-1, turntable 6-2, connecting rod 6-3, air distribution valve 6-4, overflow valve 6-5, air supply motor 6-6, shaft seat 6-7, discharge structure 7, discharge cover 7-1, discharge pipe 7-2, tablet channel 7-3, tablet baffle 7-4, flipping cover 8, counter 9, swing plate 9-1, inclined section 9-1-1, pressure sensor 9-2, drain hole 10, vent hole 11, filter screen 12, base 13, drawer 13-1, main unit 14, display screen 14-1, setting button 14-2. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the embodiments and specific implementation methods.

[0034] like Figures 1 to 9 As shown, the tablet dispenser includes a tablet container 1, a dispensing hopper 2, a dispensing hopper cover 3, a tablet ejector 5, a blowing tube 4, an air supply device 6, a discharge structure 7, a counter 9, and a drain hole 10.

[0035] The top of the tablet container 1 has a container hole 1-1, the lower part of the tablet container 1 is spherical or conical, and the bottom of the tablet container 1 has an ejector hole 1-2 that is directly opposite to the container hole 1-1; the dosing hopper 2 is set above the tablet container 1 and corresponds to the position of the container hole 1-1, and the dosing hopper cover 3 covers the dosing hopper 2.

[0036] The tablet ejector 5 is a cylinder including an ejector rod 5-1. The tablet ejector 5 is vertically arranged below the tablet container 1. The top of the ejector rod 5-1 has a groove 5-1-1. The ejector rod 5-1 is inserted into the ejector hole 1-2. The ejector rod 5-1 can move up and down. The lowest position of the ejector rod 5-1 is that its top is lower than the bottom surface of the tablet container 1. The highest position of the ejector rod 5-1 is that its top protrudes from the container hole 1-1 and is lower than the drug dispensing hopper 2.

[0037] The export structure 7 includes an export cover 7-1 and an export tube 7-2. The export cover 7-1 is connected to the tablet container 1, and a tablet channel 7-3 is formed between the export cover 7-1 and the tablet container 1. The export tube 7-2 is vertically arranged and connected to the lower end of the export cover 7-1.

[0038] The end of the blowing tube 4 is directed toward the highest point of the ejector rod 5-1 and toward the tablet channel 7-3; the air supply device 6 can supply air to the blowing tube 4 and the tablet ejector 5.

[0039] Counter 9 can detect the number of tablets passing through the outlet tube 7-2; the drain hole 10 is located below the outlet tube 7-2.

[0040] As described in the background section, this invention is a key component of the applicant's home medication reminder device, used in conjunction with other components. Specifically, as follows... Figure 10 As shown, the medication reminder device also includes a base 13 and a main unit 14; the main unit has a display screen 14-1, a setting button 14-2 and an audible reminder, and the base 13 has a drawer 13-1; after the medication time and the required number of tablets are set on the main unit 14, the tablet dispenser can dispense the required number of tablets on time and drop the tablets into the drawer 13-1; the patient can take the tablets from the drawer 13-1 and take them.

[0041] The working process of this invention is as follows: A. Open the dosing hopper cover 3 and add the tablets from the dosing hopper 2. Because the lower part of the tablet container 1 is spherical or conical, the tablets accumulate at the bottom of the tablet container 1; B. Initial state, as... Figure 1 As shown, the ejector rod 5-1 is in a low position, with its top end below the bottom surface of the tablet container 1; the gas supply device 6 slowly supplies gas to the tablet ejector 5, causing the ejector rod 5-1 to rise slowly. During the rising process, there is a probability that a tablet will be placed flat on the top end of the ejector rod 5-1 and ejected, i.e. Figure 2 As shown, a tablet is ejected until it protrudes from the container hole 1-1 and is below the dosing hopper 2; C, the air supply device 6 rapidly supplies air to the blowing tube 4, which blows the tablet into the tablet channel 7-3; D, the tablet falls within the discharge structure 7 and finally falls through the drain hole 10 into the drawer 13-1. During this process, the counter 9 detects the tablet falling. When the counter 9 detects that the number of fallen tablets has reached the set value, the tablet feeder stops working and the tablet ejector 5 resets; if the number of tablets has not reached the set value, the tablet feeder works repeatedly.

[0042] Since tablets come in various sizes and shapes, the diameter of the ejector rod 5-1 should be appropriate to avoid situations where two small tablets could be placed on the top of the ejector rod 5-1, leading to an incorrect number of tablets being dispensed. Larger tablets should also be easily placed on the top of the ejector rod 5-1. The groove 5-1-1 facilitates the ejection of tablets with curved surfaces. Thus, the tablet ejector 5 is suitable for tablets of different sizes and shapes.

[0043] This tablet dispenser has a relatively simple structure, making it suitable for home medication reminders. However, it should be noted that because the tablets are irregularly piled up in the tablet container 1, the tablet ejector 5 has a chance of ejecting one tablet per operation, and a chance of not ejecting any tablets. However, multiple operations of the tablet ejector 5 will guarantee the ejection of tablets. Therefore, this invention may require a relatively long time to dispense the set number of tablets. However, this is not a practical disadvantage, because patients take medication every few hours, and as long as the tablet dispenser can supply the correct number of tablets within this time, it is acceptable.

[0044] Capsules are also a common form of medicine. Capsules are cylindrical in shape, making them difficult to place on the top of the ejector rod 5-1. To enable the present invention to dispense capsules, it is preferable that the top of the ejector rod 5-1 has a cross-shaped groove 5-1-2. When the side of the capsule enters the cross-shaped groove 5-1-2, the capsule can be ejected, further expanding the applicability of the tablet dispenser.

[0045] The specific structure of the gas supply device 6 can be as follows: Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the air supply device 6 includes an air supply cylinder 6-1, an air supply motor 6-6, a turntable 6-2, a connecting rod 6-3, and an air distribution valve 6-4. The turntable 6-2 is connected to the air supply motor 6-6. One end of the connecting rod 6-3 is hinged to the edge of the turntable 6-2, and the other end of the connecting rod 6-3 is hinged to the piston of the air supply cylinder 6-1. The air distribution valve 6-4 is connected to the air supply cylinder 6-1. The blowing tube 4 is connected to the air distribution valve 6-4, and the tablet ejector 5 is connected to the air distribution valve 6-4 via a pipeline. A bearing seat 6-7 can also be provided to support the motor shaft to improve stability. The air supply motor 6-6 should be a stepper motor with precisely controllable rotation angle.

[0046] The air supply motor 6-6 rotates, driving the turntable 6-2 to rotate. The connecting rod 6-3 then drives the piston of the air supply cylinder 6-1 to move, thus supplying air. The specific air supply process is as follows: A. Initially, the piston of the air supply cylinder 6-1 should be in the low position. The air distribution valve 6-4 operates, connecting the air supply cylinder 6-1 to the tablet ejector 5 but not to the blowing tube 4 or the outside world; B. The air supply motor 6-6 rotates slowly for half a revolution, and the connecting rod 6-3 drives the piston of the air supply cylinder 6-1 to move upward. The gas in the air supply cylinder 6-1 is forced into the tablet ejector 5, causing the ejector rod 5-1 to move to its highest point; C. The air distribution valve 6-4 operates, connecting the air supply cylinder 6-1 to the outside world but not to the tablet ejector 5 or the blowing tube 4; D. The air supply motor 6-6... 6. Quickly rotate half a turn, and the air supply cylinder 6-1 draws air from the outside; E. The air distribution valve 6-4 operates to connect the air supply cylinder 6-1 with the blowing pipe 4 but not with the tablet ejector 5 or the outside; F. The air supply motor 6-6 quickly rotates half a turn, and the gas in the air supply cylinder 6-1 is blown out from the blowing pipe 4, blowing the tablet into the tablet channel 7-3; G. The air distribution valve 6-4 operates to connect the air supply cylinder 6-1 with the tablet ejector 5 but not with the blowing pipe 4 or the outside; H. The air supply motor 6-6 rotates half a turn, and the air supply cylinder 6-1 draws air from the tablet ejector 5, causing the ejector rod 5-1 to reset.

[0047] The gas supply device 6 preferably also includes an overflow valve 6-5, which is connected to the gas supply cylinder 6-1. The overflow valve 6-5 is a valve that can open bidirectionally under a certain pressure difference. In this way, the gas supply cylinder 6-1 can hold a slightly larger amount of gas than the tablet ejector 5, which helps to ensure that the ejector rod 5-1 of the tablet ejector 5 can move to the highest position and return to the lowest position. Excess gas can enter or exit through the overflow valve 6-5.

[0048] Counter 9 can employ existing technology, or as... Figure 9 As shown, the counter 9 includes a swing plate 9-1 and a pressure sensor 9-2. The pressure sensor 9-2 is fixedly installed, and the swing plate 9-1 rests on the pressure sensor 9-2. The swing plate 9-1 includes an inclined section 9-1-1 located below the outlet tube 7-2. The outlet structure 7 includes a tablet baffle 7-4, which is located in front of the swing plate 9-1 and connected to the outlet tube 7-2.

[0049] After the tablet falls out of the outlet tube 7-2, it lands on the inclined section 9-1-1, causing the pressure sensor 9-2 to read an increase. At this time, the counter 9 counts once. The tablet baffle 7-4 is used to stop the tablet from being bounced up by the inclined section 9-1-1, ensuring that the tablet falls into the drain hole 10.

[0050] Furthermore, the preferred tablet dispenser of the present invention includes a tablet-turning cover 8, which is connected to the bottom of the tablet container 1. The bottom of the tablet container 1 has tablet-turning holes 1-3, and the tablet-turning cover 8 is connected to the air supply device 6 through a pipeline. The tablet-turning holes 1-3 should be several small holes.

[0051] As mentioned earlier, the tablets are irregularly piled up in the tablet container 1. The tablet ejector 5 may not be able to eject the tablets in a single operation, but the extension and retraction of the ejector rod 5-1 will agitate the tablets and change their pile-up. The next extension of the ejector rod 5-2 may then eject the tablets. However, if the ejector rod 5-2 still cannot eject the tablets after multiple extensions and retractions, the air supply device 6 can quickly supply air into the tablet-turning hood 8. The air is ejected from the tablet-turning holes 1-3, further agitating the tablets and changing their pile-up, which will facilitate the subsequent ejection of the tablets by the tablet ejector 5.

[0052] When supplying air to the medicine-turning hood 8, the air distribution valve 6-4 controls the air supply cylinder 6-1 to only be connected to the medicine-turning hood 8. When inhaling air after supplying air, the air distribution valve 6-4 controls the air supply cylinder 6-1 to only be connected to the outside.

[0053] The tablet dispenser operates pneumatically and should not be sealed; it should allow air to enter and exit from the outside. The tablet dispenser has a vent 11 connecting its interior and exterior, and a filter 12 is installed inside the vent 11. The filter 12 is used to prevent external contaminants from entering the tablet dispenser.

Claims

1. A tablet dispenser, characterized in that: It includes a tablet container (1), a dosing hopper (2), a dosing hopper cover (3), a tablet ejector (5), a blowing tube (4), an air supply device (6), a discharge structure (7), a counter (9), and a drain hole (10); The top of the tablet container (1) has a container hole (1-1), the lower part of the tablet container (1) is spherical or conical, and the bottom of the tablet container (1) has an ejector hole (1-2) that is directly opposite to the container hole (1-1); the dosing hopper (2) is set above the tablet container (1) and corresponds to the position of the container hole (1-1), and the dosing hopper cover (3) covers the dosing hopper (2); The tablet ejector (5) is a cylinder including an ejector rod (5-1). The tablet ejector (5) is vertically positioned below the tablet container (1). The top of the ejector rod (5-1) has a groove (5-1-1). The ejector rod (5-1) is inserted into the ejector hole (1-2). The ejector rod (5-1) can move up and down. The lowest position of the ejector rod (5-1) is that its top is lower than the bottom surface of the tablet container (1). The highest position of the ejector rod (5-1) is that its top protrudes from the container hole (1-1) and is lower than the drug dispensing hopper (2). The export structure (7) includes an export cover (7-1) and an export tube (7-2). The export cover (7-1) is connected to the tablet container (1), and a tablet channel (7-3) is formed between the export cover (7-1) and the tablet container (1). The export tube (7-2) is vertically arranged and connected to the lower end of the export cover (7-1). The end of the blowing tube (4) is directed toward the highest point of the ejector rod (5-1) and toward the tablet channel (7-3); the air supply device (6) is capable of supplying air to the blowing tube (4) and the tablet ejector (5); When the tablet is supplied, a tablet is pushed out to the point of protrusion of the container hole (1-1) and below the dosing hopper (2); the air supply device (6) quickly supplies air to the blowing tube (4), and the blowing tube (4) blows the tablet into the tablet channel (7-3). The counter (9) can detect the number of tablets passing through the outlet tube (7-2); the drain hole (10) is located below the outlet tube (7-2).

2. The tablet dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top of the ejector rod (5-1) has a cross-shaped groove (5-1-2).

3. The tablet dispenser according to claim 2, characterized in that: The gas supply device (6) includes a gas supply cylinder (6-1), a gas supply motor (6-6), a turntable (6-2), a connecting rod (6-3), and a gas distribution valve (6-4). The turntable (6-2) is connected to the gas supply motor (6-6). One end of the connecting rod (6-3) is hinged to the edge of the turntable (6-2), and the other end of the connecting rod (6-3) is hinged to the piston of the gas supply cylinder (6-1). The gas distribution valve (6-4) is connected to the gas supply cylinder (6-1). The blowing pipe (4) is connected to the gas distribution valve (6-4), and the tablet ejector (5) is connected to the gas distribution valve (6-4) through a pipeline.

4. The tablet dispenser according to claim 3, characterized in that: The air supply device (6) includes an overflow valve (6-5), which is connected to the air supply cylinder (6-1).

5. The tablet dispenser according to claim 4, characterized in that: The counter (9) includes a swing plate (9-1) and a pressure sensor (9-2). The pressure sensor (9-2) is fixedly installed, and the swing plate (9-1) rests on the pressure sensor (9-2). The swing plate (9-1) includes an inclined section (9-1-1) located below the outlet tube (7-2). The outlet structure (7) includes a tablet baffle (7-4), which is located in front of the swing plate (9-1) and connected to the outlet tube (7-2).

6. The tablet dispenser according to claim 5, characterized in that: It includes a medicine-turning cover (8), which is connected to the bottom of the tablet container (1). The bottom of the tablet container (1) has medicine-turning holes (1-3), and the medicine-turning cover (8) is connected to the air supply device (6) through a pipeline.

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