Powder feeding feeder and drug dispensing device

Abstract

To provide a powder drug feeder and drug dispensing device that can more smoothly discharge powdered drugs. [Solution] The powder feeder 30 has a trough 73, a vibrating means 102 for vibrating the trough 73, and a hopper 85 attached to the trough 73. Powder is introduced into the hopper 85, and the trough 73 is vibrated by the vibrating means 102, thereby discharging the powder introduced into the hopper 85 from the tip of the trough 73. The vibrating means 102 can change the vibration conditions and has a weight measuring means 125 that directly or indirectly detects the weight of the powder introduced into the hopper 85, and the vibration conditions are changed according to the weight of the powder detected by the weight measuring means 125.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a powder feeder that stably and accurately discharges powder medicine. The medicine feeder of the present invention is preferably used as a device for supplying powder medicine to a powder medicine dispensing device that distributes powder medicine. The present invention also relates to a medicine dispensing device incorporating a powder feeder.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, medicine dispensing devices equipped with a powder medicine packaging function have been introduced in large hospitals and large-scale pharmacies. The medicine dispensing device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a dispensing tray, a mounting table, and a scraping device. The dispensing tray rotates by power. The mounting table is for mounting a medicine container. The mounting table has a function of vibrating and vibrates the medicine container to discharge powder medicine from the medicine container. The scraping device has a rotating plate (scraping member) provided at the tip of a scraping arm.

[0003] In the medicine dispensing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, while rotating the dispensing tray, powder medicine is gradually discharged from the medicine container onto the dispensing tray. A weight measuring device is built into the mounting table, and the amount of powder medicine discharged is monitored. When the amount of powder medicine discharged from the medicine container reaches the amount corresponding to the prescription, the vibration of the mounting table stops and the discharge of powder medicine ends. Then, the rotating plate (scraping member) of the scraping device is placed in the groove of the dispensing tray, and the dispensing tray is rotated by a predetermined angle to scrape up the powder medicine in front of the rotating plate.

[0004] Patent Document 1 exemplifies a medicine dispensing device in which a powder feeder is installed in addition to the mounting table. The powder feeder disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a hopper and a trough provided under the hopper. And two piezoelectric elements (vibrating means) are arranged under the trough. The two piezoelectric elements vibrate the hopper and the trough. When dispensing powdered medication using a powder feeder, the medication is manually weighed using a separate weighing device, the weighing pan containing the weighed medication is manually carried to the hopper opening, and the medication is manually poured into the hopper. Then, a piezoelectric element vibrates through a predetermined operation, causing the medication to fall from the hopper into a trough. Furthermore, the medication that has fallen into the trough moves to the end of the trough and falls from the end of the trough into the dispensing pan. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-143685 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] Patent Document 1 does not disclose the vibration conditions of a powder feeder. Generally, powder feeders cannot change their vibration conditions and are always vibrated at a constant vibration intensity and frequency. In other words, regardless of the amount of powdered pesticide put into the hopper, it vibrates with a constant vibration intensity and frequency. Furthermore, the vibration intensity and frequency remain constant while the powdered pesticide is being discharged. The present invention provides a powder drug feeder and a drug dispensing device that can more smoothly discharge powdered drugs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A powder feeding device for solving the above-mentioned problems is a powder feeding device having a trough, a vibrating means for vibrating the trough, and a hopper attached to the trough, wherein powder is introduced into the hopper and the trough is vibrated by the vibrating means to discharge the powder introduced into the hopper from the tip of the trough, wherein the vibrating means can change the vibration conditions, and has a weight measuring means for directly or indirectly detecting the weight of the powder introduced into the hopper, and the vibration conditions are changed according to the weight of the powder detected by the weight measuring means.

[0008] The powder feeder of this embodiment allows for changes in vibration conditions. Furthermore, the powder feeder of this embodiment has a weight measuring means that can detect the weight of the powder introduced into the hopper. According to the powder feeder of this embodiment, the trough can be appropriately vibrated according to the amount of powder.

[0009] In the above-described embodiment, it is desirable that the vibration conditions be determined such that all of the powder in the hopper is discharged within a predetermined time range.

[0010] According to the powder feeder of this embodiment, the dispensing of the powder can be completed within a predetermined time, regardless of the amount of powder.

[0011] In each of the embodiments described above, the vibration means can be driven in an auto mode in which the vibration conditions are changed according to the weight of the powder detected by the weight measuring means, and in a manual mode in which the trough is vibrated under constant vibration conditions or a constant pattern of vibration conditions, and it is desirable that the control device controls the vibration means, and that the control device receives signals from the vibration means and / or the weight measuring means, and that if there is an abnormality in the signal, the vibration means is driven in manual mode.

[0012] In this embodiment of the powder feeder, the system can be driven in an auto mode in which the vibration conditions are changed according to the weight of the powder detected by the weight measuring means, and in a manual mode in which the trough is vibrated under constant vibration conditions or a constant pattern of vibration conditions. In this embodiment of the powder feeder, if there is an abnormality in the signal from the vibration means and / or weight measuring means, the vibration means is driven in manual mode, so even if there is some kind of abnormality, the powder can be discharged at least in manual mode. Therefore, even if there is some kind of abnormality, the discharge of the powder can be carried out without interruption.

[0013] In each of the embodiments described above, it is desirable that there is a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the hopper, an associated member that is linked to the lifting and lowering of the hopper, a magnet or magnetic material provided on the associated member, a magnetic material or magnet arranged in another part, and that the magnet or magnetic material of the associated member moves closer to and away from the magnetic material or magnet provided in the other part in conjunction with the lifting and lowering of the hopper, and that the force caused by the magnetic force between them can be detected by the weight measuring means.

[0014] According to this embodiment, the operation of the weight measuring means can be confirmed by whether or not a force caused by magnetism has been detected.

[0015] In the above-described embodiment, the lifting means has a cam, and a magnet or magnetic material is provided on the cam, and it is desirable that the magnet or magnetic material on the cam side moves closer to or further away from a magnetic material or magnet provided on another part as the cam rotates.

[0016] According to this embodiment, a function for verifying the operation of the weight measuring means can be added.

[0017] In each of the embodiments described above, it is desirable to verify the operation of the weight measuring means by detecting the force caused by the magnetic forces of both parties using the weight measuring means.

[0018] According to this embodiment, the operation of the weight measuring means can be confirmed by whether or not a force caused by magnetism has been detected.

[0019] Aspects related to the drug dispensing device include a powder feeder of each of the above-described aspects, a plurality of mounting tables on which drug containers are placed, and a distribution plate provided with an annular drug input groove and rotated by power. Near the distribution plate, there are a plurality of mounting tables on which drug containers are placed, and the powder feeder is provided. The mounting table has a powder dispensing function. It is possible to place a drug container containing powder on the mounting table and dispense a desired amount of powder from the drug container by the powder dispensing function and introduce it into the distribution plate. It is also possible to directly input powder into the powder feeder, dispense the powder from the powder feeder, and introduce the powder into the distribution plate. The powder introduced into the distribution plate is divided into a predetermined number, further individually packaged, and discharged.

[0020] Aspects related to the powder dispensing method are characterized by using the powder feeder of each of the above-described aspects. That is, a powder dispensing method using a powder feeder having a trough and vibration means, vibrating the trough with the vibration means, and dispensing the powder introduced into the trough from the tip of the trough. The method is characterized by measuring the weight of the powder introduced into the trough and vibrating the trough under vibration conditions corresponding to the weight of the powder.

[0021] Aspects related to the manufacturing method of drug packaging are characterized by using the above-described drug dispensing device. That is, a manufacturing method of drug packaging using a powder feeder having a trough and vibration means, a distribution plate, and packaging equipment. Powder is dispensed from the powder feeder and introduced into the distribution plate, the powder introduced into the distribution plate is divided into a predetermined number, and further individually packaged by the packaging equipment. The method is characterized by measuring the weight of the powder introduced into the trough and vibrating the trough under vibration conditions corresponding to the weight of the powder.

Effects of the Invention

[0022] According to the powder feeder of the present invention, the discharge of the powder can be performed more smoothly. Also, according to the powder feeder of the present invention, the powder can be smoothly introduced into the distribution tray.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of the medicine dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the state where the upper lid is open. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of the periphery of the distribution tray of the medicine dispensing device of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view of the medicine container and the mounting table, showing the state where the medicine container is removed from the mounting table. [Figure 4] It is a side view showing a modeled state where the medicine container is removed from the mounting table, of the medicine container and the mounting table. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view of the powder feeder of the medicine dispensing device. [Figure 6] It is a mechanism diagram of the powder feeder of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional view of the main body device of the powder feeder of FIG. 5. [Figure 8] It is an explanatory diagram showing the lifting means and the weight measuring means extracted from the powder feeder of FIG. 5. [Figure 9] (a) is a perspective view of the cam and its peripheral equipment of the powder feeder of FIG. 5, and (b) is a perspective view of the cam seen from the back side. [Figure 10] It is a cam of the lifting means of the powder feeder, (a) is a cam line diagram of the cam body, and (b) is a front view of the cam. [Figure 11] It is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the posture of the cam and the height of the hopper, and (a) to (c) show the states where the cam is in the fixed position posture, the check posture, and the level 1 posture in order. [Figure 12] It is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the posture of the cam and the height of the hopper, and (d) to (f) show the states where the cam is in the level 2 posture, the level 3 posture, and the level 4 posture in order. [Figure 13]This flowchart shows the positioning operation of the cam and the operation of the weight measuring means in the manual dispensing mode. [Figure 14] This diagram illustrates the relationship between the cam's position and the hopper's height, as well as the cam's rotation direction and range, during the operation verification of the cam's positioning and weight measuring means. (a) shows the cam rotating and stopping at the reference position, (b) shows the cam rotating and stopping at the fixed position, and (c) shows the cam rotating further and stopping at the check position. [Figure 15] This flowchart shows the operation of the manual dispensing mode. [Figure 16] This flowchart shows the operation in auto mode, which is part of the operation of the manual dispensing mode. [Figure 17] The prescription input screen is one of the display screens of the display device, where (a) is the screen immediately after input, and (b) is the screen when the input content is confirmed and the prescription is issued. [Figure 18] This is a perspective view of the main part of the scraping device of the drug dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating the scraping device. [Figure 20] (a) is a plan view of a drug dispensing device according to another embodiment of the present invention, showing the large lid in a closed state, and (b) is a plan view showing the large lid in an open state. [Figure 21] Figure 20 shows a drug dispensing device, where the left diagrams (a) to (d) are explanatory diagrams showing the progress of dispensing powdered drug from the dispensing tray, and the right diagrams (a) to (d) are explanatory diagrams showing small lids that can be opened in each dispensing stage. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0024] The drug dispensing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The invention as described in the claims is not limited to the embodiments described below. (Overview of drug dispensing device 1) First, I will explain the overview of the drug dispensing device 1. The drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment is enclosed by a housing 2, and its interior is divided into a tablet dispensing area 300, a powder dispensing area 301, and a drug packaging area 302. Furthermore, the drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment includes an input device 8. The input device 8 communicates with the main body of the drug dispensing device 1 by known communication means. The input device 8 is a personal computer. The housing 2 has a top cover (feeder cover) 5, as shown in Figure 1. The top cover 5 is attached to the main body of the housing 2 by a hinge (not shown). An operating device 3 is provided on the top cover 5. The operating device 3 is equipped with a display device 10. The display device 10 is a touch panel.

[0025] A tablet dispensing device 13 is provided in the tablet dispensing area 300.

[0026] The drug packaging area 302 contains a packaging device 12, as conceptually shown in Figure 2. The packaging device 12 is a machine that packages the drug into single doses and has a packaging paper supply device 15 (packaging paper supply section) and a packaging device 16 (sealing section). The packaging device 12 also has a powder drug input hopper 17 for loading the drug above the packaging device 16.

[0027] Due to the limitations of the diagram, the powder dispensing hopper 17 is shown as being located away from the distribution tray 20 in the dashed line diagram in Figure 2. However, in reality, the square numbered 17, indicated by the solid line in Figure 2, is the upper end of the powder dispensing hopper 17.

[0028] In the packaging machine 12, the individual packets dispensed from the roll paper are introduced into a printing mechanism (not shown), where information such as the patient's name, drug name, and date and time of administration (information related to the prescription and information related to the drug to be provided) is printed. Then the drug is dispensed from the powder dispensing hopper 17. Furthermore, the packaging paper that has received the medication is introduced into the sealing section, forming a drug package containing one dose of medication, and the drug package is then transported outside the device.

[0029] The powder dispensing area 301 is the area where the dispensing tray 20 is installed, as shown in Figure 2. The mounting table 32, powder feeder 30, automatic cleaning device 7, and scraping device 21 are arranged around it. Figure 2 shows the state in which the drug container 31 is installed on the mounting table 32. In the drug dispensing device 1 shown in Figure 2, a platform 32 and a powder feeder 30 are installed around the distribution tray 20. In the drug dispensing device 1 shown in Figure 2, five platform 32s and one powder feeder 30 are arranged around the distribution tray 20. The number of platform 32s and powder feeders 30s are not limited. The automatic cleaning device 7 has a cleaning arm that moves up and down by power, and a cleaning brush 27 is provided at the tip of the arm. The structure of the automatic cleaning device 7 is not limited, and it may also use negative pressure to suck up the residue of the powdered medicine. An automatic cleaning device configured to suck up the residue of the powdered medicine using negative pressure has a suction member that fits snugly into the concave surface of the dispensing tray 20 and sucks it up, and the suction member is attached to a cleaning arm.

[0030] Roll paper is made by winding individual packets of medication into a roll. The individual packets are folded and sealed in designated places, forming a drug packaging band in which sealed bags are connected, and each bag contains a single dose of medication. The powdered medication based on the prescription, which is fed into the powdered medication feeder 30, is introduced from the powdered medication feeder 30 to the dispensing tray 20, where it is divided into single-dose portions and sequentially fed into the packaging machine (packaging unit) 12. In the packaging unit, the fed-in powdered medication is sealed into folded individual packaging paper and packaged into single-dose portions, which are then discharged as a connected drug packaging band.

[0031] (Distribution plate 20) The dispensing tray 20 is a disc-shaped component with a drug input groove 22 (input groove), also referred to as a "recessed groove." The drug input groove 22 surrounds the outer edge of the dispensing tray 20 in a ring shape. The dispensing tray 20 has an equipment storage opening 11 in the center. In Figure 2, most of it is covered by a lid. The aforementioned powder dispensing hopper 17 is installed in the equipment storage opening 11. The distribution plate 20 can be rotated at a constant speed. The distribution plate 20 can also be rotated by a predetermined angle.

[0032] (Scraping device 21) As shown in Figure 18, the scraping device 21 has a rotating plate (scraping member) 23 attached to the tip of a scraping arm 80. The rotating plate (scraping member) 23 has a disc-shaped scraping plate 81 to which a partition plate 82 and a scraping plate 83 are attached.

[0033] (Mounting platform 32) The mounting platform 32 is equipped with a powder dispensing function. In this embodiment, the powder dispensing function is achieved by a vibration means that vibrates the drug container 31. As shown in Figure 4, the mounting platform 32 is mechanically divided into a container support section 33, a weight measuring section 35, and a base section 38. The container support section 33 includes a support base 37, a vibrating member 40 (container holding section), and vibration means 41a and 41b. The vibration means 41a and 41b are piezoelectric elements and are plate-shaped. This vibrating member 40 and vibration means 41a and 41b also function as a vibrating device that vibrates the drug container 31, and are components that perform the powder dispensing function.

[0034] Both the support base 37 and the vibrating member 40 are "L" shaped members with a horizontal section and a vertical wall section. In other words, the support base 37 has a support-side horizontal section 43 and a support-side vertical wall section 45, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The vibrating member 40 also functions as a container holder and has a vibrating horizontal section 50 and a vibrating vertical wall section 51 (vertical wall). The vibrating vertical wall section 51 is provided with an engaging section that engages with the drug container 31.

[0035] The support base 37 and the vibrating member 40 are connected by two excitation means 41a and 41b. There is virtually no contact between the vibrating horizontal section 50 and the supporting horizontal section 43. Therefore, when current is applied to the excitation means 41a and 41b, the vibrating member 40 vibrates.

[0036] As shown in Figure 4, a weight measuring unit 35 is located at the bottom of the container support unit 33. The weight measuring unit 35 includes a weight measuring means 52 and a vibration damping means 53. The weight measuring means 52 is a known load cell. The vibration damping means 53 has a vibration damping member 55. The container support section 33 (support base 37, vibrating member 40, and vibration excitation means 41a, 41b) is connected to the weight measuring means 52. The base section 38 supports the upper members (support base 37, vibrating member 40, and vibration excitation means 41a, 41b) via the vibration damping member 55 of the weight measuring section 35. The weight of the container support section 33 is detected by the weight measuring means 52. The weight of the vibration isolation means 53 is applied to the base section 38 but not to the weight measuring means 52. Therefore, the weight of the container support section 33 (support base 37, vibrating member 40, vibration excitation means 41a, 41b) is detected by the weight measuring means 52.

[0037] In this embodiment, the drug dispensing device 1 vibrates the drug container 31 to dispense the powdered drug from the container 31, but the powdered drug may also be scraped out by a screw or the like. In other words, the powdered drug dispensing function may be achieved by physical action other than vibration.

[0038] (Medication container 31) The drug container 31 is a container into which powdered medicine is filled, and its shape is a rectangular prism with a roughly square side profile. The drug container 31 is surrounded by a front wall 60, a rear wall 61, left and right side walls 62, a top wall 63, and a bottom wall 70. The bottom wall 70 of the drug container 31 has a powder dispensing section 71 that can be opened and closed near the front wall 60. Additionally, there are engagement parts on the vertical sides and lower part of the rear wall 61.

[0039] The drug container 31 is filled with powdered medicine or cleaning powder and fixed to the mounting base (vibrating means) 32 as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Specifically, the back wall 61 of the drug container 31 is in contact with the vibrating side vertical wall portion 51 (vertical wall) of the vibrating member 40 which is the container holding portion, and a part of the bottom wall 70 of the drug container 31 is in contact with the vibrating side horizontal portion 50, so that most of the drug container 31 is fixed to the mounting base 32 in a cantilevered position. Furthermore, the engaging portions of the drug container 31 are each engaged with the vibrating members 40. Therefore, the drug container 31 is integrated with the vibrating members 40 and vibrates together with the vibrating members 40.

[0040] In the drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, a mounting platform 32 and a powder feeder 30 are installed around the distribution tray 20, and the drug can also be dispensed into the distribution tray 20 using the powder feeder 30.

[0041] (Drug Feeder 30) Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the powder feeder 30. As shown in Figure 5, the powder feeder 30 comprises a main unit 76, a hopper 85, and a trough 73. The trough 73 is fixed to the main unit 76. The hopper 85 has an opening at its top. The hopper 85 is detachable from the main unit 76 and is installed on top of the trough 73. The main unit 76 includes a trough vibrating table (vibration means) 102 for vibrating the trough 73, a lifting means 100 for raising and lowering the hopper 85, and a weight measuring means 125. Figure 6 is a diagram of the mechanism of the powder feeder. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the powder feeder 30. For the sake of explanation, Figures 6 and 7 show a gap 77 between the lower end of the hopper 85 and the trough 73.

[0042] The area surrounding the trough vibration table (vibration means) 102 and the weight measuring means 125 of the main unit 76 is, in reality, an intricate structure of various components as shown in Figure 5. However, if we simply model and display each component, it is as shown in Figure 6, and from top to bottom it consists of the trough vibration table 102, excitation means 121a, 121b, intermediate table 122, vibration isolation table 123, weight measuring means 125, and base member 126.

[0043] The vibration means 121a and 121b are piezoelectric elements and have a plate-like shape. Although the intermediate platform 122 and vibration isolation platform 123 actually have complex shapes as shown in Figure 5, mechanically they are merely platforms and are simply shown as flat plates in Figure 6. The weight measuring means 125 is a known load cell. In this embodiment, the load cell (weight measuring means 125) is in a horizontal position and is positioned to intersect with the trough vibration table 102 and the intermediate table 122. Although the base member 126 actually has a complex shape, mechanically it is merely a base and is simply shown as a flat plate in Figure 6.

[0044] In the main unit 76, as shown in Figure 6, excitation means 121a and 121b are provided between the trough vibration table 102 and the intermediate table 122.

[0045] Furthermore, a vibration isolation base 123 is positioned below the intermediate base 122, and a vibration isolation member 127 is interposed between the intermediate base 122 and the vibration isolation base 123, as shown in Figure 6 (not shown in Figure 7). Furthermore, a weight measuring device 125 is positioned below the vibration isolation platform 123, and a base member 126 is positioned further below that. The base member 126 is supported by an elastic material 128 such as rubber. In this embodiment, when the excitation means 121a and 121b are vibrated, this vibration is transmitted to the trough vibration table 102, causing the trough vibration table 102 to vibrate. In this embodiment, the weight measuring means 125 measures the weight of all components above the weight measuring means 125. Therefore, in this embodiment, when powder is put into the hopper 85, the weight of the powder is measured indirectly.

[0046] Next, the lifting mechanism 100 for raising and lowering the hopper 85 will be explained with reference to Figures 5 to 12, etc. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 5 to 8, 11 and 12, the main body device 76 has a hopper holding member 130, and the hopper 85 is held in the hopper holding member 130. As shown in Figures 10 to 12, the hopper holding member 130 moves up and down by a cam 131, thereby raising and lowering the hopper 85. As shown in Figures 5 and 8, the cam 131 is attached to a geared motor 142 and rotates by the geared motor 142. The cam 131 is an associated component that is linked to the raising and lowering of the hopper 85.

[0047] The hopper holding member 130 is frame-shaped, as shown in Figures 5 and 8. The hopper holding member 130 is pivotally supported at one end by the main body device 76, and the free end moves up and down. Also, as shown in Figure 8, there is an intermediate member 133 and a cam follower 132 below the hopper holding member 130, and the intermediate member 133 is in contact with the hopper holding member 130.

[0048] The cam 131 used in this embodiment is composed of a cam body 135 and a sensor plate 136, as shown in Figures 9(a) and 10(b). In this embodiment, when the cam follower 132 moves up and down in contact with the cam body 135 of the cam 131, the free end of the hopper holding member 130 moves up and down via the intermediate member 133. As shown in Figures 5 to 7, 11 and 12, the hopper 85 has a locking portion 137 on its side, and this locking portion 137 is positioned to engage with the hopper holding member 130. Therefore, when the cam 131 raises the hopper holding member 130, the hopper 85 supported by the hopper holding member 130 is lifted. When the hopper 85 is raised, the gap 77 between the lower end of the hopper 85 and the trough 73 increases, and the opening area between the lower end of the hopper 85 and the trough 73 increases. As a result, the amount of powder supplied from the hopper 85 to the trough 73 increases, and the amount of powder discharged from the tip of the trough 73 increases. Conversely, when the hopper 85 is lowered, the gap 77 between the lower end of the hopper 85 and the trough 73 decreases, and the opening area between the lower end of the hopper 85 and the trough 73 decreases. As a result, the amount of powder supplied from the hopper 85 to the trough 73 decreases, and the amount of powder discharged from the tip of the trough 73 decreases. In this embodiment, by changing the height of the hopper 85, the opening area between the lower end of the hopper 85 and the trough 73 can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the amount of powder discharged per unit time. In this embodiment, the hopper 85 is considered to be in a fixed position when it has lowered and its lower surface is in contact with the trough 73. The height of the hopper 85 at the chuck position, described later, is the same as the fixed position. In this embodiment, the hopper 85 can be raised in six stages from the height of the fixed position and the check position by rotating the cam 131. Note that in Figures 6 and 7, the hopper holding member 130 is not engaged with the locking portion 137 of the hopper 85. More precisely, the hopper 85 is lowered and its lower surface is in contact with the trough 73. However, for the sake of explanation, a gap 77 is depicted between the lower end of the hopper 85 and the trough 73.

[0049] Figure 10(a) is a cam diagram of the cam body 135 of the lifting mechanism 100. For ease of understanding, the cam diagram is drawn in an exaggerated manner compared to reality. The cam diagram of the cam body 135 shows that the base circle is divided into eight equally spaced sections, which are the fixed position area, the check area, the level 1 area, the level 2 area, and so on to the level 6 area. The fixed position area is an arc with a radius corresponding to the base circle, and is the arc closest to the center. The check area is also an arc with a radius corresponding to the base circle, and is the same as the fixed position area. In the Level 1 to Level 6 regions, the radius increases and the distance from the center increases as the level increases.

[0050] The cam follower 132 lies on a vertical line passing through the center of the cam body 135. Therefore, the cam follower 132 is in contact with the cam body 135 on the vertical line passing through the center of the cam body 135. That is, when the fixed position region of the cam body 135 is in its uppermost position, the cam follower 132 contacts the fixed position region of the cam body 135; when the check region of the cam body 135 is in its uppermost position, the cam follower 132 contacts the check region of the cam body 135; and when the level 1 region of the cam body 135 is in its uppermost position, the cam follower 132 contacts the level 1 region of the cam body 135. Similarly, when the level 2 to level 6 regions of the cam body 135 are in their uppermost positions, the cam follower 132 contacts the level 1 to level 6 regions of the cam body 135.

[0051] In this embodiment, the position in which the fixed position region of the cam body 135 is at its highest point is referred to as the fixed position position, the position in which the check region of the cam body 135 is at its highest point is referred to as the check position, and the position in which the level 1 region of the cam body 135 is at its highest point is referred to as the level 1 position. Similarly, the positions in which the level 2 to level 6 regions of the cam body 135 are at their highest point are referred to as the level 2 to level 6 positions.

[0052] Therefore, as shown in Figure 11(a), when the cam body 135 is in its fixed position, the height of the cam follower 132 is at its lowest, and the hopper 85 is in contact with the trough 73. When the cam 131 rotates and the cam body 135 is in the checked position as shown in Figure 11(b), the situation is the same as when the cam body 135 is in its fixed position, the height of the cam follower 132 is at its lowest, and the hopper 85 is in contact with the trough 73. When the cam 131 rotates further to the level 1 position as shown in Figure 11(c), the cam follower 132 rises slightly, and the hopper 85 moves away from the trough 73. As a result, a gap 77 is created between the lower end of the hopper 85 and the trough 73. When the cam 131 rotates further to the level 2 position as shown in Figure 12(d), the cam follower 132 rises further, and the hopper 85 rises further. As a result, the gap 77 between the lower end of the hopper 85 and the trough 73 increases, and the opening area between the lower end of the hopper 85 and the trough 73 increases. As the cam 131 rotates further to the level 3 and level 4 positions as shown in Figures 12(e) and 12(f), and the position where the cam follower 132 contacts the cam body 135 progresses through the level 3 and level 4 regions, the height of the cam follower 132 gradually increases, and the hopper 85 rises in stages. As a result, the gap 77 between the lower end of the hopper 85 and the trough 73 gradually increases, and the opening area between the lower end of the hopper 85 and the trough 73 gradually increases. Although not shown in the diagram, as the cam 131 rotates further to the level 5 and level 6 positions, and the position where the cam follower 132 contacts the cam body 135 progresses through the level 5 and level 6 regions, the height of the cam follower 132 rises further. In this embodiment, the posture of the cams 131 at levels 1 and 2 is correlated with the height of the hopper 85 and indirectly correlates with the size (opening area) of the gap 77 between the lower end of the hopper 85 and the trough 73. In other words, as the level value increases, the gap 77 (opening area) between the lower end of the hopper 85 and the rough 73 increases, and as the value decreases, the gap 77 (opening area) decreases.

[0053] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 5, 8, 9(a), 10(b), 11, and 12, a sensor plate 136 is provided on the back of the cam body 135. The sensor plate 136 is a circular disc integrated with the cam body 135. As shown in Figures 9(a) and 10(b), the sensor plate 136 is provided with dogs 138a to 138h on its circumferential surface. Additionally, as shown in Figure 9(b), a dog 147 is provided on the back surface of the sensor plate 136. Dogs 138a to 138h and dog 147 are all magnets. Hereinafter, in order to distinguish between the two, dogs 138a to 138h, which are provided on the circumferential surface, will be referred to as rotational position dogs 138a to 138h, and dog 147, which is provided on the back surface, will be referred to as reference position confirmation dog 147.

[0054] As shown in Figures 8 and 9(a), a sensor 145 for detecting rotational posture is located below the sensor plate 136, and the rotational posture dog 138 is detected by this sensor 145. The rotational posture dogs 138a to 138h and the sensor plate 136 detect the rotational posture of the cam body 135. In this embodiment, the sensor 145 for detecting the rotational position dogs 138a to 138h is located below the sensor plate 136, and the cam follower 132 is located above the cam body 135. Therefore, as shown in Figure 10(b), each region of the cam diagram of the cam body 135 and the corresponding rotational position dogs 138a to 138h are located opposite each other across the center of the sensor plate 136.

[0055] The relationship between the cam diagram and the rotational position dogs 138a to 138h will be explained below with reference to Figure 10(b). For example, as shown in Figure 10(b), when the cam body 135 is in a position where its fixed position region is facing upwards, the cam follower 132 is in contact with the fixed position region of the cam body 135. In contrast, the dog 138a corresponding to the fixed-position area is located opposite the fixed-position area with the center of the sensor plate 136 in between, and is detected in close proximity to the sensor 145. Similarly, the dog 138b corresponding to the check area is positioned opposite the fixed position area with the center of the sensor plate 136 in between, and the dogs 138c to 189h corresponding to the level 1 to level 6 areas are also positioned opposite each level position with the center of the sensor plate 136 in between. When the orientation is such that the level 1 to level 6 areas are above, the dogs 138c to 189h are in the lower position and are detected in close proximity to the sensor 145.

[0056] Referring to Figures 11 and 12, as shown in Figure 11(a), if the cam body 135 is in a fixed position and the hopper 85 is in contact with the trough 73, then the dog 138a corresponding to the fixed position region will be in its lowest position and will be detected in close proximity to the sensor 145. When the cam 131 rotates and the cam body 135 assumes the check position as shown in Figure 11(b), and the hopper 85 maintains contact with the trough 73, the dog 138b corresponding to the check area is in its lowest position and is detected in close proximity to the sensor 145. When the cam 131 rotates further to the level 1 position as shown in Figure 11(c), and the hopper 85 is raised, the dog 138c corresponding to the level 1 region is in its lowest position and is detected in close proximity to the sensor 145. Similarly, as the cam 131 rotates further to reach Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 positions as shown in Figures 12(d), 12(e), and 12(f), and the hopper 85 rises in stages, the dogs 138d, 138e, and 138f corresponding to each region reach their lowest positions and are detected in close proximity to the sensor 145.

[0057] As shown in Figure 9(a), a reference position detection sensor 148 is located on the back side of the sensor plate 136, at the top of a position along the perpendicular line of the sensor plate 136. In this embodiment, the reference position confirmation dog 147 shown in Figure 9(b) is detected by the sensor 148. The reference position confirmation dog 147 detects that the cam body 135 is in the reference position. In this embodiment, the reference position confirmation dog 147 is located between the fixed position area and the check area, as shown in Figure 10(b), but the position of the reference position detection sensor 148 is arbitrary.

[0058] The aforementioned rotational attitude dogs 138a to 138h are numerous, all located on the circumferential surface of the sensor plate 136, and are detected by a common rotational attitude detection sensor 145. Therefore, it is not possible to determine which of the rotational attitude dogs 138a to 138h the sensor 145 detected. In contrast, there is only one reference position confirmation dog 147, and there is also only one reference position detection sensor 148 that detects it. Therefore, when the reference position detection sensor 148 detects the reference position confirmation dog 147, it is possible to recognize that the cam 131 is in a specific orientation.

[0059] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 9(a), 10(b), 11, and 12, a magnet 140 is attached to a part of the cam 131. In this embodiment, the magnet 140 is located on the surface side of the cam body 135, opposite the check area. That is, the magnet 140 is in its lowest position when the cam 131 is in the check position (when the dog 138b corresponding to the check area is detected). The cam 131 is an associated component that is linked to the raising and lowering of the hopper 85, and the magnet 140 is attached to the sensor plate 136 of the associated component, the cam 131.

[0060] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 8, 11, and 12, the magnetic material 141 is installed in front of the cam 131, directly below the pivot point of the cam 131. The material of the magnetic material 141 is iron. Therefore, as shown in Figure 11(b), when the rotational position of the cam 131 is in the check position (when the dog 138b corresponding to the check area is detected), the magnet 140 is positioned close to the magnetic material 141, and the magnet 140 attracts the magnetic material 141. More precisely, the magnet 140 and the magnetic material 141 are both firmly fixed so that their relative positions do not change due to magnetic force, but a force acts between the magnet 140 and the magnetic material 141 that tries to attract them to each other. In this embodiment, the magnetic force that tries to attract them is utilized.

[0061] In other rotational positions, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, the position of the magnet 140 is away from the magnetic material 141, and the attractive force of the magnet 140 is effectively nonexistent. In this embodiment, since the magnet 140 is located in front of the cam 131, no attractive force acts between it and the dog 138 provided on the periphery of the sensor plate 136.

[0062] As described above, the powder feeder 30 of this embodiment has a weight measuring means 125, and the weight of all members above the weight measuring means 125 is measured by the weight measuring means 125. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 11(b), when the rotational position of the cam 131 is in the check position (when the dog 138b corresponding to the check area is in the lower position), the attractive force of the magnet 140 is applied to the weight measuring means 125, and the detected value of the weight measuring means 125 increases. When the cam 131 is in any other position, the attractive force of the magnet 140 is not applied.

[0063] Therefore, in the powder feeder 30 of this embodiment, the operation of the weight measuring means 125 can be confirmed by rotating the cam 131 and checking the detected value of the weight measuring means 125 at that time. For example, when the hopper 85 is empty, the cam 131 is rotated, and the weight detected by the weight measuring means 125 at that time is checked. If the weight detected by the weight measuring means 125 temporarily increases when the rotational position of the cam 131 is in the check position (when the dog 138b corresponding to the check area is in the lower position), it is determined that the weight measuring means 125 is functioning normally. If there is no change in the detected weight even when the rotational position of the cam 131 is in the check position (when the dog 138b is in the lower position), or if the detected weight is outside the expected range, it is determined that there is some kind of malfunction in the weight measuring means 125. The operation of the weight measuring means 125 may be checked while the powder is loaded into the hopper 85. The frequency of checking the operation of the weight measuring means 125 is arbitrary; it may be checked each time the powder feeder 30 is used, or it may be checked at regular intervals or times.

[0064] When the rotational position of the cam 131 is the check position (when the dog 138b corresponding to the check area is in the lower position), the detected weight (detected value) of the weight measuring means 125 is larger than when the cam 131 is in any other position because the attractive force of the magnet 140 is applied. Furthermore, when the rotational position of the cam 131 is in the check position (when the dog 138b corresponding to the check area is in the lower position), the detected weight (detected value) of the weight measuring means 125 is always constant because it is due to the attractive force of the magnet 140. Therefore, the measurement accuracy of the weight measuring means 125 can be confirmed by whether or not the detected weight of the weight measuring means 125 changes. For example, when the drug dispensing device 1 is driven at the beginning of the day, the rotational position of the cam 131 is set to a fixed position (when the dog 138a corresponding to the fixed position area is in the lower position), the weight measuring means 125 is driven to detect the weight, and the weight is stored in the storage means. Similarly, for example, when the drug dispensing device 1 is driven at the beginning of the day, the rotational position of the cam 131 is set to the check position (when the dog 138b corresponding to the check area is in the lower position), the weight measuring means 125 is driven to detect the weight, and the weight is stored in the storage means. Then, when using the powder feeder 30 (immediately before use) or immediately after use, the rotational position of the cam 131 is set to the fixed position or check position, and the weight measuring means 125 is driven to detect the weight. The weight is then compared with the stored detected weight to confirm the operation of the weight measuring means 125 and the accuracy of the measurement. If the weight is the same as the stored weight, it is judged to be normal; if it is more or less than the stored weight, it is judged to be abnormal. In addition, the detected value in the fixed position and the detected value in the check position are compared, and if there is a predetermined difference between the two, it is judged to be normal; if the difference between the two is outside the allowable range, it is judged to be abnormal.

[0065] The following patterns are possible for the combination of comparisons of the detected weight (detected value) of the weight measuring means 125, which is performed to verify the operation of the weight measuring means 125. One of the detectable weights (detected values) of the weight measuring means 125 that can be used for comparison is the detectable weight (detected value) when the hopper 85 is empty and the attractive force of the magnet 140 is not applied. Hereinafter, this detectable weight (detected value) will be referred to as the detectable weight (without magnetic force). For example, the detectable weight (detected value) of the weight measuring means 125 when the hopper 85 is empty and the cam 131 is in a fixed position corresponds to the detectable weight (without magnetic force).

[0066] The timing for detecting the detected weight (without magnetic force application) is as follows: (1) Detected values ​​at the time of shipment The detected weight (without magnetic force application) obtained when shipping the drug dispensing device of this embodiment can be used as one of the comparison targets. (2) Detected values ​​at startup The detected weight (without magnetic force) obtained when starting the drug dispensing device can be used as one of the comparison targets. (3) Detected values ​​before discharge When dispensing powdered pesticide using the powdering feeder 30, the detected weight (without magnetic force) obtained before the powder is put into the hopper 85 can be used as one of the comparison targets. (4) Detected values ​​after discharge The powder can be dispensed using the powder feeder 30, and the detected weight (without magnetic force application) after all the powder in the hopper 85 has been dispensed can be used as one of the comparison targets.

[0067] Another weight (detected value) of the weight measuring means 125 that can be used for comparison is the weight (detected value) when the hopper 85 is empty and the attractive force of the magnet 140 is applied. Hereinafter, this weight (detected value) will be referred to as the detected weight (with magnetic force applied). For example, the weight (detected value) of the weight measuring means 125 when the hopper 85 is empty and the cam 131 is in the check position corresponds to the detected weight (with magnetic force applied). The timing for detecting the detected weight (with magnetic force applied) is as follows: (1) Detected values ​​at the time of shipment The detected weight (with magnetic force applied) obtained when shipping the drug dispensing device of this embodiment can be used as one of the comparison targets. (2) Detected values ​​at startup The detection (with magnetic force applied) when starting the drug dispensing device can be used as one of the comparison targets. (3) Detected values ​​before discharge When dispensing powdered pesticide using the powdering feeder 30, the detected weight (with magnetic force applied) before the powdered pesticide is put into the hopper 85 can be used as one of the comparison targets. (4) Detected values ​​after discharge The powdered pesticide is dispensed using the powder feeder 30, and the detected weight (with magnetic force applied) after all the powdered pesticide in the hopper 85 has been dispensed can be used as one of the comparison targets.

[0068] Furthermore, the powder feeder 30 of this embodiment is also equipped with an impact-applying means (not shown) that applies impact to the hopper 85.

[0069] (Basic operation of drug dispensing device 1) When dispensing medication using the medication dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, medication containers 31 filled with the predetermined powder are placed on each mounting platform 32. This operation is performed manually by an operator. Then, by operating the control device 3, a series of dispensing operations are automatically performed, and the medication is packaged according to the prescription data.

[0070] By using the drug dispensing device 1, powdered drugs can be mixed by dispensing powdered drugs from different drug containers 31 into the distribution tray 20. Since the drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment is equipped with five mounting tables 32, a maximum of five drug containers 31 can be installed, and a maximum of five types of powdered drugs can be mixed using the drug containers 31. If it is necessary to mix more than five types of medication, this can be addressed by temporarily interrupting the dispensing process and replacing the medication container 31.

[0071] As described above, in this embodiment, the drug can also be dispensed into the dispensing tray 20 using the powder feeder 30. When dispensing powdered medicine using the powdered medicine feeder 30, the medicine is manually weighed using a powdered medicine inspection system with a weighing function located elsewhere, the weighing pan with the weighed medicine is manually carried to the opening of the hopper 85, and the medicine is manually poured into the hopper 85. Then, through a predetermined operation, the vibration means (piezoelectric elements) 121a and 121b are driven, causing the trough vibration table (vibration means) 102 to vibrate, and the medicine falls from the hopper 85 into the trough 73. There is a gap 77 between the lower end of the hopper 85 and the trough 73, and the powdered medicine moves towards the trough 73 through this gap 77. Furthermore, the drug that falls into the trough 73 moves to the tip as the trough 73 vibrates, and then falls from the tip of the trough 73 into the distribution dish 20.

[0072] In the drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, an automatic dispensing mode, a manual dispensing mode, and a hand-sprinkling dispensing mode can be selected as methods for dispensing powdered medicine. (Automatic dispensing mode) The dispensing operation in automatic dispensing mode is as follows: As a preparatory step, a drug container 31, which is filled with medication, is mounted on the mounting stand 32. The drug container 31 is filled with a sufficient amount of medication to be packaged according to the prescription data. In automatic dispensing mode, a mounting platform 32 on which a drug container 31 filled with the necessary medication for the prescription is attached is driven, and the powdered medication is dispensed into the dispensing tray 20. Specifically, a current of a certain frequency is passed through the vibration means 41a and 41b of a particular mounting platform 32 to generate vibrations, and these vibrations cause the vibrating member 40 (container holding part) to vibrate. The distribution plate 20 is also rotated around the time the vibration starts.

[0073] Around the time the vibration begins, the weight of the drug container 31 is measured. The weight of the drug container 31 is the weight detected by the weight measuring means 52 minus a certain value. More specifically, the weight of the drug container 31 is the weight detected by the weight measuring means 52 minus the weight of the container support part 33. The weight of the drug container 31 before dispensing the powder is stored as the original weight G. The weight of the drug container 31 is also constantly monitored; that is, the current weight of the drug container 31 is monitored as the current weight g.

[0074] When the vibrating member 40 starts vibrating, the drug container 31 vibrates along with it. As a result, the powder stored in the drug container 31 slowly moves toward the drug dispensing section 71. In other words, the vibration activates the drug dispensing function, causing the powder to move toward the drug dispensing section 71.

[0075] The powder then falls from the powder discharge section 71 and enters the drug input groove 22 of the distribution tray 20 below. In this embodiment, even while the powder is falling from the drug container 31, the current weight of the drug container 31 is continuously monitored as the current weight g. The original weight G of the drug container 31 immediately after being placed on the vibrating member 40 is compared with the current weight g, and the amount of powder that falls H (G minus g) is constantly calculated. Then, when the total amount of powdered medicine that falls H reaches the desired weight, the vibration of the vibrating member 40 is stopped. As a result, the discharge of the medicine from the medicine container 31 stops, and the drug discharge is completed. When the vibration of the vibrating member 40 stops (discharge is complete), a rotation stop instruction is sent to the distribution plate 20, and the rotation of the distribution plate 20 stops.

[0076] Next, the rotating plate 23 of the scraping device 21 is dropped into the drug input groove 22 of the dispensing tray 20. Then, the dispensing tray 20 is rotated by an angle corresponding to the number of doses to be distributed, and the powder for one dose is collected on the front side of the rotating plate 23. The rotating plate 23 is then rotated, scraping the powder out of the dispensing tray 20 and into the powder input hopper 17. The powder that falls from the powder input hopper 17 is packaged in single-dose portions by the packaging device 12. Furthermore, the bibliographic information of the processed prescription is printed on paper and discharged.

[0077] Furthermore, once all the chemicals in the dispensing tray 20 have been drained, the automatic groove cleaning operation is performed. Specifically, the cleaning brush 27 of the automatic cleaning device 7 is lowered, and the cleaning brush 27 is placed into the chemical input groove 22 of the dispensing tray 20. Then, while the cleaning brush 27 rotates, the dispensing tray 20 is rotated to clean the inside of the drug input groove 22. Furthermore, the scraping device 21 is also automatically cleaned.

[0078] (Manual dispensing mode) Conventional drug dispensing devices work by placing pre-weighed powdered drug into a hopper, rotating a dispensing tray, and vibrating a vibrating device to introduce the powdered drug from the hopper through a trough into the dispensing tray. The drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment has a similar function. The manual dispensing mode is an operating mode in which the drug dispensing device 1 is used in a manner similar to the conventional method. Conventional drug dispensing devices place powdered medicine into a hopper, whereas the manual dispensing mode of this embodiment differs in that it uses a drug container 31. Conventional drug dispensing devices vibrate a trough, but the manual dispensing mode of this embodiment vibrates the drug container 31.

[0079] In other words, in manual dispensing mode, the required amount of drug is weighed outside the drug dispensing device 1 and placed in the drug container 31, and the operator manually places it on the mounting table 32. Then, the mounting platform 32 is driven to vibrate the drug container 31, and the entire amount of drug in the drug container 31 is introduced into the dispensing tray 20. In manual dispensing mode, all the powder in the drug container 31 is dispensed, and when the weight of the drug container 31 stops changing, it is determined that dispensing is complete, and a rotation stop instruction is issued to the dispensing tray 20, causing the tray 20 to stop rotating. The subsequent operation is the same as the automatic dispensing mode described above.

[0080] (Manual dispensing mode) The basic operation of the manual dispensing mode is the same as the dispensing method in conventional drug dispensing devices: pre-weighed powder is placed in the hopper 85, and the trough vibrator (vibration means) 102 is vibrated while the dispensing tray 20 is rotated, introducing the powder from the hopper 85 through the trough 73 to the dispensing tray 20.

[0081] In manual dispensing mode, the required amount of powder is weighed outside the drug dispensing device 1 and placed into the powder feeder 30. For example, the powder is weighed using a drug weighing device (not shown), and the weighed powder is placed into the hopper 85 of the powder feeder 30. Then, the powder feeder 30 is driven to vibrate the hopper 85 and trough 73, and the entire amount of powder in the hopper 85 is introduced into the distribution tray 20.

[0082] In other words, in manual dispensing mode, an external drug weighing device of the drug dispensing device 1 weighs the prescribed amount of powdered medicine based on the prescription, and the weighed value is stored in the external drug weighing device that performed the weighing, and is also sent to the drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, where the information is shared. Alternatively, the weighing pan used when weighing with an external drug weighing device may be equipped with a memory element such as an RFID, and the weight of the weighed product may be written to the RFID. When the weighing pan is brought close to the drug dispensing device 1 and fed into the powder feeder 30, the weighed value may be read from the RFID on the weighing pan and recognized by the drug dispensing device 1.

[0083] In manual dispensing mode, all the powder in the powder feeder 30 is dispensed, and when a sensor (not shown) detects that dispensing is complete, a rotation stop instruction is issued to the distribution tray 20, and the rotation of the distribution tray 20 stops. The subsequent operations are the same as those described above for the automatic and manual dispensing modes.

[0084] In manual dispensing mode, the powdered medicine put into the hopper 85 does not have to be of one type; multiple types of powdered medicine may be mixed externally and then put into the hopper 85.

[0085] (Feature 1 specific to the powder feeder 30) As described above, the powder feeder 30 used in this embodiment raises and lowers the hopper 85 using the cam 131. Furthermore, as described above, the powder feeder 30 used in this embodiment has a weight measuring means 125 that can detect the weight of the powder introduced into the hopper 85. In the powder feeder 30 used in this embodiment, as described above, there is a combination of a reference position confirmation dog 147 and a reference position detection sensor 148, and a combination of rotational attitude dogs 138a to 138h and a rotational attitude detection sensor 145, and the attitude of the cam 131 and the height of the hopper 85 are detected by the combination of these two.

[0086] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the powder feeder 30 uses the magnet 140 and magnetic material 141 to verify the operation of the weight measuring means 125 and the measurement accuracy. In this embodiment, for example, predetermined initial operations are performed at the start of work. For example, the predetermined initial operations include the following steps in order: confirming the reference position of the cam 131, transitioning to a fixed position, transitioning to a check position, weight detection, and weight comparison. Once the initial operation described above is completed, daily dispensing of powdered pesticides using the powdered pesticide feeder 30 becomes possible. When dispensing powdered pesticides using the powdered pesticide feeder 30, as described above, the detected weight (without magnetic force) is detected before the powdered pesticide is put into the hopper 85, and then the detected weight (with magnetic force) is detected. A comparison of each detected weight is also performed. Next, a powder dispensing process is performed using the powder dispensing feeder 30. Once the powder dispensing process is complete, the detected weight (without magnetic force) is detected, and then the detected weight (with magnetic force) is detected. In other words, the processes of weight detection and weight comparison are performed again in sequence to confirm the operation of the weight measuring means 125 and to verify the measurement accuracy. Furthermore, the orientation of the cam 131 is controlled by the rotational direction of the cam 131 and the detection level of the reference position detection sensor 148.

[0087] The initial operation will be explained below, referring to the flowchart in Figure 13 and Figure 14. When the drug dispensing device 1 is activated at the start of operation, the predetermined initial operation described above is performed. That is, the powder feeder 30 is activated, the cam 131 rotates, and it searches for the reference position. The direction of rotation of the cam 131 is arbitrary. Specifically, in step 1, the cam 131 is rotated, and in step 2, the cam 131 continues to rotate until the reference position detection sensor 148 detects the reference position confirmation dog 147. Once the reference position detection sensor 148 detects the reference position confirmation dog 147, the process moves to step 3, and the rotation of the cam 131 stops.

[0088] In this embodiment, the orientation of the cam 131 when the reference position detection sensor 148 detects the reference position confirmation dog 147 (Figure 14a) becomes the reference orientation.

[0089] Next, we move to step 4, where the cam 131 is rotated to the right, as shown in Figure 14(a). Then, in step 5, the cam 131 continues to rotate until the rotational attitude sensor 145 detects the rotational attitude dog 138 once. Once the rotational attitude sensor 145 detects the rotational attitude dog 138, the process moves to step 6 and the rotation of the cam 131 stops (Figure 14b). In this embodiment, the reference position confirmation dog 147 is located between the fixed position area and the check area, as shown in Figure 14(a), and the reference posture is the boundary position between the fixed position posture and the check position posture.

[0090] Focusing on the rotational posture dog 138 in this posture, we see that the rotational posture dog 138a, corresponding to the fixed position, is located near the right of the rotational posture detection sensor 145. Therefore, when the cam 131 in the reference position is rotated to the right and the rotational position detection sensor 145 first detects the rotational position dog 138, the position of the cam 131 is the fixed position, as shown in Figure 14(b). That is, when the cam 131 in the reference position is rotated to the right and the rotational position detection sensor 145 first detects the rotational position dog 138a, which corresponds to the fixed position, the position of the cam 131 when the rotational position dog 138 is detected is the fixed position, as shown in Figure 14(b).

[0091] In this embodiment, when the cam 131 is in a fixed position as shown in Figure 14(b), the weight measuring means 125 is driven to detect the detected weight (without magnetic force application) (step 7). Then, the process moves to step 8, where the measured weight is compared to the stored weight. It is compared to the weight detected at the time of shipment (without magnetic force) and to previously detected and stored weights (without magnetic force). If the two are substantially the same, it passes; if they are not substantially the same, it fails. If it fails, it is determined to be abnormal. Specifically, it is determined that there is a malfunction in the weighing device. Then, the process moves to step 9, where the detected weight (without magnetic force) from step 7 is stored.

[0092] Next, proceed to step 10, where cam 131 is rotated to the left. Then, in step 11, the cam 131 continues to rotate until the rotational attitude sensor 145 detects the rotational attitude dog 138 once. Once the rotational attitude sensor 145 detects the rotational attitude dog 138, the process moves to step 12 and the rotation of the cam 131 stops (Figure 14c). Focusing on the rotational position dog 138 at this time, since the rotational position detection sensor 145 detects the rotational position dog 138a corresponding to the fixed position at step 6, the first rotational position dog detected when the cam 131 is rotated to the left is the rotational position dog 138b corresponding to the check position. Therefore, the position of the cam 131 when the rotational position dog 138 is detected is the check position position, as shown in Figure 14(c).

[0093] Then, proceed to step 13 to confirm the weight detected by the weight measuring means 125. When the cam 131 is in the check position, a magnetic force acts between the magnet 140 and the magnetic material 141, and the weight measuring means 125 detects a weight equivalent to the magnetic force. That is, the detected weight (with magnetic force applied) is detected. Then, the process moves to step 14, where the weight is compared to the stored value.

[0094] The comparison is performed and determined as follows: (1) Comparison of the detected weight at the time of shipment (without magnetic force) and the detected weight measured now (with magnetic force). If there is a certain difference between the two, the person will be judged to have passed. (2) Comparison of the detected weight at startup (without magnetic force applied) and the detected weight measured now (with magnetic force applied). If there is a certain difference between the two, the person will be judged to have passed. (3) Comparison of the detected weight at the time of shipment (with magnetic force applied) and the detected weight measured now (with magnetic force applied) If there is no substantial difference between the two, the candidate will be judged as having passed.

[0095] If it fails the test, it will be judged as abnormal. Specifically, it will be judged that there is a malfunction in the weighing device. Subsequently, the process moves to step 15, where the gravity (with added magnetic force) is memorized.

[0096] Next, the powdered medication is packaged into individual doses. At this time, the cam is returned to its original position. As a result, the hopper 85 descends and its lower surface comes into contact with the trough 73. The weight measuring means 125 is then driven to detect and store the weight (without magnetic force). At this time, it is desirable to compare it with the stored weight value. The worker then pours the chemical into the lowered hopper 85. As described above, in this embodiment, pre-weighed powdered medicine is placed in the hopper 85. For example, the powdered medicine is weighed using a drug weighing device (not shown), and the weighed powdered medicine is placed in the hopper 85 of the powdered medicine feeder 30.

[0097] In the drug dispensing device 1, the weight of the powdered drug placed in the hopper 85 is automatically detected, and it is checked whether it is the same as the value measured by the drug weighing device (not shown) described above. If they are the same, the dispensing of the powdered drug is started. Specifically, the powder is put into the hopper 85, the trough 73 starts vibrating, and the powder is put into the distribution dish 20.

[0098] As described later, once all the powder has been discharged (when the weight of the powder is gone and the powder drop sensor in front of the trough no longer detects it), the hopper 85 is raised to level 6, and the hopper 85 and trough 73 are vibrated at the strongest vibration intensity. The hopper 85 is at level 6, the gap 77 between the lower end of the hopper 85 and the trough 73 is at its maximum, and the opening area between the lower end of the hopper 85 and the trough 73 is at its widest. In this embodiment, once all the powder has been discharged, the opening area between the lower end of the hopper 85 and the trough 73 is maximized, and the hopper 85 and the trough 73 are vibrated with the strongest vibration intensity. Subsequently, the cam 131 rotates clockwise, moving in the opposite direction to its original rotation, returning the cam 131 to its original position. In other words, the hopper 85, which was at the height of level 6, is sequentially lowered to levels 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. The reason for this is that when cam 131 is rotated counterclockwise, hopper 85, which was at the height of level 6, descends to its fixed position, and the sharp step of cam 131 causes hopper 83 to drop all at once, so this is to prevent that phenomenon. By gradually lowering the hopper 85, which was at the height of level 6, to levels 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1, the gap 77 between the lower end of the hopper 85 and the trough 73 becomes smaller in stages, and the opening area between the lower end of the hopper 85 and the trough 73 decreases in stages.

[0099] Once the dispensing of the powder is complete, the cam 131 is rotated until the rotational position detection sensor 145 detects the rotational position dog 138 a predetermined number of times. At this position, the rotation of the cam 131 is stopped, and the cam 131 returns to its fixed position (step 102). That is, once the completion of the dispensing of the powder is confirmed in step 100 of the flowchart in Figure 13, the process moves to step 101, and the cam 131 is rotated, for example, to the right, to return the cam 131 to its fixed position (steps 102, 103). Then, with the cam 131 in a fixed position, in step 104, the weight measuring means 125 is driven to detect the detected weight (without magnetic force application). Since the cam 131 is in a fixed position in this case, the value detected by the weight measuring means 125 is not affected by the magnet 140.

[0100] In step 104, with the cam 131 in a fixed position, the weight measuring means 125 is driven to detect the detected weight (without magnetic force application), and the process proceeds to step 105 to compare the detected weights. In other words, the detected weight (without magnetic force) from previous tests is compared with the detected weight (without magnetic force) from the current test. If there is no substantial difference between the two, it passes; if there is a substantial difference, it fails. The procedure for failure is as described above. If successful, proceed to step 106 to store the detected weight (without magnetic force).

[0101] Then, in step 107, the cam 131 is rotated. In step 107, the cam 131 is rotated, for example, counterclockwise to return it to the check position. Specifically, at the position where the rotation position detection sensor 145 detects the rotation position dog 138 once (step 108), the rotation of the cam 131 is stopped (step 109), and the position of the cam 131 is returned to the check position. Then, we proceed to step 110 to reconfirm the detected weight (with magnetic force applied) of the weight measuring means 125. Since the position of the cam 131 this time is the check position, a magnetic force is applied to the detected weight (with magnetic force applied) of the weight measuring means 125. In other words, as described above, when the cam 131 is in the check position, a magnetic force acts between the magnet 140 and the magnetic material 141, and the weight measuring means 125 detects a weight equivalent to the magnetic force.

[0102] Then, proceed to step 111 to compare the detected weights. In other words, the detection weight (without magnetic force) detected in previous tests is compared with the detection weight (with magnetic force) detected in the current test. If there is a predetermined difference between the two, it passes; if the difference is too large or too small, it fails. Furthermore, the detected weight (with magnetic force applied) from previous tests will be compared with the detected weight (with magnetic force applied) from the current test. If there is a predetermined difference between the two, the test will pass; if the difference is too large or too small, it will fail. The procedure for failure is as described above. These series of operations allow for verification of the operation of the weight measuring means 125 and confirmation of its measurement accuracy. Finally, proceed to step 112 to store the detected weight (with magnetic force applied).

[0103] In this embodiment, each time the dispensing of the powder is completed, the cam 131 is returned to its fixed position and the detected weight (without magnetic force) is detected, and then the cam 131 is returned to its original position and the detected weight (with magnetic force) is detected, and a predetermined comparison is performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this operation, and any weight detection or weight comparison may be omitted. Furthermore, the number of items to be compared can be reduced as appropriate. In other words, it is not necessary to compare all comparison items.

[0104] (Features specific to the powder feeder 30, part 2) As described above, the powder feeder 30 used in this embodiment has a weight measuring means 125 that can detect the weight of the powder introduced into the hopper 85. Furthermore, since the remaining amount of powder can be detected even while the powder is being discharged, the discharge rate per unit time can also be monitored. The powder feeder 30 of this embodiment has a weight measuring means 125, which can detect the weight of the powder introduced into the hopper 85. By comparing the prescribed amount of powder with the amount of powder actually introduced into the hopper 85, it is possible to confirm whether the amount introduced into the hopper 85 is as prescribed.

[0105] In other words, in manual dispensing mode, the required amount of powder is weighed outside the drug dispensing device 1 and placed into the powder feeder 30. Since this weighing process is done manually, there is a possibility of errors. Furthermore, there is a possibility that the powder may scatter from the weighing pan or that foreign matter such as dust and dirt may enter the weighing pan between the weighing point and the hopper 85. There is also a possibility of residual chemicals remaining in the weighing pan, as it may not be possible to correctly dispense all of the chemicals from the weighing pan.

[0106] The control device has prescription data entered into it, and the prescribed amount of powdered medicine is stored in it. In this embodiment, the weight of the powdered medicine introduced into the hopper 85 is also entered into the control device. In the drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, the weight of the powdered medicine introduced into the hopper 85 is detected by the weight measuring means 125 through a predetermined operation or automatically, and this weight is compared with the prescription data through a predetermined operation or automatically. If there is a difference of a certain amount or more between the two, a display is shown on the display device 10 or other devices to draw attention. As described above, if there are weighing errors, scattering or contamination of the powder during transport, or mix-ups of powders, a discrepancy will occur between the expected weight based on the prescription data and the actual weight of the powder introduced into the hopper 85, allowing us to detect the occurrence of a malfunction.

[0107] In the drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, as described above, the powdered drug is weighed using a drug weighing device (not shown), and the weighed powdered drug is placed into the hopper 85 of the powdered drug feeder 30 and packaged. In the drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, the weight is measured again by the drug dispensing device 1 when the powder is put into the hopper 85, which is the final stage in which packaging begins. Therefore, it is possible to check at the final stage that there has been no change from the external weighing value. As a result, the drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment enables packaging operations with unprecedented safety. Furthermore, if the external weighing value differs from the weight value measured by the weight measuring device 125, a warning can be issued via the screen or audio, allowing the dispensing operation to be stopped or prompting the operator to reconfirm, thereby ensuring a higher level of safety.

[0108] The powder feeder 30 used in this embodiment vibrates the hopper 85 and trough 73 with the vibration means 121a and 121b as described above to introduce the entire amount of powder in the hopper 85 into the distribution tray 20. However, the powder feeder 30 in this embodiment is equipped with a function to change the vibration intensity and vibration pattern of the trough 73, etc., according to the situation. In this embodiment, the vibration means 121a and 121b are controlled by the control device of the main body of the drug dispensing device 1, and the trough vibration table (vibration means) 102 is controlled by the control device of the main body of the drug dispensing device 1.

[0109] In other words, the powder feeder 30 of this embodiment has an auto mode and a manual mode as vibration modes for vibrating the trough vibrator (vibration means) 102. Specifically, when operating in manual dispensing mode, there is an auto mode and a manual mode for vibrating the trough vibrator (vibration means) 102. The auto mode is a vibration mode in which the vibration conditions of the trough vibration table 102 are changed according to the situation. In this embodiment, when auto mode is selected, the hopper 85 is fixed at a predetermined height (for example, a height corresponding to cam level 2), and the vibration intensity is automatically set. In addition, the remaining amount of powder is detected while the powder is being discharged, and the vibration intensity is automatically changed according to the remaining amount of powder. In this embodiment, the hopper 85 is fixed at the height of level 2, and the trough 73 vibrates with a vibration intensity corresponding to the weight of the powder in the hopper 85. However, once the powder is no longer being discharged from the trough 73, the hopper 85 rises. That is, the gap 77 between the hopper 85 and the trough 73 is expanded to its maximum size. For example, an optical sensor such as an infrared sensor monitors the dropping of the powder from the trough 73, and when no further dropping is detected, the cam 131 is rotated to raise the hopper 85 to its highest height (level 6). Then the trough 73 is vibrated at the strongest vibration intensity. The vibration of the trough 73 is maintained at the strongest vibration intensity for a certain period of time, and all of the powder is dispensed without any loss.

[0110] In the auto mode used in this embodiment, the vibration conditions are automatically determined according to the weight of the powder detected by the weight measuring means 125. Specifically, regardless of the weight of the powder introduced into the hopper 85, the vibration intensity and pattern are automatically determined so that the powder in the hopper 85 is completely discharged from the tip of the trough 73 within a certain time range, and the trough 73 is vibrated according to these determined vibration conditions. For example, a standard discharge time such as 60 seconds is set, and the vibration conditions are determined so that the entire amount is discharged within a range of a few seconds before or after that time. Naturally, when a large amount of powder is supplied to the hopper 85, the trough 73 vibrates with a strong vibration intensity, and when a small amount of powder is supplied to the hopper 85, the trough 73 vibrates with a weak vibration intensity. In auto mode, the vibration intensity automatically changes at each stage of the discharge process: the initial stage, the intermediate stage, the final stage, and the post-discharge stage. The vibration conditions are calculated and determined by the control device in the main body of the drug dispensing device 1. Then, the trough vibration table (vibration means) 102 vibrates in response to the signal from the control device.

[0111] The manual mode is a vibration mode in which the trough vibration table 102 is operated under constant vibration conditions or a constant pattern of vibration conditions to vibrate the trough 73. In manual mode, the operator inputs the vibration intensity and the height of the hopper 85, and the powder is discharged from the tip of the trough under the input conditions. Even in manual mode, when powder is no longer discharged from trough 73, hopper 85 rises. That is, the gap 77 between hopper 85 and trough 73 is widened. For example, an optical sensor monitors the dropping of powder from trough 73, and when no further dropping is detected, the cam 131 is rotated to raise hopper 85 to a height of approximately level 6. Then, trough 73 is vibrated at the strongest vibration intensity. The vibration of trough 73 is then maintained at the strongest vibration intensity for a certain period of time.

[0112] In this embodiment, the vibration mode can be selected manually. Operation is also possible in an automatic selection mode, which automatically selects the vibration mode. In automatic selection mode, the powder feeder 30 is driven by auto mode in principle, and can be switched to manual mode if any malfunction occurs. For example, if signals from the vibration means and weight measuring means 125 are input to the control device and there is an abnormality in the signal, it is switched to manual mode and the dispensing of the powder continues. The following describes the sequence of operations in the manual dispensing mode within the automatic selection mode, with reference to Figures 15 and 16. In this embodiment, the control device in the main body of the drug dispensing device 1 stores a control program that performs the sequence of operations shown in Figures 15 and 16.

[0113] As described above, in manual dispensing mode, the required amount of powder is weighed outside the drug dispensing device 1 and placed into the powder feeder 30. At this time, the cam 131 is in a fixed position, and as shown in Figure 11(a), the hopper 85 is in contact with the trough 73. Then, by operating a designated switch or similar device, the manual dispensing mode for packaging is initiated.

[0114] First, the pre-processing steps 1 through 6 are performed. The steps in the flowchart shown in Figure 15 are performed between steps 13 and 100 of the flowchart in Figure 13, and only the essential points are described. That is, the steps in the flowchart shown in Figure 15 are performed after the weight comparison and weight storage are completed. In step 1 of flowchart 15, the cam 131 rotates to the level 2 position (when the dog 138d is in the lower position), and as shown in Figure 12(d), the hopper 85 rises and moves away from the trough 73, opening the lower end of the hopper 85. Then, in steps 2 and 3, the weight measuring means 125 is monitored to detect whether the detected value of the weight measuring means 125 has stabilized. If the detected value of the weight measuring means 125 stabilizes within a certain period of time, the process moves from step 2 to step 4, where the amount of powdered medicine put into the hopper 85 is detected from the detected value of the weight measuring means 125 and stored in the control device. The detected value of the weight measuring means 125 is transmitted to the control device and compared with the prescribed amount based on the prescription data. If there is a difference of a certain amount or more between the two, a display is shown on the display device 10 or other devices to draw attention. Next, in step 5, the target flow rate (target flow velocity) per unit time required to discharge the entire amount within a certain time is calculated and stored in the control device.

[0115] If the detected value of the weight measuring means 125 does not stabilize within a certain period of time, the process proceeds from step 3 to step 18, and a manual mode flag indicating "flow velocity control disabled" is set. If the detected value of the weight measuring means 125 stabilizes within a certain time, the process proceeds to step 4, step 5, and then to step 6. In step 6, appropriate vibration conditions are determined as a preliminary step before vibrating the trough vibrating table (vibrating means) 102. That is, vibration conditions that match the target flow velocity calculated in step 5 are determined. In more detail, in step 5, the hopper 85 is raised to the height of level 2, and the weight of the powder placed in the hopper 85 is measured. Then, in step 6, the appropriate vibration conditions for the trough vibrating table (vibrating means) 102 are determined. Thereafter, the control device communicates with the powder feeder 30, and signals from the vibration means and weight measuring means 125 are input to the control device. Here, the signal from the vibration means is a feedback signal from the excitation means 121a and 121b that vibrate the trough vibration table (vibration means) 102.

[0116] After passing step 7, the drug drop waiting process is carried out in steps 8 through 13, 19, and 20. The drug drop waiting process involves monitoring the weight measuring means 125 and detecting the initial drop of the powder from the trough 73. That is, due to reasons such as the powder sticking together, the powder may not move on the trough 73 even when the trough 73 is vibrated and may remain stationary. Generally, once the leading powder drops from the tip of the trough 73, the rest of the powder flows smoothly. Therefore, confirming the initial drop of the powder is of great importance. Confirmation of the powder drop is performed by an optical sensor (not shown).

[0117] In this embodiment, vibration of the trough vibrating table (vibrating means) 102 is started in step 7, and whether or not there is an initial drop of the powder is detected in step 8. The vibration of the trough vibrating table (vibrating means) 102, which is started in step 7, is performed with a predetermined initial vibration intensity. If no initial drop is detected, the vibration is maintained at the initial vibration intensity, and a certain period of time is waited for in step 19. If initial dispensing is not confirmed after a certain period of time, the process moves to step 20, where the vibration intensity is increased to force the initial dispensing of the powder. Steps 8, 19, and 20 are repeated until initial dispensing is confirmed. Alternatively, error information is displayed on the screen, via sound, etc. When an initial fall is detected, the process proceeds to step 9, where it is checked whether control in auto mode is possible. Specifically, the flag in step 18 is checked to determine whether operation in auto mode is possible. If operation in auto mode is possible, proceed to step 10, and operation in auto mode will be performed according to the flowchart in Figure 16.

[0118] Specifically, the trough 73 is vibrated under the vibration conditions determined in step 30. The vibration continues until it is confirmed in step 31 that all the powder has been discharged. Here, the determined vibration conditions are those determined in step 6 and are vibration conditions that correspond to the target flow rate (target flow velocity) calculated in step 5. Furthermore, the status of communication between the control device and the powder feeder 30 is monitored until all the powder has been dispensed. The progress of the dispensed powder is also monitored until all the powder has been dispensed. Specifically, in step 32, the status of communication between the control device and the powder feeder 30 is checked. If a communication error occurs, the system immediately proceeds to step 38, where the auto mode is stopped and the system proceeds to step 39 to switch to manual mode.

[0119] Furthermore, if there are no communication abnormalities between the control device and the powder feeder 30 in step 32, the process proceeds to step 33, and the checks in steps 31 and 32 are repeated for a certain period of time. After a certain period of time, the process moves to step 34 or below, where the progress of emissions is monitored. Specifically, steps 34 and 36 detect whether the current discharge amount is higher or lower than the target value. In particular, it is determined whether the current flow rate of the powder is faster or slower than the target. If the current emission levels are lower than the target level, proceed to step 35 and increase the vibration intensity; if the current emission levels are higher than the target level, proceed to step 37 and decrease the vibration intensity. If current emissions are close to the target value, then both Step 34 and Step 36 will be NO, and you will return to Step 31. Continue this process until all the powder has been expelled.

[0120] Furthermore, if it is determined in step 9 that operation in auto mode is unsuitable, the process proceeds to step 11 and the device is ejected in manual mode. In either case, once all the powder has been discharged, the process moves to step 12, where the final vibration is performed. Specifically, the hopper 85 is raised to level 6, and the hopper 85 and trough 73 are vibrated at the strongest vibration intensity. Then, the process moves to step 13, where it is confirmed whether the entire series of operations were performed in auto mode. If all operations were performed in auto mode, then in step 14, it is confirmed whether the detected value of the weight measuring means 125 is stable. If the detected value of the weight measuring means 125 is not stable, the process moves to step 20, where the system waits for the detected value of the weight measuring means 125 to stabilize.

[0121] If the detected value of the weight measuring means 125 is stable, proceed to step 15 to check the detected value of the weight measuring means 125 and compare it with the initial value to confirm the amount of emissions. Then, the process moves to step 16, where the cam 131 is rotated back to its original position, and the hopper 85 is lowered back to contact the trough 73. The height of the hopper 85, that is, the gap 77 (opening) between the hopper 85 and the trough 73, can be changed depending on the amount of powdered pesticide put into the hopper 85 and the discharge status of the powdered pesticide. Prior to completion, the process moves to step 17, where the operation of the weight measuring means 125 is checked. The operation check in step 17 is the process from step 100 onwards in the flowchart of Figure 13. The cam 131 is rotated to return its orientation to a fixed position, the weight is detected and compared, and then the cam 131 is rotated again to return its orientation to a check position. The weight detected by the weight measuring means 125 is then checked, and the operation and measurement accuracy of the weight measuring means 125 are confirmed. In other words, the processes from step 100 onwards in the flowchart of Figure 13 are performed.

[0122] (Washing process) In the drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, for example, when high-risk drugs are packaged, a process called a "washing process" can be performed after the drugs are packaged. Here, the "washing process" is a process in which a non-toxic cleaning powder, such as baking soda, is introduced from the drug container 31 or the powder feeder 30 into the dispensing tray 20, scraped out and put into the powder input hopper 17, and packaged by the packaging device 12, thereby cleaning the passage of high-risk drugs with a non-toxic cleaning powder.

[0123] As described above, when auto mode is selected, the hopper 85 is fixed at a predetermined height. Following the example above, when auto mode is selected, the height of the hopper 85 is fixed to a height corresponding to level 2 of the cam 131. That is, the gap 77 between the lower end of the hopper 85 and the trough 73 is fixed to a size corresponding to level 2 of the cam 131. When auto mode is selected, the height of the hopper 85 may always be the same (for example, the height corresponding to cam level 2), but the height may be changed depending on the conditions. That is, the gap 77 between the lower end of the hopper 85 and the trough 73 may always be the same size, but the size of the gap 77 may be changed depending on the conditions. For example, the height of the hopper 85 may vary depending on the weight of the powder introduced into the hopper 85. For instance, if the weight of the powder introduced into the hopper 85 is less than a certain weight, such as 100 grams, the height of the hopper 85 is fixed to the height corresponding to level 2 of the cam 131. If the weight of the powder introduced into the hopper 85 is 100 grams or more, the height of the hopper 85 is fixed to the height corresponding to level 3 of the cam, and the gap 77 between the lower end of the hopper 85 and the trough 73 is widened.

[0124] When auto mode is selected, the height of the hopper 85 may be divided into more stages depending on the weight of the powder. For example, if the weight of the powder introduced into the hopper 85 is above a certain weight, such as 200 grams, the height of the hopper 85 may be fixed to a height corresponding to cam level 4 or level 5. The weight of the powdered medicine, which is a factor in determining the height of the hopper 85 (size of the gap 77), may be based on the detected value of the weight measuring means 125, or it may be based on information weighed by an external drug weighing device and sent to the drug dispensing device 1. It may also be based on prescription information. Alternatively, the height of the hopper 85 (size of the gap 77) may be determined by taking into account the flow coefficient, which will be described later. This configuration allows for maintaining the accuracy of dispensing the powdered medicine into the dispensing dish 20 while reducing the time required to dispense the powdered medicine.

[0125] As described above, in auto mode, the vibration conditions of the trough 73 are automatically determined according to the weight of the powder detected by the weight measuring means 125. In the drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, an upper limit of vibration intensity is set in auto mode. In this embodiment, the upper limit of vibration intensity changes according to the remaining amount of powder. The powder feeder 30 used in this embodiment has a weight measuring means 125 as described above, which can detect the weight of the powder introduced into the hopper 85 and can detect the remaining amount of powder while dispensing it, so as the remaining amount of powder decreases, the upper limit of vibration intensity decreases in stages. Based on experience, this method reduces uneven distribution of the powdered medicine to the dispensing dish 20.

[0126] The following explains the reason for this control mechanism. In manual dispensing mode, the trough 73 is vibrated to move the powder and introduce the powder from the hopper 85 into the dispensing tray 20. However, some powders are difficult to move along the trough 73. In that case, the vibration intensity of Trough 73 will be at its maximum level. If the upper limit of vibration intensity remains constant, Trough 73 will vibrate at its strongest intensity from the beginning to the end of the discharge process. However, based on experience, when the amount of powdered medicine remaining is small, applying strong vibrations to move the powdered medicine disrupts the flow of the powdered medicine on the trough 73, resulting in variations in the amount of powdered medicine that falls from the trough 73. The control described above solves this problem, employing a system where the upper limit of the vibration intensity gradually decreases as the amount of powdered medicine remaining decreases. The upper limit of vibration intensity may decrease gradually or continuously.

[0127] (Prescription input operation) The drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment can perform a "prescription input operation" in advance, and then, while referring to the prescription information entered in the "prescription input operation," perform a packaging operation to package the drug into single doses. The "prescription input operation" can be performed by operating the operating device 3 or the input device 8. The input device 8 can communicate with the control device of the main body of the drug dispensing device 1 using known communication means, and is part of the drug dispensing device 1.

[0128] The prescription input operation involves displaying the prescription input screen (see Figure 17) on the operating device 3 or input device 8 and inputting information related to the prescription.

[0129] The prescription entry screen has input fields corresponding to each item, allowing users to enter patient information such as patient ID and patient name, information about the medical institution and department to which the prescribing physician belongs, and information about the prescribed medication such as the name of the medication, its usage, and dosage. If any of the prescribed medications are "drugs to be washed," some kind of indication will be displayed on the prescription input screen. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 17(a), the indication "highly toxic" will be displayed, and the name of the drug will be highlighted in color.

[0130] Here, "chemicals to be washed" refers to chemicals that, for example, could cause serious problems if they were unintentionally mixed with other chemicals (so-called contamination) in the dispensing tray 20, and for which cleaning of the dispensing tray 20 is required either before or after the dispensing operation. To explain in more detail, if another dispensing operation is performed following a predetermined dispensing operation, there is a possibility that a small amount of the chemical discharged into the dispensing tray 20 during the preceding dispensing operation may remain on the tray 20. In this case, if another dispensing operation is performed immediately afterward, the aforementioned chemical contamination may occur. Therefore, chemicals that could cause serious problems if unintentionally contaminated can be designated as chemicals to be washed, and the system is configured to encourage the performing of a cleaning operation when used in a dispensing operation.

[0131] Normally, after using poisons, narcotics, psychotropic drugs, highly toxic drugs, colored chemicals, or chemicals that tend to adhere to the dispensing tray 20, a washing process is required, and these chemicals are designated as "chemicals to be washed." As mentioned above, if any of the prescribed medications are "drugs to be washed," the word "drug" will be displayed on the prescription input screen, and the name of the drug will be highlighted in color. In accordance with this embodiment, as shown in Figure 17(a), "Aleviatin powder" is the "drug to be washed with," and is marked with the "highly potent" label, and the name of the drug is color-coded.

[0132] Next, we will describe the specific configuration and effects of the drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment. (Washing method selection display) In this embodiment, the drug dispensing device 1 allows for a process called a "washing process" to be performed after dispensing, for example, when high-risk drugs are packaged. In this embodiment, the washing process can be performed by dispensing cleaning powder from the drug container 31 into the drug input groove 22 of the dispensing tray 20. In this embodiment, the washing process can also be performed by dispensing cleaning powder from the powder feeder 30 into the drug input groove 22 of the dispensing tray 20. In this embodiment, the "washing process" can be performed using either the drug container 31 or the powder dispensing feeder 30. However, when certain conditions are met, a notification is given prompting the user to choose whether to dispense the cleaning powder from the drug container 31 or from the powder dispensing feeder 30.

[0133] Specifically, if a prescription includes multiple types of powdered medicine, and multiple drug containers 31 are needed to process the prescription, but there is no space on the mounting table 32 and it is not possible to place a drug container 31 filled with cleaning powder, a notification recommending that cleaning powder be dispensed from the powdered medicine feeder 30 will be issued. In other words, the above notification will be issued if all mounting tables 32 are occupied by drug containers 31 containing the powdered medicine necessary to process the prescription, and it is not possible to place a drug container 31 filled with cleaning powder. The above notification will also be issued if multiple types of powdered medicine need to be introduced into the dispensing tray, and the number of types of powdered medicine to be introduced exceeds the number of mounting tables 32. In this embodiment, the operating device 3 or input device 8 displays a text message recommending that cleaning powder be dispensed from the powder feeder 30, but this could also be done by voice.

[0134] The following explains further. Since the drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment has five mounting tables 32, it is possible to mix up to five types of powdered drugs at once using the drug container 31.

[0135] For example, suppose a prescription contains four types of powdered medicine: A, B, C, and D, and that powdered medicine B requires a washing step. In this case, when placing the drug containers 31 on the mounting stands 32, the drug container 31 filled with powder A is placed on the first mounting stand 32, the drug container 31 filled with powder B is placed on the second mounting stand 32, the drug container 31 filled with powder C is placed on the third mounting stand 32, and the drug container 31 filled with powder D is placed on the fourth mounting stand 32. Then, the drug container 31 containing cleaning powder is placed on the remaining fifth mounting stand 32. In the drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, the powder packaging process is performed first, followed by the washing process, which is carried out automatically or by a predetermined operation. In the packaging process, the dispensing tray 20 is rotated, and powders A, B, C, and D are dispensed simultaneously from the four drug containers 31 and enter the drug input groove 22 of the dispensing tray 20. When the prescribed amount of powdered medicine is dispensed from each medicine container 31, the vibration of the vibrating member 40 stops individually. As a result, the dispensing of medicine from the medicine containers 31 stops, the dispensing of medicine is completed, and the rotation of the dispensing tray 20 stops.

[0136] Next, the rotating plate 23 of the scraping device 21 is dropped into the drug input groove 22 of the dispensing tray 20. Then, the dispensing tray 20 is rotated by an angle corresponding to the number of doses to be distributed, and the powder for one dose is collected on the front side of the rotating plate 23. The rotating plate 23 is then rotated, scraping the powder out of the dispensing tray 20 and into the powder input hopper 17. Once the dispensing of the powder is complete, a washing process is carried out. Specifically, the dispensing tray 20 is rotated again, and the fifth mounting platform 32 is driven, causing the cleaning powder to be dispensed from the chemical container 31 and into the chemical input groove 22 of the dispensing tray 20. Once a predetermined amount of powder has been dispensed, the vibration of the fifth mounting platform 32 stops.

[0137] Next, the rotating plate 23 of the scraping device 21 is dropped into the chemical input groove 22 of the dispensing tray 20. Then, the dispensing tray 20 is rotated by an angle corresponding to the number of units to be distributed, and a predetermined amount of powder is collected on the front side of the rotating plate 23. The rotating plate 23 is then rotated to scrape the powder out of the dispensing tray 20, and the powder is put into the powder dispensing hopper 17 for packaging, thus completing the washing process. Thus, if the number of types of powdered medicine included in the prescription is one or more less than the total number of mounting platforms 32, the drug container 31 filled with powdered medicine and the drug container 31 containing cleaning powder can be set up at the same time, allowing the powdered medicine packaging and washing processes to be carried out continuously, which is efficient.

[0138] On the other hand, for example, if the prescription contains five types of powdered medicine, A, B, C, D, and E, the same number as the number of mounting stands 32, and one of them is powdered medicine B which requires a washing process, then it is necessary to install the drug containers 31 for the powdered medicine on all five mounting stands 32, and there is no mounting stand 32 to install the drug container 31 containing the cleaning powder. In this case, if the cleaning powder were to be dispensed from the drug container 31 and the washing process were to be carried out, it would be necessary to remove one of the drug containers 31 from the mounting table 32 after the packaging process is completed and replace it with a drug container 31 containing the cleaning powder, which is time-consuming. However, if the powder feeder 30 is used in conjunction, the redundant work can be reduced. Specifically, five mounting platforms 32 are used to place drug containers 31 filled with powders A, B, C, D, and E, and cleaning powder is directly fed into the powder feeder 30. In the packaging process, the dispensing tray 20 is rotated to dispense powders A, B, C, D, and E from five drug containers 31 simultaneously into the drug input groove 22 of the dispensing tray 20. After that, the powders are scooped out in single-dose portions and packaged. Subsequently, cleaning powder is dispensed from the powder feeder 30 to perform the washing process.

[0139] In this embodiment, if the use of the powder feeder 30 can reduce redundant work, a notification encouraging the use of the powder feeder 30 will be given, as shown in Figure 17(b). Specifically, as shown in Figure 17(a), once the prescription details have been entered and the prescription has been issued after the prescribed operations, the prescription input screen will display the message, as shown in Figure 17(b): "By setting the washing chemicals in the manual dispensing feeder, you can skip the waiting period for the automatic washing prescription cassette to be set. Do you want to manually dispense the washing chemicals without setting the cassette?" Here, "manual feeder" is the site name for "powder feeder 30," and "cassette" is the site name for the drug container 31. Therefore, the display in Figure 17(b) means, "By putting the cleaning powder into the powder dispensing feeder 30 and using the powder dispensing feeder 30 in conjunction with the cleaning agent container 31, you can avoid the trouble of placing the cleaning agent container 31 on the stand 32 and eliminate waiting time. Would you like to use the powder dispensing feeder 30 in conjunction with the cleaning agent container 31?" and is a display that encourages the use of the powder dispensing feeder 30 in conjunction with the cleaning agent container 31. Thus, in this embodiment, it is necessary to introduce multiple types of powders into the dispensing tray 20. If the number of types of powders to be introduced exceeds the number of mounting trays 32, a notification is given prompting the user to choose whether to dispense the cleaning powder from the drug container 31 or from the powder feeder 30. This situation also occurs when drug containers 31 containing powdered medicine are placed on all of the mounting stands 32.

[0140] The wording in Figure 17(b) that encourages the use of the powder feeder 30 is merely an example and is not limited to this wording.

[0141] (Automatic setting of flow coefficient) In the drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, the drug container 31 is vibrated to discharge the powdered drug from the drug container 31. The ease with which the powder is dispensed from the drug container 31 varies depending on its particle size, viscosity, etc. In general, a stronger vibration intensity of the mounting platform 32 increases the amount of powdered medicine discharged, but there are other factors as well. The inventors refer to the ease of discharging powder as the "flow coefficient." For example, the flow coefficient can be defined in multiple stages, such as from 1 to 9, and the vibration intensity can be set in multiple stages according to the powder, such as vibration suitable for discharging powder with a flow coefficient of 1, vibration suitable for a flow coefficient of 2, and so on.

[0142] In this embodiment, the larger the value of the flow coefficient, the stronger the vibration intensity. The flow coefficient is specific to the powder used and is assigned to each powder by the manufacturer when the drug dispensing device 1 is shipped. For example, powder A has a flow coefficient of 3, powder B has a flow coefficient of 5, and so on, and the device is shipped with these settings. When in use, the mounting platform 32 vibrates with the appropriate flow coefficient according to the powder. However, determining the flow coefficient requires repeated experiments involving dispensing the powdered drug, which is time-consuming. Furthermore, it is difficult for the recipient of the drug dispensing device 1 to determine the flow coefficient. Therefore, when using new drugs or powdered drugs manufactured by new pharmaceutical companies, it is necessary to wait for experiments conducted by the manufacturer of the drug dispensing device 1.

[0143] The drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment solves this problem, automatically setting an appropriate flow coefficient and enabling smooth discharge of powdered drugs. The following explains further. In the drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, the drug container 31 is placed on the mounting table 32, and the mounting table 32 is driven in automatic flow coefficient measurement mode. As a result, the mounting table 32 vibrates at a low flow coefficient, and the flow coefficient gradually increases in steps. That is, the drug container 31 is vibrated for several seconds at a flow coefficient of 1, and when a certain period of time has elapsed, the drug container 31 is vibrated for several seconds at a flow coefficient of 2, and thereafter the vibration intensity is gradually increased each time a certain period of time has elapsed.

[0144] During this time, the weight of the drug container 31 is monitored, and the discharge rate per unit time is monitored. For example, the flow coefficient state is maintained at one level for a certain period of time, and the drug discharge rate per unit time during that period is detected. When the certain period of time has elapsed, the flow coefficient is raised by one level and maintained for another certain period of time, and the drug discharge rate per unit time during that period is detected. If the drug discharge rate per unit time falls within a predetermined range and that discharge rate can be maintained for a certain period of time, the flow coefficient at that time is set as the flow coefficient of the powder.

[0145] The drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment has a distribution tray 20 that is rotated by power and has an annular drug input groove 22, and divides the powdered drug put into the distribution tray 20 into a predetermined number of portions, and further packages and discharges them individually. The drug dispensing device 1 has a plurality of mounting tables 32 on which drug containers 31 are placed near the distribution tray 20, and the mounting tables 32 vibrate the drug containers 31 to dispense the powdered drug from the drug containers 31, and has a vibration intensity setting means that changes the vibration intensity in stages to determine the vibration intensity at which the amount of drug discharged from the drug containers 31 per certain period of time is stable and the amount of drug discharged is within a desired range.

[0146] (Searching for efficient operating procedures) The drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment has one distribution tray 20, a plurality of mounting tables 32, and one powder feeder 30. In this embodiment, there are five mounting tables 32. The number of mounting tables 32 is not limited, but in any case it is finite. In this embodiment, the drug dispensing device 1 mounts the necessary drug containers 31 for packaging according to the prescription onto the mounting base 32 and dispenses the powdered drug onto the dispensing tray 20. Here, the required drug container 31 differs depending on the prescription, so the required drug container 31 varies depending on the prescription being processed. Therefore, it is necessary to replace the drug container 31 according to the prescription.

[0147] Furthermore, if a corresponding drug container 31 is not available, the powder feeder 30 will be used. Here, the task of replacing the drug container 31 must be performed by an operator, which is troublesome. Furthermore, replacing the drug container 31 takes a considerable amount of time. Using the powder feeder 30 is also troublesome. Moreover, if a dispensing using the powder feeder 30 is interspersed between dispensing using only the drug container 31, the work becomes even more complicated. The drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment includes a function to search for an efficient operating procedure and rearrange the order in which the dispensing is carried out in that order, as a way to solve this problem. In other words, prescriptions containing common medications can be collected and packaged, reducing the frequency of replacing medication containers 31 and the waiting time. One approach to the search is to reduce the frequency of replacing the drug container 31 or to consolidate prescriptions that require replacement. Another approach is to consolidate prescriptions that use the powder feeder 30.

[0148] (To reduce the frequency of replacing the drug container 31) To reduce the frequency of replacing the drug container 31, follow the procedure below for dispensing the medication. In other words, it is possible to dispense the medication using only the drug container 31 and not to use the powder feeder 30. Among prescription groups in which the same medication is prescribed, up to the number of mounting stands 32 (5 in this embodiment), the system searches for those with a large number of prescriptions and dispenses them in order, for example, starting with those with the most prescriptions. In other words, a group of prescriptions in which the same medication is prescribed is called a prescription group. The prescribed dosage and timing of administration of each medication are irrelevant. The first prescription group consists of prescriptions for three individuals: Mr. A, Mr. B, and Mr. C; the second prescription group consists of prescriptions for four individuals: Mr. D, Mr. E, Mr. F, and Mr. G; and the third prescription group consists of prescriptions for Mr. H, Mr. I, Mr. J, Mr. K, and Mr. L. If the prescription is for five people, the medications should be packaged in the following order: the third prescription group, the second prescription group, and then the first prescription group.

[0149] For example, prescriptions for powders a, b, c, b, c, d, a, c, d, and a, b, c, d, e are prescription groups in which the same drug can be dispensed using only the drug container 31 and without using the powder feeder 30, and in which the number of the same drug is within the number of the number of the mounting stands 32. That is, each of these prescription groups can be dispensed using only the drug container 31, and in which the number of powders is within the number of the number of the mounting stands 32 (5 drugs), and the 5 drugs are all the same drug, one of a, b, c, d, or e. For example, a prescription for powders a, c, f is not included in the above prescription groups because it includes drug f other than a, b, c, d, and e.

[0150] To reduce the frequency of replacing the drug container 31, for example, the control device performs the following process. Note that the following steps are merely separated for ease of understanding and do not represent the actual computer processing. Step 1: Search the entered prescription data and create a set A of prescriptions that can be packaged without using the powder feeder 30. That is, create a set A of prescriptions that can be packaged using only the drug container 31. Step 2: For prescriptions belonging to group A, the necessary drugs for each prescription are searched individually, and prescriptions that can be completed with no more than the number of drugs on the display stand 32 (5 in this embodiment) are searched for and grouped. Step 3: The groups separated in Step 2 are arranged in order of the number of prescriptions, and for example, the groups with the most prescriptions are packaged first. By adopting this method, the drug can be packaged using only the drug containers 31 inside the drug dispensing device 1 for a certain period of time, allowing the operator to leave the drug dispensing device 1 during that time.

[0151] The search and sorting processes described in steps 1, 2, and 3 above should preferably be repeated at regular intervals. Furthermore, since repeatedly performing this process may result in prescriptions being consistently delayed, it is recommended to process all prescriptions at once at regular intervals.

[0152] (When compiling prescriptions that use the Powder Feeder 30) When compiling prescriptions using the Powder Feeder 30, follow these steps to package the medications. In other words, the drug container 31 and the powder feeder 30 are used to dispense the medication, and among prescriptions where the same medication is prescribed up to the number of plates 32, the system searches for prescriptions with a large number of copies, and dispenses them in order, for example, starting with those with the most copies.

[0153] When compiling prescriptions using the powder feeder 30, the control device performs the following processes, for example. Note that the following steps are merely a breakdown of the process for ease of understanding and do not represent the actual computer processing. Step 1: Search the entered prescription data and create a set B of prescriptions that require the use of the powder feeder 30. Step 2: For prescriptions belonging to group B, the necessary drugs for each prescription are searched individually, and prescriptions that use the same drug with the powder feeder 30 and can be completed by adding drugs in drug containers 31 within the number of mounting tables 32 (5 in this embodiment) are searched for and grouped. Step 3: The groups separated in Step 2 are arranged in order of the number of prescriptions, and for example, the groups with the most prescriptions are packaged first. By adopting this method, the drug can be packaged using only the drug containers 31 inside the drug dispensing device 1 for a certain period of time, allowing the operator to leave the drug dispensing device 1 during that time.

[0154] The search and sorting processes described in steps 1, 2, and 3 above should preferably be repeated at regular intervals. Furthermore, since repeatedly performing this process may result in prescriptions being consistently delayed, it is recommended to process all prescriptions at once at regular intervals. It is desirable to process prescriptions using the powder feeder 30 in batches, and the drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment can be configured to do so.

[0155] (Fault detection of the scraping device) As described above, a rotating plate (scraping member) 23 is provided at the tip of the scraping arm. Furthermore, a scraping plate 81, a partition plate 82, and a scraping plate 83 are attached to the tip of the scraping arm 80. The scraping plate 81 is a small, disc-shaped component made of thin sheet metal. Furthermore, a circumferential sealing material 86 made of rubber or resin is provided on the peripheral edge of the scraping plate 81 so as to be in close contact with the upper surface of the distribution tray 20.

[0156] The partition plate 82 is a thin, plate-like member positioned parallel to the scraping plate 81, and has a shape close to a fan. That is, the partition plate 82 is a roughly triangular plate formed by a circular arc with a central angle of about 30 degrees and two straight sides.

[0157] The scraping plate 83 is in contact with the scraping plate 81 and one of the straight edges forming the central angle of the partition plate 82, and is a plate-shaped member positioned perpendicular to both of them. In other words, it is formed to protrude outward from the circular surface of the scraping plate 81. The edge of this scraping plate 83 is also provided with a scraping seal material 87 made of rubber or resin, which is in close contact with the upper surface of the distribution tray 20.

[0158] In this embodiment, the peripheral edge of the scraping plate 81 is in contact with the upper surface of the distribution tray 20, and the distribution tray 20 is rotated by an angle corresponding to the number of divisions of the powder, so that a portion of the powder spread on the distribution tray 20 is gathered around the scraping plate 81. Then, by rotating the scraping plate 81, the gathered powder is fed into the powder input hopper 17.

[0159] Specifically, by rotating the scraping plate 81 while a portion of the powdered pesticide spread on the distribution tray 20 is gathered around the scraping plate 81, the gathered powdered pesticide is fed into the pesticide input hopper 17. In this embodiment, the scraping plate 81 is rotated by the drive motor 90 as shown in the models in Figures 18 and 19. Specifically, the scraping plate 81 has a power transmission mechanism including a drive gear 91 and a driven gear 92, the drive gear 91 is rotated by a drive motor 90, and the driven gear 92 is engaged with the drive gear 91.

[0160] The scraping plate 81 is stationary in a predetermined waiting angle position. It then rotates once when scraping out the powdered medicine. In this embodiment, the drive gear 91 has a rotational position sensor 93, which detects the rotational origin of the drive gear 91. In this embodiment, the rotational position sensor 93 is a magnetic detection means such as a Hall element. In this embodiment, a magnet 95 is attached to the drive gear 91, and the rotational origin of the drive gear 91 is detected when the magnet 95 rotates together with the drive gear 91 and approaches the rotational position sensor 93. In this embodiment, the origin position of the scraping plate 81 is indirectly confirmed by detecting the rotational position of the drive gear 91.

[0161] According to the above configuration, if, for example, the drive gear 91 or driven gear 92 is damaged, or if the meshing position changes due to an external force, there is a problem in that the origin position of the scraping plate 81 will be disrupted. The drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a measure to solve this problem. The following explains further. The drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment has a seal detection sensor 98 that detects the scraping seal material 87 on the scraping plate 83. The original function of the seal detection sensor 98 is to prevent forgetting to attach the scraping seal material 87, but in this embodiment, the seal detection sensor 98 is also used to detect malfunctions in the scraping device 21. In this embodiment, the motor pulse of the drive motor 90 and the detection timing of the seal detection sensor 98 are monitored. In other words, when the scraping plate 81 completes one rotation, the seal detection sensor 98 switches from the ON state to the OFF state and then back to the ON state. In this embodiment, the motor pulses of the drive motor 90 are monitored during this time. The motor pulses required for the scraping plate 81 to complete one rotation are constant, but if the detected motor pulses deviate from the normal value, it is considered that some kind of malfunction has occurred in the power transmission path. Therefore, in this embodiment, although the motor pulses required for the scraping plate 81 to complete one rotation are inherently constant, if the detected motor pulses deviate from the normal value, an error message is displayed.

[0162] The drug dispensing device 1 of this embodiment has a distribution tray 20 that is rotated by power and has an annular drug input groove 22, and a scraping device 21 that discharges powdered drug from the distribution tray 20. The scraping device 21 has a scraping plate 81 and a scraping plate 83 attached to the scraping plate 81. The scraping device gathers the powdered drug that has been put into the distribution tray 20 around the scraping plate 81, rotates the scraping plate 81, and scrapes out the powdered drug with the scraping plate 83. A motor 90 and the rotational force of the motor 90 are applied to the scraping plate 81. The drug dispensing device 1 is characterized in that it has a power transmission mechanism, the scraping plate 83 has a scraping seal material 87, a seal detection sensor 98 for detecting the scraping seal material 87, a rotation amount detection means for detecting the amount of rotation of the motor 90 or the power transmission mechanism, the seal detection sensor 98 detects when the scraping plate 83 has rotated once, and a malfunction of the scraping device 21 can be detected by the value detected by the rotation amount detection means during that time.

[0163] Next, another embodiment of the drug dispensing device 200 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 20 and 21. The drug dispensing device 200 of this embodiment has two dispensing trays 20a and 20b built into the housing 201. Around each of the dispensing trays 20a and 20b, a mounting base 32 similar to that of the previously described embodiment, a powder feeder 30, an automatic cleaning device 7, and a scraping device 21 are arranged. The housing 2 has a large cover (feeder cover) 202 as shown in Figure 20(a). In the drug dispensing device 200 of this embodiment, small covers 205a, b, c, and d are provided on the large cover 202. The small covers 205a, b, c, and d divide the large cover 202 into multiple areas. In this embodiment, the small covers 205a and b are located on the mounting platform 32 belonging to the left-side dispensing tray 20a and on the powder feeder 30, while the small covers 205c and d are located on the mounting platform 32 belonging to the right-side dispensing tray 20b and on the powder feeder 30.

[0164] In this embodiment, the large lid 202 and the small lids 205a, b, c, and d have a locking function (not shown) and are normally closed, but can be opened when certain conditions are met. That is, in order to prevent dust and dirt from entering the powdered medicine, the large lid 202 and the small lids 205a, b, c, and d are kept closed in principle. In particular, if there is a concern that dust or dirt may be mixed into the powdered medicine, the large lid 202 and the small lids 205a, b, c, and d will be locked and cannot be opened. On the other hand, since the drug dispensing device 200 involves manually attaching the drug containers 31 to each mounting platform 32, the large lid 202 and the small lids 205a, b, c, and d are unlocked and can be opened during the preparation stage.

[0165] In other words, the large lid 202 remains locked and cannot be opened while the dispensing process is underway. Specifically, the large lid 202 cannot be opened during the period when the mounting platform 32 is driven to dispense powder from the drug container 31 into the dispensing trays 20a and 20b, or when the drug is being dispensed into the dispensing tray 20 using the powder feeder 30. Furthermore, the large lid 202 remains locked and cannot be opened when the dispensing device 21 is scraping the powder out of the dispensing tray 20.

[0166] In contrast, the small lids 205a, b, c, and d cannot be opened while the mounting platform 32, etc., is driven and the powder is being dispensed into the dispensing tray 20, but they can be opened if they are located over the area from which the powder has been scraped out by the scraping device 21. Figure 21(a) shows the state after the powder has been dispensed from the drug container 31 into one of the dispensing trays 20a, and the rotating plate 23 of the scraping device 21 has been dropped into the drug input groove 22 of the dispensing tray 20a. In this state, the dispensing tray 20a rotates in the direction of the arrow, collecting the powder on the front side of the rotating plate 23. The rotating plate 23 then rotates, scraping the powder out of the dispensing tray 20a and into the powder input hopper (not shown). As a result, as shown in Figure 21(b), a removed area 210 is created in a part of the dispensing dish 20a where no powder is present. As the powder is scraped out of the dispensing dish 20a, the removed area 210 expands, as shown in Figures 21(c) and 21(d).

[0167] In the drug dispensing device 200 of this embodiment, the small cover 205 can be opened for the portion corresponding to the removed area 210. For example, as shown in Figure 21(c), when the powder is scraped out of the dispensing tray 20a and the lower part of the small lid 205b becomes the removed area 210, the small lid 205b is unlocked and can be opened. As a result, the drug container 31a mounted on the stand 32a can be replaced with another drug container 31.

[0168] As the powder is further scraped out of the dispensing tray 20a, and the area below the small lids 205a and 205b becomes the removed area 210, as shown in Figure 21(d), the small lids 205a and 205b are unlocked and can be opened. As a result, the drug containers 31 mounted on the mounting base 32 around the dispensing tray 20a can be replaced with other drug containers 31. In the drug dispensing device 200 of this embodiment, the drug container 31 can be replaced without waiting for the dispensing of the powdered drug from the distribution tray 20 to be completed. Therefore, waiting time can be used effectively, resulting in improved work efficiency.

[0169] The drug dispensing device in the above-described embodiment has a distribution tray that is rotated by power and has an annular drug input groove, and divides the powdered drug placed in the distribution tray into a predetermined number of portions, and further packages and discharges them individually. The drug dispensing device has a plurality of mounting platforms for placing drug containers and one or more powder feeders provided near the distribution tray, the mounting platforms equipped with a powder dispensing function, and it is possible to place a drug container containing powdered drug on the mounting platform and dispense a desired amount of powdered drug from the drug container using the powder dispensing function and introduce it into the distribution tray, and to load powdered drug into the powder feeder and dispense the powdered drug from the powder feeder. The drug dispensing device is characterized in that it is possible to introduce the powder into the dispensing tray, to place the drug container containing the cleaning powder on a stand and dispense the cleaning powder from the drug container into the dispensing tray, to put the cleaning powder into the powdering feeder and dispense the cleaning powder from the powdering feeder into the dispensing tray, to select whether to dispense the cleaning powder from the drug container or from the powdering feeder, and to provide notification prompting the user to select whether to dispense the cleaning powder from the drug container or from the powdering feeder under certain conditions.

[0170] In this embodiment of the chemical dispensing device, notification is provided prompting the user to choose whether to dispense the cleaning powder from the chemical container or from the powdering feeder under specific conditions. Therefore, this embodiment of the chemical dispensing device is user-friendly.

[0171] In the above-described embodiment, it is desirable that the notification be given in at least one of the following cases. (1) A drug container filled with powdered medicine is placed on each of the stands. (2) Multiple types of powdered medicine need to be introduced into the dispensing dish, and the number of types of powdered medicine to be introduced is greater than the number of dispensing trays.

[0172] If all the mounting platforms are occupied by drug containers filled with powdered medication, there will be no available space on the platforms, and it will not be possible to place drug containers filled with cleaning powder on the platforms. In addition, it is necessary to introduce multiple types of powders into the dispensing tray. If the number of types of powders to be introduced is greater than the number of mounting tables, if powder packaging is prioritized, it is impossible to install a drug container filled with cleaning powder on the mounting table and perform the washing process. On the other hand, if the washing process is performed using a powder feeder, powder packaging can be performed using a drug container, and then the washing process can be performed using the powder feeder. In the drug dispensing device, when there are disadvantages in performing the washing process using a drug container following powder packaging, a notification is given to prompt a choice of whether to discharge the cleaning powder from the drug container or from the powder feeder. Therefore, the drug dispensing device of this aspect is user-friendly.

[0173] The invention according to the embodiments described above can be replaced or combined as long as there is no contradiction. Also, as long as the above-described embodiments are within the technical scope of the present invention, each component can be freely replaced or added between the embodiments.

[0174] [Item 1] The present disclosure includes the aspects described in the following items. A powder feeder having a trough, vibration means for vibrating the trough, and a hopper attached to the trough, into which powder is introduced, and discharging the powder introduced into the hopper from the tip of the trough by vibrating the trough with the vibration means, where the vibration means is capable of changing vibration conditions, having weight measuring means for directly or indirectly detecting the weight of the powder introduced into the hopper, and the vibration conditions are changed according to the weight of the powder detected by the weight measuring means.

[0175] [Item 2] The powder feeder according to Item 1, wherein the vibration conditions are determined so that all the powder in the hopper is discharged within a predetermined range of time.

[0176] [Item 3] The vibration mechanism can be driven in an auto mode in which the vibration conditions are changed according to the weight of the powder detected by the weight measuring mechanism, and in a manual mode in which the trough is vibrated under constant vibration conditions or a constant pattern of vibration conditions. A powder feeding device according to item 1 or 2, characterized in that it has a control device for controlling the vibration means, the control device receives signals from the vibration means and / or weight measuring means, and if there is an abnormality in the signal, the vibration means is driven in manual mode.

[0177] [Item 4] A powder feeding feeder according to item 1 or 3, characterized in that it has a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering a hopper, a related member that is linked to the lifting and lowering of the hopper, a magnet or magnetic material is provided on the related member, a magnetic material or magnet is arranged in another part, and the magnet or magnetic material of the related member moves closer to and away from the magnetic material or magnet provided in the other part in conjunction with the lifting and lowering of the hopper, and the force caused by the magnetic force between them can be detected by the weight measuring means.

[0178] [Item 5] The powder feeding device according to item 4, characterized in that the lifting means has a cam, a magnet or magnetic material is provided on the cam, and as the cam rotates, the magnet or magnetic material on the cam side moves closer to or away from a magnetic material or magnet provided on another part.

[0179] [Item 6] The powder feeding device according to item 4 or 5, characterized in that the operation of the weight measuring means is confirmed by detecting the force caused by the magnetic forces of both parties using the weight measuring means.

[0180] [Item 7] A drug dispensing device equipped with one of the powder feeders listed in items 1 to 6 above. for example, The device comprises one or more powder feeders as described in any of items 1 to 6 above, a plurality of mounting platforms for placing drug containers, and a distribution tray having an annular drug input groove that is rotated by power, Near the aforementioned dispensing tray, there are provided a plurality of mounting platforms for placing drug containers and the aforementioned powder feeder. The aforementioned mounting platform is equipped with a powder dispensing function, and it is possible to place a drug container containing powder on the aforementioned mounting platform and dispense a desired amount of powder from the drug container using the powder dispensing function and introduce it into the distribution tray, or it is also possible to directly load the powder into the powder feeder and dispense the powder from the powder feeder and introduce it into the distribution tray. A drug dispensing device characterized by dividing the powdered drug placed in the dispensing tray into a predetermined number of portions, and then dispensing them individually packaged.

[0181] [Item 8] A method for dispensing powdered medicine using any of the powdered medicine feeders listed in items 1 to 6 above. for example, A method for dispensing powdered medicine using a powdered medicine feeder having a trough and a vibrating means, wherein the trough is vibrated by the vibrating means to dispense the powdered medicine introduced into the trough from the tip of the trough, A method for dispensing powdered medicine, characterized by measuring the weight of the powdered medicine introduced into a trough and vibrating the trough under vibration conditions corresponding to the weight of the powdered medicine.

[0182] [Item 9] A method for dispensing powdered medicine using the drug dispensing device described in item 7 above. for example, A method for manufacturing drug packaging, comprising using a powder feeder having a trough and a vibrating means, a dispensing tray, and a packaging device, wherein powder is dispensed from the powder feeder and introduced into the dispensing tray, the powder placed in the dispensing tray is divided into a predetermined number of portions, and then individually packaged with the packaging device, A method for manufacturing drug packaging, characterized by measuring the weight of powdered drug introduced into a trough and vibrating the trough under vibration conditions corresponding to the weight of the powdered drug.

[0183] [Item 10] Roll paper for packaging powdered medicine discharged from any of the powdered medicine feeders described in items 1 to 6 above, and roll paper used in the drug dispensing device described in item 7 above. For example, a roll paper in which a sachet is wound into a roll shape, wherein the sachet is sealed at a predetermined location when folded, and the powder discharged from any of the powder feeders described in items 1 to 6 above is discharged in single doses into the packaging section of a powder packaging machine equipped with the powder feeder, and the discharged powder is packaged in a sealed single dose and discharged as a sachet, and the roll paper for powder packaging is provided in the packaging section. For example, a roll paper in which a sachet is wound into a roll shape, wherein the sachet is folded and sealed at a predetermined location, and the sachet discharged from any of the sachet feeders described in items 1 to 6 above is discharged in single doses into the packaging section of a sachet packaging machine equipped with the sachet feeder, and the discharged sachet is packaged in a sealed state in single doses and discharged as a sachet band, wherein the sachet put into the sachet feeder is pre-measured according to the prescription, and the sachet put into the sachet feeder according to the prescription is introduced from the sachet feeder into a dispensing tray and divided into single doses, which are sequentially put into the packaging section containing the roll paper, and in the packaging section the put in sachet is sealed in a single dose in the folded sachet and discharged as a sachet band in which the sachet packages are connected. [Explanation of symbols]

[0184] 1: Drug dispensing device, 16: Packaging device, 20: Dispensing tray, 21: Scraping device, 23: Rotating plate, 30: Powder feeder, 31: Drug container, 73: Trough, 85: Hopper, 100: Lifting mechanism, 102: Trough vibration table, 125: Weight measuring mechanism, 131: Cam, 140: Magnet, 141: Magnetic material, 202: Large lid, 205: Small lid

Claims

1. A powder feeder having a trough, a vibrating means for vibrating the trough, and a hopper attached to the trough, wherein powder is introduced into the hopper, and the trough is vibrated by the vibrating means, thereby discharging the powder introduced into the hopper from the tip of the trough, The vibration means is capable of changing the vibration conditions, It has a weight measuring means for directly or indirectly detecting the weight of the powder introduced into the hopper, A powder feeder characterized in that the vibration conditions are changed according to the weight of the powder detected by the weight measuring means.

2. The powdering feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that the vibration conditions are determined so that all the powder in the hopper is discharged within a predetermined time range.

3. The powder feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering a hopper, a related member that is linked to the lifting and lowering of the hopper, a magnet or magnetic material is provided on the related member, a magnetic material or magnet is arranged in another part, the magnet or magnetic material of the related member moves closer to and away from the magnetic material or magnet provided in the other part in conjunction with the lifting and lowering of the hopper, and the force caused by the magnetic force between the two can be detected by the weight measuring means.

4. The powder feeding device according to claim 3, wherein the lifting means has a cam, and a magnet or magnetic material is provided on the cam, and as the cam rotates, the magnet or magnetic material on the cam side moves closer to or away from a magnetic material or magnet provided on another part.

5. The powder feeding device according to claim 3, characterized in that the operation of the weight measuring means is confirmed by detecting the force caused by the magnetic forces of both parties using the weight measuring means.

6. A powder feeder according to one or more claims 1, a plurality of mounting platforms for placing drug containers, and a distribution tray having an annular drug input groove that is rotated by power, Near the aforementioned dispensing tray, there are provided a plurality of mounting platforms for placing drug containers and the aforementioned powder feeder. The aforementioned mounting platform is equipped with a powder dispensing function, and it is possible to place a drug container containing powder on the aforementioned mounting platform and dispense a desired amount of powder from the drug container using the powder dispensing function and introduce it into the distribution tray, or it is also possible to directly load the powder into the powder feeder and dispense the powder from the powder feeder and introduce it into the distribution tray. A drug dispensing device characterized by dividing the powdered drug placed in the dispensing tray into a predetermined number of portions, and then dispensing them individually packaged.

7. A method for dispensing powdered medicine using a powdered medicine feeder having a trough and a vibrating means, wherein the trough is vibrated by the vibrating means to dispense the powdered medicine introduced into the trough from the tip of the trough, A method for dispensing powdered medicine, characterized by measuring the weight of the powdered medicine introduced into a trough and vibrating the trough under vibration conditions corresponding to the weight of the powdered medicine.

8. A method for manufacturing drug packaging, comprising using a powder feeder having a trough and a vibrating means, a dispensing tray, and a packaging device, wherein powder is dispensed from the powder feeder and introduced into the dispensing tray, the powder placed in the dispensing tray is divided into a predetermined number of portions, and each portion is then individually packaged using the packaging device, A method for manufacturing drug packaging, characterized by measuring the weight of powdered drug introduced into a trough and vibrating the trough under vibration conditions corresponding to the weight of the powdered drug.

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