Tablet dispensing device

Abstract

The present invention provides a tablet dispensing device capable of dispensing spherical tablets of various sizes. [Solution] The device comprises a container body 3 for containing tablets and a rotor 4 rotatably mounted on the container body, with a tablet guide path 4b formed therein for guiding the tablets in the container body to a tablet discharge hole 8 of the container body. At least one of the two walls in the width direction of the tablet guide path is movably mounted relative to the other. The tablets in the tablet guide path 4b are supported by a first guide surface S1 formed by one of the two walls in the width direction of the tablet guide path, a second guide surface S2 formed by the other of the two walls in the width direction of the tablet guide path, and a third guide surface S3 on the inner surface of the container body which is inclined downward toward the center of the rotor. The first guide surface and the second guide surface are inclined with respect to the radial direction of the rotor such that the distance between them decreases toward the center of the rotor.

Description

Technical Field

[0005]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tablet dispensing device capable of dispensing spherical tablets of various sizes.

Background Art

[0002] Tablet dispensing devices installed in pharmacies and hospitals are provided with a large number of tablet cassettes and can automatically provide tablets according to prescriptions quickly, reliably, and safely to many patients. Tablets come in many shapes and sizes, such as circular, elliptical, spherical, capsule-shaped, and sugar-coated, and it is desirable for tablet dispensing devices to be able to dispense as many types of tablets as possible.

[0003] The applicant of the present application proposed in Patent Document 1 a tablet cassette in which the width and depth of the tablet guide path of a rotor can be changed according to the type of tablet. However, since spherical tablets have a shape that is easy to roll, it was difficult to dispense them from a general-purpose tablet cassette such as that in Patent Document 1. Therefore, for spherical tablets frequently used in pharmacies and hospitals, dedicated tablet cassettes were created that were processed to fit their shape, but they could not be used if the tablet sizes were different. Spherical tablets for which dedicated tablet cassettes were not prepared were manually scattered into a manual tablet supply device for dispensing, but this took time, and mistakes such as incorrect counting occurred, and because they were spherical, they were troublesome to handle and there was a risk of loss because they were likely to fall and roll.

Prior Art Documents

[0006] As a means to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides (1) A tablet dispensing device comprising a container body for containing spherical tablets and a rotor rotatably mounted on the container body and having a tablet guide path formed therein for guiding the tablets in the container body to a tablet dispensing hole in the container body, At least one of the two walls in the width direction of the tablet guide path is provided to be movable relative to the other, The first guide surface is formed by one of the two walls in the width direction of the tablet guide path, The second guide surface is formed by the other of the two walls in the width direction of the tablet guide path, The inner surface of the container body and a third guide surface that slopes downward toward the center of the rotor support the tablets in the tablet guide path.

[0007] (2) The first guide surface and the second guide surface are inclined with respect to the radial direction of the rotor such that the distance between them decreases toward the center of the rotor.

[0008] (3) The third guide surface is located below the partition member that separates the tablets in the tablet guide path.

[0009] (4) A first member having a wall that forms the first guide surface, A second member having a wall that forms the second guide surface, The second member is coaxial with the first member and is movably mounted relative to the first member in the circumferential direction of the rotor.

[0010] (5) The third member forming the third guide surface is provided at the corners of the side and bottom surfaces of the container body.

[0011] (6) A width adjustment member is provided to adjust the width between the first guide surface and the second guide surface.

[0012] (7) The width adjustment member consists of an adjustment cap provided in the center of the upper surface of the rotor, The adjustment cap is movable in the axial direction of the rotor between an adjustment position and a fixed position, the second guide surface can be rotated relative to the first guide surface in the adjustment position, and the second guide surface can be fixed relative to the first guide surface in the fixed position.

[0013] (8) The adjustment cap can rotate the second guide surface relative to the first guide surface via a reduction gear.

[0014] (9) The first member is A cylindrical base and A horizontal projection extending radially from the cylindrical base of the rotor, It has a vertical projection extending downward from the horizontal projection, The aforementioned vertical projection forms a wall that forms the first guide surface.

[0015] (10) The second member is An annular base portion that fits into the cylindrical base portion of the first member, A horizontal projection extending radially from the annular base of the rotor, It has a vertical projection extending downward from the horizontal projection, The vertical projection forms a wall that forms the second guide surface.

[0016] (11) The third member has a segmental circular shape and includes an outer peripheral surface that abuts against the side surface of the container body, a bottom surface that abuts against the bottom surface of the container body, and an inclined surface that connects the upper end of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral end of the bottom surface. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] By rotating the second guide surface with respect to the first guide surface and simply separating or approaching the second guide surface with respect to the first guide surface, a tablet guide path corresponding to the size of the spherical tablet can be formed. Therefore, unlike the prior art, it is not necessary to change not only the width of the tablet guide path but also the depth of the tablet guide path and the position of the partition member, and a tablet guide path suitable for spherical tablets of any diameter can be formed by a simple operation.

[0018] In addition, unlike the prior art, there is no need to manufacture a dedicated tablet cassette suitable for a specific spherical tablet or to dispense spherical tablets that cannot use a dedicated tablet cassette with a hand-fed tablet supply device, and tablets of various spherical sizes can be dispensed with one tablet cassette.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] Perspective view showing a tablet cassette and a motor base according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Exploded perspective view showing a cassette body and a rotor of a tablet cassette. [Figure 3] Perspective view seen from the bottom of the cassette body. [Figure 4] Perspective view showing a state where a guide of the cassette body is removed. [Figure 5] Perspective view (a) of a rotor, a partially enlarged view (b) thereof, and a longitudinal sectional view (c) of a tablet guide path. [Figure 6] Exploded perspective view of the rotor seen obliquely from above. [Figure 7] Exploded perspective view of the rotor seen obliquely from below. [Figure 8] Exploded perspective view (a) of an adjustment cap, a partially enlarged sectional view (b), and a partially enlarged plan view (c). [Figure 9] Cross-sectional view of a rotor showing a tablet guide path. [Figure 10] Cross-sectional view showing the operation of a rotor. [Figure 11] Cross-sectional view of a tablet cassette showing the operation of an adjustment cap. [Figure 12] Partially broken single-sided view of a rotor showing the operation of a reduction gear. [Figure 13] Partially enlarged plan view (a) and partly enlarged vertical view (b) showing the adjustment operation of the tablet guide path. [Figure 14A] Plan view of a rotor with a tablet guide path adjusted for 4mm spherical tablets. [Figure 14B] Plan view of a rotor with a tablet guide path adjusted for 5mm spherical tablets. [Figure 14C] Plan view of a rotor with a tablet guide path adjusted for 6mm spherical tablets. [Figure 14D] Plan view of a rotor with a tablet guide path adjusted for 7mm spherical tablets. [Figure 14E] Plan view of a rotor with a tablet guide path adjusted for 8mm spherical tablets. [Figure 14F] Plan view of a rotor with a tablet guide path adjusted for 9mm spherical tablets. [Figure 15] A perspective view showing the rotor of a tablet cassette according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] An exploded perspective view of the rotor, seen from diagonally above. [Figure 17] An exploded perspective view of the rotor, seen from diagonally below. [Figure 18] Cross-sectional view of the rotor showing the tablet guide path. [Figure 19] A cross-sectional view of a tablet cassette showing the operation of the adjustment cap. [Figure 20A] Plan view of a rotor with a tablet guide path adjusted for 4mm spherical tablets. [Figure 20B] Plan view of a rotor with a tablet guide path adjusted for 6mm spherical tablets. [Figure 20C] Plan view of a rotor with a tablet guide path adjusted for 9mm spherical tablets. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] <First Embodiment> A tablet packaging device holds various types of tablets of different sizes and dimensions, dispenses the tablets required for a prescription, and packages and discharges them according to the timing of administration. The tablet packaging device is equipped with multiple tablet dispensing devices, or tablet cassettes, that can be detachably attached to each type of tablet.

[0022] Figure 1 shows a tablet cassette 1, which is a tablet dispensing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, mounted on a tablet packaging device. The tablet cassette 1 consists of a cassette body 3, which is a tablet container that houses a large number of spherical tablets and is mounted on a motor base 2, and a rotor 4 housed in the cassette body 3, as shown in Figure 2.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, the cassette body 3 consists of a tablet storage section 5 capable of accommodating a large number of tablets, and a rotor storage section 6 located below the tablet storage section 5 and housing the rotor 4. The upper end of the tablet storage section 5 is open and can be opened and closed with a lid 7 as shown in Figure 1. A tablet discharge hole 8 is formed from the lower side to the bottom of the rotor storage section 6. The tablet discharge hole 8 communicates with a tablet discharge passage 2a formed in the motor base 2. As shown in Figure 3, a partition member 9 is attached to the outside of the cassette body 3, and the tip of the partition member 9 is inserted from the outside to the inside of the rotor storage section 6.

[0024] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, a guide 10 is attached to the corner between the bottom and side surfaces of the cassette body 3. The guide 10 constitutes the third member of the present invention and, when viewed from above, has a segmental circular shape and has an outer peripheral portion 10a that abuts against the side surface of the rotor housing portion 6 of the cassette body 3, a bottom portion 10b that abuts against the bottom surface of the rotor housing portion 6 of the cassette body 3, and an inclined portion 10c that connects the upper end of the outer peripheral portion 10a and the inner peripheral end of the bottom portion 10b. The angle of the inclined portion 10c with respect to the bottom portion 10b is approximately 57° in this embodiment, but is not limited to this. Three engagement claws 10d are formed on the outer peripheral surface 10a of the guide 10, which engage with engagement recesses 6a formed on the side surface of the rotor housing portion 6 of the cassette body 3.

[0025] As shown in Figure 5, the rotor 4 has a roughly conical top surface, a cylindrical upper side, an inverted cone lower side, and a flat bottom. The top surface forms the bottom of the tablet storage section 5 of the cassette body 3, on which the tablets are stored. Multiple (six in this embodiment) tablet guide paths 4b are provided on the sides at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, extending downward from the outer peripheral edge of the top surface.

[0026] The tablet guide path 4b is formed by a left-side first guide surface S1 formed by the first vertical projection 18 of the first member 11 (described later), a right-side second guide surface S2 formed by the second vertical projection 23 of the second member 12 (described later), and a lower third guide surface S3 formed by the inclined portion 10c of the guide 10 shown in Figure 4. It receives the tablets stored on the upper surface of the cassette body 3 and guides them to the tablet discharge hole 8 below.

[0027] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the rotor 4 is composed of a first member 11, a second member 12, a gear fixing bracket 13, an adjustment cap 14, and a reduction gear 15.

[0028] The first member 11 has a cylindrical base 16, a first horizontal projection 17, and a first vertical projection 18.

[0029] The cylindrical base portion 16 has a bottom portion 19, and on the lower surface of the bottom portion 19 there is a lower base portion 20 which has a smaller diameter than the cylindrical base portion 16.

[0030] A rotor shaft 19a protrudes downward from the center of the lower surface of the bottom portion 19. As shown in Figure 3, the rotor shaft 19a penetrates the bottom surface of the cassette body 3, and a rotor drive gear 19b is attached to its lower end. The rotor drive gear 19b meshes with an intermediate gear 3a provided on the bottom surface of the cassette body 3. When the tablet cassette 1 is attached to the motor base 2, the intermediate gear 3a meshes with the connecting gear 2b of the motor base 2 shown in Figure 1, and the rotor shaft 19a is driven by a motor (not shown) in the motor base 2.

[0031] A central shaft 19c protrudes upward from the center of the upper surface of the bottom 19 of the cylindrical base 16, coaxially with the rotor shaft 19a. The central shaft 19c has a cross-shaped cross section and is designed to be slidably inserted into the cylindrical shaft portion 24c of the adjustment cap 14, which will be described later. Four elastic pieces 19d, each having an engaging claw 19e at its tip, protrude upward around the center of the upper surface of the bottom 19. Three guide walls 19f protrude upward from the outside of the four elastic pieces 19d on the upper surface of the bottom 19. Three receiving seats 19g are provided on the outside of the three guide walls 19f on the upper surface of the bottom 19, into which the lower ends of the three support columns 13d of the gear fixing bracket 13, which will be described later, are fitted.

[0032] The first horizontal projection 17 extends diagonally downward from a position circumferentially spaced six times the upper end of the cylindrical base 16 toward the radially outward direction of the rotor 4. The upper surface of the first horizontal projection 17, together with the second horizontal projection 22 of the second member 12, forms the bottom surface of the tablet storage section 5 of the cassette body 3.

[0033] The first vertical projection 18 extends downward from the upstream edge of the first horizontal projection 17 in the rotational direction of the rotor 4. The first vertical projection 18 is inclined with respect to the radial direction of the rotor 4. That is, as shown in Figure 9, the inner end of the first vertical projection 18 is inclined α° (approximately 28° in this embodiment) upstream of the rotor 4 in the rotational direction with respect to the line connecting the outer end of the first vertical projection 18 and the center of the rotor 4. The first vertical projection 18 has a notch 18a into which the partition member 9 enters, extending radially inward from the outer end of the first vertical projection 18. The outer end of the first vertical projection 18 below the notch 18a is inclined radially inward of the rotor 4 so as to follow the inclined portion 10c of the guide 10 of the cassette body 3.

[0034] The second member 12 is provided coaxially with the first member 11 and has an annular base 21, a second horizontal projection 22, and a second vertical projection 23.

[0035] The annular base portion 21 has an outer diameter that fits into the inner surface of the cylindrical base portion 16 of the first member 11. A segment gear 21a is formed on the inner surface of the annular base portion 21, which meshes with the small gear 15b of the reduction gear 15, which will be described later.

[0036] The second horizontal projection 22 extends diagonally downward from a position circumferentially 6 times the upper end of the annular base 21 toward the radially outward direction of the rotor 4. The second horizontal projection 22 overlaps with the first horizontal projection 17 of the first member 11, and the upper surface of the second horizontal projection 22, together with the first horizontal projection 17 of the first member 11, forms the bottom surface of the tablet storage section 5 of the cassette body 3.

[0037] The second vertical projection 23 extends downward from the downstream edge of the second horizontal projection 22 in the rotational direction of the rotor 4. The second vertical projection 23 is inclined with respect to the radial direction of the rotor 4. That is, as shown in Figure 9, the inner end of the second vertical projection 23 is inclined α° (approximately 28° in this embodiment) downstream of the rotor 4 in the rotational direction with respect to the line connecting the outer end of the second vertical projection 23 and the center of the rotor 4. Similar to the first vertical projection 18 of the first member 11, the second vertical projection 23 has a notch 23a into which the partition member 9 enters, extending radially inward from the outer end of the rotor 4. The outer end of the second vertical projection 23 below the notch 23a is inclined radially inward of the rotor 4 so as to follow the inclined portion 10c of the guide 10 of the cassette body 3.

[0038] The second vertical projection 23 faces the first vertical projection 18 of the first member 11, forming a tablet guide path 4b. As shown in Figures 5(b) and 5(c), below the partition member 9 of the tablet guide path 4b, the spacing between the first vertical projection 18 and the second vertical projection 23 below the inclined lines L1 and L2 toward the inside of the rotor 4 is formed to widen outwards toward the bottom. Alternatively, the spacing between the first vertical projection 18 and the second vertical projection 23 above the partition member 9 of the tablet guide path 4b may be formed to widen outwards toward the top. This makes it easier for tablets to enter and exit the tablet guide path 4b.

[0039] The gear fixing bracket 13 has an annular shape with an outer surface that fits inside the tubular base 21 of the second member 12. A positioning inner gear 13a is formed on part or all of the inner circumference of the gear fixing bracket 13, into which the positioning outer gear 25c of the adjustment cap 14 (described later) slidably engages from above. A cover portion 13b is formed at the upper end of the fixing bracket 13, extending diagonally downward and radially outward from the rotor 4. The cover portion 13b is formed to cover the gap between the gear fixing bracket 13 and the first member 11 and the second member 12. The cover portion is provided with a scale 13c in the circumferential direction, marked with numbers from 4 to 9 indicating the diameter of the tablets. Three support columns 13d protrude from the lower end of the fixing bracket 13. The lower ends of the three support columns 13d are fitted into the receiving seats 19g at the bottom of the cylindrical base of the first member, thereby attaching the gear fixing bracket 13 integrally with the first member 11.

[0040] As shown in Figure 8, the adjustment cap 14 consists of an upper cap 24, a lower cap 25, and a positioning spring 26.

[0041] The upper part 24 of the cap is formed in an umbrella shape, and has a rectangular knob portion 24a extending radially on its upper surface, and a triangular mark 24b at the tip of the knob portion 24a that points to the scale 13c of the gear fixing bracket 13. A cylindrical shaft portion 24c is provided projecting downward from the center of the lower surface of the knob portion 24a. The shaft portion 24c is slidably fitted into the central axis 19c of the bottom portion 19 of the cylindrical base portion 16 of the first member 11.

[0042] The lower part of the cap 25 consists of a perforated circular bottom plate 25a that is attached to the upper part of the cap 24 so as to cover the upper part of the cap 24 from below, and a cylindrical portion 25b that extends downward from the lower surface of the bottom plate 25a. A positioning outer gear 25c that meshes with the positioning inner gear 13a of the gear fixing bracket 13 is formed on part or all of the outer circumference of the bottom plate 25a. As a result, the adjustment cap 14 is movable in the axial direction of the rotor 4 between a lower fixed position where the positioning outer gear 25c meshes with the positioning inner gear 13a and an upper adjustment position where the positioning outer gear 25c disengages from the positioning inner gear 13a. A cylindrical gear 25d that meshes with a reduction gear 15, which will be described later, is formed on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 25b. On the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 25b, there is an inner circumferential protrusion 25f that engages with the engaging claw 19e of the elastic piece 19d of the first member 11 when the adjustment cap 14 is pushed in, and on the inner circumferential surface of this inner circumferential protrusion 25f, there is a stopper 25g that engages with the engaging claw 19e of the elastic piece 19d of the first member 11 when the adjustment cap 14 is pulled up.

[0043] Multiple positioning springs 26 are provided within the area where the positioning outer gear 25c is formed. In this embodiment, two positioning springs 26 are provided at 90° intervals, but this is not limited to this. The positioning springs 26 are housed in recesses 25h formed on the upper surface of the bottom plate 25a of the lower part of the cap 25. The positioning springs 26 are fixed at both ends to fixing portions 25i formed at both ends of the recess 25h, so that the middle portion of the positioning spring 26 is elastic. A positioning projection 26a is formed in the center of the middle portion of the positioning spring 26. The positioning projection 26a has the same gear shape as the positioning outer gear 25c, but is formed to be longer in the axial direction of the rotor 4 than the positioning outer gear 25c. The positioning projection 26a forms part of the positioning outer gear 25c and meshes with the positioning inner gear 13a of the gear fixing bracket 13. Since the positioning projection 26a is longer in the axial direction of the rotor 4 than the positioning outer gear 25c, even if the adjustment cap 14 is pulled up in the axial direction of the rotor 4 and the positioning outer gear 15c disengages from the positioning inner gear 13a, the adjustment cap 14 maintains its engagement with the positioning inner gear 13a. As a result, when the adjustment cap 14 is rotated, the intermediate portion elastically deforms and overcomes the positioning inner gear 13a, allowing it to stop at any position relative to the positioning inner gear 13a.

[0044] Each reduction gear 15 has a large gear 15a and a small gear 15b with fewer teeth than the large gear 15a, both mounted on the same shaft portion 15c. Multiple reduction gears are provided (three in this embodiment, but one or two may also be used). The fractional number of teeth on the large gear 15a of each reduction gear 15 is 30, and the fractional number of teeth on the small gear 15b is 8, but this is not limited to these. Each reduction gear 15 is positioned between the bottom portion 19 of the first member 11 and the gear fixing bracket 13. The lower end of the shaft portion 15c is supported by the bottom portion 19 of the first member 11, and the upper end of the shaft portion 15c is supported by the gear fixing bracket 13. The large gear 15a of the reduction gear 15 meshes with the cylindrical gear 25d of the adjustment cap 14, and the small gear 15b of the reduction gear 15 meshes with the segment gear 21a of the second member 12.

[0045] Next, the operation of the rotor 4 in the tablet cassette 1, which has the above configuration, will be explained.

[0046] As shown in Figure 5, the rotor 4 has a step 27 formed between the first horizontal projection 17 of the first member 11 and the second horizontal projection 22 of the second member 12. Also, as shown in Figure 10, a tablet pocket 4a extending circumferentially on the upper side of the rotor 4 and a plurality of tablet guide paths 4b extending downward from the upper side of the rotor 4 are formed between the cassette body 3 and the rotor 4. The step 27 is located on the upstream side in the rotational direction of the rotor 4 with respect to the tablet guide paths 4b.

[0047] The tablet pocket 4a is formed between the first horizontal projection 17 of the first member 11 of the rotor 4 or the second horizontal projection 22 of the second member 12 and the inner surface of the cassette body 3.

[0048] The tablet guide path 4b is formed by a left-side first guide surface S1 formed by the first vertical projection 18 of the first member 11 of the rotor 4, a right-side second guide surface S2 formed by the second vertical projection 23 of the second member 12, and a lower third guide surface S3 formed by the inclined portion 10c of the guide 19. The inclined portion 10c of the guide 10 forms the bottom surface of the tablet guide path 4b.

[0049] As already mentioned with reference to Figure 9, the first vertical projection 18 and the second vertical projection 23 of the rotor 4 are inclined with respect to the radial direction of the rotor 4. Specifically, the inner end of the first vertical projection 18 is inclined at approximately 28° upstream in the rotational direction of the rotor 4 with respect to the line connecting the outer end of the first vertical projection 18 and the center of the rotor 4, and the inner end of the second vertical projection 23 is inclined at approximately 28° downstream in the rotational direction of the rotor 4 with respect to the line connecting the outer end of the second vertical projection 23 and the center of the rotor 4. As a result, the first guide surface S1 on the left side formed by the first vertical projection 18 and the second guide surface S2 on the right side formed by the second vertical projection 23 are inclined with respect to the radial direction of the rotor 4, forming a V shape, such that the distance between them narrows towards the center of the rotor 4 when viewed from above the rotor 4.

[0050] As shown in Figure 10, the tablets T stored in the tablet storage section 5 of the cassette body 3 enter the tablet pocket 4a as they are stirred by the step 27 between the first horizontal projection 17 of the first member 11 and the second horizontal projection 22 of the second member 12, as shown in Figure 5, by the rotation of the rotor 4 in a clockwise direction when viewed from above. From the tablet pocket 4a, they enter the tablet guide path 4b, and as the tablet guide path 4b approaches the tablet discharge hole 8, the partition member 9 fixed to the cassette body 3 enters between the lowest tablet T in the tablet guide path 4b and the tablets T above it.

[0051] The tablets T above the partition member 9 are surrounded by the first guide surface S1 of the first vertical projection 18 of the first member 11, the second guide surface S2 of the second vertical projection 23 of the second member 12, and the inner surface of the cassette body 3, and are prevented from falling downward by the partition member 9. The lowest tablet T below the partition member 9 is surrounded by the first guide surface S1 of the first vertical projection 18 of the first member 11 and the second guide surface S2 of the second vertical projection 23 of the second member 12, and is supported by the third guide surface S3 of the inclined portion 10c of the guide 10, but when the tablet guide path 4b reaches the tablet discharge hole 8 where there is no guide 10, it is discharged from the tablet discharge hole 8.

[0052] The tablets T discharged from the tablet discharge hole 8 are dispensed through the tablet discharge path 2a of the motor base 2. As a result, one tablet T is dispensed each time the tablet guide path 4b reaches the tablet discharge hole 8. By adjusting the rotation angle of the rotor 4, the number of tablets T according to the prescription can be dispensed.

[0053] (Adjustment of tablet guide path) The tablet guide path 4b can be adjusted using the adjustment cap 14 according to the diameter of the spherical tablet. Therefore, the tablet guide path 4b can be made to an appropriate size depending on the shape and size of the tablet to be stored in the cassette body 3. For each different tablet, the tablet can be discharged by adjusting the tablet guide path 4b to suit various tablets T, without having to replace the entire tablet cassette 1 or rotor 4.

[0054] First, as shown in Figure 11, the adjustment cap 14 is pulled up from its lower fixed position to its upper adjustment position by holding the knob 24a of the adjustment cap 14. This operation of the adjustment cap 14 can be performed with the tablets still inside the cassette body 3. This causes the engaging claw 19e of the elastic piece 19d of the first member 11 to overcome the inner circumference protrusion 25f and engage with the stopper 25g, preventing the adjustment cap 14 from coming off. Furthermore, by pulling up the adjustment cap 14, the positioning outer gear 25c of the adjustment cap 14 moves upward, disengaging from the positioning inner gear 13a of the gear fixing bracket 13, allowing the adjustment cap 14 to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise when viewed from above. The adjustment cap 14 can rotate stably because its inner circumference is supported by the elastic piece 19d and its outer circumference is supported by the guide wall 19f of the first member 11.

[0055] Furthermore, when the adjustment cap 14 is pulled up, it disengages from the positioning internal gear 13a of the gear fixing bracket 13. However, the positioning spring 26, which is part of the positioning external gear 25c of the adjustment cap 14, maintains its engagement with the positioning internal gear 13a of the gear fixing bracket 13. As a result, when the adjustment cap 14 rotates, the middle part of the positioning spring 26 elastically deforms and moves over the positioning internal gear 13a, allowing it to stop at any desired position relative to the gear fixing bracket 13.

[0056] When the adjustment cap 14 is rotated, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, the rotational force is transmitted from the cylindrical gear 25d of the adjustment cap 14 to the large gear 15a of the reduction gear 15, causing the reduction gear 15 to rotate. The rotation of the reduction gear 15 transmits the force from the small gear 15b of the reduction gear 15 to the segment gear 21a of the second member 12, causing the second member 12 to rotate at a lower speed than the adjustment cap 14.

[0057] When the mark 24b on the adjustment cap 14 points to "4" on the scale 13c of the gear fixing bracket 13, the position of the second vertical projection 23 of the second member 12 is adjusted so that it becomes a tablet guide path 4b suitable for a 4mm spherical tablet to be housed in the cassette body 3.

[0058] When the adjustment cap 14 is rotated clockwise when viewed from above, starting from a state where the mark 24b on the adjustment cap 14 points to "4" on the scale 13c of the gear fixing bracket 13, the second member 12 rotates counterclockwise via the reduction gear 15, the second vertical projection 23 of the second member 12 separates from the first vertical projection 18 of the first member 11, the circumferential spacing of the tablet guide path 4b widens, and the adjustment cap 14 stops at a position where the mark 24b points to "5", "6", "7", "8", or "9" on the scale 13c of the gear fixing bracket 13, thereby creating a tablet guide path suitable for spherical tablets of 5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 8mm, and 9mm. Conversely, if the adjustment cap 14 is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from above, starting from a state where the mark 24b on the adjustment cap 14 points to "9" on the scale 13c of the gear fixing bracket 13, the second member 12 rotates clockwise via the reduction gear 15, causing the second vertical projection 23 of the second member 12 to approach the first vertical projection 18 of the first member 11, narrowing the circumferential spacing of the tablet guide path 4b. By stopping at a position where the mark 24b on the adjustment cap 14 points to "8", "7", "6", "5", and "4" on the scale 13c of the gear fixing bracket 13, the tablet guide path 4b can be made suitable for spherical tablets of 8mm, 7mm, 6mm, 5mm, and 4mm. Furthermore, in addition to adjusting in 1mm increments, it's also possible to make fine adjustments of less than 1mm by stopping at, for example, the 13c mark between "4" and "5".

[0059] Above the partition member 9 of the tablet guide path 4b, as shown in Figure 13(a), as the second vertical projection 23 of the second member 12 moves apart from the first vertical projection 18 of the first member 11, the apex of the V-shaped cross-section of the tablet guide path 4b moves inward from the rotor 4. As a result, the space formed by the first vertical projection 18, the second vertical projection 23, and the inner surface of the cassette body 3 expands inward from the rotor 4. Furthermore, as the second vertical projection 23 of the second member 12 approaches the first vertical projection 18 of the first member 11, the apex of the V-shaped cross-section of the tablet guide path 4b moves to the outside of the rotor 4. As a result, the space formed by the first vertical projection 18, the second vertical projection 23, and the inner surface of the cassette body 3 narrows towards the outside of the rotor 4. As a result, above the partition member 9 of the tablet guide path 4b, a tablet guide path 4b is formed such that even if the diameter of the spherical tablet changes, the spherical tablet will come into contact with the first guide surface S1 of the first vertical projection 18, the second guide surface S2 of the second vertical projection 23, and the inner surface of the cassette body 3.

[0060] Below the partition member 9 of the tablet guide path 4b, as shown in Figure 13(b), as the second vertical projection 23 of the second member 12 separates from the first vertical projection 18 of the first member 11, the apex of the V-shaped cross-section of the tablet guide path 4b moves inward from the rotor 4, and the position where the spherical tablet contacts the inclined portion 10c of the guide 10 moves diagonally downward toward the inside of the rotor 4. As a result, the space formed by the first vertical projection 18, the second vertical projection 23, and the inclined portion 10c of the guide 10 widens diagonally downward toward the inside of the rotor 4. Furthermore, as the second vertical projection 23 of the second member 12 approaches the first vertical projection 18 of the first member 11, the apex of the V-shaped cross-section of the tablet guide path 4b moves to the outside of the rotor 4, and the position where the spherical tablet contacts the inclined portion 10c of the guide 10 moves diagonally upward toward the outside of the rotor 4. As a result, the space formed by the first vertical projection 18, the second vertical projection 23, and the inclined portion 10c of the guide 10 narrows diagonally upward toward the outside of the rotor 4. As a result, below the partition member 9 of the tablet guide path 4b, even if the diameter of the spherical tablet changes, a tablet guide path 4b is formed in which the spherical tablet comes into contact with the first guide surface S1 of the first vertical projection 18, the second guide surface S2 of the second vertical projection 23, and the third guide surface S3 of the inclined portion 10c of the guide 10.

[0061] Thus, as the spherical tablet decreases in diameter, it is pushed radially outward from the rotor 4 by the first guide surface S1 of the first vertical projection 18 and the second guide surface S2 of the second vertical projection 23, and is supported above the third guide surface S3 of the inclined portion 10c of the guide 10. Conversely, as the spherical tablet increases in diameter, it is pulled radially inward from the rotor 4 by the first guide surface S1 of the first vertical projection 18 and the second guide surface S2 of the second vertical projection 23, and is supported below the third guide surface S3 of the inclined portion 10c of the guide 10. Therefore, the lowest spherical tablet in the tablet guide path 4b, regardless of its diameter, moves to the outside of the rotor 4 and is maintained in a position close to the lower surface of the partition member 9. Therefore, there is no need to adjust the depth of the tablet guide path 4 or the height of the partition member 9 according to the diameter of the spherical tablet; only the distance between the first vertical projection 18 and the second vertical projection 23 needs to be adjusted. Furthermore, if the spherical tablet is small in diameter, multiple spherical tablets may be positioned below the partition member 9 and discharged simultaneously, and if the spherical tablet is large in diameter, it may hit the partition member 9 and be unable to partition it, thus preventing such problems.

[0062] Once the tablet guide path 4b has been adjusted, the adjustment cap 14 is pushed down to its fixed position. This causes the engaging claw 19e of the elastic piece 19d of the first member 11 to engage with the inner circumferential protrusion 25f, preventing the adjustment cap 14 from flying off the rotor 4. Also, by pushing down the adjustment cap 14, the positioning outer gear 25c of the adjustment cap 14 engages with the positioning inner gear 13a of the gear fixing bracket 13, preventing the adjustment cap 14 from rotating relative to the first member 11.

[0063] As described above, by simply rotating the second member 12 with the adjustment cap 14 to move the second vertical projection 23 of the second member 12 closer to or further away from the first vertical projection 18 of the first member 11, a tablet guide path 4b corresponding to the size of the spherical tablet can be created. Therefore, unlike in the conventional method, there is no need to change not only the width of the tablet guide path but also the depth of the tablet guide path or the position of the partition member, and a tablet guide path 4b suitable for spherical tablets of any diameter can be formed with a simple operation.

[0064] Furthermore, unlike conventional methods, there is no longer a need to manufacture dedicated tablet cassettes suitable for specific spherical tablets, nor is it necessary to dispense spherical tablets that cannot be used with dedicated tablet cassettes using a manual tablet dispensing device. With this embodiment, a single tablet cassette can dispense spherical tablets of various sizes.

[0065] Figures 14A to 14F show the rotor 4 adjusted to a tablet guide path 4b suitable for spherical tablets of 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, and 9 mm, respectively.

[0066] <Second Embodiment> Figure 15 shows the rotor 104 housed in the cassette body 3 of the tablet cassette 1 of the second embodiment. The motor base 2 and cassette body 3, other than the rotor 104, are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore are not shown or described. Furthermore, the rotor 104 is the same as the rotor 4 of the first embodiment except for the adjustment mechanism of the tablet guide path 4b, and therefore the same reference numerals are used for corresponding parts.

[0067] In the first embodiment, the rotor 4 adjusts the tablet guide path 4b via a reduction gear 15 using an adjustment cap 14, but in the second embodiment, the rotor 104 adjusts the tablet guide path 4b directly using an adjustment cap 114.

[0068] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the rotor 104 is composed of a first member 111, a second member 112, and an adjustment cap 114.

[0069] The first member 111 has a cylindrical base 116, a first horizontal projection 117, and a first vertical projection 118.

[0070] The cylindrical base portion 116 has a bottom portion 119, and a lower base portion 120 having a smaller diameter than the cylindrical base portion 116 is located on the lower surface of the bottom portion 191. An internal positioning gear 116a is formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical base portion 116, into which the external positioning gear 121h of the second member 112 (described later) slidably engages from above. A rotor shaft 119a protrudes downward from the center of the lower surface of the bottom portion 119. Four elastic pieces 119d, each having an engaging claw 119e at its tip, are provided to protrude upward around the center of the upper surface of the bottom portion 119. An annular guide wall 119f and a guide rib 119h, which is shorter than the guide wall 119f, are provided concentrically on the outside of the four elastic pieces 119d on the upper surface of the bottom portion 119, protruding upward.

[0071] The first horizontal projection 117 extends diagonally downward from a position circumferentially spaced six times the upper end of the cylindrical base 116 toward the radially outward direction of the rotor 104. The upper surface of the first horizontal projection 117, together with the second horizontal projection 122 of the second member 112, forms the bottom surface of the tablet storage section 5 of the cassette body 3.

[0072] The first vertical projection 118 extends downward from the upstream edge of the rotor in the direction of rotation of the first horizontal projection 117. The first vertical projection 118 is inclined with respect to the radial direction of the rotor 104. That is, as shown in Figure 18, the inner end of the first vertical projection 118 is inclined α° (approximately 5° in this embodiment) upstream of the rotor 104 in the direction of rotation of the rotor 104 with respect to the line connecting the outer end of the first vertical projection 118 and the center of the rotor 104. The first vertical projection 118 has a notch 118a into which the partition member 9 enters, extending radially inward from the outer end towards the rotor 104. The outer end of the first vertical projection 118 below the notch 108a is inclined radially inward towards the rotor 104 so as to follow the inclined portion 10c of the guide 10 of the cassette body 3.

[0073] The second member 112 is provided coaxially with the first member 111 and has an annular base 121, a second horizontal projection 122, and a second vertical projection 123.

[0074] The annular base 121 has an outer diameter that fits onto the inner surface of the cylindrical base 116 of the first member 111. The annular base 121 has a cylindrical portion 121b on its inside, a bottom portion 121c between the annular base 121 and the cylindrical portion 121b, and an annular projection 121e on the inside of the cylindrical portion 121b via an upper wall 121d. A stopper 121f is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the annular projection 121e, which engages with the adjustment cap 114 and the engaging claw 119 of the elastic piece 119d of the first member 111 when the second member 112 is pulled up. The inner surface of the cylindrical portion 121b is rotatably fitted onto the outer surface of the guide wall 119f of the first member 111, and the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 121b below the bottom portion 121c is fitted onto the inner surface of the guide rib 119f of the first member 111. The bottom portion 121c has two engagement holes 121g into which the engagement projections 114c of the adjustment cap 114 (described later) enter and engage with the edge. The outer surface of the annular base portion 121 has three positioning outer gears 121h formed around its circumference, which engage with the positioning inner gear 116a of the first member 111. The length of the positioning outer gear 121h in the rotor axis direction is shorter than the length of the positioning inner gear 116a of the first member 11 in the rotor axis direction. The annular base portion 121 has four windows 121i formed around its circumference, into which the positioning projections 126a of the positioning spring 126 of the adjustment cap 114 (described later) protrude and engage with the positioning inner gear 116a of the first member 111.

[0075] The second horizontal projection 122 extends diagonally downward from a position circumferentially 6 times the upper end of the annular base 121 toward the radially outward direction of the rotor 104. The second horizontal projection 122 overlaps with the first horizontal projection 117 of the first member 111, and the upper surface of the second horizontal projection 122, together with the first horizontal projection 117 of the first member 111, forms the bottom surface of the tablet storage section 5 of the cassette body 3. Each second horizontal projection 122 has a plurality of slits 122a formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. The overlapping state with the first horizontal projection 117 of the first member 111 is visible through these slits 122a.

[0076] The second vertical projection 123 extends downward from the downstream edge of the second horizontal projection 122 in the rotational direction of the rotor 104. The second vertical projection 123 is inclined with respect to the radial direction of the rotor 104. That is, as shown in Figure 18, the inner end of the second vertical projection 123 is inclined α° (approximately 5° in this embodiment) downstream of the rotor 104 in the rotational direction with respect to the line connecting the outer end of the second vertical projection 123 and the center of the rotor 104. Similar to the first vertical projection 118 of the first member 111, the second vertical projection 123 has a notch 123a into which the partition member 9 enters, extending radially inward from the outer end of the rotor 104. The outer end of the second vertical projection 123 below the notch 123a is inclined radially inward of the rotor 104 so as to follow the inclined portion 10c of the guide 10 of the cassette body 3. The second vertical projection 123 faces the first vertical projection 118 of the first member 111 and forms a tablet guide path 104b.

[0077] The adjustment cap 114 is formed in an umbrella shape and has a rectangular knob portion 114a extending radially on its upper surface. Four projections 114b are provided around the outer circumference of the adjustment cap 114, which fit onto the inner surface of the tubular base portion 121 of the second member 112. In this embodiment, the projections 114b are located at two points on both ends of the knob portion 114a and at two points 60° apart on both sides from one end of the knob portion 114a, but are not limited to this. A positioning spring 126 is attached to the projections 114b. Two engagement projections 114c, each having a claw portion 114d at its tip, are provided on the lower surface of the adjustment cap 114, projecting downward in the circumferential direction. The engagement projections 114c enter the engagement hole 121g of the second member 112, and the claw portion 114d engages with the edge of the engagement hole 121g, thereby integrating the adjustment cap 114 with the second member 112. As a result, the adjustment cap 114, integrated with the second member, is movable in the axial direction of the rotor 4 between a fixed lower position where the external positioning gear 121h engages with the internal positioning gear 116a, and an adjustable upper position where the external positioning gear 121h disengages from the internal positioning gear 116a.

[0078] The positioning spring 126 is formed in a U-shape with an elastic middle section, one end supported between the projection 114b of the adjustment cap 114 and the 121c of the second member 112, and the other end has a positioning projection 126a. The positioning projection 126a protrudes from the window portion 121i of the tubular base portion 121 of the second member 112 and engages with the positioning internal gear 116a of the first member 111. Since the positioning projection 126a is located below the positioning external gear 121h in the axial direction of the rotor, even if the adjustment cap 114 is pulled up in the axial direction of the rotor 104 and the positioning external gear 121h disengages from the positioning internal gear 116a, the positioning projection 126a maintains its engagement with the positioning internal gear 116a, and when the adjustment cap 114 is rotated, the middle section elastically deforms and overcomes the positioning internal gear 116a, allowing it to stop at any position relative to the positioning internal gear 116a.

[0079] As shown in Figure 15, the rotor 4 has a step 127 formed between the first horizontal projection 117 of the first member 111 and the second horizontal projection 122 of the second member 112. Between the cassette body 3 and the rotor 104, there is a tablet pocket 104a extending circumferentially on the upper side of the rotor 104 and a plurality of tablet guide paths 104b extending downward from the upper side of the rotor 104. The step 127 is located upstream of the rotor 104 in the rotational direction relative to the tablet guide paths 104b.

[0080] The tablet pocket 104a is formed between the first horizontal projection 117 of the first member 111 or the second horizontal projection 122 of the second member 112 of the rotor 104 and the inner surface of the cassette body 3.

[0081] The tablet guide path 104b is formed by a left-side first guide surface S1 formed by the first vertical projection 118 of the first member 111 of the rotor 104, a right-side second guide surface S2 formed by the second vertical projection 123 of the second member 112, and a lower third guide surface S3 formed by the inclined portion 10c of the guide 10. The inclined portion 10c of the guide 10 forms the bottom surface of the tablet guide path 104b.

[0082] As already mentioned with reference to Figure 18, the first vertical projection 118 and the second vertical projection 123 are inclined with respect to the radial direction of the rotor 104. Specifically, the inner end of the first vertical projection 118 is inclined α° (approximately 5° in the embodiment) upstream of the rotor 104 in the direction of rotation with respect to the line connecting the outer end of the first vertical projection 118 and the center of the rotor 104, and the inner end of the second vertical projection 123 is inclined α° (approximately 5° in the embodiment) downstream of the rotor 104 in the direction of rotation with respect to the line connecting the outer end of the second vertical projection 123 and the center of the rotor 104. As a result, the first guide surface S1 on the left side formed by the first vertical projection 128 and the second guide surface S2 on the right side formed by the second vertical projection 123 are inclined with respect to the radial direction of the rotor 104, forming a V shape, such that the distance between them narrows towards the center of the rotor 104 when viewed from above the rotor 104.

[0083] Thus, the configuration of the rotor 104 in the second embodiment is the same as that of the rotor 4 in the first embodiment, except for the tablet guide path adjustment mechanism which will be described later. Therefore, its operation is the same as that of the rotor 4 in the first embodiment described above, and its explanation will be omitted.

[0084] (Adjustment of tablet guide path) The tablet guide path 104b can be adjusted using the adjustment cap 114 according to the diameter of the spherical tablet. Therefore, the tablet guide path 104b can be made to an appropriate size according to the shape and size of the tablet to be stored in the cassette body 3. Without having to replace the entire tablet cassette 1 or rotor 104 each time a different tablet is used, the tablet guide path 104b can be adjusted to suit various tablets T and then discharged.

[0085] In the second embodiment, unlike the rotor 4 in the first embodiment where the adjustment cap 14 moves the second member 12 via the reduction gear 15, the adjustment of the tablet guide path 104b of the rotor 104 is performed by directly moving the second member 112 using the adjustment cap 114.

[0086] First, as shown in Figure 19, the adjustment cap 114 is pulled up from its lower fixed position to its upper adjustment position by holding the knob 114a of the adjustment cap 114. Since the second member 112 is integrated with the adjustment cap 114, it is pulled up together with the adjustment cap 114. As a result, the engaging claw 119e of the elastic piece 119d of the first member 111 overcomes the annular projection 121e and engages with the stopper 121f, preventing the adjustment cap 114 and the second member 112 from coming apart. Furthermore, by pulling up the adjustment cap 114 and the second member 112, the positioning outer gear 121h of the second member 112 moves upward, disengaging from the positioning inner gear 116a of the first member 111, allowing the adjustment cap 114 and the second member 112 to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise when viewed from above. Furthermore, the inner circumference of the adjustment cap 114 and the second member 112 is supported by the elastic piece 119d, the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 121b is rotatably fitted to the outer surface of the guide wall 119f of the first member 111, and the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 121b below the bottom 121c is fitted to the inner surface of the guide rib 119h of the first member 111, so that it can rotate stably.

[0087] Furthermore, when the adjustment cap 114 and the second member 112 are pulled up, the engagement between the positioning outer gear 121h of the second member 112 and the positioning inner gear 116a of the first member 111 is disengaged. However, the positioning spring 126 of the adjustment cap 114 maintains engagement with the positioning inner gear 116a of the first member 111. As a result, when the adjustment cap 114 and the second member 112 rotate, the middle portion of the positioning spring 126 elastically deforms and overcomes the positioning inner gear 116a, allowing the adjustment cap 114 and the second member 112 to be stopped at any desired position.

[0088] In the rotor 4 of the first embodiment, the scale 13c of the gear fixing bracket 13 can be used to determine what size spherical tablet the tablet guide path 4b is suitable for. However, in the second embodiment, when the first horizontal projection 117 of the first member 111 is viewed through the multiple slits 122a of the second horizontal projection 122 of the second member 112, the determination can be made by the number of slits 122a through which the first horizontal projection 117 is visible.

[0089] For example, as shown in Figure 20A, if the first horizontal projection 117 of the first member 111 is visible through one slit 122a, it can be seen that the tablet guide path 104b is adjusted to be suitable for the smallest spherical tablet, for example, 4 mm in size. Also, as shown in Figure 20C, if the first horizontal projection 117 of the first member 111 is visible through all of the slits 122a, it can be seen that the tablet guide path 104b is formed to be suitable for the largest spherical tablet, for example, 9 mm in size. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 20B, if the first horizontal projection 117 of the first member 111 is visible through half of the slits 122a, it can be seen that the tablet guide path 104b is adjusted to be suitable for an intermediate spherical tablet, for example, 6 mm in size.

[0090] The first member 111 is visible through one of the slits 122a of the second member 112. That is, from the state of the tablet guide path 104b suitable for 4 mm spherical tablets, when the adjustment cap 114 is turned clockwise when viewed from above, the second member 112 rotates clockwise together with the adjustment cap 114, the second vertical projection 123 of the second member 112 separates from the first vertical projection 118 of the first member 111, the circumferential spacing of the tablet guide path 104b widens, and when it stops at the position indicated by the number of slits 122a in which the first horizontal projection 117 of the first member 111 is visible, it can be made into a tablet guide path 104b suitable for 6 mm and 9 mm spherical tablets. Conversely, when the adjustment cap 114 is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from above, from a state where the first member 111 is visible through all the slits 122a of the second member 112, that is, a state where the tablet guide path 104b is suitable for a 9 mm spherical tablet, the second member 112 rotates counterclockwise together with the adjustment cap 114, causing the second vertical projection 123 of the second member 122 to approach the first vertical projection 118 of the first member 111, narrowing the circumferential spacing of the tablet guide path 104b. By stopping at the position indicated by the number of slits 122a where the first horizontal projection 117 of the first member 111 is visible, the tablet guide path 104b can be made suitable for 6 mm and 4 mm spherical tablets. In addition to adjusting to 4mm, 6mm, and 9mm, it is also possible to make fine adjustments to less than 1mm by stopping the adjustment cap 114 at intervals of, for example, one slit 122a.

[0091] Once the adjustment of the tablet guide path 104b is complete, the adjustment cap 114 is pushed down to its fixed position. This causes the first member 111 to move downward together with the adjustment cap 114, and the engaging claw 119e of the elastic piece 119d of the first member 111 engages with the annular projection 121e, preventing the adjustment cap 114 and the first member from flying out of the rotor 104. In addition, the downward movement of the adjustment cap 114 and the first member 111 causes the positioning outer gear 121h of the second member 112 to mesh with the positioning inner gear 116a of the first member 111, thus preventing the adjustment cap 114 from rotating relative to the first member 111.

[0092] As described above, simply by rotating the second member 112 with the adjustment cap 114 to move the second vertical projection 123 of the second member 112 closer to or further away from the first vertical projection 118 of the first member 111, a tablet guide path 104b corresponding to the size of the spherical tablet is created, as described in the first embodiment, so a redundant explanation will be omitted.

[0093] Figures 20A to 20C show rotors adjusted to tablet guide paths suitable for spherical tablets of 4 mm, 6 mm, and 9 mm, respectively.

[0094] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various changes and modifications can be made. For example, although the guide 10 of the cassette body 3 is formed separately from the cassette body 3 and attached to the cassette body 3, it may also be formed integrally with the cassette body 3, that is, as part of the inner surface of the cassette body 3. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 1…Tablet cassette (tablet dispensing device) 2…Motor base 3…Cassette body (container body) 4…Rotor 4b... Tablet guide path 8… Tablet ejection hole 9… Partition members 10… Guide 11…First component 12...Second component 13…Gear fixing bracket 14... Adjustment cap 15…Reduction gear 16...Cylindrical base 17...1st horizontal protrusion 18...First vertical protrusion 21...Cylindrical base 22...Second horizontal protrusion 23...Second vertical protrusion 104...Rota 104b... Tablet guide 111...First component 112...Second component 114... Adjustment cap 116...Cylindrical base 117...1st horizontal protrusion 118...first vertical protrusion 121...Cylindrical base 122…Second horizontal protrusion 123…Second vertical protrusion S1...First guide surface S2…Second guide surface S3...Third guide surface

Claims

1. A tablet dispensing device comprising a container body for containing tablets, and a rotor rotatably mounted on the container body and having a tablet guide path formed therein for guiding the tablets in the container body to a tablet discharge hole in the container body, At least one of the two walls in the width direction of the tablet guide path is provided to be movable relative to the other, A first guide surface formed by one of the two walls in the width direction of the tablet guide path, The second guide surface is formed by the other of the two walls in the width direction of the tablet guide path, A tablet dispensing device characterized in that the inner surface of the container body and a third guide surface that slopes downward toward the center of the rotor support the tablets in the tablet guide path.

2. The tablet dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the first guide surface and the second guide surface are inclined with respect to the radial direction of the rotor such that the distance between them decreases toward the center of the rotor.

3. The tablet dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the third guide surface is provided below the partition member that separates the lowest tablet in the tablet guide path.

4. A first member having a wall that forms the first guide surface, A second member having a wall that forms the second guide surface, The tablet dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the second member is coaxial with the first member and is movably provided with respect to the first member in the circumferential direction of the rotor.

5. The tablet dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the third member forming the third guide surface is provided at the corners of the side surface and bottom surface of the container body.

6. The tablet dispensing device according to claim 1, further comprising a width adjustment member for adjusting the width between the first guide surface and the second guide surface.

7. The width adjustment member consists of an adjustment cap provided in the center of the upper surface of the rotor. The tablet dispensing device according to claim 6, wherein the adjustment cap is movable in the axial direction of the rotor to an adjustment position and a fixed position, the second guide surface can be rotated relative to the first guide surface in the adjustment position, and the second guide surface can be fixed relative to the first guide surface in the fixed position.

8. The tablet dispensing device according to claim 7, wherein the adjustment cap can rotate the second guide surface relative to the first guide surface via a reduction gear.

9. The first member is, A cylindrical base and A horizontal projection extending radially from the cylindrical base of the rotor, It has a vertical projection extending downward from the horizontal projection, The tablet dispensing device according to claim 4, wherein the vertical projection forms a wall that forms the first guide surface.

10. The second member is, An annular base portion that fits into the cylindrical base portion of the first member, A horizontal projection extending radially from the annular base of the rotor, It has a vertical projection extending downward from the horizontal projection, The tablet dispensing device according to claim 9, wherein the vertical projection forms a wall that forms the second guide surface.

11. The tablet dispensing device according to claim 5, wherein the third member has a segmental circular shape and includes an outer peripheral surface that abuts against the side surface of the container body, a bottom surface that abuts against the bottom surface of the container body, and an inclined surface that connects the upper end of the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral end of the bottom surface.

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