Combination of powder measuring device and packaging device

Abstract

A combination powder metering device and packaging device is provided. [Solution] A combination of a powder measuring device and a packaging device is provided. The powder measuring device includes a measuring unit and a display processing unit. The measuring unit measures the powder supplied from a first powder container to a second powder container. The display processing unit displays dispensing data related to the powder on a display unit provided on the second powder container. The packaging device is provided separately from the powder measuring device and is used to package the powder contained in the second powder container.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention is primarily concerned with the combination of a powder measuring device and a packaging device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a powder measuring device that measures powder that has been manually or automatically dispensed into a specified container. Patent Document 1 discloses a medicine inspection device that includes this type of powder measuring device (medicine weighing device).

[0003] The drug inspection device of Patent Document 1 includes a weighing unit, an RFID reader, and a control unit. An RFID tag is attached to a container that contains the drug. The RFID tag stores the weight and identification information of the container. The weighing unit detects the weight of the drug including the container. The RFID reader obtains the container's identification information and the container's weight by reading the container's RFID tag. The control unit detects the weight of the drug contained in the container by subtracting the container's weight read by the RFID reader from the weight detected by the weighing unit. The control unit determines whether the weight of the drug contained in the container matches the weight specified in the prescription based on the container's identification information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-238493 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a combination powder measuring device and packaging device.

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention has been described above. Next, the means for solving this problem and the effects thereof will be described.

[0007] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a combined powder measuring device and packaging device having the following configuration. That is, the powder measuring device includes a measuring unit and a display processing unit. The measuring unit measures the powder supplied from a first powder container to a second powder container. The display processing unit is provided in the second powder container. The display content can be changed. The powder measuring device is provided separately from the second powder container and is used to package the powder supplied to the second powder container.

[0008] Combination of the powder measuring device and the packaging device Device In the above, it is preferable that the display processing section causes the display section to display the measurement value of the measurement section.

[0009] In the combined device of the powder measuring device and the packaging device, the display processing unit The second powder container contained It is preferable that at least one of the name of the powder and information about the user of the powder is further displayed on the display unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of a powder medicine measuring and packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the powder measuring and packaging device. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 11 is a flowchart showing a presetting process. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a process related to an intermediate container when a first action is performed. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the intermediate container and the path of the powder when a first action is performed. [Figure 9]11 is a flowchart showing a process relating to the transport or waiting of an intermediate container and a secondary container. [Figure 10] 4 is a flowchart showing a process related to operation and cleaning in the distribution section and packaging section. [Figure 11] 11 is a flow chart showing a process relating to an external weighing container. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing a process related to the secondary container when performing a second operation. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the secondary container and the path of the powder when the second action is performed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of a powder measuring, dispensing and packaging device 1. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the powder measuring, dispensing and packaging device 1.

[0012] The powder measuring and packaging device (powder measuring device, powder dispensing device) 1 is installed in a pharmacy or hospital, etc., and measures out powder (powder, fine granule, or granular medicine) according to prescription data input by an operator, and packages (divides) the measured powder into a packaging material in predetermined amounts. Measuring out means supplying the powder while measuring it. The powder measuring and packaging device 1 can also only measure out the powder and provide it to the operator without packaging it. In the following description, both measuring out and packaging the powder is referred to as the first operation, and only measuring out the powder is referred to as the second operation. The powder measuring and packaging device 1 of this embodiment is configured to handle only powder, but may be configured to package tablets in addition to powder.

[0013] When performing the first operation, the powder measuring and packaging device 1 stores and transports powder in an intermediate container 101. A detailed configuration of the intermediate container 101 will be described later. As shown in FIG. 1, the powder measuring and packaging device 1 includes a plurality of first waiting tables 11 for holding the intermediate containers 101 before powder supply. Each of the first waiting tables 11 supports, for example, the bottom surface of the intermediate container 101. The intermediate container 101 before powder supply, which is located at a first waiting position P1 (a position where the intermediate container 101 before powder supply is held), is placed on the first waiting table 11.

[0014] Note that first waiting table 11 may further be provided with a pin or the like for restricting horizontal movement of intermediate container 101. Furthermore, while first waiting table 11 in this embodiment is configured to support the bottom surface of intermediate container 101, it may also be configured to support other parts of intermediate container 101. For example, if intermediate container 101 is flange-shaped, it may be configured to support a portion protruding in the radial direction (i.e., configured to suspend intermediate container 101).

[0015] When the powder measuring and packaging device 1 performs the second operation, the powder is accommodated in the secondary container 102 and transported. A detailed configuration of the secondary container 102 will be described later. The powder measuring and packaging device 1 includes a plurality of second waiting tables 12 for holding the secondary containers 102 before powder supply. Each of the second waiting tables 12 supports, for example, the bottom surface of the secondary container 102. The secondary containers 102 before powder supply, which are located at a second waiting position P2 (a position where the secondary containers 102 before powder supply are held), are placed on the second waiting tables 12. The second waiting tables 12 may have a different configuration from that of this embodiment, as described for the first waiting table 11. Even when the second operation is performed, the powder may be placed in the intermediate container 101 and transported.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the powder measuring and packaging device 1 includes a control device 50, a conveying unit 13, a powder container 14, a powder supply mechanism 15, a measuring unit 16, and a display processing unit 17, which are parts used to dispense the powder in the first or second operation.

[0017] The control device 50 is configured as a known computer, and includes a calculation device such as a CPU (not shown), a storage device such as a flash memory or a hard disk, and an input / output unit for communicating with the outside. Various programs and setting values ​​are stored in the storage device. The calculation device reads out the various programs and the like from the storage device, and controls the operation of each part of the powder measuring and packaging device 1 based on the detection values ​​of sensors provided in each part of the powder measuring and packaging device 1 and the various setting values ​​and the like stored in the storage device.

[0018] The conveying unit 13 includes a first conveying unit 13a and a second conveying unit 13b. The first conveying unit 13a and the second conveying unit 13b only differ in the range of conveying and have the same configuration for conveying, so the following description will be given taking the first conveying unit 13a as an example. The first conveying unit 13a is configured to be able to convey the intermediate container 101 and the secondary container 102. The first conveying unit 13a includes a container holding unit that holds the intermediate container 101 or the secondary container 102. The container holding unit may further include a pin or the like that restricts the intermediate container 101 or the secondary container 102 from moving in the horizontal direction. The container holding unit is configured to be able to move along a rail formed in the powder medicine measuring and packaging device 1. The first conveying unit 13a can convey the intermediate container 101 or the secondary container 102 by moving the container holding unit along the rail while the intermediate container 101 or the secondary container 102 is held in the container holding unit.

[0019] In Fig. 1, the path (rail) of the first conveyor 13a is indicated by a dashed line, and the path (rail) of the second conveyor 13b is indicated by a two-dot chain line. The first conveyor 13a and the second conveyor 13b are provided with, for example, separate drive sources and can operate independently. Therefore, the conveyor by the first conveyor 13a and the conveyor by the second conveyor 13b can be performed in parallel.

[0020] Note that the transport unit 13 may be configured to have a chuck for gripping a container or a suction unit for sucking and holding a container instead of the container holding unit. The rails of the transport unit 13 may also be omitted. For example, if the container holding unit is provided at the tip of an extendable or rotatable arm, and the position of the container holding unit is changed by extending or rotating the arm, the rails will not be necessary.

[0021] The powder container 14 is a container in which a powder is stored. An opening is formed in the powder container 14 for supplying the powder to the outside. A plurality of powder containers 14 are arranged in the powder measuring and packaging device 1, and different types of powder are stored in each of them. Two of the plurality of powder containers 14 may store the same type of powder (for example, a powder that is used frequently). The powder supply mechanism 15 includes a holder, a moving mechanism, and a supply mechanism. The holder holds the plurality of powder containers 14 in a detachable manner. The moving mechanism moves the powder container 14 held by the holder to a predetermined position. The supply mechanism acts on the powder container 14 moved to the predetermined position, and supplies the stored powder downward through the opening of the powder container 14.

[0022] The weighing unit 16 includes a mounting table 16a and a detection unit 16b. The mounting table 16a is disposed below the powder container 14 and the holder. An intermediate container 101 or a secondary container 102 can be mounted on the mounting table 16a. The conveying unit 13 moves toward and away from the mounting table 16a while holding the intermediate container 101 or the secondary container 102. The intermediate container 101 or the secondary container 102 is mounted on or removed from the mounting table 16a along the horizontal direction between the holder and the mounting table 16a. The intermediate container 101 or the secondary container 102 located at a weighing position P3 (a position where the intermediate container 101 or the secondary container 102 is weighed) is mounted on the mounting table 16a. The detection unit 16b is an electromagnetic or load cell type load sensor, and weighs the intermediate container 101 or the secondary container 102 placed on the placement table 16a. In other words, the weighing unit 16 is configured as an electronic balance, and the placement table 16a corresponds to the weighing dish of the electronic balance. The powder supply mechanism 15 moves the powder container 14 containing the powder indicated by the dispensing data to directly above the placement table 16a, and supplies the powder in the powder container 14 to the intermediate container 101 or the secondary container 102 placed on the placement table 16a.

[0023] In addition, in this embodiment, a plurality of powder supply mechanisms 15 are provided, and a measuring unit 16 is provided for each supply mechanism, so that supply and measurement of powder can be performed for each supply mechanism. This allows the supply and measurement of powder to be performed in parallel by the plurality of powder supply mechanisms 15 and the measuring unit 16.

[0024] Alternatively, only one set of powder supply mechanism 15 and measuring unit 16 may be provided. Furthermore, a plurality of measuring units 16 may be provided for one powder supply mechanism 15. In this case, a plurality of mounting tables 16a are provided corresponding to the plurality of measuring units 16. Furthermore, instead of powder container 14, mounting table 16a or measuring unit 16 may be movable relative to powder container 14. Furthermore, a configuration may be adopted in which powder container 14 is conveyed while being held by a chuck or the like, and brought close to intermediate container 101 or secondary container 102 on mounting table 16a, and then powder is supplied.

[0025] The weighing unit 16 calculates the weight of the supplied powder by subtracting the weight before the start of the supply of the powder with the intermediate container 101 or the secondary container 102 placed on the placement table 16a from the weight after the start of the supply of the powder. Instead of this configuration, the weights of the intermediate container 101 and the secondary container 102 may be stored in advance, and the weight of the supplied powder may be calculated by subtracting the pre-stored weight of the placed container from the weight after the start of the supply of the powder. Alternatively, the weighing unit 16 may calculate the weight of the supplied powder by performing tare with the intermediate container 101 or the secondary container 102 placed on the placement table 16a.

[0026] In this embodiment, the weighing unit 16 calculates the weight of the supplied powder by weighing the intermediate container 101 or the secondary container 102 on the mounting table 16a. Alternatively, the weighing unit 16 may be configured to calculate the weight of the supplied powder by weighing the powder container 14. In this case, the weighing unit 16 calculates the weight of the supplied powder based on the change in weight of the powder container 14.

[0027] Here, a description will be given of the configuration of intermediate container 101 into which the powder is supplied. As shown in Fig. 3, intermediate container 101 includes a storage section 101a, a discharge path 101b, an opening / closing section 101c, and a display section 101d.

[0028] The storage section 101a is a cylindrical portion that stores the powder supplied from the powder container 14. The storage section 101a has a storage space surrounded by a wall so that the powder does not fall during transport of the intermediate container 101. The storage section 101a is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be a rectangular parallelepiped or other shape.

[0029] The discharge path 101b is formed at a position adjacent to the storage section 101a in the horizontal direction. The discharge path 101b is a path for discharging the powder stored in the storage section 101a to the outside of the intermediate container 101 (to the distributor 24 described later in this embodiment). The discharge path 101b is configured to include a long and narrow bottom surface for moving the powder toward the outside, a discharge port formed at an end in the longitudinal direction (the direction in which the powder moves), and a side surface formed at an end in the lateral direction.

[0030] The opening / closing unit 101c includes a partition plate that separates the storage unit 101a and the discharge path 101b, which are arranged next to each other in the horizontal direction. That is, the partition plate is one of the members that form the storage space of the storage unit 101a. In addition, the partition plate is configured to be movable in the vertical direction, and the storage unit 101a and the discharge path 101b can be connected by moving the partition plate. In other words, the opening / closing unit 101c can switch between an open state in which the powder stored in the storage unit 101a can be discharged via the discharge path 101b, and a closed state in which the powder stored in the storage unit 101a cannot be discharged, by moving the partition plate.

[0031] The opening / closing unit 101c may be configured to switch between the open state and the closed state by rotating the partition plate instead of moving it vertically. The partition plate of the opening / closing unit 101c may be configured to separate the storage unit 101a and the discharge path 101b that are arranged adjacent to each other in the vertical direction. To be more specific, the partition plate is arranged on a part of the bottom surface of the storage unit 101a, and a part of the discharge path 101b is arranged below this partition plate. The opening and closing states are switched by moving the partition plate.

[0032] The display unit 101d displays information such as characters. The display unit 101d is configured to be able to change the display content based on a signal received from the outside. The display unit 101d is disposed on the outer surface of the storage unit 101a. The display unit 101d in this embodiment is, for example, a microcapsule type or electrophoretic type electronic paper. In this embodiment, the display unit 101d is a dot matrix type display device, but may be a segment type display device as long as it is configured to display only numbers.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the display unit 101d reflects information contained in the dispensing data and displays four items, namely, powder name, recipient, target value, and measurement value. The powder name is the name of the powder supplied to the intermediate container 101. The recipient is information for identifying the recipient, such as the name and age of the recipient of the powder in the dispensing data. The target value is the target value of the powder supplied to the intermediate container 101. These pieces of information are displayed based on the dispensing data input in advance by the operator. The measurement value is the weight (actual value) of the powder supplied to the intermediate container 101. The weight (actual value) of the powder is calculated by the measuring unit 16.

[0034] Display unit 101d may be a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, etc., instead of electronic paper. Display unit 101d may be disposed on the outer surface of discharge path 101b, instead of storage unit 101a.

[0035] Next, the secondary container 102 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 4, the secondary container 102 includes a storage section 102a and a display section 102d.

[0036] Similar to the storage portion 101a, the storage portion 102a is a cylindrical portion that stores the powder supplied from the powder container 14. The shape of the storage portion 102a is preferably similar to that of the storage portion 101a.

[0037] Specifically, the intermediate container 101 and the secondary container 102 are transported by a common first transport unit 13a. Therefore, at least the portion held by the first transport unit 13a needs to have the same structure. For example, when the transport unit 13 includes a container holding unit, it is preferable that the bottom surfaces of the intermediate container 101 and the secondary container 102 have the same structure. Furthermore, when the first transport unit 13a further includes a pin that restricts the container from moving in the horizontal direction, it is preferable that both the intermediate container 101 and the secondary container 102 are engageable with this pin. Furthermore, the intermediate container 101 and the secondary container 102 are weighed by a common weighing unit 16. In this respect, it is preferable that the portion (bottom surface) supported by the mounting table 16a has the same structure. Furthermore, the intermediate container 101 and the secondary container 102 are supplied with powder by a common powder supply mechanism 15. Therefore, it is preferable that the height and shape of the upper opening of the intermediate container 101 and the secondary container 102 are the same.

[0038] The display unit 102d is electronic paper that displays information such as characters, similar to the display unit 101d. The display unit 102d has the same configuration as the display unit 101d. The display unit 102d displays the same information as the display unit 101d. The display unit 101d and the display unit 102d share a device (display processing unit 17) used to rewrite information. Therefore, it is preferable that the positions of the display units 101d and 102d relative to the display processing unit 17 are the same so that the signals output by the display processing unit 17 can be appropriately received. From this viewpoint, it is preferable that the display units 101d and 102d are provided in the storage units 101a and 102a, which have a structure common to both, rather than in the discharge path 101b provided only in the intermediate container 101.

[0039] Further, a display processor 17 is disposed near each of the mounting tables 16a. The display processor 17 is, for example, a reader / writer, and performs a process of changing the information displayed on the display units 101d and 102d. Specifically, the display processor 17 reads out the powder name, the recipient, and the target value based on the dispensing data stored in the control device 50, and displays them on the display units 101d and 102d. The display processor 17 also performs a process of acquiring the measurement value from the measuring unit 16 directly or via the control device 50, and displaying it on the display units 101d and 102d.

[0040] In this embodiment, the display processing unit 17 is disposed near each of the multiple mounting tables 16a. Therefore, the display processing unit 17 can change the display contents of the display units 101d, 102d even while the intermediate container 101 or the secondary container 102 is being weighed by the weighing unit 16 (i.e., while the powder is being supplied). In addition, the display processing unit 17 can display the weighed value on the display units 101d, 102d even after the weighing unit 16 has weighed the intermediate container 101 or the secondary container 102, without moving the intermediate container 101 or the secondary container 102.

[0041] Although the display processing unit 17 of this embodiment changes the display contents of the displays 101d, 102d by close-proximity communication, the display contents of the displays 101d, 102d may be changed by a signal that can reach a relatively long distance (e.g., a signal using wireless LAN). In this case, for example, one display processing unit 17 can be used to change the display contents of the intermediate container 101 or the secondary container 102 placed on any of the multiple placement stages 16a.

[0042] The process described above, that is, the process of conveying the container (intermediate container 101 or secondary container 102) in the standby position to the mounting table 16a and supplying the powder while measuring it, is a process that is performed in common in the first and second operations. In the second operation, since no particular process is required within the device after the amount is dispensed, the powder is sent out to the outside.

[0043] Specifically, the powder measuring and packaging device 1 includes a plurality of second removal tables 18 for removing the secondary containers 102. Each of the second removal tables 18 supports the bottom surface of the secondary containers 102. A secondary container located at a second removal position P9 (a position for an operator to remove the secondary container 102) is placed on the second removal table 18. Note that the second waiting table 12 may have a configuration different from that of this embodiment, similar to that described for the first waiting table 11.

[0044] The operator takes out the secondary container 102 transported to the second take-out table 18 at an appropriate timing and uses it. For example, the operator supplies the secondary container 102 taken out from the powder measuring and packaging device 1 to another packaging device for packaging. This allows packaging to be performed in parallel by the powder measuring and packaging device 1 and the other packaging device, making it possible to perform work efficiently. After using the powder contained in the secondary container 102, the operator cleans the secondary container 102 and returns it to the second waiting table 12. This allows the secondary container 102 to be used repeatedly.

[0045] In the first operation, a process of distributing and packaging the powder supplied to intermediate container 101 is performed. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, powder measuring and packaging device 1 further includes a plurality of discharge units 22 and a packaging unit 23 as parts used for distributing and packaging. Packaging unit 23 includes a plurality of distribution units 24 and a packaging unit 25. In addition, a discharge standby table 21 is arranged at the boundary between the part where the amount is dispensed and the part where the distribution and packaging are performed.

[0046] The discharge standby table 21 supports the bottom surface of the intermediate container 101. The discharge standby table 21 is placed on the intermediate container 101 located at a discharge standby position P4 (a position where the intermediate container 101, which has completed dispensing and has not yet discharged powder, is kept on standby). Note that the discharge standby table 21 may have a configuration different from that of this embodiment, as described for the first standby table 11. Also, in this embodiment, one discharge standby table 21 is arranged, but a configuration in which multiple discharge standby tables 21 are arranged may be used.

[0047] By providing the discharge standby table 21, even when the intermediate container 101 cannot be transported from the mounting table 16a to the discharge section 22, the intermediate container 101 can be made to wait on the discharge standby table 21. As a result, the weighing section 16 can be used to dispense a quantity into another intermediate container 101.

[0048] The discharge standby stage 21 also functions as a relay point between the first conveyor 13a and the second conveyor 13b. That is, the first conveyor 13a is configured to be able to convey containers between the first standby position P1, the second standby position P2, the weighing position P3, the discharge standby position P4, the cleaning standby position P7 described later, and the second take-out position P9. On the other hand, the second conveyor 13b is also configured to be able to convey containers at positions including the discharge standby position P4. Therefore, after the first conveyor 13a moves the intermediate container 101 to the discharge standby stage 21, the intermediate container 101 is conveyed by the second conveyor 13b at an appropriate timing. If the first conveyor 13a and the second conveyor 13b directly deliver the intermediate container 101, it is necessary to synchronize the timing of the first conveyor 13a and the second conveyor 13b, but by using the discharge standby stage 21 as an intermediate as in this embodiment, it is not necessary to synchronize the timing of the two.

[0049] Furthermore, discharge standby table 21 is disposed on the path from mounting table 16a toward discharge section 22. Therefore, there is no need to detour intermediate container 101, and therefore it is possible to prevent the transport distance of intermediate container 101 from becoming long. Note that discharge standby table 21 may be disposed at a location other than the path from weighing section 16 toward discharge section 22. Furthermore, when multiple discharge standby tables 21 are provided, each discharge standby table 21 may be disposed adjacent to each other, or may be disposed at a distance from each other.

[0050] The discharge unit 22 performs an operation (discharge operation) of discharging the powder supplied to the intermediate container 101. The discharge unit 22 includes a container attachment portion 22a and a vibration device 22b.

[0051] Container mounting part 22a is configured to be able to mount intermediate container 101. Intermediate container 101 is mounted to container mounting part 22a by second conveyor 13b. In other words, intermediate container 101 is mounted to container mounting part 22a automatically, not manually. Intermediate container 101 located at discharge position P5 (position of intermediate container 101 when discharge is performed) is placed on container mounting part 22a.

[0052] The vibration device 22b includes a motor that generates vibrations, etc. The vibration device 22b is controlled by the control device 50. The vibration device 22b generates vibrations of a strength according to an instruction from the control device 50. The vibrations generated by the vibration device 22b are transmitted to the intermediate container 101 attached to the container attachment portion 22a.

[0053] Furthermore, the discharge unit 22 can operate the opening / closing unit 101c of the intermediate container 101 to switch between an open state and a closed state of the intermediate container 101. When the intermediate container 101 is in the open state and the vibration device 22b generates vibration, the powder contained in the container unit 101a is discharged via the discharge path 101b.

[0054] The distribution unit 24 distributes the powder medicine discharged by each of the multiple discharge units 22. The distribution unit 24 includes a distribution plate 24a and a feed unit 24b. The distribution plate 24a is configured to be rotatable about the vertical direction as the center of rotation. The discharge unit 22 discharges the powder medicine onto the rotating distribution plate 24a. The feed unit 24b drops the powder medicine discharged onto the distribution plate 24a downward in a predetermined amount at a time.

[0055] The packaging unit 25 packages the powder medicine distributed by the distribution unit 24 in a predetermined amount at a time into packaging material 40. The packaging unit 25 includes a hopper 25a and a heater 25b. The powder medicine distributed from the distribution unit 24 is dropped into the packaging material 40 through the hopper 25a while the heater 25b heat-welds the packaging material 40, and the operation is repeated to separate the powder medicine supplied in a predetermined amount at a time. The packaging material containing the predetermined amount of powder is sent out to a storage unit outside or inside the device. The position where the sent-out packaging material 40 is taken out is referred to as a first take-out position P6.

[0056] Powder measuring and packaging device 1 also includes, as sections for cleaning intermediate container 101, cleaning standby table 31, cleaning unit 32, and cleaning table 33.

[0057] The cleaning standby stand 31 is disposed on the path of the second transport section 13b. The intermediate container 101 from which the powder has been discharged by the discharge section 22 is transported to the cleaning standby stand 31 by the second transport section 13b. The intermediate container 101 located at the cleaning standby position P7 (the position of the intermediate container 101 waiting for cleaning) is placed on the cleaning standby stand 31. As described for the first standby stand 11, the cleaning standby stand 31 may have a configuration different from that of this embodiment. Although one cleaning standby stand 31 is disposed in this embodiment, a configuration in which multiple cleaning standby stands 31 are disposed may also be used.

[0058] The cleaning unit 32 includes a cleaning table 33. An intermediate container 101 is placed on the cleaning table 33 and positioned at a cleaning position P8 (the position of the intermediate container 101 when cleaning is performed). Transport is performed between the cleaning standby table 31 and the cleaning table 33 by a transport mechanism (not shown) different from the transport unit 13. Note that the first transport unit 13a or the second transport unit 13b may be configured to transport between the cleaning standby table 31 and the cleaning table 33.

[0059] The cleaning unit 32 removes trace amounts of powder adhering to the intermediate container 101, for example, by spraying air into the intermediate container 101. The cleaning unit 32 may use a cleaning agent such as baking soda. The cleaning agent may be configured to be used every time, or may be configured to be used only for a predetermined powder (a powder that will have a large impact if contamination occurs). The cleaning unit 32 may be capable of cleaning multiple intermediate containers 101 in one cleaning session. After cleaning is completed, the intermediate container 101 is returned from the cleaning table 33 to the cleaning standby table 31.

[0060] The cleaning standby stand 31 also functions as a relay point between the first transport unit 13a and the second transport unit 13b, similar to the discharge standby stand 21. Specifically, the second transport unit 13b can transport the intermediate container 101 to the cleaning standby stand 31, and the first transport unit 13a can transport the intermediate container 101 from the cleaning standby stand 31 to another position. Therefore, there is no need to directly hand over the intermediate container 101.

[0061] If the cleaning standby table 31 does not exist, for example, when the intermediate container 101 that has been discharged is present and the cleaning unit 32 is in use, the intermediate container 101 must be left on the container attachment part 22a until cleaning is completed. In this regard, by providing the cleaning standby table 31 as in this embodiment, even in such a situation, the intermediate container 101 can be moved from the container attachment part 22a. As a result, the discharge of the next powder using this container attachment part 22a can be started, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0062] 2 is a hardware key or the like for an operator to operate. A setting display unit 52 is provided near the operation unit 51. The setting display unit 52 is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like. The setting display unit 52 displays a setting screen or the like of the powder measuring and packaging device 1. The operator can perform various settings for the powder measuring and packaging device 1 by operating the operation unit 51 while checking the setting screen of the setting display unit 52. The operation unit 51 is not limited to a hardware key and may be, for example, a touch panel.

[0063] In addition, some of the container attachment parts 22a can be attached with not only the intermediate container 101 but also a container that contains a powder supplied from outside the device (outside the powder measuring and packaging device 1, the same below). Hereinafter, this container will be referred to as an external measuring container 103. That is, the external measuring container 103 contains a powder supplied without using the powder supply mechanism 15 of the powder measuring and packaging device 1. The powder supplied to the external measuring container 103 is measured outside the device. In contrast, the intermediate container 101 can also be referred to as an internal measuring container because the powder supply mechanism 15 supplies the powder and the measuring unit 16 measures the powder inside the powder measuring and packaging device 1. The external measuring container 103 is attached to the container attachment part 22a manually by an operator, not by the second conveying unit 13b. Therefore, the external measuring container 103 can also be referred to as a manually attached container. On the other hand, the intermediate container 101 can also be called an automatically attached container because it is attached automatically (without human intervention) to the container attachment part 22a by the conveying part 13. The external weighing container 103 may be manually attached by an operator to a member (e.g., the discharge standby table 21) different from the container attachment part 22a. The external weighing container 103 placed on this member (e.g., the discharge standby table 21) is transported by the second conveying part 13b or another transport mechanism and attached to the container attachment part 22a.

[0064] In this embodiment, two (four in total) container attachment parts 22a are provided for each of the two distribution parts 24. Two of these container attachment parts 22a (specifically, one of the two container attachment parts 22a that supply powder to the first distribution part 24 and one of the two container attachment parts 22a that supply powder to the second distribution part 24) can be attached with not only the intermediate container 101 but also the external measuring container 103. In other words, of the multiple container attachment parts 22a arranged in each distribution part 24, at least one container attachment part 22a can be attached with the external measuring container 103. This allows the external measuring container 103 to be attached to either of the two distribution parts 24. Note that instead of the configuration of this embodiment, all of the container attachment parts 22a may be capable of attaching both the intermediate container 101 and the external measuring container 103.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 3, the external measuring container 103 includes a container portion 103a, a discharge path 103b, and an opening / closing portion 103c.

[0066] After the external weighing container 103 is attached to the container attachment portion 22a, the discharge portion 22 discharges the powder, similarly to the intermediate container 101. Therefore, the external weighing container 103 basically has a similar configuration to the intermediate container 101. In particular, the discharge path 103b of the external weighing container 103 preferably has the same shape as the discharge path 101b of the intermediate container 101 in order to discharge the powder under the same conditions. Note that even if there are manufacturing errors, slight deformations due to use, or slight differences in parts that are not functionally important (in other words, if the two have approximately the same shape), the discharge path 101b and the discharge path 103b are considered to be of the "same shape". In addition, it is preferable that the opening / closing portion 101c and the opening / closing portion 103c also have the same configuration or shape so that the open / closed state of the external weighing container 103 can be automatically switched.

[0067] Furthermore, in the powder measuring and packaging device 1, the external measuring container 103 is not used for dispensing. Therefore, the external measuring container 103 is not provided with a display unit. The external measuring container 103 may be provided with a display unit. Also, the intermediate container 101 can be used as the external measuring container 103. In this case, the operator takes out the intermediate container 101 arranged on the first waiting table 11 or the like, dispensing the amount outside the device, and then manually attaches this intermediate container 101 to the container attachment part 22a. In this case, there is an advantage in that the number of types of containers used can be reduced.

[0068] Next, a presetting process to be performed when using the powder medicine measuring, dispensing and packaging device 1 will be described mainly with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flow chart showing the presetting process.

[0069] First, the control device 50 displays an input screen for dispensing data on the setting display unit 52 (S101). The dispensing data includes the recipient, dosage and administration, drug information, etc. The powder measuring and packaging device 1 operates based on the input dispensing data. The dosage and administration includes the number of doses per day, the timing of taking the drug, the number of days to take the drug, and the amount taken per dose. The drug information includes the name of one or more powders to be used and the amount of the powder. The operator inputs the dispensing data using the operation unit 51 along the input screen. The input dispensing data is stored in the control device 50, for example. Note that instead of the configuration in which the operator manually inputs the dispensing data, the configuration may be such that prescription data or dispensing data is acquired by communication from an external information processing device. When the powder measuring and packaging device 1 acquires the prescription data, the control device 50 judges whether each drug specified in the prescription data can be dispensed by the powder measuring and packaging device 1. The prescription data may include a drug that cannot be dispensed by the powder measuring and packaging device 1. The control device 50 creates dispensing data for the powders that are determined to be dispenseable. When the powder measuring and packaging device 1 acquires dispensing data, the powder measuring and packaging device 1 acquires dispensing data created by an external information processing device. The external information processing device (management device) can control, for example, a plurality of dispensing devices and assign dispensing data to each dispensing device. The external information processing device determines whether each drug specified in the prescription data can be dispensed by the powder measuring and packaging device 1, and creates dispensing data for the powders that are determined to be dispenseable. Here, whether the powder measuring and packaging device 1 can dispense is determined according to the type of powder by referring to master information stored in the control device 50 or the external information processing device. If the powder container 14 to be stored is prepared, information indicating that the amount can be dispensed is associated with the master information. Even if the powder container 14 is not held by the holder, if it is a powder container 14 that can be held by the holder, information indicating that the amount can be dispensed may be associated with the master information of the powder to be stored.

[0070] Next, the control device 50 displays a selection screen for selecting whether the first operation or the second operation is to be performed for each dispensing data on the setting display unit 52 (S102). As described above, the first operation is that the powder measuring and packaging device 1 performs measuring and packaging. The second operation is that the powder measuring and packaging device 1 performs only measuring. The operator uses the operation unit 51 along the selection screen to select the first operation or the second operation.

[0071] Next, the control device 50 judges whether the operator has selected the first operation (S103). When the control device 50 judges that the operator has selected the first operation, it displays a setting screen for discharging, distributing, and packaging on the setting display unit 52 (S104). The operator operates the operation unit 51 to specify, for example, the strength of vibration when discharging the powder, which distributor 24 is to be used to distribute the specified powder, characters to be printed on the packaging material 40, etc. The control device 50 registers the settings specified by the operator (S105). In the discharging operation, distributing operation, and packaging operation described below, processing is performed based on the information registered here.

[0072] Next, the control device 50 displays a setting screen on the setting display unit 52 for indicating whether or not to use the external measuring container 103 (S106). If the external measuring container 103 is to be used, the operator operates the operation unit 51 to specify which of the multiple powders is to be supplied by the external measuring container 103. If the operator does not want to use the external measuring container 103, he or she operates the operation unit 51 to specify this. The control device 50 registers the setting for the external measuring container 103 specified by the operator (S107).

[0073] Furthermore, when the control device 50 determines in step S103 that the first operation has not been selected (i.e., that the second operation has been selected), it displays a setting screen related to dispensing on the setting display unit 52 (S108). For example, when the operator measures out only a part of the powders among the multiple powders included in the dispensing data using the powder measuring and packaging device 1, the operator sets this. The operator may also set the order in which the powders are to be measured out. The control device 50 registers the setting related to dispensing designated by the operator (S109). In dispensing, which will be described later, processing based on the information registered here is performed.

[0074] Next, the process related to the intermediate container 101 when the first operation is performed will be described with reference mainly to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. Fig. 7 is a flow chart showing this process. Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the intermediate container 101 and the path of the powder when the first operation is performed.

[0075] First, the control device 50 controls the first conveying unit 13a to convey the intermediate container 101 from the first standby position P1 to the measuring position P3 (S201, (1) in FIG. 8). Next, the control device 50 controls the powder supply mechanism 15 to move the powder container 14 containing the designated powder to above the intermediate container 101 (the mounting table 16a) (S202). Next, the control device 50 controls the powder supply mechanism 15 to operate the supply mechanism on the powder container 14 moved above the intermediate container 101, and starts supplying the powder to the intermediate container 101 (S203). When the supply of the powder to the intermediate container 101 starts, the display unit 101d described later is updated (S204). The start of the supply of the powder is the start of dispensing the amount of the powder. The operation (S201 to S203) of measuring out the powder from the powder container 14 to the intermediate container 101 is performed for each type of medicine specified by the prescription data. When the target value exceeds the upper limit of the intermediate container 101, one type of medicine may be divided and supplied to multiple intermediate containers 101.

[0076] As described above, the intermediate container 101 is used repeatedly, and therefore the display unit 101d of the intermediate container 101 supplied here still displays the powder name, recipient, target value, and measurement value used in the previous process. Therefore, at the start of supplying the powder, the control device 50 controls the display processing unit 17 to reset or erase the measurement value on the display unit 101d, and update the contents of the powder name, recipient, and target value (S204). The powder name, recipient, and target value are registered in the control device 50 based on the above-mentioned dispensing data. Here, the start of supplying the powder includes the time when supplying the powder starts and a time around the time. The time when updating the display unit 101d (S204) starts may be before, at the same time, or after the time when supplying the powder starts. And the time when supplying the powder starts may be after, at the same time, or before the time when updating the display unit 101d (S204) is completed.

[0077] The control device 50 supplies the powder so that the measured value calculated by the measuring unit 16 coincides with the target value. The control device 50 judges whether the supply of the powder is completed (S205), and when it judges that the supply of the powder is completed (i.e., when the amount is dispensed is completed), it controls the display processing unit 17 to display the final measured value on the display unit 101d (S206). In this way, when the supply of the powder to the intermediate container 101 is completed, the display unit 101d is updated (S206). The time when the supply of the powder is completed is the time when the amount of the powder is dispensed is completed. Here, the time when the supply of the powder is completed includes the time when the supply of the powder is completed and a time in the vicinity thereafter. The time when the update of the display unit 101d (S206) is started may be simultaneous with or after the time when the supply of the powder is completed.

[0078] Next, the controller 50 controls the first transport unit 13a to transport the intermediate container 101 from the measuring position P3 to the discharge standby position P4 (S207, (2) in FIG. 8).

[0079] Furthermore, the control device 50 performs the process shown in Fig. 9 each time the intermediate container 101 or the secondary container 102 is transported to the next position as in step S207. Specifically, the control device 50 determines whether the intermediate container 101 or the secondary container 102 can be transported to the next position (S301). Specifically, the control device 50 can determine whether another container is present at the next position (whether it can be transported to the next position) by determining at which position a container is present based on the transport history of the intermediate container 101 and the secondary container 102. Note that instead of using the method of using the transport history of the container, a sensor that detects the presence or absence of a container may be provided at each position, and whether a container is present at each position may be determined based on the detection result of this sensor.

[0080] If there is no other container at the next position, the control device 50 determines that the intermediate container 101 or the secondary container 102 can be transported to the next position, and transports the intermediate container 101 or the secondary container 102 to the next position (S302). If there is another container at the next position, the control device 50 determines that the intermediate container 101 or the secondary container 102 cannot be transported to the next position, and waits for transport (S303). If the control device 50 waits for transport, the process of step S301 is repeated, and therefore the control device 50 transports the intermediate container 101 or the secondary container 102 to the next position at the timing when it becomes possible to transport it to the next position. As described above, the process of FIG. 9 is performed not only in step S207 but also each time the intermediate container 101 or the secondary container 102 is transported.

[0081] Next, controller 50 controls second transport unit 13b to transport intermediate container 101 from discharge standby position P4 to discharge position P5 (S208, FIG. 8(3)), and attaches intermediate container 101 to container attachment unit 22a (S209).

[0082] The control device 50 moves the opening / closing portion 101c of the intermediate container 101 to switch it from a closed state to an open state, and controls the vibration device 22b to generate vibrations, thereby discharging the powder to the dispensing section 24 (S210, discharging operation).

[0083] Here, in the conventional technology, since only a portion of the powder contained in the powder container is discharged, the powder is discharged while being measured. This results in a long time required for discharge. In addition, it is preferable to discharge the powder with vibrations of an appropriate strength according to the particle size or ease of aggregation. However, in the conventional technology, in order to prevent the powder from being discharged more than the target value, a process is required to weaken the vibration strength during the powder discharge operation (specifically, just before completion) and fine-tune the discharge amount.

[0084] In contrast, in this embodiment, unlike the conventional technology, the powder is measured in advance. Therefore, the discharge unit 22 performs a discharge operation to discharge all of the powder contained in the intermediate container 101. This makes it possible to shorten the time required for discharge. In addition, since fine adjustments as in the conventional technology are not required, the discharge operation can be performed from start to finish with vibrations of appropriate strength according to the particle size or ease of aggregation of the powder. In other words, no process is performed to weaken the vibration strength during the discharge operation (for example, just before completion).

[0085] In addition, the "discharge operation to discharge all of the powder" means that the powder contained in the intermediate container 101 is not actively left behind, and even if a very small amount of powder remains attached to the intermediate container 101 after the powder is discharged (in other words, if almost all of the powder has been discharged), the "discharge operation to discharge all of the powder" will have been performed.

[0086] The powder discharged to distributing section 24 is packaged in predetermined amounts by packaging section 25 as described above, and sent to first removal position P6 ((4) in FIG. 8). The series of paths from (2) to (4) above is a path for measuring out the powder from powder container 14, distributing the powder, packaging it in packaging material 40, and sending it to first removal position P6, and this series of paths is referred to as the first path.

[0087] Moreover, the process of transporting the intermediate container 101 from the measuring position P3 to the discharge standby position P4 where the intermediate container 101 waits to be discharged by the discharge unit 22 is referred to as the first transport. Moreover, the process of transporting the intermediate container 101 from the discharge standby position P4 to the discharge position P5 is referred to as the second transport. In this embodiment, the first transport is performed by the first transport unit 13a, and the second transport is performed by the second transport unit 13b. Therefore, the first transport and the second transport can be performed in parallel.

[0088] Next, the control device 50 controls the second transport unit 13b to move the intermediate container 101 from the discharge position P5 to the cleaning standby position P7 (S211, (5) in FIG. 8). The control device 50 moves the intermediate container 101 to the cleaning position P8 at an appropriate timing (S212, (6) in FIG. 8), and controls the cleaning unit 32 to clean the intermediate container 101 (S213).

[0089] After cleaning is completed, the control device 50 returns the intermediate container 101 to the cleaning standby position P7 (FIG. 8 (7)), and controls the first transport unit 13a to transport the intermediate container 101 to the first standby position P1 (S214, FIG. 8 (8)). As a result, the intermediate container 101 returns to its original position. Therefore, if further discharge is required, this intermediate container 101 can be used repeatedly.

[0090] In this way, since intermediate container 101 is used repeatedly inside powder measuring and packaging device 1, basically, the operator does not check display unit 101d. However, by providing display unit 101d to intermediate container 101, when an abnormality occurs in powder measuring and packaging device 1 and operation stops, the operator can check information about the powder contained in intermediate container 101. Therefore, the operator can, for example, discard the powder in a manner appropriate for the type of powder contained therein or clean intermediate container 101.

[0091] Next, a process related to the operation and cleaning of the distribution section 24 and the packaging section 25 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a flow chart showing this process.

[0092] First, the control device 50 judges whether the discharge operation for all powders to be processed is completed (S401). For example, when two types of powders are mixed and distributed and packaged, the control device 50 judges whether the discharge operation for the two types of powders is completed. If the control device 50 judges that the discharge operation is completed, the control device 50 controls the distribution unit 24 and the packaging unit 25 to start the distribution operation and the packaging operation (S402).

[0093] Next, the control device 50 determines whether the dispensing operation is completed (S403), and if the dispensing operation is completed, cleans the dispensing unit 24 (S404). The cleaning of the dispensing unit 24 is performed using air, similar to the cleaning of the intermediate container 101, but a cleaning agent may also be used in addition.

[0094] The control device 50 determines whether the packaging operation is completed (S405), and if the packaging operation is completed, cleans the packaging unit 25 (S406). The packaging unit 25 is cleaned using air, similar to the cleaning of the intermediate container 101 and the distribution unit 24, but a cleaning agent may also be used in addition.

[0095] Next, a process performed when the external weighing container 103 is used will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a flow chart showing this process. This process is performed after the start of the first operation when the external weighing container 103 is set to be used in the presettings.

[0096] The control device 50 judges whether it is time to attach the external measuring container 103 (S501). The timing to attach the external measuring container 103 is judged based on the conditions that the turn to discharge the powder corresponding to the external measuring container 103 has come and that no other container is attached to the container attachment part 22a to which the external measuring container 103 can be attached.

[0097] When the control device 50 determines that it is time to attach the external weighing container 103, it instructs the operator to attach the external weighing container 103 (S502). This instruction is given, for example, by voice, a notification lamp, or a display on the setting display unit 52. Also, if the container attachment part 22a is covered with a housing and a door for accessing the container attachment part 22a is locked, this lock is released. The operator attaches the external weighing container 103 to the container attachment part 22a based on the instruction of the control device 50.

[0098] The control device 50 determines whether the attachment of the external weighing container 103 is complete (S503). This determination may be made, for example, based on whether a sensor attached to the container attachment part 22a detects the external weighing container 103, or based on whether an operator inputs via the operation part 51 that the external weighing container 103 has been attached.

[0099] When the control device 50 determines that the attachment of the external measuring container 103 is complete, it performs the discharge operation (S504). As described above, the discharge path 101b of the intermediate container 101 and the discharge path 103b of the external measuring container 103 have the same shape. In addition, since the powder contained in the external measuring container 103 has already been measured, all of the powder contained in the external measuring container 103 is discharged to the distributor 24. Therefore, in this embodiment, the control of the discharge operation (control of the vibration device 22b) is common to the external measuring container 103 and the intermediate container 101. This simplifies the control of the discharge operation, and allows the discharge to be performed under the same conditions regardless of whether the powder is contained in the intermediate container 101 or the external measuring container 103.

[0100] Next, the process related to the secondary container 102 when the second operation is performed will be described mainly with reference to Fig. 12 and Fig. 13. Fig. 12 is a flow chart showing this process. Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the secondary container 102 and the path of the powder when the second operation is performed. Note that steps S601 to S606 in Fig. 12 are similar to steps S201 to S206 in the process in Fig. 7, so some of the description will be simplified.

[0101] First, the control device 50 controls the first conveying unit 13a to convey the secondary container 102 from the second standby position P2 to the measuring position P3 (S601, (1) in FIG. 13). Next, the control device 50 controls the powder supply mechanism 15 to move the powder container 14 containing the designated powder to above the secondary container 102 (the mounting table 16a) (S602). Next, the control device 50 controls the powder supply mechanism 15 to operate the supply mechanism on the powder container 14 moved above the secondary container 102, and starts supplying the powder to the secondary container 102 (S603). When the supply of the powder to the secondary container 102 starts, the display unit 102d described later is updated (S604). The start of the supply of the powder is the start of dispensing the powder. The operation of measuring out the powder from the powder container 14 to the secondary container 102 (S601 to S603) is performed for each type of medicine specified by the prescription data. If the target value exceeds the upper limit of the secondary container 102, one type of medicine may be divided and supplied to multiple secondary containers 102.

[0102] Next, at the start of supplying the powder, the control device 50 controls the display processing unit 17 to reset or erase the measurement value on the display unit 102d, and update the contents of the powder name, the recipient, and the target value (S604). Here, the start of supplying the powder includes the time when supplying the powder starts and the time around the start of supplying the powder. The time when updating the display unit 102d (S604) starts may be before, at the same time, or after the time when supplying the powder starts. And the time when supplying the powder starts may be after, at the same time, or before the time when updating the display unit 102d (S604) is completed.

[0103] The control device 50 judges whether the supply of the powder is completed (S605), and when it is judged that the supply of the powder is completed, controls the display processing unit 17 to display the final measurement value on the display unit 102d (S606). In this way, when the supply of the powder to the secondary container 102 is completed, the display unit 102d is updated (S606). The completion of the supply of the powder is the completion of the amount of the powder. Here, the completion of the supply of the powder includes the time when the supply of the powder is completed and a time in the vicinity thereafter. The time when the update of the display unit 102d (S606) is started may be simultaneous with or after the time when the supply of the powder is completed. Next, the control device 50 controls the first transport unit 13a to transport the secondary container 102 from the measurement position P3 to the second take-out position P9 (S607). The above path (2) is a path for measuring out the powder from the powder container 14 into the secondary container 102, and then sending the powder contained in the secondary container 102 to the second removal position P9, and this path is referred to as the second path.

[0104] In the second operation, unlike the first operation, the operator handles the secondary container 102 by himself. Therefore, by providing the display unit 102d on the secondary container 102, the operator can confirm information on the powder contained in the secondary container 102. In particular, by displaying both the target value and the measured value on the display unit 102d, the operator can grasp information including the error from the target value. Therefore, even if it takes time to start packaging using another packaging device after sending the secondary container 102 to the second take-out position P9, the operator can confirm which dispensing data corresponds to the powder contained in the secondary container 102 by the display on the display unit 102d.

[0105] Furthermore, the information displayed on display unit 102d will not disappear until new powder is supplied and the information is rewritten. Therefore, for example, even when cleaning secondary container 102 after using it in another packaging device, the name of the powder most recently contained in secondary container 102 can be confirmed. Therefore, cleaning can be performed in a manner appropriate for the type of powder.

[0106] In the powder measuring and dispensing device 1 of this embodiment, the above-mentioned first operation and second operation can be performed in parallel. Specifically, even while the dispensing operation of the first operation, the packaging operation, or the cleaning of the intermediate container 101 is being performed, the dispensing operation of the first operation, the packaging operation, or the cleaning of the intermediate container 101 can be performed in parallel. In addition, each process of the first operation can be performed in parallel. For example, the dispensing operation of the first operation and the dispensing operation of the first operation, the packaging operation, or the cleaning of the intermediate container 101 can be performed in parallel. Furthermore, multiple dispensing operations of the first operation can be performed in parallel. In addition, multiple dispensing operations of the second operation can be performed in parallel. In this way, the powder measuring and dispensing device 1 of this embodiment can perform various processes in parallel, so that the work efficiency can be improved. In this embodiment, the dispensing operation of the first operation and the dispensing operation of the second operation are set not to be performed in parallel, but they may be set to be performed in parallel.

[0107] As described above, the powder measuring and packaging device 1 of this embodiment includes the measuring unit 16 and the display processing unit 17. The measuring unit 16 measures the powder in the powder container 14 to dispense it into the secondary container 102 having a display unit 102d. The display processing unit 17 is capable of changing the display content of the display unit 102d of the secondary container 102, and performs processing to display a measurement value, which is the weight of the powder measured by the measuring unit 16, on the display unit 102d.

[0108] This allows the operator to easily grasp the measured amount of powder actually contained in the secondary container 102, rather than the target amount of powder contained in the secondary container 102.

[0109] Furthermore, in powder measuring and packing device 1 of the present embodiment, display processing unit 17 performs processing for displaying a target value of the powder contained in secondary container 102 on display unit 102d, in addition to the measurement value.

[0110] Thus, by displaying the target value in addition to the measurement value, the operator can grasp information including the error with respect to the target value.

[0111] Furthermore, in the powder measuring and packing device 1 of this embodiment, the display processing unit 17 changes the display content of the display unit 102d, which displays the weight value of the powder previously contained.

[0112] As a result, the display content of the display unit 102d of the secondary container 102 is maintained until the display processing unit 17 updates the display content, so that the operator can check the previous information until the next time powder is supplied to the secondary container 102.

[0113] Furthermore, in the powder measuring and packaging device 1 of this embodiment, the display processing unit 17 performs processing to further display, on the display unit 102d, at least one of the name of the powder contained in the secondary container 102 and information regarding the person taking the powder.

[0114] This allows the operator to obtain more detailed information regarding the powder contained in the secondary container 102.

[0115] Furthermore, in the powder measuring and packaging device 1 of this embodiment, the display processing unit 17 performs a process of displaying the name of the powder on the display unit 102d at the start of dispensing the powder into the secondary container 102. The display processing unit 17 performs a process of displaying the measurement value on the display unit 102d at the completion of dispensing the powder into the secondary container 102.

[0116] By displaying the name of the powder when the supply of the powder begins, the operator can confirm the name of the powder contained in the secondary container 102 even if the device stops in the middle of supplying the powder.

[0117] In the powder measuring and packing device 1 of the present embodiment, the display unit 102d of the secondary container 102 is electronic paper.

[0118] This reduces the amount of power required to maintain the display of the display unit 102d to zero or very little, so that the battery in the secondary container 102 can be omitted or reduced in capacity.

[0119] The powder measuring and packing device 1 of this embodiment also includes a packaging unit 25 that packages the powder measured out into an intermediate container 101 having a display unit (intermediate container display unit) 101d in packaging material 40. The display processing unit 17 is capable of changing the display content of the display unit 101d of the intermediate container 101, and performs a process of displaying the name of the powder on the display unit 101d.

[0120] This allows the operator to know the name of the powder contained in the intermediate container 101, for example, if the device stops between the time when the amount is dispensed and the time when the powder is discharged into the packaging section 25.

[0121] Moreover, secondary container 102 of the present embodiment contains the powder weighed out from powder container 14 of powder measuring and packaging device 1. Secondary container 102 includes storage section 102a and display section 102d. Storage section 102a contains the powder supplied from powder container 14. Display section 102d is capable of changing the display content under the control of display processing section 17 of powder measuring and packaging device 1, and displays a measurement value, which is the weight of the powder weighed by measuring section 16 of powder measuring and packaging device 1, under the control of display processing section 17.

[0122] This allows the operator to easily grasp the measured amount of powder actually contained in the secondary container 102, rather than the target amount of powder contained in the secondary container 102.

[0123] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above configuration can be modified, for example, as follows.

[0124] In the above embodiment, the first standby position P1 to the second removal position P9 are all different positions, but at least any two of them may be the same position. For example, the first removal position P6 and the second removal position P9 may be the same position. Also, at least any of the various standby positions (first standby position P1, second standby position P2, discharge standby position P4, cleaning standby position P7) may be common. For example, the first standby position P1 and the second standby position P2 can be common as long as the control device 50 knows whether the intermediate container 101 or the secondary container 102 is waiting at each position.

[0125] In the above embodiment, no measuring device is provided in the discharge unit 22 and the distribution unit 24, and no measurement is performed for the powder discharged from the intermediate container 101 or the external measuring container 103 to the distribution unit 24. Instead, the powder discharged to the distribution unit 24 may be further measured. In this case, it is preferable to further display the measurement value of the discharged powder on the setting display unit 52 or the display units 101d and 102d.

[0126] In the above embodiment, display unit 101d of intermediate container 101 and display unit 102d of secondary container 102 display the powder name, the user, the target value, and the measurement value, which are information contained in the dispensing data, but may also display any of the following: the dispensing data management number, the container identification number in the same dispensing data, the time when the measurement was performed, a symbol representing a highly dangerous drug (poison, toxic drug, etc.), and information indicating the supply status.

[0127] In the above embodiment, the information displayed on the display unit 101d of the intermediate container 101 and the display unit 102d of the secondary container 102 is the same, but may be different. Also, the information displayed on the display unit 101d and the information displayed on the display unit 102d are examples, and some of the information may be omitted or other information may be added. For example, since the powder name is important for the intermediate container 101 as described above, other information may be omitted.

[0128] In the above embodiment, before starting the supply of the powder, the control device 50 controls the display processing unit 17 to reset or erase the measurement value on the display units 101d and 102d, and update the contents of the powder name, the recipient, and the target value. The display units 101d and 102d may further display the supply status. Before starting the supply of the powder, the control device 50 controls the display processing unit 17 to display on the display units 101d and 102d that the supply is incomplete. Then, when the supply of the powder is completed, the control device 50 updates the display of the supply status to display that the supply is completed, and displays the measurement value on the display unit 102d. At this time, the display unit 101d and 102d may be erased from the display units 101d and 102d without displaying that the supply is completed. As a result, even if the supply of powder is interrupted due to a power outage or the like, by visually checking the display units 101d, 102d, it is possible to confirm whether the intermediate container 101 or the secondary container 102 contains powder that has been completely supplied. In addition, when the measured value does not reach the threshold value, the control device 50 may update the display of the supply status to indicate that the supply is incomplete. Here, the threshold value may be the same value as the target value, or may be a value smaller than the target value by a predetermined value.

[0129] In the above embodiment, after the supply of powder is completed, a process is performed to display the weighing value on the display units 101d, 102d, but a process may be performed during the supply of powder to display the weighing value at the current stage on the display units 101d, 102d.

[0130] In the above embodiment, the intermediate container 101 and the external measuring container 103 are configured to have the discharge paths 101b, 103b, but the discharge paths may be provided on the container attachment part 22a side.

[0131] In the above embodiment, the external weighing container 103 has a similar structure to the intermediate container 101, but the external weighing container 103 and the intermediate container 101 may each be provided with a switch operation piece at a different position. In this case, the container mounting part 22a is provided with a switch that is operated by the switch operation piece of each container. When either the external weighing container 103 or the intermediate container 101 is mounted, the switch is operated by the switch operation piece of each container. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether the external weighing container 103 or the intermediate container 101 is mounted on the container mounting part 22a. This makes it possible to notify the operator of an error when the operator mistakenly mounts the external weighing container 103 on the container mounting part 22a to which the intermediate container 101 should be mounted by the conveying part 13. Also, when the operator mistakenly mounts the intermediate container 101 on the container mounting part 22a to which the external weighing container 103 should be mounted, it is possible to notify the operator of an error.

[0132] In the above embodiment, the powder measuring and packaging device 1 can perform both the first and second operations, but may be configured to perform only the second operation. That is, the present invention can be applied to a powder measuring device that measures powder but does not have a packaging function. [Explanation of symbols]

[0133] 1 Powder measuring and packaging device (powder measuring device) 13 Conveyor 14 Powder container (first powder container) 15 Powder supply mechanism 16 Measuring part 17 Display processing section 50 Control device 101 Intermediate container 102 Secondary container (second powder container) 103 External weighing container

Claims

1. In a combination device of a powder measuring device and a packaging device, The powder measuring device includes: A measuring unit that measures the powder supplied from the first powder container to the second powder container; a display processing unit that displays, on a display unit provided in the second powder container and configured to change display content, prescription data related to the powder supplied to the second powder container; Equipped with A combination device of a powder measuring device and a packaging device, characterized in that the packaging device is provided separately from the powder measuring device and is used to package the powder supplied to the second powder container.

2. A combination device of the powder measuring device and the packaging device according to claim 1, The display processing unit displays a measured value of the measuring unit on the display unit.

3. A combination device of the powder measuring device and the packaging device according to claim 2, A combination device of a powder measuring device and a packaging device, characterized in that the display processing unit further displays at least one of the name of the powder supplied to the second powder container and information regarding the user of the powder on the display unit.

Images