Manual pesticide dispenser

Abstract

To provide a pesticide dispenser that makes it easy to recognize the location where the pesticide should be dispensed. [Solution] The pesticide dispensing device comprises a container 11 having a plurality of container sections 12 capable of containing pesticides, each container section being open at the top so that an operator can manually put pesticides in from above, and the device comprises a light-emitting unit that emits light into each container section, the light-emitting unit being configured to emit white light into each container section.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a chemical spreading device for manually spreading chemicals.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a device equipped with a chemical spreading device, a chemical manual supply device described in Patent Document 1 is known. The chemical manual supply device includes a chemical manual supply unit in which a plurality of chemical storage units partitioned in a grid pattern and into which an operator manually inputs (spreads) chemicals are formed, and a position display unit composed of LEDs arranged near the chemical storage units.

[0003] According to the chemical manual supply device as described above, an operator can perform a spreading operation by inputting chemicals into the chemical storage unit at a position corresponding to the position display unit where the LED emits light, so that the chemicals can be efficiently stored in the chemical storage unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Since the chemical spreading device described in Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which the position display unit is arranged near the chemical storage unit, it is difficult to intuitively grasp the chemical storage unit corresponding to the position display unit where the LED emits light, and there is a problem that it is difficult for an operator to recognize the position where the chemical should be input.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a chemical spreading device that makes it easy to recognize the position where the chemical should be input.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention provides a pesticide dispensing device comprising a container having a plurality of containers capable of holding pesticides, each container being open at the top so that an operator can manually load pesticides from above, and further comprising a light-emitting unit that emits light into each container, the light-emitting unit being configured to emit white light into each container.

[0008] Furthermore, the light-emitting unit can be configured to project the white light onto the containment section into which the drug is to be introduced.

[0009] Furthermore, the light-emitting unit may be configured to emit colored light in addition to the white light into each of the storage units, and the light-emitting unit may be configured to emit the colored light into the storage unit into which the drug should be added, in order to indicate which of the storage units the drug should be added to.

[0010] Furthermore, the system can be configured so that either colored light or white light is emitted from the light-emitting unit based on input from the operator.

[0011] Furthermore, the containment section may be provided with side walls that define the sides of the containment area into which the drug is introduced, and the light-emitting section may be arranged inside the side walls of each containment section.

[0012] Furthermore, the light-emitting unit may be configured to be located within the upper half of the housing unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a pesticide dispenser that makes it easy to recognize the location where the pesticide should be dispensed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a drug packaging device equipped with a drug dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a plan view showing the housing of the pesticide dispensing device. [Figure 3] Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of section III-III. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV, as shown in Figure 2. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the operating status of the position indicator unit of the pesticide dispensing device. [Figure 6] This diagram shows the static electricity removal section of the pesticide dispensing device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] A pesticide dispensing device 3 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. The up, down, left, right, and depth directions will be described based on the orientation at the time of installation. Specifically, the depth direction refers to the direction perpendicular to the front of the housing 5, with the front side being described as the front and the back side as the rear.

[0016] The drug dispensing device 3 of this embodiment is configured as part of the drug packaging device 1 that packages the drug into individual packets. First, the drug packaging device 1 will be described with reference to Figure 1.

[0017] The drug packaging device 1 is a device that packages drugs in individual doses using packaging such as paper packets. Specifically, the drug packaging device 1 has multiple cassettes (not shown) in which drugs are contained, an automatic supply device 2 capable of supplying drugs contained in the cassettes, a manual drug dispensing device 3 for supplying manually dispensed drugs, a packaging unit 4 for packaging the drugs supplied from the automatic supply device 2 and the manual drug dispensing device 3 into packaging units, and a box-shaped housing 5 that houses the automatic supply device 2, the manual drug dispensing device 3, and the packaging unit 4. The drug packaging device 1 also includes an input unit 6 capable of inputting prescription information related to the drugs to be packaged, and a control unit that controls the entire drug packaging device 1. In this embodiment, the drugs contained in the cassettes and the drugs put into the manual drug dispensing device 3 are both tablets or capsules.

[0018] The automatic supply device 2 stores a plurality of types of drugs. Specifically, the automatic supply device 2 stores a plurality of types of drugs separately for each cassette. Further, the automatic supply device 2 supplies the stored drugs to the packaging unit 4 according to an instruction from the control unit. Note that the automatic supply device 2 can also store drugs with a large supply amount in a plurality of cassettes.

[0019] The packaging unit 4 is a part that packages the drugs supplied from the automatic supply device 2 and the drug sprinkling device 3 into a package for each single dose. Also, the packaging unit 4 is a part disposed below the automatic supply device 2 and the drug sprinkling device 3. In the present embodiment, the drugs supplied from the automatic supply device 2 and the drug sprinkling device 3 move along a drug supply path (not shown) provided in the housing 5 under the influence of gravity and are supplied to the packaging unit 4.

[0020] The drug sprinkling device 3 can sprinkle drugs and supply the sprinkled drugs to the packaging unit 4. The device to which the drug sprinkling device 3 of the present embodiment supplies drugs is the packaging unit 4 of the drug packaging device 1. Specifically, the drug sprinkling device 3 includes a container 11 having a plurality of storage portions 12 capable of storing the sprinkled drugs, a position display portion 13 for displaying the storage portion 12 into which the drug should be poured, a static elimination portion 14 for eliminating static electricity before supplying the drugs stored in the container 11 to the packaging unit 4, and a housing 5 for housing the container 11, the position display portion 13, and the packaging unit 4. The housing 5 of the present embodiment is configured as the housing 5 of the drug packaging device 1. A storage space S1 capable of storing the container 11 is formed inside the housing 5 (see FIG. 6). Further, the drug sprinkling device 3 includes an input portion 6 capable of inputting prescription information regarding information on the drug to be sprinkled, and a control portion for controlling the entire drug sprinkling device 3. The input portion 6 and the control portion of the present embodiment are integrally configured with the input portion 6 and the control portion of the drug packaging device 1.

[0021] The container 11 is a plate-like body having a smaller thickness compared to the vertical dimension, horizontal dimension, and depth dimension, with a plurality of accommodating portions 12 that define an accommodating region which is a depression capable of accommodating a drug. Also, a plurality of accommodating portions 12 are provided side by side in the horizontal direction on the container 11. In the container 11 of the present embodiment, a plurality of rows of accommodating portions 12 arranged side by side in the depth direction are arranged. Further, in the container 11 of the present embodiment, six accommodating portions 12 are provided side by side in the depth direction. The container 11 is a plate-like body provided such that the thickness direction coincides with the vertical direction. The accommodating portion 12 of the present embodiment is a plate-like body provided such that the longitudinal direction coincides with the left-right direction and the short-side direction coincides with the depth direction.

[0022] The container 11 of the present embodiment is configured to be movable between a storage position P1 stored in the storage space S1 of the housing 5 and a protruding position P2 protruding outside the housing 5 (see FIG. 6). Specifically, the container 11 slides substantially horizontally forward from the storage position P1 and moves to the protruding position P2. In the present embodiment, the movement of the container 11 between the storage position P1 and the protruding position P2 is performed automatically, but the configuration is not limited to this, and the container 11 can also be configured to be moved manually.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the accommodating portion 12 is a box-shaped portion with an open upper side, into which an operator can manually input a drug from above. Also, the accommodating portion 12 has an inner wall surface 15 that defines an accommodating region S2 capable of accommodating a drug. Specifically, the accommodating portion 12 includes a bottom portion 16 having a bottom surface 16a that forms the bottom of the accommodating region S2, and a side wall portion 17 having a side surface 17a that defines the side of the accommodating region S2. Also, the side wall portion 17 is configured as a partition wall that separates the accommodating regions S2 of the adjacent accommodating portions 12.

[0024] The bottom portion 16 is a bottom plate configured to be openable and closable. Specifically, the bottom portion 16 is closed when the drug is placed in the storage area S2, and opens when the drug in the storage area S2 is supplied to the packaging section 4. In other words, by opening and closing the bottom portion 16, it is possible to switch between a state in which the placed drug is held within the storage area S2 and a state in which the placed drug is supplied to the packaging section 4. In this embodiment, when the bottom portion 16 is opened in the stored state, the drug in the storage area S2 is allowed to free fall and is supplied to the packaging section 4 located below. Furthermore, the bottom portion 16 in this embodiment is made of an electrically grounded conductor.

[0025] The side wall 17 is a wall that rises upward from the outer edge of the bottom surface 16a. The side wall 17 is tapered, with the lower end of the storage area S2 being narrower and the upper end being wider. Furthermore, the side wall 17 has irregularities 18 formed on its inner surface. In this embodiment, the inner surface of the side wall 17 has multiple grooves extending in the vertical direction as irregularities 18. In this embodiment, the side wall 17 has multiple irregularities 18 (grooves) extending in the vertical direction formed on at least the back surface. In this embodiment, the irregularities 18 are formed on each of the four surfaces of the side wall 17. The side wall 17 is also a hollow wall with enough space inside to accommodate the position indicator unit 13. That is, the side wall 17 is configured so that the position indicator unit 13 can be placed between adjacent storage areas S2. Furthermore, the irregularities 18 also serve as grooves to prevent the tablets from sticking to the side wall 17.

[0026] An identification mark 19 is provided on the upper end surface of each storage unit 12, surrounding the storage area S2, to identify each storage unit 12. The identification mark 19 is positioned adjacent to the storage area S2. In this embodiment, the identification mark 19 is a number written on the left side of the storage area S2 of each storage unit 12. The number written as the identification mark 19 indicates which packet the drug placed in the corresponding storage unit 12 will be packaged in. That is, for example, the drug placed in the storage area S2 of a storage unit 12 with the identification mark 19 "5" on the left side will be packaged in the 5th packet. In this embodiment, the identification mark 19 is printed on the upper end surface of the storage unit 12. Furthermore, the identification mark 19 is written in a way that makes it recognizable when viewed from the front side of the storage body 11. That is, the orientation of the numbers as identification marks 19 in this embodiment is such that the front side is at the bottom and the back side is at the top. The identification marking 19 can also be provided on the upper surface (second surface 27) of the light-transmitting section 23, which will be described later.

[0027] As shown in Figure 4, a position indicator unit 13 is arranged in the space inside the side wall 17. The position indicator unit 13 is a part configured to project light onto the inner wall surface 15 of the housing unit 12. The position indicator unit 13 in this embodiment has a light source 20 and includes a light-projecting unit 21 that projects light onto the inner wall surface 15 of the housing unit 12, and an insulating sheet unit 22 for protecting the light source 20 from static electricity. The light source 20 in this embodiment is an LED. The position indicator unit 13 in this embodiment is arranged on the left side of each housing unit 12. In addition, the position indicator unit 13 in this embodiment is provided in the upper half of the housing unit 12 in the vertical direction.

[0028] The light-emitting section 21 is the part that illuminates the inner wall surface 15. Specifically, the light-emitting section 21 comprises a light source 20 that emits light to illuminate the inner wall surface 15, and a light-transmitting section 23 that transmits the light emitted by the light source 20. The light source 20 in this embodiment comprises a light-emitting body section 24 that emits light, and a substrate section 25 having a circuit for causing the light-emitting body section 24 to emit light. In this embodiment, the light-emitting section 21 is configured to have one substrate section 25 for a row of housing sections 12 arranged in the depth direction, and a plurality of light-emitting body sections 24 are arranged on the substrate section 25 spaced apart in the depth direction.

[0029] The light source 20 is a part that emits light toward the inner wall surface 15. The light source 20 is also positioned to emit light toward at least the rear surface of the inner wall surface 15. In this embodiment, the light source 20 emits light toward three surfaces of the inner wall surface 15, excluding the surface on which the light-emitting part is provided. The surface of the inner wall surface 15 on which the light source 20 is provided is indirectly illuminated by reflection from other surfaces. Furthermore, the light source 20 is positioned to emit light toward the rear surface of the inner wall surface 15 from the side. In this embodiment, the light source 20 emits light toward the left side of the rear surface of the inner wall surface 15. That is, the rear surface of the inner wall surface 15 is illuminated by light from the side (left side). The rear surface of the inner wall surface 15 refers to the surface furthest from the worker standing in front of the drug packaging device when the worker is manually sprinkling the drug into the storage section 12. In this embodiment, the inner wall surface 15 on the far side is the surface of the inner wall surface 15 that is closest to the housing 5 when it is in the protruding position P2. Furthermore, the light source 20 in this embodiment is configured to project colored light and white light onto the inner wall surface 15 of the housing section 12. Moreover, the light source 20 is capable of projecting more than the number of housing sections 12 arranged in the depth direction, including colored light and white light, onto the inner wall surface 15. In this embodiment, the light source 20 is provided in the upper half of the housing section 12 in the vertical direction.

[0030] The light-transmitting portion 23 is a plate-shaped part that transmits light. Furthermore, the light-transmitting portion 23 is a plate-like body configured to scatter transmitted light. In this embodiment, the light-transmitting portion 23 is a milky white plate-like body. The light-transmitting portion 23 is provided so as to constitute a part of the side wall 17. Specifically, a notch is formed in the side wall 17 so that the inside and outside of the side wall 17 are in communication, and the light-transmitting portion 23 is a plate-like body fitted into the notch formed in the side wall 17.

[0031] The light-transmitting section 23 comprises a first surface 26 that constitutes a portion of the side surface 17a, a second surface 27 that is connected to the first surface 26 and constitutes a portion of the upper end surface surrounding the housing area S2, and a light source-facing surface 28 that faces the light source 20. The first surface 26 is the surface opposite to the light source-facing surface 28. Furthermore, the first surface 26 is a surface provided so as to be substantially flush with the inner surface of the side wall 17, and the second surface 27 is a surface provided so as to be substantially flush with the upper end surface of the housing section 12. The light-transmitting section 23 is configured such that when light emitted from the light source 20 is irradiated onto the light source-facing surface 28, the transmitted light is projected from the first surface 26 onto the inner wall surface 15 and also projected upward from the second surface 27. In this embodiment, the light-transmitting section 23 is configured to scatter the light irradiated onto the light source-facing surface 28 and project a portion of the light upward from the second surface 27. In this embodiment, the second surface 27 and the identification mark 19 corresponding to the first storage section 12 are provided adjacent to each other.

[0032] The insulating sheet portion 22 is a sheet-like portion made of a light-transmitting insulator. Furthermore, the insulating sheet portion 22 is a sheet-like portion positioned between the light-transmitting portion 23 and the light source 20. In this embodiment, the insulating sheet portion 22 is a transparent sheet. In this embodiment, the insulating sheet portion 22 insulates the interior of the housing area S2 from the light source 20. Since the light-transmitting portion 23 in this embodiment is fitted into a notch formed in the side wall 17, a gap may be formed between the side wall 17 and the light-transmitting portion 23. However, in this embodiment, the insulating sheet insulates the interior of the housing area S2 from the light source 20, thus suppressing the discharge of static electricity from an object inside the housing area S2 (e.g., a worker's hand) to the light source 20 through the gap between the side wall 17 and the light-transmitting portion 23. Therefore, damage to the light source 20 due to static electricity can be suppressed.

[0033] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the light-emitting unit 21 projects light upward from the inner wall surface 15 of the housing 12 and the upper end surface of the housing 12. The light emitted from the light source 20 passes through the light-transmitting unit 23 and is projected onto the inner wall surface 15 from the first surface 26. Thus, the housing 12 itself is illuminated by the light-emitting unit 21. Since the light-emitting unit 21 is positioned close to the rear surface of the inner wall surface 15, the rear surface is reliably illuminated. Here, the inner wall surface 15 has grooves 18 that extend in the vertical direction, so when light is projected onto the inner wall surface 15, a shadow extending in the vertical direction is formed on the rear surface. Thus, a vertical striped shadow is created on the inner wall surface 15 illuminated by the light-emitting unit 21, which encourages the injection of chemicals into the housing 12 illuminated by the inner wall surface 15. Furthermore, the light emitted from the light source 20 passes through the light-transmitting section 23 and is projected upward from the second surface 27.

[0034] As shown in Figure 6, the static elimination unit 14 is provided inside the housing 5 and is configured to eliminate static electricity from the chemicals contained in the containment section 12. In this embodiment, the static elimination unit 14 is provided to eliminate static electricity from the chemicals contained in the containment section 11 (each containment section 12) rather than from the containment body 11 itself. The static elimination unit 14 also eliminates static electricity from the chemicals contained in the containment section 12 by generating ions I. That is, the static elimination unit 14 is configured to eliminate static electricity from the chemicals contained in the containment section 12 without contact. Specifically, the static elimination unit 14 applies ions I to the surface of the chemicals to eliminate static electricity from the surface of the chemicals. In other words, the static elimination unit 14 in this embodiment is a so-called ionizer. Furthermore, the static elimination unit 14 in this embodiment is configured to ionize the air by discharging into the air, thereby imparting charge to molecules in the air. Specifically, the static elimination unit 14 comprises a rod-shaped base 29 and a plurality of discharge sections 30 arranged spaced apart in the extension direction of the base 29. In this embodiment, the base portion 29 is positioned such that its extension direction coincides with the longitudinal direction of the housing 11, and its lower surface faces the upper surface of the housing 11. The discharge portion 30 is positioned below the base portion 29. Furthermore, the static elimination portion 14 in this embodiment is configured as a windless ionizer capable of supplying the generated ions I to the chemical agent without wind.

[0035] The base portion 29 is a rod-shaped body provided inside the housing 5 so as to extend substantially parallel to the upper surface of the housing 11. The base portion 29 is also a rod-shaped body that extends in a linear direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing 11. That is, the base portion 29 is provided so that the distance between each discharge portion 30 located on the base portion 29 and the upper surface of the housing 11 is equal. The base portion 29 in this embodiment is fixed inside the housing 5. Furthermore, the base portion 29 in this embodiment is provided so as to be able to neutralize the chemicals contained inside all the housing portions 12 when the housing 11 moves from the protruding position P2 to the storage position P1. Specifically, the base portion 29 is configured to be longer than the longitudinal (left-right) length of the area in which the housing portions 12 of the housing 11 are provided, and is positioned so as to be able to supply ions I to the chemicals contained inside all the housing portions 12 arranged in the short direction of the housing 11 when the housing 11 moves from the protruding position P2 to the storage position P1. In this embodiment, the static elimination unit 14 (base 29) is located above and in front of each of the housing sections 12 of the housing 11, which is the storage position P1. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate static electricity from the chemicals stored in all of the housing sections 12.

[0036] The discharge section 30 is a part that can discharge into the air by applying a high voltage. The discharge section 30 in this embodiment has needle-shaped terminals inside, and discharges into the air from the terminals by applying a high voltage to the terminals. In addition, the discharge section 30 in this embodiment is configured so that the voltage applied to the terminals is positive and negative at a predetermined period. In this embodiment, the period of positive and negative reversal of the voltage applied to the terminals by the discharge section 30 is configured to be shorter than the time required for one housing section 12 to pass below the static elimination section 14 when the housing 11 moves from the protruding position P2 to the storage position P1. That is, the discharge section 30 is configured to generate both positive and negative ions I while one housing section 12 passes below the static elimination section 14 when the housing 11 moves from the protruding position P2 to the storage position P1. The discharge section 30 in this embodiment applies a pulsed current to the terminals. That is, the static elimination section 14 in this embodiment is configured as a pulsed AC type ionizer.

[0037] The input unit 6 is a part that can input information about the drugs to be packaged. Specifically, the input unit 6 can input information that allows for the identification of which drug should be placed in each storage unit 12. In this embodiment, prescription information is input to the input unit 6. The prescription information includes information on which drug should be packaged in each package. The input unit 6 is configured, for example, as a touch panel. The touch panel can also be configured to allow information input via communication with an external terminal (controller, etc.).

[0038] Furthermore, the input unit 6 of this embodiment can be used to input information for operating the pesticide dispensing device 3. Specifically, as will be described later, the input unit 6 can be used to input information indicating that the pesticide to be dispensed has been dispensed into the storage unit 12, and that the dispensing process is complete.

[0039] The control unit controls the entire drug packaging device 1. The control unit also controls the entire drug packaging device 1 based on information entered into the input unit 6. Specifically, the control unit controls the automatic supply device 2 to supply the drugs to be packaged to the packaging unit 4 based on the prescription information entered into the input unit 6. Furthermore, if the drugs to be packaged are not contained in the automatic supply device 2, the control unit determines that manual dispensing of the drugs is necessary and controls the manual drug dispensing device 3.

[0040] Next, we will explain the operation of the pesticide dispensing device 3.

[0041] If it is necessary to manually dispense the medication, the control unit moves the container 11 to the protruding position P2. In this embodiment, the control unit determines whether manual dispensing is necessary based on the prescription information entered into the input unit 6, and if it determines that manual dispensing is necessary, it moves the container 11 to the protruding position P2.

[0042] Next, the control unit determines, based on the prescription information, which storage unit 12 should contain the hand-dispensed medication. Specifically, the control unit determines that the storage unit 12 corresponding to the packaging in which the hand-dispensed medication should be packaged is the storage unit 12 into which the hand-dispensed medication should be contained.

[0043] Once the container 12 into which the chemical should be placed is identified by manual application, the control unit controls the position indicator unit 13 to control the light-emitting unit 21 to project light onto the inner wall surface 15 of the container 12 into which the chemical should be placed. In this embodiment, the position indicator unit 13 projects light only onto the inner wall surface 15 of the container 12 into which the chemical should be placed. In addition, the light-emitting unit 21 in this embodiment projects colored light onto the inner wall surface 15 of the container 12 into which the chemical should be placed. The worker then places the chemical into the container 12 indicated on the position indicator unit 13.

[0044] When the worker puts the drug into the storage section 12, they may either put the drug, still wrapped in a PTP sheet, directly into the storage section 12, or they may transfer the drug from the PTP sheet to another container and then put the drug from the container into the storage section 12. Here, the drug being put into the storage section 12 may be electrically charged due to friction with the PTP sheet or friction with other drugs inside the container.

[0045] If there are multiple types of chemicals to be manually dispensed, after the first type of chemical has been dispensed, information indicating that the first type of chemical has been dispensed is input to the input unit 6. Upon receiving this information, the control unit controls the position display unit 13 to cause the light-emitting unit 21 to emit light into the storage unit 12 where the second type of chemical should be dispensed. This control is repeated until all types of chemicals to be manually dispensed have been dispensed into the storage unit 12.

[0046] Once all the chemicals to be manually dispensed have been added, the worker checks whether the chemicals contained in the storage section 12 are correct. At this point, the light-emitting unit 21 emits white light into the storage section 12 where one or more types of chemicals should be added when the worker is checking the chemicals that have been added to the storage section 12. In this embodiment, when all types of chemicals to be manually dispensed have been added to the storage section 12, the control unit controls the position indicator unit 13, and controls the light-emitting unit 21 to emit white light into the storage section 12 where one or more types of chemicals should be added.

[0047] Once the operator's verification process is complete, the housing 11 moves from the protruding position P2 to the storage position P1. In this embodiment, when information indicating that the verification process is complete is input to the input unit 6, the control unit controls the housing 11 to move from the protruding position P2 to the storage position P1.

[0048] The static elimination unit 14 operates when the housing 11 moves from the protruding position P2 to the storage position P1, and eliminates static electricity from the chemical contained in the housing 12. In this embodiment, the static elimination unit 14 starts operating when the housing 11 begins to move. More specifically, it starts operating when an instruction is input to the input unit 6 or the like to move the housing 11. Specifically, the static elimination unit 14 applies a voltage to the discharge unit 30 and generates ions I when the housing 11 moves from the protruding position P2 to the storage position P1. The static elimination unit 14 is also configured to generate ions I at least when the housing 12 passes below the static elimination unit 14. Furthermore, the static elimination unit 14 stops operating when the housing 11 moves to the storage position P1. That is, the static elimination unit 14 operates only while the housing 11 is moving from the protruding position P2 to the storage position P1.

[0049] As the housing 11 moves from the protruding position P2 to the storage position P1, it moves such that the distance between the lower surface of the static elimination unit 14 and the upper end surface of the housing 12 remains approximately constant. In this embodiment, the lower surface of the static elimination unit 14 extends horizontally, and the upper surface of the housing 11 extends horizontally and moves horizontally during movement. Therefore, as the housing 11 moves from the protruding position P2 to the storage position P1, the distance between the lower surface of the static elimination unit 14 and the upper end surface of the housing 12 remains approximately constant.

[0050] When the container 11 moves to the storage position P1, it sequentially supplies the drugs contained in the container section 12 to the packaging section 4. Specifically, the container 11 is controlled by the control unit to open the bottom 16 of each container 11. The drugs contained in the container section 12, with the bottom 16 open, fall out and are supplied to the packaging section 4 via the drug supply path.

[0051] With a pesticide dispensing device configured as described above, the light-emitting unit 21 projects light onto the inner wall surface 15 of the storage unit 12, so the inner wall surface 15 of the storage unit 12 is illuminated by light from the light-emitting unit 21. Therefore, since the storage unit 12 itself (the recess itself) is illuminated by light, it is easier to recognize the position where the pesticide should be dispensed compared to, for example, the case where the area around the storage unit 12 is illuminated.

[0052] Furthermore, since the light-transmitting section 23 is configured to scatter the light emitted by the light source 20, the inner wall surface 15 is illuminated overall as the light emitted by the light source 20 is scattered. This makes it easier to recognize the containment section 12 into which the chemical should be added. Moreover, because the light emitted by the light source 20 is scattered, the light is less likely to cause glare to the worker compared to when the light-transmitting section 23 is configured to be transparent.

[0053] Furthermore, since the light source 20 is positioned above the center of the housing section 12 in the vertical direction, it is possible to suppress the obstruction of light by the chemical after the chemical is introduced into the housing section 12. Also, since the first surface 26 is provided at the top of the side surface 17a, the first surface 26 is less likely to be obscured by the chemical contained in the housing section 12, so that light can be reliably projected onto the inner wall surface 15.

[0054] Furthermore, an identification mark 19 is provided on the upper end surface of each storage section 12 to identify each storage section 12, and the second surface 27 is positioned adjacent to the identification mark 19, so that the storage section 12 into which the drug should be placed can be identified by both the identification mark 19 and light.

[0055] Furthermore, since the identification markings 19 corresponding to each storage compartment 12 and the second surface 27 are arranged adjacent to each other, the identification markings 19 indicating the storage compartment 12 into which the drug should be placed can be intuitively recognized.

[0056] Furthermore, since the first surface 26 is provided to be substantially flush with the inner surface of the side wall 17, the light-transmitting portion 23 is less likely to get in the way when the drug is introduced into the containment portion 12, and the amount of drug that can be contained in the containment area S2 is suppressed.

[0057] Furthermore, the storage units 12 are arranged in a predetermined number in the front-to-back direction of the storage body 11, and the light-emitting unit 21 is configured to emit colored light and white light of at least a predetermined number of colors. Therefore, it is possible to emit light of a different color to each of the storage units 12 arranged in the front-to-back direction, making it possible to display different information on the storage units 12 arranged in the front-to-back direction. Moreover, for example, white light can be emitted onto the storage units 12 after the drug has been placed inside, making it easier to recognize the color of the drug when confirming whether the drug placed inside the storage unit 12 is the drug that should have been placed inside.

[0058] Furthermore, since the static elimination unit 14 can eliminate static electricity from the drug contained in the storage unit 12, it is possible to prevent the drug from becoming clogged inside the equipment (e.g., the packaging unit 4) due to static electricity, or from not moving properly through the paths formed inside the equipment (e.g., drug supply paths). Therefore, it is possible to prevent malfunctions in the equipment to which the drug is supplied.

[0059] Furthermore, since the static elimination unit 14 is configured to eliminate static electricity from the chemicals contained in the housing unit 12 without contact, it is possible to suppress contamination by foreign substances caused by the chemicals or other substances adhering to the static elimination unit 14.

[0060] Furthermore, the static elimination unit 14 is equipped with multiple discharge units 30 that generate ions I through discharge, and each discharge unit 30 is configured to alternately generate positive ions I and negative ions I, and is configured to generate both positive and negative ions I as one of the storage units 12 passes below the static elimination unit 14. Therefore, the drug stored in the storage unit 12 can be reliably statically eliminated whether it is positively or negatively charged.

[0061] Furthermore, since the static elimination unit 14 is configured as a windless ionizer, it can eliminate static electricity from the chemical contained in the containment unit 12 while suppressing the chemical from being blown away by the wind.

[0062] Furthermore, the bottom 16 of the housing 12 is electrically grounded, and the static elimination unit 14 is configured to apply ions I to the surface of the drug stored in the housing 12 from above the housing 12. Therefore, the portion of the drug's surface that is not in contact with the bottom surface 16a can be statically eliminated by ions I, and the portion that is in contact with the bottom surface 16a is statically eliminated through grounding via the bottom surface 16a, thus ensuring that the drug is reliably statically eliminated.

[0063] Although an example of an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0064] For example, although we have described a case where the drug dispensing device 3 is configured as part of a drug packaging device 1 capable of packaging tablets, the configuration is not limited to this. For example, it can be configured as an integral part of a drug packaging device 1 capable of packaging both tablets and powders, or it can be configured as a drug dispensing machine that supplies drugs to equipment other than the drug packaging device 1.

[0065] Furthermore, although the case in which the light-emitting unit 21 is provided inside the housing 11 has been described, the configuration is not limited to this, and for example, the light-emitting unit 21 can be provided above the housing 11 and light can be projected onto the inner wall surface 15 from above.

[0066] Furthermore, although we have described a case where the light-emitting unit 21 is configured to illuminate the inner wall surface 15 with monochromatic light, it is not limited to this configuration. For example, it can be configured to display symbols such as numbers or letters, or it can illuminate the inner wall surface 15 in a flashing manner, or illuminate it with a short-period change of color.

[0067] Furthermore, while the description has focused on the case where the light-emitting unit 21 emits light onto the storage unit 12 into which the drug should be placed, it is not limited to this case; it can also be configured to emit light only onto the storage unit 12 into which the drug should not be placed. Additionally, for example, the storage unit 12 into which the drug should be placed can be illuminated in blue, and the storage unit 12 into which the drug should not be placed can be illuminated in red, thereby enabling identification of the storage unit 12 into which the drug should be placed. Moreover, the light-emitting unit 21 can be configured to change the emitted light color according to the color of the surface of the drug being placed. Furthermore, the light-emitting unit 21 can also change the emitted light color according to the timing of administration (e.g., morning, noon, evening) based on the input prescription information.

[0068] Furthermore, although the case where the light-transmitting portion 23 is milky white has been described, various configurations that can scatter the light emitted by the light source 20 can be adopted, not limited to this configuration. In addition, the light-transmitting portion 23 can also be configured as colorless and transparent, so as not to scatter the light emitted by the light source 20.

[0069] Furthermore, although we have described the case in which the light-transmitting section 23 and the housing 11 are provided separately, the housing 11 itself can also be given the function of transmitting and scattering light, not limited to this case.

[0070] Furthermore, although the case where the irregularities 18 are grooves extending in the vertical direction has been described, they are not limited to this configuration and can be configured in various shapes. For example, if the irregularities 18 are configured in the shape of an arrow, an arrow-shaped shadow can be formed by projecting light, which can encourage the application of the drug.

[0071] Furthermore, although the static elimination unit 14 has been described as being configured to generate positive ions I and negative ions I by repeatedly applying voltage to each discharge unit 30 while switching polarity, the configuration is not limited to this, for example, each discharge unit 30 can be configured to generate only either positive ions I or negative ions I, or a self-discharging static elimination brush can be configured to eliminate static electricity by contacting the chemical.

[0072] Furthermore, although we have described a case where the static elimination unit 14 is fixed to the housing 5 and configured to generate ions I while the housing 11 moves, it is not limited to this case. The static elimination unit 14 can also be configured to generate ions I while moving to eliminate static electricity from the chemicals contained in each housing 12.

[0073] Furthermore, although the case where the housing 11 moves only horizontally has been described, the configuration is not limited to this, and it can also be configured to move both horizontally and vertically. For example, the height of the housing 11 at the protruding position P2 can be changed. In addition, the housing 11 can be moved so that the outlet of ions I (discharge section 30) enters the internal space of the housing section 12.

[0074] Furthermore, although the case where the static elimination unit 14 operates in synchronization with the movement of the housing 11 from the protruding position P2 to the retracted position P1 has been described, it is not limited to this case. For example, it can also be configured to operate after the housing 11 has moved from the protruding position P2 to the retracted position P1, or it can be configured to operate only in part of the movement of the housing 11 from the protruding position P2 to the retracted position P1.

[0075] Furthermore, although the case in which the static elimination unit 14 is positioned above the housing 11 has been described, the static elimination unit 14 is not limited to this case. It can also be provided on the side of the housing 11, or, for example, the static elimination unit 14 can be built into the housing 11 and configured to supply ions I into the housing area S2 from the side walls 17 of each housing section 12. In addition, the static elimination unit 14 can be configured as a plate that covers all the housing sections 12, or it can be configured to have a comb-shaped ion outlet.

[0076] The following is a summary of this embodiment.

[0077] The pesticide dispensing device of this embodiment comprises a container having a plurality of storage compartments capable of containing pesticides, each storage compartment being open at the top and configured so that a worker can manually put the pesticide in from above, and includes a position indicator that indicates which of the storage compartments the pesticide should be put into, and the position indicator is configured to include a light-emitting unit that projects light onto the inner wall surface of the storage compartment.

[0078] With this configuration, the light-emitting unit projects light onto the inner wall surface of the containment unit, so the inner wall surface of the containment unit is illuminated by the light from the light-emitting unit. Therefore, since the containment unit itself is illuminated by light, it is easy to recognize the position where the chemical should be added.

[0079] Furthermore, the containment section may be provided with side walls that define the sides of the containment area into which the drug is introduced, and the light-emitting section may be configured to be located inside the side walls of each containment section.

[0080] With this configuration, since the light-emitting unit is positioned inside the side wall, it is possible to prevent the light-emitting unit from interfering when the drug is introduced into the containment area, and since the light is projected from inside the containment area onto the inner wall surface, the light can be reliably projected onto the inner wall surface.

[0081] Furthermore, the light-emitting unit may also comprise a light source and a light-transmitting unit that transmits light emitted by the light source, the inner wall surface comprising a side surface and a bottom surface which are the inner surfaces of the side wall, the light-transmitting unit comprising a first surface which constitutes a part of the side surface, the light source being positioned on the opposite side of the light-transmitting unit from the first surface, and the light emitted by the light source being projected from the first surface onto the inner wall surface.

[0082] Furthermore, with this configuration, since the light source is positioned on the opposite side from the first surface of the light-transmitting section, damage to the light source by the introduced chemicals can be suppressed.

[0083] Furthermore, the light-transmitting portion may also be configured to include a second surface that is connected to the first surface and forms part of the upper end surface surrounding the housing area, so that the light emitted by the light source passes through the light-transmitting portion and is projected upward from the second surface onto the housing area.

[0084] With this configuration, the light emitted from the light source is also projected above the storage area, making it easier for the worker to recognize the location where the chemical should be added.

[0085] Furthermore, the inner wall surface of the housing can be configured to have irregularities.

[0086] With this configuration, when light is projected onto the inner wall surface, the uneven surface creates areas that are illuminated and areas that are in shadow, making it easier to recognize that light is being projected onto the inner wall surface. Therefore, it is easier to recognize the location where the chemical should be added. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1... Drug packaging device, 2... Automatic supply device, 3... Manual drug dispensing device, 4... Packaging section, 5... Housing, 6... Input section, 11... Container, 12... Container section, 13... Position indicator section, 14... Static elimination section, 15... Inner wall surface, 16... Bottom, 16a... Bottom surface, 17... Side wall, 17a... Side view, 18... Unevenness, 19... Identification mark, 20... Light source, 21... Light emitting section, 22... Insulating sheet section, 23... Light transmitting section, 24... Light emitting main body section, 25... Substrate section, 26... First surface, 27... Second surface, 28... Surface facing the light source, 29... Base section, 30... Discharge section, S1... Storage space, S2... Container area, P1... Storage position, P2... Protruding position, I... Ion

Claims

1. A pesticide dispensing device comprising a container having multiple containers capable of holding pesticides, each container having an open top, and configured so that a worker can manually load pesticides from above, Each of the aforementioned housings is equipped with a light-emitting unit that emits light, The light-emitting unit is configured to emit white light into each of the storage units of the chemical dispensing device.

2. The pesticide dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the light-emitting unit can project the white light into the container into which the pesticide is to be introduced.

3. The light-emitting unit is configured to emit colored light in addition to the white light into each of the housing units. The drug dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light projector can project the colored light into the storage compartment into which the drug should be put, in order to indicate which of the aforementioned storage compartments the drug should be put into.

4. The pesticide dispensing device according to claim 3, wherein the operator controls the emission of either colored light or white light from the light-emitting unit based on input from the operator.

5. The aforementioned containment section is provided with side walls that define the sides of the containment area into which the drug is introduced. The drug dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the light-emitting unit is arranged inside the side wall of each of the housing units.

6. The pesticide dispensing device according to claim 5, wherein the light-emitting unit is provided in the upper half of the housing unit.

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