JP2003137232A - Method and device for feeding ampoule, and ampoule labeling system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ampoule feeding technology of successively feeding a plurality of ampoules in an arranged condition to a labeling part in an ampoule labeling technology for automatically affixing a label seal with a chemical data printed thereon to an outer circumferential surface of an ampoule. SOLUTION: A plurality of ampoules A are irregularly and collectively put into a water flow in a predetermined ampoule feeding direction, and the plurality of ampoules A are fed while arranging them in the same attitude by the attitude adjusting effect by the water buoyancy working on the ampoules A floating in water and the position of the center of gravity of the ampoules A. The plurality of ampoules which are irregularly and collectively put in can thus be arranged and fed without using any special mechanism.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ampoule feeding device and an ampoule labeling system, and more particularly to an ampoule labeling section for sticking a label sticker on the outer peripheral surface of an ampoule on which chemical liquid data such as the type and amount of a chemical liquid is printed. On the other hand, the present invention relates to an ampoule supply technology for sequentially supplying a plurality of ampoules in an aligned state.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In medical institutions, administration of drug solutions to patients (drip and injection) is routinely performed. In the administration of such a liquid medicine, the doctor instructs the type and amount of the liquid medicine to be administered,
Based on this instruction, an assistant such as a nurse or a nurse administers the drug solution (medication work).

Here, the distribution process of the liquid medicine leading to the above-mentioned medication work in a medical institution will be described by taking the medication work during surgery as an example.

First, a doctor who performs an operation prepares a drug solution list in which drug solutions required for the operation are listed prior to the operation, and submits the drug solution list to a drug room for storing drugs such as drug solutions.

In the drug room, based on the drug solution list submitted by the doctor, the ampoule in which the drug solution necessary for the surgery is enclosed is selected from the stored drugs, and the operation preparation for sorting the selected ampoule is performed. Leave the room.

[0006] In this operation preparation room, the ampoule carried in from the medicine room is operated based on the operation schedule (the operation room where the operation is to be performed, the operation start time and the like) and the above medical solution list. They are sorted according to each, and the sorted ampoules are carried out to each operating room.

Then, in each operating room, an operation is performed using the ampoule thus carried in from the operation preparation room. In this case, the use of the ampoule during the operation is specifically instructed by the doctor according to the operation procedure, the condition of the patient, and the like, and the medication work is performed by the assistant such as a nurse based on this instruction.

[0008]

However, in such a conventional medication operation method, an erroneous drug solution (ampoule) is used.
It was not possible to completely prevent the use of, and its improvement was desired.

That is, according to the conventional method, the sorting work in the operation preparation room is performed by a document describing the chemicals used for surgery such as the above-mentioned list of chemicals and a drug name etc. written on the product label sticker attached to the ampoule. Whereas the visual check is performed, in the operation preparation room, a large amount of ampules are sorted per day, so the above collating work tends to be neglected. Further, since the above collation work is performed only by visual inspection, there is a problem that it is easy to flow and a misclassification due to a misreading of a label is likely to occur.

In particular, in order to improve work efficiency, ampules used for surgery for the current day or for several days tend to be carried into the operation preparation room all at once. It was also a factor in inducing work mistakes.

On the other hand, in the operating room, before the use of the ampoule (that is, before the medication), the doctor or the like reconfirms the drug name and the like written on the product label sticker, but this work is also a routine work. Tended to be. In particular, the omission of reconfirmation of the product label sticker performed immediately before administration directly leads to a serious medical error, and therefore it has been strongly desired to construct a system for surely eliminating such an error.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to suppress the mistaking of ampoules during the sorting work or the medication work and prevent the occurrence of medical errors. In order to achieve this, in addition to the product label sticker, in the ampoule labeling technology that automatically attaches a label sticker with chemical liquid data such as the type and amount of chemical liquid to the outer peripheral surface of the ampoule, there are multiple labels for the ampoule labeling part. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ampoule supply method for sequentially supplying the ampules in the aligned state.

Another object of the present invention is to:
An object of the present invention is to provide an ampoule supply device capable of implementing the above-mentioned ampoule supply method.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an ampoule labeling system including the ampoule supplying device as a main part.

[0015]

In order to achieve the above object, the ampoule supply method of the present invention is a method for arranging and supplying a plurality of ampoules that are irregularly and collectively thrown in at a predetermined time. Plural ampules are thrown into the water flow flowing in the ampoule direction irregularly all at once, and the buoyancy of the water acting on the ampoule floating in the water and the posture adjustment action by the center of gravity of the ampule allow the plural ampules to be operated. It is characterized in that it is configured to supply while being aligned in the same posture.

In a preferred embodiment, the shallow portion provided in the middle of the water flow causes the ampoule flowing in a non-aligned state to fall, and at the same time, by the action of moving the air existing inside the sealed ampoule, The posture adjusting action is induced.

The ampoule feeding device of the present invention is a device for carrying out the above ampoule feeding method, and comprises an ampoule transporting section consisting of a water flow path through which a water stream flows in a predetermined ampoule feeding direction, and the ampoule transporting section The ampoule feeding section is provided at the upstream end portion of the water stream and into which a plurality of ampules are irregularly put all at once. An ampoule take-out section for taking out and supplying ampules one by one is provided, and in the water flow path of the ampoule carrying section, by the buoyancy of water acting on the ampoule floating in the water flow and the attitude adjusting action by the center of gravity position of the ampoule, It is characterized in that a plurality of ampoules are arranged to have the same posture and are supplied downward.

As a preferred embodiment, a shallow water portion for posture change is provided at an intermediate position of the water flow passage, and a fall motion is performed when an ampoule flowing in the water flow passage in a non-aligned state passes through the shallow water portion. In addition, the posture adjusting action is induced by the moving action of the air existing inside the sealed ampoule during the fall motion.

The ampoule take-out section includes a sorting gate for passing only the aligned ampoules, and an ampoule feeding section for intermittently feeding the ampoules sequentially passing through the sorting gate one by one at a predetermined interval. And a transfer section that takes out the ampoule sent from the ampoule sending section from the water flow path and transfers the ampoule to a predetermined site. The selection gate of the ampoule take-out section includes a selection gate that allows only ampoules in an aligned state to pass through, and an ampoule feeding section that intermittently sends the ampules sequentially passing through the selection gate one by one at a predetermined interval. The ampoule feeding unit takes out the ampoule from the water channel and transfers the ampoule to a predetermined portion.

The ampoule labeling system of the present invention comprises:
It is an ampoule labeling system that continuously attaches a label sticker with chemical liquid data such as the type and amount of chemical liquid to the outer peripheral surface of a plurality of ampoules, and a label sticker with the above specified data printed on the outer peripheral surface of the ampoule. It is characterized in that it is provided with an ampoule labeling section to be attached and an ampoule supplying section for aligning and sequentially supplying ampoules to the ampoule labeling section, and the ampoule supplying section is constituted by the ampoule supplying device.

In a preferred embodiment, the ampoule labeling section has a printing means for printing the predetermined data on a label sticker so that the predetermined data can be read by an optical reading device, and an ampoule for supporting and moving the ampoule and stopping the positioning at a predetermined position. A moving means, a label temporary holding means that holds the surface side of the label sticker on which the chemical liquid data is printed by the printing means, and is movable between a sticking standby position and a sticking position, and a movement path of the ampoule moving means. And a label sticking means for sticking the entire label sticker temporarily fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the ampoule by the temporary label fixing means to the outer peripheral surface, the label sticking means being freely rotatable. And a pair of pressure rollers supported in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the ampoule moved by the ampoule moving means. At the same time, an ampoule supported by the ampoule moving means is allowed to pass between the pressure rollers, and when the ampoule passes between the pressure rollers, the outer surface of the ampoule is covered with the ampoule. The entire back surface of the temporarily fixed label seal is adhered to the outer peripheral surface by both pressure rollers.

In the present invention, when supplying ampoules to, for example, the ampoule labeling section, a plurality of ampoules are randomly and collectively thrown into a water stream flowing in a predetermined ampoule supply direction to form ampoules floating in water. Due to the buoyancy of the acting water and the posture adjustment action based on the position of the center of gravity of the ampules, a plurality of ampules can be thrown in at random and a special mechanism can be provided by aligning and supplying multiple ampoules in the same posture. Align and supply without using.

In this case, a shallow portion is provided in the middle of the water flow to make the ampoule flowing in a non-aligned state fall down, and at the same time, the posture adjusting action is achieved by the moving action of the air existing inside the sealed ampoule. By inducing, the posture adjusting action can be surely induced even in an ampoule in which the posture adjusting action does not naturally occur by the insertion.

Further, in the ampoule labeling system of the present invention, the label sticker on which the chemical liquid data and the like are printed is automatically and completely adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the ampoule by the ampoule labeling section.

In this way, when the label sticker on which the chemical liquid data indicating the type and quantity of the chemical liquid in the ampoule is printed is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the ampoule, the optical reader reads the ampoule at the time of sorting or dosing. The chemical liquid data is read and the result is displayed on the display device.

[0026]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

An ampoule labeling system according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 1, which specifically comprises:
A label sticker L is continuously attached to the outer surface of an ampoule A in which a drug solution as shown in FIG. 18 is enclosed, and an ampoule supply unit (ampoule supply device) 1, an ampoule labeling unit 2 and these are synchronized. The control unit 3 and the like for controlling the drive is mainly configured.

The ampoule A is a medical glass container composed of a main body A ₁ and a head A _2, and a product showing the content of the chemical solution enclosed in the container and the product name on the outer surface of the main body A _1. The label sticker SL is stuck, and the label sticker L is stuck to the outer surface of the head A ₂ . As will be described later, the label sticker L is printed with drug liquid data D ₁ such as the type and amount of the drug liquid, and application data D ₂ for specifying a patient who administers the drug liquid.

[0029] The reason why the above adhesive labels L are attached to the head A ₂ instead main body A ₁ is, in this type of ampoule A, by law, product label seal SL to the main body portion A ₁ This is because the application of the label sticker is obligatory, but the attachment of other label stickers is prohibited.

Specific configurations of the ampoule supply unit 1, the ampoule labeling unit 2, and the control unit 3 will be sequentially described below.

I. Ampoule supply unit 1: Ampoule supply unit 1
Are arranged and sequentially supplied to the ampoule labeling unit 2. Specifically, the plural ampoules A, A, ... It is configured to supply.

A concrete structure of the ampoule supply unit 1 is shown in FIG.
8A to 8C, the ampoule transport section 5, the ampoule input section 6 and the ampoule unloading section 7 are provided as main parts.

The ampoule transport section 5 has a water flow path 10 through which the ampoule water flows horizontally in a predetermined ampoule supply direction.
And a running water supply circuit 11 for supplying running water to the water flow path 10.
And are equipped with.

As shown in FIG. 2, the water flow path 10 has a substantially semi-circular planar shape path which continues from the ampoule feeding section 6 to the ampoule unloading section 7, and the ampules A, A, which are fed from the ampoule feeding section 6, are provided. It is configured to have both a function of conveying the ampules to the ampoule take-out section 7 and an alignment function of aligning the ampules A, A, ... In the same posture during the conveyance.

For this purpose, the flow of water flowing through the water flow path 10 is set so that the ampoule A, A, ... Can be carried in a floating state and have a depth and quantity.

The alignment operation of the ampules A, A, ... In the water flow path 10 is performed by the buoyancy of water acting on the ampules A, A ,. , The ampules A, A, ... Are arranged in the same posture.

In the illustrated embodiment, ampoule A
Since the center of gravity of the ampoule A is located in the upper half part of the total height dimension due to the balance between the drug solution and the gas enclosed in the container, the ampoule A floating in the water flow is, as shown in FIG. In the upright state (state (a)), the posture is adjusted in the order of (b) → (c) → (d) by the buoyancy of water acting on this ampoule A and the posture adjustment action by the position of the center of gravity of ampoule A. Then, the posture of the main body A ₁ and the head A ₂ is finally changed to the inverted state (state (e)) in which the ground is reversed.

A return path 12 having a substantially semi-circular planar shape path that branches back to the ampoule input section 6 and flows back is provided at a position upstream of the ampoule take-out section 7 in the water flow path 10. And both of these water channels 10, 1
2 forms a circular arc-shaped water passage.

The ampoule feeding section 6 has a diameter larger than the width of the water channel 10 and the reflux channel 12 (more than twice in the illustrated case) so that a large number of ampules A, A, ... Can be simultaneously charged. Are formed in a circular plane shape.

The running water supply circuit 11 has the above-mentioned annular water flow path 1
Circulating pump 1 for forcibly circulating running water to 0 and 12
3 is provided. The flowing water supply circuit 11 includes a return port 11 via a circulation pump 13 from a discharge port 11a provided at the end of the water flow path 14 of the ampoule take-out section 7, that is, at the bottom of the downstream end position.
It is provided so as to extend to the water supply port 11b at the base end, that is, the bottom of the upstream end position. As shown in FIG. 2, the water supply port 11b is opened and faces the bottom of the return passage 11 in a state of being inclined from the base end of the return passage 11 toward the terminal end.

The flowing water supplied from the flowing water supply circuit 11 to the annular water flow passages 10 and 12 by the circulation pump 13 is
The water flows from the water supply port 11b through the annular water flow paths 10 and 12 in the arrow X direction at a predetermined flow velocity, and is also recirculated to the running water supply circuit 11 from the discharge port 11a of the water flow path 14 of the ampoule take-out section 7 to be forcedly circulated. .

In addition, a shallow portion 15 for posture change is provided in the middle of the annular water flow paths 10 and 12. This shallow part 15 is provided with ampules A, A,
In order to assist the alignment function of ..., In the illustrated embodiment, it is provided at the bottom of the middle portion of the return path 12.

As shown in FIG. 4, the specific structure of the shallow part 15 is a plate-like body which is bent in a dogleg shape and is formed into the return passage 1.
2 is provided over the entire width of the bottom portion, and has a mountain-shaped cross section including an inclined surface 15a that gradually rises in the water flow direction and an inclined surface 15 that gradually descends from the inclined surface 15a in the water flow direction. .

As a result, when the ampules A, A, ... Flowing in the water flow path, that is, the return path 12 in an unaligned state, for example, in an upright state as shown in FIG.
(b) → (c) → (d) in the order of falling motion, and the above-mentioned posture adjusting action is induced by the moving action of the air existing inside the hermetically sealed ampules A, A ,. Is configured to.

For this purpose, the height H of the apex position 15c of the chevron-shaped cross section of the shallow part 15 is part of the height H when the ampoule A flowing in the return path 12 in an unaligned state passes through the shallow part 15. Sliding contact with the shallow part 15 and performing a fall motion (motion of (b) → (c) in FIG. 4).
It is set so that the air existing inside the sealed A, ...

When a plurality of ampules A, A, ... Are thrown into the ampule throwing portion 6 provided at the upstream end portion of the water flow of the ampule transporting portion 5 all at once, the The ampoules A, A, ... Are aligned in the same posture by the above-described alignment action of the water flow path 10 (see FIG. 3), and are supplied downward in the X direction toward the ampoule take-out portion 7 through the water flow path 10. The ampoules A, A, ... Transferred to the ampoule take-out section 7 are sequentially received by the ampoule take-out section 7 from the aligned ones.

On the other hand, the ampules A ', A', ... Which have not been aligned due to some cause, or the ampule take-out portion 7 quantitatively.
The surplus ampoules A, A, ... which were not accepted by
Until it is recirculated to the ampoule feeding section 6 via the reflux channel 12 and is received by the ampoule unloading section 7, it is circulated while being fed down in the annular water channels 10 and 12 in the X direction.

In this case, the unaligned ampoule A
′, A ′, ... When passing through the shallow part 15 provided in the return path 12, for example, a series of operations shown in FIG. 4 ((a) →
(b)->(c)->(d)-> (e)) induces the above-described posture adjusting action, and finally the devices are aligned in the inverted state.

The ampoule take-out section 7 is a section for taking out the ampules A, A, ... Aligned and adjusted by the water flow path 10 one by one and supplying them to the ampoule labeling section 2. The ampoule transfer section 5 is located downstream of the water flow path 10. It is provided at the end part.
Specifically, the ampoule take-out section 7 is a selection gate 2.
0, an ampoule sending part 21, and a transfer part 22 are provided as main parts.

The selection gate 20 allows only the ampules A, A, ... In the aligned state to pass therethrough, and is provided at a boundary portion extending from the downstream end of the water flow passage 10 to the water flow passage 14. This selection gate 20 is specifically shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 5, an upper gate portion 20a that allows the main body portion A ₁ of the ampoule A that is floatingly conveyed in an aligned state, that is, an inverted state, and a lower gate portion 20b that allows the head portion A ₂ to pass therethrough.
And the passable size can be adjusted according to the shape and dimensions of the target ampules A, A, ....

The upper gate portion 20a corresponds to the ampoule supply portion 1
Is equipped with a structure through which all types of ampules A to be handled can pass. As shown in FIG. 5, the illustrated upper gate portion 20a is composed of a pair of left and right upper gate wall plates 25a and 25b that are fixedly arranged in parallel with the flow direction X of the water flow passage 14. These both upper side gate wall plates 25a, 2
The distance W _u between the 5b is the ampoule A to be handled.
Of these, the size is set corresponding to the outer diameter of the body A ₁ of the ampoule A having the maximum size, and as a result, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the body A ₁ of the ampule A of all types to be handled is set. Only one is allowed to pass.

The lower gate portion 20b is the ampoule supply portion 1
Among all kinds of ampules A to be handled, only the head A ₂ of the specific type ampoule A can enter and pass. As shown in FIG. 5, the lower gate portion 20a shown in the drawing is composed of a pair of left and right lower gate wall plates 26a and 26b arranged in parallel to the flow direction X of the water flow passage 14. One lower gate wall plate 26a is fixedly arranged at a position corresponding to the upper gate wall plates 25a and 25b, and the other lower gate wall plate 26b is the one lower gate wall plate. 26a intervals so as dimension W _d is adjustable with, is the width direction into movable structures of the water flow path 14 by single-axis robot 27, thereby, the head a ₂ specific types of ampoule a only one It is possible to enter and pass. The single-axis robot 27 has a conventionally known basic structure.

The ampoules A, A, ... Which have been conveyed to the sorting gate 20 through the water flow path 10 are aligned, that is, the ampoules A, A, A, which are in an inverted state by the sorting action of the upper and lower gate portions 20a, 20b. Only the ... Are sequentially transported in a line through the water flow path 14. On the other hand, the water flow paths 10 and 14
The ampoules A, A, ... in the excess alignment state that could not pass through the sorting gate 20 in relation to the transport speed of the
Are recirculated to the ampoule feeding section 6 again via the recirculation path 12 together with the ampules A ′, A ′, ...

The ampoule feeding section 21 sequentially passes through the selection gates 20 in a line in order to pass through the ampules A, A ,.
Are intermittently sent one by one at a predetermined interval, and are provided between the selection gate 20 and the transfer section 22.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the ampoule feeding part 21 is provided with a pair of front and rear feed stopping parts 21a and 21b arranged at a predetermined interval in the transport direction X of the water flow path 14, and these are provided. By alternately opening and closing, the ampules A, A, ... Are intermittently sent to the transfer section 22 one by one at a predetermined interval.

In the illustrated embodiment, the pair of front and rear feed stop portions 21a and 21b have the same structure, and are composed of a stop member 30 which can be vertically moved up and down, and a cylinder device 31 for moving the stop member 30 up and down. .

As shown in FIG. 5, the stop member 30 is formed of a plate-like member which is curved in an arc shape corresponding to the outer diameter surface of the main body A ₁ of the ampoule A, and the piston rod 31 a of the cylinder device 31. Is removable and replaceable.

Further, the rear side feed stop portion 21b is movable and adjustable in the front-rear direction with respect to the front side feed stop portion 21a, whereby the front-rear direction of the stop members 30, 30 of the front-rear feed stop portions 21a, 21b. The interval can be adjusted according to the shape and size of the ampoule A to be handled, and only one ampoule A is arranged between them.

The cylinder devices 31 and 31 of the front and rear feed stop portions 21a and 21b are drive-controlled in synchronization with the operation of the transfer portion 22 which will be described later.

Then, both of the cylinder devices 31, 31
However, by alternately projecting and retracting in synchronization with the operation of the transfer section 22, the front and rear stop members 30, 30 alternately move up and down, pass through the sorting gate 20, and pass through the running water channel 14 in a row. The ampoule A, A, ...
The recording medium is intermittently sent one by one to the transfer position P ₀ (see FIG. 5) of the transfer section 22 at a predetermined interval in synchronization with the transfer operation.

The transfer section 22 is configured to take out the ampoules A, A, ... Sequentially sent from the ampoule sending section 21 from the water flow path 14 and transfer them to the ampoule labeling section 2. This transfer unit 22 is specifically shown in FIG.
Further, as shown in FIG. 8, it comprises a take-out device 35 and a transfer robot 36.

The take-out device 35 lifts the ampoule A sent through the water flow path 14 out of the water and takes it out.
It is configured as a main part of the holding table 37 and the single-axis robot 38.

The holding base 37 is a shoulder tab of the ampoule A.
Main body A₁And head A₂From the lower part of the boundary step with
It is held in a hanging shape, specifically, the shoulder of ampoule A.
Part A ₃Equipped with a receiving and supporting part 40 that supports the unit in a vertical inverted state from below.
For this purpose, the receiving and supporting portion 40 is formed by the shoulder portion as shown in the figure.
A₃Corresponding to the funnel-shaped conical surface 40a
Have.

Further, the receiving and supporting portion 40 is provided with an opening 40b into which the head A _{2 of the} ampoule A can enter, and the opening 40b is located at the central position of the receiving and supporting portion 40 as shown in FIG. The head portion A _{2 of the} ampoule A surely enters the receiving and supporting portion 40 and is positioned at the center position P ₀ of the receiving and supporting portion 40.

The single-axis robot 38 has the holding table 37.
Vertically moving up and down. Specifically,
The holding base 37 is integrally provided on the moving body 38a, and the moving base 38a moves in the vertical direction so that the holding base 37 moves to the take-out position D1 which is the lowered position and the transfer position which is the raised position. It is moved up and down between position U1. The single-axis robot 38 has a conventionally known basic structure, and includes a ball screw mechanism that linearly moves the moving body 38a and a servo motor that rotationally drives the ball screw mechanism.

The transfer robot 36 transfers the ampoule A lifted by the take-out device 35 to a predetermined portion of the ampoule labeling section 2, and specifically, the movement of the ampoule moving section 101 in the ampoule labeling section 2. Base 11
2 is configured to be transferred and supplied.

The transfer robot 36 of the illustrated embodiment is in the form of a so-called vertical articulated robot, and is installed on the device table 110 of the ampoule labeling section 2. The transfer robot 36 has a conventionally known basic structure. Specifically, the transfer robot 36 includes a rotary table 46 and a rotary table 46.
Is provided so that it can rotate horizontally, and this turntable 46
Further, the operating arm 47 is connected so as to be capable of extending and contracting.

The actuating arm 47 is of a horizontal axis type in which the actuating shaft is in a horizontal state, and a plurality of (two in the illustrated case) arm members 48, 48 are provided with rotary shafts via actuating shafts 48a, 48b. 46 is drivingly connected to the driving arm 4 and
6 is configured to expand and contract in a vertical plane.

A chuck portion 49 is swingably provided at the tip of the operating arm 47 via an operating shaft 48c. The chuck portion 49 includes a pair of chuck claws 49a for chucking and holding the main body portion A1 of the ampoule A,
The chuck claws 49a, 49a have a structure capable of opening and closing the chuck and rotatable about the axis with respect to the chuck body 49b.

Then, the transfer section 22 configured as described above.
At, the take-out device 35 and the transfer robot 36 interlock in the following manner to perform the transfer operation.

First, in the take-out device 35, i) the holding table 37 is at the take-out position D1 due to the stop of the lowering of the single-axis robot 38, and one ampoule A is fed from the ampoule feeder 21.
Is sent to the center of the holding table 7 to be positioned. At this time, the ampoule A is in an upside down floating state in the water. ii) From the floating state of the ampoule, the holding base 37 starts to move upward by driving the single-axis robot 38 upward, and the shoulder portion A ₃ of the ampoule A is received by the supporting portion 40.
While vertically supporting the robot from the lower side, it is taken out vertically from the water in the water flow path 14, and when the robot reaches the transfer position U1, the single-axis robot 38 stops driving and the ampoule A is transferred by the transfer robot 36. Wait for transfer operation.

Then, in the transfer robot 36, iii)
After the rotary base 46 rotates horizontally and the operating arm 47 expands and contracts, and the chuck part 49 approaches the ampoule A waiting for the transfer position U1, the chuck claw 49a and 49a are moved by the operation of the chuck part 49. Holds the main body A ₁ of the ampoule A which is in an inverted state by chucking. i
v) Once again, the operating arm 47 expands and contracts, and the ampoule A
While lifting upward from the holding base 37 of the take-out device 35, the rotary base 46 rotates horizontally to move the ampoule set position X.
The ampoule A is moved to a position above the moving base 112 of the ampoule moving unit 101 which is on standby. At this time, the chuck claws 49a and 49a for chucking and holding the ampoule A rotate about the axis with respect to the chuck body 49b, and the attitude of the ampoule A is changed from the inverted state to the upright state. v) Working arm 4
7 expands and contracts to lower ampoule A and move base 1
After being held by the ampoule holding part 111 of 12, the chuck claws 49a and 49a release the chucking state of the main body part A ₁ of the ampoule A by the operation of the chuck part 49.

Thereafter, similarly, the take-out device 35 and the transfer robot 36 are interlocked with each other to sequentially perform the transfer operation of the subsequent ampoule A.

II. Ampoule labeling section 2: The ampoule labeling section 2 is for sticking the label sticker L on which the above-mentioned predetermined data D ₁ and D ₂ are printed, to the outer peripheral surface of the ampoule A. The label sticker L is continuously attached to the outer surface of the ampoule A supplied from the ampoule supply unit 1.

The concrete structure of the ampoule labeling section 2 of the present embodiment is shown in FIGS. 9 to 17, and the ampoule labeling section 2 has an external shape as shown in FIG.
An ampoule moving unit 101 as an ampoule moving unit, a label supplying unit 102 as a label supplying unit, a printing unit 103 as a printing unit, a label temporary fixing unit 104 as a temporary label fixing unit, and a label attaching unit 105 as a label attaching unit. Is configured as a main part, and these constituent parts 101 to 105 are installed on a device table 110 which is a device base. Hereinafter, each component will be sequentially described.

The ampoule moving unit 101 supports and moves the ampoule A. Specifically, the ampoule moving unit 101 is configured to support and move the ampoule A and stop the positioning at a predetermined position.

Ampoule moving part 101 of the illustrated embodiment
Is configured to linearly move the ampoule A in a horizontal direction in parallel with the upper surface of the apparatus table 110 in an upright state (upright state).

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the ampoule moving unit 101 includes a moving base 112 provided with an ampoule holding unit 111, and a single-axis robot 113 for index-moving the moving base 112 in the horizontal direction. Is configured as a main part.

The moving base 112 is provided integrally with the moving body 113a of the single-axis robot 113, and has two ampoule holding portions 111, 111 arranged at a predetermined interval in the moving direction.

The ampoule holding part 111 has a holding hole 111a into which the lower part of the ampoule A can be fitted.
The lower part of the ampoule A is inserted and held in the standing state in 1a.

Although not specifically shown, the single-axis robot 113 has a conventionally known basic structure, and has the above-mentioned moving body 113a.
A ball screw mechanism that linearly moves, and a servomotor that rotationally drives the ball screw mechanism.

Then, the ampoule moving unit 101 drives the single-axis robot 113 to set the moving base 112, the ampoule setting position P ₁ for setting the ampoule A on the ampoule holding sections 111, 111, and the label temporary fixing section 104. A temporary label fixing position P ₂ for temporarily fixing the label seal L to A, and an ampoule take-out position P for taking out the ampoule A
_The index is sequentially moved to _3, and the ampoule take-out position P ₃ is returned to the initial position of the ampoule set position P ₁ .

The label supply unit 103 supplies the label seal L, and includes the tape supply unit 115 and the label peeling unit 11.
6 and a tape collecting unit (not shown).

The tape supply section 115 is specifically in the form of a tape supply reel for supplying the label tape T. That is, the label seal L is supplied by the tape supply reel 115 in the form of the label tape T which is releasably attached to the base tape T0 at a predetermined interval.

The label sticker L of the illustrated embodiment is shown in FIG.
It is formed on a narrow horizontal strip of paper as shown in 8, and on its surface, the liquid chemical data D ₁ such as the type and amount of the liquid chemical and the patient who administers the liquid chemical are specified as described later. The application data D ₂ to be used is read by an optical reading device described later, that is, converted into a bar code in the illustrated example and printed, while the back surface thereof has an adhesive layered thereon. A surface is formed. Then, such a label tape T is attached to the base tape T ₀ via its adhesive surface.
The label tape T is formed by continuously adhering and holding a large number of sheets on the glossy surface subjected to the peeling treatment in the longitudinal direction at a predetermined interval. The label tape T is wound in a roll shape and supported by the tape supply reel 115.

The tape supply reel 115 supports the roll-shaped label tape T so that it can be drawn out and rotated, and can be detachably replaced. Specifically, as shown in FIG.
A bearing portion 120 is attached to one side portion of the housing 103 a of the printing portion 103 via a support bracket 121, and the reel shaft 1 with a flange is attached to the bearing portion 120.
22 is rotatably supported in a horizontal state.
A roll-shaped label tape T is removably inserted into and supported by the roll 22.

The label peeling unit 116 peels off the label seal L on the label tape T fed from the tape supply reel 115. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, in the housing 103a, the tape supply reel is detached. It is provided on the side opposite to the side on which 115 is attached.

The label peeling section 116 is specifically
The tip 116a is formed in a wedge shape having an acute angle and an upper side thereof having a substantially horizontal cross-sectional triangle, and protrudes laterally from the housing 103a. The label tape T fed from the supply reel 115 has a tip 116 a of the label peeling section 116.
It is hung on the label peeling unit 116 so as to be bent by and guided to the tape collecting unit described later.

The tape collecting unit is the label peeling unit 116.
The base tape T ₀ after the label seal L is peeled off by
Although not specifically shown, it is in the form of a take-up reel similar to the tape supply reel 115 and is rotatably provided at an appropriate position in the housing 103a.

However, one side of the tape supply reel 115 and the take-up reel, for example, the take-up reel side, is drivingly connected to the rotation drive source, and the tape is supplied by the rotation of the take-up reel by the rotation drive source. Reel 115
The label tape T fed from the printer is printed by the printing unit 103, which will be described later, in the housing 103a, and then wound up and collected by the winding reel (tape collecting unit) via the label peeling unit 116.

In this case, in the label peeling section 116, the label tape T travels while being guided by the upper surface of the label peeling section 116, bent at the tip 116a, and then guided by the inclined lower surface of the label peeling section 116. Although it will be guided to the take-up reel, when it is folded back at the tip 116a, the label seal L on the label tape T,
Due to the elastic restoring action, L, ... Are sequentially or continuously peeled from the peeling surface of the base tape T ₀ or at predetermined intervals.

The printing unit 103 is the label supply unit 102.
, Which prints predetermined information (predetermined data) on the label seals L, L, ... On the label tape T fed out from the tape supply reel 115, and is incorporated in the housing 13a.

As described above, the printing unit 103 of the illustrated embodiment has the chemical liquid data D ₁ such as the type and amount of the chemical liquid contained in the ampoule A to be attached, and the chemical liquid on the surface of the label sticker L. The application data D ₂ for specifying the patient who administers the drug is printed in the form of a bar code.

Specifically, these print data are shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the personal computer 125 placed on the device table 110 is directly input using the keyboard 126 which is the input device, or another personal computer connected to the personal computer 125. It is input as data from a computer (not shown). And this personal computer 12
In 5, the input print data is converted into a bar code and output to the printing unit 103.
Will print the bar code corresponding to the surface of the label sticker L.

The temporary label fixing unit 104 is used for the label after the printing process.
Place the bell seal L on the label temporary fixing position P. ₂Ann placed in
It is for temporarily fixing to the pull A and keeps the label seal L.
Holding mechanism 130 to hold and waiting for sticking of this holding mechanism 130
Moving mechanism 1 for moving between machine position U2 and sticking position D2
31 and 31 are provided.

The holding mechanism 130 includes the label peeling section 11 described above.
The label sticker L peeled off in 6 is held, and specifically, the label sticker 132 for vacuum-sucking the surface of the label sticker L, that is, the printing surface, and the rotating part 133 for rotating the label sticker 132. And are equipped with.

The label suction section 132 is shown in FIG. 14 and FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, a suction member 136 is provided on the support body 135.

The suction member 136 has a suction pad 138 made of a breathable sponge attached to the suction surface of a main body 137, the interior of which is connected to a negative pressure source such as a vacuum pump (not shown). A plurality of suction holes 137a, 137a, ... Are provided on the suction surface of the portion 137.

By driving the negative pressure source, a predetermined suction force is applied to the surface of the suction pad 138 through the suction holes 137a, 137a, ... Of the main body 137, and the surface of the label seal L is attached to this surface. It is vacuum-adsorbed.

The vacuum suction force on the surface of the suction pad 138 is set to be smaller than the back surface adhesive force of the label seal L itself when the label seal L is temporarily fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the ampoule A described later. ing.

The suction member 136 is a buffer mechanism 14 to be described later.
It is attached to and supported by the support body 135 via a pair of three guide rods 141, 141.

The support body 135 includes the support shafts 135a and 135a.
a is rotatably supported by a support bracket 139 attached to a moving mechanism 131, which will be described later.
It is rotatable about 35a and 135a.

As shown in FIG. 15, the support body 135 is provided with a pair of guide bushes 140, 140, and a pair of guide rods 141 for supporting the attraction member 136 on the guide bushes 140, 140. 1
41 are slidably inserted and supported.

In connection with this, the support body 135 is provided with an elastic spring 142 for elastically urging the support rods 141, 141 forward in the forward direction to form a buffer mechanism 143. Specifically, the elastic spring 14
2 is a tension spring, and both guide rods 14
1, 141 are connected by the connecting member 144, and the connecting member 144 and the support body 135 are connected by the elastic spring 142, so that the buffer mechanism 143 is connected.
Is configured.

The suction member 136 is mounted and supported on the support body 135 via the cushioning mechanism 143, and the cushioning mechanism 143 causes the label seal L sucked and held by the suction member 136 to be described later. The shock when temporarily fixed to the outer peripheral surface of A is buffered.

The rotating portion 133 rotates the label suction portion 132, and specifically, rotates the support shafts 135a and 135a, which are the rotation supporting portions of the support body 135, and the support body 135. And a drive source such as a cylinder device (not shown).

With this drive source, the support body 135 and further the suction member 136 are moved to the label peeling section 1
90 ° between the vertically downward posture for sucking the label seal L peeled off in 16 (see the solid line in FIG. 14) and the horizontal posture for temporarily fixing the label seal L to the ampoule A (see the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 14). It is rotated.

The moving mechanism 131 comprises an elevating mechanism 150 for vertically moving the holding mechanism 130 and a horizontal moving mechanism 151 for horizontally moving the holding mechanism 130.

As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the elevating mechanism 150 is provided with an elevating table 152 that can be vertically moved up and down, and a driving device 153 that moves the elevating table 152 up and down.

The elevating table 152 is supported by a guide portion 155 so as to be able to ascend and descend in the vertical direction, and the holding mechanism 130 is provided thereon via a horizontal moving mechanism 151. The guide part 155 is provided on the housing 103.
A pair of guide rails 155a, 155a are provided extending in parallel in the vertical vertical direction on a support body 160 provided upright adjacent to a, and linear guides 155b, 155a are provided on the guide rails 155a, 155a.
5b can be guided and run, and these linear guides 155
The elevating table 152 is integrally attached to b and 155b.

The drive device 153 is used for both the guide rails 1 described above.
Ball screw mechanism 161 disposed between 55a and 155a
And a servo motor 162 for rotating the ball screw mechanism 161.

The ball screw mechanism 161 is shown in FIG. 12 and FIG.
And as shown in FIG. 15, the nut member 1 on the moving side.
61a is fixed to the lift table 152, and a screw member 161 for screwing the nut member 161a forward and backward.
b is rotatably supported between the guide rails 155a and 155a so as to be rotatable in parallel with the guide rails 155a and 155a. Further, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 15,
A transmission pulley 163a attached and fixed to the lower end of the screw member 161b is drivingly connected to a transmission pulley 163c attached and fixed to the output shaft 162a of the servomotor 162 via a transmission belt 163b. The servo motor 162 is electrically connected to the control unit 3, and based on a control signal from the control unit 3, its output shaft 162a.
Is driven to rotate in the forward and reverse directions.

Then, the ball screw mechanism 161 is rotationally driven in the forward and reverse directions by a predetermined amount by the rotational drive of the servo motor 162, and the elevating table 152 is moved up and down while being guided by the guide portion 155. The elevating stroke of the elevating table 152 is set to the elevating distance between the sticking standby position U2 at which the holding mechanism 130 provided on the elevating table 152 is at the highest position and the sticking position D2 at the lowest position.

The horizontal moving mechanism 151 is the lift table 152.
It is provided with a horizontal moving base 165 which is provided above and is movable in the horizontal direction, and a drive unit 166 which horizontally moves the horizontal moving base 165.

The horizontal moving table 165 is supported by a guide portion 167 so as to be movable in the horizontal direction, and the holding mechanism 130 is provided on the side portion thereof. The guide part 167 is provided on the lifting table 152 and is provided with a pair of guide rails 1.
67a and 167a are provided so as to extend in parallel to the horizontal direction, and linear guides 167b and 167b can be guided and run on the guide rails 167a and 167a. The horizontal moving table 165 is provided on the linear guides 167b and 167b. It is installed integrally. The support body 135 of the holding mechanism 130 is rotatably supported on the horizontal moving table 165 via the support bracket 139.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, the driving device 166 is in the form of an air cylinder device arranged between the guide rails 167a and 167a, and the cylinder body 166a is attached and fixed to the elevating table 152. And the piston rod 166b is attached to the horizontal moving table 16
Connected to 5.

Then, by driving the air cylinder device 166, the piston rod 166b is projected and retracted in the horizontal direction by a predetermined amount, and the horizontal moving table 165 is guided by the guide portion 167.
Move horizontally while being guided by.

The horizontal movement of the horizontal moving table 165 is performed when the label suction portion 132 of the holding mechanism 130 is rotated from the vertical downward posture (see the solid line in FIG. 14) to the horizontal posture (see the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 14). Both the escape operation (retracting operation of the piston rod 166b) for avoiding interference with other peripheral devices and the temporary fixing operation (projecting operation of the piston rod 166b) at the attaching position D2 are secured. Therefore, the horizontal movement stroke of the horizontal movement table 165 is set to the movement distance corresponding to these two operation ranges.

Therefore, in the temporary fixing operation by the temporary label fixing portion 104 thus configured, first, the holding mechanism 130 is used.
The label sticker peeled from the base tape T ₀ of the label tape T by the label peeling unit 116 when the suction member 136 of FIG. 2 is in the vertical downward posture (see the solid line in FIGS. 11 and 12) at the sticking standby position U2. The surface of L is adsorbed and held.

Subsequently, the suction member 136 suction-holding the label seal L performs the escape operation by the horizontal movement of the moving mechanism 131 (the retracting operation of the piston rod 166b), and then the vertically downward posture by the lowering operation of the moving mechanism 131. As it is, it descends from the sticking standby position U2 to the sticking position D2.

Next, the suction member 136 is rotated from the vertical downward posture to the horizontal posture (see the chain double-dashed line in FIGS. 9 and 13), and then the movement mechanism 131 is moved horizontally to temporarily stop the movement (piston rod). 166b projecting operation)
The label seal L is temporarily fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the head portion A ₂ of the ampoule A which is positioned and stopped at the temporary label fixing position P ₂ .

The label sticking portion 105 sticks the entire label sticker L to the head A _{2 of the} ampoule A, and is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the ampoule moving unit 101 is arranged on the moving path (see the alternate long and short dash line) and includes a pair of pressure rollers 170, 170 as main parts.

Specifically, the pair of pressure rollers 170, 170 are supported so as to be freely rotatable around the vertical axis, and the ampoule A supported between the pressure rollers 170, 170 by the ampoule moving section 101 is provided. Is arranged so that it can pass therethrough, and has a structure in which it can be rolled into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the ampoule A moved by the ampoule moving unit 101.

In the illustrated embodiment, each pressure roller 170 is in the form of a cylindrical roller made of an elastically deformable cushion material such as sponge, and as shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. The upper end of 171 is rotatably supported in a cantilevered state perpendicular to the tip of the support arm 172 so as to be freely rotatable.

The support arms 172 and 172 for supporting both the pressure rollers 170 and 170 are respectively supported in a horizontal state on a support portion 173 provided upright on the apparatus table 110. As a result, both pressure rollers 170, 1
The head A _{2 of the} ampoule A supported by the ampoule moving unit 101 can pass through the space between 70, and both pressure rollers 170, 170 can roll closely to the outer peripheral surface of the head A _2. It has a simple layout.

In other words, in the present embodiment, the entire back surface of the label seal L temporarily fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the head A ₂ of the ampoule A is elastically actuated by the pressure rollers 170, 170, so that the head A of the ampoule A is pressed. The outer peripheral surface of ₂ is pressed with a predetermined pressure.

In this connection, both support arms 17
2, 172 are supported at their base end portions via support shafts 172a, 172a so that the horizontal angle can be adjusted, whereby both pressurizations can be performed according to the shape and size of the ampoule A to be pasted. Rollers 170, 170 and head A of ampoule A
The layout relationship with ₂ can be adjusted appropriately.

Although not specifically shown, both support arms 172, 172 are in the form of a swinging arm capable of swinging in the horizontal direction, and a suitable resilient urging means such as a resilient spring is used. Therefore, both support arms 172,
The configuration may be such that the 172 is constantly and elastically biased in the direction in which it approaches and closes.

III. Control unit 3: The control unit 3 drives and controls the ampoule supply unit 1 and the ampoule labeling unit 2 in synchronization with each other, and specifically, the ampoule supply unit 1
The drive units of the ampoule transporting unit 5 and the ampoule take-out unit 7 which are the components of the above, and the ampoule moving unit 101 and the label supply unit 10 which are the components of the ampoule labeling unit 2.
2. The drive units of the printing unit 103 and the temporary label fixing unit 104 are driven and controlled in synchronization with each other.

However, according to the control program of the controller 3, the following ampoule supplying step to ampoule labeling step are sequentially and automatically performed.

A. Lined supply of ampoule A: (1) In ampoule supply unit 1, a plurality of ampules A, A, ... Then, these ampoules A, A, ... Align with the above-mentioned water channel 10 (ampoules A, A ,.
While being aligned in the same posture by the buoyancy of water acting on the water and the posture adjusting action by the center of gravity of the ampules A, A, ... (Fig. 3 (a) → (b) → (c) → (d) → (e )), The water flow path 10 is supplied downward in the X direction toward the ampoule take-out portion 7 and is sequentially received by the ampoule take-out portion 7 from the aligned ones.

(2) On the other hand, ampoule A that was not aligned
′, A ′, ... and surplus ampoules A, A ,.
It is recirculated to the ampoule input part 6 via 2 again and is received by the ampoule take-out part 7 until the annular flow channel 1
0 and 12 are circulated while being supplied downward in the X direction. And, during this circulation, Ampoule A that has not been aligned yet
When passing through the shallow water portion 15 provided in the circulation path 12, the auxiliary action of the shallow water portion 15 (the fall motion of the ampoule A ′ in the misaligned state and the accompanying ampoule A). ′ By the movement of internal air, for example, in FIG.
(See (a) → (b) → (c) → (d) → (e)), the above-described alignment action is induced, and the alignment is finally performed in an inverted state.

(3) Then, the ampules A, A, ... Which are thus arranged and conveyed in the inverted state by the ampule conveying section 5 are sequentially received by the ampule take-out section 7 in the above-described manner. , Are picked up one by one and transferred to the ampoule holding parts 111, 111 of the ampoule moving part 101 waiting for positioning at the ampoule setting position P ₁ of the ampoule labeling part 2.

B. Labeling for ampoule A: (1) Index movement of ampoule A: ampoule holder 1
When the ampules A and A are set in the reference numerals 11 and 111, the ampoule moving unit 101 starts moving, and the ampoule holding unit 11
1, 111 are sequentially moved to the temporary label fixing position P _2, and positioning is stopped there for a fixed time (temporary fixing time) respectively, and then the movement is started again to the ampoule take-out position P ₃ via the label sticking portion 105. After sequentially moving, the positioning is stopped there for a fixed time (take-out time), and then the initial position is returned to the ampoule set position P ₁ .

In this case, when there is only one ampoule A to which the label sticker L should be attached, both ampoule holders 1 are
The ampoule A is set in the ampoule holding part 111 on the front side of the moving direction of the moving parts 11 and 111, and only the ampoule holding part 111 in which the ampoule A is set is index-moved to return to the ampoule setting position P _1. Stop. On the other hand, when there are three or more ampules A to which the label sticker L is to be attached, the index movement described above is repeated until the step of attaching the last ampule A is completed, and then the last ampule A is set. It stops when the ampoule holding portion 111 moves back to the ampoule setting position P ₁ .

Simultaneously with the start of the movement of the ampoule moving unit 101, the label supply unit 102, the printing unit 103 and the temporary label fixing unit 104 are also activated, respectively, in synchronization with the index movement of the ampoule moving unit 101 described below. Perform each operation.

(2) Printing supply of the label sticker L: When the label tape T is fed out and supplied from the tape supply reel 115 by the drive of the rotary drive source, and when the label tape T passes through the printing unit 103, the label is printed by the printing unit 103. Data corresponding to the ampoule A to be attached to the surface of the label seal L on the tape T, that is, the chemical liquid data D ₁ and the application data D ₂
After the label is printed in the form of barcode, the label peeling unit 11
Sent to 6.

In the label peeling portion 116, when the label tape T is bent at the tip 116a of the label peeling portion 116 and passes through, the label seal L on which the printing process is performed on the label tape T is elastically restored. The suction member 1 of the holding mechanism 130 of the temporary label fixing portion 104 that is peeled off from the base tape T _{0 by the above} and stands by at the sticking standby position U 2.
It is arranged to face 36.

(3) Temporary fixing of label seal L: The suction member 136 of the holding mechanism 130 of the temporary label fixing portion 104 is peeled off by the label peeling portion 116 in the vertically downward posture (see the solid line in FIGS. 11 and 12). While adsorbing and holding the surface of the label sticker L, the escape operation is performed by horizontal movement of the moving mechanism 131 while keeping the posture, and the label seal L is retracted to a position where it does not vertically interfere with the label peeling portion 116.

Next, by the lowering operation of the moving mechanism 131,
The suction member 136 descends from the sticking standby position U2 to the sticking position D2 while holding the label seal L sucked and held in the vertical downward posture, and then rotates 90 ° from the vertical downward posture to the horizontal posture.

Finally, by the horizontal movement of the moving mechanism 131, the suction member 136 is moved forward from the escape position, and the label seal L to be held is held at the temporary label fixing position P _2.
The temporary stop operation is performed on the outer peripheral surface of the head A ₂ of the ampoule A which is positioned and stopped at the position.

Specifically, the suction member 136 advances from the escape position until only the central portion of the adhesive surface of the label sticker L comes into close contact with the surface of the head A ₂ of the ampoule A, and then the escape position again. When the label seal L is moved back to the front side, the label sticker L is separated from the suction pad 138 of the suction member 136 by the back surface adhesive force of the label sticker L itself and adheres to the surface of the head A ₂ of the ampoule A and is temporarily fixed. The impact force of the suction member 136 on the ampoule A at the time of temporary fixing is absorbed and relaxed by the action of the buffer mechanism 143 of the holding mechanism 130.

The suction member 136, which has completed the temporary fixing operation of the label sticker L, moves again from the sticking position D2 to the sticking standby position U2 by the operation reverse to the above, and waits for the next label sticker L.

The specific operation sequence of the temporary fixing operation by the temporary label fixing unit 104 is optimum by appropriately changing the design of the control program of the control unit 6 in consideration of the arrangement configuration with peripheral devices. However, the operation is not limited to the above-described operations i) to v).

(4) Adhesion of the entire label sticker L: The ampoule A to which the label sticker L is temporarily fixed is the ampoule moving part 10
When the label sticking portion 105 is moved and passed by 1, the whole label sticker L temporarily fixed by the label sticking portion 105 is stuck to the outer peripheral surface of the head A ₂ of the ampoule A.

Specifically, when the head A _{2 of the} ampoule A passes between the pair of pressure rollers 170, 170 of the label sticking portion 105, the label seal L in the temporarily fixed state is provided.
Is pressed by the elastic rolling contact operation of both pressure rollers 170, 170 along the outer peripheral surface of the head A ₂ of the ampoule A with a predetermined pressure. It will be closely attached along the outer peripheral surface of the head A ₂ of A.

A series of steps from the temporary fixing by the temporary label fixing unit 104 to the sticking by the label sticking unit 105 are shown in FIG. 16 as (a) → (b) → (c) → (d). become.

Ampoule A with label sticker L attached
Is the ampoule removal position P ₃ by the ampoule moving unit 101.
Then, the positioning is stopped and the series of labeling steps are completed.

Thus, the ampoule A for which the labeling process has been completed is manually operated by the operator.
The label sticker L that has been taken out from and attached is read by an optical bar code reader (optical reader) 175. This reading result is the personal computer 1
25, and is displayed on the display 176, and it is visually confirmed whether or not the display contents (chemical liquid data D ₁ and application data D ₂ ) of the label sticker L are correct.

As described above, in the ampoule labeling system of this embodiment, when the ampoule supplying section 1 supplies the ampoules A, A, ... To the ampoule labeling section 2, a plurality of water flows in the ampoule supplying direction X. When the ampoules A, A, ... Are thrown together in an irregular manner, the buoyancy of water acting on the ampoules A, A, ... floating in the water and the posture adjustment action by the position of the center of gravity of the ampules A, A ,. The ampules A, A, ... Are supplied while being aligned in the same posture, and can be supplied in an aligned state without using a special mechanism.

Moreover, in the middle of the water flow, the shallow water 1
5, the ampules A, A, ... Flowing in a non-aligned state are laid down, and at the same time, the movement of air existing inside the sealed ampules A, A ,. The posture adjusting action was induced, and the above-mentioned posture adjusting action did not naturally occur when the ampoule A ',
Also for A ′, ..., the attitude adjusting action is surely induced.

Further, in this ampoule labeling system, the label sticker L on which the chemical liquid data and the like are printed by the ampoule labeling section 2 is automatically and completely adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the ampoule A. The bar code reader 175 reads the above-mentioned liquid medicine data at the time of sorting the ampoules A and at the time of administration, and the result is displayed on the display device. As a result, it is possible to suppress the misplacement of the ampoule A during the sorting work or the medication work and prevent the occurrence of medical errors.

The above-described embodiment is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this, and various design changes can be made within the scope.

For example, the concrete mechanical configuration of the ampoule moving unit 101, the label supplying unit 102, the printing unit 103, the temporary label fixing unit 104 or the label sticking unit 105, which constitutes the ampoule supplying unit 1 and the ampoule labeling unit, is shown in the illustrated embodiment. Without being limited to the above, various design changes can be made within the scope of the present invention, and the specific operation thereof can be changed according to the purpose.

As an example, in the illustrated embodiment,
At a position upstream of the water flow path 10 of the ampoule transfer unit 5, a return path 12 having a substantially semi-circular planar shape path for branching and returning to the ampoule feeding section 6 is provided. Although the circular water channel having a substantially arc shape is formed, its planar shape can be appropriately designed according to the scale and purpose of the device, such as a linear shape including only the water channel 10. In addition, in the case of only the water flow path 10, the shallow part 1
5 will be provided in the middle of the water flow path 10.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the ampoule labeling unit 2 prints the predetermined data in the form of a bar code is shown, but the data is printed in a representation format other than the bar code (for example, a numerical code etc.). It is also possible to let.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where only the information for specifying the drug type and amount of the medicine and the patient to be administered is attached to the label sticker L is shown, but as the data to be printed on the label sticker L, For example, it is possible to include information for identifying a person who carries out the sorting work or a person who is in charge of carrying the ampoule A. As a result, it is possible to give awareness to those who perform these operations and suppress the occurrence of sorting errors and delivery errors.

[0158]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
When supplying ampoules to a predetermined part, multiple ampoules are thrown into the water flow flowing in the direction of ampoule all at once, depending on the buoyancy of water acting on the ampoule floating in the water and the position of the center of gravity of the ampoule. The posture adjustment function allows multiple ampoules to be supplied while aligning them in the same posture, so that multiple ampoules that are thrown in at one time randomly can be aligned and supplied without using a special mechanism. It becomes possible to do.

In this case, a shallow portion is provided in the middle of the water flow to make the ampoule flowing in a non-aligned state fall down, and at the same time, the movement of the air existing inside the sealed ampoule causes the attitude adjusting action. By inducing the position adjustment action, the position adjustment action can be surely induced even for the ampoule in which the posture adjustment action does not naturally occur upon insertion, and more reliable aligned supply can be realized.

Further, in the ampoule labeling system of the present invention, the label sticker on which the chemical liquid data and the like are printed is automatically and completely adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the ampoule by the ampoule labeling part, and the label sticker is optically attached. The above-mentioned chemical liquid data is read at the time of sorting the ampoules and at the time of medication by the type reading device, and the result is displayed on the display device. As a result, it is possible to suppress the mistaking of the ampoules at the time of sorting work and medication work, and medical errors occur. Can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an overall configuration of an ampoule labeling system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an ampoule supply part of the ampoule labeling system.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a mechanism of an ampule alignment operation using a water flow in an ampoule transporting unit of the ampoule supply unit.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2, showing a mechanism of an ampule alignment assisting operation by a shallow part in the ampoule supply unit.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an ampoule take-out section of the ampoule supply section.

FIG. 6 is a VI of FIG. 2 showing a selection gate of the ampoule unloading section.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing the ampoule sending section and the transfer section of the same ampoule take-out section with the water channel cut out.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing the transfer section of the ampoule take-out section.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing an ampoule labeling section of the ampoule labeling system.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the same ampoule labeling section.

FIG. 11 is a right side view showing the same ampoule labeling section.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged front view showing a temporary label fixing part and a label attaching part of the ampoule labeling part, showing a state where the temporary label fixing part is at an attaching standby position.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged front view showing a temporary label fixing part and a label attaching part of the ampoule labeling part, showing a state where the temporary label fixing part is at the attaching position.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged front view showing a holding mechanism for the temporary label fixing portion.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged plan view showing a temporary label fixing portion and a label attaching portion of the ampoule labeling portion.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing in plan view a series of steps from the temporary fixing of the label sticker to the outer peripheral surface of the ampoule to the sticking by the temporary tacking section and the label sticking section of the ampoule labeling section.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing an overall external configuration of the ampoule labeling section.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing an ampoule to be labeled and a label sticker.

[Explanation of symbols]

A Ampoule A ₁ Main body A ₂ Head L Label seal T ₀ Base tape T Label tape D ₁ Chemical data D ₂ Application data U 2 Sticking standby position D 2 Sticking position 1 Ampoule supply unit (ampoule supply device) 2 Ampoule labeling unit 3 Control unit 5 Ampoule transfer unit 6 Ampoule input unit 7 Ampoule take-out unit 10 Water flow path 12 Return path 14 Water flow path 15 Shallow section 20 Sorting gate 21 Ampoule feed section 22 Transfer section 35 Ejection device 36 Transfer robot 101 Ampoule transfer section (Ampule) Moving means) 102 Label supply unit (Label supply unit) 103 Printing unit (Printing unit) 104 Label temporary fixing unit (Label temporary fixing unit) 105 Label sticking unit (Label sticking unit) 111 Ampoule holding unit 115 Tape supply reel (Tape supply) Part) 116 label peeling part 130 holding mechanism 131 moving mechanism 132 label suction Part 136 suction member 143 buffering mechanism 150 elevating mechanism 151 horizontally moving mechanism 170 pressure roller

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Takeshi Mohri             1-12-1 Shinmachi, Hirakata-shi, Osaka Sepha             Technology Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 3E095 AA07 BA03 CA01 CA02 DA03                       DA22 DA32 DA39 DA42 DA48                       DA54 DA63 DA66 DA67 DA72                       DA77 DA82 DA86 EA02 EA03                       EA09 EA15 EA24 EA29 EA36                       FA03 FA12

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A method for arranging and supplying a plurality of ampoules that are randomly and collectively put, in which a plurality of ampoules are randomly and collectively put into a water flow flowing in a predetermined ampoule supply direction. Then, by the buoyancy of the water acting on the ampoule floating in the water and the posture adjusting action based on the position of the center of gravity of the ampule, a plurality of ampules are arranged and fed in the same posture while being fed. Method. 2. A shallow portion provided in the middle of the water flow causes the ampoule flowing in a non-aligned state to fall down, and at this time, the posture adjusting action is performed by the moving action of the air existing inside the sealed ampoule. The ampoule feeding method according to claim 1, wherein the ampoule is induced. 3. A device for arranging and supplying a plurality of ampoules that are randomly and collectively thrown in, and an ampoule transporting section comprising a water flow path in which a water flow flows in a predetermined ampoule supply direction, The ampoule feeding section is provided at an upstream side end portion of the water flow of the ampoule conveying section, and an ampoule feeding section into which a plurality of ampules are irregularly put all at once, and is provided at a downstream side end portion of the water flow of the ampoule conveying section, An ampoule take-out section for taking out and supplying the aligned and adjusted ampules one by one, and in the water flow path of the ampoule transfer section, the buoyancy of water acting on the ampoule floating in the water flow and the posture depending on the position of the center of gravity of the ampoule. An ampoule supply device characterized in that a plurality of ampules are arranged to have the same posture and are supplied downward by an adjusting action. 4. A shallow water portion for posture change is provided at an intermediate position of the water flow passage, and an ampoule flowing in the water flow passage in a non-aligned state performs a fall motion when passing through the shallow water portion. 4. The ampoule feeding device according to claim 3, wherein the posture adjusting action is induced by a moving action of air existing inside the hermetically sealed ampoule during a fall motion. 5. A reflux path for branching back to the ampoule input section is provided at a position upstream of the ampoule removal section in the water flow path, and the shallow section is provided at an intermediate position of the reflux path. The ampoule feeding device according to claim 4, wherein 6. The shallow water portion has a mountain-shaped cross section composed of an inclined surface that gradually rises in the water flow direction and an inclined surface that gradually descends from the inclined surface in the water flow direction. The height of the apex position of the chevron cross-section is such that when an ampoule that flows in an unaligned state in the water flow path passes through the shallow part, a part of it slides into sliding contact with the shallow part, causing the ampoule to fall. The ampoule feeding device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the ampoule feeding device is set so that the action of moving the air existing inside the sealed interior of the ampoule occurs. 7. The ampoule take-out section includes a sorting gate for passing only the ampoules in an aligned state, and an ampoule sending section for intermittently feeding the ampoules sequentially passing through the sorting gate one by one at a predetermined interval. 7. A transfer section for taking out the ampoule sent from the ampoule sending section from the water flow path and transferring the ampoule to a predetermined portion, the transfer section being provided. The ampoule feeding device described. 8. The sorting gate of the ampule take-out section is a sorting gate that allows only ampoules in an aligned state to pass.
An ampoule feeding section that intermittently sends the ampules that sequentially pass through the sorting gate at a predetermined interval one by one, and the ampoule that is sent from this ampoule feeding section is taken out from the water flow path and transferred to a predetermined site. The ampoule supply device according to claim 7, further comprising a transfer section that supplies the ampoule. 9. The ampoule supply device according to claim 7, wherein the selection gate is configured so that a passable size thereof can be adjusted in accordance with a shape and size of a target ampoule. 10. An ampoule labeling system for continuously sticking a label sticker on which liquid chemical data such as kind and quantity of liquid medicine is printed on the outer peripheral surface of a plurality of ampoules, wherein the label sticker printed with the predetermined data is An ampoule labeling part to be attached to the outer peripheral surface of the ampoule, and an ampoule supply part for aligning and sequentially supplying ampoules to the ampoule labeling part, wherein the ampoule supply part is any one of claims 1 to 9. An ampoule labeling system comprising the ampoule supply device described in 1. 11. The ampoule labeling section includes a printing unit that prints the predetermined data on a label sticker so that the predetermined data can be read by an optical reading device, and an ampoule moving unit that supports and moves the ampoule and stops positioning at a predetermined position. A label temporary holding means that holds the surface side of the label sticker on which the chemical liquid data is printed by the printing means and is movable between a sticking standby position and a sticking position, and is arranged in the movement path of the ampoule moving means. The label sticking means for sticking and sticking the entire label sticker temporarily fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the ampoule by the label temporary fixing means to the outer peripheral surface, wherein the label sticking means is supported rotatably freely. The ampoule moving means is provided with a pair of pressure rollers that can be closely rolled on the outer peripheral surface of the ampoule, and both of these pressure rollers are provided. The label seal is temporarily arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the ampoule when the ampoule supported by the ampoule moving means is allowed to pass between the pressure rollers. The ampoule labeling system according to claim 10, wherein the entire back surface is configured to be closely attached to the outer peripheral surface by both pressure rollers. 12. The label temporary holding means includes a label suction portion for vacuum-sucking the surface of the label seal, and the vacuum suction force of the label suction portion is such that the label seal is temporarily fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the ampoule at the attaching position. The ampoule labeling system according to claim 11, characterized in that it is set to be smaller than a back surface adhesive force of the label sticker itself at the time of being applied. 13. The ampoule labeling according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the temporary label fixing means includes a cushioning mechanism for cushioning a shock when temporarily fixing the label seal to the outer peripheral surface of the ampoule. system. 14. The pressure roller of the label attaching means comprises:
It is in the form of a cylindrical roller made of an elastically deformable cushioning material, so that when the ampoule passes between the pressure rollers, the entire back surface of the label seal temporarily fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the ampoule is covered. The ampoule labeling system according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the ampoule labeling system is configured to be pressed against the outer peripheral surface with a predetermined pressure by elasticity of a pressure roller. 15. The pressure roller of the label attaching means comprises:
It is in the form of a cylindrical roller made of an elastically deformable cushion material, and the pressure roller is supported by a swing arm so as to be freely rotatable, and the swing arm moves in the direction in which both pressure rollers approach and close. When the ampoule passes between the pressure rollers, the entire back surface of the label sticker temporarily fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the ampoule is covered by the pressure rollers. The ampoule labeling system according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the ampoule labeling system is configured to be pressed against the surface with a predetermined pressure. 16. A label supply means for supplying a label seal, wherein the label supply means supplies a label tape having a label seal releasably attached on a base tape at a predetermined interval. A label peeling unit that peels off the label seal of the label tape fed from the tape supply unit, and a tape collecting unit that collects the base tape after the label seal is peeled off by the label peeling unit, The ampoule labeling according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the label sticker peeled from the base tape at the label peeling portion is configured to be held by the label temporary fixing means. system.