Tablet dividing device, tablet packaging machine, and tablet dividing method

Abstract

The tablet dividing device can process tablets of various shapes by aligning the center position of the tablet and the cutting part with a simple configuration. A tablet dividing device according to the present invention comprises: a holding unit which is disposed midway along a falling path of a tablet and holds the tablet at a designated position; a cutting part provided with a blade capable of advancing and retreating in the falling path to cut the tablet; and a center position determination unit for matching the center position of the tablet with the entry position of the cutting unit. The holding portion includes: a first movable member positioned above the entry position and forming a side surface of the falling path, the first movable member being movable in a direction perpendicular to the falling path; and a second movable member which is positioned below the entry position so as to narrow the falling path, and which is movable in a direction parallel to and opposite to the first movable member. The center position determination means determines that the center position of the tablet matches the designated position on the condition that the first movable member and the second movable member match in the respective movement directions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tablet splitting device for splitting a tablet into tablet slices by cutting the tablet using a tablet cutting part, a tablet packaging machine including the tablet splitting device, and a tablet splitting method. Background Art

[0002] In a tablet packaging machine that individually packages tablets by dividing the tablets into packets, the tablets are generally packaged after being divided into halves or a plurality of fragments for the purpose of dosage adjustment or the like.

[0003] As a tablet splitting device for splitting a tablet into two pieces, in addition to a tablet splitting machine that cuts the tablets by pushing a cutter down onto the tablets received one by one, a structure is also being used in which a tablet is cut in a manner that cuts off the tablet passing path so as to automatically supply tablets held / accommodated as a unit of one tablet to a subsequent packaging device in units smaller than one tablet, thereby splitting the tablets in the tablet passing path before and after the passing direction and individually discharging the tablet slices (for example, see patent document 1), and a structure in which the received tablet is cut vertically by the blade of the cutter and the lower tablet slices are first discharged, and the upper tablet slices are temporarily retained on the cutter and discharged later by the subsequent action of the cutter (for example, see patent document 2).

[0004] As such a tablet splitting device, it is desired to divide the tablet into equal parts. For example, when a round tablet is to be split into two pieces, a method can be considered in which the tablet is received by a V-shaped holding mechanism and a cutter is moved through the center to split the tablet into half tablets.

[0005] For example, a method is conceivable in which the size of a tablet is specified or measured in advance using a database or the like, and a tablet of known shape and size is fixed at a predetermined position and cut (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

[0006] Prior art literature

[0007] Patent Literature

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5627508

[0009] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-226089

[0010] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-178168 Summary of the invention

[0011] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0012] However, the tablet splitting device of the prior art is basically only effective for tablets with a fixed shape such as round tablets, and it is difficult to say that it can cope with various shapes such as oval tablets and diamond tablets. Furthermore, in the method of measuring the length of the tablet, the size needs to be measured in advance, and it is known that if the tablet in the state of measuring the shape is not dropped or conveyed, it is difficult to divide it equally. In particular, in the case of an oval shape, the curvature and length of the arc part are different for each tablet, which requires considering multiple patterns in advance, making it difficult to achieve accurate centering.

[0013] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a tablet splitting device capable of handling various shapes by aligning the center and the cut portion of the tablet with a simple configuration.

[0014] Technical solutions for solving technical problems

[0015] The tablet splitting device of the present invention comprises: a holding part, which is arranged in the middle of the falling path of the tablet and is used to hold the tablet at a specified position; a cutting part, which has a blade that can move in and out of the falling path to cut the tablet; and a center position determination unit, which is used to make the center position of the tablet coincide with the entry position of the cutting part. The holding part includes: a first movable part, which is located above the entry position and forms the side surface of the falling path and can move in a direction perpendicular to the falling path; and a second movable part, which is located below the entry position in a manner that narrows the falling path and can move in a direction parallel to and opposite to the first movable part. The center position determination unit determines that the center position of the tablet coincides with the specified position on the condition that the first movable part and the second movable part coincide in the moving direction of the first movable part and the moving direction of the second movable part.

[0016] Effects of the Invention

[0017] According to this tablet splitting device, even if the tablet has an elliptical shape or a rhombus shape, which is difficult in the prior art, the center position of the tablet can be made to coincide with the designated position where the cutting section enters by moving the first movable member and the second movable member. Therefore, the tablet splitting device can cope with various shapes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the structure of a tablet splitting device as an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A diagram showing the internal structure of a tablet splitting device.

[0020] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 A perspective view of the main parts of the holding mechanism for holding tablets is shown.

[0021] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 3 A diagram showing an example of the structure of a holding mechanism.

[0022] Figure 5 It is shown Figure 3 The diagram shows an example of an initial state in the operation of the holding mechanism shown.

[0023] Figure 6 It is shown Figure 3 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a reference state during the operation of the holding mechanism shown.

[0024] Fig. 7A : is a diagram showing an example of a tablet bisection unit in a prior art structure.

[0025] Figure 7B FIG. 1 is a diagram showing another example of a tablet bisecting unit in a prior art structure.

[0026] Figure 8 It is shown Figure 3 A diagram showing an example of the operation of the holding mechanism during the centering operation.

[0027] Fig. 9 : is a diagram showing an example of the state of the holding mechanism when the centering operation is completed.

[0028] Fig.10 is a diagram showing an example of an operation performed by a control device for controlling a holding mechanism.

[0029] Fig.11 This is a diagram showing an example of a configuration in which a packaging device is added to a tablet splitting apparatus as a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Fig.12 It is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Fig.13 It shows the use of Fig.12 The diagram shows an example of a state where the structure shown has been subjected to a centering operation.

[0032] Fig.14A It is a figure which shows the modification of this invention.

[0033] Fig. 14B It is a diagram showing another modified example of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] A specific embodiment as an example of the tablet splitting device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0035] For simplicity, only the components necessary for illustrating the invention are mainly shown in the drawings, and details such as fasteners such as bolts, driving sources such as motors, transmission components such as gears, circuits such as motor drivers, electronic circuits such as controllers, etc. are omitted.

[0036] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a tablet splitting device 20 of the present invention. Figure 2 It is a side view of the tablet splitting device 20 .

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, the tablet splitting device 20 has a tablet box 21, an operating part 22, a control device 23, a main body 24, a receiver 25, a relay part 26, a tablet feeder base 27, a supporting part 28, a holding mechanism 30, a cutting part 40 and a power supply part not shown in the figure as basic parts responsible for the tablet splitting function as a single body.

[0038] The control device 23, the relay part 26, the supporting member 28, the holding mechanism 30, the cutting part 40 and the power supply part are accommodated inside the shell of the main body 24, and the operating part 22 and the tablet feeder base 27 are fixedly mounted on the main body 24, and the operating surface and the box mounting surface are exposed on the outer surface of the shell.

[0039] The tablet cassette 21 is detachably mounted on the tablet feeder base 27 , and the receiver 25 is inserted so as to be freely drawn out from the front surface opening of the bottom of the main body 24 .

[0040] like Figure 1 or Figure 2 As shown, the main body 24 includes a tablet feeder base 27 fixedly arranged at the uppermost part, a support member 28 fixedly arranged in a vertical posture at the center of the front-rear direction in the housing, and a relay part 26 fixedly arranged in the housing at the front of the lower part of the support member 28. Below the relay part 26, the receiver 25 is arranged so as to be inserted into and taken out of the housing.

[0041] The holding mechanism 30 and the cutting section 40 are attached to the support member 28 or another support member at the center of the housing of the main body 24. The holding mechanism 30 is in a vertical posture similar to the support member 28, and the cutting section 40 is in a horizontal posture perpendicular to the holding mechanism 30.

[0042] In the present embodiment, the cutting unit 40 is a cutting device including cutting blades 41, each of which is a cutting device. The cutting blades 41 can sandwich each tablet 10 from the front and rear directions of the tablet falling path 32, and then cut the tablet 10. In the present embodiment, the cutting unit 40 is configured to cut the tablet 10 from both sides of the tablet falling path 32 in the up and down directions. Figure 4The cutting section 40 enters and cuts each tablet 10 in the ±Y direction shown, which will be described later. However, the cutting section 40 is not limited to having such a configuration. The cutting section 40 also includes a driving device that drives the cutting blade 41 by the control device 23.

[0043] In this embodiment, the cutting edge 41 is Figure 4 The tablet 41 extends in the X direction as shown and enters the gap portion 42 in a manner extending across the tablet falling path 32. The gap portion 42 is an opening that opens at the middle portion of the tablet falling path 32 and is located at the entry position of the cutting blade 41.

[0044] The tablet feeder base 27 and the tablet cassette 21 mounted on the tablet feeder base 27 are configured to automatically and continuously supply the tablets 10 one at a time. When the drive motor of the tablet feeder base 27 is operated under the control of the control device 23, the tablets 10 are discharged one at a time from the tablet cassette 21 mounted on the tablet feeder base 27, and each tablet 10 is sent from the upper end to an upstream partial path 32a of a tablet falling path 32 (described later) of the holding mechanism 30 via a guide such as an introduction port or a conduit.

[0045] In the present embodiment, the control device 23 is a control unit that controls each unit of the tablet splitting device 20 and is a controller that instructs sensors, motors, and the like using electrical signals.

[0046] For example, when the holding mechanism 30 performs the centering operation, the control device 23 functions as a center position determination unit for aligning the center position of one of the tablets 10 with the position of the gap portion 42 by exchanging signals with various sensors.

[0047] The holding mechanism 30 is a holding portion using a first locator 31A, a second locator 31B, and a third locator 31C for holding one of the tablets 10 to be split and dropped from the tablet cassette 21 and enter the upstream partial path 32a of the tablet drop path 32 via the tablet feeder base 27 and the guide at a specified position. The first locator 31A is a first movable member and can be moved at a predetermined position. Figure 3 The second locator 31B is a second movable member disposed below the first locator 31A and is movable in the X direction. The third locator 31C is a third movable member disposed opposite to the first locator 31A and the second locator 31B, and the tablet falling path 32 is between the third locator 31C and the first locator 31A and the second locator 31B. Figure 1 As shown, the holding mechanism 3 is provided midway along the falling path of the tablets discharged from the tablet cassette 21 .

[0048] like Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the first positioner 31A includes a rear end inclined portion 33A, which is arranged above the entry position of the cutting edge 41 of the cutting portion 40, that is, at Figure 4 The rear end inclined portion 33A is an inclined surface extending from the side surface of the first locator 31A facing the tablet falling path 32 at a predetermined inclination angle.

[0049] An inflection point 34A between the rear end inclined portion 33A and the lower side surface of the first retainer 31A is located at the lowermost end of the rear end inclined portion 33A, and serves as a reference point in a centering operation, which will be described later.

[0050] In the tablet falling path 32 , the gap portion 42 is provided at a position corresponding to the entry position of the cutting blades 41 so that each cutting blade 41 can pass therethrough in the Y direction.

[0051] The holding mechanism 30 includes a pair of upstream side drop sensors 53 arranged between the upstream partial path 32a and the tablet drop path 32, and a pair of downstream side drop sensors 54 arranged just above the gap 42, that is, between the entry position of the cutting blade 41 and the first locator 31A. The upstream side drop sensors 53 determine whether each tablet 10 passes therebetween. The downstream side drop sensors 54 determine whether each tablet 10 has reached the position of the gap 42.

[0052] The pair of upstream drop sensors 53 are arranged to sandwich the tablet drop path 32, and similarly, the pair of downstream drop sensors 54 are arranged to sandwich the tablet drop path 32. The upstream drop sensor 53 and the downstream drop sensor 54 are sensors that send a signal to the control device 23 in response to detecting the passage of one of the tablets 10. Both the upstream drop sensor 53 and the downstream drop sensor 54 may be, for example, an infrared sensor or the like.

[0053] A portion of the tablet falling path 32 is formed between the first and third positioners 31A and 31C, and a side surface of the first and third positioners 31A and 31C on the +X side form side surfaces of the tablet falling path 32 .

[0054] In addition, the upper surface and the lower surface of the tablet falling path 32 are respectively composed of a top plate member 301 provided on the front side and a base member 302 provided on the rear side. The distance H between the top plate member 301 and the base member 302 can be variably set according to the height of each tablet 10. Note that the width Sx, height Sy, and length Sz of each tablet 10 correspond to the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction as shown in the figure, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the guide member or the upstream partial path 32a of the tablet box 21 can control the falling of each tablet 10 according to the shape of the tablet 10 so that the tablet 10 falls in an appropriate orientation.

[0055] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the second locator 31B includes a front end inclined portion 33B, which is arranged below the entry position of the cutting blade 41, that is, Figure 4 , or between the side surface facing the tablet falling path 32 and the side surface facing the first locator 31A. The front end inclined portion 33B is an inclined surface extending at a predetermined inclination angle from the side surface of the second locator 31B facing the tablet falling path 32, and is arranged so that the inclination angle of the front end inclined portion 33B is the same as the inclination angle of the rear end inclined portion 33A, that is, the front end inclined portion 33B is arranged at an angle symmetrical to the first locator 31A with respect to the gap portion 42.

[0056] An inflection point 34B between the front end inclined portion 33B and the upper side surface of the second locator 31B is located at the uppermost end of the front end inclined portion 33B, and is used as a reference point in a centering operation, which will be described later.

[0057] In the basic state, until one of the tablets 10 is delivered to the upstream partial path 32a of the tablet falling path 32, the second positioner 31B is configured to narrow the tablet falling path 32, such as Figure 4 In other words, the second retainer 31B is maintained in a state of protruding further in the +X direction than the first retainer 31A.

[0058] The third locator 31C includes a pusher 35, a pillar 36, a spring 37, an abutment ring 38 and a terminal 55. The pusher 35 is a pressing portion that pushes each tablet 10 toward the first locator 31A and the second locator 31B. The pillar 36 is a supporting member that supports the pusher 35 so that the pusher 35 can move in the ±X direction but not in the Z direction or the Y direction. Each spring 37 is attached to a corresponding pillar 36 and biases the pusher 35. The abutment ring 38 is attached to a pillar 36 on the side opposite to the pusher 35 and serves as a sensing device for detecting the movement of the pusher 35. The terminal 55 is electrically connected to the abutment ring 38 and exchanges signals with the control device 23. Note that in the present embodiment, the pillar 36 is a stepped bolt that can be fastened to the pusher 35 and inserted into an opening formed in the third locator 31C so as to be slidable in the ±X direction.

[0059] The pusher 35 is supported on the third positioner 31C by two pillars 36 which are arranged in such a manner as to sandwich the entry position of the cutting blade 41 , and is slightly biased in the −X direction by a spring 37 .

[0060] The third positioner 31C constitutes the side wall of the tablet falling path 32 as described above, and in the basic state, the gap L1 between the first positioner 31A and the third positioner 31C is set to be wider than the width Sx of one of the tablets 10 given in advance, or is defined by the setting in the initial state to be described later, so that the tablet 10 can fall.

[0061] Figure 5 The first, second and third positioners 31A, 31B, and 31C are shown in their most compact arrangement relative to each other, i.e., in a closed state when one of the tablets 10 flows into the upstream partial path 32a of the tablet falling path 32 and stops in the middle along the tablet falling path 32. Figure 5 This state is shown in order to show the operation performed during the period from when the tablet 10 falls until the control device 23 calculates the gap L1 between the first locator 31A and the third locator 31C in the basic state from the tablet 10. This state will be referred to as an initial state.

[0062] Figure 5Included on its right hand side is another diagram showing a cross-sectional view in the vertical direction in the same state, i.e., a YZ cross-sectional view. In this figure, the distance H in the Y direction can be adjusted according to the height of each tablet 10, and is at its narrowest point in the closed state, which is the initial state. In this state, the tablet 10 discharged from the tablet box 21 stops and remains at the upstream partial path 32a. In the actual operation stage of the holding mechanism 30 described later, preferably, the control device 23 adjusts the gap between the top plate component 301 and the base component 302 by using data on the size of the tablet 10 so as to perform height control. However, a combination of multiple types of top plate components 301 and multiple types of base components 302 can be predetermined according to the type of tablet 10, and these components can be appropriately replaced. In this case, the distance H is set to be greater than the predetermined height Sy of the tablet 10.

[0063] Now refer to Figures 5 to 10 The operation of the holding mechanism 30 and the operation of dividing each tablet 10 performed by the cutting portion 40 are described.

[0064] like Figure 5 As shown, when one tablet 10 reaches the upstream partial path 32 a , the first positioner 31A, the second positioner 31B, and the third positioner 31C are all maintained in a closed state (initial state) that narrows the tablet falling path 32 .

[0065] Therefore, when the control device 23 causes the tablets 10 to be discharged one at a time from the tablet cassette 21 (step S101 ), one of the tablets 10 stops at the upstream partial path 32 a (step S102 ).

[0066] Next, if Figure 6 As shown, the top plate member 301 moves in the Y direction and the first positioner 31A moves in the −X direction to increase the width of the tablet falling path 32 (step S103 ).

[0067] In the present embodiment, step S103 is repeated until the upstream drop sensor 53 detects that the tablet 10 has fallen into the tablet drop path 32 .

[0068] In this case, the control device 23 drives the top plate member 301 while measuring the distance H in the Y direction from the position of the top plate member 301, and when the upstream side drop sensor 53 detects that the tablet 10 falls into the tablet drop path 32 (step S104), it can detect that the top plate member 301 is positioned at a position where the distance H and the height Sy of the tablet 10 satisfy H≥Sy. By storing the distance H in the control device 23 as the position of the top plate member 301 where the tablet 10 can fall, the speed before discharging the tablet 10 can also be accelerated. Alternatively, the distance H can be stored as a basic state for discharging the tablet 10.

[0069] The tablet 10 falls through the tablet falling path 32 which has been widened by the movement in step S103 until the tablet 10 reaches the vicinity of the entry position of the cutting blade 41, that is, the vicinity of the gap portion 42. Note that at this time, the second positioner 31B remains in the initial state and does not move, and therefore, the tablet 10 stops and remains on the upper portion of the second positioner 31B in the basic state (step S105).

[0070] In this case, regarding the drop of each tablet 10, for example, Figure 6 As shown, although it depends on the shape of each tablet 10 or the manner in which each tablet 10 is moved from the tablet cassette 21 , the tablets 10 generally fall in a state of being inclined with respect to the direction in which the tablet falling path 32 extends.

[0071] In the prior art, in the case where each tablet 10 has a relatively simple shape such as a round or lens shape, as in the comparative example Fig. 7A As shown, by using the retaining parts 131 arranged in a V-shape, the tablet falling path 32 is narrowed toward the downstream side, and the position of the gap portion 42 at the center of the tablet falling path 32 can be consistent with the center position of each tablet 10, so it is relatively easy to divide each tablet 10 into two equal pieces at the center of the tablet 10.

[0072] However, the same comparative example as shown in the figure Figure 7B The elliptical or spherical tablets 10 shown in the figure cannot be divided into two due to the tablet shape. Therefore, a tablet splitting device with higher versatility and capable of handling tablets of various shapes with a simple configuration is required.

[0073] like Figure 8 As shown, the control device 23 gradually moves the first locator 31A in the +X direction and gradually moves the second locator 31B in the -X direction relative to the tablet 10 falling in an inclined manner (step S106). In this way, the first locator 31A and the second locator 31B move in parallel but in opposite directions.

[0074] Ideally, when the gap L2 between the second locator 31B and the third locator 31C is equal to the width Sx of the tablet 10 , the tablet 10 passes through the tablet falling path 32 and starts to fall again.

[0075] However, a general tablet 10 has a curved shape with a curvature R at the front end portion and the rear end portion in the falling direction thereof.

[0076] Since the first locator 31A moves in the +X direction and the second locator 31B moves in the -X direction, the abutment position P between the rear end inclined portion 33A and the tablet 10 and the abutment position Q between the front end inclined portion 33B and the tablet 10 gradually change and move due to the curvature R of the tablet 10 or the inclination of the tablet 10, so that the tablet 10 enters the upright position. Although the abutment position P and the abutment position Q are basically different according to the shape of each tablet 10 in this case, the rear end inclined portion 33A and the front end inclined portion 33B each have a shape that is line-symmetrical with respect to the entry position of the cutting edge 41, and therefore, when the tablet 10 is as Fig.10 When the tablet 10 is in an upright position relative to its falling direction, the abutment position P and the abutment position Q are also geometrically symmetrical relative to the entry position of the cutting edge 41. In other words, the entry position of the cutting edge 41 is substantially consistent with the center position of the tablet 10. Here, the term "substantially consistent" means that the ingredients, amounts, etc. of the upper and lower halves of the tablet 10 cut in half at the entry position match to an extent that does not affect the prescribed dosage, and may include situations that are not "equal" in a strict sense.

[0077] Although the entry position of the cutting blade 41 does not precisely coincide with the center position of the tablet 10 because the gap portions 42 into which the cutting blade 41 enters each have a reasonable width, the state in which the tablet 10 is maintained in an upright position in the direction in which the tablet falling path 32 extends corresponds to a state in which the center position of the tablet 10 coincides with the gap portion 42 and therefore coincides with the entry position of the cutting blade 41.

[0078] When the tablet 10 is in an upright position in the direction in which the tablet falling path 32 extends, the gap L2 between the second locator 31B and the third locator 31C is estimated to be narrower than the width Sx of the tablet 10. The narrowness of the gap L2 depends on the inclination angle of the front end inclined portion 33B and the curvature R of the curved shape of the tablet 10. In addition, since the first locator 31A has moved in the +X direction and the rear end inclined portion 33A abuts against the rear end inclined portion 33A at this point in time, the lowest point (Xa, Ya) of the rear end inclined portion 33A and the highest point (Xb, Yb) of the front end inclined portion 33B are located at positions overlapping each other in the X direction.

[0079] That is, with the lowest point of the rear end inclined portion 33A being set as reference point A (Xa, Ya) and the highest point of the front end inclined portion 33B being set as reference point B (Xb, Yb), the tablet 10 is maintained in an upright position relative to the tablet falling path 32 at a position satisfying Xa=Xb. This position of the tablet 10 corresponds to the "specified position". In this case, it is also estimated that P (Xp, Yp) and Q (Xq, Yq) satisfy Xp=Xq. Since the rear end inclined portion 33A and the front end inclined portion 33B have the same inclination angle, when the entry position of the cutting edge 41 is each located at the center between the first locator 31A and the second locator 31B, the cutting edge 41 occupies the position of the perpendicular bisector of the line segment PQ, so that the tablet 10 can be divided into two equal pieces.

[0080] Such an operation performed by the holding mechanism 30 to make the center position of each tablet 10 coincide with the opening position of the gap portion 42 by using the first locator 31A and the second locator 31B will be referred to as a centering operation.

[0081] The control device 23 calculates the moving distances of the first and second locators 31A and 31B by, for example, using the rotation speed of the motor driving the first and second locators 31A and 31B, and determines that the center position of the tablet 10 is consistent with the specified position on the condition that the first and second locators 31A and 31B are consistent with each other in their respective relative moving directions (step S107). In step S107 as such a judgment step, the control device 23 gradually moves the first and second locators 31A and 31B by repeating step S106 while the holding mechanism 30 serves as a holding device for making the center position of the tablet consistent with the entry position of the cutting blade 41.

[0082] The control device 23 gradually repeats the movement in step S106 until the center position of the tablet 10 coincides with the designated position in step S107 .

[0083] In addition, the control device 23 operates as a center position judgment unit under the condition that the first locator 31A and the second locator 31B are consistent with each other as a judgment that the center position of the tablet 10 is consistent with the specified position. However, the reference point for this condition may be, for example, a position opposite to the wall surface of the tablet falling path 32, and the consistency of the side surface of the first locator 31A opposite to the tablet falling path 32 and the side surface of the second locator 31B opposite to the tablet falling path 32 may be used. Alternatively, when the lowest point of the rear end inclined portion 33A and the highest point of the front end inclined portion 33B are defined as reference point A (Xa, Ya) and reference point B (Xb, Yb), respectively, the position satisfying Xa=Xb may be detected by the control device 23.

[0084] However, even if a servo motor is used as a driving source, for example, such position adjustment may involve some errors because the first positioner 31A and the second positioner 31B are driven independently. In addition, in order to improve accuracy, it is important not only to calculate the moving distance by using the rotation speed of the motor, but also to understand the state in which the first positioner 31A and the second positioner 31B are actually operated.

[0085] Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to further improve the accuracy, the pusher 35 is slightly biased by the spring 37 to bias each tablet 10 in the -X direction, where the -X direction is Fig. 9 When the pusher 35 is pushed equally upward and downward by one of the tablets 10 by the first and second locators 31A and 31B, the pusher 35 is sufficiently relaxed to break the electrical continuity between the abutment ring 38 and the support 36, and the abutment ring 38 detects the movement of the pusher 35.

[0086] Here, since the pusher 35 is assembled in the third positioner 31C, when a horizontal force acts on the pusher 35 in the X direction in which the pillar 36 extends, the pusher 35 slightly retreats. However, when the tablet 10 is not in an upright position and is unevenly pushed due to uneven force transmission, the pusher 35 does not move, and therefore, it does not interrupt the electrical continuity between the pillar 36 and the abutment ring 38.

[0087] As described above, by using the abutment ring 38, when the pusher 35 is pushed, the tablet 10 is reliably judged to be in an upright position in the tablet falling path 32, and the electrical continuity between the support 36 and the abutment ring 38 is interrupted, so that the control device 23 can accurately detect that the tablet 10 is held in the specified position.

[0088] Note that in the above configuration, another sensor or control device may be used instead of abutment ring 38 as long as it can detect retreat of pusher 35. In the present embodiment, abutment ring 38 serves as a particularly inexpensive device for allowing control device 23 to easily detect interruption of electrical continuity.

[0089] Note that in step S107, the control device 23 may combine these multiple devices so as to determine that, for example, the positions of the inflection points 34A and 34B as reference points overlap each other in the X direction, and further, may detect that the electrical continuity has been interrupted by using the abutment ring 38. Only when both results are true can the control device 23 determine that the tablet 10 is held at the specified position.

[0090] The control device 23 stores in advance the movement amount of the first locator 31A and the movement amount of the second locator 31B during the period from when a tablet 10 falls until the tablet 10 is held at the specified position, and stores them in the storage device together with the drug information of the tablet 10 read from the RFID or the like of the tablet box 21 (step S108). As described above, in the present embodiment, even without the size data of the tablet 10, the center position of the tablet 10 can be calculated, and by performing these operations, the combination of the type of tablet 10 and the movement distance of the first locator 31A and the second locator 31B can be stored. Therefore, in the second and subsequent operations, the operation can be performed at a high speed until the vicinity of the movement distance that has been judged, and the time taken for the tablet 10 to be held at the specified position can be reduced.

[0091] When the tablet 10 is held at the designated position in this manner, the cutting blade 41 enters the tablet 10 from both sides of the tablet 10, that is, from both sides in the ±Y direction in the present embodiment, and cuts the tablet 10 held at the designated position into two halves (step S109). In the cutting step as step S109, the cutting section 40 or each cutting blade 41 operates as a tablet cutting unit.

[0092] In the cutting step, the cutting blades 41 arranged to be opposed to each other move so as to sandwich and cut the tablet 10 while reducing the gap therebetween and abutting against the tablet 10. In this case, before the cutting is completed, preferably, the cutting blades 41 hold the tablet 10 in a state where the tablet 10 does not abut against the base member 302 or the top plate member 301 which is the bottom of the tablet falling path 32. In addition, it is preferred that, under the control of the control device 23, the first and second positioners 31A and 31B slightly move in the direction in which the tablet falling path 32 expands, i.e., in the -X direction, and the tablet 10 is sandwiched only by the cutting blades 41 during the period from sandwiching the tablet 10 by the cutting blades 41 until the cutting is completed. In this case, the third positioner 31C may move in the +X direction.

[0093] Since the temporary holding of the tablet 10 by the first locator 31A, the second locator 31B, and the third locator 31C is released immediately before the cutting is completed in the cutting step as described above, the tablet 10 is only sandwiched by the cutting blade 41 before the cutting is completed, and even when a strong force is temporarily applied to the tablet 10 during cutting, the center position does not move, so that accurate bisection can be performed. In addition, by the first locator 31A, the second locator 31B, and the third locator 31C, the tablet 10 can be cut without releasing the temporary holding of the tablet 10, and the fine control and movement during cutting are not limited to the above configuration.

[0094] After the tablet 10 is cut in half, only the second locator 31B is further moved in the -X direction while the cutting blade 41 is maintained in a state of blocking the tablet falling path 32 (step S110). In addition, as described above, in the cutting step of the cutting of the tablet 10, the second locator 31B is also moved, but in step S110, the second locator 31B continues to move until the gap L2 between the second locator 31B and the third locator 31C is equal to or greater than the width Sx of the tablet 10, causing the lower piece of the bisected tablet 10 to fall, and this can also be done in reverse. More specifically, if the movement of the second locator 31B in step S110 has been completed in a state where the tablet 10 is clamped between the cutting blades 41 before the cutting is performed in step S109, it simply falls and is discharged while completing the cutting step S109, and the process proceeds to step S111.

[0095] When the gap L2 between the second locator 31B and the third locator 31C becomes equal to or larger than the width Sx of the tablet 10 , the tablet 10 that loses support falls along the tablet falling path 32 and is discharged (step S111 ).

[0096] In this case, the control device 23 may move the moving distance of the second positioner 31B according to the width Sx of the tablet, or conversely, a drop sensor 56 (not shown) may be provided below the second positioner 31B in the tablet drop path 32, and the gap L2 at which the tablet 10 is detected to have dropped by the drop sensor 56 may be stored as the tablet width. In any case, after the cutting step is completed, when the gap L2, which is the width of the tablet drop path 32 between the second positioner 31B and the third positioner 31C, becomes equal to or greater than the tablet width Sx, the lower half of the tablet 10 is discharged from the holding mechanism 30.

[0097] When a certain time has passed since the second aligner 31B was moved, the control device 23 retracts the cutting blade 41 and moves the first aligner 31A, so that the upper half of the tablet 10 is released from the holding mechanism 30 .

[0098] When both equally divided pieces of the tablet 10 are discharged, the control device 23 moves the second positioner 31B in the +X direction, stops at a position where the tablet falling path 32 is narrower than the width Sx of the stored tablets, and waits for the next discharge from the tablet cassette 21 .

[0099] By repeating the operations in steps S101 to S111 , the tablet splitting device 20 can divide each tablet 10 discharged from the tablet cassette 21 into two equal parts.

[0100] As a second implementation of this embodiment, Fig.11As shown, a tablet packaging machine 200 having a configuration in which a packaging machine 201 is provided further downstream along the tablet falling path 32 than the tablet splitting device 20 in the first embodiment and packages the tablets 10 that have been divided into two equal parts can be considered.

[0101] The configuration of the packaging machine 201 having such a configuration may be the same as that of a known device, and thus a description thereof will be omitted.

[0102] In the present embodiment, the upper and lower tablets 10 falling through the tablet falling path 32 respectively pass through the relay portion 26. Then, they are packaged with packaging paper by the packaging machine 201 and discharged.

[0103] As a third embodiment of the present invention, a case will be described in which a wall surface of the tablet falling path 32 which is simply fixed in place is provided instead of the third positioner 31C which is a third movable member such as Fig.12 shown.

[0104] Note that, also in the present embodiment, components already described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0105] In a third embodiment, if Fig.12 As shown, a first positioner 31A and a second positioner 31B are provided, and a first motor 51 and a second motor 52 as drive sources respectively connected to the first positioner 31A and the second positioner 31B are provided.

[0106] The first motor 51 is a servo motor, and also functions as a pressure sensing device capable of detecting the pressure with which the first locator 31A is pressed by each tablet 10 by detecting a load generated when the first locator 31A is driven.

[0107] Note that, for example, the control device 23 may have a configuration as a control mechanism of the first electric motor 51 .

[0108] Similar to the first motor 51 , the second motor 52 is a servo motor and also functions as a pressure sensing device capable of detecting the pressure with which the second locator 31B is pressed by each tablet 10 by detecting a load generated when the second locator 31B is driven.

[0109] Note that, for example, the control device 23 may have a configuration as a control mechanism of the second electric motor 52 .

[0110] When a tablet 10 falls into the tablet falling path 32, the holding mechanism 30 performs the same Fig.10The operations in steps S101 to S105 shown are similar operations, and the control device 23 arranges the first positioner 31A and the second positioner 31B in the basic state. Fig.12 The state of the tablet 10 is shown in a basic state.

[0111] Next, as in step S106 , the second positioner 31B moves in the −X direction, and the first positioner 31A moves in the +X direction.

[0112] In this case, on the condition that the load on the first motor 51 and the load on the second motor 52 are equal to each other, the control device 23 determines that the center position of the tablet 10 coincides with the designated position (step S107 ).

[0113] In step S107, the first locator 31A and the second locator 31B use Fig.12 The force F shown pushes the tablet 10 toward the wall surface 330, which is the wall surface of the tablet falling path 32 opposed to the first and second positioners 31A and 31B, and therefore, as a reaction, the first positioner 31A receives a force F' in the -X direction from the tablet 10. In a state where the tablet 10 is inclined relative to the tablet falling path 32, the load applied to the first positioner 31A and the load applied to the second positioner 31B are not expected to be equal to each other, as shown in FIG. Fig.12 Schematically shown in .

[0114] In addition, the load applied to the second positioner 31B is a load generated in the -X direction due to the abutment between the tablet 10 and the front end inclined portion 33B, and when the second positioner 31B and the tablet 10 are separated from each other, the load is assumed to be zero, and in a state where the tablet 10 is not clamped between the first positioner 31A and the wall surface 330, the load is assumed to be maximum, that is, in a state where the tablet 10 starts to move.

[0115] Assume a case where the pressure F' applied to the first retainer 31A and the pressure F' applied to the second retainer 31B are equal to each other.

[0116] In this case, the first and second positioners 31A and 31B push the tablet 10 uniformly, and therefore, in the case of using the first and second positioners 31A and 31B, each positioner has a relative Fig.13 The illustrated holding position has a linearly symmetrical shape, and it can be assumed that the tablet 10 is held symmetrically with respect to the holding position.

[0117] Note that after the tablet 10 has been held at the holding position, as in the first embodiment, the processes as in steps S108 to S111 are performed so that the tablet 10 is cut in half and each of the tablets 10 is discharged through the tablet falling path 32 .

[0118] Using the above configuration, the control device 23 uses the first motor 51 and the second motor 52 to determine that the center position of each tablet 10 is consistent with the specified position, on the condition that the pressure applied by the tablet 10 to the first positioner 31A and the pressure applied by the tablet 10 to the second positioner 31B are equal to each other.

[0119] According to this configuration, since the control device 23 can detect that each tablet 10 is in an upright position relative to the tablet falling path 32, the holding mechanism 30 can hold each tablet 10 so that the center position of the tablet 10 and the entry position of the cutting blade 41 coincide with each other, and the consistency of the center position of the tablet and the cutting portion can be performed with a simple configuration. Therefore, the tablet splitting device 20 can cope with tablets having various shapes.

[0120] In addition, as described in the first embodiment, the rear end inclined portion 33A of the first locator 31A and the front end inclined portion 33B of the second locator 31B preferably abut against the front end portion and the rear end portion of each tablet 10, respectively. However, if the inclination relative to the length Sz of the tablet 10 is too large, the front end portion and the rear end portion of the tablet 10 may not be properly abutted against the rear end inclined portion 33A and the front end inclined portion 33B, respectively.

[0121] Therefore, it is preferred that Fig.14A and Fig. 14B As shown, the inclination degree of the rear end inclined portion 33A and the inclination degree of the front end inclined portion 33B can be changed according to the approximate length of each tablet 10. For example, the locator guide portion 333 and the locator guide portion 334 constituting the rear end inclined portion 33A of the first locator 31A and the front end inclined portion 33B of the second locator 31B, respectively, can be replaced with a variety of types so that when the length Sz of the tablet 10 is large, the inclination angles of the rear end inclined portion 33A and the front end inclined portion 33B are reduced, and so that when the length Sz of the tablet 10 is small, the inclination angles of the rear end inclined portion 33A and the front end inclined portion 33B are increased.

[0122] With this configuration, for more kinds of tablets 10, the holding mechanism 30 can hold each tablet 10 so that the center position of the tablet 10 and the entry position of the cutting edge 41 coincide with each other, and the coincidence of the center position of the tablet and the cutting portion can be performed with a simple configuration.

[0123] <1>

[0124] The tablet splitting device 20 of the present invention includes: a holding mechanism 30, which is arranged in the middle of the tablet falling path 32 of the tablet 10 and is used to hold each tablet 10 at a specified position; a cutting part 40, which has a cutting blade 41 that can cut the tablet 10 by moving forward and backward in the tablet falling path 32; and a control device 23, which is used to make the center position of the tablet 10 consistent with the entry position of the cutting blade 41.

[0125] The holding mechanism 30 includes a first positioner 31A and a second positioner 31B, wherein the first positioner 31A is located at an upper position than the entry position and forms a side surface of the tablet falling path 32 and is capable of moving in a direction perpendicular to the tablet falling path 32, and the second positioner 31B is located below the entry position in a manner that narrows the tablet falling path 32 and is capable of moving in a direction parallel to and opposite to the first positioner 31A.

[0126] The control device 23 determines that the center position of each tablet 10 coincides with the designated position on the condition that the first locator 31A and the second locator 31B coincide with each other in their moving directions.

[0127] According to this configuration, since the control device 23 can detect that each tablet 10 is in an upright position relative to the tablet falling path 32, the holding mechanism 30 can hold each tablet 10 so that the center position of the tablet 10 and the entry position of the cutting blade 41 coincide with each other, and the consistency of the center position of the tablet and the cutting portion can be performed with a simple configuration. Therefore, the tablet splitting device 20 can cope with tablets having various shapes.

[0128] <2>

[0129] Except in <1> In addition to the configuration described in, in an embodiment of the present invention, the control device 23 determines that the center position of each tablet 10 is consistent with the specified position, under the condition that the pressure applied by the tablet 10 to the first locator 31A and the pressure applied by the tablet 10 to the second locator 31B are equal to each other.

[0130] According to this configuration, since the control device 23 can detect that each tablet 10 is in an upright position relative to the tablet falling path 32, the holding mechanism 30 can hold each tablet 10 so that the center position of the tablet 10 and the entry position of the cutting blade 41 coincide with each other, and the consistency of the center position of the tablet and the cutting portion can be performed with a simple configuration. Therefore, the tablet splitting device 20 can cope with tablets having various shapes.

[0131] <3>

[0132] Except in <1> or <2> In addition to the configuration described in the embodiment of the present invention, the tablet splitting device 20 includes a third positioner 31C which is opposite to the first positioner 31A and the second positioner 31B and constitutes a part of the tablet falling path 32. The third positioner 31C has a pusher 35 that pushes the tablet 10 toward the first positioner 31A and the second positioner 31B.

[0133] <4>

[0134] Apart from <1> to <3> In addition to the configuration described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, the pusher 35 is connected to the third positioner 31C via two pillars 36, which are located at positions sandwiching the entry position, and have an abutment ring 38, which is provided on at least one of the pillars 36 and detects the movement of the pusher 35. In addition, the control device 23 determines that the center position of the tablet 10 coincides with the specified position when the pusher 35 moves.

[0135] According to this configuration, since the control device 23 can detect that each tablet 10 is in an upright position relative to the tablet falling path 32, the holding mechanism 30 can hold each tablet 10 so that the center position of the tablet 10 and the entry position of the cutting blade 41 coincide with each other, and the consistency of the center position of the tablet and the cutting portion can be performed with a simple configuration. Therefore, the tablet splitting device 20 can cope with tablets having various shapes.

[0136] <5>

[0137] Apart from <1> to <4> In addition to the configuration described in any one of the above, in an embodiment of the present invention, the first positioner 31A includes a rear end inclined portion 33A as an inclined portion inclined relative to the tablet falling path 32, and the second positioner 31B includes a front end inclined portion 33B as an inclined portion inclined relative to the tablet falling path 32.

[0138] The front end inclined portion 33B abuts against the front end portion of each tablet 10 , and the rear end inclined portion 33A abuts against the rear end portion of each tablet 10 , so that the holding mechanism 30 can hold the tablets 10 such that the center position of the tablet 10 coincides with the designated position.

[0139] Note that the term "front end portion" of the tablet 10 may include the front end along the length direction of the tablet 10 and a portion having a curved shape having a curvature in the same direction. Similarly, the term "rear end portion" of the tablet 10 may include the rear end in the length direction of the tablet 10 and a portion having a curved shape having a curvature in the same direction.

[0140] <6>

[0141] Apart from <1> to <5> In addition to the configuration described in any one of the above, in an embodiment of the present invention, in the tablet splitting device 20, the first positioner 31A and the second positioner 31B move in opposite directions relative to each other, and the holding mechanism 30 holds each tablet 10 at a position where the lowermost point in the rear end inclined portion 33A of the first positioner 31A coincides with the uppermost point in the front end inclined portion 33B of the second positioner 31B in the moving direction.

[0142] According to this configuration, since the control device 23 can detect that each tablet 10 is in an upright position relative to the tablet falling path 32 and is held symmetrically with the entry position of the cutting blade 41, the center position of the tablet and the cut portion can be aligned with a simple configuration. Therefore, the tablet splitting device 20 can handle tablets having various shapes.

[0143] <7>

[0144] Apart from <1> to <6> In addition to any of the configurations described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, in the tablet splitting device 20 , after the control device 23 determines that the center position of the tablet 10 coincides with the designated position, the cutting unit 40 enters the tablet falling path 32 to cut each tablet 10 .

[0145] According to this arrangement, each tablet 10 can be divided along a plane passing through the center position of the tablet 10 , and the tablet 10 can be divided into two equal parts with high accuracy by a simple arrangement.

[0146] <8>

[0147] Except in <7> In addition to the configuration described in, in an embodiment of the present invention, the packaging machine 200 includes a tablet splitting device 20 and a packaging machine 201, which is arranged at a position closer to the downstream side of the tablet falling path 32 than the tablet splitting device 20, and the packaging machine packages the tablets 10 divided into two equal parts.

[0148] According to this configuration, each tablet 10 that has been divided into two equal parts can be packaged.

[0149] [other]

[0150] In the above embodiment, only the configuration in which the cutting blade 41 cuts each tablet 10 by sandwiching the tablet 10 from the upper and lower sides of the tablet falling path 32 is described. However, for example, the cutting blade 41 may be inserted between the first and second positioners 31A and 31B and removed therefrom, or the cutting blade may be inserted and removed from only one side to cut the tablet 10.

[0151] Description of Reference Numerals

[0152] 10: tablet, 20: tablet splitting device, 23: control device (center position determination unit), 30: holding mechanism, 31A: first positioner (first movable component), 31B: second positioner (second movable component), 31C: third positioner (third movable component), 32: tablet falling path, 33A, 33B: rear end inclined portion, 34A, 34B: inflection point, 35: pusher (pressing portion), 38: abutment ring (sensing device), 40, 41: cutting portion (cutting device), 42: gap portion (entry position), 200: tablet packaging machine, S107: determination step, S109: cutting step.

Claims

1. A tablet splitting device, characterized in that: have: A holding portion, disposed in the middle of the falling path of the tablet, for holding the tablet at a designated position; a cutting portion having a blade capable of advancing and retreating in the falling path to cut the tablet; as well as a center position determination unit, for making the center position of the tablet consistent with the entry position of the cutting part, The holding portion comprises: a first movable member located above the entry position and forming a side surface of the falling path, and the first movable member is movable in a direction perpendicular to the falling path; as well as The second movable member is located below the entry position in such a manner as to narrow the falling path and is movable in a direction parallel to and opposite to the first movable member. The center position determination unit determines that the center position of the tablet coincides with the designated position on the condition that the first movable member and the second movable member coincide with each other in their respective moving directions.

2. The tablet splitting device according to claim 1, wherein: The center position determination unit determines that the center position of the tablet coincides with the designated position on the condition that a pressure pressing the first movable member by the tablet and a pressure pressing the second movable member by the tablet are equal.

3. The tablet splitting device according to claim 1, wherein: The tablet splitting device includes a third movable member, the third movable member being opposed to the first movable member and the second movable member and constituting a part of the falling path, The third movable member has a pressing portion that presses the tablet toward the first movable member and the second movable member.

4. The tablet splitting device according to claim 3, wherein: The pressing portion is connected to the third movable member via two pillars, and the two pillars are located at positions sandwiching the entry position. The tablet splitting device includes a detection unit provided on at least one of the pillars and configured to detect that the pressing portion has moved. The center position determination unit determines that the center position of the tablet coincides with the designated position when the pressing portion moves.

5. The tablet splitting device according to claim 1, The first movable member and the second movable member each have an inclined portion inclined relative to the falling path, One of the inclined portions holds the tablet by abutting against the front end of the tablet, and the other inclined portion holds the tablet by abutting against the rear end of the tablet so that the center position of the tablet coincides with the designated position.

6. The tablet splitting device according to claim 5, The first movable member and the second movable member move in opposite directions relative to each other, The holding portion holds the tablet at a position where the lowermost point of the inclined portion of the first movable member and the uppermost point of the inclined portion of the second movable member in the moving direction overlap.

7. The tablet splitting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, After the center position determination unit determines that the center position of the tablet coincides with the designated position, the cutting section enters the falling path to cut the tablet.

8. A tablet packaging machine comprising the tablet splitting device according to claim 7.

9. A tablet splitting method, using a holding unit, a tablet cutting unit and a center position determination unit, The holding unit is arranged in the middle of the falling path of the tablet and is used to hold the tablet at a specified position. The tablet cutting unit advances and retreats in the falling path to cut the tablet, The center position determination unit is used to make the center position of the tablet consistent with the entry position of the tablet cutting unit, The holding unit controls the first movable part and the second movable part, The first movable member is located above the entry position and forms a side surface of the falling path, and the first movable member is movable in a direction perpendicular to the falling path, The second movable member is located below the entry position in such a manner as to narrow the falling path, and is movable in a direction parallel to and opposite to the first movable member. The tablet splitting method performs the following steps: When the tablet moves to a position where it contacts the second movable member, the first movable member is moved toward a wall surface of the falling path that faces the first movable member. a step of moving the second movable member in a direction away from the wall surface opposite to the falling path, the center position determining unit determining that the center position and the entry position coincide with each other in the step of moving the first movable member and the second movable member, A cutting step of cutting the tablets using a tablet cutting unit.

Images