Drug transport device and drug supply device

Abstract

To provide a drug delivery device that can accurately supply drugs. [Solution] The drug transport device comprises a transport unit that moves in a circular motion around a horizontal central axis, a plurality of storage units having openings for receiving drugs, which are transported to the transport unit, receive drugs in the upper region of the transport unit, and release drugs from the openings in the drug release region, and a drug receiving unit provided below the lower region of the transport unit and having an opening at the top.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a drug delivery device and a drug supply device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a drug supply device that分包s drugs specified by a prescription. The drug is supplied to a packaging device through a predetermined path in the drug supply device. Then, in the packaging device, it is分包ed by wrapping paper.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the drug supply device as described above, the drug moves inside the drug supply device toward the packaging device. At this time, if the drug deviates from the movement path, there is a risk of losing the drug inside the drug supply device. As a result, the drug specified by the prescription may not be accurately supplied.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to provide a drug delivery device and a drug supply device capable of accurately supplying drugs.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the drug delivery device according to the present invention is a transport unit that circulates horizontally around a central axis, a plurality of storage units having an opening for receiving a drug, being transported to the transport unit, receiving the drug in the upper region of the transport unit, and discharging the drug from the opening in the drug discharge region, It should be noted that the term "分包" in the original text seems to be an incorrect or unclear expression. It might need to be further clarified in the original context for a more accurate translation. Here it is tentatively translated as "package and distribute" but this might not be the most appropriate term depending on the actual meaning intended.It includes a drug receiving section located below the lower region of the transport section, with an open top.

[0007] One embodiment of the drug supply device according to the present invention includes the drug transport device described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a drug transport device and a drug supply device that can accurately supply drugs. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a drug supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a front view of the inside of the drug supply device, seen from the front. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a front view of the conveying unit and bucket, seen from the front. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the drug transport device from the left front. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the drug transport device from the right rear. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a drug transport device with some components omitted, seen from the right rear. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a front view of a drug transport device with some components omitted. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of section X in Figure 7. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the bucket from the front right. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the bucket from the left rear. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the disassembled bucket, seen from the front right. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the drug receiving section from the front right. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a perspective view of the drug receiving section and a portion of the housing, seen from the front right. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C of Figure 4. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a front view of the LED unit as seen from the front. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a perspective view of the discharge portion as seen from the front right obliquely.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of a drug delivery device and a drug supply device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are assigned to the same components. The matters described below together with the accompanying drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments and do not represent the only embodiment.

[0011] [Embodiment] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 16, a drug delivery device and a drug supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that FIGS. 8 and 14 are cross-sectional views, but the hatching indicating the cross-section is omitted.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drug supply device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the inside of the drug supply device 1 as seen from the front side. In FIG. 2, a second drug supply unit 3 described later is omitted.

[0013] In the following description, the orthogonal coordinate system (X, Y, Z) shown in each figure may be used. The X direction is the front-rear direction of the drug supply device 1. The + side in the X direction is the front side of the drug supply device 1. The - side in the X direction is the rear side of the drug supply device 1.

[0014] The Y direction is the left-right direction and the width direction of the drug supply device 1. The + side in the Y direction is the left side of the drug supply device 1. The left side of the drug supply device 1 means the left side when the drug supply device 1 is viewed from the front side.

[0015] The - side in the Y direction is the right side of the drug supply device 1. The right side of the drug supply device 1 means the right side when the drug supply device 1 is viewed from the front side.

[0016] The Z direction is the vertical and height direction of the drug supply device 1. The Z+ side is the upper side of the drug supply device 1. The Z- side is the lower side of the drug supply device 1.

[0017] First, an overview of the drug supply device 1 will be described. The drug supply device 1 has an upper section 1U and a lower section 1L. The upper section 1U and the lower section 1L are housed in a case 101 (see Figure 1).

[0018] The case 101 has a case-side upper plate portion 101a. The case 101 has a case-side slit 101b extending in the left-right direction at the front end of the case-side upper plate portion 101a. The case-side slit 101b penetrates the case-side upper plate portion 101a in the vertical direction.

[0019] The case-side slit 101b is rectangular in shape, elongated horizontally, when viewed from above. "View from above" refers to the view of the drug supply device 1 from above. The shape in the view from above refers to the shape of the drug supply device 1 when viewed from above.

[0020] Such a drug supply device 1 has a first drug supply unit 2 and a second drug supply unit 3. Based on information about prescribed drugs contained in the prescription information issued by a medical institution (hereinafter referred to as "prescribed drug information"), the drug supply device 1 controls the first drug supply unit 2 and the second drug supply unit 3 to supply drugs.

[0021] (First Pharmaceutical Supply Department) First, let me explain the first drug supply unit 2. Based on the prescription information issued by the medical institution (hereinafter referred to as "prescription information"), the first drug supply unit 2 automatically supplies drugs contained in multiple tablet cases 201 located in the upper section 1U (see Figure 2) to the lower section 1L.

[0022] The operation of the first drug supply unit 2 is controlled by the control unit 90. Hereinafter, the drug contained in the tablet case 201 will be referred to as the first drug 92 (see Figure 2). The first drug 92 is a concept that includes one or more types of drugs.

[0023] The first drug supply unit 2 includes multiple tablet cases 201, an upper hopper section 202, a transport section 203, a lower hopper section 204, a packaging section 205, and a dispensing section 206. The operation of the first drug supply unit 2 is controlled by the control unit 90.

[0024] Each tablet case 201 is located in the upper section 1U. Each tablet case 201 stores a first drug 92. Each tablet case 201 stores the same type of first drug 92.

[0025] The upper hopper section 202, the conveying section 203, the lower hopper section 204, and the packaging section 205 are located in the lower section 1L.

[0026] The tablet case 201 supplies the first drug 92 to the upper hopper section 202 under the control of the control unit 90. The upper hopper section 202 supplies the first drug 92 to the transport section 203 under the control of the control unit 90.

[0027] The transport unit 203 is located below the upper hopper unit 202. Under the control of the control unit 90, the transport unit 203 transports the first drug 92 supplied from the tablet case 201 and supplies it to the lower hopper unit 204.

[0028] In this embodiment, the conveying unit 203 rotates around a central axis parallel to the vertical direction to convey the first drug 92 to the upper part of the lower hopper unit 204.

[0029] The lower hopper section 204 is located below the conveying section 203. The lower hopper section 204 receives the first drug 92 supplied from the conveying section 203. The lower hopper section 204 is shaped like a square pyramid with its tip pointing downwards.

[0030] The lower hopper section 204 contains the first drug 92 supplied from the conveying section 203. The lower hopper section 204 also contains the second drug 93 (see Figure 3) supplied from the second drug supply section 3, which will be described later.

[0031] Hereinafter, the first drug 92 and the second drug 93 may be collectively referred to as the drug. The lower hopper section 204 releases the drug from a lower opening provided at its lower end under the control of the control unit 90. The drug released from the lower opening is supplied to the packaging section 205. The timing of the drug release from the lower hopper section 204 is controlled by the control unit 90.

[0032] In this embodiment, the lower hopper section 204 holds one packet of medication. Once one packet of medication is stored in the lower hopper section 204, the lower hopper section 204 releases the medication from its lower opening.

[0033] As mentioned above, the lower hopper section 204 also receives the second chemical supplied from the transport section 51 of the second chemical supply section 3, which will be described later. In other words, the lower hopper section 204 accommodates the first chemical supplied from the transport section 203 of the first chemical supply section 2, and / or the second chemical supplied from the transport section 51 of the second chemical supply section 3.

[0034] The packaging unit 205 wraps the chemical supplied from the lower hopper unit 204 in packaging paper. In a single supply operation, the chemical supplied from the lower hopper unit 204 to the packaging unit 205 is wrapped in one sheet of packaging paper in the packaging unit 205.

[0035] As described above, the first drug 92 supplied from the tablet case 201 passes through the upper hopper section 202 and is supplied to the transport section 203. In this way, the first drug supply section 2 supplies the first drug 92 stored in the tablet case 201.

[0036] The operation of the first drug supply unit 2 is automatically controlled by the control unit 90. The first drug supply unit 2 is sometimes referred to as the automatic drug supply unit.

[0037] (Second Pharmaceutical Supply Department) Next, the second drug supply unit 3 will be described. As shown in Figure 1, the second drug supply unit 3 is located in the upper half (in other words, the upper section 1U) and front half of the drug supply device 1.

[0038] The second drug supply unit 3 supplies drugs of a type not contained in the tablet case 201. Drugs of a type not contained in the tablet case 201 are, for example, drugs with a new shape or size that is not compatible with the tablet case 201.

[0039] Hereinafter, medications not stored in the tablet case 201 may be referred to as "secondary medications." Secondary medications are those supplied by the second medication supply unit 3. Such secondary medications are supplied to the bucket 6 of the second medication supply unit 3 by the user (e.g., a pharmacist). The second medication supply unit 3 may also be referred to as the manual medication supply unit.

[0040] First, an overview of the second drug supply unit 3 will be described with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a front view showing the transport unit 51 and bucket 6 of the second drug supply unit 3. The bucket 6 contains and transports the second drug 93 supplied by the user. Such a bucket 6 is transported by a belt 513 that constitutes the transport unit 51.

[0041] Specifically, the bucket 6 moves cyclically with the belt 513 through the upper region R1, the drug release region R2, the lower region R3, and the return region R4.

[0042] Bucket 6 receives the second drug 93 from the user in the upper region R1. Then, bucket 6 moves together with the belt 513 in the direction indicated by arrow A1 in Figure 3.

[0043] Bucket 6 passes through the upper region R1 and then enters the drug release region R2. In the drug release region R2, bucket 6 releases the second drug 93. After releasing the second drug 93, bucket 6 passes through the lower region R3 and the return region R4 and returns to the upper region R1.

[0044] The specific configuration of the second drug supply unit 3 will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 16. As shown in Figure 4, the second drug supply unit 3 consists of multiple elements unitized by a housing 4.

[0045] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the second drug supply unit 3 includes a housing 4, a drug transport unit 5, an LED unit 7, and a discharge unit 8. The operation of the second drug supply unit 3 is controlled by a control unit 90 (see Figure 2).

[0046] Next, the housing 4 will be described. The housing 4 supports the drug transport unit 5, the LED unit 7, and the discharge unit 8. The housing 4 is supported by the case 101 (see Figure 1) of the drug supply device 1.

[0047] The housing 4 has an upper plate portion 41 (see Figure 4), a cover portion 42, and a base plate portion 43 (see Figures 5 and 13).

[0048] The upper plate portion 41 is plate-shaped and parallel in the front-rear and left-right directions. The upper plate portion 41 has a slit 411 that extends in the left-right direction. The slit 411 penetrates the upper plate portion 41 in the vertical direction. In other words, the slit 411 is open in the vertical direction. The slit 411 is an example of a slit portion.

[0049] The left-right direction, which is the direction in which the slit 411 extends, is an example of the first direction. In a plan view, the slit 411 is a rectangular shape that is elongated in the left-right direction.

[0050] As shown in Figure 1, the slit 411 is exposed above the drug supply device 1 through the case-side slit 101b. When the second drug supply unit 3 is not in use, the slit 411 is covered from above by a lid member (not shown).

[0051] The base plate portion 43 (see Figure 5) supports the drug transport portion 5, the LED unit 7, and the discharge portion 8. The base plate portion 43 is generally plate-shaped, with the plates parallel in the left-right and up-down directions. The base plate portion 43 has a plurality of through holes 431 (see Figure 16) arranged in the left-right direction.

[0052] The cover portion 42 is rotatably supported by the upper plate portion 41. As shown in Figures 4 to 8, the cover portion 42 is plate-shaped and covers the right end of the slit 411. The right end of the slit 411 corresponds to an example of one end in the direction of extension of the slit 411 (in other words, the first direction).

[0053] The portion of slit 411 covered by the cover portion 42 is the preliminary slit portion 412 (see Figure 8). The preliminary slit portion 412 constitutes the first end of slit 411. Figure 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view obtained by cutting portion X in Figure 7 with a plane parallel to the left-right and up-down directions (in other words, the YZ plane). In Figure 8, the hatching indicating the cross-section is omitted.

[0054] Below the preliminary slit section 412, a drug release area R2 (see Figure 8) is provided. The drug release area R2 is covered from above by the cover section 42. The drug release area R2 is the area in which the bucket 6 releases the second drug 93 (see Figure 3).

[0055] As shown in Figure 8, the cover portion 42 is supported by the housing 4 (specifically, the upper plate portion 41) so as to be rotatable between a first state in which the pre-slit portion 412 is covered from above and a second state in which the pre-slit portion 412 is released.

[0056] In Figure 8, the cover portion 42 in the first state is shown by a solid line. Also in Figure 8, the cover portion 42 in the second state is shown by a dashed line. The function and effects of the cover portion 42 will be described after the configuration of the drug transport unit 5 is explained.

[0057] Next, the drug transport unit 5 will be described. The drug transport unit 5 receives the second drug 93 from the user and transports it to the discharge unit 8. The direction in which the drug transport unit 5 transports the second drug 93 is sometimes simply referred to as the transport direction.

[0058] The drug transport unit 5 includes a transport unit 51, a drive unit 52, a plurality of buckets 6, and a drug receiving unit 53.

[0059] The transport unit 51 moves in a circular motion around a horizontal central axis O1 (see Figure 7) based on the power of the drive unit 52, which will be described later. The central axis O1 is a straight line parallel to the front-rear direction.

[0060] The conveying section 51 is a belt conveyor that circulates and conveys multiple buckets 6. Specifically, as shown in Figure 7, the conveying section 51 has a left pulley 511, a right pulley 512, and a belt 513.

[0061] The left pulley 511 is rotatably supported on the base plate portion 43 of the housing 4 (see Figures 5 and 13) via a bearing (not shown). The left pulley 511 is supported on the portion of the base plate portion 43 that is closer to the left end.

[0062] In other words, the left pulley 511 is located at the left end of the conveying section 51. The left end of the conveying section 51 is an example of the other end in the first direction.

[0063] The left pulley 511 rotates around a central axis parallel to the front-rear direction. The left pulley 511 is a driven pulley that rotates in accordance with the movement of the belt 513. The left pulley 511 maintains the tension of the belt 513, as described later, and supports the smooth circulating movement of the belt 513.

[0064] The right-side pulley 512 is rotatably supported on the base plate portion 43 of the housing 4 (see Figures 5 and 13). The right-side pulley 512 is supported on the portion of the base plate portion 43 that is closer to the right end.

[0065] In other words, the right pulley 512 is located at the right end of the conveying section 51 and below the cover section 42. The right end of the conveying section 51 is an example of one end in the first direction.

[0066] The right pulley 512 and the left pulley 511 are opposite each other in the left-right direction on a horizontal plane. The right pulley 512 rotates around a central axis parallel to the front-rear direction. The right pulley 512 is a drive pulley that rotates based on the power of the drive unit 52.

[0067] The right pulley 512 is rotated by the drive unit 52. As the right pulley 512 rotates, the entire belt 513 moves cyclically. Note that the left pulley 511 and the right pulley 512 are an example of a pair of pulleys.

[0068] As shown in Figure 7, the belt 513 is composed of a drag chain in which multiple link portions 513a are connected in a ring shape.

[0069] Adjacent link sections 513a are connected in a manner that allows them to rotate around a central axis parallel to the front-rear direction. A bucket 6, described later, is fixed to the link section 513a in a manner that allows it to rotate.

[0070] The belt 513 is made of synthetic resin or metal. The belt 513 is stretched over the left pulley 511 and the right pulley 512. The belt 513 is folded back in the portion supported by the left pulley 511 and the portion supported by the right pulley 512.

[0071] The portion of belt 513 supported by the left pulley 511 is referred to as the starting end of belt 513. The portion of belt 513 supported by the right pulley 512 is referred to as the ending end of belt 513.

[0072] Furthermore, the portion of belt 513 between its left and right ends and above the central axis O1 is referred to as the upper region R1 of belt 513 and conveying unit 51 (see Figure 3). Schematically, the upper region R1 is the area enclosed by the dashed line labeled reference numeral R1 in Figure 3.

[0073] On the other hand, the portion of the belt 513 between its left and right ends and below the central axis O1 is referred to as the lower region R3 of the belt 513 and the conveying unit 51 (see Figure 3). The lower region R3 is, in general terms, the area enclosed by the dashed line labeled reference numeral R3 in Figure 3.

[0074] As described above, the belt 513 moves cyclically in the first rotational direction (the direction indicated by arrow A1 in Figure 7) in accordance with the rotation of the right pulley 512. In this embodiment, the first rotational direction is clockwise when the drug supply device 1 is viewed from the front.

[0075] The drive unit 52 drives the transport unit 51. The drive unit 52 is supported by the base plate portion 43 of the housing 4 (see Figures 5 and 13).

[0076] The drive unit 52 includes a motor 521, a first pulley 522, a second pulley 523, and a drive belt 524.

[0077] The motor 521 is positioned with its output shaft parallel to the front-rear direction. The output shaft of the motor 521 faces rearward and is connected to the first pulley 522. The motor 521 is driven by power supplied from a power supply unit (not shown).

[0078] The first pulley 522 rotates around a central axis parallel to the front-rear direction. The first pulley 522 rotates based on the power (in other words, rotation) of the motor 521. The first pulley 522 is a drive pulley.

[0079] The second pulley 523 is located behind the right pulley 512 in the conveying section 51. The second pulley 523 rotates around a central axis parallel to the front-rear direction. The central axis of the second pulley 523 and the central axis of the right pulley 512 are aligned on the same straight line parallel to the front-rear direction.

[0080] The second pulley 523 is a driven pulley that rotates in accordance with the movement of the drive belt 524. The rotation of the second pulley 523 is transmitted to the right pulley 512. When the second pulley 523 rotates, the right pulley 512 rotates.

[0081] The drive belt 524 is annular. The drive belt 524 is made of rubber, synthetic resin, or metal. The drive belt 524 is stretched over the first pulley 522 and the second pulley 523.

[0082] When the motor 521 rotates, the first pulley 522 is driven, causing the drive belt 524 to move cyclically. As the drive belt 524 moves, the second pulley 523 rotates. As the second pulley 523 rotates, the belt 513 moves. In this way, the drive unit 52 drives the conveying unit 51.

[0083] When the conveying unit 51 is driven, the bucket 6 supported by the conveying unit 51 moves together with the belt 513.

[0084] In this embodiment, the transport unit 51 and the bucket 6 move intermittently, alternating between a stopped state and a moving state, by the motor 521. The operation of the motor 521 is controlled by the control unit 90.

[0085] The control unit 90 controls the motor 521 based on the detection value of a sensor (not shown) that detects the position of the bucket 6. The sensor detects that the bucket 6 is located at the position indicated by arrow P2 in Figure 8.

[0086] The position indicated by arrow P2 in Figure 8 is the position where the bucket 6 stops just before it enters the preliminary slit section 412 (in other words, the drug release area R2) (hereinafter simply referred to as the "immediate stopping position").

[0087] The sensor sends information to the control unit 90 indicating that bucket 6 is in the previous stopping position (hereinafter referred to as "bucket position information").

[0088] When the control unit 90 obtains bucket position information from the sensor, it stops the motor 521. As a result, the transport unit 51 and bucket 6 stop. After a predetermined time has elapsed since the motor 521 was stopped, the control unit 90 drives the motor 521 again. Then, the transport unit 51 and bucket 6 move.

[0089] The arrangement of the elements 521 to 524 that constitute the drive unit 52 as described above is not particularly limited.

[0090] Next, the multiple buckets 6 will be described. Each of the multiple buckets 6 corresponds to an example of a multiple storage compartment. Each of the multiple buckets 6 has an opening 61a for receiving the drug.

[0091] Each of these buckets 6 is supported by a conveying unit 51 (specifically, a belt 513).

[0092] Multiple buckets 6 are supported on the surface of the belt 513 in an annular arrangement. Each of the multiple buckets 6 is rotatably connected to a link portion 513a (see Figure 7) on the belt 513.

[0093] Each of the multiple buckets 6 moves together with the belt 513 (specifically, the link section 513a). In other words, each of the multiple buckets 6 is transported by the transport section 51.

[0094] Bucket 6 moves cyclically with belt 513 through the upper region R1 (see Figure 3), drug release region R2, lower region R3, and return region R4. The direction of movement of bucket 6 in the upper region R1 is indicated by arrow A1 in Figure 3.

[0095] The drug release region R2 is the region that includes the end of the belt 513. Bucket 6 releases the drug contained in bucket 6 within the drug release region R2.

[0096] When bucket 6 is positioned in the upper region R1, the opening 61a of bucket 6 faces upward. Conversely, when bucket 6 is positioned in the lower region R3, the opening 61a of bucket 6 faces downward.

[0097] Multiple buckets 6 have the same configuration as each other. The specific configuration of one bucket 6 will be described below with reference to Figures 9 to 11.

[0098] Figure 9 is a perspective view of bucket 6 from the front right. Figure 10 is a perspective view of bucket 6 from the rear left. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the disassembled bucket 6 from the front right.

[0099] The Cartesian coordinate system (X, Y, Z) shown in Figures 9 to 11 indicates the directions of the bucket 6 when it is positioned in the upper region R1 of the belt 513 (see Figure 3). In describing the configuration of the bucket 6, each direction of the bucket 6 corresponds to the directions of the Cartesian coordinate system (X, Y, Z) shown in Figures 9 to 11.

[0100] The vertical and horizontal directions of the bucket 6 located in the lower region R3 are the opposite of the vertical and horizontal directions of the bucket 6 located in the upper region R1.

[0101] The bucket 6 has a main body portion 61 and a static charge suppression plate portion 62.

[0102] The main body 61 is made of synthetic resin. The main body 61 is box-shaped with an open top (in other words, tip). The main body 61 has an opening 61a at its top (in other words, tip).

[0103] Furthermore, the main body portion 61 has a first bottom plate portion 611, a first right side plate portion 612, a first left side plate portion 613, a first rear side plate portion 614, and a first front side plate portion 615.

[0104] The main body 61 is fixed to the link portion 513a (see Figure 7) of the belt 513 via a central axis 513b parallel to the front-rear direction. The main body 61 is rotatable relative to the link portion 513a about the central axis 513b (see Figure 9).

[0105] The first bottom plate portion 611 constitutes the bottom of the main body portion 61. The first bottom plate portion 611 is provided at the lower end of the main body portion 61 and faces the opening 61a in the vertical direction.

[0106] In the description of bucket 6, the lower end refers to the end on the side where the first bottom plate portion 611 is located. On the other hand, in the description of bucket 6, the upper end refers to the end on the side where the opening 61a is located.

[0107] The first right-side plate portion 612 is positioned on the front side (hereinafter simply referred to as the "front side in the conveying direction") of the main body portion 61 in the conveying direction of the bucket 6 (hereinafter simply referred to as the "conveying direction").

[0108] The first left-side plate portion 613 is positioned on the rear side of the main body portion 61 in the transport direction (hereinafter simply referred to as the "rear side in the transport direction"). The first left-side plate portion 613 faces the first right-side plate portion 612 in the left-right direction (in other words, the transport direction).

[0109] The first rear plate portion 614 is positioned on the rear side of the main body portion 61. The rear side corresponds to one of the directions perpendicular to the transport direction and the vertical direction.

[0110] The first front plate portion 615 is positioned on the front side of the main body portion 61. The front side corresponds to the direction other than the direction perpendicular to the transport direction and the vertical direction. The first front plate portion 615 faces the first rear plate portion 614 in the front-rear direction.

[0111] The space enclosed by the first bottom plate 611, the first right side plate 612, the first left side plate 613, the first rear side plate 614, and the first front side plate 615 is the storage space 63 of the bucket 6. The second drug 93 (see Figure 3) is stored in the storage space 63.

[0112] Furthermore, the main body portion 61 has a flange portion 616 at its upper end. The flange portion 616 is provided at the upper end of the main body portion 61, on the portion other than the upper end of the first left side plate portion 613. The flange portion 616 extends outward from the upper end of the main body portion 61.

[0113] Note that the outside of the main body 61 means the direction away from the center of the main body 61 in a plan view. The inside of the main body 61 means the direction towards the center of the main body 61 in a plan view. A plan view of the main body 61 means viewing the main body 61 shown in Figure 9 from above.

[0114] Specifically, the flange portion 616 has a right flange portion 616a, a rear flange portion 616b, and a front flange portion 616c.

[0115] The right-side flange portion 616a is provided at the upper end of the first right-side plate portion 612. The right-side flange portion 616a protrudes to the right from the upper end of the first right-side plate portion 612. The right-side flange portion 616a is the front flange portion in the conveying direction.

[0116] The rear flange portion 616b is provided at the upper end of the first rear plate portion 614. The rear flange portion 616b protrudes to the rear from the upper end of the first rear plate portion 614. The rear flange portion 616b is the left flange portion in the transport direction. Note that the left side in the transport direction refers to the left direction when viewed from the rear to the front in the transport direction with the head facing upwards.

[0117] The front flange portion 616c is provided at the upper end of the first front plate portion 615. The front flange portion 616c protrudes forward from the upper end of the first front plate portion 615. The front flange portion 616c is the right-side flange portion in the transport direction. Note that "right side in the transport direction" means the direction that is to the right when viewed from the rear to the front in the transport direction with the head facing upwards.

[0118] The upper edge of the first left-side plate portion 613 is lower than the upper edges of the first right-side plate portion 612, the first rear-side plate portion 614, and the first front-side plate portion 615. In other words, the upper edge of the first left-side plate portion 613 is lower than the flange portion 616.

[0119] The main body 61 has an inclined portion 617a at the upper end and left end (in other words, the rear end in the transport direction) of the first rear side plate portion 614. The main body 61 has an inclined portion 617b at the upper end and left end (in other words, the rear end in the transport direction) of the first front side plate portion 615.

[0120] As shown in Figure 8, the inclined sections 617a and 617b overlap in a front view of the bucket 6. A front view of the bucket 6 means viewing the bucket 6 from the front, as shown in Figure 8.

[0121] The inclined sections 617a and 617b are inclined such that they become lower towards the left side (in other words, towards the rear in the conveying direction). As shown in Figure 8, the inclined sections 617a and 617b are located in the main body 61 at the position furthest from the central axis 513b.

[0122] The central axis 513b is the pivot point when the bucket 6 (in other words, the main body 61) rotates relative to the link portion 513a. Such inclined portions 617a and 617b can reduce the radius R6 of the bucket 6's rotational trajectory (see Figure 8). As a result, interference between the bucket 6 and the cover portion 42 can be suppressed when the bucket 6, which has stopped at the position indicated by arrow P2 in Figure 8 (i.e., the immediate stopping position), rotates.

[0123] As described above, the bucket 6 moves intermittently, alternating between a stopped state and a moving state. The position indicated by arrow P2 in Figure 8 is the position where the bucket 6 stops just before entering the preliminary slit section 412 (in other words, the drug release area R2) (i.e., the immediate stopping position). The bucket 6 rotates at a position slightly forward in the transport direction from the immediate stopping position.

[0124] The static charge suppression plate portion 62 is fixed to the inner surface of the main body portion 61 in a state where movement is prevented. The static charge suppression plate portion 62 is made of metal and is in the shape of a U-shaped plate.

[0125] As shown in Figure 11, the charge suppression plate portion 62 has a second bottom plate portion 621, a second right side plate portion 622, and a second left side plate portion 623.

[0126] The second bottom plate portion 621 is positioned at the lower end of the static charge suppression plate portion 62. The second bottom plate portion 621 connects the lower end of the second right plate portion 622 and the lower end of the second left plate portion 623 in the left-right direction (in other words, the transport direction).

[0127] The second bottom plate portion 621 is embedded in the inner surface (in other words, the upper surface) of the first bottom plate portion 611 of the main body portion 61. The inner surface of the second bottom plate portion 621 and the inner surface of the first bottom plate portion 611 are located on the same plane.

[0128] The second right-side plate portion 622 is an example of the first plate portion and is provided at the right end of the second bottom plate portion 621. The second right-side plate portion 622 extends upward from the right end of the second bottom plate portion 621. The right end of the second bottom plate portion 621 corresponds to the front end of the bucket 6 in the conveying direction.

[0129] The second right-side plate portion 622 is embedded in the inner surface (in other words, the rear side in the transport direction) of the first right-side plate portion 612 of the main body portion 61. The inner surface of the second right-side plate portion 622 and the inner surface of the first right-side plate portion 612 are located on the same plane.

[0130] The second right-side plate portion 622 has a plurality (two in this embodiment) of engaging projections 622a on its right side (in other words, the front side in the transport direction). The engaging projections 622a engage with the inner surface of the first right-side plate portion 612. The engaging projections 622a contribute to the positioning of the second right-side plate portion 622 relative to the first right-side plate portion 612.

[0131] The second left-side plate portion 623 is an example of the second plate portion and is provided at the left end of the second bottom plate portion 621. The second left-side plate portion 623 extends upward from the left end of the second bottom plate portion 621. The left end of the second bottom plate portion 621 corresponds to the rear end of the bucket 6 in the conveying direction.

[0132] The second left-side plate portion 623 is embedded in the inner surface (in other words, the front side in the transport direction) of the first left-side plate portion 613 in the main body portion 61. The inner surface of the second left-side plate portion 623 and the inner surface of the first left-side plate portion 613 are located on the same plane.

[0133] The second left plate portion 623 has a plurality (three in this embodiment) of engaging protrusions 623a on its left side (in other words, the rear side in the transport direction). The engaging protrusions 623a engage with the inner surface of the first left plate portion 613. The engaging protrusions 623a contribute to the positioning of the second left plate portion 623 relative to the first left plate portion 613.

[0134] The static charge suppression plate portion 62, having the configuration described above, is embedded in the inner surface of the main body portion 61 by insert molding. In this state, the static charge suppression plate portion 62 is exposed to the inner surface of the bucket 6 (in other words, the storage space 63). Therefore, the second drug 93 contained in the storage space 63 of the bucket 6 comes into direct contact with the static charge suppression plate portion 62.

[0135] Incidentally, if the bucket consists only of a synthetic resin body, static electricity may accumulate on the body. Such static electricity attracts the second agent 93 contained in the bucket. As a result, the second agent 93 sticks to the bucket. When the second agent 93 sticks to the bucket due to static electricity, it may become difficult for the second agent 93 to be released from the bucket.

[0136] In this embodiment, a metal static charge suppression plate portion 62 is provided on the inner surface of the bucket 6. This static charge suppression plate portion 62 plays a role in effectively discharging static electricity accumulated on the resin body portion 61. In other words, the static charge suppression plate portion 62 suppresses static charge. As a result, the second agent 93 is prevented from sticking to the inner surface of the bucket 6.

[0137] The bucket 6, having the configuration described above, is fixed to the belt 513 (specifically, the link portion 513a) in the conveying section 51, aligned along the belt 513. When the belt 513 moves, the bucket 6 moves together with the belt 513.

[0138] In the upper region R1 (see Figure 3), the bucket 6 moves together with the belt 513 from the starting end to the ending end in the direction indicated by arrow A1 in Figure 3. In this state, the opening 61a of the bucket 6 is facing upward. The direction indicated by arrow A1 corresponds to one example of the first direction.

[0139] Bucket 6 moves below the slit 411 in the upper region R1 (see Figure 3). In this state, the opening 61a of bucket 6 is opened upward through the slit 411.

[0140] The user of the drug supply device 1 pours the second drug 93 into the bucket 6 through the opening 61a while the bucket 6 is positioned in the upper region R1. When the user pours in the second drug 93, the bucket 6 may be stationary or moving.

[0141] Furthermore, when the user puts the second drug 93 into the bucket 6, they may put in too much of the second drug 93. In this case, the user inserts their finger 91 (see Figure 8) into the bucket 6 to remove the excess second drug 93.

[0142] Figure 8 shows the state in which the user uses their finger 91 to remove the second drug 93 from the bucket 6 at the position indicated by arrow P1. In this state, if the bucket 6 is moving, the finger 91 may get caught between the bucket 6 and the end of the case-side slit 101b at the position indicated by arrow P2, potentially causing injury.

[0143] Therefore, in this embodiment, the cover portion 42 described above is provided at the end of the slit 411. The cover portion 42 is rotatable. Thus, when the user's finger 91 comes into contact with the end of the cover portion 42 (the left end in Figure 8), the cover portion 42 rotates when the user moves their finger 91 upward.

[0144] In this way, the user can remove their finger 91 from the bucket 6. As a result, injury to the user's finger 91 can be prevented. In Figure 8, the rotated cover portion 42 is shown by a dashed line.

[0145] In this embodiment, the bucket 6 moves while intermittently alternating between a stopped state and a moving state. The bucket 6 pauses temporarily at the stopping position (the position indicated by P2 in Figure 8) just before entering the preliminary slit section 412.

[0146] In this state, the right flange portion 616a of the bucket 6 (in other words, the front end portion in the conveying direction) is located below the cover portion 42.

[0147] Furthermore, in this state, the right flange portion 616a and the cover portion 42 overlap in the vertical direction. The right flange portion 616a and the cover portion 42 are in close proximity to each other in the vertical direction.

[0148] The above configuration eliminates the gap between the bucket 6 and the case-side upper plate portion 101a when the bucket 6 is stopped at the immediate stopping position (the position indicated by P2 in Figure 8) just before it enters the pre-slit portion 412. Such a configuration is desirable from the viewpoint of suppressing the loss of the second drug 93.

[0149] Furthermore, when the bucket 6 is stopped at the immediate stopping position, the inner surface of the first right-side plate portion 612 of the bucket 6 (specifically, the main body portion 61) (in other words, the rear side surface in the transport direction) is located further back in the transport direction than the cover portion 42.

[0150] Therefore, when the bucket 6 is stopped at its previous stopping position, the finger 91 is unlikely to come into contact with the tip of the cover portion 42 (the leftmost end in Figure 8). Thus, the user can move the finger 91 away from the bucket 6 before it comes into contact with the tip of the cover portion 42.

[0151] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the immediate stopping position is set to the left of the right pulley 512 (in other words, to the rear in the transport direction). Therefore, the bucket 6 can stop horizontally at the immediate stopping position.

[0152] Furthermore, if the immediate stopping position is set directly above the right pulley 512, the belt 513 at the immediate stopping position may tilt due to the influence of the right pulley 512. If the belt 513 tilts, the bucket 6 that stopped at the immediate stopping position will also tilt. In this state, if the user touches the bucket 6, it may rotate unintentionally, which is undesirable.

[0153] Furthermore, with the bucket 6 positioned in the upper region R1, the rear flange portion 616b of the bucket 6 (see Figures 9 and 14) is positioned below the upper plate portion 41 of the housing 4.

[0154] In this state, the rear flange portion 616b and the upper plate portion 41 are in close proximity and facing each other in the vertical direction. The rear flange portion 616b corresponds to one end in the direction perpendicular to the first direction and the vertical direction.

[0155] Furthermore, with the bucket 6 positioned in the upper region R1, the front flange portion 616c of the bucket 6 (see Figures 9 and 14) is positioned below the upper plate portion 41 of the housing 4.

[0156] In this state, the front flange portion 616c and the upper plate portion 41 are in close proximity and facing each other in the vertical direction. The front flange portion 616c corresponds to the other end in the direction perpendicular to the first direction and the vertical direction.

[0157] The above configuration eliminates the gaps between the rear flange portion 616b and the upper plate portion 41, and between the front flange portion 616c and the upper plate portion 41. Such a configuration is desirable from the viewpoint of suppressing drug loss.

[0158] As the bucket 6 passes through the upper region R1 and enters the drug release region R2, the bucket 6 rotates relative to the belt 513 (specifically, the link portion 513a) due to gravity, as shown in Figure 3.

[0159] Then, the second drug 93 contained in bucket 6 is released from bucket 6. This operation of bucket 6 is called the drug release operation.

[0160] Furthermore, after the drug release operation, bucket 6 passes through the drug release region R2 and enters the lower region R3 (see Figure 3). In the lower region R3, bucket 6 moves together with belt 513 in the direction indicated by arrow A2 in Figure 3. In this state, the opening 61a of bucket 6 is facing downwards.

[0161] Bucket 6 passes through the lower region R3 and then enters the return region R4. After passing through the return region R4, bucket 6 enters the upper region R1. In this way, bucket 6 moves cyclically through the upper region R1, the drug release region R2, the lower region R3, and the return region R4 together with the belt 513.

[0162] Next, the drug receiving section 53 will be described. The drug receiving section 53 is located below the buckets 6 located in the lower region R3. The drug receiving section 53 is box-shaped with an open top. The multiple buckets 6 located in the lower region R3 are referred to as the lower bucket row. The multiple buckets 6 located in the upper region R1 are referred to as the upper bucket row.

[0163] The drug receiving section 53 faces the lower bucket row (in other words, the lower region R3 of the transport section 51) in the vertical direction along its entire length. The total length of the lower bucket row (in other words, the lower region R3) is the length L1 in the left-right direction (in other words, the transport direction of the transport section 51) in Figure 3.

[0164] Such a drug receiving section 53 receives the second drug 93 that falls from the buckets 6 that make up the lower bucket row (in other words, the buckets 6 that move in the lower region R3). The second drug 93 that is contained in the buckets 6 in the upper region R1 is basically released in the drug release region R2.

[0165] In this embodiment, since the bucket 6 has a metal charge suppression plate portion 62, the bucket 6 is less likely to become charged. Therefore, the second agent 93 is suppressed from being attracted to the inner surface of the bucket 6 by static electricity.

[0166] However, there is a possibility that the second drug 93 may adhere to parts of the inner surface of the bucket 6 other than the charge suppression plate portion 62. In this case, the second drug 93 contained in the bucket 6 may not be released from the bucket 6 in the drug release region R2.

[0167] In the drug release region R2, the second drug 93 that was not released from bucket 6 moves through the lower region R3 while adhering to the inner surface of bucket 6. In the lower region R3, this second drug 93 falls from bucket 6 due to gravity.

[0168] The drug receiving section 53 receives the second drug 93 that falls from the bucket 6 in the lower region R3. This drug receiving section 53 prevents the second drug 93 that falls from the bucket 6 in the lower region R3 from falling below the drug receiving section 53. As a result, loss of the second drug 93 is suppressed.

[0169] The drug receiving portion 53 is fixed to the base plate portion 43 in such a state that it can rotate forward about a central axis O2 (see Figure 13) that is parallel to the left-right direction. Specifically, the drug receiving portion 53 is fixed to the base plate portion 43 by a pair of hinges 536 and 537.

[0170] The drug receiving section 53 rotates forward by a predetermined angle from the normal state shown in Figure 13. The user manually rotates the drug receiving section 53 forward to retrieve the second drug 93 from the drug receiving section 53. The drug receiving section 53 may also be rotated based on the power of an electrically operated drive unit (e.g., an electric motor).

[0171] In this embodiment, the angle at which the drug receiving portion 53 can rotate is defined by the stopper portion 538 (see Figures 4 and 7). The stopper portion 538 is fixed to the front surface of the base plate portion 43. The angle at which the drug receiving portion 53 can rotate may be appropriately determined by the position and size of the stopper portion 538. Note that if the drug receiving portion 53 is rotated by an electrically operated drive unit, the stopper portion 538 may be omitted.

[0172] As shown in Figure 12, the drug receiving section 53 has a bottom plate section 531, a front plate section 532, a rear plate section 533, a left plate section 534, and a right plate section 535. In the description of the drug receiving section 53, each direction basically refers to the direction of the Cartesian coordinate system (X, Y, Z) shown in each figure.

[0173] The bottom plate portion 531 constitutes the bottom of the drug receiving portion 53. The bottom plate portion 531 is plate-shaped and parallel in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions. The length of the bottom plate portion 531 in the left-to-right direction is approximately the same as the length L1 (see Figure 3) of the lower bucket row (in other words, the lower region R3) in the left-to-right direction.

[0174] The front plate portion 532 constitutes the front end of the drug receiving portion 53. The front plate portion 532 extends upward from the front end of the bottom plate portion 531. The front plate portion 532 is plate-shaped and parallel in the left-right and up-down directions. The length of the front plate portion 532 in the left-right direction is approximately the same as the length of the bottom plate portion 531 in the left-right direction.

[0175] The upper end of the front plate portion 532 overlaps in the front-rear direction with the opening 61a of the bucket 6 located in the lower region R3 (see Figure 7). Such a front plate portion 532 is an example of a front cover portion.

[0176] The front plate portion 532 prevents the second drug 93 that has fallen from the bucket 6 from flying out in front of the drug receiving portion 53. Such a configuration is preferable from the viewpoint of preventing the loss of the second drug 93.

[0177] The rear plate portion 533 constitutes the rear end of the drug receiving portion 53. The rear plate portion 533 extends upward from the rear end of the bottom plate portion 531.

[0178] The rear plate portion 533 is plate-shaped and parallel in the left-right and up-down directions. The length of the rear plate portion 533 in the left-right direction is approximately the same as the length of the bottom plate portion 531 in the left-right direction. The rear plate portion 533 faces the front plate portion 532 in the front-rear direction.

[0179] The left side plate portion 534 constitutes the left end of the drug receiving portion 53. The left side plate portion 534 extends upward from the left end of the bottom plate portion 531. The left side plate portion 534 is plate-shaped and parallel in the front-to-back and up-to-down directions.

[0180] The right-side plate portion 535 constitutes the right end of the drug receiving portion 53. The right-side plate portion 535 extends upward from the right end of the bottom plate portion 531. The right-side plate portion 535 is plate-shaped and parallel in the front-to-back and up-to-down directions. The right-side plate portion 535 faces the left-side plate portion 534 in the left-to-right direction.

[0181] Next, the LED unit 7 will be described. The LED unit 7 is an example of a light-emitting part and is supported on the base plate portion 43 of the housing 4. The LED unit 7 has a left LED unit 7a and a right LED unit 7b.

[0182] The operation of the LED unit 7 is controlled by the control unit 90. Note that the directions mentioned in the description of the LED unit 7 basically refer to the directions of the Cartesian coordinate system (X, Y, Z) shown in each figure.

[0183] As shown in Figure 15, the left LED unit 7a has a left substrate 71a and a plurality of left LEDs 72a. The left substrate 71a is generally a plate-shaped structure parallel in the left-right and up-down directions. The left substrate 71a is fixed to the left half of the base plate portion 43.

[0184] Multiple left-side LEDs 72a are arranged side by side on the front of the left-side substrate 71a.

[0185] Multiple left-side LEDs 72a are arranged in a left-right direction along the bucket 6 located in the upper region R1 (specifically, the left half of the bucket 6 in the upper bucket row). Multiple left-side LEDs 72a are provided in a position opposite the left half of the through-hole 431 (see Figure 16) in the through-hole 431 of the base plate portion 43 in the front-rear direction.

[0186] Specifically, multiple left-side LEDs 72a are positioned so as to overlap in the front-rear direction with the stopping position of the bucket 6 as it moves through the upper region R1. These left-side LEDs 72a illuminate the bucket 6 from the rear through the through-holes 431 (see Figure 16) in the base plate portion 43.

[0187] The left LED 72a emits multiple colors (for example, seven colors) under the control of the control unit 90. The colors of light emitted by the left LED 72a are, for example, red, blue, green, yellow, purple, light blue, and white. However, the colors emitted by the left LED 72a are not limited to these seven colors.

[0188] The right-side LED unit 7b comprises a right-side substrate 71b and a plurality of right-side LEDs 72b. The right-side substrate 71b is a plate-shaped structure parallel in the left-right and up-down directions. The right-side substrate 71b is fixed to the right half of the base plate portion 43. The plurality of right-side LEDs 72b are arranged side by side in the left-right direction on the front surface of the substrate.

[0189] Multiple right-side LEDs 72b are arranged in a left-right direction along the bucket 6 located in the upper region R1 (specifically, the right half of the bucket 6 in the upper bucket row). Multiple right-side LEDs 72b are provided in a position opposite the right half of the through-hole 431 (see Figure 16) in the through-hole 431 of the base plate portion 43 in the front-rear direction.

[0190] Specifically, multiple right-side LEDs 72b are positioned so as to overlap in the front-rear direction with the stopping position of the bucket 6 as it moves through the upper region R1. These right-side LEDs 72b illuminate the bucket 6 from behind through the through-holes 431 (see Figure 16) in the base plate portion 43.

[0191] The right-side LED 72b emits multiple colors (for example, seven colors) under the control of the control unit 90. The colors of light emitted by the right-side LED 72b are, for example, red, blue, green, yellow, purple, light blue, and white. However, the colors emitted by the right-side LED 72b are not limited to these seven colors.

[0192] In this embodiment, the left LED 72a and the right LED 72b illuminate the bucket 6 from the rear. In other words, the left LED 72a and the right LED 72b irradiate the first rear side plate portion 614 of the main body portion 61 of the bucket 6 with light from the rear (see Figure 14).

[0193] Since the first rear plate portion 614 is made of synthetic resin, it transmits light emitted by the left LED 72a and the right LED 72b. The light transmitted through the first rear plate portion 614 enters the storage space 63 of the bucket 6. In this way, the left LED 72a and the right LED 72b illuminate the parts of the bucket 6 where the static charge suppression plate portion 62 is not located.

[0194] Furthermore, since the first front side plate 615, which faces the first rear side plate 614 in the front-rear direction, is also made of synthetic resin, it transmits light that enters the containment space 63. As a result, a user in front of the drug supply device 1 can see the light from the left LED 72a and the right LED 72b.

[0195] In this embodiment, the bucket 6 has a metal anti-static plate portion 62. The anti-static plate portion 62 is provided on the bottom surface, left side surface, and right side surface of the inner surface of the bucket 6.

[0196] Therefore, light entering the containment space 63 does not pass through the bottom, left side, and right side of the bucket 6. In other words, light entering the containment space 63 is reflected by the charge suppression plate portion 62 without diffusing in the left-right direction of the bucket 6.

[0197] As a result, the diffusion of light within the containment space 63 is suppressed. Furthermore, since the light within the containment space 63 does not pass through the left and right sides of the bucket 6, interference between adjacent buckets 6 is suppressed. As a result, the visibility of the color of the light within the bucket 6 is improved.

[0198] Next, the discharge unit 8 will be described. The discharge unit 8 is supported by the base plate portion 43 of the housing 4. As shown in Figure 7, the discharge unit 8 is located below the drug release region R2. The discharge unit 8 receives the second drug 93 released from the bucket 6 in the drug release region R2.

[0199] The discharge unit 8 temporarily stores the second drug 93 received from the bucket 6 at a predetermined location (hereinafter referred to as the "drug storage location"). The operation of the discharge unit 8 to store the second drug 93 at the drug storage location, and the operation of the discharge unit 8 to release the stored second drug 93 from the drug storage location, are controlled by the control unit 90.

[0200] When one packet of the second drug 93 is stored in the drug storage position, the discharge unit 8 discharges one packet of the second drug 93 from the drug storage position toward the lower hopper unit 204.

[0201] The specific configuration of the discharge unit 8 will be described below with reference to Figures 4, 5, 7, and 16. As shown in Figure 7, the discharge unit 8 has a chute 81, a shutter 82, and a shutter drive unit 83.

[0202] The chute section 81 is generally cylindrical in shape, extending in the vertical direction. The chute section 81 has a passage 811, an inlet 812, and an outlet 813.

[0203] The passage 811 is a vertically extending space provided inside the chute section 81.

[0204] The inlet 812 is located at the upstream end (in other words, the upper end) of the passage 811 and opens upward. The inlet 812 is located below the drug release area R2. The inlet 812 is the part through which the second drug 93 (see Figure 3), released from the bucket 6 in the drug release area R2, passes when it enters the chute 81.

[0205] The exit section 813 is located at the downstream end (in other words, the lower end) of the passage 811, and is positioned below the entrance section 812. The exit section 813 opens to the rear.

[0206] The outlet section 813 is the part through which the second drug 93 passes when it exits the chute section 81. The second drug 93 discharged from the outlet section 813 is stored in the lower hopper section 204 (see Figure 2).

[0207] The shutter section 82 is plate-shaped, as shown in Figure 4. The shutter section 82 is located in the middle of the passage 811 in the vertical direction. The shutter section 82 moves between a first position and a second position based on the power of the shutter drive unit 83, which will be described later.

[0208] The shutter section 82 blocks the passage 811 in its first position. The state in which the shutter section 82 blocks the passage 811 is referred to as the closed state of the shutter section 82.

[0209] Furthermore, the shutter unit 82 opens the passage 811 in the second position. The state in which the shutter unit 82 opens the passage 811 is referred to as the open state of the shutter unit 82. The state of the shutter unit 82 is controlled by the control unit 90.

[0210] When the shutter section 82 is closed, the second drug 93 in the passage 811 is blocked by the shutter section 82. In other words, the second drug 93 cannot move downstream of the shutter section 82.

[0211] When the shutter section 82 is closed, the second drug 93 is stored in the shutter section 82. The upper surface of the shutter section 82 corresponds to the drug storage position described above.

[0212] When the shutter section 82 is open, the second drug 93 in the passage 811 passes through the shutter section 82 and moves downstream of the shutter section 82.

[0213] The shutter section 82 stores the second drug 93 when closed and releases the stored second drug 93 when open.

[0214] The shutter drive unit 83 moves the shutter unit 82. As shown in Figure 6, the shutter drive unit 83 includes a solenoid 831 and a drive mechanism unit 832.

[0215] The solenoid 831 is positioned around the shutter section 82. The solenoid 831 is supported on the front surface of the base plate section 43. The solenoid 831 is driven based on power supplied from a power supply unit (not shown). The operation of the solenoid 831 is controlled by the control unit 90.

[0216] The drive mechanism 832 is located between the solenoid 831 and the shutter 82. The drive mechanism 832 is composed of a link mechanism that operates based on the power of the solenoid 831.

[0217] In the drive mechanism 832, the side closer to the solenoid 831 is referred to as the upstream side of the drive mechanism 832. In the drive mechanism 832, the side closer to the shutter 82 is referred to as the downstream side of the drive mechanism 832.

[0218] The upstream end of the drive mechanism 832 is connected to the drive shaft (e.g., plunger) of the solenoid 831. On the other hand, the downstream end of the drive mechanism 832 is connected to the shutter 82.

[0219] The drive mechanism 832 converts the power of the solenoid 831 into a force that moves the shutter 82.

[0220] When the shutter section 82 is in the closed position, the solenoid 831 is driven in the first direction, causing the drive mechanism 832 to move the shutter section 82 from the first position to the second position. As a result, the shutter section 82 opens.

[0221] On the other hand, when the shutter section 82 is in the open position, if the solenoid 831 is driven in the second direction, the drive mechanism 832 moves the shutter section 82 from the second position to the first position. As a result, the shutter section 82 is closed.

[0222] The configuration of the drive mechanism 832 is not particularly limited. The configuration of the drive mechanism 832 may be determined as appropriate, taking into consideration the arrangement of the solenoid 831 and the shutter unit 82, and the space between the solenoid 831 and the shutter unit 82.

[0223] The above describes the configuration of the drug supply device 1 according to this embodiment. The operation of the drug supply device 1 will now be briefly explained.

[0224] First, the user of the drug supply device 1 (for example, a pharmacist) inputs the prescribed drug information written on the prescription into the drug supply device 1. The user inputs the prescribed drug information from the control panel 102 of the drug supply device 1. Alternatively, the user may send the prescribed drug information to the drug supply device 1 via another terminal.

[0225] Next, the drug supply device 1 packages the drug based on the prescribed drug information. The first drug 92, stored in the tablet case 201, is supplied by the first drug supply unit 2.

[0226] Specifically, the tablet case 201, under the control of the control unit 90, dispenses the first drug 92 contained in the prescription drug information. The tablet case 201 sequentially dispenses one packet of the first drug 92. The first drug 92 dispensed by the tablet case 201 passes through the upper hopper section 202 and is supplied to the transport section 203.

[0227] The conveying unit 203 conveys the first drug 92 received from the upper hopper unit 202 and supplies it to the lower hopper unit 204. The lower hopper unit 204 temporarily stores the first drug 92 received from the conveying unit 203.

[0228] If the prescription drug information includes only the first drug 92, the lower hopper section 204, under the control of the control unit 90, supplies the stored first drug 92 to the packaging section 205. The packaging section 205 packages the first drug 92 received from the lower hopper section 204.

[0229] Furthermore, the second drug 93 (see Figure 3) may be included in the prescription drug information together with the first drug 92. The second drug 93 is a drug that is not stored in the tablet case 201. If the prescription drug information includes both the first drug 92 and the second drug 93, the first drug 92 and the second drug 93 are packaged in a single wrapper.

[0230] In this case, the user supplies the second drug 93 to the lower hopper section 204 using the second drug supply unit 3.

[0231] First, the user manually supplies the second drug 93 to the bucket 6 in the transport unit 51. At this time, the bucket 6 is located in the upper region R1. The opening 61a of the bucket 6 is open upward through the slit 411.

[0232] In this state, the LED unit 7, under the control of the control unit 90, illuminates the bucket 6 with light. The LED unit 7 illuminates the bucket 6 with light so that the user can recognize the bucket 6 to which the second drug 93 is supplied. The color of the light emitted by the LED unit 7 may be set to correspond to the second drug 93 included in the prescription drug information.

[0233] The user can identify the bucket 6 into which the second drug 93 should be placed by checking its color. This configuration is desirable from the standpoint of improving user work efficiency and reducing prescription errors.

[0234] When the user supplies the second drug 93 to bucket 6, bucket 6 may be stationary or moving.

[0235] After receiving the second drug 93 from the user, bucket 6 transports the second drug 93 toward the drug release region R2. Then, bucket 6 releases the second drug 93 in the drug release region R2 (see Figure 3).

[0236] The second agent 93 released from the bucket 6 is supplied to the chute 81 in the discharge section 8. Specifically, the second agent 93 passes through the inlet 812 of the chute 81 and is supplied to the passage 811 of the chute 81.

[0237] In this state, the shutter portion 82 in the discharge portion 8 is closed. In other words, the shutter portion 82 is blocking the passage 811. Therefore, the second drug 93 is blocked by the shutter portion 82 and stored on the upper surface of the shutter portion 82.

[0238] When one packet of the second drug 93 is stored on the upper surface of the shutter section 82, the shutter section 82 opens under the control of the control unit 90. When the shutter section 82 opens, the passage 811 is opened, and the second drug 93 moves toward the outlet section 813 of the chute section 81. The second drug 93 is then released from the outlet section 813.

[0239] The second drug 93 released from the outlet 813 is supplied to the lower hopper section 204 (see Figure 2). The lower hopper section 204 already contains the first drug 92 supplied from the first drug supply section 2. Therefore, the lower hopper section 204 stores one packet's worth of the first drug 92 and the second drug 93.

[0240] Subsequently, the lower hopper section 204, under the control of the control unit 90, supplies the stored first drug 92 and second drug 93 to the packaging section 205. The packaging section 205 packages the first drug 92 and second drug 93 received from the lower hopper section 204.

[0241] (Operation and effects of this embodiment) According to the drug supply device 1 of this embodiment described above, the first drug 92 stored in the tablet case 201 and the second drug 93 not stored in the tablet case 201 can be packaged in a single wrapping paper.

[0242] In particular, the second drug supply unit 3 according to this embodiment includes a cover portion 42 (see Figures 4 and 8) in the housing 4 that covers the upper part of the pre-slit portion 412 provided at the right end of the slit 411.

[0243] This cover portion 42 is rotatable. Therefore, when the user's finger 91 (see Figure 8) comes into contact with the end of the cover portion 42 (the left end in Figure 8), the cover portion 42 rotates when the user moves their finger 91 upward. In this way, the user can remove their finger 91 from the bucket 6. As a result, injury to the user's finger 91 can be prevented.

[0244] Furthermore, in the case of the second drug supply unit 3 according to this embodiment, the bucket 6 that transports the second drug 93 is composed of a main body 61 made of synthetic resin and a static charge suppression plate 62 made of metal.

[0245] This charge suppression plate portion 62 prevents the bucket 6 from becoming charged and causing the second drug 93 to stick to the inner surface of the bucket 6. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the second drug 93 from not being released from the bucket 6 in the drug release region R2.

[0246] As a result, the second drug 93 included in the prescription drug information can be accurately packaged. Furthermore, the operation and effects of the drug supply device 1 according to this embodiment are as previously described.

[0247] Furthermore, the second drug supply unit 3 according to this embodiment includes a drug receiving unit 53 (see Figure 4) located below the transport unit 51. The drug receiving unit 53 receives the second drug 93 (see Figure 3) that falls from the bucket 6 moving in the lower region R3. This prevents the loss of the second drug 93. Other functions and effects obtained from the drug supply device 1 and the second drug supply unit 3 according to this embodiment are as described above. [Industrial applicability]

[0248] The drug transport device according to the present invention is not limited to drug supply devices placed in pharmacies, for example, but can be applied to drug supply devices placed in various locations. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0249] 1. Drug supply device 1U upper section 1L Lower section 101 cases 101a Case side upper plate 101b Case-side slit 102 Control Panel 2. First Pharmaceutical Supply Department 201 Tablet Case 202 Upper hopper section 203 Conveying Section 204 Lower hopper section 205 Packaging Department 206 Removal section 3. Second Pharmaceutical Supply Department 4 Housing 41 Upper plate section 411 Slit 412 Pre-slit section 42 Cover section 43 Base plate section 431 Through hole 5. Drug Transport Department 51 Conveying section 511 Left-side pulley 512 Right-side pulley 513 Belt 513a Link section 513b Central axis 52 Drive unit 521 Motor 522 First Pulley 523 Second Pulley 524 Drive belt 53 Drug receiving section 531 Bottom plate part 532 Front side panel 533 Rear side plate part 534 Left side plate 535 Right side plate 536, 537 hinges 538 Stopper section 6 buckets 61 Main body 61a opening 611 First bottom plate part 612 First right side plate part 613 First left side plate section 614 First rear plate section 615 First front plate part 616 Flange section 616a Right-side flange section 616b Rear flange section 616c Front flange section 617a Slope 617b Slope 62 Charging suppression plate section 621 Second bottom plate part 622 Second right side plate part 622a Engagement protrusion 623 Second left side plate part 623a Engaging projection 63 Containment Space 7 LED units 7a Left LED unit 7b Right LED unit 71a Left side board 71b Right side board 72a Left side LED 72b Right LED 8 Discharge section 81 Shooting Club 811 Passage 812 Entrance 813 Exit section 82 Shutter section 83 Shutter drive unit 831 Solenoid 832 Drive mechanism 90 Control Unit 91 fingers 92 Daiichi Pharmaceutical 93 Second drug R1 upper area R2 Drug release area R3 lower area R4 Wrapping area

Claims

1. A conveying unit that moves in a circular motion around a horizontal central axis, Multiple storage units, each having an opening for receiving a drug, being transported to the transport unit, receiving the drug in the upper region of the transport unit, and releasing the drug from the opening in the drug release region, It comprises a drug receiving section located below the lower region of the transport section and having an open top. Drug transport device.

2. The drug receiving portion is box-shaped with an opening at the top. The drug transport device according to claim 1.

3. The drug receiving portion has the entire length of the lower region and faces in the vertical direction. The drug transport device according to claim 1.

4. The drug receiving portion is rotatable to the front. The drug transport device according to claim 1.

5. The aforementioned storage compartment is When moving through the upper region, the opening faces upward. When moving through the aforementioned lower region, the opening faces downwards. The drug receiving portion has a front cover portion that overlaps with the opening in the front-rear direction when the storage portion moves in the lower region. The drug transport device according to claim 1.

6. The aforementioned transport unit is A pair of pulleys that rotate around a horizontal central axis, It comprises an annular belt stretched across a pair of the aforementioned pulleys and moving cyclically, The multiple storage compartments are, Supported by the belt, in a state that allows it to rotate around a horizontal axis of rotation, In the aforementioned drug release region, the drug is released by rotating due to gravity. The drug transport device according to claim 1.

7. Multiple of the aforementioned transport units are It moves together with the aforementioned belt, When moving in the upper region of the belt, the drug is received, At the end of the upper region of the belt, the drug is released. The drug transport device according to claim 6.

8. The aforementioned storage compartment is It is made of synthetic resin and comprises a main body having the aforementioned opening, The main body has a metal static charge suppression plate portion fixed to the inner surface of the main body portion in a state where movement is prevented, The drug transport device according to claim 1.

9. A drug transport device according to claim 1, Drug supply device.

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