Solid formulation dispensing device and solid formulation selling method

Abstract

To provide a device for redistributing a solid formulation filled in a small container such as a packaging bag and a bottle for an individual to be sold and dividing it into small portions for each dose.SOLUTION: One or more solid formulation dispensing devices, solid formulation information input means for inputting information related to a solid formulation, dosage information input means, and packaging means are provided. The solid formulation dispensing device includes a solid formulation storage part which is provided with an input port into which a solid formulation is inputted to be able to store the solid formulation, and solid formulation extraction means for discharging only the desired number of solid formulations from the solid formulation storage part. The dosage information input means can associate a dosage time of a solid formulation and the number of dosages for each dosage time with solid formulations inputted into the solid formulation storage part to enable a direct input. Solid formulations for one dose each are discharged from the solid formulation dispensing device and are sent to the packaging means on the basis of information inputted by the dosage information input means, and one or more kinds of solid formulations to be taken at a time are collected and packaged by the packaging means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for dividing a solid medicine into individual doses. The present invention relates to an apparatus for opening a commercial solid medicine packaged in, for example, a bottle or a bag, and redistributing the solid medicine into individual doses. The present invention also relates to a method for selling solid preparations, which comprises opening a packaging material for a commercially available solid preparation, redistributing the solid preparation, and distributing the solid preparation in individual doses for sale. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, there are supplements that are taken to improve health. Supplements often do not require a doctor's prescription and can be purchased at drugstores or convenience stores. Many supplements are formulated into solid form to make them easier to swallow. Such solid supplements are often sold in packaged forms, such as bottles or bags, in sets of 20 or 50 pieces.

[0003] Supplements generally have a gentle effect on the human body, and there are few restrictions on the number of doses or the time of taking them. However, even with supplements, it is desirable to take only the prescribed amount at the prescribed time. Furthermore, supplement drinkers are generally very health-conscious, and often decide for themselves when and how much to take. Conventionally, users would purchase the desired supplement at a drugstore or the like, and when it was time to take the supplement, they would open the bottle or bag containing the product, take out the required amount, and take it. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-13216 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2005-289463 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Solid supplement users tend to take multiple supplements in combination. In many cases, when taking solid supplements, the person is out at the time of taking the supplement. Therefore, the user carries the product bag or bottle filled with the supplement in a bag or the like. Some supplement enthusiasts always carry the product packaging bag or bottle with them. Supplement packaging isn't particularly large, but it can add up when you have several of them together. For this reason, there is a demand among consumers to be able to open the packaging and divide the supplements into smaller portions for easier administration and portability.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a device for redistributing solid drugs filled in small containers such as packaging bags and bottles for personal use and dividing them into individual doses. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method for distributing solid drugs and selling them as a new business model. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An aspect for solving the above-mentioned problem is a solid drug dispensing device which divides a plurality of solid drugs into single doses, the solid drug dispensing device having one or more solid drug dispensing devices, a solid drug information input means for inputting information about the solid drugs, a dosage information input means, and a packaging means, the solid drug dispensing device having a solid drug storage section having an inlet through which the solid drug is input and capable of storing the solid drug, and a solid drug removal means for discharging a desired number of solid drugs from the solid drug storage section, the solid drug information input means inputting information specifying the solid drug to be inputted into the solid drug storage section, the dosage information input means being capable of inputting the time when the solid drug is to be taken and the number of doses for each dosage time in association with the solid drug inputted into the solid drug storage section, and the solid drug dispensing device performs a series of individual packaging operations of discharging the solid drugs from the solid drug dispensing device and sending them to the packaging means based on the information inputted into the dosage information input means, and packaging one or more types of solid drugs to be taken at one time together in the packaging means.

[0008] In the above-mentioned configuration, it is preferable that a printing means is provided, and that the printing means prints a predetermined pattern on the packaging for one dose.

[0009] In each of the above-mentioned configurations, the solid drug dispensing device desirably has a shape changing means for changing the shape of the solid drug so that the solid drug can be smoothly discharged according to the shape of the solid drug.

[0010] It is preferable that the form changing means functions based on information inputted to a solid drug information inputting means.

[0011] In the above-mentioned configuration, it is preferable that there is a dispensing path through which the solid drugs pass, the shape changing means is capable of restricting the shape of the solid drugs that can pass through by changing the state of the dispensing path, and the state of the dispensing path is changed based on information inputted to the solid drug information input means, so that the solid drugs contained in the solid drug container of the solid drug dispensing device can be discharged.

[0012] It is desirable that the dosage information input means is composed of one or more input devices, each of which corresponds to one of the solid dosage dispensing devices, and that the solid dosage is identified by inputting information from the input device, and that the time when the solid dosage is to be taken and the number of doses for each time period can be directly input using the input device in association with each other.

[0013] It is preferable that the dosage information input means is attached to each solid medicine dispensing device.

[0014] It is desirable that the dosage information input means has a display screen, on which a solid dosage display field for specifying a solid dosage and a time field for displaying the time when the solid dosage is to be taken are displayed in association with each other, there is a quantity input field corresponding to the time when the solid dosage is taken, and the number can be input into the quantity input field.

[0015] In each of the above-mentioned aspects, it is preferable that the solid drug information input means includes a reading means.

[0016] In each of the above-mentioned aspects, it is desirable that the device has a memory means, and that the memory means stores information identifying the user and information input to the dosage information input means in association with information input to the solid drug information input means, and when, after a series of individual packaging operations have been executed, the solid drug is again fed from the inlet into the solid drug storage unit, and information identifying the solid drug again fed into the solid drug storage unit is input to the solid drug information input means, the series of individual packaging operations is executed again based on the information stored in the memory means.

[0017] In each of the above-mentioned aspects, when a plurality of solid drug dispensing devices are provided, and solid drugs are fed into the plurality of solid drug dispensing devices, and there are different solid drugs that have the same intake timing, it is desirable to enclose the different solid drugs that have the same intake timing in the same package.

[0018] The embodiment of the solid dosage sales method is a method in which a plurality of identical solid dosage forms are prepackaged in packaging materials and commercially available in a plurality of types, a purchaser is allowed to select a desired commercially available solid dosage form from the plurality of types of commercially available solid dosage forms, the selected packaging material is opened, the solid dosage forms removed after being opened are sorted according to the period of administration, packaged, and delivered, and further the cost of the selected commercially available solid dosage form is settled at any stage.

[0019] In the above-mentioned embodiment, it is preferable to use a solid drug dispensing device that divides a plurality of solid drugs into individual doses, and to feed the opened and removed solid drugs into the solid drug dispensing device to sort the solid drugs according to the time of taking them.

[0020] In the above-mentioned embodiment, it is preferable to use the above-mentioned solid drug dispensing device, and to feed the opened and removed solid drugs into the solid drug dispensing device to sort the solid drugs according to their dosage period. Effect of the Invention

[0021] According to the solid drug dispensing device of the present invention, solid drugs sold in bags or bottles can be redistributed and divided into individual doses. Furthermore, according to the method for selling solid preparations of the present invention, solid preparations can be purchased in a state in which the solid preparations are individually divided into single doses. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a conceptual diagram of a solid-drug dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a packaging form of a commercially available solid formulation. [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view of a solid-drug dispensing device employed in a solid-drug dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from one direction. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the solid drug dispensing device of FIG. 3, seen from a different direction. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the solid drug dispensing device of FIG. 3 as viewed from below. [Figure 6] FIG. 1A is an external view of a solid drug dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a display screen of an input device attached to the solid drug dispensing device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing an appearance of a drugstore in which the solid-drug dispensing device of FIG. 6 is installed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] The embodiments of the present invention will be described further below. The solid drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment is a device that divides solid drugs 3, which are filled and sold in packaging equipment 6 such as packaging bags 2 or bottles 5, into portions according to the time of administration, and further packages them to create bags (packages) 8 each divided into a single dose. For example, the packaging device 6 is a container in which a solid formulation 3 such as a supplement is filled for sale, and is a well-known item. Representative examples of the packaging device 6 include a packaging bag 2 and a bottle 5. The solid preparation 3 is not limited to a supplement, but may be, for example, a drug such as a commercially available vitamin preparation or intestinal regulator.

[0024] In the packaging bag 2 and bottle 5 of this embodiment, the supplement manufacturer mixes medicinal ingredients, vitamins, and minerals that are useful for improving health based on their own recipe, molds them into the shape of a solid dosage form 3, and fills a specified number of them.

[0025] The solid preparations 3 packed in packaging bags 2 and bottles 5 that are the subject of this embodiment are not dispensed for specific patients or supplement users, but are displayed in drug stores, convenience stores, etc. and sold to the general public. Generally, the packaging bag 2 etc. has information for identifying the product recorded on a label 17 etc. In some cases, the information is printed directly on the packaging bag 2 etc. In this embodiment, both character recording and recording by a recording means such as a barcode are used on the label 17. Information may also be recorded by an electrical method such as an IC chip. In this embodiment, a label 17 is attached to the packaging bag 2 or the bottle 5, and characters, a two-dimensional barcode 7, and the like are attached to the label 17. In this embodiment, the two-dimensional barcode 7 functions as an information recording section.

[0026] The text information printed on the label 17 includes the product name, the name of the solid preparation or an ingredient indication indicating the ingredients, and an indication of recommended dosage and administration. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the label (information recording section) 17 of the packaging bag 2A has the product name indicated in text as "Vitamin Supplement," the ingredients indicated in text as "Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin E," and the recommended usage indicated in text as "Take one tablet three times a day." Packaging bag 2B has the product name "Fish ingredient supplement" written on it, the ingredients "DHA, EPA" written on it, and the recommended usage "5 tablets, once a day" written on it. Bottle 5A has the product name "Zinc Supplement" written on it, the ingredient label "Zinc" written on it, and the recommended usage label "Once a day, 3 tablets" written on it. Bottle 5B has the words "Garlic Supplement" and the ingredient label "Garlic" and the usage label "Two times a day, one tablet at a time."

[0027] The two-dimensional barcode 7 also has written therein information corresponding to the product name, ingredients, and dosage and administration. Furthermore, when the medicine is a solid drug, the two-dimensional barcode 7 records identification information of the solid drug. The identification information is information capable of identifying the type of solid agent (medicine), and is, for example, a medicine name, a medicine ID, a medicine code, a JAN code, an RSS code, an OR code (registered trademark), or the like. The identification information may be recorded separately from the two-dimensional barcode 7 described above.

[0028] The solid drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment has a plurality of solid drug dispensing devices 10 and a plurality of input devices 40 corresponding thereto, a collecting hopper 11, a packaging means 12, and a control device 15. The solid drug dispensing device 10 has a solid drug storage section 20 that stores solid drugs 3, and discharges a desired number of solid drugs 3 from the solid drug storage section 20. The solid drug dispensing device 10 is provided, at the bottom of the solid drug storage section 20, with a number detection means 32 that detects the number of drugs discharged.

[0029] The solid-medicine storage unit 20 has an inlet 13 on its upper surface through which the solid medication 3 is inserted. The inlet 13 is provided with an upper lid (not shown) that can be easily opened and closed. The solid drug dispensing device 10 is controlled by a control device 15 and dispenses the solid drug 3 one dose at a time. The solid medication dispensing device 10 can restrict the effective size (width, height, etc.) of the dispensing path through which the solid medication 3 passes, thereby restricting the shape of the solid medication that can pass through, and can accommodate a plurality of types of solid medication 3. The configuration of the solid medication dispensing device 10 will be described later.

[0030] The input device 40 constitutes a dosage information input means, and one input device 40 is provided for each solid drug dispensing device 10. In particular, in this embodiment, the input device 40 is integrated with the solid drug dispensing device 10. The input device 40 directly inputs the dosing period of the solid medication 3 and the number of doses for each dosing period in association with the solid medication 3 placed in the solid medication storage unit 20. The input device 40 has an input section 41 such as a keyboard, and a display means 42 . The display screen 48 of the display means 42 is, for example, as shown in Figure 6 (b), and has a name input field 43, a product name display field (solid dosage display field) 45, a field for specifying the time of taking the medicine (time field) 46, and a field for inputting the number of tablets to be taken (number input field) 47.

[0031] The name input field 43 is a field for inputting the name of the user or purchaser by operating the input unit 41 such as a keyboard. The product name display field 45 is a field that automatically displays the product name and the like of the solid drug 3 placed in the solid drug storage section 20 of the solid drug dispensing device 10 based on information read by the solid drug information reading means 30 described later. The dosing time designation field 46 displays "after breakfast," "after lunch," "after dinner," and "before bedtime," and is a field in which the required dosing time is checked by operating the input unit 41 such as a keyboard. When "after breakfast," "after lunch," "after dinner," or "before bedtime" is clicked in the dosing time designation field 46, the display will light up or change color to indicate that it has been selected. The number-of-dosage input field 47 is a field for inputting the number of solid tablets to be taken, corresponding to the aforementioned dosing time designation field 46 of "after breakfast," "after lunch," "after dinner," and "before bedtime."

[0032] A plurality of solid drug dispensing devices 10 are arranged in a horizontal row on the upper side of the device main body 56, as shown in Fig. 6, in a state where the solid drug dispensing devices 10 are integrated with the input device 40. When a large number of solid drug dispensing devices 10 are used, the solid drug dispensing devices 10 are arranged in a plurality of stages, so that the solid drug dispensing devices 10 are arranged three-dimensionally.

[0033] The collecting hopper 11 is located at the bottom of the group of solid drug dispensing devices, and collects the solid drugs 3 discharged from the solid drug dispensing devices 10 and supplies them to the packaging means 12.

[0034] 6, the packaging means 12 has a printing unit 22, a bag forming mechanism 31, and a partition forming device 25. The partition forming device 25 also functions as a sheet feeding mechanism. The sheet feeding mechanism is a device that pays out sheet-like medicine packaging paper 27 wound around a roll shaft 26 and feeds it to the printing section 22 and the bag forming mechanism (not shown) downstream. In this embodiment, the medicine packaging paper 27 is folded in half in advance and wound into a roll.

[0035] The printing unit 22 is a unit that prints predetermined information on the medicine packaging paper 27 . In this embodiment, information such as the name of the recipient, the name of the drug or supplement, and when to take the drug, such as "after breakfast" or "after lunch," is printed on the medicine wrapping paper 27.

[0036] The bag forming mechanism 31 inserts a plate or the like (not shown) into the medicine packaging paper 27 folded in half, opens one side (the upper side in the drawing) of the medicine packaging paper 27, and forms a bag with one side open. The lower part of the collecting hopper 11 opens into the bag of the medicine packaging paper 27 formed by the bag forming mechanism (not shown).

[0037] The partition forming device 25 is a heat sealing device that is driven by a motor (not shown) and partitions the bag portions, separates the bag portions, and packs the medicine into individual packets to form the bag body (package) 8.

[0038] A sheet discharge port 33 is provided at the bottom of the device body 56. The solid agents 3 (bags 8) individually packaged by the packaging means 12 are discharged from the sheet discharge port 33.

[0039] The control device 15 is a device that controls each part of the solid-drug dispensing device 1. The control device 15 is equipped with a solid drug information reading means 30. The solid drug information reading means 30 is a reading device that reads information written in a barcode reader or an IC chip. In this embodiment, a barcode reader is used as the solid drug information reading means 30. That is, the solid drug information reading means 30 is a barcode reader that is an image reading means. The solid drug information reading means 30 is not limited to a barcode reader, and may be one that reads information from an IC chip. Also, it may be one that analyzes characters.

[0040] Next, the functions of the solid drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment will be described along with the usage procedure. As described above, the solid-drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment is a device that dispenses solid drugs 3, which are commercially available in small containers such as packaging bags 2, into portions according to the time of use, and further packages them individually. When using the solid drug dispensing device 1, the information recorded in the two-dimensional barcode (information recording section) 7 provided on the label 17 of each packaging bag 2 is read by the solid drug information reading means 30. If there is identification information, this is also read by the solid drug information reading means 30.

[0041] Then, the packaging bag 2 or the bottle 5 is opened, and the solid agents 3 therein are poured into one solid agent dispensing device 10. That is, all of the solid agents 3 in one packaging bag 2 or the like are poured into the solid agent storage section 20 of one solid agent dispensing device 10. The solid agent 3 is charged into the solid agent storage unit 20 through an input port 13 provided on the upper surface of the solid agent storage unit 20. In this embodiment, the input port 13 is provided with an upper lid that can be easily opened and closed, and the solid agent 3 is charged into the solid agent storage unit 20 by opening the upper lid.

[0042] For example, information recorded in a two-dimensional barcode (information recording section) 7 provided on the label 17 of the packaging bag 2A is read by a solid drug information reading means 30. Then, the packaging bag 2A is opened, and the solid drug 3 therein is put into the solid drug dispensing device 10. Similarly, the information provided on the label 17 of each packaging bag 2B is read by the solid drug information reading means 30. Then, the packaging bag 2B is opened, and all of the solid drugs 3 in the packaging bag 2B are poured into the solid drug storage unit 20 of the solid drug dispensing device 10B. The same is true for bottles A and B, where the information provided on the labels 17 is read by solid drug information reading means 30, and the solid drugs 3 therein are all poured into the solid drug storage sections 20 of the solid drug dispensing devices 10C and 10D.

[0043] Then, the input device 40 attached to each solid drug dispensing device 10 is operated to directly input the time of taking the solid drug 3 for each solid drug 3 and the number of doses for each time. In this embodiment, the input device 40, which is a dosage information input means, can directly input the dosage period of the solid medication 3 and the number of doses per dosage period in association with the solid medication 3 placed in the solid medication storage section 20.

[0044] For example, a user inputs his / her name "HIRAGA GENNAI" into a name input field 43 of an input device 40A attached to the solid drug dispensing device 10A by operating an input unit 41 such as a keyboard. Based on the information read by the solid drug information reading means 30, a product name display field 45 of the input device 40A automatically displays the product name "Vitamin Supplement" of the solid drug 3 put into the solid drug storage unit 20 of the solid drug dispensing device 10A. The dosing time designation field 46 has fields for "after breakfast," "after lunch," "after dinner," and "before bedtime." By operating the input unit 41 such as a keyboard, for example, the user can check "after breakfast," "after lunch," and "after dinner." Then, in the dosage quantity input field 47, for example, 1 is input in the "after breakfast" field, 2 is input in the "after lunch" field, and 2 is input in the "after dinner" field.

[0045] In this embodiment, the display screen 48 is a dedicated screen for the solid drugs 3 built into one solid drug dispensing device 10A, so the time when the solid drugs 3 are taken and the number of doses per time are directly input in association with the solid drugs 3 placed in the solid drug storage section 20.

[0046] The name inputted by the input device 40A is automatically displayed in the name input field 43 of the input device 40B attached to the solid drug dispensing device 10B. Also, the product name display field 45 of the input device 40B automatically displays the product name of the solid drug 3 put into the solid drug storage unit 20 of the solid drug dispensing device 10B, "fish ingredient supplement," based on the information read by the solid drug information reading means 30. The dosing time designation field 46 has fields for "after breakfast," "after lunch," "after dinner," and "before bedtime." By operating the input unit 41 such as a keyboard, for example, "after breakfast" and "after lunch" can be checked. Then, in the dosage quantity input field 47, for example, 2 is input in the "after breakfast" field and for example, 2 is input in the "after lunch" field.

[0047] The name input field 43 of the input device 40C attached to the solid drug dispensing device 10C automatically displays the name input by the previous input device 40A. Also, the product name display field 45 of the input device 40C automatically displays the product name "Zinc Supplement" of the solid drug 3 put into the solid drug storage unit 20 of the solid drug dispensing device 10C based on the information read by the solid drug information reading means 30. The dosing time designation field 46 has fields for "after breakfast," "after lunch," "after dinner," and "before bedtime." By operating the input unit 41 such as a keyboard, for example, "after breakfast" and "before bedtime" can be checked. Then, in the dosage quantity input field 47, for example, 1 is entered in the "after breakfast" field, and 1 is entered in the "before bed" field.

[0048] The name input by the input device 40A is automatically displayed in the name input field 43 of the input device 40D attached to the solid drug dispensing device 10D. Also, the product name display field 45 of the input device 40D automatically displays the product name of the solid drug 3 put into the solid drug storage unit 20 of the solid drug dispensing device 10D, "Garlic Supplement," based on the information read by the solid drug information reading means 30. The dosing time designation field 46 has fields for "after breakfast," "after lunch," "after dinner," and "before bedtime." By operating the input unit 41 such as a keyboard, for example, "after breakfast" and "before bedtime" can be checked. Then, in the dosage quantity input field 47, for example, 1 is entered in the "after breakfast" field and 2 is entered in the "before bed" field.

[0049] After the solid dosage form 3 has been charged and the necessary information has been input to the input device 40, a start switch (not shown) is operated to start the subdivision operation. The solid drug dispensing device 10 has a shape changing means for changing the shape of the solid drug 3 so that the solid drug 3 can be smoothly discharged according to the shape of the solid drug 3, and can accommodate a plurality of types of solid drugs 3. In the solid drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, the shape changing means functions first. Here, the shape of the solid dosage form 3 can be specified from the information read by the solid dosage form information reading means 30, and it is known which solid dosage form 3 has been put into each solid dosage form dispensing device 10. Therefore, each solid dosage form dispensing device 10 changes its form in accordance with the shape of the solid dosage form 3 put in.

[0050] Then, the solid dosage form 3 is actually divided into smaller portions. For example, following the above example, as the solid medication 3 to be taken after breakfast, one tablet of the "vitamin supplement" packed in packaging bag 2A is dispensed from solid medication dispensing device 10A, and two tablets of the "fish ingredient supplement" packed in packaging bag 2B are dispensed from solid medication dispensing device 10B. Furthermore, one tablet of the "zinc supplement" filled in bottle 5A is discharged from solid drug dispensing device 10C, and one tablet of the "garlic supplement" filled in bottle 5B is discharged from solid drug dispensing device 10D.

[0051] The solid pills 3 for one dose to be taken after breakfast discharged from each solid pill dispenser 10 are collected in a collecting hopper 11 and sent to a packaging means 12, where all the solid pills 3 are placed in one bag of a medicine packaging paper 27 formed by a bag forming mechanism 31. Prior to this, necessary information is printed on the bag portion by the upstream printing unit 22. That is, the letters "HIRAGA GENNAI" are printed as a mark to identify the user. Also, "after breakfast" is printed as a mark to indicate the time of taking the medicine. Furthermore, the type and number of the solid dosage forms 3 contained therein are printed as necessary.

[0052] The bag portion into which the solid agent 3 has been poured is sent to a partition forming device (heat sealing device) 25 on the downstream side, and is partitioned into independent bags (packages) 8 with three sides heat-sealed. After that, the above-mentioned series of individual packaging operations are automatically repeated. That is, the solid drugs 3 corresponding to the next dose are discharged from each solid drug dispensing device 10 and sent to the packaging means 12 via the collecting hopper 11, and all the solid drugs 3 are placed in one bag of the medicine packaging paper 27. Prior to this, necessary information is printed on the bag portion by the upstream printing unit 22.

[0053] Specifically, since the next dosage is after lunch, two tablets of the "vitamin supplement" packed in packaging bag 2A are dispensed from solid drug dispensing device 10A as the solid drug 3 to be taken after lunch, and two tablets of the "fish ingredient supplement" packed in packaging bag 2B are dispensed from solid drug dispensing device 10B. The "zinc supplement" is not discharged from the solid drug dispensing device 10C, and the "garlic supplement" is not discharged from the solid drug dispensing device 10D. The bag is also printed with the words "HIRAGA GENNAI" to identify the person taking the medicine, and "after lunch" to indicate when to take the medicine.

[0054] Next, the solid medicine 3 to be taken after dinner is discharged from each solid medicine dispensing device 10 and wrapped in one bag by the packaging means 12. Specifically, two tablets of "vitamin supplement" are discharged from the solid medicine dispensing device 10A and packaged. Other solid medicines are not discharged. Subsequently, the solid drugs 3 to be taken before going to bed are discharged from each solid drug dispensing device 10 and wrapped into one bag by the packaging means 12. Specifically, one tablet of the "zinc supplement" filled in the bottle 5A is discharged from the solid drug dispensing device 10C, and two tablets of the "garlic supplement" filled in the bottle 5B are discharged from the solid drug dispensing device 10D.

[0055] The solid medications 3 to be taken "after breakfast," "after lunch," "after dinner," and "before bedtime" are packed in one bag 8, and when the packaging of one day's worth of solid medications is completed, the solid medications 3 to be taken "after breakfast," "after lunch," and "after dinner" on the next day are packed in the same bag 8. In this way, the subdivision operation continues until all the solid medications 3 in the solid medication dispensing device 10 are used up. The bag body 8 is discharged from the sheet discharge opening 33 in a continuous belt-like state.

[0056] If there is a surplus or shortage of solid agents 3 filled in each packaging bag and there is not enough solid agents 3 to be enclosed in one bag body 8, the subdivision operation is interrupted and a message to that effect is displayed on a monitor (not shown). For example, if the packaging bags 2A, 2B and bottle 5A are filled with a two-week supply of solid preparations 3, but the bottle 5B is filled with only a ten-day supply of solid preparations 3, the dividing operation is stopped when the ten-day supply of bags 8 is completed, and a message to that effect is displayed on the display unit. The user can either resume the subdivision operation while being aware of the shortage, or can discharge the remaining solid agents 3 and collect them in the packaging bags 2A, 2B or bottles 5A. This selection is made by manually operating an input means (not shown) of the control device 15. Alternatively, either of the selections may be made by a preset setting.

[0057] In the embodiment described above, the solid medicines 3 fed into the solid medicine dispensing device 10 are all supplements or medicines commercially available for the general public. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and solid medicines prepared for personal use may also be mixed in. For example, gastrointestinal medicines, vitamins, etc., prepared for individual patients according to a doctor's prescription may be loaded into the solid drug dispensing devices 10A and 10B, and supplements purchased according to the user's preferences may be loaded into the solid drug dispensing devices 10C and 10D.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the dosing times are "after breakfast", "after lunch", "after dinner", and "before bed", but the dosing times are not limited thereto, and may be, for example, "before breakfast", "around lunch", or "after dinner". Furthermore, when the dosage amount or types of solid preparations are small, the above different dosing times may be combined and packaged in "day" units. The "day" unit may be, for example, a division by day of the week such as "Monday", "Tuesday", or "Wednesday", or a division by date such as "July 1st" or "July 2nd". The contents printed on the packet are changed according to the time of administration to prevent misreading or taking the wrong medicine. For example, "before breakfast," "around lunch," "after dinner," or "Monday" and "Tuesday" are printed. In these cases, the name of the medicine and the name of the person taking it are also printed.

[0059] Next, a description will be given of the solid drug dispensing device 10. The solid drug dispensing device 10 employed in this embodiment has a solid drug storage section 20 that stores solid drugs 3, and discharges a desired number of solid drugs 3 from the solid drug storage section 20. Moreover, it is preferable that the solid drug dispensing device 10 employed in this embodiment is capable of handling solid drugs 3 of various shapes and structures and dispensing the solid drugs 3 one by one or multiple by one. That is, the solid preparation 3 is roughly classified into tablets and capsules in terms of structure. The shape of the tablets includes flat circular ones, oval ones, and spherical ones. The size of the tablets varies. The same is true for the capsules, which also vary in size.

[0060] The solid dosage dispensing device 10 employed in this embodiment has a shape changing means for changing the shape so that the solid dosage 3 can be smoothly discharged according to the shape of the solid dosage 3. Specifically, the solid dosage dispensing device 10 is capable of dealing with a plurality of types of solid dosage 3 by increasing or decreasing the width of the dispensing path through which the solid dosage 3 passes and restricting the shapes of the solid dosage that can pass therethrough so as to deal with solid dosage 3 of a plurality of shapes and structures.

[0061] That is, in order to discharge the solid dosage forms 3 one by one, the solid dosage forms 3 must be arranged in a line somewhere. If the dispensing path is wide, multiple solid dosage forms 3 may be lined up in parallel, resulting in multiple solid dosage forms being discharged at once. Conversely, if the dispensing path is narrow, the solid dosage forms 3 cannot pass through and cannot be discharged. Therefore, in order to discharge the solid dosage forms 3 one by one, it is necessary to change the size (width) of the dispensing path in accordance with the solid dosage forms 3 contained therein.

[0062] The solid drug dispensing device 10 of this embodiment is capable of regulating the dispensing path of the solid drug 3 and arbitrarily adjusting the height and width of the dispensing path, and can smoothly discharge the desired number of solid drugs 3 regardless of the shape or size of the solid drug 3 placed in the solid drug storage section 20.

[0063] The following is an explanation. The solid medication dispensing device 10 has a solid medication storage section 20 in which a large number of solid medications 3 are stored, a first rotor 50 and a second rotor 51, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a cover member covering the upper portion is omitted. The first rotor 50 is a disk-shaped member that constitutes the bottom surface of the solid-drug containing section 20. The rotation axis of the first rotor 50 is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction, and the upper surface of the first rotor 50 is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal plane. In addition, radial ribs 62 are formed at predetermined intervals on the upper surface of the first rotor 50. The first rotor 50 is rotatably supported by a housing of the solid drug dispensing device 10, and is rotated by a motor (not shown). The first rotor 50 also moves up and down.

[0064] The second rotor 51 is a hollow annular member disposed around the first rotor 50 in a plan view. The second rotor 51 is located on the upper side of the solid-medicinal storage unit 20. The upper end of the first rotor 50 and the second rotor 51 are located on the same horizontal plane. The second rotor 51 is also rotatably supported by the housing of the solid medication dispensing device 10, and is rotated by a motor (not shown).

[0065] A part of the second rotor 51 is connected to a discharge port 53 that discharges the solid medication 3 from the solid medication storage unit 20. The solid medication 3 is carried to the discharge port 53 by the rotation of the second rotor 51. Therefore, the upper part of the second rotor 51 forms a part of the dispensing path through which the solid medication 3 passes. In this embodiment, a height regulating member 55 and a width regulating member 57 are disposed on a dispensing path along which the solid medication 3 is transported to the discharge port 53 by the second rotor 51.

[0066] Here, the height regulating member 55 is located on the second rotor 51 and regulates the height above the conveying surface of the second rotor 51. The height regulating member 55 limits the height of an object passing through the relevant portion. The height regulating member 55 regulates the height size of the solid dosage form 3 that can be conveyed to the discharge port 53 by the second rotor 51.

[0067] On the other hand, the width regulating member 57 protrudes from the side of the second rotor 51 into the area (dispensing path) of the second rotor 51 and temporarily narrows the width of the conveying path of the second rotor 51. The width regulating member 57 regulates the width of the solid medication 3 that can be conveyed to the discharge port 53 by the second rotor 51. As a result, in the solid drug dispensing device 10, only tablets that fall within the height h regulated by the height regulating member 55 and the width w regulated by the width regulating member 57 among the tablets placed on the second rotating body 51 are dispensed from the outlet 53. Therefore, in the solid drug dispensing device 10, when the height h and width w are the height and width of one tablet contained in the solid drug containing section 20, the tablet can be dispensed one by one.

[0068] The width regulating member 57 is rotatably supported via a vertical shaft (not shown) with respect to the housing of the solid drug dispensing device 10. The width regulating member 57 rotates in the horizontal direction by driving a motor (not shown), and the amount of protrusion of the width regulating member 57 toward the solid drug accommodation section 20 side (the area of ​​the second rotor 51) is changed, thereby changing the width w regulated by the width regulating member 57. That is, the solid drug dispensing device 10 is provided with a width adjustment member 60 for changing the width w regulated by the width regulating member 57. A pinion gear is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the width adjustment member 60, and engages with a rack (gear) formed on the inner circumferential surface of an elongated hole 61 formed in the width regulating member 57. The amount of protrusion of the width regulating member 57 toward the solid-medicinal container 20 is changed by the rotation of the width adjusting member 60, which causes the width adjusting member 60 and the elongated hole 61 to move relatively in the direction of arrow R3 (see FIG. 3).

[0069] Further, the solid drug dispensing device 10 has a height adjustment section 58 for changing the height h regulated by the height regulating member 55 described above. The height adjustment unit 58 is rotatably supported on the housing of the solid drug dispensing device 10. The height adjustment unit 58 is rotated by a motor (not shown) to move the position of the lower end up and down, thereby changing the height h regulated by the height regulating member 55.

[0070] In the solid drug dispensing device 10 of this embodiment, the first rotating body 50 and the second rotating body 51 are rotated by a motor (not shown). The first rotating body 50 also moves up and down in the solid drug storage section 20. When discharging the solid drug 3 in the solid drug dispensing device 10, the first rotating body 50 and the second rotating body 51 are rotated. When the first rotating body 50 is rotated in a rotation direction R1 (see Figs. 3 and 4), the tablets in the solid drug storage section 20 are discharged from the first rotating body 50 to the second rotating body 51. When the second rotating body 51 is rotated in a rotation direction R2 (see Figs. 3 and 4), the tablets on the second rotating body 51 are transported toward the discharge port 53.

[0071] However, in this embodiment, the dispensing path of the solid agents 3 is regulated by the height regulating member 55 and the width regulating member 57, and the height and width are restricted. Therefore, among the solid agents 3 transported by the second rotor 51, tablets stacked in the height direction come into contact with the height regulating member 55 and are returned to the solid agent storage section 20. Also, among the tablets transported by the second rotor 51, solid agents 3 that are transported side by side in the width direction come into contact with the width regulating member 57 and are returned to the solid agent storage section 20. Therefore, in the solid drug dispensing device 10 of this embodiment, tablets having a size corresponding to the height h regulated by the height regulating member 55 and the width w regulated by the width regulating member 57 are transported to the discharge outlet 53 in a state where they are lined up one by one in the circumferential direction on the second rotating body 51. Therefore, in the solid drug dispensing device 10, it is possible to dispense the tablets contained in the solid drug containing section 20 one by one, and it is possible to control the amount of tablets dispensed.

[0072] For example, it is desirable to store master data of each solid drug 3 in the control device 15 of the solid drug dispensing device 1 or a higher-level control device, and to register shape information (dimensions) of the solid drug 3 in the master data in advance. The solid drug 3 is identified from the information detected by the solid drug information reading means 30, and information regarding the shape of the solid drug 3 put into the solid drug dispensing device 10 is obtained by collating the information with the master data. Then, the shape changing means is operated based on the acquired shape information of the solid dosage form 3, and the height and width of the dispensing path are adjusted. Also, an appropriate dispensing speed is determined. In this embodiment, the rotation speed of the second rotor 51 is determined.

[0073] On the other hand, if the master data does not contain shape information of the solid medication 3, the shape changing means is operated to find an appropriate size of the dispensing path. Specifically, the dispensing path (width, height) is gradually widened to find the width of the path through which the solid medication 2 passes, and the size of the path is determined. The information on the dispensing path at this time is stored in the master data as shape information, and the shape changing means is controlled by referring to this information from the next time onwards. If there is no master data or no means for storing the master data, the above-mentioned task of finding the appropriate size of the dispensing path is performed every time a solid dosage form 3 is put into the solid dosage form dispensing device 10.

[0074] The solid medication dispensing device 10 described above regulates both the height and width of the passage through which the solid medication 3 passes, but it may regulate only one of them. In the present invention, the dispensing path for the solid medication 3 may be fixed and its height and width may not be changeable.

[0075] The solid drug dispensing device 10 may have a rotor built in the solid drug storage unit 20, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, for example. The rotor has a vertical groove into which the solid drug 3 fits. When the rotor rotates, the vertical groove reaches the position of the discharge port, and the solid drug 3 in the vertical groove is discharged from the solid drug storage unit 20.

[0076] The solid agent removal means is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration, and may be a means for pushing out the solid agents one by one using a pusher or the like. The solid drug removal means may be one that uses vibration to discharge the solid drug one particle at a time. For example, the solid drug removal means may be configured to have a guide track for moving the solid drug along the guide track by vibrating the guide track.

[0077] Next, an example of a store using the solid-drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment will be described. The solid-drug dispensing device 1 is installed, for example, in a drug store as shown in Fig. 7. In addition to the solid-drug dispensing device 1, a display shelf 70 and a checkout counter 71 are installed in the drug store. Various supplements are displayed for sale on display shelves 70. The supplements are filled in packaging materials 6 such as packaging bags 2 or bottles 5.

[0078] A purchaser selects a preferred supplement from the display shelf 70, and proceeds to the solid drug dispensing device 1 with the packaging device 6. The purchaser then opens the packaging bag 2 or bottle 5, and places the solid drug (supplement) 3 into each separate solid drug storage unit 20. Also, before or after the solid drug 3 is placed, the solid drug information reading means 30 reads out the information recorded in the two-dimensional barcode (information recording unit) 7 provided on the label 17 of each packaging bag 2, etc.

[0079] Then, the series of dispensing operations are carried out as described above. The dispensed solid medication 3 is discharged from the sheet discharge port 33 in a continuous sheet state. The purchaser takes the solid medicine 3 connected in a continuous sheet form, the empty packaging bag 2, and the bottle 5 to the payment counter 71 and pays the fee. The payment (settlement) of the fee may be made before selecting and opening the packaging bag 2 or bottle 5.

[0080] Moreover, the solid drug dispensing device 1 may be installed inside the checkout counter 71, and a store clerk may open the packaging bag 2 or the bottle 5 and perform the dispensing work. In this case, the input device 40 may be operated by a store clerk. For example, an experienced store clerk or pharmacist may listen to the purchaser's wishes and give advice on the timing and dosage of the medicine, and the purchaser or the store clerk may perform the prescribed input.

[0081] In the above embodiment, a plurality of input devices 40 are provided corresponding to the solid drug dispensing device 10, but necessary information may be input from a single input device. For example, the screen of a personal computer is used, and the necessary information is entered on each screen by switching between the display screens. In short, the medication information input means has a display screen, on which a solid medication display field for identifying a solid medication and a time field for displaying the time when the solid medication is to be taken are displayed in association with each other, there is a quantity input field associated with these, and it is sufficient if the quantity can be input into the quantity input field.

[0082] Furthermore, the past input history may be stored in the memory means 73 of the control device 15, and this may be called up as necessary to carry out the above-mentioned series of individual packaging operations. For example, if a purchaser visits the drugstore on another day, selects the same solid drug 3 as the one purchased previously, and reads out the information of each packaging bag 2, etc., with the solid drug information reading means 30, the stored dosage information is automatically displayed on the display screen 48 of the display means 42. If the purchaser does not correct it, a series of individual packaging operations is executed again based on the information stored in the storage means 73. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1. Solid drug dispensing device 2 packaging bag 3 Solid Formulations 7. Two-dimensional barcode (information recording section) 8 Bag (packaging) 10. Solid drug dispensing device 11 Collection Hopper 12 Packaging means 15 Control device 20 Solid drug storage section 30 Means for reading solid dosage information 43 Name entry field 45 Product name display column (solid dosage display column) 46 Dosage period designation column (timing column) 47 Quantity input field (quantity input field)

Claims

1. A solid drug dispensing device that redistributes and subdivides supplements that do not require a doctor's prescription and are intended to be taken by a specific person and are filled in a packaging device, the packaging device having an information recording unit, The system includes a plurality of solid drug dispensing devices, a solid drug information input means for inputting information about supplements to each of the plurality of solid drug dispensing devices, a display means, a dosage information input means, and a packaging means, The solid drug dispensing device has a solid drug storage section having an inlet through which the supplement is inserted and capable of storing the supplement, and a solid drug removal means for discharging a desired number of supplements from the solid drug storage section, The plurality of solid medicine dispensing devices are each loaded with a type of supplement that a specific person intends to take, The solid drug information input means is for inputting information for identifying the supplement to be taken by a specific person to be placed in the solid drug storage section, and the solid drug information input means is provided with a reading means, and the reading means reads and inputs information recorded in an information recording section of the packaging device filled with the supplement to be taken by the specific person, The product name of the supplement is displayed on the display means based on the information read by the reading means, The dosage information input means is capable of inputting a dosage period and a dosage number for each dosage period for each supplement placed in the solid drug storage section, Based on the information inputted to the dosage information inputting means, a series of individual packaging operations is executed in which solid drugs are discharged one dose at a time from the solid drug dispensing device and sent to the packaging means, and one or more types of solid drugs to be taken at one time are packaged together in the packaging means, The display means is provided corresponding to each solid drug dispensing device, The display means further displays the time when the supplements are to be taken and the number of supplements to be taken, and the time when the supplements are to be taken and the number of supplements to be taken are displayed in correspondence with each other, in this solid drug dispensing device.

2. 2. The solid drug dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein said display means is provided for each solid drug dispensing device.

3. 3. The solid drug dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the display means is attached to each solid drug dispensing device.

4. The solid medicine dispensing device has a shape changing means for changing the shape of the supplement so that the supplement can be smoothly discharged according to the shape of the supplement, 4. The solid drug dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the form changing means functions based on information inputted to a solid drug information input means.

5. The solid drug dispensing device has a dispensing path through which the supplement passes, and the shape changing means can change the state of the dispensing path to limit the shape of the supplement that can pass through, A solid drug dispensing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the state of the dispensing path is changed based on information inputted to the solid drug information input means, and the supplement contained in the solid drug storage section of the solid drug dispensing device is made capable of being discharged.

6. A storage means is provided, The storage means stores information for identifying a recipient and information input to the dosage information input means in association with information input to the solid medication information input means, After a series of individual packaging operations are performed, when the supplement is again put into the solid drug storage unit through the input port, and information identifying the supplement that has been put into the solid drug storage unit again is input to the solid drug information input means, 6. The solid drug dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a series of individual packaging operations is executed again based on the information stored in the memory means.

7. A method for dispensing a solid drug dosage form comprising: The solid drug dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that when there are different supplements that have the same intake time, the different supplements that have the same intake time are enclosed in the same package.

8. The solid drug dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that when there is a surplus or shortage of supplements filled in the packaging equipment and there are not enough supplements to be bundled together in one package, the individual packaging operation is carried out and a package containing one or more types of supplements to be taken at one time is completed, and the individual packaging operation is stopped at the stage where the package is completed.

9. 9. The solid drug dispensing device according to claim 8, wherein the individual packaging operation can be resumed with knowledge of the shortage.

Images