Conveying device and dissolving device

Abstract

[Problem] To appropriately convey a bag containing a powdery content. A transport device (20) is provided with: a support unit (40) for supporting a bag (12) in a standing state, the bag (12) containing a powdery content; and a transport unit (42) having a gripping unit (48) for gripping the upper part (12a) of the bag (12) supported by the support unit (40), the transport unit (42) moving the gripping unit (48) from the support unit (40). The dissolving device (10) comprises: a conveying device (20); an unsealing part (16) for unsealing the lower part (12b) of the bag body (12) held by the holding part (48); and a dissolving tank (14) which is provided below the unsealing part (16) and which receives the powdered dialysis agent falling from the unsealed bag body (12).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a conveying device and a dissolving device. BACKGROUND

[0002] Dialysis fluid used in dialysis treatment is produced by dissolving a powdered dialysis agent in dialysis water in a dissolving tank. The powdered dialysis agent is contained in a bag, the bag is opened, and the dialysis agent is taken out of the bag. After the dialysis agent is taken out, the empty bag is disposed as garbage. A scheme of an automatic bag opener is proposed, which automates a series of processes of conveying, opening, and disposing such a bag (for example, refer to Patent Literature 1).

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

[0004] PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-207915 SUMMARY

[0006] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0007] In the above-described prior art, the bag in a lateral flat state is adsorbed from one face and conveyed. Since the bag is a soft body, the position of the dialysis agent contained in the bag shifts, and the like, and sometimes the surface shape of the bag becomes uneven. At this time, the bag cannot be properly adsorbed, and there is a possibility that the bag cannot be stably conveyed.

[0008] The present application is obtained in view of such a problem, and one of the exemplary objects thereof is to provide a technology of properly conveying a bag containing a powdered content.

[0009] METHOD FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0010] The conveying device of one aspect of the present application includes a support portion that supports a bag containing a powdered content in an upright state, and a conveying portion that has a gripping portion that grips an upper portion of the bag supported by the support portion and moves the gripping portion from the support portion.

[0011] The dissolving device of another aspect of the present application further includes the conveying device of one aspect, an opening portion that opens a lower portion of the bag gripped by the gripping portion, and a dissolving tank that is provided below the opening portion and receives the powdered dialysis agent that falls from the opened bag. The conveying portion moves the gripping portion between the support portion and the opening portion.

[0012] Furthermore, any combination of the above-described components or the components or aspects of the present application that are converted between each other in a method, a device, a system, and the like are also effective as aspects of the present application.

[0013] EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[0014] According to the present application, a bag containing a powder-like content can be appropriately conveyed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the dissolving device of the embodiment.

[0016] Figure 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the support portion.

[0017] Figure 3 is a diagram schematically showing the bag supported by the support portion.

[0018] Figure 4 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the gripping portion.

[0019] Figure 5 is a diagram schematically showing the bag gripped by the gripping portion.

[0020] Figure 6 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the guide portion provided to the gripping portion.

[0021] Figure 7 is a diagram schematically showing the guide portion in a state in which the gripping portion is closed.

[0022] Figure 8 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which the bag supported by the support portion is gripped by the gripping portion.

[0023] Figure 9 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the discharge portion.

[0024] Figure 10 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the discharge portion.

[0025] Figure 11 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the dissolving device of the modification.

[0026] Figure 12 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which the bag supported by the support portion is gripped by the gripping portion of the modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] (SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENT)

[0028] Hereinafter, the scheme for carrying out the present application will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the same reference numerals are assigned to the same elements in the explanation, and repeated explanation will be appropriately omitted. In order to assist the understanding of the explanation, the dimensional proportions of the respective constituent elements in the respective drawings do not necessarily coincide with the actual dimensional proportions.

[0029] Figure 1Fig. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a dissolving apparatus 10 of an embodiment. The dissolving apparatus 10 is an apparatus for dissolving a powdered dialysis agent accommodated in a bag 12 into a dissolving tank 14 to produce a dialysis solution (e.g., a dialysis concentrate) in the dissolving tank 14.

[0030] The dissolving apparatus 10 includes the dissolving tank 14, an opening section 16, a housing 18, and a conveying apparatus 20.

[0031] The dissolving tank 14 is a tank that accommodates dialysis water. The dissolving tank 14 can also be provided with a not-shown stirring means for dissolving the dialysis agent into the dialysis water. To the dissolving tank 14, a dialysis water supply line 22 and a dialysis solution discharge line 24 are connected. The dialysis water supply line 22 is connected to a not-shown dialysis water supply apparatus, for example. The dialysis water supplied from the dialysis water supply line 22 to the dissolving tank 14 is, for example, reverse osmosis membrane water (RO water). The dialysis solution discharge line 24 discharges the dialysis solution produced in the dissolving tank 14. The dialysis solution discharge line 24 is connected to a not-shown dialysis solution supply apparatus, for example. The dialysis solution supply apparatus supplies the dialysis solution discharged from the dissolving apparatus 10 to a dialysis apparatus, for example.

[0032] The opening section 16 is provided above the dissolving tank 14. In other words, the dissolving tank 14 is provided below the opening section 16. The opening section 16 has a cutter 26 for opening the bag 12. The opening section 16 cuts the lower portion 12b of the bag 12 disposed above the opening section 16 by the conveying apparatus 20, and causes the powdered dialysis agent accommodated in the bag 12 to fall into the dissolving tank 14. The opening section 16, for example, pierces the cutter 26 into the vicinity of the center of the lower portion 12b of the bag 12, and then moves the cutter 26 along the lower portion 12b, thereby opening the bag 12.

[0033] The housing 18 accommodates the dissolving tank 14, the opening section 16, and the conveying apparatus 20. The housing 18 encloses a work space 28 in which the opening of the bag 12 and the dissolving of the dialysis agent are performed. The housing 18 has a carrying inlet 30 for carrying the bag 12 into the work space 28, and a discharge outlet 34 for discharging the empty bag 32 after the dialysis agent is taken out of the bag 12.

[0034] A storage section 36 for receiving and storing a plurality of bags 12 is provided inside the housing 18. The storage section 36 is provided beside the carrying inlet 30. A garbage box 38 for receiving and storing the empty bag 32 discharged from the discharge outlet 34 is provided outside the housing 18. The garbage box 38 is provided beside the discharge outlet 34.

[0035] The conveying apparatus 20 conveys the bag 12 stored in the storage section 36 to the opening section 16, and conveys the empty bag 32 opened in the opening section 16 to the discharge outlet 34. The conveying apparatus 20 includes a support section 40, a conveying section 42, and a discharge section 44.

[0036] The support section 40 is provided in the storage section 36 and supports the bag 12 that is carried into the storage section 36 in an upright state. The support section 40 is configured to individually support the bags 12 one by one. In the storage section 36, for example, a plurality of support sections 40 for supporting a plurality of bags 12 are provided. The plurality of support sections 40 are configured to be movable in the storage section 36. The plurality of support sections 40 are configured to be able to move to a carry-out position 46 where the bags 12 can be taken out by the conveying section 42 in turn. The support section 40 is configured to move toward the carry-out position 46 while supporting the bag 12, and to move toward the carry-in port 30 in an empty state where the bag 12 is not supported after the bag 12 is taken out at the carry-out position 46.

[0037] The conveying section 42 is configured to convey the bag 12 between the support section 40 and the discharge section 44. The conveying section 42 has a gripping section 48 that grips the upper portion 12a of the bag 12 and is configured to move the gripping section 48 in the horizontal direction. The conveying section 42 can be configured to move the gripping section 48 in the vertical direction, or can be configured to move the gripping section 48 three-dimensionally. The conveying section 42 can have a linear actuator that moves the gripping section 48 in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction, or can have a multi-joint arm section that moves the gripping section 48 three-dimensionally.

[0038] The conveying section 42 moves the gripping section 48 toward the carry-out position 46 and causes the gripping section 48 to grip the upper portion 12a of the bag 12 disposed at the carry-out position 46. In a state where the gripping section 48 grips the upper portion 12a of the bag 12, the bag 12 can be taken out from the support section 40 at the carry-out position 46 by moving the gripping section 48 from the carry-out position 46 toward the opening section 16. The conveying section 42 moves the gripping section 48 downward above the opening section 16, and thereby the lower portion 12b of the bag 12 gripped by the gripping section 48 comes into contact with the cutter 26. The conveying section 42 can also shake the gripping section 48 after the lower portion 12b of the bag 12 is opened by the cutter 26 of the opening section 16, and thereby the dialysis agent contained in the bag 12 is promoted to be discharged. The conveying section 42 moves the gripping section 48 toward the discharge section 44 after a predetermined time elapses from the opening operation of the opening section 16.

[0039] The discharge section 44 is provided at the discharge port 34 and discharges the bag 12 that is taken out and becomes empty (also referred to as an empty bag 32) to the outside of the housing 18. The discharge section 44 has a pair of rollers 50 for discharging the empty bag 32, and a drive section 52 that rotates the pair of rollers 50. The empty bag 32 gripped by the gripping section 48 is moved to the discharge section 44 by the conveying section 42 and is inserted between the pair of rollers 50. After the empty bag 32 is inserted between the pair of rollers 50, the empty bag 32 is discharged to the outside by the rotation of the pair of rollers 50 by releasing the grip of the gripping section 48. The empty bag 32 is compressed to be compact by passing through between the pair of rollers 50 and falls into the garbage can 38.

[0040] Figure 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the support section 40. The support section 40 includes a first support member 40a, a second support member 40b, a third support member 40c, a fourth support member 40d, a bottom member 40e, an upper member 40f, and a back member 40g.

[0041] The first support member 40a and the second support member 40b extend in the vertical direction from the bottom member 40e. The first support member 40a and the second support member 40b are opposed at a prescribed relative distance dl. Between the first support member 40a and the second support member 40b, the bag 12 is housed in the standing state. Between the first support member 40a and the second support member 40b, the front side is open, and the back side is blocked by the back member 40g.

[0042] The third support member 40c and the fourth support member 40d are located above the first support member 40a and the second support member 40b. The third support member 40c and the fourth support member 40d extend in the horizontal direction from the back member 40g toward the front side. The upper end of the first support member 40a and the third support member 40c, and the upper end of the second support member 40b and the fourth support member 40d are connected by the upper member 40f. The third support member 40c and the fourth support member 40d are opposed at a prescribed relative distance d2. The relative distance d2 of the third support member 40c and the fourth support member 40d is smaller than the relative distance dl of the first support member 40a and the second support member 40b.

[0043] Figure 3 is a view schematically showing the bag 12 supported by the support section 40. The bag 12 is disposed in the standing state between the first support member 40a and the second support member 40b, and between the third support member 40c and the fourth support member 40d. When the bag 12 is in the standing state, the contents of the bag 12 are shifted to the lower portion 12b, so that the thickness tl of the lower portion 12b of the bag 12 is large, and the thickness t2 of the upper portion 12a of the bag 12 is small. The thickness tl of the lower portion 12b of the bag 12 is, for example, larger than the thickness when the bag 12 is laid sideways to be uniform. The thickness t2 of the upper portion 12a of the bag 12 is smaller than the thickness when the bag 12 is laid sideways to be uniform, and is only the thickness of the soft plastic sheet that constitutes the bag 12.

[0044] The relative distance dl of the first support member 40a and the second support member 40b is set to be larger than the thickness tl of the lower portion 12b of the bag 12 in the standing state, and slightly larger than the thickness tl of the lower portion 12b of the bag 12. The first support member 40a and the second support member 40b support the side surface of the bag 12 in the standing state, and prevent the bag 12 from falling over to the side surface.

[0045] The relative distance d2 of the third support member 40c and the fourth support member 40d is set to be smaller than the thickness tl of the lower portion 12b of the bag 12 in the standing state and larger than the thickness t2 of the upper portion 12a of the bag 12. The relative distance d2 of the third support member 40c and the fourth support member 40d is set to be slightly larger than the thickness t2 of the upper portion 12a of the bag 12. By reducing the relative distance d2 of the third support member 40c and the fourth support member 40d, the position in the thickness direction of the upper portion 12a of the bag 12 is restricted, so that the gripping of the upper portion 12a of the bag 12 by the gripping portion 48 is facilitated.

[0046] The third support member 40c and the fourth support member 40d are provided at a position lower than the upper end of the bag 12 housed in the support portion 40 in the standing state. The gripping portion 48 can grip the portion of the bag 12 housed in the support portion 40 in the standing state which protrudes upward from the third support member 40c and the fourth support member 40d.

[0047] Further, the support portion 40 can not be provided with the third support member 40c and the fourth support member 40d. The support portion 40 can not be provided with the upper member 40f.

[0048] Figure 4 Fig. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the gripping portion 48. Figure 5 Fig. 7 is a diagram schematically showing the bag 12 gripped by the gripping portion 48. The gripping portion 48 includes a first gripping member 48a, a second gripping member 48b, a third gripping member 48c, a fourth gripping member 48d, a first arm 48e, a second arm 48f, and an opening and closing portion 54.

[0049] The first gripping member 48a and the second gripping member 48b are portions which grip the upper portion 12a of the bag 12. The first gripping member 48a and the second gripping member 48b are configured to slide in opposite directions by the opening and closing portion 54. The first gripping member 48a and the second gripping member 48b grip and fix the upper portion 12a of the bag 12 by moving in directions approaching each other to close the first gripping member 48a and the second gripping member 48b. The first gripping member 48a and the second gripping member 48b release the grip of the bag 12 by moving in directions away from each other to open the first gripping member 48a and the second gripping member 48b.

[0050] The first gripping member 48a has a protrusion 56 that protrudes toward the second gripping member 48b. The second gripping member 48b has a recess 58 that receives the protrusion 56. The protrusion 56 and the recess 58 are provided at positions opposite to each other. When the first gripping member 48a and the second gripping member 48b are closed, the protrusion 56 is housed inside the recess 58. The upper portion 12a of the bag 12 is fastened to be gripped by being sandwiched between the protrusion 56 and the recess 58. Thus, even if the contents of the bag 12 weigh a large amount, for example, about 3 kg, the bag 12 can be prevented from falling from the gripper 48.

[0051] The third gripping member 48c is located below the first gripping member 48a. The third gripping member 48c is attached to the end of a first arm 48e that extends downward from the first gripping member 48a. The fourth gripping member 48d is located below the second gripping member 48b. The fourth gripping member 48d is attached to the end of a second arm 48f that extends downward from the second gripping member 48b. The third gripping member 48c and the fourth gripping member 48d are configured to move in opposite directions in response to the opening and closing of the first gripping member 48a and the second gripping member 48b by the opening and closing portion 54, and thereby open and close.

[0052] The third gripping member 48c and the fourth gripping member 48d are located beside the central portion of the bag 12 gripped by the first gripping member 48a and the second gripping member 48b. The third gripping member 48c and the fourth gripping member 48d function to stabilize the conveyance of the bag 12 by preventing the bag 12 from rocking in the thickness direction when the gripper 48 is moved. The relative distance d4 of the third gripping member 48c and the fourth gripping member 48d is greater than the relative distance d3 of the first gripping member 48a and the second gripping member 48b. The relative distance d4 of the third gripping member 48c and the fourth gripping member 48d is of the same order as the thickness t1 of the lower portion 12b of the bag 12, and can be greater than the thickness t1 of the lower portion 12b of the bag 12 or can be smaller than the thickness t1 of the lower portion 12b of the bag 12.

[0053] Further, the gripper 48 can not have the third gripping member 48c and the fourth gripping member 48d, and can not have the first arm 48e and the second arm 48f.

[0054] The opening and closing portion 54 is configured to move the first gripping member 48a and the second gripping member 48b to slide, and thereby open and close between the first gripping member 48a and the second gripping member 48b. The opening and closing portion 54 can have, for example, a linear actuator that moves the first gripping member 48a and the second gripping member 48b in opposite directions.

[0055] Figure 6 FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a guide portion 60 provided to the gripper 48. Figure 6A case where the holding portion 48 is shown as moving in the direction indicated by the arrow A toward the bag body 12 supported by the support portion 40 as viewed from above is shown.

[0056] The first holding member 48a can have a guide portion 60, a force applying portion 62. The guide portion 60 is provided at the step of the protrusion 56, and is configured to be inclined toward the protruding direction of the protrusion 56. The guide portion 60 guides the end portion 12c of the bag body 12 between the protrusion 56 and the recess 58 when the holding portion 48 approaches the bag body 12 supported by the support portion 40. In other words, the end portion 12c of the upper portion 12a of the bag body 12 is prevented from hanging at the step of the protrusion 56. The guide portion 60 can be composed of a plate-like member. The force applying portion 62 applies a force to the guide portion 60 toward the protruding direction of the protrusion 56, and maintains the inclination of the guide portion 60. The force applying portion 62 can also be composed of a plate spring or a coil spring, an elastic member such as rubber, or the like.

[0057] Figure 7 A drawing schematically showing the guide portion 60 in a state where the holding portion 48 is closed is shown. The guide portion 60 is sandwiched between the first holding member 48a and the second holding member 48b when the holding portion 48 is closed. The force applying portion 62 is brought into a state where it cannot apply a force to the guide portion 60 due to the pressing force between the first holding member 48a and the second holding member 48b. The guide portion 60 is not inclined toward the protruding direction of the protrusion 56 but follows the surface of the first holding member 48a. Further, when the holding portion 48 is opened, the pressing force between the first holding member 48a and the second holding member 48b is released, and as shown in Figure 6 , the guide portion 60 returns to the state where it is inclined by the force applied by the force applying portion 62.

[0058] Figure 8 A drawing schematically showing the state where the bag body 12 supported by the support portion 40 is held by the holding portion 48 is shown. Figure 8 A case where the bag body 12 is shown as viewed from the side of the state shown in Figure 7 .

[0059] Figure 9 and Figure 10 A drawing schematically showing the configuration of the discharge portion 44 is shown. The discharge portion 44 has the roller pair 50 which opposes in the horizontal direction. As shown in Figure 9 , the empty bag 32 is conveyed to the inlet of the roller pair 50 by the conveying portion 42 in a state where it is held by the holding portion 48. The holding portion 48 releases the holding of the empty bag 32 when the empty bag 32 is sandwiched between the roller pair 50, as shown in Figure 10 . The roller pair 50 compresses the empty bag 32 inserted between the roller pair 50, and discharges it to the outside of the housing 18 from the discharge port 34. Thus, the empty bag 32 can be disposed in the trash can 38 in a state where it is compressed compactly, and it is possible to prevent the empty bag 32 from being disposed in a state where it is undulated.

[0060] The conveying section 42 can release the gripping of the empty bag 32 by the gripping section 48 in conjunction with the movement of the gripping section 48 to the prescribed discharge position. The prescribed discharge position can be set in advance as a position at which the empty bag 32 gripped by the gripping section 48 is inserted between the pair of rollers 50. The conveying section 42 can release the gripping of the empty bag 32 by the gripping section 48 in conjunction with the elapse of a prescribed time (e.g., 1 second or 2 seconds) after the movement of the gripping section 48 to the discharge position. The gripping by the gripping section 48 is released after the elapse of the prescribed time after the movement to the discharge position, so that the empty bag 32 is reliably sandwiched between the pair of rollers 50.

[0061] The conveying section 42 can release the gripping of the empty bag 32 by the gripping section 48 in accordance with the measurement result of the rotational torque of the pair of rollers 50. The conveying section 42 can release the gripping of the empty bag 32 by the gripping section 48 in accordance with the measurement result of the torque sensor provided at the drive section 52 that drives the pair of rollers 50, and detect the rise in the rotational torque caused by the sandwiching of the empty bag 32 in the pair of rollers 50. The conveying section 42 can not release the gripping of the empty bag 32 by the gripping section 48 but output an error when the measurement result of the rotational torque of the pair of rollers 50 exceeds a prescribed reference value. For example, an error can be detected when the rotational torque of the pair of rollers 50 is excessively large due to the fact that the opening of the bag body 12 by the opening section 16 is not properly performed and the dialysis agent remains in the bag body 12.

[0062] The conveying section 42 can release the gripping of the empty bag 32 by the gripping section 48 in conjunction with the detection by the passage sensor provided around the pair of rollers 50. For example, a passage sensor that detects the passage of the empty bag 32 can be provided at the entrance of the pair of rollers 50. The conveying section 42 can release the gripping of the empty bag 32 by the gripping section 48 in conjunction with the elapse of a prescribed time (e.g., 1 second or 2 seconds) after the detection by the passage sensor.

[0063] According to the present embodiment, the bag body 12 can be conveyed with the upper portion 12a of the bag body 12 gripped by the gripping section 40 by supporting the bag body 12 in the standing state. As a result, the reliability of the conveyance can be improved compared to the case in which the bag body 12 is conveyed in the laterally laid state. Further, the bag body 12 can be securely gripped at the time of the opening of the bag body 12 by gripping the upper portion 12a of the bag body 12, and the bag body 12 can be prevented from falling into the dissolving tank 14.

[0064] According to the present embodiment, by sandwiching the opened bag 12 in the roller pair 50 and discharging, the bag 12 can be disposed in a state of being compactly compressed. Further, by disposing the roller pair 50 on the inner side of the discharge port 34 of the housing 18, the conveying mechanism used for discharging the bag 12 does not protrude to the outside of the housing 18, and the overall structure of the device can be compacted. For example, when the bag 12 is conveyed to the trash can 38 in a state of being gripped by the gripping portion 48, there is a necessity to extend the conveying portion 42 above the trash can 38. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the conveying portion 42 does not need to be provided in the space above the trash can 38.

[0065] Figure 11 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the dissolving device 10A of the modification. In the modification, the support portion 40 is disposed in a manner of being inclined with respect to the horizontal direction at the convey-out position 46, which is different from the above-described embodiment. Hereinafter, the modification will be described focusing on the difference from the above-described embodiment, and the description will be appropriately omitted for the common points.

[0066] Figure 12 is a diagram schematically showing the state in which the bag 12 supported by the support portion 40 is gripped by the gripping portion 48 of the modification. In the modification, the support portion 40 disposed at the convey-out position 46 is inclined at a prescribed angle θ with respect to the horizontal direction. The prescribed angle θ is, for example, 10 degrees or more and 45 degrees or less, and is, for example, 15 degrees or more and 30 degrees or less. By inclining the support portion 40, the bag 12 can be disposed in a manner in which the end portion 12c of the upper portion 12a of the bag 12 supported by the support portion 40 protrudes upward.

[0067] The gripping portion 48 can grip the vicinity of the end portion 12c of the upper portion 12a of the bag 12 supported by the support portion 40. In the modification, the gripping portion 48 does not grip the center 12d of the upper portion 12a of the bag 12, but grips a position closer to the end portion 12c than the center 12d. The gripping portion 48 can, for example, grip the bag 12 in an orientation in which the diagonal line of the bag 12 becomes the vertical direction. Thereby, the bag 12 can be gripped in a manner in which the end portion 12e (see Figure 12 ) of the lower portion 12b of the bag 12 protrudes downward. The opening portion 16 can open the end portion 12e of the lower portion 12b of the bag 12, and can promote the discharge of the powder-like dialysis agent accommodated in the bag 12.

[0068] Hereinbefore, the present application has been described according to the embodiments. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the present application is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design changes can be made, various modifications can be made, and the modifications thus obtained are also within the scope of the present application.

[0069] Hereinafter, several aspects of the present application will be described.

[0070] The first aspect of the present invention is a conveying device including: a conveying section having a holding section that holds an upper portion of a bag, and moving the holding section; and a discharge section having a pair of rollers that are opposed to a horizontal direction, and discharging the bag that is inserted between the pair of rollers by the conveying section by rotation of the pair of rollers. According to the first aspect, the bag can be sandwiched by the pair of rollers and discharged, and the bag can be compactly compressed and disposed.

[0071] The second aspect of the present invention is the conveying device according to the first aspect, in which the conveying section releases the holding of the bag by the holding section in conjunction with the movement of the holding section to a prescribed discharge position. According to the second aspect, the handover of the bag from the conveying section to the discharge section can be reliably performed.

[0072] The third aspect of the present invention is the conveying device according to the first aspect, in which the conveying section releases the holding of the bag by the holding section in conjunction with the passage of a prescribed time after the movement of the holding section to a prescribed discharge position. According to the third aspect, the handover of the bag from the conveying section to the discharge section can be more reliably performed.

[0073] The fourth aspect of the present invention is the conveying device according to any one of the first to third aspects, in which the conveying section releases the holding of the bag by the holding section in accordance with a measurement result of a rotation torque of the pair of rollers. According to the fourth aspect, the handover of the bag from the conveying section to the discharge section can be reliably performed.

[0074] The fifth aspect of the present invention is the conveying device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, in which the conveying section releases the holding of the bag by the holding section in conjunction with detection by a sensor that is provided around the pair of rollers. According to the fifth aspect, the handover of the bag from the conveying section to the discharge section can be reliably performed.

[0075] The sixth aspect of the present invention is the conveying device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, in which the pair of rollers is disposed at a discharge port of a housing that accommodates the conveying section. According to the sixth aspect, it is not necessary to provide a discharge mechanism on the outside of the housing, and thus the increase in the size of the device can be suppressed.

[0076] The seventh aspect of the present invention is a dissolving device including: the conveying device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, an opening section that opens a lower portion of the bag held by the holding section, and a dissolving tank that is provided below the opening section and receives a powdered dialysis agent that falls from the opened bag; and the conveying section moves the opened bag from the opening section to the discharge section. According to the seventh aspect, the bag that contains the dialysis agent used in the production of dialysis solution can be compactly compressed and disposed by the pair of rollers after being opened, and the convenience of the operator who produces the dialysis solution can be improved.

[0077] The eighth aspect of the present application is a conveying device including: a support portion that supports a bag containing a powder-like content in an upright state; and a conveying portion that has a gripping portion that grips an upper portion of the bag supported by the support portion and moves the gripping portion from the support portion. According to the eighth aspect, by supporting the bag in the upright state, the powder-like content can be shifted to a lower portion of the bag, and the upper portion of the bag can be thinned. The gripping portion can grip the upper portion of the thinned bag, so that it becomes easy to firmly grip the bag, and the bag can be stably conveyed.

[0078] The ninth aspect of the present application is the conveying device according to the eighth aspect, wherein the gripping portion includes first and second gripping members that oppose each other with the upper portion of the bag interposed therebetween, the first gripping member has a protruding portion that protrudes toward the second gripping member, the second gripping member has a recessed portion that receives the protruding portion, and the upper portion of the bag is interposed between the protruding portion and the recessed portion. According to the ninth aspect, the upper portion of the bag can be gripped by being interposed between the recessed portion and the protruding portion, so that the bag can be firmly gripped, and the bag can be stably conveyed.

[0079] The tenth aspect of the present application is the conveying device according to the ninth aspect, wherein the gripping portion further includes a third gripping member that is positioned below the first gripping member and a fourth gripping member that is positioned below the second gripping member, the third and fourth gripping members oppose each other with a central portion of the bag interposed therebetween, and a distance between the third and fourth gripping members is greater than a distance between the first and second gripping members. According to the tenth aspect, the central portion or the lower portion of the bag can be gripped, and the bag can be more stably conveyed.

[0080] The eleventh aspect of the present application is the conveying device according to the ninth or tenth aspect, wherein the first gripping member has a guide portion that is provided at a step of the protruding portion and is inclined toward a protruding direction of the protruding portion, and a force applying portion that applies a force to the guide portion in the protruding direction of the protruding portion. According to the eleventh aspect, by providing the guide portion, the upper portion of the bag can be guided between the recessed portion and the protruding portion. By providing the force applying portion, the guide portion can be inclined in a state in which the gripping portion is open.

[0081] The twelfth aspect of the present application is the conveying device according to any one of the eighth to eleventh aspects, wherein the supporting section includes first and second supporting members that sandwich the bag in opposition to each other, and third and fourth supporting members that sandwich the bag in opposition to each other above the first and second supporting members, the third and fourth supporting members being closer to each other than the first and second supporting members. According to the twelfth aspect, the lower portion of the bag can be supported by the first and second supporting members, and the bag in the standing state can be prevented from tilting to the side. Further, the upper portion of the thinned bag can be restrained by the third and fourth supporting members that are closer to each other, and the gripping of the upper portion of the bag by the gripping section can be facilitated.

[0082] The thirteenth aspect of the present application is the conveying device according to any one of the eighth to twelfth aspects, wherein the supporting section is capable of supporting the bag in a state in which the bag is inclined to stand, and the gripping section grips an end portion of the bag that protrudes upward and is supported by the supporting section in the inclined state. According to the thirteenth aspect, the end portion of the upper portion of the bag can be gripped, and the bag can be gripped in a manner in which the diagonal line of the bag becomes the vertical direction.

[0083] The fourteenth aspect of the present application is the dissolving device, further comprising: a conveying device according to any one of the eighth to thirteenth aspects, an opening section that opens the lower portion of the bag gripped by the gripping section, and a dissolving tank that is provided below the opening section and receives the powdered dialysis agent that falls from the opened bag; and a conveying section that moves the gripping section between the supporting section and the opening section. According to the fourteenth aspect, the bag containing the dialysis agent used in the production of the dialysis solution can be conveyed to the dissolving tank and opened, and the convenience of the operator who produces the dialysis solution can be improved.

[0084] Explanation of Reference Signs

[0085] 10…dissolving device, 12…bag, 14…dissolving tank, 16…opening section, 18…housing, 20…conveying device, 26…cutter, 28…work space, 30…carry-in port, 32…empty bag, 34…carry-out port, 36…storage section, 40…supporting section, 40a…first supporting member, 40b…second supporting member, 40c…third supporting member, 40d…fourth supporting member, 42…conveying section, 44…discharge section, 46…carry-out position, 48…gripping section, 48a…first gripping member, 48b…second gripping member, 48c…third gripping member, 48d…fourth gripping member, 48e…first arm, 48f…second arm, 50…roller pair, 52…driving section, 54…opening and closing section, 56…projection, 58…recess, 60…guiding section, 62…urging section.

Claims

1. A conveying device, comprising: The support section supports the bag containing the powder in an upright position. as well as The conveying unit has a gripping part that holds the upper part of the bag body supported by the support part, and moves the gripping part from the support part.

2. The conveying device according to claim 1, The gripping part includes a first gripping component and a second gripping component that are positioned opposite each other and clamp the upper part of the bag body. The first gripping member has a protrusion that protrudes toward the second gripping member, and the second gripping member has a recess that receives the protrusion, with the upper part of the bag body sandwiched between the protrusion and the recess.

3. The conveying device according to claim 2, The gripping part further includes a third gripping component located below the first gripping component and a fourth gripping component located below the second gripping component. The third and fourth gripping components are positioned opposite each other, sandwiching the central portion of the bag body. The relative distance between the third gripping component and the fourth gripping component is greater than the relative distance between the first gripping component and the second gripping component.

4. The conveying device according to claim 2, The first gripping member has: a guide portion disposed at the step of the protrusion and inclined in the protruding direction of the protrusion; and a force-applying portion that applies force to the guide portion in the protruding direction of the protrusion.

5. The conveying device according to claim 1, The support portion includes a first support member and a second support member that clamp the bag body opposite to each other; and a third support member and a fourth support member that clamp the bag body opposite to each other above the first support member and the second support member. The relative distance between the third support component and the fourth support component is smaller than the relative distance between the first support component and the second support component.

6. The conveying device according to claim 1, The support portion is capable of supporting the bag body in a tilted, upright position. The gripping part grips the upwardly protruding end of the bag body, which is supported by the supporting part in an inclined state.

7. A dissolving apparatus, further comprising: The conveying device as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, The opening section opens the lower part of the bag body held by the gripping section, and A dissolving tank is located below the opening section to receive the powdered dialysis reagent falling from the opened bag. The conveying section causes the holding section to move between the supporting section and the opening section.

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