JP2013252899A - Tablet taking-out device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To align a PTP sheet input to a tablet taking-out device, and to adjust a tablet pushing-out part at an appropriate position.SOLUTION: A tablet taking-out device for taking out a tablet from a tablet sheet includes: sheet guides arranged on the right and left sides of an input port of the tablet sheet, respectively, and laterally movable to align the position of the tablet sheet; a tablet pushing-out part for pushing out a pocket where tablets are enclosed in the tablet sheet; and a moving mechanism for laterally moving the tablet taking-out part according to the lateral movement of the sheet guide.

Description

  The present invention relates to a tablet taking-out device.

  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, some tablet sheets (PTP sheets) from which tablets are taken out have various widths (widths of PTP sheets). Moreover, the size and position of the tablet enclosed in the PTP sheet differ depending on the width.

  Therefore, in order to appropriately convey the PTP sheet to the tablet removal position, it is necessary to properly align the PTP sheet for each type of PTP sheet.

  In addition to aligning the PTP sheets, it is necessary to adjust the position of the tablet taking-out part so that the tablet taking-out part is located at the position where the PTP sheet is enclosed.

  It is conceivable that the PTP sheet alignment work and the tablet take-out position adjustment work are individually performed manually.

  However, even if the work of aligning the PTP sheets and the operation of adjusting the position of the tablet take-out part can be individually performed manually, the position of the PTP sheet to be conveyed and the position of the tablet take-out part are appropriately set. It is difficult to adjust, and it becomes very complicated work.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for aligning PTP sheets put in a tablet take-out apparatus and adjusting a push-out part of a tablet to an appropriate position.

  The present invention relates to a tablet take-out device for taking out a tablet from a tablet sheet, the sheet guide provided on the left and right of the tablet sheet inlet, respectively, and movable to the left and right to adjust the position of the tablet sheet, and the tablet A tablet push-out portion that pushes out a pocket in which a tablet is enclosed in a sheet, and a moving mechanism that moves the tablet take-out portion left and right in accordance with the left and right movement of the sheet guide.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while aligning the PTP sheet put into the tablet taking-out apparatus, the extrusion part of a tablet can be adjusted to an appropriate position.

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 the figure which looked at the state which set the PTP sheet from the upper surface. It is the figure which looked at a mode that the position matched with the PTP sheet was detected automatically from the upper surface. It is the figure which looked at the initial state of the PTP sheet detection sensor from the front. It is the figure which looked at the state which the PTP sheet detection sensor contacted the PTP sheet and stopped. It is the figure which looked at the initial state of the tablet extrusion apparatus from the front. It is the figure which looked at the state which the tablet extrusion apparatus moved to the position of a quarter with respect to the width of a PTP sheet in conjunction with the width of a PTP sheet. It is the figure which looked at the state corresponding to the wide detection sensor block from the upper surface in order to respond | correspond to a V notch-shaped PTP sheet. It is the flowchart figure which showed the operation | movement for detecting the width | variety and tablet extrusion position of a PTP sheet automatically. 27 is a screen for editing the contents of a drug information database in FIG. 26. It is a unit screen of the prescription edit screen called from FIG. It is the selection screen of the medicine called from FIG. 10 is a flowchart of processing for requesting a sheet guide operation. This is the contents of a drug information database stored and held by the control computer (information processing apparatus). It is a block diagram showing the whole system. It is a main screen which operate | moves on a control computer. It is the figure which looked at the tablet extraction unit from the front. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the various terminals in embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which looked at the tablet extraction unit from back. It is the figure which looked at the unpacking unit (tablet taking-out apparatus) from the front. It is the figure which looked at the unpacking unit (tablet taking-out apparatus) for demonstrating the block shape of a PTP sheet detection sensor from the front. It is the figure which looked at the unpacking unit (tablet taking-out apparatus) of the state which detected the flat PTP sheet with the PTP sheet detection sensor (PTP sheet width detection sensor block) from the front. It is the figure which looked at the unpacking unit (tablet taking-out apparatus) of the state which set the curled PTP sheet in the insertion port, and was detected with the PTP sheet detection sensor (PTP sheet width detection sensor block).

  Hereinafter, the tablet supply 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 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.

  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.

  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 vertically dropped 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 structure of the tablet taking-out device including the tablet width detecting device (PTP sheet width detecting sensor) will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a top view of the state in which the PTP sheet is set in the tablet insertion port.

  The tablet take-out device has left and right tablet inlet walls with PTP sheet width detection sensors. When the PTP sheet is set in the tablet sheet inlet, the left and right tablet inlet walls are operated (moved) inward by motor drive. ) The left and right tablet inlet walls are also simply referred to as sheet guides.

  Synchronously with this operation, the tablet extruding part (the inner pressing body 83, the outer pressing body 84, the first elevating body 93, the second elevating body 98) also operates (moves) inward at the same time.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the sheet guides are provided on the left and right sides of the tablet sheet inlet, respectively, and can be moved left and right to adjust the position of the PTP sheet.

  The tablet extrusion unit is a mechanism for pushing out a pocket in which a tablet is enclosed in a PTP sheet.

  FIG. 15 shows that the PTP sheet is set in the tablet insertion port, the width of the PTP sheet is automatically detected by the left and right PTP sheet width detection sensors, and the tablet push-out unit is interlocked with it, and the tablet width is 4 minutes. It is the figure which looked at the mode automatically adjusted to the position of 1 from the upper surface.

  After the width of the PTP sheet is detected by the left and right PTP sheet detection sensors, an operation of once widening by about 1 mm is performed. This is a mechanism often used for a new PTP sheet to enable accurate packaging even when the PTP sheet is curled inward. The PTP sheet rounded inward measures the PTP sheet width shorter than the flat state of the PTP sheet.

If the sheet width is measured to be short, the conveyance path becomes narrow and a conveyance failure of the PTP sheet occurs. In order to solve this, the sheet width is increased by about 1 mm after the sheet width is detected by the PTP sheet width detection sensor, so that the conveyance path can be smoothly conveyed regardless of the sheet.

  FIG. 16 is a view of an initial state of the PTP sheet detection sensor as viewed from the front.

  A photo sensor with an actuator is used as the PTP sheet detection sensor. The sensors are arranged on both sides to detect the width of the PTP sheet. The left and right tablet inlet walls are driven inward by motor drive, and when the PTP sheet touches the detection sensor unit, the sensor is turned off to stop the operation.

  FIG. 17 is a front view of the PTP sheet detection sensor in contact with the PTP sheet and stopped. As shown in the figure, the operation stops only when both the left and right sensors react. This is because, when the PTP sheet is set from the right or the left depending on how the PTP sheet is set, the PTP sheet width is accurately detected even if the left or right sensor reacts first.

  FIG. 18 is a view of the initial state of the tablet extruding device as viewed from the front.

  The tablet extrusion unit operates in conjunction with the left and right tablet inlet walls of the tablet sheet inlet. The left and right tablet extruding parts are connected by two shafts, and a spring is attached between them.

  This spring is an example of a moving mechanism that moves the tablet take-out portion to the left and right according to the left and right movement of the sheet guide.

  This spring is provided between the sheet guide and the tablet pushing portion. Therefore, the tablet taking-out part can be moved to the left and right by the elasticity of the spring generated in accordance with the left and right movement of the sheet guide.

  This spring is an application example of the first elastic body of the present invention, and may be not only a spring but also other elastic bodies such as rubber.

  Moreover, as shown in the figure, the tablet take-out device has a support wall (a fixed wall) arranged at a center position with respect to the width direction of the tablet sheet whose position is adjusted by moving the sheet guide left and right. It has.

  And the spring is provided between this support wall and the tablet extraction part. The spring expands and contracts with the support wall and the tablet takeout part as fulcrums. This spring is an application example of the second elastic body of the present invention, and may be not only a spring but also other elastic bodies such as rubber.

  As described above, the tablet take-out portion can be moved to the left and right by the elasticity of the first elastic body and the elasticity of the second elastic body, which are generated according to the left and right movement of the sheet guide.

  FIG. 19 is a view of the state in which the tablet extruding apparatus is moved from the front to the position of a quarter of the PTP sheet width in conjunction with the width of the PTP sheet.

  The left and right tablet extruding units operate in conjunction with the left and right tablet entry walls. At this time, it is moved to a position of a quarter of the PTP sheet width. This is because most PTP sheets have a PTP sheet tablet insertion pocket at a position that is a quarter of the width of the PTP sheet.

  FIG. 20 is a top view of a state corresponding to a wide detection sensor block in order to correspond to various notch-shaped PTP sheets.

  Some PTP sheets have notches in the outer periphery of the PTP sheet. If this notch shape is large, the width becomes 10 millimeters. In order to accurately measure the width of the PTP sheet having such a shape, a detection device wider than the notch shape is required. In this apparatus, a block having a width of 10 mm or more is attached to this detection portion (here, a block having a width of 12 mm is attached), and the width of the PTP sheet can be accurately measured even for a notch-shaped sheet.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an operation for automatically detecting the width of the PTP sheet and the tablet pushing position. The following processing is performed by the CPU that controls the tablet supply device 10.

  In step S2101, it is checked whether there is an AUTOCLOSE operation start request. The operation as a trigger is either when the switch 2902 described in 2902 in FIG. 29 is pressed or when the AUTOCLOSE operation command is issued from the main body. If there is an AUTOCLOSE operation request, the process proceeds to step S2102; otherwise, the process waits until there is an AUTOCLOSE operation request.

  In step S2102, the state of the two PTP sheet width detection sensors (ON or not) is checked,

If the PTP sheet is in contact with the two sensors, it will recognize that the PTP sheet width has been detected,

If not, the process proceeds to step S2114 to detect the PTP sheet width.

  In step S2103, a predetermined movement distance (predetermined width) is set in order to widen the tablet insertion port wall.

  In step S2104, the motor is rotated to widen the tablet insertion port wall by the distance set in step S2103.

  In step S2105, the current width of the tablet inlet wall is acquired.

  In step S2106, the distance that the tablet insertion port wall has spread is checked (determined) from the data acquired in step S2105. If the distance set in step S2103 has increased, the process proceeds to step S2107; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S2105. .

  In step S2107, the motor is stopped and the operation is terminated.

  In this way, the sheet guides are arranged on the left and right so that the width between the sheet guides provided on the left and right of the insertion port is a width obtained by adding a predetermined width to the width of the tablet sheet detected by the sensor. Moving.

  In step S2108, a predetermined limit width of the tablet insertion port wall is set.

  In step S2109, in order to detect the PTP sheet width, the motor is rotated so as to narrow the tablet insertion port wall.

  In step S2110, the current width of the tablet inlet wall is acquired.

  In step S2111, it is checked (determined) whether the limit width of the tablet insertion port wall has been reached from the data acquired in step S2110. When the limit width is reached, it is recognized that there is no PTP sheet, and the process proceeds to step S2107. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S2112.

  In step S2112, the same process as in step S2102 is performed, and if the PTP sheet width can be detected, the process proceeds to step S2113, and if not, the process proceeds to step S2110.

  In step S2113, since the PTP sheet width has been detected, the motor is stopped.

  As described above, the sheet guide includes a sensor (sheet width detection sensor) for detecting the width of the tablet sheet, and the sheet guide has a width between the sheet guides provided on the left and right sides of the insertion port. It moves right and left so that it becomes the width of the tablet sheet detected by the sensor.

  In step S2114, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the motor was stopped. If it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S2103.

The following points can be performed by the operations from step S2102 to step S2114.
・ Detection of PTP sheet width

    ・ Alignment of stacked PTP sheets

    ・ Adjust the position of the tablet extrusion part in FIG. 18 to the position of 1/4 of the PTP sheet width.

    -Adjust the width of the opening (inlet 203) to the width of the PTP sheet.

  FIG. 22 is a medicine master screen for setting medicine information. The medicine master screen reads and displays the database file of FIG. 26 medicine master.

  In FIG. 22, reference numeral 2201 denotes a medicine list. FIG. 26 displays a list of medicines registered in the medicine master.

  Reference numeral 2202 in FIG. 22 denotes a save button. A process of writing the contents input in the medicine list 2201 to the medicine master in FIG. 26 is executed, and the screen is closed.

  In FIG. 22, reference numeral 2203 denotes a row of chemical sheet width sizes. This is a setting value for performing the sheet guiding operation by inputting the actual sheet width size. When 0 is set, it means that the sheet guide operation is not performed. Here, as an example, 50.00 is input as the sheet width size of bufferin combination tablet A330.

  FIG. 23 is a unit screen. When inputting a prescription, the prescription edit button 2801 on the main screen of FIG. 28 is clicked to display a screen for setting the operation of a tablet taking-out unit (hereinafter also simply referred to as a unit).

  Reference numeral 2301 in FIG. 23 denotes a unit button. When the selection is turned on by clicking, the unit of the selected unit No. can be operated during the packaging operation.

  232 in FIG. 23 is a unit tab. Click to display the unit screen.

  233 in FIG. 23 is a medicine selection button. The medicine can be set for the unit selected and turned ON by the unit button 2301.

  Reference numeral 2304 in FIG. 23 is a unit list. Unit buttons 2301 are displayed on the array for each unit No. in the same arrangement as the units mounted on the tablet supply device.

  FIG. 24 is a medicine selection screen. 23 is a screen displayed by clicking a medicine selection button 2303 on the unit screen.

  In FIG. 24, 2401 is a medicine name or bar code input field. In the figure, “buffer” is entered and displayed in the search list 2403.

  Reference numeral 2402 in FIG. 24 denotes an OK button. The medicine selected in the search list 2403 (medicine list) or the like is determined, and the screen is closed.

  Reference numeral 2403 in FIG. 24 denotes a search list. A search is performed in which the characters entered in the medicine name or barcode input field 2401 exist in the medicine and are displayed in a list. In the figure, a list of drug names having the characters “Buffa” is displayed.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart of the sheet guide operation when the OK button 2402 is clicked on the medicine selection screen of FIG.

  Step S2501 in FIG. 25 is a process for determining whether or not the medicine determined in FIG. 24 is registered in the medicine master in FIG. In the search, the medicine No. 2601 of the medicine master shown in FIG. 26 is searched using the determined medicine No. of the medicine as a key. If registered, the process proceeds to step S2502. If not registered, the process ends without performing the sheet guiding operation.

  Step S2502 in FIG. 25 is processing for obtaining the sheet width size 2603, which is the medicine information searched in step S2501. The process proceeds to step S2503.

  Step S2503 in FIG. 25 is processing for determining the value of the sheet width size 2603 acquired in step S2502. If the sheet width size 2603 is larger than 0, the process proceeds to step S2504. If the size is 0, the process ends without performing the sheet guiding operation.

  In step S2504 of FIG. 25, the acquired value of the sheet width size 2603 is transmitted to the medicine packaging apparatus with a tablet supply device (packaging system) together with the control command.

  FIG. 26 shows the contents of the medicine master database file. One line of information can be stored for one medicine, and settings for a plurality of medicines can be registered.

  2601 of FIG. 26 is chemical | medical agent No. It is a number for managing each registered medicine one by one. The values do not overlap. The value is set to 1 or more.

  Reference numeral 2602 in FIG. 26 denotes a sales name (name of the PTP sheet).

  In FIG. 26, reference numeral 2603 denotes a sheet width size. The actual sheet width value is set. In addition, for a chemical whose sheet width is unknown, 0 can be set so that the operation is not performed when the sheet guide operation is processed.

  FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a functional block configuration of a program in the embodiment of the present invention.

  Reference numeral 2701 in FIG. 27 denotes a control computer (information processing apparatus) for controlling the medicine packaging machine 2712 with a tablet supply device.

  2702 in FIG. 27 is a master of a drug information database. Input to the master is performed on the medicine master screen of FIG.

  Reference numeral 2703 in FIG. 27 denotes a processing unit that is executed when the control computer wants to request an instruction to the medicine packaging machine with tablet supply device 2712 at an arbitrary timing.

  In 2704 of FIG. 27, a command such as a status inquiry is transmitted to the communication command processing unit 2704 of the control computer 2701 from the communication command processing unit 2711 of the medicine dispensing machine with tablet supply device 2712 at a maximum of every 200 mSec at the latest. Each other's information is always exchanged. At this time, if a control command exists in the transmission buffer unit 2705, the content of the control command in the transmission buffer unit 2705 is transmitted from the communication command processing unit 2704 to the communication command processing unit 2711 at an arbitrary timing.

  2705 in FIG. 27 is an area for temporarily storing the control command sent from the control command transmission unit 2703.

  2711 in FIG. 27 becomes active when the power of the medicine packaging machine 2712 with tablet supply device is turned on, and inputs / outputs communication commands to / from the communication command processing unit 2704.

  2712 of FIG. 27 is a medicine packaging machine (packaging system) with a tablet supply device.

  FIG. 28 is a main screen displayed when the control computer is started.

  2801 in FIG. 28 is a prescription edit button. 23 is a button for displaying the unit screen.

  Reference numeral 2802 in FIG. 28 denotes a tool menu. In the tool menu, there are items for displaying the medicine master screen of FIG.

A series of flows will be described based on a specific embodiment.

  When the control computer is activated, the main screen of FIG. 28 is displayed.

  As advance preparation, it is necessary to set the sheet width size in order to operate the sheet guide. Here, the example using the chemical | medical agent called bufferin combination tablet A330 (chemical | medical agent No19372) is demonstrated as an example.

  From the tool menu 2802 in FIG. 28, the medicine master screen in FIG. 22 is displayed. Search for the bufferin combination tablet A330 from the medicine list 2201, and input the actual sheet width of 50.00 into the sheet width size 2203.

  Next, a save button 2202 is clicked to save in the medicine master and close the screen. At this time, 50.00 is stored in the sheet width size 2603 of the medicine master in FIG. Thereby, advance preparation is completed.

  Returning to the main screen of FIG. 28, basic contents such as a patient name are input.

  Next, in order to input basic prescription content usage, number of packages, etc., the prescription edit button 2801 is clicked to display a prescription edit screen.

  When the usage, the number of packages, and the like are entered on the prescription editing screen, the unit tab 2302 is clicked to display the unit screen in FIG. Click unit number 12301 to validate the selection.

  Subsequently, the medicine selection button 2303 is clicked to display the medicine selection screen of FIG.

  When “Buffer” is entered in the medicine name or barcode input field 2401, a list of medicine names (sales names) including “Buffer” is displayed in the search list 2403.

  From the search list 2403, the bufferin combination tablet A330 (drug No. 19372 in FIG. 24) is clicked to decide the drug selection.

  Clicking an OK button 2402 closes the drug selection screen of FIG.

  At this time, the processing of FIG. 25 is executed.

  In step S2501, it is determined whether the medicine of the bufferin combination tablet A330 selected above is registered in the medicine master of FIG. In this case, since the medicine No 19372 of the bufferin combination tablet A330 is present in the medicine No 2601, the process proceeds to step S2502.

  In step S2502, the sheet width size 50.00 in the medicine information of the bufferin combination tablet A330 selected in the preprocessing is acquired from the medicine master in FIG. The process proceeds to step S2503.

  In step S2503, since the acquired sheet width size 50.00 is larger than 0, the process proceeds to step S2504.

  In step S2504, a control command including the previously acquired sheet width size in the sheet guide operation command is transmitted to the medicine packager with medicine supply device.

  Upon receipt of the control command, the medicine dispenser with medicine supply device interprets the control command and performs an operation of adjusting the operation of the sheet guide of unit No. 1 to 50.00 mm.

  Thus, by performing a sheet guide operation that matches the actual sheet width, the width of the sheet guide can be automatically adjusted.

  As described above, the tablet take-out device includes the storage unit that stores the width of the tablet sheet, and the sheet guide includes the tablet sheet in which the width between the sheet guides provided on the left and right sides of the insertion port is stored in the storage unit. Move left and right so that the width becomes.

  The sheet guides are moved to the left and right so that the width between the sheet guides provided on the left and right sides of the insertion port is a width obtained by adding a predetermined width to the width of the tablet sheet stored in the storage means. To do.

  Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, or a storage medium, and specifically includes a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to a system that is configured, or may be applied to an apparatus that includes a single device.

  FIG. 29 is a front view of the unpacking unit (tablet taking-out device).

  The switch 2901 in FIG. 29 is a switch that performs an operation of narrowing the tablet insertion port wall.

  A switch 2902 in FIG. 29 is a switch for performing the operation described in the flowchart in FIG.

  A switch 2903 in FIG. 29 is a switch for performing an operation of expanding the tablet insertion port wall.

  FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of various terminals according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the relationship between the control computer 2701 in FIG. 27 and the packaging apparatus and tablet supply apparatus in FIG. 1 will be described. The control computer 2701 in FIG. 27 incorporates printing program software configured as shown in FIG. 1 and is connected to the packaging device, tablet supply device, and communication cable.

  The CPU 3001 comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 3004.

  In addition, the ROM 3002 or the external memory 3011 is necessary to realize a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) or an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as an OS) that is a control program of the CPU 3001, and functions executed by each server or each PC. Various programs to be described later are stored. The RAM 3003 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 3001.

  The CPU 3001 implements various operations by loading a program or the like necessary for execution of processing into the RAM 3003 and executing the program.

  An input controller (input C) 3005 controls input from a pointing device such as a keyboard 3009 or a mouse (not shown).

  A video controller (VC) 3006 controls display on a display device such as a CRT display (CRT) 3010. The display device may be a liquid crystal display as well as a CRT. These are used by the administrator as needed. The present invention is not directly related.

  A memory controller (MC) 3007 is a hard disk (HD), floppy disk (registered trademark FD) or PCMCIA card slot for storing a boot program, browser software, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, and the like. Controls access to an external memory 3011 such as a compact flash memory connected via an adapter.

  A communication I / F controller (communication I / FC) 3008 is connected to and communicates with an external device via a network, and executes communication control processing in the network. For example, Internet communication using TCP / IP is possible.

  Note that the CPU 3001 can perform display on the CRT 3010 by executing, for example, outline font development (rasterization) processing on a display information area in the RAM 3003. Further, the CPU 3001 enables a user instruction with a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 3010.

  A printing software program for realizing the present invention is recorded in the external memory 3011 and is executed by the CPU 3001 by being loaded into the RAM 3003 as necessary. Furthermore, the medicine master storage unit 2702 of FIG. 27 used by the printing software program according to the present invention is stored in the external memory 3011.

  FIG. 31 is a rear view of the tablet taking-out unit.

  As shown in FIG. 31, the moving mechanism that moves the tablet take-out part to the left and right according to the left-right movement of the sheet guide includes a spring (first elastic body) between the sheet guide and the tablet push-out part. And a spring (second elastic body) is provided between the support wall and the tablet take-out portion. Therefore, the moving mechanism moves the tablet take-out part to the left and right by the elasticity of the spring (first elastic body) and the elasticity of the spring (second elastic body) generated in accordance with the left and right movement of the sheet guide. Can do.

  Next, the shape of the PTP sheet detection sensor of the tablet dispensing device will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 32 is a front view of the unpacking unit (tablet taking-out device).

  A photo sensor with an actuator is used as the PTP sheet detection sensor. Further, a wide curved detection sensor block (width detection sensor block) that can accommodate various notch-shaped PTP sheets is attached to the actuator portion. These sensors are arranged on both sides of the tablet inlet wall to detect the width of various PTP sheets.

  FIG. 33 is a front view of a depacking unit (tablet taking-out device) for explaining the block shape of the PTP sheet detection sensor.

  As shown in FIGS. 33A and 33B, the PTP sheet contact surface of the width detection sensor block (also referred to as PTP sheet width detection sensor block) has a curved shape.

  This is such a shape so that the PTP sheet can be accurately unpacked (taken out of the tablets) even when the PTP sheet is curled inward.

  As shown in FIG. 33B, when the PTP sheet is rounded inward, both end surfaces of the PTP sheet are lifted upward from the flat surface at the center of the PTP sheet.

  Therefore, when both end surfaces of the PTP sheet are lifted upward, the width of the PTP sheet is reduced by using, for example, a flat PTP sheet detection sensor (also referred to as a PTP sheet width detection sensor block) that is not curved. When measuring from the direction perpendicular to the plane, the width is measured narrower than a flat PTP sheet.

  When the width of the PTP sheet is detected by a PTP sheet width detection sensor (also referred to as a PTP sheet width detection sensor block) in a state where the PTP sheet is curled, the PTP sheet width is detected narrower than a flat PTP sheet.

  As a result, if the width of the PTP sheet is measured narrowly, the conveyance path becomes narrow, which may cause a conveyance failure of the PTP sheet. Furthermore, it becomes difficult to adjust and arrange the tablet pushing-out part at an appropriate position, and the possibility of failing to take out the tablet becomes high.

  In order to solve such a problem, the PTP sheet contact surface of the width detection sensor block (also referred to as PTP sheet width detection sensor block) is curved.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 33 (b), FIG. 35, etc., the PTP sheet width detection sensor block has a curved shape in which the width between the sensors becomes narrower as the tablet sheets are stacked upward.

  A curve in which the width between the PTP sheet detection sensor blocks (also referred to as PTP sheet width detection sensor blocks) becomes narrower as the PTP sheet contact surface of the PTP sheet detection sensor block (also referred to as PTP sheet width detection sensor block) moves upward. It has a shape.

  PTP sheet detection than when detecting both ends of the PTP sheet at the lower part of the PTP sheet detection block (PTP sheet width detection sensor block) by making it a curved shape whose width becomes narrower in the upward direction (example: flat sheet) Sensor detection is faster when both ends of the PTP sheet are detected at the upper part of the block (PTP sheet width detection sensor block) (eg, a rounded sheet).

  By speeding up sensor detection, it is possible to always detect a rounded PTP sheet at the same position as a flat PTP sheet even if the degree of rounding of the PTP sheet is variable.

  FIG. 34 is a front view of the unpacking unit (tablet dispensing device) in a state where a flat PTP sheet is detected by a PTP sheet detection sensor (PTP sheet width detection sensor block).

  For a flat PTP sheet, the original width of the PTP sheet is accurately measured by the PTP sheet detection sensor block.

  FIG. 35 is a front view of the unpacking unit (tablet taking-out device) in a state where a curled PTP sheet is set at the inlet and detected by the PTP sheet detection sensor (PTP sheet width detection sensor block). .

  As shown in FIG. 35, both end surfaces of the rounded PTP sheet are in contact with the upper part of the PTP sheet detection block rather than a flat PTP sheet.

  When the rounded PTP sheet comes into contact with the top, the width is detected narrower than when the PTP sheet is flat, but the width increases as the PTP sheet detection block (PTP sheet width detection sensor block) moves upward By making the curve shape narrower, detection can be performed earlier than when both ends of the PTP sheet are detected at the lower part of the PTP sheet detection block. Since the curled PTP sheet can be detected earlier than the flat PTP sheet, it is possible to prevent the width of the tablet insertion wall from being narrowed and to eliminate the poor transport of the PTP sheet caused by the narrowing of the transport path. Furthermore, it is possible to adjust and arrange the tablet pushing-out portion at an appropriate position, and it is possible to reduce the failure of taking out the tablet.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the PTP sheets are automatically aligned, and the extrusion position can be automatically adjusted so that the position of the tablet extrusion device is at the center of the tablet pocket of each PTP sheet.

  That is, it is not necessary for the operator to manually adjust the width of the PTP sheet by simply setting the PTP sheet at the PTP sheet insertion port and instructing the start of the tablet removal operation, and automatically removes the tablet from the PTP sheet. be able to.

  In addition, in order to automatically detect the width of the PTP sheet, sensors for width detection (PTP sheet width detection sensor block) are mounted on the walls on both sides of the PTP sheet insertion slot, and the walls on both sides are automatically driven by a motor. The PTP sheets can be automatically aligned by automatically stopping when the sensors on both sides come into contact with the PTP sheet.

  Further, as the walls on both sides move, the tablet push-out portion is also interlocked and adjusted to an appropriate push-out position, so that the operation by the user can be reduced.

  Each means and each step constituting the embodiment of the present invention described above can be realized by operating a program stored in a RAM, a ROM, or the like of a computer. This program that can be read and executed by the apparatus and a computer-readable recording medium that records the program are included in the present invention.

  In addition, the present invention can be implemented as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or recording medium, and may be applied to an apparatus including one or more devices.

  The present invention supplies a software program for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments directly or remotely to a system or apparatus. In addition, this includes a case where the system or the computer of the apparatus is also achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention. In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, and the like.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the computer executing the read program. Furthermore, based on the instructions of the program, an OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized by the processing.

  As another method, a program read from a recording medium is first written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Then, based on the instructions of the program, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are also realized by the processing.

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

Claims (8)

A tablet takeout device for taking out tablets from a tablet sheet,
A sheet guide provided on each of the left and right sides of the tablet sheet inlet and movable to the left and right to adjust the position of the tablet sheet;
A tablet extruding part for extruding a pocket in which the tablet is enclosed in the tablet sheet;
A moving mechanism for moving the tablet take-out part to the left and right in accordance with the left and right movement of the sheet guide;
A tablet take-out device comprising: The moving mechanism includes a first elastic body between the sheet guide and the tablet pushing portion,
The tablet extracting device according to claim 1, wherein the moving mechanism moves the tablet extracting unit left and right by elasticity of the first elastic body generated in accordance with the left and right movement of the sheet guide. The moving mechanism is
A support wall disposed at a central position with respect to the width direction of the tablet sheet, the position of which is adjusted by moving the sheet guide to the left and right;
A second elastic body is further provided between the support wall and the tablet take-out part,
The moving mechanism moves the tablet take-out part to the left and right by the elastic force of the first elastic body and the elastic force of the second elastic body, which are generated according to the left-right movement of the sheet guide. The tablet taking-out device according to claim 2. The sheet guide includes a sensor for detecting the width of the tablet sheet,
2. The sheet guide according to claim 1, wherein the sheet guide moves to the left and right so that a width between the sheet guides provided on the left and right sides of the insertion port is the width of the tablet sheet detected by the sensor. The tablet taking-out device according to any one of items 1 to 3. The sheet guide includes a sensor for detecting the width of the tablet sheet,
The sheet guide moves to the left and right so that the width between the sheet guides provided on the left and right sides of the insertion port is a width obtained by adding a predetermined width to the width of the tablet sheet detected by the sensor. The tablet taking-out device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein   The tablet taking-out apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the sensor has a curved shape in which a width between the sensors becomes narrower in the upward direction. A storage means for storing the width of the tablet sheet;
The sheet guide moves to the left and right so that the width between the sheet guides respectively provided on the left and right of the insertion port is the width of the tablet sheet stored in the storage means. The tablet take-out device according to any one of 1 to 3. A storage means for storing the width of the tablet sheet;
The sheet guides are arranged on the left and right so that the width between the sheet guides provided on the left and right of the insertion port is a width obtained by adding a predetermined width to the width of the tablet sheet stored in the storage means. It moves, The tablet taking-out apparatus of any one of Claim 1 thru | or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned.

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