Medicine packaging device

Abstract

To provide a medicine packaging device that can properly store a cleaning material.SOLUTION: A medicine packaging device is equipped with a medicine container storage part 11, a cleaning material container storage part 61, a medicine discharging part, and a packaging part 41. The medicine container storage part 11 stores a plurality of medicine containers storing medicines. The cleaning material container storage part 61 is installed separately from the medicine container storage part 11 and, the cleaning material containers storing cleaning materials are stored. The medicine discharging part can selectively set the medicine containers or cleaning material containers, and discharges medicines or cleaning materials in the set containers. In the packaging part 41, medicines or cleaning materials that are discharged by the medicine discharging part 21 are supplied, with at least medicines packaged.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention primarily relates to a medicine packaging device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art There has been known a medicine supplying device that supplies medicine contained in a medicine container. Patent Document 1 discloses this type of medicine supplying device.

[0003] The medicine supply device of Patent Document 1 includes a container transport unit. The container transport unit receives and transports medicine containers stored in a container storage unit, and sets the medicine containers in a medicine discharge unit provided near a distribution tray. The medicine discharge unit discharges medicine contained in the medicine container into the distribution tray. Patent Document 1 also describes a suction unit configured to suck up medicine adhering to each part by negative pressure.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a cleaning method in which a cleaning material is supplied to a distribution tray. By supplying the cleaning material to the distribution tray, the cleaning material can be brought into contact with the chemical pathway to clean the chemical pathway. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-89675 A [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-29554 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Patent Document 1 does not describe a cleaning method using a cleaning material. Therefore, the appropriate storage location or storage structure of the cleaning material is not known. However, since the uses, purposes, and timing of use of chemicals and cleaning materials are different, the appropriate storage conditions are naturally different.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a medicine dispensing and packaging device that stores cleaning materials in an appropriate manner.

[0008] The problem to be solved by the present invention has been described above. Next, the means for solving this problem and the effects thereof will be described.

[0009] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a medicine packaging device having the following configuration. That is, the medicine packaging device includes a medicine container storage section, a cleaning material container storage section, a medicine discharge section, and a packaging section. A plurality of medicine containers containing medicines are stored in the medicine container storage section. The cleaning material container storage section is provided separately from the medicine container storage section, and a cleaning material container containing a cleaning material is stored in the cleaning material container storage section. The medicine discharge section is capable of selectively setting the medicine container or the cleaning material container, and discharges the medicine or cleaning material in the set container. The medicine or cleaning material discharged by the medicine discharge section is supplied to the packaging section, and at least the medicine is packaged.

[0010] This allows the chemical container and the cleaning material container to be stored separately, so that the cleaning material container can be stored in a position or manner suitable for the cleaning material container.

[0011] In the medicine packaging device, it is preferable that the cleaning material container stored in the cleaning material container storage section is arranged at a position closer to the medicine discharge section than the medicine container stored in the medicine container storage section.

[0012] In the medicine packaging device, it is preferable that the cleaning material container stored in the cleaning material container storage section is arranged at a position closer to the front side of the device than the medicine containers stored in the medicine container storage section.

[0013] This allows the user to easily access the cleaning material container, making it possible to, for example, refill the cleaning material without hassle. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a medicine packaging device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view simply showing the layout of the medicine packaging device. [Diagram 3] 11 is a timing chart showing the relationship between the operation timing of a cleaning process performed before or after a dispensing process. [Figure 4] 4 is a timing chart showing the relationship between the operation timings of each part of the medicine packaging device in a dispensing process. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a medicine packaging device according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a medicine packaging device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The medicine packaging device includes a medicine supplying device 1 and a packaging unit 41. The medicine packaging device packages medicines supplied to the medicine supplying device 1 in the packaging unit 41.

[0016] 1 can store a plurality of drug containers 14 each containing a drug. This drug supplying device 1 supplies the drug contained in the drug container 14 to a packaging unit 41. The drug in this embodiment is a powder, but may be a tablet.

[0017] Furthermore, the medicine supplying device 1 can store at least one cleaning material container 64 that contains a cleaning material such as lactose. The medicine supplying device 1 supplies the cleaning material contained in the cleaning material container 64 to the packaging unit 41.

[0018] A magnetic member is provided on the outer surface of each of the drug containers 14 stored in the drug supply device 1. This magnetic member is used for transporting the drug containers 14 by the container transport unit 15 described later. In addition, an information tag is attached to the outer surface of each of the drug containers 14. Unique identification information of the drug container 14, information on the drug contained therein, and data on the weight of the drug contained therein are stored in this information tag.

[0019] A magnetic member is provided on the outer surface of the cleaning material container 64 stored in the medicine supply device 1, similar to the medicine container 14. This magnetic member is used for transporting the cleaning material container 64 by the container transport unit 15, which will be described later. In addition, an information tag is attached to the outer surface of each cleaning material container 64. Unique identification information of the cleaning material container 64 and data related to the type of cleaning material contained therein are stored in this information tag.

[0020] The medicine supplying device 1 includes a medicine container storage section 11, a cleaning material container storage section 61, a container transport section 15, a medicine discharge section 21, a distribution tray 31, a medicine removal section 35, a first suction section 52, a measurement processing section, a first reader / writer section 71, a second reader / writer section 75, a temporary container placement section 81, an interface section 91, and a control device 95. The interface section 91 and the control device 95 also function as an interface section and a control device of the medicine packaging device.

[0021] 2, the medicine dispensing and packaging device includes a housing 5. Inside the housing 5, the various components of the medicine supplying device 1 and a packaging section 41 are disposed.

[0022] The housing 5 is provided with a door 6. By opening the door 6, a user can access, for example, the medicine container storage section 11 or the cleaning material container storage section 61. The housing 5 is also provided with a touch panel display 7. The touch panel display 7 displays information related to the supply or packaging of medicines. The user operates the touch panel display 7 to give instructions to the medicine packaging device. Instead of the touch panel display 7, a display (display device) without a touch panel function and hardware keys (operation device) may be provided.

[0023] 2, the front side of the housing 5 is the front side of the device. From another perspective, the front side of the device is the side on which the door 6 is provided. Alternatively, the front side of the device is the side on which the touch panel display 7 (i.e., the display device and / or the operating device) is provided.

[0024] The medicine container storage section 11 is capable of storing a plurality of medicine containers 14. The medicine container storage section 11 includes a rotating member 12 and a medicine container arrangement section 13.

[0025] The rotating member 12 is provided in an upright position and can rotate about a vertical axis by the driving force of a motor.

[0026] A plurality of drug container arrangement sections 13 are arranged in the vertical and rotational directions on the outer periphery of the rotating member 12. One drug container 14 can be arranged in each drug container arrangement section 13. The drug container arrangement section 13 is, for example, a mounting plate capable of storing the drug container 14. The drug container arrangement section 13 rotates integrally with the rotating member 12 as the rotating member 12 rotates. This changes the position of the drug container arrangement section 13 in the drug container storage section 11. Thereafter, the container transport section 15 described later receives the drug container 14 from the drug container storage section 11 and delivers the drug container 14 to the drug container storage section 11.

[0027] Only one corresponding drug container 14 is placed in one drug container placement section 13. The drug container placement section 13 in which the drug container 14 is placed is predetermined according to the drug container 14, and the drug container 14 is not placed in another drug container placement section 13. Note that one drug container placement section 13 may be configured to allow different drug containers 14 to be placed therein. In this case, the drug container 14 placed in the drug container placement section 13 is identified by reading data stored in an information tag attached to the drug container 14.

[0028] The cleaning material container storage section 61 is capable of storing a cleaning material container 64. The cleaning material container storage section 61 includes a support member 62 and a cleaning material container arrangement section 63.

[0029] The cleaning material container storage section 61 is provided separately (provided independently) from the chemical container storage section 11. "Provided separately" means that the positions of the chemical container storage section 11 and the cleaning material container storage section 61 are different. More specifically, "provided separately" means that the rotating member 12, which is the base member of the chemical container storage section 11, and the supporting member 62, which is the base member of the cleaning material container storage section 61, are different. Therefore, when one of the chemical container arrangement sections 13 of the chemical container storage section 11 is made to function as the cleaning material container arrangement section 63, this does not fall under "provided separately."

[0030] The support member 62 is a block-shaped member. The support member 62 is fixed to, for example, a table on which the distribution dish 31 is provided. However, there are various methods for fixing the support member 62, and for example, the support member 62 may be fixed to a wall surface of the housing 5. The support member 62 is not limited to being block-shaped, and may have another shape (for example, a flat plate shape). Moreover, unlike the rotating member 12, the support member 62 does not have a movable mechanism.

[0031] The cleaning material container arrangement section 63 is provided on the support member 62. At least one (a plurality of in this embodiment) cleaning material container arrangement section 63 is provided on the support member 62. One cleaning material container 64 can be arranged in each cleaning material container arrangement section 63. The cleaning material container arrangement section 63 is a recess or a fixing mechanism for placing and fixing the cleaning material container 64 on the support member 62. Alternatively, the cleaning material container arrangement section 63 may be configured similarly to the chemical container arrangement section 13. The container transport section 15 described later can receive the cleaning material container 64 from the cleaning material container arrangement section 63 and deliver the chemical container 14 to the cleaning material container arrangement section 63. As described above, the support member 62 does not have a movable mechanism, so the container transport section 15 can receive or deliver the cleaning material container 64 without changing the position of the cleaning material container arrangement section 63.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 2, the cleaning material container storage section 61 is provided on the device front side of the drug supply device 1 with respect to the drug container storage section 11. Therefore, the cleaning material container 64 stored in the cleaning material container storage section 61 is disposed at a position closer to the device front side than the drug container 14 stored in the drug container storage section 11. In other words, in a plan view, the distance from the cleaning material container 64 stored in the cleaning material container storage section 61 to the device front side is shorter than the distance from the drug container 14 stored in the drug container storage section 11 to the device front side. When multiple drug containers 14 or cleaning material containers 64 are stored, for example, the drug container 14 located closest to the front side and the cleaning material container 64 located closest to the front side are compared.

[0033] With this layout, the cleaning material container 64 is disposed at a position closer to the door 6 than the chemical container 14. Therefore, the user can easily access the cleaning material container 64, which facilitates the work of removing the cleaning material container 64 from the chemical supply device 1 and filling the cleaning material container 64 with the cleaning material.

[0034] Furthermore, the cleaning material container 64 stored in the cleaning material container storage section 61 is disposed at a position closer to the medicine discharge section 21 than the medicine container 14 stored in the medicine container storage section 11. In other words, the distance from the cleaning material container 64 stored in the cleaning material container storage section 61 to the medicine discharge section 21 is shorter than the distance from the medicine container 14 stored in the medicine container storage section 11 to the medicine discharge section 21. When multiple medicine containers 14 or cleaning material containers 64 are stored, for example, the medicine container 14 closest to the medicine discharge section 21 and the cleaning material container 64 closest to the medicine discharge section 21 are compared. When multiple medicine discharge sections 21 are provided, the distances to the nearest medicine discharge sections 21 are compared.

[0035] This layout shortens the time required to transport the cleaning material container 64 from the cleaning material container storage section 61 to the chemical discharge section 21, so that cleaning can be completed in a short time.

[0036] In this embodiment, the medicine container storage section 11 and the cleaning material container storage section 61 are not shared. Therefore, the cleaning material container 64 is not placed in the medicine container placement section 13, and similarly, the medicine container 14 is not placed in the cleaning material container placement section 63.

[0037] The container transport section 15 can transport the drug container 14 between the drug container storage section 11 and the drug discharge section 21, and transport the cleaning material container 64 between the cleaning material container storage section 61 and the drug discharge section 21. Specifically, the container transport section 15 can perform the following three operations on the drug container 14 and the cleaning material container 64.

[0038] The first operation for the drug container 14 is to move the drug container 14 between the drug container storage section 11 and the drug discharge section 21 (first operation). The second operation for the drug container 14 is to remove the drug container 14 from one of the drug container arrangement sections 13 of the drug container storage section 11 (second operation). The third operation for the drug container 14 is to return the drug container 14 to one of the drug container arrangement sections 13 (third operation).

[0039] Similarly, the first action for the cleaning material container 64 is to move it between the cleaning material container storage section 61 and the medicine discharge section 21 (first action). The second action for the cleaning material container 64 is to take it out from one of the cleaning material container arrangement sections 63 of the cleaning material container storage section 61 (second action). The third action for the cleaning material container 64 is to return the cleaning material container 64 to one of the cleaning material container arrangement sections 63 (third action).

[0040] The container transport unit 15 includes a holding arm unit 16 and a transport operation mechanism 17 .

[0041] The holding arm unit 16 can hold / release a container (chemical container 14 or cleaning material container 64). In this embodiment, an electromagnet that can be attached to and detached from a magnetic member on the outer surface of the container is provided at the tip of the holding arm unit 16. Therefore, the holding arm unit 16 can hold / release the container by utilizing the electromagnet. The base end of the holding arm unit 16 is connected to a transport operation mechanism 17.

[0042] The transport operation mechanism 17 can move the holding arm portion 16 between each storage portion (the medicine container storage portion 11, the cleaning material container storage portion 61) and the medicine discharge portion 21 by the driving force of a motor.

[0043] With the above configuration, when the tip of the holding arm unit 16 is approaching the outer periphery of the medicine container storage unit 11 by the transport operation mechanism 17, the holding arm unit 16 can take out the medicine container 14 arranged in the medicine container arrangement unit 13. Also, when the tip of the holding arm unit 16 is approaching the outer periphery of the medicine container storage unit 11, the holding arm unit 16 can return the medicine container 14 it is holding to the medicine container arrangement unit 13. Also, when the tip of the holding arm unit 16 is approaching the vicinity of the cleaning material container storage unit 61 by the transport operation mechanism 17, the holding arm unit 16 can take out the cleaning material container 64 arranged in the cleaning material container arrangement unit 63. Also, when the tip of the holding arm unit 16 is approaching the vicinity of the cleaning material container storage unit 61, the holding arm unit 16 can return the cleaning material container 64 it is holding to the cleaning material container arrangement unit 63.

[0044] On the other hand, when the tip of the holding arm part 16 is in the vicinity of the medicine discharge part 21 by the transport operation mechanism 17, the holding arm part 16 can set a container (the medicine container 14 or the cleaning material container 64) in the medicine discharge part 21. In addition, when the tip of the holding arm part 16 is in the vicinity of the medicine discharge part 21, the holding arm part 16 can release the set container and remove it from the medicine discharge part 21.

[0045] The medicine discharge unit 21 can perform a process of discharging the medicine (or cleaning material) in the container set therein. The medicine discharge unit 21 includes a vibration device 22 for vibrating the medicine discharge unit 21. When the container set in the medicine discharge unit 21 is vibrated, the medicine in the medicine container 14 (or the cleaning material in the cleaning material container 64) is shaken out.

[0046] The medicine supply device 1 includes a plurality of (two in this embodiment) medicine discharge portions 21. One medicine container 14 can be set in one medicine discharge portion 21. Therefore, when the medicine containers 14 are set in the plurality of medicine discharge portions 21, respectively, medicines may be discharged from the plurality of medicine discharge portions 21 at the same time.

[0047] The distribution dish 31 is provided near the medicine discharge portion 21. The distribution dish 31 functions as a tray for receiving the medicine shaken out of the medicine container 14 (or the cleaning material shaken out of the cleaning material container 64; the same applies below).

[0048] The distribution dish 31 includes a dish portion 32 and a rotary drive portion 33 .

[0049] The dish portion 32 is formed in a horizontal disk shape. The dish portion 32 is supported so as to be rotatable about an axis in the vertical direction. The medicine discharged from the medicine discharge portion 21 can be placed on the dish portion 32.

[0050] The rotation drive unit 33 can rotate the plate portion 32 in the circumferential direction by the driving force of the motor. The plate portion 32 receives the medicine from the medicine discharge unit 21 while rotating, so that the medicine is evenly distributed on the plate portion 32 in the circumferential direction.

[0051] The medicine removal section 35 is provided near the distribution plate 31. The medicine removal section 35 performs an operation of scooping up medicine from a partial area in the circumferential direction of the plate section 32 by the driving force of the motor (a removal operation). The medicine removal section 35 can supply the scooped medicine to the packaging section 41.

[0052] The packaging unit 41 can package medicines. The packaging unit 41 includes a hopper 42 that serves as an inlet for the medicines. When the medicine removal unit 35 puts a single dose of medicine into the hopper 42, the packaging unit 41 packages the medicine. The packaged medicine is provided to the outside of the medicine packaging device.

[0053] A first suction section 52 and a second suction section 53 are provided near the distribution dish 31. The first suction section 52 can apply a suction force to the distribution dish 31 and the medicine removal section 35. The second suction section 53 is provided near the packaging section 41. The second suction section 53 can apply a suction force to the packaging section 41 (inside the hopper 42 in this embodiment). The first suction section 52 and the second suction section 53 suck and remove the medicine adhering to each section by negative pressure.

[0054] The measurement processing section includes a first measurement section 55 and a second measurement section 56 .

[0055] The first measuring unit 55 is a device that measures the weight of the medicine in the medicine container 14. The first measuring unit 55 is provided in the medicine discharging unit 21. In this embodiment, the first measuring unit 55 is provided in each medicine discharging unit 21.

[0056] Similar to the first measuring section 55, the second measuring section 56 is a device that measures the weight of the medicine in the medicine container 14. The second measuring section 56 is provided in a temporary container placement section 81 which will be described later.

[0057] The first reader / writer unit 71 can read data stored in an information tag attached to the medicine container 14. The first reader / writer unit 71 can also write data to the information tag. The first reader / writer unit 71 is provided in each medicine discharge unit 21.

[0058] The second reader / writer unit 75 can perform the same process as the first reader / writer unit 71. The second reader / writer unit 75 is provided in the temporary container placement unit 81.

[0059] The temporary container placement section 81 can temporarily place the drug container 14 to be transported between the drug container storage section 11 and the drug discharge section 21. The temporary container placement section 81 can be configured in various ways, and can be configured, for example, as a placement table on which the drug container 14 can be placed.

[0060] The interface unit 91 realizes a user interface function. The interface unit 91 can be configured to include, for example, a display device that displays the status of the dispensing process and information input by the user, and an operation device for the user to input instructions.

[0061] The control device 95 is a computer equipped with a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. The ROM stores a control program for operating the medicine packaging device. The operations of the medicine container storage unit 11, the container transport unit 15, the medicine discharge unit 21, the distribution tray 31, the medicine removal unit 35, the packaging unit 41, the first suction unit 52, the second suction unit 53, the first reader / writer unit 71, the second reader / writer unit 75, and the interface unit 91 are controlled by the control device 95.

[0062] Next, an example of the processing of the control device 95 will be described in detail. Fig. 3 is a timing chart showing the relationship of the operation timing of the cleaning processing performed before or after the dispensing processing. Fig. 4 is a timing chart showing an example of the dispensing processing of the medicine packaging device. The example described below shows a case where a dispensing processing using two medicine containers 14 and a cleaning processing using a cleaning material are performed before and after the dispensing processing.

[0063] The user inputs the type of medicine to be used in the dispensing process, the amount per package, the number of packages, etc., according to the prescription data, via the interface unit 91. When the user completes input of the necessary information and issues an instruction to start the dispensing process, the medicine packaging device starts the dispensing process.

[0064] Furthermore, the user can set the cleaning process using the cleaning material via the interface unit 91. The user sets the settings in advance before starting the preparation process. In the settings, the user can set various conditions for supplying the cleaning material to the distribution tray 31, such as the type and amount of the cleaning material, and the timing of the cleaning process (before the preparation process / after the preparation process / before and after the preparation process).

[0065] When it is set that the cleaning process is performed before the dispensing process, the control device 95 starts the cleaning process. When the cleaning process starts, the control device 95 brings the tip of the holding arm portion 16 close to the cleaning material container arrangement portion 63 in which the cleaning material container 64 is arranged, in order to take out the cleaning material container 64 containing the cleaning material designated by the user from the cleaning material container storage portion 61.

[0066] The control device 95 controls the container transport section 15 to take out the cleaning material container 64 from the cleaning material container placement section 63 .

[0067] When the tip of the holding arm portion 16 holds the cleaning material container 64, the control device 95 controls the container transport portion 15 to transport and set the cleaning material container 64 to the medicine discharge portion 21. In this embodiment, the cleaning material container 64 is set in the first medicine discharge portion 21. When the cleaning material container 64 is set in the first medicine discharge portion 21, the control device 95 causes the first reader / writer portion 71 of the first medicine discharge portion 21 to read the data stored in the information tag of the cleaning material container 64. The data read at this time includes, for example, unique identification information and information regarding the type of cleaning material.

[0068] Based on the unique identification information acquired by the first reader / writer unit 71, the control unit 95 determines whether the cleaning material container 64 set in the first drug discharge unit 21 matches the cleaning material container 64 containing the cleaning material specified by the user.

[0069] When it is confirmed that the cleaning material container 64 set in the first medicine discharging section 21 is correct, the control device 95 causes the vibration device 22 of the first medicine discharging section 21 to start vibration and rotates the distribution plate 31. This causes the cleaning material to be shaken out of the cleaning material container 64. The cleaning material in the cleaning material container 64 is discharged onto the rotating distribution plate 31.

[0070] Next, when the amount of cleaning material required for cleaning processing has been discharged from the cleaning material container 64, the control device 95 stops the vibration device 22 of the first drug discharge section 21, and ends the shaking of the cleaning material from the cleaning material container 64.

[0071] The control device 95 controls the container transport unit 15 to return the cleaning material container 64 to the cleaning material container storage unit 61. When returning the cleaning material container 64 to the cleaning material container storage unit 61, the control device 95 controls the container transport unit 15 to hold the cleaning material container 64 set in the first chemical discharge unit 21 by the holding arm unit 16 and transport the cleaning material container 64 to the cleaning material container storage unit 61.

[0072] When the cleaning material discharge process from the cleaning material container 64 is completed and the cleaning material required for the cleaning process is placed on the distribution tray 31, the control device 95 causes the chemical removal unit 35 to scoop up the cleaning material on the distribution tray 31 and throw the cleaning material into the hopper 42 of the packaging unit 41. The control device 95 also causes the packaging unit 41 to package the cleaning material scooped up by the chemical removal unit 35.

[0073] The cleaning material container 64 is returned to the cleaning material container storage section 61, and the supplied cleaning material is packaged in the packaging section 41, completing the cleaning process.

[0074] In this manner, in the cleaning process, the medicine supplying device 1 can supply the cleaning material to the distribution tray 31 in the same manner as the medicine. The cleaning material is taken out of the cleaning material container 64 and packaged while contacting the medicine path of the medicine packaging device, thereby cleaning the medicine path that the cleaning material comes into contact with.

[0075] When the cleaning process is completed, the dispensing process starts. When the dispensing process starts, in order to remove the drug container 14 containing the drug specified by the user from the drug container storage section 11, the control device 95 brings the tip of the holding arm section 16 close to the drug container arrangement section 13 in which the drug container 14 is arranged. In the following description, the drug container 14 may be referred to as the first drug container 14.

[0076] The control device 95 rotates the rotating member 12 to adjust the position of the drug container arrangement section 13 in which the first drug container 14 is arranged. This allows the first drug container 14 to be removed from the drug container arrangement section 13 by the tip of the holding arm section 16 provided in the container transport section 15. At timing T1 shown in FIG. 4, the control device 95 rotates the drug container storage section 11 while moving the holding arm section 16. In this way, the movement of the holding arm section 16 and the adjustment of the position of the drug container arrangement section 13 are performed simultaneously in parallel, thereby making the transport operation of the drug container 14 smooth.

[0077] The control device 95 controls the container transport section 15 to remove the first drug container 14 from the drug container arrangement section 13.

[0078] When the tip of the holding arm portion 16 holds the first drug container 14, the control device 95 controls the container transport portion 15 to transport and set the first drug container 14 to the drug discharge portion 21 where the drug container 14 has not been set. In this embodiment, the first drug container 14 is set in the first drug discharge portion 21.

[0079] When the first medicine container 14 is set in the first medicine discharging section 21, the control device 95 causes the first reader / writer section 71 of the first medicine discharging section 21 to read the data stored in the information tag of the first medicine container 14. The data read at this time includes, for example, unique identification information, medicine information, and data related to the weight of the medicine.

[0080] The control device 95 determines whether or not the medicine container 14 set in the first medicine discharge unit 21 matches the medicine container 14 containing the medicine specified by the user (i.e., the medicine container 14 containing the medicine to be used in the current dispensing process) based on the unique identification information acquired by the first reader / writer unit 71. In addition, the control device 95 determines whether or not the amount of medicine required for the current dispensing process is contained in the medicine container 14 based on the weight data of the medicine acquired by the first reader / writer unit 71.

[0081] When it is confirmed that the medicine container 14 set in the first medicine discharge section 21 is correct and that the amount of medicine required for dispensing is contained in the medicine container 14, the control device 95 causes the vibration device 22 of the first medicine discharge section 21 to start vibration and rotates the distribution plate 31 (end of timing T2). This causes the medicine to be shaken out of the first medicine container 14.

[0082] The medicine in the first medicine container 14 is discharged onto the rotating distribution dish 31. Therefore, the medicine is placed on the distribution dish 31 so that the thickness of the medicine is uniform on the distribution dish 31.

[0083] During the process in which the first drug discharge unit 21 discharges the drug from the first drug container 14, the first measuring unit 55 continues to measure the weight of the drug in the first drug container 14. As the shaking of the drug from the first drug container 14 progresses, the weight of the drug in the first drug container 14 gradually decreases. When the reduction in the weight of the drug in the first drug container 14 becomes equal to the weight of the drug used in the preparation process, the control device 95 stops the vibration device 22 of the first drug discharge unit 21 and ends the discharge of the drug from the first drug discharge unit 21. In this way, the control device 95 monitors the change in the weight of the drug in the first drug container 14 during the discharge operation. This makes it possible to accurately discharge a predetermined amount of drug from the first drug container 14.

[0084] After setting the first drug container 14 in the first drug discharge section 21, the control device 95 causes the container transport section 15 to take out the other drug container 14 containing the drug specified by the user (i.e., the drug container 14 to be used in the current dispensing process) from the drug container storage section 11. For this purpose, the control device 95 brings the tip of the holding arm section 16 close to the drug container arrangement section 13 in which the drug container 14 containing the drug is arranged. In the following description, the drug container 14 may be referred to as the second drug container 14.

[0085] The control device 95 rotates the rotating member 12 to adjust the position of the drug container placement section 13 in which the second drug container 14 is placed, in the same manner as in the case of timing T1. This makes it possible to remove the second drug container 14 at the tip of the holding arm section 16. At timing T3 shown in FIG. 4, the drug container storage section 11 is rotated in parallel with the movement of the holding arm section 16, in the same manner as in timing T1. This makes it possible to smoothly transport the drug container 14.

[0086] The control device 95 controls the container transport section 15 to remove the second drug container 14 from the drug container arrangement section 13.

[0087] When the tip of the holding arm portion 16 holds the second drug container 14, the control device 95 controls the container transport portion 15 to transport and set the second drug container 14 to the drug discharge portion 21 where the drug container 14 has not been set. In this embodiment, the second drug container 14 is set in the second drug discharge portion 21.

[0088] When the second medicine container 14 is set in the second medicine discharge section 21, the control device 95 causes the first reader / writer section 71 of the second medicine discharge section 21 to read the data stored in the information tag of the second medicine container 14.

[0089] The control device 95 determines whether or not the medicine container 14 set in the second medicine discharge unit 21 matches the medicine container containing the medicine specified by the user, based on the unique identification information acquired by the first reader / writer unit 71. In addition, the control device 95 determines whether or not the amount of medicine required for the current dispensing process is contained in the medicine container 14, based on the weight data of the medicine acquired by the first reader / writer unit 71.

[0090] When it is confirmed that the medicine container 14 set in the second medicine discharging section 21 is correct and that the amount of medicine required for dispensing processing is contained in the medicine container 14, the control device 95 causes the vibration device 22 of the second medicine discharging section 21 to start vibration (end of timing T4). This causes the medicine to be shaken out of the first medicine container 14. In the example of FIG. 4, the timings of discharging the medicine in the first medicine discharging section 21 and the second medicine discharging section 21 overlap each other.

[0091] Next, when the amount of medicine required for dispensing processing is discharged from first medicine container 14, control device 95 stops vibration device 22 of first medicine discharge section 21 and ends shaking of the medicine from first medicine container 14. Thereafter, control device 95 causes first reader / writer section 71 of first medicine discharge section 21 to perform a writing process. That is, control device 95 stores weight data of the medicine in first medicine container 14 at the end of shaking of the medicine in the information tag of first medicine container 14 (timing T5).

[0092] After the weight data is written to the information tag of the first drug container 14 , the control device 95 controls the container transport section 15 to return the first drug container 14 to the drug container storage section 11 .

[0093] 4, the medicine supply device 1 can transport the medicine container 14 (first medicine container 14) that has finished discharging medicine to its original position while another medicine container 14 (in this example, the second medicine container 14) is discharging medicine. In this way, the discharge of medicine and the movement of the medicine container 14 can be performed simultaneously in parallel, so that the entire operation can be performed quickly.

[0094] As described above, the medicine supplying device 1 can empty the medicine discharging section 21 while the medicine container 14 is discharging the medicine. Furthermore, the medicine supplying device 1 can set in advance the medicine container 14 to be used in the next dispensing process in the vacant medicine discharging section 21 (first medicine discharging section 21) even while the medicine container 14 (second medicine container 14) is in the middle of discharging the medicine. In this sense, the medicine supplying device 1 is also capable of efficiently carrying out the dispensing process.

[0095] When returning the first drug container 14 to the drug container storage section 11, the control device 95 controls the container transport section 15 to hold the first drug container 14 set in the first drug discharge section 21 by the holding arm section 16. Then, the control device 95 causes the container transport section 15 to transport the first drug container 14 to the temporary container placement section 81 first.

[0096] The transported first medicine container 14 is temporarily placed in the temporary container placement section 81. When the first medicine container 14 is placed in the temporary container placement section 81, the control device 95 causes the second reader / writer section 75 to read the weight data stored in the information tag of the first medicine container 14 (timing T6). The second measurement section 56 also measures the weight of the medicine in the first medicine container 14. Then, the control device 95 checks whether the weight data acquired by the second reader / writer section 75 (i.e., the measurement result of the first measurement section 55) and the measurement result by the second measurement section 56 are consistent with each other. In this way, the medicine supply device 1 measures the weight of the medicine in the medicine container 14 twice after the medicine is discharged, and strictly checks whether a predetermined amount of medicine has been accurately discharged. The weight data indicating the measurement result of the second measurement section 56 may be stored in the information tag of the first medicine container 14 by the second reader / writer section 75.

[0097] After checking the amount of drug discharged, the control device 95 causes the container transport section 15 to transport the first drug container 14 placed in the temporary container placement section 81 to the drug container storage section 11.

[0098] As in the case of removing the drug container 14 from the drug container storage section 11, the control device 95 rotates the rotating member 12 to adjust the position of the drug container arrangement section 13 to which the first drug container 14 should be returned. This allows the tip of the holding arm section 16 to return the first drug container 14 to the drug container arrangement section 13. As in the above-mentioned cases (timings T1 and T3), the drug container storage section 11 is rotated by the time the movement of the holding arm section 16 finishes (timing T7). This allows the transport operation of the drug container 14 to be smooth.

[0099] Next, when the amount of medicine required for dispensing processing is discharged from second medicine container 14, control device 95 stops vibration device 22 of second medicine discharge section 21 and ends shaking of the medicine from second medicine container 14. Thereafter, control device 95 causes first reader / writer section 71 of second medicine discharge section 21 to perform a writing process. That is, control device 95 stores weight data of the medicine in second medicine container 14 at the end of shaking of the medicine in the information tag of second medicine container 14 (timing T8).

[0100] When the discharge process of the medicine from the first medicine container 14 and the second medicine container 14 is completed and the medicine required for preparation is placed on the distribution tray 31, the control device 95 causes the medicine take-out unit 35 to scoop up the medicine on the distribution tray 31 and to put the medicine into the hopper 42 of the packaging unit 41 (timing T9). The control device 95 also causes the packaging unit 41 to package the medicine scooped by the medicine take-out unit 35 (timing T9). Although the operation timing of the packaging unit 41 is omitted in FIG. 4, the packaging unit 41 operates at approximately the same timing as the medicine take-out unit 35. As shown in FIG. 4, the medicine supply device 1 can carry out the transport operation of the medicine container 14 while the medicine take-out unit 35 is performing the operation of scooping up the medicine (take-out operation). In this way, the medicine can be scooped up and the medicine container 14 can be moved in parallel at the same time, so that the entire operation can be performed quickly.

[0101] When the process of scooping the medicine from distribution dish 31 is completed, distribution dish 31 stops. Then, first suction unit 52 applies a suction flow to distribution dish 31 and medicine extraction unit 35 (timing T10). As shown in Fig. 4, while first suction unit 52 is performing a suction operation (first suction operation), medicine supply device 1 can perform a transport operation of medicine container 14. In this way, the suction operation and the movement of medicine container 14 can be performed simultaneously in parallel, so that the entire operation can be performed quickly.

[0102] After packaging unit 41 has finished processing (in other words, after the supply of the drug in first drug container 14 and the drug in second drug container 14 has been completed), second suction unit 53 applies a suction flow to packaging unit 41 (timing T11). While second suction unit 53 is performing the suction operation (second suction operation), drug supply device 1 can perform the transport operation of drug container 14. In this way, the suction operation and the movement of drug container 14 can be performed simultaneously in parallel, so that the entire operation can be performed quickly.

[0103] When the medicines necessary for preparation are packaged and the first and second suction operations are performed, the preparation process is completed.

[0104] When the cleaning process is set to be performed after the preparation process, the control device 95 starts the cleaning process after the preparation process is completed. The cleaning process after the preparation process is performed by the same operation as the cleaning process before the preparation starts, and the cleaning material is taken out of the cleaning material container 64 and packaged while contacting the medicine path of the medicine packaging device, thereby cleaning the medicine path that the cleaning material comes into contact with.

[0105] Next, a second embodiment will be described. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a medicine packing device according to the second embodiment. In the description of this embodiment, the same or similar members as those in the previous embodiment are given the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description may be omitted.

[0106] In the medicine packaging device of the first embodiment described above, the medicine supplying device 1 is provided with the second measuring unit 56 and the second reader / writer unit 75. In this regard, in the medicine packaging device of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the medicine supplying device 2 is provided with neither the second measuring unit 56 nor the second reader / writer unit 75. Moreover, the medicine supplying device 2 is provided with a container removal unit 82 instead of the temporary container placement unit 81.

[0107] The container removal part 82 is provided so that the user can easily access it from the outside. The user can remove the drug container 14 transported to the container removal part 82. The container removal part 82 may have a variety of structures, for example, a base on which the drug container 14 is placed. In this case, the container removal part 82 is provided on the inside of the door 6. Alternatively, the container removal part 82 may be configured as a port that communicates between the inside and the outside of the drug supply device 2, for example.

[0108] In the medicine supplying device 2 of the present embodiment, no device for measuring weight is provided in the container removal part 82. Therefore, the weight of the medicine in the medicine container 14 placed in the container removal part 82 is not measured.

[0109] If the amount of the drug contained in the drug container 14 is insufficient for the amount required for the dispensing process as a result of the measurement by the first measuring unit 55, the control device 95 controls the container transport unit 15 to transport the drug container 14 to the container removal unit 82. The user can retrieve the drug container 14 and replenish the drug via the container removal unit 82. In addition, a reader / writer unit may be provided in the drug container arrangement unit 13 or the holding arm unit 16, and the reader / writer unit may be configured to read data regarding the weight of the drug stored in the information tag of the drug container 14. Based on the data acquired by the reader / writer unit, if the amount of the drug contained in the drug container 14 is insufficient for the amount required for the dispensing process, the control device 95 can control the container transport unit 15 to transport the drug container 14 to the container removal unit 82.

[0110] 5, the control device 95 can perform control to directly return the drug container 14 set in the drug discharge section 21 to the drug container storage section 11, and control to transport the drug container 14 that does not contain the amount of drug required for dispensing processing to the container removal section 82. Since the second measurement section 56 is omitted in this embodiment, the drug supplying device 2 performs dispensing processing based on the measurement result of the first measurement section 55 arranged in the drug discharge section 21.

[0111] As described above, the medicine supply device 1, 2 of the above embodiment includes the medicine container storage section 11, the cleaning material container storage section 61, the medicine discharge section 21, and the container transport section 15. The medicine container storage section 11 stores a plurality of medicine containers 14 containing medicines. The cleaning material container storage section 61 is provided separately from the medicine container storage section 11, and stores a cleaning material container 64 containing a cleaning material. The medicine discharge section 21 can selectively set the medicine container 14 or the cleaning material container 64, and discharges the medicine or cleaning material in the set container. The container transport section 15 can transport the medicine container 14 between the medicine container storage section 11 and the medicine discharge section 21, and transport the cleaning material container 64 between the cleaning material container storage section 61 and the medicine discharge section 21.

[0112] As a result, the chemical container 14 and the cleaning material container 64 are stored separately, so that the cleaning material container 64 can be stored in a position or manner suitable for the cleaning material container 64.

[0113] In addition, in the medicine supply devices 1 and 2 of the above embodiments, the cleaning material container 64 stored in the cleaning material container storage section 61 is disposed at a position closer to the medicine discharge section 21 than the medicine container 14 stored in the medicine container storage section 11.

[0114] This shortens the time required to transport the cleaning material container 64 to the medicine discharge section 21, so that cleaning can be completed in a short time.

[0115] In the medicine supply devices 1 and 2 of the above embodiments, the medicine container storage unit 11 transfers the medicine container 14 to and from the container transport unit 15 after changing the position of the medicine container arrangement unit 13 in which the medicine container 14 is arranged. The cleaning material container storage unit 61 transfers the cleaning material container 64 to and from the container transport unit 15 without changing the position of the cleaning material container arrangement unit 63 in which the cleaning material container 64 is arranged.

[0116] Generally, there are many types of chemical containers 14 but few types of cleaning material containers 64, so it is difficult to enjoy the advantage of changing the position of the cleaning material container arrangement part 63 in the cleaning material container 64. On the other hand, by not changing the position of the cleaning material container arrangement part 63, cleaning can be performed in a short time.

[0117] In the medicine supply devices 1 and 2 of the above embodiments, the cleaning material container 64 stored in the cleaning material container storage unit 61 is disposed at a position closer to the front side of the device than the medicine container 14 stored in the medicine container storage unit 11.

[0118] This allows the user to easily access the cleaning material container 64, making it possible to, for example, refill the cleaning material without hassle.

[0119] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above configuration can be modified, for example, as follows.

[0120] The number of medicine discharge portions 21 is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more.

[0121] There may be no time overlap between the operation of rotating the medicine container storage section 11 and the operation of the container transport section 15 moving between the medicine container storage section 11 and the medicine discharge section 21 (hereinafter referred to as the moving operation).

[0122] There may be no time overlap between at least one of the first suction operation of the first suction unit 52 and the second suction operation of the second suction unit 53 and the movement operation of the container conveying unit 15. Also, at least one of the first suction unit 52 and the second suction unit 53 may be omitted.

[0123] There may be no time overlap between the removal operation of the drug removal section 35 and the movement operation of the container transport section 15.

[0124] In the above embodiment, the holding arm unit 16 uses electromagnetic force to hold / release the chemical container 14 and the cleaning material container 64. However, for example, a hand may be provided at the tip of the holding arm unit 16, and the chemical container 14 and the cleaning material container 64 may be mechanically held / released by the hand.

[0125] When there is no need to move the holding arm portion 16, the control device 95 may perform control to position the holding arm portion 16 at a predetermined standby position.

[0126] The number of distribution trays 31 can be changed as appropriate taking into consideration the number of medicine discharge portions 21. For example, when four to six medicine discharge portions 21 are provided, two distribution trays can be provided to receive medicines discharged from two or three medicine discharge portions 21.

[0127] The medicine packaging device may be provided with an alarm unit for notifying the user of an abnormality in the dispensing process. When it is not possible to confirm that the medicine container 14 set in the medicine discharge unit 21 is the medicine container 14 containing the medicine specified by the user, the control device 95 may notify the user of this through the alarm unit. The alarm unit can also be operated when it is not possible to confirm the amount of medicine required for the dispensing process, or when the measurement results of the first measurement unit 55 and the second measurement unit 56 do not match. The configuration of the alarm unit is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a buzzer or a lamp.

[0128] When it cannot be confirmed that the drug container 14 set in the drug discharge section 21 is the drug container 14 containing the drug specified by the user, the control device 95 may cause the container transport section 15 to transport the drug container 14 to the drug container storage section 11. The same applies when the amount of drug contained in the drug container 14 is insufficient for the amount required for dispensing processing.

[0129] In the above embodiment, the control device 95 determines whether or not the amount of medicine required for dispensing processing is contained in the medicine container 14 set in the medicine discharge unit 21 based on the weight data stored in the information tag. However, the control device 95 may also determine based on the measurement result of the first measuring unit 55.

[0130] The second reader / writer unit 75 may be changed to a read-only device (reader device). In this case, data related to the measurement result of the first measuring unit 55 is stored in the information tag of the medicine container 14 returned to the medicine container storage unit 11, instead of data related to the measurement result of the second measuring unit 56.

[0131] The container transport unit 15 in the above embodiment is configured to include the holding arm unit 16 and the transport operation mechanism 17. Alternatively, the container transport unit 15 may be configured with a member different from the holding arm unit 16 and the transport operation mechanism 17, and the container transport unit 15 may receive the cleaning material container 64 from the cleaning material container arrangement unit 63 or deliver the cleaning material container 64 to the cleaning material container arrangement unit 63 using this different member.

[0132] In the above embodiment, the cleaning material container 64 is taken out of the drug supply device 1 and filled with the cleaning material. Alternatively, an opening may be provided in the housing 5, and the cleaning material fed from the opening may be introduced into the cleaning material container 64 via a chute or the like, so that the cleaning material may be filled into the cleaning material container 64. [Explanation of symbols]

[0133] 1. Drug supply device 11 Drug container storage section 13 Drug container placement section 14 Drug containers 21 Drug discharge section 61 Cleaning material container storage section 63 Cleaning material container arrangement section 64 Cleaning material container

Claims

1. a medicine container storage unit for storing a plurality of medicine containers each containing a medicine; A cleaning material container storage section that is provided separately from the chemical container storage section and stores a cleaning material container that contains a cleaning material; A medicine discharge section that can selectively set the medicine container or the cleaning material container and discharges the medicine or cleaning material in the set container; A packaging section to which the medicine or cleaning material discharged by the medicine discharge section is supplied and which packages at least the medicine; A medicine packaging device comprising:

2. The drug packaging device according to claim 1, A medicine packaging device, characterized in that the cleaning material container stored in the cleaning material container storage section is positioned closer to the medicine discharge section than the medicine container stored in the medicine container storage section.

3. The drug packaging device according to claim 1 or 2, A medicine packaging device, characterized in that the cleaning material container stored in the cleaning material container storage section is positioned closer to a front side of the device than the medicine containers stored in the medicine container storage section.

Images