Weighing device and weighing container

Abstract

Provided is a measuring device configured to measure a plurality of solid objects and to be attachable to a container body including a storage part for storing the plurality of solid objects and a container opening part for inserting and taking out the plurality of solid objects into and from the storage part, the measuring device including a guide part extending along an opening direction of the container opening part of the container body, the guide part including an alignment space in which the plurality of solid objects discharged through the container opening part from the storage part can be aligned in an extension direction of the guide part, and a partition part configured to partition the alignment space at a partition position halfway in the extension direction and to be able to change the partition position in the extension direction.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-205124, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to a measuring device and a measuring container capable of measuring solid objects, such as tablets.BACKGROUND

[0003] Conventionally, a solid object container is known as a measuring container capable of measuring the required number of solid objects (Patent Document 1). As shown in Fig. 18, this solid object container includes a container 902 for storing solid objects, and an upper cover 901 for covering the container 902. The solid object container also includes a solid object guide 904 into which solid objects roll from the container 902, and a solid object counting pin 903 disposed on the upper cover 901.

[0004] In this solid object container, when the solid objects are moved toward the solid object guide 904 while tilting the container 902, the solid objects roll sequentially along the solid object guide 904. The solid object container is structured such that once solid objects enter the solid object guide 904, they will not bounce out from above even if they exit through a guide inlet. In the vertical movement of the upper cover 901, since one side of the upper cover 901 is of a spring 908 type, the vertical movement of the other side with respect to a fulcrum 913 is maximum, and the closer to the fulcrum 913, the less the vertical movement. In addition, since the length of the solid object counting pin 903 is constant, the solid object guide 904 is inclined so as to match the vertical movement of the upper cover 901.

[0005] The solid object counting pin 903 is structured such that it slides along the arranged solid objects. As shown in Fig. 19, the required number of solid objects is set by the solid object counting pin 903 of the upper cover 901, and the upper cover 901 is pressed down, so that an end of the counting pin 903 passes through an open top side of the solid object guide 904, and pushes between the solid objects and sorts them. At the same time as the completion of the sorting of the solid objects, the upper cover 901 stops at a receiver 910 and a solid object outlet 911 of the upper cover 901 overlaps with a solid object outlet 909 of the container 902 at the same position. Thereby, the required number of solid objects set by the solid object counting pin 903 roll out from the solid object guide 904.CITATION LISTPatent Literature

[0006] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Utility Model Publication No. Sho 60-106965SUMMARYTechnical Problem

[0007] In the solid object container, as described above, the solid objects are moved toward the solid object guide with the container tilted, so that the solid objects roll sequentially along the solid object guide. However, the operation is difficult, and it is difficult to line up the solid objects on the solid object guide, so that the measurement of the solid objects is complicated.

[0008] The present invention is to provide a measuring device and a measuring container that make it easy to measure solid objects.Solution to Problem

[0009] A measuring device as one form of the present invention is a measuring device configured to measure a plurality of solid objects and to be attachable to a container body including a storage part for storing the plurality of solid objects and a container opening part for inserting and taking out the plurality of solid objects into and from the storage part, the measuring device including a guide part extending along an opening direction of the container opening part of the container body, the guide part including an alignment space in which the plurality of solid objects discharged through the container opening part from the storage part can be aligned in an extension direction of the guide part, and a partition part configured to partition the alignment space at a partition position halfway in the extension direction and to be able to change the partition position in the extension direction.

[0010] In the measuring device, a length of the guide part in a width direction orthogonal to the extension direction can be equal to or less than a length in a width direction of the storage part.

[0011] The measuring device can be configured such that an openable and closable outlet part for taking out the plurality of solid objects from the alignment space is provided in a distal end part in the extension direction of the guide part, the partition part is movable between a partition position that partitions the alignment space and a retracted position retracted from the partition position, and the outlet part is openable when the partition part is positioned at the partition position and not openable when the partition part is positioned at the retracted position.

[0012] The measuring device can be configured such that the partition part is fixed at the partition position when the outlet part is in an open state, and is movable between the partition position and the retracted position when the outlet part is in a closed state.

[0013] A measuring container of one form of the present invention includes the above-mentioned measuring device, and a container body including a storage part capable of storing the plurality of solid objects and a container opening part for inserting and taking out the plurality of solid objects into and from the storage part, to which the measuring device is attached.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Fig. 1 is a front view of a measuring container including a measuring device according to a present embodiment. Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the measuring container. Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line V-V in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a front view of the measuring device with an overcap removed, a partition part at the partition position and an outlet opening and closing part open. Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along line VII-VII in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a perspective view for explaining a partition part of the measuring device. Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view of the measuring device with the overcap removed in a state changed from the state of Fig. 5, and with the outlet opening and closing part open. Fig. 10 is a front view of the measuring container with the overcap removed. Fig. 11 is a front view of the measuring container in an upside down position. Fig. 12 is a back view of the measuring container in an upside-down position. Fig. 13 is a front view of the measuring container with the partition part moved to a partition position. Fig. 14 is a back view of the measuring container with the partition part moved to the partition position. Fig. 15 is a front view of the measuring container when a solid object is being taken out. Fig. 16 is a front view of the measuring container according to another embodiment with the overcap removed. Fig. 17 is a cross sectional view taken along line XVII-XVII in Fig. 16. Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram of the conventional solid object container before measuring. Fig. 19 is a schematic diagram of the solid object container showing the solid object container during measuring. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 15. The measuring container according to this embodiment is used when preparing the required number of solid objects such as tablets. Potential users are parents of pediatric patients who handle solid objects (e.g., tablets) on a daily basis. Note that the tablets and other solid objects are approximately the same size. Moreover, the solid objects in this embodiment have substantially the same shape.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 1, a measuring container 1 includes a container body 2 for storing solid objects, and a measuring device 3 that can be attached to the container body 2. In this embodiment, the measuring container 1 has an elongated shape (pen-type). Hereinafter, the side of the measuring container 1 in the container body 2 (lower side in Fig. 1) will be referred to as a "proximal end side", and the side of the measuring container 1 opposite the container body 2 (upper side in Fig. 1) will be referred to as a "distal end side".

[0017] As shown in Fig. 2, the container body 2 is a member including a storage part 20 for storing solid objects, and a container opening part 21 for inserting and taking out the solid objects into and from the storage part 20. For example, the container body 2 is a bottle.

[0018] The storage part 20 includes a disk-shaped bottom part 201, a body part 202 that is a peripheral wall extending upward from the periphery of the bottom part 201, and a shoulder part 203 that connects an upper end edge of the body part 202 to a lower end edge of the container opening part 21. The body part 202 is, for example, cylindrical. The shoulder part 203 has a shape in which a distal end of the shoulder part 203 has a shape corresponding to the shape of an attachment part of the measuring device 3 to the container body 2. The shoulder part 203 has a shape in which the thickness on the distal end side is small, for example. An upper surface 204 of the shoulder part 203 is, for example, a surface that is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, but may also be a flat surface. Although the storage part 20 has a bottomed cylindrical shape, it may have a bottomed flattened tubular shape.

[0019] The container opening part 21 is an entrance opening for inserting and taking out solid objects as contents into and from the container body 2. The container opening part 21 is substantially cylindrical. Further, the container opening part 21 protrudes outward from the storage part 20 (straight outward in this embodiment). Specifically, the container opening part 21 protrudes upward from the shoulder part 203 of the storage part 20. More specifically, the container opening part 21 opens vertically upward relative to the bottom part 201. The container opening part 21 includes a cylindrical opening body 210 and a protruding ridge 211 disposed around the opening body 210. A threaded part may be disposed around the opening body 210 instead of the protruding ridge 211.

[0020] The opening body 210 of this embodiment is, for example, cylindrical with a uniform diameter. An edge 212 located on the top side of the opening body 210 defines an opening 213 of the container opening part 21.

[0021] The measuring device 3 is configured to measure a plurality of solid objects. The measuring device 3 is a device capable of measuring and taking out a predetermined number of solid objects from among the plurality of solid objects stored in the container body 2. The measuring device 3 is provided extending along the opening direction of the container opening part 21 of the container body 2 (the vertical direction in Fig. 2 ). The measuring device 3 includes a guide part 4 having an alignment space 40 in which solid objects discharged from the storage part 20 through the container opening part 21 can be aligned in the extension direction of the guide part 4, and a partition part 50 that partitions the alignment space 40. Further, the measuring device 3 of this embodiment includes a movable part 5 having the partition part 50. The measuring device 3 also includes an outlet opening and closing part 6 that is attached to the guide part 4. The measuring device 3 includes an overcap 7 that can be attached to the guide part 4 to protect the guide part 4 and the movable part 5.

[0022] An openable and closable outlet part 8 for taking out solid objects from the alignment space 40 is provided at the distal end of the guide part 4 in the extension direction. In this embodiment, the outlet part 8 is composed of an outlet opening 413 of the guide part 4, which will be described later, and the outlet opening and closing part 6.

[0023] Hereinafter, the direction in which the guide part 4 extends (extension direction), the opening direction of the container opening part 21, the length (height) direction of the container opening part 21, and the extension direction of the container opening part 21 (the vertical direction in Fig. 1 to Fig. 3, Fig. 5 to Fig. 6, and Fig. 8 to Fig. 15) will be simply referred to as the "vertical direction".

[0024] The guide part 4 is a member that aligns solid objects in the alignment space 40 (see Fig. 2). The guide part 4 is columnar and has a front side, a back side, and lateral sides, and the alignment space 40 is formed in the center. The length of the guide part 4 in a width direction (horizontal direction in Fig. 2 ) orthogonal to the vertical direction is, for example, equal to or less than the length of the container body 2 in the width direction. In this embodiment, the length of the guide part 4 in the width direction is substantially equal to the diameter of the storage part 20. The length of the guide part 4 in the width direction may be longer than the length of the storage part 20 in the width direction.

[0025] For example, the guide part 4 has a columnar part 41 formed in a columnar shape extending longitudinally in the vertical direction with the alignment space 40 formed in the center thereof, one side part 42 extending from the columnar part 41 to one side in the width direction (the right side in Fig. 2), and an other side part 43 extending from the columnar part 41 to the other side in the width direction (the left side in Fig. 2). The guide part 4 also has an inlet opening 411 through which solid objects enter the alignment space 40 from the container body 2, and the outlet opening 413 through which solid objects exit the alignment space 40 to the outside.

[0026] In this embodiment, the columnar part 41 has an inlet opening 411 at a proximal end 410 of the columnar part 41 and the outlet opening 413 at a distal end 412 of the columnar part 41. In addition to the alignment space 40, the columnar part 41 has a plurality of first holes 44 formed on the front side thereof corresponding to the alignment space 40.

[0027] The alignment space 40 is a space in which the solid objects are aligned in a vertical line. As shown in Fig. 5, the alignment space 40 is a round hole that penetrates the columnar part 41 from the upper side (outlet opening 413) to the lower side (inlet opening 411). The diameter of the alignment space 40 is uniform in a part on the inner side other than the proximal end 410 of the columnar part 41, and is slightly larger than the diameter of the solid objects. Further, the diameter of the alignment space 40 at a part provided at the proximal end 410 of the columnar part 41 becomes larger toward the proximal end. This makes it easier for the solid objects to roll into the alignment space 40 from the outlet opening 413. The alignment space 40 may be a hole of another shape other than a round hole, such as a rectangular hole in cross section. In this embodiment, the alignment space 40 extends in a central area of the columnar part 41.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 8, the first holes 44 are holes through which the partition part 50 of the movable part 5 enters and exits. In this embodiment, the first holes 44 are holes that extend in the width direction and allow the partition part 50 to move between a partition position and a retracted position described below in the state where the partition part 50 is inserted. The first holes 44 are perpendicular holes each recessed from the front side to the back side. That is, the first holes 44 have bottoms on the back side and open to the front side.

[0029] Further, first walls 440 each are provided between adjacent ones of the first holes 44. As shown in Fig. 4, the first walls 440 each are cut out at a position overlapping with the alignment space 40. Specifically, the first walls 440 each have one side part in the width direction that is a cutout part 441 cut out by the alignment space 40, and an other side part in the width direction that is a wall part 442 without a cutout. That is, the plurality of first holes 44 communicate with each other through the alignment space 40. The plurality of (for example, 16) first holes 44 are arranged in the columnar part 41 at intervals in the vertical direction (see Fig. 8). The first holes 44 may be a single hole extending in the vertical direction.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 5, the proximal end 410 of the columnar part 41 is a container attachment part at which the guide part 4 is attached to the container body 2. The measuring device 3 is attached to the container body 2 by engaging the proximal end 410 of the columnar part 41 with the container opening part 21. The overcap 7 is also attached to this proximal end 410.

[0031] In this embodiment, the proximal end 410 of the columnar part 41 has an inner cylindrical part 414 and an outer cylindrical part 415 that surrounds the inner cylindrical part 414. An inner periphery of the inner cylindrical part 414 is provided with a circumferentially continuous recess 416. The protruding ridge 211 of the container opening part 21 engages with the recess 416 of the inner cylindrical part 414, whereby the measuring device 3 is attached to the container body 2. The overcap 7 is fitted onto the outer cylindrical part 415.

[0032] The one side part 42 has a plurality of second holes 45 provided on one side in the width direction (see Fig. 8). A part on one side in the width direction of the one side part 42 serves as a retention fitted part 46 having a curved shape.

[0033] The second holes 45 each are a hole through which a locking part 54 of the movable part 5, which will be described later, enters and exits. The second holes 45 are open to the front side and also to one side in the width direction. Further, second walls 450 each are provided between adjacent ones of the second holes 45. For example, a plurality of (for example, 12) second holes 45 are arranged in the vertical direction on the one side part 42.

[0034] The other side part 43 has a movement guide part 47 that guides the movement of the movable part 5 (see Fig. 2). In this embodiment, the other side part 43 has the movement guide part 47 that is a rod-shaped part extending in the vertical direction, a proximal end support part 430 that supports a proximal end of the movement guide part 47, and a distal end support part 431 that supports a distal end of the movement guide part 47 (see Fig. 5 and Fig. 6).

[0035] The movable part 5 is a member that is movable relative to the guide part 4 while being attached to the guide part 4. In this embodiment, the movable part 5 has an operation part 51 that can be moved in the width direction by a user's operation, and a position movement part 52 that can be moved in the vertical direction (see Fig. 6 and Fig. 8). In this movable part 5, the operation part 51 and the position movement part 52 are separate members, and the movable part 5 is configured by combining these members.

[0036] The operation part 51 is a substantially rectangular plate-shaped member. Further, for example, an arrow indicating the direction (width direction) of the user's operation is provided on a surface (front surface) of the operation part 51 (see Fig. 1). In this embodiment, the operation part 51 has a substantially flat plate part 53 on which the partition part 50 is provided, and a locking part 54 provided on the plate part 53 (see Fig. 8).

[0037] The partition part 50 is a protrusion that protrudes backwards from the other end part in the width direction of an upper end part of the back surface (surface on the back side) of the plate part 53. The partition part 50 is configured to partition the alignment space 40 at a partition position midway in the extension direction, and the partition position is changeable in the extension direction (see Fig. 5). In this embodiment, the partition part 50 is insertable into each of the first holes 44, and is disposed in the alignment space 40 while being inserted into the first hole 44, thereby partitioning the alignment space 40 at the partition position.

[0038] The partition part 50 is configured to be movable between a partitioning position (position indicated by a two-dot chain line in Fig. 5) where it partitions the alignment space 40, and a retracted position (position indicated by a solid line in Fig. 5) retracted from the partitioning position. In this embodiment, the partition part 50 is movable between the partition position and the retracted position by sliding in the width direction while being inserted into the first hole 44. Specifically, when the partition part 50 is positioned at the partition position, it overlaps with the cutout part 441 of the first wall 440 in the vertical direction and is positioned within the alignment space 40 in the cutout part 441, and when the partition part 50 is positioned at the retracted position, it overlaps with the wall part 442 of the first wall 440 in the vertical direction and is positioned outside the alignment space 40. In addition, as shown in Fig. 9, the partition part 50 is fixed at the partition position when the outlet part 8 is in an open state, and as shown in Fig. 5, the partition part 50 is configured to be movable between the partition position and the retracted position when the outlet part 8 is in a closed state.

[0039] The locking part 54 functions as an opening and closing lock engagement part that locks the opening and closing of the outlet part 8, and as a partition lock engagement part that locks the position fixing of the partition part 50. The locking part 54 is a protrusion that protrudes backwards from the one end part in the width direction of a lower end part of the back surface (surface on the back side) of the plate part 53 (see Fig. 8).

[0040] The position movement part 52 is a member that moves in the vertical direction to determine into which of the plurality of the first holes 44 the partition part 50 is to be inserted. Further, the position movement part 52 is a member that can be attached to and detached from the guide part 4. For example, the position movement part 52 has a flat plate part 520 having a substantially flat plate shape, a retention fitting part 521 extending from one end part of the flat plate part 520 in the width direction (the right end part in Fig. 4), and a fixing part 522 extending from the other end part of the flat plate part 520 in the width direction (the left end part in Fig. 4). The retention fitting part 521 curves and extends from the one end part of the flat plate part 520 toward the back side. The fixing part 522 extends from the other end part of the flat plate part 520 to the back surface, and when viewed in the vertical direction, the extending end part (the end part located on the back side) is C-shaped with an opening facing backwards. Further, the position movement part 52 has an auxiliary engagement part 523 provided on the flat plate part 520 (see Fig. 8). The auxiliary engagement part 523 is a protrusion that protrudes backwards from the center in the width direction of the vertical center part of the back surface (the surface on the back side) of the plate part 520.

[0041] In this embodiment, the position movement part 52 is fixed to the other side part 43 (the left end part in Fig. 1) of the guide part 4 and is attachable to and detachable from the one side part 42 (the right end part in Fig. 1) of the guide part 4. Specifically, the fixing part 522 is fixed while being fitted in the movement guide part 47 of the guide part 4, and the retention fitting part 521 is attachable to and detachable from the retention fitted part 46 of the one side part 42 of the guide part 4.

[0042] The position movement part 52 is guided by the movement guide part 47 and can slide in the vertical direction in a state where the retention fitting part 521 is in a freely movable state relative to the one side part 42 of the guide part 4 (see Fig. 8). Further, the retention fitting part 521 moves from a freely movable position relative to the one side part 42 of the guide part 4 to the back side by rotating about the movement guide part 47 of the guide part 4 as an axis, and comes into fitting engagement with the retention fitted part 46 of the one side part 42 of the guide part 4 from the outside in the width direction, so that the position movement part 52 is attached to the guide part 4. As the retention fitting part 521 moves to the back side, the operating part 51 also moves to the back side, so that the partition part 50 is inserted into one of the first holes 44 of the guide part 4. Thereby, the position movement part 52 cannot move in the vertical direction when attached to the guide part 4. In this embodiment, in addition to inserting the partition part 50 into the first hole 44, the auxiliary engagement part 523 is also inserted into one of the first holes 44, making it impossible for the position movement part 52 to move in the vertical direction when attached to the guide part 4.

[0043] In this embodiment, once the position movement part 52 is attached to the guide part 4, it is difficult to come off. For example, the position movement part 52 is attached by a retention locking structure that retains the state where the position movement part 52 is attached to the guide part 4. Specifically, the retention locking structure is composed of a curved retention fitting part 521 on a free end side (the right end side in Fig. 8) of the position movement part 52 and the one side part 42 of the guide part 4, specifically, a curved retention fitted part 46 on the width end part of the guide part 4. This retention locking structure functions as part of a measuring number locking structure that fixes the measuring number in the measuring device 3.

[0044] This measuring number lock structure is a structure that combines not only a retention locking structure, but also an insertion structure in which the partition part 50 is inserted into the first hole 44 (a structure in which the partition part 50 cannot move in the vertical direction when inserted into the first hole 44). This measuring number lock structure allows a pharmacist to attach the position movement part 52 to the guide part 4 at a certain position and fix the measuring number. This prevents a patient from tampering with the measuring number.

[0045] In this embodiment, the thickness of the retention fitting part 521 of the position movement part 52 is uniform, but the extending end part of the retention fitting part 521 may be configured to be thicker than the other part. The retention fitting part 521 having a thicker extended end part is less likely to come off the retention fitted part 46 of the guide part 4.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 6, the outlet opening and closing part 6 is a member that covers the outlet opening 413 of the guide part 4. In this embodiment, the outlet opening and closing part 6 has a plate-shaped outlet closing part 60 that closes the outlet opening 413, a tray body 61 that temporarily stores the measured solid objects, and a locked part 62 located at an end part on one side in the width direction of the tray body 61 (see Fig. 2). The outlet opening and closing part 6 also has a grip part 63 provided at the distal end part of the tray body 61.

[0047] The outlet closing part 60 is a part that functions as a lid for the outlet opening 413 of the guide part 4. The outlet closing part 60 extends from the distal end edge of the tray bottom 610.

[0048] The tray body 61 has a tray bottom 610, and one side part 611 and an other side part 612 rising respectively from both sides of the tray bottom 610 toward the front side. The locked part 62 is provided on the leading end side (the leading end side of the rising part) of the one side part 611 of the tray bottom part 610. When the tray body 61 is used as a tray for receiving solid objects, the solid objects roll into a space surrounded by the tray body 61, which has a shape like a rain gutter (a curved shape with a convex toward the back side), and the outlet closing part 60. In this embodiment, an outer surface of the grip part 63 is provided with a slip stopper to make it easier for the user to hook the fingers.

[0049] The locked part 62 is a protrusion that can come into contact with the locking part 54 of the movable part 5. The locked part 62 also functions as an opening and closing lock engaged part that locks the opening and closing of the outlet part 8, and as a partition lock engaged part that is fixed in position by the partition part 50 locked against the positional movement. In this embodiment, the locked part 62 is a protrusion that protrudes outward in the width direction from the leading end (leading end of the rising part) of the one side part 611 of the tray body 61. Further, a plurality of (for example, 14) locked parts 62 are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction.

[0050] The vertical length of each of the protrusions 62 which are the locked parts 62 is substantially the same as the length of the second wall 450 between the second holes 45 (see Fig. 5) in the vertical direction. The vertical distance between the protrusions 62 is substantially the same as the vertical length of the second hole 45. Further, the vertical length of each of the protrusions 62 is greater than the vertical length of each of the second holes 45. Further, as shown in Fig. 9, when the outlet part 8 is in an open state, the locked parts 62 are located at positions that overlap with the second holes 45 of the guide part 4 in the width direction, and specifically, one locked part 62 is located in each of the second holes 45. In this way, when the outlet opening and closing part 6 closes the outlet opening 413, the locked parts 62 are located on the inner side in the width direction of the second walls 450 and open the second holes 45 (see Fig. 5), and when the outlet opening and closing part 6 opens the outlet opening 413, the locked parts 62 are located on the inner side in the width direction of the second holes 45 and restrict the inward movement in the width direction of the locking part 54 at the second hole 45 (Fig. 6).

[0051] The positional relationship of the respective components of the measuring device 3 will be described below by taking, for example, a state in which the outlet part 8 is closed and the partition part 50 of the operation part 51 does not partition the alignment space 40. In this measuring device 3, as shown in Fig. 4, the tray bottom 610 of the tray body 61 is disposed on the back side of the columnar part 41 of the guide part 4. Further, the one side part 611 in the width direction of the tray body 61 is disposed on the back side of the one side part 42 of the guide part 4. Further, as shown in Fig. 5, the row of the second holes 45 overlaps the row of the locked parts 62. Further, the other side part 612 in the width direction of the tray body 61 is disposed on the back side of the other side part 43 of the guide part 4 (see Fig. 4).

[0052] The fixed part 522 is fitted into the movement guide part 47 of the other side part 43 of the guide part 4 so that the position movement part 52 is engaged therewith so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. The curved retention fitting part 521 of the position movement part 52 is engaged and locked into the curved retention fitted part 46 of the one side part 42 of the guide part 4 from the outside in the width direction. In this way, in the state where the outlet part 8 is closed and the partition part 50 of the operation part 51 does not partition the alignment space 40, the partition part 50 is inserted into the first hole 44 and positioned opposite the wall part 442 of the first wall 440, as shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. Further, the locking part 54 of the operation part 51 is inserted into the second hole 45 and inserted between the locked parts 62 (protrusions) of the tray body 61.

[0053] In this embodiment, portions of the columnar part 41 of the guide part 4 and the part (for example, the bottom part 610) of the outlet opening and closing part 6 which overlap with the alignment space 40 of the tray body 61 are transparent so that the measured number of solid objects can be seen. The entire columnar part 41 and the entire tray body 61 may be transparent.

[0054] The overcap 7 is a member that protects the guide part 4, the movable part 5, and the outlet opening and closing part 6 (see Fig. 1). The overcap 7 which protects the guide part 4 and the outlet opening and closing part 6 connected to the container body 2 ensures moisture-proofing of the inside of the container body 2. The overcap 7 in this embodiment is cylindrical with its top part closed by a top surface. Specifically, the overcap 7 includes a cap tube part 70 having a flat cylindrical shape, and a cap top plate 71 (see Fig. 2).

[0055] The cap tube part 70 is a part that protects the lateral sides of the guide part 4, the movable part 5, and the lateral side parts of the outlet opening and closing part 6. The cap top plate 71 is a part that protects the distal end part of the guide part 4 and the distal end part of the outlet opening and closing part 6.

[0056] The outlet part 8 can be opened when the partition part 50 is at the partition position (see Fig. 6 and Fig. 9), and cannot be opened when the partition part 50 is at the retracted position (see Fig. 5 and Fig. 10). In this embodiment, the outlet part 8 is fixed in the closed state when the partition part 50 is at the retracted position.

[0057] The movements of the respective members of the measuring device 3 will now be described. In the state where the outlet part 8 is closed and the partition part 50 of the movable part 5 does not partition the alignment space 40, the partition part 50 is at a retracted position but is movable in the width direction, as shown in Fig. 5. At this time, since the locking part 54 of the movable part 5 is positioned between adjacent ones of the locked parts 62 of the outlet opening and closing part 6, the tray body 61 of the outlet opening and closing part 6 is fixed in the closed state, and the outlet opening and closing part 6 cannot be opened. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 3, the opening and closing lock engagement part of the operation part 51 (locking part 54 in this embodiment) engages with the opening and closing lock engaged part of the outlet opening and closing part 6 (locked part 62 in this embodiment) to restrict movement of the outlet opening and closing part 6 toward the opening side (distal end side). For example, the locking part 54 abuts against the surface (lower surface 620) of the locked part 62 facing the proximal end side to restrict movement of the outlet opening and closing part 6 toward the opening side (distal end side).

[0058] From this state, the operation part 51 slides in the width direction relative to the position movement part 52, thereby performing an operation to move the partition part 50 from the retracted position to the partition position, that is, perform a partition operation of the partition part 50. Then, the partition part 50 partitions the alignment space 40, and the locking part 54 moves to a position separated from a gap between the locked parts 62 in the second holes 45 toward the outside in the width direction (see Fig. 5). This allows the tray body 61 of the outlet opening and closing part 6 to move, and the outlet opening and closing part 6 to be opened.

[0059] Further, the tray body 61 of the outlet opening and closing part 6 is moved to the distal end side to open the outlet part 8. Thereby, as shown in Fig. 9, the partition lock engaged part (locked part 62) of the outlet opening and closing part 6 moves inward of the partition lock engaging part (locking part 54) in the width direction to restrict the inward movement of the locking part 54 in the widthwise direction. Thereby, the movement of the partition part 50 is restricted and the partition part 50 is fixed at the partition position, that is, a locking operation is performed to fix the position of the partition part 50. Specifically, the partition lock engaging part (locking part 54) engages with the partition lock engaged part (locked part 62) of the outlet opening and closing part 6 to restrict movement of the operation part 51 to the retracted position. For example, the locking part 54 cannot move further inward than the position where it abuts against the surface (outer surface 621) of the locked part 62 facing outward in the width direction, thereby restricting movement of the operation part 51 to the retracted position.

[0060] Next, one embodiment of a method of using the measuring device 3 will be described.

[0061] First, a pharmacist or the like prepares the measuring device 3 with the measuring amount fixed based on the prescription. For example, the pharmacist selects the number of doses to be measured in the measuring device 3 by selecting the partitioning position of the alignment space 40 by the partition part 50. Specifically, the movable part 5 is operated to move the position movement part 52 in the vertical direction, so that the partition position of the partition part 50 corresponds to the prescription. More specifically, the position movement part 52 is moved so that the number of solid objects stored in the space located on the distal end side of the partition part 50 in the alignment space 40 corresponds to the prescription. For example, based on the prescription such as "take three tablets at a time, morning and evening, for 10 days," the pharmacist moves the position movement part 52 in the vertical direction so that the number of solid objects stored in the space on the distal end side partitioned by the partition part 50 of the alignment space 40 becomes "3," the number according to the prescription.

[0062] Next, the pharmacist fixes the position movement part 52 to the guide part 4. In addition, when the position movement part 52 is fixed to the guide part 4, the above-mentioned retention locking structure makes it difficult for the position movement part 52 to come off the retention fitted part 46 of the guide part 4. Further, unless the position movement part 52 is removed from the guide unit 4, the measuring number cannot be changed.

[0063] The pharmacist places a plurality of solid objects into the container body 2 based on the prescription. For example, the pharmacist places 60 tablets into the container body 2 based on the above prescription.

[0064] Finally, the pharmacist attaches the overcap 7 to the measuring device 3 with the partition part 50 at the retracted position. In this way, with the container body 2 attached to the measuring device 3, the measuring container 1 with a fixed measuring number of the partition part 50 is prepared.

[0065] When a user such as a patient takes a tablet, as shown in Fig. 10, the overcap 7 is removed from the measuring device 3, and the measuring container 1 (the container body 2 with the measuring device 3 attached) is turned upside down, as shown in Fig. 11 and Fig. 12. This causes the tablets to enter the alignment space 40 from the container body 2 through the inlet opening 411. The user can visually recognize the tablets aligned in the alignment space 40 through the transparent portions of the columnar part 41 of the guide part 4 and the tray body 61 of the outlet opening and closing part 6. At this time, the partition part 50 is located at the retracted position. Moreover, the outlet part 8 is fixed in position while being in the closed state. In this embodiment, the opening and closing lock engagement part (locking part 54) of the operation part 51 engages with the opening and closing lock engaged part (locked part 62) of the outlet opening and closing part 6 to restrict movement of the outlet opening and closing part 6 toward the opening side (distal end side) (see Fig. 5).

[0066] Further, when the user operates the operation part 51 to move it in the width direction, thereby moving the partition part 50 from the retracted position to the partition position, as shown in Fig. 13 and Fig. 14, the partition part 50 enters the alignment space 40 to partition the alignment space 40 into a space on the distal end side and a space on the proximal end side. This allows a fixed number of tablets (e.g., 3) to be measured out. The user can visually recognize the measured number through the transparent portions of the columnar part 41 of the guide part 4 and the tray body 61 of the outlet opening and closing part 6.

[0067] The outlet part 8 is in the closed state in Fig. 13 and Fig. 14, and as the operation part 51 moves in the width direction, the opening and closing lock engagement part (locking part 54) of the operation part 51 moves to a position separated from a gap between the locked parts 62 (protrusions) of the tray body 61 to the outside in the width direction within the second holes 45, as shown by the dotted line in Fig. 5. This releases the engagement of the opening and closing lock engagement part (locking part 54) with the opening and closing lock engaged part (locked part 62) of the outlet opening and closing part 6, making it possible for the outlet opening and closing part 6 to move toward the opening side (distal end side) (see Fig. 5).

[0068] After the user has confirmed the measuring of the tablets, he or she opens the outlet part 8, as shown in Fig. 15. In this state, the user can take the measured tablets (for example, three tablets) out from the measuring container 1. In the measuring container 1 of this embodiment, the tray body 61 of the outlet opening and closing part 6 also serves as a receiving tray, so that the measured tablets can be prevented from becoming damp without the need for a separate receiving tray because of the configuration in which the tablets are allowed to be picked up from the tray body 61 by hand.

[0069] Further, in this state, the partition lock engagement part (locking part 54) of the operation part 51 engages with the partition lock engaged part (locked part 62) of the outlet opening and closing part 6, thereby restricting movement of the operation part 51 to the retracted position (see Fig. 9).

[0070] According to the above-described measuring device 3, as shown in Fig. 12, by positioning the container body 2, to which the measuring device 3 is attached, to allow the opening direction of the container opening part 21 to face downward, the solid objects in the storage part 20 can be discharged through the container opening part 21 into the guide part 4 and aligned in the alignment space 40. Further, as shown in Fig. 13, the space can be partitioned by the partition part 50 at a partitioning position that provides a certain measuring number, so that the solid objects can be easily measured.

[0071] In the measuring device 3 of this embodiment, the length in the width direction of the guide part 4 does not extend beyond the length in the width direction of the storage part 20, so that the measuring container 1 in which the measuring device 3 is attached to the container body 2, can be made compact in shape.

[0072] Further, in the measuring device 3 of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, the outlet part 8 can be opened by setting the partition part 50 to the partition position, and the outlet part 8 can be prevented from being opened by setting the partition part 50 to the retracted position. Therefore, the solid objects aligned in the alignment space 40 can be taken out by the amount partitioned by the partition part 50, and when the space is not partitioned by the partition part 50, it is possible to prevent the outlet part 8 from being opened erroneously to discharge a solid object.

[0073] Further, in the measuring device 3 of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 9, the partition part 50 is fixed at the partition position when the outlet part 8 is in the open state. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the partition part 50 from being erroneously moved from the partition position when the outlet part 8 is in the open state. On the other hand, when the outlet part 8 is in the closed state, the partition part 50 can be moved to a different position, so that the alignment space 40 can be brought into a non-partitioned state or to a partitioned state.

[0074] In the measuring device 3 of this embodiment, the outlet opening 413 of the guide part 4 can be protected by the outlet closing part 60. Further, since the tray body 61 functions as a tray for the solid objects, it is convenient as there is no need to prepare a separate tray, and the measured solid objects can be prevented from becoming damp since they can be picked up by hand.

[0075] The measuring device and the measuring container of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is a matter of course that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the configuration of one embodiment can be added to the configuration of another embodiment, and part of the configuration of one embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment. Further, part of the configuration of an embodiment may be omitted.

[0076] In the measuring container 1 of the above embodiment, the outlet part 8 is configured so as not to be openable when the partition part 50 is positioned at the retracted position, and the partition part 50 is configured so as to be fixed at the partition position when the outlet part 8 is in the open state. However, for example, as shown in Fig. 16, the measuring container 1 does not have to have such a configuration. In this measuring container 1, the movement guide part 47, which guides the movement of the movable part 5, is composed of both ends in the width direction of the guide part 4. Further, the second holes 45 are not disposed in the columnar part 41.

[0077] Further, in the measuring container 1 shown in Fig. 16, the operation part 51 and the position movement part 52 are separate members, and the movable part 5 is configured by combining these members. As shown in Fig. 17, the position movement part 52 includes a shaft part 55 along the width direction, and the operation part 51 includes a bearing part 510, which is fitted onto the shaft part 55. Thereby, the operation part 51 is attached to the position movement part 52 so as to be rotatable around the shaft part 55. The partition part 50 provided on the operation part 51 moves between the retracted position and the partition position by the rotation of the operation part 51. That is, in the movable part 5, by pressing the operation part 51, the operation part 51 rotates around the shaft part 55 so as to approach the alignment space 40, and the partition part 50 moves from the retracted position to the partition position. In this way, in the measuring container 1 (measuring device 3) shown in Fig. 16 and Fig. 17, instead of sliding in the width direction relative to the position movement part 52, the operation part 51 rotates around the shaft part 55 to perform the partitioning operation of the partition part 50.

[0078] Even in this configuration, by positioning the container body 2 with the measuring device 3 attached thereto to have the opening direction of the container opening part 21 facing downward, the solid objects in the storage part 20 can be discharged through the container opening part 21 into the guide part and aligned within the alignment space 40. Further, since the space can be partitioned by the partition part 50 at a partitioning position that provides a certain measuring number, the solid objects can be easily measured.

[0079] In the measuring container 1 of the above embodiment, the solid objects are vertically aligned in a single row in the alignment space 40, but they may be aligned in multiple rows. In the configuration in which the solid objects are aligned in multiple rows in the alignment space 40, the alignment space 40 can be partitioned into multiple spaces aligned in the width direction. In the configuration in which the alignment space 40 is partitioned into a plurality of spaces aligned in the width direction, one partition part 50 can partition the plurality of alignment spaces, or a plurality of partition parts can be provided, with each partition part partitioning each of the alignment spaces.

[0080] The measuring device 3 only needs to include the movable part 5 having the partition part 50 and the guide part 4, and may not include at least one of the outlet opening and closing part 6 and the overcap 7, and the like.

[0081] Further, the outlet opening and closing part 6 does not necessarily have to include at least one of the tray body 61 and the locked part 62, as long as the outlet opening and closing part 6 includes the outlet closing part 60 that closes the outlet opening 413 of the guide part 4. For example, the outlet opening and closing part 6 can be composed of only a simple lid that closes the outlet opening 413.

[0082] A measuring device of the present invention is configured to measure a plurality of solid objects and to be attachable to a container body including a storage part for storing the plurality of solid objects and a container opening part for inserting and taking out the plurality of solid objects into and from the storage part, the measuring device including a guide part extending along an opening direction of the container opening part of the container body, the guide part including an alignment space in which the plurality of solid objects discharged through the container opening part from the storage part can be aligned in an extension direction of the guide part, and a partition part configured to partition the alignment space at a partition position halfway in the extension direction and to be able to change the partition position in the extension direction.

[0083] According to this configuration, by positioning the container body with the measuring device attached thereto to have the opening direction of the container opening part facing downward, the solid object in the storage part can be discharged through the container opening part into the guide part and aligned in the alignment space, so that the alignment space can be partitioned by the partition part at a partition position that provides a predetermined measuring number. Therefore, the solid objects can be easily measured.

[0084] In the measuring device, a length of the guide part in a width direction orthogonal to the extension direction can be equal to or less than a length in a width direction of the storage part.

[0085] According to this configuration, the length in the width direction length of the guide part does not extend beyond the length in the width direction of the storage part, so that the measuring container in which the measuring device is attached to the container body can be made compact in shape.

[0086] The measuring device can be configured such that an openable and closable outlet part for taking out the plurality of solid objects from the alignment space is provided in a distal end part in the extension direction of the guide part, the partition part is movable between a partition position that partitions the alignment space and a retracted position retracted from the partition position, and the outlet part is openable when the partition part is positioned at the partition position and not openable when the partition part is positioned at the retracted position.

[0087] According to this configuration, the outlet part can be opened by setting the partition part at the partition position, and the outlet part can be prevented from being opened by setting the partition part at the retracted position. Therefore, only the number of the solid objects partitioned in the alignment space in which the solid objects are aligned can be taken out, and it is possible to prevent the outlet part from being opened erroneously to discharge the solid objects when the space is not partitioned by the partition part.

[0088] The measuring device can be configured such that the partition part is fixed at the partition position when the outlet part is in an open state, and is movable between the partition position and the retracted position when the outlet part is in a closed state.

[0089] According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the partition part from being moved erroneously from the partition position when the outlet part is in the open state. On the other hand, when the outlet part is in the closed state, the partition part can be moved to a different position so that the alignment space is either unpartitioned or partitioned.

[0090] A measuring container of the present invention includes the above-mentioned measuring device, and a container body including a storage part capable of storing the plurality of solid objects and a container opening part for inserting and taking out the plurality of solid objects into and from the storage part, to which the measuring device is attached.

[0091] According to this configuration, by positioning the container body with the measuring device attached thereto to have the opening direction of the container opening part facing downward, the solid objects in the storage part can be discharged through the container opening part into the guide part and aligned in the alignment space, and the alignment space can be partitioned at the partition position that provides a certain measuring number, so that the solid objects can be easily measured.REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0092] 1: Measuring container 2: Container body 3: Measuring device 4: Guide part 5: Movable part 6: Outlet opening and closing part 7: Overcap 8: Outlet part 20: Storage part 21: Container opening part 40: Alignment space 41: Columnar part 42: One side part 43: Other side part 44: First hole 45: Second hole, 46: Retention fitted part 47: Movement guide part 50: Partition part 51: Operation part 52: Position moving part 53: Plate part 54: Locking part 55: Shaft part 60: Outlet closing part 61: Tray body, 62: Locked part 63: Grip part 70: Cap tube part 71: Cap top plate 201: Bottom part 202: Body part 203: Shoulder part 204: Upper surface 210: Opening body 211: Protruding ridge 212: Edge 213: Opening 410: Proximal end 411: Inlet opening 412: Distal end 413: Outlet opening 414: Inner cylindrical part 415: Outer cylindrical part 416: Recess 430: Proximal end support part 431: Distal end support part 440: First wall 441: Cutout part 442: Wall part 450: Second wall 510: Bearing part 520: Flat plate part 521: Retention fitting part 522: Fixing part 523: Auxiliary engagement part 610: Tray bottom 611: One side part 612: Other side part 620: Lower surface 621: Outer surface 901: Upper cover 902: Container 903: Solid object counting pin 904: Solid object guide 908: Spring 909, 911: Solid object outlet 910: Receiver 913: Fulcrum

Claims

1. A measuring device configured to measure a plurality of solid objects and to be attachable to a container body comprising a storage part for storing the plurality of solid objects and a container opening part for inserting and taking out the plurality of solid objects into and from the storage part, the measuring device comprising: a guide part extending along an opening direction of the container opening part of the container body, the guide part including an alignment space in which the plurality of solid objects discharged through the container opening part from the storage part can be aligned in an extension direction of the guide part; and a partition part configured to partition the alignment space at a partition position halfway in the extension direction and to be able to change the partition position in the extension direction.

2. The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein a length of the guide part in a width direction orthogonal to the extension direction is equal to or less than a length in a width direction of the storage part.

3. The measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an openable and closable outlet part for taking out the plurality of solid objects from the alignment space is provided in a distal end part in the extension direction of the guide part, the partition part is movable between a partition position that partitions the alignment space and a retracted position retracted from the partition position, and the outlet part is openable when the partition part is positioned at the partition position and not openable when the partition part is positioned at the retracted position.

4. The measuring device according to claim 3, wherein the partition part is fixed at the partition position when the outlet part is in an open state, and is movable between the partition position and the retracted position when the outlet part is in a closed state.

5. A measuring container comprising the measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, and a container body comprising a storage part capable of storing the plurality of solid objects and a container opening part for inserting and taking out the plurality of solid objects into and from the storage part, to which the measuring device is attached.

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