Drug supply device

Abstract

To provide a drug feeder capable of restraining a malfunction from being caused by static electricity in equipment to be fed with a drug.SOLUTION: A drug feeder according to the present invention comprises a storage body 11 having a plurality of storage parts capable of storing a drug. The drug feeder feeds the object equipment with the drug stored in each of the storage parts. Each of the storage parts is opened upward. An operator can charge the drug into each of the storage parts thereinto from above. A static elimination part 14 for removing electricity from the drug stored in each of the storage parts is provided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a chemical supply device that supplies chemicals scattered by an operator.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a chemical supply device, a hand-scattering chemical supply device described in Patent Document 1 is known. The hand-scattering chemical supply device includes a tray in which a plurality of boxes with an openable and closable bottom plate are formed in a grid pattern.

[0003] According to the above-described hand-scattering chemical supply device, it is said that chemicals can be supplied to a device to which chemicals are to be supplied by scattering the chemicals into the boxes, moving the tray to the device to which the chemicals are to be supplied, such as a packaging machine, and opening the bottom plate.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, the chemicals scattered onto the above-described chemical supply device may be charged, for example, due to contact with the PTP sheet in which the chemicals were wrapped. If the charged chemicals are supplied to a device to which the chemicals are to be supplied, there may occur problems such that the chemicals are clogged inside the device by static electricity or do not properly move within the path formed inside the device.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a chemical supply device that can suppress the occurrence of problems in a device to which chemicals are to be supplied.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention provides a drug supply device comprising a container having a plurality of storage compartments capable of containing drugs, and supplying drugs stored in each storage compartment to a target device, wherein each storage compartment is open at the top, and drugs can be loaded into each storage compartment from above by an operator, and each storage compartment is provided with a static elimination unit for eliminating static electricity from the drugs stored in it.

[0008] With this configuration, the static elimination unit can eliminate static electricity from the chemical contained in the containment unit, thus preventing the chemical from becoming clogged inside the equipment due to static electricity or from not moving properly through the paths formed inside the equipment. Therefore, malfunctions in the equipment to which the chemical is supplied can be suppressed.

[0009] Furthermore, the static elimination unit can also be configured to generate ions and apply them to the surface of the chemicals contained in each of the storage units.

[0010] With this configuration, the drug can be electrostatically removed by ions, thus ensuring that the drug is reliably electrostatically removed.

[0011] Furthermore, the static elimination unit may be provided above the housing, and configured to move relative to the housing while maintaining a constant vertical distance when eliminating static electricity from at least the chemicals contained in each housing.

[0012] With this configuration, static electricity can be removed while maintaining a constant distance between the static elimination unit and the housing unit, thus suppressing uneven static elimination in multiple housing units. Therefore, the chemicals can be reliably statically removed.

[0013] Furthermore, the device may also include a housing, wherein the housing is movable between a protruding position where it extends outward from the housing and into which drugs can be introduced into each of the housings, and a storage position where it is housed within the housing, and the static elimination unit is fixed to the housing, and the static elimination unit may be configured to eliminate static electricity from the drugs housed in each of the housings when the housing moves from the protruding position to the storage position.

[0014] According to such a configuration, when the container is in the protruding position, the drug can be introduced into each accommodating part, and when the container is moved to the storage position after the introduction, the drug is discharged statically at the same timing. Therefore, the introduced drug can be surely discharged statically.

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a drug supply device that can suppress the occurrence of malfunctions in the equipment to which the drug is supplied.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of a drug packaging device including a drug sprinkling device (drug supply device) according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a plan view showing the container of the drug sprinkling device (drug supply device). [Figure 3] It is an enlarged view taken along line III-III shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] It is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] It is a view showing the operating state of the position display part of the drug sprinkling device (drug supply device). [Figure 6] It is a view showing the static elimination part of the drug sprinkling device (drug supply device).

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] The drug sprinkling device (drug supply device) 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. The up-down, left-right, and depth directions are described based on the directions at the time of installation. Specifically, the depth direction refers to the direction orthogonal to the front surface of the housing 5, and the front side is described as the front side and the back side as the back side.

[0018] The drug sprinkling device (drug supply device) 3 of the present embodiment is configured as a part of a drug packaging device 1 for packaging drugs. First, the drug packaging device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0019] The medicine packaging device 1 is a device that packages medicine in packages such as packaging paper for each dose. Specifically, the medicine packaging device 1 has a plurality of cassettes (not shown) in which medicine is stored, an automatic supply device 2 that can supply the medicine stored in the cassettes, a medicine sprinkling device (medicine supply device) 3 that supplies the medicine scattered by hand, a packaging unit 4 that packages the medicine supplied from the automatic supply device 2 and the medicine sprinkling device (medicine supply device) 3 in a package, and a box-shaped housing 5 that houses the automatic supply device 2, the medicine sprinkling device (medicine supply device) 3, and the packaging unit 4. Further, the medicine packaging device 1 includes an input unit 6 that can input prescription information regarding the information of the medicine to be packaged, and a control unit that controls the entire medicine packaging device 1. In the present embodiment, both the medicine stored in the cassette and the medicine input into the medicine sprinkling device (medicine supply device) 3 are tablets or capsules.

[0020] A plurality of types of medicine are stored in the automatic supply device 2. Specifically, a plurality of types of medicine are stored separately for each cassette in the automatic supply device 2. Further, the automatic supply device 2 supplies the stored medicine to the packaging unit 4 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit. Note that the automatic supply device 2 can also store the medicine with a large supply amount in a plurality of cassettes.

[0021] The packaging unit 4 is a part that packages the medicine supplied from the automatic supply device 2 and the medicine sprinkling device (medicine supply device) 3 in a package for each dose. Further, the packaging unit 4 is a part disposed below the automatic supply device 2 and the medicine sprinkling device (medicine supply device) 3. In the present embodiment, the medicine supplied from the automatic supply device 2 and the medicine sprinkling device (medicine supply device) 3 moves along a medicine supply path (not shown) provided in the housing 5 under the influence of gravity and is supplied to the packaging unit 4.

[0022] The drug dispensing device (drug supply device) 3 allows for the manual dispensing of drug and supplies the dispensed drug to the packaging section 4. The device to which the drug dispensing device (drug supply device) 3 supplies drug in this embodiment is the packaging section 4 of the drug packaging device 1. Specifically, the drug dispensing device (drug supply device) 3 comprises a container 11 having multiple containers 12 capable of accommodating the manually dispensed drug, a position indicator 13 indicating the container 12 into which the drug should be dispensed, a static elimination unit 14 that removes static electricity from the drug contained in the container 11 before supplying it to the packaging section 4, and a housing 5 that houses the container 11, the position indicator 13, and the packaging section 4. The housing 5 in this embodiment is configured as the housing 5 of the drug packaging device 1. A storage space S1 capable of accommodating the container 11 is formed inside the housing 5 (see Figure 6). Furthermore, the drug dispensing device (drug supply device) 3 includes an input unit 6 that can input prescription information regarding the drug to be dispensed by hand, and a control unit that controls the entire drug dispensing device (drug supply device) 3. In this embodiment, the input unit 6 and the control unit are integrated with the input unit 6 and the control unit of the drug packaging device 1.

[0023] The container 11 is a plate-like body with a thickness smaller than its length, width, and depth dimensions, and is provided with multiple storage sections 12 that define storage areas, which are recesses capable of containing drugs. Furthermore, multiple storage sections 12 are arranged horizontally on the container 11. In this embodiment, the container 11 has multiple rows of storage sections 12 arranged in a single row in the depth direction. Additionally, the container 11 in this embodiment has six storage sections 12 arranged in the depth direction. The container 11 is a plate-like body with its thickness direction coinciding with the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the storage sections 12 are plate-like bodies with their longitudinal direction coinciding with the left-right direction and their short direction coinciding with the depth direction.

[0024] In this embodiment, the housing 11 is configured to be movable between a storage position P1, which is housed in the storage space S1 of the housing 5, and a protruding position P2, which is projected outward from the housing 5 (see Figure 6). Specifically, the housing 11 slides approximately horizontally forward from the storage position P1 to the protruding position P2. In this embodiment, the movement of the housing 11 between the storage position P1 and the protruding position P2 is performed automatically, but the configuration is not limited to this, and the housing 11 can also be configured to be moved manually.

[0025] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the storage section 12 is a box-shaped part with an open top, allowing a worker to manually load the drug from above. The storage section 12 also has an inner wall surface 15 that defines a storage area S2 in which the drug can be stored. Specifically, the storage section 12 comprises a bottom section 16 having a bottom surface 16a that forms the bottom of the storage area S2, and a side wall 17 having a side surface 17a that defines the side of the storage area S2. The side wall 17 is configured as a partition wall separating the storage areas S2 of adjacent storage sections 12.

[0026] The bottom portion 16 is a bottom plate configured to be openable and closable. Specifically, the bottom portion 16 is closed when the drug is placed in the storage area S2, and opens when the drug in the storage area S2 is supplied to the packaging section 4. In other words, by opening and closing the bottom portion 16, it is possible to switch between a state in which the placed drug is held within the storage area S2 and a state in which the placed drug is supplied to the packaging section 4. In this embodiment, when the bottom portion 16 is opened in the stored state, the drug in the storage area S2 is allowed to free fall and is supplied to the packaging section 4 located below. Furthermore, the bottom portion 16 in this embodiment is made of an electrically grounded conductor.

[0027] The side wall 17 is a wall that rises upward from the outer edge of the bottom surface 16a. The side wall 17 is tapered, with the lower end of the storage area S2 being narrower and the upper end being wider. Furthermore, the side wall 17 has irregularities 18 formed on its inner surface. In this embodiment, the inner surface of the side wall 17 has multiple grooves extending in the vertical direction as irregularities 18. In this embodiment, the side wall 17 has multiple irregularities 18 (grooves) extending in the vertical direction formed on at least the back surface. In this embodiment, the irregularities 18 are formed on each of the four surfaces of the side wall 17. The side wall 17 is also a hollow wall with enough space inside to accommodate the position indicator unit 13. That is, the side wall 17 is configured so that the position indicator unit 13 can be placed between adjacent storage areas S2. Furthermore, the irregularities 18 also serve as grooves to prevent the tablets from sticking to the side wall 17.

[0028] An identification mark 19 is provided on the upper end surface of each storage unit 12, surrounding the storage area S2, to identify each storage unit 12. The identification mark 19 is positioned adjacent to the storage area S2. In this embodiment, the identification mark 19 is a number written on the left side of the storage area S2 of each storage unit 12. The number written as the identification mark 19 indicates which packet the drug placed in the corresponding storage unit 12 will be packaged in. That is, for example, the drug placed in the storage area S2 of a storage unit 12 with the identification mark 19 "5" on the left side will be packaged in the 5th packet. In this embodiment, the identification mark 19 is printed on the upper end surface of the storage unit 12. Furthermore, the identification mark 19 is written in a way that makes it recognizable when viewed from the front side of the storage body 11. That is, the orientation of the numbers as identification marks 19 in this embodiment is such that the front side is at the bottom and the back side is at the top. The identification marking 19 can also be provided on the upper surface (second surface 27) of the light-transmitting section 23, which will be described later.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, a position indicator unit 13 is arranged in the space inside the side wall 17. The position indicator unit 13 is a part configured to project light onto the inner wall surface 15 of the housing unit 12. The position indicator unit 13 in this embodiment has a light source 20 and includes a light-projecting unit 21 that projects light onto the inner wall surface 15 of the housing unit 12, and an insulating sheet unit 22 for protecting the light source 20 from static electricity. The light source 20 in this embodiment is an LED. The position indicator unit 13 in this embodiment is arranged on the left side of each housing unit 12. In addition, the position indicator unit 13 in this embodiment is provided in the upper half of the housing unit 12 in the vertical direction.

[0030] The light-emitting section 21 is the part that illuminates the inner wall surface 15. Specifically, the light-emitting section 21 comprises a light source 20 that emits light to illuminate the inner wall surface 15, and a light-transmitting section 23 that transmits the light emitted by the light source 20. The light source 20 in this embodiment comprises a light-emitting body section 24 that emits light, and a substrate section 25 having a circuit for causing the light-emitting body section 24 to emit light. In this embodiment, the light-emitting section 21 is configured to have one substrate section 25 for a row of housing sections 12 arranged in the depth direction, and a plurality of light-emitting body sections 24 are arranged on the substrate section 25 spaced apart in the depth direction.

[0031] The light source 20 is a part that emits light toward the inner wall surface 15. The light source 20 is also positioned to emit light toward at least the rear surface of the inner wall surface 15. In this embodiment, the light source 20 emits light toward three surfaces of the inner wall surface 15, excluding the surface on which the light-emitting part is provided. The surface of the inner wall surface 15 on which the light source 20 is provided is indirectly illuminated by reflection from other surfaces. Furthermore, the light source 20 is positioned to emit light toward the rear surface of the inner wall surface 15 from the side. In this embodiment, the light source 20 emits light toward the left side of the rear surface of the inner wall surface 15. That is, the rear surface of the inner wall surface 15 is illuminated by light from the side (left side). The rear surface of the inner wall surface 15 refers to the surface furthest from the worker standing in front of the drug packaging device when the worker is manually sprinkling the drug into the storage section 12. In this embodiment, the inner wall surface 15 on the far side is the surface of the inner wall surface 15 that is closest to the housing 5 when it is in the protruding position P2. Furthermore, the light source 20 in this embodiment is configured to project colored light and white light onto the inner wall surface 15 of the housing section 12. Moreover, the light source 20 is capable of projecting more than the number of housing sections 12 arranged in the depth direction, including colored light and white light, onto the inner wall surface 15. In this embodiment, the light source 20 is provided in the upper half of the housing section 12 in the vertical direction.

[0032] The light-transmitting portion 23 is a plate-shaped part that transmits light. Furthermore, the light-transmitting portion 23 is a plate-like body configured to scatter transmitted light. In this embodiment, the light-transmitting portion 23 is a milky white plate-like body. The light-transmitting portion 23 is provided so as to constitute a part of the side wall 17. Specifically, a notch is formed in the side wall 17 so that the inside and outside of the side wall 17 are in communication, and the light-transmitting portion 23 is a plate-like body fitted into the notch formed in the side wall 17.

[0033] The light-transmitting section 23 comprises a first surface 26 that constitutes a portion of the side surface 17a, a second surface 27 that is connected to the first surface 26 and constitutes a portion of the upper end surface surrounding the housing area S2, and a light source-facing surface 28 that faces the light source 20. The first surface 26 is the surface opposite to the light source-facing surface 28. Furthermore, the first surface 26 is a surface provided so as to be substantially flush with the inner surface of the side wall 17, and the second surface 27 is a surface provided so as to be substantially flush with the upper end surface of the housing section 12. The light-transmitting section 23 is configured such that when light emitted from the light source 20 is irradiated onto the light source-facing surface 28, the transmitted light is projected from the first surface 26 onto the inner wall surface 15 and also projected upward from the second surface 27. In this embodiment, the light-transmitting section 23 is configured to scatter the light irradiated onto the light source-facing surface 28 and project a portion of the light upward from the second surface 27. In this embodiment, the second surface 27 and the identification mark 19 corresponding to the first storage section 12 are provided adjacent to each other.

[0034] The insulating sheet portion 22 is a sheet-like portion made of a light-transmitting insulator. Furthermore, the insulating sheet portion 22 is a sheet-like portion positioned between the light-transmitting portion 23 and the light source 20. In this embodiment, the insulating sheet portion 22 is a transparent sheet. In this embodiment, the insulating sheet portion 22 insulates the interior of the housing area S2 from the light source 20. Since the light-transmitting portion 23 in this embodiment is fitted into a notch formed in the side wall 17, a gap may be formed between the side wall 17 and the light-transmitting portion 23. However, in this embodiment, the insulating sheet insulates the interior of the housing area S2 from the light source 20, thus suppressing the discharge of static electricity from an object inside the housing area S2 (e.g., a worker's hand) to the light source 20 through the gap between the side wall 17 and the light-transmitting portion 23. Therefore, damage to the light source 20 due to static electricity can be suppressed.

[0035] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the light-emitting unit 21 projects light upward from the inner wall surface 15 of the housing 12 and the upper end surface of the housing 12. The light emitted from the light source 20 passes through the light-transmitting unit 23 and is projected onto the inner wall surface 15 from the first surface 26. Thus, the housing 12 itself is illuminated by the light-emitting unit 21. Since the light-emitting unit 21 is positioned close to the rear surface of the inner wall surface 15, the rear surface is reliably illuminated. Here, the inner wall surface 15 has grooves 18 that extend in the vertical direction, so when light is projected onto the inner wall surface 15, a shadow extending in the vertical direction is formed on the rear surface. Thus, a vertical striped shadow is created on the inner wall surface 15 illuminated by the light-emitting unit 21, which encourages the injection of chemicals into the housing 12 illuminated by the inner wall surface 15. Furthermore, the light emitted from the light source 20 passes through the light-transmitting section 23 and is projected upward from the second surface 27.

[0036] As shown in Figure 6, the static elimination unit 14 is provided inside the housing 5 and is configured to eliminate static electricity from the chemicals contained in the containment section 12. In this embodiment, the static elimination unit 14 is provided to eliminate static electricity from the chemicals contained in the containment section 11 (each containment section 12) rather than from the containment body 11 itself. The static elimination unit 14 also eliminates static electricity from the chemicals contained in the containment section 12 by generating ions I. That is, the static elimination unit 14 is configured to eliminate static electricity from the chemicals contained in the containment section 12 without contact. Specifically, the static elimination unit 14 applies ions I to the surface of the chemicals to eliminate static electricity from the surface of the chemicals. In other words, the static elimination unit 14 in this embodiment is a so-called ionizer. Furthermore, the static elimination unit 14 in this embodiment is configured to ionize the air by discharging into the air, thereby imparting charge to molecules in the air. Specifically, the static elimination unit 14 comprises a rod-shaped base 29 and a plurality of discharge sections 30 arranged spaced apart in the extension direction of the base 29. In this embodiment, the base portion 29 is positioned such that its extension direction coincides with the longitudinal direction of the housing 11, and its lower surface faces the upper surface of the housing 11. The discharge portion 30 is positioned below the base portion 29. Furthermore, the static elimination portion 14 in this embodiment is configured as a windless ionizer capable of supplying the generated ions I to the chemical agent without wind.

[0037] The base portion 29 is a rod-shaped body provided inside the housing 5 so as to extend substantially parallel to the upper surface of the housing 11. The base portion 29 is also a rod-shaped body that extends in a linear direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the housing 11. That is, the base portion 29 is provided so that the distance between each discharge portion 30 located on the base portion 29 and the upper surface of the housing 11 is equal. The base portion 29 in this embodiment is fixed inside the housing 5. Furthermore, the base portion 29 in this embodiment is provided so as to be able to neutralize the chemicals contained inside all the housing portions 12 when the housing 11 moves from the protruding position P2 to the storage position P1. Specifically, the base portion 29 is configured to be longer than the longitudinal (left-right) length of the area in which the housing portions 12 of the housing 11 are provided, and is positioned so as to be able to supply ions I to the chemicals contained inside all the housing portions 12 arranged in the short direction of the housing 11 when the housing 11 moves from the protruding position P2 to the storage position P1. In this embodiment, the static elimination unit 14 (base 29) is located above and in front of each of the housing sections 12 of the housing 11, which is the storage position P1. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate static electricity from the chemicals stored in all of the housing sections 12.

[0038] The discharge section 30 is a part that can discharge into the air by applying a high voltage. The discharge section 30 in this embodiment has needle-shaped terminals inside, and discharges into the air from the terminals by applying a high voltage to the terminals. In addition, the discharge section 30 in this embodiment is configured so that the voltage applied to the terminals is positive and negative at a predetermined period. In this embodiment, the period of positive and negative reversal of the voltage applied to the terminals by the discharge section 30 is configured to be shorter than the time required for one housing section 12 to pass below the static elimination section 14 when the housing 11 moves from the protruding position P2 to the storage position P1. That is, the discharge section 30 is configured to generate both positive and negative ions I while one housing section 12 passes below the static elimination section 14 when the housing 11 moves from the protruding position P2 to the storage position P1. The discharge section 30 in this embodiment applies a pulsed current to the terminals. That is, the static elimination section 14 in this embodiment is configured as a pulsed AC type ionizer.

[0039] The input unit 6 is a part that can input information about the drugs to be packaged. Specifically, the input unit 6 can input information that allows for the identification of which drug should be placed in each storage unit 12. In this embodiment, prescription information is input to the input unit 6. The prescription information includes information on which drug should be packaged in each package. The input unit 6 is configured, for example, as a touch panel. The touch panel can also be configured to allow information input via communication with an external terminal (controller, etc.).

[0040] Furthermore, the input unit 6 of this embodiment can be used to input information for operating the pesticide dispensing device (pesticide supply device) 3. Specifically, as will be described later, the input unit 6 can be used to input information indicating that the pesticide to be dispensed has been dispensed into the storage unit 12, and that the dispensing process is complete.

[0041] The control unit controls the entire drug packaging device 1. The control unit also controls the entire drug packaging device 1 based on information entered into the input unit 6. Specifically, the control unit controls the automatic supply device 2 to supply the drugs to be packaged to the packaging unit 4 based on the prescription information entered into the input unit 6. Furthermore, if the drugs to be packaged are not contained in the automatic supply device 2, the control unit determines that manual dispensing of the drugs is necessary and controls the manual dispensing drug device (drug supply device) 3.

[0042] Next, we will explain the operation of the pesticide dispensing device (pesticide supply device) 3.

[0043] If it is necessary to manually dispense the medication, the control unit moves the container 11 to the protruding position P2. In this embodiment, the control unit determines whether manual dispensing is necessary based on the prescription information entered into the input unit 6, and if it determines that manual dispensing is necessary, it moves the container 11 to the protruding position P2.

[0044] Next, the control unit determines, based on the prescription information, which storage unit 12 should contain the hand-dispensed medication. Specifically, the control unit determines that the storage unit 12 corresponding to the packaging in which the hand-dispensed medication should be packaged is the storage unit 12 into which the hand-dispensed medication should be contained.

[0045] Once the container 12 into which the chemical should be placed is identified by manual application, the control unit controls the position indicator unit 13 to control the light-emitting unit 21 to project light onto the inner wall surface 15 of the container 12 into which the chemical should be placed. In this embodiment, the position indicator unit 13 projects light only onto the inner wall surface 15 of the container 12 into which the chemical should be placed. In addition, the light-emitting unit 21 in this embodiment projects colored light onto the inner wall surface 15 of the container 12 into which the chemical should be placed. The worker then places the chemical into the container 12 indicated on the position indicator unit 13.

[0046] When the worker puts the drug into the storage section 12, they may either put the drug, still wrapped in a PTP sheet, directly into the storage section 12, or they may transfer the drug from the PTP sheet to another container and then put the drug from the container into the storage section 12. Here, the drug being put into the storage section 12 may be electrically charged due to friction with the PTP sheet or friction with other drugs inside the container.

[0047] If there are multiple types of chemicals to be manually dispensed, after the first type of chemical has been dispensed, information indicating that the first type of chemical has been dispensed is input to the input unit 6. Upon receiving this information, the control unit controls the position display unit 13 to cause the light-emitting unit 21 to emit light into the storage unit 12 where the second type of chemical should be dispensed. This control is repeated until all types of chemicals to be manually dispensed have been dispensed into the storage unit 12.

[0048] Once all the chemicals to be manually dispensed have been added, the worker checks whether the chemicals contained in the storage section 12 are correct. At this point, the light-emitting unit 21 emits white light into the storage section 12 where one or more types of chemicals should be added when the worker is checking the chemicals that have been added to the storage section 12. In this embodiment, when all types of chemicals to be manually dispensed have been added to the storage section 12, the control unit controls the position indicator unit 13, and controls the light-emitting unit 21 to emit white light into the storage section 12 where one or more types of chemicals should be added.

[0049] Once the operator's verification process is complete, the housing 11 moves from the protruding position P2 to the storage position P1. In this embodiment, when information indicating that the verification process is complete is input to the input unit 6, the control unit controls the housing 11 to move from the protruding position P2 to the storage position P1.

[0050] The static elimination unit 14 operates when the housing 11 moves from the protruding position P2 to the storage position P1, and eliminates static electricity from the chemical contained in the housing 12. In this embodiment, the static elimination unit 14 starts operating when the housing 11 begins to move. More specifically, it starts operating when an instruction is input to the input unit 6 or the like to move the housing 11. Specifically, the static elimination unit 14 applies a voltage to the discharge unit 30 and generates ions I when the housing 11 moves from the protruding position P2 to the storage position P1. The static elimination unit 14 is also configured to generate ions I at least when the housing 12 passes below the static elimination unit 14. Furthermore, the static elimination unit 14 stops operating when the housing 11 moves to the storage position P1. That is, the static elimination unit 14 operates only while the housing 11 is moving from the protruding position P2 to the storage position P1.

[0051] As the housing 11 moves from the protruding position P2 to the storage position P1, it moves such that the distance between the lower surface of the static elimination unit 14 and the upper end surface of the housing 12 remains approximately constant. In this embodiment, the lower surface of the static elimination unit 14 extends horizontally, and the upper surface of the housing 11 extends horizontally and moves horizontally during movement. Therefore, as the housing 11 moves from the protruding position P2 to the storage position P1, the distance between the lower surface of the static elimination unit 14 and the upper end surface of the housing 12 remains approximately constant.

[0052] When the container 11 moves to the storage position P1, it sequentially supplies the drugs contained in the container section 12 to the packaging section 4. Specifically, the container 11 is controlled by the control unit to open the bottom 16 of each container 11. The drugs contained in the container section 12, with the bottom 16 open, fall out and are supplied to the packaging section 4 via the drug supply path.

[0053] With a pesticide dispensing device (pesticide supply device) configured as described above, the light-emitting unit 21 projects light onto the inner wall surface 15 of the storage unit 12, so the inner wall surface 15 of the storage unit 12 is illuminated by light from the light-emitting unit 21. Therefore, since the storage unit 12 itself (the recess itself) is illuminated by light, it is easier to recognize the position where the pesticide should be dispensed compared to, for example, the case where the area around the storage unit 12 is illuminated.

[0054] Furthermore, since the light-transmitting section 23 is configured to scatter the light emitted by the light source 20, the inner wall surface 15 is illuminated overall as the light emitted by the light source 20 is scattered. This makes it easier to recognize the containment section 12 into which the chemical should be added. Moreover, because the light emitted by the light source 20 is scattered, the light is less likely to cause glare to the worker compared to when the light-transmitting section 23 is configured to be transparent.

[0055] Furthermore, since the light source 20 is positioned above the center of the housing section 12 in the vertical direction, it is possible to suppress the obstruction of light by the chemical after the chemical is introduced into the housing section 12. Also, since the first surface 26 is provided at the top of the side surface 17a, the first surface 26 is less likely to be obscured by the chemical contained in the housing section 12, so that light can be reliably projected onto the inner wall surface 15.

[0056] Furthermore, an identification mark 19 is provided on the upper end surface of each storage section 12 to identify each storage section 12, and the second surface 27 is positioned adjacent to the identification mark 19, so that the storage section 12 into which the drug should be placed can be identified by both the identification mark 19 and light.

[0057] Furthermore, since the identification markings 19 corresponding to each storage compartment 12 and the second surface 27 are arranged adjacent to each other, the identification markings 19 indicating the storage compartment 12 into which the drug should be placed can be intuitively recognized.

[0058] Furthermore, since the first surface 26 is provided to be substantially flush with the inner surface of the side wall 17, the light-transmitting portion 23 is less likely to get in the way when the drug is introduced into the containment portion 12, and the amount of drug that can be contained in the containment area S2 is suppressed.

[0059] Furthermore, the storage units 12 are arranged in a predetermined number in the front-to-back direction of the storage body 11, and the light-emitting unit 21 is configured to emit colored light and white light of at least a predetermined number of colors. Therefore, it is possible to emit light of a different color to each of the storage units 12 arranged in the front-to-back direction, making it possible to display different information on the storage units 12 arranged in the front-to-back direction. Moreover, for example, white light can be emitted onto the storage units 12 after the drug has been placed inside, making it easier to recognize the color of the drug when confirming whether the drug placed inside the storage unit 12 is the drug that should have been placed inside.

[0060] Furthermore, since the static elimination unit 14 can eliminate static electricity from the drug contained in the storage unit 12, it is possible to prevent the drug from becoming clogged inside the equipment (e.g., the packaging unit 4) due to static electricity, or from not moving properly through the paths formed inside the equipment (e.g., drug supply paths). Therefore, it is possible to prevent malfunctions in the equipment to which the drug is supplied.

[0061] Furthermore, since the static elimination unit 14 is configured to eliminate static electricity from the chemicals contained in the housing unit 12 without contact, it is possible to suppress contamination by foreign substances caused by the chemicals or other substances adhering to the static elimination unit 14.

[0062] Furthermore, the static elimination unit 14 is equipped with multiple discharge units 30 that generate ions I through discharge, and each discharge unit 30 is configured to alternately generate positive ions I and negative ions I, and is configured to generate both positive and negative ions I as one of the storage units 12 passes below the static elimination unit 14. Therefore, the drug stored in the storage unit 12 can be reliably statically eliminated whether it is positively or negatively charged.

[0063] Furthermore, since the static elimination unit 14 is configured as a windless ionizer, it can eliminate static electricity from the chemical contained in the containment unit 12 while suppressing the chemical from being blown away by the wind.

[0064] Furthermore, the bottom 16 of the housing 12 is electrically grounded, and the static elimination unit 14 is configured to apply ions I to the surface of the drug stored in the housing 12 from above the housing 12. Therefore, the portion of the drug's surface that is not in contact with the bottom surface 16a can be statically eliminated by ions I, and the portion that is in contact with the bottom surface 16a is statically eliminated through grounding via the bottom surface 16a, thus ensuring that the drug is reliably statically eliminated.

[0065] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to one example, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0066] For example, although we have described a case where the drug dispensing device (drug supply device) 3 is configured as part of a drug packaging device 1 capable of packaging tablets, the configuration is not limited to this. For example, it can be configured as an integral part of a drug packaging device 1 capable of packaging both tablets and powders, or it can be configured as a drug dispensing machine that supplies drugs to devices other than the drug packaging device 1.

[0067] Furthermore, although the case in which the light-emitting unit 21 is provided inside the housing 11 has been described, the configuration is not limited to this, and for example, the light-emitting unit 21 can be provided above the housing 11 and light can be projected onto the inner wall surface 15 from above.

[0068] Furthermore, although we have described a case where the light-emitting unit 21 is configured to illuminate the inner wall surface 15 with monochromatic light, it is not limited to this configuration. For example, it can be configured to display symbols such as numbers or letters, or it can illuminate the inner wall surface 15 in a flashing manner, or illuminate it with a short-period change of color.

[0069] Furthermore, while the description has focused on the case where the light-emitting unit 21 emits light onto the storage unit 12 into which the drug should be placed, it is not limited to this case; it can also be configured to emit light only onto the storage unit 12 into which the drug should not be placed. Additionally, for example, the storage unit 12 into which the drug should be placed can be illuminated in blue, and the storage unit 12 into which the drug should not be placed can be illuminated in red, thereby enabling identification of the storage unit 12 into which the drug should be placed. Moreover, the light-emitting unit 21 can be configured to change the emitted light color according to the color of the surface of the drug being placed. Furthermore, the light-emitting unit 21 can also change the emitted light color according to the timing of administration (e.g., morning, noon, evening) based on the input prescription information.

[0070] Furthermore, although the case where the light-transmitting portion 23 is milky white has been described, various configurations that can scatter the light emitted by the light source 20 can be adopted, not limited to this configuration. In addition, the light-transmitting portion 23 can also be configured as colorless and transparent, so as not to scatter the light emitted by the light source 20.

[0071] Furthermore, although we have described the case in which the light-transmitting section 23 and the housing 11 are provided separately, the housing 11 itself can also be given the function of transmitting and scattering light, not limited to this case.

[0072] Furthermore, although the case where the irregularities 18 are grooves extending in the vertical direction has been described, they are not limited to this configuration and can be configured in various shapes. For example, if the irregularities 18 are configured in the shape of an arrow, an arrow-shaped shadow can be formed by projecting light, which can encourage the application of the drug.

[0073] Furthermore, although the static elimination unit 14 has been described as being configured to generate positive ions I and negative ions I by repeatedly applying voltage to each discharge unit 30 while switching polarity, the configuration is not limited to this, for example, each discharge unit 30 can be configured to generate only either positive ions I or negative ions I, or a self-discharging static elimination brush can be configured to eliminate static electricity by contacting the chemical.

[0074] Furthermore, although we have described a case where the static elimination unit 14 is fixed to the housing 5 and configured to generate ions I while the housing 11 moves, it is not limited to this case. The static elimination unit 14 can also be configured to generate ions I while moving to eliminate static electricity from the chemicals contained in each housing 12.

[0075] Furthermore, although the case where the housing 11 moves only horizontally has been described, the configuration is not limited to this, and it can also be configured to move both horizontally and vertically. For example, the height of the housing 11 at the protruding position P2 can be changed. In addition, the housing 11 can be moved so that the outlet of ions I (discharge section 30) enters the internal space of the housing section 12.

[0076] Furthermore, although the case where the static elimination unit 14 operates in synchronization with the movement of the housing 11 from the protruding position P2 to the retracted position P1 has been described, it is not limited to this case. For example, it can also be configured to operate after the housing 11 has moved from the protruding position P2 to the retracted position P1, or it can be configured to operate only in part of the movement of the housing 11 from the protruding position P2 to the retracted position P1.

[0077] Furthermore, although the case where the static elimination unit 14 is positioned above the housing 11 has been described, the static elimination unit 14 is not limited to this case. It can also be provided on the side of the housing 11, or, for example, the static elimination unit 14 can be built into the housing 11 and configured to supply ions I into the housing area S2 from the side walls 17 of each housing section 12. In addition, the static elimination unit 14 can be configured as a plate that covers all the housing sections 12, or it can be configured to have a comb-shaped ion outlet. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0078] 1... Drug packaging device, 2... Automatic supply device, 3... Manual drug dispensing device (drug supply device), 4... Packaging section, 5... Housing, 6... Input section, 11... Container, 12... Container section, 13... Position indicator section, 14... Static elimination section, 15... Inner wall surface, 16... Bottom, 16a... Bottom surface, 17... Side wall, 17a... Side view, 18... Unevenness, 19... Identification mark, 20... Light source, 21... Light emitting section, 22... Insulating sheet section, 23... Light transmitting section, 24... Light emitting main body section, 25... Substrate section, 26... First surface, 27... Second surface, 28... Surface facing the light source, 29... Base section, 30... Discharge section, S1... Storage space, S2... Container area, P1... Storage position, P2... Protruding position, I... Ion

Claims

1. A drug supply device comprising a housing and a container having a plurality of storage compartments capable of containing drugs, wherein the drug contained in each storage compartment is supplied to a target device, The housing is movable between a protruding position that extends outward from the housing and into which drugs can be introduced into each of the housings, and a storage position that is housed within the housing and into which the drugs contained in each housing can be supplied to the target device. Each of the aforementioned storage compartments is open at the top, Each of the aforementioned storage compartments allows an operator to load chemicals from above. Each of the aforementioned storage sections is provided with a static elimination unit for removing static electricity from the chemicals stored within it. The static elimination unit is provided above the front side of the housing located in the storage position and is fixed to the housing. The housing and the static elimination unit move relative to each other while maintaining a constant distance in the vertical direction. A drug supply device that moves the housing from the protruding position to the storage position while removing static electricity from the drugs stored in each housing by the static electricity removal unit.

2. The drug supply device according to claim 1, wherein the static elimination unit generates ions and applies them to the surface of the drugs contained in each of the storage units.

3. Each of the storage compartments is arranged in the depth direction and the left-right direction, The drug supply device according to claim 2, wherein the static elimination unit comprises a plurality of discharge units that generate ions by discharge, and each of the discharge units is spaced apart in the left-right direction.

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