Medicine packaging device

Abstract

To provide a medicine packaging device capable of forming a packaging bag that allows an identifier to be recognized easily.SOLUTION: A medicine packaging device for packaging medicine by one dose, which is configured to seal a long-sized sheet while feeding it, and form a packaging bag 7 in which the medicine is stored includes identifier imparting means for imparting an identifier 6a to the packaging bag, for identifying information on the medicine stored inside the packaging bag. The identifier imparting means forms the identifier to the long-sized sheet so that the identifier is positioned at a position close to one end part in a width direction of the packaging bag.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medicine packaging device for packaging medicines in packaging bags. [Background technology]

[0002] As the above-mentioned drug packaging device, a drug packaging machine as described in Patent Document 1 is known. The drug packaging machine includes a line drawing device arranged facing a feeding path of a packet wrapper that constitutes a packaging bag for packaging tablets. The line drawing device has a writing tool holding mechanism capable of holding a plurality of coloring writing tools with different ink colors, and is configured to be able to abut the brush tip of one selected from the plurality of coloring writing tools against the packet wrapper being fed.

[0003] According to the above-mentioned drug packaging machine, the writing instrument holding mechanism can hold a number of coloring writing instruments with different ink colors, and the tip of a selected coloring writing instrument is brought into contact with the packet being fed, making it possible to draw lines on the packet in different colors. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-121411 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the drug packaging machine described in Patent Document 1, ink from a coloring writing instrument is applied as an identifier to the part of the packaging strip that constitutes the outer surface of the packaging bag. Therefore, for example, if the packaging bag comes into contact with another packaging bag, there is a risk that the ink will be transferred to the other packaging bag.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a medicine packaging device capable of forming packaging bags whose identifiers are easily recognizable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The drug packaging device of the present invention is configured to seal a long sheet while feeding it to form a packaging bag in which the drug is contained, and is a drug packaging device that packages drugs in single doses, and is equipped with an identifier assignment means that assigns an identifier to the packaging bag to identify information about the drug contained inside the packaging bag, and the identifier assignment means forms the identifier on the long sheet so that the identifier is located at a position toward one end of the packaging bag in the width direction.

[0008] The long sheet may also have a first surface that constitutes the inner surface of the packaging bag, and the identifier assigning means may be configured to form the identifier by applying ink to the first surface of the long sheet.

[0009] The long sheet may also have a seal area that is later sealed, and the identifier applying means may form the identifier by applying the ink to the seal area on the first surface of the long sheet.

[0010] The identifier providing means may be configured to form a line as the identifier on the long sheet.

[0011] The identifier applying means may also be configured to form lines of different colors or types on the long sheet in accordance with information relating to the medicine contained inside the packaging bag. Effect of the Invention

[0012] As described above, the medicine packaging device of the present invention has the excellent effect of being able to form packaging bags whose identifiers are easily recognizable. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a medicine packaging machine including a medicine packaging device according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2]4A and 4B are diagrams showing printing on a long sheet by a printing device of the medicine packaging apparatus. [Diagram 3] 4 is a diagram showing the application of an identifier to a long sheet by an identifier application means of the medicine packaging device. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram showing a packaging bag formed by the medicine packaging apparatus. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] A medicine packing machine 1 equipped with a medicine packaging device 3 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. For ease of explanation, the up-down direction will be described based on the direction shown in Figure 1. The configuration of the medicine packing machine 1 in the following explanation is merely an example and is not limited to the described form, and various configurations can be adopted.

[0015] 1, the medicine packaging machine 1 includes a medicine supplying device 2 that supplies medicines, a medicine packaging device 3 that packages the medicines supplied by the medicine supplying device 2 into individual doses, and a control unit that controls the medicine supplying device 2 and the medicine packaging device 3. In this embodiment, the medicine supplying device 2 is disposed above the medicine packaging device 3, and is configured so that the medicines supplied by the medicine supplying device 2 fall by gravity and are supplied to the medicine packaging device 3. The medicine packaging machine 1 also packages medicines based on prescription data relating to the medicine prescription, which is input from outside (for example, a computer of a dispensing system).

[0016] The medicine supplying device 2 is a device that supplies medicines corresponding to prescription data. Specifically, the medicine supplying device 2 includes a plurality of containers (not shown) in which medicines are stored, and each container stores a different type of medicine. The medicine supplying device 2 of this embodiment is configured to dispense medicines corresponding to the prescription data from the containers when prescription data is input, and to drop the dispensed medicines into the medicine packaging device 3. The medicine supplying device 2 also has an input area in which, for example, a type of medicine not stored in the container is input by an operator (e.g., a pharmacist), and is configured to be able to dispense the medicines input into the input area in packets. The medicine supplying device 2 of this embodiment is configured to supply tablets as medicines, but is not limited thereto, and may be configured to supply tablets and powders, or to supply only powders.

[0017] The medicine packaging device 3 is a device that forms a packaging bag 7 (see FIG. 4) and stores medicines supplied from the medicine supply device 2 in the packaging bag 7. The medicine packaging device 3 of this embodiment is configured to form the packaging bag 7 by overlapping two long sheets 4. Specifically, the medicine packaging device 3 includes a feed mechanism 31 that feeds the long sheet 4, a hopper 32, and a sealing device 33. The medicine packaging device 3 also includes a printing device 5 and an identifier providing means 6.

[0018] The long sheet 4 is a long, single sheet body that has a substantially constant width dimension and extends in the length direction. The long sheet 4 has a first surface 4a and a second surface 4b that is the surface opposite to the first surface 4a. The long sheet 4 is a sheet that has heat welding properties and at least the heat-sealed portion becomes transparent or translucent. Specifically, the long sheet 4 is a sheet in which polyethylene is laminated onto glassine paper or cellophane, and the entire sheet is transparent or translucent.

[0019] Such a long sheet 4 is configured as a wound body 45 in which the long sheet 4 is wound around a core body, and is configured so that the long sheet 4 located at the outermost periphery of the wound body 45 can be pulled out as the wound body 45 rotates around the core body. In this embodiment, the long sheets 4 are arranged on one side and the other side of the sealing device 33. In the following description, the long sheet 4 arranged on one side (right side in the figure) will be described as a first long sheet 41, and the long sheet 4 arranged on the other side (left side in the figure) will be described as a second long sheet 42.

[0020] The first surface 4a is the surface that becomes the inner surface of the packaging bag 7 and is the surface that comes into contact with the medicine contained therein. The first surface 4a is also configured so that the ink of the identifier assigning means 6 can be applied to it. In this embodiment, the first surface 4a is laminated with polyethylene.

[0021] The second surface 4b is a surface that will become the outer surface of the packaging bag 7. In addition, the second surface 4b is configured so that it can be printed on by the printing device 5.

[0022] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the long sheet 4 has a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction to form one package (a portion constituting one packaging bag 7). In the area for one package, a storage area B in which medicine is stored and a seal area A to be heat-sealed are formed. In this embodiment, both ends in the longitudinal direction and both ends in the lateral direction of the area for one package are the seal area A, and the area surrounded by the seal area A is the storage area B. Note that Fig. 2 shows the first long sheet 41 as viewed from below, and Fig. 3 shows the second long sheet 42 as viewed from above. Therefore, the upper side of Fig. 2 and the lower side of Fig. 3 correspond to the front side of the medicine packaging device 3 (the front side in the direction penetrating the paper of Fig. 1), and the lower side of Fig. 2 and the upper side of Fig. 3 correspond to the rear side of the medicine packaging device 3 (the rear side in the direction penetrating the paper of Fig. 1).

[0023] 1, the feeding mechanism 31 includes a sheet supply unit 31a and a sheet feed unit 31b. The sheet supply unit 31a supplies the long sheet 4. The sheet supply unit 31a includes a mounting unit 311 to which a roll 45 is mounted, and a plurality of rollers 312 that guide the long sheet 4 pulled out from the roll 45. The sheet feed unit 31b feeds the long sheet 4 supplied from the sheet supply unit 31a. The sheet feed unit 31b is disposed downstream of the sealing device 33 (below the sealing device 33 in this embodiment).

[0024] In this embodiment, a pair of sheet supply units 31a are provided, specifically, a first sheet supply unit 31A that supplies a first long sheet 41 and a second sheet supply unit 31B that supplies a second long sheet 42. The first sheet supply unit 31A is disposed on one side (the right side in the figure) of the sealing device 33, and the second sheet supply unit 31B is disposed on the other side (the left side in the figure) of the sealing device 33.

[0025] The long sheet 4 pulled out from the roll 45 is fed horizontally along the way, and then, when it reaches above the sealing device 33, it is fed downward toward the sealing device 33. While the long sheet 4 is fed horizontally, the first surface 4a is located on the upper side and the second surface 4b is located on the lower side. After the feeding direction changes from the horizontal direction to the downward direction, the first surface 4a of the first long sheet 41 and the first surface 4a of the second long sheet 42 face each other.

[0026] 1, the printing device 5 is disposed in the middle of the transport path of the first long sheet 41. That is, the printing device 5 is disposed upstream of the sealing device 33 in the feed direction of the first long sheet 41. The printing device 5 is also disposed in a portion of the transport path of the first long sheet 41 where the first long sheet 41 is fed in the horizontal direction.

[0027] The printing device 5 prints on the second surface 4b of the first long sheet 41. The printing device 5 is configured to be able to print on the second surface 4b by applying ink to the second surface 4b. The printing device 5 of this embodiment is a so-called thermal printer (melting type thermal transfer printer) that prints by melting heat-soluble ink applied to an ink ribbon by the heat of a thermal head and transferring the ink to the second surface 4b. Since the printing device 5 prints with heat-soluble ink, the ink attached to the second surface 4b quickly cools and resolidifies. Therefore, the ink applied to the second surface 4b is less likely to be transferred to other parts. The printing device 5 may print when the first long sheet 41 is stopped (when it is not being fed by the sheet feeding unit 31b), or may print when the first long sheet 41 is being fed downstream by the sheet feeding unit 31b. The printing device 5 may also be configured to be able to apply ink to the second surface 4b without contact. Specifically, the printing device 5 can be configured as a so-called inkjet printer, which is configured to perform printing by spraying ink and depositing it on the first long sheet 41. Even with this configuration, the amount of ink that adheres to the first long sheet 41 is small, so the ink dries quickly. This makes it possible to prevent the ink applied to the second surface 4b from transferring to other portions.

[0028] 2, the printing device 5 prints text information 5a for identifying the contained medicine based on the prescription information. Specifically, the printing device 5 prints information indicating the contained medicine (e.g., the name of the medicine), the time of taking the contained medicine, and the person who will take the contained medicine (e.g., the name). The printing device 5 also prints in the containing area B (the area not heat-sealed). Furthermore, the printing device 5 of this embodiment prints for each packet (the containing area B of one packaging bag 7).

[0029] 1, the identifier assigning means 6 is disposed in the middle of the conveying path of the second long sheet 42. That is, the identifier assigning means 6 is disposed upstream of the sealing device 33 in the feeding direction of the second long sheet 42. The identifier assigning means 6 is also disposed in a portion of the conveying path of the second long sheet 42 where the second long sheet 42 is fed horizontally.

[0030] The identifier assigning means 6 assigns an identifier 6a to the first surface 4a of the second long sheet 42. The identifier assigning means 6 is configured to be able to apply ink to the first surface 4a and assign the identifier 6a to the first surface 4a. The identifier assigning means 6 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to contact the first surface 4a and assign the ink.

[0031] Specifically, the identifier assigning means 6 includes a pen unit. The pen unit has a pen tip capable of attaching ink to the long sheet 4 that it comes into contact with. The pen tip is configured to be capable of transferring ink to an object (e.g., the second long sheet 42) that it comes into contact with. The pen unit of this embodiment has a configuration similar to that of a writing instrument such as a marker pen, but can also be configured, for example, as a roller capable of transferring ink.

[0032] The identifier assigning means 6 is configured to be able to hold a plurality of pen parts. The identifier assigning means 6 is also configured to bring the pen tip of one or more of the plurality of pen parts it holds into contact with the first surface 4a. The identifier assigning means 6 of this embodiment is disposed above the first surface 4a (on the first surface 4a side of the second long sheet 42), and is capable of switching between a state in which the pen tip of the pen part is in contact with the first surface 4a and a state in which it is separated from the first surface 4a.

[0033] The identifier assigning means 6 of this embodiment holds a plurality of pen parts with different ink colors. The identifier assigning means 6 is configured to be able to selectively bring the pen tips of the plurality of pen parts into contact with the first surface 4a. The identifier assigning means 6 also assigns an identifier 6a for identifying the contained medicine based on the prescription information. The identifier assigning means 6 is configured to assign a line as the identifier 6a, and specifically, it assigns lines of different colors and line types (straight lines, dashed lines, etc.) as the identifier 6a. The identifier assigning means 6 of this embodiment assigns a line of a color corresponding to the time of taking the contained medicine or the user of the contained medicine based on the prescription information as the identifier 6a. The identifier assigning means 6 also moves relative to the second long sheet 42 in the feed direction when the second long sheet 42 is fed downstream by the sheet feed unit 31b, by coming into contact with the first surface 4a, and forms a line as the identifier 6a on the first surface 4a. That is, the line as the identifier 6a is a line (straight line) extending in the feed direction. Here, it takes some time for the ink forming the identifier 6a to dry sufficiently to not be transferred to other parts; specifically, it takes a longer time from when the identifier 6a is formed to when the part on which the identifier 6a is formed passes through the sealing device 33.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 3, the identifier assigning means 6 forms an identifier 6a at a position closer to one end than the center in the width direction of the first surface 4a. The identifier assigning means 6 of this embodiment assigns the identifier 6a to the seal area A, and more specifically, forms a line as the identifier 6a extending in the length direction of the second long sheet 42 in a portion that is outer than the storage area B in the width direction. In this embodiment, the identifier assigning means 6 assigns a line as the identifier 6a that extends from one side to the other side of the storage area B in the length direction of the second long sheet 42. The identifier assigning means 6 is also configured to assign an identifier 6a for each package (seal area A of one packaging bag 7), and forms the line as the identifier 6a so as to be located inside both ends of the range that corresponds to one package in the length direction.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, the printing device 5 is disposed upstream of the sealing device 33 in the feed direction of the first long sheet 41, and the identifier assigning means 6 is disposed upstream of the sealing device 33 in the feed direction of the second long sheet 42. Therefore, compared to the case where the printing device 5 and the identifier assigning means 6 are disposed side by side in the feed direction of either the first long sheet 41 or the second long sheet 42, the printing device 5 and the identifier assigning means 6 can be prevented from interfering with each other, and the printing device 5 and the identifier assigning means 6 can be easily disposed. The distance between the printing device 5 and the sealing device 33 in the feed direction of the first long sheet 41 is approximately the same as the distance between the identifier assigning means 6 and the sealing device 33 in the feed direction of the second long sheet 42, and in this embodiment, they are disposed symmetrically with respect to the sealing device 33. In addition, the printing device 5 and the identifier assigning means 6 are movable in the feed direction of the first long sheet 41 and the second long sheet 42, respectively. In this embodiment, the printing device 5 and the identifier assigning means 6 move in the feed direction of the first long sheet 41 and the second long sheet 42 so that the distances to the respective sealing devices 33 are approximately the same. Specifically, the printing device 5 and the identifier assigning means 6 are configured to move the same distance under the control of the control unit.

[0036] The hopper 32 is configured to receive the medicines supplied from the medicine supply device 2 and discharge them downward.

[0037] The sealing device 33 is configured to overlap and heat-seal the first surfaces 4a of the two long sheets 4 to form a packaging bag 7. The sealing device 33 is disposed below the hopper 32.

[0038] Packaging of medicines by the medicine packing machine 1 having the above-mentioned configuration will be described below.

[0039] First, prescription data is input from an external source to the medicine packing machine 1. The prescription data includes information regarding the type and number of medicines to be packed, the number of packets, the timing of taking the medicine, and information regarding the recipient.

[0040] The control unit determines the length of the packaging bag 7 in the longitudinal direction based on the amount of medicine per packet, etc. At this time, the control unit controls the printing device 5 to move in the feed direction of the first long sheet 41 and the identifier assigning means 6 to move in the feed direction of the second long sheet 42 according to the length of the packaging bag 7 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, even if the length of the packaging bag 7 changes, the printing and the position of the identifier 6a on the packaging bag 7 can be aligned. In addition, the control unit controls the printing device 5 and the identifier assigning means 6 to move so that the distance between the printing device 5 and the sealing device 33 in the feed direction of the first long sheet 41 and the distance between the identifier assigning means 6 and the sealing device 33 in the feed direction of the second long sheet 42 are approximately equal.

[0041] Here, the long sheet 4 located between the printing device 5 and the identifier assigning means 6 and the sealing device 33 at the start of packaging becomes an empty package that does not contain medicine because printing or the formation of the identifier 6a is not possible. In this embodiment, the printing device 5 is disposed in the middle of the conveying path of the first long sheet 41, and the identifier assigning means 6 is disposed in the middle of the conveying path of the second long sheet 42. Therefore, compared to the case where the printing device 5 and the identifier assigning means 6 are both disposed in the middle of the conveying path of the first long sheet 41 or the second long sheet 42, the distance between the printing position of the printing device 5 and the position where the identifier 6a is assigned by the identifier assigning means 6 and the sealing device 33 can be shortened, and therefore, wasteful empty packages can be reduced. Therefore, printing and the assignment of the identifier 6a to the packaging bag 7 can be performed efficiently.

[0042] Next, the control unit operates the feeding mechanism 31 to feed the long sheet 4. Specifically, the control unit drives the sheet feeding unit 31b to feed the first long sheet 41 and the second long sheet 42 in the length direction by one package. After feeding the long sheet 4 by one package, the sheet feeding unit 31b stops operating. Furthermore, the control unit operates the sealing device 33 to heat-seal the long sheet 4 to form a packaging bag 7.

[0043] When the sheet feed unit 31b feeds the long sheet 4, the control unit controls the printing device 5 to print character information 5a related to the medicine contained therein on the second surface 4b of the first long sheet 41. Specifically, the printing device 5 is operated to transfer ink from the ink ribbon to the second surface 4b.

[0044] Furthermore, when the long sheet 4 is fed by the sheet feeding unit 31b, the control unit controls the identifier providing means 6 to provide an identifier 6a for identifying the drug contained therein to the first surface 4a of the second long sheet 42. Specifically, when the long sheet 4 is fed, the pen tip of the pen unit is brought into contact with the first surface 4a of the second long sheet 42. In this embodiment, the second long sheet 42 is fed with the pen tip in contact with the first surface 4a, so that a line is formed on the second long sheet 42 as the identifier 6a.

[0045] The above steps are repeated until all packets are printed and given the identifiers 6a.

[0046] In addition, when the area printed on the printing device 5 and the area to which the identifier 6a is applied reach the sealing device 33 by the feeding operation of the feeding mechanism 31, the medicines corresponding to the prescription data supplied from the medicine supplying device 2 are fed from the hopper 32 to the long sheet 4. The medicines corresponding to the prescription data are fed between the first long sheet 41 and the second long sheet 42. The first surfaces 4a of the first long sheet 41 and the second long sheet 42 are overlapped and sealed to form a packaging bag 7 containing the medicine. Here, since the distance from the printing device 5 to the sealing device 33 and the distance from the identifier applying means 6 to the sealing device 33 are approximately equal, the part printed with the character information 5a and the part to which the identifier 6a is applied are sealed at the same time to form the packaging bag 7. Thereafter, the above process is repeated to seal all packets and feed medicines.

[0047] 4, the packaging bag 7 has an identifier 6a attached to the inner surface of the sealing area A, and text information 5a printed on the outer surface of the containing area B. Therefore, both the text information 5a and the identifier 6a can be confirmed.

[0048] Here, since the ink forming the identifier 6a is applied to the inner surface of the packaging bag 7, it is possible to prevent the ink from transferring to other packaging bags 7 when the wet ink comes into contact with other packaging bags 7 or with a part of the drug packaging device 3. In particular, when forming identifiers 6a that are color-coded according to the time of administration, etc., as in this embodiment, there is a risk that the ink will transfer to other packaging bags 7, causing users or recipients to mistakenly identify the drug, so preventing ink transfer is advantageous.

[0049] Furthermore, since the identifier 6a is provided in the sealing area A, the sealing device 33 heat seals the portion to which the identifier 6a is provided. However, since the identifier 6a is formed on the first surface 4a (the inner surface of the packaging bag 7), the sealing device 33 does not directly contact the ink that forms the identifier 6a. Therefore, the identifier 6a can be formed in the sealing area A while preventing the ink from adhering to the sealing device 33. Moreover, since the identifier 6a is provided in the sealing area A of the inner surface of the packaging bag 7, the ink can be prevented from adhering to the medicine. If the ink adheres to the sealing device 33, it may cause poor sealing or cause the ink to be transferred to other packaging bags 7 via the sealing device 33.

[0050] Furthermore, since the identifier 6a is formed at a position shifted toward one side in the width direction of the packaging bag 7, for example, the identifier 6a is easily recognized when a pharmacist or a patient views the packaging bag 7 from an oblique direction. Therefore, even if multiple packaging bags 7 are stacked, the identifier 6a can be recognized in this state or by simply shifting the packaging bags 7 slightly from each other. The identifier 6a can also be formed on an edge in the width direction of the packaging bag 7. With such a configuration, the identifier 6a is easier to recognize.

[0051] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above by way of example, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0052] For example, the case where the medicine packaging device 3 is configured as a part of the medicine packing machine 1 has been described, but the invention is not limited to such a configuration and may be configured with only the medicine packaging device 3. In such a configuration, the medicines can be input into the medicine packaging device 3 by an external device or an operator.

[0053] Further, the medicine packaging device 3 has been described as including both the printing device 5 and the identifier adding means 6, but is not limited to this configuration, and may be configured to include only the identifier adding means 6.

[0054] Furthermore, the drug packaging device 3 has been described as forming the packaging bag 7 by sealing two long sheets 4, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, one long sheet 4 may be folded back at the middle of the width direction to form a half-folded sheet, and the half-folded sheet may be sealed on three sides to form the packaging bag 7. Even when such a configuration is adopted, the identifier 6a can be formed on the first surface 4a before sealing. Also, by forming the identifier 6a in the area to be sealed, it is possible to prevent ink from transferring to other packaging bags 7.

[0055] In addition, the identifier assigning means 6 has been described as forming a line along the length direction as the identifier 6a, but is not limited to this configuration and may be configured to form the identifier 6a in various ways. For example, the identifier assigning means 6 may be configured as a stamp to form a figure as the identifier 6a. Even when the identifier 6a is configured as a line, it may be configured to extend in the width direction or obliquely with respect to the length direction. In other words, the identifier 6a is information indicating which group the medicine contained in the packaging bag 7 belongs to among a plurality of groups divided based on the prescription data.

[0056] Furthermore, the identifier assigning means 6 has been described as drawing a line as the identifier 6a for each package, but is not limited to this configuration and may be configured to draw a line across multiple packages. In such a configuration, it is easy to identify packaging bags 7 belonging to the same group (for example, packaging bags 7 containing medicines that have the same dosing period).

[0057] In addition, the identifier assigning means 6 applies ink to the first surface 4a, and the printer 5 prints on the second surface 4b, but the configuration is not limited to this, and the identifier assigning means 6 and printer 5 can be configured to form and print the identifier 6a on the first surface 4a. When the printer 5 prints on the first surface 4a, it is possible to prevent the ink applied to the first surface 4a by the printer 5 from being transferred to other packaging bags 7. For example, the printer 5 can be configured to print on the first surface 4a with ink that is not harmful to the human body (edible ink), such as food coloring.

[0058] Furthermore, when the printing device 5 prints on the second surface 4b and the identifier assigning means 6 forms the identifier 6a on the first surface 4a, the printing device 5 and the identifier assigning means 6 can both be configured to apply ink to the first long sheet 41.

[0059] In addition, the printing device 5 and the identifier assignment means 6 have been described as printing or forming an identifier 6a based on prescription data, but the configuration is not limited to this, and for example, the configuration can be such that an operator gives instructions regarding the printing content and the identifier 6a to be formed, and printing or forming the identifier 6a is performed based on the instructions.

[0060] Furthermore, the area of ​​the long sheet 4 to be printed may be undercoated (e.g., colored white) to make the printed content more visible. The undercoat may be formed, for example, in a strip shape along the length of the long sheet 4. When such a configuration is adopted, the long sheet 4 may be made transparent or semi-transparent, and the identifier 6a may be formed in the portion in the width direction where no undercoat is formed, thereby making it easier to recognize the identifier 6a from both the front and back of the packaging bag 7.

[0061] Furthermore, when the long sheet 4 is configured to be semi-transparent, for example, the first surface 4a of the long sheet 4 may be matte-finished. In such a configuration, the seal area A becomes transparent by the seal, and the identifier 6a is formed in the transparent portion, improving the visibility of the identifier 6a.

[0062] As described above, the drug packaging device of this embodiment comprises a feed mechanism for feeding a long sheet, a sealing device for sealing the long sheet to form a packaging bag in which the drug is contained, and an identifier assigning means, wherein the long sheet has a first surface that constitutes the inner surface of the packaging bag, and the identifier assigning means is configured to apply ink to the first surface of the long sheet to form an identifier for identifying the drug to be packaged.

[0063] According to the medicine packaging device having the above configuration, since the ink is applied to the first surface, which is the inner surface of the packaging bag, the ink-applied portion of the packaging bag can be prevented from coming into contact with other packaging bags, and therefore, the ink applied to the packaging bag can be prevented from transferring to other packaging bags.

[0064] In the medicine packaging device of the present invention, the identifier applying means may be configured to form the identifier on the long sheet so that the identifier is located at a position close to one end in the width direction of the packaging bag.

[0065] According to the above-described configuration of the drug packaging device, the identifier is formed at a position near one end of the packaging bag in the width direction. Therefore, when the packaging bag is viewed from an oblique direction, for example, the identifier is easier to identify than when the identifier is formed in the center of the width direction.

[0066] In the pharmaceutical packaging device of the present invention, the sealing device is configured to heat seal the long sheet, the long sheet has a sealing area that is heat sealed by the sealing device, and the identifier assigning means is configured to form the identifier on the first surface of the sealing area.

[0067] According to the medicine packaging device having the above configuration, the portion to which ink is applied is heat sealed, so that the ink can be prevented from adhering to other portions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1...medicine packaging machine, 2...medicine supply device, 3...medicine packaging device, 31...feeding mechanism, 31a...sheet supply section, 31b...sheet feed section, 31A...first sheet supply section, 31B...second sheet supply section, 311...mounting section, 312...roller, 32...hopper, 33...sealing device, 4...long sheet, 4a...first side, 4b...second side, 41...first long sheet, 42...second long sheet, 45...roll, 5...printing device, 5a...character information, 6...identifier assignment means, 6a...identifier, 7...packaging bag, A...sealing area, B...storage area

Claims

1. A medicine packaging device configured to feed and seal a long sheet to form a packaging bag in which medicines are contained, and to package medicines in units of doses, an identifier assigning means for assigning an identifier to the packaging bag for identifying information about the drug contained in the packaging bag; The identifier applying means forms the identifier on the long sheet so that the identifier is positioned at a position near one end of the packaging bag in the width direction.

2. The long sheet has a first surface that constitutes an inner surface of the packaging bag, The medicine packaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the identifier applying means forms the identifier by applying ink to the first surface of the long sheet.

3. The long sheet has a sealing area to be sealed later, The medicine packaging device according to claim 2 , wherein the identifier applying means forms the identifier by applying the ink to the seal area on the first surface of the long sheet.

4. The medicine packaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the identifier applying means forms a line on the long sheet as the identifier.

5. The medicine packaging device according to claim 4 , wherein the identifier applying means forms lines on the long sheet that differ in color or type according to information relating to the medicine contained inside the packaging bag.

Images