JP2014230744A - Device for separately packing medicine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for separately packing medicine capable of drawing information about taking the medicine to a separate packing sheet easily and inexpensively while saving space.SOLUTION: A device for separately packing medicine that separately packs the medicine in a separate packing sheet, has: a sheet table for placing the separate packing sheet; a guide part that is overlaid on the separate packing sheet placed on the sheet table and used for performing hand drawing work to draw information for specifying time or a person the medicine separately packed in the separate packing sheet is taken, to the separate packing sheet; and an engaging part for engaging the sheet table or the guide part with the device for separately packing medicine.

Description

  The present invention relates to a medicine packaging device.

  In recent years, in order to prevent misidentification of the timing and type of prescription drugs and to reduce the time and effort of unpacking, a medicine packaging device that wraps the medicine for each dose on a single packaging sheet has been widely used. .

  Furthermore, in pharmacies and the like, there are devised techniques for further improving the visibility of the user, such as adding additional information on the packaging sheet or drawing various color lines. For example, in the case of characters, “morning / daytime / night” is described as information on the timing of taking, and “older brother / younger brother” is described as information on the user. Also, if it is a color line, the information on the timing of taking is "red line package for morning drinks, green line sheet for day drinks, blue line for night drinks" “Sheet”, and the information of the user is “red double line wrap sheet for brother, blue wavy wrap sheet for brother”. In this way, various meanings are given by combining the number of characters, lines, patterns, and the like.

JP 2000-14262 A

  In a pharmacy, it is easier to draw a meaningful line than to add a character for each packaging sheet, so in general, colored lines are often drawn. However, this color-coded line drawing work for improving the visibility has been a labor-intensive work. Therefore, a drug packaging device or the like having a multicolor printing function as in Patent Document 1 has been proposed.

  However, the medicine packaging device has a long life cycle of the device, and the introduction cost of the device is very high. Therefore, it can be said that there is rarely a case where a device is replaced with a packaging machine having a multicolor printing function only to reduce the burden of the drawing work. In addition, an apparatus with a multicolor printing function, even when considering the introduction of a new apparatus, because the apparatus is larger than the apparatus without the function and the running cost of printing consumables is high, In some cases, it is not seen.

In recent years, there are many pharmacies in which the work space for drawing the packaging sheet has almost disappeared due to the introduction of various devices accompanying rationalization of work in the pharmacy. For these reasons, it is not possible to introduce an apparatus having a multicolor printing function, and there are many pharmacies that perform drawing work in a narrow work space.
Moreover, the packaging sheet contains the medicine. And the swelling of the sheet | seat made with the chemical | medical agent enclosed in the wrapping sheet | seat makes the drawing operation | work more troublesome.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a medicine packaging device capable of drawing information for specifying a user at the time of taking a medicine or a user on a packaging sheet in a space-saving manner easily and inexpensively.

  A medicine packaging device for packaging medicine into a packaging sheet, the sheet placing table for placing the packaging sheet, and the packaging sheet placed on the sheet placing table, A guide unit used for performing hand-drawn work for drawing information on the packaging sheet when specifying or taking a user of the medicine packaged in the packaging sheet, and the sheet table or the guide unit, There is provided a medicine packaging device having an engaging portion that engages with the medicine packaging device.

  By providing in this way, it is possible to provide a medicine packaging device that can draw information for specifying a user at the time of taking a medicine or a user on a packaging sheet easily and inexpensively in a space-saving manner.

The perspective view which shows the packaging system containing a tablet supply apparatus and a packaging apparatus The perspective view of the tablet supply apparatus 10 Perspective view of tablet take-out unit 1 The figure which shows the internal structure (cross section) of the tablet extraction unit 1 The figure which shows the internal structure of a tablet supply device Diagram showing the internal structure of the tablet supply unit Diagram showing the internal structure of the packaging unit An enlarged view of a part of the internal structure of the packaging unit The figure which shows the internal structure of the tablet extraction unit 1 Front view of tablet supply device View of the tablet feeder from the side (right side when viewed from the front) An excerpt of a part of the tablet supply device View of the inside of the tablet supply device viewed from the side (right side when viewed from the front) External view of the wrapping sheet packaged by the packaging mechanism Appearance drawing of color-separated wrapping sheet Perspective view of the upper cover of the packaging device Front view of a packing sheet that is not packed with medicine Schematic side view of the upper cover of the packaging device Figure with the packing sheet on the top cover of the packaging device A perspective view of a tablet slot cover with a drawing guide and an enlarged view of a groove Schematic perspective view of the top cover Packaging sheet with two lines drawn with color magic An example of drawing a line on a continuous packing sheet (pattern without shifting the line position) An example of drawing a line on a continuous packing sheet (pattern for shifting the line position) An example of drawing a line on a repeated packing sheet (a pattern that does not shift the position of the line) An example of drawing a line on a repeated packing sheet (pattern for shifting the line position) External view of the tablet slot cover with a drawing guide Outline drawing of drawing guide Top view of tablet slot cover with line drawing guide The perspective view with which the set of a tablet slot cover and a drawing auxiliary tool is attached to the upper cover Disassembled perspective view of tablet inlet cover and drawing aid set, top cover and bracket Side view of tablet inlet cover and drawing aid

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a packaging system including a tablet supply device and a packaging device. The packaging device is also referred to as a medicine packaging machine, a medicine packaging apparatus, a packaging machine, and a packaging apparatus. 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.

  Reference numeral 3 in FIG. 1 denotes a discharge pocket (discard box), which is a part where the PTP sheets discharged from the tablet take-out device gather. Opened at the front of the apparatus, the discharged PTP sheet can be easily taken out.

  Reference numeral 4 in FIG. 1 denotes a tablet slot cover, which is a cover for the tablet slot. In order to prevent dust and foreign matter from entering the tablet insertion port, it is hinged on the upper surface of the packaging device and can be opened and closed. Under this cover, there is a tablet insertion port 1603 (tablet tablet mass for handmade) under this cover, and the user can manually insert the tablets and divide them into single drinks. is there.

  The tablet insertion port 1603 is a tablet insertion port 1603 (hand-made tablet mass) of the manual tablet supply device 4000 (shown in cross-sectional view in FIG. 13). The manual tablet supply device 4000 accepts the input of tablets one by one from the user at the tablet insertion port 1603 by hand. Then, the received medicine is supplied one by one to be packaged by the packaging device 5.

  A plurality of tablet extraction units 1 are stored in the tablet supply device 10. 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 perspective view of the tablet supply device 10. 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 perspective view of the tablet taking-out unit 1. 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 including 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.
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) includes 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 calculation means for calculating the transport distance to the pressed position based on the detected position of the tablet storage portion 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 sent (moved) by the second delivery mechanism 504 (one time), and puts the accumulated tablets into the packaging sheet (packaging sheet).
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 feeding mechanism that feeds roll paper (packaging sheets in a roll shape) with continuous packaging sheets to the packaging mechanism.

  Reference numeral 703 shows that a tablet 50 (one tablet 803) accumulated in the main hopper 505 is put into a packaging sheet, and the packaging sheet is heated and welded to be put into the packaging sheet. The finished medicine is enclosed in a packaging sheet (packaging mechanism). In this embodiment, only tablets may be drawn as the package, but if the package can be packaged, the shape of the drug, such as powder, is not required, and the dietary supplements such as dietary supplements The package may not be a drug.

In 704, the tablets accumulated in the main hopper 505 are put into the packing sheet, and the packing sheet is heated and welded, whereby the tablets put in the packing sheet are converted into the packing sheet. Enclose in (packaging mechanism). In other words, 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.
In step 705, a split perforation 801 is formed on the split sheet for splitting the continuous roll paper into separate split sheets (one packet 802). (Severing mechanism)
A printer 706 prints date, patient data, and error information on a packaging sheet (printing mechanism).

In this embodiment, a single-color printer is assumed. However, with respect to the implementation of the claims, a multi-color printer may be used, or a non-printer packaging machine. Also good. 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. 1 shown in FIG. 10 is the tablet taking-out unit 1 as shown in FIG. 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.

  FIG. 14 is an external view of the packaging sheet packaged by the packaging mechanism. 1411 of FIG. 14 is a packaging sheet, and encloses the medicine put in the packaging sheet. This wrapping sheet is printed with “morning” as a medicine to be taken in the morning.

  The packaging sheets are discharged from the packaging mechanism of the packaging apparatus in a continuous state as shown in FIG. For example, it is assumed that the prescribed medicine is for two weeks (14 days), one package for three times a day after breakfast, lunch, and dinner. At this time, the continuous wrapping sheets are discharged in a series of 42 wraps, in which medicines to be taken after each meal are packaged. If the print setting is “morning”, “noon”, and “evening”, “morning” from the first package to the 14th package, “daytime” from the 15th package to the 28th package, and 42 packets from the 29th package “Evening” is printed on the eyes.

In FIG. 14, an example of a packaging sheet printed by a medicine packaging apparatus having a mechanism capable of printing single-color characters and lines is introduced, but the present invention can be implemented regardless of whether or not printing is performed on the packaging sheet. is there. And in a packaging sheet in which nothing is printed as shown in FIG.
Next, line drawing and color coding on the packaging sheet will be described.
FIG. 15 is an external view of a wrapping sheet with color magic and color-coded lines.
Reference numeral 1501 denotes a line drawn for color coding, which is a red line here.
Reference numeral 1502 denotes an edge of the packaging sheet.

The line drawn for color coding is drawn almost parallel to the edge of the packaging sheet. The user (for example, pharmacist) of the packaging apparatus draws a line on the packaging sheet with color magic or the like as shown in FIG. For example, in order to increase the user's awareness of the timing of taking, red is used for taking after breakfast, yellow for lunch, and blue for dinner. Alternatively, the older brother's packaging sheet is blue, the younger brother's packaging sheet is red, and so on, so that the visibility is improved so that there is no mistake in taking.

  For this color-coded drawing, for example, when drawing a line by applying a general office 30cm ruler, etc., if the length per package is 80 mm, if you try to draw a line to 42 packages, the total length of the packaging sheet Is 336mm, so you must reapply the ruler and draw a line at least 12 times.

Based on this, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, the tablet inlet cover 4 attached to the upper part of the packaging device is used as a drawing guide. This is because it is longer than the total length of the medicine package sheet (the total length is 633 mm) and is sufficiently long as a drawing guide.
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the upper cover of the packaging device.
Reference numeral 1601 denotes an upper part of the packaging apparatus, which is an upper cover of the packaging apparatus.

Reference numeral 1602 denotes a recess. The dent is from the right end to the left end of the packaging device. This depression serves as a sheet table for placing the packaging sheets, that is, a hand-drawn work space.
Reference numeral 1603 denotes a tablet insertion port (hand-made tablet mass).
FIG. 17 is a front view of a packaging sheet in which no medicine is packaged.
The height dimension of the packaging sheet is 70 mm.
FIG. 18 is a schematic side view of the upper cover of the packaging device.

The upper cover recess 1602 is 70 mm in the depth direction. This is provided to make it difficult to shift the installation location of the packaging sheet, and is provided so as to conform to the height dimension of the packaging sheet. Reference numeral 1801 denotes a wrapping sheet swelling escape portion. This is provided with an inclination with respect to a horizontal plane in order to collect the medicine packaged in the packaging sheet at one end of the sheet. The wrapping sheet bulging escape portion 1801 is provided for escaping (accommodating) the bulge of the medicine packaged in the wrapping sheet so as not to obstruct the drawing work. Accordingly, the wrapping sheet bulging escape portion (inclined portion) may be a flat surface or a curved surface.
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a packaging sheet placed on the upper cover of the packaging apparatus. As shown in FIG. 19, the packaging sheet 1411 is set along the recess of the upper cover.
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a tablet slot cover provided with a drawing guide and an enlarged view of a groove.

  Reference numeral 2001 denotes a groove. The groove penetrates from the front surface to the back surface of the tablet inlet cover. The tablet slot cover has a groove, and a color magic or the like is placed in the groove to serve as a guide for drawing a line on the packaging sheet. The edge on the front side also plays the same role.

  In this embodiment, there are three grooves for the tablet slot cover. However, when the edge of the tablet slot cover is a drawing guide, the groove may not be provided. Moreover, the groove | channel or edge pattern should just be a pattern of the line which an operator wants to draw. For example, instead of a straight line, a shape that draws a wavy line or a zigzag line may be used. Or in the case of a groove | channel, it may be the some said groove part divided by the partition member, and may be a guide of the shape which can draw a dotted line, a chain line, a broken line, etc. When a plurality of grooves are provided, the width may be changed in order to draw lines having different thicknesses.

Examples of lines often used in the present situation will be described later with reference to FIGS. FIG. 29 shows an example of a groove having a shape provided with one or more members to be divided. Further, it is desirable that the material of the tablet insertion port cover of the drawing guide is made of a transparent or translucent material. This is because, when the guide portion is overlaid on the packaging sheet, the state where the packaging sheet is placed can be confirmed through the top.
FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view of the upper cover of the packaging apparatus, and shows a state in which the tablet slot cover 4 having a handwritten line guide function is lowered in FIG.

  Reference numeral 2101 denotes a color pen. A line can be drawn with a color pen by placing a packing sheet on the upper cover and lowering the tablet slot cover and using the groove in the cover.

  At this time, as described in FIG. 18, since the swelling portion of the wrapping sheet provided in the recess of the upper cover escapes the bulging portion of the wrapping sheet by the medicine, The swollen portion of the medicine in the packing sheet does not interfere with the work.

  The depression 1602 at the upper part of the packaging device is provided in parallel with the tablet inlet cover 4 and in accordance with the height of the packaging sheet. Therefore, it is possible to easily draw a parallel line with respect to the edge of the packaging sheet simply by setting the packaging sheet and dropping the hinged cover. That is, it is possible to draw a line parallel to the packaging sheet more easily than drawing a straight line using a ruler on a desk.

  As described above, in order to make the drawing work easier, it is desirable that there is a recess in the upper cover of the packaging device and a relief portion for expanding the packaging sheet. However, as shown in FIG. 19, if a packaging sheet is installed on the front side of the tablet insertion slot 1603 and there is a sufficient work space (table for placing the packaging sheet) to be sandwiched by the tablet insertion slot cover that can draw a line, The drawing work using at least the handwritten drawing guide can be performed.

As a supplement, most tablet packaging machines are equipped with a tablet slot cover and an upper cover of the packaging device. The cost for exchanging with the tablet insertion port cover on which the present invention is mounted or the upper cover of the packaging device is much lower than the cost for replacing a packaging machine with a color printing mechanism.
FIG. 22 is a color magic, and is a wrapping sheet in a state where two lines are drawn.

  Such a drawing guide for the purpose of drawing two or more lines preferably includes two or more drawing parts (grooves or edges). This is because once the drawing guide part (tablet cover) is set to draw a plurality of lines.

FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 show an example in which a line is drawn on a continuous-packaging sheet, which is an example of a total of nine packages: three in the morning, three in the day, and three in the evening. Continuous sachet means morning, morning, lunch, evening, evening, evening pills, followed by pills taken after breakfast, then pills taken after lunch, and pills taken after dinner And wrap it. FIG. 23 shows an example in which the red line, the yellow line, and the blue line are drawn in a straight line by using one groove of the tablet insertion port cover.
FIG. 24 shows an example in which the three lines of the medicine inlet cover are used to draw a line by offsetting the red line, yellow line, and blue line.
25 and 26 show an example in which a line is drawn on the repeated packing sheet.

  This is an example of a total of 9 packages, 3 in the morning, 3 in the day, and 3 in the evening. Repetitive sachet is to wrap in the morning and evening, morning and evening, morning and afternoon, medicines taken after breakfast, medicines taken after lunch, and medicines taken after dinner. FIG. 25 is an example in which a red line, a yellow line, and a blue line are intermittently drawn on a straight line by using one groove of the tablet inlet cover, and FIG. This is an example in which three lines of the mouth cover are used to draw a line by offsetting the red line, the yellow line, and the blue line one by one.

  Up to this point, it has been explained that a line is drawn on the packaging sheet using the upper part of the packaging device and the cover of the tablet insertion port cover. By applying this mechanism, it is possible to draw a line on the tablet slot cover.

  FIG. 27 is an external view of a tablet slot cover provided with a drawing guide. The cover of the tablet insertion port cover has the same function as described in the explanation of FIG. 18, and a dent 1602 for setting the wrapping sheet, and a swell of the wrapping sheet for storing the medicine inside the wrapping sheet. An escape portion 1801 is provided.

  Reference numeral 2701 denotes a drawing guide. It serves as a ruler. The tablet inlet cover 4 and the drawing guide 2701 are hinged and can be opened and closed as necessary. The drawing guide is used by being superimposed on the handwritten sheet, and may be any one that engages with the medicine packaging device. Accordingly, for example, a shape like a drafter is also included.

Further, it is desirable that this guide has means that can be anchored to the medicine packaging device when not in use. This is because the opening / closing operation is obstructed if the tablet insertion port cover is not moored when it is opened / closed. As for the mooring state, it is desirable that the drawing guide does not move when the cover is opened and closed, and is moored with such a strength that it can be easily moved by human power during the drawing work. As specific mooring means, it is conceivable to use a magnet and metal at the contact point between the guide and the medicine packaging device, use a hook-and-loop fastener, attach a hook, or attach a lock mechanism. Alternatively, a method is also conceivable in which the drawing guide and the sheet table are structured as a clip (a structure in which an object can be sandwiched between the scissors and the laundry scissors). A spring is provided between the drawing guide and the sheet mounting table, and the drawing guide and the sheet mounting table are moored so that a spring force is applied in the direction of the contact surface. If provided in this way, not only can the mooring be performed, but it is also possible to obtain an effect that the wrapping sheet can be firmly fixed when the wrapping sheet is sandwiched between the drawing guide and the sheet placing table. (Not shown)
FIG. 28 is an external view of the drawing guide 2701.
Reference numeral 2801 denotes a front edge. This edge is formed by a straight line or a regular pattern in order to draw a line as in the description of the edge of FIG.

Next, the drawing guide groove portion 2001 of this embodiment has three drawing grooves, but may be omitted if the edge is a drawing guide. In addition, about the shape and pattern of a groove | channel, what is necessary is just the pattern of the line which an operator wants to draw like FIG.
Further, it is desirable that the drawing guide is made of a transparent or translucent material as in FIG.

  As described above, the embodiment that enables the drawing to the packaging sheet with the structure of the tablet insertion port cover and the drawing guide as shown in FIG. 27 and FIG. 28, as shown in FIG. 18, FIG. 19, and FIG. In such an embodiment, either one may be selected.

The former merit is that it can be implemented at a lower cost than the latter. This is because there is no need to greatly change the component arrangement of the packaging machine (packaging machine). The advantage of the latter is that the visibility of the medicine input part is higher than that of the former.
FIG. 29 is a top view of the tablet insertion port cover, and is an example of the “groove having a shape provided with one or more sections” shown in FIG.

  The groove in this figure has a configuration corresponding to the pitch length in the lateral direction of the packaging sheet, and a line having a pattern as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 can be easily drawn. Further, if the pitch of the grooves is made to correspond to the length of each package, a line as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 can be easily drawn. Further, if the pitch is made finer, it is possible to form a groove for drawing a broken line or a one-dot chain line. In addition, when there are a plurality of grooves, grooves having different numbers of sections may be combined.

Here, the tablet insertion port cover 4 that does not include a guide portion (such as the groove portion 2001 or the drawing guide 2701) for drawing, and the tablet insertion port cover 4 that includes the guide portion (tablets shown in FIGS. 20 and 27). It will be described that the slot cover 4) can be removed and replaced.
FIG. 30 is a perspective view in which the tablet insertion port cover including the drawing guide 2701 shown in FIG. 27 is attached to the upper cover 1601.
FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view of the tablet inlet cover, the drawing guide 2701, the upper cover 1601, and the bracket 3101 shown in FIG.

  The bracket 3101 is provided with a hole so that a pin provided in the tablet insertion port cover can be inserted. The bracket 3101 is fixed to the upper cover 1601 with a fixing screw. The tablet insertion port cover 4 provided with the drawing guide 2701 is hinged to the upper cover by inserting a pin provided in the tablet insertion port cover into a hole of the bracket and attaching the bracket 3101 to the upper cover. Therefore, the set of the tablet insertion port cover 4 and the drawing assistance tool can be removed by the reverse procedure described above.

This is an example of attachment, and the upper cover 1601 and the tablet slot cover 4 may be attached in a replaceable manner. For example, a method of screwing the tablet inlet cover 4 provided with the drawing guide 2701 and the upper cover 1601 with a hinge is also conceivable. Moreover, various methods, such as attaching the tablet insertion port cover 4 so that replacement | exchange is possible by providing a hook-and-loop fastener and a magnet in a contact surface, can be considered.
FIG. 32 is a side view of the tablet insertion port cover and the drawing aid shown in FIG.

  A dent 3201 of the tablet insertion port cover is a dent provided on the upper surface of the tablet insertion port cover 4 (a surface that contacts the drawing guide 2701). As with the dent 1602 of the upper cover in FIG. It is a dent 3201 for making it difficult to shift. The dent 3201 of the tablet insertion port cover is provided with a wrapping sheet swelling escape portion 1801 as in FIG.

  The lower surface of the tablet slot cover 4 (the surface that contacts the upper cover 1601) is substantially flat. Therefore, it is also possible to remove the set of the tablet insertion port cover and the drawing assistance tool from the upper cover and place it on the desk for use in the drawing work. That is, the drawing work does not have to be performed on the packaging machine. This is possible if there is a space in the pharmacy where you can place a desk for drawing. If the fixing screw that fixes the bracket is changed to a thumbscrew so that it can be easily replaced, the tablet inlet cover and the drawing aid can be placed on the desk or on the packaging machine according to the situation of work in the pharmacy. It is also possible to use the tool set by moving it.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a medicine packaging device capable of drawing information related to taking medicines on a packaging sheet in a space-saving manner and at low cost.
And the chemical | medical agent packaging apparatus of this invention is characterized by the following.

  1. A medicine packaging device (packaging device 5) for packaging medicine into a packaging sheet, and a sheet table (tablet inlet cover 4, upper cover 1601) for placing the packaging sheet (packaging sheet 1411) , Dent 1602, tablet slot cover dent 3201) and the wrapping sheet placed on the sheet mounting table, and identifying when or taking the medicine packaged in the wrapping sheet Information (line 1501) to be used for performing a hand-drawn operation for drawing on the packaging sheet (tablet slot cover 4, groove part 2001, drawing guide 2701), the sheet table or the guide part. And an engaging portion (the description that the tablet slot cover 4 is “buttered”, bracket 3101) that engages with the medicine packaging apparatus.

  2. The sheet table is provided with a dent (dent 1602) adapted to the wrapping sheet for preventing the installation position of the wrapping sheet from shifting when the information specifying the user or the user is drawn on the wrapping sheet. A medicine packaging device having a dent 3201) of a tablet inlet cover.

  3. The sheet table has a surface (packaging sheet swelling escape portion 1801) inclined with respect to a horizontal plane so that the medicine packed in the packing sheet can be easily collected at one end of the packing sheet. A medicine packaging device.

  4). The drug packaging device characterized in that the guide part has a handwritten line (line 1501) as information for specifying the time of taking the medicine packaged in the packaging sheet drawn by the guide part. .

  5. The guide part has a groove part (groove part 2001, drawing guide 2701) penetrating through the guide part for drawing information for specifying a person who takes or takes the medicine packaged in the packaging sheet. A medicine packaging device.

  6). The drug packaging device, wherein the groove part of the guide part is a groove part (groove part 2001, drawing guide 2701) in which parallel hand-drawn lines can be written.

  7). The groove portion of the guide portion is composed of a plurality of grooves divided by a partition member, and alternate parallel lines can be drawn on the packaging sheet (tablet inlet cover 4 in FIG. 29). A medicine packaging device.

  8). The groove portion of the guide portion is a pattern for adding two or more patterns of hand-drawn lines to the packaging sheet (various guide patterns as described in FIG. 20, two or more patterns as described in FIG. 22). A description of the line drawing section).

  9. The guide portion is transparent or translucent so that the installation position of the packaging sheet can be confirmed through the guide portion (description of the tablet inlet cover 4 in FIG. 20 and the drawing guide 2701 in FIG. 28). A medicine packaging device characterized by the above.

  10. The guide unit includes an anchoring means (description regarding mooring of the drawing guides in FIGS. 27 and 32) for mooring the sheet unit so that the guide unit does not move when the guide unit is not used. A medicine packaging device characterized by the above.

  11. The apparatus further includes an input port (tablet input port 1603) for inputting a medicine to be packaged in the packaging sheet, and the guide portion is a lid (tablet input port cover 4) of the input port, and the engagement A medicine packaging apparatus, characterized in that the medicine packaging apparatus is a lid engaged with the medicine packaging apparatus by a portion (described as “tablet slot cover 4 is hinged”).

  12 The apparatus further includes an input port for supplying a medicine for packaging into the packaging sheet, and the sheet mounting base is a lid of the input port (tablet input port cover 4 in FIG. 27), The lid is engaged with the medicine packaging device (in the description of FIGS. 27 and 32, the tablet inlet cover 4 is described as being “buttered” by the bracket 3101), and the guide portion is 27. A medicine packaging device characterized by being engaged with a sheet table (in the description of FIG. 27, description that the drawing guide 2701 and the tablet insertion port cover 4 are “buttered”).

  13. The lid is detachably engaged with the medicine packaging device (described in the description of FIG. 31 that the tablet insertion port cover 4 is detachably fastened by a bracket 3101). Drug packaging device.

  14 The sheet mounting table and the guide unit are configured to fix the packing sheet when the packing sheet is sandwiched between the sheet mounting table and the guide unit. Are engaged so that force is applied in the direction of the contact surface (description that the tablet insertion port cover 4 and the drawing guide 2701 serve as a clip in the mooring method using a magnet and the explanation of FIG. 27) A medicine packaging device characterized by that.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tablet taking-out unit 3 Discharge pocket 4 Tablet insertion slot cover provided with a drawing guide (tablet mass cover for handmade)
5 Packaging device 10 Tablet supply device
17 Detection mechanism 18 Placement table on which a tablet sheet is placed
24 Introduction chute
39 Lower roller
50 tablets 51 tablet sheets (PTP sheets)
52 Tablet storage
83 Internal pressing body 84 External pressing body 93 First lifting body
94 Cam 98 Second lifting body 99 Cam 103 Powder injection part
203 Input port for inputting a tablet sheet into the tablet take-out unit 1 204 Optical sensor 400 Tablet supply unit
401 Tablet introduction path 402 First accumulation hopper 501 Second accumulation hopper 502 First delivery mechanism 503 Third accumulation hopper 504 Second delivery mechanism
505 Main hopper
701 Packaging unit in packaging apparatus 702 Roll paper delivery mechanism 703 Packaging mechanism 704 Packaging mechanism 705 Separation mechanism 706 Printer 801 Perforation for segmentation 802 One package 803 Tablet (medicine) packaged in one package
901 Cover 1201 Tablet movement path 1401 First inclined portion 1411 Packaging sheet 1501 Line drawn for color coding 1502 Edge of packaging sheet 1601 Upper cover 1602 Indentation (sheet mounting table)
1603 Tablet inlet (hand-made tablet mass)
1801 Package sheet bulging relief part 2001 Groove 2701 Drawing guide 2801 Front edge of drawing guide 3101 Bracket 3201 Recess of tablet slot cover

Claims (14)

A medicine packaging device for packaging medicine into a packaging sheet,
A sheet table for placing the wrapping sheet;
Hand-drawn for drawing information specifying the time of taking or the user of the medicine packaged in the packaging sheet on the packaging sheet, overlaid on the packaging sheet placed on the sheet table. A guide unit used to perform the work;
A medicine packaging apparatus, comprising: an engaging portion that engages the sheet placing table or the guide section with the medicine packaging apparatus.   The sheet mounting table has a recess adapted to the packaging sheet for making it difficult to shift the installation position of the packaging sheet when drawing information specifying the user or the user on the packaging sheet. The medicine packaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   The said sheet | seat stand has a surface inclined with respect to the horizontal surface in order to make it easy to collect the said medicine packaged by the said packaging sheet in the end of the said packaging sheet. The medicine packaging apparatus according to the description.   4. The guide part according to claim 1, wherein the information for specifying the time of taking the medicine packaged in the packaging sheet drawn by the guide part is a handwritten line. 2. A medicine packaging apparatus according to item 1.   The said guide part has a groove part which penetrated the said guide part for drawing the information which specifies the time of taking the said medicine packaged by the said wrapping sheet, or a user. The medicine packaging apparatus according to any one of the above.   6. The medicine packaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the groove part of the guide part is a groove part capable of writing parallel hand-drawn lines.   The said groove part which the said guide part has is comprised from the several groove | channel divided by the partition member, The alternate parallel line can be drawn on the said wrapping sheet, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. Drug packaging device.   The drug part according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the groove part of the guide part has a pattern for adding two or more hand-drawn lines to the packaging sheet. Packaging equipment.   The medicine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the guide part is transparent or translucent so that an installation position of the packaging sheet can be confirmed through the guide part. Packaging device.   The said guide part is equipped with the mooring means for mooring to the said sheet mounting stand so that the said guide part may not move, when the said guide part is not used, The any one of Claim 1 thru | or 9 characterized by the above-mentioned. The medicine packaging device according to Item. It further comprises an input port for inputting a medicine for packaging in the packaging sheet,
The said guide part is a lid | cover of the said insertion port, Comprising: It is a lid | cover engaged with the said chemical | medical agent packaging apparatus by the said engaging part, The any one of Claim 1 thru | or 10 characterized by the above-mentioned. Drug packaging device. It further comprises an input port for inputting a medicine for packaging in the packaging sheet,
The sheet table is a lid of the insertion port, and is a lid that is engaged with the medicine packaging device by the engaging portion,
The medicine packaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion is engaged with the sheet placing table.   The medicine packaging apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the lid is detachably engaged with the medicine packaging apparatus. The sheet mounting table and the guide unit are configured to fix the packing sheet when the packing sheet is sandwiched between the sheet mounting table and the guide unit. 14. The medicine packaging device according to claim 1, wherein the devices are engaged with each other so that a force is applied in the direction of the contact surface.

Images