JP2000185703A - Medicine subdividing and packaging machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To deal widely and easily including printing process without extra information updating work, etc., in introducing new medicine, etc., even when the size for subdividing is made variable as to a medicine subdividing and packaging machine. SOLUTION: This medicine subdividing and packaging machine, provided with packaging equipment 20 for subdividing and packaging medicine and a printer 22 for printing packaging information such as usage in subdividing, is provided with means 42, 45, 32, 38, 37 for changing the size of subdividing according to a medicine amount by prescription information 44 and means 43, 34, 36 for dividing subdividing and packaging information 46 into a data 31 per each package and a data 35 covering a plurality for processing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a medicine packaging machine for packaging medicines such as tablets, powders or capsules, and more particularly, to a medicine packaging machine for changing the size of packaging.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A bandage 2 illustrated in FIG. 6 is obtained by packing tablets 1 by a tablet packing machine, but is made of a sheet having a long heat-sealing property and is folded in advance in the longitudinal direction. . While the fold is on the lower side, the packages 2a are formed one after another while being intermittently fed in the longitudinal direction. The packages 2a are composed of the upper horizontal seal portion 2b and the front and rear vertical seal portions 2c.
And are separated from each other with the vertical seal portion 2c and the perforation 2d as boundaries. Before each package 2a is sealed, the patient's name and usage indicated by a prescription or the like are printed, and the tablets 1 are also packed by the number of tablets indicated by the prescription or the like.

Conventionally, as a medicine packing machine for performing such packing, there is a medicine packing machine in which the size of a continuous packing 2a is the same with a predetermined width of about 70 to 80 mm (see each width 70 mm in FIG. 6). And Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 9-202301 variably controls the size of a packet for each packet. This variable control is performed in order to eliminate waste of the seal and the like. Specifically, volume information for each type of medicine is stored in the storage means, and based on the volume information in addition to the prescription information, This is to calculate the volume of the drug for each packet of the drug package, and to control the size of the drug package according to the calculated value. Further, the printing format is also stored, and the size necessary for printing is ensured when the package size is variably controlled.

[0004]

As described above, in the conventional medicine packaging machine, the volume information of the medicine must be stored in order to change the packaging size. However,
In the case of drugs, not only are new species being developed and introduced one after another, but also the dosage forms are often revised. For this reason, if the size of the package is made variable by the method described above, it is indispensable to update the stored information every time a new drug is introduced. On the contrary, the burden on the people may increase.

[0005] Therefore, in order to make the package size of the medicine variable, it is necessary not to increase the work load on pharmacists who are in charge of various operations such as prescription inspection and final inspection in addition to dispensing operation. Devising is a challenge. When changing the size of the package, the size of the packaged medicine should be adjusted to make it easier to see the state of the packaged medicine and to make it easier to handle when taking an inspection or taking a patient after packaging. It is important not to overlook the viewpoint of increasing, but to make efforts.

Further, in the above-described conventional control method, the packaging size is adjusted with reference to the printing format for printing, but the processing such as the creation and transfer of the packaging information is still performed on the prescription. Going in units.
However, the packaging information printed on each packaging changes subtly for each packaging along with the variable processing of the packaging size, and the amount of data to be transferred or the like for printing has increased dramatically. For this reason, if processing was simply performed for each prescription as before,
Unless high-speed but expensive transmission means are adopted,
Unnecessary time is taken for waiting for the completion of data transfer, and the processing efficiency may be reduced.

In order to change the package size, it is a further problem to improve the data processing method and the like so that the printing process of the package information does not become a bottleneck. The present invention has been made in order to solve such problems, and for the medicine packaging machine, even if the size of the packaging is variable, no extra information updating work or the like is required when introducing a new medicine, etc. It is an object of the present invention to be able to easily deal with a wide range including a printing process.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems The constitution, operation and effect of the medicine packing machine of the present invention which has been made to solve such problems will be described below.

[0009] The medicine packaging machine of the present invention (as described in claim 1 at the time of filing the application) comprises a packaging device and a printer,
Means for changing the size of the package according to the amount of medicine in the prescription information, in the medicine packaging machine for packaging the medicine in the packaging device and printing packaging information such as usage by the printer upon the packaging. Means for processing the package information separately into data for each package and data for a plurality of packages.

[0010] In the medicine packaging machine having such a configuration,
Given prescribing information alone or based on a fixed or semi-fixed threshold based on empirical rules,
The size of the sachet is changed immediately. As a result, as the information to be updated for each drug, it is sufficient if there is prescription information,
Information for each type of medicine, such as the volume of the medicine, becomes unnecessary. Therefore, even when a new drug is introduced, extra information updating work is not required, and it is possible to deal with a wide range easily.

In addition, the packaging information printed on each packaging changes delicately for each packaging due to the variable processing of the packaging size.
Even if the amount of data to be transferred for printing increases, the packaging information is processed separately for data that changes for each packet and data that is common across multiple packets, so printing has to wait. Since the printing is performed quickly without being performed, appropriate printing can be efficiently performed even for various sizes of small and large packages. Therefore, according to the present invention, even if the size of the package is variable,
No extra information updating work or the like is required when introducing a new drug, and the present invention can easily deal with a wide range of processes including printing.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment for implementing a medicine packaging machine according to the present invention achieved by such a solution will be described.

A first embodiment of the present invention is a medicine packaging machine according to the above-mentioned solution, wherein the means for changing the size of the above-mentioned packaging is such that the size of the packaging is directly changed according to the amount of medicine in the prescription information. It is something that changes. Note that “directly according to the amount of drug” means that the drug information used to determine the size of the package is sufficient if the amount of drug is known, and other drug information such as volume information for each type of drug. Means that the size of the sachet is determined even without the. For example, processes such as calculation, selection, determination, and classification using only the amount of drug as a variable are typical examples. Similar processing based on constants and variables unrelated to the type of drug and the amount of drug in the prescription information also applies.

A second embodiment of the present invention is a medicine packaging machine according to the above-mentioned solution and embodiment, wherein the means for changing the size of the above-mentioned packaging is adapted to reduce the amount of medicine per package based on prescription information. The size of the sachet changes accordingly.

[0015] A third embodiment of the present invention is a medicine packaging machine according to the above-mentioned solution and embodiment, wherein the means for changing the size of the above-mentioned packaging comprises a medicine amount per package based on prescription information. In addition to comparing with a predetermined threshold value, the size of the package is changed based on the comparison result.

According to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, a medicine collecting mechanism for collecting medicines such as tablets, powders, and ampoules, a packaging device for packing the collected medicines in a bandage, and printing on the bandage. A printer and a control to control the medicine collecting mechanism and the packaging device based on prescription information such as prescription data to perform a packaging operation and to control the printer to print packaging information such as usage when the packaging is performed. Means, the packaging device is provided with a variable means such as changing the amount of feeding of the bandage, can change the size of the package, the control means, the control means, The amount of drug per packet that is included in the prescription information as an indicated amount or directly calculated by adding only the indicated amount, such as the number of tablets for tablets, the weight for powdered medicines, and the number of tablets for ampules or vials. And a predetermined value such as a fixed value or a set value by a setting device, and based on the comparison result, select a large, medium, or small size, and perform variable control or the like of the feeding amount of the bandage corresponding to the selection. When the size of the package is changed step by step, when the package information is generated from the prescription information or transferred after generation, the package information is converted into data for each package and data for a plurality of packages. It is characterized by being processed separately.

[0017]

First Embodiment A first embodiment of a medicine packaging machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the control means and a simplified perspective view of the packaging apparatus. FIG. 2 shows the entire configuration, wherein (a) is an external perspective view and (b) is a schematic diagram of the internal structure.

The medicine dispensing machine 10 (see FIG. 2) is the most typical tablet dispensing machine among automatic dispensing machines used in hospitals, pharmacies, and the like.
Many tablet feeders 13 and these tablet feeders 13
A chute 14 and a collection hopper 15 for collecting the tablets 1 discharged from the storage device, and a packaging device 20 for packaging the tablets 1 received from these collection mechanisms 13, 14, 15, and an appropriate tablet feeder 13 according to the prescription The tablet 1 is collected by the chute 14 or the like, sent to the lower input hopper 24, and further packed by the packaging device 20, so that the medicine 1 is packaged in the bandage 2.

That is, in the housing of the tablet packaging machine 10,
A medicine storage 11 is provided on the upper side, a packaging device 20 is provided on the lower side, and a chute 14 and a collection hopper 15 communicate between them.
, A plurality of individually slidable tablet storages 12 are arranged side by side, and in each of the tablet storages 12, several to dozens of detachable tablet feeders 13 are stored vertically and horizontally. ing. Each tablet feeder 13 includes a container for stocking a large number of tablets and a mechanism for discharging a specified number of tablets, and contains various types of tablets for each type of medicine.

The packaging device 20 (see FIG. 1) holds the rolls of the bandage 2 in order along the feeding path of the bandage 2 in order to package the collected medicine 1 in the bandage 2. A packaging band feeding section 21 for applying an appropriate tension and sequentially feeding from the tip, a printer 22 for printing on the bandage 2, and a vertical sealing portion 2c of the division bandage 2 having a vertically extending heating element and heating. A vertical sealing member 23 for fusing and welding, a loading hopper 24 that moves up and down and inserts and removes the tip into and from the sachet 2a,
A horizontal sealing member 25 having a heating element extending laterally and heating and fusing the horizontal seal portion 2b of the bandage 2, a roller portion 26 for pulling the bandage 2, and a perforation 2d in the bandage 2. A cutter 27 for cutting or the like is provided.

Of these, the roller section 26 is driven by a pulse motor or the like (not shown) so that the rotation angle is fine and accurate, but the number of pulses and the like instructed by the roller section 26 is reset to a motor control circuit and the like (not shown). Thus, the amount of rotation can be changed at any time. Thereby, the packaging device 20 is provided with the variable means 26 for varying the feeding amount of the package 2 so that the width, that is, the size of the package 2a can be changed. As the printer 22, an appropriate type such as a dot impact type, a thermal transfer type, or a thermal type is used, but the print head unit is fixed facing the feed path of the bandage 2, and a drive unit and a control circuit unit (not shown) are provided. It is installed at the back.

Then, in order to control the operation of these mechanisms 13 and 20 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), a controller 30 is provided in the housing, an operation panel 30a is provided on the surface of the housing, and a controller 30 is provided outside the housing. An operation console 40 is provided. A controller 30 is connected to each of the mechanisms 13 and 20, and the controller 30 is directly controlled. The operation panel 30a and the console 40 are connected to the controller 30 and are connected thereto. Control indirectly. Since the operation panel 30a focuses on maintenance and the like, the controller 30 and the operation console 40 that cooperate to control automatic packaging processing based on prescription information such as prescription data will be described in detail below.

The controller 30 (see FIG. 1) is composed of a microprocessor system for incorporating the equipment, and a feeder control routine 33, an input routine 34, a printer control routine 36, a packaging control routine 37 and the like are installed in a program ROM. ing. Also, R
Areas such as one packet data 31, common data 35, feed amount data 38, and lock number data 39 are allocated to the AM. The console 40 (see FIG. 1) is composed of a computer system such as a so-called personal computer, and has an input routine 41, a data expansion routine 42,
A data transfer routine 43 and the like are installed. In addition, data memory or disk memory contains
Areas such as the prescription data 44, the conversion table 45, and the developed data 46 are allocated.

The input routine 41 (see FIG. 1)
Host computer 5 communicably connected via the like
The data of the prescription is inputted as needed from a reading device (not shown) or a reading device (not shown), and is buffered in the prescription data 44. The prescription data 44 includes, among items described in the prescription, data including at least information on medicines necessary for automatic dispensing and items to be printed on the dispensed packet 2a, arranged in the order of processing for a plurality / many prescriptions, Queued.

The data development routine 42 generates packaging information suitable for a packaged preparation from the prescription information of the prescription,
The head of the prescription data 44 is sequentially extracted, and if it is one prescription, data common to all the packages 2a (referred to as common data in the present specification) is included in the prescription. May also vary for each packet 2a (referred to as single packet data in this specification).
Classified as Further, one packet data is divided for each packet 2a. At this time, the common data includes data such as a prescription number and a patient name, and the one-package data includes data such as the type of drug, the number of tablets (drug amount), the date and time of taking the drug, and other usage. . Data expansion routine 4
No. 2 performs such processing to generate expanded data 46. The expanded data 46 expanded into one common data and a series of one-package data is:
This is packaging information corresponding to one prescription data 44.

At the time of the development processing, the data development routine 42 refers to the conversion table 45 and
A conversion process and an encoding process, such as replacing the number of tablets of medicine per package designated by 4 with a predetermined code, are also performed. In the conversion table 45, "4" and "8" or "5" and "9" are set as thresholds, and small bits such as "1", "2", and "3" are used as large, medium, and small codes. A code that can be identified by a number is set.

These threshold values are set based on empirical rules so that each package 2a can be finished to an appropriate size in a packaged state that is easy to perform auditing work and handling. The typical and maximum values for the size of tablets and the number of tablets actually prescribed are taken into account, and the size of tablets is becoming smaller, taking into account the burden of on-site audit work, etc. Have been. Then, the data expansion routine 42 first compares the number of locks with their thresholds, selects the code “1” if the number of locks is “9” or more, and selects the code “1” if the number of locks is “8” or less. If it is "5" or more, code "2" is selected, and if the number of locks is "4" or less, code "3" is selected and used as a code. As a result, the data expansion routine 42 compares the number of tablets with the threshold value as it is, and selects large, medium, or small based on the comparison result.

The data transfer routine 43 is executed by the RS232C
The developed data 46 is transferred to the controller 30 via a general and inexpensive connection cable A that conforms to the standards such as the above. First, common data 3
5 is transferred, the first one-package data is transferred in the next data request, the second one-package data is transferred in the subsequent data request, and the one-package data 31 To transfer. Thereby, the data transfer routine 43
When the package information is transferred, the package information is processed by dividing it into data for each package (one package data) and a plurality of data (common data).

The input routine 34 is a packaging control routine 3
7 or the printer control routine 36, when waiting for data, issues a data request to the console 40 via the cable A or the like, and when the common data 35 is sent by the corresponding data transfer routine 43, it is allocated exclusively. To the saved memory area. In addition, one packet data 3
When 1 is sent, not to destroy the common data 35
Save to another area. Thus, the input routine 34
Is to process the transferred package information separately into data for each package and a plurality of data.

The one-package data 31 and the common data 35 are allocated only one memory area, and are overwritten when the next data is input. The selection table 32 has the same selection codes as the conversion table 45, that is, “1”, “2”,
“3” and the like are set, and “80.0”, “70.0”, “60.0”, and the like are set as the feed amount corresponding to each of the large, medium, and small, that is, the width of the sachet 2a in the sachet 2. ing. These values are expressed in units of 0.1 mm, and have much more bits than the selected code. Further, it closely corresponds to the above-mentioned threshold value, and is determined together with the threshold value based on an empirical rule.

The printer control routine 36 is executed by the printer 2
2 is controlled to print the package information including the common data 35 and the package data 31 on the package 2. However, since the package code 31 includes the encoded selection code and the like, By decoding the selection code with reference to the selection table 32, the printing position and other printing data are created, and then a printing command is issued to the printer 22. In addition, in order to absorb a shift in control timing caused by a shift of the position of the printer 22 and the loading hopper 24 facing the bandage 2 by about one package, the feed amount data 38 and the number of locks data 39 are reduced. The package data 31 is also stored in another area.

The feeder control routine 33 stores the specified medicine while referring to the number-of-tablets data 39 and the like in order to control the tablet feeder 13 to perform medicine discharge and collection essential for the packaging operation. The tablet feeder 13 is selected, and a discharge command is sent to the tablet feeder 13 for a designated number of tablets.

The packaging control routine 37 monitors the statuses of the feeder control routine 33 and the printer control routine 36 at appropriate timings while monitoring the status of the vertical seal member 23, the input hopper 24, the horizontal seal member 25, the roller unit 26 and the cutter 27. To send operation commands and control signals. Then, according to this control, the packaging device 20 forms the horizontal seal portion 2b having a width according to the feed amount data 38, and encloses the medicine 1 collected from the tablet feeder 13 therein. Thus, when the packaging control routine 37 controls the packaging device 20 to perform the packaging operation, the packaging control routine 37 variably controls the feed amount of the packaging band 2 in accordance with the selection of the large, medium, and small sizes. ing.

The mode of use and operation of the medicine packaging machine according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG.
Is an example of a bandage that is packaged by the medicine packaging machine, and corresponds to FIG. 6 of a conventional example.

Prior to use, when the power is turned on or the like and the apparatus starts operating, the conversion table 45 is cleared along with the clearing of each data area by the processing of an initialization routine (not shown).
Is read from a disk or the like and initialized. The selection table 32 is also read from the disk of the console 40 and transferred to the controller 30 for initialization. Then, when the prescription data is sent from the host computer 50 when the automatic dispensing is possible, the prescription data 44 is accumulated by the input routine 41.

Also, the data expansion routine 42
One of the prescription data 44 is expanded into expanded data 46 with conversion based on the conversion table 45. The expanded data 46 is first transferred to the common data 35 by the data transfer routine 43 and the input routine 34,
Next, the first packet data 31 is transferred.

Then, the one-package data 31 is subjected to decoding processing and selection processing based on the selection table 32 by the printer control routine 36, and is sent to the printer 22 together with the common data 35. Feed amount data 38 and lock number data 3
9 is also set. In this way, the printing process for the first package 2a is performed, and the data for injecting the medicine into the first package 2a is prepared.

Next, while a data request is issued from the printer control routine 36 and the input routine 34, the bandage 2 is moved from the printer 22 side to the roller section 26 by the amount of the feed amount data 38 under the control of the packaging control routine 37. Can proceed. Further, the medicine 1 is discharged by the number of tablets 39 under the control of the feeder control routine 33, and the medicine 1 is introduced into the sachet 2a from the introduction hopper 24 under the control of the packaging control routine 37. In the meantime, the second one-package data 31 is transferred from the expanded data 46 in response to the data request.

In this manner, the medicine is supplied to the first package 2a that has been printed, and the next package information is also transferred in parallel with this. This data transfer is performed quickly even if the cable A is not particularly high-speed because the data amount is small and only partially encoded, and the data is partially encoded.

Then, the first packaging 2 by the packaging device 20
Before the end of the drug supply to a, the second packet data 31 is again output by the printer control routine 36.
The data is subjected to decoding processing and selection processing based on the selection table 32 and sent to the printer 22 together with the common data 35. The feed amount data 38 and the lock number data 39 are also reset. In this way, in parallel with the introduction of the medicine into the first package 2a, the printing process is performed on the second package 2a, and the data is prepared for the medicine into the second package 2a.

Although the detailed description which is repeated is omitted, the same processing is successively performed for each one-package data expanded in the expanded data 46, so that a package based on one prescription data is obtained. The processing is performed, and such processing is repeated for each prescription data stored in the prescription data 44. In this manner, the automatic packaging is performed, and the size of the packaging 2a formed in the packaging band 2 is large, medium, and small in the selection table 32 based on only the number of tablets per one side and the threshold value of the conversion table 45. It is switched step by step so as to be one of the selected values.

For example, if the number of tablets of three packets specified by a certain prescription is 6, 12, and 3, respectively, the width of each packet 2a is 70 mm, 80 mm, and 60 mm (see FIG. 3). In each of these, since the medicine 1 is not tightly packed therein, it is easy to visually confirm the number and state of the medicine. Further, since the vertical and horizontal directions are not always unbalanced enough to tear the perforation 2d or the like when tearing, it is easy to handle when taking.

[0043]

[Modification of the First Embodiment] Although the above-mentioned medicine packing machine is only a tablet packing machine, the tablet feeder 13 is replaced by a powder feeder, and the chute 14 and the collection hopper 15 are replaced by a powder dividing device. Therefore, the present invention can be easily applied to a powder packaging machine. In this case, the predetermined threshold value and the selected feed amount are associated only with the weight of the powder based on an empirical rule.

In addition, the discharge collecting mechanism portion of the tablet packing machine and the discharge dividing mechanism portion of the powder packing machine are juxtaposed, and the packing device 20 is placed downstream where the medicines are joined from both, so that the tablets and the powder can be mixed. It is also possible to separate and package. FIG. 4 shows an example of a bandage that is packaged by such a drug packaging machine.

[0045]

Second Embodiment A specific configuration of a second embodiment of a medicine packaging machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the control means.

This medicine packing machine differs from the medicine packing machine shown in FIG. 1 in that the console 40 is connected not only to the controller 30 but also to another controller 60 via a cable B. The tablet packaging machine main body on which the controller 60 is mounted is an old type in which the size of the packaging 2a is fixed (see FIG. 6). As a result, the console 40 of this medicine packaging machine is a centralized controller that controls a plurality of packaging machines collectively.

In the console 40, in addition to the data transfer routine 43 and the like, a data transfer routine 47 for transferring the prescription data 44 via the cable B in units of prescriptions is also installed. In addition, the controller 60
An input routine 62 for inputting the transferred prescription data 44 and converting it into dispensing data 61 for one prescription, and taking out package information one package at a time from the dispensing data 61 for one prescription, to perform each charge processing. A printer control routine 63, a packaging control routine 64, a feeder control routine 65, and the like to be executed are installed.

As described above, the console 40 is provided with two types of data transfer routines. That is, when transferring package information, the package information is converted into data for each package and a plurality of packages. And a data transfer routine 43 for separately processing the packaged information in units of prescriptions.
Introduced a new type of tablet packaging machine that variably controls the size of each packaging at hospital pharmacies, etc., where an old tablet packaging machine with a fixed size is already installed. Even in such a case, it is possible to assemble the old and new mixed systems by using the console 40 in common, and to unify the work form and the like via the console 40.

[0049]

[Modification] In the above embodiment, the console 40 is provided outside the housing. However, this is merely an example.
May be incorporated in the housing of any of the packaging machines. Further, the settings of the conversion table 45 and the selection table 32 are not limited to fixed ones, and may be settable through a general-purpose input device of the console 40, such as a keyboard. Alternatively, the setting may be changed by operating a rotary knob assigned exclusively or turning on / off a digital switch or the like.

[0050]

As is clear from the above description, in the medicine packaging machine of the present invention, the size of the packaging can be changed immediately based on the prescription information, so that the medicine required for the variable processing can be changed. For each type of information, only prescription information was sufficient. Moreover, even if the amount of print data or the like increases due to the variable processing, the data transfer or the like is performed quickly, so that appropriate printing can be performed even for various large and small packages. As a result, even if the size of the package is variable, no extra information updating work is required when introducing a new drug, and the present invention can easily deal with a wide range including the printing process. There is an advantageous effect that it has become.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a medicine packaging machine according to the present invention.
It is a block diagram of a control means and a simplified perspective view of a packaging device.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view and an internal schematic view of the entire medicine packaging machine.

FIG. 3 is an example of a bandage divided by the medicine packaging machine.

FIG. 4 is an example of a bandage separated by another medicine packaging machine.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the medicine packaging machine according to the present invention.
It is a block diagram of a control means.

FIG. 6 is an example of a general packaging state.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Drugs (tablets, pills, capsules, powdered medicines, drenches such as ampoules) 2 Dividing bandages (wrapping band, wrapping paper, bi-folded sheets) 11) Drug storage (drug shelf, tablet storage storage unit) 12 Tablet storage (tablet feeder storage unit,
13) Tablet feeder (drug feeder, drug supply source, drug collecting mechanism) 14 Chute (guide path, upper drug collecting path, drug collecting mechanism) 15 Collection hopper (common path, lower drug collecting path,
20) Packaging device 21 Packaging band feeding section (paper feed mechanism, roll sheet) 22 Printer (print head, printing mechanism) 23 Vertical seal section (heating mechanism, heating element, fusing means) 24 Input hopper (medicine) Injection mechanism, collection medicine input port) 25 Horizontal seal section (heating mechanism, heating element, fusing means) 26 Roller section (tension mechanism, traction mechanism, variable means) 27 Cutter (cutting mechanism, perforation forming mechanism) 30 Controller ( Distributed controller, first control device, control means) 31 one-package data (variable data section including selection code) 32 selection table (decoding table, selection means) 33 feeder control routine (drug collection mechanism control means) 34 input routine (Data separation processing unit) 35 Common data (data covering a plurality of packages) 36 Printer control routine (print control means, selection means) 37 Packaging control routine (variable control means, packaging equipment control means) 38 Feed amount data (variable control means, packaging equipment control means) 39 Tablet data (medicine collection mechanism control means) 40 Operator console (main centralized controller, second Control device, control means) 41 input routine 42 data expansion routine (packing information generation means,
43. Data transfer routine (packing information transfer means,
Data classification processing unit) 44 prescription data (prescription information) 45 conversion table (coding table, threshold value storage unit, comparison means) 46 expanded data (common data and one package data) 50 host computer (prescription ordering system)

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3E018 AA04 AB02 AB05 BB01 DA01 DA02 DA04 DA06 EA02 EA03 3E050 AB03 BA03 BA12 CA01 CA08 CC08 DD03 DF01 FA01 FB01 FB08 GB02 GB09 HB02 HB09

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A medicine packaging machine, comprising a packaging device and a printer, for packaging medicines in the packaging device and printing packaging information such as usage by the printer in the packaging. What is claimed is: 1. A medicine packaging machine, comprising: means for changing the size of a package according to the amount of medicine; and means for processing the packaging information separately for each package and a plurality of data.