JP2021137512A - Individually packaged tablet reclassification machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an individually packaged tablet reclassification machine being small and low-priced, the machine that can be introduced even in a small hospital or a drugstore having difficulty in the introduction conventionally.SOLUTION: An individually packaged tablet reclassification machine has: A) a tablet release device capable of releasing tablets having at least two or more types separately one by one; and B) a tablet classification device comprising a tablet conveyance unit for conveying the tablets released from the tablet release device; a tablet image acquisition unit provided in proximity to the tablet conveyance unit; a tablet type determination unit for determining the tablet type on the basis of the image acquired in the tablet image acquisition unit; a tablet sorting unit for sorting the tablets on the basis of results of the tablet type determination unit; and a tablet receiving unit for receiving the tablets sorted in the tablet sorting unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an individual-packed tablet reclassification machine in which tablets of different types enclosed by a drug packaging device are opened, and a large number of tablets in a mixed state are reclassified and accumulated for each type.

At hospital pharmacies, inpatients and surgical patients are individually packaged with a drug packaging machine for a predetermined number of times, as shown in FIG. 12, for each dose, and prepared as a continuous package. Keep it.

At this time, in the continuous individual package (M) of this bundle PP, various drugs are enclosed according to the timing of administration, for example, after breakfast (Q1), after lunch (Q2), and after dinner (Q3). A perforation Q4 is provided between each individual package, and by cutting this, an individual package of one dose unit is obtained.

Originally, if you package each dose or daily dose daily, there is no waste, but since there are a wide variety of drug types and there are many incidental tasks such as drug preparation each time, prepare multiple days for each patient in advance. Is commonly done.

In such cases, when the patient's symptoms change, the drug in the pre-prepared bundle PP may become unusable, and if it is a small number, it may be discarded, but a large amount remains. If it does, it is manually opened, sorted by type of tablet again, and the one judged to be reusable is returned to the predetermined tablet container of the packaging machine and reused.

Since this work is a drug discrimination work, it must be carried out by a qualified pharmacist, but while the original work of drug efficacy judgment and dispensing guidance is busy, it is desired to reduce the burden on the pharmacist in this work. There is.

On the other hand, as described in Patent Document 1, tablets are separated and adsorbed one by one using an adsorption mechanism, moved to a mounting table, and the type of drug is determined based on an image taken on the mounting table. However, a device that sorts based on the discriminant result has been put into practical use and is very effective. There was a problem that it was difficult to introduce it except for large-scale facilities.

Further, originally, this work is ancillary work, and it is desirable that classification can be carried out by a simpler method, and the realization of such a machine or device has been expected.

International Publication No. 2018/190394

An object to be solved by the present invention is to provide a small and low-priced individually packaged tablet reclassifier that can be introduced even in a small hospital or a pharmacy, which has been difficult to introduce in the past.

In the first place, in reclassification, the type of tablet is known by prescription and is limited, so small pharmacies recognize that one reclassification is a specific tablet from several types of tablets. do it.

Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a robot-like complicated suction / moving mechanism for tablet handling, and tablet discrimination may be simpler with respect to the camera and image recognition processing.

By eliminating unrecognized tablets in a separate container and reclassifying them manually as a post-work, we aim to reduce the size and price through joint work between the device and humans. be.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the first aspect of the present invention is an individual tablet reclassification machine.
A) A tablet release device capable of releasing at least two or more types of tablets one by one,
B) A tablet transport unit that transports tablets released from the tablet release device, and a tablet transport unit.
A tablet image acquisition unit provided close to the tablet transport unit, and a tablet image acquisition unit.
A tablet type determination unit that determines the tablet type based on the image acquired by the tablet image acquisition unit, and a tablet type determination unit.
A tablet distribution unit that distributes tablets based on the results of the tablet type determination unit, and a tablet distribution unit.
It is characterized by having a tablet sorting device including a tablet accommodating portion for accommodating the distributed tablets in the tablet sorting unit.

In this way, a plurality of types of tablets having different dimensions, shapes, etc., which have been put into the tablet release device, can be discharged one by one at a distance, so that a complicated mechanism such as adsorption and movement is not required. In addition, the subsequent processing becomes easy.

Further, for the plurality of types of tablets released one by one from the tablet release device and put into the tablet classification device, images of the respective tablets are acquired, and which type is discriminated based on the discrimination result. Since the tablets are sorted and the same type is stored in the same place, it is possible to reclassify the individually packaged tablets without human intervention.

The second aspect of the present invention is the individually packaged tablet reclassification machine of the first aspect, wherein the tablet release device is used.
A circular flat plate that has a substantially horizontal plane and can be rotated by placing tablets on the upper surface,
An outer peripheral side cylindrical guide body provided on the outer peripheral side of the upper surface of the circular flat plate, and
An inner peripheral side cylindrical guide body provided inside the outer peripheral side cylindrical guide body on the upper surface of the circular flat plate, and an inner peripheral side cylindrical guide body.
A tablet transport unit formed of the circular flat plate, the outer peripheral side cylindrical guide body, and the inner peripheral side cylindrical guide body, and transports tablets by rotation of the circular flat plate,
It has a cylindrical guide body on the outer peripheral side and / or a regulator provided so as to project from the cylindrical guide body on the inner peripheral side to the tablet transport portion to regulate at least one of the amount, interval, and orientation of tablets. It may be characterized by being a general-purpose tablet release device.

Here, restricting the orientation of tablets means laying down standing tablets, aligning oval tablets in the longitudinal direction, aligning semicircular or polygonal tablets in a stable direction, etc. However, it is sufficient if any of them can be implemented.

The general-purpose tablet release device in the present invention is different from the dedicated tablet release device that specially releases a single type of tablet, and accurately counts each tablet even if the width or thickness of the tablet changes. Since it is a device capable of releasing, it is possible to release a plurality of types of tablets having different dimensions, shapes, etc. one by one at a distance.

That is, the tablets to be put into the tablet transport portion formed of the circular flat plate, the outer peripheral side cylindrical guide body, and the inner peripheral side cylindrical guide body are separated and released one by one by the action of the regulator. ..

Here, the regulator preferably has a flat plate structure that shields a part of the tablet transport portion and stands upright in a substantially vertical direction, and has a mechanism for changing the regulation dimensions of the height regulation member and the width regulation member. However, with a simple structure, it is possible to release one tablet at a time.

Further, since the regulator is a simple member and there are few elements in which the tablet is pinched or caught, the transport performance for tablets having various shapes such as a semicircle shape and a rhombus shape is maintained.

That is, specifically, among the conventional width regulating members G1 and G2 shown in FIG. 11, it is not necessary to provide G2, and as a result, irregular tablets such as half tablets are bridged at intervals of G1 and G2 and cannot be transported. There is no fear.

A third aspect of the present invention is the individually packaged tablet reclassification machine of the second aspect, wherein when a tablet is conveyed on the circular flat plate in the general-purpose tablet release device, the circular flat plate is used. It may be characterized in that the restricting body for guiding the tablet from the outer peripheral side to the inner peripheral side and the restricting body for guiding the tablet from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side of the circular flat plate are alternately provided.

Specifically, in the upstream portion where the tablet is supplied, a restrictor for guiding the tablet from the outer peripheral side to the inner peripheral side is provided, and the tablet moves toward the outer peripheral side cylindrical guide body by centrifugal force when the circular flat plate is rotated. Can be gently guided toward the inner peripheral side cylindrical guide body to loosen the tablet mass.

Next, on the downstream side, a restrictor for guiding the tablets from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side of the circular flat plate is provided, and the tablets are accelerated and conveyed toward the outer peripheral side cylindrical guide body to widen the interval between the tablets. can.

By repeating such operations, even multiple types of tablets can be released one by one at appropriate intervals, and at the same time, strict height regulations are applied to tablets of various shapes. Since the width is not regulated, the transport performance is maintained.

Both regulators may be slightly bulged in the direction of rotation of the circular flat plate. Doing so will result in smooth tablet transport.

Further, the arrangement of the regulators is not limited to this example, and may be in the reverse order.

Next, a fourth aspect of the present invention is the individually packaged tablet reclassification machine of the second aspect, in which in the general-purpose tablet release device, only one side of the tablet is brought into contact with the regulated body and conveyed. It may be characterized by that.

As described above, the regulator preferably has a simple flat plate structure, and the tablet is in contact with only a single regulator and is not configured to be sandwiched between a plurality of regulators.

In this way, although the structure is simple, troubles such as damage to the tablets are less likely to occur, and it is possible to carry a plurality of types and various shapes of tablets.

Next, a fifth aspect of the present invention is the individually packaged tablet reclassification machine of the second aspect, and in the general-purpose tablet release device, a gap becomes wider in the lower part of the regulator in accordance with the traveling direction of the tablet. , It may be characterized by having an opening for separating overlapping tablets.

In this way, even when a plurality of types of tablets are stacked, they can be separated smoothly.

It is preferable that the opening for separating the overlapping tablets is provided near the end of the tablet transporting portion and in the restricting body that guides the tablets while decelerating from the outer peripheral side to the inner peripheral side from the viewpoint of enhancing the separation effect. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other regulators may be provided. It may be advantageous from the overall configuration.

The present invention has a tablet release device capable of releasing a plurality of types of tablets one by one, and a tablet classification device for classifying the types of tablets supplied separately, each having a relatively simple structure. Since the individual tablet reclassification machine can be realized, it is possible to provide a small and low-priced individual tablet reclassification machine that can be introduced even in a small hospital or a pharmacy, which has been difficult to introduce in the past.

It is a system diagram of the individual tablet reclassification machine which concerns on this invention. It is a side view of one Embodiment of the tablet sorting apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a top sectional view of one Embodiment of the tablet sorting apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view of one Embodiment of the general-purpose tablet release apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view of one Embodiment of the general-purpose tablet release apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing of one Embodiment of the general-purpose tablet release apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a back view of one Embodiment of the general-purpose tablet release apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a top view of one Embodiment of the general-purpose tablet release apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining one Embodiment of the general-purpose tablet release apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the part of one Embodiment of the general-purpose tablet release device which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation of the conventional tablet release apparatus. It is a schematic diagram of the continuous individual package used in this invention.

Hereinafter, the individually packaged tablet reclassification machine 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the present embodiment, the individual packaged tablet reclassification machine will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to tablets, and can be applied to drugs such as capsules.

FIG. 1 is a system diagram of the individual tablet reclassification machine 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of the individual tablet reclassification machine 10, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of the individual tablet reclassification machine 10. It is a cross-sectional view.

<Individual tablet reclassification machine>
The individually packaged tablet reclassification machine 10 includes a general-purpose tablet release device 100 as an example of a tablet release device capable of releasing two or more types of tablets one by one, and a tablet sorting device 200, and is systematic. The mechanism is controlled by the personal computer 11 via the mechanism control unit 12, and the image processing unit 13 outputs the image information of the camera 16 having the field of view 16a for photographing the surface of the tablet in order to generate the classification control signal. , The tablet type is specified with reference to the tablet information dictionary 14, and further, a prescription storage unit 15 for holding prescription information processed by a packaging machine (not shown) is provided.

<General-purpose tablet release device>
The general-purpose tablet release device 100 is a device capable of accurately counting each tablet and releasing one tablet at a time even if the width or thickness of the tablet changes, and has two or more different dimensions. The tablets in shape can also be released one by one at intervals.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view (closed state) of an embodiment of the general-purpose tablet release device according to the present invention, FIG. 5 is a perspective view (open state) of the general-purpose tablet release device, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the general-purpose tablet release device. , FIG. 7 is a rear view of the general-purpose tablet release device, and FIG. 8 is a plan view of the general-purpose tablet release device.

The general-purpose tablet release device 100 is composed of a lower main body 101 and an upper main body 102, and the upper main body 102 can be opened and closed by rotating about a shaft 103 with respect to the lower main body 101.

That is, the lock claw 105 linked to the lock button 104 provided on the upper main body 102 engages with the lock hole 106 provided on the lower main body 101, so that the upper main body with respect to the lower main body 101 as shown in FIG. 102 closes and becomes one.

Further, by pressing the lock button 104, the engagement between the lock claw 10 and the lock hole 106 is released, and the upper main body 102 opens with respect to the lower main body 101 as shown in FIG.

A rotating disk 107 forming the bottom surface of the tablet storage portion is provided on the upper surface of the lower main body 101. In this rotating disk 107, the central portion 108 is recessed downward in a conical shape, and an outer peripheral flat plate 109 is formed on the outer peripheral portion, and a motor M01 is attached to the rotation axis via a bevel gear 110. , The rotary disk 107 is rotationally driven.

The outer peripheral flat plate 109 of the rotating disk 107 is an example of a “rotating flat plate”.

Radial protrusion ribs 108a are provided on the surface of the central conical recess 108 to enhance the frictional carrying force for the contained tablets.

Even if the rotating disk 107 is a flat plate whose central portion is not recessed, there is no problem as long as the amount of tablets in the disk is small. This is also an example of a "rotating flat plate".

Further, the rotating disk 107 can be removed from the motor M01 by connecting the rotating disk 107 and the motor M01 with a magnet, so that the rotating disk 107 can be removed and cleaned.

In order to restrict the transport of tablets, the upper main body 102 is provided with an outer peripheral side cylindrical guide body 132 that is in contact with the rotating disk 107 in a closed state and surrounds the outer peripheral portion in a cylindrical shape, and also has an outer peripheral side cylinder. The inner peripheral side cylindrical guide body 131 is provided concentrically with the guide body 132 and closer to the center.

Whether or not these guide bodies are provided with various guide bodies (regulatory bodies) will be described in detail later.

Further, an outlet chute 113 for receiving the released tablet is provided on the outer periphery of the disk.

The operation of the general-purpose tablet release device 100 having such a configuration will be described.

The release of the tablet operates with the main body of FIG. 4 closed, but when the small lid 111 provided in the center of the upper surface of the upper main body 102 is first opened and a predetermined tablet is manually inserted, the tablet is almost directly below. Since it is the central conical recess 108 of the rotating disk 107, the tablets are housed therein.

Next, when the rotary disk is driven, the tablets are sequentially conveyed to the inlet 136 on the outer peripheral flat plate 109 side on the outer peripheral side along the curved guide 112 provided in contact with the conical recess 108, and various guide bodies described in detail later. The tablets are aligned and fall from the outer circumference of the disk to the entrance of the exit chute 113 one by one.

Further, at the outlet end 115 of the rotary disk 107, the outer peripheral side cylindrical guide body 132 is opened so that the tablet P can be dropped, but the tablet on the rotary disk 107 may be accidentally dropped except when the tablet is released. A rotary shutter 117 that is opened and closed by a solenoid 116 is provided so as not to be present.

A transmissive optical sensor S1 is provided below the entrance of the outlet chute 113 to count the number of tablets passing by the transmissive optical sensor S1.

Further, the tablet P that drops the chute is released from the outlet 118 of the outlet chute 113 and put into the next step (tablet classification device 200 in the present invention).

In addition, a reflective sensor S2 is provided near the outlet end 115 of the rotating disk 107 to detect the presence or absence of tablet passage, and if the tablet does not pass for a certain period of time, it determines the completion of tablet release. When it is controlled to stop the rotation of the disk or it is detected that the interval between tablets is narrower than the interval set on the control, this is notified to the control unit, and the control unit informs the control unit of the motor M1. It is also possible to increase the tablet interval by controlling the number of revolutions to decrease.

Next, the structures of the outer peripheral side cylindrical guide body 132 and the inner peripheral side cylindrical guide body 131, and their respective roles will be described in detail. Both the outer peripheral side cylindrical guide body 132 and the inner peripheral side cylindrical guide body 131 face the outer peripheral flat plate 109 of the rotating disk 107 and are in contact with each other with a slight gap, and are in contact with each other so as to form an inner circumference on the inner peripheral side of the outer peripheral flat plate 109. The annular portion formed by the side cylindrical guide body 131 and the outer peripheral side cylindrical guide body 132 on the outer peripheral side of the outer peripheral flat plate 109 is divided into a plurality of chambers, and the tablets are transferred from each chamber to the next chamber.

Here, as the tablet passes through a plurality of rooms, the amount of passage of a group of tablets, which was initially a plurality of lumps, is regulated, and the tablets that are stacked one above the other are stacked one by one by a tablet separation mechanism (described later). Finally, at the disk outlet end 115, the tablets can be dropped one by one.

Further, it will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The arrow 120 indicates the rotation direction of the rotary disk 107, and in the tablet transport direction, the first chamber 121 formed at the tablet supply location and the first chamber outlet for guiding the tablet to the outlet of the first chamber. The tip of the guide section 122, the second chamber 123 formed at the tip of the first chamber exit guide section 122, the tip of the second chamber exit guide section 124 and the second chamber exit guide section 124 that guide the tablet to the exit of the second chamber. The third chamber 125 formed in the third chamber 125, the third chamber outlet guide portion 126 for guiding the tablet to the outlet of the third chamber 125, and the fourth chamber 127 and the fourth chamber formed ahead of the third chamber exit guide portion 126. A fourth chamber exit guide portion 128 for guiding to the exit of 127 and a fifth chamber 129 formed at the tip of the fourth chamber exit guide portion 128 are provided.

A highly flexible elastic body guide 130 is provided during the transportation of the first chamber 121, and a reflective sensor S2 provided during the transportation of the fifth chamber 129 detects the passage of the tablet, and the outlet is It becomes the disk exit end 115.

Since the first chamber outlet guide unit 122, the second chamber outlet guide unit 124, the third chamber exit guide unit 126, and the fourth chamber exit guide unit 128 are members that regulate the transport of tablets, they are therefore members. Collectively referred to as "regulatory body".

Further, the first chamber exit guide portion 122 and the third chamber exit guide portion 126 are slightly bulged in the rotation direction of the rotating disk 107. According to this, the creepage distance at which the tablet contacts each regulatory body in the narrow space of each chamber is increased to enhance the regulatory effect, and the conversion of the tablet transport direction is smoothed, but the present invention is not limited to this. It may have a linear shape, which has the advantage of simplifying the structure.

Here, the effect of the regulation of the transportation of the tablet P by the regulator will be described with reference to the schematic diagram. FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the rotary disk 107, the inner peripheral side cylindrical guide body 131, and the outer peripheral side cylindrical guide body 132 according to the embodiment of the general-purpose tablet release device according to the present invention, which are linearly developed in the circumferential direction.

The annular tablet transport portion 133 formed by the outer peripheral disk 109, the inner peripheral side cylindrical guide body 131, and the outer peripheral side cylindrical guide body 132 of the rotating disk 107 is shown as a linear path by unfolding, and is indicated by a plurality of arrows 134. In addition, the peripheral speed of each part becomes higher toward the outer peripheral side.

The small parenthesis symbol portion 135 corresponds to the central portion 108 recessed in a conical shape, and the hatched straight portion corresponds to the inner peripheral side cylindrical guide body 131.

In the first chamber 121, the tablets P randomly laminated in the central portion 108 recessed in a conical shape move from the entrance portion 136 to the outer peripheral disk 109 side, and move to the outer peripheral side with the assistance of the elastic body guide 130. , It is brought closer to the exit guide portion 122 side of the first chamber in the direction generally shown by the arrow 137.

Here, since the first chamber outlet guide portion 122 is provided so as to guide the tablet from the outer peripheral side to the inner peripheral side of the outer peripheral disk 109, the outer peripheral side cylindrical guide body is provided by the centrifugal force during rotation of the rotating disk 107. The tablet approaching 132 can be gently guided toward the inner peripheral side cylindrical guide body 131 to loosen the tablet mass.

Further, the tablet P1 which is in direct contact with the outlet guide portion 122 of the first chamber moves to the side of the second chamber 123 as shown by the arrow 137, but the tablet P2 which is not in direct contact with the exit guide portion 122 of the first chamber is indicated by an arrow. It is returned to the central portion 108 side which is recessed in a conical shape like 138.

That is, the first chamber 121 has a function of restricting the amount of tablets moving to the second chamber 123 side to such an amount that the tablets can come into contact with the surface of the second chamber outlet guide portion 124.

In the second chamber 123, the tablet is conveyed in contact with the second chamber outlet guide portion 124, and the second chamber exit guide portion 124 is provided so as to guide the tablet from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side of the outer peripheral disk 109. And since the tablets are accelerated as they move toward the outer periphery by centrifugal force, the tablet spacing is gradually widened.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of a third chamber outlet guide unit 126 according to an embodiment of the general-purpose tablet release device according to the present invention.

In the third chamber 125, the tablet is conveyed from the outer peripheral side to the inner peripheral side in contact with the third chamber outlet guide portion 126, but the lower portion of the third chamber outlet guide portion 126 has a gap according to the traveling direction of the tablet. It is an opening for separating overlapping tablets 139 (overlapping tablet separation mechanism) formed by a plurality of steps that become wider, for example, increasing in height by 1 mm.

Although it is rare, as shown in FIG. 10 (a), as shown in FIG. 10 (a), two tablets such as P3 and P4 are transported in an overlapping manner. By the rotational force of 109 and the guidance of the third chamber exit guide portion 126, the tablet P3 is advanced toward the inner peripheral side, and the upper angle of the tablet P3 is separated from the upper side of the overlapping tablet separation opening 139, so that the next third is The four chambers can be moved to the 127 side, but at that moment, the upper tablet P4 is blocked from advancing by the upper side of the tablet separation opening 139, and as shown in FIGS. 10 (c) to 10 (d), 2 It is possible to break the stacking and make one by one.

It should be noted that the stepped opening of the opening for separating overlapping tablets 139 is effective in breaking the overlap of two tablets, especially when a small tablet is placed on a large tablet.

However, even if the shape of the overlapping tablet separation opening 139 is not a stepped shape but a curved shape such as an arc, a certain effect can be exhibited.

The overlapping tablet separation opening 139 is provided near the end of the tablet transport unit 133, and is provided in the third chamber outlet guide unit 126 that guides the tablet while decelerating from the outer peripheral side to the inner peripheral side. It is preferable from the viewpoint of enhancing the effect, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other regulators may be provided. It may be advantageous from the overall configuration.

It should be noted that this part is not a strict height regulation, and there is almost no need to change it according to the tablet. In the unlikely event that a plurality of tablets fall in succession, it is detected as an abnormality in the output waveform of the transmissive optical sensor S1 and a signal is output, and the device is stopped to prevent a counting mismatch. Can be done.

In the fourth chamber 127, the tablets are conveyed in contact with the exit guide portion 128 of the fourth chamber and guided from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side, but the speed is increased as the tablets move toward the outer peripheral side, so that the tablet spacing is gradually increased. It works to spread.

From the end 128a of the exit guide portion 128 of the fourth chamber to the 129 side of the fifth chamber, the angle formed by the guide body 128a with respect to the conveying direction becomes smaller, so that the frictional conveying force to the tablet increases, so that the number is further increased. It is accelerated and opens with a sufficiently wide space from the next tablet, and falls from the outlet 115 to the outlet chute 113.

The tablet drop sensor counts the falling tablets, and when the number of tablets that is separately instructed is reached, the tablet drop sensor instructs the drive motor M1 to stop via the control unit, and when the drive motor M1 stops, There is no danger of the next tablet falling.

However, the tablet transport interval in front of the outlet 115 is monitored by the reflective sensor S2, and when the tablet interval becomes smaller than the value specified in advance, the control unit is driven before the count of the drop sensor S1. By instructing the stop of the motor M1, when the drive motor M1 is stopped, the possibility that the next tablet will fall is eliminated.

As described in detail above, the regulation / alignment effect of the regulated tablet on the tablet can solve the conventional problem described in FIG. 11, but the main point is that the tablet on the disk is guided on both sides thereof. Instead, only one side is always in contact with the regulator to guide it.

As a result, even a semicircular semicircular tablet that is not circular or a tablet having a deformed shape can be transported without clogging.

In addition, two or more types of tablets having different dimensions and shapes can be released one by one at a distance.

A general-purpose tablet release device has been described as an example as a device capable of releasing two or more different tablets one by one, but even if the device does not have such a configuration, two or more different tablets can be released as one. Anything may be used as long as it can be discharged separately from each other.

<Tablet sorting device>
The tablet sorting device 200 has an endless transport belt 201 bridged between the pulleys 206 and 207 with the upper surface substantially horizontal, and bearings 204 and 205 for rotationally supporting the pulleys 206 and 207.

The motor M2 is directly coupled to the pulley 207 and can transport the tablets in the direction of arrow 208. The transport belt 201, pulleys 206 and 207, bearings 204 and 205, and motor M2 are collectively referred to as a tablet transport unit.

Further, side surface guides 209a and 209b for preventing the tablets from falling off from the belt are provided on the side surface of the transport belt 201 in the traveling direction.

The color camera 16, which is an example of the tablet image acquisition unit, is installed with the lens attached downward so that the upper surface side of the belt is the image acquisition surface. Here, it is preferable that the transport belt 201 is black, and the outline of the tablet to be photographed can be clearly obtained by suppressing the influence of shadows due to lighting, whereby the external dimensions of the tablet, the color of the tablet, and the engraving can be obtained. It is also possible to acquire incidental information such as.

The distribution gates 202a, 202b, 202c, which are an example of the tablet distribution unit, are provided substantially in contact with the surface of the transfer belt 201 in order to lead the tablets out of the transfer belt 201, and are driven by the rotating solenoids 210a, 210b, 210c, respectively. Will be done.

Normally, it is stationary at the position indicated by the distribution gates 202a and 202b, which does not perform distribution, and rotates at the position indicated by the distribution gate 202b when instructed by the mechanism control unit 12.

The tablet distribution unit is not limited to the combination of the rotating solenoid and the distribution gate, and may be one that uses a linear motion solenoid, or one that uses air pressure or air flow.

The side guide 209a is partially provided with an opening, from which oblique chutes 211a, 211b, 211c are provided, and tablet storage boxes 212a, 212b, 212c, which are examples of tablet storage portions, are arranged at the ends thereof. Has been done.

The tablet storage portion is not limited to a box shape, and may have any shape such as a bag shape or a dish shape.

Further, a transmission type optical sensor 213a, 213b, 213c is arranged in the middle of the shoots 211a, 211b, 211c, and the number of tablets passing through the shoots 211a, 211b, 211c can be counted.

The operation of the tablet sorting device 200 having such a configuration will be described. Tablets to be classified, which are supplied (released) from a general-purpose tablet release device 200 or the like and transported on the transfer belt 201 in a state of being separated one by one on the transfer belt 201, fall when, for example, the distribution gate 201b rotates. It can be dropped and stored in the tablet storage box 212b via the chute 211b, and the number of tablets stored can also be recorded.

On the other hand, a tablet exclusion box 214 is arranged at the end of the transport belt 201, and tablets that cannot be classified into the tablet storage boxes 212a, 212b, and 212c are stored.

<Explanation of operation of individual tablet reclassification machine>
The operation of the individually packaged tablet reclassifying machine 10 having the general-purpose tablet releasing device 100 and the tablet sorting device 200 described above will be described.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a continuous individual package used in the present invention. A bundle of continuous individual packages created based on specific prescription data by another packaging machine The continuous individual packages (M) of PP are, for example, after breakfast (Q1), after lunch (Q2), and after dinner (Q3). In particular, various drugs are enclosed according to the timing of administration, and a perforation Q4 is provided between each individual package, and by cutting this, an individual package of one dose unit is obtained.

The contents of the continuous individual package are all assigned numbers to the prescription storage units 15 connected to the personal computer 11 and stored.

When a continuous individual package created based on a certain prescription becomes unusable for some reason, the number of the prescription is manually entered or the barcode printed on the continuous individual package is read.

The personal computer 11 reads the corresponding prescription data stored in the prescription storage unit 15 from the number, and outputs the data related to the prescription such as the individually packaged tablet type and quantity to the monitor screen.

The operator confirms this, but after confirming the expiration date of each drug and another reuse prohibition clause in addition to the type and quantity, if it is judged that the drug can be reused, the predetermined button is pressed.

Next, the number of packages will be shown, so manually check the quantity of continuous individual packages. If it is not used at all, it matches the indicated number of packages, but if it is used halfway, the number of packages is small, so the actual number of packages is manually input to the personal computer 11. As a result, the type and quantity of tablets to be enclosed in the continuous individual package are clarified, and this is displayed on the screen.

Next, the continuous individual package is manually opened, all the tablets are taken out, the small lid 111 on the upper part of the general-purpose tablet release device 100 is opened, a plurality of tablets are manually inserted, and then the operation of the personal computer 11 is started. When the button is pressed, the operation of the individual tablet reclassification machine 10 starts.

First, by rotating (F01) the rotary disk 107 of the general-purpose tablet release device 100, the tablets are conveyed from the first chamber 121 to the fifth chamber 129, and the intervals between the tablets having different shapes of a plurality of types are separated. , The overlap of the two sheets is also broken, and it falls to the exit chute 113.

When the tablet drop sensor S1 detects that the tablet has fallen, the rotating disk 107 is stopped, and at the same time, the transport belt 201 of the tablet sorting device 200 is driven. When the camera 16 recognizes that it has entered, the transport belt 201 is stopped.

When the camera 16 acquires an image of a stationary tablet and sends it to the personal computer 11, the image processing unit 13 refers to the tablet information dictionary 14 that records the size, color, etc. of the tablet, and determines the type of the tablet. Identify. The image processing unit 13 and the tablet information dictionary 14 are combined as an example of the tablet type determination unit.

For example, if there are three types of tablets in the prescription, any one of these three types is determined. Therefore, since it is not a match authentication from an unspecified tablet, high-speed determination can be performed.

When the result of the determination (F02) is a tablet to be stored in the tablet storage box 212b, the distribution gate 202b is rotated and the belt 201 is also driven to store the tablet in the tablet storage box 212b and to permeate the tablet. The type optical sensor 213b counts the number of tablets.

Subsequently, by returning to the first (F01) and repeating the same operation, each tablet can be classified and contained.

If the determination result (F02) cannot be determined, the tablet is housed in the tablet exclusion box 115 by driving the transport belt 201 without driving each distribution gate.

The above operation is repeated, the device is stopped after a certain period of time after the tablet drop sensor S1 stops detecting the tablet drop, and the actual number of tablets dropped in each tablet storage box 212 is displayed on the personal computer 11.

At the same time, the comparison value of the desired quantity set in advance is also displayed. If this comparison value is zero, it indicates that the classification was successful. If it is not zero, the tablets contained in the tablet exclusion box 115 are visually confirmed, and finally a human confirms the matching of the quantities.

The above explanation has been to classify three types of tablets, but if there are many types, it can be dealt with by adding a distribution gate and a corresponding tablet storage box.

In the above description, the transport belt 201 is temporarily stopped when the image is acquired for determining the tablet type, but it may not be paused by using a camera or the like capable of acquiring a high-speed image. could be. In that case, there is an effect of improving the processing capacity.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to classify tablets with a simple structure without using an expensive robot such as an articulated robot or a scalar type or an adsorption mechanism. It is possible to improve the efficiency of business.

In addition, since a robot-like object is not used, there is an advantage that various protective measures for personal safety in case of a malfunction of the robot are not required.

10-pack tablet reclassification machine 16 Camera 100 General-purpose tablet release device 107 Rotating disk 122 Room 1 exit guide part 124 Room 2 exit guide part 126 Room 3 exit guide part 128 Room 4 Exit guide part 131 Inner circumference side cylinder Guide body 132 Outer peripheral side cylindrical guide body 133 Tablet transport unit 139 Overlapping tablet separation opening 200 Tablet classification device 201 Transport belt 202 Sorting gate

Claims (5)

A) A tablet release device capable of releasing at least two or more types of tablets one by one,
B) A tablet transport unit that transports tablets released from the tablet release device, and a tablet transport unit.
A tablet image acquisition unit provided close to the tablet transport unit, and a tablet image acquisition unit.
A tablet type determination unit that determines the tablet type based on the image acquired by the tablet image acquisition unit, and a tablet type determination unit.
A tablet distribution unit that distributes tablets based on the results of the tablet type determination unit, and a tablet distribution unit.
An individually packaged tablet reclassification machine having a tablet storage unit that stores the tablets sorted in the tablet distribution unit and a tablet sorting device including the tablet storage unit. The tablet release device
A circular flat plate that has a substantially horizontal plane and can be rotated by placing tablets on the upper surface,
An outer peripheral side cylindrical guide body provided on the outer peripheral side of the upper surface of the circular flat plate, and
An inner peripheral side cylindrical guide body provided inside the outer peripheral side cylindrical guide body on the upper surface of the circular flat plate, and an inner peripheral side cylindrical guide body.
A tablet transport unit formed of the circular flat plate, the outer peripheral side cylindrical guide body, and the inner peripheral side cylindrical guide body, and transports tablets by rotation of the circular flat plate,
It has a cylindrical guide body on the outer peripheral side and / or a regulator provided so as to project from the cylindrical guide body on the inner peripheral side to the tablet transport portion to regulate at least one of the amount, interval, and orientation of tablets. The individually packaged tablet reclassification machine according to claim 1, wherein the tablet is a general-purpose tablet release device. In the general-purpose tablet release device, when a tablet is conveyed on the circular flat plate, a restrictor that guides the tablet from the outer peripheral side to the inner peripheral side of the circular flat plate and a restrictor that guides the tablet from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side of the circular flat plate. The individually packaged tablet reclassification machine according to claim 2, wherein the regulators for inducing tablets are alternately provided. The individually packaged tablet reclassification machine according to claim 2, wherein in the general-purpose tablet release device, only one side of the tablet is brought into contact with the regulated body and transported. The individually packaged tablet reclassification machine according to claim 2, wherein the general-purpose tablet release device has an opening for separating overlapping tablets having a wide gap according to the traveling direction of the tablet at the lower part of the regulated body.

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