Medicine delivery system and object delivery system

Abstract

To improve efficiency of work for taking out medicines from a warehouse, executing prescribed processing, and packaging them.SOLUTION: A medicine delivery system 1 includes a storage station 10 including a warehouse 11 in which medicines A are stored, a processing station 20 for executing prescribed processing for the medicines, a packaging station 30 where the medicines are packaged, a conveyor path 40 for circulating between the storage station, the processing station, and the packaging station, and trays 50 moving on the conveyor path. The medicines are taken out from the warehouse and placed on the trays at the storage station and conveyed to the processing station on the conveyor path. The medicines placed on the trays are subjected to prescribed processing at the processing station and conveyed to the packaging station on the conveyor path. The medicines placed on the trays are taken out from the trays and packaged at the packaging station. The trays from which the medicines are taken out are conveyed to the storage station on the conveyor path.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a drug delivery system and an article delivery system. [Background technology]

[0002] At the pharmacy, workers such as pharmacists take out the medicines from the warehouse, perform predetermined processes such as sorting and inspection on the medicines, and package the medicines.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an automated warehouse in which the task of taking medicines out of the warehouse is automated. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-316308 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The work area for taking out the medicines from the warehouse, the work area for carrying out predetermined processes such as sorting and inspection of the medicines, and the work area for packaging the medicines are located in different locations.

[0006] In pharmacies, workers themselves must move between each work area to transport medicines between each work area, which can easily lead to waste and inefficiency in the work of taking medicines out of the warehouse, carrying out predetermined processing on the medicines, and packaging them.

[0007] Even if the automated warehouse described in Patent Document 1 is applied to a pharmacy, only the task of retrieving medications from the warehouse is automated, and the problem remains that workers must themselves move between each work area to transport the medications between them.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above points, and has an object to improve the efficiency of the work of taking medicines out of a warehouse, performing predetermined processing on the medicines, and packaging the medicines. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The drug transport system of the present disclosure comprises a storage station including a warehouse in which drugs are stored, a processing station in which a predetermined processing is performed on the drugs, a packing station in which the drugs are packed, a conveyor transport path that circulates between the storage station, the processing station, and the packing station, and a tray that moves on the conveyor transport path, wherein the drugs are removed from the warehouse at the storage station and placed on the tray and transported to the processing station by the conveyor transport path, the drugs placed on the tray are subjected to the predetermined processing at the processing station and transported to the packing station by the conveyor transport path, the drugs placed on the tray are removed from the tray and packed at the packing station, and the tray from which the drugs have been removed is transported to the storage station by the conveyor transport path.

[0010] According to this configuration, the storage station for removing the medicines from the warehouse, the processing station for performing a predetermined process on the medicines, and the packing station for packing the medicines are located at different locations. A conveyor path circulates between the storage station, the processing station, and the packing station, and the trays move on the conveyor path.

[0011] The trays with and without medication are moved between the storage, processing and packing stations by the conveyor paths, without the user having to move between the storage, processing and packing stations to transport the medication between the storage, processing and packing stations.

[0012] In pharmacies, the efficiency of the work of taking medicines out of the warehouse, subjecting them to predetermined processing, and packaging them can be improved.

[0013] In one embodiment, the trays include a first tray and a second tray that move on the conveyor transport path, the medicines are removed from the warehouse at the storage station and placed on the first tray, and transported to the processing station by the conveyor transport path, the medicines placed on the first tray undergo the specified processing at the processing station and are removed from the first tray and transferred to the second tray, the medicines placed on the second tray are transported to the packing station by the conveyor transport path, the medicines are removed from the second tray at the packing station and packed, and the first tray and the second tray from which the medicines have been removed are transported to the storage station by the conveyor transport path.

[0014] With this configuration, at least two trays (a first tray and a second tray) move along the conveyor transport path, which is advantageous in terms of making the process of taking medicines out of the warehouse, subjecting them to the prescribed processing, and packaging them more efficient than when there is only one tray.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first tray is partitioned into a plurality of compartments.

[0016] According to this configuration, the medicines can be divided and placed into the compartments of the first tray, allowing a plurality of medicines to be transported at one time.

[0017] In one embodiment, the processing station includes a testing section where the medication is tested for compliance with prescription.

[0018] With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the mixing up of medications.

[0019] In one embodiment, the processing station includes a sorting section where the medications are sorted and placed into pouches before being inspected in the inspection section.

[0020] According to this configuration, the series of predetermined processes for the drug in the processing station can be performed efficiently.

[0021] In one embodiment, the conveyor transport path includes a main path leading from the storage station through the sorting section to the inspection section, and a bypass path leading from the storage station to the inspection section, bypassing the sorting section.

[0022] According to this configuration, when the medicines need to be sorted in the sorting section, the medicines can be routed through the sorting section via the main passage before reaching the inspection section, whereas when the medicines do not need to be sorted in the sorting section, the medicines can be routed through the bypass passage to bypass the sorting section before reaching the inspection section.

[0023] In one embodiment, the conveyor transport path is provided with a retraction section into which one of the trays retracts so as not to interfere with the movement of the other trays moving along the conveyor transport path.

[0024] According to this configuration, the one tray can move along the conveyor path by retracting the other tray to the retraction section, which makes it possible to prevent congestion on the conveyor path between the one tray and the other tray.

[0025] In one embodiment, the conveyor transport path includes a full tray path along which the trays carrying the medicines move, and an empty tray path along which the trays not carrying the medicines move.

[0026] According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent trays on which medicines are placed and trays on which medicines are not placed from being mixed together on the conveyor transport path 40.

[0027] In one embodiment, at the storage station, a medicine box containing the medication is removed from the warehouse, some of the medication is removed from the medicine box and placed on the tray, and the medicine box containing the remaining medication is returned to the warehouse.

[0028] According to this configuration, the operation of removing medicines from medicine boxes and placing them on trays at the storage station can be made more efficient.

[0029] In one embodiment, the warehouse stores room temperature drugs and drugs that require refrigeration, and the trays include a tray for room temperature drugs and a tray for drugs that require refrigeration that move along the conveyor transport path, and at the storage station, the room temperature drugs are removed from the warehouse and placed on the tray for room temperature drugs, and then the drugs that require refrigeration are removed from the warehouse and placed on the tray for refrigerated drugs.

[0030] With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the medicine that needs to be refrigerated from being heated.

[0031] In one embodiment, the conveyor path is surrounded by a cover in areas different from the storage station, the processing station and the packaging station.

[0032] According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from being mixed into the tray moving on the conveyor transport path, and to prevent medicines placed on the tray from falling off the conveyor transport path.

[0033] The item transport system of the present disclosure comprises a storage station including a warehouse in which items are stored, a processing station in which a predetermined processing is performed on the items, a packing station in which the items are packed, a conveyor transport path that circulates between the storage station, the processing station, and the packing station, and a tray that moves on the conveyor transport path, wherein the items are removed from the warehouse at the storage station and placed on the tray and transported to the processing station by the conveyor transport path, the items placed on the tray are subjected to the predetermined processing at the processing station and transported to the packing station by the conveyor transport path, the items placed on the tray are removed from the tray and packed at the packing station, and the tray from which the items were removed is transported to the storage station by the conveyor transport path. Effect of the Invention

[0034] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the task of taking medicines out of a warehouse, subjecting the medicines to predetermined processing, and packaging the medicines. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0035] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a drug delivery system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a tray according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 illustrates the removal of medicines from a warehouse in a storage station according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a predetermined treatment of the drug in the treatment station according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows the packaging of medicines in a packaging station according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a conveyor path according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 illustrates the removal of medicines from a warehouse in a storage station according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application, or its uses.

[0037] First Embodiment (Drug Delivery System) A drug delivery system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 shows the drug delivery system 1. The drug delivery system 1 is applied to, for example, a pharmacy. Note that pharmacies include not only those operated independently, but also those attached to clinics and hospitals. The drug delivery system 1 is a system for delivering drug A.

[0038] The medicine delivery system 1 includes a storage station 10, a processing station 20, a packaging station 30, a conveyor path 40, a tray 50, and a controller 60.

[0039] (Tray) 2 shows the tray 50. The tray 50 includes a first tray 51 and a second tray 52. ​​The first tray 51 and the second tray 52 are different from each other.

[0040] The first tray 51 is divided into a plurality of compartments 51a by partition walls. In this example, the first tray 51 is divided into six compartments 51a (2×3). The plurality of compartments 51a in the first tray 51 correspond to a plurality of medicines A. In detail, the plurality of compartments 51a in the first tray 51 correspond to the types, usage, quantities, etc. of the plurality of medicines A.

[0041] The second tray 52 is not divided into multiple compartments. The second tray 52 has only one compartment 52a. The size of one compartment 52a in the second tray 52 is approximately equal to the combined size of all the compartments 51a in the first tray 51. The second tray 52 may be covered with a hood.

[0042] A code 53 is attached to the tray 50. A plurality of readers 49 for reading the code 53 are arranged at a plurality of points on the conveyor transport path 40 of the medicine transport system 1, and are connected to a controller 60 (see FIG. 1). By having each reader 49 read the code 53 attached to the tray 50, the time at which the tray 50 passed at each point (and thus the position of the tray 50 at each time) can be known. In addition, the type, usage, and quantity of the medicine A placed on the tray 50 can also be known. Examples of the code 53 include a barcode and a QR code (registered trademark).

[0043] (Storage Station) As shown in FIG. 1, the storage station 10 includes a warehouse 11. The warehouse 11 is an automated warehouse. Drug A is stored in the warehouse 11. In this example, there are multiple warehouses 11. It is to be noted that there may be only one warehouse 11. The warehouse 11 stores a medicine box B containing multiple small drugs A. The warehouse 11 also stores large drugs A (e.g., drug A in a medicine bottle, etc.) as is.

[0044] Different types of medicines A are stored in the warehouse 11. The different types of medicines A are contained in different types of medicine boxes B.

[0045] 3 shows the removal of drug A from the warehouse 11 in the storage station 10. In the storage station 10, a medicine box B containing a plurality of drugs A is removed from the warehouse 11. In the storage station 10, a part of the plurality of drugs A, a drug Ap, is removed from the medicine box B and placed on a tray 50. In the storage station 10, a medicine box B containing the remaining drug Aq of the plurality of drugs A is returned to the warehouse 11.

[0046] The task of taking out the drug A from the warehouse 11 and placing it on the tray 50 in the storage station 10 is performed manually by the first user U1. The warehouse 11 may be provided with a feed conveyor for sending the drug A from the warehouse 11 to the first user U1, and a return conveyor for returning the drug A from the first user U1 to the warehouse 11.

[0047] In the storage station 10, small medicines A taken out from the medicine box B are placed on the first tray 51. The small medicines A are sorted according to the type, usage, quantity, etc., and placed in a plurality of compartments 51a in the first tray 51. For example, the medicine A is sorted into one of three usages, morning, afternoon, and evening, and placed in one of the compartments 51a in the first tray 51 corresponding to the usage of the medicine A.

[0048] A large medicine A (for example, medicine A in a medicine bottle) stored as is in the warehouse 11 may not be able to fit into each compartment 51a of the first tray 51. For this reason, the large medicine A may be placed in the second tray 52 instead of the first tray 51.

[0049] In the storage station 10, the operation of taking out the drug A from the warehouse 11 and placing it on the tray 50 may be performed multiple times depending on the prescription.

[0050] In the storage station 10, a take-out instruction 12a for drug A is displayed on the display 12b. The take-out instruction 12a may include, for example, the type and quantity of drug A to be taken out from the warehouse 11, the type and quantity of drug A to be taken out from the medicine box B, the type and quantity of drug A to be placed on the tray 50, the tray 50 (first tray 51 or second tray 52) on which drug A should be placed, and the section 51a of the first tray 51 into which drug A should be placed.

[0051] At the storage station 10, the first user U1 compares the drug A in front of him / her with the removal instructions 12a displayed on the display 12b, and takes out the drug A from the warehouse 11, takes out the drug A from the medicine box B, or places the drug A on the tray 50.

[0052] (Processing Station) In the processing station 20, a predetermined process is performed on the drug A. As shown in Fig. 1, the processing station 20 is located after the storage station 10. The processing station 20 includes an inspection unit 21 and a sorting unit 22. Fig. 4 shows the predetermined process performed on the drug A in the processing station 20.

[0053] In the processing station 20, the inspection unit 21 is located at a later stage than the sorting unit 22. In the inspection unit 21 of the processing station 20, as a predetermined process for the drug A, it is inspected whether the drug A is as prescribed. In the inspection unit 21, prescription instructions 21a based on a prescription from a doctor are displayed on the display 21b. In the inspection unit 21, a second user U2 (particularly a qualified pharmacist) visually inspects whether the drug A is as prescribed by comparing the drug A in front of him or her with the prescription instructions 21a displayed on the display 21b.

[0054] In the processing station 20, the sorting unit 22 is located in an earlier process than the inspection unit 21. In the sorting unit 22, the medicine A is sorted and placed in the medicine bag C before the inspection unit 21 inspects whether the medicine A is as prescribed. In the sorting unit 22, sorting instructions 22a on how the medicine A should be sorted are displayed on the display 22b. In the sorting unit 22, a third user U3 sorts the medicine A and places it in the medicine bag C while comparing the medicine A in front of him or her with the sorting instructions 22a displayed on the display 22b.

[0055] As described above, in the storage station 10, the medicines A may be sorted according to type, usage, quantity, etc., and placed in multiple compartments 51a in the first tray 51. In this case, in the sorting section 22 of the processing station 20, the third user U3 simply places the medicines A, which have already been sorted and placed in each compartment 51a of the first tray 51, into the medicine bag C while comparing them with the sorting instructions 22a displayed on the display 22b.

[0056] If the medicines A have not been sorted in the storage station 10, the third user U3 may sort the medicines A in the sorting section 22 of the processing station 20 according to type, usage, quantity, etc., and place them in the medicine bag C.

[0057] Then, the third user U3 places the medicine bag C containing the medicine A in the second tray 52.

[0058] When the drug A is inspected by the inspection section 21 of the processing station 20 to determine whether it is as prescribed, and when the drug A is sorted and placed into a drug bag C by the sorting section 22 of the processing station 20, the drug A may be temporarily removed from the tray 50.

[0059] (Packing Station) In the packing station 30, the drug A is packed. As shown in Fig. 1, the packing station 30 is located at a later stage than the processing station 20. Fig. 5 shows the packing of the drug A in the packing station 30.

[0060] At the packing station 30, the fourth user U4 packs the medicine bag C containing the medicine A into a packing container D such as a cardboard box or an envelope.

[0061] In the packing station 30, packing instructions 30a are displayed on the display 30b. The packing instructions 30a include which drug A should be packed, which packing container D should be used, etc. In the packing station 30, the fourth user U4 puts the drug A into the packing container D and packs it while comparing the drug A and the packing container D in front of him / her with the packing instructions 30a displayed on the display 30b.

[0062] In addition, in the packing station 30, the packing container D may not be used, and the medicine A may simply be wrapped in packing paper, film, or the like.

[0063] (Conveyor transport path) 1, a conveyor path 40 circulates between a storage station 10, a processing station 20, and a packing station 30. Trays 50 move on the conveyor path 40. Specifically, a first tray 51 and a second tray 52 move on the conveyor path 40.

[0064] 6 shows the conveyor path 40. The conveyor path 40 is, for example, a belt conveyor mechanism. In the conveyor path 40, a belt 41 is hung around a pulley 42, and the belt 41 is driven in translation by the rotation of the pulley 42. A tray 50 is placed on the belt 41 of the conveyor path 40. The tray 50 moves along the conveyor path 40 by the driving of the belt 41 of the conveyor path 40. The tray 50 circulates between the storage station 10, the processing station 20, and the packing station 30 by the conveyor path 40.

[0065] The conveyor path 40 is covered with a cover 43 in an area R different from the storage station 10, the processing station 20, and the packing station 30. The cover 43 is, for example, in the shape of a tunnel with a substantially semicircular cross section. The belt 41 extends through the internal cavity of the cover 43.

[0066] The conveyor path 40 may be, for example, a chain conveyor mechanism in which a chain is driven by the rotation of a sprocket. The conveyor path 40 may also be a roller conveyor mechanism in which the trays 50 move on a number of rotating rollers. The conveyor path 40 may also be a suspension type in which the trays 50 are suspended from a rail.

[0067] (Main passage and bypass passage) 1, the conveyor path 40 includes a main path 44 and a bypass path 45. The main path 44 of the conveyor path 40 leads from the storage station 10 to the inspection section 21 via the sorting section 22 in the processing station 20. The bypass path 45 of the conveyor path 40 leads from the storage station 10 to the inspection section 21, bypassing the sorting section 22 in the processing station 20.

[0068] (controller) The controller 60 is configured with, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MCU (Micro Controller Unit). The controller 60 executes a predetermined program using the CPU or MCU. The program is stored in a memory. The memory may be built into the controller 60 or may be provided outside the controller 60.

[0069] The controller 60 controls each component in the medicine delivery system 1. The controller 60 receives information about a prescription for a certain patient as an input. Based on the input prescription, the controller 60 outputs the type, dosage, quantity, etc. of medicine A required for the patient.

[0070] The controller 60 displays removal instructions 12a for drug A on the display 12b at the storage station 10. The controller 60 displays prescription instructions 21a for drug A on the display 21b at the inspection section 21 of the processing station 20. The controller 60 displays sorting instructions 22a for drug A on the display 22b at the sorting section 22 of the processing station 20. The controller 60 displays packing instructions 30a for drug A on the display 30b at the packing station 30.

[0071] The controller 60 controls the conveyor path 40. Specifically, the controller 60 controls the rotation of the pulley 42 in the conveyor path 40, thereby controlling the drive of the belt 41. In this way, the controller 60 can control the movement of the tray 50 in the conveyor path 40.

[0072] The controller 60 stores the position of the tray 50 (and the drug A placed on the tray 50) at each time, which is obtained by each reader 49 reading the code 53 attached to the tray 50.

[0073] (Evacuation area) 1, the conveyor path 40 is provided with an evacuation section 46. The evacuation section 46 is connected to the conveyor path 40 on the downstream side of the storage station 10 and on the upstream side of the processing station 20.

[0074] The retraction section 46 has a space that allows the retraction of at least one tray 50. In the retraction section 46, the other tray 50b retracts so as not to interfere with the movement of one tray 50a moving on the conveyor transport path 40.

[0075] If one tray 50a and another tray 50b are present at the same location on the conveyor path 40, the one tray 50a and the other tray 50b will jam on the conveyor path 40 and will be unable to move along the conveyor path 40. By retracting the other tray 50b to the retraction section 46, the one tray 50a will be able to move along the conveyor path 40.

[0076] By providing the evacuation section 46 in the conveyor transport path 40, congestion of the conveyor transport path 40 due to multiple trays 50 can be prevented.

[0077] Furthermore, by providing an evacuation section 46 in the conveyor transport path 40, it is possible to synchronize the timing at which multiple trays 50 are gathered at the processing station 20 (inspection section 21, sorting section 22) and the packing station 30, which are located downstream of the evacuation section 46.

[0078] For example, suppose that three trays 50a for a first patient as one tray 50a and three trays 50b for a second patient as other trays 50b are flowing from the storage station 10 to the processing station 20. Unless all three trays 50a for the first patient are sent to the processing station 20 and aligned, the trays 50a for the first patient cannot be sent to the packing station 30 forever. Alternatively, unless all three trays 50a for the first patient are sent to the sorting section 22 of the processing station 20 and aligned, the trays 50a for the first patient cannot be sent to the inspection section 21 of the processing station 20 forever.

[0079] Therefore, when the trays 50a for the first patient and the trays 50b for the second patient flow alternately on the conveyor transport path 40, the trays 50b for the second patient are temporarily evacuated to the evacuation section 46. Then, after all three trays 50a for the first patient are first sent to the processing station 20 and aligned, the trays 50b for the second patient can be sent from the evacuation section 46 to the processing station 20.

[0080] Alternatively, when the trays 50a for the first patient and the trays 50b for the second patient flow alternately on the conveyor transport path 40, both the trays 50a for the first patient and the trays 50b for the second patient may be temporarily evacuated to the evacuation section 46. Then, the trays 50a for the first patient and the trays 50b for the second patient that have all three in the evacuation section 46 may be sent from the evacuation section 46 to the processing station 20.

[0081] By quickly arranging all three trays 50a for the first patient at the processing station 20, the trays 50a for the first patient can be quickly sent to the packing station 30, thereby preventing the trays 50a for the first patient from being backed up.

[0082] In this manner, the evacuation section 46 has a structure capable of buffering one or both of the tray 50a for the first patient and the tray 50b for the second patient.

[0083] (Aisle for full trays and aisle for empty trays) 1 and 6, the conveyor transport path 40 includes a full tray path 47 and an empty tray path 48. The full tray path 47 and the empty tray path 48 are different from each other. The full tray path 47 and the empty tray path 48 are arranged, for example, in two rows, one above the other.

[0084] A real tray 50c on which drug A is placed moves in the real tray passage 47. An empty tray 50d on which drug A is not placed moves in the empty tray passage 48. In the example of Figs. 1 and 6, a first tray 51 on which drug A is placed moves in the real tray passage 47, and a second tray 52 on which drug A is not placed moves in the empty tray passage 48.

[0085] (Drug flow) The flow of drug A will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, drug A is removed from warehouse 11 at storage station 10, placed on tray 50, and transported to processing station 20 by conveyor transport path 40. Drug A placed on tray 50 undergoes a predetermined process at processing station 20 and is transported to packing station 30 by conveyor transport path 40. Drug A placed on tray 50 is removed from tray 50 and packed at packing station 30. Tray 50 from which drug A has been removed is transported (returned) to storage station 10 by conveyor transport path 40.

[0086] In detail, the drug A is taken out from the warehouse 11 at the storage station 10, placed on a first tray 51, and transported to the processing station 20 by the conveyor transport path 40. The drug A placed on the first tray 51 is subjected to a predetermined processing at the processing station 20, and is taken out of the first tray 51 and transferred to a second tray 52. ​​The drug A placed on the second tray 52 is transported to the packing station 30 by the conveyor transport path 40, where it is taken out of the second tray 52 and packed. The first tray 51 and second tray 52 from which the drug A has been taken out are transported to the storage station 10 by the conveyor transport path 40.

[0087] As described above, as shown in Fig. 3, in the storage station 10, a medicine box B containing small medicine A is taken out from the warehouse 11. In the storage station 10, the medicine A is taken out of the medicine box B by the first user U1 and placed on the first tray 51. Specifically, in the storage station 10, the medicine A is taken out of the medicine box B and placed in each section 51a of the first tray 51 according to the type, usage and quantity of the medicine A.

[0088] As described above, as shown in Fig. 4, in the inspection unit 21 of the processing station 20, the second user U2 inspects whether the drug A is as prescribed, as a predetermined process for the drug A. In the sorting unit 22 of the processing station 20, the drug A is sorted and placed in a drug bag C by a third user U3, as a predetermined process for the drug A, before the inspection unit 21 inspects whether the drug A is as prescribed.

[0089] The first tray 51 carrying small drugs A in each section 51a passes through the main passage 44 of the conveyor transport path 40 from the storage station 10, and reaches the inspection section 21 via the sorting section 22 in the processing station 20. In the processing station 20, the drugs A carried on the first tray 51 are first sorted by the sorting section 22 and placed into drug bags C.

[0090] The medicine A placed on the first tray 51 is removed from the first tray 51 and transferred to the second tray 52 in the sorting section 22 of the processing station 20. In the sorting section 22 of the processing station 20, the first tray 51 is in a state where no medicine A is placed thereon, i.e., it becomes empty.

[0091] The first tray 51 emptied in the sorting section 22 of the processing station 20 is transported through the conveyor transport path 40 to the storage station 10 and returned.

[0092] The drug A placed on the second tray 52 is inspected by the inspection section 21 of the processing station 20 to determine whether or not it is as prescribed.

[0093] 5, in the packing station 30, the drug A placed on the second tray 52 is removed from the second tray 52 and packed by the fourth user U4. In the packing station 30, the second tray 52 is in a state where no drug A is placed thereon, i.e., is empty.

[0094] The second tray 52 emptied at the packing station 30 is transported back to the storage station 10 via the conveyor path 40.

[0095] When the drug A is large (when the drug A is contained in a medicine bottle or the like), the drug A may be stored as is in the warehouse 11 in the storage station 10. In this case, the drug A taken out from the warehouse 11 may be placed on the second tray 52 in the storage station 10.

[0096] In this case, the second tray 52 carrying the drug A may pass through the bypass passage 45 of the conveyor transport path 40 from the storage station 10 and reach the inspection section 21 while bypassing the sorting section 22 in the processing station 20.

[0097] (Action and effect) In this embodiment, a storage station 10 for removing drug A from a warehouse 11, a processing station 20 for performing predetermined processing such as sorting and inspection on drug A, and a packing station 30 for packing drug A are located in different locations.

[0098] A conveyor path 40 circulates between the storage station 10, the processing station 20 and the packaging station 30, and trays 50 move along the conveyor path 40.

[0099] The trays 50 carrying the drug A and the trays 50 not carrying the drug A are moved between the storage station 10, the processing station 20 and the packaging station 30 by the conveyor transport path 40.

[0100] Therefore, the user himself / herself does not need to move between the storage station 10, the processing station 20, and the packing station 30 in order to transport the drug A between the storage station 10, the processing station 20, and the packing station 30.

[0101] In the pharmacy, the work of taking out the drug A from the warehouse 11, subjecting the drug A to a predetermined process, and packaging the drug A can be made more efficient.

[0102] Since at least two trays 50 (a first tray 51 and a second tray 52) move along the conveyor transport path 40, this is advantageous in terms of making the process of taking drug A out of the warehouse 11, subjecting drug A to predetermined processing, and packaging drug A more efficient than when there is only one tray 50.

[0103] Since the first tray 51 is divided into a plurality of sections 51a, the medicine A can be divided into each section 51a of the first tray 51 so as to correspond to the type, usage, and quantity of the medicine A, and a plurality of medicines A can be transported at one time.

[0104] In the inspection section 21 of the processing station 20, as a predetermined process for the drug A, it is inspected whether the drug A is as prescribed. This makes it possible to prevent the drug A from being mixed up.

[0105] In the sorting section 22 of the processing station 20, the medicine A is sorted and placed in a medicine bag C as a predetermined process for the medicine A before the medicine A is inspected by the inspection section 21. This makes it possible to improve the efficiency of a series of predetermined processes for the medicine A in the processing station 20.

[0106] The conveyor transport path 40 includes a main passage 44 and a bypass passage 45. As a result, when sorting work of drug A in the sorting unit 22 is required, the drug A can be made to pass through the sorting unit 22 via the main passage 44 before reaching the inspection unit 21. On the other hand, when sorting work of drug A in the sorting unit 22 is not required, the drug A can be made to bypass the sorting unit 22 via the bypass passage 45 before reaching the inspection unit 21.

[0107] The conveyor path 40 is provided with a retraction section 46. The other tray 50b retracts to the retraction section 46, allowing the one tray 50a to move along the conveyor path 40. This makes it possible to prevent congestion on the conveyor path 40 between the one tray 50a and the other tray 50b.

[0108] The conveyor transport path 40 includes a full tray path 47 and an empty tray path 48. This makes it possible to prevent full trays 50c carrying medicine A and empty trays 50d not carrying medicine A from being mixed together on the conveyor transport path 40.

[0109] In the storage station 10, the medicine box B containing the drug A is taken out from the warehouse 11, a part of the drug Ap is taken out from the medicine box B and placed on the tray 50, and the medicine box B containing the remaining drug Aq is returned to the warehouse 11. This makes it possible to efficiently perform the work of taking the drug A out of the medicine box B and placing it on the tray 50 in the storage station 10.

[0110] Since the periphery of the conveyor transport path 40 is covered with the cover 43, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the tray 50 moving on the conveyor transport path 40 and to prevent the medicine A placed on the tray 50 from falling off the conveyor transport path 40.

[0111] Since a code 53 is attached to the tray 50 and readers 49 are arranged at multiple locations on the conveyor transport path 40, the position of the tray 50 at each time can be ascertained by each reader 49 reading the code 53 attached to the tray 50. In addition, the type, usage, and quantity of the drug A placed on the tray 50 can also be ascertained. This makes it easy to determine when and where the mix-up occurred in the event of a mix-up of the drug A, ensuring traceability.

[0112] <Second embodiment> A medicine delivery system 1 according to the second embodiment will be described. In the following description, the same components as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof may be omitted.

[0113] FIG. 7 illustrates the removal of a drug A from a warehouse 11 in a storage station 10 according to the second embodiment.

[0114] In the warehouse 11, room temperature drugs Ar and drugs As requiring refrigeration are stored as drugs A. In detail, the warehouse 11 includes a warehouse 11a for room temperature drugs and a warehouse 11b for drugs requiring refrigeration. The warehouse 11a for room temperature drugs stores room temperature drugs Ar. The warehouse 11b for drugs requiring refrigeration stores drugs As requiring refrigeration. The room temperature drugs Ar can be stored at room temperature (e.g. room temperature). The drugs As requiring refrigeration cannot be stored at room temperature and require refrigeration. The warehouse 11b for drugs requiring refrigeration is equipped with a refrigeration function.

[0115] The trays 50 include a tray 54 for room temperature medicines and a tray 55 for medicines that need to be refrigerated. The tray 54 for room temperature medicines and the tray 55 for medicines that need to be refrigerated move along the conveyor transport path 40. The tray 54 for room temperature medicines and the tray 55 for medicines that need to be refrigerated may have different structures from each other, or may have the same structure as each other.

[0116] In the storage station 10, room temperature drugs Ar are taken out from the warehouse 11a for room temperature drugs as the warehouse 11 and placed on a tray 54 for room temperature drugs, and then refrigerated drugs As are taken out from the warehouse 11b for drugs that require refrigeration as the warehouse 11 and placed on a tray 55 for drugs that require refrigeration.

[0117] In the storage station 10, a take-out instruction 12a is displayed on the display 12b. The take-out instruction 12a includes which of the room temperature drugs Ar and the refrigerated drugs As should be taken out from the warehouse 11 (the room temperature drug warehouse 11a, the refrigerated drug warehouse 11b), which of the room temperature drugs Ar and the refrigerated drugs As should be placed on the tray 50, which of the room temperature drug tray 54 and the refrigerated drug tray 55 should be used, and so on.

[0118] The other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment.

[0119] According to this embodiment, the refrigerated medicine As can be stored in the refrigerated medicine storehouse 11 (the refrigerated medicine storehouse 11b) for as long as possible by preventing the refrigerated medicine As from being taken out of the storehouse 11 before the room temperature medicine Ar. This prevents the refrigerated medicine As from being heated.

[0120] The room temperature medicine storehouse 11a (without refrigeration function) in which the room temperature medicine Ar is stored and the medicine storehouse 11b (with refrigeration function) in which the medicine As that needs to be refrigerated is stored may be integrated into one storehouse 11.

[0121] <Other embodiments> Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the preferred embodiments, such description is not limiting, and it goes without saying that various modifications, substitutions, or combinations are possible.

[0122] Only one tray 50 may move along the conveyor path 40 .

[0123] The retraction section 46 is not limited to the arrangement exemplified in Fig. 1. The retraction section 46 may be provided in the middle of the conveyor transport path 40 (such as a straight section or a corner section). The tray 50 may retract not only horizontally but also vertically with respect to the retraction section 46.

[0124] The description of the evacuation section 46 in the first embodiment is valid even if the tray for the first patient (one tray) 50a and the tray for the second patient (another tray) 50b are interchanged. The number of trays 50a, 50b for each patient does not have to be three. The number of trays 50a, 50b for each patient may be different from each other. A tray for a third patient may be newly added.

[0125] In the above embodiment, the evacuation section 46 is connected to the conveyor transport path 40 downstream of the storage station 10 and upstream of the processing station 20, but is not limited to this. The evacuation section 46 may be connected, for example, downstream of the processing station 20 and upstream of the packing station 30, or downstream of the sorting section 22 and upstream of the inspection section 21. The evacuation section 46 may not be provided.

[0126] The full tray paths 47 and the empty tray paths 48 in the conveyor transport path 40 are not limited to being arranged in two rows, one above the other, but may be arranged in two rows side by side. The conveyor transport path 40 may be configured in a single row, without being divided into the full tray paths 47 and the empty tray paths 48. In this case, the types and states (empty or full) of the trays 50 may be managed by the controller 60 to transport them together, while branching appropriately on the downstream side.

[0127] The second tray 52 carrying the drug A may travel from the storage station 10 through the main passage 44 of the conveyor transport path 40, via the sorting section 22 in the processing station 20, and then to the inspection section 21.

[0128] In the above embodiment, the removal instructions 12a at the storage station 10, the prescription instructions 21a at the inspection section 21 of the processing station 20, the sorting instructions 22a at the sorting section 22 of the processing station 20, and the packing instructions 30a at the packing station 30 are displayed on the displays 12b, 21b, 22b, and 30b, but this is not limited to this and the form of such instructions may be other forms, such as a lamp, a buzzer, a sound, a vibration, etc.

[0129] In the above embodiment, four users, the first user U1, the second user U2, the third user U3, and the fourth user U4, are involved in the task of taking out the drug A from the warehouse 11, performing a predetermined process on the drug A, and packaging the drug A. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The number of users involved may be reduced by automating all or part of the task.

[0130] The item transport system 1 of the present disclosure comprises a storage station 10 including a warehouse 11 in which item A is stored, a processing station 20 in which a predetermined processing is performed on item A, a packing station 30 in which item A is packed, a conveyor path 40 that circulates between the storage station 10, the processing station 20, and the packing station 30, and a tray 50 that moves on the conveyor path 40.

[0131] Item A is removed from the warehouse 11 at the storage station 10, placed on a tray 50, and transported to the processing station 20 by the conveyor transport path 40. Item A placed on the tray 50 undergoes a predetermined processing at the processing station 20 and is transported to the packing station 30 by the conveyor transport path 40. Item A placed on the tray 50 is removed from the tray 50 and packed at the packing station 30. The tray 50 from which item A has been removed is transported to the storage station 10 by the conveyor transport path 40.

[0132] The article A is not limited to a medicine, and may be any structure as long as it can be placed on the tray 50. [Industrial Applicability]

[0133] The present disclosure is applicable to drug delivery systems and article delivery systems, and is therefore extremely useful and has high industrial applicability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0134] A Drugs (items) Ap Some drugs Aq Remaining drug Ar Room temperature agent As Refrigerated medicines B. Medicine box C. Medicine bag D Packaging container R region U1 User 1 U2 Second User U3 Third user U4 4th user 1. Drug transport system (goods transport system) 10 Storage Station 11 Warehouse 11a Normal temperature drug storage 11b Refrigerated medicine storage 12a Removal instruction 12b Display 20 Processing Stations 21 Inspection Department 21a Prescription Instructions 21b Display 22 Sorting Department 22a Sorting instructions 22b Display 30 Packing Station 30a Packing Instructions 30b Display 40 Conveyor path 41 Belt 42 Pulley 43 Cover 44 Main Passage 45 Bypass Passage 46 Evacuation Area 47 Passage for actual trays 48 Empty tray aisle 49 Leader 50 Tray 50a First tray (tray for first patient) 50b Other tray (tray for second patient) 50c Real Tray 50d Empty Tray 51 1st Tray Section 51a 52 2nd Tray Section 52a 53 Code 54 Room temperature drug tray 55 Tray for refrigerated medications 60 Controller

Claims

1. a storage station including a warehouse in which the medicines are stored; a processing station in which a predetermined process is performed on the drug; a packaging station in which the pharmaceutical agent is packaged; a conveyor path circulating between the storage station, the processing station, and the packaging station; a tray that moves along the conveyor path; The medicine is taken out of the warehouse at the storage station, placed on the tray, and transported to the processing station by the conveyor transport path; The medicines placed on the tray are subjected to the predetermined processing in the processing station and are transported to the packing station by the conveyor transport path. The medicines placed on the tray are removed from the tray and packed at the packing station; A drug delivery system, wherein the tray from which the drugs have been removed is delivered to the storage station by the conveyor transport path.

2. The trays include a first tray and a second tray that move along the conveyor transport path, The medicine is taken out of the warehouse at the storage station, placed on the first tray, and transported to the processing station by the conveyor transport path; The medicine placed on the first tray is subjected to the predetermined processing in the processing station, and is then removed from the first tray and transferred to the second tray; The medicines placed on the second tray are transported to the packing station by the conveyor transport path, and are removed from the second tray and packed at the packing station; The drug delivery system according to claim 1 , wherein the first tray and the second tray from which the drugs have been removed are transported to the storage station by the conveyor transport path.

3. The drug delivery system of claim 2 , wherein the first tray is partitioned into a plurality of compartments.

4. 3. The drug delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the processing station includes an inspection section for inspecting whether the drug is as prescribed.

5. The medicine delivery system according to claim 4 , wherein the processing station includes a sorting section in which the medicines are sorted and placed into medicine bags before being inspected by the inspection section.

6. 6. The drug delivery system of claim 5, wherein the conveyor transport path includes a main passageway leading from the storage station to the inspection section via the sorting section, and a bypass passageway leading from the storage station to the inspection section, bypassing the sorting section.

7. 3. The medicine delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor transport path is provided with a retreat section for retreating one of the trays so as not to impede movement of the other trays along the conveyor transport path.

8. 3. The medicine delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor transport path includes a full tray path along which the trays carrying the medicines move, and an empty tray path along which the trays not carrying the medicines move.

9. In the storage station, A medicine box containing the medicine is taken out from the warehouse; A portion of the medication is removed from the medicine box and placed on the tray; 3. The medicine delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the medicine box containing the remaining medicines is returned to the warehouse.

10. In the warehouse, room temperature drugs and refrigerated drugs are stored as the drugs, The trays include a tray for room temperature medicines and a tray for refrigerated medicines that move along the conveyor transport path, The drug delivery system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the storage station, the room temperature drugs are removed from the warehouse and placed on the tray for room temperature drugs, and then the drugs requiring refrigeration are removed from the warehouse and placed on the tray for refrigerated drugs.

11. 3. The drug delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor transport path is covered with a cover in an area different from the storage station, the processing station, and the packaging station.

12. a storage station including a warehouse in which the items are stored; a processing station in which a predetermined processing is performed on the article; a packing station in which the articles are packed; a conveyor path circulating between the storage station, the processing station, and the packaging station; a tray that moves along the conveyor path; The article is removed from the warehouse at the storage station, placed on the tray, and transported to the processing station by the conveyor transport path; The articles placed on the tray are subjected to the predetermined processing in the processing station and are transported to the packing station by the conveyor transport path; The items placed on the tray are removed from the tray and packed at the packing station; The tray from which the articles have been removed is transported to the storage station by the conveyor transport path.

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