Medicine feeder

Abstract

To develop a medicine feeder capable of discharging only a correct amount of medicine.SOLUTION: A medicine feeder 1 includes a medicine container 2, and a container mounting device 3. The medicine container 2 is detachable from the container mounting device 3. The medicine container 2 has a medicine discharge portion for discharging medicine. The container mounting device 3 has a vibration table 50, excitation means 51, container holding means, and weight measuring means. There is provided a wire holding member 73 which has a magnet electrification wire 65, an excitation means electrification wire 68, and a measuring means electrification wire 70, and holds any of the wires. The wire holding member 73 holds the wires, and has elasticity to move the position of a wire fixing portion 76 according to external force, and when the external force is eliminated, the wire fixing portion 76 is restored to an original position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medicine feeder that measures and dispenses a predetermined amount of medicine. The medicine feeder of the present invention is suitable for use as a device that supplies powdered medicine to a powdered medicine dispensing device that dispenses powdered medicine. The medicine feeder of the present invention is also suitable for use as a device built into a powdered medicine packaging device that distributes powdered medicine by the powdered medicine dispensing device and further packages the powdered medicine individually. The present invention also relates to a medicine dispensing device having a built-in medicine feeder. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, large hospitals and large pharmacies have introduced powder medicine packaging devices and drug dispensing devices equipped with powder medicine packaging functions. Here, a powder medicine packaging device is a device that packages powder medicine, etc., individually for one dose. By using a powder medicine packaging device, most of the work of packaging powder medicine, etc., for one dose can be automated. The powder medicine packaging device 200 disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a device that packages powder medicine individually in single doses, and as shown in Figure 39, has inside a medicine supply device 201, a powder medicine dispensing device 202, and a medicine packaging device 203. The medicine supplying device 201 disclosed in Patent Document 1 is composed of an input hopper 205 and a powder feeder 206, as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 40, the powder feeder 206 has two piezoelectric elements 207 and 208 provided below a trough 210, and vibrates the trough 210.

[0003] As shown in Fig. 39, the powdered medicine dispensing device 202 is composed of a dispensing plate 212 and a scraping device 215. The dispensing plate 212 has an arc-shaped cross section and a groove 216 that is annular in plan view. The dispensing plate 212 is rotated at a constant speed by a motor 219. The scraping device 215 has a disk 217 that can be raised and lowered and rotated, and a scraper plate 218 is provided on the disk 217.

[0004] The medicine packaging device 203 is composed of a packaging hopper 220 and a packaging device 221 as shown in FIG.

[0005] Next, a procedure for packaging powdered medicine using powdered medicine packaging device 200 will be described. The work of packaging powder medicine is performed by a pharmacist operating the powder medicine packaging device 200 according to a doctor's prescription. That is, the pharmacist checks the doctor's prescription, takes out a medicine bottle containing the prescribed powder medicine from a medicine shelf (not shown), and then uses a scale such as a balance to measure the total weight of the prescribed specific powder medicine. That is, if the powder is to be taken three times a day, 1.0 gram per dose is prescribed, and a 20-day supply is prescribed, then (1.0 x 3 x 20 = 60) grams of powder will be taken out. More specifically, the container is placed on a scale and tared, and the powder is removed from the medicine bottle using a medicine spoon, and then placed in the container on the scale, measuring out 60 grams of powder.

[0006] Then, 60 grams of the measured powdered medicine is fed into the feeding hopper 205 of the medicine feeder 201. At the same time, the piezoelectric elements 207, 208 (FIG. 40) of the powder feeder 206 are energized to vibrate the trough 210, and further the distribution plate 212 is rotated at about 20 to 30 revolutions per minute. The powdered medicine put into the input hopper 205 falls from the opening at the bottom of the input hopper 205 into the trough 210 of the powder feeder 206. Then, as the trough 210 vibrates, the powdered medicine slowly moves toward the tip side and is rectified. As the powdered medicine moves on the trough 210, the rectification progresses and the flow of the medicine becomes laminar. That is, the distribution of the medicine in the cross section perpendicular to the flow becomes constant, and the distance the medicine travels per unit time also becomes constant. As a result, 60 grams of powdered medicine is uniformly dispersed and moves slowly toward the tip side at a constant speed per hour. Finally, the powdered medicine moving at the front reaches the tip of the trough 210, and the powdered medicine moving at the front falls from the tip of the trough 210 into the groove 216 of the distribution plate 212. The following powdered medicines fall into the distribution plate 212 at a constant rate per hour. Finally, the last powdered medicine falls into the distribution plate 212, and all 60 grams of the powdered medicine enters the groove 216.

[0007] Meanwhile, since the distribution plate 212 rotates at a predetermined speed, the powdered medicine falling from the trough 210 is evenly distributed into the grooves 216 of the distribution plate 212 . That is, the powder feeder 206 causes the powdered medicine to drop little by little into the distribution dish 212, and since the distribution dish 212 rotates at a constant speed, the powdered medicine is evenly distributed in the grooves 216 of the distribution dish 212.

[0008] When the powdered medicine has finished falling onto the distribution tray 212, the rotation of the distribution tray 212 is temporarily stopped. After that, the disk 217 of the scraping device 215 is dropped into the groove 216 of the distribution tray 212. After that, the distribution tray 212 is rotated by an angle according to the number of pieces to be distributed. In the previous example, since 60 grams of powdered medicine is to be divided into 60 packets, the distribution tray 212 is rotated by (60 / 360) degrees, and the powdered medicine is collected on the front side of the disk 217 by (60 / 360) degrees. Then, the disk 217 is rotated, and the powdered medicine by (60 / 360) degrees is scraped out of the distribution tray 212 by the scraping plate 218 and thrown into the packaging hopper 220. The powdered medicine that has fallen from the packaging hopper 220 is packaged by the packaging device 221.

[0009] By using the powder medicine packaging device 200 disclosed in Patent Document 1, most of the work of packaging powder medicine into individual doses can be automated. However, the powdered medicine packaging device 200 of the prior art still requires manual steps, and it is difficult to say that the device is capable of completely automating the packaging of powdered medicines. That is, the powder medicine dispensing and packaging device 200 of the prior art requires the pharmacist to take out a medicine bottle containing a desired powder medicine from a medicine shelf and measure out a predetermined amount of powder medicine from the medicine bottle. Therefore, the applicant developed a medicine feeder equipped with a weight measuring means in order to automate the task of measuring out powdered medicine, and filed a patent application (Patent Document 2).

[0010] The drug feeder disclosed in Patent Document 2 is composed of a container mounting device and drug containers. The container mounting device is provided with a vibration table, a vibration means, and an electromagnet, and the drug container can be fixed to the vibration table by the electromagnet. The drug feeder disclosed in Patent Document 2 feeds drugs from drug containers into a distribution tray by vibrating a vibration table. The weight of the drug container during this process is monitored by a weight measuring means, and the vibration of the vibration table is stopped when a certain amount of drug is discharged. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] JP 2000-85703 A [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2014-46148 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] According to the medicine feeder disclosed in Patent Document 2, the task of measuring out a predetermined amount of powdered medicine can be omitted. However, when a prototype of the drug feeder disclosed in Patent Document 2 was manufactured and repeated experiments were conducted to examine the difference between the target drug discharge amount and the actual drug discharge amount, it was found that there was often an error of about 0.5 g between the two. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to develop a medicine feeder that can solve this problem and discharge a more accurate amount of medicine. In addition, the medicine dispensing device of the present disclosure can also accommodate medicines that are used less frequently. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The present inventors have investigated the cause of the error in the discharge amount and found that the elasticity of the electric wire connecting the drug feeder to the outside is the cause of the error. That is, the drug feeder disclosed in Patent Document 2 has an electromagnet for fixing the drug container, a vibration means for vibrating the drug container, and electric wires for supplying power to these, as well as electric wires for outputting a signal from the weight measuring means to the outside. Although these electric wires are thin, they are physically connected to the main body, and their weight and elasticity affect the detection value of the weight measuring means, although only slightly. In addition, the medicine feeder disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a vibration table, and the main body vibrates during use. Therefore, the vibration of the vibration table is transmitted to each electric wire, causing each electric wire to vibrate. As a result, the position and bending of the electric wire changes while the medicine is being discharged, causing an error of about 0.5 g in the measurement.

[0014] One aspect of the present invention, which has been developed to solve the above problems, is a medicine dispensing device comprising a sealed medicine container filled with medicine, a container storage device for storing the sealed medicine container, a container mounting device, a housing, and an operation display unit, wherein the sealed medicine container, the container storage device, and the container mounting device are arranged inside the housing, and the sealed medicine container has a lid member at one end in the longitudinal direction, the lid member being openable and closable, based on a posture in which the container is mounted on the container mounting device, and the container mounting device has a vibration table, and has an opening on the upper surface side, based on a posture in which the container is mounted on the container mounting device. an open-type drug container into which drugs are introduced is located outside the housing, and the drug filled in the closed-type drug container or the open-type drug container can be dispensed by placing the closed-type drug container or the open-type drug container on a vibration table; if there is no closed-type drug container stored in the container storage device that is filled with a prescribed drug, a message is displayed on the operation display unit to prompt the user to place the open-type drug container outside the housing on a container mounting device, The drug dispensing device further has a door section for manual entry, and the operation display section has a touch panel, and a display is displayed on the touch panel of the operation display section indicating one of the following actions (a) to (c): (a) opening the door section for manual entry, (b) closing the door section for manual entry, or (c) starting distribution. In a preferred embodiment, the container mounting device has an informing member, and the informing member of the container mounting device on which the sealed medicine container should be mounted is turned on. An even more preferred embodiment is a drug dispensing device in which, when the display indicating the operation (a) displayed on the operation display unit is pressed, the manual entry door unit automatically opens, and the manual entry door unit closest to the container loading device whose alarm member is lit opens, allowing an operator to manually insert the drug container with an open drug inlet through the manual entry door unit and place the drug container with an open drug inlet on the container loading device whose alarm member is lit. In a further preferred embodiment, the open-type drug container for drug injection has a storage space forming member and a bottom forming member, and the storage space forming member has a side wall covering at least the side surface and has an opening at the bottom, in the drug dispensing device. A further preferred embodiment is a drug dispensing device which has a container holding means for temporarily fixing the open-type drug container for drug injection to a vibration table, wherein the bottom forming member is partly or entirely made of a magnetic material, the storage space forming member is detachable from the bottom forming member, and the container holding means has a magnetic member and fixes the open-type drug container for drug injection by magnetic force. In a further preferred embodiment, the open-type drug container has an elastic body between the storage space forming member and the bottom forming member, and the total horizontal length of the bottom forming member is longer than the total horizontal length of the storage space forming member based on the position placed on the vibration table of the container mounting device, and the tip of the bottom forming member serves as the drug discharge portion, and when the open-type drug container is placed on the vibration table and fixed to the vibration table by a container holding means, and the vibration table is vibrated, the drug that falls from the opening of the storage space forming member onto the bottom forming member proceeds over the bottom forming member and the drug is discharged in small amounts from the drug discharge portion, in this drug dispensing device. Another aspect of the present invention developed to solve the above problems is a drug feeder having a drug container and a container mounting device, the drug container being detachable from the container mounting device, the drug container having a drug discharge section for discharging a drug and an information recording member, the container mounting device having a vibration table, a vibration means for vibrating the vibration table, a container holding means for temporarily fixing the drug container to the vibration table, and a weight measuring means for directly or indirectly measuring a weight of the drug container, the drug container being mounted on the vibration table, the drug container being fixed to the vibration table by the container holding means, the vibration table being vibrated to discharge the drug little by little from the drug discharge section, and the amount of drug discharged being detectable by the weight measuring means, the container holding means for temporarily fixing the drug container to the vibration table, the drug container having a storage space forming member and a bottom forming member, the storage space forming member having a side wall covering at least the side and an opening at the bottom, the bottom forming member being partly or entirely magnetic, a drug feeder in which the drug container is inserted into the bottom forming member through a hole in the bottom forming member and the drug container is inserted into the bottom forming member through a hole in the bottom forming member; the drug container is inserted into the bottom forming member through a hole in the bottom forming member and the drug container is inserted into the bottom forming member through a hole in the bottom forming member; the drug container is inserted into the bottom forming member through a hole in the bottom forming member and the drug container is inserted into the bottom forming member through a hole in the bottom forming member; In a preferred embodiment, the storage space forming member has a guide piece, the bottom forming member has a guide receiving member, and the guide piece and the guide receiving member are engaged with each other to form the storage space forming member and the bottom forming member into one unit. In a further preferred embodiment, the guide receiving member is a drug feeder having the elastic body. A further preferred embodiment is a drug dispensing device having the above-mentioned drug feeder and a temporary placement stand on which a drug container is temporarily placed, in which the drug container has an opening on the upper side in the direction of gravity based on the posture in which it is mounted on the container mounting device, and drug can be poured into the drug container through the opening, and the drug container has a drug discharge portion at one end in the horizontal direction, and the drug container is temporarily placed on the temporary placement stand in an inclined posture so that the opening is on the upper side and the drug discharge portion is facing upward. Another aspect developed based on the above findings is a drug feeder having a drug container and a container mounting device, the drug container being detachable from the container mounting device, the drug container having a drug discharge section for discharging a drug, the container mounting device having a vibration table, a vibration means for vibrating the vibration table, a container holding means for temporarily fixing the drug container to the vibration table, and a weight measuring means for directly or indirectly measuring the weight of the drug container, the drug container being mounted on the vibration table, the drug container being fixed to the vibration table by the container holding means, the vibration table being vibrated to discharge the drug little by little from the drug discharge section, and the amount of drug discharged being detectable by the weight measuring means, the drug feeder having one or more electric wires connected to the outside, and an electric wire holding member for holding all or any of the electric wires, the electric wire holding member having an electric wire fixing portion and holding the electric wires by the electric wire fixing portion, the electric wire holding member having elasticity, the position of the electric wire fixing portion moving in response to an external force, and the electric wire fixing portion returning to its original position when the external force disappears.

[0015] In the drug feeder of this embodiment, the drug container is fixed to the vibration table and the drug container is directly in contact with the vibration table. By vibrating the vibration table in this state, the whole or part of the drug container can be vibrated. Therefore, the drug in the drug container moves slowly to the drug discharge part side, the flow of the drug is rectified and the flow becomes laminar, and it is discharged from the drug discharge part. Furthermore, since the medicine feeder of this embodiment is equipped with a weight measuring means, it is possible to detect the amount of medicine discharged, and the operation of measuring out powdered medicine or the like can be automated. The drug feeder of this embodiment also has a wire holding member, and the wire is held by the wire fixing portion of the wire holding member. The wire holding member has elasticity, and the position of the wire fixing portion moves in response to an external force, and when the external force disappears, the wire fixing portion returns to its original position. Therefore, the position or bending of the wire is prevented from changing while the drug is being discharged, and the problem of errors in the measurement value is eliminated.

[0016] In one embodiment, the drug container is partially or entirely made of magnetic material, the container holding means has a magnetic member and fixes the drug container by magnetic force, and the configuration can include a magnet wire connected to the magnetic member, a vibration means wire connected to the vibration means, and a measurement means wire connected to the weight measurement means.

[0017] It is recommended that the wire retaining member be a coil spring in part or in whole.

[0018] A plurality of electric wire holding members may be provided.

[0019] It is desirable that the container holding means has a permanent magnet and an electromagnet, and fixes the drug container to the vibration table by at least the magnetic force of the permanent magnet, and releases the drug container from its fixation on the vibration table by passing current through the electromagnet to generate a magnetic force that cancels out the magnetic force of the permanent magnet.

[0020] In the drug feeder of this embodiment, the container holding means has a permanent magnet and an electromagnet, and the drug container is fixed to the vibration table by at least the magnetic force of the permanent magnet. Therefore, when the drug container is mounted on the container mounting device, the amount of electricity passing through the electromagnet is small. If a configuration is adopted in which the drug container is fixed to the vibration table by only the magnetic force of the permanent magnet, there is no need to pass electricity through the electromagnet while the drug container is fixed to the vibration table. Therefore, the electromagnet does not generate heat, and the drug in the drug container is not heated. In addition, since there is no need to pass electricity through the electromagnet while the drug container is fixed to the vibration table, power consumption is small. Therefore, the power consumption of the entire drug feeder is small, and the heat generation is small, so the drug is not easily affected.

[0021] It is desirable that there are one or more coil-shaped members inside the drug container, and that at least one of the coil-shaped members is placed horizontally with its axis intersecting the direction of drug flow caused by vibrating the vibration table, and is a movable coil that has a degree of freedom in the vertical direction and moves up and down due to the vibration of the vibration table.

[0022] In some cases, the powdered medicine may be in the form of lumps inside the medicine container. According to this embodiment, the movable coil moves up and down due to vibration, so that the lumps are crushed and the medicine is smoothly discharged.

[0023] A visor member is provided to cover the upper part of the movable coil, and the visor member has an opening formed therein. It is preferable that the opening is located directly above the movable coil so that the medicine that has climbed up onto the visor member falls from the opening onto the movable coil.

[0024] In the drug feeder of this embodiment, the drugs drop directly into the movable coil, which has a strong effect of crushing lumps.

[0025] It is desirable that there are two or more coil-shaped members within the drug container, and that at least one of the coil-shaped members is a fixed coil that is placed horizontally with its axis intersecting the drug flow direction and has no freedom of movement in the vertical direction.

[0026] In the medicine feeder of this embodiment, the coil-shaped member functions as a flow straightening member and can break up lumps of powdered medicine and return them to their original powder state.

[0027] It is desirable that there are two or more coil-shaped members in the drug container, at least one of the coil-shaped members is a movable coil that is placed horizontally and has an axis that intersects with the drug flow direction caused by vibrating the vibration table, has a degree of freedom in the vertical direction and moves up and down due to the vibration of the vibration table, and at least one of the coil-shaped members is a fixed coil that is placed horizontally and has an axis that intersects with the drug flow direction and has no degree of freedom in the vertical direction, and that the fixed coil is located downstream of the movable coil in the drug flow direction.

[0028] As described above, the movable coil has the function of crushing lumps of the medicine, and the fixed coil has the function of a rectifying member. If there are any lumps in the drug, they will be crushed by the moving coil. However, in this state, the thickness of the drug layer will be uneven. In this embodiment, the presence of a fixed coil downstream of the moving coil causes the crushed powdered drug to be leveled and converted into a thin layer of uniform thickness.

[0029] It is desirable to have a weighing function in which a weight measuring means measures the original weight of the drug container before the drug is discharged, the weight of the drug container is monitored by the weight measuring means when the vibration table is vibrated to discharge the drug in small amounts from the drug discharge section, and the vibration of the vibration table is stopped when the current weight of the drug container matches or nearly matches the value obtained by subtracting the target discharge amount from the original weight.

[0030] Regarding the means for measuring the weight of the drug container, the weight of the drug container may be measured directly or indirectly. That is, the weight of the drug container alone may be measured directly, or the weight including the weight of a device such as a vibrating table may be measured. In the drug feeder of the present invention, the original weight, which is the weight of the drug container before the drug is discharged, and the current weight, which is the current weight of the drug container, are utilized, and the vibration of the vibration table is stopped when the current weight coincides with the value obtained by subtracting the target discharge amount from the original weight. Alternatively, taking into account the weight of the drug while it is falling, the vibration of the vibration table is stopped when the current weight is slightly less than the value obtained by subtracting the target discharge amount from the original weight and almost coincides. Therefore, after the target amount of drug is discharged, the vibration of the vibration table is stopped, and the discharge of the drug is stopped.

[0031] It is desirable to monitor the weight of the medicine container, and change the vibration pattern of the vibration table when the change in the weight of the medicine container per unit time falls below a certain level.

[0032] A possible reason why the change in weight of the medicine container per unit time is less than a certain value is that the medicine has solidified inside the medicine container. Therefore, when the change in weight of the drug container per unit time becomes less than a certain value, the vibration pattern of the vibration table is changed to break up the clumps, for example, by changing the vibration pattern so that the amplitude of the vibration table is increased.

[0033] If the change in weight of the medicine container per unit time is less than a certain amount even when the vibration pattern of the vibration table is changed, it is desirable to stop the vibration of the vibration table and execute a predetermined stock-out processing step.

[0034] If the change in weight of the medicine container per unit time is less than a certain amount even when the vibration pattern of the vibration table is changed, it is possible that this is because the amount of medicine remaining in the medicine container has become small. At this point, the vibration of the vibration table is stopped, and a predetermined stockout processing step is carried out.

[0035] In the stock-out processing process, it is desirable to store the weight of the medicine already discharged, and when the machine is restarted automatically or manually after the medicine container is replaced, to stop the vibration of the vibration table when the total discharge amount matches or nearly matches the target discharge amount.

[0036] According to this embodiment, even if a shortage occurs before the specified amount of discharge is reached, when the missing medicine is replenished and discharge is resumed, the amount of discharge that must be discharged after refilling can be calculated because the discharge amount completed before refilling is stored. Therefore, there is no need to collect the medicine that has already been discharged and start discharging again from the beginning, which increases work efficiency.

[0037] It is desirable to change the vibration pattern of the vibration table when the discharge amount of the drug approaches the target amount.

[0038] For example, when the amount of drug discharged becomes the target amount minus a certain amount (sufficiently smaller than the target amount), the amplitude of the vibration table is reduced or the vibration frequency is lowered.

[0039] The drug container may have a container body with an opening on one side, and a lid member that forms a drug discharge portion and is removably attached to the opening of the container body, the lid member having an engaging piece, a recess on the outer periphery of the drug container, and a rocking member that covers the recess and rocks relative to the container body, the engaging piece of the lid member being arranged in the recess, and a part of the rocking member engaging with the engaging piece to fix the lid member to the container body.

[0040] The drug container may have a body that is almost entirely covered and has space inside, and a raised bottom member is provided at a position further back than the drug discharge section based on the position in which it is placed on the container mounting device, so that when the drug container is in a vertical position, the drug inside does not reach further back than the raised bottom member.

[0041] The drug feeder of this embodiment is suitable for packaging small amounts of drugs prescribed at one time. Drugs that require a small amount of prescription per time are consumed (sold) in small quantities over a certain period of time. Therefore, the amount of inventory is small, and if such drugs are stored in a normal-sized drug container, the empty space in the drug container becomes large, and the drug may absorb moisture due to the water vapor in the space. According to the medicine feeder of this aspect, the space for storing the medicine inside the medicine container is narrow, so that the medicine is less likely to become wet. The drug feeder of this embodiment is also suitable for packaging drugs that are prescribed less frequently. Moreover, the medicine feeder of this aspect is suitable for storing medicine containers in a vertical position and placing them on the container mounting device in a horizontal position. When a medicine container containing a small amount of medicine is stored in an upright position, the medicine is concentrated at the bottom. When this container is placed in a horizontal position on the container mounting device, the medicine is concentrated at the farthest part (the back side) from the medicine discharge part. Here, the drug feeder of this embodiment vibrates the vibration table to vibrate all or part of the drug container, slowly moving the drug in the drug container toward the drug discharge section; however, if the amount of drug contained in the drug container is small, it takes time for the drug accumulated at the back to reach the drug discharge section. This embodiment was developed as a drug container for storing small amounts of drug, and since the drug inside does not reach deeper than the raised bottom member, the time required for the drug to reach the drug discharge section after the vibration of the vibrating table begins is short.

[0042] The medicine container may have an opening on its upper surface side based on the posture in which it is mounted on the container mounting device, and the medicine may be poured into the medicine container through the opening.

[0043] The drug feeder of this embodiment is suitable for packaging drugs that are prescribed infrequently. The drug feeder of this embodiment is also suitable for packaging drugs that are crushed into powder form from tablets or drugs that are mixed in a mortar and prepared. The drug feeder of this embodiment is also suitable for packaging drugs that are not suitable for storage in a drug container.

[0044] The drug container may also have a storage space forming member and a bottom forming member, the storage space forming member having a side wall covering at least the side surface and having an opening at the bottom, part or all of the bottom forming member being magnetic, the storage space forming member being detachable from the bottom forming member, and the container holding means having a magnetic member and fixing the drug container by magnetic force.

[0045] The drug feeder of this embodiment is also suitable for packaging drugs that are prescribed infrequently. The drug feeder of this embodiment is also suitable for packaging drugs that are crushed into powder form from tablets or drugs that are mixed in a mortar and prepared. The drug feeder of this embodiment is also suitable for packaging drugs that are not suitable for storage in a drug container.

[0046] There is an elastic body between the storage space forming member and the bottom forming member, and the total horizontal length of the bottom forming member is longer than the total horizontal length of the storage space forming member based on the posture in which it is placed on the vibration table of the container mounting device, and the tip of the bottom forming member becomes the drug discharge portion.When the drug container is placed on the vibration table and fixed to the vibration table by the container holding means, and the vibration table is vibrated, the drug that falls from the opening of the storage space forming member onto the bottom forming member travels over the bottom forming member, and the drug is discharged in small amounts from the drug discharge portion.

[0047] According to this embodiment, the vibration of the vibration table is not easily transmitted to the storage space forming member, and the movement of the medicine is smooth. In the drug feeder of this embodiment, an elastic body is provided between the storage space forming member and the bottom forming member, and the two are structured as if they are disconnected from each other. Therefore, the bottom forming member directly receives vibration from the vibration table and vibrates strongly, but the storage space forming member placed on the upper side vibrates weakly. Thus, in this embodiment, the vibration of the storage space forming member and the vibration of the bottom forming member are not synchronized. As a result, the medicine in the storage space forming member falls onto the bottom forming member, moves smoothly through the bottom forming member and is discharged from the medicine discharge portion at the tip.

[0048] The recommended medicine dispensing apparatus is a medicine dispensing apparatus having the above-mentioned medicine feeder and a powder medicine dispensing apparatus for dispensing powder medicine, characterized in that medicine is fed to the powder medicine dispensing apparatus by the medicine feeder.

[0049] A further recommended configuration of a drug dispensing device that employs the above-mentioned drug feeder is a drug dispensing device having a plurality of container mounting devices that constitute the drug feeder, the container mounting devices being arranged in the vicinity of the powdered medicine dispensing device, and having an alarm member that notifies users that the container mounting device is a container mounting device on which a specific drug container or a specific object should be mounted.

[0050] The "specific drug container" is not limited to, but examples include a drug container filled with a drug that is used infrequently, a drug container containing a drug with a low total discharge amount, and a drug container containing a drug that has been crushed into a powder tablet. When handling such special medicines, there are cases where the medicine is weighed in advance using an external weighing device, filled into a medicine container, and then dispensed by a powder medicine dispensing device, rather than relying on measurement using a weight measuring means. In such cases, the pharmacist may hold the medicine container directly in his or her hands and place it on the container mounting device, but if there are multiple container mounting devices, it may become unclear which container mounting device the medicine container should be placed on. According to this aspect, the container mounting device on which the medicine container should be placed is identified, and work efficiency is improved. Furthermore, the "specific object" is not limited to any particular object, but may be, for example, a weight for calibrating or inspecting a weight measuring means. In this case as well, it may become difficult to know on which container mounting device the weight should be placed. According to this aspect, the container mounting device on which the "specific object" should be placed becomes clear, improving work efficiency.

[0051] A further recommended drug dispensing device has a plurality of container mounting devices that constitute a drug feeder, a container storage device for installing and storing a plurality of drug containers, and a container moving means, the container mounting devices are arranged in the vicinity of the powdered medicine dispensing device, the area in which the container storage device and the powdered medicine dispensing device are provided is covered by a housing, the housing has a plurality of door sections that allow drug containers to be inserted and removed from the inside, at least one of the door sections is an automatic loading door, and the drug containers brought in through the automatic loading door are transported to a predetermined position by the container moving means, and at least one other door section is a manual loading door section, which is of a size that allows an operator to insert his or her hand from outside to introduce the drug container into the housing, and which is located in a position where the operator can place the drug container on any of the container mounting devices.

[0052] The drug container has an opening on its upper surface based on the position when it is attached to the container mounting device, and drug can be added to the drug container through the opening. The drug container has a drug discharge portion at one horizontal end and a temporary placement stand for temporarily placing the drug container, and the temporary placement stand may be configured to temporarily place the drug container in an inclined position such that the drug input portion is on the upper side and the drug discharge portion is facing upward.

[0053] The drug container may be provided with a memory means or an identification means for identifying the drug container, and the temporary placement stand may be provided with a reading means and / or a writing means for reading out the contents recorded in the memory means or identification means.

[0054] The container mounting device is a container mounting device for a drug feeder that constitutes a drug feeder together with a drug container that contains drugs, and includes a vibration table, a vibration means for vibrating the vibration table, a container holding means for temporarily fixing the drug container to the vibration table, and a weight measuring means for directly or indirectly measuring the weight of the drug container, the container holding means having a magnet member and fixing the drug container by magnetic force, and including a magnet current conducting wire connected to the magnet member, a vibration means current conducting wire connected to the vibration means, and a measuring means current conducting wire connected to the weight measuring means. The container mounting device for a drug feeder is characterized in that the drug container is placed on a vibration table and fixed to the vibration table by a container holding means, the vibration table is vibrated to discharge the drug in small amounts from the drug discharge section, and the amount of drug discharged is detectable by a weight measuring means, the device has a wire holding member that holds any of the electric wires, the wire holding member has an electric wire fixing section and holds the electric wire by the electric wire fixing section, the wire holding member is elastic so that the position of the wire fixing section moves in response to an external force, and when the external force disappears, the wire fixing section returns to its original position. Effect of the Invention

[0055] According to the medicine feeder of the present invention, the operation of measuring out powdered medicine or the like can be automated. Furthermore, the medicine feeder of this embodiment eliminates the problem of errors occurring in the measured values ​​of powdered medicines, etc. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0056] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drug feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a drug container of the drug feeder of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the drug container of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the drug container of FIG. 2, with a container body partially cut away, the drug container being observed from the rear. FIG. [Diagram 5] 5A is an oblique view of the lid member of the drug container in FIG. 2 from behind with the inner lid and eaves lid removed, (b) is an enlarged partial view thereof, (c) is an oblique view showing the fixed rectifier coil extracted, and (d) is an oblique view showing the movable rectifier coil extracted. [Figure 6] 3 is a perspective view of the cover member of the medicine container in FIG. 2, observed from the rear with the inner lid removed. [Figure 7] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the drug container shown in FIG. 2 along line AA. [Figure 8] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the medicine container in FIG. 2, illustrating the flow of powdered medicine in the medicine container in the medicine feeder. [Figure 9] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the drug container of FIG. 2 shown in FIG. [Figure 10] 2 is a perspective view of a container mounting device of the medicine feeder of FIG. 1 and a feeder cover attached to the container mounting device. FIG. [Figure 11] 11 is an exploded perspective view of the container mounting device of FIG. 10. [Figure 12] 11 is a cross-sectional view of the container mounting device shown in FIG. 10 along the line AA. [Figure 13] 11 is a sectional perspective view of the container mounting device of FIG. 10. [Figure 14] 2A and 2B are oblique views of key parts explaining the behavior of the electric wire holding member of the drug feeder of FIG. 1, in which (a) is an oblique view of the vicinity of the electric wire holding member before powdered medicine is discharged, (b) is an oblique view of the vicinity of the electric wire holding member during powdered medicine discharge, and (c) is an oblique view of the vicinity of the electric wire holding member after powdered medicine is discharged. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is an external view of a medicine dispensing device in which the medicine feeder of FIG. 1 is installed. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of the medicine dispensing device of FIG. 15. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a drug container of a drug feeder according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a drug feeder according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a cover member for a medicine container according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 17 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 16, showing the distribution tray of one of the powdered medicine distribution devices and the container mounting device provided around it. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a medication feeder according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of the drug container of FIG. 21. [Figure 23] 22A and 22B are cross-sectional views of the drug container of FIG. 21, in which (a) shows a state in which the movable lid part is open, and (b) shows a state in which the movable lid part is closed. [Figure 24] 22A and 22B are cross-sectional views of the drug container of FIG. 21, in which (a) shows a state in which the cover member is attached to the container body, and (b) and (c) show a procedure for removing the cover member from the container body. [Diagram 25] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a drug container of a drug feeder according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 26] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating the behavior of the medicine container immediately before it is placed on the container mounting device. [Figure 27] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a drug container of a drug feeder according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 28] 28 is an exploded perspective view of a storage space forming member of the medicine container of FIG. 27. FIG. [Figure 29] FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the drug container of FIG. 27. [Diagram 30] FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view of the drug container of FIG. 27. [Diagram 31] 28 is an exploded perspective view of a bottom forming member of the drug container of FIG. 27. [Diagram 32] 32 is a cross-sectional view of the bottom forming member of FIG. 31. FIG. [Diagram 33]FIG. [Diagram 34] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cover member for a medicine container according to still another embodiment of the present invention, viewed from behind. [Diagram 35] 35 is a perspective view showing a part of the cover member of FIG. 34 in a cutaway view. FIG. [Diagram 36] FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of the drug container of FIG. 34. [Figure 37] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a drug container employed in another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 38] FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view of the drug container shown in FIG. 37. [Figure 39] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a powdered medicine packaging device disclosed in Patent Document 1. [Diagram 40] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a powder feeder disclosed in Patent Document 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0057] The drug feeder 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be further described below. In the following description, the top-bottom and up-down directions are based on the state in which the drug container 2 is attached in the correct position to the container mounting device 3 as shown in Figure 1. The side of the drug discharge section (Figure 7) 13 of the drug container 2 is the front side, and the opposite side is the rear side. The left-right direction is the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the drug container 2. As shown in Fig. 1, the drug feeder 1 of this embodiment is composed of a drug container 2 and a container mounting device 3. A feeder cover 18 is attached to the container mounting device 3 as shown in Fig. 10. For ease of illustration, the feeder cover 18 is omitted in Fig. 1.

[0058] The drug container 2 is a sealed container, and is composed of a container body 5, a steel plate portion for transportation 7, a steel plate portion for fixing 6, and a lid member 8 as shown in FIGS. The container body 5 is an elongated container made of resin, and one end in the longitudinal direction is open. An information recording member 90 such as an RFID and electronic paper 91 are attached to the medicine container 2. Here, the electronic paper 91 is a visually-enabled display medium that is as thin as paper and whose display contents can be electrically rewritten. In this embodiment, the type of medicine is stored in the information recording member 90. In addition, the date when the medicine was filled into the medicine container 2 and the filled amount may be stored as necessary. Furthermore, the remaining amount of medicine, the dispensed amount, the expiration date, etc. may be stored in the information recording member 90. Also, it is desirable for electronic paper 91 to display the type of medicine filled in information recording member 90, the date the medicine was filled, the amount filled, the remaining amount, the amount dispensed, the expiration date, and the like.

[0059] The container body 5 is also provided with a transportation iron plate section 7. In this embodiment, the transportation iron plate section 7 is divided into two small transportation iron plate sections 7a and 7b. The transportation iron plate section 7 is made of a steel plate containing a magnetic component such as ferrite.

[0060] The lid member 8 has a lid main body 10 and a movable lid part 11. The movable lid part 11 has a knob part 12, and by pressing the knob part 12, the movable lid part 11 opens as shown in Fig. 7. When the movable lid part 11 opens, a medicine discharge part 13 that communicates with the inside and outside of the container main body 5 opens, and the movable lid part 11 maintains the medicine discharge part 13 in an open state. Further, at the rear end side of the lid main body 10, as shown in Figs. 4 to 8, a desiccant inserting section 15 and a flow straightening section 20 are provided. The desiccant insertion section 15 is a recess with a bottom, and has parallel side walls 16. The top surface of the side wall 16 is an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the rear. Inside the desiccant insert portion 15, a desiccant 21 is built in as shown in FIGS.

[0061] The rectifying unit 20 is provided on the rear end side of the lid main body 10. The rectifying unit 20 has a fixed rectifying coil 25 and a movable rectifying coil 26 as main components, as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6. That is, the lid body 10 is provided with a rectifier coil holder 27 at a position rearward of the desiccant insert portion 15 and toward the lower side. The rectifying coil holding section 27 has left and right side sections 30 and a top section 29, and has a structure with an open bottom side, and has a coil accommodating space 28 inside in which the fixed rectifying coil 25 and the movable rectifying coil 26 are accommodated. In this embodiment, the movable rectifying coil 26 is located on the upstream side and the fixed rectifying coil 25 is located on the downstream side based on the flow direction of the medicine. The side surface portion 30 of the rectifier coil holding portion 27 is functionally divided into a fixed coil holding wall 31 , a movable coil holding wall 32 , and a front end closing wall 33 .

[0062] The top surface of the fixed coil retaining wall 31 forms the same plane as the top surface of the side wall 16 of the desiccant insertion section 15 described above, and is an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the rear as shown in Figure 5. The inner peripheral surfaces of the left and right fixed coil holding walls 31 are parallel to each other. The outer surfaces of the left and right fixed coil retaining walls 31 are inclined inwardly toward the rear as they extend rearward, as shown in FIGS.

[0063] Next, a description will be given of the left and right movable coil holding walls 32. The left and right movable coil holding walls 32 are both thin and parallel to each other. In addition, the heights of the left and right movable coil holding walls 32 are uniform. 5B, a hole 39 is provided in the movable coil holding wall 32. The diameter of the hole 39 is sufficiently larger than the wire diameter of the movable rectifier coil 26.

[0064] Next, the left and right tip blocking walls 33 will be described. The left and right tip blocking walls 33 are continuous with the left and right movable coil holding walls 32, and are inclined inward toward the rear. The rear ends of the left and right tip blocking walls 33 match each other to close the rear end side of the coil accommodating space 28. Therefore, the rear end side of the rectifier coil holding portion 27 is triangular. A notch 36 is provided on the lower side of the side surface portion 30 at the boundary between the movable coil holding wall 32 and the front end closing wall 33 .

[0065] The fixed rectifier coil 25 is a coil spring as shown in Fig. 5(c), in which wire is wound in a circular shape, with the wire wound with a gap between each other in the middle part. At both ends of the fixed rectifier coil 25, the wire is densely wound to form seat winding parts 40. Both ends of the fixed rectifier coil 25 are smooth. That is, the seat winding parts 40 are smooth.

[0066] 5(d), the movable rectifier coil 26 has wire protruding from both ends to form pin portions 41. The pin portions 41 protrude on an extension of the axis of the movable rectifier coil 26. Similarly, in the intermediate portion of the movable rectifying coil 26, the wire is wound with a space between each other.

[0067] The fixed rectifier coil 25 and the movable rectifier coil 26 are housed in the coil housing space 28. More specifically, the fixed rectifier coil 25 is disposed on the fixed coil holding wall 31, and the seat winding portions 40 at both ends thereof are integrally fixed to the fixed coil holding wall 31. Therefore, both ends of the fixed rectifier coil 25 are held immovably, and the fixed rectifier coil 25 as a whole does not move up and down even when subjected to vibration.

[0068] When the fixed rectifier coil 25 is accommodated in the coil accommodating space 28, there is a gap between the loops made of the wire in the middle of the coil accommodating space 28. The gap is larger than the diameter of the wire. The gap is preferably about 1 to 5 times the diameter of the wire, and more preferably about 2 to 3 times. Specifically, the gap between the wires is about 1 mm to 5 mm, and more preferably 2 mm to 3 mm. The wire diameter of the fixed rectifier coil 25 is about 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm. The outer diameter of the fixed rectifier coil 25 is about 10 mm to 25 mm, and more desirably, 12 mm to 18 mm.

[0069] In contrast, the movable rectifier coil 26 has a degree of freedom in the vertical direction. That is, the movable rectifier coil 26 is prevented from coming off the coil accommodating space 28 by inserting the pin portion 41 into the hole 39 of the movable coil holding wall 32. As described above, the hole 39 of the movable coil holding wall 32 is sufficiently larger than the wire diameter of the movable rectifier coil 26, so there is a considerable gap between the pin portion 41 and the hole 39. Furthermore, the movable rectifier coil 26 is neither in compression nor tension. Therefore, when the movable rectifying coil 26 is subjected to vibration, the movable rectifying coil 26 itself moves in the vertical direction.

[0070] The movable rectifier coil 26 also has gaps between the rings made of wire. The gaps are slightly larger than those of the fixed rectifier coil 25. The gaps are preferably about 1 to 6 times the diameter of the wire, and more preferably about 2 to 4 times. Specifically, the gaps between the wires are about 1 to 6 mm, and more preferably 2 to 4 mm. The wire diameter of the movable rectifier coil 26 is about 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm. The outer diameter of the movable rectifier coil 26 is about 10 mm to 25 mm, and more desirably, 12 mm to 18 mm.

[0071] The top surface of the desiccant inserting portion 15 and the upper portion of the fixed rectifier coil 25 in the coil accommodating space 28 are closed by an inner lid 22 . In other words, the top surface of the side wall 16 of the desiccant insertion section 15 and the top surface of the fixed coil holding wall 31 form the same inclined plane, and a plate-shaped inner lid 22 is attached to both of them to close the upper side of the desiccant insertion section 15 and the upper side of the fixed rectifier coil 25 in the coil accommodating space 28.

[0072] Further, the upper part of the movable rectifier coil 26 in the coil accommodating space 28 is closed by a hood lid (hood member) 35 . Here, the planar shape of the lid 35 coincides with the outline of the left and right movable coil retaining walls 32 and the left and right tip closing walls 33 when viewed in plan. Therefore, the top surface side of the area surrounded by the left and right movable coil retaining walls 32 and the area surrounded by the left and right tip closing walls 33 is closed by the lid 35.

[0073] In this embodiment, an opening 43 is provided in the center of the eaves cover 35. The size of the opening 43 is about 5 mm square to 15 mm square. In this embodiment, the opening 43 is a square, but it may be another polygon or a circle. The position of the opening 43 is directly above the movable commutation coil 26, at the center of the movable commutation coil 26 in the longitudinal direction or in the vicinity thereof. Therefore, the ceiling surface of the coil accommodating space 28 is located directly above the movable rectifying coil 26, and communicates with the outside at the center in the longitudinal direction when the movable rectifying coil 26 is laid down.

[0074] The cover member 8 is attached to the opening of the container body 5 as shown in FIG. With the lid member 8 attached, there is a gap 48 between the bottom 46 of the container body 5 and the bottom opening of the coil accommodating space 28, as shown in Figures 4, 7 and 8. In other words, none of the lower ends of the fixed coil retaining wall 31, the movable coil retaining wall 32 and the tip closing wall 33 that form the peripheral walls of the coil accommodating space 28 reach the bottom 46 of the container body 5, and the coil accommodating space 28 is held in a hollow state, as shown in Figures 4, 7 and 8. Therefore, the upper part of the movable rectifier coil 26 is covered with a lid 35 . The fixed rectifying coil 25 and the movable rectifying coil 26 have axes parallel to each other, and the axes are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the container body 5 .

[0075] When the lid member 8 is attached to the container body 5, the fixed rectifying coil 25 and the movable rectifying coil 26 are both placed horizontally, with their axes perpendicular to the direction of drug flow caused by vibrating the vibration table 50. The movable rectifier coil 26 also has a degree of freedom in the vertical direction and moves up and down due to the vibration of the vibration table 50. In this embodiment, the hole 39 for holding the movable rectifier coil 26, which is formed in the movable coil holding wall 32, is made sufficiently larger than the wire diameter of the movable rectifier coil 26, thereby giving the movable rectifier coil 26 a degree of freedom in the up-down direction. In reality, therefore, the movable rectifier coil 26 also has a degree of freedom in the front-rear direction.

[0076] The sides of the fixed rectifier coil 25 and the movable rectifier coil 26 are in contact with the bottom 46 of the container body 5 or are slightly spaced apart from it.

[0077] The fixing iron plate part 6 is a steel plate containing a magnetic component such as ferrite. The fixing iron plate part 6 is attached to the outer periphery of the container body 5, that is, to the lower surface 14 of the peripheral wall. The surface to which the fixing iron plate part 6 is attached faces the surface to which the above-mentioned transportation iron plate part 7 is attached.

[0078] Next, the container mounting device 3 of the drug feeder 1 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, the container mounting device 3 is composed of, from the top, a vibration table 50, vibration means 51a and 51b, an intermediate table 52, a vibration isolation table 53, a weight measuring means 55, a base member 56, and an installation plate 66.

[0079] The vibration table 50 is a table on which the drug container 2 is placed. The vibration table 50, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped main body 85, and a trough-shaped container holding portion 58 is formed on the upper portion thereof.

[0080] The top surface of the vibration table 50 is a mounting surface 61 on which the drug container 2 is placed. The mounting surface 61 has built-in magnet members 62a and 62b. The magnet members 62a and 62b are container holding means. The magnet members 62a and 62b are a type of electromagnet, and are self-holding solenoids. The vibration table 50 has short side surfaces 63a and 63b each having an inclined surface 67a, 67b formed in the center thereof.

[0081] The vibration means 51a and 51b are piezoelectric elements. A motor or a solenoid may also be used as the vibration means 51a and 51b. As shown in FIG. 11, the intermediate stand 52 has a generally "H" shape in plan view. The intermediate table 52 has inclined surfaces 78a and 78b. The inclined surfaces 67a and 67b of the vibration table 50 are located on the extensions of the inclined surfaces 78a and 78b of the intermediate table 52.

[0082] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a large cavity 75 is formed inside the intermediate stand 52, and the rear surface of the main body 74 is widely open. As shown in FIG. 11, the vibration isolation table 53 is a plate body with a protruding center portion to provide an internal space.

[0083] In the container mounting device 3, as shown in FIGS. 10, 11, 12 and 13, vibration means 51a and 51b are provided between a vibration table 50 and an intermediate table 52.

[0084] In this embodiment, excitation means 51a and 51b are present between the vibration table 50 and the intermediate table 52, and the vibration table 50 is not supported at any portion other than the excitation means 51a and 51b. Therefore, the vibration table 50 is supported in midair from the intermediate table 52 by the excitation means 51a and 51b.

[0085] In addition, a vibration isolation table 53 is disposed below the intermediate table 52 via a vibration isolation member 38. In this embodiment, the only member connecting the intermediate table 52 and the vibration isolation table 53 is the vibration isolation member 38. Therefore, the intermediate table 52 is supported in midair from the vibration isolation table 53 by the vibration isolation member 38.

[0086] 12 and 13, a weight measuring means 55 is disposed below the vibration isolating table 53, and a base member 56 is disposed further below that. The weight measuring means 55 is a load cell. As shown in Figures 12 and 13, most of the weight measuring means 55 is located within a protruding bar 77 provided in the center of the vibration isolating table 53, and an upper installation surface 83 of the weight measuring means 55 is connected to the inner surface of the top surface 79 of the protruding bar 77 of the vibration isolating table 53. On the other hand, the lower installation surface 37 of the weight measuring means 55 is attached to a base member 56 . The base member 56 is attached to a mounting plate 66 via a vibration-isolating member 42 such as a spring. The container mounting device 3 is attached via the mounting plate 66 in the vicinity of a distribution tray 116 of the medicine dispensing device 100 described later.

[0087] In this embodiment, a connector 72 and an electric wire holding member 73 are provided on the installation plate 66. The electric wire holding member 73 is a helical spring, and is fixed to the installation plate 66 in an upright position. The lower end of the electric wire holding member 73 is fixed integrally to the installation plate 66 and cannot move relative to the installation plate 66. The upper end of the electric wire holding member 73 is a free end.

[0088] As described above, the container mounting device 3 is composed of the vibration table 50, the vibration means 51a and 51b, the intermediate table 52, the vibration isolation table 53, the weight measuring means 55, the base member 56, and the installation plate 66. Of these members, the vibration table 50, the vibration means 51a and 51b, and the weight measuring means 55 are connected with electric wires. That is, the vibration table 50 has magnet members 62a and 62b, and since the magnet members 62a and 62b are self-holding solenoids, it is necessary to supply power to them in order to operate them. For this reason, the magnet members 62a and 62b have magnet current-carrying wires 65. The vibration means 51a and 51b are piezoelectric elements, and therefore need to be supplied with power in order to operate them. For this reason, the vibration means 51a and 51b have vibration means current carrying wires 68. The weight measuring means 55 is a load cell that converts weight into an electrical signal, and therefore has a measuring means electric wire 70 as a signal line.

[0089] In the container mounting device 3 of this embodiment, the magnet current conducting wires 65, the vibration means current conducting wires 68, and the measurement means current conducting wires 70 are all connected to a connector 72. The wiring paths of the respective electric wires are as shown in Fig. 10. That is, the magnet current conducting wires 65, the vibration means current conducting wires 68, and the measurement means current conducting wires 70 are once bound together at their intermediate portions and fixed to the intermediate table 52 by fasteners 71. The magnet current-carrying wire 65 , the vibration means current-carrying wire 68 , and the measurement means current-carrying wire 70 are held by the free end side of the wire holding member 73 between the fastener 71 and the connector 72 . More specifically, on the free end side of the electric wire holding member 73, a ring-shaped portion of the tip of the winding is bent vertically to form a ring-shaped electric wire fixing portion 76. The electric wire is fixed to the ring-shaped electric wire fixing portion 76 by adhesive or the like.

[0090] In this embodiment, a drug container 2 and a container mounting device 3 constitute a drug feeder 1. The drug feeder 1 of this embodiment is used as a component part of a drug dispensing device 100 as shown in, for example, FIGS. The medicine dispensing device 100 of this embodiment is surrounded by a housing 101, the inside of which is divided into a medicine shelf area 102, a medicine dividing area 103, and a medicine packaging area 105.

[0091] A plurality of door sections 130, 180a, 180b are provided on the housing 101. The door sections 130, 180a, 180b are all doors for inserting and removing the medicine container 2 into and from the medicine dispensing device 100. The door sections 130, 180a, 180b are all opened and closed by the power of a motor (not shown). In principle, the doors 130, 180a, and 180b are opened and closed by an operator operating a touch panel or the like of an operation display unit (not shown).

[0092] Here, door section 130 provided at a position covering medicine shelf area 102 is an automatic carry-in door, and inside door section 130 there is a medicine container temporary placement section (not shown) for temporarily placing medicine containers 2. Medicine containers 2 inserted from door section 130 and placed in the medicine container temporary placement section, and medicine containers 2 carried in from the automatic carry-in door, are automatically transported by container moving means 110 described later to container storage device 106 or a specific container placement device 3 described later.

[0093] Doors 180a and 180b provided at a position covering the medicine dividing area 103 are manual entry doors, and are primarily used when a medicine container 81 with an open medicine inlet as described below is used. Doors 180a and 180b provided at a position covering drug dividing area 103 are used when an operator inserts his / her hand from outside to introduce drug container 81 with an open drug inlet into housing 101 and installs drug container 81 with an open drug inlet on a specific container mounting device 3. Therefore, door sections 180a and 180b are of a size that allows an operator to insert his / her hand from outside to introduce drug container 2 into housing 101, and are provided at a position that allows the operator to mount drug container 2 on any of container mounting devices 3.

[0094] In this embodiment, the cover that covers the entire drug divided region 103 can be opened and closed by an opening and closing mechanism (not shown). However, since the cover that covers the entire drug divided region 103 is large, it takes time to open and close it. Therefore, in this embodiment, relatively small door sections 180a, 180b are provided at positions covering the drug dividing area 103, facilitating the work of placing the drug container 81 with an open drug inlet in the specific container mounting device 3. In this embodiment, the door sections 180a, 180b can be opened to place the drug container 81 with an open drug inlet into the housing 101, so there is no hassle of opening and closing a cover that covers the entire drug dividing area 103. The door sections 180a and 180b are also used when placing weights on a specific container mounting device 3 for calibrating or inspecting the weight measuring means.

[0095] The medicine shelf area 102 is provided with a container storage device 106 for storing the medicine containers 2. In this embodiment, the container storage device 106 has a vertical drum member 107 that rotates in a substantially horizontal direction, and a plurality of container installation sections 108 are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the drum member 107. The container installation sections 108 hold the medicine containers 2 by mechanical engagement, and the medicine containers 2 are held by pushing in the medicine containers 2, and the engagement is released by pulling the medicine containers 2, allowing the medicine containers 2 to be removed.

[0096] A container moving means 110 is provided in the area extending from the medicine shelf area 102 to the medicine dividing area 103. The container moving means 110 is a robot. The container moving means 110 has two arm members 111, 112 and a hand unit 113. The hand unit 113 is provided with a magnet, and can magnetically attract and hold the iron plate of the medicine container 2.

[0097] The medicine dividing area 103 is an area in which a powdered medicine dispensing device is built in, and two dispensing trays 116 are installed on a table 115. A plurality of container mounting devices 3 are installed around the two dispensing trays 116 of the medicine dividing area (powdered medicine dispensing device) 103. In this embodiment, three container mounting devices 3 are installed around each distribution tray 116. In addition, an information reading device 128 is provided near each container mounting device 3.

[0098] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 20, the container mounting device 3 has only a portion of the vibration table 50 located on the table 115, and the other components, namely the vibration means 51a, 51b, intermediate table 52, vibration isolation table 53, weight measuring means 55, base member 56 and installation plate 66, are buried under the table 115. Further, a feeder cover 18 is attached to the vibration table 50 of the container mounting device 3. The feeder cover 18 is made of resin and is a frame that covers the outer periphery of the container holding portion 58. An alert member 19 (FIGS. 10 and 20) is provided on the rear end side of the container holding portion 58. The alert member 19 is a lamp such as an LED. In this embodiment, lamps of multiple colors are used. More specifically, red, green, and blue lamps are adopted as the alert member 19. The notification member 19 notifies the user that it is the container mounting device 3 on which the medicine container 2 should be mounted. In addition, a weight (not shown) of known weight may be placed on the container mounting device 3 to check whether the weight measuring means 55 of the container mounting device 3 is functioning normally or to calibrate it by entering a correction value, and the alarm member 19 is also used to inform the operator that this is the container mounting device 3 on which the weight should be placed.

[0099] In this embodiment, the drug feeder 1 comprises a separate drug container 2 and a container mounting device 3, the drug container 2 being stored in a container storage device 106, and the container mounting device 3 being installed around the distribution plate 116 in the drug division area (powdered drug dispensing device) 103. The medicine dividing area 103 is also provided with a cleaning device 117 and a scraping device 120.

[0100] The medicine packaging area 105 includes a medicine packaging device 122. The medicine packaging device 122 is a machine that packages medicines into individual doses, and is composed of a packaging paper supply device and a packaging device, as is well known. Also, a powdered medicine input hopper 123 is provided to input medicines into the packaging section.

[0101] As described above, in the drug feeder 1 of this embodiment, the drug container 2 and the container mounting device 3 are separate, and the drug feeder 1 is constructed by combining the two when powdered medicine is packaged. The medicine feeder 1 has a function of fixing the medicine container 2 to the vibration table 50 by stopping the application of electricity to the magnet members 62a, 62b built into the vibration table 50, and vibrating the medicine container 2 to discharge the powdered medicine.

[0102] In actual work, drug container 2 is placed in a drug container temporary placement section provided in door section 130 , and then door section 130 is closed and drug container 2 is placed inside housing 101 . By closing the door section 130, a safety device (not shown) is released, allowing the container moving means 110 and other devices to operate. The container moving means 110 then operates automatically, and the drug container 2 is transported to the drum member 107 in the drug shelf area 102. That is, in this embodiment, the medicine container 2 is stored in the container storage device 106 in a vertical position, and the powdered medicine is stored in the medicine container 2. In this embodiment, the medicine container 2 is held by the hand part 113 of the container moving means 110, and the medicine container 2 is moved and placed on the container mounting device 3 as shown in FIG.

[0103] The drug container 2 is placed on the drum member 107 as described above, and is moved while being held by the hand unit 113, and placed on the container mounting device 3 as shown in Fig. 1. If the drug container 2 is moved in a horizontal position, it is desirable to once tilt the drug container 2 so that the drug discharge unit 13 side of the drug container 2 is facing up, as shown in Fig. 26, immediately before placing the drug container 2 on the container mounting device 3. By tilting medicine container 2 so that medicine discharge portion 13 is on the upper side, the powdered medicine inside is shifted in a direction away from medicine discharge portion 13. This attitude changing action prevents the powdered medicine from spilling out when the movable lid portion 11 is opened. The above-mentioned "temporarily tilting" action is an action for moving the powdered medicine inside to one side. As long as only the medicine near the movable lid part 11 can be moved back, the powdered medicine can be prevented from spilling out when the movable lid part 11 is opened, so the angle of inclination may be gentle. In addition, it is preferable that the time required for tilting is as short as possible, and it is recommended to tilt it forcefully. By tilting it forcefully, the powdered medicine in the vicinity of the movable lid portion 11 can be moved intensively, rather than all of the powdered medicine inside moving evenly.

[0104] Then, the supply of current to the magnet members 62a, 62b built into the vibration table 50 is stopped. The magnet members 62a, 62b are self-holding solenoids 62, and by stopping the supply of current, the magnetic force of the permanent magnet is restored, generating a magnetic force in the vibration table 50, and the fixing iron plate portion 6 of the drug container 2 is attracted to the vibration table 50. Then, a current of a constant frequency is applied to the vibration means 51a and 51b to generate vibration, which causes the vibration table 50 to vibrate. Also, the distribution plate 116 is rotated around the time when the vibration starts.

[0105] Before and after the start of vibration, the weight of the drug container 2 is measured by the weight measuring means 55. The weight of the drug container 2 is obtained by subtracting a fixed value from the weight detected by the weight measuring means 55. More specifically, the weight of the drug container 2 is obtained by subtracting the weight of the members of the container mounting device 3 above the weight measuring means 55 from the weight detected by the weight measuring means 55. The weight of the drug container 2 immediately after it is placed on the vibration table 50 is stored as the original weight G. The weight of the drug container 2 is constantly monitored. That is, the current weight of the drug container 2 is monitored as the current weight g.

[0106] When the vibration table 50 starts vibrating, the medicine container 2 vibrates. In this embodiment, the medicine container 2 is firmly joined to the vibration table 50 by the permanent magnets of the magnet members 62a and 62b, and the degree of adhesion with the vibration table 50 is also high, so the medicine container 2 vibrates at the same frequency as the vibration table 50. As a result, the powdered medicine stored in the powdered medicine storage section 17 of the medicine container 2 moves slowly toward the medicine discharge section 13 side.

[0107] The powdered medicine then passes through the rectification section 20. After passing through the rectification section 20, the powdered medicine flows like a river, and finally reaches the medicine discharge section 13 of the medicine container 2, where it falls like a waterfall and enters the grooves of the distribution plate 116 below.

[0108] The fact that the powdered medicine is falling is confirmed by a decrease in the weight of the medicine container 2. That is, in this embodiment, even while the powdered medicine is falling from the medicine discharge part 13 of the medicine container 2, the current weight (current weight g) of the medicine container 2 is continuously monitored by the weight measuring means 55. Then, the original weight G of the medicine container 2 immediately after being placed on the vibration table 50 is compared with the current weight g, and the falling amount H of the powdered medicine (G minus g) is constantly calculated. When the total amount H of powdered medicine that has fallen reaches a desired weight, the vibration of the vibration table 50 is stopped. That is, when the current weight g of the drug container 2 measured by the weight measuring means 55 becomes smaller by a desired weight than the original weight G measured by the weight measuring means 55 before the start of vibration, the vibration of the vibration table 50 is stopped. In addition, before the vibration of the vibration table 50 is stopped, it is preferable to operate the vibration table 50 with a smaller amplitude and a lower vibration frequency. For example, when the current powdered medicine discharge amount is the amount of powdered medicine finally discharged (target discharge amount) minus a few grams, the vibration table 50 is operated with a smaller amplitude and a lower vibration frequency. The remaining few grams are discharged with the vibration table 50 having a smaller amplitude and a lower vibration frequency. As described above, when the total amount H of powdered medicine that has fallen reaches a desired weight, the vibration of the vibration table 50 is stopped. Thereafter, the container moving means 700 automatically operates to return the medicine container 2 to the drum member 107 in the medicine shelf area 102 .

[0109] Furthermore, when the powdered medicine stops falling despite the continued vibration of the vibration table 50, or when the amount of powdered medicine falling per unit time becomes excessively small despite the continued vibration of the vibration table 50, the vibration pattern of the vibration table 50 is automatically changed. Specifically, when the weight of the medicine container 2 is being monitored while the vibration table 50 is vibrating, if the change in the weight of the medicine container 2 per unit time becomes less than a certain value even though the amount of powdered medicine falling H does not reach the desired weight, the amplitude of the vibration table 50 is increased. Alternatively, the frequency of the amplitude is increased or decreased. If possible, a horizontal amplitude or a longitudinal amplitude is added.

[0110] The reason why the change in weight of the drug container 2 per unit time is less than a certain value even though the vibration table 50 is vibrating is due to the following two points. (1) Adhesion of powdered medicine The powdered medicine sticks or clumps in the medicine container 2 and cannot pass through the flow straightening section 20. (2) Shortage of powdered medicine There is no powdered medicine in medication container 2. Therefore, in this embodiment, if the change in weight of the medicine container 2 per unit time is less than a certain amount even though the vibration table 50 is vibrating, first, adhesion of the powdered medicine is suspected, and the amplitude of the vibration table 50 is increased. If the cause is adhesion of the powdered medicine, the cause may be eliminated by increasing the amplitude of the vibration table 50.

[0111] If the change in the weight of the medicine container per unit time is less than a certain amount even if the amplitude of the vibration table 50 is increased, the vibration of the vibration table is stopped and a predetermined notice is given to the user. For example, an abnormality is displayed on a display device (not shown). Alternatively, the user is notified of the occurrence of an abnormality in the medicine dispensing device 100 by voice, alarm sound, or light. Then, a predetermined stock-out processing step is executed. In the stockout processing step, the weight of the medicine already discharged from the medicine container 2 is stored. When the user becomes aware that an abnormality has occurred, the user removes the drug container 2 manually or by using the container moving means 110 and inspects it.

[0112] In this embodiment, in the stockout processing step, the drug container 2 is removed using the container moving means 110. That is, even if the amplitude is increased, if the change in weight of the drug container 2 per unit time is less than a certain amount, the vibration of the vibration table is stopped, and the container moving means 110 automatically operates to move the drug container 2 to a drug container temporary placement section (not shown) provided with a door section 130. When the medicine container 2 is placed in a medicine container temporary placement section (not shown) provided in the door section 130, the door section 130 automatically opens. The user removes the medicine container 2 from the medicine container temporary placement section and inspects the inside of the medicine container 2. If there is no powdered medicine in the medicine container 2, the user refills the medicine container 2 with medicine. If the powdered medicine has formed clumps in the medicine container 2, the clumps are broken up.

[0113] Thereafter, the drug container 2 is placed again on the container mounting device 3, either manually or by using the container moving means 110, and the vibration table 50 and the distribution tray 116 are restarted automatically or manually. In this embodiment, the drug container 2 is placed in a drug container temporary placement section (not shown) provided with a door section 130, and by performing a predetermined operation, the container moving means 110 is operated to transport the drug container 2 to the container mounting device 3. As described above, the weight of the medicine discharged from the medicine container 2 up until the interruption of the operation is stored, so that powdered medicine is discharged from the medicine container 2 in the amount corresponding to the remaining discharge amount.

[0114] Next, one of the unique functions of the drug feeder 1 of this embodiment will be described. As described above, the drug feeder 1 of this embodiment can detect the falling amount (discharge amount) H of the powdered medicine and discharge a predetermined amount of the powdered medicine from the drug container 2. Furthermore, the drug feeder 1 of this embodiment has a small error in the discharge amount of the powdered medicine. That is, in the drug feeder 1 of this embodiment, the difference between the target discharge amount and the amount of drug actually discharged from the drug container 2 is small. The reason for this will be explained below. In the drug feeder 1, electric wires (magnet electric wire 65, vibration means electric wire 68, measurement means electric wire 70) are drawn out from the container mounting device 3. Therefore, the container mounting device 3 receives some force from the electric wires, although the force is weak. In the prior art, the force received from the electric wire changes, causing an error in the measurement value of the weight measuring means 55.

[0115] A conventional drug feeder 1 will be described. In the conventional drug feeder 1, the electric wires (magnet electric wire 65, vibration means electric wire 68, measurement means electric wire 70) drawn from the container mounting device 3 are connected to a control device, etc. (not shown), but there is no rule for the drawing route or drawing method, and it is done by chance. In other words, the electric wires drawn from the container mounting device 3 are connected to the control device, etc. by running them through the gaps between each device. Also, known methods may be used such as bundling the electric wires or fixing or supporting the electric wires on a wall or the like.

[0116] In either case, however, one end of the electric wire is on the side of the container mounting device 3 and the next support of the electric wire is a fixed point. That is, in the prior art, one end of the electric wire is fixed to the container mounting device 3 side, and the next support point after leaving the container mounting device 3 is a fixed point that does not move. The drug feeder 1 has a vibration table 50, and is structured to vibrate the vibration table 50 to discharge the powdered medicine from the drug container 2. Therefore, the electric wires swing when vibrating. Then, the attitude of the electric wires may change slightly before and after the vibration. That is, by vibrating the vibration table 50, the electric wires vibrate, and the bend of the electric wires changes slightly. To put it simply, the electric wires have some bending tendency, and the bending tendency changes when they are subjected to vibration. As a result, the force received from the electric wires of the drug feeder 1 changes, and an error of about 0.5 g occurs in the measurement value of the weight measuring means 55.

[0117] In contrast, in the drug feeder 1 of this embodiment, the relay point of the electric wire is movable. That is, in the drug feeder 1 of this embodiment, an electric wire holding member 73 is provided on the installation plate 66. The electric wire holding member 73 is a helical spring, and the upper end of the electric wire holding member 73 moves arbitrarily in response to an external force. In the drug feeder 1 of this embodiment, the electric wire drawn out from the container mounting device 3 is first relayed and supported by an electric wire fixing portion 76 on the free end side of the electric wire holding member 73. Therefore, although the electric wires vibrate when the vibration table 50 is vibrated, the vibration is absorbed by the elasticity of the electric wire holding member 73. Then, when the vibration table 50 stops vibrating, the electric wire holding member 73 returns to its original position. Therefore, the degree of bending and the tendency of bending of the electric wires do not change before and after the vibration, and the force received from the electric wires of the drug feeder 1 does not change before and after the vibration, and no error occurs in the measured value of the weight measuring means 55.

[0118] Fig. 14 shows the behavior of the electric wire and the electric wire holding member 73 before and after vibration. Before the vibration table 50 is vibrated, the electric wire between the fastener 71 and the electric wire fixing portion 76 of the electric wire holding member 73 is connected with a bend as shown in Fig. 14(a). When the vibration table 50 is vibrated, the electric wire vibrates, and the electric wire holding member 73 vibrates accordingly (FIG. 14b). Therefore, no excessive force is applied to the electric wire, and the bend of the electric wire does not change. When the vibration table 50 stops vibrating, the electric wire holding member 73 returns to its original position as shown in Fig. 14(c). At this time, the bending tendency of the electric wire is not changed, so there is no change in the force received from the electric wire of the drug feeder 1 before and after the vibration, and no error occurs in the measurement value of the weight measuring means 55.

[0119] Moreover, the medicine feeder 1 of this embodiment has a unique effect of smoothly discharging powdered medicine from the medicine container 2. That is, the drug feeder 1 of this embodiment has a unique configuration in which the drug container 2 has a rectifying section 20. Also, as a unique configuration, the rectifying section 20 has two coils, one of which is a movable rectifying coil 26, which has a degree of freedom in the up-down direction. Therefore, when the vibration table 50 vibrates, the movable rectifying coil 26 also vibrates in the up-down direction.

[0120] Therefore, if there are lumps in the powdered medicine, the lumps are broken up by the up and down movement of the movable rectifier coil 26. This point will be explained below. When the medicine container 2 is placed on the container mounting device 3 and vibrated by the vibration table 50, the powdered medicine 80 in the medicine container 2 moves slowly toward the medicine discharge section 13 as shown by the arrow in Fig. 8, and reaches the rectification section 20. At the rear end of the rectification section 20 is the rectification coil holding section 27, which is triangular in plan view. Therefore, the powdered medicine that reaches this area is pushed aside appropriately and dispersed.

[0121] Here, in the straightening section 20, the lower ends of the movable coil retaining wall 32 and the tip blocking wall 33 which constitute the coil accommodating space 28 do not reach the bottom 46 of the container body 5, and there is a gap 48 between the bottom 46 of the container body 5 and the bottom opening of the coil accommodating space 28, as shown in Figure 8. Further, a notch 36 is provided at the boundary between the movable coil holding wall 32 and the front end closing wall 33 .

[0122] Therefore, the powdered medicine that has moved to the medicine discharge section 13 side enters the rectification section 20 through the gap 48 and the notch 36, as shown in Figures 4 and 9. Most powdered medicine enters the rectification section 20 through the gap 48 between the bottom 46 of the container body 5 and the bottom opening of the coil accommodating space 28, and passes under the rectification section 20, but the provision of the notch 36 makes it even easier to introduce the powdered medicine from the outside toward the movable rectification coil 26 side. As described above, the movable rectifying coil 26 moves up and down, so that the powdered medicine is struck by the wire of the movable rectifying coil 26, and any lumps are destroyed. The powdered medicine then reaches the downstream fixed rectifier coil 25. The fixed rectifier coil 25 does not move up and down, and the powdered medicine passes through the gaps between the wires and becomes a laminar flow.

[0123] That is, the lumps of powdered medicine are struck by the movable rectifying coil 26 and disintegrate. However, in this state, some of the lumps of powdered medicine are crushed into mountains, and the flow of the powdered medicine does not become a laminar flow. Therefore, in this embodiment, a fixed rectifying coil 25 is provided downstream of the movable rectifying coil 26 to level the pile of powdered medicine. As a result, the powdered medicine flows in a laminar flow state, and finally reaches the medicine discharge portion 13, from which it is discharged.

[0124] Furthermore, a relatively large lump of medicine in the medicine container 2 climbs onto the eaves lid (eaves member) 35 and falls onto the movable rectifier coil 26 through an opening 43 provided in the eaves lid 35. That is, when substances with different particle sizes are mixed together and this is vibrated vertically, the larger particles move to the top and the finer particles sink to the bottom. Therefore, when the medicine container 2 is vibrated, the large particle clumps rise to the top and move in that state toward the medicine discharge section 13. The clumps then climb onto the eaves lid (eaves member) 35 and drop from the opening 43 provided in the eaves lid 35 onto the movable rectifier coil 26. The falling lump is struck by the wire of the movable commutation coil 26 and broken into small pieces.

[0125] The presence of opening 43 is particularly effective when the powdered medicine stored in medicine container 2 is sticky, such as lactose, and the amount of powdered medicine stored is large. That is, when the amount of powdered medicine filled is large, the powdered medicine moves to the medicine discharge section 13 by vibration, but the powdered medicine accumulates near the rectification section 20. Also, if the powdered medicine is sticky, the powdered medicine is compressed near the rectification section 20 and a lump is formed. In this embodiment, an opening 43 is provided on the top surface of the coil accommodating space 28. The size of the opening 43 is such that the lump of powdered medicine does not get stuck there. Therefore, the lump enters the coil accommodating space 28 from the opening 43, falls onto the movable rectifying coil 26 and is struck there. As a result, the lump is dissolved and the discharge of the powdered medicine is maintained.

[0126] In the embodiment described above, the drug feeder 1 employing the sealed drug container 2 has been exemplified, but a drug container 81 with an open drug inlet as shown in Fig. 17 may also be employed. The drug container 81 has an opening 82 on its upper surface side based on the posture in which it is mounted on the container mounting device 3, and a drug can be introduced into the drug container through the opening 82.

[0127] Further, still another modified example of the drug container will be described with reference to Figures 21 to 24. The drug container 170 is a sealed container. The drug container 170 is an improvement on the drug container 2 shown in Figures 1 to 9, and although the design is different, the functions of the components are common in many respects. Therefore, the description of the drug container 170 will focus on the differences from the drug container 2. Also, the same members as those in the previous embodiment are given the same numbers, and some of the descriptions will be omitted.

[0128] The drug container 170 is composed of a container body 5, an iron plate portion 6, and a cover member 118. The container body 5 is a vertically long container made of resin. The inner surface of the peripheral wall lower surface 171 of the container body 5 is generally flat, but has inclined portions 181a and 181b at the rear end as shown in Fig. 23. The rear end inclined portion 181b is a gentle inclination, and the subsequent inclined portion 181a has a steep inclination. A gap 350 is provided in the outer peripheral portion of the container body 5 corresponding to the inclined portions 181a and 181b.

[0129] 22 and 23, near the opening of the container body 5, on the outside of the peripheral wall upper surface 126, there is a step 160 and a low ceiling portion (recess) 161 that is made slightly lower. An engagement member 162 (shown only in FIG. 22) is provided on the step 160.

[0130] A swinging lid (swinging member) 237 is attached to the low ceiling portion (recess) 161. As shown in Fig. 22, the swinging lid 237 has a main body portion 163 large enough to completely cover the low ceiling portion 161, and knob portions 164 extending laterally on both sides from the main body portion 163. A hinge portion 167 is provided at one end of the main body portion 163. Furthermore, engaging members 166a and 166b are formed on the lower surface side of the main body portion 163. The engaging members 166a and 166b are hook-shaped. The swingable lid 237 has a hinge portion 167 which engages with the container body 5 side, and swings around the hinge portion 167.

[0131] Next, a description will be given of the lid member 118. The lid member 118 has a lid main body portion 125 and a movable lid portion . Movable lid part 134 has a knob part 147, and movable lid part 134 opens as shown in Fig. 23(a) by pressing knob part 147. When movable lid part 134 opens, medicine discharge part 13, which communicates with the inside and outside of container body 5, opens, and movable lid part 134 maintains medicine discharge part 13 in an open state. Also, the rear end side of the lid body 125 is provided with the desiccant insert section 15 and the flow straightening section 20, similar to the previous embodiment. The cover body 125 is made by joining two cover body pieces together. The following description will be given based on the state in which the two are joined together. The lid body 125 has a frame 127 on the front side, and is provided with the desiccant insert section 15 and the flow straightening section 20 on the rear side.

[0132] The front frame portion 127 has a portion that functions as a fixing frame 131 and a portion that functions as a contact frame 132 . The area of ​​frame 127 surrounded by fixing frame 131 has a bottom and a shielding wall 138 . The area surrounded by fixing frame 131 forms recess 373 as shown in Figures 22 and 23. And in recess 373, leaf spring 185 is provided on the surface of shielding wall 138 as shown in Figure 23. Leaf spring 185 has mounting parts 186a, 186b on both ends as shown in Figure 23. The area sandwiched between the two mounting parts 186a, 186b is functional area 187, which is formed in a bent shape and has corners.

[0133] Further, on the rear side of the lid main body 125, near the upper part thereof, there is provided an engagement plate (engagement piece) 192 extending horizontally. Two engagement holes 193 are provided in the engagement plate 192. The rear side of the lid main body 125 (the desiccant insertion section 15 and the flow straightening section 20) is the same as in the previous embodiment, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0134] Next, the movable lid part 134 will be described. The movable lid part 134 is composed of a pressing plate part 145, an elasticity imparting part 194, and a knob part 147. The knob part 147 is on an extension of the pressing plate part 145, and the knob part 147 forms a curved surface that is curved slightly backward from the plane of the pressing plate part 145. A pad 236 is provided on the rear surface side of the pressing plate portion 145 .

[0135] The elasticity imparting portion 194 is provided on the left and right sides of the pressing plate portion 145. The elasticity imparting portion 194 has an elastic portion 235 that has a hairpin shape when viewed from above as shown in FIG. 22. The elastic portion 235 has a going side portion 195 that extends rearward from the side of the pressing plate portion 145 as shown in FIG. 22, and a returning side portion 196 that is folded back in a "U" shape and reaches the front side, and is elastic as a whole. A shaft piece 197 is provided on the outside of the returning side portion 196. The free end side of the elasticity imparting portion 194 opens outward to form the knob portion 146.

[0136] An engagement piece 149 protrudes from the back surface of the pressing plate portion 145. The engagement piece 149 is rod-shaped or plate-shaped, and is cantilevered on the pressing plate portion 145. A small protrusion 199 is provided on the engagement piece 149.

[0137] The movable lid portion 134 is attached to the lid body portion 125 by engaging the shaft piece 197 of the elasticity imparting portion 194 with the bearing portion 140 of the lid body portion 125 . When attaching, the knobs 146 on both sides are pressed in a direction shortening the distance, the elastic portion 235 is deflected to shorten the distance between the left and right shaft pieces 197, the back side of the movable cover part 134 is inserted into the recess 373 of the cover main body part 125, and in this state the elastic portion 235 is returned to its original position to engage the left and right shaft pieces 197 with the bearing part 140. When removing the movable cover part 134, conversely, the elastic portion 235 is deflected to shorten the distance between the left and right shaft pieces 197, and the left and right shaft pieces 197 are released from the bearing parts 140a, 140b.

[0138] The lid member 118 is attached to the container body 5 as shown in Figures 23 and 24. When the lid member 118 is attached to the container body 5, the engagement plate (engagement piece) 192 of the lid member 118 enters the internal space from the front opening 239 of the swinging lid (swinging member) 237 as shown in Figure 24(a), and the engagement members 166a and 166b of the swinging lid 237 engage with the engagement holes 193 of the engagement plate 192.

[0139] That is, the engagement plate (engagement piece) 192 of the lid member (swinging member) 118 is located in a low ceiling portion (recess) 161 formed on the outer periphery of the container body 5, and when the lid member 118 is closed to cover the low ceiling portion 161, the engagement plate (engagement piece) 192 of the lid member (swinging member) 118 engages with the engagement plate (engagement piece) 192 of the lid member (swinging member) 118, thereby fixing the lid member 118 to the container body 5.

[0140] 24(b), when the swingable lid 237 is opened, the engagement members 166a, 166b of the swingable lid 237 are disengaged from the engagement hole 193 of the engagement plate 192. Therefore, the lid member 118 can be easily removed from the container body 5 as shown in FIG.

[0141] In this embodiment, when the movable cover part 134 is closed, as shown in FIG. 23(a), the small protrusion 199 of the engagement piece 149 engages with the portion above the corner 188 of the leaf spring 185, and the movable cover part 134 is stabilized in the closed position. When the movable cover 134 is opened, the knob portion 147 of the movable cover 134 is pressed. As a result, the movable cover 134 swings around the shaft piece 197. At this time, the small protrusion 199 of the engagement piece 149 that has been engaged with the corner portion 188 of the leaf spring 185 moves against the elastic force of the leaf spring 185 as the movable cover 134 swings. Then, as shown in FIG. 23(b), the small protrusion 199 of the engagement piece 149 climbs over the corner portion 188 of the leaf spring 185, and the movable cover 134 becomes stable in the open position.

[0142] The embodiment described above mainly uses a sealed drug container 2,170, and describes an example in which the drug container 2,170 is inserted through a door portion 130 provided in the housing 101 and moved by a container moving means 110, but the drug container 2,170 may also be manually transported into the housing 101. In particular, when using a medicine container 81 with an open medicine inlet as shown in Fig. 17, the medicine container 81 is manually carried into the housing 101 and placed on a desired container mounting device 3. In this embodiment, a plurality of container mounting devices 3 are provided in the housing 101, and each container mounting device 3 is provided with an alarm member 19 (Figs. 10 and 20). The alarm member 19 alarms that it is the container mounting device 3 on which the medicine container 2 should be placed. When using a drug container 81 with an open drug insertion port, one of the manual entry door sections 180a, 180b is opened to place the drug container 81 into the housing 101. At this time, the alarm member 19 of one of the container mounting devices 3 lights up to indicate which container mounting device 3 the drug container 81 should be placed in.

[0143] The following explains. The open-type medicine container 81 is used when packaging medicines that are used relatively infrequently. More specifically, it is used when the prescribed medicine is not filled in the container storage device 106 of the medicine dispensing device 100 or in the sealed medicine container 2, 170 stored externally. In such a situation, a message prompting the user to take action will be displayed on the operation display unit (not shown), such as "Please place the manual distribution cassette (meaning a drug container 81 with an open drug insertion port)" or "A missing cassette has occurred. If it is a manual distribution cassette, place it in the feeder (meaning the container mounting device 3)." Then, displays such as "Open", "Close" and "Start distribution" for manual distribution door A (meaning manual carry-in door section 180a) appear on the touch panel or the like of the operation display section (not shown).

[0144] At the same time, the notification member 19 of any one of the container mounting devices 3 is turned on. When the operator presses "open" on the touch panel or the like, the manual carry-in door portion 180a is automatically opened by the power of the motor. That is, the manual carry-in door section 180a opens which is located closest to the lit container mounting device 3. The worker manually inserts the medicine container 81 with an open medicine insertion port through the manual carry-in door section 180a and places the medicine container 81 on the lit container mounting device 3. At this time, an information reading operation is performed to read the information stored in the information recording material 90 such as an RFID of the drug container 81, and a confirmation operation is performed to confirm whether the drug container 81 to be used is correctly placed on the container mounting device 3. When the worker presses "Start Allocation" on the touch panel, the manual carry-in door section 180a is powered closed. When it is confirmed that the medicine container 81 is correctly placed on the container mounting device 3, the message display on the operation display unit is terminated, and the notification member 19 is turned off.

[0145] In this embodiment, the notification member 19 uses lamps of multiple colors, so that various messages can be conveyed to the user by changing the color and the way it is lit (whether it is lit continuously or flashing). In principle, when the placement of the medicine container 81 (or a weight in case of performing calibration or inspection) is requested, the notification member 19 flashes a specific color. For example, a green lamp flashes.

[0146] When any operation is being performed, a specific color is continuously lit. For example, a green lamp is continuously lit. For example, when a drug is being discharged from the drug container 81, the green lamp is continuously lit. In addition, the green lamp is continuously lit when a normal drug is being discharged from the drug container 2, when calibration or inspection using weights is being performed, when the vibration frequency of the vibration table 50 is being tuned, etc.

[0147] When the work is completed, a specific color will be continuously lit. For example, a blue lamp will be continuously lit. For example, when the discharge of the medicine from the medicine container 2, 81 is completed, when calibration using weights is completed, or when tuning of the vibration frequency is completed, the blue lamp will be continuously lit. When dispensing medicine using the medicine container 81 with an open medicine inlet, a green lamp will be continuously lit, and when the dispensing work is completed, the color of the lamp will change to blue. The worker knows that the work is completed by looking at the display, and removes the medicine container 81 from the container mounting device 3.

[0148] If any error occurs, a specific color will be continuously lit. For example, a red lamp will be continuously lit. For example, if a weight is placed on the container mounting device 3 and calibration is performed but the calibration fails, a red lamp will be continuously lit.

[0149] Next, the recommended control method will be described. A configuration in which the vibration pattern of the vibration table 50 can be changed according to the type of drug, the discharge time, and the total discharge amount is recommended. Drugs vary in particle size and hygroscopicity depending on the type, and therefore, when the vibration table 50 is vibrated, the behavior of the drugs in the drug container 2 differs depending on the drug. When subjected to vibration, some drugs tend to straighten and flow easily, while others do not. Also, the amount of drug that moves with one vibration differs depending on the type of drug. Furthermore, there is a problem in that the amount of drug discharged is not stable in the early stages of drug discharge.

[0150] Therefore, the number of vibrations per unit time (frequency) and the magnitude of the amplitude are made variable, and the frequency and the magnitude of the amplitude are changed according to the type of drug, the time of excretion, and the total amount excreted. For example, the ease of discharging the medicine is tested in advance, and all medicines to be discharged by the medicine feeder 1 are divided into multiple stages. In addition, the excretion level is divided into several stages according to the total excretion amount of the drug. For example, the excretion amount is divided into 20 gram increments, and the levels are called "excretion amount 20, excretion amount 40, excretion amount 60," and so on. In addition, the vibration level is divided into multiple stages according to the frequency and amplitude of the vibration. These are called, for example, "vibration level 1, vibration level 2," and can range from vibration level 1 (minimum vibration) to vibration level 20 (maximum vibration).

[0151] Then, an appropriate vibration level is selected based on the "flow coefficient" and the "discharge amount." The vibration level is also differentiated between the vibration level at the beginning of discharge and the vibration level at the stable period. For example, if the drug is easily discharged, such as with a "flow coefficient of 1," and the total discharge amount is small, such as with a "discharge amount of 20," vibration is started at a slow vibration level of 3, and after a certain time has passed, the vibration is switched to a stronger vibration level of 10. Alternatively, the vibration level is switched to a feedback control method for the vibration intensity of the vibration table 50 so that the discharge amount h per unit time is constant, centered on the stronger vibration level of 10.

[0152] Also, if the drug is difficult to excrete, such as with a "flow coefficient of 3," and the total discharge amount is large, such as 80, vibration is started at a stronger vibration level, such as 11, and after a certain time has passed, the vibration is switched to an even stronger vibration level, such as 15. Alternatively, feedback control is performed so that the discharge amount h per unit time is constant, centered on the stronger vibration level, such as 15.

[0153] Furthermore, when the amount of the medicine stored in the medicine container 2 is small, it is desirable to make the vibration level stronger until the medicine reaches the medicine discharge part 13 at the tip. That is, in this embodiment, the medicine container 2 is stored in the container storage device 106 in a vertical position. Therefore, the medicine is collected at a position far from the medicine discharge portion 13 during storage. Furthermore, in this embodiment, immediately before placing the medicine container 2 on the container mounting device 3, the medicine container 2 is once tilted so that the medicine discharge section 13 side of the medicine container 2 is at the top, as shown in Fig. 26. By this operation, the medicine in the medicine container 2 is moved to a position farther away from the medicine discharge section 13.

[0154] Here, if the amount of medicine stored in the medicine container 2 is small, immediately after the medicine container 2 is placed on the container mounting device 3, the medicine inside will be concentrated in a position far from the medicine discharge section 13. The vibration table 50 is then vibrated to move the drug within the drug container 2 towards the drug discharge section 13, but if the amount of drug stored in the drug container 2 is small, it takes time for the drug concentrated at the back to reach the drug discharge section 13.

[0155] In this embodiment, as a countermeasure against this, a configuration is adopted in which the vibration level is increased until the medicine reaches the medicine discharge part 13 at the tip. In addition, by monitoring the weight of the medicine container 2, it is determined whether the medicine has reached the medicine discharge part 13. More specifically, at the beginning of vibration, the vibration table 50 is vibrated with a vibration stronger than the initial value determined by the flow coefficient etc. Then, the weight of the drug container 2 is monitored, and if any decrease in the weight of the drug container 2 is detected even slightly, it is determined that the drug has reached the drug discharge section 13. Thereafter, the vibration is weakened and the vibration table 50 is vibrated at the initial value determined by the flow coefficient and the like described above. Furthermore, when it is detected that the weight of the drug container 2 has decreased by a certain amount, the vibration of the vibration table 50 is switched to a stronger vibration.

[0156] For example, immediately after the start of vibration, the vibration table 50 is vibrated at a strong vibration such as vibration level 12. Then, when an extremely small amount of drug, such as 0.3 grams, is discharged, the vibration level is reduced to the above-mentioned vibration level 3. Then, when a certain amount of drug is discharged, the vibration level is switched to a stronger vibration such as vibration level 10. Alternatively, the vibration level is switched to a feedback control method for the vibration intensity of the vibration table 50 so that the discharge amount h per unit time is constant, centered on the stronger vibration such as vibration level 10.

[0157] In this way, it is desirable that the timing for switching from an initial value such as vibration level 3 to a normal value such as vibration level 10 be based on the amount of drug discharged. For example, when the vibration table 50 is vibrated at a strong vibration such as vibration level 12, and only a very small amount of the drug such as 0.3 grams is discharged, the vibration level is lowered to the above-mentioned vibration level 3, and when, for example, 0.8 grams of the drug is discharged, the vibration level is switched to a stronger vibration such as vibration level 10. Alternatively, the vibration level is switched to a feedback control method for the vibration intensity of the vibration table 50 so that the discharge amount h per unit time is constant, centered on the stronger vibration such as vibration level 10. The timing of switching from an initial value, such as vibration level 3, to a normal value, such as vibration level 10, may be based on time.

[0158] The above-described control method is recommended when the amount of drug stored in drug container 2 is small, but may be performed regardless of the remaining amount of drug stored in drug container 2.

[0159] In addition, when the amount of drug stored in drug container 2 is always small, such as when the amount of drug prescribed at one time is small, it is effective to make drug container 2 have a raised bottom. For example, as shown in FIG. 25, a partition plate (raised bottom member) 150 is provided inside the drug container 2 to intentionally narrow the space of the drug container 2. As a result, the distance between the substantial innermost portion (raised bottom member 150) of the medicine container 2 and the medicine discharge portion 13 is shortened, and the medicine reaches the medicine discharge portion 13 earlier.

[0160] The drug container 151 shown in Figure 25 has a container body 5 that is covered almost entirely and has an internal space 155, and a partition plate (raised bottom member) 150 is provided at a position further back than the drug discharge section 13, based on the posture when placed on the container mounting device 3. Therefore, even when the medicine container 151 is in the vertical position, the medicine inside does not reach beyond the partition plate (raised bottom member) 150. 25, an opening 152 is provided in the wall surface that corresponds to the bottom when the container is in the vertical position, and a rod or the like is inserted into the opening 152 to push the partition plate (raised bottom member) 150, thereby changing the position of the partition plate (raised bottom member) 150. Furthermore, by providing the partition plate (raised bottom member) 150, the effective space can be narrowed, and even when a small amount of the drug is stored in the container 151, the risk of the drug becoming humid can be reduced.

[0161] Next, other modified examples of the medicine container will be described with reference to Figures 27 to 33. The medicine container described below is a medicine container 300 with an open medicine inlet. As shown in FIG. 30, the drug container 300 is composed of a storage space forming member 301 and a bottom forming member 302. The storage space forming member 301 has a main body 303 whose four side surfaces are completely covered by side walls 304 and whose top and bottom surfaces are open. That is, the main body 303 has a rectangular shape in a plan view. The main body 303 has an opening 305 at the top, and a medicine can be injected through the opening 305. The bottom of the main body 303 also has an opening 306 as shown in FIG. The lower opening 306 is smaller than the upper opening 305. The two openings are connected by an inclined side wall 304. An information recording member 90 such as an RFID is attached to the side wall 304 of the main body 303. In this embodiment, the information recording member 90 stores a code or the like for identifying the medicine container 300.

[0162] Guide pieces 309 are provided on a pair of side surfaces of the main body 303. The guide pieces 309 are located on the side wall 304 on the longer side of the main body 303, and protrude horizontally from the side wall 304 (based on the position when placed on the container mounting device 3). The guide pieces 309 also extend along the longer side of the side wall 304. A stopper 307 is formed at one end. The stopper 307 is located at the end portion of the guide pieces 309, and is a portion made to have a large cross-sectional area. A lid 308 is attached to the opening 305 at the top of the main body 303 .

[0163] The bottom forming member 302 has a cross-sectional shape similar to that of the above-mentioned fixing iron plate portion 6, and is a steel plate containing a magnetic component such as ferrite. As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the bottom forming member 302 has both sides bent upward around a bottom 310 to form an inclined wall 311. One end in the longitudinal direction of the bottom forming member 302 is open and constitutes a medicine discharge portion 315. The other end in the longitudinal direction of the bottom forming member 302 is provided with a vertical wall 316, which is closed. A plurality of protrusions 325 are provided on the bottom 310 of the bottom forming member 302 in an area close to the medicine discharge portion 315 . The overall length of the bottom forming member 302 is longer than the overall length of the storage space forming member 301 as shown in FIG.

[0164] A guide receiving member 313 is provided on the outer periphery of the inclined wall 311 of the bottom forming member 302 . The guide receiving member 313 is composed of a receiving portion forming member 317 and an elastic member (elastic body) 320, as shown in FIG. The guide receiving member 313 has a substantially rectangular box shape. A cover portion 318 is provided on the top surface of the guide receiving member 313, and a slit portion 319 with which the above-mentioned guide piece 309 engages is formed between the top surface of the box-shaped portion and the cover portion 318. The medicine discharge section 315 side of the slit section 319 is open, and the vertical wall 316 side is closed.

[0165] Inside the guide receiving member 313, two pins 324 are provided hanging down from the ceiling.

[0166] The elastic member 320 is provided on the inclined wall 311 of the bottom forming member 302 and is attached to a support base 321 that protrudes outward like a shelf. That is, it is provided on the inclined wall 311 of the bottom forming member 302, and a support stand 321 is provided on the outer periphery thereof, and two elastic members 320 are provided upright from the support stand 321. Specifically, the elastic member 320 is a spring. A receiving member 322 is provided on the upper portion of the elastic member 320. The receiving member 322 has a recess 323 formed therein.

[0167] The receiver forming member 317 covers the elastic member 320 , and an internal pin 324 engages with a recess 323 of the elastic member 320 .

[0168] The storage space forming member 301 is attached to the bottom forming member 302 via a guide receiving member 313 . That is, the guide piece 309 of the storage space forming member 301 is engaged with the slit portion 319 of the guide receiving member 313, and the two are integrated together. Since the guide receiving member 313 has an elastic member 320, the storage space forming member 301 and the bottom forming member 302 are connected with the elastic member 320 interposed therebetween. As described above, the side of the slit portion 319 facing the drug discharge portion 315 is open, and the side of the vertical wall 316 is closed, so that the storage space forming member 301 can be removed from the bottom forming member 302 by moving the storage space forming member 301 toward the drug discharge portion 315 along the longitudinal direction of the bottom forming member 302.

[0169] An opening 306 on the lower side of the storage space forming member 301 is not in contact with the bottom 310 of the bottom forming member 302, and there is a gap between them.

[0170] The drug container 300 of this embodiment can be used in the same manner as the above-described drug inlet-open drug container 81. That is, a drug is put into the storage space forming member 301, and the drug container 300 is manually carried into the housing 101 and placed on a desired container mounting device 3. Then, the vibration table 50 of the container mounting device 3 is vibrated to discharge the medicine from the medicine discharge part 315. Here, in the medicine container 300 of this embodiment, since the elastic member 320 is provided between the storage space forming member 301 and the bottom forming member 302, the bottom forming member 302 of the medicine container 300 vibrates to move the medicine, but the amount of vibration of the storage space forming member 301 is smaller than that of the bottom forming member 302. Therefore, the detection accuracy of the storage space forming member 301 and the weight measuring means 55 is high. In addition, the movement of the medicine is smooth. That is, in this embodiment, there is an elastic member 320 between the storage space forming member 301 and the bottom forming member 302, and the structure is such that the two are disconnected. Therefore, the bottom forming member 302 directly receives vibration from the vibration table 50 and vibrates greatly, but the storage space forming member 301 placed on the upper side vibrates less. Thus, in this embodiment, the vibration of the storage space forming member 301 and the vibration of the bottom forming member 302 are not synchronized. Therefore, the medicine in the storage space forming member 301 falls from the opening 306 on the lower side onto the bottom forming member 302, moves smoothly through the bottom forming member 302 and is discharged from the medicine discharge portion 315 at the tip.

[0171] In this embodiment, the drug feeder 1 and drug dispensing device 100 use a weight measuring means 55 built into the drug feeder 1 to weigh the drug to be discharged onto the downstream distribution tray 116, etc., but there are exceptional cases in which the drug is weighed using an external weighing device, and after weighing, it is filled into a drug container and distributed by a powdered drug dispensing device. In such a case, the medicine container 300 is placed on the desk, and a measured amount of medicine is poured into the storage space forming member 301 .

[0172] Here, the above-mentioned drug container 300 has a bottom forming member 302 at the bottom, but the cross-sectional shape of the bottom forming member 302 is groove-shaped, and the area of ​​the part in contact with the desk surface is small. Therefore, if the drug container 300 is placed directly on the desk, it is unstable and there is a concern that the drug container 300 may tip over.

[0173] As a means for solving this problem, the medicine dispensing device 100 of this embodiment is provided with a temporary placement table 340 for temporarily placing medicine containers. The temporary placement table 340 is a table having a placement groove 341 into which the bottom surface of the bottom forming member 302 of the drug container 300 fits. The installation groove 341 has an open portion 345 on one side and a vertical wall portion 342 on the other side. The installation groove 341 is slightly inclined so that the open portion 345 faces upward. The inclination angle is about 3 degrees to 10 degrees, and is 5 degrees in this embodiment. In this embodiment, an information reading device 346 is provided on the vertical wall portion 342 .

[0174] In this embodiment, the drug container 300 is placed on the temporary placement table 340 and stabilized, and the drug can be poured in through the opening 305 of the main body part 303. More specifically, the inclined wall 311 of the bottom forming member 302 of the drug container 300 is matched with the inclined surface of the installation groove 341 of the temporary placement table 340, and the drug container 300 is placed on the temporary placement table 340 in a position where the vertical wall 316 of the bottom forming member 302 is abutted against the vertical wall part 342 of the temporary placement table 340. As a result, the bottom forming member 302 of the medicine container 300 is inclined, and the medicine discharge part 315 faces upward. Therefore, the medicine does not spill out from the medicine discharge part 315. Furthermore, information identifying the drug container 300 is read by the information reader 346 .

[0175] In the embodiment described above, the rectifying unit 20 is provided in the medicine container 2, and the rectifying unit 20 includes the fixed rectifying coil 25 and the movable rectifying coil 26 as main components. However, when filling a medicine with poor fluidity, such as rhubarb powder, the fixed rectifying coil 25 and the movable rectifying coil 26 become a hindrance. Therefore, when filling a medicine with poor fluidity, such as rhubarb powder, it is preferable to use a medicine container with the coils removed.

[0176] 34, 35 and 36 show a cover member 156 attached to a modified drug container. The cover member 156 differs from the cover member 8 shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 9 in that it does not have the fixed rectifying coil 25 and the movable rectifying coil 26. Furthermore, in the cover member 8 shown in Figures 6, 9 and 19, the opening 43 is provided in the center of the eaves cover 35, but the cover member 156 shown in Figures 34, 35 and 36 does not have this opening. Furthermore, the lid member 8 shown in Figures 5, 6, and 9 was provided with a tip blocking wall 33, but the lid member 156 shown in Figures 34, 35, and 36 does not have a tip blocking wall 33, and the relevant portion is open.

[0177] In a cover member 156 shown in FIGS. 34, 35 and 36, a height limiting member 157 is provided in place of the movable rectifying coil 26. The height limiting member 157 is a partition that limits the amount of the drug introduced into the lid member 156 , and is attached to the movable coil retaining wall 32 .

[0178] The height limiting member 157 is a groove-shaped member in plan view as shown in FIG. 35, with a partition wall 158 in the center and mounting pieces 159 on both sides. An attachment piece 159 of the height limiting member 157 contacts the movable coil holding wall 32. In addition, the upper side of the partition wall 158 contacts the eaves 35. There is a gap between the lower side of the partition wall 158 and the bottom 46 of the container body 5. When the medicine passes through this gap, the fluctuations in the height of the medicine are smoothed out to make the height uniform, and the amount of medicine discharged is optimized. The medicine is then guided appropriately by the vibration and advances to the medicine discharge section 13 side.

[0179] As another measure when using a drug with poor fluidity, a method of improving bottom 46 of container body 5 of drug container 2 to make the drug more smoothly flowing can be considered. 37 and 38, for example, a sliding plate 250 is attached to the bottom 46 of the container body 5. The sliding plate 250 is made by bending a metal plate such as stainless steel or aluminum. The sliding plate 250 has a shape that matches the shape of the bottom 46 of the container body 5 . Specifically, the sliding plate 250 has a groove-like cross-sectional shape, and has a bottom matching portion 251 that matches the shape of the bottom 46 of the container body 5, and a side surface matching portion 253 that matches a side surface 252 of the container body 5 in the vicinity of the bottom 46. The side surface matching portion 253 is longer than the bottom matching portion 251. Moreover, the sliding plate 250 is shorter than the overall length of the container body 5 and is attached near the opening of the container body 5 .

[0180] In this embodiment, the sliding plate 250 is made of a metal plate that has been surface-treated to improve its non-adhesive properties. For example, materials that have been surface-treated by co-depositing nickel and fluororesin on iron, stainless steel, or aluminum alloy are suitable as materials for the sliding plate 250. It is desirable for the surface coating to have a non-adhesive resin (such as fluororesin) of about 30 percent by volume uniformly distributed therein.

[0181] The material of the sliding plate 250 is not limited, and may be a resin with excellent non-adhesive properties such as fluororesin. The shape of the sliding plate 250 is not limited, but it is desirable that the sliding plate 250 is the bottom 46 of the container body 5 and covers the vicinity of the opening of the container body 5. The reason for this is that the area near the opening of the container body 5 extends beyond the vibration table 50 of the container mounting device 3, as shown in Figure 1, and the vibrations of the vibration table 50 are relatively difficult to transmit to this area, raising the concern that the flow of the medicine may be somewhat worse than in other areas. It is desirable that the sliding plate 250 covers a wider range of the bottom 46 of the container body 5. Specifically, the sliding plate 250 may cover the entire bottom 46 of the container body 5. For example, a sliding plate made by bending a metal plate surface-treated with fluororesin into a groove shape, having an outer shape that conforms to the shape of the bottom 46 of the container body 5, and having a total length that is comparable to the total length of the bottom 46 of the container body 5 may be used. In place of the sliding plate 250, the inner surface of the container body 5 may be coated with a resin having excellent non-adhesive properties.

[0182] In the embodiment of drug feeder 1 described above, container mounting device 3 has a vibrating table 50, vibration means 51 for vibrating vibrating table 50, container holding means (magnetic member 62) for fixing drug container 2 to vibrating table 50, and weight measuring means 55 for directly or indirectly measuring the weight of drug container 2, and drug container 2 is mounted on vibrating table 50, drug container 2 is fixed to vibrating table 50 by the container holding means, and drug is discharged from drug container 2 in small amounts by vibrating vibrating table 50, and the amount of drug discharged can be detected by weight measuring means 55. This is drug feeder 1 characterized in that the vibration of vibrating table 50 decreases as the total amount of drug discharged from drug container 2 approaches a target amount.

[0183] In the embodiment of drug feeder 1 described above, container mounting device 3 has a vibration table 50, vibration means 51 for vibrating vibration table 50, container holding means for fixing drug container 2 to vibration table 50, and weight measuring means 55 for directly or indirectly measuring the weight of drug container 2, and drug container 2 is mounted on vibration table 50, drug container 2 is fixed to vibration table 50 by the container holding means, and vibration table 50 is vibrated to discharge drug from drug container 2 in small amounts, and the amount of drug discharged can be detected by weight measuring means 55. This is drug feeder 1, characterized in that when the total amount of drug discharged from drug container 2 is less than a target amount and the amount of drug discharged per unit time falls below a certain amount, the vibration of vibration table 50 becomes greater.

[0184] The drug feeder 1 of the embodiment described above is configured to store the total amount of drug discharged up to now, stop the vibration of the vibrating table 50, and remove the drug container 2 from the vibrating table when the amount of drug discharged per unit time is below a certain amount even when the vibration of the vibrating table 50 becomes large.

[0185] The embodiment of the drug feeder 1 described above is configured such that, when the drug container 2 is fixed to the vibration table 50 again, the vibration of the vibration table 50 is resumed to discharge the drug from the drug container 2 in small amounts, and when the total amount of drug discharged from the drug container 2 reaches a target amount, the vibration of the vibration table 50 is stopped.

[0186] In the embodiment described above, only one electric wire holding member 73 is provided, but there may be a plurality of electric wire holding members 73. Fig. 18 shows an example in which two electric wire holding members 73 are provided.

[0187] In the above embodiment, the top surface of the desiccant inserting section 15 and the upper part of the fixed rectifier coil 25 in the coil accommodating space 28 are closed by the inner lid 22, and the upper part of the movable rectifier coil 26 in the coil accommodating space 28 is closed by the eaves lid (eaves member) 35. However, as shown in FIG. 19, the rear end side of the lid main body 10 may be sealed off by a full lid 23 which is an integral part of both.

[0188] In the above embodiment, magnetism is used as the container holding means, but other actuators such as a motor may be used as the container holding means.

[0189] In the above embodiment, control using a coefficient called the "flow coefficient" has been introduced. The "flow coefficient" will be further explained below. In the drug feeder 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment, the vibration number (frequency) per unit time and the amplitude of the vibration table 50 are changeable, and the frequency and amplitude can be changed depending on the drug type, discharge time, and total discharge amount.

[0190] More specifically, the vibration table 50 of this embodiment is structured so that the magnitude of vibration can be varied according to a preset value (the vibration frequency and amplitude can be varied). A "flow coefficient" is assigned according to the target set value (hereinafter also referred to as the vibration value) when the vibration table 50 is operated to discharge each drug. In the above embodiment, the flow coefficient is divided into three stages from "flow coefficient 1" to "flow coefficient 3", but more preferably, the flow coefficient is divided into nine stages from "flow coefficient 1" to "flow coefficient 9".

[0191] To explain this "flow coefficient" in detail, this "flow coefficient" is a value set for each shipped drug feeder 1, and is assigned after actually using the drug feeder 1 and conducting experiments in advance to determine the ease of discharging the drug. Specifically, a reference drug (e.g., magnesium oxide) is first used, and a vibration value for dispensing a predetermined amount in a predetermined time is obtained and classified as "flow coefficient 1". Then, for each drug, a vibration value for dispensing the same amount as the reference drug in the same time is obtained, and a "flow coefficient" is assigned according to the vibration value. Note that the larger the flow coefficient value, the greater the vibration of the vibration table section. In other words, the "flow coefficient" is the target vibration setting value for discharging each drug in the same manner as a reference drug, and since the larger the "flow coefficient" value, the more difficult the drug is to flow, it is also a value that indicates the ease with which the drug is discharged.

[0192] An appropriate vibration level is then selected based on the "flow coefficient" and "discharge amount." The vibration level is differentiated between the vibration level at the beginning of discharge and the vibration level at the stable period. For example, when the drug is easily discharged, such as with a "flow coefficient of 1," and the total discharge amount is small, such as with an "discharge amount of 20," vibration starts at a slow vibration level of 3, and when a certain amount of drug is decreased (when a certain weighing value is reached), vibration is switched to a stronger vibration level of 10. Alternatively, the vibration intensity of the vibration table is switched to a feedback control method so that the discharge amount h per unit time is constant, centered on the stronger vibration level of 10.

[0193] In the embodiment described above, the powdered medicine is supplied to the distribution tray 116 of the medicine dividing area (powdered medicine dispensing device) 103 by using the medicine feeder 1, but the powdered medicine may be supplied directly from the medicine feeder 1 to the medicine packaging device 122. It is also contemplated that the medication feeder 1,50 of the present invention may be utilized to feed tablets or capsules. [Explanation of symbols]

[0194] 1: Drug feeder 2,170: Drug container 3: Container mounting device 6: Fixed iron plate section 7: Transporting iron plate section 8,118: Lid member 13: Drug discharge section 19: Notification member 20: Rectification section 25: Fixed rectification coil 26: Movable rectification coil 27: Rectification coil holding section 28: Coil storage space 35: Eaves cover (eaves member) 43: Opening 50: Vibration table 51a, 51b: Vibration means 52: Intermediate table 53: Vibration-proof table 55: Weight measuring means 56: Foundation member 62a, 62b: Magnet member 65: Magnet current-carrying wire 66: Installation plate 68: Vibration means current-carrying wire 70: Measurement means current-carrying wire 71: Fastening metal fitting 72: Connector 73: Wire holding member 76: Wire fixing section 81: Drug container 100: Drug dispensing device 103: Drug division area (powdered drug dispensing device) 118: Lid member (swinging member) 130: Door section (door for automatic loading) 150: Partition plate (raised bottom member) 151: Drug container 161: Low ceiling section (recess) 180a, 180b: Door section (door section for manual loading) 192: Engagement plate (engagement piece) 300: Drug container 301: Storage space forming member 302: Bottom forming member 304: Side wall 306: Opening (lower side) 315: Drug discharge section 320: Elastic member (elastic body) 340: Temporary placement stand

Claims

[Claim 1] A medicine dispensing device including a sealed medicine container filled with medicine, a container storage device for storing the sealed medicine container, a container mounting device, a housing, and an operation display unit, The sealed medicine container, the container storage device, and the container mounting device are disposed inside a housing, With respect to a posture in which the container is mounted on the container mounting device as a reference, the sealed drug container has a lid member at one end in a longitudinal direction, and the lid member is openable and closable; The container mounting device has a vibration table, a medicine container having an opening on an upper surface side thereof, the medicine container being inserted through the opening, the medicine container being located outside the housing; By placing the sealed drug container or the open drug container on a vibration table, it is possible to dispense the drug filled in the sealed drug container or the open drug container, When the sealed medicine container stored in the container storage device does not contain a prescribed medicine, a message is displayed on the operation display unit to prompt the user to place the medicine-introducing open medicine container outside the housing in the container mounting device; Further, a manual loading door portion is provided, The operation display unit has a touch panel, The touch panel of the operation display unit displays the following (a) to (c): (a) opening the manual loading door; (b) closing the manual loading door; (c) Start allocation A medicine dispensing device characterized in that a display is displayed indicating any one of the above operations.

Images