Conveyance device and dissolution device

Abstract

To more properly dispose a bag body after being opened.SOLUTION: A conveyance device 20 includes: a conveyance part 42 which has a grip part 48 for gripping an upper part 12a of a bag body 12, and which moves the grip part 48; and a discharge part 44 having a roller pair 50 opposing in the horizontal direction, and for discharge the bag body 12 inserted between the roller pair 50 by the conveyance part 42, by the rotation of the roller pair 50. A dissolution device 10 includes: the conveyance device 20; a seal opening part 16 for opening the seal of a lower part 12b of the bag body 12 gripped by the grip part 48; and a dissolution tank 14 provided below the seal opening part 16, and for receiving a powder type dialysis agent falling from the opened bag body 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying device and a dissolving device. [Background technology]

[0002] Dialysis fluid used in dialysis treatment is prepared by placing a powdered dialysis agent in a dissolving tank and dissolving it in dialysis water. The powdered dialysis agent is contained in a bag, which is opened to remove the dialysis agent from the bag. Once the bag is empty, the dialysis agent is removed and disposed of as waste. An automatic bag-opening machine has been proposed that automates the entire process of transporting, opening, and disposing of such bags (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-207915 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned prior art, the bag is placed horizontally and transported by suction from one side. Because the bag is a soft material, the surface shape of the bag may become wavy due to uneven positioning of the dialysis agent contained in the bag. In this case, the bag is disposed of in a wavy state after opening, and uneven empty bags become bulky when piled up. It is time-consuming to manually flatten and fold the empty bags to prevent them from becoming bulky.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and one of its exemplary purposes is to provide a technique for appropriately disposing of a pouch after opening. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A conveying device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a conveying section having a gripping section for gripping the upper part of a bag body and for moving the gripping section, and a discharge section having a pair of rollers facing each other in the horizontal direction and for discharging the bag body inserted between the pair of rollers by the conveying section through rotation of the pair of rollers.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is a dissolving device. This dissolving device includes a transport device according to a certain aspect, an opening unit that opens a lower portion of the bag gripped by the gripping unit, and a dissolving tank that is provided below the opening unit and receives the powdered dialysis agent that falls from the opened bag. The transport unit moves the opened bag from the opening unit toward the discharge unit.

[0008] Any combination of the above components or mutual substitution of the components or expressions of the present invention between methods, devices, systems, etc. are also valid aspects of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the bag can be disposed of more appropriately after opening. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a melting apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a configuration of a support portion. [Figure 3] 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a bag body supported by a support portion. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a gripping portion. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram schematically showing a bag body held by a holding portion. FIG. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a configuration of a guide portion provided on a grip portion. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating the guide portion when the grip portion is closed. [Figure 8] 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the bag body supported by the support portion is gripped by the grip portion. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a discharge unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a discharge unit. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a melting apparatus according to a modified example. [Figure 12] 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which a bag supported by a support portion according to a modified example is gripped by a grip portion. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description, the same elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations will be omitted as appropriate. To facilitate understanding of the description, the dimensional ratios of the components in each drawing do not necessarily correspond to the actual dimensional ratios.

[0012] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a dissolving apparatus 10 according to an embodiment. The dissolving apparatus 10 is an apparatus for preparing a dialysis solution (e.g., a dialysis concentrate) in a dissolving tank 14 by introducing a powdered dialysis agent contained in a bag 12 into the dissolving tank 14.

[0013] The dissolving device 10 includes a dissolving tank 14 , an opening section 16 , a housing 18 , and a conveying device 20 .

[0014] The dissolution tank 14 is a tank that stores dialysis water. The dissolution tank 14 may be provided with a stirring means (not shown) for dissolving the dialysis agent in the dialysis water. A supply line 22 for dialysis water and a discharge line 24 for the prepared dialysis solution are connected to the dissolution tank 14. The supply line 22 is connected to, for example, a dialysis water supply device (not shown). The dialysis water supplied to the dissolution tank 14 from the supply line 22 is, for example, reverse osmosis water (RO water). The discharge line 24 discharges the dialysis solution prepared in the dissolution tank 14. The discharge line 24 is connected to, for example, a dialysis solution supply device (not shown). The dialysis solution supply device supplies the dialysis solution discharged from the dissolution device 10 to the dialysis device, for example.

[0015] The tearing section 16 is provided above the dissolution tank 14. In other words, the dissolution tank 14 is provided below the tearing section 16. The tearing section 16 has a cutter 26 for opening the bag 12. The tearing section 16 cuts the lower part 12b of the bag 12, which is placed above the tearing section 16 by the conveying device 20, and drops the powdered dialysis agent contained in the bag 12 into the dissolution tank 14. The tearing section 16 opens the bag 12, for example, by piercing the cutter 26 near the center of the lower part 12b of the bag 12 and then sliding the cutter 26 along the lower part 12b.

[0016] The housing 18 houses the dissolution tank 14, the opening section 16, and the transport device 20. The housing 18 encloses a working space 28 in which the bag 12 is opened and the dialysis agent is dissolved. The housing 18 has an inlet 30 for carrying the bag 12 into the working space 28, and an outlet 34 for discharging the empty bag 32 after the dialysis agent has been removed from the bag 12.

[0017] A stock section 36 is provided inside the housing 18 for receiving and storing a plurality of bags 12. The stock section 36 is provided next to the carry-in entrance 30. A trash can 38 is provided outside the housing 18 for receiving and storing empty bags 32 discharged from the discharge opening 34. The trash can 38 is provided next to the discharge opening 34.

[0018] The conveying device 20 conveys the bags 12 stored in the stock section 36 to the opening section 16, and conveys the empty bags 32 after they have been opened in the opening section 16 to the discharge outlet 34. The conveying device 20 includes a support section 40, a conveying section 42, and a discharge section 44.

[0019] The support section 40 is provided in the stock section 36 and supports the bag body 12 that is carried into the stock section 36 in an upright position. The support section 40 is configured to support the bag body 12 one by one. For example, the stock section 36 is provided with a plurality of support sections 40 for supporting a plurality of bag bodies 12. The plurality of support sections 40 are configured to be movable in the stock section 36. The plurality of support sections 40 are configured to be movable in sequence to an unloading position 46 from which the conveying section 42 can remove the bag body 12. For example, the support section 40 is configured to move toward the unloading position 46 while supporting the bag body 12, and after the bag body 12 is removed at the unloading position 46, to move toward the inlet 30 in an empty state without supporting the bag body 12.

[0020] The conveying unit 42 is configured to convey the bag 12 between the support unit 40 and the discharge unit 44. The conveying unit 42 has a gripping unit 48 that grips the upper portion 12a of the bag 12 and is configured to move the gripping unit 48 in a horizontal direction. The conveying unit 42 may be configured to move the gripping unit 48 in a vertical direction, or may be configured to move the gripping unit 48 in three dimensions. The conveying unit 42 may include a linear actuator that moves the gripping unit 48 in a horizontal or vertical direction, or may include an articulated arm that moves the gripping unit 48 in three dimensions.

[0021] The transport unit 42 moves the gripping unit 48 to the unloading position 46 and causes the gripping unit 48 to grip the upper portion 12a of the bag 12 located at the unloading position 46. By moving the gripping unit 48 from the unloading position 46 toward the opening unit 16 while gripping the upper portion 12a of the bag 12, the bag 12 can be removed from the support unit 40 located at the unloading position 46. The transport unit 42 moves the gripping unit 48 downward above the opening unit 16 so that the lower portion 12b of the bag 12 gripped by the gripping unit 48 abuts against the cutter 26. After the lower portion 12b of the bag 12 is opened by the cutter 26 of the opening unit 16, the transport unit 42 may swing the gripping unit 48 to promote discharge of the dialysis agent contained in the bag 12. After a predetermined time has elapsed since the opening operation by the opening unit 16, the transport unit 42 moves the gripping unit 48 toward the discharge unit 44.

[0022] Discharge unit 44 is provided at discharge port 34 and discharges bag body 12 (also referred to as empty bag 32) that has been emptied by removing the dialysis agent to the outside of housing 18. Discharge unit 44 has a pair of rollers 50 for discharging empty bag 32 and a drive unit 52 that rotates pair of rollers 50. Empty bag 32 held by gripper 48 is moved toward discharge unit 44 by conveyor 42 and inserted between pair of rollers 50. After empty bag 32 is inserted between pair of rollers 50, grip by gripper 48 is released, and empty bag 32 is discharged to the outside by the rotation of pair of rollers 50. Empty bag 32 is compacted as it passes between pair of rollers 50 and falls into trash can 38.

[0023] 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the configuration of the support unit 40. The support unit 40 includes a first support member 40a, a second support member 40b, a third support member 40c, a fourth support member 40d, a bottom member 40e, a top member 40f, and a back member 40g.

[0024] The first support member 40a and the second support member 40b extend vertically from the bottom member 40e. The first support member 40a and the second support member 40b face each other at a predetermined distance d1. The bag body 12 is housed in an upright position between the first support member 40a and the second support member 40b. The front side of the space between the first support member 40a and the second support member 40b is open, and the back side is closed by a back member 40g.

[0025] The third support member 40c and the fourth support member 40d are located above the first support member 40a and the second support member 40b. The third support member 40c and the fourth support member 40d extend horizontally from the back member 40g toward the front side. The upper end of the first support member 40a and the third support member 40c, and the upper end of the second support member 40b and the fourth support member 40d are connected by an upper member 40f. The third support member 40c and the fourth support member 40d face each other at a predetermined distance d2. The facing distance d2 between the third support member 40c and the fourth support member 40d is smaller than the facing distance d1 between the first support member 40a and the second support member 40b.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the bag body 12 supported by the support member 40. In an upright position, the bag body 12 is disposed between the first support member 40a and the second support member 40b, and between the third support member 40c and the fourth support member 40d. When the bag body 12 is in an upright position, the contents of the bag body 12 are concentrated in the lower portion 12b, resulting in a larger thickness t1 of the lower portion 12b of the bag body 12 and a smaller thickness t2 of the upper portion 12a of the bag body 12. The thickness t1 of the lower portion 12b of the bag body 12 is greater than the thickness of the bag body 12 when laid horizontally and flattened. The thickness t2 of the upper portion 12a of the bag body 12 is smaller than the thickness of the bag body 12 when laid horizontally and flattened, and is the thickness of only the soft plastic sheet that constitutes the bag body 12.

[0027] The opposing distance d1 between the first support member 40a and the second support member 40b is set to be greater than the thickness t1 of the lower portion 12b of the bag body 12 in the upright state, and slightly greater than the thickness t1 of the lower portion 12b of the bag body 12. The first support member 40a and the second support member 40b support the side surfaces of the bag body 12 in the upright state, preventing the bag body 12 from tipping over sideways.

[0028] The opposing distance d2 between the third support member 40c and the fourth support member 40d is set to be smaller than the thickness t1 of the lower portion 12b of the bag body 12 in an upright state and larger than the thickness t2 of the upper portion 12a of the bag body 12. The opposing distance d2 between the third support member 40c and the fourth support member 40d is set to be slightly larger than the thickness t2 of the upper portion 12a of the bag body 12. By reducing the opposing distance d2 between the third support member 40c and the fourth support member 40d, the position of the upper portion 12a of the bag body 12 in the thickness direction can be limited, making it easier for the gripping portion 48 to grip the upper portion 12a of the bag body 12.

[0029] The third support member 40c and the fourth support member 40d are provided at a position lower than the upper end of the bag body 12 that is housed upright in the support part 40. The grip part 48 can grip the portion of the bag body 12 that is housed upright in the support part 40 and that protrudes above the third support member 40c and the fourth support member 40d.

[0030] The support portion 40 does not necessarily have to include the third support member 40c and the fourth support member 40d. The support portion 40 does not necessarily have to include the upper member 40f.

[0031] Fig. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of gripping portion 48. Fig. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating bag body 12 gripped by gripping portion 48. Grip portion 48 includes a first gripping member 48a, a second gripping member 48b, a third gripping member 48c, a fourth gripping member 48d, a first arm 48e, a second arm 48f, and an opening / closing portion 54.

[0032] The first gripping member 48a and the second gripping member 48b are parts that sandwich and grip the upper part 12a of the bag body 12. The first gripping member 48a and the second gripping member 48b are configured to slide in opposite directions by the opening / closing portion 54. When the first gripping member 48a and the second gripping member 48b move in directions toward each other, the first gripping member 48a and the second gripping member 48b close the gap between them and sandwich and fix the upper part 12a of the bag body 12. When the first gripping member 48a and the second gripping member 48b move in directions away from each other, the first gripping member 48a and the second gripping member 48b open the gap between them and release their grip on the bag body 12.

[0033] The first gripping member 48a has a protrusion 56 that protrudes toward the second gripping member 48b. The second gripping member 48b has a recess 58 that receives the protrusion 56. The protrusion 56 and the recess 58 are located opposite each other. When the first gripping member 48a and the second gripping member 48b are closed, the protrusion 56 is housed inside the recess 58. The upper portion 12a of the bag body 12 is firmly held by being sandwiched between the protrusion 56 and the recess 58. This effectively prevents the bag body 12 from falling off the gripping portion 48 even if the weight of the contents of the bag body 12 is large, for example, about 3 kg.

[0034] The third gripping member 48c is located below the first gripping member 48a. The third gripping member 48c is attached to the end of a first arm 48e that extends downward from the first gripping member 48a. The fourth gripping member 48d is located below the second gripping member 48b. The fourth gripping member 48d is attached to the end of a second arm 48f that extends downward from the second gripping member 48b. The third gripping member 48c and the fourth gripping member 48d are configured to move in opposite directions and open and close in accordance with the opening and closing operation of the first gripping member 48a and the second gripping member 48b by the opening and closing unit 54.

[0035] The third gripping member 48c and the fourth gripping member 48d are positioned adjacent to the center of the bag 12 gripped by the first gripping member 48a and the second gripping member 48b. The third gripping member 48c and the fourth gripping member 48d function to prevent the bag 12 from shaking in the thickness direction when the gripping unit 48 moves, and to stabilize the transport of the bag 12. The opposing distance d4 between the third gripping member 48c and the fourth gripping member 48d is greater than the opposing distance d3 between the first gripping member 48a and the second gripping member 48b. The opposing distance d4 between the third gripping member 48c and the fourth gripping member 48d is approximately the same as the thickness t1 of the lower portion 12b of the bag 12, and may be greater than or smaller than the thickness t1 of the lower portion 12b of the bag 12.

[0036] The gripping portion 48 does not necessarily have to include the third gripping member 48c and the fourth gripping member 48d, and does not necessarily have to include the first arm 48e and the second arm 48f.

[0037] The opening / closing unit 54 is configured to slide the first gripping member 48 a and the second gripping member 48 b to open and close the space between the first gripping member 48 a and the second gripping member 48 b. The opening / closing unit 54 can include, for example, a linear actuator that moves the first gripping member 48 a and the second gripping member 48 b in opposing directions.

[0038] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of guide portion 60 provided on gripping portion 48. Fig. 6 shows gripping portion 48, viewed from above, moving in the direction indicated by arrow A toward bag body 12 supported by support portion 40.

[0039] The first gripping member 48a may have a guide portion 60 and a biasing portion 62. The guide portion 60 is provided on the step of the convex portion 56 and is arranged so as to be inclined in the protruding direction of the convex portion 56. When the gripping portion 48 approaches the bag body 12 supported by the support portion 40, the guide portion 60 guides the end portion 12c of the bag body 12 between the convex portion 56 and the concave portion 58. In other words, the guide portion 60 prevents the end portion 12c of the upper portion 12a of the bag body 12 from getting caught on the step of the convex portion 56. The guide portion 60 may be formed of a plate-like member. The biasing portion 62 biases the guide portion 60 in the protruding direction of the convex portion 56, maintaining the inclination of the guide portion 60. The biasing portion 62 may be formed of an elastic member such as a leaf spring, a coil spring, or rubber.

[0040] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating the guide portion 60 when the gripping portion 48 is closed. When the gripping portion 48 is closed, the guide portion 60 is sandwiched between the first gripping member 48a and the second gripping member 48b. The biasing portion 62 is unable to bias the guide portion 60 due to the pressing force between the first gripping member 48a and the second gripping member 48b. The guide portion 60 follows the surface of the first gripping member 48a without tilting in the protruding direction of the convex portion 56. When the gripping portion 48 is opened, the pressing force between the first gripping member 48a and the second gripping member 48b is released, and the guide portion 60 returns to its tilted state, biased by the biasing portion 62, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0041] Fig. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which the bag body 12 supported by the support portion 40 is gripped by the gripping portion 48. Fig. 8 shows the bag body 12 in the state shown in Fig. 7 as viewed from the side.

[0042] 9 and 10 are diagrams schematically illustrating the configuration of the discharge unit 44. The discharge unit 44 includes a pair of rollers 50 that face each other horizontally. As shown in FIG. 9, an empty bag 32 is gripped by a gripper 48 and conveyed by the conveying unit 42 to the entrance of the pair of rollers 50. When the empty bag 32 is sandwiched between the pair of rollers 50, the gripper 48 releases the grip on the empty bag 32, as shown in FIG. 10. The pair of rollers 50 compresses the empty bag 32 inserted therebetween and discharges it from the discharge opening 34 to the outside of the housing 18. This allows the empty bag 32 to be disposed of in a compactly compressed state in the trash can 38, preventing the empty bag 32 from being disposed of in a bulky state.

[0043] The conveying unit 42 may release the grip of the empty bag 32 by the gripping unit 48 when the gripping unit 48 moves to a predetermined discharge position. The predetermined discharge position can be set in advance as the position where the empty bag 32 gripped by the gripping unit 48 is inserted between the pair of rollers 50. The conveying unit 42 may release the grip of the empty bag 32 by the gripping unit 48 when a predetermined time (for example, one or two seconds) has passed since the gripping unit 48 moved to the predetermined discharge position. By releasing the grip of the gripping unit 48 after the predetermined time has passed since the movement to the discharge position, the empty bag 32 can be reliably sandwiched between the pair of rollers 50.

[0044] The conveying unit 42 may release the grip of the empty bag 32 by the gripping unit 48 based on the measurement result of the rotational torque of the roller pair 50. The conveying unit 42 may detect an increase in rotational torque caused by the empty bag 32 being pinched between the roller pair 50 based on the measurement result of a torque sensor provided in the drive unit 52 that drives the roller pair 50, and may release the grip of the empty bag 32 by the gripping unit 48. If the measurement result of the rotational torque of the roller pair 50 exceeds a predetermined reference value, the conveying unit 42 may output an error without releasing the grip of the empty bag 32 by the gripping unit 48. For example, an error can be detected when the opening unit 16 does not properly open the bag 12 and dialysis agent remains inside the bag 12, causing the rotational torque of the roller pair 50 to become excessive.

[0045] The conveying unit 42 may release the grip of the empty bag 32 by the gripping unit 48 when a passage sensor provided around the roller pair 50 detects the empty bag 32. For example, a passage sensor that detects the passage of the empty bag 32 can be provided at the entrance to the roller pair 50. The conveying unit 42 may release the grip of the empty bag 32 by the gripping unit 48 when the detection by the passage sensor continues for a predetermined period of time (for example, 1 or 2 seconds).

[0046] According to this embodiment, by supporting the bag body 12 in an upright position on the support portion 40, the bag body 12 can be transported by gripping the upper portion 12a of the bag body 12. As a result, the bag body 12 can be transported more reliably than when the bag body 12 is transported in a lying position. Furthermore, by gripping the upper portion 12a of the bag body 12, the bag body 12 can be firmly gripped even when the bag body 12 is opened, and the bag body 12 can be prevented from falling into the dissolution tank 14.

[0047] According to this embodiment, the opened bag 12 is sandwiched between the roller pair 50 and discharged, thereby allowing the bag 12 to be disposed of in a compactly compressed state. Furthermore, by arranging the roller pair 50 inside the discharge opening 34 of the housing 18, the conveying mechanism for discharging the bag 12 can be prevented from protruding outside the housing 18, allowing the overall configuration of the device to be made compact. For example, if the bag 12 is to be conveyed to the trash can 38 while being held by the gripper 48, it becomes necessary to extend the conveying unit 42 to directly above the trash can 38. On the other hand, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to provide the conveying unit 42 in the space directly above the trash can 38.

[0048] 11 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a melting apparatus 10A according to a modified example. The modified example differs from the above-described embodiment in that the support part 40 is arranged so as to be inclined at the unloading position 46. The following description of the modified example will focus on the differences from the above-described embodiment, and will omit a description of the commonalities as appropriate.

[0049] 12 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which a bag body 12 supported by a support portion 40 according to a modified example is gripped by a gripping portion 48. In this modified example, the support portion 40 disposed at the discharge position 46 is disposed so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle θ with respect to the horizontal direction. The predetermined angle θ is, for example, 10 degrees or more and 45 degrees or less, for example, 15 degrees or more and 30 degrees or less. By inclining the support portion 40, the bag body 12 can be disposed so that an end portion 12c of an upper portion 12a of the bag body 12 supported by the support portion 40 protrudes upward.

[0050] The gripping portion 48 can grip the vicinity of the end 12c of the upper portion 12a of the bag 12 supported by the support portion 40. In a modified example, the gripping portion 48 grips not the center 12d of the upper portion 12a of the bag 12, but a portion closer to the end 12c than the center 12d. The gripping portion 48 can grip the bag 12, for example, in an orientation such that the diagonal line of the bag 12 is vertical. This allows the bag 12 to be gripped so that the end 12e of the lower portion 12b of the bag 12 (see FIG. 12 ) protrudes downward. The opening portion 16 can open the end 12e of the lower portion 12b of the bag 12, thereby facilitating the discharge of the powdered dialysis agent contained in the bag 12.

[0051] The present invention has been described above based on examples. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and that various design changes and modifications are possible, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0052] Several aspects of the present invention will now be described.

[0053] A first aspect of the present invention is a conveying device including: a conveying unit having a gripping unit that grips an upper portion of a bag body and moves the gripping unit; and a discharge unit having a pair of horizontally opposed rollers that discharges the bag body inserted between the pair of rollers by the conveying unit through rotation of the pair of rollers. According to the first aspect, the bag body can be sandwiched between the pair of rollers and discharged, allowing the bag body to be compactly compressed for disposal.

[0054] In a second aspect of the present invention, in the conveying device according to the first aspect, the conveying section releases the grip of the bag body by the gripping section when the gripping section moves to a predetermined discharge position. According to the second aspect, the bag body can be reliably transferred from the conveying section to the discharge section.

[0055] In a third aspect of the present invention, in the conveying device according to the first aspect, the conveying section releases the grip of the bag body by the gripping section when a predetermined time has elapsed since the gripping section moved to a predetermined discharge position. According to the third aspect, the bag body can be more reliably transferred from the conveying section to the discharge section.

[0056] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the conveying device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the conveying section releases the grip of the bag body by the gripping section based on a measurement result of the rotational torque of the roller pair. According to the fourth aspect, the bag body can be reliably delivered from the conveying section to the discharge section.

[0057] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the conveying device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the conveying section releases the grip of the bag body by the gripping section upon detection by a passage sensor provided around the roller pair. According to the fifth aspect, the bag body can be reliably delivered from the conveying section to the discharge section.

[0058] A sixth aspect of the present invention is the conveying device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the roller pair is disposed at a discharge port of a housing that houses the conveying unit. According to the sixth aspect, there is no need to provide a discharge mechanism outside the housing, which makes it possible to suppress an increase in the size of the device.

[0059] A seventh aspect of the present invention is a dissolving device comprising: the conveying device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects; an opening part that opens a lower part of the bag gripped by the gripping part; and a dissolving tank that is provided below the opening part and receives the powdered dialysis agent that drops from the opened bag, wherein the conveying part moves the opened bag from the opening part toward the discharge part. According to the seventh aspect, the bag containing the dialysis agent used for preparing the dialysis solution can be compressed by a pair of rollers after opening and disposed of, thereby improving convenience for an operator preparing the dialysis solution.

[0060] An eighth aspect of the present invention is a conveying device including a support unit that supports a bag containing a powdery content in an upright position, and a conveying unit that has a gripping unit that grips an upper portion of the bag supported by the support unit and moves the gripping unit from the support unit. According to the eighth aspect, by supporting the bag in an upright position, the powdery content can be concentrated toward the lower portion of the bag, making the upper portion of the bag thinner. Because the gripping unit can grip the thinner upper portion of the bag, it becomes easy to firmly grip the bag, and the bag can be stably conveyed.

[0061] A ninth aspect of the present invention is the conveying device according to the eighth aspect, wherein the gripping section includes a first gripping member and a second gripping member facing each other with an upper portion of the bag sandwiched therebetween, the first gripping member having a convex portion protruding toward the second gripping member, and the second gripping member having a concave portion for receiving the convex portion, and the upper portion of the bag being sandwiched between the convex portion and the concave portion. According to the ninth aspect, the upper portion of the bag can be sandwiched and gripped between the concave portion and the convex portion, so that the bag can be firmly gripped and the bag can be stably conveyed.

[0062] A tenth aspect of the present invention is the conveying device according to the ninth aspect, wherein the gripping section further includes a third gripping member located below the first gripping member and a fourth gripping member located below the second gripping member, the third gripping member and the fourth gripping member facing each other across a central portion of the bag, and the opposing distance between the third gripping member and the fourth gripping member is greater than the opposing distance between the first gripping member and the second gripping member. According to the tenth aspect, the central portion or the lower portion of the bag can be gripped, allowing the bag to be conveyed more stably.

[0063] An eleventh aspect of the present invention is the conveying device according to the ninth or tenth aspect, wherein the first gripping member has a guide portion provided at a step of the convex portion and inclined in the protruding direction of the convex portion, and a biasing portion that biases the guide portion in the protruding direction of the convex portion. According to the eleventh aspect, the provision of the guide portion makes it possible to guide the upper portion of the bag body between the convex portion and the concave portion. The provision of the biasing portion makes it possible to tilt the guide portion when the gripping portion is in an open state.

[0064] A twelfth aspect of the present invention is the conveying device according to any one of the eighth to eleventh aspects, wherein the support unit includes first and second support members that face each other across the bag body, and third and fourth support members that face each other above the first and second support members across the bag body, and the distance between the third and fourth support members is shorter than the distance between the first and second support members. According to the twelfth aspect, the first and second support members can support the lower part of the bag body, preventing the upright bag body from tipping over. Furthermore, the third and fourth support members, which face each other at a smaller distance, can regulate the position of the upper part of the thin bag body, making it easier for the gripper to grip the upper part of the bag body.

[0065] A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the conveying device according to any one of the eighth to twelfth aspects, wherein the support portion is capable of supporting the bag body in an upright state at an angle, and the gripping portion grips an upwardly protruding end portion of the bag body supported in an angled state by the support portion. According to the thirteenth aspect, the bag body can be gripped by an upper end portion thereof, and the bag pair can be gripped so that a diagonal line of the bag pair is vertical.

[0066] A fourteenth aspect of the present invention is a dissolving device further comprising: the conveying device according to any one of the eighth to thirteenth aspects; an opening part that opens a lower part of the bag gripped by the gripping part; and a dissolving tank provided below the opening part that receives the powdered dialysis agent that falls from the opened bag, wherein the conveying part moves the gripping part between the support part and the opening part. According to the fourteenth aspect, the bag containing the dialysis agent used in preparing the dialysis solution can be conveyed to the dissolving tank and opened, thereby improving convenience for an operator preparing the dialysis solution. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 10...dissolving device, 12...bag body, 14...dissolving tank, 16...opening section, 18...casing, 20...conveying device, 26...cutter, 28...work space, 30...feed-in entrance, 32...empty bag, 34...discharge outlet, 36...stock section, 40...support section, 40a...first support member, 40b...second support member, 40c...third support member, 40d...fourth support member, 42...conveying section, 44...discharge section, 46...conveying position, 48...gripping section, 48a...first gripping member, 48b...second gripping member, 48c...third gripping member, 48d...fourth gripping member, 48e...first arm, 48f...second arm, 50...roller pair, 52...drive section, 54...opening / closing section, 56...convex section, 58...concave section, 60...guide section, 62...urging section.

Claims

1. a conveying unit having a gripping unit that grips an upper portion of the bag body and that moves the gripping unit; a discharge unit having a pair of rollers facing each other in a horizontal direction, and discharging the bag body inserted between the pair of rollers by the conveying unit by rotation of the pair of rollers. Conveying device.

2. When the gripping portion moves to a predetermined discharge position, the conveying portion releases the gripping portion from the bag body. The conveying device according to claim 1 .

3. the conveying unit releases the grip of the bag body by the gripping unit when a predetermined time has elapsed since the gripping unit moved to a predetermined discharge position. The conveying device according to claim 1 .

4. The conveying unit releases the gripping of the bag body by the gripping unit based on a measurement result of the rotational torque of the roller pair. The conveying device according to claim 1 .

5. the conveying unit releases the grip of the bag body by the gripping unit upon detection by a passage sensor provided around the pair of rollers; The conveying device according to claim 1 .

6. The roller pair is disposed at a discharge port of a housing that accommodates the conveying unit. The conveying device according to claim 1 .

7. A conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 6; an opening portion that opens a lower portion of the bag body gripped by the gripping portion; a dissolution tank provided below the opening portion for receiving the powdered dialysis agent that falls from the opened bag; The conveying unit moves the opened bag from the opening unit toward the discharge unit. Melting equipment.

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