Pill container

Abstract

To provide a tablet container capable of storing the desired number of tablets inside a tablet storage part more accurately than a conventional technique.SOLUTION: A tablet container comprises a plurality of tablet storage parts each extending in a first direction and having a volume capable of storing a plurality of predetermined tablets. The plurality of tablet storage parts each extend in the first direction and comprise a pair of wall parts arranged to be opposed to each other. It is so constituted that at least one of the pair of wall parts has a corrugated-plate-shape in which a plurality of mountain parts protruding inward toward the other wall part and a plurality of valley parts recessed outward are alternately repeated along the first direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tablet container. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a demand for tablet containers such as measuring containers and fixed-dose dispensing containers for dispensing the dosage of tablets that a user should take. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a tablet container in which the number of tablets that can be stored can be set to a desired number. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-179861 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, multiple tablets are stored in a tablet storage unit in a straight line, and dimensional errors of each tablet accumulate in this straight line direction, which may cause the number of tablets stored in the tablet storage unit to deviate from the desired number.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a tablet container that can accommodate a desired number of tablets in a tablet accommodation portion more accurately than the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A tablet container according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: The tablet storage device includes a plurality of tablet storage sections each extending in a first direction and having a volume capable of storing a predetermined number of tablets, Each of the tablet housing sections has a pair of wall sections extending in the first direction and arranged opposite to each other, At least one of the pair of walls is configured in a corrugated shape in which a plurality of peaks protruding inward toward the other wall and a plurality of valleys recessed outward are alternately repeated along the first direction. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the tablet container of the present invention, a desired number of tablets can be accommodated in the tablet accommodation portion more accurately than in the prior art. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tablet container 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the tablet container 1 of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the container body 100 of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is an exploded perspective view of the support member 140 and two pocket members 120 of FIG. 3. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a front view of the pocket member 120 of FIG. [Figure 6] 5 is a perspective view showing two lock number setting members 130 shown in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an assembly state of the container body 100, the loading jig 300, and the tablet bottle 2 in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is a perspective view of the loading jig 300 of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a loading state of tablets T. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view for explaining an example of an operation for taking out tablets T from the tablet container 1 of FIG. [Figure 11A] 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a tablet pocket 121. FIG. [Figure 11B] FIG. 11B is a partial enlarged view of region R in FIG. 11A. [Figure 11C] FIG. 11B is a schematic diagram for comparatively explaining a state in which tablets of different sizes are accommodated in tablet pocket 121 of FIG. 11A. [Figure 12]FIG. 2 is a front view of a pocket member 120a according to a first modified example of the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 13 is a front view showing a state in which a tablet T is accommodated in the pocket member 120a of FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a container body 100b according to a second modified example of the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] 15 is a plan view of the container body 100b of FIG. 14. FIG. [Figure 16] 15 is a perspective view showing a state in which tablets T are contained in the container body 100b of FIG. 14. FIG. [Figure 17] 17 is an end view of the container body 100b of FIG. 15 taken along line XVII-XVII. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, The tablet storage device includes a plurality of tablet storage sections each extending in a first direction and having a volume capable of storing a predetermined number of tablets, Each of the tablet housing sections has a pair of wall sections extending in the first direction and arranged opposite to each other, At least one of the pair of wall portions is configured in a corrugated shape in which a plurality of peaks protruding inward toward the other wall portion and a plurality of valleys recessed outward are alternately repeated along the first direction, A pill container is provided.

[0010] According to a second aspect of the present invention, Each of the tablet housing sections has a tablet passing hole at an upper end, which is one end in the first direction, through which the plurality of tablets pass, The tablet container further includes a tablet number setting member movable in the first direction within each tablet storage portion, The tablet number setting member is configured to be able to change the volume between the tablet passing hole and the tablet number setting member in each of the tablet storage sections by moving in the first direction in each of the tablet storage sections. There is provided a tablet container according to a first aspect.

[0011] According to a third aspect of the present invention, Each of the tablet storage units is provided with a plurality of mounting holes aligned at equal intervals in the first direction, The tablet number setting member is removably inserted into one of the plurality of mounting holes and configured to prevent the tablets from moving in the first direction. There is provided a tablet container according to a second aspect.

[0012] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the number n of the mounting holes of each of the tablet accommodating sections is equal to the sum of the number of the peaks and the number of the valleys of each of the tablet accommodating sections, a first mounting hole arranged at the lowest position among the plurality of mounting holes is arranged below a first valley portion arranged at the lowest position among the plurality of valley portions; The m-th mounting hole (where m is an integer of 2 or more and n or less) arranged in the m-th position from the bottom among the plurality of mounting holes is arranged between the m-1-th valley portion arranged in the m-1-th position from the bottom among the plurality of valley portions and the m-1-th peak portion arranged in the m-1-th position from the bottom among the plurality of peak portions. There is provided a tablet container according to a third aspect.

[0013] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, The tablet container according to the third or fourth aspect is provided, wherein the plurality of tablet storage sections are aligned in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the plurality of mounting holes are each aligned in the second direction.

[0014] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, The tablet container according to any one of the second to fifth aspects further comprises a cap configured to be able to individually open and close the tablet passage holes of each of the tablet housing sections.

[0015] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, The tablet container according to any one of the first to sixth aspects is provided, wherein the other of the pair of walls extends substantially linearly in the first direction.

[0016] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, The other of the pair of wall portions is configured in a corrugated shape in which a plurality of peaks protruding inward toward the one wall portion and a plurality of valleys recessed outward are alternately repeated along the first direction, The pair of wall portions are parallel to each other along the first direction such that a position of a peak of one of the wall portions in the first direction coincides with a position of a valley of the other wall portion. The present invention provides a tablet container according to any one of the first to sixth aspects.

[0017] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, The tablet container of the eighth embodiment is provided, wherein the component of the distance between the peak of one wall portion and the peak of the other wall portion in a direction perpendicular to the first direction is smaller than the distance between the peak of one wall portion and a valley of one wall portion adjacent to the peak.

[0018] Hereinafter, a tablet container 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.

[0019] 1. Configuration Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a tablet container 1 according to this embodiment. The tablet container 1 includes a container body 100 and a lid body 200. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the tablet container 1 of Fig. 1. Fig. 2 shows a state in which the lid body 200 is removed from the container body 100. For ease of explanation, Fig. 1 shows the tablet container 1 in a state in which tablets T are contained, whereas Fig. 2 shows the tablet container 1 in a state in which tablets T are not contained.

[0020] For convenience of explanation, in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, and Figs. 3 to 6 described later, an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis that are orthogonal to each other are shown. In this specification, the positive direction of the Z-axis is also called the upward direction, and the negative direction of the Z-axis is also called the downward direction. In the normal use state illustrated in Fig. 1, the Z-axis is parallel to the vertical direction. In this specification, terms indicating directions such as "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "right", and "left" are used assuming the normal use state. However, these terms are not intended to limit the use state of the present invention.

[0021] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the container body 100 includes 14 tablet pockets 121. The tablet pockets 121 are an example of a "tablet storage section" of the present disclosure. Each tablet pocket 121 extends in the Z direction (first direction). In the illustrated example, each tablet pocket 121 has a volume capable of storing 1 to 32 tablets T. A tablet passage hole that allows the tablets T to pass through is provided at the upper end of each tablet pocket 121.

[0022] The lid body 200 includes 14 hinge cap portions 210 corresponding to the 14 tablet pockets 121. Each hinge cap portion 210 is configured to be able to open and close the corresponding tablet pocket 121. The lid body 200 includes an insertion member 220, and is detachably attached to the container body 100 by inserting the insertion member 220 into a support member 140 described below.

[0023] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the container body 100 of Fig. 2. The container body 100 includes a support member 140 and two pocket members 120 assembled as shown in Fig. 3, and a case 110 that covers them. The case 110 may be made of a transparent material so that the stored tablets can be viewed.

[0024] Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the support member 140 and the two pocket members 120 of Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the two pocket members 120 are attached to the support member 140 so as to sandwich the support member 140. Each pocket member 120 is provided with seven tablet pockets 121 aligned in the X direction.

[0025] The X direction is an example of a "second direction" in the present disclosure. The second direction intersects with the first direction, and for example, the X direction, which is an example of the second direction, is perpendicular to the Z direction, which is an example of the first direction.

[0026] Each tablet pocket 121 is formed with 32 mounting holes 129. Therefore, each pocket member 120 is provided with a total of 224 mounting holes 129. Tablet number setting members 130 are inserted into the mounting holes 129.

[0027] 5 is a front view of the pocket member 120 of FIG. 4. Each tablet pocket 121 has a left wall 122 and a right wall 123. The left wall 122 and the right wall 123 each extend in the Z direction and are disposed opposite each other. The left wall 122 and the right wall 123 are an example of a "pair of walls" of the present disclosure. The left wall 122 and the right wall 123 each are formed in a corrugated plate shape. That is, in the left wall 122 and the right wall 123, a peak portion protruding inward and a valley portion recessed outward are alternately repeated as they proceed in the Z direction.

[0028] The "pair of walls" of the present disclosure, for example the left wall 122 and the right wall 123, may be continuous walls as shown in the figure, but are not limited thereto. The "pair of walls" may be any wall that does not allow the tablet T to pass through, and may be, for example, configured with obstacles such as discontinuous protrusions, or may be walls formed in a mesh shape.

[0029] The left wall 122 and the right wall 123 are parallel to each other along the Z axis. That is, the period of the corrugated shape formed by the left wall 122 and the right wall 123 is approximately the same. The phase of the corrugated shape formed by the left wall 122 and the right wall 123 is also approximately the same, and the Z position of the peak of the left wall 122 approximately coincides with the Z position of the valley of the corresponding right wall 123. By having such a corrugated left wall 122 and right wall 123, the tablets T accommodated in each tablet pocket 121 are aligned in a zigzag shape along the Z direction, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0030] For example, in FIG. 5, the X-direction component of the distance between the peak of left wall 122 and the peak of right wall 123 is smaller than the distance between the peak of left wall 122 and the valley of left wall 122 adjacent to the peak.

[0031] The positions of the mounting holes 129, for example, the central positions of the mounting holes 129, will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The number n of the mounting holes 129 in each tablet pocket 121 is equal to the sum of the number of peaks and the number of valleys of the left wall 122. The first mounting hole 129 located at the bottom is located lower than the first valley located at the bottom. The m-th mounting hole located m-th (here, m is an integer between 2 and n) from the bottom among the multiple mounting holes 129 is located between the m-1-th valley located m-1-th from the bottom among the multiple valleys and the m-1-th peak located m-1-th from the bottom among the multiple peaks.

[0032] Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the two tablet number setting members 130 shown in Fig. 4. Each tablet number setting member 130 includes a plate-shaped base material 131 with the X direction as the longitudinal direction, and seven protrusions 132 protruding from the surface of the base material 131. The number of protrusions 132 matches the number of tablet pockets 121 of the pocket member 120. The seven protrusions 132 are removably inserted into corresponding mounting holes 129 of different tablet pockets 121 (see Fig. 5). The protrusions 132 penetrate the mounting holes 129 and enter the tablet pockets 121, preventing the tablets T supplied from above from moving downward beyond the protrusions 132.

[0033] 2.Operation Hereinafter, the operation of the tablet container 1 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 10. First, as shown in Figure 4, the tablet number setting members 130 are inserted into and attached to the two pocket members 120 from the inside.

[0034] In the illustrated example, when the tablet number setting member 130 is inserted and attached into the bottom mounting hole 129 of the pocket member 120, 32 tablets T can be stored in each tablet pocket 121. For each step up in the mounting hole 129 into which the tablet number setting member 130 is inserted, the number of tablets T that can be stored in each tablet pocket 121 decreases by one, and when inserted and attached into the topmost mounting hole 129 (32nd from the bottom), the number of tablets T that can be stored in each tablet pocket 121 is one. In the example of FIG. 4, the tablet number setting member 130 is inserted into the sixth mounting hole 129 from the bottom, so that the number of tablets T that can be stored in each tablet pocket 121 is 27.

[0035] In this way, the tablet number setting member 130 is configured to be movable up and down inside each tablet pocket 121. By moving up and down, the tablet number setting member 130 can change the volume between the tablet passage hole and the protrusion 132 of the tablet number setting member 130 in each tablet pocket 121. The tablet number setting operator who performs such tablet number setting operation is, for example, a medical professional such as a doctor or a pharmacist.

[0036] Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the operator who sets the number of locks attaches the two pocket members 120 to the support member 140 so as to sandwich the support member 140, and places the case 110 on top.

[0037] Next, tablets T are loaded into each tablet pocket 121. For example, a loading jig 300 shown in Fig. 7 may be used for the tablet loading operation. A tablet loading operator who performs the tablet loading operation is, for example, a medical professional such as a doctor or a pharmacist. Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing an assembly state of the container body 100, the loading jig 300, and the tablet bottle 2 in Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the loading jig 300 in Fig. 7.

[0038] 7 and 8, a loading jig 300 includes a main body 301 and a tablet container attachment part 302 attached to a tablet bottle 2. The tablet bottle 2 contains a plurality of tablets T. The tablet container attachment part 302 is detachably attached to the tablet bottle 2 by, for example, a screw.

[0039] The loading jig 300 further includes a movable insertion member 311 and a fixed insertion member 312 protruding in the Z direction from the main body 301. A tablet loading operator detachably attaches the loading jig 300 to the container body 100 by inserting the movable insertion member 311 and the fixed insertion member 312 into the support member 140 (see, for example, FIG. 2 ) of the container body 100.

[0040] 8, the loading jig 300 is provided with 14 tablet paths 314, which is the same number as the number of tablet pockets 121. The tablet paths 314 allow tablets T to pass in the vertical direction toward the paper surface of FIGS.

[0041] The loading jig 300 further includes a tablet stopper 315 configured to be able to close the tablet path 314 so as to prevent the tablets T from passing through the tablet path 314. The tablet stopper 315 is directly or indirectly connected to a switch 313, and can be switched between a closed state in which the tablet path 314 is closed and an open state in which the tablet path 314 is opened by switching the switch 313 by a tablet loading operator. The tablet path 314 is in the open state in the example of Fig. 7, and in the closed state in the example of Fig. 8.

[0042] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a loading state of the tablet T. When the tablet bottle 2, the loading jig 300, and the container body 100 are assembled as shown in FIG. 7 and then inverted, the state shown in FIG. 9 is obtained. In FIG. 9, the tablet path 314 is in an open state, and the tablet T in the tablet bottle 2 passes through the tablet path 314 of the loading jig 300 and is loaded into the tablet pocket 121 of the container body 100. The shape of one end (the upper end in FIG. 8) of each tablet path 314 of the loading jig 300 is configured to be substantially the same as the shape of the tablet passage hole of the tablet pocket 121 so that the tablet T smoothly enters the tablet pocket 121 of the container body 100 after passing through the tablet path 314. In this way, the loading jig 300 has a mechanism for aligning the tablet T in the direction in which it is accommodated in the tablet pocket 121.

[0043] After the tablet loading operator confirms that the tablets T have been loaded without any gaps, he or she switches the switch 313 to close the tablet path 314, and then removes the loading jig 300 from the container body 100. In the closed state, the tablets T from the tablet bottle 2 do not pass through the loading jig 300, so that even if the tablet bottle 2 is inverted as shown in Figure 9, the tablets will not spill out.

[0044] Next, the tablet number setting operator attaches the lid body 200 to the container body 100 by inserting the insertion member 220 into the support member 140 as shown in Fig. 2. Through the above operations, the tablet container 1 loaded with tablets is completed as shown in Fig. 1. The tablet container 1 loaded with tablets is handed over to a user such as a person taking tablets T by a medical professional such as a doctor or pharmacist.

[0045] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view for explaining an example of an operation for taking out tablets T from the tablet container 1 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 10, a user can take out tablets T accommodated in a tablet pocket 121 corresponding to the opened hinge cap part 210 from a tablet passing hole 201 by opening one of the hinge cap parts 210 and inverting the tablet container 1. Therefore, if the number of tablets T accommodated in each tablet pocket 121 is set to a dose for one use by the user, the user can take out tablets T for one use by simply inverting the tablet container 1. This eliminates the need for the user to count the tablets T while taking them out, thereby reducing bothersome work. In addition, the risk that the user will miscount the tablets T and take an inappropriate number of tablets T can be reduced.

[0046] In addition, since the container body 100 has 14 tablet pockets 121, it can store 14 doses of tablets, which corresponds to the dose when tablets are taken twice a day, in the morning and at night, for one week, without the need to load additional tablets.

[0047] 3. Details of the configuration of the pill pocket 121 Fig. 11A is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the tablet pocket 121. For convenience of explanation, Fig. 11A shows only one of the multiple tablet pockets 121 as shown in Fig. 5.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 11A, the bottom tablet T rests on the protrusion 132 of the tablet number setting member 130. The tablets T are stored in series in the tablet pocket 121. As shown in Fig. 11A, the angle between the two line segments connecting the peak of the left wall 122 and the two valleys adjacent to the peak is 2θ. Similarly, the angle between the two line segments connecting the peak of the right wall 123 and the two valleys adjacent to the peak is also 2θ.

[0049] In a state where the tablets T are loaded, the odd-numbered tablets T from the bottom are supported by the adjacent tablets T below and the right wall 123. However, the tablet T in the lowest row (first from the bottom) is supported by the protrusion 132 of the tablet number setting member 130 and the right wall 123. The even-numbered tablets T from the bottom are supported by the adjacent tablets T below and the left wall 122. With this configuration, a straight line passing through the center of the even-numbered tablet T from the bottom and the center of the tablet T in contact with the even-numbered tablet T forms an angle of θ with respect to the X direction perpendicular to the Z direction in which the tablet pocket 121 extends. θ is, for example, 30° or more and 75° or less, for example, 45°, for example, 60°.

[0050] In this configuration example, the total height H from the bottom end of the tablet T in the bottom row (the first from the bottom) to the top end of the tablet T in the top row (the i-th from the bottom) is expressed by the following formula (1). H = (i-1) D sin θ + D … (1) Here, D is the diameter of the cylindrical tablet T.

[0051] According to formula (1), for example, When i=32, D=3.0mm, and θ=60°, H=83.54mm. When i=32, D=3.0 mm, and θ=45°, H=68.76 mm.

[0052] In Fig. 11A, the component d of the distance in the X direction between the crest of the left wall 122 and the crest of the right wall 123 is smaller than the distance between the crest of the left wall 122 and the valley of the left wall 122 adjacent to the crest. For example, the distance d is smaller than the diameter D of the tablet T. For example, when the diameter D of the tablet T is 3.0 mm, the distance d is set to be 2.0 mm or more and less than 3.0 mm. For example, when D = 3.0 mm and θ = 60°, d is set to 2.43 mm, and when D = 3.0 mm and θ = 45°, d is set to 2.55 mm.

[0053] FIG. 11B is a partial enlarged view of region R in FIG. 11A. The dimensions of the tablets T may vary depending on manufacturing precision. Furthermore, the tablets T may absorb moisture and expand due to humidity in the surrounding environment. In order to accommodate the tablets T even when there is variation in dimensions, the distance W between the parallel left wall 122 and right wall 123 of the tablet pocket 121 may be set to the sum of the diameter D of the tablet T and a margin value m. m is set to, for example, 2% to 20% of the diameter D of the tablet T. As a result, even if the tablets T absorb moisture and expand, the tablet pocket 121 can accommodate a set number of tablets T.

[0054] Fig. 11C is a schematic diagram for comparatively explaining the state in which tablets of different sizes are contained in the tablet pocket 121 of Fig. 11A. The left diagram (a) of Fig. 11C is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the tablet pocket 121, similar to Fig. 11A. The left diagram (a) of Fig. 11C is a schematic diagram of the tablet pocket 121 when i = 32, D (diameter φ of tablet T1) = 3.0 mm, and θ = 60°. The right diagram (b) of Fig. 11C is a schematic diagram of the same tablet pocket 121 as the left diagram (a) of Fig. 11C, but containing 32 tablets T2 with a diameter of 3.1 mm.

[0055] In the tablet pocket 121 configured to have H=83.54 mm when i=32, D=3.0 mm, and θ=60° as described above, if the margin value m is set to 0.40 mm, when the tablet T2 expands to D'=3.1 mm, the total height H' from the bottom end of the tablet T2 at the top end of the tablet T2 at the bottom will be 83.83 mm, as shown in the right diagram (b) of FIG. 11C. This value of H' is different from 86.33 mm, which is the value of H calculated by formula (1) when i=32, D=3.1 mm, and θ=60°. This is because the diameter D of the tablet T2 has increased and the margin value m exists, so that the angle that the straight line passing through the center of the even-numbered tablet T2 from the bottom and the center of the tablet T2 in contact with the even-numbered tablet T2 at the top of the tablet T2 at the bottom becomes slightly smaller than 60° with respect to the X direction.

[0056] In this way, the tablets T2 are stored in the tablet pocket 121 in a zigzag shape along the Z direction, and due to the presence of the margin value m, even if the tablets T2 expand, the increase in the total height from the bottom end of the tablet T2 in the bottom row to the top end of the tablet T2 in the top row can be reduced.

[0057] 4. Effects etc. As described above, the tablet container 1 according to this embodiment includes a plurality of tablet pockets 121 each extending in the Z direction and having a volume capable of accommodating a predetermined number of tablets T. Each of the plurality of tablet pockets 121 extends in the Z direction and has a left wall 122 and a right wall 123 which are an example of a pair of walls arranged opposite each other. The left wall 122 and the right wall 123 are each configured in a corrugated shape in which a plurality of peaks protruding inward toward the other wall and a plurality of valleys recessed outward are alternately repeated along the Z direction.

[0058] According to this configuration, the tablets T are stored in the tablet pocket 121 in a zigzag shape along the corrugated left wall 122 or right wall 123, so that it is possible to reduce the accumulation of dimensional errors of the tablets T in the Z direction compared to the case where the tablets are stored in a straight line in the Z direction. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the number of tablets T stored in the tablet pocket 121 from deviating from the desired number due to the accumulation of dimensional errors of the tablets T, and it is possible to store the desired number of tablets T in the tablet pocket 121 more accurately than with the conventional technology.

[0059] Also, unlike the tablet container 1 according to this embodiment, when tablets T are stored in a straight line, for example, the tablet T stored at the bottom is subjected to an external force such as the weight of all tablets T stored above that tablet T, and this external force may cause the tablet T to break. In contrast, in the tablet container 1 according to this embodiment, the tablet T stored in the tablet pocket 121 not only contacts the tablet T below, but also contacts the left wall 122 or the right wall 123. Therefore, the external force such as the weight of the tablet T stored above that tablet T applied to the tablet T is not applied only to the tablet T, but is also distributed to the left wall 122 or the right wall 123. Therefore, according to the tablet container 1 according to this embodiment, the risk of the tablet T being broken by an external force can be reduced.

[0060] In the tablet container 1 according to this embodiment, each tablet pocket 121 has a tablet passing hole at its upper end, which is one end in the Z direction, for passing tablets T. The tablet container 1 may further include a tablet number setting member 130 movable in the Z direction within each tablet pocket 121. The tablet number setting member 130 is configured to be able to change the volume between the tablet passing hole and the tablet number setting member 130 in each tablet pocket 121 by moving in the Z direction within each tablet pocket 121.

[0061] Conventionally, it was necessary to manufacture a tablet 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 10 tablets and another user who takes 20 tablets, it was necessary to manufacture and store as inventory both a tablet container for dispensing 10 tablets at a time and a tablet container for dispensing 20 tablets at a time. In contrast, the tablet container 1 according to this embodiment can set the number of tablets that can be accommodated in each tablet pocket 121 to a desired number. Therefore, since it is not necessary to design and manufacture tablet containers of various shapes and store them as inventory, it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs and storage space for inventory.

[0062] In the tablet container 1 according to this embodiment, each tablet pocket 121 may be provided with a plurality of mounting holes 129 aligned at equal intervals in the Z direction. The tablet number setting member 130 is configured to be detachably inserted into one of the plurality of mounting holes 129 and to prevent the tablets T from moving in the Z direction.

[0063] According to this configuration, the number of tablets T that can be accommodated in each tablet pocket 121 can be precisely set by selecting the mounting hole 129 into which the tablet number setting member 130 is inserted.

[0064] In the tablet container 1 according to this embodiment, the number n of the mounting holes 129 in each tablet pocket 121 may be equal to the sum of the number of the peaks and the number of the valleys in each tablet pocket 121. The first mounting hole 129 arranged at the lowest of the mounting holes 129 is arranged below the first valley arranged at the lowest of the valleys. The m-th mounting hole 129 arranged m-th from the bottom among the mounting holes 129 is arranged between the m-1-th valley arranged m-1-th from the bottom among the valleys and the m-1-th peak arranged m-1-th from the bottom among the peaks.

[0065] According to this configuration, by selecting the mounting hole 129 into which the tablet number setting member 130 is inserted from the n mounting holes 129, the number of tablets T that can be accommodated in each tablet pocket 121 can be set more precisely.

[0066] In the tablet container 1 according to this embodiment, the multiple tablet pockets 121 are aligned in the X direction, and therefore the multiple mounting holes 129 may also be aligned in the X direction.

[0067] According to this configuration, by using an easily manufactured tablet number setting member 130 having protrusions 132 aligned in the X direction, it is possible to set the volume between the tablet passage holes and the tablet number setting member 130 in each tablet pocket 121 to be approximately the same. Therefore, the number of tablets T that can be accommodated in each tablet pocket 121 can be set to be the same.

[0068] The tablet container 1 according to this embodiment may further include a hinge cap portion 210 configured to be able to open and close the tablet passage holes of the tablet pockets 121 individually.

[0069] According to this configuration, the user can open one of the hinge cap parts 210 and take out only the tablets T contained in the opened tablet pocket 121 from the tablet container 1. This eliminates the need for the user to count the tablets T while taking them out, reducing bothersome work. It also reduces the risk that the user will miscount the tablets T and take an inappropriate number of tablets T.

[0070] In the tablet container 1 according to this embodiment, the left wall 122 and the right wall 123 may be parallel to each other along the Z direction so that the position of the peak of the left wall 122 and the position of the valley of the right wall 123 in the Z direction coincide with each other.

[0071] According to this configuration, the tablets T are contained in the tablet pocket 121 along the corrugated left wall 122 and right wall 123, so that the tablets T in the tablet pocket 121 can be more reliably aligned in a zigzag pattern.

[0072] In the tablet container 1 according to this embodiment, the X-direction component d of the distance between the crest of the left wall 122 and the crest of the right wall 123 may be smaller than the distance between the crest of the left wall 122 and the valley of the left wall 122 adjacent to the crest. For example, the X-direction component d of the distance between the crest of the left wall 122 and the crest of the right wall 123 is smaller than the diameter D of the tablet T.

[0073] According to this configuration, when tablets T are loaded into the tablet pocket 121 through the tablet passing hole, the probability that the falling distance of the tablets T at one time will be smaller than the height from the tablet number setting member 130 to the tablet passing hole increases. For example, if the distance d is smaller than the diameter D of the tablets T, the tablets T inserted through the tablet passing hole will come into contact with the crest of the left wall 122 or the crest of the right wall 123, and will not fall in a straight line to the tablet number setting member 130 without coming into contact with anything. In this way, the falling distance of the tablets T at one time becomes smaller than the height from the tablet number setting member 130 to the tablet passing hole, so that the magnitude of the impact due to the fall is reduced, and the risk of the tablets T being damaged by the fall can be reduced.

[0074] [Variations] 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.

[0075] [First Modification] Fig. 12 is a front view of a pocket member 120a according to a first modified example of the embodiment of the present invention. Compared to the pocket member 120 in Fig. 5, the pocket member 120a in Fig. 12 has a different structure of a right wall 123a. Specifically, while the right wall 123 of the pocket member 120 in Fig. 5 has a corrugated shape, the right wall 123a of the pocket member 120a in Fig. 12 has a straight shape that extends in a substantially linear manner.

[0076] The distance between the left wall 122 and the right wall 123a is greater than the distance between the crest of the left wall 122 and the valley of the left wall 122 adjacent to the crest, but is less than twice that distance. For example, the distance between the left wall 122 and the right wall 123a is greater than the diameter D of the tablet T, but is less than 2D. This allows the tablet T inserted through the tablet passing hole to reach the protrusion 132 of the tablet number setting member 130 through the tablet pocket 121, and prevents two tablets T from being stored in parallel in the X direction in each tablet pocket 121.

[0077] Fig. 13 is a front view showing a state in which tablets T are accommodated in the pocket member 120a of Fig. 12. As in the above embodiment, the pocket member 120a according to the first modified embodiment of the present invention also accommodates tablets T in a zigzag manner in the tablet pocket 121, so that it is possible to prevent the number of tablets T accommodated in the tablet pocket 121 from deviating from the desired number due to accumulation of dimensional errors of the tablets T.

[0078] Furthermore, in the first modified example, when a user turns the tablet container 1 upside down to take out tablets T contained in the tablet pocket 121, the right wall 123a is not corrugated, so that the tablet T is less likely to come into contact with the left wall 122 or the right wall 123a. Therefore, according to the first modified example, a user can quickly take out tablets T, improving the usability of the tablet container 1.

[0079] [Second modified example] Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a container body 100b according to a second modified example of the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 15 is a plan view of the container body 100b of Fig. 14. The container body 100b includes a pocket member 120b instead of the pocket member 120 of the above embodiment.

[0080] Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing a state in which a tablet T is contained in the container body 100b of Fig. 14. Fig. 17 is an end view of the container body 100b of Fig. 15 taken along line XVII-XVII. For ease of explanation, Fig. 17 shows the tablet T contained in the tablet pocket 121.

[0081] 1 and 2, the cylindrical tablet T is stored in the tablet pocket 121 with the bottom surface facing the front (Y direction). In other words, a straight line passing through the center of one bottom surface of the cylindrical tablet T and the center of the other bottom surface is approximately parallel to the Y axis.

[0082] In contrast, as shown in Fig. 16, in a container body 100b according to the second modified example, cylindrical tablets T are stored in the tablet pocket 121 with their side surface facing forward. In addition, in the container body 100b, the mounting hole 129b forms a through hole penetrating from one side surface to the other side surface of the pocket member 120b. A rod-shaped tablet number setting member 130b penetrating from one side surface to the other side surface of the pocket member 120b is inserted into the mounting hole 129b.

[0083] 17, each tablet pocket 121 has an inner wall 123b formed in a corrugated plate shape. Therefore, the tablets T contained in each tablet pocket 121 are sandwiched between the inner wall 123b and the case 110 and aligned in a zigzag shape along the Z direction.

[0084] With this configuration, as in the above embodiment and the first modified example, the tablets T are contained in the tablet pocket 121 in a zigzag pattern, thereby preventing dimensional errors in the tablets T from accumulating and causing the number of tablets T contained in the tablet pocket 121 to deviate from the desired number. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1 pill container 100 Container body 110 cases 120 Pocket member 121 Tablet pocket (tablet storage section) 122 Left wall (wall section) 123 Right wall (wall section) 129 Mounting hole 130 Lock number setting member 131 Base material 132 Protrusion 140 Support member 200 Lid 201 Tablet passage hole 210 Hinge cap part 220 Insertion parts 300 Loading Jig 301 Main unit 302 Tablet container attachment part 311 Movable insert member 312 Fixed insert 313 Switch 314 Tablet Route 315 Tablet Stopper

Claims

1. A tablet container including a plurality of tablet storage sections each extending in a first direction and each having a volume capable of storing a predetermined number of tablets, Each of the tablet housing sections has a pair of wall portions extending in the first direction and arranged opposite to each other, At least one of the pair of wall portions is configured in a corrugated shape in which a plurality of peaks protruding inward toward the other wall portion and a plurality of valleys recessed outward are alternately repeated along the first direction, Each of the tablet housing sections has a tablet passing hole at an upper end, which is one end in the first direction, through which the plurality of tablets pass, The tablet container further includes a tablet number setting member movable in the first direction within each tablet storage portion, The tablet number setting member is configured to be able to change the volume between the tablet passing hole and the tablet number setting member in each of the tablet storage sections by moving in the first direction in each of the tablet storage sections. Pill container.

2. Each of the tablet housing sections is provided with a plurality of mounting holes aligned at equal intervals in the first direction, The tablet number setting member is removably inserted into one of the plurality of mounting holes and configured to prevent the tablets from moving in the first direction.

2. The tablet container of claim 1.

3. the number n of the mounting holes of each of the tablet accommodating sections is equal to the sum of the number of the peaks and the number of the valleys of each of the tablet accommodating sections, a first mounting hole arranged at the lowest position among the plurality of mounting holes is arranged below a first valley portion arranged at the lowest position among the plurality of valley portions; The m-th mounting hole (where m is an integer between 2 and n) arranged in the mth position from the bottom among the plurality of mounting holes is arranged between the m-1-th valley portion arranged in the m-1th position from the bottom among the plurality of valley portions and the m-1-th peak portion arranged in the m-1th position from the bottom among the plurality of peak portions.

3. The tablet container of claim 2.

4. The tablet container according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the plurality of tablet storage portions are aligned in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the plurality of mounting holes are aligned in the second direction.

5. The tablet container according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising a cap configured to be able to individually open and close the tablet passage holes of each of the tablet storage sections.

6. The tablet container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the other of the pair of walls extends substantially linearly in the first direction.

7. The other of the pair of wall portions is configured in a corrugated shape in which a plurality of peaks protruding inward toward the one wall portion and a plurality of valleys recessed outward are alternately repeated along the first direction, The pair of wall portions are parallel to each other along the first direction such that a position of a peak of one of the wall portions in the first direction coincides with a position of a valley of the other wall portion. The tablet container according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. The tablet container according to claim 7, wherein a component of a distance between a peak of one wall portion and a peak of the other wall portion in a direction perpendicular to the first direction is smaller than a distance between a peak of one wall portion and a valley of one wall portion adjacent to the peak.

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