Evaluation device

Abstract

To provide an evaluation device that determines whether a packaging material is heated to an appropriate temperature, heat-sealed, and there is no leakage of medicine.SOLUTION: An evaluation device includes a heating unit that heats a packaging material having a thermosensitive coloring layer to form colored regions 100, 123, and 124 by coloring a portion of the thermosensitive coloring layer, a detection unit 50 that detects the colored regions 100, 123, and 124, and a determination unit that determines whether the coloring of the colored regions 100, 123, and 124 is satisfactory. The colored regions 100, 123, and 124 are detected based on the amount of light received by a light-receiving element 52 of the detection unit 50, which is an optical sensor, and determination is made as to whether the coloring of the colored regions 100, 123, and 124 is satisfactory, thereby evaluating whether the packaging material has been heated to an appropriate temperature.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an evaluation device. [Background technology]

[0002] JP 2021-171294 A (Patent Document 1) discloses a drug packaging device that includes a packaging device that seals a drug in a packet wrapper made up of multiple packets connected together and transports the packet wrapper with the drug sealed in it, a sealing means that seals the packet with the drug sealed in it, and an inspection device that is located downstream of the sealing means in the packet wrapper transport direction and receives light that is irradiated toward the drug and reflected or transmitted, and analyzes the light using spectroscopic analysis to inspect the drug sealed in the packet based on the analysis results. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-171294 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The appropriate heat-sealing temperature is set for the packaging paper. By placing the medicine in the packaging paper and sealing it at the appropriate heat-sealing temperature, the medicine can be packaged without leakage.

[0005] The present disclosure proposes an evaluation device that can determine whether packaging material has been heated to an appropriate temperature. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The evaluation device according to the present disclosure includes a heating unit that heats a packaging material having a thermosensitive coloring layer to form a colored portion by coloring a portion of the thermosensitive coloring layer, a detection unit that detects the colored portion, and a judgment unit that judges whether the color of the colored portion is good or bad.

[0007] The evaluation device may further include a storage section forming section that uses packaging material to form a storage section for storing the packaged item, the storage section forming section including a heating section, and the heating section heats two overlapping sheets of packaging material to form the storage section, and the colored portion may form the edge of the storage section.

[0008] In the above evaluation device, when the determining unit determines that the color of the colored portion is defective, the container portion forming unit may stop forming the container portion.

[0009] The evaluation device may further include a printing unit that prints information on the packaging material, the printing unit including a heating unit, and the information printed on the packaging material may form a color-developing portion.

[0010] In the above evaluation device, when the determination unit determines that the color of the colored portion is defective, the printing unit may stop printing information on the packaging material.

[0011] In the above evaluation device, the packaging material is in the form of a long sheet, and the evaluation device further includes a conveying unit that conveys the packaging material, and if the judgment unit judges that the color of the colored area is defective, the conveying unit may stop conveying the packaging material. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The evaluation device of the present disclosure can determine whether the packaging material has been heated to an appropriate temperature. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a packaging device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a housing portion forming section. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a sachet. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a first diagram showing detection of a color-developing site by a detection unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a second diagram showing the detection of the color-developing site by the detection unit. [Figure 7]FIG. 3 is a third diagram showing the detection of a color-developing site by the detection unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a fourth diagram showing the detection of a color-developing site by the detection unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the packaging device. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a process for determining whether the color of a color-developing portion is good or bad. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated. In the drawings, configurations may be omitted or simplified for the sake of convenience. It is also intended from the beginning that any configurations may be extracted from the embodiments and arbitrarily combined.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a packaging device 1 equipped with an evaluation device according to an embodiment. The packaging device 1 is used to package an object to be packaged. The object to be packaged is a medicine, specifically a solid medicine. Examples of solid medicine include powders, granules, tablets, pills, and capsules. The object to be packaged is not limited to a solid medicine. The object to be packaged may be a semi-solid medicine or a liquid medicine.

[0016] The packaging device 1 is a drug packaging device for packaging drugs based on a prescription. A prescription is issued to a patient by a doctor. The prescription contains patient information and drug information. The patient information includes the patient's name and age. The drug information includes the drug name, amount, usage, and dosage. The packaging device 1 is used to package drugs into single doses based on such a prescription.

[0017] Packaging rolls 2 and 3 are attached to the packaging device 1. The packaging roll 2 is a packaging material 21 wound in a roll shape. The packaging material 21 is fed out from the packaging roll 2. The packaging roll 3 is a packaging material 31 wound in a roll shape. The packaging material 31 is fed out from the packaging roll 3.

[0018] Packaging device 1 combines packaging material 21 unwound from packaging roll 2 and packaging material 31 unwound from packaging roll 3 by heat sealing them to form sachets 19 containing medicines. Packaging materials 21, 31 are in the form of long sheets. Packaging device 1 is equipped with a packaging material conveying section 9. Packaging material conveying section 9 applies a driving force to packaging materials 21, 31 to convey them. Packaging materials 21, 31 are conveyed in their longitudinal directions. Arrows in FIG. 1 indicate the conveying direction DR of packaging materials 21, 31.

[0019] Guide rollers 11A, 12A, and 13A are provided in this order from upstream (closer to packaging roll 2) to downstream (away from packaging roll 2) in the conveying direction DR of packaging material 21. Guide rollers 11A, 12A, and 13A guide packaging material 21 as it is conveyed and apply a constant tension to packaging material 21. Guide rollers 11B, 12B, and 13B are provided in this order from upstream (closer to packaging roll 3) to downstream (away from packaging roll 3) in the conveying direction DR of packaging material 31. Guide rollers 11B, 12B, and 13B guide packaging material 31 as it is conveyed and apply a constant tension to packaging material 31.

[0020] The packaging device 1 includes a packaging unit 5. The packaging unit 5 includes a medicine supply unit 6, a container forming unit 7, and a perforation forming unit 8.

[0021] Medicine supply unit 6 supplies medicine between packaging materials 21 and 31 being conveyed by packaging material conveying unit 9. The tip of a hopper (not shown) is placed between packaging materials 21 and 31, and medicine is poured into the gap between packaging materials 21 and 31 from the tip of the hopper. Medicine is supplied at a dose based on the prescription.

[0022] Container forming unit 7 forms a container using packaging materials 21 and 31 conveyed by packaging conveying unit 9. Medicines are contained in the container. After medicines are supplied from medicine supply unit 6, container forming unit 7 heat-seals packaging materials 21 and 31 together to individually package the medicines, thereby forming sachets 19, which are packages containing the medicines.

[0023] The perforation forming unit 8 is provided in the storage section forming unit 7. The perforation forming unit 8 forms perforations that extend in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction DR in the packaging material 21, 31 conveyed by the packaging material conveying unit 9. The perforations are a plurality of small holes that are lined up continuously in the short direction of the packaging material 21, 31. The perforations are formed in the sealed portion where the packaging material 21, 31 is heat-sealed. The perforations are formed at positions that separate adjacent sachets 19 in the longitudinal direction of the packaging material 21, 31. By cutting the packaging material 21, 31 along the perforations, the adjacent sachets 19 can be easily separated.

[0024] The packaging device 1 further includes a printing unit 4. The printing unit 4 prints predetermined information on the packaging material 31 that is unwound from the packaging material roll 3 and transported by the packaging material transport unit 9. The predetermined information is information related to the drug. The printing unit 4 is disposed upstream of the packaging unit 5 in the transport direction of the packaging material 31. The printing unit 4 prints information related to the drug on the packaging material 31 prior to the heat sealing of the packaging materials 21, 31 by the storage portion forming unit 7. The information related to the drug includes the patient's name, the time of administration, the name and quantity of the drug, etc.

[0025] The packaging device 1 further includes a detection unit 50. The detection unit 50 detects a colored portion of the packaging material 31. The detection unit 50 is disposed downstream of the packaging material conveying unit 9 in the conveying direction DR. The detection unit 50 is disposed downstream of the packaging unit 5 in the conveying direction DR.

[0026] 2 is a schematic diagram of the printing unit 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the packaging material 31 has a substrate 32, a seal layer 33, and a thermosensitive coloring layer 34. The substrate 32 has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The thermosensitive coloring layer 34 is laminated on the first surface of the substrate 32. The seal layer 33 is laminated on the second surface of the substrate 32. The packaging material 31 has a layered structure in which the seal layer 33, the substrate 32, and the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 are laminated in this order.

[0027] The substrate 32 is made of, for example, paper. The substrate 32 may be made of glassine paper. The thickness of the glassine paper is 30 g / m 2 The substrate 32 may be made of a film. The substrate 32 may be made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate). The thickness of the film may be 25 μm. The sealing layer 33 is made of a low-melting point material such as polyethylene. The thickness of the sealing layer 33 may be 15 μm. The thickness of the sealing layer 33 may be smaller or larger than the thickness of the substrate 32. The thermosensitive coloring layer 34 may be made of a material that changes color at a temperature higher than the temperature at which the sealing layer 33 melts. The thermosensitive coloring layer 34 may be formed by applying a thermosensitive material to the first surface of the substrate 32.

[0028] The packaging material 31 is not limited to the above example, and may be thermal paper. Thermal paper develops color when heated to approximately 80 to 90° C. Therefore, in the case of thermal paper, the temperature at which the seal layer 33 melts is equal to or higher than the temperature at which the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 develops color.

[0029] The printing unit 4 has a thermal head 41 and a platen roller 42. The thermal head 41 has a heating element. The platen roller 42 supports the packaging material 31. The thermal head 41 and the platen roller 42 are arranged opposite each other with the packaging material 31 sandwiched between them.

[0030] The printing unit 4 uses a thermal head 41, which is a printing head, to heat the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 of the packaging material 31, thereby causing the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 to develop color. The thermal head 41 is pressed against a platen roller 42 via the packaging material 31, and in this state, the heating elements of the thermal head 41 are heated, whereby predetermined information related to the medicine to be packaged is printed on the packaging material 31 for each package.

[0031] In the packaging material 31 transported through the printing unit 4, the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 is disposed closer to the thermal head 41 than the substrate 32.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the storage section forming section 7. Note that the perforation forming section 8 is not shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the packaging material 21 has a base material 22 and a sealing layer 23. The packaging material 21 has a layered structure in which the base material 22 and the sealing layer 23 are layered. The packaging material 21 does not have a thermosensitive coloring layer. The packaging material 21 does not change color even when heated.

[0033] The substrate 22 may be made of, for example, OPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene). The thickness of the substrate 22 may be 25 μm. The sealing layer 23 may be made of, for example, polyethylene. The thickness of the sealing layer 23 may be 15 μm.

[0034] The storage section forming section 7 has a heating member 71 and a receiving member 72. The heating member 71 has a built-in heater and is heated by the heater. The receiving member 72 is a member that receives the heating member 71. The receiving member 72 does not have a heat-generating structure and is basically kept at room temperature. The heating member 71 and the receiving member 72 are arranged opposite each other with the packaging material 21 and the packaging material 31 sandwiched therebetween. Like the heating member 71, the receiving member 72 may have a built-in heater and be heated by the heater. In other words, a pair of heating members may be arranged opposite each other with the packaging material 21 and the packaging material 31 sandwiched therebetween.

[0035] The heating member 71 may be, for example, aluminum plated with electroless nickel-phosphorus-PTFE (fluororesin) composite plating. The receiving member 72 may be, for example, silicone rubber with a hardness of 30 degrees to which a fluororesin sheet is baked.

[0036] With heating member 71 heated by the heater, heating member 71 and receiving member 72 are driven by pressure motor 75 (FIG. 9) which serves as a drive source, to apply pressure to packaging materials 21 and 31 from both sides. As a result, seal layer 23 of packaging material 21 and seal layer 33 of packaging material 31 are thermally fused together to form a storage section. The medicine is stored in the storage section. Storage section forming section 7 packages the medicine, which is the packaging object, one package at a time.

[0037] Of the packaging materials 21, 31 transported through the storage portion forming section 7, packaging material 31 is positioned close to heating member 71, and packaging material 21 is positioned close to receiving member 72. The seal layer 23 of packaging material 21 and the seal layer 33 of packaging material 31 face each other. The seal layers 23, 33 that form the inner sides of packaging materials 21, 31 are overlapped with each other. When heat is applied from the heating member 71, the seal layers 23, 33 melt, and the seal layer 23 and the seal layer 33 are thermally fused together to form a storage portion.

[0038] In the packaging material 31, the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 is disposed closer to the heating member 71 than the base material 32, and is disposed closest to the heating member 71. The thermosensitive coloring layer 34 faces the heating member 71. The thermosensitive coloring layer 34 is disposed at a position where the heat generated by the heater of the heating member 71 is most easily conducted. By disposing the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 close to the heating member 71 in the container forming section 7, when heat sealing is performed to thermally fuse the sealing layers 23, 33, the amount of heat required for coloring is also transmitted to the thermosensitive coloring layer 34, causing the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 to develop color.

[0039] The heating member 71 and the receiving member 72 may be arranged in reverse. In the packaging materials 21, 31 transported through the container forming section 7, the packaging material 21 may be arranged closer to the heating member 71, and the packaging material 31 may be arranged closer to the receiving member 72. In the packaging material 31, the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 may be arranged closer to the receiving member 72 than the base material 32, and may be arranged closest to the receiving member 72. Even in this case, when heat sealing is performed to thermally fuse the sealing layers 23, 33, the amount of heat required for color development is transmitted to the thermosensitive coloring layer 34, causing the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 to develop color.

[0040] The thermal head 41 of the printing unit 4 and the heating member 71 of the container forming unit 7 correspond to an example of a "heating unit" that heats the packaging material 31 having the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 to cause the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 to develop a color. At least one of the printing unit 4 and the container forming unit 7 may include a heating unit. When the printing unit 4 includes a heating unit, predetermined information related to the drug printed on the packaging material 31 forms a colored portion by coloring a part of the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 of the packaging material 31. When the container forming unit 7 includes a heating unit, the heating unit heats the two overlapping packaging materials 21, 31, causing the container forming unit 7 to form a container.

[0041] 4 is a schematic diagram showing a sachet 19. By heat-sealing the sealing layers 23, 33 in the storage portion forming section 7, a longitudinal fused portion 123 extending in the longitudinal direction of the long sheet-like packaging material 21, 31 and a lateral fused portion 124 extending in the lateral direction of the packaging material 21, 31 are formed. The longitudinal fused portion 123 is formed near one edge of the packaging material 21, 31 and near the other edge of the packaging material 21, 31. The pair of longitudinal fused portions 123 are formed to extend parallel to each other at the same position in the longitudinal direction of the packaging material 21, 31. The lateral fused portion 124 is formed to connect the ends of the pair of longitudinal fused portions 123.

[0042] Packaging materials 21, 31 are partitioned by a pair of longitudinal fused portions 123 and a pair of transverse fused portions 124 to form sachet 19. A storage portion 122 is formed inside sachet 19, and medicines are stored in storage portion 122. Sachet 19 packages medicines, which are packaging objects, one by one. Longitudinal fused portions 123 extend in the conveying direction DR of packaging material 31. Transverse fused portions 124 extend in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction DR of packaging material 31.

[0043] When the longitudinal fused portion 123 and the lateral fused portion 124 are formed in the container forming section 7, the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 is heated and colored, thereby coloring the longitudinal fused portion 123 and the lateral fused portion 124. If the container forming section 7 includes a heating section that causes the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 to color, the longitudinal fused portion 123 forms a colored portion where part of the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 of the packaging material 31 is colored. The colored portion (longitudinal fused portion 123) forms the edge of the container 122 in the lateral direction of the packaging material 31.

[0044] A dividing region 126 where the seal layers 23, 33 are not heat-sealed is provided between two adjacent short-side fused portions 124 in the longitudinal direction of the packaging material 21, 31. The two adjacent short-side fused portions 124 and the dividing region 126 sandwiched therebetween form a partition section 127 that separates two storage sections 122 adjacent in the longitudinal direction of the packaging material 21, 31.

[0045] Perforations 125 are formed in the partitioning section 127, more specifically in the dividing region 126. The perforations 125 include a plurality of pores extending in the short-side direction of the packaging material 21, 31. The plurality of pores are aligned continuously in the short-side direction of the packaging material 21, 31. The plurality of pores are aligned at intervals in the short-side direction of the packaging material 21, 31. The plurality of pores are aligned on an imaginary straight line extending in the short-side direction of the packaging material 21, 31.

[0046] A handler who separates the sachets 19 into individual packets pinches one of two adjacent sachets 19 between the fingers of his right hand and the other between the fingers of his left hand, and moves the two sachets 19 held in both hands away from each other so as to tear the perforation 125, thereby separating the two adjacent sachets 19 along the perforation 125.

[0047] FIG. 5 is a first diagram showing detection of the color-developing portion by the detection unit 50. The detection unit 50 is, for example, an optical sensor. The detection unit 50 is, for example, a reflective optical sensor. The detection unit 50 has a light-emitting element 51 and a light-receiving element 52. The light-emitting element 51 emits irradiation light Lx toward the sachet 19. The light-receiving element 52 detects reflected light Lr1 reflected by the sachet 19. In FIG. 5, the irradiation light Lx is irradiated onto the longitudinal fused portion 123 (color-developing portion).

[0048] In FIG. 5, the longitudinal fused portion 123 is formed at an appropriate heat-sealing temperature in the container forming portion 7, and the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 develops color in the longitudinal fused portion 123. The longitudinal fused portion 123 (colored portion) typically develops a black color. In the colored longitudinal fused portion 123, a large amount of light is absorbed. The reflected light Lr1 shown in FIG. 5, which is reflected at the longitudinal fused portion 123, has a relatively small amount of light.

[0049] FIG. 6 is a second diagram showing the detection of a colored portion by the detection unit 50. FIG. 6 shows an example in which heating in the storage portion forming unit 7 is insufficient and the heat-sealing temperature is lower than the appropriate temperature. The longitudinal fused portion 123 (colored portion) is in a state of poor color development. The longitudinal fused portion 123 (colored portion) does not develop color and remains the base color of the packaging material 31, or if it does develop color, it remains gray. The reflected light Lr2 reflected from the longitudinal fused portion 123 that is not colored black has a relatively large light intensity. The light intensity of the reflected light Lr2 shown in FIG. 6 is greater than the light intensity of the reflected light Lr1 shown in FIG. 5.

[0050] When the light-receiving element 52 receives reflected light Lr1 with a small amount of light, the longitudinal fused portion 123 (colored portion) turns black, and it is determined that the seal layers 23, 33 are heat-sealed at the appropriate heat-sealing temperature in the longitudinal fused portion 123. On the other hand, when the light-receiving element 52 receives reflected light Lr2 with a large amount of light, the longitudinal fused portion 123 (colored portion) does not turn black, and it is determined that the heat-sealing temperature is inappropriate. Whether the packaging material 31 has been heated to the appropriate temperature can be evaluated by detecting the colored portion based on the amount of light received by the light-receiving element 52 of the detection unit 50, which is an optical sensor, and determining whether the color of the colored portion is good or bad.

[0051] FIG. 7 is a third diagram illustrating detection of a color-developing portion by the detection unit 50. In the example shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the information 100 (color-developing portion) printed on the packaging material 31 by the printing unit 4 is irradiated with irradiation light Lx. In FIG. 7, the information 100 is printed by heating the thermal head 41 in the printing unit 4 to an appropriate temperature, causing the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 to develop color. The information 100 (color-developing portion) typically develops a black color. In the information 100 that has developed a black color, more light is absorbed. The reflected light Lr1 shown in FIG. 7, which is the reflection of the irradiation light Lx irradiated toward the information 100, has a relatively small amount of light.

[0052] FIG. 8 is a fourth diagram illustrating the detection of a colored area by the detection unit 50. FIG. 8 illustrates an example in which the thermal head 41 in the printing unit 4 generates insufficient heat, resulting in a lower-than-optimal amount of heat transfer from the thermal head 41 to the thermosensitive coloring layer 34, causing the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 to insufficiently color. The information 100 (colored area) exhibits poor color development. The information 100 (colored area) does not develop color and retains the base color of the packaging material 31, or, if it does develop color, remains gray. The reflected light Lr2 reflected from the information 100 that is not black has a relatively large amount of light. The amount of reflected light Lr2 shown in FIG. 8 is greater than the amount of reflected light Lr1 shown in FIG. 7.

[0053] When the light receiving element 52 receives reflected light Lr1 with a small amount of light, the information 100 (coloring area) is colored black, and it is determined that the thermal head 41 in the printing unit 4 generates heat at the appropriate temperature and prints the information 100 at the appropriate temperature. On the other hand, when the light receiving element 52 receives reflected light Lr2 with a large amount of light, the information 100 (coloring area) is not colored black, and it is determined that the heat generated by the thermal head 41 is inappropriate. By detecting the coloring area based on the amount of light received by the light receiving element 52 of the detection unit 50, which is an optical sensor, and determining whether the coloring of the coloring area is good or bad, it is possible to evaluate whether the packaging material 31 is heated to the appropriate temperature.

[0054] When detection unit 50 is an optical sensor, it is not limited to the reflective optical sensor shown in Figures 5 to 8, but may also be a transmissive optical sensor. Light-emitting element 51 and light-receiving element 52 may be arranged with sachet 19 sandwiched between them, and light-receiving element 52 may receive transmitted light that is irradiated from light-emitting element 51 onto sachet 19 and transmitted through sachet 19.

[0055] The detection unit 50 is not limited to an optical sensor, but may be an imaging device. The colored portion may be detected by analyzing an image of the sachet 19 captured by the imaging device.

[0056] 9 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the packaging device 1. As shown in FIG.

[0057] The operation unit 96 is operated by an operator who operates the packaging device 1. When the operator operates the operation unit 96, information necessary for the packaging operation of the packaging device 1 is input to the overall control unit 90. The information necessary for the packaging operation of the packaging device 1 includes prescription data based on a prescription and various setting information. The setting information includes the dimensions of the sachet 19 in the longitudinal direction of the packaging materials 21 and 31, and the content to be printed on the packaging material 31. The information necessary for the packaging operation of the packaging device 1 may be input to the overall control unit 90 from an external computer.

[0058] Based on the input prescription data, the operation unit 96 generates print data to be printed on the packaging material 31 by the printing unit 4. The operation unit 96 inputs the generated print data to the overall control unit 90. The overall control unit 90 may generate the print data, or externally generated print data may be input to the operation unit 96.

[0059] The overall control unit 90 controls the overall operation of the packaging device 1 based on information necessary for the packaging operation of the packaging device 1. The overall control unit 90 controls the medicine supply unit 6, the container formation unit 7, the packaging material conveying unit 9, and the printing unit 4.

[0060] Overall control unit 90 sends a control signal to medicine supply unit 6, instructing medicine supply unit 6 on the type and quantity of medicine to be supplied. Overall control unit 90 sends a control signal to storage portion forming unit 7 so that the dimensions of sachet 19 in the longitudinal direction of packaging material 21, 31 become predetermined values. The dimensions of sachet 19 may be values ​​input via operation unit 96, for example, or may be values ​​set by overall control unit 90 based on the type and quantity of medicine.

[0061] The packaging control unit 97 controls the heating member 71, pressure motor 75, and packaging material conveying motor 91 based on control signals from the overall control unit 90. The pressure motor 75 moves the heating member 71 and the receiving member 72. The heating member 71 and the receiving member 72, which are moved by the driving of the pressure motor 75, apply pressure to the packaging materials 21, 31 from both sides or move away from the packaging materials 21, 31. The packaging material conveying unit 9 has a pair of conveying rollers and a packaging material conveying motor 91. The pair of conveying rollers are arranged opposite each other with the sachet 19 sandwiched between them. The packaging material conveying motor 91 drives the pair of conveying rollers to rotate, thereby conveying the sachet 19 (packaging materials 21, 31) in the conveying direction DR.

[0062] Sachets 19 are formed by appropriately driving and stopping medicine supply unit 6, heating member 71, pressure motor 75, and packaging material conveying motor 91. Packaging material conveying unit 9 intermittently conveys packaging materials 21, 31. When the conveyance of packaging materials 21, 31 is stopped, medicine supply unit 6 supplies medicine between packaging materials 21, 31. Heating member 71 and receiving member 72 heat and pressurize packaging materials 21, 31 from both sides. In packaging materials 21, 31, longitudinal fused portions 123 are formed in the longitudinal direction of packaging materials 21, 31, and lateral fused portions 124 are formed in the lateral direction of packaging materials 21, 31. In this manner, sachets 19 containing the packaging objects are formed.

[0063] The overall control unit 90 sends control signals to the printing unit 4 so that printing is performed on the packaging material 31 based on the print data generated by the operation unit 96. The printing unit 4 has a print control unit 94. The print control unit 94 controls the thermal head 41 and the head contact / separation motor 43 based on the control signal from the overall control unit 90.

[0064] The thermal head 41 has multiple heating elements. A head contact / separation motor 43 reciprocates the thermal head 41 in the thickness direction of the packaging material 31, bringing the thermal head 41 into contact with or away from the packaging material 31. By selectively heating the multiple heating elements of the thermal head 41 while the thermal head 41 is in contact with the packaging material 31, information 100 related to the medicines to be packaged is printed on the packaging material 31 package by package.

[0065] The overall control unit 90 sends a control signal to the detection unit 50, causing the light emitting element 51 to emit the irradiation light Lx. The light intensity of the reflected lights Lr1 and Lr2 received by the light receiving element 52 is input from the detection unit 50 to the overall control unit 90. The overall control unit 90 has a determination unit 98. The determination unit 98 determines whether the color development of the color development area is good or bad based on the light intensity of the reflected lights Lr1 and Lr2 received by the light receiving element 52. When the light receiving element 52 receives reflected light Lr1 with a small light intensity, the determination unit 98 determines that the color development of the color development area is good. When the light receiving element 52 receives reflected light Lr2 with a large light intensity, the determination unit 98 determines that the color development of the color development area is poor.

[0066] The overall control unit 90 transmits a control signal to the notification unit 80 based on the determination result of the determination unit 98 as to whether the color development of the color development portion is good or bad. The notification unit 80 notifies the user of the packaging device 1 of the determination result of the determination unit 98. The notification unit 80 may include, for example, a monitor, a lamp, etc., and notify the user visually whether the color development of the color development portion is good or bad. The notification unit 80 may include, for example, a buzzer, a speaker, etc., and notify the user audibly whether the color development of the color development portion is good or bad.

[0067] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the process for determining whether the color of the colored portion is good or bad. Packaging begins in step S1. Overall control unit 90 controls medicine supply unit 6, container formation unit 7, packaging material conveying unit 9, and printing unit 4 to form sachet bags 19 containing medicines to be packaged, and prints information 100 about the medicine on sachet bag 19.

[0068] In step S2, irradiated light Lx is applied to sachet 19. Overall control unit 90 sends a control signal to detection unit 50 to cause light emitting element 51 to emit light and irradiate irradiated light Lx toward the colored portion of sachet 19. In step S3, reflected light Lr1, Lr2 is detected. The amount of reflected light Lr1, Lr2 received by light receiving element 52 is input to overall control unit 90.

[0069] In step S4, it is determined whether the color of the colored area is good. The determination unit 98 determines whether the color of the colored area is good or not based on the light intensity of reflected light Lr1, Lr2 input from the light receiving element 52. If the light receiving element 52 receives reflected light Lr1 with a small light intensity, the determination unit 98 determines that the color of the colored area is good (YES in step S4). In this case, the process proceeds to step S5, and packaging continues.

[0070] If the light-receiving element 52 receives reflected light Lr2 with a large amount of light, the determination unit 98 determines that the color development of the colored area is not good (NO in the determination at step S4). In this case, the process proceeds to step S6, and the packaging is stopped. The overall control unit 90 sends a control signal to the medicine supply unit 6 to stop the supply of medicine. The overall control unit 90 sends a control signal to the storage portion forming unit 7 to stop the heat sealing of the packaging materials 21, 31. The overall control unit 90 sends a control signal to the packaging material conveying unit 9 to stop the conveyance of the sachet 19 (packaging materials 21, 31). The overall control unit 90 sends a control signal to the printing unit 4 to stop printing of the information 100 on the packaging material 31.

[0071] In step S7, a notification is given to the user of the packaging device 1. The overall control unit 90 sends a control signal to the notification unit 80 to notify the user that the coloring of the color-forming area is poor, the heating temperature of the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 is low, and therefore the heating member 71 of the container forming unit 7 or the thermal head 41 of the printing unit 4 is not generating enough heat, resulting in a malfunction.

[0072] In this way, a series of processes are carried out in which packaging continues if the color development of the color-developing portion is good, and packaging is stopped and a notice is given to the user if the color development of the color-developing portion is not good.

[0073] The determination of whether the color of the colored portion is satisfactory may be performed before packaging begins, instead of or in addition to during packaging. For example, the determination of the suitability of the packaging material may be performed during the initial operation immediately after power is turned on to packaging device 1, or during the return operation immediately after packaging material is attached to packaging device 1. In this case, overall control unit 90 may control storage unit forming unit 7 and packaging material conveying unit 9 to form sachet bags 19 and control printing unit 4 to print a predetermined test image on sachet bag 19 (packaging material 31) without supplying medicines by medicine supply unit 6.

[0074] Although some of the description overlaps with the above, the characteristic configuration of this embodiment, as well as its actions and effects, can be listed as follows.

[0075] The packaging device 1 includes a heating unit, a detection unit 50, and a determination unit 98. The heating unit heats the packaging material 31 having the thermosensitive coloring layer 34, and forms a colored portion by thermosensitively coloring a portion of the thermosensitive coloring layer 34. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the detection unit 50 detects the colored portion. The determination unit 98 determines whether the color of the colored portion is good or bad.

[0076] When the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 is heated to a temperature above the temperature at which it develops color, the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 develops color through thermosensitivity. On the other hand, when the temperature to which the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 is heated is lower than the temperature at which it develops color, the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 is not sufficiently colored. By detecting the color-developed portion with the detection unit 50 and determining whether the color development of the color-developed portion is satisfactory with the determination unit 98, it is possible to determine whether the heating unit has heated the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 to an appropriate temperature at which it develops color. If it is determined that the color development of the color-developed portion is not satisfactory, the user can recognize that the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 has not been sufficiently heated by the heating unit and that there is some kind of malfunction in the heating unit.

[0077] 4 to 6, the colored portion may form the edge of the storage portion 122. When the two overlapping packaging materials 21, 31 are heated by the heating member 71 to form the storage portion 122, the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 is thermosensitively colored to form the colored portion that forms the edge of the storage portion 122. If the determination result shows that the color of the colored portion is not good, it can be determined that the heat-sealing temperature of the edge of the storage portion 122 is not appropriate, and therefore leakage of the packaged item contained in the storage portion 122 from the defective heat-sealed portion can be prevented.

[0078] 10 , when the determination unit 98 determines that the color of the colored portion forming the edge of the storage portion 122 is defective, the storage portion forming unit 7 may stop forming the storage portion 122. By stopping the formation of the storage portion 122 when the heat-sealing temperature of the edge of the storage portion 122 is not appropriate, it is possible to reliably prevent the packaged item contained in the storage portion 122 from leaking from the defective heat-sealed portion.

[0079] 7 and 8, the information 100 printed on the packaging material 31 may constitute the colored portion. The printing unit 4 includes a thermal head 41, and the heat generated by the thermal head 41 causes the thermosensitive coloring layer 34 to thermally color, thereby printing the information 100 on the packaging material 31. If the determination result indicates that the coloring portion is not colored well, it can be determined that the thermal head 41 is not generating enough heat, and a malfunction of the thermal head 41 can be detected.

[0080] 10, if the determination unit 98 determines that the color of the colored portion forming the information 100 is defective, the printing unit 4 may stop printing the information 100 on the packaging material 31. By stopping printing when there is a possibility of a malfunction in the thermal head 41, it is possible to avoid continuing the process of printing the information 100 in a state where it is difficult or impossible to see.

[0081] 10 , if the determination unit 98 determines that the color of the colored area is defective, the packaging material conveying unit 9 may stop conveying the packaging materials 21, 31. If there is a possibility that the heating member 71 of the container forming unit 7 and / or the thermal head 41 of the printing unit 4 is malfunctioning, the conveyance of the packaging materials 21, 31 is stopped, and the operation of storing the packaging objects in the container 122 is stopped. This can prevent the packaging objects stored in the container 122 from leaking from the defective heat-sealed area, and can prevent the process of printing the information 100 from continuing in a state where it is difficult or impossible to see.

[0082] <Additional Notes> The above description includes the following additional features.

[0083] (Appendix 1) a heating unit that heats a packaging material having a thermosensitive coloring layer to form a colored portion by coloring a part of the thermosensitive coloring layer; a detection unit that detects the color-developing site; and a determining unit that determines whether the color development of the color development portion is good or bad.

[0084] (Appendix 2) Further provided is a storage section forming section that forms a storage section that uses the packaging material to store the packaging object, The evaluation device described in Appendix 1, wherein the storage section forming section includes the heating section, and the heating section heats the two overlapping packaging materials to form the storage section, and the colored portion forms the edge of the storage section.

[0085] (Appendix 3) 3. The evaluation device according to claim 2, wherein the judging unit judges that the color of the color-developed portion is defective, and the containing portion forming unit stops forming the containing portion.

[0086] (Appendix 4) Further provided is a printing unit that prints information on the packaging material, 4. The evaluation device according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit includes the heating unit, and the information printed on the packaging material forms the color-developing portion.

[0087] (Appendix 5) 5. The evaluation device according to claim 4, wherein the printing unit stops printing the information on the packaging material when the determination unit determines that the color of the colored portion is defective.

[0088] (Appendix 6) The packaging material is in the form of a long sheet, Further provided is a conveying unit that conveys the packaging material, 6. The evaluation device according to claim 1, wherein the conveying unit stops conveying the packaging material when the determining unit determines that the color of the colored portion is defective.

[0089] Although the embodiments have been described above, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered to be limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include meanings equivalent to the claims and all modifications within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 1 Packaging device, 2, 3 Packaging material roll, 4 Printing unit, 5 Packaging unit, 6 Drug supply unit, 7 Storage unit forming unit, 8 Perforation forming unit, 9 Packaging material conveying unit, 19 Sachet bag, 21, 31 Packaging material, 22, 32 Base material, 23, 33 Sealing layer, 34 Thermosensitive coloring layer, 41 Thermal head, 42 Platen roller, 43 Head contact / separation motor, 50 Detection unit, 51 Light-emitting element, 52 Light-receiving element, 71 Heating element, 72 Receiving member, 75 Pressure motor, 80 Notification unit, 90 Overall control unit, 91 Packaging material conveying motor, 94 Printing control unit, 96 Operation unit, 97 Packaging control unit, 98 Determination unit, 100 Information, 122 Storage unit, 123 Longitudinal fusion unit, 124 Transverse fusion unit, 125 Perforation, 126 Divided area, 127 partition, DR conveying direction, Lr1, Lr2 reflected light, Lx irradiated light.

Claims

1. a heating unit that heats a packaging material having a thermosensitive coloring layer to form a colored portion by coloring a part of the thermosensitive coloring layer; a detection unit that detects the color-developing site; and a determining unit that determines whether the color development of the color development portion is good or bad.

2. Further provided is a storage section forming section that forms a storage section that uses the packaging material to store the packaging object, The evaluation device according to claim 1, wherein the storage portion forming portion includes the heating portion, and the heating portion heats the two overlapping packaging materials to form the storage portion, and the colored portion forms the edge of the storage portion.

3. The evaluation device according to claim 2 , wherein the judging unit judges that the color of the colored portion is defective, and the container portion forming unit stops forming the container portion.

4. Further provided is a printing unit that prints information on the packaging material, The evaluation device according to claim 1 , wherein the printing unit includes the heating unit, and the information printed on the packaging material forms the color-developing portion.

5. The evaluation device according to claim 4 , wherein the printing unit stops printing the information on the packaging material when the determining unit determines that the color of the colored portion is defective.

6. The packaging material is in the form of a long sheet, Further provided is a conveying unit that conveys the packaging material, The evaluation device according to claim 1 , wherein the conveying unit stops conveying the packaging material when the determining unit determines that the color of the colored portion is defective.

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