Drug packaging apparatus and drug packaging method
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Filing Date
- 2024-09-18
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-07
Smart Images
Figure 2025063192000001
Abstract
Description
Drug packaging device, drug packaging method, and roll
[0001] The invention of the present disclosure relates to a drug packaging device, a drug packaging method, and a roll of packaging sheet used in these devices and methods.
[0002] BACKGROUND ART There is known a drug packaging device that packages drugs such as tablets or powder medicine in a single dose (one packet) based on a prescription using a packaging sheet to produce drug packets (see Patent Document 1).
[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-273624
[0004] In the above-described drug packaging device, a packaging sheet is fed from a roll around which the packaging sheet is wound. A single dose of drug is supplied to a portion of the packaging sheet that will become a single drug package, and the drug is packaged in the packaging sheet (the portion that will be packaged). This operation is repeated to produce a continuous series of drug packages. Each drug package may be printed with the patient's name, drug name, and dosage instructions indicating when to take the drug (e.g., morning, midday, evening, before meals, or after meals).
[0005] Rolls of packaging sheets are manufactured from raw rolls at roll manufacturing plants. The raw rolls may have seams along the length of the packaging sheet. Multiple rolls are manufactured from the raw rolls with seams, but the rolls are manufactured while avoiding the seams, resulting in poor yield. On the other hand, when a roll with seams is manufactured and a drug packaging device uses the roll to manufacture drug packages, the seams will appear on the drug packages at some point. Drug packages with seams may be unacceptable to pharmacists and patients due to reasons such as difficulty in inspecting the inside of the drug package (by pharmacists) or an undesirable appearance.
[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a new technical means that makes it possible to use a roll even if the roll has a seam midway through the packaging sheet.
[0007] The drug packaging device roll of the present disclosure comprises a support section that supports a roll wound with a packaging sheet, a guide for guiding drugs into the packaging sheet fed out from the roll, a packaging section that packages the drugs in the packaging sheet, and a seam sensor that is located upstream of the guide in the feeding direction of the packaging sheet and that detects the seam of the packaging sheet fed out from the roll.
[0008] The drug packaging method disclosed herein comprises an introduction step of introducing a drug into a packaging sheet delivered from a roll around which the packaging sheet is wound, and a packaging step of packaging the delivered drug with the packaging sheet, in which the seam of the packaging sheet delivered from the roll is detected up to the drug introduction position relative to the packaging sheet, and when the seam is detected, the process for drug packaging is performed differently from when the packaging sheet has no seam.
[0009] The roll of the present disclosure is a roll formed by winding a packaging sheet, the packaging sheet having a first sheet, a second sheet connected to the first sheet via a seam, and a mark affixed to the seam.
[0010] According to the drug packaging device and drug packaging method of the present disclosure, even if a roll has a seam in the middle of the packaging sheet, the roll can be used for drug packaging. The roll of the present disclosure makes it easy to detect the seam, and it is possible to perform processing depending on whether or not there is a seam. Therefore, the roll can be used for drug packaging.
[0011] FIG. 1 is an overall view showing one embodiment of a medicine packaging device. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a packaging unit provided in the medicine packaging device. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the packaging unit. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a continuous medicine package. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a packaging sheet. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a packaging sheet. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a sensor. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a heat-sealed unit. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram viewed from a direction along the central axis of a heater shaft. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram viewed from a direction along the central axis of a heater shaft. FIG. 11 is a flow diagram showing the operation of the medicine packaging device. FIG. 12A is a flow diagram of a detection process. FIG. 12B is a flow diagram of a detection process. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a continuous medicine package. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the heat-sealed unit.
[0012] <Outline of Embodiments of the Invention of the Present Disclosure> The following is a list and description of outlines of embodiments of the invention of the present disclosure. (1) A medicine packaging device of the present disclosure includes a support unit that supports a roll around which a packaging sheet is wound, a guide that guides medicines into the packaging sheet fed from the roll, a packaging unit that packages the medicines in the packaging sheet, and a seam sensor that is provided upstream of the guide in the feeding direction of the packaging sheet and that detects a seam in the packaging sheet fed from the roll.
[0013] According to the pharmaceutical packaging device, if a seam is present in the packaging sheet fed from the roll, the seam sensor detects the seam. This allows the pharmaceutical packaging process to be different from when there is no seam. For example, if the packaging sheet is seamless, the pharmaceutical is introduced into each portion of the packaging sheet that will become a single medicine package by a guide, and the packaging unit packages the pharmaceutical with the packaging sheet. In contrast, if a seam is present in the packaging sheet and a seam is detected, the packaging unit can stop packaging, or the packaging unit can package the pharmaceutical without introducing the pharmaceutical through the guide, leaving the packaging unit empty. Thus, even if a roll has a seam in the middle of the packaging sheet, the pharmaceutical packaging device can use the roll for pharmaceutical packaging.
[0014] (2) Preferably, the drug packaging device further has a printing unit located upstream of the guide in the feeding direction of the packaging sheet, which prints on the packaging sheet fed from the roll, and the seam sensor is located upstream of the printing unit in the feeding direction of the packaging sheet.
[0015] According to this configuration, the seam of the packaging sheet is detected by the time the printing unit reaches the printing position. If a seam is detected in the packaging sheet fed from the roll, printing on the packaging sheet can be performed differently from when there is no seam. For example, if there is no seam in the packaging sheet, characters indicating the drug's usage, etc., are printed in an order determined based on the prescription information for each portion of the packaging sheet to be packaged into a single medicine packet. In contrast, if there is a seam in the packaging sheet and a seam is detected, printing on the portion of the packaging sheet that includes the seam can be stopped, or information indicating the seam (e.g., the word "seam") can be printed, or the printing process can be performed differently from when there is no seam.
[0016] (3) Preferably, the medicine packaging device of (1) or (2) further includes a measuring unit for acquiring the amount of feeding of the packaging sheet. According to this configuration, for example, the measuring unit acquires the amount of feeding of the packaging sheet between the position where the seam is detected by the seam sensor and the position where the medicine is introduced by the guide. When a seam is detected, for example, accurate control is performed to stop the introduction of medicines into the portion of the packaging that includes the seam.
[0017] (4) Preferably, the medicine packaging device according to any one of (1) to (3) above has a sheet end sensor that detects the end of the packaging sheet fed from the roll, and the sheet end sensor also serves as the seam sensor. In this configuration, a single sensor can detect both the seam and the end of the packaging sheet.
[0018] (5) Preferably, the drug packaging device according to any one of (1) to (4) has a control unit that executes various processes, and when the seam sensor detects the seam, the control unit executes a comparison process that compares the remaining number of drugs that need to be packaged with the number of drugs that can be packaged between the detection position of the seam sensor and the packaging position of the packaging unit. With this configuration, when a seam is detected, drug packaging processes can be executed in a case-by-case manner.
[0019] (6) Preferably, in the drug packaging device of (5), if the comparison process results in the remaining number being less than the packable number or equal to or less than the packable number, the control unit executes normal processing to continue introducing the drugs by the guide and packaging by the packaging unit for the remaining number. With this configuration, even if a seam is detected, the introduction and packaging of the remaining number of drugs that require packaging are continued, and drug packages for the remaining number are continuously produced.
[0020] (7) Preferably, in the drug packaging device of (5) or (6), when the comparison result indicates that the remaining number is equal to or greater than the maximum number of packages, the control unit executes exceptional processing for the portion of the packaging sheet that includes the seam. When the configuration detects a seam and the remaining number is equal to or greater than the maximum number of packages, exceptional processing that differs from normal packaging is executed.
[0021] (8) Preferably, in any one of the medicine packaging devices described in (1) to (7), when the seam sensor detects the seam, the guide stops introducing the medicine into the portion of the packaging sheet that includes the seam. With this configuration, it is possible to stop the supply of medicine to the portion that is to be packaged in time with the seam reaching the medicine introduction position by the guide. Therefore, the portion that is to be packaged and has the seam does not contain any medicine. In other words, the medicine package that includes the seam becomes an empty medicine package (blank package) that does not contain any medicine. Note that this process of stopping the introduction of medicine may be executed as an exception to the process described in (7).
[0022] (9) Preferably, the medicine packaging device of (8) further stops the introduction of the medicine by the guide into the portion to be packaged adjacent to the portion to be packaged that includes the seam. It is conceivable that the seam may appear in an area that includes the boundary between two adjacent portions to be packaged. Even in this case, the configuration ensures that the medicine is not introduced into the portion to be packaged that includes the seam.
[0023] (10) Preferably, the drug packaging device of (8) or (9) stops the introduction of the drug, and then resumes the introduction of the drug by the guide into the portion to be packaged that is subsequently sent to the drug introduction position. In this configuration, the portion to be packaged that includes the seam does not contain a drug, but a drug is introduced into the portion to be packaged that is subsequently sent to the drug introduction position, and a drug-filled drug packet is produced following the empty drug packet.
[0024] (11) Preferably, in the drug packaging device having the printing unit, when the seam sensor detects the seam, the printing unit prints a mark indicating the seam on the portion of the packaging sheet that includes the seam, or stops printing. In this configuration, the mark indicating the seam is printed on the portion that includes the seam, or is not printed. This allows a worker (auditor) such as a pharmacist to easily identify drug packages that have a seam among multiple consecutive drug packages. This processing by the printing unit may be executed as an exception to the processing described in (7) above.
[0025] (12) Preferably, in the drug packaging device of (11), the printing unit further prints an indication of the seam on the portion to be packaged adjacent to the portion to be packaged that includes the seam, or cancels printing. It is conceivable that the seam may appear in an area that includes the boundary between two adjacent portions to be packaged. Even in this case, the configuration makes it possible to reliably print an indication of the seam on the portion to be packaged that includes the seam, or to cancel printing.
[0026] (13) Preferably, in the drug packaging device having the printing unit, the printing unit is capable of printing on each portion of the packaging sheet fed from the roll that is to become a drug package, and the packaging unit manufactures a continuous drug package in which multiple drug packages are connected by repeating packaging, and when the seam is not detected, the printing unit continuously prints the indications of a predetermined order in accordance with the order, and when the seam is detected, the printing unit continuously prints the indications of the predetermined order in accordance with the order, skipping at least the portion that is to be packaged and that includes the seam.
[0027] According to the above configuration, when a seam is detected, the following pre-packaged continuous medicine packets are produced: Continuous medicine packet: A continuous medicine packet having a plurality of medicine packets consecutively from one side of the packaging sheet to the other, printed with a predetermined order of indication, but with a seam in between where the order of indication is interrupted for a medicine packet, and where the order of indication continues from the medicine packet after the interrupted indication.
[0028] (14) Preferably, in the medicine packaging device of (13), when the seam is detected, the printing unit prints a mark indicating the seam on the portion to be packaged that includes the seam, or stops printing. According to this configuration, a continuous medicine package is manufactured in which a mark indicating the seam is printed on the medicine package that includes the seam, or a continuous medicine package in which a mark is not printed on the medicine package that includes the seam.
[0029] (15) Preferably, the medicine packaging device of (13) or (14) further introduces the medicine by the guide when the seam is detected, skipping at least the portion of the planned packaging that includes the seam. According to the configuration described above, when the seam is detected, the following packaged continuous medicine package is produced. Continuous medicine package: A continuous medicine package having a plurality of medicine packages continuously from one side of a packaging sheet to the other, printed with a predetermined order, with a seam and a medicine package (blank package) intervening between them where the order is interrupted, and following the medicine package without a medicine, a medicine package containing a medicine continues from the interrupted order.
[0030] (16) Preferably, in the medicine packaging device having the printing unit, when the seam sensor detects the seam, the printing unit prints a message indicating that packaging has been stopped on the packaging sheet or stops printing, and stops the introduction of the medicine by the guide. In this configuration, the production of the medicine package is stopped. Note that such a process of stopping the production of the medicine package may be executed as an exception process of (7) above.
[0031] (17) Preferably, in the medicine packaging device having the printing unit, when the seam sensor detects the seam, the printing unit can alternatively execute a first process in which the printing unit continues printing the indications of a predetermined order in the order, skipping at least the portion of the planned packaging that includes the seam, and introduces the medicines using the guide, skipping at least the portion of the planned packaging that includes the seam; and a second process in which the printing unit prints on the packaging sheet an indication that packaging has been stopped or stops printing, and stops introducing the medicines using the guide. According to this configuration, when a seam is detected, the first process in which medicine packages continue to be produced and the second process in which production of medicine packages is stopped are alternatively executed. Note that this alternative process may be executed as an exception process of (7) above.
[0032] (18) The drug packaging method of the present disclosure includes an introduction step of introducing a drug into a packaging sheet delivered from a roll on which the packaging sheet is wound, and a packaging step of packaging the delivered drug with the packaging sheet, and detects a seam in the packaging sheet delivered from the roll up to the drug introduction position relative to the packaging sheet, and when the seam is detected, the process for drug packaging is different from when the packaging sheet has no seam.
[0033] According to the pharmaceutical packaging method, for example, if the packaging sheet has no seams, pharmaceuticals are introduced into each portion of the packaging sheet that will become a single medicine package, and the pharmaceuticals are packaged by the packaging sheet. In contrast, if the packaging sheet has a seam and the seam is detected, the packaging can be stopped, or the empty sheet can be packaged without introducing pharmaceuticals, or the pharmaceutical packaging process can be different from when there is no seam. Therefore, even if a roll has a seam in the middle of the packaging sheet, the pharmaceutical packaging method allows the roll to be used for pharmaceutical packaging.
[0034] (19) Preferably, the pharmaceutical packaging method of (18) further includes a printing step of printing on the packaging sheet fed from the roll before the introducing step, and when the seam is detected, the printing on the packaging sheet is made different from when the packaging sheet is seamless. According to this method, for example, when the packaging sheet is seamless, characters indicating the drug's usage, etc. are printed (repeatedly) in an order determined based on prescription information for each portion of the packaging sheet to be packaged into a single medicine packet. In contrast, when the packaging sheet has a seam and a seam is detected, it is possible to stop printing on the portion of the packaging sheet that includes the seam, print information indicating the seam (e.g., the word "seam"), or make the printing process different from when there is no seam.
[0035] (20) The roll of the present disclosure is a roll formed by winding a packaging sheet, the packaging sheet having a first sheet, a second sheet connected to the first sheet via a seam, and a mark affixed to the seam. According to the roll, the mark is affixed to the seam of the packaging sheet. This makes it easy to detect the seam, and processing can be performed depending on whether or not there is a seam. This makes it possible to use the roll for packaging medicines.
[0036] <Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure> Hereinafter, the details of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that at least some of the embodiments described below may be combined in any manner.
[0037] [Overall Configuration of Drug Packaging Apparatus] Fig. 1 is an overall view showing one embodiment of a drug packaging apparatus. The drug packaging apparatus 10 shown in Fig. 1 is an apparatus that packages drugs such as tablets or powder medicine in single doses (packets) based on a prescription using packaging sheets 7 (see Fig. 2) to produce continuous drug packets (hereinafter referred to as "continuous drug packets 8"; see Fig. 4). Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a packaging unit 13 included in the drug packaging apparatus 10. Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the continuous drug packet 8.
[0038] The continuous medicine packet 8 is composed of multiple medicine packets 9 arranged in a row. Each medicine packet 9 contains a single dose (one packet) of medicine 3. The continuous medicine packet 8 includes the number of medicine packets 9 specified by a prescription (prescription information). The prescription information indicates instructions from a doctor regarding the compounding and administration of medicine to be given to a patient. In the case of the continuous medicine packet 8 shown in FIG. 4, each medicine packet 9 is printed with information. For example, at least one of the patient's name, the name of the medicine, and the dosage information indicating the timing of administration (e.g., morning, noon, evening, before meals, or after meals) is printed on each medicine packet 9. The printing is performed by a printing unit 23 (see FIG. 2) of the medicine packaging device 10, which will be described later, based on the prescription information. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the words "morning, noon, evening" are printed as the timing of administration. Three medicine packets 9, "morning, noon, evening," constitute one day's supply. For multiple days of administration, three medicine packets 9 for "morning, noon, and evening" form one set, and multiple sets (for the number of days) form a continuous medicine packet 8.
[0039] The drug packaging device 10 produces continuous drug packets 8 based on the prescription information. The drug packaging device 10 can acquire the prescription information from an operation terminal (operation device) possessed by the drug packaging device 10 or from an external computer via communication. In the case of the operation device, the drug packaging device 10 acquires the prescription information by manual input by an operator such as a pharmacist. The continuous drug packets 8 produced by the drug packaging device 10 are prescription drugs. The drug packaging device 10 is used for dispensing. The drug packaging device 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a tablet supply unit 11, a powdered medicine supply unit 12, a packaging unit 13, a drug discharge unit 14, a control device 15, and a housing 16.
[0040] The tablet supply unit 11 is located at the top of the housing 16. The tablet supply unit 11 has a tablet storage section 112 having a plurality of storage chambers 111 for storing tablets, and a tablet dispensing section 113 that sequentially supplies the tablets in each storage chamber 111 to the packaging unit 13. A worker such as a pharmacist manually supplies one packet's worth of tablets (for each dosage period) to each storage chamber 111. The tablet dispensing section 113 has a shutter (not shown), and when the shutter is opened, the tablets in the storage chambers 111 are supplied to the packaging unit 13. The tablet supply unit 11 may be configured to supply tablets one packet at a time to the packaging unit 13, and may be, for example, a drug packaging device that stores a plurality of drug containers as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-237714, and its configuration is not particularly limited.
[0041] Powder medicine supply unit 12 is located at the top of housing 16. Powder medicine supply unit 12 has a powder medicine measure 121 that opens upward. The bottom of powder medicine measure 121 can be opened and closed. An operator manually supplies powder medicine to powder medicine measure 121. Powder medicine supply unit 12 automatically divides the powder medicine into individual packets and supplies them sequentially to packaging unit 13. Powder medicine supply unit 12 may be configured to supply powder medicine as described above, and its configuration is not particularly limited.
[0042] The packaging unit 13 is provided inside a housing 16. By opening a front door 161 of the housing 16, an operator can perform work on the packaging unit 13 (for example, replacing the roll 6). As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the packaging unit 13 has a support section 21, a sensor 22, a printing section 23, a guide (hopper 24), and a packaging section 25. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the packaging unit 13. The configuration and function of each section of the packaging unit 13 will be described later.
[0043] The medicine discharge unit 14 (see FIG. 1) is located at the front of the housing 16. The medicine discharge unit 14 is a portion from which packaged medicines (continuous medicine packets 8) are discharged. The medicine discharge unit 14 has a container 141 that receives the discharged continuous medicine packets.
[0044] The control device 15 is provided inside the housing 16 and controls the operation of each unit (such as the packaging unit 13) of the drug packaging device 10. The control device 15 includes a microcomputer. Each unit of the drug packaging device 10 may have a control unit including a microcomputer, in which case the control device 15 includes a plurality of the control units. In this case, the plurality of control units can communicate with each other and operate the units in cooperation with each other.
[0045] [Regarding the Roll 6 of Packaging Sheet 7] Here, the packaging sheet 7 and the roll 6 formed by winding the packaging sheet 7 will be described. FIGS. 5 and 6 are explanatory views of the packaging sheet 7. FIG. 5 shows the completed packaging sheet 7, and FIG. 6 shows the packaging sheet 7 during production. As shown in FIG. 5, the packaging sheet 7 is in the form of a long strip, and is pre-folded in half along its longitudinal direction, with a fold 7a along the longitudinal direction of the packaging sheet 7. The packaging sheet 7 is wound in multiple layers to form the roll 6 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The roll 6 has a core 6a, and the packaging sheet 7 folded in half is wound around the core 6a.
[0046] 5 and 6, the packaging sheet 7 has a first sheet 71, a second sheet 72 connected to the first sheet 71 via a seam 5, and a mark (identifier) 73 attached to the seam 5. An end 711 (see FIG. 6) of the first sheet 71 and an end 721 of the second sheet 72 are overlapped across the entire width of the packaging sheet 7, and the overlapping portion 74 is welded to form a continuous packaging sheet 7. In FIG. 6, the overlapping portion 74 is cross-hatched.
[0047] In the case of the packaging sheet 7 of this embodiment, the overlapping portion 74 is colored, and this colored portion serves as a mark 73 (see FIG. 5 ). The colored portion (mark 73) is, for example, black. The mark 73 is a strip-shaped colored portion that is applied to the entire packaging sheet 7 along the width direction of the packaging sheet 7. The form of the mark 73 may be other than a strip-shaped colored portion, and may be, for example, a barcode, a two-dimensional code, a star mark, or other mark. The mark 73 may be applied to the overlapping portion 74 or may be near the overlapping portion 74 (near the longitudinal direction of the packaging sheet 7). As will be described later, the mark 73 is detected by the sensor 22, allowing the medicine packaging device 10 to easily detect the seam 5 of the packaging sheet 7.
[0048] [Regarding the packaging unit 13] As described above (see FIG. 2), the packaging unit 13 has the support section 21, the sensor 22, the printing section 23, the guide, and the packaging section 25. In this embodiment, the guide is the hopper 24, but it may have another configuration. The support section 21, the sensor 22, the printing section 23, the hopper 24, and the packaging section 25 are mounted on a frame 28 of the packaging unit 13.
[0049] The support section 21 rotatably supports the roll 6 around which the packaging sheet 7 is wound. In the following description, the roll 6 has a seam 5, but it may also be a roll 6 without a seam 5. The packaging sheet 7 is fed from the roll 6 supported by the support section 21. The packaging unit 13 (see FIG. 3 ) has a feed roller 27 that feeds the packaging sheet 7. The pair of feed rollers 27 are rotated by a motor 271 while sandwiching a portion of the packaging sheet 7. The rotation of a heater roller (lateral rotation member 52) included in the heat sealing section 253 (described later) applies tension to the packaging sheet 7, and the packaging sheet 7 is fed from the roll 6. The feed roller 27 rotates in synchronization with the heater roller, thereby feeding the packaging sheet 7 containing the medicine downstream. The intermittent rotation of the heater roller (and the feed roller 27) intermittently feeds the packaging sheet 7.
[0050] In this disclosure, the direction in which the packaging sheet 7 is fed from the roll 6 is defined as the "feed direction." The roll 6 is the upstream side in the feed direction, and the side farther from the roll 6 (the side of the packaging section 25 and feed rollers 27) is the downstream side in the feed direction. The packaging unit 13 has multiple guide rollers 29. The guide rollers 29 are provided midway along the conveyance path of the packaging sheet 7 and have the function of guiding the packaging sheet 7 and changing the direction of the feed direction.
[0051] The sensor 22 functions as a seam sensor for detecting the seam 5 of the packaging sheet 7 fed from the roll 6. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the sensor 22. The sensor 22 has, for example, a light-emitting unit 221 and a light-receiving unit 222. The packaging sheet 7 fed from the roll 6 passes between the light-emitting unit 221 and the light-receiving unit 222. A calculator 223 included in the sensor 22 acquires the light-receiving level of the light from the light-emitting unit 221 at the light-receiving unit 222. The calculator 223 detects the seam 5 of the packaging sheet 7 based on the light-receiving level. More specifically, the calculator 223 detects the mark 73 affixed to the seam 5 of the packaging sheet 7 based on the light-receiving level.
[0052] In this embodiment (see FIG. 5 ), the mark 73 affixed to the seam 5 is a colored portion. The packaging sheet 7 (first sheet 71 and second sheet 72) is made of a light-transmitting material. Therefore, when the portion of the packaging sheet 7 other than the seam 5 passes between the light-projecting unit 221 and the light-receiving unit 222, the light-receiving level L is higher than the first threshold value M1 (L>M1).
[0053] When the colored portion of the packaging sheet 7 that will form the seam 5 passes between the light-transmitting unit 221 and the light-receiving unit 222, light transmission is impaired at the colored portion, and the light-receiving level L becomes lower than the first threshold value M1 (L<M1). In other words, the seam 5 is detected when the light-receiving level L falls below the first threshold value M1. For example, when a portion of the packaging sheet 7 other than the seam 5 passes between the light-transmitting unit 221 and the light-receiving unit 222, the light-receiving level L is 60% to 80%. The first threshold value M1 is 40%. While the colored portion of the packaging sheet 7 that will form the seam 5 passes between the light-transmitting unit 221 and the light-receiving unit 222, the light-receiving level L is approximately 0% to 5%, which is lower than the first threshold value M1 (40%).
[0054] When seam 5 is detected, calculator 223 transmits a detection signal of seam 5 to control device 15. Based on the detection signal, control device 15 causes the process for packaging medicines by medicine packaging device 10 to differ from that in the case where seam 5 is not present, as will be described later.
[0055] A second threshold value M2 is set in the calculator 223 of the sensor 22. The second threshold value M2 is a value at which the light reception level is higher than the first threshold value M1 (M2>M1). When the entire packaging sheet 7 is fed from the roll 6 (core material 6a), the sheet runs out. When the sheet runs out and the trailing end 7e of the packaging sheet 7 passes between the light-emitting unit 221 and the light-receiving unit 222, the light-receiving level L at the light-receiving unit 222 becomes higher than the second threshold value M2 (L>M2). In other words, when the light-receiving level L exceeds the second threshold value M2, the sheet run out is detected.
[0056] For example, the second threshold value M2 is 90%. When the trailing edge 7e of the packaging sheet 7 passes between the light-emitting unit 221 and the light-receiving unit 222, the light-receiving level L at the light-receiving unit 222 becomes 100%, which is higher than the second threshold value M2 (90%). When the sheet run-out is detected, the calculator 223 sends a sheet run-out detection signal to the control device 15.
[0057] As described above, in this embodiment, the drug packaging device 10 has a sensor 22 that functions as a seam sensor for detecting the seam 5 of the packaging sheet 7 fed from the roll 6. The sensor 22 also functions as a sheet-end sensor that detects the end 7e of the packaging sheet 7 fed from the roll 6. The sheet-end sensor also serves as a seam sensor, allowing the single sensor 22 to detect both the seam and the end of the packaging sheet. The sheet-end sensor may be separate from the seam sensor. While the sensor 22 has been described as having a light-emitting unit 221 and a light-receiving unit 222, it may have a different configuration. In particular, the configuration of the sensor 22 is changed depending on the mark 73 affixed to the seam 5.
[0058] 3, the sensor 22 is provided upstream of the medicine introduction position P3 by the hopper 24 in the feeding direction of the packaging sheet 7. In particular, in the present embodiment, the sensor 22 is provided upstream of the printing position P2 by the printing unit 23 in the feeding direction of the packaging sheet 7.
[0059] The printing unit 23 prints on the packaging sheet 7 fed from the roll 6. The printing unit 23 is, for example, a thermal transfer printing device. The printing unit 23 (see FIG. 2) has a replaceable ink cartridge 231. The ink cartridge 231 has an unwinding roller and a winding roller for an ink ribbon 232 for thermal transfer. The printing unit 23 has a biasing roller that applies tension to the ink ribbon 232, a thermal transfer head, a backup roller that brings the packaging sheet 7 and the ink ribbon 232 into close contact, and the like.
[0060] The printing unit 23 is located between the roll 6 (support unit 21) and the packaging unit 25 in the feeding path of the packaging sheet 7 (see FIG. 3 ). More specifically, the printing unit 23 is provided upstream of the drug introduction position P3 by the hopper 24 in the feeding direction of the packaging sheet 7. The printing unit 23 can print at least one piece of information on the packaging sheet 7, such as the patient's name, the drug name, and usage instructions.
[0061] The hopper 24 has an inlet 241 at its upper end and a nozzle portion 242 at its lower end. Medicines are fed into the inlet 241 from the tablet supply unit 11 (see FIG. 1) or the powder medicine supply unit 12. The nozzle portion 242 functions as an inlet for introducing medicines 3 into the opening of the folded packaging sheet 7. The tablet supply unit 11 and the powder medicine supply unit 12 are located directly above the frame 28 (see FIG. 2), particularly directly above the hopper 24. In the following description, the tablet supply unit 11 and the powder medicine supply unit 12 may be collectively referred to as the supply units (11, 12).
[0062] With the above configuration, the hopper 24 guides medicines to the packaging sheet 7 delivered from the roll 6. In this embodiment, medicines in a single dose unit are intermittently supplied from the supply units (11, 12). The hopper 24 intermittently guides the medicines in a single dose unit to the portion 4 of the packaging sheet 7 to be packaged as one medicine packet 9.
[0063] The packaging unit 25 has a guide rod 251, an unfolding guide 252, and a heat-sealing unit 253. The guide rod 251 guides the packaging sheet 7 that has passed through the printing unit 23, and directs the feeding direction of the packaging sheet 7 toward the unfolding guide 252. The unfolding guide 252 unfolds and opens the double-folded packaging sheet 7 fed from the roll 6. The unfolding guide 252 has a shape that unfolds the double-folded packaging sheet 7 and forms an opening in the packaging sheet 7 for inserting the nozzle unit 242 of the hopper 24.
[0064] The heat sealing unit 253 seals the packaging sheet 7 so as to confine the medicines 3 introduced into a portion of the packaging sheet 7 by the hopper 24. The heat sealing unit 253 seals the packaging sheet 7 by heat fusion. By sealing the packaging sheet 7, a medicine packet 9 is produced. In this embodiment, the heat sealing unit 253 seals the packaging sheet 7 while the feed roller 27 feeds the packaging sheet 7. Although not shown, the packaging unit 13 also has a cutting blade that provides perforations in the packaging sheet 7 to make it easier to cut out the medicine packets 9.
[0065] Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the heat sealing unit 253. The heat sealing unit 253 has a pair of heater shafts 51, a pair of horizontally rotating members 52, and a pair of vertically rotating members 53. The heater shaft 51 has an electric heater and increases in temperature. The horizontally rotating members 52 and vertically rotating members 53 receive heat from the heater shaft 51 and increase in temperature. The packaging sheet 7 is sealed by the heat of the horizontally rotating members 52 and vertically rotating members 53. Figs. 9 and 10 are explanatory diagrams viewed from a direction along the central axis 511 of the heater shaft 51.
[0066] The pair of heater shafts 51 are positioned so as to sandwich the packaging sheet 7 being fed. The vertical rotation member 53 has a columnar shape. One heater shaft 51 and one vertical rotation member 53 rotate together around the central axis 511 of the heater shaft 51 by a first drive mechanism 54 having a motor and gears. The vertical rotation member 53 has, as its outer circumferential surface, a contact surface 531 formed of an arcuate surface along the cylinder, and a non-contact surface 532 formed of a surface located closer to the central axis 511 than the arcuate surface.
[0067] The pair of vertically rotating members 53 rotate synchronously in opposite directions (directions in which the packaging sheet 7 is fed) (see FIGS. 9 and 10 ). The contact surface 531 can come into linear contact with the packaging sheet 7 along the width direction. In contrast, the non-contact surface 532 does not come into contact with the packaging sheet 7.
[0068] The horizontal rotation member 52 is attached to the heater shaft 51 via a bearing and is rotatable about a central axis 511 independently of the heater shaft 51 and the vertical rotation member 53. The horizontal rotation member 52 is rotated by a second drive mechanism 55 that is separate from the first drive mechanism 54. The pair of horizontal rotation members 52 rotate synchronously in opposite directions (directions in which the packaging sheet 7 is fed) (see FIGS. 9 and 10). The operations of the first drive mechanism 54 and the second drive mechanism 55 are controlled by the control device 15.
[0069] The horizontal rotation member 52 has a disk shape. That is, the horizontal rotation member 52 has a circular outer peripheral surface 521 (see FIGS. 9 and 10 ), and the outer peripheral surface 521 can contact the packaging sheet 7 over the entire circumference. While the horizontal rotation member 52 is rotating, the packaging sheet 7 is fed. The horizontal rotation member 52 continuously contacts the feeding packaging sheet 7 along the longitudinal direction. As a result, the packaging sheet 7 is continuously sealed along its longitudinal direction. The horizontal rotation member 52 forms a horizontal seal portion 56 in the packaging sheet 7 (see FIG. 4 ) that is continuous in the longitudinal direction.
[0070] As the vertical rotation member 53 rotates, the portion of the packaging sheet 7 that contacts the contact surface 531 is fused and sealed (see FIG. 9). While the vertical rotation member 53 is rotating, the packaging sheet 7 is fed, but the portion of the packaging sheet 7 that faces the non-contact surface 532 is not fused and is not sealed (see FIG. 10). The vertical rotation member 53 forms vertical seals 57 at intervals in the width direction of the packaging sheet 7 (see FIG. 4), which are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the packaging sheet 7.
[0071] In the packaging sheet 7 (see FIG. 4 ), the area surrounded by two longitudinally adjacent vertical seal portions 57 and the horizontal seal portion 56 that is continuous along the longitudinal direction forms the space in which the medicine 3 is sealed. The first drive mechanism 54 has a speed change function and can change the rotation period of the vertical rotation member 53. Changing the rotation period of the vertical rotation member 53 changes the spacing between the vertical seal portions 57 in the packaging sheet 7. In other words, the dimensions of one medicine packet 9 are changed.
[0072] As described above, the packaging unit 25 packages medicines in the packaging sheet 7. The packaging unit 25 packages medicines in the portion 4 of the packaging sheet 7 that will become one medicine packet 9. In this embodiment, the first drive mechanism 54 and the second drive mechanism 55 are separate mechanisms for the horizontal rotation member 52 and the vertical rotation member 53, but they may also be a common mechanism, and may not have the function of changing the spacing of the vertical seal portion 57 in the packaging sheet 7.
[0073] The packaging unit 13 of this embodiment (see FIG. 3 ) has a measuring unit 26 for acquiring the feed amount of the packaging sheet 7. The rotation speeds of the feed roller 27 and the horizontally rotating member 52 correlate with the feed amount of the packaging sheet 7. The motor 271 that rotates the feed roller 27 is a servo motor, and rotation information of the motor 271 is acquired by the measuring unit 26. The measuring unit 26 has a calculation function and acquires a signal from the motor 271 to determine the feed amount of the packaging sheet 7.
[0074] The measuring unit 26 acquires, for example, the amount of feeding of the packaging sheet 7 between the position P1 where the seam 5 is detected by the sensor 22 and the position P3 where the drug 3 is introduced by the hopper 24, and the amount of feeding of the packaging sheet 7 between the position P1 where the seam 5 is detected and the printing position P2. Information on the feeding amount of the packaging sheet 7, which is the calculation result of the measuring unit 26, is transmitted to the control device 15. When a seam 5 is detected, the control device 15 uses the information on the feeding amount to perform control to stop the introduction of the drug and control printing for the portion 4 to be packaged that includes the seam 5 and the adjacent portion 4 to be packaged.
[0075] [Operation of Drug Packaging Device 10] The operation of drug packaging device 10 is controlled by control device 15. Control device 15 executes various processes of each unit of drug packaging device 10. In particular, control device 15 can execute control of drug supply performed through hopper 24, packaging by packaging unit 25, and printing by printing unit 23, based on the detection result of seam 5 by sensor 22.
[0076] Figure 11 is a flow diagram showing the operation of the drug packaging device 10, mainly in the packaging unit 13. When the control device 15 acquires the prescription information, it starts an operation (packaging operation) of packaging the drugs (prescription drugs) in packaging sheets 7 for each dose in accordance with the prescription information (steps S10 and S11 in Figure 11). The packaging operation will be described below with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3 along with Figure 11.
[0077] The packaging sheet 7 is fed from the roll 6 by rotation of the feed roller 27 and a heater roller (horizontal rotation member 52) described later. The packaging operation includes a printing step S111, an introducing step S112, and a packaging step S113. In the printing step S111, the printing unit 23 prints on the packaging sheet 7 fed from the roll 6 before the introducing step S112. In the introducing step S112, the supply units (11, 12) operate based on prescription information to intermittently introduce a single dose of drugs 3 through the hopper 24 into a portion 4 of the packaging sheet 7 to be packaged as one medicine packet 9. In the packaging step S113, the packaging unit 25 packages the introduced drugs 3 in the packaging sheet 7 (the portion 4 to be packaged as one medicine packet 9). The printing step S111, the introducing step S112, and the packaging step S113 are repeatedly performed for the number of drugs required to be packaged. The number of medication packages required is determined based on the prescription information.
[0078] While the packaging sheet 7 is being fed from the roll 6, the sensor 22 performs a detection operation, with the packaging sheet 7 as the detection target (step S12). When the sensor 22 no longer detects the packaging sheet 7 ("No" in step S12), the control device 15 stops the packaging operation (step S15). This means that all of the packaging sheet 7 has been fed from the roll 6 and the sheet has run out. The control device 15 outputs notification information to notify the manager of the medicine packaging device 10 that the sheets have run out (step S16). The notification information may be, for example, a sound from a speaker and / or a display on a display.
[0079] While the sensor 22 is detecting the packaging sheet 7 ("Yes" in step S12), the sensor 22 performs measurements to detect the seam 5. In this embodiment, the sensor 22 monitors the light receiving level at the light receiving unit 222 (see FIG. 7). While the seam 5 is not detected ("No" in step S13), the packaging operation (step S11) is repeatedly performed. When the seam 5 is detected ("Yes" in step S13), the control device 15 performs a process (detection process) when the seam 5 is detected (step S14).
[0080] 12A and 12B are flow diagrams of the detection process. In the following description, processes not specifically designated by a subject are performed by the control device 15. When the seam 5 is detected, it is determined whether or not the medicines have yet to be introduced from the supply unit (11, 12) through the hopper 24 into the portion to be packaged 4 located at the introduction position P3 (step S141). If the medicines have yet to be introduced ("Yes" in step S141), the portion of the packaging sheet 7 having the seam 5 is sent downstream of the packaging position P4 by the feed roller 27 (step S146). The portion to which the seam 5 is sent may be downstream of the printing position P2. If the determination indicates that the medicines have yet to be introduced ("Yes" in step S141), the printing unit 23 does not perform printing. If printing has already begun by the printing unit 23 before the seam is detected (step S14), the printing is immediately completed and the process is stopped.
[0081] If sensor 22 detects seam 5 after drugs have been inserted ("No" in step S141), control device 15 executes a comparison process (step S142) to compare the remaining number of drugs that need to be packaged (remaining number required for packaging) with the number of drugs that can be packaged between detection position P1 by sensor 22 and packaging position P4 by packaging unit 25. This comparison process (step S142) is performed to confirm that a certain length of packaging sheet 7 exists between detection position P1 and packaging position P4, and that it is possible to produce medicine packages 9 using that packaging sheet 7. Note that the length of packaging sheet 7 between detection position P1 and packaging position P4, i.e., the number of medicine packages 9 that can be produced, is known from the device layout and the dimensions of the medicine packages 9.
[0082] If the comparison result indicates that the remaining number (remaining number required for packaging) is less than or equal to the packageable number ("Yes" in step S143), the control device 15 executes normal processing (step S144). The normal processing continues printing by the printing unit 23, introduction of medicines by the hopper 24, and packaging by the packaging unit 25 of each portion 4 to be packaged into a single medicine packet 9 for the remaining number of medicines. When normal processing is executed, the packaging operation continues, including printing, introduction of medicines, and packaging, for the remaining number of medicines that require packaging, and medicine packets 9 (packaged portions) are continuously produced for the remaining number of medicines. The packaging operation continues until the remaining number of medicines required for packaging has been packaged (step S145).
[0083] On the other hand, if the comparison result indicates that the remaining number (remaining number required for packaging) is equal to or greater than the maximum number of packages that can be packaged ("No" in step S143), the control device 15 executes exceptional processing for the portion 4 of the packaging sheet 7 that includes the seam 5 (step S147 and subsequent steps). The exceptional processing, which will be described later, is executed based on the configuration information and is for printing, drug introduction, and drug packaging. Thus, when the seam 5 is detected, it is possible to execute exceptional processing that differs from normal packaging (step S11 in FIG. 11 ).
[0084] As an exception handling procedure, the control device 15 first acquires setting information based on the prescription information (step S147 in FIG. 12A). The setting information includes, for example, predetermined information regarding which of multiple exception handling procedures is to be executed with priority. That is, the setting information pre-sets the mode of one exception handling procedure to be executed with priority. This setting is made, for example, by an operator such as a pharmacist. The control device 15 selects and starts one of multiple (three in this embodiment) exception handling procedures based on the setting information (step S148 in FIG. 12B).
[0085] [Exceptional Processing (1)] Exceptional processing (1) is processing to stop packaging. Specifically, when sensor 22 detects seam 5, as exception processing (1), printing unit 23 prints on packaging sheet 7 an indication that packaging has been stopped (step S161) and stops introducing medicines from supply units (11, 12) via hopper 24 (step S162). Alternatively, in step S161, printing unit 23 may stop printing on packaging sheet 7 instead of printing an indication that packaging has been stopped.
[0086] In the case of exception process (1), when seam 5 is detected, the production of medicine packets 9 is stopped. In this case, control device 15 may output notification information to notify the administrator of medicine packaging device 10 (an auditor such as a pharmacist) that the production of medicine packets 9 has been stopped. The notification information is output from an output device possessed by medicine packaging device 10. The notification information may be, for example, one or both of a sound from a speaker and a display on a display. After the stoppage, the packaging can be restarted from the beginning based on the prescription information.
[0087] [Exceptional Processing (2)] Exceptional processing (2) is processing in which packaging is continued by skipping over the portion 4 to be packaged that has the seam 5. In other words, even if the seam 5 is present, packaging is not stopped and the production of medicine packets 9 continues. A specific explanation is provided below. The feed roller 27 feeds the packaging sheet 7 so that the seam 5 is located upstream of the printing position P2 (step S151). The packaging sheet 7 is further fed, and the printing unit 23 prints an indication of the seam 5 on the portion 4 to be packaged that includes the seam 5 (step S152). In other words, the word "seam" is printed on the portion 4 to be packaged that includes the seam 5, instead of the patient name, drug name, and directions for when to take the drug (see medicine packet 9A in FIG. 4).
[0088] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the printing unit 23 further prints an indication of the seam 5 on the portion to be packaged 4 adjacent to the portion to be packaged 4 including the seam 5. In other words, the portions to be packaged 4 on which the character "seam" is printed are the portion to be packaged 4 including the seam 5 and the portion to be packaged 4 adjacent to it. Note that the "adjacent" may mean "adjacent on both sides" on the upstream and downstream sides in the feeding direction, or "adjacent on one side" on the upstream or downstream side.
[0089] In step S152, instead of printing the character "seam," the printing unit 23 may stop printing on the portion 4 of the packaging sheet 7 to be packaged that includes the seam 5. Furthermore, the printing unit 23 may also stop printing on the portion 4 to be packaged that is adjacent to the portion 4 to be packaged that includes the seam 5. Note that the "adjacent" may mean "adjacent on both sides" of the upstream and downstream sides in the feeding direction, or "adjacent on one side" of the upstream or downstream side.
[0090] Even if the word "seam" is printed on the portion 4 to be packaged including the seam 5 and the adjacent portion 4 to be packaged, or even if printing is stopped, printing of the usage instructions, etc. is resumed on the portion 4 to be packaged subsequently sent to the printing position P2 (step S153).
[0091] In the flow diagram shown in FIG. 12B , the number of to-be-packaged portions 4 on which "seam" is printed or not printed in step S152 is indicated as "n." The value of "n" is at least "1" because it includes to-be-packaged portions 4 having a seam 5, but may be "2 (if adjacent on one side)," "3 (if adjacent on both sides)," or "4" or more. In step S153, which resumes printing, printing resumes from the "n+1"th to-be-packaged portion 4 counting from the first to-be-packaged portion 4 on which "seam" is printed or not printed. Note that the printed item for "seam" is not limited to this and may be other characters, marks, symbols, etc., such as "NG," "X," or "Not Usable," as long as the worker can recognize that it is a seam.
[0092] In the case of exception process (2), a mark indicating the seam 5 is printed on at least the portion 4 to be packaged that includes the seam 5, or no marking is printed. This allows an auditor, such as a pharmacist, to easily identify the medicine packets 9 that contain the seam 5 among the manufactured continuous medicine packets 8. It is conceivable that the seam 5 may appear in an area that includes the boundary between two adjacent portions 4 to be packaged. Even in this case, as described above, the same processing is performed on the portion 4 to be packaged that is adjacent to the portion 4 to be packaged that includes the seam 5 as on the portion 4 to be packaged that includes the seam 5. This makes it possible to reliably print a mark indicating the presence of the seam 5 on the portion 4 to be packaged that includes the seam 5, or to cancel printing.
[0093] In the exception process (2), the supply of medicine from the supply unit (11, 12) to the portion 4 of the packaging sheet 7 that is to be packaged and that includes the seam 5 is stopped by the hopper 24 (step S154). In this embodiment, the supply of medicine is also stopped to the portion 4 that is to be packaged adjacent to the portion 4 that is to be packaged and that includes the seam 5.
[0094] After the drug introduction is temporarily stopped in step S154, when the "n+1"th portion to be packaged 4, counting from the portion to be packaged 4 whose drug introduction was stopped first, is positioned at introduction position P3, drug introduction by the hopper 24 from the supply unit (11, 12) is started (step S155). In other words, after the drug introduction is temporarily stopped in step S154, drug introduction by the hopper 24 is resumed for the portion to be packaged 4 that is subsequently sent to drug introduction position P3.
[0095] In the case of exception process (2), the supply of medicine to the portion 4 to be packaged is stopped when the seam 5 reaches the medicine introduction position P3 by the hopper 24. As a result, the portion 4 to be packaged having the seam 5 does not contain any medicine. In other words, the medicine packet 9 containing the seam 5 becomes an empty medicine packet (blank packet) that does not contain any medicine. It is possible that the seam 5 appears in an area that includes the boundary between two adjacent portions 4 to be packaged. Even in this case, as described above, the same processing is performed on the portion 4 to be packaged adjacent to the portion 4 to be packaged that contains the seam 5 as on the portion 4 to be packaged that contains the seam 5. As a result, medicine is not reliably introduced into the portion 4 to be packaged that contains the seam 5 and the portion 4 to be packaged adjacent to it. The accuracy of feeding the packaging sheet 7 does not need to be very high.
[0096] 12B, the "number" of planned packaging portions 4 to which no drug is to be supplied is indicated as "n," the same as in the printed case. The value of "n" is at least "1" because it includes planned packaging portions 4 that include seams 5, but may be "2 (if adjacent on one side)," "3 (if adjacent on both sides)," or "4" or more. In step S155 of resuming drug introduction, drug introduction is resumed from the "n+1"th planned packaging portion 4 counting from the portion 4 to which drug introduction was initially stopped.
[0097] When the introduction of the medicine is resumed, the medicine is not contained in the portion 4 to be packaged that includes the seam 5, but the medicine is introduced into the portion 4 to be packaged that is subsequently sent to the medicine introduction position P3. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4 , medicine packets 9 containing medicines are continuously produced in accordance with the prescription information, following the empty medicine packet (blank packet) 9A. In the case of exception processing (2), the control device 15 may output notification information to alert the administrator of the medicine packaging device 10 (an auditor such as a pharmacist) that the continuous medicine packet 8 contains a seam 5. The notification information is output from an output device included in the medicine packaging device 10. The notification information may be, for example, one or both of a sound from a speaker and a display on a display.
[0098] [Exceptional Processing (3)] Exceptional processing (3) is a processing that selectively executes either a first processing in which the intended packaging portion 4 having the seam 5 is skipped and packaging is continued, or a second processing in which packaging is stopped (step S171). The first processing corresponds to the exception processing (2), and the second processing corresponds to the exception processing (1).
[0099] When the first process is selected, the printing unit 23 continuously prints the indications in a predetermined order according to the order, skipping at least the portion 4 to be packaged that includes the seam 5, and intermittently introduces the medicine by the hopper 24, skipping at least the portion 4 to be packaged that includes the seam 5. Note that in the case of the exceptional process (3), as in the case of the exceptional process (2), the seam may be printed (or not printed) for the portion 4 to be packaged that is adjacent to the portion 4 to be packaged that includes the seam 5, and the introduction of the medicine may be skipped. When the second process is selected, the printing unit 23 prints or stops printing on the packaging sheet 7 indicating that packaging has been stopped, and stops the introduction of the medicine by the hopper 24.
[0100] When the seam 5 is detected, the operation of the medicine packaging device 10 is temporarily stopped, and a selection between the first process and the second process is made by, for example, an auditor such as a pharmacist. In other words, if the setting information has previously set the mode of exception process (3), an auditor such as a pharmacist selects a selection button on the control device 15. Following this selection, the first process and the second process are alternatively executed. According to the exception process (3), when the seam 5 is detected, a first process in which the production of medicine packages 9 continues, and a second process in which the production of medicine packages 9 is stopped are alternatively executed.
[0101] [Continuous drug package 8 that can be manufactured by drug packaging device 10 having the above configuration] As described above (see FIG. 3 ), printing unit 23 can print on each portion 4 to be packaged into a drug package 9 on packaging sheet 7 fed from roll 6. Packaging unit 25 repeats packaging to manufacture continuous drug package 8 in which multiple drug packages 9 (packaged portions) are connected together.
[0102] If no seam 5 is detected in the packaging sheet 7 ("No" in step S13 of FIG. 11), the printing unit 23 prints information such as drug usage in a predetermined order based on the prescription information, in succession in the order (step S111). Furthermore, the printing unit 23 repeats the printing of the order. As a result, if no seam 5 is detected, the continuous medicine packet 8 shown in FIG. 13 is produced. That is, the predetermined order is "morning, noon, evening," and the order is printed in succession in the order "morning, noon, evening." Furthermore, the "morning, noon, evening" order is printed repeatedly corresponding to the number of prescription days.
[0103] On the other hand, if a seam 5 is detected ("Yes" in step S13 of FIG. 11), as described in steps S151 to S153 of FIG. 12B, the printing unit 23 continues printing the display in a predetermined order based on the prescription information indicating information such as the drug usage, skipping at least the portion 4 to be packaged that includes the seam 5. Note that the portion 4 to be packaged that is skipped may include a portion 4 to be packaged that is adjacent to the portion 4 to be packaged that includes the seam 5, as described in the exception process (2) above.
[0104] Furthermore, the printing unit 23 prints an indication of the seam 5 on the portion 4 to be packaged that includes the seam 5 and on the adjacent portion 4 to be packaged (step S152), or stops printing. Furthermore, the portion 4 to be packaged that includes the seam 5 and the adjacent portion 4 to be packaged are skipped, and the medicine is intermittently introduced by the hopper 24 (steps S154, S155).
[0105] As a result, when seam 5 is detected, a packaged continuous medicine packet 8 shown in Figure 4 is produced. That is, the continuous medicine packet 8 has multiple medicine packets 9 consecutively arranged from one longitudinal direction of the packaging sheet 7 (left side in Figure 4) to the other (right side in Figure 4), and is printed with a predetermined order of "morning, noon, evening." However, there is a seam 5 in between, and the order is interrupted at "afternoon." This is followed by two medicine packets (blank packets) 9A without medicine 3. Following these two medicine packets 9A without medicine 3, there are medicine packets 9 containing medicine 3, with the order of "morning, noon, evening" continuing from "evening," which follows the interrupted "afternoon" indication. The word "seam" is printed on the two medicine packets (blank packets) 9A.
[0106] [Medicine Packaging Device 10 of the Present Embodiment] As described above, the medicine packaging device 10 of the present embodiment (see FIGS. 2 and 3 ) includes a support unit 21 that supports the roll 6 around which the packaging sheet 7 is wound, a hopper 24 (guide) for guiding medicines 3 to the packaging sheet 7 fed from the roll 6, a packaging unit 25 that packages the medicines 3 in the packaging sheet 7, and a sensor (seam sensor) 22. The sensor 22 is provided upstream of the hopper 24 in the feeding direction of the packaging sheet 7, and has a function of detecting the seam 5 of the packaging sheet 7 fed from the roll 6.
[0107] The drug packaging method performed by the drug packaging device 10 of this embodiment includes an introduction step (S112 in FIG. 11 ) and a packaging step (S113 in FIG. 11 ). In the introduction step, drugs 3 are introduced into a packaging sheet 7 fed from a roll 6 around which the packaging sheet 7 is wound. In the packaging step, the introduced drugs 3 are packaged in the packaging sheet 7. Then, a seam 5 in the packaging sheet 7 fed from the roll 6 is detected before the drug 3 reaches an introduction position P3 relative to the packaging sheet 7. When the seam 5 is detected, the drug packaging process is different from when the packaging sheet 7 does not have a seam 5.
[0108] According to the drug packaging device 10 of this embodiment, if a seam 5 is present in the packaging sheet 7 fed from the roll 6, the sensor 22 detects the seam 5. As described with respect to step S14 in Fig. 11, the drug packaging device 10 can execute a process upon detection, and as will be described next, it is possible to change the process for drug packaging depending on the detection result of the sensor 22 from when there is no seam 5.
[0109] In this embodiment, if the packaging sheet 7 does not have a seam 5 ("No" in step S13 of FIG. 11 ), the packaging operation (step S11) is repeatedly executed. That is, the hopper 24 introduces the medicines 3 into each of the portions 4 of the packaging sheet 7 to be packaged into a single medicine package 9 (S112), and the packaging unit 25 packages the medicines 3 in the packaging sheet 7 (S113). In contrast, if the packaging sheet 7 has a seam 5 ("Yes" in step S13 of FIG. 11 ), the detection process shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B is executed. As the detection process, it is possible to stop packaging by the packaging unit 25 (the above-described exception process (1)), or package the medicines 3 without introducing them into the packaging unit 25 in an empty state (the above-described exception process (2)), or to perform processing different from that performed when the seam 5 does not exist.
[0110] In this embodiment (see FIG. 3 ), the printing unit 23 is provided upstream of the hopper 24 in the feeding direction of the packaging sheet 7, and is capable of printing on the packaging sheet 7 delivered from the roll 6. The sensor 22 is provided upstream of the printing unit 23 in the feeding direction of the packaging sheet 7. The drug packaging method performed by the drug packaging device 10 having the printing unit 23 includes a printing step (S111 in FIG. 11 ). The printing step is a step of printing on the packaging sheet 7 delivered from the roll 6 before the introduction step (S112). When the seam 5 is detected, the printing on the packaging sheet 7 is made different from when the packaging sheet 7 does not have the seam 5.
[0111] With the medicine packaging device 10 having such a printing unit 23, the seam 5 of the packaging sheet 7 is detected by the time of printing position P2. If the packaging sheet 7 fed from the roll 6 has a seam 5, the detection process shown in Figures 12A and 12B is performed. As described below, the detection process makes it possible to print on the packaging sheet 7 differently from when there is no seam 5.
[0112] In this embodiment, if the packaging sheet 7 does not have a seam 5 ("No" in step S13), characters indicating the usage of the drug 3, etc., are repeatedly printed in an order determined based on the prescription information for each to-be-packaged portion 4 of the packaging sheet 7 that will become one medicine packet 9 (see FIG. 13). On the other hand, if the packaging sheet 7 has a seam 5 ("Yes" in step S13), it is possible to stop printing on the to-be-packaged portion 4 of the packaging sheet 7 that includes the seam 5, or to print the word "seam" as information indicating the seam 5 as shown in FIG. 4, or to perform the printing process differently from when there is no seam 5.
[0113] As described above, even if the roll 6 has a seam 5 in the middle of the packaging sheet 7, the drug packaging device 10 can use the roll 6 for packaging drugs.
[0114] The drug packaging device 10 of this embodiment is a device that packages prescription drugs (drugs dispensed based on prescription information that varies for each patient) in packaging sheets 7, a so-called packaging machine, and is primarily installed and used in pharmacies or hospital pharmacy departments. The continuous drug packets 8 produced are produced by counting or weighing drugs 3, which are then packaged. Adjacent drug packets 9 may contain one or more different drugs 3. In other words, the drug packaging device 10 can continuously produce drug packets 9 containing different drugs 3. In contrast, packaging devices owned by pharmaceutical companies contain the same drug in adjacent drug packets 9. In other words, the packaging device continuously produces drug packets containing the same drug. In this respect, the drug packaging device 10 of this embodiment differs from devices owned by pharmaceutical companies.
[0115] [Others] In the above embodiment (see FIGS. 2 and 3), the packaging sheet 7 wound around the roll 6 is folded in half, and in the packaging section 25, the packaging sheet 7 is opened by the unfolding guide 252, and the medicines 3 are placed into the opened packaging sheet 7. The packaging sheet 7 may be folded in half or may not be folded in half while wound around the roll 6. In this case, the packaging unit 13 has a mechanism for folding the packaging sheet fed from the roll in half as it is being fed.
[0116] In the above embodiment (see FIGS. 2 and 3 ), the heat-sealing unit 253 is a heater roller type having a rotating horizontally rotating member 52 and a vertically rotating member 53. The heat-sealing unit 253 may have other configurations. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the heat-sealing unit 253. The heat-sealing unit 253 shown in FIG. 14 has a pair of pressure members 255 positioned to sandwich the packaging sheet 7 therebetween, and a drive mechanism (not shown) that moves the pair of pressure members 255 toward and away from each other. Note that although the feed rollers 27 (see FIG. 3 ) are omitted in FIG. 14 , the feed rollers 27 are provided upstream and downstream of the pressure members 255.
[0117] The presser members 255 are heated by a heater (not shown). The pair of presser members 255 sandwich the packaging sheet 7, thereby heat-sealing the packaging sheet 7 at the sandwiched portion. The presser members 255 are T-shaped, but may be L-shaped. One piece 255a of the presser members 255 forms horizontal seal portions 56 that are continuous in the longitudinal direction of the packaging sheet 7. The other piece 255b of the presser members forms vertical seal portions 57 that are spaced apart in the width direction of the packaging sheet 7, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. In this way, the heat-sealing unit 253 may be a pack type.
[0118] In the above embodiment (see FIGS. 4 and 13), the contents to be printed on the continuous medicine packet 8 are predetermined to be "morning, afternoon, evening," and the display of this order is printed consecutively in the order "morning, afternoon, evening." The order and its display are not limited to this. For example, the order and display may be "morning, morning, afternoon, afternoon, evening, evening." Furthermore, the usage instructions may be omitted, and only one or both of the patient's name and the drug name may be printed. Furthermore, printing is not essential.
[0119] The above-described embodiments are illustrative in all respects and are not limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims rather than the above-described embodiments, and includes all modifications within the scope equivalent to the configurations described in the claims.
[0120] 3 Drug 4 Portion to be packaged 5 Seam 6 Roll 7 Packaging sheet 7e End 15 Control device (control unit) 21 Support unit 22 Sensor (seam sensor) 23 Printing unit 24 Hopper (guide) 25 Packaging unit 26 Measuring unit 71 First sheet 72 Second sheet 73 Mark P1 Detection position P2 Printing position P3 Introduction position P4 Packaging position
Claims
1. A support section that supports the roll on which the packaging sheet is wound, A guide for guiding the drug to the packaging sheet that was fed out from the roll, A packaging section for packaging the aforementioned drug with the packaging sheet, A seam sensor is provided upstream of the guide in the feeding direction of the packaging sheet for detecting the seams of the packaging sheet fed out from the roll, A control unit that performs various processes, It has, When the aforementioned joint detection device detects the joint, The control unit is capable of performing a comparison process that compares the remaining quantity of the drug that needs to be packaged with the number of packages that can be packaged between the detection position by the seam sensor and the packaging position by the packaging unit. Pharmaceutical packaging equipment.
2. The control unit, If, as a result of the comparison process, the remaining quantity is less than or equal to the number of items that can be packaged, For the remaining quantity, the normal process of introducing the drug using the guide and continuing packaging by the packaging unit is performed. The drug packaging apparatus according to claim 1.
3. The control unit, If, as a result of the comparison process, the remaining quantity is equal to or greater than the number of items that can be packaged, An exception is performed on the portion of the packaging sheet that is intended for packaging and includes the seam. A drug packaging device according to claim 1 or 2.
4. When the aforementioned joint detection device detects the joint, The introduction of the drug by the guide into the portion of the packaging sheet that is to be packaged and includes the seam is stopped. The drug packaging apparatus according to claim 1.
5. Furthermore, to the packaging portion adjacent to the packaging portion containing the aforementioned seam, the introduction of the drug by the guide is stopped. The drug packaging apparatus according to claim 4.
6. After stopping the introduction of the aforementioned drug, the introduction of the aforementioned drug by the guide to the packaging portion to be subsequently sent to the drug introduction position is resumed. The drug packaging apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5.
7. An introduction step of introducing the drug into the packaging sheet that has been fed out from the roll on which the packaging sheet is wound, A packaging step in which the introduced drug is packaged with the packaging sheet at the packaging location, It has, The seams of the packaging sheet fed out from the roll are detected at detection positions up to the point where the drug is introduced into the packaging sheet. When the aforementioned seam is detected, the processing for drug packaging is changed to differ from the case where the packaging sheet has no seams. When the aforementioned joint is detected, The remaining quantity of the drug that needs to be packaged is compared with the number of packages that can be packaged between the detection position and the packaging position, and the drug packaging process is carried out according to the different cases. Drug packaging methods.
8. Prior to the introduction step, there is a printing step of printing on the packaging sheet fed out from the roll, When the aforementioned seam is detected, the printing on the packaging sheet is made different from the case where the packaging sheet has no seams. The drug packaging method according to claim 7.