JP2013212846A - Single-dose packing system, relay unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a relay unit which, when conveying pills extracted from a pill sheet to a single-dose packing device in order to pack in a single dose, reduces the congestion or hang-up of the pills in a conveying path, and prevents damages such as the cracking and chipping of the pills.SOLUTION: Pills 3902 extracted from a pill sheet are conveyed to a single-dose packing device through a conveying path in a relay unit. A bottom face of the conveying path is formed in a convex shape so that tangent planes 4001 are prevented from being formed between the pills 3902 and pill conveying path side walls 3901. Thus, the pills are held inclined and pushed out.

Description

  The present invention relates to a packaging system and a relay unit.

  Conventionally, in the dispensing business, in order to pack a tablet (medicine) provided in a PTP sheet, it is necessary to take out the number of tablets from the PTP sheet one by one by hand and set it in the packaging machine. The work was complicated.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, Patent Document 1 proposes a tablet unpacking apparatus that unpacks a tablet from a tablet sheet, and administers the tablet in an appropriate container such as a plastic bottle for a single dose. .

  Specifically, Patent Document 1 prepares a plurality of tablet unpacking devices for taking out tablets from a tablet sheet, collects the tablets taken out by the plurality of tablet unpacking devices at a lower gathering portion, etc. It is described that it is put in a container.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-194889

  However, for example, a medicine packaging in which a tablet taken out by a tablet unpacking device is dropped into a relay unit and the tablet relayed (delivered) by the relay unit is packaged in a medicine bag in order to efficiently perform packaging. In the apparatus, when the bottom surface of the tablet conveyance path of the relay unit shown in FIG. 39 is flat, especially when trying to convey a plurality of flat tablets, the tablets may be in a daisy chain depending on the arrangement of the tablets. A plurality of tangent planes may be generated between the left and right side walls of the path and each tablet, and clogging or catching may occur in the tablet transport path.

  When the tablet extruding unit 1700 or the tablet extruding unit 2000 that is operated from behind is extruded, the tangent plane between the tablets or the tangent plane formed between the tablet and the side wall of the tablet transport path is not released, There is a risk that the tablet cannot be pushed forward.

  As a result, the tablet extruding portion 1700 or the tablet extruding portion 2000 from the rear collides with the tablet that cannot be moved due to being caught or that can move only at a low speed, and breakage such as cracking or chipping of the tablet occurs due to the impact. There is a risk that.

  If the tablet conveyance path is widened, the problem can be avoided, but the lateral direction of the tablet supply system becomes large. Even if the tablet conveyance path is widened, theoretically, if the number of tablets is large, there is a possibility that this tangent plane may be generated if the tablets are arranged like a daisy chain.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for reducing clogging or catching of a tablet in a transport path when a tablet taken out from a tablet sheet is transported to a packaging device for packaging. .

  The present invention relates to a packaging system in which a tablet taken out from a tablet sheet passes through a relay unit and is packaged by a packaging device, and the tablet in the relay unit is transported to the packaging device. The bottom surface of the conveyance path is formed in a convex shape.

  Further, the present invention is a relay unit for transporting a tablet taken out from a tablet sheet to a packaging device, and a transport path in the relay unit in which the tablet taken out from the tablet sheet is transported to the packaging device. The bottom surface is formed in a convex shape.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when the tablet taken out from the tablet sheet is conveyed to a packaging apparatus so that it may be packaged, the clogging or catching of the tablet in a conveyance path | route can be reduced.

It is a figure which shows a packaging apparatus and a tablet supply apparatus. It is a figure which shows a tablet supply apparatus. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of a tablet extraction unit. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of a tablet extraction unit. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of a tablet supply apparatus. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of a tablet supply unit. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of a packaging unit. It is the figure which expanded a part (703,704,705) of the internal structure of the packaging unit 701. FIG. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the tablet extraction unit. It is the figure which looked at the tablet supply apparatus 10 from the front. It is the figure which looked at the tablet supply apparatus 10 from the side (right side seeing from the front). It is the figure which extracted a part of the tablet supply apparatus 10 shown in FIG. It is the figure which looked at the inside of tablet supply device 10 from the side (right side seeing from the front). It is a section inclination figure showing the internal structure of tablet extraction unit. It is a section inclination figure showing the internal structure of tablet extraction unit. It is a section inclination figure showing the internal structure of tablet extraction unit. It is a figure showing a mode that the tablet gathered in the 2nd accumulation hopper 501 is dammed up by tablet extrusion part 1700 of the 1st delivery mechanism (the 1st relay unit) 502. It is the figure which showed a mode that the tablet extrusion part 1700 moved backward and the tablet fell in the inside of the 2nd delivery mechanism 504. FIG. It is the figure which showed a mode that the tablet extrusion part 1700 advanced and the tablet was extruded toward the 3rd integration | stacking hopper 503. FIG. It is the figure which showed a mode that the tablet gathered in the 3rd integration | stacking hopper 503 was dammed up. It is the figure which showed a tablet extrusion part 2000 retreating back (moving), and a mode that the tablet fell in the inside of the 2nd delivery mechanism 504. FIG. It is the figure which showed a mode that the tablet extrusion part 2000 advanced (moved) ahead and the tablet was extruded toward the main hopper 505. FIG. It is the enlarged view of the hand-made tablet part 106 in the upper part of the packaging apparatus 5, and the tablet mass 2301 which comprises it. It is sectional drawing of the hand-held tablet part 106, Comprising: The figure when the shutter 2401 is closed, and the figure when the shutter 2401 is open. It is a figure which shows the detail of the slide part 2501 of the hand-made tablet part 106, and its internal structure (tablet delivery route). FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship among a tablet mass 2301, a shutter 2401, and a slide unit 2501. It is the figure which showed the position of the lid which dams the tablet falling from the slide part 2501. FIG. The positional relationship between the tablet damming lid and the third stacking hopper 503 is shown. It is a block diagram of a tablet supply system. It is a flowchart which shows the process in which CPU of the packaging apparatus 5 monitors whether the tablet extraction operation | movement by the tablet extraction unit 1 is completed. It is a time chart of the part relevant to tablet conveyance when the packaging operation | movement of one package is made into 1 cycle in the middle of packaging. It is a tablet dropping time table from a tablet taking-out unit to the bottom of the 1st accumulation hopper 402. It is a figure for demonstrating the example in which the tablet currently dammed on each tablet extrusion part is updated before and after the operation | movement start of 1 cycle. It is a flowchart of the preparatory operation | movement (tablet taking-out operation | movement-tablet extrusion operation | movement) performed before the start of packaging operation | movement. It is a time chart in the case of delaying the operation start of the next cycle. It is a flowchart of the process performed at the time of starting determination of the next cycle during packaging operation | movement, and the process performed at the time of a tablet taking-out operation start. It is a time chart in the case of using a manual tablet part and a tablet taking-out apparatus. It is a time chart in case the operation | movement of each location is performed in series, without utilizing the damming function by a tablet extrusion part. In particular, the inside of the tablet conveyance path when a plurality of flat tablets 3902 are pushed out by the tablet push-out unit 1700 or the tablet push-out unit 2000 in the first feed mechanism 502 or the second feed mechanism 504 can be understood. It is a simplified perspective view. It is a simplified front view of the tablet conveyance path | route when the tablet 3902 which is especially flat is extruded. FIG. 6 is a simplified perspective view showing the inside of a tablet conveyance path (first delivery mechanism 502 or second delivery mechanism 504) in which the bottom surface of the tablet conveyance path has a mountain shape. It is the simplified front view (sectional view) which made the bottom face of the tablet conveyance path | route of the 1st delivery mechanism 502 or the 2nd delivery mechanism 504 into a mountain shape. It is a front view (sectional view) when the bottom surface of the tablet conveyance path of the first delivery mechanism 502 or the second delivery mechanism 504 is flat. It is a figure which shows the example which made the shape of the tablet conveyance path | route bottom into two peaks. It is a front view at the time of making both sides of the bottom face of a tablet conveyance path into a slope. It is a front view when making both sides of the bottom face of a tablet conveyance path into R shape.

Hereinafter, the tablet supply system (packaging system) (FIG. 1) of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, FIG. 1 will be described.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a tablet supply system (packaging system) including a packaging device 5 (packaging device) and a tablet supply device 10.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a tablet supply system including a tablet supply device 10 and a packaging device 5 for packaging tablets supplied from the tablet supply device 10.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a tablet taking-out unit, which is a unit for taking out tablets from a tablet sheet.
The tablet sheet is generally called a PTP sheet, and the tablet sheet is also called a PTP sheet.

  A plurality of tablet extraction units 1 are stored in the tablet supply device 10. The tablet extraction unit 1 is an application example of the tablet extraction device of the present invention. Six tablet take-out units 1 are arranged in the width direction (left-right direction), and a set of the six tablet take-out units 1 is arranged in three stages up and down. That is, the tablet taking-out units 1 are arranged in 6 rows on the left and right and 3 steps on the top and bottom.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tablet supply device 10 includes a tablet extraction unit 1 having a first stage (second), a second stage (second), a third stage (second), and a set of six tablet extraction units 1. , Each is arranged.
Although the tablet supply device 10 includes a plurality of tablet extraction units 1, the number of tablet extraction units 1 may be one.
Reference numeral 5 denotes a packaging device, which is a device for packaging tablets supplied from the tablet extraction unit 1 of the tablet supply device 10.

  Reference numeral 103 denotes a powder injection unit, which is a unit into which powder to be packaged is input. Also, the powder dosed in the powder dose input unit 103 is divided into one dose, and the divided powder dose is put in a main hopper 505 described later and packaged in one dose.

  Reference numeral 10 denotes a tablet supply device, which includes one or a plurality of tablet extraction units 1 and a tablet supply unit 400 that supplies tablets extracted by the tablet extraction unit 1.

The tablet supply device 10 takes out the tablet from the tablet sheet (PTP sheet) by the tablet extraction unit 1 and supplies it to the packaging device 5 through the supply path of the tablet supply unit 400. As shown in FIG. 1, the tablet supply device 10 includes a plurality of tablet extraction units 1.
The tablet supply apparatus 10 takes out and supplies one or a plurality of tablets from a tablet sheet (PTP sheet) enclosed in a tablet container.

  Moreover, the tablet supply apparatus 10 is provided with the hand-made tablet part 106 as a tablet supply apparatus. When the user manually puts each tablet into a tablet mass 2301 described later included in the hand-made tablet unit 106, the tablet supply device 10 supplies the tablet for each tablet supply to the tablet supply unit 400. It supplies to the packaging apparatus 5 through a path | route.

Next, the tablet supply device 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the tablet supply device 10.
FIG. 2 is a view of the tablet supply device 10 as viewed from the front side.
Reference numeral 203 denotes an input port through which a tablet sheet is input to the tablet extraction unit 1.

Next, the internal structure of the tablet extraction unit 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a view showing the internal structure of the tablet taking-out unit 1.
FIG. 3 is a view of the tablet taking-out unit 1 as viewed from the front side.
In addition, FIG. 3 has shown the figure where the tablet extraction unit 1 is located in a line.

  The tablet take-out unit 1 presses the tablet storage unit of the tablet sheet 51 on the mounting table, a transport mechanism that transports the tablet sheet 51, a mounting table on which the tablet sheet 51 transported by the transport mechanism is mounted, and tablets. And an extrusion mechanism for taking out the material.

  The tablet sheet 51 is a tablet in which a tablet is sealed in the tablet housing portion by providing a sealing sheet using a metal foil made of aluminum or the like on the lower surface of a sheet main body having a tablet housing portion for housing a tablet.

  The tablet sheet 51 has a form in which convex tablet accommodating portions are arranged in two rows at intervals in the width direction on the sheet portion. The plurality of tablet accommodating portions forming each row are arranged along the length direction of the tablet sheet 51.

  The tablet sheet 51 is not limited to the form in which the tablet accommodating portions are arranged in two rows on the sheet portion, but the form in which the tablet accommodating portions are arranged in one row in the length direction of the tablet sheet 51 It is also possible to adopt a form in which the portions are arranged in a plurality of rows of 3 or more at intervals in the width direction.

Here, the internal structure of the tablet taking-out unit 1 will be further described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 is a view showing an internal structure (cross section) of the tablet taking-out unit 1.
FIG. 4 is a diagram when a PTP sheet is set in the tablet sheet inlet 203 and the PTP sheet is conveyed to the unpacking position (tablet extraction position).

The tablet extraction unit 1 includes a tablet sheet conveyance mechanism (conveyance mechanism) that conveys a tablet sheet, a mounting table 18 on which the tablet sheet is placed, and a tablet extraction mechanism (extrusion mechanism) that takes out the tablet from the tablet sheet. Yes.
Reference numeral 39 denotes a lower roller.

  The tablet sheet transport mechanism transports the tablet sheet 51 in the traveling direction, and includes a lower roller 39 spaced from each other in the traveling direction and an upper roller disposed spaced from each other in the traveling direction. And.

The transport mechanism further transports the tablet sheet 51 by a predetermined distance from the pressed position on the mounting table 18 before continuing to press the tablet storage unit, and the extrusion mechanism continues to press the tablet storage unit (retry). To do.
The lower roller 39 can be rotationally driven by a drive source, and can contact the lower surface of the PTP sheet portion to apply force to the tablet sheet 51 in the traveling method.
The upper roller can be rotationally driven by a drive source, and can contact the upper surface of the PTP sheet portion to apply a force in the traveling direction to the tablet sheet 51.
Since the position of the upper roller in the width direction is a position corresponding to between the two rows of tablet accommodating portions, the upper roller does not contact the tablet accommodating portion 52.

The lower roller 39 and the upper roller can sandwich the tablet sheet portion from above and below and convey the tablet sheet in the traveling direction. Furthermore, the lower roller 39 and the upper roller can sandwich the tablet sheet portion from above and below to transport the tablet sheet 51 in the direction opposite to the traveling direction.
Reference numeral 24 denotes an introduction chute.

The introduction chute 24 is provided on the lower surface side of the mounting table, and guides the tablet taken out from the tablet sheet 51 to a tablet introduction path 401 described later. That is, the introduction chute 24 has a discharge port on the lower surface side of the mounting table, and the tablet taken out from the tablet sheet 51 passes through the discharge port and falls into a tablet introduction path 401 described later.
The introduction chute 24 is also called a tablet take-out hopper.

The tablet taking-out unit 1 further has a changing mechanism that changes the speed at which the tablet accommodating portion of the tablet sheet 51 on the mounting table 18 is pressed.
The push-out mechanism continues (retrys) pressing of the tablet accommodating portion at a speed changed to a higher speed.
The extruding mechanism includes an inner pressing body 83 that presses the vicinity of the center of the tablet accommodating portion, and an outer pressing body 84 that presses a portion outside the vicinity of the center.

The inner pressing body 83 and the outer pressing body 84 operate independently to press the tablet accommodating portion of the PTP sheet and take out the tablet from the PTP sheet.
The extruding mechanism presses the tablet container by the outer pressing body 84 before the inner pressing body 83.

  Since the tip of the inner pressing body 83 has a smaller area than the tablet accommodating part of most tablet sheets 51, the inner pressing body 83 protrudes from the hole opened in the tablet sheet when taking out the tablet (when lowered). .

Since the tip of the outer pressing body 84 has a larger area than the tablet accommodating portion of most tablet sheets 51, the tip does not protrude from the hole opened in the tablet sheet 51 when taking out the tablet (when descending). That is, it is for crushing the tablet accommodating part of the tablet sheet 51.
The tablet taking-out mechanism (extrusion mechanism) has a first lifting mechanism that lifts and lowers the outer pressing body 84 and a second lifting mechanism that lifts and lowers the inner pressing body 83.

  The first elevating mechanism includes a first elevating body 93 to which the outer pressing body 84 is attached, a cam 94 that drives to rotate the first elevating body 93 and urges the first elevating body 93 in the upward direction. And a biasing member (spring).

  The 1st raising / lowering body 93 is a columnar body extended over the front-back direction, and the outer side press body 84 is attached to the front-end part. The cam 94 is a plate-like body designed in consideration of the lifting operation of the outer pressing body 84, and is fixed to a shaft portion that is rotationally driven by a drive mechanism.

  The cam 94 is provided on the upper surface side of the first elevating body 93, is rotationally driven with the rotation of the shaft portion, adjusts the height position by pressing the first elevating body 93, and thereby the outer pressing body 84. The height position of the outer pressing body 84 can be adjusted (the elevating operation of the outer pressing body 84 is performed). The first elevating mechanism can arbitrarily set the timing and displacement amount of the outer pressing body 84 by setting the timing of the cam rotation operation, the shape of the cam, the fixed position of the cam with respect to the shaft portion, and the like.

  The second elevating mechanism includes a second elevating body 98 to which the inner pressing body 83 is attached, a cam 99 that rotates to drive the second elevating body 98 up and down, and biases the second elevating body 98 in the upward direction. And a biasing member (spring).

  The second elevating body 98 is a columnar body extending in the front-rear direction, and an inner pressing body 83 is attached to the front end portion. The cam 99 is provided on the upper surface side of the second elevating body 98 and is rotationally driven with the rotation of the shaft portion, and presses the second elevating body 98 to adjust the height position. The height position can be adjusted (the inner pressing body 83 is moved up and down). The second elevating mechanism can arbitrarily set the elevating operation timing and displacement amount of the inner pressing body 83 by setting the rotation timing of the cam 99, the shape of the cam, the fixed position of the cam with respect to the shaft portion, and the like.

  For this reason, the cam 94 and the cam 99 can operate independently of each other with respect to the first lifting body and the second lifting body, respectively, and the inner pressing body 83 and the outer pressing body 84 can be lifted and lowered independently of each other. it can.

  The timing of the rotational operation of the two cams in the tablet take-out mechanism can be determined based on a signal from the detection unit of the tablet position detection mechanism. Specifically, the inner pressing body 83 and the outer pressing body 84 can be operated in accordance with the detected position of the tablet accommodating portion.

The tablet taking-out unit 1 further includes a detection mechanism 17 that detects the length of the pressed tablet container before pressing the tablet container of the PTP sheet.
The tablet supply device further includes a calculation unit that calculates a predetermined distance based on the detected length of the tablet container.
The detection mechanism 17 further detects the position of the pressed tablet container while detecting the length of the pressed tablet container.
The tablet supply device 10 further includes a calculation unit that calculates a conveyance distance to the pressed position based on the detected position of the tablet storage unit of the PTP sheet.
The transport mechanism (the lower roller 39 and the upper roller) transports the tablet sheet to a position where the tablet accommodating portion on the mounting table 18 is pressed by the transport distance.
The transport mechanism transports the tablet sheet 51 forward or backward by a predetermined distance.

Next, the internal structure of the tablet supply device 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the tablet supply device 10.
In addition, FIG. 5 is the figure which looked at the tablet supply apparatus 10 from the back side (back side).

  An optical sensor (beam sensor) 204 detects a fallen object. When the unwrapped tablet falls in the introduction chute 24, the unwrapped tablet passes over the beam sensor and shields the beam sensor. The state where the beam sensor is shielded from light is referred to as an ON state, and the state where the beam sensor is not shielded is referred to as an OFF state. The presence / absence of a fallen object is determined using this ON / OFF state. The tablet drop detection mechanism includes an optical sensor 204 and a drop tablet counter.

  The tablet supply device 10 has a detection mechanism (optical sensor 204) for detecting the extracted tablet in order to determine whether or not the tablet has been extracted from the tablet container by pressing.

The push-out mechanism continues (retrys) pressing of the tablet storage unit when the taken-out tablet is not detected, and does not continue (retry) press of the tablet storage unit when the taken-out tablet is detected.
401 is a tablet introduction path.
The tablet introduction path 401 is electrically connected to the introduction chute 24, and relays the dropped tablet taken out from the tablet sheet from the introduction chute 24 to the first accumulation hopper.
Next, the internal structure of the tablet supply unit 400 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 6 is a view showing the internal structure of the tablet supply unit 400.
Reference numeral 402 denotes a first stacking hopper.

The first accumulation hopper 402 is a part in which the tablet taken out from the PTP sheet by the tablet removal unit 1 drops through the introduction chute 24 and passes through the tablet introduction path 401 from the introduction chute 24 to accumulate the tablets. It is.
That is, the tablet introduction path 401 is directly connected to the first accumulation hopper 402.

Reference numeral 501 denotes a second stacking hopper. The second accumulation hopper 501 further accumulates the tablets accumulated in the first accumulation hopper 402.
That is, the second integrated hopper 501 is electrically connected to the first integrated hopper 402.
Therefore, the tablet 50 that has fallen on the first accumulation hopper 402 falls on the second accumulation hopper 501 and is accumulated.

  Reference numeral 502 denotes a first delivery mechanism. The first delivery mechanism 502 moves the tablets 50 accumulated in the second accumulation hopper to the third accumulation hopper.

  Reference numeral 503 denotes a third stacking hopper. The third accumulation hopper 503 accumulates the tablets sent (moved) by the first delivery mechanism 502.

  Reference numeral 504 denotes a second delivery mechanism. The second delivery mechanism 504 moves the tablets accumulated in the third accumulation hopper to the main hopper 505.

  Reference numeral 505 denotes a main hopper. The main hopper 505 accumulates the tablets (one time) delivered (moved) by the second delivery mechanism 504, and puts the accumulated tablets into the packaging sheet (wrapping paper).

  Here, the first integrated hopper is an application example of the first supply unit of the present invention, and the second integrated hopper is an application example of the second supply unit of the present invention. The first, second, and third integrated hoppers are application examples of the supply unit of the present invention. Moreover, the supply part is arrange | positioned toward the gravity direction from the said tablet taking-out apparatus.

Next, the internal structure of the packaging unit 701 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 7 is a view showing the internal structure of the packaging unit 701.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a part (703, 704, 705) of the internal structure of the packaging unit 701 shown in FIG.
The packaging unit 701 is a unit in the packaging device 5.
Reference numeral 702 denotes a roll paper feed mechanism that feeds roll paper in which the packaging sheets are continuous (paper in which the wrapping paper is in a roll shape) to the packaging mechanism.

  703, the tablets (one tablet 803) accumulated in the main hopper 505 are put into the packaging sheet, and the packaging sheet is heated and welded, whereby the tablets put into the packaging sheet are Enclose in a packaging sheet (packaging mechanism).

  In 704, the tablets accumulated in the main hopper 505 are put into a packaging sheet, and the packaging sheet is heated and welded to enclose the tablets put into the packaging sheet into the packaging sheet. (Packaging mechanism).

That is, the packaging mechanism 703 and the packaging mechanism 704 heat and weld the packaging sheet, thereby enclosing the tablets put in the packaging sheet into the packaging sheet.
705 forms a perforation 801 for cutting on the packaging sheet for dividing the continuous roll paper into packaging sheets (one packet 802). (Severing mechanism)
A printer 706 prints date, patient data, and error information on a packaging sheet (printing mechanism).
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the tablet for one dose is packaged by the packaging unit.

Next, the internal structure of the tablet dispensing unit 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 9 is a view showing the internal structure of the tablet taking-out unit 1.
Reference numeral 901 denotes a cover for the tablet sheet slot 203.
By opening the cover 901, the tablet sheet 51 can be inserted into the insertion port 203.
Further, reference numeral 24 shown in FIG. 9 denotes an introduction chute, which has already been described with reference to FIG.

Next, the tablet supply device 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 10 is a front view of the tablet supply device 10.
As shown also in FIG. 1, 1 shown in FIG. 10 is a tablet taking-out unit.

  The tablet taken out from the PTP sheet by the tablet taking-out unit 1 passes through the introduction chute 24, passes through the tablet introduction path 401, and falls to the first accumulation hopper 402.

Next, each structure with which the tablet supply unit 400 of the tablet supply apparatus 10 is provided is demonstrated using FIG.
FIG. 11 is a view of the tablet supply device 10 as viewed from the side (right side when viewed from the front).

  As described with reference to FIG. 10, the tablet taken out from the PTP sheet by the tablet taking-out unit 1 passes through the introduction chute 24 and the tablet introduction path and falls into the first accumulation hopper 402.

  Then, the tablet that has passed through the first accumulation hopper 402 passes through the second accumulation hopper 501 and is sent to the first delivery mechanism 502. The first delivery mechanism is a first relay unit.

Then, the first delivery mechanism 502 sends the tablets to the third accumulation hopper 503, and the third accumulation hopper 503 sends the tablets to the second delivery mechanism 504. The second delivery mechanism 504 is a second relay unit.
The second delivery mechanism 504 sends the tablets sent to the second delivery mechanism 504 to the main hopper 505.

Next, how the tablets taken out from the tablet take-out unit 1 pass through the introduction chute 24, the tablet introduction path 401, and the first accumulation hopper 402 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 12 is a diagram in which a part of the tablet supply device 10 shown in FIG. 10 is extracted. That is, FIG. 12 is a diagram in which two tablet extraction units 1 shown in FIG. 10 are deleted.
A dotted line arrow 1201 shown in FIG. 12 indicates a moving path of the tablet taken out from the tablet taking-out unit 1.
Also, as shown in FIG. 12, the width of the conduit on the left side of the first accumulation hopper 402 and the conduit in the middle is 78 mm in diameter.

Next, each structure with which the tablet supply unit 400 of the tablet supply apparatus 10 is provided is demonstrated using FIG.
FIG. 13 is a view of the inside of the tablet supply device 10 as viewed from the side (right side when viewed from the front).
A dotted line arrow 1201 shown in FIG. 13 indicates a moving path of the tablet taken out from the tablet taking-out unit 1.

  The distance from the outlet of the introduction chute 24 of the uppermost tablet extraction unit 1 to the first inclined portion 1401 is about 460 mm, and the first inclined portion from the outlet of the introduction chute 24 of the middle tablet extraction unit 1 The distance to 1401 is about 265 mm.

  The length of the first integrated hopper 402 is about 362 mm. That is, the distance from the outlet of the introduction chute 24 of the lowermost tablet extraction unit 1 to the second accumulation hopper 501 is about 362 mm.

  When the tablets are taken out from the PTP sheet in each stage of the tablet extraction unit 1, the tablets pass through the introduction chute 24, from the outlet of the introduction chute 24, through the tablet introduction path 401, and into the first accumulation hopper 402. , And are accumulated in the second accumulation hopper 501.

  At this time, in consideration of shortening the packaging time of the whole tablet supply device 10, it is conceivable that the introduction chute 24 (tablet take-up hopper) is vertically dropped from the outlet and placed in the lower part of the second accumulation hopper.

  However, when the tablet taken out by the uppermost tablet taking-out unit 1 is dropped vertically vertically from the outlet of the introduction chute 24 (tablet taking-out hopper) and stored in the lower part of the second accumulation hopper, there is about 876 mm. Is more likely to break or break. Moreover, when the medicine taken out from the PTP sheet is a capsule, there is a high possibility that the medicine will be dented and deformed.

  As described above, since the tablet supply device 10 of the present embodiment is configured so that a plurality of tablet extraction units 1 can be stacked and used, it is introduced particularly when the tablets fall from the uppermost tablet extraction unit 1. The distance from the exit of the chute 24 (tablet removal hopper) to the second accumulation hopper becomes very long, and the possibility that the tablet or capsule taken out from the PTP sheet is damaged is increased.

Therefore, a first inclined portion 1401 for bouncing the tablet is provided on the upper portion of the first accumulation hopper 402 so that the packaging time is not lost much. That is, a part of the upper part of the first stacking hopper 402 is offset.
In the present embodiment, the first inclined portion 1401 having an inclination of about 32 ° from the direction of gravity is used.

Also in the second stacking hopper 501, the second stacking hopper 501 does not lose the packaging time so much that the tablet does not reach the bottom of the second stacking hopper 501 directly from the first stacking hopper 402. A second inclined portion 1402 for bounce is provided.
In the present embodiment, the second inclined portion 1402 is inclined by about 40 ° from the horizontal direction.

  Here, the angles of the first inclined portion 1401 and the second inclined portion 1402 are, for example, about 32 ° and about 40 °, respectively, but the falling tablet bounces (drops the falling speed). Any angle may be used as long as the angle can be moved to the subsequent path (an inclination of an angle that can be supplied to the next supply unit by dropping).

  As described above, the first accumulation hopper 402 includes the first inclined portion 1401, and the second accumulation hopper 501 includes the second inclined portion 1402, whereby the introduction chute 24 (tablet extraction hopper) of the tablet extraction unit 1. The tablet is not dropped directly from the outlet to the lower part of the second stacking hopper 501, and a cushion that does not break or deform the tablet can be provided while changing the tablet dropping direction. As a result, the impact when the falling tablet reaches the lower part of the second stacking hopper 501 can be reduced, and the possibility that the tablet is broken or deformed can be reduced.

  The 1st inclination part is provided in the position where the tablet which fell from the tablet taking-out apparatus contacts, and the 2nd inclination part is in the position where the tablet which contacted the 1st inclination part falls further and contacts. Is provided.

  Further, by providing the first inclined portion 1401 and the second inclined portion 1402 with a material (impact absorbing material) that absorbs impact, such as rubber, it is possible to further suppress the impact of the tablet.

Next, the conveyance of the tablet sheet 51 and the discharging process of the tablet sheet 51 from which the tablets have been taken out will be described with reference to FIGS.
14, FIG. 15, and FIG. 16 are cross-sectional tilt views showing the internal structure of the tablet dispensing unit 1, respectively.
Reference numerals 39 in FIGS. 14, 15, and 16 denote lower rollers that convey the tablet sheet 51.

  Reference numerals 99 and 94 in FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 denote cams for moving the first elevating body 93 and the second elevating body 98 up and down independently at different timings by being arranged and rotated by 100 °. Is.

As already explained with reference to FIG. 4, the internal structure of the tablet taking-out unit 1 is 84 in FIGS. 14, 15, and 16, which is an outer pressing body for breaking the aluminum foil of the PTP sheet. belongs to. Reference numeral 83 in FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 denotes an extrusion plate for taking out the tablet from the pocket of the PTP sheet.
Reference numeral 1401 shown in FIGS. 14, 15, and 16 is a multiple conveyance prevention plate for preventing conveyance of a plurality of stacked PTP sheets.
Reference numeral 1402 shown in FIGS. 14, 15, and 16 denotes a PTP sheet discharge guide unit, which is a block for discharging the unpacked PTP sheet to the discharge path 1601.
The unwrapped PTP sheet is accumulated in the discharge BOX that is in conduction with the discharge path 1601 through the discharge path 1601.
The PTP sheet discharge guide part 1402 is an application example of the discharge guide part of the present invention.
The PTP sheet discharge guide part 1402 is provided with an inverted R-shaped part at a position where the tablet sheet discharged from the tablet take-out device comes into contact.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the PTP sheet set in the slot 203 is conveyed by the lower roller 39 and the upper roller as shown in FIG. 15, and the tablets are taken out from the PTP sheet. As shown in FIG. The extracted PTP sheet is discharged to the discharge path 1601.

  The discharge path 2601 is arranged on the rear side of the tablet supply device 10, and the depth of the discharge path 2601 is narrower than the length of the PTP sheet in order to reduce the size of the tablet supply device 10. Further, since the PTP sheet is made of plastic and is hard, if there is nothing provided in the outlet of the tablet extraction unit 1 from which the PTP sheet from which the tablet has been taken out is provided, the PTP sheet will enter the discharge path 1601. There is a risk that the PTP sheet from which the tablets have been taken out will be clogged in the discharge path 1601. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the outlet of the PTP sheet from which the tablet has been taken out (tablet from which the tablet has been taken out) of the tablet supply device 10 is provided so that the PTP sheet from which the tablet has been taken out does not get caught in the discharge path 1601. A PTP sheet discharge guide portion 1402 is provided at the discharge port (from which the sheet is discharged from the tablet take-out device) so that the PTP sheet bends in the direction of gravity.

  In FIG. 16, the distal end of the PTP sheet in the delivery direction of the PTP sheet from which the tablets have been taken out hits a reverse R-shaped portion (to be described later) of the PTP sheet discharge guide portion 2402, and the PTP sheet moves downward according to the shape of the PTP sheet discharge guide portion 2402. It shows a state of being conveyed.

  The PTP sheet discharge guide portion 1402 has a function of tilting the PTP sheet in the direction of gravity. In particular, the load applied to the PTP sheet by forming a reverse R shape on the portion that collapses (the portion that hits the tip in the delivery direction of the PTP sheet) Can be minimized. Further, it is possible to reduce the catch of the PTP sheet during conveyance by the PTP sheet discharge guide portion 1402, which becomes a problem when the sheet is tilted in the direction of gravity.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the tablets gathered in the second accumulation hopper 501 are blocked by the tablet push-out unit 1700 of the first delivery mechanism (first relay unit) 502.

17 in FIG. 17 pushes out the tablet by moving backward and forward (forward) as viewed from the front of the (medicine) packaging device and moving forward in the first relay unit 502. It is a tablet extrusion part. Before the tablets are accumulated in the second accumulation hopper 501, the tablet push-out unit 1700 has moved to the near side and is waiting for the tablets to be accumulated in the second accumulation hopper 501.
Reference numeral 1702 in FIG. 17 denotes a tablet (5 tablets).
Here, a route through which the supplied tablets are delivered by the operations of the first delivery mechanism 502 and the second delivery mechanism 504 will be described.

  The tablets taken out from the PTP sheet by the tablet taking-out unit pass through the tablet introduction path 401 and the first accumulation hopper 402 and gather in the second accumulation hopper 501, as shown in FIG. Can be dammed up.

  Then, when the tablet extruding portion 1700 is moved backward, the tablet falls into the first delivery mechanism 502 as shown in FIG. 18, and thereafter, the tablet extruding portion 1700 advances forward, so that FIG. As shown, the tablets are extruded and conveyed (delivered) to the third stacking hopper 503.

As shown in FIG. 20, the tablets collected in the third accumulation hopper 503 are dammed up on the tablet extrusion unit 2000. Then, when the tablet extruding part 2000 is moved backward (moved), the tablet that has been dammed down falls into the second delivery mechanism 504 as shown in FIG. When it advances (moves) forward, the tablet is pushed out and conveyed to the main hopper 505 as shown in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a state where the tablet pushing-out unit 1700 has moved backward and the tablet has dropped into the second delivery mechanism 504.
FIG. 19 is a view showing a state where the tablet extruding portion 1700 has advanced and the tablets have been pushed out toward the third stacking hopper 503.
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a state where the tablets gathered in the third stacking hopper 503 are blocked.

20 in FIG. 20 performs a backward / forward operation in the rear (back side) / front (front) side as seen from the front of the tablet supply system inside the second delivery mechanism 504, and the tablets are moved to the main hopper 505. It is a tablet extrusion part to extrude. Before the tablets are accumulated in the third accumulation hopper 503, the tablet extruding unit 2000 has moved to the near side and is waiting for the tablets to be accumulated in the third accumulation hopper 503.
FIG. 21 is a view showing a state where the tablet pushing-out unit 2000 has moved backward (moved) and the tablet has dropped into the second delivery mechanism 504.
FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a state where the tablet extruding unit 2000 has advanced (moved) forward and the tablet has been pushed out toward the main hopper 505.
FIG. 23 is an enlarged view of the hand-made tablet unit 106 in the upper part of the packaging device 5 and the tablet mass 2301 constituting the hand-made tablet unit 106.
Reference numeral 2301 in FIG. 23 denotes a tablet cell (fourth cell) for setting a tablet by hand.
232 of FIG. 23 is a tablet (three tablets).
FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the hand-drawn tablet portion 106, and is a view when the shutter 2401 is closed and a view when the shutter 2401 is open.
241 shown in FIG. 24 is a shutter on the bottom surface of the tablet mass 2301.
The shutter 2401 in FIG. 24 has a structure in which two shutters are overlapped to ensure a wide opening in the open state.
FIG. 25 is a diagram showing details of the slide portion 2501 of the hand-made tablet portion 106 and its internal structure (tablet delivery route).
Reference numeral 2501 in FIG. 25 denotes a slide unit for sliding and transporting the tablet dropped from the tablet mass 2301 in the left direction.
FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a positional relationship among the tablet mass 2301, the shutter 2401, and the slide portion 2501.
Until the packaging operation starts, the slide portion is located directly under the tablet mass.
FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the position of the lid that dams the tablets falling from the slide portion 2501.
Reference numeral 2701 in FIG. 27 denotes a lid A (tablet damming lid A) for damming tablets in the back row of the slide portion.
Reference numeral 2702 in FIG. 27 denotes a lid B (tablet damming lid B) that dams the tablets in the center row of the slide portion.
Reference numeral 2703 in FIG. 27 denotes a lid C (tablet damming lid C) for damming tablets in the row before the slide portion.
FIG. 28 shows the positional relationship between the tablet damming lid and the third stacking hopper 503.

In FIG. 28, the tablet damming lid A (also referred to as tablet damping hopper A), the tablet damming lid B (also referred to as tablet damming hopper B) are closed, and the tablet damming lid C (tablet damping hopper). (Also referred to as C) C is in an open state.

  When the tablet supply system is equipped with a hand-made tablet part as in this embodiment, the tablets set in this hand-made tablet part are mixed with the tablets taken out from the tablet take-out device and packaged. Is possible.

  As shown in FIG. 23, the hand-made tablet unit 106 is composed of a large number of tablet masses 2301. A tablet to be packaged in one package corresponds to one cell of the tablet mass, and is set in advance by the user's operation in the order of the number of the tablet mass in accordance with the number of packages to be packaged.

When the packaging operation is started, the shutter on the bottom of the tablet mass is opened as shown in FIG. 24, and the tablet falls to the slide portion shown in FIG. Under the left end of the slide part, there are tablet damming lids A, B, and C for damming the tablets as shown in FIG. 27, and the tablets can be dropped for each one square of the slide part by opening and closing the lids. it can.
When dropping tablets for one row is completed, the slide portion moves to the next row, so that the tablets set on the slide portion can be dropped in order.

As shown in FIG. 28, the damming lid is positioned above the third stacking hopper 503, and when the damming lid is opened, the tablet falls onto the third stacking hopper 503.
FIG. 29 is a configuration diagram of a tablet supply system.
The (drug) packaging device 5 and the tablet supply device 10 are communicably connected by a serial interface or the like.
The packaging device 5 serves as a host and manages the timing of performing the operation process by each tablet take-out unit 1 of the tablet supply device 10.

When performing the tablet taking-out operation by each tablet taking-out unit 1, the CPU of the packaging device 5 gives an operation instruction to which an instruction for the number of taken-out tablets is added together with an instruction to start the tablet taking-out operation. The tablet supply unit 10 or the CPU of each tablet extraction unit 1 of the tablet supply device 10 executes the tablet extraction operation according to the instruction. Moreover, CPU of each tablet extraction unit 1 of the tablet supply apparatus 10 or the tablet supply apparatus 10 notifies the operation state as a response to the instruction.
FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a process in which the CPU of the packaging device 5 monitors whether or not the tablet extraction operation by the tablet extraction unit 1 is completed.

  The CPU of the packaging device 5 transmits a tablet extraction operation command by the tablet extraction unit 1 to the tablet supply device 10 or the CPU 2 of the tablet extraction unit 1 of the tablet supply device 10 (S3001).

  Upon receiving the tablet removal operation command, the tablet removal unit 1 starts the tablet removal operation, and the optical sensor 204 determines whether or not one tablet has been removed by detecting that the tablet has been removed. When it is determined that one tablet has not been taken out, information indicating that the tablet taking operation is being performed is transmitted to the packaging device 5 and it is determined that one tablet has been taken out. In this case, information indicating that the tablet taking-out operation has been completed is transmitted to the packaging device 5.

  Then, the CPU of the packaging device 5 determines whether the tablet supply device 10 or the CPU of the tablet extraction unit 1 of the tablet supply device 10 is busy by the tablet extraction operation (S3002).

  That is, the CPU of the packaging device 5 receives, as a response at S3001, information from the tablet supply device 10 or the tablet extraction unit 1 of the tablet supply device 10 that indicates whether the tablet extraction unit 1 is performing the tablet extraction operation. In accordance with the information, it is determined whether the tablet extraction operation by the tablet extraction unit 1 is still performed or completed.

If it is determined that the tablet removal operation by the tablet removal unit 1 has not been performed (NO), it is determined that the tablet removal operation by the tablet removal unit 1 has been completed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the tablet removal operation by the tablet removal unit 1 is being performed (YES), it is determined that the tablet removal operation by the tablet removal unit 1 has not been completed, and the process returns to S3001.
Next, the tablet transport operation will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 31 is a time chart of a portion related to tablet conveyance when the packaging operation of one package is one cycle during packaging.

FIG. 31 is a time chart of a portion related to tablet conveyance when the packaging operation of one package in the middle of packaging (the operation of encapsulating the medicine in the packaging paper and heating and welding in FIG. 8) is one cycle.
Reference numeral 3101 in FIG. 31 is a reference time (0 milliseconds) for one-cycle operation in this time chart.
31 in FIG. 31 is a time point 500 milliseconds before the reference time. For the convenience of timing, the operation related to the tablet starts the operation at this timing.
3103 of FIG. 31 is the operation of the tablet extruding unit 2000 in one cycle.
When the operation of one cycle is started, the tablet pushing-out unit 2000 is moved backward and forward after a certain time, and the tablet falls to the main hopper.
Here, the falling tablet is a tablet that has been dammed on the tablet pushing-out unit 2000 by the operation of the previous cycle.
Reference numeral 3104 in FIG. 31 denotes an operation of the tablet extruding unit 1700 in one cycle.
When the operation of one cycle is started, the tablet pushing-out unit 1700 is moved backward and forward after a certain time, and the tablet falls to the tablet pushing-out unit 2000.
Here, the falling tablet is a tablet that has been dammed on the tablet extrusion unit 1700 in the previous cycle operation.
The tablets dropped from the tablet extruding unit 1700 are dammed on the tablet extruding unit 2000. This tablet will be packaged in the next cycle.
Reference numeral 3105 in FIG. 31 denotes a tablet extraction operation in one cycle by the third-stage tablet extraction unit. Thereby, a tablet is taken out and falls.

Here, it is a case where a tablet taking-out unit (tablet taking-out device) is located at the third stage, and the drop time requires 900 milliseconds. The dropped tablets pass through the tablet introduction path 401 and the first accumulation hopper 402, gather in the second accumulation hopper 501, and are dammed on the tablet push-out portion 1700 as shown in FIG.
The tablets are packaged two times ahead.
31 in FIG. 31 is a packaging operation in one cycle. It takes 1200 milliseconds.
Reference numeral 3107 in FIG. 31 denotes a point in time when the seal is completed in the packaging operation. At this point, the welding of the wrapping paper is completed, and thereafter, the medicine or the like can be dropped into the wrapping paper.
Reference numeral 3108 in FIG. 31 denotes a tablet picking operation in one cycle. This is a case where the tablet picking device is positioned at the first stage, and the drop time requires 500 milliseconds.

The tablet ejecting operation is started after 400 milliseconds have elapsed so that the operation timing for the operation of the tablet extruding unit 1700 is the same as that when the tablet ejecting device is positioned at the third stage.
FIG. 32 is a table of tablet dropping time from the tablet taking-out unit to the bottom of the first stacking hopper 402.

  As shown in FIG. 32, the time until the tablet taking-out operation starts and the drop time to the bottom of the first stacking hopper 402 are different depending on the number of stages in which the tablet taking-out units are installed.

  For example, if the number of stages in which the tablet removal unit is installed is the third stage, the drop time is 900 milliseconds and the time until the start of operation is 0 milliseconds. Therefore, the tablet removal is completed in S3002. 900 milliseconds after the determination, the packaging device 5 transmits a tablet extraction operation instruction for the next cycle to the tablet extraction unit, and the tablet extraction unit starts the tablet extraction operation for the next cycle according to the instruction.

  If the number of stages in which the tablet extraction unit is installed is the first stage, the drop time is 500 milliseconds, and the time until the start of operation is 400 milliseconds. Therefore, the tablet extraction is completed in S3002. 900 milliseconds (500 milliseconds + 400 milliseconds) after the determination, the packaging device 5 transmits a tablet removal operation instruction for the next cycle to the tablet removal unit, and the tablet removal unit performs the next cycle according to the instruction. The tablet taking-out operation is started.

In the time chart shown in FIG. 31, the start timing of the tablet extraction operation, the start timing of the tablet extrusion portion 1700, and the operation of the tablet extrusion portion 2000 are determined based on the timing of the completion of the sealing in S3606.
FIG. 33 is a diagram for explaining an example in which tablets that are dammed on each tablet push-out unit are updated before and after the start of operation in one cycle.

  When the packaging operation to be performed next is the nth pack, before the operation starts, the tablet used in the n + 1 package on the tablet extrusion unit 1 (portion A in FIG. 33), the tablet extrusion unit 2000 (in FIG. 33) In B), the tablet used in the nth package is blocked, and after the operation is completed, the tablets are updated to the n + 2 package and the n + 1 package, respectively.

In this way, the tablets prepared in the previous cycle are transported by using the operation of damming the tablets at each tablet extruding unit, so that the operation at each location is 1 in comparison with the case where the operations are performed in series. The operating time of the cycle can be greatly shortened. However, it is a premise that the next tablet is blocked in advance in each tablet extrusion part.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart of a preparation operation (tablet extraction operation to tablet extrusion operation) performed before the start of the packaging operation.
The process of each step of the flowchart shown in FIG. 34 is executed by the CPU of the packaging device 5.
FIG. 34 shows a preparation process before the start of the packaging operation.
For tablets necessary for the first and second packages of the packaging operation, it is necessary to perform a preparatory operation (tablet extraction operation to tablet extrusion operation) before the packaging operation is started.
The CPU of the packaging device 5 transmits a tablet removal operation start instruction for the first package to the tablet removal device (S3401).

Then, the CPU of the packaging device 5 waits for a predetermined time after dropping to the tablet take-out device according to the table of FIG. 32 (stored in the memory of the packaging device 5). That is, it waits until a tablet falls to the tablet extrusion part 1700 (S3402).
The waiting time is determined in accordance with the number of stages of the tablet extracting device that has transmitted the tablet extracting operation start instruction in S3401 and the table of FIG.
Then, the CPU of the packaging device 5 performs the backward-forward operation of the tablet extrusion unit 1700. And a tablet is conveyed to the tablet extraction part 2000 (S3403).
Next, the CPU of the packaging device 5 transmits a tablet removal operation start instruction for the second package to the tablet removal device (S3404).

Then, the CPU of the packaging device 5 waits for a predetermined time after dropping to the tablet take-out device according to the table of FIG. 32 (stored in the memory of the packaging device 5). That is, it waits until a tablet falls to the tablet extrusion part 1700 (S3405).
The waiting time is determined in accordance with the number of steps of the tablet extracting device that has transmitted the tablet extracting operation start instruction in S3404 and the table of FIG.

FIG. 35 is a time chart when the operation start of the next cycle is delayed.

When tablets cannot be taken out smoothly or when there are many tablets to be taken out, the tablet taking time becomes long. That is, when there are a large number of tablets to be taken out, the tablet taking operation becomes longer, and it takes time until the optical sensor 204 detects that one tablet has been taken out. If the operation of the next cycle is continued as it is, the operation timing with the tablet extruding unit 1700 will not match, and as a result, there is a possibility that the tablet may enter a package behind the intended package, so this is avoided here. Means will be described.
Reference numeral 3501 in FIG. 35 denotes a tablet taking operation in one cycle, but the operation time is as long as 650 milliseconds.

  Reference numeral 3502 in FIG. 35 represents a point in time when the seal is completed in the packaging operation, and at the same time, a point in time for determining whether to start the next cycle. At this point, if it is determined that the tablet drop is not in time, the start of the next cycle is delayed. Hereinafter, this is referred to as delay processing.

  That is, when it is determined that the waiting time (the total time of the dropping time and the time until the operation starts) exceeds the seal completion time 3502 after the tablet taking-out operation is completed After the waiting time is over, the start time of the next cycle is delayed so that the next cycle starts. At this time, the tablet extrusion unit 1700 and the tablet extrusion unit 2000 are similarly delayed. Based on the timing of 3503, the packaging device 5 transmits an instruction to the tablet ejection device so that the tablet extrusion unit 1700 and the tablet extrusion unit 2000 operate.

  The timing at which the tablet extruding unit 1700 and the tablet extruding unit 2000 in FIG. 31 and FIG. 35 operate is started a predetermined time after the tablet extracting device starts the tablet extracting operation. When delayed, the operation start timing of the tablet extrusion unit 1700 and the tablet extrusion unit 2000 in FIG. 35 is also delayed by the same time.

Reference numeral 3503 in FIG. 35 represents a point in time at which the delayed processing of the next cycle is resumed. Similar to the previous cycle, the operation related to the tablet starts at a timing 500 milliseconds earlier than the packaging operation of the wrapper.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart of the process executed at the start of the tablet taking-out operation and the process executed at the start determination point of the next cycle during the packaging operation.
36 is a process performed by the CPU of the packaging device 5, and is a flowchart of the process performed in the tablet taking-out operation 3501.
Reference numeral 3609 in FIG. 36 is a process executed by the CPU of the tablet supply device 10 (CPU of the tablet take-out unit), and is a flowchart of the process executed at the time 3502.
In S3601 of FIG. 36, a tablet take-out operation command is transmitted to the CPU of the tablet take-out unit.

  In S3602 of FIG. 36, the busy state of the CPU of the tablet removal unit is monitored, and it is determined whether or not the tablet removal operation is completed. When the take-out operation is completed, the process proceeds to S3603.

36, the initial value of the drop time is set in the countdown variable memory A that represents the remaining drop time until the tablet reaches the tablet pushing part 1700. The initial value of the drop time is the drop time corresponding to the number of steps as shown in FIG.
In S3604 of FIG. 36, the remaining falling time secured in the memory A is decremented with time.

  In S3605 of FIG. 36, it is checked whether the value of the memory A is 0. If it is not 0, the process proceeds to S3604. If it is 0, the process ends. By S3604 and S3605, the remaining falling time secured in the memory A is counted down in real time.

  In step S3606 in FIG. 36, the CPU of the tablet taking-out unit is monitored to determine whether or not the tablet taking-out operation is completed. If it is determined that the take-out operation has been completed, the process proceeds to S3607.

In S3607 of FIG. 36, the minimum time B that does not require the next cycle to be delayed is compared with the remaining falling time (time of S3604) reserved in the memory A, and the value of the memory A that has been counted down in real time by 3601 is B The transition is not made while the value exceeds the value, and the process proceeds to S3608 when the value of the memory A becomes B or less. In the current system, B is 400 milliseconds.
The delay of the next cycle can be classified into the following three patterns according to the remaining falling time indicated by the memory A immediately after the transition from S3606 to S3607.
(1) When memory A = 0 The tablet taking-out operation and the tablet dropping time have been counted, and the next cycle is not delayed.
(2) When 0 <Memory A ≦ B The tablet removal operation is completed and the tablet drop time is being counted, but the delay of the next cycle does not occur.
Although time until a tablet falls to the tablet extrusion part 1 is delayed compared with (1), it is the range which does not have trouble in operation | movement of the next cycle.
(3) When memory A> B The start of the next cycle is delayed by (memory AB) milliseconds.
After memory A = B in S3607, the process is the same as (2).

In step S3608 of FIG. 36, the start instruction of the tablet extraction operation is instructed to the tablet extraction apparatus so as to start the next cycle executed at 3503. Then, after a predetermined time, an instruction to start the operations of the tablet extruding unit 1700 and the tablet extruding unit 2000 is given.
FIG. 37 is a time chart in the case of using a hand-drawn tablet part and a tablet take-out device.

In the case where the tablet supply system is equipped with a manual tablet part, it has been described above that the tablet from the tablet take-out device and the tablet in the manual tablet part can be mixed and combined into one package. explain.
FIG. 37 is a time chart in the case of mixing the tablets from the tablet take-out device and the tablets in the hand-drawn tablet portion into one package.

  When the tablet damming lid is operated, the tablet on the slide part falls and is dammed by the tablet pushing-out part 2000 via the third accumulation hopper 503. Here, it merges with the tablet falling from the tablet extrusion part 1700. These tablets will be packed in the next cycle.

Also in the case of FIG. 37, the seal completion time is used as a reference for the start timing of various operations. That is, the tablet damming lid is opened at the same timing as when the tablet falls from the tablet extrusion unit 1700 to the tablet extrusion unit 2000 when the sealing is completed.

FIG. 38 is a time chart in a case where the operation of each part is executed in series without using the damming function by the tablet extruding unit.

Up to this point, the processing using the damming function by the tablet extruding unit has been described. However, as the prior art, the operation when the damming function by the tablet extruding unit is not used will be described. FIG. 38 is a time chart in the case where the operation of the respective portions is executed in series without using the damming function by the tablet extruding unit. Obviously, it takes a lot of processing time to wait for the end of each operation before starting the next operation.

FIG. 39 shows a tablet transport path when a plurality of flat tablets 3902 are pushed out by the tablet push-out part 1700 or the tablet push-out part 2000 in the first feed mechanism 502 or the second feed mechanism 504. FIG.
3901 of FIG. 39 is a side wall of a tablet conveyance path | route.
FIG. 40 is a simplified front view of a tablet conveyance path when a plurality of flat tablets 3902 are extruded.
Reference numeral 4001 in FIG. 40 denotes a location (contact point) where a tangential plane is generated.

  When the bottom surface of the tablet conveyance path is flat as shown in FIG. 40, especially when trying to convey a plurality of flat tablets, the tablets are in a daisy chain depending on the arrangement of the tablets. Plural tangent planes occur between each tablet, and clogging or catching occurs in the tablet conveyance path.

  When the tablet extruding unit 1700 or the tablet extruding unit 2000 that is operated from behind is extruded, the tangent plane between the tablets or the tangent plane formed between the tablet and the side wall of the tablet transport path is not released, The tablet may not be able to be pushed forward.

  As a result, the tablet extruding part 1700 or the tablet extruding part 2000 from the rear collides with the tablet that cannot move due to being caught or can move only at a low speed, and breakage such as cracking or chipping of the tablet occurs due to the impact. There is a fear.

  If the tablet conveyance path is widened, the problem can be avoided, but the lateral direction of the tablet supply system becomes large. Theoretically, if the number of tablets is large, this tangential plane may be generated when the tablets are aligned like a daisy chain.

Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, in the present embodiment, the bottom surfaces of the first delivery mechanism 502 and the second delivery mechanism 504 tablet conveyance path are formed in a mountain shape as shown in FIG.
FIG. 41 is a simplified perspective view showing the inside of a tablet conveyance path (first delivery mechanism 502 or second delivery mechanism 504) in which the bottom surface of the tablet conveyance path has a mountain shape.
FIG. 42 is a simplified front view (cross-sectional view) in which the bottom surface of the tablet conveyance path of the first delivery mechanism 502 or the second delivery mechanism 504 has a mountain shape.

  When the bottom surface of the tablet transport path is chevron, it waits for the flat tablets to be pushed out in an inclined state along the chevron on the bottom surface, so the tablets are arranged horizontally in a daisy chain. This prevents the formation of a tangent plane between the side walls. FIG. 42 shows an example in which the bottom surface of the tablet transport path is chevron, but the bottom surface of the tablet transport path may be circular instead of chevron. In other words, if at least a part of the bottom surface of the transport path has a convex shape, it is possible to prevent the formation of a tangential plane. That is, if the bottom surface of the transport path in the relay unit has a convex shape, it can be prevented that a tangential plane is formed.

  Although tablets may create a tangent plane, there is no tangential plane between the tablet and both sides of the tablet transport path, so it is possible to prevent the creation of a strong tangential plane that can squeeze the tablet during transport. It is possible to reduce the possibility of breakage such as cracking or chipping of the tablet.

  There may be contact between tablets (not tangential plane), or contact created by the side wall of the tablet and the tablet transport path, but when pushed out by an extruding tool (tablet extruding part 1700 or tablet extruding part 2000) The contacts of each other are easily released, leaving no contact.

Or even if the contact is not released, if the tablet is pushed out by the pusher (tablet pusher 1700 or tablet pusher 2000), the tablet can move forward. That is, there is no tough contact that can clog the tablets during transport. As a result, clogging and catching of tablets can be prevented, and breakage such as cracking and chipping of tablets can be prevented.
FIG. 43 is a front view (sectional view) when the bottom surface of the tablet conveyance path of the first delivery mechanism 502 or the second delivery mechanism 504 is flat.
FIG. 43 shows that the tangent plane is easily formed by the tablet and the side wall of the tablet conveyance path as compared with FIG.
In this tablet supply system, both the first relay unit and the second relay unit have a tablet transport path, but the same can be said for any tablet transport path.
Moreover, although the shape of the tablet conveyance path | route bottom face was demonstrated as the shape of one mountain, this is the same also in two mountains, three mountains .... An example of two mountains is shown in FIG.
FIG. 45 is a front view when both sides of the bottom surface of the tablet conveyance path are inclined.
The same effect as described above can be obtained with the shape shown in FIG. Further, the slope on the bottom surface of the tablet conveyance path may be only on one side.
FIG. 46 is a front view when both sides of the bottom surface of the tablet conveyance path are formed in an R shape.
The same effect as described above can be obtained with the shape shown in FIG. Further, the R shape of the bottom surface of the tablet conveyance path may be only one side.

  Naturally, the shape of the cross-section of the extrusion tool is also matched to the cross-section of the tablet conveyance path, and only a gap is provided between the bottom surface of the tablet conveyance path and the bottom surface of the extrusion tool so as not to interfere with the tablet extrusion process. Alternatively, as long as there is no hindrance to the operation of the pusher, there is no gap and a contact state may be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tablet extraction unit 5 Packaging apparatus 10 Tablet supply apparatus 103 Powder supply part 702 Roll paper delivery mechanism

Claims (5)

A packaging system in which a tablet taken out from a tablet sheet passes through a relay unit and is packed by a packaging device,
A packaging system, wherein a bottom surface of a transport path in a relay unit in which a tablet taken out from the tablet sheet is transported to the packaging device has a convex shape.   The packaging system according to claim 1, wherein the convex bottom surface is a mountain-shaped bottom surface.   The packaging system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an inclined surface is provided as the convex shape between a side wall of the transport path in the relay unit and a bottom surface of the transport path.   The packaging system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a bottom surface of the transport path in the relay unit is configured with a plurality of convex shapes. A relay unit for transporting tablets taken from a tablet sheet to a packaging device,
A relay unit, wherein a bottom surface of a transport path in a relay unit in which a tablet taken out from the tablet sheet is transported to the packaging device has a convex shape.

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