JP2015123995A - Tablet folding device, control method of it, and program of it - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide tablet supply means for avoiding feeding operation before all tablets are collected at a shutting-off position, even when it takes more time for tablets to fall, according to the kind or the number of the tablets, in which the tablets supplied from the tablet supply means are collected at the shutting-off position temporarily and then fed in a lump, therefore they are moved to folding means.SOLUTION: Timing for feeding tablets from a shutting-off position is controlled on the basis of tablet information of tablets which are folded at single folding operation by folding means, therefore the tablets can be fed to the folding means at proper timing.

Description

  The present invention relates to a tablet packaging device, a control method for the tablet packaging device, and a program for the tablet packaging device.

  In the dispensing business, an operation of packaging tablets (drugs) provided in tablet sheets (PTP sheets) is performed. A tablet packaging device that performs such packaging is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In the tablet packaging device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the tablets taken out from the tablet sheet by the tablet taking-out means and the tablets put in by the user are temporarily collected at the damming position. Then, the tablet push-out member reciprocates, and the tablets dammed up at the damming position are collectively pushed out and moved to the packaging means to package one tablet.

JP2013-226612A

  However, in the tablet packaging device disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the reciprocating operation of the tablet extruding unit is always performed at regular time intervals, depending on the type of tablets and the number of tablets, they may collide or jump in the middle of the route. For example, it takes time for the tablets to fall, and there is a concern that the tablets are pushed out to the side of the packaging means before all the tablets are collected at the damming position. In other words, a single packaging operation is performed in a state where the number of tablets to be packaged is less than a single packaging operation.

  In order to prevent such a state, the interval of the reciprocating motion of the tablet extruding member can be extended uniformly, but this is not preferable because the packaging time becomes long in all the packaging operations.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said subject, and it aims at providing the tablet packaging apparatus which can send out the supplied tablet to a packaging means at an appropriate timing.

  The tablet packaging device according to the present invention comprises a tablet supply means for supplying at least one tablet, a packaging means for packaging the tablet supplied from the tablet supply means, and the packaging means from the tablet supply means. A tablet that is packaged by a single packaging operation by the packaging means; and a control means for controlling the operation timing of the delivery means. The operation timing is determined based on the information, and the sending means is controlled at the determined timing.

  Thus, by determining the operation timing of the delivery means based on the tablet information of the tablets that are packaged in one packaging operation, the number of tablets to be packaged in one packaging operation is not reached. It is possible to prevent the package from being packaged in a state or the packaging operation from becoming uniform and long. That is, the supplied tablet can be sent to the packaging means at an appropriate timing.

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 hardware block diagram of the tablet supply system concerning the present invention. 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 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 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 of internal structure of the packaging unit. It is the figure which looked at the tablet supply apparatus from the front. It is the figure which looked at the tablet supply apparatus from the side (right side seeing from the front). It is the figure which expanded a part of tablet supply apparatus shown in FIG. It is the figure which looked at the inside of a tablet supply apparatus from the side (right side seeing from the front). It is a figure which shows a mode that a tablet is sent out by the 1st delivery mechanism 502. FIG. It is a figure which shows a mode that a tablet is sent out by the 2nd delivery mechanism 504. FIG. It is the figure which showed the example in which the tablet was not able to be normally sent out by the 1st delivery mechanism. It is an example of the operation screen displayed on a display. It is an example of the operation screen displayed on a display. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the setting information in a tablet supply apparatus. It is a figure which shows the data structure of prescription data for packaging. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of packaging operation. It is a flowchart for demonstrating sending timing adjustment. It is an example of the content of a medicine master database. It is a correspondence table of each tablet volume, weight, quantity and waiting time. It is a figure which shows the time chart of the packaging operation | movement of 1 package.

  Hereinafter, the tablet supply system (FIG. 1) of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a packaging device 5 that wraps a supplied tablet, a tablet supply device 10 (also called a tablet dispensing device) that takes out the tablet and supplies it to the packaging device 5 (also called a tablet packaging device or packaging device), It is a figure which shows the tablet supply system (henceforth a tablet extraction system) containing the handing input part 1401 and the powder supply part 103. FIG. A plurality of tablet extraction units 1 are mounted on the tablet supply device 10, and tablets are extracted from the tablet sheet by the tablet extraction unit 1. Such a tablet taking-out unit 1 can perform a taking-out operation of a tablet by inputting a packaging condition from the touch panel type display 155 or the like provided in the information processing apparatus 300 or the packaging apparatus 5.

  FIG. 2A is an enlarged view showing a partial region of FIG. Further, FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of a portion of the input port 203 for inputting the tablet sheet into the tablet extraction unit 1.

  The tablet sheet 51 is provided with 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 containing portion 510 for containing tablets made of plastic or the like, so that each tablet holds a tablet one by one. It is enclosed in. The tablet sheet 51 is generally called a PTP sheet (press through pack) (hereinafter, the tablet sheet is also referred to as a PTP sheet). Such PTP sheets vary in the width and length of the sheet, the number of tablets, and the like depending on the type of tablet, and various types are distributed.

  The tablet supply apparatus 10 stores a plurality of tablet extraction units 1 (tablet extraction units). The tablet extraction unit 1 is an application example of the tablet extraction device of the present invention. Six tablet take-out units 1 are arranged in the width direction (left-right direction), and a set of the six tablet take-out units 1 is arranged in three stages up and down. That is, the tablet taking-out units 1 are arranged in 6 rows on the left and right and 3 steps on the top and bottom. As described above, the tablet supply device 10 includes a plurality of tablet extraction units 1, but the number of tablet extraction units 1 may be one.

  Reference numeral 103 denotes a powder supply unit, which is a part that inputs powder to be packaged by the packaging device 5. The powder dosed in the powder dose input unit 103 is divided for each dose, and is charged into a main hopper 505 described later, so that the powder is packaged in a 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. Furthermore, 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.

  Reference numeral 1401 denotes a manual input unit into which tablets hand-made by the user are input. The tablets input from the manual input unit 1401 are also supplied to the packaging device 5 and packaged. The packaging device 5 can package the tablets supplied from the tablet supply device 10 and the tablets supplied from the handmade input unit 1401 as one package, or can be packaged separately.

  FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of the tablet supply system using a block diagram. Here, the CPU 30 of the information processing device 300, the CPU 51 of the packaging device 5, and the CPU 11 of the tablet supply device 10 cooperate with each other (each unit) controlled by the packaging device 5, and the tablet supply device 10. 1 shows an example in which various operations of each device (each unit) controlled by are controlled. However, one CPU may control all the devices of the tablet supply system. Moreover, although the state where one CPU is provided in the tablet supply device 10 is illustrated here, a CPU may be provided for each tablet extraction unit 1 or a CPU may be provided for each stage of the tablet extraction unit 1. May be.

  First, the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 300 will be described. The CPU 30 of the information processing apparatus 300 can comprehensively control each device and controller connected to the system bus. In addition, the ROM 31 or the external memory 36 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 30, or a function executed by each server or each PC. Various programs to be described later are stored. The RAM 33 functions as a main memory and work area for the CPU 30. The CPU 30 implements various operations by loading a program or the like necessary for execution of processing into the RAM 33 and executing the program.

  The CPU 30 controls input from the input terminal 35 such as a keyboard or a mouse (not shown). The video controller (VC) 206 can also control the display on a display device such as the display 210, and further, a boot program, browser software, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, etc. It is also possible to control access to an external memory 36 such as a compact flash memory connected via an adapter to a stored hard disk (HD), floppy disk (registered trademark FD), or PCMCIA card slot.

  The I / F 32 is connected to and communicates with an external device via a network. In the present embodiment, the I / F 32 is communicably connected to the I / F 50 of the packaging device 5.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the packaging device 5 will be described. The CPU 151 of the packaging device 5 can comprehensively control each device connected to the bus. The ROM 152 stores a control program of the CPU 151 and various control programs. The RAM 153 functions as a system work memory for the CPU 151 to operate. The CPU 151 can control display on the touch panel display 155, accept input of information from the user by using the touch panel function of the display 155 as an input terminal 156, and issue a print instruction to the printer 706. Further, the CPU 151 controls the powder packaging mechanism 157 that operates when packaging the powder loaded from the powder loading unit 103 of the packaging device 5 into one package, or the tablet handed to the manual loading unit 1401 by the user. It is possible to control a hand-feeding mechanism 158 that is operated when packaging. Furthermore, the CPU 151 can control a roll paper delivery mechanism 702, a heater 703, a packaging mechanism 704, and a dividing mechanism 705, which will be described later, to make a tablet or powder into one package. The packaging device 5 and the tablet supply device 10 are communicably connected by the I / O 154 of the packaging device 5 and the I / O 12 of the tablet supply device 10.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the tablet supply device 10 will be described. The CPU 11 of the tablet supply apparatus 10 can comprehensively control each device connected to the bus. The ROM 14 stores a control program for the CPU 11 and various control programs. The RAM 13 functions as a system work memory for the CPU 11 to operate. The CPU 11 can further control the take-out operation in the tablet take-out mechanism 15 and the transport mechanism 16 that carries the tablet sheet.

  In such a hardware configuration, the tablet can be controlled to be taken out as follows. First, the CPU 51 of the packaging device 5 transmits a tablet take-out operation command to the CPU 11 of the tablet supply device 10. And CPU11 of the tablet supply apparatus 10 can control the tablet extraction mechanism 15 and the conveyance mechanism 16 according to the said extraction operation command, and can perform tablet extraction operation | movement. Moreover, CPU11 of the tablet supply apparatus 10 can also transmit the operation information which shows the condition of tablet extraction operation | movement with respect to CPU50 of the packaging apparatus 5. FIG.

  Next, the internal structure of the tablet dispensing unit 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  901 shown in FIG. 4 is 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. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the tablet extraction unit 1 with the cover 901 removed, and shows an example in which two tablet extraction units 1 are arranged side by side.

  The tablet take-out unit 1 conveys the tablet sheet 51 and an input port 203 (tablet sheet holding unit) in which a plurality of tablet sheets 51 can be stacked in a state where the tablet storage unit 510 is located on the upper side with respect to the direction of gravity. A transport mechanism 16; a mounting table on which the tablet sheet 51 transported by the transport mechanism 16 is placed; and an extrusion mechanism (tablet ejection mechanism) that takes out the tablet by pressing from the side of the tablet housing portion of the tablet sheet 51 on the mounting table. 15). That is, the top of the mounting table is used as the unpacking position (extraction position). The tablet sheet 51 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 the sheet body having a tablet housing portion for housing the tablet. Furthermore, 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.

  FIG. 6 is a view showing the internal structure (cross section) of the tablet take-out unit 1, and is a view of the tablet take-out unit 1 as viewed from the right side. It is a figure at the time of conveying to (tablet extraction position).

  The tablet extraction unit 1 includes a tablet sheet conveyance mechanism 16 (conveyance mechanism) that conveys the tablet sheet, a mounting table 18 on which the tablet sheet is placed, and a tablet extraction mechanism 15 (extrusion mechanism) that takes out the tablet from the tablet sheet. I have.

  The tablet sheet transport mechanism 16 transports the tablet sheet 51 in the traveling direction, and a plurality of lower rollers 39 that are spaced apart from each other along the traveling direction and are spaced apart from each other along the traveling direction. And an upper roller provided.

  The lower roller 39 can be rotationally driven by a drive source (not shown), and can contact the lower surface side with respect to the direction of gravity of the tablet 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 (not shown), and can contact the upper surface with respect to the gravity direction 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 and the lower roller in the width direction corresponds to the position between the two rows of tablet accommodating portions, the upper roller and the lower roller abut against the tablet accommodating portion when the tablet sheet is conveyed. There is no. That is, the lower roller 39 and the upper roller can sandwich the tablet sheet portion from above and below and transport the tablet sheet in the traveling direction (the backward direction of the tablet take-out device). 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.

  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.

  In the state where the tablet sheet 51 is mounted on the mounting table 18, the tablet extraction unit 1 performs the tablet extraction operation by extruding the tablet by the extrusion mechanism of the tablet extraction mechanism 15. Moreover, 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. If the tablet cannot be taken out by a predetermined operation of the tablet taking-out unit, the push-out speed of the push-out mechanism is changed to a higher speed than the normal speed, the tablet container is pressed, and the take-out operation is continued (retry). . When retrying, the tablet sheet 51 is transported by a transporting means by a predetermined distance from the pressing position on the mounting table 18 for the first time before the tablet container is pressed again. In this state, the extrusion mechanism is used. Press the tablet container. By performing the retry operation in such a state, it is possible to reliably take out the tablet even if the tablet is not taken out by a single take-out operation.

  Next, details of the extrusion mechanism will be described. The extrusion 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 is provided so as to surround the inner pressing body 83 and presses a portion outside the vicinity of the center. ing. 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. Specifically, the push-out mechanism presses the tablet accommodating portion with the outer pressing body 84 before the inner pressing body 83.

  The tip of the inner pressing body 83 is provided so that the area is narrower than the tablet accommodating portion of most tablet sheets 51 that are supposed to be mounted on the tablet extraction unit. Therefore, when the inner pressing body 83 is lowered to take out the tablet, the tip reaches the lower side with respect to the gravitational direction from the surface of the tablet accommodating portion of the tablet sheet, and from the hole opened in the metal foil of the tablet sheet 51 The tip will protrude downward. On the other hand, the tip of the outer pressing body 84 has a larger area than the tablet accommodating portion of most tablet sheets 51 that are supposed to be mounted on the tablet extraction unit. The tip does not protrude from the hole opened in the 51 metal foil. That is, the tablet container 51 of the tablet sheet 51 is first crushed by using the outer pressing body 84 and then the tablet is reliably pushed out by the inner pressing body 83.

  The tablet take-out mechanism 15 (extrusion mechanism) also 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. Tablets can be pushed out by the body.

  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.

  Therefore, the first elevating body and the second elevating body can be operated at different timings depending on the setting of the cam fixed position with respect to the shaft portion, and the inner pressing body 83 and the outer pressing body 84 are moved up and down at different timings. Can be made. In the present embodiment, the cam 94 and the cam 99 are arranged with a shift of about 100 °, and the first elevating body 93 and the second elevating body 98 are moved independently of each other by rotating the shaft portion. It can be carried out.

  The timing of the rotation operation of the two cams in the tablet take-out mechanism 15 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 so as to match the detected position of the tablet accommodating portion.

  The tablet take-out unit 1 further includes a detection mechanism 17 that can detect the length of the pressed tablet container and the position of the pressed tablet container before pressing the tablet container of the PTP sheet. Yes. Then, the tablet supply device can calculate a position in the transport direction that is optimal for pressing according to the detected length of the tablet container and the position of the tablet container, and can calculate a transport distance necessary to obtain the position. . That is, the transport mechanism 16 (the lower roller 39 and the upper roller) can transport the tablet sheet to the optimum position necessary for the tablet storage portion on the mounting table 18 to be pressed by the transport distance.

  Next, using the cross-sectional views showing the internal structure of the tablet take-out unit 1 of FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, the state in which the tablet sheet 51 is conveyed and the discharging operation of the tablet sheet 51 after the tablets are taken out Will be described. FIG. 7 shows a state before the tablet sheet 51 set in the insertion port 203 passes through the multiple conveyance prevention plate 80, and FIG. 8 shows a state where the tablet sheet 51 passes through the multiple conveyance prevention plate 80. FIG. 9 shows how the tablet sheet is discharged.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a multiple conveyance prevention plate 80 is provided between the tablet sheet loading slot 203 and the mounting table so that a plurality of tablet sheets set at the loading slot 203 are not conveyed at the same time. Is suppressed. Since the multiple conveyance prevention plate 80 exists in this manner, only one tablet sheet can be conveyed from the insertion port 203 to the mounting table by the conveyance mechanism 16 as shown in FIG. And the extraction operation | movement which already demonstrated is performed for the tablet sheet conveyed to the mounting base which is a tablet extraction position.

  The tablet sheet from which the tablets have been taken out is conveyed from the tablet extraction position toward the rear side of the tablet supply device by the conveyance mechanism 16 and is discharged from the tablet extraction position. The tablet sheet 51 discharged from the tablet take-out unit 1 is conveyed while being guided by the sheet discharge guide 81, and is collected in the tablet sheet collection box 2103 via the discharge path 82. In the collection box 2103, the tablet sheets after the unpacking operation in the plurality of tablet extraction units 1 are collected. In this way, by collecting in a single collection box, the state of the tablet sheet after completing the packaging operation and taking out the tablet is compared with the state of the packaging sheet in which the tablet is packaged. When performing an audit to be performed, the tablet sheet can be easily collected.

  Note that the tablet sheet is ejected not only when all tablets have been removed, but also when a tablet sheet with all the packaging operations completed and some tablets remain, or when an error occurs. It is also possible to discharge the tablet sheet held in position.

  Next, the internal structure of the tablet supply device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a view of the tablet supply device 10 as seen from the back side (back side).

  A detection mechanism 204 is provided with an optical sensor (beam sensor) or the like and detects a falling object. When the unwrapped tablet falls in the introduction chute 24, the unwrapped tablet passes over the sensor and blocks a part of the light. A state where a part of the light of the beam sensor is shielded and the amount of light is changed is referred to as an ON state, and a state where the light is not shielded and the amount of light is not changed is referred to as an OFF state. The presence / absence of a fallen object can be determined using this ON / OFF state. The tablet drop detection mechanism further includes an optical sensor 204 and a falling tablet counter that counts the passage of tablets. That is, the tablet supply device 10 is provided so that the passage of the tablet can be detected by the detection mechanism, and it can be determined whether or not the tablet has been taken out from the tablet container by pressing.

  That is, if the passage of the tablet is not detected even after the take-out operation is performed, the pressing operation of the tablet container by the pushing mechanism is continued (retry). Thereby, taking out of a tablet can be performed reliably. On the other hand, when the passage of the tablet is detected after the taking-out operation, the pressing operation of the tablet container by the pushing mechanism is not continued (retry) after the taking-out operation.

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

  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. That is, the tablet 50 that has fallen on the first accumulation hopper 402 falls on the second accumulation hopper 501 and is accumulated.

  The first delivery mechanism 502 moves the tablets 50 accumulated in the second accumulation hopper to the third accumulation hopper. The third accumulation hopper 503 accumulates the tablets sent (moved) by the first delivery mechanism 502. Then, the second delivery mechanism 504 moves the tablets accumulated in the third accumulation hopper to the main hopper 505. 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). That is, the first delivery mechanism 502 and the second delivery mechanism 504 are provided so as to collectively feed tablets to be packaged in one batch of packaging paper to the packaging means.

  Next, the internal structure of the packaging unit 701 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 12 is a view showing the internal structure of the packaging unit 701. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a part 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 rolled) to the packaging mechanism. Reference numeral 703 denotes a heater for heating and welding a packaging sheet in which tablets (one tablet) accumulated in the main hopper 505 are charged. The packaging mechanism 704 is operated to sandwich the packaging sheet with the heater 703. By this, a packaging sheet can be welded and a tablet can be enclosed in a packaging sheet.

  Reference numeral 705 denotes a cutting mechanism that forms a split perforation 801 on a packaging sheet for dividing a continuous roll of paper into a single packaging sheet (one packet 802). A printer 706 can print date, patient data, and error information on a packaging sheet (printing mechanism).

  Such a packaging unit shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 allows a single dose of tablets or powders to be packaged in a packaging sheet. In addition, as a packaging sheet, not only the paper which coated the resin material which can be heat-welded on the surface but the transparent film material which can visually recognize the contents can also be used.

  Next, the tablet supply device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a view of the tablet supply device 10 as viewed from the front. The figure shown in FIG. 14 is a tablet taking-out unit as shown in FIG. The tablet taken out from the tablet 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. 15 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. 14, the tablet taken out from the tablet 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. That is, the first delivery mechanism functions as 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. That is, the second delivery mechanism 504 functions as 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. 16 is a diagram in which a part of the tablet supply device 10 shown in FIG. 14 is extracted. That is, FIG. 16 is a diagram in which two tablet extraction units 1 shown in FIG. 14 are deleted. A dotted line arrow 1201 shown in FIG. 16 indicates a passage route of the tablet taken out from the tablet taking-out unit 1. Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the width of the left conduit of the first accumulation hopper 402 and the middle conduit 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. 17 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. 17 indicates a moving path of the tablet taken out from the tablet taking-out unit 1. In the tablet supply unit 400, as shown in FIG. 17, the first stage, the second stage, and the third stage are provided so as to overlap in the direction of gravity. Each stage is provided with a tablet take-out unit 1 for taking out tablets from a tablet sheet, a tablet introduction path 401, and an introduction chute 24.

  The tablets taken out from the uppermost (first stage) tablet extraction unit 1 are the first stage introduction chute 24, the middle stage (second stage) tablet introduction path 401, the lower stage (third stage). It passes through the tablet introduction path 401 and reaches the first inclined portion 1401. Further, the tablets taken out from the second stage tablet extraction unit 1 pass through the second stage introduction chute 24 and the third stage tablet introduction path 401 to reach the first inclined portion 1401. Further, the tablet taken out from the third-stage tablet extraction unit 1 passes through the third-stage introduction chute 24 and reaches the first inclined portion 1401.

  The distance from the outlet of the introduction chute 24 of the uppermost (first) tablet extraction unit 1 to the first inclined portion 1301 is about 460 mm. The distance from the outlet of the introduction chute 24 of the middle (second) tablet extraction unit 1 to the first inclined portion 1301 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 tablet sheet in each stage of the tablet extracting 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 then 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-out hopper) is vertically dropped vertically and stored 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. Therefore, there is a high possibility that the tablet will be broken or broken. Further, in the case where the medicine taken out from the tablet sheet is a capsule, there is a high possibility that the medicine will be dented and deformed.

  The tablet supply device 10 can be used by stacking a plurality of tablet take-out units 1. Therefore, especially when the tablet falls from the uppermost tablet extraction unit 1, the distance from the outlet of the introduction chute 24 (tablet extraction hopper) to the second accumulation hopper becomes very long, or the tablet taken out from the tablet sheet, or The possibility that the capsule will break is increased.

  Therefore, a first inclined portion 1301 for bouncing the tablet is provided on the upper portion of the first stacking 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. Specifically, the first inclined portion 1301 has an inclination of about 32 ° from the direction of gravity.

  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 1302 for bounce is provided.

  Specifically, the second inclined portion 1302 has an inclination of about 40 ° from the horizontal direction.

  Note that the angles of the first inclined portion 1301 and the second inclined portion 1302 described above are examples, and the angle at which the falling tablet bounces (lowers the falling speed) and can move to the subsequent path (next) Any angle may be used as long as it can be supplied to the supply section by dropping.

  Thus, by providing the 1st inclination part 1301 in the 1st accumulation hopper 402, and the 2nd inclination part 1302 in the 2nd accumulation hopper 501, from the introduction chute 24 exit of tablet taking-out unit 1, the 2nd accumulation hopper 501 is provided. The tablet can be prevented from dropping directly to the bottom. As a result, the direction in which the tablet falls can be changed, and a cushion that does not damage or deform the tablet can be provided. 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 1301 and the second inclined portion 1302 with a material (shock absorbing material) that absorbs impact such as rubber, it is possible to further suppress the impact of the tablet.

  Next, using FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, how the tablets supplied from the tablet supply device 10 move to the packaging device 5 via the delivery mechanism will be described.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining a delivery operation (first tablet delivery operation) of a first delivery mechanism 502 (delivery means) that delivers tablets from the second accumulation hopper 501 to the third accumulation hopper 503. The first delivery mechanism 502 can send out the tablets by moving the tablet push-out unit 1700 backward and forward (forward) as viewed from the front of the packaging device, and forward (feeding operation). .

  The tablet extruding unit 1700 stands by in a state of being advanced (pushed out) toward the front side of the packaging device at the time of the tablet unpacking operation, and the taken out tablet 1702 is pushed out as shown in FIG. 18 (a). By being dammed up by the part 1700, it is accumulated on the tablet extrusion part 1700. That is, the upper position of the tablet push-out unit 1700 functions as a temporary holding position for temporarily holding the tablet 1702 to be packaged by one packaging operation.

  Next, the tablet push-out unit 1700 moves to the back side when viewed from the front of the packaging device, so that the tablet 1702 is pushed from the temporary holding position on the upper side of the tablet push-out unit 1700 to the push-out position inside the first feed mechanism 502. (FIG. 18B).

  Then, the tablet extruding unit 1700 moves to the front side of the packaging device, whereby the tablet 1702 is extruded from the extruding position to the third stacking hopper 503 by the tablet extruding unit 1700 (FIG. 18C). ).

  FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining the delivery operation (second delivery operation) of the second delivery mechanism 504 that delivers tablets from the third accumulation hopper 503 to the main hopper 505. The second delivery mechanism 504 can deliver the tablets by moving the tablet push-out unit 2000 in the backward direction and the forward (front) direction as viewed from the front of the packaging device.

  When the tablet is delivered from the first delivery mechanism 504, the tablet push-out unit 2000 stands by in a state of being advanced toward the front side of the packaging device (the state of being pushed out), and the removed tablet 1702 is shown in FIG. As shown to a), it is accumulated on the tablet extrusion part 2000 by being blocked by the tablet extrusion part 2000. That is, the upper position of the tablet pushing-out unit 2000 functions as a temporary holding position for temporarily holding the tablet 1702 that is packaged by a single packaging operation.

  Next, the tablet extruding unit 2000 moves to the back side of the packaging device, so that the tablet 1702 falls from the temporary holding position on the upper side of the tablet extruding unit 2000 to the extrusion position inside the second delivery mechanism 504 ( FIG. 19 (b)).

  Then, the tablet extruding unit 2000 moves to the front side of the packaging device, whereby the tablet 1702 is extruded from the extruding position to the main hopper 505 by the tablet extruding unit 2000 (FIG. 19C).

  As described above, the tablets supplied from the tablet supply device 10 are sent to the packaging device via the first delivery mechanism 502 and the second delivery mechanism 504.

  Next, problems in the first delivery mechanism 502 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the same delivery timing as in FIG.

  If there is no significant delay before the tablets reach the first delivery mechanism 502, as shown in FIG. 18, the number of tablets 1702 to be packaged at one time (for example, 5 tablets) is supplied to the third accumulation hopper 503. Can be sent out. However, the tablet taken out by the tablet taking-out unit 1 passes through the movement path 1201, the first inclined portion 1301, the second inclined portion 1302, etc. before reaching the first delivery mechanism 502 as described above. Therefore, it cannot be said that all the tablets reach the temporary holding position of the first delivery mechanism in the same time, and the tablets collide with the first inclined part 1301 and the second inclined part 1302 and jump around. It may take time to drop.

  In this way, if it takes time to drop, if the tablet extruding unit 1700 is operated at a predetermined timing, even if the tablet extruding unit 1700 is pushed toward the front of the packaging device, it is separated by one packaging operation. A part 1702b of the tablet to be wrapped remains on the upper side of the tablet push-out part 1700. Then, the third accumulation hopper 503 and the delivered tablets 1702a are not in the total number, and the packaging operation is performed in a state where the number of tablets (types of tablets) is insufficient. Furthermore, the tablets 1702b are packaged together at the time of the next packaging operation, and this time, the packaging operation is performed in an excessive number of tablets (types of tablets).

  In order to prevent such a state, there is a method in which the operation start timing of the tablet push-out unit 1700 is uniformly delayed and the delivery operation is performed after the tablet has surely reached the temporary holding position of the first delivery mechanism. This is unfavorable because the packaging time becomes long in all the packaging operations.

  Such a problem may occur even in a conventional method of packaging a tablet hand-made by a user, but the tablet can be automatically taken out from the tablet sheet on the packaging device 5 as shown in FIG. This is a significant problem when the tablet supply device 10 is provided. This is because the path between the tablet supply device 10 and the packaging device 5 is long, or an inclination is provided so that the tablet bounces in order to reduce the impact when the tablet is dropped from the tablet supply device 10. It is thought that.

And in this embodiment, the method which can send out reliably all the tablets supplied with the tablet supply apparatus 10 at a suitable timing is demonstrated using FIGS. In addition, although it demonstrates using the example which supplies a tablet from the tablet supply apparatus 10 here, since it may take time for a tablet fall similarly even when it injects from a manual winding insertion part, or also injects a powder, You may control sending timing like this embodiment.
First, input of packaging conditions will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 21A is a diagram illustrating a main screen of software that operates on the information processing apparatus 300. Hereinafter, this software is also referred to as an external console. When the start button 3101 on the main screen is pressed, the packaging operation is started with the contents of the patient data registered in the reservation list. Reference numeral 3102 denotes a prescription edit button for patient data. When the button 3102 is pressed, the prescription screen (FIG. 21B) is displayed. Reference numeral 3103 denotes a reservation button, which can be pressed to register patient data in the reservation list. A reservation list 3104 displays registered patient data.

  FIG. 21B is a prescription screen of the external console. This screen is displayed when the prescription edit button 3102 shown in FIG. 21 (a) is pressed, and it is possible to input basic information such as the type, usage, and number of days of medication indicated by the prescription given by the doctor. .

  In this screen, (1) a mode to sachet powder, (2) a mode to sachet hand-made tablets, (3) a mode to sachet powder and hand-tagged tablets, (4) The packaging mode can be selected from various modes such as a mode in which the packaging of only the hand-packaging and the packaging of only handing are alternately performed, and the mode in which the packaging is performed using the tablets supplied from the tablet supply device 10. . When only the button 3202 is selected in the packaging mode, the packaging operation is performed using only the tablets supplied from the tablet supply device 10.

  Reference numeral 3205 denotes a usage area in which a usage can be set. On this screen, “Morning” button, “Lunch” button, “Evening” button, “Before going to sleep” button are provided as the contents of taking, and “Before meal”, “Just before meal”, “Just after meal” as text options An “after meal” is provided. For example, if “morning”, “noon”, or “evening” is selected as the content, and “after meal” is selected as the text option, “after breakfast”, “after lunch”, “after dinner” It is determined as a pattern. The contents of the dosing pattern can be printed on the wrapping paper by a printer.

  In the number of days setting field 3204, it is possible to set how many days are prescribed by inputting the number of days. In the example of this screen, as shown in the usage area 3205, since the dosing time is 3 times a day (morning, noon, evening), if 21 days are entered, 63 packages are automatically calculated and displayed.

  When the tab 3201 is pressed, a tablet extraction screen (FIG. 22A) for setting the supply conditions of the tablet supply device 10 is displayed. Conversely, when the tab 3301 in FIG. 22A is pressed, the screen shifts to a prescription screen (FIG. 21B).

  FIG. 22A is a diagram illustrating a tablet extraction screen of the external console. The tablet taking-out unit to be used can be set using this screen.

  Reference numeral 3303 denotes an area where a tablet taking-out unit can be selected. The arrangement of the tablet taking-out units on the screen matches the arrangement of the tablet taking-out units of the tablet supply device 10. The selected state can be obtained by pressing the tablet take-out unit button to be used. In the selected state, the medicine name and the number of tablets at each dosing timing (dosing pattern) are also displayed on the unit button. In the example of the screen shown in FIG. 22A, unit numbers 1, 2, and 3 are selected.

  When the medicine selection button 3304 is pressed while any of the taking-out units is selected, the medicine selection screen (FIG. 22B) is displayed, and the medicine name is assigned to the unit number of the most recently pressed tablet taking-out unit button. Can be set. On this medicine selection screen, medicines stored in the database can be selected, and the sales name and the number of packaging units of each tablet are displayed. By reading the barcode attached to the tablet in a state where this screen is displayed, or by inputting a part of the medicine name, it is possible to select and set the medicine to be introduced into the unit from the database.

  Reference numeral 3305 denotes an area for setting the number of tablets. The number of tablets at each dosing time set in the usage area 3205 is set for the unit number of the tablet take-out unit button most recently pressed. In this example of the screen, “XX tablets 50 mg” is 1 tablet after breakfast, 1 tablet after lunch, and 1 tablet after dinner.

  The button 3202 in FIG. 21B and the button 3302 in FIG. 22A are both OK buttons. When pressed, the prescription editing is terminated and the screen returns to the main screen in FIG.

  The packaging conditions set on the setting screens of FIGS. 21 and 22 are the medicine name 3802 and the dosing pattern 3803 set for each tablet take-out unit number 3801 as the packaging conditions in the data structure shown in FIG. Or the storage means such as the ROM 31 (that is, the external memory 36, the ROM 31 or the like functions as the supply information storage means). In this setting condition, the number of tablets is common in each dosing period (after breakfast, after lunch, and after dinner), but a different number of tablets can be set for each dosing period.

  Next, the operation of packaging based on the packaging conditions set using the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 will be described. The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 25 is realized by the CPU 30 of the information processing device 300 and the CPU 151 of the packaging device 5 reading and executing the stored control program.

  In S2500, the CPU 30 of the information processing apparatus 300 determines whether the user has pressed the start button 3101 shown in FIG. When the start button 3101 is pressed, the CPU 30 of the information processing apparatus 300 is preset in S2501 for each patient registered in the reservation list on the main screen and stored in storage means such as the external memory 36 or the ROM 31. Prescription data for packaging is generated with reference to the existing packaging conditions and a drug database as shown in FIG. Then, the CPU 30 of the information processing device 300 transmits the prescription data for packaging generated in the packaging device 5 in S2502.

  FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the contents of a medicine master database stored by the storage means such as the external memory 36 and ROM 31 of the information processing apparatus 300 (that is, the external memory 36 and ROM 31 etc. function as tablet information storage means). . Tablet data is described for each line in the drug master database file. It can have various related information uniquely associated with one drug, and various related information settings can be registered for each drug.

  3601 is chemical no. It is. This is a number for managing each registered medicine, there is no duplicate value, and one or more values are set. 3602 is a medicine name (sales name) of the medicine (tablet).

  3603 is the size of the major axis (longitudinal direction of the tablet) when the drug is a tablet. 3604 is the size of the short diameter (the short side direction of the tablet) when the medicine is a tablet. 3605 is the thickness when the medicine is a tablet. 3606 is the size when the medicine is a capsule. Capsule sizes are divided into 8 types according to the Japanese Pharmacopoeia and are indicated by number. For example, No. 4 capsule has a volume of about 0.21 ml, a total length of about 14.5 mm, and an outer diameter of about 5.06 mm. 3607 is the volume of the tablet (capsule).

  3608 is the weight of the tablet (capsule). 3609 is a tablet (capsule) dosage form. There are types such as uncoated tablets (bare tablets), coated tablets, orally disintegrating tablets (OD tablets). In addition, capsules are classified into hard capsules and soft capsules. The soft capsule has a feature that it is easily splashed in the tablet conveyance path in the apparatus. In the following description, the name “tablet” includes a capsule shape.

  Next, an example of the data structure of the prescription data for packaging 5101 generated in S2501 is shown in FIG. Reference numeral 5102 denotes the number of packages, which is the total number of packages created by the packaging device by packaging the medicine. On this screen, the number of packages set by the number of days in FIG. 21B is displayed. Reference numeral 5103 denotes a data structure of information on the tablet taking-out unit to be operated. By specifying the tablet taking-out unit information 5103 up to n, it is possible to use n tablet taking-out units at the same time. Reference numeral 5104 denotes a tablet taking-out unit number. In this example, No. 1 is set. The tablet taking-out unit number here is set with reference to the tablet taking-out unit number 3801 in FIG. Reference numeral 5105 denotes the number of tablets to be packaged in one package, which is set with reference to the number of tablets 3803 in FIG.

  5106 is the volume of one tablet. The medicine master in FIG. 27 is searched from the medicine name (3802) in FIG. 23, and is set with reference to the volume column of the corresponding medicine. In addition, when the volume is unknown, it is possible to calculate the volume from the tablet size (major axis, minor axis, thickness) in the medicine master to obtain an approximate value.

  5107 is the weight of one tablet. The drug name (3802) in FIG. 23 is set with reference to the weight column from the search result in the drug master in FIG.

  Reference numeral 5108 denotes a part for setting whether or not the tablet is easy to jump. As described above, since soft capsules are easy to jump, refer to the column of dosage form from the search result in the medicine master of FIG. 27 from the medicine name (3802) of FIG. Set as a tablet that is easy to splash.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. In S2503, the CPU 151 of the packaging device 5 receives prescription data for packaging having a data structure as shown in FIG. In S2504, the CPU 151 of the packaging device 5 starts the tablet extraction operation by controlling the tablet extraction unit 1 based on the received prescription data for packaging.

  In S2505, based on the received prescription data for packaging, the CPU 151 of the packaging device 5 adjusts the delivery timing by the tablet extrusion unit 1700 of the first delivery mechanism 502.

  Here, the sending timing adjustment in S2505 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 26 is realized by the CPU 151 of the packaging device 5 reading and executing the stored control program.

  In S2601, the CPU 151 of the packaging device 5 is based on the volume 5106 for each tablet of the prescription data for packaging received from the information processing device 300, and the number of tablets 5105 per packet for each tablet extraction unit 1. Calculate the total volume of one tablet.

  Next, in S2602, the CPU 151 of the packaging device 5 refers to a table in which a standby time 5504 according to the total volume 5501 as shown in FIG. 28A is determined based on the total volume calculated in S2601. Then, the waiting time is determined. Such a table can be stored in advance in storage means such as the ROM 152 of the packaging device 5.

  In the table of FIG. 28A, the standby time is set according to the total volume of the tablets, and is set stepwise so that the standby time becomes longer as the tablet volume increases. That is, in S2602, it is determined that the standby time becomes longer as the total volume increases. In other words, the waiting time in the case of the second volume larger than the first volume is determined to be longer than the first waiting time determined in the case of the first volume. A table in which the total volume is proportional to the standby time may be used.

  When the total volume in one package increases, the number of tablets is large and the size of the tablets is large, so it takes time for the tablets to collide in the path and fall into the first delivery mechanism. there is a possibility. Therefore, it can be said that the tablet can be delivered to the second delivery mechanism at an optimum timing by setting the operation timing of the tablet pushing-out unit 1700 of the first delivery mechanism according to the total volume.

For example, when the total volume of tablets per package is obtained from the number of tablets 5105 in a prescription data for packaging shown in FIG. 24 and the volume 5106 of one tablet,
Tablet take-out unit number 1: 1 tablet × 160 mm ³ = 160 mm ³ Tablet take-out unit number 2: 3 tablets × 210 mm ³ = 630 mm ³ Tablet take-out unit number 3: 1 tablet × 180 mm ³ = 180 mm ³ the total volume of ^is a ^{160mm 3 + 630mm 3 + 180mm 3} = 970mm 3. Based on this total volume, if the correspondence table shown in FIG. 28A is considered, it corresponds to 2000 mm ³ or less, so the standby time is determined to be 150 milliseconds.

  Next, in S2603, the CPU 151 of the packaging device 5 waits in a state where the tablet extrusion unit 1700 set in S2602 is pushed out as shown in FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 25, in step S <b> 2506, after the standby operation in step S <b> 2603, the CPU 151 of the packaging device 5 causes the tablet extrusion unit 1700 to perform the first tablet delivery operation and conveys the tablets to the third stacking hopper 503. In step S <b> 2507, the CPU 151 of the packaging device 5 causes the tablet extrusion unit 2000 to perform a second tablet delivery operation, and conveys the tablets to the main hopper 505.

  In step S2508, the CPU 151 of the packaging device 5 operates the packaging mechanism 704 provided with the heater 703 and the separation mechanism 705 to thermally weld the packaging sheet in which one tablet is loaded, and the perforation for separation. The packaging operation for inserting 801 is performed.

  In step S <b> 2509, it is determined whether all of the number of packages indicated by the number of packages 5102 in the prescription data for packaging 5101 has been completed. When it is determined that the packaging has been completed, the series of processes is terminated, and when the packaging has not been completed, the tablet removing operation is continued. That is, a series of packaging operations is completed by repeating S2504 to S2509 63 times set as the number of packaging.

  FIG. 29 shows a time chart of such a series of packaging operations (single packaging). During the standby time determined in step S2602 after the tablet extraction operation is completed, the tablet falls on the upper side of the tablet extrusion unit 1700. And when standby | waiting time passes, the operation | movement which the tablet extrusion part 1700 reverse | retreats from the near side to the back side is started. During this time, the tablet falls into the first tablet delivery mechanism 502 from the upper side of the tablet extrusion unit 1700. Then, after the tablet pushing portion 1700 temporarily stops 5601 on the back side, the tablet pushing portion 1700 starts to move forward from the back side to the near side, and the tablet falls to the upper side of the tablet pushing portion 2000.

  Then, the tablet pushing-out unit 2000 starts to move backward from the near side to the back side, and the tablet falls into the second tablet feeding mechanism 504 from the upper side of the tablet pushing-out unit 2000 during this time. And the tablet extrusion part 2000 starts the operation | movement which advances to the near side from the back side, after temporarily stopping 5602 on the back side, and a tablet falls to a tablet main hopper.

  In addition, although the example which calculates using the total volume of a tablet was shown here, in addition to that, even if the waiting time is calculated according to the method of calculating the waiting time according to the weight of the tablet or the number of tablets Good.

  FIG. 28B is a table used when calculating according to the weight of the tablet. Such a table can be stored in advance in storage means such as the ROM 152 of the packaging device 5.

  In the table of FIG. 28B, a standby time 5504 is set in accordance with the total tablet weight 5502, and is set stepwise so that the standby time becomes longer as the tablet weight increases. That is, in S2602, it is determined that the standby time becomes longer as the weight increases. In other words, the standby time for the second weight greater than the first weight is determined to be longer than the first standby time determined for the first weight. It may be a table in which the total weight is proportional to the standby time.

  When the total weight in a package increases, the number of tablets increases or the size of the tablets increases, so it takes time for the tablets to collide in the path and fall into the first delivery mechanism. It can be said that there is a possibility. Therefore, it can be said that the tablet can be delivered to the second delivery mechanism at an optimum timing by setting the operation timing of the tablet pushing-out unit 1700 of the first delivery mechanism according to the total weight.

For example, when the total weight of tablets per package is obtained from the number of tablets 5105 in a prescription data for packaging shown in FIG. 24 and the weight 5107 of one tablet,
Tablet take-out unit number 1: 1 tablet x 200 mg = 200 mg
Tablet taking unit number 2: 3 tablets × 250 mg = 750 mg
Tablet take-out unit number 3: 1 tablet × 210 mg = 210 mg

  The total weight of tablets per package is 200 mg + 750 mg + 210 mg = 1160 mg. Considering the correspondence table shown in FIG. 28 (b) based on this total weight, the standby time is 150 milliseconds because it corresponds to 2.0 g or less.

  FIG. 28C is a table used when calculating according to the quantity of tablets. Such a table can be stored in advance in storage means such as the ROM 152 of the packaging device 5.

  In the table of FIG. 28 (c), a standby time 5504 is set according to the total number of tablets 5503, and is set stepwise so that the standby time becomes longer as the number of tablets increases. That is, in S2602, it is determined that the standby time becomes longer as the quantity increases. In other words, the waiting time in the case of the second tablet number larger than the first tablet number is determined to be longer than the first waiting time determined in the case of the first tablet number. A table in which the total number of tablets and the waiting time are proportional may be used.

  When the total number of tablets in one package increases, it can be said that it may take time for the tablets to collide with each other in the path and to fall into the first delivery mechanism. Therefore, it can be said that the tablet can be sent out to the second delivery mechanism at the optimum timing by setting the operation timing of the tablet push-out unit 1700 of the first delivery mechanism in accordance with the total number of tablets.

For example, when the total number of tablets per package is obtained from the number of tablets 5105 in each take-out unit in the prescription data for packaging shown in FIG.
Tablet take-out unit number 1: 1 tablet Tablet take-out unit number 2: 3 tablet Tablet take-out unit number 3: 1 tablet

  Accordingly, the total number of tablets per package is 1 tablet + 3 tablets + 1 tablet = 5 tablets. If the correspondence table shown in FIG. 28 (c) is considered based on this total number, it corresponds to 8 tablets or less, so the waiting time is 150 milliseconds.

  As described above, the method of using the total volume, the total weight, and the total number of tablets has been described as a method for determining the waiting time. However, when tablets that are easy to jump are included, the determined waiting time is further extended. Control may be performed. Specifically, referring to the setting 5108 of whether or not the tablet is easy to jump in the prescription data for packaging, if at least one kind of tablet that is easy to jump is included, the extension time is added to the determined waiting time. To do. For example, the extension time can be set to 300 milliseconds, and in the prescription data for packaging shown in FIG. 24, since a tablet that is easy to jump is selected in the extraction unit number 3, the waiting time is 150 milliseconds. +300 milliseconds = 450 milliseconds.

  As described above, by setting the tablet push-out operation waiting time according to the tablet information of the tablet supplied to the packaging device 5 (packaging means) such as the volume, weight, and quantity of the tablet, as shown in FIG. It is possible to perform the packaging operation in the minimum necessary time without causing the problem that the tablet is left (delayed). That is, the tablet taken out by the tablet taking-out means can be sent out to the packaging means at an appropriate timing.

  In the present embodiment, the description has been given using an example in which the interval at which the tablet pushing-out unit 1700 starts moving from the near side to the far side after the tablet taking-out unit is operated is controlled as a standby time. The interval at which the tablet extruding unit 1700 starts moving from the back side to the near side after the unit operates may be controlled as the standby time.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the method of calculating the waiting time in consideration of each of the tablet volume, weight, and quantity is shown, but the tablet volume, weight, and quantity are combined and added (two or more). Wait time may be calculated.

  Further, in this embodiment, the example of adjusting the operation timing of the tablet extrusion unit 1700 of the first delivery mechanism 502 has been described. However, the operation timing of the tablet extrusion unit 2000 of the second delivery mechanism 504 is also adjusted in the same manner. May be.

  Further, as the number of tablets increases, the first delivery mechanism 502 changes from the state shown in FIG. 18 (a) to FIG. 18 (b), or the second delivery mechanism 504 is shown in FIG. 19 (a). When the state 19 (b) is reached, it may take time for all the tablets to fall into the delivery mechanism. Therefore, the tablet extruding unit 1700 and the tablet extruding unit 2000 have the same standby time depending on the tablet information of the tablet supplied to the packaging device 5 (packaging means) such as the volume, weight and quantity of the tablet. You may control to.

  In the present embodiment, the processing for determining the standby time has been described using an example in which the CPU 151 of the packaging device 5 performs the processing. However, the information processing device 300 determines in advance and performs the standby operation using the value. Also good.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the standby time (that is, the operation timing) is determined every time the packaging operation is performed has been described, but all the standby times may be determined in advance.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tablet extraction unit 5 Packaging apparatus 10 Tablet supply apparatus 300 Information processing apparatus 502 1st delivery mechanism 504 2nd delivery mechanism 1401 Hand feeding input part

Claims (12)

Tablet supply means for supplying at least one tablet;
A packaging means for packaging the tablets supplied from the tablet supply means;
A delivery means for delivering tablets from the tablet supply means to the packaging means;
Control means for controlling the operation timing of the sending means,
The control means determines the operation timing based on tablet information of a tablet that is packaged by one packaging operation by the packaging means, and controls the delivery means at the determined timing. A tablet packaging device.   2. The tablet packaging device according to claim 1, wherein the tablet supply means includes at least one tablet take-out means for taking out a tablet from a tablet sheet in which a plurality of tablets are enclosed.   3. The tablet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a delivery operation is performed by the delivery means to move a tablet packaged in a single packaging operation from the temporary holding position to the packaging means side. The tablet packaging device as described.   4. The tablet information according to claim 1, wherein the tablet information is information including at least one of a total volume, a total weight, and a total number of tablets packaged by one packaging operation. The tablet packaging device as described. Tablet information storage means for storing tablet information including at least one of a total volume, a total weight, and a total number of a plurality of tablets;
Supply information storage means for storing the type and number of tablets supplied by the tablet supply means;
Further comprising
The control means determines the operation timing based on the type and number of tablets stored in the supply information storage means and tablet information stored in the tablet information storage means. Item 5. A tablet packaging apparatus according to Item 4. The tablet information is the total volume of the tablets that are packaged in a single packaging operation,
The control means performs control so that the operation timing in the case of the second volume larger than the first volume is longer than the operation timing in the case where the total volume is the first volume. The tablet packaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The tablet information is the total weight of the tablets that are packed in one packing operation,
The control means performs control so that an operation timing in the case of a second weight greater than the first weight is longer than an operation timing in the case where the total weight is a first weight. The tablet packaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The tablet information is the total number of tablets to be packaged in one packaging operation,
The control means controls the operation timing in the case of the second number larger than the first number to be longer than the operation timing in the case where the total number is the first number. The tablet packaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   9. The tablet packaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines the operation timing each time a packaging operation is performed by the packaging unit.   The tablet packaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the packaging unit completes the one-time packaging operation by packaging the tablet in a packaging paper. . Tablet supply means for supplying at least one tablet; packaging means for packaging the tablets supplied from the tablet supply means; and delivery means for delivering the tablets from the tablet supply means to the packaging means. A method for controlling a tablet packaging device having:
A supply step of supplying tablets from the tablet supply means;
A determination step of determining the operation timing of the delivery means based on the tablet information of the tablets supplied in the supply step;
And a control step of controlling the sending means to operate at the timing determined in the determination step. Tablet supply means for supplying at least one tablet; packaging means for packaging the tablets supplied from the tablet supply means; and delivery means for delivering the tablets from the tablet supply means to the packaging means. A program executable by the tablet packaging device having
The tablet packaging device;
The operation timing is determined on the basis of tablet information of a tablet that is packaged by a single packaging operation by the packaging means, and the delivery means is functioned to be sent out at the determined timing. Program to do.