Drug discharge device

Abstract

To provide a medicine discharge device which switches an opening / closing part of a container to an open state where medicine can be discharged from the storage part of the container and applies vibration to the container to discharge the medicine.SOLUTION: A medicine packaging device discharges medicine from a transfer container 101 having: a storage section 112 for storing medicine; and an opening / closing member 114 that is switched from a closed state to an open state to enable the discharge of medicine from the storage section 112. The medicine packaging device includes: a container installation section 61; and a vibration device 62. The transfer container 101 can be installed in the container installation section 61. The container installation section 61 has an operation arm 73 that switches the opening / closing member 114 from the closed state to the open state. The vibration device 62 applies vibration to the transfer container 101 installed in the container installation section 61 to discharge the medicine from the storage section 112. When the transfer container 101 is installed in the container installation section 61, the operation arm 73 switches the opening / closing member 114 from the closed state to the open state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a drug discharging device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a drug discharging device having a configuration for discharging a drug in a container by vibrating the container has been known. Patent Document 1 discloses a drug feeder having the configuration of this type of drug discharging device.

[0003] The drug feeder of Patent Document 1 includes a drug container and a main body device. The drug container includes a container body. The container body is a vertically long container and has a drug discharging portion that opens at one end in the longitudinal direction. The inside of the container body is divided by a rectifying member provided inside the container body into a guiding path portion that is a region on the drug discharging portion side and a drug storage portion that is a region on the opposite side of this guiding path portion. The main body device includes a vibration table, a vibration applying means, an intermediate table, an anti-vibration table, a weight measuring means, and a base member. Then, the main body device is configured to vibrate the drug container placed on the vibration table, move a part of the drug stored in the drug storage portion of the drug container toward the guiding path portion, and discharge the drug that has reached this guiding path portion from the drug discharging portion.

[0004] In the configuration of Patent Document 1, as the drug container, a type that is airtight and has a lid is adopted. In this case, the drug container further includes a lid member in addition to the container body. The lid member can close the drug discharging portion of the container body. The lid member has a movable lid portion. The movable lid portion is provided so as to be swingable with respect to the drug discharging portion. The movable lid portion can take a posture of closing the drug discharging portion or a posture of opening the drug discharging portion by swinging. The lid member usually closes the drug discharging portion with the movable lid portion in a posture of closing the drug discharging portion. And when the lid member opens the drug discharging portion, it switches the movable lid portion to a posture of opening the drug discharging portion. Thus, even when a drug container of the type having a lid is adopted, the drug in the drug container can be discharged from the drug container.

Prior Art Documents

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6308395 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a drug discharge device that switches the opening / closing part of a container to an open state that allows the drug contained in the container to be discharged, and then vibrates the container to discharge the drug. Means and effects for solving the problem.

[0007] The problems that this invention aims to solve are as described above, and next, the means for solving these problems and their effects will be explained.

[0008] From the perspective of the present invention, a drug discharge device having the following configuration is provided. That is, this drug discharge device comprises a storage section for storing drugs and a switchable section from a closed state to an open state. This restricts the height of the opening when it is open. A container having an opening / closing section is used. The drug discharge device comprises a container mounting section, a vibration section, and a control section. The container mounting section comprises a container mounting section body and an operation section. The container can be installed in the container mounting section body. The operation section switches the opening / closing section from the closed state to the open state. The vibration section vibrates the container installed in the container mounting section body to discharge the drug in the storage section. The control section controls the container mounting section and the vibration section. The control section controls the operation section to switch the opening / closing section from the closed state to the open state in conjunction with the container being fixed to the container mounting section body. By switching the opening / closing section to the open state through this control, the drug in the storage section becomes dischargeable.

[0009] This ensures that the opening / closing mechanism remains closed until the drug is dispensed, reliably keeping the drug contained within the container. Furthermore, when the container is fixed to the container mounting unit, the operating mechanism opens the opening / closing mechanism, allowing the drug to be dispensed from the container by vibrations from the vibrating mechanism. Furthermore, it is possible to regulate the amount of chemicals that pass through during discharge. . [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram showing a drug packaging device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A block diagram showing the configuration of a drug dispensing device. [Figure 3] Perspective view of the transport container. [Figure 4] A perspective view of the transport container from a different orientation than Figure 3. [Figure 5] Side view of the transport container. [Figure 6] A partial cross-sectional view of a transport container. [Figure 7] A perspective view showing the transport container set in the drug discharge section. [Figure 8] A side view showing the opening / closing member in the closed position of a transport container set in the drug discharge section. [Figure 9] A side view showing the state after the opening / closing member has changed from the state in Figure 8 to the open state. [Figure 10] A perspective view of the second cleaning section of the cleaning department. [Figure 11] A perspective view of the second cleaning section from a different orientation than that shown in Figure 10. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] The drug packaging device (drug discharging device) 1 shown in FIG. 1 can measure and package one or more drugs respectively. Measuring the drug means taking out only the necessary amount of the drug stored in a drug container or the like. In the present embodiment, the measurement is performed by supplying the drug from the drug container and weighing the drug supplied from the drug container. The drug packaging device 1 measures a powder (powdered, fine-grained, or granular drug) as the drug. Further, the drug packaging device 1 packages the measured powder. However, the drug packaging device 1 may be configured to be able to package tablets in addition to the powder.

[0013] The drug measurement and packaging performed by the drug packaging device 1 are performed based on the dispensing data input by the operator. Note that the drug packaging device 1 can also perform only drug packaging. In this case, for example, a weighing device provided outside the drug packaging device 1 is used for weighing the drug.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the drug packaging device 1 includes a storage unit 11, a conveyance unit 12, a drug container 13, a measuring unit 14, a display processing unit 15, a drug discharging unit 31, a packaging unit 32, and a cleaning unit 36. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the drug packaging device 1 includes a display unit 21, a setting operation unit 22, and a control unit 40.

[0015] The storage unit 11 can store a plurality of transport containers (containers) 101 that do not contain drugs. The transport container 101 is prepared to store the drug to be measured and packaged and transport it to each part of the drug packaging device 1. The configuration of the transport container 101 will be described later.

[0016] The storage unit 11 can have, for example, a plurality of support bases for waiting a plurality of transport containers 101, and the bottom surface of each transport container 101 is supported by each support base. However, the configuration of the storage unit 11 can be arbitrarily changed as long as the transport container 101 can be substantially stored.

[0017] The transport container 101 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the transport container 101 includes a storage portion 112, a discharge path portion 113, an opening / closing member (opening / closing portion) 114, and an information display portion 115.

[0018] The storage portion 112 is a portion where the transport container 101 substantially stores the drug. The storage portion 112 has an opening that opens upward and is composed of a box-shaped body capable of storing the drug. A part of the wall portion of the storage portion 112 is open in the horizontal direction.

[0019] The discharge path portion 113 is a portion for discharging the drug stored in the storage portion 112 to the outside of the transport container 101. The discharge path portion 113 is integrally formed with the storage portion 112. The container body is constituted by the storage portion 112 and the discharge path portion 113.

[0020] The discharge path portion 113 has an opening that opens upward and is configured as a slightly narrow passage connecting the storage portion 112 and the external space of the transport container 101. In the direction in which the drug flows through the discharge path portion 113 when discharging the drug from the transport container 101, the upstream side of the discharge path portion 113 is connected to the storage portion 112, and a discharge port 121 is formed on the downstream side of the discharge path portion 113. A lid for closing the discharge port 121 is not provided, and the discharge port 121 is always open.

[0021] The opening / closing member 114 is configured as a rotary movable member. The opening / closing member 114 can open and close the connection portion between the storage portion 112 and the discharge path portion 113. This connection portion is formed in a U-shaped cross-section with the upper part open. Hereinafter, this connection portion may be referred to as a boundary portion 125.

[0022] More specifically, the opening / closing member 114 includes a gate portion 131, a support portion 132, and a contact portion 133. The gate portion 131, the support portion 132, and the contact portion 133 are integrally formed with each other.

[0023] The gate portion 131 is formed in a generally rectangular plate shape. The gate portion 131 has a shape corresponding to the boundary portion 125 and is inserted into the boundary portion 125 from above. The gate portion 131 is positioned so that one side in the thickness direction (first surface 136) faces the housing portion 112 and the opposite side (second surface 137) faces the discharge path portion 113. The first surface 136 and the second surface 137 are each formed to be substantially flat. As will be described in detail later, a U-shaped elongated stepped portion 146 is formed on the inner wall of the boundary portion 125. When the peripheral edge of the first surface 136 of the gate portion 131 comes into contact with the stepped portion 146, the opening / closing member 114 closes the boundary portion 125 and enters a closed state. On the other hand, when the gate portion 131 moves away from the stepped portion 146, the opening / closing member 114 opens the boundary portion 125 and enters an open state.

[0024] Support portions 132 are integrally provided on both sides in the width direction of the upper end of the gate portion 131. The support portions 132 are arranged in pairs, flanking the boundary portion 125. Each of the two support portions 132 is formed in an L-shape.

[0025] At the upper end of the connection between the housing section 112 and the discharge path section 113, a pair of notches 128 are formed, corresponding to the support section 132. Each of the two support sections 132 is bent approximately vertically after passing through the notches 128. Each of these bent sections (hereinafter sometimes referred to as protruding sections 141) is rotatably supported on the side of the housing section 112 via a rotating shaft 142. The two rotating shafts 142 are coaxial and arranged along the width direction of the gate section 131. As a result, the gate section 131 can be rotated to switch between a closed state of the boundary section 125, as shown by the solid line in Figure 5, and an open state of the boundary section 125, as shown by the dashed line.

[0026] A torsion spring 144 is attached to one of the two rotating shafts 142 as a biasing spring. Due to the biasing force of this torsion spring 144, the gate portion 131 normally keeps the boundary portion 125 closed.

[0027] A contactable portion 133 is integrally formed on one of the two protruding portions 141. The contactable portion 133 is formed to extend downward from the protruding portion 141. The contactable portion 133 is configured to be able to contact the operating arm 73 provided by the drug discharge portion 31, which will be described later, as shown in Figure 7.

[0028] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, a stepped portion 146 is provided at the edge of the boundary portion 125. The stepped portion 146 is located at the boundary between the containment portion 112 and the discharge path portion 113. Specifically, the inner wall of the discharge path portion 113 is located further out than the inner wall of the containment portion 112, and the stepped portion 146 is formed in this area. A flat stepped surface 148 is formed in the stepped portion 146 so as to connect the inner wall of the containment portion 112 and the inner wall of the discharge path portion 113. The stepped surface 148 is configured as a surface perpendicular to both the inner wall of the containment portion 112 and the inner wall of the discharge path portion 113. The stepped surface 148 is formed flat and can make substantially gapless contact with the first surface 136 of the gate portion 131. This prevents the chemical in the containment portion 112 from leaking from around the gate portion 131 into the discharge path portion 113 when the opening / closing member 114 is closed.

[0029] The information display unit 115 is a display capable of displaying dispensing data and information related to dispensing. The information display unit 115 can be configured, for example, as a microcapsule type or electrophoretic type electronic paper.

[0030] The transport unit 12 shown in Figure 1 is capable of transporting the transport container 101. The transport unit 12 comprises a first transport unit 12A and a second transport unit 12B.

[0031] The operation of the first transport unit 12A and the second transport unit 12B are controlled by the control unit 40 shown in Figure 2. The first transport unit 12A and the second transport unit 12B differ only in the range of transport they perform, and their transport configurations are substantially the same. Therefore, the first transport unit 12A will be used as an example in the following explanation.

[0032] The first transport unit 12A is equipped with a container holding unit for holding the transport container 101. The container holding unit is configured to be movable along a rail provided on the drug packaging device 1. The first transport unit 12A transports the transport container 101 by moving the container holding unit along the rail while the transport container 101 is held in the container holding unit.

[0033] In Figure 1, the path (rail) of the first transport unit 12A is shown by a dashed line, and the path (rail) of the second transport unit 12B is shown by a dotted line. The first transport unit 12A and the second transport unit 12B are equipped with separate drive sources and can operate independently. Therefore, the drug packaging device 1 can transport containers by the first transport unit 12A and transport containers by the second transport unit 12B in parallel.

[0034] The container holding mechanism of the transport unit 12 can vary; for example, the container may be gripped with a chuck or held by suction. Alternatively, for example, a container holding mechanism may be provided at the tip of an extendable or rotatable arm, and the position of the container holding mechanism may be changed by extending or rotating the arm. In this case, the rail can be omitted.

[0035] The drug container 13 functions substantially as a source of medication to be measured and packaged. Each drug container 13 has an opening for dispensing the medication outside the container.

[0036] The weighing unit 14 includes a drug supply mechanism 51 and a weighing unit 52.

[0037] The drug supply mechanism 51 can supply drugs from drug containers 13 to transport containers 101. The drug supply mechanism 51 comprises a holder, a moving mechanism, and a supply mechanism. Multiple drug containers 13 are detachably held in the holder. The moving mechanism moves the drug containers 13 held in the holder to predetermined positions. The supply mechanism acts on the drug containers 13 that have been moved to predetermined positions, supplying the contained drugs downward through the openings of the drug containers 13. The operation of these holders, moving mechanism, and supply mechanism (in other words, the operation of the drug supply mechanism 51) is controlled by the control unit 40.

[0038] The weighing unit 52 is capable of weighing drugs. The weighing unit 52 comprises a mounting platform 55 and a first detection unit 56.

[0039] The mounting platform 55 is located below the holder provided by the drug supply mechanism 51. The transport container 101 can be placed on the mounting platform 55. The first transport unit 12A can transport the transport container 101 held by the container holder to place it on the mounting platform 55 or remove it from the mounting platform 55.

[0040] The first detection unit 56 can weigh the drug inside the container while the transport container 101 is placed on the mounting platform 55. In other words, the weighing unit 52 is configured as an electronic balance, and the mounting platform 55 corresponds to the weighing pan part of the electronic balance. The first detection unit 56 can be configured as, for example, an electromagnetic or load cell type load sensor.

[0041] The weighing unit 14 is controlled by the control unit 40 to weigh out the total dose for each drug indicated in the drug information. The control unit 40 moves the drug container 13 containing the drug indicated in the drug information to directly above the mounting platform 55 using the drug supply mechanism 51. Subsequently, the control unit 40 supplies the drug from the drug container 13 to the transport container 101 placed on the mounting platform 55, and weighs the supplied drug using the first detection unit 56.

[0042] The display processing unit 15 can change the display content of the information display unit 115 of the transport container 101 set in the weighing unit 52. The display processing unit 15 is configured, for example, as an RFID reader / writer.

[0043] The display unit 21 shown in Figure 2 is a device having a display screen capable of displaying various information related to the drug packaging device 1. The display unit 21 could be, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display unit 21 is positioned at an appropriate location on the drug packaging device 1.

[0044] The setting control unit 22 is operated by an operator to give various instructions to the drug packaging device 1. The setting control unit 22 is located at an appropriate position on the drug packaging device 1 (for example, near the display unit 21). In this embodiment, the setting control unit 22 is configured as a hardware key, but is not limited to this, and can also be a touch panel incorporated into the display unit 21, for example.

[0045] The drug discharge unit 31 can accommodate a transport container 101 and discharge the drug from the transport container 101 once it is set. The transport container 101, transported by the second transport unit 12B, is set in the drug discharge unit 31. It is also possible to manually set the transport container 101 in the drug discharge unit 31. Multiple drug discharge units 31 can be provided for one distribution unit 83, which will be described later. Each drug discharge unit 31 includes a container setting unit 61 and a vibrating device (vibrating unit) 62.

[0046] A transport container 101 can be installed in the container installation section 61. The transport container 101 is installed in the container installation section 61 by the second transport section 12B.

[0047] In the following explanation of the container placement section 61, the side where the storage section 112 is located when the transport container 101 is placed in the container placement section 61 may be referred to as the front, and the side where the discharge path section 113 is located may be referred to as the rear.

[0048] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the container mounting section 61 comprises a main body 75. A clamping mechanism 77 is provided on the upper part of the main body 75. As shown in Figure 5, a holding section 151 is integrally formed at the bottom of the storage section 112 of the transport container 101. The clamping mechanism 77 can fix the transport container 101 placed on the main body 75 in place by gripping the holding section 151, preventing it from moving.

[0049] As shown in Figure 8, the container mounting section 61 includes a second detection section (detection unit) 65. The second detection section 65 detects that the transport container 101 has been placed in the container mounting section 61. The second detection section 65 can be configured, for example, by a limit switch, an optical sensor, or the like.

[0050] The container installation section 61 further includes an operating mechanism 70 that moves the opening / closing member 114 of the transport container 101 from a closed state to an open state. The operating mechanism 70 is controlled by the control unit 40. When the transport container 101 is installed in the container installation section 61, the operating mechanism 70 moves the opening / closing member 114 of the transport container 101, opening the boundary portion 125 of the transport container 101. This makes it possible to discharge the drug from the transport container 101.

[0051] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the operating mechanism 70 includes a first drive unit (drive unit) 71, an interlocking unit 72, and an operating arm (operating unit) 73.

[0052] The first drive unit 71 consists of a motor and the like, and is installed on the main body 75 of the container mounting section 61. The first drive unit 71 is controlled by the control unit 40. The first drive unit 71 is used as a common drive source for operating the clamp mechanism 77 and the operating mechanism 70.

[0053] The interlocking unit 72 interlocks the first drive unit 71 and the operating arm 73. The interlocking unit 72 is rotatably supported on the side of the main body 75 of the container mounting unit 61 by a support shaft 79. The interlocking unit 72 can rotate counterclockwise / clockwise around the support shaft 79 as shown in Figure 8 by the driving force of the first drive unit 71.

[0054] The operating arm 73 rotates integrally with the interlocking part 72. The operating arm 73 is made of a springy member, specifically a leaf spring. The operating arm 73 is provided to protrude upward from the interlocking part 72. The protruding end (upper end) of the operating arm 73 is positioned to face the contacted portion 133 of the transport container 101 in the front-rear direction when the transport container 101 is placed in the container installation section 61.

[0055] The vibration device 62 includes a motor and other components that generate vibrations. The vibration device 62 is controlled by the control unit 40. The vibration device 62 generates vibrations in response to control signals from the control unit 40. The vibrations generated by the vibration device 62 are transmitted to the transport container 101 installed in the container installation section 61.

[0056] In this configuration, when the transport container 101 is placed on the main body 75 of the container mounting section 61, the first drive unit 71 operates and clamps it with the clamping mechanism 77 of the container mounting section 61. Shortly after this, the interlocking unit 72 rotates counterclockwise around the pivot shaft 79 in Figure 8. This causes the upper part of the operating arm 73 to move backward and contact the contacted portion 133 of the transport container 101. The contacted portion 133 is pushed by the operating arm 73 and rotates clockwise around the rotation axis 142 in Figure 8. As a result, the gate section 131 rotates around the rotation axis 142, and as shown in Figure 9, the opening / closing member 114 moves from the closed state to the open state. In the open state, the opening / closing member 114 opens the connecting portion while regulating the height of the opening of the connecting portion.

[0057] After the opening / closing member 114 is in the open state, the vibration device 62 starts operating. The vibrations generated by the vibration device 62 are transmitted to the transport container 101, causing the transport container 101 to vibrate. As a result, the drug contained in the storage section 112 of the transport container 101 moves through the boundary section 125 to the discharge path section 113, and is discharged from the discharge port 121 of this discharge path section 113 to the packaging section 32 (distribution section 83 described later). All of the drug contained in the transport container 101 is discharged to the packaging section 32.

[0058] After the chemicals in the containment section 112 are discharged, the vibration device 62 stops. Then, the first drive unit 71 operates, releasing the operating arm 73 from pressing against the contacted section 133. As a result, the opening / closing member 114 returns from the open state to the closed state. Also, the operation of the first drive unit 71 releases the clamping state of the clamping mechanism 77. The transport container 101 detaches from the main body 75 of the container mounting section 61 and becomes ready to be transported to the cleaning section 36 by the second transport unit 12B.

[0059] The stroke by which the operating arm 73 pushes the contacted portion 133 to open the opening / closing member 114 is relatively small. Therefore, when the chemical passes through the boundary portion 125, the gate portion 131 is located within the discharge path portion 113 as shown in Figure 9, and does not move significantly above the inner bottom surface of the boundary portion 125. Thus, it can be said that the gate portion 131 (opening / closing member 114) defines the upper end position of the boundary portion 125. Consequently, the gate portion 131 acts to close the discharge path portion 113 side to prevent the chemical from spilling out of the storage portion 112 during transport, etc., and also acts to equalize the height of the chemical moving from the storage portion 112 to the discharge path portion 113, in other words, to adjust the amount of chemical that passes through.

[0060] As described above, the operating arm 73 is made of an elastic member with spring properties. This suppresses the flapping of the contacted portion 133 at the contact point with the operating arm 73, even when the transport container 101 is vibrated by the vibration device 62. As a result, the flapping of the gate portion 131 is also suppressed, preventing the drug passing through the boundary portion 125 from being bounced up by the gate portion 131 and scattering outside the transport container 101. The elasticity of the operating arm 73 is set to such an extent that, when the operating arm 73 is in contact with the contacted portion 133, the operating arm 73 can push and move the contacted portion 133 regardless of the biasing force of the torsion spring 144.

[0061] A cushioning member 81 is fixed to the protruding end of the operating arm 73. The cushioning member 81 is positioned to face the contacted portion 133. The cushioning member 81 is made of a plate-shaped rubber or the like. When the operating arm 73 pushes the contacted portion 133, the operating arm 73 contacts the contacted portion 133 via the cushioning member 81. As a result, even when the transport container 101 is vibrated by the vibration device 62, the impact generated when the operating arm 73 contacts the contacted portion 133 can be cushioned.

[0062] The packaging unit 32 is configured to be able to package the medicine measured out by the weighing unit 14. The packaging unit 32 is controlled by the control unit 40 to package the medicine measured out by the weighing unit 14 into single doses. The packaging unit 32 includes a dispensing unit 83 and a packaging unit 84.

[0063] The distribution unit 83 distributes the drug discharged from the transport container 101 by the drug discharge unit 31. In the drug packaging device 1 of this embodiment, there are multiple distribution units 83 (specifically, two), and each distribution unit 83 is provided with two drug discharge units 31. Each distribution unit 83 includes a distribution tray 86 and a feeding unit 87. The distribution tray 86 is configured to rotate about a vertical axis. The drug discharge unit 31 discharges the drug onto the rotating distribution tray 86. The feeding unit 87 drops the drug discharged onto the distribution tray 86 downwards in predetermined amounts.

[0064] The packaging unit 84 packages the drug distributed by the distribution unit 83 with packaging material 90. The packaging unit 84 includes a hopper 91 and a heater 92. The packaging unit 84 repeatedly drops the drug distributed from the distribution unit 83 onto the packaging material 90 through the hopper 91, while simultaneously using the heater 92 to heat-seal the packaging material 90. This separates the drug supplied in predetermined amounts and seals each portion into the packaging material 90. The packaging material 90 containing the drug is then sent to a storage area outside or inside the drug packaging device 1.

[0065] In the drug packaging device 1, a discharge standby section 95 is provided at the boundary between the weighing section and the packaging section. A transport container 101 for containing the drug can be placed in the discharge standby section 95 and kept waiting as needed.

[0066] The cleaning unit 36 ​​can clean the transport container 101. The cleaning unit 36 ​​is located on the transport path of the transport unit 12. More specifically, the cleaning unit 36 ​​is located between the drug discharge unit 31 and the storage unit 11. The cleaning unit 36 ​​cleans the transport container 101, which has discharged the drug from the drug discharge unit 31, while it is being transported from the drug discharge unit 31 to the storage unit 11.

[0067] In the drug packaging device 1, a cleaning standby section 98 is provided near the cleaning section 36. The transport container 101 to be cleaned can be placed in the cleaning standby section 98 as needed and kept waiting.

[0068] The discharge standby section 95 and the cleaning standby section 98 can be configured, for example, as plate-shaped members on which a container can be placed, but are not limited thereto.

[0069] Here, we will explain the cleaning unit 36 ​​in detail.

[0070] The cleaning unit 36 ​​comprises a first cleaning unit 36A and a second cleaning unit 36B. The cleaning unit 36 ​​cleans the transport container 101 sequentially using the first cleaning unit 36A and the second cleaning unit 36B. In this embodiment, cleaning is performed by the first cleaning unit 36A first, followed by cleaning by the second cleaning unit 36B. However, cleaning by the second cleaning unit 36B may be performed first.

[0071] The first cleaning unit 36A cleans the storage section 112 and the discharge passage section 113 of the transport container 101. Cleaning is performed, for example, by blowing compressed air onto the inner wall surfaces of the storage section 112 and the discharge passage section 113, and by suction. This removes any residual chemicals from the storage section 112 and the discharge passage section 113. Cleaning may also be performed by other means.

[0072] The second cleaning unit 36B cleans the opening and closing member 114 of the transport container 101, specifically the gate portion 131. Cleaning is performed, for example, by bringing a brush into contact with the gate portion 131 and using suction, as in this embodiment. This removes any chemicals adhering to the gate portion 131. Other means of cleaning may also be used.

[0073] In the first cleaning section 36A, simply blowing compressed air is often insufficient to remove the drug adhering to the first surface 136 and the second surface 137 of the gate section 131. Therefore, the drug dispensing device 1 is provided with a second cleaning section 36B for cleaning the gate section 131, separate from the first cleaning section 36A.

[0074] As shown in Figure 10, the second cleaning unit 36B includes a first brush unit 211, a second brush unit 212, a second drive unit 213, and a suction unit 214.

[0075] In the following explanation of the configuration of the second cleaning unit 36B, the side where the storage unit 112 is located when the transport container 101 is placed in the position to be cleaned by the second cleaning unit 36B may be referred to as the front, and the side where the discharge path unit 113 is located may be referred to as the rear.

[0076] Although not shown in Figures 10 and 11, the second cleaning unit 36B is equipped with an operating lever. When the transport container 101 is set in the cleaning position, the operating lever is driven by a motor (not shown) and can press the contacted portion 133 shown in Figure 11. The function of the operating lever is substantially the same as that of the operating arm 73 of the container mounting unit 61 shown in Figure 7, so a detailed explanation is omitted. However, the operating lever of the second cleaning unit 36B can press the contacted portion 133 with a larger stroke compared to the operating arm 73 described above.

[0077] The control unit 40 pushes the contacted portion 133 with the operating lever described above. As a result, the gate portion 131 of the opening / closing member 114, which was in the closed state, rotates approximately 90° upward around the rotation axis 142 and enters the retracted state. In this retracted state, the gate portion 131 is in a nearly horizontal position as shown in Figure 10 and has exited upward from the discharge path portion 113.

[0078] The first brush section 211 and the second brush section 212 are arranged to face each other with a small predetermined gap between them in the vertical direction. The gate section 131, which is in a retracted state, can be inserted into the gap between the first brush section 211 and the second brush section 212.

[0079] As shown in Figure 11, the first brush section 211 includes a first brush cover 221 and a first group of brush bristles 222.

[0080] The first brush cover 221 has an elongated rectangular shape in plan view and is formed in a box shape with the bottom open. The first brush cover 221 is positioned so that its longitudinal direction is aligned with the front-to-back direction.

[0081] The first group of brush bristles 222 is provided so as to protrude from the bottom of the first brush cover 221 toward the open side (downward). The tip of the first group of brush bristles 222 is located in the space 225 between the first brush section 211 and the second brush section 212.

[0082] The second brush section 212 is located below the first brush section 211. As shown in Figure 11, the second brush section 212 includes a second brush cover 227 and a second group of brush bristles 228.

[0083] The second brush cover 227 has an elongated rectangular shape in plan view and is formed in a box shape with the top open. The second brush cover 227 is positioned so that its longitudinal direction is aligned with the front-to-back direction.

[0084] The longitudinal length of the second brush cover 227 is shorter than the longitudinal length of the first brush cover 221. This prevents the second brush cover 227 from interfering with the support portion 132, etc., when the gate portion 131 of the opening / closing member 114 is cleaned by the second brush portion 212.

[0085] The second group of brush bristles 228 is provided so as to protrude from the bottom of the second brush cover toward the open side (upwards). The tip of the second group of brush bristles 228 is located in the space 225 between the first brush section 211 and the second brush section 212.

[0086] The bristles of the first bristles group 222 and the bristles of the second bristles group 228 are arranged so as not to correspond to each other in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the bristles of the first bristles group 222 and the bristles of the second bristles group 228 have portions that overlap each other in the vertical direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the bristles. Therefore, when the gate portion 131 is inserted between the first brush portion 211 and the second brush portion 212, the first bristles group 222 and the second bristles group 228 bend and come into strong contact with the first surface 136 and the second surface 137 of the gate portion 131, respectively.

[0087] The second drive unit 213 can slide the first brush section 211 and the second brush section 212. The second drive unit 213 is controlled by the control unit 40.

[0088] As shown in Figure 10, the second drive unit 213 includes a motor 231 and a drive mechanism 232. The motor 231 functions as a drive source for moving the first brush section 211 and the second brush section 212. The drive mechanism 232 transmits the driving force of the motor 231 to the first brush section 211 and the second brush section 212.

[0089] The drive mechanism 232 comprises a pinion 235, a rack 236, and a carriage 237. The pinion 235 is fixed to the output shaft of the motor 231. The rack 236 meshes with the pinion 235. The carriage 237 is an elongated member and is configured to move linearly by a guide rail 239. The rack 236 is fixed to the carriage 237.

[0090] The first brush section 211 and the second brush section 212 are fixed to the carriage 237. This allows the second drive unit 213 to reciprocate the first brush section 211 and the second brush section 212 with an appropriate stroke.

[0091] The suction unit 214 applies suction to the first brush section 211 and the second brush section 212. The suction unit 214 comprises a suction source (not shown) and a suction hose 241 provided between the suction source and the first brush section 211 and the second brush section 212. As a result, the chemicals scraped from the gate section 131 by the first brush section 211 and the second brush section 212 are sucked out and removed.

[0092] In this configuration, as described above, while the transport container 101 is being transported from the drug discharge section 31 to the storage section 11, the transport container 101 is cleaned in the cleaning section 36. In the cleaning section 36, the transport container 101 is first transported to the first cleaning section 36A. In the first cleaning section 36A, the storage section 112 and the discharge path section 113 of the transport container 101 are cleaned. Next, the transport container 101 is transported to the second cleaning section 36B. In the second cleaning section 36B, the opening and closing member 114 (gate section 131) of the transport container 101 is cleaned.

[0093] In the second cleaning unit 36B, when the transport container 101 is placed in a predetermined cleaning position, the opening / closing member 114 of the transport container 101 is changed from the closed state to the retracted state. In this state, the first brush unit 211 and the second brush unit 212 move from the predetermined standby position shown in Figure 10 and reciprocate in the left-right direction. During this reciprocating motion, the first brush unit 211 passes above the gate unit 131, and the second brush unit 212 passes below the gate unit 131. At this time, the first brush bristle group 222 and the second brush bristle group 228 contact the gate unit 131 from both sides in the thickness direction, and the chemical is scraped off the gate unit 131. As a result, the first surface 136 and the second surface 137 are cleaned simultaneously. The chemical removed from the gate unit 131 is removed by the suction unit 214.

[0094] The first brush section 211 and the second brush section 212 return to their standby positions after performing the above-described reciprocating motion one or more times. Once cleaning by the second cleaning section 36B is complete, the state in which the operating lever is pressing the contacted section 133 is released. As a result, the opening / closing member 114 of the transport container 101 returns from the retracted state to the closed state. The transport container 101 is returned from the cleaning section 36 to the cleaning standby section 98, and then transported to the storage section 11 by the first transport section 12A.

[0095] The control unit 40 can control each part of the drug packaging device 1 (specifically, the drug dispensing unit 31 and the cleaning unit 36, etc.) based on the dispensing data.

[0096] More specifically, the control unit 40 is configured as a known computer. The control unit 40 comprises an arithmetic unit such as a CPU, a storage device such as 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 arithmetic unit reads various programs and the like from the storage device and controls the operation of each part of the drug packaging device 1 based on the detection values ​​of sensors provided in each part of the drug packaging device 1 and the various setting values ​​stored in the storage device.

[0097] For example, if the control unit 40 determines that the transport container 101 has been placed in the container installation unit 61 based on the detection result of the second detection unit 65 in the drug discharge unit 31, after a predetermined time has elapsed from the timing of that determination, the control unit 40 operates the operating arm 73 of the container installation unit 61 in the drug discharge unit 31 to switch the opening / closing member 114 of the transport container 101 from the closed state to the open state. After that, the control unit 40 operates the vibration device 62 and generates vibrations from the vibration device 62 to vibrate the transport container 101.

[0098] As described above, the drug packaging device 1 of this embodiment uses a transport container 101. The transport container 101 has a storage section 112, a discharge path section 113, and an opening / closing member 114. The storage section 112 stores the drug. The discharge path section 113 is connected to the storage section 112. The opening / closing member 114 can open and close the boundary section 125, which is the connection part between the storage section 112 and the discharge path section 113. The drug packaging device 1 includes a container mounting section 61, a vibration device 62, and an operating arm 73. The transport container 101 can be installed in the container mounting section 61. The vibration device 62 applies vibration to the transport container 101 installed in the container mounting section 61, causing the drug in the storage section 112 to be discharged through the discharge path section 113. The operating arm 73 changes the opening / closing member 114 of the transport container 101 from a closed state with the boundary portion 125 closed to an open state with the boundary portion 125 open.

[0099] This allows the opening / closing member 114 to be kept closed until the drug is discharged, ensuring that the drug is reliably kept in the storage section 112 of the transport container 101. Furthermore, when the transport container 101 is installed in the container installation section 61, the opening / closing member 114 can be opened, and at the boundary section 125, the opening / closing member 114 can be used to equalize the height of the drug (adjust the amount of drug) while sending the drug from the storage section 112 to the discharge path section 113, and then discharge it from the discharge path section 113. Thus, the drug can be discharged stably from the transport container 101.

[0100] In the drug packaging device 1 of this embodiment, the opening / closing member 114 is provided with a contact portion 133. The operating arm 73 is provided to press the contact portion 133. The opening / closing member 114 moves from a closed state to an open state when the contact portion 133 is pressed.

[0101] This allows the opening / closing member 114 of the transport container 101 to be changed from a closed state to an open state with a simple configuration.

[0102] In the drug packaging device 1 of this embodiment, the operating arm 73 is formed of an elastic member.

[0103] This makes it possible to suppress the flapping of the contact portion 133 when vibration is applied to the transport container 101 installed in the container mounting section 61 by the vibration device 62. As a result, it is possible to prevent the opening and closing member 114 from scattering the drug outside the transport container 101 due to flapping near the boundary portion 125.

[0104] In the transport container 101 used in the drug packaging device 1 of this embodiment, the opening / closing member 114 moves within the internal space of the discharge path section 113. The opening / closing member 114 opens and closes the boundary section 125 through this movement.

[0105] This allows the opening / closing member 114 to be provided on the transport container 101 with a simple configuration.

[0106] In the transport container 101 of this embodiment, a stepped surface 148 is formed at the boundary portion 125 such that the inner wall surface of the discharge path portion 113 is located outward compared to the inner wall surface of the storage portion 112. In the closed state, the opening / closing member 114 contacts the stepped surface 148.

[0107] This makes it easier to bring the opening / closing member 114 into tight contact with the stepped surface 148. Consequently, it is possible to suppress the formation of a gap between the opening / closing member 114 and the boundary portion 125 through which the drug can pass, and the boundary portion 125 can be securely closed.

[0108] Preferred embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, but the above configuration can be modified as follows, for example.

[0109] Approximately simultaneously with the placement of the transport container 101 in the container mounting section 61, the operating mechanism 70 may change the opening / closing member 114 of the transport container 101 from the closed state to the open state. The timing for changing the opening / closing member 114 from the closed state to the open state when the transport container 101 is placed in the container mounting section 61 can be arbitrarily set.

[0110] The power source for the operating mechanism 70 may be provided separately from the power source for the clamping mechanism 77.

[0111] The design can also be modified to include an interlocking mechanism that links the container mounting section 61 and the operating arm 73. In this case, for example, the operating arm 73 can move in conjunction with the operation of mounting the transport container 101 on the container mounting section 61, thereby changing the opening / closing member 114 of the transport container 101 to the open state. This makes it possible to omit the first drive unit 71.

[0112] In the above embodiment, the cushioning member 81 is provided on the operating arm 73 side with respect to the contact portion between the operating arm 73 and the contacted portion 133, but it may also be provided on the contacted portion 133 side, or on both sides.

[0113] In the above embodiment, the operating arm 73 indirectly contacts the contacted portion 133 via the cushioning member 81. The cushioning member 81 can be omitted, and the configuration can be changed so that the operating arm 73 directly contacts and presses the contacted portion 133.

[0114] The stepped portion 146 (stepped surface 148) only needs to be appropriately sized to correspond to the opening / closing member 114 (gate portion 131), and its shape can be arbitrarily changed. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0115] 1. Drug packaging device (drug dispensing device) 61 Container installation part 62. Vibration device (vibrating part) 73. Operating arm (operating unit) 101 Transport container (container) 112 Storage Unit 113 Discharge path section 114 Opening / closing member (opening / closing part) 125 Boundary section (connection between the containment section and the discharge path section) 133 Contacted part 148 Step surface

Claims

1. A drug discharge device for discharging a drug from a container having a storage section for containing the drug and an opening / closing section that can be switched from a closed state to an open state and regulates the height of the opening when it is in the open state, A container mounting unit having a container mounting unit body on which the container can be installed, and an operating unit for switching the opening / closing unit from the closed state to the open state, A vibrating unit that vibrates the container installed on the container mounting unit body to discharge the drug inside the storage unit, A control unit that controls the container installation section and the vibration section, Equipped with, The control unit controls the operation unit to switch the opening / closing unit from the closed state to the open state in conjunction with the container being fixed to the container mounting unit body. A drug discharge device characterized in that the opening / closing section is switched to the open state by the control described above, thereby enabling the discharge of the drug contained in the storage section.

2. A drug discharge device according to claim 1, The drug discharge device is characterized in that the operating unit switches the opening / closing unit from the open state to the closed state after the drug in the storage unit has been discharged.

3. A drug discharge device according to claim 1 or 2, The drug discharge device is characterized in that the container mounting section has a drive unit that serves as both a drive source for fixing the container to the container mounting section body and a drive source for switching the opening / closing section from the closed state to the open state.

4. A drug discharge device according to claim 1 or 2, The aforementioned operating part is a rotatable member, The drug discharge device is characterized in that the operating unit rotates to switch the opening / closing unit from the closed state to the open state.

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