Measuring container, tablet alignment jig, tablet number setting jig, and measuring container kit

Abstract

To provide a measuring container that measures the number of tablets finely and accurately.SOLUTION: A measuring container includes: an inner cylinder; an outer cylinder arranged around the inner cylinder; and a tablet number setting part that can move relative to the inner cylinder or the outer cylinder in an axial direction. A plurality of tablet storing parts having volume each capable of storing a plurality of tablets in series are provided between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder. The tablet number setting part is configured so that the volumes of a plurality of tablet storing parts can be changed by moving relative to each other in the axial direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 25

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a measuring container, a tablet alignment tool, a tablet number setting tool, and a measuring container kit. [Background technology]

[0002] Measuring containers for measuring a predetermined number of tablets from a tablet container are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a fixed-amount dispensing container that dispenses three tablets at a time, and Patent Document 2 discloses a fixed-amount dispensing container that dispenses, for example, five tablets at a time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-67308 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2019-43590 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, conventional tablet measuring containers still have room for improvement in terms of measuring the number of tablets precisely and with high accuracy.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a measuring container that can precisely measure the number of tablets. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is An inner cylinder; An outer cylinder disposed around the inner cylinder; A lock number setting part that is movable in the axial direction relative to the inner cylinder or the outer cylinder; Equipped with A plurality of tablet accommodating sections each having a volume capable of accommodating a plurality of tablets in series are provided between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, The tablet number setting part is configured to be able to change the volume of the plurality of tablet storage parts by moving relatively in the axial direction. A measuring vessel is provided.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides a tablet alignment tool used for loading tablets from an external source into the measuring container. The tablet alignment tool is a tablet aligning unit that aligns tablets in a direction in which the tablets are accommodated in each of the plurality of tablet accommodation units; A tablet stopper that is switchable between an open state that allows tablets from outside to pass and a closed state that does not allow tablets to pass; Equipped with.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention provides a tablet number setting jig for use with the measuring container, the tablet number setting jig moving the tablet number setting parts relatively in the axial direction.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention provides a measuring container kit including the measuring container and the tablet alignment jig. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the measuring container of the present invention, the number of tablets can be measured precisely and accurately. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a measuring container according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the measuring container of FIG. 1; [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the hinge cap of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the pocket part of FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the inner cylinder of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a side view of the inner cylinder of FIG. [Figure 7]FIG. 5 is a plan view of the upper lock number setting part of FIG. 4. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view of the upper lock number setting part of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the lower lock number setting part of FIG. 4. [Figure 10A] FIG. 10 is a side view of the lower lock number setting part of FIG. 9. [Figure 10B] 5 is a partially cutaway perspective cross-sectional view of the upper lock number setting part and the lower lock number setting part of FIG. 4 in an assembled state. [Figure 11] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining a mechanism for changing the number of tablets that can be accommodated in a tablet pocket. FIG. [Figure 12] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining a mechanism for changing the number of tablets that can be accommodated in a tablet pocket. FIG. [Figure 13] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining a mechanism for changing the number of tablets that can be accommodated in a tablet pocket. FIG. [Figure 14] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining a mechanism for changing the number of tablets that can be accommodated in a tablet pocket. FIG. [Figure 15] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining a mechanism for changing the number of tablets that can be accommodated in a tablet pocket. FIG. [Figure 16] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining a mechanism for changing the number of tablets that can be accommodated in a tablet pocket. FIG. [Figure 17] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining a mechanism for changing the number of tablets that can be accommodated in a tablet pocket. FIG. [Figure 18] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining a mechanism for changing the number of tablets that can be accommodated in a tablet pocket. FIG. [Figure 19] 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the pocket part and the multi-jig shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 20] 20 is a side view showing a state in which the lock number setting jig of the multi-fixture in FIG. 19 is attached to a pocket part. [Figure 21] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of changing the number of tablets using a multi-jig. [Figure 22] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of changing the number of tablets using a multi-jig. [Figure 23] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of changing the number of tablets using a multi-jig. [Figure 24] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of changing the number of tablets using a multi-jig. [Diagram 25] FIG. 25 is a side view of the measuring container in the same state as in FIG. 24. [Figure 26] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of changing the number of tablets using a multi-jig. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a side view of the measuring container in a state similar to that of FIG. 26. [Figure 28] 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining an assembly operation for assembling a pocket part and a hinge cap to form the measuring container of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 29] 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining an assembly operation for assembling a pocket part and a hinge cap to form the measuring container of FIG. 1. FIG. [Diagram 30] 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining an assembly operation for assembling a pocket part and a hinge cap to form the measuring container of FIG. 1. FIG. [Diagram 31] 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining an assembly operation for assembling a pocket part and a hinge cap to form the measuring container of FIG. 1. FIG. [Diagram 32] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the metered container of FIG. 1 in use with the hinged cap open. [Diagram 33] FIG. 33 is a schematic perspective view showing the measuring container of FIG. 32 in an inverted state. [Diagram 34] FIG. 34 is a perspective view showing the measuring container after tablets have been removed from the first tablet pocket as shown in FIG. 33. [Diagram 35] FIG. 35 is a perspective view showing the measuring container in a state where the position of the hinge cap has been adjusted so as to remove the tablet in the second tablet pocket, as compared with the state shown in FIG. 34. [Diagram 36] FIG. 35 is a plan view of the metered receptacle of FIG. 34. [Figure 37] FIG. 37 is an end view of the measuring container of FIG. 36 along line D1-D1. [Figure 38] FIG. 38 is an end view of the measuring container of FIG. 37 along line D3-D3. [Figure 39] FIG. 38 is an end view of the measuring container of FIG. 37 along line D2-D2. [Diagram 40] 39. FIG. 40 is an end view showing a state in which the cap body in FIG. 34 is rotated from the state in FIG. [Diagram 41] 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for illustrating a bottom cover removing step in the disassembly operation of the measuring container of FIG. [Diagram 42] 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for illustrating a bottom cover removing step in the disassembly operation of the measuring container of FIG. [Diagram 43] 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for illustrating a bottom cover removing step in the disassembly operation of the measuring container of FIG. [Diagram 44] 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a step of removing a hinge cap in the disassembly operation of the measuring container of FIG. [Diagram 45] 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a step of removing a hinge cap in the disassembly operation of the measuring container of FIG. [Diagram 46] FIG. 45 is a plan view of the measuring container and the multi-jig in the state shown in FIG. 44. [Figure 47] 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a step of removing a hinge cap in the disassembly operation of the measuring container of FIG. [Figure 48] 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a step of removing a hinge cap in the disassembly operation of the measuring container of FIG. [Figure 49] 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a step of removing a hinge cap in the disassembly operation of the measuring container of FIG. [Figure 50] 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a step of removing a hinge cap in the disassembly operation of the measuring container of FIG. [Figure 51] 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a step of removing a hinge cap in the disassembly operation of the measuring container of FIG. [Figure 52] 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a step of removing a hinge cap in the disassembly operation of the measuring container of FIG. [Diagram 53] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a tablet alignment jig according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 54]FIG. 54 is an exploded perspective view of the tablet alignment jig of FIG. 53. [Figure 55] FIG. 55 is a perspective view of the tablet stopper of FIG. [Figure 56A] FIG. 55 is a top perspective view of the hopper parts of FIG. 54. [Figure 56B] FIG. 55 is a perspective view of the hopper parts of FIG. 54 as seen from below. [Figure 57] 54 is a perspective view showing the pocket part of FIG. 2 and the tablet alignment jig of FIG. 53 in a state where it is attached to a tablet container. FIG. [Figure 58] 58 is a perspective view showing the pocket part of FIG. 57 placed on a tablet alignment jig. [Figure 59] 59 is an oblique view showing the pocket parts and tablet alignment tool in FIG. 58 changed from a closed state to an open state. [Figure 60] 60 is a perspective view showing the tablet container, tablet alignment jig, and pocket part in Figure 59 in an inverted state. [Figure 61] FIG. 61 is an end view of the tablet container, tablet alignment jig, and pocket part of FIG. 60. [Figure 62] FIG. 61 is a perspective view for explaining the operation of removing the tablet alignment jig from the state shown in FIG. 60. [Figure 63] This is an end view of the tablet alignment jig and pocket parts of Figure 61 along line E2-E2. [Figure 64] 61 is a bottom view of the tablet container, tablet alignment jig, and pocket part of FIG. 60. FIG. [Figure 65] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining the mechanism for changing the tablet alignment jig from an open state to a closed state. FIG. [Figure 66] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining the mechanism for changing the tablet alignment jig from an open state to a closed state. FIG. [Figure 67] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining the mechanism for changing the tablet alignment jig from an open state to a closed state. FIG. [Figure 68] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining the mechanism for changing the tablet alignment jig from an open state to a closed state. FIG. [Figure 69] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining the mechanism for changing the tablet alignment jig from an open state to a closed state. FIG. [Figure 70] 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining the mechanism for changing the tablet alignment jig from an open state to a closed state. FIG. [Figure 71] 13 is a plan view of the state in which the temporary lid is attached to the tablet alignment jig and the tablet container. FIG. [Figure 72] 72 is a side view of one side of the temporary lid, the tablet alignment jig, and the tablet container of FIG. 71. FIG. [Figure 73] 72 is an end view of the temporary cover and tablet alignment jig shown in FIG. 71 along line B2-B2. [Figure 74] 72 is an end view of the temporary cover and tablet alignment jig shown in FIG. 71 along line B2-B2. [Figure 75] 75 is an end view showing the temporary cover and the tablet alignment jig in a state in which the temporary cover has been rotated clockwise relative to the alignment jig body as viewed from above, from the state shown in FIG. 74. [Figure 76] 76 is an end view showing the temporary cover and the tablet alignment jig in a state where the temporary cover has been further rotated clockwise relative to the alignment jig body as viewed from above, from the state shown in FIG. 75. [Figure 77] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a measuring container according to a third modified example of the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 78] FIG. 78 is a perspective view of the lock number setting part of FIG. 77. [Figure 79] FIG. 79 is a plan view of the number-of-locks setting part of FIG. 78. [Figure 80] 80 is a side view of the lock number setting part of FIG. 79. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] According to a first aspect of the present invention, An inner cylinder; An outer cylinder disposed around the inner cylinder; A lock number setting part that is movable in the axial direction relative to the inner cylinder or the outer cylinder; Equipped with A plurality of tablet accommodating sections each having a volume capable of accommodating a plurality of tablets in series are provided between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, The tablet number setting part is configured to be able to change the volume of the plurality of tablet storage parts by moving relatively in the axial direction. A measuring vessel is provided.

[0013] According to a second aspect of the present invention, Each of the tablet storage sections has a volume capable of storing three or more tablets, Each tablet housing section is A first storage section having a volume capable of storing one or more tablets in series along the axial direction; A second storage section having a volume capable of storing two or more tablets in series along the axial direction; Equipped with The tablet number setting part is configured to be able to change the volume of the first storage section and the second storage section by moving relatively in the axial direction. According to a first aspect, there is provided a metered container.

[0014] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a weighing container as described in the second aspect, wherein the difference between the number of tablets that can be stored in series in the second storage section and the number of tablets that can be stored in series in the first storage section is 1 or 0.

[0015] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, The inner cylinder is configured with an external thread, and the thread groove of the external thread has a flat portion extending parallel to the circumferential direction and a slope portion whose axial position changes as it progresses in the circumferential direction, The number-of-tablets setting part has a ring shape and is disposed between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, The number-of-locks setting part includes an inward protrusion that protrudes inward from a radially inner surface of the number-of-locks setting part and is inserted into the thread groove so as to be movable within the thread groove, the tablet number setting part rotates relative to the inner cylinder about the axial direction, and moves relatively in the axial direction as the inward protrusion passes through the slope portion; The present invention provides a measuring container according to any one of the first to third aspects.

[0016] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a cap having a tablet passing hole having a dimension allowing a tablet accommodated in one tablet accommodation unit selected from the plurality of tablet accommodation units to pass therethrough to the outside, and a cap body for covering the tablet accommodation units other than the one selected tablet accommodation unit, The tablet passing hole is configured to be movable to a position for passing a tablet accommodated in one tablet accommodation unit selected from the plurality of tablet accommodation units to the outside. The present invention provides a measuring container according to any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0017] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, A tablet alignment tool used for loading tablets from an outside into the measuring container according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, A tablet alignment unit that aligns the tablets in a direction in which they are accommodated in the first storage unit and the second storage unit; A tablet stopper that is switchable between an open state that allows tablets from outside to pass and a closed state that does not allow tablets to pass; A tablet alignment tool comprising:

[0018] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tablet number setting jig for use with a measuring container according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, which moves the tablet number setting parts relatively in the axial direction.

[0019] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a measuring container kit comprising a measuring container according to any one of the first to fifth aspects and the tablet alignment jig according to the sixth aspect.

[0020] Hereinafter, a measuring container and a tablet alignment tool according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the same components are given the same reference numerals, and the description will be omitted.

[0021] [1.Measuring container 1] [1-1. Configuration of measuring container 1] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a measuring container 1 according to this embodiment. The measuring container 1 includes a hinge cap 100 and a pocket part 200. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the measuring container 1 of Fig. 1. Fig. 2 shows a state in which the hinge cap 100 has been removed from the pocket part 200.

[0022] For ease of explanation, an axis C is shown in FIG. 1. In this specification, a direction parallel to axis C is called the axial direction, a direction perpendicular to the axial direction is called the radial direction, and a circumferential direction centered on axis C is called the circumferential direction. Regarding the axial direction, the upward direction into the paper is called positive. The positive axial direction is also called the upward direction, and the negative axial direction is also called the downward direction. Regarding the radial direction, the direction away from axis C is called outward, and the direction toward axis C is called inward.

[0023] In the following description, for the sake of convenience, terms indicating directions such as "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "right", and "left" are used assuming a normal use state. However, these terms are not intended to limit the use state of the present invention.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the pocket part 200 includes 14 tablet pockets 211. The tablet pockets 211 are an example of the "tablet storage section" of the present disclosure. The tablet pockets 211 are aligned in the circumferential direction. Each tablet pocket 211 includes a first storage section 211a and a second storage section 211b. The first storage section 211a and the second storage section 211b are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. The first storage section 211a and the second storage section 211b are each configured to be able to store tablets in series.

[0025] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the hinge cap 100 of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 shows the hinge cap 100 in an open state. The hinge cap 100 includes a cap body 101, an upper cover 102, and a joint 150 for detachably connecting the cap body 101 to the pocket part 200. The cap body 101 is provided with a tablet passage hole 104 that penetrates the cap body 101 in the axial direction and allows a tablet to pass through. In addition, a circular joint hole 106 is formed in the center of the cap body 101 in a plan view. The joint hole 106 is inserted into the joint hole 106. An uneven wall 110 that extends in a wavy manner in the circumferential direction is formed above the joint hole 106 of the cap body 101. The uneven wall 110 has a recess 110a recessed outward and a protrusion 110b protruding inward.

[0026] The joint 150 includes a cylindrical peripheral wall 156 having an axis C as its central axis, and two hooks 151 formed to protrude outward from the peripheral wall 156. The two hooks 151 are provided at positions facing each other across the axis C (see FIGS. 39 and 40). The joint 150 is inserted into the joint hole 106 such that the hooks 151 fit into the recesses 110a of the concave-convex wall 110. The joint 150 has a plate portion 157 extending downward from the peripheral wall 156. The plate portion 157 is flexible and can bend in the radial direction.

[0027] An outwardly protruding support tube locking portion 154 is formed on the radially outer surface of the plate portion 157 of the joint 150. When assembling the hinge cap 100 by placing it over the pocket part 200, the upper end of the support tube locking portion 154 of the joint 150 is fitted into the lower end of the inner wall of the neck portion 263 of the support tube 260, as described later (see FIGS. 48 and 50).

[0028] Four claws 152 that protrude outward and extend in the axial direction are formed on the radially outer surface of the peripheral wall 156 of the joint 150. When assembling the hinge cap 100 by putting it over the pocket part 200, each claw 152 is inserted into a slit 261 of the support tube 260 as described later (see FIG. 28). A cap locking portion 153 that further protrudes outward is formed at the upper end of each claw 152.

[0029] The cap body 101 and the upper lid 102 are connected by a hinge portion 103. The upper lid 102 is configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis perpendicular to the axial and radial directions by the hinge portion 103. The tablet passing hole 104 and the rotation axis are arranged to face each other with the axis C in between.

[0030] Hole closing parts 105a, 105b protruding in the axial direction are formed in top cover 102. Hole closing parts 105a, 105b can rotate about a rotation axis by hinge part 103, and are configured to be located forward when top cover 102 is closed as shown in Fig. 2. When top cover 102 is closed, the tips of hole closing parts 105a, 105b protruding upward in Fig. 3 are inserted into tablet passing hole 104 to seal tablet passing hole 104 so that tablets do not pass through tablet passing hole 104.

[0031] Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the pocket part 200 of Fig. 2. The pocket part 200 includes a lid 210, an outer cylinder 220, an inner cylinder 230, an upper tablet number setting part 240, a lower tablet number setting part 250, a support cylinder 260, and a bottom lid 270. These components of the pocket part 200 are made of, for example, synthetic resin, such as plastic. The outer cylinder 220 may be made of a transparent material so that the tablets contained therein can be confirmed.

[0032] Fig. 5 is a plan view of the inner cylinder 230 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a side view of the inner cylinder 230 of Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 5, four claws 235 are formed on the upper end of the inner cylinder body 231 of the inner cylinder 230. The claws 235 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The claws 235 mesh with claws 321 of a lock number setting jig 320 described below (see Fig. 19). A right-handed four-thread screw structure is formed on the side of the inner cylinder 230, and a screw thread 232 and a screw groove 233 are formed.

[0033] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the upper lock number setting part 240 of FIG. 4. FIG. 8 is a side view of the upper lock number setting part 240 of FIG. 7. The upper lock number setting part 240 has a ring-shaped upper main body 241. Fourteen teeth 243 protruding outward are formed on the radial outer surface of the upper main body 241. The fourteen teeth 243 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. By providing the fourteen teeth 243, the upper lock number setting part 240 has a spur gear-like shape. Between two adjacent teeth 243, an outward protrusion 244 protruding outward from the radial outer surface of the upper main body 241 is formed. Thus, the upper lock number setting part 240 has fourteen outward protrusions 244.

[0034] 7, the upper lock number setting part 240 has four inward protrusions 242 that protrude inward from the radially inner surface of the upper main body 241. The four inward protrusions 242 are aligned at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0035] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the lower lock number setting part 250 of FIG. 4. FIG. 10A is a side view of the lower lock number setting part 250 of FIG. 9. The lower lock number setting part 250 includes a ring-shaped lower main body 251. Fourteen comb teeth 253 protruding outward are formed on the radially outer surface of the lower main body 251. As shown in FIG. 10A, the comb teeth 253 extend from the lower end of the lower main body 251 upward beyond the upper end. The fourteen comb teeth 253 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Thus, the comb teeth 253 have a comb-like shape in side view. A groove 254 extending in the axial direction is formed on the radially inner surface of each comb tooth 253.

[0036] The upper tablet number setting part 240 and the lower tablet number setting part 250 are assembled together with the inner cylinder 230 to constitute a mechanism for changing the number of tablets that can be accommodated in the tablet pocket 211 as described below. Fig. 10B is a partially cutaway perspective cross-sectional view of a perspective view in which the upper tablet number setting part 240 and the lower tablet number setting part 250 are assembled.

[0037] When assembling the upper number of locks setting part 240 and the lower number of locks setting part 250, the outward projection 244 of the upper number of locks setting part 240 is inserted from above the groove 254 of the lower number of locks setting part 250. At this time, as shown in Fig. 10B, they are assembled so that the adjacent inward projection 242 of the upper number of locks setting part 240 and the inward projection 252 of the lower number of locks setting part 250 are positioned at positions shifted by 45° around the axis C. By assembling in this manner, the groove 254 of the lower number of locks setting part 250 and the outward projection 244 of the upper number of locks setting part 240 mesh with each other, and when one of the upper number of locks setting part 240 and the lower number of locks setting part 250 is rotated in the circumferential direction, the other also rotates. With the groove 254 and the outward protrusion 244 engaged in the circumferential direction in this manner, the outward protrusion 244 can slide axially within the groove 254, but cannot move above the stop portion 255 protruding radially inward from the groove 254.

[0038] 11 to 18, a mechanism for changing the number of tablets that can be stored in the tablet pocket 211 using the upper tablet number setting part 240 and the lower tablet number setting part 250 will be described. For the sake of convenience in explaining this mechanism, Figs. 11 to 18 show the inward protrusion 242 of the upper tablet number setting part 240 and the inward protrusion 252 of the lower tablet number setting part 250. In reality, neither the inward protrusion 242 of the upper tablet number setting part 240 nor the inward protrusion 252 of the lower tablet number setting part 250 are visible in side view.

[0039] As shown in Figs. 11 to 18, in the four-thread screw structure on the side surface of the inner tube 230, the screw groove 233 has a flat portion extending parallel to the circumferential direction, and slope portions 234-1 to 234-4 formed to gradually rise as they proceed in the circumferential direction. In particular, the lowest slope portion is called the first slope 234-1, and the slope portions above it are called the second slope 234-2, the third slope 234-3, and the fourth slope 234-4 in order. The inner tube 230 has four rows of 19 slope portions at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the inner tube 230 has a total of 76 slope portions. In Figs. 11 to 18, the slope portions above the fourth slope 234-4 are not marked with reference numerals.

[0040] 11, the upper lock number setting part 240 and the lower lock number setting part 250 assembled as shown in FIG. 10B are fitted into the lower part of the inner cylinder 230. The inward projection 242 of the upper lock number setting part 240 comes into contact with the lower end of the lowest thread 232 of the inner cylinder 230, and the upper lock number setting part 240 and the lower lock number setting part 250 do not move upward relative to the inner cylinder 230 any further.

[0041] Next, when the upper lock number setting part 240 and the lower lock number setting part 250 are rotated in the upward direction relative to the inner cylinder 230 around the axis C, the inward projection 242 advances through the thread groove 233 and comes into contact with the first slope 234-1 at the bottom of the inner cylinder 230, as shown in Fig. 12. Here, the "upward direction" refers to the positive circumferential direction in the illustrated right-handed thread example, and corresponds to the clockwise direction when the inner cylinder 230 in Fig. 12 is viewed from below.

[0042] When the upper lock number setting part 240 and the lower lock number setting part 250 are further rotated upward with respect to the inner cylinder 230 from the state in Fig. 12, the inward protrusion 242 moves up the first slope 234-1 as shown in Fig. 13. This causes the upper lock number setting part 240 and the lower lock number setting part 250 to move upward with respect to the inner cylinder 230. The reason why the lower lock number setting part 250 also rises as the inward protrusion 242 of the upper lock number setting part 240 rises is because the outward protrusion 244 pushes up the stopper portion 255 of the lower lock number setting part 250 (see Figs. 10A and 10B).

[0043] When the upper lock number setting part 240 and the lower lock number setting part 250 are further rotated in the upward direction relative to the inner cylinder 230 from the state in Figure 13, it reaches the state in Figure 14. As shown in Figure 14, when the inward protrusion 242 of the upper lock number setting part 240 climbs the third slope 234-3, the inward protrusion 252 of the lower lock number setting part 250 comes into contact with the lower end of the bottommost thread 232 of the inner cylinder 230.

[0044] When the upper lock number setting part 240 and the lower lock number setting part 250 are further rotated upward relative to the inner cylinder 230 from the state shown in FIG. 14, the inward protrusion 252 of the lower lock number setting part 250 comes into contact with the first slope 234-1 of the inner cylinder 230, as shown in FIG.

[0045] When the upper number-of-locks setting part 240 and the lower number-of-locks setting part 250 are further rotated upward with respect to the inner cylinder 230 from the state in Fig. 15, the inward projection 252 of the lower number-of-locks setting part 250 climbs the first slope 234-1 as shown in Fig. 16. This causes the lower number-of-locks setting part 250 to move upward with respect to the inner cylinder 230. On the other hand, the inward projection 242 of the upper number-of-locks setting part 240 is on the flat portion of the screw groove 233 of the inner cylinder 230 and does not climb the fourth slope 234-4, so it is not displaced upward. Also, the outward projection 244 of the upper number-of-locks setting part 240 slides within the groove 254 of the lower number-of-locks setting part 250 (see Figs. 10A and 10B), so the upper number-of-locks setting part 240 does not move upward. As a result, when the pocket part 200 is assembled, the volume of the first storage section 211a above the comb teeth 253 of the lower tablet number setting part 250 is smaller than the volume of the second storage section 211b above the teeth 243 of the upper tablet number setting part 240 (see Figs. 2, 25, etc.). In this embodiment, in the state of Fig. 16, the number of tablets stored in the first storage section 211a is one less than the number of tablets stored in the second storage section 211b.

[0046] When the upper tablet number setting part 240 and the lower tablet number setting part 250 are further rotated upward relative to the inner cylinder 230 from the state of FIG. 16, the inward projection 242 of the upper tablet number setting part 240 approaches the fourth slope 234-4 as shown in FIG. 17. When further rotated, the inward projection 242 of the upper tablet number setting part 240 climbs the fourth slope 234-4 as shown in FIG. 18. As a result, when the pocket part 200 is assembled, the volume of the first storage part 211a above the comb teeth 253 of the lower tablet number setting part 250 and the volume of the second storage part 211b above the teeth 243 of the upper tablet number setting part 240 become equal (see FIG. 2, FIG. 25, etc.). In this embodiment, in the state of FIG. 18, the number of tablets stored in the first storage part 211a and the second storage part 211b is one tablet less than in the state of FIGS. 14 and 15.

[0047] [1-2. Operation of measuring container 1] [1-2-1. Lock number change operation] During use, the number of tablets that can be stored in the tablet pocket 211 is changed with the pocket part 200 assembled. The tablet number changing operation is performed by, for example, a medical professional such as a doctor or a pharmacist. Fig. 19 is an exploded perspective view showing the pocket part 200 and a multi-jig 300 including a tablet number setting jig 320 that changes the number of tablets that can be stored in the tablet pocket 211. For ease of explanation, in Fig. 19, the pocket part 200 is shown as a perspective view seen from above, and the multi-jig 300 is shown as a perspective view seen from below.

[0048] The multi-jig 300 has a configuration that integrally includes a joint release jig 310 and a lock number setting jig 320. This configuration is merely one example, and the joint release jig 310 and the lock number setting jig 320 may be provided as separate, independent members.

[0049] The lock number setting jig 320 of the multi-purpose jig 300 has four claws 321 protruding downward on its bottom surface in Fig. 19. The claws 321 engage with claws 235, described below, when the lock number setting jig 320 is attached to the pocket part 200. The joint release jig 310 of the multi-purpose jig 300 includes a tubular portion 311 centered on the axis, and a tapered recess 312 formed so as to gradually widen outward as it advances upward from the upper end of the tubular portion 311 in Fig. 19. A cavity is provided at the upper end of the tapered recess 312 in Fig. 19, and the tapered recess 312 has a vessel-like shape (see Fig. 30, for example).

[0050] 19, four claws 235 protruding upward are provided at the upper end of the inner cylinder 230 of the pocket part 200. When the lock number setting jig 320 is attached to the pocket part 200, the claws 235 engage with the claws 321 of the lock number setting jig 320.

[0051] 20 is a side view showing the state in which the lock number setting jig 320 of the multi-jig 300 is attached to the pocket part 200. As described above, in the state shown in FIG.

[0052] Figure 21(a) is an end view taken along line A1-A1 of the lock number setting jig 320 and pocket part 200 in Figure 20. Figure 21(a) is a partial side view showing a part of the pocket part 200 in Figure 20. Figure 21(c) is an end view taken along line A2-A2 of the lock number setting jig 320 and pocket part 200 in Figure 20. When the relative positional relationship between the upper lock number setting part 240 and the lower lock number setting part 250, and the inner tube 230 is in the state shown in Figure 18, inserting the support tube 260 from below the inner tube 230 to assemble the pocket part 200 (see Figure 4) will result in the state shown in Figures 20 and 21.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 21(c), the support tube 260 is formed with inner tube locking portions 265-1 and 265-2 that protrude outward. The inner tube locking portions 265-1 and 265-2 are disposed at positions facing each other across the axis C. It can also be said that the inner tube locking portions 265-1 and 265-2 are disposed at positions 180° apart from each other around the axis C in the circumferential direction. A slit extending in the axial direction is provided near both ends of each of the inner tube locking portions 265-1 and 265-2 in the circumferential direction. Due to the presence of the slit, the inner tube locking portions 265-1 and 265-2 have flexibility in the radial direction.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 21(c), eight recesses 236-1 to 236-8 recessed outward are formed on the radially inner surface of the inner tube 230. The eight recesses 236-1 to 236-8 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Each of the recesses 236-1 to 236-8 has a shape that can be fitted with the inner tube locking portions 265-1 and 265-2. In the state shown in FIG. 21(c), the inner tube locking portion 265-1 of the support tube 260 is fitted with the recess 236-1 of the inner tube 230, and the inner tube locking portion 265-2 of the support tube 260 is fitted with the recess 236-5 of the inner tube 230.

[0055] As shown in Figure 21(a), it can be seen that the claw 235 of the inner cylinder 230 and the claw 321 of the lock number setting jig 320 are engaged with each other. Therefore, when the lock number setting jig 320 is rotated around its axis while the outer cylinder 220 of the pocket part 200 is fixed, the inner cylinder 230 of the pocket part 200 also rotates around its axis. As shown in Figures 21 to 24 and 26, when the lock number setting jig 320 is rotated around its axis while the outer cylinder 220 of the pocket part 200 is fixed, only the inner cylinder 230 rotates relative to the outer cylinder 220, and the lid 210 and the support cylinder 260 do not rotate relative to the outer cylinder 220.

[0056] Figure 22 shows a state in which the lock number setting jig 320 and the inner cylinder 230 of the pocket part 200 have rotated by angle θ1 around the axis from the state in Figure 21. Comparing the partial side view of the pocket part 200 in Figure 22(b) with Figure 21(b), it can be seen that because the outer cylinder 220 is fixed, only the sloped portion 234 of the inner cylinder 230 has moved to the left in the paper due to the rotation.

[0057] The upper lock number setting part 240 and the lower lock number setting part 250 are fixed to the outer cylinder 220 with respect to rotation around the axis. Therefore, when the lock number setting jig 320 is rotated around the axis while the outer cylinder 220 of the pocket part 200 is fixed, the inner cylinder 230 rotates around the axis relative to the upper lock number setting part 240 and the lower lock number setting part 250. Therefore, when comparing the partial side view of the pocket part 200 in FIG. 22(b) with FIG. 21(b), the inward protrusion 242 of the upper lock number setting part 240 and the inward protrusion 252 of the lower lock number setting part 250 have not moved. As described above, when comparing FIG. 22(b) with FIG. 21(b), the slope portion 234 of the inner cylinder 230 has rotated and moved relative to the inward protrusion 242 of the upper lock number setting part 240 and the inward protrusion 252 of the lower lock number setting part 250.

[0058] As described above with respect to Figures 11 to 18, in reality, neither the inward protrusion 242 of the upper lock number setting part 240 nor the inward protrusion 252 of the lower lock number setting part 250 are visible in (b) of Figures 21 to 24 and 26, but these are shown clearly for ease of explanation.

[0059] Next, comparing FIG. 22(c) with FIG. 21(c), the recess 236-5 of the inner tube 230, which was engaged with the inner tube locking portion 265-2 of the support tube 260 in FIG. 21(c), has moved in the negative circumferential direction about the axis C by an angle θ1 in FIG. 22(c). Therefore, in FIG. 22(c), the inner tube locking portion 265-2 of the support tube 260 is not engaged with the recess 236-5. Also, in FIG. 22(c), the inner tube locking portion 265-2 of the support tube 260 is not engaged with any of the recesses 236-1 to 236-8. Similarly, in FIG. 22(c), the inner tube locking portion 265-1 of the support tube 260 is not engaged with any of the recesses 236-1 to 236-8. Therefore, the inner cylinder locking portions 265-1, 265-2 of the support cylinder 260 are pushed inward by the radially inner surface of the inner cylinder 230 and are bent inward.

[0060] FIG. 23 shows a state in which the tablet number setting jig 320 and the inner cylinder 230 of the pocket part 200 have rotated around the axis by an angle θ2 from the state in FIG. 22. Comparing FIG. 23(b) with FIG. 22(b), the slope 234 of the inner cylinder 230 has moved leftward in the drawing due to the rotation relative to the inward projection 252 of the lower tablet number setting part 250. As a result, the inward projection 252, which was approaching the slope 234 in FIG. 22(b), has finished climbing the slope 234 in FIG. 23(b). Therefore, in FIG. 23(b), the position of the upper end of the comb teeth 253 of the lower tablet number setting part 250 has risen and is higher than the position of the upper end of the teeth 243 of the upper tablet number setting part 240. The difference between the position of the upper end of the comb teeth 253 and the position of the upper end of the teeth 243 is set to be equal to the height of one tablet.

[0061] In Fig. 22(c), the inner cylinder locking portions 265-1 and 265-2 of the support cylinder 260 are not engaged with any of the recesses 236-1 to 236-8. In contrast, in Fig. 23(c), the inner cylinder locking portion 265-1 is engaged with the recess 236-2, and the inner cylinder locking portion 265-2 is engaged with the recess 236-6. During this engagement, the inner cylinder locking portions 265-1 and 265-2, which were bent inward as shown in Fig. 22(c) until just before, elastically return to their original position and engage with the recesses 236-2 and 236-6. As a result, a person who sets the number of tablets, such as a doctor or pharmacist, feels a clicking sensation and / or a clicking sound at the moment of engagement. This clicking sensation and clicking sound informs the tablet number setter that the inner cylinder 230 has reached the correct position where the difference between the position of the top end of the comb teeth 253 and the position of the top end of the teeth 243 is equal to the height of one tablet. In addition, since the inner cylinder locking parts 265-1, 265-2 and the recesses 236-2, 236-6 are engaged with each other, the inner cylinder 230 will not rotate unless a force sufficient to bend the inner cylinder locking parts 265-1, 265-2 is applied. Therefore, by having the inner cylinder locking parts 265-1, 265-2 and the recesses 236-1 to 236-8, the possibility that the inner cylinder 230 will inadvertently rotate and shift from the correct position can be reduced.

[0062] In addition, the inner tube locking portion 265-1 of the support tube 260 is engaged with the recess 236-1 of the inner tube 230 in Fig. 21(c), and is engaged with the recess 236-2 adjacent to the recess 236-1 in Fig. 23(c). Fig. 23(c) shows a state rotated by θ1+θ2 from the state in Fig. 21(c), and the recess 236-1 and the adjacent recess 236-2 are at positions shifted by 45° around the axis C, so that in the illustrated example, θ1+θ2=45° is satisfied.

[0063] Figure 24 shows a state in which the lock number setting jig 320 and the inner cylinder 230 of the pocket part 200 have rotated an angle θ3 around the axis from the state in Figure 23. Comparing Figure 24(b) with Figure 23(b), it can be seen that because the outer cylinder 220 is fixed, only the sloped portion 234 of the inner cylinder 230 has moved to the left in the paper due to the rotation.

[0064] Next, comparing FIG. 24(c) with FIG. 23(c), the recess 236-6 of the inner tube 230, which was engaged with the inner tube locking portion 265-2 of the support tube 260 in FIG. 23(c), has moved in the negative circumferential direction about the axis C by an angle θ3 in FIG. 24(c). Therefore, in FIG. 24(c), the inner tube locking portion 265-2 of the support tube 260 is not engaged with the recess 236-6. In addition, the inner tube locking portion 265-2 of the support tube 260 is not engaged with any of the recesses 236-1 to 236-8. Similarly, in FIG. 24(c), the inner tube locking portion 265-1 of the support tube 260 is not engaged with any of the recesses 236-1 to 236-8. Therefore, the inner cylinder locking portions 265-1, 265-2 of the support cylinder 260 are pushed inward by the radially inner surface of the inner cylinder 230 and are bent inward.

[0065] FIG. 25 is a side view of the weighing container 1 in the same state as FIG. 24. FIG. 25 shows a state in which tablets T are filled in the tablet pocket 211 of the pocket part 200. The cylindrical tablets T are loaded into the tablet pocket 211 so that, for example, their thickness direction is perpendicular to the central axis C. In FIG. 25, the first storage section 211a of the tablet pocket 211 has a volume capable of storing 15 tablets in series along the axial direction. The second storage section 211b of the tablet pocket 211 has a volume capable of storing 16 tablets in series along the axial direction. Therefore, in the state of FIG. 25, 31 tablets T are stored in the tablet pocket 211. A tablet number display 215 for informing a user such as a tablet taker of the number of tablets that can be stored in the tablet pocket 211 may be provided on the radial outer surface or the radial inner surface of the outer cylinder 220 of the pocket part 200.

[0066] Fig. 26 shows a state in which the lock number setting jig 320 and the inner cylinder 230 of the pocket part 200 have rotated around the axis by an angle θ4 from the state in Fig. 24. Comparing Fig. 26(b) with Fig. 24(b), the slope 234 of the inner cylinder 230 has moved leftward in the drawing due to the rotation relative to the inward protrusion 242 of the upper lock number setting part 240. As a result, the inward protrusion 242, which was just approaching the slope 234 in Fig. 24(b), has finished climbing up the slope 234 in Fig. 26(b). Therefore, in Fig. 26(b), the position of the upper end of the teeth 243 of the upper lock number setting part 240 has risen and is now equal to the height of the upper end of the comb teeth 253 of the lower lock number setting part 250.

[0067] Next, comparing FIG. 26(c) with FIG. 24(c), in FIG. 24(c), the inner tube locking portions 265-1 and 265-2 of the support tube 260 are not engaged with any of the recesses 236-1 to 236-8, but in FIG. 26(c), the inner tube locking portion 265-1 is engaged with the recess 236-3, and the inner tube locking portion 265-2 is engaged with the recess 236-7. As in the state described with reference to FIG. 23(c), the person who sets the number of locks feels a clicking sensation when this engagement occurs. This clicking sensation allows the person who sets the number of locks to know that the inner tube 230 has reached the correct position where the height of the upper end of the comb teeth 253 and the height of the upper end of the teeth 243 are equal.

[0068] Fig. 27 is a side view of the measuring container 1 in the same state as Fig. 26. Fig. 27 shows a state in which tablets T are filled in the tablet pocket 211 of the pocket part 200. In Fig. 27, the first storage section 211a and the second storage section 211b of the tablet pocket 211 each have a volume capable of storing 16 tablets in series along the axial direction. Therefore, in the state of Fig. 27, 32 tablets T are stored in the tablet pocket 211.

[0069] As described above, the volumes of the 14 tablet pockets 211 can be changed simultaneously by the relative rotation of the set of upper tablet number setting part 240 and lower tablet number setting part 250 with respect to the inner cylinder 230. Furthermore, since the upper tablet number setting part 240 and the lower tablet number setting part 250 can be moved separately in the axial direction, the number of tablets that can be stored in the tablet pocket 211 can be set from 1 to 32, i.e., including odd numbers.

[0070] The claw 235 at the upper end of the inner tube 230 of the pocket part 200 is disposed in a narrow space of several mm to 1 cm between the lid 210 and the support tube 260 when viewed in the radial direction (see, for example, FIG. 21(a)), and does not protrude above the lid 210 (see FIGS. 2 and 19). Therefore, it is difficult for a human finger to press the claw 235 to relatively rotate the inner tube 230. The tablet number setting operation of this embodiment cannot be easily performed without using the tablet number setting tool 320. In addition, the tablet number setting tool 320 is provided in hospitals, pharmacies, etc., and can be handled by medical staff such as doctors and pharmacists, but cannot usually be handled by users such as tablet users. As a result, the measuring container 1 according to this embodiment does not allow users such as tablet users to easily change the tablet number setting.

[0071] [1-2-2. Assembly Operation] 28 to 31, an assembly operation for assembling the pocket part 200 and the hinge cap 100 to form the measuring container 1 will be described below. The assembly operation is performed by a medical professional such as a doctor or a pharmacist. FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing the pocket part 200 and the hinge cap 100. For convenience of explanation, in FIG. 28, the pocket part 200 is shown as a perspective view seen from above, and the hinge cap 100 is shown as a perspective view seen from below.

[0072] In the assembly operation, first, the pocket part 200 is assembled (see FIG. 4). However, FIG. 28 shows the pocket part 200 without the bottom lid 270 attached. The attachment of the bottom lid 270 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 29 to 31.

[0073] Next, the tablets T are loaded into the tablet pockets 211 (see Figs. 2, 25 and 27) of the pocket part 200. An example of the operation of loading the tablets T into the tablet pockets 211 using the tablet alignment jig will be described later.

[0074] 28, the hinge cap 100 is placed over the pocket part 200 so that the four claws 152 of the joint 150 are inserted into the four slits 261 formed by cutting out the upper end of the support tube 260. Next, the hinge cap 100 is pressed from above, and the upper end of the support tube locking portion 154 of the joint 150 is fitted into the lower end of the inner wall of the neck portion 263 of the support tube 260 (see FIGS. 48 and 50).

[0075] Fig. 29 is a perspective view seen from below of the measuring container 1 after assembly as shown in Fig. 28. The bottom cover 270 is inserted into the support tube 260 of the pocket part 200 from below.

[0076] FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the weighing container 1 after the bottom cover 270 is inserted into the support tube 260 of the pocket part 200 as shown in FIG. 29, and the multi-purpose jig 300 as viewed from below. The claws 321 (see FIG. 19) of the multi-purpose jig 300 mesh with the claws 271 of the bottom cover 270 in the circumferential direction. An assembly worker performing an assembly operation meshes the claws 321 of the multi-purpose jig 300 with the claws 271 of the bottom cover 270 as shown in FIG. 31. Next, the assembly worker rotates the multi-purpose jig 300 clockwise as viewed from below while gripping the outer tube 220 of the pocket part 200, thereby rotating the bottom cover 270 clockwise as viewed from below via the multi-purpose jig 300. The bottom cover 270 is rotated clockwise as viewed from below, and the bottom surface of the bottom cover 270 is placed on the bottom cover engaging portion 267 formed to protrude inward from the radially inner surface of the support tube 260 (see FIG. 30). As a result, the bottom cover 270 does not move downward relative to the support cylinder 260 .

[0077] In this manner, the bottom lid 270 is attached to the support tube 260. The bottom lid 270 prevents a user, such as a pill taker, from accessing the hinge cap 100 through the support tube 260 and removing the hinge cap 100 to change the number of tablets setting. In addition, the bottom lid 270 cannot be easily removed without the multi-jig 300, so that the function of preventing the user from changing the number of tablets setting can be ensured.

[0078] Although the multi-jig 300 is used to rotate the bottom lid 270, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, a dedicated jig may be used to rotate the bottom lid 270.

[0079] [1-2-3. Usage operation] Hereinafter, the operation of using the weighing container 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 32 to 40. Fig. 32 is a plan view of the weighing container 1 in use with the hinge cap 100 open. In Fig. 32, the tablets T below the tablet passing hole 104 are visible through the tablet passing hole 104 of the hinge cap 100. These tablets T are contained in the tablet pocket 211. Thus, the tablet passing hole 104 has a dimension that allows the tablets T contained in the tablet pocket 211 to pass through. That is, the tablet passing hole 104 has a circumferential width that includes the adjacent first storage section 211a and second storage section 211b in a plan view. With this configuration, when the weighing container 1 is inverted as shown in Fig. 33, the tablets T contained in the first storage section 211a and the second storage section 211b of the tablet pocket 211 pass through the tablet passing hole 104 of the hinge cap 100 and fall outside the weighing container 1 by gravity.

[0080] FIG. 34 is a perspective view showing the weighing container 1 after the tablets T have been removed from the first tablet pocket 211-1 as in FIG. 33. By inverting the weighing container 1 with the hinge cap 100 open as shown in FIG. 33, the tablets T in the first tablet pocket 211-1 can be removed, and then, as shown in FIG. 34, the first tablet pocket 211-1 becomes empty. Therefore, for example, if the number of tablets T contained in each tablet pocket 211 is set to a single dose for the user by a tablet number setting operation, the user can remove tablets for a single dose by simply inverting the weighing container 1. The user does not need to count the number of tablets T.

[0081] Fig. 35 is a perspective view showing the weighing container 1 in a state where the position of the hinge cap 100 is adjusted so as to take out the tablets T in the second tablet pocket 211-2. Compared with Fig. 34, in Fig. 35, the hinge cap 100 is rotated counterclockwise in a plan view. In the state shown in Fig. 35, the tablet passing hole 104 (not shown) of the hinge cap 100 is disposed directly above the second tablet pocket 211-2. When the hinge cap 100 is opened in this state and the weighing container 1 is turned upside down, the tablets T in the second tablet pocket 211-2 can be taken out.

[0082] When the hinge cap 100 is rotated from the state in Fig. 34 to the state in Fig. 35, the user feels a clicking sensation and / or a clicking sound. The mechanism by which the clicking sensation and / or the clicking sound is obtained will be described below.

[0083] Figure 36 is a plan view of the weighing container 1 of Figure 34. Figure 37 is an end view of the weighing container 1 of Figure 36 taken along line D1-D1. Figure 38 is an end view of the weighing container 1 of Figure 37 taken along line D3-D3. Figure 39 is an end view of the weighing container 1 of Figure 37 taken along line D2-D2. Therefore, the state shown in Figure 39 corresponds to the state shown in Figure 34, where the tablet passing hole 104 is located above the first tablet pocket 211-1.

[0084] In FIG. 39, the hook 151 of the joint 150 is engaged with the recess 110a of the concave-convex wall 110. For example, when the hinge cap 100 is rotated counterclockwise in a plan view while holding the pocket part 200 from the state of FIG. 39, the cap body 101 rotates with respect to the hook 151, resulting in the state shown in FIG. 40. The state shown in FIG. 40 corresponds to the state shown in FIG. 35, and the tablet passage hole 104 is located at the top of the second tablet pocket 211-2. The hook 151 of the joint 150 does not rotate because the claw 152 of the joint 150 is inserted into the slit 261 of the support tube 260 as shown in FIG. 38. In FIG. 40, the hook 151 is engaged with the recess 110a next to the recess 110a engaged in FIG. 39.

[0085] During the operation from the state of FIG. 39 to the state of FIG. 40, there is a state where the hook 151 is pushed by the convex portion 110b of the concave-convex wall 110 and bends inward. The hook 151 slides on the radially inner surface of the concave-convex wall 110 while bending in this way. When the state of FIG. 40 is subsequently reached, the hook 151 that was bent inward elastically returns to its original state and fits into the concave portion 110a. This allows the user to feel a clicking sensation and / or a clicking sound at the moment of fitting. This clicking sensation allows the user to know that the tablet passing hole 104 has moved from the upper portion of the first tablet pocket 211-1 to the upper portion of the second tablet pocket 211-2. In addition, since the hook 151 and the concave portion 110a are engaged with each other, the cap body 101 will not rotate unless a force sufficient to bend the hook 151 is applied. Therefore, by fitting the hook 151 into the recess 110a, the risk of the tablet passing hole 104 inadvertently moving out of position from the correct position above the tablet pocket 211 can be reduced.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 2, the pocket part 200 has 14 tablet pockets 211, and therefore can accommodate, for example, 14 doses of tablets without the need to replenish the tablets T.

[0087] [1-2-4. Disassembly Operation] 41 to 52, the disassembly operation of the measuring container 1 will be described. When a user, such as a person taking tablets, has finished using the measuring container 1 and the tablet pocket 211 is empty, the user can bring the measuring container 1 to a hospital, pharmacy, etc., and a disassembly worker, such as a doctor or pharmacist, who receives it, can disassemble the measuring container 1. Disassembly makes it possible to reload tablets into the tablet pocket 211, change the tablet count setting, and perform other operations.

[0088] FIG. 41 is a perspective view of the weighing container 1 and the multi-purpose jig 300 as viewed from below. The disassembly worker brings the multi-purpose jig close from below the weighing container 1, and engages the claws 321 (see FIG. 19) of the multi-purpose jig 300 with the claws 271 of the bottom lid 270. Next, as shown in FIG. 42, the disassembly worker rotates the multi-purpose jig 300 counterclockwise as viewed from below while gripping the outer tube 220 of the pocket part 200, thereby rotating the bottom lid 270 counterclockwise as viewed from below via the multi-purpose jig 300. This releases the engagement between the bottom lid locking portion 267 of the support tube 260 and the bottom lid 270, and the bottom lid 270 can be removed from the weighing container 1 as shown in FIG. 43.

[0089] Next, as shown in Fig. 44, the multi-tool 300 is turned upside down compared to Fig. 43 and brought close to the measuring container 1 from below, and the tube portion 311 and tapered recess 312 of the multi-tool 300 are inserted into the support tube 260. Next, when the multi-tool 300 is pressed upward while gripping and fixing the pocket part 200, the hinge cap 100 is removed from the pocket part 200 as shown in Fig. 45. The operation of removing the hinge cap 100 from the pocket part 200 will be described in detail below with reference to Figs. 46 to 52.

[0090] FIG. 46 is a plan view of the measuring container 1 and the multi-jig 300 in the state of FIG. 44. FIG. 47 is a C2-C2 line end view of the measuring container 1 and the multi-jig 300 in FIG. 46. FIG. 48 is a C1-C1 line end view of the measuring container 1 and the multi-jig 300 in FIG. 46. In the state of FIGS. 47 and 48, as shown in FIG. 48 in particular, the inclined surface of the tapered recess 312 is in contact with the lower end of the plate portion 157 of the joint 150. In the state shown in FIG. 48, even if the hinge cap 100 is grasped and pulled upward relative to the pocket part 200, the upper end of the support tube locking portion 154 of the joint 150 is caught on the lower end of the inner wall of the neck portion 263 of the support tube 260, and the hinge cap 100 is not removed.

[0091] When the multi-tool 300 is pushed upward from the state shown in Figures 47 and 48 relative to the weighing container 1, it becomes the state shown in Figures 49 and 50, respectively. Comparing the plate portion 157 in Figure 49 with Figure 48, it can be seen that it is pushed inward by the inclined surface of the tapered recess 312 and bent inward. This releases the engagement between the upper end of the support tube locking portion 154 of the joint 150 and the lower end of the inner wall of the neck portion 263 of the support tube 260. Therefore, when the multi-tool 300 is further pushed upward relative to the weighing container 1 from the state shown in Figures 49 and 50, the hinge cap 100 becomes movable upward relative to the support tube 260, and it becomes the state shown in Figures 51 and 52, respectively.

[0092] As described above, the measuring container 1 cannot be easily disassembled without using the multi-purpose tool 300. Therefore, such a configuration can prevent users such as tablet users from disassembling the measuring container 1 to take out tablets of more than one dose or change the setting of the number of tablets. Conversely, if the multi-purpose tool 300 is provided in hospitals, pharmacies, etc., disassembly workers such as doctors and pharmacists can easily disassemble the measuring container 1 using the multi-purpose tool 300.

[0093] [1-3. Effects of measuring container 1, etc.] As described above, the weighing container 1 according to this embodiment includes the inner cylinder 230, the outer cylinder 220 arranged around the inner cylinder 230, and the upper tablet number setting part 240 and the lower tablet number setting part 250 that can move relative to the inner cylinder 230 or the outer cylinder 220 in the axial direction. Between the inner cylinder 230 and the outer cylinder 220, a plurality of tablet pockets 211 each having a volume capable of accommodating three or more tablets are provided. Each tablet pocket 211 includes a first storage section 211a having a volume capable of accommodating one or more tablets in series along the axial direction, and a second storage section 211b having a volume capable of accommodating two or more tablets in series along the axial direction. The upper tablet number setting part 240 and the lower tablet number setting part 250 are configured to be able to change the volumes of the first storage section 211a and the second storage section 211b by moving relatively in the axial direction.

[0094] Conventionally, it was necessary to manufacture a measuring container or a fixed-dose dispenser container for dispensing the number of tablets according to the number of tablets taken by the user. For example, if there is a user who takes 3 tablets as a dose and a user who takes 5 tablets as a dose, it was necessary to manufacture and store as inventory both a measuring container for dispensing 3 tablets at a time and a measuring container for dispensing 5 tablets at a time. In contrast, the measuring container 1 according to this embodiment can set the number of tablets that can be accommodated in each tablet pocket 211 to a desired number of 3 or more. Therefore, since there is no need to design and manufacture measuring containers of various shapes and store them as inventory, it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs and storage space for inventory.

[0095] According to the weighing container 1 of this embodiment, the tablets are dispersed and stored in the first storage section 211a and the second storage section 211b of each tablet pocket 211. The dimensions of the tablets, such as the thickness and diameter, are not exactly uniform, but include dimensional errors and differ from tablet to tablet. If the tablets are not dispersed and stored, but are all stored in a line in each tablet pocket 211, dimensional errors accumulate in the direction in which the tablets are aligned, and the number of tablets stored in each tablet pocket 211 may deviate from the desired number. If the tablets are pharmaceuticals, the deviation of the number of tablets from the desired number may have an adverse effect on the life, body, etc. of the person taking the tablets. The weighing container 1 according to this embodiment disperses the tablets into the first storage section 211a and the second storage section 211b, thereby preventing the number of tablets stored in each tablet pocket 211 from deviating from the desired number due to the accumulation of dimensional errors of the tablets.

[0096] In the measuring container 1 according to this embodiment, the difference between the number of tablets that can be stored in series in the second storage portion 211b and the number of tablets that can be stored in series in the first storage portion 211a may be one or zero.

[0097] According to this configuration, there is no large difference of more than two in the number of tablets stored in series in each storage section 211a, 211b, and dimensional errors in the tablet alignment direction can be effectively distributed to each storage section 211a, 211b. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively prevent the number of tablets stored in each tablet pocket 211 from deviating from the desired number due to accumulation of dimensional errors of the tablets. Furthermore, according to this configuration, the number of tablets that can be stored in each tablet pocket 211 can be set to either an even number or an odd number.

[0098] In the measuring container 1 according to this embodiment, the inner tube 230 is configured in an external thread shape, and the thread groove 233 of the external thread may have a flat portion extending parallel to the circumferential direction and a slope portion 234 whose axial position changes as it advances in the circumferential direction. The upper lock number setting part 240 and the lower lock number setting part 250 have a ring shape disposed between the inner tube 230 and the outer tube 220. The upper lock number setting part 240 and the lower lock number setting part 250 each have an inward protrusion 242, 252 that protrudes inward from the radial inner surface and is inserted into the thread groove 233 so as to be movable within the thread groove 233. The upper lock number setting part 240 and the lower lock number setting part 250 rotate relative to the inner tube 230 around the axial direction, and move relative to the inner tube 230 in the axial direction as the inward protrusion 242, 252 passes through the slope portion 234.

[0099] According to this configuration, in addition to the above-mentioned effects, by rotating the upper tablet number setting part 240 and the lower tablet number setting part 250 relative to each other, the volumes of the multiple tablet pockets 211 can be similarly changed at once.

[0100] The measuring container 1 according to this embodiment may further include a hinge cap 100. The hinge cap 100 has a tablet passing hole 104 having a dimension allowing a tablet contained in one tablet pocket 211 selected from the plurality of tablet pockets 211 to pass to the outside, and a cap body 101 that covers the tablet pockets 211 except for the selected one tablet pocket 211. The tablet passing hole 104 is configured to be movable to a position that allows a tablet contained in the one tablet pocket 211 selected from the plurality of tablet pockets 211 to pass to the outside.

[0101] According to this configuration, the user can take out all the tablets stored in the tablet pockets 211 at once, for example, by turning them upside down and passing them through the tablet passing holes 104. According to this configuration, the user does not need to count the tablets while taking them out, which reduces bothersome work. It also reduces the risk that the user will miscount the tablets. Since the tablet passing holes 104 are movable as described above, even if a tablet pocket 211 becomes empty, the tablet passing holes 104 can be moved to sequentially take out tablets from the tablet pockets 211 that are filled with tablets.

[0102] [2. Tablet alignment jig 400] [2-1. Configuration of tablet alignment jig 400] 53 is a perspective view showing a tablet alignment tool 400 for aligning tablets and loading the tablets into the tablet pockets 211 of the pocket part 200. The tablet alignment tool 400 is detachably attached to the tablet container 2, for example, by screws. The tablet alignment tool 400 may be configured so that it can be covered with a temporary lid 500.

[0103] FIG. 54 is an exploded perspective view of the tablet alignment jig 400 of FIG. 53. The tablet alignment jig 400 includes an alignment jig main body 440, an alignment jig outer cylinder 410, a tablet stopper 420, and a hopper part 430. 28 guide recesses 411 recessed outward are formed on the radially inner surface of the alignment jig outer cylinder 410. The guide recesses 411 mesh with guide protrusions 422 of the stopper main body 421 described below. In addition, four pocket part locking portions 412 protruding inward are formed near the upper end on the radially inner surface of the alignment jig outer cylinder 410. Temporary cap locking portions 415 protruding outward are formed on the radially outer surface of the alignment jig outer cylinder 410.

[0104] Figure 55 is a perspective view showing the tablet stopper 420 of Figure 54. The tablet stopper 420 has a ring-shaped stopper body 421. The stopper body 421 is formed with 28 guide protrusions 422 formed so as to protrude outward from the radial outer surface, and 28 inward protrusions 423 formed so as to protrude inward from the radial inner surface. The 28 guide protrusions 422 and the 28 inward protrusions 423 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0105] FIG. 56A is a perspective view of the hopper part 430 of FIG. 54 as seen from above. FIG. 56B is a perspective view of the hopper part 430 of FIG. 54 as seen from below. As shown in FIG. 56A, the hopper part 430 includes a cylindrical tube part 431, a claw 432 that protrudes outward from the radially outer surface of the tube part 431 and extends in the axial direction, and 28 outward protrusions 433 formed to protrude outward from the hopper part 430. The 28 outward protrusions 433 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. As shown in FIG. 56B, a cone-shaped or truncated cone-shaped slope part 435 is formed at the bottom of the hopper part 430. The slope part 435 is an example of the "tablet alignment part" of the present disclosure.

[0106] [2-2. Operation of tablet alignment jig 400] [2-2-1. Tablet loading operation] 57 to 61, the tablet loading operation for loading tablets from the tablet container 2 into the tablet pockets 211 of the pocket part 200 using the tablet alignment tool 400 will be described. Figure 57 is a perspective view showing the pocket part 200 and the tablet alignment tool 400 in a state attached to the tablet container 2. For ease of explanation, in Figure 57, the tablet alignment tool 400 is shown as a perspective view seen from above, and the pocket part 200 is shown as a perspective view seen from below.

[0107] First, as shown in Fig. 57, the pocket part 200 is attached to the hopper part 430 so that the four claws 432 of the cylinder part 431 of the hopper part 430 are inserted into the four slits 261 of the support cylinder 260, respectively. When the pocket part is positioned relative to the hopper part 430 in this manner, the pocket part locking portion 412 of the alignment jig outer cylinder 410 is also inserted into the L-shaped notch 222 provided in the outer cylinder 220 of the pocket part 200. After attachment, the state is as shown in Fig. 58.

[0108] In the state shown in Fig. 58, for example, while gripping and fixing the tablet alignment jig 400, the pocket part 200 is rotated counterclockwise as viewed from above, bringing the tablet alignment jig 400 into an open state that allows tablets to pass through. Fig. 59 is a perspective view showing the pocket part 200 and the tablet alignment jig 400 in such an open state. The reason why the pocket part 200 and the tablet alignment jig 400 can rotate relatively as described above is because the pocket part locking portion 412 of the tablet alignment jig 400 slides circumferentially within the L-shaped notch 222.

[0109] In the open state shown in Fig. 59, when the assembled tablet container 2, tablet alignment tool 400 and pocket part 200 are inverted, they become in the state shown in Fig. 60. In the open state, as shown in Fig. 60, the tablets T in the tablet container 2 are loaded into the tablet pockets 211 of the pocket part 200 via the tablet alignment tool 400.

[0110] Fig. 61 is an end view of the tablet container 2, tablet alignment tool 400, and pocket part 200 in Fig. 60. Fig. 61 is an end view of the assembled tablet container 2, tablet alignment tool 400, and pocket part 200 seen in the E5-E5 direction in Fig. 63 described later. In the inverted state, the cylindrical tablet T dropping from the tablet container 2 passes through a path sandwiched between the conical slope part 435 of the hopper part 430 and the alignment tool main body 440, and is aligned so that its thickness direction is perpendicular to the central axis C. Thereafter, the tablet T passes between the hopper part 430 and the tablet stopper 420, and is loaded into the tablet pocket 211.

[0111] [2-2-2. Removal from pocket part 200] When the tablet pockets 211 are filled, as shown in Fig. 62, the tablet alignment jig 400 is rotated clockwise relative to the pocket part 200 when viewed from above, and the tablet alignment jig 400 is removed from the pocket part 200. At this time, the above-mentioned rotation operation causes the tablet alignment jig 400 to enter a closed state in which the tablet stopper 420 does not allow the tablets from the tablet container 2 to pass through. In the closed state, the tablets from the tablet container 2 do not pass through the tablet alignment jig 400, so even if the tablet container 2 is in an inverted state as shown in Fig. 62, the tablets will not spill out.

[0112] Hereinafter, with reference to Figs. 63 to 70, a mechanism for closing the tablet alignment tool 400 by rotating the tablet alignment tool 400 clockwise relative to the pocket part 200 as viewed from above will be described.

[0113] Figure 63 is an end view taken along line E2-E2 of the tablet alignment jig 400 and pocket part 200 in Figure 61. Figure 64 is a bottom view of the tablet container 2, tablet alignment jig 400, and pocket part 200 in Figure 60. Figure 64 corresponds to a plan view of the tablet container 2, tablet alignment jig 400, and pocket part 200 in Figure 59.

[0114] Figure 65(a) is an end view of the tablet alignment tool 400 and pocket part 200 of Figure 61 as viewed in the E1-E1 direction. Figure 65(b) is a partial end view showing a portion of the end surface along the E3-E3 line of the tablet alignment tool 400 and pocket part 200 of Figure 64. Figure 65(c) is a partial end view showing a portion of the end surface along the E4-E4 line of the tablet alignment tool 400 and pocket part 200 of Figure 64. For ease of explanation, Figure 65(c) shows a state in which the tablet pocket 211 (not shown in Figure 65) is filled with tablets T. The same applies to Figures 66 to 70 described below.

[0115] Fig. 66 is an end view showing an end face similar to that of Fig. 61 in the open state, and a partially enlarged view of the tablet stopper 420 at the end face. Figs. 65 and 66 show the case where the tablet alignment jig 400 is in the open state, and the tablet T can pass through the tablet alignment jig 400. For example, as shown in Fig. 66, the axial path of the tablet T1 is not blocked by the tablet stopper 420. Therefore, in the open state, the tablet T in the tablet container 2 is loaded into the tablet pocket 211 of the pocket part 200 via the tablet alignment jig 400.

[0116] FIG. 67 is an end view showing an end face similar to that of FIG. 65 in a closed state. As shown in FIG. 67(a), when the tablet alignment jig 400 is rotated clockwise by an angle θ5 relative to the hopper part 430 as viewed from above from the open state shown in FIG. 65, the tablet alignment jig 400 is in a closed state. In addition, in the open state shown in FIG. 65(b), the pocket part locking portion 412 of the alignment jig outer cylinder 410 meshes with the L-shaped notch 222 of the outer cylinder 220 of the pocket part 200 and does not move in the axial direction relative to the outer cylinder 220. In contrast, in the closed state shown in FIG. 67(b), the meshing is released, and the pocket part locking portion 412 of the alignment jig outer cylinder 410 can move in the axial direction within the L-shaped notch 222.

[0117] Figure 68 is an enlarged view of Figure 67(c) As shown in Figure 68, in the closed state, the inward protruding portion 423 of the tablet stopper 420 is disposed below the tablet T1 which is at the bottom in the tablet aligning jig 400.

[0118] Figure 69 is an end view showing an end face similar to that of Figure 61 in the closed state, and a partially enlarged view of the end face of the tablet stopper 420. Compared to Figure 66, in Figure 69, the inward protruding portion 423 of the tablet stopper 420 is inserted under the tablet T1 which is at the bottom in the tablet alignment jig 400.

[0119] In the closed state shown in Figures 67(b) and 67(c), when the tablet alignment jig 400 is removed from the pocket part 200 as shown in Figure 62, it becomes the state shown in Figures 70(a) and 70(b), respectively. As shown in Figure 70(a), in the closed state, the pocket part locking part 412 of the alignment jig outer cylinder 410 and the L-shaped notch 222 of the outer cylinder 220 of the pocket part 200 are disengaged, and the pocket part locking part 412 can move in the axial direction within the L-shaped notch 222. As shown in Figure 70(b), in the closed state, the inward protrusion 423 of the tablet stopper 420 is disposed under the tablet T1 at the bottom in the tablet alignment jig 400, so that the tablet T1 does not fall from the tablet alignment jig 400.

[0120] As described above, when the pocket part locking portion 412 of the alignment jig outer cylinder 410 and the L-shaped notch 222 of the outer cylinder 220 of the pocket part 200 are engaged to attach the tablet alignment jig 400 to the pocket part 200, the tablet alignment jig 400 is in an open state. When a rotation operation is performed to remove the tablet alignment jig 400 from the pocket part 200, the tablet alignment jig 400 is in a closed state. In this way, the operations of attaching and removing the tablet alignment jig 400 to and from the pocket part 200 are linked to the switching between the open state and the closed state of the tablet alignment jig 400.

[0121] [2-2-3. Alignment operation of tablet stopper 420] The temporary cover 500 shown in Fig. 53 seals the tablet alignment jig 400 by rotating clockwise relative to the alignment jig main body 440 as viewed from above, and releases the seal by rotating in the opposite direction. The temporary cover 500 is configured to align the tablet stopper 420 so that the tablet alignment jig 400 is in an open state during this sealing operation. The operation of aligning the tablet stopper 420 by the temporary cover 500 will be described below with reference to Figs. 71 to 76.

[0122] FIG. 71 is a plan view of the state in which the temporary lid 500 is attached to the tablet alignment tool 400 and the tablet container 2. FIG. 72 is a one-side end view of the temporary lid 500, the tablet alignment tool 400, and the tablet container 2 of FIG. 71 as viewed from the side. The left half of FIG. 72 shows a side view of the temporary lid 500, the tablet alignment tool 400, and the tablet container 2 of FIG. 71, and the right half of FIG. 72 shows an end view along the line B1-B1 of FIG. 71. In FIG. 72, the tablet alignment tool 400 is attached to the tablet container 2 (see FIG. 53). Also, in FIG. 72, the temporary lid 500 is attached to the tablet alignment tool 400, and the inward protruding portion 501 protruding inward from the outer periphery of the temporary lid 500 is positioned below the temporary cap locking portion 415 of the tablet alignment tool 400. This prevents the temporary lid 500 from moving upward relative to the tablet alignment tool 400.

[0123] Figures 73 and 74 are end views taken along line B2-B2 of the temporary cover 500 and tablet alignment jig 400 in Figure 71. Figure 73 shows a state in which the temporary cover 500 has been separated from the tablet alignment jig 400 as in Figure 53. In Figure 73, there is a gap in the axial direction between the inward protruding portion 501 of the temporary cover 500 and the temporary cap locking portion 415 of the tablet alignment jig 400 located below it.

[0124] When temporary lid 500 is moved downward from the state shown in Figure 73 to cover tablet alignment jig 400, it attains the state shown in Figure 74. In Figure 74, temporary cap locking portion 415 of tablet alignment jig 400 enters the gap between inward protruding portions 501 of temporary lid 500 and is positioned above inward protruding portions 501.

[0125] When the temporary cover 500 is rotated clockwise from the state shown in Fig. 74 relative to the alignment jig main body 440 as viewed from above, it becomes the state shown in Fig. 75. Fig. 75(a) is an end view of the temporary cover 500 and the tablet alignment jig 400 of Fig. 72 taken along line B3-B3. Fig. 75(b) is an end view of the temporary cover 500 and the tablet alignment jig 400 of Fig. 72 taken along line B4-B4. Fig. 75(c) is an end view of the temporary cover 500 and the tablet alignment jig 400 of Figs. 75(a) and (b) viewed in the same direction as Figs. 73 and 74. In Fig. 75(c), the temporary cap locking portion 415 of the tablet alignment jig 400 is in contact with the wall 502 protruding inward from above the inward protruding portion 501 of the temporary cover 500.

[0126] Fig. 76 shows a state in which the temporary cover 500 has been rotated by an angle θ6 around the axis relative to the alignment jig main body 440 of the tablet alignment jig 400 from the state shown in Fig. 75. Compared with Fig. 75(c), in Fig. 76(c), the wall 502 of the temporary cover 500 has moved leftward in the plane of the paper by a distance equivalent to the rotation of the angle θ6. Accordingly, the temporary cap locking portion 415 of the alignment jig outer cylinder 410 has been pushed by the wall 502 and moved leftward in the plane of the paper. Therefore, as shown in Figs. 76(a) and (b), as the temporary cover 500 rotates, the alignment jig outer cylinder 410 also rotates by an angle θ6 around the axis relative to the alignment jig main body 440. Since the guide convex portion 422 of the tablet stopper 420 meshes with the guide concave portion 411 of the alignment jig outer cylinder 410, as the alignment jig outer cylinder 410 rotates, the tablet stopper 420 also rotates by angle θ6 around the axis relative to the alignment jig main body 440. On the other hand, the hopper part 430 does not rotate relative to the alignment jig main body 440. In this way, the tablet stopper 420 is aligned with the hopper part 430, and in conjunction with the sealing operation of the temporary lid 500, the tablet alignment jig 400 is opened.

[0127] [2-3. Effects of the tablet alignment tool 400] As described above, the tablet alignment tool 400 according to this embodiment is used to load tablets from outside into the weighing container 1. The tablet alignment tool 400 includes a slope section 435 that aligns the tablets in the orientation in which they are accommodated in the first storage section 211a and the second storage section 211b of the weighing container 1, and a tablet stopper 420 that is configured to be switchable between an open state that allows tablets from outside to pass through and a closed state that does not allow tablets to pass through.

[0128] With this configuration, in the open state, by simply inverting the assembled tablet container 2, tablet alignment tool 400, and pocket part 200, tablets can be easily loaded into the first storage section 211a and the second storage section 211b. This reduces the effort and man-hours required by an operator such as a doctor or pharmacist to sort a large number of tablets into individual doses. In addition, after loading, tablets can be prevented from spilling out of the tablet alignment tool 400 by switching to the closed state with the tablet stopper 420.

[0129] [3. Modifications] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, these descriptions are merely examples of the present invention. Various improvements and modifications can be made to the above exemplary embodiment. For example, the following modifications are possible. The following modifications can be combined as appropriate.

[0130] [3-1. First modified example] In the above embodiment, as illustrated in Fig. 2, an example has been described in which the first storage section 211a and the second storage section 211b of the tablet pocket 211 are aligned in the circumferential direction. However, the first storage section 211a and the second storage section 211b only need to be configured to be able to store tablets in series, and they do not necessarily need to be aligned in the circumferential direction. For example, the first storage section 211a and the second storage section 211b may be aligned in the radial direction.

[0131] [3-2. Second modified example] In the above embodiment, as exemplified in Fig. 25, an example has been described in which a cylindrical tablet T is loaded into the tablet pocket 211 so that the thickness direction is perpendicular to the central axis C. However, the tablet T may be loaded into the tablet pocket 211 so that the thickness direction is perpendicular to the radial direction and faces the circumferential direction. Furthermore, the tablet T may be loaded into the tablet pocket 211 so that the thickness direction is perpendicular to both the radial direction and the circumferential direction.

[0132] [3-3.Third modified example] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which each tablet pocket 211 includes a plurality of storage sections 211a, 211b (see, for example, FIG. 2). However, each tablet pocket 211 may be composed of only one row of storage sections capable of storing tablets in series.

[0133] Fig. 77 is an exploded perspective view of a weighing container 1a according to a third modified example of an embodiment of the present disclosure. The pocket part 200a of the weighing container 1a has 14 tablet pockets 211 aligned at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The tablet pockets 211 are configured to be able to store tablets in series. Unlike the above-described embodiment, the tablet pocket 211 of the weighing container 1a does not have multiple storage sections.

[0134] The tablet passing hole 104a of the hinge cap 100a of the weighing container 1a has a dimension that allows the tablets T accommodated in the tablet pocket 211 to pass through. In comparison with the above embodiment, the tablet passing hole 104 of the hinge cap 100 has a circumferential width that includes the adjacent first storage section 211a and second storage section 211b, and is configured to allow two rows of tablets (the first storage section 211a and the second storage section 211b) to pass through when the weighing container 1 is inverted. In contrast, the tablet passing hole 104a of the hinge cap 100a is configured to allow only tablets in the tablet pocket 211 configured in one row to pass through.

[0135] The measuring container 1a according to this modification includes a number-of-tablets setting part 240a that is movable in the axial direction relative to the inner tube 230 or the outer tube 220, instead of the upper tablet number setting part 240 and the lower tablet number setting part 250 of the above embodiment.

[0136] Fig. 78 is a perspective view of the number-of-locks setting part 240a of Fig. 77. Fig. 79 is a plan view of the number-of-locks setting part 240a of Fig. 78. Fig. 80 is a side view of the number-of-locks setting part 240a of Fig. 79.

[0137] 7 and 8, the tablet number setting part 240a includes a ring-shaped main body 241a, 14 teeth 243a protruding outward from the radially outer surface of the main body 241a, and four inward projections 242a protruding inward from the radially inner surface of the main body 241a. As described with reference to Figs. 11 to 18, in this modification, too, the inward projections 242a are capable of advancing in the screw groove of the inner cylinder 230, and are configured to be able to change the volume of the tablet pocket 211 by relatively moving in the axial direction.

[0138] As described above, the measuring container 1a according to this modified example includes the inner cylinder 230, the outer cylinder 220 arranged around the inner cylinder 230, and the tablet number setting part 240a that is movable in the axial direction relative to the inner cylinder 230 or the outer cylinder 220. A plurality of tablet pockets 211, each having a volume capable of storing a plurality of tablets in series, are provided between the inner cylinder 230 and the outer cylinder 220. The tablet number setting part 240a is configured to be able to change the volume of the tablet pocket 211 by moving relatively in the axial direction.

[0139] As with the measuring container 1 according to the above embodiment, the measuring container 1a according to this modification can set the number of tablets that can be accommodated in the tablet pocket 211 to a desired number. Therefore, it is not necessary to design and manufacture measuring containers of various shapes and store them as inventory, which reduces manufacturing costs and inventory storage space. [Explanation of symbols]

[0140] 1 Measuring container 2 pill containers 100 Hinge Cap 101 Cap body 102 Top lid 103 Hinge part 104 Tablet passage hole 105a, 105b Hole closing part 106 Joint hole 110 Uneven wall 110a Recess 110b Convex part 150 Joints 151 Hook 152 Nails 153 Cap locking part 154 Support cylinder locking part 156 Peripheral wall 157 Board part 200 Pocket parts 210 Lid 211 Tablet pocket (tablet storage section) 211a First Storage Unit 211b Second Containment Section 211-1 First pill pocket 211-2 2nd pill pocket 215 Tablets 220 Outer Cylinder 221 Partition 222 L-shaped notch 230 Inner cylinder 231 Inner cylinder body 232 Thread 233 Thread groove 234 Slope 234-1 First Slope 234-2 Second Slope 234-3 Third Slope 234-4 4th Slope 235 Nails 236-1~236-8 Depression 240 Upper lock number setting part (first lock number setting part) 241 Upper body 242 Inward projection 243 teeth 244 Outward projection 250 Lower lock number setting part (second lock number setting part) 251 Lower body 252 Inward projection 253 Comb Teeth 254 Groove 260 Support tube 261 Slit 263 Neck 265-1, 265-2 Inner cylinder locking part 267 Bottom cover locking part 270 Bottom lid 271 Claws 300 Multi-jig 310 Joint release jig 311 Cylinder part 312 Tapered recess 320 Tablet number setting tool 321 Claw 400 Tablet Alignment Jig 410 Alignment jig outer cylinder 411 Guide recess 412 Pocket parts locking part 415 Temporary cap locking part 420 Tablet Stopper 421 Stopper body 422 Guide protrusion 423 Inward protrusion 430 Hopper Parts 431 Cylinder part 432 Nails 433 Outward protrusion 435 Slope 440 Alignment jig body 500 Temporary cover 501 Inward protrusion 502 Wall T Tablet

Claims

1. An inner cylinder; An outer cylinder disposed around the inner cylinder; A lock number setting part that is movable in the axial direction relative to the inner cylinder or the outer cylinder; Equipped with A plurality of tablet accommodating sections each having a volume capable of accommodating a plurality of tablets in series are provided between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, The tablet number setting part is configured to be able to change the volume of the plurality of tablet storage parts by moving relatively in the axial direction. Measuring container.

2. Each of the tablet storage sections has a volume capable of storing three or more tablets, Each tablet housing section is A first storage section having a volume capable of storing one or more tablets in series along the axial direction; A second storage section having a volume capable of storing two or more tablets in series along the axial direction; Equipped with The tablet number setting part is configured to be able to change the volume of the first storage section and the second storage section by moving relatively in the axial direction.

2. The measuring container of claim 1.

3. The measuring container according to claim 2 , wherein a difference between the number of tablets that can be stored in series in the second storage section and the number of tablets that can be stored in series in the first storage section is 1 or 0.

4. The inner cylinder is configured with an external thread, and the thread groove of the external thread has a flat portion extending parallel to the circumferential direction and a slope portion whose axial position changes as it progresses in the circumferential direction, The tablet number setting part has a ring shape and is disposed between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, The number-of-locks setting part includes an inward protrusion that protrudes inward from a radially inner surface of the number-of-locks setting part and is inserted into the thread groove so as to be movable within the thread groove, the tablet number setting part rotates relative to the inner cylinder about the axial direction, and moves relatively in the axial direction as the inward protrusion passes through the slope portion; The measuring container according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. a cap having a tablet passage hole having a dimension allowing a tablet accommodated in one tablet accommodation unit selected from the plurality of tablet accommodation units to pass therethrough to the outside, and a cap body for covering the tablet accommodation units other than the one selected tablet accommodation unit, The tablet passing hole is configured to be movable to a position for passing a tablet accommodated in one tablet accommodation unit selected from the plurality of tablet accommodation units to the outside. The measuring container according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A tablet alignment tool used for loading tablets from an external source into the weighing container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, a tablet aligning unit that aligns tablets in a direction in which the tablets are accommodated in each of the plurality of tablet accommodation units; A tablet stopper that is switchable between an open state that allows tablets from outside to pass and a closed state that does not allow tablets to pass; A tablet alignment jig comprising:

7. A tablet number setting jig for use with the measuring container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which moves the tablet number setting parts relatively in the axial direction.

8. A measuring container kit comprising the measuring container according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and the tablet alignment jig according to claim 6.

Images