Chemical dispensing device

Abstract

To provide a drug dispensing device that can stably support and smoothly dispense drugs, even those with an unstable posture. [Solution] The chemical dispensing device 10 comprises a main body 11, a housing 12, a support member 14, a pusher 15, and support members 16 and 17. The housing 12 is set on the main body 11, and a plurality of chemicals D1 are loaded along a predetermined loading direction. The support member 14 supports the chemicals D1 loaded in the housing 12 in the loading direction. The pusher 15 supports the chemicals D1 loaded in the housing 12 between itself and the support member 14 and biases it toward the support member 14 in the loading direction. The support members 16 and 17 support the chemicals D1 loaded in the housing 12 from the side when the chemicals D1 are loaded, and release the lateral support after the chemicals D1 are loaded.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a medicine dispensing device that is installed to improve the efficiency of hospital operations, reads information attached to the outer surface of the medicine to be transported, and discharges the desired medicine.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in hospitals and the like, a medicine dispensing device has been used in which medicines (ampoules, vials, plastic bottles, kits, bags, etc.) are filled in cassettes and medicines are dispensed to one carrier (tray) according to the prescription for each patient. This medicine dispensing device can automatically align the medicines required for each patient in the carrier by introducing the desired medicine into the carrier conveyed from the upstream side and sequentially conveying it to the downstream side.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a medicine dispensing device including a device main body and a medicine conveying member that conveys medicines arranged in a plurality of rows one by one in the device main body in order to enable appropriate dispensing even of medicines with a special shape. The medicine conveying member includes a medicine gripping member that reciprocates in the horizontal and vertical directions. The medicine gripping member includes a support member, a front-rear moving member that is supported by the support member and reciprocates in the front-rear direction of the device main body, and a gripping member that is supported by the front-rear moving member so as to pivot between a vertical position and a horizontal position and has a pair of gripping pieces capable of sandwiching the medicine.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a drug transport mechanism that enables the rapid dispensing of multiple drug sheets of different types, comprising: a cassette shelf in which multiple drug storage cassettes for storing PTP sheets are arranged; a cassette transport unit that performs the operation of taking drug storage cassettes from the cassette shelf and transporting them to multiple transfer units and returning drug storage cassettes on the transfer units to the cassette shelf; a dispensing operation unit that takes PTP sheets from drug storage cassettes transported to the transfer units and dispenses the taken PTP sheets from a drug sheet outlet; and a tray moving unit that moves a drug tray so that the drug tray receives the PTP sheets dispensed from the drug sheet outlet of the dispensing operation unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4551396 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-149516 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] However, the conventional chemical dispensing device described above has the following problems. In other words, in the drug dispensing device and drug transport mechanism disclosed in the above publication, for example, when drugs that are unstable in maintaining their orientation, such as drug bags, are loaded, the drugs can be supported from the side. However, when removing the drugs, the support from the side may become a load, making it difficult to remove them smoothly.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a drug dispensing device that can stably support and smoothly dispense drugs, even those with an unstable posture. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The chemical dispensing device according to the first invention comprises a main body, a housing, a first support member, a second support member, and a support member. The housing is set in the main body, and a plurality of chemicals are loaded along a predetermined loading direction. The first support member supports the chemicals loaded in the housing in the loading direction. The second support member supports the chemicals loaded in the housing between itself and the first support member, and is biased toward the first support member in the loading direction. The support member supports the chemicals loaded in the housing from the side when the chemicals are loaded, and releases the lateral support after the chemicals have been loaded.

[0009] This chemical dispensing device comprises a main body, a housing that is set in the main body and loaded with multiple chemicals, and a first support member and a second support member that sandwich the chemicals loaded in the housing from the front and rear in the loading direction. The device is further equipped with a movable support member that supports the chemicals from the side when they are loaded and releases the support after they are loaded. Here, the chemicals processed in this chemical dispensing device are, for example, chemicals in the form of bags, which are prone to tipping over in the loading direction when loaded into the housing.

[0010] The support member is a movable member that changes its orientation and distance from the chemical, for example, to support the chemical loaded into the housing from the side during loading and release the lateral support after loading the chemical. Furthermore, "when loading the chemical" refers to, for example, the state in which the casing is pulled out from the main body, while "after loading the chemical" refers to, for example, the state in which the casing is set in the main body.

[0011] This design allows the support members to maintain an aligned state by supporting easily toppled chemicals from the side when loading them into the housing. After loading the chemicals into the housing, the support members release their lateral support, preventing the support members from creating resistance and hindering the smooth removal of individual chemicals from the housing.

[0012] As a result, even medications with an unstable posture can be stably supported and smoothly removed. The second invention relates to a chemical dispensing device, which is the same as the first invention, and further includes a pull-out mechanism for pulling out the housing from the main body when loading chemicals. The support member supports the chemicals from the side when the housing is pulled out from the main body.

[0013] This allows the support member to support the chemicals from the side when the housing is pulled out from the main body during loading, enabling the chemicals to be stably aligned within the pulled-out housing. The third invention relates to a chemical dispensing device which is a chemical dispensing device according to the first or second invention, and further includes a support release mechanism which, when the housing is set into the main body, contacts a part of the support member to change the orientation of the support member and releases the support of the chemical by the support member.

[0014] As a result, when the housing is set into the main body, the support release mechanism contacts a part of the support member and changes its orientation, thereby releasing the lateral support of the chemical and making it easier to remove the chemical set in the housing. The chemical dispensing device according to the fourth invention is a chemical dispensing device according to the first or second invention, wherein the support member includes a first support member that supports the first lateral end of the chemical and a second support member that supports the second end of the chemical opposite to the first end.

[0015] This allows the first and second support members to support the sides of the chemicals loaded into the housing from both sides. The chemical dispensing device according to the fifth invention is the same as the chemical dispensing device according to the fourth invention, wherein the first support member is fixedly positioned. The second support member is movably positioned to support the chemical from the side when the chemical is loaded and to release the lateral support after the chemical has been loaded.

[0016] As a result, the first support member is fixedly arranged, and only the second support member is arranged to be movable. With such a simple structure, it is possible to support the easily toppling drug from the side. The drug dispensing device according to the sixth invention is the drug dispensing device according to the fifth invention, wherein the second support member changes the inclination with respect to the drug, and switches between a support state of supporting the drug and a release state of releasing the support.

[0017] As a result, by changing the inclination of the second support member, it is possible to easily switch between the support state and the release state with respect to the drug. The drug dispensing device according to the seventh invention is the drug dispensing device according to the sixth invention, and further includes a rotation axis that serves as a rotation center when changing the inclination of the second support member with respect to the drug.

[0018] As a result, by rotating the second support member around the rotation axis, it is possible to change the inclination with respect to the drug and support the drug from the side. The drug dispensing device according to the eighth invention is the drug dispensing device according to the first or second invention, wherein the support member further has a support surface on the side that supports the drug and an anti-slip member provided at a portion of the support surface that contacts the drug to impart frictional resistance to the drug.

[0019] As a result, by supporting the side of the drug by the anti-slip member provided on the drug support surface of the support member, it is possible to more effectively align the drugs loaded in the housing portion. The drug dispensing device according to the ninth invention is the drug dispensing device according to the first or second invention, and further includes a plate-like member provided in the main body portion, covering the upper part of the drugs loaded in the housing portion, and forming an upper space for taking out the drugs one by one at the drug taking-out position.

[0020] As a result, the upper part of the drugs loaded in the housing portion is covered by the plate-like member, and the plate-like member is arranged so as to open the upper space at the drug taking-out position, so that the drugs can be taken out one by one. The drug dispensing device according to the 10th invention is the drug dispensing device according to the 1st or 2nd invention, and further includes an arm member for taking out a desired drug loaded in the housing portion.

[0021] Thereby, for example, a desired drug loaded in the housing portion can be taken out using an arm member such as a robot arm. The drug dispensing device according to the 11th invention is the drug dispensing device according to the 1st or 2nd invention, and has a drug detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of drugs inside the housing portion. Thereby, by detecting the presence or absence of the drug loaded in the housing portion, it is possible to prompt the reloading of the drug into the housing portion where the drug has run out.

[0022] The drug dispensing device according to the 12th invention is the drug dispensing device according to the 11th invention, and the drug detection unit is provided on an arm member for taking out a desired drug loaded in the housing portion. Thereby, the presence or absence of the drug loaded in the housing portion can be detected by the drug detection unit provided on the arm member.

Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to the drug dispensing device of the present invention, even if the drug has an unstable posture, it can be stably supported and taken out smoothly.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] Front view showing the overall configuration of the drug dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Front perspective view showing the internal configuration of the drug dispensing device of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] Side perspective view showing the internal configuration of the drug dispensing device of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] Plan perspective view showing the internal configuration of the drug dispensing device of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] Control block diagram showing the configuration of the drug dispensing device of FIG. 1. [Figure 6]A side view showing the configuration of the housing unit that is set in the main body of the chemical dispensing device in Figure 1. [Figure 7] (a) is a front view showing the state in which the support member is tilted to the side of the chemical when the housing is pulled out from the main body of the chemical dispensing device in Figure 1. (b) is a front view showing the state in which the support member is erected away from the side of the chemical when the housing is set into the main body of the chemical dispensing device in Figure 1. [Figure 8] This is a plan view showing the state in which the support member is tilted to the side of the chemical to support the chemical during the process of pulling out the housing part from the main body of the chemical dispensing device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 9] Figure 1 is a plan view showing the main body of the chemical dispensing device with the housing unit set in place and the support members retracted from the side of the chemicals. [Figure 10] (a) is a side view showing the state in which one chemical has been picked up by the robot arm from the outlet position of the chemical dispensing device housing in Figure 1. (b) is a side view showing the state in which the picked-up chemical has been lifted upward by the robot arm from the state in (a). (c) is a side view showing the state in which the picked-up chemical has been transported in a desired direction by the robot arm from the state in (b). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0025] A chemical dispensing device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below using Figures 1 to 10(c). In this embodiment, unnecessary details may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily verbose and to facilitate understanding for those skilled in the art.

[0026] Furthermore, the applicant provides the accompanying drawings and the following description so that those skilled in the art may fully understand the present invention, and not intends to limit the subject matter described in the claims. (1) Configuration of the chemical dispensing device 10 The chemical dispensing device 10 according to this embodiment reads barcodes (identification information) attached to the outer surface of multiple chemicals D1 loaded in housings 12 arranged in multiple stages vertically within the main body 11, grasps the chemicals D1, and transports them to a desired input position (for example, a tray). As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the chemical dispensing device 10 comprises a main body 11, housings 12, a drawer mechanism 13, a support member (first support member) 14, a pusher (second support member) 15, a support member (first support member) 16, a support member (second support member) 17, a support release mechanism 18, a guide member (plate-shaped member) 19, and a robot arm (arm member) 20 (see Figures 3 and 4).

[0027] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the drug dispensing device 10 includes a control unit 30, a tray transport unit 31, a barcode reader 32, a type determination unit 33, and a storage unit 34. The drug D1 handled by the drug dispensing device 10 of this embodiment is, for example, a bag containing a drug such as an intravenous drug, which is loaded into the housing 12 along the left-right direction in Figure 3 and the up-down direction in Figure 4.

[0028] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the robot arm (arm member) 20 that removes the chemical D1 from the housing 12 is movable up, down, left, and right inside the housing 12, and removes and transports the desired chemical D1 loaded in the housing 12. As shown in Figure 5, the robot arm 20 includes a suction unit 21, a rotation mechanism 22, a tilt mechanism 23, and a chemical detection unit 24.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, the adsorption unit 21 adheres to the surface of the chemical D1 and holds it in order to take out the chemical D1 loaded at the innermost part in the pulling direction of the housing unit 12 one by one. The rotating mechanism 22 rotates the chemical D1, which is held by the adsorption unit 21, 360 degrees. The tilt mechanism 23 changes the orientation of the chemical D1, which is gripped by the suction part 21, so as to tilt it forward or backward along with the block that supports the rotation axis.

[0030] The chemical detection unit 24 detects the presence or absence of chemical D1 loaded inside the housing unit 12. The chemical detection unit 24 includes a sensor fiber 24a and a sensor amplifier 24b (see Figure 9). The control unit 30 controls the operation of each component of the drug dispensing device 10. Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the control unit 30 is connected to the tray transport unit 31, the robot arm 20, the barcode reader 32, the type determination unit 33, and the storage unit 34, and controls each of these units.

[0031] The tray transport unit 31 is installed at the lowest level of the main body 11 of the chemical dispensing device 10, and transports trays one by one from the adjacent tray supply unit (not shown) to a predetermined input position in the chemical dispensing device 10. The barcode reader 32 is mounted on the robot arm 20 in a position opposite the drug D1 in order to read the barcode attached to the outer surface of the drug D1. The barcode reader 32 transmits the read identification information to the control unit 30 and also transmits a signal indicating that the barcode could not be read if it is not readable.

[0032] The type determination unit 33 determines the type of drug D1 based on the barcode read by the barcode reader 32 and transmits the determination result to the control unit 30. The control unit 30 then receives a signal from a higher-level management device (not shown) that determines where on the tray the grasped chemical D1 should be placed, based on the determination result from the type determination unit 33, and controls the robot arm 20 so that the chemical D1 is placed at that location. The placement of the chemical D1 is predetermined and assigned to the management device.

[0033] The memory unit 34 stores identification information of the drug D1 contained in the barcode read by the barcode reader 32, various settings, control programs for the tray transport unit 31, robot arm 20, etc. The main body 11 is a component that forms the skeletal part of the chemical dispensing device 10, and contains the housing 12, the drawer mechanism 13, the support member 14, the pusher 15, the robot arm 20, etc. The main body 11 also has a transport frame (not shown) driven by a servo motor to move the robot arm 20 up, down, left, and right.

[0034] The housing section 12 is set on the main body section 11, and multiple chemicals D1 are loaded along a predetermined loading direction. The housing section 12 is provided in two stages from the center to the lower section of the main body section 11. Each stage of the housing section 12 has two loading sections 12a so that bag-shaped chemicals D1 are loaded in two rows. The loading section 12a is provided with a support member 14 and a pusher 15, which will be described later, and holds a bag-shaped chemical D1 between the support member 14 and the pusher 15.

[0035] The drawer mechanism 13 is a mechanism for drawing out the housing 12 from the main body 11 when loading the chemical D1, and has a pull handle 13a and a rail 13b. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the pull handles 13a are provided on both sides of the front of the housing 12 and are grasped and pulled by the user when loading the chemical D1 into the housing 12, etc.

[0036] As shown in Figures 2 and 6, the rails 13b are provided on both sides of the housing 12 along the pulling direction, and guide the movement of the housing 12 when it is pulled out from the main body 11. As shown in Figure 3, the support member (first support member) 14 is fixedly positioned at the extraction location in the housing 12 where the chemical D1 is extracted by the robot arm 20, and supports the chemical D1 loaded into the housing 12 in the loading direction.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3, the pusher (second support member) 15 is movable along the loading direction of the chemical D1 in the housing 12 and is biased toward the removal position of the chemical D1. The pusher 15 supports the chemical D1 loaded in the housing 12 between itself and the support member 14. The support members 16 and 17 support the chemical D1 loaded into the housing 12 from the side when the chemical D1 is loaded (see Figure 7(a)), and release the lateral support after the chemical D1 has been loaded (see Figure 7(b)). More specifically, the support members 16 and 17 support the chemical D1 from the side when the housing 12 is pulled out from the main body 11.

[0038] The support members 16 and 17 include a support member (first support member) 16 that supports the first lateral end of the chemical D1, and a support member (second support member) 17 that supports the second end of the chemical D1 opposite to the first end. The support member (first support member) 16 is fixedly positioned near the center of the housing portion 12, at a location that partitions the two loading portions 12a provided within the single-stage housing portion 12, and is arranged along the loading direction of the chemical D1.

[0039] The support member (second support member) 17 is movably positioned to support the chemical D1 from the side when the chemical D1 is loaded, and to release the lateral support after the chemical D1 has been loaded. As shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), the support member 17 changes its inclination relative to the chemical D1 to switch between a supported state in which the chemical D1 is supported and a released state in which the support is released.

[0040] Furthermore, the movable support member 17 rotates around the pivot axis 17c, which serves as the pivot point when changing the inclination relative to the chemical D1. The support member 17 further comprises a support surface 17d that supports the chemical D1, and a rubber (anti-slip member) 17e provided on the portion of the support surface 17d that comes into contact with the chemical D1, thereby providing frictional resistance with the chemical D1.

[0041] As shown in Figure 6, the contact portion 17a is provided at the upper end of the support member 17 and moves in conjunction with the support member 17. As a result, when the housing portion 12 is pulled out from the main body portion 11, the contact portion 17a moves while contacting the guide bracket 18a of the support release mechanism 18, thereby changing the tilt of the support member 17 relative to the side of the chemical D1, and providing lateral contact support to the chemical D1, as shown in Figure 7(a).

[0042] As shown in Figure 6, two spring hinges 17b are provided at the lower end of the support member 17, connecting the housing 12 and the movable support member 17 via a pivot shaft 17c. The spring hinges 17b, through their built-in springs, bias the support member 17 in a direction that causes it to tilt inward towards the housing 12. As shown in Figure 6, the pivot shaft 17c is included in the spring hinge 17b and is provided as the pivot center for rotating the support member 17.

[0043] As shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), the support surface 17d is the side of the support member 17 facing the chemical D1, and a rubber 17e is provided at the position where it contacts the chemical D1. The rubber (anti-slip member) 17e is, for example, a rubber member, and is provided at a position on the support surface 17d that comes into contact with the chemical D1, and holds the chemical D1 in place so that its sides do not shift.

[0044] The support release mechanism 18 is provided on the main body 11, and when the housing 12 is set on the main body 11, it contacts a part of the movable support member 17, changing the posture of the support member 17 and releasing the support of the chemical D1 by the support member 17. The support release mechanism 18 has a guide bracket 18a and a support part 18b. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the guide bracket 18a is positioned above the movable support member 17. The guide bracket 18a contacts a contact portion 17a, which is integrated with the support member 17, thereby changing the orientation of the support member 17 (the tilt of the chemical D1 to the side).

[0045] More specifically, as shown in Figure 7(a), when the movable support member 17 is pulled out from the main body 11 to open, the contact between the contact portion 17a, which is integrated with the support member 17, and the guide bracket 18a is released. At this time, the support member 17 tilts toward the side of the chemical D1 due to the biasing force of the spring hinge 17b, thereby supporting the side of the chemical D1 (see Figure 8).

[0046] As a result, when loading the chemical D1 into the housing 12 with the housing 12 pulled out from the main body 11, the support members 16 and 17 can support the sides of the chemical D1 by sandwiching them. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 7(b), when the movable support member 17 pushes the housing portion 12 against the main body portion 11 and moves to the closed state, the contact portion 17a, which is integrated with the support member 17, moves while contacting the guide bracket 18a, and maintains that contact state. At this time, the support member 17 rotates in a direction away from the side of the chemical D1, against the biasing force of the spring hinge 17b (see Figure 9).

[0047] As a result, when the housing 12 is set on the main body 11, the holding state by the support members 16 and 17 is eliminated when the chemical D1 loaded into the housing 12 is removed by the robot arm 20, making it easier to remove the chemical D1. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the support portion 18b securely supports the guide bracket 18a to the main body portion 11.

[0048] The guide member (plate-shaped member) 19 is provided on the main body 11 and covers the top of the chemical D1 loaded in the housing 12, and also forms an open space (upper space) for taking out the chemical D1 one by one at the removal position. In other words, as shown in Figure 10(a), the guide member 19 is positioned to cover the upper space of the second and third chemical D1 located from the robot arm 20 side in the housing 12. That is, the guide member 19 is positioned to leave the upper space of the first chemical D1 located from the robot arm 20 side in the housing 12 open.

[0049] As a result, the chemical D1 held by the suction part 21 of the robot arm 20 is lifted upward one by one through the open space formed by the guide member 19, as shown in Figure 10(b). Then, as shown in Figure 10(c), the robot arm 20 transports the adsorbed and held chemical D1 to a predetermined position.

[0050] In the chemical dispensing device 10 of this embodiment, as described above, the support member 17, whose base is screwed in by the spring hinge 17b, tilts inward due to the biasing force of the spring hinge 17b when the housing 12 is pulled out from the main body 11 and moves to the open state. As a result, the movable support member 17 holds the chemical D1 between the fixed support member 16 and the chemical D1 from the side, so that the chemical D1 can be maintained in an upright position, and the loading of the chemical D1 into the housing 12 can be performed smoothly.

[0051] Then, after loading the chemical D1 into the housing 12, the housing 12 is pushed against the main body 11 to close it, causing the guide bracket 18a to come into contact with a part of the movable support member 17 (the contact portion 17a), and the position of the support member 17 changes so that it is aligned approximately vertically. At this time, the chemical D1 loaded into the housing 12 is free from support from the sides by the support members 16 and 17 (the support member 17 rises approximately vertically, creating clearance between the side of the chemical D1 and the support member 17).

[0052] When the housing 12 is pushed against the main body 11 to enter the closed state, the lock of the pusher 15 is released, pushing the chemical D1 toward the support member 14, so that even if the lateral support is released, the chemical D1 remains upright. As a result, when the housing 12 is pushed into the main body 11 in the closed state, the robot arm 20 can smoothly pick up and remove the chemicals D1 from the housing 12 one by one. Even when the chemicals D1 are removed one by one, the guides on both sides and the pushing action from the rear allow the chemicals D1 to remain upright until all the chemicals D1 loaded in the housing 12 are gone.

[0053] Furthermore, the presence or absence of the chemical D1 loaded into the housing unit 12 can be confirmed by the chemical detection unit 24 provided on the robot arm 20, thereby prompting the user that the chemical D1 has run out in the housing unit 12 (chemical depletion). <Key Features> The chemical dispensing device 10 of this embodiment comprises a main body 11, a housing 12, a support member 14, a pusher 15, and support members 16 and 17. The housing 12 is set on the main body 11, and a plurality of chemicals D1 are loaded along a predetermined loading direction. The support member 14 supports the chemicals D1 loaded in the housing 12 in the loading direction. The pusher 15 supports the chemicals D1 loaded in the housing 12 between itself and the support member 14 and is biased toward the support member 14 in the loading direction. The support members 16 and 17 support the chemicals D1 loaded in the housing 12 from the side when the chemicals D1 are loaded, and release the lateral support after the chemicals D1 are loaded.

[0054] As a result, when loading the chemical D1 into the housing 12, the support members 16 and 17 support the easily toppled chemical D1 from the side, keeping them aligned. After loading the chemical D1 into the housing 12, the support members 16 and 17 release their lateral support of the chemical D1, thus preventing the support from becoming a resistance that would prevent the chemical D1 from being smoothly removed one by one from the housing 12.

[0055] As a result, even drug D1, which has an unstable posture, can be stably supported and smoothly removed. [Other embodiments] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0056] (A) In the above embodiment, when loading the chemical D1 into the housing 12, an example was described in which only one of the support members 16 and 17 that support the container from the side, the support member 17, is movable, while the other support member 16 is fixed in place. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0057] For example, movable support members may be provided on both sides of the drug, providing support to the drug from both sides. (B) In the above embodiment, an example was given in which the housing portion 12, into which multiple chemicals D1 are loaded, is pulled out from the main body portion 11 by the pull-out mechanism 13. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0058] For example, the housing unit into which multiple chemicals are loaded may be set to the main unit in a configuration other than a pull-out type. (C) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the movable support member 17 tilts and contacts the drug D1 to the side, thereby supporting the drug D1 from the side. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0059] For example, a configuration may be used in which a support member, which is provided to move back and forth relative to the side of the chemical, is used as a movable support member. (D) In the above embodiment, an example was given in which a spring hinge 17b was used to tilt the movable support member 17 to the side of the chemical D1. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0060] For example, a movable support member may be configured to tilt to the side of the chemical using a mechanism other than a spring hinge. (E) In the above embodiment, a bag-shaped drug D1, which is difficult to maintain its orientation during loading, was used as an example of a drug handled by the drug dispensing device 10. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0061] For example, the chemicals handled by this chemical dispensing device are not limited to those in bags; they may be in other forms as well. <Note> The chemical dispensing device according to the first invention is: The main body and A housing portion is set in the main body and into which multiple chemicals are loaded along a predetermined loading direction, A first support member supports the chemical loaded into the housing in the loading direction, A second support member supports the chemical loaded into the housing portion between itself and the first support member, and is biased toward the first support member in the loading direction. A support member that supports the chemical loaded into the housing from the side during loading of the chemical, and releases the lateral support after the chemical has been loaded, It is equipped with.

[0062] The chemical dispensing device according to the second invention is the chemical dispensing device according to the first invention, The system further includes a pull-out mechanism for pulling out the housing from the main body when loading the aforementioned chemical, The support member supports the chemical from the side when the housing is pulled out from the main body.

[0063] The chemical dispensing device according to the third invention is a chemical dispensing device according to the first or second invention, The system further includes a support release mechanism that, when the housing is set onto the main body, contacts a part of the support member, changes the orientation of the support member, and releases the support of the chemical by the support member.

[0064] The chemical dispensing device according to the fourth invention is a chemical dispensing device according to any one of the first to third inventions, The support member comprises a first support member that supports the first lateral end of the chemical and a second support member that supports the second end of the chemical opposite to the first end. The chemical dispensing device according to the fifth invention is the chemical dispensing device according to the fourth invention, The first support member is fixedly positioned, The second support member is movably positioned to support the chemical from the side when the chemical is loaded, and to release the lateral support after the chemical has been loaded.

[0065] The chemical dispensing device according to the sixth invention is a chemical dispensing device according to the fifth invention, The second support member changes its inclination relative to the chemical, switching between a supported state in which the chemical is supported and a released state in which the support is released. The chemical dispensing device according to the seventh invention is the chemical dispensing device according to the sixth invention, The device further includes a pivot axis that serves as the center of rotation when changing the inclination of the second support member with respect to the chemical.

[0066] The eighth invention is a chemical dispensing device relating to any one of the first to seventh inventions, The support member further comprises a support surface on the side that supports the chemical, and an anti-slip member provided on the portion of the support surface that comes into contact with the chemical, thereby providing frictional resistance with the chemical.

[0067] The chemical dispensing device according to the ninth invention is a chemical dispensing device according to any one of the first to eighth inventions, The main body is further provided with a plate-shaped member that covers the upper part of the chemicals loaded into the housing and forms an upper space for removing the chemicals one by one at the removal position.

[0068] The chemical dispensing device according to the 10th invention is a chemical dispensing device according to any one of the 1st to 9th inventions, The device further includes an arm member for removing the desired chemical loaded into the housing. The chemical dispensing device according to the 11th invention is a chemical dispensing device according to any one of the 1st to 10th inventions, The housing portion includes a chemical detection unit that detects the presence or absence of the chemical inside the housing.

[0069] The chemical dispensing device according to the 12th invention is the chemical dispensing device according to the 11th invention, The chemical detection unit is provided on an arm member that retrieves the desired chemical loaded into the housing. [Industrial applicability]

[0070] The chemical dispensing device of the present invention has the effect of stably supporting and smoothly dispensing chemicals even when their orientation is unstable, and is therefore widely applicable to chemical dispensing devices that handle various types of chemicals. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0071] 10. Chemical dispensing device 11 Main body 12. Enclosure 12a Loading section 13. Drawer mechanism 13a Pull handle 13b Rail 14. Support member (first support member) 15 Pusher (second support member) 16. Support member (first support member) 17. Support member (second support member) 17a Contact part 17b Spring hinge 17c Rotary shaft 17d Support surface 17e Rubber (anti-slip material) 18 Support release mechanism 18a Induction bracket 18b Support part 19 Guide member (plate-shaped member) 20 Robot arm (arm component) 21 Adsorption part 22 Rotation mechanism 23 Tilt mechanism 24 Chemical detection unit 24a sensor fiber 24b Sensor Amplifier 30 Control Unit 31 Tray transport section 32 barcode readers 33. Type determination unit 34 Storage section D1 Medications

Claims

1. The main body and A housing portion is set in the main body and into which multiple chemicals are loaded along a predetermined loading direction, A first support member supports the chemicals loaded into the housing in the loading direction, A second support member supports the chemical loaded into the housing portion between itself and the first support member, and is biased toward the first support member in the loading direction. A support member that supports the chemical loaded into the housing from the side during loading of the chemical, and releases the lateral support after the chemical has been loaded, A chemical dispensing device equipped with the following features.

2. The system further includes a pull-out mechanism for pulling out the housing from the main body when loading the aforementioned chemical, The support member supports the chemical from the side when the housing is pulled out from the main body. The drug dispensing device according to claim 1.

3. When the housing is set onto the main body, the system further includes a support release mechanism that contacts a part of the support member, changes the orientation of the support member, and releases the support of the chemical by the support member. The drug dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The support member comprises a first support member that supports the first lateral end of the chemical and a second support member that supports the second end of the chemical opposite to the first end. The drug dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The first support member is fixedly positioned, The second support member is movably positioned to support the chemical from the side when the chemical is loaded, and to release the lateral support after the chemical has been loaded. The drug dispensing device according to claim 4.

6. The second support member changes its inclination relative to the chemical, thereby switching between a supported state in which the chemical is supported and a released state in which the support is released. The drug dispensing device according to claim 5.

7. The second support member is further provided with a pivot axis that serves as the center of rotation when changing the inclination of the second support member with respect to the chemical, The drug dispensing device according to claim 6.

8. The support member further comprises a support surface on the side that supports the chemical, and an anti-slip member provided on the portion of the support surface that comes into contact with the chemical, which provides frictional resistance with the chemical. The drug dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2.

9. The main body is provided with a plate-shaped member that covers the upper part of the chemicals loaded into the housing and forms an upper space for removing the chemicals one by one at the removal position. The drug dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2.

10. The housing further includes an arm member for removing the desired chemical loaded into the housing. The drug dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2.

11. The housing portion has a chemical detection unit that detects the presence or absence of the chemical inside the housing. The drug dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2.

12. The aforementioned chemical detection unit is provided on an arm member that retrieves the desired chemical loaded into the housing. The drug dispensing device according to claim 11.

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