Drug packaging device

Abstract

A drug packaging device is provided with a feeding mechanism for feeding a long sheet, a sealing device for sealing the long sheet to form a packaging bag in which a drug is accommodated, and an identifier imparting means. The long sheet is provided with a first surface constituting the inner surface of the packaging bag. The identifier imparting means is configured to apply ink onto the first surface of the long sheet to form an identifier for identifying information regarding the drug to be packaged.

Description

Medicine packaging equipment CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2023-115795 and 2023-115796, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a medicine packaging device for packaging medicines in packaging bags.

[0003] A known example of such a drug packaging device is a drug packaging machine as described in Patent Document 1. The drug packaging machine includes a line drawing device arranged facing a feeding path for a packing wrapper that constitutes a packaging bag for packaging tablets. The line drawing device has a writing tool holding mechanism that can hold multiple coloring writing tools with different ink colors, and is configured to be able to abut the brush tip of a selected one of the multiple coloring writing tools against the fed packing wrapper.

[0004] According to the above-mentioned medicine packaging machine, the writing instrument holding mechanism can hold a plurality of coloring writing instruments with different ink colors, and the tip of one selected coloring writing instrument is brought into contact with the delivered packaging wrapper, so that lines can be drawn on the packaging wrapper in different colors.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-121411

[0006] However, in the drug packaging machine described in Patent Document 1, ink from a coloring writing instrument is applied as an identifier to the part of the packaging strip that forms the outer surface of the packaging bag, so there is a risk that the ink will transfer to the other packaging bag if, for example, the packaging bag comes into contact with another packaging bag.

[0007] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a medicine packaging device that can prevent ink applied to a packaging bag from transferring to other packaging bags.

[0008] The drug packaging device of the present invention comprises a feed mechanism for feeding a long sheet, a sealing device for sealing the long sheet to form a packaging bag in which the drug is contained, and an identifier assigning means, wherein the long sheet has a first surface that forms the inner surface of the packaging bag, and the identifier assigning means is configured to apply ink to the first surface of the long sheet to form an identifier for identifying information about the drug to be packaged.

[0009] The present invention relates to a medicine packaging device and a medicine dispensing and packaging machine including a medicine packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. ...

[0010] A medicine packaging machine 1 equipped with a medicine packaging device 3 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. For ease of explanation, the up-down direction will be described based on the direction shown in Figure 1. The configuration of the medicine packaging machine 1 described below is merely an example and is not limited to the described form, and various configurations can be adopted.

[0011] 1, the medicine packaging machine 1 includes a medicine supplying device 2 that supplies medicines, a medicine packaging device 3 that packages the medicines supplied by the medicine supplying device 2 into single doses, and a control unit that controls the medicine supplying device 2 and the medicine packaging device 3. In this embodiment, the medicine supplying device 2 is disposed above the medicine packaging device 3, and the medicines supplied by the medicine supplying device 2 are configured to fall by gravity and be supplied to the medicine packaging device 3. The medicine packaging machine 1 also packages medicines based on prescription data related to the medicine prescription input from an external device (for example, a computer of a dispensing system).

[0012] The medicine supply device 2 is a device that supplies medicines corresponding to prescription data. Specifically, the medicine supply device 2 includes a plurality of containers (not shown) that contain medicines, each containing a different type of medicine. When prescription data is input, the medicine supply device 2 of this embodiment is configured to dispense medicines corresponding to the prescription data from the containers and drop the dispensed medicines into the medicine packaging device 3. The medicine supply device 2 also has an input area into which an operator (e.g., a pharmacist) can input, for example, a type of medicine that is not contained in the container, and is configured to dispense the medicines input into the input area one packet at a time. The medicine supply device 2 of this embodiment is configured to supply tablets as medicines, but is not limited thereto, and may also be configured to supply tablets and powders, or to supply only powders.

[0013] The medicine packaging device 3 is a device that forms packaging bags 7 (see FIG. 4 ) and stores medicines supplied from the medicine supply device 2 in the packaging bags 7. The medicine packaging device 3 of this embodiment is configured to form the packaging bags 7 by overlapping two long sheets 4. Specifically, the medicine packaging device 3 includes a feed mechanism 31 that feeds the long sheets 4, a hopper 32, and a sealing device 33. The medicine packaging device 3 also includes a printing device 5 and identifier assignment means 6.

[0014] The long sheet 4 is a single sheet body that has a substantially constant width dimension and extends in the length direction. The long sheet 4 has a first surface 4a and a second surface 4b opposite to the first surface 4a. The long sheet 4 is heat-sealable, and at least the heat-sealed portion becomes transparent or translucent. Specifically, the long sheet 4 is a sheet made by laminating polyethylene on glassine paper or cellophane, and is entirely transparent or translucent.

[0015] Such a long sheet 4 is configured as a wound body 45 in which the long sheet 4 is wound around a core, and is configured so that the long sheet 4 located at the outermost periphery of the wound body 45 can be pulled out as the wound body 45 rotates around the core. In this embodiment, the long sheets 4 are arranged on one side and the other side of the sealing device 33. In the following description, the long sheet 4 arranged on one side (the right side in the figure) will be referred to as the first long sheet 41, and the long sheet 4 arranged on the other side (the left side in the figure) will be referred to as the second long sheet 42.

[0016] The first surface 4a is the inner surface of the packaging bag 7 and is the surface that comes into contact with the medicine contained therein. The first surface 4a is also configured to be able to be applied with ink from the identifier assigning means 6. In this embodiment, the first surface 4a is laminated with polyethylene.

[0017] The second surface 4b is the surface that becomes the outer surface of the packaging bag 7. The second surface 4b is configured so that it can be printed on by a printing device 5.

[0018] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a predetermined length of the long sheet 4 in the longitudinal direction corresponds to one package (a portion constituting one packaging bag 7). The area for one package includes a storage area B where the medicine is stored and a planned sealing area A where the medicine is to be heat-sealed. In this embodiment, both longitudinal and lateral ends of the area for one package are planned sealing areas A, and the area surrounded by planned sealing area A is planned sealing area B. Note that Figure 2 shows the first long sheet 41 as viewed from below, and Figure 3 shows the second long sheet 42 as viewed from above. Therefore, the upper side of Figure 2 and the lower side of Figure 3 correspond to the front side of the medicine packaging device 3 (the front side in the direction penetrating the paper of Figure 1), and the lower side of Figure 2 and the upper side of Figure 3 correspond to the rear side of the medicine packaging device 3 (the rear side in the direction penetrating the paper of Figure 1).

[0019] 1, the feed mechanism 31 includes a sheet supply unit 31a and a sheet feed unit 31b. The sheet supply unit 31a supplies the long sheet 4. The sheet supply unit 31a includes a mounting unit 311 to which a roll 45 is mounted, and a plurality of rollers 312 that guide the long sheet 4 pulled out from the roll 45. The sheet feed unit 31b feeds the long sheet 4 supplied from the sheet supply unit 31a. The sheet feed unit 31b is disposed downstream of the sealing device 33 (below the sealing device 33 in this embodiment).

[0020] In this embodiment, a pair of sheet supply units 31a are provided, specifically, a first sheet supply unit 31A that supplies a first long sheet 41 and a second sheet supply unit 31B that supplies a second long sheet 42. The first sheet supply unit 31A is disposed on one side (the right side in the figure) of the sealing device 33, and the second sheet supply unit 31B is disposed on the other side (the left side in the figure) of the sealing device 33.

[0021] The long sheet 4 unwound from the roll 45 is fed horizontally along the way, and then, when it reaches the top of the sealing device 33, it is fed downward toward the sealing device 33. While the long sheet 4 is fed horizontally, the first surface 4a is located on the upper side and the second surface 4b is located on the lower side. After the feeding direction changes from horizontal to downward, the first surface 4a of the first long sheet 41 and the first surface 4a of the second long sheet 42 face each other.

[0022] 1, the printing device 5 is disposed in the middle of the transport path of the first long sheet 41. That is, the printing device 5 is disposed upstream of the sealing device 33 in the feed direction of the first long sheet 41. The printing device 5 is also disposed in a portion of the transport path of the first long sheet 41 where the first long sheet 41 is fed horizontally.

[0023] The printing device 5 prints on the second side 4b of the first long sheet 41. The printing device 5 is configured to apply ink to the second side 4b and print on the second side 4b. The printing device 5 of this embodiment is a so-called thermal printer (melt-type thermal transfer printer) that prints by melting heat-soluble ink applied to an ink ribbon with the heat of a thermal head and transferring the ink to the second side 4b. Because the printing device 5 prints with heat-soluble ink, the ink on the second side 4b quickly cools and re-solidifies. This makes it difficult for the ink applied to the second side 4b to transfer to other areas. The printing device 5 may print when the first long sheet 41 is stationary (not being fed by the sheet feed unit 31b) or when the first long sheet 41 is being fed downstream by the sheet feed unit 31b. The printing device 5 may also be configured to apply ink to the second side 4b without contact. Specifically, the printing device 5 can be configured as a so-called inkjet printer, which is configured to print by spraying ink onto the first long sheet 41. Even with this configuration, the amount of ink that adheres to the first long sheet 41 is small, so the ink dries quickly. This prevents the ink applied to the second surface 4b from transferring to other parts.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 2, the printing device 5 prints character information 5a for identifying the contained medication based on the prescription information. Specifically, the printing device 5 prints information indicating the contained medication (e.g., the name of the medication), the timing of taking the contained medication, and the person who will take the contained medication (e.g., the name). The printing device 5 also prints in the storage area B (the area not heat-sealed). Furthermore, the printing device 5 of this embodiment prints for each package (the storage area B of one packaging bag 7).

[0025] 1, the identifier assigning means 6 is disposed in the middle of the conveying path of the second long sheet 42. That is, the identifier assigning means 6 is disposed upstream of the sealing device 33 in the feeding direction of the second long sheet 42. The identifier assigning means 6 is also disposed in a portion of the conveying path of the second long sheet 42 where the second long sheet 42 is fed horizontally.

[0026] The identifier assigning means 6 assigns an identifier 6a to the first surface 4a of the second long sheet 42. The identifier assigning means 6 is configured to be able to apply ink to the first surface 4a and assign the identifier 6a to the first surface 4a. The identifier assigning means 6 of this embodiment is configured to be able to apply ink by contacting the first surface 4a.

[0027] Specifically, the identifier assigning means 6 includes a pen unit. The pen unit has a pen tip that can apply ink to the long sheet 4 that it comes into contact with. The pen tip is configured to be able to transfer ink to an object that it comes into contact with (e.g., the second long sheet 42). The pen unit of this embodiment has a configuration similar to that of a writing implement such as a marker pen, but it can also be configured, for example, as a roller that can transfer ink.

[0028] The identifier assigning means 6 is configured to be able to hold a plurality of pen units. The identifier assigning means 6 is also configured so that the pen tips of one or more of the plurality of pen units it holds are in contact with the first surface 4a. The identifier assigning means 6 of this embodiment is disposed above the first surface 4a (on the first surface 4a side of the second long sheet 42), and is capable of switching between a state in which the pen tips of the pen units are in contact with the first surface 4a and a state in which they are separated from the first surface 4a.

[0029] The identifier assigning means 6 of this embodiment holds multiple pen units with different ink colors. The identifier assigning means 6 is configured to selectively abut the pen tips of the multiple pen units against the first surface 4a. The identifier assigning means 6 also assigns identifiers 6a for identifying the contained medication based on prescription information. The identifier assigning means 6 is configured to assign lines as the identifiers 6a, specifically, lines of different colors and line types (straight lines, dashed lines, etc.) as the identifiers 6a. The identifier assigning means 6 of this embodiment assigns lines of colors corresponding to the timing of taking the contained medication and the recipient of the contained medication based on the prescription information. The identifier assigning means 6 also abuts against the first surface 4a when the second long sheet 42 is fed downstream by the sheet feeding unit 31b, thereby moving relative to the second long sheet 42 in the feed direction and forming lines as identifiers 6a on the first surface 4a. That is, the lines as identifiers 6a are lines (straight lines) extending in the feed direction. Here, the ink forming the identifier 6a takes some time to dry to the point where it is no longer transferred to other parts, and specifically, this takes longer than the time it takes from when the identifier 6a is formed until the part on which the identifier 6a is formed passes through the sealing device 33.

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, the identifier assigning means 6 forms an identifier 6a at a position closer to one end than the center in the width direction of the first surface 4a. The identifier assigning means 6 of this embodiment assigns the identifier 6a to the intended sealing area A, and specifically, forms a line as the identifier 6a extending in the length direction of the second long sheet 42 in a portion that is wider than the storage area B. In this embodiment, the identifier assigning means 6 assigns the identifier 6a as a line extending from one side of the storage area B to the other side in the length direction of the second long sheet 42. The identifier assigning means 6 is also configured to assign an identifier 6a for each package (the intended sealing area A of one packaging bag 7), and the line as the identifier 6a is formed so that it is located inside both ends of the range that corresponds to one package in the length direction.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1 , the printing device 5 is disposed upstream of the sealing device 33 in the feed direction of the first long sheet 41, and the identifier assigning means 6 is disposed upstream of the sealing device 33 in the feed direction of the second long sheet 42. This prevents the printing device 5 and the identifier assigning means 6 from interfering with each other, making it easier to arrange the printing device 5 and the identifier assigning means 6, compared to when the printing device 5 and the identifier assigning means 6 are disposed side by side in the feed direction of either the first long sheet 41 or the second long sheet 42. The distance between the printing device 5 and the sealing device 33 in the feed direction of the first long sheet 41 is approximately the same as the distance between the identifier assigning means 6 and the sealing device 33 in the feed direction of the second long sheet 42. In this embodiment, the arrangement is symmetrical with respect to the sealing device 33. Furthermore, the printing device 5 and the identifier assigning means 6 are movable in the feed directions of the first long sheet 41 and the second long sheet 42, respectively. In this embodiment, the printing device 5 and the identifier assigning means 6 move in the feeding direction of the first long sheet 41 and the second long sheet 42 so that the distances to the respective sealing devices 33 are approximately the same. Specifically, the printing device 5 and the identifier assigning means 6 are configured to move the same distance under the control of the control unit.

[0032] The hopper 32 is configured to receive the medicines supplied from the medicine supply device 2 and discharge them downward.

[0033] The sealing device 33 is configured to overlap and heat-seal the first surfaces 4a of two long sheets 4 to form a packaging bag 7. The sealing device 33 is disposed below the hopper 32.

[0034] The medicine packaging performed by the medicine packaging machine 1 having the above configuration will now be described.

[0035] First, prescription data is input from an external device to the medicine packaging machine 1. The prescription data includes information on the type and number of medicines to be packaged, the number of packages, when to take the medicines, and information on the recipient.

[0036] The control unit determines the length of the packaging bag 7 in the longitudinal direction based on the amount of drugs in one packet, etc. At this time, the control unit controls the printing device 5 to move in the feed direction of the first long sheet 41 and the identifier assigning means 6 to move in the feed direction of the second long sheet 42 according to the length of the packaging bag 7 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, even if the length of the packaging bag 7 changes, the printing and the position of the identifier 6a on the packaging bag 7 can be aligned. The control unit also controls the movement of the printing device 5 and the identifier assigning means 6 so that the distance between the printing device 5 and the sealing device 33 in the feed direction of the first long sheet 41 is approximately equal to the distance between the identifier assigning means 6 and the sealing device 33 in the feed direction of the second long sheet 42.

[0037] Here, at the start of packaging, any long sheet 4 located between the printing device 5 and the identifier assigning means 6 and the sealing device 33 becomes a blank packet containing no medicine because printing or the formation of the identifier 6a is not possible. In this embodiment, the printing device 5 is disposed midway along the transport path of the first long sheet 41, and the identifier assigning means 6 is disposed midway along the transport path of the second long sheet 42. Therefore, compared to when the printing device 5 and the identifier assigning means 6 are both disposed midway along the transport path of the first long sheet 41 or the second long sheet 42, the distance between the printing position of the printing device 5 and the position where the identifier 6a is assigned by the identifier assigning means 6 can be shortened, thereby reducing the number of wasted blank packets. Therefore, printing and the assignment of the identifier 6a to the packaging bag 7 can be performed efficiently.

[0038] Next, the control unit operates the feed mechanism 31 to feed the long sheet 4. Specifically, the control unit drives the sheet feed unit 31b to feed the first long sheet 41 and the second long sheet 42 in the lengthwise direction by the length of one package. After feeding the long sheet 4 by the length of one package, the sheet feed unit 31b stops operating. Furthermore, the control unit operates the sealing device 33 to heat-seal the long sheet 4 to form a packaging bag 7.

[0039] When the sheet feeding unit 31b feeds the long sheet 4, the control unit controls the printing device 5 to print character information 5a related to the medicine contained therein on the second surface 4b of the first long sheet 41. Specifically, the printing device 5 is operated to transfer ink from the ink ribbon to the second surface 4b.

[0040] Furthermore, when the long sheet 4 is fed by the sheet feeding unit 31b, the control unit controls the identifier assigning means 6 to assign an identifier 6a for identifying information about the drug contained therein to the first surface 4a of the second long sheet 42. Specifically, when the long sheet 4 is fed, the pen tip of the pen unit is brought into contact with the first surface 4a of the second long sheet 42. In this embodiment, the second long sheet 42 is fed with the pen tip in contact with the first surface 4a, thereby forming a line as the identifier 6a on the second long sheet 42.

[0041] The above steps are repeated until all packets are printed and given the identifiers 6a.

[0042] Furthermore, when the area printed on the printing device 5 and the area provided with the identifier 6a reach the sealing device 33 due to the feeding operation of the feeding mechanism 31, the medicines corresponding to the prescription data supplied from the medicine supply device 2 are dispensed from the hopper 32 onto the long sheet 4. The medicines corresponding to the prescription data are dispensed between the first long sheet 41 and the second long sheet 42. The first surfaces 4a of the first long sheet 41 and the second long sheet 42 are overlapped and sealed to form a packaging bag 7 containing the medicines. Here, because the distance from the printing device 5 to the sealing device 33 and the distance from the identifier assigning means 6 to the sealing device 33 are approximately equal, the portion printed with the character information 5a and the portion provided with the identifier 6a can be sealed at the same time to form the packaging bag 7. Thereafter, the above process is repeated until all packets are sealed and the medicines are dispensed.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 4, the packaging bag 7 has an identifier 6a attached to the inner surface of the intended sealing area A, and text information 5a printed on the outer surface of the storage area B. Therefore, both the text information 5a and the identifier 6a can be confirmed.

[0044] Here, because the ink forming the identifier 6a is applied to the inner surface of the packaging bag 7, it is possible to prevent the ink from transferring to other packaging bags 7 when wet ink comes into contact with other packaging bags 7 or with a part of the drug packaging device 3. In particular, when forming identifiers 6a that are color-coded according to the time of administration, etc., as in this embodiment, preventing ink transfer is advantageous because there is a risk that the ink will transfer to other packaging bags 7 and cause users or recipients to mistakenly identify the drug.

[0045] Furthermore, because the identifier 6a is provided in the intended sealing area A, the sealing device 33 heat-seals the portion to which the identifier 6a is provided. However, because the identifier 6a is formed on the first surface 4a (the inner surface of the packaging bag 7), the sealing device 33 does not directly contact the ink forming the identifier 6a. Therefore, the identifier 6a can be formed in the intended sealing area A while preventing ink from adhering to the sealing device 33. Moreover, because the identifier 6a is provided in the intended sealing area A on the inner surface of the packaging bag 7, ink is prevented from adhering to the medicine. Note that ink adhering to the sealing device 33 can cause poor sealing or transfer of ink to other packaging bags 7 via the sealing device 33.

[0046] Furthermore, since the identifier 6a is formed at a position shifted to one side in the width direction of the packaging bag 7, it is easy for a pharmacist, patient, or the like to recognize the identifier 6a when viewing the packaging bag 7 from an oblique direction. Therefore, even if multiple packaging bags 7 are stacked, the identifier 6a can be recognized in this state or by simply shifting the packaging bags 7 slightly from each other. The identifier 6a can also be formed on the edge of the packaging bag 7 in the width direction. With this configuration, the identifier 6a becomes even easier to recognize.

[0047] The above describes an embodiment of the present invention using an example, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0048] For example, although the case where the medicine packaging device 3 is configured as a part of the medicine packaging machine 1 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this configuration and may be configured so that the medicine packaging device 3 is configured alone. In such a configuration, the medicines can be loaded into the medicine packaging device 3 by an external device or an operator.

[0049] Furthermore, the medicine packaging device 3 has been described as having both the printing device 5 and the identifier assigning means 6, but is not limited to this configuration, and may also be configured to have only the identifier assigning means 6.

[0050] Furthermore, while the drug packaging device 3 has been described as forming the packaging bag 7 by sealing two long sheets 4, the device is not limited to this configuration. For example, one long sheet 4 can be folded in half at the middle in the width direction, and the half-folded sheet can be sealed on three sides to form the packaging bag 7. Even when this configuration is adopted, the identifier 6a can be formed on the first surface 4a before sealing. Furthermore, by forming the identifier 6a in the area to be sealed, it is possible to prevent ink from transferring to other packaging bags 7.

[0051] Although the identifier assigning means 6 has been described as forming a line along the length direction as the identifier 6a, the configuration is not limited to this, and the identifier 6a can be formed in various ways. For example, the identifier assigning means 6 can be configured as a stamp, and a graphic can be formed as the identifier 6a. Even when the identifier 6a is configured as a line, it can be configured to extend, for example, in the width direction or diagonally relative to the length direction. In other words, the identifier 6a is information indicating to which group the medicine contained in the packaging bag 7 belongs, out of multiple groups divided based on prescription data.

[0052] Furthermore, although the identifier assigning means 6 has been described as drawing a line as the identifier 6a for each package, it is not limited to this configuration and may be configured to draw a line across multiple packages. In such a configuration, it is easy to identify packaging bags 7 belonging to the same group (for example, packaging bags 7 containing medicines with the same dosing period).

[0053] Furthermore, while the above description has been given of a case in which the identifier assigning means 6 applies ink to the first surface 4a and the printing device 5 prints on the second surface 4b, the configuration is not limited to this, and the identifier assigning means 6 and the printing device 5 can be configured to form and print the identifier 6a on the first surface 4a. When the printing device 5 prints on the first surface 4a, it is possible to prevent the ink applied to the first surface 4a by the printing device 5 from being transferred to other packaging bags 7. For example, the printing device 5 can be configured to print on the first surface 4a with ink that is harmless to the human body (edible ink), such as food coloring.

[0054] Furthermore, when the printing device 5 prints on the second surface 4b and the identifier assigning means 6 forms the identifier 6a on the first surface 4a, the printing device 5 and the identifier assigning means 6 can both be configured to apply ink to the first long sheet 41.

[0055] Furthermore, the printing device 5 and the identifier assignment means 6 have been described as printing or forming an identifier 6a based on prescription data, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the configuration can be such that an operator gives instructions regarding the printing content or the identifier 6a to be formed, and printing or forming the identifier 6a is performed based on the instructions.

[0056] Furthermore, the area of ​​the long sheet 4 to be printed may be undercoated (e.g., colored white) to make the printed content more visible. The undercoat may be formed, for example, in a strip shape along the length of the long sheet 4. When such a configuration is adopted, the long sheet 4 may be made transparent or translucent, and the identifier 6a may be formed in the portion of the width in which the undercoat is not formed, thereby making the identifier 6a easier to recognize from both the front and back of the packaging bag 7.

[0057] Furthermore, when the long sheet 4 is configured to be translucent, for example, the first surface 4a of the long sheet 4 may be matte-finished. In such a configuration, the intended seal area A becomes transparent with the seal, and the identifier 6a is formed in the transparent portion, thereby improving the visibility of the identifier 6a.

[0058] The present embodiment will be summarized below.

[0059] The drug packaging device of the present invention comprises a feed mechanism for feeding a long sheet, a sealing device for sealing the long sheet to form a packaging bag in which the drug is contained, and an identifier assigning means, wherein the long sheet has a first surface that forms the inner surface of the packaging bag, and the identifier assigning means is configured to apply ink to the first surface of the long sheet to form an identifier for identifying information about the drug to be packaged.

[0060] According to the medicine packaging device having the above configuration, since the ink is applied to the first surface, which is the inner surface of the packaging bag, the ink-applied portion of the packaging bag can be prevented from coming into contact with other packaging bags, and therefore, the ink applied to the packaging bag can be prevented from transferring to other packaging bags.

[0061] In the drug packaging device of the present invention, the identifier assigning means can also be configured to form the identifier on the long sheet so that the identifier is located near one end in the width direction perpendicular to the feed direction of the packaging bag.

[0062] According to the drug packaging device of the above configuration, the identifier is formed at a position closer to one end of the packaging bag in the width direction, so that when the packaging bag is viewed from an oblique angle, for example, the identifier is easier to recognize than when the identifier is formed in the center of the width direction.

[0063] In the drug packaging device of the present invention, the sealing device is configured to heat-seal the long sheet, the long sheet has a sealing area to be heat-sealed by the sealing device, and the identifier assigning means can be configured to form the identifier on the first surface of the sealing area.

[0064] According to the medicine packaging device having the above configuration, the ink-applied portion is heat-sealed, thereby preventing the ink from adhering to other portions.

[0065] Furthermore, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-53538, for example, there is a drug packaging device that includes a feed mechanism for feeding transparent paper and printing paper, a heat-sealing member that overlaps the transparent paper and the printing paper and heat-seals them to form a drug storage chamber, and a print head for printing information about the enclosed drug on the printing paper while it is being fed to the heat-sealing member. In such drug packaging devices, it is sometimes desirable to print information on the packaging bag that packages the drug, and to attach an identifier to the packaging bag so that the drug packaged in the packaging bag (e.g., the type of drug, the timing of taking the drug, the person taking the drug, etc.) can be identified.

[0066] Therefore, the drug packaging device of this embodiment is equipped with a feed mechanism for feeding a first long sheet and a second long sheet, a sealing device, a printing device for printing on the first long sheet, and an identifier assigning means for assigning an identifier to the second long sheet to identify information about the drug to be packaged, wherein the printing device is arranged upstream of the sealing device in the feed direction of the first long sheet, the identifier assigning means is arranged upstream of the sealing device in the feed direction of the second long sheet, and the sealing device is configured to overlap and seal the printed area of ​​the first long sheet and the identifier-assigned area of ​​the second long sheet to form a packaging bag in which the drug is contained.

[0067] With the drug packaging device of the above configuration, a packaging bag is formed by printing on a first long sheet while attaching an identifier to a second long sheet, and then overlapping and sealing the printed area of ​​the first long sheet and the area of ​​the second long sheet with the identifier, so that printing and attaching an identifier to the packaging bag can be done efficiently.

[0068] In the pharmaceutical packaging device of the present invention, the feed mechanism and the sealing device are configured to be able to adjust the length of the packaging bag in the feed direction of the first long sheet and the second long sheet, the printing device is movable in the feed direction of the first long sheet, and the identifier assignment means is configured to be movable in the feed direction of the second long sheet.

[0069] With the medicine packaging device configured as described above, the length of the packaging bag in the feeding direction can be adjusted to change the capacity of the packaging bag depending on the amount of medicine contained inside the packaging bag, etc. Moreover, even if the length of the packaging bag in the feeding direction changes, the printing position and the identifier assignment position on the packaging bag can be adjusted by moving the printing device and the identifier assignment means.

[0070] In the drug packaging device of the present invention, the distance from the printing device to the sealing device in the feed direction of the first long sheet may be approximately the same as the distance from the identifier assignment means to the sealing device in the feed direction of the second long sheet.

[0071] With the medicine packaging device configured as described above, the distance from the printing device to the sealing device is approximately the same as the distance from the identifier assigning means to the sealing device, so that the printed portion and the identifier assigned portion of the long sheet can be sealed at the same time to form a packaging bag. This allows for efficient printing and identifier assignment on the packaging bag.

[0072] In the configuration of providing an identifier to the packaging bag described above, for example, the following modifications can be made.

[0073] For example, while the identifier assigning means 6 has been described as forming a line along the length direction as the identifier 6a, the configuration is not limited to this, and various configurations for forming the identifier 6a are possible. For example, the identifier assigning means 6 may be configured as a stamp, and a graphic may be formed as the identifier 6a. Even when the identifier 6a is configured as a line, it may be configured to extend, for example, in the width direction or diagonally relative to the length direction. In other words, the identifier 6a is information indicating to which group the drug contained in the packaging bag 7 belongs, out of multiple groups divided based on prescription data.

[0074] Furthermore, although the identifier assigning means 6 has been described as drawing a line as the identifier 6a for each package, it is not limited to this configuration and may be configured to draw a line across multiple packages. In such a configuration, it is easy to identify packaging bags 7 belonging to the same group (for example, packaging bags 7 containing medicines with the same dosing period).

[0075] Furthermore, while the above description has been given of a case in which the identifier assigning means 6 applies ink to the first surface 4a and the printing device 5 prints on the second surface 4b, the configuration is not limited to this, and the identifier assigning means 6 and the printing device 5 can be configured to form and print the identifier 6a on the same side of the first surface 4a and the second surface 4b. When the printing device 5 prints on the first surface 4a, it is possible to prevent the ink applied to the first surface 4a by the printing device 5 from being transferred to other packaging bags 7. For example, the printing device 5 can be configured to print on the first surface 4a with ink that is harmless to the human body (edible ink), such as food coloring.

[0076] Furthermore, the printing device 5 and the identifier assignment means 6 have been described as printing or forming an identifier 6a based on prescription data, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the configuration can be such that an operator gives instructions regarding the printing content or the identifier 6a to be formed, and printing or forming the identifier 6a is performed based on the instructions.

[0077] Furthermore, the area of ​​the long sheet 4 to be printed may be undercoated (e.g., colored white) to make the printed content more visible. The undercoat may be formed, for example, in a strip shape along the length of the long sheet 4. When such a configuration is adopted, the long sheet 4 may be made transparent or translucent, and the identifier 6a may be formed in the portion of the width in which the undercoat is not formed, thereby making the identifier 6a easier to recognize from both the front and back of the packaging bag 7.

[0078] Furthermore, when the long sheet 4 is configured to be translucent, for example, the first surface 4a of the long sheet 4 may be matte-finished. In such a configuration, the intended seal area A becomes transparent with the seal, and the identifier 6a is formed in the transparent portion, thereby improving the visibility of the identifier 6a.

[0079] 1...medicine packaging machine, 2...medicine supply device, 3...medicine packaging device, 31...feeding mechanism, 31a...sheet supply section, 31b...sheet feeding section, 31A...first sheet supply section, 31B...second sheet supply section, 311...mounting section, 312...roller, 32...hopper, 33...sealing device, 4...long sheet, 4a...first side, 4b...second side, 41...first long sheet, 42...second long sheet, 45...roll, 5...printing device, 5a...character information, 6...identifier assigning means, 6a...identifier, 7...packaging bag, A...sealing area, B...storage area

Claims

1. A drug packaging device comprising: a feeding mechanism for feeding a long sheet; a sealing device for sealing the long sheet to form a packaging bag in which a drug is contained; and an identifier applying means, wherein the long sheet has a first surface that constitutes the inner surface of the packaging bag, and the identifier applying means applies ink to the first surface of the long sheet to form an identifier for identifying information related to the drug being packaged.

2. The drug packaging device according to claim 1, wherein the identifier applying means forms the identifier on the long sheet so that the identifier is positioned toward one end in a width direction perpendicular to the feed direction of the packaging bag.

3. A pharmaceutical packaging device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the sealing device is configured to heat seal the long sheet, the long sheet has a planned sealing area to be heat sealed by the sealing device, and the identifier applying means forms the identifier on the first surface of the planned sealing area.

Images