Tablet dispensing device

Abstract

The present invention provides a tablet dispensing device that allows the partition unit to be fixed in a position where its tip is retracted from the rotor, without having to completely remove the partition unit. [Solution] The device comprises a tablet storage section 2 for storing tablets, a rotor 3 rotatably housed in the tablet storage section 2 and having a tablet guide section 16 formed therein for guiding tablets to the tablet exit section 6 of the tablet storage section 2, and a partition unit 4 provided in the tablet storage section 2 and having a partition member 20 that is inserted toward the rotor 3 to separate the tablet at the bottom of the tablet guide section 16 of the rotor 3 from the tablet above it. The partition unit 4 having the partition member 20 is movable in the direction opposite to the direction toward the rotor 3 in which the tip is inserted, and can be fixed at a predetermined position away from the outer peripheral surface of the rotor 3.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tablet dispensing device.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a tablet dispensing device that accommodates a large number of tablets, rotates a rotor to guide the tablets into the tablet guide path of the rotor, and discharges the tablets below the partition member from the tablet outlet. The partition member has its tip inserted into the circumferential groove of the rotor, separates the lowermost tablet in the tablet guide path of the rotor from the tablet above it, and discharges only the lowermost tablet in the tablet guide path from the tablet outlet.

[0003] When removing the rotor from the tablet dispensing device for cleaning the inside of the tablet dispensing device or inspecting the rotor, etc., it is necessary to retract the tip of the partition member from the circumferential groove of the rotor. For this reason, conventionally, the partition member is detachable through a slit provided in the main body of the tablet dispensing device.

[0004] When the partition member is completely removed from the tablet dispensing device, there is a risk that the partition member may be lost or damaged. Also, when the user returns the partition member to the tablet dispensing device, it is difficult to align it to the correct position, and in the process of passing the tip of the partition member through the slit of the main body or inserting it into the circumferential groove of the rotor, the tip of the partition member may contact the main body or the rotor and be damaged or deformed. Furthermore, if the partition member is mounted with its position shifted with respect to the circumferential groove of the rotor, when the rotor rotates, there are inconveniences such as interference with the rotor and damage, or the inability to discharge the tablets.

[0005] In Patent Document 1, the applicant of this application proposed a tablet dispensing device that, in order to reliably guide tablets circulating in the tablet storage section into the tablet guide path and dispense them, is provided with three S-shaped, whisker-like tablet introduction members in addition to the original brush-shaped partition member. In the tablet dispensing device of Patent Document 1, the partition member and the three tablet introduction members are detachable from the tablet dispensing device as a single partition unit, so when the partition unit is attached or detached, problems such as damage, deformation, and misalignment of the ends of the partition member and tablet introduction members become significant. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2024 / 090493 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and aims to provide a tablet dispensing device in which the tip of the partition member can be fixed in a position where it is retracted from the rotor, without having to completely remove the partition member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The means to solve the aforementioned problem are as follows: (1) A tablet storage section for storing tablets, A rotor is rotatably housed in the tablet storage section and has a tablet guide section formed therein for guiding tablets to the tablet outlet of the tablet storage section, A partition unit provided in the tablet storage section, having a partition member whose tip is inserted toward the rotor to separate the tablet at the bottom of the tablet guide section of the rotor from the tablet above it, In a tablet dispensing device equipped with, The partition unit is movable in the direction opposite to the direction in which its tip is inserted toward the rotor, and can be fixed at a predetermined position where its tip is away from the outer peripheral surface of the rotor.

[0009] According to the means 1 described above, by moving the partition unit to a predetermined position where the tip of the partition unit is away from the outer surface of the rotor, the partition unit can be fixed in a position where the tip is retracted from the rotor, making it possible to attach and detach the rotor and preventing damage, deformation, or misalignment of the brush tip.

[0010] (2) In the means 1, The tablet storage section is provided with a support piece that protrudes in the direction of movement of the partition unit. The partition unit is provided with a fixing piece that extends in the direction of movement of the partition unit. Either the support piece or the fixing piece has elasticity that allows it to move towards and away from the other, and has a protrusion formed at its tip. The other of the support piece and the fixing piece has a first recess and a second recess formed at a predetermined distance apart in the direction of movement of the partition unit, with the protrusion engaging with the other recess. According to means 2, when the partition unit is moved to a position where the protrusion engages with the first recess, the tip is inserted into the partition groove of the rotor, enabling it to function as a partition unit. When the partition unit is moved to a position where the protrusion engages with the second recess, the tip retracts from the outer circumference of the rotor, allowing the rotor to be attached and detached.

[0011] (3) In the means 2 described above, A claw portion is formed on a part of the protrusion of the fixing piece. The support piece has a contact surface formed on it, which the claw portion contacts. The contact surface extends in a direction perpendicular to the first recess and the second recess, and is formed lower than the first recess and the second recess.

[0012] (4) In the means 3, The end of the contact surface is located between the first recess and the second recess.

[0013] (5) In any of the means 2 to 4, A removal jig having a hooking piece that can be inserted between the claw portion of the fixing piece and the contact surface of the support piece is provided. An engaging recess that engages with the claw portion of the fixing piece is provided in the hooking piece.

[0014] (6) In the means 5, One pair each of the support piece, the fixing piece, and the hooking piece of the removal jig are provided. The elasticity of the hooking piece is lower than the elasticity of either the support piece or the fixing piece.

[0015] (7) In any of the means 2 to 6, A guide groove extending in the moving direction of the partition unit is formed in either the support piece or the fixing piece. A guide projection piece that slidably engages with the groove is formed on the other of the support piece and the fixing piece.

Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, the partition unit can be fixed at a position where the tip has retreated from the rotor, the rotor can be attached and detached, and the tip of the brush can be prevented from being damaged, deformed, or displaced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] Perspective view of the tablet dispensing device according to the embodiment of the present invention as seen obliquely from above. [Figure 2] Perspective view of the tablet dispensing device of FIG. 1 as seen obliquely from below. [Figure 3] Perspective view showing the state where the rotor and the partition unit of the tablet dispensing device of FIG. 1 are removed. [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view of the tablet dispensing device. [Figure 5] Perspective view showing the rear cover of the tablet storage portion. [Figure 6] Perspective view of the partition unit as seen from the rotor side. [Figure 7] Exploded perspective view of the partition unit. [Figure 8] An enlarged perspective view showing the support piece for the tablet storage section and the fixing piece for the partition unit. [Figure 9] Side view of the rotor and tablet introduction component. [Figure 10] Figure 9 is a plan view of the tablet introduction member. [Figure 11] A side view showing the operation of the tablet introduction component. [Figure 12] A plan view showing the first position (a) and second position (b) of the partition unit. [Figure 13] Perspective view of the removal jig. [Figure 14A] Horizontal cross-sectional views at positions A, B, and C in Figure 8, showing the process of moving the partition unit from the first position to the second position relative to the tablet storage section. [Figure 14B] A horizontal cross-sectional view following Figure 14A. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] Figures 1 and 2 show a tablet dispensing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The tablet dispensing device 1 is detachably mounted on a mounting part (motor base) (not shown) and can dispense a number of tablets according to the prescription. As shown in Figure 3, it comprises a tablet storage section 2, a rotor 3, and a partition unit 4.

[0019] As shown in Figure 1, the tablet storage section 2 is a rectangular container opening upwards, and has a bottomed cylindrical rotor storage section 5 at its bottom. A lid (not shown) is rotatably mounted on the upper edge of the tablet storage section 2 by a hinge, and this lid allows the upper opening of the tablet storage section 2 to be opened and closed. The rotor 3 is rotatably housed in the rotor storage section 5. As shown in Figure 2, a tablet outlet 6 is formed on the bottom surface of the rotor storage section 5. As shown in Figure 3, on the side surface of the rear cover 2a of the rotor storage section 5, above the tablet outlet 6, a bottom slit 7a into which the partition brush portion 26a of the partition member 20 of the partition unit 4 is inserted, an upper slit 7b into which the first brush portion 21a of the first tablet introduction member 21 is inserted, an intermediate slit 7c into which the second brush portion 22a of the second tablet introduction member 22 is inserted, and a lower slit 7d into which the third brush portion 22b of the second tablet introduction member 22 is inserted are formed, extending in the circumferential direction of the rotor storage section 5.

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, a rotor drive shaft 8 extending in the axial direction of the rotor housing 5 is rotatably mounted on the bottom surface of the rotor housing 5. At the upper end of the rotor drive shaft 8, there is a shaft hole 8a into which the shaft portion 11c of the rotor 3 is inserted, and an engagement portion 8b that engages with a torque limiter 13, which will be described later. As shown in Figure 2, a rotor gear 9 is attached to the lower end of the rotor drive shaft 8. An intermediate gear 10 that meshes with the rotor gear 9 is also attached to the bottom surface of the rotor housing 5. When the tablet housing 2 is attached to a mounting portion (not shown), the intermediate gear 10 meshes with the motor gear of the mounting portion, so that when the motor inside the mounting portion is driven, the rotor drive shaft 8 rotates via the motor gear, intermediate gear 10, and rotor gear 9.

[0021] As shown in Figure 3, the rotor 3 can be housed in the rotor housing 5 through the upper opening of the tablet housing 2. As shown in Figure 4, the rotor 3 is composed of an upper rotor member 11 and a lower rotor member 12.

[0022] The upper rotor member 11 has a conical upper surface with multiple stepped portions 11a formed at three locations in the circumferential direction for stirring tablets. The lower surface of the upper rotor member 11 has a recess 11b into which the convex portion 12a of the lower rotor member 12 fits. In addition, a shaft portion 11c is provided protruding downward from the center of the lower surface of the upper rotor member 11, and a torque limiter 13 is housed in an annular recess 11d formed around the shaft portion 11c.

[0023] The torque limiter 13 is a known type consisting of a cylindrical housing 13a, a sleeve 13b housed within the housing 13a, and a coil spring 13c provided between the housing 13a and the sleeve 13b. The engaging projection 13d at the upper end of the housing 13a engages with the rotor 3, and the engaging recess 13e at the lower end of the sleeve 13b engages with the engaging portion 8b of the rotor drive shaft 8 when the rotor 3 is housed in the rotor housing 5. When the torque applied to the rotor drive shaft 8 is low, the housing 13a rotates via the spring 13c, allowing the rotor 3 to rotate. When the torque applied to the rotor drive shaft 8 is high, the coil spring 13c loosens, allowing only the sleeve 13b to rotate, and the power is cut off.

[0024] As shown in Figure 5, tablet guide portions 16a extending in the axial direction are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the upper rotor member 11 at circumferentially spaced positions. The tablet guide portion 16a has a segmental circular cross-section in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotor 3, and its inner diameter is large enough for a half-tablet to pass through with its chord direction up and down. The tablet guide portion 16a is formed as a groove extending in the axial direction on the outer circumferential surface. The upper end of the tablet guide portion 16a opens on the conical upper surface of the upper rotor 11, and the lower end opens on the lower surface of the upper rotor 11. A circumferential groove 14 extending in the circumferential direction is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the upper rotor member 11.

[0025] The lower rotor member 12 is annular in shape, and as shown in Figure 4, a projection 12a is formed on its upper surface that fits into a recess 11b of the upper rotor member 11. The height of the projection 12a is greater than the depth of the recess 11b of the upper rotor member 11, so that when the upper rotor member 11 and the lower rotor member 12 are fitted together, a partition groove 15 is formed between the upper rotor member 11 and the lower rotor member 12. As shown in Figure 5, tablet guide portions 16b extending in the axial direction are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the lower rotor member 12 at circumferentially spaced positions. The tablet guide portions 16b of the lower rotor member 12 are formed at the same position and with the same cross-sectional shape as the tablet guide portions 16a of the upper rotor member 11.

[0026] The upper rotor member 11 and the lower rotor member 12 are assembled as a single unit by screwing them together, with the recess 11b of the upper rotor member 11 fitting into the protrusion 12a of the lower rotor member 12, and the tablet guide portion 16a of the upper rotor member 11 and the tablet guide portion 16b of the lower rotor member 12 aligned. The tablet guide portion 16a and the tablet guide portion 16b form a single tablet guide portion 16.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3, the partition unit 4 is detachably attached to the rear cover 2a, which constitutes the rear part of the tablet storage section 2, by moving in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotor 3. As shown in Figure 5, a pair of support pieces 17 and a pair of guide pieces 18 are provided on the outer surface of the rear cover 2a so as to protrude outward in the direction of movement of the partition unit 4.

[0028] The support piece 17 supports the mounting base 19 of the partition unit 4, and from top to bottom, it has a first guide groove 17a, upper first recess 17b and second recess 17c, a contact surface 17d, a lower first recess 17e, and a second guide groove 17f. The first guide groove 17a extends in the direction of movement of the partition unit 4. The upper first recess 17b and second recess 17c extend in the vertical direction and are formed at a predetermined distance apart in the direction of movement of the partition unit 4. The contact surface 17d extends in a direction perpendicular to the upper first recess 17b and second recess 17c and is formed lower than the upper first recess 17b and second recess 17c. The lower first recess 17e extends in the vertical direction, similar to the upper first recess 17b. The second guide groove 17f extends in the direction of movement of the partition unit 4, similar to the first guide groove 17a. The end face of the portion where the contact surface 17d and the lower first recess 17e are formed has a smaller protrusion dimension than the end face of the portion where the upper first recess 17b and the second recess 17c are formed, and is located between the upper first recess 17b and the second recess 17c.

[0029] The guide piece 18 extends in the vertical direction, and the bifurcated engaging end 22d provided on the second tablet introduction member 22 and the bifurcated engaging end 27b provided on the partition member 20 engage with the tip of the partition unit 4 on the outward side in the direction of movement of the partition unit 4, as shown in Figure 6.

[0030] As shown in Figure 7, the partition unit 4 consists of a mounting base 19, a partition member 20, a first tablet introduction member 21, and a second introduction member 22.

[0031] The mounting base 19 has first mounting holes 19a, second mounting holes 19b, and third mounting holes 19c for attaching the partition member 20, the first tablet introduction member 21, and the second introduction member 22, respectively. The mounting base 19 also has a first guide projection 23, a fixing piece 24, and a second guide projection 25 formed on it in order from top to bottom. The first guide projection 23 extends in the direction of movement of the partition unit 4 and is inserted into the first guide groove 17a of the support piece 17 of the rear cover 2a, allowing it to slide. The fixing piece 24 extends from the mounting base 19 in the direction of movement of the partition unit 4 and has elasticity that allows it to approach and move away from the support piece 17 of the rear cover 2a. The fixing piece 24 has a protrusion 24a at its tip that engages with the upper first recess 17b and the second engaging recess 17c of the support piece 17 of the rear cover 2a. In addition, a claw portion 24b is formed in a part of the middle of the protrusion 24a of the fixing piece 24 that contacts the contact surface 17d of the support piece 17 of the rear cover 2a. The second guide projection 25, like the first guide projection 23, extends in the direction of movement of the partition unit 4 and is inserted into the second guide groove 17f of the support piece 17 of the rear cover 2a, allowing it to slide.

[0032] The partition member 20 consists of a brush body 26 having a plurality of partition brush portions 26a arranged in an arc shape, and a mounting portion 27 for attaching the brush body 26 to the mounting base 19. The brush body 26 is attached to the mounting portion 27 with screws, and the amount of protrusion of the tip of the partition brush portion 26a can be adjusted. As shown in Figure 4, the partition brush portion 26a is inserted into the bottom slit 7a of the rotor housing portion 5 and enters the partition groove 15 of the rotor 3, and is configured to partition the tablet at the lowest part of the tablet guide portion 16 between the tablet above it. Since the partition brush portion 26a is a conventionally known design, a detailed explanation of its configuration will be omitted. The mounting portion 27 has a pair of mounting pieces 27a that engage with the first mounting hole 19a and a pair of bifurcated engaging ends 27b that engage with the guide piece 18 of the rear cover 2a.

[0033] The first tablet introduction member 21 consists of a first brush portion 21a and two upper and lower base portions 21b provided at the base end of the first brush portion 21a. The first brush portion 21b extends toward the rotor in an S-shape when viewed from the side and is elastic. The base portion 21b is designed to engage with the second mounting hole 19b of the mounting base 19. The first tablet introduction member 21 is attached by engaging its two base portions 21b with the second mounting holes 19b of the mounting base 19. The first brush portion 21a of the first tablet introduction member 21 is inserted into the upper slit 7b of the rotor housing 5 and is located above the inclined upper surface of the upper rotor member 11.

[0034] The second tablet introduction member 22 consists of a second brush portion 22a, a third brush portion 22b, and a base portion 22c provided at the base ends of the brush portions 22a and 22b. The brush sections 22a and 22b extend toward the rotor 3 in an S-shape when viewed from the side and are elastic. The base portion 22c has a pair of mounting pieces 22d that engage with the third mounting hole 19c, a pair of bifurcated engaging ends 22e that engage with the guide piece 18 of the rear cover 2a, and a window hole 22f into which the base portion 21b of the first tablet introduction member 21 is inserted.

[0035] As shown in Figure 9, the first brush portion 21a of the first tablet introduction member 21, the second brush portion 22a of the second tablet introduction member 22, and the third brush portion 22b each have different tip positions. The tip of the first brush portion 21a of the first tablet introduction member 21 is located above the rotor 3. As shown in Figure 10, the tip of the second brush portion 22a of the second tablet introduction member 22 is located upstream of the first brush portion 21a in the rotational direction of the rotor 3 and below the first brush portion 21a. As shown in Figure 10, the third brush portion 22b of the second tablet introduction portion 22 is located downstream of the first brush portion 21a in the rotational direction of the rotor 3 and enters the circumferential groove 14 of the rotor 3. The circumferential groove 14 is located above the partition groove 15 and is formed to be shallower than the tablet guide portion 16 and the circumferential groove 14.

[0036] Therefore, as shown in Figure 11, the tablets Ta accumulated on the rotor 3 are pushed or flicked away by the first brush 21a and scraped into the subsequent tablet guide section 16. Also, tablets Tb that get caught at the entrance of the tablet guide section 16 do not come into contact with the first brush section 21a, but are flicked away by the second brush section 22a and scraped into the tablet guide section 16. Furthermore, tablets Tc that get caught in the circumferential groove 14 inside the tablet guide section 16 do not come into contact with the second brush section 22a and the first brush section 21a, but are flicked away by the third brush section 22b and guided downward into the tablet guide section 16.

[0037] Next, the operation of the tablet dispensing device 1 of the above embodiment will be described.

[0038] In Figure 4, the numerous half tablets contained in the tablet storage section 2 are agitated as the rotor 3 rotates and enter each tablet guide section 16 of the rotor 3. As the rotation of the rotor 3 brings the tablet guide section 16 closer to the tablet outlet 6, the tablets in the tablet guide section 16 are separated by the partition member 20 into the lowest tablet and the tablets above it. As a result, the tablets below the partition member 20 are discharged from the tablet outlet 6 and dispensed through a mounting section (not shown). Each time the tablet guide section 16 passes through the tablet outlet 6, one tablet is discharged, and the number of tablets according to the prescription are packaged and dispensed.

[0039] When the tablets in the tablet storage section 2 become nearly depleted, conventionally, tablets placed on the rotor 3 may rotate with the rotor 3 and remain on the rotor 3, preventing them from being ejected. In the tablet dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, a first tablet introduction member 21 and a second tablet introduction member 22 are provided, so that tablets remaining on the rotor 3 are reliably guided to the tablet guide section 16 by the first tablet introduction member 21 and the second tablet introduction member 22.

[0040] The tablets stored in the tablet storage section 2 are dispensed sequentially by the rotation of the rotor 2 and detected by a tablet detection sensor provided on a mounting section (not shown). When the number of tablets remaining in the tablet storage section 2 decreases and they remain on the rotor 3, and after a certain period of time has elapsed since the tablet detection sensor stopped detecting tablets, the motor reverses direction. This forward and reverse motion is controlled by PWM, switching on and off at a constant interval and changing the on-time interval. This reverse motion causes pulsation in the rotation of the rotor 3, causing the tablets remaining on the rotor 3 to shake and lose their position, making them possible to eject from the tablet storage section 2. For example, if rotor 3 is rotated forward for 2.5 seconds (1st time), and if no tablet is detected, rotor 3 is reversed for 0.3 seconds, and if no tablet is detected, rotor 3 is rotated forward for 2.5 seconds (2nd time), and if no tablet is detected, rotor 3 is reversed for 0.3 seconds, and if no tablet is detected, rotor 3 is rotated forward for 2.5 seconds (3rd time), and if no tablet is detected, rotor 3 is reversed for 0.3 seconds, and if no tablet is detected even after this, an error is reported. The reverse speed may be slower than the forward speed.

[0041] In this embodiment, a torque limiter 13 is provided inside the rotor 3. Therefore, if a load is placed on the rotation of the rotor 3 due to a jam in the tablets or the like, the torque limiter 13 cuts off the power transmission from the rotor drive shaft 8 to the rotor 3, causing the rotor 3 to stop, but the rotor drive shaft 8 continues to rotate. Conventionally, a torque limiter was installed on the mounting section (motor base) where the tablet dispensing device was attached, which resulted in a larger motor base and a more complex mechanism. In this embodiment, the torque limiter 31 can be placed in the dead space inside the rotor 3, eliminating the need to provide a new mechanism for the torque limiter on the motor base side. This simplifies and compacts the motor base mechanism, and allows the same motor base to be used for tablet cassettes of different tablets, thus enabling the motor base to be standardized.

[0042] Next, we will explain the operation of the partition unit 4 when it is attached or detached.

[0043] When removing the rotor 3 from the tablet storage section 2 for cleaning, inspection, replacement, or cleaning of the tablet storage section 2, the tips of the brush portions 26a, 21a, 22a, and 22b of the partition member 20, first tablet introduction member 21, and second tablet introduction member 22 of the partition unit 4 interfere with the rotor 3, making it impossible to remove the rotor 3. Therefore, the removal jig 28 shown in the figure is used to pull the partition unit 4 out of the tablet storage section 2 and retract the brush portions 26a, 21a, 22a, and 22b from the rotor 3.

[0044] As shown in Figure 12, the removal jig 28 consists of a rectangular flat plate, with a bifurcated hook piece 28a at one end and an insertion piece 28b at the other end. The hook piece 28a has a width and thickness that allows it to be inserted between the outer surface of the pair of fixing pieces 24 of the partition unit 4 and the contact surface 17d of the support piece 17 of the tablet storage section 2. The elasticity, i.e., bending rigidity, of the fixing piece 24 of the partition unit 4 is formed to be lower than that of the support piece 17 of the tablet storage section 2. In addition, an engagement recess 28c is formed at the tip of the hook piece 28a, into which the claw portion 24b of the pair of fixing pieces 24 of the partition unit 4 engages. The thickness of the tip of the insertion piece 28b is formed to be the same as the gap between the rotor 3 and the tablet storage section 2.

[0045] As shown in Figure 13(a), when the partition unit 4 is mounted in the tablet storage section 2, a pair of fixing pieces 24 of the mounting base 19 of the partition unit 4 are inserted inside a pair of support pieces 17 of the tablet storage section 2. Here, as shown in Figure 14A(a), the protrusions 24a of the fixing pieces 24 of the partition unit 4 engage with the upper first recess 17b and the lower first recess 17e of the support piece 17 of the tablet storage section 2. In addition, the claw portion 24b above the protrusions 24a of the fixing pieces 24 of the partition unit 4 is in contact with or close to the contact surface 17d of the support piece 17 of the tablet storage section 2. As a result, the partition unit 4 is fixed in a first position in which the tip of the partition brush portion 26a of the partition member 20 enters the partition groove 15, the tip of the first brush portion 21a of the first tablet introduction portion 21 is positioned above the rotor 3, the tip of the second brush portion 22a of the second introduction member 22 is positioned above the rotor 3 on the upstream side in the rotor rotation direction, and the tip of the third brush portion 22b enters the circumferential groove 14 on the downstream side in the rotor rotation direction. In this first position, the partition unit 4 performs the functions described above.

[0046] To move the partition unit 4 from the first position to the second position toward the outside of the tablet storage section 2 using the removal jig 28, as shown in Figure 14A(a), the tip of the hook piece 28a of the removal jig 28 is inserted between the outer surface of the pair of fixing pieces 24 of the partition unit 4 and the contact surface 17d of the support piece 17 of the tablet storage section 2. As a result, as shown in Figure 14A(b), when the tip of the hook piece 28a contacts and overcomes the claw portion 24b of the fixing piece 24, it deforms the fixing piece 24 of the partition unit 4 inward, and the engaging recess 28c of the hook piece 28a catches on the claw portion 24b. As a result, the engagement between the convex portion 24a of the fixing piece 24 of the partition unit 4 and the upper first recess 17b and lower first recess 17e of the support piece 17 of the tablet storage section 2 is released.

[0047] When the removal tool 28 is pulled outward, the partition unit 4 moves outward together with the removal tool 28 relative to the support piece 17 of the tablet storage section 2, as shown in Figure 14B(c). When the tip of the hook piece 28a of the removal tool 28 disengages from the end face of the contact surface 17d of the support piece 17 of the tablet storage section 2, the hook piece 28a of the removal tool 28 is pushed by the support piece 17 of the tablet storage section 2, as shown in Figure 14B(d), and the removal tool 28 can be pulled out. As a result, the convex portion 24a of the fixing piece 24 of the partition unit 4 engages with the second recess 17c of the support piece 17 of the tablet storage section 2, stopping the movement of the partition unit 4, and the partition unit 4 is fixed in the second position. In this second position, as shown in Figure 13(b), the tip of the partition brush portion 26a of the partition member 20 retracts from the partition groove 15, the tip of the first brush portion 21a of the first tablet introduction portion 21 retracts from the rotor 3, the tip of the second brush portion 22a retracts from the rotor 3, and the third brush portion 22b retracts from the circumferential groove 14. From this position, the rotor 3 can be removed from the tablet storage portion 2.

[0048] The tips of each brush portion 26a, 21a, 22a, and 22b in the second position should be located outward from the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 3, preferably between the outer surface of the tablet storage portion 2 and the outer surface of the tablet storage portion 2. If they are inside the outer circumferential surface of the rotor, they may interfere with the rotor when the rotor is removed, and if they are outside the outer surface of the tablet storage portion 2, they may interfere with the slits when returning to the first position.

[0049] While the partition unit 4 is moving, the first guide projection 23 and the second guide projection 25 of the mounting base 19 of the partition unit 4 are guided by the first guide groove 17a and the first guide groove 17f of the support piece 17 of the tablet storage section 2, so that the positions of the brush parts of the partition member 20, the first tablet introduction section 21 and the second tablet introduction section 22 of the partition unit 4 are accurately maintained. As a result, damage, deformation, and displacement of the brush tips can be prevented when each brush part passes through the slit or enters the circumferential groove 14 or partition groove 15 of the rotor 3.

[0050] To return the partition unit 4 from the second position to the first position, in the state shown in Figure 14B(d), the back of the mounting base 19 of the partition unit 4 is pressed with the insertion piece 28b of the removal jig 28, thereby moving the partition unit 4 toward the rotor 3. As a result, the convex portion 24a of the fixing piece 24 of the partition unit 4 engages with the upper first recess 17b and lower first recess 17e from the second recess 17c of the support piece 17 of the tablet storage section 2, fixing it in the first position.

[0051] To remove the partition unit 4 from the second position, the pair of fixing pieces 24 of the partition unit 4 are manually pressed down to release the engagement between the protrusion 24a of the fixing piece 24 and the second recess 17c of the support piece 17, thereby allowing it to be pulled outwards and removed.

[0052] To remove the rotor 3 from the tablet storage section 2, the insertion piece 28b of the removal tool 28 is inserted from the tablet outlet 6 between the underside of the rotor 3 and the bottom surface of the tablet storage section 2, and the rotor 3 can be pulled upward by prying it up. When the rotor 3 is returned to the tablet storage section 2, it is possible to check whether the rotor 3 is properly installed by whether the insertion piece 28b of the removal tool 28 can be inserted from the tablet outlet 6 between the underside of the rotor 3 and the bottom surface of the tablet storage section 2, whether it cannot be inserted, or whether it is difficult to insert.

[0053] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and alterations can be made. For example, in the above embodiment, the fixing piece 24 of the partition unit 4 is elastic, and its protrusion 24a engages with the upper first recess 17b and second recess 17c and the lower first recess 17e formed in the support piece 17 of the tablet storage section 2. Conversely, the support piece 17 of the tablet storage section 2 may be elastic, and its protrusion engages with the first recess and the second recess formed in the fixing piece 24 of the partition unit 4. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1... Tablet dispensing device 2... Tablet storage section 3…Rotor 4… Partition unit 6…Pill exit 15…Partition groove 16…Tablet guide section 17...Support piece 17b…Upper first recess 17c…Second recess 17d...Contact part 17e...Lower first recess 20... Partition members 21...First tablet introduction section 21a...First brush section 22...Second tablet introduction section 22a...Second brush section 22b...Third brush section 23…First guide projection 24…Fixed piece 24a... protruding part 24b...Claw part 25...Second guide projection 26…Brush body 26a... Partition brush section 28…Removal jig 28a...Hook piece 28c…Engaging recess

Claims

1. A tablet storage section for holding tablets, A rotor is rotatably housed in the tablet storage section and has a tablet guide section formed therein for guiding tablets to the tablet outlet of the tablet storage section, A partition unit provided in the tablet storage section, having a partition member whose tip is inserted toward the rotor to separate the tablet at the bottom of the tablet guide section of the rotor from the tablet above it, In a tablet dispensing device equipped with, A tablet dispensing device wherein the partition unit is movable toward the rotor in the direction opposite to the direction in which the tip is inserted, and the tip can be fixed at a predetermined position away from the outer peripheral surface of the rotor.

2. The tablet storage section is provided with a support piece that protrudes in the direction of movement of the partition unit. The partition unit is provided with a fixing piece that extends in the direction of movement of the partition unit. Either the support piece or the fixing piece has elasticity that allows it to move towards and away from the other, and has a protrusion formed at its tip. The tablet dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the other of the support piece and the fixing piece has a first recess and a second recess formed at a predetermined distance apart in the direction of movement of the partition unit, with the protrusion engaging with the other recess.

3. A claw portion is formed on a part of the protrusion of the fixing piece. The support piece has a contact surface formed on it, which the claw portion contacts. The tablet dispensing device according to claim 2, wherein the contact surface extends in a direction perpendicular to the first recess and the second recess and is formed lower than the first recess and the second recess.

4. The tablet dispensing device according to claim 3, wherein the end of the contact surface is located between the first recess and the second recess.

5. A removal jig is provided having a hook piece that can be inserted between the claw portion of the fixing piece and the contact surface of the support piece. The tablet dispensing device according to claim 4, wherein the hooking piece is provided with an engaging recess that engages with the claw portion of the fixing piece.

6. The support piece, the fixing piece, and the hook piece of the removal jig are each provided in pairs. The tablet dispensing device according to claim 5, wherein the elasticity of the hooking piece is lower than the elasticity of either the support piece or the fixing piece.

7. A guide groove extending in the direction of movement of the partition unit is formed in either the support piece or the fixing piece. The tablet dispensing device according to claim 2, wherein a guide projection is formed on either the support piece or the fixing piece, which is slidably engaged with the groove.

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