Method of cleaning powder feeding hopper of medicine dispensing device

Abstract

To develop a medicine dispensing device capable of reducing the number of times of refilling a medicine container with powder medicine.SOLUTION: The medicine dispensing device has a plurality of medicine containers 4 filled with powder medicine, a container storage part 23, a distribution tray 35, a scraping-out device, container moving means 28, and a medicine packaging device 53. A predetermined medicine container 4 is taken out from the container storage part 23 by the container moving means 28 and placed on a container placing device 36. The powder medicine is discharged from the medicine container 4 and fed into the distribution tray 35. The powder medicine fed into the distribution tray 35 is scraped out from a medicine feeding groove by the scraping-out device, and the medicine is packaged by the medicine packaging device 53. The medicine containers 4 have a container group for filling the containers with the same kind of powder medicine. In accordance with a predetermined rule, one of the medicine containers 4 belonging to the container group is moved to the container placing device 36 by the container moving means 28 and placed on the container placing device 36 to feed the powder medicine into the distribution tray 35.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a medicine dispensing device, and more particularly to a medicine dispensing device provided with a dispensing tray for dispensing powder medicine.

Background Art

[0002] In large hospitals and large-scale pharmacies, medicine dispensing devices equipped with a powder medicine packaging function have been introduced. Conventional medicine dispensing devices have a structure as disclosed in Patent Document 1, which is a combination of a dispensing tray and a powder feeder. The operation of packaging powder medicine using a conventional medicine dispensing device is performed by a pharmacist operating the device according to a doctor's prescription. That is, the pharmacist checks the doctor's prescription, takes out the medicine bottle containing the prescribed powder medicine from the medicine shelf, and measures the total weight of the specific powder medicine prescribed using a scale such as a balance. That is, for a powder medicine to be taken three times a day, if 1.0 gram is prescribed each time and a 20-day supply of medicine is prescribed, (1.0 × 3 × 20 = 60) grams of powder medicine is taken out. More specifically, the container is placed on the scale to tare it, the powder medicine is taken out of the medicine bottle using a medicine spoon, the powder medicine is put into the container on the scale, and 60 grams of powder medicine is measured.

[0003] Then, the measured 60 grams of powder medicine is put into the input hopper of the powder feeder, and the trough of the powder feeder is vibrated. Also, the dispensing tray is rotated at a constant rotational speed. The powder medicine put into the input hopper falls into the trough of the powder feeder, and as the trough vibrates, the powder medicine slowly moves to the tip side and falls into the groove of the dispensing tray.

[0004] On the other hand, since the dispensing tray is rotating at a predetermined speed, the powder medicine falling from the trough is evenly dispersed in the groove of the dispensing tray. Once the dropping of the powder medicine onto the dispensing tray is completed, the rotation of the dispensing tray is stopped once. Then, the disk of the scraping device is dropped into the groove of the dispensing tray. After that, the dispensing tray is rotated by an angle corresponding to the number of portions to be dispensed. To explain with the previous example, since 60 grams of powder medicine is to be sub-packaged into 60 packages, the dispensing tray is rotated by (6 / 360) degrees, and the powder medicine is collected on the front side of the disk by (6 / 360) degrees. Then the disk is rotated, and the powder medicine by (6 / 360) degrees is scraped out of the dispensing tray by the scraping plate and put into the packaging hopper. The powder medicine dropped from the packaging hopper is packaged by the packaging device.

[0005] When using the conventional medicine dispensing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, although most of the work of packaging the powder medicine portion by portion can be automated, there are still steps that have to rely on manual labor, and it is hard to say that it is a device that can fully automate the sub-packaging of the powder medicine. That is, in the conventional powder medicine sub-packaging device, it was essential for a pharmacist to take out a medicine bottle containing the desired powder medicine from the medicine shelf and measure out a predetermined amount of powder medicine from the medicine bottle.

[0006] Therefore, the applicant of the present application developed a medicine dispensing device that automates the work of taking out a medicine bottle containing the desired powder medicine from the medicine shelf and measuring out a predetermined amount of powder medicine from the medicine bottle, and disclosed it in Patent Document 2. The medicine dispensing device disclosed in Patent Document 2 includes a container storage unit for accommodating a plurality of medicine containers and a robot (container moving means). Also, there is a container placement device around the dispensing tray. The container placement device has a function of vibrating the medicine container to discharge the powder medicine from the medicine container and a function of monitoring the weight of the medicine container. In the medicine dispensing device disclosed in Patent Document 2, a medicine container filled with the powder medicine that matches the doctor's prescription is selected from the medicine containers accommodated in the container storage unit, and the medicine container is taken out by the robot and placed on the container placement device. Then, the container placement device is vibrated to discharge the powder medicine from the medicine container, and at the same time, the weight of the medicine container is monitored, and indirectly, the weight of the powder medicine discharged from the medicine container is monitored. When a predetermined amount of powder medicine is discharged from the medicine container, the scraping device is driven to scrape the powder medicine out of the dispensing tray and package it with the packaging device.

[0007] In the drug dispensing device disclosed in Patent Document 2, a plurality of drug containers are stored in the container storage unit, and each drug container is filled with a different type of powder drug. That is, the drug container and the type of powder drug correspond one-to-one, and there is only one drug container filled with one type of powder drug, and the same type of powder drug is not filled in a plurality of drug containers.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0008]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] By the way, there are powder drugs with high versatility and high consumption, and those with low versatility and low consumption. For example, powder drugs for protecting the gastric mucosa have high versatility and generally high consumption. There are also powder drugs whose consumption increases particularly according to the season. For example, in early spring, the number of patients with hay fever increases rapidly, and the consumption of nasal allergy drugs increases significantly. The same is true during the influenza epidemic period, and the consumption of antipyretics increases significantly. The drug container filled with the powder drug with high consumption will be emptied inside in a short time. Therefore, for the drug container filled with the powder drug with high consumption, refilling will be repeated frequently. By the way, since the drug dispensing device disclosed in Patent Document 2 moves the drug container with a robot, the whole is covered with a housing for ensuring safety. Therefore, the loading and unloading of the drug container is basically performed using a robot. Therefore, the operation of taking out the emptied drug container outside the housing will be performed using a robot, which takes time and is complicated.

[0010] The present invention improves the prior art drug dispensing device, and an object thereof is to develop a drug dispensing device capable of reducing the number of times of refilling the bulk drugs into the drug container.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] One aspect of the present invention developed to solve the above problems is a method for supplying bulk drugs in a drug dispensing device including a plurality of drug containers storing the same type of bulk drugs, a container storage unit for installing and storing the plurality of drug containers, a container moving means, a plurality of container mounting devices, and two dispensing trays. Each of the two dispensing trays has a container mounting device around it. When the container storage unit is equipped with two or more drug containers storing the same type of bulk drugs, the container moving means transports and mounts the two or more drug containers from the container storage unit to the container mounting devices provided on each of the two dispensing trays, and supplies the same type of bulk drugs from the two or more drug containers transported and mounted on the container mounting devices to each of the two dispensing trays. A preferred aspect is a method for supplying bulk drugs including an operation of supplying the bulk drugs of the first prescription to one of the two dispensing trays and supplying the bulk drugs of the second prescription to the other of the two dispensing trays when one of the two or more drug containers contains the bulk drugs of the first prescription and another of the two or more drug containers contains the bulk drugs of the second prescription. Furthermore, a preferred aspect is a method for supplying bulk drugs including an operation of supplying the bulk drugs of the first prescription to one of the two dispensing trays and supplying the bulk drugs of the second prescription to the other of the two dispensing trays when the bulk drugs stored in one of the two or more drug containers are the bulk drugs of the first prescription and the bulk drugs stored in another of the two or more drug containers are the bulk drugs of the second prescription. A more preferred aspect is a method for supplying bulk drugs including an operation of mounting each of the two drug containers, when the number of the two or more drug containers transported and mounted on the container mounting device is two, on only one of the container mounting devices provided on the two dispensing trays. Another aspect of the present invention developed to solve the above problems includes a plurality of drug containers, control means, a storage unit, a container storage unit for installing and storing the plurality of drug containers, container moving means, a container mounting device for mounting at least one of the plurality of drug containers, and a dispensing tray having a drug input groove. In the container storage unit, there are a plurality of drug containers storing the same kind of powder medicine. In the storage unit, a plurality of container groups of drug containers storing the same kind of powder medicine are stored. The drug containers stored in the container storage unit have information for identifying which container group and which drug container they belong to. The control means selects the first drug container from any of the plurality of drug containers, measures the powder medicine in the selected first drug container, puts the measured powder medicine into the drug input groove. When the powder medicine in the first drug container runs out, using the information for identifying which container group and which drug container the drug containers stored in the container storage unit stored in the storage unit belong to, a drug container belonging to the same container group in the container storage unit and not currently mounted on the container mounting device is selected as the next drug container, and the container moving means transports and mounts the next drug container from the container storage unit to the container mounting device, measures the powder medicine in the next drug container, puts the measured powder medicine into the drug input groove, and when the next drug container becomes empty, the container moving means returns the next drug container to the container storage unit. It is a drug dispensing device including such operations. A preferred aspect further includes an operation display unit. When the next drug container becomes empty and the container moving means returns the next drug container to the container storage unit, the control device displays on the operation display unit that there is an empty drug container in the container storage unit. It is a drug dispensing device. A more preferred aspect further includes a container temporary placement unit. In the drug dispensing device, information reading means for reading information for identifying which container group and which drug container it belongs to from an information recording member attached to the drug container or a barcode attached to the drug container is provided in the container temporary placement unit. Based on the information recorded in the information recording member or the barcode, the control means identifies the container group to which it belongs. It is a drug dispensing device. A more preferred embodiment is a medicine dispensing device having a housing that further covers the medicine dispensing device and a container access opening for inserting and removing a medicine container into and out of the housing. A more preferred embodiment is that the dispensing tray is rotatable. With the scraping device placed in the medicine input groove of the dispensing tray, the dispensing tray is rotated by a predetermined angle according to the number of divisions to gather the bulk medicine distributed in a certain range of the medicine input grooves, and the gathered bulk medicine is scraped out by the scraping device to perform a dividing and scraping process. This dividing and scraping process is repeated to discharge the bulk medicine distributed over the entire circumference of the medicine input groove of the dispensing tray. In the last dividing and scraping process, a final dividing and scraping process is performed in which the dispensing tray is rotated over a wider angle than in the previous dividing and scraping processes. It is a medicine dispensing device in which the rotation angle of the dispensing tray during the final dividing and scraping process varies according to the properties of the bulk medicine input into the dispensing tray. A more preferred embodiment is a medicine dispensing device having a main body device with a housing, an operation display unit, a container storage unit in the housing for storing the plurality of medicine containers, bulk medicine being stored in the plurality of medicine containers. By operating the operation display unit, the control means selects a desired medicine container from among the plurality of medicine containers, automatically takes out the bulk medicine contained in the selected medicine container, measures it, divides it into a predetermined number, and packages it. In the medicine dispensing device, at least the same type of bulk medicine is stored in the plurality of medicine containers. Another aspect developed to solve the above problems is a drug dispensing device having a plurality of drug containers filled with powder drugs, a container storage unit for storing the drug containers, at least one container mounting device on which the drug containers are placed and which acts on the drug containers to discharge the powder drug from any one of the plurality of drug containers, a control means, a storage unit, a container temporary placement unit, a container moving means controlled by the control means, and an operation display unit, wherein a plurality of drug containers filled with the same type of powder drug are assigned to the same container group, and a part of the plurality of drug containers assigned to the same container group is stored in the drug dispensing device. An information recording member or a barcode for storing information identifying which drug container belongs to which container group is provided on the drug container. The storage unit stores a plurality of container groups that are the same type of powder drug group. The drug containers stored in the container storage unit have information on which container group they belong to among the plurality of container groups and information identifying which drug container in which container group they are. The drug dispensing device is provided with information reading means for reading from the information recording member or the barcode information identifying which drug container belongs to which container group. Based on the information recorded in the information recording member or the barcode, the container group to which it belongs is identified. Controlled by the control means, the powder drug is discharged from the first drug container belonging to the container group of the same drug as the drug based on the prescription information. When the powder drug in the first drug container runs out, using the information on the plurality of container groups stored in the storage unit and the drug containers assigned to the same container group, the control means searches whether there is a next drug container belonging to the same container group as the first drug container in the container storage unit. If the next drug container is stored in the container storage unit, the next drug container is mounted on the container mounting device by the container moving means. If the next drug container is not stored in the container storage unit, a display prompting the use of the next drug container stored in the storage unit outside the drug dispensing device is made on the operation display unit. When the next drug container is transported from the external storage unit by the user and installed in the container temporary placement unit, the next drug container is mounted from the container temporary placement unit to the container mounting device by the container moving means. This is a drug dispensing device. A preferred embodiment further includes a dispensing tray having a drug input groove and a scraping device for scraping the powder drug input into the dispensing tray from the drug input groove of the dispensing tray. The first drug container is moved to the container placement device by the container moving means, placed on the container placement device, and includes an operation of inputting the powder drug into the dispensing tray, which is a drug dispensing device. A more preferred embodiment is that when the powder drug in the first drug container is exhausted, using the information of a plurality of container groups stored in the storage unit and the drug containers assigned to the same container group, it is searched whether the next drug container belonging to the same container group as the first drug container is in the container storage unit. When the next drug container is not in the container storage unit, a shortage display indicating that the next drug container is not in the container storage unit is displayed on the operation display unit, which is a drug dispensing device. A more preferred embodiment is that as a result of the search, when the next drug container is in the container storage unit, the first drug container is removed from the container placement device by the container moving means and returned to the container storage unit, and the next drug container is taken out from the container storage unit by the container moving means and mounted on the container placement device where the first drug container was placed, which is a drug dispensing device. A more preferred embodiment is that the container placement device includes a vibrating table and a discharge amount detecting means for detecting the discharge amount of the powder drug. The vibrating table is vibrated by the control means to discharge the powder drug from the drug discharge part, and it is possible to discharge a desired amount of the powder drug from the drug container. When the powder drug in the first drug container currently placed on the container placement device is insufficient for the desired amount, the storage unit stores the discharge amount of the drug already discharged. The next drug container belonging to the same group as the first drug container is placed on the container placement device by the container moving means, and the vibrating table is vibrated until the total discharge amount reaches the desired amount to discharge the powder drug from the drug container, which is a drug dispensing device. A more preferred embodiment is that the container placement device has discharge amount detection means for detecting the discharge amount of the powder medicine, the next medicine container belonging to the same container group is in a storage part outside the medicine dispensing device, and when the powder medicine in the first medicine container currently placed on the container placement device is insufficient for the desired amount, the discharge amount of the medicine already discharged is stored in the storage part, and when the next medicine container is carried by the user from the external storage part and installed in the container temporary placement part, the next medicine container is mounted on the container placement device from the container temporary placement part by the container moving means, and it is possible to discharge the powder medicine until the total discharge amount reaches the desired amount. A more preferred embodiment is that the container placement device has discharge amount detection means for detecting the discharge amount of the powder medicine, and when the powder medicine in the first medicine container currently placed on the container placement device is insufficient for the desired amount, the storage part stores the discharge amount of the medicine already discharged, and the next medicine container belonging to the same group as the first medicine container and stored in the container storage part of the medicine dispensing device is placed on the container placement device by the container moving means, and it is possible to discharge the powder medicine until the total discharge amount reaches the desired amount. A more preferred embodiment is a medicine dispensing device capable of installing the first and next medicine containers belonging to the same container group on a plurality of container placement devices corresponding to the same dispensing tray by the container moving means and simultaneously or sequentially charging the same kind of powder medicine from the medicine containers belonging to the same container group into the same dispensing tray. A more preferred embodiment is a medicine dispensing device capable of installing the first medicine container on one of the plurality of container placement devices by the container moving means and charging the powder medicine into the dispensing tray, and during that time, taking out the next medicine container belonging to the same container group from the container storage part by the container moving means and placing it on another container placement device corresponding to the same dispensing tray. A more preferred embodiment is a medicine dispensing device having a plurality of dispensing trays, one or more of the container placement devices corresponding to each dispensing tray, installing the first and next medicine containers belonging to the same container group on the container placement devices corresponding to the plurality of dispensing trays, and being able to charge the same kind of powder medicine into the plurality of dispensing trays. Another aspect of the present invention developed to solve the above problems is a medicine dispensing device having a plurality of medicine containers filled with powder medicine, a container storage unit for storing the medicine containers, at least one container placement device on which the medicine containers are placed and which acts on the medicine containers to discharge the powder medicine from any one of the plurality of medicine containers, container moving means, control means, and a storage unit. A plurality of medicine containers filled with the same type of powder medicine are assigned to the same container group, and the medicine containers are provided with an information recording member or a barcode in which information for specifying which medicine container in which container group it belongs is stored. The storage unit stores a plurality of container groups that are the same type of powder medicine group. The medicine containers stored in the container storage unit have information on which container group among the plurality of container groups they belong to and information for specifying which medicine container in which container group it is. Information reading means for reading the information for specifying which medicine container in which container group it belongs from the information recording member or the barcode is provided. Based on the information recorded in the information recording member or the barcode, the belonging container group is specified. The medicine dispensing device is covered with a housing, and there is a container access port for taking in and out the medicine containers in the housing. The container moving means performs a container introduction operation of moving the medicine container introduced from the container access port to the container storage unit or the container placement device under the control of the control means, and a container discharge operation of moving the medicine container in the container storage unit or the container placement device to the container access section. Under the control of the control means, when the powder medicine in the first medicine container currently placed on the container placement device is insufficient in the desired amount, using the information on the plurality of container groups stored in the storage unit and the medicine containers assigned to the same container group, it is searched whether there is a next medicine container belonging to the same container group as the first medicine container in the container storage unit. If there is a next medicine container belonging to the same group as the first medicine container and filled with powder medicine inside in the container storage unit, the next medicine container present in the container storage unit is placed on the container placement device. If there is no next medicine container belonging to the same group as the first medicine container and filled with powder medicine inside in the container storage unit, the container discharge operation is executed and the first medicine container currently placed on the container placement device is moved to the container access section.When the next drug container stored in the storage section outside the drug dispensing device is introduced by an operator from the container loading / unloading section, a container introduction operation is executed, and the introduced next drug container is moved to the container placement device. This is a drug dispensing device.

[0012] In the above-described aspect, the container placement device has a vibration table and discharge amount detection means for detecting the discharge amount of the bulk drug. By vibrating the vibration table, the bulk drug is discharged from the drug discharge section, and it is possible to discharge a desired amount of the bulk drug from the drug container. When the bulk drug in the drug container currently placed on the container placement device is insufficient for the desired amount, the discharge amount of the drug already discharged is memorized, another drug container belonging to the same group is placed on the container placement device, and the vibration table is vibrated until the total discharge amount reaches the desired amount to discharge the bulk drug from the drug container. It is desirable that this be the case.

[0013] When placing another drug container belonging to the same group on the container placement device, it is also possible to replace the previous drug container with a new drug container. When there are a plurality of container placement devices around the dispensing tray, the new drug container may be placed on a container placement device different from the container placement device on which the previous drug container was placed.

[0014] In each of the above-described aspects, the container placement device has discharge amount detection means for detecting the discharge amount of the bulk drug. When there is one or more other drug containers belonging to the same container group outside the drug dispensing device and the bulk drug in the drug container currently placed on the container placement device is insufficient for the desired amount, the discharge amount of the drug already discharged is memorized, and a drug container belonging to the same group and outside the drug dispensing device is placed on the container placement device, and it is desirable that it be possible to discharge the bulk drug until the total discharge amount reaches the desired amount.

[0015] In each of the above-described aspects, the container placement device has discharge amount detection means for detecting the discharge amount of the bulk drug. When the bulk drug in the drug container currently placed on the container placement device is insufficient for the desired amount, the discharge amount of the drug already discharged is memorized, and a drug container belonging to the same group and stored in the container storage section of the drug dispensing device is placed on the container placement device, and it is desirable that it is possible to discharge the bulk drug until the total discharge amount reaches the desired amount.

[0016] In each of the above-described aspects, there are a plurality of the container placement devices corresponding to the dispensing trays, a plurality of drug containers belonging to the same container group are installed on the plurality of container placement devices corresponding to the same dispensing tray, and it is desirable that it is possible to simultaneously or sequentially input the same type of bulk drug from the drug containers belonging to the same container group into the same dispensing tray.

[0017] In each of the above-described aspects, it is desirable that the desired amount of the bulk drug is divided, the divided value is allocated as the amount of the bulk drug to be discharged from the drug container, and the bulk drug in each amount allocated from the plurality of drug containers installed on the container placement device is simultaneously or sequentially input into the same dispensing tray.

[0018] In each of the above-described aspects, there are a plurality of the container placement devices corresponding to the dispensing trays. A drug container is installed on one of the plurality of container placement devices to input the bulk drug into the dispensing tray, and during that time, it is desirable that it is possible to take out a drug container belonging to the same container group from the container storage section by the container moving means and place it on another container placement device corresponding to the same dispensing tray.

[0019] In each of the above-described aspects, there are a plurality of dispensing trays, there is one or a plurality of the container placement devices corresponding to each dispensing tray, a drug container belonging to the same container group is installed on the container placement devices corresponding to the plurality of dispensing trays, and it is desirable that it is possible to input the same type of bulk drug into the plurality of dispensing trays.

[0020] The medicine container is provided with an information recording member for specifying the medicine container, and the medicine dispensing device is provided with information reading means. It is desirable that the container group to which it belongs be specified based on the information recorded on the information recording member.

[0021] In each of the above-described aspects, one or more other medicine containers belonging to the same container group as the medicine container currently placed on the container placement device are outside the medicine dispensing device. It is desirable that it be possible to replace the medicine container currently placed on the container placement device with a medicine container belonging to the same group outside the medicine dispensing device, or place a medicine container belonging to the same group outside the medicine dispensing device on the empty container placement device.

[0022] In each of the above-described aspects, the medicine dispensing device is covered with a housing, and there is a container access port for inserting and removing the medicine container into and out of the housing. The container moving means performs a container introduction operation of moving the medicine container introduced from the container access port to the container storage unit or the container placement device, and a container discharge operation of moving the medicine container in the container storage unit or the container placement device to the container access unit. Controlled by the control means, when the powder medicine in the medicine container currently placed on the container placement device is insufficient in the desired amount, and there is a medicine container belonging to the same group and filled with powder medicine in the container storage unit, the medicine container existing in the container storage unit is placed on the container placement device. When there is no medicine container belonging to the same group and filled with powder medicine in the container storage unit, the container discharge operation is executed and the medicine container currently placed on the container placement device moves to the container access unit. When the medicine container placed on the container placement device or another medicine container belonging to the same group is introduced by an operator from the container access unit, it is desirable that the container introduction operation be executed and the introduced medicine container be moved to the container placement device.

[0023] In each of the above-described aspects, the dispensing tray is rotatable, and there is a powder medicine input hopper into which the powder medicine scraped out from the dispensing tray is introduced to drop the powder medicine toward the medicine packaging device side, and suction means for sucking the inside of the powder medicine input hopper to a negative pressure, and it is possible to execute a hopper cleaning operation for automatically cleaning the inside of the hopper. In the hopper cleaning operation, a medicine container filled with a cleaning agent is taken out from the container storage unit by the container moving means and placed on the container placing device, the cleaning agent is discharged from the medicine container with the rotation of the dispensing tray stopped and introduced into the dispensing tray, the dispensing tray is rotated and the cleaning agent is stopped at a predetermined rotation position, the cleaning agent is scraped out from the dispensing tray by the scraping device and introduced into the powder medicine input hopper, and it is desirable to suck the inside of the powder medicine input hopper to a negative pressure by the suction means.

[0024] In each of the above-described aspects, the dispensing tray is rotatable. With the scraping device placed in the medicine input groove of the dispensing tray, a dividing and scraping process is performed in which the dispensing tray is rotated by a predetermined angle corresponding to the number of divisions to gather the powder medicine distributed in a certain range of the medicine input grooves and the gathered powder medicine is scraped out by the scraping device. This dividing and scraping process is repeated to discharge the powder medicine distributed over the entire circumference of the medicine input grooves of the dispensing tray. And in the last dividing and scraping process, a final dividing and scraping process is performed in which the dispensing tray is rotated over a wider angle than in the previous dividing and scraping processes. It is desirable that the rotation angle of the dispensing tray during the final dividing and scraping process differs according to the properties of the powder medicine introduced into the dispensing tray.

Effects of the Invention

[0025] According to the medicine dispensing device of the present invention, the same type of powder medicine can be filled into a plurality of medicine containers. Therefore, a large amount of powder medicine with a high consumption volume can be provided in the device, and the number of times of refilling the powder medicine into the medicine container can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be further described. The chemical agent dispensing device 1 of the present embodiment includes a main body device 2 and an operation display unit 3 as shown in FIG. 1. Further, a shelf 5 is provided beside the chemical agent dispensing device 1. A large number of chemical agent containers 4 are accommodated in the main body device 2 of the chemical agent dispensing device 1. Each chemical agent container 4 is filled with bulk medicine. The chemical agent dispensing device 1 is a device that selects a desired chemical agent container 4 by operating the operation display unit 3, automatically takes out the bulk medicine accommodated in the chemical agent container 4, measures it, divides it into a predetermined number, and packages it.

[0028] The main body device 2 has a housing 10 that forms an outer shell, and various devices are built into the housing 10. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the interior of the housing 10 is divided into a container placement area 12, a chemical division area 13, and a chemical packaging area 14.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a door portion 16 is provided at a portion forming the outer wall surface of the container placement area 12 of the housing 10. The door portion 16 is a container access opening for inserting and removing the drug container 4 into and out of the housing 10. A container temporary placement portion 18 for temporarily placing the drug container 4 is provided inside the door portion 16. The door portion 16 and the container temporary placement portion 18 function as an introduction portion when introducing the drug container 4 into the housing 10, and also function as a removal portion when removing the drug container 4 from the housing 10.

[0030] The container temporary placement portion 18 has a structure capable of holding the drug container 4 by mechanical engagement. When the drug container 4 is placed on the container temporary placement portion 18, the drug container 4 and the container temporary placement portion 18 are in an engaged state. Also, by lifting the drug container 4, these are in a disengaged state, and the drug container 4 can be detached from the container temporary placement portion 18.

[0031] The container temporary placement portion 18 is provided with information reading means for reading information from the drug container 4 and weight measuring means for measuring the weight of the drug container 4. The information read by the information reading means includes information on which container group the drug container 4 belongs to. Also, the information read by the information reading means includes information on the type of powder medicine and the amount of powder medicine stored in the drug container 4.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, a container storage portion 23 for holding the drug container 4 is provided in the container placement area 12 of the main body device 2. The container storage portion 23 includes a drum member 25 installed in an upright posture. The drum member 25 is rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction.

[0033] On the outer peripheral surface of the drum member 25, a plurality of container installation portions are provided, and the medicine container 4 is held in this container installation portion.

[0034] In the region from the container arrangement region 12 to the chemical separation region 13, a container moving means 28 is provided. The container moving means 28 is a kind of robot, having a structure including an arm portion 30 and a lifting mechanism 31, and the arm portion 30 can be moved in the vertical direction by the lifting mechanism 31. Also, a magnet (not shown) is provided at the tip portion of the arm portion 30, and the medicine container 4 can be held by adsorbing an iron plate 183 integrally attached to the medicine container 4.

[0035] In the chemical separation region 13, as shown in FIG. 4, a dispensing tray 35, a container placing device 36, a scraping device 37, a cleaning device 38, a chemical inlet 39, and a camera member 40 are provided in the space located on the rear side of the front door 34 (see FIG. 1). In the present embodiment, two dispensing trays 35 are installed in parallel in the chemical separation region 13. That is, in the present embodiment, there are two dispensing trays 35, namely a right dispensing tray 35R and a left dispensing tray 35L, and the two dispensing trays 35R and 35L are installed in parallel. Note that the number of the dispensing trays 35 is not limited, and it may be one, but it is desirable to have a plurality of dispensing trays 35.

[0036] Around each of the dispensing trays 35R and 35L, a container placing device 36, a scraping device 37, and a cleaning device 38 are provided. Specifically, for one dispensing tray 35, three container placing devices 36, one scraping device 37, and one cleaning device 38 are associated. For convenience of explanation, the container placing devices corresponding to the right dispensing tray 35R may be denoted as container placing devices 36R1, 36R2, and 36R3. Also, the container placing devices corresponding to the left dispensing tray 35L may be denoted as container placing devices 36L1, 36L2, and 36L3. FIG. 8 conceptually shows the layout of the dispensing tray 35 and the container placing device 36, etc. of the medicine dispensing device 1.

[0037] It is the periphery of the dispensing dish 35, and between the two dispensing dishes 35, there is a chemical inlet 39 for supplying powders for one package at a time to the chemical packaging area 14.

[0038] The dispensing dish 35 is provided with a continuously annular chemical input groove 32. The dispensing dish 35 is in a rotatable state by a rotation mechanism (not shown).

[0039] The container placing device 36 includes a vibrating table 50 and a weight measuring means (discharge amount detecting means) 52. The vibrating table 50 is provided with a vibration means 51, and when the vibration means 51 is energized, the vibrating table 50 vibrates.

[0040] The vibrating table 50 is provided with a container holding means for holding the medicine container 4. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a magnet (electromagnet) 41 is adopted as the container holding means.

[0041] The weight measuring means (discharge amount detecting means) 52 directly or indirectly measures the weight of the medicine container 4.

[0042] In this embodiment, it is possible to place the medicine container 4 on the container placing device 36 to vibrate the medicine container 4 and discharge the powders contained in the medicine container 4 to the dispensing dish 35. And the weight change of the medicine container 4 accompanying the discharge of this powder can be detected by the weight measuring means 52. In this embodiment, the weight measuring means 52 functions as a discharge amount detecting means, and the discharge amount of the powder is detected by the weight change of the medicine container 4.

[0043] In the chemical packaging area 14, a known chemical packaging device 53 and a printing means are provided. The chemical packaging device 53 is a machine for packaging chemicals one package at a time, and is formed by a sheet supply device and a sealing device. That is, the sheet supplied from the sheet supply device is formed into a bag shape to create a sub-packaging bag, and the powders supplied from the chemical splitting area 13 by the created sub-packaging bag are sealed and packaged one dose at a time by the sealing device. The printing means is a machine for printing predetermined information on the sub-packaging bag.

[0044] Between the drug division area 13 and the drug packaging area 14, there is a bulk drug input hopper 413 (Fig. 2). The bulk drugs divided in the drug division area 13 are put into the bulk drug input hopper 413 and packaged by the drug packaging device 53.

[0045] The drug container 4 is a container with a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape and can accommodate bulk drugs inside. The drug container 4 has a lid 190 as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, and the lid 190 can be opened to open a part as shown in Fig. 6(a). The internal bulk drugs can be discharged from the opening 188 formed by opening the lid 190. In addition, iron plates 182 and 183 are attached to two different sides of the drug container 4 respectively. The iron plate 183 provided on one side is a part for being adsorbed by the magnet of the arm part 30 when the drug container 4 is held by the arm part 30. Also, the iron plate 182 provided on the other side is a part for being adsorbed by the magnet 41 of the container placement device 36 when installing on the container placement device 36 described later.

[0046] In addition, an RFID tag 91 is provided on this drug container 4 as an information recording member, and it can store information about the stored drugs. The RFID tag 91 functions as container-side information storage means. In this embodiment, the drug container 4 is specified by the RFID tag 91. Also, the container group to which the drug container 4 belongs is specified by the information recorded on the RFID tag 91. The type and amount of the bulk drugs filled in the drug container 4 are also recorded on the RFID tag 91.

[0047] The operation display unit 3 is a so-called touch panel, which is formed by combining a display device such as a liquid crystal panel and a position input device such as a touch pad.

[0048] The drug dispensing device 1 is provided with a control unit (control means) 11. The control unit 11 is provided with a CPU, a ROM, a RAM (EEPROM), and a data storage unit. The CPU is a processor that executes various arithmetic operations. The ROM is a non-volatile memory in which programs such as the BIOS are pre-stored, and the RAM is a volatile or non-volatile memory used for the deployment of various programs and the temporary storage of data. Also, in the data storage unit of the control unit 11, the amount of powder remaining in each medicine container 4 is recorded, and when the powder is consumed, the record is sequentially updated.

[0049] Next, the basic operation of the medicine dispensing device 1 of this embodiment will be described. The medicine dispensing device 1 of this embodiment can perform a sub-packaging operation in which information regarding a prescription is input and powder medicine is packaged one dose at a time based on that information.

[0050] That is, the medicine dispensing device 1 automatically performs operations of housing the medicine container 4 in the container storage unit 23, taking out the medicine container 4 from the container storage unit 23, moving the taken-out medicine container 4 near the dispensing tray 35, placing the medicine container 4 on the container placement device 36, putting a predetermined amount of medicine into the dispensing tray 35, supplying the medicine from the dispensing tray 35 to the medicine sub-packaging device 53 one dose at a time, and returning the medicine container 4 to the container storage unit 23. Note that each of these operations is controlled by the control unit 11.

[0051] As a preparation stage, the medicine container 4 is filled with powder medicine, and some of them are mounted on the container storage unit 23 in the container arrangement area 12. The remaining medicine containers 4 are placed outside the medicine dispensing device 1. More specifically, the remaining medicine containers 4 are placed on a shelf 5 outside the medicine dispensing device 1. That is, although there are a large number of medicine containers 4, it is substantially difficult to mount all of them on the medicine dispensing device 1. Among the large number of medicine containers 4, the medicine containers 4 filled with powder medicine that are frequently used are preferentially mounted on the container storage unit 23 of the medicine dispensing device 1, and those with a low usage frequency are placed on an external shelf 5 or the like.

[0052] In this embodiment, the drug containers 4 are grouped into container groups, and all the drug containers 4 belong to one of the container groups. The number of drug containers 4 that can belong to one container group is limited, and is predetermined, for example, to be within 10 or within 7. The number n of drug containers 4 that can belong to a container group should be determined according to the total number N of drug containers 4 that can be accommodated in the container storage unit 23 of the drug dispensing device 1, and it is recommended that the number n of drug containers 4 that can belong to a group be 1 / 3 or less, or 1 / 5 or less of the total number N.

[0053] The actual number of drug containers 4 belonging to one container group only needs to be n or less as described above, and the actual number of drug containers 4 belonging to one container group may be 1. Rather, in most container groups, the number of drug containers 4 belonging to them is 1.

[0054] In this embodiment, different powders are filled in the drug containers 4 for each container group. For example, if the actual number of drug containers 4 belonging to a specific container group (NO.1 group in FIG. 7) is 3, then all 3 drug containers 4 belonging to it are filled with the same kind of powder A. The other drug containers 4 are not filled with powder A. Also, if the actual number of drug containers 4 belonging to another specific container group (NO.2 group in FIG. 7) is 2, then all 2 drug containers 4 belonging to it are filled with the same powder B. The other drug containers 4 are not filled with powder B. Further, if the actual number of drug containers 4 belonging to another specific container group (NO.3 group in FIG. 7) is 1, then only the 1 drug container 4 belonging to it is filled with a specific powder C, and the other drug containers 4 are not filled with powder C. If the number of drug containers 4 belonging to (NO.4 group in FIG. 7) is 5, then all 5 drug containers 4 belonging to it are filled with the same kind of powder D. The other drug containers 4 are not filled with powder D.

[0055] Which container group the drug container 4 belongs to is stored in the RFID tag (information recording member) 91 attached to the drug container 4. Also, a bar code or two-dimensional bar code may be attached to the drug container 4 to identify the container group. For example, a main group number and a branch number are recorded on the RFID tag (information recording member) 91, barcode, or the like. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the drug container 4 is specified by the main group number and the branch number such as 1-1 and 1-2. Alternatively, without attaching specific numbers or symbols, the drug container 4 may be indirectly grouped based on the name of the powder medicine filled therein. For example, the name of the powder medicine filled in the RFID tag 91 may be memorized, and those with the same name of the powder medicine may be recognized as the same container group.

[0056] In the data storage unit of the control unit 11, it is stored which drug container 4 belonging to which container group is stored in the container storage unit 23 (container storage device) of the container arrangement area 12. Also, the position where each drug container 4 is stored is stored. As described above, several drug containers 4 are mounted on the container storage unit 23 in the container arrangement area 12.

[0057] In actual work, the drug container 4 is placed on the container temporary placement unit 18 provided on the door unit 16, and then the door unit 16 is closed to put the drug container 4 into the housing 10. By closing the door unit 16, a safety device (not shown) is released, and the container moving means 28 and the like can operate. The container moving means 28 automatically operates, and the drug container 4 is carried to the container storage unit 23 in the container arrangement area 12 and stored in the container storage unit 23. That is, the container introduction operation is performed by the container moving means 28. Also, the container temporary placement unit 18 is provided with information reading means, and the introduced drug container 4 is specified. That is, information such as the container group to which the introduced drug container 4 belongs, the type and filling amount of the powder medicine filled therein is read and stored in the control unit 11. When the drug container 4 is placed on the container temporary placement unit 18, the weight of the drug container 4 is measured by the weight measuring means, and the filling amount of the powder medicine is confirmed.

[0058] Next, a series of subcontracting operations performed using the drug dispensing device 1 of the present embodiment will be described. The drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment has information regarding a prescription input thereto, and a packaging operation is automatically executed based on the information.

[0059] That is, in the drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, based on the information regarding the prescription, a drug container 4 filled with necessary powders is selected, and the necessary drug container 4 is transported from the container storage unit 23 to the container mounting device 36 by the container moving means 28. Then, the drug container 4 is held by an electromagnet 41 built in the vibration table 50. Then, an electric current of a constant frequency is passed through the vibration generating means 51 to generate vibration, and the vibration table 50 is vibrated by this vibration. Also, the dispensing tray 35 is rotated before and after the start of vibration.

[0060] Before and after the start of vibration, the weight of the drug container 4 is measured by the weight measuring means 52. The weight of the drug container 4 is obtained by subtracting a certain value from the detected weight of the weight measuring means 52. More specifically, the weight of the drug container 4 is obtained by subtracting the weight of the member above the weight measuring means 52 of the container mounting device 36 from the detected weight of the weight measuring means 52. The weight of the drug container 4 immediately after being installed on the vibration table 50 is stored as the original weight G. Also, the weight of the drug container 4 is constantly monitored. That is, the current weight of the drug container 4 is monitored as the current weight g.

[0061] When the vibration table 50 starts vibrating, the drug container 4 vibrates. Here, in this embodiment, since the drug container 4 is firmly joined to the vibration table 50 by the magnet 41 and the degree of adhesion to the vibration table 50 is also high, the drug container 4 vibrates at the same frequency as the vibration table 50. As a result, the powders stored in the drug container 4 slowly move toward the opening 188 side, are discharged from the opening 188, and fall.

[0062] The fact that the powder medicine is falling is confirmed by the decrease in the weight of the medicine container 4. Also, the discharge amount of the powder medicine is detected by the weight measuring means 52. That is, in the present embodiment, even when the powder medicine is falling from the opening 188 of the medicine container 4, the current weight (current weight g) of the medicine container 4 is continuously monitored by the weight measuring means 52. Then, the original weight G of the medicine container 4 immediately after being installed on the vibration table 50 is compared with the current weight g, and the falling amount H (G minus g) of the powder medicine is constantly calculated. And when the total falling amount H of the powder medicine reaches the desired weight, the vibration of the vibration table 50 is stopped. That is, when the current weight g of the medicine container 4 measured by the weight measuring means 52 becomes less than the original weight G before the start of vibration measured by the weight measuring means 52 by the desired weight, the vibration of the vibration table 50 is stopped.

[0063] Also, before stopping the vibration of the vibration table 50, it is desirable to operate the vibration table 50 with the amplitude reduced and the vibration frequency lowered. For example, when the current powder medicine discharge amount becomes an amount obtained by subtracting several grams from the amount of powder medicine to be finally discharged (target discharge amount), the vibration table 50 is operated with the amplitude reduced and the vibration frequency lowered. Then, the remaining several grams are discharged with the amplitude of the vibration table 50 reduced and the vibration frequency lowered. And as described above, when the total falling amount H of the powder medicine reaches the desired weight, the vibration of the vibration table 50 is stopped. Thereafter, the container moving means 28 automatically operates, and the medicine container 4 is returned to the container storage part 23 in the container arrangement area 12.

[0064] Also, when all the powder medicine in the medicine container 4 is discharged and the medicine container 4 becomes empty, the medicine container 4 is replaced. When the medicine container 4 is replaced, the vibration of the container mounting device 36 is stopped, and the weight of the medicine already discharged by the medicine container 4 is stored. The procedure for replacing the medicine container 4 differs depending on whether there is a medicine container 4 belonging to the same container group in the container storage part 23 of the container arrangement area 12. As described above, in the present embodiment, the drug containers 4 are grouped, and a plurality of drug containers 4 may belong to the same container group. And the drug containers 4 belonging to the same container group are filled with the same kind of powder medicine.

[0065] Also, even among the drug containers 4 belonging to the same container group, not all of them are necessarily equipped in the container storage part 23 of the container arrangement area 12. Therefore, when the powder medicine in the drug container 4 runs out while the powder medicine is being discharged from the drug container 4 and the drug container 4 becomes empty, it is searched whether there is a drug container 4 belonging to the same container group in the container storage part 23 of the container arrangement area 12. And if there is a drug container 4 belonging to the same container group in the container storage part 23 of the container arrangement area 12, the container moving means 28 automatically starts operating, removes the drug container 4 currently mounted on the container mounting device 36 and returns it to the container storage part 23, and newly removes the drug container 4 belonging to the same container group from the container storage part 23 and mounts it on the previous container mounting device 36.

[0066] Alternatively, the drug container 4 currently mounted on the container mounting device 36 is left as it is without being removed, and a newly drug container 4 belonging to the same container group is removed from the container storage part 23 and mounted on another container mounting device 36. In any case, the drug containers 4 belonging to the same container group are mounted on the container mounting devices 36 corresponding to the same dispensing tray 35.

[0067] When it is confirmed by a sensor (not shown) or the like that the drug containers 4 belonging to the same container group are mounted on the container mounting device 36, the vibration of the container mounting device 36 is restarted, and the powder medicine is dropped from the new drug container 4 onto the dispensing tray 35. Also, when the drug container 4 is left as it is without being removed, the container mounting device 36 on which the new drug container 4 is mounted is vibrated, and the powder medicine is dropped from the new drug container 4 onto the dispensing tray 35. As described above, since the weight of the drug discharged from the drug container 4 before the work interruption is stored, powder is discharged from the new drug container 4 only for the remaining discharge amount, and then the vibration of the container mounting device 36 is stopped.

[0068] On the other hand, when there is no drug container 4 belonging to the same container group in the container storage unit 23 in the container arrangement area 12, a "stock-out display" is displayed on the operation display unit 3. The "stock-out display" is automatically displayed on the operation display unit 3 when there is no drug container 4 filled with the powder to be prescribed in the drug dispensing device 1. The stock-out display is made prominent so that the user can pay attention. Also, information identifying the drug container 4 such as numbers and symbols, and information identifying the powder in a shortage state such as the type of powder are displayed.

[0069] And a predetermined stock-out processing step is executed. Even in the stock-out processing step, the weight of the drug already discharged from the drug container 4 is stored.

[0070] In the present embodiment, in the stock-out processing step, a container discharging operation is executed. That is, the drug container 4 is taken out using the container moving means 28. Specifically, the vibration of the container mounting device 36 is stopped. Then the container moving means 28 automatically operates, and the drug container 4 is removed from the container mounting device 36. And the drug container 4 is moved by the container moving means 28 to the container temporary placement unit 18 provided in the door portion 16. When the drug container 4 is installed in the container temporary placement unit 18 provided in the door portion 16, the door portion 16 automatically opens. The user takes out the drug container 4 from the container temporary placement unit 18 and inspects the inside of the drug container 4. When there is no powder in the drug container 4, the drug container 4 is replenished with powder and reinstalled in the container temporary placement unit 18.

[0071] Also, even if there is no drug container 4 belonging to the same container group in the container storage unit 23 in the container arrangement area 12, if there is a drug container 4 belonging to the same container group outside the drug dispensing device 1, a new drug container 4 belonging to the container group may be installed in the container temporary placement unit 18.

[0072] In this embodiment, the drug container 4 is placed in the container temporary placement part 18 provided in the door part 16, and by performing a predetermined operation, the following container introduction operation is executed.

[0073] That is, the group of drug containers 4 mounted by the information reading means of the container temporary placement part 18 is confirmed. When it is confirmed that the drug container 4 mounted on the container temporary placement part 18 is the previously removed drug container 4 or a drug container 4 belonging to the same container group, the container moving means 28 automatically operates to mount the drug container 4 on the previous container mounting device 36. Note that the mounting destination of the drug container 4 may be any container mounting device 36 as long as it corresponds to the same dispensing tray 35. Also, in the container temporary placement part 18, the weight of the drug container 4 is measured and the filling amount of the powder medicine is confirmed.

[0074] When it is confirmed by a sensor (not shown) or the like that the drug containers 4 belonging to the same container group have been mounted on the container mounting device 36, the vibration of the container mounting device 36 is restarted, and the powder medicine is dropped from the new drug container 4 onto the dispensing tray 35. Also in this case, since the weight of the medicine discharged from the drug container 4 is stored until the work is interrupted, the powder medicine is discharged from the new drug container 4 only by the remaining discharge amount, and then the vibration of the container mounting device 36 is stopped.

[0075] As described above, the number n of drug containers 4 that can belong to one container group is arbitrary. Therefore, there may be a case where three or more drug containers 4 belong to the same container group and three or more drug containers 4 are equipped in the container storage part 23 of the container arrangement area 12. In that case, any one of the drug containers 4 belonging to the container group is selected, moved to the container mounting device 36 by the container moving means 28, and placed on the container mounting device 36 to put the powder medicine into the dispensing tray 35. The rules for selecting the drug container 4 will be described below, including parts that overlap with the previous description. The rules described below are for when there is a drug container 4 actually placed on the container placement device 36 and discharging powder drugs, and all the powder drugs in the drug container 4 have been completely discharged, and when the drug container 4 becomes empty, these are the rules for selecting a new drug container 4 to resume the subcontracting operation.

[0076] (1) When only one drug container 4 belonging to the same container group is equipped in the container storage section 23 of the container arrangement area 12 That is, when the number n is 1, and when the number n is 2 or more, but only one of the drug containers 4 is mounted in the container storage section 23 of the container arrangement area 12, and the others are outside the drug dispensing device 1. In this case, since the drug container 4 to be replaced does not exist in the container storage section 23, the container discharging operation is executed as described above, and the currently used drug container 4 is discharged from the housing 10, and replenishment of powder drugs or another drug container 4 belonging to the same group is required. That is, the out-of-stock processing step is executed.

[0077] (2) When two drug containers 4 belonging to the same container group are equipped in the container storage section 23 of the container arrangement area 12 That is, when the number n is 2, and when the number n is 3 or more, and only two of the drug containers 4 are mounted in the container storage section 23 of the container arrangement area 12, and the others are outside the drug dispensing device 1. In this case, only one of the drug containers 4 to be replaced exists in the container storage section 23. In this case, as described above, the drug container 4 reserved as a spare in the container storage section 23 is placed on one of the container placement devices 36 by the container moving means 28, and powder drugs are put into the dispensing tray 35 from the new drug container 4. If the drug container 4 reserved as a spare in the container storage section 23 of the container arrangement area 12 is empty, the out-of-stock processing step is executed. In this case, the drug container 4 currently placed on the container placement device 36 is discharged from the housing 10.

[0078] When three or more drug containers 4 belonging to the same container group are provided in the container storage section 23 of the container arrangement area 12 That is, when the number n is 3, or when the number n is 4 or more, and three or more of the drug containers 4 are mounted in the container storage section 23 of the container arrangement area 12, and the others are outside the drug dispensing device 1. In this case, two or more drug containers 4 are left as spares in the container storage section 23. In this case, among the drug containers 4 left in the container storage section 23 as spares, those with powder remaining are selected, and the selected drug container 4 is placed on the container mounting device 36, and powder is put into the dispensing tray 35 from a new drug container 4.

[0079] When there are a plurality of drug containers 4 with powder remaining, the drug container 4 to be used according to the rule selected by setting is selected. In the present embodiment, the following rules are prepared as selectable rules.

[0080] (Selection A) Selection A is a measure of examining the remaining amount of powder in the drug container 4 and preferentially selecting those with a large remaining amount. According to this measure, the timing of executing the out-of-stock process can be delayed.

[0081] (Selection B) Selection B is a measure of examining the remaining amount of powder in the drug container 4 and preferentially selecting those with a small remaining amount. According to this measure, the interval of the out-of-stock process becomes a constant interval.

[0082] (Selection C) Selection C is a measure of examining the timing when the drug container 4 is filled with the drug and preferentially selecting those with a new filling time. According to this measure, the timing of executing the out-of-stock process can be delayed.

[0083] (Selection D) Option D is a strategy of checking the time when the drug container 4 was filled with the drug and preferentially selecting the one with an earlier filling time. According to this strategy, it is possible to prevent the powder medicine from expiring. In addition, it is desirable to check the remaining amount of the powder medicine in the drug container 4 and compare the required amount of the powder medicine for the dispensing operation to be performed with the remaining amount, and select the one whose remaining amount is sufficient for the required amount. In this embodiment, the drug container 4 whose remaining amount is sufficient for the required amount is searched first. Also in this embodiment, (Option D) is adopted, and among the drug containers 4 whose remaining amount is sufficient for the required amount, the drug container 4 with an earlier filling time is preferentially used.

[0084] The flowcharts shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate the above-described series of operations. That is, in step 1, it waits for a prescription to be input, and when the prescription is received, it proceeds to step 2 and the dispensing operation is started. In step 2, the content of the prescription is confirmed, and it is confirmed whether the drug container 4 filled with the powder medicine to be prescribed is in the drug dispensing device 1. If there is a drug container 4 corresponding to the container storage unit 23 of the drug dispensing device 1, or if a drug container 4 corresponding to any of the container mounting devices 36 is mounted, step 2 is YES, and it proceeds to the next step 3.

[0085] In step 3, it is determined whether there is an unused drug container 4 in the drug dispensing device 1. In this embodiment, the "unused state" means that it is not currently mounted on the container mounting device 36 and has not discharged the powder medicine, regardless of whether it has a past usage record. The "used state" refers to the one currently mounted on the container mounting device 36. Specifically, it is determined whether there is a drug container 4 corresponding to the container storage unit 23 of the drug dispensing device 1.

[0086] In the subsequent step 4, it is determined whether there is a drug container 4 in the unused state that has the required amount of the powder medicine remaining. If there is a medicine container 4 in the unused state that still contains the necessary amount of powder medicine, proceed to step 5. By the above-mentioned "Selection D", check the time when the medicine container 4 was filled with medicine, and select the one with an older filling time. If there is only one medicine container 4 that still contains the necessary amount of powder medicine, then that medicine container 4 will inevitably be selected.

[0087] If there is no medicine container 4 in the unused state that contains the necessary amount of powder medicine, proceed to step 6. If there are multiple unused medicine containers 4, the medicine containers 4 will be selected according to a predetermined order. In this embodiment, the medicine container 4 with a younger branch number is selected.

[0088] When the medicine container 4 is selected in step 5 or step 6, proceed to step 7, and the selected medicine container 4 is transported from the container storage unit 23 to the container placement device 36 by the container moving means 28. Then, the vibration of the vibrating table 50 is started in step 8. Prior to the start of vibration, the weight of the medicine container 4 is measured by the weight measuring means 52 of the container placement device 36. Although it is omitted in the flowchart, the distribution dish 35 is rotated before and after the start of vibration.

[0089] Then, in steps 9 and 30, it is monitored whether the powder medicine continues to be discharged from the medicine container 4 and whether the desired amount of powder medicine has been discharged. That is, in step 9, it is monitored whether the powder medicine in the medicine container 4 is in a shortage state (the state where the powder medicine in the medicine container 4 has been completely discharged). If it is not in a shortage state, proceed to step 30 to confirm whether the discharge of the desired amount has been completed. If the discharge of the desired amount has been completed, end the discharge of the powder medicine and return the medicine container 4 to the container storage unit 23. If the discharge of the desired amount has not been completed, return to step 9.

[0090] If the powder medicine in the medicine container 4 is insufficient for the required amount and the powder medicine in the medicine container 4 has been completely discharged and is in a shortage state, proceed to step 10, and the vibration of the vibrating table 50 is interrupted. Also, in step 11, the weight of the medicine already discharged by the medicine container 4 is memorized.

[0091] Subsequently, the process proceeds to step 12, and it is determined whether there is an unused drug container 4 belonging to the same container group in the container storage section 23 of the container arrangement area 12. If there is an unused drug container 4 belonging to the same container group in the container storage section 23, the same operations as steps 4, 5, and 6 described above are executed. That is, in step 13, it is determined whether there is any powder medicine remaining in the required amount, in step 14, the one with an old filling time is selected, and in step 15, the drug container 4 with a younger branch number is selected.

[0092] Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 16, and the container moving means 28 automatically operates, and the emptied drug container 4 is returned to the container storage section 23 of the container arrangement area 12. At this time, an "internal out-of-stock display" is made on the operation display section 3. The "internal out-of-stock display" is a display that notifies that there is an empty drug container 4 in the container storage section 23. Even when there are a plurality of drug containers 4 belonging to the same container group in the container storage section 23, some of them are empty and some powder medicine remains in some of the drug containers 4, the "internal out-of-stock display" appears. The information displayed in the "internal out-of-stock display" is omitted compared to the above-mentioned "out-of-stock display". Also, it is more conservative than the above-mentioned "out-of-stock display" and is less conspicuous than the "out-of-stock display". In the "internal out-of-stock display", the fact that there is an empty drug container 4 in the container storage section 23 and the number etc. for specifying the drug container 4 are displayed. Then, when the user manually operates the operation display section 3 at a convenient time, detailed content is displayed. Also, when the user operates a specific switch (for example, an out-of-stock button), the empty drug container 4 is transported from the container storage section 23 to the container temporary placement section 18 by the container moving means 28.

[0093] Then, the process returns from step 16 to step 7, and the selected drug container 4 is transported from the container storage section 23 to the container mounting device 36 by the container moving means 28.

[0094] Subsequently, the above-described steps are executed again. At step 8, the vibration of the vibrating table 50 starts, and at steps 9 and 30, it is monitored whether powder is continuously discharged from the chemical container 4 and whether the desired amount of powder has been discharged. When the discharge of the desired amount is completed, the discharge of the powder is terminated, and the chemical container 4 is returned to the container storage unit 23. When the powder in the chemical container 4 is exhausted and becomes out of stock, the process proceeds to step 10 to interrupt the vibration of the vibrating table 50. At step 11, the weight of the discharged chemical is memorized. At step 12, it is determined whether there is a chemical container 4 belonging to the same container group in the container storage unit 23. At step 13, it is determined whether there is any remaining powder in the necessary amount. At step 14, the one with an old filling time is selected, and at step 15, the chemical container 4 with a younger branch number is selected. Then, the process proceeds to step 16, the container moving means 28 operates automatically, the emptied chemical container 4 is returned to the container storage unit 23 in the container arrangement area 12, and the process returns to step 7.

[0095] At the stage of step 2 described above, if, as a result of checking the content of the prescription, there is no chemical container 4 filled with the powder to be prescribed in the chemical dispensing device 1, the process proceeds to step 17, a predetermined out-of-stock display is performed on the operation display unit 3, the use of an external chemical container 4 is urged, and the out-of-stock processing step is executed.

[0096] That is, the process proceeds to step 18 and the door portion 16 is opened. The user transports an external chemical container 4 from the external shelf 5, installs the chemical container 4 in the container temporary placement unit 18, and then operates a switch to close the door portion 16 to close the door portion 16. When it is confirmed at step 19 that the chemical container 4 is installed in the container temporary placement unit 18 and further confirmed at step 20 that the switch has been operated, the process proceeds to step 21, the container moving means 28 operates automatically, and the chemical container 4 is moved to the container mounting device 36. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 8, the vibration of the vibrating table 50 starts, and the above-described series of operations are executed.

[0097] Also, when the powder in the medicine container 4 is exhausted and becomes out of stock, the vibration of the vibrating table 50 is interrupted in step 10 described above, and the weight of the medicine already discharged from the medicine container 4 is stored in step 11 and the process proceeds to step 12. However, if there is no medicine container 4 belonging to the same container group in the container storage unit 23 and step 12 is NO, the process proceeds to step 22. Then, it is determined whether there is a medicine container 4 in use that belongs to the same container group. If there is a medicine container 4 in use that belongs to the same container group, wait for the medicine container 4 to return to the container storage unit 23. That is, steps 22 and 12 are repeated, and wait for step 12 to change to YES to resume a series of operations.

[0098] If there is no medicine container 4 in use that belongs to the same container group, the process proceeds to step 23, a predetermined out-of-stock display is performed on the operation display unit 3, the use of an external medicine container 4 is prompted, and an out-of-stock processing step is executed.

[0099] That is, the process proceeds to step 24, the container moving means 28 automatically operates, and the medicine container 4 placed on the container placing device 36 is installed in the container temporary placement unit 18. Then, the process proceeds to step 25 and the door portion 16 is opened. The user removes the medicine container 4 from the container temporary placement unit 18, transports an external medicine container 4 from an external shelf 5 or the like, installs the medicine container 4 in the container temporary placement unit 18, and then operates a switch to close the door portion 16 to close the door portion 16.

[0100] In step 26, it is confirmed that the original medicine container 4 has been removed from the container temporary placement unit 18. In step 27, it is confirmed that the medicine container 4 has been installed in the container temporary placement unit 18, and further, in step 28, it is confirmed that the switch has been operated. Then, the process proceeds to step 29, the container moving means 28 automatically operates, and the medicine container 4 is moved to the container placing device 36. When installed in the container temporary placement unit 18, the drug container 4 is identified by the information reading means, and the container group to which it belongs is confirmed. Then, it is confirmed whether the drug container 4 installed in the container temporary placement unit 18 belongs to the same container group as the previously removed drug container 4. If not, an error display is made on the operation display unit 3. After that, the process proceeds to step 8, the vibration of the vibration table 50 is started, and the series of operations described above are executed.

[0101] In addition, in the drug dispensing device 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, it has two dispensing trays 35. Therefore, when two or more drug containers 4 belonging to the same container group are provided in the container storage unit 23 of the container arrangement area 12, the same kind of bulk drugs can be simultaneously supplied to the two dispensing trays 35. Furthermore, it is desirable to impose restrictions on the use of the drug container 4 so that it can be simultaneously supplied to the two dispensing trays 35.

[0102] The reason for this is to shorten the waiting time of the dispensing tray 35. In the drug dispensing device 1 of the present embodiment, as conceptually shown in FIG. 8, it has a right dispensing tray 35R and a left dispensing tray 35L. Here, assuming that one of the dispensing trays 35 (for example, the right dispensing tray 35R) distributes the bulk drug B in FIG. 7, and two drug containers 4 (2-1, 2-2) containing the bulk drug B are mounted in the container storage unit 23. If the right dispensing tray 35R distributes the bulk drug B in FIG. 7, the drug container 4 belonging to the NO.2 group in FIG. 7 is placed on any of the container placement devices 36R corresponding to the right dispensing tray 35R. Here, if two drug containers 4 (2-1, 2-2) belonging to the NO.2 group are placed and used on the two container placement devices 36R1 and 36R2 corresponding to the right dispensing tray 35R, the drug containers 4 belonging to the spare NO.2 group in the container storage unit 23 will run out.

[0103] In the drug dispensing device 1 of the present embodiment, since there are two dispensing trays 35, dispensing of powders is also performed on the other left dispensing tray 35L at the same time. That is, when a first prescription is input from the outside to the drug dispensing device 1 and the first prescription is received and the dispensing operation is being carried out on the right dispensing tray 35R, and a second prescription is input from the outside, the second prescription is received and the dispensing operation is carried out on the left dispensing tray 35L. Here, when the powder B in FIG. 7 is included in the powder to be dispensed on the left dispensing tray 35L, if there is no spare drug container 4 in the container storage unit 23, the operation on the left dispensing tray 35L must be waited until the dispensing operation on the right dispensing tray 35R is completed. Therefore, a wasteful waiting time is generated. Specifically, in order to process a prescription of another patient (for example, the above-mentioned first prescription), if two drug containers 4 (2-1, 2-2) belonging to, for example, the NO.2 group are in use on the right dispensing tray 35R side, even though the other left dispensing tray 35L is empty, there is no available drug container 4, so a situation occurs where the left dispensing tray 35L has to be put on standby.

[0104] Therefore, it is desirable to impose a limit so that a spare drug container 4 remains in the container storage unit 23. For example, it is assumed that only one drug container 4 belonging to the same group can be placed on a plurality of container placement devices 36 corresponding to one dispensing tray 35. In other words, even if there are a plurality of container placement devices 36 corresponding to one dispensing tray 35, during normal use, a plurality of drug containers 4 belonging to the same container group are not installed on the container placement devices 36 corresponding to the same dispensing tray 35. Alternatively, it is allowed to install a plurality of drug containers 4 belonging to the same container group on a plurality of container placement devices 36 corresponding to the same dispensing tray 35, but at least one drug container 4 belonging to the same container group is left in the container storage unit 23 of the container arrangement area 12.

[0105] In the drug dispensing device 1 of the present embodiment, when the drug container 4 is introduced into the drug dispensing device 1 as described above, the filling amount of the powder drug is confirmed. Also, the prescribed amount of the powder drug and the amount of the powder drug actually discharged from the drug container 4 are grasped by the control unit 11. Therefore, the control unit 11 grasps how much powder drug remains in the drug container 4.

[0106] In the drug dispensing device 1 of the present embodiment, when there should be powder drug remaining in the drug container 4 and the vibrating table 50 continues to vibrate, but the powder drug stops falling, or when the amount of powder drug falling per unit time becomes excessively small despite the vibrating table 50 continuing to vibrate, the vibration pattern of the vibrating table 50 is automatically changed. Specifically, when continuously monitoring the weight of the drug container 4 while vibrating the vibrating table 50, if the change in the weight of the drug container 4 per unit time becomes less than a certain value despite the falling amount H of the powder drug not reaching the desired weight, the amplitude of the vibrating table 50 is increased. Alternatively, the frequency of the amplitude is increased or decreased. Also, if possible, a lateral amplitude or a longitudinal amplitude is added.

[0107] There are two reasons why the change in the weight of the drug container 4 per unit time becomes less than a certain value despite the vibrating table 50 vibrating. (1) Adhesion of the powder drug The powder drug adheres or forms lumps inside the drug container 4 and cannot pass through the opening 188. (2) Insufficient powder drug There is no powder drug in the drug container 4. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the change in the weight of the drug container 4 per unit time is less than a certain value despite the vibrating table 50 vibrating, first, adhesion of the powder drug is suspected and the amplitude of the vibrating table 50 is increased. If the cause is adhesion of the powder drug, increasing the amplitude of the vibrating table 50 may eliminate the cause.

[0108] Even if the amplitude of the vibration table 50 is increased, if the change in the weight of the drug container 4 per unit time is less than a certain value, the vibration of the vibration table is stopped after a certain grace period, and a predetermined notification is given to the user. For example, an abnormality display is made on the operation display unit 3. Alternatively, the user is notified of the occurrence of an abnormality in the drug dispensing device 1 by sound, alarm sound, or light. Then, the above-described out-of-stock processing step is executed.

[0109] The grace period until the above-described out-of-stock processing step is executed may be constant, but may be automatically changed according to conditions. For example, it is recommended to extend the above-described grace period from when the vibration table 50 starts vibrating until a certain amount (a small amount of about 0.5 g) of powder medicine is discharged, and to shorten the grace period after a certain amount has been discharged. If the grace period immediately after the vibration table 50 starts vibrating is Ta, and the grace period after a certain amount has been discharged is Tb, then Ta is 3 times or more, more desirably 6 times or more, and even more desirably 10 times or more of Tb.

[0110] Also, when the remaining amount of powder medicine in the drug container 4 is below a certain level, it is recommended to shorten the grace period. If this grace period is Tc, then Tc is 80% or less, more desirably 80% or less, and even more desirably 50% or less of Tb. Also, the above-described times Ta, Tb, and Tc may be made changeable according to the user's preference.

[0111] In the drug dispensing device 1 of the present embodiment, the control unit 11 grasps how much powder medicine remains in the drug container 4. Therefore, depending on the prescribed amount, there may be a case where a shortage of powder medicine in the drug container 4 is expected. That is, according to the prescription, 10 g of powder medicine is required, but only 5 g of powder medicine remains in the drug container 4, which may not be enough for the required amount. In such a case, this is displayed on the display device, and the preparation of the powder medicine is urged. That is, a pre-out-of-stock notification is given. In the present embodiment, when two or more medicine containers 4 belonging to the same container group are provided in the container storage section 23 of the container arrangement area 12, a pre-out-of-stock notification is given when the total amount in the medicine containers 4 belonging to the same container group is less than the required amount. In the present embodiment, the remaining amount of the bulk medicine is managed for each medicine container 4, and an empty medicine container 4 can be retrieved by a predetermined operation.

[0112] In the embodiment described above, for the purpose of shortening the waiting time of the dispensing tray 35, restrictions are imposed so that spare medicine containers 4 remain in the container storage section 23. As an example, the medicine containers 4 belonging to the same group can be placed only one by one on a plurality of container placement devices 36 corresponding to one dispensing tray 35.

[0113] However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the medicine containers 4 belonging to the same container group can be placed on a plurality of container placement devices 36 corresponding to one dispensing tray 35, and the same kind of bulk medicine can be simultaneously or sequentially input from the medicine containers 4 belonging to the same container group into the same dispensing tray 35. For example, among the container placement devices 36R1, 36R2, 36R3 corresponding to the right dispensing tray 35R, the medicine containers 4(1-1) and 4(1-2) belonging to the NO.1 group in FIG. 7 are placed on two container placement devices 36R1 and 36R2, and bulk medicine is input simultaneously from both. The start of the input of the bulk medicine may be simultaneous or individual.

[0114] That is, after placing the medicine container 4(1-1) on the container placement device 36R1 and further placing the medicine container 4(1-2) on the container placement device 36R2, vibration may be started simultaneously. Also, first place the medicine container 4(1-1) on the container placement device 36R1, start the discharge of the bulk medicine from the medicine container 4(1-1), and while the bulk medicine is being discharged from the medicine container 4(1-1), operate the container moving means 28 to place the medicine container 4(1-2) on the empty container placement device 36R2, and start the discharge of the bulk medicine from the medicine container 4(1-2) as well.

[0115] When dispensing powder from a plurality of drug containers 4 belonging to the same container group into a plurality of container placement devices 36 corresponding to one dispensing dish 35, the vibration of the container placement device 36 is stopped when the total amount of the powder dispensed from the plurality of drug containers 4 reaches the desired amount.

[0116] Alternatively, the amount of powder discharged from each drug container 4 may be determined in advance, and the vibration of each container placement device 36 may be stopped when the predetermined amount of powder is discharged from each drug container 4.

[0117] For example, when the required amount of powder is 40 g, the desired amount of powder 40 g is divided, and the divided value is allocated as the amount of powder to be discharged from the drug containers 4(1-1) and 4(1-2). For example, the desired amount of powder 40 g is divided into 10 g and 30 g, and the drug container 4(1-1) is made responsible for 10 g, and the drug container 4(1-2) is made responsible for 30 g. When 10 g of powder is discharged from the drug container 4(1-1), the vibration of the container placement device 36R1 is stopped, and when 30 g of powder is discharged from the drug container 4(1-2), the vibration of the container placement device 36R2 is stopped.

[0118] Furthermore, specific numerical values will be exemplified and described for the actual operation of the drug dispensing device 1 of the present embodiment. The following operations are virtual ones assuming the actual operation and do not limit the present invention. The drug dispensing device 1 of the present embodiment can input two types of prescriptions simultaneously. Also, as in the NO.2 group in FIG. 7, there is a container group in which the number of drug containers 4 belonging to the container group is 2, and the two drug containers 4(2-1) and the drug container 4(2-2) are both assumed to be housed in the container storage section 23 of the container arrangement area 12. Also, it is assumed that the two drug containers 4(2-1) and the drug container 4(2-2) are each filled with 10 g of powder B.

[0119] That is, the remaining amount of powder, the filling date and time, and the usage status of each current drug container 4 are as follows. Drug container 4(2-1): Filled with 10 g on October 21, 2015, 13:00. Unused Drug container 4(2-2): Filled with 10 g on October 21, 2015, 13:00. Unused Also, the usage status of the dispensing tray 35 is as follows. Right dispensing tray 35R: Unused Left dispensing tray 35L: Unused

[0120] First prescription start Here, the first prescription was entered. The content of the first prescription is as follows. Prescribe 7 g of powder drug B

[0121] The remaining amounts of powder drug in each current drug container 4 are the same, and the filling dates are also the same. In this embodiment, when the conditions are the same, the drug container 4 with a smaller branch number is preferentially used. Also, for the dispensing tray 35, the right dispensing tray 35R is preferentially used first. After that, the left and right dispensing trays 35 are used alternately. Therefore, the drug container 4(2-1) is placed on the container placement device 36R1 corresponding to the right dispensing tray 35R, and 7 g of powder drug B is put into the right dispensing tray 35R from the drug container 4(2-1).

[0122] Second prescription start The second prescription was entered while the first prescription was being executed. The content of the second prescription is as follows. Prescribe 5 g of powder drug B

[0123] The remaining amounts of powder drug, filling dates, and usage status of each current drug container 4 are as follows. Drug container 4(2-1): 3 g, filled on October 21, 2015, 13:00, in use Drug container 4(2-2): 10 g, filled on October 21, 2015, 13:00, unused Also, the usage status of the dispensing tray 35 is as follows. Right dispensing tray 35R: In use Left dispensing tray 35L: Unused

[0124] Since the drug container 4(2-1) is in use, the unused drug container 4(2-2) is used in the second prescription. Since the right dispensing tray 35R is in use, the unused left dispensing tray 35L is used. Therefore, the drug container 4(2-2) is placed on the container placement device 36L1 corresponding to the left dispensing tray 35L, and 5 g of the powder drug B is put into the left dispensing tray 35L from the drug container 4(2-2).

[0125] Start of the third prescription After both the above-mentioned first prescription and the second prescription were completed, the third prescription was input. The content of the third prescription is as follows. Prescribe 5 g in total of the powder drug B

[0126] The remaining amount of the powder drug, the filling date and time, and the usage status of each current drug container 4 are as follows. Drug container 4(2-1): 3 g, filling date and time: 13:00 on October 21, 2015, unused Drug container 4(2-2): 5 g, filling date and time: 13:00 on October 21, 2015, unused Also, the usage status of the dispensing tray 35 is as follows. Right dispensing tray 35R: unused Left dispensing tray 35L: unused

[0127] Although neither of the drug containers 4(2-1) and 4(2-2) is used, the remaining amount of the drug container 4(2-1) is 3 g, which is less than the required amount of 5 g. Therefore, in the third prescription, the drug container 4(2-2) with a remaining amount sufficient for the required amount is used. Also, for the dispensing tray 35, the right dispensing tray 35R is used. Therefore, the drug container 4(2-2) is placed on the container placement device 36R1 corresponding to the right dispensing tray 35R, and 5 g of the powder drug B is put into the right dispensing tray 35R from the drug container 4(2-2). As a result, all 5 g of the powder medicine remaining in the medicine container 4(2-2) was discharged, and the medicine container 4(2-2) became empty. However, since 3 g of powder medicine B remained in the medicine container 4(2-1) belonging to the same container group, it cannot be said that powder medicine B is out of stock. Therefore, no forced out-of-stock display or warning is shown on the operation display unit 3. However, it is possible to search for the medicine container 4 that has become empty by the operation of the user. The user knows by an arbitrary operation that the medicine container 4(2-2) is in an empty state, and fills the medicine container 4(2-2) with powder medicine B.

[0128] Start of the fourth prescription After the above-mentioned third prescription ended and after an arbitrary search operation by the user, and after filling the medicine container 4(2-2) with powder medicine B, the fourth prescription was input. The content of the fourth prescription is as follows. Prescribe 1 g in total of powder medicine B

[0129] The remaining amount of powder medicine, filling date and time, and usage status of each current medicine container 4 are as follows. Medicine container 4(2-1): 3 g, filling date and time: 13:00 on October 21, 2015, unused Medicine container 4(2-2): 10 g, filling date and time: 10:00 on October 22, 2015, unused Also, the usage status of the dispensing tray 35 is as follows. Right dispensing tray 35R: unused Left dispensing tray 35L: unused

[0130] The remaining amount of powder medicine in each current medicine container 4 is more in the medicine container 4(2-2). On the other hand, the filling date and time is earlier for the medicine container 4(2-1). The required amount of powder medicine B is 3 g, and both medicine containers 4 have remaining amounts sufficient for the required amount. In this embodiment, when there are a plurality of medicine containers 4 having remaining amounts sufficient for the required amount, the medicine container 4(2-1) with an earlier filling date and time is preferentially used. Also, for the dispensing tray 35, the left dispensing tray 35L is used. Therefore, the drug container 4(2-1) is placed on the container placement device 36L1 corresponding to the left dispensing tray 35L, and 1 g of the powder medicine B is put into the left dispensing tray 35L from the drug container 4(2-1).

[0131] Start of the 5th prescription After the above-mentioned 4th prescription ended, the 5th prescription was inputted. The content of the 5th prescription is as follows. Prescribe 11 g in total of the powder medicine B

[0132] The remaining amount of the powder medicine, filling date and time, and usage status of each current drug container 4 are as follows. Drug container 4(2-1): 2 g, filling date and time: 13:00 on October 21, 2015, unused Drug container 4(2-2): 10 g, filling date and time: 10:00 on October 22, 2015, unused Also, the usage status of the dispensing tray 35 is as follows. Right dispensing tray 35R: unused Left dispensing tray 35L: unused

[0133] The required amount of the powder medicine B is 11 g, the remaining amount of the drug container 4(2-1) is 2 g, and the remaining amount of the drug container 4(2-2) is 10 g. Therefore, the remaining amount of the powder medicine in any of the drug containers 4 is less than the required amount. In this embodiment, when the remaining amount of the powder medicine in any of the drug containers 4 is less than the required amount, the drug container 4(2-1) with an earlier filling date and time is preferentially used, and subsequently, the drug container 4(2-2) belonging to the same container group is used. Also, for the dispensing tray 35, the right dispensing tray 35R is used. As described above, since the drug container 4(2-1) with an earlier filling date and time is used first, the drug container 4(2-1) is placed on the container placement device 36R1 corresponding to the right dispensing tray 35R, and all the remaining powder medicine B in the drug container 4(2-1) is put into the right dispensing tray 35R. That is, 2 g of the powder medicine B in the drug container 4(2-1) is put into the right dispensing tray 35R.

[0134] As a result, the remaining amount of the powder medicine, filling date and time, and usage status of each drug container 4 temporarily become as follows. Drug container 4(2-1): 0 g, filling date and time: October 21, 2015, 13:00, in use Drug container 4(2-2): 10 g, filling date and time: October 22, 2015, 10:00, not in use The usage status of the dispensing tray 35 is as follows. Right dispensing tray 35R in use Left dispensing tray 35L not in use

[0135] When all 2 g of powder medicine B in the drug container 4(2-1) is put into the left dispensing tray 35L and the drug container 4(2-1) becomes empty, the vibration of the vibrating table 50 is interrupted. Also, the weight of the medicine already discharged from the drug container 4(2-1) is memorized. Then the container moving means 28 automatically starts operating, removes the drug container 4(2-1) from the container mounting device 36R1 and returns it to the container storage section 23, and newly removes the drug container 4(2-2) from the container storage section 23 and mounts it on the previous container mounting device 36R1. Then the vibration of the container mounting device 36R1 is restarted, and powder medicine B falls from the new drug container 4(2-2) onto the right dispensing tray 35R.

[0136] When the drug container 4 becomes empty during the execution of the fifth prescription, it is automatically or through a predetermined manual operation displayed on the operation display section 3 whether there are other drug containers 4 belonging to the same container group. Also, when there are other drug containers 4 belonging to the same container group, the number thereof and the location of the drug container 4 are displayed. That is, it is displayed whether other drug containers 4 belonging to the same container group are stored in the container storage section 23, mounted on a specific container mounting device 36, not in the drug dispensing device 1, or placed outside.

[0137] Sixth prescription start After the above-mentioned fifth prescription ended, the sixth prescription was input. The content of the sixth prescription is as follows. Prescribe 4 g in total of powder medicine B

[0138] The remaining amount of powder medicine, filling date and time, and usage status of each current drug container 4 are as follows. Drug container 4(2-1): 0 g, filling date and time: October 21, 2015, 13:00, unused Drug container 4(2-2): 1 g, filling date and time: October 22, 2015, 10:00, unused Also, the usage status of the dispensing tray 35 is as follows. Right dispensing tray 35R: unused Left dispensing tray 35L: unused

[0139] The required amount of powder medicine B is 4 g. Since the remaining amount in drug container 4(2-1) is 0 g and the remaining amount in drug container 4(2-2) is 1 g, the remaining amount of powder medicine in any of the drug containers 4 is less than the required amount. In this embodiment, when the remaining amount of powder medicine in any of the drug containers 4 is less than the required amount, in principle, the drug container 4(2-1) with an earlier filling date and time is preferentially used. However, in this case, since the remaining amount in drug container 4(2-1) is 0, the drug container 4(2-2) with a remaining amount is used. Also, for the dispensing tray 35, the left dispensing tray 35L is used. As described above, since the drug container 4(2-2) with a remaining amount is used first, the drug container 4(2-2) is placed on the container placement device 36L1 corresponding to the left dispensing tray 35L, and all the powder medicine B remaining in the drug container 4(2-2) is put into the left dispensing tray 35L. That is, 1 g of powder medicine B in the drug container 4(2-2) is put into the left dispensing tray 35L.

[0140] As a result, the remaining amount of powder medicine, filling date and time, and usage status of each drug container 4 temporarily become as follows. Drug container 4(2-1): 0 g, filling date and time: October 21, 2015, 13:00, unused Drug container 4(2-2): 0 g, filling date and time: October 22, 2015, 10:00, in use Also, the usage status of the dispensing tray 35 is as follows. Right dispensing tray 35R: unused Left dispensing tray 35L: in use

[0141] When all 1 g of powder medicine B in the medicine container 4(2 - 2) is put into the left - hand dispensing tray 35L and the medicine container 4(2 - 2) becomes empty, the vibration of the vibrating table 50 is interrupted. Also, the weight of the medicine already discharged from the medicine container 4(2 - 2) is memorized. Then, a predetermined out - of - stock display is performed on the operation display unit 3. At the same time, the container moving means 28 automatically starts operating, removes the medicine container 4(2 - 2) from the container mounting device 36L1, and moves it to the container temporary placement part 18 provided on the door part 16. Subsequently, the door part 16 automatically opens. The user takes out the medicine container 4 from the container temporary placement part 18 and fills the powder medicine B into the medicine container 4(2 - 2). Then, the medicine container 4(2 - 1) is installed again on the container temporary placement part 18 by the user's hand. Also, if there is a medicine container 4 belonging to the same container group outside, the medicine container 4 may be installed on the container temporary placement part 18. When the medicine container 4(2 - 2) is installed on the container temporary placement part 18 and it is confirmed by the information reading means that the container belongs to the same container group, the container moving means 28 automatically starts operating and mounts the medicine container 4(2 - 2) installed on the container temporary placement part 18 on the previous container mounting device 36L1. Then, the vibration of the container mounting device 36L1 is restarted, and the powder medicine B falls from the medicine container 4(2 - 2) refilled with the powder medicine B into the left - hand dispensing tray 35L. When the total amount of the fallen powder medicine reaches 4 g, which is the required amount, the vibration of the container mounting device 36L1 is stopped.

[0142] Seventh prescription start After the above - mentioned sixth prescription is completed, the seventh prescription is input. The content of the seventh prescription is as follows. Prescribe 2 g in total of powder medicine B

[0143] The remaining amount of powder medicine, filling date and time, and usage status of each current medicine container 4 are as follows. Medicine container 4(2 - 1): 0 g, filling date and time: 13:00 on October 21, 2015, unused Medicine container 4(2 - 2): 7 g, filling date and time: 13:00 on October 22, 2015, unused Also, the usage status of the dispensing tray 35 is as follows. The right dispensing tray 35R is not in use. The left dispensing tray 35L is not in use.

[0144] Although both of the drug containers 4(2-1) and 4(2-2) are not in use, the remaining amount in the drug container 4(2-1) is 0 g, which is less than the required amount of 2 g. Therefore, for the 7th prescription, the drug container 4(2-2) with a remaining amount sufficient for the required amount is used. Also, for the dispensing tray 35, the right dispensing tray 35R is used. Therefore, the drug container 4(2-2) is placed on the container placement device 36R1 corresponding to the right dispensing tray 35R, and 2 g of the powder drug B is put into the right dispensing tray 35R from the drug container 4(2-2).

[0145] Start of the 8th prescription The 8th prescription was input while the 7th prescription was being executed. The content of the 8th prescription is as follows. Prescribe a total of 4 g of the powder drug B

[0146] The remaining amount of the powder drug, filling date and time, and usage status of each current drug container 4 are as follows. Drug container 4(2-1): 0 g, filling date and time: October 21, 2015, 13:00, not in use Drug container 4(2-2): 5 g, filling date and time: October 22, 2015, 13:00, in use The usage status of the dispensing tray 35 is as follows. Right dispensing tray 35R in use Left dispensing tray 35L not in use

[0147] Since the drug container 4(2-2) is in use for the 7th prescription, it cannot be used. On the other hand, the remaining amount in the drug container 4(2-1) is zero. In such a case, wait for the drug container 4(2-2) to return to the container storage unit 23 and then execute the 8th prescription. For the 8th prescription, the left dispensing tray 35L is used. Therefore, the drug container 4(2-2) is placed on the container placement device 36L1 corresponding to the left dispensing tray 35L, and 4 g of the powder drug B is put into the left dispensing tray 35L from the drug container 4(2-2).

[0148] The remaining amount of powder medicine, filling date and time, and usage status of each current medicine container 4 are as follows. Medicine container 4(2-1): 0 g, filling date and time: 13:00 on October 21, 2015, unused Medicine container 4(2-2): 1 g, filling date and time: 13:00 on October 22, 2015, in use The usage status of the dispensing tray 35 is as follows. Right dispensing tray 35R: unused Left dispensing tray 35L: unused

[0149] Currently, the remaining amount in medicine container 4(2-1) is 0, all the powder medicine has been discharged, and medicine container 4(2-2) has become empty. However, since 1 g of powder medicine B remains in medicine container 4(2-2) belonging to the same container group, it cannot be said that powder medicine B is out of stock. Therefore, no forced out-of-stock display or warning is shown on the operation display unit 3. Here, the user knows through an arbitrary operation that medicine container 4(2-1) is in an empty state, and fills powder medicine B into medicine container 4(2-1).

[0150] Start of the 9th prescription After the above-mentioned 8th prescription ended, the 9th prescription was input. The content of the 9th prescription is as follows. Prescribe 12 g of powder medicine B in total

[0151] The remaining amount of powder medicine, filling date and time, and usage status of each current medicine container 4 are as follows. Medicine container 4(2-1): 10 g, filling date and time: 15:00 on October 22, 2015, unused Medicine container 4(2-2): 1 g, filling date and time: 13:00 on October 22, 2015, unused The usage status of the dispensing tray 35 is as follows. Right dispensing tray 35R: unused Left dispensing tray 35L: unused

[0152] The required amount of powder medicine B is 12 g, the remaining amount in the medicine container 4(2-1) is 10 g, and the remaining amount in the medicine container 4(2-2) is 1 g. Therefore, the remaining amount of powder medicine in any of the medicine containers 4 is less than the required amount. As described above, in this embodiment, when the remaining amount of powder medicine in any of the medicine containers 4 is less than the required amount, the medicine container 4(2-2) with an earlier filling date is preferentially used, and subsequently, the medicine container 4(2-1) belonging to the same container group is used. Also, for the dispensing tray 35, the right dispensing tray 35R is used. As described above, since the medicine container 4(2-2) with an earlier filling date is used first, the medicine container 4(2-2) is placed on the container placement device 36R1 corresponding to the right dispensing tray 35R, and all the powder medicine B remaining in the medicine container 4(2-2) is put into the right dispensing tray 35R. That is, 1 g of powder medicine B in the medicine container 4(2-2) is put into the right dispensing tray 35R.

[0153] As a result, the remaining amount of powder medicine, filling date, and usage status of each medicine container 4 temporarily become as follows. Medicine container 4(2-1): 10 g, filling date: October 22, 2015, 15:00, unused Medicine container 4(2-2): 0 g, filling date: October 22, 2015, 13:00, unused The usage status of the dispensing tray 35 is as follows. Right dispensing tray 35R: in use Left dispensing tray 35L: unused

[0154] All 1 g of powder medicine B in the medicine container 4(2-2) is put into the right dispensing tray 35R. When the medicine container 4(2-2) becomes empty, the vibration of the vibrating table 50 is interrupted. Also, the weight of the medicine already discharged from the medicine container 4(2-2) is memorized. Then, the container moving means 28 automatically starts operating, removes the medicine container 4(2-2) from the container placement device 36R1 and returns it to the container storage unit 23, and newly removes the medicine container 4(2-1) from the container storage unit 23 and mounts it on the previous container placement device 36R1. Then, the vibration of the container placement device 36R1 is restarted, and powder medicine B falls from the new medicine container 4 into the right dispensing tray 35R. Then, all of the powder medicine B remaining in the medicine container 4(2-1) is put into the right dispensing tray 35R. That is, 10 g of the powder medicine B in the medicine container 4(2-1) is put into the right dispensing tray 35R.

[0155] As a result, the remaining amount of powder medicine, filling date and time, and usage status of each medicine container 4 temporarily become as follows. Medicine container 4(2-1): 0 g, filling date and time: October 22, 2015, 15:00, not used Medicine container 4(2-2): 0 g, filling date and time: October 22, 2015, 13:00, not used The usage status of the dispensing tray 35 is as follows. Right dispensing tray 35R: in use Left dispensing tray 35L: not used

[0156] When all 10 g of the powder medicine B in the medicine container 4(2-1) is put into the right dispensing tray 35R and the medicine container 4(2-1) becomes empty, the vibration of the vibrating table 50 is interrupted. Also, the weight of the medicine already discharged from the medicine container 4(2-1) is added to and updated with the weight of the medicine discharged from the medicine container 4(2-2) that was previously stored, and then stored. Then, a predetermined out-of-stock display is performed on the operation display unit 3. At the same time, the container moving means 28 automatically starts to operate, removes the medicine container 4(2-1) from the container mounting device 36R1, and moves it to the container temporary placement part 18 provided on the door part 16. Subsequently, the door part 16 automatically opens. The user takes out the medicine container 4 from the container temporary placement part 18 and fills the powder medicine B into the medicine container 4(2-1). Then, the medicine container 4(2-1) is installed again on the container temporary placement part 18 by the user's hand. Also, if there is a medicine container 4 belonging to the same container group outside, it may be installed on the container temporary placement part 18. When the medicine container 4(2-1) is installed on the container temporary placement part 18 and it is confirmed by the information reading means that the container belongs to the same container group, the container moving means 28 automatically starts to operate and mounts the medicine container 4(2-1) installed on the container temporary placement part 18 on the previous container mounting device 36R1. Then, the vibration of the container placement device 36R1 is restarted, and the bulk drug B falls from the drug container 4(2-1) refilled with the bulk drug B to the right dispensing tray 35R.

[0157] The example of using the NO.2 group in FIG. 7 has been described above. Next, an example of using the NO.4 group in FIG. 7 will be described. As described above, the number of drug containers 4 belonging to the NO.4 group is 5, and they are filled with the same kind of bulk drug D. Assume that among the five drug containers 4 belonging to the NO.4 group, three drug containers 4(4-1), 4(4-2), and 4(4-3) are stored in the container storage section 23 of the container placement area 12. The remaining two drug containers 4(4-4) and 4(4-5) are on the shelf 5 as shown in FIG. 8. In addition, the drug containers 4(4-1), 4(4-2), and 4(4-3) stored in the container storage section 23 are filled with 50 g of bulk drug D each. Note that the external drug container 4(4-4) and the drug container 4(4-5) are also filled with 50 g of bulk drug D each.

[0158] That is, the remaining amount of the bulk drug, the filling date and time, and the usage status of each current drug container 4 are as follows. Drug container 4(4-1): 40 g, filling date and time: October 21, 2015, 13:00, unused Drug container 4(4-2): 40 g, filling date and time: October 21, 2015, 13:00, unused Drug container 4(4-3): 40 g, filling date and time: October 21, 2015, 13:00, unused In addition, the usage status of the dispensing tray 35 is as follows. Right dispensing tray 35R: unused Left dispensing tray 35L: unused

[0159] Start of the 10th prescription Here, the 10th prescription is input. The content of the 10th prescription is as follows. Prescribe 70 g in total of bulk drug D

[0160] The remaining amounts of the powder in each current medicine container 4 are all the same, and the filling dates and times are also the same. In this embodiment, when the conditions are the same, the medicine container 4 with a smaller branch number is preferentially used. Since the total amount of this prescription is large, in order to shorten the time required for discharge, a plurality of medicine containers 4 are used simultaneously. As described above, since the medicine container 4 with a smaller branch number is preferentially used, the medicine containers 4(4-1) and 4(4-2) are used. The medicine container 4(4-3) is left in the container storage unit 23 as a backup in case a prescription that requires powder D simultaneously is input. For the dispensing tray 35, the left dispensing tray 35L is used. Therefore, the medicine container 4(4-1) is placed on the container placement device 36L1 corresponding to the left dispensing tray 35L, and the medicine container 4(4-2) is placed on the container placement device 36L2.

[0161] Specifically, the container moving means 28 automatically starts operating, removes the medicine container 4(4-1) from the container storage unit 23 and places it on the container placement device 36L1, starts the vibration of the container placement device 36L1, and drops the powder D from the medicine container 4(4-1) onto the left dispensing tray 35L. Subsequently, the container moving means 28 automatically operates, removes the medicine container 4(4-2) from the container storage unit 23 and places it on the container placement device 36L2, starts the vibration of the container placement device 36L2, and drops the powder D from the medicine container 4(4-2) onto the left dispensing tray 35L. There is still the medicine container 4(4-3) left in the container storage unit 23. Although the container placement device 36L3 on the left dispensing tray 35L side is unused, the medicine container 4(4-3) is not used and is left in the container storage unit 23 as a backup.

[0162] The powder D is dropped from the medicine containers 4(4-1) and 4(4-2) onto the left dispensing tray 35L. When the total amount of the powder D discharged from both reaches 70 g, which is the required amount, the vibration of the container placement devices 36L1 and 36L2 is stopped. In this embodiment, the ratio of the amount of powder discharged from the two medicine containers 4 (4-1) and (4-2) is random. In this example, since the powder D is discharged from the medicine container 4 (4-1) first, after the 10th prescription is completed, more powder D in the medicine container 4 (4-1) will be consumed. For example, if 37 g is discharged from the preceding medicine container 4 (4-1) and 33 g is discharged from the subsequent medicine container 4 (4-2), when the total discharge amount reaches 70 g, the vibration of the container mounting devices 36L1 and 36L2 is stopped. As a modification, the desired amount of 70 g of the powder D may be divided, and a divided value may be assigned as the amount of powder to be discharged from the medicine containers 4 (4-1) and 4 (4-2). For example, the desired amount of 70 g of the powder D is divided into 35 g each, the medicine container 4 (4-1) is assigned 35 g, and the medicine container 4 (4-2) is also assigned 35 g. The vibration of the container mounting devices 36L1 and 36L2 may be stopped when the discharge of the assigned amount is completed.

[0163] Start of the 11th prescription The 11th prescription was input while the 10th prescription was being executed. The content of the 11th prescription is as follows. Prescribe a total of 30 g of powder D

[0164] The remaining amount of powder, filling date and time, and usage status of each current medicine container 4 are as follows. As described above, since 37 g has been discharged from the preceding medicine container 4 (4-1) and 33 g has been discharged from the subsequent medicine container 4 (4-2), there is a difference in the remaining amounts of the medicine containers 4 (4-1) and 4 (4-2). Medicine container 4 (4-1): 3 g, filling date and time: October 21, 2015, 13:00, in use Medicine container 4 (4-2): 7 g, filling date and time: October 21, 2015, 13:00, in use Medicine container 4 (4-3): 40 g, filling date and time: October 21, 2015, 13:00, not in use Also, the usage status of the dispensing tray 35 is as follows. Right dispensing tray 35R: not in use Left dispensing tray 35L: in use

[0165] Since the drug containers 4(4-1) and 4(4-2) are in use, the drug container 4(4-3) deliberately left as a reserve in the container storage section 23 in the 11th prescription is used. Since the left dispensing tray 35L is in use, the unused right dispensing tray 35R is used. Therefore, the drug container 4(4-3) is placed on the container placing device 36R1 corresponding to the right dispensing tray 35R, and 30 g of the powder drug D is put into the right dispensing tray 35R from the drug container 4(4-3).

[0166] Start of the 12th prescription After the 11th prescription is completed, the 12th prescription is input. The content of the 12th prescription is as follows. Prescribe 30 g in total of the powder drug D

[0167] The remaining amount of the powder drug, filling date and time, and usage status of each current drug container 4 are as follows. Drug container 4(4-1): 3 g, filling date and time: 13:00 on October 21, 2015, in use Drug container 4(4-2): 7 g, filling date and time: 13:00 on October 21, 2015, in use Drug container 4(4-3): 10 g, filling date and time: 13:00 on October 21, 2015, unused Also, the usage status of the dispensing tray 35 is as follows. Right dispensing tray 35R: unused Left dispensing tray 35L: unused

[0168] The required amount of the powder drug D is 30 g, the remaining amount of the drug container 4(4-1) is 3 g, the remaining amount of the drug container 4(4-2) is 7 g, and the remaining amount of the drug container 4(4-3) is 10 g. Therefore, the remaining amount of the powder drug in any of the drug containers 4 is not sufficient for the required amount. When the remaining amount of the powder drug in any of the drug containers 4 is not sufficient for the required amount, the drug container 4(4-1) with an earlier filling date and time and a smaller branch number is preferentially used, followed by the drug container 4(4-2) belonging to the same container group, and then the drug container 4(4-3) is used. For the dispensing tray 35, the left dispensing tray 35L is used. As described above, since the drug container 4 (4-1) with an earlier filling date is used first, the drug container 4 (4-1) is placed on the container placement device 36L1 corresponding to the left dispensing tray 35L, and all the loose drug D remaining in the drug container 4 (4-1) is put into the left dispensing tray 35L. That is, 5 g of the loose drug D in the drug container 4 (4-1) is put into the left dispensing tray 35L.

[0169] As a result, the remaining amount of loose drug, filling date, and usage status of each drug container 4 temporarily become as follows. Drug container 4 (4-1): 0 g, filling date: October 21, 2015, 13:00, in use Drug container 4 (4-2): 7 g, filling date: October 21, 2015, 13:00, in use Drug container 4 (4-3): 10 g, filling date: October 21, 2015, 13:00, unused Also, the usage status of the dispensing tray 35 is as follows. Right dispensing tray 35R: unused Left dispensing tray 35L: in use

[0170] All 3 g of the loose drug D in the drug container 4 (4-1) is put into the left dispensing tray 35L. When the drug container 4 (4-1) becomes empty, the vibration of the vibrating table 50 is interrupted. Also, the weight of the drug already discharged from the drug container 4 (4-1) is memorized. Then, the container moving means 28 automatically starts operating, removes the drug container 4 (4-1) from the container placement device 36L1 and returns it to the container storage unit 23, and newly removes the drug container 4 (4-2) from the container storage unit 23 and mounts it on the previous container placement device 36L1. Then, the vibration of the container placement device 36L1 is restarted, and the loose drug D falls from the new drug container 4 (4-2) into the left dispensing tray 35L. And 7 g of the loose drug D in the drug container 4 (4-2) is put into the left dispensing tray 35L.

[0171] As a result, the remaining amount of loose drug, filling date, and usage status of each drug container 4 temporarily become as follows. Drug container 4 (4-1): 0 g, filling date: October 21, 2015, 13:00, in use Drug container 4(4-2): 0 g, filling date and time: October 21, 2015, 13:00, in use Drug container 4(4-3): 10 g, filling date and time: October 21, 2015, 13:00, unused Also, the usage status of the dispensing tray 35 is as follows. Right dispensing tray 35R: unused Left dispensing tray 35L: in use

[0172] When all 7 g of the powder medicine D in the drug container 4(4-2) is put into the left dispensing tray 35L and the drug container 4(4-2) becomes empty, the vibration of the vibrating table 50 is interrupted. Also, the weight of the medicine already discharged from the drug container 4(4-2) is added to and updated with the weight of the medicine discharged from the previously stored drug container 4(4-1) and then stored. Then the container moving means 28 automatically starts operating, removes the drug container 4(4-2) from the container mounting device 36L1, returns it to the container storage unit 23, and newly removes the drug container 4(4-3) from the container storage unit 23 and mounts it on the previous container mounting device 36L1.

[0173] Then the vibration of the container mounting device 36L1 is restarted, and the powder medicine D falls from the new drug container 4(4-3) into the left dispensing tray 35L. Then 10 g of the powder medicine D in the drug container 4(4-3) is put into the left dispensing tray 35L. Also, the weight of the medicine already discharged from the drug container 4(4-3) is added to and updated with the weights of the medicines discharged from the previously stored drug containers 4(4-1) and 4(4-2) and then stored. Then a predetermined out-of-stock display is performed on the operation display unit 3. At the same time, the container moving means 28 automatically starts operating, removes the drug container 4(4-3) from the container mounting device 36L1, and moves it to the container temporary placement unit 18 provided on the door portion 16. Subsequently, the door portion 16 automatically opens.

[0174] The user takes out the drug container 4(4-3) from the container temporary placement unit 18 and leaves it outside as a reserve, and the drug container 4(4-4) or the drug container 4(4-5) left outside by the user is placed on the container temporary placement unit 18 by the user's hand. When the drug container 4(4 - 4) is installed in the container temporary placement part 18 and it is confirmed by the information reading means that the container belongs to the same container group, the container moving means 28 automatically starts to operate, and mounts the drug container 4(4 - 4) installed in the container temporary placement part 18 on the previous container mounting device 36L1. Then, the vibration of the container mounting device 36L1 is restarted, and the bulk drug D falls from the drug container 4(4 - 4) refilled with the bulk drug D onto the left dispensing tray 35L. When the total discharge amount reaches the required amount of 30 g, the vibration of the container mounting device 36L1 is stopped. Then, the container moving means 28 automatically starts to operate, removes the drug container 4(4 - 4) from the container mounting device 36L1, and mounts it on the container storage part 23.

[0175] Note that the previously used drug container 4(4 - 3) may be refilled with the bulk drug D and installed in the container temporary placement part 18.

[0176] In the above - mentioned 10th prescription, when discharging a total of 70 g of the bulk drug D, the discharge of the bulk drug was first started from the drug container 4(4 - 1), and then the discharge of the bulk drug was started from the drug container 4(4 - 2). When the total discharge amount reached the required amount, the discharge of the bulk drug was stopped. In this embodiment, the discharge amount borne by each drug container 4 is not determined and is random. Also, as described above, as a modification, the desired amount of 70 g of the bulk drug D may be divided, and divided values may be allocated as the amounts of the bulk drug to be discharged from the drug containers 4(4 - 1) and 4(4 - 2). In the 10th prescription, when the desired amount of 70 g of the bulk drug D is divided into 35 g each, 35 g is assigned to the drug container 4(4 - 1), and 35 g is also assigned to the drug container 4(4 - 2), and when the discharge of the assigned amount is completed and the vibration of the container mounting devices 36L1 and 36L2 is stopped, the remaining amount of the bulk drug, the filling date and time, and the usage status of each drug container 4 will be temporarily as follows. Drug container 4(4 - 1): 3 g, filling date and time: October 21, 2015, 13:00, in use Drug container 4(4 - 2): 7 g, filling date and time: October 21, 2015, 13:00, in use Drug container 4 (4-3): Filled with 40 g, Date and time of filling: October 21, 2015, 13:00, Not used Also, the usage status of the dispensing tray 35 is as follows. Right dispensing tray 35R: Not used Left dispensing tray 35L: In use

[0177] When equally determining the amount of powder to be discharged from the drug containers 4 (4-1) and 4 (4-2), after attaching the drug containers 4 (4-1) and 4 (4-2) to the container mounting devices 36R1 and 36R2 respectively, the discharge of powder from the drug containers 4 (4-1) and 4 (4-2) may be started simultaneously. Also, the amount of powder to be discharged may be different, for example, the amount of powder discharged from one drug container 4 (4-1) is 40 g and the amount of powder discharged from the other drug container 4 (4-1) is 30 g.

[0178] As described above, when there is an empty drug container 4 in the container storage unit 23, an "Internal shortage display" is shown. And by a predetermined operation, the empty drug container 4 can be searched for. FIG. 11 shows an example of a search screen for searching for an empty drug container. On the search screen, the drug container 4 is referred to as a cassette, and the drug containers 4 belonging to a container group are referred to as "parent-child cassettes".

[0179] "Cassette No." is the main group number of the container group. On the touch panel search screen shown in FIG. 11, the empty drug container 4 and the drug container 4 with remaining amount are displayed on the same screen. And an "Out of stock" display is made for the empty drug container 4. Also, for the convenience of drawing, it is omitted in FIG. 11, but the column of the out-of-stock drug container 4 has a different background color from other columns. On the search screen, there is a column labeled "Filling". Touch or click on the column of a specific drug container 4, and then touch or click on the column labeled "Filling", and the out-of-stock processing step is executed. Using the container moving means 28, the specific drug container 4 is taken out and moved to the container temporary placement part 18 provided on the door part 16, and the door part 16 automatically opens. As a result, the user can take out the empty drug container 4 from the drug dispensing device 1. Refill the powder medicine in the drug container 4 and install it in the container temporary placement part 18 again.

[0180] In the above description, the container temporary placement part 18 is on the door part 16. When introducing the drug container 4 into the housing 10 or taking out the drug container 4 from the inside of the housing 10, the weight of the drug container 4 is measured to confirm the filling amount of the powder medicine. The container temporary placement part 18 is used not only for the above-mentioned purposes, but also for measuring the weight of the drug container 4 and reconfirming the discharge amount of the powder medicine in one distribution before returning the drug container 4 from the container placement device 36 near the dispensing tray 35 to the container storage part 23. That is, after installing the drug container 4 on the container placement device 36 and putting a predetermined amount of medicine into the dispensing tray 35, the weight of the drug container 4 is confirmed by the weight measuring means 52 provided on the container placement device 36. Then, the drug container 4 is moved to the container temporary placement part 18 of the door part 16 by the container moving means 28 to reconfirm the weight of the drug container 4. And then, the drug container 4 is returned to the drum member 25 of the container storage part 23 by the container moving means 28.

[0181] The drug dispensing device 1 of the embodiment described above had two dispensing trays 35R and 35L, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the number of dispensing trays 35 is arbitrary. For example, it may have only one dispensing tray 35 like the drug dispensing device 100 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. The mechanical structure of the drug dispensing device 100 is generally the same as that of the above-mentioned drug dispensing device 100 except for the difference in the number of dispensing trays 35. Therefore, the different configurations will be described with emphasis, and the same members will be given the same numbers, and the overlapping descriptions will be omitted.

[0182] Also in this embodiment, a door portion 16 is provided at a portion forming the outer wall surface of the container placement area 12 of the housing 10. The door portion 16 is a container access opening for inserting and removing the drug container 4 into and from the housing 10. A container temporary placement portion 18 for temporarily placing the drug container 4 is provided inside the door portion 16. Further, in the drug dispensing device 100, a container temporary placement portion 101 having the same structure is also provided in the housing 10.

[0183] In the drug dispensing device 100 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, similar to the drug dispensing device 1 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the door portion 16 has a container temporary placement portion 18, and there is also a container temporary placement portion 101 inside the housing 10. The reason for providing the container temporary placement portion 18 in the door portion 16 and further providing the container temporary placement portion 101 inside the housing 10 is to shorten the waiting time and reduce the time required for the entire bulk drug distribution process.

[0184] As described above, in the drug dispensing device 1 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the container temporary placement portion 18 of the door portion 16 is used to measure the weight of the drug container 4 and confirm the filling amount of the bulk drug when introducing the drug container 4 into the housing 10 or taking out the drug container 4 from inside the housing 10. Further, in the drug dispensing device 1 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, as described above, the discharge amount of the bulk drug in one distribution is reconfirmed by the container temporary placement portion 18 of the door portion 16. That is, after installing the drug container 4 on the container placement device 36 and putting a predetermined amount of medicine into the dispensing tray 35, the container moving means 28 moves the drug container 4 to the container temporary placement portion 18 of the door portion 16 to reconfirm the weight of the drug container 4.

[0185] The actual frequency of use of the container temporary placement portion 18 is higher when reconfirming the weight of the drug container when returning the drug container 4 from the container placement device 36 near the dispensing tray 35 to the container storage portion 23. Therefore, if a process of introducing the drug container 4 from the outside into the housing 10 interrupts, there is a concern that the normal bulk drug distribution operation will be stalled. Therefore, in order to dispel this concern, the drug dispensing device 100 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is provided with a container temporary placement part 101 separately inside the housing 10, and the container temporary placement part 101 is used exclusively for weight measurement when returning the drug container 4 to the container storage part 23.

[0186] In the drug dispensing device 100 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the container temporary placement part 18 provided on the door part 16 is used only for obtaining predetermined information from the drug container 4 when the drug container 4 is carried into the drug dispensing device 100 from the outside. In the present embodiment, when the drug container 4 is carried into the drug dispensing device 100 from the outside, the weight of the drug container 4 is measured by the weight measuring means of the container temporary placement part 18 provided on the door part 16. Also, predetermined information is obtained from the drug container 4 by the information reading means.

[0187] The container temporary placement part 101 provided inside the housing 10 is provided only for the purpose of measuring the amount of the drug contained in the drug container 4 when the subcontracting is completed and the drug container 4 is returned to the container storage part 23. When the subcontracting is completed and the drug container 4 is returned to the container storage part 23, the drug container 4 is held by the container moving means 28, the drug container 4 is moved, and is installed in the container temporary placement part 101 inside the housing 10. Then, the weight of the drug container 4 is measured. Also, the information of the RFID tag 91 attached to the drug container 4 is rewritten.

[0188] Next, the container temporary placement parts 18 and 101 provided in the door part 16 and the housing 10 will be described. Since the two container temporary placement parts 18 and 101 have the same structure, the container temporary placement part 18 provided on the door part 16 will be described as a representative. The container temporary placement part 18 is attached to the door part 16 and moves together with the door part 16. The container temporary placement part 18 is composed of a mounting table 251, an engagement lever 252, and a holding member 253. The holding member 253 is in a fence shape and holds the drug container 4. The mounting table 251 is composed of a backrest part 255 and a pedestal part 256 arranged in a substantially horizontal posture. The backrest portion 255 has a large rectangular installation portion 257 at the center, and rectangular side portions 258a and 258b on both sides thereof. The side portions 258a and 258b are in an inclined posture toward the front side with respect to the installation portion 257. There is a large notch portion 260 at the center of the pedestal portion 256.

[0189] The engagement lever 252 is disposed in the notch portion 260 of the pedestal portion 256. The engagement lever 252 and the holding member 253 are engaged with each other, and when the engagement lever 252 descends, the holding member 253 ascends.

[0190] When attaching the drug container 4 to the container temporary placement portion 18, the drug container 4 is placed on the placement table 251 by using a human hand or the container moving means 28. When the drug container 4 is placed on the placement table 251, the engagement lever 252 swings and sinks, and instead, the holding member 253 ascends. Then, the holding member 253 holds the side surface of the drug container 4. Also, the side of the fixing iron plate portion 6 of the drug container 4 is held by the backrest portion 255 of the placement table 251. Therefore, the drug container 4 is held by the pedestal portion 256 and the backrest portion 255 of the placement table 251 and the holding member 253, and does not fall off.

[0191] In the drug dispensing device 100, a scraping member 280 (cleaning portion) is provided at a position directly above the container temporary placement portion 18 of the door portion 16. The scraping member 280 is provided on the main body side of the drug dispensing device 1 rather than on the door portion 16. A suction port 282 is open in the scraping member 280, and the suction port 282 is connected to a suction device (not shown).

[0192] The scraping member 280 is a member provided for cleaning the side surface of the drug container 4. In the above-described embodiment, the drug is directly supplied from the drug container 4 to the dispensing tray 35. Therefore, after supplying the drug, the drug may adhere to the side surface of the drug container 4 due to the influence of static electricity or the like. In particular, the drug may stick near the opening 188 of the drug container 4. Therefore, the side surface of the drug container 4 is pressed against the concave portion 281 (container contact portion) of the scraping member 280, and the drug container 4 is slid downward or upward. At the same time, a suction device (not shown) is activated. Therefore, even if drug residues remain on the side surface of the drug container 4, they are cleaned by the scraping member 280.

[0193] Also in the drug dispensing device 100 of the present embodiment, there is a bulk drug input hopper 413 between the drug splitting area 13 and the drug packaging area 14. The bulk drugs split in the drug splitting area 13 are input into the bulk drug input hopper 413 and packaged by the drug packaging device 53. In the drug dispensing device 100 of the present embodiment, a hopper cleaning operation for cleaning the bulk drug input hopper 413 can be performed. In the hopper cleaning operation, a cleaning agent 103 is input into the bulk drug input hopper 413. The cleaning agent 103 is a release agent, a powder other than the prescribed drug, and a powder for cleaning the inside of the hopper. Also, the cleaning agent 103 is selected to be harmless even if it enters a person's mouth regardless of the presence or absence of medicinal effects. The cleaning agent 103 is a powder or particle harmless to the human body, such as baking soda powder, lactose, or starch. FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram of an embodiment having a function of inputting the cleaning agent 103 into the bulk drug input hopper 413 during the cleaning operation. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, there is an opening / closing plate 416 at the discharge-side opening (drug discharge port) at the end of the bulk drug input hopper 413, and an air nozzle 422 is provided in the vicinity outside the opening / closing plate 416.

[0194] The bulk drug input hopper 413 has, for example, a shape as shown in FIG. 21, with a discharge-side opening (drug discharge port) 1000 at the lower part and an introduction-side opening 1001 at the upper part. Also, an opening / closing plate 416 is provided at the discharge-side opening 1000. On the side of the powder input hopper 413, a suction opening 1002 is open. The suction opening 1002 is at least above the discharge side opening 1000 and is at a height closer to the introduction side opening 1001 than the discharge side opening 1000. The extension line of the central axis X-X of the suction opening 1002 in the planar direction passes near the central axis Z-Z of the powder input hopper 413. That is, the suction opening 1002 is provided at the center of the side surface of the powder input hopper 413 in a plan view. The shape of the suction opening 1002 is flat, and the width is wider than the longitudinal length. A pipe member 1010 such as a pipe or a hose is connected to the suction opening 1002, and the end of the pipe member 1010 is connected to the suction device 415. That is, the pipe member 1010 constitutes a part of the suction path from the suction opening 1002 to the suction device 415.

[0195] In this embodiment, the pipe member 1010 has a bent portion 1012. That is, in this embodiment, in the suction path, the position closest to the suction opening 1002 is greatly curved. That is, when the pipe member 1010 is viewed from above, the bent portion 1012 can be recognized. Also, the suction opening 1002 is flat. Therefore, the air flow velocity in the vicinity of the suction opening 1002 is different between the side closer to the outside of the curve and the side closer to the inside.

[0196] The hopper cleaning operation performed by injecting the cleaning agent 103 is carried out in the following procedure. As a first step, the cleaning agent 103 is injected into the powder input hopper 413. At this time, the opening and closing plate 416 at the end of the powder input hopper 413 is closed. Then, the introduction side opening 1001 of the powder input hopper 413 is closed with the hopper closing member 400 (Fig. 18). In this state, the suction device 415 is operated. As a result, a strong air flow is generated in the powder input hopper 413, and the cleaning agent 103 violently swirls and collides with the inner wall of the powder input hopper 413. Since the opening and closing plate 416 at the end of the bulk drug input hopper 413 is closed here, the amount of air supplied into the bulk drug input hopper 413 is restricted. Therefore, although the cleaning agent 103 swirls inside the bulk drug input hopper 413, the amount of air suction by the suction device 415 is small. As a result, the cleaning agent 103 is merely stirred inside the bulk drug input hopper 413, and the amount sucked out by the suction device 415 is small. Therefore, the cleaning agent 103 stays inside the bulk drug input hopper 413 and collides with the inner wall of the bulk drug input hopper 413 over a long time. Also, just like a cyclone vacuum cleaner, the centrifugal force of the cleaning agent 103 acts and hits the inner surface of the bulk drug input hopper 413, so the impact of the collision is large. As a result, the drug adhering to the inner wall of the bulk drug input hopper 413 is peeled off.

[0197] Then, after that, the opening and closing plate 416 at the end of the bulk drug input hopper 413 is opened (Fig. 19). More preferably, the opening and closing of the opening and closing plate 416 is repeated. As a result, outside air is introduced from the end of the bulk drug input hopper 413 into the bulk drug input hopper 413 which has a negative pressure tendency, a more intense air flow is generated inside the bulk drug input hopper 413, the cleaning agent 103 swirls violently and collides with the inner wall of the bulk drug input hopper 413, and the drug adhering to the inner wall of the bulk drug input hopper 413 is peeled off.

[0198] Particularly in this embodiment, since the suction opening 1002 is flat and is a suction path, and the position closest to the suction opening 1002 curves greatly, the air flow velocity near the suction opening 1002 differs between the side closer to the outer side of the curve and the side closer to the inner side. In this embodiment, near the inner wall 1003, the air flow velocity becomes fast, and near the opposing inner wall 1006, the air flow velocity becomes slow. Therefore, a strong swirling flow is generated in the powder input hopper 413. Also, air is introduced from the discharge side opening 1000 provided at the lower part of the powder input hopper 413. Therefore, the air flow proceeds from the lower side to the upper side with swirling along the inner wall of the powder input hopper 413. Therefore, the input cleaning agent 103 acts as if it scrapes the inner wall of the powder input hopper 413 to strip off the medicine, rolls it up together with the cleaning agent 103, and discharges it by the suction device 415. In this embodiment, since the suction opening 1002 is provided near the upper end of the powder input hopper 413, substantially all the inner walls of the powder input hopper 413 are cleaned.

[0199] The peeled medicine is sucked out by the suction device 415 together with the cleaning agent 103 and discharged outside the powder input hopper 413. When repeatedly opening and closing the opening and closing plate 416, the agitation of the cleaning agent 103 with the cleaning agent 103 stopped in the powder input hopper 413 and the agitation of the cleaning agent 103 while introducing air and discharging a part of the cleaning agent 103 are repeated.

[0200] Also, the medicine adhering to the outer surface of the opening and closing plate 416 itself is removed by blowing air from the air nozzle 422 provided near the opening and closing plate 416 (Fig. 20). That is, according to the experience of the present inventors, medicine may adhere to the opening and closing plate 416 provided at the discharge side opening 1000 of the powder input hopper 413. Here, the inner side of the opening and closing plate 416 (the inner surface side of the powder input hopper 413) can be cleaned by utilizing the impact by the agitation of the cleaning agent 103 described above, but the outer surface of the opening and closing plate 416 itself cannot collide with the cleaning agent 103. Therefore, in this embodiment, air is directly blown from the air nozzle 422 provided near the opening and closing plate 416 toward the outside of the opening and closing plate 416 (Fig. 20) to remove the medicine adhering to the outside of the opening and closing plate 416.

[0201] Since the opening / closing plate 416 is provided at the inner position of the normal device, it is difficult to apply the injected air when the opening / closing plate 416 closes the discharge-side opening 1000. Therefore, in the present embodiment, an air nozzle 422 is provided at a position where the air injected when the opening / closing plate 416 is in an open posture hits. In the vicinity of the opening / closing plate 416, there is wrapping paper, so the drug peeled off by air is collected in the wrapping paper. To summarize a series of operations, the cleaning agent 103 is put into the bulk drug input hopper 413 and suction is started. In the latter half of the suction, the opening / closing plate 416 starts to open and close. At this time, air is directly blown from the air nozzle 422 toward the outside of the opening / closing plate 416. After 5 to 10 seconds, the suction and air are stopped.

[0202] When performing the hopper cleaning operation, the cleaning agent 103 is put into the bulk drug input hopper 413, but the method of putting the cleaning agent 103 is arbitrary. For example, an operator may directly put the cleaning agent 103 into the bulk drug input hopper 413 by hand. Also, a dedicated cleaning agent input device may be provided near the introduction-side opening 1000, and the cleaning agent 103 may be put into the bulk drug input hopper 413 from the cleaning agent input device. Alternatively, the cleaning agent 103 may be put into the bulk drug input hopper 413 using the drug container 4. For example, a specific drug container 4 is filled with a cleaning agent 103 such as baking soda and stored in the container storage unit 23 in the same manner as other drug containers 4. Then, by an operation similar to the operation of taking out the bulk drug from the normal drug container 4 and putting it into the bulk drug input hopper 35, the cleaning agent 103 in the drug container 4 is put into the bulk drug input hopper 413.

[0203] Specifically, when the drug that requires cleaning work is wrapped, or when it is found by a remaining drug sensor or the like that the bulk drug input hopper 413 is dirty, a drug container 4 filled with the cleaning agent 103 is selected automatically or manually. Then, the drug container 4 is held by the container moving means 28, the drug container 4 is moved, and the drug container 4 filled with the cleaning agent 103 is placed on the container placing device 36. Subsequently, the container placement device 36 is vibrated to introduce the cleaning agent 103 from the medicine container 4 into the dispensing tray 35. Then, the scraping device 37 discharges the cleaning agent 103 from the dispensing tray 35 and introduces it into the powder input hopper 413.

[0204] Here, in the hopper cleaning operation, unlike during normal powder packaging operations, when introducing the cleaning agent 103 from the medicine container 4 into the dispensing tray 35, the dispensing tray 35 is not rotated. Referring to FIG. 16, as shown in FIG. 16(a), the dispensing tray 35 is set to a stopped state, and the container placement device 36 is vibration-isolated to introduce the cleaning agent 103 from the medicine container 4 into the dispensing tray 35. As a result, as shown in FIG. 16(a), the cleaning agent 103 accumulates at one location on the dispensing tray 35. Note that the input amount of the cleaning agent 103 (the discharge amount from the medicine container 4) is not as strict as in the case based on a prescription. Rather, priority is given to a short input time. For example, the cleaning agent 103 in an amount required for cleaning (e.g., about 8 grams) is discharged from the medicine container 4 in the shortest possible time. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 16(b), the dispensing tray 35 is rotated to bring the mound of the cleaning agent 103 closer to the vicinity of the scraping device 37. Then, as shown in FIG. 16(c), the scraping device 37 is driven to discharge the cleaning agent 103 from the dispensing tray 35 and introduce it into the powder input hopper 413.

[0205] According to this aspect, the time required for the hopper cleaning operation can be shortened. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Similar to during normal powder packaging operations, the dispensing tray 35 may be rotated at a constant rotational speed to uniformly distribute the cleaning agent 103 on the dispensing tray 35.

[0206] As another aspect, as shown in FIG. 22, a container placement device 36 limited to the use of discharging the cleaning agent 103 may be provided near the powder input hopper 413, and the cleaning agent 103 may be introduced into the powder input hopper 413 without passing through the dispensing tray 35.

[0207] In the configuration shown in Fig. 22, there are a container placement device 36 and a cleaning agent temporary placement container 440 near the powder input hopper 413. The cleaning agent temporary placement container 440 can be turned over by a turning mechanism (not shown). Also, the bottom of the cleaning agent temporary placement container 440 may be openable and closable. In this embodiment, the medicine container 4 is always installed in the container placement device 36, and the medicine container 4 is filled with a sufficient amount of the cleaning agent 103. And in advance, a predetermined amount of the cleaning agent 103 is discharged from the medicine container 4, and the cleaning agent 103 for one cleaning is stored in the cleaning agent temporary placement container 440 and waits above the introduction side opening 1001 as shown in Fig. 22(a). When the time comes to clean the powder input hopper 413, the cleaning agent temporary placement container 440 is turned over by a turning mechanism (not shown) as shown in Fig. 22(b), and the stored cleaning agent 103 is put into the powder input hopper 413. After that, it is the same as the above-described process. As shown in Fig. 22(c), the introduction side opening 1001 of the powder input hopper 413 is closed by the hopper closing member 400, and the suction device 415 is operated to clean the inner wall of the powder input hopper 413.

[0208] Next, other noteworthy functions of the above-described medicine dispensing devices 1 and 100 will be described. Similar to the known one, the medicine dispensing devices 1 and 100 evenly disperse the powder 445 into the medicine input groove 32 of the distribution dish 35 as shown in Fig. 23(a), and drop the scraping disk 446 of the scraping device 37 into the medicine input groove 32 of the distribution dish 35 as shown in Fig. 23(b). Further, after that, the distribution dish 35 is rotated in the direction of the arrow by an angle corresponding to the number of distributions, and the powder 445 distributed in the medicine input groove 32 within the rotation range is gathered in front of the scraping disk 446 as shown in Fig. 23(c). Then, the scraping disk 446 is rotated to discharge the powder 445 in the gathered area from the distribution dish 35 as shown in Fig. 23(d). After that, this division and scraping process is repeated to discharge all the powder 445 dispersed on the distribution dish 35.

[0209] Here, in the medicine dispensing devices 1 and 100 of this embodiment, only in the final division and scraping process, the distribution dish 35 is rotated over a wider angle than in the case of the previous division and scraping processes. The reasons will be described below. As described above, when the powder medicine 445 is evenly dispersed in the medicine input groove 32 of the distribution plate 35 as shown in Fig. 23(a) and the scraping disk 446 of the scraping device 37 is dropped into the medicine input groove 32 of the distribution plate 35 as shown in Fig. 23(b), the continuously distributed powder medicine 445 will be partitioned by the wall of the scraping disk 446.

[0210] When the distribution plate 35 is rotated, the powder medicine 445 distributed in the medicine input groove 32 within the rotation range is collected by the scraping disk 446 as shown in Fig. 23(c). However, the remaining powder medicine 445 is in a situation where it is as if the supporting wall has disappeared, and some of the powder medicine 447 collapses and spills into the area where the scraping disk 446 has advanced. Therefore, in this embodiment, during the last division and scraping process, as shown in Fig. 24(b), the distribution plate 35 is rotated beyond the position 448 where the scraping disk 446 was first inserted to collect the collapsed and spread powder medicine 447. That is, in this embodiment, after the distribution plate 35 is rotated one full circle (360 degrees), it is further rotated by an additional angle +θ (plus theta) from the one - full - circle position 448.

[0211] Furthermore, in the medicine dispensing device 1,100 of this embodiment, the additional angle +θ (plus theta) is automatically changed according to the properties of the powder medicine 445. Here, the properties of the powder medicine 445 that are factors in determining the additional angle +θ (plus theta) are the ease of spreading, fluidity, viscosity, etc. of the powder medicine, and these change depending on the particle size and stickiness. For example, the fluidity of the powder medicine and the ease of discharge from the medicine container 4 are experimentally determined in advance, and all the powder medicine is divided into multiple stages. This is, for example, referred to as the "flow coefficient", and the powder medicine is divided into a flow coefficient from 1 to 8.

[0212] For example, the smaller the flow coefficient, the higher the fluidity and the easier it is to spread. For example, if the flow coefficient is 5, it is a powder medicine that is likely to solidify, has a small amount of crumbling, and is difficult to spread, so the additional angle +θ is limited to a narrow range of about 1 / 9 of a circle (40 degrees). On the other hand, if the flow coefficient is 2, it is a powder medicine that is likely to crumble and has a tendency to spread widely, so the additional angle +θ is set to a wide angle of about 1 / 6 of a circle (60 degrees). Therefore, according to the medicine dispensing devices 1 and 100 of the present embodiment, the spread powder medicine 447 can be reliably recovered, and the distribution dish 35 does not rotate to a wasteful range, so the efficiency is high. Therefore, the required time for the entire series of processes can be shortened.

[0213] Also, the medicine dispensing devices 1 and 100 are provided with a medicine packaging device 53 and a printing means in the medicine packaging area 14 as described above, and the powder medicine supplied from the medicine dividing area 13 is sealed and packaged one dose at a time by a sealing device. Then, as shown in FIG. 25, the powder medicine for one dose is packaged in a bag shape, and the individual packages 451 are discharged as a medicine packaging belt 452 connected in a belt shape. Also, the medicine dispensing devices 1 and 100 of the present embodiment are provided with a printing means as described above and can print predetermined information on the sub-packaging bags. For example, as shown in FIG. 25, the name of the user and the usage method are printed on each individual package 451. Also, a dispensing record 453 is described at the end of the medicine packaging belt 452. For example, when the dispensing of the powder medicine is performed normally, it is printed as "normal" as shown in FIG. 25(a). On the other hand, when any abnormality occurs during the dispensing of the powder medicine, for example, as shown in FIG. 25(a), it is printed as "dispensing abnormality", and a caution display indicating that some problem has occurred is printed.

[0214] Furthermore, in the medicine dispensing devices 1 and 100 of the present embodiment, the printing means can print not only in black but also in multiple colors such as red and blue, or can add lines or marks. The method of performing multicolor printing is not limited. For example, it may be equipped with a large number of ink nozzles or ink application bodies (such as pen tips) to perform multicolor display, or may be equipped with transfer papers of different colors and have a structure that automatically changes the transfer paper to change the color. In the medicine dispensing devices 1 and 100 of the present embodiment, when any abnormality occurs during the dispensing of powders, for example, the dispensing record is printed in a conspicuous color such as red, or a conspicuous color mark or line is added under the characters or to a part of the bag. In the present embodiment, a red line 455 is added under the characters "dispensing abnormality".

[0215] As the cause of the occurrence of the above-mentioned "dispensing abnormality", for example, the medicine dispensing devices 1 and 100 are vibrated, and a large amount of powder is temporarily discharged from the medicine container 4, or the vibration of the container mounting device 36 is unstable. Also, in the medicine dispensing devices 1 and 100 of the present embodiment, when a dispensing abnormality occurs, a notice to that effect is displayed on the operation display unit 3. Here, since the display on the operation display unit 3 generally changes by a predetermined operation, there are cases where pharmacists etc. may not notice. However, according to the present embodiment, an abnormality display is made on the discharged medicine packaging tape 452, and further, a device is provided to make this conspicuous, so that an abnormality will be noticed during inspection etc. before the individual package 451 is handed to the patient.

[0216] In the medicine dispensing devices 1 and 100 of the present embodiment, for example, when any abnormality occurs, for example, the prescription ID is stored in the storage means of the control device, and when the powder corresponding to the prescription ID is packaged, a specific color is attached to the dispensing record to make it conspicuous. In this way, the occurrence of an abnormality can be associated with the medicine packaging. The location where printing is done in red etc. is not limited to the end of the medicine packaging tape 452, and may be the medicine packaging tape 452, the middle part, or the individual packages 451.

[0217] As described above, in the drug dispensing devices 1 and 100 of the present embodiment, after the drug container 4 is placed on the container placement device 36 and a predetermined amount of medicine is put into the dispensing tray 35, the weight of the drug container 4 is confirmed by the weight measuring means 52 of the container placement device 36. Also, the weight of the drug container 4 is reconfirmed at the container temporary placement parts 18 and 101. In this way, the weight measurement of the drug container 4 after drug discharge is carried out at a plurality of locations, but it is desirable to carry out the measurement a plurality of times at each measurement location as well. The allowable amount of the weight of the drug container 4 has an upper limit and a lower limit. If it is within this upper limit or lower limit and is a value close to the upper limit or lower limit, it is desirable to measure the weight of the drug container 4 again just to be safe. Similarly, when it is outside the upper limit or lower limit, a warning operation is performed on the system and a warning display is made on the operation display unit 3, etc. However, when the amount by which it is outside is extremely small, considering the influence of slight vibrations during weight measurement, etc., it is desirable not to execute the warning operation immediately and to measure the weight of the drug container 4 again.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0218] 1 Drug dispensing device 4 Drug container 10 Housing 16 Door part 18 Container temporary placement part 23 Container storage part 28 Container moving means 35 Dispensing tray 36 Container placement device

Claims

[Claim 1] A powdered medicine supply method for a medicine dispensing device including a plurality of medicine containers storing the same type of powdered medicine, a container storage unit for installing and storing the plurality of medicine containers, a container moving means, a plurality of container mounting devices, and two distribution trays, Each of the two distribution trays has a container mounting device on its periphery; When the container storage section is equipped with two or more drug containers storing the same type of powdered medicine, the container moving means transports and places the two or more drug containers from the container storage section onto the container placement devices provided on each of the two distribution trays; A powdered medicine supplying method for supplying the same type of powdered medicine from two or more medicine containers transported to and placed on a container mounting device to each of two distribution trays.

Images