Counting device and counting container

Abstract

This counting device comprises a counting section capable of counting and dispensing granular materials. The counting section includes a passage part through which a granular material passes, and at least one pocket part for storing a granular material. The at least one pocket part includes a body part that forms an internal space for storing only one granular material inside and that forms an inlet opening serving as an inlet to the internal space for the granular material passing through the passage part. The body part includes an opening / closing part for opening and closing an outlet opening serving as an outlet for the granular material stored in the internal space.

Description

Metering devices and containers CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-102048, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a measuring device and a measuring container capable of measuring granular materials, such as tablets.

[0003] A tablet container shown in Fig. 10 is known as a measuring container capable of measuring the required number of granular materials (Patent Document 1). This tablet container 801 includes a storage section 802, a cover 803, a spacer 804, and an operating lever 805. The storage section 802 has a partition wall 111 provided on its inner surface. The partition wall 111 divides the internal space 110 of the storage section 802 into a storage chamber 112 and a measuring chamber 113. The storage chamber 112 and the measuring chamber 113 are connected to each other via a communication section 114 provided between the tip 111a of the partition wall 111 and the wall of the storage section 802. The cover 803 includes an intermediate cover portion 121 corresponding to the partition wall 111, and storage chamber cover portions 124 and 125 provided on both sides of the intermediate cover portion 121 and corresponding to the storage chamber 112 and the measuring chamber 113.

[0004] When weighing and removing tablets from this tablet container 801, first, the operating lever 805 is pushed left and right to move the spacer 804 and determine the number of tablets to be weighed. Next, the tablet container 801 is shaken back and forth or tilted with the measuring chamber 113 side facing downward to move the tablets contained in the storage chamber 112 to the measuring chamber 113 via the communication part 114. Thereafter, the measuring chamber cover part 125 is opened and the tablets are removed.

[0005] Another similar measuring container, a granular material container 901 shown in FIG. 11 , is also known (Patent Document 2). This granular material container 901 includes two side plates 910, a bottom plate 912 disposed below the side plates 910, a front plate 914 disposed in front of the side plates 910, a rear plate 916 disposed behind the side plates 910, and a top plate 918 disposed above the side plates 910. The top plate 918 extends forward from the upper end of the rear plate 916. A discharge opening 920 is formed between the front end of the top plate 918 and the front plate 914. A partition plate 922 extending upward is provided on the bottom plate 912. An inclined plate 924 extending toward the upper end of the front plate 914 is provided at the upper end of the partition plate 922. A predetermined number of holders 925 are formed on the inclined plate 924. The holding portion 925 is a recess that can hold granular material therein.

[0006] The interior of the granular material container 901 is formed with a storage chamber 930 for storing granular material, and an unloading chamber 940 for unloading the granular material, which are formed by side plates 910, a bottom plate 912, a front plate 914, a rear plate 916, a top plate 918, a partition plate 922, and an inclined plate 924. A communication passage 935 is provided between the storage chamber 930 and the unloading chamber 940. A lid member 926 rotatable about a rotation axis 918a of the top plate 918 is attached to the top plate 918 so as to be openable and closable relative to the unloading chamber 940.

[0007] A blocking member 928 is attached to the cover member 926, extending from the vicinity of the rotation shaft 918a along the underside of the top plate 918. Therefore, when the cover member 926 is opened, the communication passage 935 is blocked by the blocking member 928, and the extraction chamber 940 is isolated from the storage chamber 930.

[0008] By tilting this granular material container 901, the granular material stored in the storage chamber 930 moves through the communication passage 935 to the removal chamber 940 and is held inside the holding section 925. Then, when the granular material container 901 is returned to a horizontal position, the granular material not held inside the holding section 925 slides down the inclined plate 924 and returns to the storage chamber 930, while the granular material held in the holding section 925 remains. The lid member 926 is then opened and the granular material is taken out.

[0009] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-151286 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-155080

[0010] 10, if the shape of the tablets in plan view is not circular but oval or drum-shaped, there will be a major axis with a long diameter and a minor axis with a short diameter, which will change the number of tablets that can be lined up in the measuring chamber 113, making it impossible to properly measure the tablets.

[0011] In addition, in the granular material container 901 of Figure 11, granular material enters the holding portion 925, which is a recess, from the open top side and is held there, and then exits from the top side and is removed. Therefore, if the recess is deep, the granular material that has entered is difficult to escape and is difficult to remove. Conversely, if the recess is shallow, even if the granular material enters, it will immediately escape and be difficult to hold.

[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide a measuring device and a measuring container that can reliably measure granular materials of various shapes and that facilitate the work of measuring and removing the granular materials.

[0013] The weighing device of the present invention comprises a weighing section capable of weighing and removing the number of granular materials, the weighing section comprising a passage section through which the granular materials pass and at least one pocket section for accommodating the granular materials, the at least one pocket section comprising a body section that forms an internal space for accommodating only one granular material and forms an inlet opening that serves as an entrance to the internal space for granular materials passing through the passage section, and the body section comprises an opening / closing section that opens and closes an outlet opening that serves as an exit for the granular materials accommodated in the internal space.

[0014] In addition, in the weighing device, the passage portion and the at least one pocket portion are adjacent in a width direction perpendicular to the direction in which the granular material passes through the passage portion, with the passage portion on one side in the width direction and the pocket portion on the other side in the width direction, and the inlet opening is formed by the body portion having one side wall on one side in the width direction and the other side wall on the other side in the width direction that face each other in the width direction, and the one side wall may be positioned at the boundary where the passage portion and the at least one pocket portion are adjacent.

[0015] In the metering device, the other side wall may include the opening / closing portion that opens and closes the outlet opening.

[0016] The weighing device may also include a pool section that is positioned closer to the beginning than the weighing section in the direction of passage of the granular material through the passage section and that accommodates a plurality of granular material, and the pool section may include a pool main body section that accommodates a plurality of granular material, and a pool mouth section that serves as an entrance and exit for the granular material within the pool main body section and is connected to a passage inlet at the beginning end of the passage on the beginning side of the passage direction of the passage section, and when viewed from the direction of passage of the granular material through the passage section, the pool main body section is formed so that the area of ​​the pool space that accommodates the plurality of granular material is larger than the area of ​​the passage inlet, and the pool section may be formed from the pool main body section to the pool mouth section at an incline with respect to the direction of passage of the granular material through the passage section, and may include an inclined guide section that guides the granular material toward the passage inlet.

[0017] In addition, in the weighing device, the passage portion and the at least one pocket portion are adjacent in a width direction perpendicular to the passage direction of the granular material in the passage portion, with the passage portion on one side in the width direction and the at least one pocket portion on the other side in the width direction, and the at least one pocket portion may be made up of a plurality of pocket portions arranged along the passage direction.

[0018] Another measuring container of the present invention comprises a measuring section capable of measuring and removing the number of granular objects, the measuring section comprising a passage section through which the granular objects pass and at least one pocket section for accommodating the granular objects, the at least one pocket section forming an internal space for accommodating only one granular object inside and including a body section forming an inlet opening through which granular objects passing through the passage section enter the internal space, the body section comprising an opening / closing section for opening and closing an outlet opening through which granular objects accommodated in the internal space are able to exit, and a pool section positioned closer to the starting end than the measuring section in the direction of passage through which the granular objects pass and accommodating a plurality of granular objects, the pool section comprising a pool main body section for accommodating a plurality of granular objects, and a pool mouth section which serves as an entrance / exit for granular objects within the pool main body section and which is connected to a passage inlet at the passage starting end on the starting end side of the passage direction of the passage section.

[0019] In addition, in the measuring container, the pool main body is formed so that, when viewed from the direction in which the granular objects pass through the passage, the area of ​​the pool space that accommodates the multiple granular objects is larger than the area of ​​the passage entrance, and the pool portion is formed from the pool main body to the pool mouth at an angle with respect to the direction in which the granular objects pass through the passage portion, and may be provided with an inclined guide portion that guides the granular objects toward the passage entrance.

[0020] The measuring container may also include a storage section that can store a plurality of granular materials, is connectable to the pool main body, and is configured to allow the granular materials to be put in and taken out of the pool main body.

[0021] Fig. 1 is a front view of a metering container equipped with a metering device according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the metering container. Fig. 3 is a front view of the metering device. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the metering device before metering. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the metering device during metering. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the metering device after metering. Fig. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the metering device when granular material is being removed. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional tablet container. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional granular material container.

[0022] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. The measuring container according to this embodiment is used when preparing the required number of granular materials, such as tablets. The user is assumed to be a patient who handles granular materials (e.g., tablets) on a daily basis. The granular materials are, for example, non-spherical granular materials that are drum-shaped in plan view, but may also be circular or elliptical in plan view. The granular materials may also be spherical.

[0023] 1, the weighing container 1 includes a weighing device 2. The weighing container 1 also includes a housing 3 that can be connected to the weighing device 2. The weighing container 1 also includes a cap 4 that can be attached to and detached from the weighing device 2. In this embodiment, the weighing container 1 has an elongated (pen-shaped) shape.

[0024] Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction of the weighing container 1 will be referred to as the height direction, the side of the weighing container 1 facing the storage section 3 (the lower side in Figure 1) will be referred to as the "lower side," and the side of the weighing container 1 opposite the storage section 3 (the upper side in Figure 1) will be referred to as the "higher side."

[0025] The storage section 3 is a section capable of storing a plurality of granular objects. As shown in Fig. 2, the storage section 3 includes an oval disk-shaped storage bottom 30, a storage body 31 which is a peripheral wall extending from the periphery of the storage bottom 30 to the higher side, and a storage opening 32 provided at the higher end edge of the storage body 31. The storage section 3 is made of a transparent resin. However, the storage section 3 may also be made of a non-transparent material. The storage body 31 is, for example, a flat, cylindrical shape.

[0026] The storage opening 32 is an entrance / exit port for putting in and taking out the granular material contents from the storage portion 3. The storage opening 32 has a flat, cylindrical shape. The storage opening 32 protrudes from the higher end edge of the storage body 31 toward the higher side. The storage opening 32 comprises a cylindrical opening body 320 and a ridge 321 provided around the opening body 320. A threaded portion may be provided around the opening body 320 instead of the ridge 321. The higher end edge 322 of the opening body 320 defines an opening 323 of the storage opening 32.

[0027] The cap 4 is a member that can protect the weighing device 2 by being attached to the weighing device 2. In this embodiment, the cap 4 has a flat cylindrical shape with the upper side closed by a top surface. Note that the cap 4 may have a shape that can ensure moisture resistance inside the storage unit 3 by protecting the weighing device 2 connected to the storage unit 3.

[0028] The weighing device 2 is an apparatus capable of weighing and removing a predetermined number of granular objects from among a plurality of granular objects stored in the storage unit 3. The weighing device 2 also includes a weighing unit 5 that is capable of weighing and removing the number of granular objects. The weighing device 2 also includes a pool unit 6 that is provided between the storage unit 3 and the weighing unit 5. In this embodiment, the weighing unit 5 and the pool unit 6 are integrated. The weighing unit 5 and the pool unit 6 are formed from a transparent resin, but may also be formed from a non-transparent material.

[0029] The measuring unit 5 is a portion that can weigh and remove a predetermined number of granular objects from the plurality of granular objects discharged from the pool unit 6. In this embodiment, the measuring unit 5 can weigh and remove a plurality of granular objects. The measuring unit 5 is composed of a measuring main body 7 that is attached to the pool unit 6 and a movable part 8 that is movable relative to the measuring main body 7.

[0030] The measuring unit 5 also includes a passage 50 through which the granular material passes, and at least one pocket 51 that accommodates one granular material. In this embodiment, the passage 50 is disposed in the measuring main body 7. The at least one pocket 51 is formed by a part of the measuring main body 7 and a part of the movable unit 8.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 6 , the passage 50 is a through-hole that extends from the high side to the low side of the measuring body 7, specifically, to just before the pool mouth 61. The width of the passage 50 is at least twice the outer diameter of the granular material. Therefore, multiple granular materials passing through the passage 50 are less likely to clog the passage 50. The width of the passage 50 is uniform throughout. Furthermore, the front-to-rear dimension of the passage 50 is uniform throughout and is slightly larger than the dimension of the long axis of the granular material when viewed in plan.

[0032] At least one pocket 51 includes a body 53. This body 53 forms an internal space S1 for accommodating only one granular object therein. The body 53 also covers the periphery to form an inlet opening 52, which is the entrance to the internal space S1 for the granular object passing through the passage 50. The body 53 is provided with an opening / closing part 55 that opens and closes an outlet opening 54, which is the exit for the granular object accommodated in the internal space S1.

[0033] In this embodiment, the pocket portion 51 is made up of a plurality of pocket portions 51, and is arranged along the direction in which the granular material passes through the passage portion 50. Specifically, the eight pockets 51 are arranged along the height direction with the inlet openings 52 facing the higher side. Furthermore, the passage portion 50 and the pocket portions 51 are adjacent to each other in the width direction perpendicular to the direction in which the granular material passes through the passage portion 50, with the passage portion 50 on one side in the width direction and the pocket portions 51 on the other side in the width direction.

[0034] The pool section 6 stores the plurality of granular objects discharged from the storage section 3. In this embodiment, the pool section 6 is located closer to the start end, i.e., upstream, of the measuring section 5 in the direction in which the granular objects pass through the passage section 50. The pool section 6 also includes a pool main body 60 that stores the plurality of granular objects, and a pool mouth 61 that serves as an entrance and exit for the granular objects in the pool main body 60. The pool section 6 also includes an inclined guide section 62.

[0035] In this embodiment, the storage unit 3 can be connected to the pool main body 60. The storage unit 3 is configured to allow granular materials to be put into and taken out of the pool main body 60. The inclined guide portion 62 is formed from the pool main body 60 to the pool mouth 61, inclined with respect to the direction in which the granular materials pass through the passage 50.

[0036] The pool main body 60 is attached to the storage opening 32 of the storage unit 3 and forms a peripheral wall extending from the lower side to the higher side. When viewed from the direction in which the granular objects pass through the passage 50, the pool main body 60 is formed so that the area of ​​the pool space S2 that stores the plurality of granular objects is larger than the area of ​​the passage entrance 501 of the passage 50. The pool main body 60 is, for example, in the shape of a flat cylinder.

[0037] The pool mouth 61 is a portion that connects the pool main body 60 and the measuring unit 5. The pool mouth 61 also communicates with a passage inlet 501 at the passage start end 500 on the start side of the passageway 50 in the passageway direction. The pool mouth 61 is, for example, a flat cylindrical shape. When viewed from the height direction, the pool mouth 61 is located inside the pool main body 60. The cap 4 is fitted and attached to the step formed between the higher edge 600 of the pool main body 60 and the outer surface 611 of the pool mouth 61.

[0038] The inclined guide portion 62 guides the granular material toward the passage entrance 501. In this embodiment, the inclined guide portion 62 is a portion of the inner peripheral surface of the pool main body 60 that is located on the other widthwise side and in a region on the higher side. The inclined guide portion 62 is an inclined surface that is inclined toward one widthwise side as it approaches the higher side. The inclination angle of the inclined guide portion 62 with respect to the height direction is, for example, greater than 0 degrees and equal to or less than 80 degrees.

[0039] The inclined guide portion 62 is connected flush with the inner surface of the pool mouth portion 61. The inclined guide portion 62 is also connected flush with the start end wall portion 502 of the passage start end portion 500. Specifically, the higher end portion 620 of the inclined guide portion 62 is connected flush with the widthwise opposing portion 503 on the other side of the start end wall portion 502 in the width direction. The pool portion 6 does not necessarily have to be equipped with the inclined guide portion 62. In this case, the pool portion 6 may be equipped with a guide portion that is connected flush with the inner surface of the pool mouth portion 61 and extends along the height direction.

[0040] The widthwise dimension of the pool section 6 is approximately the same as the widthwise dimension of the cap 4 and the widthwise dimension of the storage section 3. Furthermore, the front-rear dimension of the pool section 6 is approximately the same as the front-rear dimension of the cap 4 and the storage section 3. Therefore, the weighing container 1 in which the weighing device 2 is attached to the storage section 3 and the cap 4 is attached to the weighing device 2 can be made compact.

[0041] The measuring body 7 is a portion where granular material is measured using a pocket 51. The measuring body 7 is a columnar body formed so that its length is along the height direction, and a passage 50 is formed on one side in the width direction.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4 , the measuring body 7 includes a front wall 70 and a rear wall 71 spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction, and a side wall 72 connecting the edges of the front wall 70 and the rear wall 71 on one side in the width direction. In this measuring body 7, the front wall 70, the rear wall 71, and the side wall 72 are integrally formed. Note that some of these may be separate and combined. The measuring body 7 also includes an enclosure 73 located between the front wall 70 and the rear wall 71 and surrounding the internal space S1 of the pocket 51. The measuring body 7 further includes a partition 74 that separates the passage 50 (see FIG. 3 ). The measuring body 7 also includes a passage cover 75 located on the higher side of the higher edges of the front wall 70, the rear wall 71, and the side wall 72, defining the end of the passage 50.

[0043] The main body front wall 70 is a flat, long, plate-like portion that is elongated along the height direction (see FIG. 4). The main body front wall 70 also includes a front passage forming portion 700 located on one side in the width direction and a front space forming portion 701 located on the other side in the width direction. The main body front wall 70 has a substantially uniform thickness.

[0044] The front passage forming portion 700 is a front wall that forms the passage portion 50. The front space forming portion 701 is a front wall that forms the internal space S1 of the pocket portion 51. The inner surfaces of the front passage forming portion 700 and the front space forming portion 701 are flush and connected to each other so that granular matter does not get caught when moving from the passage portion 50 to the internal space S1.

[0045] The rear body wall 71 is a flat, long, plate-like portion that is longitudinal along the height direction. The rear body wall 71 includes a rear passage forming portion 710 located on one side in the width direction and a rear space forming portion 711 located on the other side in the width direction. The rear body wall 71 has a substantially uniform thickness. The thickness of the rear body wall 71 is also substantially the same as the thickness of the front body wall 70.

[0046] The rear passage forming portion 710 is a rear wall that forms the passage portion 50. The rear space forming portion 711 is a rear wall that forms the internal space S1 of the pocket portion 51. The inner surfaces of the rear passage forming portion 710 and the rear space forming portion 711 are connected flush with each other so that granular matter does not get caught when moving from the passage portion 50 to the internal space S1.

[0047] The surrounding portion 73 constitutes a part of the body portion 53 that covers the periphery so as to form the inlet opening 52, which is the entrance to the internal space S1 for granular material. The surrounding portion 73 is a bent plate-like portion having at least one bent portion, specifically, a bent plate-like portion having two bent portions. The surrounding portion 73 also includes a side wall 730 that defines one edge in the width direction of the internal space S1 of the pocket portion 51, and a bottom wall 731 that extends from the side wall 730 and defines the lower edge in the height direction of the internal space S1.

[0048] In this embodiment, the surrounding portions 73 corresponding to the pocket portions 51 except for the pocket portion 51 arranged on the lowest side among the pocket portions 51 include an extending wall 732 extending from the bottom wall 731 (see FIG. 3 ). The surrounding portion 73 corresponding to the pocket portion 51 arranged on the lowest side also includes a base portion 733 extending from the bottom wall 731.

[0049] The one side wall 730 is disposed at a boundary B where the passage portion 50 and the pocket portion 51 are adjacent to each other (see FIG. 4 ). Specifically, the one side wall 730 extends in the height direction between the boundary between the front passage forming portion 700 and the front space forming portion 701 and the boundary between the rear passage forming portion 710 and the rear space forming portion 711.

[0050] The bottom wall 731 extends from the lower edge of one side wall 730 to the other side in the width direction between the front space forming portion 701 and the rear space forming portion 711. In this embodiment, the bottom wall 731 extends to the other side in the width direction from a boundary portion B where the passage portion 50 and the pocket portion 51 are adjacent. The bottom wall 731 is a flat plate that extends in the width direction and the front-to-rear direction. The thickness of the bottom wall 731 is approximately the same as the thickness of the one side wall 730.

[0051] In this configuration, when viewed from the front, the pocket portion 51 is defined by an L-shaped wall composed of one side wall 730 extending in the height direction and a bottom wall 731 extending in the width direction from the lower edge of the one side wall 730, a front space forming portion 701 of the main body front wall 70, and a rear space forming portion 711 of the main body rear wall 71. The internal space S1 opens on the higher side, and this opening is the inlet opening 52. In addition, the communication space S3 located on the higher side of the inlet opening 52 communicates with the passage portion 50.

[0052] 6, in this embodiment, the dimension L1 in the height direction of the internal space S1 of the pocket 51, specifically the distance between the higher edge of one side wall 730 and the surface facing the higher side of the bottom wall 731, is, for example, about 80% of the dimension of the granular object when viewed in plan. The dimension in the height direction of the internal space S1 of the pocket 51 is designed to be a dimension such that a single granular object contained in the pocket 51 will not fall out when the measuring container 1 is shaken widthwise in an upright state, and such that two or more granular objects will not fit in the pocket 51.

[0053] The extending wall 732 extends lower from the other edge in the width direction of the bottom wall 731 between the front space forming portion 701 and the rear space forming portion 711. The extending wall 732 extends along the height direction between the front space forming portion 701 and the rear space forming portion 711.

[0054] The extension wall 732 is disposed on the other side in the width direction of the communication space S3. The thickness of the extension wall 732 is approximately the same as the thickness of one side wall 730 and the thickness of the bottom wall 731. Therefore, even if one granular object is contained in the internal space S1 and another granular object enters the communication space S3 on the higher side from the passage portion 50, this other granular object will be located on the passage portion 50 side by the thickness of the extension wall 732. Therefore, even if another granular object rests on the higher side of the granular object contained in the internal space S1, this other granular object will easily return to the passage portion 50.

[0055] The dimension L2 in the passing direction of the extending wall 732 is 20% to 80% of the pitch between adjacent one side walls 730 in the height direction, i.e., the dimension L3 from the lower edge of one side wall 730 to the higher edge of the one side wall 730 adjacent to this one side wall 730 on the lower side, and in this embodiment it is 42%.

[0056] The pedestal portion 733 extends from the other edge in the width direction of the bottom wall 731 to the lower side between the front space forming portion 701 and the rear space forming portion 711. The pedestal portion 733 is formed integrally with the bottom wall 731 located on the lowest side. The pedestal portion 733 extends between the front space forming portion 701 and the rear space forming portion 711 so as to connect the bottom wall 731 located on the lowest side and the pool mouth portion 61.

[0057] In this embodiment, one widthwise end face of the pedestal portion 733 is formed by the widthwise opposing portion 503 on the other widthwise side of the start end wall portion 502 of the passage start end 500. In addition, one widthwise end face of the pedestal portion 733 is connected flush with the inclined guide portion 62. The widthwise dimension of the pedestal portion 733 is approximately the same as the widthwise dimension of the bottom wall 731.

[0058] The main body side wall 72 is a long, plate-like portion that is longitudinal along the height direction and curved so as to be convex toward one side in the width direction (see FIG. 4 ). A first slit 721 extending in the height direction is provided in an apex 720 on one side in the width direction of the main body side wall 72. The first slit 721 extends from a position aligned with the second-lowest pocket 51 in the width direction on the apex 720 to a position aligned with the highest pocket 51 in the width direction.

[0059] The thickness of the main body side wall 72 is greater than the thickness of the main body front wall 70 and the thickness of the main body rear wall 71. As a result, steps are formed at the boundaries between the other widthwise edges 725, 726 of the main body side wall 72 and the outer surface 702 of the main body front wall 70 and the outer surface 712 of the main body rear wall 71.

[0060] In this embodiment, a partition mark 723 is provided in a front portion of the top portion 720 of the main body side wall 72 at a position that is aligned in the width direction with one side wall 730 (see FIG. 3). The partition mark 723 is a rectangular mark extending in the width direction, but it may also be a number or the like that is assigned in order from the lowest side in the height direction.

[0061] A second slit 722 is provided in the top 720 of the main body side wall 72, extending in the height direction on the lower side than the first slit 721 (see FIG. 4). The second slit 722 extends from a position aligned in the width direction with the pocket portion 51 located at the lowest side of the top 720 to the lower edge of the top 720.

[0062] The partition 74 is movable between the pocket 51 located at the furthest start of the passage 50 in the direction in which the granular material passes and the terminal end of the passage 50 in the direction in which the granular material passes. The partition 74 divides the passage 50 at a predetermined position within this range (see FIG. 3). In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the partition 74 moves in the height direction while being guided by the first slit 721 in the main body side wall 72. The partition 74 includes a partition operating part 740 and a partition main body 741 that extends from the partition operating part 740 and divides the passage 50.

[0063] The partition operation unit 740 is a component that can be moved in the height direction by user operation (see FIG. 3 ). The partition operation unit 740 is located on the outer side of the main body side wall 72 in the width direction, i.e., on one side in the width direction in this embodiment. The partition operation unit 740 extends along the curved outer surface 724 of the main body side wall 72 (see FIG. 5 ). The partition operation unit 740 also has an opening 742 that penetrates the thickness direction. Specifically, the opening 742 is located at a position that overlaps with the front portion of the top portion 720 of the main body side wall 72. By moving the partition operation unit 740 from this opening 742 to a position where the partition mark 723 of the main body side wall 72 is exposed, the partition unit 74 can properly divide the passage 50.

[0064] The partition main body 741 crosses the passage portion 50 in the width direction and divides the passage portion 50 into a start end side and a terminal end side. Furthermore, by dividing the passage portion 50 by the partition main body 741, it is possible to prevent granular matter from entering the terminal end side of the divided portion of the passage portion 50. In this embodiment, the partition main body 741 is a plate-like member that extends in the height and width directions. Furthermore, the partition main body 741 extends in the width direction from the inner surface of the apex on one side in the width direction of the partition operating portion 740 and passes through the first slit 721 in the main body side wall 72 to divide the inside of the passage portion 50.

[0065] Specifically, when the lower edge of the partition main body 741 is positioned at a position where the partition mark 723 of the main body side wall 72 is exposed, the partition main body 741 separates the passage 50 at a position aligned in the width direction with the lower edge of the one side wall 730. In this embodiment, the other widthwise edge of the partition main body 741 is slightly spaced apart in the width direction from one widthwise surface of the one side wall 730. The widthwise distance between the other widthwise edge of the partition main body 741 and one widthwise surface of the one side wall 730 is set to a size that prevents particulate matter from entering.

[0066] The tip portion, which is the end portion on the protruding side of the partition main body portion 741, is thicker than the other portions of the partition main body portion 741. In this embodiment, the end portion on the other side in the width direction of the partition main body portion 741 is thicker than the other portions of the partition main body portion 741. This ensures the rigidity of the partition main body portion 741. The thickness of the partition main body portion 741 may also be uniform.

[0067] Furthermore, when the number of granular objects to be measured by the measuring device 2 is fixed, the measuring main body 7 does not need to be provided with the partition portion 74 .

[0068] The movable portion 8 is a columnar portion formed longitudinally along the height direction (see FIG. 3 ). In this embodiment, the movable portion 8 includes a movable front wall 80 and a movable rear wall 81 spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction, and a second side wall 82 connecting the other widthwise edges of the movable front wall 80 and the movable rear wall 81 (see FIG. 4 ). The movable portion 8 also includes a closing portion 83 that can prevent granular matter from flowing from the pool portion 6 into the weighing main body 7. In this movable portion 8, the movable front wall 80, the movable rear wall 81, the second side wall 82, and the closing portion 83 are integrally formed. Note that some of these may be separate bodies and may be combined.

[0069] 9, the movable part 8 is provided with an outlet 84 through which the granular material weighed by the measuring body 7 can be taken out. The movable part 8 is also provided with an outlet passage 86 through which the granular material passes when being taken out.

[0070] The movable unit 8 is attached to the weighing unit 7 so that it can slide in the width direction. Specifically, the movable unit 8 is movable between a weighing position in which the outlet opening 54 is closed by the opening / closing unit 55, thereby closing the outlet port 84, and a removal position in which the outlet opening 54 is opened, thereby opening the outlet port 84. When the movable unit 8 is in the weighing position, the closing unit 83 is retracted from the passage inlet 501 to allow the flow of granular material from the pool unit 6 into the weighing unit 7, thereby communicating the passage unit 50 with the pool space S2 (see FIGS. 6 to 8 ). When the movable unit 8 is in the removal position, the closing unit 83 is advanced into the passage inlet 501 to prevent the flow of granular material from the pool unit 6 into the weighing unit 7, thereby isolating the passage unit 50 from the pool space S2 (see FIG. 9 ).

[0071] In this embodiment, the movable part 8 slides in the width direction while the lower edge 85 of the movable part 8 is resting on the higher edge 610 of the pool part 6, specifically, on the higher edge 610 of the pool mouth 61 (see FIG. 3). Therefore, even if the movable part 8 tries to move to the lower side, the higher edge 610 of the pool mouth 61 acts as a stopper, so the movable part 8 will not come out of the measuring main body 7 to the lower side.

[0072] The movable front wall 80 is a flat, long, plate-like portion that is longitudinal in the height direction. The movable front wall 80 extends along the main body front wall 70 and covers the front side of the main body front wall 70 (see FIG. 4 ). When the movable unit 8 is in the metering position, an edge 800 on one side in the width direction of the movable front wall 80 is positioned opposite an edge 725 on the other side in the width direction of the front portion of the main body side wall 72. The thickness of the one end of the movable front wall 80 in the width direction is thicker than the thickness of the other portion of the movable front wall 80. The thickness of the movable front wall 80 in the width direction, excluding the one end, is substantially uniform.

[0073] The movable rear wall 81 is a flat, long, plate-like portion that is longitudinal in the height direction. The movable rear wall 81 extends along the main body rear wall 71 and covers the rear side of the main body rear wall 71. When the movable unit 8 is in the metering position, an edge 810 on one widthwise side of the movable rear wall 81 is disposed opposite an edge 726 on the other widthwise side of the rear portion of the main body side wall 72. The thickness of the one widthwise end of the movable rear wall 81 is thicker than the thickness of the other portion of the movable rear wall 81. The thickness of the movable rear wall 81, excluding the one widthwise end, is substantially uniform.

[0074] In this embodiment, when the movable part 8 moves to one side in the width direction, the movable rear wall 81 and the movable front wall 80 stop at a position where they abut against the edges 725, 726 on the other side in the width direction of the main body side wall 72. In other words, the edges 725, 726 on the other side in the width direction of the main body side wall 72 serve as a stopper when the movable part 8 moves to one side in the width direction, i.e., when the movable part 8 moves from the removal position to the weighing position.

[0075] The other side wall 82 includes an opening / closing portion 55 that opens and closes the outlet opening 54, which serves as an outlet for the granular material stored in the internal space S1. That is, the other side wall 82 constitutes a part of the body portion 53 that covers the periphery to form the inlet opening 52, which is the entrance for the granular material to enter the internal space S1. That is, the body portion 53 includes one side wall 730 on one side in the width direction and the other side wall 82 on the other side in the width direction that face each other in the width direction, thereby forming the inlet opening 52. The outlet opening 54 opens on the other side in the width direction.

[0076] The other side wall 82 extends in the height direction between the movable front wall 80 and the movable rear wall 81 and has a flat, elongated plate shape. Furthermore, the other side wall 82 extends continuously in the height direction so as to be able to open and close the outlet openings 54 of all of the pockets 51. In this embodiment, the other side wall 82 moves from the removal position to the weighing position by pushing the movable part 8 to one side in the width direction. Furthermore, when the movable part 8 is in the weighing position, the other side wall 82 abuts against the edge 7310 on the other side in the width direction of the bottom wall 731. In this embodiment, when the movable part 8 is in the weighing position, the other side wall 82 abuts against the surface of the extending wall 732 facing the other side in the width direction, in addition to the edge 7310 on the other side of the bottom wall 731.

[0077] Furthermore, when the movable part 8 moves to one side in the width direction, the other side wall 82 stops at a position where it abuts against the other edge 703 of the main body front wall 70 and the other width edge 713 of the main body rear wall 71. In other words, the other edge 703 of the main body front wall 70 and the other width edge 713 of the main body rear wall 71 function as stoppers when the movable part 8 moves to one side in the width direction, i.e., when it moves from the removal position to the weighing position.

[0078] The closure portion 83 is disposed at the lower end of the measuring body 7 (see FIG. 3 ). The closure portion 83 also includes a connecting portion 830 that connects one end of the movable front wall 80 in the width direction to one end of the movable rear wall 81 in the width direction, and a closure body 831 that is provided on the connecting portion 830 and closes the passage inlet 501 at the passage start end 500 on the start side of the passage direction of the passage portion 50 (see FIG. 4 ).

[0079] The connecting portion 830 is disposed opposite the main body side wall 72 in the width direction. The connecting portion 830 also extends along the curved outer surface 724 of the main body side wall 72. The connecting portion 830 is a portion that can be moved in the width direction by a user's operation. In this embodiment, the user pushes the connecting portion 830 to the other side in the width direction, causing the movable portion 8 to move from the weighing position to the removal position.

[0080] When the movable part 8 moves from the weighing position to the other side in the width direction, the connecting part 830 stops at a position where it abuts against the outer surface 724 of the main body side wall 72. In other words, the outer surface 724 of the main body side wall 72 serves as a stopper when the movable part 8 moves to the other side in the width direction, i.e., when it moves from the weighing position to the removal position.

[0081] The closure main body 831 has a plate shape that extends in the height and width directions. The closure main body 831 extends widthwise from the inner surface of the apex of one side of the connecting part 830 in the width direction and closes or opens the passage entrance 501. In this embodiment, when the movable part 8 moves from the weighing position to the removal position, the closure main body 831 moves while being guided by the second slit 722 in the main body side wall 72. Specifically, when the movable part 8 is in the weighing position, the closure part 83 is in the retracted position, and the closure main body 831 opens the passage entrance 501. When the movable part 8 is in the removal position, the closure part 83 is in the closed position, and the closure main body 831 closes the passage entrance 501.

[0082] The removal passage 86 is defined by the movable front wall 80, the movable rear wall 81, and the other side wall 82 (see FIG. 9 ). Furthermore, the removal passage 86 communicates with the outlet openings 54 when the opening / closing unit 55 opens the outlet openings 54. In this embodiment, the removal passage 86 is located on the other widthwise side of the pocket portion 51 and communicates with all of the outlet openings 54. The removal passage 86 extends in the height direction on the other widthwise side of the outlet openings 54.

[0083] The outlet 84 is defined by the higher edge of the movable front wall 80, the higher edge of the movable rear wall 81, and the higher edge of the other side wall 82. When the movable part 8 is in the removal position, the outlet 84 is located on the higher side of the removal passage 86. When the movable part 8 is in the measurement position, the outlet 84 is closed by the passage cover 75 of the measuring body 7.

[0084] Next, one embodiment of a method of using the weighing device 2 will be described.

[0085] First, as shown in Figure 6, the user removes the cap 4 from the metering device 2 and places the movable part 8 in the metering position. When the movable part 8 is in the metering position, the outlet opening 54 is closed by the opening / closing part 55, and the removal port 84 is closed by the passage cover part 75. The removal passage 86 is also closed by the opening / closing part 55. At this time, the closing part 83 opens the passage entrance 501 at the passage start end part 500 on the start side of the passage part 50 in the passage direction.

[0086] The user also sets the number of granular materials to be measured by selecting and moving the position of the divider 74. For example, based on a prescription such as "take eight tablets at a time," the user moves the divider 74 in the height direction so that the number of granular materials contained in the lower space of the passage 50 separated by the divider 74 becomes "8," the number according to the prescription.

[0087] Next, as shown in FIG. 7 , the user tilts the weighing container 1 from an upright position so that the higher side faces downward and the lower side faces upward. This causes the granular material to pass from the storage unit 3 through the pool unit 6 and enter the passage unit 50 via the passage inlet 501. In this embodiment, the granular material is guided from the storage unit 3 by the inclined guide portion 62 of the pool unit 6, approaches the passage inlet 501, and enters the passage unit 50 via the passage inlet 501. The granular material then passes from the passage unit 50 into the internal space S1 of the pocket unit 51 through the inlet opening 52. The user can visually observe the granular material entering the passage unit 50 and the granular material entering the internal space S1 of the pocket unit 51 through the transparent weighing main body 7. In this embodiment, the storage unit 3 and the pool unit 6 are also transparent, so the granular material in the storage unit 3 and the pool unit 6 can also be visually observed. At this time, the movable part 8 is in the metering position, the outlet opening 54 is closed by the opening / closing part 55, and the take-out opening 84 remains closed. In addition, the closing part 83 keeps open the passage entrance 501 at the passage start end 500 on the start end side of the passage part 50 in the passing direction.

[0088] The user then returns the weighing container 1 to its upright position, as shown in Figure 8. If there is excess granular material in the weighing unit 5 that is not contained in the internal space S1 of the pocket 51, the user can shake the upright weighing container 1 widthwise, causing the excess granular material to pass through the passage 50 and fall into the storage unit 3 via the pool 6. This results in a fixed number of granular materials (e.g., eight). At this time, the user can visually confirm the number of granular materials weighed through the weighing main unit 7.

[0089] Once the user confirms the weighing of the granular material, as shown in FIG. 9 , the user places the movable unit 8 in the take-out position, opens the outlet opening 54, and opens the take-out passage 86 and the take-out port 84. Specifically, the opening / closing unit 55 opens the outlet opening 54 by moving away from the outlet opening 54 to the other side in the width direction. The take-out port 84 is also opened by moving away from the passage cover unit 75 to the other side in the width direction. At this time, the closing unit 83 closes the passage entrance 501 at the passage start end 500 on the start side of the passage unit 50 in the passage direction. In this way, the user can open the take-out passage 86, open the take-out port 84, and close the passage entrance 501 with a single operation. This operation can also be performed with one hand.

[0090] When the user tilts the weighing container 1 with the movable part 8 in the removal position, the granular material moves to the removal port 84. Specifically, when the user tilts the movable part 8 diagonally so that the higher side is downward and the lower side is upward, the granular material coming out of each outlet opening 54 is guided by the other side wall 82, passes through the communication space S3, and moves to the removal port 84. This allows the user to remove the weighed granular material (e.g., eight granular material pieces) from the weighing container 1. In this embodiment, the bottom wall 731 is flat and extends in the width and front-to-rear directions, so that the granular material contained in the internal space S1 easily falls out of the bottom wall 731 by simply tilting the weighing container 1 slightly.

[0091] After removing the weighed granular material, the user returns the movable part 8 to the weighing position, leaves the cap 4 attached to the weighing device 2, and stores the weighing container 1.

[0092] The weighing container 1 described above includes a passage 50 and a pocket 51 through which granular material passes. The body 53 of the pocket 51 defines an internal space S1 capable of accommodating only one granular material, and is surrounded by an inlet opening 52 through which the granular material enters the internal space S1. The open-close portion 55 of the body 53, specifically the other side wall 82, opens and closes an outlet opening 54 through which the granular material stored in the internal space S1 can exit. Therefore, when weighing and removing a granular material using the weighing device 2, the granular material is first passed through the passage 50 and placed in the internal space S1 via the inlet opening 52. The open-close portion 55 is then used to open the outlet opening 54, through which the granular material in the internal space S1 is removed. By storing only one granular material in the internal space S1 of the pocket 51, granular materials of various shapes can be reliably weighed. Furthermore, by storing granular material in the internal space S1 through the inlet opening 52 and removing it from the outlet opening 54, which is separate from the inlet opening 52, the granular material passes in one direction from the inlet opening 52 to the outlet opening 54, making it easy to measure and remove the material.

[0093] In the measuring container 1 of this embodiment, the one side wall 730 is disposed at the boundary B where the passage portion 50 and the pocket portion 51 are adjacent to each other. Therefore, the granular material contained in the internal space S1 of the pocket portion 51 can be prevented from leaving the internal space S1 and returning to the passage portion 50.

[0094] Furthermore, in the measuring container 1 of this embodiment, the other side wall 82 is provided with an opening / closing portion 55. Therefore, a single granular object passes through the passage 50 on one side in the width direction and enters the internal space S1 of the pocket 51 through the inlet opening 52, where it is weighed. The opening / closing portion 55 on the other side wall 82 on the other side in the width direction then opens, and the granular object is removed from the outlet opening 54. This allows for smooth operations from weighing to removing the granular object.

[0095] Furthermore, in the weighing container 1 of this embodiment, the inclined guide portion 62 of the pool portion 6 is formed at an angle with respect to the direction in which the granular material passes through the passage portion 50 from the pool main body portion 60 to the pool mouth portion 61, guiding the granular material toward the passage inlet 501. Therefore, the granular material contained in the pool main body portion 60 is guided by the inclined guide portion 62 to approach the passage inlet 501 and enters the passage portion 50 from the passage inlet 501. Therefore, even if the weighing container 1 is tilted slightly, the granular material can be moved smoothly. Furthermore, when the weighing container 1 is tilted slightly and the granular material is placed into the passage inlet 501, the granular material moves slowly in small amounts, making it less likely to clog the passage inlet 501.

[0096] In the weighing container 1 of this embodiment, granular material can be weighed by passing it through the passage 50 and storing it in multiple pockets 51, and the weighed granular material can be removed from the outlet opening 54 by opening the opening / closing section 55 of each pocket 51.

[0097] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the movable part 8 is in the measuring position, the closing part 83 opens the passage entrance 501 at the passage start end 500 on the start side of the passage direction of the passage part 50, and when the movable part 8 is in the removal position, the closing part 83 closes the passage entrance 501 of the passage part 50. Therefore, when removing granular material, it is possible to prevent granular material other than the measured granular material from entering the passage part 50 from the storage part 3 via the pool part 6 and being removed.

[0098] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the movable part 8 is in the measuring position, the passage cover part 75 closes the outlet 84, which prevents the outlet 84 from being opened unintentionally, preventing the outlet 84 from being opened accidentally and discharging the granular material. Also, by placing the movable part 8 in the discharging position, the outlet 84 can be opened, allowing the measured amount of granular material to be taken out.

[0099] The measuring device and measuring container of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the configuration of one embodiment can be added to the configuration of another embodiment, or part of the configuration of one embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment. Furthermore, part of the configuration of one embodiment can be deleted.

[0100] In the above embodiment, the weighing container 1 includes the weighing device 2, in which the weighing section 5 and the pool section 6 are integrated, and the storage section 3. However, it is sufficient if the weighing container 1 includes the weighing section 5, in which the pocket section 51 is provided, and it does not necessarily include the storage section 3, the cap 4, etc. For example, the weighing container 1 may be configured only with the weighing device 2, which is configured only with the weighing section 5 and the pool section 6. In this configuration, the lower edge of the pool section 6 is closed with a bottom plate. Furthermore, the weighing container 1 may include the weighing device 2, which is configured only with the weighing section 5, and a container body, in which the pool section 6 and the storage section 3 are integrated.

[0101] In the above embodiment, the weighing section 5 was capable of weighing and removing multiple granular objects from the multiple granular objects discharged from the pool section 6, but it may also be capable of weighing and removing a single granular object.

[0102] In the above embodiment, the outlet opening 54 of the pocket 51 faces the other widthwise side, and when the movable part 8 is moved from the weighing position to the other widthwise side to the take-out position, the opening / closing part 55 moves to the other widthwise side to open the outlet opening 54, allowing the granular material to be taken out from the internal space S1 of the pocket 51. This is not limiting, and a configuration may also be possible in which the movable part 8 is moved in the height direction from the weighing position to the take-out position, and the opening / closing part 55 moves in the height direction to open the outlet opening 54, allowing the granular material to be taken out from the internal space S1 of the pocket 51.

[0103] Alternatively, the pocket 51 may be defined by a front space-forming portion 701 of the main body front wall 70, a rear space-forming portion 711 of the main body rear wall 71, and a pair of walls connecting the lower and upper edges of the space-forming portions 701, 711, respectively. The pair of walls are opposed in the height direction to form the inlet opening 52. In this configuration, the inlet opening 52 of the pocket 51 faces one side in the width direction, and the outlet opening 54 faces the other side in the width direction. In this configuration, by moving the movable portion 8 in the height direction from the weighing position to the removal position, the opening / closing portion 55 moves in the height direction to open the outlet opening 54, allowing the granular material to be removed from the internal space S1 of the pocket 51.

[0104] The pocket 51 may be defined by a rear space-forming portion 711 of the main body rear wall 71, a bottom wall 731 of the surrounding portion 73, a pair of walls extending in the height direction from both widthwise edges of the bottom wall 731, a front space-forming portion 701 of the main body front wall 70, and the rear space-forming portion 711 of the main body rear wall 71. The pair of walls face each other in the width direction to form the inlet opening 52. In this configuration, the inlet opening 52 of the pocket 51 faces the higher side, and the outlet opening 54 faces the front side in the width direction. In this configuration, the opening / closing portion 55 is provided on the main body front wall 70, is positioned in front of the outlet opening 54, and is composed of an opening / closing wall that extends in the height direction and the width direction. When the movable portion 8 is moved in the width direction from the weighing position to the removal position, the opening / closing portion 55 moves in the width direction to open the outlet opening 54, allowing the granular material to be removed from the internal space S1 of the pocket 51.

[0105] Furthermore, the pocket 51 may be defined by a curved wall portion that extends from the higher side to the lower side and is positioned closer to the other side in the width direction as it approaches the lower side, a front space forming portion 701 of the main body front wall 70, and a rear space forming portion 711 of the main body rear wall 71. In this configuration, the opening / closing portion 55 may be, for example, a curved opening / closing wall that is continuous with the curved wall portion that defines the pocket 51, and by moving the movable portion 8 from the weighing position in the direction in which the curved wall portion extends to set it as the removal position, the opening / closing portion 55 moves in the direction in which the curved wall portion extends to open the outlet opening 54, allowing the granular material to be removed from the internal space S1 of the pocket 51.

[0106] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, the pocket portions 51 are arranged in a row along the passage direction, but the pocket portions 51 may be arranged in multiple rows in the front-to-rear direction perpendicular to the passage direction, or the pocket portions 51 may be arranged on the opposite side of the passage portion 50.

[0107] Alternatively, the pocket portion 51 and the sliding opening / closing portion 55 may each have a hole, and when the movable portion 8 is in the weighing position, the holes in the pocket portion 51 and the opening / closing portion 55 are displaced in the sliding direction and the pocket portion 51 is closed. In this case, by placing the movable portion 8 in the take-out position, i.e., by sliding the opening / closing portion 55, these holes overlap with each other, and the granular material can be taken out.

[0108] In the above-described embodiment, the outlet opening 54 is opened and closed by sliding the opening / closing portion 55, but the outlet opening 54 may be opened and closed by rotating the opening / closing portion 55.

[0109] As described above, the present invention can provide a measuring device and a measuring container that can reliably measure granular materials of various shapes and that facilitate the work of measuring and removing the granular materials.

[0110] The weighing device of the present invention comprises a weighing section capable of weighing and removing the number of granular materials, the weighing section comprising a passage section through which the granular materials pass and at least one pocket section for accommodating the granular materials, the at least one pocket section comprising a body section that forms an internal space for accommodating only one granular material and forms an inlet opening that serves as an entrance to the internal space for granular materials passing through the passage section, and the body section comprises an opening / closing section that opens and closes an outlet opening that serves as an exit for the granular materials accommodated in the internal space.

[0111] According to this configuration, the weighing section has a passage section through which the granular material passes and a pocket section. The body section of the pocket defines an internal space capable of accommodating only one granular material and surrounds the periphery to form an inlet opening, which serves as an entrance for the granular material to enter the internal space. The opening / closing section of the body section opens and closes an outlet opening, which serves as an exit for the granular material accommodated in the internal space. Therefore, when the weighing device is used to measure and remove the number of granular materials, the granular material passes through the passage section and is accommodated in the internal space through the inlet opening, and the outlet opening is then opened using the opening / closing section, from which the granular material is removed from the internal space. By accommodating only one granular material in the internal space of the pocket section, granular materials of various shapes can be reliably weighed. Moreover, by accommodating the granular material through the inlet opening and removing it through an outlet opening separate from the inlet opening, the granular material passes in one direction from the inlet opening to the outlet opening, facilitating weighing and removal.

[0112] In addition, in the weighing device, the passage portion and the at least one pocket portion are adjacent in a width direction perpendicular to the direction in which the granular material passes through the passage portion, with the passage portion on one side in the width direction and the pocket portion on the other side in the width direction, and the inlet opening is formed by the body portion having one side wall on one side in the width direction and the other side wall on the other side in the width direction that face each other in the width direction, and the one side wall may be positioned at the boundary where the passage portion and the at least one pocket portion are adjacent.

[0113] With this configuration, one side wall is positioned at the boundary where the passage portion and the pocket portion are adjacent, thereby preventing granular material contained in the internal space of the pocket portion from escaping from the internal space and returning to the passage portion.

[0114] In the metering device, the other side wall may include the opening / closing portion that opens and closes the outlet opening.

[0115] With this configuration, the other side wall has an opening / closing portion, so that the granular material passes through the passage portion on one side in the width direction and enters the internal space of the pocket from the inlet opening, where it is weighed, and then the opening / closing portion on the other side wall on the other side in the width direction opens, and the granular material is removed from the outlet opening. This allows for smooth operations from weighing to removal.

[0116] The weighing device may also include a pool section that is positioned closer to the beginning than the weighing section in the direction of passage of the granular material through the passage section and that accommodates a plurality of granular material, and the pool section may include a pool main body section that accommodates a plurality of granular material, and a pool mouth section that serves as an entrance and exit for the granular material within the pool main body section and is connected to a passage inlet at the beginning end of the passage on the beginning side of the passage direction of the passage section, and when viewed from the direction of passage of the granular material through the passage section, the pool main body section is formed so that the area of ​​the pool space that accommodates the plurality of granular material is larger than the area of ​​the passage inlet, and the pool section may be formed from the pool main body section to the pool mouth section at an incline with respect to the direction of passage of the granular material through the passage section, and may include an inclined guide section that guides the granular material toward the passage inlet.

[0117] With this configuration, the inclined guide portion of the pool portion is formed at an angle from the pool main body portion to the pool mouth portion, and guides the granular objects toward the passage entrance, so that the granular objects stored in the pool main body portion are guided by the inclined guide portion toward the passage entrance and enter the passage portion from the passage entrance, thereby allowing the granular objects to move smoothly.

[0118] In addition, in the weighing device, the passage portion and the at least one pocket portion are adjacent in a width direction perpendicular to the passage direction of the granular material in the passage portion, with the passage portion on one side in the width direction and the at least one pocket portion on the other side in the width direction, and the at least one pocket portion may be made up of a plurality of pocket portions arranged along the passage direction.

[0119] With this configuration, the granular material can be weighed by passing it through the passage and storing it in multiple pockets, and the weighed granular material can be removed from the outlet opening by opening the opening and closing parts of each pocket.

[0120] Another measuring container of the present invention comprises a measuring section capable of measuring and removing the number of granular objects, the measuring section comprising a passage section through which the granular objects pass and at least one pocket section for accommodating the granular objects, the at least one pocket section forming an internal space for accommodating only one granular object inside and including a body section forming an inlet opening through which granular objects passing through the passage section enter the internal space, the body section comprising an opening / closing section for opening and closing an outlet opening through which granular objects accommodated in the internal space are able to exit, and a pool section positioned closer to the starting end than the measuring section in the direction of passage through which the granular objects pass and accommodating a plurality of granular objects, the pool section comprising a pool main body section for accommodating a plurality of granular objects, and a pool mouth section which serves as an entrance / exit for granular objects within the pool main body section and which is connected to a passage inlet at the passage starting end on the starting end side of the passage direction of the passage section.

[0121] With this configuration, multiple granular objects are stored in the pool section, and when needed, the granular objects are moved from the pool main body section through the pool mouth section to the passage section of the weighing device, where the granular objects are stored in the pocket section and weighed, and the granular objects can be removed from the outlet opening by opening the opening / closing section.

[0122] In addition, in the measuring container, when viewed from the direction in which the granular materials pass through the passage section, the area of ​​the pool space that accommodates the multiple granular materials is formed to be larger than the area of ​​the passage entrance, and the pool section may be formed from the pool main body section to the pool mouth section at an angle with respect to the direction in which the granular materials pass through the passage section, and may be provided with an inclined guide section that guides the granular materials toward the passage entrance.

[0123] With this configuration, the inclined guide portion of the pool portion is formed at an angle from the pool main body portion to the pool mouth portion, and guides the granular objects toward the passage entrance, so that the granular objects stored in the pool main body portion are guided by the inclined guide portion toward the passage entrance and enter the passage portion from the passage entrance, thereby allowing the granular objects to move smoothly.

[0124] The measuring container may also include a storage section that can store a plurality of granular materials, is connectable to the pool main body, and is configured to allow the granular materials to be put in and taken out of the pool main body.

[0125] With this configuration, multiple granular objects are stored in the storage section, and when needed, the granular objects are moved from the storage section through the pool main body and pool mouth to the passage section of the weighing device, where the granular objects are stored in the pocket section and weighed, and the granular objects can be removed from the outlet opening by opening the opening / closing section.

[0126] 1...Measuring container, 2...Measuring device, 3...Storage section, 4...Cap, 5...Measuring section, 6...Pool section, 7...Measuring main body section, 8...Movable section, 30...Storage bottom section, 31...Storage body section, 32...Storage opening section, 50...Passage section, 51...Pocket section, 52...Inlet opening, 53...Body section, 54...Outlet opening, 55...Opening and closing section, 60...Pool main body section, 61...Pool opening section, 62...Inclined guide section, 70...Main body front wall, 71...Main body rear wall, 72...Main body side wall, 73...Enclosure section, 74...Partition section, 75...Passage lid section, 80...Movable front wall, 81...Movable rear wall, 82 ...other side wall, 83...closing portion, 84...take-out port, 85...edge, 86...take-out passage, 110...internal space, 111...partition wall, 111a...tip, 112...storage chamber, 113...measuring chamber, 114...communicating portion, 121...middle cover portion, 124...storage chamber cover portion, 125...measuring chamber cover portion, 320...mouth portion main body, 321...ridge, 322...high side edge, 323...opening, 500...passage starting end, 501...passage entrance, 502...starting end wall portion, 503...width opposing portion, 600, 610...edge, 611...outer surface, 620...high End, 700...front passage forming portion, 701...front space forming portion, 702...outer surface, 703...edge, 710...rear passage forming portion, 711...rear space forming portion, 712...outer surface, 713...edge, 720...top, 721...first slit, 722...second slit, 723...partition mark, 724...outer surface, 725, 726...edge, 730...one side wall, 731...bottom wall, 732...extension wall, 733...base portion, 740...partition operating portion, 741...partition main body portion, 742...opening, 800...edge, 801...tablet container, 802...storage portion, 8 03...Cover, 804...Spacer, 805...Operating lever, 810...Edge, 830...Connecting portion, 831...Closing main body portion, 901...Container for granular material, 7310...Edge, 910...Side plate, 912...Bottom plate, 914...Front plate, 916...Rear plate, 918...Top plate, 918a...Rotating shaft, 920...Dispenser port, 922...Partition plate, 924...Inclined plate, 925...Retaining portion, 926...Cover member, 928...Closure member, 930...Storage chamber, 935...Communicating passage, 940...Dispenser chamber, B...Boundary portion, S1...Internal space, S2...Pool space, S3...Communicating space

Claims

1. A weighing device comprising a weighing section capable of weighing and removing the number of granular materials, the weighing section comprising a passage section through which the granular materials pass and at least one pocket section for accommodating the granular materials, the at least one pocket section comprising a body section that forms an internal space for accommodating only one granular material therein and that forms an inlet opening through which granular materials passing through the passage section can enter the internal space, and the body section comprising an opening / closing section that opens and closes an outlet opening through which the granular materials accommodated in the internal space can exit.

2. The weighing device of claim 1, wherein the passage and the at least one pocket are adjacent in a width direction perpendicular to the direction in which the granular material passes through the passage, with the passage on one side in the width direction and the pocket on the other side in the width direction, and the inlet opening is formed by the body having one side wall on the one side in the width direction and the other side wall on the other side in the width direction that face each other in the width direction, and the one side wall is positioned at the boundary where the passage and the at least one pocket are adjacent.

3. The weighing device according to claim 2, wherein the other side wall is provided with the opening / closing portion that opens and closes the outlet opening.

4. A weighing device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a pool section that is positioned closer to the starting end than the weighing section in the passage direction in which the granular objects pass through the passage section and that accommodates a plurality of granular objects, the pool section comprising a pool main section that accommodates the plurality of granular objects, and a pool mouth section that serves as an entrance and exit for the granular objects within the pool main section and that communicates with a passage inlet at the passage starting end on the starting end side of the passage direction in which the passage section passes, the pool main section being formed so that when viewed from the passage direction in which the granular objects pass through the passage section, the area of ​​the pool space that accommodates the plurality of granular objects is larger than the area of ​​the passage inlet, and the pool section is formed from the pool main section to the pool mouth section at an incline with respect to the passage direction in which the granular objects pass through the passage section, and comprising an inclined guide section that guides the granular objects to approach the passage inlet.

5. A weighing device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the passage section and the at least one pocket section are adjacent to each other in a width direction perpendicular to the direction in which granular material passes through the passage section, with the passage section on one side in the width direction and the at least one pocket section on the other side in the width direction, and the at least one pocket section is made up of a plurality of pocket sections arranged along the passing direction.

6. A measuring container comprising a weighing section capable of weighing and removing the number of granular objects, the weighing section comprising a passage section through which the granular objects pass and at least one pocket section for accommodating the granular objects, the at least one pocket section forming an internal space for accommodating only one granular object therein and including a body section forming an inlet opening through which granular objects passing through the passage section enter the internal space, the body section comprising an opening / closing section for opening and closing an outlet opening through which granular objects accommodated in the internal space are able to exit, and a pool section positioned closer to the starting end than the weighing section in the direction of passage through which the granular objects pass and accommodating a plurality of granular objects, the pool section comprising a pool main section containing a plurality of granular objects, and a pool mouth section which serves as an entrance / exit for granular objects within the pool main section and which is connected to a passage inlet at the passage starting end on the starting end side of the passage section in the direction of passage.

7. A weighing container as described in claim 6, wherein the pool main body is formed so that when viewed from the direction in which the granular materials pass through the passage, the area of ​​the pool space that accommodates the plurality of granular materials is larger than the area of ​​the passage entrance, and the pool portion is formed from the pool main body to the pool mouth at an angle with respect to the direction in which the granular materials pass through the passage, and is provided with an inclined guide portion that guides the granular materials toward the passage entrance.

8. A measuring container as described in claim 6 or claim 7, which is provided with a storage section that can store multiple granular materials, can be connected to the pool main body, and is configured to allow granular materials to be added to and removed from the pool main body.

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