Packaging device and medicine packaging machine

Abstract

To provide a packaging device which enables an operator to safely perform replacement work of packaging paper and a medicine packaging machine equipped with the same.SOLUTION: A packaging device 8 comprises: a packaging device main body 43 that holds a packaging paper roll 29A; a tension applying section 47 that applies tension to packaging paper 29 drawn from the packaging paper roll 29A; a printing section 32 that performs printing on the packaging paper 29; a hopper 22 that supplies medicine into the packaging paper 29; a heater unit 33 that thermally welds the packaging paper 29; a conveying section 34 that conveys the packaging paper 29; a cutting section 35 that cuts the packaging paper 29; and a discharge port 36 that discharges the packaging paper 29. The threading work of grasping an end of the packaging paper 29 and threading the packaging paper 29 through the interior of the packaging device main body 43 during replacement of the packaging paper roll 29A can be completed without folding the packaging paper 29 in a direction not heading toward the discharge port 36 between the tension applying section 47 and the conveying section 34 and in a state where tension is continuously applied to the packaging paper 29.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging device for packaging medicines and a medicine dispensing and packaging machine equipped with the packaging device. [Background technology]

[0002] A known packaging device encloses powder or solid packaged items in long wrapping paper divided into predetermined lengths and seals the wrapping paper with heat after the packaged items are enclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Also known is a configuration in which the above-mentioned packaging device is added with a tablet discharge device or powder medicine dispensing device that discharges predetermined amounts of medicine as packaged items, thereby operating as a medicine packaging machine (see, for example, Patent Documents 2, 3, and 4).

[0003] The packaging device of such a medicine packaging machine uses long paper packets as packaging paper for packaging medicines. The paper packets, made of a thin resin sheet, are folded in half along their short edges and wound into a roll. When in use, the paper is pulled out of the roll as needed by the conveyor. The paper packets pulled out of the roll are heated along their short edges by a heater unit in the packaging machine to form individual packets separated in the conveying direction. A single dose of medicine is enclosed in each of the formed individual packets, which are then heated and sealed by the heater unit. Once the paper packets containing all the medicines to be packaged based on the prescription information have been packaged, they are cut and ejected from the machine, and the remaining paper packets are used for packaging medicines based on new prescription information.

[0004] As the roll of packaging paper described above is consumed, it becomes empty when a preset amount is reached, and a message to that effect is displayed on the medicine packaging machine, prohibiting any further packaging operations. When the roll of packaging paper is empty, the operator of the medicine packaging machine responds to this message and loads a new roll of packaging paper into the packaging device. The procedure for loading a new roll of packaging paper into the medicine packaging machine is described below. First, the main body cover of the medicine packaging machine is opened to expose the packaging device. Next, the conveying section that conveys the packaging paper and the conveying path of the heater unit are opened, and the remaining packaging paper and the core supporting the roll of packaging paper are removed.

[0005] Next, the core of a new roll of packaging paper is loaded into the packaging device, and the leading edge of the paper is fed into the packaging device. During this feeding, the leading edge of the paper passes through a tension bar that applies tension to the paper as it is pulled off the roll, and through the open conveying section and heater unit conveying paths. The paper is then clamped in the conveying section, the leading edge of which is inserted into the hopper, and is then clamped in the heater unit, where tension is applied after the heater unit's safety cover is closed. The conveying section and heater unit are then operated in increments to convey a predetermined amount of paper, which is then cut at a predetermined position, completing the installation of the new roll of packaging paper. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-051305 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-188101 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-168427 [Patent Document 4] Patent No. 3524680 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] When the leading edge of a new packet paper is passed through the packaging machine, it must pass through various parts inside the packaging machine, including the conveying section and the conveying path of the heater unit. However, the path along which the packet paper is conveyed inside the packaging machine is not linear, which can be difficult to understand. Furthermore, the paper is passed through while the operator holds the leading edge of the packet paper, but conventionally, this requires the operator to release their grip on the leading edge of the packet paper and operate various parts of the packaging machine, such as opening and closing them or operating buttons, which can be cumbersome. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide a packaging device that allows an operator to easily and clearly replace packaging paper, and a medicine packaging machine equipped with the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The invention described in claim 1 comprises a packaging device main body that holds a roll of sachet paper, a tension applying unit that applies tension to sachet paper pulled out from the sachet paper roll, a printing unit that prints on the sachet paper, a hopper that supplies medicine to the inside of the sachet paper, a heater unit that heat-welds the sachet paper, a conveying unit that conveys the sachet paper, a cutting unit that cuts the sachet paper, and an outlet that discharges the sachet paper, and is characterized in that when replacing the sachet paper roll, the paper passing operation of grasping the end of the sachet paper and passing it through the inside of the packaging device main body can be completed without folding the sachet paper back in a direction that is not toward the outlet between the tension applying unit and the conveying unit, and with tension constantly applied to the sachet paper. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a packaging device and a medicine packaging machine equipped with the same that can facilitate paper passing operations by increasing the number of straight sections and simplifying operations, thereby significantly improving the workability of replacing packaging paper rolls. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic front view of the internal configuration of a medicine packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a medicine packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a powdered medicine processing unit of a medicine packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a hopper and its surroundings used in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of a hopper and a vibrating feeder used in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a trough used in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the positional relationship between a distribution disk and a trough used in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic side view of the internal configuration of a medicine packaging machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a packaging device used in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic side view illustrating a packaging device used in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the periphery of a sealing unit in a packaging device used in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 12] 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the periphery of a sealing unit in a packaging device used in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 13] 1A is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a detachable portion of a pressing member used in one embodiment of the present invention is not displaced; FIG. 1B is a schematic view showing a state in which the pressing member is attached to a packaging device main body; [Figure 14] 1A is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a detachable portion of a pressing member used in one embodiment of the present invention is displaced; FIG. 1B is a schematic view illustrating a state in which the pressing member is detached from a packaging device main body; [Figure 15] 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating the open and closed states of a pair of transport rollers used in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating the open and closed states of a pair of transport rollers used in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating the open and closed states of a pair of transport rollers used in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating the open and closed states of a pair of transport rollers used in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a printer used in an embodiment of the present invention is in a printing position. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the printer used in the embodiment of the present invention is in a paper passing position. [Figure 21] 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a packaging paper feed section used in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 22] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the main parts of a packaging paper feeding unit used in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 23] 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operating state of a packaging paper feed unit used in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 24] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the difference between a packaging paper feed unit used in one embodiment of the present invention and a conventional packaging paper feed unit. [Figure 25] 10 is a schematic diagram showing the heater unit when replacing the packaging paper roll in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 26] 10 is a schematic diagram showing the heater unit when replacing the packaging paper roll in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 27] 10 is a schematic diagram showing the heater unit when replacing the packaging paper roll in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 28] 10 is a schematic diagram showing the heater unit when replacing the packaging paper roll in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 29] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the heater unit section when replacing the packaging paper roll in a modified example of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 30] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the heater unit section when replacing the packaging paper roll in a modified example of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 31]FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the heater unit section when replacing the packaging paper roll in a modified example of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 32] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the heater unit section when replacing the packaging paper roll in a modified example of one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Figure 1 shows a schematic front view of the internal structure of a medicine packaging machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the same. In each figure, when the medicine packaging machine is viewed from the front where an operator stands, the direction from left to right is the X direction, the direction from the front to the back is the Y direction, and the direction from bottom to top is the Z direction.

[0012] The medicine packaging machine 1 is provided with a tablet processing unit 5 at the top of the device main body 2, which includes a manual distribution unit 3 located on the top surface of the device main body 2 and through which an operator manually adds medicines such as tablets, and a transport unit 4 that transports the medicines added to the manual distribution unit 3 to a packaging device 8 located below, which will be described later. The medicine packaging machine 1 also has a powder medicine processing unit 7 below the tablet processing unit 5, which includes a distribution disk 6 through which an operator adds a weighed amount of medicine such as powder medicine and distributes it to the specified amount specified in the prescription. The medicine packaging machine 1 also has a packaging device 8 below the device main body 2, which individually packages medicines, including tablets and powder medicines, sent from the tablet processing unit 5 and the powder medicine processing unit 7 in packaging paper. The medicine packaging machine 1 functions as a medicine packaging machine that packages a mixture of tablets and powdered medicine, a powdered medicine packaging machine that packages powdered medicine, and a tablet packaging machine that packages tablets.

[0013] In this embodiment, the drug packaging machine 1 is shown as being configured to integrally include a tablet processing unit 5, a powdered medicine processing unit 7, and a packaging device 8, but it may also be configured to have a tablet cassette that stores tablets and sends them one by one to the tablet drop path, or a powdered medicine cassette and storage shelf for storing powdered medicine. The medicine dispensing and packaging machine 1 shown in this embodiment is provided with a control unit 9 on top of the device main body 2, in which applications and the like for controlling the operation of each component of the device are installed.

[0014] As shown in Figure 2, the tablet processing unit 5 is located at the top of the device main body 2 and has a manual distribution unit 3 covered by an openable and closable lid, and a conveying unit 4 located below the manual distribution unit 3 and conveying tablets fed into the manual distribution unit 3 downward. The manual distribution unit 3 has multiple divided compartments 3a, and tablets are manually distributed into each compartment 3a. The transport unit 4 is movable left and right in FIG. 1 and has multiple compartments 4a corresponding to each compartment 3a. When the transport unit 4 assumes its initial position where each compartment 4a is located below the corresponding compartment 3a, the bottom of each compartment 3a is opened and the tablets are transported to each compartment 4a. Thereafter, as the transport unit 4 moves rightward from the initial position in the +X direction, the tablets transported into each compartment 4a are released into the tablet hopper 10 each time the transport unit 4 moves one square of the compartment 4a and the compartment 4a reaches the tablet hopper 10 located below. The tablet hopper 10 is located at the rear of the device, in the +Y direction, of the powdered medicine processing unit 7.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 3, the powdered medicine processing unit 7 has a circular distribution disk 6, two troughs 11 arranged facing each other on the front side of the distribution disk 6 below an input hopper 15 (described later) for transporting the powdered medicine input into the input hopper 15 toward the distribution disk 6, and a feeder drive unit 12 arranged adjacent to the input hopper 15 and the trough 11 for vibrating the input hopper 15 and the trough 11. As shown in Fig. 1, an annular groove 6a is formed on the upper surface of the distribution disk 6 to uniformly distribute the powdered medicine.

[0016] The powdered medicine processing section 7 has a cutting and cleaning device 13 downstream of the trough 11 in the rotation direction of the distribution disk 6. In this embodiment, the rotation direction of the distribution disk 6 is described as counterclockwise, but the rotation direction of the distribution disk 6 may also be clockwise. In this embodiment, the input hopper 15 and the trough 11 form a pair and are arranged so that the two pairs face each other, and the cutting and cleaning device 13 is arranged on the most downstream side of the pair of input hopper 15 and trough 11. The cutting and cleaning device 13 scrapes out the powdered medicine scattered on the distribution disk 6 toward the tablet confluence section 14 and cleans the annular groove 6a after the powdered medicine has been scraped out. In Figure 2, the upper part of the device main body 2, including the manual distribution section 3, is configured to be openable upward using the +Y direction end as a fulcrum, and each part of the powdered medicine processing section 7 can be cleaned with the upper part of the device main body 2 open.

[0017] As shown in Figure 4, the feeding hopper 15 is detachably supported by a hopper holding frame 16 provided on the feeder drive unit 12. The feeding hopper 15 has a funnel shape that narrows downward, and the powdered medicine inside falls into the trough 11 from an opening 20 (see Figure 5) provided at the lowest part. The outer surface of the feeding hopper 15 is provided with triangular protrusions 15a that protrude outward, at two locations on each side, for a total of four locations. These protrusions 15a engage with the hopper holding frame 16, thereby supporting the feeding hopper 15 on the hopper holding frame 16.

[0018] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, trough 11 is supported by vibrating unit 17 extending from feeder drive unit 12 and is arranged to slope gently downward from the rear end to the front end. As shown in Figures 4 and 6, trough 11 has powdered medicine dispensing unit 18 at its front end, which is formed to move the powdered medicine toward the center so that the powdered medicine falls into the center of annular groove 6a, and sloped unit 19, which is formed to taper toward powdered medicine dispensing unit 18 and have an increasing slope. The vibrating unit 17 is a vibrating plate that is vibrated by the feeder driving unit 12, and vibrates finely based on a signal from the feeder driving unit 12, causing the trough 11 placed above to vibrate finely. By applying vibrations from the vibrating unit 17, the powdered medicine placed on the trough 11 is transported in the X direction.

[0019] Hopper holding frame 16, which is made of a pipe-shaped member, is a rectangular frame body that is open at the tip end on the X-direction side of input hopper 15, and supports each of protrusions 15a from below. As shown in Fig. 5, hopper holding frame 16 is rotatably supported at its rear end by a support shaft 21, and input hopper 15 can be moved up and down around support shaft 21 as hopper holding frame 16 rotates. As shown in Figure 5, by rotating the feeding hopper 15 upward, the gap between the opening 20 and the trough 11 increases, and the amount of powdered medicine that falls from the feeding hopper 15 increases. The powdered medicine that falls from the feeding hopper 15 onto the trough 11 is transported along the bottom surface of the trough 11, which is vibrated by the vibrating section 17, and falls into the annular groove 6a of the distribution disk 6 via the inclined section 19 and the powdered medicine cutting section 18.

[0020] The powdered medicine dispensing section 18 is a recess formed in the widthwise center of the trough 11. As shown in FIG. 6, both sides of the dispensing section 18 narrow in the direction of transport so that the powdered medicine gathers toward the end of the dispensing section. The powdered medicine dispensing section 18 is positioned in a recessed portion in the annular center of the distribution disk 6, most preferably directly above the center of the annular groove 6a. The powdered medicine transported through the trough 11 falls into the center of the annular groove 6a of the distribution disk 6. The amount of powdered medicine falling from the powdered medicine dispensing section 18 can be adjusted by controlling the vibration of the vibration section 17. Typically, as shown in FIG. 7, the amount of powdered medicine falling from the powdered medicine dispensing section 18 is adjusted so that a predetermined amount falls at a time. With this configuration, by rotating the distribution disk 6 at a predetermined rotational speed for one or more revolutions, a pile of powdered medicine is uniformly distributed on the annular groove 6a.

[0021] Once the powdered medicine has been evenly dispersed on the annular groove 6a, the control unit 9 rotates the distribution disk 6 by a predetermined angle. Specifically, if one rotation is 360 degrees, which is one prescription, and the medicine is to be divided into ten packets, the disk 6 is rotated 36 degrees at a time, so that the appropriate amount for one packet is collected near the cutting and cleaning device 13, which then deposits the powdered medicine into the hopper 22 shown in FIG. 1. 3, the cutting and cleaning device 13 has at one end a circular disk 23 whose periphery abuts against the annular groove 6a, and a scraper 24 rotatably attached to the disk 23 for scooping up and scraping out the powdered medicine on the annular groove 6a blocked by the disk 23. At the other end of the cutting and cleaning device 13 is provided a cleaner unit 25 for cleaning the distribution disk 6 after packaging of one prescription has been completed.

[0022] 8 shows a schematic side view of the internal configuration of a medicine packaging machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, tablet confluence section 14 guides tablets dropped from tablet processing section 5 via conveying section 4 and powdered medicine dispensed into individual packets in powdered medicine processing section 7 to hopper 22 via separate paths. The tablet confluence section 14 has a push-pull member 26 that is provided at the bottom of the tablet hopper 10 and collects tablets that have fallen through the tablet hopper 10, and a moving member 27 that moves the push-pull member 26 from the position shown in Figure 8 toward the front of the device in the -Y direction. 8, a suction device 42 for suctioning air is disposed in the middle of the device body 2. The suction device 42 is provided with a plurality of suction ports 42a that open to the outside and fins disposed inside the device, and air is sucked in from various parts of the device on the front side and exhausted from the rear side of the device. A cleaning device and a cutting cleaning device 13 for cleaning the outside and inside of the device are connected to the suction device 42.

[0023] In its initial standby state, which is its initial state, the tablet junction 14 is in the state shown in FIG. 8, in which the push-pull member 26 is positioned below the tablet hopper 10, and when tablets are discharged from the tablet processing unit 5, the push-pull member 26 receives the discharged tablets. When the tablet junction 14 discharges the tablets in the push-pull member 26, it operates the moving member 27 to move the push-pull member 26 to the left in FIG. 8, causing the tablets in the push-pull member 26 to fall into a receiving hopper 28 provided above the hopper 22. The receiving hopper 28 has a bottom plate that can be opened and closed freely, and when this bottom plate is opened, the medicine inside falls into the hopper 22.

[0024] The medicines such as tablets and / or powder medicine that have fallen into hopper 22 are packaged in packaging paper 29 by packaging device 8 shown in Figures 1, 9, and 10. The arrows in Figures 9 and 10 indicate the front of medicine packaging machine 1. Packaging device 8 includes, in order along the conveyance path of packing paper 29, packing paper feed unit 30 that holds packing paper roll 29A and applies appropriate tension to packing paper 29 to feed it out from the leading edge, marker unit 31 that draws lines on packing paper 29, printer 32 as a printing unit that prints on packing paper 29, heater unit 33 that heats and fuses packing paper 29, hopper 22 that moves up and down to insert and remove the leading edge of packing paper 29 folded in half, conveying roller pair 34 as a roller pair constituting a conveyance unit that conveys packing paper 29, and cutter 35 as a cutting unit that cuts packing paper 29 (see FIG. 11). A pair of diagonal rollers 51 are provided between printer 32 and heater unit 33 to guide packing paper 29 conveyed upward by changing direction to the lower left.

[0025] After tablets, powdered medicines, etc. are sealed in compartments of a specified length, one end of the packaging paper 29 is heat-fused and the paper is discharged from the downstream outlet 36 to the outside of the packaging device at the length set in the prescription information. Packaging paper 29 is folded in half along its short edge with one side open, and is then drawn out from packaging paper feeder 30, which is provided in packaging device main body 43 and rotatably holds packaging paper roll 29A. Packaging paper 29 drawn from packaging paper feeder 30 is marked with a line by marker unit 31 if necessary, printed by printer 32, and then moves below hopper 22, whereupon the front end in the conveying direction is sealed by heater unit 33, medicines are poured into the paper by hopper 22, the top end is sealed, and the paper is either cut by cutter 35 or perforated before being discharged.

[0026] The heater unit section 33 has a pressing member 37 that is detachable from the packaging device main body 43. Fig. 11 shows the heater unit section 33 with the pressing member 37 removed, and Fig. 12 shows the heater unit section 33 with the pressing member 37 attached. Fig. 13 (a) shows the pressing member 37 attached to the packaging device main body 43, and (b) shows the heater unit section 33 with the pressing member 37 attached. Fig. 14 (a) shows the pressing member 37 removed from the packaging device main body 43, and (b) shows the heater unit section 33 with the pressing member 37 removed.

[0027] The heater unit 33 includes a pressing member 37 and a pressing member receiving portion 37A on the packaging device main body 43 side to which the pressing member 37 is attached and detached. The pressing member receiving portion 37A is provided with a heater 38 that heats the packing paper 29 and simultaneously performs conventional vertical and horizontal sealing on the packing paper 29, and a perforation blade receiving portion 40 that receives a perforation blade 39. The pressing member 37 is provided with a heater receiving portion 38A that receives the heater 38 and the perforation blade 39. Generally, the heater 38 is in a heated state in preparation for the packaging operation when the packaging device 8 is in operation. When attached to the packaging device main body 43, the pressing member 37 is configured to be able to move toward and away from the packing paper 29. During the packaging operation, a displacement mechanism (not shown) is activated to bring the pressing member 37 into contact with the pressing member receiving portion 37A via the packing paper 29. This contact causes the packing paper 29 to be sealed by the heater 38 and perforations to be formed in the packing paper 29.

[0028] The pressing member 37 is spaced apart from the packaging paper 29 during non-packaging operations, and comes into contact with the packaging paper 29 only during packaging operations due to the operation of a displacement mechanism (not shown). The pressing member 37 selectively occupies a contact position where it comes into contact with the packaging paper 29 and a spaced position where it is spaced apart from the packaging paper 29, the contact position functioning as a welding position where the packaging paper 29 is welded, and the spaced position functioning as a paper passing position where the packaging paper 29 can be passed through. A pair of transport rollers 34 and a cutter 35 are provided downstream of heater unit 33 in the direction in which the packaging paper is transported. Packaging paper 29 discharged from discharge outlet 36 is stored in packaging paper container 41, which is detachably mounted on device main body 2, as shown in Figure 1 etc.

[0029] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, a detachable portion 37a is provided on the upper portion of the pressing member 37. The detachable portion 37a is rotatably supported by a support shaft 37b, and a gripping portion 37c that is gripped by an operator is provided on the upper portion of the detachable portion 37a. Both side ends of the detachable portion 37a extend downward, and hook-shaped engaging portions 37d are formed at the ends of each extension. The detachable portion 37a is rotated in the direction of arrow A in Figure 14 from the state shown in Figure 13 by gripping the gripping portions 37c. A torsion spring (not shown) is provided between the detachable portion 37a and the support shaft 37b, and when the external force acting on the detachable portion 37a is released, the detachable portion 37a returns to the initial position shown in Figure 13 by the biasing force of the torsion spring.

[0030] On both sides of the detachable portion 37a, protruding pieces 37e are provided integrally with the pressing member main body 37h and support the support shaft 37b. The protruding pieces 37e protrude beyond both side surfaces of the detachable portion 37a toward the pressing member receiving portion 37A. A groove-shaped engagement portion 37f is provided at the tip of each protruding piece 37e, and a relief portion 37g is provided at the bottom of the base end. The pressing member main body 37h is sized to completely cover the heater 38 and prevent the heater 38 from being exposed to the outside. At the portion of the packaging device main body 43 where the pressing member 37 is attached and detached, there are provided an engaged portion 43a made of a round bar with which each engaging portion 37d can engage, and an engaged portion 43b made of a round bar with which each engaging portion 37f can engage.

[0031] With the above-described configuration, when the pressing member 37 is attached to the packaging device main body 43 as shown in Figures 12 and 13(b), the engaging portion 37f engages with the engaged portion 43b, and the engaging portion 37d engages with the engaged portion 43a as shown by symbol B in Figure 13(b). 14, when the gripping portion 37c is grasped and the detachable portion 37a is rotated in the direction of arrow A from the state shown in FIG. 13, the engaging portion 37d and the engaged portion 43a are disengaged as shown by reference symbol C in FIG. 14(b). At this time, the engaging portion 37f and the engaged portion 43b continue to be engaged as shown by reference symbol D in the same figure. However, by displacing the pressing member 37 in the direction shown by reference symbol E from the state shown in FIG. 14(b), the engaging portion 37f and the engaged portion 43b are disengaged, and the pressing member 37 can be removed from the packaging device main body 43. When attaching the pressing member 37 to the packaging device main body 43, the above-described operations can be performed in reverse order.

[0032] Next, the conveying roller pair 34 will be described with reference to Figure 15. Figure 15 is a view of the conveying roller pair 34 as seen from the direction indicated by arrow F in Figure 12. In Figure 15, the conveying roller pair 34 is made up of a fixed roller 34a which is a drive roller and a movable roller 34b which is a driven roller. The fixed roller 34a is rotatably supported by the packaging device main body 43, and is driven to rotate by a drive motor (not shown) provided in the packaging device main body 43. Movable roller 34b is rotatably supported by slider 34c, and slider 34c is supported by packaging device main body 43 so as to be slidable left and right in Figure 15. The position where movable roller 34b contacts fixed roller 34a is the limit of slider 34c's movement to the right, as shown in Figure 15, and slider 34c can slide a predetermined distance to the left from this position. The position where rollers 34a, 34b contact each other, indicated by the symbol G in Figure 15, functions as a clamping position where packing paper 29 is clamped and conveyed by conveying roller pair 34.

[0033] A gripping portion 34d is provided on the left end of the top surface of the slider 34c, and is gripped by an operator when moving the slider 34c. A posture control device 34e is provided on the lower right side of the slider 34c, controlling the posture of the conveying roller pair 34. The posture control device 34e, indicated by the symbol H in FIG. 15, includes a compression coil spring 34f, a spring seat 34g, and a control piece 34h. The spring seat 34g, which supports the compression coil spring 34f, is disposed on the lower right side of the slider 34c, and the compression coil spring 34f contacts the packaging device main body 43. The control piece 34h is rotatably attached to the packaging device main body 43 near the position where the compression coil spring 34f contacts. The control piece 34h is substantially rectangular, and a notch is provided in the center of each of the opposing short sides. A window portion 34i is provided at the lower right side of the slider 34c to expose the control piece 34h within the range of movement of the slider 34c, and a first protrusion portion 34j and a second protrusion portion 34k are formed in the window portion 34i so as to be engageable with each notch portion of the control piece 34h.

[0034] The following describes how the posture of the conveying roller pair 34 is changed based on the above-described configuration. From the state shown in Fig. 15 in which the conveying roller pair 34 is in the clamping position, the operator grasps the gripping portion 34d and moves the slider 34c toward the left, as indicated by arrow I in Fig. 16. When the slider 34c reaches its limit of movement to the left, as indicated by the symbol J in Fig. 16, the rollers 34a, 34b open to their maximum extent, and one notch in the control piece 34h comes into contact with the second protrusion 34k. When the operator releases the grip of the grip portion 34d from the state shown in Fig. 16, the biasing force of the compression coil spring 34f moves the slider 34c to the right from the state shown in Fig. 16. During this movement, the control piece 34h is pushed by the second protrusion 34k and rotates counterclockwise, but as the slider 34c moves, the other notch of the control piece 34h comes into contact with the first protrusion 34j, resulting in the state shown in Fig. 17.

[0035] In the state shown in Figure 17, the other notch of control piece 34h comes into contact with first protrusion 34j, as indicated by the symbol K. As a result, the biasing force of compression coil spring 34f that biases slider 34c to the right is canceled out by restricting counterclockwise rotation of control piece 34h, and rollers 34a, 34b remain open at a predetermined distance, as indicated by the symbol L. The position of rollers 34a, 34b indicated by the symbol L in Figure 17 functions as a paper-passing position where packet paper 29 can be passed between the pair of conveyor rollers 34. When the operator grasps the gripping portion 34d from the state shown in Figure 17 and moves the slider 34c toward the left as indicated by the arrow M in Figure 18, the rollers 34a, 34b open to their maximum extent as indicated by the symbol N in Figure 18, and the engagement between the other notch of the control piece 34h and the first protrusion 34j is released, and the part of the control piece 34h that is not the notch comes into contact with the second protrusion 34k. When the biasing force on the slider 34c in the direction of arrow M is released from the state shown in Figure 18, the slider 34c moves to the right from the state shown in Figure 18 due to the biasing force of the compression coil spring 34f, and each roller 34a, 34b returns to the clamping position shown in Figure 15.

[0036] Next, the printer 32 will be described using Figures 19 and 20. Figures 19 and 20 are views of the printer 32 seen from the side of the packaging device 8, and the printer 32 has a printer main body 32a and a cover 32b. Figures 19(a) and 20(a) show the printer main body 32a with the cover 32b attached, and Figures 19(b) and 20(b) show the printer main body 32a with the cover 32b removed. As shown in Figures 19(b) and 20(b), a printer head 32c that prints on the packaging paper 29 is movably provided in the printer main body 32a, and as shown in Figures 19(a) and 20(a), a knob 32d is provided on the cover 32b for moving the printer head 32c.

[0037] Knob 32d is rotatably supported on cover 32b by a spindle 32e, and a shaft 32f that rotates integrally with knob 32d is rotatably supported on spindle 32e. An arm 32g extends from shaft 32f, and a cam follower 32h is rotatably attached to the tip of arm 32g. A stopper 32i that restricts counterclockwise movement of cam follower 32h is provided on the movement trajectory of cam follower 32h, and a counterclockwise biasing force is applied to shaft 32f by a biasing member (not shown). Printer head 32c has head section 32j near one end that prints on packaging paper 29, and is supported by printer body 32a so that it can swing freely around support shaft 32k located near the other end. A stopper 32l that restricts clockwise swing of printer head 32c is provided on the swing trajectory of printer head 32c, and a biasing force in the clockwise direction around support shaft 32k is applied to printer head 32c by a biasing member (not shown).

[0038] With the above-described configuration, cam follower 32h can selectively occupy either a first position, in which it contacts printer head 32c and moves it, as shown in FIG. 19(b), or a second position, in which it moves away from printer head 32c and contacts stopper 32i, as shown in FIG. 20(b). When knob 32d is rotated clockwise, as indicated by arrow O, as shown in FIG. 19(a), cam follower 32h is positioned at the first position. When cam follower 32h is in the first position, printer head 32c, as shown in FIG. 19(b), brings head portion 32j into contact with feed roller 32m, which is rotatably supported on printer body 32a, via packaging paper 29, and occupies a printing position, indicated by symbol Q in FIG. 19, where printing is performed on packaging paper 29. When knob 32d is rotated counterclockwise as indicated by arrow P as shown in Figure 20(a) from a state in which cam follower 32h is in the first position, cam follower 32h is positioned to the second position. When cam follower 32h is in the second position, printer head 32c, as shown in Figure 19(b), moves head portion 32j away from packaging paper 29 and assumes a paper passing position where packaging paper 29 can be passed through printer 32, as indicated by reference symbol R in Figure 20. In addition, the gripping portion 32d is provided with a holding member (not shown) that holds the cam follower 32h in the first position, and the printer 32 is configured to be able to maintain either the printing position or the paper passing position.

[0039] Next, we will explain packaging paper feed unit 30. As shown in Figures 9, 10, and 21, near the outlet for packaging paper 29 in packaging paper feed unit 30, there are provided movable roller 44, whose rotation axis is supported so as to be movable on the YZ plane, tension spring 45 that connects movable roller 44 to packaging device main body 43, sensor 46 that detects the position of movable roller 44, and roller 50 around which packaging paper 29 is wound. Movable roller 44 and tension spring 45 function as tension applying unit 47 that applies tension to packaging paper 29 pulled out from packaging paper roll 29A. Packaging paper feed unit 30 has a rotation mechanism 48 equipped with a driving motor (not shown) at the center of packaging paper roll 29A, and rotation mechanism 48 drives and rotates the motor (not shown) when the signal from sensor 46 turns off. Operation of rotation mechanism 48 causes packaging paper roll 29A held by packaging paper feed unit 30 to rotate counterclockwise in Figure 21, feeding packaging paper 29. Sensor 46 turns its signal off when movable roller 44 moves on the YZ plane, and turns its signal on when movable roller 44 is at the reference position.

[0040] In this embodiment, the sensor 46 is switched on and off as follows: When a microswitch 46a provided in the sensor 46 abuts against a bent portion 49a formed around the rotation axis S of the movable roller support portion 49 shown in Fig. 22, the sensor 46 is turned on. Then, when the movable roller support portion 49 rotates and the bent portion 49a passes the microswitch 46a, the microswitch 46a moves away from the bent portion 49a, and the sensor 46 is turned off. In this manner, in this embodiment, a contact-type sensor 46 is used that switches on and off when the bending portion 49a and the microswitch 46a come into contact with or separate from each other, and the range in which the sensor 46 is turned on can be controlled, for example, by changing the magnitude of the curvature of the bending portion 49a or the formation position.

[0041] In other words, the range where bent portion 49a and microswitch 46a contact is defined as the reference position of movable roller 44, and when movable roller 44 moves on the YZ plane to such an extent that bent portion 49a and microswitch 46a are separated, control unit 9 determines that movable roller 44 has moved. Note that instead of such a contact-type sensor, an optical sensor can also be used as sensor 46, and when an optical sensor is used, it may be arranged in a position opposite movable roller 44 and configured to switch off when movable roller 44 moves a predetermined distance or more. The above-described on and off determinations may be reversed, as long as the configuration is capable of detecting whether the position of the movable roller 44 is at the reference position. However, if a failure occurs in the sensor 46 and the rotation mechanism 48 is configured to be on when the sensor 46 is on, the rotation mechanism 48 will continue to rotate in the event of a power-on failure. On the other hand, if the rotation mechanism 48 is configured to be on when the sensor 46 is off, the rotation mechanism 48 will not operate in the event of a power outage and will not operate in the event of a power-on failure of the sensor 46, which is preferable to a configuration in which the rotation mechanism 48 is on when the sensor 46 is on.

[0042] As shown in Figure 22, movable roller 44 is a movable roller that is rotatably supported around packaging paper feed unit 30 by movable roller support part 49, which has rotation axis T on the X axis and is provided on the YZ plane. Movable roller 44 is biased in the direction indicated by arrow U by tension spring 45 so that it remains positioned at the reference position shown in Figure 21 where sensor 46 is turned on. Packaging paper 29 is wrapped around movable roller 44, and when packaging paper 29 is pulled by transport roller pair 34, it receives a force in the pulling direction indicated by arrow V in Figure 15 as the tension increases. 23, when the tension FA, which is the force in the pulling direction, exceeds a predetermined value, the movable roller 44 rotates together with the movable roller support part 49 in the direction of the arrow W around the rotation axis S. The threshold value of the tension FA that causes this action can be freely changed by setting it to an appropriate value, for example, by tightening the movable roller support part 49 or the biasing force of the tension spring 45, but it is desirable to set it to a value smaller than the tension that the packaging paper 29 can withstand without breaking, with the aim of preventing excessive tension on the packaging paper 29.

[0043] As described above, by making movable roller 44, which is located near the outlet of packaging paper feed unit 30, movable in the YZ plane, the transport path of packaging paper 29 becomes shorter when movable roller 44 rotates in the direction of arrow W, as shown in Figure 23(b). The tension applied to packaging paper 29 is strong when the length of packaging paper 29 is short compared to the length of the transport path, and conversely, slack occurs when the length of packaging paper 29 is long. In this way, the tension is relaxed when the transport path becomes shorter, and the tension temporarily weakens. 23(c), the shortening of the conveying path is set to an extreme extent, with the upper limit set to the movable range of movable roller support part 49. In this embodiment, the length of packaging paper 29 pulled out by conveying roller pair 34 can be changed (maximum length 80 mm in this embodiment), so movable roller support part 49 moves by an amount that relieves tension in accordance with this pulling amount.

[0044] The distance that movable roller 44 moves is not necessarily the set length for reasons such as the fact that it moves on an arc, that it changes depending on how packaging paper 29 is wrapped, and that it changes depending on the tightening torque of movable roller support part 49 and the tension of packaging paper 29. As described above, the rotation and movement of movable roller support part 49 changes the position of movable roller 44, thereby shortening the transport path of packaging paper 29, and so the tension on packaging paper 29 decreases, and when the tension falls below a force sufficient to move movable roller 44, the movement of movable roller 44 is stopped.

[0045] In a conventional configuration that does not have movable roller 44 and uses fixed roller 50 instead, the roll diameter of packaging paper roll 29A changes depending on the amount of packaging paper remaining in packaging paper roll 29A, as shown in Figure 24. Therefore, when a new packaging paper roll 29A is used immediately after roll replacement, the conveyance path is as shown by the dashed line, but once a certain amount of packaging paper 29 is consumed, the conveyance path becomes longer than when it was new, as shown by the solid line. As such, it was known that the length of the conveyance path varies depending on the roll diameter, i.e., the amount of packaging paper remaining in the roll, and therefore the tension on packaging paper 29 changes even when packaging paper 29 of the same length is conveyed by conveyance roller pair 34. To suppress such fluctuations in the tension of the packaging paper during use, for example, technology disclosed in JP 2005-343699 A employs a configuration in which a means for detecting the amount of winding is provided on the core of the sheet roll, and the amount of rotation is converted into the amount of winding to adjust the tension.

[0046] In the above-described configuration in which tension is varied based on the remaining amount of paper on the roll, it is necessary to understand the relationship between the amount of paper wound and the tension. Furthermore, since the amount of paper wound varies depending on the thickness of the paper, when multiple types of paper are used, the amount of rotation must be adjusted differently for each type of paper, complicating control. Furthermore, because the tension is increased or decreased by controlling the amount of rotation of the paper feeder 30, there is a concern that the motor and control unit required for rotation control may become complicated. Therefore, in this embodiment, a movable roller 44 that can move on the YZ plane is provided as a configuration that reduces the load by maintaining a constant tension on packaging paper 29 without the need to know the winding amount. Movable roller 44 moves on the YZ plane due to the rotation of movable roller support part 49 and the tension of packaging paper 29 around it.

[0047] Specifically, when the packing paper 29 is transported by the transport roller pair 34 and the tension of the packing paper 29 wrapped around the movable roller 44 exceeds a predetermined value, the movable roller 44 moves on the YZ plane in the direction of the tension, thereby relieving the tension and shortening the transport path. By shortening the transport path, the movable roller 44 creates slack in the packing paper 29 that counteracts the increased tension. This slack caused by the movement of movable roller 44 is only temporary, and the tension will increase again when movable roller 44 returns to its reference position. This condition is caused by the increase in tension on packaging paper 29 as a result of the conveying roller pair 34 pulling out a predetermined amount of packaging paper 29.

[0048] In this embodiment, when movable roller 44 moves from the reference position, packaging paper feed unit 30 is activated and packaging paper roll 29A rotates in the direction of arrow W1 shown in Figure 23(b) to unwind packaging paper 29 from packaging paper roll 29A, thereby counteracting the increase in tension on packaging paper 29. That is, in this embodiment, sensor 46 is provided as a means for detecting that movable roller 44 has moved from the reference position, and while sensor 46 is on, rotation mechanism 48 is activated to rotate packaging paper roll 29A in the direction that unwinds packaging paper 29. Then, when movable roller 44 is in the reference position, unwinding of packaging paper 29 is stopped. At this time, because the packaging paper 29 is temporarily loosened due to the movement of the movable roller 44, the rotation speed of the packaging paper feed unit 30 can be constant. With this configuration, the control unit 9 only needs to control the operation of the rotation mechanism 48 based on the detection results of the sensor 46 without performing complex rotation control, which contributes to lower costs and simplifies the drive unit, reducing the risk of failure.

[0049] After movable roller 44 moves from the reference position as packaging paper 29 is transported by transport roller pair 34, the tension of packaging paper 29 and the biasing force of tension spring 45 act on movable roller 44, and the positions of movable roller 44 and movable roller support part 49 change depending on the balance of these forces. Then, as described above, when packaging paper 29 is being unwound from packaging paper roll 29A by operation of rotation mechanism 48, the tension on packaging paper 29 decreases. In other words, if the conveying roller pair 34 initially conveys the packaging paper 29 a set length, the tension acting on the movable roller 44 when the packaging paper 29 is subsequently conveyed a set length will be the same as when the movable roller 44 is positioned at the reference position, as shown in Figure 23(a).

[0050] After conveying a predetermined amount of packaging paper 29, conveying roller pair 34 temporarily stops rotating until the next compartment is filled with medicines from hopper 22. As a result, as rotation mechanism 48 operates to unwind packaging paper 29 at a predetermined speed, the balance position of the tension of movable roller 44 gradually changes. As a result, movable roller 44 is moved toward and held at the reference position by the biasing force of tension spring 45 from a position where it has moved away from the reference position, as shown in Figure 23(b). In other words, movable roller 44 is returned to the reference position by the biasing force of tension spring 45 before conveying packaging paper 29 by conveying roller pair 34. In this way, by repeating the series of operations of conveying by the conveying roller pair 34, moving the movable roller 44 from the reference position, operating the rotation mechanism 48, and moving the movable roller 44 to the reference position by the force of the tension spring 45 as a packaging operation for each package, the packaging device 8 can seal the medicine in packaging paper 29 one package at a time and transport it.

[0051] During the above-described operation, the movement position of movable roller 44 is automatically determined by the length of transport of packaging paper 29 by transport roller pair 34 and the corresponding increase in tension on packaging paper 29, and the return of movable roller 44 to the reference position is also determined by the biasing force of tension spring 45. Therefore, rotation mechanism 48 does not need to manage the tension of packaging paper 29 during operation, and the control configuration can be simplified, such that movable roller 44 operates when movable roller 44 moves from the reference position and stops when it is located at the reference position. In the above-described configuration, the movable roller 44, movable roller support portion 49, and tension spring 45 act as a tension adjustment mechanism to prevent excessive tension when the packaging paper 29 is transported by the transport roller pair 34. With this configuration, the operation of the movable roller 44, movable roller support portion 49, and tension spring 45 can prevent excessive load from acting on the packaging paper 29, thereby reducing the occurrence of problems that could cause breakage, transport problems, etc.

[0052] In medication packaging machine 1, a packaging operation is performed based on prescription data for each patient, and during the packaging operation, medications based on the prescription data are each enclosed in packaging paper 29 and discharged outside the machine. Then, as the packaging operation progresses and the remaining amount of packaging paper roll 29A reaches a predetermined amount, the machine enters an empty state, prompting the operator to load a new packaging paper roll 29A, and prohibiting new packaging operations. The following describes the procedure for loading a new packaging paper roll 29A into packaging device 8 based on the above-mentioned configuration. When the display of control unit 9 indicates that packaging paper roll 29A is empty and the operation of medicine packaging machine 1 stops, the operator first rotates knob 32d in the direction of arrow P shown in Figure 20(a) to move printer head 32c, which is occupying the printing position as shown in Figure 19, to the paper passing position as shown in Figure 20. Printer head 32c, which has occupied the paper passing position, is held in the paper passing position by the operation of a holding unit (not shown).

[0053] Next, the operator grasps the gripping portion 34d and slides the slider 34c in the direction of arrow I shown in Fig. 16, displacing the movable roller 34b, which is in the clamping position as shown in Fig. 15, to the release position as shown in Fig. 17. The movable roller 34b, which has reached the release position, is held in the release position by the operation of the attitude control device 34e. Next, the operator removes the core of the consumed packaging paper roll 29A from packaging paper feeder 30 and pulls out the remaining packaging paper 29 from packaging device main body 43. At this time, printer head 32c of printer 32 is in the paper passing position, and movable roller 34b of transport roller pair 34 is in the release position, so the remaining packaging paper 29 can be easily pulled out by moving it so as to remove it from the tip of hopper 22.

[0054] Next, the operator grips the gripping portion 37c and rotates the detachable portion 37a in the direction of arrow A shown in Fig. 14(b), displacing the detachable portion 37a from the position shown in Fig. 13(b) to the position shown in Fig. 14(b).The operator then displaces the pressing member 37 from the state shown in Fig. 14(b) in the direction indicated by the symbol E, disengaging the engaging portion 37f from the engaged portion 43b and removing the pressing member 37 from the packaging device main body 43. After removing pressing member 37 from packaging device main body 43, the operator loads a new packing paper roll 29A into packing paper feeder 30. Then, the operator grasps the end of packing paper 29 pulled out from packing paper roll 29A, wraps packing paper 29 counterclockwise from the lower left around movable roller 44 in Figure 9, and guides it to the upper left, and then wraps it counterclockwise from the lower right around roller 50, and guides it to the upper left.

[0055] The packaging paper 29 is then passed through the printer 32 located above. Because the printer head 32c is in the paper-passing position at this time, the packaging paper 29 can be easily passed through from the right side of the printer 32 in FIG. 9 . After passing through the printer 32, the packaging paper 29 is passed over an oblique roller 51 located above the printer 32, changing its conveyance direction to the lower left, and then passed through the heater unit 33. As shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, which are views from below the heater unit 33, the conveyance path for the packaging paper 29 is relatively wide and open, as indicated by reference symbol A1 in FIG. 26 , allowing the packaging paper 29 to pass easily. The leading end of the hopper 22 is also clamped by the packaging paper 29 at this time. This clamping operation can be easily performed because the conveyance path is secured. FIGS. 27 and 28 show the state in which the leading end of the hopper 22 is clamped by the packaging paper 29. Thereafter, the packing paper 29 is passed through the pair of transport rollers 34, but here too, the movable roller 34b is held in the release position, so that the packing paper 29 can be passed through easily.

[0056] Once the wrapping paper 29 has been threaded up to the pair of transport rollers 34 and the leading edge of the wrapping paper 29 has passed the cutter 35 and reached the vicinity of the discharge outlet 36, the operator rotates the knob 32d in the direction of arrow O shown in FIG. 19(a), shifting the printer head 32c from the threading position shown in FIG. 20 to the printing position shown in FIG. 19. Once in the printing position, the printer head 32c is held in the printing position by the operation of a holding unit (not shown), thereby clamping the wrapping paper 29. The operator can continue threading the wrapping paper 29 without releasing the grip on the edge of the wrapping paper 29 until the wrapping paper 29 is held by the printer head 32c. This ensures that the wrapping paper 29 remains under tension from the very beginning of the threading process. Next, while maintaining gripping position of gripping portion 34d, the operator slides slider 34c in the direction of arrow M shown in Figure 18, displacing movable roller 34b, which is in the release position as shown in Figure 17, to the clamping position as shown in Figure 15. Movable roller 34b, now in the clamping position, is held in the clamping position by operation of attitude control device 34e, thereby clamping packaging paper 29. Even in this state, packaging paper 29 remains under constant tension.

[0057] Once the packaging paper 29 is clamped between the printer 32 and the pair of conveying rollers 34, the operator then attaches the pressing member 37 to the packaging device main body 43. The operator grasps the pressing member main body 37h and engages the engaging portion 37f with the engaged portion 43b, while passing the engaged portion 43a through the relief hole 37g. From this state, the operator rotates the detachable portion 37a in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow A shown in Figure 14, engaging the engaging portion 37d with the engaged portion 43a and attaching the pressing member 37 to the packaging device main body 43. Even in this state, the packaging paper 29 remains constantly tensioned. By carrying out the above-described series of operations, the replacement of packaging paper roll 29A in packaging device 8 is completed.

[0058] In the present invention, when replacing packaging paper roll 29A, the paper passing operation of passing packaging paper 29 through packaging device main body 43 can be completed without folding packaging paper 29 back in a direction that does not lead to discharge outlet 36 between tensioning section 47 and conveying roller pair 34, and with tension constantly being applied to packaging paper 29. This facilitates the paper passing operation by increasing the number of straight sections and simplifying the operation, making it possible to significantly improve the workability of replacing packaging paper roll 29A.

[0059] In this embodiment, pressing member 37 constituting heater unit 33 is detachable from packaging device main body 43, and therefore pressing member 37 having heater receiving portion 38A that receives heater 38 that generates heat when replacing packaging paper roll 29A can be removed. This prevents the operator from coming into contact with heater receiving portion 38A, which becomes hot due to contact with high-temperature heater 38, during the replacement operation, and makes it possible to provide a packaging device 8 and a medicine packaging machine 1 equipped with the same that allow the operator to safely replace packaging paper roll 29A. In addition, since the fixed roller 34a and the movable roller 34b that make up the conveying roller pair 34 are configured to be able to be held in a clamping position and a release position, a wide conveying path for the packaging paper 29 can be secured when replacing the packaging paper roll 29A, thereby improving work efficiency when replacing the packaging paper roll 29A. In addition, since the printer head 32c that constitutes the printer 32 is configured to be able to be held at both the printing position and the paper passing position, a transport path for the packaging paper 29 can be secured when replacing the packaging paper roll 29A, thereby improving work efficiency when replacing the packaging paper roll 29A.

[0060] In this embodiment, pressing member main body 37h is sized to completely cover heater 38 so that heater 38 is not exposed to the outside, and pressing member 37 occupies a paper-passing position away from packaging paper 29 during non-packaging operations and a welding position in contact with packaging paper 29 only during packaging operations. With this configuration, as shown in Figures 29 to 32, which correspond to Figures 25 to 28, it is possible to replace packaging paper roll 29A even when pressing member 37 is attached to packaging device main body 43. In this case, because heater 38 is not exposed to the outside, the operator does not come into contact with heater 38, thereby avoiding danger.

[0061] The aspects of the present invention are as follows, for example. [1] A packaging device having a packaging device main body that holds a roll of sachet paper, a tension applying unit that applies tension to sachet paper pulled out from the sachet paper roll, a printing unit that prints on the sachet paper, a hopper that supplies medicine to the inside of the sachet paper, a heater unit that heat-welds the sachet paper, a conveying unit that conveys the sachet paper, a cutting unit that cuts the sachet paper, and an outlet that discharges the sachet paper, wherein when replacing the sachet paper roll, the paper passing operation of grasping the end of the sachet paper and passing the sachet paper through the inside of the packaging device main body can be completed without folding the sachet paper back in a direction that is not toward the outlet between the tension applying unit and the conveying unit, and with the sachet paper always kept under tension. [2] The packaging device according to [1], wherein the heater unit is detachable from the packaging device body. [3] The packaging device described in [1] or [2] is characterized in that the conveying section has a pair of rollers that clamp and convey the packaging paper, and each roller that makes up the pair of rollers selectively occupies a clamping position that clamps the packaging paper and a release position that releases the clamping of the packaging paper, and is capable of maintaining the clamping position and the release position, respectively. [4] The packaging device described in any one of [1] to [3] is characterized in that the printing unit selectively occupies a printing position where it contacts the packaging paper to print and a paper passing position where it is spaced apart from the packaging paper and can pass the packaging paper through, and is capable of maintaining both the printing position and the paper passing position. [5] The packaging device described in any one of [1] to [4] is characterized in that the heater unit selectively occupies a welding position where it contacts the packaging paper and welds it, and a paper passing position where it is separated from the packaging paper and can pass the packaging paper through, and occupies the welding position only during packaging operation. [6] The packaging device described in [2] is characterized in that the heater unit has a gripping portion that is gripped when attaching or detaching, and the attachment or detachment operation of the heater unit to the packaging device main body is performed while gripping the gripping portion. [7] A medicine packaging machine characterized by comprising the packaging device described in any one of [1] to [6].

[0062] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and unless otherwise specifically limited in the above description, various modifications and changes are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims. The effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are merely examples of the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1. Medicine packaging machine 8 Packaging equipment 22 Hopper 29 Wrapping paper 29A Packet Paper Roll 32 Printing Department (Printer) 33 Heater unit 34 Conveying section (pair of conveying rollers) 35 Cutting section (cutter) 36 Outlet 43 Packaging equipment body 47 Tensioning section

Claims

1. a packaging device body that holds a packaging paper roll; a tension applying unit that applies tension to the packaging paper pulled out from the packaging paper roll; a printing unit that prints on the packaging paper; a hopper for supplying medicine to the inside of the packaging paper; a heater unit that heat-welds the packaging paper; a conveying unit that conveys the packaging paper; a cutting unit that cuts the packaging paper; and a discharge port for discharging the packaging paper, This packaging device allows the paper passing operation, in which the end of the wrapping paper is grasped and the wrapping paper is passed through the interior of the packaging device body when the wrapping paper roll is replaced, to be completed without folding the wrapping paper back in a direction that does not face the discharge outlet between the tension applying section and the conveying section, and with tension constantly being applied to the wrapping paper.

2. 2. The packaging device according to claim 1, The packaging device is characterized in that the heater unit section is detachable from the packaging device body.

3. 2. The packaging device according to claim 1, The packaging device is characterized in that the conveying section has a pair of rollers that clamp and convey the packaging paper, and each roller that makes up the pair of rollers selectively occupies a clamping position in which it clamps the packaging paper and a release position in which it releases the clamping of the packaging paper, and is capable of maintaining both the clamping position and the release position.

4. 2. The packaging device according to claim 1, The packaging device is characterized in that the printing unit selectively occupies a printing position where it contacts the packaging paper to print and a paper passing position where it is spaced apart from the packaging paper and can pass the packaging paper through, and is capable of maintaining both the printing position and the paper passing position.

5. 2. The packaging device according to claim 1, The heater unit selectively occupies a welding position where it contacts the packaging paper and welds it, and a paper passing position where it is spaced apart from the packaging paper and allows the packaging paper to pass through, and is characterized in that it occupies the welding position only during packaging operations.

6. 3. The packaging device according to claim 2, A packaging device characterized in that the heater unit section has a gripping portion that is gripped when attaching or detaching, and the heater unit section is attached or detached to or from the packaging device main body while the gripping portion is gripped.

7. A medicine dispensing and packaging machine comprising the packaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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