JP2009089748A - Cutting method and cutting mechanism of compounding apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cutting method and a cutting mechanism of a compounding apparatus which permit a safety measure to be taken for cutting edges without providing a separate protective member or the like around the cutting edges. <P>SOLUTION: The cutting method comprises: inserting the tip of a vertical upper edge 740 into the groove of a vertical lower edge 760, when the cutting of a PTP tablet sheet or the rest is not performed; inserting the tip of a horizontal upper edge 750 into the groove of a horizontal lower edge 770; and previously moving both of the upper edges to prescribed home positions when cutting is performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a cutting method and a cutting mechanism of a dispensing device, and in particular, the tablet sheet in a dispensing device that automatically dispenses a packaged tablet called a PTP (press-through package) tablet sheet into a tablet cassette. Suitable for control when cutting.

  Traditionally, pharmacists perform dispensing work in pharmacies such as hospitals according to doctors' prescriptions, but in general hospitals where medical fields are wide, there are many types of tablets that can be taken out at all times, and storage locations are limited. Not only was it necessary, but the work of dispensing based on prescriptions was very mentally and physically burdensome.

  Therefore, a dispensing device has been developed that automatically dispenses a predetermined number of predetermined tablets including a fraction of a PTP tablet sheet based on a preset program (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). The PTP tablet sheet is a packaging form in which the tablet is taken out by breaking the bottom aluminum sheet part by pressing the tablet side. Generally, 10 or more tablets are made into one sheet. Supplied.

Here, the tablet cassette on which the PTP tablet sheet is placed is accommodated in the cassette shelf, and the claw portion of the chucking device mounted on the head device chucks the PTP tablet sheet at the lowest position in the tablet cassette. King and carry between the cutter blade of the cutting device and the base below it. Therefore, the PTP tablet sheet is cut into a predetermined shape with a sharp tip of the cutter blade by pressing the cutter blade toward the base. At that time, in order to accurately cut the PTP tablet sheet, the cutter blade is placed in advance at the home position above the base, and the cutter blade is pushed down from the home position toward the base each time cutting is performed.
Japanese Patent No. 3673273 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-052233

  In the above Patent Documents 1 and 2, when the cutting is not performed, the cutter blade is in the home position above the base, and the gap between the cutter blade and the base is large. It is often arranged on the back side. Therefore, when maintenance is performed by a user or the like, the cutter blade is blinded from the front of the machine, and the user or the like may accidentally touch the tip of the cutter blade. However, if a protective member or the like is provided around the cutter blade to prevent users from accidentally touching the tip of the cutter blade, the machine will be enlarged and the number of parts will increase. A new problem of high costs arises.

  In addition, when cutting is not performed for a while, dust accumulates in the gap between the cutter blade and the base, and this dust may set the PTP tablet sheet slightly in an unspecified direction on the base. There was also a risk that normal cutting of the PTP tablet sheet could not be performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cutting method and a cutting mechanism of a dispensing device capable of taking safety measures for a cutter blade with a simple and inexpensive configuration. .

  A first invention is a cutting method of a dispensing device for cutting a tablet sheet by inserting a tablet sheet between a cutter blade and a base and moving the cutter blade relative to the base. When the tablet sheet is not cut, the gap between the cutter blade and the base is set to a predetermined value or less. The predetermined value is preferably set to a value that prevents a part of the body of the user or the like from entering the gap between the cutter blade and the base. In addition, when the tablet sheet is not cut, it includes a power-on time, a standby time, and a cutting end time.

  A second invention is a cutting mechanism of a dispensing device for cutting a tablet sheet by inserting a tablet sheet between the cutter blade and the base and moving the cutter blade relative to the base. When the tablet sheet is not cut, there is provided a gap control means for setting the gap between the cutter blade and the base to a predetermined value or less.

  According to the first and second inventions, when the tablet sheet is not cut, the distance between the cutter blade and the base is set to a predetermined value or less. Therefore, even if the cutter blade has a blind spot, there is no possibility that the user or the like accidentally touches the tip of the cutter blade. Accordingly, since it is not necessary to provide a separate protective member or the like around the cutter blade, the size of the machine is not increased, the number of parts is increased, and the product cost is not increased. Further, even when cutting is not performed for a while, dust does not accumulate in the gap between the cutter blade and the base. Therefore, the dust does not cause the PTP tablet sheet to be set slightly tilted in an unspecified direction on the base, so that there is no possibility that normal cutting of the PTP tablet sheet cannot be performed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the cutter blade comprises an upper blade that moves relative to the base, and a grooved lower blade that is disposed on the base so as to face the upper blade, and the tablet When the sheet is not cut, it is preferable to accommodate the tip of the upper blade in the groove of the lower blade.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the cutter blade comprises an upper blade that moves relative to the base, and a grooved lower blade that is disposed on the base so as to face the upper blade. When cutting is not performed, the upper blade is accommodated in the groove of the lower blade, and the upper blade is hidden in the groove of the lower blade, so that there is no possibility that the user or the like accidentally touches the upper blade. In addition, even when cutting is not performed for a while, dust or the like is not clogged in the groove portion of the lower blade disposed opposite to the upper blade, so that there is no possibility that normal cutting of the tablet sheet cannot be performed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the cutter blade includes an upper blade that moves relative to the base, and a contact plate that is disposed on the base so as to face the upper blade, and cuts a tablet sheet. When not performed, the upper blade is preferably brought into contact with the abutment plate.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the cutter blade comprises an upper blade that moves relative to the base, and a contact plate that is disposed on the base so as to face the upper blade, and for cutting a tablet sheet. When not performed, the upper blade is brought into contact with the abutting plate, so that the tip of the upper blade is in contact with the abutting plate, so that there is no possibility that the user or the like accidentally touches the tip of the upper blade. In addition, even when cutting is not performed for a while, dust or the like does not accumulate on the contact plate disposed opposite to the upper blade, so that there is no possibility that normal cutting of the tablet sheet cannot be performed.

  As in the fourth aspect of the invention, when cutting a tablet sheet, it is preferable to move the cutter blade to a predetermined home position in advance. The predetermined home position is preferably set to a height position that allows the PTP tablet sheet to be carried into the gap between the cutter blade and the base.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when cutting a tablet sheet, the cutter blade is moved to a predetermined home position in advance, so that an accurate feed amount of the cutter blade can be set with the home position as an origin. As a result, normal cutting of the tablet sheet can be performed.

  According to the first and second inventions, when the tablet sheet is not cut, the distance between the cutter blade and the base is set to a predetermined value or less. Therefore, even if the cutter blade has a blind spot, there is no possibility that the user or the like accidentally touches the tip of the cutter blade. Accordingly, since it is not necessary to provide a separate protective member or the like around the cutter blade, the size of the machine is not increased, the number of parts is increased, and the product cost is not increased. Further, even when cutting is not performed for a while, dust does not accumulate in the gap between the cutter blade and the base. Therefore, the dust does not cause the PTP tablet sheet to be set slightly tilted in an unspecified direction on the base, so that there is no possibility that normal cutting of the PTP tablet sheet cannot be performed.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing main components of a dispensing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the dispensing device 1 includes two Y carriages 200 and 200 provided on the left and right sides of the box-shaped device main body 100, and X carriages supported by the Y carriages 200 and 200, respectively. 300, 300, two chucking units 400, 400 supported by these X carriages 300, 300, and two on the front left and right sides of the apparatus main body 100, and a plurality of tablet cassettes 500, 500,. Cassette shelves 600, 600 that can be mounted side by side in the left-right direction, cutting units (corresponding to a cutting mechanism) 700, 700 that are respectively disposed below these cassette shelves 600, 600, and left and right cassette shelves 600, Below one of the two cassette shelves 600, 600, one conveyance core disposed between the left and right ends. And a bare unit 800.

  Hereinafter, representative components of a plurality of components will be described.

  The Y carriage 200 includes a servo motor 210, a ball screw 220 in the vertical axis direction (Y direction in FIG. 1) driven by the servo motor 210, vertical guides 230 and 230 respectively disposed on the left and right of the ball screw 220, The X carriage 300 includes a carriage main body 310 that moves up and down together with the nut 240 by the rotation of the ball screw 220 while being guided by the vertical guides 230 and 230, and the carriage main body. On 310, a servo motor 410, a ball screw 415 in the horizontal axis direction (X direction in FIG. 1) driven by the servo motor 410, and a nut (not shown) are provided.

  2 is a perspective view of the tablet cassette 500 as viewed from the side facing the chucking unit 400, FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing a state of the tablet cassette 500 before the sheet is cued, and FIG. It is a sectional side view which shows the state of time. In the following, the side of the tablet cassette 500 that faces the chucking unit 400 is referred to as the front, and the opposite side is referred to as the rear.

  The tablet cassette 500 in the present embodiment is formed to be slightly wider than various PTP tablet sheets (corresponding to tablet sheets) 900 to be stacked. Accordingly, a plurality of tablet cassettes 500 having different width dimensions are prepared according to the widths of various PTP tablet sheets 900. As shown in FIG. 2, the specific configuration thereof includes a long cassette base 510 having a concave cross section and a cassette body 520 that is detachably fitted from the longitudinal direction of the cassette base 510. ing.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, projections 512 and 512 having L-shapes in a side view are formed in the front and rear (and left and right), respectively, on the back side of the bottom plate 511 of the cassette base 510, and the rear end of the bottom plate 511 is A tongue piece 513 that is bent upward and has elasticity is formed. A support member 514 having a reverse concave shape in cross section is formed on the surface side of the rear portion of the bottom plate 511, and two left and right tongue pieces 515 and 515 that are cantilevered by the support member 514 are respectively formed so as to descend toward the front portion. Has been.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the support member 514 and the tongue pieces 515 and 515 are both disposed in the left and right side walls 516 and 517 of the cassette base 510, and the tongue pieces 515 and 515 serve as PTP tablet sheets. A fraction of 900, 900,... Is chucked. However, the number of the strips 515 is not limited to two but may be one or three or more.

  The cassette main body 520 further includes a main body upper part 530 on which a plurality of PTP tablet sheets 900, 900,... Can be stacked, and a main body lower part 540 attached integrally to the lower part of the main body upper part 530. .

  The main body lower part 540 is disposed so as to be buried in the left and right side walls 516 and 517 of the cassette base 510 in an assembled state with the cassette base 510 of the cassette main body 520. As shown, a link mechanism (not shown) for sequentially taking out the PTP tablet sheets 900 stacked at the bottom of the upper portion 530 of the main body is provided on a bottom plate 541 having a long shape with a concave cross section.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the main body upper part 530 is embedded in the left and right side walls 516 and 517 of the cassette base 510 from its rear part to the middle part in an assembled state with the cassette base 510 of the cassette main body 520. The side wall 516 and 517 of the cassette base 510 are projected from the middle part to the front part of the cassette base 510 so as to project in an L shape when viewed from the side. The projected front walls 531 are bent inward at the front end. Thus, they are arranged to face each other with a predetermined gap. The upper ends of the front wall 531 are connected to each other by a reinforcing plate 532.

  A bar-like member 533 is erected on the rear part of the upper part 530 of the main body, and is laid down when the PTP tablet sheets 900, 900,... Are filled, so that the PTP tablet sheet 900, The PTP tablet sheets 900, 900,... Are aligned by raising the rod-like member 533 while sandwiching 900,.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the chucking unit 400 includes a Z carriage 411 extending forward (Z direction in FIG. 1) from the carriage body 310, a rotary solenoid 420 disposed on the Z carriage 411, and the rotary solenoid 420. Chuck 430 driven by the horizontal axis, horizontal guides 440 and 440 respectively disposed on the left and right sides of the chuck 430, a primary bucket 450 provided at a lower portion between the horizontal guides 440 and 440, and a front portion of the primary bucket 450 A line sensor 460 provided and a secondary bucket 480 with a shutter 470 provided below the primary bucket 450 are provided. The Z carriage 411 is composed of a servo motor (not shown), a ball screw, and a nut.

  If it is not necessary to punch the fraction of the PTP tablet sheet 900, the chuck 430 of the chucking unit 400 moves forward in response to an operation command from a controller (not shown), and the chuck 430 directly uses the tablet cassette. By pressing the pressing member 543 of 500, the pushing member (not shown) is moved forward by the function of the link mechanism.

  By pressing the rear end of the PTP tablet sheet 900 loaded on the lowermost side of the tablet cassette 500 with the moved extruding member, the front end of the PTP tablet sheet 900 slightly protrudes from the tablet cassette 500. From the state shown in FIG. 3 to the state shown in FIG. 4, so-called cueing is performed. The chucked PTP tablet sheet 900 is chucked by the chuck 430 and pulled forward, and the chucking by the chuck 430 is released to drop the pulled PTP tablet sheet 900 into the primary bucket 450. The primary bucket 450 is moved onto the secondary bucket 480 using the X carriage 300 and the Y carriage 200. Then, a bottom shutter (not shown) of the primary bucket 450 is opened, and the PTP tablet sheet 900 is dropped into the secondary bucket 480. Next, the bottom shutter 470 of the secondary bucket 480 is opened, and the PTP tablet sheet 900 is dropped onto the transport conveyor unit 800.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the cutting unit 700 (the state in which the vertical upper blade 740 and the horizontal upper blade 750 are at the home position), and FIG. 6 is the configuration of the cutting unit 700 (the vertical upper blade 740 and the horizontal upper blade 750). Is a perspective view showing a state in which the vertical lower blade 760 and the horizontal lower blade 770 are inserted into the respective grooves).

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the cutting unit 700 has a unit body 710 having a square shape in front view, a slide shaft 715 standing on the left and right of the front of the unit body 710, and a predetermined rigidity. A servo motor 725 incorporated in an upper structure 720 having a vertical upper blade (corresponding to a cutter blade) 740 is installed on the left and right slide shafts 715 so that the servo motor 725 slides in the vertical direction. And an upper blade attachment member 735 with a horizontal upper blade (corresponding to a cutter blade) 750, and a vertical lower portion disposed opposite to the vertical upper blade 740 and the horizontal upper blade 750 of the upper blade attachment member 735, respectively. A lower blade attachment table (corresponding to a base) 780 to which the blade 760 and the horizontal lower blade 770 are attached, and a cutting of the lower blade attachment table 780 A tray 790 disposed below the section 785, and a dispensing mechanism 730 Translate the cut piece or the like of the PTP tablet sheets unillustrated on the tray 790 within.

  More specifically, the unit main body 710 includes a bottom plate, side plates erected on both left and right sides of the bottom plate, and a top plate supported by the side plate. 780 is configured.

  The upper blade attaching member 735 has a vertical upper blade 740 suspended from the lower portion thereof, and a horizontal upper blade 750 suspended from the lower portion. The upper blade attaching member 735 is driven in the vertical direction by the rotation of the servo motor 725 via a rack and pinion mechanism (not shown).

  A vertical lower blade 760 is horizontally attached to the upper portion of the lower blade attachment table 780, and a horizontal lower blade 770 is horizontally attached to the upper portion. The vertical lower blade 760 has a vertical groove in which the vertical upper blade 740 can be inserted and removed, and the horizontal lower blade 770 has a horizontal groove in which the horizontal upper blade 750 can be inserted and removed. The lower blade may be a contact plate.

  The cut length of the vertical upper blade 740 is set based on the pitch p of the smallest perforation 940 in the adopted chemical PTP tablet sheet 900, and the cut length of the horizontal upper blade 750 is set in the adopted chemical PTP tablet sheet 900. It is set slightly longer than the maximum width (see FIG. 7 described later).

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 7, for example, the PTP tablet sheet 900 has a plurality of tablet pieces (the smallest unit cut by the cutting unit 700) 901, 901,. ing. Normally, when the cutting operation of the PTP tablet sheet 900 is performed by the vertical upper blade 740 and the horizontal upper blade 750, the order of the cutting operation of the PTP tablet sheet 900 is devised, and a plurality of cut pieces 970 are formed to form a tablet piece 901. , 901,... Do not fall apart.

  Then, a fraction of the PTP tablet sheet 900 to be cut is calculated according to the prescription data by a control device (not shown), and the servo motor 725 rotates in response to an operation command signal from a controller (not shown) corresponding to the calculated value. Thereby, cutting with the vertical upper blade 740 and the vertical lower blade 760 shall be performed. In this case, when the servo motor 725 rotates, the upper blade attaching member 735 is lowered while maintaining the horizontal state via the rack and pinion mechanism, and the horizontal upper blade 750 and the vertical upper blade 740 are simultaneously pushed down.

  When cutting in the direction perpendicular to the width direction of the PTP tablet sheet 900 is necessary, cutting with the vertical upper blade 740 is performed. In this case, since the chuck 430 of the chucking unit 400 moves the PTP tablet sheet 900 between the vertical upper blade 740 and the vertical lower blade 760, only an amount corresponding to the pitch p in the direction perpendicular to the perforation 940. A notch 960 is made (see FIG. 7 described later). Here, when the pitch p of the perforation 940 is wider than the vertical upper blade 740, cutting is performed a plurality of times.

  Next, when it is necessary to cut the PTP tablet sheet 900 in the width direction, the chuck 430 moves the PTP tablet sheet 900 between the horizontal upper blade 750 and the horizontal lower blade 770, so that the horizontal upper blade 750 is pushed down. Then, the slits 950 and 950 are made along the perforation 940 of the PTP tablet sheet 900 by being inserted into a lateral groove (not shown) of the horizontal lower blade 770. In this case, only the PTP tablet sheet 900 sandwiched between the chucks 430 becomes a fraction sheet (remaining part) 980.

  If it is necessary to punch out the PTP tablet sheet 900, as described above, the pressing member 543 of the tablet cassette 500 is pressed by the chuck 430 of the chucking unit 400, and the link mechanism (not shown) is used. The pushing member is moved forward.

  By pressing the rear end of the PTP tablet sheet 900 loaded on the lowermost side of the tablet cassette 500 with the moved extruding member, the PTP tablet sheet 900 is cued. The chucked PTP tablet sheet 900 is chucked by the chuck 430 and pulled forward, and this time, the pulled PTP tablet sheet 900 is transported to the cutting unit 700 while being chucked.

  Here, the PTP tablet sheet 900 is subjected to fractional punching. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the PTP tablet sheet 900 has a tablet 920 on a sheet main body back surface 915 made of aluminum foil. A transparent synthetic resin sheet main body surface 910 is covered and integrated with a predetermined number of sheets. Perforations 940, 940,... Are attached to the sheet main body surface 910 side at a predetermined pitch p, and ears 930 for chucking by the chuck 430 of the chucking unit 400 are provided at the end portions. It is usually done.

  In this case, the ear portion 930 of the PTP tablet sheet 900 is sandwiched between the upper blade 431 and the lower blade 432 of the chuck 430, and the PTP tablet sheet 900 is moved to the first predetermined position. Then, in order to obtain the fraction of the tablet according to the prescription data, the vertical upper blade 740 is pushed down in the direction perpendicular to the perforation 940 of the PTP tablet sheet 900 to be inserted into the vertical lower blade 760 and the width of the PTP tablet sheet 900 Cutting in the direction perpendicular to the direction. The notch at this time is indicated by 960 in FIG.

  Further, the PTP tablet sheet 900 is moved to the second and third predetermined positions, and then the horizontal upper blade 750 is pushed down along the perforations 940 and 970 where the PTP tablet sheet 900 is provided. 770 is inserted in the width direction of the PTP tablet sheet 900. The notches at this time are indicated by 950 and 950 in FIG.

  In this way, the punched fractional PTP tablet sheet (cut piece) 970 includes three tablet pieces 901, 901,..., And these tablet pieces 901, 901,. It is connected.

  The cut piece 970 is dropped onto the transport conveyor unit 800 via the tray 790 by the action of the dispensing mechanism 730 of the cutting unit 700.

  The remaining portion 980 obtained by punching the PTP tablet sheet 900 is returned to the original tablet cassette 500 while being chucked by the chuck 430. The remaining portion 980 is inserted into and stored in the remaining portion storage portion 515a below the tongue pieces 515 and 515 of the cassette base 510.

  The remaining portion 980 of the PTP tablet sheet 900 stored in the remaining portion storage portion 515a is then chucked by the chuck 430 with the remaining portion 980 of the PTP tablet sheet 900, and pulled forward, so that the line sensor 460 Check the shape with. Then, when it is not necessary to further punch the remaining portion 980 of the PTP tablet sheet 900, the chucking by the chuck 430 is released in order to drop the remaining portion 980 of the PTP tablet sheet 900 into the primary bucket 450. The primary bucket 450 is moved onto the secondary bucket 480 using the X carriage 300 and the Y carriage 200. Then, a bottom shutter (not shown) of the primary bucket 450 is opened, and the PTP tablet sheet 900 is dropped into the secondary bucket 480. Next, the bottom shutter 470 of the secondary bucket 480 is opened, and the PTP tablet sheet 900 is dropped onto the transport conveyor unit 800.

  On the other hand, when the remaining part 980 of the remaining part 980 of the PTP tablet sheet 900 needs to be punched, as described above, the chuck 430 uses the remaining part storage part 515a below the tongue pieces 515 and 515 of the cassette base 510 to find its head. The remaining part 980 of the PTP tablet sheet 900 is chucked and pulled forward.

  The remaining portion 980 of the pulled out PTP tablet sheet 900 is conveyed to the cutting unit 700 while being chucked. Then, using the vertical upper blade 740 and the horizontal upper blade 750, the PTP tablet sheet 900 remaining portion 980 is further subjected to the fractional punching, and the further cut piece 970 punched is placed on the conveyor unit 800 as described above. Drop it.

  On the other hand, the remaining portion 980 obtained by further punching the PTP tablet sheet 900 is returned to the original tablet cassette 500 while being chucked by the chuck 430. The remaining portion 980 is inserted into and stored in the remaining portion storage portion 515a below the tongue pieces 515 and 515 of the cassette base 510.

  In this way, the PTP tablet sheet 900 loaded on the tablet cassette 500 is dispensed to its fraction without waste.

  The conveyor unit 800 includes a group of rollers 801 and tablet takeout buckets 802 and 802 that are moved in the front-rear and left-right directions by the group of rollers 801. Then, the PTP tablet sheet 900 dropped from the secondary bucket 480 via the shutter 470 or its remaining part 980 is moved in the front / rear / left / right direction by a roller group 801 and dropped into one of the tablet take-out buckets 802 and 802. It has become so.

  On the other hand, the remaining portion 980 or further remaining portion 980 of the PTP tablet sheet 900 dropped from the cutting unit 700 is similarly moved in the front / rear / left / right directions by the roller group 801 and dropped into one of the tablet takeout buckets 802 and 802. The

  In this manner, the dispensed buckets 802 and 802 accommodate the dispensed PTP tablet sheet 900 or the remainder 980 thereof.

  FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing a control system related to cutting of the dispensing device 1, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a schematic operation related to cutting of the dispensing device 1.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the control system related to the cutting of the dispensing device 1 includes a controller 10 attached to the dispensing device 1 and various calculations based on various data from the controller 10 and prescription data input separately. The controller 10 and the controller 20 constitute a control means.

  The controller 10 includes a chucking operation command unit 31 that outputs an operation command signal for controlling the chucking operation of the chucking unit 400 toward the chucking unit 400, a vertical upper blade 740 of the cutting unit 700, and a horizontal An initial operation command unit 32 for outputting an operation command signal for controlling the initial operation of moving the blade 750 to the home position toward the cutting unit 700, and an operation for controlling the cutting operation of the cutting unit 700. A cutting operation command unit 33 for outputting a command signal to the cutting unit 700, and an operation command signal for controlling the storing operation of the vertical upper blade 740 and the horizontal upper blade 750 of the cutting unit 700 Blade for output to 700 Paid operation command unit (corresponding to the gap control means.) And a 34.

  The control device 20 is configured by a general-purpose or dedicated computer that is disposed close to the dispensing device 1, and includes a ROM 21, a RAM 22, a display unit 23, an input unit 24, and a CPU 25. The ROM 21 stores a control program of the dispensing device 1 and various preset data, and the RAM 22 temporarily stores data. The display unit 23 is composed of an LCD or the like, and displays various messages to the user. The input unit 24 is for inputting various instructions and prescription data of the user.

  The CPU 25 controls the overall operation of the dispensing device 1 through the controller 10 in accordance with a control program stored in advance in the ROM 21. For example, prescription data input from the input unit 24, the line sensor in FIG. Whether or not to cut the PTP tablet sheet 900 or the remaining portion 980 is determined based on the fraction data read at 460 and the like.

  Hereinafter, a series of operations related to cutting of the dispensing device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Now, it is assumed that the vertical upper blade 740 and the horizontal upper blade 750 of the cutting unit 700 are inserted into the grooves of the vertical lower blade 760 and the horizontal lower blade 770.

  In this state, in FIG. 9, for example, when the power is turned on first in the morning, various default values and the like are read into the CPU 25 and the like, and so-called initial setting is performed (step S1). Next, the CPU 25 determines whether or not to cut the PTP tablet sheet 900 or the remaining part 980 based on, for example, prescription data input from the input unit 24, fraction data read by the line sensor 460 in FIG. Step S2). When it is determined that cutting is not performed (NO in step S2), the blade storing operation command unit 34 outputs an operation command signal to the cutting unit 700 (step S3). Since the vertical upper blade 740 and the horizontal upper blade 750 of 700 are inserted into the grooves of the vertical lower blade 760 and the horizontal lower blade 770, the state returns to just before step S2 in that state. On the other hand, when it is determined that cutting is to be performed (YES in step S <b> 2), the initial operation command unit 32 outputs an operation command signal to the cutting unit 700. In response to this operation command signal, the servo motor 725 of the cutting unit 700 rotates, and the upper blade attaching member 735 moves up while maintaining the horizontal state by the action of the rack and pinion mechanism.

  Then, the vertical upper blade 740 and the horizontal upper blade 750 attached to the upper blade attachment member 735 are pushed up simultaneously. The upper blade attaching member 735 hits the upper structure 720 and stops at a position where the servo motor 725 is in an overload error state. The stop position of the upper blade attachment member 735 becomes the home position of the vertical upper blade 740 and the horizontal upper blade 750 (step S4).

  Next, the chucking operation command unit 31 outputs an operation command signal to the chucking unit 400. In response to this operation command signal, the chuck 430 of the chucking unit 400 chucks the lowermost PTP tablet sheet 900 or the remaining portion 980 from the tablet cassette 500 and conveys it to the cutting unit 700 to receive the upper blade mounting member 735. The PTP tablet sheet 900 or the remaining portion 980 is inserted between the vertical upper blade 740 and the horizontal upper blade 750 attached to the lower blade attachment table 780 and the vertical lower blade 760 and the horizontal lower blade 770 (see FIG. Step S5).

  Then, the cutting operation command unit 33 outputs an operation command signal toward the cutting unit 700. In response to this operation command signal, the servo motor 725 of the cutting unit 700 rotates in the opposite direction, and in this case as well, the upper blade attaching member 735 is lowered while maintaining the horizontal state by the action of the rack and pinion mechanism.

  Then, the vertical upper blade 740 and the horizontal upper blade 750 attached to the upper blade attachment member 735 are pushed down simultaneously. The vertical upper blade 740 and the horizontal upper blade 750 attached to the upper blade attachment member 735 are carried in between the vertical lower blade 760 and the horizontal lower blade 770 attached to the lower blade attachment table 780. The sheet 900 or the remaining part 980 is cut (step S6).

  Next, the chucking operation command unit 31 outputs an operation command signal to the chucking unit 400. In response to this operation command signal, the chuck 430 of the chucking unit 400 chucks and takes out the remaining portion 980 of the PTP tablet sheet 900 (or the remaining portion 980 of the remaining portion 980) from the cutting unit 700, and stores the remaining portion of the tablet cassette 500. It is conveyed to 515a (step S7). The process returns again immediately before step S2.

  The CPU 25 determines whether or not to cut the PTP tablet sheet 900 or the remaining portion 980 based on, for example, prescription data input from the input unit 24, fraction data read by the line sensor 460 of FIG. 1, and the like (step S2). ). If it is determined that no cutting is to be performed (NO in step S2), the blade storing operation command unit 34 outputs an operation command signal to the cutting unit 700 (step S3).

  In response to the operation command signal, the servo motor 725 of the cutting unit 700 rotates, and the upper blade mounting member 735 is lowered while maintaining the horizontal state by the action of the rack and pinion mechanism.

  Then, the vertical upper blade 740 and the horizontal upper blade 750 attached to the upper blade attachment member 735 are pushed down simultaneously. Then, the tips of the vertical upper blade 740 and the horizontal upper blade 750 attached to the upper blade attachment member 735 are respectively inserted into the grooves of the vertical lower blade 760 and the horizontal lower blade 770 attached to the lower blade attachment table 780. When the motor rotation speed is sufficiently inserted, the servo motor 725 of the cutting unit 700 stops rotating. The process returns to step S2. Then, steps S2 to S7 are repeated until the power is turned off.

  According to this embodiment, when the cutting unit 700 does not cut the PTP tablet sheet 900 or the remaining portion 980, such as when the power is turned on, when waiting, or when the cutting of the PTP tablet sheet 900 or the remaining portion 980 is finished, the upper blade attaching member Since the tips of the vertical upper blade 740 and the horizontal upper blade 750 attached to 735 are respectively inserted into the grooves of the vertical lower blade 760 and the horizontal lower blade 770 attached to the lower blade attachment table 780, the user Even when the vertical upper blade 740 and the horizontal upper blade 750 are blind spots from the front of the machine, etc., during maintenance, etc., the user or the like accidentally touches the vertical upper blade 740 and the horizontal upper blade 750. No fear. Accordingly, there is no need to provide a separate protective member or the like around the vertical upper blade 740 and the horizontal upper blade 750, so there is no increase in the size of the machine, the number of parts increases, and the product cost increases. Nothing will happen. In addition, since dust or the like is not clogged in the grooves of the vertical lower blade 760 and the horizontal lower blade 770, there is no possibility that normal cutting of the PTP tablet sheet 900 or the remaining portion 980 cannot be performed.

  In the above embodiment, the lower blade mounting table 780 is exemplified by the case where the grooved vertical lower blade 760 and the grooved horizontal lower blade 770 are attached to the upper portion thereof. The point which may be this board is as above-mentioned. In such a case, when the cutting unit 700 does not cut the PTP tablet sheet 900 or the remaining portion 980, the tips of the vertical upper blade and the horizontal upper blade are in contact with the corresponding plates, respectively. There is no risk of accidentally touching the tip of the vertical upper blade or horizontal upper blade. In addition, even when cutting is not performed for a while, dust or the like does not collect on each of the contact plates arranged to face the vertical upper blade and the horizontal upper blade, so that normal cutting of the PTP tablet sheet 900 cannot be performed. There is no fear.

  In the above embodiment, the two cassette shelves 600 and 600 are arranged on the left and right. However, the cassette shelves may be arranged at the front and rear, or one or three or more cassette shelves may be arranged. Good. In that case, it is preferable from the viewpoint of work efficiency that the number of carriages, chucking units, cutting units, and the like correspond to this.

  In the above embodiment, the PTP tablet cassettes 500, 500,... Are arranged on the shelf plate 602 of the cassette shelf 600 in the width direction of the PTP tablet cassettes 500, 500,. However, the shelf plate is not limited to a stationary flat plate shape, and may be, for example, a cylindrical shape rotating around a predetermined axis. In that case, it is sufficient to move the chucking unit 400 relative to each PTP tablet cassette 500, 500,... Mounted on the rotating shelf.

It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the main components of the dispensing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view seen from the side which faces the chucking unit of a tablet cassette. It is a sectional side view which shows the state before the sheet | seat cueing of a tablet cassette. It is a sectional side view which shows the state at the time of the sheet | seat search of a tablet cassette. It is a perspective view which shows the structure (The state which has a vertical upper blade and a horizontal upper blade in a home position) of a cutting unit. It is a perspective view which shows the structure (The state where the vertical upper blade and the horizontal upper blade are each inserted in each groove | channel of a vertical lower blade and a horizontal lower blade) of a cutting unit. It is a figure which shows a mode that a PTP tablet sheet is chucked with the chuck | zipper of a chucking unit, (a) is a top view, (b) is a side view. It is a functional block diagram of a control device. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of a control apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1 Dispensing device 10 Controller 20 Control device 25 CPU
31 Chucking operation command unit 32 Initial operation command unit 33 Cutting operation command unit 34 Blade storing operation command unit (corresponding to gap control means)
100 apparatus main body 200 Y carriage 300 X carriage 400 chucking unit 500 tablet cassette 515a remaining portion storage portion 700 cutting unit (corresponding to a cutting mechanism)
710 Unit body 725 Servo motor 735 Upper blade mounting member 740 Vertical upper blade (corresponding to cutter blade)
750 Horizontal upper blade (corresponds to cutter blade)
760 Vertical lower blade 770 Horizontal lower blade 780 Lower blade mounting table (corresponding to the base)
800 Conveyor unit 900 PTP tablet sheet (corresponds to a tablet sheet)

Claims (5)

A cutting method for a dispensing device for cutting a tablet sheet by inserting a tablet sheet between a cutter blade and a base and moving the cutter blade relative to the base,
A cutting method for a dispensing device, wherein the gap between the cutter blade and the base is set to a predetermined value or less when the tablet sheet is not cut. The cutter blade comprises an upper blade that moves relative to the base, and a grooved lower blade that is disposed on the base so as to face the upper blade,
2. The method for cutting a dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein when the tablet sheet is not cut, the tip of the upper blade is accommodated in the groove of the lower blade. The cutter blade is composed of an upper blade that moves relative to the base, and an abutting plate disposed on the base so as to face the upper blade,
2. The method of cutting a dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein when the tablet sheet is not cut, the tip of the upper blade is brought into contact with the abutting plate.   The cutting method for a dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when cutting a tablet sheet, the cutter blade is moved to a predetermined home position in advance. A cutting mechanism of a dispensing device for cutting a tablet sheet by inserting a tablet sheet between a cutter blade and a base and moving the cutter blade relative to the base,
A cutting mechanism for a dispensing device, comprising a gap control means for setting a gap between the cutter blade and the base to a predetermined value or less when cutting of a tablet sheet is not performed.

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